Minutes 17 June 2007 PDF Print
1.    Following the working bee to remove snake weed from the Monsoon walk, Heather opened the meeting welcoming all.   

Present:   Leisa Baldwin, Ian Walker, Jo Vandermark, Alan Anderson, Gemina Anderson, Jenny Rivers, Colin Rivers, Strider, Alan White, Heather Boulden; Jeremy Hemphill.   

Apologies:  Niven McCrie, Cynthia and Philip Croft, Monica Osterkamp-Madsen, Ted Warren, Michael Stott; Denise Goodfellow, Brian & Lyn Reid, Jackie and Alan Stanger, Penny Wurm.

2.    Minutes of the meeting on 27 May 2007 were accepted as a true record.
    Moved Jeremy: seconded Jo.

3.    Business arising from minutes
    FOFD’s draft sign was given to P&W who propose to incorporate the message into a revision of the sign currently in the car park.   They offer to provide us with a draft for approval.
     
4.    Correspondence In:   
a)    Insurance form for working bees from Barry Scott
b)    Letter from Beryl Rantall enclosing membership form
c)    Letter from Peter Robertson, Environment Centre NT, thanking us for participating in the World Environment Expo.
d)    June Landcare magazine.

    Correspondence Out:
a)    Letters to Cathy McGiness, Principal Middle Point School and Mr Tony Considine, Principal Taminmin High School.re formation of FOFD
b)    Email to Top End Native Plant Society advising of working bee and of proposed forest rehabilitation project.
c)    Letter to Marion Scrymgour, Minister for Parks & Wildlife, urging her to approve funding to replace the boardwalk in the Monsoon Forest and inviting her to visit the site.   Copies sent to Paul Henderson, Minister for Tourism and Clare Martin, Chief Minister.

5.    Business arising from correspondence.  
a)    Insurance forms were provided for everyone to fill out indicating our interest in Fogg Dam.   It was noted this needs to be completed once only and FOFD will keep a record of who has filled one in.
b)     The FOFD stand at World Environment Expo looked very professional and the day was a success. Three people signed up to become members. Thanks were given to all who helped make it so:  Jenny Rivers for preparing name tags and posters; Barry Scott & Jacque Hindmarsh from P&W for providing posters and photos; Tim West from NTHA and Peter Foster from Landcare for setting up the gazebo; Jo Vandermark for setting up the display; Jo, Leisa and Jeremy for being there to be our ‘face,’ and Alan Anderson for offering assistance to obtain display boards.   Marion Scrymgour visited the stand and agreed to arrange a visit to Fogg Dam.


6.    Financial Report
    There are now 28 financial members and $510.00 in the bank – with one new membership fee yet to be banked. Incorporation fee paid by Jenny is to be reimbursed.
.  
7.    New memberships accepted:   Welcome to Strider, Penny Wurm, Alex Dudley & Alan Scott.
    Welcome to new interested friend:  Peta Jones.

8.    Monsoon Forest Boardwalk situation
    Jeremy advised that Tourism NT is prepared to fund part or all of the boardwalk replacement but Parks has not yet asked Tourism for funding. The strategies FOFD may adopt to achieve boardwalk replacement were discussed at length. A petition was not considered appropriate. Noted that:
•    Tourism’s money for boardwalk replacement will be reallocated if Parks does not make application by October
•    FOFD membership includes engineers and constructors who could assist in design and construction
•    However, boardwalk replacement is expected to be handled through government’s usual procurement system of Parks, DIPE and DCIS.
•    FOFD will continue to pressure government to commit to funding boardwalk design and construction this year.     
Agreed that:
•    Heather/Jerry phone Minister Scrymgour’s office to set a date for her visit
•    Invitations be issued to relevant stakeholders including FOFD members, Sydney University, Traditional Owners, ConocoPhillips environmental manager, Territory Times and NT Tourism to demonstrate the significance of Fogg Dam Reserve.

Heather was called away and Leisa took over the chair.

9.    Revegetation project
Jeremy provided an outline of Parks proposal that FOFD and the Aboriginal custodians revegetate the old pine forest that backs onto Workshop Jungle north east of the monsoon forest board walk.  This was discussed in relation to other Fogg Dam matters needing attention and the Reserve’s fire management.  It was agreed to further consider with Parks although, given the general state of the areas at Fogg Dam currently accessible to visitors, this does not appear to be a priority project for FOFD.

           Expected that Barry Scott will arrange a meeting between reps of FOFD and the Traditional Owners in July.    

10.    Other business
a)    Website maintenance: No responses received to Heather’s email seeking interest in managing the FOFD website, ie to edit and update information.    
b)    Membership kit:  Jenny suggested it is important members feel they are gaining something from their membership and provision of a kit covering FOFD’s role, vision and progress and something of the history of Fogg Dam could be appropriate. The concept was accepted: to be developed.

c)    The water tank for the toilet has been erected. Thanks to Mark Fogarty of Parks and Wildlife Service. Plumbing connection should be carried out shortly.

11.    Next meeting, next working bee.  .   
Next meeting – Sunday 26th August 07. (July was considered inappropriate due to the large number of major events in Darwin.) Main issue is likely to be follow up of progress re the Boardwalk replacement. Sydney Uni s to be asked to provide an update on its research in the area.

Alan Anderson agreed to talk with Parks about another working bee project.

12.    Meeting closed at 1.30pm. Leisa thanked all those present for participating in the working bee.


 Action Items Completed since April Meeting:
(a)    Letter and copies to Ministers re boardwalk
(b)    Exhibit at World Environment Day Expo
(c)    Working bee to weed snake weed from Monsoon forest walk and load Parks trailer with concrete footings
 
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