No coup this year

Each year leading up to the AGM there’s always a possibility that something unexpected may happen…it didn’t.

The Annual General Meeting held in March returned the majority of the Committee, with a slight shuffling of the positions to accommodate the loss of two highly valued committee members Robyn and John Gill.

The Gills are an inspiring, community-minded, dynamic duo who have been Progress stalwarts since 2004.

Robyn’s coordination of the Landcare crew throughout 2004-2018, along side John’s

wisdom and diligence as Treasurer, 2011-2018, have ensured on-ground outcomes have been undertaken with the knowledge and skill that only Robyn can provide, whilst John’s heroic efforts juggling membership, hall bookings and finances delivered strong and effective governance.

The CPPA has indeed been fortunate to have the Gill’s skills contributing to the CPPA Committee and the broader community since 2004. A heartfelt thanks goes to Robyn & John for their extensive contributions to the community and well wishes for your civic retirement.

The ‘new’ Committee are :

• President/Secretary - Suzanne Pritchard
• Vice President -. Harvey Mitchell
• Treasurer - Ian Dennison
• Chronicle Coordinator. Tony Dynon
• Membership Officer Robyn Garrett

Memorable moments 

The Annual Report was presented at the AGM providing a moment or two to reflect on the achievements of the past Progress year (2018). A video on the 6-year Threatened Species project was also shown and can be viewed at aabr.org.au/regenTV. 

Grant getting for doing good things

• A $16,198 Community Building Partnership Grant was gained to insulate and air condition the hall.
• The six –year, $250,000 Threatened Species Last Stand on the Coal Point peninsula grant (TSLS) which generated over $1million of cash and in-kind contributions was completed.

Community Collaboration

The CPPA joined forces with local community groups, as the Toronto Foreshore Protection

Group (TFPG), seeking to retain the entire Toronto foreshore as parkland for a growing population. CPPA support includes providing community updates via the Chronicle, fundraising, supporting events and contributing to discussions.

The partnership with the Toronto Area Sustainable Group (TASNG) continues to strengthen by supporting and promoting activities and assisting with membership renewals and collaborating on funding applications and projects. 

Our member’s hall

• The hall usage has been consistent.
• Maintenance sessions are now being undertaken biannually to align with council’s clean up.
• A wall mural now aids in locating the hall.
• Underfloor insulation was installed.
• A portion of the ‘the bushland backyard’ of the hall was sold to Council to expand the reserve by 575m2.

Community Gatherings

• A Member’s Morning was held which provided an opportunity for active members to socialise and welcome new members.
• A 170m2 mural was created on the Hunter Water Reservoir, with Coal Point Public and Toronto High School students.
• An Art & Craft Show was held, 200 people attended.
• The planting of the Squirrel Glider garden at Coal Point Public School was completed on School National Tree Day.
• A children’s activity, Fur & Feathered Friends was developed and shared with Carey Bay preschooler and children at local events.
• A National Tree Day community planting and primary weeding of the Hampton St link happened, gaining community thanks and appreciation for the work.
• A Bunnings BBQ was undertaken and funds shared to support the TFPG.

Getting the word out and about

• 10 editions of The Chronicle were produced and distribution increased from 1500 to 2000 to support the TFPG campaign.
• The website and Facebook page were maintained with content from the Chronicle.
• A Bonza Bushland Gardening Guide was created to support locals with bushland blocks to understand the threats to bushland and how to manage them.
• Suzanne Pritchard attended the SER2018 conference and delivered a presentation on the TSLS project. The presentation can be viewed on AABR’s regenTV webpage,
• A five-minute presentation on the TSLS project outcomes was delivered to LMCC Councillors on 29/10/18.

Keeping track of Council

• Submissions were made to LMCC on the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan and Lake Mac 2050 Strategy.
• Development Applications were monitored monthly and shared in the newsletter.
• Major developments included
• DA 1243/2016: 2 Brighton Ave- 133 Excelsior Pd. – 19 Units. The developer’s appeal was dismissed and the DA refused by the Land & Environment Court on 28/3/18
• DA1835/2016-(Amended) 151-155 Brighton Ave- 44units and amended DA for 37 units– Council approved the DA in Sept 2018 allowing it to exceed the planning control’s height limits.
• DA 1865/2017 - 20 Laycock St- 22Units- awaiting the outcomes of environmental surveys.

Restoring our public bushland

• The Landcare group continued to meet every Thursday and revel in the resilient bushland that benefits from the caring hands and enthusiasm of the crew.
• Over the past year, 1985 plants found a home in our community and 2240 hours of landcaring was undertaken
• The multiple on-ground outcomes from the TSLS project are summarised in the full report.

Thank you to our Members, Volunteers and Sponsors

The Progress Association is indebted to all the locals who give their time, talent and support for the greater good of the community.

Thank you to the members whose support is vital for the organisation to be able to represent community views and a special vote of thanks those who added a donation to their membership fees. Thank you to the sponsors who make the Chronicle and community projects possible, Yoga Circle for their regular hall hire, our volunteer auditor Veronica Lund and Armstrongs Solicitors for assisting with the land sale.

Heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers from near and far who landcare, who look after the hall, distribute newsletters, help out and come along to social events, provide catering, take photos, collect and collate data, provide local insights for the newsletter, offer professional expertise and look after the governance of the group coordinating sponsors, memberships and admin.

Appreciation goes to Greg Piper, who has been a long term supporter of the CPPA.

The full annual report from the AGM can be viewed here.