The storeroom! Yes it is going ahead and the DA has been submitted. We are currently waiting on the Lands Dept. to OK the submission which we are hoping will be done before Christmas!!! The council has agreed to contribute $2000 towards the cost ($6000) and thanks to our successful dinner dance we now have the money in the bank to go ahead. We believe that the extra room to house all the chairs, tables etc., will make a big difference to the way the hall works for people hiring it, especially those outside our community.

The council has also come on board as far as the clearing and fire hazard reduction around the hall. This is still in its infancy, but we are hoping to clear the land along the road so that the fire hazard is reduced. We are not removing trees etc., but clearing away all the debris and rubbish and generally cleaning it up.

Some of you have probably seen the newly renovated car park above the hall. Council has cleaned up and resurfaced the area, making it a much more serviceable space. We now have to organize to have some steps down from the parking area to the hall – a winter job I think!!!! The entrance is from the current car park and the exit is up the top.

You may have noticed too that the land below the hall has been slashed again thanks to the council. We seem to be a bit of a priority at present which the committee is loving – our beautiful hall certainly loves the attention too.

I think 2012 will see more changes (for the better) for our hall. The current usage is increasing and more people from outside the community are being exposed to the originality of it – a true Australian icon!!!!!!

So, Canyonleighites (and beyond) have a wonderful Christmas and we shall see you all at the hall sometime in the New Year.

Jenny Stewart & The Hall Committee

(a) TRUenergy’s 700MW project is the most advanced and is scheduled to start by 31 March 2012. A website has been established www.truenergy.com.au/marulan. CCA is a member of the Community Liaison Group for this project.

(b) Origin Energy’s 1,000MW Kerrawary Power Station timeline is to submit their environmental assessment to NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure (DP&I) by early 2012 and if no additional work is required then it will be approved for public exhibition for at least 30 days for the community to submit comments and feedback to DP&I. Later in 2012 the DP&I will make a determination. If the project proceeds, construction will take about 2 years.

(c) Snowy Hydro’s 600MW plant is the latest proposal. Located off Hanworth Road, Bannaby, 500 meters from TransGrid’s Bannaby Substation and approximately 1.5 kilometres west of the Wollondilly River, adjacent to Bangadilly Station. An environmental impact study is yet to be carried out but when it is completed it will be placed on public exhibition once it has been lodged with DP&I. The start of construction is not likely to be in the next few years, and once started is expected to take approximately 2 years.

SHCAG rally against coal and coal seam gas exploration in Bowral held 19 Nov:
1,200 people are reported to have signed the petition against coal and coal seam gas (CSG) exploration at the rally. The main messages were from:

(a) Alan Jones who said the NSW Government must put a ring around the key agricultural areas in NSW, and all urban areas, and not allow CSG operations in those areas. Southern Highlands is one of those key agricultural areas.

(b) Pru Goward said the NSW Government has introduced a Strategic Regional Land Use Policy to ensure the successful balanced existence of industries such as mining, petroleum and agriculture. Under this policy a number of reforms are being introduced to protect strategic agricultural land and associated water resources. This has included a moratorium on CSG hydraulic fracturing (fracking) until April 2012. Pru said it takes time to correctly draft the necessary legislation so that it cannot be successfully challenged in court.

Footnote: The current gas industry powers 18% of electricity produced in Queensland and about 90% of that electricity is produced from CSG. Queensland taxpayers will receive $1.8 billion in royalties from CSG over the next 10 years.

Hume Coal has invited people to join their Water Advisory Group:
Those who have property in Hume Coal’s Lease area are invited to indicate if they have an interest in joining Hume Coal’s recently formed Water Advisory Group. The Group will comprise 10 representatives of local interest groups and individuals with technical knowledge and experience of surface and groundwater. This invitation is particularly relevant for Canyonleigh landowners whose property is north of Canyonleigh Road and east of Foxgrove Road, as that area is within Hume Coal’s lease area – refer map on Hume Coal website www.humecoal.com.au.  If you are interested, contact Jamie Hall at Hume on 4868 2500 in Moss Vale. A media release on this advisory group is on Hume Coal’s website under ‘latest news’.

Footnote! Both the Council and the SHCAG have declined to join this advisory group as they do not consider it to be independent.

Hume Coal lease expired on 23/11/11 and they have applied to the NSW Government for an extension. According to Hume Coal it may take 4 to 6 months to receive the Government’s response, meantime, they have completed test drilling in the Belanglo State Forest and are proceeding with test drilling on their recently acquired Wongonbra property in Sutton Forest.

Community shuttle bus now services Canyonleigh:
As from 2 December the Community Shuttle Bus services Canyonleigh, thanks to the skilful negotiations of the Association’s new Treasurer, Julie Harris. See Julie’s full report on this bus service in this edition of the Chronicle. Our Association strongly encourages any and all Canyonleigh residents to take advantage of this service. Julie Harris, otherwise known as the ‘bus lady’, was also the person who succeeded in bringing the Primary School Bus service back to Canyonleigh after a long battle with authorities.

Circle of Friends has been embraced by Canyonleigh residents 55+:
On average about 17 members attend the Monday get togethers at the Hall and almost double that number attended the Christmas breakup get together in December. Old friendships are being renewed and new ones made.
The AIDER Program was recently introduced to the members. It is a one-off free service to reduce bush fire hazards, run by the RFS, and is available to the infirm, disabled and elderly residents. Already the RFS has inspected several Canyonleigh properties. Call 02 8741 4955 to request an assessment of your property.

Social events:
Many thanks to all those who donated goods to our Giant Garage Sale on 19 November 2011. The result was a net profit of $1,823.07. Our special thanks go to Monika and Steve Fox for allowing our Association, for the second time, to take over much of their wonderful big green shed for about 2 weeks. We are also indebted to Susan and John Carter who generously opened their amazing garden to the public on the day of the garage sale, for a small fee, and presented us with $100.00.

The Dirties and Bitchies cricket match will have been played and won by the time we read this. It was held at the Shop on 29 December 2011 under the watchful eye and cunning direction of George Barnett, our President. We trust it was a truly fun day enjoyed by all who participated as players or spectators.

We are very keen to hear for anyone interested to join our Committee:
The vacancy exists as a result of Edward Hazlett stepping down in October 2011. Contact a committee member for an informal chat about what is involved and how you might contribute to the Association’s activities and deliberations.

Working together for the mutual benefit of the Canyonleigh Community.

John McKindley
Secretary, 4878 9509
Email: mckindley@bigpond.com

A crew will be in the area in about 4 weeks time to do the shoulder clearing and the drainage improvement works. The patching work, some of which is breaking up, is described by Council as being very much a stop-gap to try to maintain road safety until they could do the full rehabilitation work which includes a full overlay of a new bitumen top pavement.

Giant Garage Sale – Saturday 19 November –  “Foxhollow” 181 Tugalong Road:
The sale starts at 9.30am and ends at 3.30pm. Come along and pick up amazing bargains.

While you are there you will also find:-
A cake stall.  Donations of home made cakes and biscuits are welcome. Please bring them to the stall on the morning of the 19th. Let us know if your donation contains nuts.

Net proceeds from the cake stall will go to the Wingecarribee SES who funds the 16 Canyonleigh Community First Responder volunteers who are rostered on call 24/7 to support Canyonleigh residents and visitors in cases of medical emergency where an ambulance is called.

A wine tasting of excellent Canyonleigh wines. These can be ordered at the tasting table or purchased from the Canyonleigh Store.

Steve and Monika Fox have again generously loaned us their Big Green Shed for the Giant Garage Sale. Donated goods by the community are to be delivered to the Fox’s between 12 and 18 November for sorting and pricing. If you need assistance with transporting your donated goods please contact any committee member. This is a special appeal to every household in Canyonleigh to donate goods such as tools, equipment, trailers, furniture, clothing, books and electrical goods (in safe working order) to support your Community Association. Net proceeds will be used by the Association to support a range of projects in Canyonleigh.

Also on Saturday 19 November, Susan and John Carter will have their widely acclaimed and magnificent garden open for viewing by the public from 9.30am to 3.30pm in support of the Community Association. Admission is $5 per head for adults and children are free. Visitors to the garden are requested to drive into “The Burrows” at 61 Tugalong Road and park in the clearly marked designated areas on the property. Please do not park on Tugalong Road in the interests of road safety.

Tugalong Station Motocross D/A refused – Council’s decision:
Council planner’s evaluation and recommendation was for the D/A to be refused and at the Council meeting on 28 September all 9 Councillors voted to accept the Council planner’s recommendation. It was indicated at the Council meeting that Tugalong Station had 28 days to notify Council if they wanted to submit additional information with a view to overcoming Council’s objections on a range of issues. This indication was subsequently shown to be incorrect. The fact is that this was an integrated D/A, meaning it involved the need for approval from certain State government authorities, and as such the 28 day rule does not apply. Tugalong Station now has 2 options re that Motocross D/A (a) go to the Land and Environment Court within 6 months from 28 September 2011 (b) lodge a new D/A application with Council.

On 21 October 2011 Council notified the reasons for the refusal to all those who made submissions on this D/A. A copy of Council’s notification of the refusal is on the notice board at the Shop. In brief, Council’s reasons for the D/A’s refusal are as follows.
(1) …. failed to demonstrate the proposal can meet the various aims and objections contained in Wingecarribee Local Environment Plan 2010 and the Wingecarribee Shire Council Rural Lands Development Control Plan.
(2) …. does not contain adequate information to enable an informed decision to be made in relation to the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
(3) …. has not achieved any degree of certainty with the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority that consent under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 can be achieved for the desired clearing of native vegetation associated with the proposal.
(4) …. does not demonstrate the proposal can occur without unacceptable impacts upon the amenity of local residents due to anticipated noise levels.
(5) …. an unacceptable impact upon the adjoining Bangadilly National Park.

Coal mining and coal seam gas leases – involving part of Canyonleigh:
Southern Highland Coal Action Group advises that (a) Hume Coal’s Sutton Forest coal lease is due for renewal by 23 November 2011 and SHCAG will lobby the NSW Govt to prevent that renewal on the basis of certain damage or destruction of our aquifers. They will also make a submission to Council on that basis (b) Planet Gas has put on hold their proposed exploration activities in PEL 469. Meantime, they are threatening to take the Council to arbitration over the ban on exploration on public roads in the Shire.

Both these coal and CSG leases extend over part of Canyonleigh.

Community Association Committee seeks someone keen to contribute:
Committee member Edward Haslett stepped down at the last meeting as he will be leaving Canyonleigh. President George Barnett, supported by all committee members, thanked Edward for his contribution to the committee, particularly in initiating our focus on youth. We meet monthly and now have a vacancy for someone who is keen to contribute to the committee’s work and thereby enhance the quality of life in our community. We invite you to contact any committee members and have an informal chat about what is involved and how you might contribute as a committee member.

Social activities:
Trivia night on 03 September was a brilliant night and booked out as usual. Australiana was the theme and we are indebted to Carolyn and Ken Chaplin for seriously testing our dexterity on that subject. Net proceeds of $1,431 will greatly assist the Community Association’s ‘Circle of Friends’ in their first year. Any Canyonleigh resident 55+ years is most welcome to join the group who meet at the Hall every Monday.

Carols by candlelight, in conjunction with Hall Committee – Saturday, 03 December:
This will be an informal fun family affair from 6.30pm at the Hall. Bring a supper to share after the carol singing. There will be a Giving Tree with gifts going to the Red Cross and, as we know you are feeling lucky, there will be a raffle.

Dirties and Bitchies Cricket Match – Thursday, 29 December at the Shop:
The Shop will be open, alternatively BYO food, drink and a comfy chair.
The game starts at around 12 noon. Last time the Dirties won 77 to 55. Again there will be an award for the Most Enthusiastic Player and, as always, George Barnett’s rule will apply on the day. It is a truly fun relaxing day and all the more the merrier.

Working together for the mutual benefit of the Canyonleigh community.
- John McKindley, Secretary, 4878 9509, Email: mckindley@bigpond.com.

Introducing children to the importance of knowing how to call 000 for assistance and the difference in emergency services isn’t as straight forward as you might think.

At a recent event at Canyonleigh Store 25 children aged from 3 years to 12 attended a workshop put together to improve their knowledge including the importance of knowing their address and rural number.

Put together by Canyonleigh Community First Responders (CFR) the hour long event featured representatives and vehicles from the local Police, Rural Fire Service (RFS), Ambulance and SES CFR units. The program used teaching aids that can be sourced from the NSW Ambulance website. These aids are specifically for children aged 3-5 years and children 6 to 11.

The very little ones were taken through knowing the number zero, where it is on a phone and how many times you need to dial it. Further skills such as giving details including their name and address followed.

The older children were also taught the difference between big accidents, where you would need an ambulance, and little accidents where a band-aid might be a good solution. Scenario based exercises helped highlight the decision making process and knowing when to call 000.
After the formal part of the event children were given the opportunity to go through the emergency vehicles and use a fire hose. The vehicles were great fun and many of the parents were found in them as well!

Parents were encouraged to go through the exercise of filling in a sheet to place on the fridge at home with all the details needed if a call to triple zero is required.

Further information about the teaching aids can be found at:
http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/Kids-Stuff/Info-Packs.html
http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/Community-Info/Community-Education-Programs.html

An online game for children to teach them about calling 000 for help in an emergency can be found at:
http://kids.triplezero.gov.au/

More photos…

Tugalong Station Motocross D/A – Our Association lodges an objection:
In short, the Association’s objections are (a) if Council approves the D/A there will be a significant increase in road traffic and so Council must be prepared to spend more on road maintenance to provide road safety for locals & visitors (b) a list of negative effects on property owners & tenants, particularly on the unsealed section of Tugalong Road. A copy of the Association’s objection letter is on our website www.canyonleighassoc.com.au  and also in the glass notice board at the Shop.

Two proposed gas fired ‘peaking’ power stations in our area – update:
TRUenergy held it’s first ‘invitation only’ community meeting in Marulan on 29 June and around 20 people attended. Unfortunately no one from our Association was able to attend. We aim to attend further meetings which are planned to be held every 3 months. Construction of the 800MW gas fired peaking power station is due to start in third quarter 2012 and be operational in late 2014.
Origin Energy’s plans for a 1,000 MW gas fired peaking power station at Big Hill was well covered in the ‘Chronicle’s’ lead story in the last edition. Our Association has since been assured by Origin’s Community Relations Advisor, Kathy Howard, that we will be advised of future meeting dates which are open to the public. Watch this space, and the Association’s website, for the date and venue of the next meeting when it is known. Origin is at an earlier stage than TRUenergy and they are hopefully of putting the results of their environmental and other current studies on public display by last quarter 2011 or first quarter 2012. After obtaining public feedback they will then be in a position to lodge their Development Application with the State Government.

Canyonleigh Bush Fire Brigade – ‘Community Information Day’ – Sunday 25 September:
Our community is indebted to our local volunteer Bush Fire Brigade for their preparedness to help protect life and property in Canyonleigh 24/7. We would encourage all Canyonleigh residents to take up the Brigades open invitation to discuss their fire plan with Brigade members at the Shop on Sunday 25 September between 10.00am and 4.00pm. See further details on page 6 of the Chronicle.

Social activities:
Saturday, 03 September - Trivia Night at 6pm, Canyonleigh Hall.  Booked out! -Phone Julie Harris on 4884 1424 immediately if you have not yet booked in case there have been any late cancellations. $10 per head. BYO snacks, drinks, glasses and thinking caps. Great prizes. Funds raised will support the recently formed ‘Circle of Friends’ a group of 55’s and over who meet regularly in Canyonleigh for fellowship and fun.

Saturday, 19 November - Giant Garage Sale at the Big Green Shed, ‘Foxhollow’, 181 Tugalong Road. We remind you this is a special appeal to every household in Canyonleigh to start to put away goods to be donated for this sale. We appreciate your donations to support your Community Association and it is fun to buy a bargain on the day. Be part it.

Working together for the mutual benefit of the Canyonleigh community.
John McKindley,
Secretary,
4878 9509,
email: mckindley@bigpond.com

The sincere thanks of the students and the community go to Mr. Ross Elson, Regional Manager of the Southern Region of NSW Department of Transport for his decision to reinstate the service.

Instead of the long and tiring journey the students had to endure twice every school day, the new service takes a little more than half an hour each way, going directly from Bangadilly Road, along Tugalong Road, to the school and return.

A big thank you to Julie Harris who worked tirelessly to get the bus reinstated.  Without Julie’s determination and strategic approach such a positive result would not have happened. – Ed.

An update on the rehabilitation of Canyonleigh Road:
As reported in the last Chronicle, Council have advised they will rehabilitate the eastern approach to Foxgrove Road in 3 stages. Firstly, Eccleston Park to the substation in 2011/12, then from the substation to the top of the hill and finally from the top of the hill to Foxgrove Road, both in 2012/13. Each of those 3 stages is budgeted at a cost of $280,000. Our Association wrote to Council in May 2011 requesting the planned rehabilitation work be carried out as soon as possible as the road condition is rapidly deteriorating. We made it clear that the heavy patching planned by Council, as an interim measure, is urgently required. With safety in mind we also invited the RTA, via Council, to give consideration to down grading the speed limit from 100 kph to 80 kph.

Through follow up phone calls with Council we are advised (a) marking for the patching work has been done and, weather permitting, patching work will begin next week (written 17 June 2011). (b) stage one of the rehabilitation is expected to start around September/October 2011, after winter. Investigation work is also due to start next week, involving 6 to 12 test holes to be made in Canyonleigh Road with a report outlining rehabilitation options due by the end of August 2011. Some of the tests take several weeks to produce meaningful results. From this, Council should be in a better position to work out how much work they can do for the available budget.

RTA have advised us that an audit of speed zones is being undertaken as part of the NSW Government 100 day action plan and our enquiry may be finalised after that audit is finished. In short, this means it may take several months before RTA assesses the basis for reducing the speed limit on Canyonleigh Road.

One of our members asked us about Council’s process for prioritizing road maintenance. We were briefed on this recently by Council and it involves consideration of the traffic count, hierarchy of the road (e.g. feeder to a main road), standard of alignment, width, condition, heavy vehicle use and accident history. Re Council’s resealing a ‘good road’, Council has a 1-5 scale (1 being the best rating) and around 80% of Shire roads are fair or above, while around 20% are poor.

Preventing particular roads from slipping on the scale is part of Council’s Asset Management. Good roads are resealed to prevent deterioration. Council’s figures on the cost of maintaining and repairing roads show that  to reseal a road costs around $3/sqmetre, while full reconstruction costs around $80/sq metre (with a scale of activities and costs in between). Thus Council consider it make senses to maintain roads in good condition to avoid the high cost of repairs.

Inaugural meeting re TRUenergy’s proposed gas fired power station:
TRUenergy will hold an ‘invitation only’ meeting in Marulan 23 June to introduce the project and discuss the best ways that TRUenergy could work with the local community throughout the development and operation of the new power station which will be located near ‘Arthursleigh’ on Canyonleigh Road. George Barnett and I plan to attend and will report the outcome in the next Chronicle.

Origin Energy also proposes to build a 1,000 MW gas fired power station at Big Hill. Origin held its first community meeting at Big Hill on 28 May. Our committee did not hear about that meeting until after that date. Origin’s Community Relations Advisor is Kathy Howard phone 0457 541 301. No doubt the issues will be similar with both of these proposed power stations. Geographically they are not so many kilometres apart as the crow flies.

Nationally, we can expect gas fired power stations to be the focus of new power stations, rather than coal fired, due to the carbon tax issue. Emissions from gas fired are around 50% less than coal fired.

Edward Hazlett joins the CCA committee:
The committee welcomed Edward to his first meeting in May and we look forward to his contributions. Edward brings the benefit of a younger perspective to the committee.

Social activities:
2 important dates are already locked in for 2011 so put them in your diary now.
Other social events are being planned – watch this space.

Saturday, 23 July – Trivia Night at 6pm, Canyonleigh Hall. $5 per head. BYO snacks, drinks, glasses and thinking caps. Great prizes. Gather your friends and book a table. Bookings taken at the Canyonleigh General Store. Funds raised will support the recently formed ‘Circle of Friends’ a group of 55’s and over who meet regularly in Canyonleigh for fellowship and fun.

Saturday, 19 November – Giant Garage Sale at the Big Green Shed, ‘Foxhollow’, 181 Tugalong Road. We first held this sale 2 years ago and it was a great success with amazing bargains. Accordingly, this is a special appeal to every household in Canyonleigh to start to put away goods to be donated for this sale. More details in future Chronicles.
Working together for the mutual benefit of the Canyonleigh community.

John McKindley,
Secretary,
4878 9509
Email: mckindley@bigpond.com

Unloading Tank

The four 35,000 litre concrete water tanks have been located at strategic points in Canyonleigh: the end of Hawkshill Road (also providing protection to Nandi and Wattle Flats road residents), mid Tugalong Road (9km mark), Bangadilly Road (12km mark and providing protection to Bangadilly Road residents) and north Tugalong Road (18km mark).Each tank has the capacity to fill 35 of the smaller ‘Cat 7’ trucks with tank capacities of 1,000 ltrs or 12 of the larger ‘Cat 1’ trucks which have tank capacities of some 3,000 litres.

The installation of these emergency water tanks is significant for property protection in the Canyonleigh region. With 45,000 litres of water stored at the fire shed and known water points at the lower and upper ends of Tugalong Road, along Canyonleigh and Inverary roads and at Paddys River, there are now reliable water points no more than 5km apart throughout the area.

The funding for the tanks was sourced from Federal, State and Brigade funds. The project came in under Budget, the final cost being around $35,000. This was principally due to the earthworks being cheaper than forecast and a saving of $8,000 off the original tank quote. The Brigade used some of its own funds and gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the local community and Mittagong RFS who also contributed funds.

The Brigade has also lodged grants for a new fridge, a vacuum cleaner and a high pressure water cleaner with the Rural Fire Service Association. We are in the process of  lodging a submission with Clubs NSW through the CDSE program for a grant to complete some internal and external plumbing at the Fire Shed, including a new transfer pump. We were also successful earlier this year receiving a $1,000 donation from the Goulburn- Mulwaree Veolia Trust.

This completes the major grant applications for 2011. For 2012 the Brigade is planning to lodge a grant for a top of the range weather station located at the Fire Shed. Provided we can source sponsorship for the Internet link the weather data will be uploaded in real time to the Brigade’s website (currently being built courtesy of Cindy Pryma). Canyonleigh residents will be able to log in from wherever they are to get accurate local weather for Canyonleigh.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring the Internet plan and the website please contact Brett Bannerman on 4878 9272. It is hoped that the weather station will be operational by June 2012.

The final major purchase the Brigade is hoping to make is a handheld thermal imaging camera allowing us to more easily identify hot spots and lightning strikes. Mittagong RFS has informed us a manufacturer is soon to conduct a demonstration, once the results of this are known we will be able to make a determination of its viability.

We welcome five new members: Duane Bove, Matt Burley and Rob Crough (who have all completed their basic training) will be joined by Brownyn and Ray Grantham whom we hope to have trained for the 2011 summer season. The Brigade also welcomes two Automated Emergency Defibrillation (AED) devices, one for each truck. We hope to have completed training in the use of the aids by the end of winter 2011.

Canyonleigh Bush Fire Brigade Captain Mark Pearson (left) and Senior Deputy Captain Brett Bannerman (right)

While it can be seen that the Brigade is working to enhance the safety of the community please remember that the principal responsibility for your safety is yourself. Make sure you have a fire plan and you are thoroughly prepared for the upcoming fire season. With floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis and hurricanes all recently striking various areas around the world please remember we are in the most bush fire prone area on this planet and it is only with planning and action that we can mitigate the effects of a fire when it happens.

If you would like assistance with developing your fire plan please ring and lodge your interest with Frances Crown on 4878 9272 as there is a one day training that we provide, free of charge, to assist in this process. We need 10 people to make this program viable. As has been mentioned previously this program, which was designed by the Canyonleigh Brigade, has been adopted by the RFS for Statewide implementation. The next day is scheduled for 24 September 2011.

Now is the time to prepare for the 2011 season. If you have an area on your property that you believe needs hazard reduction performed, or you have identified any area in Canyonleigh that concerns you, all you have to do is notify our Captain, Mark Pearson, on 4868 3076 or 0437 049 207. Once notified we will come out and measure fuel loads and determine the strategic importance of the identified area. Mittagong RFS will then conduct all the environmental and legal checks and decide if burning or some other action is required to reduce the hazard.

If burning is determined as being appropriate a burn certificate is issued and when the right weather conditions are achieved the Brigade will then conduct the burn. Obtaining the right conditions requires a lot of patience so please let us know now as it can take 2 years before the burn can proceed.

The Canyonleigh Bushfire Brigade  AGM was held on Wednesday 13 April 2011 and we are pleased to announce the following positions

President: Ron Stahl

Vice President: Laird Stewart

Secretary: Terry Biscoe

Captain: Mark Pearson

Senior Deputy Captain & Community Safety Officer:
Brett Bannerman

Deputy Captains:
Peter Attreed
John Kay
Michael Trevisiol

Equipment Officers:
Dave Hough, Adam Stefanuik

Keep safe and be prepared.

The AGM was held on 29 March at the Hall and we thank the many community members who attended. Key points reported by committee members included council’s plans to spend a total of $1.09 million on Canyonleigh Roads over the next 2 financial years and a further amount in 2013/14.

In giving his President’s Report, George Barnett advised that the Canyonleigh Road and Tugalong Road corner beautification project was well under way and it has been a great example of many members of the community contributing. George also advised that our Association was pleased to cooperate with the recently formed “Circle of Friends” and 24 people, 55 and over, have so far registered their interest. He also invited the community to review our new website and give us their feedback.

The financial situation for the year ended 15 March 2011 was total funds $3,226.10 of which $3,100.01 was General Funds and $126.09 was CEA funds. Assets, including cash-at-bank totalled $13,568.85 and financial members were 68, up 7 from the previous year.

Further sealing of Tugalong up to Old Coowong Road is now scheduled to be carried out in 2012/13 at a cost of $250,000.

Based on our lobbying, Council have advised they will rehabilitate Canyonleigh Road on the eastern approach to Foxgrove Road in 3 stages. Firstly, Eccleston Park to the substation in 2011/12, then from the substation to the top of the hill and finally from the top of the hill to Foxgrove Road, both in 2012/13. Each of those 3 stages is budgeted at a cost of $280,000. Council also advised they have scheduled to seal the road from the corner of Canyonleigh Road/Tugalong Road down to the Hall in 2013/14.

The Association is in contact with TRUenergy who recently purchased the 2 gas-fired power station development sites near Arthursleigh. Our key interest is to monitor what impact, if any, such a project might have on our community such as air pollution and disruption to water supply sources. The site is less than 6 kilometres from Canyonleigh as the crow flies.

Southern Highlands Coal Action Group is working very hard to inform all of us that we are at risk of having underground coal mining and coal seam gas exploration in the Southern Highlands, including parts of Canyonleigh. Leases exist for both activities. If you haven’t registered with SHCAG already we would strongly encourage you to do so.

Clean Up Australia Day on 06 Mar 2011 saw 11 Canyonleigh community minded individuals volunteer for the clean up. They collected 19 bags of rubbish plus 1.0 cubic metre of tyres, wire, steel etc.

In July 2010 our Association submitted a letter to Council relating to the Development Application for a proposed Motocross and Trail Riding Recreation Complex at Tugalong Station. Our main concern is that the significantly increased traffic volume would have various negative effects on the many property owners and tenants along Canyonleigh Road, Inverary Road and Tugalong Road. The latest information we have is Tugalong Station have yet to reply to Council’s letter of September 2010 which sought further information

Work is continuing to try to reinstate the public school small bus for our kindergarten to Year 6 children to go to Sutton Forest Public School. It was withdrawn in 2009. The Department of Transport has very recently stated they will review the school bus arrangements and advise us of the outcome, once completed.

Socially it has been a fun year with Social Housie (Bingo) in April attended by residents from local nursing homes as well as local community members, the Real Country Dance in June with the Sydney band “Speewah” saw the Hall packed, and Trivia Night in July with a 1980’s theme which raised $797 for Canyonleigh Emergency Aid. Carols were held in December and Father Christmas arrived at Satori Springs on a Twister, much to the children’s excitement. January saw the Dirties beat the Bitchies at the Shirley Barnett Memorial Cricket Match at Aruma on Australia Day.

Carolyn Chaplin, Canyonleigh SES CFR Coordinator provided an update on the Community First Responder replacing Canyonleigh Emergency Aid as from 01 March 2011. CEA marked its second anniversary on 01 February 2011. SES funded training for our 16 CFR volunteers and 1 SES volunteer and has provided a fully equipped SES vehicle fitted out for medical emergencies.  Special thanks go to Fiona Vanderbeek for her commitment and effort in progressing CEA to CFR.

Jenny Stewart, President, Canyonleigh Hall Committee provided an update on Hall activities which included a generous kitchen upgrade budget from the Council ($5,000) and a NSW Country Halls Renewal grant of $4,000. These monies allowed the purchase of a new stove, a wider fridge, a dishwasher, china and glassware, the installation of new kitchen cupboards, pots and pans and utensils, as well as a new set of good quality cutlery, plus a hot water system.

The 6 people nominated for positions on the Association’s committee were duly elected in their respective committee roles, namely,

George Barnett President

Beat Schwarzenbach Vice President

John McKindley Secretary

Sara Green Treasurer

Julie Harris     Ordinary Member

Jacqueline Wilson       Ordinary Member

Nominations for one additional committee member are still being considered, so if you are a team player and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to progressing community activities as outlined above we would welcome hearing from you. Contact a committee member for further information.

Working together for the mutual benefit of the Canyonleigh community.

John McKindley, Secretary,  4878 9509,
mckindley@bigpond.com