1. Maurice McCormick (Vice President) welcomed everyone to the meeting

   ATTENDANCES: Maurice McCormick (Vice-President), Graeme Heighton (Treasurer), John Kratochvill, Lionel Downes, Noel Bignell, Philip Mellon, Chris Westcott, Julie Pech (DoE) Phillip Marshall, John Blaney-Murphy, Dale Holley (Secretary).

   APOLOGIES: Andrew Marshall (President), Louise Duxbury (Greenskills), Graham Wright (Water Corp), Terri Harwood., Monty Walker

2. CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES:

   The Minutes of the previous Meeting held on the 13th October, 2004 were confirmed by Noel Bignell and seconded by Chris Westcott.

   MATTERS ARISING:
   Following the Annual General Meeting held in conjunction with the general meeting, a request was made to clarify item (9) Other. Regarding the payment of subs - after checking the Constitution it appears the Members of the TCG can set a date any time during the year for subs to be paid. Members confirmed this should be in line with the AGM

3. CORRESPONDENCE:

   (outwards)

   • 9th November, 2004 To Andrew Hammond CEO, City of Albany. Personal letter from John Blaney-Murphy and Maurice McCormick praising Mark Ford for the safety procedures he put in place while handling the spraying of the watsonia on the Lower Denmark Road, Torbay. Also pointing out his commitment and thoroughness while handling the job
   • 26th October, 2004 Similar letter to Andrew Hammond regarding Mark on behalf of the Members of the Torbay Catchment Group

4. TREASURERS REPORT:

   Opening balance was $76,910.90, Expenses $8,853.11, no income for this period., leaving a closing balance of $68,057.79 (Full copy enclosed). There is an amount of $11,000 left over from the Board Walk grant not used yet. There was a suggestion that this money could be used by the "Friends of Lake Powell" to further improve the conditions of Lake Powell. This to be left on the table for future discussions. The legal aspects of this will be checked with the Lotteries Commission.

   ACTION: who is checking this?

5. GENERAL BUSINESS:

   5.1 Production focus for Torbay Catchment Group

   At the last Watershed Torbay Steering Committee meeting, Louise raised the idea of trying to encourage larger land owners to be involved with the Torbay Catchment Group, by linking catchment group activities with production based groups. Some of the ideas mentioned were: run the next soils workshop jointly with the Pro-Graze Group. When the south west catchment trip is organised, invite farmers from horticultural associations, dairies, Pro-Graze groups and piggeries within the catchment to attend. Extend the network of people exposed to best practice. Hold some joint meetings with other production groups and have special speakers - talk about the input/output analysis work done by Dave Weaver and the work presented recently by Hugo van der Meer. Using the "Advertiser", "Countryman" and radio were also discussed

   5.2 Discussed interest in plane flights over the catchment and dates

   As part of the Watershed Torbay Project, plane flights over the catchment have been suggested to increase catchment residents' understanding of the whole catchment. Members are enthusiastic about the idea and suggested the flights could be used to further advertise the project. Perhaps getting sponsorship for a free ticket. The cost is reasonable at $264 per hour for three people ie. $80 per person. Louise is organising the flights which will be held in the mornings from Albany. The flights would do a circuit of the catchment including the upper catchment, tree farm, drainage district, coast, people's own properties and any other particular points of interest. Each flight would be one hour. Arrangements will go ahead depending on the number of people interested. Six people put their names down at the meeting. Others interested in the flights can contact Louise at Greenskills, Denmark.

   5.3 Discuss possible South West Catchments Bus Trip

   An overnight bus trip to be organised, if enough interest is shown, to visit other catchments to look at soil amendments and alternative fertiliser trials (Alkaloam and Redcoat). Could include visits to dairying properties around Busselton that have taken part in Water Corps' EII project. Eight people have put their names down for this catchment tour. Others interested can contact Louise at Greenskills, Denmark for further details. This trip would be in lieu of a local catchment tour in 2005.

   5.4 Funding - news of grants and update on applications

   • Julie has applied for a "Southern Incentives" (South Coast) Grant for the Torbay Catchment Group, to have two landowners host perennial pasture demonstration sites at their properties. Phillip Marshall has proposed seven and a half hectares near the constructed wetland, and Darren Burrows has proposed 30 hectares (20 in salt affected land and an additional 10 hectares); both properties on South Coast Highway. Will have news of success of the application in December.
   • Australian Government Envirofund Grants (Round 6) have just been advertised, with funds to be made available for on-ground works from mid-year. Closing date for applications is 18th February 2005.
   • Funding for roadside signs also being applied for - who is following this up? Not recorded in minutes.
   • No news yet about "Sharing Australia's Stories"'

   5.5 Lake Powell Workshop and Field Trip to be held on Thursday 9th December, 2004.

   Phil Mellon, Terri Harwood and John Blaney Murphy have volunteered to distribute leaflets through letter boxes and door knock to engage interest in the field day. A letter box drop has been arranged to advertise the field day. The workshop component will commence at 1pm at Elleker Hall at 1.00 pm and will include CALM presentation on Interim Management Guidelines, and Steve Appleyard (DoE) will present results of the Lake Powell Groundwater Interactions Study. The fieldwork component including macroinvertebrate sampling and bird watching will commence at the Lake at 2.30 pm.

   5.6 Lake Powell Questionaire

   As no responses were received by CALM on the Lake Powell questionnaire distributed at a previous TCG meeting, it was suggested that the questionnaire could be re-distributed at the Lake Powell field day, and respondents requested to complete it on the day. However feedback was provided that the questionnaire was felt to be too long, and that people would be more inclined to fill in a much shorter survey, eg. one page. Julie to provide this feedback to CALM staff. (NB. done - discussed with Sarah Comer, who ad

   5.7 Discussed proposed TCG and Watershed Torbay meeting dates for 2005

   • Watershed Torbay Steering Committee Meeting will be on 15th December, 2004 incorporating a short meeting, followed by dinner. Venue to be decided.
   • The first Torbay Catchment Group Meeting for the year will be 9th February, 2005.
   • The first Watershed Torbay Steering Committee Meeting will be 19th January 2005.
   • Friday 18th and Saturday 19th February 2005 have been set for the Community Consultation Workshops for the Catchment Restoration Plan. Venues proposed are Elleker and Torbay Halls, to be confirmed. A sausage sizzle lunch will be provided from 12noon, with workshops taking place from 1-4pm on both afternoons.
   • End of Watershed Torbay Project party to be arranged.
   • A full list of meeting and workshop dates will be circulated in the new year once all venue bookings are made.

   5.8 Watsonia spraying- mapping update for 2004

   As Andrew Marshall was unable to attend the meeting, this item will be reported at the next TCG meeting (9th February 2005). However, the meeting was informed that the Water Corp, Department of Correction, City of Albany and TCG have all carried out watsonia spraying in Torbay Catchment in 2004.

   5.9 Watershed Torbay reporting

   5.9.1 Communications Next Newsletter deadline for articles by 24th November, 2004. Louise said she has a couple of good articles and some great stories and coming events.

   5.9.2 Groundwater Investigations Study Steve Appleyard (DOE Land & Water Quality Branch) is analysing the twelve months of data obtained for this study from groundwater bores around Lake Powell and Torbay Inlet, and is providing a written report on the findings. To understand the study area, Steve recently toured the groundwater area, floodplain and sample sites with Andrew Maughan and Julie Pech (DOE). Steve has flagged the issue of acid sulfate soils in the catchment floodplain possibly contributing to nutrient loads in the catchment waterbodies, based on overseas and eastern states research. This needs further investigation to determine if it is an issue in Torbay Catchment. This will be discussed at the Drainage Committee Workshop on 3rd December 2004.

   5.9.3 Workshop results Already discussed

   5.9.4 Additional Drainage Committee Workshop 3rd December, 2004

   5.9.5 Steering Committee end of year meeting/presentation Already discussed 5.7

Meeting closed 9.10 pm
Next Torbay Catchment Meeting will be held on 9th February, 2005.