Hardys Bay Residents Group

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting for Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc. held at 7.30 pm Tuesday 24 April, 2007, Hardys Bay Church Hall.

Welcome:  President Adrian Williams welcomed members and our guests.  Steve Newman, President of the RSL, which is doing exceptionally well under new management.   Michael Sparks from Killcare Marina with the marina update.

Apologies:  Jim Macfadyen, Graham & Joyce Dalzell, Helen Robinson, Jerry Gallagher, Peter Wigham, Marge & Eric Pearsall, Marilyn Cartmill, Alan and Zorica Bennett.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting:  Minutes accepted as true and accurate record. Moved by Brent Walker and seconded by Michael Sparks.

Financial Report:  $1,260.69 bank balance.  To pay for the 8 page newsletter which is self funding.  Allan Wilson and Sandy Robinson have done another great job.

• New memberships will go through to 30 June 2008.  Renewals due 01 July 2007.

· Business Arising from Minutes –

Hardys Bay RSL Update – President Steve Newman

Never gong to be easy.  The club owned the land and was able to raise funds. In administration from April which is an expensive process.  Debts over a number of years. The new board has been in since October.  Books in order by February – March and we were  able to identify where we were losing money.   Good figures for Feb and Mar.  April with Easter and Anzac will be good, however with winter there are hard times ahead.  Need community support. Trivia nights are an example.  Volunteers helped with improvements to building, accountant, website and newsletters.  Without this there was no chance.

· One major capital expense due to beer complaints was the new glycol system.  The deck has been stained.  TAB and Pokies moved to the back of the club.  Poker machine revenue down threefold.  Landscaping – BBQ lawn for families is fenced and child friendly.  Stage area for bands and you can sit on the lawn or the deck.

· Always open to suggestions.  Website www.hardysbayrsl.com– register online. Membership $7.50 up to 30 June and renewals from 01July $15.00.

· Restaurant rumours are true. “Fat Goose” opens on 07 May, with Mother’s Day Sunday 13 May, by Michael Stride who was an experienced chef in the UK and Canberra and who has local family in the Bay.  . Will have theme nights – curry, seafood, pasta, pizza – eat in or take away, A la Carte and bistro, not overly expensive,  2 courses is around $27.50 and 3 courses $35.00.

· Appeal for funds.  Administrator has been paid out but there isn’t any money for improvements.  Restaurant will do own painting and improvements.

· Problems in past with database and members not receiving information.  Please update your profile on their website.  There is also a link via HBRG www.hardysbay.com to the RSL.

· Directors are Michael Ryan, John Forrester, Jason Bookfield, John McGregor and Steve Newman.

· Seasonal – coming into hard times – support the club by going there to keep the doors open and pay off debts.  HBRG will support it in any way we can.

Marina Update - Michael Sparks, CEO Killcare Marine

• Last plan has been abandoned. 
• The hard stand stays within the lease area for 4 boats.  The lift mechanism to be extremely low key – up and down to same height as stand using winches, not hydraulics.
• Access to get cars down the side with a walkway around. Will have a clear permanent 10 – 12 ft perspex screen to block off access.
• Big tank below will collect, treat and solid waste will go to landfill.  Treated water held and re-used or trade waste down the sewer line. Storage for hazardous goods will be locked off.
• Need a facility to manage OH&S for both staff and clients and to comply with ‘Protection of Environment’ Act, which this will do.
• Soil tests have been done.  No threatened species.  Zostera patch to be relocated.
• No spray painting will be done.  Antifouling by hand or airless gun.
• Will gurney boats in one area only and move the boat to do further work.
• Refer to website www.hardysbay.com for summary and dredging area map.  Fisheries are OK with the dredging.  Currently 0-1m and want to go to 2m if possible at low tide.
• To install a system for the removal and collection of bilge water – will be the only marina in Brisbane Water and Pittwater with this facility.
• Large tanks underneath to collect water.
• When dredging will put up silt curtain barriers.
• Will be cheaper to put a boat on a hardstand.
• This is stage 1.  Still want to develop the marina but need to do the work area first.  Stage 2 has been totally revised and will not go as far out into the bay.
• Community benefits – environmentally sound.  A nicer and safer place to visit. Peter Freewater has agreed that there is a case for mangrove removal but Gosford Council do not have the funds. If not in their budget Marina will pay.
• Visually enhance the marina, less noise, water quality and better waste management.  Will have 20 deep wider marina berths.  Attract better clientele and quality tradesmen.
• To apply for Aust. Govt. Water Fund for pollution and siltation traps.  Oil slicks coming out through stormwater pipes.  Need community group backing, as an individual can not apply. Would seek HBRG’s support.
• Timeframe – January 2008 is the quietest time.
• Stage 2 further down the track – build on area we own or lease, not outside this area.

Current Issue Updates – Mosquito:    Dept. Environment, National Parks & Wildlife want us to support yet another grant application for survey work.  Consultation with Professor Cameron Webb and Mike Muller – results are already out there unless they can show us good reason why we might support it.  Both experts of the same opinion.

Siltation:  Sub-Committee of Graeme Smith, Brent Walker, Rob Hill and Alan Bennett have been meeting.

· Brent has independently involved local residents with 20 or 30 sending letters to Council worried about the state of the creek and blocked drain pipe which would affect Frazer and Noble Rds if we get more rain.  Emailed Councillors and Engineers came out twice – still nothing has been done.

· Moved from urgent to critical now and with today’s rain the creek is rising.  Chris Holstein to come out on Anzac day.  Told them we need bulldozers to get rid of the mangroves – advised $250,000 fine unless they go through the procedural channels. Will be a disaster with a good storm.  25 years since creek was dredged.

• With Chris Holstein chairman of the Floodplain Risk Management Committee we feel we are gaining traction with issues Graeme has put forward.
• The Mudflat Creek Study is to be completed in July (formerly last Xmas).

Traffic & Foreshore:  Foreshore: Bill & Adrian met with Council today. Council working on plan for their first proposal out early June. 

• They will have a public meeting and have the plans on display from June.  Have been a number of very different views.  “NO” to another group and Council to present to the community themselves as they need to been seen as neutral and they are trying to do the best by everybody.
• Traffic – nothing happened. Traffic and Safety Committee and Council meeting in May.  Not sure of the items at this stage.

Newsletter: Acknowledge the hard work by Allan and Sandy on the 8 page issue.

• Do you have any ideas?  If so please post to PO Box 4123 Wagstaffe 2257.

Correspondence: Emails re foreshore development.  We have 2 Executive meetings between general meetings. 8-9 with sub-committees.  All correspondence is replied to.

• Combined Progress Assn having another meeting – will go along and see how it progresses – in particular issues that affect all areas.

Next meeting:  Tuesday 26 June, 2007.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.25 pm.