Sunday, May 30, 2010
Pleasing numbers at Willow Court open days
ABOUT 500 people attended open days at the Willow Court historic site this weekend, organised by the Willow Court Working Group as part of the National Trust "open doors" month. Congratulations to all involved.
Two out of three for the Eagles
NEW Norfolk hammered Brighton 25.25 (175) to 1.11 (17) in the SFL match played at Boyer Oval yesterday. Best for New Norfolk were M. Thompson, J. Clifford, P. Ross, B. Carver and R. Belcher, while goals were scored by R. Martin 6, B. Carver 4, M. Thompson, 4, B.Booth 3, J. Kelly 2, L. Horne, J. Clifford, M. Smith, N. Ross, T. Cleary and R. Belcher.
The Eagles reserves were not so lucky, going down to the Robins by 13 points; 9.6 (60) d 7.5 (47). Best for New Norfolk were T. Bligh, B. Hall, L. Browning, T. Triffett, S. Rogers and N. Coy, and the goal-scorers were M. Bearman 2, C. Ransley 2, T. Wright, D. Triffett and P. McGowan.
The New Norfolk colts had a 44-point win over Brighton, 15.9 (99) to 8.6 (54). Best for New Norfolk were N. Lester, R. Smith, R. Tebb, L. Menzie, B. Coppleman and T. Youd. Goal-scorers were J. Walsh 4, S. Triffitt 4, L. Menzie, B. Coppleman, B. Lovell, J. Young and J. Mayne.
The Eagles reserves were not so lucky, going down to the Robins by 13 points; 9.6 (60) d 7.5 (47). Best for New Norfolk were T. Bligh, B. Hall, L. Browning, T. Triffett, S. Rogers and N. Coy, and the goal-scorers were M. Bearman 2, C. Ransley 2, T. Wright, D. Triffett and P. McGowan.
The New Norfolk colts had a 44-point win over Brighton, 15.9 (99) to 8.6 (54). Best for New Norfolk were N. Lester, R. Smith, R. Tebb, L. Menzie, B. Coppleman and T. Youd. Goal-scorers were J. Walsh 4, S. Triffitt 4, L. Menzie, B. Coppleman, B. Lovell, J. Young and J. Mayne.
Another week, another Willow Court backflip
LOCAL journalist Blair Richards scored herself quite a scoop this week with the State Government's retreat from its promise to resume responsibility for the contentious Willow Court historic site. In a written statement drafted by the premier's office, new Labor Lyons MHA Rebecca White said the government had made no promise to take back the historic former hospital it sold to the council a decade ago.
"I was not personally involved in the discussion with the council, but I have been advised that during the election campaign the government did not agree to take back Willow Court and that the discussion with the council was on general models for management that could be used for the site," Ms White told the Derwent Valley Gazette. "Any negotiations around the future of Willow Court are to be the subject of future Partnership Agreements between the Government and the council."
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Another triple win for the Eagles
NEW Norfolk scored three wins over Cygnet in last weekend's Southern Football League matches. The seniors defeated the home team 19.23 (137) to 6.6 (42). Our goal-scorers were R. Martin 6, S. Bonnitcha 4, B. Booth 3, N. Ross 3, B. Carver, S. Bonnitcha and S. Collis; while the best players were B. Chaplin, B.
Booth, J. Clifford, S. Bonnitcha, M. Cashion and L. Horne.
The reserves defeated Cygnet 11.21 (87) to 8.7 (55). New Norfolk's goals were scored by P. Jelkic 3, P. McGowan 3, M. Bearman 2, L. Browning, D. Huxley and C. Ransley. Best were P. Jelkic, B. Hall, M. Hay, T. Triffett, P. McGowan and M. Bearman.
The colts had their own sizeable win over Cygnet, 12.17 (89) to 4.4 (28), with goals scored by S. Triffitt 3, N. Grant 3, L. Menzie 2, J. Walsh, M. Thurston, N. Lester and B. Coppleman. Best for New Norfolk were R. Smith, D. Walsh, B. Stone, L. Menzie, D. Triffett and J. Bomford.
Booth, J. Clifford, S. Bonnitcha, M. Cashion and L. Horne.
The reserves defeated Cygnet 11.21 (87) to 8.7 (55). New Norfolk's goals were scored by P. Jelkic 3, P. McGowan 3, M. Bearman 2, L. Browning, D. Huxley and C. Ransley. Best were P. Jelkic, B. Hall, M. Hay, T. Triffett, P. McGowan and M. Bearman.
The colts had their own sizeable win over Cygnet, 12.17 (89) to 4.4 (28), with goals scored by S. Triffitt 3, N. Grant 3, L. Menzie 2, J. Walsh, M. Thurston, N. Lester and B. Coppleman. Best for New Norfolk were R. Smith, D. Walsh, B. Stone, L. Menzie, D. Triffett and J. Bomford.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Willow Court shocker
DON'T miss this week's Derwent Valley Gazette for reporter Blair Richards' exclusive article on the latest development in the Willow Court saga. No-one saw this coming! Grab your copy at Derwent Valley newsagencies and corner shops, or at the Mercury office in Hobart.
Planter boxes set to survive another winter
IN the latest Derwent Valley Council go-slow, a decision on removing the controversial Burnett St planter boxes has been referred to this year's budget deliberations. Despite earlier advice that repairing the damaged road surface could be funded from this year's roadworks budget, last week's council meeting heard there was no money available.
Councillor Damian Bester sought to accelerate the process by having the council decide exactly what recitifcation works it wanted to refer to the budget process, but he was defeated by an amendment by Cr Judy Bromfield to have a comprehensive report prepared for the council budget process.
Cr Bester's motion had been to have the planter boxes removed and the road surface returned to its original condition; to replant the existing trees in the footpath using tree guards as seen at Kingston; and to have four pedestrian refuge sites built for safe crossing of the street.
Mayor Evans, Deputy Mayor Farrell and Councillors Lathey, Bromfield, Shaw, Molan-Hill and Elliott voted for Cr Bromfield's motion. Crs Bester and Graham opposed it.
Councillor Damian Bester sought to accelerate the process by having the council decide exactly what recitifcation works it wanted to refer to the budget process, but he was defeated by an amendment by Cr Judy Bromfield to have a comprehensive report prepared for the council budget process.
Cr Bester's motion had been to have the planter boxes removed and the road surface returned to its original condition; to replant the existing trees in the footpath using tree guards as seen at Kingston; and to have four pedestrian refuge sites built for safe crossing of the street.
Mayor Evans, Deputy Mayor Farrell and Councillors Lathey, Bromfield, Shaw, Molan-Hill and Elliott voted for Cr Bromfield's motion. Crs Bester and Graham opposed it.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Willow Court handback moves closer
SIX members of the Derwent Valley Council tonight endorsed a plan to negotiate the transfer of the whole of the Willow Court site back to the State Government. During a debate lasting more than an hour, Councillor Jim Elliott agreed that his own motion to hand back parts of the site was deficient, and he endorsed an amendment put forward by Cr Judy Bromfield.
Cr Bromfield's amendment followed a failed bid by Cr Barry Lathey to defer consideration of the handback proposal until October. Cr Damian Bester said he was opposed to any handback but he wanted to see the matter resolved now rather than in several months' time. Cr Bester said also cast doubt on Premier David Bartlett's offer to take back Willow Court, referring to it as a desperate pledge made at a time when the recent State Election campaign was not going well for the government. Cr Bester said he had emailed the premier and every Labor Member and candidate for Lyons, asking for more information about the proposal, and no-one but two unsuccessful candidates had responded.
Putting forward his proposal to defer consideration until October, Cr Lathey said respect ought to be shown to the recently-established Willow Court working group. In particular, he said time would be needed to digest the recommendations of a report due to be completed by heritage consultant Malcolm MacDonald by the end of July. Cr Lathey said Cr Elliott's proposal to hand back parts of the historic site was going against the grain of recent progress made at Willow Court.
Cr James Graham said the council had created the process that was now being explored, and the logical conclusion was to allow the process to reach a conclusion.
Cr Jim Elliott said the council should never have become involved in the redevelopment of Willow Court. He said that under council ownership historic buildings had been destroyed, opportunities lost, and about $2 million lost. Cr Elliott said he had been advised by the mayor and general manager that Willow Court occupied 60 per cent of their time and angst.
Cr Bester said he was sympathetic to Cr Lathey's proposal to defer consideration of the handback, but his own preference was to see the matter resolved now.
Deputy Mayor Craig Farrell said he had taken on board the remarks of Crs Elliott and Bester, and his opinion was that the council should retain responsibility for Willow Court while establishing an authority to manage the site. He said the timing was wrong for a handback and was not in favour of the idea.
Cr Narelle Molan-Hill said there was no guarantee what the government would do with Willow Court. "They could leave it and do nothing," she said, adding that she would like to see the results of consultant MacDonald's work.
Closing debate on his amendment, Cr Lathey said he hoped councillors would support his deferral plan, adding that he wanted Mr MacDonald to be able to complete his task. Cr Lathey said the new Willow Court working group - of which he was a member - had every reason to feel bewildered that its main purpose was to be removed.
When put to the vote, Crs Lathey, Graham, Molan-Hill and Shaw supported the deferral, and Crs Bester, Elliott, Farrell, Bromfield and Evans opposed it. The amendment was lost.
Cr Bester then spoke to Cr Elliott's motion, which he described as "deficient" as it did not clearly indicate which parts of the site were being referred to. Cr Bester's lengthy address can be read on his blog.
Cr Bromfield then moved her own amendment, which was as follows:
1. That council negotiate the transfer of the whole of the Willow Court site to the State Government on such terms and conditions that are satisfactory and in the best interest of our community and that take into account the business plan for the site by Malcolm MacDonal and Associates, that is adopted after consultation with council and the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee.
2. That after satisfactory negotiations for the transfer of the site to the State Government, the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee is to be the link between the State Government and the Derwent Valley Council to ensure the business plan and development plan adopted by the council and the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee is implemented in a timely manner.
Cr Elliott then acknowledged that his own motion was deficient. He would support Cr Bromfield's amendment but was concerned about the implications for the oval space, which the council had recently decided to sell for an extension of New Norfolk's commercial precinct.
When put to the vote, Cr Bromfield's amendment was supported by herself and Crs Evans, Elliott, Graham, Shaw and Molan-Hill. Crs Lathey, Farrell and Bester were opposed. The amendment then became the substantive motion and was carried by the same 6-3 margin with Crs Bester, Farrell and Lathey dissenting.
Cr Bromfield's amendment followed a failed bid by Cr Barry Lathey to defer consideration of the handback proposal until October. Cr Damian Bester said he was opposed to any handback but he wanted to see the matter resolved now rather than in several months' time. Cr Bester said also cast doubt on Premier David Bartlett's offer to take back Willow Court, referring to it as a desperate pledge made at a time when the recent State Election campaign was not going well for the government. Cr Bester said he had emailed the premier and every Labor Member and candidate for Lyons, asking for more information about the proposal, and no-one but two unsuccessful candidates had responded.
Putting forward his proposal to defer consideration until October, Cr Lathey said respect ought to be shown to the recently-established Willow Court working group. In particular, he said time would be needed to digest the recommendations of a report due to be completed by heritage consultant Malcolm MacDonald by the end of July. Cr Lathey said Cr Elliott's proposal to hand back parts of the historic site was going against the grain of recent progress made at Willow Court.
Cr James Graham said the council had created the process that was now being explored, and the logical conclusion was to allow the process to reach a conclusion.
Cr Jim Elliott said the council should never have become involved in the redevelopment of Willow Court. He said that under council ownership historic buildings had been destroyed, opportunities lost, and about $2 million lost. Cr Elliott said he had been advised by the mayor and general manager that Willow Court occupied 60 per cent of their time and angst.
Cr Bester said he was sympathetic to Cr Lathey's proposal to defer consideration of the handback, but his own preference was to see the matter resolved now.
Deputy Mayor Craig Farrell said he had taken on board the remarks of Crs Elliott and Bester, and his opinion was that the council should retain responsibility for Willow Court while establishing an authority to manage the site. He said the timing was wrong for a handback and was not in favour of the idea.
Cr Narelle Molan-Hill said there was no guarantee what the government would do with Willow Court. "They could leave it and do nothing," she said, adding that she would like to see the results of consultant MacDonald's work.
Closing debate on his amendment, Cr Lathey said he hoped councillors would support his deferral plan, adding that he wanted Mr MacDonald to be able to complete his task. Cr Lathey said the new Willow Court working group - of which he was a member - had every reason to feel bewildered that its main purpose was to be removed.
When put to the vote, Crs Lathey, Graham, Molan-Hill and Shaw supported the deferral, and Crs Bester, Elliott, Farrell, Bromfield and Evans opposed it. The amendment was lost.
Cr Bester then spoke to Cr Elliott's motion, which he described as "deficient" as it did not clearly indicate which parts of the site were being referred to. Cr Bester's lengthy address can be read on his blog.
Cr Bromfield then moved her own amendment, which was as follows:
1. That council negotiate the transfer of the whole of the Willow Court site to the State Government on such terms and conditions that are satisfactory and in the best interest of our community and that take into account the business plan for the site by Malcolm MacDonal and Associates, that is adopted after consultation with council and the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee.
2. That after satisfactory negotiations for the transfer of the site to the State Government, the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee is to be the link between the State Government and the Derwent Valley Council to ensure the business plan and development plan adopted by the council and the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee is implemented in a timely manner.
Cr Elliott then acknowledged that his own motion was deficient. He would support Cr Bromfield's amendment but was concerned about the implications for the oval space, which the council had recently decided to sell for an extension of New Norfolk's commercial precinct.
When put to the vote, Cr Bromfield's amendment was supported by herself and Crs Evans, Elliott, Graham, Shaw and Molan-Hill. Crs Lathey, Farrell and Bester were opposed. The amendment then became the substantive motion and was carried by the same 6-3 margin with Crs Bester, Farrell and Lathey dissenting.
- Among the observers in the packed public gallery were former mayor Tony Nicholson, who Cr Elliott described as having lost his seat because of Willow Court, and new Lyons Labor MHA Rebecca White, who Cr Bester indicated was one of those who had not responded to his email about the government's Willow Court promises.
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