A regular feature, this month we feature a Councillor from Tasmania.
Alderman Jan Blizzard, Burnie City Council, Tasmania
Q. How long have you been on Council?
After many years of being involved in the community through commercial radio, music teaching and supporting young people with disabilities, I was shocked and angry at a Council decision to cut funding for the maintenance of our much loved and treasured Burnie Park, a truly beautiful place.
With much encouragement from my family and local residents, I stood for election in 2000 and I am just completing my first term.
Q. Why did you want to become involved in Local Government?
My grandchildren are fifth generation Burnie people.
I really love ‘our place’ and want only the best for this City and its residents of all ages and abilities. It is a great place to work and live and I believe we have set the groundwork for an innovative, interesting and fabulous future.
Q. Can you tell us about your Local Government area?
Burnie takes its name from William Burnie, a Director of Van Dieman’s Land Company. It is the only town with this name anywhere in the world.
From Henry Hellyer’s humble camp site on Emu Bay in 1827, to today in 2005, Burnie is a beautiful, vibrant City in transition. It is reviewing its economic base, creating new opportunities, pursuing an exciting plan to bolster tourism and attracting new investment. The City is also building the capacity of residents to develop businesses of their own and live in a lovely place, rich in cultural diversity, sport and recreation, facilities, education and healthy lifestyle services, stunning beaches and natural bush and wildlife plus a moderate climate.
Burnie’s best years are now and beyond. Everywhere you look, things are happening or about to happen. We are now on very solid strategic and financial footing.
Change and growth bring enormous challenges to Council staff and Aldermen, but the energetic optimism of Council members and our community ensure that our focus is always the best outcome for all residents, serving and responding to ratepayers needs and aspirations and setting clear standards and expectations. We must stay focused on the future, clear about our direction and how to get there.
We have some critics of change. Some people want everything to stay the way it was and it’s a challenge we must face in a thoughtful and compassionate manner. Communication at all stages is a priority.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced in Local Government?
I have not yet learned to ask the right questions to get the answers I want, but I am working on it. There are still mysteries in the manner in which bureaucracy moves but I still believe that organisational structure can be used positively in a collaborative community and Council approach.
The support and encouragement of the General Manager and all Council staff have made my top election hopes an on the ground reality.
In the establishment of Burnie City Youth Council, our own local Positive Ageing Committee, the upgrade and beautification of the Upper Burnie Shopping Centre, the 20 Year Management Plan for the Burnie Park and Management Plans for West Park, beach and Fernglade, there has been great support.
Q. What are the key aspects of being a good Councillor?
An effective Councillor benefits from having the ability to genuinely listen to people and communicate concerns, hopes, wishes or suggestions back to Council.
A culture of information sharing is essential. High principles are critically important. We should be ethical in all we do with no hidden agendas.
The ability to deal with the bigger strategic issues helps in delivering services that are relevant to our own community.
