JRA AGM MINUTES – 2011

Venue:             Centacare Centre Building

22 Melody Street, Jamboree Heights.

Executive:       Wayne Williams (President/Secretary), Bruce Carey (Treasurer) and Andrea Crouch (Web Administrator)

INFORMATION SESSION

1.40pm - The information session was officially opened by the President who welcomed members and guests.  Thanks were given to the management team of the South West Brisbane Community Option Project and gave a description of there assistance programs for our district.  David Gilles from Future Sustainability then gave a very informative presentation on Home Solar Electricity Generation and concluded with a generous community priced bonus to JRA members who have a system supplied and installed by them. F S will also support JRA’S planting in the Andaman Strip as a contribution to greening projects.

Information Broachers are available from Andrea – visit website www.jra.org.au

2.30pm - An information session was provided by Darren Godwell the Vice President of Brisbane Residents United “BRU”.  Darren explained that he has been part of, and is the President of the South Brisbane Resident’s Association. Over the time, this Association has been actively working with Government Agencies through Community Consultation. Darren gave various examples of how their association achieved many valuable gains for their members and frustration of the existing consultation process with BCC Town Planning.

Other affiliated groups experienced frustration with Qld State Authorities.

To ensure that all Residential areas and Associations have a voice in the growing community, the BRU was formed to create a reference point of experience from all of the local groups and residents. This enables smoother guidelines to be put to Government Agencies for Social Infrastructure to be considered as these communities grow. BRU will assist new groups wishing to form a residence association.

BRU is united Resident Action Group that works under the banner of “Local Leadership for Local Development”.  It has no political alignment and it advocates for local residents.

Wayne then spoke about JRA needing guidance through the implementation of the Centenary Neighbourhood Plan and the value of having the resources from the experiences of members of BRU this would help. This information would hopefully ensure that local, long-time residents are not badly impacted when construction starts. JRA has 2 zones, 50 residential blocks north of Galleon Street and 30 on the western side of Patrol Street, that are ear- marked for low/medium accommodation. AMP can also erect 5 story accommodation on their shopping centre parcel of land directly neighboring us to the North.

Your JRA Executive recommends that we join BRU.

The joining fee for BRU is $50.00 per year.

3.00pm – Break

OFFICIAL JRA AGM MEETING 2011

3.20pm – Official start of the JRA 2011 AGM

The meeting was opened by the President, Wayne Williams.

Apologies:       Julie Attwood, Bernie Ripoll, Matthew Burke, N. McCabe, B.& M. Jones, S. Willis, W.& K Steveton, P.& G. Rankine, A&A Harris, O. Rogic, S. Brown, T. Bryce, H.Loh.  

Proxies:           x 5 allocated to President

Attendance:    x 18

1.    The minutes from the 2010 AGM were read out, tabled. 

·         Motion: A. Crouch

·         Seconded: R. Luscombe

·         Passed

2.    Correspondence:

Julie Attwood sent written report – answers to requests from JRA Executive prior to meeting. 

Report received follows:

·    Energy Conservation Communities

Energex have suspended the program due to the floods however they are still taking enrolments (see web page www.energycc.com.au).  They will re-commence actively marketing the program in July and will be sending out a newsletter then.  They will be also calling for applications for interest in the Community Benefit Fund ($50,000 total for this area). They are happy to supply a guest speaker for your next JRA general meeting and will send you the information pack.  My office can organise the speaker when required.

·      Roadtek Cleaning up Highway and tree pruning

Thanks for the feedback regarding Roadtek's regular clean-ups of the Centenary Highway.  I have noticed further down the Western Freeway (inbound) that there is still a lot of rubbish on the side of the road and I have reported this to Main Roads.

MEDIA RELEASE

Roadside maintenance receives big budget boost

Almost $5 million will be spent on roadside maintenance activities to clean up roadsides and improve safety in the Ipswich and greater Brisbane area.

Member for Mt Ommaney Julie Attwood said the State Government had bolstered funding by almost $1 million to ensure roadsides were kept safe and clean, particularly following rapid growth to roadside vegetation after the big wet experienced across the state.

“The Government is investing a massive $4.9 million on roadside maintenance activities in the upcoming 2011/2012 financial year,” Mrs Attwood said.

"We’ve gone above and beyond our usual commitment to roadside maintenance as a clear indicator the department is working hard to keep our roadside environments in top condition for the safety of the community.

"Our primary aim is to ensure the removal of litter or debris that is a safety concern for motorists or a threat to environmentally sensitive areas such as creeks and waterways.

"Roadside maintenance is an important aspect of preserving the state-controlled road network and includes a range of activities such as asset repairs, vegetation mowing and trimming, litter removal, road sweeping and weed control."

Mrs Attwood said although maintenance works such as mowing and vegetation control were part of the Department of Main Roads regular activities, everyone in the community could help to care for roadways and environment by greening up their act.

“Roadside litter collectors have picked up everything from fast food wrappings to glass and plastic bottles, car parts, general waste and even furniture and white goods," she said.

“Road users throw out an estimated 20,000 cubic metres of rubbish along our roadsides each year.

“It’s really important to cover your load if you are transporting unwanted goods and green waste to the tip and prevent anything from falling onto the road.

“By making the effort to ensure rubbish ends up in the bin rather than the side of the road, we can all do out bit to keep our roadsides clean and green for the benefit of the whole community."

If you see litter or debris that may be a hazard on the road network, report it to department’s hotline on 13 19 40. Trained staff will inspect the roadside and remove reported hazards.

With regard to the litter, the department's maintenance provider is carrying out road sweeping and litter collection on the Western Freeway during this week starting 11 April 2011, weather permitting.

YES AND THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB. The recently acquired sweeper will allow better maintenance throughout Brisbane.

·         Planting Grant for Andaman Street Strip

Congratulations on obtaining this grant and for the work you do in beautifying this area.

·         Neighbourhood Dispute Bill

This Bill is currently being debated in the Queensland Parliament.  I am happy to pursue any issues that your group has with the legislation.

·         Sumner Road Interchange Planning Study

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is continuing to progress the Sumner Road Interchange Planning Study.

Between August and September 2010, the department sought feedback from the community on the preferred draft option for upgrading the Sumner Road interchange.

The draft newsletter for Stage 3 of the consultations is proceeding through the approval process.  Due to the Easter break and school holiday period, the consultations are estimated to take place in late April/May.  There will be two options presented - the preferred option with traffic lights at the eastern and western roundabouts versus traffic lights at the western roundabout only.  The Road Operations team are looking at JRA’S interim improvement plan and ideas for the re-alignment of traffic flow at the roundabouts

The project team will engage with the community through distributing a third project newsletter, including updated project information on the department's website and through letters and project emails to key stakeholders. A map of the preferred upgrade options will be included in the project newsletter.

After this final phase of community consultation, the department will finalise the preferred upgrade option. In mid 2011 the department will submit the preferred upgrade option and finalised cost estimate to the Queensland Government for funding consideration.

·         The removed Centenary Highway Noise Barriers behind AMP    

 I have written to the Minister requesting that this matter be investigated.  Further information is required from the JRA in relation to specific residents who have complained about the noise associated with the gap in the barriers. Works on the Jindalee Bridge RoadTek is currently carrying out works to install new railings on the Jindalee Bridge.

Kind regards

Julie Attwood MP.

Discussions from Mrs. Attwood’s Report

After the reading of this report, the President reported that JRA has not received an official answer to our request to Mrs. Attwood, for a progress update on having the Centenary/Western Motorways upgraded to accommodate traffic to and from the Legacy Tunnels other than from the Mains Roads Minister Mr.C. Wallace Dec. 2010 in response to the JRA Petition – Corridor planning between Sumner Road interchange and the Mt Coot-tha roundabout: In 2011, the Department will commence planning on this remaining section of Motorway to help determine upgrade options for the future. The intention is to provide additional traffic flow capacity to the Centenary Motorway prior to the opening of the Northern Link (now Legacy Tunnels) in 2014.

Mrs. Attwood has verbally indicated she is pursuing the matter with Main Roads.

M. Scott brought up question about moving of Pedestrian Crossings and where were the Bus Stops going to be located along Sumner Road during the development.

Referred to BCC Plan.

Guest (non-member) indicated that the upgrades to Sumner Road will only worsen the traffic flow without a duplication of the Sumner Road Bridge – what is the progress on the duplication.

Referred to Mrs. Attwood’s Report for timing.

Same guest, and supported by R. Luscombe, reported that the bike storage enclosure at the Mt Ommaney bus depot was in a very untidy state and that the contract cleaners do not have entry card to access.

Executive to alert Cr Bourke.

Abbreviated PRESIDENT’S REPORT for 2010/11 - read by W. Williams utilising maps and wall plans as reference points for members.  Tabled.

·         Moved: J. Ferguson

·         Seconded: P. Engelen

·         Passed

Comments raised from President’s Report:

Footpath on Andaman Street and Dandenong Road are in need of upgrade prior to new footpaths in the precinct.  Vote called re the Executive to push forward with this.

·         Motion: W Williams

·         Seconded: Margaret S

·         Passed

Bruce thanked Wayne and Julie Williams for all their work in the community. Talked about how this organization is a way of meeting and helping neighbours etc.

FINANCIAL REPORT – Presented by Treasurer (B. Carey).  Showed JRA to be solvent and compliant.  Tabled.

·         Motion: A. Crouch

·         Seconded: R Luscombe

·         Passed

Members not present can ask for a copy.

John Ferguson brought up concern over Commonwealth Bank Fees of $120.00 per year.  It seemed to be a large drain on JRA funds.  He proposed that the account is moved to another institution which does not charge fees.  Bruce informed the meeting that he had been exploring Heritage Building Society.   R. Luscombe also suggested Bank of Qld, and M. Scott suggested Suncorp.  Vote called for Executive to proceed with investigation and change.

·         Motion: John Ferguson

·         Seconded: R. Luscombe

·         Passed

U. Goersdorf asked about the cost of trailer hire in budget as he has one that could be used instead.  The executive gladly accepted his offer and would be in contact as the need arose.

BRU discussion – that joining this association this would be beneficial to JRA, creating more strength and ability to draw on other expertise at the membership fee of $50/yr.  Vote called on.

·         Moved: U. Goersdorf

·         Seconded: L. T-Jones

·         Passed unanimously

ELECTION OF OFFICES: No nominations were received prior to the meeting.

Nominations from the floor.

President – Wayne Williams was nominated by J. Williams.

                   Accepted and

                   seconded – M. Scott.

Elected automatically President as no other nominations were received,

Secretary – A. Crouch was nominated by M. Scott.

                   Declined nomination.

                   As no other nominations were received the position remains vacant and Executive

                   Was given authority to fill this position. President shall fill the position as temporary

                   Secretary.

.

Vice President – no nominations. Position remains vacant

Treasurer – B. Carey was nominated by A. Crouch

                   Accepted and seconded by J. Ferguson.

                   Elected automatically Treasurer as no other nominations were received,

Web Administrator – A. Crouch was nominated by J.Williams.

                    Accepted and Seconded by G. Roberts.

                    Elected automatically Web Administrator as no other nominations were received

Events Committee – no nominations.

                   Most present indicated that they would be wiling to assist Executive when need

                   arrives. President indicated that $200 has been set aside from Flood Relief fund

                   raising to hold an event that brings together once again those that were flooded and

                    those that assisted them in their time of need. Probable venue: Jamboree Park.

President indicated his goals for the rest of 2011

Immediate

·         Take a holiday

·         Attend to issues affecting residents that abut Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre

·         Noise issues pertaining to the missing sound barrier

Long Term

·         Continuing with Andaman Strip planting after 3 week rest.

·         Pursue better pedestrian Crossings in Dandenong Road.

·         Pursue better footpaths within Precinct.

·         Pursue Sumner Bridge duplication and upgrades to Centenary Motorway.

Suggested by Andrea that if anyone gets any newsletters or letters concerning the area that the information is circulated to others in the area as sometimes notices are only presented to a few residents when it may eventually affect all residents.

Meeting Closed at 4.10pm.