Torbay Catchment Group Minutes August 2001

Minutes of the Torbay Catchment Group Meeting

held Wednesday 22nd August 2001

Present:

Chairperson Des Wolfe, Deputy Chairperson Andrew Marshall, Phil Mellon, Maurice McCormick, Graeme Heighton, Tony Erith, Terry Allen, Caroline Caddy, Tom Savich, John Kratochvill, Phillip Marshall, Julie Pech (WRC), Diane Evers, Yvette Worsfold, Ron Masters (Dept. Ag), Terri Harwood.

Apologies:

Pat Walker, Monty Walker, Leslie Walker, Kevin Priddle, Hugh Smith, Graham Wright, Chris Gunby, Naomi Arrowsmith.

Minutes of previous meeting:

The minutes were taken as read and confirmed on the motion of Andrew Marshall, seconded Maurice McCormick. Carried.

Torbay Catchment Waterways Restoration Project:

Julie Pech spoke to this topic. Handed out a list of members of the steering group. The first meeting of this group of fourteen will be Thursday 30th August. A list of the Members of the Steering Group and the Technical Advisory Group with their addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses is attached to the minutes. They can be contacted at any time to answer questions or to receive input.

Water quality data and all available information gathered so far is hoped to be posted on a website. The difficulty is that various groups hold such information and gathering it together is difficult. More information to follow.

There will be a community workshop held later this year to allow for local community input into the project and help with a proposed action plan.

Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) Projects:

Ron Masters spoke to this topic and gave a brief outline of what the Natural Heritage Trust is and the projects it funds. Approximately $4 million in projects approved in the last round of funding. $2 million in land care, $900,000 in bush care and $574,000 in river care. There will be another five years of NHT funding, as well as the National Salinity Action plan over 5-7 years. One major focus will be water quality.

Current funding applications will close in September 2002 and Ron encouraged the group to look at putting a project proposal together early to save a last minute rush which usually happens with applications. He encouraged the group to look at what we want to do for the future and put together new, innovative projects compared to past NHT projects. Ron will send a proforma to Des and Julie and all that is needed at present is a rough outline of a project, no specific details. Different examples of projects are : BUSH CARE - mapping of vegetation in the Denmark area; LAND CARE - siphon relief wells to lower the salt level and RIVER CARE - river restoration, creek line fencing.

NHT funding needs to be matched 50/50, not necessarily with cash; can be labor or machinery costs. NHT will complement the NRC Torbay Catchment River Restoration project, by providing funds for on-ground projects. The NRC project funds the research and catchment action plan mainly. An action plan for the area will come from the Community Workshops (mentioned earlier) which will be happening in the near future. A draft plan has to be done by February 2002.

Sedge and Rush Workshop:

Planting of fringing wetland plants was completed at the Coast and Clean Seas Marshall wetland in July; all went well. The next stage is planting the nutrient filter pond entirely to sedges and rushes, about 23,000 plants. A Landcare Support Program Team of volunteers from Green Skills will carry out the bulk of the planting. A half day of planting with the Torbay Catchment Group is also planned. Saturday felt to be the better day for this. This will happen mid October to mid November, the water level in the pond determines the planting date.

The Sedge and Rush workshop will be run on the 13th October (see flier). Numbers need to be given to Julie as soon as possible.

Waterways Grants:

Maurice and Julie visited a property near Wilge Hill, adjacent to Lake Manarup, where application had been made to fence the watercourse. There is a large amount of run off from this property. Recommendations were written up but the landowner will not be carrying out any works at present. In the past, the existing drain carried runoff in a direct route from South Coast Highway to Lake Manerup. This route is now closed off and the water meanders through a significant remnant vegetation and wetland area. Discussion was that it would be best to keep the drain closed (drain is on reserve land), all we can do is recommend this happens.

The uptake on grants has been slow and there was discussion as to how the group may be able to help landowners to apply and promote the funds available. It was suggested that increasing the fencing subsidy from $600 per kilometer, however this is unfair to previous applicants and other catchment groups carrying out work at the rate of $600 / km. One difficulty is landowners having the time and labour to carry out the work. All members to spread the word about available funding.

There was also discussion about how to encourage farmers to use funding. Des suggested putting out a newsletter. The Gordon Reid Foundation has funding for this type of thing. Timing of the newsletter should be roughly quarterly, highlighting current projects that are underway. Julie gathered suggestions to make it an interesting thing, such as keeping it short two pages (four max), large print, clear information, possibly colour, addressed personally to people (there are lists available).

Julie asked for suggested articles to be written and given to her. Ron volunteered to help with this project.

September 2001 Watsonia Program:

Andrew Marshall spoke to this subject. Jane Davis has been able to obtain 40Kg of spray for the group. Best to start in September, last year was very successful, Maurice suggested people see Corio Road to see how successful it has been.

Elleker Progress Association would like to be involved. Phil Mellon to contact Jane about the spray.

For insurance purposes there is a form from the City for people to fill in. Des stated that as a sub committee of the Hay LCDC we are covered with insurance for such projects. It was still felt anyone involved should fill out the form from the City. Andrew has the form.

Torbay Catchment Group Incorporation Update:

The Ministry of Fair Trading has the paperwork therefore no further information at the present time.

Other Business:

Tuesday 28th August at 1.30-2.00pm and 4.30pm there will be sampling of macro invertebrates on the Marshall property.
The City is offering free volunteer courses for people doing secretary and treasurers jobs, computing, etc. Contact Rob Shanhun at the City of Albany, for course details on 9841 9333.
The Water and Rivers Commission has donated two copies of Luke Penn's book "Managing our Rivers" to the Torbay Catchment Group. The book is available for loan, and people loaning the book can write their names in the meeting attendance book. Additional copies are available for $20.00 from WRC.
The single lane bridge on the Grasmere-Elleker road is to be upgraded. There are three options which are being looked at by Main Roads Department (Brad Williams). WRC have already put in a submission regarding the options. Several of the options looked at will actually change the flow of the waterway thus impacting greatly on the lower system of the catchment. Main Roads are awaiting submissions from other interested parties.
Motion before the meeting: A letter be sent from the Catchment Group outlining concerns to any changes made to the existing waterway i.e. a reduction in the flow, and recommending they replace the present structure with a dual lane structure. A copy of this letter is sent to the Director of Engineering Services at the City of Albany. Proposed Maurice McCormick. Seconded Phil Mellon. Carried unanimously.

The next meeting is to held at the Elleker Hall on Wednesday 3 October 2001.

Torbay Catchment Waterways Restoration Project

Community Steering Group

Name Address Phone e-mail

John Simpson 7 Sleeman Avenue Albany 6330 9841 8912 simmo3@iinet.net.au Paul Bendotti Water Corporation 9842 4206 paul.bendotti@watercorporation.com.au Chris Westcott RMB 9222 Albany WA 6330 9841 5474 Phil Mellon P.O. Box 824 Albany 6330 9844 6371 pgm@albanyis.com.au Diane Evers P.O. Box 5075 Albany 6330 9844 6317 evers@albanyis.com.au Melissa Vernon P.O. Box 694 Albany 6330 9844 6115 melissa.vernon@health.wa.gov.au Terri Harwood Lot 774 Muttonbird Rd Torbay 6330 9844 6225 harwood@albanyis.com.au Des Wolfe RMB 9407 Albany 6330 9845 1059 des@albanyis.com.au Mark Taylor RMB 9030A Albany 6330 9845 3121 mtaylor@csr.com.au Bill North P.O. Box 435 Albany 633 9844 6211 David Weaver Dept. of Ag. 444 Albany Hwy, Albany 9892 8429 dweaver@agric.wa.gov.au Louise Duxbury Green Skills Inc, Denmark 9848 1019 grskills@denmarkwa.gov.net.au Julie Pech WRC 5 Bevan Street, Albany 9841 0125 Julie.pech@environment.wa.gov.au Naomi Arrowsmith WRC 5 Bevan Street, Albany 9841 0107 Naomi.arrowsmith@environment.wa.gov.au Chris Gunby WRC 5 Bevan Street, Albany 9841 0106 chris.gunby@environment.wa.gov.au

Technical Advisory Group

Name Address Phone e-mail

Associate Professor Peter Davies (Senior Researcher) Dept. of Zoology, UWA Nedlands 6907 9380 2275 pdavies@cyllene.uwa.edu.au Naomi Arrowsmith (Regional Manager South Coast Region WRC) P.O. Box 525, Albany 9841 0107 naomi.arrowsmith@environment.wa.gov.au David Weaver (Department of Agriculture) 444 Albany Highway Albany 6330 9892 8429 dweaver@agric.wa.gov.au Dr Luke J. Pen WRC 3 Plain Street East Perth 6004 9278 luke.pen@environment.wa.gov.au Malcolm Robb WRC 3 Plain Street East Perth 9278 0526 malcolm.robb@environment.wa.gov.au Steve Janicke WRC P.O. Box 525 Albant 6330 9841 0102 steve.janicke@environment.wa.gov.au Andrew Maughan WRC P.O. Box 525 Albany 6330 9841 0104 andrew.maughan@environment.wa.gov.au Brad Degens (Senior Environmental Officer - Aquatic Science Branch WRC) WRC 3 Plain Street East Perth 9278 0528 brad.degens@environment.wa.gov.au Julie Pech WRC P.O. Box 525 Albany 6330 9841 0125 julie.pech@environment.wa.gov.au