General Meeting

Monday, 7^th April 2008

Attendance: 30 persons including Councillors Green and Willmott.

Blessing of the Fleet Festival

Pat Dockett gave her final report on the very successful 2008 Blessing of the Fleet Festival.

The crowd controllers (16 of whom represented the Forum) enjoyed their role.

The Forum has donated a plaque to commemorate the yacht race at a cost of $125.

There will be a de-briefing meeting held at the Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club on Thursday 17^th April where suggestions and structure for next years festival will be discussed.

Guest Speaker – George McFarland from the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol

Max Young introduce the guest speaker George McFarland who is a skipper with the Ulladulla Coastal Patrol.

George started by giving us some background history.  It had a modest start in 1971 where it was operated from members’ homes. Then from 1978 till 1981 there was no Coastal Patrol. It started up again 20 years ago and is now housed in a custom built base, with about 100 volunteers.

Crewmembers are rostered on for 7 days 24 hours a day

The radio room at their base on the harbour is manned from 0600 hours to 1800 hours and for the rest of the 24 hours it is manned from home bases. The annual running costs are about $120,000. These funds are raised by the harbour markets, the food outlet and sale of lamingtons.

 The rescue boats have been updated over the years. The newest one is Encounter which was commissioned in July 2007 and is manned by a minimum of 6 crew. Most work is done by smaller boats named the Lewis-Dunn and the Kylie 111.

George’s Power Point Presentation and DVD was most interesting and demonstrated the very important but often dangerous work carried out by the volunteers.

Future Park

Glenn Rowen explained that there had been a meeting between representatives of the business chamber, various community and sporting groups and the Forum which had presented a joint statement to the Council asking for additional sporting fields and the Future Park.

Unfortunately Council voted to develop the decommissioned sewage treatment works for sporting fields instead of the Future Park.

Glenn encouraged us to keep pressure up on the council, and send letters to the local paper. Councillor Paul Green, said he thinks council will support a new motion if other sports grounds can be found. Glenn will try to convene another meeting with the sporting groups so the community works as a united group.

Ulladulla Economic Analysis  and Infrastructure Analysis prepared August 2007 for the DCP 56 Review

Jan Gregory had studied the 55 pages of the economic analysis and a further 103 pages of infrastructure analysis reports. She presented a three page report of this which was most comprehensive and needs to be read.  (Members can obtain a copy of Jan’s report by request through the secretary.)

It is proposed that a special workshop meeting be held at St. Martin’s Church Hall on Monday 19 May to consider contents of these reports to guide Forum comment for the DCP 56 Amendment No. 4 once it is released.

Correspondence

Items of interest In

 Business papers and DA s.

·         Various letters re Future Park a) concerning proposals to allow FP and extra Sporting Fields          b) concerning recent resolution by Council and c) copies of Letters sent by members to Times re this resolution.

·         From SCC Advice of approval of 90 South St.

·         SCC Draft Road Safety Strategic Plan 2007-2012 on exhibition.

·         Advice of Coastline Mgt. Study and Plan Community Workshop 8 May 10am – 2pm Mollymook SLSC  

Out 29

Items of Interest Out

·        To Premier requesting release of Regional Conservation Plan

·        To Shelley Hancock seeking support with this Regional Conservation Plan

·        To The Times commenting on the DCP 56 Draft Amendment

·        Various letters re Future Park both before and after Council’s decision

·        Forum to SCC declining to take part in Myna Bird Co-ordination Programme.

Report on Items of interest from Council Business papers

·                    Trees have been planted without authority on the Crown Reserve and Ocean Street Road Reserve, Mollymook and it was recommended that these be removed.

·                    Recommended that Council disband the Policy and Planning Committee and convene a second monthly Ordinary Meeting of Council in its place.

·                    Recommended proceed with the separation of Water and Sewer Availability Charges from the Rates and Charges Notice.

·                    Re sporting fields defer proposal for site at Garrads Lane; explore possible future sites as identified in Councillors’ information folder; follow up with landowners of possible sites who have not replied to approaches.

·                    Recommend slope hazard zoning for land use planning; inspection, monitoring and maintenance; Land Slip Assessment reports with DA s for properties at risk as identified by Coastal Hazard and Management Studies.  Also recommend considering varying building line setback and heights and the change be reflected in LEP as it is being prepared.

John Willmott said the DCP 56 will be on exhibition from the end of April for one month.  He also said that the Local Environment Plan which is to be finalised before the September council elections has far reaching consequences and needs to be studied, especially re what activities will be permitted in particular zones which may be against our expectations e.g. building on areas zoned private open space.

Ruth reminded all that the AGM will be held in June and members should consider volunteering for a position on the committee.

Next Forum General Meeting Monday 5^th May, 2008 at 7pm at St. Martin’s Hall

Special workshop meeting 19 May re economic and infrastructure analyses for DCP 56 Review

AGM Monday 2^nd June, 2008

Meeting closed approx. 9.25pm