‘Time is right’: Mayor stepping aside after long run

Elected mayor 11 years ago, the seventh generation Tasmanian and former Royal Australian Air Force pilot and flying instructor has decided not to seek re-election.“I just feel the time is right. I would be over 80 by the time I completed another term, and after 22 years on Council, four as deputy Mayor and 11 years as Mayor I believe it’s time for a reset,” Mr Chipman said.“It’s been a huge privilege and honour to have served, and the opportunity is one that I will always cherish.”Mr Chipman, who has been vice-president of the Australian Local Government Association and president of the Tasmanian body, is confident he’s leaving his replacement with a council in good shape but says there are challenges ahead.“The Clarence City Council is in fantastic shape with highly qualified and experienced staff, virtually no net debt and funds available for programmed commitments.“The biggest challenges for my replacement, after settling in the new council following the election, will be managing the impacts of climate change, continued population growth, and inflation.”Mr Chipman leaves with no regrets, but his biggest disappointment is the time involved to implementing big projects.“For example, in the early 1970s Clarence Council moved from Bellerive to Rosny Park, but we still have not replaced our town hall/civic centre.“The iconic hotel for Bellerive has still not been built, and the improvements on Rosny Hill have still not yet occurred.”A former member and president of the Liberal Party is proud that he has led Clarence through a 25 per cent period of population growth, while also “significantly improving our levels of service and community infrastructure, especially tracks and trails, play grounds and sporting facilities”. “I am also very proud of my small roles in seeing agricultural opportunities in the Coal River Valley stimulated by redirecting recycled water from the Rosny, Rokeby and Cambridge waste water treatment plants for irrigation purposes and Taswater emerge to become a leading water and sewerage utility which has vastly improved the delivery of those services for all Tasmanians.“The Greater Hobart Act has been established to ensure that the leadership and planning for Greater Hobart, the place we can all identify with and love, proceed strategically and sustainably.”Mr Chipman said with communication now largely via email rather than “snail mail” people expected immediate responses.“The real difference between then and now is that it is far more challenging to provide a considered and thoughtful response.”Mr Chipman plans to continue his volunteer work helping veterans receive the support access the support and services they need.susan.bailey@news.com.au

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July 10, 2022 at 11:30PM
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Elected mayor 11 years ago, the seventh generation Tasmanian and former Royal Australian Air Force pilot and flying instructor has decided not to seek re-election.“I just feel the time is right. I would be over 80 by the time I completed another term, and after 22 years on Council, four as deputy Mayor and 11 years as Mayor I believe it’s time for a reset,” Mr Chipman said.“It’s been a huge privilege and honour to have served, and the opportunity is one that I will always cherish.”Mr Chipman, who has been vice-president of the Australian Local Government Association and president of the Tasmanian body, is confident he’s leaving his replacement with a council in good shape but says there are challenges ahead.“The Clarence City Council is in fantastic shape with highly qualified and experienced staff, virtually no net debt and funds available for programmed commitments.“The biggest challenges for my replacement, after settling in the new council following the election, will be managing the impacts of climate change, continued population growth, and inflation.”Mr Chipman leaves with no regrets, but his biggest disappointment is the time involved to implementing big projects.“For example, in the early 1970s Clarence Council moved from Bellerive to Rosny Park, but we still have not replaced our town hall/civic centre.“The iconic hotel for Bellerive has still not been built, and the improvements on Rosny Hill have still not yet occurred.”A former member and president of the Liberal Party is proud that he has led Clarence through a 25 per cent period of population growth, while also “significantly improving our levels of service and community infrastructure, especially tracks and trails, play grounds and sporting facilities”. “I am also very proud of my small roles in seeing agricultural opportunities in the Coal River Valley stimulated by redirecting recycled water from the Rosny, Rokeby and Cambridge waste water treatment plants for irrigation purposes and Taswater emerge to become a leading water and sewerage utility which has vastly improved the delivery of those services for all Tasmanians.“The Greater Hobart Act has been established to ensure that the leadership and planning for Greater Hobart, the place we can all identify with and love, proceed strategically and sustainably.”Mr Chipman said with communication now largely via email rather than “snail mail” people expected immediate responses.“The real difference between then and now is that it is far more challenging to provide a considered and thoughtful response.”Mr Chipman plans to continue his volunteer work helping veterans receive the support access the support and services they need.susan.bailey@news.com.au