The Authority What’s on?
Newsletter of the Cradle Coast Authority March / April 2012
17 April Cradle Coast Authority Board meeting. Contact Luke Sayer
Work commences on Tarkine Forest Drive Work has commenced on the Tarkine Forest Drive, reconstructing the Tayatea Bridge missing link and sealing the existing gravel roads.
19 April Cradle Coast NRM Committee meeting. Contact Richard Ingram
The bridge works are part of a larger project to improve tourist amenities and create an experience‐rich visitor circuit connecting Smithton, Marrawah, Arthur River and the Tayatea and Kanunnah Bridges. The Tayatea Bridge has been inaccessible since 2007 after it was washed away by floods.
22 April Cradle Coast NRM’s Rural Living Round-Up hobby farmer field day. Polytechnic Freer Farm. Contact Spencer Gibbs
Reconstruction is being managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) and overseen by the Tarkine Reference Group convened by the Cradle Coast Authority. DIER has also been testing techniques to mitigate road‐kill such as noise strips on the tarmac and wildlife exit corridors.
26 April Cradle Coast Authority Strategy Workshop. Contact Amanda Wilson
The potential increase in daytime tourist vehicles is not expected to impact the nocturnal Tasmanian Devils, although increases in the travelling speed of local traffic using the improved roads has been a key consideration in the Drive’s design.
4 May Biodiversity on Farms incentive program. Applications close 5pm. Contact Alison Dugand
Reference Group members recently visited the Tarkine Forest Drive to hear an update from DIER and were encouraged by the commencement of on‐ground works and the news that the Tayatea Bridge will be completed by mid year. Details of this and other proposed Tarkine tourism initiatives can be found in the Tarkine Tourism Development Strategy available from www.cradlecoast.com/tourism
Call us on 6431 6285 to find out more
Cradle Coast Authority 30 Marine Terrace (PO Box 338) Burnie 7320 Phone: 03 6431 6285 Fax: 03 6431 7014 E-mail: admin@cradlecoast.com
(Left): The Tarkine Reference Group inspect the road‐kill mitigation trial site (Right): Reconstruction work is underway on the Tayatea Bridge. Photos: Roger Jaensch
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The Authority
What Healthy Communities Initiatives are happening near you? The Cradle Coast Healthy Communities Initiative continues to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the region’s residents. All nine councils are busy rolling out their 2012 physical activity and healthy eating programs which are using local assets such as pathways, pools and fixed gym equipment and are often subsidised or free under the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing program. There are currently more than 500 adults taking part in physical activity and healthy eating programs across the region; many participants being unemployed and at risk of chronic disease. Circular Head Council’s Kilos for the Community got off to a great start in 2012 with residents nominating their personal health goals, getting help from a range of Council‐run programs and enjoying the motivation of friends, family members and their local community. The Council put together a 12‐week calendar of walking groups, classes in flexibility and strength building, aqua fitness sessions, boot camp training and more. Sessions are held in public spaces such as the West Esplanade and ANZAC Park plus at local schools and sporting facilities to inspire passers‐by. Another popular Healthy Communities Initiative is Burnie City Council’s Burnie Challenge which this year promises to be even bigger, muddier and more fun for participants. Individuals and teams help each other through a physically challenging obstacle course and prepare together in training sessions organised by the Council. The Burnie Challenge will be held on 15 April. To find out about the Healthy Communities Initiatives underway in your area, contact your Council office. Information on the Healthy Communities Initiative is also available from regional coordinator, Bev Hayhurst on 6431 6285.
Beachwatch volunteers take to the coast Devonport schools, Lions Clubs and Rotary Clubs are pulling on their gloves and tidying up their local beaches in a new program set to carry the spirit of Clean Up Australia Day right throughout the year. Under Cradle Coast NRM’s Beachwatch program, community groups have each adopted a Devonport beach and will collect litter, man‐made marine debris and generally keep an eye on their patch of coast‐ line in a volunteering effort similar to the widespread ‘adopt a highway’ scheme. The Lions Club of Devonport Mersey, Lions Club of Devonport, Devonport North Rotary Club, Devonport School of Special Education, Don College and East Devonport Primary School have all registered as Beachwatch group volunteers. Beachwatch began as a trial with the Devonport City Council and is now being introduced to other beaches and communities within the region. Enquiries are welcome by calling Cradle Coast NRM Facilitator, Dionna Newton, on 6431 6285.
March / April 2012
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E-waste collections prove popular With the growing consumer use and upgrading of computers, mobile phones, iPods and other electronic equipment, it’s no surprise that the region’s free e‐waste collections proved popular. Held in Burnie and Ulverstone, and replicated in Wynyard and Smithton, the collections provided an outlet for residents to drop off computer and home entertainment equipment including old mobile phones and phone batteries. The e‐waste collection was coordinated statewide by the Cradle Coast Regional Waste Management Group, Northern Tasmanian Waste Management Group and Southern Waste Strategy Authority. In our region it was also implemented with the assistance of Dulverton Waste Management, Waratah‐Wynyard Council and Circular Head Council. Read more about Regional Waste Manage‐ ment initiatives in the group’s annual plan available from: www.cradlecoast.com/publications (Left) Ulverstone e‐waste collection staff made it easy for residents to dispose of their unwanted electronic equipment on 17 March.
In the news… We’ve been promoting the region’s successes and projects in the media in recent times. Here are some examples: “...The Cradle Coast councils are the only elected bodies in the water and sewerage debate who are listening to the people they represent...” – Roger Jaensch, Executive Chairman The Advocate & The Examiner 28/3 “...We’re looking at how we can build the smaller conference (tourism) market ...” – Ian Waller, Regional Tourism Development Manager, The Advocate 22/3 “...The (Biodiversity on Farms) grants will help farmers trial practices that they may have seen work on other properties or test their own ideas ...” – Alison Dugand, Biodiversity Coordinator, The Advocate 10/4
Visit the Cradle Coast Authority web site for copies of our media releases www.cradlecoast.com
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The Authority
Cradle Coast Regional Tourism Organisation takes shape The Cradle Coast Authority is evolving its existing tourism operations to assume the role of Regional Tourism Organisation for the Cradle Coast region. Facilitated by Tourism Tasmania and supported by local industry, changes are being made to the structure of the tourism industry in all regions of Tasmania. Zone Marketing Groups are being disbanded and Regional Tourism Organisations are now being established in four regions including: − Hobart and the South − Launceston and the North − East Coast − Cradle Coast (incorporating the North West Coast, West Coast and King Island). To ensure all requirements of the new Regional Tourism Organisations are met in our region, a skills‐ based body of industry leaders will be established to guide the strategic direction of regional tourism activities and services. This set‐up will be similar to the existing Cradle Coast NRM committee which is comprised of natural resource management experts responsible for defining regional NRM strategies and providing guidance to the Cradle Coast NRM team among other duties. A call for nominations for members of the tourism body are expected to be advertised in late April / early May. More information on the transition to the new regional tourism structure can be found at www.cradlecoast.com/tourism or by contacting Regional Tourism Development Manager, Ian Waller, on 6431 6285 or iwaller@cradlecoast.com
Briefly Community Partnership Grants—recipients announced Congratulations to the five applicants approved for Round 2 of the Cradle Coast NRM Land Manager Community Partnership grants who together will receive more than $20,000 of funding for biodiversity and coastal protection projects in the region: − Burnie City Council—Enhancing biodiversity of Cooee Creek − King Island Council—Wharf Road bush restoration − Kentish Council—Community education at Sykes Sanctuary Contact Cradle Coast NRM Facilitator Team Coordinator, − West Coast Council—Zeehan cemetery rejuvenation Anna Wind, to find out more: − Parks and Wildlife Service—Spanish Heath community awareness. awind@cradlecoast.com Cradle Coast NRM’s Rural Living Round‐Up ....... it’s on again! Sunday 22 April—10am to 2pm Tasmanian Polytechnic Freer Farm, Mooreville Rd Burnie − Field day for small‐acreage land holders and hobby farmers − Hear presentations on weed control, native plants on farms, weather forecasting tools, snake safety and more − Livestock and information displays and market stalls − Fencing and chainsaw demonstrations − Help with property management planning FREE ENTRY ALL WELCOME − Fun activities for kids.