Meelup Regional Park Management Committee ... - City of Busselton

Meelup Regional Park ManagementCommittee Agenda12 November 2013Committee MembersCr T. BestCr J. McCallumMr C. BurtonMr A. CohenMs S. FisherMr A. HaakDr B. JarvisMr P. RandersonMs J. MayALL INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS FORMATS ON REQUEST

CITY OF BUSSELTONAGENDA FOR THE MEELUP REGIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON12 NOVEMBER 2013TABLE OF CONTENTSITEM NO. SUBJECT PAGE NO.1. DECLARATION OF OPENING 22. ATTENDANCE 23. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 24. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 25. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS 26. REPORTS 36.1 MEELUP BEACH DAY ‐ 27 NOVEMBER 2013 36.2 MEELUP REGIONAL PARK ENVIRONMENT OFFICER'S REPORT 77. NEXT MEETING 118. CLOSURE 11

2 12/11/2013CITY OF BUSSELTONMEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA – 12 NOVEMBER 2013TO:COUNCILLORS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSNOTICE is given that a meeting of the Meelup Regional Park Management Committee will beheld in the Dunsborough Lakes Board Room, Dunsborough Lakes Drive, Dunsborough onTuesday, 12 November 2013, commencing at 4:00 pm.The attendance of Committee Members is respectfully requested.__________________________MIKE ARCHERCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER8 November 2013A G E N D A1. DECLARATION OF OPENING2. ATTENDANCE3. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTESMinutes of a meeting of the Meelup Regional Park Management Committee held on 8 October2013.5. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

3 12/11/20136. REPORTS6.1 MEELUP BEACH DAY ‐ 27 NOVEMBER 2013SUBJECT INDEX:STRATEGIC INITIATIVE:BUSINESS UNIT:SERVICE:REPORTING OFFICER:AUTHORISING OFFICER:VOTING REQUIREMENT:ATTACHMENT(S):Committee meetingsOur natural environment is cared for and enhancedfor the enjoyment of the community and visitors.Community and Commercial DevelopmentMeelup Regional ParkEvents Coordinator – Shane WalshManager Commercial Services – Jennifer MaySimple Majority1. Site PlanPRÉCISGrant funding from the Office of Crime Prevention has been secured by The Royal Life Saving Society WA(Royal Life) to conduct a “Meelup Beach Day” on Wednesday 27 November 2013 at Meelup Beach. Thiswill consist of activities for Leavers including an aqua playground, volleyball, cricket, snorkelling and aBBQ/sausage sizzle. This event was successfully piloted at Meelup Beach during Leavers in 2010 andcontinued as a highlight event during the Leavers week in 2011 and 2012.BACKGROUNDAt the 2010 Leavers Symposium in Perth, there was a general consensus that one approach to lessen theamount of alcohol being consumed by Leavers during the time they were in the South West could be tooffer diversionary day time activities with the aim of delaying the time that Leavers start drinking and alsoto offer alternatives to drinking during the day.Since this time, the Dunsborough Make It Happen group endorsed this concept and brainstormed activitiesthat would be attractive to Leavers. This resulted in discussions with The Royal Life Saving Society WA Inc(Royal Life), who ran similar activities during Leavers on Rottnest Island, to coordinate the same at MeelupBeach, a destination selected by the group as a desirable location already patronised by Leavers.Support services such as the Green Team, Red Frogs, WA Health, St John Ambulance and the WesternAustralian AIDS Council have also been approached for their support. The City of Busselton will adopt asupport and facilitation role for this event through the Events Coordinator position, with the keycoordination occurring through Royal Life.Subsequently, Royal Life applied for and was successful in receiving grant funding through the Office ofCrime Prevention to conduct the “Meelup Beach Day” this 2013.The Meelup Beach Day concept was piloted during Leavers 2010 and was originally discussed at the MeelupRegional Park Management Committee meeting on 12 October 2010. At this time the Committee resolvedas follows (MP1010/019):That the Committee endorses and supports the plan to trial the conduct ofthe ‘Meelup Beach Day’ as part of the Leavers Strategy to providediversionary day time activities for Leavers on Wednesday 24th November2010 subject to the Shire’s Leavers Coordinator being requested to raise thefollowing with the organisers:

4 12/11/2013* Signage and Advertising* A clean up after the event* Adequate number of lifesavers* Transport and Parking considerations* Report back to the Committee summarising the eventCARRIED 8/0A further report was presented to the Committee after Meelup Beach Day 2010 that contained a reportfrom Royal Life summarising the event. On 8 March 2011, the Committee then resolved as follows(MP1103/009):That the Committee:1. Accepts the report as provided by the Royal Life Saving Society WAInc (Royal Life) entitled “Don’t Drink & Drown Meelup Beach Party”.2. Approves the use of Meelup Beach to conduct a ‘Meelup Beach Day2011’ providing a diversionary strategy to the consumption of alcoholby Leavers during Leavers Week and supporting the South WestLeavers Planning Group in the development of strategies to minimisethe risk to Leavers and the general community during leavers Week2011.3. Provide approval on a year to year basis subject to post event reviews.CARRIED 8/0The Leavers Meelup Beach Day 2013 is now being planned for Wednesday 27 November 2013 with Leavers2013 being between Monday 25 and Thursday 28 November 2013 inclusive. In the evening, the LeaversEntertainment Zone located on Vasse Yallingup Siding Road will be operational each night from Monday 25to Thursday 28 November 2013 from 7pm – 1am.The Meelup Beach Day is a programme to deliver an alternative day time activity for Leavers on Wednesday27 November 2013 only and will consist of a large number of beach focused activities.Bump in time for the day will commence at 8am on Wednesday 27 November 2013 with Leavers arrivingfrom 10am. It will conclude at 4pm with clean up and bump out completed by 7pm.The Meelup Beach Day will be focused on the beach and in the adjacent water with activities including butnot limited to: An Aqua Playground – inflatable equipment located in the water; Beach Volleyball Beach cricket Snorkel hire BBQ/Sausage Sizzle (on the grassed BBQ area)Over the course of the day it is expected that approximately 4,000 Leavers will attend the Meelup BeachDay. Consequently it has been recommended to close the car park at Meelup Beach to all vehicular trafficreducing the number of private vehicles accessing the car park and surrounding area during this time andreserve the carpark for support services, emergency services and those directly associated with the Leaversbased organisation. A dedicated Leavers only bus service will be provided that will depart from theDunsborough Visitors Centre and arrive at Meelup Beach on a 30 min round trip basis. Bus entry to thebeach will be provided at the northern entrance to Meelup Beach Car park Road with Leavers disembarkingat the top of Meelup Car park and the bus exiting at the southern end of Meelup Beach Car park Road.

5 12/11/2013While the beach will not technically be closed to the public, the car park closure and the road block on thecorner of Meelup Beach Road and Cape Naturaliste Road and Piquet Point car park, will prevent the generalpublic from accessing Meelup Beach by car and a media release will be provided advising the community ofthis impact.Infrastructure proposed during Meelup Beach Day will include a marquee on the beach (maximum sizeapproximately 6x3m) which will be tethered to the ground and additional shelters located on the beach forsupport services should they wish to be involved. Attachment 1 illustrates the anticipated site plan forMeelup Beach Day 2013. In addition, 16 portable toilets and 20 rubbish bins will be in place for the LeaversMeelup Day.The activities provided will be available exclusively to Leavers wearing authorised wristbands. To gain awristband, identification is mandatory to prove the student is a Leaver prior to purchase. Should noidentification be forthcoming, the wristband is not sold. However, it must be emphasised that althoughvehicular access to the Meelup Beach car park will be restricted, the water and any other park facilities willnot be restricted to the general public.CONSULTATIONConsultation with the Meelup Regional Park Committee has occurred since the first Leavers Meelup Day in2010. However, due to the changes to Leavers in 2011 including being planned over a weekend and theclosure of Meelup Beach car park to vehicular traffic, it was deemed prudent to present a report to theCommittee every year that a Leavers Meelup day is planned.STATUTORY ENVIRONMENTThe City is the management body for the Meelup Regional Park and is required to manage the Park inaccordance with a management plan which has been approved for the Park under section 49 of the LandAdministration Act 1997. The Meelup Regional Park Management Committee is an official committee of theCouncil with delegated responsibility for aspects of management of the Park.POLICY IMPLICATIONSCouncil’s Event Policy applies. Royal Life has now submitted their third application, after managing twosuccessful Meelup Beach Days. They have met the minimum eight week required lead time for thesubmission of their planning package.FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONSNo further financial support will be required from the City for the conduct of Meelup Beach Day duringLeavers 2013. Additional toilets and rubbish bins will be provided for the day and paid for by the Royal LifeSaving Society and WA Police.STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONSThere are a number of the City’s strategic objectives and priorities that support the event taking place. Insupport of the event are those objectives that seek social wellbeing and economic development outcomes,and provided this is achieved in an environmentally sustainable way, the event would be consistent with allof the City’s strategic objectives.

6 12/11/2013OFFICER COMMENTThe Meelup Beach Day will provide a day of organised activities for Leavers within the water and on thebeach at Meelup Beach. The Meelup Beach car park will be closed to vehicular traffic requiring Leavers toaccess the public transport provided for them subsequently reducing the number of private vehicles to theMeelup Beach car park during this time. The Meelup Beach Day will operate between 10am and 4pm onWednesday 27 November 2013 only.The Meelup Beach Day has been funded through a grant from the Office of Crime Prevention to provideorganised activities for Leavers during the day time as a measure to reduce the amount of alcoholconsumption. This programme was successfully piloted at Meelup Beach during Leavers 2010, and againwas well managed in 2011. In 2012 due to inclement weather the beach day was still a success althoughonly approximately 500 leavers braved the winter conditions.The conduct and assessment of this programme as a positive alternative to the consumption of alcohol byLeavers during this period and has the potential to significantly contribute to the long term success of theLeavers harm minimisation strategy adopted across the State. As an active member of the South WestLeavers Planning Group, the City of Busselton has a responsibility to participate in the facilitation anddevelopment of appropriate strategies to minimise the risks that Leavers may expose themselves or thewider community to during this period. It is therefore recommended that this request be approved and theimpacts closely monitored.OptionAn alternative to conducting this proposed trial at Meelup Beach would be to relocate the activities toanother beach front location. However, there are limited sites that provide the degree of controlled access,infrastructure, water safety characteristics and interest to Leavers when compared to Meelup Beach. Assuch, a suitable alternative has not been identified at this time.TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONNotification will be provided to the activity organisers following the Meelup Regional Park Committeemeeting to enable their planning activities to progress as required.OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONThat the Committee supports ‘Meelup Beach Day’ as part of the Leavers Strategy to provide diversionaryday time activities for Leavers on Wednesday 27 November 2013 at Meelup Beach.

7 12/11/20136.2 MEELUP REGIONAL PARK ENVIRONMENT OFFICER'S REPORTPRECISSUBJECT INDEX:Committee MeetingsSTRATEGIC PRIORITY: Manage and enhance our heritage and naturalenvironmentBUSINESS UNIT:Commercial ServicesSERVICE:Meelup Regional ParkREPORTING OFFICER:Meelup Environment Officer ‐ Mandy PolleyAUTHORISING OFFICER: Manager, Commercial Services ‐ Jenny MayDATE OF COMPLETION: 12 November 2013VOTING REQUIREMENT: Simple majorityATTACHMENT(S):1) Finance report2) Work planThis report provides an overview of the activities of the Meelup Regional Park Environment Officer for theCommittee's information, discussion and decision where necessary.BACKGROUNDThere is a specific budget allocation to allow the Meelup Regional Park Management Committee to engagean Environment Officer to assist the Committee to achieve the requirements of its management plan andstrategic plan.CONSULTATIONThe Environment Officer provides a regular report on activities to the Committee and undertakes activitieswith the Committee members and in consultation with City of Busselton Officers.STATUTORY ENVIRONMENTThe Council has appointed a Meelup Regional Park Management Committee in accordance with Section 5.8of the Local Government Act 1995 to care for, control and manage Meelup Regional Park in accordancewith its requirements. The Committee has delegated authority in accordance with Section 5.16 of the Act toundertake these management activities and a budget allocated by the Council for this purpose.POLICY IMPLICATIONSNot applicable.FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONSPart of the role of the Environment Officer is to undertake the activities and projects approved by theCommittee in accordance with its budget. The finance report is provided (Attachment 1) with the Councilendorsed Committee budget. To date, total expenditure is $117,879 including commitments, with $94,526spent and committed from the operational budget and $23,353 from the capital budget.

8 12/11/2013STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONSMeelup Regional Park is an important A Class Reserve vested in the City of Busselton for the purpose ofconservation and recreation. The Park is 577 hectares in area and extends along the coastline for 11.5kilometres from Dunsborough to Bunker Bay. Meelup Regional Park is highly valued for its unique naturalenvironment and conservation values, its outstanding landscape, its range of passive and creativerecreational opportunities and its educational and research values for present and future generations.The Park is managed on behalf of the City of Busselton by the Meelup Regional Park ManagementCommittee in accordance with the Meelup Regional Park Management Plan (2010); approved by both theCouncil and the Minister for Regional Development and Lands The Committee is charged with managingthe Park for conservation and environmental enhancement and allowing recreation and other uses to occurto the extent that they do not impair the conservation values of the Park.The Meelup Regional Park Strategic Plan has been developed to give effect to the Meelup Regional ParkManagement Plan in support of the broader Strategic Plan of the City of Busselton. The Committeeoperates, with the assistance of the Environment Officer, to achieve the City of Busselton’s strategicpriorities to manage and enhance our heritage and natural environment, to responsibly manage publicinfrastructure assets and to provide a range of quality leisure, cultural, recreational and sporting facilitiesand services, as these priorities relate specifically to Meelup Regional Park.OFFICER COMMENT1.1 Work planA work plan has been developed for the 2013/14 financial year and is included as Attachment 2. The workplan outlines the planned implementation of the Committee’s operational and capital projects as per the2013/14 budget, provides options for projects depending on the success or otherwise of funding grants, aswell as outlining ongoing and non‐budget related items.Items that are not tracking according to schedule are:1. Management plan review. A consultant is yet to be engaged.2. Fire management plan review. This has been delayed due to competing project priorities.The maps are currently being reviewed for further amendments.3. Meelup Beach Master Plan car park. Drawings and costings are currently being developedby City Officers and will be presented to the Committee when completed.4. Meelup Beach ablutions. A site visit is no longer required as the contract has been awardedand the works have commenced. The City Building Facilities Coordinator has advised that,as requested by the Committee, the mosaic tiles in the ablutions block will remain.5. Wagyl pathway grant application. The Indigenous Heritage Program is yet to announce thefunding rounds, with delays caused by the recent change in Federal government. Due tothis delay it is likely that this project will no longer be undertaken in 2013/14.6. Zone 6 Mountain Bike Trails Master Plan completion. The TMP is anticipated forpresentation to the Committee at the December Committee meeting.7. Point Picquet consultation with City officers on design and specifications. The draft designhas not yet been presented to the Committee. City Officers will be consulted once the draftdesign has been completed and costed.8. Harrison Bay trail rehabilitation project and identification of alternative trail rehabilitationprojects. The delay is due to Coastwest having not yet announced the successful grantapplications.

9 12/11/20131.2 Bike managementA trail with two jump features was illegally cleared in remnant vegetation within Zone 6 of Meelup RegionalPark. The Environment Officer reported the new trail to the City Rangers and a media release was sent tovarious media outlets. The trail was immediately closed by a group of volunteers through brushing, rakingand dismantling the jumps. An interview with Presiding Member Bob Jarvis was conducted on ABC radio on24 th October.The Cape to Cape Mountain Bike event was held on trails in the park on 27 th October. The EnvironmentOfficer was unable to inspect the trails by the time of writing this report, however, Committee memberAndrew Cohen inspected the trails on the 28 th October and provided a list of observations to theCommittee (please refer to correspondence).A site visit to the Pemberton Mountain Bike facility is being coordinated, with the objective for theCommittee and City Officers to visit a comparable mountain bike trails network to that proposed in theZone 6 TMP and learn about the planning, implementation and management of this existing facility.1.3 SignageA Request for Quotation was sent to three local signage/graphic design contractors on 22 nd October for theartwork, fabrication and installation of signage at various locations in the park. The completion of thiscontract will see the full implementation of the signage plan that the Committee has been progressing as apriority project since 2010. Quotations are due for submission on 4 th November.1.4 Meelup Beach car parkingThe City Design Technical Officer attended the Committee meeting on 8 th October, advising the Committeethat Engineering and Works will provide design options to the Committee for the Meelup Beach car park.The drawings are still being developed and will be presented to the Committee, with costings, whencompleted.1.5 Firebreak maintenance worksA firebreak inspection was undertaken in the Park with the City Community Emergency Services Officer on3 rd September. Some minor firebreak maintenance works were identified, including slashing to reduceovergrown vegetation, and spraying of weeds and seedlings on the firebreaks. The works were undertakenby contractors on 22 nd October and an inspection of completed works is being coordinated.1.6 Dieback survey and phosphite treatmentDieback Treatment Services were awarded the request for quotation for Dieback survey and phosphitetreatment at the October Committee meeting for a dieback boundary survey and phosphite treatment. Thework commenced 28 th October and a report with findings is anticipated before the end of 2013.1.7 Trails master plan fundingThe Committee was notified of its success for $13,000 of Lotterywest funding for a park‐wide trails masterplan on 14 th October (refer to correspondence). A Request for Quotation was sent to trail consultancies on22 nd November, with submissions due 4 th November.1.8 Tree monitoringAt the 9 th October 2012 Committee meeting the Committee endorsed a nutrient implant trial onpeppermint (Agonis flexuosa) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) trees at Meelup Beach and Castle Bay. Selecttrees were implanted with nutrient cartridges in October 2012, and tree health has been monitored over ayear‐long period via observation and photo monitoring.

10 12/11/2013The Environment Officer completed the final stage of monitoring and data input this October. Followinganalysis of the data a report will be presented with results and recommendations at a future Committeemeeting.1.9 Jingarmup Brook minor erosion worksFollowing significant winter rainfall and flows in Jingarmup Brook, a small section of the bank has slumpednear the culvert at Fern Road, Eagle Bay. A contractor has been engaged to place locally sourced rock at thetoe of the bank in eroded areas to prevent future erosion associated with significant flow events. The workswill be carried out when the water level drops. The brook will be regularly monitored to determine whetheradditional erosion control measures are required.1.10 Tree pruningA site inspection was undertaken of the park’s firebreaks, with several trees flagged as potentiallydangerous and requiring pruning and canopy reduction. The majority of the flagged trees have dead ordying limbs hanging over the firebreak that pose a potential hazard to park users. These overhanging limbswill be removed, leaving the rest of the tree for habitat. A contractor has been engaged to undertake theworks, which will be completed in November.1.11 Camping at Curtis Bay and abandoned vehicleThere have been reports from the community about camping activity observed at Curtis Bay. Observationshave included breaking of tree limbs for firewood, campfires, litter and vehicle tracks. This issue wasinvestigated in the summer of 2011/12, with potential access points identified at the Dunsborough andDistricts Country Club, and some bollards installed at the most likely entry point. Other potential accesspoints need to be investigated and barriers installed where identified.An abandoned four wheel drive vehicle was discovered inside the Park at the Sheens Road end of the EagleBay strategic firebreak. This was reported to City rangers and removed.OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONSThat the Committee receives the Meelup Regional Park Environment Officers’ report.

11 12/11/20137. NEXT MEETING10 December 20138. CLOSURE

12 12/11/2013