1. Councillor Kevin Chamberlin, Chair, welcomed representatives of groups supporting Protectors of Public Lands (PPL) Victoria to the meeting.
2. Apologies including Tim Leroy of Tarwin Valley Coastal Guardians Inc., Randall Bell of Coastal Guardians, Brian Cuming of Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council and Bill Brown of Greater Shepparton Botanic Gardens Association.
3. Representatives attending were introduced and gave an outline of their campaigns to protect public open space, parks and gardens. Groups or organizations represented at the meeting were: Australian Greens; Friends of Barrett Reserve; Friends of Burnley Gardens; Friends of Footscray Pool; Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley; Friends of the Yarra Corridor; Green Wedge Coalition; Manningham Middle Yarra Green Wedge (member of the Green Wedge Coalition); Kew Cottages Coalition; Residents Against Inappropriate Development (Brunswick); Royal Park Protection Group; Save Albert Park; Nunawading Park and Wildlife Reserve Action Group (part of the Eastern Coalition on Transport and the Environment) and the Willsmere Action Group.
4. Julianne Bell, Convenor of the Royal Park Protection Group, gave a report on the background history to the establishment to the Protectors of Public Lands in Victoria. See at Attachment 1.
5. Julianne Bell presented the Preamble and Objectives of PPL Victoria, which had been adopted unanimously at the launch of PPL on 2 November 2003 at the rally at the gates of the Royal Park Hospital. See at Attachment 2. There was discussion as to whether a Charter for PPL Victoria should be adopted along the lines of the NSW PPL. It was agreed that the Interim Committee should draft this, preparatory to the establishment of a permanent PPL organization. It was also agreed that our Charter should reflect Victorian circumstances.
6. Resolutions for PPL Victoria

Membership - that membership of PPL (Vic) be open to community groups, environmental organizations and other groups which:

1. have as a major objective, or support, the preservation of public lands in public ownership, control and/or use
2. record agreement with the principles of PPL (Vic) as set out in the resolution passed on 2nd November 2003 at the public meeting convened by the Royal Park Protection Group at the gates of the Royal Park Hospital
3. endorse a final charter prepared by the Interim Committee which is to take account of the current aims, objectives and principles, as agreed by members
4. provide a summary statement of their aims, campaigns and contact details to the committee for distribution to all members and to the February Public Forum.

Moved: Keith Wiltshire. Seconded Janis Rossiter. Passed unanimously.

Other points made during discussions about membership of PPL (Vic) included whether political organizations, municipal councils or coalitions (as well as their constituent groups) could be members of PPL (VIC). No formal decisions were made on these matters.

1. that an Interim Committee of PPL (Vic) be set up, consisting of: Convenor/Chair, Secretary/Treasurer and Spokesperson with power to coopt other members to assist on the Committee
2. that general meetings be held quarterly, and committee meetings monthly or as required
3. that each member (group) be represented at PPL general meetings by one appointed person and a nominated alternative
4. That each decision at general meetings be made by consensus and the passing of a unanimous resolution
5. that general meetings be open to observers (non-voting) from member groups and the public
6. that between general meetings the committee be empowered to speak or act on matters of urgency in accordance with PPL principles, or to call an extraordinary general meeting if necessary
7. that the spokesperson communicate resolutions to members and distribute media releases as approved by the convenor, spokesperson and secretary/treasurer and authorise the making of public comment
8. that a final committee for 2004-2005 be elected at the first quarterly general meeting of members
9. that a link be provided from the Royal Park Protection Group website to PPL (Vic).

Moved: Keith Wiltshire Seconded: Jeff Belcher. Agreed unanimously

1. Convenor/Chair: Kevin Chamberlin. Moved Julianne Bell. Seconded Keith Wiltshire. Agreed unanimously
2. Secretary/Treasurer: Julianne Bell. Moved Christopher Game. Seconded Maelor Himbury. Agreed unanimously
3. Spokesperson: Brian Duvoisin. Moved Julianne Bell. Seconded: Jeff Belcher Agreed unanimously
4. It was agreed that the Interim Committee be empowered to coopt representatives from member organizations to assist.

The Royal Park Protection Group agreed to continue to host PPL Vic on website www.royalparkprotect.org.au (In NSW the National Trust is doing this for NSW PPL)

It was agreed that this be held in February 2004 in Melbourne Town Hall and that the Interim Committee be given the task of making arrangements. Two possible dates were chosen Sunday 15 February 2004 and Sunday 22 February 2004.

The question of whether PPL Vic seek patrons was left for the Interim Council to consider further.

The meeting closed at 1 pm.

Julianne Bell

Secretary

Interim Committee

Protectors of Public Lands (Victoria)