News The newsletter of the Derwent Valley Council Winter/Spring 2011, volume 1 number 1 COUNCIL DECISION BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO UNDERUTILISED BUILDING The old Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) building, adjacent to High School, will receive a new lease of life and help disengaged youth in the Derwent Valley. This comes thanks to a decision made by the majority of Councillors at the August Council meeting. In doing this Council has reaffirmed its commitment to work with disengaged and at risk youth in the Derwent Valley. The BEC building will be leased for a peppercorn rent by Council from the State Government for two years. After The BEC building as it is now. Photo courtesy of Matt Hill that time, if the proposed programmes prove successful, there is an option Derwent Valley. Having a number Following a community survey about for Council to permanently take of services housed in the same area the needs of young people in the over the building through a transfer will provide a community focus area, in 2007, Council adopted a from Crown Land. Council has not for collaborative efforts involving recommendation to support RAFT committed to a permanent takeover of education and training. to establish an educational facility. the building. The building will require Although still in its planning stages, This was reinforced in a 2010 survey little work to bring it up to standard that showed education was the most for its new use. this project has great potential to change education and youth important issue to young people in In committing to this project participation, not only in the Derwent the municipality. In 2008 a suitable Valley but right across the region. building was identified, but due to the Derwent Valley Council has the amount of money needed to shown its willingness to work There are discussions around setting up a committee type structure to refurbish the building it was not outside the square to support help guide the progress and guide the possible to move ahead with the idea. young people in the valley. project. There are also hopes that the The BEC building was investigated as old hostel may be used in the future a potential site during late 2010 and The programme, to be led by RAFT and that a caretaker who is in some early 2011 and negotiations with the (Real Action Forward Thinking) way involved in the project will be State Government commenced in will see a number of youth based found for the site. 2011. ∆ organisations housed in the building to provide support and training for at The BEC was originally built by Hydro risk youth. The RAFT team will work as a hostel to house children FIND US ON THE WEB in conjunction with the High School from the outer reaches of the Derwent and non government organisations Valley and Central Highlands while You can find Derwent Valley Coun- like Mission to provide they attended New Norfolk High cil on the web at; opportunities for young people who School. After lying idle for some time www.derwentvalley.tas.gov.au would otherwise find it hard to cope the building was used by the New Our website contains lots of use- in the system. Norfolk Business Enterprise Centre. Since the BEC left the building, it has ful information including Council In the long term it is hoped that the not had a major commercial use. Meeting Agendas, Minutes of past teaching spaces can be used for a meetings, our Strategic Plan for range of courses for students who Council has had a commitment to 2011 – 2015, information on plan- are disengaged or at risk, and that youth services in the valley since before 2005 when the RAFT steering ning and Council services, forms those courses will eventually become and other important information. ∆ available for students outside the committee was initiated by Council. Derwent Valley Council – Phone – 6261 85 00 Postal Address – PO Box 595, New Norfolk Tas 7140 COUNCILLOR’S AWARD FROM THE GENERAL A TRIBUTE TO VALLEY MANAGER’S DESK Stephen Mackey, General Manager of the Derwent Valley Council assist in the management of the road network and help to advise residents on when work will be done on various roads. Council will use the Road Hierarchy to help it plan and provide a safe, convenient and comfortable road system to the region. The aim is to responsibly allocate limited funds for road works in the fairest possible way. Cr Judy Bromfield receives congratulations on her award from Mayor Martyn Evans. Each road is classified into the hierarchy based on traffic flows and Cr Judy Bromfield recently won Welcome to the first edition of our road function (that is, what the road is the first Life Members Award for newsletter, we hope that you find it mainly used for, an arterial road with Meritorious Service presented by interesting and informative. over 1500 vehicle movements per day the Local Government Association In coming editions you’ll find will have a higher priority for general of Tasmania. information on the decisions made by maintenance than a local road with only 35 vehicle movements a day. The Award recognises exceptional Councillors at Council Meetings and how Council will implement those; Inspections and basic maintenance service to Local Government in will be carried out in a scheduled Tasmania by an elected member. as well as information on what’s happening at Council and the jobs fashion, but major emergency works “This is an award for our whole that our dedicated staff do behind the will still be fixed as soon as possible. Valley, it shows that when we put scenes to keep things happening in The Road Hierarchy Policy was our minds to something we can the Derwent Valley. advertised for public comment in really achieve. We are coming to the end of a long, January, with comments closing in “This award isn’t just for me, it wet winter one of the wettest we’ve March. The Policy was presented recognises the work of the whole seen in a long time and this has had to the last Council Meeting for Council, a lot of which goes an effect on our roads. Water seeps Councillors to discuss and vote upon, into the road from runoff and rain and will soon be implemented. Copies on quietly behind the scenes,” of the policy will be available from Councillor Bromfield said. ∆ creating potholes, cracks and other problems with the road surface. Council Chambers or the website LOCAL GOVERNMENT During very wet periods it’s almost once it has been finalised. ∆ ELECTIONS ON THE WAY impossible to successfully fix these types of problems, as water loosens Voting in Local Government any patching and other remedies Elections is not compulsory, but to the problem. I know that many everyone who is eligible to vote is residents have raised concerns about encouraged to do so and have their the state of some of our roads in say in the future of the Municipality. recent times. As the ground is starting Local Government voting is done to dry out Council will be able to start by postal vote, and enrolled voters repairs very soon. should expect to see voting forms With responsibility for over 300km arriving in their mail soon. of roads in the Municipality, Council This year elections will be held for is preparing a Road Hierarchy to Mayor and Deputy Mayor, as well as 5 Councillors in the Derwent Thanks to Local Businesses for Supporting this Newsletter Valley as part of State wide Local Derwent Valley Council would like to thank Molesworth Fabulous Foods- Government Elections. the following businesses for helping to Molesworth Road, Molesworth distribute this Newsletter to the community: Lachlan General Store- Lachlan Rd Lachlan Candidates’ nominations close at 12 General Store- Magra Village Store- Back River Rd, Magra noon on Monday 26th September, Kallista Road, Maydena Our next edition will be out in December, nominations will be announced on Westerway Road House- and available from the above businesses the 27th September. The Polling Road, Westerway and the Derwent Valley Council Chambers Bushy Park Road House- in Circle Street. period is from 11th October to We value your input and feedback, if you 10am on Tuesday 25th October, and , Bushy Park Eagle Snack Bar- Hamilton Rd, New Norfolk would like to make a comment on the results will become available as they New Norfolk Newsagency- newsletter please contact our Regional are counted from the 25th to the High Street, New Norfolk Development Officer: Jess Dallas on 28th October. ∆ 6261 8517 or email: [email protected] Change happens when council MAYOR’S MUTTERINGS and community work together Welcome to the first edition of the Derwent Valley Council In June this year, the State offering their support and wanting Newsletter, the aim is to pro- Government announced they had to know how they could help to vide residents and ratepayers plans to close 20 schools across the keep Glenora as a High School, it with information on some of the State. One of those was Glenora was amazing to see the community workings of and happenings in District High School, which would from Maydena to New Norfolk and Council. have been changed from a District Lachlan to Gretna and everywhere As Local Government elections High to a Primary School. in between working for a common are close at hand I will not go into Within hours of this decision being cause. detail about projects that are on announced by the State Government, Then, only days before the the way and things that I have Council was contacted by concerned submission was to be put together been involved in recently. community members who wanted and delivered to the Education I’d like to thank all the staff who to know how we could work Department; the news came that have been involved in developing together to stop it from happening. the Minister was postponing school and supplying information for this A loose working group was formed, closures. There was shock and newsletter and hope that you find and the community took the lead in jubilation for everyone involved. it interesting. ∆ motivating people to get on board to As good as this news was, it’s Save Glenora District High. important to remember that we The School Association was haven’t won the war, just that battle. required by the State Government The State Government has appointed to prepare a submission about why a School Viability Reference Group, the High School section should not to look at a new set of criteria for be closed. This was a huge job for a possible school closures. small group of people who were still If there is another Derwent Valley reeling from the threat of having School threatened with closure, part of their community taken away. Council will again work with the Council staff worked side by side community to do everything we can with members from the School to fight the closure of our schools. Association and broader community Thanks to everyone, community to gather information about the Mayor, Martyn Evans members from everywhere, elected importance of the school, in social, Councillors and Council staff who educational and economic terms. helped out to stop our school from PLANNING REFORMS ON THE WAY The phones rang hot, with people being closed. ∆ The Southern Tasmanian Regional Glenora District High School, still contributing to our community. Planning Scheme review is well Photo Courtesy Glenora District High School under way. Council, in association with the other eleven Southern Tasmanian Councils is in the process of developing a new planning scheme. During the development of the new planning scheme, Derwent Valley Council will take into account local conditions such as the setting of Lot sizes in various zones. Some zone changes are required to ensure the planning scheme fits in with the new State Government planning scheme template. The planning scheme when drafted NATIONAL SENIORS WEEK 2011 will be placed on public exhibition Council, along with its partners, Lions Wednesday 5th October, Mayors for a period of time. During this Club of New Norfolk, New Norfolk Afternoon Tea, New Norfolk Football public exhibition period, individuals District Football Club, New Norfolk Clubrooms, 1.30 pm -3.30 pm. or organisations may submit RSL, New Norfolk High School, and Thursday 6th October, Grandparents representations before the planning the Bingo Committee will be cel- day at New Norfolk High School, 11.30 scheme is finalised and endorsed ebrating National Seniors week from am – 1pm at a Council Meeting prior to it October 1 – 7 For further information, and to nomi- There are three big events on this year: nate a person for a Certificate, please being brought into effect by the Tuesday 4th October, Seniors Bingo at phone Julie Triffett on 6261 3938. ∆ Resource Planning and Development the RSL Club, 1.30 – 3.30 pm Commission. ∆ D’FAT & VALLEY YOUTH LEAD IN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION The Derwent Valley Youth Future assistance from the Council outdoor Action Team (D’FAT) was set up in workforce constructed and installed 2002 as the youth advisory group for additional play-equipment at Ellis Dean Council and has gone from strength Reserve. This ‘fort’ was made possible to strength over the years. through grant funding received by D’FAT aims to make sure that young D’FAT in 2010 and consultations made people’s views are represented in the by D’FAT with local residents in 2009. community and to help to develop Council received a National Tidy Towns young leaders and empower young award (Young Legends category) in people to promote a positive image. April 2011 for the refurbishment works Throughout the year D’FAT supports undertaken by D’FAT at this community and leads the way in many community recreational reserve. Additionally, activities and projects, including Lucas Kaiser (D’FAT Member) and Ricky D’FAT conducted a workshop at the Duggan (Derwent Valley Council Outdoor 2011 Tasmanian Youth Conference being involved in the Bushy Park Staff) working together on the fort at Ellis Show, Lachlan Festival and Planet Ark Dean Reserve. Photo Courtesy of D’FAT. (TYC) in May regarding the FEDS National Tree Day. initiative. Membership of D’FAT is free, initiative began in 2003, with the aim and open to young people (aged 12 to Some highlights of 2011 include D’FAT to encourage social improvements and 25 years) across the whole municipality. continuing with their FEDS (Friends activities to Ellis Dean Reserve. From Find out more about D’FAT at: of Ellis Dean) initiative. The FEDS late June to early July 2011. D’FAT, with www.dfat.com.au ∆ The Inner Workings... VALLEY CHILDREN’S CENTRE The Local Government other things that go on un- – OUR BEST KEPT SECRET Act of 1993 is the major noticed by the public. Many parents don’t know weekdays, and closed on piece of legislation that Council workshops are about our best kept secret, Public Holidays. Family governs the way Councils held from time to time to Valley Children’s Centre in Day Care has flexible hours Ring Road. and can even accommodate operate, the powers they provide information to have and prescribes the re- This multi service child care parents who work shifts. Councillors on specific Call Carol for information at sponsibilities of Council- topics. Workshops are in- centre has operated in New Norfolk for over 30 years the Centre on 6261 1203. lors and Council staff formal; the normal rules under the watchful eye of CONGRATULATIONS! The Act gives Councils of meetings do not apply. Director Carol Volant. Carol certain powers like setting It is important to remem- and her team of energetic Council would like to rates and certain responsi- ber that no decisions can early childhood educators congratulate the Derwent bilities such as represent- be made at a workshop. operate long day care, Valley Community House ing and promoting the in- For a decision to be made before and after school care on its successful application terests of the community at from a matter raised at a and vacation care from the to the Community Support all levels of Government. workshop it needs to be Centre as well as facilitating Levy Combined Grants. raised at a Council Meet- Family Day Care with 16 Community House has Council Meetings, work- registered educators. been successful in gaining shops and committees are ing in a formal motion to The accredited Children’s a substantial grant which all procedural elements of Councillors. Councillors will fund a programme will then debate and vote Centre is a community based Local Government that not for profit organisation involving community food have an impact on the on the matter, and make a and is sponsored by the production, nutrition and people who live in the mu- decision that Council will Derwent Valley Council. It cooking skills and training nicipality. There are many implement. ∆ is open from 7am to 6pm opportunities. Major works have been The driveways around school crossing area. THE WORKS scheduled to start on Beaurepaires and the Caltex The majority of the work R E P O RT Montagu and Burnett service station will be done in this area will not be Streets this month, and renewed, and stormwater seen once completed, and should be completed by the mains will be installed consists of drains to collect end of November, weather between Burnett Street and and dispose of underground permitting. There may be Bridge Street. New kerb water. Water under the road some disruption to traffic and gutter, along with a new is one of the major causes of during this period, but the foot path will be installed problems with road surfaces end result will see great on the Derwent River side and it destabilises the road improvements to these two of Montagu Street. There base, causing long term major roads. will also be some footpath problems with the road There will be major work on Burnett Street to surface. Some of this work improvements to the complete the works and has already been done to Burnett and Montagu ensure pedestrian safety. allow the road to dry out in Street intersection with the Works will also take place preparation for resealing in , including along Back River Road some areas. This should take wheelchair accessible between Derwent Terrace, place in December subject crossings in the area. Warner Ave and near the to weather conditions. ∆