MINUTES of the SUSSEX INLET and DISTRICTS COMMUNITY FORUM

MINUTES of the SUSSEX INLET and DISTRICTS COMMUNITY FORUM

Sussex Inlet Neighbourhood Centre, Cnr. Jacobs drive and Neilsen Road, Sussex Inlet

Commencing 7.30pm Monday 19th June 2017

PRESENT: the attendance book records 20 ratepayers and residents present at the meeting.

MEETING OPENED: 7.30pm

Chairman Gwen Downie opened the meeting with our Mission statement, Acknowledgement of Country and welcomed all attendees.

APOLOGIES: Councillor White, Nikki Flemming, Peter van Ovost, John Pearse, Craig and Karola Meyers, Katrina Roche,Wilga Crehan, Graham Williams

CONFIRMATION of MINUTES

Resolved on a motion of Dawn Pearse, seconded, Chris Keywoodthat the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15thMay 2017 beaccepted as read and confirmed.

CORRESPONDENCE INWARD

274/5 Sussex Inlet Community Church - thanks to Forum for opportunity to address Council – invitation G Drummond to meetings

275/5 SCC- Media Release – Roadwork Update- - incuding Sussex Road – water over road

276/5SCC Media Release – sustainable Futures Committee- positions available

277/5 SCC Media Release – Nominations Naidoc Day 2017 Awards

278/5 SCC Proposed Development –Holiday Haven Bendalong- for fire protection –

279/5 SCC Councillors reply to request for and pledge of support of Budget review- streetscape funding

279A/6 SCC Councillor White – Congratulations for the investment in Sussex by Council and thanks for working with Patricia to obtain such a great result.

280/5 SCC Update from Council newsfeed - various

281/5 SCC Media Release – Feedback on Winter Swimming Services Councils Northern Pools-Nowra and Bomaderry

282/5 SCC Kate Ryan – Media Release- SCC Disability Inclusion Action Plan – On Exhibition

283/5 SCC Safe Community Action Team - May meeting Cancelled

284/5 SCC-Alisdair Stratton Natural Resources and Floodplain Manager-North Cudmirrah Beach Access and Maintenance

285/5 SCC Roslyn Holmes re Streetscape images for announcement/ commencement of works

286/5 SCC Smart Cities Innovation Grants Think Tank - meeting

287/5 SCC Notice - Roadworks Bolong Road

288/5 Multimediadesign Scott Morgan- website to be complete by July

289/5 Silvia Serrao -Neuman Strategic action Plan photos for website

290/5 Sussex CTC Inletter partnership request

291/5 SCC notice 7 Golfcourse Way Development- deferred approval

292/5 Councillor Patricia White-need for future meeting with Chamber and businesses to explain streetscape/proposed works

293/6 Shoalhaven Water – placement of Water filling Station

294/6 SCC Councillor Kaye Gartener- Notice Stop AdaniAction in Nowra

295/6 SCC Engagement Officer – Extra Ordinary Meeting 13th June – DPOP budget, Fees, Charges and Services

296/6 SCC Elizabeth Dixon- Nomination submissionResilence Australia Community Award

297/6 SCC Corp& Community Service Group- Unlawful Felling and Clearing of Vegetation Foreshores and Reserves

298/6 BCS Progress Assnnotice of meeting and minutes

299/6 Shoal Water- Water filling station installed

300/6 Alisdair Stratton – Reply re our request for clarification North Cudmirrah beach maintenance

301/6 Scott Morgan Multimedia Design – Homepage – Forum website link to committee to test

302/6 BCS Progress Assn. Minutes June Meeting

303/6 SCC Community Development- Notice Community matters Monthly Fair Sussex 20th July posters/ flyers

304/6 NSW GOVT Media Release – Defibrillators for Sports Clubs 4yr roll out – co funding contribution Applications invited

305/6 Councillor Patricia White – apology and note to pass on to meeting

306/6 SCC DAs in Sussex – Storage facility- 70 mini units 12 Flood Ave and Deferred Commencement – subject to certain conditions being satisfied- 79 lot subdivision Golfcourse

CORRESPONDENCE OUTWARD

5/073 to All SCC Councillors and Mayor- Individual -Thanks for Attendance on Tour and Request for support 16th May Meeting Agenda SA17.120 - Budget Review- Funding for entire streetscape – SRV budget- all to be allocated to Sussex

5/074to Councillor White- Re streetscape funding decision – pleasing result

5/075 to SCC – minutes Forum May meeting

5/076to SCC Roslyn Holmes- Streetscape designer- Request graphics for publishing Streetscape when appropriate

6/077 to Councillor White – Streetscape funding decision- pleasing result

6/078 to Dept Industry – Lands NSW Govt – request status of Old School Site – Lot 180-DP823254

6/079 to SCC Alisdair Stratton- reply his letter re Headland Nth Cudmirrah Beach- Future access and maintenance

6/080 to Dept Lands ph: 1300 886 325 re Old School site to reply within 2 working days

6/081 to SCC Ian staples Compliance Officer re New Supermarket site and thanks removal of signage on APZ Sussex Rise

6/082 to Scott Morgan Multimediadesign- re website

6/083 to all Forum attendees email address provided- notice re new Forum email address and website and agenda items

Moved, Kerry Howes seconded, Heather Dunnett that the correspondence be accepted as read.Unanimous

BUSINESS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE:

COMMUNITY CHURCH action plan and progress update Bill Hunter– Community Church Treasurer

Sussex Inlet Community church Inc has used the Church for 10 years at peppercorn rent and the arrangement is up on 1st July
Bill thanked the Community, Councillor White, Shoalhaven City Council councillors and staff, Local MPs representatives and legislators for their practical in support of the Community Church Campaign.
He explained that in 1940 the first trustee moved the deeds into the Methodist Church and in 1978, all legalities suggested the Uniting Church of Australia place d the documents in trust.
Paul Green – legislative Assembly, is having talks with UCA in Sydney and it is hoped some good may come of that.
There is a possibility of an agreement that we maybe pay $12,000 rent per year. In those 10 years we have spent that much a year on maintenance of the church.
After that we told they would reconsider the situation.
Bill asked that people complete the petition as 10 000 signatures are required- there are over 2 000 at present and it will take a long time, but they hope to have legislation changed for the future.
Bill explained the Community Church congregation could use any building, but is trying to save the church and building for the Community.
The way forward is that the congregation is happy to pay the $12 000 per year or keep at the peppercorn rent as long as possible.

2. 7 Golf Course Way Development – DeferredApproval granted-still a number of conditions to be met- therefore approval conditional

3.Water filling Station installed

4. Town Centre Streetscape Funding for entire streetscape assured thanks to Councillors for support. Councillor White thanked Forum for the work they did in gaining Council Investment in the District.

5. CTC Partnerships Donation- thanks to CTC for support of our endeavours $50 Donation from Forum

Moved Jan Lang, seconded Robyn Queripel

6. Council Community Matters Touring Fair - Sussex 20th July 2017- Community Church Hall and Grounds –

A fair of Community Service Information Stalls = Includes entertainment, giveaways and children’s activities.Agood opportunity to advertise what FORUM is all about – KerryHowes has volunteered to set up and man Forum information kiosk Gwen Downie and Gail Drummond to assist

The fair has been widely advertised by Forum and further Flyers to be distributed to businesses and community groups .

Some Matters in Correspondence Referred to General Business

FINANCIAL REPORT Presented by Treasurer Jan Lang

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE for May2017

Balance brought forward fromApril 2017 $1 077.57

INCOME INCOMEApril Bank Interest$ 0.49

Council – lunch for Familiarity Tour$ 143.00

TOTAL$1 221.06

EXPENDITURE -chq,47 Scott Morgan – website/email account $ 27.45 .

BALANCE as at 1stJune 2017 $.1193.61

Moved, Jan Lang, seconded,that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted.2.

GENERAL BUSINESS

1. Future of and Maintenance of North Cudmirrah Beach headland access, steps and car park/ helipad

Council has advised that it will no longer maintain the carpark, viewing platform and steps /beach access to the northern end of Cudmirrah beach as this is Crown Land.

Secretary wrote to both Council and Crown Lands Department explaining the importance of access to this area by surfing fraternity, beach fishermen and community alike. It is also important as a car park because of the limited space at the Surf Club. Secretary has requested further information regarding future access by the public and maintenance.

Secretary to contact Cropper’s cabins to find out what they have been told and what is happening to the common road to the cabins.

Forum awaits Crown Lands reply to their correspondence.

Council does not do much maintenance it was pointed out that Council pruned trees in front of Surf Club Building and just did the worst job- threw cuttings down the dunes.

2.Unlawful felling and clearing of vegetation on reserves, foreshores and headlands-Council responded to Forums letter of March about this matter. CouncilThe question is “Does the community wish Council to place signage stating that trees and other vegetationhas been illegally poisoned or removed in this area?” or words to that effect.

Discussion and Suggestions from floor.

It was agreed that such signs in many places could have a negative connotation or effect.

Whilst the suggested sign might create negativity – if in place for a short period of time the short period of time – the perpetrator may think “I did not get away with it.”
May make people think and not take action
Rather than the above signage wording –“This Area is Undergoing a Regeneration Program” or “Undergoing Regeneration”
As Council advised the reaction to such damage needs to be immediate and relies on community reportage.
Meeting was reminded that Councils SNAP SEND SOLVE app. was the best way to report and get immediate response regarding maintenance etc from Council so could be used in cases of reporting such vandalism.
This matter is to be considered further in light of the experience and success or otherwise of other coastal SCC districts and the Councils practice there.

3.Community Grants

Vice Chairman, Kerry Howes, explained that she had been investigating Community Grants that Forum may be able to apply for. Kerry began to speak on grants to help communities with grants of $1 000 to $5 000 to perhaps $15 000 being available and considered.

Forum had, in the notice of the meeting, called for suggestions of possible projects that Forum could apply for to be funded by way of Community Grants stating-“this is your chance to contribute to our district – voice your ideas.”
Forum had not received any response to the request to the community that suggestions or ideas for possible grant fundings be brought to the meeting however, Kerry said she had been looking for suitable grants for small community projects such as exercise equipment for reserves such as on the river reserve.

Russell Neaves indicated that he would like to speak on Grants and had some questions to ask and some background to explain when he could have an opportunity to speak.
Mr Neeves was given the opportunity to address the meeting and spoke at length on his experience and perceptions of the process in regards to this.
He began by stating he had a list of 12 proposals for bike pathways accompanying plans he complied last year as a request from Forum to attend a meeting on Active Pathways workshop with Council.
Mr Neeves said he then made contact with Council and the maps of tracks are now in a Council file.

Forum Secretary pointed out that whenever there is a meeting involving the Council or Council officers, and Forum, it is the policy of Forum that 2 or more Committee members, or others nominated, attend as representatives of Forum. An individual cannot to presume represent Forum in such circumstances.

This in no way prevents individuals taking their personal business or ideas to Council or other authorities in their own right. 3.

In relation to the particular meeting Mr Neeves was to attend regarding shared or bike paths, he was to attend with Chairman, Gwen Downie, however the proposed meeting was cancelled. In that case Mr Neeves should not have taken it on himself to make an appointment with Council staff in the name of Forum.

One repercussion of this is that Forum has not received any correspondence or acknowledgement from Council regarding Mr Neeves shared/ bike path plan. Forum has no record as to whether Council has accepted or adopted the plan or elements of it.

Mr Neeves went on to say that as his interest and planning evolved during the months of June and July 2016, he asked for and was granted a meeting with Forum Committee for the purpose of providing information and for him to particularly have his work put into a suitable grant for the Cudmirrah Bridge proposal. Mr Neeves said he left this meeting feeling enthusiastic and the feeling that his request was received.
Mr Neeves said he had a number of meetings with the professional engineer who designed the bridge and the Berrara, Cudmirrah and Swanhaven Progress Association as well as Council on the bridge proposal. He said he believed the project, with the contribution of the engineer could save the Council and community 10’s if not
1 000’s of dollars.

Secretary Berrara, Cudmirrah, Swanhaven Progress Association confirmed to the meeting that the Association was working on the project with the engineerand had met with Council regarding the bridge proposal.

Mr Neeves said he found a suitable grant for the project and that his request to have another meeting with Forum Committee was rejected and he received an email form Forum stating that he was to cease all work on the bridge project.He went on to say that since that reply he had had no further involvement in this work , Cudmirrah Bridge nor pathways.

Forum Secretary explained that the Committee was concerned that this footbridge project was actually an initiative of the Berrara Cudmirrah Swanhaven Progress Association and that it needed to go back to the proponentsto see if they were still committed to the proposal, or wished to request Forum and take the matter to Council and other authorities for their approval.This, the Committteeconsidered a courtesy to the association and the reason why Mr Neeves was

MrNeeves then read a letter he wrote to the Forum Committee in regards to this matter and made reference to the strategic Action Plan and connectivity to water.

The subjectcorrespondence to the Committee by Mr Neeves and the email from Forum to Mr Neeves are available to be read, on request.

In closing, Mr Neeves put a motion that a number of questions he had be answered by the Forum Committee and a comment to Vice Chairman, Kerry Howes- “ Kerry in your new capacity as co-ordinator of this portfolio I wish you well and if anything I have learned can be of help to you I am happy tom share whenever you are ready.”

Moved Russell Neeves, seconded Brian Ford, that Forum committee answer, in writing to Mr Neeves, the following questions from Mr Neeves:

“Given the committee have now put the call out for potential projects to attract grant funding, and based on my past experience, can I or any other volunteer be guaranteed the support of the committee and will they be offered necessary consultation periods for the purpose of reporting and strategic planning?”
“Does the Forum committee believe they represent the whole of the Sussex Inlet Community?”
“Is the Committee prepared to review and act on the plans previously presented by me in open discussion?”
“Is the Committee prepared to discuss openly within this Forum the matter of Cudmirrah Bridge and will the committee be prepared to put it to the meeting that the Cudmirrah bridge project be advanced as a worthy project?”

Motion Passed with one against.

In Speaking to the motion Brian Ford said he thought the Bridge plan was a good thing and the pathways seem a good thingand if everyone thinks it is a good thing they will get behind it. He said he thought that if an individual

in their own time works on a project outside the Forum then you just have to be prepared and say it was my time and may be it will or it won’t happen. It is about agreeing on priorities. 4.

Secretary, Gail Drummond, said as this project was being pursued through the BCS Progress Association which does of lot of good things independently and do not necessarily bring things to Forum as in the case of this project. If the Association wishes Forum to be involved this needs to be communicated officially and preferably through written correspondence.

Question 2 was put to the meeting by the secretary and the meeting gave unanimous support to the Sussex Inlet and Districts Community Forum on the Question of whether Forum represents the whole of the Sussex Inlet Community.

4. Forum website - CMF Training for web managers – volunteers with expertise asked to take on the training and be prepared to take responsibility of keeping website current and relevant.

5. Council Vote on Dogs Policy

Council has voted to not have revision of policy, but to keep present policy and document.

Forum to continue to lobby for suitable off leash areas on coastal beaches for our district despite this decision.

8. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS

The situation of blocked drains on River Road, Badgeecausing water over road and flooding on the stretch near Caravan Parks and Holiday Accommodation requiring regular clearing of drains by Council was brought to the attention of the meeting. Forum to write to council regarding the problem.

Heather Dunnett suggested people use the Council App SNAP/SEND/ SOLVE to have maintenance problems attended to quickly.

9. STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN REPORT

Chairman Gwen Downie reported that Council and Griffith University have nominated the Action Plan Working Party,for the Resilience Australia Community Award.

This is a national program that recognises and promotes initiatives that strengthens disaster resilience across the nation.

Next Meeting of Working Party to be held 2pm Monday 17th July Marine Rescue Office.

There being no further business meeting closed at 9.10pm

Next meeting Monday 21 August 2017

7.15pm for 7.30pm -Neighborhood Centre

Jacobs Drive Sussex inlet

SAVE THE DATE-

a. Community Matters Road Tour in Sussex 20th July 2017- Community Church Hall and Grounds –

b. SCC Neighbourhood Day Sunday 25th March 2018 –Sussex Forum to host Neighbourhood get together –Ideas welcome

Gail Drummond – SecretaryGwen Downie - Chairman

Chris Keywood - Publicity Kerry Howes - Vice Chairman

Jan Lang - Treasurer