TUROSS HEAD PROGRESS ASSOCIATION INC.
MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING
held on Thursday, 6th July 2017 at the Tuross Country Club
The Meeting commenced at 2.05 pm with Mr Gary Cooper in the Chair.
Attendees: 31 x members signed the Register.
Apologies: Total 9
Invited Guests in Attendance. Nil
.
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING.
Monthly meeting held 1st June 2017. Acceptance: Proposed by Mr Chris Jones (acting minute secretary for that meeting) , seconded Steve Ryder. CARRIED
2. BUSINESS ARISING.
To be dealt with under separate reports later in the meeting.
3. TREASURER’s REPORT.
The esteemed Treasurer, Joan Buchan, read out the following financial statement which forms part of the Minutes. In summary, as follows:
THPA General Account Balance: @ 6 July 2017 $5393.86
Receipts: 26 x Member Subscriptions = $ + $130.00____________
Working Account Balance = $ $5,523.86
Expenses – reimbursement to Joan Buchan for
Purchase of Receipt Books & floral bouquet for
Farewell to Maureen Baker ……………………………………… $61.60__________
Total working balance ……………………………………………. $5,462.26
THPA Cycle/walk Accounts:
Cycleway Working A/c balance as at 6 July 2017 $4,801.60
Receipts: Bank interest Quarter +_$38.36
Updated working balance at 6 July 17 =$4,839.96
Payments/Expenses - Outgoings: NIL
Cycle/walk working balance @ 1 June 17 = $4,839.96
Plus Fixed Term Deposit $20,000.00
Cycle/walk Accounts Total as at 6 July17 =$24,839.96
Total Funds ($ 5,462.26 plus $24,839.96) as at 6 July 17= $30,302.22
Acceptance of the above financial report was proposed by Treasurer (Joan Buchan), and seconded by Steve Ryder. CARRIED
4. MEMBERSHIP:
Currently 138 financial members, up from 28 members in September 2016, an increase of 110 members.
Marilyn Bingham has withdrawn from her role as MEMBERSHIP committee member which she fulfilled whilst the Secretary THPA was absent overseas in May/June.
Prologue: at the time of writing these minutes the membership has increased to 140 members.
5. CORRESPONDENCE – INWARDS & OUTWARDS:
The Summary of the Inwards and Outwards Correspondence dealt with by the THPA Secretary since the last meeting held on 1 Jun 17 has already been issued separately as an Attachment to the Agenda and covers correspondence spanning the period 1 June to 6 July 2017. For ease of reference a further copy of that Attachment accompanies these Minutes.
Total Inwards items = 10 and total Outwards items = 21.
Moved Secretary THPA that the Correspondence, as recorded be accepted, seconded by Steve Smith. CARRIED
GENERAL BUSINESS
BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES WAS ADDRESSED BY THE MEETING UNDER THE FOLLOWING TOPIC HEADINGS
6. RMS SAFETY UPGRADE OF T INTERSECTION ON HIGHWAY.
Clearance of Vegetation opposite the T Intersection.
Significant work has been done to remove the trees and vegetation in the vicinity of the Bus Shelter, and indeed northwards along the western side of the Princes Highway to improve driver sight lines for vehicles travelling south by gaining a clearer view of the approaching T intersection and the Bus Shelter, as outlined in Minister for Roads (Melinda Pavey’s) response to Minister Andrew Constance’s queries on behalf of the THPA.
Concrete median strip. We now have to wait for the result of the RMS bid for black spot funding in the FY18/19 round of allocations for the final safety improvements planned for the T intersection, which primarily is the addition of a concrete median strip and further work to properly define the Bus Parking Bay on the south side of the T Intersection.
ACTION. The Secretary THPA is to write to the Federal Member for Gilmore, The Hon Ann Sudmalis, MP to hasten earlier funding as she is the Chair of the Federal Black Spot Program for Rural Roads.
7. DRIVER SIGHT-LINE VISIBILITY - LAKE STREET T INTERSECTION.
Some pruning of the bushes on the nature strip outside #4 and #6 Hector McWilliam Drive has taken place. Heavy ground cover is still present outside of #2 Hector McWilliam Drive, and the owner be canvassed to remove this vegetation for road safety reasons.
ACTION: Secretary THPA to take up this issue with the landowner, and if un-co-operative, will notify the Ranger’s Office of the traffic hazard problem caused by this native shrubbery.
8. HECTOR MCWILLIAM ROAD SPEED LIMIT
RMS has responded to the Secretary THPA and has stated that the existing speed zoning and sign posted 60KPH speed limit will remain. Furthermore, the THPA bid to reduce the 80 KPH speed limit from the devil’s elbow (55 KPH bend) just north of the Lakeside Caravan Park down to 60 KPH was also rejected by RMS, as that office has opined that the current 80KPH is considered appropriate.
9. MIRROR BUSH REMOVAL
The Council’s Environment & Landcare Officer (Emma Patyus) has advised that the contracted GREEN ARMY will return to work on 31 Jul 17 to complete the Mirror Bush eradication project. The Council have advised that community Volunteers will be most welcome later in the year when Mirror Bush regrowth become visible, for applying of glysophate.
The GREEN ARMY is also going to replant suitable Australian native species on the beachfront to replace the area that were cleared of Mirror Bush.
10. STAFFORD DIXON BENCH SEAT
The bench seat is now in place and with the dedication plaque to commemorate the sterling efforts of Stafford Dixon over the pasts decades in swaying Council to improve access to facilities for people with disabilities . John Tilbrook sent a THPA letter of thanks to the Moruya Works Depot & to Warren Sharpe.
11. UPDATE ON COUNCIL’S INTENDED SALE OF COMMUNITY RESERVE (CORNER BEACH ST & TUROSS BOULEVARDE)
The THPA has received a letter dated 23 June 2017 from Mayor Liz Innes which basically states that the THPA has “missed the boat” and it is now too late to stop the sale of the block i.e. Lot 277 Community Reserve. In essence the Council is standing by its decision to dispose of the excess community land as it has been under utilised, and the fact that the Council had adhered to the statutory requirements of consultation with the affected landowners and the public.
A copy of the mayoral letter which accompanies these Minutes as Attachment 1 was sent to Lei Parker and all THPA members for their information and necessary action. The Council has altered the building regulations for residential lots along this section of Tuross Boulevarde between Kitchener Road and Beach Street to permit the construction of dwellings with 8.5 metre height building envelopes allowing for the introduction of 2-story homes. To illustrate the impact on the present landscape Lei Parker has constructed the following artist’s impression of what Lot 277 might look like into the future.
Above: Get used to it Tuross – Lei Parker’s comment - Council is hell bent on selling this land and the community protests to the Mayor and Councillors are water of a ducks back because in their mind the deal is done and therefore can't be undone.
The present situation and Mayoral letter was passionately debated, and the consensus was that as many members as possible from the THPA should still go ahead and lodge personal letters of condemnation for its action, and expressing their opinion that Lot 277 should remain zoned as Community Reserve, and be used for the THPA proposed Heritage Park & Tourist Information Bay.
According to the Council correspondence the adjoining landowners have been consulted over the rezoning and the affect it may have on their parcels of land. One of the affected Landowners, Sue Phyland, was at the THPA meeting and informed the meeting that the Council was attempting to adhere to their request to have their property boundaries altered, by giving up a small section of land at the front of 54 Beach Street and in return the Council had agreed to widen their rear boundary.
As the Council envisages selling the residential block for approximately $400k, the mood of the meeting was that the Secretary THPA should correspond with Council (sic the Mayor, General Manager and the Director of Furnace) and request that all proceeds from the sale of Lot 277 should be quarantined for expenditure on outstanding Tuross Head community related projects held up because they are not accommodated in the current FY17/18 work budget. Examples of projects that could be funded from this source are listed below.
a. Fire Hydrant at Kyla Hall.
b. Unisex (2 pan) toilet block to be constructed at Plantation Point with disabled facilities.
c. Re-instatement of Flood Lamp at One-Tree Point.
c. Upgrading of the sole flood lamp in the memorial gardens.
d. Installation of additional handrail to enhance public safety for beachgoers using the concrete access ramp leading down to the Main Beach.
ACTION. In accordance with the mood of the meeting the Secretary THPA is to write to the Mayor and General Manager of the Council, cc’d to the Director of Finance (Anthony O’Reilly) requesting that the total proceeds of the land sale (being Lot 277, formerly Community Reserve) should be quarantined for exclusive expenditure on other minor works projects within Tuross Head that will directly benefit the Community.
12. NAMING OF KYLA PARK.
The NSW Government Geographical Names Board and the Council has notified the community via an on-line posting on the Council’s website that it intends to formally name the reserve as Kyla Park (Kyla Park was the name given to the farm settled by pioneer – John Hawdon). This community reserve is known as Lot 91 being the Kyla Park Sporting Precinct. The on-line posting was launched on 28 June with a one month deadline for submissions, that being 28 July 2017.
The Secretary THPA outlined to the meeting that our Association should submit a proposal to name Kyla Park, Lot 91, as “The BRINJA YUIN Reserve” in recognition of the traditional owners of this land and its waterways. It was noted at the meeting that there was no other meaningful recognition in Tuross Head of the BRINJA YUIN people by the way of street names, facilities or geographic features.
ACTION. Secretary THPA to make submission on-line to the Geographic Names Board citing “The BRINJA YUIN Reserve” instead of Kyla Park.
13. UP GRADING OF THE FLOOD LAMP AT MEMORIAL GARDENS.
The Council has been offered a new flood light instead of the old one as the current one is to dim to be of any use. The Secretary THPA has submitted a CSR to Council which has responded with a CSR number, and advice that they will investigate and assess the existing flood lamp and determine what action is necessary, if any.
Above: Lei Parker’s artists impression of what the Tuross Heritage Park may have looked like if it was agreed by Council and sited upon Lot 277. Instead Council has rezoned Lot 277 from Community Use to Operational allowing the plot of land to be sold residential.
14. Concept of a Heritage Park for Tuross:
In the letter from the Mayor dated 23 June 2017 at Attachment 1 to these Minutes which killed off the last minute rescue of Lot 277. It is understood that the Mayor supported the concept of a Heritage Park proposed by the THPA, and said that the Council would support the selection of a suitable space for such a venture, but obviously not Lot 277.
The realisation of the concept of a Heritage Park & Tourist Information Bay would take time and money, even after the Council agreed to a giving up a parcel of land. One location cited at the THPA meeting by John Tilbrook was Community Reserve land the southern end of the Hector McWilliam Park on the northern boundary of the One-Tree Car Park.
President THPA, Gary Cooper, advised that the Federal Government had recently announced more than $300 million that was earmarked for grants to regional and rural communities to build or enhance tourism and local employment. Any such projects needed to be supported by the relevant Councils who would manage the grant funds and oversee the construction of facilities.
Gary Cooper will be chasing up this avenue for Federal funding through Steve Halicki in Council’s Heritage Office, and will report back to the next THPA meeting.
15. PROGRESS OF BBSC STORAGE SHED PROJECT & WATER TANK ON KYLA HALL FOR RAINWATER SUPPLY TO TCG. The new Shed is very near completion and the Council has advised us that there shall be a meeting at Kyla Hall at 4.00c pm on Monday 24 July 2017 to define the development of the water supply to the Community garden, by installing a large rain water tank to harvest rainwater from the Kyla Hall roof. The issues are costings for the BBSC shed and to chase up promised electricity supply to power TCG water pumps. The meeting is by invitation only and will be attended by Council (Kathy Arthur, Ann Nicholson & Chris Tague), as well as members of the THPA executive (Gary Cooper & John Tilbrook) as well as TCG committee members.
16. SKATE FACILITY
The Chair of this sub-committee, Lei Parker, was not in attendance as he was out of Town. Consequently there was no public meeting held in Tuross of the parents and children at Kyla Park as was planned for late June to discuss the WHAT and the WHERE. Once this meeting is finally held and attended by Council – design and estimates of construction costs can be ascertained as a foundation for pursuing funds for this community project from the State and Federal Governments.
ACTION: Lei Parker & Lisa Spies.
17. DECISION ON VENUE FOR FUTURE MEETINGS.
Secretary THPA (John Tilbrook) asked the meeting for a vote on the venue for the future meetings, noting that the hospitality and good will of the THCC allowed the THPA to hold its monthly meeting in June & July at the Club at no cost. The President provided a background behind the long association that the THPA had with the old Progress Hall, and in more recent years at the Kyla Hall, noting that the Associations property assets and artwork, as well as the crockery, cutlery & cookware are permanently stored in Kyla Hall at no cost to the THPA
Any decision to leave the THCC venue and return to the spiritual home of the THPA at Kyla Hall would require our Association to commence paying the application discounted hall hire fees.
This issue was widely discussed and opinions put forward. Notwithstanding it was decided that the THPA should return to Kyla Hall for its meetings, and options for raising funds to cover the new hall hire fees was discussed and dealt with through the following three Motions.
18. MOTION 1 - RETURN TO KYLA HALL FOR MEETINGS
Motion. That with affect from 3rd August 2017 the Tuross Head Progress Association will conduct all of its future monthly meetings at the Kyla Hall and agree to pay Council the relevant discounted hall hire fees; and that the property assets & artwork belonging to the THPA will continue to be stored gratis in the Kyla Hall.
Proposed by John Tilbrook and seconded by Mylene Boulting
CARRIED – Record the numbers, 27 in favour & 4 against.
19. MOTION 2 - THPA QUARTERLY SOCIAL FUNCTIONS HELD AT THCC
Motion. That a new committee position, that of a Social Member, be adopted, and that the Social Member be tasked to organise informal quarterly social gatherings or luncheons to be convened on weekends at the Tuross Head Country Club to enable THPA members, family members and friends to mix in a convivial atmosphere.
Proposed by John Tilbrook and Seconded by Ian Bingham.
CARRIED.
20. MOTION 3 - FUNDING OF HALL HIRE FEES FOR KYLA HALL
Motion. That a Door Prize Raffle, organised by the Social Member, be conducted at all THPA meetings, and that any profit proceeds from the said raffles be recorded and monies passed to the Treasurer THPA to be held in a separate account to defray the hall hire fees imposed by Council for use of the meeting room at Kyla Hall.
Proposed by John Tilbrook and Seconded by Leonie Beers
CARRIED
21. NEW EXECUTIVE:
President Gary Cooper pointed out that the 6 July 2017 meeting is the first meeting of the 2017/18 Financial Year. Accordingly we now need to seriously consider who we would like to run the Organisation this Financial Year FY17/18, together with who would volunteer for the positions.
The positions to be filled are:
Chairman/President
2 x Vice Presidents
Secretary (Could be split into normal secretary and minute’s secretary).
Treasurer (Joan Buchan has fulfilled this role since 1990, and has indicated her willingness to continue in the position if there are no other volunteers to assume the role).
Social Member
22. REVIEW OF THE THPA CONSTITUTION:
President THPA, Gary Cooper, advised the meeting that a Special General Meeting would follow this meeting when closed in order to confirm the replacement of the Associations existing Constitution with the model Constitution recommended by the NSW Department of Fair Trading.
Meeting closed at 3.30 pm
Gary Cooper
Chairman
6 July 2017
Minute Secretary (John Tilbrook)
