Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten and Hobart Mayor Damon Thomas sign a memorandum of understanding in October.
PLANNING, a tower, a cricket pitch, silt and a bridge were some of weightier issues the Launceston City Council dealt with last year, Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said.
Looking back over 2012, implementing the Launceston interim planning scheme was a major milestone, he said.
"That was very important for us because we had some major developments waiting," Alderman van Zetten said.
"We were prepared, even though we got a bit of flak from the other councils, to compromise (with the Tasmanian Planning Commission) on a few issues to ensure these major developments wouldn't be hindered because you're talking about over a $100 million (in development)."
But not all of the highlights for Alderman van Zetten necessarily found their way into the public domain.
"For me the highlights are always the individuals you can help on a one-to-one basis. People come in with issues and I love it when you can see those issues through and resolve them," he said.
Last month aldermen voted to pursue a drop-in cricket pitch for Aurora Stadium.
He said it was the culmination of three years of discussions with the Tasmanian Cricket Association.
The Tamar River silt raking trial conducted by the Launceston Flood Authority, which operates under the auspices of the council, and the signing of a partnership with Hobart City Council were also major 2012 highlights.
"While I get some people who are still negative about that - who hate Hobart - overall I think it's very positive," he said.
Then there was the $50 million Tamar River bridge idea, part of the proposed Launceston heavy vehicle route, which he floated earlier in the year.
"The bridge was a big one, but that's a long-term plan," he said.
Errol Stewart's proposed tower and the start of the $30 million C.H. Smith building revamp, were also big-ticket items during 2012.
Looking at this year the Greater Launceston Plan would be a major project for the council, he said.
"A lot will flow from that ... where do we go with the CBD, the mall, the avenue - what's going to be the future of that area in the town," he said.
A large convention centre, now being looked at by the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, was something he would like to see progress this year.
"It's something I think we need as a city to get to the next level with tourism," he said.
Alderman van Zetten said he was also awaiting council's financial review that would identify ways to reduce the organisation's budget deficit.
"The aquatic centre was obviously in the news a lot, we're still working on reducing the deficit ... to something which is more reasonable and acceptable."
More on council interim planning schemes
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