Minutes of a meeting of the Franklin River Landcare Group

Held at Franklin Downs on Wednesday 25 March 2009

Present: Dan Knee, Judy Bacon, Michael & Anne Green, Elaine Smith,
Hugh Sarjeant & Diana Droog, Greg Bull, Barbara Hoare, Bruce
Knee, Dan Garlick, Lyndell Shields, Susan Schuhmann, Martin
Chatfield

Apologies J Chatfield, I & J Martin, R Knee

Minutes of last meeting: moved and accepted

Treasurer's report: Tabled by A Green. Current balance is $9,999.80

Correspondence: LandCare Group priorities for 2009

Discussion around purpose and vibrancy of the FRLCG. They have

both wavered over the past few years, especially since funding of
tree planting projects has stopped.

There will be federal govt funding for "Caring for Country": - SGLC
network has been applying for funding for projects:

• Fox project at Venus Bay

• Weed control in managed reserves at Shallow Inlet, Sandy Point

and Waratah Bay.

Priorities need to be met for next project e.g. Ramsar wetlands,

weeds of national significance.

Applications are in place at present for LandCare groups & will be

able to access some of this.

But only for on-ground works. E.g. weed control and willow removal.
Also the 1m trees project.

Funding will probably be released after June 09. There is cause for
optimism. There is funding for small equipment grants- deadline is
end of March.

Discussion re relative benefits of laptop or not for future secretaries:

concensus was that it was probably not a good investment.
Purpose of FRLCG: Suggestions:

• Events on Saturdays to encourage members who don’t find it easy

to be involved. This was tried in the past but did not attract any new
people

• Aim of the group is to care both for own land and the local area

• There is no connection with the SGCS

Some other LCGs have similar change of purpose situations

FRLCG has become rejuvenated - there have been farm walks and
speakers

Some people would appreciate on farm walks, which would be very

helpful to new members.
There is a question as to whether the purpose of the group is to look
after each individuals property, or to join forces and address
communal land e.g. weed problem.

Martin is trialling a new species of rust on blackberry in this area.

This is working well in East Gippsland but is often weather
dependent.

Suggestion that FRLCG could lobby for increased hours for

professional weed control, as roadside weed control is not enforced.
There is a formal task force to try to address this problem.

Suggestion: The FRLCG lobby State Govt to bring back and enhance
DPI action on noxious weeds e.g. ragwort.

Conclusion: that weed control is a priority for most members.

Options on the future of the group

• Run without a secretary for a 3 month trial

• Fold - but what about the $10k?

• Pay for secretary

• Merge with a neighbouring LCG

Hugh suggests a "Claytons secretary", for minute-taking and

distributing, but not available for other executive activities. Moved B
Hoare, seconded G Bull. Passed.
Hugh will take over as temporary secretary.

Next meeting will address plans for projects. Small equipment grant
discussed. A digital camera would be helpful as the old one is not
working. This would help get early slides of FRLCG revegetation
work onto disk. After discussion it was felt that the first preference
would be for a projector, 2nd preference for a digital camera.

Suggestion that recording FRLCG history in visual medium could be

the subject of a future meeting.

Action Rae Knee : 1st choice : a projector to show slides

Inventory of equipment - ute pack, Hamiltons tree planter x 4

Next meeting: Wednesday 29 April 2009 at the Toora Pub: 7pm

Double check with Deb, publican.

Speaker: contact Dr Colin Young, and team up with the Agnes LCG
Action Rae Knee.

Or : DPI/Pastures renovation: their role (Martin to contact)

The meeting finished at 9:15 pm.