Letter of invitation to EWHS CEO
Letter thanking Solar Pool volunteers                                                                           

Reports:
Hall:
Discussion on the poor state of cleaning at the hall.  Roger also indicated that the lights were frequently left on and if he had a key it would be easy for him to remedy this situation. 

Shire bus 22 Seater:

Two meetings ago this matter was brought up and a person was nominated to investigate this matter.  Nobody has heard any result from this therefore the this motion was put by Frances Lee and Bill Quick “that the Birchip Forum write to the Acting CEO and Councilors asking them if the Birchip Forum could purchase the bus for $5.00 with the view to fixing the bus and then using it for community groups”.  Carried

Action James to write to CEO and Councilors

Cardboard:

Shane Blencowe reported on discussions he held with Greg Anderson BSC garbage officer.  Motion from Shane Blencowe and Frances Lee to write to the CEO and seek permission to invite Swan Hill collecters to place bin in Birchip. Carried

Action: James To Write to CEO

Toilets:

Roger Bragg reported on toilets saying that it was unlikely they will be cleaned properly until they have been re built in March of next year.  Others thought with a proper clean they could be made to look better.  Motion by Frances Lee and Roger Bragg to hold working bee on Saturday December 16 2007 at 8.00am.

Action: Neil to bring pressure washer

Living Legend:

James investigated through John Forests office and found that living legends are organised by whatever organisation is whishing to bestow the award.  There does not appear to be any national award or procedure for doing this in an official capacity.

Australia Day

Frances reported that she had asked Andrew Barling to speak but that he was unavailable and suggested asking Julie Bruce or Graeme Emonson.  This was received well by the meeting and Frances will do the asking.

Action: Frances to as Julie and or Graeme

Christmas Decorations

James reported that after contacting BSC he was eventually advised to try VicRoads.  They gave information on their processes, which practically mean permission will not be given until next year.  Decorations will be put up in a temporary fashion if possible until this permission is obtained.

Action: James to apply to VicRoads for Christmas Decoration permit.

General Business

Christmas Party:

Preparations are going well for this.  James to check with Jeff Blackie that approval is given for street closure.

Special Councilors meeting:

A member of the public complained to the forum because there were councilors missing from the meeting.  This person would like to have heard the view of the missing Councilors about the rate differential between Buloke Shire Council and neighbouring shires.  Frances Lee and Neil Davis moved a motion that the Birchip Forum write to council to ask them to hold public meeting/s in the Buloke Shire to explain the reasons behind this rate differential and to ask that steps be taken to ensure no rate increase next year. Carried

Action: James to write to council.

Water:

Discussion held aboiut meeting with BCLC.  Generally poor reception from BCLC who do not want to let water be used for park or median strip.  It was suggested that we approach the shire to see where to from here.  Other suggestion was that BCLC was having meeting oin subject next day and maybe better to wait for the outcome of this meeting before proceeding.

Notice board near the bull:

James brought to the meetings attention the parlous state of this notice board and notices on it.  James and Gail moved a motion that we approach the school to see if they may be able to get their school children to renovate the information on the noticeboard as part of their curriculum.  Carried

Action: James to contact Birchip P-12 School to make these arrangements.

Election of the mayor.

Neil and Sue Davis represented the Birchip Forum at this event and they reported that it went very smoothly and that Reid did an excellent job and was reelected mayor.

Under road drilling:

The subject of GWMWater laying pipes across the road was discussed.  It was felt this practice was taking advantage of us by making our road less usable and less attractive.  A motion was put by Roger Bragg and Neil Davis that we write to GWMWater asking them to cease from digging up the road to lay pipes and that in future they use their under road digging tools to lay pipe. Carried

Action: James to write to GWMWater.

Tar in the street:

Many shops have complained at the amount of tar being brought into their shops on the footwear of their customers.  The tar on the road has been put down without enough stone or without enough setting compound.  Motion by Frances Lee and Roger Bragg stating that Frances Lee and Gail Sharp are to meet with Buloke Shire council Engineer Ian Palmer to try and have this matter rectified. Carried

Action Gail and Frances to meet with Ian.

Rust in rotunda:

Roger brought to everyone’s attention the rust in the roof of the rotunda.  After discussion Roger was to draw up a tender contract to enable the project to be quoted on and fixed.

Action: Roger to instigate

Dogs:

Dogs have been reported roaming the streets of Birchip and causing trouble.  It was also noted that farmers have been bringing utes into town with untethered dogs on the back and when they parked the dogs jumped out and started marking off their territory. 

Action: James to see shire staff and try and alert them to the roaming dog problem and see if and article can be put in the paper warning people to that dogs in the back of vehicles need to be restrained.

Vandalism:

People have been breaking into the pool on and off for as long as people can remember but recently the pool fence was cut to allow easier access and the forum thought this was going to far and would like to see action taken to deter this action in the future. Action Gail will see the local policeman and the Buloke Shire Council in the hope of deterrents being used and report back to the next meeting.

Grant Applications:

The tennis club asked the forum for $2,000 to fix sprinklers at the tennis courts.  The forum felt there would be other grant avenues available for this sort of funding and therefore knocked back the application at least until further investigation of this avenue was held.

Meeting Closed  10.28pm