School’s new look – Builders busy for class start

STUDENTS returning to Sorell School for the start of the year will notice progress towards its $26 million redevelopment.

Over the holidays, builder Fairbrother has established onsite and stage one works are underway.

Lyons Liberal MP John Tucker said work had begun on four new buildings, with the slab for the new Years 9-12 building now in place.

“The old Years 3-6 building has been demolished and the base for the new 3-6 building, administration centre and food studies areas is now underway,’’ Mr Tucker said.
“In addition, the turning circle on the primary campus was completed in late 2021 and the staff carpark in Walker Street will be completed in February this year.
“A new pedestrian crossing will be in place in Walker Street for the 2022 school year to provide safer movements for students, staff, parents and carers.’’

Stage one civil works, which include underground utilities such as power, water and sewer lines are approximately 65 per cent completed.

Works on Stage one of the project are expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and the second stage of works will take place through 2023.

“Once complete, I am confident the redevelopment will deliver a new, state-of-the-art K-12 school for one of Tasmania’s largest school communities and serve the region well into the future,’’ Mr Tucker said.

Within the Sorell Municipality, Sorell School is the only school that caters for high school-aged students.

“The redeveloped school will retain the existing Pioneer Heritage Village and the school farm, which were identified as key features of the school by the local community.’’

Students return on February 9.

Government Covid plans for teachers and schools across Tasmania include: ACCESS to 1.6 million masks and 1.5 million Rapid Antigen Tests, with supply to be replaced as required; EACH school will be provided RATs and masks for teachers to use, and masks must be worn when teaching indoors.

This will also apply to Early Learning and Child Care Centre staff; WINDOWS are being adjusted for improved ventilation, and 4500 air purifiers will be supplied to classrooms and learning areas where required before the start of the school year; ADDITIONAL school cleaning will be undertaken, in line with public health advice; OUTDOOR learning spaces to be used where practial, and breaks to be staggered where required to reduce the density of children in play areas; and IF teachers or any staff are required to quarantine, they will continue to be paid under Covid leave arrangements.

The Government Covid plan for students and parents include: PARENTS will receive a Back to School Covid Care Package, with detailed information and two Rapid Antigen Tests per child, for use if your child becomes symptomatic; SCHOOLS will also be provided with a further two tests for every student per week to take home to test if required; VIRTUAL learning will be available for students required to isolate; MASKS are only to be worn indoors for students in secondary school, with all schools to have a supply of masks if the student does not have their own; and MASKS are not required for primary students or for children in early learning or child care settings.

However, primary students can choose to wear a mask and schools will have a supply.

Council goes on record

THE sustainability of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council was a significant topic of conversation last year among residents of the municipality.

Mayor Robert Young said Council had heard from people that they believed there had been a lack of consultation over the changes to the rating system.

“Council resolved in November to get on the front foot with providing information to its ratepayers about the need for rate increases and the way forward as set out in our long-term financial plan and strategy which were developed during 2021,’’ Mr Young said.

“Council has developed a series of strategic plans which are available on its website but these are not easy, or particularly interesting, for many people to wade through.

“Council has taken the initiative at recent Community Connect sessions to provide information directly to attendees on three key measures of sustainability.

“Simply explained, this information provides a good background for the decisions Council will have to continue to grapple with in coming years to get to a position of sustainability for levels of service and management of assets such as roads and parks.”

The content of the community connect presentations have been recorded and are available to view on council’s website under the heading:
Financial Plan Consultation 2022-23:
https://gsbc.tas. gov.au/community-projects/ community-consultation

Getting back to the old salt mine

GETTING “back to the salt mine’’ is not usually associated with fun, learning and a culinary experience.

But that is just what the latest East Coast visitor experience is all about.

Tasman Sea Salt at Little Swanport last month launched a new “Salt Sommelier’’ experience.

Established in 2013 just seven kilometres from a colonial era salt works, Chris Manson and Alice Laing produce salt drawn from the pristine nutrient rich waters of the East Coast of Tasmania.

The result is sea salt flakes, full of trace minerals and for the health conscious it has lower levels of sodium than any other salts.

The Sommelier experience is part of the continual expansion and growth of the business.

“We will be opening the doors to our saltworks, inviting guests to come along for a tour of our unique clean energy salt harvesting process, followed by a salt pairing adventure,’’ the pair said.
“Guests will be able to learn about the importance of salt for the body, how it impacts flavour, all while sampling a delicious tasting menu of small bites pairing our full range of sea salts with local produce.

For more information on the salt “tours’’ go to the Tasman Sea Salt website

Village ruling shock

PROPONENTS of an $84 million rural retirement village and healthcare project south of Swansea have been devastated by the decision of the Tasmanian Planning Commission to reject the plan.

Approved by Glamorgan Spring Bay last February, Mayor Robert Young said Council was surprised and disappointed by the decision.

The development called the Tempus project was on land owned by the Cotton Family at Kelvedon.

It was to cater for regional and rural retirees.

Pets, including horses, were to be allowed.

The project was in partnership with Australian development and management company Tempus Village Management.

“It will be independent rural living with a difference – redefining retirement,’’ John Lewis, principal architect to Tempus, said at the time it was approved by Council.

The 18ha site, surplus to the Cotton farm’s requirements and not suitable for agricultural use, was planned behind Piermont Resort on the top side of the Tasman Highway.

Tempus managing director Les Walden said proponents were “dismayed and shocked that the three-member panel of the Tasmanian Planning Commission ignored the advice and recommendation of the Council as a planning authority, and ignored our independent experts”.
“Most of all, the majority of the community wanted this project to happen and we have a database of people from the area and beyond who were looking forward to living in this rural retirement concept who will be absolutely devastated, as we are,” Mr Waldon said.
“We don’t believe there was an open mind to this vision of rural retirement and nursing home that we were presenting and we have asked the Planning Minister Roger Jaensch for a ministerial review of the decision.”

At the time the council approved the project, senior planner Mick Purves said: “Review of the application and strategic documents identified that the proposal was consistent with the local Swansea Structure Plan, Glamorgan Spring Bay Strategic Plan, Regional Land Use Strategy and relevant state policies.
“In addition, the proposal provides infrastructure that provides for ageing in place within the local and regional areas. “The assessment therefore concluded that the council could support the proposal.
“In summary, the proposal has significant opportunity to provide positive environmental, economic and social impacts for Swansea and the regional community.’’

Mr Young said the decision came as a surprise to all.

“It appeared to be a good development that was to be mainly on very rocky ground that appeared to have little agricultural value,’’ Mr Young said.
“Council has no jurisdiction to deal with the matter further, it is up to the proponents to take such further steps as they may be advised.
“It seems to me that the Swansea community may well have been able to cope with this retirement development without overwhelming the township, or adversely affecting its residents.

“It must have cost a very considerable sum to get the project up as far as they did. “We wish them all the best for the future.’’

Alarm over deer invasion

AN increasing number of deer sightings in the Tasman Peninsula has locals calling for greater awareness of their destructive threat.

Concerned locals have reported brazen deer in the region, many residents having deer coming right to their front doors.

John Miles, of Nubeena, said he was “sick and tired” of deer in the area, stating the numbers are so great that “we can’t even have a garden anymore”.

Madeleine Habib said as a new resident at teralina/Eaglehawk Neck, she was surprised to see the deer hazard sign on Blowhole Road.

“I was even more surprised to wake up the other morning to find three deer in my garden,” Ms Habib said.
“Our property is adjacent to the treasured Tasman National Park where we frequently see feral deer.”

Ms Habib contacted the invasive species unit, which she said urged her to continue to report sightings, contact media outlets and local politicians to raise awareness of the increasing presence and destruction.

Under the proposed Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan released last year, the Tasman Peninsula is listed as a ‘Zone 3’ area, where efforts will be made to eliminate deer presence through hunting and culling.

The aim of the plan is to minimise the wild fallow deer population in areas with significant natural value.

While public feedback on the proposed plan closed in December last year, it is vital that communities continue to advise their local representatives and media.

The more sightings that are reported by the local community, the more attention will be placed on managing the infestation,” Ms Habib said.

Covid kills music

THIS month’s planned three day arts, music and cultural festival, called Pangaea at Buckland, has fallen victim to the Covid pandemic.

Organisers reluctantly announced the postponement last month.

A varied program of music including local and national artists such as Yothu Yindi, Baker Boy, Tom Thum, Little Quirks and The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra as well as circus performances had been lined up for the inaugural event.

Tasmania’s Terrapin Puppet Theatre were also on the bill to perform.

“Our team has been in deep discussions about how to safely navigate operating a festival within the current Covid-19 environment,’’ organisers said.
“After hours of thoughts, reflections and discussions we have come to the understanding that it is just not possible.
“For the safety of our families, staff, artists, patrons and the broader community we have decided to postpone our first edition of Pangaea Festival.

“After all the hard work, sweat, blood and tears that have poured into this event, it has been an extremely confronting and hard decision to make, but also for a number of reasons it feels that morally this is not the time to launch the first-ever Pangaea.

“For all ticket holders – please hold tight, we will be in contact very soon.
“To all our dedicated crew that have been working relentlessly to get Pangaea to where it is now – thank you, and to the public for the overwhelming support –
Keep it coming! “We’ll be back in touch soon.”

All things garlic – Star-studded lineup set for Koonya festival

ORGANISERS believe Australia’s longest running garlic festival, held at Koonya, is going to be “a doozy’’.

Promising an eclectic mix of events, food and entertainment, the festival will be a highlight for many who have craved such events but have gone without due to pandemic restrictions.

To be held at the Koonya Hall on the Tasman Peninsula on Saturday, February 26 from 10 am to 4 pm the event is ticketed and all patrons and guests must be double vaccinated.

Organisers have managed to get a star-studded line up of celebrity chefs for the popular event.

Among the talent are the gourmet farmer Matthew Evans, award-winning chef and author Analiese Gregory, Ishan Acharya head chef at Peacock + Jones and 21-year-old inspirational Aboriginal chef, Kitana Mansell from Palawa Kipli who will be doing a masterclass cooking using native ingredients.

In the main marquee gardening experts will discuss all things garlic and what lies beneath the dirt.

ABC Garden Australia’s Tino Carnevale, a local to the peninsula, will be in conversation with Matthew Evans.

Broadcaster and actor John X will be MC in the main marquee for the day.

X and chef Paul Foreman (who make a dynamic duo) will be cooking up all things garlic under the title of the Chef and the Showman.

Headlining the music line-up is Claire Anne Taylor, Ange Boxall, ABC unearthed Teresa Dixon, Tasha Zapelli, jazz trio (Triage), The Roundabouts, young up-coming band Jeqa, plus local songstresses Ali Hart and Caitlin Vertigan.

To buy a ticket go to the Koonya Garlic Festival website

App puts fees on course

THREE Tasmanian golfers have put their heads together to solve an all-too-common problem with many unmanned courses.

Simon Muller, Brook Lewis and Kyle Clark – self-described “casual golfers” – had repeatedly encountered an issue facing many Tasmanian golfers.

“Most courses in Tasmania use an honesty box, but it was becoming difficult to have the money on hand to pay,” Mr Clark said.

Their solution was to develop an app they named Green Fees where golfers can pay their fees online, without the need to carry the correct cash.

The system is based around a website where golfers find their course, enter the number of players in their group and pay from their phone, laptops, or even before they make their way to the course.

“It’s set-and-forget for the clubs, once it’s in place they can log in and check how many people have come through. No clubs have fallen through the cracks so far,” Mr Muller said.
“We aren’t trying to take over, there’s no exclusivity with Green Fees, people can still pay with cash in the old way, it just means, if there’s a Green Fees poster on the wall, you’ve got a choice of how to pay,” Mr Lewis said.
“Some people find it a chore scrounging around in the cash jar, or finding an ATM, we’re just offering an alternative to that.”
“Everyone carries their credit card with them these days, and especially since Covid, people just aren’t carrying cash anymore.”

As it stands, Green Fees currently has more than 30 participating clubs across Australia on their database – more than half of which are in Tasmania.

The list, as well as the app itself, can be found on their website, greenfees.com.au

Time to reward selfless volunteers

OUR region is renowned for its community spirit and it’s time to recognise those who go above the call of duty.

Not that volunteers usually ask for recognition, they work in the community because they want to give back and make the place better.

This year is the seventh annual Tasmanian Volunteering Awards – a program which showcases inspiring stories and recognises excellence in volunteering – from individuals, groups and organisations.

By recognising volunteers, we promote the importance of, and send a powerful message about, the value of volunteering and the important contribution our 297,000 volunteers in Tasmania make towards building stronger, healthier and more resilient communities.

After another challenging year for many people, there is no better time to thank, recognise and acknowledge the incredible efforts of volunteers, volunteer managers and organisations.

Applications are open now and close on March 14, with the winners to be announced the week starting April 25. Categories are:
• Arts, Heritage, Tourism and Events Volunteer Award;
• Best Practice in Volunteer Management Award;
• Community Care and Health Volunteer Award; • Education, Science and Technology Volunteer Award;
• Emergency Services Volunteer Award;
• Environment, Animal Care and Conservation Volunteer Award;
• Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award;
• Sport, Recreation and Service Groups Volunteer Award;
• Volunteer Group or Program Award;
• Youth Volunteer Award.

More details at Tasmanian Volunteering Awards 2022 – Volunteering Tasmania

Liam’s a vet on the move

A NEW mobile vet has landed in the Derwent Valley, with the means to service the pets and stock of the region, as well as the greater south of the state.

Dr Liam Ockerby, the newest member of the Vet in the Valley team, recently moved to New Norfolk from the north of the state to be with his partner, Georgia.

The couple are set to have a significant presence in the wellbeing of livestock in the region, with Georgia’s role as a stock agent for Nutrien dovetailing nicely alongside Liam’s.

Liam originally hails from the North West Coast, and after his graduation from the James Cook University in Queensland, he cut his teeth as a mixed-practiced veterinarian at Scottsdale.

He has trained in equine dentistry, small animal behaviour and small animal ultrasonography, while also having experience in the fields of dairy and beef cattle breeding, assisting with pregnancy testing, bull resting, calving callouts and herd health consults, something that will certainly be comforting for farmers in the Derwent Valley.

Liam also has a special interest in canine behaviour and puppy schools, something he is looking to eventually bring with him to the Valley.

“I’m based out of New Norfolk, so a lot of my clients will be in this area, but we’ve had days that take us up to Ouse, Hamilton and Bothwell, as well as over to Oatlands and towards Sorell, so we’re covering a lot of ground,” Liam said.

“It’s certainly a beautiful part of the world, some of the landscapes remind me of places in the North, but it’s such a big, diverse place and there’s so much going on.”

“But I’m excited to get to know the area, and work with new people and new animals.”