Minutes of the Natural Area Volunteers Group

 

 

Meeting Date:     Wednesday, 19 June 2024

Location:             Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time:                   4.07pm

 

 

The following members were present:

 

Clr Patricia White – Chairperson

Clr Tonia Gray – left at 5.04pm

Ms Siobhan Berkery

Mr Tony Jennings

Ms Kelly Upton (Remotely)

Mr Michael Shaw (Remotely)

Mr Paul Hayden (Remotely) – arrived 4.30pm

 

Others present:

Dr Michael Roberts – Manager Environmental Services

Mr David Rush – Coordinator – Bushcare

Mr Peter Swanson – Lead – Land Management

 

 

Election of Chairperson

RESOLVED (By consent)

That Clr White be appointed as the Acting Chairperson for the meeting.

CARRIED

 

 

 

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Clr Christen, Clr Kotlash, Clr Boyd, Wayne Pearce, Emma Williams and Len White.

 

 

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Clr White / Tony Jennings)

 

That the Minutes of the Natural Area Volunteers Group held on Tuesday 18 July 2023 be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

 

Declaration of Interests

Nil

 

Reports

 

NA24.1       Resignation - Membership - Expression of Interest

HPERM Ref: D23/367954

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That:

1.    The Natural Area Volunteers Group accept the resignation received from Ms Frances Bray (community member) and thank her for her commitment to the Committee.

2.    The Natural Area Volunteers Group accept the resignation received from Ms Diana Lindsay (Callala Bushcare) and thank her for her interest in the Committee.

3.    The vacancies be filled via an Expression of Interest as per the Terms of Reference.

 

RESOLVED (By consent)

That:

1.    The Natural Area Volunteers Group accept the resignation received from Ms Frances Bray (community member) and thank her for her commitment to the Committee.

2.    The Natural Area Volunteers Group accept the resignation received from Ms Diana Lindsay (Callala Bushcare) and thank her for her interest in the Committee.

3.    The vacancies be filled via an ongoing Expression of Interest as per the Terms of Reference.

CARRIED

 

 

NA24.2       Bushcare Program Update

HPERM Ref: D24/154563

Note: Mr Paul Hayden joined at 4.30pm

Note: Clr Gray left the meeting at 5.04pm

Dr Michael Roberts – Manager Environmental Services and Mr David Rush – Coordinator Bushcare spoke to the report.

It was suggested that staff liaise with the Media and Communications Team to develop a recurring media campaign to encourage volunteers.

Kelly Upton advised TAFE NSW are planning courses for 2025 and TVET classes for Students in the Agriculture and Conservation Ecosystem Management space. If courses are successfully setup, students will be looking for sites to access for their studies and project work. Kelly will keep the Committee and staff informed if this course will be successful for 2025.

 

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Natural Area Volunteers Group receive this update on the Bushcare Program for information.

 

REcommendation (Clr White / Michael Shaw)

That the Natural Area Volunteers Group:

1.       Receive this update on the Bushcare Program for information;

2.       Resubmit the previous recommendation (MIN23.432) to Council in relation to an additional position for Bushcare (funding):

Council fill the Central District Bushcare Officer role as soon as possible to maintain function, morale, supervisory responsibilities particularly from a Work, Health and Safety legislative obligation perspective (as volunteers are defined as workers under the Work, Health and Safety Act 2011) and equity across the Bushcare districts and if necessary, that funding be sourced at a future quarterly budget review.

3.       Council staff utilise media and Communications platforms to develop a recurring media campaign to encourage bushcare volunteers.

CARRIED

 

 

NA24.3       Bushcare Fact Sheets

HPERM Ref: D24/229753

Mr David Rush – Coordinator Bushcare advised that from the previous meeting last year, it was a requirement to complete and provide these fact sheets.

Fact sheets are for the General Volunteers, Volunteer Bushcare Coordinators, and a Safety Checklist for Volunteers and Coordinators.

These factsheets can be used on the Social Media Platform to try and recruit new volunteers.

Mr Tony Jennings made a comment that some volunteers may not have access to a computer to complete the online volunteer form.

It was suggested that the below additional factsheets be added:

1.     A generic introductory fact sheet about Bushcare including the benefits of being a Bushcare Volunteer?

2.     Establishing a Bushcare Group; and

3.     Bushcare Group Action Plans

It was noted that the Factsheets can be adapted and that the Committee could provide feedback to staff via email.

 

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Natural Areas Volunteer Group receive the draft fact sheets for information and provide feedback for their improvement.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Natural Areas Volunteer Group receive the draft fact sheets for information and provide feedback to staff for their improvement.

CARRIED

 

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5.14pm.

 

 

Clr White

ACTING CHAIRPERSON