1. Welcome, attendance and apologies

   ATTENDANCES: Glenda Jackson, Wesley Heal, Steven Whittingstall, Susan Whittingstall, Wendy Coffey, Kylie McKay, Jen Wilson, Robyn Loomes, Phillip Marshall, John Blaney-Murphy, Julie Pech, Simon Wilkinson (Summit), Terri Harwood, Andrew Marshall, Graeme Heighton, Phil Mellon, Karen McKeough (DoW)

   APOLOGIES: Maurice Mc Cormick, Steve May, Monty Walker

2. Minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising

   Minutes of the 7th February, 2007 general meeting were accepted as a true record of that meeting.
   Moved by Andrew Marshall and Seconded by Phillip Marshall.

   Matters arising:

   • 2.1 (Gen Bus 6.1) Karen did not email outputs table related to the Implementation of Catchment Plan projected budget as the data has changed significantly and will update group at a later date

3. Correspondence:

   Incoming:

   • Contract for on ground works returned from Liz and Stan Smith
   • Environment and Conservation news

   Outgoing:

   • Letter to Dept of Consumer and Employment Protection, Consumer Protection Division to change address
   • Email to David Jan (david@script.asn.au) to provide meeting dates in response to offer of "strategic assistance to the project officers of strategic catchments in the region"

   Correspondence accepted by Graeme Heighton and seconded by Andrew Marshall

4. Financial Report

   Closing balance: $ 161557.28
   Petty Cash: $338.40
   Expenses: 2 cheques not presented as yet

   Income: $240

   Bank Register:
   142 Country Wide Signs $462
   143 Youngs Siding Hall $60
   144 PO Box Hire $65
   145 Van Der Maeulen fencing $1870

   Outstanding expenses: Nil

   Phillip Mellon reported on the missing interest. The local branch is not able to deal with our missing interest.
   Action: Phillip to continue to pursue

   Financial report was accepted by John Blaney-Murphy and Seconded by Glenda Jackson

5. Staff Reports:

   5.1 Catchment Coordinator: Karen McKeough

   Organising Cultural bus trip etc in readiness for publishing newsletter Changes to funding from SCRIPT: one on one land practices, increase fencing etc rates, weed map, and seed collection.

   5.2 Project Officer: Steve May

   No report as Steve currently on holidays

6. 6. General Business:

   6.1 SCRIPT attending meetings:

   Karen reported that David Jan, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator from SCRIPT would like to attend meetings when he is able. He wishes to have an advisory role at a strategic level with the catchment staff to assist them to meet their milestones and targets.

   Karen replied, thanked him and extended an invite to attend meetings.

   6.2 Aboriginal Heritage training:

   SCRIPT is offering free training on 3rd and 4th April and 22 and 23 May. All people working in the Natural Resource Management area are welcome. Ring Karen if you are interested and she will provide contact details. Karen is still planning cultural bus tour for catchment members.

   6.3 Proposed trip to Esperance:

   Following on from the success of the trip to Busselton/Bunbury area, Karen discussed the proposed trip to explore the farm practices to the East of Albany. Karen will get in touch with NRM officers to explore sites with trials such as perennial pastures, tree farms etc. John and Graeme will check their availability for driving the bus.

   The group expressed their interest in the trip.

   6.4 Progress on Bridge 4689:

   The bridge is currently closed for two weeks for maintenance

   6.5 Twinning update:

   No progress since last report

   6.6 Volunteers:

   6.6 Phil read article from Letters to the Editor in Albany Advertiser congratulating the volunteers who collected rubbish along the roadside recently.

   John and Margaret Blaney-Murphy collected 750 Kgs along the roadways in the catchment.
   The group acknowledged the huge effort they put in and thanked them.

   6.7 Lockable cupboard:

   Karen gained quotes for a lockable cupboard ($400 - $500) and a portable Display Board (900 x 600 x6 panels $770).

   Action: TH to write and ask the Elleker Progress Association for permission to locate a cupboard in the hall.

   6.8 Torbay Motel demolition materials:

   Phone call from Ms Ros Watson to Phil Mellon and Phillip Marshall re demolition of Torbay Motel and materials now being used as a "causeway" in the "Hortin's Drain". She requested "someone' from the catchment group to have a look at the drain and has contacted several departments for advice and action. Dept of Water is no longer maintaining the drain. The Dof W believe the Dept of Planning and Infrastructure control the land and are currently investigating ownership prior to any investigations and actions being determined. The group gave advice that the drain flows into Torbay not into the inlet and now the debris is covered by dirt. City of Albany also has an interest and it is believed there was no disposal advice on the demolition order.
   The group awaits further advice on the issue.

   6.9 Blue gums:

   Phillip Marshall reported on latest Blue Gum meeting that presented research showing the difference between nutrient values in fenced and un fenced vegetated buffers and the effects of the sprays. They are looking for more trial sites in another catchment with more diverse cropping to compare their findings.

   Phillip suggested we invite Barbara Cook to speak with the group and investigate input into the newsletter.

   6.10 Lignors:

   John Blaney-Murphy tabled newspaper article re Lignors securing further timber and the public listing.

Meeting closed: 21.55

Next Executive meeting 11th April, 2007
General Meeting: 2nd May, 2007