1. Welcome, attendance and apologies

   ATTENDANCES: Glen Scott, Mike Scott, Des Wolfe, Terri Harwood, Steve May (DoW), Chris Westcott, Andrew Marshall, Graeme Heighton, Phil Mellon, Karen McKeough (DoW), Maurice McCormick, Wendy Wason

   APOLOGIES: Monty Walker, Phillip Marshall, Ian King, John Blaney-Murphy

2. Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising

   Minutes of the 8th November 2006 meeting were accepted as a true record of that meeting. Moved Maurice McCormick, Seconded Chris Westcott

   Matters arising:

   • 2.1 Phil reported that Bridge No 4689 (Skinny Bridge) repair is about to commence

3. Correspondence:

   Incoming:

   • Letisha Newman, thanking us for our response to the Marbellup Brook Draft Drinking Water Source Protection Plan. She included a copy of the plan showing the changes that have resulted from her consultations. The final protection plan will be released in March and copies may be obtained after this time on the internet at www.water.wa.gov.au.
     Action: Karen McKeough to send letter from TCG agreeing with the changes
   • Environment and Conservation news
   • Dept of Consumer and Employment Protection, Consumer Protection Division, is conducting a review of the law affecting incorporated associations. Information can be found at www.docep.wa.gov.au/agb or at a branch of the State Library of Western Australia; or call 1300-304-054 for a consultation guide. Submissions must be in writing and reach Consumer Protection by 5 pm Monday 30, 2007.
     Action: TH to write to change the address for the Torbay Catchment Group

   Outgoing:

   • Steve May has sent letters to interested residents outlining catchment group funding and available assistance.
   • Community Corrections, Water Corporation, and the City of Albany, thanking them for their assistance with our Watsonia Eradication Program.

   Correspondence accepted by Chris Westcott and seconded Graeme Heighton

4. Financial Report

   Closing balance: $ 170,316
   Expenses: Cuppup Valley $2415

   Income:
   Bank Register:
   136 Red Lion Bus Hire $350
   134 D Harwood $75.00
   Outstanding expenses: Nil

   Action: Graeme to investigate interest bearing account for funds which are not intended to be spent in immediate future. Moved: Maurice McCormick, Seconded Des Wolfe

   Financial report was accepted by Des Wolfe and Seconded Maurice McCormick

5. Staff Reports:

   5.1 Catchment Coordinator: Karen McKeough

   Preparation and Planning for the Soils and Nutrient workshop Presentation for UWA Aquatic Science student on Watershed Torbay Project Environmental Water Requirement studies have been commenced by CENRM and Edith Cowan University. This is a project from the Restoration Plan.
   The group thanked Karen for the well organised Soils and Nutrient Workshop.

   5.2 Project Officer: Steve May

   Barrett's meadow: Department of Environment and Conservation have consented to spray the Typha. Steve has offered to spray the small area of Watsonia provided they supply the chemicals. Pittosporum also requires eradication. Steve reported an increase in applications for funding.
   The text has been developed for the production of the Best Management Practice sheets. Other agencies such as Water Corp and Department of Environment and Conservation have been assisting.

6. 6. General Business:

   6.1 Secretary:

   Terri Harwood will be away until October and Pauline Irving has offered to stand in as Secretary.

   6.2 Implementation of Catchment Plan projected budget:

   Karen presented the Implementation of Catchment Plan projected budget, funding guidelines and projected outcomes for 2007/2008. The group noted the plan.
   Action: Karen to email to outputs table as copy was too small for meeting to read

   6.3 Restoration Plan actions and achievements:

   Karen handed out the Restoration Plan actions and achievements for 2005/2006 for member's information and discussion.
   Action: TH to send out the document with the minutes of this meeting. Members can discuss any issues from this document at next general meeting (21/3/07).

   6.4 Public consultation meeting:

   Karen informed the meeting that Lignor Limited will be holding a public consultation meeting on Wednesday 14/2/07 at 6pm at Georges Restaurant Great Southern TAFE to present progress on the Engineered Strand Lumber Plant

   6.5 Wolfe Cup Cricket Competition:

   The group decided to promote the Torbay Catchment Group and the Watershed Torbay project at the Wolfe Cup Cricket Competition on 25th February, 2007.
   Action: Steve to produce DVD and Karen to assist with a static display

   6.6 Environmental Water Requirement project:

   Environmental Water Requirement project want to make contact with people from the catchment.
   Action: Karen to supply contact details.

   6.7 Twinning Project:

   Twinning Project update from Andrew Marshall. Further investigations to continue re Aboriginal Communities in the Fitzroy and Amanda Bigelow is keen to assist with the launch when site chosen and project has been established. Karen has researched the Australian Government support for landcare projects in the Philippines.

   6.8 Talk by Bill Hollingsworth

   Steve discussed a talk by Bill Hollingsworth (Bandicoot Nursery) who has recently returned from a study tour of farm forestry practices.

   6.9 Soils and Fertiliser Workshop

   Maurice proposed we ask speakers from the Soils and Fertiliser Workshop to supply a copy of their powerpoint/notes to be housed in the Catchment Group Library cupboard.
   Action: Karen to obtain quotes for a lockable cupboard

Meeting closed: 21.35

Next Executive meeting 28th February 2007
General Meeting: 21st March, 2007