Welcome
Greetings from the Mayor of Launceston City Council
Welcome to Launceston, Australia's third oldest city, for ALGA's National Local Roads and Transport Congress. It will be fantastic to have you visit our city and I have no doubt that you will be invigorated by the crisp and refreshing sunny days that make Launceston such a beautiful place to be in July.
You will be inspired by the local pride in Launceston.
Tasmanian Aboriginal people, the traditional owners of this land, have lived here for over 35,000 years. Since European settlement in 1806, Launceston has continued to develop a long list of "firsts", including the first humidicrib used in the southern hemisphere, the first use of anaesthetics for a surgical operation in the southern hemisphere, and the first combined stormwater and sewerage system in the southern hemisphere.
Having the oldest sewerage system in the southern hemisphere places significant financial demands on Council as we work to manage and maintain our ageing infrastructure. Ageing infrastructure is, of course, one of the major challenges for all spheres of government today - an issue that I'm sure you will actively discuss over the two days of the Congress as you consider the status of our road networks. I have no doubt this Congress will facilitate the necessary discussion and exchange of ideas to develop strategies that will ensure our roads continue to support and sustain the nation's economy into the future, just as those before us developed the infrastructure that has served us well until now.
When you visit, I encourage you to take the opportunity to experience our city. Launceston is well known for its wonderful heritage buildings that can be enjoyed by simply wandering the streets. Our internationally recognised Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery sited at both Inveresk and Royal Park is definitely worth a visit and there is nowhere better to relax than walking through the natural beauty of the Cataract Gorge up to Duck Reach - the first hydro-electric scheme in the southern hemisphere. (Another proud first!)
I hope to see you in Launceston.
Enjoy!
Ald Janie Dickenson
Mayor, Launceston City Council
