STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS

Report to Parliament November 2004 Including progress from November 2003 to October 2004

Premier and Mayor Ross Hine sign the revised Circular Head Partnership Agreement. © P Hoysted 2004

Prepared by the Local Government Division of the Department of Premier and Cabinet

State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Executive Summary Welcome to the State and Local Government Partnership Agreements Report to Parliament 2004. The program is into its sixth year and the number of Agreements and positive outcomes continues to rise. This year has seen the signing of the first reviewed Agreement under the program. The Circular Head Agreement was originally signed in June 1999 and a renegotiated Agreement was signed in September this year. A number of other Councils have also agreed to review and renegotiate their Agreements, including Launceston City, Flinders, Glenorchy City, Kingborough and Northern Development. The Partnership Agreements program has proven that it can deliver tangible outcomes to local communities. Progress in the last twelve months has included: • Up to $10 million in State Government levies on Local Government have been abolished under the new Financial Reform Partnership Agreement. • The Rivers Run Tourism Association has been established and has produced a touring map and guide for tourists in Central Highlands and Derwent Valley municipal areas. • The Circular Head Community and Recreation Centre was opened in August. The facility caters for a range of sports and includes function facilities. The State Government provided funding under the original Partnership Agreement and allocated a further $200,000 under the revised Agreement signed this year. • The and State Government received funding for a Youth Health Development Officer, who is now running a number of programs in the areas of outdoor skills, history, mentoring and bike maintenance, to build the confidence and skills of young people. • After securing $20,000 from the Weeds of National Significance program, the and State Government undertook a gorse eradication program along Zeehan Road. • A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the City Council and State Government in order to improve the coordination of programs and give a better standard of service to clients. • The and Parks and Wildlife Service coordinated the planting of 1,000 trees by local school children on National Tree Day this year. • Air quality in Launceston City and surrounds continues to improve due to targeted programs to reduce smoke from wood heaters. • The extension of the Glenorchy inter-city cycleway to Chigwell has connected the cities of Hobart and Glenorchy and is one of the most successful Glenorchy City Council recreation and commuter projects. • The Jubilee Beach boat ramp has been upgraded to allow all year round launching for smaller boats in Glamorgan-Spring Bay. The State Government continues its commitment to working in partnership with Local Government and is confident of many more positive outcomes in the coming year.

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Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2 HISTORY...... 4 SUMMARY OF PROGRESS ...... 5 SUMMARY OF PROGRESS IN BILATERAL AND REGIONAL AGREEMENTS...... 7 BREAK O'DAY ...... 9 BRIGHTON ...... 10 BURNIE CITY ...... 12 CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ...... 14 CIRCULAR HEAD ...... 16 CRADLE COAST AUTHORITY ...... 17 DERWENT VALLEY ...... 19 DEVONPORT CITY ...... 21 DORSET ...... 22 FLINDERS ...... 23 GEORGE TOWN ...... 24 GLAMORGAN-SPRING BAY ...... 25 GLENORCHY CITY ...... 27 HOBART CAPITAL CITY ...... 30 KINGBOROUGH ...... 33 KING ISLAND ...... 34 LATROBE ...... 35 LAUNCESTON CITY ...... 36 MEANDER VALLEY ...... 37 NORTHERN MIDLANDS ...... 39 NORTHERN TASMANIA DEVELOPMENT ...... 41 SOUTHERN TASMANIAN COUNCILS...... 43 TASMAN ...... 44 WEST COAST ...... 46 WEST TAMAR ...... 47 SUMMARY OF PROGRESS UNDER THE PREMIER’S LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL...... 49 SIMPLIFYING PLANNING SCHEMES ...... 50 WASTE MANAGEMENT ...... 50 FINANCIAL REFORM ...... 50 COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION ...... 51 BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRAINING POLICY...... 51 STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT ON YOUNG TASMANIANS ...... 51 TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT...... 53 APPENDIX 1: LIST OF MINISTERS AND HEADS OF AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS ...... 54 APPENDIX 2: LIST OF SIGNED STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS, BY SIGNING DATE: ...... 55

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History The State and Local Government Partnership Agreements program was launched in December 1998. The first pilot Agreement was negotiated with the and signed on 1 June 1999. The second pilot Agreement was developed with the Launceston City Council and signed on 26 November 1999. A Partnership Agreement is a document that sets out actions and timeframes that will be undertaken to address key issues. Partnership Agreements provide an agreed framework for action and have proven very successful in delivering positive outcomes for local communities. The aim of the Partnership Agreements program is to find better ways of serving Tasmanian communities, through a cooperative approach by State and Local Government. It is also recognised that the Australian Government is an important stakeholder in the community development process, which has led to the commencement of negotiations towards the first tripartite Partnership Agreement. There are four types of Partnership Agreement: • Bilateral – between the State Government and one council; • Regional – between the State Government and a self-identifying group of councils; • Statewide – between the State Government and the Local Government Association of Tasmania, on behalf of all 29 Tasmanian councils; and • Tripartite – between the Australian Government, State Government and the Local Government Association of Tasmania, on behalf of all 29 Tasmanian councils.

Premier’s Local Government Council The Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) was formed in 2000 as a forum for high-level discussion with councils on issues of statewide significance. Its first meeting was held in February 2000 and fourteen meetings have now been held. The PLGC monitors the progress of statewide Partnership Agreements and also provides a forum for the discussion of topical issues. There are now four statewide Partnership Agreements, on waste management, simplifying planning schemes, communication and consultation and State and Local Government financial reform.

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Summary of Progress There are currently 29 signed Partnership Agreements between State and Local Government: 4 statewide, 3 regional and 22 bilateral. Since the 2003 Report to Parliament, six new Agreements have been signed, including one regional Agreement: Northern Midlands………………. 5 December 2003 Southern Tasmanian Councils…… 11 December 2003 Tasman…………………………… 11 May 2004 Brighton………………………….. 2 September 2004 Devonport City…………………... 15 September 2004 Circular Head…………………….. 20 September 2004 Negotiations have commenced on three Agreements Launceston City (review)……….. August 2003 Flinders (review)………………… January 2004 Waratah-Wynyard……………….. August 2004 Preliminary work has commenced on the review or creation of five Agreements: Clarence City Sorell Glenorchy City (review) Northern Tasmania Development (review) Kingborough (review)

What is a review? All bilateral and regional Partnership Agreements expire after three years of operation. The first Partnership Agreement was signed with Circular Head Council in June 1999 and expired in June 2002. A review is the process that is undertaken when a Partnership Agreement expires. It involves looking critically at the old Agreement to see what progress has been made and which issues should be rolled over into the new Agreement. A Partnership Agreement is completely revised at a review. Some issue areas might be kept, but the timeframes and actions usually need to be changed significantly to reflect a new focus. New issues are also included during the review. Once the new Agreement is completed, it is signed by the Premier and Mayor, and lasts for three more years.

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The Circular Head Partnership Agreement has been successfully reviewed and a new Partnership Agreement has been developed. Launceston City and Flinders Partnership Agreements are currently under review and the Glenorchy City, Kingborough and Northern Tasmania Development reviews are due to start shortly. Other progress includes: • The Premier’s Local Government Council has met three times since the 2003 Report to Parliament and new issues were added to the forward program. • There are currently around 600 State and Local Government officers involved with the implementation of Partnership Agreements across the State. • In 2004, the Local Government Division has been working to update the electronic Implementation Database, which is the vehicle by which officers submit progress reports on the Agreements. The new database will be in place in early 2005.

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Summary of Progress in Bilateral and Regional Agreements There are currently 25 bilateral and regional Partnership Agreements between State and Local Government. Within these, there are 755 separate schedules and a total of 2341 initiatives. Progress in Partnership Agreements to date has been very good, with 39% of initiatives contained within bilateral and regional Agreements completed, and 43% progressing in accordance with their Agreement. In total, 81% of all initiatives are meeting their timeframes. This represents a 10% increase from the 2003 Report to Parliament. Timeframes need to be extended for 12% of initiatives. This is usually because the initial timeframes were too rigid, or because external influences have arisen which have pushed out the timeframes. In the 2003 Report to Parliament, the parties had recommended to extend the timeframes for 20% of the initiatives, which represents an 8% drop over the last 12 months. Most late initiatives are completed within a few months of the given timeframe. Around 2% of the initiatives are on-hold compared to 5% in 2003. This usually means that the parties are trying to locate funding or other resources for a project. Approximately 4% of current initiatives will be discontinued. This percentage has remained unchanged from 2003. The most common reason for discontinuance is that the parties have found a different solution to the one originally envisaged. An Agreement that is being reviewed is more likely to have a higher proportion of discontinued initiatives. The following section contains summaries of progress for each of the bilateral and regional Partnership Agreements. The summaries outline progress over the life of each bilateral and regional Agreement. A statistical summary of progress is provided on the next page.

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Summary of Progress under Bilateral and Regional Partnership Agreements – October 2004 Name of Partnership Agreement Signing Date Number of Number of Number of Progress Chapters Schedules initiatives Completed Progressing Recommended On hold Discontinue % in accordance to extend % % with the timeframes % Agreement % Break O’Day 12 April 2002 5 15 46 36 60 0 4 0 Brighton* 2 Sept 2004 7 40 100 NA NA NA NA NA Burnie City 6 Sept 2002 9 48 141 32 44 7 10 7 Central Highlands 15 Oct 2002 7 28 71 51 25 13 10 1 Circular Head* 20 Sept 2004 6 28 73 NA NA NA NA NA Cradle Coast Authority 10 Oct 2001 11 22 98 36 59 5 0 0 Derwent Valley 19 Sept 2002 6 35 112 46 23 19 0 12 Devonport City* 15 Sept 2004 6 24 59 NA NA NA NA NA Dorset 14 Oct 2003 6 39 93 19 71 10 0 0 Flinders 20 Oct 2000 6 21 64 49 29 18 0 4 George Town 23 Mar 2003 7 36 83 26 40 20 8 6 Glamorgan-Spring Bay 3 Dec 2002 7 31 85 48 35 5 6 6 Glenorchy City 19 Oct 2000 7 109 417 65 15 5 2 13 Hobart Capital City 11 Dec 2001 8 72 257 59 10 18 8 5 Kingborough 18 Dec 2001 1 1 8 75 25 0 0 0 King Island 3 April 2003 5 16 43 30 60 7 0 3 Latrobe 17 July 2003 5 28 58 30 54 16 0 0 Meander Valley 23 July 2003 5 32 69 39 58 3 0 0 Northern Midlands 5 Dec 2003 7 40 104 29 54 16 0 1 Northern Tasmania Development 18 July 2001 8 23 142 43 14 4 4 35 Southern Tasmanian Councils 11 Dec 2003 4 8 26 8 42 50 0 0 Tasman 11 May 2004 6 27 88 15 85 0 0 0 West Coast 11 Sept 2002 5 9 33 58 24 18 0 0 West Tamar 30 Oct 2003 5 22 70 14 70 16 0 0 149 755 2341 39 43 12 2 4 Total Average *As these Agreements have only recently been signed, insufficient time has elapsed for progress to be recorded. 8 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Break O'Day – Signed 12 April 2002

Number of actions Percent Completed 16 36% Progressing within timeframes/ 26 60% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 0 0% On hold 2 4% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 44 100%

• Dredging trials of the St Helens barway were successfully completed and Marine and Safety Tasmania continues to monitor siltation levels in the barway. • The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources has completed a business case examining the potential investment, revenue and economic viability of the St Helens Aerodrome. The document has been provided to the Council for consideration. • The Touring Route Plan has been integrated into the development of the local tourism plan. • The extension of the St Helens history room and relocation of the Online Access Centre to the new premises has been completed. The Tasmanian Community Fund provided $186,000 for the project and the State Library and Arts Tasmania provided additional funding for equipment, training and a professional curation management system. The parties are currently examining options for a tourism information facility at the site. • Work is progressing to develop a local youth information and services coordination plan to better meet the needs of local youth. • The Parks and Wildlife Service is working towards producing a Fire Management Plan that will set the strategic overview and policy for the district. • The Department of Health and Human Services assisted the Council in recruiting a dentist for the region. Dental patients no longer need to travel to another municipal area for treatment. • The parties are currently finalising a Memorandum of Understanding regarding water quality monitoring activities and are discussing reactivation of the Georges River Stream Flow Monitoring Station. • The upgrade of the Binalong Bay walkway was completed in 2002. The State Government contributed $6,500 and the Council $3,000 towards the upgrade.

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Brighton – Signed 2 September 2004 The Brighton Agreement was signed recently and no reports on implementation have been received. Key objectives of the Agreement include the following. Economic Development and Transport Planning • In line with Council’s focus on economic growth and job creation, the State Government and Council will work together to develop a strategic development plan for the Brighton Industrial Estate; • The Department of Economic Development will assist Council to establish a clear business assistance entry point and pathway in Brighton; • A Tourism Plan for the area will be jointly developed, which will integrate with the plans for adjoining areas; and • The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources will work with the Council on resolving future traffic management requirements. These include a number of locations along the East Derwent Highway and sections of the Midlands Highway from the East Derwent Highway to Pontville. Environment, Water and Land Management • The State Government and Council will work together on Brighton’s input into the Southern Region’s Natural Resource Management Strategy; and • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment will complete its analysis of irrigated agriculture opportunities for the South East region, and the parties will identify opportunities for irrigation development in the Brighton area. Community Resource Development • There are a large number of initiatives under the heading of Community Resource Development. They encompass arts and culture, sport and recreation, staff exchanges between Council and State Government, flexible and lifelong learning facilities, public housing initiatives and improvements to roadside mowing and litter collection. Youth and Family Development • The Departments of Health and Human Services, Police and Public Safety, Justice, and Education will work together to identify the best ways of integrating the services delivered to youth; • With respect to the new family violence policy and legislation, Brighton community will participate in discussions aimed at identifying ways to communicate the policy and processes to the public; • Sport and Recreation Tasmania and the Department of Education will work with Council to implement the Youth Community Participation Project; and • The parties will work to improve and better integrate of services for families with children under five years old. Funding is being provided from the Tasmanian Community Fund and the Community Support Levy.

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Health, Wellbeing and Public Safety • A ‘Lifestyle Options Working Group’ will create opportunities for Brighton residents to incorporate sound nutrition practice and physical activity into their lifestyles and work; • Council and the Department of Justice to develop a protocol whereby persons that are subject to Community Service Orders may work on Brighton community projects; • Brighton has joined the Community Road Safety Partnership Program with the main aim of addressing high-risk drivers and driving; and • Tasmania Police will continue work to prevent crime, deliver youth-at-risk programs such as Project Currawong, provide emergency management and ongoing liaison with Council on current and new issues as they arise.

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Burnie City – Signed 6 September 2002

Number of actions Percent Completed 45 32% Progressing within timeframes/ 63 44% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 10 7% On hold 13 10% Recommendation to discontinue 10 7% Total 141 100%

• The parties have undertaken a survey at Parklands High School addressing after school hours care for high school students; the survey identified a need for care for Year 7 and 8 students after school hours. • A project for young offenders has involved young people working with an artist to create a large mosaic mural for the childcare centre, which can also be appreciated by the community. The project has proved to be very successful as the twelve youth justice participants have not re-offended to date. • A second project has been initiated involving a mural developed within the Burnie Aquatic Centre. Young people have painted beach scenes on the interior walls of the swimming pool. • A working group looking at local enterprise development has been established and the Department of Economic Development is currently compiling available research information about industry needs. • The Community Learning Partnership Group received $544,000 Sustainable Regions funding to provide support to young people in the development of individual pathway plans in relation to their education and job aspirations. The State Government is contributing a further $819,000 towards this project. • The Burnie City Council has developed a Tourism Strategy in line with Tourism 21 and the Cradle Coast Tourism Strategy. • A feasibility study to determine and document the need for a coordinated approach to the provision of disability services has been completed. • A draft Regional Cultural Inventory has been completed. An arts@work officer was appointed on a part-time basis in March 2003. This position has now been made full-time and is being funded equally by Arts Tasmania and the Council. The position has been redefined to focus on regional issues, rather than issues within the Burnie municipal area. • A strategic plan for the Burnie Regional Art Gallery has been completed. • The Council has completed a recreation plan and aquatic centre feasibility study and this was made available for public comment, following which the Council called for expressions of interest. The Council has now entered into negotiations with joint venture partners to develop an aquatic facility. Once a formal agreement has been reached, funding will be sought from Council, the private sector and other sources.

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• Through the Commonwealth Job Placement, Education and Training program, Burnie City Council Youth Services have assisted a number of Indigenous young people to access public housing. This has been done with financial support, ongoing personal support and case management. • Tasmania Police has agreed to provide crime trend information to Council. • Advice has been provided to the Burnie Wildlife Interpretation Centre on threatened species conservation, silver gull management and on penguin habitat conservation to enhance visitor experience.

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Central Highlands – Signed 15 October 2002

Number of actions Percent Completed 36 51% Progressing within timeframes/ 18 25% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 9 13% On hold 7 10% Recommendation to discontinue 1 1% Total 71 100%

• There has been good progress in the area of weed management in the Central Highlands. Actions have included: • New landholders in the Central Highlands have been involved in a weed education program. • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment has undertaken on-ground weed control at more than 100 shack sites in the Central Highlands. • Mapping of priority weeds has been completed and a Catchment Weed Management Strategy was launched in 2003. • A series of management guidelines and Codes of Best Practice have been developed to deal with weed management in a way that can be implemented by staff and contractors. • The parties are continuing to exchange technical data. The State Government has provided the Council with access to up-to-date versions of relevant geographic databases. Simplified geology maps and mining lease plans have been provided to the Council. Information exchange on water monitoring activities is also occurring. • A working group established a list of priorities for upgrades to water and sewerage in the Central Highlands and various upgrades are now underway. • A joint State Government and Council funding application to the Commonwealth Government to enhance primary health care in the Central Highlands area was successful. A Community Advisory Group has been established to oversee the project to improve health services delivery and three new health workers were employed in October 2003. • An outline of the new community recovery plan presentation has been forwarded to the Council for consideration. • The parties are working to broaden the use of Department of Education facilities. A range of community groups use the facilities, including the community college, cricket club, netball club and play group. The Ouse School gymnasium is now used weekly for adult fitness classes. Bothwell school is working with Council to clarify community use of its gymnasium; protocols for managing the swimming 14 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

pool are being developed. Ouse School is also exploring the establishment of a childcare facility catering for the learning and social needs of the 0-4 age group. • Council developed and circulated a Community Consultation Draft Document on Community Safety Issues in January 2004. • The Office of Post Compulsory Education and Training granted funding for a needs analysis of the post compulsory education and training needs in the Central Highlands, which has now been completed. • A purchasing group of Council and school administrative officers has been established in order to make purchasing more efficient. • The parties have developed and approved an agreement for the transfer of Crown Land shack site roadworks to the Council. The Council has started undertaking minor works, including fire trail clearing and fire tank installation. • The Rivers Run Tourism Association has been established, incorporating both Central Highlands and Derwent Valley Councils. The Rivers Run touring map and guide was printed and released in late 2003. The parties have begun to work on branding and collateral elements of the tourism marketing plan. • Prior to the Partnership Agreement, the State Government provided $10,000 jointly to the and the Central Highlands Council to undertake a sport and recreation plan. An audit of sport and recreation facilities in the Central Highlands Council area has been completed.

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Circular Head – Signed 20 September 2004 This Agreement replaces the original Circular Head Partnership Agreement that was signed in June 1999 and expired in 2002. The Agreement was signed recently and no reports on implementation have been received. Key objectives of the Agreement include the following. Economic Development • The Government will work in cooperation with the Council to identify and market economic development opportunities to help create jobs in the area. • The new Agreement will see the completion of the Stanley Tourism Development Plan and continued support for the development of Port Latta as an industrial site. • Further work will occur on dairy industry extension services and information sharing. Community Health and Safety • Community safety issues and concerns will be addressed as well as the improved coordination of health and welfare service delivery. • Provision will be made for a feasibility study of future requirements for aged care facilities. • There will also be a regular review of processes and protocols for dealing with disasters and emergencies. Education The new Agreement will continue to build on and develop the education initiatives established in the original Agreement. The focus will be on lifelong learning and will include: • Enhancing life opportunities for the young; • Supporting economic development through education and training; • Supporting the Circular Head Education and Training Consultative Committee (ECC) to improve the availability and standard of educational opportunities for all residents; and • Under the new Agreement, the membership of the ECC will be expanded to include community, business, industry and youth representation. Multi-purpose Community and Recreation Centre • The Council has recognised the strong sporting culture within the Circular Head community by building a new multi-purpose Community and Recreation Centre. The State Government is assisting by providing the additional $200,000 funding required for the completion of the Community and Recreation Centre. The centre will achieve greater social cohesion and strengthen community spirit and well- being.

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Cradle Coast Authority – Signed 10 October 2001

Number of actions Percent Completed 15 36% Progressing within timeframes/ 24 59% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 2 5% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 41 100%

• The Cradle Coast Authority represents the nine north west Councils: Burnie City, Central Coast, Circular Head, Devonport City, Kentish, King Island, Latrobe, Waratah-Wynyard and West Coast. • This Agreement was evaluated in the latter half of 2003. As part of the evaluation, the parties have agreed to incorporate three new schedules in the current Partnership Agreement concerning: • Windfarm related industry clusters; • Family and business migration; and • Natural Resource Management – Careers. • The upgrade of the Strahan sewerage system has been completed. The new East Strahan Waste Water Treatment Plant is now in operation. • The Cradle Tourism Development Plan has been completed and is now being implemented. The study was funded jointly by the State Government ($50,000) and Cradle Coast Authority ($55,000). Tourism Tasmania has provided $4 million for the development of a centralised sewerage system for Cradle Valley and another $500,000 has been provided under the Sustainable Regions Program for the development of a centralised sewerage system. • The redevelopment of the former Burnie Hospital site is nearing completion. The Harvey Norman Group, the preferred developer, received planning approval for the development. Finalisation of a development sale agreement is in progress. • Ongoing financial support for the Natural Resource Management Committee's core administrative activities is being provided through a new four-year commitment identified in the State's 2004-05 Budget. • The Devonport Eastern Shore Special Committee has secured funding from the Sustainable Regions Program to improve visitors’ arrival and departure experience at East Devonport. Consultants have been selected to undertake the urban design strategy work. • Funding was secured from Tourism Tasmania, the Sustainable Regions Program and Local Government for a signage and infrastructure audit, marketing strategy and brand development and design. These projects are now are underway.

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• The upgrading of the Arthur River Road has been completed. The parties have agreed to develop a tourism development plan for Circular Head. The Authority has secured funding and appointed a consultant to develop the plan. • Upgrading the Bass Highway between Burnie and Smithton, including the Black and Detention River bridges has been completed. The State provided $5.75 million for the upgrades. • The Cradle Coast Authority has been successful in securing funding from the Sustainable Regions Program for a full-time, regional arts@work officer. Arts Tasmania has confirmed its funding for the expanded position.

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Derwent Valley – Signed 19 September 2002

Number of actions Percent Completed 52 46% Progressing within timeframes/ 26 23% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 21 19% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 14 12% Total 113 100%

• The Rivers Run Tourism Association has been established with representatives from both Derwent Valley and Central Highlands tourism groups. The Rivers Run touring map and guide was launched at the end of 2003. An implementation plan has been developed to provide detail of the actions to be undertaken by the tourism group. • A working group consisting of Council and Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts personnel was formed to oversee the development of Willow Court. A Conservation Plan for the site has been developed and endorsed by the Tasmanian Heritage Council. • The Department of Economic Development assisted Valley Vision and the Derwent Valley Business Enterprise Centre to access funding to address constraints to sourcing seasonal labour. • Progress towards the development of primary industries in the Derwent Valley includes: • The Wine Grape Industry Action Partnership has been developed and is nearly ready for signing. • The Stone Fruit Industry Action Partnership has been completed and approved. • Integrated pest management and yield improvement projects are currently underway for black currants in the Derwent Valley. • The Derwent Valley Railway was granted $30,000 by the State Government to re- open the railway line through to the National Park. Commercial passenger trains can now run to National Park. • The State and Council made a number of requests to the Commonwealth to reclassify the Derwent Valley from a ‘metropolitan’ to a ‘rural’ area under the Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Area incentive program, to increase assistance for General Practitioner Services. The Commonwealth Government has now agreed to this request. It is anticipated that this move will provide greater incentive for doctors to continue practicing in New Norfolk and will also make it easier to attract more doctors to the area.

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• Regular meetings are held between the parties to share information on health and community issues. • Representatives of the State Emergency Service and Council have been meeting on a quarterly basis. An Emergency Management Plan has been developed and signed off by the Director of Emergency Services. • Project Currawong, an interagency program for young people who are deemed ‘at risk’ and young offenders, has been implemented in New Norfolk and has proven successful. • The parties developed the Derwent Valley Icons Program to identify and provide funding for a local icon that would foster a sense of pride in local talents, provide a role model for residents and maintain the Derwent Valley as a vibrant community. The Derwent Valley Concert Band was chosen as the recipient and will receive $5,000 per year for the life of the Partnership Agreement. • The Strong Start project has now commenced in the Derwent Valley. The project provides a flexible and integrated service delivery model that provides early intervention for young parents with children 0-4 years who have complex needs. • A work placement mentor program is occurring on an ongoing basis, providing placements for students at risk of not completing compulsory education. • A number of guest speakers have visited the New Norfolk High School to talk to students about potential career options. Assistance is being provided to students to write resumes through close liaison between the Department of Education and Colony 47’s Field Officer. • Links between Claremont College and the Lachlan River Project have been developed. • Council approved its Sport and Recreation Plan in October 2003. Sport and Recreation Tasmania has since been working with the Council to implement the plan. • Ownership and management of the Derwent Valley Sport and Recreation Centre has been transferred to the Council.

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Devonport City – Signed 15 September 2004 Summary of Progress: The Devonport City Partnership Agreement was signed recently and no reports on implementation have been received. Key objectives of the Agreement include the following. Education • Council and the Department of Education will form a reference group with local schools to develop strategies for improving student participation in learning and in the life of the community. • Council and the Department of Education will also finalise an Agreement on the relationship between the City’s innovative Imaginarium Science Centre and schools in the Barrington Education District. This process will explore the possibility of funding a seconded position at the Imaginarium to promote professional learning for school teachers. Transport and Infrastructure • The Government and Council will work together on verge and landscape maintenance of the approaches to the City to ensure that they are suitably presented at all times both for residents and tourists. • The Government will work with Council to develop a tourism plan for Devonport to capitalise on increased visitor numbers to the City and to ensure that the Devonport visitor experience best meets the needs of visitors. • The Government and Devonport City Council will communicate and consult on a regular basis, through the Cradle Coast Authority, in order to identify key strategic transport priorities for the . Health and Safety • The Department of Health and Human Services will form a Working Group to promote the Healthy Options Tasmania Program in the City. The Department will seek involvement from food outlet operators in the city as well as providing training for Environmental Health Officers in implementing the Program. • Tasmania Police will work with Council to enhance the effectiveness of the surveillance camera system in the Central Business District. • Tasmania Police will also address ways of developing and strengthening the Devonport Community Safety Liaison Group and sharing information on youth at risk. Indoor Aquatic Centre • The Department of Economic Development will work with Council to ensure the development of an appropriate indoor aquatic facility for Devonport.

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Dorset – Signed 14 October 2003

Number of actions Percent Completed 18 19% Progressing within timeframes/ 66 71% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 9 10% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 93 100%

• Dorset Council has introduced a three-year pilot rate rebate scheme for properties with perpetual covenants on title under the Private Forest Reserves Program or the Protected Areas on Private Land Program. • The title to the Scottsdale Public Buildings at 3 Ellenor Street Scottsdale has been transferred from the Crown to Council ownership. • A Local Tourism Strategy for Dorset has been developed and is now being implemented. • The Dorset Economic Development Group has been formed to identify new business opportunities and economic development strategies for the region. • The State Government is currently considering a proposal to declare McKerrows Marsh a conservation reserve. • Social strategies that have been implemented include the investigation of funding options to improve disabled access; the appointment of a consultant who completed an audit of respite services currently available and the consideration of future needs and shortfalls; the expansion and renaming of the Police and Citizens Liaison Committee as the Dorset Community Safety Group; and an audit of cultural resources in the region. • The Council and Department of Education have finalised a lease of public buildings for vocational education and training. The Department of Education also provides significant funding through its Tasmanian Communities Online Programme, for the five on-line access centres in the Dorset Municipal Area. • The State Government and Council are working together to develop the Trail of the Tin Dragon to celebrate the Chinese Community’s proud mining heritage in the Dorset area. The trail was officially launched in July 2004 and is being supported by a number of Government Departments under the Partnership Agreement.

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Flinders – Signed 20 October 2000

Number of actions Percent Completed 32 49% Progressing within timeframes/ 19 29% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 12 18% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 3 4% Total 66 100%

• This Agreement expired in 2003 and a new Agreement is currently being renegotiated. Progress under the original Agreement has included: • A public health workshop was held in October 2001 to discuss a range of health issues. The outcomes of the consultation were fed into State and Local Government planning processes. • The Department of Education now delivers a range of face to face and on line courses to year 11/12 students on the Island. Courses include customer service and aged care. • A Networking Tasmania point-of-presence was established on Flinders Island, which reduced the cost of accessing the Internet. • A Flinders tourism brochure was launched and a marketing workshop held in 2002. The Whitemark Service Tasmania shop now provides visitor information services and the Council has a 1800 service number to provide tourist information. • The State Government assisted the Council to apply for Networking the Nation Funds. The Commonwealth granted $1.6 million to establish a CDMA-based mobile telephone and wireless local loop service for Flinders Island with extended mobile phone coverage to Cape Barren Island. • The Department of Education provided regular visits to the Island in school time by a managed network specialist and provided support for the employment of a full time trainee to manage desktop support for the network. • Under the Partnership Agreement, a social worker attended Flinders Island one day per month. The arrangement commenced in 2001. • A Local Area Plan for public housing was developed for Flinders Island, assessing the public housing needs of the local community. • The Department of Economic Development assisted Flinders businesses to attract funding, including $30,000 to investigate the potential for export and manufacture, $50,000 for research and development and $30,000 for farm innovation. The Department also directly provided $8,000 for a national food industry promotional visit to the island. • The Parks and Wildlife Service employed a Field Officer to build firebreaks.

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George Town – Signed 25 March 2003

Number of actions Percent Completed 21 26% Progressing within timeframes/ 33 40% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 17 20% On hold 7 8% Recommendation to discontinue 5 6% Total 83 100%

• Draft plans for development of the Low Head precinct as a tourism icon will be completed soon. In-principle agreement has been reached between the Council and Low Head Company to jointly purchase the site with the State Government; contribution amounts are yet to be confirmed. • The George Town Tourism Strategy was completed in June 2003 and is now being implemented. • The vessel Cotswold Prince has been removed from the Tamar River. • A heritage assessment of the Low Head Pilot Station and Lighthouse has been completed and work on the site has commenced. • The Council approved the draft regional Northern Integrated Transport Plan in June 2003. • A number of coastal reserve management actions have been completed. Signs have been erected to control horses, dogs, and vehicles within foreshore areas. A project to eradicate African Boxthorn has been commenced and around 200 native seedlings have been planted on the foreshore. A new boardwalk has been completed through the dune system and some revegetation work was undertaken in June 2003. • The Council has been given copies of mineral prospectivity and land stability maps produced by the State Government. • As part of the commitment to maintain health programs for children, the parties have expanded kinder-gym sessions in the area. • Information concerning, and access to, common use contracts for computer hardware and software purchases have been provided to the Council. • The Department of Health and Human Services has relocated its housing administration interests to the Mayor’s Rooms in the Council Building. The move to the Council Chambers has proved beneficial to customers and to Housing Tasmania from an administrative and human resource perspective.

24 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Glamorgan-Spring Bay – Signed 3 December 2002

Number of actions Percent Completed 41 48% Progressing within timeframes/ 30 35% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 4 5% On hold 5 6% Recommendation to discontinue 5 6% Total 85 100%

• The Glamorgan-Spring Bay Tourism Development Plan 2003-06 has been developed involving public consultation, and has been endorsed by the Council. A Touring Map and Guide for the region have been developed. • The Clean Quality Water Program granted $500,000 to upgrade the Bicheno water treatment plant. The plan was commissioned in February 2004 and formally opened in June 2004. • The State Government, Council and Federal Hotels developed three applications for dam works, which were all approved by the Assessment Committee for Dam Construction in August 2004. The projects will increase the storage capacity and quality of the local water supply. • Marine and Safety Tasmania has made funds available to improve the Triabunna boat ramp through the recreational boating facilities fund. The upgrade will be undertaken subject to the development of the Triabunna Marina. • The Jubilee Beach boat ramp has been upgraded, with a new curb and a steeper grade to allow all year round launching for smaller boats. • The Tasman Highway Transport Planning Study was completed in February 2003 and presented to the Council. • The Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council has entered into a Community Road Safety Partnership with the State Government. Under this partnership, the Road Marker program was launched in June 2004, which identifies places where accidents have occurred in the hope that people will see them and drive safely. • Tasmania Police has increased the police resources available for marine law enforcement. Fuel has been made available at Bicheno for the search helicopter and a new radar has been installed on the police vessel so that rescues can take place farther from the shore. • Crime prevention signs have been erected at boat ramps throughout the Glamorgan Spring Bay municipal area. • The State Government has supplied cadastral data to the Council on a bi-monthly basis since August 2003. Prospectivity and land stability maps have also been supplied.

25 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

• Terms of Reference for the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Health Advisory Committee were developed in November 2002 and the ten positions on the Committee were filled. • Council accepted the Positive Ageing Strategy in May 2003. • An Emergency Risk Management Plan has been developed for Glamorgan-Spring Bay. A joint emergency exercise was conducted at Coles Bay in September 2003 to test emergency response capability, involving around 40 local volunteers. • Under the Agreement, a new gymnasium will be built at the Triabunna District High School. Funding has been allocated by the Department of Education ($200,000), the Council ($75,000 over two years), the Triabunna District High School Parents and Friends ($13,000) and business sponsorship ($10,790). Construction will be sub-contracted, with a local builder employed as a project manager to oversee the project. • A Community Learning Advisory Network has been established to develop opportunities for young people in Glamorgan Spring Bay. The group has produced a community information booklet/pamphlet outlining training and education options for young people, delivered adult literacy training and finalised a business survey report. • The Triabunna District High School offers a weekly session for parents and children from age three to build links between children, families and local schools and provide vocational training opportunities for school students. • A childcare centre offering 20 new childcare places was established at Triabunna in 2003, jointly funded by the State Government and Council. • Booklets relating to safe and secure living for the elderly have been distributed. • Council is working with young people in the community through a Youth Council and Forums to encourage and improve understanding of Local Government activities and to provide feedback to Council on youth issues.

26 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Glenorchy City – Signed 19 October 2003

Number of actions Percent Completed 269 65% Progressing within timeframes/ 64 15% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 23 5% On hold 9 2% Recommendation to discontinue 52 13% Total 417 100%

• This Partnership Agreement has expired and the parties have commenced preliminary work towards a new Agreement. There has been significant progress under the original Partnership Agreement. • In 2002 and 2003, a mentoring project was run for grade 10 girls at Cosgrove High School to improve their confidence and self-esteem. • A number of activities have been held to improve the level of community understanding about Aboriginal culture and heritage. ‘Welcome to Moonah’ signs acknowledging the Mouheneener people as the traditional landowners have been installed. Palawa Aboriginal Corporation held an open day in 2003 to showcase Aboriginal art and culture; and the Rock for Diversity Concert, held as part of the 2003 Works Festival showcased the musical talents of young Aboriginal people. • A pilot scheme to reduce the speed limit to 50 kilometres per hour in Lutana proved so successful that the State Government subsequently introduced a 50km speed limit on urban roads throughout the State. • The extension of the Glenorchy inter-city cycleway to Chigwell has connected the cities of Hobart and Glenorchy and is one of the most successful Glenorchy City Council recreation and commuter projects. • A number of activities are occurring at Cosgrove High School to make it a community resource. The Cosgrove Community School Playgroup has been operating since May 2002, a pilot program commenced in May 2003 where adults and students learn Italian and computing together and an Artisans In Residence programme was launched in April 2003. • Springfield Gardens Primary School is also being developed as a community school. New community sculptures have been installed, community access toilets have been constructed, works allowing secure after-hours’ access have been completed, a community arboretum has been built and the school has upgraded its oval surface to extend the useability of the facility to more groups. • Australian Business Week 2003 was a success, with approximately sixty Glenorchy students participating. Sponsorship was gained from a number of organisations to fund registration and attendance costs.

27 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

• A brochure has been developed to promote community attendance at Glenorchy parent/child groups and to smooth the transition from childcare into school. • The Glenorchy City Social Plan was launched in December 2003. The Plan is the first of its kind in and will lead to an improvement in a range of areas, including health, wellbeing, economic status and environmental quality. • Young Glenorchy residents now have access to a range of targeted health and wellbeing services. The Pulse Youth Health Centre opened in July 2001 and provides GP, drug, alcohol, family planning, Internet, dental and legal services and a creative arts/music room. Pulse caters for clients from 12 to 24 years of age. • The number of Community Service Order projects in Glenorchy has increased under the Partnership Agreement. Young people involved in this scheme have the opportunity to gain new skills, such as landscaping and basic garden maintenance. • The Glenorchy City Council has been proactive in creating better ways to involve young people in decision-making. This has led to the development of the Young Tasmanians Discussion Paper and a Local Government guide to youth participation, ‘Face the Challenge, Take the Risk, Enjoy the Ride’, which was launched by the Mayor in September 2003. • A supported playgroup has commenced, in conjunction with Lady Gowrie Childcare. • Around 200 people attended a family fun day organised by the Goodwood Together Group. • The Neighbourhood House project has received a boost through the appointment of a project officer. The appointment led to the development of the Strategic Framework for Neighbourhood Houses in Tasmania 2002-2007. • The parties secured Commonwealth funding for a community capacity initiative to be run in Goodwood, focussing on combating isolation and loneliness. • A number of activities have taken place under the Partnership Agreement to reduce crime and increase community safety in the municipal area. These include: • A police shopfront was opened at Claremont Village Shopping Centre in July 2001; • Project Samaritan for Business was launched in June 2001, targeting businesses that had been the victim of repeat burglaries; • Brochures, stickers and height markers were printed and distributed to Glenorchy businesses, and a forum held on loss prevention; • Tasmania Police writes regular articles for the Glenorchy Gazette on key crime and community safety issues; and • The AAMI ‘how safe is your car’ operation was conducted in 2001. • Wilkinsons Point has been redeveloped as a community open space. There are picnic and play areas, paths for walking and cycling and an attractive wetlands area filled with natural bird life and vegetation. • A pilot project called Eating With Friends was established in West Moonah to encourage older and socially isolated people to join together to enjoy nutritious, well-priced meals on a regular basis. Following the success of the Glenorchy

28 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Eating With Friends project, the parties are supporting the development of Eating With Friends Groups elsewhere in Tasmania. The program now operates across the State, including Clarence, Cygnet, Devonport, Scottsdale and Primrose Sands. • A number of positive housing outcomes have been reached in the Glenorchy area including the creation of five, youth-specific housing places in Chigwell; the creation of eleven additional direct and community tenancies throughout the Northern Suburbs; the approval of funding for two community development projects; and the provision of extra short term housing for refugees. • The Regional Event Strategy was launched in June 2002 and a number of events have been held, including the Saxon Safari and BMX Championships. • The Glenorchy Community Sport and Recreation Framework has been developed to encourage the Glenorchy community to participate in sport and recreation activities. The State Government has allocated $30,000 to upgrade the Glenorchy Memorial Pool. • Two river foreshore interpretation projects have been completed to provide the community with information about its past; one at Austins Ferry on the site of the first transport crossing by ferry and one at Weston Park focussing on early European settlement. • A flood warning system for the Humphreys Rivulet catchment has been completed, funded by the State and Commonwealth at a cost of $50,000. • St Matthew’s Church Hall has been restored and the Glenorchy History Group is now located at the site. Works undertaken included the development of a conservation management plan; an engineer’s report; security, electrical and phone line works; repairs to windows and the purchase of furniture. • In anticipation of future demand for waste disposal, the Hobart and Glenorchy City Councils have completed a feasibility study for the development of a waste transfer station at Derwent Park Road Quarry. The site has been transferred from the State Government to the Councils’ ownership. • The Council has banned backyard burning and Housing Tasmania is developing a ‘Comfortable Homes Policy’ to encourage electric heating as the preferred choice for public housing properties • The Collinsvale Wastewater Re-Use Project has received funding from the Natural Heritage Trust. Sewer reticulation has been completed and a number of other works will take place in 2004. • The house at 16 Casuarina Crescent has been demolished and the site rehabilitated.

29 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Hobart Capital City – Signed 11 December 2001

Number of actions Percent Completed 142 59% Progressing within timeframes/ 23 10% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 44 18% On hold 19 8% Recommendation to discontinue 13 5% Total 241 100%

• The Partnership Agreement contains a number of schedules related to the Hobart waterfront, including the redevelopment of Princes Wharf No 1 and the Dunn Street Car Park, the review of Sullivans Cove Planning Act 1995 and a strategic approach to development of the area. An Urban Design Framework was completed and several works to the Princes St Wharf No 1 building were undertaken. • The parties are exchanging a range of key data, including multicultural information, crime/safety statistics and land management data. • Meetings between State Government Ministers and Hobart City Aldermen have been held on an annual basis since 2002, the latest occurring in June 2004. • The Hobart Community Road Safety Partnership Action Plan was launched in August 2004 by the Lord Mayor and Ms Lin Thorpe and is now being implemented. • The alternative education program, ALTed began in 1999 as a one-off program, to assist young people aged 16-18 who were disengaged from school to undertake their Tasmanian Certificate of Education. The Department of Education has supported the program since 2000 and it has been run continuously since its inception. A new program called EdZone has recently commenced, catering for 13-16 year olds. The Minister for Education officially opened EdZone in April 2003. • Young people were given the opportunity to participate in State and Local Government decision making through attendance at a Youth Forum conducted in August 2004. The review of the Council’s Youth Strategy was one of the key issues discussed at the forum. • The Council remains committed to providing scholarships and bursaries to students in the Hobart City Council area. The Council offered six scholarships in 2002. In 2003, an additional two bursaries were offered and in 2004 a new four- year scholarship was offered. • A memorial to commemorate Tasmania’s 13 Victoria Cross Recipients was officially unveiled in May 2003. The Council, Commonwealth and State Government funded the memorial jointly to the value of $200,000.

30 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

• The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2002 to deliver Greenhouse Gas Community Targets. A forum was held in May 2002 to discuss the Cities for Climate Protection program, and Brighton and Glenorchy City Councils joined the project as a result. • Air quality activities in Hobart have included: • Hobart City Council, Brighton Council and the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment have commenced a Targeted Wood Smoke Education Project to reduce wood smoke emissions. • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment updated its air quality monitoring website in March 2004 to include a better range of air quality monitoring results and resources. • The Council conducted a study of wood smoke concentrations in the Hobart municipal area during the winter of 2003 • Air quality displays were held at Salamanca Market in June 2003 and during the closure of Liverpool Street during Sustainable Transport Week in March 2003; and • An air quality feature was published in the Hobart Mercury in May 2003. • A Memorandum of Understanding on Wellington Park was signed in February 2004 between the Hobart and Glenorchy City Councils and State Government to provide for coordinated management of the park. • The ‘Go Wild’ Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre was selected as the successful proponent to develop a development application and plan for the Beaumaris Zoo. • A consultant was contracted to draft a business plan and financial analysis for the construction of a Waterfront Tram. The Council considered the plan but decided not to go ahead with the construction of a waterfront tram. • The parties have finalised the development of the outstanding Wapping land parcels. • A Memorandum of Understanding on policy and service provision between Hobart City Council and the Department of Health and Human Services was signed in July 2004. • The Council has reviewed its procurement protocols and all recommendations have been implemented. • A number of strategies have been developed to focus activity between the parties, including: • The Antarctic Tourism Marketing Plan was completed in July 2002 and is being implemented. • The Hobart City Council Arts and Cultural Strategy was launched in December 2002. • A number of draft strategies have been developed, including the Community Safety Strategy. • The Positive Ageing Strategy was launched in December 2003 and is now being implemented.

31 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

• The Hobart City Council Substance Abuse Strategy was approved in September 2002. • Council’s Aboriginal Strategy was launched in May 2002. • Draft versions of several plans have been produced: • The draft Hobart Recreation Management Plan was completed in January 2004 and will be finalised shortly. • A draft of the Capital City Tourism and Events Strategy has been produced, but the plan has not yet been finalised. • A draft of the Major Events Strategy has been produced. • The draft Economic Development Plan and Action Plan have been completed and are awaiting approval.

32 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Kingborough – Signed 18 December 2001

Number of actions Percent Completed 6 75% Progressing within timeframes/ 2 25% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 0 0% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 8 100%

The Kingborough Partnership Agreement contains only one schedule, which concerns after-hours’ access to Kingston High School sports oval. The schedule is progressing well. A number of minor works were undertaken to improve the amenity of the ground and associated facilities. Community groups continue to use the facility. The Partnership Agreement expires in December 2004 and the parties have already started the review progress, in order to develop a fully-fledged comprehensive Partnership Agreement. The issues for this Agreement are yet to be confirmed.

33 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

King Island – Signed 3 April 2003

Number of actions Percent Completed 13 30% Progressing within timeframes/ 26 60% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 3 7% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 1 3% Total 43 100%

• With the opening of the King Island Windfarm in February 2004, the amount of electrical energy produced from renewable sources on King Island has significantly increased. • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment and Council are working towards setting and meeting the required standards and objectives in respect to sewage treatment, waste disposal and water supplies. Council has constructed a Sewage Treatment Wetland to treat sewage from the town of Currie. • The Council and the Department of Economic Development are working jointly to produce an industry development strategy for the Island. • The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources has provided mineral prospectivity and land stability maps to Council. • Ongoing discussions are being held with Council to assist in the identification of potential quarry resources including access to mine workings and waste rock dumps. • Implementation of a local tourism plan has commenced. The parties have begun planning for a tourism-branding workshop. Tourism Tasmania and the Cradle Coast Authority are facilitating this process. • Parks and Wildlife officers are working cooperatively with Council officers on the delivery of land management services. As a part of that process, Council has relinquished its temporary licence for Christmas Island.

34 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Latrobe – Signed 17 July 2003

Number of actions Percent Completed 17 30% Progressing within timeframes/ 31 54% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 9 16% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 57 100%

• The Axemans Hall of Fame is included in the Latrobe Tourism Plan and has input into the implementation prioritisation process. Extension of the Axeman’s Hall of Fame has been completed to include the Foster experience and a hall to cater for major functions. The parties continue to market the Hall of Fame as a tourist destination. • An assessment of the Port Sorell Pontoon has been completed. It was agreed that at the moment a second pontoon could not be justified. • The parties have agreed on a signage plan for the Bass Highway / Moriarty Road roundabout. • The Council and Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) organised for Moriarty and Sassafras schools to take part in planting 1,000 trees for national tree day. Furthermore, ‘Work for the Dole’ participants are assisting PWS staff with installation of tree guards, the planting of trees, the removal of weeds and exotic plants along River Road and track work at Pt Sorell. • Guidelines for the establishment of B-double routes across the State have now been approved by the Local Government Association of Tasmania and the Association has undertaken to disseminate them to Councils. • Housing Tasmania has received approval to construct three, two-bedroom adaptable units in Latrobe. • The ‘Healthy Options Tasmania’ (HOT) Action Group has been formed, and has undertaken a survey to determine the public’s attitude to takeaways, and motivating factors for choosing takeaways. Currently the parties are planing future promotional activities and initiatives, which will coincide with other community events. Ten businesses participated in the HOT promotion at the Latrobe Spring Festival with 40 consumers also participating in the 'best HOT dish' competition. This initiative was promoted in the Advocate newspaper.

35 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Launceston City – Signed 26 November 1999 • The first Launceston Partnership Agreement was signed on 26 November 1999. That Agreement has expired and the parties are currently finalising the second Partnership Agreement. • The following are some of the initiatives identified for inclusion in the second Partnership Agreement: • Completion of the Inveresk development as a major State icon; • Redevelopment of the Old Launceston General Hospital Site; • Development of Cataract Gorge as a major tourist attraction and significant natural area close to Launceston’s city centre; • Cooperation over the development of a Regional Aquatic Centre and associated sporting facilities; and finalisation of funding arrangements; • Active development of arts, culture and heritage – statewide marketing package identifying and linking museums, galleries and cultural institutions. Better focus on and planning of activities for areas of common interest and assistance with marketing services to other museums and cultural institutions; • Development of a Launceston-specific tourism strategy; • Develop and implement a range of projects to assist migrants resettling in the Launceston municipal area. These may include, but need not be limited to information on alcohol and other drugs, resilience building, counselling, and developing links in the community; • Development of a Regional Waste Management Strategy; and • Tamar river flood management and dredging. • The following are some of the key outcomes achieved under the first Partnership Agreement: • All commitments on the development of the Inveresk Railyards have been completed. Ownership of the site has been transferred to the Council. The Art Gallery and Esk District Office of the Department of Education have been relocated to the site. The conservation facilities at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery have been recognised as a centre of excellence; • State Budget funding was secured for the replacement of a synthetic surface at the St Leonards Hockey Centre; • The title for Ogilvie Park sports ground has been transferred to the Council; • All commitments on the development of York Park have been completed. The State Government provided $300,000 to upgrade facilities. The parties collaborated on securing a World Cup Rugby game to be played in 2003; • The number of wood heaters exchanged has exceeded the target; and • A Regional Aquatic Centre proposal has been prepared. The State Government and Council agreed to fund a northern Regional Aquatic Centre based in Launceston.

36 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Meander Valley – Signed 24 July 2003

Number of actions Percent Completed 27 39% Progressing within timeframes/ 40 58% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 2 3% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 69 100%

• A number of tourism products are being developed in the Meander Valley area, including the Westbury Historic Trail, Artists Studio Tour and Bike Tour and bundled packages with operators of Marakoopa Caves and Trowunna Wildlife. • The partners are exploring several business development opportunities in the Meander Valley area, including growing specialist crops and tourism developments at Deloraine and Westbury. • The appeals process for the has been finalised and the State Government has received final tenders for the project. An evaluation panel has been established to identify the preferred proponent. • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment created a land systems map of salinity for the Meander Valley and delivered it to the Council in November 2003. • The State Government, Meander Valley Council and Launceston Council submitted a funding application to the Commonwealth to extend the salinity mapping project. The Federal Environment Minister announced funding for the Greater Launceston Urban Salinity Scoping Project in February 2004. • A project to verify and update road centre-lines has been commenced under the Data Share Agreement. • Council became fully GDA compliant from early September 2003. This was achieved with the assistance of a consultant. • Simplified Geology maps and mining lease plans were provided to the Council in April 2003. • The parties are looking at ways to improve the treated water supply for many Meander Valley residents. An options report for a staged approach to installing up to 5 package Alternative Wastewater Treatment Schemes was presented to Council in June 2004. • A stakeholder group meeting was held on 21 June 2004 to discuss karst management issues. The issues raised at the meeting will be fed into the Karst Plan, which is currently under development.

37 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

• The Council has developed a background paper outlining progress to date with scenic management provisions. A stakeholder group was convened in February 2004, and a series of principles to guide the process has been drafted. • A list of land to be transferred in freehold to Council has been finalised. A priority schedule and protocol for the efficient transfer of land has also been completed. • The access route to Lake Trevallyn and the foreshore walking track adjacent to the lake were upgraded in late 2003. The works were carried out subject to extensive community consultation. The State Government provided $15,000 funding for the project and local community and jobskills groups provided labour. • An assets register, detailing the roads and associated assets to be transferred between the parties was provided to Council in hard copy and electronic form in September 2003. The first stage of the Meander Valley Secondary Road assessment report was completed in May 2004. • The parties received funding from the Commonwealth Government to employ an officer to specialise in youth issues. The Meander Valley Youth Health and Development Officer (YHDO) commenced in December 2003. • The YHDO is running the Youth Outdoor Challenge program, where young people are encouraged to participate in a series of outdoor walks to learn communication and teamwork skills. Around 60 young people have participated and the State Government has recently provided $1,400 for the program. • The YHDO is overseeing the Westbury: Then and Now bicentennial project, which will showcase the town’s historic past by erecting a number of silhouettes around the town. Local young people will undertake TAFE accredited welding courses to build the silhouettes. • The YHDO has started a Co-pilots program in Meander Valley, which has seen eight young Meander Valley residents paired with an adult mentor. • The YHDO is running the Bend and Flex and Change life skills program where young people repair bikes that had been thrown on the tip and return them to the community in working order. • The Westbury Skate Park was opened during National Youth Week in May 2004 and is being well used by local youth. • Crime and community safety articles have appeared in the Advocate and Examiner newspapers, as well as the Meander Valley News. Articles in the Meander Valley News are ongoing. • The Council has produced a recreation master plan for Prospect Vale Park with assistance from Sport and Recreation Tasmania. • Meander Valley schools have been audited to identify what facilities may be available for community use. Discussions have begun with two primary school Principals in relation to the potential use of school recreation grounds by the community. • The Council has adopted a new Procurement Policy and code of Public Tendering.

38 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Northern Midlands – Signed 5 December 2003 Number of actions Percent Completed 30 29% Progressing within timeframes/ 56 54% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 17 16% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 1 1% Total 104 100%

• To assist in the upgrading of water quality in Campbell Town and other towns in Northern Midlands, the State Government provided $15,000 for a joint feasibility study. • Development of a tourism strategy framework is underway. Tourism Tasmania facilitated a series of workshops with the Tasmanian Heritage Highway Tourism Region Association to assist with the implementation of the Association’s 2002- 05 Strategic Plan. • Identification of cultural trails around Northern Midlands is part of the forward program for the arts@work northern officer in 2005. The local community, arts groups, tourism operators and councils will all be consulted during the process of identifying and promoting the cultural trails. • The Council has approved the Northern Tasmania Integrated Transport Plan 2003 Stage One. • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment has met with Council staff to discuss future development of a wide ranging, mutually beneficial, data exchange agreement. It is hoped a new Service Level Agreement will be signed in the new year. • A multi-discipline reference group has been established, made up of the various stakeholder organisations, Council and the Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts (DTPHA), to develop and implement a management plan for the Tooms Lake area. A number of meetings have been held and many of the key issues addressed. DTPHA has provided the resources to prepare a draft management plan. The draft plan will be released for public and stakeholder consultation prior to finalisation and implementation. • Work is continuing on the Water Development Plan for the Chimney Hill dam proposal. In addition the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment has continued to work closely with Council and the Elizabeth River and Macquarie River irrigators on formalising the entities that run the Lake Leake and Toombs Lake irrigation schemes. • The State Government provided $64,000 for the continued employment of a Youth Development Officer for Northern Midlands up until June 2005.

39 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

• The parties have agreed to develop a management plan for the multiple use of the South Esk near Longford that takes into account the needs of recreational users, adjacent landowners, and safety concerns associated with the Mill Dam weir. Marine and Safety Tasmania has installed signs in the area and flyers have been distributed. Assessment of safety concerns for Mill Dam is underway. • In order to help improve long term planning, the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources has provided land stability and mineral prospectivity maps showing potential landslip areas. • Both parties are keen to encourage youth participation in decision making. A Youth Council meeting was held in Campbell Town as part of National Youth Week in April 2004 and the Northern Midlands Council continues to make opportunities available for young people to participate in local decision making. A second Youth Council meeting in late 2004 focussed on youth access to Launceston based health services. • Police and the Council have continued to trial diversion programs from the court system to community service for youths at risk. The program has contributed to the successful reduction in the rate of recidivism in the area.

40 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Northern Tasmania Development – Signed 18 July 2001

Number of actions Percent Completed 61 43% Progressing within timeframes/ 20 14% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 6 4% On hold 6 4% Recommendation to discontinue 49 35% Total 142 100%

• Northern Tasmania Development is the new name of region north! (previously the Northern Tasmanian Municipal Organisation) and encompasses the Councils of the northern region. The Partnership Agreement has recently expired and will be reviewed. • The Regional Economic Development Plan and Regional Economic Profile of the region have been completed and adopted by Northern Tasmania Development. • Northern Tasmania Development endorsed the Northern Touring Route Strategy in late 2003. The strategy provides recommendations and a framework to deliver and communicate marketing messages. Branding workshops have been held, a template has been developed for tourism brochures and a Regional Tasmanian Visitor Information Network group has been established to ensure consistent provision of visitor services, including signage, across the region. • Stage One of the Northern Tasmanian Integrated Transport Planning process has been completed. A Value Management Workshop was conducted for stakeholders in June 2001 and a Project Plan was endorsed in October 2001. The Stage One Integrated Transport Plan was signed by all parties in January 2004. • Following public consultation, accurate data and maps have been produced of the tenure and classification of public and private foreshore land. • The 'Creeping Backyards' brochure was launched in October 2003 to raise community awareness of the role they can play in weed management. • The Greens Beach to Kelso management and restoration plan has been completed. • The Tamar River Estuary Guide was completed and launched in 2002. • A Review of the East North East Marine and Coastal Strategy Action Plan has been completed. • A review of Tamar 2020 Action Plan was completed in September 2003. • The draft visual management strategy for the Meander Valley was released for public comment in 2003. Forestry Tasmania and the tourism sector developed a protocol to ensure that key tourist routes are taken into account in planning forestry operations.

41 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

• A consultant's report on the hydrology of the North Esk catchment has been completed and a public seminar was held to release the report. • The Regional Waste Management Strategy was produced in early 2004 and circulated to all Northern Tasmania Development Councils for endorsement. • The State Government conducted a regional collection of unwanted farm chemicals as part of a statewide hazardous waste management program. • The federally-funded wood heater replacement scheme and education campaign has been highly successful. The State Government program of monitoring airborne particles continues and an underlying downward trend in winter pollution levels is still evident, despite an upturn due to a severe winter period in 2003. • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment appointed an Air Quality Education Officer in August 2001 to coordinate the school-based education program AirWatch and initiate broader community education programs. Around 60 schools participate in the AirWatch program. • The Great Forester Catchment Water Management Plan was completed and adopted in 2003, following a public appeals process. • Councils have been provided with an automated data supply delivery server so they can download land boundaries data sets each month. • A website containing information on special events was launched in September 2003. The website includes a searchable calendar of events and is available at: http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/events • Northern Tasmania Development undertook a community collections audit to ascertain the extent and diversity of collections in the region. An 18-month program of training for volunteer-run museums and small collections in Launceston commenced in December 2002. • A Sport and Recreation operational plan was developed in 2002 and is currently being implemented. • Most Northern Tasmania Development Councils now have youth policies in place, with three expected to finalise their policies by December 2004. The State Government has held two forums on alcohol and drug issues, in order to give Councils the necessary information to develop their own Community Drug Action Plans. • An assessment of existing crime and community safety structures has been undertaken. The Northern Police District identified a gap in youth issues and employed a Youth Intervention Officer in 2003 to address the gap.

42 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

Southern Tasmanian Councils – Signed 11 December 2003

Number of actions Percent Completed 2 8% Progressing within timeframes/ 11 42% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 13 50% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 26 100%

• Southern Tasmanian Councils (STC) represents the 12 southern Councils in Tasmania: Hobart City, Central Highlands, Clarence City, Derwent Valley, Glamorgan Spring Bay, Glenorchy City, Brighton, Huon Valley, Kingborough, Sorell, Southern Midlands, and Tasman Councils. • A Steering Committee has been established and a Project Plan finalised to develop a regional economic and infrastructure development strategy. • Work on an integrated transport plan for the southern region is underway. • The Southern Tourism Taskforce is responsible for implementation of the key strategies identified in the Southern Tourism Business Plan for 2003/04 – 2005/06. A business plan outlining responsibilities and resources for the key strategies has been completed and endorsed by the Tourism Taskforce. • The draft Natural Resource Management – South Strategy was released for public comment in June 2004. The State Government has worked closely with the Southern Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Committee established under the NRM Act 2002 to develop the NRM Strategy. A key focus will be to progress priority actions under national funding programs. The State Government has provided core funding for administrative purposes for the next four years, starting in 2004-05. • The Department of Health and Human Services has held discussions with a number of individual councils in the southern region on the benefits of health and human services planning at the regional level. • Tasmania Police continues to liaise closely with southern councils on community safety issues. Work is underway on community safety models that will assist with developing future community safety partnerships. The Southern Community Safety Officer has developed a tool kit for Local Government to improve community safety partnerships.

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Tasman – Signed 11 May 2004

Number of actions Percent Completed 13 15% Progressing within timeframes/ 75 85% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 0 0% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 88 100%

• The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment has provided Council with guidelines for the transfer of crown lands to Local Government. • Mineral prospectivity maps were supplied to the Council in July 2003. • The Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Committee issued a Consultation Draft Strategy on NRM issues in June 2004. • The Council facilitated a Future Search Conference in March 2004 and has since prepared a draft 10-year Strategic Plan based on the conference outcomes. The plan was circulated to attendees of the conference and has been finalised subsequent to public consultation. • The Council has prepared a Draft Planning Scheme, which will be submitted to the Resource Planning and Development Commission. • A Convict Trail Touring Route brochure has been developed and is being prepared for distribution. • The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority assisted the owners of three heritage properties to apply for Federal grants, all of which were successful. The State Government has also helped the Tasman Peninsular Historical Society to apply for a grant to adopt a heritage building for use as a local history headquarters. • The parties are both committed to providing support for Port Arthur Region Marketing Ltd. has allocated funding in its 2004-2005 budget and the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority has committed to providing funding and in kind support until 30 June 2005. • The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) published the Port Arthur Post in August 2004, conducted a Port Arthur Talk in September, provides a speaker on Tasman FM fortnightly and has contributed several articles to the September edition of the Tasman Gazette. PAHSMA donated items to a raffle being conducted by the Tasman District School Parents and Friends Association for its Spring Flower Show and assistance will again be provided to conduct the Port Arthur Wood Chops in December this year.

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• Work is progressing on adjusting the boundary of the Tasman Golf Club in order to enlarge the Point Puer historic site. A draft survey plan of the new boundary has been produced and provided to the Tasmanian Heritage Council. • Volunteer drivers are now able to use the Tasman Multi Purpose Service bus to transport young people home after local events. • Tasman school students are becoming involved in their community by working with residents to maintain the Tasman Multi Purpose Service gardens, creating mosaics and participating in the 'Postcard' project where local community members of all ages will be supported to produce postcards depicting the history of the Tasman area. • Young people are a focus of this Partnership Agreement, especially through the Youth House. During the May school holidays, the Youth House was open two days a week for holiday programs. The program was very well attended by children from 0-12 years. • A program for students aged eleven and twelve is being provided through the development of a 'Cafe' that operates at the Youth House every Tuesday evening and gives this age group time apart from older students. • Programs for older students are being expanded through Colony 47, and students up to grade 10 are encouraged to participate in Youth Council Meetings. • Leadership opportunities for young people between 18 and 19 are being developed. Young people in this age group are organising events for younger children and volunteer training opportunities are being provided through Green Corps. Two young people have volunteered to be involved in the Youth House Program and will gain leadership skills through this activity. Two local youths will be participating in the statewide Festival of Dreams and young people are invited to and regularly sit in on Council Meetings. • A Traineeship in tourism at Port Arthur Region Marketing Ltd has been established and launched. • The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority continues to host Tasman District School Grade 9 students for work experience. The first group of students in 2004 has already completed four weeks in the workplace and a second group is being hosted. • A number of Tasman Council staff have attended training sessions to give them an understanding of State Government assistance programs.

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West Coast – Signed 11 September 2002

Number of actions Percent Completed 19 58% Progressing within timeframes/ 8 24% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 6 18% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 33 100%

• The parties have developed and are now implementing a Weed and Fire Management Strategy. The parties were successful in securing $20,000 from the Weeds of National Significance program. This money was used for the eradication of gorse along the roadside. Funding under the Natural Resource Management program has been received for a weed officer who will be located at the Council chambers in Zeehan. • A tourism officer has been appointed and a tourism plan incorporating the touring route strategy has been approved. The plan is currently being implemented. • All structures at Macquarie Heads Camping Ground are now compliant with the original conditions of lease. • The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources and various other agencies have provided funding for a Strategic Management Plan for Strahan. • Mineral Resources Tasmania has provided information to the Council relating to geohazards, groundwater and mineral prospectivity. • A Memorandum of Understanding regarding staff exchanges between the State Government and West Coast Council has been developed.

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West Tamar – Signed 30 October 2003

Number of actions Percent Completed 10 14% Progressing within timeframes/ 49 70% occurring and ongoing Progressing outside timeframes 11 16% On hold 0 0% Recommendation to discontinue 0 0% Total 70 100%

• A sign was erected in April 2004 on the Bass Highway junction with the Port Sorell Main Road that advises motorists of the alternate routes to the Tamar Valley. • Tourism workshops have been held on brand alignment involving a number of Tamar Valley proprietors and operators. • A draft of the Frankford, Birralee, West Tamar and Batman corridor planning study has been completed and Council has provided comments on the draft. • The parties have been working together to redevelop and improve the local planning scheme. The West Tamar Draft Planning Scheme was adopted by Council in August 2004 and has been submitted to the Resource Planning and Development Commission for certification. • The State Government has compiled a list of Crown lands for possible transfer in the municipal area. • The Council and other bodies have employed a contract employee to investigate coastal management issues. The position is located at Beaconsfield and will last for 18 months. • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment has prepared a review of existing information and data-gathering processes for the Tamar Estuary marine environment and this has been forwarded to the Council for consideration. • The Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment has updated road centreline data in West Tamar’s urban areas. Mineral prospectivity and landslip plans were provided to Council in July 2003. • The Community Recovery Working Group was established in March 2004 and has nearly completed the draft West Tamar Community Recovery Plan. • The West Tamar Police and Community Liaison Group began meeting in June 2004. The restructure of the group is designed to provide improved integration between government agencies and community groups to identify and tackle community issues.

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• The Council and Sport and Recreation Tasmania have worked together to produce a number of strategies to implement the West Tamar Recreation Plan. A draft local recreation plan for Legana has been prepared. • The Department of Education has conducted an audit of current community use of public education facilities in West Tamar. • A Youth Council has been established, which will meet monthly to provide input into council activities, and will assist in providing ideas and solutions. The group has an events and web page sub-committee. • Council has employed a youth officer for a short period of time and has released for comment a draft Strategy for Young People of the West Tamar. • The West Tamar Schools Council has been re-established under the Partnership Agreement. Issues under discussion include the impact of proposed West Tamar residential developments on school enrolments. • The West Tamar Municipal Health, Aged Care and Community Services Planning Group has been established and first met in July 2004.

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Summary of Progress Under the Premier’s Local Government Council The Premier’s Local Government Council (PLGC) comprises Premier Paul Lennon as the chair, the President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), Ms Lynn Mason and eight other elected representatives from various Tasmanian councils. The membership is drawn primarily from the General Management Committee of LGAT. PLGC members can be mayors, deputy mayors or councillors. An Officials Committee, comprising senior State and Local Government officers, supports the PLGC by providing information and advice. The PLGC has met three times since the 2003 Report to Parliament. At the fourteenth meeting, held on 2 September 2004, the Council agreed on a new strategic framework for the operations of the PLGC and developed a new work program. Members agreed that the key objective of the PLGC should be to pursue the best interest of Tasmanians through the cooperation of the two spheres of government. It was acknowledged that the PLGC provides the best opportunity for resolving issues of statewide significance and that all activities undertaken by the PLGC should continue to strengthen the relationship between the two spheres of government. It was agreed that the PLGC will have a role in developing joint high level policy with a focus on strategic issues of state significance and that its work program will be underpinned by the Tasmania Together goals and benchmarks. The PLGC agreed that its Protocol Agreement document should be amended to reflect the proposed changes to the overall framework within which the PLGC would function in the future. Furthermore, the Premier’s Local Government Council considered three new projects for inclusion in its work program: • Strategic infrastructure and its relationship to the economic development of the State; • Export promotion; and • Increasing retention rates and skilling-up of young people. It was agreed that the issue of increasing retention rates and skilling of young people would be incorporated into the statewide Partnership Agreement on Young Tasmanians that is currently being developed. Members requested that detailed project plans for the other two proposals be developed and tabled at the December meeting of the PLGC.

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Summary of progress on projects currently included on the PLGC Work Program

Simplifying Planning Schemes The Simplifying Planning Schemes Partnership Agreement was signed on 6 October 2000. This project has now been completed. Six common key elements were identified and developed as a way of facilitating a common approach across all planning schemes. A Planning Directive has been issued and it is expected that the six key elements will be adopted by Councils gradually as they review their planing schemes. The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment will implement phase two of the Simplifying Planning Schemes project, with an annual report being provided to the PLGC.

Waste Management The Waste Management Partnership Agreement was signed on 6 October 2000. This project is facilitating the development and implementation of integrated waste management strategies at a local, regional and statewide level. The aim is for State and Local Government to work together to address agreed priorities and provide the leadership, strategic direction and coordination needed for waste management to become a high performance, environmentally sustainable and efficient sector of the Tasmanian economy. The focus has been on developing regional approaches to waste management, dealing with controlled wastes and developing and implementing a more uniform approach to waste classification and measurement throughout the State.

Financial Reform The Financial Reform Partnership Agreement was signed on 29 July 2003. Under the Financial Reform Partnership Agreement the State Government pays Council rates on Crown land (apart on certain types of reserves, roads, bridges and associated infrastructure and Hydro land). Councils pay all State Government taxes, including payroll tax and land tax with exemptions for parks, reserves and conservation areas. Up to $10 million in State Government levies on Local Government have also been abolished. The new arrangements will result in a net transfer of approximately $4 million from State to Local Government. The Federal Cost Shifting Inquiry acknowledged the national importance of the Tasmanian reforms by recommending that the Commonwealth and all State Governments pay rates to Local Government, ‘in line with Tasmania’s State and Local Government Financial Reforms Act 2003, and the associated statewide Partnership Agreement.’ The State and Local Government Financial Reform Act 2003 (‘the Act’) received Royal Assent on 17 November 2003 and commenced on 1 July 2004. Treasury and The Local Government Association of Tasmania has conducted an education program throughout the State and educational audits related to payroll tax will be completed for a sample section of Councils towards the end of the 2004-05 financial year. A guideline for Councils on the practical application of the new exemption for parks and gardens under section 17 of the Land Tax Act 2000 has also been developed. A

50 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004 program has been put in place between the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment and Forestry Tasmania to ensure that all Forestry land is placed on the valuation roll in a staged process by 31 December 2004. Councils will be able to use the supplementary valuation provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 to impose rates on Forestry Tasmania land in 2004/05.

Communication and Consultation The State-Local Government Communication and Consultation Partnership Agreement was signed on 27 March 2003. The Agreement provides guidelines for interaction between the two spheres of government, including timeframes and processes for communication and consultation on draft legislation and major policy decisions. The Local Government Association of Tasmania has established a Legislative Committee that will provide a consolidated view from Local Government on draft legislation being prepared for Parliament. State agencies are also required to consult within specific timeframes on major policy initiatives that impact on Local Government. Equally Local Government is now required to consult on decisions that will impact on the State Government. The Agreement also covers consultation on the State budget, amendments to the budget process and consultation on the legislative forward program and intergovernmental relations. The evaluation of the progress of implementation of the State-Local Government Communication and Consultation Agreement has been completed. Good progress has been made on all schedules. The Working Group is now in the process of reviewing the Guidelines, which it expects will be completed within six months.

Building and Construction Training Policy Research undertaken by the Department of Education suggested that there was not a sufficient number of projects within Local Government to which this Building and Construction Training Policy would apply. It appears that most projects valued over $250,000 are in the area of Civil Construction and the policy currently only applies to Building and Construction projects. Consequently, the PLGC agreed to take this item off its Work Program.

Statewide Partnership Agreement on Young Tasmanians The PLGC agreed to develop a statewide Partnership Agreement on Young Tasmanians as it considers this to be an area that could benefit from closer cooperation between the two spheres of government. Four sub-working groups are developing the Agreement: 1. Governance Subgroup – With representatives from the Department of Education, Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Local Government Association of Tasmania; 2. Education Subgroup – With representatives from the Department of Education and the Local Government Association of Tasmania;

51 State and Local Government Partnership Agreements November 2004

3. Community Safety Subgroup – With representatives from the Department of Police and Public Safety, Department of Health and Human Services and the Local Government Association of Tasmania; and 4. Health and Wellbeing Subgroup – With representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Local Government Association of Tasmania. Progress on a draft Partnership Agreement is well advanced.

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Tripartite Agreement The Partnership Agreements process can offer an innovative approach to dealing with a wide range of important issues. In addition to bilateral, regional, and statewide agreements, governments at all levels are now looking at developing tripartite agreements on issues of mutual concern. In Tasmania, as in all other states, the three spheres of government are grappling with the problems surrounding planning for our ageing population. On August 20, 2003, the Federal Department of Health and Ageing, State Department of Health and Human Services and the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), signed Protocol Arrangements for the development of a Partnership Agreement for Positive Ageing in Tasmania. The Protocol Arrangements were jointly announced by the Hon Kevin Andrews MHR, the then Australian Minister for Ageing, the Hon David Llewellyn, Minister for Health and Human Services and the President of LGAT, Cr Lynn Mason. Some of the outcomes being sought include: • Better planning and delivery of services for older people; • Improved access to and sharing of information for planning purposes; • Increased community awareness of ageing issues and the needs of older people in the community; • An improved planning process that supports the development of nursing homes; • Improved capacity of service providers to identify areas for development. The project is overseen by a Steering Committee made up of senior officials from each sphere of government and is supported by a Project Management Team. The Local Government Division provides advice and support to the project, through the Project Management Team. A draft agreement has been completed focussing on the themes of greater access to information, building community capacity and improved planning. The draft agreement will be circulated for public comment prior to being finalised and signed by representatives from each sphere of government. Once signed, the Agreement will be the first of its kind in Australia.

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Appendix 1:

List of Ministers and Heads of Agency responsible for Partnership Agreements Name of Agreement Government Representative Chair of the Peak Group

Brighton MLC Peter Hoult (Justice) Break O’Day David Llewellyn MHA John Ramsay (DHHS) Burnie City MLC Mark Addis (DIER) Central Highlands Paul Lennon Premier Kim Evans (DPIWE) Circular Head Bryan Green MHA Peter Hoult (Justice) Cradle Coast Authority Steve Kons MHA Scott Gadd (DTPHA) Derwent Valley Michael Aird MLC Mark Addis (DIER) Devonport City Paul Lennon Premier Bob Rutherford (DPAC) Dorset Jim Cox MHA Rebekah Burton (DPAC) Flinders Kathryn Hay MHA Linda Hornsey (DPAC) George Town Jim Cox MHA Jack Johnson (DPPS) Glamorgan-Spring Bay David Llewellyn MHA Rob Giason (Tourism) Glenorchy City Graeme Sturgess MHA Don Challen (Treasury) Hobart Capital City Judy Jackson MHA Linda Hornsey (DPAC) Kingborough MHA Richard McCreadie (DPPS) King Island Steve Kons MHA Peter Hoult (Justice) Latrobe Bryan Green MHA John Ramsay (DHHS) Meander Valley Ken Bacon MHA Michele Mosley (DPIWE) Northern Midlands Ken Bacon MHA Linda Hornsey (DPAC) Northern Tasmania Jim Cox MHA Kim Evans (DPIWE) Development Southern Tasmanian Councils Paul Lennon MHA Norm Mcilfatrick (DED) Tasman David Llewellyn MHA Rob Giason (DTPHA) West Coast Ken Bacon MHA Michael Stevens (DOE) West Tamar Kathryn Hay MHA Rhys Edwards (DED)

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Appendix 2:

List of signed State and Local Government Partnership Agreements, by signing date:

Launceston City…………………………………. 26 November 1999 Waste Management (statewide)…………………. 6 October 2000 Simplifying Planning Schemes (statewide)……… 6 October 2000 Glenorchy City…………………………………... 19 October 2000 Flinders………………………………………….. 20 October 2000 Northern Tasmania Development……………….. 18 July 2001 Cradle Coast Authority………………………….. 10 October 2001 Hobart City……………………………………… 11 December 2001 Kingborough…………………………………….. 18 December 2001 Break O'Day……………………………………... 12 April 2002 Burnie City………………………………………. 6 September 2002 West Coast………………………………………. 11 September 2002 Derwent Valley………………………………….. 19 September 2002 Central Highlands……………………………….. 15 October 2002 Glamorgan-Spring Bay …………………………. 3 December 2002 George Town…………………………………….. 23 March 2003 King Island……………………………………….. 3 April 2003 Latrobe…………………………………………… 17 July 2003 Meander Valley………………………………….. 24 April 2003 Communications and Consultation (statewide)….. 27 March 2003 Financial Relations (statewide)………………….. 29 July 2003 Dorset…………………………………………….. 14 October 2003 West Tamar………………………………………. 30 October 2003 Northern Midlands……………………………….. 5 December 2003 Southern Tasmanian Councils……………………. 11 December 2003 Tasman……………………………………………. 11 May 2004 Brighton…………………………………………... 2 September 2004 Devonport City…………………………………… 15 September 2004 Circular Head……………………………………... 20 September 2004

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