Wednesday 4 December 2002
Present:
Andrew Marshall (Chairperson), Maurice McCormick (Deputy Chairperson), Graeme Heighton, John Kratochvill, Chris Westcott, Phil Mellon, Diane Evers, Bill Spence, Dale Holley, Noel Bignell, L. Downes, Julie Pech (WRC) and Terri Harwood (minute taker).
Apologies:
Monty Walker, Melissa Vernon, Pat Walker, Kath Spence and Phillip Marshall.
Minutes of previous meeting:
Confirmed on the motion of Phillip Marshall and Diane Evers.
Amendment to previous minutes:
Attendances: Terri Harwood and Graeme Heighton need to be added to attendance record.
Business arising out of minutes:
Successful trails application: Keith Smith sent report that working group completed work on the trails on Saturday 23rd November as planned.
Correspondence:
INWARDS: Letter received from Lotteries Commission notifying of unsuccessful application for funds in Community Histories Program. Invited to reapply in July each year.
Moved: Maurice McCormick for group to write a letter to Woodbury Boston School to notify of result and suggest reapplying in July 2003 if appropriate for the school community. All agreed.
Letter received from Wilson Tuckey notifying of successful application for funding from Australian Government Envirofund for Catchment-wide targeted implementation of best management practices in waterways rehabilitation ($28.182) and watsonia and woody weed control and regeneration ($2841).
General business:
FEBRUARY CATCHMENT TOUR:
Sites suggested for the Feb 16th catchment tour include hot spots and foreshore areas recently surveyed by Bob Gretton (Greenskills) in the Torbay Inlet foreshore condition survey; Chris Westcott's potato farm; Lake Manarup; areas that have recently been sprayed in watsonia eradication program; Gary Martin's stream and the Torbay trail. Lunch stop to incorporate a picnic lunch at Torbay Hall. Members were asked to RSVP by 12/2/03 and to bring own lunch.
Moved: Maurice McCormick to ask Louise Duxbury to organise promotion of the event. Agreed.
Moved: Andrew Marshall to suggest the launch of Bob Gretton's report on the day. Agreed.
WEED REPORT:
Andrew Marshall tabled map of areas that have been sprayed. Progress Association plan to continue with watsonia spraying next year.
Moved: Phil Mellon to publish map prior to spraying "season" 2003 with information about what to use and how to handle the chemicals.
Moved: Maurice McCormick that letters be written to Westrail and CALM requesting agencies to control watsonia in the Torbay Catchment and in the three CALM reserves of Barrett's Meadow, Lake Powell and Marbellup Nature Reserves. The letters to include copies of the map indicating areas the group has sprayed.
Julie Pech tabled Weed Action Plan written by catchment group in 1999 and suggested the document be reviewed several times per year. This action plan will provide the information for reporting against funds obtained from grants.
Moved: Terri Harwood that "Review of Weed Action Plan" to be on agenda for April 3rd meeting to commence planning for 2003. Agreed.
ENVIROFUND GRANT:
Catchment-Wide Targeted Implementation of Best Management Practices in Waterways Rehabilitation - $28,182
Watsonia and Woody Weed Control and Regeneration - $2,841
Andrew Marshall tabled certificates received from Commonwealth government notifying of successful grants. Both grants to be administered by the Catchment Group. Kevin Hopkinson will project manage the Catchment-Wide Targeted Implementation of Best Management Practices in Waterways Rehabilitation project.
Moved: Diane Evers that City of Albany be notified of the areas the Catchment Group has revegetated, particularly along roads managed by Council. The officers concerned are Ryan Munro - Bushcare Coordinator and Brett Joynes - Executive Director Works and Services. Agreed.
It was also suggested we obtain quotes for trees to plant.
APPLICATION FOR GREEN CORPS TEAM:
Moved: Julie Pech that Catchment Group apply for funds for materials to construct bird hide. Phil Mellon offered to obtain plans (liaise with Peter Collins - CALM) and quotes for building same. Anne Bondin (Birds Australia - Albany Branch) was also suggested as a reference.
FOX BAITING PROGRAM:
Eight people were trained. Participants reported a successful campaign. It was suggested that the community to be made aware of the fox baiting program by a report in the Torbay watershed newsletter in 2003.
COMMUNITY HISTORY GRANT:
Unsuccessful (see correspondence).
REPORT ON WATERWAYS GRANTS:
Andrew Marshall tabled report which identified the four recently approved funding applications.
WATERSHED TORBAY PROJECT:
Surveyors have commenced collecting waterways, channels and land areas information. This information will be used to develop a computer based water balance and transfer model. A drainage sub committee has been formed to work on this project.
Terry Walshe has advised since this meeting that the composition of this group: Phil Mellon, Chris Westcott, Bill North, Terri Harwood, Aditya Kumar (UWA), Graham Wright (Water Corp), Andrew Maughan (WRC), Danny Burkett (Water Corp) and Louise Duxbury and Terry Walshe.
The first meeting is on Tuesday 4th February, 2003 at 4 pm at WRC.
The six main issues being targeted for work are algal blooms, water quality, biodiversity, water flow, education and awareness and land management. Targets and actions are being developed around these issues.
MEETING DATES FOR 2003:
Julie Pech tabled the proposed meeting dates for 2003 and these were endorsed by the group
Other business
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
19th February was agreed. The group needs to identify a potential secretary and treasurer.
Terri Harwood to approach Wendy Wason regarding auditing the books.