TUROSS HEAD PROGRESS ASSOCIATION INC.
MINUTES OF 5th APRIL 2018 MEETING
Held at Kyla Hall, Tuross Head
The Chairman, Gary Cooper, presided and opened the meeting at 2.05 pm.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Monthly meeting held 1 Mar 18, Minutes of abridged meeting circulated on 8 Mar 18. Moved by Secretary THPA that the Minutes be accepted.
Seconded: Lei Parker - CARRIED
Business Arising FROM MINUTES
To be dealt with under General Business
Treasurers Report
The Treasurer, Joan Buchan, to provide the financial statement as at 5 Apr 18.
THPA General Account Balance: @ 5 Apr 18 = $5,975.55
Receipts: Subs = $10.00
Raffle donation = $22.50 + $38.55
Progressive Working Account Balance = $6,013.81
Expenses:
Renewal AUSTcover THPA Inc Indemnity Insurance = - $430.00
THPA General Account Working Balance @ 5 Apr 18 $ 5,583.81
THPA Cycle/walk Accounts:
Cycleway Working A/c balance as at 5 Apr 18 = $2,865.48
Receipts: Bank interest = $___Nil__
Updated Cycle/walk as at 5 Apr 18 $2,865.48
Plus Term Deposit $20,000.00
$22,865.48
Plus THPA General Account working Fund = $5,583.8
Total THPA Funds as at 5 Apr 18 (i.e. balances of $22,865.48 plus $5,583.81) = $28,449.29
That the Report be accepted. Moved by the Treasurer
Seconded : Janine Uleman - CARRIED
Membership
There are currently 151 financial members, which included 1 x new member that signed up at 5 Apr 18 meeting. The Secretary THPA urges members to canvass friends & acquaintances to join our growing community association for them to have their say about the future direction of the village and its facilities.
RECORD OF INWARDS & OUTWARDS Correspondence
All correspondence was listed in detailed the draft Agenda (Inwards 15 x items and Outwards 24 x items). The secretary circulated a summary of this correspondence ahead of the 5 Apr 18 meeting. Moved by Secretary that the detailed report on correspondence be accepted. Seconded John Byrne
CARRIED
GENERAL BUSINESS
Kyla Park Cluster 4 Pty Ltd complaint against Secretary THPA
The Chair, Kyla Park Cluster 4 Pty Ltd (Colin Smith) lodged a complaint by email on 25 Mar 18 demanding a written apology from Secretary THPA (John Tilbrook) concerning what he labelled defamatory and libelous remarks in the THPA email to the members of the Tuross Fishing Facilities Working Group (TFFWG). This email directly inferred that some residents of Kyla Park were opposed to the new boat launching ramp which was proposed to be constructed in the Kyla Park foreshore reserve.
For ease of reference the offending content of that email has been reproduced below
There are 18 landholders in that section of Kyla Park who are holding the whole community to ransom by opposing something that is vital for the future of Tuross Head as a tourist destination and for the economic/employment benefits so sorely needed.
Colin Smith has demanded this issue be listed on the THPA meeting Agenda for a public apology and retraction of the statement.
The issue was debated at length, but dialogue was cut short at insistence of Secretary THPA who enunciated his public apology and withdrawal of remarks concerning Kyla Park Cluster 4 and is hereby recorded in the Minutes.
2. Update on Concept & suitable location for a Heritage Park in Tuross Head.
Gary Cooper advised the Meeting that no progress could be made with Council on the concept and location for a Heritage Park or expansion of the Tuross History signs, as Council has enunciated a new policy whereby all projects involving Heritage and History Signposting must first be considered and approved by a new Heritage Committee. The composition of this Committee has not yet been announced. Debate from floor followed.
Motion.
Moved: Lei Parker and Seconded: Janine Uleman
..That the President THPA writes to Mayor (cc’d to Mark Upson Divisional Manager Recreational Services) stating the in respect of the proposed Heritage Park the THPA position is that the most practical site would be in Evans Park adjacent to the Tuross Boulevarde entrance and seeking Council agreement, and that the Tuross Head Actions under the ROSS 2018 should be widened in scope to include the Heritage Park in the upgrade of the Evans Park. CARRIED.
ACTION by: Gary Cooper
3. RMS Wollongong - Update on Highway “T” Intersection safety upgrade.
John Tilbrook contacted RMS Wollongong (aka the RMS Program Delivery Officer -Clare Harris) on 18 Mar 18. She responded on 20 Mar 18 to advise the THPA that the Federal funding for completion of the “T” intersection safety upgrade had been approved but was still awaiting the “timely release” of the pending Media announcement. NFA as she proceeded on maternity leave.
PROLOGUE. Secretary THPA contacted RMS Wollongong (Nathan Boscaro) on 11 Apr 18 and was advised that:
On 21 March 2018 the new Federal Member for Infrastructure & Transport (Minister Michael McCormack) announced the release of $1.4 million in rural/regional roads funding under the Black Spot Program to rebuild the “T” intersection of the Princes Highway and Hector McWilliam Drive to improve road safety measures at this dangerous intersection.
This safety upgrade has been vigorously pursued with RMS Headquarters at Wollongong and with the Federal Member for Gilmore (The Hon Ann Sudmalis, MP) by the Tuross Head Progress Association (John Tilbrook) for the past three years.
To date the RMS has so far implemented interim safety upgrade measures by installing a “Prepare to STOP” and STOP sign at the end of Hector McWilliam Drive on 2 Mar /3 Mar 17.
The planned new work by RMS will involve the construction of a concrete median strip at the end of Hector McWilliam Drive to divide in exit and entrance lanes, as well as major earthworks to alter the present traffic flow arrangements for vehicular traffic entering or exiting Hector McWilliam Drive with the aim improving visibility and thus reduce the risk of collisions on this 100 kph section of the highway. It is likely that this program of work will commence shortly. The RMS work crew (8 men) were on site on 10 Apr 18 completing the survey work ahead of this major project.
4. Upgrading of “Cycle/walk” missing link (dirt section Anderson Ave to Buchan Bridge).
This history of this legacy connected to the proposed residential development was debated at length
Secretary THPA summed up the situation as follows:
In short it was determined that the Secretary THPA should invite the Mayor Liz Innes and Mark Upson to physically visit the site and walk the length of this fifty-year old “missing link” for the purpose of pointing out to the Mayor that.
There is an urgent need for Council to upgrade this pedestrian, cycle & mobility scooter section of footpad by carrying out earthworks utilising the stock pile of earth & crushed bluestone fill stored at the Council dump alongside Kyla Oval. This represents the most cost effective and easiest solution for the interim.
Apart from the only roadway into Tuross (Hector McWilliam Drive) this substandard foot pad is the only physical link between the west and eastern side of the village, noting there is no pedestrian access alongside H.Mc.W Drive which is a heavy volume traffic road.
Having waited five decades already the Community does not want to wait for at least another decade for any developer to deliver this section of cycle/walk which is the long-held Council’s position.
The community do not want the cycle/walk constructed within the residential development precinct as required by the Council, but instead this route should be retained in its current location whereby the footpad follows the scenic route alongside the Coila Lake foreshore on community land between the end of Anderson Avenue/new Monash Avenue and the end of the completed section of the concrete cycle/walk some 300m metres west of Buchan Bridge.
The alternative is to revisit the 1990’s era plan to join together the two Monash Avenue sections between the end of old Monash Avenue outside of the THCC and the new Monash Avenue that recommences at the end of Anderson Avenue to satisfy the vital need for an alternative road route between the two geographic sides of the township, especially in cases of emergency that result in road closure of H.Mc.W Drive due to serious MVA or bushfires?
Lei Parker again took the floor and outlined the history behind this development project whereby the commercial viability is questionable, and although more than 20 years has passed there is still no current DA lodged with Council. He opined that the Council did not require the developer to incorporate any open space, and that if this subdivision had to incorporate a busy main thoroughfare public cycle/way between the rear boundary of all premium lots and the Coila Lake foreshore landscape, then this imposition would detract markedly from the value of those affected building allotments.
MOTION.
Moved Lei Parker. Seconded Gary Ormsby
…That the secretary THPA write to Council and ask for the reasons why the planned “missing link” section of the cycle/walk cannot be sited on community land to follow the same route as the existing footpad at an elevation slightly above the water level that triggers Council intervention to open the Coila Lake to the sea? CARRIED.
ACTION BY: John Tilbrook
5. Briefing on research findings on Un-marked Graves Site by Dr Carlene Winch.
AGENDA item deferred until the attendance by Dr Carlene Dummett-Winch to present her findings.
Design & manufacture of new History Plaques
This AGENDA item for three new history plaques for installation along the cycle/walk has been deferred at the previous 2018 THPA monthly meetings referring to the explanations provided by Gary Cooper for Agenda item 2 and creation of a new Heritage Committee. The plaques to be manufactured are as follows:
George Bass landing 1897.
Un-marked Graves Site – 5 known graves, 1866, 1867 & 1891.
The History & official opening of the Cycle/walk & Boardwalk.
Lei Parker pointed out that Tomakin community has already gone ahead, presumably with Council concurrence, and have recently completed heritage sign posting around their village.
MOTION.
Moved: Lei Parker. Seconded Steve Ryder
…That the President THPA write to Council (Mark Upton) cc’d Mayor citing the holdups to our project due to the unknown quantity of the new Heritage Committee, and lack of guidance from Steve Haliki, and therefore requesting copy of the template of artwork & text that has been used for the Tomakin history plaques to enable the manufacture of further Tuross History plaques. CARRIED.
ACTION by: Gary Cooper.
THPA Petition to establish majority opinion of Tuross Residents concerning the preservation of self-sown Norfolk Pine trees sprouting along the foreshore of Hector McWilliam Park
Secretary THPA was concerned about the gradual rate of loss of mature Norfolk Pines that were originally planted by Hector McWilliam post 1925 which are iconic to Tuross. At last count there were 240 authorised NI pines connected to Hector McWilliam plantings. A further 6 x Norfolk Pines have either died, were poisoned or cutdown with Council approval over the past 12 months (2 in Hector McWilliam Drive, 1 on Allenby Road, 1 in Nelson Parade and 2 along Tuross Boulevarde.)
John Tilbrook asked the question whether we need a community survey to determine whether they are in favour of the Norfolk Island pines being better protected and preserved, or just allow the numbers of trees simple dwindle waste away. For example, persons unknown has been cutting down and eradicating any Norfolk Island Pine self-sown seedlings springing up along the seafront of Tuross Boulevarde between Plantation Point and Coila Beach. We need to canvass the community to ascertain whether a submission to Council is warranted to institute a policy for preserving the original NI Pines, their self-sown siblings left in situ or removed.
On 3 Apr 18 the Secretary of the Tuross Lakes Preservation Group has submitted the following positive contribution to the THPA debate on the balanced management of preservation of Norfolk Pines in Tuross Head into the future.
The management of this species around Tuross Head can be conveniently considered under the following three categories:
1) The plantation at Tarandore Point, (Memorial Gardens).
This plantation achieved Heritage status (unanimously approved by Council) on 12th December 2017). Heritage status imposes certain obligations to preserve and maintain this plantation into the future.
2) The distinctive streetscape plantings around the village.
It is our understanding, subject to confirmation by the Council, that these Norfolk Island Pines will be maintained as part of the iconic streetscape in accordance with the original vision of Hector McWilliam, with due regard to safety considerations, overhead clearances, etc. This will entail replacing Norfolk Island Pine trees as they disappear due to natural causes or from deliberate interference.
3) Norfolk Island Pines within the foreshore reserve.
The McWilliam Park Coastal Management Plan, adopted by Council on 23rd March 1999, comes closest to stating a clear policy on the matter, whereby:
9.3 Revegetation, states "that the use of endemic native species should be encouraged wherever possible", and "management [should] protect biodiversity, threatened, rare or endangered species".
The recommendations at:
9.7, Norfolk Island Pines, have, arguably, been fulfilled with the granting of Heritage status to the plantations at Tarandore Point, (as at 1 above).
In the absence of a clearer policy, the TLPG view is that Norfolk Island Pines should be controlled so that they do not become a dominant species in the habitat - that being the level at which they become detrimental to other native species (plant, animal, bird) whose continued existence (co-existence) depends upon us maintaining and nurturing the evolution of the restored natural communities now existing around Tuross Head.
Summary.
The Secretary THPA opined that any self-sown Norfolk Island pines sprouting within the Hector McWilliam Park foreshore area between Plantation Point and Coila beach (being the prodigy of the original Norfolk Pines planted by Hector McWilliam as wind breaks) should be allowed to mature. Only those NI self-sown seedlings that are growing too close to one another, or too close to the original NI pines or sited so as to pose a danger or nuisance into the future should be culled. The caveat to this proposed protection policy for NI self-sown seedlings is that the density of new NI pines in Hector McWilliam Park foreshore precinct is to be managed so to prevent the spread is disease and to avoid the population of NI pines being detrimental to native species of vegetation.
Lei Parker was requested to compile an article on this suggested THPA stance of self-sewn NI pines for publication in the BEAGLE WEEKLY and calling for comment and/or objections before a submission on such a policy is prepared and submitted to Council.
ACTION By: Lei Parker
Concept – Tuross Head to pursue infrastructure to promote the town as a RV friendly destination.
The RV Friendly Town concept was debated by the 1 Mar 18 meeting during Max Castle’s presentation concerning the future improvement of fishing facilities in the Shire, and the advent of Tuross Head as a RV Friendly destination to boost tourism & visitors out-of-season by attracting the “Grey Nomads”. Further debate is warranted to make a case to approach Council and allay concerns of the extant caravan park operations (now in the main holiday cabin accommodation or campsite providers).
It is noted that COBARGO is signposted as a RV Friendly town.
This AGENDA item deferred until Max Castle attends next THPA meeting.
Update on Draft Recreational Open Space Strategy (ROSS).
John Tilbrook outlined TUROSS HEAD Actions under the ROSS 2018 adopted by Council on 27 Feb 18. The THPA submission made to Council in October 2017 outlining the social and safety reasons why the Skate Facility should not be sited within Evans Park was not acted upon, and is still listed to be constructed within Evans Park upgrade in the vicinity of the new children’s playground equipment.
The preferred location for the community is at Kyla Park within Lot 91 Sporting Precinct behind the residential area of Lake Street. See above.
10. Update on removal of THCC & Motel signs from Golf Course.
Lei Parker advised the meeting that the MOTEL sign had been removed by its business owner, and is awaiting the result of the DA submitted by the motel owner to Council for display on the edge of Hector McWilliam Drive.
11. Update on THPA submission to Council on possibly illegal two signs at Lavender Bay (No Camping or Overnight Stay & Dogs on leads Prohibited)
Lei Parker was contacted by Council (Nathan Ladmore) by telephone and was advised that Council position was that it had the authority to erect the two signs. They would take legal action if needed to defend the legal status of these two signs. This is on the basis that the Dog Prohibited sign was erected to protect birdlife on the foreshore and Sandy Point from being harassed by dogs, and that overnight stay camping in the Lavender Bay precinct would continue to be prohibited and enforcement policed by Council rangers. No further action.
12. Disposal of demountable – three component Stage from Kyla Hall to Council depot storage?
Council work crew collected these items from Kyla Hall on 3 Apr 18 which have been relocated to off-site council storage in Moruya. They will be available for hire by anyone for any type of function through the Council’s booking office.
13. Approval of expenditure for ANZAC Day Wreath & nominated THPA wreath layer (cost $40 for floral through THCC bulk order)
THPA has advised Cathy Millikin, THCC, that the THPA wishes to lay a wreath on ANZAC Day. President Gary Cooper to lay the Wreath? John Tilbrook has placed the order for the $40 floral tribute with Greg Cowley.
Motion. Moved John Tilbrook, Seconded Rob Rixon that payment of $40 be authorised for the THPA wreath. Motion then amended by Lei Parker to also retain the annual $50 book donation to a local school (this year Moruya Public Primary School). Motion amended to expend $40 for the cost of the ANZAC Day THPA wreath and the $50 for the annual ANZAC Day Commemoration gift to purchase books (Total $90). CARRIED.
PROLOGUE
John Tilbrook passed $40 cheque to the THCC with covering letter. Treasurer John Buchan has posted cheque for $50 with covering note to the Principal of the Moruya Public Primary School for purchase of books.
14. Update on Fishing Facilities for the Shire & New Boat Ramp.
Max Castle a member of RFNSW advising the NSW Government, THFC Member & THPA member and THFFWG Chair has had a great win in gaining a $500k NSW Government grant for the building of an offshore steel caged artificial reef to improve fishing stocks in the Batemans Marine Park.
Max Castle will provide an update on this topic at the 3 May 18 THPA meeting, as well as feedback on his recent face to face discussions about fishing facilities in the Eurobodalla with the NSW Premier (Gladys Berejiklian), the State Member for Bega and Minister for Infrastructure (Minister Andrew Constance) and Cabinet staff.
NEW GENERAL BUSINESS
15. Council survey
Restrictions on Dog Off-leash areas across the Shire
Lei Parker bought to the attention of the Meeting details of a review of Dogs Off-leash areas across the Shire, and urged that as many as possible to visit the “Drop-in Session” at Evans Park on Fri 13 Apr 18 to complete the survey form and express any concerns that they may have about the intention to restrict the number of Dog Off-leash Area on Coila Beach, Plantation South beach and One Tree North beach.
Debate followed and formulated a THPA position regarding the perceived future need to retain the current Dogs Off-leash Areas. Moved: Lei Parker, Seconded by Marilyn Bingham that the Secretary THPA is to compile a submission reflecting the position taken at the meeting and formally submit this to Council, rather than the standard anonymous individual survey responses.
ACTION By: Secretary THPA
PROLOGUE
On 9 Apr 18 the Secretary THPA provided a 5-page written submission to Council covering the points raised at the above meeting. A copy of this submission was emailed to all THPA members. For ease of reference a copy of this document accompanies these Minutes as Attachment 1.
16. Bushfire Emergency Preparedness plan- Tuross Head
In the wake of the recent devastation property damage incurred in the Tathra wild fires Lei Parker addressed the meeting about the lack of bushfire preparedness in Tuross Head given the similarities of topography with the Tathra region.
In short there needs to be a coordinated Bushfire Emergency Response plan to protect the community. Presently one does not exist.
Kyla Oval is the specified assembly point in an emergency, but in a wildfire situation there is a real risk that the only road joining both sides of the village for access to Kyla Park oval, and indeed the only road in and out of Tuross Head is likely to be blocked to traffic.
The latter gives raise to the justification for pursuing with Council the reactivation of pre-1997 plans for the joining up of old Monash Ave from the edge of the THCC and new Monash Ave at the end of Anderson Avenue. This would deliver and all year-round alternative traffic route in cases of an emergency and provide some relief from the heavy volume traffic using the only thoroughfare (Hector McWilliam Drive) during peak tourism seasons.
The consensus of the meeting was that there was no recollection by any persons present of any program of cold controlled burn offs having ever been conducted along the timbered foreshore areas or forested hillside slopes as far back as 1970? The RFS advice is that the THPA should correspond in writing to the Senior Fire Control Officer at the Eurobodalla Fire Control Centre in Moruya requesting a bushfire risk assessment considering the time elapsed since the last recorded controlled burns and the current level fuel load on the forest floor.
Moved: Lei Parker, Seconded Ken Parker that the Secretary THPA should.
Write to the SFCO at FIRECOM HQ in Moruya outlining the bushfire concerns expressed above and seeking guidance on any controlled burn offs & a bushfire emergency plan for the community.
Write to Council requesting consideration for joining up the two Monash Avenues to create the intended second road access between the west and east sides of Tuross village?
ACTION By: Secretary THPA
17. Australian Hearing Institute.
Kath Brownly from Australian Hearing Institute gave a 30-minute presentation to the Meeting on the Hearing Test services it can provide for aged pensioners and DVA pensioners and war widows.
DOOR PRIZE RAFFLE.
Door prize raffles drawn by Dee Meek.
Book prize won by Lei Parker.
Door prize won by Garry Ormsby.
Raffle raised $22.50 towards Kyla Hall hire fees for THPA meetings.
Closure of Meeting
The 5 Apr 18 THPA Meeting was Closed at 3.20 pm.
Next THPA Meeting
The next THPA meeting will be convened on 3 May 18. Council have advised that the Mayor is not available to attend the next THPA meeting on 3 May 18.
John Tilbrook
Secretary THPA
