Andrew Marshall welcomed Dave Rushton to the Meeting (Julie Pech's replacement while Julie is on maternity leave). Andrew also announced the safe arrival of Julie's baby boy and produced a card to be signed by all in attendance.

Present:

Andrew Marshall (Chairperson), Graeme Heighton (Treasurer), Dave Rushton (Dept of Environment), Phil Mellon, Monty Walker, Maurice McCormick (Deputy Chairperson) Chris Gunby (Dept of Environment), Louise Duxbury (GreenSkills), Phillip Marshall, Graham Wright (Water Corporation), Des Wolfe, Chris Westcott, Terri Harwood, Dale Holley (Secretary) Diane Evers.

Apologies:

Melissa Vernon

Minutes of previous meeting:

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed on the motion of Des Wolfe and Monty Walker

Business arising out of the minutes:

Update of weed strategy: Keith Smith will supply native plants for sprayed areas.
Small equipment Grant application has been posted.
Insurance:12 month cover will cost $300 (decision pending).
Raffle: 10-12 items have been obtained for the raffle. Maurice McCormick moved we appoint a committee to handle the raffle details and apply for a permit from the Lotteries Commission (Phil Mellon, Diane Evers and Des Wolfe to organise this).
Fertiliser workshop: Monty Walker met with Ron Master after the workshop and has compiled an article for the newsletter.

Correspondence:

INWARDS:

(1) 6th May 2003: letter from Sergio Massimini (Manager City Services) City of Albany. Informing the Torbay Catchment Group the signs for Torbay Drain, Marbellup Brook and Grasmere Drain have been ordered. It was brought to the attention of the group that Torbay Drain has always been called 'Unndiup Creek' and Grasmere Drain (7 Mile Creek and 5 Mile Creek) is not a drain.
Diane Evers moved that a letter be sent to the City of Albany saying we would prefer that they do not call them drains, the names that we believe they be called is Grasmere Waterways, Unndiup Creek and Marbellup Brook and leave it to the city to see if this is possible. (motion carried unanimously)
(2) 12th May, 2003: letter received from John Watson, Department of Conservation and Land Management. Approval is granted to establish a Bird Hide at Lake Powell for the monitoring of avian fauna.

OUTWARDS:

(1) 10th May 2003: letters to Mount Romance Australia Pty Ltd and Sanford Power Tools asking for a donation for the raffle.
(2) 29th April 2003: letter to Fay Overheu, Gordon Reid Foundation for Conservation, Community Funding Lotteries Commission, re: revised budget for materials assistance to build bird hide

Treasurer's report:

Dated 12th May 2003, accepted by Diane Evers and Terri Harwood. Maurice McCormick moved Des Wolfe and Chris Gunby get together to assist the new treasurer Graeme Heighton in relation to project monies. Diane Evers seconded, motion carried.

General business:

National Rivers Consortium - Board Visit Overview (10th April, 2003)

Andrew reported the Board Members were shown around the catchment by bus ending up at the Torbay Hall for morning tea and lunch. The presentations to update everyone on the project progress included seven talks from members of WRC, TCG, Dept of Environment, NRC and Water Corporation. Board members were very impressed with the progress so far. Mention was made that it was important not to raise community expectations in regard to reducing algal blooms. Nametags for those in attendance would have been helpful.

Weed Action Plan

Terri Harwood spoke to John Moore at Dept of Agriculture re pamphlet on watsonia eradication to be available for the general public. Terri obtained a leaflet (which will be included in the June newsletter) and was impressed with the amount of information John made available to her. Dave Rushton announced the City of Albany is supplying $500.00 worth of chemicals for watsonia spraying. He was also interested for the group to look into the control of blackberry eradication (to put on the agenda for the meeting in August; John Moore to be contacted).

Anyone wishing to help with watsonia spraying please contact Tim Harwood on 98446225.

Watershed Torbay Restoration Plan (draft)

Louise Duxbury handed out copies of the Restoration Plan (objectives and priorities). This is only a draft and critical comments or improvement suggestions are needed to complete the summary. Feedback is asked to be in by 3rd June 2003

Torbay Inlet Foreshore Condition Survey - (available on website)

Bob Gretton carried out the foreshore condition survey with landowners. He also prepared the information on which the foreshore survey map was produced. Dale Holley has copies of the survey for anyone who has not received one so far. Phone: 98451026. Kevin Hopkinson has now allocated $34,000.00 worth of work in the catchment. The meeting agreed Kevin is doing an excellent job. Andrew read out further work the Green Corp team have done since last meeting and future work planned.

Future Projects - Funding

The next round of envirofunds expression of interest is due in June. Kevin Hopkinson and Dave Rushton will be working on this. The possibility of a fertiliser project was suggested. Another project could be the funding for perennial pasture. The group discussed this at some length.
ACTION: Monty Walker, Andrew Marshall, Dave Rushton and Kevin Hopkinson to meet on the subject.

Nutrient Balance Case Studies

Three case studies are being prepared in cooperation with landholders for annual horticulture, a dairy and a piggery. The case studies will improve knowledge on the levels of nutrient accumulation and potential loss within specific land uses in the Torbay Catchment. The researchers are David Weaver and Simon Neville. Part of the funds are through Watershed Torbay. Louise Duxbury also brought up the subject of largescale compost use, (as a project) particularly in the dairy industry.

Projects

Louise handed out copies of a book written by Basil Schur on "Caring for Country" (People in Landcare from the lower Great Southern). The object of the book is to promote good farm practise. Basil would like to look at the possibility of preparing a similar book on Torbay. The Group was keen for Basil to do this. Andrew Marshall moved we support Basil with this project. Diane Evers seconded

Coastwest funding

TCG provided support for Coastwest funding, should expect confirmation next month.

Membership

Dave Rushton produced a form for members to fill in for his contact purposes. A reminder to all regarding membership fees of $5.00 An additional paragraph to be added to membership form informing members of the work achieved so far (Dale to compose)

Environment awards

Nominations for the Western Australian Environment Awards 2003 are now open. If you would like to recognise the work of an individual in a group or organization please phone 9278 0679 for entry forms. Phil Mellon moved we enter the Torbay Catchment Group for an award. Dave Rushton to organise. Seconded Andrew Marshall

Bridge repair

Phil Mellon reported on the meeting held with Main Roads in Albany recently regarding the Bridge 4689 on Elleker-Grasmere Road. Discussions have been going on regarding replacement of the bridge since 1984. The bridge is in disrepair and replacement is scheduled for 2004/05. Plans and figures are needed as soon as possible to proceed with the project.

Flooding

Chris Westcott expressed concern that water was let from the Torbay Inlet into Lake Manarup and the North Creek drain. By doing this it let salt water back into farming land and increased the risk of flooding if heavy rains fell during April. Chris asked if the Group could deal with the matter in some way.
ACTION: Chris to write a letter of complaint to be submitted for the Newsletter. Graham Wright (Water Corporation) to verify the purpose and intent of structure. The Water Corp is the only body to operate the plug.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 25 June 2003