Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
WE ALWAYS KNEW IT::Tassie council rates nation's second highest
FOREWORD: Launcestonians might want to think about a couple of things whilst reading this piece gleaned from The Advocate.
- Firstly, rates in Launceston are apparently imagined by the city's General Manager, Robert Dobrzynski, to have a social dimension;
- Secondly, in the context of this Mr. Dobrzynski seems to imagine 'Council Rates' as a form of "progressive tax", ie "wealth tax", despite contrary evidence that would seem to preclude 'Local Govt.' having the authority to levy ' taxes'; and
- Thirdly, while apparently advocating ratepayer input into the city's rating system, Mr. Dobrzynski initiated a so called consultation meeting that resulted in it not having any significant impact on the either the Council's Budget or the process by which it was framed 2011-2012.
From The Advocate – 05 Sep, 2011 12:00 AMCOUNCILS suck more money out of ratepayers in Tasmania than they do in any other state except South Australia.
That is according to leading economist Saul Eslake, who is part of an expert panel considering reform options for councils in the South.
His finding will not be reassuring for ratepayers already struggling with spiking water and sewerage and power costs.
"Local government taxation revenue (overwhelmingly in the form of rates) was equivalent to $548 per head of population in Tasmania in 2009-10, higher than in any state except South Australia and about 5% above the national average," Mr Eslake wrote in a paper related to the Southern project.
He said that was partly because they raised about 22% less from user charges for goods and services than the national average.
"On the other hand, Tasmanian local governments received an average of $210 per head in grants and subsidies from other levels of government in 2009-10, more than in any other state (except the Northern Territory) and some 60% above the national average."
Devonport Mayor Lynn Laycock said councils were facing new charges - such as now paying for watering parks - and also had to pay the ongoing costs of council developments.
"We're tightening our belt," she said.
"People have been screaming out for development and we've done that."
Financial year 2009-10 was the first when Cradle Mountain Water was operating the North-West and West Coast's water and sewerage assets, which were formerly operated and charged for by councils.
CMW's changes have spiked and will continue to do so, while power costs are also rising rapidly.
Mr Eslake, of the Grattan Institute, said Tasmanian councils were smaller, on average, than anywhere else in Australia except Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The 29 councils averaged almost 17,500 residents, compared to an average of just under 40,000 on the mainland.
Ald Laycock hoped the Cradle Coast region could secure government funding to look at reform opportunities across its nine council areas.
His finding will not be reassuring for ratepayers already struggling with spiking water and sewerage and power costs.
"Local government taxation revenue (overwhelmingly in the form of rates) was equivalent to $548 per head of population in Tasmania in 2009-10, higher than in any state except South Australia and about 5% above the national average," Mr Eslake wrote in a paper related to the Southern project.
He said that was partly because they raised about 22% less from user charges for goods and services than the national average.
"On the other hand, Tasmanian local governments received an average of $210 per head in grants and subsidies from other levels of government in 2009-10, more than in any other state (except the Northern Territory) and some 60% above the national average."
Devonport Mayor Lynn Laycock said councils were facing new charges - such as now paying for watering parks - and also had to pay the ongoing costs of council developments.
"We're tightening our belt," she said.
"People have been screaming out for development and we've done that."
Financial year 2009-10 was the first when Cradle Mountain Water was operating the North-West and West Coast's water and sewerage assets, which were formerly operated and charged for by councils.
CMW's changes have spiked and will continue to do so, while power costs are also rising rapidly.
Mr Eslake, of the Grattan Institute, said Tasmanian councils were smaller, on average, than anywhere else in Australia except Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The 29 councils averaged almost 17,500 residents, compared to an average of just under 40,000 on the mainland.
Ald Laycock hoped the Cradle Coast region could secure government funding to look at reform opportunities across its nine council areas.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
REALITY CHECK: Organisational Values
Every now and then it is a good idea to look at what is promised against what outcomes have been delivered. If the promise is published – and it is in Launceston even if somewhat buried within the website – that is as good a starting point as one might get. Imagine that an audit of the 'values' articulated below was undertaken point by point. Clearly, the reality would fall short of the promise – that is almost a given and something to be expected.
However, we are approaching 'audit time' – the 2011 Local Govt. elections – and it is timely that an audit is done now – even if you do keep the results to yourself. The very fact that elections are held as frequently as they are reflects a 'civic strategic intention' that we, ratepayers and residents, do an audit at an election. However we need to remember that when we do we our audits there is a difference between the elected Aldermen and Council's Officers.
The Aldermen are accountable to their constituency and the Officers are accountable to the Aldermen – well that's the theory. Albeit that 'accountability' is rarely tested, it needs to be more often than it has been. Interestingly, when things like 'Organisational Values' those who write them down open themselves up to what is too often regarded as unwelcomed scrutiny.
It is probably time that Council initiated a public consultation process that is aimed at measuring outcomes against performance. Before the election would be good but after the election woulds be good too.
The 'VALUES' are written in stone and a beginning has been made on surveying ratepayers and residents in regard to their perceptions of Council's delivery on promise. Thus far the results are not all that complimentary.
PLEASE READ THE VALUES AND FORM AN OPINION
Integrity
- We behave ethically
- We tell the truth
- We keep our commitments
- We meet both the spirit and intent of the law.
- We care about people and the community in which we live
- We operate safely
- We are environmentally responsible
- We strengthen the community.
- We value diversity and respect the dignity of each person
- We value differences in people and perspectives
- We build relationships based on mutual trust
- We recognise the contributions of every individual.
- We lead the way
- We have the courage and creativity to shape the future
- We have the discipline to manage risk
- We act decisively in a timely manner.
- We work together to achieve superior results
- We share ideas and talents to develop solutions
- We support and rely on each other
- We value clear and open communication.
- We take responsibility for our actions
- We live our values
- We set clear goals, measure results and seek to improve
- We build and protect the Launceston brand and reputation.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Non-Australian Citizens ARE Eligible to Vote in the Tasmanian Local Govt Elections
PLEASE CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT
The Examiner Advertisement's text
"Council elections 2011 - General Manager’s Electoral Roll
The General Manger’s Electoral Roll for the 2011 election will close on
Thursday 15 September 2011 at 6.00pm.
The General Manager’s Electoral Roll provides eligibility to vote to:
• Residents of the Launceston municipal area who are non-Australian citizens
• Owners/ratepayers of land in the Launceston municipal area who are residents of another municipal area
• Nominees of a corporate body, which owns/occupies land within the Launceston municipal area.
Those who believe they qualify for the General Manager’s roll must complete the prescribed application form and submit it to the General Manager. These forms are available from the Council’s Customer Service Centre or can be downloaded from www.launceston.tas.gov.au
(click on Council, then Council elections).
Those who require further information to determine whether they are eligible for enrolment, please call the Council’s Corporate Secretary on 03 6323 3121."
Depending on who you talk to you may get conflicting advice about who is eligible to vote in Tasmania's upcoming Local Govt. elections. The advertisements copied here can be taken as forensic evidence that you DO NOT need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible to vote in Tasmania's Local Govt. elections. And, neither do you ALWAYS need to be a resident in a jurisdiction to be eligible to vote either – read the advertisements very carefully.
If you hear different, then check and check again as it seems that there are those who do not understand the provision and others still, for reasons of their own, who it seems may well be handing out shonky advice.
If you hear different, then check and check again as it seems that there are those who do not understand the provision and others still, for reasons of their own, who it seems may well be handing out shonky advice.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission is the most reliable source of advice Remember check and then check again
Ideally call the TEC on 1800 801 701
OR
Check the Website www.tec.tas.gov.au
Please circulate this information
Ideally call the TEC on 1800 801 701
OR
Check the Website www.tec.tas.gov.au
Please circulate this information
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Art Culture & the CBD ... Not to metion tourism!
GEEWIZZ ... Hobart is leading the way and taking advantage of MONA. Launceston could take some advice here but one artist told me today that he was waiting for "hell to freeze over." Perhaps someone on the Council might want to take a blowtorch to work on someone?
OOOPZ I think that is a mixed metaphor ... SO BE IT
Petar Hill
Monday, August 15, 2011
A Council Worth Voting For
When you ask Tamlin and Derek MacKenzie why they are attending the Lismore Community Planning Forum in a few weeks time, the answer is simple.
“Because of these guys,” Tamlin says, gesturing to her two young children.
It’s a case of out of the mouths of babes when Derek asks his five-year-old, “Hey Bodhi, why should we be caretakers?”
“To take care of the world,” Bodhi says with a serious look on his face.
The young family, who live at The Channon, are fed up with waiting for someone else to do something about the state of the planet.
“Energy is not getting any cheaper, the price of petrol is rising, climate change is real – we need to start living within our means ... And I think a lot of Lismore feels that way,” Derek says. “This is a chance to get together and reach some common ground and develop a bit of an action plan. Things are changing and we can be part of that. A lot of the media that’s out there is negative and quite hopeless, and I think this will give people some hope. We can do things together – we don’t have to wait for the federal government to come and save us.”
The Lismore Community Planning Forum will be a day of creating projects and policy to transition Lismore to a sustainable economy, with the community invited to join Lismore City Council and the Department of Industry & Investment to nut out the plan ... NOW THERE'S A NOVEL IDEA "COMMUNITY CONSULTATION"
Convenor Gordon Fraser-Quick said to his knowledge this is the first time that community, council and state government have worked together on a whole-of-council area economic development plan.
“The community will develop ideas and projects which they see as needed to achieve a more sustainable future. We will end up with an outline of a Community Economic Development Plan for the city of Lismore and surrounds which will form one of the key governance and policy documents for Council going forwards,” Gordon explained. “Community ideas and suggested projects will be presented to Council and the State for consideration for funding and action ... Effectively it’s the community defining what they would like the economy of the city to look like into the future.”
Gordon said there are a number of key elements that underpin a workable, sustainable economy including clean water, good food, transport, energy and good governance processes.
In looking at each of these aspects of community life and developing plans to sustainably provide these services, Gordon believes Lismore can be at the forefront of how new economies must operate in the future. And he believes Lismore has the thinkers and the doers needed to achieve it.
“I have faith that we have a depth of knowledge and a commitment to community – if it’s going to work anywhere it’s going to work in Lismore ... We have a reputation, well earned, of a city of innovation and a city willing to try new things,” he said. “It’s a diverse community, a passionate community, an energetic community and a well-educated community… and a community full of innovative technology and new ideas ... Any transition to a new economy for the world will mean using new and untested technologies as well as proven ones.”
Gordon explained that Lismore has several flagship projects that can be built on but asked people to think deeply in the lead-up to the forum about innovative and achievable ways of moving towards sustainability.
“In terms of transport we have great carpooling and perhaps we can build on that; we already have land-sharing in Lismore – something that could change the way food is produced in urban Australian; and maybe we can encourage a bigger uptake of onsite sewerage management or effluent management,” he said. “We want to gain the benefit of the experience and wisdom of the community and take advantage of that ... This is not a talk-fest – this is about people thinking of real solutions and preparing plans that will be able to be implemented by council, by state government and by community groups straight away to start our city moving faster towards sustainability. The sky’s the limit.”
Gordon referred to a recent visit to the Northern Rivers by Paul Gilding, author of The Great Disruption, which points out if you do things the same way you’ve always done them, things will stay the same. While he doesn’t deny that it’s a complex problem, change is the only way
“We’re not talking about becoming lentil-eating cave dwellers but unless we become pre-emptive about changing our lifestyle it will be changed in a way that cannot be managed. We can learn how to manage change by becoming prepared… we can learn how to produce biochar for carbon sequestration, how to grow our own vegies, how to fix a wheelbarrow or a bike ... These are all skills we will need when peak oil and economic collapse occurs… and it’s just around the corner. The logic is patent… in the next 30 years the World Bank is saying there will be an almost 50% increase in the world population and a 350% increase in the economy. Something’s got to give. We have a finite resource base and we have to change the way we extract value from the planet.”
The Lismore Community Planning Forum is on Saturday, August 20, and the entire community is encouraged to come along – old, young, working, unemployed, tradie, hippie, conservative or none of the above. This is your chance to help shape Lismore’s future. The forum is free and runs from 1-5pm at Lismore City Hall ... SOMEONE FROM LAUNCESTON SHOULD GO AND FIND OUT HOW TO DO THIS KIND OF THING!
“Because of these guys,” Tamlin says, gesturing to her two young children.
It’s a case of out of the mouths of babes when Derek asks his five-year-old, “Hey Bodhi, why should we be caretakers?”
“To take care of the world,” Bodhi says with a serious look on his face.
The young family, who live at The Channon, are fed up with waiting for someone else to do something about the state of the planet.
“Energy is not getting any cheaper, the price of petrol is rising, climate change is real – we need to start living within our means ... And I think a lot of Lismore feels that way,” Derek says. “This is a chance to get together and reach some common ground and develop a bit of an action plan. Things are changing and we can be part of that. A lot of the media that’s out there is negative and quite hopeless, and I think this will give people some hope. We can do things together – we don’t have to wait for the federal government to come and save us.”
The Lismore Community Planning Forum will be a day of creating projects and policy to transition Lismore to a sustainable economy, with the community invited to join Lismore City Council and the Department of Industry & Investment to nut out the plan ... NOW THERE'S A NOVEL IDEA "COMMUNITY CONSULTATION"
Convenor Gordon Fraser-Quick said to his knowledge this is the first time that community, council and state government have worked together on a whole-of-council area economic development plan.
“The community will develop ideas and projects which they see as needed to achieve a more sustainable future. We will end up with an outline of a Community Economic Development Plan for the city of Lismore and surrounds which will form one of the key governance and policy documents for Council going forwards,” Gordon explained. “Community ideas and suggested projects will be presented to Council and the State for consideration for funding and action ... Effectively it’s the community defining what they would like the economy of the city to look like into the future.”
Gordon said there are a number of key elements that underpin a workable, sustainable economy including clean water, good food, transport, energy and good governance processes.
In looking at each of these aspects of community life and developing plans to sustainably provide these services, Gordon believes Lismore can be at the forefront of how new economies must operate in the future. And he believes Lismore has the thinkers and the doers needed to achieve it.
“I have faith that we have a depth of knowledge and a commitment to community – if it’s going to work anywhere it’s going to work in Lismore ... We have a reputation, well earned, of a city of innovation and a city willing to try new things,” he said. “It’s a diverse community, a passionate community, an energetic community and a well-educated community… and a community full of innovative technology and new ideas ... Any transition to a new economy for the world will mean using new and untested technologies as well as proven ones.”
Gordon explained that Lismore has several flagship projects that can be built on but asked people to think deeply in the lead-up to the forum about innovative and achievable ways of moving towards sustainability.
“In terms of transport we have great carpooling and perhaps we can build on that; we already have land-sharing in Lismore – something that could change the way food is produced in urban Australian; and maybe we can encourage a bigger uptake of onsite sewerage management or effluent management,” he said. “We want to gain the benefit of the experience and wisdom of the community and take advantage of that ... This is not a talk-fest – this is about people thinking of real solutions and preparing plans that will be able to be implemented by council, by state government and by community groups straight away to start our city moving faster towards sustainability. The sky’s the limit.”
Gordon referred to a recent visit to the Northern Rivers by Paul Gilding, author of The Great Disruption, which points out if you do things the same way you’ve always done them, things will stay the same. While he doesn’t deny that it’s a complex problem, change is the only way
forward, says Gordon.
“We’re not talking about becoming lentil-eating cave dwellers but unless we become pre-emptive about changing our lifestyle it will be changed in a way that cannot be managed. We can learn how to manage change by becoming prepared… we can learn how to produce biochar for carbon sequestration, how to grow our own vegies, how to fix a wheelbarrow or a bike ... These are all skills we will need when peak oil and economic collapse occurs… and it’s just around the corner. The logic is patent… in the next 30 years the World Bank is saying there will be an almost 50% increase in the world population and a 350% increase in the economy. Something’s got to give. We have a finite resource base and we have to change the way we extract value from the planet.”
The Lismore Community Planning Forum is on Saturday, August 20, and the entire community is encouraged to come along – old, young, working, unemployed, tradie, hippie, conservative or none of the above. This is your chance to help shape Lismore’s future. The forum is free and runs from 1-5pm at Lismore City Hall ... SOMEONE FROM LAUNCESTON SHOULD GO AND FIND OUT HOW TO DO THIS KIND OF THING!
WHEN THEY ARE THERE THEY MIGHT VISIT THE WORM FARM TO SEE HOW YOU CAN REDUCE LANDFILL AND MORE STILL
THEY HAVE A WORM FARM IN LISMORE: To think: anything once living in Lismore has ended up here, in this multi-million dollar complex of climate-controlled greenhouses: a simmering shed of broken down fruit, vegetables, paper, bread, meat, human hair, tea bags, vacuum cleaner dust… YUM!
To give you an idea of the size of this thing - the sheds occupy an area larger than a football field.
“This facility converts domestic food and garden recyclables into valuable composts and extracts for sale back to the farming community,” says worm farm tour conductor, Leo McLean
Tryton Waste Services: Tryton Waste Services Pty Ltd is located in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. It is the largest vermicomposting facility in the Southern Hemisphere. It was constructed during 2000/2001 and officially opened in October 2001.
TIDAL POWER: What about us?
There is nothing really new about tidal energy. The idea has been around for over 80 years and it has been in use for about 40 years. Tidal Mills set a historical precedence and possibly the earliest example was in London in Roman times.
SOME QUESTIONS ARISING:
- What could be achieved on the Tamar with Tidal Energy?
- Is anyone in Tasmania seriously looking at this opportunity or are there too many detractors talking it down?
- Might there be an application in Launceston's Gorge?
- Might there be an application under or near the Batman Bridge?
- Might there be an application at the Tamar's mouth?
JUST 5 QUESTIONS TO BE GOING ON WITH
Friday, August 5, 2011
Letter to the Editor – Branding Launceston
EDITORS' NOTE: This letter has come to us and it is being published in fullSir,
Tourism investors and business hopefuls must have read this headline “Launceston defined for the world through branding,” with some hope.
Well now that they have they seen the “branding” there are a lot of people with their fingers crossed that Launceston’s latest effort isn’t going to brand them for life.
The sentiment "Start Something Special" is okay so far as it goes but sadly the city’s aldermen were sold a pup. A lame pup at that! Excuse the cliché’s but someone must have seen them coming and they made some hay while the sun shone on this opportunity.
For this bit $7,000, who knows what for the rest of it and for what is likely to come. Has anyone, an alderman even, asked about any of this? My bet is NO!
This “brand” puts Launceston in a time warp. It has all the attributes of a faded postcard printed in The Depression. It is very depressing!
Tourism investors and business hopefuls must have read this headline “Launceston defined for the world through branding,” with some hope.
Well now that they have they seen the “branding” there are a lot of people with their fingers crossed that Launceston’s latest effort isn’t going to brand them for life.
The sentiment "Start Something Special" is okay so far as it goes but sadly the city’s aldermen were sold a pup. A lame pup at that! Excuse the cliché’s but someone must have seen them coming and they made some hay while the sun shone on this opportunity.
For this bit $7,000, who knows what for the rest of it and for what is likely to come. Has anyone, an alderman even, asked about any of this? My bet is NO!
This “brand” puts Launceston in a time warp. It has all the attributes of a faded postcard printed in The Depression. It is very depressing!
It has been charactorised as “ looking like a dirty smudge on a brown paper bag with a pin in it” and there is a bit of truth in that.
General Manager, Robert Dobrzynski, has been quoted as saying that this Depression imagery “sends a clear message.” It sure does! They are loaded messages and none of them all that encouraging and most rather depressing.
For anyone for whom Launceston’s “brand” matters, it must be a worry to read that Mr. Dobrzynski thinks that Launceston now has “a clear corporate brand and style guide to support it.” If that is this dirty brown stain we need to worry.
However Mr. Dobrzynski is dead right when he says Launceston “lacks a destination branding tool”, its just a shame that his, one assumes that it’s his given his enthusiasm for it, first attempt is so depressing and relatively speaking, so bloody expensive. It’s also a pity that the city’s aldermen support this stuff almost without question. Are they snoozing?
That old, old saying that “I know nothing about art but I know what I like”springs to mind here. Someone, preferably a bunch of aldermen, needs to get educated in the “art of branding” as it's just not possible to put a glossy spin on crap, and that goes for dirty brown stains too.
General Manager, Robert Dobrzynski, has been quoted as saying that this Depression imagery “sends a clear message.” It sure does! They are loaded messages and none of them all that encouraging and most rather depressing.
For anyone for whom Launceston’s “brand” matters, it must be a worry to read that Mr. Dobrzynski thinks that Launceston now has “a clear corporate brand and style guide to support it.” If that is this dirty brown stain we need to worry.
However Mr. Dobrzynski is dead right when he says Launceston “lacks a destination branding tool”, its just a shame that his, one assumes that it’s his given his enthusiasm for it, first attempt is so depressing and relatively speaking, so bloody expensive. It’s also a pity that the city’s aldermen support this stuff almost without question. Are they snoozing?
That old, old saying that “I know nothing about art but I know what I like”springs to mind here. Someone, preferably a bunch of aldermen, needs to get educated in the “art of branding” as it's just not possible to put a glossy spin on crap, and that goes for dirty brown stains too.
Bruce Mountford
Launceston
Launceston
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
Thursday, August 4, 2011
MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET UNDER LABOR’S PLAN TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE
GOVERNMENT STATEMENT & LINKS
The Gillard Labor Government has a plan to build a Clean Energy Future for our children and grandchildren by charging our biggest polluters - and return every cent to assist households, support jobs and tackle climate change.
A carbon price is paid by our biggest polluters – not ordinary older Australians.
Because some of these big polluters may choose to pass on these costs to households, we have announced a comprehensive household assistance package, aimed at those who need it the most.
This assistance will mean that both pensioners and self-funded retirees that hold a commonwealth seniors health card will $338 extra per year if single, and $510 per year for couples, combined.
On top of this, all older people with an annual taxable income of under $80,000 will get a tax cut, with most receiving $300 a year. This means a self-funded retiree couple with a single taxable private income of $50,000 will get assistance that provides $524 per year more than their expected average price impact.
Self-funded retirees who do not pay tax and do not receive a pension may be eligible for an annual $300 Low Income Supplement.
And older people will not face a price rise on fuel for their cars and light commercial vehicles, as a result of a carbon price.
I am proud of our record in supporting older people as they retire or while they are still working. Pensions are already $128 higher a fortnight for maximum rate singles and $116 higher for couples combined on the maximum rate since Labor’s pension reforms took effect.
And our new Pensioner Work Bonus will mean pensioners can keep more of their pension while working part-time.
If you would like to find out more about Labor’s household assistance package, or our plan to build a clean energy future, please call my Electorate Office on 03 6334 7033.
A carbon price is paid by our biggest polluters – not ordinary older Australians.
Because some of these big polluters may choose to pass on these costs to households, we have announced a comprehensive household assistance package, aimed at those who need it the most.
This assistance will mean that both pensioners and self-funded retirees that hold a commonwealth seniors health card will $338 extra per year if single, and $510 per year for couples, combined.
On top of this, all older people with an annual taxable income of under $80,000 will get a tax cut, with most receiving $300 a year. This means a self-funded retiree couple with a single taxable private income of $50,000 will get assistance that provides $524 per year more than their expected average price impact.
Self-funded retirees who do not pay tax and do not receive a pension may be eligible for an annual $300 Low Income Supplement.
And older people will not face a price rise on fuel for their cars and light commercial vehicles, as a result of a carbon price.
I am proud of our record in supporting older people as they retire or while they are still working. Pensions are already $128 higher a fortnight for maximum rate singles and $116 higher for couples combined on the maximum rate since Labor’s pension reforms took effect.
And our new Pensioner Work Bonus will mean pensioners can keep more of their pension while working part-time.
If you would like to find out more about Labor’s household assistance package, or our plan to build a clean energy future, please call my Electorate Office on 03 6334 7033.
Yours Sincerely,
Geoff Lyons MP
Federal Member for Bass
USEFUL LINKS
- General Carbon Price Information: CLICK HERE
- Pensioner information: CLICK HERE
- Self-funded retirees: CLICK HERE
- Household Assistance: CLICK HERE
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
QVMAG Nominations
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGEWe wanted to give you the links to where the selection criteria can be found but we could not find it online even if the advertisement says it is there. We also went to the museum's website just in case it was there but no luck. Maybe you need to email asking for the links. Here are two addresses that may help:
The QVMAG spends over $3million of ratepayers money and this is an opportunity for ratepayers with an interest in the museum to get involved and make sure that the museum delivers as much as it should for the rates we all pay. Do not find yourself saying I should have put my hand up after the opportunity has passed.
The General Manager: Robert.Dobrzynski@launceston.tas.gov.au
The Museum: enquiries@qvmag.tas.gov.au
The Museum: enquiries@qvmag.tas.gov.au
The QVMAG spends over $3million of ratepayers money and this is an opportunity for ratepayers with an interest in the museum to get involved and make sure that the museum delivers as much as it should for the rates we all pay. Do not find yourself saying I should have put my hand up after the opportunity has passed.
ANOTHER CLOCK LETTER IN THE EXAMINER
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGEWell,well,well, how about that, someone who once lived in Launceston and who comes home from time to time, really likes the town clocks' chimes and bells. Will these voices be drowned out by those of a few blowins? Can we trust the council on this one?
Friday, July 22, 2011
Alderman Norton wants to start the resource recovery ball rolling
Today TRA received an email from Ald. Norton announcing his position on resource recovery in the Tamar region. Ald. Norton said "I have been consulting with community members for over a year, and have some ideas that might be appropriate given the agenda item 16.1 scheduled for Monday's council meeting" .... click here to go to his website and position statement.
Ald Norton says, "the time has now arrived to be proactive and to begin to work towards realising some of the ideas people have been discussing over the year ... If we are to ever get a really sustainable, relevant and appropriate "resource recovery system" anywhere we need to start to work on the issue locally. It is important that we start to think about our so-called "waste" as a resource and to stop thinking about waste as rubbish."
TRA welcomes this news and can only be hoped that Ald. Norton will get some traction within Council. Anyone who has been to public meeting over the past year can be excused for thinking that Launceston's Aldermen and officers might not be as enthusiastic about this issue as Ald. Norton.
Ald.Norton is also advocating that Launceston City Council "embrace the Zero Waste idea" As he says the "downside of this is almost impossible to imagine." TRA recommends that anyone with an interest in this matter visit his website ... http://aldermaniannorton.blogspot.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ald. Norton is to be congratulated for choosing to use social networking to engage with his constituency.
TRA welcomes this news and can only be hoped that Ald. Norton will get some traction within Council. Anyone who has been to public meeting over the past year can be excused for thinking that Launceston's Aldermen and officers might not be as enthusiastic about this issue as Ald. Norton.
Ald.Norton is also advocating that Launceston City Council "embrace the Zero Waste idea" As he says the "downside of this is almost impossible to imagine." TRA recommends that anyone with an interest in this matter visit his website ... http://aldermaniannorton.blogspot.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ald. Norton is to be congratulated for choosing to use social networking to engage with his constituency.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Concern at Council Motion regarding Town Clock
Dear Editor,
Here is a line of communication with Launceston City Council concerning the actual consequence of the LCC Motion concerning the Town Clock chimes which have been somewhat confused with the striking of the hours between 11pm and 6am.
The response chooses to focus on whether the motion is legitimate in compliance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas) and regulations pursuant to that act, not whether it has relevance, given that the chimes are already turned off during the period cited in the motion.
The response also ignores the potential influence of the British High Court decision (reference previously provided to Aldermen prior to their resolution of the motion).
The lack of regard to answering that question, is curious, let alone disappointing under the circumstances where ratepayer funds could potentially be at risk should a court action be proceeded with.
I fully understand the safety of Council proceeding to appear to recognize that a motion of no consequence would be regarded by any Court as being a nullity in the event that any party sought to rely upon it in a court action. It would seem a somewhat irresponsible activity of a Public Body such as Launceston City Council, if this nullity were to cause another party to take action, believing that the motion had substance, and that party sought to have the matter dealt with, but was ultimately caused to accept a damage or loss, because nothing actually can happen as a result of this nullity.
Please publish this report seeking input and comment from ratepayers.
Regards,
Lionel Morrell
President
Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.
From: Lynda Jackson [LCC]
Sent: Thursday, 21 July 2011 4:04 PM
To: Lionel Morrell
Subject: RE: Concern at Council Motion regarding Town Clock URGENT
Dear Mr Morrell,
I note your email below.
I advise I have raised this matter with the General Manager. The General Manager has indicated that the relevant motion meets the form of a motion as required under the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas) and the regulations made under that Act. As such, in terms of form and content, the motion is legitimate.
Please note the role of the Corporate Secretary is to support the function of the General Manager and the administration of Council. As such, if you wish to seek further advice regarding the legitimacy of the motion, you may wish to seek your own legal advice. Alternatively you may wish to refer your query to an external review body, such as the Ombudsman or the Director of Local Government (Department of Premier and Cabinet).
Regards,
Lynda-Jane Jackson (BA-LLB) I Legal Officer I Launceston City Council
Here is a line of communication with Launceston City Council concerning the actual consequence of the LCC Motion concerning the Town Clock chimes which have been somewhat confused with the striking of the hours between 11pm and 6am.
The response chooses to focus on whether the motion is legitimate in compliance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas) and regulations pursuant to that act, not whether it has relevance, given that the chimes are already turned off during the period cited in the motion.
The response also ignores the potential influence of the British High Court decision (reference previously provided to Aldermen prior to their resolution of the motion).
The lack of regard to answering that question, is curious, let alone disappointing under the circumstances where ratepayer funds could potentially be at risk should a court action be proceeded with.
I fully understand the safety of Council proceeding to appear to recognize that a motion of no consequence would be regarded by any Court as being a nullity in the event that any party sought to rely upon it in a court action. It would seem a somewhat irresponsible activity of a Public Body such as Launceston City Council, if this nullity were to cause another party to take action, believing that the motion had substance, and that party sought to have the matter dealt with, but was ultimately caused to accept a damage or loss, because nothing actually can happen as a result of this nullity.
Please publish this report seeking input and comment from ratepayers.
Regards,
Lionel Morrell
President
Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.
From: Lynda Jackson [LCC]
Sent: Thursday, 21 July 2011 4:04 PM
To: Lionel Morrell
Subject: RE: Concern at Council Motion regarding Town Clock URGENT
Dear Mr Morrell,
I note your email below.
I advise I have raised this matter with the General Manager. The General Manager has indicated that the relevant motion meets the form of a motion as required under the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas) and the regulations made under that Act. As such, in terms of form and content, the motion is legitimate.
Please note the role of the Corporate Secretary is to support the function of the General Manager and the administration of Council. As such, if you wish to seek further advice regarding the legitimacy of the motion, you may wish to seek your own legal advice. Alternatively you may wish to refer your query to an external review body, such as the Ombudsman or the Director of Local Government (Department of Premier and Cabinet).
Regards,
Lynda-Jane Jackson (BA-LLB) I Legal Officer I Launceston City Council
THE SPECTRE OF AMALGAMATION & COMPULSORY VOTING
FROM THE EXAMINER
No compulsory voting: councils
BY ALISON ANDREWS CHIEF REPORTER 21 Jul, 2011 08:50 AM
TASMANIAN councils have given a resounding no to compulsory voting in local government elections. A similar motion was presented to the Local Government Association of Tasmania's last annual meeting and was only narrowly defeated by two votes.
But association chief executive Allan Garcia said that the motion, put by the West Tamar Council to the annual meeting yesterday, was soundly defeated with 18 councils voting against compulsory voting.
Twenty-seven of the state's 29 councils were represented at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the association's 100th anniversary annual conference in Hobart yesterday ... click here to read the complete story online
But association chief executive Allan Garcia said that the motion, put by the West Tamar Council to the annual meeting yesterday, was soundly defeated with 18 councils voting against compulsory voting.
Twenty-seven of the state's 29 councils were represented at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the association's 100th anniversary annual conference in Hobart yesterday ... click here to read the complete story online
EDITORS NOTE: LGAT is not representative of Tasmanian ratepayers and government needs to take into account that this decision reflects the aspiration of Councillors/Alderman and Council Officers without them finding any need to consult their constituencies. The minister needs to inform himself more broadly than simply listening to LGAT. Let us see!
FROM THE ADVOCATEDevonport council talks mergers
19 Jul, 2011 11:02 AM
Council will host a workshop to look at reducing not only the number of elected members on the council, but the number of councils on the North-West Coast.
At last night’s Devonport council meeting alderman Steve Martin sought support to take the matter to the Minister for Local Government Bryan Green, so he could direct the Local Government Board to conduct a review into the number of aldermen on the Devonport City Council.
Last month Ald Martin was unsuccessful in moving that the number of aldermen be reduced as a cost-saving measure.
‘‘Since 1981 there has been no review of aldermen numbers. Since that time the city has grown, aldermen’s roles have grown, but so have improvements in communications and technologies,’’ Ald Martin said.
‘‘We no longer handle water and sewerage, there’s been staff reductions and a restructure, rate increases. I think councillors have not applied that same rigor to themselves.’’
Alderman Grant Goodwin said the issue skirted around the bigger issue of cost savings and a reduction in the number of councils in Tasmania. ‘‘There’s 29. If you travel west to Ulverstone, east to Shearwater and south to Sheffield, you travel through four municipalities,’’ he said.
‘‘The issue is bigger than the number of councillors on the Devonport City Council.’’ Ald Goodwin put forward a workshop to discuss amalgamation and the number of aldermen.
The motion was carried without the support of aldermen Martin or Justine Keay. The motion proposed to seek the support of Latrobe, Kentish and Central Coast councils in a joint bid to urge the State Government to fund the commissioning and development of a business model using independent business consultants in consultation with all four councils.
The goal would be to establish a single authority to manage the administration and operation of the participating councils, and to demonstrate both the feasibility and economic benefits that may flow to the community.
It was resolved to conduct a workshop on the issue, though Ald Leon Perry and Ald Annette Rockliff voted against that.
Alderman Graham Kent likened the ‘‘A’’ word amalgamation) with the ‘‘F’’ word and said it had
that effect in many localities, but if the council did not act they could be forced into amalgamation in a model that was probably not the best for the local community.
‘‘I think we need to talk to our neighbouring councils and the State Government can look into a study which can go out into the marketplace so people can see if there are benefits to the community,’’ he said.
Ald Goodwin agreed, saying it was a good independent path to look at what could be done to reduce the cost in council.
Ald Goodwin challenged The Advocate to gauge opinion among its readers about amalgamation and let the people make the decision.
‘‘The Advocate could help us out doing a poll for the municipalities and what the people say in relation to this motion.’’
At last night’s Devonport council meeting alderman Steve Martin sought support to take the matter to the Minister for Local Government Bryan Green, so he could direct the Local Government Board to conduct a review into the number of aldermen on the Devonport City Council.
Last month Ald Martin was unsuccessful in moving that the number of aldermen be reduced as a cost-saving measure.
‘‘Since 1981 there has been no review of aldermen numbers. Since that time the city has grown, aldermen’s roles have grown, but so have improvements in communications and technologies,’’ Ald Martin said.
‘‘We no longer handle water and sewerage, there’s been staff reductions and a restructure, rate increases. I think councillors have not applied that same rigor to themselves.’’
Alderman Grant Goodwin said the issue skirted around the bigger issue of cost savings and a reduction in the number of councils in Tasmania. ‘‘There’s 29. If you travel west to Ulverstone, east to Shearwater and south to Sheffield, you travel through four municipalities,’’ he said.
‘‘The issue is bigger than the number of councillors on the Devonport City Council.’’ Ald Goodwin put forward a workshop to discuss amalgamation and the number of aldermen.
The motion was carried without the support of aldermen Martin or Justine Keay. The motion proposed to seek the support of Latrobe, Kentish and Central Coast councils in a joint bid to urge the State Government to fund the commissioning and development of a business model using independent business consultants in consultation with all four councils.
The goal would be to establish a single authority to manage the administration and operation of the participating councils, and to demonstrate both the feasibility and economic benefits that may flow to the community.
It was resolved to conduct a workshop on the issue, though Ald Leon Perry and Ald Annette Rockliff voted against that.
Alderman Graham Kent likened the ‘‘A’’ word amalgamation) with the ‘‘F’’ word and said it had
that effect in many localities, but if the council did not act they could be forced into amalgamation in a model that was probably not the best for the local community.
‘‘I think we need to talk to our neighbouring councils and the State Government can look into a study which can go out into the marketplace so people can see if there are benefits to the community,’’ he said.
Ald Goodwin agreed, saying it was a good independent path to look at what could be done to reduce the cost in council.
Ald Goodwin challenged The Advocate to gauge opinion among its readers about amalgamation and let the people make the decision.
‘‘The Advocate could help us out doing a poll for the municipalities and what the people say in relation to this motion.’’
EDITORS NOTE: The Advocate needs to be congratulated on how it reports on these matters. Also Devonport Council needs to be congratulated for taking on the hard issues and keeping ratepayer's issues front of mind.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Elephant in the room, council amalgamations
As The Advocate approached councillor Hawkins to write this blog the usual 250-300 word limit has been waived ... "Let’s say it… the big A word… AMALGAMATION! Is resource sharing the alternative or is amalgamation inevitable? It’s a hot topic amongst communities, polarising and can create identity-crises. It can also makecouncillors nervous about their seat! ... [not to mention GMs and other senior functionaries]
I recently agreed to a motion at my council stating that I don’t support compulsory amalgamations. I did this because I don’t support them for the sake of doing them and the data has not yet landed on my desk. I am yet to see a ‘council alone’ versus ‘council and neighbour’ scenario (except for the recent Break O’Day and Glamorgan-Spring Bay voluntary amalgamation process that did not proceed). Simply forcing councils to do it might not always provide the best economic outcomes (let alone social, cultural and environmental ones). The proof is yet to be provided but I am ready to be sold on the concept. I will say that the decision should not be based on economics alone.
I will put on record that ... click here to read the full story online at The Advocate
NEWS OF LAUNCESTON'S HERITAGE DILEMMA HITS UK PRESS
The UK's TELE-READERS must be as bemused as they may well be amused. If this issue wasn't being taken so seriously by Ivan Dean it would be enormously funny. Silencing Launceston's PO Clock has its parallel in London with Big Ben. Tasmanians complaining about the NOISE Big Ben makes in London while on holidays there would almost certainly be told to "get a life" – or something of the sort but far less polite.
Anyway, Big Ben rings out 24/7 without tourists complaint, or none that will be heard. Indeed many (most?) quite probably come to hear it ring out and possibly many select hotels where that can be done.
There is such a lack of balance in the way the 'SILENCERS' are presenting their case it is embarrassing. Ivan Dean has found yet another polarising issue to go with his personal set of attention seeking, opportunistic, bandwagon issues.
The city's other aldermen need to be careful about being tarred with his brush and thus becoming the butt of 'Launceston Clock Jokes' way beyond Tasmania. One or two are already skating on very thin ice. Is this really a Council election issue? Are there not many more important issues in need of attention?
Council amalgamations back on agenda
BY LIBBY BINGHAM 15 Jul, 2011 12:00 AMFRESH from a tough budget and setting rates, Burnie Mayor Alvwyn Boyd and Devonport Mayor Lynn Laycock say it was time to talk council amalgamations again.
"If we did have three councils across the region there would have to be fair representation from each area to ensure all the potholes get fixed," Ald Boyd said.
However, his view is the $1.5 million currently paid in allowances to mayors, deputy mayors and councillors across nine North-West councils is a reason to talk about mergers in itself.
Ald Laycock said she had "always been in favour of amalgamations".
Her deputy, Grant Goodwin, said if you drive from Devonport to Ulverstone to Sheffield to Shearwater and back to Devonport it's only a two-hour trip across four council areas.
"It's very clear if those four councils were one body you do away with a few general managers with a combined salary of somewhere around $600,000," he said.
Ald Goodwin favours a greater Mersey council as a first step encompassing Devonport, Latrobe and Kentish with the latter two already sharing their general manager.
Ald Goodwin felt it was demographically logical to include Ulverstone as well.
"The simple fact is we have seen how smaller councils in Tasmania do not have the rate base to maintain the services they need - and in all fairness we have finished up with water and sewerage reform because the smaller councils didn't have that ratepayer base to pay for treatment plants and infrastructure," he said.
Ald Goodwin said Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head could also merge into one council.
"West Coast and King Island may still stand alone ... you've got 29 councils in Tasmania and in the Cradle Coast region you could bring it down from nine to four."
Going back to the ward system would ensure the smaller councils received fair representation on a bigger council, Ald Goodwin said.
He said increasing resource sharing would not deliver the same savings to be gained from amalgamations.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
"If we did have three councils across the region there would have to be fair representation from each area to ensure all the potholes get fixed," Ald Boyd said.
However, his view is the $1.5 million currently paid in allowances to mayors, deputy mayors and councillors across nine North-West councils is a reason to talk about mergers in itself.
Ald Laycock said she had "always been in favour of amalgamations".
Her deputy, Grant Goodwin, said if you drive from Devonport to Ulverstone to Sheffield to Shearwater and back to Devonport it's only a two-hour trip across four council areas.
"It's very clear if those four councils were one body you do away with a few general managers with a combined salary of somewhere around $600,000," he said.
Ald Goodwin favours a greater Mersey council as a first step encompassing Devonport, Latrobe and Kentish with the latter two already sharing their general manager.
Ald Goodwin felt it was demographically logical to include Ulverstone as well.
"The simple fact is we have seen how smaller councils in Tasmania do not have the rate base to maintain the services they need - and in all fairness we have finished up with water and sewerage reform because the smaller councils didn't have that ratepayer base to pay for treatment plants and infrastructure," he said.
Ald Goodwin said Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head could also merge into one council.
"West Coast and King Island may still stand alone ... you've got 29 councils in Tasmania and in the Cradle Coast region you could bring it down from nine to four."
Going back to the ward system would ensure the smaller councils received fair representation on a bigger council, Ald Goodwin said.
He said increasing resource sharing would not deliver the same savings to be gained from amalgamations.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
- Send your letters to the editor, The Advocate, PO Box 63, Burnie, Tasmania 7320 or email letters@theadvocate.com.au
- Leave a COMMENT below
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