MINUTES FOR THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2 FEBRUARY 2005

 

Present:          Megan Hutchinson Graeme & Karan Morrison, Daren Porter, David Carter, Peter Holstein, Steve Bott, Neil Harris, Les & Pauline Dawes, Ray Sheehan, Jo Ellen, David McFarlane, Mark Wheeler, Tom Hawker

 

Apologies:     Paul & Marilyn Grebert, Joe Palermo, Michelle Grieg

 

Meeting commenced at 7.15pm

 

Previous minutes circulated

 

BUSINESS ARISING

 

Forum Re: Vandalism has been put on hold.

 

We are trying to arrange for someone external to assist with the forum.

 

Neil advised that he had a few contacts to see if people were able to assist.

 

MOVED:        KARAN MORRISON                        SECONDED:                        STEVE BOTT

 

That the Minutes be accepted

 

CORRESPONDENCE IN

 

Council minutes

 

CORRESPONDENCE OUT

 

Application for Coordinator – Streetscape has gone out – Letter was acknowledged

 

MOVED:            MEGAN HUTCHINSON                     SECONDED:                        DAVID CARTER

 

That the correspondence be accepted

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

 

Neil advised that there was nothing to report as he is too busy however the financial situation is better than last time.  A large number of members are not financial at present.

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

Megan indicated that she received a phone call approximately 3 weeks ago asking if she can canvass the businesses along Tongarra Road with regard to December trading figures.  Council needed feedback.

 

She made various calls along Tongarra Road.

 

Businesses along the northern side of the road indicated that their businesses were down approximately 15% over Christmas.

 

The businesses on the southern side indicated that their business was up 20-25%.  Graeme queried whether this reflects a loss of 35% for the businesses.

 

Megan indicated that it was a total lack of consultation with regard to the laying of the underground pipes necessary for the electricity.

 

One queried as to why the busiest month of the year was used to lay these pipes when it is followed by one of the quietest months in January and we would have thought January would be suitable to do so.

 

Tom Hawker indicated that Council received a substantial discount to be able to do the work in December and was very much cheaper.

 

Ray Sheehan indicated that he spoke to the Foreman who indicated that the workers were pulled off jobs in Wagga and other places to come and do Shellharbour Council work as it was described as urgent. 

 

There was a concern raised that the work done for the underground power would have to be approved in any event when the actual work was commissioned.

 

Megan indicated that Joe Palermo told her that the streets would not have to be dug up again.

Ray spoke to the Foreman who said “of course we will have to dig up the pipes again”

 

Neil indicated that a letter should be sent to Council asking why no consultation was made prior to the work being done.  David was critical and said that in the front of the arcade there was street scaping work however the work by the persons laying the ground work was replaced by bitumen.  Is this going to be replaced or what?

 

Megan indicated that the streetscape committee had not met in ages.  She met with Max Bosnich who showed no interest whatsoever.

 

Megan also indicated that there was no reply to Mr Frederick’s letter to the Council.

 

David queried once again as to who is paying for the underground power.  Is it integral or Council?  What role is played by what?  Is it contributed by one?  What is the breakdown?

 

Neil indicated that the application for coordinator had to be amended slightly so as to have a budget.  Approval for the amendment was granted.

 

Megan indicated to our guests that there has been an application made for a coordinator to assist in the fundraising and development of the Albion Park area.  This application has been sent and we are waiting for a result.

 

Neil indicated that the Spring Fair went really well.  The Albion Park RSL was packed for the Albion Park Idol competition.  The Steel City Springs went well.  The fair itself seemed to attract the majority of its audience between 11.30 and 1.30.  It was estimated that about 1,500 people.

 

He suggested that a local committee be put together to seek sponsorship as his sponsorship had run out.  He indicated that it costs approximately $9,500 to run and anyone interested should contact Neil directly.

 

Steve indicated that it was his belief that the Albion Park Show needs to become more professional.

 

He said that it would appear that the Chamber should become involved and offer assistance to where it can.

 

He believes that we should write to the show society asking if they can seek any assistance from our organization.  He indicated that the demolition derby and the ute show were great successes.

 

Pauline indicated that she was interested in becoming involved in the show society and Steve also indicated that he was.

 

David queried about the Illawarra Folk Festival and whether it will be held at Jamberoo.

 

Graeme indicated that it probably will not be held in Jamberoo this year.  It certainly will not be this year and it will be moved.  Further developments at a later stage.

 

David also asked if clean up Australia if we could organise the Chamber to get involved, centring on Albion Park.

 

He indicated the potential area in which to do the work and concentrating on beautifying that area.

 

Pauline indicated that she was disappointed that there was no calendar this year.  She thought the calendar was the highlight of last year.  She wants to see it continue in that vain.  Neil indicated that it was a self funding project and we should organise the service companies as well.

 

Pauline indicated she was prepared to head a committee to get the calendar so we can have one prepared at the end of this year.

 

She also indicated that the web page was down.  If we still have a web page she is prepared to do some work on the page and keep it up to date and current.

 

David McFarlane indicated that Illawarra Small Business organization had a very effective website.  Peter Holstein indicated the airport hadn’t gone away.  The issues were still on the agenda.

 

He indicated that he will probably face an expression of interest shortly which is a two edge sword in that there is no guarantee of what they will be addressing.  He doesn’t know where he is at.

 

Megan question as to whether he has been singled out.  Peter believes that he probably was.  Tom indicated that he could not talk about the tender process.  Peter indicated that he has not received anything concerning the tendering of the airport.

 

As far as the chamber can see the situation with the airport is as follows:

 

1.                  Peter’s business pays rent.

2.                  The Historical Aircraft Society receives a concession.  Concession of landing fees.  Probably does not pay rent

3.                  Aerial Patrol receives a concession

4.                  The Sydney market is variable and who knows who will interested in Albion Park.

 

Council’s contracted with 5 new hangers and it is uncertain as to whether business will come.

 

According to the General Manager of Shellharbour Council the historical aircraft are contributing to the destruction of the runway though they don’t pay anything new other than required payments.

 

We also note the rent for the restaurant in the airport was waived by Council.  It was believed that the figure was $47,000.

 

We note that the South Coast Aviation folded and that Aviax was a complete failure.

 

Peter indicated that Council appeared very loose with the truth in that the business at Bankstown as to the real indication, no one knows what is involved.  It would appear that no airlines have expressed any real interest in relocating.

 

Graeme indicated that the airport could be a real asset if it was managed properly. 

 

Tom Hawker was asked about the girl with the 48 units across the road from the Albion Park Public School and townhouses. 

 

Tom said that he knew nothing about it at this stage.

 

Tom indicated that there are several things that concern him at present. 

 

One is the total lack of accommodation in Albion Park.  It is all very well to have various activities planned for Albion Park but if people can’t stay there then there is no point.

 

Secondly, there is a need for a bypass.  He suggests from Yallah to the Tullimbah roundabout.  This has been on the agenda for at least 2 years and has been one of our policies from the start.  Tom indicated that he is in full support of the bypass.

 

Mark indicated that there is a problem with the bypass in that it could lead to the death of the town.  Graeme indicated that he is aware of that and that is a position it may take however various towns have profited from a bypass such as Kiama.

 

Graeme indicated that Paul Grebert had suggested that we go through the past minutes of the Chamber and revive projects that deserve more input to it and this should be considered.

 

Tom indicated that the work with regard to the underground power was done before Christmas because they come to a very good price with the contractors. Ray indicated that what the Council saved the businesses paid for.

 

Various informal discussions took place following the close of the meeting.

 

Next meeting 2 March 2005.

 

Meeting closed at 8.40pm.