Sunday 17 May 2015

President's Annual Report for 2014


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

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