NEWSLETTER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2005 CONTENTS Executive • •
Annual Plan 2005/06 Cradle Coast Authority Board – New Director
Tourism • • •
Regional Tourism Development Manager’s Update Finding the Edge Tourism Forum – 1st and 2nd September, 2005 Regional Events Coordinator’s Update
Industry Development • • • • •
“Fair Dinkum Food” Campaign Engineering Industry Development Program Food Value-Adding Grants Program Parramatta Creek Food Processing Facility Institute for Enterprise and Regional Development
Transport and Infrastructure • •
Regional Transport and Infrastructure Plan Bass Highway (Sisters Hills) Upgrade
Natural Resource Management •
NRM Update
Education and Training (Stronger Learning Pathways) • • • •
Creating Attitudinal Change to Education and Training in the Cradle Coast Region Leading Lifelong Learning International Education Conference – July 2005 Community Door Project Stronger Learning Pathways Project Officer
Community/Cultural Development • • •
Arts @Work Officer’s Update Regional Cultural Audit and Directory Regional Recreational Trails Strategy
Contact Us
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EXECUTIVE Annual Plan 2005/06 The Authority’s Annual Plan for 2005/06 has been endorsed by its’ Representatives. The Plan sets out current, committed and ongoing projects, along with projected/planned projects and activities, for the 05/06 financial year. To view a copy of the Plan, please click here or phone 6431 6285. A report against the Annual Plan to September, 2005 was presented to the Representatives at their last meeting and is also available on the Authority’s website.
Cradle Coast Authority Board – New Director Russell Paterson resigned from his position on the Board to move to South Australia, effective June, 2005. Royce Fairbrother was appointed to replace Mr Paterson and commenced duties on 2nd August, 2005. Mr Fairbrother lives in Devonport and is Chairman of R T & D J Fairbrother Pty Ltd, building contractors with branches in Devonport, Launceston and Hobart. He is also Chairman of a subsidiary company, Degree C Pty Ltd. Mr Fairbrother is a member of the Premier’s Physical Activity Council and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Royce Fairbrother
TOURISM Regional Tourism Development Manager’s Update Tourism Tasmania has confirmed there is to be a statewide review of Regional Tourism. It is expected that Claire Ellis from Tourism Tasmania will manage this review process and it is expected to start immediately. Spirit of Tasmania III Open Days were held at Brisbane and Sydney in August for the Trade and consumer markets. The Cradle Coast Authority participated in both Open Days and were supported by individual businesses and local tourism associations. Funding of $200,000 under the Australian Tourism Development Program was announced by Mark Baker MP in September, 2005 for the Cradle Coast Experience Strategy. Food and Wine Strategy - Anne Kerr, from Red Inca in Hobart, has been working with a portion of the Region’s primary producers and tourism industry to develop the food and wine (primary produce) experiences within the region. An audit of businesses with an interest in this aspect of the tourism industry has been completed and a number of workshops have been conducted resulting in a draft strategy being produced. Further meetings with industry group leaders are planned to review this draft document which will be released for public comment in due course. Wildlife Strategy - John Hepper, from Inspiring Place in Hobart, has been engaged to develop the nature and wildlife experiences in the region. He is currently reviewing the State Wildlife Tourism Strategy and identifying priorities for the Cradle Coast region.
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Finding the Edge Tourism Forum – 1st and 2nd September, 2005 The Cradle Coast Authority, in conjunction with the Cradle Mountain Tourism Association, hosted a successful tourism forum “Finding the Edge” on the 1st and 2nd September at Cradle Mountain with 120 participants. Senior staff from Tourism Tasmania discussed the importance of promoting a regional brand. Guest speakers from leading Tasmanian companies also discussed how brand has influenced their company’s development and keynote speaker Rachel Piggott, leading international brand consultant, shared her expertise in this field.
Regional Events Coordinator’s Update Special Interest Funding Grants have been confirmed for 2005/2006 by Events Tasmania with the Cradle Coast region receiving funding for 13 separate events, a significant increase for this region. The funding program for Regional Events has been launched as a partnership between Events Tasmania and the three Regional organisations. Events can request funding support of up to $5,000 although maximum levels of $3,000 are expected. The total amount available through this scheme is $30,000 and includes $5,000 from the Cradle Coast Authority. Planning is underway for the Cradle Coast 2005/2006 Calendar of Events. A reference group has been established to select those events to be included in this Calendar. A regional campaign is also underway to source images of events and festivals to create regional events based images library. Nic Deka, Regional Events Co-Ordinator resigned from his position effective early September to take up a position with Department of Sport and Recreation. Discussions with Tourism Tasmania are ongoing regarding the future of this position.
For the latest Tourism Newsletter, click here.
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INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT “Fair Dinkum Food” Campaign The Cradle Coast Authority’s member Councils endorsed a 10 point action plan to support the region’s agricultural sector through lobbying and regional initiatives, which the Authority has been working on to develop further initiatives, as necessary, to promote the interests of its agricultural economy. The Authority has also been involved in the “Fair Dinkum Food” Campaign since it began and over the last 3 months, it has: • • • •
represented the region in discussions with campaign organisers, industry groups and politicians researched issues and developed briefings, policies, letters and submissions for the campaign participated in direct lobbying of state and federal politicians, including senior Cabinet Ministers developed the campaign’s position statement and formal submission to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) on country of origin labelling, which have now been endorsed by the State Government, State Liberals, TFGA and Food Industry Council.
The Authority has also been indirectly involved in longer-term State and Federal Government initiatives addressing the competitiveness of the vegetable industry and future scenarios for the industry in this region.
Engineering Industry Development Program A $1 million Engineering Industry Development Program was announced in May, 2005 as part of the Australian Government’s Sustainable Regions Program. The Program was initiated to assist local engineering firms to respond to the challenges and opportunities associated with major projects (eg windfarms, pulp mills and the proposed Australian Technical College). The response to the Program has been very positive and announcements regarding successful proposals are expected shortly.
Food Value-Adding Grants Program In December, 2004, food businesses in the Cradle Coast region were invited to lodge expressions of interest for grants of up to $100 000 under the Australian Government’s Sustainable Regions Program through the Cradle Coast Authority. The grants program aimed to increase returns from the region’s competitive advantages in food production through value adding and innovation. This Program has now ended and several applications are currently in Canberra under consideration. Funding has been announced for one project under this program to date. Nichols Poultry were successful in receiving funding of $100,000 for their project “Cooked and Value Added Turkey Products”.
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Parramatta Creek Food Processing Facility On the 29th June, 2005, Member for Braddon Mark Baker announced Sustainable Regions funding to assist Tasmanian Pure Foods Pty Ltd in the establishment of a food processing and packing facility at Parramatta Creek. The project has commenced and will develop the disused food processing factory at Parramatta Creek to current food grade standards. Equipment will be installed to provide contract processing of fruit and vegetable materials to shelf-stable ingredient and finished product form for existing food businesses in Tasmania and interstate. There has been substantial private investment committed to the project which will see approximately 50 direct employees within 3 years.
Institute for Enterprise and Regional Development Funding of $1 million under the Federal Department of Education Science and Training was announced recently. The funding, received by the University of Tasmania and Cradle Coast Authority, will be used for the development of an Institute for Regional and Enterprise Development for the Cradle Coast Region.
TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE Cradle Coast Regional Transport and Infrastructure Plan The draft Cradle Coast Regional Transport and Infrastructure Plan was recently released for public comment. The Plan sets out the long-term vision for the development of transport in the Cradle Coast region and was developed by the State Government and Cradle Coast Authority’s Regional Transport Advisory Group. The Plan identifies objectives and implementation strategies across four key areas: Strategic Transport System; Transport and Industry; Land Use and Transport Planning; and Transport Investment: Principles and Priorities. Submissions have now closed and been considered by the Advisory Group. It is expected the final report will be released by December, 2005. For a copy of the draft Report, please click here or phone 6431 6285.
Bass Highway (Sisters Hills) Upgrade In July, the Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources convened a meeting of the Sisters Hills Working Group, made up of representatives from the Cradle Coast Authority, community members, RACT as well as Burnie City, Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head Councils. Members were updated on progress of the proposed upgrade of the Sisters Hills section of the Bass Highway at the meeting. The four year project aims to improve road safety in the Sisters Hills area and will upgrade the Bass Highway to a standard more consistent with adjacent sections, by increasing road width and realigning corners. Design and approval stage is underway with works expected to commence early in 2006.
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NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT NRM Update With assistance from Cradle Coast NRM Staff, groups from the Cradle Coast region submitted entries for nine categories in the Tasmanian Landcare Awards, held on 31st August in Launceston. Groups from the Region were winners in six categories. This included the Australian Government Landcare Regional Award won by the Cradle Coast NRM Committee. The other awards for this region were: •
Australian Government Bushcare Nature Conservation Award - Friends of French’s Road Nature Reserve.
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Westpac Landcare Education Award – Natone Primary School Wetland Project. (Joint Winners)
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Alcoa Landcare Community Group Award – Wynyard Landcare Group.
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Landcare Australia Local Government Landcare Community Partnerships Award – Devonport City Council
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National Landcare Program Individual Landcarer Award – Dr Graeme Stevenson.
Winners will be submitted to represent Tasmania at the National Landcare Awards in October in Melbourne. The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have recently accredited the Cradle Coast Natural Resource Management Strategy and associated Investment Proposal. Cradle Coast received $3,855,000 for the 2004-2006 period. The final Strategy and details on how the funds will be invested will be available on the NRM website in early September. If you would like a CD or hard copy of the final Strategy, which is due for release in September, please contact Rosie Britton on 6431 6285 or email her at rbritton@cradlecoast.com. For more information and documents relating to the Cradle Coast NRM Committee’s activities, please go to www.nrmtas.com.au (Cradle Coast region).
For the latest NRM Newsletter, click here.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING (STRONGER LEARNING PATHWAYS) Creating Attitudinal Change to Education and Training in the Cradle Coast Region: Report In August 2004 the Stronger Learning Pathways Reference Group commissioned Denis White of Stride Consulting to undertake research into community attitudes to education and training in the Cradle Coast region. This was done in an attempt to understand the underlying attitudes affecting educational performance in the region, and to provide direction in addressing any negative attitudes. To access a copy of the report, please click here or phone 6431 6285.
Leading Lifelong Learning International Education Conference – July 2005 The Cradle Coast region hosted two days of the Education Department’s 10 day International Lifelong Learning Conference in July, and focussed on the theme ‘Building Better Learning Communities’. Held at the Burnie Civic Centre, two of the region’s leading learning communities were highlighted - Central Coast and Circular Head. Both communities gave presentations, which featured two Sustainable Regions funded projects – the Central Coast School Business Alliance Project, and Learning Leading – Building a Community of Lifelong Learners.
Community Door Project This is a small but significant project involving three local government areas - Kentish, Waratah Wynyard, and Circular Head. The project aims to support young people’s involvement on local community and business committees and boards through targeted training and mentoring. This will increase the engagement of young people in their own communities, resulting in community capacity-building in the long-term. The project is co-funded by $5000 each from the communities, and $10,000 from Stronger Learning Pathways. The project is for 12 months in the first instance.
Stronger Learning Pathways Project Officer The Stronger Learning Pathways Project Officer, Nick Flittner, resigned from his position effective September, 2005. This project is due to end on 30 April 2006 coinciding with the expiry of funding from the Sustainable Regions program for the project. The Authority is currently reviewing the SLP Officer position in conjunction with its future role in the area of Education. In the meantime, Karen Hampton, Executive Officer, and the SLP reference group will continue to manage the project.
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COMMUNITY/CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Arts@work Officer’s Update A new artist residency has been established on King Island as part of Arts Tasmania’s 2006 Natural and Cultural Residencies Program. The residency is a joint initiative of the King Island Council, King Island District High School, Arts Tasmania and the Cradle Coast Authority and will help promote the island as a creative destination to artists. With the addition of King Island, the Cradle Coast region now has five one to two month residencies, Highfield Historic Site, Narawntapu National Park, Rocky Cape, Cradle Mountain National Park and King Island. Tasmanian Living Artists’ Week was held from Friday 26th August to Sunday 4th September and featured more than 750 artists in 355 locations across the State, over 70 events in the Cradle Coast region.
Regional Cultural Audit and Directory The Cradle Coast Cultural Audit and Directory, released in February, 2004 is currently being updated. It is expected that the updated Plan will be finalised shortly. The current plan is available by phoning the Authority on 6431 6285 or by clicking here.
Regional Recreational Trails Strategy An All of Government Reference Group has been established with representation from Forestry Tasmania, Parks and Wildlife, Sport and Recreation, Local Government and Department of Primary Industries Water and Environment Crown Lands Section to oversee the implementation of recommendations and strategies identified within the Cradle Coast Tracks Strategy.
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CONTACT DETAILS EXECUTIVE Roger Jaensch
Executive Chairman
rjaensch@cradlecoast.com
Karen Hampton
Executive Officer
khampton@cradlecoast.com
Heidi Hillbeck
Finance & Administration Manager
hhillbeck@cradlecoast.com
Karen Arnold
Executive Administration Officer
karnold@cradlecoast.com
Krystal Shipley
Receptionist/Administration Assistant
kshipley@cradlecoast.com
Rosie Britton
Administration Assistant
rbritton@cradlecoast.com
TOURISM Ian Waller
Regional Tourism Development Manager iwaller@cradlecoast.com
Wayne Bolton
Industry Development Consultant
wbolton@cradlecoast.com
Nicki Fletcher
Arts@Work Officer
nfletcher@cradlecoast.com
STRONGER LEARNING PATHWAYS Karen Hampton
Currently managing project due to resignation of Project Officer, Nick Flittner
khampton@cradlecoast.com
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (NRM) David McCormack
NRM Coordinator
dmccormack@cradlecoast.com
Lynne Robertson
NRM Support Officer
lrobertson@cradlecoast.com
Carol Bryant
Regional NRM Facilitator
cbryant@cradlecoast.com
Guy Robertson
Community Landcare Coordinator
grobertson@cradlecoast.com
Richard Ingram
NRM Projects Manager
ringram@cradlecoast.com
Eve Woolmore
NRM Facilitator, King Island
ewoolmore@kingisland.net.au
30 Marine Terrace (PO Box 338) Burnie Tasmania 7320
Email: admin@cradlecoast.com Website: www@cradlecoast.com
Telephone: (03) 6431 6285
Facsimile: (03) 6431 7014
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