Wednesday 27 September 2006 at 8.00 pm
ATTENDANCES: Diane Evers (SCRIPT), Steve May (DoW), Simon Neville, Letisha Newman (Water Corporation / DoW), Liz Marshall, Dale Holley, Pauline Irving, Vicki Read, Dave Read, Simon Wilkinson, Chris Westcott, Phillip Marshall, Des Wolfe, Andrew Marshall, Louise Duxbury, Graeme, Heighton, Phil Mellon, Karen McKeough (DoW)
APOLOGIES: Mayor Alison Goode, Kim Kershaw (DEC), Julie Pech (DoW), Noel Bignall, Mieke Bourne (DoW), Lionel Downes, Bill North, Adrian Stratico, David Hughes-Owen, John Blaney-Murphy, Councillor John Jamieson, Louise Hillman (SCRIPT), Naomi Arrowsmith (DoW), Chris Gunby (DoW), D & M Cooper, Monty Walker, Terri Harwood
Meeting commenced with a presentation from Sharon Stratico, Department of Water on Environmental Water requirements and Water Allocation Planning
Sharon outlined the process that is currently underway in the catchment for determining the environmental water requirements for Marbellup Brook. Work will commence soon, with the allocation plans to be finalised by mid-2008.
Minutes of the 16 August 2006 meeting were accepted as a true record of that meeting.
Moved Chris; Seconded Louise
Matters arising from the previous minutes:
Weed map showing area to be sprayed - not completed yet, but all the information from previous years was to be collated onto a single map. Steve to bring to next meeting
Phillip Marshall attended CENRM Blue Gum Water Research Steering Committee meeting. Phillip was the only farmer representative amongst all the agency and industry people.
Outgoing: Nil
Incoming:
Closing balance: $99,545
Membership subs to stay at $5.00 / family
Financial report be accepted: Moved Des; Seconded Pauline
Andrew Marshall gave a brief report on his recent trip to Brisbane for the River Symposium, including the Riverprize presentation dinner.
Andrew thanked everyone for the opportunity for he and Liz to attend the conference and dinner.
The judges indicated that Torbay was selected as winner because of the excellent partnership developed between the community and government agencies
The International River Foundation encourages winners to develop "twinning" projects with other areas/catchments/communities around the world in need of expertise in river & catchment management
The day following the award presentation both he & Naomi were very busy meeting with the media and with the Chairman of the International River Foundation and Thiess Corporation, Martin Albrecht. Also they had to present to one of the conference sessions - approx 300 people.
Workshop - Wildflowers, weeds & wildlife
October 21 2006 - Torbay Hall
Simon Wilkinson - summit Fertilisers gave an update on the soil testing / fertiliser trial being conducted. Currently only one participant - Maurice McCormick, but TCG hoping to expand the trial next year. Summit keen to keep being involved with trials for at least another 5 years. Simon tabled data on the trial - including soil test results and tissue testing. Simon raised the possibility of water soluble fertilisers being restricted on the coastal plains in the near future. Important for the catchment group to investigate slow release fertilisers
Letisha Newman - DoW - Draft Marbellup Protection Plan. Out for public comment until 23 October
Louise - has been working on marketing strategy, based on outcomes of focus groups. Distributed copies - to be discussed more fully at next executive meeting
Liz Marshall - suggested signage in the catchment promoting our win at the Riverprize and urged the need to keep up the momentum generated by the win to get working on twinning project. It may be necessary to set up a separate committee.
Meeting closed: 10pm
Next meeting: executive committee meeting - October 18 7:30pm Elleker Hall