Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc.

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting for Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc. held at 7.30 pm Wednesday 31 October, at Hardys Bay Church Hall.

Welcome:  President Adrian Williams welcomed members and guests – Gosford City Council’s new Mayor Jim Macfadyen – congratulations to our first local who has been a tremendous supporter of HBRG.  Guests also included Stephen Glenn, Nic Pasternatsky, Brian Shackleton and Sharon Hutch from Council.

Apologies:  Alan Bennet, Bill Egan, Sandy Robinson, Kel Gulliver, Ian & Gaye Bull, Tim Folland, Marj & Eric Pearsall.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting:  Minutes accepted as true and accurate record. Moved by Sandy Broadhead and seconded by Robert Hill.

Financial Report:  $5,968.53 cash balance. Income since last meeting $233.62. Outgoings were Church hall hire and $186.00 for tools for the oyster clean up and $286.00 for the newsletter (which is self funded with monies coming from advertising).  Only major expense will be the purchase of an outboard motor for “Rocky” barge to do other areas of the bay.

Business Arising from Minutes –

Guest Speakers – GCC Infrastructure Plan -  Mayor Jim Macfadyen, Stephen Glenn, Nic Pasternatsky, Brian Shackleton and Sharon Hutch.

Adrian advised the plan is on GCC’s website.  54 projects and 33 are funded through modest rate rise and 21 seeking funding over the next few years.  What is in it for our area? Can see Killcare Surf Club’s development and implementation of Brisbane Waters Plan of Management to include sediment removal.  Graeme Smith has done an amazing amount of work on bay siltation.  Have had Council come along twice to our meetings re local area traffic management scheme and were advised immediate implementation.  The Infrastructure Plan suggests not everything is locked in and Council is looking at ideas.  Invited Jim to explain how it works and items that HBRG could work with GCC to seek funds (e.g. oyster clean up), and if so will Council support us to get things done?

• Jim advised the strategy was prepared, gone to Council and as it is above the 3% CPI needed State approval to implement.
• Nic - 2 Fact Sheets produced on Vision 2025 as a result of what people want GCC to do – safety, environment etc in 8 areas.
• Gosford has been identified as the Regional Capital for the Central Coast.  54 projects $430m to be funded over 5 years with modest rate increase on the general rate of $201 over this period and will raise $154m, around $30m per year for the 33 listed plus grants -   As the Regional Capital, the Performing Arts and Convention Centre and Gosford waterfront are priorities, with focus on facilities serving the entire area not one specific area.  Council has obligation to lift Gosford.  City centre plan – planning agreements being looked at.
• Stephen - Quite a lot could fit in – coastal open spaces, traffic facilities plan come out of these programs.  BW Plan of Management.  No individual areas specified would seek out input.
• Adrian – In view of still to be ratified by State Govt and we seek solutions rather than problems – removal of sediment and fine silt.  Have had groups put forward researched reports – how can we help?  Jim responded that we let the Minister for Local Govt. know we support the Civic Infrastructure Strategy Program.  cc Mayor and let State Member know.
• Adrian – Cleaning out oysters we sought a grant and over 500 tons removed.  At BW Users Group Meeting other people with same problems.  Know there are grants out there and if we apply for them how do we get Council’s support.  Next stage for oysters is too big and we would need equipment – permits etc.
•  Wherever possible Council applies for grants however still needs to be on a prioritised list for Council’s program of works – but if you get the funding will move up the priority list.  Sharon to meet with Adrian to work out a plan.
• Graeme Smith – Sedimentation – successful in getting it realised as a problem. As this is not Council’s jurisdiction the problem here is we can’t get it done – it gets passed on.  Member of the Floodplain Risk Mgmnt Committee.  What do we do?  Sediment delta has built up – houses in dire straights – need major works.  Can’t do – can’t get the funding. The problem has been there for the past 60 -70 years.  Can never see a resolution unless Council goes to State Govt.  Estuary Process want to look after mangroves – need a directive from Council to get what goes in to be taken out – why can’t this be done.
• Stephen – Council needs to balance requirements of site and individuals and comes back to money.  Have to get info from community eg Half Tide Rocks (which is not a priority), Mudflat Creek Plan being formulated – then can go to Govt.  With projects provided through the Civic Infrastructure Strategy will fund works – may be some money through this.
• Brent Walker – Mudflat Creek problems are Councils own making from lack of upkeep and maintaining.  25 years since they cleared out the creek into the bay.  Creek is now higher than the bay and so much water lying around.
• Adrian – Unfunded are 21 programs not locked in to be prioritised.  Our area traffic issues raised in 2005 when Martin Dale and John Cragg came out looking at the commercial area and safety issues.  List given to Council and John has been back to another meeting.  Still nothing 18 months later.
• Any grants Council receive greater in value will allow these to be done.  Still have Capital Works Program to do some of this.
• Michael Sparks attended the BW Users Group meeting.  Entrance to Brisbane Water & Cockle Creek are closing – surely this is more important than an Arts Centre.
• Hardys Bay Foreshore Plan will be on the HBRG website in a few days – now on Council’s site.  Committee to meet and discuss.  Motion: If we support Council to write to State Govt.  Moved: Brent Walker.  Seconded: Peter Compton.   Council will have plans on public display – in Killcare Store and Wagstaffe Hall, and set up one or two meetings.  Questionnaires – encourage to complete – available at next HBRG meeting.
• Jim offered to take any issues on board for HBRG.
• Any ratepayers wanting to obtain rate increase amount – let council know the address.
• Floodplain Risk Mgmnt Meeting – Graeme Smith advised sediment core samples taken.  Together with Richard Harper has pushed to build a case for sediment removal.
• Committee meeting to discuss action to be taken over safety issues in commercial area for Foreshore Development Plan.                                        

New/General Business Updates:

• Mozzies – Getting a lot of enquiry – concerns from the wider community.  Three weeks ago spoke with Scott Levi ABC local radio and 2GO as well.  From last meeting have written to all ministers and received support from local businesses.  ABC Radio National AM – infectious disease - Tony McMichael spoke of climate change with water levels rising increasing mozzie diseases such as Ross River and Denghi Fever.  Sent to Councillors and State member for comment.  Won’t spray due to impact on food chain.

Oyster Foreshore Clean Up – Only five loads to go.  Working out roster for the next couple of weeks – will email out.  Motor being sourced for “Rocky”.

Brisbane Water Users Group Meeting – Bill Egan attended with Waterways, Fisheries and Coastal Patrol.  Issues affecting us were oyster debris removal – more about the timber drifting off and floating ashore – no resources – told them what we had done in the bay to obtain a grant and potential for other groups to go further along these lines.

• Gosford Council now going to dredge into Brisbane Water – southern end of Lobster Beach.  Ferries pushed the danger issue.  At the northern end yachts get stuck – push to expand this.
• Hardys Bay starboard unlit green pole.  Will only light the main passage – replaced with a floating marker and corresponding port marker.

Newsletter – Early December next issue.  Allan Wilson would like any ideas to him by Friday 10 November.  Email or post to PO Box 4123 Wagstaffe 2257.

Correspondence:  Foreshore Development – very strong.  Want to maintain the village style.

• Mozzies – To State Govt. and Council.
• Chamber of Commerce Ettalong & Umina and Terrigal re mozzies.
• Council - Sports Field – no land.

Next meeting:  Tuesday 04 December, 7.30 pm Hardys Bay Church Hall.  (Subject to change if Council extend Foreshore Plans submission date)

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