MAY NEWSLETTER 2009


AGM 2008

The AGM was held on 16th November 2008 at the resort with 40 members attending the meeting and barbecue lunch afterwards.

The Chairman directed members’ attention to the reported profit of $64,764 and to the fact that net assets had increased by $110,678. Also, rental income has become a very important part of KBR’s revenues and had risen to $138,693 in the year to 30th June 2008.

A special resolution to reduce the issued capital by 21 shares for which maintenance fees had not been paid was approved. The appointment of WHK Horwath Audit and Assurances as company auditors for another year was also approved.

Bryan Power and Noel Newnham were both re-elected to the Board and we all look forward to their valuable input and working with them for the next three years.

Many members who attended the meeting were interested in the new security system that was being installed and how the introduction of the swipe tag system would affect their ability to access the facilities for day-use. The Board and Management don’t wish to restrict access to the facilities but we need to take control of who is using them and whether or not the users are actually members. We hope that these questions have now been answered on page two of this newsletter.

MAINTENANCE FEES

The Board and management, being very conscious of the difficult financial times that we are all currently experiencing, have decided that there will be no increase in the 2009-10 maintenance fee which will be held at $500 per share owned. We are able to maintain this fee due to our ability to make certain cost savings and ‘run a tight ship’. However, we will continue to maintain the resort assets at a high standard within the financial resources available to us.

THE LAST YEAR

During the past financial year we have:

  • constructed a new roof over the swimming pool;
  • built weatherproof structures over all of the barbecues and constructed a new barbecue on the southern boundary;
  • created a large outdoor chess board (thanks to the talents of local member Katherine Portelli);
  • bought a new Holden Rodeo utility and a second hand Toyota Hi-ace bus;
  • replaced the old hot water services in all of the villas with new energy saving heat banks;
  • continued the refurbishment of the old Woodleigh villas;
  • introduced upgraded security systems for the reception/lounge building and at the swimming pool areas;
  • successfully sunk a water bore that will provide good quality water for the swimming pool;
  • committed substantial expenditure to the land development, with the sale and settlement of six blocks to date (six more to sell);
  • received permits from Council for a further seven villas;
  • continued improvements to grounds;
  • installed fire hose reels at the Maintenance shed, Reception and Laundry department.

THE YEAR AHEAD

We were not able to start refurbishment of villas 46-54 as we indicated we would do at this time last year because of delays in completing some other projects, particularly the swimming pool roof and the slowness in land sales which were below expectations. We are therefore planning to refurbish units 52 to 54 in the next six months.

Members will also note that we have budgeted a substantial increase in grounds’ expenditure. On Black Saturday, 7th February, the resort was evacuated for nearly four hours as the fire from the Redesdale area exhibited a threatening trend. We therefore believe that we need to clear a lot of the bushland surface area and also remove dangerous trees near villas.

We have made a start, but tree removal is an expensive process with the need to use professional arborists and tree fellers. The extremely dry conditions have caused stress to many native trees and the strong winds that we experienced over the summer period saw the collapse of numerous large trees.

As the price of LPG has increased dramatically we have arranged for the replacement of the gas swimming pool heaters with energy efficient heat banks which we understand will ensure considerable savings.

We will also be moving and expanding our Helicoil solar hot water system. It is currently situated on the roof of the apartments and we intend to move it across to the swimming pool roof and extend it, giving us 100% coverage of the swimming pool roof area.

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM AND DAY USE

As previously mentioned we have made a considerable investment in an enhanced security camera system which covers the reception building and the swimming pool complex. We have also introduced a swipe tag system which allows for after hours (5.00 to 10.00pm) entry to the lounge and games rooms within the reception building and for access to the swimming pool.

After closing time (10pm summer and 9pm winter) the swipe tag will be automatically deactivated until the following day’s opening time of 8.30am.

It is very important that members and guests do not allow access to these areas to others who do not have a security swipe tag or who are not a direct member of their party.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has received a $5 million grant from the Federal Government to help fund the building of a new indoor heated swimming pool in Kyneton. We hope this will help with the problem of locals using our swimming facilities.

DAY USE RULES

To assist management in providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests and members we ask that you adhere to the follow day-use rules:

  1. In-house guests have priority use of all facilities;
  2. Day-use rights are for the exclusive benefit of financial members;
  3. Day-use visitors must always be accompanied by a member whose name appears on the share certificate. Any non-members discovered on the property without the member present will be asked to leave;
  4. A maximum of six people including the member(s) and children must not be exceeded;
  5. Members must report to reception on arrival and sign the day-use register;
  6. Members wishing to use the pool will need to collect a swipe tag from reception. Preference will be given to members who have booked a swipe tag.
  7. Swipe tags must be returned after use. Tags borrowed after hours must be returned by 9:30am the following day. Failure to return the tag on time will result in a charge of $25.00.
  8. Swipe tags are not transferable. Misuse of the swipe tag could result in suspension of membership.
  9. Members are responsible for any damage or accidents caused by themselves or their guests;
  10. Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated and the member and their guest(s) will be directed to leave.
  11. Management reserves the right to limit day-use access.

The above rules will be enforced by spot checks and any consistent breach, especially “not remaining in attendance with guests”, may result in suspension of entitlements or restriction of day use pursuant to Rule 3.12 of the Constitution.

SHARES FOR SALE

Our collections of maintenance fees for the past financial year were excellent and, as a result, we had only 21 shares that were forfeited through failure to make the maintenance fee payment. Of these 21 shares we had to sell, we have only 10 left.

We are offering these shares at $2,500 which includes the 2009-10 fee of $500. An application is enclosed with this newsletter for those of you who are looking for another week or who have a family member or friend who would like to enjoy the benefits of KBR membership.

Once these shares are sold KBR will have a complete register of 2805 members.

FIXED WEEK OWNERS

We urge all fixed week owners to remember if you are not going to be using your week at KBR you need to bank it with an exchange company to ensure you do not lose your week.

LATE ARRIVALS

It is important that if you are arriving after hours (6.00pm Friday, 4.00pm Sunday and 5.00pm all other days) you should phone ahead to advise reception so that you can make arrangements to collect your key. If you are allowing a guest to use your timeshare week you need to advise the Resort of the name of the incoming guest in order to avoid any embarrassment at check-in.

BANKING WEEKS

All members are advised to bank their week(s) early to avoid forgetting them or leaving it too late. If you would like to bank your week(s) with Dial and Exchange or RCI please advise the Resort directly at least eight weeks prior to your anniversary date or fixed week check-in date.

STAFF SERVICE AWARDS

The Board presented the staff service awards at a Christmas morning tea in December. We should note that Anne Buckley was missed from the list in the October newsletter. Anne was presented an award for 20 years service at KBR. Many of you have probably met Anne, either on the Bushwalk, at kids’ activities or somewhere around the resort.

Long service award recipients were:

20 years Service

Wendy Chalkley – Housekeeping

Anne Buckley – Housekeeping

10 Years Service

Stephen Szendrodi – Maintenance

5 Years Service

Karen Ord – Front Office

Josephine Borg – Housekeeping

Vera Fischer – Housekeeping

We would like to again congratulate and thank the wonderful staff at the Resort for their many years of service.

VIEWPOINT ONLINE (VPO)

VPO is a facility on the KBR website that is proving more and more popular with our members and we hope to see a continued growth in the number of people accessing it. Enclosed are some basic instructions for those of you that haven’t had the opportunity to log in or who aren’t 100% sure about what to do.

If you haven’t previously logged onto VPO we have included a temporary password on your maintenance fee invoice.

Keep an eye out for “member only” specials that will be available through VPO.

CHANGES WITHIN THE TIMESHARE INDUSTRY

In February the Classic Group acquired Interchange Timeshare and Interchange Vacation Club. Effective from 1st May 2009 Dial an Exchange (DAE) will take over the timeshare exchange side of the business. As Interchange will no longer exist their members will automatically become members of DAE, if not a member already, and any weeks they had banked with Interchange will be transferred to their DAE account.

There will be NO change to Interchange Vacation Club (the points system) as it will remain a separate business.

Principal founder of the Interchange Group, Kellie Christie, has retained her Dealer’s Licence and is now operating a re-sales business under the name of “CHRISTIE TIMESHARE RE-SALES” and can be contacted at kelliec@onthenet.com.au

LAND FOR SALE

Stage 1 has been fully sold and we still have several blocks available in Stages 2 and 3.

Stage 2

Lot

Size m2

Price

46

2905

$95,000

47

2563

$90,000

48

2820

$95,000

49

2121

$85,000

50

2027

SOLD

54

3902

SOLD

Stage 3

Lot

Size m2

Price

90/91

5397

$140,000

92/93

4619

$135,000

94/95

SOLD

All of the above allotments have:

1. Building envelopes.

2. 10 years of no Body Corporate fees (unless on-sold).

3. One Kyneton Bushland Resort floating share.

4. Town water and sewerage, power and phone connections.

5. $5,000 off listed price for member purchases.

Package deals can be arranged with architecturally designed homes sensitive to the environment.

Call RT Edgar Macedon Ranges on 03 54271 222 or 0408 571 485.

CONTACT DETAILS

Please let us know of any changes to your contact details e.g. your address, phone number(s) and email by accessing the KBR website, www.kynetonbushresort.com.au

If you do not have access to the internet, please call the Resort on 03 5422 0888.