Helen Burnet - Local Government Association of Tasmania

Helen Burnet is the latest edition to
Hobart City Council having been elected
on recount after Alderman Mat Hines
resigned to work interstate.
Helen has lived in Hobart for
the past 11 years and works at the
Helen Burnet
Hobart’s Newest Alderman
Royal Hobart Hospital as a senior
podiatrist. Helen is involved in
a number of community groups
including the New Town Rivulet
Catchment Care Group and a local
resident’s group in North Hobart
which she has represented at
the Council of Hobart Progress
Associations. Helen is currently
president of the Health and
Community Services Union’s
Health Professional sub-branch
and was a member of the Working
Women’s Centre Committee of
Management, stepping down
recently to spend more time on
council matters.
See Page 52
Outside of
community affairs,
one of Helen’s
interests is public
speaking and
she is helping
co-ordinate the
Rostrum Voice of
Youth competition
later this year.
“There are
many elements
to celebrate
about Hobart.
During the 2002
elections, I stood
on issues which
I believed were
important for our
city. Part of what
makes Hobart
a good city in
which to live is
the natural beauty
and our proximity
as residents
to it. Recent
compulsory
acquisition of bushland at Mt
Nelson helps protect this for now
and into the future which I believe
is commendable. I look forward to
helping improve the quality of our
waterways, and having a greater
number of green spaces - parks,
bushland and other recreational
areas. It is important for the health
of the city and those who use it
to have areas in which to sit and
enjoy timeout from the hustle and
bustle.”
“Sullivan’s Cove is a particularly
special area for most Tasmanians.
The State Government’s Waterfront
Authority now has control over the
developments and changes to this
area. I believe changes must be
handled to ensure the balance of
working port, and recreational area.
It must not lose the ambience that is
so special. Public spaces need to be
retained and improved.
Helen advocates for nonpolluting
modes of transport.
“I want to see safer cycleways
and walking in the municipality.
Coming from a public health
background, I am determined to
improve the health of the people
of Hobart. We cannot afford to
continually ignore those lifestyle
related conditions such as diabetes
and cancers which can be avoided
by physical activity. Hobart has
some first-class facilities such as
the Tattersall’s Hobart Aquatic
Centre, and the intercity cycleway,
as well as great bushwalks at our
doorstep. I believe that one of the
greatest challenges for me in my
time at HCC is to get people active
and involved. I look forward to
such a challenge!”
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faces of local government
Whilst born in Tasmania, it was his time in
New Zealand where David developed his
conservation values of working with the
environment.
David Jackson
Clarence Alderman
David often worked alongside
conservation groups on
eradication programs and was
employed to shoot deer, goats,
pigs and other feral pests. Having
hunted extensively in most
southern African countries, David
believes Tasmania is heading in
the right direction with regard to
land management and believes
more needs to be done to
support infill development close
to existing services and amenity.
David moved to Bellerive in
1969 to complete his electrical
apprenticeship with the Hydro
Electric Commission and then went
on to Tarraleah and Strathgordon
operating the generation and
distribution network. Since 1993,
David has been running a small
plastics manufacturing business on
the western shore. He is married to
Jocelyn and has three adult children
and three grandchildren.
“I think that I am lucky to be
living in Clarence, the best part of
the best state in Australia, and I
think that it is my job to promote
it and encourage investment
and development. As an elected
representative of Clarence I think
that I can view every item of
concern to us with a realistic and
open mind to the benefit of all
stakeholders.”
Originally from Dunedin in New Zealand, Kay
has lived in Australia for the last 35 years.
As a mother of six, Kay has been a ‘stay-athome’
mum however, achieved an Associate
Diploma in Social Science and the first year
of an arts degree and IT certificates.
Kay is involved with numerous
community groups such as the
Kay McFarlane
Clarence Alderman
Parents and Friends, junior football,
boxing, surfing, Toastmasters and
the State Community Development
Board. It was through a community
action group that Kay came to stand
for the Clarence Council.
Says Kay “I have gained my
confidence from the support that exists
within community groups. Community
groups have to put in a huge amount
of time and effort to address their
concerns. This is evident in the
outcome for Droughty Point where
the community initiated a re-zoning
on behalf of the landowner to gain a
reserve. The Friends of Droughty Point
Inc. wrote the application, covered the
costs of fees and organised the ongoing
community support needed to achieve
this outcome.
“I am hopeful that my experience
will broaden outcomes for residents
in Clarence with resource allocation,
better planning outcomes and future
directions that progress equality and
the quality lifestyle we all currently
enjoy.
“I am specifically interested in
better planning outcomes at both
a state and local level that create
sustainable local environments.
Clarence has a wonderful variety
of bird life and native flora plus
magnificent views and coastlines.
Council has committed resources
to reviewing the natural assets
of our area which will hopefully
lead to better understanding and
conservation of natural values within
all development.”
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L G A T N e w s – J u l y 2 0 0 5

faces of local government
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L G A T N e w s – J u l y 2 0 0 5

faces of local government
Ron Sanderson
New General Manager for Brighton
Following the departure of Geoff Dodge
after 33 years at the helm, Brighton
Council has announced the appointment
of its new general manager, former
deputy general manager, Ron Sanderson.
Ron brings 14 years experience
as an engineer in the oil and
gas industry in both Canada and
Australia, as well as 18 years of
local government experience within
Tasmania to the position.
“I am very honoured to have
been given this job and I have
many exciting plans and goals I
would like to achieve with the team
here at Brighton Council. These
include areas such as sustainable
development, continuing with
important social and community work
particularly that being undertaken
by BURP (Bridgewater Brighton
Urban Renewal Project), industrial
and economic development and the
further enhancement of the Brighton
Industrial Estate.
“I have already greatly enjoyed
being involved with the council at
a time of great change and new
direction and am looking forward to
many exciting developments in the
near future.”
Ron holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Electrical Engineering
from the University of Manitoba in
Canada and a Master of Business
Administration in Technology
Management from Deakin University
in Melbourne.
He is the founding and current
president of BURP Inc, the
Tasmanian regional president of the
Australian Institute of Management,
the past president of the Circular
Head Arts Festival and was
administrator of Kentish Council
from early 2002 until mid 2003.
His other passions include his
membership of the West Coast Eagles
and the Tasmanian Cricket Association.
Caroline Gifford
2005 Young Planner of the Year
Caroline Gifford, development appraisal
planner with the Hobart City Council has
been named the Planning Institute of
Australia’s (PIA) National Young Planner
of the Year 2005.
According to the PIA, “Caroline
demonstrates impressive professional
and personal achievements and
contributions. She demonstrates
significant organisational and
social skills, making contributions
in Tasmania and other states.
Remarkably, these contributions
have been made whilst undertaking
post-graduate study and early
career development. Caroline
has enthusiastically demonstrated
the essence of multitasking in
educational advancement, career
development and advancement of
the profession.”
Specifically, Caroline was central
to the organisation of the Planning
Institute of Australia’s Congress in
Hobart in 2004 and she initiated a
young planners group in Tasmania.
The Young Planners Group
provides services to support
young planners in their career
development. Caroline has
instigated informal social and
professional development events
and encouraged Tasmanian
young planners to get involved
at a national level in professional
development forums such as the
PIA national congress (through
a scholarship program) and
Youthquake, a forum where
professionals from the development
industry meet together to put
forward a vision they have for the
next 20 to 50 years.
In February 2004, Caroline was
formally recognised as the young
planner representative for the
Tasmanian division of the Planning
Institute and as the Tasmanian
representative on the national Young
Planner Group.
The Tasmanian Young Planner
Group recently launched a calendar
of events for the 2005/2006 financial
year. Events range from professional
development forums, to social events.
Says Caroline, “We’ve already achieved
some sponsorship from various
government organisations but are
hoping to finalise more and we’re also
looking at holding events with the
young engineers group.”
“One of the outcomes of my
work in gaining Tasmanian young
planners a voice at the national level
is that as they now have contacts all
over Australia if they move interstate
to further their careers in planning.”
L G A T N e w s – J u l y 2 0 0 5

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faces of local government
The following is an excerpt from
Cr Terrence McKenna’s speech on receipt
of LGAT Life Membership, Thursday June
16, 2005. Cr McKenna is a member of the
Central Coast Council. He has served 15
years as a councillor as well as 38 years as
an officer of local government, including 23
years as a council clerk.
“....When reflecting on my term in
local government as an employee and
councillor, I am aware that a principal
state statute... has applied during my
term of service, the Local Government
Acts 1908, 1962, 1993 and 2005.
In short summary the 1908 Local
Government Act:
• Established 47 municipalities and
2 cities.
• Basically provided for councils to
be instruments of the state.
• Franchise - voting restricted to
property owners - property value
determined eligibility to receive
1-4 votes.
• Ward system created to give equal
representation on a population
basis. This system later created
gerrymandered electorates.
The 1962 Local Government
Act - introduced with little or no
consultation with local government:
• Councils primarily remained state
utilities - told functions to perform
and legal requirements.
• Legislation provided for the
restructure of local government
and a possible reduction in
council numbers.
• A 1972 amendment to voting
legislation - provided property
owners and known occupiers a
single vote at council elections
- dispensed with multiple voting.
This era saw state and federal
funding provided through direct
grants - petrol tax - State Grants
Commission established.
The 1993 Local Government Act
- introduced with some consultation
with local government:
Terrence McKenna
Life Member
• Local government restructured
in this era and council numbers
reduced from 46 to 29.
• Act gave much more flexibility to
local government’s operations.
• Decisions of a council were the
subject of professional advice.
• Councillors were offered an
allowance rather than give their
time and services gratuitously.
• Adult franchise and postal voting
introduced with a result, increased
elector participation - prior
participation 15-20% at best. Now
65% average.
Since the introduction of the 1993
Act and until the present time, we have
witnessed changes in relationships
with state and federal governments,
due primarily to a closer liaison with
all forms of government generated
through much stronger and activated
national and state local government
associations. Benefits include more
federal funds to local and regional
projects, state financial support for
municipal undertakings, and partnership
agreements between councils and the
Tasmanian Government.
Finally, the 2005 Local Government
Amendment Act:
• The ultimate legislation to control
local government [Tasmania],
framed as a result of a close
constructive co-operative approach
by local government, local
government organisations (elected
and managerial) and the state to
provide a municipal structure...
that will be financially stronger and
more effective and efficient.
In respect to this last mentioned
legislation, I was one of the
minority that supported three-year
elections and the one-out all-out
concept. I believe that at election
time a full council needs to answer
to the electorate’s opinion on its
Boost for Community
Housing
Funding through the Community
Housing Program for the Tasman
and Central Highlands Councils
will result in the construction and
performance over the past period.
Change [is] inevitable:
• Roads - from pick and shovel and
horse and dray to sophisticated
earthmoving equipment.
• Water - undrinkable raw water
to regional and municipal water
supplies.
• Sewerage disposal - night carts to
septic tanks and the provision of
treatment sewerage plants.
• Town planning - controlled
development of urban,
industrial community and rural
development.
• Accounting and records keeping
- gone from pen and ink,
handwritten ledgers, machine
accounting to computers.
What of the future of local
government in Tasmania I believe
that the structure is certain to
change, with reduction in council
numbers and an enlargement of
municipal districts. Economics
alone will demand changes as
a smaller municipal area finds
difficulty in fulfilling its statutory
requirements and to provide
today’s expected services without
substantial funding from the
respective governments.
On the issue of restructure or
amalgamation, I have always had
a strong conviction that local
government needs to look at itself and
determine the need for restructure
and the benefits arising therefrom and
after that deliberation, come up with a
positive attitude and policy. Better to
say ‘that’s what we want’ than to be
told ‘that’s what you get.’
Finally, I am also of the strong
conviction that local government
should be recognised constitutionally
and believe continued representation
should be made through the ALGA to
achieve this objective.”
upgrade of housing for people with
disabilities and older persons. The
Community Housing Program helps
community organisations to provide
accommodation for people who
have support needs or are on low
incomes. Go to www.dhhs.tas.gov.
au/services/view.phpid=449 for
more information.
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