Stronger Councils, Stronger Region

A message from the CEO

Quarterly Progress Reports are intended to let the reader know how we are progressing against the Annual Plan developed for and approved by Member Councils each year.

It is worth opening this message with some positive news about the Braddon Truckwash and Effluent Dump Project which has been on the agenda for CCA since 2019. From the outset it was a complex project with multiple stakeholders – council, community and local businesses across four sites and with each site requiring a different response. Fortunately, CCA was able to access a small portion of the total funding upfront to undertake feasibility studies and negotiations with the stakeholders. It is worth noting that CCA does not receive any funding for staff time on the Project – any project management must be via a person explicitly employed to manage the project. This Project has shown the value of being ‘shovel ready’ or having undertaken some feasibility work prior to sourcing funds. Good project management is all about preparation. CCA acknowledges the support we received from local members of the Australian Government on the project – it has been invaluable. The Grant Deed was finally signed in late April 2023 and more detail on progress since the signing is available in the report.

As you will note in this quarterly report the NRM team have been busy completing the RLP projects as funding for these projects concluded on June 30 2023 and reporting must be completed by mid-July. It is a massive task, but the team need to be commended for their ongoing commitment and the impressive outcomes from their work. CCA received notification that we will be a Regional Delivery Partner to provide environmental protection, sustainable agriculture and natural resource management services to the region and project co-design will commence early in the new financial year. It is important to mention that the projects being funded by the Tasmanian Government are not due for completion.

The Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC) is currently working on a revamp of Choose Cradle Coast. This part of CCA’s Strategic Plan was developed prior to the pandemic and its recovery phase hence it has lost some relevance. The economic activity across the region and the challenges and opportunities that it brings will be addressed in this process. The recent appointment of a Regional Development Manager to the team allows CCA to increase stakeholder engagement in regional development and focus on the Regional Futures Plan and Regional Investment Framework. The REDC is looking to establish advisory groups rather than working groups to provide greater community and business input.

In response to requests from a number of Council members, CCA continues to undertake research into models to support workforce housing, settlement strategies, growing the regional workforces in times of low unemployment and low productivity, and provision of allied health services and health services more generally. Much of this work is framed within a context of liveability – CCA surveys have shown that liveability is the main criteria for people who relocate or remain in our region.

This quarter the Shared Coastal Pathways became two stages closer to completion with the opening of the Penguin and West Ulverstone sections of the pathway. The sections were opened by Senator Anne Urquhart, Mayor Cheryl Fuller and CCA Chair Sid Sidebottom in the presence of a large, enthusiastic group of cyclists. CCA will be commencing consultation in the next quarter with stakeholders and user groups for an event late in 2023 when the pathway is virtually complete from Latrobe to Sulphur Creek. In addition, work will begin shortly on the Wynyard to Burnie section of the pathway. Additionally, CCA is working on a pilot project, identifying ‘pause places’ on the Waratah-Wynyard section of the pathway and urban linkages. This pilot project is funded by the Tasmanian Department of Health. There is no doubt about the value placed on the pathway by the community and CCA is constantly responding to queries about where to next.

As a lean organisation, CCA is focused on building strong internal and external partnerships – it is about what we can achieve when we work together efficiently and effectively in partnership for the Cradle Coast Region. Strengthening regional partnerships will be a centrepiece of CCA’s next strategic plan. It is through these partnerships that CCA is able to develop strategic services further and work towards even greater financial sustainability.

My report is just a small snapshot of the work of CCA; I encourage the reader to visit our website or follow Cradle Coast Authority on Facebook, Instagram on LinkedIn or sign up to receive our newsletter.

Best wishes,

Sheree Vertigan AM BA MEd Chief Executive Officer