MINUTES.  GFA Ordinary meeting Thur 2  Apr 2020

Venue … Belconnen Fire Station, Bindubi St, Jamison, 2:00pm.

Apologies:  ,. Chris Watson ,Russ Temple

Present by Zoom :  Robyn Coghlan, , Darryl Seto, Doug Finlayson, Rosemary Blemings, David Kelly, John Connelly, Dave Wong

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS

5 v) ACTION.   Darryl to produce an updated version of the front page of the Ian Trapnell brochure with a map included.   

6 iv) ACTION.  Robyn and Dave K will engage over the next week to come up with a draft submission to the EPBC “upgrade”. 

8 i) ACTION.  John to undertake research on Conservation Covenants with particular reference as to how they might apply to Manny Notaras land and to Barry Walkers land across the river.

1. Acceptance of the minutes of last meeting (Thu 20^th Feb 2020).
   1. 1. Moved Dave Kelly.   Seconded John

2. Treasurers report
   1. 1. Doug.  We have $229.49 at bank.   No outstanding commitments.

3. Web masters report.
   1. 1. Will put up the NSW Aboriginal Management Plan Template covering rules for the management of parks by the traditional owners,

4. The way forward for GFA.
   1. 1. Robyn.  Chris wants to refocus on the original National Park concept.
      2. Darryl.  We should try for an Aboriginal –joint management plan.
      3. Dave Wong.   We should continue lobbying for improvements to the boundary to the conservation area,    Suggest compiling a list to be used in the lobbying process 1)  NSW , ACT , Federal politicians.  2) Key public service people 3) Likeley media contacts.   The issues which should be raised are 1) relevant experts not being listened to  2) More information on the Little Eagle, Steve   ??? at Armadale Uni has done considerable work on the Little Eagle in that area.
      4. Rosemary.  Refers to the models on display at the Link regarding proposed setup of the Falls Tourist Centre and proposed public access to the pools in the Gorge.     Queries   “How entrenched are these models in their mindset? Can we get them changed this should be a passive recreation area not a Theme Park.
      5. Dave K.    Clarifies the situation around Aboriginal Management Plans.  There can be one of three models   1) MOU  2) Aboriginal ownership of the land which is then leased back to a management committee.  3) Indigenous Land use agreement.
      6. Darryl.  Obviously all these options have costs, but an Aboriginal Management Plan for the Falls area may be easier to sell.
      7. Rosemary seeks clarification on the Riverside Park proposed just downstream fro Shepherds Lookout.
      8. John.   This will likely go ahead in the next year.    Plans are well advanced and detailed plans have been tabled at BoB meetings.   It will be very similar to existing picnic areas which currently exist all along the ACT portion of the Murrumbidgee River.    It includes some camping facilities and of course will have BBQ etc.   Probably be better managed than existing facilities.    It is not very suited for swimming.     I think we have to accept it.  Residents moving into Stages 1 and II will want access to the river so it is better that there is a properly construced access and facilities rather than just letting residents do their own thing.
      9. DISCUSSION.    On the concessional lots on Phyllis and Gibbs place and on Shaw and Armitage.    They both have three concessional lots.  Phyllis and Gib an approximately 10Ha lot with frontage to the River on which “Eco-Tourism” facilites are permitted.    Shaw and Armitage have 3 residential lots on the ridge on their place.   No river frontage.
      10. Dave Wong.   Should we continue to try and pressure NSW Planning to reject the decision of Yass Valley Council?
      11. Darryl.  We have written to them late in 2019.    Should we write again?
      12. Robyn.  We also wrote the them early this year in light of the bushfires.
      13. Rosemary.  We should emphasise that there should be no “copycat” urban developments further north in the Murrumbidgee River Corridor.
      14. Robyn.    NSW Govt will be very reluctant to knock back the approval by Yass Valley Council    They have already reviewed it during the Gateway process so there would be little justification for knockinh it back now.
      15. John.   Curious as to why NSW Govt approval is taking so long.  Maybe there are some technical hitches.
      16. Dave Wong.  I think we should continue to apply pressure on NSW Govt.   Write letters to pollies etc.    1) From GFA   2) Jason Sharples.
      17. Dave K.   Comments on David Kean (current NSW Minister for Environment) he has shown some independence from the standard liberal line saying at the height of the bushfires  “if this is not global warming then God help us when it does come.   However Dave considers he is fairly junior and will be made to fall into line.
      18. Robyn.  Sums up.    Write letters to NSW and ACT politicians.    Clarify the detail on what areas need to be protected.
      19. Doug.    Intrigued by the long delay in approval by NSW planning, may indicate they want some changes.
      20. Darryl.  ACT Govt has not yet formally agreed to the financial arrangements of cross border servicing to be provided by the ACT.   Maybe further pressuring of ACT Govt on matter of cross-border arrangements would be useful.  
      21. DISCUSSION of whether or not the cross-border financial arrangements need to be approved by the ACT assembly.   If it needs their approval may pressuring non government members (Caroline , Tara Cheyne) would effective. 
      22. Doug.   We should pose a simple question to the ACT Govt.   “have the cross border financial arrangements for Ginninderry been finalised”.    John supports simple question.   Complicated question no good as they can weedle out of it with vague generalised responses.

5. Brochure based on Ian Trapnell graphics
   1. 1. Rosemary.   What is the situation with the brochure?
      2. Robyn.    For what do we propose to use these brochures?
      3. Darryl.   Discusses various options for printing the brochure as far as cost is concerned.  Cheapest option would be to print them on his printer.
      4. DISCUSSION of format.  Darryl hapy with the brochure except for the front page.    Doug.   Needs a map so people can locate what the brochure relates to.    Generally that front page will be enhanced with a locality map.
      5. ACTION.   Darryl to produce an updated version of the front page of the Ian Trapnell brochure with a map included.    

6. EPBC Act review.  Closing date is 27^th April
   1. 1. Robyn,  Dave K and I need to discuss what we are going to put in the submission. 
      2. Dave K.  Phil Gibbons has produced a discussion paper of Offsets.  Might be a useful resource.  
      3. DISCUSSION of offset policy.     Robyn Steph (EDO) says offset policy leaves much to be desired.     Also the Act just narrowly covers “endangered species” it does not cover broader environmental and biodiversity issues.
      4. ACTION.  Robyn and Dave K will engage over the next week to come up with a draft submission to the EPBC “upgrade”. 

7. Riverview Park.   
   1. 1. Already discussed in section 4) vii and viii above. .

8. Any other business.
   1. 1. ACTION.  John to undertake research on Conservation Covenants with particular reference as to how they might apply to Manny Notaras land and to Barry Walkers land across the river.

MEETING CLOSED  3:30pm

NEXT MEETING.   Thur 30 Apr,  2:00pm.