middletonbeachgroup.com goes live!

The Middleton Beach Group has a new home - online that is. Somehow the group wouldn't be the same if we weren't at Middleton beach!

You can head to our new site at middletonbeachgroup.com. from now on that's where you'll find all the latest goings on, next meeting notifications, and downloadable documents. So head over there, and don't forget toupdate your bookmarks.  Try leaving a comment (click on the obviously named links), and become a subscriber to recieve automatic notification of updates.

See you at middletonbeachgroup.com - or at the beach!

Middleton Beach - Draft Council Management Plan. Our submission

The City of Albany recently released its Draft Management Plan for Middleton Beach for public comment, as we mentioned earlier.

The Middleton Beach Group submitted a response to the Council's plan ... well, Jane Mouritz did on our behalf - thanks Jane! Essentially our submission calls for a more proactive, coordinated approach from the City of Albany in mananging the precinct, with improved public consultation at all stages of the process, including a public planning session.

You can download a copy of the response here.

Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Middleton Beach - Draft Council Management Plan

The City of Albany is just about to release its Middleton Beach Draft Council Management Plan for public comment.

At the time of posting this I couldn't find it on the City's Public Comment page on their website, but we expect it to go up any day now.

Download a PDF document of the plan and have a read - no doubt it'll be the subject of discussion at Thursday's meeting . So why not come along and let us know what you think, or leave a comment below.

...and by the way, it's well worth having a look at the City of Albany website link above from time to time. It's the way the Council does a lot of its public consultation now, and even has an email link to make your submissions direct to the City.

Middleton Beach Group September meeting

Who says you can't mix business with pleasure?


The MBG September meeting begins with a wonderful warm-up. The Ednas will share their musical memories of the Esplanade with us and a glass of wine at 6.30, before we get down to the meeting at 7pm.

A different venue for this meeting - the Middleton Beach Bowling Club (so don't go down to the Surf Club!) - and a different night too - Thursday 24th of September.

So come along, bring your ideas for the Middleton Beach precinct, and bring a friend!

Mother nature on our side?

In between raining cats and dogs (but not hotels) over the weekend, a
quick trip down to the beach showed that the fences around the
Esplanade site are coming down quicker than planned.

I wonder what will hapen now, and how long it will take? There's not
much footpath left!

Esplanade Site update

It seems like we're still no closer to seeing action of any sort at the Esplanade site... except perhaps for the cladding on the fence falling apart.

This article is from the Albany Weekender, 11th of June issue.

What do you think should happen to the Esplanade site? Do you believe there will ever be a new hotel at Middleton beach? Click on "COMMENTS" below, and have your two cents worth!

Next Meeting - Friday June 26

The toilet debate heats up

Friends of Middleton Beach, we have just received this email from Alexandra Tucker, the Reserves Officer with the City of Albany. Looks like the crunch is on and we better get our join approach sorted.

I just wanted to include your group on the progress of the environmental composting public toilets funded through the Royalties for Regions money. We are bringing you up to date as I understand that the group did not make comment on the project scope when it was out for public comment recently. Since then, the City is making good progress on the project and I would like to update the group on our development. We have a project budget of $40,000 and we have been exploring the available options. The facilities will include two disabled unisex toilets of which the rooms will be big enough to double as change rooms and will have hand basins with running water connected.

Connection

It was preferable to hook the toilet into sewer, of which the nearest connection is 360m away from the toilet site. An approximate cost estimate for connection to mains sewer is in the vicinity of $110,000 to $120,000. Therefore the only available option left was to install a composting variety.

Design

We have explored various options for installation and they are:

1. A clivus composting toilet system to be supplied and installed by provider at a cost of $30,000 and CoA to build the structure (colourbond building with ramp access, will sit approximately 3.4m high) at a cost of $23,000. A total of $53,000

2. A clivus composting toilet system and structure to be supplied and erected by the provider at a cost of $77,000

3. A Landmark Engineering system to be supplied, erection by CoA (colourbond building with verandah and flush with the ground (no ramp), will sit approximately 2.6m high) at a cost of $34,000

4. Lower King toilet design supplied and installed (concrete slab building and flush with ground) at a cost of $40,000

Based on these provisional quotes (keeping in mind there may be incidentals associated with the cost) the best option to the project team is option 3, the Landmark Engineering design. The building itself can be any standard colourbond colour. This particular building will allow for the option of artwork or similar to be attached to the outside in the future. I have included a scan of the landmark engineering design for you to look at (sorry about the black and white aspect but I am unable to scan documents in colour). As this project is funded by the Royalties for Regions funding there are very tight/strict timelines regarding completion dates for the project (Must be completed by September 2009).

Our new blog address

It's only a little thing, but it does make it easier for people to find the blog using a web search engine.

THe web address for the Middleton Beach Group is now http://middletonbeachgroup.blogspot.com/

Please update the address in your favourites, and of course, pass it on!

Next meeting!

The second meeting

Held on February 15th, the meeting was attended by the usual suspects, along with guests City of Albany Mayor Milton Evans, and Cr Dot Price.

There was much discussion, and a couple of important tasks for the night.

1. The decision on the name The Middleton Beach Group. Just like it says on the wrapper! And also the reason the name of this blog has been changed... if you noticed!
   
2. The election of a leadership group. This group comprises Jane Mouritz, Ken Clarke, Henry Reynolds, Judy Clarke, Jon Doust, Kay Geldard and Michael Roberts.

There are minuts from both this meeting and the last one (which was also the first). I'm trying to work out how to post the whole of each file on the blog for download, rather than cutting and pasting it here, which would make for very long blog entries, and take me far too long! So in the meantime, if you would like to see previous minutes, drop me an email and I'll forward them on to you!

Middleton Beach Group next gathering

Hello Middleton Beach Group interested persons!
A response has been recieved from the City of Albany - public toilets to be installed at Surfers Beach, but no other improvements specific to Emu Point to Ellen Cove precinct - letter will be tabled at next meeting for further action.
Our delegation met with City of Albany Planning Officer - summary will be presented at next meeting.
There has been a developmnet (excuse the pun) in regard to Esplanade site - further details will be tabled at next meeting.
The next Middleton beach Gathering is on Sunday 5th April at 5.00pm -6.00pm. I look forward to meeting newly interested persons and past participants then. BYO drinks and nibbles for afters.
Yours in community spirit - Jane Mouritz

From the first meeting

Some of those who attended the first meeting.

The letter to Albany Council

The letter submitted to Albany Council reads as follows:

Hon Milton Evans
Mayor of City of Albany
PO Box 484
ALBANY 6331


Dear

In response to the recent call for suggestions re local needs for infrastructure expenditure consideration, we submit the enclosed suggestions that relate specifically to the Middleton Beach precinct extending along the coast from Emu Point to Ellen Cove.

Several of us with a particular interest in Middleton Beach decided that your radio interview with Andrew Wenzel aired on ABC Regional Radio in early January should be the catalyst for inviting extended local community consultation about Middleton Beach.

Jon Doust and I discussed the proposition for a public meeting with local business people and residents, City of Albany officers, the Frederickstown Councillor Dot Price, Frederickstown Progress Association and all endorsed our proposal as welcome and timely.

In the past 7 days we have circulated about 60 surveys, advertised a public meeting, promoted it on Face Book and ABC Events website, and have aroused considerable discussion – all positive and encouraging.

Today 35 people participated in a fruitful discussion about ways to improve Middleton Beach and beyond, and the areas of need and other suggestions and bright ideas are included in the record of the meeting. Most significantly there was unanimous support that infrastructure improvements are needed in the area. Initially some basic improvements including a toilet, shower and picnic facilities at Surfers’ Beach and some paving improvements, seating and general tidying at Middleton Beach, with particular attention to rubbish bins and litter maintenance along the beaches and trails would be appreciated.

Additionally some funding allocated for entry statements and other public artworks and extended consultation with the Kinjarling group in regard to public artwork themes, and cultural heritage and environmental interpretive signage.

Infrastructure funds on notice for next years’ budget would also be appreciated to support the Middleton Beach Group in their request for overall streetscape and beach interface improvements. Ideally this should follow interactive consultation and shared planning with the City of Albany planners and the Esplanade Developers as well.

You will note that this group wishes to expand its consultation to include others who may be interested and a follow up meeting is planned for Sunday 15th February at the Surf Clubrooms at 5.30pm. Any councillors and staff who wish to attend will be welcomed.

It is envisaged that a Middleton Beach stakeholders group will be formalised at the next meeting with a view to be available for ongoing consultation – especially with City planning officers and with Esplanade developers, but also to keep abreast of local community ideas and trends.

The intent of all who participated in today’s community meeting was very cooperative and positive. It is very much hoped that you will receive the enclosed suggestions in the same spirit and support us in our endeavours to bring about local solutions to local needs.

Yours in community spirit


JANE MOURITZ
Interim Chair Meeting and
Shared Coordinator –with Jon Doust

Why we exist

From the City of Albany's website:

Have your say on major funding

You are invited to have your say on spending priorities for $1.57 million in Royalties for Regions funding from the State Government. The City of Albany Council will consider project options at its February meeting and public input is welcome. The funds are available for infrastructure only, such as roads, paths and community facilities, and cannot be used for events, programs, plant purchase or debt retirement. Submit your preferred project priorities or suggest new projects that would benefit the community. Comments must be received by Friday 23 January.

Jane (Mouritz) and Jon (Doust) got thinking, and invited other Middleton Beach users to do the same... together!

The first forum was held at the Albany Surf Club on Middleton beach (where else!), and attended by 37 people, with all sorts of ideas about what more money could do for the best beach in WA.

And from the meeting this letter was submitted to the City of Albany Council.