Spring 2012 - Vol 2. No 3 - Derwent Valley Council

This year has been a challengingyear, starting with a spate of firesthat destroyed property andfarmland. Thankfully no homes orlives were lost. We have seen costof living rises, uncertainty aroundemployment in the forestry andassociated industries and the stateof the economy in general effectour community.The retirement of two long-standingstaff members has meant a reshuffleof some duties. This has given us theopportunity to look at how we dothings and to see if there are differentor better ways to achieve our goalsand produce good outcomes for thecommunity.With so much change it’s easy to forgetwhat we have achieved together.The Community Mens shed hasopened at Carinya Education Park,with Council facilitating the shedthrough a no cost lease arrangementwith Derwent Valley CommunityHouse.Friends of Frascati and Friends ofWillow Court continue to go fromstrength to strength, with in kindsupport from Council, including theprovision of toilets, tables and chairsat open days and assistance with somemowing and cleaning up of areas.The Spatial Plan Review Committeecompleted its implementation planfor the New Norfolk area with someFROM THEGENERALMANAGER’SDESKStephen Mackey, General Manager of theDerwent Valley Councilrecommendations already implemented;increased seating aroundthe town, a new public toilet facilityunder way at Millbrook Rise boatramp and more toilets open to thepublic around the area. Larger projectswill need to be put throughCouncil’s budget process for fundingin the coming yearsThe New Norfolk Business Alliance,a special committee of Council hasproduced a number of television adsresulting in increased business in thetown. Other initiatives include theChristmas Parade, a free bus serviceto bring shoppers to New Norfolkand the Re-New Norfolk event earlierthis year.The Willow Court SpecialConservation Committee is workingon implementing a grant whichCouncil applied for and receivedearlier this year.The Burnett and Bridge Street workshave been completed, along withmany other works right across themunicipality.Council continues to support theRivers Run Tourism Association andthe Mt Field Tourism group. The MtField group recently held the verysuccessful Tiger Trail Festival in theDerwent Valley over a weekend.The Forestry Tasmania DerwentValley Autumn Festival was again agreat success as recognised in theprestigious Tasmanian CommunityAchievement Awards.These are just a few examples of theway that Council works to supportand strengthen our community.None of this could be done withoutthe hard work and support of staffwho go the extra mile to help outwhen the going gets tough.I would like to take this opportunityon behalf of everyone at Council towish everyone in the Derwent Valleya Merry Christmas and a happy andsafe New Year.∆SUMMER’S ON THE WAY AND SO IS FIRE SEASONSummer is finally on the way, withmost of us looking forward to itafter what seems to have been along, cold winter.With the joys of BBQ’s and balmyevenings comes the threat of bushfiresand other uncontrolled fires.Council has commenced its FireHazard Abatement Program for theyear, letters have been sent to ownersof all unoccupied land and municipalinspectors are conducting visualinspections of properties to ensurethat there is no excess of growth thatcould cause a fire hazard.The Fire Hazard Abatement Programaims to protect property from fireif one should start, and to stopthe spread of fire to neighbouringproperties. Many fires start on theroadside, making roadside andboundary clearing particularlyimportant.Council’s roadside slashing programfor the year will start in the Grantonarea and moving through other areasof the municipality. The sprayingprogram to reduce weeds androadside growth has been completed,some areas may be revisited ifnecessary.Slashing and clearing has startedalong the Lyell Highway, this alongwith Gordon River Road is a Stateroad and the responsibility of theState Government.It is also time to prepare for bushfires,especially if you live in a rural area.The Tasmanian Fire Service (TFS)can provide a range of informationon how to prepare your home in caseof a bushfire or other fire threat.Information on Bushfire SurvivalPlans, Fire Danger Rating andthe Bushfire DVD – Prepare, Act,Survive is available from the TFS.Landowners or anyone else planningto burn off should also contact theTFS to see if a Fire Permit is required.The TFS website contains a lot ofuseful information about reducingfire hazards (www.tas.fire.gov.TWOau) or you can call the TasmanianFire Service on 1800 000 699 forinformation on any of the above.To speak to a municipal officer aboutCouncil’s Fire Hazard AbatementProgram, please call 6261 8530during business hours. ∆ADDITIONAL TOILET FACILITIESAVAILABLE TO THE PUBLICFor some time Council has beenaware that there is a shortage of publictoilet facilities available in the area.In addition to the public toilets inCircle Street, at Arthur Square and onthe Esplanade, the toilets in the Hallbuilding at the Molesworth Reserveand at the rear of the football/cricketground change rooms in TynwaldPark, are now open to the public.A toilet block is under construction atMillbrook Rise Boat Ramp and will beopen to the public when completed inthe near future.∆