27 June 2006

The Circular Head Council has received an "Innovation and Creativity" Award from the Local Government Association of Tasmania for its involvement in facilitating the provision of a Hydrotherapy Pool in Smithton

The Pool was built as part of extensions to the Tall Timbers Hotel-Motel complex in Smithton, with conditional access available to people undertaking injury related rehabilitation or for pain relief/exercise for permanently disabled residents.

Circular Head Council General Manager Greg Winton indicated "The provision of a Council operated hydrotherapy pool in isolation would have been questionable in terms of sustainability. The Council contribution of $4000 annually for five years represents significant cost efficiencies for the Council and the community it serves".

The Award recognised the approach taken by the Council would realise savings in excess of $400,000 over the next five years.

"Congratulations must also go the staff and members of the Area Consultative Committee (Tasmania) for recommending the project for Australian Government funding, together with the Tall Timbers group for their agreement to this unique approach." said Mr Winton.

An Agreement provides for the pool to be available for rehabilitation services via a physiotherapy business three days a week between 10am and 4pm, with Tall Timber's guests accessing the pool outside these times. 3000 local visits to the Hydrotherapy Pool have been calculated in the past 12 months.

The 2006 Local Government Awards for Excellence recognise excellence in local government for the benefit of Tasmanians. The Awards were announced as part of the Local Government Association of Tasmania State Conference held in Hobart last Thursday evening.

The Circular Head Council was also a finalist in another of the four available categories for its "Learning Leading" Education project. The Award went to the Glenorchy City Council for its "On Track" Youth led initiative.

Authorised for general media distribution by Greg Winton, General Manager, Circular Head Council on Wednesday 28 June 2006.