The Authority What’s on in August?
Monthly newsletter of the Cradle Coast Authority July 2010 Special edition: Celebrating The Advocate Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Awards —see page 2 for details
10 August Cradle Coast Authority Board meeting. Contact Karen Hampton
Coastal biodiversity and penguin habitat in good hands
12 August Working Smarter Midwinter Gathering for the agricultural industry. Contact Anna Renkin
Community groups, school students, local councils, the Parks and Wildlife Service and Cradle Coast NRM have been working together at six sites along the coast on an extensive project to increase biodiversity and rehabilitate Little Penguin habitat.
More than 1,500 indigenous coastal plants have been planted between Devonport and Wynyard by Friends of Penguin and care groups, with help from local students. The community was also involved in Sea Spurge weed control, four coastal plant propagation workshops, and the construction of artificial penguin burrows for placement in rehabilitated penguin habitat.
Circular Head Landcare Group, UTAS presentation on sea level rise. Smithton. Contact Hannah Sadler
The Regional Coastal Forum held in April was another component of the project, designed to extend coast care education beyond those people directly involved in the on‐ground works.
26 August Cradle Coast Authority Representatives meeting. Contact Karen Hampton.
The project has been so successful it’s been nominated for inclusion in the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country Annual Report along with other NRM project examples from around Australia. Congratulations to all involved. For more information contact NRM Facilitator Team Leader, Anna Wind, on 6431 6285.
26-29 August Regional Arts Australia National Conference. Launceston. Contact Joanna Gair.
Call us on 6431 6285 to find out more
Students from Table Cape Primary School removing Sea Spurge weeds from their local beach (top) and volunteers try their hand at penguin burrow making (above) as part of this extensive coastal biodiversity project.
Federal Election 2010 - Regional projects
Cradle Coast Authority 30 Marine Terrace (PO Box 338) Burnie 7320 Phone: 03 6431 6285 Fax: 03 6431 7014 E-mail: admin@cradlecoast.com
Visit www.cradlecoast.com/latest_news.html to download a summary of the regional projects proposed by the Cradle Coast Authority to the Federal election candidates.
These regional projects, totaling $50m in federal funding commitments, are based on documented research and planning; involve significant commitments from industry, local communities and other levels of government; and will create benefits at both local community and region‐wide scales.
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The Authority
Congratulations to the Cradle Coast Tourism Award winners The inaugural regional Awards were organised by the Cradle Coast Authority to recognise tourism excellence and encourage participation in State and National competitions
Fourteen winners have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the tourism industry in North West and Western Tasmania in the inaugural Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Awards, sponsored by The Advocate newspaper.
Winners were presented with their awards at a special dinner ceremony following the Regional Tourism Forum held in Ulverstone on 29 July and will each receive acknowledgement in the Western Wilderness or North West Tasmanian visitor guides, plus be nominated in the State Tourism Awards.
An independent judging panel, lead by Rod Stendrup, took five weeks to assess the 60 entries received. Assessments included visits to accommodation, tourism experiences and sites plus a review of references. Entries were open to all tourism and associated businesses located within, or actively operating in, the Cradle Coast region. Congratulations to all entrants and award recipients for their high standard of submissions and willingness to showcase their achievements. Category: Bed & Breakfast / Boutique Accommodation Winner – Eagles Nest Retreat, Sheffield Certificate of Commendation – Harbour Houses, Boat Harbour Category: Hotel / Motel Accommodation Winner ‐ Cradle Mountain Chateau, Cradle Mountain Category: Caravan Parks Winner ‐ Stanley Cabin and Tourist Park, Stanley Category: Tourism Restaurant Winner – The Old Cable Station Restaurant, Stanley Category: Family Experiences and Attractions Winner ‐ Tasmazia, Promised Land Category: Experiences and Attractions Winner ‐ West Coast Wilderness Railway, Queenstown/Strahan Category: Tour Operators Winner – Gordon River Cruises, Strahan Certificate of Commendation – Murrays Day Out, Devonport Category: Visitor Information and Services Winner – The Devonport Visitor Centre, Devonport Category: Events Winner – 2010 Australian Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships (Penguin Surf Life Saving Club), Penguin Category: Festivals Winner – Steamfest (Redwater Creek Steam and Heritage Society), Sheffield Category: Sustainable Tourism Winner – Corinna Wilderness Experience, Corinna Category: Young Achiever Winner – Stephanie Nissen (West Coast Visitor Information Centre) Category: Contribution by an Individual to Local Tourism Winner – Jason Clare (Circular Head Tourism Association) Category: Contribution to Local Tourism Winners – Waine and Sharon Witbread (Wilmot Produce Market) Special recognition was also awarded to Wayne Bolton for his contribution to regional tourism.
July 2010
Page 3
Cradle Coast Tourism Forum: spotlight on collaboration More than 150 delegates attended the fifth Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Forum on 28 and 29 July. With a theme of The Art of Partnerships, the Forum was sponsored by QantasLink and addressed the importance of collaboration in the tourism industry.
Regional operators; Local, State and Federal Government representatives; wholesalers and tourism promoters in attendance made the most of the opportunity to network and share ideas.
The packed auditorium at the Ulverstone Civic Centre heard from keynote speaker Catherine DeVrye who delivered an inspirational presentation on Customer Service Success, Roger Grant outlining a regional tourism case study on the Great Ocean Road, and statistics on visitor trends from Tourism Tasmania CEO, Felicia Mariani, among others in the full‐day program.
Continuing the tradition of staging the event throughout the region, it was announced at the close of the day that next year’s Forum will be held in Burnie.
In other announcements, major sponsors QantasLink and The Advocate confirmed their support for the 2011 Forum and Awards respectively. The Cradle Coast Authority thanks all Forum and Award sponsors and volunteers for their valued contributions. (Above) Celebrating excellence: The Advocate Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Award
Award photos will be posted online at: www.cradlecoast.com/ tourism_awards.html
Winners for 2010
In the news Cradle Coast Authority staff have been actively promoting regional projects and successes over the last month. Here are some examples: “...the Tarkine Discussion Group and Infrastructure Minister Lara Giddings ...had a breakthrough meeting today ...” – Roger Jaensch, Executive Chairman, reflecting on Tarkine talks following the State Budget. The Advocate, July 15 :“...We are giving them a mansion with no mortgage ...” – Dionna Newton, NRM Facilitator, describing Penguin Coastcare penguin burrow making workshop results. The Advocate, July 6
:“...the night offered a great opportunity for tourism industry people to get together for a formal discussion in an informal environment...” – Don Monk, Tourism Marketing Coordinator, on the industry networking event with the Devonport Visitor Centre. The Advocate, July 19
“...we encouraged them to give us someone to work with who was passionate about developing the airport...” – Roger Jaensch, Executive Chairman, in an article ’Regional body wants plan’. The Advocate, July 16. And... there were radio interviews and articles promoting the Federal Election Regional Project proposals, Mining Heritage Strategy projects, and the Regional Tourism Forum and Awards among others. For details, please contact Amanda Wilson on 6431 6285.
Visit the Cradle Coast Authority web site for copies of our media releases www.cradlecoast.com
Page 4
The Authority
A successful year for regional recycling The Authority’s Cradle Coast Waste Management Group has had a big year with promotions, innovations and new projects to improve recycling rates and efficiency in the region.
The Group is now finalising its Annual Plan for 2010/11. Reflecting on progress in 2009/10 formed the basis for the coming year’s plan. Here’s an example of three key activities:
Statewide Recycling Service and Education The Group facilitated the “We’re part of the bigger picture” kerbside recycling campaign launched in April. The recycling rate using crates prior to the introduction of the new wheel‐bin service was estimated at around 95 kg per tenement per year. Based on data from the first eight months of the new service, tenements across the region are projected to achieve 185 kg per year ‐ around twice the previous recycling levels. As a mark of its success, this project won the Local Government category in the 2010 Tasmania Environmental Awards for Excellence.
Public Place and Events Recycling The Group invested in caps for the top of mobile bins to convert them to recycling containers for use during public events and festivals.
Glass recycling Veolia Environmental Service (VES) and Hazell Bros have been trialling crushed glass for use as a sand replacement in asphalt, bricks, pavers and bedding sand for pipe laying. An application has been submitted for National Packaging Covenant funding to invest in larger capacity glass crushing infrastructure. The Cradle Coast Waste Management Group has also committed funds to strengthen state capabilities and equipment. Glass is the most costly material to recycle, mainly due to weight and the requirement for colours to be separated. This project will allow more Cradle Coast glass to be recycled in Tasmania and avoid emissions and costs associated with transportation.
For more information on the Cradle Coast Waste Management Group, contact Karen Hampton on 6431 6285.
Briefly
Team tree planting days With guidance from Central Coast Council’s Natural Resource Management Officer, Haylee Alderson, and the Cradle Coast NRM team, Cradle Coast Authority staff from all departments enthusiastically turned their hands to native tree planting at Buttons Beach in Ulverstone during July. More than 550 trees were planted to boost the biodiversity of the coastal strip, provide a fun team activity and raise awareness of key NRM principles. To find out how your organisation could participate in NRM volunteer activities, contact the Cradle Coast NRM team on nrm@cradlecoast.com