Minutes of KPCT Progress
Association Inc.
10
May, 2012 7.30 pm
Point
Clare Community Hall,
Attendees: Members 22, Visitors 4, Apologies 4.
Guest Speaker –
John Hay from the Northern Rail Noise Committee.
John spoke regarding the
issue of train noise. He advised the following:
·
there was no
issue with the private companies that run the freight trains, but we do have a
problem with the noise pollution they create.
·
Everyone is
affected by rail noise. There are school children affected by rail noise in
Beecroft, where they can’t sleep at night and have trouble studying at school
during the day.
·
The group has met
with government bureaucrats. The
committee has experienced difficulties in breaking down the culture at
RailCorp.
·
RailCorp had no
idea how to manage the rail noise problem.
John then provided a timeline
of developments:
·
January 2009 – First
realised how bad the wheel squeal had become.
·
August 2011 – Transport
Minster’s approval of a 12 month trial named TORFMA (which entails putting
grease on the train wheels).
·
November 2011 –
new era of transport and a new body looking after rail noise.
·
April 2012 –
Members from the group met with government officials and Fred Beringer gave a
speech on the group’s views.
·
A report will be
prepared on the effectiveness of TORFMA. Residents were concerned that the
report would be modified by RailCorp and thought that the trial should only run
for 6 months. Following the commencement of the TORFMA trial, authority was taking
away from Railcorp in regards to freight trains. The Transport Minister has
determined that the trial will run for 12 months.
·
All neighbouring associations
were contacted and asked if they would like to join the rail noise group. The
group got together and wrote a letter of complaint about the issues on behalf
of all of the Community Associations. The minister was happy to listen to any
sensible solutions to the problems. Rail noise is affecting not only the health
and wellbeing of residents, but also house prices.
·
The Committee
intends to use the services of the Environmental Defenders Office which are
free. The Committee recommends a noise limit of 60 decibels. Fred Beringer is our
contact on behalf of the Progress Association to the Northern Rail Noise
Committee.
Minutes from Previous meeting
There needs to be a change
regarding the sea level rise from 90mm to 90cm.
Moved by Lesley Brown, seconded
by Ken Goodworth.
Treasurer Report
There is currently $1,767.13
and $2,667.96 in the reserve account.
Moved by Treasurer Peter Shelden,
seconded by Lisa Hagarty.
.
Correspondence in
Moved by Jill Greenwood,
seconded by Peter Shelden.
Correspondence out
Moved by Lisa Hagarty,
seconded by Peter Shelden.
General Business
Koolewong Marina
·
Helen Orchard has
rung the Dept of Planning. The
Glenrock Parade
·
Graham Orchard
advised this problem has been going on for years. Helen Orchard spoke to the Council
(Craig Dury) and it is still in the design stage as the most recent design was
not acceptable. We have concerns that if
they decide to build an underpass at Woy Woy at the same time as the works at the
intersection of
Unnamed Reserve
·
We are still
waiting for a response by the Department of Lands. They have asked Kim Radford
of Gosford Council Parks & Leisure to prove the council is the nominated
trustee of the land. Kim will provide information to the Department of Lands to
prove this. Hopefully we will receive additional news soon.
·
Gary Slack
reported there are concerns about the sea wall and the dinghy rack. There
should be a new design version at the end of the month for public viewing, but
so far there is no funding for the sea wall.
Film Night
·
Helen Orchard/Graham
Orchard advised of a delay in booking the hall. The movie we have chosen is Red
Dog which we think is a good choice for young and old. It is proposed to have a
high tea for the adults and cupcakes and popcorn for children. When we apply
for the license to show the movie we have to specify the date the film will be
shown. This is now likely to be July or August. The Progress Association will
provide the funds for the event including the license for the movie, hall hire,
food and drink. We will ask children to bring a cushion.
Bushcare Group
·
Three ladies from
the Association came to help council in planting and cleaning up the Goodaywang
Reserve last Friday 4 May. It is now looking good and we are just maintaining
it. We are asking for more members to help out. All equipment is provided by Council
and all you need to bring is gloves. Council has arranged for two signs to be
erected, mentioning the joint effort by the Progress Association and Gosford
City Council.
Facebook
·
Lisa Hagarty
showed the group our Facebook Page. Everyone was happy with it and how it
looks.
Website
·
Ray Lawson
advised a slight change to the procedure on how items will be displayed on the
website. We are looking to add a calendar of events. We also need to obtain
people’s permission to display their emails on the website.
Point Clare Community Hall
·
Membership is $7
per year and we encourage our association members to become members of the
hall.
Point Clare Public Toilets
·
Lorraine Goodworth
asked when the public toilets are open around the Point Clare Shopping Centre. The railway toilets are open on
weekdays from early in the morning till about lunch time.
Pathway on
·
New Member Toni
Tibbs brought up the fact that walking between Point Clare shops and
Natural Gas Petition
·
Lisa Hagarty came
across a petition commenced by Bruce Fenwick to have natural gas supplied to
the Point Clare area. You need 42 people to sign the petition to arrange supply
in the area. This is an interest piece
that we can put in our next newsletter.
National Broadband Network
·
It looks like the
NBN will not be including the Koolewong area in the first phase, despite this
area being included in the original map. It appears the first phase rollout
will finish at Tascott. Koolewong will be included in the three year plan. It
was noted that the government is still providing funding for satellites if
residents cannot access the internet.
Cycleway,
·
It was suggested
that a No Through Road sign be installed on Welwyn Grove as there has been an
increase of traffic in the area and it is getting dangerous for people coming
off the cycleway. A motion was passed for the Secretary to write a letter to Council
requesting this. Moved by Rhonda Jenson, seconded by Len Murray.
Stage 1 of Gosford Landing
·
Julie Broad
brought up that there was no specific parking around the Performing Arts and
Convention Centre on the Gosford Waterfront.
Meeting closed at 9:32pm .
Next Meeting: 7.30pm
Thursday 12th July, 2012
Minutes
Secretary Chairperson
Lisa Hagarty Grahame
Orchard