MINUTES OF FRIENDS OF KNOCKLOFTY ANNUAL MEETING 21 January 2016
Present:, Ann Hughes, Greg Summers, Robyn Mounster, Rodney Arnold, Vicky Martin,
Astrid Wright (in the chair), and Ian Wright(Minutes secretary, MS). Lisa Cawthen (COH),
Bec Johnson (COH)
Apologies: Jim Anderson, Bruce Champion, Adrienne Willing
1.
Convenor’s Report: Astrid read her report (and some of the major items were
discussed more fully later.
2.
FoKL Officers: The following agreed to hold positions for 2016
Office
2016
Convenor
Astrid Wright (happy to do again provided the
support from the core members is
maintained)
Equipment Officers
Robyn Mounster storage and Jim Anderson
maintenance
Qualified in Senior First Aid
Three retrainings will be provided by COH to
*
people who need it.
Flora Officer
Bruce Champion
Fauna Officer
David Obendorf (to be confirmed)
Web Master
Rex Bunn
ISSUES ARISING FROM THE CONVENORS REPORT.
1. Site Plan
The Knocklofty site plan has been prepared by Bruce and forwarded to Council and the FoKL
website.
2. Ald Anna Reynolds
Ald Reynolds continues to be supportive.
3. Knocklofty Open Day
Lisa Cawthen reported on the Open Day. The historians engaged by COH have prepared a
report on the day, which has still to go to Council before it can be released. It was obvious
that people who came to the Open Day appreciate the Reserve.
4. Rare Ammonite Snail.
The location is known but will not be publicised to prevent damage to its environment.
5. Weed Control.
There is little weed about due to the dry season. This year work will be concentrated on the
area of Forest Rd beyond the boom gate, and KR 18 where there are scattered areas of
gorse. The activity calendar has been prepared up to the end of June. The activities in the
rest of the year are dependent on rain and the ownership of Mrs Fielding’s property.
6. OPTUS.
Last year they paid for three days maintenance of the buffer zone on their land. There is little
regrowth there now due to dry weather. It is our turn to pay next year.
7. TASNETWORK Wayleave
A 5 year contract has been signed by COH with FoKL as subcontractors. The contract
payment terms are the same as previous contracts.
MINUTES OF FRIENDS OF KNOCKLOFTY ANNUAL MEETING 21 January 2016
OTHER BUSINESS
1. WALLY MOUNSTER PLAQUE.
This has now been placed. Site is not being publicised to prevent vandalism.
2. CASCADE STRATEGIC LAND REVIEW
Greg and Jim attended the Cascade meetings as some of that land borders on Knocklofty,.
The report is still being prepared.
3. UTAS FIRE PLAN
UTAS environmental students have prepared a fire plan for Knocklofty Reserve/McRobies
Gully area with input from Bruce and COH staff. UTAS want to see their students working
more closely with community groups such as FoKL.
FoKL FUNDS
Astrid reported that there is $18,496 in trust with the COH, $451 in the Commonwealth Bank
account, and about $111 is held in petty cash. The expenditure for 2015 was $388 and this
covered subscriptions, tools and refreshments.
Astrid said funds for 2016 will be OK. If needed, money can be taken from the trust fund.
HOURS WORKED BY FoKL
Astrid has prepared a summary of hours worked by FoKL members. She has estimated that
the group in general have worked about 833 hours ‘on ground’. In addition about 200 hours
for training, open day help, meetings and administration
MRS FIELDINGS PROPERTY
The property is now up for sale by ‘expression of interest’. Lisa is preparing a report for a
special meeting of the COH Council which puts forth options about purchase of all or part of
the property. If acquired by COH there is an expectation that FoKL will need to work in the
area as the regrowth and weeds are almost out of control. Possibly FoKL may be able to use
the trust fund to pay contractors for clearing.
If COH is not successful in purchasing the property, then COH will seek to talk to the new
owners about assistance with managing the area designated ‘environmental management’.
Lisa said the situation with the property was very complex due to the nature of the land titles.
An associated issue concerns a large gumtree on the property which requires protection.
This will be discussed once the property is sold.
GREEN ARMY
Lisa said that COH had obtained the service of Green Army in 2016. There will be nine
people working for 26 weeks, four days a week. In addition, COH will receive $20,000 for
incidentals. The Green Army will be supervised through Landcare and Land Management.
Tasks on Knocklofty includes new fencing around Janets Pond.
There will also be a dual bike /walk track from Knocklofty to Sth Hobart via McRobies Gully
and a new track from Tara St up Ross Rivulet.
BUSHCARE BROCHURE
Lisa said that Bushcare is about more than just weeding and the new Bushcare brochure
highlights these other activities. Bushcare also covers wildlife monitoring such as – bat/bird
tracking, mammal surveys etc. The COH holds workshops to get interested people involved
in these activities.
VOLUNTEERING
Both Bec and Lisa talked about how the style of volunteering was changing. People no
longer belong to just one organisation and do all their volunteering with them. People are
more fluid and more from group to group. Social media has a role to play in making people
aware of groups such as ours.
MINUTES OF FRIENDS OF KNOCKLOFTY ANNUAL MEETING 21 January 2016
Thanks from Lisa to FoKL for all work done. She said her job is to assist in any publicity
FoKL need. Social media, posters etc. She is also more than willing to help with grant
applications.
The meeting closed at about 8:30pm and was followed by another splendid supper provided
by Jenny and Greg. This was greatly enjoyed by all.
Thank you Jenny and Greg.