The Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce Meeting

Tuesday 2nd September 2003
Woonona-Bulli RSL Club

Meeting commenced 8pm

Present: Pia Angelucci, Rosemary Goldman, Darryl Bromley, Leila Visser, Kay and Paul Taylor, Mike Brennan, Paul Boughton, Steve and Shelley Melchior, Fran Grover, John and Frances Vander, Ken Green, John and Pat Cranston, Jo-Anne Fahey, Mike Tribe, Bob Proudfoot, Scott Smith, Peter and Fiona Hunt, Marilyn Dale.
Apologies: Lorraine Morgan, Libby Cross, Gail Green, Wendy Lepre, Coleen and Barry Ahern, Bob Grover, Gail Brennan.

Update on Lawrence Hargrave Drive closure:
Re RTA announcement of two and a half year closure, for major remediation works
Various issues arising from this:
1) Meeting at SP Surf Club Wed.10/9 –RTA consultants will describe restoration work proposed. 2) RTA budget includes $2 million for assistance to those affected. 3) New consultative committee to be formed (existing c’tee to be disbanded) – requires 2 _ yr commitment (monthly meetings) to "administer" the $2 million (i.e. decide on most effective projects) . 4) Offer from Tourism Wollongong of $10,000 for advertising campaign; offered to assist using some of its contacts. 5) IRIS to conduct survey to ascertain people’s needs (next meeting with IRIS Thurs.4/9). 6) RTA’s Geoff Style on stress leave – will not be participating in these processes. 7) Public meeting at Coalcliff Community Hall Thurs. 7.30pm – all invited. 8) Recommended by Bob Proudfoot that Chamber write to various Federal Govt. representatives (Ministers for Tourism and Business, Treasurer, local member etc.) seeking tax relief in particular and whatever other assistance is available to allow businesses in the area to survive this closure, on the basis that LHD is a National Tourist Drive. 9) Jo-Anne Fahey reported that Tourism Wollongong Board is seeking to support the whole northern Illawarra region - wants Greg Binskin to help NICC lobby for additional funds and assistance – some opportunities available. 10) Recommended that NICC write to Wollongong Council seeking relief from DA charges when new DA required as result of LHD closure (e.g. Bliss Surf School); also some relief for commercial rates payers in affected areas and for Council to implement new parking arrangements planned in Sept.2001.

Membership Report:
John Vander will start phoning around to encourage members to renew/join. Noted again that some members lost due to business closures.Reminder that at next month’s AGM, only currently financial members permitted to stand for election and/or to vote.

Treasurer’s Report:
No substantial change from last month’s balance; full report at October AGM. Accounts for last financial year submitted and audit imminent.
Treasurer moved that $16,000 of account balance be placed in Term Deposit (around 4% interest). Motion carried.


Tourism Awards:
Congratulations expressed to three award-winning Northern Illawarra entrants: Tumbling Waters Retreat, Woonona-Bulli RSL, and Thirroul Arts Festival.

Black and White Cocktail Party:
7th November. Flyers including tear-off booking application to be letterboxed in S.Park and Coalcliff, plus H’burgh if sufficient time. Tickets sold from S.P.Newsagency.
A request to act on ticket purchase ASAP so numbers known well in advance – good support needed for major fund-raising event of the year.( Flyers handed around.)

Correspondence:
i) reply from NPWS advising that escarpment walks (Bulli Tops and surrounds) no longer its responsibility but passed over to IESCA (Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area).
ii) Reply from David Campbell MP, with letter from Bob Debus re IESCA, noting that repairs will be addressed, but walks not open for another couple of years. (Suggested by Darryl Bromley that NICC requests earlier attention to this matter in light of difficulties to businesses caused by LHD closure; also noted by Pat Cranston that NPWS is forming working group with a group of cyclists to open (re-open?) tracks for their use – suggested we ask NPWS to form similar working group for bush walkers.

Other Business:
i) Next meeting will be Annual General Meeting, at Cliffhanger, Bulli Tops, 7th Oct.
Please consider nominating for election; all positions will be open.
ii) Mike Tribe : Problems associated with BiLo construction / parking in Walker St. H’burgh still a concern: proposed new bus stops on both sides will remove about 15 car spaces; angle parking best option, but Council claims problems with potential tree root / tree destruction if implemented. Suggested that NICC seek compensation from Council for loss of parking; Darryl Bromley suggested inviting representative(s) from Council Traffic dept. to meeting on site to discuss this and also lack of maintenance of streetside gardens – will write letter to Council proposing same.
iii) Jo-Anne Fahey reported on highly successful community information day held at Darkes Forest re preparing homes etc. for bushfire impacts; Wollongong Fire Services considering making this an annual event.
iv) Scott Smith sought further info.from members re their businesses plus interest from Chamber in sprucing up website Home Page; queried status of new logo considerations. (Members were asked to look at website www.NiO.net.au and its link to NICC page by next meeting.)
v) Re new logo, this is to be held over until first meeting after AGM. John Vander to submit some ideas, Scott Smith’s submission reexamined, along with other suggestions.

Meeting concluded by 9.30pm.