Circular Head, King Island, Waratah-Wynyard and West Coast Councils have invited submissions from consultants to undertake a joint 25 year community plan for the Murchison region.

The Sustainable Murchison 2040 Community Plan is a major initiative proposed for the Councils, which will provide a strategic community plan to inform a coordinated approach for municipal planning in the Murchison region over the next 25 years.

The plan will also see all four Councils recognising Burnie as their regional centre, and exploring linkages with the Burnie City Council’s Making Burnie 2030 Plan.

The four Council’s Mayors said they were thankful for funding support from the State Government for the project as they recognised the importance of such a project to bring the region together.

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said in the face of increasing costs and the push for Local Government reform the four Councils were taking a leading role in demonstrating the importance of working together.

“The Sustainable Murchison Community Plan will not only provide us insight into each of our communities’ needs, it will also ensure that we also have a shared evidence-based community vision for the future,” Mayor Quilliam said.

King Island Mayor Duncan McFie agreed and said the plan would also take into account the unexplored opportunities between the four Municipal Areas.

“Coming together, we will be able to gather a much clearer understanding of the Murchison region when it comes to regional planning, environment and social needs,” Mayor McFie said.

Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh said the project would also compliment work being undertaken by the Cradle Coast Authority.

“It is vital that we not only understand our economic resources and competitive advantages, but also look to how we address any weaknesses, while taking advantage of any opportunities,” Mayor Walsh said.

West Coast Mayor Phil Vickers said a focus on the information technology and communications needs of the region also played a significant role, and it would ensure the four communities had a stronger voice.

“We need to be not only exploring what technologies are available, but also pushing for greater access for our region to help ensure we keep up with not only the rest of the state, but also the nation,” Mayor Vickers said.

The Sustainable Murchison 2040 Community Plan will include a detailed population and demographic analysis, population forecasts and projections, a social needs assessment, an economic resource analysis, transport analysis and forecasts, spatial assessment of land and water values, a land use suitability analysis and study of land use forecast requirements.

The project will involve significant community engagement and will take about 12 months to complete.

“It is very important that this plan be an integrated economic strategy that focuses and plans for what projects can be implemented,” Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said.

“I look forward to all four Councils working with each respective community and the results of this process.”

 A detailed request for tender document is available upon request by email to sblanc@warwyn.tas.gov.au or by mail to PO Box 168, Wynyard, 7325 or from Council’s website www.warwyn.tas.gov.au.

Tenders shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope addressed to the "TENDER BOX", WARATAH-WYNYARD COUNCIL, 21 Saunders Street (PO Box 168), WYNYARD, and the front of the envelope clearly marked “Tender- Sustainable Murchison Community Plan” or by e-mail. Tenders may be sent by E-Mail to the office of the Waratah-Wynyard Council addressed to council@warwyn.tas.gov.au and will be accepted provided it is received at the place of lodgement before the closing time and date of tenders.

The Tender closes at 5pm on Wednesday 14 October 2015.