December advertisement

THIS is my most recent councillor update, published in the Derwent Valley Gazette on December 2. Season's greetings and a happy Christmas to everyone.

Click image to enlarge.

September advertisement

BELOW is my councillor update published in the Derwent Valley Gazette on September 23. Sorry for taking so long to post it here.

Click image to enlarge.

Check your property zoning

THE Derwent Valley Interim Planning Scheme is now available online, replacing the New Norfolk Planning Scheme 1993.

Among the tools available on the iPlan website is a function to quickly find the current zoning of your property. Give it a go here. You might be surprised by what you find. It tells me my own home is in a landslide hazard area!

Council Christmas closure details

The Derwent Valley Council office and depot will be closed from noon on December 24, 2015 re-opening on January 4, 2016.

• Garbage collection for Friday, December 25 will instead occur on Saturday, December 26, 2015 and the recycling collection will be on Tuesday, December 29. Please ensure that bins are placed for collection prior to 6am.
• All other garbage and recycling collections will operate as normal including the service scheduled for Friday, January 1, 2016 will be as normal.
• The National Park Waste Transfer Station will operate as normal.
• The New Norfolk Landfill Site will close at 11.30am on December 24 and will be closed on Christmas Day. The site will reopen on Boxing Day, December 26.
• New Norfolk and Bushy Park swimming pools will be closed on Christmas Day.
• Glen Grey House will reopen on January 4.
• The Valley Children’s Centre will be closed from December 23 and will reopen on January 4.

The council’s emergency telephone number is 6261 8500 (24 hours).

• For police, fire and ambulance emergencies call 000
• For non-emergency police matters call 131 444
• TasWater, phone 136 992
• Power outages, phone 132 004.

Photo competition winners named

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE
 
Derwent Valley Council & Tyga FM Photography Competition

December 11, 2015

Derwent Valley Council mayor Martyn Evans today announced that judging had occurred for the Derwent Valley Council / TYGA FM Photography Competition. The entries received were judged by local artist Ron Clark and Tyga FM station manager Roz Chapman, with seven entries being recognised.

The successful submissions were from:

• Ms Leonie McDonald
• Ms Kathryn Archibald
• Mr Les Glaus
• Mr John Shoobridge

A selection of the entries received will be displayed in the window of Workskills Employment at 2 High St, New Norfolk. Councillor Evans indicated that the submissions received will be used in future council publications and promotional material.

Derwent Valley Council and Tyga FM would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who entered the competition and acknowledge the generous support from the following businesses:

• Tynwald House
• The Junction Motel and Restaurant
• The Old Colony Inn
• Freedom Health and Wellness

Authorised for general media distribution by Greg Winton, General Manager,

Nominate someone you know

THE council has called for nominations for the 2016 Australia Day Awards in the following categories:

• Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Community Event of the Year
• Sports Person/Team/Group of the Year
• Junior Sports Person of the Year

Nomination forms are available online here or from the Council Chambers in Circle St, New Norfolk.

New planning scheme nearly here

THE Minister for Local Government and Planning last week declared a new planning scheme for the Derwent Valley municipality. The new scheme will take effect on December 16, 2015, replacing the New Norfolk Planning Scheme 1994, and will be available at www.iplan.tas.gov.au on commencement. More information about interim planning schemes is available on that website. Public comments on the new scheme will be invited.

Time to clean up credit card mess

FOR the third year in a row, the state's Auditor-General has drawn attention to weaknesses in the management of credit cards at the Derwent Valley Council. This concern was first expressed by the Auditor-General in his Report on the Financial Statements of Local Government Authorities in 2012-13 and was repeated in the report covering the 2013-14 financial year.

In his latest report to Parliament last week, the Auditor-General said: "In respect of Derwent Valley Council, weaknesses in the management of credit cards reported to Council each year since 2012-13 remained unresolved. The matter related to a lack of adequate supporting documentation for credit card purchases. Our recommendations again included:
• all credit card expenditure should be supported by adequate documentation
• a reconciliation of purchases from transaction statements to supporting documentation and certification of expenditure by the cardholder be undertaken
• a review of the above reconciliation should be performed by a person independent from the cardholder."

He concluded: "We continued to remind Derwent Valley Council of those matters and increased the associated audit risk to high."

The report includes the following response from the council's new general manager: "In relation to the credit card matter ... additional administration protocols have been implemented to address the matter raised."

The new protocols referred to above have not been reported to councillors, nor do we have information about exactly who has a council credit card. It was only last year that I became aware the mayor had a council credit card but I do not know how or when that was approved and what conditions there are on its use.

It is time to clear all this up and not have a fourth "must do better" rating from the Auditor-General.

Council meeting this Thursday

THE monthly council meeting for November will be held at New Norfolk this Thursday night, starting at 6.30pm and you are very welcome to join us. If you would like any assistance or information about the meeting, please do get in touch.

The meeting agenda is available online and in hardcopy from the council chambers. The agenda document has taken on a new format under the new general manager and will undergo some fine tuning in the coming months.

 The council meeting roster for the rest of the year is as follows:

• 19 November 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm
• (Monday) 14 December 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm

Public advice: Peppermint Hill burn

PUBLIC NOTICE

In conjunction with the Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmanian Fire Service and the Derwent Valley Council, the Peppermint Hill fuel reduction burn will occur this Saturday (31/10/2015) and Sunday (1/11/2015), providing weather conditions as predicted for the weekend don’t dramatically change.

The Peppermint Hill refuse site will be closed to the public on Saturday and may re-open at midday on Sunday. Public access to the Peppermint Hill reserve will be restricted. Please comply with directions from staff or on any signs. Tracks in the Peppermint Hill Reserve will be closed.

 

This burn may occur under suitable weather conditions and will generate smoke and flames. Residents should not be alarmed. Thank you for your co-operation.

For any enquiries please contact:

Mt Field Visitor Centre: 6288 1149
Southern Region Office: 6165 4056
Derwent Valley Council: 6261 8525

Meeting at Maydena

THIS month's meeting of the Derwent Valley Council will be held at the Maydena Community Hall (behind the old primary school) this Thursday. A community forum will be held at 6.30pm, providing an informal opportunity for residents and ratepayers to ask questions or raise matters of concern.

The council meeting will follow at 7pm. The agenda can be downloaded here. Please join us - and if you would like any assistance or information about the meeting, please do get in touch.

The council meeting roster for the rest of the year is as follows:

• 15 October 2015 - Maydena School Hall 7pm (community forum 6.30pm)
• 19 November 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm
• 14 December 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm

Fuel reduction burn

Peppermint Hill Spring Fuel Reduction Burn

In conjunction with the Derwent Valley Council, the Parks and Wildlife Service intends to undertake a fuel reduction burn, this spring, within the Peppermint Hill Reserve as shown on the map below. 

This is part of the Statewide Fuel Reduction Program aimed at reducing the bushfire risk to help protect lives and communities.

During burning operations the Peppermint Hill Refuse site will be closed and public access to the Peppermint Hill Reserve will be restricted.  Tracks in the Peppermint Hill Reserve will also be closed.

This burn will occur at short notice under suitable weather conditions and will generate smoke and flames. Residents should not be alarmed. Please comply with directions from staff or on any signs. 

A copy of the Peppermint Hill Operational Burn Plan will be on display at the Council Chambers in New Norfolk.

For any enquiries please contact:
David Bradford, Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator, phone 6261 8525 or email dbradford@dvc.tas.gov.au

or contact
Mt Field Visitor Centre 6288 1149
Southern Region Office 6165 4056

Join the garage sale trail

Click the logo for more information.

Tip closed tomorrow

Peppermint Hill Refuse Site

The Derwent Valley Council's Peppermint Hill Refuse Site will be CLOSED on Saturday,  October 3, 2015, due to A TOTAL FIRE BAN.　

On days of a  TOTAL FIRE BAN the Peppermint Hill Refuse site will be closed. See the Tasmania Fire Service website for fire ban information.　

Message for Bushy Park/Glenora community

A message from the Mayor and
Councillors of the
Derwent Valley Council 

Drinking water service for Bushy Park and Glenora

What is being offered?
TasWater is offering to supply a drinking water service to Bushy Park and Glenora.

Why won’t this offer be available in another few years?
This opportunity is only available due to the need to upgrade the water supply service at Gretna. The treatment plant at Gretna can be built to cater for just Gretna – or if there is enough local support for Bushy Park and Glenora also. Without strong support demonstrated now, TasWater will not consider improving existing water and sewerage services for many years. You would have to organise for your own water supply (and not be able to rely on existing arrangements).

What about Hop Products Australia’s (HPA) existing supply?
HPA no longer wishes to supply this water for domestic purposes as it is untreated and subject to runoff from agricultural catchments which greatly impacts water quality. As a Council, beyond 2016, we will no longer pay for maintenance of the pumps which HPA manages on behalf of the community, for the supply of water to households in Bushy Park and Glenora.

What benefits are there for connecting to a TasWater supply?

• Access to safe, clean drinking water which meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
• More reliability as TasWater will be responsible for providing water and maintaining infrastructure.
• Water for firefighting with the installation of fire hydrants.

What will it take for it to go ahead?
The Council has committed to contribute $500,000 towards the cost of the project if it goes ahead. This will reduce your cost of connecting. TasWater will proceed with the project if there is around 80% community support.

What are the costs involved if the project proceeds?
By saying "yes" you are only supporting a supply of water to the area. It does not mean you have to connect to the supply if you support the project and it goes ahead. If you choose to connect, TasWater have said the 2016/2017 costs will be:

• A service charge of $329.48 per year for every property in the serviced land area (regardless of whether connected).
• Connection costs - $2,083.50 for a standard residential connection (20mm water pipe) to connect to the system.
• For those connecting the water charge will be based on the amount of water you use. This is presently $0.9954 per 1000 litres.
• Internal plumbing works and Council permits.

Do I have to connect straight away?
No, you don’t. But once the system is built and operating, you will have to pay a service charge regardless. This charge covers costs for providing maintaining upgrading plants, dams, reservoirs, pipelines and pump stations. This charge is $329.48 for 2016/2017.

I’m worried I can’t afford the TasWater connection costs
If you wish to connect to a TasWater supply the payment would not be due until the project is under way – about 12-18 months away. If a payment plan was available would this encourage you to connect – provide this information to TasWater as feedback If the project doesn’t go ahead you will need to purchase and install your own rainwater tanks along with the additional plumbing and be reliant on rainfall or purchasing your own water.

How do I record my vote?
Phone surveys will commence in September by a market research company called ORC. If the researcher is unable to contact people via phone, they will be surveyed with a letter. The feedback TasWater receives from these phone surveys will determine whether there is around 80 per cent support for the project.

My phone number is a mobile number, how will the market research company contact me?
Every effort will be made to contact you. However, if you have an unlisted phone number, you are encouraged to contact Miriam Rule, Community Engagement Officer at TasWater, to record your details. Call 6237 8852 or email miriam.rule@taswater.com.au.

Want to know more?
http://www.yoursay.taswater.com.au/bushy-park-and-glenora-water-supply-opportunity

Monthly meeting this Thursday

THE monthly council meeting for September will be held at New Norfolk this Thursday night, starting at 6.30pm and you are very welcome to join us. If you would like any assistance or information about the meeting, please do get in touch.

The meeting agenda is available online and in hardcopy from the council chambers. The agenda document has taken on a new format under the new general manager and will undergo some fine tuning in the coming months.

 The council meeting roster for the rest of the year is as follows:

• 17 September 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm
• 15 October 2015 - Maydena School Hall 7pm (community forum 6.30pm)
• 19 November 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm
• (Monday) 14 December 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm

TasWater media release

Your say on proposed water supply for
Bushy Park/Glenora closes soon

Bushy Park and Glenora property owners are being urged to give serious consideration to the future of their water supply options as TasWater continues its community consultation into the extension of a reticulated water system to the area.

The proposal is to connect Bushy Park and Glenora to a pipeline from Lake Fenton which is being built to improve the supply to nearby Gretna, overcoming long standing problems with the quality of drinking water in the town.

TasWater CEO Michael Brewster says the new pipeline’s proximity provides the ideal opportunity to now offer Bushy Park and Glenora the chance to be connected to the TasWater reticulation network.

So far several community information sessions hosted by TasWater have gained a good level of support from locals who have attended but many more residents need to assess what water sources they plan to access in the future if a TasWater supply is not extended to the Bushy Park and Glenora community.

The Derwent Valley Council has committed $500,000 to the project but again, contingent on community support. Council has also advised that beyond 2016, it will no longer pay for maintenance of the pumps which Hop Producers Australia (HPA) manages on behalf of the community to supply water to households in Bushy Park and Glenora.

Likewise HPA no longer wishes to supply this water for domestic purposes as it is untreated and subject to runoff from agricultural catchments which greatly impacts water quality. TasWater is prepared to introduce a drinking water supply to Bushy Park and Glenora if there is around 80 per cent community support.

While committed to the project, its go ahead hinges on support from residents. Given the demands placed upon TasWater resources to improve water and sewerage services across the state, it may be many years before the opportunity is revisited if the community chooses not to back the proposal this time round.

Property owners are reminded that support for the new water system does not mean they must connect. TasWater acknowledges that as the connection cost of $2083.50 (current estimate) may mean that some property owners are reluctant to commit, it will consider a payment plan.

“A new water scheme will bring many benefits to Bushy Park and Glenora including safe, clean drinking water which meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. TasWater will be responsible for providing water and maintaining infrastructure as well as providing a reliable supply of water for firefighting with the installation of fire hydrants,” TasWater’s CEO, Michael Brewster said.

Mr Brewster said that it will offer security of water supply for now and future generations TasWater’s next step in gauging community support is a phone survey due to take place in September.

“The community of Bushy Park and Glenora must make an important decision on whether to accept a TasWater supplied drinking water service and I appeal to all property owners to carefully consider their decision during the survey period.”

Over the next three years TasWater is planning to spend around $330 million dollars in upgrading water and sewerage services across Tasmania. “Gretna is scheduled to benefit from our infrastructure spending along with Ouse and Hamilton which have just recently connected to a new water treatment plant. It would be great if Bushy Park and Glenora could join these other Derwent Valley communities in receiving a safe and reliable water supply.”

Information about this project is available by contacting Community Relations Officer Miriam Rule on 6237 8852.

Council notice

Childhood Immunisation Sessions

Temporary Change of Venue

For a four month period commencing 23 September 2015, Council’s free childhood immunisation sessions will be trialing a change of location from the Community Health Building, lower level, New Norfolk District Hospital to Ptnuarra (Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre) located at 52 Blair Street, New Norfolk.

These sessions will continue to be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2.00pm – 2.30pm.

Following the trial period, a follow up advertisement will advise of a permanent venue for 2016. For further information contact the Immunisation Co-ordinator Laura Minton on 6261 8530.

Greg Winton

GENERAL MANAGER

The best for Bronte

YOU might have read in the Derwent Valley Gazette this week that the council has voted 6-1 in favour of a lease enabling the Derwent Valley Community House to relocate to Bronte House at Willow Court. Yes, mine was the lone vote against the document.

As discussed here before, I'm not opposed to the Community House moving into Bronte. It's a valid and sustainable use for the building and a way to complete its restoration. What I'm concerned about is finding a way to accommodate the Community House alongside the original proposal for visitor services in the same building. The latest proposals do not do that and I do not believe it is acceptable for a single room in Bronte House to serve as both the official entrance to Willow Court and the dining room of the Community House.

The original proposal for a retractable wall to divide the room in question proved unacceptable to the Community House and an alternative proposal was approved by most councillors in April*, under threat of losing government funding if the matter was not resolved by April 30. Four months later the matter was before council again last week, as the second proposal had not met the needs of the Community House.

The latest draft of the lease agreement, endorsed by the vote of 6-1 last Thursday night, provides the Community House with a nine-year lease for $1 per year, with no stipulation that a specific amount must be spent on essential renovations to the building in return for the peppercorn rent.

I remain confident that a suitable agreement can be reached but I don't think we are there yet.

* The record of voting for the April 2015 council meeting is incorrect. It states:
Cr Evans - Against
Cr Shaw - Against
Cr Belcher - Against
Cr Graham - For
Cr Lathey - For
Cr Triffett - For
Cr Bester - For

According to my notes the actual votes were:
Cr Evans - For
Cr Shaw - For
Cr Belcher - For
Cr Graham - Against
Cr Lathey - Against
Cr Triffett - For
Cr Bester - Against

Council budget 2015-16

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

Derwent Valley Council Strikes Rates for 2015-2016  Financial Year

Derwent Valley Council met on Thursday evening  and has approved a rate increase for the 2015/16 financial year at 4%.

“Discussions around rates this year were were particularly hard”, Mayor Martyn Evans said.

“Council has to balance the needs and aspirations of the community against the community’s ability to sustain a rate increase.  This combined with changes to funding through the Financial Assistance Grants and other changes have had an impact on Council’s finances.

Major items funded in the budget include:

• Improvements to the amenities at the New Norfolk and Bushy Park Pools;
• Community safety measures at Tynwald Park;
• Outdoor gym equipment will be installed at Gleeson Park;
• Works will be undertaken at the top end of Blair Street;
• Installation of a footpath on Lachlan Road, near the shop, and;
• Implementation of Council’s STEPS Plan.

“The STEPS Plan will form the basis of Council’s strategies for improvements around the municipal area over the coming years.  We have been working on this document, with input from focus groups and the public for the last 18 months, and are now at a stage where we will be starting to implement some of the recommendations.”

“There are a number of smaller projects that Council contributes to such as the CWA Water Awareness Program, partnership in the Tree2Sea Project and support for Council’s Special Committees that work on specific projects,” Martyn Evans said.

A rate increase of 4% equals approximately $50 per year for most properties.  This financial year will also see adjustment in property values due to the Valuer-General’s two yearly adjustment factor.  This takes into account the changes in property values for this coming year.

“Council continues to look at innovative ways of resource sharing to ensure that rate increases are kept to a minimum. 

“This year Council has undertaken an arrangement with Brighton Council to accept refuse from their municipal area, the fee for this will off set the running and environmental costs associated with the Peppermint Hill Refuse area.  This will provide a long term saving to ratepayers in the Derwent Valley,” said Martyn Evans.

See you at Lachlan

THIS month's meeting of the Derwent Valley Council will be held at the Lachlan Community Hall this Thursday. A community forum will be held at 6.30pm, providing an informal opportunity for residents and ratepayers to ask questions or raise matters of concern.

The council meeting will follow at 7pm. The agenda can be downloaded here. Please join us - and if you would like any assistance or information about the meeting, please do get in touch.

The council meeting roster for the rest of the year is as follows:

• 18 June 2015 - Lachlan Hall 7pm (community forum 6.30pm)
• 16 July 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm
• 20 August 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm
• 17 September 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm
• 15 October 2015 - Maydena School Hall 7pm (community forum 6.30pm)
• 19 November 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm
• (Monday) 14 December 2015 - New Norfolk Courthouse 6.30pm

National assessment for Wilow Court

MEDIA RELEASE

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL

The Derwent Valley Council welcomes the announcement that the Willow Court Barracks Precinct and Frescati House at New Norfolk are to be assessed by the Australian Heritage Council for possible inclusion in the National Heritage List.

Mayor Martyn Evans said that two of the buildings in the precinct were older than those at Port Arthur and were deserving of national recognition. The main building at Willow Court was built as an invalid barracks in 1830, designed by the convict architect John Lee Archer. Nearby Frescati House was built for Colonial Secretary John Burnett in 1834 at a time when the colonial governors favoured New Norfolk as their summer retreat. Both became part of a much larger hospital site that closed in 2000-01.

"The entire site has local and state heritage listing as well as being included on the Register of the National Estate which was the highest standard prior to the establishing of the National Heritage List," Councillor Evans said. "With only 124 places included on the list as it stands, we know it will be a rigorous assessment process but the council has no doubt about the national significance of Willow Court both as a convict site and for the story it tells about developments in the understanding and treatment of mental health and intellectual disability over a period of 170 years," Cr Evans said.

"Council understands that the assessment process may take as long as two years but we will not be sitting on our hands in the meantime," Cr Evans said. "Having recently expended more than $1.5 million on urgent conservation works at the Barracks and Bronte House, the council is exploring all options to continue that work. With our own funds exhausted, we are about to embark on a world-wide expression of interest process," he said.

Mayor Evans said the council was deeply appreciative of the interest shown by the Federal Minister for the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, and the Federal Member for Lyons, Eric Hutchinson MP, as well as State Cabinet members who visited the site last month. "Council sees the sensitive development of the Willow Court site as one of the keys to the future prosperity of the Derwent Valley. Our ultimate goal is to see Willow Court take its rightful place among the 11 other Australian Convict Sites on the World Heritage List," Mayor Evans concluded.

What's happening at Willow Court?

TWO of the biggest frustrations associated with the Willow Court site in New Norfolk are the slow rate of progress and the flow of misinformation. The two issues are closely related but one is more easily resolved than the other.

There are several websites dedicated to Willow Court and these quite rightly keep a close watch on progress at the site. That's a good thing. What's not so good is when opinions are presented as facts.

Several months ago when the council was considering the prospect of seeking expressions of interest for the ongoing development of the Willow Court site, a briefing was provided to the three main interest groups (Friends of Willow Court, Friends of Frescati and the Australian Paranormal Investigation Unit) before putting the proposal to a council meeting. All three groups were encouraged to submit their own expressions of interest should they wish to do so.

The proposal was then put to a regular open council meeting in March and I wrote about it here at the time. That meeting resolved to seek expressions of interest (EOI) for the development of the council-owned section of Willow Court and required that a draft EOI document be discussed at a councillor workshop and tabled at the May council meeting. Unfortunately the EOI document was not ready for the May council meeting last Thursday (May 21), so it was put to a special council meeting this Tuesday, May 26.

Contrary to what was stated on one of the Willow Court blogs yesterday, Tuesday's meeting was not a closed meeting. It was advertised in the daily newspaper and on the council website and any person who wished to attend the meeting was entitled to do so. Similarly, the agenda was open to the public and available in hardcopy from the council chambers and for downloading from the council website. The agenda is also available for downloading from the same blog that stated it was a closed meeting. On the night of the meeting, I personally unlocked the front doors of the courthouse meeting room. Sadly the public gallery was empty when council voted unanimously to proceed with the EOI process.

The same blog asserts: "It is expected that the Expression of interest will take up to 12 months, so the site will be left abandoned again for that period of time." I can assure the writer that Willow Court is far from abandoned.

Embarking on the EOI process does not mean we are giving up or stopping work. At the same time as testing the market for interest, we will continue to explore all other opportunities. In the absence of any further government funding, we have resolved to seek expressions of interest in the sale of the lucerne field below the new Woolworths supermarket, with all proceeds to go to Willow Court.

Far from forgotten, Willow Court is the subject of discussion at nearly every meeting of councillors.

• The Friends of Frescati hold working bees every second Sunday and have recently completed the undercoating of the rear wall of that important historic house to prepare it for painting in the spring.
• The Derwent Valley Players presented a short play in the grounds at Frescati earlier this month, assisted by the Friends of Willow Court and the Friends of Frescati.
• Government ministers have been familiarised with the site this month and the governor has visited a Heritage Month display on the site.
• The first stage of the redevelopment of the Barracks is almost complete, despite having slowed to a snail's pace - and councillors ask about this nearly every week.
• Bronte House is set to become the new home of the Derwent Valley Community House (more about that here).
• The council continues to explore all funding opportunities and is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the site's nomination for National Heritage listing.

How can you find out what's really happening at Willow Court? Ask any of the councillors.

New general manager named

A special meeting of the council staff was held earlier this afternoon for the announcement of the name of the new general manager for the Derwent Valley Council. Mayor Martyn Evans told the meeting that it had been the desire of councillors that the staff should be the first people to know about the decision once a signed contract was in place. The contract of employment was approved at a special closed council meeting last night.

Everyone who attended today's staff meeting was provided with an advance copy of a media release to be issued this evening. The mayor, deputy mayor, Cr Triffett and I then visited the council's child care centre to talk to staff who were unable to attend the meeting and provide them with a copy of the media release.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the mayor paid tribute to the outgoing general manager, Stephen Mackey, who he described as a friend and mentor to the staff.

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

Mayor Martyn Evans has announced the appointment of Mr Greg Winton as General Manager of the Derwent Valley Council. “From a strong field of candidates, we conducted a thorough recruitment process with assistance from consulting company KPMG and determined Greg had the skills and experience we were seeking from the 66 applications received for the role,” Mayor Evans said. “His commitment and experience in strengthening communities by developing strategic partnerships will help us pursue improvements in areas including local employment, education, and health services for residents of the Derwent Valley,” he said.

Mr Winton is no stranger to the challenges facing local government. The majority of his three decades of working in the sector has been in regional areas in Western Australia and Tasmania. Most recently he was the interim General Manager at the West Coast Council, with previous appointments in North-Western Tasmania as General Manager of the Circular Head Council for 11 years and of the Waratah-Wynyard Council for six years.

“I will work hard for strategic, future-focused and positive outcomes in the years ahead and I’m looking forward to moving to the Valley,” Mr Winton said. Mr Winton indicated his focus would be on working with Council and the community to support the delivery of high quality local services. “Building strong relationships with other levels of government and neighbours in the region will assist in making the Derwent Valley a more front of mind destination for visitors and additional economic investment also,” he said.

Mayor Evans indicated that the annual remuneration package of $190,000 (plus a laptop computer and up to $7000 per annum for communications, conferences and memberships) for the three-year performance-based employment contract was reasonable and compared well when benchmarked against other similar Tasmanian local authorities.

Mayor Evans also acknowledged the efforts of General Manager Stephen Mackey. “On behalf of past and present Councillors, Council staff and the community, I wish Stephen well and sincerely thank him for his contribution over the past 15 years to our community,” he said.

Mr Winton will commence work on June 21, starting with a two-week handover period.

Important visitors

EARLIER today it was my great pleasure to be able to take several members of State Cabinet to Willow Court to discuss the council's plans for the site and the need for funding. Premier Will Hodgman and the rest of cabinet met at New Norfolk this morning, followed by a regional cabinet meeting with the council.

Rather than spend an hour talking around a table, we paired councillors with a cabinet minister and used the time to visit local areas of importance. Despite the wet and windy weather, I was able to discuss the council's need for support with Willow Court with Heritage Minister Matthew Groom, Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin, and Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma. Joining in the discussion were councillors Barry Lathey, Frank Pearce and Julie Triffett.

No promises were made but with the government still relatively new, it was a worthwhile exercise and it is always inspiring to be able to share the site with such interested visitors as these three ministers were. All three were quite taken by Frescati House and the opportunity to have a look inside.

Other ministers were taken to other locations by some of my fellow councillors. Mr Hodgman later told me this was the first time a council had taken the initiative and showed the cabinet ministers around the community rather than sit around a table. He hoped other councils would follow suit when hosting regional cabinet meetings in future.

RSL situation explained

THE financial position of New Norfolk's RSL Club was outlined by state RSL president Robert Dick at a meeting at the club this afternoon. All of your councillors were invited to attend and five were at the meeting.

From the outset, Mr Dick made it clear it was not his intention to close the club and he repeated this message during the hour-long meeting. He said the club's business operations had not made a profit in three years but he was working with the executive committee and had put forward a new business plan for consideration. He urged all members to work with the executive committee to help return the club to profitability.

Water meeting clarified

COUNCILLORS have been advised that the TasWater meeting at Gretna tonight (Thursday) is for the purpose of discussing the Gretna water supply improvements only. It had been reported that a proposed water scheme for Glenora and Bushy Park would also be discussed at the meeting at the Gretna Green Hotel.

I'm advised that Glenora/Bushy Park residents are welcome to attend tonight's meeting but that the discussions will be limited to the topic of the Gretna water supply. The Glenora/Bushy Park water supply is understood to be the subject of another meeting in the near future. 

Anzac Day in the Valley

CENTENARY OF ANZAC
IN THE DERWENT VALLEY

Program of events for April 25, 2015

NEW NORFOLK
5am - Gunfire Breakfast, New Norfolk RSL, George St.
6am - Dawn Service, New Norfolk Cenotaph, Circle St (followed by breakfast at RSL Club). Marchers assemble at RSL Club at 5.45am for parade to the Cenotaph.
9.30am - Corumbene Nursing Home, special service.
10.45am - Anzac Day March, High St. Marchers assemble at top of Arthur Square at 10.30am for parade to the Cenotaph.
11am - Anzac Day Service, New Norfolk Cenotaph, Circle St (followed by refreshments at RSL Club).

BUSHY PARK/GLENORA
11am - Anzac Day Service, Bushy Park War Memorial Swimming Pool, Lake Dobson Hwy.

MAYDENA
6am - Dawn Service, Maydena RSL Club, Kallista Rd. Marchers assemble near Maydena Hub at 5.45am for parade to the RSL Club.

Latest advertisement - April

BELOW is my latest councillor update, published in the Derwent Valley Gazette earlier this month.

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Myrtle Rust advice

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No workshop this week

THERE will be no council workshop this Thursday night. This month's council meeting unanimously supported a proposal by Cr Julie Triffett that the workshop scheduled for April 2 be cancelled due to it being the day before Good Friday. The council also agreed with the general manager's suggestion that this be made a permanent arrangement and that no workshops be scheduled on the Thursday night prior to Good Friday.

The next workshops will be held in the New Norfolk Courthouse at 6.30pm on April 9 and 23. The format starts with an open session which the general public is invited to attend and this is for the first half hour. There are no agenda documents for council workshops.

Big interest in the top job

TONIGHT'S councillor workshop was advised that 66 applications had been received for the recently-advertised position of general manager of our council.

Recruiting consultants KPMG will be shortlisting the applicants and interviewing 10 of them before providing the names of four candidates to be interviewed by the full council.

Not giving up on Willow Court

TONIGHT'S council meeting took the first step towards seeking expressions of interest for the sensitive redevelopment of the council-owned section of the Willow Court historic site in New Norfolk. This is not to say the council is going sell what is left, or that we are giving up on the site.

The first stage of the redevelopment of the Barracks precinct is almost complete, but that is only the start of what is required to turn a derelict hospital into a world-class visitor attraction. That is still my aim and the council's ambition, but with all funding now exhausted and no new money on the horizon, all options must be explored if we are to maintain the recently-established momentum.

This has been the subject of discussion at councillor workshops over recent months as it has become apparent that funding requests to the State and Federal governments have been unsuccessful. In a report to tonight's council meeting held at Bushy Park, the general manager wrote: "It is now seen that council’s only option, without placing greater strain on council's operating budget, that calling for expressions of interest is now the only reasonable option for developing the site to achieve a tourism or commercial outcome for the Willow Court precinct."

Last month a briefing was given to representatives of the Friends of Willow Court, Friends of Frescati and the Australian Paranormal Investigation Unit in recognition of their interest and out of respect for their ongoing interest in the site. Tonight's meeting endorsed my motion that the council seek expressions of interest for the development of the council-owned sections of Willow Court. Council workshops over the next few weeks will refine the draft terms of reference already prepared by the general manager so that they may be tabled at next month's council meeting.

In calling for expressions of interest, the council has no preconceived notions or expectations other than a desire to receive submissions from individuals, groups or commercial operators to develop the site to its full potential. This could involve small-scale visitor operations, long-term leases or even the sale of the site under the right circumstances. We are not expecting anyone to come forward offering $10 million to complete the restoration in one hit, but should such a proposal be received it would have to be considered along with all others.

Meanwhile, the council continues to apply for grants for Willow Court and has not stopped lobbying at State and Federal levels for government support. We have lodged our nomination for National Heritage List recognition for the site and we have established a partnership with Flinders University that will potentially see hundreds of archaeology students visiting us over the next 10 years. The latter has started in a small way this year with a successful field school conducted last month.

We are not giving up on Willow Court.

Council meeting at Bushy Park

THE monthly council meeting for March will be held at Bushy Park this Thursday night, starting with a community forum at 6.30pm followed by the regular council meeting at 7pm. The venue will be the hall at the Bushy Park Swimming Pool and you are very welcome to join us.

The community forum is an informal session with no agenda. If you would like any assistance or information about the meeting, please do get in touch. The meeting agenda is available online and in hardcopy from the council chambers.

A reminder that council workshops are now held on the first, second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The next is scheduled for March 26. The format starts with an open session which the general public is invited to attend and this is for the first half hour. There are no agenda documents for council workshops.

Teamwork and team building

Councillors walking the walk.

THE eight Derwent Valley councillors formed a team for the recent inaugural Relay for Life in New Norfolk, helping to add to the fundraising tally in a modest way. In the end, seven of us were able to take to the ground, with the mayor and deputy mayor putting in an incredible stint from the 2pm start until late into the night.

I'd also like to acknowledge two additional members of the team - former councillors Chris Lester and Wayne Shoobridge - who put in a big effort as part of the organising team and as participants. I learned something new about Wayne when he pulled out a guitar and took to the stage as an entertainer on the Saturday night.

Council was also represented by a team of staff members, the D'FAT team, and the Derwent Valley Sport and Recreation Centre. For the councillors it was a great example of teamwork and team-building, but for our community it was way to honour those who have been affected by cancer and to raise funds for cancer research.

Congratulations to all 16 teams that took part, raising nearly $20,000 so far. There were some incredible personal efforts and many stories of hope and courage shared over the course of the 20-hour event.

General manager advertisement

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THE council has this weekend advertised the position of general manager in accordance with its decision of last December.

A councillor working group met on four occasions in January and February and recommended that a consultant be engaged to assist in the recruiting process.

Despite what you might have heard on the rumour mill, it is a full-time position, not part-time, and not shared with any other council.

KPMG is handling the process and anyone interested in the position can contact Lynne Chapman or Sally Darke on 6337 3737. Applications close on March 18.

The salary package will be in the range of $135,000 to $150,000 plus car, phone, superannuation etc, and the present general manager is eligible to apply.

It's showtime!

Click image to enlarge. More details online.

Esplanade improvements

IT certainly was great weather for ducks on Saturday morning when I went down to the river to check out recent improvements at our Esplanade.

Recent council budgets have provided a footpath at the lower end of Ferry St and new playground equipment nearby. At the river end of the same street, a new pontoon and retaining wall has been installed with the support of Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST).

The council has recently established a committee to oversee the sensitive, sympathetic and sustainable development of the Esplanade at New Norfolk. There will be places for several community members on the committee and applications will be accepted until the close of business on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.  If this appeals to you, send an email to executiveassistant@dvc.tas.gov.au