Namoi CMA Minutes - Meeting Number 57 · Committee Chair noted the R&A Committee were assessing the...

..... CMACATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Namoi Catchment Management Authority

MINUTES

MEETING NUMBER 57

NCMA Tamworth Offices, Large Conference Room

22 March 201 0

NamoiCMA Minutes - Meeting Number 57

22 March 2010

Time: Meeting commenced at 10: 1Oam.

Present: Jim McDona1d (Chair), Hugh Barrett, Jeff Austin, Brian Tomalin, Bob Hudson, Juanita Hamparsum, Matt Davidson (OM & A/GM), Sally Egan (A/SPM), Sam Moss (BM), Anne Ferguson (PRO).

Chairs Welcome

Jim McDonald welcomed NCMA Board Members and staff to the Meeting and acknowledged the Traditional custodians of the land, and Elders past and present of the Kamilaroi nation.

Pecuniary Interest Register tabled.

1.0 A olooics

Maria Woods, Bruce Brown.

2.0 1\linutcs of the Previous I\I ecting (22/02/1 0)

2.1 Approval of Minutes

• Resolution 57.1

That the Minutes from NCMA Board Meeting 56 (22/02/10) be accepted and placed on the NCMA website.

Carried 2.2 Updated Actions

• Action 46.11

PRO advised discussions had been held with W estem CMA regarding holding a carp muster in the W algett region later in the year.

• Action 52.4

Chair noted the draft environmental trust deed was likely to be completed by the end of the week. Chair requested a copy of the draft for discussions at the upcoming Chair's Council Meeting.

• Action 52.7

The NCMA Board noted they were happy with the A/SPM's review of the current CAP and indicated there was a need for an annual review process to be put in place once the CAP Pilot Review process was completed.

• Action 55.4

A/GM noted internal discussions had been held regarding the development of a community capacity building strategy to incorporate engagement, education and communication. Draft strategy to be tabled at the May Board Meeting.

Minutes of Namoi Catchment Management Authority- Meeting #57 22103110

• Action 56.4

BM noted the review of all staff files had been completed. BM advised a review of staff training records would be undertaken once the skills audit was complete.

• Action 56.8

Chair advised he had presented the "Catchment Management Authorities Native Vegetation Policy Approach" paper to the CMA Chairs at their meeting on 24/02/10. Chair noted the paper would be addressed again at a future Chair's Council Meeting and would need to include more defmitive recommendations from the CMA Native Vegetation Working Group.

• Action 56.10

See Agenda Item 9.0.

3.0 CotTcs ondence (15/02/ I() - 12/03/1 0)

Juanita Hamparsum noted correspondence from the Hon Frank Sartor on 11103/10 and queried whether the State Plan Targets listed in the letter were being linked to the CAP Pilot Review. A/SPM advised the State Targets were at a different level from the Investment Program, and that all targets were being met.

Jeff Austin queried whether all outgoing correspondence in relation to extractive industries noted long term restoration terms.

NCMA Board briefly discussed the need for cumulative effects to be considered and detailed in all correspondence when responding to mining applications.

• Action 57.1

CC (West Namoi) to present a paper to the NCMA Board at the May Board Meeting outlining long term restoration strategies including details on how the suggestion of"salinity credits" would operate.

~.() Financials

~.1 & -U l\ITD, YTD P/L and Balance Sheet and Im estment Budget to Actuals

Previously circulated MTD and YTD fmancials were taken as read.

BM stated that on a YTD basis NCMA was $567k behind budget on its investment expenditure and $254k under budget on recurrent expenditure.

BM noted NCMA would come in either on target or just under budget by 30/06/10. If funds were underspent, BM advised a trade-off could be organised between another CMA who had overspent their F' 10 budget.

BM noted the ASGE monies for Liverpool Plains Shire Council ($500k) currently requires several approvals before it can be expended. OM noted if the Minister did not sign off on the project water would be sourced from Zone 10 as a second option, but that this held higher conflict risks.

NCMA Board briefly discussed the budget risk of a possible delay in the transfer of ASGE monies by 30/06/10. BM advised that these funds could be included in the F'11 forecast if prior approval was gained from DECCW Finance.

• Action 57.2

BM to speak with Renu Gangopadhyay (DECCW Finance) to discuss approval to the transfer of $500k in ASGE monies into F' 11 forecasts.

Minutes of Namoi Catchment Management Authority- Meeting #57 22/03/10

• Action 57.3

OM to speak with LPSC regarding the possibility of transferring the $500k ASGE monies to them after 30/06/10.

BM indicated there were no disclosures, legislative changes or OH&S matters to be tabled/discussed.

-1..3 Risk & Audit Committee

Committee Chair noted that the R&A Committee had held their meeting on 17/02/10 and also had met briefly before the NCMA Board Meeting.

Committee Chair advised the BM has drafted a brief to undertake an independent review ofNCMA's OH&S policy and that this policy was now ready to be sent to an external consultant for review.

Committee Chair noted the BM was unable to locate a consultant to undertake a staff skills assessment, but DECCW were Willing to undertake the assessment for NCMA at no cost.

Committee Chair noted that the NCMA Board Training Register had been updated and circulated to all Board Members.

Committee Chair advised a statutory report schedule was being developed and would be available to Board Members via the intranet.

Committee Chair noted the R&A Committee were assessing the current format of the Board Reports, particularly regarding more detail on MERI activity.

BM advised "life to date" figures for operational projects would now be included in the monthly board reports from senior staff.

Committee Chair noted any requests over $10k for funds out of the surplus interest account were to be submitted to the R&A Committee for approval.

Committee Chair advised that the R&A Committee would be holding another meeting in May before the next Board Meeting.

-1.3.1 OH&S 1\lattc.-s

No OH&S matters to report.

BM noted a report had been recently submitted from Col Easton involving a minor incident.

NCMA Board requested that an OH&S report from DECCW be included in the monthly Board Papers.

• Action 57.4

BM to speak with JeffCook (DECCW) to request a monthly OH&S report be provided to NCMA.

5.0 P\'P Working Grou >

Working Group Chair noted the previously circulated PVP Working Group Meeting minutes.

Working Group Chair advised that all Board Members, senior staff and PVP officers were to attend a one day Native Vegetation Act training session held by DECCW in the Tamworth Office to ensure a more consistent understanding of the Act.


5.1

• Action 57.5

EA to circulate available dates for a one day Native Vegetation Act training session (Terry Brill, DECCW) in the Tamworth Office.

Chair noted discussions were being held at the next Chair's Meeting on 31/03/10 to determine how the 12 other CMA's would gain access to the same Native Vegetation Act training.

Working Group Chair indicated a meeting between the Walgett Cluster Group, NCMA Chair, GM, OM and himself could be beneficial in obtaining critical feedback that could be included in the Walgett Outcomes Paper before it was presented to DECCW senior staff (and possibly the Minister).

• Resolution 57.2

The NCMA Board recommends the PVP Working Group organise a meeting with the Walgett Cluster Group to facilitate feedback on the Landscape Plan process and outcomes, and incorporate any relevant outcomes into the Walgett Outcomes Paper.

Carried

• Action 57.6

Upon fmalisation of the Wa1gett Outcomes Paper, the NCMA PVP Working Group present the findings to senior DECCW staff (and possibly the Minister) to ensure the findings/recommendations were fully understood.

Compliance/Conservation P\' P Issue

Working Group Chair advised that a request from a landholder had been received for NCMA to undertake a compliance linked conservation PVP on a one-off basis.

NCMA Board held a lengthy discussion on the risks involved in NCMA undertaking compliance linked conservation PVPs. Working Group Chair noted compliance would be enforced under such a PVP and could be binding on future landowners.

Working Group Chair noted legal advice had been sought on the matter and had been advised no action was to be taken until DECCW had finalised their policy position.

• Resolution 57.3

The NCMA Board recommends that Namoi CMA not be involved in issuing Conservation PVPs linked to compliance issues .

Carried • Resolution 57.4

The NCMA Board recommends that the NCMA Chair raise the issue of amendment to the relevant legislation/regulation at the next Chair's Council Meeting to allow "Remediation Directives" to run with the land.

Carried

NCMA Board opened an 'In Camera' session (1:00pm).

Present: Jim McDonald (Chair), Hugh Barrett, Jeff Austin, Brian Tomalin, Bob Hudson, Juanita Hamparsum.

NCMA Board 'In Camera' session closed (1:30pm).


6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

Board Polic~ Committee

Nothing to report.

Chairs Report

Chair's previously circulated report was taken as read.

Jeff Austin queried why the draft Terms of Reference of the Namoi Water Study were not being supported by the NCMA Board. Chair noted the changes could not be accepted until they are first approved by the State Advisory Committee. Chair advised the Namoi Water Study should be completed by September or October 2011.

Chair noted a new IPSOS survey was currently underway which would be distributed to 600 households across the Catchment. Chair advised the last study undertaken in 2006 proved to be very informative on community awareness and attitudes relating to NCMA.

Gcnerall\lanager's Repo1·t

GM's previously circulated report was taken as read.

A/SPM noted she had attended the Peel Water Sharing Plan Ministerial Advisory Committee meeting on 3/03/10 and advised that while Peel Valley Irrigators seemed reasonably happy with the Plan, Namoi Water had indicated they were unhappy with the plan.

Chair noted he and the GM had attended a meeting with the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MD BA) consultants who presented a draft Environmental Assets Report. Chair noted the report was now being amended by Tim Cummings (Marsden Jacobs) would be available by the end of March. Chair advised Bob Hudson's name had been provided to the consultants to possibly review the revised draft.

Chair advised he and the GM had received an invitation to attend the MDBA Peak Bodies, Government & Science Forum on 7/04/10.

Strategic Planning/,\ctiYities Re ort

A/SPM's previously circulated report was taken as read.

A/SPM noted the first session of the CAP Pilot Review Workshops were been held on 16 - 19 March 201 0 and had been well received. All information gained from the workshops was currently being reviewed.

A/SPM advised each council within the Catchment was being approached by NCMA with an offer to provide a CAP Pilot Review presentation to them. Once completed the stakeholder engagement process will begin.

A/SPM discussed the benefits of introducing the term "resilience" on NCMA's website to enhance community awareness. A/SPM and PRO to discuss.

Chair noted the following strategic items to be discussed at the May Board Meeting:

linking monitoring and investment to outcomes;

further development of a climate change policy;

linking climate change to NCMA's Extractive Industries Policy;

the pilot CAP Review process; and

the Murray Darling Basin Plan.


9.1 Climate Chanoc l'olin Discussion

Teleconference organised to link in Maria Woods prior to commencement of discussions.

Francesca Andreoni's previously circulated report was taken as read.

Chair gave a presentation to the NCMA Board outlining the trend in rainfall and temperatures over the last 100 years with statistics from the Bureau ofMeteorology.

The NCMA Board held a lengthy discussion on the existence of climate change and whether there was a need to develop a policy around it.

• Resolution 57.5

The NCMA Board formally acknowledges climate change as a "driver" to be considered as part of the Catchment Action Plan Pilot Review.

Carried

The NCMA Board noted further discussions on climate change would be held at the May Board Meeting.

I0.0 Im estment/0 erations Re >ot·t

OM's previously circulated report was taken as read.

OM noted the interview process to fill the currently vacant Invasive Species Officer position was about to commence.

OM advised all investment programs were travelling well apart from the delay in transferring the ASGE monies to Liverpool Plains Shire Council.

OM noted that discussions on a partnership with State Water have been progressing on the development of Booralong Frog aquatic habitat restoration program above Chaffey Dam.

11.0 Monitoring & Evaluation Re >ort

MERI Officer's previously circulated report was taken as read.

12.0 Nath e \'egetation/P\'P 0 >erations Update

CC (Nat Veg)'s previously circulated report was taken as read.

13.0 PRO Rcpm1

PRO's tabled report was taken as read.

PRO tabled the Media and PR Cashflow Report for March 2010.

PRO noted ABC News gave a fair and balanced report on the Bevan O'Regan issue and the matter had now been resolved.

Chair noted concern that the Cotton Communities CRC Sustainability Communities Rural Forum had been scheduled on the same day as the NCMA ETS Forum which limited Board attendance to one or the other.


1-LO Genera I Business

Hugh Barrett noted he had received some negative feedback from a landowner regarding NCMA expenditure on promotional materials. The NCMA Board briefly discussed the cost of promotional materials over the last 18 months and noted that the promotionaVadvertising value of these materials significantly exceeded their costs.

Hugh Barrett advised he had received a comment from a landholder regarding NCMA funding ofpasture improvement and subsequently queried the nature of the funding. OM noted that establishing perennial pasture is a key intervention for several threats such as inappropriate land use, stabilisation of sheet erosion, stabilising saline discharge sites and intercepting saline recharge zones.

15.0 Next Board !\leeting Date

Next Board Meeting to be held in Walcha on 27 and 28 May 2010.

Meeting closed at: 4:00pm

Bruce Brown GM Nomoi CMA


RESOLUTIONS Meeting Number 57

Res No

Policy Resolutions

57.3 The NCMA Board recommends that Namoi CMA not be involved in issuing Conservation PVPs linked to compliance issues.

Carried

57.5 The NCMA Board formally acknowledges climate change as a "driver" to be considered as part of the Catchment Action Plan Pilot Review.

Carried

Res No

Action Resolutions

57.1 That the Minutes from NCMA Board Meeting 56 (22/02/1 0) be accepted and placed on the NCMA website.

Carried

57.2 The NCMA Board recommends the PVP Working Group organise a meeting with the W algett Cluster Group to facilitate feedback on the Landscape Plan process and outcomes, and incorporate any relevant outcomes into the Walgett Outcomes Paper.

Carried

57.4 The NCMA Board recommends that the NCMA Chair raise the issue of amendment to the relevant legislation/regulation at the next Chair's Council Meeting to allow "Remediation Directives" to run with the land.

Carried


ACTIONS Meeting Number 57

Action Number

Action Who

57.1 CC (West Namoi) to present a paper to the NCMA Board at the May Board Meeting outlining long term restoration strategies including details on how the suggestion of "salinity credits" would operate.

CC (West Namoi)

57.2 BM to speak with Renu Gangopadhyay (DECCW Finance) to discuss approval to the transfer of $500k in ASGE monies into F' 11 forecasts.

BM

57.3 OM to speak with LPSC regarding the possibility of transferring the $500k ASGE monies to them after 30/06/10.

OM

57.4 BM to speak with Jeff Cook (DECCW) to request a monthly OH&S report be provided to NCMA.

BM

57.5 EA to circulate available dates for a one day Native Vegetation Act training session (Terry Brill, DECCW) in the Tamworth Office.

EA

57.6 Upon fmalisation of the Walgett Outcomes Paper, the NCMA PVP Working Group present the fmdings to senior DECCW staff (and possibly the Minister) to ensure the findings/recommendations were fully understood.

PVPWorking Group


Namoi CMA Minutes - Meeting Number 57 · Committee Chair noted the R&A Committee were assessing the...

Documents

Transcript of Namoi CMA Minutes - Meeting Number 57 · Committee Chair noted the R&A Committee were assessing the...