Glenorchy City Council held its eighth Ordinary Council Meeting for 2024 on Monday 26 August. 10 Elected Members were present.
Highlights from the meeting include:
Announcements by the Chair
The Mayor provided several updates on important issues to the Council and community.
Regarding the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool, the Mayor advised that Council continues to work with a range of professionals including engineers, architects, building surveyors, and quantity surveyors to plan and design the required upgrades within the allocated budget of $5 million for repair.
Following the engineering assessment of the required pool and plant works, the teams have now assessed the administration, changerooms, and toilet facilities and developed cost estimates for both the required and recommended works.
These works are now being refined into detailed designs for approval, which will then form contract documentation for tender(?) once we have received the $5 million from the State Government.
Council is continuing to focus on and advocate for a safer city. Earlier this month Tas Police ran Operation Saturate across the Council Area resulting in:
- 4 x arrests.
- 2 x summonses issued.
- 1 x infringement notice issued.
- 2 x youth diversions issued.
- 7 x people issued a formal direction to leave the area.
- 12 x drug detections made.
- 3 x cautions issued for alcohol offences.
Aside from continuing to work with police in a collaborative and coordinated way, our Communities Team are working tirelessly every weekday on Council lawns engaging with young people and connecting them with the services they need.
Council is committing significant resources to this youth engagement work but is restricted by the lack of a safe space to provide the care and attention many of these young people need. Therefore, Council is lobbying government for a dedicated space for a youth hub.
Last week, the Mayor and General Manager met with the Premier and Minister Jaensch (Minister for Children and Youth, Minister for Community Services, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) and Minister Ellis (Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Minister for Housing and Planning, Minister for Skills and Training) and discussed this issue directly with them.
At this meeting, an increased police presence in Glenorchy and support to establish a dedicated youth hub was sought from the Premier together with his and his parliamentary colleague’s involvement in Council’s city safety strategy.
Glenorchy War Memorial Pool – Business Case and Grant Funding Opportunities
Prior to this month’s Council meeting, Elected Members were thoroughly briefed by MI Global and Council officers on the best option for a redeveloped pool, taking into consideration; the community’s wishes, the return on investment, and the social, health, and community benefits. During MI Global’s first round of consultation, it became clear to Council that the community wanted to retain a contemporary swimming pool facility in Glenorchy.
Council endorsed MI Global’s recommended option 4 plus the inclusion of gym/health club facilities to proceed to the final stage of developing a business case. Further, council endorsed the lodgement of a grant application for the uPPP grant program for the full amount possible and will seek to negotiate the shortfall.
Cultural Celebration Grants Application and Guidelines
Council approved an updated Cultural Celebration Grants Application and Guidelines form and endorsed the appointment of Mayor Sue Hickey to the Cultural Celebration Grants Working Group. Congratulations Mayor Hickey.
Cultural Celebration Grants applications are now open, see our website for more information.
Media and Communications Framework
Council endorsed a Media and Communications Policy as a part of a new Media and Communications Framework. The framework consists of a:
- Media and Communications Policy that provides objectives and guidelines that govern how Council communicates with stakeholders. It also gives guidance on the role of the Mayor as official spokesperson of Council.
- Social and Other Media Directive that sets out Council’s position about the rights and obligations of employees when engaging with the media, including social media.
- Media and Communications Plan that sets out why, with whom and how Council communicates with its stakeholders. It also aims to support Council’s communications by guiding transparency and structured decisions about content and messaging.
- Media and Communications Toolkit that includes a set of resources that provide practical guidance for Council staff and Elected Members to communicate with stakeholders.
Intention to Make an Animal Management By-Law
The current Animal Management By-Law has expired and therefore a review of the by-law has been conducted. Council approved the commencement of the process for making a new Animal Management By-law.
The proposed By-Law included the types of restrictions common amongst many other councils in Tasmania.
The objective of the proposed By-law is to provide a mechanism which will enable Council to manage animals within our area. In doing so, Council will continue to ensure that the residents of the community enjoy the benefits of owning animals, whilst still ensuring that animals do not detract from the amenity of the community.
Review of Council’s Code for Tenders and Contracts
Council’s current Code for Tenders and Contracts expires on 28 September 2024. Following a review, Council adopted a revised and simplified Code for Tenders and Contracts effective from 28 September 2024.
Business Updates
A monthly financial performance update for July was also provided which keeps Council up to date with regular high level financial information.
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/