MINUTES OF MEETING

@
FLOWERDALE COMMUNITY HALL
MONDAY 7TH JUNE 2010

PRESENT:
Government Representatives:
Deb Symons (VBRRA), Genevieve Overall (S86 Committee Chair), Ian Robins (MSC), Sarah Martin
(MSC), Betsy Harrington (VBRRA), Paul Thatcher (DEECD), Peter Whitcroft (DEECD), Frank Maas
(VBRRA), Kim Fawcus (CDO VBRRA), Leanne Pleash (DHS Hub Captain)

Flowerdale Recovery Committee:

John Burgess (Chair FRC), Peter Auty, Judy Baker, Julie Bateman, Annie Robertson, Ric Stubbings

Community:
Ross Davis, Anna Burgess, Odette Hunter, Bev Pritchard, Brenda Beckett, Karen Gunter, Pat and
Robert Cowman, Barb Pascoe, Rodney Pitt-Wood, Chris, Jane & Peter Carey

APOLOGIES: Nil

1. MEET, GREET, APOLOGIES AND OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

 John welcomed everyone to the first Monday combined FRC/Agencies/Community
meeting.
 It was noted that, as there had been no agenda items forthcoming, the agenda would be
followed as printed.

2. MEDIATION OUTCOMES
 Ian Robins reported on a very successful outcome to the mediation at Kinglake held on
06.05.2010.

3. PLACEMENT OF BOARDS AND SUGGESTION BOXES

 Boards to be ordered through MSC.
 Sarah Martin to manage the process.
 Community members and the FRC to vote tonight re location of boards on voting forms
prepared by Sarah.
 Voting forms to be left at Hall, Shop and DHS Hub for community to vote.

4. FLOWERDALE RELIEF VILLAGE UPDATE

 It was noted that there will be a Village Meeting this Wednesday.
 15 Dongas are being removed this week, leaving 3 dongas which will be occupied. The
DHS is working with these people to re-house the remaining donga residents before they
are removed.
 It was noted that there is a plan to relocate some of the remaining dongas to Camp
Bambara to help rebuild this facility after it was lost in the February 2009 fires.

5. FLOWERDALE EDUCATION HUB UPDATE

 Peter Whitcroft tabled plans for display.
 He explained that tenders went out in February, commencement was in May and
completion is due for October 2010.
 He reported that Nicole Kennedy is the Project Manager and that Paul Thatcher co-
ordinates the key stakeholders.
6. COMMUNITY HOUSE UPDATE
 Frank Maas (construction side of VBRRA, and chair of the PCG for this project) tabled the
FCH Progress Report and a summary of the Jobs Fund Grant.

7. VBAF FUNDING INITIATIVES

 John reported: a need to get structures around the allocation and management of funds
and resources for Environment & Fire Safety Projects.
 Environment: landscaping, (restoration & maintenance for environmental projects), and the
Fire Safety Plan there is approx $100K in funding available for each of these projects.

8. FRC REPORTS
a. Ric Stubbings:
 Finances:
 Reported that the balance of the Flowerdale Fund at 30th April 2010 was $65305.
 Discussion re: use of these funds: reported that the funds would be used to “top
up” shortfalls in recovery projects at the end of the process.
 He also reported that there have been enquiries from potential donors re
Gardens, CFA, Youth etc. These people have been put in touch with the relevant
Work Engines.
b. Pete Auty:
 Arts:
 Reported that the Regional Arts Victoria (RAV) Annual General Meeting (AGM)
and opening of Illuminated by Fire Project was a huge success with positive
feedback from RAV, the visiting Artists & Community members.
 It was also noted that Flowerdale Arts Work Engine Convenor, Sharon Collins,
was the only unknown artist of the 11 projects to be accepted for Illuminated by
Fire.
 Men’s Shed and Community Gardens:
 Reported that there will be a meeting on 19th June at Hall, and a further meeting
scheduled for 27th June.
c. Judy Baker:
 Fire Safety Plan:
 The initial Fire Safety Plan is a work in progress. The Fire Safety Plan is an ever
evolving and changing document.
 Ian Ellet from MSC is waiting for CFA Assessment before this project can be
progressed.
 The initial plan will be distributed through MSC.
 From the floor, a resident strongly questioned Judy as to why the CFA were not
in attendance in Flowerdale on 7 th February 2010. Both Judy and John Burgess
reiterated that this issue is not within the realms of this meeting and is an issue
for the Bushfire Royal Commission.
d. Julie Bateman:
 One Town One Postcode issue:
 This is a slow work in progress, with ongoing work being done to keep this
project on the go with consultation with all key stakeholders and MSC.
 A survey will be sent to all ratepayers via MSC in due course.

9. VBRRA REPORTS
Betsy Harrington:
 Strategic Planning (KFT Urban Design Framework):
  There were meetings on Sunday for the Planning Project for Flowerdale,
Kinglake and Toolangi.
 The intent of the project is to create an overarching vision for the region
that also captures the specific needs of individual communities.
 The Plan and Design Framework will respond to longstanding issues
including population growth and development pressures; housing needs;
future land use; water and sewage infrastructure; the long distances many
residents travel to access work and services; and the future character of
small towns.
 The first step of the process is information gathering, then confirming the
issues and priorities, then development of shared vision and future
scenarios, community workshops, public exhibition of the draft plan,
finalisation of the plan for approval by MSC and ultimately implementation
of early initiatives
 The Community Hall renovation and expansion project:
 Is progressing.
 Tendering will begin this week and we anticipate construction being
underway by mid-July.
 The Project Control Group (PCG) for this project is working with the Hall to
try to minimise the impact to current activities, while acknowledging that
some disruption due to construction will occur.
 PCG is made up of Chair:
 DHS
 Project Manager
 VBRRA
 Hub Captain, DHS
 President, Flowerdale Community Hall Committee
 Community Engagement Co-ordinator, VBRRA
 Consultant/Architect.
 Business Investment Fund applications will close on June 30. Please direct
inquiries to VBRRA Economics team – Jason Webster.
 VBRRA and MSC announced last week that Bovis Lend Lease (BLL) has been
hired as the Managing Contractor for MSC managed bushfire related
construction projects. BLL is reaching out to local contractors to encourage
them to register for consideration.
 VBRRA supporting scoping of the Youth project and Recreation Reserve cricket
ground re-establishment.
 Community consultation being planned by MSC for several projects in the
Flowerdale area. MSC to update.

10. DHS REPORT

Leanne Pleash, Flowerdale Hub Captain:
 Key Upcoming Events:
 Psychologist Rob Gordon speaking in Flowerdale next Tuesday night 15th June
 Tool Library Open Day, Saturday 19th June
 Preliminary discussion with Jenny Wearne, Dept of Education & Early Childhood
Development re: occasional child care at kinder. Wed 16th June, 2 pm
 A forum for Building Contractors in Kinglake 17/6
 Grants:
  Application forms for Sustainability Victoria's Rain Water Tank Grant now available. I
draw everyone's attention to the space for your signature at the top of the 2nd page
and Eligibility Criteria 12 which clearly states the need for a plumber's Certificate.
 Flowerdale Rebuilding Statistics:
 A case manager and I toured the main parts of Flowerdale & Hazeldene to get a
benchmark on how rebuilding is progressing, and we noted the following:
o 78 new buildings (from what we could see readily from the road or knew about
from clients; there may be additional new sheds)
o 17 vacant blocks for sale
o 5 houses for sale
o 28 caravans on blocks
o 4 tents
 All tents and a number of caravans were associated with houses. Our building count
is higher than the Recovery Committee's as they work from the town sign to town
sign, whereas we included those who may be outside these boundaries but identify as
being part of Flowerdale.
 Hub Hall Land:
 This issue has been referred to all, and is currently sitting with MSC/Ian Robins to
resolve
 Information:
 The hub has a range of CFA materials about safety in temporary accommodation. I
encourage people to come collect a set.
 Temporary Building Permits have been extended (as per advice in recent Recovery
Newsletter)
 Other Business:
 The Great Vic Bike Ride is coming along the King Parrot Valley in December. This is
an opportunity for the community to make a good impression and do some fund
raising. Kim Fawcus has offered to be on the organising committee as a Flowerdale
liaison. The first meeting of the committee is 17/6 at 5.30 pm in Yea, however, there
will only be a six-week window to decided who is doing what where, to get it into the
publication for riders.

11. MSC REPORT:

Ian Robins reported:
 June 20th is the scheduled date for feedback and community consultation for issues
including Arts, Community Gardens, Mens Shed, the Hazeldene Bridge, Youth facilities,
existing tennis courts, BBQ and Recreation Facilities and the Shared Pathway. Meeting to
be held from 10am – 2pm at Flowerdale Primary school. Sarah Martin tabled the
advertising flyer for this day.
 Existing Shared Pathway, there are plans are to reseal this path. Timelines to be
announced, but consultation is needed.
 Ian also spoke briefly about chairs and tables near the creek and store to replace what
was lost in the fires.

12. OTHER BUSINESS:

 Great Victorian Bike Ride scheduled for 3 December (see Leanne’s report above)
 Regrowth around existing bus stops was brought up.
 A resident asked the question to VBRRA: Is there any way to relieve the impost for people
building in FZ and very hilly areas in Flowerdale? It was noted that some BAL ratings
were affected by the failure of neighbouring property owners to cut trees and maintain their
 blocks. Deb Symons suggested that this matter should be taken to a VBAF Panel.
ACTION: FRC will try to work with Deb on this issue.
 VBAF funding expires in August. The Flowerdale Fund will be kept until then, and the
community will be consulted as to the dispersal of these funds.
 A resident asked about the size of the new Community House and its impact on the
proposed park at the site. It was also stated that the previous park was a “disabled” park.
 A resident asked to be furnished with information on the VBAF funding applications
submitted to date on behalf of the Flowerdale Valley. They asked to be informed about
who applied for the funding, and the “funding applications”. It has been communicated
continually, these are actually “scoping documents”.
ACTION: FRC and VBRRA will undertake to make these available.

Meeting Closed 8.55pm