BURNIE CITY COUNCIL Annual Report 2016 - 2017
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BURNIE CITY COUNCIL Annual Report 2016 - 2017 CITY of MAKERS Contents 03 INTRODUCTION AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE, 12 WORK AND PLAY 28 AN INCLUSIVE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY A CENTRE FOR INFORMATION, 36 KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING A SECURE, INNOVATIVE 42 AND DIVERSE ECONOMY A NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT 46 THAT IS RESPECTED AND CARED FOR 54 A REGIONAL HUB AN ENGAGING AND ACCOUNTABLE 58 LEADERSHIP FOCUSED ON A STRONG FUTURE 66 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT HERITAGE A snapshot of our past Emu Bay (later known as The journey from settlement to city is an Farms and forests then played a key role interesting one, captured in great detail when the decline of the mines came Burnie) was established by by author Kerry Pink in Campsite to City. in about 1915. With an established the Van Diemen’s Land Co. population needing work, the years Burnie’s origins are directly attributable between the two World Wars brought (VDL Co.) in 1827 as a port to to the initiatives and involvement of the the strong realisation that secondary serve its vast inland pastoral VDL Co. The Company had a disastrous industry was needed to sustain Burnie. beginning in Emu Bay with the land holdings. being unsuitable for the fine wool sheep That industry came in the remarkable grazing aspirations of chief surveyor form of the Associated Pulp and Paper Today, Burnie is a thriving Henry Hellyer. Mills Ltd which set Burnie on its path to a stunning population boom and and vibrant city of The ups and downs of the VDL Co. over economic growth. Surprising, because almost 20,000 people with that time are quite another story, but the story of how Gerald Mussen as a result the small settlement of Emu eventually got the mill up and running strong industries centred Bay remained no more than a carved-out in 1938 was nothing less than amazing around manufacturing village on the port. In the first 50 years following setback after setback. of settlement the population did not and agriculture and just exceed 200. By 1945, the population had reached as it was in 1827, a busy 10,000 people and by 1965, 18,500 Burnie’s fortunes took a dramatic turn people. Burnie was granted city status in port providing a critical for the better in the late 1800s with the 1988 when it exceeded 20,000. connection to the mainland. discovery of the West Coast mineral deposits. With the VDL Co. building the The paper industry history of Burnie is original horse-drawn tramway through the backbone of today’s City of Makers its lands (later upgrading to iron and theme and while the Mill finally closed steam), Burnie became the port for the its doors in 2010, the contribution of mines. The population of Burnie had the Mill is honoured throughout the city. boomed to more than 1000 by 1891. Today, Burnie is a more diversified The railway was later taken over by the and attractive city that celebrates its Emu Bay Railway Company and the industrial past and embraces its bright West Coast mineral bonanza resulted and creative future. In recent years in record growth for Burnie’s business the Council has focused on renewing district and the development of its significant city infrastructure and on outlying areas. Banks, churches and working toward a more liveable city to schools were established and the attract growth in residents, tourism and population grew to 1,500 by around business investment.. 1900. Introduction | 3 OUR VISION AND VALUES Our community’s vision Making Burnie 2030 } A REGIONAL LEADER } A VIBRANT, THRIVING A CARING ENGAGED WITH THE A CITY THAT LIVES BEAUTIFUL PLACE COMMUNITY WORLD ITS DREAMS Burnie has a personality and We care about each other We are a regional leader We seize and make the most an energy that is at once and warmly welcome those in education, health, retail, of our opportunities recognisable who visit Burnie services, arts and culture Those who live here know Our commerce and industry An inclusive community that We are connected with the that you can make it in are diverse, innovative, bold builds goodwill and wellbeing world through information, Burnie and a source of pride business, social and rich cultural connections The coastline and hinterland provide the natural beauty in which we live Our community’s values BE BOLD AND BE RESPECTFUL AND } COURAGEOUS WORK TOGETHER VALUE KNOWLEDGE INCLUSIVE } To lead, innovate and take Engaging and collaborating As a way of realising our Of each other, our risks to realise innovative, smart potential and encouraging environment and our and sustainable solutions life-long learning heritage to our challenges and Bringing everyone along on opportunities the journey Balancing urban and rural needs, work and life, industry and environment Burnie fact file Burnie Population (ABS Estimate) 19,779 Area 618.22km2 Location NW Tasmania on Bass Strait Climate Cool temperate Number of valued properties 9,764 Assessed Annual Value $149,859,792 (AAV) of valued properties Road Distances Urban sealed 128km Rural sealed 170km Rural unsealed 47km Members of the community are invited to make submissions in writing Footpaths 192km on the contents of the Annual Report for discussion at the Annual Retaining walls 14km General Meeting, which will be held at 7pm on 5 December 2017. Submissions should be addressed to the General Manager and received Bridges 33 by 5pm, 30 November 2017 for inclusion in the agenda of the meeting. 4 | Burnie City Council Annual Report 2016/17 our volunteers and contributed funding toward the objectives of Making Burnie toward bus shuttle services. 2030. The results of this work will 2016/17 has seen the completion of the be seen in long-term improved social Stormwater Infrastructure Development outcomes, but more importantly is Program, spanning five years and funded positively influencing the aspirations, by the Australian Government. The opportunities and choices of young project focused on redirecting non- people and their families. compliant stormwater connections across It was a privilege to be invited to attend the municipality from the sewerage the UTAS delegation to Europe to see system back to the stormwater system, first-hand how universities are integrating and the construction of a leachate with city centres. Access to tertiary treatment wetlands facility at the Burnie education in the north-west region is Waste Management Centre. This has critical, and we look forward to receiving a successfully reduced the capacity development application next year for the restrictions that were facing industrial relocation of the Cradle Coast Campus and manufacturing developments in the to the West Park site and this important INTRODUCTION City. project progressing for our region. A great project this year for the Every year, Council is highly aware of by the Mayor community was the new Burnie Park the need to balance the delivery of It is with great pleasure that I present Swing Park, providing play equipment acceptable services to the community, to the Burnie community the Burnie City for all ages and abilities to participate against the need to keep rates Council’s annual report for 2016/17. together. Council was also thrilled with affordable. This year, for the first time, the announcement this year of funding Council moved to reduce its rates by 1% The report provides an excellent toward the long-held ambition of a as part of a five year strategy to bring snapshot of so many great projects, shared coastal pathway between Cooee Burnie’s rate base back closer to the achievements, services, events and Wynyard. Together with the Marine state average. This will be a significant and initiatives as well as providing Terrace section, this will see the linking challenge as Council continues to drive accountability to the community in the of Emu River right through to Wynyard. efficiency and identify savings. financial, strategic and governance matters that Council is responsible for. The return of the Burnie International Council committed to undertake a review Tennis Event in 2016/17 after a year of City Link over the next two years which The outlook for Burnie is positive with away, was an excellent outcome, resulting will look at developing a revised model of promising growth and expansion in from the investment by all levels of business support. Council also continues our key industry sectors. Over the government and Tennis Australia in the to explore and take up opportunities for past year we have seen growth in the redevelopment of the Burnie Tennis shared services arrangements with other forest industry and welcomed the Courts during 2016/17. The return of Councils where there are mutual benefits announcement of a proposed relocation the overnight Targa-Fest to Burnie in or savings. of the Australian Sustainable Hardwoods 2016/17 was another high point, with timber mill. Investment in manufacturing Finally, as this will be my last Annual almost 5,000 people turning out to visit industries has continued with new Report, it has been an honour to serve the Targa Cars in the multi-storey car employment growth now on the horizon. as your Mayor and I thank the community park. Caterpillar Underground Mining continues for their support and active involvement to employ 150 people in the City and Community events continue to be an in making Burnie a great place to live contributes as a valued sponsor of important part of Council’s strategy work and play. I thank also my fellow community events. to provide accessible, affordable and Aldermen and our staff and wish them memorable events where everyone well in their important role as community The announcement by DP World belongs and can participate.