Issue 3 November 2003
Events Co-ordinator The Cradle Coast Authority is pleased to welcome its new Regional Events Co-ordinator, Nic Deka. Nic’s duties will involve working with organisations to develop the region’s existing events and create opportunities for new events. The position has been funded by a partnership between the Cradle Coast Authority, Events Tasmania and the Department of Transport and Regional Services. Nic will be fully profiled in the next edition of the newsletter.
Former Hospital Site Update Expressions of interest have been called for the redevelopment of the former Burnie Hospital site at South Burnie. Cradle Coast Authority Executive Chairman, Roger Jaensch, said the joint venture partners were now confident the site would be redeveloped in a way that would prove beneficial to the whole region. “Even before the EOI was advertised we were informally approached by a number of p a r t i e s w i t h l eg i t i m a t e commercial proposals. “A year ago there was not much interest in the site but it appears confidence has been increased by the demolition of the old hospital and by the boom in the real estate market and the economy,” Mr Jaensch said. The closing date for EOIs is December 12.
Bi-Monthly Newsletter Funding Boost for Tourism Industry
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he Cradle Coast Region will invest $200,000 during the next two years to implement the new touring route strategies jointly developed by the Cradle Coast Authority, Tourism Tasmania and local councils.
The project will be funded by $100,000 from the Federal Government’s Sustainable Regions Program, $50,000 from the Authority’s member Councils and $50,000 from the Authority’s tourism budget, which is part funded by Tourism Tasmania. The implementation process will include developing brand research and marketing strategies for each of the three touring routes, as well as auditing public and private tourism infrastructure and signage. The three touring routes to be implemented in the region are the Cradle Country Touring Route, the West Coast Wilderness Way Touring Route and the Great Nature Trail. The Cradle Coast Authority will work with local councils, tourism operators and State agencies to develop the priorities for each of the routes. Senator Richard Colbeck said the project would help ensure the whole region benefited from the influx of interstate tourists. “With the new Spirits and Federal rebates enabling cars, campervans, c a ra v a n s and motorcycles to travel free across Bass Strait, Tasmania is attracting unprecedented numbers of self-drive visitors,’’ he said. “This project will help the Cradle Coast region to develop the experi-
ences, facilities and services needed to build this region’s reputation as a must-see component of their holiday.” The Authority’s Tourism Development Manager, Ian Waller, said planning for major items like signage, public toilets and information bays in each council area would be based on visitor needs identified through surveys and focus groups in key market segments. “The touring routes will bring people into our region and show them what we have to offer,’’ he said. “Now we need to make the journey safe, convenient and rewarding for them so they come back time and again. “We are simply doing on a regional scale what all tourism businesses do to attract repeat customers.” Senator Colbeck said the project was an excellent example of how the Sustainable Regions Program and the Cradle Coast Authority provided ways for all levels of government to work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region.
Mersey River Study
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$24,000 study of the Mersey River precinct is set to maximise the area’s tourism potential.
The study will investigate how the visitor experience can be developed during the next 20 years. It is being funded by $12,000 from the non-infrastructure tourism component of the Cradle Coast Sustainable Regions Investment Plan and $12,000 funding from the Latrobe Council, who will manage the project. The funding will be used to complete a study of the Mersey River precinct from Warrawee Forest Reserve to the mouth of the Mersey River in Devonport. The study will focus predominantly on the river system and s u rro u n di ng e n v i ro nm en t around Bells Parade. It will look at identifying the natural and cultural opportunities of the precinct from a tourism perspective with the goal of co-ordinating future development and strengthening the linkages between Latrobe and the surrounding areas. Latrobe Tourism has established the Mersey River Precinct Subcommittee – comprised of representatives from the Council, Latrobe Tourism, local tourism operators and local environmental groups - to work with the Latrobe Council to complete the project. In addition to the study the project will prepare site plans for infrastructure, product marketing, interpretation and signage. An interpretation plan will also be developed for the precinct.
Cradle Coast Authority Newsletter
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SPOTLIGHT ON . . . POPULATION TASKFORCE Population Discussion Paper Now Available . . . Have Your Say Education Forums Three local government areas are forming education reference groups following forums co-ordinated by the Stronger Learning Pathways Project. Central Coast, WaratahWynyard and the West Coast decided to establish the representative groups to develop strategic education plans for their areas. The groups may also identify projects eligible for funding under the Sustainable Regions Program. Stronger Learning Pathways Project Officer, Nick Flittner, said all three communities were quite clear what they wanted. “They were interested in guided autonomy in relation to planning of future educational resources and that is what this model can help to deliver,” Mr Flittner said. Mr Flittner said the main findings of the forums were: • There is a need to lift the profile of education. • Traditionally education has not been as valued as it could be. • The message that people now need Grade 12 qualifications or above is not getting through. • Multiple pathways into education need to be continued. • There is an understanding that life-long education is now a necessity and that it is a community responsibility. • Economic development relies on education being readily available. Mr Flittner said similar forums would be held in other communi ties if requested.
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he key to addressing the Cradle Coast region’s population decline might be found in New Zealand.
Cradle Coast Authority Population Taskforce Chairman, Grant Atkins, said the town of Invercargill, at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, was one of the few places which had successfully reversed a long-term population decline. “Invercargill is not the only city or town which has tried implementing strategies to reverse long-term population decline,” Mr Atkins said. “But it is one of the few places where the strategies it has developed have been successful.” Mr Atkins said that like most Australian rural towns, Invercargill was losing its young people to bigger cities. “Invercargill is in a similar region to ours and we are hoping to be able to benefit from their experiences.” Mr Atkins said the actions suggested in the newly released Cradle Coast Population Taskforce Draft Public Discussion Paper drew on the lessons learnt from places like Invercargill. “Probably the most important lesson is that population decline can be reversed, but not through one single strategy.
address the key challenges of the region.” Mr Atkins said the key challenges were an aging population, declining fertility rates, a lower proportion of young people and high levels of out migration. “During the past decade the population of the Cradle Coast region has both declined and aged,” Mr Atkins said. “The region’s population peaked in 1991 at about 112,000 people, but it declined to about 106,400 people at June 2002. “The population is projected to continue to decline to between 105,000 people (best case scenario) and 95,000 (worst case scenario) by 2020.
“We are also suggesting things like establishing and communicating a brand for the region, creating regional pride and fostering the development of Cradle Coast ambassadors.
“However, the region has been experiencing a turn-around during the past six months and the challenge is to ensure this reversal continues and that recent population gains are consolidated.”
“The paper also includes practical actions like encouraging investment in the region, ensuring a skilled workforce and expanding educational opportunities”.
Mr Atkins said to a large extent the population decline could be attributed to a high net migration loss in the 17-37 age group. “This means there are fewer people of reproductive age in the population and this trend is creating an unbalanced population structure in the region”. In the Cradle Coast region the total number of people over the age of 65 is expected to increase from just over 15,000 in 2003 to about 23,000 by 2021 – an increase of 50%.
Invercargill in New Zealand—a Coastal region similar to the Cradle Coast region which has successfully reversed a long-term population decline.
“Rather you need a range of innovative strategies and external influences such as an empowered and supportive community. “The approach we have taken is to look at developing strategies which are meaningful and will build the foundation for long-term sustainable population growth, rather than a quick fix strategy which doesn’t
Mr Atkins said that based on the Invercargill experience and research completed by the taskforce since it’s appointment in February, three key actions had been suggested to address the challenges.
Mr Atkins said the taskforce had also suggested the development of a regional website, the expansion of regional tourism and the investigation of regional education and training initiatives. “ However, w e are seekin g community input and urge everyone to get a copy of the discussion paper and provide us with feedback and comments.” Once the taskforce has received public feedback on the draft paper it will prioritise the concepts and develop one or more concepts into population strategies which will be recommended for Sustainable Regions funding.
We Need You!
“These are building a responsive community, delivering the foundations for growth and embracing new neighbours,” he said.
The concepts developed by the taskforce call for all parts of the community to be involved in addressing the challenges.
“For each of the actions we have suggested objectives and concepts to achieve them”.
Please obtain a copy of the draft discussion paper from the Authority or download the document in PDF format from www.cradlecoast.com and give us your feedback by November 17.
Mr Atkins said one of those suggestions was facilitating a study group of regional leaders to visit Invercargill to experience first-hand what has been achieved there.
Cradle Coast Authority Newsletter
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SPOTLIGHT ON . . . OUR REGION
Did You Know?
Our Profile
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regional profile compiled by the Department of Transport and Regional Services has given the clearest picture yet of the Cradle Coast region. The profile covers the social, economic and environmental characteristics of the region and will provide a context for the i s su e s, o p p or tuni ti e s a n d strategies identified within the Sustainable Regions Program. The statistics, which provide key background information, can be used to support the decision making processes in the region and assist with sustained e c o n o m i c a nd c om m u n i t y development. The profile’s content has been drawn mainly from Australian Bureau of Statistics data but has also been supplemented by data from a range of other sources including the Australian Tax Office, the Department of Family and Community Services and state and local government agencies. The profile is one of a series of eight profiles produced for the regions included in the Federal G o v e r n m e n t ’ s S u st a i n a b l e Regions Program. The profile includes information on the people, the labour market, economic activity and the environment in the region.
In 2000-01 the region was producing 41.7 p.c. of Tasmania’s agricultural commodities, valued at $315m.
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The region was responsible for 64.7 p.c. of the state’s vegetable production, 59.6 p.c. of its milk production and 55.1 p.c. of its beef cattle for slaughtering. • Just under half of all visitors to Tasmania in 2001-02 traveled within the North West Tourism Region and the majority stayed overnight. • In 2001-02 the region’s hotels, motels, guest houses and serviced apartments took $18.5m. in accommodation takings. • About 40 p.c. of Tasmania’s hydro-electric generation capacity is provided by the Cradle Coast region. • Average taxable income for the West Coast has been consistently higher than the average for Tasmania and for Australia during the past 10 years. • The industry sectors employing the most people in the region are retail trade,(5,965), manufacturing (5,645), agriculture, forestry and fishing (3,935), health and community services (3,900) and education (2,861). • The indigenous population in the region has increased from 2,232 in 1986 to 5,079 in 2001. • More than one-quarter of households in the region were occupied by people living alone. • About 39 p.c. of people aged 15 years and over in the region were recipients of Centrelink pensions or benefits. • In 2001-02 the region lost a total of $28.7m. to electronic gaming machines. The West Coast and Devonport had the highest per capita net player losses in the State. • Between 1997 and 2000 the West Coast had much higher than average standardised death rates from cancer and heart disease. •
The region as a whole exhibited higher than average standardised death rates for cancers of the digestive organs, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents and diabetes. • The region was a little lower than the Australian average for deaths attributable to cancers of the trachea, bronchus and lung and also for deaths by suicide. • The industry sector with the greatest decline in employment was manufacturing. •
The fox represents the single most devastating threat to Tasmania’s native mammals and birds. • Only 39.1 p.c. of employed residents held some form of postschool qualification in 2001. • Only 9.4 p.c. of the region’s employed people held a university degree in 2001. This was half the Australian average of 18.7 p.c. However, the region had a higher proportion of employed people with a skilled vocational qualification. • At the 2001 Census, 530 people in the region were employed in the forestry and logging industry. A further 1,030 were employed in sawmilling and wood and paper product manufacture. • Only 34 p.c. of Cradle Coast region residents used a computer in the week before the 2001 Census. This is slightly lower than Tasmania (37.2 p.c.) and well below the rate for the nation (42 p.c.). •
Copies of the full report can be downloaded from www.cradlecoast.com and are also available from the Authority.
NRM Appointments The Natural Resource Management Committee has appointed a team of six facilitators to help support the committee’s work. The facilitators’ priority will be to assist in the development of the regional NRM strategy through stakeholder engagement. Extensive stakeholder engagement is planned from early November and discussion papers intended to stimulate stakeholder comment are near completion. A major round of public forums and workshops will be held in February 2004. Once the strategy has been developed the facilitators will help to implement it through the establishment of partnerships with land managers, community groups, land care groups, local councils, industry and government agencies. The positions have been funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments. The new facilitators are: •
Lynne Robertson (NRM Support Officer)
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Jenny Whiting (NRM Facilitator—Eastern)
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Joanna Lyall (NRM Partnership Development)
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Greg Taylor (NRM Facilitator—Western)
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Carol Bryant (NRM Community Facilitator), and
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Eve Woolmore (NRM Facilitator—King Island).
The NRM facilitators can be contacted through the Authority.
Cradle Coast Authority Newsletter
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SPOTLIGHT ON . . . CRADLE COAST AUTHORITY BOARD Food Report Released
Introducing the Cradle Coast Authority’s New Board Alf is a strong supporter of regional cooperation and played a significant role in the creation of the North-West Regional Water Authority (now Cradle Coast Water).
The Cradle Coast Authority has released a report outlining strategies for increasing long-term investment and employment in the region’s food processing and valueadding industry. The report, funded under the Commonwealth Government’s Sustainable Regions Program, is based on several months background research, a survey of 120 stakeholders and face-toface interviews with about 60 food industry participants in the region. The survey sought industry responses to broad questions regarding opportunities for growing the value of the industry, barriers to those opportunities and ways to overcome them. The respondents recognised that innovation was critical to further growth in the industry and many felt the region did not currently have an environment which fostered innovation. The report recommends further development of options for a contract food processing facility or precinct and the development of a food innovation centre and industry network.
Alf is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and his contribution to local government and the community has been acknowledged through a Commonwealth of Australia Centenary Medal and life membership of both the Local Government Association of Tasmania and the L o c al G ov e r nm e n t M an a g ers ’ Australia.
John Howard
He has also provided more than 20 years service to the International City Management Association.
Russell Paterson
John has a background in Local Government—particularly engineering and asset management.
Currently CEO of B & E Building Soci ety, Russell repr esents Agriculture, Industry and Commerce on the Authority’s board.
He is currently the director of asset management for Jeff Roorda and Associates—an asset management consultancy. John was previously the General Manager of Corporate Strategy for the Cairns City Council and was the Devonport City Council’s Manager of Technical Services from 19871999. John is one of the Authority’s board members representing Agriculture, Industry and Commerce.
Russell was previously managing director of Lactos (1985-2000). When he became Manager in 1995 the company had lost $7.2m. in the preceding year, it now has a turnover of more than $60m. and employs 300 people.
In partnership with the University of Tasmania, State Government agencies and food businesses, the Authority has started determining the feasibility of these options as a basis for the development of recommendations for further funding under the Sustainable Regions Program.
Megan Cavanagh-Russell is the Director of the University of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast Campus and represents Education and Training on the Authority’s board.
Russell is extremely active in the community with positions including University of Tasmania Foundation Board, Motor Sports Tasmania Board member, Tasmanian Wood Design Collection Board member, Company Directors—Tasmanian Division Board member, Chairman Tasmanian Quality Assurance, Chairman Launceston Cancerians and Northern Chair of "Love this Place".
Megan, who is also a partner in an agricultural farming business, is extremely active in the community and serves on a number of committees.
Russell is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Dairy Industry Association of Australia.
A summary of the report has been sent to everyone who participated in the survey and is available on the Authority’s website at www.cradlecoast.com.
Alf Mott
These include the Brand Tasmania Council (director), the Circular Head Council Education Consultative Committee (member) and Advance Burnie (director).
Alf Mott is the General Managers’ representative on the Authority’s board.
Megan is the former chair of the Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board and is currently a co-supervisor of the Creative Pathways Project.
He has won a number of awards including the Philip Chandler Award of Excellence for contribution to the Tasmanian Food and Beverage Industry, Burnie Citizen of the Year in 1997 and Tasmanian Marketer of the Year in 1999.
Hard copies of the report are available on request from the Authority.
Megan Cavanagh-Russell
Alf is the former General Manager of the Central Coast Council. He retired this year after 42 years’ service.
Megan’s previous professional activities include school music and contemporary music performance.
In 1998 Russell won a Burnie Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award for Excellence for his contribution to Burnie, the community and Tasmania.
Cradle Coast Authority Newsletter
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SPOTLIGHT ON . . . CRADLE COAST AUTHORITY BOARD CONT. Board’s Role
Website Launched
he Authority has an eightmember Board of Directors comprised of business and community leaders.
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The Cradle Coast Authority’s website at www.cradlecoast.com has been launched.
The Board is responsible for the Authority’s strategic direction, financial management, advisory committees and other duties as set out in the Authority’s Rules.
The website contains information about the Authority and its region, projects, partnerships and programs.
Membership of the Board is skillsbased, not representative, and all members participate in the decision-making processes. The Authority’s Executive Chairman, Roger Jaensch, performs the role of Chief Executive and Chairman and spokesman for the board, but does not vote at Board meetings. The Board comprises two directors nominated by participating Councils, one director nominated by Council General Managers, one director with experience in the tourism industry in the Cradle Coast Region, three directors with experience in agriculture, industry or commerce in the Cradle Coast region and one director with experience in education and training in the Cradle Coast region.
Allan Leeson
Ross Hine
Allan Leeson is currently the CEO of the Burnie Airport Corporation and a member of the board of the Australian Airports Association.
Marrawah dairy farmer, Ross Hine, has been Mayor of Circular Head since 1996.
He is the former Community and Marketing Director of the Burnie City Council and a past director of West North-West Regional Tourism and the Tasmanian Convention Bureau. He was a founding director of the Tasmanian Visitor Information Network and has experience in the media as a journalist. Allan is representing Tourism on the Authority’s Board.
Ross is a member of the Rural Health Board and is the Council’s representative on the Circular Head Education and Training Consultative Committee. Ross, who is one of the Local Government representatives on the Authority’s Board, wants to see the region’s potential realised through a focus on value-adding in the dairying, forestry, aquaculture and tourism industries.
The Cradle Coast Authority’s new Board was appointed for three years beginning on August 7, 2003. The eight directors were appointed from 25 nominations received in response to public advertisements and Council nomination processes. The Board meets monthly, reports to Council representatives four times a year and is subject to annual reviews.
David Brewster
Bob Wilson
David Brewster has been Mayor of King Island since 1999.
Bob Wilson is another Authority director representing Agriculture, Industry and Commerce.
Roger Jaensch said the new Board had a balanced mix of original members and new appointments, providing continuity and experience as well as fresh perspectives and ideas.
He played a key role in resurrecting the island’s dairy industry and is a former General Manager of King Island Dairies. He now serves on the board of a number of successful companies.
“The Authority’s member Councils were pleased with the number and calibre of nominations received, indicating strong support for the Authority’s role.”
David is a Council representative with the Australian Airport Owners’ Association and is a Local Government representative on the Authority’s Board.
Currently the CEO of Classic Foods, Bob is also the Chairman of the Circular Head Business Enterprise Centre, Chairman of the Hobart Port Corporation’s advisory committee for the Port of Stanley and Chairman of the Stanley Port Development Committee. Bob is also a member of the Food Industry Council.
Photographs of board members are courtesy of The Advocate.
Publications, reports and media releases can be downloaded from the site, which also contains a feedback form which can be used to submit comments via direct email. The launch of the website means that information about the region and the Authority can now be accessed at any time. Reports and publications currently available include: •
Population Taskforce Discussion Paper.
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Regional Food Industry Report.
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Cradle Coast Regional Profile.
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Past newsletters.
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Sustainable Regions Investment Program.
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Cradle Coast Authority Rules.
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Cradle Coast Authority Annual Reports.
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Regional Submissions.
The site also contains links to useful sites including Tourism Tasmania, the Department of Economic Development, Cradle Coast member Councils, the Local Government Association of Tasmania, Tasmania Online and IRIS Tasmania (a single access point for information on the State’s physical, eco n o mic an d social infrastructure and resources).
Cradle Coast Authority Newsletter
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STAFF PROFILE . . . SARAH POORTENAAR Cradle Coast Authority Executive Officer
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arah Poortenaar has always been interested in regional development and land use planning
So when the position of Executive Officer to the Cradle Coast Authority was advertised she saw it as the perfect opportunity to return home and pu rsue her prof essi on al passion. Although she was born in South Africa, Sarah moved here when she was five and grew up on the North-West Coast at Burnie.
Cradle Coast Authority Executive Officer, Sarah Poortenaar. Photograph courtesy of The Advocate
Contact us …
After studying at Parklands High School and Hellyer College she moved to Hobart to study at the University of Tasmania where she gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree. One of the subjects she studied was geography which rekindled her interest in regional development and led her to further her studies at New South Wales’ University of New England where she completed a graduate diploma in urban and regional planning.
30 Marine Terrace, Burnie PO Box 338 Burnie 7320 Phone: 03 6431 6285 Fax: 03 6431 7014 Email: suzsmith@cradlecoast.com
After graduating Sarah’s first job was as a planning officer with the Central Coast Council.
Cradle Coast Authority
“And Local Government is an area where you can’t fully understand how it operates and what the challenges are unless you have worked in it.’’
Roger Jaensch—Executive Chairman rjaensch@cradlecoast.com Sarah Poortenaar—Executive Officer spoortenaar@cradlecoast.com
Tourism Ian Waller—Regional Tourism Development Manager iwaller@cradlecoast.com
Natural Resource Management David McCormack—Natural Resource Management Co-ordinator dmccormack@cradlecoast.com
Stronger Learning Pathways Nick Flittner—Project Officer nflittner@cradlecoast.com
“This gave me the knowledge of how local government works,” Sarah said.
Sarah then moved to Hobart to take up a position with the then
Department of State Development under their graduate program. “The graduate program rotates you around the department so it was a really good experience which let me see a range of the department’s activities.” Sarah worked mainly in investment attraction, tourism infrastructure and manufacturing. “I also worked on the Cradle Valley Tourism Development Plan which was a test case for a new partnership model of tourism development planning.” After three and a half years with the Department Sarah was ready for a change.
that level you can deal with both local and state issues which are of importance to the region and gain a good balance.” As Executive Officer to the Authority, Sarah has taken on a very diverse role which also requires her to ‘be across’ the full range of Authority projects. “I am responsible for the Authority communications and so have developed the website and the bi-monthly newsletter. “I also need to be aware of emerging issues as well as executing decisions of the Authority’s Board and supporting them through research and preparing briefings, agendas and minutes.’’
“Working for DSD gave me a State perspective and let me get to know how State Government operates, but I think there is a need to experience what the real issues are within the region as opposed to dealing with them from afar.’’
Sarah also manages some projects and gets involved in the strategic planning processes.
So Sarah decided to return to Burnie, where her parents still live, and take on the Cradle Coast challenge.
“If you go away you can see how much things have changed, whereas if you stay you don’t realise the progress that has been made.
“I like working at a regional level because you feel closer to the community and have the opportunity for a more ‘hands on’ approach. “Often in Government you feel you are less accessible and that the work you do is not that visible. It makes sense to me that you deal with certain issues at a regional level because at
She is delighted to be back in her home town, but doesn’t for a minute regret the time she spent away.
“I have noticed that the environment here has changed a lot and that the Councils and the community are making a real effort to improve the amenity of the region. “It’s exciting to be back in the region and to be able to play a practical role in developing its future.”
About us … The Cradle Coast Authority is a joint authority created to co-ordinate and drive economic development within the nine local government areas of North-West and Western Tasmania.
The Authority’s member Councils contribute to its annual budget for core operations, but all regional development activities are funded through partnerships and funding agreements with other bodies.
Its primary role is to identify priorities for economic development and to broker partnerships between levels of government, industry and community groups to address these priorities at a regional level.
The Authority is engaged in a wide range of regional initiatives including tourism, natural resource management, community and cultural development, industry development, education and training, and infrastructure development projects.
The Authority’s Board includes members with experience in agriculture, industry, commerce, education, tourism and local government.
It has formal partnership agreements with all levels of government and is continually seeking new opportunities to represent and serve its region’s interests.