Agenda of Special Economic Development & Communications Committee Meeting

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special Economic Development & Communications Committee Meeting

Page 4

19/6/2017

Special Economic Development & Communications Committee Meeting (Open Portion) held Monday, 19 June 2017 at 4.30 pm in the Lady Osborne Room, Town Hall.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Deputy Lord Mayor Christie (Chairman)

Zucco

Ruzicka

Thomas

Denison

ALDERMEN

Lord Mayor Hickey

Briscoe

Sexton

Burnet

Cocker

Reynolds

Harvey

Apologies: Nil

Leave of Absence:

Deputy Lord Mayor Christie

1. Co-Option of a Committee Member in the event of a vacancy

2. Indications of Pecuniary and Conflicts of Interest

Ref: Part 2, Regulation 8(7) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

Aldermen are requested to indicate where they may have any pecuniary or conflict of interest in respect to any matter appearing on the agenda, or any supplementary item to the agenda, which the committee has resolved to deal with.

3. Transfer of Agenda Items

Regulation 15 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

A committee may close a part of a meeting to the public where a matter to be discussed falls within 15(2) of the above regulations.

In the event that the committee transfer an item to the closed portion, the reasons for doing so should be stated.

Are there any items which should be transferred from this agenda to the closed portion of the agenda, or from the closed to the open portion of the agenda?

Item No. 4.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special Economic Development & Communications Committee Meeting

Page 7

19/6/2017

Memorandum: Economic Development & Communications Committee

Christmas Tree Options

A. It is proposed that the following be considered for implementation for Christmas 2017, or in the 2017-18 financial year:

1. Wellington Walk

A cluster of five Thuja Occidentalis 'Smaragd' conifer trees for Wellington Court in a purpose built display to activate the court during its usual daylight operating hours, at an estimated cost of $8,000.

Attachment A provides a concept design for this installation. Whilst this proposal has not been budgeted for in the draft 2017-18 Annual Plan, this initiative could be funded through savings.

2. A collection of live trees and/or topiary for use around the City

While the City's nursery does not currently have suitable trees beyond those proposed for Wellington Court, further research into sourcing trees will be undertaken. It has also been confirmed that the Richmond tree farm only provides cut Radiata Pine, not live potted trees.

The City of Hobart nursery will also purchase a variety of trees in 2017 with the objective of growing them over the next few years. A mix of varieties will be selected in order to ascertain those that are most suited for use around the city centre. This proposal can be met through the draft operating budget of the Mornington Nursery, and also includes exploring Christmas themed topiary plantings.

3. Signature Christmas tree - Mawson Place

A supplier has been identified who could provide a 14 metre illuminated and decorated artificial tree, base, and illuminated star at a cost of $141,000. The cost of installation would be in the order of $10,000 to $20,000 depending on a range of factors occurring at the time. The tree would have an anticipated asset life of up to 10 years and is taller than the 9 metre cardinal lights in Mawson Place (which will have programmable LED lights installed in the second half of 2017).

A concept design for the 14 metre tree is shown as Attachment B. The tree purchase could be met from the allocation for Christmas Decorations in the draft 2017-18 budget. A further operating budget allocation would be required for security and installation.

4. Signature Christmas tree - Elizabeth Mall

A new supplier has been identified as a result of a conversation with the City of Greater Bendigo, and has provided a quote for a tree that would fit in the space available in Elizabeth Mall. The 7.6 metre tree (plus 1.4 metre base) would stand at 9 metres in total, cost in the range of $68,000 and be fabricated in Australia. There is some CCTV in Elizabeth Mall providing limited visual data in the event of an incident.

The tree would have an anticipated asset life of up to 10 years and a concept design is shown as Attachment C. At an approximate cost of $68,000, this proposal could also be progressed in addition to the larger tree in Mawson Place, funded from the allocation for Christmas Decorations in the current 2016-17 budget.

The location of this tree in the Mall will provide support for City traders during the festive season.

5. Creative planter boxes

The nursery grows annuals with the purpose of using them for the Christmas themed planter boxes in the city centre. The annuals are selected to theme with the Christmas decorations and small conifers have been used as a centrepiece in the past. City centre planter boxes are dressed with a new design every year.

6. Christmas activations

The City has coordinated a parcel minding and gift wrapping service for many years. This service is offered to charities that use the opportunity to raise funds. In addition, the City runs an entertainment program at various locations in the city centre in the lead up to Christmas, as well as a number of competitions and advertising promotions.

'Santa's Mailbox' has previously been a promotion set in Wellington Walk, however Australia Post ceased support for this promotion in 2013 due to a lack of uptake by the public. Australia Post has again recently been approached and has requested the City make contact in August.

B. It is proposed that the following not be proceeded with at this time:

1. A signature tree imported from international supplier

Officers have again contacted the international supplier of LED lit artificial Christmas trees to request confirmation that these trees would be certified to meet Australian Standards. The company has declined to do this. It is noted that the City should only purchase lights with the proper compliance marking or labelling, or risk breaking its own procurement requirements and consumer law. In addition, the City would unlikely be able to insure an asset that is not compliant with Electricity Consumer Safety Act 2004.

2. Live tree donated by the public

The City has been offered a 10 metre Cupressus stricta tree, plus a smaller tree of approximately 2.5 metres. Neither tree is transplantable without extensive preparation, and advice provided by the City's nursery is that success is predicted to be low.

An inspection has revealed that the 10 metre tree is in poor form, is not of a suitable shape, and would need a custom made armature to support its height and weight. To remove the tree, potential risks to a shed, garage and TasNetworks infrastructure have been identified.

Previous cut trees treated with antitranspirant (to preserve and protect plants from drying out too quickly) have only lasted four weeks with constant care in a sheltered environment. A potential relocation cost of $17,500 has been estimated. Additional labour costs, the custom made armature, maintenance, fire retardant, a base, site placement and removal would also need to be costed, in addition to decorations and security. Given that success is predicted to be low, this is not a recommended option.

3. Permanently planted options in the city centre

Advice provided by the City's engineers is that potholing (drilling holes beneath the grounds surface) would need to be done at any location in the city centre as underground services exist across most of the city.

The cost for potholing work in Wellington Court alone is approximately $15,000. Advice provided by the City's nursery is that Wellington Court is too dark for a permanent tree to thrive. Based on this advice, it is not proposed to proceed with a permanent tree in Wellington Court.

REcommendation

That:

1. A purpose built display of five Thuja Occidentalis 'Smaragd' conifer trees be installed in Wellington Court.

2. A range of trees be purchased to be grown at the City's nursery to ascertain their suitability for future placement around the city centre, and themed topiary plantings be explored for use in future years.

3. The Council approve the installation of Signature Christmas trees in both Mawson Place and Elizabeth Mall, in accordance with Attachments B and C.

4. The General Manager be authorised to apply appropriate measures to protect the City's Christmas decoration assets.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

N.D Heath

General Manager

Date: 16 June 2017

File Reference: F17/64113; 17/132

Attachment a: Concept design for trees in Wellington Court ⇩

Attachment b: Concept design for 14 m tree in Mawson Place ⇩

Attachment c: Concept design for signature Christmas tree in Elizabeth Mall ⇩

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