Willsmere Owners Community Forum

1^st Willsmere Owners Community Forum

On the evening of the 26th July, the first Willsmere Owners Community Forum was held in the library. This first session was more of an informative introduction of forum and future sessions will have more time for discussion and questions from the community. So make sure you’re thinking about any questions you have which you would like the Committee to cover next meeting or ideas you would like to raise. A call for Questions and ideas will come out a few weeks prior to the next meeting.

Please find minutes below.

Number of lots represented: 1 non-resident owners, 31 resident owners

Number of committee members present: 8

Aim of the meetings: held every 3 months, Share info from the sub committees, gain feedback from the community, share ideas and knowledge to benefit the Willsmere community. Be solution focused!

Introduction of Sub Committees and current main projects

Communications:  

-First Willsmere Owners Community Forum held. -Summary of Willsmere.net website and where to find contacts, log issues, past newsletters, CoM meeting minutes, news items. -Reminder of monthly garden walk around. -Introduction and request for feedback on strategic survey and strategic plan. –News letter to come out ASAP with further info on many topic

Security:

-Preventative maintenance plan to be put in place for vehicle gates, will monitor performance during plan, idea raised to hold parts on site. -Will be extending the number of emergency contacts that know how to manually open the gates to assist afterhours access when required. -Upcoming vehicle gate remote code change. -Fence near basket ball court to be repaired. -Intercom update, repairs attempted and unsuccessful on current system, good feedback on perusing further investigation of wireless system that will call through to an occupiers phone to open the door, Possibility of adding buzzer to gates 5 and 6 with this system. –Security cameras to be installed in library and foyer.

Pool:

-Surrounds and Canopy have been assessed by an Engineer for safety and concerns, Concrete cancer in surrounds.- Company that constructed Long Term Maintenance Plan has placed funds in to the plan to cover pool and pool surrounds renovation which is badly needed. -1 set of plans have been depicted and a second set depicting a possible relocation of the pool to be done. A community meeting and resolution to be held prior to decision being made, investigations still underway.

Building and vehicle access:

Main Drive access, Traffic flow survey completed, Gaining Vic roads and Heritage Vic agreement prior to further investments for quotes and plans to enable Willsmere community engagement and informed decisions. Concerns voiced and noted around preventing through traffic, ensuring costs and decisions are transparent. –Gutters, see below. –Hard rubbish collection resolutions being investigated

Finance:

-Last years and ongoing ledgers adjusted to reflect painting payment plan and all items are easily understood. -Recent high water bill addressed through MICM seeking and gaining substantial discount from Yarra Water. Irrigation system currently being serviced with many leaks and blockages resolved, Rain sensors being installed to remove unnecessary watering. –Costs of guttering cleaning and unblocking being analysed and more effective and economical solution being developed.

Sustainability:

-Solar Panels, investigation still underway. -Charity bins to be trialled. -Rainwater, mulching, compost facilities to be explored in conjunction with building and garden sub-com.

Rules and Regulations:

-These were drawn up before the start of Willsmere Community and many are out of date, these are under review. –Concerns raised about processes to breach residents who go against rules, ie double parking.

Gardens and Grounds:

-Monthly plans of garden works will be posted to the website. –Herb garden has been highly successful, plan to extend amount offered to be developed. –Willsmere Volunteers to be launched to take on assorted projects.

Question time:

-Question of gardener performance equivalent to increase in gardener cost. –Disability access new regulation raised, how will we address this. –Creeper growing over palm tree, already addressed by gardeners this week. –What plants to have in pots near fountain? Discussion to be held with subcommittee –Neighbourhood watch, a call for volunteers to be placed in newsletter. –Where are subcommittee meeting minutes held? Most likely existing location where CoM minutes are kept. –Concern for maintenance of trees and gutters, Arborist has been commissioned for audit and recommendations, Gutter cleaning plan being developed. –How often are the bins washed out? –Suggestion of owner’s forum website.