MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

CYCLE ADVOCACY GROUP

WEDS 29 October 2003

At Taupo Events Centre, Taupo 

7:00PM

1. PRESENT: Pete Masters; Lisa Rowland; Else Tutert; Gerry Dance; Neville Peach; Jonty Garlick; Thomas Schwarz; Sally Herbert; Clint Atkins; Jeff Carter; Len Malcolm; Warwick Hall; Craig Donaldson; Jo Taylor; Marg Jefferies; Bruce Jefferies; Nick Bradford; Richard Balm; John Taylor; John Carman; Craig Donnelly; Kevin Loe; Jon Palmer; Sharon Newton; Chris Todd; Derek Newton; Matt Thrush; Chas Hutton; Barry Shepherd.

2. APOLOGIES:          Tony Roddan; Alan Vane; Mike Birch; Greta Donaldson;
 
 Banga Donaldson; Graham Simpson; Tamsyn Holt; Kirsten Dent; Peter Lockwood; 
 
Wendy Chrisp; Stu Bell; Linda Jefferies; Craig Stephens.

Accepted:     Gerry/Jonty

3. CHAIRPERSON�S REPORT

• Pete Masters presented his Chairperson�s report, a copy of which was given to all present. The report is to be published on the website. A motion was made to give formal thanks to the present committee for works they�ve undertaken over the past year.

Accepted: Neville/Len

4. TREASURER�S REPORT

• Else Tutert presented her financial report, a copy of which was given to all present. Jo Taylor of Stretton & Co audited the Bike Taupo accounts.

• The Chairman welcomed any questions regarding the accounts and it was asked whether the fixed assets were depreciated figures. Jo Taylor said they were. The chairman confirmed that the fixed assets were the Bike Taupo banner and the website.

• The Chairman advised that funding received for the Rotary Ride was $20,000 and following payment of all accounts we will have approximately $400 left.

• A full audited report will be published on the website.

Accepted : Thomas/Craig Donaldson

5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

• The floor was opened for nominations of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and the balance committee of 4 people.

• Chairman: Pete Masters nominated by Gerry Dance and seconded by Bruce Jefferies. No other nominations received. 

• Secretary: Lisa Rowland nominated by Thomas Schwarz and seconded by Chris Todd. No other nominations received. 

• Treasurer: Else Tutert nominated by Warwick Hall and seconded by Neville Peach. No other nominations received. 

• Committee: Thomas Schwarz nominated by Lisa Rowland and seconded by Craig Donaldson. (received total 25 votes) 

Gerry Dance nominated by Warwick Hall and seconded by Marg Jefferies. (received total of 24 votes)

Neville Peach nominated by Pete Masters and seconded by Jo Taylor. (received total of 14 votes)

Jonty Garlick nominated by Jo Taylor and seconded by Lisa Rowland. (received total of 18 votes)

Richard Balm nominated by Kevin Loe and seconded by Craig Donaldson (received total of 9 votes)

Warwick Hall nominated by Clint Atkins and seconded by Jonty Garlick (received total of 8 votes)

Nominations were closed and voting took place as noted above.

Accordingly the full committee to be elected for the coming year based on votes received:

Chairman: Pete Masters

Secretary: Lisa Rowland

Treasurer: Else Tutert

Committee: Thomas Schwarz

Gerry Dance

Jonty Garlick

Neville Peach

New committee was accepted: Chris Todd/John Palmer - all in favour

3. GENERAL BUSINESS

• Western Lake area extension (Acacia Bay and west) Bruce Jefferies brought up this matter suggesting Bike Taupo co-ordinate with Lake Taupo Development Trust (LTDT) their intentions with the future of this track. Bike Taupo will probably write, in the near future, to LTDT stating its ongoing interest and intentions and suggesting the company�s pool their resources. Bruce believes this will produce more leverage and money and enable the planning to commence. It was mentioned perhaps landowner approval would be an obstacle but apparently DOC has an agreement with landowners all the way to Waihaha for a track over the land. Clarification is however needed whether the owners are against the track (once a proposal has been prepared) and the wheels are in motion for this. The track would be done in stages (ie. LTDT sees first stage would be to Waihaha). It is important that we ‘speak with one voice’ to avoid confusion and delays. It was asked whether a Feasibility Study was completed. Bruce said there was one done however the figures that came back for construction were astronomical (as well as the Study report itself) and the Study did not consider biking, rather was based on a walking track similar to Milford Sound. The concept is now quickly changing to become a ‘Scenic and Recreation Corridor’ and not just a walking track. This makes its more user friendly and appealing being able to be used for multi-recreational purposes. 

• Website and Track Maps: Warwick Hall (who also works with Destination Lake Taupo) asked whether Bike Taupo would like DLT to be more proactive in promoting Taupo as being a cycle friendly destination. All agreed this is important - anything that helps cycling. Gerry Dance said there are already links on DLT website regarding the new cycling brochure - due out soon. Also an A3 maps of on-road and off-road facilities will be presented to the Information Centre and bike shops. A request was made that DLT put together a proposal of how they would like to promote cycling in Taupo for presenting to the Bike Taupo committee. 

• Cycle Challenge Presence: Wendy Chrisp who heads the Heart Foundation asked Jonty whether Bike Taupo would like to have a presence at the children�s� section of the Cycle Challenge (they cycle from Ploughmans to the finish line with cyclists) Apparently Bike Taupo could earn $500. Pete Masters mentioned that Bike Taupo is able to put their new postcards into race result envelopes and in return will be helping to send those results out. 

• Wairakei Forest Concessions: Pete Masters advised that following meetings with the Wairakei Forest Management and the Mountain Bike Club, agreement has been reached that Bike Taupo will take over the concessions for use of tracks in the Wairakei Forest. This is as a result of a change in management and the requirement that all concession owners need to be incorporated. The Mtn Bike Club is not incorporated whereas Bike Taupo is. Currently, ‘legally’ we have no right to be using the tracks and so something official needs to happen. One option is the Mtn Bike Club takes back concession rights once they are incorporated (a six month process) or another option is Bike Taupo takes it long term. Second option was agreed to so the Mtn Bike Club can focus their efforts on races, youth development etc. At this stage it is envisaged a sub-committee is formed (including representatives from the Mtn Bike Club, Bike Taupo committee and others) to run this side of Bike Taupo. This had to be done to secure the right for all bikers (not just mountain bikers) to go into the Wairakei Forest. Wairakei Forest management agrees (but has been unfamiliar with the history of the usage of this Park) and now the Commissioner of Crown Lands needs winning over. Until all is resolved the Mtn Bike Club will continue as it has been. Bike Taupo would like feed back on what mountain bikers want. Chas Hutton is preparing a document. As well insurance has been looked into and OSH and safety requirements are now a necessity. This step will be a good way forward of managing tracks in the future, creating a great facility on par with Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua. Someone mentioned possible trail conflicts (that have occurred recently). Pete Masters reiterated our legal right (or no right) to be there, which is why the paper work needs completing to give us official entitlement. 

• Rotary Ride Opening: Opening Day is 15 November 2003 and all members are welcome. The feedback from members is positive in that it is already being well used. It has the potential to be a very busy track. Now need to encourage people to use this track for cycling and not the walking track to Huka Falls. One area that needs changing is the ‘Huka Lodge Hill’. The track committee is looking at realigning sooner than later and a line has already been looked into. It will change to a one way system ie. keep the downhill (South to North direction) and have a gentle uphill veering off (North to South) to rejoin tract at the top of the hill. 

• On Road Lanes: Clint Atkins wanted to know whether Bike Taupo was supporting or looking at road widening to certain training ride circuits. It was advised that Bike Taupo was advocating to Council encouraging them to widen Poihipi Road especially the beginning (s-bends and around Tukairangi Road). Gerry Dance (of Council) also said the cycle strategy team had been granted funding in next years budget to complete the Centennial Drive loop and even moving the widening down towards View Road. The cycle strategy team in Council has also successfully received Transits support in widening the Wairakei hill area (near Wairakei Resort) to allow cyclists plenty of room beside the passing lane. 

• Other advocating matters: All members are encouraged to give regular feedback to the committee on areas that need advocating for cyclists� benefits. Pete Masters also said that the committee meetings are public meetings and can be attended by any member. Nick Bradford asked whether Bike Taupo was advocating the health side of cycling. It was advised that the Bike Taupo committee is preparing a presentation to Councillors to promote family and the health and safety issues and why cycling should be encouraged. Other advocating matters include some tracks and the Great Lake Walkway. 

• Bike Lanes - cars parking. It was asked whether it was legal for cars to park in cycle lanes. Else Tutert (also roading engineer at TDC) advised that legally they are allowed but that the rule is to soon change. Once it�s passed lanes where cycle symbols appear will be designated for cyclists only. Possibly it would mean an amendment to the Land Transport Act. 

Neville Peach moved a vote of thanks for the efficient chairing of the meeting.

8. CLOSE OF MEETING: 8:25pm