1. Members present:

Harley Wright Hugh Shanks

Charles Morris Louise Hardy

Paul Couvret Gay Spies

Trevor Flewin Kate Lamb

Alla Kamaralli Ian Ferguson

Jim Reid Warren Hicks

Genia McCaffery Bob Clark

Joanne Scarsbrick Srini Avvari

2. Observers present:

Rachel D’Arcy (Coordinator) Tonya Stapley (Assistant)

Shirley Cherry Alfred Bernhard

Peter Harley

3. Apologies:

Brian Hill Barbara Aird

Brian Evesson Peter Moxham

4. Adoption of the minutes of the 11th December meeting.

Harley opened the meeting with a farewell and good luck to Rachel. He thanked her on behalf of the committee for all her highly professional and helpful work over the years and wished her well with her move. The minutes from the last meeting were then moved and adopted as an accurate record.

5. Consideration of the agenda:

Items to be added to the agenda were:

Sub Committee Feed Back Reports.

Sydney South Coast Regional Organisations and TCM Review.

Stormwater Management Plans.

6. Regular reports/feedback:

6.1 Long Bay Estuary Management Committee

Harley stated that the was nothing new to report.

6.2 Sydney Water - Northside Tunnel project update

It was stated that Sydney Water is keen to get the EPA’s approval for the construction and that construction was expected to begin in early March. Jim stated that he had concerns over the levels of noise pollution in Long Bay and asked what considerations had been made. It was stated that construction would cease after 10pm in the Long Bay area and that stock pilling would take place enabling the sediment to be moved during the day, thus reducing the noise at night. It was questioned as to how well the issue of noise pollution was address in the EIS and Srini stated that he would find out. It was noted by the committee that Sydney Water had offered a presentation to MHCMC on the proposed Northside Storage Tunnel. The committee agreed that this would be worthwhile and proposed that the presentation be given at the next meeting commencing at 5:30pm. It was noted that Council Technical Officers would be welcome to attend the presentation.

Harley also noted that he had sent a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald addressing quotes from their article that the tunnel "would provide only a 4 percent improvement in the number of swimming days in the harbour". The letter, which was not published, noted that the quote did not portray the real benefits of the tunnel.

ACTION: Coordinator to organise Sydney Water to give a presentation on the proposed Northside Storage Tunnel at the next meeting on March 12th commencing at 5:30pm.

6.3 Belrose Community Monitoring Committee

Paul stated that he had attended the last meeting which was held before Christmas. He stated that the process was very slow and that the plans will not be implemented for 2 years.

6.4 Sub Committee Reports.

Water Quality Working Group

It was stated that the Water Quality Working Group had not held a sub committee meeting and had nothing to report.

Bushland, Estuary and Land Management Working Group.

Alfred announced that the working group was involved in a project to supply advisory notices to building sites. Two notices were proposed which would display the hazards of allowing material to enter the drain and also notify builders of the fines associated with such actions. Alfred stated that the labels would cost $1.80 each and that 1000 would be developed as a trail run which would be carried out within Willoughby Council. The committee discussed the project and agree that it was an excellent idea. However, Jim suggested that the project involved all councils not just Willoughby Council and the committee agreed. It was also suggested that some of the remaining funds available to small projects should be used towards funding this project and that further funding should be sort from the various councils involved.

It was also mentioned that more of the previously published sediment control brochures need to be printed and sent to the councils.

ACTION: Alfred and Harley to write a letter to all 6 councils within Middle Harbour seeking for their agreement to be involved with the project. The letter was to also ask for an indication of the number of Building Application’s received each year in order to determine the number of labels required for each council..

Community Education Working Group.

Paul announced that the Community Education Working Group were working on a design for T-shirts which would be issued to the committee members. It had been proposed to have white, short and long sleeve T-shirts with a collar. The new logo which is being developed would appear on the front, the TCM logo on the sleave, and "Middle Harbour Catchment Management Committee- Saving Middle Harbour it’s a job for everyone" on the back. It was stated that the T-shirts would be used as promotional material to portray the committee as a team, particularly on display days. They would also be used as prizes to be given out to children. Kate suggested that T-shirts in kids sizes should therefore be ordered. The committee agreed that the working group should go ahead with the proposal with a few changes to the design. The logo was to have solid reversed out writing around the flower and the statement on the back of the T-shirts would read "Caring for our catchment- it’s a job for everyone". The committee agreed to order 50 assorted sized polo shirts and 50 non collared T-shirts in kids sizes.

Paul also announced that Tonya had been working on a web page for the committee and that it was close to completion. The web page is not currently on line but it is hoped that it will be soon. If any one would like to be involved with its construction or has any idea for what should be included they should contact Tonya.

ACTION: The coordinator to finalise logo for MHCMC including the committees changes and order 50 polo shirts in assorted sizes and 50 small non collared t-shirts. Tonya to continue working on the web page and get it on line as soon as possible.

7 Administrative Matters:

Matters arising from the minutes:

7.1 Bush friendly backyards video project

The committee viewed the bush friendly backyard video which Alfred has been involved in putting together. The committee agreed that the video was excellent and well worth the money spent on it. The committee also felt that the video should be sent to the community TV station. Alfred stated that the short promo video is now being worked on and proposed that a showing and discussion meeting for it be held on Monday 9th February 10am.

ACTION: Alfred and anyone else interested to attend meeting on Monday 9th February to discuss promo video.

7.2A Re-selection process of members to CMCs; update.

It has been stated in the past that membership within the committee has now been divided into two groups. The first group of members were rolled over for the next 18 months and these people have been notified of their membership. The remainder of the committee had to reapply for membership for the next 3 years and as yet no announcement has been made. Once membership has been finalised it was proposed that a list be put together notifying members as to which category they are in.

ACTION: The coordinator to keep the committee informed as to what is happing with memberships and compose a list of members who have been appointed for either 18 months or 3 years.

7.2B Sydney South Coast/ Sydney Harbour Regional Organisations.

Harley stated that he had attended a Regional Catchment Coordinating Committee (RCCC) meeting to discuss the regional organisation for Sydney South Coast and Sydney Harbour CMC’s. It was stated that the two Regional Catchment Coordinating Committee’s which will be established, will be sub committee’s of the State Catchment Management Coordinating Committee (SCMCC). The Sydney Harbour (RCCC) will act as the regional body which will intergrate the three existing CMCs (Lane Cove River, Middle Harbour and Sydney Northern Beaches) along with the Upper Parramatta Catchment Management Trust and 3 new CMCs yet to be formed. Parallel with the development of the (RCCC), there will be a need to develop regional strategies so that applications for NHT funding can be appraised against these strategies. The Regional Strategies will be developed within Regional Organisations which will closely parallel the respective RCCCs. All CMC’s Chairs along with members of the Regional Organisation of Councils (ROC) and environmental organisations, are meeting to discuss these new Regional Organisations and strategies. Harley stated that he could not attend the next meeting but would ask Paul to attend for him

7.3 Natural Heritage Trust matters.

It was announced that the funding information workshop for community groups was scheduled for 10th Feb at 5:30pm at Dougherty Centre, to be held with Lane Cove River and Sydney Northern Beaches CMCs. It was stated that along with advertisements in local papers, a mail out had been done to all community groups, schools and councils. Harley asked committee members to note the date and pass on the information to any one appropriate. NHT project applications are due by 6th March.

ACTION: Tonya to organise Funding Workshop on Feb 10th with Lane Cove River and Sydney Northern Beachers CMC’s. Any one wishing to attend please let Tonya know.

7.4 Creek signs in the catchment.

This discussion was put off till a later date due to lack of time.

7.5 Middle Harbour T-shirts & Logo.

This was discussed earlier in the meeting under community education working group report.

7.6 Web page for MHCMC

This was discussed earlier in the meeting.

7.7 Sediments

This discussion was put of till a later date due to time constraints.

8. Correspondence:

The correspondence folder and a summary list of all correspondence was circulated at the meeting.

Things to note:

Gay asked if the committee had received a copy of the Sydney Foreshores Development Plan, which we did not. Gay stated that she had a copy and would liaise with Hugh on a response and then advise Harley as to what submission the committee should make.

ACTION: Gay and Hugh to read the Manly Council Sydney Foreshores Development Plan, and report back to Harley.

Manly Council has sent a letter requesting expressions of interest for representatives on Manly Council’s Scientific Advisory Panel. The committee responded that there were no interested parties at present and proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to Manly Council.

ACTION: Coordinator to write a letter of thanks to Manly Council stating that we appreciated being informed but at present have no nominations for the panel.

9. General Business:

There was no further business to discuss.

10. Close of Meeting:

Harley closed the meeting at 8:15pm.