At the Council meeting held 25 August 2026:
- Recipients of Council’s Dog Registration Prize Pack were drawn by Mayor Pitt. All new and renewal registrations completed by 1 July, along with whole‑of‑life and three‑year registrations, were included in the draw. Each prize pack will be tailored to suit the winning dog, with a mix of toys, treats, bowls, leads, bedding and poo bags — all purchased locally to support West Coast businesses. This small trial aimed to encourage dog owners to register their dogs, promoting responsible dog ownership. Recipients were:
- Shadow, owned by Lynette – $250 pack
- Ollie, owned by Debbie – $150 pack
- Roxy, owned by Michael – $100 pack
- A member of the public asked about maintenance to trees in Mellor Street, Queenstown. The Mayor advised this would be taken on notice for actioning.
- Received a question on notice from a resident regarding recent changes to how Closed agenda items are reported, asking Council to explain the basis for this change, how it supports ratepayer transparency, and if an administrative oversight, can the general topic areas for the relevant reports be provided. Council advised there is no requirement under the Local Government (Meeting Regulations) 2025 for Council to list the title of each report, only that if a report is in closed that the reason under the legislation is provided. Details for the relevant reports were listed in the agenda response.
- Received a question on notice from a resident regarding the external organisational review, asking whether the decision to commission this review was recorded in any open session agenda or minutes, and when ratepayers can expect a summary of the findings or outcomes to be made public. Council advised that a full report is contained in the Ordinary August agenda which represents full transparency.
- Received a question on notice from a resident regarding the publication of an organisational chart, asking Council to explain the delay in releasing the updated structure. Council advised that a copy of the revised organisation structure was provided to West Coast Council in a closed report to Council in January 2026. A copy of the updated organisational structure has been provided as requested.
- Received a question on notice from a resident referring to a question taken on notice at the July 2026 Council meeting about column‑alignment errors in the 2026/27 Budget Estimates and Annual Plan, asking Council to confirm the response to that question and advise whether corrected figures have been, or will be, issued. Council advised that all actual figures provided at this time are not the finalised figures and are subject to change as further book entries are added. The final figures are those that are submitted to the Tasmanian Auditor General. These have now been submitted, and we await the result of the audit.
- Received a question on notice from a resident regarding the audited annual financial statements for FY24 and FY25 and material variations. Council advised that financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes that accompany them. These notes fully explain any variances. These Statements and notes have also been audited by the Tasmanian Audit Office so if there were any concerns in relation to this they would have been highlighted. Council reports in line with Accounting Standards.
- Received a question without notice from a resident regarding the quality of Council documentation, asking whether the General Manager proofreads documents and when ratepayers can expect accurate information to be circulated. The question was received outside the timeframe for inclusion as a Question on Notice, so it could not be answered within the agenda. A written response will be provided.
- Received a question without notice from a resident regarding open drain inspections and maintenance, asking where planned works are listed for residents to view, and noting parts of the Strahan waterfront appear neglected and overgrown. The question was received outside the timeframe for inclusion as a Question on Notice, so it could not be answered within the agenda. A written response will be provided.
- Cr Iwanicki submitted a question on notice asking if the two public rubbish bins that were removed in Driffield Street, Queenstown could be replaced. Council advised that the bins were removed several years ago. Officers will review reinstating these service points and determine a suitable timeframe, noting the current bin‑renewal program may provide an opportunity to include them.
- Cr Iwanicki submitted a question on notice regarding community transport, noting concerns first raised at the June 2025 Council meeting that Community Transport Tasmania (CTST) was not accepting new enrolments on the West Coast, leaving transport‑vulnerable senior residents unable to access essential services. Council was unaware of the issue at the time, and Item 165/25 of the June 2025 Minutes records the Mayor’s commitment to write to CTST. A review of subsequent Open Meeting agendas shows no record of correspondence and Cr Iwanicki asked if this correspondence had been sent, or if any response had been received. Council has contacted Community Transport Services Tasmania (CTST) seeking clarification on transport availability for West Coast residents, with no initial response received. The enquiry asked for details on current support for vulnerable and senior residents needing assistance to access essential services, whether CTST is accepting new enrolments, and the eligibility and enrolment process. Council also sought information on service capacity, wait times and any limits on trip types or frequency. A subsequent email advised there is still a weeks‑long wait for residents, with no solution offered to reduce delays.
- Councillor Hamer sought clarification on Strahan Gym access after a resident experienced ongoing lock failures, asking whether Council could offer a reimbursement or membership extension, noting staff were aware of the issue but still sold a membership. The General Manager advised he will reach out to the customer directly.
- Councillor Hamer raised a resident query about accessing Building and Planning services. The General Manager advised he will respond to the resident, noting that most information and processes are now available online through the Planning Scheme and Council’s website.
- Noted correspondence from Anne Urquhart MP regarding the Queenstown Sports stadium upgrade project, with an update provided in the Infrastructure & Operations department report within the agenda.
- Received Audit Tasmania’s report on the financial statement of State entities, noting that West Coast Council resolved several years ago to cease private works.
- Discussed correspondence from a Granville Harbour resident, noting the land in question is Crown Land. Cr Newman advised he had talked to the General Manager in June regarding potholes.
- Noted the media release on the new mental health service being rolled out on the West Coast.
- Noted departmental updates, with discussion including power pole maintenance responsibility, timing of the Queenstown Swimming Pool liner replacement, and repair scheduling for rental properties.
- Adopted the updated Financial Hardship assistance Policy, Delegations Framework and Procurement and Code of Tenders and Contracts Policy
- Noted the successful 2026 NAIDOC Week morning tea; thanked the RAP Working Group, local Indigenous community, volunteers, schools, community organisations and Council staff; accepted the commemorative photo book from Margaret Dare; and supported the ongoing growth of the annual NAIDOC Week morning tea as a key RAP initiative strengthening relationships and promoting reconciliation on the West Coast.
- Endorsed the Regional Project Workforce Accommodation Framework developed by Cradle Coast Authority
- Renewed the lease of 35 Cutten Street, Queenstown to The Unconformity for a period of five years. (The Mayor and Director Community & Corporate Services declared an interest and left the room whilst this report was discussed and voted on)
- Noted a report regarding the West Coast Little Learners Initiative, supporting further investigation into Council’s potential role in coordinating the initiative, and requested a future report on governance, resources, funding and financial implications before considering any formal commitment.
- Noted a report detailing the Community Conversation Review survey and endorsed the proposed changes for delivering future community conversations
- Appointed Cr Butterfield and Cr Graham, with Mayor Pitt as Chair, to the Organisational Renewal Oversight Group, noting councillor representation will be reviewed after the 2026 Local Government election.
- Adopted the General Manager performance and Review Committee Terms of Reference. (The General Manager declared an interest and left the room whilst this report was discussed and voted on)
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To read the meeting agenda and watch the live stream, visit the Council Meetings Agendas & Recordings page.
The next Council meeting will be on Tuesday 22 September 2026.