Community Forum, Forreston
Forreston Memorial Hall, Forreston, 31 March 2015
Action Summary Table
Introduction:
The following table represents the discussion and comments made at the Forreston Community Forum held at the Forreston Memorial Hall on 31 March 2015.
The Forum was attended by the Mayor and Elected members of the Council as well as Council officers. Approximately 55 people were in attendance. Catering
was provided by the Forreston Memorial Hall Committee.
Presentations included:

Sampson Flat Bushfire update: David Waters, Director Community and Customer Service provided an update on the recent bushfire. His presentation
acknowledged the tremendous collaboration between community, CFS, State Government agencies, not for profit groups, adjoining Council’s and
Adelaide Hills Council. David discussed the Response and Recovery teams that were formed within Council in response to the bushfire, the creation of a
State Government coordinator, Karlene Maywald, as well as a local coordinator, Anne Ellis, who will occupy this role until early 2016.

Council Building and Planning response to the bushfire: Marc Salver, Director Strategy and Development, provided a brief update on the
response provided by his building and planning staff in assisting land owners with enquiries and development applications.

Stirling East Primary School – Nurse Blanche Atkinson. Students from the school gave a brief presentation about Nurse Atkinson a former student who
was decorated with the Royal Red Cross Medal for ‘Devotion to Service’ – one of the highest distinctions a nurse can obtain. She is buried in the Stirling
cemetery. Students are working with Council to upgrade the cemetery as an Anzac Centenary project and are also planting an avenue of honour on
the school grounds.

Roadside fuel reduction program – Bob Myers and Fred Wilkey – A progress report on this joint community and Council initiative was presented and created a lot of
interest especially around the success of the different species of grasses being grown. Following the presentation people were invited to look at the various grasses
on display.
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
Black Hill and Morialta Conservation Park Centenary – Liz Milner announced to the Forum the centenary of the Park and invited people to participate in the
celebration by visiting the park, enjoying the facilities and viewing the public art exhibition . She thanked Council for their assistance in providing an opportunity for
the exhibition to be on display in the Stirling library.

Forreston CFS – Tony Kiulper from the CFS discussed the role of the CFS in the Sampson Flat Bushfire, acknowledging the voluntary work undertaken by his crew and
others and the tremendous support shown by the community in dealing with the fire. Tony also spoke about the CFS structure across the State, the concern
generated by the recent increase in the Emergency Services Levy and the need to continue to support the CFS both in fundraising and volunteering.

Forreston Memorial Hall – John Lyon addressed the forum as a long serving member of the Hall Committee. He spoke about the Committees role in fundraising and
ongoing work to ensure the Hall is maintained and available for community use. The Committee acknowledged the community spirit that exists in the Forreston
community, albeit a small but cohesive community. He also encouraged people to join the Committee as the average membership age is over 75 years. He thanked
the Council for ‘coming to the area’ and holding the Forum.
Forum discussion
Discussions were held at the three booths; Planning and Infrastructure; Sampson Flat Bushfire, Customer Services and Other Matters.
Issues raised were as follows:
Sampson Flat Bushfire
1. Roadside clearing of fallen vegetation particularly on minor (smaller) roads.
2. A bulk water storage tank for fire fighters required in Forreston
3. Use road names to best describe where fire fronts are as this will assist in locating exact spots
4. Huge praise for the fire fighters
5. Can Council work with land owners to rid the area of blackberries to reduce vegetation risk along Federation Park
6. Road blocks were a big thing during the fire. Can community and CFS work more in partnership to assist police in this matter?
7. Safety audit required for Gumeracha Hall particularly in view of its potential use as a Command Centre if a fire arises again
8. More detail required about the exact location of Sampson Flat when it was first broadcasted as ‘we did not know where it was”
9. Forestry SA should not replant trees near Gumeracha
10. Keep cyclists out of the area during the fires as they are a risk to all concerned
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11. Community involvement was amazing, especially from those not directly impacted
Other Matters
1. How do we get broken rubbish bins replaced?
2. Watts Gully road in need of maintenance – is there any hope of bitumen?
3. Get SAPOL to provide resources to combat hoons on our roads
4. Return 50kmph speed limit to Forreston township to at least extend past Checker Hill road
5. Cut back trees over speed signs so they can be read
6. Visibility problems at junction of Norsworthy and Forreston Rd
7. Martin Hill Rd and Warren Road – rumble strips are too close to intersection
8. Roadside vegetation management plan needed for Wintons Rd. There are three trees marked for felling and at lot more that pose a safety risk
9. Plant more native grasses on our roadside and more revegetation required
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