Birchip Community Forum

Minutes for Meeting Held May 21 2007 at the Birchip Cropping Group.

Item	Discussion Points / Motions		Action
1. Opened: Chairman Gail at 8.00pm	Present: Frances Lee, Ken Kemp, Robyn Ferrier, Helen Blencowe, Shane Blencowe, Gail Sharp, James Goldsmith, Warren King Helen Blencowe, Shane Blencowe, Lisa Mariah, Mike Mooney and Jodie Odgers.
2. Apologies	Jackie Cartwright, Neil and Sue Davis + Max and Dorothy Reid
3. Conflicts of Interest	Not asked for
4. Speaker Lisa Mariah www.greenyourbusiness.org.au	Website built specifically for businesses like those in Birchip. Lisa gave a very detailed report on the 15 day challenge and other energy saving tips Lisa would like all businesses in Birchip to take the 15-day business energy challenge on how to change their business to save money.
5. Speaker Mike Mooney Regional Manager Telstra Countrywide	Report on the changes at Telstra over the last few years Then a talk on the state of Next G Network Then on IP Very good showcase for the Telstra service.
6. Treasures report	Moved and accepted in motion by Sue Davis
7. Correspondence	In	out
Central Murray Regional Waste Management Group	Advising of waste wise training on 1/5/2007
Buloke Shire Council	Advising of success of grant application for community drought grants and our waste water system.
Buloke Shire Council	Buloke Network Meeting in Wycheproof today 21/5/2007 at the Wycheproof Senior Citizens rooms.
Buloke Shire Council		Asking them to give the money received from the sale of the Birchip Community Bus back to the Birchip community via the Birchip Forum.
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.		The cardboard recycling man is to meet with councillors to talk about the contract.
Men’s Shed	Warren reported that he had been in contact with Ben Bentley and he said his selling price is $25,000 but warren felt that he would go lower. Warren also suggested that we hold a public meeting to ascertain the public need for a mens shed before we go any further with this project. Peter Valance would be invited to speak to this meeting as he runs the Donald men’s shed and knows the intricacies of how they operate. Frances Lee indicated that she thought Ben was asking too much and that his offer should not be considered and the he be told that we aren’t interested. Ben was also offering to rent the place for $250 per month plus outgoings.		Action - Warren to tell Ben Bentley that we aren’t interested in his offer and then to organize (with help of Gail and James) a public meeting to gauge interest in the men’s shed.
Park Toilets	Are near completion – Ken Tierney to put 5,000 floor on. Discussion with shire and they are happy for us to arrange stuff to be done in the park
Meeting with council staff	Can forum have say in what the gardener is doing? Shire said yes and there has already been interaction between forum and shire with great results. It was a very productive meeting with the shire.
General Business
Empty Plastic Oil Drums	Warren King stated he had a problem in getting rid of empty plastic oil drums. He and Bill Quick moved a motion that we ask the shire what can be done about this problem. Carried		Action – James to check options with the shire.
Mallee Tree Productions	Mallee Tree Productions to put flyer out and the actual production to be on or around the 28^th of October
Soldier in park	Warren king reported that the hole had been dug in preparation for the foundation for the soldier in the park. Peter Noonan was to be contacted to lay the foundation then the crew from Bendigo would come and install the soldier statue.
Williamstown Alliance	Gail gave a brief rundown of contact with Hobsons Bay regarding an alliance between Birchip and Williamstown. Gail has been in touch with the president of the Williamstown traders and a meeting will be arranged in the near future. Gail has already requested that if they have any old curtains from their hall Birchip would be able to make good use of them.
Meeting with shire staff to discuss the bike track and trees	Meeting with shire staff to discuss the bike track and trees in front of Janet Connelly’s house. Gail or Frances is to check on the outcome of this meeting prior to the next forum meeting.		Action – Gail or Frances to check if jobs have been done
Kinder move to school.	Frances has spoken to the school about perhaps taking over the Kinder and becoming a K-12 School instead of a P-12 School. She reported that conversations amongst teachers with little power had been favourable and that she would follow up this line of action with the principle or vice-principle and report back to the next meeting		Action - Frances to follow up with School
Water grant tank application for park.	It was mooted that we apply for a water grant to purchase a 260,000 litre tank to put in the park and catch water from the toilet, kinder and swimming pool buildings to be used for watering the park.		Action - James to lodge expression of interest then application
Thank Commonwealth Bank for ATM.	Frances Lee moved and Robyn Ferrier seconded a motion that we write to the Commonwealth bank and thank them installing an ATM machine in Birchip.		Action James to write letter of thanks.
Dog Barking	Ken Kemp raised a complaint about dogs barking mainly during the day and Frances volunteered to talk to the dog owners on behalf of the forum before more serious action was taken.		Action – Frances to talk to dog owners in Sherwood Street.
Next Meeting	June 18 2007
Meeting Closed	Way too late!!