The 2007-2008 period has been a relatively quiet one for the Association, with much of the activity being business as usual. The most significant issue has been the decline in interest in the Association and the difficulty of attracting people to support preparing for Association events and to the Committee.

Merger with Wamboin Community Association - there have been informal discussions with the Wamboin Community Association about the potential for a merger between the two Associations. Formal correspondence has just been received to indicate that Wamboin Community Association would prefer that Bywong Association remain independent and have offered to assist to work together to strengthen both Associations to mutual benefit.

Palerang Shire Elections - the Association supported all candidates to have an equal voice for the recent Shire election by assisting at a range of Meet the Candidate events in Wamboin and in Bungendore. The Bywong Community Association remains politically unaligned with any group or independent and as such, we can more effectively talk with all members of the new Council to put forward views on behalf of our Community. We look forward to a more harmonious and productive Council in future.

Submission on the LEP - a submission on the LEP was made with the key points about differentiating between “need” and “demand” for land development, and that the role of the Shire Council should be proactive rather than reactive. We also made points about the need to ensure that development was environmentally and socially sustainable.

Les Reardon Reserve and Hall Committee - I have attended two meetings of the Hall Committee. Developments for a dressage arena are underway and this is a positive development. However, I have been pushing for more activity and improved facilities for all members of the Community, and also better promotion of the Hall. The electricity supply is still on the agenda to be solved but as yet, no progress has been made.

Palerang Shire Cultural Development Committee - I have been attending these monthly meetings since the Committee began in January 2008. The main area of work on the Committee has been to develop a cultural map of the Shire, to map resources and cultural activities in order to maximize promotion and use of these, and minimise overlaps. The Australia Day Awards are also a key feature of this Committee and I would encourage Bywong residents to nominate suitable people for the Palerang Shire Young Australian and Australian of the Year, and also the Event of the Year award.

During 2006/7, BCI continued to make an active contribution to our community by engaging with State and Local Government on local issues and by fostering a program of community events.

Residents will be aware that the BRLPB lowered the land size which would attract RLPB rates and that many land owners in Bywong were, without warning, liable to pay RLPB rates. This led to the election of BCI member Colin Brammall to the BRLPB on a ticket which pledged to support the interests of small landholders. Colin's candidacy was supported by BCI. In addition, BCI made representations to local State MP, Steve Whan, urging that a review of the way RLPBs operate be undertaken. We also arranged an information night for Bywong residents to hear from Colin, which approximately 30 residents attended.

Subsequently, the NSW State Government commissioned Mr. Richard Bull to undertake a review of the rates charged by RLPBs. BCI made a submission to this review and the submission is available on our website at : http://www.bywongcommunity.org.au. Members of BCI also attended a meeting in Bungendore with Richard Bull during the course of the review.

The review has been completed and its findings are available at http://www.rlpb.org.au/files/RLPB_RATES_REVIEW_REPORT.pdf. The main point of interest to small landholders in Bywong is that the report recommends a return to 10 hectares as the minimum rateable land size. If agreed to by the NSW State Government, this will mean a victory for everyone involved.

BCI hosted a district `Meet the Candidates' night during the recent NSW State Government elections. Approximately 30 residents and local media representatives heard candidates in the State election, Steve Whan MP (ALP), David Madew (Nationals) and Catherine Moore (Greens) deliver their election pledges for Monaro.

The audience raised many issues but the majority focused on the RLPB rates; the shire amalgamation process which led to the creation of Palerang Shire; and water issues. Community members met the candidates informally over a cup of tea after the formal meeting finished.

BCI supported the great work done by Wamboin Community Association (WCA) in challenging property valuations in Bywong and Wamboin. I attended meetings with the WCA Executive on the topic and encouraged BCI members to appeal their rates notices. This community action led to a declaration by the NSW Valuer General of the `discovery' of a systemic error in valuations in Bywong and Wamboin done on the 5th October, 2006 and the announcement of a review of those rates. This has led to large reductions in valuations in Bywong and Wamboin, with subsequent flow on to lower rates.

Your Executive was successful in obtaining an exemption from NSW Stamp Duty on BCI's public liability insurance, thereby providing more money for donations to local community groups. In addition, we made representations to local Councillors, and State and Federal politicians regarding possible increases in public liability insurance for non-profit organisations in 2008, and are continuing to monitor the situation and explore ways of reducing the cost of this insurance to BCI.

Palerang's draft SCDP left quite a lot to be desired as it related to Bywong. Our general meeting in April took the form of a round table discussion of the draft plan. We invited BCI members, and other local groups such as Wamboin Community Association, Rotary, the CWA, Greenways and Les Reardon Reserve and Hall Committees to participate and the results formed the basis of our submission, which can be read on our website. Our submission pointed out that Council's report contained little information about, or understanding of, the large rural residential areas in the west of its area. It recommended that Council include a section on Bywong in the report and that Council contact community associations in Bywong, Wamboin and other areas to obtain accurate information about these areas, and that the Plan address the matter of insurance, vital for the continued functioning of community associations.

The submission also contained a number of other recommendations relating to signage, road safety and repair issues, improvements to the Les Reardon Reserve and Hall and the availability of more public space. Council accepted BCI's recommendations in full.

I have attended two meetings of the above committee as your president. LRRHC is a S355 Committee of Palerang Council and is responsible for the management of the LRRH facilities. Some of the issues discussed/progressed have been improvements to the outdoor facilities and upgrade of the electricity supply.

In 2006/7 your Executive decided on a number of grants to local community groups, totalling over $1600. These grants were made from the funds raised by our Car Boot Sale and Trivia Night. Groups which benefited included:

As usual, BCI members and friends mixed with members of other community groups and State and Local politicians at our Christmas drinks in December, 2006 and enjoyed tasting the always reliable Gidgee Estate wines.

Approximately 50 enthusiastic Bywong residents and several Bywong dogs took part in the Clean Up Australia Day activities. About 90 bags of rubbish were collected and several truck loads of other rubbish went off to the tip. All of Macs Reef Rd and most of Bungendore Rd and environs were covered. The organizers, Warwick and Jenny Johnston, are to be again congratulated on a very successful event. As usual, most of the rubbish came from through traffic on Macs Reef and Bungendore Rds, with Maccas once again being the major sponsor (of the rubbish), together with various breweries and soft drink manufacturers.

Once again, the annual Car Boot Sale was an outstanding success, and the outstanding organisational skills of Morag Cottsell must be highlighted. We raised a record amount for local organisations, and more than seventy visitors returned home with the added bonus of a prize from the Monster Raffle, an event solidly supported by a wide range of local businesses. More than eighty stalls provided a variety of treasures for bargain hunters. The weather was perfect after rain the day before. Unfortunately, the event was marred this year by the theft of money from the Landcare Stall

Trivia Night 2007 again was `sold out' with 9 tables competing for the BCI Trivia Shield. The Bungendore team,' XX' was the winning team, for the 4th time. BCI members provided a wonderful array of soups, our Trivia masters Warwick and Diana, provided the usual testing set of questions and a convivial night was enjoyed by all.

A smaller than usual group of community walkers turned up for the October walk up the Molonglo Gorge. This is a little known but scenically remarkable local excursion, which was greatly enjoyed by those who made the trip.

Amateur astronomer Steve Crouch, a volunteer guide at Tidbinbilla Tracking Station, captured the rapt attention of about twenty locals at our November meeting. Steve told us a lot about what happens above our heads, and showed us some of his award winning photographs of southern skies and deep space.

Once again, the annual Car Boot Sale was an outstanding success, and the outstanding organisational skills of Morag Cottsell must be highlighted. We raised a record amount for local organisations, and more than seventy visitors returned home with the added bonus of a prize from the Monster Raffle, an event solidly supported by a wide range of local businesses. More than eighty stalls provided a variety of treasures for bargain hunters. The weather was perfect after rain the day before. Unfortunately, the event year was marred this year by the theft of money from the Landcare Stall

During the day, BCA presented a cheque for $1,000 to the Wamboin Rural Fire Service. Brigade Captain, Cliff Spong, accepted the cheque and thanked the Community for its support. This was money raised from events such as the Trivia night in 2006 but BCA must wait each year to find out its insurance liability (due each December) before final allocation of funds to community organisations can be made.

BCA will be organizing an Autumn bushwalk, and its usual winter trivia night on Saturday, 28th July, as well as engaging speakers on topics of interest to Bywong residents throughout the year. Watch the notice boards and local media as well as our website for news of forthcoming events.

The Braidwood Rural Lands Protection Board was the subject of an enlightening talk by Board member and Bywong resident Colin Brammall. About 30 people attended and listened and asked many questions while Colin discussed some at times controversial aspects of Board processes and policies. Colin campaigned for election to the Board following the Board's decision last year to extend its rating levy to landholders on small rural blocks which had not previously attracted the Board tax. He attended his first Board meeting in October.

Approximately 30 residents and local media representatives heard candidates in the State election, Steve Whan MP (ALP), PersonNameDavid Madew (Nationals) and PersonNameCatherine Moore (Greens) deliver their election pledges for PersonNameMonaro, if they and their Partes are elected to Government. While the number of attendees was small, it is an important function of the Bywong Community Association to provide these types of opportunities for the Bywong community to obtain information which can affect their futures.

Former Community President Warwick Cathro provided an excellent independent chair for the meeting and ensured that candidates had equal opportunities to make their case for election and to receive questions from the audience.

The audience raised many issues but the majority focused on the Rural Lands Protection Board rates, the shire amalgamation process which lead to the creation of Palerang Shire and water issues.

Approximately 50 enthusiastic Bywong residents and several Bywong dogs took part in the Clean Up Australia Day activities. 92 bags of rubbish were collected and several ute loads of other rubbish went off to the tip. All of addressStreetMacs Reef Rd and most of addressStreetBungendore Rd and environs were covered. The organizers, Warwick and Jenny Johnston, are to be congratulated on a very successful event. As usual, most of the rubbish came from through traffic on Macs Reef and Bungendore Rds, with Maccas once again being the major sponsor (of the rubbish), together with various breweries and soft drink manufacturers.

Wamboin Community Association (WCA) held a meeting to discuss the latest property valuations at Wamboin. WCA members had done a great job bringing together a great deal of information including graphs of what the valuations showed. They concluded that valuations done on dateYear2006Day5Month10the 5th October, 2006, contained a systemic error and valuations were much higher than the sales evidence supported. Residents with a valuation date of the 5th October should appeal their valuation. BCA will consider making a general submission to the NSW Valuer-General.

Candidates in the forthcoming State election, Steve Whan and PersonNameDavid Madew will attend, and PersonNameCatherine Moore advises that she will probably be able to attend. The Community is awaiting an answer from the fourth candidate, Frank Fragiacomo.

Former Community President Warwick Cathro will provide an independent chair for the meeting and will ensure that candidates have equal opportunities to make their case for election and to receive questions from the audience. He will invite candidates to address the meeting for a specified time and will provide a channel for questions from the audience.

The Community will again organise rubbish pickup on the National Day, 4 March. Warwick and Jenny Johnston ( 6236 9107) are in charge of arrangements. Residents are asked to give a couple of hours of their time to this community effort. If you can help, contact Warwick and Jenny.

The Community's annual Car Boot Sale will take place on Sunday 25 March. This is a great morning out - free for buyers and still at the old cheap rates for sellers. More information in future issues of our local papers and in letter boxes.

As our members know, in 2005 average rates per property in Bywong rose by 22%. When you take the new waste levy into account, the increase in local rates and charges amounted to 43%. At the same time, rates in the eastern part of Palerang Shire fell. These changes were a result of amalgamating the Yarrowlumla and Tallaganda shires and placing them into a common rating framework.

On behalf of our Association, I participated in the Rates Reference Group which was established by Palerang Council in late 2005 to provide community input on the future rates model. I conveyed the view of our community that that the introduction of these changes was badly handled, and that at the very least they should have been phased in over several years.

The options before the Rates Reference Group were discussed at the February 2006 meeting of our Association, prior to the finalisation of the Group's position. While the Group did not reach a clear consensus many of its members, myself included, came to accept a model based on a single residential category with a uniform rating level, but with a fairly high “base rate” which would reduce the differences in rates between properties of high and low values. A model along these lines was in fact adopted by Council in July 2006.

In March 2006 I represented our community at a Resource Recovery Planning Workshop, whose aim was to recommend a waste management strategy to Council which would be environment-ally responsible and would contain further increases in waste management levies on residents. The Workshop favoured a robust recycling strategy, with a coordinator to drive this strategy and to encourage the formation of local resource recovery businesses. Since 50% of our domestic waste is organic, a trial of a bioconversion facility was also supported. Without such a recycling strategy, our waste management levies will probably rise from $140 to $210 per year over time. (An increase in the levy to $180 was later included in the Council budget for 2006/07).

In February 2006 the Bywong Community and the Wamboin Community Association jointly held a public meeting in the Wamboin Community Hall with State MP Steve Whan. Mr Whan gave his views (and received those of local residents) on the State Government's handling of the amalgamation which resulted in the formation of Palerang Shire, and on the Shire's present economic difficulties.

In July 2006 our Association wrote to the Redistribution Committee for placeStateNew South Wales, objecting to the revised electoral boundaries proposed for the Federal Seat of Eden Monaro, on the grounds that the proposed redistribution would result in the Bywong area being included in the Hume Electorate with which we have little community of interest.

Many Bywong residents have been affected by a recent amendment to the legislation under which the Rural Lands Protection Boards operate. Previously only properties of 10 hectares or more were required to pay Protection Board rates, but the threshold has now been lowered to 4 hectares, resulting in rates of $65 per year for many residents. Most Bywong residents receive no service from the Braidwood Rural Lands Protection Board, because they are not running any livestock, and in many cases their land is not suitable for livestock. Your Executive has made clear its opposition to the changes.

In late 2005 the community and residents associations in Palerang agreed to associate to form the Coalition of Palerang Residents Associations (COPRA). I represented Bywong on this Group. The Group is focused on ensuring that our community associations, as far as possible, convey a consistent message to Council about local planning issues. The Group has monitored the Visioning Workshops and the progress of the Local Environment Plan. It has discussed the possibility of encouraging more community representatives to contest the 2008 Council elections. The Group is also sharing information about each association's public liability insurance arrangements. The possibility of a joint approach to this insurance is being explored.

In May 2006 your Executive decided on a number of grants to local community groups, totaling over $1400. Some of these grants depended on the funds raised at this year's Car Boot Sale and Trivia Night, and some were sourced from the Sugar Gliders Fund. Groups which benefited included:

In addition, Bywong Community assisted the Greenways Committee to obtain a grant of $5000 from the State Government. The grant will assist in the environmental renovation and maintenance of the Greenways in Bywong and Wamboin.

We held our annual Car Boot Sale on dateYear2006Day26Month326 March 2006. Thanks to a strong response from the community this event made a profit of over $2300, sufficient to both pay our public liability insurance premium and allow us to make a substantial contribution to local organisations. We featured more entertainers this year - Irish dancers, guitarists from Sutton school, the music of Andy and Til, Pony Club displays, flyball dog displays and fire fighting displays. I wish to acknowledge the great efforts of Morag Cotsell in once again organising this event and to thank the many other members who helped behind the scenes.

In March 2006 our Association once again supported Clean Up Australia Day. A total of 45 local volunteers cleaned up 45km of roadside throughout Bywong, collecting about 8 ute loads, 2 trailer loads and 107 bags of roadside litter. The rubbish was the usual range of fast food wrappers, drink bottles and cans, car parts and tyres. We could not have achieved this result without the organising efforts of Warwick and Jenny Johnston.

We held our annual Trivia Night in July 2006. Nine tables competed for the Bywong Trivia Shield, which was won by a team composed mostly of Canberrans, calling itself “Keith Urban's Wedding Night Nerves”. Lamberts Vineyards donated bottles of estate wine for the winning team, and also donated a dinner for two which we raffled on the night. This event made a profit of more than $730 for the Association, compared to a profit of about $550 in 2005. The increased profit was due to the purchase (jointly with the Les Reardon Hall Committee) of tables for the Hall, which has removed the need to hire tables for this event.

It has been my privilege to have served for three years as President of Bywong Community. As you know, PersonNameDiana and I moved our residence back to CityplaceCanberra in July. We will miss the locality but are hoping to come back to visit as often as we can.

I would like to thank all members of the Association for their support and help during the past three years. I would like to express my particular gratitude to the Executive Committee for their hard work and wise advice.

The Palerang Council has issued its Draft Management Plan and Budget for 2006/07. A public meeting to discuss this plan will be held on Wednesday (21 June) at the Wamboin Community Hall. Some of the features of the plan are:

The proposed rate for residential properties, assuming the State Government allows an average increase in rates of 9.9%, is a base rate of $305 plus $2.399 per $1000 of unimproved property value

An increase in the waste levy affecting our community is proposed, with the levy rising from $140 to $180: the plan describes this increase as necessary “to fund essential works”

Community discussion of the Draft Management Plan and Budget is likely to focus once more on the issue of rates. It remains to be seen whether the Minister for Local Government will seek to have the Council introduce residential categories in order to partly reverse the sharp increases in rates experienced by Bywong and Wamboin residents in 2005. I personally deplore those increases, and I consider that at the very least they should have been phased in over several years.

However, as I said in my April 2006 President's report, these changes resulted from the amalgamation of the Yarrowlumla and Tallaganda shires and the consequent creation of a common rating framework. Before 2005 the average rates (dollar values) in the two shires were roughly similar, but average property values in the former Tallaganda were much lower than in the former Yarrowlumla. Since Council is required to base at least 50% of the rates yield on property values, the changes that occurred in 2005 were almost inevitable. None of the models discussed by the Rates Reference Group provided more than a marginal reversal of the 2005 rate increases experienced by Bywong and Wamboin residents. These models also created a new equity issue by making some ratepayers pay higher rates than other ratepayers with higher property values.

At its May meeting, your Executive decided on a number of grants to local community groups. Some of these grants depended on the funds raised at this year's Car Boot Sale, and some were sourced from the Sugar Gliders Fund. Groups which benefited included:

Most Bywong residents receive no service from the Braidwood Rural Lands Protection Board, because they are not running any livestock, and in many cases their land is not suitable for livestock.

Saturday 1 July will feature our annual contest for the Bywong Trivia Challenge Shield. Bookings are going well, and we should have a full house for this event once again. While the main purpose of this event is to have an enjoyable social occasion, we have decided to increase its fundraising aspect this year. Lambert Vineyards are generously providing sponsorship in the form of prizes for the winning team and a raffle prize of dinner for two at the Lambert Vineyards Café.

Our AGM will be held on Monday 21 August. Some significant changes to the Executive will occur in 2006/07. There will be a change of President, as I will be stepping down after three years in that position. It is also essential that we find someone to take on the position of Treasurer. I urge you to consider the possibility of participating in the Executive in 2006/07.

Earlier this year I participated in the Rates Reference Group which was established by Palerang Council to provide community input on the model for rates which should be adopted by the Shire.

In 2005 the average rates per property in Bywong and Wamboin rose by 22%. In addition, we paid a new waste levy of $140 per property, making it a gross increase of $43%. At the same time, rates in the eastern part of Palerang Shire fell. For example, average rates in Braidwood Village fell by 41%.

These changes were the inevitable result of amalgamating the Yarrowlumla and Tallaganda shires and placing them into a common rating framework. Before 2005 the average rates (dollar values) in the two shires were roughly similar, but average property values in the former Tallaganda were much lower than in the former Yarrowlumla. Since Council is required to base at least 50% of the rates yield on property values, the changes that occurred in 2005 were inevitable.

After examining about 20 different models, the Rates Reference Group focused on two of them. Model 17 created several separate categories, with differing rating levels in each category, in an attempt to partly reverse the changes which occurred in 2005. Model 10 had a single residential category with a uniform rating level. These models, and the work of the Rates Reference Group, were discussed at the February meeting of our Association, prior to the finalisation of the Group's position.

While I initially favoured Model 17, I became persuaded that Model 10 should be supported. While the ratepayers of Bywong deserve some relief after their 2005 rate increases, it became clear that Model 17 would not have provided more than a marginal degree of relief for us (about 5%). Model 17 would have created a new equity issue by making some ratepayers pay higher rates than other ratepayers with higher property values. Most members of the Rates Reference Group supported Model 10, and also supported a fairly high “base rate” for residential properties, in order to reduce the differences in rates between properties of high and low values.

In late February, in partnership with Lofty Mason (President of the Wamboin Community Association) I co-chaired a public meeting in the Wamboin Community Hall with State MP Steve Whan. Mr. Whan gave his views (and received those of local residents) on the State Government's handling of the amalgamation which resulted in the formation of Palerang Shire, and on the Shire's present economic difficulties.

In late 2005 the community and residents associations in Palerang agreed to associate to form the Coalition of Palerang Residents Associations (COPRA). I represent Bywong on this Group, which meets every month or so. The Group is focused on ensuring that our community associations, as far as possible, convey a consistent message to Council about local planning issues. The Group monitors the Visioning Workshops and the progress of the Local Environment Plan. The Group is also discussing the possibility of encouraging more community representatives to contest the next Council elections due in 2008. The Group has asked Council for more details of the Shire's financial position. It has also asked Council to place a list of development applications on the Council website at an early stage

We held our twelfth annual Car Boot Sale on 26 March. Once again we were fortunate to have both fine weather and a magnificent response from the community. In net terms we raised over $2600, sufficient to pay our hefty public liability insurance premium and still make some contribution to local organisations and causes. We are indebted to Morag Cotsell for organising this event, and to Theresa Hackett and Trevor Kirk who again did a sterling job in organising the raffle. We featured more entertainers this year - Irish dancers, guitarists from Sutton school, the music of Andy and Til, Pony Club displays, flyball dog displays and fire fighting displays.

On the first Sunday in March our Association once again pitched in to help with Clean Up Australia Day. A total of 45 local volunteers cleaned up 45km of roadside throughout Bywong, collecting about 8 ute loads, 2 trailer loads and 107 bags of roadside litter. The rubbish was the usual range of fast food wrappers, drink bottles and cans, car parts and tyres. We could not have achieved this result without the organising efforts of Warwick and Jenny Johnston.

On 22 March, along with an number of other community representatives, I participated in a Resource Recovery Planning Workshop in Bungendore. The aim was to recommend a waste management strategy to Palerang Council which would be environmentally responsible and would contain the waste management levies on residents at their present levels, as far as possible.

The Workshop was presented with the results of a survey of residents concerning landfills, kerbside collection and recycling. It is inevitable that the existing landfills will be closed over time, and replaced with transfer stations. (For example, the Macs Reef Road landfill is due to close in 2009). The workshop favoured an aggressive recycling strategy, with a coordinator to drive this strategy and encourage the formation of local resource recovery businesses. Since 50% of our domestic waste is organic, a trial of a bioconversion facility was also supported. Without such an aggressive recycling strategy, our waste management levies will probably rise from $140 to $210 per year over time.

During the past year the Bywong Community Association continued to make an active contribution to our community by engaging with local government and fostering a program of community events.

In June we cooperated with the Wamboin Community Association in promoting a Council sponsored Community Information Day. This event, held in the Wamboin Community Hall on a Saturday morning, allowed local residents to meet Shire Councillors and officers and engage in a two-way discussion about local planning issues and the future character of our Shire.

The need for a better Local Environment Plan was highlighted by local concern about a Development Application for a new subdivision of 41 blocks north of Birchmans Grove and Hogan Drive, and south of Harriott Road and Newington Road. At a Palerang Council meeting in December and a subsequent meeting with several Councillors in February, representatives of the Association expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed development. The proposal was approved by Council in late February in a close vote.

Palerang Mayor Terry Bransdon addressed our June general meeting concerning the Council's proposal to increase shire rates by an average of 28.5%, and answered questions from residents. Although the NSW Local Government Minister subsequently declined to approve the request, a new Waste Management Charge was introduced. Furthermore, the new general rates combined with the latest unimproved land valuations have resulted in significant variations in impact across the Shire. The result is that Bywong residents are generally paying more than a 50% increase on the rates which they paid in 2004. I have held discussions with the President of the Wamboin Community Association with a view to our joining forces to argue for a fairer rates model for 2006.

Our April General Meeting was addressed by the Shire's General Manager (Peter Bascomb) and Director of Engineering Services (Bill Ellison). The main issue for discussion was the future strategy for waste management in the Shire. The Macs Reef rubbish tip will need to be closed within the next two to three years. Future options include a waste transfer station at Bungendore, or a roadside rubbish collection. The Shire is facing very substantial “make good” costs on its existing landfill sites, necessitating a substantial and long term waste disposal levy on residents. Other topics covered during the discussion were the future status of Macs Reef Road, and the financial position of the Shire.

At our February General Meeting, Mareeta Grundy, a member of the Community Bank Steering Committee, spoke about the progress of the Bungendore Community Bank Project, and answered questions from residents. Mareeta informed us that pledges of almost $400,000 had been received from the local community, sufficient to allow a move to the feasibility study stage.

At the same meeting Anthony Goonan, the manager of YLESS4U, described his local company's new wireless broadband service, and answered questions. The Association has long been concerned by the lack of affordable broadband services in Bywong, and we welcome any initiatives that are willing to give priority to the needs of the local community. I was also present as an observer at a meeting of the Wamboin Community Association in February when a representative of Telstra promoted their broadband services.

Nine years ago the Association joined with other groups in opposing the development of a quarry near Sutton. This proposal was reactivated earlier this year. Even though the proposed quarry is now in a different local government area, the Association has decided to closely monitor developments. In July we wrote to the Yass Valley Council, asking to be kept informed about the process, and arguing that the conditional approval for this development granted eight years ago has lapsed.

More than 40 people - enough to fill the Community Hall - attended our Bush Dance last October. We had great support from the Monaro Folk Group, who provided the music, the dance caller and several of their members to help the locals along.

About 50 people attended our Christmas drinks in early December. This is a valuable annual opportunity to relax and engage with other community associations, Councillors and members of Parliament. Gidgee Estate once again provided a fine sample of wines to taste.

In March we held our tenth annual Car Boot Sale, which attracted about 100 stall holders and about 1200 visitors. We achieved our fundraising target of $2500. Our thanks go to the whole community for its participation in this event and its generous financial support. I would like to record my gratitude to Morag Cotsell for organising the event, and to all the other members of the Community who supported the cake stall, raffle, community stall and the dozens of necessary tasks behind the scenes. We are also indebted to the Wamboin fire brigade for site management, to the neighbours of the reserve (the Woods and the Boughtons) for allowing visitors to park on their properties, to Peter Garlick for providing and setting up the public address system, and to Theresa Hackett and Trevor Kirk for organising the raffle.

In March the Association once again supported the annual Clean Up Australia Day. One of our members, Rodney Gibb, has managed the local Clean Up Australia Day campaign for a number of years, but is now moving away from the district. The Executive expressed its great appreciation for the longstanding contribution which Rodney has made to this cause.

In July around 90 people attended our Annual Trivia Challenge. Neighbouring community associations (including Wamboin, Carwoola and Captains Flat) and informal groups of residents participated. This was the sixth successive year we have organised a trivia night, and it was one of the most enjoyable. For the third year in a row, victory went to the “XX” team from Bungendore.

We organised two local bushwalks in the past year. In November, about 15 people enjoyed a pleasant walk along the Lake George escarpment. In May, a similar number undertook a walk to the summit of Bywong Hill.

In July we moved the Bywong Community web site to a new computer platform, in order to make it easier to maintain. Our thanks are owed to Morag Cotsell for managing this process, and to Diana Dack for setting up and designing the web site on the previous platform. Thanks are also due to YLESS4U, a local internet service provider, for hosting the new web site at no charge to the Association, allowing us to make future financial savings.

In February we mourned the loss of Julian Thompson, a former member of the Association's Executive Committee. Julian was great friend and tireless servant of our community, and was active in the establishment of the Greenways. He was farewelled at a crowded funeral service at St. Phillip's Anglican Church, Bungendore.

I would like to thank all members of the association, especially the Executive Committee members, for their support and help during the year. I would especially like to thank Sue Gorham, who has served the Association as Treasurer for the past few years and is now retiring from that role. I am most grateful for the willingness of members to accept personal responsibility for organising our events. Without this, our Association would not be able to continue with its many activities.

Shortly after our last community meeting Julian Thompson, a great friend and tireless servant of our community, died. His funeral service on 2 March was a moving event, and St. Phillip's Church in Bungendore overflowed with people. The Palerang Council, at its meeting on 22 March, paid tribute to Julian's community service.

We had, once again, a very successful Car Boot Sale this year. More than 90 stall holders participated, which was slightly less than last year but a good result considering it was the Canberra Day long weekend. An estimated 1200 visitors attended. We achieved our financial target by raising just on $2500.

I want to thank my fellow Committee members for helping, once again, to make this a successful event. I also want to thank the Woods and the Boughtons, neighbours of the Reserve who allowed the visitors to park on their properties; Theresa Hackett and Trevor Kirk for organising the raffle; our entertainers Andy & Til; Peter Garlick for supplying the PA system; and the many local donors who generously supported the raffle.

We are now calling for bids from local community groups for the funding of worthwhile projects or activities. Bids can be made until 9 May, by writing to the Secretary, Bywong Community (PO Box 486, Dickson ACT 2602, or e-mail: winjeel1@cyberone.com.au).

It was pleasing that a number of local residents made approaches about joining the Community. Prospective new members should contact the Secretary (Judith Miller) on 62369321 or the Treasurer (Sue Gorham) on 62369476.

Tonight's community meeting will feature two guest speakers, both from the staff of the Palerang Council. Peter Bascomb (General Manager) will speak about community services available in the Shire, and will also be able to answer any general questions about Shire administration. Bill Ellison (Director, Engineering Services) will talk about waste disposal in the Shire, including the future of the Macs Reef Rd. tip, and future options for waste disposal once the tip has closed.

We had a successful Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 6 March. Rodney Gibb, who has organised this activity for us for several years, will be moving away from the district. I want to thank Rodney for contributing his time and effort so generously.

My previous report noted that some local residents were opposed to the Development Application for a new subdivision of 41 blocks north of Birchmans Grove and Hogan Drive, and south of Harriott Road and Newington Road, and reported that Council had declined to approve the proposal on 14 December. The matter was reconsidered by Council on 22 February, and was approved by five votes to four.

We are now actively preparing for the 10th annual Car Boot Sale, to be held this year on Sunday 20 March. Flyers advertising the event are now being distributed to the communities of Bywong, Wamboin and Bungendore. We have already received many enquiries from stall holders.

We are also preparing to participate in Clean Up Australia Day, on Sunday 6 March. We need more volunteers for this very worthwhile activity. If you can help, please call Rodney Gibb on 6236 9077. I would like to thank Rodney for coordinating this activity once again this year.

We try to organise at least two local bushwalks each year. In November, about 15 people enjoyed a pleasant walk along the Lake George escarpment. We are now planning a walk to the summit of Bywong Hill on 1 May.

Some local residents are opposing a Development Application for a new subdivision of 41 blocks north of Birchmans Grove and Hogan Drive, and south of Harriott Road and Newington Road. Your Association Executive recognises that there are some problems with the proposed development. Some residents spoke from the public gallery when the proposal was considered by Palerang Council on 14 December. Council voted not to approve the proposed subdivision, in the expectation that a modified proposal would be resubmitted. The interested residents and some members of the Association Executive met with two Palerang Councillors on 14 February to discuss the proposal. The matter is likely to be reconsidered by Council on 22 February.

This and other recent development proposals have highlighted the need for a new Local Environment Plan for the Palerang Shire. Council has signaled that it intends to conduct a series of “visioning forums” throughout the shire, to determine the character of our shire for the next 25 years. Our Community Association has indicated its willingness to participate in such a forum. If the Wamboin Community Association wishes, we will make this a joint activity with them.

It appears that, after a long wait, broadband Internet services are now becoming available in our locality. The wireless broadband service offered by the local company YLESS4U will be featured at our meeting on 21 February. The major carriers are also promoting their services in our locality, and a representative of Telstra addressed a meeting of the Wamboin Community Association on 15 February.

We welcome the availability of broadband services in our locality. Those residents who need broadband Internet services will naturally choose a supplier based on their analysis of price and likely service quality. When the manager of YLESS4U advised your Association Executive in late 2003 of his plans for a pilot wireless broadband service, we encouraged him to proceed because of the lack of any action by the major carriers. For this reason, I have invited him to have the first opportunity to address an Association meeting on this topic.

Your Executive is planning to invite Guest Speakers to address most of our Association meetings during 2005. For example, Council has already indicated that it will accept an invitation to send a speaker to our June meeting to discuss waste disposal in the Bywong and Wamboin localities, including the future of the Macs Reef Road rubbish tip.

The debate about the future local government structure for this region continued during the early part of the year. On 14 January, Guy Cotsell and I represented the Association in making presentations to the NSW Boundaries Commission concerning the published options for changes to shire boundaries.

In February the Minister for Local Government announced the establishment of the Eastern Capital City Regional Shire and formally abolished the Yarrowlumla Shire. At the February meeting of our Association, the Administrator of the new Council (Terry Bransdon) spoke about the formation of the Council and answered questions from about 40 residents.

The election for the new Council was held on 26 June. As a service to the community, our Association cooperated with the Wamboin Community Association to hold a “Meet the Candidates” night on Tuesday 8 June, in the Wamboin Community Hall.

Our Association organised a public meeting on 29 January to discuss a proposed mobile phone tower on the Lake George ridge line, and the general issue of mobile phone coverage in the Bywong area. Following this meeting, Telstra withdrew its development application for the tower, after reaching agreement to extend its current arrangement. As mobile phone coverage remains an issue for many Bywong residents, there is still a challenge for us to identify and lobby for environmentally acceptable options to improve the coverage.

Last year we spent some of our funds to obtain and attach maps of the district to two of the community notice boards. It was disappointing that one of these maps was stolen during the year. The Executive is discussing measures to improve the supply of district maps as a service to visitors to Bywong and Wamboin.

We continued an active program of community events during the past year. On Sunday 28 March we held another very successful Car Boot Sale, and raised over $2000 for the Community. This year there was a record number of stall holders, the weather was perfect and many hundreds of people attended. I would like to record my gratitude to Morag Cotsell for organising this event, and to all the other members of the Community who supported the cake stall, raffle, community stall and the dozens of necessary tasks behind the scenes.

We held our annual Bush Dance on 21 February. Despite the very hot weather experienced on that day, the Dance was successful in attracting about 25 people of all ages, who had a great time. Thanks to Narelle Regan for organising the evening. In reviewing the Bush Dance, the Executive Committee has decided to move this event permanently to October. This decision was influenced by the weather (it is likely to be milder in late October) and by the need to improve the balance of events between autumn and spring. The next Dance will be held on Saturday 30 October.

On Sunday 7 March we once again supported the annual Clean Up Australia Day. As usual, Rodney Gibb did a great job in coordinating this effort. Thanks to all members of the Bywong Community who participated.

On Saturday 30 July we held our Annual Trivia Challenge. Neighbouring community associations (including Wamboin, Sutton, Carwoola and Captains Flat) responded positively to our invitation to participate, and several tables were organized by groups of Bywong residents. Around 80 people attended this event, and had a very good time.

During the year we organised and publicised two community bushwalks. Jo Walker led a wildflower walk in the Brooks Hill reserve in November, and Julian Thompson led a Greenways walk in May. My thanks go to both of them.

About 50 people attended our annual Christmas drinks, held in the Community Hall on 8 December. A number of councillors, members of Parliament, and representatives from neighbouring community associations attended. Gidgee Estate once gain provided a fine sample of wines to taste.

During the year the Executive Committee discussed measures to increase the formal membership of the Association, in order to diversify our sources of financial support and strengthen our communication links with residents. We have developed a Membership Application Form and will continue to take opportunities to encourage residents to join the Association formally.

The Executive Committee will continue to examine options for closer cooperation with the Wamboin Community Association. Between the two associations there is an active program of events, common interests and a variety of public communication mechanisms (including the Bywong web site and the Wamboin Whisper). We will examine how these assets can be used for the maximum benefit of both communities.