Hardys Bay Residents Group

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting for Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc. held at 7.30 pm Tuesday 26 June, 2007, Hardys Bay Church Hall.

Welcome:  President Adrian Williams welcomed members and our guests. 

Special Guest John Cragg from Gosford City Council with an update on traffic issues raised a year ago when John attended our meeting with Martin Dale.  Various issues were raised with the group and John asked for our wish list of short term and longer term things to be done. He will also discuss sedimentation issues which are a separate issue.

Apologies:  Jim Macfadyen, Graham & Joyce Dalzell, Paul & Helen Robinson, Brent Walker, Alan Bennet, Pam Mainsbridge, Keith & Beryl Wardell,  Peter Wigham, Marge & Eric Pearsall, Pauline Guarde, Tim Folland, Fiona Atkinson and Ann Pederson.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting:  Minutes accepted as true and accurate record. Moved by Bill Egan and seconded by Terry Feltham.

Financial Report:  $5,556.59 bank balance.  Since last meeting $15,000.00 Oyster clean up grant and memberships $60.00.  Expenditure for clean up $6,100.00 for the barge plus insurance, safety clothing and tools.  Also website costs and newsletter – the latter being self funded through local ads. Expenditure totalled $10,764.00.  Have to spend more on safety gear over the next period and supply full set of accounts to Govt. for the grant on completion.

• Memberships now due 01Jul 07 – 30 Jun 2008.  Email address for updates.

Business Arising from Mintues –

Traffic Issues - John Cragg, Manager Engineering Services – Director City Services , GCC.

Involves operational plan for roads and drainage for grant funding to state government and work of traffic committees such as through residents groups like HBRG.

· Benefits of a master plan for the foreshore for big and smaller problems and facilities – what people want and do not want.  Diversity of views and whilst Council not inviting the public at this stage 11 submissions have been received including HBRG’s. 

· Surveyors have done topography of accurate levels for concept plans which is now being done.  Trade offs – desire to clear and concentrate parking near shops with angle parking may/may not want as well as foreshore pathway/cycleway. Traffic management with signage, road marking, roundabouts and traffic calming strategies.  Location of picnic tables, play areas etc.

· Master draft to go to Council meeting in August.  Expected to go on public exhibition for feedback in the 3^rd or 4^th quarter of this year.  There has been sufficient information obtained for the first draft to be considered from the 11 groups input. A copy will be sent to HBRG.

· HBRG advised our main concern is SAFETY especially in peak periods of summer, Christmas and Easter in making sure the plan will achieve this.   One group had misrepresented HBRG’s and other group’s submissions.  We seek a minimalist approach to the foreshore development.

· Issues raised at tonight’s meeting – Since the storm the edge along Araluen Drive is falling into the bay.  Is there any way of securing this?  John advised that Tascott cycleway was a way of stabilising the bay and that Council maintain their assets thereafter with maintenance to protect these assets.  Araluen foreshore could be a maintenance issue.

· Pine trees in Araluen Drive – all washed away.  Near 24 Araluen Drive an area of 50 metres where the whole bank has subsided into the bay.  Could park a car there and now ¾ of the car would be on the road.

· Graeme Smith advised that numerous reports had been sent to council.  All along the bay except the sandstone area, Council must be aware of all reports on Mudflat Creek and Council can’t do anything until the Estuary Studies are completed.  It is conflicting – who is responsible in Council?  John advised Brisbane Water is Crown land and State Govt. approval is needed for any licences, jetties, reclamation or walls.  Problems with mean high water mark – this varies – land erodes and Crown won’t let them take it back.  They would allow a sea wall along current alignment. Council are in the same boat with the cycleway. Put ½ ton of rocks and filters. In this context Council’s undertaking for the cycleway is more to maintain the facility (their asset) not just the foreshore.  Away from a facility near mangroves, the priority for money competes for stabilising the foreshore by building the cycleway.

· Solving flooding problems etc – money is allocated to each area and within this community groups compete.  Need to be actively committed as a group.

· Different levels of maintenance to park and foreshore areas?  3 levels – routine, minimal or neglect.  Whether it is Council or Crown land, Council maintain all of it.

· Funding – delays by lack of – little is done.  Council works within a corporate environment.  Vision 2025 – priorities within that plan intended to be driven of work done in the area.  Projects driven by higher level corporate plan – but how is it funded?  Council reviews capital works, big objectives and local groups.  All have input into the draft plan and Council reviews comments.  No discretionary one thing will drive it to be built the next year – 2 years after for commitments.  After funding Surf Clubs, roads etc Council only has $5 million of capital works left for all roads, cycleways.  Backlog of 190 roads to be sealed.

· Flooding issues of Araluen Drive raised. 

· Putty Beach Dr and Scenic Rd Council bought part of land back to put in guttering over 10 years ago.  Intersection here very dangerous.  Nothing done.  John advised Council have a Missing Links program!

· Cnr Blyth St – residue after the sewer went in 3 years ago sent letter to Council.  Bank being eroded – whole tree roots exposed.  White post erected nearly gone again.  Stabilisation to date only to protect works.

· HBRG will have a meeting when the draft plan is out and will post it on the website to make comment.  Safety issues and smooth traffic flow to protect residents is paramount.

· Graeme Smith advised our estuary is a priceless asset and should be maintained – no one wants to make an effort to maintain the foreshore.  A 1995 Council article said nothing needs to be done in Araluen Drive.  You have to do something now or nothing will be left in 30 years.   John advised the last major study of Brisbane Water - Estuary Study is near finalisation be a catalyst for this – a basis for identifying what work is beneficial eg dredging, looking at Heath Rd drainage, weeds etc - to revisit the erosion issue.  Again advised that Council protects assets not foreshore!   The first study identifies, second study is how you use and prioritise that balance and things built will preserve the environment.

· Adrian reviewed Brent Walker’s correspondence and on site meetings with Chris Holstein.  Whilst appalled at what he saw, Council are reluctant to do anything because of mangroves and fines they can incur.  Council has known for decades of concerns of flood risk and Council not fulfilling their legal obligations.  Council diverted so much water into the creek from concrete drains in Fraser Rd – resident’s views were dismissed.  After the storm Holstein requested photos – direct him to our website for photos.  John Brown to email more to him.

· Mudflat Creek is similar to other areas with lots of water.  Mangroves are not an endangered species.  The study will identify and correct solutions.  It is on a priority basis.

· RSL Creek mangroves need to be cut back again – obstructing traffic.

· Adrian advised it is so obvious to everyone – question is when is something going to be done?  We want to work positively with Council.  Please give us definitive feedback on reports we put in.

Quick Updates – will defer a number of issues.

Oyster Foreshore Clean Up: 

• Will email out and put July roster on the website www.hardysbay.com
• 5 or so people needed to LOAD for 2 hours and 3-4 to UNLOAD for 1.5 hours.
• Volunteers are desperately needed.  Have already moved 38 tons.  Please phone Terry on 4360 1633

Marina Update: Michael Sparkes unable to attend.  Submission for the floating boat lift has been put on hold.  He will come back to us at a later date.

Boat watch: Bill Egan. Currently a Brisbane Water Marine Watch self help group.  Intent is good but practicality not so good.  Saratoga locals have formed a group and patrol.  Think we should stay associated with the Brisbane Water Marine Watch, but need to do something ourselves when it warms up.

Newsletter: Allan Wilson working on this – try to keep it down! 

New/General Business:

• Council Storm Information: Adrian has a list if anyone needs information relating to Govt. funding and insurance.
• Note of thanks to Fire Brigade and SES for work during the storm.  Allan Wilson putting together overview report in next Newsletter.
• Congratulatory message was recently passed on to Phil Donnelly, the Bouddi Society  president,  in which the HBRG congratulated society member, David Dufty, on his recognition as a recipient of a Queen's Birthday Award, for his " services to the community in arts, etc" 
• Dredging at Half Tide Rocks – Sandy Broadhead advised of an article in the Telegraph.  Bill to follow up on this.

Correspondence: General letters and new memberships with very positive comments.

Letters received on foreshore plan not wanting playgrounds. 

Request for a Comedy show held last weekend to be put on the website.

Next meeting:  Tuesday 28 August, 2007.

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