State of Rowing & Launceston City Council- Update

Update written: 24th October 2018.

Copy provided to Rowing Tasmania, prior to posting.

 

Today, I’d like to thank all those who have provided feed back on previous blogs. Whether positive or negative all is valuable.

Speaking out publicly, placing issues within the public domain, forces questions to be asked some of which may eventually be answered. When this occurs, or new information becomes available, I’m always happy to provide a blog update.

However, this blog is my own, the opinions and thoughts expressed, are my own.

It is my considered opinion that when faced with a political environment which is not being open and transparent, local media which has become nothing more than a ‘cut and paste’ from prepackaged media release(s) and with 60% of the nation’s media organisations owned or controlled by one media mogul; we have a social and civic duty to ask questions and provide information to the larger community.

If this means that I am perceived as a ‘revolutionary’, a ‘S*** Stir’, ‘difficult’ what ever else, then so be it.

Also, lets keep in mind that Launceston is in the midst of a municipal council election and a Federal election is due in 2019. These being, the opportune moments, to lift the carpet, ask difficult questions and speak out where they have not been forth coming.

Right. Lets get to business on these updates.

First to the matter of Rowing Tasmania. Relations between the Tasmanian peak body and Tasmanian Rowing Clubs, is largely symbiotic, but has by no means always been on calm waters.

During the process of researching the history of Northern Tasmania’s early rowing days, I stumbled upon some material which suggests; early last century there may have been an attempt to form a break away, state body. At one point, two bodies did exist – The Tasmanian Rowing Association and a Tasmanian Rowing Union. Things must have been pretty bad!

As to the current situation, my updated understanding is as follows.

To date Rowing Tas has received $5000 from the Launceston City Council and $25,000 from the current Liberal, Tasmanian State Govt. This money is for the preliminary part, of the Launceston Rowing Precinct project development including: liaising with those clubs and schools looking to locate into the new rowing precinct. Creation and feed back of plans, modeling etc. Reliable sources indicate this project will only go ahead with funding from outside sources – not from the coffers of Rowing Tasmania itself. Should external funding not be available, the project will simply not be achievable.

The Pontoon which Rowing Tasmania and the Launceston City Council are proposing to use for the entire precinct, is owned jointly by St Patrick’s College and the North Esk Rowing Club.

The Launceston City Council decided and the stakeholders informed at meeting on the 19^th May 2018. This does not reflect the original situation as discussed and agreed to between LCC, North Esk Rowing Club and a private benefactor when the repairs and extensions to the pontoon where originally, put on the table at North Esk - discussed and agreed to between these three parties.

In fact post the meeting on 19^th May, North Esk were somewhat shell shocked, to say the very least. However, this may actually turn out to be to St Patrick College and North Esk Rowing Club’s advantage in the longer term.

Whilst these two organisations will retain ownership and management of the pontoon, there are still serious concerns from both organisations as to the practicality of boating an entire rowing precinct from one pontoon already running at capacity (which is why the size was doubled post 2016 flood) plus and the existence of the new foot bridge creating bottle necks – particularly with quick moving tides or flood waters.

A second pontoon on the other side of the bridge would be a more sensible proposal and practical solution.

Now to Rowing Tasmania itself. I’ve been advised recently that, the hiring of employees by Rowing Tasmania has been out sourced to (*find and insert company name here?*) and therefore - independent.

Within Tasmania there is an entire generation, almost completely unrepresented within the coaching ranks. This is not the fault of any organization, nor is this a criticism of any coach. It is simply the way things are.

Tasmania does have some exceptional coaching talent, which would be greatly enhanced and supported with the introduction of ‘new blood’. In deed a prime example of this was the arrival of Sam La Compt from New Zealand during the 1990s.

Fresh ideas and perspective would be of great benefit statewide, particularly within development programs and coach mentoring.

The other issue is the perception by many that the sovereignty and independence of their clubs are under threat.

Whilst Revolutionize Sport is an outstanding platform which has greatly improved efficiency of administration for those clubs and schools using it; there are parameters and restrictions which are not only causing some internal issues for users, unnecessary work for state bodies. In some instances these could be interpreted as conflicting with the autonomy of organisations. This is a situation, which needs rectifying ASAP. Not only for practicality, but also to alleviate the fore mentioned concerns.

The best publicity any community or government body – or, indeed any large project for that matter, is through open communication, community engagement, regular updates and transparency.

Whilst we are on the matter of autonomy, independence and asset management / protection of community organisations; I must also add an update on Launceston City Council matters. However, that will have to be part 2 for another blog.