Three to retire from council

THE names of three of my council colleagues were missing from the list of candidates released by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission today. Deputy mayor Craig Farrell MLC and councillors Jim Elliott and Narelle Hill have reached the end of their four-year terms and have not nominated for re-election.

Please note: Following the issuing of the notice of election, comments relating to the election must include the given name, surname and locality of the writer. Anonymous comments cannot be published. 

Candidate statement - Simon Rolfe

Simon Rolfe

COUNCIL election candidate Simon Rolfe has sent me the following statement for publication. Other candidates seeking election in our municipality are welcome to do the same.

"Having lived in the Derwent Valley for the past 10 years I feel ready to offer myself as a candidate for Local Government Elections. My partner Cathie and I have lived in the rural areas of the municipality and now reside in the heart of New Norfolk. I run a small computer and local history business in the Valley and I see the need for improved public services as I travel around the municipality. There is the need for real planning to ensure that the residents of our community have the best opportunities possible whilst maintaining our unique local heritage. We need to plan ahead and help develop local businesses so that our children have the employment opportunities of the future available to them. We need to develop pathways for locals to be able to access the education and jobs necessary to strengthen our community.  Simon Rolfe."

All Derwent Valley Council election candidates are invited to send me their details for publication on this website. Profiles, policy statements and photographs are welcome. Email: damianbester@gmail.com

Please note: Following the issuing of the notice of election, comments relating to the election must include the given name, surname and locality of the writer. Anonymous comments cannot be published. 

Election candidates named

Derwent Valley Council

Councillor - nine candidates (five to be elected)
BINGLEY, Phil, of New Norfolk
BROMFIELD, Judy, of New Norfolk
COWLEY, Dane, of New Norfolk
EVANS, Martyn John, of Magra
LESTER, Chris, of Magra
McDIARMID, Mark, of Magra
NICHOLSON, Tony, of Lachlan
ROLFE, Simon, of New Norfolk
SHOOBRIDGE, Wayne, of New Norfolk

Mayor - two candidates
EVANS, Martyn John
NICHOLSON, Tony

Deputy Mayor - three candidates
BROMFIELD, Judy
LATHEY, Barry Keith
SHOOBRIDGE, Wayne

Please note: following the issuing of the notice of election, all published comments on the council elections must now include the given name, surname and locality of the writer. Anonymous comments cannot be published during the election period.

September advertisement

BELOW is my latest councillor update, published in the Derwent Valley Gazette on September 14, 2011.

Council newsletter available

THE Derwent Valley Council has recently issued its first newsletter in some years. Click here to download a copy.

Nicholson nominates

FORMER Derwent Valley mayor Tony Nicholson has today advertised his candidacy for the positions of mayor and councillor in next month's local government elections. Mr Nicholson, of Lachlan, served several terms as a councillor and two years as mayor before losing his seat in 2009. Mr Nicholson's advertisement appears in this week's issue of the Derwent Valley Gazette, out today.

Please note: following the recent issuing of the notice of election, all published comments on the council elections must now include the given name, surname and locality of the writer. Anonymous comments cannot be published.

Have your say on the future

A GREAT opportunity exists for everyone to have their say on the future shape of local government in southern Tasmania. An independent panel was established by the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority and funded by the Federal Government to review the structure, and develop options for improving the
performance, of local government. The panel has called for public submissions, commissioned surveys and spoken with mayors and general managers, political parties and peak organisations.

Last night I attended an elected members session at the Hobart Town Hall which worked through the panel's recently released options paper. This session was led by the three expert panellists - Jude Munro, Saul Eslake and Stephen Hains.

The major thrust of the options paper is "structural options" to improve local government. The four options are: Status quo (12 councils) with shared services; Single southern council; Greater Hobart council (with minimal changes to rural councils); and Reducing the 12 southern councils to five.

On first impressions, the fourth option stands out as one that could bring about improved efficiencies and reduced duplication. This view was in the minority at my table last night, with my fellow rural councillors seeming to prefer the Greater Hobart model (Option 3).

What's your opinion? Head over to the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority website and check out the proposals for yourself. The expert panel is seeking feedback and comments via the same website and all these will be considered before the final report is written.

 Option 4: Reducing 12 councils to five.