THOSE planter boxes in Burnett St, New Norfolk, have been the talk of the town (and beyond) for nearly 18 months now. Other than one anonymous comment on this blog, I have not heard one person express their satisfaction with the Burnett St makeover. This is not an invitation for a flurry of anonymous posts supporting the planter boxes. If you do support them and want the street left as it is, I'll gladly report this to the next council meeting as your elected representative - provided you email your remarks to me at keepdamohonest@gmail.com, including your actual name and address for verification on the Electoral Roll. Anonymous posts to my blog will not be considered.
The following is the text of my written report to last week's council meeting:
PLANTER BOXES
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval from Council for an investigation into the feasibility of relocating and replacing the Burnett Street planter boxes during the forthcoming Burnett St resurfacing works.
In late August and early September 2008, Council implemented the Burnett Street component of the “Main Street Makeover Project” managed by Valley Vision. This saw the construction of cement plinths at intervals along the length of the street and the subsequent installation of large square planter boxes, into which were planted ornamental pear trees.
The intent of the project was to beautify the street by a continuation of the existing tree-lined The Avenue. Unforeseen issues with the project have turned an apparently large section of the community against the planter boxes.
These issues have included:
• Reduced sight-lines for turning/entering vehicles
• Traffic hazards
• Damage to vehicles and the boxes themselves
• Graffiti
• Pedestrian safety due to the height of the boxes
• Patches in the road where planter boxes have been removed
• Damage to the roadway due to traffic being shifted onto the side surfaces which had been constructed for parking (not heavy traffic)
• Twice-daily watering required due to the boxes having a solid foundation.
The planter boxes were a major issue during the recent council election campaign, with frequent calls for their removal. The main issue of concern appears to have been the placement of the boxes (and their large stature) into the middle of the road rather than at the edges of the carriageway.
I suggest the following for councillors’ consideration:
That the appropriate council staff investigate:
• the incorporating of the relocation and replacement of the planter boxes into the forthcoming resurfacing of Burnett St.
• the removal and storage of the planter boxes for re-use.
• The replanting of the trees into circular pots (such as an up-ended concrete pipe of suitable diameter).
• The installation of the circular pots in the ground if it can be shown this will not result in future root-damage to the road surface.
• The installation of the circular pots at the edge of the road, straddling the footpath and the carriageway.
• The cost of the above proposals.
• The total number of trees available for planting/replanting.
• The impact of this proposal on the grant funds originally received for the project.
There merit in the original proposal to beautify the streetscape in Burnett Street and there is much to be gained from modifying the work already done, rather than disposing of it altogether or maintaining its current unpopular configuration.
If you would like to read what other councillors had to say about this idea, head over to the New Norfolk News.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Willow Court - the future
I SINCERELY thank my council colleagues for their support of three motions I put forward at this week's monthly meeting. I'll report on each of those motions in the next few days, and will start with Willow Court.
Now three months into my four-year term on council, I brought forward this suggestion after spending quite some time trying to adapt an earlier Willow Court grant application in order to make it suitable for a now-closed Federal funding scheme. Unfortunately, many of the documents required for a such a grant were simply not available to us as a council. This included a Business Plan for Willow Court, which is an essential component of almost any grant application.
As council staff are already fully engaged in their daily duties, I proposed that the Council engage someone for three months to consolidate the existing plans, update them where necessary, and to fill the gaps by developing the plans which are lacking. I respect that some will disagree with this type of expenditure, perhaps in the vicinity of $20,000, but I cannot see any alternative, and it is our stated intention to move ahead with Willow Court without delay.
The following is the text of my report to the council meeting.
Willow Court Project Management Consolidation
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval from Council for the engagement of a consultant or contractor on a three-month term to consolidate all plans, reports and documents relating to the Willow Court Barracks Precinct; to develop a business plan for the Barracks Precinct; and to create a development strategy for the precinct.
The recent resignation of the council’s economic development staff at Valley Vision has created a need for the temporary employment of a consultant or contractor to consolidate the many studies, plans and reports relating to the Willow Court site.
In particular, a comprehensive Business Plan is required. This document would improve Council’s chances of obtaining suitable grant funds for the development of the historic site.
The essential duties would include:
• consolidating all plans, reports, studies and documents relating to the Willow Court Barracks Precinct
• developing a comprehensive business plan for the Barracks Precinct
• creating a step-by-step development strategy to have the Barracks open to visitors as soon as possible; and the ongoing development of the remainder of the precinct (Frescati, Bronte, Carlton and Alonnah Houses)
• making a recommendation about the future employment requirements of the precinct
• making a start on the development strategy, once approved by Council, in any time remaining
A comprehensive Business Plan and Development Strategy are essential components of any future grant application or request for government or corporate support. An updated Development Strategy will also provide Council with the necessary directions to undertake a step-by-step development of the site in the event major funding is not immediately forthcoming.
Applicants for the position should have:
• A passion for the site
• A proven track record
• Excellent time-management skills
• An ability to quickly but thoroughly review and prioritise existing plans and reports etc
• A demonstrated ability to produce Business Plans and Development Strategies
• A commitment to the Derwent Valley
The three-month contract could be funded from the Royal Derwent Hospital (Willow Court) Reserve Fund.
So, that was my report. Again, I thank my fellow councillors for offering their unanimous support. I look forward to seeing the position filled as soon as possible.
If you would like to read what other councillors had to say about this idea, head over to the New Norfolk News.
Now three months into my four-year term on council, I brought forward this suggestion after spending quite some time trying to adapt an earlier Willow Court grant application in order to make it suitable for a now-closed Federal funding scheme. Unfortunately, many of the documents required for a such a grant were simply not available to us as a council. This included a Business Plan for Willow Court, which is an essential component of almost any grant application.
As council staff are already fully engaged in their daily duties, I proposed that the Council engage someone for three months to consolidate the existing plans, update them where necessary, and to fill the gaps by developing the plans which are lacking. I respect that some will disagree with this type of expenditure, perhaps in the vicinity of $20,000, but I cannot see any alternative, and it is our stated intention to move ahead with Willow Court without delay.
The following is the text of my report to the council meeting.
Willow Court Project Management Consolidation
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval from Council for the engagement of a consultant or contractor on a three-month term to consolidate all plans, reports and documents relating to the Willow Court Barracks Precinct; to develop a business plan for the Barracks Precinct; and to create a development strategy for the precinct.
The recent resignation of the council’s economic development staff at Valley Vision has created a need for the temporary employment of a consultant or contractor to consolidate the many studies, plans and reports relating to the Willow Court site.
In particular, a comprehensive Business Plan is required. This document would improve Council’s chances of obtaining suitable grant funds for the development of the historic site.
The essential duties would include:
• consolidating all plans, reports, studies and documents relating to the Willow Court Barracks Precinct
• developing a comprehensive business plan for the Barracks Precinct
• creating a step-by-step development strategy to have the Barracks open to visitors as soon as possible; and the ongoing development of the remainder of the precinct (Frescati, Bronte, Carlton and Alonnah Houses)
• making a recommendation about the future employment requirements of the precinct
• making a start on the development strategy, once approved by Council, in any time remaining
A comprehensive Business Plan and Development Strategy are essential components of any future grant application or request for government or corporate support. An updated Development Strategy will also provide Council with the necessary directions to undertake a step-by-step development of the site in the event major funding is not immediately forthcoming.
Applicants for the position should have:
• A passion for the site
• A proven track record
• Excellent time-management skills
• An ability to quickly but thoroughly review and prioritise existing plans and reports etc
• A demonstrated ability to produce Business Plans and Development Strategies
• A commitment to the Derwent Valley
The three-month contract could be funded from the Royal Derwent Hospital (Willow Court) Reserve Fund.
So, that was my report. Again, I thank my fellow councillors for offering their unanimous support. I look forward to seeing the position filled as soon as possible.
If you would like to read what other councillors had to say about this idea, head over to the New Norfolk News.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Cup Of Tea, A Bex and A Good Lie Down
MY planned friendly jibe at Councillor Elliott's "dress code" remarks fell flat when Jim turned out to be an apology for tonight's council meeting. All councilmen wore ties with the exception of Deputy Mayor Farrell who dispensed with his when he noticed Cr Elliott's empty seat, and Cr Graham was again wearing his kilt, sporran and dinner-shirt ensemble.
It was a most productive meeting, with all councillors (and a gallery of 11 onlookers) in good humour. This was especially evident when all present kindly forgave my confusion over which item I was debating at one stage. This was particularly embarrassing because I had got myself into a muddle over one of my own motions. It reminded me that the same thing occasionally happened to my friend and former councillor Richard Parker, so it can't be all bad.
So, instead of giving you a council report tonight, I'm going to get myself a "Cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down"... and perhaps watch what looks like an interesting Canadian movie on SBS, or perhaps another episode of Battlestar Gallactica on DVD :-)
It was a most productive meeting, with all councillors (and a gallery of 11 onlookers) in good humour. This was especially evident when all present kindly forgave my confusion over which item I was debating at one stage. This was particularly embarrassing because I had got myself into a muddle over one of my own motions. It reminded me that the same thing occasionally happened to my friend and former councillor Richard Parker, so it can't be all bad.
So, instead of giving you a council report tonight, I'm going to get myself a "Cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down"... and perhaps watch what looks like an interesting Canadian movie on SBS, or perhaps another episode of Battlestar Gallactica on DVD :-)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Bester backflip?
READER Pauline asks whether I have done a backflip on the issue of the sale of the buildings arround the oval at Willow Court.
1. I am informed that at the November Council Meeting you called for the buildings around the oval not to be sold. In a recent addition of the Gazette you are quoted as saying something like let's sell the buildings for community benefit. Is the quote correct and secondly how do you justify this backflip in such a short space of time? Please specify the Community benefits which apparently are now available however were not available in November?
2. You have made several statements about the importance of community consultation. I can only assume that you consulted with local residents when you called for not selling the buildings.
Please describe how you consulted with those same people when you did your backflip?
Please explain..
In your first paragraph of Free Speech you claim that you have published all blogs without fear or favour. Given the conversations on your site this afternoon and your backflip on the buildings around the oval how are we to believe that you have published all postings in the past?
Firstly, welcome Pauline and thanks for your question. As a general remark to all readers, don't rely on what others tell you I have said (or even what it says in the Gazette), come along to a council meeting or workshop and hear it first-hand for yourself. As my colleague Cr James Graham used to say, "Get amongst it". Most of my remarks at council meetings are considered and prepared in advance, and are posted afterwards on this blog, so there is no need to depend on hearsay.
On to the answers to Pauline's questions.
1. At my first council meeting, in late November, I had this to say about the buildings next to the Oval (or read the whole thing here): I do not support the desire to sell the buildings known as Derwent, Esperance, Bronte and Glenora, but if I lose that argument we must ensure that the associated car parks are not sold. We must not get ourselves into a repeat of the ridiculous sale of roads and footpaths on the site.
1a. I do not have the relevant issue of the Gazette handy, but it quoted me from my blog where I commented on the decision to seek tenders for the sale of the oval, with or without the buildings: Personally I am not in favour of selling any part of Willow Court, but it is clear that the funds raised from any sale will help to preserve and promote the real gem of that site, our barrack square. Further on I wrote: "I successfully gained agreement that the car park on The Avenue not be offered for sale" and "The Willow Court conservation management plan says the buildings known as Derwent, Esperance, Glenora and Franklin Houses cannot be demolished (some councillors thought they could be pulled down)."
To address your final point, I am not obliged to publish any person's comments on my blog, but I do so in nearly every circumstance. This has been adequately discussed already. My comments policy is far broader than that employed by the Mercury and the Gazette, and on the subject of the Gazette, how many Letters to the Editor have you seen published in it lately?
I say in all sincerity that I value your comments and questions, even more so because you have been prepared to at least provide your given name in this case. If you see me around I hope that you will make yourself known to me, so I can say: "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Pauline." If there are any matters I can assist you with, please email me on keepdamohonest@gmail.com
Cheers to all readers,
Damian
2. You have made several statements about the importance of community consultation. I can only assume that you consulted with local residents when you called for not selling the buildings.
Please describe how you consulted with those same people when you did your backflip?
Please explain..
In your first paragraph of Free Speech you claim that you have published all blogs without fear or favour. Given the conversations on your site this afternoon and your backflip on the buildings around the oval how are we to believe that you have published all postings in the past?
Firstly, welcome Pauline and thanks for your question. As a general remark to all readers, don't rely on what others tell you I have said (or even what it says in the Gazette), come along to a council meeting or workshop and hear it first-hand for yourself. As my colleague Cr James Graham used to say, "Get amongst it". Most of my remarks at council meetings are considered and prepared in advance, and are posted afterwards on this blog, so there is no need to depend on hearsay.
On to the answers to Pauline's questions.
1. At my first council meeting, in late November, I had this to say about the buildings next to the Oval (or read the whole thing here): I do not support the desire to sell the buildings known as Derwent, Esperance, Bronte and Glenora, but if I lose that argument we must ensure that the associated car parks are not sold. We must not get ourselves into a repeat of the ridiculous sale of roads and footpaths on the site.
1a. I do not have the relevant issue of the Gazette handy, but it quoted me from my blog where I commented on the decision to seek tenders for the sale of the oval, with or without the buildings: Personally I am not in favour of selling any part of Willow Court, but it is clear that the funds raised from any sale will help to preserve and promote the real gem of that site, our barrack square. Further on I wrote: "I successfully gained agreement that the car park on The Avenue not be offered for sale" and "The Willow Court conservation management plan says the buildings known as Derwent, Esperance, Glenora and Franklin Houses cannot be demolished (some councillors thought they could be pulled down)."
2. I have not performed a backflip. My position on the sale of the buildings has not changed and I continue to speak in exactly the same way. The problem is that I have not been successful in convincing enough councillors to vote my way in this matter. Even so, at this stage the council has not decided to sell the buildings, only to seek tenders. When the council meets to consider any offers, I will continue to say that I do not wish to see those buildings sold.
2a. I consider myself to be in a constant state of community consultation, whether it be through my advertising in the Derwent Valley Gazette, this blog, via email, by telephone, in the street, in a shop or cafe or anywhere else. I believe I can safely say that I consult more widely than almost any other councillor with the probable exception of Cr Scott Shaw. Indeed, which other councillors have provided an opportunity for comment or questions in the way I have?
I say in all sincerity that I value your comments and questions, even more so because you have been prepared to at least provide your given name in this case. If you see me around I hope that you will make yourself known to me, so I can say: "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Pauline." If there are any matters I can assist you with, please email me on keepdamohonest@gmail.com
Cheers to all readers,
Damian
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I love free speech
LIKE George W. Bush, I love free speech. It is an integral part of our democracy. My recent post "Council starts making Friends" has drawn a diverse range of opinions and I have delighted in reading and posting them all. And I have published them without fear or favour, without alteration or editing of any kind, and I have refrained from commenting on people's personal opinions.
Unfortunately several anonymous respondents have today commenced making reference to my mother. I can assure all readers that the writer "E.F.B." is not my mother, nor even a relative, which is unusual in the Derwent Valley. My mother's initials are J.M.B. and while she once purchased an overlocker on eBay, I do not believe she is a blogger.
My mother has committed no offence other than giving birth to an opinionated son and I will not tolerate nor publish any further derogatory references to her.
The intemperate remarks of many of the anonymous posters reflects my view that the past failures of the council and Valley Vision have driven a wedge between many in the Derwent Valley and caused good people to trade insults with one another.
I am looking forward to working with any person wanting to develop Willow Court and advance the Derwent Valley. What say you?
Unfortunately several anonymous respondents have today commenced making reference to my mother. I can assure all readers that the writer "E.F.B." is not my mother, nor even a relative, which is unusual in the Derwent Valley. My mother's initials are J.M.B. and while she once purchased an overlocker on eBay, I do not believe she is a blogger.
My mother has committed no offence other than giving birth to an opinionated son and I will not tolerate nor publish any further derogatory references to her.
The intemperate remarks of many of the anonymous posters reflects my view that the past failures of the council and Valley Vision have driven a wedge between many in the Derwent Valley and caused good people to trade insults with one another.
I am looking forward to working with any person wanting to develop Willow Court and advance the Derwent Valley. What say you?
You are warmly invited...
THE monthly Derwent Valley Council meeting will be held this Thursday (January 21) at 6.30pm in the New Norfolk Courthouse. The meeting is open to the public and I look forward to seeing you there. At the start of each monthly meeting there is time for members of the public to ask questions of the council and I encourage everyone to take up this opportunity. If I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to send me an email at keepdamohonest@gmail.com
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Council starts making Friends
THE first steps towards establishing a Friends of Willow Court group were taken tonight when the Derwent Valley Council sat down with the Willow Court working party for fruitful discussions. The meeting was a result of a motion I put to last month's council meeting, calling on the council to formalise its relationship with the working party by recognising it as a special advisory committee.
My colleague Councillor Judy Bromfield suggested the alternative of asking the working party to become a Friends group, and Mayor Martyn Evans made the necessary arrangements for tonight's meeting to discuss the matter.
Members of the working party will meet on Monday night to discuss terms of reference for the proposed Friends of Willow Court and I wish them well.
My colleague Councillor Judy Bromfield suggested the alternative of asking the working party to become a Friends group, and Mayor Martyn Evans made the necessary arrangements for tonight's meeting to discuss the matter.
Members of the working party will meet on Monday night to discuss terms of reference for the proposed Friends of Willow Court and I wish them well.
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