199904
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199904 [2016/01/20 21:00] – kennettj | 199904 [2016/05/14 09:55] (current) – kennettj | ||
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====== Letters to the Editor ====== | ====== Letters to the Editor ====== | ||
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**Fire Sale of Coolana** | **Fire Sale of Coolana** | ||
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Originally circulated at the March AGM | Originally circulated at the March AGM | ||
- | 1. Where did the money to buy Coolana come from? | + | 1. Where did the money to buy Coolana come from?\\ |
Purchase cost of $4,060 was funded by North Era Trust $1,557 | Purchase cost of $4,060 was funded by North Era Trust $1,557 | ||
SBW Special Fund $1,000 | SBW Special Fund $1,000 | ||
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Dot Butler advanced $3,000 of her own money to secure the property pending the club arranging finance. The original North Era Trust was formed from members' | Dot Butler advanced $3,000 of her own money to secure the property pending the club arranging finance. The original North Era Trust was formed from members' | ||
- | 2. How is the ownership identified? | + | 2. How is the ownership identified? |
On purchase the land titles for Coolana were vested in a Trust with three Club Members as trustees. The ownership was transferred to the SBW when the club became incorporated. | On purchase the land titles for Coolana were vested in a Trust with three Club Members as trustees. The ownership was transferred to the SBW when the club became incorporated. | ||
- | 3. What does Coolana cost to keep? | + | 3. What does Coolana cost to keep? \\ |
A " | A " | ||
- | D Butler Fund for Conservation $5,012 | + | D Butler Fund for Conservation $5,012, |
- | Marie Byles Fund for Conservation $1,305 (set up with money left to Dot Butler in Marie Byte 's will) | + | Marie Byles Fund for Conservation $1,305 (set up with money left to Dot Butler in Marie Byte 's will), |
- | M Davidson Fund for Conservation $2,937 | + | M Davidson Fund for Conservation $2,937, |
Natural Areas Ltd $450 | Natural Areas Ltd $450 | ||
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Coolana does not impose a burden on the Club finances. In the last ten years the fund income was $21,633 and expenditure $17,256 ie a surplus of $4,377. This is after the purchase of lawnmowers and other equipment. | Coolana does not impose a burden on the Club finances. In the last ten years the fund income was $21,633 and expenditure $17,256 ie a surplus of $4,377. This is after the purchase of lawnmowers and other equipment. | ||
- | 4.Does Coolana have conservation value? | + | 4.Does Coolana have conservation value?\\ |
The land has very high conservation value. It forms part of a natural cliff-line link from the upper part of Kangaroo Valley down to Tallowa Dam and the Morton National Park. This cliff-line is home to threatened species including one of the remnant colonies of brush-tailed rock wallabies, presently located in the vicinity of our property. Kangaroo Valley has been allocated $135,000 (over three years) for protection of this species. The National Parks and Wildlife Service are assisting us, and our neighbours, in identifying threatened species of flora and fauna in the Kangaroo Valley. | The land has very high conservation value. It forms part of a natural cliff-line link from the upper part of Kangaroo Valley down to Tallowa Dam and the Morton National Park. This cliff-line is home to threatened species including one of the remnant colonies of brush-tailed rock wallabies, presently located in the vicinity of our property. Kangaroo Valley has been allocated $135,000 (over three years) for protection of this species. The National Parks and Wildlife Service are assisting us, and our neighbours, in identifying threatened species of flora and fauna in the Kangaroo Valley. | ||
A study entitled " | A study entitled " | ||
- | + | 5. Who uses Coolana?\\ | |
- | 5. Who uses Coolana? | + | |
All club members, including prospective members, and their families may use Coolana. In fine weather, each week will see people casually camping with more on the holiday weekends. For instance, last Christmas 35 people enjoyed the facilities, at Easter six families. Up to 100 people have attended the Club's annual reunion although numbers have been lower in recent years. The prospectives' | All club members, including prospective members, and their families may use Coolana. In fine weather, each week will see people casually camping with more on the holiday weekends. For instance, last Christmas 35 people enjoyed the facilities, at Easter six families. Up to 100 people have attended the Club's annual reunion although numbers have been lower in recent years. The prospectives' | ||
- | 6. Is camping and access to the river flats secure? | + | 6. Is camping and access to the river flats secure?\\ |
There has been no indication from Sydney Water that our use of the river flats will be discontinued. Our license to use these river flats has been renewed. There are alternative camping sites available on our land adjacent to the river flats, close to the shelter shed. There is no suggestion from the Sydney Water or NPWS (future managers of Sydney Water land) that access to the river will be denied. | There has been no indication from Sydney Water that our use of the river flats will be discontinued. Our license to use these river flats has been renewed. There are alternative camping sites available on our land adjacent to the river flats, close to the shelter shed. There is no suggestion from the Sydney Water or NPWS (future managers of Sydney Water land) that access to the river will be denied. | ||
- | 7. Are there alternative camping sites for large groups? | + | 7. Are there alternative camping sites for large groups?\\ |
It is becoming more difficult to find such camping sites. NPWS have imposed site limits in national parks and permits (with fees) may be introduced. | It is becoming more difficult to find such camping sites. NPWS have imposed site limits in national parks and permits (with fees) may be introduced. | ||
- | 8. Does weed control place an intolerable burden on our members? | + | 8. Does weed control place an intolerable burden on our members?\\ |
The river flats were cleared of weeds (with assistance from Sydney Water). The challenge now is to prevent reseeding for a further two to three years. Natural grass is being encouraged and indigenous trees planted (re-growth is occurring). This will return the area to its natural state and continuous mowing will not be required. Weeding is carried out by volunteers who willingly give their time for the benefit of Coolana. | The river flats were cleared of weeds (with assistance from Sydney Water). The challenge now is to prevent reseeding for a further two to three years. Natural grass is being encouraged and indigenous trees planted (re-growth is occurring). This will return the area to its natural state and continuous mowing will not be required. Weeding is carried out by volunteers who willingly give their time for the benefit of Coolana. | ||
- | 9. What is a Voluntary Conservation Agreement and how will it affect Coolana? | + | 9. What is a Voluntary Conservation Agreement and how will it affect Coolana?\\ |
A Voluntary Conservation Agreement is a contractual agreement, legally binding on the landholder, all future landholders, | A Voluntary Conservation Agreement is a contractual agreement, legally binding on the landholder, all future landholders, | ||
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perpetuating the conservation values of our property. Our existing use of the land and possible extension of these uses can be safeguarded in the management agreement. Assistance from the NPWS may include funding for equipment/ | perpetuating the conservation values of our property. Our existing use of the land and possible extension of these uses can be safeguarded in the management agreement. Assistance from the NPWS may include funding for equipment/ | ||
- | 10. What are the financial advantages of a Voluntary Conservation Agreement? | + | 10. What are the financial advantages of a Voluntary Conservation Agreement?\\ |
Shoalhaven Council have indicated that new legislation now permits them to grant rate exemption for properties or sections of properties covered by a VCA. The council has also indicated that some rate relief may be granted a Wild Life Refuge if the management plan for the sanctuary excludes the erection of buildings etc. Coolana rates last year were $1300. NPWS have indicated that funding is available and, depending on the management plan obligations, | Shoalhaven Council have indicated that new legislation now permits them to grant rate exemption for properties or sections of properties covered by a VCA. The council has also indicated that some rate relief may be granted a Wild Life Refuge if the management plan for the sanctuary excludes the erection of buildings etc. Coolana rates last year were $1300. NPWS have indicated that funding is available and, depending on the management plan obligations, | ||
- | 11. Has the Club committed itself to a Voluntary Conservation Agreement ? | + | 11. Has the Club committed itself to a Voluntary Conservation Agreement ?\\ |
A sub-committee (Bill Holland, Rosemary McDougall, John Poleson and Patrick James) was appointed 11 April 1998 to investigate the possibility of entering into a VCA. Progress has been reported in the Club magazine and at general meetings. Current negotiation with NPWS has been deferred due to NPWS commitment to other properties and to our hesitation into entering into such an agreement. However, the NPWS have advised that they are willing to assist us in preparing a Management Plan for Coolana as a wildlife sanctuary. This is a requirement under the relevant Act and will form the basis of a VCA should club members decide to proceed. | A sub-committee (Bill Holland, Rosemary McDougall, John Poleson and Patrick James) was appointed 11 April 1998 to investigate the possibility of entering into a VCA. Progress has been reported in the Club magazine and at general meetings. Current negotiation with NPWS has been deferred due to NPWS commitment to other properties and to our hesitation into entering into such an agreement. However, the NPWS have advised that they are willing to assist us in preparing a Management Plan for Coolana as a wildlife sanctuary. This is a requirement under the relevant Act and will form the basis of a VCA should club members decide to proceed. | ||
199904.txt · Last modified: 2016/05/14 09:55 by kennettj