CLAYTON'S GRAFFITI FOR LAUNCESTON?!

 

PLEASE CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The City of Launceston council has announced the Paterson Street East car park will receive an artistic facelift courtesy of a newly planned mural.

The council has released an expression of interest for two artists to take on the project which will paint two walls on the building's cream-coloured facade with a large-scale artwork. [WHY only a painted mural? ... Not explained!]

The project is a collaboration between Tasmanian street art advocacy collective Vibrance - a group supporting Tasmanian creatives working in street art and graffiti - and City of Launceston. [OK but WHY only a painted mural? ... Not explained!]

"The Paterson St East Car Park is a brilliant location and I can't wait to see some quality submissions," Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood said. [WELL YES! BUT AFTER ALL this is a public building in a public space ... So what was the approval process and the community consultation process? ]

"I think that it's really important to engage and create opportunities for not only Tassie artists, but those who want to express themselves creatively. [YES but when is the public engagement to take place ... While this may have the apparent approval of the elected representatives when was it on the agenda at any open council meeting?]

"We need to have outlets that continue to build upon our incredibly creative and vibrant arts culture and identity, and I hope that these sorts of initiatives assist in building that sense of pride and purpose. [ POSSIBLY but on what grounds is this assertion mad in this case and where is the STRATEGIC POLICY determination that backs it up?

"I'd rather see these sorts of projects - that harness the interest of our community with the ability to engage positively - than those expressed through illegal scribble tag." [ POSSIBLY but on what grounds is this founded given that "illegal scribble tags are a kind of social indicators that should alert 'governance' to serious community issues" ... GRAFFITI IS A SOCIAL BAROMETER ... That is its real value]

Both far side facades on the Paterson Street East car park entrance are up for murals with council's announcent of an EOI. Picture by Craig George

The expression of interest form states that, while Tasmanian artists at all career stages will be considered for the street art project, artists who already have a proven track record for producing large-scale public murals are especially encouraged to apply. [WELL YES! But why is this apparently blanded down apparently non-confrontational STREETart(??) on the agenda. Indeed, what might the apparent and likely outcome have to offer in regard to Launceston's cultural landscape and culturalncapital?]

After the successful artists are chosen, planning and design for the project will begin in November, with the intent being to present the completed drafts in January next year before the painters take on one wall each in February. [WERE ARE THE APPROVAL PROCESS ARTICULATED AND WHO GETS A VOICE WITHIN THEM?]

Artists will be selected by a panel comprising representatives from Vibrance, the City of Launceston, Launceston Central and the Council's Cultural Advisory Committee. [WELL YES! But in reference to what brief published where?]

Applications for the project close at midnight on November 20. More details can be found at the Vibrance website.

COMMENT: The process as it apparently stands has all the hallmarks of the failed MALL TASMANIAN THYLACINES PROJECT along with other contentious' cultural installations' . It appears that yet again the Community of Ownership and Interest have not been considered. The danger here is that due to the arrogance and naivety of the process is that lowest common denominator exemplar of CLAYTONSart that say little of importance. It is the risk and risk that has apparently not been considered and sadly so.

For those who have not given STREETart much thought it is understood to be visual art created in public locations for public visibility. It has been associated with the terms "independent art", "post-graffiti", "neo-graffiti" and "guerrilla art". Its reason for being is ton contest ideas.

STREETart has evolved from the early forms of defiant graffiti into a more commercial form of art, as one of the main differences now lies with the messaging.

STREETart is often/usually meant to provoke thought rather than rejection among the general audience through making its purpose more evident than that of graffiti.

The issue of permission has also come at the heart of STREETart, as graffiti is usually done illegally, whereas STREETart can nowadays be the product of an agreement or even sometimes a commission – a blanded down shadow of real graffiti. However, it remains different from traditional art exposed in public spaces by its explicit use of said space in the conception phase for the contest of ideas typically aimed challenging the status quo rather than celebrating the "nice stuff".

PLEASE CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE

KISSING COPS LINK

PLEASE CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE

OH HOW CAN THIS BE? ...'I've had people call me wanting to buy it' ..HOW?

 

'I've had people call me wanting to buy it': Kindy sale still on the cards By Joe Colbrook Updated October 20 2023 - 9:54am, first published 5:30am

Mayor Matthew Garwood says he has personally received calls from people interested in buying a heritage-listed, council-owned kindergarten, as a bid to rule out that possibility failed.

The City of Launceston council is seeking expressions of interest for the future use and potential sale of 56 Frederick Street, believed to be the oldest kindergarten or infant school in Australia.

A motion by Tim Walker to prevent the council entertaining offers on

56 Frederick Street failed. Picture by Paul Scambler

Councillor Tim Walker tabled a notice of motion at the October 19 council meeting to halt that process, extend it to six weeks, and restart it without giving the council the option of selling the building. [ Simply reflecting community concerns]

Cr Walker said the building should remain in council hands, and become a space for all to use.

"We have an extremely significant building in Launceston, built by the people of Launceston, given by the people of Launceston to Launceston Council 136 years ago," he said. [ Simply reflecting community concerns]

"Let's create a community space. I'm not talking about malls and shopping centres or plazas in front of universities and things like that. I'm talking about significant public spaces that bring society together." [ IF you are actually asking what that could be why not ASK the experts ... the community]

Only councillors Susie Cai, Joe Pentridge and George Razay joined Cr Walker in supporting the motion, and Crs Cai and Pentridge said community groups needed more time to develop use cases. [ All elected by constituents seeking change to the status quo and thus representing their constituency]

Responding to a question by Cr Pentridge, the mayor said no formal expressions of interest involving the sale of the property had been received.

However, he said there were people in Launceston interested in buying the building. [ How might he know this IF the EoI PROCESS was fair dinkum?]

"We haven't received any expressions of interest, but that doesn't mean that we haven't had people ... expressing their interest," Cr Garwood said. [ AGAIN, how might he know this IF the EoI PROCESS was fair dinkum?]

"I've had people call me wanting to buy it. I've had people call me that want to use it on a Tuesday afternoon only. [ Why is he accapting these calls IF the EoI PROCESS is actually fair dinkum?]

"There's been people interested, but there's been no expressions that have come through the process." [AGAIN, IF the EoI PROCESS was fair dinkum and carried out at 'arms length' nobody should know this given the 'CONFIDENTIALITY' that is noted in the EoI PROCESS described on the EoI form]

The mayor said he would not support Cr Walker's motion as seeking out all ideas would allow the council to make an informed choice and keep Launceston progressing to its "incredible, next, best self". [ SO, is the Mayor now conflicted along with a cohort of other Councillors? Sadly yhat has become a live question.]

Councillor Danny Gibson did not support the motion as it was "superfluous", as the council was under no obligation to sell the building even if it received such an expression of interest.  [BUT Cr. Gibson has clearly implied that this 'place' is 'surplus to requirement' so will he or will he not be assessing EoI's with an open mind in a process that is increasingly looking like it has possibly been compromised]

Cr Gibson said community groups did not need fully-fleshed proposals at this stage. [ However If  they were to follow Cr. Gibson's advice  and they dare to do what he says they might do, given the now percieved bias, their EoI will most likely sink like a stone. Why set them up for that?]

"There is currently an opportunity for an expression of interest process that allows for first stage indications of what people could use the site for," he said.[For an above board process that might be so? Who will invest time and money in a process that bears the hallmarks conflicted interests?]

"This doesn't require a 24-page fully developed proposal from nonprofit group one, philanthropic group two, or landcare group three, or bread provider four." [REALLY, is this a set up or not. In the vernacular ... if itlooks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is more than likely ... A DUCK!] 

Councillor Alan Harris - who attended the school as a child - said councillors visited the building and saw it was in need of an overhaul, which might not happen unless it was sold to private enterprise. [OH really, the good Councillor presumes to know what what resources a 'community group' might have access to. If you have been lobbied by 'private enterprise' one might imagine that one just cannot imagine this or that ... SO, conceivably the process as a 'process' is increasingly looking like it has been compromised]

"Interestingly, when we walked in there, and I walked out the back to the toilets, the toilets hadn't changed and they weren't very good in 1966," he said. [OH really, the good Councillor has a long memory]

"It is a building that needs a lot of money spent on it, and it is money that Cr Walker's motion wishes to cut out. [Just what is the good Councillor saying here?]

"If I'm a not-for-profit, and I'm going to invest significant funds in a property that I don't own, I might not put my idea forward." [Again, just does the good Councillor know about the resources a not-for-profit can muster, what their motives might be. Not everything is about money and thanks for the wisdom that might not be provided with a moral compass in hand]

The expressions of interest period ends on November 3. [IF this process actually passes the PUB TEST after it stops a barbeque or three]

NB: Someone wiser than most said something like, 'for every credibility gap there is a gullibility gap. Then again, Confucius, the sage who did not live to see his days of glory in his lifetime when his teachings were received with scorn. Nonetheless, that was about 2,500 years ago and now some of his' 'teachings' cut right to the point ... like here "In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of."

DEPUTY PREMIER'S MISSIVE ON PLANNING

 

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

PLEASE DO NOT SELL 56 FREDERICK ST. PROPERTY

 

Councillor Tim Walker calls on colleagues to rule out Frederick Street property sale

By Joe Colbrook October 17 2023 - 4:30am

A Frederick Street property - possibly the nation's oldest infant school - could go under the hammer, however one Launceston councillor is calling for that option to be taken off the table.

City of Launceston councillors will vote on a motion tabled by councillor Tim Walker that calls for the current expressions of interest process relating to 56 Frederick Street be stopped, altered, and restarted.

Launceston councillor Tim Walker says selling 56 Frederick Street should not be on the table. Picture by Paul Scambler

The alterations include explicitly ruling out the sale of the property, prioritising community use, and extending the submission deadline to 60 days.

Cr Walker said he "didn't want there to be a chance" that the council would sell the building after receiving an offer "too good to refuse".

Instead, his preference was to keep the building as a community hub as it was well-positioned in the CBD, and potential uses included an arts centre or history precinct.

"This is exactly the sort of thing that can help to build community," Cr Walker said.

"That's really important at the moment.

"We can't hope to address things like antisocial behaviour, if we're not trying to do something different, if we're not trying to provide ways to create connections and build community trust and values. It's a slow road."

He said it was particularly important to retain public spaces, as several - mostly owned other levels of government - had been turned over to private hands over the years.

Councillor Tim Walker. Picture by Rod Thompson

Cr Walker said the sale of the property could be "well-intentioned through economic rationalism", and the council had to consider where its priorities lay when it came to spending the millions it brought in with rates.

"I personally believe that ratepayers want us to do the right thing by the community with that money," he said.

"It would be different if we were a business - and I think this is at the heart of the problem - that some people think of council as a business and think of the councillors as board members.

"That's not what we are. We are obviously a level of government but we are there to create the greatest good from the money that we have."

In a response to the motion, council chief executive officer Michael Stretton said the current expression of interest process was the first stage of several, and was intentionally broad.

"The expression of interest process ... is intentionally broad in scope in order to identify the full range of interest and proposals for the future use of the building," Mr Stretton said.

"Importantly the EOI process has not ruled any options in or out at this stage, which was the direction provided by the council.

"The EOI process also enables the councillors to consider all submissions and make a decision not to sell the building if that is its preference."

Councillors will vote on the motion at their October 19 meeting.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST 56 FREDERICK ST LAUNCESTON PROCESS

PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGET O ENLARGE

In response to questions sent by email the following answers have been provided City op Launceston Council's management:

1. Can you please explain why I’m finding it impossible to download an ‘EoI Form’ from the Council site as indicated in Saturday’s Examiner advertisement?

 

I am unable to explain why you are unable to open the documents, although the reason may relate to your software settings or hardware. I have checked our website this morning and the documents download fine.

 

2. Must an EoI be submitted Council on a Council Form and if so, why so?

 

Yes. The reason is to ensure that base line information is received.

 

3. Is it actually the case that ‘anyone from anywhere’ can lodge an EoI in regard to 56 Frederick St. Launceston?

 

Yes.

 

4. Are there any assessment criteria that anyone, say such as myself, who is intending to lodge an EoI might need to know about?

 

Please refer to clause 1.6 of the EOI documentation for what will be considered in the review of the submissions. 

 

5. Can you please explain the EoI Assessment Process?

 

All submissions received by 2 pm on 3 November 2023 will be considered by an evaluation panel, then by               Council.

 

6. Can you please tell who be carrying out the assessment of EoI, when and where?

 

No. The assessment panel is yet to be convened. 

 

7. Can you please tell me when an outcome of the EoI process will be announced to the public along with those lodging an EoI?

 

Details will be released following consideration by Council. 

 

8. Can you please explain why there wasn’t anybody willing to take my call on Friday morning when I called to put these questions?

 

Your interactions with the Council are regulated by your Communications Protocol.

 

9. Since you indicate that I must put my questions in writing, when can I reasonably expect answers to my questions? 

 

Please accept this email as satisfying this question.

Be assured, not making a decision is in fact a decision. Actually, it is a decision to maintain the status quo – the enemy of progress.  Anyway, you will never know anything unless you test it. So give it a go just so that you know. If you are inclined to act, go see something happen now. You can break your big plan into small steps but take your first step right away, right now.

 In Les Misérables, Victor Hugo said, “The straight line, a respectable optical illusion which ruins many a man.” 

Click on the image to enlarge

CITY of LAUNCESTON HOUSE'S ROCHERLEA HOUSE FIRE: Coincidence or a pattern

Once An Accident, Twice A Coincidence, Three Times A Pattern

"Find the cause of your success and failures. Correlation is certainly not cause, and neither is coincidence.

My dogs paw a door they want opened. The door is only opened when I’m around and going where they want to go. An occasional correlation isn’t cause.

Some people find the real buyer in a meeting they were having with a non-buyer they thought was the buyer. That’s coincidence (luck). So is wearing a favorite outfit or rubbing a lucky coin.

All this may seem self-evident, but too many of us spend time focused on the wrong elements rather than true cause. The problem with cold calling, for example, is that if you find one buyer by accident or coincidence and get the appointment, you work more on that technique – which fails 99 percent of the time.

If you find a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk, you may seek to find its owner or you may determine it’s your lucky day. But you’re not going to quit your profession and go in search of hundred dollar bills on the sidewalk to make your living.

Not if you’re sane."

© Alan Weiss 2017

In addition to the house fires there have apparently been

a number of cars torched on this property the question is

this the case?

PLEASE CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Multiple fires at council-owned property under investigation ... By Declan Durrant Updated October 15 2023

Police are investigating two structure fires which broke out on the same council-owned Rocherlea property on Saturday afternoon and evening, which has previously been victim to arson attacks.

A derelict house and shed were completely destroyed by the separate fires which occurred four hours apart on Russells Plains road on Saturday, October 14.

Tasmania Police confirmed the property was owned by the City of Launceston Council.

Tasmania Fire Service attended the first structure fire at the property about 4:50pm to find a shed had been completely destroyed by fire which had been "impinging on a house" on the property.

Crews brought the fire under control and left the site only to be called back about 9:55pm to find the house engulfed in flames.

A TFS spokesperson said the fire was then contained by firefighters to the house, "making sure it didn't spread" and let it destroy the building.

The matter has since been handed over to police and is being investigated.

"There is some unknown cause that police are following up to why [the fires] started," the spokesperson said.

A file image of 126-128 Russells Plains road, Rocherlea. Picture by Craig George

A Tasmania Police spokesperson said the fires were being investigated by the criminal investigation branch and forensic teams, and had not confirmed if they were lit deliberately.

Meanwhile, the council has been discussing a property previously target of an arson attack in June 2022.

That property on Russells Plains Road has since been approved for demolition in September this year.

During council discussions, documents were brought to table that stated residents had to deal with trespassers, wood hookers, illegal dumping and theft.

Launceston Council has been contacted for comment.

/////////////////////////////

Rocherlea house fire under investigation for arson ... June 6 2022

Arson event in Rocherlea under investigation by police

A deliberately lit fire in Rocherlea has been brought under control by the Tasmanian Fire Service.

A spokesperson for the TFS said the structure fire had been contained to one room, and there were no occupants in the house at the time of the blaze.

Two heavy pumpers and one heavy tanker attended the site, along with Tasmania Police.

The TFS spokesperson said police were investigating the fire but could not provide any further details at the time.

Investigations are on going.

REALITY CHECK: THE APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL MANAGERS IN TASMANIA

 

THE BALL HAS BEEN DROPPED AND
RATEPAYERS ARE PAYING DEARLY

EXAMINER OCTOBER 14 2021

Tasmanian councils criticised for appointment and assessment processes for general manager positions ... Matt Maloney

Council GM appointments, assessments panned in report

Councils have been put on notice by the state's Local Government Minister to strictly follow legal requirements regarding recruitment and performance assessments of general managers.

This comes after a report from the state's Auditor-General found 12 Tasmanian councils were failing in these key areas.

Auditor-General Rod Whitehead recently inquired into the recruitment, selection and appointment of general managers at six councils, including the Burnie, George Town, Meander Valley, and West Coast councils.

Council performance assessments for general managers were analysed at another six councils, including the Northern Midlands, Circular Head, and Launceston councils.

Mr Whitehead concluded councils had not managed the recruitment, appointment, and performance assessment of local government council general managers effectively.

"The recruitment and appointment of general managers was not conducted in accordance with the principle of transparency because for two councils there were deficiencies in the approach to declaring and managing conflicts of interest," he said.

"For all councils, there was an absence of documentation to support either shortlisting or preferred applicant decisions."

Mr Whitehead said there were instances where general manager reappointments and salary increases occurred without reference to recent performance assessments.

He said none of the councils he audited conducted a performance assessment that was consistent with contemporary human resources practice.

"Councils sought feedback on the general manager's performance from councillors and direct reports to varying degrees of success," Mr Whitehead said.

"In addition, three of the salary increases and two of the reappointments reviewed were not tied to the performance assessment."

Local Government Minister Roger Jaensch (pictured) on Wednesday said he would issue an order relating to appointment and performance of general manager for all councils to follow.

QUESTIONS HANGING

Was the order issued and have Councillors' complied with the orders in full?

Indeed, what has the outcome been in regard to the orders?

Have subsequent Ministers followed up on the progress and outcomes?

A kanamalukaTAMAR/ESK REPAIR CAFE COLLECTIVE

 

 

 

If we make the effort we can fix a lot of things, and even if

we may not be able to fix stupidity it is worth our best shot!
Bhadase (THEyonger)

FREDERICK STREET ... Councillors considered the future of a property on Frederick Street, owned by the City of Launceston council, at a workshop in early May.

56 Frederick Street was a childcare facility on a property just over 900 metres squared.

Built in 1836, the house is on the Tasmanian Heritage Register and is of historical significance because it may possibly be the oldest existing kindergarten or infant school in Australia.

The house is valued at around $650,000 by CoreLogic's Property value site.

At the May 18 council meeting, councillors highlighted the importance of the Fredrick street building.

"This is a building the council has owned for approximately 130 years," councillor Tim Walker said.

"This is a building of some importance not just to the people who have gone there, but for generations before us for different reasons."

City of Launceston acting mayor Matthew Garwood said the council's assets played an important part of the community.

"Council officers are exploring the potential of a public expressions of interest process for the future use of 56 Frederick Street," he said.

"It's expected that a recommendation will be brought to a council meeting once the process is explored."