Present:

Des Wolfe (Chairperson), Andrew Marshall (Deputy Chairperson), Graham Wright (Water Corporation), Phillip Marshall, Ronald Master (AgWest), Phil Mellon (Elleker Progress and Sporting Association), Clark McGarva, Julie Pech (WRC), Geoff Woodall (AgWest), Tom Savich, and Pat Walker (Secretary).

Apologies:

Kevin Priddle, Yvette Worsfold, Terri Harwood and Chris Gunby.

Welcome:

A welcome was extended to Geoff Woodall who came along to speak to members on trialing of high value cabinet timber species.

Minutes of previous meeting:

The minutes were taken as read and confirmed on the motion of P Marshall and P Mellon.

Business arising out of the minutes:

BRIDGE 4689 ON THE ELLEKER-GRASMERE ROAD. Secretary reported generating a submission opposing the blocking of the water flow in North Creek, as proposed by consultants, Bruechle, Gilchrist and Evans to the Main Roads Department in their Option 2 and Option 3. The submission stated that the only option acceptable to the Group was option 1, which would replace the existing bridge with a similar bridge thereby not slowing the flow in North Creek but the consultants had marked this option as "Not to be considered" supposedly because of the cost of $600,000 involved.

Correspondence out:

1 September: David Chadwick, Chairperson, Blackwood Basin Group - congratulating the Group on winning the 2001 Thiess Services International Riverprize in Brisbane on 29 August. The Group won $125,000.

6 September: Brad Williams, Engineer, Main Roads Department - enclosing the Group's submission on Bridge 4689.

6 September: Andrew Hammond, City of Albany - submission Bridge 4689

6 September: Graham Wright, Operations Manager, Water Corporation - submission Bridge 4689

6 September: Peter Steele, Planning Officer, City of Albany - written on the Group's behalf by Andrew Marshall regarding the amended proposal for liquid waste disposal facility at Down Road.

Endorsed on the motion of Phil Mellon and Clark McGarva

Correspondence in:

18 September: Elleker Progress & Sporting Association - thanking the Group for sending a copy of the submission and advising of their full support.

24 September: Graham Wright, Water Corporation - thanking the Group for a copy of the submission and advising that their response (dated 12 April) was also for Option 1.

Guest speaker: Geoff Woodall (Department of Agriculture)

Trial of high value cabinet timber species

Geoff spoke to the members on the possibility of finding people interested in growing Australian Red Cedar in small lots in the area. The land needed would be approx 20m x 20m and fenced. The cedar is already growing successfully on one property in the Denmark area where the trees are six years old. Harvest time could be after 20 years but the colour of the wood matures as the tree gets older. If anyone is interested, contact Geoff at Agwest on 9892 8427.

Watsonia spraying update

Andrew Marshall reported having sprayed two kilometres either side of Thomas Road, Chris Westcott has sprayed in his locality, Terry Allen in his area at Cuthbert and Hugh Smith intends spraying the straight stretch of Lower Denmark Road near his property. Phil Mellon, of Elleker Progress and Sporting Association reported spraying had been done by the Association but they had run out of chemicals. Andrew has the chemical and has made 10kg available to the Association.

Andrew also reported that he had applied for approx $1,000 under the International Year of the Volunteer scheme to purchase a 250 litre sprayer.

Torbay Catchment Group incorporation update

Des Wolfe reported that the Notice of Incorporation had been placed in the Albany Advertiser and that, after 1 November, the Group can apply for corporation.

Waterways grant - free fence posts available

Julie Pech informed the Group members that there was a quantity of fence posts available for free to anyone wanting to fence off waterways, etc.

GERADA ROTH applied for $1,540 to fence 1.4 kilometres of Marbellup Brook tributary at North Hunwick and Corio Roads, and repair existing stock crossing. Julie and Andrew are to inspect the proposed area. Moved P. Mellon, seconded P. Marshall that if Julie and Andrew consider the application practicable, to approve it on the spot.

TIM BRATBY and HELEN ANNICE whose funding was approved on 8 March 2001 have asked that their work be inspected and have requested a part payment so that fencing can be completed. Julie and Andrew will see what has been done so far and approve the next step.

Sedge and rush workshop

The workshop is to be held at the Elleker Hall on Saturday 13 October. Members were encouraged to attend.

Torbay Catchment Waterways Project update

WRC has funding to complete the Torbay Catchment Waterways Foreshore Condition Survey, which will take in one third of the catchment area, surrounding Torbay Inlet. The map of the Marbelup Foreshore Condition Survey has been completed and will be put up in the Elleker Hall, together with a map of the entire catchment.

National Heritage Trust, Ron Master

Ron spoke to the Group giving details of the applications guidelines at the last meeting, and urged people with ideas to contact him on 9892 8521. Possible projects to be on the table for the next meeting. This is a significant source of funding for on ground works to complement the research carried out through the Torbay National Rivers Consortium project. Therefore it is important to get ideas and applications in.

Alcoa Frog Watch

Julie Pech gave out brochures containing information on how everyone can help conserve frogs in their neighbourhood. A membership form to join Alcoa Frog watch is included in the Brochure.

Application for a sandpit at Loc 824, Howell Road Marbellup

Des Wolfe advised that an application for the sandpit at Howell Road was back before City of Albany for consideration. After some discussion, it was decided that the Secretary write a letter to the City of Albany outlining why our Group is opposed to the sand pit.

Letter of thanks to Graham Wright, Water Corporation

Secretary asked to write a letter of thanks to Graham for organising the spraying of watsonia, etc. on Water Corporation's drains in the district.

The next meeting will be held on 14 November, 2001.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm.