1. Welcome, attendance and apologies

   The Chair, Phillip Mellon welcomed those present to the meeting at 7.29pm

   ATTENDANCES: Phil Mellon, Des Wolfe, Keith Smith, Graeme Heighton, John Blaney-Murphy, Lesley Hart, Maurice McCormick, Chris Westcott, Phillip Marshall and Pip Tilbrook

   APOLOGIES: Andrew Marshall, Terry Harwood, Dave Broadhurst

2. Confirmation of previous minutes and matters arising :

   Confirmation of minutes of Executive Meeting 3 June 2009 Moved: Maurice McCormick Seconded: John Blaney-Murphy

   Item 6.1 Review of Water Corporation Actions:
   Meeting reviewed first action target and then decided to form subcommittee to review further actions.
   Action: Lesley to progress with John B-M, Keith S, Phil M and Terri H

   • Lesley, John, Keith and Terri met on this matter, no outcome was achieved due to priority discussion on signage and on-ground works funding
   • Another meeting will be held before the next General Meeting on 5 August 2009

   Item 6.2 Twinning Update:
   Next catchment tour by Albany Primary School organised for June 18th 2009. Terri proposed the TCG fund the bus hire on invoice for this catchment tour, seconded by John Blaney-Murphy.
   Action: Terri to notify Greg Gray

   • Completed

   Item 6.4 New Road Signage:
   Action: It was proposed that Lesley check guidelines with the City of Albany in order to progress.

   • Progress has been made - full report on progress in Catchment Coordinator's Report

   Item 6.5 Presentations for future meetings:
   Action: Lesley to arrange speakers from suggestions from meeting.

   • Completed

   Item 6.6 Godiniland Subdivision (Albany Green development):
   The subdivision submission stated that revegetation throughout the area was to be undertaken.
   Action: Lesley to check records to determine the guidelines for this subdivision re buffers and revegetation and to contact Robert Fenn re progress.

   • Two meetings were had with David MacNamara from Greenskills and Lesley hasn't as yet established whether any agreement has been broken,
   • Greenskills was employed for 2 years, weed management has been undertaken but the areas have not been fenced to prevent stock grazing.
   • The second stage of the subdivision was not approved through council.
   • There was a suggestion that planted areas need to be maintained by the new owners.
   • The group could consider corresponding with the new owners and suggest how these can be maintained ie fencing and planting

   Item 6.8 Western Area Group Committee:
   Keith discussed with David the agenda for next meeting.
   Action: David to circulate the agenda of future meetings/ consultations to allow for discussion and preparation for the meeting. We may be able to have facilitators to present at meetings.

   • Ongoing

   Item 6.11 Visit:
   Phil reported Chris Gunby and Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs will be visiting on 29th and 30th June. Maurice suggested a tour of Martin's Wetland Restoration project. We need to emphasise Water Quality Monitoring requirements.
   Action: Maurice, Phil and Lesley to attend

   • Lesley reported that there was a brief meeting with DoW staff by the Minister. Some staff were able to meet with the Minister for longer, unfortunately Lesley was not.
   • A WICC representative had a brief meeting with the Minister

3. Correspondence and matters arising:

   3.1 Inwards:

   • Invoice from Bandicoot

   3.2 Outwards:

   • None

4. Finance Report:
   • 4.1 Treasurer's report

     
     

     Cash Management Account:	$167,414.05
     Cheque Account:	$ 26,290.79
     Inwards:
     Memberships, calendars, River Books:
     Interest payment:	$461.69
     Outwards:	$105.84

     Confirmation of the Treasurer's Report Moved: Maurice McCormick

5. Staff Report: Lesley Hart tabled her report.

6. General Business:
   • 6.1 Information pamphlets:
     BMP wetland pamphlets have been produced but most people were not aware of these. They may be able to be distributed by the group and we should have these on hand.

     Action: TCG to get some pamphlets to have on hand. Discussed possibility of a mailout to everyone in the catchment

   • 6.2 On ground works projects:
     This was tabled and discussed in the report. Meeting discussed suggestion by Lesley that on-ground works targets with fencing may be achieved if TCG were to top up funding, to allow for instance, payment of a fencing contractor. Group generally disagreed with making such concessions.

     Action: Pip to check with Deon on whether funds from TCG and Southern Incentives could be combined to allow for full cost of fencing works to be undertaken.

   • 6.3 On ground works projects future:
     

     Action: Discussion covered in staff report

   • 6.4 Road Signage:
     Lesley tabled a new design and informed the group that it is necessary to send these to the council with proposed locations by early August. The location and sign material was discussed, particularly the upright. This is important in case of accidents and for indemnity reasons. Rod Nation is assisting Lesley with design and approaches to sign makers.

     Action: Lodge sign design and locations with council for approval

   • 6.5 Rail Trail Plan:
     Since the last meeting Mundabiddi has been awarded $500,000 each year for 3 years to build the Mundabiddi Trail between Nannup and Albany. In light of this announcement it is necessary to gain community support for construction of the Torbay to Elleker section prior to Mundabiddi getting here to ensure horse riders are able to use the trail. It is necessary to have this section of the trail on the City of Albany's Trail Masterplan. Des advised that the way to achieve this is through a letter to the city requesting it be put on to a Council Meeting agenda. A copy of the letter should be sent to the GSDC and the Department of Sport and Recreation. This should be addressed to Executive Director of Development Services

     Action: Pip is to draft a letter to the City and send it to Phil

   • 6.6 Twinnings:
     Andrew was absent, no report was made

   • 6.7 Conference:
     Phil will be going to the conference and asked Anthony Watson to attend but as he is already going it was suggested that he should invite Anne Peolina. Anne will attend and this has been paid for.
     This year's finalists have been announced. WICC has made it as a finalist this year. This year there will be a presentation on the Kimberley's made at the conference.

7. Other Business:
   • 7.1 Extra funding:
     Additional funding is currently available through South Coast NRM. This money is available for biodiversity works similar to what is available through the TCG. Lesley and the sub-committee had considered this at their recent meeting, but felt given on-ground works to achieve, the group was not in a position to apply for further funds in such a short time frame.

   • 7.2 Scholarship:
     Des suggested that the group may like to offer a scholarship to a TAFE student for landcare works etc. ensuring ongoing people qualified in this field.

     Action: Phil to find out further information about this

   • 7.3 Undiup Creek:
     In previous years concerns have been raised regarding the quality of water in Undiup Creek. At that time one of the government authorities suggested water quality testing. There was a question regarding whether this was ever conducted.

     Action: Lesley to check whether this testing has been conducted

   • 7.4 Businesses operating at Cuthbert:
     Maurice had a call from Peter Atwell regarding a sandblasting business that is operating at Cuthbert. He was concerned that someone has cleared the banks of the drain. The question is whether this has been cleared illegally. He also mentioned a road closure in the area has left no access to some blocks. Des informed the group that the Council issued a 12 month deadline for relocating the brickworks business during which time they were not allowed to increase the size of their operation. There is still 8-9 months left to run on this. A sandblasting business operating at the same premises could be deemed an increase in business size.

     Action: Maurice moves that a letter is sent to DEC and Water Corp regarding the clearing and reshaping of the drain with Lesley to supply Location Nos

   • 7.5 Watsonia spraying:
     Chris has offered to undertake Watsonia control again this year. Phil suggested that it may be timely to contact Corrective Services who have made a yearly commitment to supply labour for this purpose. There was discussion of the use of a trailer.

     Action: Mark Ford at CoA to be contacted regarding this and Lesley is to check with Kirsten/DoW regarding a trailer, spray gear and spare chemicals in store

   • 7.6 Western Area Sub-group:
     Keith reported that South Coast NRM is running a membership campaign and would like everyone to become members. There was discussion about what if any benefits there were to this.
     Southern Prospects 2004-2009 (the South Coast Regional Strategy) is to be updated this year.

   • 7.7 Seedbank:
     Keith tabled his idea to start a seedbank for the TCG. He has commenced storing seed in his shed for the TCG. A workshop on how to do this yourself (grow or collect) will be run. He would like to access more farms on which to collect seed. This may be invaluable should funding dry up completely.

     Action: An article regarding this is to be put into the newsletter. Keith to put his proposal in writing to the group for consideration

   • 7.8 ITC's approval for 800 acres of blue gums on the western arm of Marbellup Brook:
     The group was informed that ITC has approval for the establishment of a large blue gum plantation on Hunwick Rd North, Hunwick Rd area of the catchment. There was concern that this area has a large natural water pipe spring and that 2 or 3 tributaries of Marbellup emanate from this property. Des informed the group there is little Council can do about such proposals with their approval being a formality.

   • 7.9 Funding is available for small items such as the calendar:
     The group was urged to consider what other small items may be able to be purchased before 30 September as South Coast NRM Inc has some funding available.

8. Close

The meeting was declared closed at 9.58pm

Next Meetings:
General meeting: Wednesday 5 August 2009
Executive meeting: Wednesday 26 August 2009