THERE can be no doubt that the council and our community have reached a crisis point in the long-running saga of Willow Court. In response to the disastrous loss of F Ward in a suspicious fire, I have proposed the following motions for the monthly council meeting this Thursday. Your feedback is welcome and I encourage you to make your feelings known to your other councillors.
1. That this council proceed immediately with the installation of permanent security fencing around Wards D, E, F and G at Willow Court.
1a. That council make urgent application to the State and Federal Government for sundry grants to contribute towards the cost of fencing Wards D, E, F and G.
2. That this council proceed immediately to expand the fenced enclosure around Frescati to include the house garden area, including the pond and hedge, and the installation of electronic security inside the fenced area.
2a. That council make urgent application to the State and Federal Government for sundry grants to contribute towards the cost of expanding the fenced area around Frescati and electronic security.
2b. That council develop procedures with the Friends of Frescati to ensure their continued access to the site.
3. That this council take immediate steps to bring to a speedy conclusion the protracted negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Government for the development and protection of the Willow Court historic site.
4. That this council issue a general apology for its comprehensive failure to protect and develop the Willow Court historic site over the last decade, resulting in the vandalising of all buildings in its care and the complete destruction of one.
4a. That the apology be published as a media release issued by the mayor, as a public notice in a daily newspaper circulating in Tasmania and in a prominent position on the council website.
5. That this council note and apologise for its failure to implement decisions about Willow Court in a timely manner.
6. That this council apologise to its ratepayers for the burden placed upon them by its failure to address the Willow Court issues for the last 10 years, including the loss of grant funds and the poor management of several million dollars.
7. That this council congratulate the owners of parts of the site who have successfully protected and developed the parts of the site they are responsible for; and pledge to work co-operatively with them from this point forward.
8. That this council thank those members of the community who have volunteered their time to work on the site in the last decade and develop procedures to work more effectively with those community members from this point forward.
9. That this council make contact with Malcolm McDonald to obtain an estimate of the cost for him to source grants in accordance with the McDonald Report.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
February advertisement
BELOW is my latest councillor update, published in the Derwent Valley Gazette on February 22, 2012.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
January questions
MINUTES of the council's January meeting have been posted on the council website after being ratified at the February meeting last week. Here are the topics I raised during "questions without notice" at the end of the January meeting.
Mr Mayor, I was in the minority last year when this council rejected a proposal for a men’s shed and women’s shed to be established at the former business enterprise centre. At what meeting did this council subsequently decide it would support a community shed being established at the same location?
Answer: The mayor advised that he would have to check this.
Mr Mayor, I was once again in the minority last year when this council rejected a proposal to have aged pensioners living at the former business enterprise centre. Did I miss the council meeting where it was decided to have backpackers living there?
Answer: The mayor advised that there was no decision of Council and approval had been made by council staff.
Mr Mayor, why have you not seen fit to brief councillors on the accommodating of fruit pickers at the council’s education park?
Answer: The mayor advised that he had spoken to some growers about accommodation shortage. He did not consult with councillors as he saw it more relevant to provide the needed accommodation.
Mr Mayor, do you believe it is appropriate for this council to go into business in opposition to accommodation providers?
Answer: The mayor advised that the demand for the accommodation was greater than what was available.
Mr Mayor, at last month’s meeting I requested an update of the Willow Court financials. This was done within days and I received my copy in the first mail after Christmas. Would you please thank the accountant for his prompt attention to this matter?
Answer: The mayor thanked the accountant Mr Bradley for his promptness.
Mr Mayor, will you provide an update on your search for a tunnel beneath Burnett St?
Answer: The mayor provided Councillors with an update on his research into the tunnels.
Mr Mayor, I was in the minority last year when this council rejected a proposal for a men’s shed and women’s shed to be established at the former business enterprise centre. At what meeting did this council subsequently decide it would support a community shed being established at the same location?
Answer: The mayor advised that he would have to check this.
Mr Mayor, I was once again in the minority last year when this council rejected a proposal to have aged pensioners living at the former business enterprise centre. Did I miss the council meeting where it was decided to have backpackers living there?
Answer: The mayor advised that there was no decision of Council and approval had been made by council staff.
Mr Mayor, why have you not seen fit to brief councillors on the accommodating of fruit pickers at the council’s education park?
Answer: The mayor advised that he had spoken to some growers about accommodation shortage. He did not consult with councillors as he saw it more relevant to provide the needed accommodation.
Mr Mayor, do you believe it is appropriate for this council to go into business in opposition to accommodation providers?
Answer: The mayor advised that the demand for the accommodation was greater than what was available.
Mr Mayor, at last month’s meeting I requested an update of the Willow Court financials. This was done within days and I received my copy in the first mail after Christmas. Would you please thank the accountant for his prompt attention to this matter?
Answer: The mayor thanked the accountant Mr Bradley for his promptness.
Mr Mayor, will you provide an update on your search for a tunnel beneath Burnett St?
Answer: The mayor provided Councillors with an update on his research into the tunnels.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
February council meeting
THE Bushy Park War Memorial Swimming Pool Hall will be the venue for the February council meeting this Thursday (February 16). The evening will start with a community forum at 5.45pm, prior to the formal meeting at 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
This year the council will increase the number of meetings it holds outside New Norfolk. At the first meeting after last year's election, councillors endorsed my proposal that the council hold an extra "country" meeting each year, in order to visit Granton, Molesworth Lachlan, Bushy Park, Westerway and Maydena at least once in every two-year council term. Previously it took three years to complete the cycle.
Ordinary council meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month unless noted otherwise. Meetings are generally held at the Court House, Circle St, New Norfolk, at 6.30pm. Special meetings are held as required. All meetings must be advertised in a daily newspaper and the public is invited to attend in most circumstances. Agendas and minutes are available online and at the council office.
This is the roster for the rest of this year:
February 16: Bushy Park, with community forum at 5.45pm
March 15: New Norfolk
April 19: New Norfolk
May 17: Westerway, with community forum at 5.45pm
June 21: New Norfolk
July 19: New Norfolk
August 16: New Norfolk
September 20: New Norfolk
October 18: Granton, with community forum at 5.45pm
November 15: New Norfok
December 20: New Norfolk
This year the council will increase the number of meetings it holds outside New Norfolk. At the first meeting after last year's election, councillors endorsed my proposal that the council hold an extra "country" meeting each year, in order to visit Granton, Molesworth Lachlan, Bushy Park, Westerway and Maydena at least once in every two-year council term. Previously it took three years to complete the cycle.
Ordinary council meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month unless noted otherwise. Meetings are generally held at the Court House, Circle St, New Norfolk, at 6.30pm. Special meetings are held as required. All meetings must be advertised in a daily newspaper and the public is invited to attend in most circumstances. Agendas and minutes are available online and at the council office.
This is the roster for the rest of this year:
February 16: Bushy Park, with community forum at 5.45pm
March 15: New Norfolk
April 19: New Norfolk
May 17: Westerway, with community forum at 5.45pm
June 21: New Norfolk
July 19: New Norfolk
August 16: New Norfolk
September 20: New Norfolk
October 18: Granton, with community forum at 5.45pm
November 15: New Norfok
December 20: New Norfolk
December questions
THESE are the topics I raised as "Questions Without Notice" at the December council meeting. Sorry about the delay in posting them here. The complete minutes of that meeting can be read on the council website here.
Mr Mayor: Can you provide an update on the search for information about the tunnel beneath Burnett St?
The Mayor advised that he had requested council meeting minutes from the Tasmanian archives.
Mr Mayor: Will you request an update of the Royal Derwent Hospital Reserve financial report to the end of the 2011 calendar year?
The Mayor advised that he would.
Mr Mayor: Does this Council provide an award at Claremont College's annual presentations?
The Mayor advised that Council does not provide an award to Claremont College but said it was something to be considered.
Mr Mayor: Can you provide an update on the search for information about the tunnel beneath Burnett St?
The Mayor advised that he had requested council meeting minutes from the Tasmanian archives.
Mr Mayor: Will you request an update of the Royal Derwent Hospital Reserve financial report to the end of the 2011 calendar year?
The Mayor advised that he would.
Mr Mayor: Does this Council provide an award at Claremont College's annual presentations?
The Mayor advised that Council does not provide an award to Claremont College but said it was something to be considered.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Council newsletter online
THE Derwent Valley Council has recently issued its latest newsletter. Click here to download a copy.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
November questions
MINUTES of the council's November meeting have been posted on the council website after being ratified at the December meeting last week. Here are the topics I raised during questions without notice.
Mr Mayor: What is this Council’s policy regarding the removal of scrap material from the Peppermint Hill tip?
The Works Manager advised that when metal is disposed of at the tip it becomes council property and cannot be removed unless under an authorised contract.
Mr Mayor: Have expressions of interest or similar been sought for the removal of salvageable metal from the
Peppermint Hill tip?
The General Manager advised that council currently has an agreement with one person and that tip operations were going to be discussed at a council workshop.
Mr Mayor: What is the status of the contract for the removal of recyclable materials from the Peppermint Hill tip?
The General Manager advised that this is the issue that needs discussion, at a workshop, as the contract has technically expired.
Mr Mayor: Tonight’s meeting is the second anniversary of the council decision to conduct an analysis of the Royal Derwent Hospital Development Reserve financial report. This is not the first time I have reminded the council of this decision. Why have you as mayor failed to call the necessary meeting to conduct that review?
The Mayor advised that the Accountant had prepared the report but some people are no longer employed. The General Manager advised that he would talk to the Accountant. The Mayor advised that he had not called a meeting as it could be reviewed at the next monthly meeting.
Mr Mayor: It has been reported in the media that the latest fire at Royal Derwent Hospital will not be investigated because the owner has not made a complaint. Will you make the necessary complaint and have yesterday’s Ward 1 fire investigated?
The Mayor advised that he cannot make a complaint because it is not his property and is in independent ownership. He will talk to the owner and will contact the police sergeant.
Mr Mayor: Do you find it acceptable that a major fire in this town will not be investigated?
The Mayor advised that he did not think it acceptable.
Mr Mayor – It has been this council’s practice to debate and vote on the agenda of each LGAT meeting. Why was this practice not observed with respect to yesterday’s meeting?
The Mayor said that he made the decision not to have a Special Meeting of Council due to the timing of the certificate of election. The practice will continue where LGAT agendas will be brought before Council.
Mr Mayor – Do you believe there is a convict tunnel beneath New Norfolk?
The Mayor said he believed there may be a hole under the street and he would like to think there is a tunnel for the benefit of tourism.
Mr Mayor – What action have you taken to ensure a proper investigation of the supposed existence of a tunnel beneath New Norfolk?
The Mayor said he is investigating the existence of a tunnel through discussions with Mr Carlton Dixon.
Mr Mayor: What is this Council’s policy regarding the removal of scrap material from the Peppermint Hill tip?
The Works Manager advised that when metal is disposed of at the tip it becomes council property and cannot be removed unless under an authorised contract.
Mr Mayor: Have expressions of interest or similar been sought for the removal of salvageable metal from the
Peppermint Hill tip?
The General Manager advised that council currently has an agreement with one person and that tip operations were going to be discussed at a council workshop.
Mr Mayor: What is the status of the contract for the removal of recyclable materials from the Peppermint Hill tip?
The General Manager advised that this is the issue that needs discussion, at a workshop, as the contract has technically expired.
Mr Mayor: Tonight’s meeting is the second anniversary of the council decision to conduct an analysis of the Royal Derwent Hospital Development Reserve financial report. This is not the first time I have reminded the council of this decision. Why have you as mayor failed to call the necessary meeting to conduct that review?
The Mayor advised that the Accountant had prepared the report but some people are no longer employed. The General Manager advised that he would talk to the Accountant. The Mayor advised that he had not called a meeting as it could be reviewed at the next monthly meeting.
Mr Mayor: It has been reported in the media that the latest fire at Royal Derwent Hospital will not be investigated because the owner has not made a complaint. Will you make the necessary complaint and have yesterday’s Ward 1 fire investigated?
The Mayor advised that he cannot make a complaint because it is not his property and is in independent ownership. He will talk to the owner and will contact the police sergeant.
Mr Mayor: Do you find it acceptable that a major fire in this town will not be investigated?
The Mayor advised that he did not think it acceptable.
Mr Mayor – It has been this council’s practice to debate and vote on the agenda of each LGAT meeting. Why was this practice not observed with respect to yesterday’s meeting?
The Mayor said that he made the decision not to have a Special Meeting of Council due to the timing of the certificate of election. The practice will continue where LGAT agendas will be brought before Council.
Mr Mayor – Do you believe there is a convict tunnel beneath New Norfolk?
The Mayor said he believed there may be a hole under the street and he would like to think there is a tunnel for the benefit of tourism.
Mr Mayor – What action have you taken to ensure a proper investigation of the supposed existence of a tunnel beneath New Norfolk?
The Mayor said he is investigating the existence of a tunnel through discussions with Mr Carlton Dixon.
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