Present:

G. Wright (Water Corporation), Yvette Worsfold, Julie Pech (Water and Rivers Commission), Maurice McCormick, Chris Westcott, Terry Allen, Dianne Evers and Pat Walker.

Apologies:

Graham Heighton, Phil Mellon, Melissa Vernon, L. and J. Eldridge, A. Marshall and Des Wolfe.

Chairperson:

In the absence of Des Wolfe (Chairperson) and Andrew Marshall (Deputy Chairperson), Dianne Evers was elected to the Chair.

Minutes of previous meeting:

The minutes were taken as read and confirmed on the motion of Chris Westcott and Graham Wright. .

Business arising out of the minutes:

APPLICATION FOR A SANDPIT AT LOC 824 HOWELL ROAD, MARBELLUP. Secretary reported having written to P. Steele, Planning Officer, City of Albany, expressing the Group's opposition to the application and giving the reasons why. A reply was received from C. Sounness, Administration Officer - Development, advising that the submission had been received after the closing date. However, one of our representatives could attend the Open Forum Session for the next meeting. Secretary rang Andrew Marshall to see if he could attend.

Correspondence out:

10 October 2001: City of Albany, P. Steel, Planning Officer - expressing the Group's opposition to the sandpit at Loc 824 Howell Road.

26 October 2001: Graham Wright, Water Corporation - thanking him for spraying watsonia and other weeds on the Water Corporation drains in the catchment area.

Correspondence in:

11 October 2001: City of Albany, C. Sounness Administration Officer-Development - advising our submission was received after the closing date.

Watsonia spraying update

M. McCormick reported a small amount of spray was left, which shows everyone, since last year, have sprayed. The programme is showing great promise. Julie Pech of Water and Rivers Commission requires names of volunteers and the amount of time spent from Andrew Marshall and Peter Elmer, of the Elleker Progress Association.

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.

Wetland planting at Coast and Clean Seas site

Julie Pech reported that the Porongorup Green Corp team planted half the plants for the wetland at Phillip Marshall's property - the rest to come in January. Andrew Marshall, Phillip Marshall and Maurice McCormick sprayed dock and regrowth on the banks. Julie reported the planting of 1,000 sedges on Gary Martin's property.

Torbay Project update

There had been three meetings for the Steering Committee and three for the Technical Group. A web page was being created with a launch in the near future. Terry Walsh had been appointed Co-ordinator with half his time to be spent managing the Centre of Excellence and the other half on the Torbay Project.

National Heritage Trust funding

Ron Master suggested ways in which this funding could be used, such as mapping of foreshore conditions within the Marbellup Brook catchment, fencing streams, spraying weeds, revegetation. He suggested that priority could be given to one stream and protection could be given to the best areas (vegetation wise) or work could be done to restore the worst areas. Educating people on the need to regularly empty septic tanks so as not to have flow from the tanks entering waterways was another suggestion. Ron Master can be contacted at AgWEST at any time for enquiries.

Water sharing and water law reform

Information was available from Julie Pech of Water and Rivers Commission.

Waterways grants - distribution of funds to completed projects

R. and A. Freeman - fencing of water course had been completed. Tim Bratby finished fencing 1.8 kilometres both sides of Marbellup Brook. It was completed by November18 and full payment was made of $1,080.

Christmas barbeque

The barbeque is to be held on Sunday, 9 December at 12 noon. Members and families welcome - members bring a salad and Water and Rivers Commission will supply everything else.

The next meeting will be held on 13 February, 2002.