FREE JANUARY 2021 New Recreation Facility for George Town ABOVE: Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer MP and George Town Council General Manager Shane Power test the new flying fox George Town’s Regent Square recently The playground is just a portion of the wid- Member for Bass, Bridget Archer con- The next stage will consist of improving the completed stage two, of the $2.45 million er re-developments planned for the area and firmed that the play space cost around $600 toddlers play area and parking. dollar re-development project funded by the was completed just in time for the school thousand dollars and was “a show piece of Government, with stage one being complet- holidays. George Town”. Read More on Page 7 ed some time ago. Pump Track gets tick of approval from local youth “Legana residents have been asking us for with the first pump track in our municipal- a youth space as the suburb continues to ity to satisfy the increasing popularity of expand, so we consulted with the young bike activities.” people in the area about what they wanted it to look like and we’ve been working to “I know when all the landscaping grows it’s create a youth recreation space to suit the really going to be a very welcoming place.” diverse range of needs which were identi- She said fied,” Mayor Christina Holmdahl said. Read More onPage 2 “I am pleased that we can now provide this area for Legana Youth to call their own, 2 www.TamarValleyNews.com.au New Legana pump track gets tick of approval from local youth ABOVE: West Tamar Council Youth Advisory Council Member Gabriel Turner provides a demonstration of the Legana Pump Track West Tamar Council Mayor Christina Further consultation was undertaken in undertook drainage and landscaping work Member for sport and recreation the hon- Holmdahl is pleased to officially open the 2019 for the new Youth Strategy, with around the track to complement the project. ourable Jane Howlett was unable to attend Legana Pump Track alongside the Honour- respondents identifying that mountain bike the official opening of the Legana pump able Jo Palmer MLC, and West Tamar Youth tracks and bike friendly facilities were need- “You can see it was certainly a fast-tracked track, however Jo Palmer, MLC said she was Mayor Chloe White. ed in the West Tamar. project” Mayor Christina Holmdahl said. delighted to be there. Consultation undertaken in 2017 with This was reiterated by members of our “Legana residents have been asking us for “I Look out here today and think this is a Legana’s young people identified that a Youth Advisory Council who suggested that a youth space as the suburb continues to great indication,” said Mrs Palmer, “of the recreation area should have spaces for active a pump track would be a valuable addition expand, so we consulted with the young new and wonderful, exciting things that are sports such as climbing, parkour (obstacle to the Legana Recreation Youth Space. people in the area about what they wanted coming our way in 2021.” course), ball courts, bike activities and areas it to look like and we’ve been working to with skating elements. The West Tamar Council’s Stimulus Cap- create a youth recreation space to suit the “On behalf of the Government, we are so ital Works Package 2020/2021 allocated diverse range of needs which were identi- thrilled that we could play a part in bringing Liberal member for Bass Michael Ferguson $150,000 for the construction of a pump fied,” Mayor Christina Holmdahl said. this to this community” She said. MP provided $136,000 in funding for the track, ancillary landscaping and civil Recreation area in February 2018, support- infrastructure in Legana, with an addition- “I am pleased that we can now provide this One of the councils very own YAC’S (Youth ed by the Tasmanian Government. al $50,000 added to the project from the area for Legana Youth to call their own, Advisory Council Members), Gabriel Tasmanian Government’s Improving with the first pump track in our municipal- Turner provided a demonstration of how Upgrades were officially opened in May the Playing Field Grants. ity to satisfy the increasing popularity of the track could be used alongside the many 2019, including a full-size basketball court bike activities.” other local youth who were busting to get with down ball line markings, tables At the September 2020 Council Meeting, out and have a go. and seating to compliment the new BBQ the tender from DirtArt and Rob Potter for “I know when all the landscaping grows it’s area, free Wi-Fi, rock climbing Bloqx and the construction of a 500m2 pump track really going to be a very welcoming place.” multi shared pathways with skating ele- was approved, and work started in October. She said ments. Council’s Infrastructure Department also Have News? Email: [email protected] 3 Government Establishes General Aurora Energy reimagin- ing Tasmanians’ energy Practice Incentive Fund (GPIFT) to experience Aurora Energy continues to be focussed on empowering customers to make informed decisions about their energy usage follow- attract more Doctors to Northern ing the release of the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan. Tasmania The State Government launched the Plan today in Launceston, highlighting Tasma- nia’s immense potential in renewable ener- gy, which can grow the economy, attract in- vestment, create jobs and support Australia’s transition to renewable generation. Aurora is perfectly placed to work alongside the Government to empower customers to manage their energy needs and take advan- tage of new technology and market offer- ings, as the energy market undergoes rapid transformation and technological change. Aurora Energy Chief Product and Custom- er Officer, Andrew Crozier said the retailer was providing industry-leading tools that puts the power in customers’ hands. “Our digital product aurora+ is the perfect example of that. It enables customers to better understand and control their energy costs, and conveniently be able to manage them via whichever device suits them,” Mr Crozier said. “aurora+ increases awareness of daily energy patterns and behaviours, assisting customers to shift or change habits around the home to ultimately help them save on their energy bill. “We will continue to invest in developing ABOVE: File Image new products and services that provide value for our customers and empower them A new $2 million incentive fund to attract Addressing the maldistribution of GPs and The Coalition Government understands to make informed decisions about their doctors to Launceston and across northern health professionals in Australia is complex that no two rural communities are the energy usage.” Tasmanian communities is being created to and requires a mix of short, medium and same, which is why we are supporting local help address longstanding GP shortages in long-term solutions. communities to develop their own flexible, Mr Crozier said a range of free online tools northern and north-western Tasmania. innovative and integrated primary care have also been made available on Auro- There are many rewarding lifestyle and models. ra’s website this year – fast-tracked as a The Coalition Government will establish the career opportunities across northern Tas- COVID-19 support measure – designed to General Practice Incentive Fund Tasmania mania and a dedicated fund will support The incentive fund will enable our local help customers to stay in control of (GPIFT) to attract and retain doctors in current and future doctors with accommo- health professionals in Launceston and their energy costs, including right plan Tasmania’s north and north-west by pro- dation, training and workforce support. across northern Tasmania to look at new calculator, usage estimator and a high bill viding a suite of incentives for doctors who approaches to workforce and training mod- checklist. relocate to the region. Building on the investment in the 2020-21 els to meet the needs of our rural commu- Federal Budget, the new fund will include nities. Improving access to primary care services support for the local health sector to de- Prefer to Read Online? and addressing workforce issues in rural velop a collaborative primary care model Finding local health care solutions will help communities, such as Lilydale in the state’s to better integrate services and create a address the distribution of doctors across Sign up to receive the north east, is a priority for the Australian more sustainable workforce for the region, Australia and deliver improved access to digital edition delivered via Government. including building IT capability to support services for rural communities. telehealth and other technologies to im- email for FREE! Data from the last decade shows GP num- prove patient access. The GPIFT will be managed by the Tasma- bers in Australia have increased at triple nia Primary Health Network in collabora- the rate of the population. The bulk of this A strong rural health workforce is central tion with the local Rural Workforce Agency. growth has unfortunately been in capital to improving the health of people living in cities. rural, regional and remote Australia. Contact Andrew for an obligation-free chat today! 03 6338 9224 Retirement & Superannuation Planning Financial advice for the people of the Tamar Valley [email protected] More and more business is being conducted online... Get in touch today for a zero-obligation chat about how we can work with your business to improve your online presence! Phone: (03) 6327 1731 Email: [email protected] Have News? Email: [email protected] 5 Fragrance Hotel set to go ahead after appeal fails ABOVE: a digitally rendered view of the proposed new Fragrance Hotel from Tamar Street.