What would you like to see in the council budget?

THE council is once again inviting written submissions for the council budget for the next financial year.  

Written submissions will be received until the close of business on April 10, 2017, and these can be forwarded to dvcouncil@dvc.tas.gov.au to be considered prior to the adoption of the council's budget for 2017/18.

Free vaccinations

THE council offers free influenza vaccinations for the following people:

• Those aged six months and over with conditions predisposing to severe illness following influenza infection; 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over;
• All adults aged 65 and older.

Free vaccinations against shingles are also available for people 79 years of age. 

The next immunisation session will be held on Wednesday 26 April at 2.30pm at the Derwent Valley Council social rooms, Circle St, New Norfolk. Bookings are essential and must be made prior to April 7. 

The council also offers free immunisation sessions at the Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre, 52 Blair St, New Norfolk, at 1pm on on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Vaccines available include:

• Immunisation Schedule - (Birth to Four Years);
• School program catch ups;
• Whooping Cough vaccine for all pregnant women in their third trimester (from 28 weeks gestation). Bookings essential. 

For more information contact the council's immunisation co-coordinators on 6261 8530.

See you at Maydena

THIS month's meeting of the Derwent Valley Council will be held at the Maydena Community Hall (behind the old primary school) this Thursday. A community forum will be held at 6.30pm, providing an informal opportunity for residents and ratepayers to ask questions or raise matters of concern.

The council meeting will follow at 7pm. The agenda can be downloaded here. Please join us - and if you would like any assistance or information about the meeting, please do get in touch.

The council has also organised for representatives of the Dirt Art organisation to brief the local community on the Maydena Bike Park project at 5.30pm this Thursday. This will also be held in the community hall and all are welcome.

 The council meeting roster for the rest of the year is as follows:

• April 20, 2017 (New Norfolk, 6.30pm)
• May 18, 2017 (Lachlan - community forum at 6.30pm, council meeting at 7pm)
• June 15, 2017 (New Norfolk, 6.30pm)
• July 20, 2017 (New Norfolk, 6.30pm)
• August 17, 2017 (New Norfolk, 6.30pm)
• September 21, 2017 (Bushy Park - community forum 6.30pm, council meeting at 7pm)
• October 19, 2017 (New Norfolk, 6.30pm)
• November 16, 2017 (New Norfolk, 6.30pm)
• December 14, 2017 (New Norfolk, including AGM)

It's your money

THE big crowd that turned up to this month's council meeting heard more than they were expecting during their short stay. All but two of the people in the packed public gallery were there specifically to hear about the new dog management policy - in particular where dogs will be allowed to exercise in future - and most left once that matter was dealt with.

But before we made it that far into the agenda, one of my councillor colleagues drew attention to an unusual transaction in the monthly financial report. This turned out to be a $100,000 interest-free loan from the council to a community group, advanced several months ago without a council decision and known only to a few.

This loan was startling both for having occurred in the first place, and also for the apparent lack of concern it caused many of your elected members. Those present also heard that a personal loan had been provided to an elected member from ratepayer funds. It's bad enough that we are a cash-strapped council unable to do everything expected of us, but loans provided without the endorsement of a council meeting are another thing altogether.

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 $1000.

The closing date for applications is November 30, 2016. Application packages can be collected from the Derwent Valley Council offices, Circle St, New Norfolk, or downloaded.

Opening of swimming seaon

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE

Opening of Swimming Pool Season

29 September 2016

The Derwent Valley Mayor Martyn Evans announced that Mr Tai Youd had been appointed to operate both the New Norfolk Swimming Pool and the Bushy Park War Memorial Swimming Pool.

This year the Council reviewed the operating conditions for the pool contracts and invited Expressions of Interest closing in early September, said Mayor Evans. Following an assessment of the submissions received the previous operator of the New Norfolk Swimming Pool had been awarded both contracts.

The season for the New Norfolk Swimming Pool will commence on 10 October 2016 and conclude in March 2017. It is anticipated to commence the Bushy Park War Memorial Swimming Pool operations in November 2016 and conclude in March 2017.

Mayor Evans also indicated that the Council that a facilities review is to be undertaken by the Council to consider the operational efficiencies and strategic direction for a number of Council owned facilities including these swimming pools.

Authorised for general media distribution by Greg Winton, General Manager, Derwent
Valley Council on 29 September 2016.

Council audit panel inaugurated

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE
 
Audit Panel Inaugural Meeting Held

23 September 2016

Mayor Martyn Evans announced that the inaugural meeting of the Derwent Valley Council Audit Panel was held on Tuesday 20 September 2016. Membership of the committee comprises of:-

• Mr Robert Hogan, Chairman
• Mr Gary McCarthy
• Councillor James Graham
• Councillor Julie Triffett

In March 2016 the Council invited expressions of interest for membership of the panel. Following the review of the expressions of interest received, the Council appointed Councillor James Graham and Councillor Julie Triffett to the committee. In addition the Council also determined the following persons to be appointed as independent parties.

Mr Robert Hogan retired after over 14 years as Waverley Council’s Divisional Manager of Governance and Integrated Planning in New South Wales. Up until July 2013 he was a member, and chair, of Audit Committees for the Boorowa, Cowra, Harden and Young Councils in New South Wales. Mr Hogan is currently a member of a number of Tasmanian council Audit Panels.

Mr Gary McCarthy is a successful executive with operational, business development and commercial experience, most recently through a large Government Business Enterprise. Mr McCarthy has a strong analytical focus and 14 years experiences as a finance executive, across a wide range of businesses.

Authorised for general media distribution by Greg Winton, General Manager, Derwent Valley Council on 23 September 2016.