MINUTES OF GERERAL MEETING HELD MONDAY 19 MARCH, 2007
AT THE BIRCHIP CROPPING GROUP COMMENCING AT 8.00 PM
PRESENT
Lucy McLoughlan, Bev Horton, Neil & Sue Davis, Ken Kemp, Bill Quick, Shane Blencowe, Roger Bragg,
Max & Dorothy Reid, Andrew Janetski,
APOLOGIES
Jackie Cartwright, James Goldsmith, Gail Sharp, Frances Lee.
Moved Roger Bragg Seconded Bill Quick
“That the apologies be accepted.”
Carried
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS ANNUAL MEETING
Minutes of the previous meeting were circulated.
Moved Bev Horton Seconded Ken Kemp
“That the minutes of the previous meeting as circulated were a true and correct record of that meeting.”
Carried
TREASURERS REPORT
Sue Davis said that they only transaction that had taken place was that drought funding had been received from the Buloke Shire
Moved Sue Davis Seconded Roger Bragg
“That the Treasurers report as presented be accepted and that the drought funding be distributed as set up by the Executive Committee at their December meeting.
Carried
BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
1. Dorothy Reid said that Warren King had
not heard from Ben Bentley regarding the use of his property at the
Intersection for a proposed Men’s Shed.
Moved Bev Horton Seconded Dorothy Reid
“That Forum write to the Buloke Shire Council asking that action be taken to improve safety at Ben Bentley’s property at the Five Ways Intersection in regard to safety issues due to the buildings deteriorating condition.”
Carried
It was suggested that Wimmera Mallee Water
be approached by the Well Being Committee and Historical Society with a request
for the use of the Grampians Water sheds in
Moved Ken Kemp Seconded Shane Blencowe
“That Forum approach Grampians Water to
enquire if they would temporarily lend or lease their sheds in
Carried
2. It was reported that the Forum’s bid for the Shire Bus was not successful.
Moved Roger Bragg Seconded Lucy McLoughlan
“That Forum write to the Buloke Shire Council asking if the proceeds from the sale of the Shire Bus could be returned to the Birchip community through the Forum.”
Carried
3. Neil Davis reported on the second
meeting between Forum, representatives of the Buloke Shire,the
Health Service and Politicians. He said that three actions would be followed up as a result of the meeting. The actions
are as follows:
a) Councillors Ferrier and Hogan are to investigate whether the HACC car would be available to transport family members on visits to their elderly relatives who are forced to reside in other nursing homes while they are waiting for a bed in Wirrim Lodge.
b) Politicians are to enquire about plans for a new hospital in Birchip.
c)
BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES continued
4. Lucy McLoughlan reported that the status of the hospital was changing and emergency treatment is used only to stabilise patients before being transported by ambulance to another hospital. She also said that staff at the hospital were pleased that the community were taking an interest in the hospital’s operation.
5. It was reported that Forum had submitted three applications to the Buloke Shire for further drought funding.
The projects were:
a) Further improvements at the Birchip Swimming Pool
b) Painting of Birchip Public Hall
c) Extension of the Water Recycling Scheme
to allow the medium strips in
and Swimming Pool lawns to be watered.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. An invitation from the Buloke Network asking Forum to become active members again.
Moved Neil Davis Seconded Dorothy Reid
“That Forum send representatives to the next meeting of the Buloke Network.”
Carried
Neil Davis to ring Gary Lamour and inform him that Birchip Community Forum are interested in sending representatives to the next meeting.
2. Greening Your Business material was distributed to Roger Bragg and Shane Blencowe.
Moved Roger Bragg Seconded Shane Blencowe
“That the correspondence be received.”
Carried
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Dorothy Reid suggested that tourism should be pushed more in Birchip. She said that the toilet upgrade will help as travellers are attracted to clean comfort facilities.
2. Shane Blencowe said he would endeavour to tidy up his spare shop within the next month.
3. Roger Bragg said that the fence around the public toilets needed to be made more visible for traffic safety reasons.
Roger to contact Ken King regarding better signage at the site.
4. Roger Bragg suggested that another load of wood chips were needed at the park and a small fence needs to be erected.
Roger will organise a working bee at the park.
Neil Davis reported that when installing the new watering system at the park the workers would be careful not to cut the root system of the Morton Bay Fig Trees.
5. Shane Blencowe said that the dog problem was abating.
6. Shane Blencowe reported that Greg Anderson from Swan Hill had met with him and that arrangements had been put in place to have a cardboard recycling bin placed behind the Bull’N’Pine Café. There would be no charge for the service and other traders were welcome to use the bin.
Meeting closed 9.15 pm
Actions from the meeting:
1.
“That Forum write to the Buloke Shire Council asking
that action be taken to improve safety at Ben Bentley’s property at the Five
Ways Intersection in regard to safety issues due to the buildings deteriorating
condition.”
2.
That Forum approach Grampians Water to enquire if
they would temporarily lend or lease their sheds in
a)
Councillors Ferrier and Hogan are to investigate
whether the HACC car would be available to transport family members on visits
to their elderly relatives who are forced to reside in other nursing homes
while they are waiting for a bed in Wirrim Lodge.
b)
Politicians are to enquire about plans for a new
hospital in Birchip.
3.
Roger to contact Ken King regarding better signage
at the park toilet upgrade site.