Merger failure last straw for Roseanne Heyward as former mayor steps down

A DISAPPOINTED Roseanne Heyward, who has quit as Tasman mayor over the failed merger with Sorell, says she fears her community is on the brink of collapse.

Outgoing Tasman mayor Roseanne Heyward is stepping down after the failed merger with Sorrel. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

A DISAPPOINTED Roseanne Heyward, who has quit as Tasman mayor over the failed merger with Sorell, says she fears her community is on the brink of collapse.

After 14 years as a councillor, seven as deputy mayor and the last four as mayor, Ms Heyward said while she loved her time on the council, she would not be standing in the October local government elections.

The 69-year-old said the Council had lost an opportunity by voting against the merger with Sorell and their capacity to provide services in the future would be limited as a result.

“Our budget every month — and we were hearing this all the time — it was a struggle. We were walking on a tightrope and it would just be a little wind and you’re over,” she said.

“During the debate, it was talked about Tasman Council being a bit like a house of cards. We’re just there and it doesn’t take much to blow it down.”

She said without a merger she didn’t know how Tasman Council was going to survive.

“There’s only two options — put the rates up and reduce services,” she said.

“Tasman is not a stand-alone council. We buy in 16 different services from other councils, 11 of those are from Sorell.

“We’re a small council, we don’t need a full-time accountant, engineer or planner, so we buy them in, mostly from Sorell.”

After a three-year process, involving KPMG consultants, which cost the Council about $15,000, and a Local Government Board report, Tasman councillors voted on August 22 to reject the recommended merger, just a day after their Sorell counterparts had unanimously given it the green light.

Ms Heyward said she had “sneaking suspicions” before the vote and she doubted whether there would be another opportunity like it for Tasman.

“I was disappointed, the general manager was disappointed, so the next day he resigned … [I decided to stand down] about the same time,” she said.

“Out of all the people that have rung me, and there’s been dozens, I’ve only had one of them say they were glad of the vote.”

Sorell Mayor Kerry Vincent said Ms Heyward’s departure would be a “great loss” for the community, and he too feared for the long term sustainability of both councils without a merger.

“It’s disappointing Roseanne is not continuing, she’s been an inspiration as mayor of Tasman,” he said.

“She’s a remarkable woman, with strong character and very good ideas.”

Fellow Tasman councillor Maria Stacey is standing again, but said she also contemplated whether to continue after supporting the failed bid.

“Roseanne is very committed, I’ve seen first hand how dedicated she is,” Ms Stacey said.

Ms Heyward said it was time to leave as she doesn’t think it’s a good idea for councillors to “just stay and stay — it’s good to have fresh eyes looking”.

With her new found free time, she said she would help the builder with her new house, do some volunteering and join a few committees.

“I’ve enjoyed local government, you get to meet some wonderful people and you get abused a lot because the pothole outside someone’s house has not been fixed,” she said.

“[With] the number of people that are really unhappy I’m not standing, I guess I’ve done a reasonable job.”

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