COUNCIL 7250 & 7270

 

APRIL 8 2021

City of Launceston COUNCIL AGENDA Thursday 8 April 2021 [P79] 

15 NOTICES OF MOTION Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015 - Regulation 16(5) 15.

1 Notice of Motion - Renaming of Batman Bridge - Councillor T G Walker 

FILE NO: SF5547 AUTHOR: Councillor T G Walker 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Michael Stretton 

DECISION STATEMENT: To consider a Notice of Motion regarding renaming of the Batman Bridge. 

RECOMMENDATION: 

That Council: 

1. notes George Town Council’s recent motion seeking to recognise and commemorate the leetermairremener people’s connection with the greater kanamaluka/Tamar River area in consultation with the Aboriginal community; 

2. acknowledges the name of Batman Bridge is inappropriate for clear historical reasons; 

3. agrees to write to the State government requesting they start a process to rename the bridge as soon as possible; and 

4. agrees to write to seek support for this change from West Tamar Council and George Town Council. 

REPORT: 

Historical records clearly show John Batman was directly responsible for the death of Tasmanian Aboriginal men, women and children. For this reason his name should not be used in any public nomenclature. Historical records also show John Batman was involved in significant colonial events. These events in no way diminish his culpability as a murderer. In removing John Batman’s name from the bridge over the kanamaluka/Tamar River, we will not change or forget history, but we will contribute to reconciling the future. City of Launceston

OFFICER COMMENT: (Mr Michael Stretton - Chief Executive Officer) 

Given that the Batman Bridge is not located within the City of Launceston and is a State Government owned asset, consideration of this motion is political in nature and there is no need for professional advice to be provided. 

Councillors are advised that on Friday, 26 March 2021, the Council received correspondence from the George Town Council requesting that it consider and provide a response to the following motion that was passed by that Council on 23 March 2021: 

that the George Town Council write to the City of Launceston Council and to the West Tamar Council in request of their endorsement and collaboration as the Northern Collective Councils to seek the State Government permission to erect a respectful and significant art sculpture and plaque at the site of the Batman Bridge commemorating the North Midlands first nations people the leetermairremener people which stretched from Low Head to Launceston and both sides of the kanamaluka/Tamar river. 

Should all Councils endorse this and agree to collaborate on this project and we gain the State Governments permission, the collective would then seek funding to: 

• consult with our collective Aboriginal communities 

• seek submissions for the public art 

• commission the artwork 

• cover engineering scoping and planning fees 

• cover DA fees 

• and any other scoping or building capital identified during the process. 

The Council wrote to the George Town Council General Manager on 30 March 2021 advising that the matter would be discussed at a future Council Workshop and that a response would be provided once this Workshop has been conducted or after a decision of Council is made on the matter. 

We advised that this process may take some time to complete. 

ECONOMIC IMPACT: Not considered relevant to this report.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Not considered relevant to this report. 

SOCIAL IMPACT: Not considered relevant to this report. 

STRATEGIC DOCUMENT REFERENCE: 

City of Launceston Corporate Strategic Plan 2014-2024 Strategic 

Priority 3:  We are a progressive leader that is accountable to our governance obligations and responsive to our community. 

10-Year Goal: To ensure decisions are made in a transparent and accountable way, that effectively meet our statutory obligations, support quality services and underpin the longterm sustainability of our organisation. 

Focus Areas: 1. To provide for the health, safety and welfare of the community. 

3. To ensure decisions are made on the basis of accurate and relevant information. 

BUDGET & FINANCIAL ASPECTS: Not considered relevant to this report. 

DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS: The officer has no conflict of interest in this item.

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18 May 2021

 

62/21 GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT: CORRESPONDENCE FROM GEORGE TOWN COUNCIL AND CITY OF LAUNCESTON REGARDING BATMAN BRIDGE 

1) Introduction The purpose of this report is for council to consider their response to correspondence received from the George Town Council requesting collaboration to recognise leetermairremener peoples at Batman Bridge and correspondence from the City of Launceston seeking support to commence a process to rename the Batman Bridge. 

2) Background Late in March Council received correspondence from George Town Council seeking collaboration to recognise the leetermairremener people at Batman Bridge. 

The proposal is for the erection of an art sculpture and plaque at the site In summary George Town requests that West Tamar and Launceston endorse the proposal and agree to collaborate on the project, gain the State Governments permission, then seek funding to: 

• Consult with our collective Aboriginal communities 

• Seek submissions for the public art 

• Commission the artwork 

• Cover engineering scoping and planning fees 

• Cover DA fees 

• And any other scoping or building capital identified during the process. 

Early in April correspondence was received from the City of Launceston inviting Council to write to State Government in support of their request that a process be initiated to change the name of the Batman Bridge. The correspondence from the City of Launceston included their decision as follows: That Council: 

1. notes George Town Council’s recent motion seeking to recognise and commemorate the leetermairremener people’s connection with the greater kanamaluka/Tamar River area in consultation with the Aboriginal community; 

2. acknowledges the name of Batman Bridge is inappropriate for clear historical reasons; 

3. agrees to write to the State government requesting they start a process to rename the bridge as soon as possible; and 

4. agrees to write to seek support for this change from West Tamar Council and George Town Council. A copy of both letters is attached. 

3) Strategic/Annual Plan/Council Policy Council’s Strategic Plan includes the following objectives which are potentially relevant: 

Active and Engaged Community 

To maintain an engaged and active community where partnerships are established, needs are identified, and Council assists in achieving sustainable outcomes. 

Organisation that Delivers 

To represent the community in a responsive, professional and innovative manner. 

Statutory Requirements Not applicable. 

5) Government Departments 

The Batman Bridge is a State owned asset. 

6) Community Consultation 

No community consultation has been carried out. 

7) Alternative Options 

Council may support or decline either or both requests. 

8) Financial Impact 

Not applicable. 

9) Officer’s Comments 

Council discussed both requests at a Workshop held on the 4th of May. This discussion was informed by two papers, one by local historian Nigel Burch and the other by former University of Tasmania lecturer Dr Ian McFarlane, both providing historical background on John Batman. 

A copy of both papers is attached for information. The general consensus was that proposals relating to the appropriateness of the name of the bridge or recognition of Tasmanian’s first people, at the site of the bridge, need to be thoroughly researched and consulted. There is no evidence that this has taken place. 

Rolph Vos 

GENERAL MANAGER 

DECISION 

Moved Cr Kearney  seconded Cr Ireland that Council; 

1. Notes the recent motions passed by George Town Council and the City of Launceston in relation to the Batman Bridge. 

2. Agrees to write to State Government requesting they: 

a. initiate historical research and compile information that accurately details the actions and behaviour of John Batman; 

b. utilise this information to inform and consult the Tasmanian community, particularly the Aboriginal community;

 

c. undertake consultation with the Aboriginal community to gauge their support for the placement of an art sculpture and plaque at the site of the bridge;

d. provide feedback to the Council on the outcomes of this research and consultation.

Not support:

a. the State Government renaming the bridge;

b. the installation of an art sculpture and plaque at the site of the bridge until consultation has been completed and the results support the proposals.

For: Crs, Allen, Ferguson, Greene, Holmdahl, Kearney, Lyons, Ireland, Shegog & Woinarski. Against Nil. 

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