1. Welcome, attendance and apologies

   The Chairperson, Phillip Mellon welcomed those present to the meeting at 1940.

   ATTENDANCES: Maurice Mc Cormick, John Blaney-Murphy, Terri Harwood, Graeme Heighton, Karen McKeough, Phillip Marshall, Andrew Marshall, Paul Wood, David broadhurst (SCNRM), Chris Gunby (DEC).

   APOLOGIES: Adrian Stratico

2. Matters arising from Previous Minutes: Minutes of the previous General meeting, Sept 10th and Executive meeting, August 20th were circulated prior to the meeting

   Confirmation of previous minutes: Maurice McCormick and seconded by Graeme Heighton.

3. Correspondence and matters arising:

   3.1 Inwards:

   • Shire of Denmark re payment by EFT. Forms given to Treasurer to complete.
   • Environment and Conservation News, July? August, 2008
   • City of Albany re Extractive industry (Granite) at Bird Rd. (Response to our submission).
   • World Wide fund for Nature Australia confirming they are unable to fund our Threatened Native Fish project in this round of the Threatened Species Network Community Grant. (Previously minuted)

     Matters arising
     Action: Maurice proposed the TCG write a letter to the City Of Albany expressing our distress that the Test Blast protocols were not followed. It appears the Test Blasts were conducted prior to approval from Council. There was no warning/"consultation" with surrounding landholders as outlined in proposal and there was no council officer present to carry out monitoring. Seconded Graeme Heighton. Motion carried

   3.2 Outwards:

   • Hugh Smith response to letter of August 18th re Fencing Project Proposal.
   • City of Albany re Extractive Industry (Granite) at Lot 2036 Bird Rd, Torbay re our reservations regarding Rehabilitation of Site and Run Off Management. (Aug 25,2008)

   Correspondence accepted by Andrew Marshall and seconded by Paul Wood.

4. Financial Report

   The Treasurer tabled the Finance Report

   • Cash Management Account: $175,712.97 included interest of $1045.61
   • Cheque Account: $871.12

   The Treasurer reported he was still refining the Jobs list and interest allocation to each area.

   The Treasurer Graeme Heighton proposed the meeting accept the finance report which was seconded by John Blaney-Murphy

5. Staff Report:
   • Review of the Torbay Catchment River Restoration Plan.
   • Follow up of the Bird Road Extractive industries Submission.
   • Progressing the "Trail Development Plan for a multi use trail from Torbay to Elleker Project.
   • Newsletter
   • Follow up on outstanding projects in the catchment.

6. General Business:

   6.1 Twinning Project update:
   

   • The report of the recent visit was finalised at the 22nd September meeting and sent to Jarlmadangah for their confirmation
   • Lockyer School and North Albany Senior High School both have aboriginal culture programs and students and have expressed an interest in becoming involved in the twinning project.
   • John Blaney-Murphy has attempted make contact with Joe Grandi and Anthony Watson to clarify their fencing project intentions

   6.2 Green Corps funding request:
   
   6.3 Coastal site:
   Phil checked the site last weekend and reported the dune on the eastern side is badly eroded. Previously placed bollards have been removed. He suggested a Management Plan needs to be developed. David broadhurst suggested the group speak with the Regional Community Engagement Officer or the Coastal Facilitator, Sherryn Prior (SCNRM) on 98458537.

   Action: Phil to follow up with Adrienne Beattie to contact Sherryn in the first instance with the view to devising a proposal with the City of Albany's input at the initial planning meeting. An appropriate proponent for the project will need to be determined from Green Corps, South Coast Surfer's Association, Progress Association or the Torbay Catchment Group

   6.4 River Restoration Plan Review:
   Karen tabled a progress report which the meeting discussed. Karen also presented the Environmental Water Requirements of Wetlands within the Torbay Catchment, South Coast Region, July 2008 report prepared for the Department of Water by K McKay, R Loomes, R Froend and J Wilson from the Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University.

   Action: It was proposed by Maurice that the executive read the River Restoration review document and comment to Karen prior to the next General Meeting on new actions needed, progress on current actions and if targets need reviewing.

   Karen to send copies of the River Restoration Plan to the new members of Executive, Paul and Keith and also the Executive Summary of the EWR report aforementioned. Seconded Andrew.

   6.4 Calendar:
   Action: Karen to write the text required and members to send her photos for inclusion

   6.4 Ideas:
   The meeting discussed ideas

   6.6 Planning for 2009:
   deferred to next meeting due to time constraints

   6.7 Weed Eradication:
   Karen reported that Chris Westcott has sprayed Woodides and Grassmere Elleker Rds, and areas of Bornholm.

   Action: Karen to check who is responsible for the Old School Rd area

   6.8 Rail Trail Development Project update:
   Community Meeting planned for General Meeting December 3rd.

   6.9 Catchment Coordinator position:
   Karen informed the meeting that she has been successful in gaining a new position within the Department of Environment. Chris Gunby outlined the history of the funding and the current position. The Department are keen to employ a person for the remainder of the year while they advertise for a new one year contract

The chair apologised for the extended meeting and closed at 2225.

Next Meetings:
General meeting: Wednesday 22nd October, 2008
Executive meeting: Wednesday 12th November, 2008