Council meeting reactions

IT was a long night at the monthly Derwent Valley Council meeting yesterday, with debate over Willow Court security and development extending over two hours. One member of the public walked out in apparent disgust over the Willow Court debates, and all but two members of the gallery left once the agenda moved on to other matters.

Councillors passed four of the nine Willow Court motions put forward by Councillor Damian Bester but his proposals for permanent security fencing were defeated, as was his move for the council to apologise for its handling of the historic site over the last decade.

The council also approved a recommendation that the public in future be excluded from council workshops after the first 30 minutes. The only concession is that the workshops will once again be advertised publicly. This was proposed by Cr Judy Bromfield, who said her objection to the presence of the public at last week's Willow Court workshop was that not all members of the public knew about it because the workshop was not advertised.

The evening wrapped up at 11pm after a closed meeting. Debate may have gone on for longer, but for two "gag motions" moved by Cr Tony Nicholson during the night.

Cr Bester's comments about the meeting have been posted on his website at damianbester.com

Other comments related to the council meeting can be read at the Save Willow Court Facebook page

Any person (councillors included) wishing to submit their own comments about any aspect of the meeting for publication here is welcome to email newnorfolknews@gmail.com

Don't let the door hit you on the way out

FURTHER restrictions on public participation at council workshops will be considered at this week's Derwent Valley Council meeting. A written report proposes that only the first 30 minutes of the monthly workshop be open to the public.

Workshops were introduced by many councils around the state in an attempt to circumvent the "open meeting" provisions of the 1993 Local Government Act. A revision of the Local Government Meeting Regulations gave workshops official status but no indication as to whether they were open to the public or closed. The Derwent Valley Council took the view that they were "closed".

In 2009 the ousting of the former mayor and the election of several new councillors led to the council deciding to advertise its workshops and open them to the public. This lasted about a year, until late 2010 when the majority of councillors decided to cease the advertising, reportedly to save money. Despite the lack of advertising, workshops remained open but the occasional attendance by members of the public has not sat well with some councillors. This was evident at last week's workshop on Willow Court, when the mayor suggested the public should sit in the rear rather than at the table. Another councillor grumbled about the presence of the public and asked who had invited them.

The recommendation to further exclude the public from workshops is contained in the report of a working party which had been formed to improve openness and transparency at the council. Instead, it decided against a committee system; indicated councillors people may be paid to serve on an audit committee if one is established in the future; and proposes to close workshops after 30 minutes.

CORRECTION: Readers please note the amendment above, rectifying an error with respect to membership of the future audit committee. A review of the Auditor-General's recommendations of late 2011 makes it clear his preference is for independent members in this role.

Cricket semi-finals

AFTER an excellent win over the Marquis Tigers on Saturday at Boyer Oval, Bushy Park is now one win away from a grand final berth in 4th Grade of the Southern Cricket Association. The Tigers won the toss and elected to bat, hitting up a good score of 10 for 221 off 48.1 overs (33 extras). In reply Bushy Park had little trouble reaching 5 for 224 off 46.1 overs (28 extras).

Bushy Park batting: Shaun Fenton 77 runs, Mitch Crosswell 72 not out, Nick Fenton 35. Bushy Park bowling: Nick Fenton 5 for 52 off nine overs, Mitch Crosswell 2 for 29 off 8.1 overs, M. Frichol 1 for 40 off 10 overs, Andrew Smith 1 for 42 off 10 overs.

Bushy Park now has a second chance at McRobies Gully after their two wicket loss in the qualifying final.

2nd Grade semi-final: New Norfolk had a comfortable win over Richmond/Cambridge at Richmond on Saturday. The home team won the toss and elected to bat, but struggled with the New Norfolk attack and was bowled out for 152 off 46.3 overs with the New Norfolk bowlers giving only nine extras away. In reply New Norfolk chased down the score with little fuss, finishing at 2 for 155 off 35.3 overs (24 extras) and setting up a qualifying final with cross-town rivals Molesworth I. New Norfolk batting: Rohan Heron 60 not out, Jamie Maddox 49no, Glen Williams 19. New Norfolk bowling: Ashley Morgan 3 for 22 off 8.3 overs, Rohan Heron 2 for 24 off seven overs (one maiden), Stewart Rice 2 for 26 off six overs, Graeme Rowlands 2 for 27 off 10 overs (two maidens).

Molesworth I went down to ladder leaders Sorell by five wickets at Sorell on Saturday. Molesworth won the toss and elected to bat, making the modest total of 10 for 149. Sorell started off badly but finished at 5 for 150 off 39.3 overs (20 extras). Molesworth batting: Nick Piuselli 46 runs, Ricky Martin 30, Nathan Eiszele 21, Mark Reggett 19, Brad Coppleman 17. Molesworth bowling: Dean King 2 for 22 off nine overs (three maidens), Nathan Eiszele 1 for 17 off 2.3 overs, Timmy Nichols 1 for 18 off seven overs, Chris Slater 1 for 26 off five overs.

Youth league cricket runners-up

Under 13s grand final: Gretna Green put up a great fight against Dodges Ferry on Sunday, going down by three wickets. On the lush Cornelian Bay ground, Gretna made the good score of 5 for 86 off its 20 overs. In reply Dodges Ferry made 7 for 92 off 20 overs, reaching Gretna's score with one over remaining.

Gretna's opening batsman Josh Hills made an excellent 22 runs (two 4s), as did Josh Farrow 22 runs (three 4s, one 6), Reece Williams 21 retired (one 4), Jack Stevenson 15 not out (two 4s).

Bowling: After doing well with the bat Josh Hills took 3 for 12 off four overs - great game Hillsy. Jack Stevenson took 1 for 11 off four overs, Josh Farrow 1 for 16 off four overs, Reece Williams 1 for 24 off four overs, Ryan Browning 1 for 29 off four overs. Mentions must also go to Ryan Browning, Zac Carnes and Josh Hills for their great catches - top job boys.

Well done team, we are all so proud of you. Your sportsmanship throughout the match was a credit to you all. You have done the club and the Derwent Valley/Central Highlands proud.  See you all at the trophy day this Saturday. 

WADE GLEESON

Australian Rower of the Year!

MOLESWORTH'S Anthony Edwards has been named the "Rower's Rower of the Year" during the national championships in Armadale, near Perth. Edwards, 38, received his award last night and went on to win gold today, as the championships continue.

Read more:
themercury.com.au
examiner.com.au
ninemsn.com.au

Reader comment of the decade

WHILE this news blog is not quite four years old, the sorry saga of the Derwent Valley Council's mis-handling of the Willow Court historic site has being going on for more than a decade.

Today, after 990 posts, 792 comments and 97,363 page views, a sadly anonymous reader of the New Norfolk News posted what is clearly the comment of the decade in relation to Willow Court: "A little less conversation, a little more action."

And to all readers and those who submit their comments, thank you very much.

Llewellyn volunteers to help

FORMER deputy premier David Llewellyn tonight expressed his willingness to serve as the chairman of a new committee to develop the Willow Court historic site, provided certain issues could be resolved between the Derwent Valley Council and the State Government.

Addressing tonight's meeting on Willow Court security issues, Mr Llewellyn said he had represented the council at a meeting with Heritage Minister Brian Wightman and Heritage Tasmania chairwoman Dianne Snowden yesterday. He said the backdrop of last weekend's F Ward fire had given the meeting a new focus.

Mr Llewellyn said Mr Wightman and Dr Snowden were sympathetic and committed to the Willow Court cause and he was confident of a positive outcome from the protracted negotiations for a memorandum of understanding between the council and the government. He had reminded the minister of the government's "pre-commitment" to Willow Court in 2010 and the fact that developing the historic site was beyond the council's capacity on its own.

Mr Llewellyn said he had agreed to chair a yet-to-be established new Willow Court committee on a voluntary basis, provided the outstanding issues between the council and government were resolved. "I am committed to Willow Court," he said. "This is a signifcant site that pre-dates Port Arthur and to hear the news of the fire was very disappointing."

Councillor James Graham expressed his confidence that with Mr Llewellyn's involvement and the goodwill of all involved, Willow Court would soon be moving forward.