Issue 7
Bi-Monthly Newsletter
December 2004
Regional Waste Management Advisory Group Formed
Cradle Coast Authority Doubles Development Funding
T
he total value of regional development projects and activities underway has more than doubled each year since the Cradle Coast Authority was formed in 2000. At the Authority’s annual general meeting Executive Chairman Roger Jaensch said that trend was projected to continue in 2005. “More than $24 million of external funding was committed to projects during 2003/04 with the region’s nine Councils providing $633,443 for the Authority’s core operations,” Mr Jaensch said.
A Waste Management Advisory Group has been formed to coordinate future policy and strategic direction for the region’s waste management and to advise the Board on regional waste management issues. Membership of the group is based on skills, not representation of Councils, and includes expertise from a cross-disciplinary approach. Members are Paul Arnold and David Sales (financial management and governance), Daryl Polzin and Bill Cuthbertson (engineering), Jeff McNamara (environmental management), Rick Mitchell Collins (technical operation), Roger Jaensch and Karen Hampton (Cradle Coast Authority). The advisory group has been formed as a sub-committee of the Cradle Coast Authority, based on the existing model of the Cradle Coast Recreational Planning Advisory Group. The group has begun work on recommendations from the Regional Waste Management Audit and is now surveying member Councils to determine their current issues and initiatives in relation to waste minimisation, recycling, statistics and performance indicators, education and marketing, strategic assets for specialised use and waste streams from outside the region.
“This means there has been a $37 return for every dollar invested by our member Councils. “Many of these projects were developed and completed within the 2003/04 financial year and others were components of longer-term planning and implementation processes spanning several years.” Mr Jaensch said during the next financial year projects could total $50-60 million and would include the Harvey Norman development at the former Burnie Hospital site and upgrading of the Bass Highway through Sisters Hills. The Authority’s Chief Representative, Devonport Mayor Peter Hollister, said major achievements in the past financial year had included the demolition of the
The development of a new Harvey Norman store at the former Burnie Hospital site will make a significant contribution to next year’s Cradle Coast Authority projects. Picture: Courtesy of The Advocate.
former Burnie Hospital, the construction of the Dismal Swamp Maze and Visitor Centre and the creation of themed touring routes. “Less visible, but equally significant, achievements included the establishment of career planning and transition support services for primary and secondary students, development of a unified regional response to the Mersey Hospital crisis and successful lobbying for upgrading of the Bass Highway at Sisters Hills,’’ Mayor Hollister said.
“None of this would have been possible without financial and other inputs from the 59 partner organisations and the many committed individuals who contributed to the success of these projects.” Mayor Hollister, who was re-elected Chief Representative, said from a shareholder perspective the Authority had delivered a strong return on investment in 2003/04. “The Authority continues to grow its value and reputation as a voice for the region and as the peak body for regional issues.”
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous Cradle Coast New Year
T
he Cradle Coast Authority has just completed another excellent year with the number of significant projects underway in the region continuing to grow.
initiated forged.
and
partnerships
being
This organisation will continue to ensure that every opportunity for
My thanks to our Board members for their assistance, to staff for their loyal efforts throughout 2004 and to our nine member Councils for their continued support.
The Authority now has eighteen staff supporting its projects and activities across the region. This has allowed strong outcomes to be delivered and significant achievements in all areas of our operations. It is our goal that 2005 will be even more beneficial for the Cradle Coast region with new developments being
the best areas in Tasmania and a united approach to progress will continue to reap many rewards for this region.
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy Christmas break.
future development and growth in this region is explored. We are truly blessed to live in one of
The Authority’s offices will be closed from 12 noon on Friday, 24th December and will re-open at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 4th January. Roger Jaensch, Executive Chairman.
Cradle Coast Authority Newsletter
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Dismal Swamp Opened
Region Ready for Pulp Mill Project T
he Cradle Coast Authority has told Gunns Ltd the region is ready for a pulp mill. Cradle Coast Authority Executive Chairman, Roger Jaensch, said the Authority met Gunns Ltd Chairman, John Gay, last week as part of the Authority's response to announcements that Gunns would proceed with a formal pulp mill proposal. The official opening of the Dismal Swamp Maze and Visitor Centre has added an important component to the Cradle Coast Visitor experience, Cradle Coast Authority Regional Tourism Development Manager Ian Waller said. “It’s a very important project because we need product in the far North-West to make it a ‘must visit’ location. “Dismal Swamp is critical to achieving that and it will get people traveling the region’s touring routes so other towns like Wynyard, Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach will get secondary benefits. “This attraction will also encourage people to continue to the Arthur River and Woolnorth.” Mr Waller said at the moment visitors saw the region’s primary destinations as being Cradle Mountain and Strahan. “These destinations do not encourage visitors to go West. “We need attractions unique to our region that do encourage them to go West and Dismal Swamp is one of those attractions. “We can’t rely on scenery. “We need products and experiences like Dismal Swamp that promote our special environment. “Dismal Swamp is not a panacea to all our woes — we need to keep developing product in the area and Woolnorth, the wind farms and the proposed Stanley marina are all part of it too — but it is an excellent start.” The Cradle Coast Authority contributed $425,000 Sustainable Regions Program funding to the Dismal Swamp project for interpretation.
Mr Jaensch said the meeting was held three days after the region’s Councils confirmed overwhelming support for a pulp mill at the Authority’s annual Agfest Spreads Touring Route Message general meeting. Gunns Ltd is currently investigating the feasibility of establishing a pulp mill at either Bell Bay in the North or Hampshire on the North-West Coast. Mr Jaensch said the region had seen pulp mill proposals slip away too many times to let it happen again. “People here want the mill, support the industry and will seize the chance to secure it in this region,’’ he said.
“With the Hampshire site already on Gunns’ shortlist our message to Mr Gay was about how the region as a whole is ready for this development and how we are ready to help make it happen.” Mr Jaensch said the Authority would work with its member Councils and government to prepare the region for a new pulp mill.
“People want the mill, support the industry and will seize the chance to secure it in this region.” “We have a network of planners, engineers and development professionals ready to tackle issues such as the upgrade of transport infrastructure servicing the Hampshire site. “Strategies will also be developed to address workforce, environmental and resource issues arising from the pulp
mill proposal and ways to ensure informed community input to the approvals process. “The Authority has a strong track record in dealing with these issues and we want the decision-makers to know this region not only wants this pulp mill to go ahead, but will be ready for it when it comes.” Mr Jaensch said the Board believed the region’s best interests would be served by a co-ordinated approach that offered developers, the State and the Resource Planning and Development Commission every assistance with the development and assessment of a pulp mill proposal and clear, consistent ways to communicate with the region as a whole. Mr Jaensch urged Cradle Coast Councils to contact the Authority with details of information or specialist staff skills they could offer to be made available to a pulp mill proponent if requested.
Transport Plan Gains Award Recognition
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he Cradle Coast Authority and DIER have received a Planning Institute of Australia Award for Planning Excellence for the Cradle Coast Regional Transport and Infrastructure Plan. The plan, which identifies transport issues and opportunities and strategies for addressing them, won the “Rural and Regional Planning Achievement” Award, despite only being in draft form at the time of the November judging. Last month a Regional Transport Advisory Committee was formed to ensure the plan, which provides a regional framework for managing and addressing the region’s transport system over a 20-year period, adequately represents the views of local government and the Cradle Coast Authority. The committee will meet again in early February to approve the draft for release for public comment. The plan was developed in conjunction with the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources and is part of the partnership agreement between the State Government and the Cradle Coast Authority. The terms of reference of the
Regional Transport Committee are: •
Advisory
To review, update and manage consultation processes to finalise the existing draft regional transport plan.
•
To develop priorities, investment and review processes for Board and member council approval.
•
To implement and manage approved processes under delegated authority from the Board.
F
Food Grants Available
ood businesses in the NorthWest have been invited to apply for grants of up to $100,000 under the Sustainable Regions Program. The $1 million Food Value-Adding Grants program, managed by the Cradle Coast Authority, was announced in late December by the Authority’s Executive Chairman Roger Jaensch and Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck. “This region is blessed with soil, water and climatic conditions that are the envy of the nation and we need to maximise the contribution they can make to the region’s economy,’’ Mr Jaensch said. “The grants will help share the cost and the risks to food businesses in trying new ways to achieve a competitive advantage in food production through innovation and value-adding.’’ The grants are available to food businesses and to industry bodies and associations working with food industry partners in the Cradle Coast Region. Information packs are available by phoning the Authority on (03) 6431 6285 or from the Authority’s website www.cradlecoast.com
Cradle Coast Authority Newsletter
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Co-ordinated Approach the Year’s Tourism Highlight T h e re gi on ’ s c o - o rd i n at ed approach to the development of tourism was the highlight of year for Regional Tourism Development Manager Ian Waller.
The Authority’s Natural Resource Management Co-ordinator David McCormack said the strategy would be forwarded to the State and Federal Governments before Christmas and it was hoped final accreditation would be received in February.
Mr Waller said the co-ordinated approach had taken the region from ad hoc development approach to an agreed direction. “We have developed a network we can work with to identify and implement projects,” Mr Waller said.
“It has been a huge task with enormous stakeholder participation – both in the development of the strategy itself and in commenting on the draft strategy.
“The successful rolling out of the touring route strategy is a perfect example of what can be achieved by a co-ordinated approach. “We have really pumped it out there and gained additional funding for implementation.” Mr Waller said other highlights of the year included the publication of the new Cradle Coast Touring Guide and a broad reaching tourism training program. “The continual building of a tourism staff structure within the Cradle Coast Authority has also been a highlight and is enabling the Authority to broaden its areas of impact.” Mr Waller said employing Nic Deka as Regional Events Co-ordinator and Nicki Fletcher as Regional Arts Officer, and formal partnerships with Arts Tasmania and Events Tasmania, was allowing the authority to create strong links between events, arts/culture and tourism. “We now have a dynamic group of people, employed for their specific professional expertise, who are working alongside each other and who are already a real bonus for the region.
Launching the new Cradle Coast Touring Guide are Burnie City Council Events and Marketing Manager, Jenny Cox, operator Brian Inder and Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Manager, Ian Waller. Picture courtesy of Tony Cross and The Advocate.
“The collective synergy is really positive and we’re hoping to build on that next year by employing a full-time Marketing Officer.’’ Mr Waller said this year, for the first time since the introduction of the Bass Strait ferries, the region had been more successful in meeting the needs of visitors. “Even though we are doing that better than in the past there have still been mixed results in the region in relation to visitor numbers and length of stay. “While some communities are doing well others are not maximising their returns and helping those communities will be our priority next year. “We will also be doing a lot of work to ensure the industry is sustainable
Getting Men Out of Their Sheds
S
olving the Cradle Coast Region’s skill shortages could be as simple as getting men out of their sheds. Stronger Learning Pathways Project Officer Nick Flittner said one of the Region’s biggest barriers to economic development was skill shortages in many industry sectors - including mining and engineering. “Preliminary work by the Stronger Learning Pathways project and industry partners has identified that mature age apprenticeships could be the answer to overcoming the shortage,” Mr Flittner said. “There are a lot of men aged 45+ who love to tinker and who are ready for a change from sales or administrative positions.
NRM In Review Developing a draft strategy for managing and developing the region’s natural resources has been the highlight of the year for the Cradle Coast Authority’s Natural Resource Management team.
“These are people who are committed to the region and who are not going to leave once they complete an apprenticeship. “It is a employee market which could potentially provide a work force for the region’s emerging and established industries.’’ Mr Flittner said a group of local representatives from local metal manufacturing businesses had been meeting with education sector agencies and other interested parties to explore the possibilities of local initiatives. “Discussions are on-going, but it could be that the answer is as simple as encouraging these men to get out of their sheds and put their practical skills to work in industry,” Mr Flittner said.
throughout the bad times as well as the good.” Mr Waller said other tourism priorities included putting “flesh” on the touring route. “We going to concentrate on becoming far more experience based – particularly in relation to arts and culture, food and wine, nature and heritage. “We’re going to be developing trails and strategies based around the experiences and during the next 12 months we’ll be looking at producing more touring route specific brochures.
“We received more than 100 formal submissions after releasing the draft for public comment and for a region of this size that demonstrates commendable interest.’’ Mr McCormack said the completion of the strategy was the culmination of almost two years’ work. “The next big task is to develop an investment proposal which takes the priorities of the strategy and assembles them as a funding proposition for the Federal Government. “We have started this proposal and need to complete it by the end of February.’’ Mr McCormack said during the year the NRM committee had also been successful in gaining funding for on-ground actions across the region.
“The structure of Cradle Coast tourism is now unparalleled within the State, but we need to continue to review and improve what we’re doing.”
“So far we have received funding to the value of $2.3 million for 16 projects ranging from water quality monitoring to weed management.
Lead On Young People
“Our NRM facilitators have also assisted with the development of successful national Landcare program projects and Envirofund applications.”
I
mproving youth participation on boards and committees is the goal of next year’s Lead On project. The project is aiming to improve participation by providing young people with training in what to expect, how to behave and how to participate in boards and committees. Stronger Learning Pathways Project Officer Nick Flittner said many boards and committees were trying to engage young people to improve corporate decision-making, but the attempts often failed because young people didn’t know how to participate. “This project will directly target young decision-makers and provide them with the skills they need to make a meaningful contribution to the decision-making process.”
NRM community facilitator Carol Bryant, NRM chairman Rick Rockliff and NRM deputy chairman David Henderson at the launch of the draft strategy. Picture courtesy of Jason Hollister and The Advocate.
Cradle Coast Authority Newsletter
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STAFF PROFILE . . . KAREN HAMPTON Cradle Coast Authority Executive Officer
A
fter almost 12 years working in local government Karen Hampton was looking for a new challenge and she found it at the Cradle Coast Authority. Karen is the Authority’s new executive officer, taking over from Sarah Poortenaar who resigned in August to spend an indefinite period traveling overseas.
Cradle Coast Authority Executive Officer Karen Hampton.
Karen, who has lived in Sheffield all her life, started her career with the Kentish Council after finishing school. “For almost seven years I was an administrative clerk with the council, before leaving to spend six months on the mainland.” On her return to the North-West Coast Karen accepted a position
Contact us … 30 Marine Terrace, Burnie PO Box 338 Burnie 7320 Phone: 03 6431 6285 Fax: 03 6431 7014 Email: admin@cradlecoast.com Website: www.cradlecoast.com
Cradle Coast Authority Roger Jaensch — Executive Chairman rjaensch@cradlecoast.com Karen Hampton — Executive Officer khampton@cradlecoast.com Heidi Hillbeck — Finance & Administration Manager hhillbeck@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
with Devonport legal firm Levis, Stace and Cooper as a legal secretary. During her 10 years with the firm she was promoted to the position of estate legal assistant. However, the lure of local government was too strong and five years ago Karen returned to the Kentish Council. “Initially I was providing executive support to the General Manager, but for the past three years I was the council’s community development manager. “I loved my work but was looking for a new challenge and a role which had a more regional focus. “My position as executive officer is a broad and incredibly varied role
covering many diverse issues. “It also enables me to continue working with local government partners and I have retained my membership of the Local Government Managers’ Association.” One of Karen’s first tasks with the Authority was to compile the annual report. “It was a great job to start with because it’s given me a really good overview of the breadth of projects the Authority is involved in. “Right now I’m on a very steep learning curve, but I’m enjoying that.” Away from work Karen enjoys spending quality time with her family.
Education Project Investment Tops $5M T
he Stronger Learning Pathways initiative has now committed $1.85 million of the $2 million allocated under the Cradle Coast Sustainable Regions Program. In addition, contributions by project partners has brought the total investment in education to more than $5 million to be spent over the next three years. “At the beginning of the year we had lots of ideas and planning underway, but not much activity on the ground,’’ Stronger Learning Pathways Project Officer Nick Flittner said. “Now we have our suite of five main projects underway and a lot of additional smaller projects as well. “Thirteen people have been directly employed to implement projects and that will grow to 18 people next year. “This significant investment covers many aspects relating to improvements in educational participation, but a key feature of all of the projects is the high level of co-operation between the different partners.” The five main projects are the Arthur District Students Pathways Project, the Barrington District Personal Futures Project (incorporating the Central Coast School-Business Alliance Project), the Circular Head Creating a Community of Lifelong Learning Project, the Skilling the Cradle Coast Community for the 21st Century Project and the Creating Attitudinal Change to Education and Training in the Cradle Coast Region
Project. Mr Flittner said the first four projects were well underway and the attitudinal change project would be the main focus next year. “The project consultant has completed the preliminary research which will be released early next year. “He has found there are many positive attitudes held throughout the region, but also some negative ones. “The suggested strategy is to ignore the negative attitudes and promote the positive ones. “This fits with our overall strategy as all the work being done through the
Stronger Learning Pathways projects will have a positive impact on attitudes to education within the region.” Mr Flittner said 2005 was shaping up to be most exciting year yet for the Stronger Learning Pathways Project. “All of our projects will be fully operational next year so there will be a lot of activity. “These projects are providing a regional network of interlinked activities and personnel driven by a common purpose and partnerships between all education agencies, the wider community and the business sector of the Cradle Coast Region.”
Launching the Student Pathways Project earlier this year are (from left) Parklands High School students Michael Besnard & Carly Davis, Arthur District Superintendent Jenny Breen & Cradle Coast Authority Executive Chairman Roger Jaensch. Picture courtesy of Tony Cross & The Advocate.