October 2024 News Update
FOWB AGM 24 September 2024
The AGM was well attended, with Geoff Hayter and treasurer Rob Bickford reporting on the year’s activities. Geoff has resigned this year as committee Chair; his inspirational leadership since 2012 will be sorely missed. Following the business of the meeting, we heard a very interesting presentation by committee member and historian Tom Gara on the Sellicks Beach Pebble Bank: its geological history and mining leases.
Geoff also gave a fond farewell to Dave Gill, who retired from the committee following over thirty years of service. Dave will now be giving his time to climate and environmental issues through the Willunga Environment Centre, but will continue to stay in close liaison with FOWB. In appreciation for his dedication, he was presented with a painting of the Washpool Lagoon by FOWB member Lynn Chamberlain.
Elections resulted in ten members willing to form the committee: Geoff Hayter, Gabriella Smart, Rob Bickford, Bridget Gardiner, Tom Gara, Felicity Isaacs, Annette Haridan, Gina Kellett, Dom Keuskamp and Scott Dawson.
FOWB Committee Meeting 9 October 2024
This meeting was convened to elect the FOWB Committee Office Bearers.
Chairperson: Gabriella Smart, with support from Geoff Hayter.
Secretary: Dom Keuskamp with support from Gina Kellett.
Treasurer: Rob Bickford.
Christine James retires from FOWB Committee
Christine retired as secretary in 2023 after more than three years, but remained on the committee to support Gina Kellett in the role. Christine has worked tirelessly in her efforts to improve the website and membership renewals and records. She has been the driving force behind the production of these regular Updates, keeping us all informed of FOWB’s activity.
Christine has now stepped down from the committee but will continue to support our new secretary, Dom Keuskamp.
We are extremely grateful for her time and dedication, and look forward to working with her.
Aldinga Suburban Development
Onkaparinga Council received a presentation from Villawood on the future development at Aldinga at an EM Session on Tuesday 8 October. You may recall this development will take place on the large parcel of land at the corner of Aldinga Beach Road and How Road that was recently sold by Renewal SA.
Villawood advised that there will be 2 x drop-in sessions – 23/10/24 between 4.00 pm and 7.00 pm and 26/10/24 between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. These sessions will be held at the Aldinga Library.
The online community engagement is already up and running. The link is attached the below.
Aldinga - Villawood Properties
Following dedicated lobbying from Community, Villawood has committed to create a Net Zero Community, endorsing the following sustainable benefits
· 25% affordable housing
· Net zero community
· 800 homes including 200 homes in an over 55s lifestyle village
· Villawood Club with pool, café, sports courts, function space and play spaces
· Diverse housing options
· Embedded electrical network in an all electric development
· Energy efficient homes including light coloured roofing, solar, heat pumps, batteries and microgrid to reduce energy costs
· Retention of a future rail corridor, which will be landscaped for community use in the interim.
· Links with Aldinga Payinthi College, Cardijn College and Aldinga Sports Park
· 25% tree canopy coverage
· Extensive open space, parks and reserves, including chain of ponds corridors
City of Onkaparinga Representation Review
We ask members to keep an eye on the ‘Your Say Onkaparinga’ site for issues inviting community feedback as they arise. Your feedback is vital to shaping the future of Willunga Basin. Currently Council are inviting community to help shape Council's future composition, with community engagement open as part of their 2024 Representation Review.