Richard's engineering background gives him him unique insight into Council’s infrastructure projects.
One of Richard's first initiatives was to have Council reduce its own energy use by instigating an annual energy audit. Carried out by an independent consultant, the review found many opportunities for Council to conserve energy, which continue to be implemented. This included:
Installing insulation
Changing to energy saving lamps.
Renegotiating power contracts
Changing heating settings
& many more - every year we save a little more.
The installation of solar panels at Council's Windsor precinct was also recommended, and is under review.
Richard Ireland is Council’s Taswater representative.
community events
Richard Ireland is an active supporter and volunteer with many community organisations including the Tamar Valley Writers Festival, Farmgate Festival, Neighbourhood Watch, CORES (Community Response to Eliminating Suicide) and the Seniors Advisory Group.
In recent years Richard helped regenerate the use of Rowella Hall by the community, which ultimately led to the retention of the hall by Council. The hall continues to be used by a number of flourishing local events which bring the community together.
road Kill
Road kill is a blight on our roads, a confronting sight for many visitors to Tasmania, and is difficult to eliminate. As such it is a serious and ongoing problem for Council.
The West Tamar Highway is maintained by the Department of State Growth, who inspect it and remove roadkill on a regular basis.
Council maintain other roads and clear roadkill from them regularly. You can request the removal of roadkill by calling the Works Department on 6394 5386
The infrastructure changes and development at Legana will enrich life in the West Tamar and are rightly the subject of scrutiny and excitement within both the community and Council. Legana has grown quickly and has a busy shopping precinct, and it is vital that the area offers community facilities to complement this. Council continues to work in the best interests of all concerned to grow Legana sensitively into a thriving centre with much to offer residents and businesses.
recyling and fogo
Richard is a committed supporter of recycling, and innovations in recycling and reducing waste.
In 2018 he assisted in the implementation of Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) by the West Tamar Council. This fortnightly kerbside service is a convenient way for some of the West Tamar's households to recycle food and garden organics, reducing the use of landfill and greenhouse gas emission.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide, especially youth suicide, is a growing problem and urgently in need of our attention.
CORES - Community Response to Eliminating Suicide runs a group in the West Tamar, with regular meetings. Please contact Richard Ireland if you would like to be put in touch with this group and receive training in suicide prevention.
Budget
Council has a long term 20 year financial strategy, and also prepares an annual budget. Work begins on this in February of each year and is completed by June, each year.
The setting of priorities and selection of items for budget is a complex process. Increasingly, Council uses evidence based methodology to set priorites and evaluates submissions according to costs benefits and value to the community.
Many items covered by Council's budget are major infrastructure initiatives, which may not be apparent but are nevertheless essential to the environment of the West Tamar.
Should you have any enquiries about initiatives covered by Council's budgeting or should you wish to discuss a submission, please contact Richard Ireland.
Contact Richard Ireland on 0418 825 001 richardireland@bigpond.com .