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Strategic Projects

Council is pursuing the following projects:

Northern Midlands Council Priority Projects

2024

Council has now released its Integrated Priority Projects 2024 document, this publication consolidates a number of Council's Strategic Projects.

To view the current 2024 publication, click here.

2021

To view the current 2021 publication, click here.

2019

To view the 2019 publication, click here.

To view the 2017 publication on-line, click here.

2017

To view the 2017 publication on-line, click here.

Ben Lomond National Park
Campbell Town Streetscape Redevelopment

Campbell Town is strategically placed in the heart of Tasmania and is a popular stopping point for travellers between Hobart and Launceston.

Residents and people living within the district are supported by a range of business, community, health and education services. As the town revolves around its main street, there is a need to reinvigorate the main street to improve urban amenity, enable better traffic movement and enhance pedestrian safety.

Main Street Upgrade Campbell Town

Campbell Town, Town Hall
Campbell Town Tourist Park

Council contracted the development of a draft master plan  and preliminary feasibility assessment for a proposed tourist park at 24 King Street Campbell Town. 

This draft master plan has been developed in recognition of the growing demand by motorhome travellers for additional tourist parks across Australia, coupled with the recent growth in meeting/ conference venues in Campbell Town which is driving demand for new and larger capacity accommodation options in the town

The development of a tourist park at Campbell Town would yield economic benefits associated with having an increased range of accommodation options, thus attracting more visitors and resultant increased business activity and employment growth.  Achieving this goal requires alleviation of the concerns of community members currently opposed to the development.  

Campbell Town Urban Design and Traffic Management Strategy

In May 2016 Council contracted GHD Pty Ltd to develop the Campbell Town Urban Design and Traffic Management Strategy (‘the Strategy’). The aim of the Strategy is to establish a framework and vision for Campbell Town, recommending practical measures to guide improvements to streetscape, traffic and parking, pedestrian movement and landscaping. The key focus areas are High Street, Harold Gatty Memorial, Bicentennial Park, King Street Oval, Lions Park, War Memorial Oval, Blackburn and Wardlaw Parks.

The consultants utilised a collaborative approach to develop the Strategy, involving Council, key stakeholders and community members to guide and inform the concepts. They undertook a desktop review and analysis, assessing the existing conditions in respect of traffic, land use, built form, landscape and open space character, and natural environmental conditions. The consultants generated initial principles and ideas for urban design and streetscaping, open space design, traffic, and environmental concepts. These initial principles and ideas served as the basis for extensive stakeholder, community and business consultation.

Following the consultation period, the consultants prepared the draft urban design and traffic management concept plan which was presented for discussion at a Council workshop, stakeholder meetings and formed the basis for a community survey. The feedback received was used to inform the development of the final Strategy.

The Strategy includes an implementation plan that proposes a prioritised, staged approach to the recommended capital works.

A further community information session was held on the 13th September 2017.

At the 20 November 2017 Council meeting Council accepted and released the Campbell Town Urban Design and Traffic Management Strategy.

Download the Strategy here

Campbell Town War Memorial Oval Precinct
Cressy Recreation Ground Master Plan

Council is committed to promoting the health and well-being of Northern Midlands residents by ensuring the provision of sport and recreation facilities and programs/activities that enable residents to participate in physical activity. The Cressy Recreation Ground is an integral component of the sport and recreation infrastructure of the Northern Midlands, serving as the town’s main sport and recreation precinct.

Council needs to ensure Northern Midlands sport and recreation facilities are maintained and further developed over time to meet the everchanging needs of the community in terms of demographic changes, changing recreation and leisure demand trends, and emerging new sport and recreation activities.

In February 2017 Council contracted Lange Design and Loop Architecture to collaboratively develop a masterplan to drive the further development of the Cressy Recreation Ground to ensure it continues to meet the sport and recreation needs of Northern Midlands residents into the future.

The consultant’s work included detailed background research, assessment of the existing facilities/infrastructure and consultation with key stakeholders including user groups, community members via a simple user survey and Council officers.

Lange Design and Loop Architecture submitted the final report in September 2017. The report’s implementation strategy outlines the potential staging program for works identified from 2020 through to 2025 that are integral components of the overall redevelopment of the Cressy Recreation Ground to accommodate future community needs.

At the Council meeting held on 16 October 2017 (minute ref. 314/17), the following was the decision of Council:

That Council:
i) Accept and release the Cressy Recreation Ground 2025 Master Plan for public comment;
ii) Consider funding the components of the Master Plan in forthcoming Council budgets, and request Council Officers to seek to secure external grants to assist with the implementation of the Master Plan.

Click here to access the Cressy Recreation Ground Master Plan

Cressy Swimming Pool

Council is committed to promoting the health and well-being of Northern Midlands residents by ensuring the provision of sport and recreation facilities and programs/activities that enable residents to participate in physical activity. The swimming pools and recreation grounds across the municipality are an integral component of the sport and recreation infrastructure of the Northern Midlands, serving as the towns’ main sport and recreation precincts.

Council is progressively contracting the development of master plans for the swimming pools and recreation grounds to enable Council to gain a clear understanding of what the current user groups require for their sporting activities, and to identify solutions for the future that can be integrated and consolidated within the facilities and the existing infrastructure.

Loop Architecture (LOOP) has been engaged by Council to undertake analysis of the existing facilities at the Cressy and Ross swimming pools with specific reference to identification of deficiencies and opportunities for improvement. LOOP has also engaged Lange Design to assist with broad-brush Landscape assessment in addition to Core Construction Management to provide an overall opinion of probable costs for the recommended outcomes identified.

The Cressy Pool is located upon Main Street, which runs through the town centre and is within close proximity to the Bowls Club and Recreation Ground. The current facilities consist of a 25m pool, toddlers’ pool, electric BBQ, shade area, contemporary changerooms (circa 2010) and kiosk.

Current use of the existing facilities is seasonal (Late November through to March) and generally consists of local patronage and school groups in addition to swimming club, lessons, program and private functions.

At the 16 October 2017 Council meeting, Councillors agreed to accept the Cressy Swimming Pool Master Plan and requested further investigation be carried out into the integrity of the pool structure, with a further report to Council; that funding components of the Master Plan be considered in forthcoming Council budgets; and that Council officers seek to secure external grants to assist with the implementation of the Master Plan.

Click here to access the Cressy Swimming Pool Master Plan

Honeysuckle Banks (Evandale) Master Plan

A thorough review of a draft master plan was undertaken in light of the frequent flooding of Honeysuckle Banks. The resultant Honeysuckle Banks Plan provides a clear and sustainable way forward for the future development of the reserve.

This plan was tabled at the 15 May 2017 Council meeting (minute reference 160/17), at which time the following was the unanimous decision of Council:

That Council:

i) accept in principle the Honeysuckle Banks Plan;

ii) consider funding the minor works components of the plan in future Council budgets, and request Council Officers to seek to secure external grants to assist with the implementation of the full plan.

Click here to view the Honeysuckle Banks Landscape Plan

Laycock Street Park Development (Longford)

As part of a new subdivision at 7 Laycock Street Longford, Council will be developing the Laycock Street Park in the triangle of land created by the meeting of Laycock, Wellington and Pultney Streets.

The park will comprise a playground/picnic area of approximately 450 m2, and an open space grassed area of approximately 1,150 m2. Plans for the staged development of the playground/picnic area include nature based play elements, a three bay inclusive swing, picnic shelter, electric BBQ and future provision for an inclusive toilet facility.

The concept plan and accompanying number legend can be viewed on Council’s website - see link below.

Laycock Street, Longford - Landscape Concept Plan

    Longford Expansion Strategy

    The Northern Midlands Council has engaged JMG Engineers and Planners (JMG) to prepare the Longford Expansion Strategy (the Strategy) to detail how the township of Longford should accommodate growth over the next 20+ years.

    The Strategy will:
    • Provide a strategic vision for the growth of Longford;
    • Recommend future changes to the zoning of the land (which provides the primary control for the use and development of land); and
    • Formulate concept plans reflecting the strategic vision.

    The Strategy will consider future demand for housing and services, as well as constraints such as flooding and the protection of agricultural land. In addition to infill development within the Longford township, an investigation area has been established to look at growth opportunities at the southern end of the township.

    To date, JMG have prepared a Community Briefing Paper that provides a background to the key characteristics and issues in Longford to help inform the Strategy and have obtained a Preliminary Land Capability Assessment to assist in understanding the agricultural values of the site.

    JMG and the Northern Midlands Council have also consulted with landowners in and surrounding the southern investigation area, to gain a better understanding of the site and landowner thoughts and aspirations.

    The next step of the project will be to prepare the draft Strategy, that will be made available for public consultation in due course.

    Community Briefing Paper

    Preliminary Land Capability Assessment

    Landowner Workshop Presentation

    Longford Road Safety Park

    Northern Midlands Council is advising that as part of the 2021 State Government Election Commitment the Department of Communities Tasmania has contributed $100,000 towards the Longford Road Safety Park.

    This project will result in the development of a Road Safety Park comprising line-marked roads, crossings, roundabouts, road signage and traffic lights, where parents can teach children road safety behaviours and skills in a safe environment before entering the on-street traffic environment

    A copy of the plans are available here.

    Longford Streetscape Upgrade

    As part of the Longford Urban Design Project funded by the Australian Government Community Development Grants Program, Council is progressing with a development application for the proposed Main Street Upgrades.

    Representations can be submitted as part of the development application process which will be advertised in the new year. Preliminary plans can now be viewed on Council’s website - see link below.

    Streetscape Improvements - Wellington Street, Longford

      Longford Visitor Appeal Study
      Morven Park Master Plan

      Council is committed to promoting the health and well-being of Northern Midlands residents by ensuring the provision of sport and recreation facilities and programs/activities that enable residents to participate in physical activity. Morven Park Recreation Ground is an integral component of the sport and recreation infrastructure of the Northern Midlands, serving as the town’s main sport and recreation precinct.

      Council needs to ensure Northern Midlands sport and recreation facilities are maintained and further developed over time to meet the everchanging needs of the community in terms of demographic changes, changing recreation and leisure demand trends, and emerging new sport and recreation activities.

      In November 2016 Council contracted Lange Design to develop a masterplan to drive the further development of Morven Park Recreation Ground to ensure it continues to meet the sport and recreation needs of Northern Midlands residents into the future.

      The consultant’s work included detailed background research, consultation with Council and user group representatives, a user survey mailed to the Evandale community, and extensive on the ground investigations.

      Lange Design submitted the final report in September 2017. The report’s implementation strategy outlines the potential staging program for works identified from 2020 through to 2025 that are integral components of the overall redevelopment of Morven Park Recreation Ground to accommodate future community needs.

      Council at its 16 October 2017 Council meeting agreed to accept and release the Morven Park Recreation Ground 2025 Master Plan for public comment; consider funding the components of the Master Plan in forthcoming Council budgets; and request Council Officers to seek to secure external grants to assist with the implementation of the Master Plan.


      Click here to access the Morven Park Recreation Ground 2025 Master Plan

      Napoleon Street Park, Perth, Landscape Concept Plan

      As part of a new subdivision at Perth, Council is to develop a park adjacent to Napoleon Street. The landscaped park will include a large open space (that will also serve as a stormwater detention basin), and a park/playground area comprising picnic shelters, BBQ facility, all abilities swings, a nature play area, and a multi-play structure for a variety of age groups and challenges. Concrete paths will form a network throughout the park and will connect with adjoining streets. There is provision for the addition of a single cubicle toilet facility in the future.

      The full concept plan is available for viewing by clicking here and at the Council Offices at Longford.

      Northern Midlands Health, Fitness and Sports Centre (Longford)
      Northern Midlands Rural Processing Centre
      Northern Tasmania Sports Facilities Plan 2023

      At the Council meeting held 18 September 2023, Council considered the Northern Tasmania Sports Facility Plan 2023 (the Plan).

      The Plan was developed by sport consultants Ross Planning and supported by a working group of Council officers from the Northern Midlands, City of Launceston, West Tamar, Meander Valley, and George Town councils.

      The Plan provides the five participating Councils with guidance about how to provide sport and active recreation infrastructure in a sustainable and equitable way, while also supporting participation in a diverse range of active recreation pursuits.

      An assessment of each existing facility was undertaken including its capacity to accommodate future growth and planned future facilities such as the Perth Recreation Precinct Master Plan.

      Key Northern Midlands recommendations include:

      • Develop a training area at the Longford Recreation Ground to support the existing one-oval facility.
      • Implement the Perth Recreation Precinct Master Plan.
      • Plan for the duplication of the Longford Community Sports Centre.
      • Consider the development of pump tracks in the Northern Midlands.
      • Upgrade the clubroom and change facilities at the Ross Recreation Ground to cater for its increased use.
      • Continue to monitor demand for off-road cycling and additional facilities across the study area in line with population growth and demand for the sport.
      • Support the Longford Racecourse Master Plan’s proposed equestrian precinct development.
      • Investigate the need for a football (soccer) field within the north of the Northern Midlands LGA.

      A copy of the Northern Tasmania Sports Facilities Plan 2023 can be downloaded here.

      NTARC - Northern Tasmanian Alliance for Resilient Councils NTARC is a collaboration of the 8 councils of north-east Tasmania to develop the region’s resilience to increasing natural hazards and novel and emerging climates, and the challenges of transitioning to a low carbon economy.

      NTARC is a collaboration of the 8 councils of north-east Tasmania to develop the region’s resilience to increasing natural hazards and novel and emerging climates, and the challenges of transitioning to a low carbon economy.

      Creating local and regional resilience, presents a wide range of challenges and opportunities for councils. A changing climate, increasing disasters and extreme events will impact councils’ owned infrastructure, roads, the local community and the environment. Broader changes across our communities; from local, statewide, national and international stresses, will require councils to develop new systems and programs to withstand, respond and adapt to these.

      To overcome these challenges and realise opportunities the 8 northeast councils have come together and jointly invested in a 3-year Partnership Agreement. The Partnership assists member councils to better understand and respond to the changing climate and a wide range of associated social, economic, cultural and environmental challenges. It coordinates and harmonises the councils' responses to provide equitable and resilient outcomes for communities.

      Fact Sheet

      Northern Midlands Council: Carbon Emission accounts 2022/23

      Perth Development and Traffic Plan
      Perth Streetscape Redevelopment

      The Northern Midlands Council has recently endorsed a concept plan for the redevelopment of the streetscape in Perth. Community consultation was sought in May 2021, you can view the finalised concept plan below.

      Finalised Concept Plan

      Perth - South Esk River Parklands

      At the 19 August 2019 Council meeting a report was tabled on the South Esk River Parklands, Perth - Master Plan, at which time Council resolved to accept the Master Plan; consider funding the components of the Master Plan in forthcoming Council budgets, with Council Officers to seek to secure external grants to assist with the implementation of the Master Plan.

      South Esk River Parklands, Perth - Master Plan

      The following background was provided in the Council report. brief was prepared and Lange Design was appointed in October 2018 to undertake an investigation and provide a master plan for the precinct.

      The following background information was provided in the brief:

      The Perth Local District Committee have for some time advocated for improvements to public open space and, in particular, improved connectivity of the William Street Reserve to Mill Road, George Street and the recreation areas throughout Perth.

      The Perth Structure Plan 2017 identifies land along the riverbank for:

      • Strengthening the path network and accessibility along the South Esk River foreshore;
      • Creating a new footbridge to extend the pathway network along the South Esk River;
      • Transforming the former quarry site into an open space park and corridor for recreation with a master plan prepared independently for this area;
      • Providing additional facilities and amenities within open space assets; and
      • Improving the open space amenity beneath and around the Perth Bridge, including improved access for persons with a disability associated with Eskleigh Home.

      The brief identified the following direction for the strategy:

      • Strengthen the path network and accessibility along the Perth Riverbank Reserve from the southern end of William Street to Perth Mill Road.
      • Identify the provision of a path link from Perth Mill Road to Clarence Street.
      • Improve the pedestrian connections from the Perth Riverbank Reserve to the businesses in Main Road.
      • Improve the open space amenity beneath and around the Perth Bridge.
      • Improve access for persons with a disability from Eskleigh Home, beneath Perth Bridge, along Old Bridge Road to the Perth Riverbank Reserve and to the existing and proposed retail areas identified in the Perth Structure Plan.
      • Develop a masterplan for transforming the former quarry site into an open space park and recreation corridor.
      • Recommend additional facilities and amenities within the open space areas.


      Perth Sports Precinct Master Plan (Draft)

      Perth’s current recreation ground, which is located adjacent to the Perth Primary School, has several ageing sporting facilities, including the skatepark and an inadequate size oval. Improvements undertaken include upgrades to the oval lighting, installation of an electronic scoreboard and goal netting, a new scorer’s box, and resealing of the carpark.

      Council has developed a draft concept plan for the development of a green field site into a regional facility however this is subject to land purchase and community need and will likely include a combined AFL and cricket oval, a multi-purpose community centre, new netball and tennis courts, an adventure playground and skatepark/pump track and possibly an aquatic centre and/or football field.

      Council will continue to monitor the demand for existing and future facilities based on population growth and community demand for sports, while continuing to pursue strategic funding opportunities that deliver on the recommendations of the Plan.

      Perth Structure Plan

      The Department of State Growth has commenced planning and design work on the Perth Link Roads project to the south and west of Perth. The proposed road will define some sixty hectares of flat greenfield land south of Drummond Street and some twenty hectares on the western edge of Perth. In anticipation of this, Council commenced the Perth Structure Plan project in 2016.

      At the Council Meeting on 10 April 2017 (minute reference 120/17), the following was the decision of Council:
      That Council endorse the Perth Structure Plan and draft amendments to the planning scheme be prepared.

      Download the Perth Structure Plan (March 2017) here

      Ross Town Square Master Plan

      The Ross Town Square Master Plan report prepared by JMG Engineers and Planners was accepted by Council at the 12 December 2016 meeting, at which time the name 'Village Green' was endorsed for the site. The report can be accessed by clicking on this link

      Ross Swimming Pool Review

      Council engaged Watershed Solutions to develop a Municipal Swimming Pool Strategy to provide Council with direction for provision, planning, operation, and funding of Council’s pools now and into the future.

      Watershed Solutions undertook community consultation including meetings and a survey, and a benchmarking exercise with other pool facilities.

      The final report Northern Midlands Swimming Pool Review was submitted to Council in May 2021.

      The report summary states:

      • the Northern Midlands has an extremely high level of aquatic facility provision for a population of 13,598 (pools at Cressy, Campbell Town and Ross), noting that this high level of provision has arisen partially as a result of inheriting pools that were wholly or substantially funded by the community;
      • There is a high level of Council subsidy per patron visit (calculated as $24.84 for Campbell Town and $27.30 for Ross);
      • All three pools perform well below industry benchmarks for pools in towns with comparable catchment populations.

      The report concludes Council needs to balance the undoubted social, health and community benefits of retaining the three pools against their affordability and sustainability, particularly as asset maintenance and operating costs continue to increase as pools age.

      The report makes a number of recommendations with regard to each pool, addressing issues including:

      • options for future management of the pools
      • strategies to increase pool usage numbers
      • community fundraising to subsidise the cost to Council of operating the pools and to fund infrastructure upgrades.

      To assist Council a decision-making and benchmarking framework is provided that could be implemented to underpin the making of objective and transparent decisions regarding the pools now and into the future.

      Shared Pathway Plans

      At the 6 September 2023 Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting the Committee endorsed the following maps for inclusion and consideration in the Northern Midlands Council municipal bicycle and shared pathway strategy; and on 18 September 2023 the recommendations of the Committee were endorsed by Council.

      TRANSlink Briefing Statement 2024

      Upgrading of the TasNetworks network that supports the Launceston Airport

      and TRANSlink precincts briefing statement.

      Northern Midlands Council Briefing Statement

      TRANSlink/Western Junction Flooding

      Council at its meeting on 20 July 2015 resolved to:
      • support the application for funding under the National Stronger Regions Fund program to implement the stormwater management plan for the TRANSlink Precinct to an amount of $1,400,000 with an additional contingency of 10 percent $140,000.
      • authorise Council officers to acquire identified parcels of land for detention basin purposes.

      Council at its meeting on 19 October 2015 meeting (Min. Ref. 296/15) resolved:
      DECISION
      Cr Adams/Cr Knowles
      That Council:

      1. endorse the final report from Hydrodynamica titled TRANSlink Precinct Stormwater Assessment – Breadalbane (dated October 2015).

      Carried unanimously

      TRANSlink/Western Junction Flooding

      West Perth Stormwater Assessment

      Council at its meeting on 21 September 2015 considered options to resolve stormwater drainage issues at west Perth, at this time the resolution was as follows (Min. Ref. 272/15):

      DECISION

      Cr Goninon/Cr Knowles

      That Council:

      1. initiate ongoing discussion with the State Government and TasRail to fully investigate opportunities to fund the required upgrade of Youl Main Road and Drummond Street and their associated drainage culverts, including culverts under the railway line; and
      2. concurrently investigate the introduction of a stormwater head-works levy.

      Carried unanimously

      Council at its meeting on 19 October 2015 meeting (Min. Ref. 295/15) resolved:

      DECISION
      Cr Knowles/Cr Gordon

      That:

      1. Council receive the report titled Stormwater Assessment and Recommendations for Northern Midlands Council - West Perth dated September 2015.
      2. the assessment area be included in the itinerary for the 2016 Councillor bus tour.

      Carried unanimously

      West Perth Stormwater Assessment