Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc.

Minutes

Minutes of the General Meeting for Hardys Bay Residents Group Inc. held at 7.30 pm Tuesday 18 November, 2008, Hardys Bay Church Hall.

Welcome to Members and Guest:  President Adrian Williams welcomed new and existing members and guest speaker Stephen Black from NSW Maritime.

Apologies:  Jim Macfadyen, Alan Bennett, Cliff & Dianne Daniels, John & Janet Ham, Bill & Janet Egan, Sandie Broadhead, Marilyn Cartmill and Helen Robinson.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting:  Minutes accepted as true and accurate record. Moved Rob Hill, seconded Terry Feltham.

Financial Report:  Bank account balance is $4,155.01.  Income of $2,192.47 from donations for Website advertising and 12 month Doggie Bag sponsorship and interest.  Expenditure was church hall hire, Peninsula Print for newsletter 7 and Dep of Planning re Marina.

General Business:

Guest: Stephen Black, Regional Manager – Hawkesbury Broken Bay Team, NSW Maritime. (formerly known as WaterWays).

Adrian recapped last Tuesday’s Council meeting re dredging of the entrance to Brisbane Water.   4-5 Coastal Patrol, 2 Ettalong Business Group and Adrian were the only ones in the public gallery.  Debated the issue but pre-determined and voted in a block. The motion was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor.  Resolution was passed:

· Council continue to monitor with WaterWays, the channel width and depth.  Any changes to conditions be immediately advised to Council.

· Council seek WaterWays’ support of monitoring vessels fishing or mooring within the channel and said vessels be moved on.

· Council reiterate its position to the Ministers that Council is not responsible for the funding of the dredging.

Demarcation dispute – above and on the water is Maritime and under is Dept of Lands.  Council have no responsibility or jurisdiction.

Major – minor – river entrances with sea or retaining walls are State Govt funded.  Estuary entrances such as Brisbane Water falls generally 50/50 with State Govt and local Council for dredging.  Let’s just keep watching  - it hasn’t got any shallower since March.  The $250k contribution from Sate Govt on a 50/50 basis probably won’t be there for very long.  The real crunch is the ferry service being withdrawn.

Stephen Black outlined the responsibility of his recreational division covering Hawkesbury/Broken Bay and Brisbane Water. Self funded.

Dredging:

• $15-20m funding through Sydney Harbour for dredging and control of harbours and commercial ports, otherwise no financial responsibility for dredging.

• Council believe State Govt should fund 100%.  Lands Dept have 50% on the table.
• Users have to be aware and can still use the channel.  Maritime look at the safety – have upgraded markers and try to keep the channel clear of moored boats and have daily monitoring..
• Surveyed the area in April, June and August last year.  Can see it has moved.  Council now wants another survey – this should be the time to do the dredging but Council are afraid if they do it once then it is their responsibility.  No records of any previous dredging.  Will be re-surveying 2-3 December – feel it may have stabilised slightly.
• Q & A discussed various issues of cruiser boats forcing yachts onto the rocks; daily monitoring of the channel by Maritime; Licence fees collected; sand moved back towards Umina and gone from Lobster Beach.
• Q:  At what stage will the ferries be forced to stop running? A: advised they are in contact the Ferry Co who will let them know. 
• Q: Has commercial dredging been considered?  This had been done at Middle Harbour. A: Doesn’t know – has been done in Hawkesbury – probably not viable but hasn’t been looked into.
• Q: Mike Chitty, Civil Engineer worked on Mandurah River WA – it was fine for 3 months -  questioned if they have a tidal model like Port Hacking taking it off Cronulla beach? A: Talk is they will grade it ‘sweeping’ is a lot cheaper – will not dump it offshore.
• Q: Timeline for dredging? A: Couple of months – all ready to go.  Engineer’s plan done and Environmental Impact has been done.  Not sure if a mobile or fixed dredge.

Moorings: Maritime to write to everyone with moorings to ensure boats are visually acceptable –stickers attached -  1 month will check boat again. 

• Discussion on the number of unused derelict boats not navigable and nothing is ever done with them– Stephen to follow up.   No legislation that says you must use a vessel.
• Absent for more than 28 days must advise Maritime.
• New seagrass friendly mooring device brochure was made available.

Adrian thanked Maritime for doing what they can and for Stephen coming along – it’s up to Lands Dept.

Current Issue Updates:

Traffic Safety Issues: As a result of 18 months ago asked Council for quick fixes in the area – Council’s traffic committee will be doing a short term fix for the intersection at Wards Hill Rd and Scenic Road.

HBRG Charter:  Objectives have been to operate as a group under the incorporation rules and regulations – “Working for a positive lifestyle and healthy environment in and around Hardys Bay” -   Committee will consider putting out general charter at next AGM.  Will also look at advertising guidelines to maintain independence in the community.

HBRG activity re development in Araluen Drive:  Adrian asked the Development Co to come and talk – declined.

Development is in Council going through due process by various officers under delegation.

Will keep you updated by the website and email updates.

Marina:  Dept of Planning made a ruling – up to the Marina for next step.

Correspondence

Minister for Ports, Jo Tripodi re dredging.

Environmental Trust – Final document for oyster cleanup.

Emails re development and channel.

Next meeting:  Tuesday 24 February, 2009, 7.30 pm Hardys Bay Church Hall.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.00 pm.