Targa's Derwent Valley double

THE 19th running of Targa Tasmania will include two stages in the Derwent Valley this weekend. The long-eastablished Tarraleah stage will be run on the Lyell Highway this Sunday, requiring the highway to be closed between Tungatinah Rd and Oldina Drive between 9.54am and 2.24pm.

After lunching at New Norfolk, the entrants will progress to the new Molesworth stage, which was trialled during last year's southern Targa. As a result, Molesworth Rd will be closed to ordinary traffic from 12.13pm until 4.43pm, between Collins Cap Rd and Glenlusk Rd.

Targa's surprise return to New Norfolk

AFTER an absence of several years, Targa Tasmania returns to New Norfolk this weekend in the manner in which it all started - a regrouping stage in Circle St which will give motorsport fans and car lovers alike the opportunity to get up close to the participants and their vehicles in relaxed conditions between 11am and 3pm this Sunday.

Sadly the event has been quite poorly promoted and news of road closures in the area reached affected residents and businesses only late this afternoon. In a hand-delivered letter, Derwent Valley Council general manager Stephen Mackey said it had come to the council's attention that some residents in Richmond, Tank and Circle St had not been formally advised by Targa Tasmania that the regrouping/lunch break for this year’s event was to be held in Circle St on Sunday May 2. "To facilitate this, Richmond St, Tank St and Circle St will be closed to through traffic from 11am to 3pm," Mr Mackey wrote. 

Mr Mackey continued: "Residents in these areas will still be able to access their properties as long as they communicate with the Targa Tasmania officials at the barricades. Council regret the apparent lack of notification of this event to some residents in the area and we will be taking this matter up with Targa Tasmania," Mr Mackey wrote.

Contrary to the council's advice, the Targa Tasmania website advises that Circle St between Blair and Burnett Sts will be closed between 7am and 3pm. As a result, motorists should be prepared for changed traffic conditions in the area at all times on Sunday.

Molesworth Primary School closed WEDNESDAY

MOLESWORTH Primary School will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, April 28) due to a plumbing problem. The Education Department asks parents to keep students home from school. "It is hoped that the problem will be fixed tomorrow, however parents are asked to listen to local radio for further details," a spokesman said.

Brrr! Winter's not far away

AFTER some glorious autumnal weather in the last few weeks, wintry weather arrived with a sudden fog, frost and frankly chilly weather this morning. At 7.30am it was -2.7 degrees celcius at Ouse and -1.7 degrees at Bushy Park. There was frost on the ground and fog in the air at New Norfolk but we will never know how cold it was because the weather bureau doesn't regard the town as sufficiently important enough to have a weather station. Sigh.

Eagles undefeated after Derwent Valley derby

THE Central Hawks took it right up to New Norfolk in a Derwent Valley derby at Bothwell on Saturday. Both teams went into the match undefeated so far this year in the Southern Football League but in the end it was victory number 26 in a row for the Eagles, 72 points to 114. New Norfolk goal-scorers were M. Smith 4, B. Booth 4, B. Carver 3, R. Belcher 2, L. Horne, J. Kelly, M. Thompson and S. Collis.

The Hawks were victorious over the Eagles in the reserves match, 111 points to 64. Scoring goals for New Norfolk were N. Benson 4, T. Triffett 2, J. Wallner, M. Bearman and C. Ransley.

Meanwhile it was a one-sided game for the colts, with New Norfolk holding Central Hawks to a solitary point while racking up 220 of their own. The long list of New Norfolk goalscorers were J. Walsh 8, S. Triffitt 6, N. Grant 5, M. Horne 3, R. Tebb 2, N. Wakefield 2, B. Coppleman 2, T. Youd, J. Adams, N. Lester, L. Menzie, K. Glover and R. Smith.

Anzac Day in New Norfolk

A LARGE crowd was in attendance for the annual Anzac Day observance in New Norfolk. The Derwent Valley Concert Band led the parade to the cenotaph.

Blackspot funds for Ellendale Rd

A SAFETY barrier costing $52,000 will be built along a section of the Ellendale Rd west of the Dunrobin Bridge in the next financial year. Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Lyons MHR Dick Adams last week announced the provision of $476,755 to fix five dangerous "black spots" on roads in the electorate. This included $36,750 to install a safety barrier, with the Central Highlands Council contributing a further $15,750;

Mr Adams said since being elected, the Rudd Labor Government had allocated more than $3.1 million to fix 23 black spots across the Lyons electorate. “This investment is helping to make our local roads even safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, with 11 of these projects already completed,” Mr Adams said. “And the good thing about our Black Spot program is that anyone can suggest an intersection or section of road they believe should be considered for a safety upgrade. “Nomination forms are available from my office.  Alternatively, they can be downloaded from: www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au.”

Senator's surprise visit

POLITICAL interest in the Willow Court historic site remains strong, despite the dithering of the Derwent Valley Council. Mayor Martyn Evans and Deputy Mayor Craig Farrell recently welcomed Greens Senator Christine Milne to the site, accompanied by representatives of the National Trust and the Tasmanian Heritage Council. Councillor Damian Bester is awaiting an answer as to why no other councillors were not notified of the important visit. The image below is borrowed from Senator Milne's website.

The fun of the festival

HERE are a few more photos from yesterday's successful Derwent Valley Autumn Festival, sent in by a New Norfolk News reader. Click here to read the Mercury newspaper's glowing report on the event.

Willow Court bewilderment and dismay

MEMBERS of the Willow Court Working Group were unanimously bewildered, concerned and dismayed by the mixed messages being sent by the Derwent Valley Council on the future of the Willow Court historic site, working group chairman Richard Lang told last week's council meeting.

Speaking during public question time prior to the deferral of a contentious motion to debate returning the site to the State Government, Mr Lang expressed the concerns of the 14 community members who late last year volunteered to help progress the stalled redevelopment of Willow Court.

"At the community forum held in mid-2009 the Derwent Valley community strongly endorsed the retention of the Willow Court precinct in community ownership, and the establishment of the Willow Court Working Group to explore options for the future management of the precinct. This was subsequently confirmed at the second community forum in November 2009," Mr Lang said.

"A majority of councillors present at the February meeting of council voted for the establishment of the Willow Court Working Group as a special committee of council. Tonight's motion now seeks to invalidate council's decision and abrogate the express desire of the community for the retention of the Willow Court precinct in community ownership," he said.

"The goals and resolutions of the previous concil decisions and that of the Willow Court Working Group are in harmony with each other. This motion is not. The working group strongly urges council to stand by its earlier decisions and support the community's wishes."

As reported earlier, Cr Jim Elliott subsequently deferred his motion due to the absence of three councillors from the meeting. Later, the six councillors present unanimously approved the appointment of all members of the working party to the new Willow Court Redevelopment Special Committee.

Wrecking ball hangs over old house

DEMOLITION of a late 19th century house in New Norfolk won technical approval after two tied votes at last week's meeting of the Derwent Valley Council. In the absence of three councillors including the mayor, the remaining six councillors were deadlocked on a motion to approve the demolition - which resulted in its defeat - and remained tied on a subsequent motion to refuse permission to demolish the house. Due to the technicalities of the Local Government Act, the tied votes meant the council had failed to reach a decision. When dealing with planning matters, when a council fails to decide on an application, it is automatically approved.

The house on the corner of Burnett and George Sts has been the subject of discussion in the press. The owner, property developer Humana Pty Ltd was not required to state its reasons for wanting to demolish the house but the purpose has been speculated as being for the extension of the adjoining Woolworths car park, also owned by Humana.

Debate on the matter went on for more than an hour. Voting was as follows:

Motion to approve demolition - For: Crs Elliott, Molan-Hill, Graham; Against: Lathey, Farrell, Bester; Absent: Evans, Bromfield, Shaw. Result: Tied vote (lost).

Motion to refuse demolition - For: Lathey, Farrell, Bester; Against: Elliott, Molan-Hill, Graham; Absent: Evans, Bromfield, Shaw. Result: Tied vote (lost).

Another big win for the Eagles

NEW Norfolk inflicted a 73-point loss on Kingborough in yesterday's round of the Southern Football League, 139 points to 66. Goals were scored by: Martin 9, Carver 4, Belcher 2, Booth 2, Cleary 2, Thompson and Cashion.

The New Norfolk reserves suffered another loss, going down to Kingborough by 37 points. Goals: D. Triffett 3, P. Jelkic, P. McGowan, N. Benson.

The colts had a two-point victory over Kingborough. Goal-scorers: S. Triffitt 2, J. Walsh 2, T. Youd.

LIVE from the Autumn Festival

ANOTHER bumper crowd is enjoying today's 10th anniversary Derwent Valley Autumn Festival on the Derwent Esplande at New Norfolk.

Willow Court debate deferred

THE absence of three councillors from tonight's Derwent Valley Council meeting prompted the deferral of a debate on the future ownership of the Willow Court historic site. The man behind the move to return Willow Court to the State Government, Counncillor Jim Elliott, said he was disappointed by the absence of Mayor Martyn Evans and Councillors Scott Shaw and Judy Bromfield. Given the importance of the matter, he felt it best to defer debate until next month as it was important all councillors had their say.

During public question time, Nigel Wilson questioned Cr Elliott on exactly what he was proposing to return to the State Government, as his Motion on Notice was unclear. Cr Elliott said his motion did not include the oval precinct and adjoining buildings, nor the riverflats below Frescatti.

Willow Court handback on the table

COMMUNITY ownership of the Willow Court historic site hangs in the balance, with the Derwent Valley Council set to debate a proposed return of the property to the State Government. Councillor Jim Elliott has submitted a motion on notice for this week's council meeting and will hope to convince his eight colleagues to formalise what appears to have become an unofficial policy in recent weeks.

This week's council meeting will be held on Thursday evening at the Molesworth Hall, starting with a community forum at 5.45pm followed by the formal meeting at 6.30pm. All welcome.

New Norfolk - two fabulous centuries (1)

This early image of New Norfolk's Bush Inn comes from the State Library of Tasmania's online collection. It was first published by Henry Melville in his Van Diemen's Land annual for the year 1834. In 2010 the Bush Inn remains Australia's oldest continually licensed hotel.

Eagles trounce Lindisfarne

NEW Norfolk handed out a 108-point drubbing to Lindisfarne in round two of the Southern Football League yesterday, reports today's Sunday Tasmanian here. Our goal-scorers were R. Martin 9, B. Carver 7, M. Thompson 6, M. Smith 3, P. Ross 3, T. Cleary 2, M. Booth 2, and P. Ross.

The reserves were not so lucky, losing to Lindisfarne by 69 points. Our goal-scorers were  M. Bearman, B. Chaplin, T. Jarvis, A. Salter and C. Tomlin.

The colts enjoyed their own big win over Lindisfarne, running home victorious by 114 points. Our goal-kickers were S. Triffitt 9, L. Menzie 3, M. Horne 2, J. Mayne 2, D. Walsh 2, N. Grant, N. Lester, J. Young.

Tim Morris in the mix

THE most popular politician in Lyons, Greens MHA Tim Morris, looks set for a key role in the new Greens-supported Labor state government if Tasmania's biggest newspapers are to be believed. Both the Mercury and The Examiner are reporting that Premier David Bartlett and Greens leader Nick McKim went for a team-building bike-ride up Mt Wellington yesterday. This follows the Governor's decision to re-commission Mr Bartlett as premier last week, in the wake of a surprise announcement by the Greens that they would support a Labor minority government.

Today's Sunday Tasmanian reports that Mr Morris, of New Norfolk, is a likely candidate for Speaker of the House of Assembly, while the Sunday Examiner suggests that Mr Morris could be appointed Minister for Local Government in a trade-off that would enable Labor veteran Michael Polley to retain his cherished position as Speaker.

Upgrade for hospital's water supply

A TENDER has been awarded for a $70,000 upgrade to the water supply to the New Norfolk District Hospital. The State Government has engaged Cunic Constructions to convert the hospital from tank water to a mains water pressure supply, at a cost of $72,960.

New passion for the Powells?

A SIGN on the front of the recently-closed Passions coffee shop at 10 High St, New Norfolk, says the business will soon be re-opened by its original owners, Barry and Majella Powell.

Motel for sale

NEW Norfolk's largest motel is up for sale. Described as a high yielding investment by selling agents Knight Frank (Hobart), the property includes 30 motel rooms with ensuites, one self-catering two-bedroom unit and a manager's residence, with a prime site at the entrance to New Norfolk's central business district.

Originally called the Amaroo, the motel's rooms have been refurbished in the last five years, and the main reception building and restaurant was built from the ground up after a fire about 10 years ago.

The business itself is not for sale, with a a 20-year lease signed only recently. Knight Frank (Hobart) is taking expressions of interest until April 28. Read more here.

Local footballers in the news

THREE local footballers now playing for Hobart in the statewide league scored a mention for various reasons in reporter James Bresnehan's weekend preview in today's Mercury newspaper. 

• Sam Hall will be sitting out three games after being found guilty of striking North Hobart coach Clinton Brown at the TCA on Good Friday.
• Kurt Styles will make his debut for Hobart after missing the opening round with a suspension that was hanging over him from the SFL last season.
• Zeb Graham will make his debut after being a late withdrawal from the Good Friday game.

Read more from the Mercury here.

World showcase for New Norfolk

A SPECTACULAR image of New Norfolk was shared with potentially millions of internet users when it was featured as "picture of the day" on Wikipedia on Easter Saturday. View the photo here.

Willow Court audit "completed"

THE long-awaited analysis of expenditure on the Willow Court historic site had been completed by the council accountant, Mayor Martyn Evans told last week's meeting of the Willow Court Redevelopment Working Party. The mayor's surprise announcement came in response to a question from working party member Wayne Shoobridge, who asked when a promised meeting would be held to enable councillors to conduct a line-by-line analysis of the Willow Court financials.

First-up win to New Norfolk

THE Eagles scored a 24-point win over Dodges Ferry in the Southern Football League season opener at Boyer Oval on Saturday. The Mercury has more here.