MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
5.30 pm, SUNDAY 18th NOVEMBER, 2012
GLIMPSE BAR AND RESTAURANT,
WATSONS BAY
Present:
Roger Bayliss – President (Chair), Louise McElvogue – Vice
President, Ron Berkelmans – Vice President, Julie Bayliss – Treasurer.
Approximately 40 members attended.
Apologies were received from Irene and Colin Still, Caroline and John
Matthews, Pip Conlon, Katrin Graebner, Sharilea Hitchcock, Jay Bannister (CO,
HMAS Watson) and Terry and Liz Wolfe.
The meeting was declared open by Roger Bayliss at 6pm, with
a quorum present.
Minutes of the previous General Meeting, held on 21st
June 2011 were presented for adoption.
Moved by Kim Messenger, Seconded by Louise McElvogue.
Directors of the WBA provided summaries
of operations during 2011-12, emphasising key achievements such as working on
major DAs (three), relations with Council, launch of the website (www.watsonsbayassociation.org) and
newsletter and the visit to HMAS Watson.
Camilla Strang addressed
the meeting to express thanks to members who had assisted with the creation of
the WBA website and the first edition of the WBA newsletter, both of which have
been well-received. Camilla acknowledged the contributions of a number of
members who had contributed to the projects. Local stories and other
contributions to the website will be welcomed.
Julie Bayliss presented the financial accounts for the
association, noting total income for 2011-12 of $12,898.82 and expenditure of $6,265.12.
Major items of expenditure included partial funding of a heritage report on 14
Pacific Street as well as the website creation. Total funds on deposit stood at
$6,633.70.
WBA directors recently met with NSW MP Gabrielle Upton,
member for Vaucluse. Ms Upton expressed interest in receiving information on
WBA’s activities on an ongoing basis. Roger/Louise will follow up.
Key issues facing the Watsons Bay community were addressed by
directors.
Louise McElvogue emphasised
the need for active participation by members in several areas, including:
Transport management and parking
Kosta Akon raised his concerns about visitors parking in
the Watsons Bay precinct, including the impact of the short term visitors
scheme. A resolution was moved to investigate the short term visitors parking permit
scheme offered by Woollahra Council as well as broader questions about parking.
It was noted that parking by staff and sailors from HMAS Watsons in Cliff
Street appears to be increasing.
Questions that need to be asked include the level of member support for
a new car parking station; support for increased residents parking, push for
increased enforcement and signage. Application of timed parking throughout WB
with residents exceptions. Improved bus and ferry service and encouraging
locals to use it. Tourism infrastructure.
Hylda Rolfe provided background on the
history of the residents parking scheme and related issues.
Several members raised the issue of a commuter ferry for Watsons Bay. It
was noted that Gabrielle Upton was supporting a
commuter ferry for Watsons Bay. Woollahra Council has also resolved to send a
message to the NSW Government supporting a commuter ferry service. See http://tinyurl.com/cpb4od4
Several members noted the linkage between ferry services and parking,
emphasising that an integrated approach was required.
The following members indicated their willingness to form this action
group.
Catherine Boardman, Robin Derricourt and Bob Morecroft.
Retail precinct development and improvement
Stuart Fereday offered to be part of a working group on this
issue.
Community Garden
A number of members expressed interest in developing a community garden.
Ron Berkelmans noted that the ‘lawnie’ was considered unsuitable for
this activity in view of the high levels of shade.
The group will need to contact Council for an outline of what is needed,
discussion of potential sites (reserve on Pacific St, reserve behind
Dunbar House), available council grants.
The following members indicated their willingness to pursue this
initiative:
Mary Thill-Turke, Carina Randall, Darryl Sloshberg.
Divers in Cliff St and Watsons Bay baths
Several members agreed to check with Council on permissible activities
on local streets and footpaths, noting that large diving groups assembling
equipment etc. often presented an inconvenience to residents. Some members
mentioned that safety issues may also be involved in the aggregation of diver
groups.
Input to Council Development Plans
Louise McElvogue, Ron Berkelmans and Andrew Wiesner agreed
to discuss how to approach potential Council changes to the planning process,
as outlined in a recent NSW Green paper.
David Sheedy outlined progress with the redevelopment of
the Watsons Bay Pilot Station (NSW Transport + Maritime), as well as his
ongoing efforts to restore the last Watsons Bay lifeboat, the ‘Alice Rawson.’
David has been in contact with the likely leaseholders, the Boating Industry Association of NSW, who
indicated an interest in establishing a small maritime museum at the site, as
well as incorporating the ‘Alice Rawson’ in the precinct as a working exhibit.
A group to monitor developments at the Pilot Station is needed.
Several members have expressed interest in the development of the site and its
use by the community.
Roger Bayliss also moved a vote of thanks to the staff of
HMAS Watson for arranging the WBA visit, Anthony Leatherbarrow of
Glimpse for hosting the AGM, Vaucluse Yacht Club for hosting past meetings, the
Paddington Society for advice and support as well as a number of WBA members
for a range of supporting activities.
Roger Bayliss indicated that he wished to step down as WBA
President in March 2013.
Signature of Chairman
24
November 2012
|
#
|
ACTION ITEM
|
WHO
|
1
|
Lodge minutes and annual accounts with NSW
Fair Trading
|
Roger and Julie
|
2
|
Follow up with Gabrielle Upton on WBA
matters
|
Roger and Louise
|
3
|
Action group formation:
-
Transport
management and parking
-
Retail
precinct
-
Community
garden
-
Scuba
groups
-
Input
to Council Development Planning process
-
Pilot
Station
|
Roger, Louise, Ron and members
|
4
|
Follow up members for subscriptions
|
Roger and Julie
|
5
|
Contributions for website
|
All members
- Camilla is contact
|
6
|
Meet with Woollahra Councillors (esp new
Councillors)
|
Ron, Louise and others
|
