Gungahlin Community Council

Minutes of Executive and General Meetings, Wednesday 14 May 2008

EXECUTIVE MEETING

1.  PRESENT
Alan Kerlin, President
Jonathon Reynolds, Vice President
Kevin Cox, Public Officer.
Nada Pavlak, Secretary

APOLOGIES 
Gaylene Bell, Treasurer and Janet McKinney, Smokesignals Editor.

2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 
Minutes of Meeting of 9 April 2008 confirmed.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (if not otherwise on the agenda) 
All items arising have been completed:

• pest controller - done
• contract for Community Centre - done
• additional keys - done
• equipment purchase (laptop and projector) - done
• bills paid - done.

4. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 
The President reported on his activities during the past month, including:

• Attended Town Centre Master Plan Review Meeting on Transport Study.  Concern about transport consultants as they seem overly focused on car transport and not focusing enough on public transport.
• Various discussions with new members about possible involvement with GCC roles.
• Discussions about GCC's role in Nicholls House:  Confirmed with Gungahlin Regional Community Service that GCC was only involved with initial grant gaining and has no ongoing role beyond that.
• Arrangements for insurance for users of Palmerston Community Centre:  Users must show their own covers are current.  Got quote via AON for Gungahlin Community Centre volunteer cover (via Volunteering Australia and through broker AON) but the existing Volunteering Australia policy is the better deal.

Vic Smorhun, Manager, Communications and Government Services, ACT Planning and Land Authority invited GCC to a meeting with ACTPLA and representatives from Territory and Municipal Services Community Engagement Unit and the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services.  The meeting is to discuss and review community engagement arrangements currently in place, with ACTPLA and ACT Government agencies in general.  This will be the first of two meetings that ACTPLA is planning to hold with the Community Councils each year.  The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 2 July 2008 at 16 Challis Street Dickson.

Action Arising - President and Vice President to attend.

There was general discussion on idea of raising some seed funding for solar panels for Palmerston Community Centre.  The question of ownership of the building was raised, and whether permission would be required first.   It was agreed that the President would explore the options and possible opportunities for solar thermal options and gas backup with the Solar Energy Association, ANU and the Bega Solar Farm.

Resolution (President):  To ratify decision taken during out of session (email) meeting of executive to accept nomination for Secretary.  Seconded:  Jonathon Reynolds   Passed.

5. SECRETARY'S REPORT 
The Secretary introduced herself.
Action Arising - blurb and photo for website.

6. TREASURER'S REPORT 
The Treasurers report was tabled. 

Resolution (President):   To close separate Hall bank account as funds can be discerned as different cost centres within the accounting software.   Seconded:  Jonathon Reynolds   Passed.

Resolution (President): To include new signatories.   Seconded: Jonathon Reynolds   Passed.

7. GUNSMOKE REPORT 
Issue 107 would again be done be Jonathon and Alan

8. PALMERSTON COMMUNITY CENTRE REPORT 
Maintenance matters on the centre have been delayed as the locksmith/hardware guy had a heart attack. Arranging with Keeler Hardware to get outstanding matters resolved.

9. REPORTS ON EVENTS & CONSULTATIONS 

Gungahlin College master plan

Jonathon attended a meeting about the Gungahlin College Master Plan on 30 April.  The plans have not yet been publicly released.  The college and library precinct will be cutting edge, not only in the innovative 5-star energy efficient design and new facilities it will bring to the town centre, but for students it will offer a new model of pedagogy within the ACT college system. CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) is an education initiative founded by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. CDIO is being adopted by top universities around the world. This will put college participants at an advantage when they progress to their tertiary university-based education. The college has been designed specifically to support the CDIO pedagogy, with learning-based hubs with integrated collaboration and breakout facilities versus traditional classroom designs.
Other benefits for the wider Gungahlin community will be a new shared library facility, and a proper grassed town park with an outside stage - finally providing  a fully usable common that will replace the poorly designed linear park on Hibberson Street.
There will also be a 350-seat theatre as part of the development. It is important from the GCC point of view that the theatre can be available and accessible for public use outside standard college teaching requirements.  There was also some discussion of the adjoining sports facilities, playing fields, courts and the much-anticipated Aquatic Centre. The GCC will continue to advocate that the Aquatic Centre needs to provide 50m Olympic class pool, a 25m learn-to-swim pool as well as wading pool facilities

Action - Jonathon to draft letter to Richard Winnett.

GENERAL MEETING

The General Meeting commenced at 7.30 pm. Attendance as per attendance sheet.

ACT Budget

• $5 million for the Horse Park Drive Extension to support land releases in Gungahlin
• $1.5 million to bring the opening of Harrison High School forward by one year. This funding will see the commencement of design work to bring the opening of Harrison High School forward to 2012.
• $4.1 million over three years for a range of projects to progress planning of the development of Molonglo, East Lake and the remaining undeveloped suburbs in Gungahlin.
• Harrison district playing fields ($1 million)
• Designing the Throsby playing fields and netball centre ($600,000)
• Forward design of an enclosed oval for Gungahlin ($400,000)
• Feasibility for a new swimming pool in Gungahlin ($100,000)
• $1 million in the Harrison District Playing Fields. 
• Almost $50 million dollars over four years will be provided to purchase 100 new efficient, more accessible buses as part of the bus fleet replacement program.
• $20 million for the duplication of Flemington Road.
• Access to Burgmann Anglican School in Gungahlin will also be improved with $500,000 provided in this Budget to provide alternative access from Warwick Street to the school's main car park. 
• The Neighbourhood Halls will be for casual hire and will either be refurbished or newly constructed at Hall (refurbished)
• $18 million has been allocated for a new Community Health Centre at Gungahlin.
• $352,000 for the fit-out of Forde Community Centre.

Flemington Road concept plan

Concern that changes promised by Andrew Barr have not eventuated - president to pursue with Minister

10. GUEST PRESENTATIONS - 7.45pm 

• Community Housing Canberra Affordable housing projects in Gungahlin
• ACTPLA  Gungahlin Town Centre Master Plan
      (inc launch of Minister's Discussion Paper)

11. GENERAL BUSINESS ON NOTICE

There was no General Business on notice.  Other Action Arising:
Public Officer to:

• arrange for completion of the Annual Return and locate Audited Financial Statements for lodgement, and
• investigate stamp duty exemptions as the GCC may be eligible on the basis of being a not for profit organisation - would be significant saving on insurance payments.

12. GENERAL BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR 
There was no General Business.

13. UPCOMING MEETINGS 
Date:  Booked topics and/or guests

• 11 June 2008 Andrew Barr MLA - Minister for Planning, Education, Sport and Recreation
• 9 July 2008
• 13 August 2008
• 10 September 2008
• 8 October 2008 - ACT Election Meet the Candidates Night

 Potential topics from previous meetings:
 NCA - public transport links, Northbourne Avenue