MINUTES. GFA Ordinary meeting Thur 17 Feb 2022

Venue By Zoom 4:00pm

Apologies. Chris Watson, Russ Temple,

Present: Robyn Coghlan, : Darryl Seto, Doug Finlayson, David Kelly, Rosemary Blemings, , John Connelly

1. Acceptance of the minutes of last meeting (Thur 20 Jan 2022).
   1.  
      1. Moved Rosemary Seconded Dave K
2. Matters arising:
   1.  
      1. None
3. Treasurers report
   1.  
      1. As at 1^st Jan 2022 we have $724.00 at bank. No transactions have been enacted since that date.
4. Web masters report.
   1.  
      1. AGM minutes have been put up on the website.
      2. Wrong address for the Cons Council has been corrected.
      3. Robyn comments that link to BCC does not work.
5. Western Edge Study,
   1.  
      1. ACTION Dave K will write to Rebecca Vasarotti regarding the Western Edge study.
6. Bluetts Block
   1.  
      1. Dave K. Part of a nature corridor extending from the Pinacle south across the Molonglo river. Cons Council is running a campaign in relation to its preservation.
      2. Dave K. Maybe we can get some traction given development in the buffer zone next to it is regarded as an “unsolicited development.
      3. Doug. A four lane highway points directly at Bluetts Block.
      4. Rosemary. Jason Sharples has been involved regarding fire problems with Denmans Prospect and Bluetts block. Fenner School people may do a fire report.
      5. ACTION Dave K. to write to a review of problems with Bluetts Block with a view to highlighting the issues. Cons Council meets with Minister Gentleman on a weekly basis.
      6. DISCUSSION concerning our delegate to the Cons Council. Dave K will enquire about who is our current representative.
      7. Dave K. Field Naturalists are running a tour of Bluetts block tomorrow 18^th Feb.
7. Relocation of Belconnen Green waste site.
   1.  
      1. Robyn the new site is at a very inappropriate location. Difficult to find, Track is not good. Site is quite sloping.
      2. Rosemary. Perhaps we could contact Canberra Sand and Gravel and seek their opinion on the new site.
      3. Robyn. Much uncertainty we could possibly make a submission regarding it.
      4. Rosemary / Dave K. We cound ask Molonglo Catchment Group for their opinion.
8. Northern Edge / Solar Farm
   1.  
      1. John. Gives brief outline of his views on the “Northern Edge”. The land in Wallaroo north of the ACT in NSW should be considered as a very suitable location for the expansion of Canberra. More appropriate the expanding westward as the land does not have significant environmental value. However cross –border administrative problems mean it will be very hard to get that happening. In addition a large solar farm is being planned right on the ACT border just north of the Jarramlee Nature Reserve if this goes ahead it will exclude a large area further north from any urban development due to problems with reflection from the panels. The solar panels will occupy around 200Ha.
9. Ginninderry developments.
   1.  
      1. Robyn. Land sales have been started in McNamara
      2. Robyn. There are abandoned houses in Hawker???
      3. Dave K. A new child care centre in Aranda has been built but is not being used.
10. Any other business.