Last chance to see Santa this year

Willow Court latest

THE Derwent Valley Council's mayor, deputy mayor and general manager yesterday met Premier David Bartlett and Heritage Minister Brian Wightman to discuss future ownership of Willow Court. The council decided earlier this year that it would seek to return the historic site to government ownership. I was one of several councillors who opposed this course of events but we were in the minority.

I am advised that a report on ownership of the site will be presented to state cabinet by July 2011, covering the governance structure which may be like the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority. I am also advised that the council and government are to negotiate a series of priority heritage projects to be funded from the $750,000 allocated to Willow Court some years ago.

It has been reported to councillors that "the outcome of the meeting is that the government are still committed to work with council on the transferring of the site to another entity but they still require more time to allow for a final report to be received by cabinet."

UPDATE: This week's Derwent Valley Gazette reports that Heritage Minister Brian Wightman would not be drawn on the specifics of negotiations conducted with the council. He went only so far as to say he and the premier had met the mayor and "reaffirmed our election commitment to look at the future options for the ownership and management of Willow Court. While no conclusion has yet been reached, I look forward to working with the Derwent Valley Council on this issue in the new year," the Gazette reported Mr Wightman saying.

A statement of agreed outcomes would be a useful addition to future meetings between the council and the government.

Santa in New Norfolk

Standards panel determination

THE Standards Panel of the Local Government Association of Tasmania has upheld Mr Ian Brown's appeal in relation to his Code of Conduct complaint against me. In a letter received by Registered Post today, the panel imposed the following sanctions upon me:

a) a caution
b) an apology to Mr Brown
c) a requirement to attend training

At this stage of the process, any appeals must be made by application to a court within 28 days of receiving notification of the panel's determination. If no application is received from myself or the complainant, the panel's recommendation will be reported to the mayor for consideration firstly by a closed council meeting and finally by an open council meeting. 

Comments will not be published until this matter is concluded.

November advertisement

BELOW is my latest councillor update, published in last week's issue of the Derwent Valley Gazette. A constituent suggested I publish these more often, but to keep them shorter. I tried!

Positive night at the council

THERE was a strong community focus at tonight's council meeting, with some good decisions made for our the people of our municipality. We took the first steps towards formalising the Friends of Frescati and helping them reach their goal of establishing a community garden; we approved the establishment of a committee to review the "spatial plan" for the New Norfolk central business district; and we endorsed a process for the removal of the pink planter boxes in Burnett St. The meeting finished a little earlier than usual, leaving time to chat with the members of the public who attended tonight's meeting.

Tidy Towns Committee brings home the prize

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone associated with the Derwent Valley Council's Tidy Towns Committee following their successful campaign which has resulted in New Norfolk being named the winner of the 2010 Tasmanian Tidy Towns Award. The committee wins $2000 and a trophy.

New Norfolk will now represent Tasmania in the judging for the national award. The competition includes Rutherglen (Victoria) and Stanthorpe (Queensland).

Previous winners of the state Tidy Town award are:

Year	Winner
2009/10	Richmond
2008/09	Oatlands
2008	Ross
2006	Swansea - 2007 National Winner
2005	Burnie
2004	Latrobe
2003	Bicheno
2002	Stanley
2001	Richmond
2000	Burnie
1999	Wynyard
1998	Smithton
1997	Latrobe
1996	Stanley - 1997 National Winner
1995	Deloraine
1994	Stanley
1993	Deloraine
1992	Deloraine
1991	Evandale
1990	Mathinna
1989	George Town
1988	George Town
1987	Ulverstone
1986	Ross
1985	Ross
1984	Mole Creek
1983	Mole Creek
1982	Wynyard
1981	Wynyard
1980	Wynyard