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COUNCIL1862

SORELL

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c o m m u n i t y c o a s t c o u n t r y

PRIMROSE SANDS PARKIn the 2016 – 2017 Budget, Council will allocate some funding to install a new piece of equipment at Primrose Sands Park. We would like Primrose Sands locals to tell us what piece of equipment they would like to see at the park. Let us know!

Jump onto our website and download a copy of the survey form or fill out the form directly online. Copies of the form are also available from the Primrose Sands Hall.

Completed forms should be returned to Council by 30 April 2016.AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD RECIPIENTSSorell Council’s 2016 Australia Day Awards were presented at the Sorell Memorial Hall on Friday 22 January.

Twenty two individual and group nominations were received across the four Australia Day Award categories. These Awards are the highest honour a Council can bestow on an individual or group for an outstanding contribution to their local community.

The recipients for 2016 were -Citizen of the Year – Graham HawkinsYoung Citizen of the Year – Jessica BennettoCommunity Event of the Year – ‘Youth Fiesta’ by Okines Community HouseCommunity Group of the Year – The Causeway ClubCouncil sincerely congratulates all the nominated individuals and groups on their well-deserved and earned recognition.

Nominations for the 2017 Australia Day Awards will open in mid-2016.

Jenny Oates (Causeway Club), Julia Knight (Youth Fiesta), Jessica Bennetto and Graham Hawkins.

COMMUNITY AND YOUTH GRANTS PROGRAMCouncil’s Community and Youth Grants Program provides financial support to eligible community groups and organisations within the Sorell Municipality and includes funds for Community Assistance and Youth Grants.

Through the second round of the 2015 – 2016 Community and Youth Grants Program open in January, Council provided nine community organisations and projects with $9,967.55 in funding. Congratulations to the successful groups!

Applications for the 2016 – 2017 Community and Youth Grants Program will open on 1 May 2016.

Please see Council’s website for full details of the Grants Program.

YOURCOUNCILLORS

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PRIL 2016 Mayor Kerry Vincent Ph 6269 2233 (B)Mobile 0408 023 302kerry.vincent@sorell.tas.gov.au

SORELL STREETSCAPE WORKS The St George’s Square side of Gordon Street recently underwent some upgrades. The footpath was replaced, along with new streetlights and trees installed. This is part of Council’s Streetscape plan for Sorell and ties in with the works previously completed on Fitzroy Street.

Walker and Forcett Streets at Sorell School have also had some works carried out to improve the intersection and make the busy school drop off/pick up times at the intersection much safer for our children. Works comprised traffic calming and safety measures including the installation of new footpath, kerb, channel and a formal pedestrian crossing on the school side of the street. In addition, the entrance to the Senior School’s car park was relocated to provide a separate entrance from the Primary School.

Additional works on the opposite side of the road to the School and streetscape works for the western end of Fitzroy Street will be put forth for consideration in the 2016/2017 budget.

COUNCIL ADOPTS LONG TERM FINANCIAL PLANIn accordance with the Local Government Act and associated mandate from the Tasmanian Audit Office, State and Federal Governments, Council can report that we continue to deliver on developing and approving key financial and asset management indicators comprising underlying surplus, financial liabilities, asset consumption, asset renewal funding and asset sustainability ratios.

Understandably, Local Government has to demonstrate that it is able to achieve financial and asset management sustainability. Access to Federal and State grant funding sources has become increasingly dependent upon this sustainability.

Council has developed and adopted a Long Term Financial Plan 2016 – 2025 and associated asset management policies, strategies and plans for all key asset classes has now been completed. This necessary groundwork will now enable us to make informed decisions regarding the impact that further asset maintenance, renewal and upgrade expenditure will have on our short, medium and long term sustainability.

Perhaps most importantly, the issue of what level of revenue is required and associated service levels can now be considered in a measured and factual way.

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Education in Sorell continues to gain momentum.

After our recent meeting with Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff, I was thrilled to see the announcement that Sorell School will extend to include selected courses for Years 11 and 12 from 2017. Courses and subjects will be held collaboratively with other Schools and Colleges on the Eastern Shore. This change will provide wonderful opportunities for our youth to continue their education locally.

The community needs our young people to continue to build their talents and knowledge so they can participate in the expansion of our local economy. The local growth in tourism, agriculture and general business in Sorell will require our workers to have an expanding array of skills to fulfil job requirements.

It’s an exciting time for our local young people.

Thank you to everyone who has brought pressure onto relevant Politicians regarding our transport issues. Over recent months, both State and Federal Liberal and Labor MP’s have shown an increasing interest in our transport corridor and are presently working on solutions. I trust with the upcoming Federal Election on our doorstep we will soon see a positive announcement in this area.

There has been a large amount of work behind the scenes in several areas to examine possible public transport solutions to our traffic issues. Everyone’s input and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.

Local theatre group Sorell on Stage were recently in the spotlight, on a bigger stage than their usual one at Sorell Memorial Hall. The group were awarded the Judges’ Community Theatre Award for Exceptional, Original, Community-based Performances in the 2016 Tasmanian Theatre Awards. These Awards recognise and honour the achievements of Tasmania’s performing arts community. Commonly known as the Errols, the Awards are Tasmania’s version of the Oscars, whereby professional and amateur actors and companies performances from across the State are judged throughout the year, culminating in these Awards.

Everyone who has been to a Sorell on Stage performance will know just how worthy the Award win was. The group do an amazing job and provide a wonderful opportunity for locals to engage with live theatre. If you haven’t been to one of their shows then I strongly encourage you to get along to one of their upcoming performances. You won’t be disappointed.

Congratulations to Saakia, Michelle, Ron and the rest of the merry bunch who make up Sorell on Stage. An Award win that is very well deserved.

Mayor Kerry Vincent

Walker Street

Deputy Mayor Brett McDonald Ph 6265 1066 (B)Mobile 0407 655 114brett.mcdonald@sorell.tas.gov.au

Mayor Kerry Vincent Ph 6269 2233 (B)Mobile 0408 023 302kerry.vincent@sorell.tas.gov.au

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Clr Lindsay White Ph 6257 5162Mobile 0428 140 177lindsay.white@sorell.tas.gov.au

Clr Graeme EvansPh 6265 2385 (H)Mobile 0418 462 591graeme.evans@sorell.tas.gov.au

Clr Kerry DegrassiPh/Fax 6265 8843Mobile 0439 658 842kerry.degrassi@sorell.tas.gov.au

MICK WIGGINS RETIRING AFTER 47 YEARS SERVICE Council recently farewelled Michael Wiggins, who is arguably our longest serving employee with 47 years of service.

Mick started his employment with Council in January 1969 as the Plumbing Inspector’s Assistant. He then moved to the Depot where he worked as a Labourer and Leading Hand before undertaking his Plumbers License through TAFE and becoming the Hydraulic Supervisor. After the sewerage and water reforms he moved into the role of Plumbing Surveyor, which he was in for 11 years up until his retirement.

Mick said he enjoyed seeing the growth of our community during his time with Council and is now looking forward to travelling around Australia with his wife in their caravan.

Congratulations Mick and thank you for your loyal service. Council wishes you all the best for your retirement.

ORIELTON LAGOON LOOP Council has drafted a concept plan for the construction of a predominately gravel pathway around Orielton Lagoon to link the existing pathways in Sorell and Midway Point into a formalised loop.

It is proposed that the pathway will be constructed on the road reserve next to Rural Solutions to link with the Causeway, then follow Shark Point Road into Penna Road, and link back up to Esplanade in Midway Point.

Orielton Lagoon is a wetland of international significance, recognised as both a Tasmanian Nature Reserve and an international Ramsar site. The area is part of the major summer feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds like the Eastern Curlew, Bar-Tailed Godwit and Red-Necked Stint, from as far away as Siberia.

It is hoped the pathway will provide locals and visitors alike, a greater opportunity to interact with the Lagoon as well as engage in health and well-being activities.

Council will be engaging with key stakeholders such as Parks and Wildlife, Department of State Growth and NRM South throughout the process.

Construction of the loop will likely be subject to Council receiving external funding for the project.

A copy of the proposed concept plan is available on our website and we welcome feedback from the community on it. We will keep the community updated on the plans for the Orielton Lagoon Loop as the project progresses.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT REVIEWThe State Government will oversee a targeted review of the Local Government Act 1993 during 2016. The review of the Act is aimed at improving governance arrangements within Tasmania’s Councils.

A discussion paper will be drafted in due course and publicly released outlining a range of ideas identified by the State Government, or raised by members of the public and Local Government, to help inform people who wish to make submissions. While Local Government will play a significant role in the review, all interested parties, including community groups and members of the public, are encouraged to participate in the review process.

We will keep the community updated on the review and communicate how you can be involved as things progress.

You can read more about the review on The Department of Premier and Cabinet’s website:

www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/local_government/targeted_review_of_the_local_government_act_1993

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PRIL 2016 Clr Natham Reynolds Mobile 0416 041 720natham.reynolds@sorell.tas.gov.au

Clr Carmel Torenius Ph 6265 1088 (H)Mobile 0402 099 865 carmel.torenius@sorell.tas.gov.au

Clr Vlad Gala Mobile 0409 212 332vlad.gala@sorell.tas.gov.au

Clr Deborah De Williams Mobile 0418 350 794deborah.dewilliams@sorell.tas.gov.au

CONTACT USStreet Address: 47 Cole Street, Sorell Telephone: 6269 0000 By Fax: 6269 0014By email: sorell.council@sorell.tas.gov.auWebsite: www.sorell.tas.gov.auAny feedback about the newsletter is welcomed and can be forwarded to sorell.council@sorell.tas.gov.au

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONSDue to their popularity, Council will be hosting another series of informal meetings with the community during 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:

28 April at 6.30pm – Pittwater Scout Hall (Brady Street, Midway Point)26 May at 6.30pm – Dunalley Hall28 July at 6.30pm – Okines Community House29 September at 6.30pm – Forcett Hall27 October at 6.30pm – Sorell Council Offices17 November at 6.30pm – Nugent Information discussed from all past meetings are available on Council’s website: www.sorell.tas.gov.au/community-conversations

AMALGAMATIONS UPDATEDuring March Sorell, Tasman, Clarence and Glamorgan Spring Bay Councils, in conjunction with the Department of Premier and Cabinet, commenced the investigation into voluntary amalgamations.

KPMG is undertaking the consultancy and it’s expected to take approximately six months to complete and provide results to all partners. Public consultation will then be carried out on the findings and associated recommendations. The outcomes of the public consultation will be considered by each Council in their determination of next steps.

The proposals being considered by KPMG include -

i) Clarence City, Sorell, Glamorgan Spring Bay (all or part thereof) and Tasman Councils; and as a subset of this –

a. Clarence City, Sorell and Tasman Councils;

b. Sorell and Tasman Councils;

c. Sorell, Glamorgan Spring Bay (all or part thereof) and Tasman Councils; and

ii) Potential for shared services, fee for service and any other model considered appropriate (including the status quo).

PIONEERS PARK TOILETSWe ask you to please note that the public toilets at Pioneers Park will be closed for the week of Tuesday 26 until Friday 29 April inclusive for maintenance work to be carried out on the floors. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, we appreciate your patience during these works.

YOUTH CENTRE UPDATEAs previously communicated, plans for the development of a Youth Centre at 11 Fitzroy Street in Sorell are continuing.

Council will shortly be commencing an Expression of Interest process for the provision and coordination of youth and related services from Fitzroy Street. The building’s asset and facilities renewal and upgrade has now been completed and it is now fit for purpose to function as a Centre for Government Agency and/or not for profit youth/social service program providers.

Providing a facility for specialist suppliers of programs is considered an effective and efficient way for Council to facilitate necessary youth services in our rapidly growing region.