Discussions are currently underway with the State Government in regard to the future management of reserves and public land in Circular Head. Of specific interest is management of the Nut, Stanley’s famous landmark, as well as many of its notable historic buildings, including Lyons Cottage, the birthplace of Tasmania’s first Prime Minister; the old Schoolhouse; Stanley cemetery; and Highfield House.
Highfield House, the headquarters of the historic Van Diemans Land Company built in the 1830s, is currently listed as the fifth most significant heritage building in Australia. The whole North West Coast of Tasmania was settled from this historic town.
The plan is to shift the management of these natural and built attributes from the Department of Parks and Wildlife to Circular Head Council. “This will provide local management of these facilities,” said Mayor Ross Hine. “Dovetailing into this will be a new Tourism Development Plan involving input from all key players in this vibrant, emerging sector.”
General Manager, Paul Arnold, said that the Nut at Stanley is Tasmania’s own ‘Ayers Rock’ and has significant potential to attract thousands of extra visitors under Council management. On the education front, a College of Heritage Training based in Stanley is being considered, as is a school of agricultural excellence at the local Smithton High School.
Similarly, Council is working with the education sector on a proposal to establish a tertiary training facility for the study of organic and low chemical agriculture. This would provide skills and greater job opportunities for local youth. In addition, it would attract students from other areas in Tasmania and further afield.
With the abundance of clean and green agriculture, students would benefit greatly from local hands on learning opportunities. Council is working in partnership with the Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment, the local TAFE, University of Tasmania and commercial laboratories to further these objectives.
A grant of $75,000 from the State Government will also assist Council to put in place an improved framework for dealing with planning and development issues. In line with the Government’s model framework, Circular Head and neighbouring Waratah-Wynyard Council are the forerunners in developing a process to deliver improved outcomes.
For further information on these initiatives contact Mark Goldstone, Manager Development Services, telephone (03) 6452 1265
