Glenorchy City Council held its tenth meeting for 2023 on Monday 30 October. All 10 Elected Members were present. Highlights from the meeting are as follows:
AFL High Performance Centre Proposal
The state government is currently seeking expressions of interest in the proposed AFL high performance training centre.
After exploring potential sites within the municipal area, officers presented the option for an AFL high performance training centre located across both KGV Oval and the Eady St Recreation Reserve. Council noted that such a proposal would displace four community sporting clubs and likely place restrictions on another.
Council considered the benefit of being a home to an AFL high performance training centre, however also considered the impact on community clubs and ratepayers if the proposal was to proceed.
Council considered the shortage of not only playing fields for community sport but also land to develop new ones, and the extremely difficult, if not impossible, task to relocate community clubs, as well as incurring a significant cost to the ratepayer.
Council welcomed the engagement with the State Government on this issue and acknowledged that whilst there are people in the community who feel Glenorchy would be a good location for such a facility, the option was not as well regarded as others in the Greater Hobart area.
Council resolved that it will not make a submission to the State Government for an AFL high-performance training centre to be based in the City of Glenorchy.
Quarterly Report – Quarter 1 Ending 30 September 2023
Council received the first quarterly report on Council’s progress against the Annual Plan for 2023/2024. The new look quarterly report includes progress on measures in this year’s Annual Plan and a Planning Progress report as a new addition to this reporting structure.
Once again there continues to be a large amount of detailed information, demonstrating that Council is working hard to deliver for the community, including some highlights of the quarter below:
- Submission to Local Government Review Board
- Cultural Celebrations Grants – release of a grant program to celebrate our communities cultural diversity
- Adoption of Council’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
- Council welcomes new Alderman Shane Alderton to the Council
- Glenorchy Memorial Pool – decision made to not open the pool for this season
- Disposal of Council Land by way of donation to Karadi – 12 Rothesay Circle, Goodwood
- Annual Report on Proceeds of Property Disposals.
Business Improvement Quarterly Update
Council received detailed quarterly reports on four current projects, being Project Hudson (the ITC project to improve our customer experience, improve Council’s efficiency and Council’s employee experience) The Moonah Arts Centre Business Plan, Child Care Connections and the Community Development Action Plan.
Project Hudson reports that timelines and development are in place for the “go-live” dates for the finance modules, community modules and community assets modules to be rolled out over the next 12 months. Over 90 workshops have been scheduled with staff to enact this major project.
Moonah Arts Centre (MAC) has commenced several new projects as outlined in the new business plan inclusive of a new 7 metre ‘Moonah Arts Centre’ sign on the Albert Road façade, development and design of collateral for commercial clientele, regular e-newsletters, additional branding and wayfinding signage for MAC’s forecourt and foyer, increasing welcoming and inclusive signage, and a redesign of the centre’s current website.
The above aims to increase MAC’s public profile and physical presence in the community.
Both of Council’s Child Care services have functioned well during the past quarter with strong demand for care and waitlists at both centres. The Benjafield Centre received an assessment and rating visit by the State Government’s Education and Care Unit in August and has received the draft report which details all areas have achieved the rating of ‘meeting’ the requirements with themes in some areas noted as “exceeding”. This is an excellent result. Improvements to the facilities continue with both centres currently achieving above their annual budget projections.
The community development section reported the following highlights for the quarter: the 26TEN Community Program involved 220 people in a variety of programs, workshops and events; the Multicultural Hub had an estimated 3,828 people involved in a range of cultural activities; Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan was finalised and launched, including the commissioning of a significant artwork for display at Council Chambers; and Council’s partnership with the Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) to deliver the high visibility program on weekday afternoons, has seen a range of young people receiving intensive support.
Capital Works Status Report
Council received its regular update on the Capital Works program for 2023/2024.
Council’s Capital Works program for this year has an annual budget of $32.686m with the major grant funded projects making up close to half of the annual capital works program. At the end of the September quarter, $2.019m has been expended on Council funded recurrent projects and $2.246m for Grant Funded / Major Projects.
A summary of project progress is as follows:
Giblins Reserve Playspace – This $3.2m project ($2m Australian Government, $1.4m Council) inclusive of playspace, youth activity space and new public toilets is expected to be fully complete near the end of the calendar year.
Montrose Bay Foreshore Skatepark – The $620,000 project funded through State and Federal government grants is complete and open for public use. There remains some minor irrigation works to be completed adjacent to the skatepark.
Council Chambers Solar Panel Installation and Roof Upgrades –This project that will make an approximate $25,000 per annum savings in electricity costs is awaiting final engineered roof tie downs that are required in a section of the building. The tie down points are required due to the wind loading for this area. Once the tiedown points are completed the solar panel installation can be completed.
Football Packages
KGV – To date, 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.
Construction of the new changerooms and public toilets has commenced and is well underway. Floor slabs have been poured in early October 2023.
North Chigwell – Ground works and new LED lighting are now complete at the North Chigwell and the new natural turfs are in use.
A development application for the new club house facilities has been approved by Council and the tender for the construction was advertised in early October 2023.
Tolosa Park Dam Reintegration Project – The estimated $6.208m cost of the Stage have commenced in September 2023 and are now well underway with a large section of the dam wall being relocated into the site. The completion of earthworks is expected in April 2024.
Playground Renewal Program – The $1m Benjafield playground in Moonah is well underway and expected completion will be around the end of this calendar year.
Council has also received a grant deed from the Australian Government for a $1.5m election commitment for playground renewals that was made at the last federal election. These funds will provide a further acceleration of the playground renewal program and includes the renewal of the following playspaces:
- Alroy Court, Rosetta
- Cooinda Park, West Moonah
- Roseneath Reserve, Austins Ferry
- Chandos Drive Reserve, Berriedale
- Pitcairn Street Reserve, Montrose
- Battersby Drive, Claremont
- Collinsvale Reserve, Collinsvale (completed)
- Lutana Woodlands, Lutana
- Barossa Road, Glenorchy
- International Peace Park, Berriedale
Many of these playspaces will be completed in the current financial year. The majority of these playspaces are currently out for pricing, and construction timeframes will be confirmed following this.
Glenorchy Memorial Pool
The Mayor commenced the meeting with some opening remarks regarding the recent Community Yarn where Council answered a range of questions from the public in relation to the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool.
All information in relation to the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool is provided on Council’s Website https://www.gcc.tas.gov.au, including the way forward in investigating options for the future of the site, including pool redevelopment and other options.
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/