NEPEAN PARK NEWSLETTER
	Issue 3 No 3 July 2004

Nepean Park, Springwood Road, YARRAMUNDI

This is our newsletter that we publish  to inform the residents of Nepean Park of happenings and information concerning the Nepean Park Community. If anyone would like to have something published please feel free to contact anyone on the Executive Committee.

• Welcome
• Executive Committee
• Cautions and Warnings
• Working Bee
• Recycled Water
• Answers and Questions Asked by residents
• Home

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Grahame Hackett      4776 2245
Secretary: ..Brook Lyons           4776 2617
Treasurer: ..Tom Begeng           4776 2523

Committee

John Apted            4776 2429
Chris Poulton          4776 2811
Steve Foster         4776 2540        funbuster@myisp.net.au
Jan Armitt             4776 2214
Bob Todd                4776 1698        lyn.bob.todd@bigpond.com
John O'Brien         4776 2432

Next meeting is Tuesday 20 July 2004 commencing 7.30pm at the Community Centre.

Management Agents

Medium Density Management P/L, Janine Campo,  Ph 9896 0644   m.d.m@optusnet.com.au

Sewage Treatment Plant,  Max Fleming,   Ph 4571 4278

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 CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

Insurance update : We can now report some progress on the problem of gaining public liability insurance protection to cover the dams on Community Association land. The Executive Committee decided at its June meeting to plan the location and obtain quotes for the fencing of the dams. We succeeded in getting our insurers to make a site inspection with us, so we could show the difficulties faced and obtain the best outcome in the circumstances.

At its July meeting, alterations were made to the plan, forcing some amendments to all the quotes. It has necessarily been an involved matter, since we’ve tried to keep the cost down while ensuring that it results in a rural-style fence more in keeping with the surroundings.

On a brighter note : It was pleasant to have the estate a more peaceful and safer place to enjoy during the last summer and autumn seasons. Weekends, especially, were noticeably quieter for everyone living near the firetrails and the danger of a bike accident with its attendant risks has been reduced.

To my knowledge, there are now only one or two young persons who continue to ride trailbikes on the Community land and only one property owner who still rides an unlicensed quad on the firetrails and on the public road. Residents have greatly appreciated the way everybody else responded so promptly to the call to cease this activity and we’re hopeful that, before long, there will be 100% co-operation.

Efficiency of the managing agent : The Executive Committee this year has not been satisfied with the way the managing agent MDM have performed their duties. Several of us met with the agent and went through these issues, point by point, seeking some improvements. Since we were not happy with the response, the committee has then authorised me to write to MDM giving them 28 days to remedy a number of outstanding matters, all of which have been specified for them in writing. We will review the situation and inform all residents of the result. 

CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS

Since the last newsletter two unpleasant incidents have occurred. The first was a house robbery from Nepean Park and the second a party that was 'gate crashed'.

The thought that we can leave doors unlocked at night received a rude shock recently with the robbery from a house while the occupants were asleep. Although a handbag theft, it caused considerable inconvenience to the owners and is a continued source of concern. So, as much as we would like to leave the house unlocked at night, it would seem that those days are gone.

We read about them in the papers, the party that has gate crashers and goes bad, and hope they don't happen here. Unfortunately Nepean Park experienced one of these recently too. Unfortunately, the gate crashers also damaged some Nepean Park resident's and Community property. To help minimise the effect of this anti-social behaviour the police have a 'Party Information Pack' which provides some helpful advice. It is well worth getting hold of one before your next big party.

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NEPEAN PARK WORKING BEE

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RECYCLED WATER

You should be aware that Sydney Water (www.sydneywater.com.au) has introduced Level 2 water restrictions from 1st June 2004. As the level of the recycled water is still very low, the Executive requests that association members show equivalent restraint with the recycled water. That is, only hand held watering from 4pm to 10am on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Level 1 restrictions still apply.

Thanks again to everybody for showing restraint in their use of the recycled water. Despite remaining very low throughout the summer and now winter months recycled water remained available. However, the forecast is not promising and voluntary water restrictions should still be applied.

Hawkesbury Irrigation is determining the properties without water meters so that they can finalised with the developer the installation of the meters. The Executive will keep you informed of progress.

Once the meters are installed the pump to pressurise the recycled water system will be turned on to provide water pressure for those without it.

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Executive Committee

The requirement to fence  around our dams is still occupying much committee time and effort. Currently, quotes to provide suitable fencing are being sought and will be reviewed at the next Executive meeting.

Birds of our Roads.

This newsletter we are going to look at Black Swan Place.

The Egret

Egrets can be found all over Australia, but mainly around the coastal belt. There are several varieties of this species, and one is often confused as another. They can be seen singly or in small flocks around the margins of dams, lakes and swamps. The cattle egret is also found foraging amongst cattle in paddocks. In fact the cattle egret was introduced into the Kimberleys from Sth Africa in 1933 with the hope that it would control the cattle tick. The cattle egret eats grasshoppers and other large insects, while the other egrets eat frogs, small fish and other aquatic animals. Nests are usually a platform of sticks  and twigs in a tree close by the water's edge. (Picture courtesy Cayley's What Bird is That.)

Rabbit Proof Plants.

If you find that rabbits are getting in amongst your favourite plants or would like to have some plants outside your fence, then visit the end of  Black Swan Place. Chris and Judy have been planting a selection of natives and worked out which ones are rabbit hardy.

Broadband

There is a potential for broadband to be extended as far as Nepean Park by means of an upgrade at the Castlereagh Telephone Exchange. The Federal Government has altered the rules and now only requires 80 registrations of interest for the extension to be considered.   

People can register their interest by going to the Telstra website www.telstra.com.au   and following the links to the page where broadband registration is explained. The more that register, the more likely we are to have this service made available. If you do register your interest, you are not obliged to sign up for broadband if it does come through. And you are not obliged to choose Telstra as your ISP if you do get broadband.

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  That's all for this newsletter. Contributions can be sent directly to the editor, Steve Foster (funbuster@myisp.net.au), or through the Executive Committee. Look for Nepean Park on www.oocities.org/yarramundi2001.

July 2004

Need some plans drawn for your dream home or extension, then call John Apted on 4776 2429.

Find time standing still, maybe you  need  watch and clock repairs, then call in to Dave Hazelwood at Black Swan Pl for expert repairs.

Mountain Air Cleaning Supplies (ph 4577 9311) has a range of Phosphorous compliant washing detergents and natural cleaning products. They are in bulk quantities – 15Kg powder for powders and 1, 5 and 15 lt for liquids. The owners also drive through Yarramundi and are happy to drop –off products.

Newsletter printed by John Apted.