STEP up to the Challenge this Steptember: Virtual Climb of the Tasman Island Lighthouse.
Have you climbed our local lighthouse, the highest operating lighthouse in Australia? “Lighthouse kid’’ and president of Wildcare group Friends of Tasman Island Carol Jackson has climbed the 130 steps of the lighthouse many times.
Her father’s first and last posting as a lighthouse keeper was to Tasman Island and her family lived on this wild windswept island for seven years.
The group’s major fundraiser for this year, The Lighthouse Challenge is an unusual one.
“It would be great if we could all go to Tasman Island and climb the lighthouse every day in September. We are doing the next best thing,’’ Carol said. “The Lighthouse Challenge involves a virtual climb where you pledge to climb the lighthouse a certain number of times during Steptember. “You find some local steps and calculate how many times you need to climb them to equal one lighthouse climb.’’
Three lighthouse keepers climbed the tower at least once a day, 365 days a year from 1906 to 1976 when the lighthouse was automated.
“In honour of my father and all Tasman keepers I have pledged to climb the lighthouse 30 times in September” Ms Jackson said. “It’s a great way to get fit and have some fun and help us to continue to preserve and protect this wild place. “Everyone who signs up for the Lighthouse Challenge receives a ticket in a draw for the main prize: the opportunity to climb the lighthouse for real.’’
The lucky winner will join Rotary Tasman Peninsula’s renowned annual fundraiser helicopter trips to Tasman Island in March next year.
Thanks to FoTI, Parks and Wildlife Service and the Australia Maritime Safety Authority you will be able to safely explore the light station and parts of the island and of course climb the highest operating lighthouse in Australia
A SUSPENSION bridge across the Devil’s Kitchen Chasm on the Tasman Peninsula has been funded in the State Budget and is set to go ahead.
The Government has committed $1.5 million towards the $3 million Tasman Arch-Devils Kitchen Stage 2 project, which will also redevelop the visitor facilities.
Parks Minister Jacquie Petrusma described the bridge addition as “iconic’’. “This will be another sure drawcard for the area to follow on from our recent investments on the Tasman Peninsula including Stage 3 of the Three Capes Track, Remarkable Cave, Shipstern Bluff and Pirates Bay,’’ Ms Petrusma said. “This investment is part of our plan to secure the future of iconic tourism experiences in national parks and reserves across the state. “It will ensure the renewal and maintenance of key visitor attractions like the Tasman Arch-Devils Kitchen, while further stimulating the local tourism industry in regional communities.”
The Government is seeking a Federal Government contribution for the remaining funding for this exciting project.
Tasman Mayor Kelly Spaulding said the bridge had the potential to be yet another great attraction to the area. “However I am very concerned, as many residents are, about the amount of traffic already on that section of road when tourism returns to pre-Covid levels,’’ Mr Spaulding said. “It would be super and quite an amazing attraction though.’’
GLAMORGAN-Spring Bay Mayor Robert Young has defended the municipality’s new rating system arguing it provides equity and fairness.
Mr Young said he voted in favour of the change because he believed a person with substantial assets should not be subsidised by those ratepayers with more modest properties.
“Not many people have complained to me about the new system,’’ Mr Young said.
In June the council voted in favour of adopting an Assessed Annual Value rates model, which will see some ratepayers pay substantially more in annual rates while others pay less, depending on the value of the property.
The change has been met with opposition, with some locals calling for a rates strike and others wanting the council placed into administration.
However, council general manager Greg Ingham said the issue had been “stirred up’’ by a small group with a vendetta against the council.
Mr Ingham said the call for a rates strike appeared not to be working, with revenue from rates at expected levels and only one request for a hardship application. He said calls for the council to be put into administration were upsetting staff.
“This is overshadowing the real good work the council is doing,’’ Mr Ingham said. “We have turned a corner and we are doing very well.’’
Mr Ingham said the new rates system put GSBC on par or below the rate of neighbouring councils Break O’Day and Sorell. Mr Young said no one liked paying rates.
“Many people have fixed incomes and it hurts,’’ Mr Young said. “The Government wanted the council’s performance improved and put on a sustainable footing. “We would not have survived without an increase in rates and significant improvements were expected of us. “If we hadn’t put rates up, council cheques would have bounced this year,’’ he said.
THE Southern Beaches and Sorell area will soon have a state-of-the-art multi-use aqua facility after the project was given a boost with State Government funding.
The State Government, through the Department of State Growth’s “Building Projects Support Program” has made available $625,000 for the Southern Beaches Swim Centre at Dodges Ferry in round one of the program.
Former Australian men’s hockey team member Luke Doerner is the man behind the Southern Beaches Swim Centre.
The Government funding provides up to 25 per cent of the construction cost for the project with a minimum construction cost of $2.5 million.
Mr Doerner has spent more than six years lobbying for funding for the project. It is fully supported by the Sorell Council.
“It is amazing to get this Government funding boost,” he said. “ It will be so great to be able to move forward with the project and get the facility operational as soon as possible,” Mr Doerner said. “We have been successful in our grant application through the Building Projects Support Program,” he said. “Without this grant the project would not be financially viable for myself to complete. ” “The community support for the project has been massive along with the support from Sorell Council, especially Mayor Kerry Vincent. Christine Gabby has been a strong supporter and advocate for the project and having her behind the project has been fantastic for me personally. ” “I am excited about getting the facility up and operational as is our local builder Guy Rees from Construction3 who will be leading the facility’s development.”
Sport and Recreation Minister and Prosser MLC Jane Howlett said she supported Mr Doerner’s vision.
“It will provide the municipality of Sorell and its surrounding communities with a highly valuable and much needed piece of infrastructure for this growing region,” Ms Howlett said.
The Southern Beaches Swim Centre’s design has been created to be a warm, light filled open environment for the community. Mr Doerner said it will be compact and sustainable.
“It will offer an inviting atmosphere for local swimmers, learners and school groups.
LOCATED strategically at the halfway point of the Great Eastern Drive at Little Swanport, the free-range, full flavoured pork produced from Long Name Farm is rapidly spreading to Tasmania’s finest eateries.
Overlooking the Little Swanport estuary, Long Name Farm is run by Phil Outtram and his partner Selina Smith.
The 30ha property has headed on a different path than they had initially intended.
Having owned the property for about 10 years beforehand, the pigs were not introduced until 2014, where their role on the farm was focussed more on land clearing and soil restoration.
“We are a good partnership, Phil is the farmer and I manage accounts and marketing which is fairly typical of small farm businesses,” Ms Smith said.
“Our main product is half Pig-in-a-Box which we sell direct to the public and we’re also sending our pork products to high-end restaurants like Saffire Freycinet and Stefano Lubiana.”
“Initially we got the pigs in to improve the property, the idea was to move the pigs around the paddocks, re-fertilise the soil and clear the ground,” Mr Outtram said.
“Needless to say, they’re still here.”
Starting out with a dozen pigs, through their breeding and acquisition of stock from similar properties, Long Name Farm is now home to a rotation of more than 400 pigs annually.
Mr Outtram said their herd of 40 sows and three boars would produce about 300 heritage-breed Berkshire and Saddleback mix grower pigs per year, all of which were raised free-range on the property.
“This is a herd size we and the land can manage.”
Since their initial introduction, Long Name Farm has worked hard to establish a viable and sustainable free range pig farm, where – but for a substantial barrier of vegetation that divides the property and estuary– the pigs are free to wander the large paddocks.
Kept tame, relaxed and fed on a supplementary mix of soaked wheat, peas, barley and canola, Long Name Farm produce 10 to 12 pigs per fortnight for slaughter.
“Our biggest obstacle is logistics such as sourcing feed, delivery costs and processing.
“Our closest abattoir is a 260km return journey.
Plus, a lack of competition has seen processing costs increase by 30 per cent within the last 12 months.”
With a view to introducing a greater amount of cropping to the farm, Mr Outtram already has plans for his future paddocks where the pigs can be useful for their cropping rotations.
Due to the natural curiosity of the pigs and, to a degree, their destructiveness, the soil that once was hardened and drastically lacking in pH is being constantly turned and fertilised.
In the paddocks where the pigs are housed, the red soil crumbles in hand and the rocks have been worked to the surface by digging snouts, where they are collected regularly.
“We are still very much in the preliminary stages of setting up, but our plan is eventually to start and sell our pork and vegetables on the farm,” Mr Outtram said.
“Already, we sell almost all of our meat directly to the customer, and this will be just another way to expand on that.”
The ambition for Long Name Farm is to produce a mix of annual, aromatic pastures on their property, as well as a number of green manure crops to complement the pigs’ own manure efforts.
“I’m looking at a mixed pasture rotation, and with the new block we have brought next door, we are very interested in fennel, mustard seeds and rape, as well as turnips and potatoes in the winter to encourage our pigs to dig and distinguish our pork from all the rest.”
Long Name Farm are at the Hobart Farm Gate Market on the third Sunday of each month.
They also sell their pork on their website.
Long Name Farm refers to the Aboriginal name given to the area of Little Swanport, tee. be.leb. ber.rer.men.nape.bone. yer. men.nan.yer, which means “place where a moving stream flows into a large estuary surrounded by hills”.
STATE political parties are at loggerheads over Glamorgan Spring Bay Council’s planned change to the way rates are calculated.
As reported in the East Coast View last month, council agreed in June to adopt an Assessed Annual Value rates model, which will see some ratepayers pay more in annual rates while others less.
The change has been met with loud opposition, with some locals calling for a rates strike and others wanting the council placed into administration.
Acting Labor Leader and Shadow Minister for Local Government and Planning Anita Dow accused Local Government and Planning Minister Roger Jaensch of being in hibernation and called for him to listen to locals.
“Concerns have been raised across the community about the steep rate rises for the Glamorgan Spring Bay municipality,” Ms Dow said.
“Residents believe that this rise is a result of dysfunction within the council over a sustained period of time and are frustrated by the government’s reluctance to step in.
“The community has already been hit hard by Covid-19 along with the prolonged closure of the road at Paradise Gorge and are now facing dramatic rate rises.”
Local Lyons Labor MP Jen Butler said the community wanted to meet with Mr Jaensch.
“Last week I and Ms Dow, met with residents in Swansea and Orford to better understand the issues at hand,” Ms Butler said.
“While the community welcomed the upcoming visit of Member for Lyons John Tucker, there was a strong community call for Mr Jaensch to join him.
“Will Mr Jaensch talk to the residents facing rate rises of up to $1000?
“We will continue to work with the local community on this important issue and we urge Mr Jaensch to do the same.” Mr Jaensch said Ms Dow “should know better’’.
“As a former mayor herself, Ms Dow should know that setting rates is a matter for each council, and the Minister for Local Government and Planning plays no role in such operational matters,’’ he said.
“The truth is that while some ratepayers will pay more than they have been, many others will pay the same or less, and all ratepayers will benefit from the council moving to a more sustainable rating model than it had in the past.
“I know this because I met with the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and General Manager in Triabunna in late July to discuss concerns that community members had raised with me.
“Glamorgan Spring Bay is one of only two councils in Tasmania to have been using the Average Area Rating model for residential properties. Under this model a fixed rate is set for each township within Glamorgan Spring Bay municipality.
This means every residential property in the same town pays the same amount in general rates, regardless of property value.
General Manager Greg Ingham said in recent years, the variation in property valuations had grown dramatically.
He said the new model was fairer and more equitable. Asked why council hadn’t considered introducing the new system over time, Mr Ingham said the financial advice council had received showed it could not be delayed.
“This is the result of years of inaction by previous councils. “My mandate is to fix the problem and I believe we have turned a corner.’’
A NEW design for the Arthur Highway at Eaglehawk Neck has been released to avoid identified cultural heritage issues, the Government says.
The revised design for safety improvements was released for public comment on July 19 and closed on July 30.
The design includes road widening, road surface improvements, new turning facilities at Blowhole Road, and a 1.5m path between Blowhole Road and the bus stop opposite Old Jetty Road.
Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said the design was revised to avoid identified cultural heritage areas following consultation with Aboriginal organisations and regulatory authorities.
“The revised design also meets the safety objectives of the project,’’ Mr Ferguson said.
Construction was halted earlier this year after Aboriginal groups said the works would disturb a significant burial site which is reported to be the scene of a massacre in the 1800s where many indigenous were killed.
Tasman Mayor Kelly Spaulding said he hoped those with concerns had made comment on the revised plan.
“The new plans have already been shown to concerned groups and consultation has been done by DSG, the less disturbance in this area the better but we do need to improve the safety for pedestrians and large vehicles through this narrow area,’’ Mr Spaulding said.
“With the only other option being to drop the speed limit right down which is not one that I am keen to see on the Arthur highway.’’
The local Aboriginal Paredarerme community has been in consultation with the Department of State Growth.
Parrdarrama Pungenna Aboriginal Corporation secretary Elena Maconald said the organisation had never believed the road upgrade would in fact disturb any sacred areas.
“The site in question is believed to be further back from the road, and the ground around the road has already been disturbed over the years,’’ Ms Maconald said.
“The new plans will now go no further into the dunes than the current road, and will instead be built up from the beach.
“We are satisfied with this as a community, it will not impact sacred areas, and will improve safety for road users.
“There will be no digging up of sacred sites, or damaging excavations, as has been proposed in the media.
“Our cultural heritage is of paramount importance, and we are satisfied that this road upgrade will not impact upon that.’’
VOLUNTEERS are desperately needed if the Koonya Garlic Festival is to go ahead next year.
An AGM will be held on Saturday August 21, at 10 am at the Koonya Hall.
Vice president Ella Hoban-Kelleher said she was hoping to get a committee together so that work could start on bringing the festival back.
“Unfortunately for reasons unrelated to the festival, a number of our volunteers will not be able to continue their roles on the committee this year, myself included,’’ Ms Hoban-Kelleher said.
“It seems that there is a lot of community interest in the return of the festival, but I am concerned that if we don’t get the numbers we need for the committee that the future of the festival may be at risk.
“It would be such a shame for this to happen, particularly because we were recently awarded a large grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund to purchase a big new marquee for the event, which was sadly unable to be used this year due to the cancellation of the festival.
“So aside from the obvious challenges posed by Covid-19 the festival has never been in a better position in terms of finances and infrastructure.
“We just need willing helpers to make it happen.’’
She said the festival was incredibly popular and a huge drawcard for the area. “We need a committee, we just don’t have enough bums on seats,’’ she said.
“There are seven positions and aside from that we need people to help volunteer on the day.
“We are all volunteers, we have our own jobs, businesses and responsibilities and there can be burn out.
“There are a whole lot of roles, in sponsorship, grant writing, marketing, infrastructure and compliance.
“It would be good to spread the load.’’ She said the marquee had been purchased with the $30,000 grant but had never been used.
“Its in a container ready to be used – we have never been in a better position financially or as far as equipment is concerned.’
CONSTRUCTION of the new $26 million Sorell School will start next month.
Fittingly, Australia’s oldest continually operating public school will start redevelopment in the 200th year of operation.
The bicentennial milestone will see onsite works start at the end of Term Three, in late September.
Construction company Fairbrother has been appointed the lead contractor.
School principal Jenny Cowling said building works would be staged to minimise disruptions.
“The building works will be staged to ensure our school can continue to operate, while ensuring the safety of students and their families and minimising the temporary impacts for staff and nearby businesses and residents,” Ms Cowling said.
“We will need to operate differently while the works are being carried out and we are communicating with our staff, parents, neighbours and the broader community to ensure everyone is aware of the temporary changes, which include the primary campus drop off and pick up areas, and parking arrangements.”
Mayor Kerry Vincent welcomed news of the start.
“The school rebuild has far reaching and positive outcomes for our community,’’ Mr Vincent said.
“It will grow confidence for our rapidly growing community that we have state-of-the-art education facilities for their children to access close to home.
“This will help the congestion on our busy road networks and will have flow on benefits to the rest of our community.
“The school has been designed to embrace spacious, green environments which the students, teachers and parents will greatly enjoy.
“We appreciate this job needs to be done in stages so the school can continue to operate effectively.
“I thank everyone for their contribution and patience. I look forward to seeing this exciting project begin.”
The redevelopment, which is expected to be completed by 2023, will deliver a combination of new buildings and refurbishment of existing facilities that provide state-of-the-art learning spaces for students from birth to Year 12.
Last year it was feared the project would be delayed as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
A Parliamentary Public Works committee hearing heard that some electrical components were manufactured overseas making delays in delivery possible.
“But every effort is being made to obtain building components from within Australia,’’ then education minister Jeremy Rockliff said.
“The project is continuing to progress according to schedule with the build set to commence in mid2021 with expected completion by 2023.’’
Mr Rockliff said the new school would provide greater opportunities for future generations of students and young people in Sorell and the broader south-east region.
** Update – Katelyn Innes gave birth to a healthy baby girl on Friday, July 30, six weeks early. Both are doing well. Congratulations! **
FRIENDS, family and strangers have rallied around Carlton’s Katelyn Innes who is recovering after a brain hemorrhage left her in a coma.
And as if that isn’t hard enough, the 25-year-old mother is pregnant with her second child, due in just weeks.
A little over two months ago, Katelyn Innes collapsed and was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital where she spent three weeks in the ICU.
Katelyn, 25, who is pregnant with her second child, is gradually coming out of her coma and working really hard on movement on her left side and coordination.
“All those little things we take for granted each day, like walking, talking and feeding ourselves are now things Katelyn is working on in her physio sessions to enable her to become more independent,’’ friend Kristy Hall said.
“Early June when Katelyn’s communication chart was introduced she told us she couldn’t hear.
It came as a total shock and one we never expected.
“In all that time the conversations we had had together she was actually lip reading us.
“Over the last couple of weeks her hearing has started to return on her right side, so that is fabulous news for her.
“Katelyn also has speech therapy and is working on using her vocal cords again which will enable her to get back to her chatty self.
“Considering the extent of her medical condition Katelyn’s recovery is progressing positively well, though slow for her, we see remarkable progress daily.”
To support Katelyn, husband Matt and two-year-old son Aiden, a gofundme page has been established.
Katelyn is a vet nurse and dog judge and from the outset the dog community jumped on board in support, even hosting a virtual dog show created by friend Teena Sloan.
“It was terrifying, she was at Westbury for a dog show,’’ her mum Yanina Smith said.
“A lot of people helped while waiting for an ambulance.
“She will go into rehab after the baby arrives, she won’t be able to go home with the bub. Matt will look after the baby.
There is a lot of fight in her and she is determined she wants to walk out with her baby. “There have been dark days, it’s been a real rollercoaster.’’
To support the Innes family, go to gofundme. com and register with Help Katelyn during her recovery.
