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Thursday, October 19, 2023
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
PLEASE DO NOT SELL 56 FREDERICK ST. PROPERTY
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.
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.
Monday, October 16, 2023
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST 56 FREDERICK ST LAUNCESTON PROCESS
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In response to questions sent by email the following answers have been provided City op Launceston Council's management:
- 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.
- 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.
- Is it actually the case that ‘anyone from anywhere’ can lodge an EoI in regard to 56 Frederick St. Launceston?
Yes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Can you please tell who be carrying out the assessment of EoI, when and where?
No. The assessment panel is yet to be convened.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
In Les Misérables, Victor Hugo said, “The straight line, a respectable optical illusion which ruins many a man.”
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Sunday, October 15, 2023
CITY of LAUNCESTON HOUSE'S ROCHERLEA HOUSE FIRE: Coincidence or a pattern
Once An Accident, Twice A Coincidence, Three Times A PatternMy 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?
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Multiple fires at council-owned property under investigation ... By Declan Durrant Updated October 15 2023Police 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.
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.
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Rocherlea house fire under investigation for arson ... June 6 2022Arson 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.
Friday, October 13, 2023
REALITY CHECK: THE APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL MANAGERS IN TASMANIA
THE BALL HAS BEEN DROPPED AND
RATEPAYERS ARE PAYING DEARLY
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)
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.
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."
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
THREE QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL
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Monday, September 25, 2023
HOUSING SUBMISSIONS
Housing and HOMEmaking matter and for the most part it should be high on the priority list for just about everybody. Having a safe, a secure and a friendly place to shelter is a fundamental human right.
So if you have something to say, SAY IT NOW!
It would be really good if our elected representatives in local government, as individuals, said something and likewise if those who value a safe HOMEplace also had something to say.
If we are to have a viable National Housing Plan we need to contribute as individuals, as a neighbourhood, as concerned citizens, so have a say.
AND HEY, if you have something to say share it around and let’s not have our ideas, our visions, our aspirations hidden away in some government report on a dusty shelf!
THE BRFIGET ARCHER REPORT
Northern Tasmania has the highest proportion of people waiting for social housing in the state. Every single day my office is contacted by members of our community, desperate to secure a roof over their head.
I will always fight for what’s best for my community, no matter who is responsible for putting the legislation in front of me. If it will deliver better outcomes for the region I represent, it will get my vote. This is why I supported the Housing Australia Future Fund legislation earlier this month.
NB: Note who is not in the house behind Bridget Archer to support her representation of her constituents
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