Workshops now an open and shut case

THE first of the Derwent Valley Council's new-style workshops will be held on Thursday night, with the public invited to attend for 30 minutes from 6.30pm. At 7pm the public will be asked to leave, allowing councillors to discuss further matters in private.

The new arrangements were endorsed by all but one councillor at last month's council meeting. They were but one part of a report into establishing a committee system at the council. The report also recommended against a committee system; suggested that consideration be given to an audit committee; and that councillor membership of committees be reviewed annually.

Opening the debate, Councillor Wayne Shoobridge said he was aware of much confusion amongst the public but he assured them there was no ulterior motive to the plan to close workshops to the public after 30 minutes.

Cr Judy Bromfield said she supported the proposal on the proviso that the council resumed its previous practice of publicly advertising the workshops.

Cr Chris Lester said there was nothing secret about the proposal, which was only one of the recommendations before the council. Cr Lester said he could see that Cr Damian Bester was shaking his head. "I ask Cr Bester whether his editor's meetings are open to the public," he said.

Cr Bester had unsuccessfully moved a motion that the council establish an audit committee in accordance with the recommendation of the auditor-general, and that workshops remain completely open. His remarks are on his website.

Petitioners seek budget action

Barry Lathey and Phil Bingley

PETITIONS requesting formal consideration of four budget submissions were presented to the Derwent Valley Council last week. Organiser Phil Bingley handed the petitions to deputy mayor Barry Lathey on Friday.

The first petition relates to having an economic development plan (EDP) in accordance with the council's strategic plan. "I am passionate about this and ... was very disappointed with council's answer to my question at the Bushy Park council meeting, ie that council would not be progressing the EDP because of the downturn in the forestry industry and the possibility of school closures. Yet again council quickly looks for excuses and sits on its hands," Mr Bingley said.

"Now is the very time to have an EDP with objectives that promotes a positive identity for New Norfolk as a business-friendly town, supports small business development and expansion and aims at attracting new investment into New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley," he said. The petition was signed by 64 individuals representing over 30 businesses in New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley requesting that the council initiates an economic development plan in 2012/13.

The second petition was signed by 139 residents calling on the council to reseal Glebe Rd between The Avenue and Lachlan Rd. "It's more like driving on a cobbled street than a sealed road ... and needs priority attention given the volume of traffic that uses the road," Mr Bingley said.

The third petition (12 signatures) requests that curb and guttering be installed along a section of Lachlan Rd where the absence of a proper stormwater system is said to cause water infiltration under some houses.

The fourth petition (seven signatures) requests the sealing of Triffetts Rd, Glenfern, to stop dust causing a nuisance to residents in the area.

Submissions received by the close of business last Friday are to be considered in budget deliberations starting shortly.

Our oarsome foursome

Anthony and Kate

FOUR Derwent Valley rowers have been named in the Australian team for the 2012 Olympics in London. In addition to Anthony Edwards and Kate Hornsey who were named last week, Dana Faletic and Kerry Hore have now been added to the list.

Edwards and Hornsey and their respective families held a get-together in their home town of Molesworth on Saturday night, where our photo was taken.

Edwards will once again row in the men's lightweight coxless four. A member of the New Norfolk Rowing Club and the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, this will be his fifth Olympics. Hornsey will row in the women's coxless pair. A member of the New Norfolk Rowing Club, she presently rows for Mercantile and the Victorian Institute of Sport. This will be her second Olympics.

Faletic and Hore will form half of the women's quad scull. Faletic, who was educated in the Derwent Valley, won gold at the 2003 world championships and bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Hore is a member for the New Norfolk Rowing Club and the Australian Institute of Sport and was in the same medal-winning crew as Faletic in 2003 and 2004.

New Norfolk has never before had four representatives at an Olympic Games. Congratulations to all four and their families who will sacrifice much in the next few months.

Taking it to the streets

AUTUMN-THEMED footpaths stickers are one of the promotions being implemented by the New Norfolk Business Alliance to help bring shoppers b ack to the town centre. The stickers were some months in the planning and were installed on the Friday before the disastrous fire that destroyed the Banjos building a fortnight ago.

The signs are made of non-slip and hardwearing material and have a long life but it is intended they remain only for around three months to gauge their longevity. Business Alliance promotions co-ordinator Ngaire Glover said the signs had five autumn backgrounds and three slogans urging people to shop locally, support our town and local business.

Pictured admiring one of the stickers shortly after their installation were Business Alliance chairman Ray Williams and committee member Greg Hudson.

Scheduled musical events are the other string to the Business Alliance's promotional bow, via its Re-New Norfolk initiaitve. Live music will be performed in High St between 10am-1pm on April 14, 21 and 28. On April 14 there will be a range of activities on Arthur Square, the Memorial Hall and Ellis Dean Reserve.

Willow Court video

AN short and informative video about the historical significance of the Willow Court site has been published online. Click here to see the video at YouTube. A growing number of related video clips can be found at the same location.

In the news

THE Derwent Valley Autumn Festival, smoke clouds and the story of local dairy farmers have all been in the news today. Click the links below to read more.

• Successful autumn festival
• Health altert over smoke
• Derwent Valley dairy farmers

Festival traffic arrangements

THERE will be changed traffic arrangements in New Norfolk tomorrow (Sunday) for the duration of the Derwent Valley Autumn Festival.

The Derwent Valley Council has advertised that Ferry St, Page Ave and Alfred St will operate on a one-way system between 9am and 5pm. Heavy traffic is likely in Montagu St.

Free parking will be available at Tynwald Park, off Hobart Rd, and free shuttle buses will provide transport to the festival venue on the Derwent Esplanade.