Minutes of the Harcourt Progress Group
Date: Wednesday 17th
July, 2013
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Harcourt Valley Primary School
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Present: Annette Smith
(minutes), Vera Hemkes, Max Murphy, Sharlene Farrugia (MASC), Paul Mizzi, Kay
Francis, George Milford, Neil Charter, Wayne O’Toole (MASC) Jacqueline
Brodie- Hanns, Tim Barber, Peter Wilson, Melissa Pollock, Joan Lienhop, Robyn
Miller, Dianne Baig, Donna McMahon, Judi Kent, Ayron Teed, Kelly Aitken,
David Heath (chair), Peter Church, Fay Hards
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Apologies: Craig
Watkins, Judy Foster
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Welcome: To all people including the members of the
reference group, Tim Barber, Wayne O’Toole
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Business
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Action/ Who
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When
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Minutes
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Business
Arising
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General
Business
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·
Wayne O’Toole – Economic
Development Officer, working with Reference Group, plans have come from the
Harcourt Community. Reference group
formed to advise on the centre of Harcourt development. The plans are beginning to be implemented now
with road works.
Crossover in
the work of the HPG and the reference group.
Need to look at how this can work together. Tim Barbour spoke about the fact that the
reference group’s work is not finished.
George Milford indicated that the work of the reference group is to
implement all of the recommendations.
Wayne talked about moving onto the broader recommendations. There is a greater opportunity for growth
in Harcourt then in any other part of the shire. Opportunity for significant growth. Peter
Wilson spoke of discussion with the Mayor and that the reference group is
there for the longer term. Acting as a
conduit to council. Wayne said that
was not his view or understanding. David
asked questions about why the arrangements were structured the way they are
and also how they will work together. George gave the history of how the
community got together to talk to VicRoads and deal with other issues
relating to after the freeway.
Eventually there was a study which recommended the formation of a
reference group following an extensive study in 2009. Community planning is separate from this as
the reference group is focussed on impact of the freeway. Community planning is separate and is
community driven and lead. Question
from George – who will implement the community plan after the council steps
back? David talked about the community having the role to drive the goals and
aspirations to achieve the things in the community plan. Need community enthusiasm to drive the plan. Jacqueline commented on
the role of Sharlene and then asked was there a central group before either
of these groups. Paul Mizzi spoke about
the separate organisations which share information in part to people. There is no group in Harcourt to centralise
information. Paul spoke of all the different web sites relating to
Harcourt. Sharlene spoke of ensuring
sustainability of different aspects through the plan. David spoke of the
value of the social media and the web as communication. There needs to be a letter box drop of a
paper newsletter in the area as well
The plan
needs to be a working document and needs to change to reflect what is
happening in Harcourt. It will change
according to community priorities and the people involved in the group. Jacqueline asked what is the legal
structure of the HPG? No status at
present. Suggested it needs to become an
incorporated body. Have taken the time
to sort out what the role of the group is.
Now at the point we need to make decisions. Suggested not to be a Section 86 committee
and be incorporated in its own right.
Issue
–communication between groups so that the work does not cross over.
Reference
group meetings are public meetings which people can attend. Minutes can be circulated via the Harcourt
blog
The various
groups need to link together through the web via a central linking page.
Wayne spoke
about the works being undertaken in Harcourt. RV dump, road works, bus
shelters, slip way removed. Harmony Way and Victoria Road will become a cross
road. Speed limit reduced, Bagshaw
street intersection changed. High street
south end a court bowl. Removable bollards to allow for Applefest parade. Work starting on Monday, it will take five
weeks subject to weather. Plantings to
be decided. Current plantings will not
be affected.
Max Murphy
spoke of the need to know what is happening and to have a plan which people
can look at. Concern about the lack of
a commercial zone because of the possible growth of the Harcourt
community. George talked about that
there are changes in train for changes to zoning. Max spoke of the need to get information
out to the community more broadly.
Wayne believes that sufficient effort has been made to get information
out to the community. There is a
commitment from Wayne that the community will be consulted about the
plantings on the road developments.
David spoke
of the importance of improving the communication in Harcourt.
Need to
report back to organisations people are representing.
Street scape
should reflect the town in the future.
Max stressed
the importance of groups liaising with each other. Working together in one direction.
Need to have
visual representation this is better for people to get a sense of how things
will look.
Must ensure
the work is not duplicated by both groups.
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Need to look at incorporation
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Craig and Annette to investigate with Jacqueline.
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·
Mountain Biking in Harcourt –
The Rocky Riders spoke with David about the possibility of using the oak
forest as a mountain biking destination. Key trails could attract people to
events. It could have economic
benefits for the community. Community
needs to drive the process and shape the area as the destination. See attachment prepared by David.
Look at Mount Macedon model of management of Hanging Rock as a way to
do this in Harcourt.
Why not a
Friends of Mount Alexander group? – Judy Foster was interested in this.
What will the
involvement of the Progress Group? Incorporation will help with this.
Investigate
some of the established areas for Mountain Biking
The
Goldfields track is also an asset for the area.
Key
conversation about this is with Parks Victoria – Wayne will find someone in
Parks to talk with.
Dianne
suggested that since Damian Drum is parliamentary secretary of economic
development. Take it from the economic
development angle in connection with sport
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Feedback on the community
plan. Sharlene to collate the
data. Date before the next meeting to
finalise the feedback inclusion in the
plan.
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The road into the Leisure
Centre - specifications will drawn up
this year and possibly sealed after that.
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Town criers championships will
be held at the Applefest.
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Applefest meeting on 12th
August at 7.30pm – come with ideas and a theme
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There will be a water supply
improvement for the Recreation Reserve in 2015.
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Meeting finished at 9pm
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Next meeting
: Wednesday 21st August,
2013 – 7-9pm at HVPS
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