FROM THE EXAMINER: "Ratepayer group cops council posts"

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Since many people are not on, nor interested in being on, FACEBOOK and in any event "things get lost on FACEBOOK" we are copying the 'council spray' in response to "concerned citizens'" contributions to SOCIAL MEDIA. 

We all need to learn to do, and use, Social Media better, much better, but it is interesting to see council embrace it.

However, like many of us, 'council functionaries'  have much to learn in regard to using social media for 'effective communication'. We all do!

That said, the emerging discourse comes so very very late and somewhat clumsily. 

• Observation: Aldermen rarely if ever these days are quoted individually, why is that? It is said that the GM must "vet everything that comes out of council", is that so? ... and
• Do aldermen hold independent, and sometimes contrary, views that they cannot, or do not, share with their constituency? .... and
• On what basis do aldermen these day collect their "ratepayers' allowances"? .... and
• Is the council actually a cabal committed to consensus, and everything staying the same, at all costs?

The aldermen probably need lessons in social media to enable them to speak in their own voice and communicate more effectively with their constituents ... you know the people who elect them and they are supposed to represent rather than resent. ... Tandra  .... read on ........

QUOTE "It's time to shoot down some wild conspiracy theories and misinformation. We know this is a long post, but we believe the community deserves to know the facts on a topic of this importance:

The University of Tasmania's Northern campus expansion proposal has generated a lot of community debate. And that's a good thing. But before you are swayed by misinformation and conspiracy theories, we'd urge you to look at the facts and reach your own conclusions.

In May this year, the City of Launceston joined with the State Government, the University of Tasmania and TasTAFE under an MoU to explore the potential of an inner city campus in Launceston.

As UTAS has made clear, the Northern campus is unsustainable under the current model, and redeveloping the Newnham site will be more expensive than creating a purpose-built campus at Inveresk and Willis Street.

UTAS undertook a public consultation process on the proposal, and held a public meeting at the Albert Hall. For many months, Aldermen have been liaising between the community and UTAS and other MoU signatories in order to get the best outcome for Launceston.

We believe UTAS has acted in good faith in these discussions. UTAS plans to expand on its current course offerings, and to build its student base in the North.

At the most recent Council meeting, Aldermen voted unanimously to transfer two parcels of land to allow this proposal to be explored further; one at Inveresk and one at Willis Street. The Inveresk land parcel is currently valued at $1.9m, while the Willis Street car park parcel is currently valued at $2.6m.

Why did the Council vote unanimously to do this, and why was it supported by so many organisations like the Property Council of Tasmania, the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, the State Government and Cityprom? Because if the proposal proceeds it will cement UTAS in the North for generations to come.

It could lead to a $220m capital investment on the doorstep of our CBD.

Modelling from UTAS indicates that by 2025, the economic impact of a relocation to Inveresk could top $290m annually.

It could create a new student population on the doorstep of our CBD who will live in Launceston, work in Launceston, and shop in Launceston.

Because to advocate for the status quo does nothing to further our city. Because this represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for capital investment in Launceston.

There is no doubt that the investment by this Council is significant, and there are some important conditions around this transfer. They include that before any land is transferred, UTAS must be able to secure funding to allow its development to proceed. Another condition is that the development shall be undertaken by UTAS in line with the commitments it has made in writing. Yet another is that should the relocation not be complete within five years of a Development Approval issued by the Council, the land will either transfer back to the Council or UTAS will have to pay compensation for it as judged by an independent valuer.

The petition launched today under the auspices of the Tasmanian Ratepayers Association makes a number of misleading claims.

Let's take a look at them.

CLAIM: 1. Launceston ratepayers going to be robbed of Millions of $$$ (sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT: Should UTAS not secure funding for the proposal, the land transfer will not take place. Should they secure funding but not proceed with the development, the parcels of land will transfer back to the Council or UTAS will have to pay for them according to the valuation as judged by an independent valuer.

CLAIM: 2. LCC intend to GIVE (not sell) Willis St, Car Park and Old Velodrome site to the University of Tasmania for NOTHING, not 1cent - WHY? (Sic)

STATUS - MISLEADING: This is only the case should UTAS fulfil the conditions of the process. If those conditions are not met, the land will not transfer in the first place. Should the $220m proposal proceed, the Council believes the relatively modest investment of $4.5m in land to secure the future of UTAS in the North and an economic impact of $290m per year is a wise one.

CLAIM: 3. The Willis Street car park returns $88,000 p.a. and that will be gone too and without 1centcompensation thus contributing to higher rates in the future - WHY? (Sic)

STATUS - MISSING THE POINT: The transformational economic and social impact of the proposal dwarfs the short-term loss of the gross parking revenue.

Claim: 4. LCC now involved with building bridge from Willis St. over Nth. Esk River to Inveresk, costing $millions thus contributing to higher rates in the future - WHY? (Sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT: Yes, the Council will consider building a pedestrian and cycling bridge to provide good access between Inveresk and the CBD. Such a bridge has been mooted for many years and would allow improved linkages across the North Esk River. The funding for the construction of this bridge will form part of the application to the State and Federal Governments. In other words, if the proposal is successful, both the State and Federal Governments will be contributing to the cost of the bridge. The strategic benefits of this linkage have long been identified and will provide a benefit to the whole community, not just students.

Claim 5. Willis St and Velodrome Car Parks to go - 600 car spaces go - where will patrons to Aurora Stadium park? LCC don't know or care thus thus contributing to higher rates in the future - WHY? (Sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT: 

UTAS plans to create car parks at both the Inveresk and Willis Street sites. UTAS has already indicated that its parking will be available to the public on weekends and public holidays.

Claim 6. Who is going to pay for new car parks to cater for 1,000 cars from Newnham Campus (4,500 students) to Inveresk. LCC don't know or care - WHY? (Sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT : UTAS has indicated that it will provide significant car parking as part of its proposal. The Council also has under-utilised car parking capacity at Inveresk. The Council does acknowledge that traffic and car parking related to the proposal are legitimate concerns and these will need to be addressed by UTAS in a future Development Application, as is the normal process.

It should be noted that the Council believes many students will utilise public transport, cycling, or indeed take advantage of close access from the CBD and walk to the site.

Claim 7. LCC have spent $thousands of Ratepayers money on this project so far (staff hours and money) but no compensation thus contributing to higher rates now and in the future - WHY? (Sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT: The Council is elected to safeguard the future of Launceston. We believe a strong and sustainable UTAS is critical to Launceston's cultural and economic growth. In short, it would be irresponsible for us NOT to engage with UTAS on a matter of such importance to the city.

Launceston’s status as a university city is extremely important.

The business plan for the current Northern campus has shown continuing losses and reductions in student numbers. The participation rate of Northern Tasmanians in post-secondary education is at alarmingly low levels.

The Council is keen to consolidate the future of the UTAS Northern campus, to grow its influence economically and socially by increased academic course offerings and student numbers and to ensure that Northern Tasmania has the skills among its workforce to meet future demands. The council has been materially involved in planning for the successful delivery of this project alongside the State Government, UTAS, and TasTAFE.

The Council sees this as a fundamental aspect of its role in working towards a sustainable and productive future for Launceston.

Claim 8. WHY weren't ratepayers consulted with Public Meeting to discuss these issues? The LCC did not want you to know the truth - WHY? (sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT: Actually, we are more than happy for people to know the truth. Deputy Mayor Rob Soward answered questions at the public meeting at the Albert Hall organised by UTAS and we have answered any and all questions posed by the media. At the recent Council meeting, which was open to the public and streamed live on the internet, people were entitled to come along and ask questions about the proposal. Some people did. The debate on the matter was publicised widely in the press, open to the public and completely transparent. In addition, the University launched its dedicated Northern campus website, a far more effective way of reaching a broad cross-section of the community than the old-style Town Hall meeting.

Claim 9. These two prime parcels of land could bring $10million each on the open market - why should Council give them away FREE? (Sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT: The Council is required by the Local Government Act to source a valuation of the land. This valuation was undertaken by Opteon Valuers and is current.

The land is valued at $4.5m. The Council has been open to development of these sites for many years and has not received any concrete proposals. One of the things the Council considers is the best use of the land -- given that Inveresk is fast becoming a cultural and educational hub, an expansion of the UTAS campus on this site makes sense. It is arguably the best use for the land in question, with the added economic, cultural and educational benefits an expanded campus will bring to Launceston.

Claim 10. Ratepayers demand $20million compensation for land and associated costs. (Sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT: The land is valued at 4.5m, not $20m.

Claim 11. Selling the two parcels of land would enable LCC to give Ratepayers 3 years with NO INCREASES in rates and a surplus to pay off $millions of loan debt thus mitigating higher rates in the future (Sic)

STATUS - INCORRECT: The land is valued at 4.5m, not $20m. 

Claim 12. LCC rates are already $300-$400 higher than for equivalent properties in surrounding Councils - WHY? (Sic)

STATUS - MISLEADING: The Council provides a wide range of services and regional facilities to the Launceston community, including Aurora Stadium, the Princess Theatre, Carr Villa Memorial Park and many others. The strategy of supporting the University proposal offers the potential to grow the rate base to the benefit of all ratepayers.

Claim 13. Universities DO NOT pay rates or fire levy - WHY?

STATUS - OUT OF OUR HANDS:

The rating of Universities falls within the provisions of the Act where they are treated as exempt. This is a State Government matter, and not one the Council can determine.

Claim 14. A proponent of the petition tonight claimed that Big W had expressed an interest in the Willis Street site.

STATUS - INCORRECT.

The UTAS Northern expansion proposal is a legitimate topic of debate in Launceston. People are entitled to oppose it, and to disagree with the Aldermen over the decision to take part in the MoU process.

However, we owe it to each other as a community to deal in facts and logic. If you would like more information on the proposal, visithttp://www.utas.edu.au/northern-expansion"