Second meeting, notes 3 Dec 2002

Bert Vierstra

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Nov 5, 2002
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Kayu Putih RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION



MINUTES of the 2nd Meeting of the Kayu Putih Residents Association
On 3 December 2002, at the Kantin Dragon, Kayu Putih


Present: Fritz Barme; Eugene Bereczky, Joe Bleicher (chair); Satya Burger; Michel Heller, Graziana Loguasto; Marie Mehlen; Bert Vierstra; Putu Mustika Rai; Putu Surya.
Apologies: Silvia Binder



Opening Discussion: JB opened the meeting by inviting comments on the 1st Meeting with the Panel of the regional and local authorities. While there were no immediate or concrete results, it was suggested that its main benefit was the opening of channels of communication which can be utilised to pursue our objective of improving conditions in the Kayu Putih area.
It was also commented that there was perceptible tension between some members of the panel; but this could be seen as an indication that regional authorities were lending us support in relation to the village government.

JB moved the discussion on to the issue of water organization in the village and suggested a fundamental choice between:
a) working with the governmental water authority, ie PU, to improve the existing system and sharing control with it;
b) organising our own supply, through either building a dam or drilling in conjunction with the PU.
GL supported the second option, as did other members.

Reported: PS and JB reported that there are strong indications that a lake of fresh water could be accessed by drilling to a depth between 40m and 60m. FB added that the tourist authority would be supportive of joint action between the RA and PU, as were both the Camat and Pubati since there was also a likely benefit for local pople.

Discussion: It was then discussed whether the RA should focus on the water problem or whether it would more appropriate to formulate and pursue a comprehensive concept for change, which would also include telecommunications and road development.

Reported: SB advised the meeting that we should work towards a comprehensive plan, arguing that some of the projects envisaged, eg water, telecommunications and roads, would best be undertaken as an integrated package. He also reported the difficulties encountered by Erich Luescher who had already gathered the signature of ca.25 people in upper Kayu Putih for a petition to Telkom for the provision of more telephone line. It appears that Lovina is the terminal point of the main telephone line, with only one branch line leading up to Kayu Putih and with all available private connections already being taken up.

Resolution: The RA will work towards a comprehensive plan for developments in the Kayu Putih area including water organization, telecommunication services and roads. This ‘masterplan’ will be presented to Bupati, when finalised

Discussion: FB then moved the discussion on to the problem of environmental protection. He pointed out that rubbish dumped indiscriminately in waterways led to roads being damaged and to land erosion., as well as being unsightly. PS added that plastic rubbish in particular was responsible for the system getting clogged up. FB suggested education by example, by, for example separating types of refuse.

Reported: SB informed members of a method used at his premises which separates compostable kitchen waste, burnable rubbish and plastic and non-combustible matter. He also reported the concern that rubbish colleted by the PU was then burned in the open at the Jagaraga refuse dump without plastic matter being separated out. FB added that this produced toxic fumes and dioxin, and suggested that this may be a contributing factor to the increase in asthma cases in Bali. SB reported a project in Jimbaran dealing with the problem of refuse disposal and suggested the RA could learn from their experience.

Resolution: The Ra should contact the Kepala Desa of Jimbaran or any other person in a position to provide information about their experience in dealing with refuse.

Discussion: FB stressed the place of schools in raising environmental consciousness, and indicating ways of doing this, such as competitions and prizes. PS put forward the idea of paying youngsters in the various neighbourhoods to collect rubbish and dispose of it in containers provided by the PU. She also suggested that each home in Kayu Putih should start to separate refuse in different bins.

Resolution: MR will approach the PU in order to gain information about possible schemes for refuse collection and disposal

Reported : JB reported that the RA is planning to form an organization that will bring together the RA and the village administration. This could be the appropriate forum to discuss and work towards a solution to the problem of refuse, and to put forward the ideas expressed on this in the meeting.

Discussion: On the point of forming such an organization, and considering that the problem of refuse disposal involved an area much wider than Kayu Putih, discussion moved on to consider the appropriate geographical range of the RA and its formal status SB urged the formation of a ‘yayasan’, a legally recognised association.. Members were unsure of the required composition and statutes of such an organization.

Resolution: MR will consult a notaris to find out about the legal requirements of a formal association such as a Yayasan.
Resolution: The focus of any such association will be Lovina (both beach and mountain area). Membership, however, will be available to any interested and qualifying individual beyond this focal area. This will be reflected in the name adopted for the association to be formed: ‘Bali Residents Association”.

Reported: In advance of the proper formation of this new association, FB offered his Postbox as an address for any communication. Its number is”524”.


Reported: BV reported that there already exited an ex-pat forum. This should be used to access information and learn from the experience of other groups such as ours, on such issues as refuse disposal. The e-mail address is: crisiscarelovina.org, and BV indicated that he is the administrator of this virtual organization. BV offered to make available his expertise and also to act as a point of contact. He further encouraged members to make available the proceedings of their meetings to the internet community and pointed out how valuable a resource this could be for the RA.

Resolution: The meeting warmly welcomed BV’s ideas and the RA will draw on, and make available its proceedings to the internet. In this vein, these Minutes will be published on the internet via BV’s address.

Discussion: Members then considered the frequency of meetings, and the date and place of the next meeting. SB suggested two-weekly meetings at the outset, and monthly ones after a period of ca. three months. He also kindly volunteered Silvia’s restaurant as the next venue.

Resolution: Meetings will, for the time being, be held on Thursdays at two-weekly intervals.
The next meeting will be at
Kubulalang Restaurant, Tukkadmungga.
on Thursday, 19 December 2002
at 18 00 hrs. .

Conclusion of Meeting: The Chair conveyed the thanks of members to Graziana for offering her restaurant as the cool and relaxing environment for the meeting (especially after all the hot air produced by members had repelled the clouds of flying ants). Graziana and her delightful staff were congratulated on the tasteful surroundings and mouthwatering real Italian snack-food on offer. (Sitting at the long table she had arranged, one could easily feel transported to somewhere near Genoa, sitting with friends on a balmy Mediterranean night [dream on, Joe…] . The meeting then descended into a drunken brawl as the liberal tasting of the range of Eugene’s home-produced Tuaks took its inevitable effect. Our warm thanks to Eugene for providing this well-received lubricant, gratis and in copious amounts - and just as well you managed to break into your car to get it. It also contributed to making this a memorable meeting).