Annual General Meeting 2013

THE council's annual general meeting will be held this Thursday, December 12, in the New Norfolk Courthouse at 5pm. I encourage all interested residents and ratepayers to download a copy of the annual report from the council website here, or to obtain a hardcopy from the council chambers.

The AGM is your opportunity to ask questions about the council's activities over the last financial year and to propose motions from the floor - which if carried by the members of the public present, must then be considered at the next council meeting.

Willow Court works update

Councillors have today been provided with the following update on the progress of works at Willow Court. Thanks to project officer Brett Noble for this information.


Willow Court works update

As many would have noticed, there is currently considerably activity at The Barracks.

Over the last couple of weeks, all the windows facing into The Barracks courtyard have been restored to working order.  The windows retain all the marks of their 180 years of life – patches, different paint layers, repairs, and breaks - but are now in working order.  Some very intriguing metal work, hand stamped with the ‘convict arrow’, was uncovered during this work.  The ‘convict arrow’ was also found on many of the window frames.

Work has also begun on a couple of the original doors, as a test of what this work will entail.

In addition, specialist renderers have been working on the verandah plinth, removing cement render and bits of loose render, ahead of applying a poultice.  The poultice will be on for a few weeks, to draw out the moisture and salts that had been trapped in the masonry, before a new lime render is applied.  Part of this work involved the removal of some of the brick pavers that were hard against the verandah plinth, and a little excavation along the face of the plinth.  This work has shown that along the southern side of the building the original ground level was much lower that at present.

Behind the scenes, the head contractor requests for tenders is nearing completion, which should see the selection of a head contractor in the next week.  As you will recall, part of the selection criteria for this work is the involvement of local sub-contractors.

Brett Noble
Senior Project Manager (Willow Court Project)

Zap Fitness approved

THE proposal to establish a Zap Fitness centre in New Norfolk required council approval and was the subject of much discussion in the community. There was a perception that approval might prove difficult to obtain, but in the end no councillor spoke against it at tonight's council meeting. Councillors Evans, Shaw and Shoobridge were absent and Cr Lester stepped out after declaring an interest. 

The following are my speech notes from tonight's meeting:

"Mr Acting Mayor, six months ago when we were discussing another development, I quoted from the planning scheme where it states the intent of preserving commercial activity in our central business district. That is what this application does.

"We have one of Tasmania’s leading businessmen wanting to expand his fitness centre operations to New Norfolk and while I do not think this is the best use for such a large shop, given the state of our economy I am pleased to see any business activity taking place there.

"This development is being proposed as a place of assembly and our planning scheme describes this as being for recreational, social, entertainment, cultural or religious purposes. The proposed fitness centre could well be described as meeting several of those criteria, not least 'recreational'.

"The problem area is parking but we are able to exercise some discretion. There is a Zap Fitness Centre near my workplace and I have seen its customers arrive on bicycles, skateboards, and on foot as well as by car. The use of these centres seems quite social and I have seen people sharing a car.

"The use of the proposed fitness centre will be spread throughout the day and I believe sufficient parking is available within a short walk in almost any direction. Charging the developer more than $10,000 in lieu of the missing parking spaces will not result in any extra parking spaces being created. I believe charging this fee could jeopardise the whole project. I believe we should waive the fee and approve this centre."

Spring newsletter

THE latest issue of the Derwent Valley Council newsletter (Spring 2013) is available for downloading from the council website here.

Community grants on offer

THE council is seeking applications for this year's community grants program. Not-for-profit sporting, cultural and community groups within the Derwent Valley Municipal area are eligible to apply for assistance under this program.

The council will give preference to groups which have broad community benefit, seeking amounts in the range of $200 to $500.

The closing date for applications is September 26, 2013. Application packages can be collected from the Derwent Valley Council offices, Circle St, New Norfolk, or downloaded.

Councillor updates

HERE are my most recent councillor advertisements, including the one published in last week's Derwent Valley Gazette and the one from April which I negected to upload at the time.

August update - click image to enlarge

April update - click image to enlarge

Winter newsletter

THE latest issue of the Derwent Valley Council newsletter (Winter 2013) is available for downloading from the council website here.