Wednesday 17 October 2007
The meeting commenced with presentations from :
Tracy Calvert (DoW) reporting on the results on monitoring at Marshalls Wetland.
The wetland is working well reducing sediment loads from water leaving the wetland. Nutrient stripping potential peaked between 2004 - 2006, and has now declined. Further research and monitoring is required to determine future management of the wetland.
ATTENDANCES: Chris Westcott, Karen McKeough, Graeme Heighton, Andrew Marshall, Phillip Marshall, Des Wolfe, Maurice McCormick, Kirsten Murray, Steve May
APOLOGIES: John Blaney-Murphy, Phil Mellon, Jim Allen, Jan Allen
In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, Andrew Marshall chaired the meeting.
Minutes of the previous general meeting, 5 September 2007 are not available.
Minutes of the previous executive meeting, 26 September 2007 were circulated.
The minutes be accepted as an accurate record of the meeting
Moved: Phillip Seconded: Maurice
Matters arising: A book on the history of the railway from Elleker to Nornalup was launched recently. Book is available from the Denmark Historical Society.
3.1 Inwards
4.1 Treasurer's Report - Current balances
Cheque account $1,496.72
Cash Management Account $173,622.44
Moved: Des Seconded: Chris
Karen - SCNRM quarterly reporting, Research on Draft Cosy Corner Management, Research on Abbots Liquid Salvage, Lake Powell ground truthing of reserve boundary
Kirsten - Perennial pastures site visits, Weed ID course, Torbay Hall weed plan & busy bee
Kirsten enquired about subsidies for soil & plant tissue testing. Everyone agreed that the group to pay 50% of soil and plant tissue testing if the testing is associated with planting perennial pastures or a recommendation from Ron Master.
Weed spraying - Corrective services team is going well. The results of their work is very visible along Lower Denmark Road.
Many thanks to Chris Westcott for his help spraying
City of Albany is supportive of our idea to brush (lay branches of native vegetation with seed pods attached) areas that will be sprayed on Sandberg Rd.
There are large areas of Watsonia on this road that need help with revegetation to control the weeds. Seed will be released from the brush and hopefully natural regeneration will occur.
6.1 Abbotts Liquid Salvage
Operate a liquid waste processing facility in Drome (top of Seven Mile Creek) (just north of Water Corp tree farm).
A proposal was received from the above, stating their intention to double the amount of waste water received (10,000m3 to 20,000m3) and to commence fertigation of a 5ha bluegum plantation.
No issues with proposal
6.2 Draft Cosy Corner Management Plan
City of Albany has released above plan for comment. Main proposals are limiting camping, fire and dieback management.
TCG not submitting comment on plan.
6.3 Catchment Calendar
Karen suggested the development of a calendar to help reinforce behaviour change messages. Local photos with all major items; school holidays, public holidays, info on TCG, meeting dates, contact details etc. Mailed out with Christmas newsletter
Motion: proceed with development of calendar, which is to be funded from interest on bank investments.
Moved: Maurice Moved: Chris
6.4 Torbay Hall Weedbusting
Busy bee being organised with support of CoA Bushcarers for Saturday Oct 20.
Blackberry rust - a second strain targeting English blackberry has been released and should be making it's way to Torbay soon.
6.5 Christmas Function
A BBQ at Cosy Corner Beach on Wednesday 19 Dec. Bring the family. From 6pm. Come early for a swim!
6.6 Other business
Maurice reported gravel stockpiles, (suspect Main Road dump on Down Road) being arranged in such a way that they posed a serious sediment run-off threat to Marbellup Brook (piles running across the contour).
Action: Write letter to Main Roads and City of Albany requesting information on gravel stockpiling practices and express concerns at current arrangements.
Andrew reported the local Bush Fire Brigades are holding a Bush fire awareness day on Sunday 25 November.
Action: Karen & Kirsten to prepare a display to raise awareness of TCG
Meeting closed 9:30pm