The Committee were shown photos of the finished cricket nets

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Minutes of the Sports Advisory Committee Meeting held Thursday 2 November 2009

Venue:

South Sea Islander Room, Tweed Heads Civic Centre

Time:

5.00pm

Present:

Cr Dot Holdom, Cr Kevin Skinner, Stewart Brawley, Joanne Watters, Linda Threlfo, Rob Neinhuis, Merve Edwards, Robert Gent.

Informal:

Margie Coleman and Gary Belcher from Tweed Academy of Sport attended for Agenda Item 1.

Apologies:

Minutes of Previous Meeting:

Rob Neinhuis and Joanne Watters were listed as present but were apologies.

Moved: Merve Edwards Seconded: Linda Threlfo

RESOLVED that the amended Minutes of the Sports Advisory Committee meeting held Monday 7 September 2009 be accepted as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of that meeting.

Business Arising:

1. Tennis Terranora 2. Good Sports

Stewart Brawley advised that Council has resolved to enter into a partnership agreement for the Goods Sports Program as recommended by the Committee.

3. Assets Reserve Fund

Stewart Brawley advised that the final amount applied for by Pottsville Cricket Club was

$2,270.00. The Committee were shown photos of the finished cricket nets.

4. Arkinstall Park

Final plan for Arkinstall Park has been received and will be presented to Council at its meeting to be held on 17 November 2009.

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Agenda Items:

1. Tweed Academy of Sport

Margie Coleman and Gary Belcher from the Tweed Academy of Sport provided the Committee with information and background on the Academy. The Academy's hockey squad of 32 athletes were inducted on the weekend. The Academy has meet with rugby union, rugby league, tennis, cricket and netball and all have indicated that they are keen to get on board. Gary Belcher added that participants in the program are required to do some community participation programs as part of the development programs.

Margie Coleman advised the cost is $120 per athlete, the coaches are paid and the Central Coast Academy advised that it costs approximately $22,000 per program, per year to run with $7,000 of this coming from fees. The process for acceptance into the program will be via an application, out of which the best 15 or 20 will be accepted.

Margie Coleman advised that they were seeking support from Council. Margie Coleman and Gary Belcher then left the meeting.

The Committee further discussed the program and resolved to support the Academy in principle as the Committee supports any initiatives to develop or increase participation in sport within the Shire.

2. Crown Lease – Les Burger Field

Stewart Brawley advised the Committee that Council has received a lease fee of $3,942 per year to utilised the Les Burger Fields at Cabarita. Council requested consideration for a significant reduction or waiver of this fee as the field is used for community purposes and does not generate any income. The request was refused.

It is noted that a number of other sports fields on the Coast are on Crown Land and as Council is the Trustee, they do not pay a licence fee. It is proposed that Council approach the Department of Lands with a view to including the Les Burger Fields in the reserves of which Council is the Trust Manager.

3. Border Hockey Proposed Expansions

Border Hockey is proposing to construct another synthetic hockey pitch in Murwillumbah as the next stage of the facility development. Later stages will also include increased car parking and new club house and change room facilities. As this project is identified in Councils Regional Recreational Facilities Plan, funding is available through Contribution Plan 26 to contribute to the project.

General Business:

Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Sports Advisory Committee will be held 1 February 2010 at 5.00pm at the Tweed Civic Centre, South Sea Islander Room.

The meeting closed at 6.15pm.

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EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM’S COMMENTS:

NIL

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM’S RECOMMENDATIONS:

NIL

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Minutes of the Beach Safety Liaison Committee Meeting held Wednesday 11 November 2009

Venue:

Cabarita Surf Life Saving Club

Time:

4.00pm

Present:

Cr Kevin Skinner; David Field (Far North Coast SLSC); Des Anderson (Cabarita Beach SLS); Andrew Chubb (Fingal Rovers SLSC); Scott McCartney (Australian Lifeguard Service); Gary Cain (Cudgen Headland SLSC); Terry Kane (Tweed Coastal Committee); Stewart Brawley (Tweed Shire Council).

Informal:

Joanne Gurney (Tweed Tourism); Belinda Camp (SLSNSW); Gavin Urquhart (TRAC), and Glenn Nott (Tweed Shire Council).

Apologies:

Cr Dot Holdom; Joe Keane (SLS Far North Coast); David Hoare (Salt SLS).

Moved: Gary Cain

Seconded: Des Anderson

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Beach Safety Liaison Committee meeting held Monday 12 August 2009 be accepted as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of that meeting.

1 Section 94 – Works Program

The works program as discussed at the previous meeting was included in the amended Section 94 Plan which will be adopted by Council at its meeting held 17 November 2009.

Agenda Items:

1. Education and Awareness Program

Belinda presented a range of resources available through Surf Life Saving NSW that are available for distribution through clubs and tourist destinations. Belinda also suggested that Surf Life Saving NSW could provide assistance in developing brochures specific to the Tweed beaches. It was suggested the Committee could explore funding assistance for the production of these brochures through the CDSC programme.

Joanne Gurney advised information could be included on the Tweed Tourism website and distributed at Tweed Tourism meetings. Also, they can be made available through the Visitor Information Centres. Joanne also undertook to liaise with Gold Coast Airport to

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discuss opportunities for points of contact with incoming tourists. Joanne noted that 45% of visitors to the tweed are visiting friends or relatives.

The following actions were agreed upon:

• Committee members to meet with SLSNSW with a view to developing Tweed specific brochures;

• Discuss funding application opportunities through CDSC to produce the brochures;

• Joanne will action opportunities through Tweed Tourism;

• Joanne to liaise with Gold Coast Airport regarding opportunities through the airport;

• Pursue opportunities for education and awareness programs through local media.

2. Surf Life Saving Clubs Use of Council Pools

Gavin Urquhart and Glenn Nott attended meeting to discuss with clubs how Council pools maybe able to support them. David Field noted that CHLSC took 200 kids to Casuarina instead of Kingscliff this year due to package offered by Casuarina Recreation Club. Gavin Urquhart noted that an offer at TRAC for $2 entry plus free use of the slide for proficiencies was rejected by clubs last year. However it was acknowledged that Murwillumbah may have been to inconvenient.

Committee had discussions on various requirements of the pools for proficiency training.

Glenn and Gavin will revisit fees and charges as they related to the use by surf life saving clubs in the next financial year.

3. Works Table Review

Discussion on issues created by Queensland school holidays being outside NSW school holidays when no patrols are provided. Committee noted that the beaches were more crowed during the Queensland school holiday when there was no patrols and questioned whether the patrol times should be reviewed.

The Risk Assessment and Treatment Plan makes recommendations based on available data. Options for collecting additional data on visitation rates during the school holidays may provide SLS Australia enough information to review the current recommendations. The issue will be discussed further at the next meeting.

1. NSWSLS Training Resources

David Field noted that NSWSLS produce some good training resources and the copying of these resources for use for the clubs in training such as Bronze Medallion booklet is

onerous for the clubs. Suggestion that a portion of the support funds made available by Council could be used to print numerous copies of these books and guidelines for the clubs use.

David Field will forward PDFs of the relevant documents to Council for copying.

2. Branch Support Group Surf Ski

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Gary Cain raised the issue of cost for insurance, training and running costs for the support group surf ski. Committee agreed that an allocation of $2,000 from the Surf Clubs support funding is an appropriate contribution to those costs.

3. Fingal Surf Life Saving Club House

FRSLSC will be applying for funding for their new club house through the department of sport and rec closing December and will be requesting support letters from the other clubs.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Beach Safety Liaison Committee will be held at Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club on 10 February 2010 at 4pm .

The meeting closed at 6.00pm

NIL

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Minutes of the Tweed River Regional Museum Advisory Committee Meeting held Thursday 12 November 2009

Venue:

Coolamon Cultural Centre

Time:

4:00pm

Present:

Cr Barry Longland; David Oxenham (Director Community & Natural Resources); Gary Corbett (Manager Community & Cultural Services); Kathryn King (Acting Senior Museum Curator); Max Boyd (Community); Gary Fidler (Community); Sandra Flannery (Community); Fay O’Keeffe (Community); Lesley Mye (Community); Bron Trathen (Community); Denise Garrick (Tweed Heads Historical Society); Yvonne Waddington (Tweed Heads Historical Society); Helena Duckworth (Uki & South Arm Historical Society); Mary Lee Connery (Uki & South Arm Historical Society); Ron Johansen (Murwillumbah Historical Society); Beverley Lee (Murwillumbah Historical Society);

Carol Piggott (Guest).

Apologies:

Joan Smith (Tweed Heads Historical Society)

Moved: Gary Fidler Seconded: Fay O’Keeffe

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Tweed River Regional Museum Advisory Committee meeting held Thursday 17 September 2009 be accepted as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of that meeting.

Aboriginal Cultural Information

Standard text for acknowledging the original inhabitants of this area has been prepared by Lesley Mye and approved by the Aboriginal Advisory Committee. A copy of the text was tabled at the meeting and handed to the three Society Presidents.

Sign acknowledging re-roofing of Murwillumbah Branch

Preparation of this sign is underway. David Oxenham also presented Tweed Coast Sheds with a Certificate of Appreciation at the Murwillumbah Show for their work in the re-roofing.

Card for Joan Smith

Kathryn King sent a card to Joan Smith on behalf of the Committee.

Correspondence:

Out:

Card sent to Joan Smith, Tweed Heads Historical Society.

In:

Email reply from Joan Smith thanking the Committee for the card.

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Agenda Items:

1. Senior Museum Curator’s Report 18 September – 12 November 2009

Museum Building and Development Program

The Museum delivered its first progress report to the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, as part of the funding agreement under the Better Regions project of which the Museum received 1 million dollars.

Tweed River Regional Museum Foundation held its AGM on Thursday 15 October 2009 at 6pm. All positions on the Board were declared vacant, followed by nominations from the floor and those received by mail. The newly elected Board members include President – Max Boyd, Vice-President – Gary Fidler, Treasurer – Carol Piggott, Secretary – Sally Watterson, Directors – Ron Johansen, with two positions left vacant. Barry Longland (the Council representative) and Kathryn King (Acting Senior Museum Curator) are automatic members on the Board as per items 13(f) and 13(g) of the Constitution.

The recommendation to the Council meeting of 15 September 2009 that they approve the procurement of an architectural model for Flagstaff Hill was not approved. An amendment was carried that “this item be deferred to hold a workshop to discuss the two museums and the Flagstaff Hill Museum.” Consequently two workshops were held on Tuesday 13 October 2009, one with the Museum Advisory Committee and Councillors and a second separate workshop between Council Staff and Councillors. The outcome from these workshops was that the original proposal go back up to Council at their meeting on 17 November 2009.

Works to Existing Buildings

Murwillumbah access ramp and stairs – After considerable work by Tweed Shire Council and heritage architect, Paul Berkemeier, the proposal for a new disabled ramp and stairs at Murwillumbah Museum was put to the Council meeting of 15 September 2009. A workshop with Councillors was held prior to the meeting. The proposal was recommended for refusal by Council’s Planning Department, however the Councillors accepted the proposal, with conditions. The proposal will now be finalised by the architect and tenders called. Work is expected to commence late this year or early next year.

One submission was received from the tender process for the waterproofing of the roof of the RSL Hall, Tweed Heads. The submission is being assessed.

Award Nominations

The Museum was unsuccessful in the Museums and Galleries NSW IMAGinE awards program this year.

Conservation / Collections

Four proposed acquisitions are attached.

Stored objects and textiles from the Women’s Room at Murwillumbah Museum will be assessed over the ensuing weeks in the expectation of having some of the items put out on display elsewhere in the Museum.

The Council is reviewing collection management software systems with the view for a roll out next year.

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PROPOSED ACQUISITIONS 18 September - 12 November 2009

ARTIFACT DESCRIPTION &

DATE

DONOR REPORT IMAGE

Certificate Framed Certificate of Incorporation of Company for H.E.

Smith & Sons, 1940.

Monica Currant

Murwillumbah provenance.

Relates to themes of local village life and business.

T-shirt “They got the lot” t- shirt

(Murwillumbah

bank robbery 1978).

Mary Sims

Murwillumbah provenance.

Enhances

collection of social history from

Murwillumbah.

Penant and badges

Greenmount Surf Lifesaving Club:

cloth sew-on badge, badge/pin, felt penant/banner and Annual Report 1958-59.

Ian Holston

Provenance to Tweed and well known local family.

Represents Surf Lifesaving in the region and relates to themes of leisure and sport.

Hat block Wooden hat block used for shaping a hat, c.1940s.

Owned by Louise Ducat in her residence at Beryl Street, Tweed Heads.

Ruth &

Eric Aberdeen

Provenance to Tweed and well known local family. Enhances collection of women’s history and themes of home life.

Projects Migration

- Sea Change: An Expression of Interest has been sent out to contract a consultant for Stage 3 of the Migration to the Tweed project, entitled Sea Change. An initial project meeting with volunteers and other community groups / individuals will be scheduled for early 2010. This project will include an illustrated publication and statements of significance.

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- South Sea Islander and Sikh project: First consultative community meeting to be held 26 November.

- Museum display at Unity Festival 14 November 2009: The display is based on research from the Migration to the Tweed project, and includes images taken from museum publications ‘The Other Side of the World’ and ‘Families of Fortune’. Fifteen images with captions, text panels and video will make up the display.

The Digitisation project, initially started in 2006/07, is programmed for completion in December this year.

Recommendations: That the Senior Museum Curator’s report be received and noted by the Committee and that Acquisitions be accepted.

Moved: Lesley Mye Seconded: Sandra Flannery

RESOLVED that the Senior Museum Curator’s Report be received and noted and that the recommendations for acquisition be approved.

2. Murwillumbah Historical Society Report:

A verbal report was given to the Committee.

The Murwillumbah museum continues to leak, with objects having to be moved and buckets placed under holes in the roof.

A busload of visitors to the museum had to use the rear entrance as the front stairs were too dangerous for them.

The model of the proposed extensions to the building will be taken to show at the Ukitopia Festival on 14 & 15 November.

Preparations are under way for a “Villages of the Tweed” exhibition, to be staged in February 2010. The exhibition will contain 50 photographs.

The partition in the “Ladies Room” is being taken down to expand the computer room space.

Items from this room will be rehoused in other areas of the museum.

2. Tweed Heads Historical Society:

No report given.

3. Uki & South Arm Historical Society:

Written report tabled and read to the Committee.

Business arising from Reports:

Moved: Max Boyd Seconded: Denise Garrick

RESOLVED that the Advisory Committee formally recognise the life membership bestowed upon Mary Lee Connery by the Uki & South Arm Historical Society, and recognise Mary Lee’s contribution to a variety of projects over a period of many years.

1. Constitution of the Museum Advisory Committee

Denise Garrick, Tweed Heads Historical Society, outlined the background to why this issue was raised by her.

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Denise had noticed in the Tweed Shire Council minutes that a new constitution for the Advisory Committee had been passed, without any discussion with the Historical Societies or the Committee.

The draft constitution of the Advisory Committee was an attachment to the MoU, and was drafted with input from Denise and Bill Bainbridge. The ‘balance of power’ on the

Committee was meant to be given to the Historical Societies, thus membership was set at 6 Historical Society members, 2 Tweed Shire Council members and 3 community members.

A further safeguard was that the constitution could not be changed except by a vote of the Advisory Committee.

Now, the new constitution sets membership at 6 Historical Society members, 1 Tweed Shire Council member, 5 community members and 1 Aboriginal community member. Thus, the

‘balance of power’ has changed.

Denise wished to make it clear that she was not objecting to the people appointed to the committee, but was objecting to the change in the ‘balance of power’.

[Lesley Mye left the meeting at 4:30pm]

David Oxenham then outlined how the new constitution had evolved.

The number of community members had increased due to an administrative error - more people than should have been were approved for membership, and rather than disappoint these people, the constitution was changed.

David apologised for this error and for not consulting the Committee about it.

The committee was changed from being a 355 Committee as it has never been a 355 Committee in the true sense. 355 Committees have a budget, delegations and reporting requirements. The Museum Advisory Committee is an advisory committee only and can put forward recommendations to Council. Council is responsible for the constitution of the committee, and has the final say on any recommendations put to it through the committee.

Max Boyd reiterated that the Museum Advisory Committee acted in an advisory role only, and stated that he did not agree with the Historical Societies having the ‘balance of power’

to overrule the Committee. He also considers it desirable to have as many people as possible take an active interest in the museum project.

Sandra Flannery spoke, stating that she never considered the power of any members of the Committee, and only wished to support this remarkable project. She considers it better to have as many people to support the museum as we can.

Denise will prepare a written document that outlines the differences between the new and the previous constitution. Denise will forward this document to Kathryn King in time for it be attached to the next meeting’s agenda papers which is sent out 10 days prior to the next meeting. This will give committee members time to read and consider the information before the next meeting.

[David Oxenham left the meeting at 4:50pm]

2. Revision of the Memorandum of Understanding

Gary Fidler spoke of the MoU as being an historic document that charters the way to move forward with the Museum project. He considers that now is a good time to review it, and that the Advisory Committee is the appropriate forum.

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The MoU states that ‘the details of the MOU may be reviewed one year after the building program is complete, or earlier at the request of the Advisory Committee.’

He has no intention to radically change it, but addendums or minor changes may be necessary. He suggested bringing in Kylie Winkworth to assist in this process.

Kathryn King indicated that there were sufficient funds for Council to cover the costs of employing a consultant, and that this was a good time to review a number of issues and bring all parties together to work out how to move forward.

Cnr Barry Longland agreed that the MoU should be a contemporary document and reflect the current situation and all groups involved.

Kathryn envisages that initial talks will take place amongst the various museum groups (the 3 historic societies, the Friends, and the Foundation) to identify what are the major areas for discussion, before holding any sessions with a consultant.

Max Boyd asked all groups involved to look closely at the MoU and ensure that issues are actually related to the MoU, as it was originally meant to be an agreement between Council and the Historical Societies.

Committee members are to read the MoU before the next Museum Advisory Committee meeting.

[Barry Longland left the meeting at 5:05pm]

Ron Johansen and Bron Trathen left the meeting at 5:10pm]

3. Relationship of Friends membership and benefits to TRRM

Gary Fidler spoke about the need to clarify the role of the Friends of TRRM, and the benefits and relationship of Friends members to other groups within the Regional Museum eg. do the Friends need to join an Historical Society in order to volunteer or carry out research? Issues such as this are not covered in the MoU and are not clear.

Discussion followed on what benefits Friends should receive and whether they should have to join an Historical Society or not in order to access the collections of the Museum.

Clarity on these issues is required; however, no firm answers were reached by the close of the meeting.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Tweed River Regional Museum Advisory Committee will be held Thursday 21 January 2010 at 4pm at the Coolamon Cultural Centre.

The meeting closed at 5:20pm.

Nil.

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Minutes of the Tweed River Committee Meeting held Wednesday 9 December 2009

Venue:

Canvas & Kettle Meeting Room

Time:

9.15am

Present:

Cr Katie Milne (Chair), Cr Dot Holdom, Robert Quirk (NRCMA & NSW Cane Growers’

Association), Richard Hagley (Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water), Carl Cormack (NSW Maritime Authority), Claire Masters (Tweed Landcare Inc), Peter Baker (Tweed Agriculture Representative), Judy Robinson (Fingal Head Community Representative), Max Boyd (Community Representative), Pat Dwyer (Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries), Rhonda James (Restoration Industry), David Oxenham, Jane Lofthouse, Mark Kingston (Tweed Shire Council).

INFORMAL:

Cathey Philip (Minutes Secretary), Milan Duwenhogger (Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries), Christie Young (Natural Resource Management Intern), Tim Mackney (NSW Public Works).

Apologies:

Lance Tarvey (Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water), David McPherson (Department of Lands), Bob Loring (Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries), Martin Dobney (Action Sands Chinderah), Errol Wright (Tweed River Charter Operators), Kyle Slabb (Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council), Sebastien Garcia-Cuenca, Tom Alletson (Tweed Shire Council).

David advised the Committee that due to change in Council's subcommittee delegates, Cr Skinner was no longer a member of the Tweed River Committee and that Cr Holdom had taken his place. After welcoming Cr Holdom, David advised that Cr Skinner's departure also meant that a new chairperson was to be appointed and that one nomination had been

received from Cr Milne.

Moved: Robert Quirk Seconded: Cr Holdom

RESOLVED that Cr Milne be elected as Chair of Committee.

The members decided that a letter should be forwarded to Cr Skinner thanking him for his involvement on the Committee.

Cr Milne opened the meeting by acknowledging the local Aboriginal People.

Robert advised that he was no longer a board member of NRCMA and that he would now be representing the Cane Industry.

Moved: Max Boyd

Seconded: Robert Quirk

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RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Tweed River Committee meeting held Wednesday 14 October 2009 be accepted as a true and accurate record of the proceedings of that meeting.

Item from Meeting held 12 August 2009

Draft Cobaki and Terranora Broadwater Management Plan

A community consultation update was provided by Jane who requested feedback be forwarded to Tom before the end of January 2010.

Cr Holdom commended Tom on the quality of the presentations he has been giving throughout the Shire.

There was a general discussion on the issues.

Item from Meeting held 14 October 2009 Stotts Channel Dredging

Robert advised that the McLeods Creek Drainage Union is still looking at the reports and requested the item be deferred.

The Committee agreed to adjourn further discussions until the February meeting.

Item from Meeting held 14 October 2009

Seagrass Monitoring - Jack Evans Boat Harbour

The Committee discussed various funding opportunities including whether to include Jack Evans Boat Harbour seagrass monitoring in the 2010/2011 budget or to seek external grants.

Next Meeting:

Program and project priorities.

Item from Meeting held 14 October 2009 Draft Tweed Coast Flood Study

Jane referred to the presentation Danny Rose, Council's Planning and Infrastructure Engineer, did at last Tweed Coastal Committee meeting and advised that the study is now on public exhibition.

Further Information is available at Council's website or at its front counters.

Agenda Items:

1. Tweed Water Supply Augmentation

Tim Mackney gave a presentation to the committee and thanked the committee for the opportunity.

Rhonda James attended at 9.55am Many questions were raised and discussed on the use of water and the future demand for water.

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Cr Milne suggested interested members add their names to the "interested parties" list so that they can be kept up to date on the project.

Tim Mackney left the meeting at 11am Cr Holdom left the meeting at 11am Robert Quirk left the meeting at 11am Mark Kingston left the meeting at 11am

—————————————

2. Kerosene Inlet Baseline Ecological Assessment

The outcome of Kerosene Inlet Baseline Ecological Assessment and potential for compensation works in relation to Banora Point Highway upgrade were presented by Jane.

It was found that the seagrass had high levels of epiphytic algal growth indicating high nutrients possibly due to poor tidal flushing despite proximity to the mouth of the Tweed River.

There is the opportunity to negotiate with RTA to do some restoration works to manipulate and improve tidal flushing for fish habitat in Kerosene Inlet as compensation works.

A general discussion took place regarding the assessment and its impacts.

Cr Holdom returned to the meeting at 11.15am There was a discussion on the importance of Council continuing to negotiate with the RTA.

Moved: Pat Dwyer Seconded: Judy Robinson

RESOLVED that the Committee endorses Tom's continued negotiation with RTA regarding Kerosene Inlet rehabilitation works.

Jane suggested that members should inform Tom and/or Dave Hannah, Council's Environmental Scientist, of any other potential wetland rehabilitation sites that they become aware of.

Jane advised that the document will also be presented to the Tweed Coastal Committee.

—————————————

3. Gold Coast Airport Environment Strategy - Overview

Tom to provide overview at next meeting. The members agreed that the attendance of a representative from Gold Coast Airport at a subsequent meeting would be useful.

A copy of the environment strategy overview is to be provided to Cr Milne, Cr Holdom (email), Rhonda, Claire, Max and Judy.

Next Meeting:

Tom to provide an overview.

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4. Results of Sediment Investigations - Cobaki Broadwater

Preliminary results of sediment investigations for Cobaki Broadwater were presented by Jane.

Jane advised that Tom did some sediment samples which were analysed at Council's laboratory. Six samples were taken from the outlet of the main drain near airport and none approached even the low trigger levels for heavy metals.

—————————————

1. Seagrass Disturbance - Birds Bay

Discussion on charter boat operators disturbing seagrass areas in Terranora Broadwater.

Carl advised that a complaint had been received about commercial charter vessels disturbing seagrass areas.

Bob and Pat talked to the operator and assisted Carl to install marker buoys to delineate channel for the operator. The vessel operator has been advised to use that route at all times - no shortcuts.

—————————————

2. Speed Limits for Boats in Tweed River

Cr Milne enquired on the potential to decrease vessel speed limits in the Tweed River. Carl responded that this will be looked at in the review of the boating plan.

—————————————

3. Chinderah Stormwater Drains

Cr Milne noted that the stormwater drains in Chinderah were bright red in aerial photos;

possible algal blooms. Council staff to investigate.

Jane noted that it may be the result of a bloom of native Azola.

—————————————

4. Ozone Street Development

Cr Milne enquired about the status of the formalisation of Ozone Road, Chinderah. There are concerns about the filling and concreting of the creek/drain.

Cr Milne asked Pat if he was aware of the proposed development and potential impact on fish habitat. Pat advised that he was not aware of the application.

There has been an issue of vandalism of the flood gate. To be rectified to replace flood gate.

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5. Sea Level Rise (SLR) Planning Documents

The Department of Planning and Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water have produced planning guidelines for adaptation to sea level rise and a coastal and flood risk management guides respectively.

Council will forward a submission on these draft documents.

Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water has produced an awareness document with photographs of the king tide in January 2009. Copies are available from Richard Hagley.

—————————————

6. Cultural Involvement at Restoration Events

Cr Milne raised the concept of including cultural events to encourage greater involvement in restoration projects.

Discussion took place on issues relating to this.

Peter Baker left the meeting at 12.00pm

7. Ecological Restoration Projects

Max requested a list of restoration projects. Jane advised that a report is going to the next Council meeting detailing the river health and biodiversity grants.

In addition, Claire is working on a database of all ecological restoration projects being undertaken in the Tweed.

8. Recreational and Commercial Fisheries

Cr Milne requested that information be more readily available on sustainable seafood purchasing and commercial fisheries.

Pat will provide some recent research for distribution to the committee.

It was suggested that Council could provide a link to Sustainable Fisheries information from its website.

—————————————

9. Budd Park Revetment Works

Max enquired about the status of revetment works at Budd Park and Jane advised that the project will be out to tender shortly.

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10. Knox Park and Lavender Creek Stormwater Quality

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Max enquired about the water quality in Knox Park pond and whether water sampling had been undertaken.

It was noted that Lavender Creek revegetation had been very successful and the water quality treatment reed beds had problems.

Judy Robinson left the meeting at 12.18pm

—————————————

11. NRCMA

Claire tabled a copy of the principles on water diversion between catchments and requested a copy be circulated to committee members.

Next meeting

Committee to discuss whether to invite a CMA representative onto the Tweed River Committee.

Max noted that the draft Far North Coast Regional Conservation Plan was out for public exhibition.

—————————————

Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Tweed River Committee will be held Wednesday 10 February 2010.

Jane advised the proposed meeting dates for 2010 are:- 14 April | 9 June | 11 August | 13 October | 8 December The meeting closed at 12.30pm.

Nil.