Hardys Bay Residents Group

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held at 7.30 pm Thursday 27th April 2006 at Killcare Surf Club.

President Adrian Williams welcomed all and requested that the attendance book be completed with email contacts for further notification of meetings.

Apologies:   Jim Macfadyen, Jon Cook, Paul & Helen Robinson, Ian Bull, Elizabeth Williams,

Robert Hill, Suzie Ross, Pam Mainsbridge, Brian & Angela McGill, Graham & Joyce Delzeale.

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

Business Arising:  Membership fees until 30 June 2007: $10.00 per person, $15.00 per couple. Pensioners 50% discount. 

Special Presentation: Snr Constable Jo Plummer, Crime Prevention Officer Area Command, spoke about the crime management unit based at Gosford.

• Gosford is a category 1 police station covering areas from the Hawkesbury, to Somersby, to the beaches and north to Bateau Bay and has the highest reports of malicious damage including graffiti.
• Hardys Bay, Killcare and surrounds doesn’t even register 1%, probably not all reported as there were only  5 incidents reported in March.
• Encouraged and explained the importance of reporting crime, even if you feel it isn’t significant enough. Weekly reports are collated and results in tasking in various areas.
•  Phone and report ALL incidents as they rely on the public for information.  The Police Assistant Line operates 24 hours for lower priority issues such as malicious damage, car accidents, break and enter.
• Emergencies ring Gosford or Woy Woy Police or 000.
• Stickers handed out with contact numbers and home details.
• Traffic Incident Report forms was made available.

Updates: mosquitoes - Sandy Robinson updated on FAM (fight against mosquitoes)

• Refer to website www.hardysbay.com for full report from Westmead Hospital.
• Good publicity in Peninsular News and Express Advocate in April.  People are more aware it is a saltmarsh mosquito causing the problem and that we need a control program.
• Spraying of B.t.i. has received great support as this is non-toxic and only targets the saltmarsh mosquito.
• Mosquito magnet machines $3,000 each.  Killcare, Hardys Bay has the highest area of sales.
• HBRG executive meetings with federal, state and local government to seek government grants.  Good support from Grant Mc Bride, Chris Hartcher and Federal Minister Jim Lloyd.
• Funding 1.  Partner share with government - $5,000 pledged by local resident.
• Funding 2.  Grant – state government application supported by Grant Mc Bride
• Trail spray next summer 61 hectares, 3 times a year. $18,000 for the 3 sprays. Council reviewing costs for monitoring process.
• Meeting with Gosford Council 02 May prior to Council’s next meeting.

Oyster Leases: Terry Feltham advised NSW Oyster Industry Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy draft plan has been released.  This is for oyster farming, not pearl farming.

• Areas to be zoned priority farming and current leases to be phased out.

• Fisheries and oyster farmers have no objection in phasing out the leases along the foreshore of Hardys Bay Parade.  These leases will not be re-worked at any time.
• Submission to be lodged with Fisheries to include this in the strategy plan.
• Funding is being sought for the cleaning up of outer bay phased out leases.

Sedimentation: Graeme Smith advised any removal or rehabilitation or dredging of mangrove areas very difficult as Council keeps referring to the 1995 management plan and the new study due out in 2008-09.  Won’t happen quickly until studies are complete.

• Gosford Council’s engineer visited area to identify any reservoirs that could burst.  He is part of a committee and any reports are extremely slow.
• Suggest we propose to Council small rehabilitation works, eg Blyth Street gravel on beach and highlight the issues of foreshore erosion, mudflat creek, Pretty Beach baths and RSL creek covered with mangroves.
• Council can address sedimentation blocking drains or going into the bay.  Any photos showing this sedimentation can assist with council.
• Long term want to push for core samples to be included in the Estuary Study as this is the only way for conclusive evidence.

Publicity:  Allan Wilson advised good journalism in local papers. 

• Self generating with the mosquito issues and Jo Plummer’s address on law and order.  Any issues happy to publicise.

Website: Bill Egan has upgraded 90% of HBRG website www.hardysbay.com. Includes links to local information included such as movies, restaurants, accommodation etc.

Boat Ramp:  Bill Egan advised tender issued and closed.  Next Tuesday goes to Council meeting and is likely to go through and commence in May.

Foreshore:  Bill Egan – Yum Yum Tree

Motion: HBRG to thank Gosford City Council for a job well done on the Yum Yum tree.

Seconded:                                        Carried.                                                      

• Richard Harper advised boardwalks around the trees to protect the roots will be in the next budget.

Doggie Bags:  Adrian Williams advised Council will be coming out next Wednesday to look at where to place the dispensers. 

• Our responsibility to refill on a regular basis.

General Business:  Sewerage Odour:  John Brown spoke about the intermittent sewerage odour in Hardys Bay around Araluen Drive and Frazer Road areas.

• Pam Mc Cann heads the Odour Committee at Gosford Council.
• Report any odours to Gosford Council’s Customer Service 4325-8222.  All calls are logged and will help to obtain action.  Council is aware of this issue as it is coming from the main sewerage line. 
• Ferric Dosing can help.

Master Plan: Bill Dagger suggested that a draft master plan for the area.  Adrian Williams to take on board this issue.

Hardys Bay RSL: John McGregor urged all members to attend the meeting at the RSL on Sunday 30 April.  The club has been placed in voluntary receivership and $300,000 is needed to try and keep the club afloat.  It will have a large impact on the local community.

Road Parking – Araluen Drive.  Concerns raised about the traffic congestion.

Council’s Traffic Committee is headed by Chris Holstein.  To obtain information from council.

Next meeting: 7.30 pm Tuesday 30 May, 2006 at Hardys Bay Church Hall.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.50 pm.