THIS WEEK'S COMMUNITY NEWS

Taking a leap
The Leap Concert is happening at Cygnet Town Hall on May 4. The Leap Concert has become a tradition that Cygnet resident Esther Cooke started when her mother died on a leap day 16 years ago. Esther says, “I just thought, we have a whole extra day in our year, so what do I want to do to make it really count? Something that expands my expectations of myself and makes me (and my mum) proud.” So the Leap Concert was born.  This year there was no venue available for leap day so Esther decided to go for May 4th (May the fourth be with you!) instead. Ross Smithard, Malcolm Martin, Rose Wilson and Helen Merrick will be ‘leaping’ with Esther, with diverse and slightly different to what you might expect performances. “I love to encourage and support others to make their own leap, we’re all so much more capable than we think,” says Esther.
Doors open at 5.30pm and the concert starts at 6pm. Bring your own food and drink. The seating is open and there will be tables available. Tickets are $22 per adult in advance, kids under 12 years are free, and are available at https://events.humanitix.com/leap-concert
Esther Cooke

Council calls for improved government support
Mayor Paula Wriedt welcomed the announcement that the state government had formed its new cabinet and called on the premier to support the need for improved health, emergency and sporting facilities in Kingborough.
“The council is keen to see work progress on the $30 million upgrade of the Kingston Health Centre announced by the state government in last year’s budget,” Cr Wriedt said.
“Ideally the upgrade would lead to the creation of an Urgent Care Clinic to service the needs of Kingborough and Huon Valley communities, reducing pressure on the Royal Hobart Hospital, but also easing ongoing traffic congestion for residents travelling from this region to the city. 
“I would urge the new government to make this a priority sooner, rather than later,” Cr Wriedt said.
“Several months ago the state government undertook a preliminary assessment to establish an Emergency Services Hub in Kingborough which will include police, fire, ambulance and the State Emergency Service. The hub would not only provide additional space and contemporary facilities for our first responders, but would also see an SES presence in the municipality for the first time. 
“We know there is a need in the community for this type of service. On many occasions we have heard collectively as a council of the time delays in providing adequate medical emergency support for our community, as well as the lack of space at the Kingston Police Station for their staff – they are simply bursting at the seams and cannot accommodate any additional allocation of officers within the constraints of their existing location.
“An Emergency Services Hub in Kingborough would be of great benefit to everyone in our municipality and the Huon, particularly during a major emergency or natural disaster, providing a space for a co-ordinated response through an incident control centre.
“We are aware that the state government’s preferred location was identified as the council’s works depot on the Channel Highway in Kingston (opposite the United Service Station adjacent to Bunnings).
“It’s great that the state government has responded to our calls for this type of emergency services hub in Kingborough, but now we need them to make this a reality by funding the relocation of the depot facilities to free up the land and to look at funding the Spring Farm connector road to provide the necessary linkage for emergency vehicles to get from the site to the Huon Highway.
“Throughout successive elections, the council has also been calling out for funding help to support Kingborough’s sporting infrastructure in light of significant growth in the area. 
“Indeed, the Kingborough Sports Centre precinct houses 33 different sporting clubs and with participants coming from further than just Kingborough and the Huon the area is servicing a potential catchment of over 100,000 people.
“We are literally bursting at the seams at the Kingborough Sports Centre, and there is no room for teams such as basketball, netball, pickleball, volleyball, futsal, badminton or walking football to expand.
“We are calling on funding to support the construction of two new multipurpose indoor courts which would allow the expansion of these and other sporting teams.
“Every election for the last 15 years we have seen significant promises being made for sporting infrastructure in many other municipalities with much smaller populations, especially in the north and north west of the state, yet little has been allocated to the southern region where the most population growth has been. 
“It’s time to address this inequity and support our active communities,” Cr Wriedt said.
Kingboorugh Council

Brochure highlights Cygnet walks
A brochure featuring attractive short walks around the Cygnet region has recently been produced by the Cygnet Association (tCA).
The walks, ranging from just 20 minutes to two hours (6.7km) were compiled by tCA member, Michael Garner, a former Parks and Wildlife Service senior ranger.
The brochure, available at the town hall tourist office features 12 walks with a note stating that they are aimed at encouraging the community and visitors to get out, exercise in the local area and enjoy this beautiful locality.
The walks mainly follow quiet local roads and paths.
Plotting and describing the walks, then obtaining a community grant to have the booklet published was a year’s project, but, says Michael Garner, was well worth it as the booklet has been well received by the community.
Among the interesting walks are Echo Sugarloaf Summit Track, Kings Hill Road Loop, Kays Beach to Gourlays Bay, a Lymington Road Coast Walk and the Two Churches Circuit.
Proceeds from the sale of the booklet (just $2) goes to other projects being undertaken by the Cygnet Association to promote and develop the district.
the Cygnet Association

Recycling reminder app available
Recycle Coach is an app that Kingborough residents can download onto their mobile phones to make their waste and recycling lives easier. 
Look up waste and recycling schedules on the app and find what items can go in your recycling bin.
To download the app head to the App Store or Google Play or visit https://www.kingborough.tas.gov.au/services/waste-recycling/recycling/recycle-coach/ to find more information.
Kingborough Waste Services

Children connect with nature at platypus and waterbug discovery session
Landcare Tasmania hosted a school holiday event focused on platypus and waterbug discovery on Monday 15 April at Garden Island Creek. The aim of this sold-out event was to connect children and families with their local environment and active Landcare groups.
Local children and families engaged in a hands-on exploration of the unique wildlife and water ecosystems of Tasmania. Participants took the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of platypuses and waterbugs through various activities and presentations.
John Gooderham, a freshwater ecologist, and Simon Roberts from the Upper Huon Wildlife Monitoring Group led discussions and activities, shedding light on the behavior, habitat, and importance of platypuses in the local creek ecosystem.
Children got the chance to embark on a waterbug identification adventure with John Gooderham, using the latest technology and tools to collect and identify local waterbugs. This interactive session fostered a deeper understanding of aquatic biodiversity and encouraged environmental stewardship among young participants.
“Children found out what types of waterbugs are on the menu for the platypus that live in Garden Island Creek. There were 20 different types of waterbugs found on the day,” said John Gooderham, from the The Waterbug Company. “Adding all these bugs together gave this bit of river an ecological health score of 6.2 ...which is high. It will be a green dot on the Waterbug Blitz maps.”
Furthermore, attendees learnt practical ways to contribute to conservation efforts, such as adopting platypus monitoring sites and participating in local Landcare initiatives.
“With 69 people – 45 children and 24 adults – in attendance, it was the largest Waterbug Blitz event ever in Tasmania. It was a unique opportunity for children and families to connect with nature and learn about the incredible wildlife in their backyards,” said Bianca Burford, education coordinator at Landcare Tasmania. “Events like these not only educate but also inspire a new generation of environmental custodians.”
The event was made possible through the generous support of the Huon Valley Council, the Friends of Garden Island Creek Landcare Group and the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Premier’s Fund for Children and Young People.
Keen to be involved in more waterbug surveys, spending time at local creeks and waterways or be part of the next Know Your Local Patch event? Contact Landcare Tasmania through our website to RSVP: http://www.landcaretas.org.au
Upcoming events
• Sunday 28 April, from 1pm to 4pm at Mountain River. Places are limited, please contact Landcare Tas to RSVP.
• Sunday 26 May, from 1pm to 4pm at Lonnavale. Places are limited, please contact Landcare Tas to RSVP.
Landcare Tasmania

HMAS Huon crew coming to Huonville
On Saturday 4 May 2024, the crew of HMAS Huon will be visiting their ship’s namesake region, the Huon Valley.
This will be a very significant occasion, as the HMAS Huon is set to be decommissioned soon, so an event like this may not take place again.
The crew and Navy band will set off from the Huonville Cenotaph in Heron Street at 10.30am and march along Main Street. They’ll stop at the War Memorial building to meet our local Tasmania Police sergeant who will grant the procession “Freedom of Entry” into the town. The march will continue to the Huonville Town Hall.
Huonville’s Main Street between Heron Road and the traffic circle (including Sale Street to Skinner Drive) will be closed to traffic for approximately 30 minutes between 10.30am and 11am. Traffic will be diverted during this time and we will be taking all the necessary measures to ensure minimal disruption and inconvenience.
You’re invited to stick around after the parade and meet the crew in the town hall from 11.15am.
Everyone is encouraged to join in, line Huonville’s Main Street and welcome the crew!
The HMAS Huon ship will unfortunately not be visiting Tasmania for this event, as it is set to be decommissioned soon.
Further information about the Freedom of Entry event can be found on the Huon Valley Council website.
Huon Valley Council

Transformer project given the green light
A major drawcard for the Huon Valley region has taken another step forward.
Transformer, Darklab’s ‘destination’ public artwork and visitor centre proposal, has been approved by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS).
The Transformer artwork and visitor centre, to be built and operated in the Ida Bay State Reserve, will be a major drawcard for Tasmania and advance the visitor economy in the south.
Since the project’s development application was approved by the Huon Valley Council, Darklab’s project planners have worked closely with PWS.
Minister for parks and environment, Nick Duigan, said the relevant environmental assessment documentation to secure approvals for the development to progress have now been completed.
“This is an exciting step forward for the project, submitted as part of the tourism EOI process, and the Tasmanian government remains committed to seeing the development progress,” Minister Duigan said.
“It will generate sustainable growth to our visitor economy and support jobs, particularly in the Huon Valley region. Transformer will be a unique project, one that will connect visitors with the environment through art.”
The Transformer artwork includes a pavilion with reflective interiors that will create a kaleidoscope viewing effect which will provide visitors with a unique perspective of the surrounding landscapes, including the Southwest National Park within the globally significant Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area.
“It is expected to attract 30,000 people to the area each year,” Minister Duigan said.
Darklab Pty Ltd submitted a concept as part of the Tourism EOI process, established to reinvigorate visitation to the Huon Valley region following the 2019 bushfires, with the project receiving funding support from the Tasmanian and Australian governments.
PWS is now working closely with Darklab to finalise the lease for the Ida Bay site.
Nick Duigan,
Minister for Parks and Environment

New blister pack recycling scheme
Huon Valley Council is pleased to inform residents of collection points for blister pack recycling. 
This new service is free for residents, who are encouraged to drop off their empty packs at a convenient collection point.
Collection points are available at:
• Southbridge Waste Transfer Station, 2899 Huon Highway, Huonville
• Huon Valley Hub, 23 Main Street, Huonville
• Dover Waste Transfer Station, 53 Cemetery Road, Dover
• Cygnet Waste Transfer Station, 83 Tobys Hill Road, Cygnet
“For households, the blister packs that many medications come packaged in are hard to avoid and particularly difficult to recycle,” said Huon Valley mayor Sally Doyle.
“This recycling program is a great opportunity to provide a solution for our community.”
The blister packs collected will be processed by the council’s recycling partner Pharmacycle, who operate a large network of collection points and recycles 100% of packs collected.
“We chose to work with Pharmacycle due to its proven experience and transparency in their recycling processes,” said Mayor Doyle.
“When the council provides a recycling service to the community, we want to ensure we have done our due diligence in knowing where the materials are going to end up.”
To find out more about how the blister pack recycling process works, visit Pharmacycle’s website: www.pharmacycle.com.au
Huon Valley Council

New mule for Bruny
Emergency services on Bruny Island now have a wheeled stretcher (known as a ‘mule’) at the ready!
Tasmania Police’s Search and Rescue unit helped to purchase the mule with funds raised by the Bruny Island Health Auxiliary, and ran training for volunteers from Tasmania SES, Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Fire Service on how to use it.
The fundraising effort was assisted by Senior Constable Leonie Ridge.
The mule will be a valuable resource in the event of an emergency.
Tasmania Police

Safety improvements to the Channel Highway
Work has commenced upgrading the Channel Highway south of Margate to improve road safety for motorcyclists and other road users.
The project will deliver improved road user safety for motorcyclists and other road users along the 40km section of the Channel Highway from south of Margate through to Verona Sands. It will deliver additional road signage including:
• speed advisory signage;
• the adjustment of concealed road signage;
• side road signage;
• changes in road topography signage.
There will also be the installation of new barriers with underrun protection and additional underrun protection to existing barriers on some corners.
Construction started on Monday 22 April and will take about six weeks.
There will be some temporary traffic changes to ensure the safety of workers and road users. A reduced speed limit will be in place during work hours and this may affect travel times.
Road users should allow up to 10 minutes extra travel time during this work. Please keep to speed limits and follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs.
If you have any questions regarding these works, please email the project team at channelhighwayupgrade@stategrowth.tas.gov.au or phone 0411 621 170.
Department of State Growth

The Pedestrians claim battle prize
Battle of the Bands was held on Friday 12 April at the Kingborough Community Hub.
Seven local bands showcased their talent at the Kingborough Community Hub from across Kingston, Taroona and Woodbridge.
They played a mix of indie rock, pop and jazz and mostly original songs.
The auditorium and outdoor town square were filled with family, friends and community supporters from across Kingborough.
The MC John X kept the audience entertained in the breaks with games and spot prizes.
Young volunteers from the Youth Action Kingborough group (YAK) also assisted on the night in various roles such as face painting and selling snacks to raise funds for Edna’s Helping Hands.
The judges (Sam, Stu and Hannah) had a tough time deciding on a winner as the quality of the performances was very high!
In the end the first prize was awarded to The Pedestrians.
They will spend a day at Future State studios to record a song later in the year.
The event was held during Youth Week to celebrate and encourage young musicians, and to kick off the school holidays.
Local musician Dave Wane provided the instruments and additional sound support on the night.
Kingborough Council

Celebrate Tamil new year
On 28 April from 10am to 3pm at the Kingborough Community Hub,
the Tamil Society invites you to join in for a fun-filled celebration of the Tamil calendar new year.
Get ready to enjoy traditional Tamil music, dance performances, delicious food, and more. Let’s welcome the new year with joy and excitement!
Don’t miss out on this special occasion to connect with the Tamil community and celebrate together. Mark your calendars and spread the word to friends and family. We can’t wait to see you there.
This is an alcohol free event.
Entry is free, however, prior registration via Eventbrite is mandatory. Entry for walk-ins will be subject to availability and may be restricted if we have reached our maximum capacity of attendees. We appreciate your cooperation and support.
Tamil Arts & Cultural Society of Tasmania. Inc

Find out how language matters
Bookings are now open for Language Matters, presented by Working It Out at Kingston Library with funding from Kingborough Council.
This excellent session explores how language can be used to support inclusion for people of diverse gender, sex or sexuality.
Language Matters will be held on Tuesday 14 May, from 10am to 12pm.
This is a free session with bookings required via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/861228556797 or contact Kingston Library at 6165 6208 or kingston.library@libraries.tas.gov.au.
Come and learn about:
• Gender, sex and sexuality identities – definitions and terminology;
• Pronouns and misgendering;
• Everyday experiences of stigma, discrimination and isolation and their impacts through language and action;
• How to use language appropriately to support LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
All welcome.
Kingston Library

Try Japanese calligraphy on Mother’s Day
A Japanese calligraphy workshop for children or families with young children will be held at KIN Creative Space, 20 Beach Road, Kingston Beach, on  Mother’s Day.
From 2pm to 4pm on Sunday 12 May, workshop participants will learn Japanese calligraphy and make a great Mother’s Day gift for their mother, father and/or grandparents.
The workshop is suitable for all ages. Tickets cost $20 and are required per child/participant. To book visit https://events.humanitix.com/japanese-calligraphy-mother-s-day.
Workshop facilitator, Maiko Howell, was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and began doing calligraphy at age five under the guidance of her mother – also a calligrapher.
Maiko became a master of Japanese traditional calligraphy in 2017 and has held workshops for children and adults throughout Eastern Japan, and now lives in Kingborough with her family.
In the workshop participants will be able to choose and learn to write from three sets of Japanese written characters; Hiragana, Katakana, or Kanji.
Kingborough Council

Tasmanians urged to attend ANZAC Day services
Tasmanians are urged to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our veterans on ANZAC Day, this Thursday 25 April by attending an ANZAC service in their local community.
Honouring and paying respects to those who have served, fought and died for the freedoms that we enjoy today is the mark of a grateful nation.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Guy Barnett, has encouraged all Tasmanians to attend their local ANZAC Day service.
“This is truly one of the most significant days on our calendar. I encourage Tasmanians to attend one of your local services and commemorate the courage, mateship, service and sacrifice which are symbolic of the ANZAC spirit that was born 109 years ago, on 25 April 1915 at Gallipoli. In World War One more than 15,000 Tasmanians served and an estimated 3,000 were killed,” Minister Barnett said.
“ANZAC services will take place right around the state and I thank RSL Tasmania and their sub branches for organising most of these.
“There are 17,500 veterans in our state and I ask my fellow Tasmanians to reach out and say ‘Thank you for your service’.”
You can access a list of ANZAC Day services around Tasmania at www.rsltas.org.au/whats-on/anzac-day/.
Guy Barnett,
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs

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