Mandalong Community Association
News Update #25 23 /4/2012
In this issue:
1 ) Minutes MCA General Meeting Saturday 14 April
2) Book Club meeting Monday 23 April
3) April Film Club meeting Friday 27 April
1) Minutes MCA General Meeting Saturday 14 April 10am, Fire shed
1) Attendance
In attendance: Mike Davies, Marton Marosszeky, Leonie Sweeney, Colin Burzacott, Mick Astles, Mandy Allen, Brian and Sylvia Byles, Rob Kothe, Gill Mould, Di Stanley, Horrie and Ena Jones, Deborah Swan
Apologies: Marti Marosszeky, Anne Ferris, Carol Parbery, Charles Sweeney, Sinikka Pollari, Bryan Riley
2) Minutes previous meeting 22 October 2011. Accepted as read and confirmed, moved Mandy, seconded Col.
3) Correspondence
9 Sept Mick Astles to Len Hermans, LMCC: requesting information on crown land roads in the Mandalong area.
28 November Responce from LMCC re information on roads
14 Feb Dept of Fair Trading to Leonie: Requested change to constitution registered.
13 April Marton to Wendy Harrison, LMCC: advising dumped demolition waste at the top of Sauls road and requesting investigation and removal.
13 April Rob to LMCC: requesting Council supply and erect a “www.mandalong.net Our community website” sign under the three existing Council owned Mandalong signs.
4) Mandalong Mine
Mining Subcommittee Report
The committee met on 23January and discussed the following;
1. The continual lack of response from the mine with regard to requests for improved property maintenance for mine owned land. (It was noted that a start in some areas had been made by the mine on some Centennial owned properties.)
2. Complaints from some landowners in regard to PSMP process particularly related to ecological surveys and drainage plans.
3. Problems with methane emissions and slow implementation of environmental controls in this area.
4. Road upgrades and maintenance.
Next Mining Subcommittee meeting 26 April.
Report from CCC meeting
Marton updated the meeting on key issues discussed at the CCC meeting 28 Feb
• Landowner Communication & Consultation Plan to be finalized and go up on MM web site
• Master Land Management Plan to be prepared by next CCC meeting
• Compression bumps in Sauls Road – CM actions
• Centennials website – update of weekly mining progress requested
• Notes from Prof Galvin – notes from the meeting have been transcribed and are now being edited to fit the Q&A format. Once checked by Prof Galvin, will be uploaded to Mandalong .net. Rob noted that the explanation of subsidence is world class.
• Chairman’s Annual Report – issued to Minister
• Plan for proposed sell off of Centennial Properties announced
• Report on Auditing of Mine Documents by DoP
• Mine Presentation Document at CCC meetings is now attached to Minutes
• Methane Emissions –current action.
• Timeliness and quality of Mine’s communications
• Odor Survey . In response to complaints from the MCA CM are surveying odors from the mine ventilation fans. They have produced a Community Odor Diary Sheet for residents to fill in and submit to Centennial. This will go on the mandalong.net website (or copies can be obtained from Leonie).
Note: The full minutes of the CCC meeting can be found on www.mandalong.net
5) Mandalong development proposals
Mandalong Community Park
Rob, Leonie and Col met with Chris Cootes, Morisset Multi-purpose Centre to discuss local and surrounding community facility needs and the Mandalong Community Park proposal.
ACTION: MCA Committee of Management to meet with Centennial to advance planning.
Crown Roads – status of upgrade proposal
Correspondence with LMCC plus local knowledge and survey has provided the list of roads that are not maintained by council as they do not meet standards. ACTION Marton to correspond to Wendy Harrison, LMCC re the standards required to bring the roads up to standard plus funding options.
6) Ecological issues
Blackberry infestation
Brian reported that the blackberry infestation is worsening. He advised that 40 years ago extensive blackberry in the valley was eradicated with the use of a biological control spray, suited only to the variety growing then. It was highly effective. ACTION MCA to take proposal to the CCC to have this method of control investigated. Moved Marton, seconded Rob.
Deer population
Deborah reported the deer are a constant source of damage on the Aboriginal property on Sauls Road. Brian advised National Parks and Wildlife are the people to assist.
Land Care
Deborah advised Land Care can support projects that may assist the Mandalong valley. ACTION Place on the agenda for the next MCA General meeting
7) Social Activities
Mandalong Book Club continues to meet monthly. Venue is a member’s home and changes every month.
Mandalong Film Club took a break over the Christmas period. In Feb continued to meet on the forth Friday of each month in Sheila and David Kearns home theatre. Thank you Sheila and David!
Walking/trekking Clubs
Rob advised there are several very good walking clubs available. ACTION Rob will put the info on Mandalong.net and Leonie will include in a News Update
8) Membership
Applications for membership can be made to Col.
The constitution that governs the MCA requires members are “financial”. This means $10 per family per annum. Payments are due at the AGM to be held on 14 July.
Letterbox drop of the meeting notices are still being undertaken by the MCA Committee members. News Updates are sent by email and posted on the Mandalong web site. All Mandalong residents are encouraged to provide their email address to receive the news Updates.
9) Treasurers Report
BSB: 062832, Account No: 1003 4420, Account Balance $3811.23cr
10) Business without Notice
Property values
LHSR rural property specialists at Morisset have the advertising slogan “No mines under this one. Not many in Mandalong can boast that fact “as their main point to the current advertising of a local property. Land values as affected by the mines is of widespread community concern. This topic is constantly raised by the MCA at the CCC (Centennial properties sell-off plan ).
Discussion re how to determine if the value of local properties has been affected by mining, as distinct from the general national downturn. ACTION MCA to contact the Land and Property Dept (the old Valuer Generals Dept) to ask if property values are influenced by mining activity. Moved Col, seconded Mandy.
State Forest issues
Di reported several issues re State Forest.
1) Essential fire trails have been blocked off.
2) Road forming has channelled water into Di’s dam rendering it unusable.
3) Shooting of deer, by gun and crossbows, occurring often and very close to the property.
4) Four wheel driving off- road causing problems
Rob advised that residents need to know the laws relating to shooting and driving in the State Forests so that reference to these laws can be made when reporting incidents to the Police. ACTION Rob will research the relevant laws and post them on Mandalong.net .
ACTION MCA to write to State Forest requesting what recreational permits are current for use of the Mandalong State Forests. Moved Col, seconded Rob.
ACTION MCA to invite a representative from State Forest to a MCA General Meeting. Moved Col, seconded Marton.
www.mandalong.net
Improvements are underway to www.mandalong.net. Various sections will be refreshed and a number of new sections will be added including Q&A, Environmental Issues, and a Calendar of Events. Rob reported new hosting and simplified maintenance. Rob remains Web Master and Col is the new apprentice! A vote of thanks was made to Rob for the enormous contribution he makes to the web site and to Col for taking on this new role. Moved Marton, seconded Leonie.
Note, Rob has written to LMCC re signs advertising the web site. See Correspondence above.
Yula-Punaal Education and Healing Centre
Deborah Swan, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Officer, Forests NSW Central Region, invited the MCA to hold the AGM and General Meeting scheduled for 14 July at the Yula-Punaal Education and Healing Centre. The invitation was accepted with enthusiasm. Deborah will invite a Catchment Officer from the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (HCRCM) to attend to provide information on land management issues and funding etc.
11) Dates for upcoming meetings
26 April Mining Subcommittee Meeting
26 June CCC Meeting
14 July MCA AGM and General Meeting. 10.00 Yula-Punaal 11 Sauls Road
23 October CCC Meeting
2) Book Club The Cleft
The next meeting of the Book Club will be on Monday 23 April at the home of Jean Whittaker at 23A Maipoona Road Mirrabooka at 7.30 pm. We will discuss The Cleft by Doris Lessing, who has been described as one of the most celebrated and distinguished writers of our time, winning a host of international awards. The book could be described as a fable, in which she satirizes the unchanging behavioural patterns of men and women in a surprising and entertaining way.
We would be delighted to see you for an enjoyable evening over cheese and biscuits and a glass of wine or a cuppa. Ring Jean on 4970 5106 if you are coming.
Joan Satchwell
3) Film Club Midnight in Paris
The April meeting of the Film Club will be on Friday 27 April.
The April film selection is Midnight in Paris.
Midnight in Paris is a 2011 romantic comedy fantasy film written and directed by Woody Allen. The plot centers on a small group of Americans visiting the French capital for business and pleasure. The protagonist, a screenwriter, is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his fiancée and their divergent goals due to his magical experiences in the city beginning each night at midnight.
The film opened to widespread critical acclaim and has commonly been cited as one of Allen's best films in recent years. In 2012, the film won both the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and the Golden Globe Awards for Best Screenplay; and was nominated for three other Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Direction, and Best Art Dire
David and Sheila Kearns, 29 Little Valley Road 7.30pm.
Contact Leonie. leonie@the-sweeneys.com or 4970 5842 (office)
Leonie Sweeney
by Mandalong Community Association
