Devonport is a very small geographical area but is one of the larger local governments by population in Tasmania. It sits on the Mersey River in the middle of the North West Coast and is home to the two Spirits of Tasmania [Bass Strait ferries]. We have a geographical area of 111 square km and a population of just over 26,000 people. Devonport is the regional centre of a population of more than 60,000 people.
I love the community, it’s where I grew up so I have very strong ties to the city and its people. I love our beautiful waterfront areas, both the river and Bass Strait, but I also love that we are surrounded by some of the most beautiful, productive farmland in the country and an hour’s drive from the highlands.
I try to maintain a level of fitness by doing some form of exercise most days, whether it be swimming at our wonderful Aquatic Centre, walking my daughter’s dog or going to the gym. We are also delighted to have an almost one year old granddaughter who brings us much joy.
Community connection
I have been an elected member now for over 12 years, including 3 years as Deputy Mayor, and now 2 years as Mayor, including approximately 9 months as Acting Mayor before being elected to the role in October 2018.
I am Finance Manager for a small Tasmanian based not-for-profit which provides suicide prevention counselling and training. I have worked in this organisation for more than 15 years but had to seriously scale back my hours when I became Mayor. I enjoy maintaining the connection and I believe that my involvement in this work gives me a level of empathy and understanding of issues in our community that I might not otherwise have.
Opportunities bring challenges
Our council faces similar challenges to many regional areas, namely access to services, lower literacy rates and higher unemployment.
There will be two new bigger Spirits of Tasmania on the Devonport-Melbourne run in 2022 and our challenge is to ensure we are ready for the challenges and the opportunities this increase in passengers and freight capacity will bring to the region.
Council has been working on its Living City project which has rejuvenated the central business district (CBD) with evidence that confidence and investment has lifted as a result of council, state and federal government investment in the project. Stage 2 of the project is in progress now which will open the CBD to the river and encourage increased activity and investment in the city and the wider Cradle Coast Region.
Celebrating women
I am proud of many decisions we as a Council have made and many projects we have undertaken to improve facilities and amenity for our people.
One thing I have achieved personally is that a couple of years after I became a councillor I became aware that nowhere in our region and particularly in our city did we acknowledge International Women’s Day – which had been celebrated for almost 100 years across the world. Working with staff we came up with the concept of Diamonds of Devonport, which gives people in the community the opportunity to nominate women in our community who have made a significant contribution. This has grown to the extent that in collaboration with many clubs and organisations Devonport now has a week of events around International Women’s Day. They are wonderful
celebrations of women and their achievements and a joy for me to see growing in participation each year.
Looking forward
Being a councillor is a privilege which has given me the opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process of Council. It has also enabled me to learn so much about my community and the amazing people who are part of it – particularly during my current tenure as Mayor.
The most difficult part is knowing that no matter what decisions we as Council make, we cannot solve all our community’s difficulties.
I look forward to seeing the completion of the current stage of Living City, however I see Council’s most important task in the short term is to support our community through the current pandemic as best we can, whilst also ensuring that not only does the essential business continue but that Council is still in a position to resume full ‘business’ when possible.
