ATTENDANCES: Louise Duxbury, Maurice McCormick, Chris Westcott, Andrew Marshall, Phil Marshall, Phil Mellon, Steve May, Karen McKeough, Graeme Heighton, John Blaney-Murphy

Minutes of the previous meeting - 3 May 2006 were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting. Moved: Maurice; Seconded: Phil Marshall

Action : Karen (on TCG's behalf) to write to Water Corporation (Graham Wright & GM)

Letter written 30 May, reply received. Graham Wright to attend next meeting August 16. Karen to reply accepting invitation raising the following points (questions on notice) -

• What were the historical reasons for locating the flood gates at Bridge 45, and not at Lake Powell?
• Are those reasons still valid today?
• What is the expected life span of the floodgates?
• What is the flooding risk to the triangle of land bounded by the Marbellup drains?

Action: Ask Andrew Maughan to consider this option when the modelling of the drainage scenarios is undertaken.

This option is Option 5a, as discussed in the TCRP, and will be further investigated by DoW

Action: Karen to write letter to ATA, thanking them for the presentation but stating that the TCG does not endorse the project, and that it was inappropriate for them to make comments that the TCG was supportive of the project.

Not done yet

Action: TCG to write letter to Wendy asking to advise of her availability and price. Request to be sent to another bookkeeper for comparative purposes. Wendy is authorised to continue in this informal manner until a contract is arranged.

Wendy advised that her hourly rate is $25/hr for up to 4 hrs, decreasing to $20 for any subsequent hours.

Action Karen to write letter to Wendy requesting her assistance with reconciling and auditing processes and general assistance to the Treasurer, for a period of up to 5 hrs / month depending upon demand. If hours are to exceed 5 hrs, request permission from treasurer prior to proceeding.

Moved: Graeme; Seconded: Phil Marshall

1. SCRIPT guidelines for schedule of NRM funding rates

   Steve explained new requirements from SCRIPT that will now require TCG to comply with their standard funding rates and guidelines. These guidelines are general guidelines that cover the whole south coast for anyone receiving funding from Southern Incentives 3. General discussion of the guidelines raised many points of disagreement. Concern raised that SCRIPT will become "project managers" and want to be consulted on allocation of all funds.

   Action: Steve to prepare draft letter of response to SCRIPT stating that some of the conditions are not appropriate and TCG will be seeking a contract variation.

   Louise reminded the group that we are 1 year into our contract with DoE, it is appropriate to reflect upon how the relationship with DoE is progressing, particular with management of staff. General discussion with the group determined that the TCG consists of volunteers and that we don't have the time or skills to manage staff. Everyone (including Steve & Karen) happy with DoE hosting staff.

   Motion: TCG continue contractual arrangements with DoE/DoW for another 12 months
   Moved: Phil Mellon; Seconded: Andrew

   Karen reported the totals achieved in the last year (really only 6 months as Steve started in late November and Karen in January)

   • 15 ha of riparian vegetation protected
   • 10 ha of riparian veg planted
   • 12.31km of stream bank protected
   • 29 ha of bush protected
   • 8.8 ha of bush planted

   Maurice thanked Steve for his great work in the catchment. Well done Steve!

2. Small landowner workshops

   An outcome of the focus groups was the need for workshops catering for the needs of small landholders. It was identified that 2 workshops should be tailored particularly to the needs of the residents around Cuthbert and Torbay Hall - focussing on local issues. A more general workshop open to all small landholders in the catchment would also be held. Topics of interest should include: horse issues, poisonous weeds, environmental weeds/garden escapees, diseases in fruit trees, pruning fruit trees, rainwater tanks, septic tanks etc.

3. Summary of the focus groups

   Louise reported that the tapes of the focus groups have been painstakingly transcribed by Margaret Edwards (DoE), and then further summarised by Louise. The barriers and benefits of adopting various farming practices (soil testing & applying the advice, perennial pastures) have been identified. Louise is now to prepare a marketing strategy to address these barriers and help achieve the targets set by the catchment restoration plan.

4. Watsonia control

   Steve talked to Mark Ford (Reserves Manager, City of Albany). CoA will supply chemical amp;& surfactant. ChemCert required. CoA also will spray some roadsides.

   2006 Watsonia control actions are:

   • CoA to spray roads south of South Coast Highway
   • Andrew & Maurice to spray roads north of South Coast Highway
   • Dept of Corrections to spray around townsites, Torbay, Elleker & Cuthbert
   • Steve to liaise with CoA and Dept of Corrections. Also to investigate extended battery lead for spray unit
   • Karen to write letters to Railways (TransWA?) and Water Corporation and DEC in regard to Barrett Meadows reserve.
   • A catchment weed map needs to be prepared - identifying weeds and developing a control strategy
   • TCG to cover fuel costs for volunteers (present receipts)

5. Other business
   • Phil Mellon has had discussions with Terri Harwood in regard to the role of secretary
   • John Blaney-Murphy requested a copy of the presentation delivered by ATA about the bio-energy power plant for a community member interested in the development
   • Chris & Phil Marshall went to the recent presentation organised by the Dept of Water - "Draft blueprint for water reform". Some of the proposed options included water trading and metering of bores. This may have ramifications for landholders irrigating in the catchment.
     Action: Karen & Steve to find more information about the blueprint for the next meeting.
   • Karen queried the timing of the AGM and a copy of the groups presentation.

Meeting Closed: 9:50pm

Next meeting: General: 16th August 2006. 7:30pm
Presentations from:
Sylvia Leighton, Department of Environment & Conservation on managing your bush
Graham Wright - discussion about the drainage system, in particular Marbellup Plug & Bridge 45 Floodgates