MINUTES Barwon Heads Association General Meeting Barwon Heads Hall Meeting Room Monday 5th July 2010 from 7:30 pm Item Outcome / ACTION / Discussion # 1 Welcome Geoff Waite Attendees: Geoff Waite, Paul Fox, Sandy Gatehouse, Martin Klabbers, Liddy Neville, Barb Peters, Virginia Ronaldson, John Burke, Trish Clayton, Ann Waite, John Romeril, Barb Peters, David Littleton, Peter Matthiesson, Anthea Merewether, Rob Kuebler, Kim Irons, Noel Carr, Kay Schapper

Apologies: Andrea Dennett, Kate Suter, Jan Glover, Graeme Wallace Smith, Judith Brooks

2 Minutes- General Meeting June 2010 Motion to accept previous minutes: Paul Fox Seconded: Trish Clayton 3 General Business

3.1 Guest Speaker – John Clinch Vic Roads Gave an overview of the history and reasoning of Vic Roads to replace the old bridge with two bridges on the current site. He covered: • History of the bridge including modifications and current physical state of old bridge • Planning & appeal process • Review of options and discussions with Heritage • Challenges of building a timber bridge • Various engineering concepts • Current works and challenge not to interfere with any services • Non – destructive testing of bridge timbers and potential use of old timbers not to be used in new bridge also discussed • Staging of construction in order to maintain access for vehicular and marine traffic and pedestrians, and continuous services for water, sewer and communications assets. • Artist's impressions of the completed product. • Progress to date. The following matters were discussed: • Concern was expressed of the impacts of pedestrian bridge on new version of old bridge. (John advised that the finished design of pedestrian bridge should look like a timber rather than concrete bridge, John to provide new design). • Whether old handrails will be used on either of the 2 new bridges. (Initial response no, but John will ask the Architect about the possibility to re-use any of the timber hand rail from the bridge). • Concern of the impacts of the 2 large structures and the construction activity on the Ocean Grove Spit and the fact that we have to look at it every day. John advised that Vic Roads testing has identified no potential long term problems. • Concern about heavy vehicle traffic through Barwon Heads. John advised that B- doubles can only travel on permitted roads and that this will never be a permitted road. BUT new bridge has capacity to take 44 tonne trucks

John advised the meeting of other Upcoming Regional Road Projects • Ring Road Stage 4A (under construction). • Stage 4B (connection to ). • Geelong Ring Road Stage 4C (connection to ) Potential corridor for a Bellarine Highway connection. • Princes Highway duplication, Waurn Ponds to Winchelsea and later to Colac. • Other improvements west of Colac. • Breakwater Bridge. B a r w o n H e a d s A s s o c i a t i o n - Association number A0030244U 1 President - Geoff Waite; Vice President - Andrea Dennett; Secretary- Sandy Gatehouse; Treasurer- Anthea Merewether; Committee:, Judith Brooks, Paul Fox, Trish Clayton

• Armstrong Creek development and the need for adequate road corridors. • UCI world cycling championships. • Green Triangle Freight Action Plan. • Proposed dual lane improvements to Barwon Heads Road as Armstrong Creek is developed.

The meeting discussed the following:

- Ring Road – What are implications on Barwon Heads of the new highway and Armstrong Creek? “There are obvious implications on Barwon Heads of the Ring Rd”, are aware of what is happening and considering how implications can be overcome. - Armstrong Creek – Vic Roads is looking at Barwon Heads Rd becoming dual highway within Armstrong Creek, there is concern that this will continue to Barwon Heads.

Note – Geelong Ring Road Section 4C exhibition of PSA Documents – Grovedale Community Centre in Heyers Rd on July 7. Will also be on COGG website.

Geoffrey thanked John for his presentation 3.2 Barwon Heads as “Golf Village by the Sea” David Littleton, Board member of Bellarine Tourism (a branch of Geelong Otway Tourism), member of BHA and Barwon Heads Traders advised as follows: • The project is a proposal for tourism promotion not a proposal to re-brand the town • BHGC, 13th Beach Golf Club, Bellarine Tourism, Otway Tourism, Barwon Heads Traders, State Govt had all been involved in brainstorming sessions to identify points to differentiate Barwon Heads from other villages and this process has identified golf as a leaping off point. These ideas have been provided to a marketing company and the concept will be launched at BHGC on the 26th August. • Govt wants to promote golf in Victoria and has money to market golf. Govt also planning to promote villages in Victoria including Barwon Heads. Not sure what guidelines are, but the group wants to take advantage of that funding. • COGG has not been involved. They contribute funds to Geelong Otway Tourism.

David took the following questions: - Did the consultation include any groups other than traders? Answer – the group is all about promotion of tourism in Barwon Heads and did not include others. - Why is it being called a proposal when there is a launch date? Invitations have gone out as a re-branding of Barwon Heads. – Answer this is a project to market tourism not rebrand the town. - Advertising campaign – is it possible to put forward alternatives? Answer – this is a tourism project initiated by the above named organisations and as such non members have no influence at this stage. - Does the project have the full support of the Barwon Heads Traders? (This is unclear. We understand that they have not formally endorsed the proposal and the President has expressed his doubts to some. They have not met to discuss final proposal.)

There was general discussion about the branding for advertising purposes of Barwon Heads. Golf is just a small part of Barwon Heads and this branding proposal misses the quality of Barwon Heads. It was felt that the proposal that has been articulated in the invitation to its launch is far more than just a golf promotion by the local golf clubs for golf magazines.

If Barwon Heads was going to be re-branded there should be a serious project to identify its strengths and weaknesses and a survey of residents, local groups and traders to support any future decisions. For example Queenscliff has successfully branded itself as an historical village. This benefits all. 3.3 Barwon Grove Golf Club facilities - Noel Carr from Barwon Grove Golf Club discussed plans by the club to renovate the club house and its current submissions to COGG and State B a r w o n H e a d s A s s o c i a t i o n - Association number A0030244U 2 President - Geoff Waite; Vice President - Andrea Dennett; Secretary- Sandy Gatehouse; Treasurer- Anthea Merewether; Committee:, Judith Brooks, Paul Fox, Trish Clayton

Government for funding for this project. He asked for support from BHA for this submission.

The Club considers that its facilities are underutilised. Noel invited BHA members to call in on Thursday evening to see premises.

Action - Moved by John Romeril, seconded by Trish Clayton meeting agreed to write letter of support. 2010 State & Federal elections - is this an opportunity to identify matters to be followed up with candidates. Is this naive? When do politicians keep their promises? List of broken promises such as we will save your bridge.

The meeting discussed that we need to identify what we want for the long term in Barwon Heads. Consider conducting a survey of the town. (this would be a long term project and not in time for these elections).

Action - We will use website to invite members to identify issues to forward to politicians/candidates.

4 BHA – Business Arising

4.1 News from Affiliation of Bellarine Community Associations – Geoffrey Waite advised: - The group will be holding forum for Federal & State members before forthcoming elections - Steven Griffith new CEO COGG met with the group, will appoint designated COGG officer to liaise with Bellarine on infrastructure and other matters. GW pushed request for traffic & parking committee.

Details are available on the BHA website.

4.2 Correspondence

From Bob Jordan Barwon Coast 5th July 2010 in response to our request to explain the decision not to support re-location of carpark away from water :

“Briefly in summary the Committee placed a high value on the current foreshore grass area west and north of the rotunda and did not see a net benefit to the community by switching the car park layout. The committee was of the view that the existing grass area is well used and despite the “gain” of the area close to the seawall in the existing car park, the net loss of foreshore area was not sustainable.” 4.3 Barwon Heads Bridge – we were over the bridge by this stage

4.4 Traffic & Parking Paul Nothing to report. Following matters still outstanding: Work in Clifford Pde was supposed to commence some time ago but hasn’t. Discussion about getting Council to reduce speed limits along 13th Beach Road for safety purposes. Discussion about whether VicRoads are planning to create more car parking spaces. Discussion about traffic arrangements at intersection of Flinders Pde and Bridge Road. 5 Reports 5.2 Treasurer’s report Current Financial Report for June Combined balance of cheque account & savings account is $2,307.98 5.3 Membership – renewal now due (form attached).

B a r w o n H e a d s A s s o c i a t i o n - Association number A0030244U 3 President - Geoff Waite; Vice President - Andrea Dennett; Secretary- Sandy Gatehouse; Treasurer- Anthea Merewether; Committee:, Judith Brooks, Paul Fox, Trish Clayton

6. General Business 6.1 Amendment C127 Some residents have received notification about Planning Scheme Amendment C127 which will implement a Special Building Overlay in some areas of the township. This is the outcome of the Flood and Stormwater Drainage Plan that was done in 2005.

Important to understand issues of impacts of water on Barwon Heads. John Burke advised he went to presentation by Jacky Scally on impacts of climate change on Barwon Heads. (Invite her as speaker to BHA). 6.2 Sustainability Group John Burke advised the Sustainability Group forum to discuss sustainable futures was held on Saturday 19th June and attended by 20 people. (notes as they came from the group session on Vision and the cafe-style sub-groups on Food, Public Transport, Resource Utilization, Energy and Community / Lifestyle are on BHA website).

Diary Dates Sat 31 July 2-4: Castlemaine 500 project on energy reduction - (In 2006, the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance secured the Victorian Government's support to fund a behaviour change program that would test - by engaging a significant proportion of a township in household energy reduction - whether major savings could be achieved and measured at the regional level. Anthony Mangelsdorf, Castlemaine 500 Project Team Member and Senior Sustainability Facilitator (Barwon Region) for CERES Community Environment Park, will be presenting a workshop based on the findings from the Castlemaine 500 project final report - how it was run and lessons learnt Sun 5 Sept 2-4: Environment status of the Barwon estuary, and impacts of human activity (tbc) Intended as a combined session with Friends of the Bluff, details to be determined but about getting some local benchmarks for the environment side of sustainability. Late October: A session on solar.

These sessions will comprise a one-hour workshop, followed by tea break and then discussion of issues / further activities as people wish.

6.3 Significant concern was expressed that the Moonah “Fairy tree” – listed by Heritage Victoria has been lopped by COGG.

Action - Write letter to COGG from BHA. http://www.nattrust.com.au/trust_register/search_the_register/melaleuca_lanceolata_barwon_h eads 7 Future Diary

August 2nd – AGM

September 6th - Emma Keith the Destination Officer for Bellarine Tourism will speak on what's happening and planned on the Bellarine with Tourism matters.

Forthcoming - Jacky Scally on impacts of climate change on Barwon Heads

Next Meeting is our AGM – please come and support BHA

Monday August 2 at 7:30pm

Membership is now due – please complete the attached form and return to the Post Office. Please print off an extra and give to your neighbours.

B a r w o n H e a d s A s s o c i a t i o n - Association number A0030244U 4 President - Geoff Waite; Vice President - Andrea Dennett; Secretary- Sandy Gatehouse; Treasurer- Anthea Merewether; Committee:, Judith Brooks, Paul Fox, Trish Clayton

Membership Renewal Form 2010/2011

Membership is due on the 1st July, please re-join/joins us.

(A person who is a resident or ratepayer in Barwon Heads who applies and is approved for membership as provided in accordance with the rules of the Association is eligible to be a member of the Association on payment of the annual subscription.)

Names ………………………………………………………………………….…….

Barwon Heads Address……………………………………………………………

………………………………………………..…………….…….

Email address (for all correspondence)……………………………………

□ $10 individual □ $15 for a family sharing the same address willing to receive one notice □ $5 concession for pensioners and members over 70.

Acknowledge that I/we are residents or ratepayers in Barwon Heads

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Date:

Contact number ……………………………Mobile ………………………

Total amount: $

(Subscription + Donation)

To: Barwon Heads Association Inc. c/o Barwon Heads Post Office Barwon Heads VIC 3227

B a r w o n H e a d s A s s o c i a t i o n - Association number A0030244U 5 President - Geoff Waite; Vice President - Andrea Dennett; Secretary- Sandy Gatehouse; Treasurer- Anthea Merewether; Committee:, Judith Brooks, Paul Fox, Trish Clayton