Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc.

Minutes

 

Minutes of the General Meeting for Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc. held at 7.30 pm Tuesday 26 August, 2008, Hardys Bay Church Hall.

 

Welcome:  President Adrian Williams welcomed new and existing members.

 

Apologies: Jim Macfadyen, Tim Folland, Shirley McComb, Elizabeth Williams, Terry Feltham, Graham Smith, Michael & Linda Crehan, Pam Mainsbridge, Fiona Atkinson, Alan Bennett, Stephen Glen - GSC, Stephen Black Water – Waterways.

 

Minutes of the Previous Meeting:  Minutes accepted as true and accurate record. Moved by Bill Egan, seconded Kel Gulliver.

 

Financial Report:  Bank account balance is $2,467.54. Income was $541.04 of which $237.50 was for memberships, $300.00 donations for newsletter and $3.54 interest.  Outgoings were $300.00 - $50.00 church hall hire for 2 meetings and $250.00 for web hosting.  Additional income derived through webpage advertising – to date 3 renewals plus 2 new ones – Bells at Killcare and Liberty Service Station.

 

General Business:

Council Election Issues – Last meeting advised we were sending letter to each candidate asking their position of certain issues – Marina, Mosquitos, Sedimentation and Foreshore.  See Bay News for summary of answers. 

 

Marina – Dept of Planning letters sent out to objections.  The marina has made application under the freedom of information act to get all information the dept. had received and determination made.  Letter sent objecting to giving out our information – bad luck – giving it out anyway.  We have taken legal advice and have paid for tribunal hearing – arguments as to why it is not fair or right to give a list of our questions to develop their counter attacks.

·         Council won’t rezone.  Dept Planning move all zoning into alignment across the state. 

 

Dredging of the entrance to the channel in Brisbane Water – Adrian has spoken to Waterways, Council, Ferry company and other interested parties and local groups.  Council’s jurisdiction to high water mark.  Ports & Waterways responsibility to provide safe navigable waters. Brisbane Water is unique with Lands Dept. owning underwater  Trying to shift one to another. 

·         Initially to dredge the southern end of Lobster Beach and Box Head and widen the channel.  The sand bank is moving in from the west and it’s difficult for two boats to pass.  The ferry has problems and with Xmas coming up will have major issues with boats.

·         $300k from State Govt, $ for $ with Council.  Council said it will be $500k.  Tony Kelly, Min for Lands agreed to $250k and Council to put in $250k.  Waterways must maintain it safe and navigable but don’t have the manpower.  Tripodi’s Dept of Lands and Waterways theoretically have to make a safe inward and outward passage.

·         Resolution going to Council tonight. Recommendations –

a)       Consideration of the offer by the Minister for Lands to fund up to half of the cost to dredge the entrance to Brisbane Water be deferred until the issue of the responsibility for the undertaking of the dredging and maintenance works has been determined to Council’s satisfaction.

b)       A report be brought back to Council advising the outcome of the discussion with the State Govt regarding the responsibilities for the undertaking of the dredging and maintenance works at the entrance to Brisbane Water.

c)       The NSW Minister for Lands and the NSW Minister for Ports & Waterways to be advised of Council’s resolutions.

·         Council is concerned it sets precedence.  Bundeena is totally funded by State Govt.  Have to wait and see which way Council goes.

·         Matt Lloyd from the Ferry Co equally as frustrated.  We have to let Council know the Ferry has to be kept going – Council sitting on a number of submissions to keep it open – ferry going and safe for boats.  Currently breaking the law and not willing to continue doing this – immediate action for appropriate distance to other boats or it will stop the service.

·         Council & State Govt must be made aware it is a dangerous situation at Lobster Beach.  Coastal Patrol is concerned about towing in this area and it is extremely dangerous when the ferry goes through this part of the channel.

·         Dianna Bocking advised at meeting last Friday Ettalong Beach Business Group had 3,000 petition signatures.  HBRG to distribute to all outlets in the area and post on website.

·         Small business, education as well Central Coast provides workforce to the Northern Beaches.

·         Brisbane Water User Group meeting attended by Police, Waterways, Sailing Clubs and other Assns.  Really a sad thing when nothing will happen until someone gets killed. 

·         Need a lot of noise.  Stateline or 702ABC urgently.  Newcastle Herald had a 450 word article.

Motion: To write to appropriate range of Govt Departments, Council and local members expressing our concerns. Carried.

 

Current Issue Updates:

Mosquitos – will rise up again shortly.  $185k grant to Australian Catholic Universities to look at saltmarsh mosquitos and if treated the impact on the food chain and micro bats. Appointed honours student to do the radio tracking of micro bats and they have requested permission for Bouddi area – 12 month project.  A PhD student to do all other research.  Have asked to come and explain to us why it takes 4 years - NP&W won’t issue licences until it is done even though this has been thoroughly researched overseas.

 

Foreshore – Bill Egan advised he spoke with Peter Dunn at Council – nothing to report here as Woy Woy Road is taking priority.

·         Group Traffic Committee looking at the Heath/Araluen turning section – minimal approach.

 

Oysters – Phase 3 – next section – watch this space.

 

Sedimentation – Graham Smith our expert who goes to all the meetings is unable to be here tonight – will update at later date.

 

Newsletter – August edition is now out.  Big thanks to Allan Wilson for a great job.

 

New/General Business:

Sewerage Smell – Along the dog track with winter westerly winds.  Have spoken to Council about cleaning it out – still not sufficient – to meet again.  Want it done regularly.  Toilet in Araluen Drive – sewerage leaking outside the block.

 

Graffiti – Break out or any activity in the area report it to the Police Centre Line – on website.  Incident report # goes into statistics.  The more we get the more coverage for the area

 

Turo Park drainage work – Huge amount of gravel going into the Bay.  Richard Harper to check out.  Richard also advised Council to remove large tree in Heath / “The Point”.

 

Development Application to Council – Everyone to be made aware of this large development being handled by Perception Partners at 58-62 Araluen Drive.  Copy of proposal received today – 4 commercial sites and 9 units stepped up the hill – Adrian advised he hasn’t had time to revue it. Rang them and plans out to public exhibition/comment.

·         Before we react as a group need to see the plans.  This is already zoned 3a – different to the Marina’s zoning. 

·         Will monitor this.  Drawings to be put on the website for people to make comment. 

  

       Council Elections 13 September – Whilst HBRG is apolitical a few who have helped us with the mosquito issue and pumpout are Laurie Maher and Jim 

       Macfadyen – special mention for their support.

·         Dianna Bocking also advised she is on Chris Holstein’s ticket for the Liberal Party.

 

       Correspondence -

Emails received from Helen Monk and Mike Chitty re Dredging as well as emails re the Marina.

Emails and replies re Mosquito issue-letter.

 

Next meeting:  Tuesday 28 October, 2008, 7.30 pm Hardys Bay Church Hall.

Interim Dredging and Development information to be posted on the website or contact any of our committee members.

 

       There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.45 pm.