Sophie Pitchford, Corporate Services Manager
Sophie Pitchford brings energy and enthusiasm to her role as Corporate Services Manager at Flinders Council, an island municipality in Tasmania.
Flinders Council covers 52 islands, which is ‘a fact that I don’t think many realise’, Sophie Pitchford told Local Government Focus.
Many of the islands are managed by Parks & Wildlife and include Tasmania’s northernmost National Park, Deal Island National Park located within the Kent group of islands. The two most populated islands are Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island; Flinders Island has the largest population and the business centre.
The main industries across the municipality are agricultural, with beef (ten percent of Tasmania’s beef production), lamb, a burgeoning wallaby industry and Tourism.
“The Islands are a great place to live and to top it all off the scenery is stunning with some amazing walking trails and beautiful, un-crowded beaches,” said Pitchford.
In the role with Council for eighteen months, Pitchford comes from a background in financial planning and has previously worked as an accountant for the Bank of America in London.
Flinders Mayor, Councillor Carol Cox, said Pitchford “brings a local focus, energy and professionalism to her position. Nothing is too much trouble.” Cr Cox praised her ability to ‘just get things done’.
Pitchford said, “A strong work ethic is extremely important to me. I don’t believe in sitting around as it is a waste of time.
“I thrive on being busy and pride myself on achieving great outcomes. It is sometimes a juggling act as we are a small Council that only employs 19 full-time equivalents and there is always so much to get done, but that is exactly the way I like it.”
Pitchford said she is proud of the vibrancy of her community, which boasts one of the highest volunteer rates per head of capita in Tasmania.
“Flinders Island provides a safe and relaxed lifestyle for young families and for such a remote island we are fortunate to have great facilities such as the newly upgraded Multi-Purpose Centre and a terrific school, which also has a Stephanie Alexander School Kitchen Garden.
“Recognising that our isolated communities need spaces to socialise and gather, Council is currently investing in community infrastructure, namely Emita & Lady Barron Halls and are also installing public toilets which complement the recently invested free barbeques in many of the most popular destinations.”
Economic activity on Flinders Island over the next year includes a $10million upgrade on the water treatment plants and $16million on the power station to make the Island 60 percent renewable energy.
As part of her role, Pitchford is currently revising Council’s long-term financial management and strategic asset management plans.
“The objective of the ten year rolling plans is to outline measures to ensure that Council maintains, and renews, Flinders Island’s existing infrastructure and assets; manages cash reserve to a sustainable level; and maintains a breakeven operating position for the life of the plans.
“I am also preparing Council’s Investment Strategy that outlines principles, priority criteria, risk appetite, project proposal details and options for financing options. The objective is to achieve investment returns that match the longer-term objectives of Council.”
Pitchford has also stepped in as acting General Manager, which she counts a highlight of her time with Council; she expressed her gratitude for “the honor, trust and confidence bestowed upon me by the General Manager, Raoul Harper, and the Mayor Carol Cox to act as the General Manager for two months after only been in my position for a year.
“It presented many challenges, but it was an invaluable experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the role and being exposed to other facets of Council business.”
Pitchford said there are also challenges in her role as Corporate Services Manager.
“I think it is mainly due to the fact that we live on an Island, which presents many challenges in itself.
“One of those challenges is trying to work within a tight budget so that we can ultimately achieve sustainability. This proves to be extremely difficult at times due to the fact that there are so many additional costs due to the isolation factor, but in saying that, we are a very resourceful and productive Council.”
Pitchford said above all she enjoys working in a tight knit team.
“We all love Flinders Island and we believe that the roles that we play at the Council are instrumental in helping Flinders Island build a better place and provide a future for the next generation.”
