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May 2009 Newsletter
Meeting
with Council staff
A very interesting and informative meeting was held with Mr
Glenn Handford, (Director of Planning and Environmental Services), Ms Prue Tucker,
(Co-ordinator of the Coastal Catchments Initiative), and Mr David Bortfeld
(Manager of Parks and Recreation Services) at our hall last Friday. Some 40
members of our Association attended to learn more about Council’s proposals
for tackling the difficult financial situation that it is facing in setting
the rates for next financial year and at the same time providing the works
and services us ratepayers, other residents and visitors to the Greta Lakes seem to demand.
Mr Handford outlined the present difficulties
in operating within the rate pegging ceiling imposed by the State
Government and the additional costs of services, provision for
superannuation, reduced income on investments and the huge backlog in
essential works identified in last year’s review by Prof Percy Allen. Much
of this was reported in the notice sent to all ratepayers earlier this
month. Mr Handford however gave an interesting overview of how the Council
proposed to meet the challenge by increases in the business rate applied to
commercial properties throughout the Shire, and an increase in the
Environmental Levy we presently pay from 3.89% to 6%. This will include 1%
dedicated for dredging various channels in Wallis and Myall Lakes.
He reported that funds had been approved by the State
Government for work to clear our channel from the Keys to Wallis Lake and for the
completion of the studies needed before the channel through the Step can be
re-established. Council however has to match these State Government funds.
He urged all present to give support to the increases as the
work could not be financed n the foreseeable future through the general
rate income alone. He also referred to the excellent results achieved over
the past eight years in which the Environmental Levy has been in place
through improvements in the condition of the water catchments feeding into Wallis Lake. Council has been
successful because of this work in attracting substantial Government grants
to continue the projects.
Ms Tucker then presented an overview of the results of
studies within the catchment of Wallis Lake on water quality
and in particular the impact that runoff from South Forster is having on
water quality. She said that remedial works in the catchment feeding into
the Kenrose canal were of the highest priority and whilst works already
completed were having an impact, further measures were needed and are being
planned. Council has been successful in some Government grants and the
income from the Environmental Levy was continuing to fund these works.
I mentioned in a recent newsletter that we had been asked to
support an application by Council to the government for funding to install
a series of treatment works called bio filtration trenches in the drainage
system feeding into the Kenrose canal. Ms Tucker gave more information on
these devices and how they are designed to filter the nitrogen from the
stormwater runoff. She explained the excess nitrogen being flushed into the
Lake can cause algal bloom, which reduces the
amount of sunlight through the water inhibiting the growth of sea grasses.
In turn the sea grasses use up nutrients that arrive at the estuary that
are important for supporting healthy marine life.
Both Officers stressed the importance of treating the storm
water within the catchment as a first priority. They agreed improving tidal
and wind induced flows through the Keys can assist in diluting the
contaminants but it could also spread them further into the Lake system.
Mr Handford stressed the difficulties in reversing actions that
were taken years before under the present environmental controls and the
knowledge now available on man made impacts on the Lake ecology. The loss
of a significant channel through to Breckenridge channel is a case in
point.
Nevertheless, there was a strong feeling expressed by the
residents present that measures to provide improvements to the flow of
water through the Keys must still be pursued and the Association’s Water
Quality sub-committee will continue do this.
Measures we are considering include a channel from Pipers Bay to the Lake via Golden’s Bay
and the provision of a water connection across King George Parade to link
the two waterways.
Mr Bortfeld then reported that funds have been approved for
the new boat ramp in Elizabeth Reserve but construction has been deferred
until after the Family Fun Day in July to avoid any disruption on that day.
The work will double the size of the present ramp and include sealing the
car park and some landscaping.
He also gave an update on the actions Council is taking to
be able to formally approve the works being carried out to protect and/or
replace the revetment walls and other structures and works that might be
undertaken within the canals. The necessary action is likely to take 2-3
months.
At the conclusion of the presentations and questions from
the floor it was stressed that Council needed the support of as many
ratepayers as possible to convince the State Government of the need for the continuation of the
present Environmental Levy and its increase to 6% with 1% to be designated
for dredging of channels within the Lakes system. Without the Levy there is
no way that Council can provide its share of the costs and the approved
Government grant for our dredging could not be taken up. The excellent work
that Council has already undertaken under its Healthy Lakes program would also
be curtailed.
A vote was taken of those present and there was overwhelming
support for our Association to write supporting the proposal and to urge
all ratepayers to write individually to Council in support. Mr Handford
also suggested copies should be forwarded to the appropriate Ministers to
reinforce this support.
A draft letter to Council that might be used is attached to
this newsletter if you are in agreement. We would also urge you to contact
the Council Office if you would like additional information on this
matter.
The closing date for submissions to Council is Friday 29th May 2009. However, the
General Manager has advised however that Council will accept submissions
after the closing date.
Family Fun Day
It is now only seven weeks until our major event for the
year, Sunday 19th July. Arrangements are well in hand for what
is always a great day and shortly we will be contacting our usual helpers
for the various tasks. If you haven’t been a helper and would like to give
a hand please contact one of Association Committee listed below. We welcome
your assistance and feel sure you will enjoy the experience and meeting
some more of your neighbours.
The popular Forster markets will be on site, there will be
fun and games for the kids, the wonderful dog show, demonstrations by the
Scouts, SES, Tae Kwon-do, and displays of
veteran cars, motor bikes, boats and heaps more. Throughout the day there
will be displays and activities on the water with high powered boats, water
skiers and vintage boats.
Your Association will be providing a stall near the markets
to sell books and other items that you might have as surplus to your needs.
If you would like to donate any books or bric-a-brac for the stall please
call Margie Nelson on 6555 2823. No clothing please.
Fred Williams has arranged a program of boating activities
for the Saturday before our Fun Day and more details will be reported as
they come to hand.
We are working with the Great Lakes Historical Society on
the Forster Bridge birthday
celebrations and one commitment we have made is to take part in a flotilla
of boats to sail under the bridge during the opening re-enactment. That is
at 11.00am on Saturday 18th
July. This is another matter to note in your diaries.
Association Contact
Details
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President:
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Don Sheffield
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1 Victor Ave
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6557 6877
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Secretary:
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Rod Lawton
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114 Elizabeth Pde
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6555 2371
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A/ Secretary:
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Marion Carney
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32 King George Pde
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6555 3314
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Treasurer:
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John Murrell
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32 King George Pde
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6555 3314
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This newsletter is produced by Don
Sheffield on behalf of the Executive Committee of the FKRPA
Newsletter Archives
March 2009 January 2009 November
2008 August
2008 June
2008
Feb 2008
Back to top
March 2009
Newsletter
Water Quality Issues
I mentioned in the last newsletter that we
had been asked to support an application by Council to the government for
funding to install a series of treatment works called bio filtration trenches
in the drainage system feeding into the Kenrose canal. These works are planned to help reduce
the pollutants being washed down from South Forster. These are very positive proposals and we
were delighted to give written support.
That application was unsuccessful but Council has now applied for
funding of a larger and more comprehensive project which if successful
should provide marked improvements in the quality of the storm water
draining into our canals. We have
again given our support to this project.
On a more positive note the Expressions of
Interest that Council submitted to the State Government’s Dept of Lands for
various projects to dredge channels in and around Wallis Lake have been
successful and it includes the entrance to Forster Keys. The works of most impact to the Keys
include the balance of the funds needed for the hydrodynamic study of the
“Step” and the Review of Environmental Factors and the dredging of the
channel through the Dolphin Passage (Our Channel). Council is now required to submit a
detailed proposal for the work and has been advised that its three projects
are part of a shortlist of 14 projects State wide for 1 million dollars in
funding.
The funding is conditional upon Council
matching the Government grant and Council has agreed in principle to the
funding. Council must now submit a
detailed estimate to the Department for final approval of the project.
This is a huge breakthrough in the long
standing negotiations with Council to secure improvement to a number of navigational
channels in Wallis Lake.
Council proposes to fund the works with an increase in the
1% environmental special rate that we presently pay in conjunction with our
rates. The additional levy will be
sought to build a special fund for maintenance dredging of channels within
the lake systems into the future
The details of the proposal will be
included in Councils Management Plan which is usually exhibited in
May. If approval is granted for the
additional levy it will help to overcome the major hurdle of the costs
associated with the dredging into the future and we believe it deserves our
support.
Elizabeth Reserve Boat Ramp
We have been advised that Council’s
application to the State Government for a new boat ramp in Elizabeth
Reserve has been approved, subject to Council matching the grant. Our Association has offered some funds to
assist should this be required.
Our next concern is whether the work can
be completed in time for the Family Fun Day in July.
The Association Meeting Hall
In the last newsletter I sought the
assistance of a volunteer to help us install new cupboards in the meeting
hall if we purchased the necessary prefabricated units.
I am delighted to be able to report that
the response was overwhelming. Three tradesmen responded and one has agreed
to build the cupboards from scratch with the Association purchasing the
materials. Work is now well underway
with “Big Bad” Jim Smith as the head cabinetmaker and his very willing
apprentice Albie Dean assisting.
The new cupboards are rapidly taking shape
and will be a very welcome and useful addition to our meeting hall. Thank you Jim and Albie!
Family Fun Day
The last newsletter asked you to note the
date of the Fun Day for the first weekend in July. The school holidays have changed this
year and right in the middle of the holidays is the 50th
Anniversary of the opening of the bridge linking Forster and Tuncurry.
We have met with the organising committee
for the bridge celebrations and decided there is the opportunity for a great
deal of synergy between this event and our Family Fun Day.
The Great Lakes Historical Society is
responsible for the events associated with the bridge and its activities
will be held on Saturday 18th July mainly around the parks near
the bridge.
We have decided to hold our Family Fun Day
on Sunday 19th July and to work towards complimenting the
activities of the two events. This
will mean scaling down the activities we held last year on the Saturday at
Pipers Creek and we will become involved in some water based displays
closer to the bridge.
One of the ideas being considered is to
have a sail past of boats during the re-enactment of the opening of the
bridge. If it is practical we hope
that the boats from the Keys will be well represented to add to the
spectacle.
On the Sunday we can then hold the usual
family orientated events on Elizabeth Reserve. This will reduce the workload on our
volunteers, reduce some of our costs and hopefully add to the bridge
celebrations making it a huge weekend for Forster and Tuncurry.
A working group has been set up to
coordinate the various programs and we will provide more information as the
programs come together.
Revetment Walls
John Jarvie from Australia Pacific
Seawalls is still working around the Keys and has a few more late orders to
fill. He has ordered another
container load of sheet piling from the US and this should be
delivered in the next two or three weeks.
He can be contacted on 0418 411840 if you
want a quote or to inspect any of the completed jobs.
Forster Keys Web Site
Don’t forget to have a look at our website at
www.forsterkeys.com. There is something there to interest everybody both
residents and visitors alike. There is a general introduction to the
Association and the history of the Keys; there are lots of great photos of
the area and our events & volunteers.
It includes useful information about how to contact your Executive
Committee; with links to local business and information sites; and there is
even a Buy/Sell/Swap page.
If you have any comments or anything to
add to the content please contact Marion or John.
We are hopeful that shortly we will add
information about the water quality in the canals and adjacent Lake System. This is presently shown on the Waterwatch
website but we hope to make it more specific to the Forster Keys area.
Golden Ponds Lawn Bowling Club
The Executive of the Golden Ponds Bowling
Club would welcome enquiries from residents in the Forster Keys area
interested in becoming members of their Club.
Tuition is available for new bowlers and a
selection of used bowls that may be used in the interim.
Mixed social bowls are played on Monday
mornings at 9.30am and on Thursday
and Saturday afternoons at 1.00pm. The annual Membership is just $12.00 and green
fees are $5.00.
For further information please contact
Mike Pierce on 65552558 or Doris Clifton on 65549298.
Special General Meeting
We propose to hold a General Meeting on
Friday 1st May in our meeting hall off Elizabeth Parade
commencing at 10.30 am. It is an opportunity to catch up on all
of the news and to have a say in the activities of the Association.
It will be followed by the very popular
sausage sizzle and a chance to meet up with other residents of the
Keys. Please keep this date in mind.
Association Contact Details
President: Don Sheffield 1 Victor Ave 6557 6877
Secretary: Rod
Lawton 114 Elizabeth Pde 6555 2371
Membership: Marion Carney 32 King George Pde
6555 3314
Treasurer: John Murrell 32 King George Pde 6555 3314
This newsletter is produced by Don Sheffield on behalf of
the Executive Committee of the FKRPA
Back to top
January 2009 Newsletter
Soon the decline in our Super funds will
turn around and we can enjoy once more our beautiful suburb without the
blues of the past six months or so.
Water
Quality Issues
I mentioned in the last newsletter that we
had been asked to support an application by Council to the government for funding
to install a series of treatment works in the drainage system feeding into
the Kenrose canal. These works are planned to help reduce the pollutants
being washed down from South Forster. These are very positive proposals and
we were delighted to give written support. We have not yet been advised if
those applications were successful.
Best wishes from your Executive Committee
for a healthy and prosperous 2009. Maybe
I have now been advised that Council has
received a grant to undertake the hydrodynamic study needed before dredging
of the “Step” can be undertaken. A report will go to Council in February
for funds to match the grant and hopefully we will be another step closer
to the work being commenced.
Council also applied for a grant through
the Lands Dept to undertake a review of environmental factors and to dredge
the channel to and from the Keys. We wrote to the Minister in support of
the application and so far only received an acknowledgement. At least there
is some reassurance that the project is in the pipeline somewhere. Council
expects a decision on these grants during February.
Did you notice during the very high tides
on 9-15 January that the water did not reach the heights in the canals we
have experienced in previous years? We have been arguing for years now that
the build up of silt in the channels is restricting the normal tidal flows.
This was an excellent example of what we have been saying. The tides were
reported to be record highs but we did not get them within the Keys! I hope
the Council noted this.
You may also have noted how slow the tides
were to recede and that we did not get the very low tides expected with
extreme high tides.
Elizabeth
Reserve Boat Ramp
We are still waiting on advice as to the
success of Council’s application to Maritime NSW for a grant to rebuild and
improve the launching facilities at Elizabeth Reserve. I have been advised
that the local Maritime NSW officer gave it support and he is confident
that it will be approved. We then have to wait for the Council’s
construction timetable, but hopefully it will be available for the next
Family Fun Day.
Dad’s
Army and Navy
We expect that our hardworking volunteers
who look after our parks, reserves and canals will receive some well earned
recognition in the local Advocate in the next week or so. The paper’s
reporter has drafted a story about the remarkable work they do with photos
from our premier photographer Rod.
Watch for this edition as it will no doubt
become a collector’s item.
Dad’s Navy has a problem with its boat. It
has sprung a leak and some temporary repairs have been carried out to keep
it working. Graham Barclay has offered to weld the leaking seam at no
charge, but we really need to find a more suitable craft. If anybody knows
of a boat going cheap that can carry three sailors and their equipment
please let us know.
In the meantime thank you Graham for your
generous offer it is really appreciated.
The Association Meeting Hall
We have been getting quotes to update the cupboards
in the hall used to house our catering equipment and non-perishable stores.
It appears that the most economical arrangement will be to have the
cupboards made professionally and for our volunteers to install them.
We have a number of willing volunteers and
it would be very helpful if we can get some help from a handyman carpenter
to provide the necessary guidance and finish to ensure a good job.
Please give us a call if you can help.
No Wash Zones in the Canals
Now that most of the tourists have gone
home we really have nobody to blame for boats travelling too fast through
the canals except ourselves. It is the wash from boats that causes the
damage to our walls no matter how slow the boats are going.
Please respect your own and your neighbours
walls and watch your wash.
Revetment
Walls
John Jarvie from Australia Pacific
Seawalls has almost completed the new revetment walls for those who ordered
the work last year. The improvement in the appearance and the obvious
strength of the walls is now quite apparent. There should be no more danger
to the properties involved as the old failing asbestos sheeting is no
longer needed to retain the properties and the wash from boats cannot cause
further damage.
John is presently working on walls in Elouera Cres., King George Pde.
and Victor Ave. if you wish to see
the work or obtain a quote.
He also can be contacted on 0418
411840.
Forster
Keys Web Site
Don’t forget to have a look at our website
at www.forsterkeys.com. There is something there to interest everybody both
residents and visitors alike. There is a general introduction to the
Association and the history of the Keys; there are lots of great photos of
the area and our events & volunteers.
It includes useful information about how to contact your Executive
Committee; with links to local business and information sites; and there is
even a Buy/Sell/Swap page.
If you have any comments or anything to
add to the content please contact Marion or John.
We are hopeful that shortly we will add
information about the water quality in the canals and adjacent Lake System. This is presently shown on the Waterwatch
website but we hope to make it more specific to the Forster Keys area.
Family
Fun Day
We are considering the best form that this
should take next year and will be getting the organising committee together
very shortly. Many suggestions have come forward on ways to reduce the cost
of overheads and the workload on our very enthusiastic volunteers and all
will be discussed and where possible adopted.
We appreciate that using our volunteers
for the two days of the event is a lot to ask and we need spread the
workload to a much greater extent.
The event is planned to take place on the
weekend of 4/5 July 2008. Keep this in your diaries and remind all of the
kids in your families to try and make for this year.
Keys
Christmas Picnic
Although the day started off overcast it
was a successful event for our Association and all those present certainly
seemed to enjoy the day.
Marion and John did an incredible job in
attracting so many quality prizes for the raffle and all of our
enthusiastic volunteers ensured the tents were all erected in time and the
food was up to its usual high standard.
A very sincere thank you to all those
helpers.
Annual
Subscriptions
It costs just $10 per household (or $5 per
single person) to belong to our Association and fees cover the period July
to June.
Many residents have paid the subs for
2008-2009 but shortly we will be sending out reminders to those that we
think have not paid. We take this
from our financial records and in the event we make a mistake please accept
our apologies and let us know.
We are only human!
Association
Contact Details
President: Don Sheffield 1 Victor Ave
6557 6877
Secretary: Rod Lawton 114 Elizabeth Pde 6555 2371
Membership: Marion Carney 32
King George Pde 6555 3314
Treasurer: John Murrell 32
King George Pde 6555 3314
This newsletter is produced by Don
Sheffield on behalf of the Executive Committee of the FKRPA.
Back to top
November 2008
Newsletter
Association Annual General Meeting
The AGM was held on Friday
24th October and was attended by 35 members.
We were sorry to receive the resignation of Elle
Cairns-Cowan as catering officer as she has done a fine job over a number
of years. Thank you Elle it has been greatly appreciated. She
has also offered to provide support to our new catering boss, Bill
Campbell. We also extend a warm welcome to Bill. It is great to
have him on board with his experience in Dad’s Navy.
The new committee is:
Don
Sheffield
President
John
Murrell
Treasurer
Rod
Lawton
Secretary
Marion
Carney
Membership
Bill
Campbell
Catering
Alby
Dean
Catering Co-ordinator
Dave Sharrock
Dad’s Army
Bob
Porter
Dad’s Navy
Water Quality Issues
I mentioned in the last newsletter that we had been asked to support an application
by Council to the government for funding to install a series of treatment
works in the drainage system feeding into the Kenrose canal. These
works are planned to help reduce the pollutants being washed down from
South Forster. These are very positive proposals and we were
delighted to give written support. We have not yet been advised if
those applications were successful.
A further meeting was held this week with senior
Council Officers to discuss the matter of dredging the channel to and from
the Keys. This was a very positive meeting and we were assured the
senior staff are not opposed to the dredging and the real problem is a lack
of funding and specialist recourses.
The planning regulations that Councils must now work
with require certain studies to be undertaken before any dredging can
proceed. An application has been made to fund a study to assess the
impacts of a new channel through the “Step” and there is confidence that
this will be approved in this financial year.
Funding is also being sought through another
government program to undertake a review of environmental factors and to
dredge the channel to and from the Keys. There is not the same
confidence that this will be approved this financial year but it is more
probable to be successful in the following year. We have been invited
to support that application by writing to the appropriate Minister and we
will do this.
It must also be understood that when and if approval
is granted for the channel clearing Council will then be faced with finding
suitable disposal sites for the sand that is to be removed. Ideally
the project should be large enough to use the sand commercially to fill
sites subject to redevelopment and studies are underway to investigate this
matter.
In the case of our channel the quantity of sand is
unlikely to be sufficient to make it economically viable to pump it to a
distant disposal site. It is more likely that it will have to be
double handled by initially placing it onto part of the waterfront reserve
in the Keys and then transporting it by truck to its ultimate disposal
site. This will create other problems by putting part of the reserve
out of action for a time, maybe causing some odour problems and then there
is the impact of trucks moving through the subdivision with possible damage
to the roads.
It is however vital that the channel be cleared not
only for safe boat access but to help restore the tidal and wind induced
flows through the canals.
Revetment Walls
There is more positive news on the matter of the revetment walls.
Council has formally advised us that a development
application is being prepared to provide for the protection of the
revetment walls using the material we recommended in front of the existing
walls. A generic agreement is also being prepared between the
property owner and the Council and individual owners will then have to
submit an application for a construction certificate. A condition of
approval of the certificate will require the execution of the agreement for
the owner to accept responsibility for the future maintenance of the
wall. This will enable the work to be included on the S149
certificate advising future landowners on the agreement.
Whilst this is clearly transferring responsibility for
the maintenance of the walls to us as the land owners it will overcome the
present impasse over this matter and enable the work to proceed. It
is obvious that Council will never be able to fund the necessary work and
it is therefore in our interests to protect the investments in our individual
properties before major collapses occur.
John Jarvie from Australia Pacific Seawalls is
presently working on walls in the Keys and if you would like to see the
finished product and/or obtain a quote he can be contacted on 0418 411840.
Forster Keys Website
The Association website is now up and running on www.forsterkeys.com.
Our local computer guru Jason Manewell set it up for us and over time it
will provide us with another important communication tool. It presently
has copies of some earlier newsletters, information about the Association,
its history and events. It also has lots of photos and contact
details.
Of course, it will only be useful if it is kept up to
date and relevant. We are seeking some help with this and if there is
anybody who would like to work with us this project we would love to hear
from you. Jason will provide the necessary training and I am sure it
could be an interesting exercise for those with an interest in computers
and an hour or so, say once a month, to add things to the site.
It can even be done from home! There more we have to work with us on
this project the better it will be.
Please call Marion or myself if you are interested.
Family Fun Day
We are considering the best form that this should take next year and will
be getting the organising committee together once again after
Christmas. Many suggestions have come forward on ways to reduce the
cost of overheads and the workload on our very enthusiastic volunteers and
all will be discussed and where possible adopted.
Dad’s Army and Dad’s Navy
I am sure you will agree with me that these volunteers do a remarkable job
in looking after our parks, reserves and canals. They meet every
Thursday from 7.00am until morning tea
at 9.30 am. If you
would like to join them please do not be shy. It helps but is not
compulsory to be almost fit, but essential to have a sense of humour and to
enjoy the company of others.
Why not try it?
Keys Christmas Picnic
A separate notice will be included with the newsletter about the picnic to
be held on Sunday 7 December near the boat ramp in Elizabeth Reserve.
Please note this day in your diaries so we can have a good roll up.
We will supply the BBQ and the prizes for the raffle.
Association Contact Details
President: Don
Sheffield 1 Victor
Ave
6557 6877
Secretary: Rod
Lawton 114 Elizabeth
Pde 6555 2371
Membership: Marion
Carney 32 King George Pde 6555 3314
Treasurer: John
Murrell 32 King George Pde
6555 3314
This newsletter is produced by Don Sheffield on behalf
of the Executive Committee of the FKRPA.
Back to top
Newsletter
August 2008
Family Fun Day
Well another great event is behind us. We were blessed with the
weather and a huge turnout of visitors. From all reports they enjoyed
the entertainment, markets, food and of course the excitement of the power
boats.
But the outstanding effort was by all of our
volunteers who worked so hard over the two days and ensured the Fun Day’s
success. I must also mention the steering committee who worked for
the weeks and months before organising things, ordering provisions and
encouraging sponsors to support us. A special mention must also go to
Joe Gauci and his team from the Rotary Club of Forster on Wallis and Anne
Starkey who organised the community markets. Thanks must also go to
Fred Williams for arranging so many fine boats and the water demonstrations
Thank you all for your efforts.
Financially, it was a little disappointing as a lot of
our overheads have increased over the past year. But it was not our
prime objective to make money. We set out to promote this beautiful
part of Forster and to give families a good time. I think we achieved
both of those objectives.
Water Quality Issues
I know the Council does not like me referring to this
topic as water quality issues but that is what we have been working on from
the outset. Dredging our channel has been but one part of the
recommendations we made to Council more than five years ago to help improve
water quality within the canals and access to and from the Keys.
The message seems to be getting through as we were
recently asked to support an application to the government for funding to
install a series of treatment works in the drainage system feeding into the
Kenrose canal to help reduce the pollutants being washed down from South
Forster. We were delighted to give written support.
We are now trying a slightly different tack with the
clearing of our channel to the Lake. We are now
suggesting it be separated from the other dredging proposals to reduce the
cost. A meeting has been sought with Council’s staff to try and
achieve at least some relief for the problems of access and water flow.
Revetment Walls
We have been in touch with the NSW Dept of Local Government to try and
resolve this matter. The Dept’s advice is that Council needs to make
a local environmental plan to give approval for works in the canals
(drainage reserves). We are still waiting on advice as to whether
Council intends to take this action.
In the meantime the Councillors made it clear at the
Council meeting in April that no action would be taken against residents
that proceeded to protect the walls with the polymer sheeting piling that
has been demonstrated by Australia Pacific Seawalls.
2008 Council Elections
In the last newsletter it was reported that our
Treasurer, John Murrell had decided to run as a candidate for
Council. Unfortunately, his application for citizenship was not
completed before the closing of the electoral role and he cannot run.
We have been fortunate to find that David Schubert from Cape Hawke will run in John’s
place and we believe him to be a very worthy candidate.
You may David as part of the musical duo the “Swinging
Schuberts”, but he has many other qualities that recommend him for
office.
David and his parents have lived all of their lives in
the Great Lakes are very well known and respected.
David is President of the Green Point Rovers Soccer Club
and presently manages his father Trevor’s beef cattle property at
Coolongolook. He is a carpenter by trade and a registered Bowen
practitioner like his mother Anne who is one of Australia’s leading
instructors and travels the world teaching the technique.
David obviously enjoys a heavy workload and is
passionate about the Great Lakes area. He strongly
supports the idea of working with the Progress Associations to learn more
about the issues that concern them and is 100% behind the strategy that we
are following in marshalling the support of all of the associations to have
a team elected to represent us. We feel sure David will be a good
candidate for the Keys.
We are now working towards identifying some additional
candidates to form a team to run with David as an “above the line”
group. More information will be supplied as it comes to hand.
Elizabeth Reserve Boat Ramp
Maritime NSW recently announced that grants were available to build or
improve boat ramps. We made contact with Council and have since been
informed that Council considers the Keys ramp to be a top priority for
improvement and will apply for a grant to do this. We have sent a
letter of support and an offer to assist in the cost which is estimated at
$75000 to a limit of $2000.
The condition of the ramp was highlighted during the
Family Fun Day and it obviously does not meet modern safety
requirements. The work proposed includes a wider ramp, constructing
and sealing the parking area and landscaping.
Elizabeth Reserve
The Council has been asked to improve the open drains across the Reserve
immediately north of the boat ramp. At present they collect litter
and vegetation and are frequently blocked. Dad’s Army regularly clear
them and we have asked Council to have them piped to reduce the maintenance
work and provide a more useful area within that part of the Reserve.
This may not be as simple as it sounds as the Council
does not want the litter and other pollutants draining directly into the Lake. It prefers
to have flatter dished drains with plantings to filter contaminates out of
the stormwater. We have discussed a compromise with the Council staff
and now await a decision on the work they propose.
Whilst on the subject of this lovely Reserve we should
give recognition to the excellent job that one of our residents, Bob
Hodgson is doing. Bob has been working diligently for weeks now
killing off the broad leaf weeds throughout the Reserve. He can be
seen there most mornings with his weedicide wand and it is really starting to
show results.
Thank you Bob!
Annual General Meeting
We normally hold the meeting in September but this
year will defer it until October. There are a number of reasons for
this with some of our Executive away and our hard working Secretary presently
on the sick list. Neither would we want to steal the limelight from
the September 13 Council elections.
Seriously, though I am sure all residents would join
with me in wishing Rod a speedy and complete recovery.
Association Dues
Our Treasurer, John Murrell, has completed the financial statements for the
2007-8 year and will present them to the AGM. He informs
me we are in a sound financial state but never the less it is necessary to
send out the subscription notices for this year. A copy is enclosed
with details of where they can be paid.
Association Contact Details
President: Don
Sheffield 1 Victor
Ave
6557 6877
Secretary: Rod
Lawton 114 Elizabeth Pde
6555 2371
A/ Secretary:
Marion Carney 32 King George Pde 6555 3314
Treasurer: John
Murrell 32 King George Pde 6555 3314
This newsletter is produced by Don Sheffield on behalf
of the Executive Committee of the FKRPA.
Back to top
Newsletter
June 2008
May General Meeting
We had a good gathering of residents at the recent meeting. The
discussion was lively and the sausage sizzle that followed gave all
opportunities to meet and greet. Well done Dad’s Army who proved they
can cook as well as cut grass.
This newsletter may help to bring those unable to
attend the meeting up to date on some of the matters discussed.
Family Fun Day
Organisation for this year’s event is well underway. It will be held
over two days – Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6. The Saturday will
be devoted to displays and activities mainly on the water. The
veteran power boats will be here and there will be a number of amusements
for the kiddies.
On Sunday we will have the community markets, the jazz
band, kids’ games and activities, a dog show, displays of gymnastics and Rhee
Tai-won-do, power boat racing and much more to keep all ages entertained.
We will be assisted once more by the Rotary Club of
Forster on Wallis and of course our very energetic local helpers. We
will need lots of help and if you haven’t already signed up to help please
contact a member of the Executive listed at the end of this newsletter.
Every pair of hands makes a difference and we would
love to hear from you. Please support this great day to showcase our
beautiful neighbourhood and help to generate valuable income for the
Association.
Margie and Jerry Nelson have again offered to man a
bric-a-brac stall for the Association and would like your donations of
books and other suitable items for selling. No clothing please.
They can be contacted on 6555 2823.
Water Quality Issues
You would have realised from the recent flurry of letters that Council was
not amused by the last newsletter. We were even taken to task for
heading this item Water Quality Issues. But we make no apologies for this
as we have been stressing since day one that the dredging of the channels
throughout Wallis Lake will assist in
improving water quality. Along, of course, with a number of other
measures needed to remove the silt and other pollutants that wash into the
Keys from the rapidly urbanised catchments in South Forster.
The Council even engaged yet another consultant to
announce that dredging would not have any impact on water quality. It
makes one wonder where they find them. Surely the quicker and more frequently
the water is circulated and refreshed within the Lake and particularly
in our canals will provide cleaner water than what we now have. A
swimming pool is required to have the water circulated every 8 hours.
Doesn’t the same principle apply to rivers and lakes?
You have received copies of the letters to and from
Council except Council’s last response that told us nothing except “we will
have to agree to disagree”. It gave us absolutely no indication of
what action Council has planned to overcome the impasse between Council and
Mr Lani to allow the dredging of the channels to be undertaken. But your
committee will continue this fight until we can get some action on this
matter.
Revetment Walls
Our submission to Council on 22 April last seemed to attract the most
positive response yet from Council. You may remember we put a
suggestion to Council a year ago offering a compromise to overcome the
legal arguments over whether Council or the landowner is responsible for
repairing and maintaining the walls.
I personally believe Council has a responsibility,
because it has neglected its duty of care by failing to maintain the canals
in their original profile since they were constructed. This has
allowed the asbestos sheeting to become exposed to the elements and its
deterioration.
But it is obvious that pursuing this argument would be
costly and even if successful, it is apparent Council would not be able to
afford the cost of restoring all of the walls.
Our compromise was to find the least expensive and
most effective way for Council to allow the landowners to protect the walls
using the fibre reinforced polymer sheeting called “Superloc”.
Because of legal issues associated with the title of
the canals as drainage reserves Council‘s legal advice is that it cannot
give any approval for private owners to construct anything in the
canals. It agrees this is an anomaly and has taken steps to try and
overcome the problem. It has asked the Minister for Local Government
to give it dispensation to allow the protection of the walls and in the
meantime the Councilors have made it clear they will not take any action
against landowners who proceed with the work.
If you are interested in a quote, contact John Jarvie
at Australia Pacific Seawall P/L on 9523 4010 or 0418 411 840.
You can also see a completed job at 25 Bounty
Key. (Val Mitchell)
Candidate for Council
At the meeting it was announced that John Murrell, our Treasurer, had
decided to run as candidate at the local government elections to be held in
September.
This advice was very warmly received by those present
and there was unanimous support for him to be endorsed by our Progress
Association. I was also authorised to write to the other Progress
Associations throughout the Shire seeking their support for John and
hopefully encouraging them to nominate candidates who might join John as
part of a Progress Assn team.
John has been a tireless worker for our Association as
part of the Water Quality committee, as Treasurer and to the committee for
the Family Fun Day. He has a strong and successful business and
banking background. Most importantly he believes that Councilors and
the professional council staff are public servants and should be working
for their communities. He feels that the present Council has lost
sight of this and some changes are long overdue.
Dad’s Army
Our willing band of workers continues to keep the parks and reserves in our
subdivision in first class condition. They must have saved Council
millions of dollars over the last 25 years. Recently they planted a
row of flowering gums along the Lakes Way near the shops to
help make our entrance more attractive.
It was pleasing that the meeting took the decision to
supply them with new shirts. These will replace those they bought
themselves many years ago. They really deserve it.
Council will also shortly be providing a modest
extension to the storage shed to accommodate the extra equipment needed
since Dad’s Navy was enlisted. This will make it a little easier to
for them to access the equipment.
Dad’s Navy
The Association purchased an old tinny for the use of the Navy and we are
now finding it a little small and unstable when more than 2 sailors are
working. A small flat bottom craft would be more suitable and if you
have one sitting around doing very little we might be able to do a
deal. A loan, or a gift or perhaps a sale might be negotiated.
Please contact the commodore Bob Porter on 6555 9191
if you know of a suitable boat.
Broadband Issues
Rod Lawton has been following up the many complaints about the lack of a
broadband service in most of the Keys.
It appears the cabling is not available for some
streets and Telstra will not be extending it until a decision is made by
the new Federal Government on its plans for a new network. Wireless
broadband is available but it is slower and more costly than the ADSL
service.
So, not much good news there!
Dogs and Mini Bikes
There have been complaints of dogs being exercised without being on a leash
and some mini bikes being driven around the reserves.
Dad’s Army and your Executive have no power to take
any action on these complaints but if you notice any such activities the
best approach is to contact Council and its Ordinance Inspectors.
Similarly there have been reports of people driving in
with their household rubbish and leaving it in or worst still near the
litter bins. Again Council is the appropriate body to take action.
Association Contact Details
|
President:
|
Don
Sheffield
|
1 Victor Ave
|
6557 6877
|
|
|
Secretary:
|
Rod Lawton
|
114 Elizabeth Pde
|
6555 2371
|
|
|
A/
Secretary:
|
Marion
Carney
|
32 King
George Pde
|
6555 3314
|
|
|
Treasurer:
|
John
Murrell
|
32 King
George Pde
|
6555 3314
|
|
This newsletter is produced by Don Sheffield on behalf
of the Executive Committee of the FKRPA.
Back to top
Newsletter
February 2008
Family Fun Day
Last year’s very successful Family Fun Day is to be held again and please
note the date in your diaries. Sunday
6th July 2008!
We need helpers on the day and in the run-up period to
the event. If you think you can spare some time, provide some
valuable skills or come up with ideas we can use please contact the people
I have listed below:
|
Logistics
|
Car park attendants,
marquee erection, barriers fencing etc.
|
|
Contact:
|
Rod
Lawton
|
|
Phone:
|
6555
2371
|
|
Catering
|
Preparation,
cooking, serving etc.
|
|
Contact:
|
Don
Sheffield
|
|
Phone:
|
6557
6877
|
|
Children’s
Events & Dog Show
|
Prizes, equipment,
ideas for events, help on the day.
|
|
Contact:
|
John
Murrell
|
|
Phone:
|
6555
3314
|
|
Publicity
|
Local
papers, TV, radio, pamphlets etc.
|
|
Contact:
|
Marion
Carney
|
|
Phone:
|
6555
3314
|
Every pair of hands makes a difference and we would
love to hear from you. Please support this great day to showcase our
beautiful neighbourhood and help to generate valuable income for the
Association.
Again we will be working with the Rotary Club of Forster
on Wallis and the two organisations will share the workload. This
arrangement was successful last year and the lessons we learned from the
last year’s event will hopefully make this one an even bigger success.
Water Quality Issues
Well, after 5 years of meetings, negotiations, pleadings, petitions and
submissions to every Authority necessary for dredging approval, it seems
that any further chance of dredging our channel has been shelved until
after the local government election and maybe lost for all time.
Mr Lani had stated that he would fund a study into the
effects of dredging the ‘Step’ if there was a clear statement of intent. No
such intent was forthcoming. Lani withdrew the offer. Surely some sort of
conditional consent could have been issued had Council been serious? So
instead, Council made application for a grant for the study which has been
rejected. This week Council resolved to shelve the matter until the next
financial year. If that means another application to the Government for
funding, it will be 12 months at least before any more progress.
The August 2007 newsletter quoted the resolution
adopted by Council in response to our petition. Things looked quite
positive. I was given the task to liaise with Mr Lani to try and
resolve outstanding issues that would enable the dredging to be undertaken
at no cost to Council.
However, as soon as those negotiations started,
Council commenced several legal actions against Mr Lani which have
embittered him to such an extent that he has finally withdrawn his offer
entirely. We note recently that Mr Lani now seems to be getting all
of the filling he requires without incurring the cost of the dredging.
The timing of these actions was intriguing given that
some of the alleged offences went back some years. We suspect this was a
deliberate ploy to disrupt the Lani proposals. Why?
At one of the many meeting we held with the Mayor over
the past five years, he stated that we were wasting our time expecting that
Lani would undertake the dredging. He also made it clear to us that
he was personally opposed to any actions by Council that might help Mr Lani
profit from the use of the sand.
Also, prior to the last Council elections, Mr Chadban
approached me to run for Council with him on his ticket. He said it would
be the only chance we would have to progress this matter.
At the time, little did we understand the
full significance of these remarks?
It makes us think that Mayor Chadban never really
wanted the work to be undertaken by Mr Lani. Well now he does not need to
worry about it again until after the next Council election.
So who are the winners in this farcical drama?
Certainly not we locals, or the visitors who use the Lake, or those
seriously interested in better water quality that the dredging will provide.
The Mayor has stated in the media that there is
another proposal to carry out dredging somewhere else in the Lake, but we have not
been invited to have any part in these negotiations.
In any case, the relative remoteness of our channel from
the disposal sites for the sand will probably make it uneconomical to clear
our channel as part of any other plan. Mr Lani has made it clear on a
number of occasions he was only going to clear our channel to keep a
longstanding promise he had made to the residents of the Keys.
Meanwhile the cost of the dredging is obviously
increasing from the $1 million Council estimated it would cost several
years ago. It is unbelievable that a responsible Council could not
look a gift horse in the mouth and be prepared to bend a little, regardless
of the personalities involved.
We now believe it is up to all residents to lobby the
Councilors to try and change the attitude that presently prevails and get
them to appreciate the importance of re-establishing the navigational
channels throughout the Lake. Your
Committee has exhausted all apparent avenues to do this, perhaps as
concerned individuals we can more successful.
Council’s Finances
This month with Bob Porter, I attended the meeting arranged to present
Prof. Percy Allen’s report on the finances of Great Lakes Council. It
was disappointing that more people did not attend to get a better
understanding of the parlous state of this Council’s finances.
It is estimated that $26m is required to bring the
Council’s infrastructure up to an acceptable standard. This can only
realistically be achieved with a massive injection of funds from the State
and Federal Governments. Neither Government has shown any inclination
to do this.
Prof. Allen has presented three scenarios to Council
and all require heavy borrowings, substantial rate increases and increased
charges on our services.
On local radio recently, the Mayor admitted the
Council had neglected funding infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation
over the years. It now seems that we will be slugged over the next
decade to try and catch up because of this neglect.
It makes one wonder why Council continues to spend so
much of its funds on legal pursuits and ignores opportunities to have some
of the outstanding work (such as dredging the channels) carried out at no
cost to us ratepayers.
Revetment Walls
Hopefully this issue will not be as protracted as the dredging matter;
however it is now nearing the first anniversary of the proposal we put to
Council to address the problem of the walls being undermined and
susceptible to collapse.
Council engaged a consultant to review the effects of
water movements in the canals on the stability of the walls and the report
has been completed. Council’s Engineer is now reviewing the report
and I guess it will be reported to Council sometime in the future.
Council has also briefed a Barrister to advise on the legality of allowing
protection walls to be constructed on community property. That is,
the canals, which are drainage reserves and therefore vested in the
Council.
I am yet to be convinced the problem is as difficult
as Council makes out but I feel sure the Council Engineer is doing his best
to resolve the matter.
Bus Shelter
Council’s Engineer has now advised that a new shelter will be erected this
financial year on the western side of the Lakes Way near the existing
bus stop north of Murray Avenue.
This is welcome news as it is a well used stop for the
regional and local bus services and is the preferred location by the
majority of our residents.
Forster Fishing Carnival
A Fun Day sponsor Graham Barclay Marine has announced the inaugural fishing
competition will be held on Wallis Lake from 16-24 May 2008. There is
over $70,000 in prizes.
Details and entry forms can be obtained at Barclays Marine or on the web
site www.forsterfishingcarnival.com.au.
This newsletter is produced by Don Sheffield on behalf
of the Executive Committee of the FKRPA.
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