Northern Midlands Council's 2020 in review

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CootesUpdated July 2 2021 - 1:06am, first published December 24 2020 - 10:30amBy Isobel CootesUpdated July 2 2021 - 1:06am, first published December 24 2020 -

10:30amFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyCapital works push to continue in the Northern Midlands Despite the pandemic, the Northern Midlands Council has made a push for the municipality with

its capital works.

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50% off EOFY SaleAll articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperCrosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll other regional websites in your areaContinue As a result, a number of

projects have been completed or the first stages commenced.

The municipality is looking to continue this trend into the next half of its $19.7 million capital works spend for the 2020/21 financial year.

However, the topic of municipality pools and its plans for its Norfolk Street development have caused some controversy.

The year that was Mayor Mary Knowles said the council's highlights focused on capital works completed and commenced around the community.

"During the year we have achieved a lot, even in the face of a global pandemic and with the restrictions imposed onto us. I am very proud of our councillors and staff ... they quickly

adapted and worked through the pandemic to ensure that all services continued and remained in place for our community, many of them working remotely and with reduced resources," she said.

"The highlights of our year include ... observing the water sensitive urban design project at Sheepwash Creek coping with the severe rain and snow event which occurred early August,

installation of the new playground at Avoca, installation of two electric vehicle charging points in Campbell Town, welcoming Rural Alive and Well (RAW) into our community and many more."

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rethink road knockbackSuperintendent's online Northern prison comments 'inappropriate'Fans locked out from Launceston carnivalCOVID-19 relief package The council implemented its $1.1

million Community Care and Recovery Package in response to the pandemic, with a zero per cent increase in general rates for the year.

It allowed a remission of commercial, and sport and recreation rates for four months. It also included a lease holiday for sporting clubs/community groups using council sporting or

recreation facilities from April 1 until September 30.

The package included a number of grants, with $75,000 for event recovery and $25,000 in community grants and a hardship rates policy was introduced for those struggling.

Capital works The $3.2 million Campbell Town Recreation Ground complex upgrades won the AFL Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Award.

The municipality completed the first stage of upgrades to Morven Park Recreation Ground clubroom facilities at Evandale.

The $968,600 project added a further two change rooms, with showers, toilets and a massage room. A $430,300 grant was awarded to the council for the project in the 2018/19 Levelling the

Playing Field grants.

The more than $2.6 million Longford Recreation Ground's upgrades were also completed this year.

Originally it had budgeted for $1,778,409 plus $209,000 in approved variations. However, this blew out to $2,643,370 to complete the project. It included upgrading a function centre, storage

shed, change rooms, umpire facilities and public toilets.

Capital works push to continue in the Northern Midlands Additionally the first stage of the Longford Sports Centre got underway. Originally it had budgeted for $1,778,409 plus $209,000 in

approved variations. However, this blew out to $2,643,370 to complete the project.

It included upgrading a function centre, storage shed, change rooms, umpire facilities and public toilets.

The first stage of the extension of the Longford Sports Centre was completed. The $1.25 million project will be funded by the council itself, with the help of a $1 million five year interest

free loan from the state government.

Norfolk Street woes The beginning of the year began with controversy regarding the amount the council paid for 10 Norfolk Street, but this soon shifted to the council's other land purchase

at 32 Norfolk St.

The site features a mid-1800s cottage and a well.

A report commissioned by the council had previously stated the well was constructed using about 500 convict-era bricks, but a new independent report believes they are handmade sandstock

bricks from 1885 to 1890.

It plans to subdivide the block into three blocks: two residential blocks, with one featuring the well, and one block for open space.

However, some in the community have been fighting to try and have the well and cottage added to the open space on its historic value to no avail.

Capital works push to continue in the Northern MidlandsSwimming pools The council runs three pools in the municipality and admitted it can not replicate funding for all in future and will

use a strategy guided by community consultation to decide changes.

This includes Cressy, Ross and Campbell Town pools.

It planned to dispose of the Ross Swimming Pool in May, before it backtracked on its decision in June after community pressure and decided on a strategy for all municipality pools instead.

The council will develop a swimming pool strategy plan using three community consultations from October to gain insight into each town's perspective on their pool's future.

The year was rounded out by controversy surrounding Campbell Town Pool, with a standoff taking place between the council and the committee. Until this week, when the council agreed to find a

solution to child safety concerns about the use of public shared facilities at the town's recreation ground.

Cemetery audit About 30 headstones were thought to be in breach of the Longford Cemetery's height rules during an audit in February.

The council's policy, which was last amended in July 2017 and is due for review in 2021, states:

The maximum allowable dimensions for a headstone in a limited monumental lawn cemetery are 900mm wide, 400mm high and 150mm deep - no structures are to encroach on to the area that is

maintained by council.

The issue caused angst and outrage in the community, with the decision by the council made to not touch the headstones.

What 2021 looks like The council's focus will be on the new Perth Early Learning Centre, upgrades to the Longford Village Green , Longford streetscape and completion of the Ross Village

Green.

"In 2021 we are looking forward to the ... upgrades to the Cressy Pool and Cressy Recreation Ground, establishment of the Ross Village Green, completion of our extensive road, reserves, and

footpath improvement programs, and we look forward to welcoming Veterans Cricket Tasmania to their new home in Ross," she said.

"We also plan to take ownership of several roads in the Northern Midlands from the state government which allows our works department to regularly maintain them and keep them tidy. This

includes roads and road reserves that surround the Perth bypass to allow our staff to improve the Perth Main Street amenity and associated road reserves."

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ShareFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyIsobel CootesJournalistSports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via

The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The

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