MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING


Date:		12th May, 2005

Location:	Home of Chris Walta – Cornell St

Present:	Robert Brierley (chaired the meeting), Chris Walta, 
		Jim Breen, Barrie Gallacher, John Cott, Rosemary Buchanan 

Apology:	Bob Strickland, Eleanor Stephenson

1	OPENING
	Robert chaired the meeting. 

2	BUSINESS OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
	FOBC WEBSITE has been updated, thanks Jim.
	Minutes accepted for the AGM

3	BUSINESS OF MAY MEETING
3.1 COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
	A meeting was held in the creek with Janice and several members of 
	the FOBC to examine fallen trees, weed problems, and future work 
	required. A start has been made to lop overhanging willow branches. 
	There was an agreement that spraying would be undertaken but this 
	is not evident at this stage. 
	ACTION: Robert to discuss the possibility of employing Adrian to 
	assist in the weed spraying work to help get on top of the task 
	particularly in those areas where weeds are strangling recent planting. 
	ACTION: Barrie to identify the very vigorous weed that is very 
	invasive in the Quinton Rd planting area to enable an appropriate 
	spray to be used to control this.

3.2 ROTARY INVOLVEMENT – DONATION OF SEAT
	ACTION: Robert to invite Cathy Macmillan and other interested 
	members from Rotary Club of Boroondara to attend the next working 
	bee on Sunday May 15 to officially accept the seat that has now been 
	installed. This contribution is much appreciated and we would like 
	to acknowledge the donation.

3.3 WORKING BEE
	The work will concentrate on maintenance work in the planted areas 
	with the aim of getting sites ready for infill planting. 
	ACTION: Barrie to arrange for 50 plants to plant in the area 
	previously cleared along creek area. 
	ACTION John to bring his chainsaw to the working bee on Sunday to 
	continue with removal of larger logs and branches.
	ACTION: Robert to send email list to members of the committee to 
	ring around for extra helpers on the day.

3.4	GRANT 
	$3800 grant from Melbourne Water has arrived. This money is to 
	plant out the upper and lower slopes of the board walk along 
	Riversdale Rd. This project can be undertaken over the 18 months.

3.5 TREASURERS REPORT
	None tabled.

3.6	DISCUSSION
	Ongoing concern expressed about the difficulty of getting the labour 
	to manage the work needing to be done. Discussion focused on 
	incorporating more strategic weed management using a spraying 
	program and employing a person with expertise to do this. 
	Additionally we will follow up Melbourne Water about the management 
	of some further problematic willows in the water line region.
	ACTION: Robert to contact Paul Doherty to discuss what is possible 
	in the near future.


NEXT MEETING: 
	June FOBC meeting to be at Jim's place at 29 Cornell St on 14th of June.
	Meetings to begin at 8:00pm from now on.

FRIENDS OF BACK CREEK
May 2005
Minutes prepared by Chris Walta