CONTENTS Cradle Coast Authority ..........................................................................................2 Chief Representative’s Report ..............................................................................3 Executive Chairman’s Report................................................................................4 Regional Tourism Development Manager’s Report ............................................8 Natural Resource Management Coordinator’s Report.......................................9 The Board ...............................................................................................................10 Council Representatives........................................................................................11 Staff – Organisational Chart ..................................................................................12 Committees and Advisory Groups Operating during 2004-05 ..........................13 Board/Committee membership ...........................................................................14 Partnerships/Joint Ventures/Memoranda of Understanding .............................14 Current Projects Report..........................................................................................16 Summary of Contributions to Current Projects and Core Operations ...............43 Financial Report .....................................................................................................44
NOTE: This document is available on the Authority’s website at www.cradlecoast.com
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Annual Report 2004-05
The Cradle Coast Authority was created in February 2000 by the local government authorities of Burnie City, Central Coast, Circular Head, Devonport City, Kentish, King Island, Latrobe, Waratah-Wynyard and West Coast (‘the Participating Councils’) to coordinate and drive the sustainable development of the Cradle Coast region, its community and economy. The Authority is a joint authority under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1993, and can exercise the powers of a local government authority for the benefit of the Cradle Coast Region, its participating councils or any other council, government entity or business. The Authority’s primary role is to identify priorities for the region and to broker partnerships between the different levels of government, industry and community groups to address these priorities at regional scale. The Authority is currently engaged in a wide range of regional initiatives across fields including: • • • • • •
Tourism Natural Resource Management Industry Development Infrastructure Development Education and Training Community and Cultural Development
The Authority’s participating Councils contribute to its annual budget for core operations. All regional development activities are funded through partnerships and funding agreements with other bodies. The Authority has formal partnership agreements with all levels of government, including the Commonwealth Government through the Sustainable Regions Program and the State Government through the Cradle Coast Partnership Agreement.
M AP 1: C RADLE COAST R EGION
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Annual Report 2004-05
Chief Representative’s Report This year’s Annual Report lists the broad and diverse range of activities through which the Cradle Coast Authority has contributed to the development and wellbeing of our region in 2004-2005. Most of these initiatives address challenges and opportunities affecting specific parts of our region or particular sectors of our community and economy. Because of this, many projects do not come to the attention of people who are not directly involved until they are presented in reports like this one. The introduction of the Authority’s Annual Plan, with quarterly reports to its Councils and updates on its website, has helped to reveal the full extent of the Authority’s activities to a wider audience, and I encourage everyone reading this to visit the website regularly to keep themselves informed. Whilst the sheer number and value of projects currently underway is impressive, there is a much shorter list of achievements that I think demonstrates the Authority’s particular value to the region. In 2004-2005, the Authority took a strong leadership role on four issues that stood to affect us all, and could only be addressed through a single, united voice representing the region as a whole. The hospitals debate, the Pulp Mill Ready Campaign, the decision to keep Spirit of Tasmania III and the Fair Dinkum Food Campaign have tested and proven this region’s ability to unite behind a cause and make itself heard. While none of these issues has yet been finally resolved, there can be no doubt that the Authority, visibly supported by its member Councils, has played a major role in shaping public opinion, policy directions and major decisions so far, for the benefit of the region. Beyond generating proposals and funding for regional projects, the Authority’s real strength has been its ability to respond to major issues, at short notice, with the political support of nine Councils. This capability, alone, has set this region apart and will serve it well in years to come. This advocacy role has also helped to build the Authority’s positive public profile, within and outside the region, further reinforcing ratepayer support for Council involvement. As Chief Representative, I want to congratulate the Councils and elected members of this region for their continuing support for the Authority and its work, and hope they share my pride when visitors and organisations from elsewhere refer to the Cradle Coast as a region that ‘has got its act together’.
Peter Hollister CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE
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Annual Report 2004-05
Executive Chairman’s Report 2004-2005 saw many years’ work with several partners culminating in combined State and Commonwealth commitments of $30 million to upgrade the Sisters Hills section of the Bass Highway, $4.1 million for a centralised sewerage treatment system at Cradle Valley, and commencement of a $15 million commercial development on the former Burnie hospital site. These and other projects listed in the Current Projects Report bring the total value of regional initiatives the Authority has initiated, managed or helped deliver in 2004-2005 to over $89 million. Whilst major infrastructure projects account for the bulk of this total, there has also been significant progress in several longer-term initiatives with important strategic implications for the region. Reports like the Australian Local Government Association’s recent State of the Regions scorecard confirm that issues like long-term unemployment, education participation rates, sustainable populations and the creation of knowledge-based economies remain the big challenges for regions like ours, particularly in terms of retaining our young people and attracting families. Statistically, the Cradle Coast region has improved in many of these areas over the last three years, but still ranks in the bottom ten Australian regions on many critical performance measures. The issues are complex and have no ‘quick fix’ solutions, but require sustained, coordinated effort across levels of government, local communities and industry sectors over several years. Alongside major ‘one-off’ projects and ongoing roles in areas like tourism and natural resource management, these are the types of issues the Authority has focussed on for the last five years. The following highlights outline some of the Authority’s activities and achievements in these areas in 2004-2005: Education and training For many years, this region has had the lowest education participation and retention statistics in Tasmania, and among the lowest in Australia. Statewide, regional and local planning and consultation processes have all raised this issue as a priority for future economic development, the wellbeing of our young people and attraction of new residents, especially families, to our region. Since 2002, the Authority’s partnership with the Department of Education, TAFE Tasmania, the University of Tasmania and the Federal Government’s Sustainable Regions Program has generated projects worth over $4.6 million that are helping young people in all parts of our region to make better choices about their education, training and employment options beyond school.
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Annual Report 2004-05
Whilst the full impacts of these projects may not be seen for some years, and will be affected by other changes in the region’s economy, the Cradle Coast is now seen as region that has tackled these complex issues seriously, and a benchmark for similar regions and communities elsewhere. University of Tasmania The Authority has continued to work closely with the University of Tasmania to develop its presence in the region. While not all students choose to go to University, having a fully operational campus in the region provides options for those who would otherwise leave to study elsewhere, and benefits for organisations in need of qualified staff and research for planning, business and policy development. Over the last year, the Authority has worked with the University to develop projects and secure funding commitments of over $4 million for initiatives including: • A Regional Needs Analysis to determine what courses and services the University should provide to meet future business and community needs in this region; • A Food Innovation Centre that will help develop new, higher-value opportunities for development of our region’s food and agriculture sectors, based on competitive advantage; and • An Institute for Regional and Enterprise Development providing businesses, Councils and the Authority with research support and professional training for planning and policy development. These initiatives are helping to build the profile and relevance of the University in this region, and the critical mass it needs to attract students and researchers from within the region and elsewhere. The University’s own long-term commitment to the region has been further demonstrated by the launch of its first full undergraduate degree course to be offered in the region (Bachelor of Regional and Resource Management), and renaming of its North West Centre as the Cradle Coast Campus. Food and agriculture Value adding of the region’s traditional food and agriculture industries was identified as one of six regional priorities under the Cradle Coast Sustainable Regions Investment Plan in late 2002. In 2003, the Authority commissioned research into barriers and opportunities for increased value-adding in the region’s food industry, and has since worked with industry and other partners to develop projects addressing priority recommendations arising from the research.
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Annual Report 2004-05
In 2004-2005, the Authority helped to broker investment of over $11 million in •
• • •
Redevelopment of the Clements and Marshall factory at Parramatta Creek to provide contract processing and packing services for producers and new and existing food companies, including processing of non-marketable produce to ingredient and finished product form; Establishment of a Food Innovation Centre at the University of Tasmania’s Cradle Coast Campus to research new food and agriculture value-chains, based on competitive advantage; Development and delivery of school curriculum materials and activities for year 7-12 students, based on science-based careers in actual food and agriculture businesses in this region; and A Food Value Adding Grants Program to assist food businesses in the region develop new products, processes and facilities to increase the value adding of local primary produce.
The Authority also provided research, secretariat and policy support for the Fair Dinkum Food Campaign, and was instrumental in developing and communicating the Campaign’s policies to government and the media, including submissions on changes to food labelling laws now supported by all Australian Governments. The Board has committed to continue working with the Fair Dinkum Food Campaign and other parties on food labelling and major initiatives addressing longer-term industry reform in this region. Manufacturing With the support of its member Councils, the Authority led an intensive public campaign in support of establishment of a world-class pulp mill at Hampshire, including a regional poll that indicated an overwhelming 88% of residents were in favour of a pulp mill, of which 97% were in favour of a mill being established in the Cradle Coast region. While the mill’s proponents finally decided on another location, the region’s strong support for the development was acknowledged and welcomed by industry and government, and confirmed its united, ‘can do’ approach to major projects and future opportunities of this type. Based on research undertaken into the implications of major projects of this type for existing businesses in the region, the Authority embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at increasing the capacity and competitiveness of the region’s engineering and manufacturing sectors, including • • •
A regional Engineering Industry Development Program, with grant proposals totalling around $1.4 million now being assessed under the Federal Government’s Sustainable Regions Program; A partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Centre (Sydney) and the Department of Economic Development to work with local engineering firms on capacity-building projects Continuing input to the development of an Australian Technical College campus in the region, focussed on skills shortages, training and careers in the region’s engineering sector.
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Annual Report 2004-05
Regional Planning The Authority and its Local and State Government partners now have regional strategic plans in place or under development for various aspects of tourism, transport, population, recreation, arts/culture and natural resource management. Building on preliminary work in 2004-2005, the Authority is now preparing to play a lead role in regional planning for waste management, health services, post-compulsory education, and tourism development in the Tarkine wilderness area, all commencing in 2006. All completed regional plans are available on the Authority’s website and are used to develop the proposals and partnerships that underpin specific regional initiatives listed elsewhere in this report. These plans are providing an increasingly comprehensive picture of the region’s current and future needs, which the Authority uses to raise priorities and seek assistance from outside the region. Importantly, the Authority’s unique structure helps it to ensure that these plans ‘talk to each other’ throughout their development and implementation, reducing duplication and maximising linkages and synergies between them so together they form an overall strategic plan for the region. On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to report that the Authority’s activities and achievements in 2004-2005 reflect not only a strong financial return to the region from its members’ investment, but also its growing ability to deal with some fundamental, longterm challenges we face as a region. My thanks and congratulations to the Authority’s Managers, Karen Hampton (Executive Officer), Heidi Hillbeck (Finance/Administration), Ian Waller (Tourism), Nick Flittner (Education) and David McCormack (NRM), and their teams, for their hard work and achievements in 2004-2005. I thank the Directors for their continuing support and guidance through a very busy year, and for the additional time and expert advice they have made available to the Sustainable Regions process. I particularly thank Russell Paterson, a founding director of the Authority who resigned in June 2005, for his personal commitment to the Authority, and assistance to me, for the last five years.
Roger Jaensch EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
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Annual Report 2004-05
Regional Tourism Development Manager’s Report The Cradle Coast region has continued to experience strong tourism results on the back of the State’s continued tourism momentum. Visitor numbers to the State have continued to grow, although the level of growth has fallen as have the average length of time that visitors are spending in the State. The downturn in growth figures for the State, whilst expected, has been most significant in the Cradle Coast region and has created reason for concern for all sectors of the region’s tourism industry. The Cradle Coast Authority is working closely with the local industry and Tourism Tasmania to address this downturn and to identify ways to continue the development of the tourism industry throughout the region. In the midst of this downturn there have been a number of positives that have occurred within the Cradle Coast tourism industry. The continued ability to provide funding support through the Sustainable Regions Program has been a major opportunity for the region with $5 million from Sustainable Regions (approved and/or endorsed) contributing to tourism specific projects that collectively exceed $23 million. The securing of funding through the Australian Tourism Development Program has allowed the Authority to review the tourism experiences throughout the region and to focus on the development of food, wildlife, and cultural tourism experiences. The partnerships established prior to and during the 2004/05 year with Tourism Tasmania, Events Tasmania and Arts Tasmania via arts@work, have allowed the Authority to diversify its tourism interests and I recognise the contribution to this progress from all members of the tourism team. Through all members of the tourism team, we have maintained an ongoing relationship with Local Government and Local Tourism Association personnel ensuring a high level of communication throughout the region’s tourism industry. Whilst it is often difficult to predict the future of a region from a tourism perspective with so many internal and external factors impacting on this industry sector, the recognition of the Tarkine by all levels of Government has created enormous interest in Tasmania’s North West. Managed effectively and with the support and contribution of all interested stakeholders, the Tarkine has the potential to have a major positive impact on the longterm development of the Cradle Coast Tourism Industry.
Ian Waller REGIONAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
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Annual Report 2004-05
NRM Coordinator’s Report This year has seen the completion and accreditation of the regional NRM Strategy by both Tasmanian and Australian Governments. After extensive stakeholder engagement this region is pleased to have successfully completed this process. In addition to the NRM Strategy itself, the NRM Committee has developed the first Investment Proposal to seek NHT funds for the implementation of the strategy. We look forward to channelling investments into identified regional priority issues and the continuation of important work begun under the interim funding arrangements of the NHT. Over the past year, $1 977 888 worth of regional projects have been underway from the interim funding arrangements of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and the National Landcare Program. The first investment proposal will provide $3 855 000 of NHT funds for regional projects to be carried out in the year 2005 – 2006. I thank the members and staff of the Cradle Coast NRM Committee for their hard work and dedication over the past year. We acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by our regional stakeholders that have been of great assistance to the successful work of the regional NRM Committee. The Committee looks forward to working in partnership with regional stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management of the natural resources of our region. The Cradle Coast NRM Committee is in a unique position when compared to the other two Tasmanian NRM regions. Our establishment as a Committee under the Cradle Coast Authority has ensured that from the outset we have benefited from sound governance arrangements and the administrative framework provided by the Authority. This relationship will continue to produce better outcomes for the region as we work together on collaborative projects.
David McCormack NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
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Annual Report 2004-05
The Board The Authority has an eight member Board of Directors comprised of business and community leaders appointed by representatives of the participating Councils. The Board structure comprises: • • • • •
2 directors nominated by the participating Councils 1 director nominated by the participating Council’s General Managers 1 director with experience in the tourism industry in the Cradle Coast Region 3 directors with experience in agriculture, industry or commerce in the Cradle Coast Region 1 director with experience in education and training in the Cradle Coast Region.
The Board is responsible for the Authority's strategic direction, financial management, appointment of advisory committees and other duties as set out in the Authority’s Rules. Membership of the Board is skills-based, not representative, and all members participate equally in all decision-making processes at monthly meetings. The Authority's Executive Chairman performs the roles of Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and spokesman for the Board. The Executive Chairman is not a director and does not vote at Board meetings.
Board members serving during the 2004-05 reporting period were: Representing:
Appointed August 2003 for a three year term
Local Government
Mayor David Brewster
Local Government
Mayor Ross Hine
Educating and Training
Mrs Megan Cavanagh-Russell
Agriculture/Industry/Commerce
Mr John Howard
Agriculture/Industry/Commerce
Mr Russell Paterson (resigned June, 2005)
Agriculture/Industry/Commerce
Mr Bob Wilson
Tourism
Mr Allan Leeson
General Managers
Mr Alf Mott
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Annual Report 2004-05
Council Representatives Each of the Authority’s participating Councils appoints two representatives to a Representatives Group, which acts as the Authority's shareholder body, voting on major budgetary, policy and governance issues. The Representatives appoint and review the Authority's Board, approve its annual budget and monitor its overall performance. Meetings are held quarterly, providing a forum for presentations on the Authority's activities, feedback to the Board and discussion of regional issues between Councils. Representatives receive minutes of all Board meetings and report to their respective Councils on Authority matters and issues raised at Representative meetings. At each Annual General meeting, the Representatives Representative to chair the meetings for the following year.
appoint
a
Chief
The Representatives during 2004-05 were: Burnie City Council Alderman John Munro Alderman Sam Samec
Latrobe Council Mayor Mike Gaffney General Manager Grant Atkins
Central Coast Council Mayor Mike Downie Councillor Rodney Cooper
Kentish Council Mayor Ian Braid General Manager Mark Crouch (from September, 2004)
Circular Head Council Councillor Bernard Charles General Manager Greg Winton
Waratah-Wynyard Council Mayor Roger Chalk General Manager Paul West
Devonport City Council Mayor Peter Hollister (Chief Representative) Alderman Graeme Milburn
West Coast Council Mayor Darryl Gerrity Councillor Anne Drake
King Island Council Councillor Royce Conley Councillor Greg Barratt
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Annual Report 2004-05
Organisational Chart 2004-05 Executive Chairman Roger Jaensch
Cradle Coast Authority Board of Directors
Funding source: Member Councils
= Positions funded by Member Councils
Executive Officer Karen Hampton
Funding source: Member Councils
Finance & Administration Manager Heidi Hillbeck
Stronger Learning Pathways Project Officer Nick Flittner
Funding source: Member Councils
(resigned September, 2005)
Regional Tourism Development Manager Ian Waller
Regional Natural Resource Management Coordinator David McCormack
Funding source: Member Councils
Funding Source: State Government
Funding source: Sustainable Regions
Executive Assistant Karen Arnold Funding source: Member Councils
Tourism Industry Development Consultant Wayne Bolton
Support Officer Lynne Robertson Funding Source: NHT
Funding source: Tourism Tas
Receptionist/Administration Trainee Krystal Shipley Funding source: Member Councils
Administration Assistant Rosemary Britton Funding source: Projects
Regional Events Coordinator Nic Deka
Regional NRM Facilitator Carol Bryant Funding Source: NHT
Community Landcare Coordinator Guy Robertson Funding Source: NHT
Projects Officer Richard Ingram Funding Source: NHT
(resigned September, 2005) Funding source: Events Tas/Authority
Facilitator – King Island Eve Woolmore
Arts@work Officer Nicki Fletcher
Funding Source: NHT
Funding source: Arts Tas/Sustainable Regions
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Annual Report 2004-05
Committees and Advisory Groups operating during 2004-05 Rules Review Working Group Mayor Peter Hollister (Chair), Grant Atkins, Alf Mott, Brian Stace, Roger Jaensch Board Review Working Group Mayor Peter Hollister, Alderman Sam Samec, Mayor Roger Chalk Board Vacancy Selection Committee Mayor Peter Hollister, Mayor Roger Chalk, Grant Atkins Recreational Planning Advisory Committee Helen Langenberg (Chair), Patrick Earle, Peter Murden, Richard Muir-Wilson, Simone Atkins, Frank De Puit Tourism Professionals Steering Group Ian Waller (Chair), Angela Williams, Ben Bovill, Bridget Walch, Jenny Cox, Judy Moore, Sue Parravicini, Nic Deka, Nicki Fletcher, Richard Muir-Wilson, Sharalyn Walters (resigned December 2004), Wayne Bolton Regional NRM Committee Rick Rockliff (Chair), David Henderson (Deputy Chair), Geoff Coles, Patricia Ellison, Wes Ford, Steven Gall, Geoff King, Tess McNeill, Andrew Nichols, Sharni Radford, David Robertson, Paul Smith, Wayne Tennant, Casey van Eysden, John Molnar (Alex Schapp resigned May 2005, Steven Fleming resigned June 2005) Regional Waste Management Working Group David Sales (Chair), Roger Jaensch, Paul Arnold, Rick Mitchell Collins, Jeff McNamara, Daryl Polzin, Bill Cuthbertson Regional Transport Advisory Committee John Howard (Chair), Andrew Wardlaw, Paul West, Noel Hammond, Steven Jarman, Roger Jaensch Sustainable Regions Advisory Committee David Brewster, Ross Hine, Megan Cavanagh-Russell, John Howard, Russell Paterson, Bob Wilson, Allan Leeson, Alf Mott, Judith Liauw Stronger Learning Pathways Reference Group Megan Cavanagh-Russell (Chair), Nick Flittner, Nerilee Cuthbertson, Jenny Breen, Roger Jaensch Stanley Tourism Precinct Study Steering Committee Roger Jaensch (Chair), Ian Waller, Bridget Walch, Greg Winton, John Dabner, Paul Smith, Stuart Lennox Bass Highway/Sisters Hill Working Group Andrew van Emmerik (Chair), Roger Jaensch, Peter Todd, Ricky Smith, Greg Winton, Paul West, John Munro, Michael Dixon, Trevor Duniam, Kevin Walker
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Annual Report 2004-05
Board/Committee membership In 2004-05, the Cradle Coast Authority was represented on: Tourism Council of Tasmania Cradle Valley Steering Committee East Devonport Foreshore Committee State Natural Resource Management Council Central Coast Education Committee Sports Carnival Association of Tasmania
Partnerships/Joint Ventures/Memoranda of Understanding Cradle Coast Authority Joint Authority Joint Authority created by the Authority’s Participating Councils under the Local Government Act to perform the roles and functions outlined in the Authority’s Rules. Joint Authority has operated for 5 years. At June 2003, participating Councils were released from their initial 3-year funding commitment and agreed to proceed on a year-to-year basis. Cradle Coast Regional Partnership Agreement Partnership Agreement with State Government signed October 2001. Interim review completed November 2003 with 8 schedules completed/removed, 7 amended to reflect progress, 4 ongoing, 4 new schedules introduced. Initial Partnership Agreement period expired October, 2004, second 3 year Agreement currently under negotiation. Cradle Coast Sustainable Regions Program Cradle Coast Authority Board and one Area Consultative Committee Tasmania (ACCT) member appointed by the Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services to provide advice on project funding under the $12 million Cradle Coast Sustainable Regions Investment Plan launched October 2002. Major projects underway in all priority areas - tourism, population, education, food industry, windfarm manufacturing, careers in Natural Resource Management (see relevant headings/projects in Activity Report). Program ends June 2006. Tourism Tasmania MOU Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate State and regional tourism development and provide resources (including one staff position) for industry development and marketing roles performed by the Authority. Previous Memorandum of Understanding renewed for a further 3 year period starting 200304, subject to annual review enabling the MOU to be aligned to Tourism 21 Strategy.
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Annual Report 2004-05
Partnerships/Joint Ventures/Memoranda of Understanding (Cont.) Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Committee The Cradle Coast Regional NRM Committee is a Committee of the Authority, recognised under the Tasmanian NRM Act 2002 and State-Commonwealth Bilateral Agreement for NHT 2. Committee appointed January 2003, declared by the State Minister under the State NRM Act in April 2003. Committee members’ terms are finite, but formal Committee structure and Rules are ongoing. Former Burnie Hospital Joint Venture Joint Venture between Cradle Coast Authority, Burnie City Council and State Government for the purchase, demolition and redevelopment of former Burnie Hospital site. The Joint Venture was formed in November 2001 to facilitate purchase of the site, and will continue to operate until site redevelopment is completed (2006). Regional Events MOU Memorandum of Understanding to develop coordinated regional and state-wide events strategies, activities and promotions and employ a full-time Regional Events Coordinator. Commenced July 2003, concludes June 2006. Regional Events Coordinator appointed August 2003. Arts Tasmania MOU Memorandum of Understanding negotiated to extend the half time regional Arts @ Work position to a full time position, embracing and enhancing all sectors of the arts and cultural industry sectors throughout the Cradle Coast region and linkages to the region’s tourism industry. Commenced June 2004 and concludes June 2006.
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Annual Report 2004-05