7 August 2014 - Sisters Beach Tasmania

Meeting of Sisters Beach Community Association – Thursday 7th August, 2014.
Present: Jono Vincent, Kim Walsh, Marion Martin, Simon Cooney, Peter Vincent, Ben
Saward, Cyril Smith, Patsy Cairns, Cam Conroy, Denys Ririka, Brian Trezise, Selina Caves,
Jorja O’Halloran, Cr. Maureen Bradley, John Martin Acting General Manager WWC.
Apologies: Andrew Starrick, Ken Loughran, Mary Duniam
Meeting opened at 7.15 p.m.
General Business
Jono introduced John Martin Acting General Manager of WWC.
Unfortunately Carrie Sheahen has resigned as Secretary/Treasurer as the family has moved
interstate. Kim Walsh nominated Ben Saward as Treasurer. Seconded by Maureen Bradley
and motion carried. Marion has agreed to remain as Minutes secretary.
Andrew Starrick has sent a letter about obtaining a Defibrillator for the community from an
organisation called ‘Defribrillate your club for life’. The benefits are many as it has a huge
chance of saving lives while we are waiting for the Ambulance to arrive. Peter Vincent
explained how the Defib works and uses it at Westpark Football Grounds. Jono then
explained what the package contains. Price is $2350.00. Ben Saward has stated that Grange
Resources have offered to pay half of the unit for us. Others have said they will pay $500 and
a tin will be placed at the shop for donations. Kim Walsh stated that maybe the WWC could
give a donation toward this vital piece of equipment. It could be kept down at the Sisters
Beach General Store and Cyril will work with the community to get an accessible place for
this machine.
A letter has been received by House of Representatives re Mobile Phone coverage in Sisters
Beach. Sisters Beach has been declared a hot spot for phone coverage and Brett Whitely MP
made an impassioned plea to parliament for coverage to this area. Patsy also had received an
answer (hand written) from Telstra Michael Patterson not giving much hope.
The next item was regarding water skiing and boating on Lake Llewellyn. Adam Brooks MP
came to look at the problem. Brian Trezise was not aware of the problem and was
waterskiing on the lake when he had a complaint from a policeman who warned him that
skiing was not allowed. This problem will be looked at hopefully before summer.
Peter has asked if we can tidy up the bubealis (coastal wattles) which are hanging over on the
western side of the beach. Patsy said that the sea has encroached on the beach. However
Peter said it was further down from where Patsy was thinking. Patsy explained a huge
amount of plantings of native bushes has been washed away after the enviro team had spent
hours planting same. Brian told us that a friend had told him the beach had turned into a
jungle. Patsy explained it is cyclical. Logs are sticking out of the sand and all of us should
have a look at the problem. Radiata Pines at beach will be cut down before May. The stumps
will be left behind and these will last for 10 years approximately. So plantings of natives
behind the stumps will hopefully grow to stabilize the banks.
John Martin Acting General Manager WWC then took the floor. John stated that council had
received a great deal of feedback on the Public Open Space Strategic Plan.
John began work at WWC on 5th of June this year. He has had a walk around familiarisation
meeting with the Development Manager and Jono Vincent, Carrie Sheahen, Maureen Bradley
and the Deputy Mayor Alwyn Friedersdorf. John has also spent quite a few hours looking
around the community and thinking about things such as Public Buildings, a place to put
some Self Contained Motor Homes and Self Contained Caravans. Cr. Bradley has given him
a précis of the area and local history to bring him up to date. The Strategic Plan comments
have been reviewed and it will now be redrafted taking into account public comments, it will
then be placed before Council again in redrafted form. He has listened to the community
concerns. He stated that the old hall at the back of the Fire Station was not suitable for a hall.
He then explained his background, having worked in Local Government over thirty years.
John recently worked for Dorset Council but prior to that had worked on projects interstate.
A potential site, in his opinion, for a Multi Purpose Building is up on the bank where the
water tanks are and the building would look out over the park area. Hard stand area should
be around the same area away from the flooding. The other main issue is RV’s not being
allowed to park here for short stays. One area is up on Honeysuckle and the other area is
Crown Land near the shop. Barry and John came to the view it was near the shop near the
dump point. Public Open Space Plan could be updated and put back out to the Community
looking for acceptance from the residents.
Regarding the Multi-Purpose Building – John stressed that we must have a
justification for the building’s use. He also stressed that it was extremely
important that the community comes together. John feels if all of these things
come together a positive result will come forth.
We need to focus on community agreement, and then Council will come up with a substantial
amount towards the Multi-Purpose Building. Promises won’t be given. But Council will
come up with a design and estimate and Community Association will go to the politicians for
further funding.
Kim Walsh thanked John Martin for the hard work he has done so far. John explained he has
kept in with the Council Professional team. He will make sure he will put this down on paper
if he is not successful with the General Manager’s Position that he plans to apply for and will
pass these recommendations to the incoming general Manager. He will also pass on his
recommendations to the Sisters Beach Community Association. Council has been working
with Crown Lands Dept. for the land further down Honeysuckle Avenue near the fire station.
He is also aware Councillor Bradley is supportive and this afternoon Robby Walsh the Mayor
was down this and is fully aware of the problem/issues. John kept saying that what is in the
past is the past and to recommit the community to the new recommendations when sent
through. John passed in his dot points. Political representatives will be briefed in the future.
Ben Saward also thanked John Martin for his visit. John then passed over maps of the
Council areas marked and Crown Land. Jono Vincent explained that the community is
concerned that Council doesn’t sell any more land in the future.
Jono then thanked John for attending the meeting on behalf the Council. Another meeting
can be arranged soon. John Martin suggested when the redrafted plan comes in a BBQ can
be arranged (Saturday lunchtime isuggested by Jono). Marion suggested a celebration of the
redrafted plan. Future funding for the Defib machine can also be raised on that day.
The date for the lunchtime meeting should be around the first weekend in September. Flyers
will be organised for the event.
The meeting came to order and Jono asked for acclamation from the Members for John
Martins visit.
Meeting closed at 8.15

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