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June 2011 Newsletter
Triathlon
Finally we managed to achieve the opening up of
all roads originally designated for total closure. Apart from a handful of gripes
over access at the Flag Pole junction on the day, there seemed no other strong
complaints. Getting a compromise at Elouera was a challenge, but the
organisers worked with us right up until the day before the event to find a
solution. The junction at King George ran well despite idiot parking
significantly reducing available traffic lanes in Victor Ave. But overall I have nothing but praise for the organisers who listened
and coped professionally with our needs.
One unfortunate outcome was the affect upon our local
shops, who lost money on the day. Council’s idea was for main parking to be
at the school campus thereby directing crowds past the shops to generate
some trade and replace the business lost. Supporters clearly paid no regard
to instructions and consequently Elizabeth reserve south of the Flag Pole became a park for hundreds of cars which
forced the comedy of nine hundred runners being squashed into a narrow
track along the lakeside. This gave the competition a slightly ludicrous complexion
with the swimming leg taking place in water more suited to wading birds;
the cycle leg blocking off one road out of town and back with not a chance
of spectator support and the runners taking a course backwards and forwards
on the same track in an opposing direction!
It’s also interesting to dissect the boasts hurled
around on the $$ merits of hosting a Triathlon. My research suggests
Council owned caravan parks were full. Club Forster hosted a big party and
walked away with the main prize. Local shopkeepers and residents were
inconvenienced and pubs, clubs, retailers and restaurants never got penny.
Surprised? Well remember John Chadban let Ironman go because he doubted it
ever brought money to the town and ‘Chadders’ was no fool. On the other
hand, Club Forster plays an important part in the comfort of our elderly
with free transport, subsidized food and a warm environment and if this
event helps finance their efforts, so be it.
My view is that these events bring exposure and
puts Forster on the tourism map. But we should at least make them a
worthwhile spectacle and plan a contest for the whole town to enjoy. Start
at the Keys by all means but take the cycling and running into town and the
finish at main beach. We have been invited to participate in the planning
for next year’s event and also a forthcoming contest in October. I will
keep you informed of progress.
The Fun Day
Once again we are joining forces on Saturday 9th
and Sunday 10th of July with the Taree power boat club together
with Freddie Williams of water-ski fame, to put on another spectacular on
Elizabeth Reserve. This will include the senior power boats from NSW
locally and afar as well as out of State, with additional support from the
juniors and some demonstrations of radio controlled model craft. Last year’s
show remained slightly dampened by those tragedies on the Manning River the previous Easter, but the APBA have now sorted out their new
regulations to prevent any future occurrence and Freddie promises a full
return to the thrills of previous years. Most of the action will be to the
north of the reserve close to the boat ramp and this section will also
include exhibits from the Great Lakes Automobile club; Taree veteran
motorbikes and the DONKs, with their ancient steam engines.
The markets arranged by Judy and Brian Payne last
year also drew enormous public enthusiasm and undoubtedly brought real
quality to the show. Judy tells me there will be an increase this year with
over 100 stalls already booked at the start of April.
Moving south of the markets we come to the
entertainment section and Great Lakes Band will be playing Jazz hits in the
morning. Then we have lined up some great displays in our arena, including
this year a performance by the Taree school of belly dancing. Wow! This
will be followed by the YMCA demonstrating the Zumba and Body Pump
routines, which is a must to watch.
There will be plenty of activities for the kids.
Their games in the arena will start at 11.00 am this year, and running all day will
be the usual bouncy castle, giant slide, face painting, the scouts’ bridge
walk, electric car circuit and this year a merry-go-round.
Then of course we have perhaps the most popular
event of all – the Dog Show - this year at 12 noon.
Now remember, this show is specifically staged to
raise income to support the principle activity of this association, which
is Dad’s Army and Navy so come and have an enjoyable day and bring money!
Speaking of which.....54%.....is the new record for resident subscriptions
in one year and there’s less than a month to go. Anyone who still has that
envelope sitting on the mantelpiece with their subs. inside then deliver it
before it’s too late. Please
Association Contact
Details
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President:
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John Murrell
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32 King George
Parade
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6555 3314
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Secretary:
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Bob Porter
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12 King George
Parade
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6555 9191
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Membership:
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Don & Peggy
Sheffield
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1 Victor Avenue
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6557 6877
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Treasurer:
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Marion Carney
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32 King George
Parade
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6555 3314
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This newsletter is produced by John
Murrell on behalf of the Executive Committee of the FKRPA
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Newsletter Archives
May 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 June 2010 March 2010
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May 2011
Newsletter
Revetment Walls and
Reclassification of Canals
Starting with the
good news first, we met with Ron Hartley, Director of Engineering, on
another matter last week and he reported, that their lawyers had considered
our recommendation of Council granting a global easement to the waterside
residents that did not have the privilege of the Kenrose canal
water-siders. If nothing else this will bring a permanent equalisation to the Keys and will provide as close as
makes no difference to the benefits already enjoyed by Kenrose canal
residents. Naturally, any future development within this easement will
require a application for consent, but all existing structures will be the
subject of a moratorium and taken as legitimately approved. The quirk is that
such a gesture can only be made with the reclassification of the canals to
Operational land and as such Council will have our support. At least this
means that any resident selling a waterside property and who has invested
in the revetment wall solution offered by Australia Pacific Seawall Pty.,
will now have a clear title.
Green Point
Our friends have
been in touch to ask if I would give them a mention specifically relating
to their own Fun Day with will be held at the Green Point community hall – Sunday May
22nd. Marion and I have managed to get along for the past two
years and they put on a very nice village show, with hot food and beverage
to be enjoyed whilst trolling around the local market stalls and listening
to their own local band that play mainly Country and Western but can turn
their hand to any request. There will be kiddies’ games and the usual fun
dog show conducted by Rob Dunsterville who doubles up to officiate at our
own Fun Day later in July. This year The Green Pointers have come up with a
couple of new attractions including, I’m led to believe, a Tug of War
competition. I can’t wait to see this, because these local challenges were
an important part of the village show back in England and if it turns
out well we will just have to make a challenge to them for Fun Day. I’ve
already been having a look round for likely contestants for our team. If
weight were to be the only consideration, I reckon we would definitely be
on to a winner and I speak for myself as much as anyone! Anyway, if the
weather turns out to be fine, it’s a pleasant day out and I recommend you
make the effort.
The Triathlon
Out of the blue, a section in the Advocate
of 20th April was brought to my attention advertising a
Development Application to hold a Triathlon on Saturday the 14th May 2011. The venue was to
be based at Elizabeth Parade for the swimming, then the bikes would take
off down King George Parade for Tiona Park, then return up
King George Parade for the run leg that would consist of 8 kms utilising
both Elouera Crescent and Elizabeth
Parade from end to end. The biggest shock was that Elizabeth and Elouera; the entire length of King
George; across the round-about up Cape Hawke Drive to the saddle; the
entire of Lakes Way to North of Tiona were to be closed. TOTAL CLOSURE and you may have all
seen an advertisement in the Focus Magazine, together with a letter box
drop yesterday advising you of the times which were to have been, from 12
noon to the end of the Triathlon at 5.00 pm. “Really!” we thought. We immediately
lodged a submission objecting to the entire proposal, particularly citing
ten unacceptable points and I wrote to the Mayor, General Manager and all
eight individual Councillors with a copy of our complaints and then set in
motion a petition. I was contacted by the mayor who indicated her anger
that the situation had occurred and blamed a flaw in Council procedure.
Alarmingly, however, I became aware that Council were to proceed with the
event regardless of the clear and overwhelming threat of public opposition
from their ratepayers and electorate.
Well cutting a long story short and after some furious posturing on
our part with Council and the Promoters, I am pleased to report that the
present situation has considerably eased and there will be no road
closures. To simplify matters, I have copied the e-mail received last
evening onto the reverse of this newsletter. King George will remain
passable throughout, but with access to the north via Victor and Murray, or
the south via Discovery and to the Forster Keys shops, but not the
round-about. I am therefore prepared to suggest that we welcome our
visitors on this occasion. Their official communication to the residents of
the Keys accompanies this Newsletter.
March 2011
Newsletter
The Tuncurry Races
This idea seems to have gathered popularity, particularly with
arrangement of the coach picking up at various spots around the Keys and
especially being dedicated to the ‘Keys
Only’ for the trip home. Hurry
please anybody who has yet to make up their mind. I only have ten tickets remaining.
Revetment Walls
We had a very good turn-out at the Progress Hall
last Thursday. Council was represented by Ron Hartley, Director of
Engineering and Alexandra MacVean, senior strategic planner. Ron Hartley
explained that under the 1993 Local Government Act, the Forster Keys
Drainage Reserves were thought to have been classified as Operational land.
Due to some small print in the wording of the Act having been missed at the
time, it has only recently been discovered that in fact the land was
classified as Community land. The effect is that Council have in the past
had no right to approve any private structures erected since the Act became
law. Structures erected prior to 1993 are legitimate because they come
under the authority of the previous Act. To rectify the legality of all
structures therefore, Council have no alternative but to reclassify the
land from Community to Operational. In tandem with this requirement,
Council took the opportunity to produce a management plan that would
legitimize structures erected between 1993 and the present day and into the
future. As a complication, all is not equal in the Keys, with the new
properties in Kenrose and some parts of Wyuna having the benefit of a
boundary reaching some 2.8 metres into the waterway. The remainder of
waterside residents have a boundary line ending at the interface between
the land and the canal. In the former example, there will be no requirement
for a licence to cope with the erection of an outer wall to protect the
failing original revetment walls, but in the latter case the Council will
have to create a licence to allow any structure to be legitimately erected
on what is effectively Council land.
However, those with a boundary reaching out 2.8
metres into the canal are not entirely without concern, because any jetty
exceeding this boundary will require a licence and there is some thinking t
this might just also include the overall depth of any craft that is moored
up to the jetty. The biggest worry for residents is undoubtedly cost. First
of all, a licence granted by Council is valid for only a maximum of five
years and the creation of (and presumably thereafter the renewal) will be
the subject of a fee. Ron Hartley was unable to pinpoint anything exact but
hinted at a nominal $100 reflecting the cost of administration. The other
worry is that existing structures erected between 1993 and the present day
theoretically will require a development application, because any original
DA approved by Council would be deemed unlawful. I have to say that I have
rarely come across such a ‘pig’s breakfast’. The only satisfying conclusion
to be drawn is that this entire mess was of Council’s making and I believe
that they will bend over backwards to accommodate the best deal that we can
negotiate. A sub-committee has been formed consisting of Don Sheffield,
Robyn O’Meara, Bob Smith and John Woodroff, which I will be please to chair
to represent our interests and I will report back through by newsletter of
developments and our progress.
Speeding on the
Canals
Ron Hansen (Elizabeth Parade) wrote drawing my
attention to the Boaties who perpetually seem to disregard the ‘Four Knot’
and ‘No Wash’ regulations that apply to the Keys’ canals. Ron points out that most
offenders are NOT holidaymakers. This practice is downright illegal and
discourteous to all waterside residents. ‘Four Knots’ for those incapable
enough to interpret the speed is a fair walking pace and ‘No Wash’ is glaringly obvious if you look behind your
boat. The remedy Ron is this. Have a camera handy and photograph any
offender incorporating the registration number and the bow wave/wash and
send it to Maritime. They will issue one warning without further proof and
confiscate the boat owner’s licence on a second reported offence.
Back to top
February
2011 Newsletter
Charities
I am pleased to report that with sales of the Christmas Carols DVD together with our collections on the night and subsequent
donations, the total raised for the RDA climbed to nearly $800. This was an amazing show of generosity.
Congratulations to everybody who contributed. That’s it until next
Christmas when perhaps we can support a different charity such as the GL
Hospice.
Subscriptions
Now that we’ve finished draining you of all your spare change, Marion is on the trail of all those previous subscribers
who have not yet paid. Letters will be delivered shortly, if not already.
If you haven’t ever been a member, or have just arrived in the Keys, how
about joining us? I realise you might think that Dad’s Army do all the work
anyway so why lash out on something you get for free, but using the Glen
Handford analogy, it works out to two cents a day; less than a tea bag. $5
per person or $10 a household is all we ask. You know that Council won’t do
the work; they just haven’t the money and this keeps your community at its
best. Also, with over half of our residents as members, we have some clout,
especially in Council. Come on – give it a try.
Revetment Walls
Council has recently completed a plan to change
the classification of the drainage reserves in the Keys that we know as the
canals. The change will be from Community Land to Operational Land. This will allow Council to deal with
applications from property owners to undertake work within the canals such
as revetment wall repair or replacement jetties, boat ramps and the like.
The plan will be on exhibition from 2nd Feb. until the 11th
March for public comment and can be viewed at the Council Offices. A
meeting is also proposed at our Progress Hall at 6 pm on 24th February and Council staff
will be present to answer questions and to note any resident’s views.
The meeting will be chaired by our past President, Don Sheffield.
Dredging
Boaties who still use the ‘Step’ will have noticed
recently that a few green markers have popped up to define the original
channel. This set me wondering what had happened to the Hydro-dynamic study
that was part of our requirements.
Suddenly, out of the blue, I received a call from
the Council asking Don and me to attend a meeting on Wednesday February 2nd.
This will be for a presentation by the Consultants on their findings for
the ‘Step’; north of Wallis Island, the Tuncurry Beach erosion and other matters. I’ll report the
outcome and proposals in the next Newsletter.
The Tuncurry Races
I have made arrangements for a “Special” Forster
Keys Coach to stop at the various pickups around the Keys and take us to
the Races. The coach will pick up starting at 11.00 am on the junction of Roebuck/Victor; Bounty/Victor;
Cavill/KGP; 120 Elizabeth; the Flag Pole; 37 Elouera; 1 Wyuna; Murray/Lakes Way; 70 Kenrose and finally the Uniting Church. The return journey will be the most convenient,
again only for Keys residents and will reverse the pickup points. This will
save unnecessary queuing, the traditional clamour for seats and having to
put up with louts who unashamedly try to ruin your day. I have also
set-aside fifty seats at tables of ten in the Pavilion, right opposite the
winning post with its own bookie and private bar; BYO snacks, or take-away
food available at the ground. Tickets for the Coach, entry to the
racecourse and the Pavilion are $40 payable in advance when booking direct
with me at 32 KGP. The coach will take 57 maximum and hurry; 25 seats have
already been pre booked.
Back to top
January 2011
Newsletter
Pipers Bay Reserve
By the time my December letter site hit the
news-stands, in which I threatened Dad’s Army intervention to fix the
former dredging deposition site, individual representations by local
residents, notably Jeannette and Ron Anderson (Sirius Key) had attracted
the attention of our Mayor Jan McWilliams who visited the site personally
and ordered an immediate fix. Top soil was brought in and the site was been
levelled and seeded. I have noticed Council workers in attendance with some
regular watering and hopefully the grass will now grow and the Reserve will
return to former glory.
The
Christmas Party
This year we were greeted by fine weather
and a welcome cool breeze. Judging by the tickets sold, there ended up well
over a hundred party-goers. My earlier reminiscences in November prompted
an unusual innovation this year. The Great Lakes Band came to the party and
played Christmas carols throughout and then joined in with our BBQ. This
was a marvellous addition to the proceedings and everyone embraced the
singing with well lubricated voices. A must for the future I hope and
thanks to Wilber Cross for making it happen. The raffle was again literally
swamped with wonderful prizes, largely donated by our local businesses and
retail outlets as well as some generous donations by individual residents.
The sale of tickets well exceeded last year and produced a welcome
additional income for the Association. Our very grateful thanks go to Marion for her hard work
in rustling up donations and then making such an art form of wrapping the
presents. Her savoury creation of the food baskets with such artistic charm
is becoming a legend. Our thanks also to the lads who slaved over the
BBQ’s; the lasses who presented the food so beautifully, to Dad’s Army for
setting up and taking down the tents and also to Bill for doing the
shopping with his customary care and attention.
The
Keys Christmas Carols
Thursday the 23rd December
turned out to be a huge success, both for onlookers and participants. It
was wonderful to see so many parties along the canals specially arranged to
coincide with the pageant and join with the festive spirit. Everybody seems
to be talking about an annual event and certainly next year we plan some
improvement. We started off with five boats and the flotilla
ended up with about fifteen. Remarkable!
Even more incredible was the collection for the RDA which topped $700
on the night plus $40 in advance by those away and a further fifty having
been donated since. There are loads of people to thank, but especially Les
Williams (6 KGP) for carrying the choir and Bryson Roberts (19 FS) for
taking the Band which included Glynes Roberts on the Keyboard. I would also
like to thank Paul Fitzgerald (14KGP) for the many shots of the night which
I have made into a musical photo slide show. There are some quite stunning
shots that could be invaluable material when selling your house. I am
providing the materials free and charging $2 for the DVD; all proceeds to
the RDA. How about the write up in last week’s Advocate?
The
New Year
Whilst you are all filling in your new
calendars, I have some dates for the up-coming events of 2011. The Fun Day
will be held on the weekend of July 10th and 11th and
Freddy Williams tells me that the confusing restrictions after the 2010
Manning Easter disaster have been lifted and he expects a bumper return to
his traditional show. We hope to
host the Dragon Boats in a State wide regatta, for the weekend of 24th
and 25th September. Then bearing in mind that we have quite a few newcomers
to the Keys, I am proposing to lay on a special coach or two, calling at
stops around the Keys, with maybe our own marquee, for the March
Tuncurry-Forster Race meeting. I hope this will help introduce our new
friends into the community and encourage them to join in our activities.
There will be more detail on this subject next month.
Back to top
December 2010
Newsletter
The
Christmas Party
By the time this letter is delivered,
there will be less than a week to go for the Keys’ biggest social event of the
year. Next Sunday December 5th is the Christmas Party and huge
helpings of merriment will undoubtedly break loose down at the Elizabeth
Parade picnic area adjacent to the Boat Ramp. By now, all seats have been
pre-sold I’m afraid, so those not already booked have to bring their own
chairs and picnic tables, but it’s not too late to make up a party with
friends and join in the fun. Bill Campbell tells me there are still some
sausages, two onions, one steak and a few potatoes going spare, but he
could always buy more if he only knew who was coming. Why not drop him a
note at 19 Elouera or call 65545737 with numbers?
The
‘Log’ Mystery.
For months we have reported that large
round poles about 30cms diameter and two metres long have been spotted in
Pipers Creek. Luckily all seventeen have been salvaged by Dad’s Navy before
any accident. These things were substantial and almost submerged and
collision with any boat would have been catastrophic. Maritime and Council
were notified, and we ourselves searched the lake to try and discover the
source. Collapsed jetties and embankments have been investigated, but the
occurrence remained a mystery until a couple of weeks ago. By an amazing
stroke of luck, Helen Duggan (41 Wyuna) was driving south over the Kenrose
canal and spotted another one tucked under the bank close to the bridge.
(How – don’t ask!) Her account eventually reached Dad’s Navy. Bill Campbell
and John Ligertwood fished it out before it passed under the bridge and
with an impressive piece of detective work apparently using log-rhythms
Bill located the source to be the creek at Southern Parkway. Originally
placed by Council to stabilize the canal bank, they have now contracted to
have them removed for good.
Dolphins
The prize has gone to Dallas Paff at the
end of Bounty Key who was the first to provide pictures of the dolphins
just off his jetty.
Pipers Bay Reserve
Criticism of the former dredging
deposition site has now escalated to anger. Despite assurances by Council,
virtually no remedial effort has been made. Ugly bare patches full of
shells and shale have replaced the grassy meadow that once fronted the
lakeside. The terrain resembles more of a bike motocross circuit than a park. Council
have been called in again and I believe that local individuals have
approached senior councillors direct. My letter of the 18th to Gerard
Tuckerman remains unanswered. Still no action!! I have been talking with
various Committee members. Dad’s Army was formed thirty odd years ago to
remedy the same Council apathy that seems to prevail today and I have
suggested that we should take our own action to get this matter sorted.
Equipment will be hired to remove the debris and level the ground. Top soil
will be bought in to provide a basis for the grass to grow. As many
volunteers as possible will be welcome as labour and I will keep you all
informed of preparations and prospective dates. Half a day’s work followed
by a BBQ will do the trick. I regard these circumstances as an absolute
betrayal by Council and I intend to bill them for our costs and go very
public if they refuse to pay!
The
Hundred Year Flood Plan
Don Sheffield (our outgoing President) is
involved with some Council committees and one is the Wallis Lake Floodplain
Management Committee which gives input to the Council on flooding matters.
The Committee has recently been advised of
the latest estimates of flood levels likely to occur through global
warming. New design flood levels have been adopted by Council and will mainly
affect new subdivisions and existing properties proposed for redevelopment.
Don has also advised me that some insurance companies might have increased
premiums for flood cover as a result of the latest flood zones. Personally
I have just noticed that my Insurers have included flood cover in our
policy free of charge, but Council will be able to advise if your property
is within the latest designated 100 year flood zone and you can obtain this
information by applying to Council for a flood level certificate or a
Section 149(5) certificate.
Great Lakes Council - Thirty year plan
Another one of Don’s activities is serving
on a committee to assist in determining the direction of the Shire over the
next thirty years and he has advised that Council is seeking input from
residents and ratepayers to help prioritize the Council’s objectives. This
is separate to the State’s thirty year foreshore improvement plan for
Forster and Tuncurry that has been widely publicised and displayed
recently. Anybody who feels that they would like to add to this input,
please contact Don direct, or forward your submission to Council by 3rd
December 2010.
A discussion paper and supporting
documents are available for download from Council’s website at
www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au or can be viewed at Council’s offices and
library.
The
Keys Christmas Carols
It is very pleasing to report that this
idea seems to be gaining in momentum and popularity. I have had several
calls from residents wanting more detail on timing, so that they can
coordinate their own private parties to take in the spectacle of the
Christmas Carol procession. So we have made a dry run and this is more or
less what to expect.
Thursday 23rd December
5.15 pm Arrive entrance to Kenrose/Wyuna
Canal 5.30 pm Reach Harbour Shores
5.45 pm Leave Harbour Shores
6.00 pm Enter Wyuna/Elouera Canal
6.40 pm Exit Wyuna/Elouera Canal
6.45 pm Arrive Boat Ramp Elizabeth Parade
7.15 pm Depart Boat Ramp
7.20 pm Arrive entrance to Dolphin
Passage.
7.30 pm Tour Elizabeth/Supply Canal
7.40 pm Tour Roebuck/Bounty Canal
7.50 pm Tour Sirius Canal
8.00 pm Arrive KGP/Bounty Canal East
8.15 pm Finish at KGP/Friendship Canal
West
We plan to include three pontoons with the
lead boat producing the music for carols by way of CD’s. Also there will be
a keyboard with hopefully a few brass instruments as well to accompany a
flotilla of impromptu choirs made up of local celebrities and volunteers.
Anybody who wants to join in, even with their own craft – please feel free.
Santa’s elves will be distributing lollies for the kids. Remember, they
will also have collection buckets for the RDA (Riding for the
disabled). Please, please, do give as generously as possible.
Back to top
November 2010
Newsletter
Recruitment
The message in my October newsletter was
to call for an intake of fresh minds and take us forward into a new era. I
was instantly bombarded by two willing helpers, and although not actually the
new influx I had in mind, I am pleased to announce that Don and Peggy
Sheffield have stepped back to the committee as Joint Membership Secretary.
A great help to Marion and thank you!
Anyone else please?
The
Christmas Party
The first new committee decision was to
plan for the Christmas Party. Over the past few years there has been
disappointing show from residents and perhaps the reason has been timing.
This year we have moved the event back into December. Sunday 5th
has been chosen and the invitation appears on the reverse of this letter.
Last year we provided over $1,000 of raffle prizes, largely from donations
by our local businesses and Village stores. I hope you will join in the
festivities and perhaps meet some new friends. Please give Bill Campbell
your numbers on the slip provided
with the invitation.
Christmas
Carols
I suppose being Poms, Marion and I seem to
have some greater emotion at Christmas time. Family gathering; huge
platters of roast turkey with all the trimmings; Christmas pudding with
brandy butter; extraordinary alcoholic concoctions for Grannies – Cherry
Brandy; Snowballs; Pina Coladas; frosted up windows; roasted chestnuts;
open fires; Dads playing with kid’s newest presents and, fondest memory of
all, the Christmas Carols. From villages to towns and cities, the Salvo’s
would produce their brass bands and tour the shopping Malls by day and the
Pubs at night playing favourite carols. We would sing our hearts out whilst
donations poured into the collection boxes. This year, we intend to bring
some of this nostalgia to the Keys. Starting off at 5.30 pm on Thursday 23rd December at Harbour Shores, Santa will take
Bob Porter’s pontoon, complete with Christmas decorations, a sound system
and talented singers and we will tour the canals. We want you to bring your
children to the waterside and join in with the singing. Those residents
land-side might plan to make for the Reserves or friends across the road or
even BBQ at the Elizabeth boat ramp and we
will make special stops so that you can all join in. Make a note now: Thursday 23rd December 5.30 pm. don’t forget!
The
Christmas Spirit
Christmas is a time for love, peace and
reflection. However unwell, disappointed, unfortunate or even impoverished
we feel, there are those considerably worse off. Christmas is also a time
for giving. Presents are as much a pleasure for the giver as the receiver.
I have been working with the ‘Riding for the Disabled’; mainly kids from
five years old upwards with generic deformities, either mental or physical.
Horses bring joy and education to these children, who through no fault of
their own are in a strange world. Without any doubt, the therapy works and
it helps these kids progress to normality. But, despite all of the voluntary
assistance, horses are a huge expense. Whilst we are conducting our
Christmas Carols, Santa will have several escort boats to cruise along the
Canals and the Reserves armed with buckets. Please make a donation.
Anything that you can afford will be better than nothing and I will pass on
all the collection to the RDA as a special
Christmas present from the Keys.
Dolphins
Our next door neighbour has reported
another recent sighting of a pod just off their jetty next to Dolphin
Reserve, KGP. Apparently these lovely creatures frolicked for some time
cruising up and down before heading back out Dolphin Passage to the lake.
Now, there’s a crate of plonk for anyone can get me a photo of dolphins in
the canals. This I can use in a letter to the Advocate broadcasting the
real success of the recent dredging. Maybe we can use this obvious
improvement in tidal flow as a persuasion to open up Pipers Creek to the
west!
Pipers Bay Reserve
Following a very justified criticism of
the former dredging deposition site by local residents, we managed
eventually to get Council along for an on-site meeting to explore the
possibilities and form a plan of remedial action. Pledges have been made
and for those residents remaining doubtful, pop in to a similar site by the
Tuncurry skate park at Point Road and witness the
progress. The grass is now virtually re-grown and should give you some
hope.
Back to top
October 2010
Newsletter
Annual
General Meeting
This year the meeting was held at the Progress
Hut, Elizabeth Parade on Friday 24th September with a typical
attendance of some forty residents. In addition to the annual reports from
the President and Treasurer circulated with the AGM Notice, the
meeting was provided with news on membership levels from Marion Carney and
with the latest information from their various departments from Dave
Sharrock - Dad’s Army, Bob Porter - Dad’s Navy, and Bill Campbell -
Catering. Specific details can be obtained from the Secretary.
The purpose of this letter is to bring you
up to date with the events that followed, because there has been a
significant change at the top.
You will recall that Don Sheffield had
announced within the body of the President’s report that he had decided to
stand down. During the AGM we further learned
that Rod Lawton had also concluded that with family pressures on his mind
and after eleven years of service, he too would be unwilling to continue
with his responsibilities.
Without dwelling on the specifics, the
outcome can be seen at the bottom of the opposite column. Effectively, for
the time being your Association is being run by the couple of Poms at 32
KGP! Congratulations are not in order by the way, commiseration would be
nearer to the mark. It’s a tough and unexpected task for us both.
Less alarming news! Bob Porter, who has
some previous similar experience, has been elected as the Association’s
Secretary. Dave Sharrock continues to run Dad’s Army, Tony Manwaring now
heads up Dad’s Navy, with Bob Smith in charge of Water Quality and Bill
Campbell remains as chief Catering officer. That’s the new dream team.
Notice girls, only one lady present!
Visibly, you will not see any radical
change to the way that this Association has been steered so magnificently
in the past. I aim to keep an information flow by way of regular
newsletters. I want this Association to continue to throw its weight and
representation behind local issues. And I intend to financially support the
aims and efforts of Dad’s Army and Navy with initiatives such as our annual
Fun Day and Christmas Raffles. But in parallel to this continuity of
existing policy, I also see a far larger task ahead.
The
New President’s Objective
Marion and I retired to the Keys in 2002.
Soon we joined this Association and why not? A year later, dredging had
become a personal boating issue. Keen to start some action, I joined up as
part of the dredging sub-committee. What a challenge but also what a
creative passage in my life. Lobbying the Council, befriending the Mayor;
reasoning with Fisheries; cajoling the Lands Department and hob-knobbing
with the Lani’s. But I gained great friendship, not only with Don, but many
in Council and around town. That to me was the real reward not just the
success of the dredging. I felt invigorated. At my age an unexpected
satisfaction!
Dad’s Army and Navy have a strong
background and a proud reputation. These men are dedicated residents, who
enjoy the camaraderie of the Thursday morning efforts as well as the chat
that follows after their breakfast. On occasions such as Fun Day and the
Christmas Party they are the work force behind the scenes and mostly it is
their wives' that provide and administer the catering.
But listen, Don and I were never in Dad’s
Army.
If I am to make any impact on this Association,
I need to build a team that will bring commercial skills and support that
will lead us into the future. When we host an event, I want not only the
man- power from Dad’s Army, but organisational and secretarial backup.
Remember Marion is the only female
representative here. Some of you girls must be typists, or been cashiers;
run simple accounts programs, whatever. And boys, particularly the
newcomers, put that fishing rod down for a few minutes and get back into
some real action. Add a taste of challenge and interest back into your
lives and become a part of this great neighbourhood.
I want an events sub-committee with the
same drive that fought and won the dredging battle. I’ll lead the way, but there’s plenty to do.
Become another John, Don and Marion. Anybody interested get in touch with
me. Please.
Back to top
July 2010
Newsletter
Family
Fun Weekend
Another successful Family Fun Weekend is
behind us despite losing the last hour or so because of rain. From the many comments we have received
it seems we now have a very popular event and one that is becoming widely
recognised within the wider community.
Initially we set out as one of our objectives to showcase Forster
Keys and now find it is being used successfully to promote the Great Lakes region.
However, this growth in popularity brings
with it added responsibility to ensue the event is as professional as
possible and to include activities to satisfy a wider range of
visitors. It is also sorely testing
our reserves of willing volunteers to work on food and beverage preparation
and sales, setting up and dismantling the necessary facilities, traffic
control and parking, cleaning, fencing and many other essential tasks. With this in mind we have decided that
next year we will investigate how we can involve other community groups in
some of these tasks.
All of us are aware of the wonderful job
our Dad’s Army and Navy do each week and whilst Council is very supportive
in the supply of equipment there are costs associated with our operations
such as insurance cover, maintenance of the boat and other equipment, our
meeting hall, correspondence and newsletters.
In the past, costs of this nature were
covered by the income for the food stall run for the triathlons. The Family Fun Day was then created to
replace this source of funding. It
is now important for support of Dad’s Army and Navy that we continue with a
fund raising activity and the Family Fun Weekend is now a way to do this.
Having said all of this we must also
ensure the event retains its popularity and meets the expectations of our
target audience which is clearly family groups.
With this in mind we have included with
this newsletter a survey aimed to discover what fresh ideas our residents
can come up with for the activities we provide over the weekend.
There has been discussion on the way in
which the power boats have become a major feature of the weekend and
whether there might be some way of incorporating a major event involving
the Dragon Boats as an alternative to the power boats. Perhaps, both groups might be given a day
each of the weekend.
We will also welcome your thoughts on how
the event might be better managed and how we can encourage the continued
support from our volunteers.
We hope you will take the time to complete
the survey and return it by the designated date.
Revetment
Walls
This issue has been raised once again
recently by some residents who are selling their property and the Real
Estate agents acting for them. Some
prospective purchasers have asked Council for compliance certificates to
include the walls that have been protected using the product installed by
Australia Pacific Seawalls. Sadly,
Council is still unable to issue such certificates.
Some of you might remember the condition
of the walls installed some 30 odd year ago have been deteriorating and in
some cases had collapsed. When the
canal subdivision was constructed it included a barrier between the
properties and the canals of Super 6 Asbestos
Cement sheeting. This material has limited life when
exposed to the elements, particularly sea water.
Council refused to accept any
responsibility for the maintenance of the walls and a proposal was put to
Council in 2007 to allow those residents who wanted to repair their walls
to use the Superloc Sheet Pile Seawall System recommended by Australia
Pacific Seawall Pty Ltd.
Because the canals are legally designated
drainage reserves and are permitted to be used by the public they have now
become in legal terms “Community Land”. As such Council is unable to approve any
private structure that encroaches into the canals.
In a letter to the Association in
September 2008 a process was described to reclassify the “Community Land” to ‘Operational Land” which would allow
new revetment walls to be constructed using the “Superloc” process or its
equivalent within the drainage reserves.
We were advised this process would take some 18 months to complete
because of the Council staff workload.
Since the issue has again been raised
Council was contacted to determine the latest position. We have been advised by letter this month
that the initial action plan was not legally achievable and that Council is
now preparing a new Plan of Management to address the issues.
It has advised that the draft Plan of
Management requires a process of public exhibition, consideration of any
submissions received and formal adoption by Council before it can be used
to approve any of the structures.
Council anticipates that the process will take about 6 months to
complete.
In the meantime Council staff dealing with
applications for S149 certificates will be made aware of the process so
that they can provide appropriate advice to enquiries.
Any residents who have had these new
revetment walls constructed and are considering the sale of their property
should make themselves aware of the Council’s position and we will be happy
to provide them with a copy of the Council’s latest letter.
Association
Annual Subscriptions
It is that time of the year again when our
Treasurer, John Murrell will be sending out the subscription notices. There will be a change this year in that
the payment can be made at John’s address, 32 King George Pde or with Di
and Trevor at the Forster Keys Mini Market.
Phil at the “No Bull” butchery has
provided this service for a number of years and we are very grateful for
his wonderful support in this matter.
Annual
General Meeting
Please note in your diaries that the AGM will be held this year
on Friday 24th September at our meeting hall in Progress
Reserve. A further notice will be
sent out closer to the date.
Vili’s
Pies
A feature this year at the Family Fun
Weekend on the Sunday was the Vili’s pie van which was manned by Mum’s Army
and sold a big variety of pies. They
proved to very popular and it has been agreed they will be on the menu for
future events.
We have a few boxes of the Beef, Beef and
Mushroom and Chicken pies left. They
were snap frozen at a commercial freezer immediately after the event and
the manufacturer advises they can be kept for two years frozen. We are offering them to our residents at
a greatly discounted price of $40 for a box of 24.
Back to top
June 2010
Newsletter
May
General Meeting
On Friday 21st May we held a
General Meeting of the Association and it was well attended. Reports were
given from the various areas of our activities by members of the Executive
and I will cover some of those matters in this newsletter.
We also had a presentation from Country
Energy staff on ways in which residents might save electricity and
hopefully offset some of the increases which seem to be inevitable in our
power bills. The presentation was well received and there was ample time
for questions over coffee, tea and scones.
Water
Quality Issues
You are probably now well aware that the
blockages to the channel from Pipers Creek to Wallis Lake have been cleared
with a Council contractor dredging the sand that had built up at the
southern end of the channel through to the channel markers in the Lake.
The sand was pumped into a holding basin
formed on the reserve at the southern end of Victor Ave and as soon as it
is dry enough to be moved will be trucked to a deposition site off Cape
Hawke Drive as part of the extension of the Southern Parkway.
There was a delay in commencing this part
of the project as very fine silt was dredged from where the new channel
connected with the deeper water in the Lake. With the continued
wet weather this material was proving difficult to move and the Council
looked at a number of methods to handle it. The solution that has proved to
be most effective was to mix woodchip mulch with the fine silt and this has
dried the silt sufficiently for it to be trucked away.
It is now expected that the sand can be
removed over the next two weeks and a commencement made on restoring the
reserve.
Council staff is aware of the concern of
those residents close to the holding basin about delays to the work has and that several
Casuarina trees along the waterfront have apparently died. The Council has
commenced the removal of the holding basin and will level and lay new turf
on the damaged reserve as a matter of some urgency. Unfortunately, it has
also added significantly to the cost of the project.
On the bright side we now have a channel
from Pipers Creek to the lake approximately 2 metres deep and this should
be capable of accommodating any of the craft normally used in Pipers Creek
and our canals. We also hope that it will reduce some of the impediment to
tidal flow in this part of the waterway.
The other positive from this project is
that Council is now confident that clearing channels within our lake system
can be undertaken without any serious or long term damage to the ecosystem
that is so important to the health of the Lake.
Your Committee believes there are still
other works needed to significantly improve tidal flow and in turn water
quality in the Keys such as:
·
A second channel from Pipers Creek to the north into Wallis Lake
·
A connection across King George Pde between the two
canals as originally planned when the subdivision of the Keys was approved.
·
A continuation of the treatment works Council is
providing in the drainage catchment area feeding into the Kenrose Canal.
Council has advised that the Wallis Lake
Estuary Management Plan calls for continued investigations into opening up
the northern end of Pipers Creek to increase flushing. The oyster industry has some objections
to this and Council has made its priority the improvement of water quality
flowing from the catchment into the Kenrose Canal.
A grant is being sought from the State
Govt. to carry out ecological health monitoring in Pipers Creek. This will
help to determine the ongoing condition of the waterway and will help
establish the value of a northern channel from Pipers Ck. We will continue
to monitor these investigations by liaising closely with Council.
In the meantime Council presently has two
more water quality gardens under construction in the Palms Estate and
applications have been made to the Federal Govt to continue this work.
Council has also awarded a separate
contract for the hydrodynamic study required for a new channel to be
constructed across the “Step”. Hopefully this will mean a commencement of
the new channel across the “Step” in 2011.
Forster
Keys Family Fun Day
The preliminary work needed prior to this
event is now well underway. It will be held over the weekend of 10-11 July
2010.
The Taree Aquatic Power Boat Club will be
presenting power boat displays including a range of craft from some of the
old classics to the big hydros. There will be boats from the 60s and 70s
and blown boats, both operating on the water and in static displays.
This year we will have the local Dragon
Boat Club providing a demonstration and they also plan to provide
opportunities for you to try your hand at this very popular sport.
On the Friday before the Fun Day weekend
there will be a 9 hole golf event at the Forster Golf Club and a Gala
Dinner on the Saturday night at Club Forster. These two events are being
organised by the “Boaties”. You need to contact Fred Williams on 6555 2662
for tickets and bookings for these two events.
On the Sunday we will have the markets,
displays from the Historic Car Club, Scouts, SES, Rural Fire
Service and many other community groups. There will be a wide range of
activities for the children with our usual ring events, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting and
the very popular Dog Show.
To
overcome the problems of catering we have experienced in the past, we are
planning to have several different food outlets as well as the stall that
our Association operates. This will
help spread the workload and provide a greater range of food and beverage.
We are seeking volunteers to assist on the
weekend and hopefully enough will come forward to spread the workload more
effectively than previous years.
We require helpers with various tasks,
mainly on the Sunday, such as parking control, the cooking and serving of
food, setting up and dismantling of the tents etc. We would like to attract
sufficient helpers to ensure they only have to work for a few hours and to
have enough time to enjoy the activities on display.
Please contact Rod Lawton on 6555 2371 if
you can help. A couple of hours’ assistance is all we are seeking.
Dad’s
Army and Navy
Over the past few weeks the Navy boys have
collected 10 very large treated logs from the waterways around Pipers
Creek. These logs are some 2.00 to 2.50 metres long dressed to
approximately 300 mm diameter and in excellent condition. It is a mystery
where they have come from but they were an extremely serious hazard to
boats using the waterways.
We have been contacting various local
organisations to try and identify where they might have been used but so
far this has been unsuccessful. If you have any thoughts on this please
contact Bob Porter on 6555 9191.
We would also warn you to keep a close
lookout when travelling around the Keys and Pipers Creek by boat and report
any further sightings to Bob.
Back to top
March
2010 Newsletter
Water Quality Issues
In the last newsletter I mentioned that there was some light
at the end of the tunnel in respect to the dredging of the channel from
Pipers Creek to Wallis Lake. Well at long last
that light is now burning a lot brighter.
Last meeting Council awarded a contract to a Maclean based
company to dredge three channels including our channel. The work is
scheduled to commence during the third week in April and the first job will
be the clearing of the channel at Tuncurry near Boatland’s Marina. This is expected
to take 5 weeks and then the clearing of our channel will commence at the
end of May. It will take approximately 4 weeks. Some preliminary work will
commence before that date to cater for the sand which will need to be dried
on the reserve at the southern end of Victor Ave prior to it being
trucked away for use on playing fields near the proposed extension of the
Southern Parkway.
There will be some disturbance to the reserve and it is
likely that some damage will be caused to the road pavements during the
removal of the sand. However I understand Council has plans to undertake
maintenance of the pavements when the work is completed.
The third project is the dredging of the Corrie Channel in
the Myall River at Tea Gardens.
Council has also awarded a separate contract for the
hydrodynamic study required for a new channel to be constructed across the
“Step”. Hopefully this will mean a commencement of the new channel in 2011.
Your Committee has been working on this project now for more
than 7 years and we are delighted that it now seems as though it is finally
coming to fruition. The introduction of the extended environmental levy by
Council has provided the funds needed for these projects together with a
grant from the State Government.
Importantly, this work will now re-establish this important
and only entrance for boats to and from the Keys to Wallis Lake as a clearly
designated channel and future maintenance may be more readily available
than it has been in the past.
It is also important to recognise the co-operation we have
received from Council’s Environmental and Engineering staff over the past
18 months or so. They set a timetable for this project and so far have
delivered exactly on schedule. After the frustrations of previous years
dealing with the professional staff has been most refreshing.
Still on the issue of water quality, Council has now
completed another series of bio-retention devices in the catchment area
draining to the Kenrose Canal. Another two are
to be commenced shortly and Council is confident of obtaining further
funding next financial year to continue this work.
The bio-retention gardens are designed to assist in removing
contaminates from the stormwater runoff in the catchment before it enters
the canals and eventually the Lake.
Elizabeth Reserve
Boat Ramp
The work on new boat ramp has recently been competed with
the construction and sealing of the car park. The new ramp is now double the size of
the old one and the all weather car park will be much easier to maintain
and over more user-friendly.
This work was funded by a grant from Maritime NSW and
Council funds. Your Association agreed to contribute financially to the
work to demonstrate the community support for the project but this may not
now be required.
Forster Keys Family
Fun Day
The preliminary work needed prior to this event is now well
underway. It will be held over the weekend of 10-11 July 2010.
We are working closely with the Taree Power Boat Association
again this year and there promises to be a great display of boats on shore
and exciting events on the water. Working with this Association has helped
to reduce our insurance costs which you may remember was a major problem
for us last year.
The markets that have been with us for the last 3 years are
not available this year but we have been able to obtain the markets that
are held each month at Blackhead. It is therefore probable that there will
be more and varied stalls that previous years and this will help to make
the Sunday a very special day.
To overcome the problems of catering we are planning to have
several different food outlets as well as the stall that our Association
operates. This will help spread the workload and provide a greater range of
food and beverage.
We will be requiring volunteers to assist on the weekend and
hopefully enough will come forward to spread the workload more effectively
than last year.
We require helpers with various tasks, mainly on the Sunday,
such as parking control, the cooking and serving of food, setting up and
dismantling the tents etc.
Please contact Rod Lawton on 6555 2371 if you can help. A
couple of hours’ assistance is all we are seeking.
5a Kenrose Street
You are probably aware that we were helping the residents in
the vicinity of this property who were protesting against the State
Government constructing Affordable Housing on this site. Unfortunately the
protests fell on deaf ears and the Government will go ahead with the
construction of 19 units in lieu of the 20 initially proposed.
As this was part of the Federal Government’s Economic
Stimulus Package the project was rushed through with only token community
consultation. It is to be hoped the completed project will not have the
adverse implications for the residents in the vicinity of the site that the
preliminary plans presented at the public meetings indicated.
General Meeting of
the Association
We have scheduled a General Meeting to be held on Friday 21 May 2010 at our meeting
hall in Progress Reserve off Elizabeth Parade, commencing at 10.00am. The meeting will present reports from
your Executive and we are hoping to have a presentation from a
representative of Country Energy of the important topics of:
·
Reducing your electricity bills by becoming more
energy efficient.
·
Payment options to spread your bills throughout the
year
·
How to access the Country support program for those in
financial hardship.
·
Updates on the NSW Govt solar bonus scheme
·
Involvement in community events
·
Planned upgrades to the electricity network
The meeting will be followed by a sausage sizzle and the
opportunity to meet and enjoy the company of some of your fellow Keys
residents.
A
reminder notice will be sent out closer to the date.
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