Download the STCA Annual Plan 2009-2010 [PDF — 400Kb]

The twelve Southern Councils, as financial contributors to Tasmania’s South Regional Tourism Association (Tas South), have the right to appoint three of the seven Directors on the Tas South Board.

Tas South operates through the business unit known as Totally South Tourism – tourism development and marketing, whose website is www.totallysouth.com.au

Two appointments are to be made by the Councils in 2009; one for a period of one year and a second for a two year period, both commencing in November 2009.

Membership of the Board provides interested and suitably qualifi ed people with an opportunity to make a signifi cant contribution to the development and ongoing delivery of services to international and interstate visitors to Southern Tasmania, as well as to residents of all parts of the State.

All Board positions are honorary. The STCA is seeking to appoint people who together will possess the following experience, knowledge, attributes and skills:

• High level strategic, business and leadership skills and extensive experience in commerce, accounting, financial management or law; and the ability to apply these in the context in which Tasmania’s South Regional Tourism Association operates.
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of Regional tourism, the rapid changes that are currently occurring in the marketing environment of tourism and the resultant challenges faced by the Industry.
• High level of skills and experience in tourism, events or convention related businesses.
• A combination of extensive public and private sector networks and the ability to influence and advocate on behalf of the Industry.

Further information is available from David Lovell, Joint CEO, STCA on 0408121714.

Those making application are requested to do so by addressing the criteria listed by email to David Lovell.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 9 October 2009.

Downloads:
Attributes required by Directors [PDF 64Kb]
Chairman’s Report AGM 08 [PDF 1.3Mb]
Strategic Plan 2008-2012 [PDF 1.4Mb]

These decision-making principles do not constitute ‘regional planning strategies’, rather they are intended to provide a summation of the approach to development the framework and settlement strategy and represent ‘good planning practice’.

They do not cover the full range of issues that the framework will utlimately address.

Download Decision Making Principles [PDF 140Kb]

Download the June 2009 Quarterly Report [PDF 584Kb]

Bridal creeper is a Declared Weed under the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 and is a high priority for the Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy.

Currently it is found at a limited number of sites across the region. Bridal creeper entered Australia as a garden plant in the 1870s.

With its spray of white flowers and tear drop-shaped leaves, bridal creeper was a favourite for wedding bouquets. The marriage went terribly wrong! Bridal creeper is now a Weed of National Significance and is regarded as one of Australia’s 20 worst weeds.

It invades coastal areas, creeklines, wet and dry forests, irrigated citrus orchards and pine plantations.

It out-competes understorey species and seedling trees with its carpet of thick lush foliage and can also climb and eventually smother taller plants.

The vines appear above ground in late winter through to late spring. Summer sees the above ground growth die off, leaving the tuberous mat under the ground that will nourish the plant until the leaves reappear in the following winter.

Bridal creeper has sharply pointed, shiny green leaves about 1-4cm long and up to 2cm wide with fine parallel veins. Leaves alternate on small branchlets, positioned off a slender central stem.

At each node or joint the stem changes direction, and slightly zig zags. Once well established, the plant will flower in late winter to early spring. The white six-petalled flowers are scented and hang individually from the stem.

It then produces rich burgundy-red berries that are readily dispersed by birds and other animals. About 1000 berries are produced per square metre of mature plant, each holding up to nine seeds.

Below ground tubers are fleshy, up to 4cm long and 2cm wide and ending in thin roots, being grouped together like a bunch of pointy grapes. This root mass can account for up to 90% of the total plant weight.

Bridal creeper is recorded from a limited number of sites at Granton, Richmond, Montagu Bay, Droughty Point, Gordon’s Hill, Dowsing Point, Pearces Reserve Hobart, Jordan River, Dodges Ferry, Coningham, Penna, Dulcot, Coles Bay, Triabunna and Swansea.

For the best control method(s) for bridal creeper contact DPIPWE Weed Management Branch on 1300 368 550.

Please report all plants to the STCA Project Manager Weeds Sandy Leighton. Email Sandy or phone 0437 450 143.

The STCA Board has developed a new Strategic Plan building on the work it has been undertaking over the last few years.

The members of STCA have indicated that there are a number of core areas that are priorities in respect to Regional development.

These areas fall broadly into seven strategic themes:

• Improved Physical Infrastructure
• Enhanced Economic Development
• Improved Environmental Performance
• Enhanced Social well-being
• Improved Inter-regional Cooperation
• Improved Local Government sustainability
• Good Organisational Governance

Key additions to the Strategic Plan include such issues as:

• The establish of a regional ‘Climate Change and Sustainability Initiative’ 
• The establishment of a regionally agreed Infrastructure Investment Strategy.
• The preparation of a comprehensive State of the Region Report.

and continued focus on issues such as:

• Providing regional support to member Councils 
• Pursuing opportunities for cooperation and resource sharing projects
• Implementation of the Southern Weed Strategy
• Developing more sustainable purchasing practices across the region

Download the STCA Strategic Plan 2009 to 2014 [PDF 640Kb]

We encourage you to have your say on the draft Plan, particularly on the vision, objectives and strategies contained within the Plan. Your comments will be considered by the Steering Committee in the development of the final Plan.

A response form has been developed to assist your organisation in providing comment, organisations and individuals are also welcome to prepare their own separate comments.

The Plan has an eight-week public comment period with comments due by 31 August 2009. Please direct comments to the:

Southern Integrated Transport Plan
Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources
PO Box 936
Hobart 7001

or click here to email the steering committee.

Your comments are important to us and we look forward to your input to enable us to deliver a transport system that meets our regions future needs and aspirations.

Download the Draft Plan for public consultation [PDF 1.6Mb]

Download the Response form [PDF - 244Kb]

“Local government is at the forefront of adapting to the impacts of climate change.” said Alderman Rob Valentine, Chair of the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority.(STCA)

“Our region has a very significant range of expertise in this area. Hobart City Council has recently released its Climate Change Strategies document; Clarence City Council has recently won an award for its ground-breaking work on impacts on coastal areas; and Southern Midlands Council has made a significant contibution in supporting its rural landholders. These projects represent only a small portion of the climate change mitigation work that is being achieved in our region.”

“We have a fantastic opportunity to work together across the region to share resources and expertise and coordinate, through the STCA, the development and implementation of programs that support our communities in adapting to the impacts of climate change.”

“There are a number of activities we believe can be undertaken at a practical level including the identification of assets and infrastructure that may be vulnerable to the impacts of storm surge, strong wind, extreme rainfall and high temperatures, for example.” said Alderman Valentine.

It is proposed the STCA Climate Change and Sustainability Initiative will be able to provide a source of climate change information and advice to local government in our region that is independent, objective, non-partisan, science based and pragmatic.

The STCA Climate Change and Sustainability Initiative will also work to build the capacity of Councils and their communities to act, adapt and respond to climate change as well as identifying and implementing regional greenhouse reduction, adaptation, offset and behaviour-change projects.

The STCA Board, made up of the twelve mayors, has agreed to support the development of a Memorandum of Understanding between the STCA member Councils and prepare a business case for the project as the first step in this co-operative approach to climate change.

For more information regarding this media release please contact the Chair of the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority, Alderman Rob Valentine Mobile: 0418 127 323

Download the Southern Tasmania Regional Planning Project Plan — [PDF - 700Kb]

Desirable areas of experience include all areas of strategic land use planning, such as:

• Strategic planning Mapping / GIS
• Spatial data analysis Land & property evaluation analysis
• Socio-economic analysis Public consultation
• Planning law

The Project is a joint planning initiative between State and Local Government with the overall aim of achieving coordinated, consistent and contemporary planning schemes.

The first phase of the project involves the development of a comprehensive regional land use planning framework for Southern Tasmania upon which the new planning schemes will be based.

Whilst the bulk of the work on the regional strategy and subsequent planning scheme development will be undertaken internally, it is anticipated that discrete components will be undertaken externally.

Expressions of Interest should address the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience in researching and preparing regional land use
• strategies, or components thereof.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake and complete designated work effectively and within reasonable timeframes.
• A sound understanding of the State’s Resource Planning and Management System.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with State Government Agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to consult effectively with the community and key stakeholders.

Submissions should highlight any particular areas of expertise and must provide details of key stff and any specialist software that would be used, along with hourly rates.

Expressions of Interest close on Friday 3rd July 2009 and should be sent to:
The Southern Tasmania Regional Planning Project
Southern Tasmanian Councils Association
GPO Box 503E
HOBART TAS 7001

For an information package or to discuss the project details, please contact either of the Joint Project Managers: Damian Mackey on (03) 6270 2242 or 0419 562 785, or email Damien: or Emma Riley on (03) 6270 2242 or 0409 787 715, or email Emma.