Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ) Minutes for the AGM for the Financial Year 2011/12

Transcription

1 Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ) Minutes for the AGM for the Financial Year 2011/12 Friday 30 th November 2012, 10.00am Brightwater Conference Room, 162a Mokoia Road, Birkenhead, Auckland and via GoToMeeting Attendees John Beavis Design Tech In person David Bodger Gull NZ In person John Gifford Gifford Consulting In person Jo Knight ZeroWaste In person (part ) Ed Hawkes Home Heating Assoc In person Peter Reiber Brightwater In person Richard Gapes AECOM On phone Keith Jones Victoria University In person Grant Smith Energy for Industry In person Simon Coughlan In person Rob Mallinson Living Energy In person Christian Jirkowsky Polytechnik Bioenergy In person Apologies Philip Gedye Ralph Sims Shaun Bowler Andrew Campbell Jason Cordes Markus Benter-Lynch Trevor Stuthridge Kevin Snowden Shusheng Pang RCR Energy Massey University EECA Fuel Technology Eros Capital MWH Scion Canterbury University In attendance Brian Cox (Executive Officer) 1. Welcome RM welcomed members to the meeting and outlined the programme for discussion to follow the AGM. 2. Apologies Accepted 3. Minutes from the previous AGM Accepted 4. Chairman s report RM read his report which is attached (Annex A) to the Minutes. BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

2 RM thanked Jason Cordes, Grant Smith, and David McGregor for the additional work that they had put in as a subgroup to assist the Board consider a programme of work that had been submitted to EECA for funding that would assist build the capacity of BANZ to become more financially viable. EECA had agreed in principle to fund the work and this would be the principal responsibility of the new Board next year. RM also thanked Brian Cox for the work he had put into BANZ over the last year often at his own expense. This work was very much appreciated and was necessary for keeping the BANZ momentum going. RM also thanked the outgoing Board for their efforts over the last year and in particular for those who had been regular attendees. The strength of BANZ was in having a committed Board leading from the top. 5. Executive Officer s summary of BANZ activities BC circulated a summary (attached Annex B) of BANZ statistical activity on the use of the suite of BANZ websites, membership and attendance at events. He noted the following: The BANZ association website and the specific topic websites are proving extremely popular and getting a high daily rate of visits. This creates an ideal opportunity for members who are service providers to get their brands profiled in the directories and through brand placement. The aim of part of the Capability Building Project being funded by EECA is to update the websites and improve the presentation of members. The higher category level of membership obtains greater profiling than the individual members who pay a lower membership fee. The membership level keeps going up and down as new members come on board and individual members, who often join for a specific workshop, leave. The attendance levels at webinar are consistently high and it is an ideal opportunity for free brand positioning but only a few members have recognised the opportunity to get themselves known. The webinars however must be about a topic of interest and are not available for promotion of products unless part of the generic discussion. 6. Financial report The Executive Officer presented the Financial Report for the year to 31 March (attached as Annex C). He made the following points: The accounts are based on a payments system so it shows only accounts that can be paid because funds are available. It doesn t include for Executive Officer and administration work that can not be paid for because of lack of funds. Jason Cordes at Eros Capital has offered to move the accounts onto a better accounting package so that a proper accrual accounts can be entered. The timing of end of financial year income and expenditure payments always affects the annual accounts when on a payments basis. Move to accrual accounting will sort that. The Accounts were accepted. 7. Revision of the Constitution Draft revision to the Constitution had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. There were a large number of edits so it was agreed that the Constitution be read as if it were a replacement rather than note specific edits. Specific discussion or changes to the circulated version of the proposed Constitution were: 1. Discussion was held on the proposed changes to the membership categories. The new categories were agreed. 2. Extensive discussion was held as to the number of Board members and their representation. It was noted that the Board was to focus only on governance and not get involved in operational activities. The Interest Groups would be encouraged to be the part of BANZ responsible for promoting policies and activities for their respective topic areas BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

3 (not the Board). The Interest Groups were the power houses of BANZ and where specific action should be driven from. 3. The Conveners of each Interest Group would not be BANZ Board members but would have full attendance and speaking rights at Board meetings. Conveners would be expected to attend Board meetings and fully represent their Interest Group. This is in contrast to the Board members who have to represent all members and do not represent either their companies or any Interest Group. In other words Board members were expected to be neutral and represent all members equally while Conveners were expected to be biased and strongly push for the interests of their respective Interest Group. 4. On the understanding that the Interest Groups were to be strengthened and be strongly represented to the Board it was agreed that the Board would consist of 5 members (2 voted on by Sustaining and Corporate members, and 3 voted on by Full members.) 5. The following change was made to Clause Interest Group Conveners are expected to attend meetings of the Board and will be invited to fully represent matters of relevance to the Interest Group but will not have the right to vote on Board decisions. 6. It was agreed that Sustaining Members would not have an automatic seat on the Board. 7. It was agreed that clarification on the voting process needed to be included within the Constitution The Executive Officer shall conduct separate ballots for each membership category as necessary, at such time and in such manner as the Board decides, to determine the election but on the basis that each Member has a single vote in respect of their membership category. Sustaining and Corporate members will first vote for 2 representative and then Full members will vote for 3 representatives from the remaining list of nominations. 8. The revision to the Constitution was agreed subject to the Executive Officer undertaking some minor editing as a consequence of the agreed changes. 8. Membership fees The recommended fees for the new categories of membership were approved: a) Sustaining members $5000 (renamed from being the Full Corporate member category) b) Corporate member $2000 c) Full member $500 d) Subscribing person $200 The membership fees are to apply immediately to new members. Existing members will have their membership transferred to the relevant new categories. Current Associate Members will be invited to become a Full Member or a Subscribing person. 9. Election of officers Elected Board Members: Representative of Sustaining/Corporate Members (2) Grant Smith (Energy for Industry) Rob Mallinson (Living Energy) r Representative of Full Members (3) Peter Reiber (Brightwater) Jurgen Thiele (Spiire) Jason Cordes (EROS Capital) BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

4 Election of Interest Group Conveners The Conveners of the Interest Groups are to be confirmed by the respective Interest Group Committees. Under the revised Constitution the Conveners are expected to attend Board meetings where they will have full speaking rights to represent their Interest Group. The current Conveners are as follows: Biogas Interest Group Keith Jones (Auckland University) Liquid Biofuels Interest Group Kevin Snowden Wood Pellets Interest Group vacant Wood Fuel Interest Group vacant 10. General business There was no general business. Brian Cox Executive Officer BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

5 Annex A 2012 Annual General Meeting Report from the Chairman 30 November 2012 The recent release of a significant report by Pure Advantage 1 shows the considerable benefits that can be achieved for New Zealand Inc from investment in bioenergy. Whether it is for heat or transport fuels the financial and economic benefits to business and institutions, such as hospitals and prisons, can not only provide immediate cost benefits but can future proof those users against rising energy costs. To maximise the opportunities however the Pure Advantage study showed that we need a coordinated response. Working in silos with parties making individual decisions and going it alone will not get us there. The linkage between fuel supply, technology, equipment design and use is important if we are to have an efficient and lowest cost supply of energy. The strength of this has been shown in areas like Dunedin where linkages have been established between resource owners, wood fuel suppliers, equipment suppliers and facility owners. Over the last year BANZ has broadened its linkages with other organisations who can work with us to achieve a bio-based economy. We have also started to expand our membership to try and attract the resource owners who are likely to achieve additional revenue from use of wood residues and waste. This builds on the release of the Woodco strategy developed by the forestry and wood processing sector setting out goals for bioenergy and its co-products. The Woodco strategy is already progressing with the funding from that sector of the Woodscape project which is evaluating 50 technologies, including biofuels, that could be produced from wood. This project will provide significant information for the forestry and wood processing sector which I am sure will result in biofuels coming to the fore. The wide range of projects that can be seen on the Bioenergy Projects Directory developed this year should signify to potential investors in bioenergy projects that there are many similar projects already in place. They can have confidence that they are dealing with well proven technologies and that others have been able to install economic projects. An example is number of Crown owned institutions who are operating bioenergy facilities. The decision to end the biodiesel grants scheme was very disappointing as the scheme was proving very successful at attracting fleet owners and the tourist sector in particular to use biofuels in their vehicles. The decline of transport biofuels from conventional feedstocks will be a big setback to developing that market but it is pleasing to see that Gull still offers biofuels to its customers. On the other hand the growth of activity in research into the production of advanced biofuels from wood and waste has accelerated over the last year and much of this has been led by the pulp and paper sector, with Scion also doing some interesting research. This highlights the importance of improving the efficiency of the wood fuel supply market so that we can reduce any barriers to both installation of wood fuelled heat plant and the development of the transport biofuels market. Despite progress in many areas and a continued good working relationship with EECA, we still fail to get the Government to recognise the immense economic benefits to New Zealand Inc that can be achieved with a greater encouragement at the Government level. The economic backdrop is tough and - given a not particularly supportive Government - some businesses have decided that bioenergy is too far removed from core business, as shown by Solid Energy's divestment of Biodiesel NZ and potentially Nature's Flame. 1 BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

6 Nevertheless, we can end the year looking forward on a positive note, thanks to some substantial funding support from EECA. EECA would like BANZ to use these funds to improve of value proposition (and therefore membership) so that we are self-sustaining as an organisation. A working group was formed and met several times so that it could determine how best to achieve this, and the recommendations have been approved by the Board. I'd like to thank the members of this group who gave up so much of their time during this process, namely Jason Cordes (Eros Capital), David McGregor (Brightwater) and Grant Smith (Energy for Industry). The priority activity to be progressed using a portion of the funding is to commission an in-depth survey of members and non-members to determine what they would like get from BANZ, where they see value, etc. I'd like to thank EECA, and in particular Shaun Bowler, for this vital support. Finally I'd like to end with a big 'Thank you' to our Executive Officer, Brian Cox. Brian has continued to promote our cause at every opportunity, even though funding has been short, and has often done this at his own cost. Without these efforts, BANZ would not be in the relatively positive position that we are in. The coming year is an opportunity for us to take a look at how we can extend our membership base and member services so that we can be financially stronger to do more of what we are good at. I am hopeful that it will be a positive year for BANZ and for all aspects of bioenergy. Rob Mallinson Chair Bioenergy Association of New Zealand BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

7 Annex B BANZ websites or URL (URL) used) BANZ Activity Report As at 26 November (URL not currently Membership Categories of member Interest of members Corporate members 9 Wood fuel Full members 40 Liquid biofuel Associate members 27 Biogas Individual members 24 Wood pellets Total 100 Type of member Consultant 30 Govt/Training/Researcher 20 Equipment supplier 11 Fuel retailer 3 Fuel supplier 11 Facility owner 23 Promotion (Sept/Oct/Nov) Media contacts 6 (includes Nine to Noon extended interview) Media statements 1 (Pure Advantage) Submissions 1 (Fuel Security Review) Presentations NZ Home Heating Association Environmental Management Partnerships and Collaboration Conference Bioenergy Australia Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers Advanced Biofuels Network BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

8 BioFlash Editions of the BioFlash were circulated to members and friends: 3 Oct Aug Nov Nov 2012 Webinar attendance Speaker Title Date # Attendees Peter Brown Miscanthus multi energy crop 11/10/12 22 Tony Johnson Developing Commercial Biofuels Projects 11/9/12 45 Christian Jirkowsky Leading Edge wood energy Installations in Europe 7/8/12 30 Andre Faaji Sustainable International Biomass Trade 26/3/12 31 Jim Lane Advanced Transport Biofuels by /2/12 14 Jurgen Thiele Large Scale Biogas Production 15/12/11 29 BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

9 Annex C Report from the Executive Officer BIOENERGY ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2012 Notes: The BANZ financial accounts are managed on a payments system. INCOME Membership 50,100 Training fees 0 Conference fees 18,290 Contract work 131, $ 199,712 LESS EXPENDITURE Operating Expenditure Administration 5,866 Bank Fees 128 Exec Officer 16,227 Sundry 0 Newsletter 1,800 Public advisory 1,950 Member services 0 Website 7,670 Lobby 3,200 Promotion 14,307 Programmes expenditure Wood pellet Interest G 3,629 Wood pellet projects 5,224 Biogas Interest Group 1,932 Biogas projects 500 Liquid Fuel Interest gro 8,386 Liquid biofuels projects 15,196 Wood Fuel Interest Gro 1,066 Wood fuel projects 1,950 Training prog 0 Policy & Strategy 90,814 Conferences 27,813 General R & D 0 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 207, NET TRADING SURPLUS - 7, Plus Other Income Received Interest Received SURPLUS INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE - 7, BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov

10 BIOENERGY ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 MARCH $ Cash movements Opening Balance 00 a/c 752 Closing balance 00 a/c 2,750 1,998 Opening Balance 90 a/c 8,271 Closing balance 90 a/c 366-7,905 GST paid -2,909 Provision for GST 1,018 Withholding tax paid 137-7,661 Assets Westpac Trust - 00 Account 2,750 Westpac Trust - 90 Account 366 NET ASSETS 3,116 COMMITMENTS Income EECA 14,200 NZTE 27,000 Expenditure Executive Officer -6,600 Administration -13,000 Biogas -1,400 Wood fuel -1,600 Wood pellets -1,000 Workshops -3,200 Contracts -16,000 NET COMMITMENTS -1,600 NET ASSETS OVER COMMITMENTS 1,516 BANZ AGM Minutes - 29 Nov