Hardys Bay Residents Group

 

                                    Minutes

 

Minutes of the meeting held at 7.30 pm Tuesday 28 March 2006 at Killcare Surf Club.

 

President Adrian Williams welcomed new and existing members and explained the relevance of Hardys Bay Residents Group (HBRG).

 

Apologies:   Helen Warlock, Alison McAuliffe, John & Carolyn Nicholls. Fiona Atkinson, Jim Mcfadyen

 

Minutes:     Minutes of the previous meeting held were read and accepted as true and accurate record. Moved by Robert Hill, seconded Graeme Smith.

 

Business Arising:  Secretary:  Bill Egan will handle this additional role until someone can be found.  Carolyn Smith will continue as Treasurer.  Minute’s secretary will be Kay Feltham.

 

New membership forms available $10.00 per person for membership until 30 June 07.

 

Correspondence:

Department of Fair Trading.  The new name is officially Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc.and the charter has been changed to “Working for a positive lifestyle and a healthy environment in and around Hardys Bay”.

 

Financial Report:  Carolyn Smith advised $82.13 balance held.

 

Special Update:  Sandy Robinson updated the meeting on FAM (fight against mosquitoes)

• Mosquito control not eradication
• Two years of researching.
• Report by the Department of Medical Entomology at Westmead Hospital identified the Saltmarsh mosquito as one of the worst biting and disease carrying mosquitoes in coastal NSW, was extremely abundant particularly along the escarpment from Killcare Heights to Pretty Beach. 
• Large population of larvae were found in the Empire Bay wetlands. A treatment program in this area would reduce nuisance biting in the Killcare Heights to Pretty Beach areas.
• These mosquitoes transmit both Ross River and Barmah Forest virus diseases.
• The control agent (B.t.i) is highly specific to mosquito larvae and used successfully at

Sydney Olympic Park and in South East Queensland.

• Recommended that Gosford City Council undertake a pilot application B.t.i in Empire Bay area in early 2006.  Cost estimated $40,000.
• Gosford Council recommends investigating alternative strategies and not to proceed with pilot trial.  Council to develop an information pack to encourage personal protection methods
• Future support in public awareness, resident’s discussions, utilising webpage of HBRG and Gosford Council. 
• Funding is an issue.  One resident has pledged $10,000. Seeking help through relevant government agencies.

 

Motion: HBRG supports FAM and the use of control measures to reduce the mosquito problem around Hardys Bay, Killcare Heights, Wagstaffe and Pretty Beach.

Seconded: Kel Gulliver.  Carried.

 

Bill Teasdale from Wagstaffe spoke of his recent hospitalisation with cellulitis as a result of severe mosquito bites on his leg. 

 

Adrian Williams advised that he will be meeting with council officers, councillors and state government officials next week advising over 90 people attended the HBRG meeting.  He gave an undertaking to raise these issues with them and thanked individuals who champion an issue.

 

Fairly broad support has been received from Gosford Council and we need to help it along.

 

Adrian to investigate if any groups have been formed in the Empire Bay area.

 

Vote of thanks to Sandy.

 

Updates:

Oyster Leases: Terry Feltham advised after 18 months of community pressure, Dept of Primary Industries and Gosford Council approved cleaning of foreshore in Hardys Bay Pde. Stage 1 removal of 35 tons of rocks and debris had been completed on the northern side of the Extension Wharf.

·         Removal of oyster fences between the extension wharf and the northern wharf will be carried out in May 06.  To remove remaining derelict tiles and rock another permit has to be obtained.

·         Representation from HBRG to meet with local bodies to explore avenues for funding the clean-up of abandoned outer bar leases.

 

Motion: HBRG supports the clean up of old oyster leases in Hardys Bay and pledges support for further solutions and permits.

Seconded: Graeme Smith.   Carried.

 

Sedimentation: Graeme Smith advised the Mudflat Creek Flood Study now complete and has been adopted by Council.  Management plan to discuss options with Council’s consultants.

• Mixed results on siltation issues put forward.  Estuary Study report due out Dec 06.

       Samples taken were not deep enough.

• Foreshore erosion.  Waiting for Council until 2008 report is too long.  Alternative action to clean up the bay with community support.  Blythe St, bottom of Killcare Road and Pretty Beach Road where gravel has washed into the bay. 
• Erosion of roads.  Do in small sections in the Hardys Bay and Pretty Beach areas.
• Work positively with council and chip away. Get a list together going forward.

 

Name Change: Bill Egan advised official name change to Hardys Bay Residents Group.

 

Website: Bill Egan advised  www.hardysbay.com will have copy of the minutes and reports posted and you are able to make online comments.  The site is run by Bill.

 

Doggie Bags:  Adrian Williams advised  a proposal has gone to Council, we are still awaiting a formal response. Initially council have given an indication they would like to trail this in the area.  Council to erect signs and dispensers and we will service the dispensers weekly.

 

Foreshore: Adrian Williams has spoken with local architect, Karen Burke to take on ideas from expressions of interest from other groups.

• Ideas are sought to be put forward at the next meeting or email suggestions via the website.
• Killcare shop has the Yum Yum tree development plan on view for any input.
• Richard Harper, spoke outlining the history and status at present. A further meeting with Richard will be organised to evaluate how HBRG can contribute.

 

General Business:

Indemnity Insurance: a quote to be obtained.

 

Law & Order,

Concern was expressed by the meeting about the lack of policing in the area. Adrian Williams reported on a meeting with Crime Prevention Officer from Gosford Police, who indicated that community groups such as HBRG were a good source of information and act like a neighbourhood watch. It was resolved to invite Crime Prevention Officer to attend the next meeting.

 

It was resolved to investigate the viability of Hardys Bay Community Hall for future meetings.

 

Next meeting: 7.30 pm Thursday 27 April, 2006 at Killcare Surf Club.

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30 pm.