YANDINA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC. P O Box 308 YANDINA QLD 4561 Minutes of the Forum Meeting held at the The Ginger Factory Tuesday, 11 March 2014 at 6 pm Present: David Tidey (YCOC), Pat Cordwell(YCOC/Historical Society), Liz Gaskin (YCOC), Norma and Gordon Simpson (YCOC), Laurel Sommerfeld (YADCA), Gayle and Wayne Torrens (YSS 125 Committee), Wendy Mason (YSS 125 Committee), Carolyn Exelby (YCOC), Peter Wellington (MLA), Bette and Norman Carr, Nev Kane (YCOC), Terry Johnson (YADCA), Marie Reeve (YADCA), John and Veronica Carley (YADCA), Phillip Richards (School of Arts), Stephen Cane (YADCA), Merill Ormston (SC Riding for the Disabled), Deborah Howes (Rural Fire Brigade), Stephen Robinson (Councilor), Greg Rogerson (Councilor), Peter Baulch (YADCA),Dennis and Heather Sutton (YCOC), Heather Abercrombie (Police), Jill Pawson (YCOC) and Sheila Butcher (Scribe) Meeting’s Opening: at 6pm by President David opened the meeting and everyone. Apologies: Narelle Lemon, Rob Jennings, Snr Sgt Gary Brayley, Corinne Mickklesen, Esma Armstrong and Audienne Blyth. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Having been circulated were taken as read and confirmed on the motion of David Tidey, seconded Liz Gaskin, with the removal of the words “A memorial is to be erected in the park” under the Christian Low Park report. Agreed. President David also congratulated Pat Cordwell on being awarded an OAM on Australia day, 26 January. He thanked her for all the work she had done over the years. REPORTS: STATE GOVERNMENT: Hospitals: Peter Wellington said that he was greatly concerned with the plight of doctors in the Health Department in Queensland. Many doctors are leaving the public system to go into the private sector because of poor consultation procedures between the doctors and the Department. Specialists must sign contracts which give them no consultative power regarding their placement or conditions. He has raised questions in Parliament and questioned the Minister on this. vlad Laws: Although Mr Wellington voted for this law, after disseminating it further, he now realizes that it has taken away many “rights” of the individual and some are not being deemed “innocent until proven guilty”. Mr Simpson suggested that the law targets only known criminals and suggested that such laws may be necessary to remove such people from the street. One-lane Bridge over Caboolture Creek: Peter Baulch asked what progress had been made on upgrading this road to dual highway. He was advised that there was no money left in the budget. Signs had been upgraded. Railway Parking: Mr Wellington said he had suggested to Council that use be made of the site at Price St behind railway, southern end of existing car park for extra parking but had been advised that there was an asbestos problem with the site. He had requested a copy of the report but it had not been forthcoming. Laurel expressed concern about hospital parking and Mr Wellington advised that a private organization had been given the job of solving this problem. LOCAL GOVERNMENT: POLICE: New Car Park at Recreational Park & Reserve: Greg Rogerson advised that this has now been completed. When he recently visited the BMX Park, he was appalled at the condition of the toilets there. It disappointed him that the BMX group could have applied for funds at a recent Park Trust Funding meeting. Roundabout Farrell/Lowe Streets: The Erin Lynch land has been purchased. The project will cost $1m; end of year budget is June 2014. Solar Farm: Steve Robinson advised that the expressions of interest have been short-listed to four applicants. The project will now go out for tender to these four. De-Amalgamation: Steve reported that this process had been finished. Some 130 positions had been cut from the Sunshine Coast Council in order to streamline local government processes. Town Plan: Steve also reported that the Town Plan had gone to State Government with the quarry and affected roads removed from the plan. It is anticipated that there will be only minor changes come back from the State. By April/May, the plan should be up and running. All people who made submissions will be notified. Fleming Street Footpath: Private land had been bought to upgrade this path and the work is now complete. Mr Simpson advised that grass was at a dangerous level for road safety visibility at Ben Williams Road and had been advised by Council that this was Main Roads responsibility. Peter Wellington advised that this work was undertaken now by private contractors. Caboolture Creek: Four additional signs to be put up. Footpaths Old Coach Road: Part of the scheme but no money available. Bridge near new IGA: Pedestrians walking over the bridge are increasingly putting their lives at risk. Snr Constable Heather Abercrombie said that Yandina area was doing well in the crime statistics. Graffiti was a major issue at the moment – a juvenile had been caught relating to this. She urged members to report any incidences. From the floor, it was noted that graffiti on the new toilet block had been reported to Council and removed soon after. There are many transients in the area en route to Gympie and beyond. There have been 2 burglaries – both in industrial areas, 1 assault in the CBA between known associates. Drugs continue to be a problem. Members were urged to keep their eyes open and report cars, number plates, etc. There has also been an incident of road rage. The dirt road behind the Bowls Club has been used for wheelies and been a targeted patrol area. The police continue to use their target patrol task force in a number of areas not just Bikie gangs. Information from Neighbourhood Watch is useful and also “mypolice” blog site and police can be contact on 13 14 44. It will be Road Safety Week from 17-23 March and Officer Abercrombie will be visiting schools. Nambour RSL will be hosting a Drink Rite night. Mr Simpson said he had trouble bales of sugar cane mulch being burnt Surveillance cameras may be the answer. SCHOOL OF ART: YADCA Phillip Richards reported that the School of Arts now had some long term rental income which contributed to the hall playing its way. Some graffiti and vandalism had been experienced but extra lighting may prevent this. Marie Reeve presented a written report (Appendix A). She reminded those present that membership of YADCA was $5/month with meetings held on the fourth Monday each month in the Supper Room of the School of Arts. Marie spoke in support of Yandina becoming a “RV Friendly Town” and stated that the only criteria Yandina did not meet was that of parking within the township. There are about 300,000 RVs in Australia. We must be aware that any provision for parking does not impact on the business of the caravan park. It was suggested that any parking facility on railway land be mindful of the children around at school bus times as a safety issue. CHRISTINA LOW PARK: In Audienne Blyth’s absence, Peter Baulch advised that the group was involved in the riparian corridor between Lowe and Railway Bridges. Working bees take place every third Tuesday of the month performing weeding, planting and mulching. The third Tuesday in May, the Council will be running their “Weed Swap” program at their working bee 9 -11am and anyone could bring a bag of weeds to be exchanged for 2 plants. COMMUNITY GARDENS: No Report. YANDINA & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Pat Cordwell advised that the group had attended a heritage weekend of the Sunshine Coast Genealogy Society which had proved very interesting with all historic groups coming together with their displays. Visitors at the Historic House had been slow. Volunteers always required. Membership costs $10 BAPTIST CHURCH PR DAVID TIDEY: David Tidey advised that the Church had set up an Incorporated Charity Organisation in order to be able to run many of the programs planned. The church is now involved in upgrading the mid-section of the building for a Drop-In Centre and offices as Phase 1 of the upgrade. The Video Shop will continue in operation until mid-year when its upgrade will commence as Phase 2. The development of the Men’s Shed at the rear of the building will be Phase 3. The Church continues to be involved in fortnightly Sausage Sizzles at the Caravan Park. SC RIDING FOR THE DISABLED: PRESIDENT’S REPORT: ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Merrill Ormston reported that the association was going well with 6 programs running on Tuedays and Wednesdays. The group needs volunteers. The AGM was held in January at the Yandina Hotel. Their Saddlery Shop on Farrell Street had been broken into and several thousands of dollars-worth of on-commission goods stolen. Plans have been made for an indoor arena at Monak Road costing $800,000 – they are looking for a wealthy donor to help with this. A club house at this property is also required. The Nambour Men’s Shed has donated a Cubbie House for a raffle – to be drawn in June. Carols in the Park: In partnership with the Historical Society had been well supported with the weather being favourable for the event. Town Centre Group: Has been set up but continue to be concerned by the lack of foot traffic. Several options have been considered, such as making that area a side arm of the Saturday Markets and hosting different events, e.g., car events, and promote the “Buy Local” theme. CCIQ: The president has attended meetings of the Sunshine Coast branch where he learned that the association was involved in penalty rates negotiations as they affect retail trades, faster internet access, more businesses, road and traffic access, consulting with State and Local government, and waste management. New Directory: All but completed. Liz Gaskin is setting this up. Thanks were expressed to Pat and her helpers for the work involved in getting this ready. Yandina State School 125th Anniversary Celebration: Gayle Curran updated those present concerning plans for the celebration on 5 and 6 September. On 5th, it will be “Meet and Greet” and on 6th, a big family-orientated celebration day. Gayle asked that anyone having old photos, etc., which they are prepared to have photocopied, bring them to the school on the next photocopying day on Sunday 23 March from 9.30-1.30 (Wendy). Street Fair: Sunday 17 August 2014 This year it is planned to broaden the scope of the Fair by incorporating and Art Aspect (centred on Yandina aspects a 5km radius around the area) and a food-based Gourmet section. Volunteers needed. No profit is made from the event. There being no further business, the meeting concluded at 8.30 pm. DATE OF NEXT FORUM MEETING: Tuesday, 10 June 2014 at The Ginger Factory at 6.00 pm. Signed: ______________________ Dated: _____________________ APPENDIX A Yandina and District Community Association (YADCA) notes Community Forum: March 2014 Firstly. You are all welcome to attend YADCA meetings. Our new meeting time is the 4th Monday of each month at 7.30 pm in the supper room of the Yandina School of Arts. The State Government has signed off on the Council's Planning document. YADCA is very interested in the final outcome as we made a number of submissions. One in particular that the whole community would like confirmation on is the removal of the extractive resource site on Browns Creek Road. The developers of the new shopping centre have committed to honouring part of their 2007 infrastructure agreement which committed $150,000 to urban improvements in town. There was also a requirement to provide 3 entry signs to Yandina but they were not forth coming so the Chamber and YADCA chose to erect our own signs. Many of the issues raised at YADCA recently concern safety. YADCA approached the Minister for Transport and Main Roads through Peter Wellington about the previous commitment to replace the single lane bridge over Caboolture Creek on the Yandina Bli Bli Road within 5 years, only to discover that there is still no funding available. Main Roads has agreed to upgrade and relocate the warning signs on the approaches to the bridge by June this year. YADCA has been keen to have Yandina recognised by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia as a RV friendly town. This would promote Yandina on their website and in their magazine and should increase visitation to the town. Local businesses and even the caravan park should benefit from increased trade. Yandina meets all the criteria bar one; "Provision of appropriate parking within the town centre with access to a general shopping area with groceries and fresh produce". The "Town Centre Master Plan" identified the vacant land in the railway yards as an appropriate place however to date Councillor Greg Rogerson has had no success in communicating with QR about the lease of that land. Marie Reeve YADCA President