Derwent Valley Council
Councillor - nine candidates (five to be elected)
BINGLEY, Phil, of New Norfolk
BROMFIELD, Judy, of New Norfolk
COWLEY, Dane, of New Norfolk
EVANS, Martyn John, of Magra
LESTER, Chris, of Magra
McDIARMID, Mark, of Magra
NICHOLSON, Tony, of Lachlan
ROLFE, Simon, of New Norfolk
SHOOBRIDGE, Wayne, of New Norfolk
Mayor - two candidates
EVANS, Martyn John
NICHOLSON, Tony
Deputy Mayor - three candidates
BROMFIELD, Judy
LATHEY, Barry Keith
SHOOBRIDGE, Wayne
Please note: following the issuing of the notice of election, all published comments on the council elections must now include the given name, surname and locality of the writer. Anonymous comments cannot be published during the election period.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
September advertisement
BELOW is my latest councillor update, published in the Derwent Valley Gazette on September 14, 2011.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Council newsletter available
THE Derwent Valley Council has recently issued its first newsletter in some years. Click here to download a copy.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Nicholson nominates
FORMER Derwent Valley mayor Tony Nicholson has today advertised his candidacy for the positions of mayor and councillor in next month's local government elections. Mr Nicholson, of Lachlan, served several terms as a councillor and two years as mayor before losing his seat in 2009. Mr Nicholson's advertisement appears in this week's issue of the Derwent Valley Gazette, out today.
Please note: following the recent issuing of the notice of election, all published comments on the council elections must now include the given name, surname and locality of the writer. Anonymous comments cannot be published.
Please note: following the recent issuing of the notice of election, all published comments on the council elections must now include the given name, surname and locality of the writer. Anonymous comments cannot be published.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Have your say on the future
A GREAT opportunity exists for everyone to have their say on the future shape of local government in southern Tasmania. An independent panel was established by the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority and funded by the Federal Government to review the structure, and develop options for improving the
performance, of local government. The panel has called for public submissions, commissioned surveys and spoken with mayors and general managers, political parties and peak organisations.
Last night I attended an elected members session at the Hobart Town Hall which worked through the panel's recently released options paper. This session was led by the three expert panellists - Jude Munro, Saul Eslake and Stephen Hains.
The major thrust of the options paper is "structural options" to improve local government. The four options are: Status quo (12 councils) with shared services; Single southern council; Greater Hobart council (with minimal changes to rural councils); and Reducing the 12 southern councils to five.
On first impressions, the fourth option stands out as one that could bring about improved efficiencies and reduced duplication. This view was in the minority at my table last night, with my fellow rural councillors seeming to prefer the Greater Hobart model (Option 3).
What's your opinion? Head over to the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority website and check out the proposals for yourself. The expert panel is seeking feedback and comments via the same website and all these will be considered before the final report is written.
performance, of local government. The panel has called for public submissions, commissioned surveys and spoken with mayors and general managers, political parties and peak organisations.
Last night I attended an elected members session at the Hobart Town Hall which worked through the panel's recently released options paper. This session was led by the three expert panellists - Jude Munro, Saul Eslake and Stephen Hains.
The major thrust of the options paper is "structural options" to improve local government. The four options are: Status quo (12 councils) with shared services; Single southern council; Greater Hobart council (with minimal changes to rural councils); and Reducing the 12 southern councils to five.
On first impressions, the fourth option stands out as one that could bring about improved efficiencies and reduced duplication. This view was in the minority at my table last night, with my fellow rural councillors seeming to prefer the Greater Hobart model (Option 3).
What's your opinion? Head over to the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority website and check out the proposals for yourself. The expert panel is seeking feedback and comments via the same website and all these will be considered before the final report is written.
 |
| Option 4: Reducing 12 councils to five. |
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Stark. Raving. Mad.
MORE than a decade into its failed experiment at Willow Court, the Derwent Valley Council last week decided to assume responsibility for another portfolio of surplus government buildings at New Norfolk. Without the benefit of a business plan or financial details, the council will take a two-year lease on the former Derwent Valley Business Enterprise Centre with an option to take ownership. As was the case with Willow Court, this has been done without consulting the community.
The council proposes to use the buildings for educational purposes. This is a worthy ambition and it could easily be achieved without taking on the enterprise centre buildings. The obvious solution is for the buildings to be vested in the Education Department. Unfortunately the majority of councillors opposed my proposal to have the council support the project without taking on more surplus government buildings.
One of the council's first bungles at Willow Court was its failure to appoint caretakers to ensure the security of the buildings. With this background, it is unfathomable that the council has had a hand in the eviction of the enterprise centre caretaker.
This is what I had to say when this matter was discussed at the August council meeting last Thursday night:
"Mr Mayor, it is indeed disappointing that a worthwhile project such as this has become mired in petty politics and personal attacks that have now extended to an individual being labelled as an illegal occupant.
"It does this council no credit to have been involved in a man's eviction from his home. In fact it has been that gentleman's ongoing presence at the enterprise centre that sees it in such sound condition. This is in complete contrast to the council's failure to protect Willow Court.
"I said last month that it is inconceivable that this council could consider taking on still more surplus government buildings. And I say it again. The notion is stark raving mad.
"Some councillors here continue to blame a previous mayor for the current problems at Willow Court and yet here we have a proposal to go down that road again. And, once again, there is no proposal to ask what the public might think about taking over more government buildings.
"And we are asked to make this decision without the benefit of a business plan, financial details or any kind of strategy to prevent the debacle of the Willow Court experience from being repeated at the enterprise centre.
"Mr Mayor, I am employed in an educational role and I support life-long learning. I support the use of the enterprise centre buildings for education and training and I support them being transferred to the Education Department for this purpose.
"Education is the responsibility of the State Government and this council has no need to become involved in the leasing or ownership of more buildings."
I then moved to following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Barry Lathey.
1. That Council notes the proposal for RAFT, in collaboration with its partners, to continue to work toward providing an alternative education and training venue in the buildings known as the former Business Enterprise Centre.
2. That council supports the transfer of the former Business Enterprise Centre to the Education Department for use as an education and training facility.
3. That Council supports the development of the Business Enterprise Centre for a trade training centre.
4. That the Council urge the Crown to appoint an on-site caretaker for security purposes.
This was opposed by the mayor (Cr Evans), deputy mayor (Cr Farrell MLC), and Councillors Bromfield, Graham and Hill, which resulted in its failure.
Instead, those councillors voted in favour of general manager Stephen Mackey's recommendation that:
1. Council notes and approves the proposal for RAFT, in collaboration with its partners to continue to work toward providing an alternative education and training venue in the neutral space of the buildings known as the BEC.
2. That Council supports the leasing of the Business Enterprise Centre from the Crown on a peppercorn rental for two years with the option for the property to transfer to council for nil consideration for the use as an education and training facility.
3. That Council supports the development of the Business Enterprise Centre for a Trade Training Centre subject to Council receiving a grant for this purpose.
In speaking against that recommendation, I again reminded councillors that the report failed to provide a business plan, financial details or any kind of strategy to avoid a repeat of the Willow Court debacle. Cr Bromfield acknowledged there were no financials and said former education minister Lin Thorp had stated the Education Department could not afford to take on the enterprise centre buildings. I do not believe the council can afford to do so either.
The council proposes to use the buildings for educational purposes. This is a worthy ambition and it could easily be achieved without taking on the enterprise centre buildings. The obvious solution is for the buildings to be vested in the Education Department. Unfortunately the majority of councillors opposed my proposal to have the council support the project without taking on more surplus government buildings.
One of the council's first bungles at Willow Court was its failure to appoint caretakers to ensure the security of the buildings. With this background, it is unfathomable that the council has had a hand in the eviction of the enterprise centre caretaker.
This is what I had to say when this matter was discussed at the August council meeting last Thursday night:
"Mr Mayor, it is indeed disappointing that a worthwhile project such as this has become mired in petty politics and personal attacks that have now extended to an individual being labelled as an illegal occupant.
"It does this council no credit to have been involved in a man's eviction from his home. In fact it has been that gentleman's ongoing presence at the enterprise centre that sees it in such sound condition. This is in complete contrast to the council's failure to protect Willow Court.
"I said last month that it is inconceivable that this council could consider taking on still more surplus government buildings. And I say it again. The notion is stark raving mad.
"Some councillors here continue to blame a previous mayor for the current problems at Willow Court and yet here we have a proposal to go down that road again. And, once again, there is no proposal to ask what the public might think about taking over more government buildings.
"And we are asked to make this decision without the benefit of a business plan, financial details or any kind of strategy to prevent the debacle of the Willow Court experience from being repeated at the enterprise centre.
"Mr Mayor, I am employed in an educational role and I support life-long learning. I support the use of the enterprise centre buildings for education and training and I support them being transferred to the Education Department for this purpose.
"Education is the responsibility of the State Government and this council has no need to become involved in the leasing or ownership of more buildings."
I then moved to following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Barry Lathey.
1. That Council notes the proposal for RAFT, in collaboration with its partners, to continue to work toward providing an alternative education and training venue in the buildings known as the former Business Enterprise Centre.
2. That council supports the transfer of the former Business Enterprise Centre to the Education Department for use as an education and training facility.
3. That Council supports the development of the Business Enterprise Centre for a trade training centre.
4. That the Council urge the Crown to appoint an on-site caretaker for security purposes.
This was opposed by the mayor (Cr Evans), deputy mayor (Cr Farrell MLC), and Councillors Bromfield, Graham and Hill, which resulted in its failure.
Instead, those councillors voted in favour of general manager Stephen Mackey's recommendation that:
1. Council notes and approves the proposal for RAFT, in collaboration with its partners to continue to work toward providing an alternative education and training venue in the neutral space of the buildings known as the BEC.
2. That Council supports the leasing of the Business Enterprise Centre from the Crown on a peppercorn rental for two years with the option for the property to transfer to council for nil consideration for the use as an education and training facility.
3. That Council supports the development of the Business Enterprise Centre for a Trade Training Centre subject to Council receiving a grant for this purpose.
In speaking against that recommendation, I again reminded councillors that the report failed to provide a business plan, financial details or any kind of strategy to avoid a repeat of the Willow Court debacle. Cr Bromfield acknowledged there were no financials and said former education minister Lin Thorp had stated the Education Department could not afford to take on the enterprise centre buildings. I do not believe the council can afford to do so either.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Council budget 2011-12
DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE
DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL STRIKES RATES FOR 2011-2012
Friday 24th June 2011
Derwent Valley Council last night held its final budget meeting to set rates and finalise budget priorities for the coming financial year.
“Council is pleased to say that it’s been able to keep rate increases to a modest 3.3% in line with CPI increases, this is one of the smallest increases in the state this year.
“We did this because as a Council we recognise that there are many households under cost of living pressures, increased power bills and the like. However this will mean that there are some projects that we can not fund this financial year and there is little room for additional spending”, Mayor Martyn Evans said.
Rate increases this year coincide with revaluations of properties in the Derwent Valley, through the State Government and the independent Valuer-General’s Department. The majority of properties have had a significant increase in value this year.
“The re-valuation of properties will have an impact on rate rises for some ratepayers.
There will be a redistribution of the rates as a result of the revaluation, and some ratepayers will pay more, while a lucky few will pay a little less. “However across the board there is no bonus in rates revenue for the Council”, said Mayor Evans.
Derwent Valley Council is one of the few councils in Tasmania to ask for submissions from residents for items to be included in the budget.
“This year Council received 13 submissions, and we have been able to include 7 of those in this year’s budget, including:
- Provision of wheelchair accessability at Malbina Cemetary
- Some funding for the Bushy Park Hall
- Some funding for the Magra Fire Station and Hall.
“There were many worthy submissions, but unfortunately because of budget pressures we were not able to include all submissions in this year’s budget.
“I would like to thank everyone who took the time to make a submission, and now that the budget has been finalised Council will notify people of the outcome of their submission,” Martyn Evans said.
For the first time, Derwent Valley Council will impose a minimum general rate on all properties. This falls in line with most other councils around the State and at $225 is much less than that of most councils.
“This minimum rate affects very few properties in the municipality, and is part of our ongoing process to ensure that all property owners contribute to the well being of the area,” Mayor Evans said.
People who would like details of specific parts of the budget should contact the Derwent Valley Council.
“Setting the budget and rates for the coming year is always a challenge, there are a lot of competing ideas and projects, and we have some vigorous discussions around what can be funded.
“I’d like to thank my fellow councillors for their input and time in this process, and council staff for the hard work and preparation they put into the background work,” Mayor Evans concluded.
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