Shaw claims New Norfolk Classic

BALLARAT cyclist Patrick Shaw, 24, was first across the line this afternoon and claimed victory in the second annual Launceston to New Norfolk Classic. The event was sponsored by the Derwent Valley Council and New Norfolk Business Alliance and Mayor Martyn Evans was on hand to congratulate the winners. A reception was held afterwards at the Junction Motel.

Strategic planning

EACH Thursday night for about a month, your councillors have been meeting to develop a new strategic plan. This is a legal requirement of the Local Government Act, although little legislative guidance is provided on what such plans must contain. What we are working on is actually our council's fourth strategic plan and it is intended to map the road ahead for the next five years.

In principle, our new strategic plan is going to be a "plain English" document. It will be only a few pages in length and it will include realistic, achievable goals. What I am hoping for is a plan that can be easily displayed in poster format, and that these posters will be displayed in the council chamber to provide a constant reminder of the strategy we wish to follow. I would like to see similar posters displayed in public places from time to time. My council colleagues appear to share these thoughts and we are looking forward to presenting a draft for public consultation in the near future.

New president for Maydena association

HAVING missed last month's annual general meeting of the Maydena Community Association, it was good to catch up with some of the local news at the monthly meeting earlier tonight. In particular, congratulations go to Lynne Graham on her election as president of the community association, taking over from Piers Hooper who was elected vice-president. Lynne is continuing in her previous role as secretary in addition to her new responsibility. Tim Parkes remains public officer of the association and Derek Whitwell was re-elected to the treasurer's job. Congratulations one and all.

Federal election - how we voted in the Valley

THE Australian Electoral Commission has made available the provisional polling place figures from Saturday's Federal Election. Results from local polling booths follow.

BRONTE
NOYES, Lucas (Secular Party of Australia) 2     
HUTCHINSON, Eric Russell (Liberal) 31    
ADAMS, Dick (Australian Labor Party) 38 
CASSIDY, Karen Frances (Australian Greens) 7
(Informal 9)

DROMEDARY
NOYES, Lucas 4
HUTCHINSON, Eric 85
ADAMS, Dick 200
CASSIDY, Karen 49
(Informal 18)

ELLENDALE
NOYES, Lucas 3
HUTCHINSON, Eric 59
ADAMS, Dick 61
CASSIDY, Karen 36
(Informal 6)

GLENORA
NOYES, Lucas 3
HUTCHINSON, Eric 47
ADAMS, Dick 119
CASSIDY, Karen 28
(Informal 7)

GRANTON
NOYES, Lucas 7
HUTCHINSON, Eric 125
ADAMS, Dick 226
CASSIDY, Karen 69
(Informal 15)

GRETNA
NOYES, Lucas 5
HUTCHINSON, Eric 67
ADAMS, Dick 81
CASSIDY, Karen 25
(Informal 11)

HAMILTON
NOYES, Lucas 1
HUTCHINSON, Eric 48
ADAMS, Dick 58
CASSIDY, Karen 19
(Informal 5)

LACHLAN
NOYES, Lucas 5
HUTCHINSON, Eric 71
ADAMS, Dick 217
CASSIDY, Karen 100
(Informal 19)

MAGRA
NOYES, Lucas 6
HUTCHINSON, Eric 122
ADAMS, Dick 318
CASSIDY, Karen 44
(Informal 43)

MAYDENA
NOYES, Lucas 3
HUTCHINSON, Eric 30
ADAMS, Dick 84
CASSIDY, Karen 29
(Informal 15)

MOLESWORTH
NOYES, Lucas 5
HUTCHINSON, Eric 106
ADAMS, Dick 120
CASSIDY, Karen 77
(Informal 14)

NEW NORFOLK
NOYES, Lucas 36
HUTCHINSON, Eric 402
ADAMS, Dick 1,059
CASSIDY, Karen 27
(Informal 111)

NEW NORFOLK NORTH
NOYES, Lucas 24
HUTCHINSON, Eric 254
ADAMS, Dick 866
CASSIDY, Karen 116
(Informal 113)

OUSE
NOYES, Lucas 7
HUTCHINSON, Eric 80
ADAMS, Dick 92
CASSIDY, Karen 16
(Informal 13)

WESTERWAY
NOYES, Lucas 4
HUTCHINSON, Eric 62
ADAMS, Dick 96
CASSIDY, Karen 33
(Informal 9)

A post about nothing

AT last night's Derwent Valley Council meeting I asked Mayor Martyn Evans a question without notice on the topic of the Federal Election, seeking to find out what commitments the major parties had made to the Derwent Valley. The answer was short and painfully clear:

None.

The mayor expanded: No GP super-clinic as offered elsewhere. No "fair go" for our southern roads nor an upgrade for the Plenty Valley Link Rd. In fact, nothing at all.

Think about that when you vote tomorrow.

Boutique brewer wants a fair go

THE operators of New Norfolk micro-brewing business The Two Metre Tall Company have called on local Federal Labor MP Dick Adams to ensure a "fair go" for small beer producers.

In a letter sent today to Mr Adams, other politicians and the media, Ashley and Jane Huntington say brewing businesses are practically untenable due to the way the Federal Government taxes beer.

"Today, whilst there are close to 150 small, independent breweries in operation across the nation, the actual number is in continuous flux with many operations closing as fast as they open largely due to the oppressive taxation conditions applied to brewers – and, in particular, to small brewers - by the Federal Government," Mr and Mrs Huntington said in their letter.

The couple say that while wineries have flourished throughout Tasmania and Australia thanks to favourable tax arrangements, breweries remain encumbered by century-old excise arrangements that require them to pay tax of up to 30% - in advance. "The Federal Government removes, in cash, between 25-30% of the revenue a small brewing business earns on the Monday after the product is dispatched to a customer, which can be up to 120 days before the business actually receives payment for these goods.

"The Federal Government, therefore, is by far the largest liability a small brewery business will have, and it is a liability which requires cash, requires it as soon as the transaction occurs and requires it regardless of the capacity of a business to pay and regardless of whether the business has received the proceeds of the taxable transaction. It is brutal, it is policed and it – like no other liability in business – comes with the threat of criminal sanction for anything other than strict adherence."

The couple said that if their business produced wine, instead of beer, and invested and traded at the same rate it had done so far, they would have been profitable in their second year of operation, would now be in a position to have two full-time staff on the payroll (and a third during this financial year) and they would be paying company tax.

All Lyons and Tasmanian senate candidates are invited to comment on this matter.

Conduct panel decision appealed

I HAVE today been advised that Mr Ian Brown of Clarendon Vale has appealed against the decision of the Derwent Valley Council Code of Conduct Panel in relation to the complaint lodged by him on February 11. The Standards Panel of the Local Government Association advises that it has 90 days to hear and decide on the appeal.


Comments will not be published until this matter is concluded.