1. Meeting opened by President Phil Mellon

   ATTENDANCES: Phil Mellon (President), Terri Harwood (incoming Secretary), Graeme Heighton (Treasurer), Steve May (DoE), Andrew Marshall, Louise Duxbury, Karen McKeough (DoE), Maurice McCormick, John Blaney-Murphy, Phillip Marshall, Aiden Hastie, Melissa Fone, Peter Stewart, Margaret Blaney-Murphy, Sherrie Randall, Judy English, Jo Tilles, Wendy Minchen, Steve May, Adrian Stratico, Chris Westcott, Keith Smith, Olive White, Ken White, Jon Marwick, Lionel Downes, Evelyn Jarvis, Roger Bittner, Mark Ford

   APOLOGIES: Noel Bignell, Monty Walker

2. Presentation:

   Sylvia Leighton (Land for Wildlife Officer, WA Dept of Conservation) gave a presentation outlining the decisions required to develop wildlife corridors on your land, the fauna found in the catchment and how to maintain their sustainable environment .

3. Confirmation of minutes

   Minutes of the previous meeting were moved as accepted by John Blaney-Murphy and seconded by Andrew Marshall

4. Correspondence:

   Outgoing: Nil

   Incoming:

   • Craig Russell: Inviting the Torbay Catchment Group to nominate a representative to join the steering committee for the Blue Gum research project
   • Graham Wright (Water Corporation): Apologies for not being able to attend the meeting and responded to questions raised at previous meeting.
   • Col Parry (Ag Dept WA): Supplied a copy of the form required to apply for fox baiting.

   Correspondence moved to be accepted by John Blaney-Murphy seconded by Andrew Marshall, carried.

5. Treasurer's Report

   Treasurer's Report Presented by Graeme Heighton. Copy tabled at meeting

   Treasurer's Report accepted: Moved by Maurice McCormick, seconded by Philip Marshall.

6. General Business:

   6.1 AGM

   AGM 27th September. It was suggested that the meeting is a celebration of progress thus far.

   Actions: Louise to prepare a powerpoint presentation.
   Karen to invite a speaker, steering group members and advertise the meeting
   Phil to prepare a report on the restoration plan

   6.2 Restructure of the Executive Committee:

   Phil proposed a new structure for the catchment group. The executive committee will meet to take care of general business and bring recommendations to the general catchment meetings. This will allow for a dissemination of information focus at the general catchment meetings.

   Action: The meeting agreed to the proposal.

   6.3 Weed Eradication Program:

   Steve reported Department of Justice team to commence on 4th September. The City of Albany is assisting again this year. Steve congratulated the catchment group, Justice Dept and City of Albany on the success of previous weed eradication programs.

   Phil asked for information re a Revegetation Program for the areas already poisoned. Steve May informed the group that it is recommended that Watsonia requires a three year program and then to be monitored and that the City of Albany do not have plans for a revegetation program. This currently under review but revegetation is cost prohibitive. Reveg of bushland has priority and the drains are cared for by slashing.

   Action: Steve May to supply "map" of area to be poisoned this year and calculate amount of chemicals required from the City of Albany and to request the City Of Albany to not slash areas that have recently been poisoned.

   6.4 Centre of Excellence in natural Resource Management Blue Gum Water Research Steering Committee:

   The catchment group was asked for a representative on this committee. Phillip Marshall volunteered.

   Action: Email to nominate Phil

   6.5 Focus Group

   Karen requested $100 to purchase the focus group's dinner prize awarded to Bruce Dalton. This has already been approved at a previous meeting.

Meeting closed at 2130

Next Executive Committee meeting 6th September
Next General Meeting, also an AGM is 7th September

Celebrate the past years achievements, including the Riverprize, with a get together of all those involved with the Watershed Torbay project. Drinks and BBQ from 6:30pm at the Hall, followed by the AGM and general meeting.