Tasmanian Local Government elections: Clarence mayoral candidates have their say
SIX candidates are in the race for the position of mayor of the Clarence City Council.
Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
COUNCIL amalgamations, easing traffic congestion and the controversial Rosny Hill development will be the hot topics of discussion for Clarence residents this October election.
A field of six candidates will contest the Clarence mayoral race including incumbent Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman and Alderman Richard James.
Four new candidates are chasing the top job including Mike Figg, Tony Mulder, Roger Viney and the Greens’ Beth Warren.
Overall, 25 people are hoping to secure the 12 spots available, which is two more than the 2014 poll.
Mr Mulder is calling for an elector poll to be held to decide the issue of council amalgamations once and for all.
Last year, council decided it would not pursue a voluntary amalgamation with neighbouring councils after a survey found that 52 per cent or residents were not supportive of an amalgamation in the south east and 64 per cent not supportive of an amalgamation in greater Hobart.
The survey was posted to 31,000 residents in September, with 5593 surveys received.
“Twenty-nine councils and three levels of government are far too many,” Mr Mulder said. “Self-interested councillors won’t vote themselves out of a job.”
Mr Viney argued that amalgamation could lead to a low-cost, more efficient council.
“I will bring forward the issue of council amalgamations and have a serious council debate in the best interest of Clarence and Tasmania,” he said.
Traffic issues around Clarence were also raised by candidates. Ald Chipman said working with other councils and the State Government to improve planning and traffic management across Greater Hobart was imperative.
“Introducing citywide smart traffic control methods will be essential to smooth traffic flows,” he said.
Last month, Hunter Developments withdrew plans for a $50m eco-resort atop Rosny Hill but will resubmit another plan after the election.
Residents argued there had been a lack of consultation about the project.
Ald James said one of his top priorities would be to review the council’s consultation policy so that community input was sought first for any council land listed for future development.
The Mercury asked the Clarence mayoral candidates to sum up their top priorities if they are to get the top job. Here are there responses in alphabetical order.
DOUG CHIPMAN
Delivering quality roads, footpaths, playgrounds, sports grounds and waste collection services while keeping rates low is the first priority. Road priorities include lobbying for the 4-lane East Derwent Highway to the Bowen Bridge, the Mornington and Airport Roundabout upgrades, the Cambridge bypass from the Acton Roundabout to Richmond Road, slip
ramps between Gordons Hill Road and the Tasman Highway, and the 4-lane South Arm Highway extension to Lauderdale.
Working with other councils and the State Government to improve land use planning and traffic management for Greater Hobart. Introducing city-wide smart traffic control methods will be essential to smooth traffic flows.
Continued co-operation will be vital to secure the Hobart City Deal with the Federal Government. Supporting new business and job opportunities. Working with the Airport to expand Antarctic and international freight opportunities, diverting more recycled water into the Coal River Valley for agriculture, and helping school leavers to find jobs.
MORE:
ELECTORAL COMMISSION URGES VOTERS TO RETURN POSTAL BALLOTS
HOBART MAYORAL CANDIDATES PUT THEIR CASE
MIKE FIGG
I stand for:
1. A return to a fairer more compassionate Council representing its people instead of over-regulating them
2. Accountability, transparency and ethical behaviour of Alderman and Council Staff
3. True consultation and inclusion in developments directly affecting the community while reducing rates and development fees.
RICHARD JAMES
With 25 years experience as a Clarence Councillor and sound knowledge of the workings of
Local Government, as your Mayor, my plan will evolve, and involve consultation with the
community.
My Vision: “Encourage, Engage and Join with Council to achieve better Planning and
Policy outcomes”
1. Need to establish the right balance for maintaining neighbourhood amenity as well as meeting demand for sustainable on-going development
2. Review the Council’s consultation policy so that community input is sought first, particularly when Public and /or Council land is listed for future development.
3. Support a cap on Council rates and charges, but adjust in line with CPI for the Greater Hobart area
4. Preserve the city’s skyline, cultural and heritage characters and promote low-rise small scale developments particularly on Clarence’s hill-top and along its coastline.
5. Urgent review of current Urban Growth Boundary so that development may extend into regional areas, already established road-works and infrastructure services.
TONY MULDER
Clarence rates are 20% above the state average and we are poorly led by a Mayor who, lacking in vision, has been captured by the bureaucracy. As Clarence’s Mayor I will have the people’s mandate to implement the policies I take to this election. The big 3 are:
Amalgamation — 29 Councils and 3 levels of Government are far too many. Self-interested Councillors won’t vote themselves out of a job, so an Electors Poll is needed.
Road Congestion. There is a desperate need for an Eastern Ring Road to bypass the Tasman Bridge including, the missing Flagstaff Gully Link, connecting Lauderdale to the Bowen Bridge Eastlands/Tasman Highway ramps, and the Rokeby By-Pass and the upgrading of Pass Road.
Poor planning outcomes resulting from a Mayor dazzled by developer’s ‘pie in the sky’ proposals that are withdrawn or modified when commercial reality sinks in.
ROGER VINEY
1. Community Consultation
Work to establish a Community Consultation Unit within the Council which would
enable the community to have the opportunity to have consistent input into Council
issues. You get an open, transparent, consensus orientated Council.
2. Council Amalgamations
I will bring forward the issue of Council amalgamations and have a serious Council
debate in the best interest of Clarence and Tasmania at large. A lower cost more
efficient Council delivering better services.
3. Controlling your Property Rates
Discuss with the State Government the establishment of a regulatory authority which
has the power to monitor and control unrealistic rate increases, including rating
retirement villages. Keeping property rates lower.
4. Independent Planning Authority
Remove Councils role as Planning Authority and transfer it to an independent expert
Board appointed by the State Government. Delivering faster more equitable
planning.
BETH WARREN
My first priority as Mayor of Clarence will be to establish a community consultation framework that allows council staff and elected representatives to work with established and emerging residents’ groups and tap into local knowledge of the issues that affect them.
I will then use this communication framework to review the City of Clarence Strategic Plan 2016-2026 to ensure it aligns with community expectations and priorities.
I will also work with the community and experts to develop and implement a Towards Zero Waste Strategy that will allow Clarence to decrease its reliance on landfill, improve our environment, generate local jobs and reduce Council overheads on waste management.
HOT ISSUES FOR CLARENCE CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL amalgamations, easing traffic congestion and the controversial Rosny Hill development will be the hot topics of discussion for Clarence residents this October election.
A field of six candidates will contest the Clarence mayoral race.
Overall, 25 people are hoping to secure the 12 spots available, which is two more than the 2014 poll.
Mr Mulder is calling for an elector poll to be held to decide the issue of council amalgamations once and for all.
Last year, council decided it would not pursue a voluntary amalgamation with neighbouring councils after a survey found that 52 per cent or residents were not supportive of an amalgamation in the south east and 64 per cent not supportive of an amalgamation in greater Hobart.
The survey was posted to 31,000 residents in September, with 5593 surveys received.
“Twenty-nine councils and three levels of government are far too many,” Mr Mulder said.
“Self-interested councillors won’t vote themselves out of a job.”
Mr Viney argued that amalgamation could lead to a low-cost, more efficient council.
“I will bring forward the issue of council amalgamations and have a serious council debate in the best interest of Clarence and Tasmania,” he said.
Traffic issues around Clarence were also raised by candidates.
Ald Chipman said working with other councils and the State Government to improve planning and traffic management across Greater Hobart was imperative.
“Introducing citywide smart traffic control methods will be essential to smooth traffic flows,” he said.
Last month, Hunter Developments withdrew plans for a $50m eco-resort atop Rosny Hill but will resubmit another plan after the election.
Residents argued there had been a lack of consultation about the project.
Ald James said one of his top priorities would be to review the council’s consultation policy so that community input was sought first for any council land listed for future development.
MORE:
FIRST LOOK: New Bellerive ferry terminal plans
About 500 commuters use the Bellerive to Hobart ferry daily. The government hopes a $5m ferry upgrade will encourage more people to use the service. See the designs here...
Extra $10m funding to rebuild storm-damaged communities
Further assistance has arrived for communities picking up the pieces from damaging storms that swept through Tasmania. The details.