COUNCIL1862

SORELLDECEMBER 2017

community coast country

Sorell Community Newswww.sorell.tas.gov.au

Australia Day AwardsHave you nominated someone great for an Australia Day Award yet?

The Australia Day Awards recognise those individuals in our community who make a significant contribution or achieve something special.

Award categories:

Citizen of the Year

Young Citizen of the Year

Community Group of the Year

Community Event of the Year

Nomination forms are available online and in hard copy from the Council Offices, and nominations can be made directly online through our Website - www.sorell.tas.gov.au. Nominations close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 10 January 2018.

Don’t delay – nominate TODAY!

The Australia Day Awards will be presented at a special event on Thursday 25 January 2018 at the Sorell Memorial Hall. The event is open to the public but those wishing to attend must RSVP by Friday 19 January 2018 to Council on 6269 0000 or sorell.council@sorell.tas.gov.au

Dodges Ferry Skate Park OpeningSuccessful funding received from Tasmanian Community Fund and a contribution from Sorell Council has provided a wonderful recreational opportunity for local youth in the Dodges Ferry area.

The skate park was officially opened by Mayor Kerry Vincent and Lola Cowle from the Tasmanian Community Fund on 21 October and was strongly supported by a number of community businesses and groups. The highlight of the day was the skating demonstration by Jimmy’s Skate and Street crew, providing the crowd with exciting entertainment as they performed their skating demo and tricks.

Sorell Regional Art Prize And ExhibitionThe 2017 Sorell Regional Art Exhibition and Prize held in collaboration with Southern Beaches Regional Arts was once again a great success.

The exhibition was open for six days with the public viewing approximately 130 pieces of work from 45 artists across 6 categories. There were two major prizes, four highly commended prizes and one people’s choice. Two of local artist Cherie Sibley’s paintings (pictured right) were awarded the Sorell Council $1500 art acquisition prize. Council would like to congratulate all involved at SBRA for organising another fantastic exhibition.

Community ConversationsCouncil continued the series of Community Conversations across the Municipality over the past twelve months with meetings held in Primrose Sands, Dodges Ferry, Midway Point and Bream Creek. These informal meetings proved popular with the community as they provided a valuable opportunity to meet face to face and find out what’s happening in their local community and discuss issues of concern with their elected members and Council Management.

Community

Conversation

SORELL COMMUNITY NEWS DECEMBER 20172

Mayor’s MessageOur vision for Sorell Municipality is a healthy and diverse community enjoying a wonderful lifestyle and a Council that is open to change in the best interests of our community.

Our municipality continues to grow at a rate far above the state average, offering great potential to strengthen our community and sporting organisations as well as creating jobs and diverse business opportunities.

We are benefiting from significant capital works, strong community engagement and a clearer understanding of our financial responsibilities into the future.

Yet when accurate costs are put against our road, storm water, parks and community building assets, the funds from our present rate base allow us to maintain and replace our current assets but give us very little ability to grow our community in line with residents’ expectations.

The financial realities have increased our attention on how we can bring new investment into our community from outside sources and work collaboratively with all levels of government on robust strategies for education, transport, employment and business development in our region.

Looking ahead, we are continuing our careful and considered approach to working through all the details under the voluntary amalgamations process. The independent Local Government Board is investigating further details of the Sorell and Tasman voluntary amalgamation option and should the Clarence and/or Glamorgan Spring Bay municipalities choose to, the process would then expand to include the other voluntary amalgamation options proposed for the southeast councils.

As well as managing what we have, Council is continuing to advocate for our community on long term solutions including highway upgrades, improved traffic flow at Midway Point and the airport roundabout, upgrades to local schools, more effective training and employment services, improved bus services and sporting facilities as well as farming, tourism, commercial and community infrastructure and services.

The closer working relationships we are developing with our local schools are building the confidence and networks that enhance the improvements required to service our growing community.

We have ongoing discussions with state and federal politicians from all parties, as well as agencies like Regional Development Australia, to better understand our community and infrastructure needs over the next couple of decades.

As part of the new Legislative Council electorate of Prosser we will soon have four federal and state politicians working and living in our municipality, giving us a terrific opportunity to work with them to achieve more in their local area.

The new Carlton River Bridge and recent road works have further improved the spectacular scenic drive along the Carlton River and Fulham Roads to Dunalley and have been well received by locals and visitors alike.

Once again Council has been successful in securing $2.5 million through the Federal bridge renewal program to replace the Sunnyside Bridge at the start of the Nugent Road. The bridge works and road realignment are due to start mid 2018. It’s a long awaited and significant step for our community and will bring all our major municipal bridges up to national standards.

The skate park upgrade at Dodges Ferry is another example of how collaborating can work so well. Local residents came up with a design, rallied community support and worked with Council to secure a $66,000 Tasmanian Community Fund grant. Now the upgraded park is buzzing with activity as skaters, scooters and riders enjoy the new facilities.

With all this in mind, I was absolutely delighted to accept several 2017 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Tasmania awards for Sorell Municipality that recognise all the work Council and our community are doing long-term to manage and upgrade footpaths, walkways, parks, reserves, road crossings and other community facilities across the municipality.

Sorell township was named Tasmanian Tidy Town, population 2001–5000 for 2017 and our iconic Carlton Beach won the Clean Beaches Award for a cleaner, more sustainable coastal environment.

A Tidy Towns Communication, Action & Partnership award went to the Dunalley community for their determination to rebuild the community through consultation and partnership; and another to the Sorell Council Seniors Advisory Group for helping create an age friendly community.

Tidy Towns certificates of recognition for environmental sustainability went to Sorell Council for storm water management and for the upgrade of the Gypsy Bay Boat Ramp. Certificates of recognition for natural environment conservation were awarded to Southern Beaches Landcare Coastcare Inc and to Sorell Council for Dodges Ferry Recreation Reserve.

Congratulations to all the Council staff, Councillors, volunteer groups and local communities who have worked together to achieve such well deserved recognition. It’s terrific to see the benefits of local activities reflected in the Tidy Towns awards and the many other ways our community is working together and creating our own success.

Our community conversations this year have all been well attended and supported with numerous grass roots issues discussed, fixed or clarified in the process. Thank you to all residents, Councillors and senior staff who have participated. I encourage you to attend your local meeting in 2018 and engage in the conversation. They are an important way to have your say and to hear some of the finer details of what Council is achieving on behalf of our community.

Mayor Kerry Vincent

Merry Christmas!On behalf of the Mayor, Councillors and Staff at Sorell Council, we wish you and your family a joyful and relaxing time over the festive period.

Council Closure Sorell Council will be closed from 12 noon on Friday 22 December and re-open at 8.00am on Tuesday 2 January 2018.

Emergencies In the event of an emergency during the holiday period, please phone 6269 0000.

Kerbside Collection Garbage collections due on Monday (Christmas Day) will be collected on Saturday 23 December. Garbage collections due on Boxing Day will take place as normal. Please have your bins kerbside by 6.00am ready for collection.

3SORELL COMMUNITY NEWS DECEMBER 2017

Orielton Lagoon Shared Pathway LoopCouncil has successfully received funding for Stage 2 of the Orielton Lagoon Shared Pathway Loop. Works currently underway include:

500 metre gravel path along the foreshore of Lake Vue Parade.

Grassed section behind houses on the Esplanade is coming along.

Kerb ramps connecting existing paths with the new gravel path have been installed.

‘Set out’ of the section from Shark Point Road to Pembroke Park has commenced.

The pathway has great health and well-being benefits for the community. The pathway encourages active lifestyles for all ages and skill levels providing opportunities to walk, jog or cycle along the pathway. This is a staged project and future progress will depend on additional funding being received and/or allocated.

Fire Hazard ReductionsCouncil’s Fire Abatement Policy states that properties under 2000m2 will usually be required to clear the whole of the property by cutting long grass or vegetation.

Properties over 2000m2 will typically require a minimum four metre wide fire break around the property boundaries depending on the slope of the land and fuel load.

Sorell Council has one of the largest Fire Abatement Programs in the state with our Municipal Inspectors visiting over 3500 properties across the Municipality to actively reduce fire hazards.

Properties that are deemed to be posing a fire hazard are given between 7 and 21 days depending on the threat and the time of the fire season. Properties that are deemed to pose a fire hazard are issued with an abatement notice and then re-inspected to determine if the notice has been complied with. If it hasn’t, Council’s contractor will clear the property at the property owners cost, which is significantly higher than what a private contractor would charge.

Council’s Fire Abatement Policy focuses on smaller residential properties and is not aimed at prevention or management of bushfires. It also doesn’t apply to Crown Land or land managed by Forestry Tasmania. These agencies have more expertise in fire hazard assessment and access to sophisticated fire hazard risk assessment models.

Council is committed to actively inspecting and maintaining Council-owned land so as to minimise fire hazards. This includes the periodic slashing of roadside verges, the mowing of parks, ovals, grounds, the establishment and maintenance of fire breaks and the development of fire management plans for significant reserves.

We appreciate the community’s ongoing support of this important program.

Seniors Week CelebrationsThis year 150 local seniors celebrated Seniors Week at the Sorell Memorial Hall.

The relaxing and enjoyable day included high-tea prepared by Sorell High School students, live classical music entertainment and lucky door prizes.

In addition to this year’s traditional Seniors Week event, COTA (Council on the Ageing) and Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife invited seniors living in the Municipality to participate in the launch of Seniors Week with a bus trip to Mt Field National Park which was supported and organised by Council (pictured above).

This wonderful opportunity was enjoyed by all seniors and with the 2017 theme ‘Get Outdoors’ the group took part in an outdoor bush walk to Russell Falls along the newly improved track suitable for all ages. Back at the main event, under the shelter of a large marquee, seniors enjoyed more activities including a gentle (seated) exercise class, listening to a number of live music and poetry artists and strolled leisurely around the visitor’s centre observing wildlife displays and Aboriginal artefacts.

My Local Services AppRate reminders will now be included on ‘My Local Services App’. The reminder notification will appear two days prior to the due date. Other functions include:

Recycling and house rubbish reminders.

Local events and community programs.

Green and hard waste booking.

Council facilities such as parks, playgrounds and public toilets.

Council contact information – phone, email, website and office location.

A ‘Report It’ function – Allows you to add a photo and notify Council about issues or problems in the Municipality.

Please ensure notifications are turned ON in order to receive the reminders.

This FREE app can be downloaded on iPhone and Android. Search ‘My Local Services’ in the App store or the Play Store.

SORELL COMMUNITY NEWS DECEMBER 20174

Contact UsAddress 47 Cole Street, Sorell Telephone 6269 0000 Fax 6269 0014 Email sorell.council@sorell.tas.gov.au Website www.sorell.tas.gov.au

Any feedback about the newsletter is welcomed and can be forwarded to sorell.council@sorell.tas.gov.au

Your CouncillorsContact details for all Councillors can be found on our website www.sorell.tas.gov.au/contact-us

Clr Graeme Evans

Clr Lindsay White Clr Carmel Torenius

Clr Kerry Degrassi

Deputy Mayor Brett McDonald

Clr Vlad Gala

Clr Deborah De Williams

Clr Natham Reynolds

Mayor Kerry Vincent

Projects ReviewA number of projects and new infrastructure have been established within the Municipality recently, which will be of a great benefit to the community. Completed projects include:

Carlton – Carlton River Road Road realignment and sealing to eliminate sharp corner.

Penna – Brinktop Road (pictured) Section of road sealed, line marking and guardrail installed.

Dunalley – Fulham Road Road realignment, sealing and guardrail installed.

Midway Point – Penna Road Section of road sealed with line marking.

Nugent – Nugent Road 1.7 km of sealing has been completed of 3.7km.

Dunalley – BBQ Shelter (pictured) BBQ facilities and shelter installed.

Midway Point – Pittwater Neighbourhood Centre Room extension and indoor renovation works completed.

National Asbestos Awareness CampaignThe Asbestos Awareness Week Campaign recently held in Sorell by the Asbestos Awareness Council, was aimed at increasing people’s awareness and knowledge about where asbestos exists in order to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres.

The helpful staff from the Asbestos Awareness Council answered questions and provided information to interested residents. The purpose built model home on display (named Betty), demonstrated to members of the community where asbestos might be found in and around any Australian home built or renovated before 1987.

For more information on asbestos awareness go to www.asbestosawareness.com.au

Keep Australia Beautiful Awards Sorell has been awarded with the Clean Beaches Award for Carlton Beach and the Tidy Towns population 2001 – 5000 for Sorell in the Keep Australia Beautiful Tasmania Awards for 2017.

Mayor Kerry Vincent was delighted to receive the Awards and the recognition of the great projects being carried out by Council and the community. Awards and certificates of recognition are displayed in the front foyer area of Council for members of the community to view.