WELCOMING the premier and cabinet to New Norfolk yesterday, Derwent Valley mayor Martyn Evans outlined a number of points for further discussion today. Councillor Evans thanked the assembled government ministers for taking the time to discuss the future of the Derwent Valley. "The Derwent Valley has a wealth of potential in natural and built heritage, investment opportunities and tourism," Cr Evans said. "We have a growing but ageing population and poor school retention rates and recognise that our future planning must take these things into account."
The mayor's talking points were:
Education: The council is seeking additional educational facilities including the provision of Year 11 and 12 classes for local students and those from neighbouring areas; a trade training centre for horticulture, aquaculture, silviculture, viticulture; and co-locating the already-announced Child and Family Centre in a proposed education precinct.
Health: The council thanked the government for its decision to reinstate x-ray facilities at the New Norfolk District Hospital and was looking forward to the installation of promised air-conditioning in the wards. The council proposed to discuss the idea of an emergency treatment facility at the hospital, to serve the municipal area and neighbours, taking pressure off the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Huon Link Rd: The council is seeking an upgrade to the existing Plenty Valley Link Rd, which connects the Derwent and Huon valleys, for economic and employment benefits as well as taking heavy traffic away from the Hobart CBD.
Police: The council seeks to discuss the need for a 24-hour police presence in New Norfolk. Additional police officers were promised during the last State Election but none have yet been allocated to the New Norfolk Police Station.
Willow Court: Discussions are continuing on future ownership of the Willow Court site.
Derwent Valley Railway: Insurance and access to the rail line are the sticking points preventing the operation of a tourist railway experience in the Derwent Valley and the council seeks the government's assistance with those matters.
Tourism development: The council would like to investigate possibilities for an extended tourism plan for the entire Derwent Valley area and its linkages to the Central Highlands and Huon Valley.
Economic development: The council has engaged a regional development officer and seeks the government's assistance with long-term economic and tourism development projects.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Premier's New Norfolk recollections
FOND memories of her time as one of New Norfolk's parliamentarians were recalled when Lara Giddings made her visit official visit to the town as premier of Tasmania yesterday. Speaking without notes at the start of yesterday's community forum at New Norfolk High School, Ms Giddings spoke of the importance of Corumbene Nursing Home; watching the Eagles play at Boyer Oval; visits to the Derwent Valley Railway, and other memories from her term as an MHA for Lyons from 1996-98.
High school's facilities praised
FEDERALLY-funded improvements at New Norfolk High School were inspected by Premier Lara Gidings and Education Minister Lin Thorp yesterday. Ms Thorp said federal economic stimulus funding around Australia had delivered multi-purpose halls and libraries, science and language centres, general learning areas and new and upgraded gymnasiums and other sporting facilities.
"At New Norfolk High School, local community radio station Tyga FM has signed up to use the school’s new radio station facilities contained in the new Science and Language Centre," Ms Thorp said. "These new facilities have boosted transmission capability and also provided students with the opportunity to learn how to operate a radio station." Ms Thorp said the school’s oval had also been refurbished, creating outdoor learning areas.
"At New Norfolk High School, local community radio station Tyga FM has signed up to use the school’s new radio station facilities contained in the new Science and Language Centre," Ms Thorp said. "These new facilities have boosted transmission capability and also provided students with the opportunity to learn how to operate a radio station." Ms Thorp said the school’s oval had also been refurbished, creating outdoor learning areas.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Cabinet to visit New Norfolk
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| Lara Giddings |
Curiosity killed the barra
SWIMMING too far upstream is thought to have been the cause of death of schools of fish at New Norfolk and Claremont last week. Environment Protection Agency director Alex Schaap said a large number of dead juvenile barracouta had been observed in the River Derwent between the New Norfolk Bridge and the Boyer mill, and in Windermere Bay at Claremont.
Mr Schaap said it was likely the two events were related. “It appears only one species had been affected as there were reports of other fish, such as whitebait and trout, alive in the area” he said. “While testing of samples taken from the earlier event is not yet complete, it is likely that in both incidents the barracouta ventured into the upper reaches of the estuary and became exposed to low salinity water when venturing into the shallows.”
“Barracouta are a marine species and, while juveniles are abundant in estuaries, they are relatively intolerant of low salinity,” Mr Schaap said.
Mr Schaap said it was likely the two events were related. “It appears only one species had been affected as there were reports of other fish, such as whitebait and trout, alive in the area” he said. “While testing of samples taken from the earlier event is not yet complete, it is likely that in both incidents the barracouta ventured into the upper reaches of the estuary and became exposed to low salinity water when venturing into the shallows.”
“Barracouta are a marine species and, while juveniles are abundant in estuaries, they are relatively intolerant of low salinity,” Mr Schaap said.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
ABC's ghost story busted
AN ABC radio presenter has tonight acknowledged the national broadcaster's error in stating the Derwent Valley Council had hired a team of paranormal investigators to study Willow Court. In an item broadcast on the ABC TV Tasmanian news on Saturday night and followed-up online today, it was claimed a team of "ghostbusters" had been hired by the council to investigate strange happenings at the former hospital site.
The story spread across the internet today and was picked up by news services around the country. In the late afternoon, Statewide Evenings radio host Annie Warburton announced she would be discussing the council's plan with sceptical investigator Peter Barrett who had heard the news in Canberra. But by the time the segment went to air, the ABC had been tipped off that its story was flawed.
Ms Warburton introduced Derwent Valley Mayor Martyn Evans who said no ratepayer funds were being spent on a hunt for ghosts. He said the council had approved the request of three men wanting to "go in and have a look to see what was there." Councillor Evans said the council had imposed strict restrictions on what would be included in a documentary the three researchers proposed to produce.
Sceptical investigator Peter Barrett then came on the line from Canberra, where he had picked up the story today. Having heard the mayor's comments, Mr Barrett said the council seemed to have adopted a responsible attitude. Ms Warburton then made a "slight mea culpa on behalf of the ABC" and noted that the item aired on Saturday's 7pm television news had been titled "Council hires real-life ghostbusters" and that this was incorrect.
The news item can be viewed here.
The story spread across the internet today and was picked up by news services around the country. In the late afternoon, Statewide Evenings radio host Annie Warburton announced she would be discussing the council's plan with sceptical investigator Peter Barrett who had heard the news in Canberra. But by the time the segment went to air, the ABC had been tipped off that its story was flawed.
Ms Warburton introduced Derwent Valley Mayor Martyn Evans who said no ratepayer funds were being spent on a hunt for ghosts. He said the council had approved the request of three men wanting to "go in and have a look to see what was there." Councillor Evans said the council had imposed strict restrictions on what would be included in a documentary the three researchers proposed to produce.
Sceptical investigator Peter Barrett then came on the line from Canberra, where he had picked up the story today. Having heard the mayor's comments, Mr Barrett said the council seemed to have adopted a responsible attitude. Ms Warburton then made a "slight mea culpa on behalf of the ABC" and noted that the item aired on Saturday's 7pm television news had been titled "Council hires real-life ghostbusters" and that this was incorrect.
The news item can be viewed here.
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| An image from the ABC TV report |
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