Outcomes of Community Survey - Aug 2010                   Original Information Issued for the Community Survey

Outcomes of Community Survey - Aug 2010

Outcomes of Community Survey - Aug 2010.pdf (pdf of below report for download)

Lot 48 Development Concepts – Outcomes of Community Survey Report 

 From the President – Wendy Turner

Our Committee is thrilled with the number of Community Survey forms that were sent back, a total of 123 forms out of 279, which is 44%. Comments from the Shire of Busselton advised that this is an exceptional result for a local survey. Therefore thanks to all those that took the time and effort to complete and return the Community Survey form.

Final figures from our survey:

Option 1          17.5  (one couple wanted to vote differently from their partner, so  ½ vote each) Option 2          26.5

Option 3            6

Option 4            9

Option 5          64 = Most popular option.

(An additional 33 votes from Lot 50 could also potentially be added to this Option 5 figure. We received 36 survey forms for each block in the Lot 50 development but only included 3, from the current beneficial owners, in the survey results noted above).

Permanent Eagle Bay residents:  in favour of building a Hall  = 75% 

Should barbeques be included in development plans :   
 

Yes                   14 = 11%

                                No                    98 = 80%

                                No comment       11 =  9%

Prize for submission of Survey Forms

John Wise has now drawn the ballot for 1 dozen bottles of wine which he kindly donated and I am pleased to announce that the winners are:  Liz & Ross Sweet.  (Names of all landowners returning a Survey form were included in the Ballot)

Preliminary Shire Discussions – Wendy Turners  feedback

In our pursuit of developing better Shire relationships, I attended a couple of Council meetings and I was delighted with the Shire President, Cr Ian Stubbs’ instant and positive response to me as representative of REBA.  I also met the then acting CEO, Matthew Smith, who was equally as positive and helpfulI explained that REBA had progressed well with the community survey regarding the development of Lot 48, with the 5 options and that the results were showing the preferred proposal as being Option 5:-

i.e. Build a Community Hall (with an integrated public toilet suitable for the disabled) furthest east on Lot 48 (depending on the Coastal Engineer’s report) and erect a viewing platform and beach access for the public, suitable also for disabled persons and no barbeques.

 I have since met with Matthew Smith, his Planning person Jo Wilson (Co-ordinator of Strategic Planning) and Allan Whitfield (Manager, Community Development).

At that meeting the following points were covered:

a) I explained the background details and that the survey results were showing a majority for Option 5, as above.

b)  This integration of work on both the ‘A’ and ‘C’ class reserves will need the Meelup Regional Park Management Committee’s involvement.

c)  As 75% of the permanent residents are in favour of Option 5; this would also be the Shire’s preference. The sentiment of the permanent residents is an important consideration for them.      

d)  I asked that the money from the Miles sub-division of Lot 50, ($ 60,000.00 approx)  be spent in the Eagle Bay area, as a contribution to the building of the viewing platform, beach access and upgrading of the toilet facilities for the disabled, (for starters! )

e) The Coastal Engineer, Stuart Barr from Shore Coastal, is expected to accommodate the site location, with Council’s approval.

I also attended a “Cuppa with a Councillor” morning in Busselton and met with Cr David Reid; he was equally supportive and interested in our ideas and said that there is a great need for facilities for those with disabilities and he often gets requests for such facilities within the Shire.

The Shire are all very impressed with the high percentage of surveys returned – we have done far more than most communities do and this is a good indicator that we are serious about this project. They want to do what the residents favour and will listen and follow what their sentiments are.

The Shire then pointed out their preferred option is for REBA to “lease” the ‘footprint’ of the building. It is far better for the local community autonomy, easier for the local community to operate and better for them to administer. The Shire will still own and insure the building, on behalf of the Community and this leasing is the preferred arrangement by the Shire. To do this, Council will need to apply to the Minister of Lands, to be able to ‘lease’ this as it is “Community use.”  Again, they stated, this could be readily undertaken by the Shire.

I have also had a discussion with Jo Wilson, the Shire’s Co-ordinator of Strategic Planning, who is also very positive towards REBA. She has worked with various personnel within the Eagle Bay community and has confidence that we could progress a Development Application.

At the last REBA Committee meeting on 21 August, it was agreed that we should form a separate entity to build and manage the new Community Hall facility. It would be a new Association, separate to REBA and the goals in its constitution would be to take on the role of progressing the Lot 48 development and then the ongoing management role of the Community Hall.

We are now asking for volunteers to set up a foundation Committee to establish and progress this new Association. Please contact us via the website info@reba.org.au (or call Don Best or Wendy Turner to discuss)  as soon as possible, if you are interested.

Having this Association separate from REBA, to focus solely on this mammoth task will allow REBA to remain focused on the broader aspects of the entire Eagle Bay Community and concentrate on the goals set out in the REBA Constitution.      

Wendy Turner- REBA President

Original Information Issued for the Community Survey