West Tamar makes the most of its opportunities
West Tamar Council is a dynamic council situated in the beautiful Tamar Valley in northern Tasmania. By Tasmanian standards, it is a medium size council with approximately 22,000 residents.
The municipal area covers 689 square kilometres, stretching from Greens Beach in the north, along the west side of the Tamar River, to Riverside in the south where it borders Launceston City Council and out west to the small hamlet of Frankford.
West Tamar Council comprises 21 towns and settlements and is quite diverse in its demographics and geography.
This diversity creates a challenge for its nine elected members and 100 staff who make up a proactive Council with a ‘can do’ attitude.
Two examples of Council making the most of its opportunities include the development of the Windsor Park Multipurpose Community, Leisure and Well Being Centre, and the Lead Inspire Grow program. These projects are aligned with West Tamar Council’s Vision Statement – ‘An active and effective community enhancing West Tamar as the desired place to live, work and visit’.
Improving access to elite sporting, leisure and wellbeing facilities
As a leader in encouraging and supporting the fitness and wellbeing requirements of its catchment, West Tamar Council is progressing with construction of its $12 million multi purpose community, leisure and wellbeing facility.
The facility is due for completion in November 2010.
In recent years, Council has encouraged growth in physical activity participation, community interaction and wellbeing by being attentive and forward thinking.
It has consistently upgraded existing community leisure facilities, such as its purpose built skatepark in Beaconsfield (constructed 2006), its Riverside Aquatic Centre and ongoing attention to improving its passive recreation areas.
“The West Tamar catchment is rich in both professional and amateur sportspeople, ranging from champion AFL football players and professional cyclists, right through to our weekly seniors yoga class,” said Mayor Barry Easther. “Council is serious about being attentive to the needs and wants of our active community.”
Council’s successful application to the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program Strategic Projects 2008–2009 provided it with the financial resources to design, construct and provide a multi purpose centre at Windsor Park.
On completion in late 2010, Windsor Park will be a fully functioning, integrated and sustainable venue.
Council will continue to provide strong leadership, as the centre will remain in its ownership and management. However the centre’s offerings and administration will encompass not for profit, professional, government and community bodies, and their programs and facilities.
“Windsor Park has been developed for the purpose of meeting social and community needs and activities,” said Council’s General Manager Ian Pearce, who has overseen the development since the community services hub building concept shaped a new development initiative that is outlined in Council’s Windsor Park Strategic Directions Plan.
“Windsor Park incorporates a plethora of facilities including health and fitness, indoor training, medical and other potential allied health tenancies.
“This centre of resource is being purpose built around extensive research and consultation with our community, and we are looking forward to its pivotal integration into our active and thriving municipality, and its subsequent health and lifestyle benefits.”
Back row: (l-r) Tassie Hawks players Campbell Brown, Jarryd Moreton and Jarryd Roughead, with Yvettte Dawe from George Town Council and LIG 2010 participants. |
Lead, Inspire, Grow
Over the course of three days in early February, some 24 young George Town and West Tamar residents participated in the annual Lead, Inspire, Grow camp at Turners Beach on Tasmania’s northwest coast.
The three day camp is coordinated by West Tamar Council and its neighbour, George Town Council. It builds leadership skills that young people can take back to their schools and communities.
The Lead Inspire Grow program has a strong focus on building confidence and enhancing problem solving, teamwork and communication skills.
During the camp participants attend workshops on styles of leadership and qualities of a good leader. They are also put through a range of challenging games and activities.
Highlights this year included a night time challenge course, team challenges, a gross out eating challenge, and seeing young people afraid of heights conquer their fears on ropes 15 metres above the ground.
The group was also fortunate enough to have a presentation by Tassie Hawks players Jarryd Roughead, Jarryd Moreton and Campbell Brown.
The players spoke about the culture at the Hawthorn Football Club that fostered their on field success, the role of a leader of the club and the responsibilities they have as role models for young people.
The camp is funded by the Tasmanian Government’s Office of Children and Youth Affairs, through the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
It enables young people in West Tamar and George Town municipalities aged 12 to 17 to apply and, if successful, attend at no cost.
Previous participants also have the opportunity to come back as peer leaders to mentor first time participants.
This year, eight peer leaders led activities and conducted impressive presentations on what leadership means to them.
They talked about the qualities they considered important in a leader, their achievements since camp, and who they saw as a great leader, which includes anyone from Martin Luther King to Ricky Ponting.
The group made some long lasting friendships and came away from camp with some great experiences.
All young people participating showed a lot of potential to contribute to the community in the future.
For further information contact Stewart Bell, Council’s Youth Development Officer, on (03) 6383 6378 or email stewart.bell@wtc.tas.gov.au
