Subdivision comments

LAST week's council meeting declined to approve a subdivision at Molesworth, based on concerns about the impact of additional traffic on Molesworth Rd. Here's what I had to say on the matter: "Residents of the Molesworth district have had much to say about this subdivision, and they are in one voice on the subject of the proposed access road. I am not opposed to this subdivision but I agree with the concerns of the locally affected people. In particular I am concerned about the road safety implications of the proposed access off Molesworth Rd. I have visited the site and cannot agree with the finding that this is a suitable access point. I note the photographs showing sightlines from the road's edge and make the observation that few drivers leave their cars to check for oncoming traffic.Sightlines from the driver's seat of my car were not as generous as those in the planner's report. I cannot support the recommendation as it stands, and urge that more consideration be given to the option of accessing the proposed subdivision from the Lyell Highway. If the Lyell Highway cannot cope with an access of this type, we must ask what has been achieved by the State Government's $14 million worth of alleged improvements." 

Advice to Derwent Valley Council

AT Thursday night's council meeting I made the following statement: "I wish to advise the council that I appeared before the Standards Panel of the Local Government Association yesterday, in relation to Mr Ian Brown's appeal against the recent determination of his Code of Conduct complaint made against me. I am advised that a finding may be reached next week."

During the hearing, Mr Brown expressed his concern that it had been incorrectly stated on this blog that he was a resident of Ridson Vale or Clarendon Vale, when in fact he had never lived at either of those places. I apologised for the error and advised that the information had been sourced from Mr Brown's correspondence which listed a Clarendon Vale postal address.

Comments will not be published until this matter is concluded.

Agenda for October meeting

YESTERDAY'S mail brought a very interesting council agenda for the October meeting this Thursday and I imagine there will be more than a few onlookers in the public gallery. You are welcome to join them - the meeting starts at 6.30pm. There is an opportunity for public questions and statements at the start of the meeting. It's advisable to get there early to fill in the simple form and hand it to the deputy general manager.

There are two items of some disappointment. In Motions on Notice, Cr Jim Elliott proposes that the council should cease the advertising of its monthly "workshops". Cr Elliott does not state whether it is his intention to move these workshops back behind closed doors, or simply to stop advertising them. If the idea is simply to save money, that could be achieved by listing the monthly meeting and monthly workshop in the one advertisement. I regret that because I am employed by the newspaper where the council does its advertising, I will not be able to take part in the debate on this topic.

Equally disappointing, and contrary to assurances received in the last fortnight, is that community concerns about the access road for a new subdivision at Molesworth seem not to have been heard. Building an expensive road and bridge to connect with Molesworth Rd makes no sense when the safest and most obvious option is to connect directly with the Lyell Highway. If the highway cannot cope with one additional entry on a reasonably straight stretch at Sorell Creek, what has the State Government achieved with its $14 million worth of "improvements"?

Also on the agenda is a briefing by Home and Community Care co-ordinator Julie Triffett; a proposal to investigate the employment of a regional development officer; community grants for 2010/11; and a closed meeting to discuss a solid waste collection service contract.

Latest advertisement - October

BELOW is my latest councillor update, published in last week's issue of the Derwent Valley Gazette.

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.