Glenorchy City Council held its fifth meeting for 2023 on Monday 29 May. At the meeting 9 Elected Members were present.
Highlights from the meeting are as follows:
Land Disposals
Acutely aware of the housing crisis in Tasmania and across the country, Council developed a Statement of Commitment on Housing to set out its role in helping to address the crisis. In this Statement, Council acknowledges its role in increasing the supply of land available for housing development by identifying land surplus to community needs and/or appropriately rezoning land to enable residential development.
With that in mind, over the past two years Council has looked long and hard across the municipality to identify excess land for potential disposal.
On Monday night Council was given updates on a range of properties being considered for potential disposal.
Following an extensive consultation process, Council resolved to dispose of 2.66ha of land at 23a Norman Circle Glenorchy, by way of sale.
Council decided to commence the S178 process to formally undertake community consultation on the proposed disposal of a small parcel of land at 12 Rothesay Circle Goodwood, by way of donation to Karadi.
Council received an update on progress towards 6 properties already approved for disposal, which include:
- 11 and 13 Nielson Drive, Montrose
- 117a Pitcairn Street, Montrose
- Lot 4 Bournville Crescent, Claremont
- 14a Colston Street, Claremont
- 261 Main Road, Austins Ferry
Council also endorsed the commencement of preliminary investigations into the potential disposal of a further 8 properties:
- Shiraz Court, Berriedale
- Baltonsborough Rd, Austins Ferry
- 84 Sunshine Rd, Austins Ferry
- Brendan Crescent, Austins Ferry
- Teering Rd, Berriedale
- Mason St, Claremont
- Cutler Place, West Moonah
- 16b Coleman Street, West Moonah
For further information on any of the above properties please contact Council’s Customer Service Team on 6216 6800 or gcc@gcc.tas.gov.au
Glenorchy CBD Safety and Youth Engagement Update
The issue of public safety in the Glenorchy CBD has been one of great concern for the community and the newly elected Council since coming to office in November 2022. Council received a report detailing actions that have been undertaken during that period, the effectiveness of these actions and requesting continuation of programs and Security Guards in the public space in the Glenorchy CBD.
Council has also lobbied hard to the State Government for further resources, including a consistent, proactive police presence, and has been successful in gaining that support which has seen an ongoing police presence in the area before and after school hours.
Council has also led a multi-agency approach to address these issues, partnering with organisations like the Department of Education and Young People, PCYC, Mission Australia and Salvation Army to work directly with young people in the area. This work was supported by a $50,000 grant from the State Government through 2022-23. These partnerships have already shown a positive change to behaviours the community is seeing.
Unfortunately, the State Government did not commit ongoing funding to support these activities into 2023-24. Council will consider a budget allocation to support this work into the future and will continue to lobby Government for funding support.
Fees and Charges for 2023/2024
In the lead up period to the setting of Council’s annual budget for the next financial year, Council considers all proposed fees and charges for services that, if accepted, will feed into next year’s budget. Providing approximately 19% of Council’s total revenue, fees and charges are an important piece of the jigsaw in forming Council’s overall budget.
A general modest increase of approx. 3.4% has been set with some notable exceptions:
- Child Care Fees increase by 12%, however this does not impact upon parents as the Federal Government have increased the Child Care Rebate in equal measure.
- Landfill Fees increase by 5% for residential and 30% for commercial waste. This is to reflect increase in inflation but also to better reflect costs to deal with commercial waste and to maximise the life of the landfill area.
- Kerbside Collection is increased by 5% to reflect overall costs in collection and disposal.
- Planning Services increase by 5.1% which are in line with the cost associated with processing an application.
Of note, Council continues to offer a Hardship assistance where residents are eligible for financial hardship assistance if genuine financial hardship can be demonstrated.
Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) 2023 Elections
As reported at the March Council meeting, the Tasmanian Electoral Commission is currently conducting elections for the president and the general management committee of the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT). At this pivotal time for local government with the State government review underway it is important for inclusive, visionary leadership to be at the LGAT table to work with State Government to provide the best outcome for the community into the future around the provision of local government.
Council voted to support Mayor Thomas as candidate for president of LGAT and allocated preferences for other candidates to the presidency and general committee member positions.
Capital Works Status Report
Council also received its regular updated on the large Capital Works program for 2022/2023 that is aiming to spend over $20m this financial year. As we move into the final few months of the year progress was reported on the following projects:
- Giblins Reserve Playspace – works on this project commenced in late March 2023, with earthworks substantially underway and the installation of the first pieces of play equipment now in progress.
- Montrose Bay Foreshore Skatepark – the earthworks commenced in late March 2023. The concrete works including ramps and other forms are programmed to be completed this financial year, weather permitting.
- Solar Panel Installation on Council Offices – Main Rd Glenorchy – with an estimated annual saving of $25,000, works to install solar panels on Council Chambers roof are well underway with the roof and main switchboard upgrades now complete. The solar panel installation is now ready to commence after receiving final sign-off from TasNetworks for the connection to proceed on 16 May 2023.
- Prince of Wales Bay Sports Ground Drainage – This project is now fully complete, and the grounds are now being heavily utilised by the incumbent soccer, softball and baseball clubs.
- Football (Soccer) Projects – The synthetic pitch replacement at KGV has been completed and certified to FIFA standards along with all fencing surrounding the pitch. The new LED lighting is complete and operational. At North Chigwell the ground works and new LED lighting are now complete and will be ready for use in June for the rest of the season. Pavilion design at both venues is complete with develop applications and tender processes underway.
- BMX Track Relocation – Negotiations with the Southern City BMX Club, Sorell Council and the Tasmanian Government regarding the relocation of the BMX track to Pembroke Park in Sorell will deliver a brand new, state of the art BMX facility to Southern Tasmania while allowing Glenorchy to progress its vision for the area under the Berriedale Peninsula Master Plan. Sorell Council have agreed to construct the track and it is estimated the track will be completed in October/November 2023. Sorell has confirmed they are in discussions with the BMX club and MONA on the timing of the relocation, aiming to minimise the time the club will be without a track.
- Tolosa Park Dam Reintegration Project – TasWater have recently completed a Tender process for the project and should be able to announce a successful contractor in early June. Works are expected to commence in September 2023 with a completion of earthworks expected to be completed in April 2024.
- Playground Renewal – Playspace replacement works have recently been completed at Booth Avenue, Barry Street Reserve, Collinsvale Reserve and Cairnduff Reserve. Council is now focusing on the 23 /24 financial year upgraded to a number of local playspaces including the $1m allocation to the Benjafield Park playspace in Moonah.
You can view the full agenda and minutes on Council’s website, via this link https://www.gcc.tas.gov.au/council/council-meetings/minutes-and-agendas/