Home>Resources>Minutes>General meeting>June 2008
Member's General Meeting 17 June 2008
Boatshed, Wharf Rd
MEETING OPENED
7.00pm
1. ATTENDANCE
63 in attendance
Special Guests: Greg Pullen, Shoalhaven City Council Development Office
Michelle Miran, Department of State & Regional Development
Rhonda McGuire, Blueprint Shoalhaven
2. APOLOGIES
MOTION To accept apologies as read
Moved: Gary Kearney Seconded: Beverley Bloomfield Carried
3. PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION To accept previous minutes
Moved: Lynnette Kearney Seconded: Doug Symes Carried
4. PRESENTATION FROM SCC
This presentation was conducted during the count of the Special General Meeting motion, prior to the General Meeting being opened as Greg Pullen was due at another appointment.
Greg reported on the following:
BERRY BYPASS. RTA are currently looking at the option of a tunnel through the ridge of Foxground, deviate before Berry to the north of the sporting fields and then joining up with North St. on the southern side of Berry township.
PRINCES HIGHWAY UPGRADE. Most authorities did not wish to appear to contribute to a coroners report. The report condemned the road for being unforgiving but it was not given the highest priority. Bodalla area will be addressed first at Dignams & Victoria Creek. The cost for this upgrade is fractional compared to the cost for Gerringong to Bomaderry which is estimated at $1billion. RTA assure annual funding will be upgraded.
BRINGING BUSINESSES TO THE SHOALHAVEN. The Economic Development Office is presenting a case to Sydney business owners, encouraging them to bring their business to Shoalhaven. Any person who has done this and is interested in reporting their experience is asked to approach SCC.
CORRECTIONAL CENTRE. Decisions are imminent. The contract will be announced in approximately two weeks and will also confirm where the access will be.
5. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
NOWRA CENTRAL PROMOTIONS
New committee announced and welcomed.
Committee 2008/2009 Gary Kearney Nowra Picture Framers
Nadine Cove River Deli
Sherice Chesworth Stockland
Catherine Shields Surf & Turf
Funds have been underspent for the current year. Sonya & Garry have been to see Peter Dun at SCC who has said the money can be revoted to next year. Budget approximately $190,000 next year to be used directly for the promotion of the Nowra CBD. The NCP Committee are a sub group of the Chamber and approval must be approved by Executive and then SCC.
NOWRA CBD GIFT VOUCHERS
Media enquiry saying we are not honouring our vouchers. No member has approached any member of the Executive with this concern. When Carly was employed she visited the stores. Since her resignation an email was sent to all stores advising of the change and request they deliver their vouchers or request a collection.
STOCKLAND NOWRA
George Melley, the spokesperson for Stockland sent a brief for the SBC reporting the project t is still in negotiation, discussing terms with the builder. He apologises for the delay and limited information and advises he will let the Chamber know as soon as he has news.
WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
SBC & ITeC Illawarra will be running the event this year due to funding cuts and termination of SACC field officer. Maxine McKew is the guest speaker. To be held Thursday 30 October at Bomaderry Bowling Club.
AGM
SBC has changed significantly with loss of staff and resignation of the NCP Committee. The Chamber is an excellent facility to strengthen business in the local area. Nominations will be received in the coming month and all members are encouraged to seriously consider putting their name forward.
SOUTHERN AREA
Greg Fellows was voted in as the Southern Area President at the AGM on Monday night and as such has an automatic position on the Executive.
Issues concerning the SA are the DCP, car parking, walkways around the harbour. There is so much development going on. 29 business people attended last nights meeting.
HUSCORP
The Executive has been contacted by them and a request for a meeting has been made. We will advise members of any outcomes.
AUDIT
Booth Partners are the only ones to offer services and they have been accepted. The Exec unanimously agreed that we need to do this for due diligence, not because we have to.
MOTION The President's Report be accepted
Moved: Paul Henderson Seconded: Warren Seccombe Carried
6. TREASURER'S REPORT
Auditors appointed and in the process of doing the work. Particularly with the change to NCP it is prudent that we do this.
Account balances as at 11 June 2008
SBC $7985.08 (plus $2835.94 deposited 11 June)
NCP $51,302.35
Voucher $15,682.94 (plus $10,000 deposited 11 June)
TOTAL $77806.31 + 37,726.42 NCP funds to be revoted.
MOTION To accept the Treasurers report as presented
Moved: Paul Henderson Seconded: Michael Lock Carried
7. CORRESPONDENCE
MOTION To accept correspondence as read
Moved: Harry Ray Seconded: Ian Henry Carried
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
HOTEL COMPLEXES
On our minutes we have noted that we support the river site. The Executive would like direction from the membership that we move one way or the other. The Executive support Riverhaven site. The other option viewed as a short term relief for the SEC. Executive have the belief Nowra can not support two hotels. Do we get the one we can get first or the best?
Harry Ray states Riverhaven is a better site but little is known about the development. The site more appropriate but is the development?
Garry Wilbraham replies that a meeting was held some months ago with Nowra Holdings reps but other than that not much information is known.
Brian Kenny advises there is an option for the Riverhaven, pool and the land behind, but it must go to the State department due to proximity high water mark. Land behind pool is community land and must be changed to operational land which is holding them up at the moment and David Levy feels it is premature to address the Chamber. A master plan over the total site, - 90,000sqm, major development as opposed to the Huscorp. Cannot go forward until they receive the change to operational land.
Michelle Miran says she and Greg Pullen met with Nowra Holdings and agrees the membership needs to see the master plan to keep things balanced and equitable and states 'we see the plan as it is very exciting'.
Our procedure at the moment is our preferred site is on the river, but we will arrange further meetings and request presentations to the Chamber members.
CORRECTIONAL CENTRE
Murray Mortimer. Reinforce Greg Pullen's comment that announcements are imminent. If members are interested in becoming a supplier for the building of or an ongoing contract, it is suggested to begin thinking about it now. Murray has had correspondence with the department, what services and suppliers will be sought and a plan to utilise local businesses where possible.
SHAOLIN TEMPLE
SBC position is we support it. Mayors commented this morning it has been caught up in the Frank Sartor web. Main issue, subdivide 500 blocks and this is regarded as a new residential village which is not permitted in the planning strategy.
Doug Symes described the development as a world class opportunity and suggests the SBC work vigorously to support it.
MOTION Shoalhaven Business Chamber should investigate the real opportunities associated with this and not just drop it due to difficulties.
Moved: Doug Symes Seconded: Ian Burns Carried
9.PRESENTATIONS
BLUEPRINT Rhonda McGuire
Request a community survey on safety be completed by members.
Blueprint. www.blueprintshoalhaven.com.au, currently features Koori Habitat, Education & Training.
NHS students developed a strategic vision for the Shoalhaven and put a survey together. Please pass it on to any employees or students aged 12-24 years.
National Skills and Industry Growth Conference. Sponsorship being sought, particularly national sponsorship.
DSRD Michelle Miran
SBC Meeting Funds. Grant of $12,000 for meeting costs, super dinners and some of the other costs.
Shoalhaven On Show. Invitation to Minister Tony Kelly to open the event has been sent. Although not formally accepted it is in his diary.
Illawarra Regional Development Board. Defence Forum Friday 25 July . Pinned this purposely to Shoalhaven on Show. Regional Development forums are a Tony Kelly incentive where there are military bases. The Shoalhaven was identified as one of the main drivers of the defence industry in the state. Defence related business has evolved greatly due to Greg Pullen and SCC.
Workshops. Newsletter – send any workshop information to Michelle. No cost business development seminars conducted by DSRD and all business people are welcome.
State Plan. State & regional development, working with small & medium size businesses and investors. Helping people to grow their business.
DSRD recognise the direction and focus of the SBC and congratulate you.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
Shoalhaven on Show.
This business expo promotes the rate payers and is an opportunity to showcase products and services. 30 -40 stands left. Looking for a major sponsor should any business here be interested.
MEETING CLOSED
9.26pm