It’s always a positive experience
sitting down to write the Annual report because it encapsulates the amazing
outcomes that the active folk in our community have achieved. There have been
some very significant happenings this year.
The year has climaxed in the highly
anticipated review of the Constitution and discussions about the proposed sale
of some of the CPPA land to extend the Stansfield Reserve. Considerable cranial
processing power went into the revision of the constitution aiming to retain
the integrity of the original intent of the Association within a changing
community landscape…a great team effort. Thankyou to Ian for leading the
process.
The Landcare group was recognised as the
Community group of the year at the Lake Macquarie Australia Day Awards for the “the huge
amount of time donated to protecting these (local) valuable assets… a
testament to the group members’ generosity. Coal Point Landcare group’s ongoing
commitment of 20 years is not only hugely beneficial to local ecosystems but is
also an inspiration to the wider Lake Macquarie community”.
The
local landcare group has successfully coordinated the on-ground program of
landcaring to ensure that gains continue to be made possible thanks to the
detailed local landcare knowledge that is held by the group. Additional support
from the Green Army, Lake Macquarie Landcare’s Green Team and the Trees In
Newcastle landcare crew have strengthened the local efforts. Enduring gratitude
to Robyn for keeping it all moving in a forward direction.
The Toronto Area Sustainable
Neighbourhood group shared the Australia Day Community group of the year award.
The CPPA has been supporting TASNG through regular updates in the newsletter about
their flagship projects, Fire Retardant Garden and Tossers can be Binners, and
offering membership to locals via the CPPA membership renewal system.
Collaborative funding proposals are also being developed to support the ongoing
issue of pedestrian safety within the community.
The Threatened Species Last Stand
project has continued to provide support to the local landcare efforts
on-ground activities and widening the landcare ethic to the private landholders
in the community during the third year of the project.
This year’s focus was on identifying and
supporting the local Threatened Species. Installing 28 nest boxes for Squirrel
Gliders has shown signs of occupation and so appear to be providing habitat
opportunities as intended. Extensive Tetratheca
juncea clumps were located along the West Ridge and will direct bush
regeneration activities to ensure their survival. The annual flora surveys have
provided training opportunities and the discovery of another vulnerable plant, Grevillea parviflora.
The Landholder engagement process has
begun with a biodiversity audit trial, which aims to provide a useful resource
for the broader community as well. Outreach events included school landcaring
and a schools National Tree Day planting, stalls at the Toronto Spring Fair and
several other community events. Thankyou for the opportunity to learn and
continue to support the environmental outcomes in our area.
Progress Hall has continued to provide a
local venue for local activities with Yoga, Art and local gatherings. Eraring
Energy has provided $1000 to support the completion of the flooring in toilets
and install secure storage. Additionally the grounds of the Hall are undergoing
a transformation to demonstrate best practice bushland gardening. Appreciation
goes to Tony for keeping an eye on the maintenance, Margaret for securing the
bookings and Robyn for the grounds makeover.
The ever watchful eye of Treasurer Gill
ensured that the accounts were well maintained, a profit generated for the year
and a meaningful reporting system maintained. Hall hire and sponsorships
generate enough income to cover the costs of insurances, rates and operating
expenses. The motion to sell part of the
Progress Association’s land was proposed to reduce the rate-able land therefore
reducing one of the Association’s major costs. More details will be provided in
the Treasurer’s report. The Association’s assets include Progress Hall and adjacent
land. John’s attention to accounting is a valuable contribution
to the ongoing management of the Association’s affairs.
The Chronicle was published 10 times in
the past year (no October of January) and continues to provide a vehicle to
engage and inform the community as well as generates income from sponsorship. A
block of sponsors from the Carey Bay Shopping Centre was added this year.
Regular updates in the newsletter have included the Development Applications in
process, Landcaring projects, the TSLS project activities and outcomes, local
events, TASNG activities and the review of the constitution.
The online ‘blog’ of the Chronicle has
allowed for extended versions of some articles and more pictures and
information to be shared and is developing into a repository of information
about our local community and the environmental assets. Local media outlets
have been reading the newsletter online and following up with mass media on
items of interest.
The Association provided comments on
behalf of the community to LMCC on
- the LMCC Coastal Zone Management Plan
- 26 multiple dwellings on 20 Laycock St , which was ultimately
withdrawn and
- 150 Excelsior Parade which is still being processed
The recent discovery of Squirrel Gliders
(SG) in occupation of a nestbox in the vicinity of Whitelock Street has buoyed
the spirits of the locals. The plan to ‘install nestboxes and they will come’
seems to be working. The spotlighting
session aims to survey the area for SG activity.
