Birchip Forum
Meeting
April 16 at 8.00pm
Held
at the Birchip Cropping Group, Birchip.
Present: Frances Lee, Ken Kemp, Neil Davis, Sue
Davis, Roger Bragg,
Robyn Ferrier, Helen Blencowe, Shane Blencowe, Gail Sharp, James
Goldsmith
Apologies: Jackie Cartwright, Dorothy Reid and Bill Quick.
Minutes: Read and accepted in a motion by Sue Davis and Shane Blencowe.
Correspondence
Gail brought one letter - Ken Kemp and Helen Blencowe moved to accept correspondence.
Reports
Cardboard:
Shane Blencowe reported that after more discussion with a taxi company from Swan Hill that the cost to dispose of cardboard would be the transport cost or $300.00 per bin.
Dogs:
Leading from the discussion was the conclusion that the dog
problem was abating.
Bus – James to write to the shire to see if the money
raised from the sale of the bus be returned to the
Birchip Community. Action Gail to write letter to shire
asking for the return of the money to the Birchip Forum.
Community Grants – The Birchip Forum was allocated $18,500 to Buy tanks and spout to recycle water from the shire depot buildings and to connect this water to the other recycle system and the new sprinklers in the park.
HACC Car – Robyn
has spoken to Warwick Heine about using the HACC car to transport families to
visit relatives who have been relocated from Birchip to nursing homes in the
surrounding towns. This was to be the
case if the HACC car had not been booked for medical purposes.
Mens Shed – Roger Bragg moved and
Ken Kemp seconded a motion to write to GWM Water to see if one of
their buildings would be able to be used for men’s shed (This was to be done
after a meeting between Ben Bentley and Warren King, and then only if they
could work nothing out. If this meeting
is unsuccessful write to shire asking them to make the building safe to the
general public) . Action James to
write letterto GWM Water.
Toilet Signs – It was reported that signs indicating where to go to the toilet whilst they are under
repair, were now satisfactory.
CBI – Mark remnant gave an overview of the Community Building Initiative and
his role as the facilitator. The idea is
to have the community develop long and short-term plans and then develop the
capacity to implement them.
EWHS - Peter Ferrier reported that Ahmed was planning to leave in August and
that he would like to stay but because he and his family need to update their
skills they have no choice but to leave.
Peter would like anyone in the community who can secure the services of
a doctor for Birchip to do so.
Peter also reported that plans to build a new hospital in Birchip were not in
the offing and that it had been mentioned only in brief, as one possible future
outcome. He believed this would be
extremely unlikely and certainly there would be no move forward in the next
five and probably ten years.
Peter also reported
that about $250,000 had been given to fix the floor movement in Wirrimlodge.
Broadband Support – Letter from Orange Council requesting forum
support for their submission to the Federal Government about better
telecommunications access in the bush.
Forum moved that we write supporting them in this submission. . Action James to write letter of support to
General Reports:
Margaret Glen had requested that we look at getting some murials painted on walls in a similar fashion to that of other towns. Forum made no real decision on this other than to pass it on to Mallee Tree Productions.
Mallee Tree Productions – Meeting tomorrow when a steering committee will be formed and they will look at the question of murials on the walls as part of their brief.
Ahmed’s wife is to be made a citizen at the next council meeting.
Frances Lee has reported that there is not enough outdoor staff on the shire and that Birchip has lost a grader. Others did suggest that the roads were being kept in a reasonable state.
Trees in front of Janet Connelly have not been cut despite
several works requests. . Action James to put in further works request.
Robyn reported there is an internal review of the position of councilors with her view suggesting that there will be less councilors and no wards (Probably 5 councillors but maybe 7).
There was discussion on the role of pickles in the shire - most suggesting that he was good for us and that he was doing a lot of work unseen by the public.
Lucy McLoughlan stated that there was a pool meeting for all the shire on April 19 in Wycheproof.
Discussion was held on the removal of the Wizzy-dizz and what sort of replacements is available.
A request was received from the East Wimmera Council on Health to pay $100 dollar donation to drive a bus to Swan Hill for a conference. Neil Davis moved we support this but the motion lapsed because no seconder was found.
Next Meeting Monday May 21 8.00pm at the Birchip Cropping Group - Meeting closed 10.00pm