COUNCIL 1862 SORELL AUGUST 2016 community coast country Sorell Community News Seniors Update Seniors Advisory Group Council’s Seniors Advisory Group meet several times per year. This provides the opportunity for our older residents to have their say in assisting Council to develop an age-friendly community. The meetings provide Council with information that can be used to support seniors, address their challenges and increase opportunities for people as they grow older within our community. Seniors Week Event Seniors Week is held between 10–16 October and Council will once again be hosting a Seniors Week Luncheon in collaboration with the Lions Club of Sorell. It will be held in the Sorell Memorial Hall with musical entertainment and a lucky door prize. Bookings will open in September so keep your eye on our website and Sorell Times adverts for further details. Seniors Week Luncheon DATE Wednesday 12 October TIME 12.00pm-2.00pm WHERE Sorell Memorial Hall Spectacle Head Whale Viewing Area Council received $25,000 in funding from the National Whale Trail initiative to create a whale viewing area at Spectacle Head in Dodges Ferry. The project consisted of construction of a viewing area, including guard rail, access path and benches, along with interpretative signage and a whale sculpture at Spectacle Head, accessed via Riaweena Road. Council collaborated with the Dodges Ferry community to create the whale sculpture. Approximately 50 local people, led by Kerry Howlett, were involved in the construction of ‘Rocky’ the whale. The Spectacle Head viewing area provides sweeping views over Frederick Henry Bay and down between the South Arm and Tasman Peninsulas, straight into Storm Bay. This area is part of the migratory path of three species of whales – Killer Whales, Humpback Whales and Southern Right Whales. The whales travel through this area to head north to their breeding grounds and south to their feeding grounds. It is hoped more Southern Right Whales will return to the area to breed in the future. The Whale Trail project has positive flow on environmental effects for the area too. The Spectacle Head area has experienced significant erosion from uncontrolled headland access. Access into the headland area will now be controlled through the dedicated path and the area will be revegetated. www.sorell.tas.gov.au
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COUNCIL1862
SORELLAUGUST 2016
community coast country
Sorell Community News
Seniors UpdateSeniors Advisory Group
Council’s Seniors Advisory Group meet several times per year. This provides the opportunity for our older residents to have their say in assisting Council to develop an age-friendly community. The meetings provide Council with information that can be used to support seniors, address their challenges and increase opportunities for people as they grow older within our community.
Seniors Week Event
Seniors Week is held between 10–16 October and Council will once again be hosting a Seniors Week Luncheon in collaboration with the Lions Club of Sorell. It will be held in the Sorell Memorial Hall with musical entertainment and a lucky door prize. Bookings will open in September so keep your eye on our website and Sorell Times adverts for further details.
Seniors Week Luncheon DATE Wednesday 12 October TIME 12.00pm-2.00pm WHERE Sorell Memorial Hall
Spectacle Head Whale Viewing AreaCouncil received $25,000 in funding from the National Whale Trail initiative to create a whale viewing area at Spectacle Head in Dodges Ferry.
The project consisted of construction of a viewing area, including guard rail, access path and benches, along with interpretative signage and a whale sculpture at Spectacle Head, accessed via Riaweena Road.
Council collaborated with the Dodges Ferry community to create the whale sculpture. Approximately 50 local people, led by Kerry Howlett, were involved in the construction of ‘Rocky’ the whale.
The Spectacle Head viewing area provides sweeping views over Frederick Henry Bay and down between the South Arm and Tasman Peninsulas, straight into Storm Bay. This area is part of the migratory path of three species of whales – Killer Whales, Humpback Whales and Southern Right Whales. The whales travel through this area to head north to their breeding grounds and south to their feeding grounds. It is hoped more Southern Right Whales will return to the area to breed in the future.
The Whale Trail project has positive flow on environmental effects for the area too. The Spectacle Head area has experienced significant erosion from uncontrolled headland access. Access into the headland area will now be controlled through the dedicated path and the area will be revegetated.
St George’s Cemetery StoryboardsFour new storyboards outlining the history of local families buried in St George’s Cemetery have recently been installed along the fence on Parsonage Place.
Council would like to thank the Historical Society of the Municipality of Sorell, Paul and Barbara Kregor, Graeme Evans, Sue Birch and the Kean Family, Wayne Newitt and Wendy Sulman for their assistance in bringing these people and their stories to life.
Mayor’s MessageIn my role as Chair of the Advisory Board for the South East Trade Training Centre, covering Nubeena, Triabunna and Sorell, it’s been interesting to work with various groups towards trying to understand the future employment requirements for our region.
The Federal Group is developing a new major hotel complex at Port Arthur, Tassal are expanding their operations on the East Coast and Tasman Peninsula, the possible development of the Solis Golf and Residential Complex at Orford, along with the development of our Irrigation Scheme and growth of the visitors numbers through the Hobart Airport expansion, all indicates enormous opportunity for jobs growth in the South East region. We need to harness the ability to work with the Tasmanian Famers and Graziers Association (TFGA), Regional Development Australia (Tasmania) as well as private groups, such as The Federal Group and Tassal, to understand and appreciate the diverse nature of economic possibilities for the future.
These possibilities have the potential to rejuvenate our education system standards and direction to tailor fit our future requirements for this region. The possible redevelopment of Sorell School also fits perfectly with the growth of employment opportunities in our region.
I look forward to continuing our involvement with the Education, Training and Employment sectors. Skills Tasmania has been very supportive towards developing a skills audit for our region so we fully understand the depth and breadth of these possibilities.
There is much work being done on forward thinking and planning for our region’s future.
I’ve recently been in contact with the Tasmanian branch of COTA (Council on the Ageing) updating them on the work we have been doing in Sorell. Their CEO Sue Leitch recently attended the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) National Conference in Brisbane and conducted a presentation on the Age-friendly Experience in Tasmania. She used many of the things we have been doing in regards to community access for the elderly in Sorell as an example. I attended a very positive meeting with Sorell‘s Seniors Advisory Group in June. The SAG members have been very constructive in working with Council on elderly access. I’m pleased to see that all our work in this area over the past few years is coming to fruition and making a positive difference in the lives of our older residents.
Seniors Week is coming up in August and I encourage you all to come along and attend Council’s annual Seniors Luncheon. We receive lots of positive feedback about this event and with the Lions Club of Sorell collaborating on the event this year it’s sure to be
another wonderful event.
Mayor Kerry Vincent
Sorell Regional Art Prize & ExhibitionThe Sorell Regional Art Prize and Exhibition will be open daily 10am until 4pm from Saturday 26 November to Friday 2 December at the Sorell Memorial Hall.
Major prizes are sponsored by Southern Beaches Regional Arts, Sorell Council, Holts Hardware Mitre 10, Lions Club of Sorell, Lufra Hotel, Rural Solutions, Sorell Bendigo Bank, Sorell on Stage and Tony Mulder.
Council’s Acquisition Prize is once again valued at $1500, Southern Beaches Regional Arts Major Award is $800 and there are various category prizes and Highly Commended Awards also on offer.
Artists interested in entering can obtain an entry form from Three Peaks Gallery in Gordon Street, the Council Offices or by phoning 6106 0071.
Bryan Dean Honoured with LGAT AwardAt Council’s National Volunteers Week Event in May, Mayor Kerry Vincent presented former Councillor Bryan Dean with a Local Government Association of Tasmania Award for Outstanding Commitment and Service to Council.
Bryan served the community as a Councillor for a period of 35 years – 1973-1981, 1984-2004 and 2006-2011. He also served two terms as Deputy Mayor. He was Chairman of the committee that built the Midway Point Hall and Chairman of the committee that built the Pittwater Community Centre. He also served on the Midway Point Hall Committee for many years and is a past Member of Rotary Club of Sorell. Bryan has a long and proud history of serving his local community and was awarded the Sorell Citizen of the Year in 2013 in recognition of this contribution.
Council warmly congratulates Bryan on this extremely well deserved recognition.
3SORELL COMMUNITY NEWS AUGUST 2016
community coast country
Wielangta Township PaintingsThe Sorell Memorial Hall recently became host to sixteen paintings by renowned artist John Lendis from the book ‘Postcards from the town that disappeared’ written by Celia Lendis.
The story and paintings represent the hardships and joys of living and working in Wielangta, a timber town, during the 1920’s. The paintings make a wonderfully colourful addition to the hall. Council is thrilled to be able to exhibit these quality paintings that represent a part of our rich history.
John Featherstone and Barry and Christine Featherstone at Copping Hall
Community and Youth Grants ProgramCouncil’s annual Community and Youth Grants Program provides financial support to eligible community groups and organisations within the Municipality.
During May 2016 Council called for applications from community groups for the 2016-2017 program.
Council approved 25 applications from community groups within the Municipality, comprising of 21 Community Grants and 4 Youth Grants which totalled $20,974. A list of the successful recipients can be found on our website www.sorell.tas.gov.au
Council also provided $10,500 of annual funding to Copping, Dunalley, Midway Point and Primrose Sands Hall Committees, Sea Rescue, Combined Churches Carols by Candlelight and SBRA Annual Art Acquisition Prize.
Total funds for the 2016-2017 Community Grants Program was $31,474.
Spotlight on Copping Hall Around 14 years ago, talk of selling the Copping Hall resulted in a resurgence of community interest in the hall.
A group of Copping locals, including John and Barry Featherstone, decided to join their local hall committee and work to make it the focus of the community once more.
The Hall was in a very run down condition and the committee has worked tirelessly together to get the hall upgraded to meet today’s standards. The kitchen has been remodelled, new toilets constructed, the exterior re-cladded and painted, the roof re-cladded, the interior repainted, floors re-sanded and stained, new chairs and stage curtains purchased and new lighting installed throughout including stage lights. Everything meets current standards and has been completed to a high standard and to blend in with the one hundred year plus old hall.
The Hall has hosted many events over the years - weddings, parties, fundraising events, concerts and wakes just to name a few. The hall, kitchen, supper room and grounds are all available to hire, so why not consider holding your next function at this beautiful community facility?
The committee’s next goal for the hall is upgrading the clubrooms. They want to see new people with new ideas join the committee and get involved to help make this happen. The current committee have all been involved for many years and their numbers are dropping so they are keen to see some new faces join them. The committee meet quarterly and they say the hall runs very smoothly these days.
The Copping Hall Committee are having their Annual General Meeting on Monday 29 August at 7.30pm at the hall. All members of the community are welcome to attend the meeting to find out more about how they can get involved in their local community hall.
Backyard Burning ReminderWith a wet winter upon us and spring fast approaching, there is sure to be plenty of green growth around the community over the next few months.
A reminder that State legislation bans backyard burning in the open or using an incinerator on blocks less than 2,000 square metres in area. The majority of residential properties in Midway Point, Sorell, Lewisham, Carlton, Primrose Sands, Dodges Ferry and Dunalley are between 600m2 and 1200m2 so this restriction affects many households in these areas. Fines for breaching this regulation cost approximately $785, so households in residential areas are strongly advised to refrain from burning vegetation, waste or rubbish and instead, take advantage of Council’s monthly green waste collection service.
The legislation does not prevent fire hazard reduction burn-off on large properties but does prohibit the burning of rubbish, plastics and other hazardous substances.
Please see Council’s brochure on Backyard Burning for more information on this issue: www.sorell.tas.gov.au/publications/publications
Any feedback about the newsletter is welcomed and can be forwarded to [email protected]
Your CouncillorsContact details for all Councillors can be found on our website www.sorell.tas.gov.au/contact-us
Clr Graeme Evans
Clr Lindsay White Clr Carmel Torenius
Clr Kerry Degrassi
Deputy Mayor Brett McDonald
Clr Vlad Gala
Clr Deborah De Williams
Clr Natham Reynolds
Mayor Kerry Vincent
Review of 2015-2016 Capital WorksDuring 2015-2016 Council completed approximately $6.408 million worth of new, renewal and upgrade of Council’s assets including:
Completion of the groyne extension
works at the Gypsy Bay boat ramp in
Primrose Sands.
Finalisation of the netball courts and upgrade of Little Athletics
facilities at Pembroke Park.
Reconstruction, sealing and improvement of sight distances on
sections of Fulham Road, and reconstruction of sections of Brinktop
Continuation of the Urban Street Sealing Program including
Esplanade (Dunalley) Primrose Sands Road, Nerine Street and Grebe
Streets (Primrose Sands), Richards Avenue, East, Reninna, Arnott and
Kuneeamee Streets (Dodges Ferry).
Renew and upgrade of pedestrian facilities at Dodges Ferry,
Primrose Sands, Sorell and Midway Point.
Upgrade of stormwater infrastructure in Lewisham Scenic Drive,
Plenar, Kuneeamee and Lukeekah Streets.
Installation of new play equipment and construction of public
toilets at Flyway Island Park, Midway Point.
Stage 2 streetscape works on Gordon Street.
Community ConversationsA reminder about the remaining Community Conversation dates for 2016.
Join us for a chat with the Mayor, Councillors and General
Manager about what’s happening in your local area. Meeting
details are as follows:
29 September 6.30pm at Forcett Hall
27 October 6.30pm at Sorell Council Offices
17 November 6.30pm at Nugent Hall
Information discussed from all past meetings are available on Council’s website www.sorell.tas.gov.au/community-conversations
Community Conversation
2016/2017 Budget and Capital Works ProgramAt the June Council meeting, the Annual Plan and Budget for the 2016-2017 financial year was passed.
The Annual Plan and Budget is in line with Council‘s Long Term Financial Plan and the rate increase was held to 2.5%. Council is pleased to be able to keep this increase to a minimum, despite mounting pressures on assets and services from a rapidly growing community.
$8.25 million has been allocated for capital works with a list of the projects being outlined in the 2016-2017 Capital Works schedule which will shortly be available on Council’s website under the Quick Links tab.
This year’s budget sees a continued focus on maintenance and asset renewal to ensure the Municipality’s assets achieve their full useful life and to minimise replacement costs in to the future.
