Let's Talk, Glenorchy

Hi Alex,

Thankyou for your questions

1. Are there any plans to increase tree cover on footpaths, given shade cover will become more important in the future as the climate warms?

Council recognises the important role that trees play in providing shade, reducing urban heat and improving the amenity of our streets and public spaces. The constraints created by underground and overhead services, driveway sightline requirements, footpath clearance standards, and road clearance requirements significantly limit suitable planting locations. As a result, our team has increasingly focused on reserve tree planting, where we can achieve greater canopy outcomes with fewer conflicts.

GCC will continue identifying opportunities to increase tree canopy within our street environments and keep exploring innovative ways to incorporate trees into the urban streetscape wherever feasible.

2. I understand there is a council team dedicated to keeping Humphreys Rivulet. Is there any volunteering element of this project? And how often is the rivulet swept for rubbish?

There is not currently a dedicated team responsible solely for Humphreys Rivulet. Management of the rivulet is undertaken by several Council teams, including the Vegetation Control team, which manages weeds and maintenance across Glenorchy's rivulets.

Council is currently preparing to deliver the Humphreys Rivulet Restoration Project, a multi-year Australian Government-funded initiative focused on weed control, erosion prevention, and native revegetation along the length of the rivulet.

At present, there is no formal volunteer program associated with the project. However, Council hopes to establish a community Landcare group in the future to help support ongoing maintenance and stewardship of the rivulet.

Rubbish removal is generally undertaken on a reactive basis when litter build-ups are identified, reported by the community, or observed during maintenance activities. The Vegetation Control team also undertakes scheduled brush-cutting works twice each year and collects rubbish as part of these activities where required. In addition, Council maintains a litter trap at the mouth of Humphreys Rivulet, which is emptied periodically as needed.

Kind regards,

Glenorchy City Council

Hi Katie,

Thank you for your enquiry and for sharing how much the reopening of the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool means to your son and your family.

The First Splash event is limited to participants aged 18 years and over, so unfortunately children are not eligible to enter the draw.

Information about the First Splash event and how to enter can be found at Glenorchy War Memorial Pool Opening | Let’s Talk, Glenorchy.

We look forward to welcoming you and your son to the pool when it opens and hope you can join the community celebrations.

Kind regards,
Glenorchy City Council

Thank you for taking the time to submit your suggestion regarding additional rubbish bins and dog poo bag dispensers in the Chigwell and Claremont areas.

Our Waste Team has advised that any new public bins must be installed in locations that are publicly accessible and not on private land. They have also noted that bins previously located at bus stops were removed, as these areas are owned and operated by Metro and are therefore outside Council's management. If you are aware of a suitable location in the Chigwell or Claremont area where a public bin may be beneficial, we encourage you to contact our Customer Service Team via gccmail@gcc.tas.gov.au or by calling 03 6216 6800 with the location details and photos. Our team can then undertake a site assessment, which includes reviewing nearby existing bins, accessibility, and ongoing servicing requirements. Where a proposed location is considered suitable and approved, the bin will be added to the waste collection schedule for ongoing maintenance.

In relation to dog poo bag dispensers, Council is aware of the community's interest in increasing their availability and our Recreation and Environment Team is currently investigating opportunities to provide additional dispensers in suitable locations and will consider areas such as Chigwell and Claremont as part of this review.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your comments and suggestions. 

Hi Mark, great question!  

Council’s Home Energy Audit Toolkits are available to residents in Glenorchy to borrow free of charge for up to two weeks, giving residents the opportunity to better understand how their home uses energy and water.

Each toolkit contains easy-to-use equipment to help you measure electricity use, identify areas where energy may be wasted, and monitor water consumption. By learning where energy and water are being used, you can make better choices that can reduce your household costs and environmental impact.

 Each kit contains two carry cases, including:

One large carry case, with:

• Appliance energy use meter (showing how much it costs to run each appliance)
• Stopwatch
• Compass
• 1x thermal imaging camera instruction manual
• 1x A4 sized information booklet, with simple tips and information

One small carry case, with:

• Thermal imaging camera (Thermal Master THOR002)
• Thermal camera charger

To borrow a kit, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 6216 6800 or via email at gccmail@gcc.tas.gov.au to check if there are any available kits/make a booking.

Hi Hollie and Evie,

Thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns. Council understands that community safety is important to residents, and we acknowledge that incidents of antisocial behaviour can be distressing to witness.

Community safety is a priority for Council and is delivered in close partnership with Tasmania Police and other key stakeholders through the Safe City Working Group. This includes regular direct meetings with the Glenorchy Police Inspector to discuss current issues, emerging behaviours and local hotspots.

Over the past 12 months, Tasmania Police have been running Operation Respect across Glenorchy, which includes foot patrols in activity centres and surrounding areas. Council supports these efforts through a range of local safety measures, including professional security patrols, support for local businesses, and working with Metro Tasmania on safety improvements around the Glenorchy bus interchange.

Council also operates an extensive CCTV network across Moonah, Glenorchy and Claremont. This network continues to be expanded, including the rollout of new cameras along a large section of the inter city cycleway. CCTV is an important tool in both deterring crime and assisting police investigations.

At the same time, Council recognises that enforcement alone does not address the underlying causes of antisocial behaviour. As a growing city, we are working with Tasmania Police and community organisations on early intervention approaches aimed at breaking cycles of disadvantage. This includes investment in youth engagement initiatives, with a new Youth Hub due to open shortly to provide positive, supported spaces for young people.

We remain committed to working collaboratively with police, businesses and residents to improve safety and support Claremont as a place where people feel confident to live, work and shop.

Kind regards,

Glenorchy City Council

Hi Nicole,

Thank you for your query.

Council has already incorporated bike-based recreation elements within the municipality. A bike skills element is located alongside the skate park at Tolosa Park, and a new pump track has recently been constructed at Windermere Bay Foreshore. Both facilities are designed to provide opportunities for children and young people to develop bike handling skills in a safe, purpose-built environment.

We appreciate the suggestion regarding Benjafield Park and will ensure the feedback is noted as part of ongoing planning for improvements across the municipality.

Kind regards,

Glenorchy City Council

Hi there,

Thank you for the suggestion. Flying foxes are a very popular play element and provide a great recreational experience for children. However, they are relatively expensive to install, which makes them difficult to include within the available budget for the Apex Park upgrade.

From a broader strategic playground planning perspective, Council generally locates larger play elements such as flying foxes in larger ‘destination’ parks where supporting infrastructure is available, including public toilets and larger car parking areas (for example Roseneath Reserve and Benjafield Park). This approach helps ensure these higher-cost play items can be accessed by a wider number of families.

FYI - Council is aiming for the new playground at Apex Park to be ready for use within the next four weeks.

Kind regards,

Glenorchy City Council

Hi Naturalist Guy,

All the plantings are completed, however, some weed maintenance and watering are still required under the contract. The contractors are currently on leave and will attend to this after their break.

Thank you for your query.

Kind regards,

Glenorchy City Council

Hi Graeme,

Thank you for your question regarding the YMCA building.

The YMCA is on track for practical completion in December. The builder is currently finalising painting and addressing defects, with a few tasks still to be completed including replacement of damaged front windows, carpark line marking, exterior landscaping, graffiti removal (subject to budget), and the final surveyor inspection for certification.

It is expected that the opening event will be held in January, as occupancy processes can be more complex in December. In the meantime, YMCA are already engaging with community groups and organisations to plan programs for the upgraded facility, including youth-focused activities.

The January opening will be promoted through the media, so the community will be informed once details are confirmed.

Kind regards,

Glenorchy City Council

Hi Ash,

The provision of free waste services such as free waste days come with many challenges. Whilst the user of such a service would not directly pay, the service itself comes at a significant cost to rate payers, many of whom would not utilise the service. There is increasing acceptance that principles of waste minimisation and user-pays are key to achieving more sustainable waste management practices.

As you may be aware, the State government recently introduced a state-wide levy of $20 per tonne on all waste disposed to landfill back in July 2022, the reason for this as in all other Australian states is to reduce the impacts of landfilling and to divert waste going to landfill unnecessarily.

The provision of free disposal days does not address this problem and with the waste levy proposed to go from $47 to $60 per tonne in July next year, Council will need to ensure as much diversion as possible and unfortunately such an arrangement would result in rate payers covering the costs of other’s waste as well as provide no incentive for individuals to minimise waste volumes.

Kind regards,

Glenorchy City Council