The Chair, Phillip Mellon welcomed those present to the meeting at 7.32pm.

ATTENDANCES: Phil Mellon, Andrew Marshall, Keith Smith, Graeme Heighton, Lesley Hart, Maurice McCormick, Phillip Marshall, Adrian Stratico (Water Corp), Phil Attwell (guest / local resident) & Robert Fenn (guest / City of Albany)

APOLOGIES: Terri Harwood, Dave Broadhurst, John Blaney-Murphy

Phil attended the meeting at the invitation of the Chair, Phil Mellon to address and respond to various comments and references to his Cuthbert business appearing in our minutes that he found to be inaccurate and of concern to him. Phil made reference to a question that had been minuted back in 2007 regarding his businesses' water useage. Phil tabled a copy of the Coffey Environmental Consultants report which shows that in any calendar year the water he uses is less than the water returned & that the returned water is in fact cleaner. Phil encouraged the group to read the full report. Phil then referred to the July 2009 minutes which suggested he has a sand blasting business. Phil clarified for the meeting that he has no such business. He does own a sand blaster, but it is rarely used. Also the question regarding the 'illegal' clearing of some vegetation on the Water Corp drain, was again nothing to do with himself. It was clearing organised through Wayne Marwick of the Water Corp and was carried out by Denmark Excavations.

The April 2009 minutes had noted a 'road project commenced from this site' which again is nothing to do with him and Phil contested the comment in item 6.4 under Attwell's Brickworks that his business had 'grown'. He is currently only operating about 2 days per week.

He expressed great concern that such negative comments reflect on him personally and on his business and he would rather we approached him directly if we had any issues or concerns. Phil also encouraged the group to look up the West Australian State Administrative Tribunal website to read up on his business case.

The Committee expressed regret and apologised for having minuted any incorrect statements, whilst also explaining that the community brings issues of concern to the Committee for follow up and investigation. The Committee thanked Phil for attending and providing this feedback, acknowledging both that they would approach him directly in the future and the need to be more cautious when following up on the community's concerns.

Phil thanked the Committee for giving him the opportunity to meet with them directly & left the meeting at approx. 8.00 pm.

Robert Fenn, Executive Director, Development Services from the City of Albany was welcomed to the meeting. Lesley explained where the TCG had got to with the design and siting of 4 proposed signs in the catchment. Robert said that Main Roads allow for 'information signage' to go in their road reserve areas. Main concerns are the amount of wording, size of lettering, plus the materials used eg friable poles which will readily collapse if there is a collision. Robert explained that if the signs were to be erected within private property boundaries that would involve a sign licence application, whilst any application for putting a sign on road reserve required a permit. If planing to use a Main Roads reserve area, underground cables would have to be considered/checked.

Robert said he would follow up with the names of the relevant persons to speak with in the City of Albany the following day. The Committee thanked Robert for his time and input and he left the meeting at approx. 8.20 pm.

Confirmation of minutes of Executive Meeting 15 July 2009 Moved: Graeme Heighton Seconded: Phillip Marshall

Item 7.3 Undiup Creek:
Action: Lesley to check whether this testing (water quality/pesticide?)has been conducted - Not followed up as yet

5.1 Inwards:

• Letter from Summit Fertiliser
• Letter from Mayor Milton Evans in response to Chair's letter regarding the Rail Trail & the Five Year Master Trail Plan
• Signage Permission forms received from Phillip & Sheelagh Marshall & Rick & Lee Frantom
• (Belated notification via Secretary - Signage permission form received from Ken & Rhonda Bell for Gledhow, South Coast Hwy site

5.2 Outwards:

• Letters to Robert Fenn & Mayor Milton Evans regarding Rail Trail & City of Albany Master Trail Plan

• 6.1 Treasurer's report

  
  

  Cash Management Account:	$168 303.47
  Cheque Account:	$ 12,844.39
  Inwards:
  Memberships, calendars, River Books:	$287.00
  Interest payment:	$427.73
  Outwards:
  On ground works	$13,702.99
  Stationery	$ 21.40

  Confirmation of the Treasurer's Report Moved: Graeme Heighton; Seconded: Keith Smith

Confirmation of Staff Report Moved: Maurice McCormick; Seconded: Graeme Heighton

• 8.1 Rail Trail:
  Phil updated the meeting on the recent phone hook up with Kerstin Stender, Trails Coordinator from DEC with regards to community consultations that were about to happen for the Mundi Biddi Trail to determine the preferred alignment of that trail. TCG had elected to have a more informal meeting with Kerstin who would likely present at our 28th October meeting. If the Munda Biddi alignment stayed with the old Railway Reserve this would mean the DEC funding would cover much of the development expenses and preliminary works and TCG could focus mainly on the horse trail aspects & working that in with the bike/walk track. The current Rail Trail Working Group would meet within the next 2-3 weeks to review the situation.

  Committee members were most enthusiastic about this latest news and it's likely implications for the Elleker- Torbay Rail Trail.

  Action: Lesley to schedule Rail Trail Working Group meeting

• 8.2 Twinnings Project:
  Andrew Marshall reported on his and Lesley's attendance at the Albany Primary School for a photo opportunity and presentation of the two DVDs the students had made on their visits to the Torbay Catchment. The DVDs included a very engaging presentation from Vernice Gillies. Teacher Greg Gray from Albany Primary has mailed copies of the DVDs to the Jarlmadangah School and both the School Principal and Anthony Watson from Jarlmadangah were emailed in advance to advise of the mailing. Andrew recommended viewing the updated Jarlmadangah website: http://www.jarlmadangah.com

• 8.3 Water Science Competition:
  Maurice raised a question on whether there had ever been any follow up on encouraging local schools to enter in an annual water science project competition. It was thought some packages had gone out to schools via Karen.

  Action: Phil to check re the competition when at the Brisbane conference

• 9.1 Project Officer Position:
  The Chair, Phil proposed that given the current funding situation for the Project Officer (running out 30 September) and the need for ongoing activity and group support, that the Committee consider allocating some of the existing funds in reserve to a short term, part time paid position to keep Lesley on. The Treasurer had brought to the meeting a breakdown summary of the funds in reserve and the Committee discussed and agreed that $40,000 could be allocated to employ Lesley.

  Phil indicated that earlier informal discussions with Department of Water had raised the possibility of maintaining housing the position at their offices.

  Motion: Phillip Marshall proposed that the TCG allocates the sum of $40,000 towards a part time Project Officer position for Lesley, with details for the position to be finalised. Seconded: Graeme Heighton It was also moved that Phil be given the power to negotiate on behalf of the TCG with Department of Water on the possible use of office space & other working conditions. Seconded: Phil Mellon

  Lesley expressed her gratitude for the Committee support and acknowledgement of her contribution since being in the Project Officer role & her interest in continuing to work with the TCG on a part time basis.

• 9.2 Water Corp:
  Adrian Stratico explained a shift in staffing arrangements that were freeing him up to attend meetings once again and discussed with the Committee future speakers and topics that would be of interest. There was some general discussion of recent public presentations (Water Forever) and an earlier concept of Trading Water Rights which had been considered. Agreed topics of interest for future Water Corp presentations were: Timewell Rd Treatment Plant (Marian Sain), Drain Management, the likely future of the Marbellup Water Source and possible Desalination Plant. No commitment to possible dates as yet.

  Action: Adrian to send Lesley Marian Sains' contact details

The meeting was declared closed at 9.50pm

Next Meetings:
Annual General Meeting: Wednesday 16 September 2009
Executive meeting: Wednesday 7 October 2009