Outcomes – January Council Meeting

At the Council meeting held 27 January, Council: 

• Carried all recommendations put forward by the General Manager in relation to the Strahan Waterfront Redevelopment project and the community petition and public meeting.  In summary, Council: 
  • Acknowledged community concerns 
  • Endorsed immediate actions including stopping hard rock landscaping and reviewing project contract implementation. 
  • Agreed to the immediate removal of all hard landscaping, investigation of temporary fuel supply option to allow the fuel tanks to be demolished, updated traffic signage to assist the working port functions, review of all approvals for the project works and completion of the new toilet facilities as a priority. 
  • Agreed to undertake community consultation on the project design elements including waterfront views, landscaping, removal of a large portion of the current wall structure excluding the support area for the new waterfront shelter, waters edge concrete designs, parking, signage and wayfinding and material selection. 
  • Agreed to wharf industry stakeholder consultation. 
  • Agreed consultation should be undertaken using the IAP2 model. 
  • Approved investigation for potential options for additional toilet facilities  
  • Confirmed the scheduling of community engagement and collaboration meetings to be held 19 February, 19 March and 19 April 2026 
  • Agreed to consider a report on the community feedback recommendations for project modifications at the West Coast Council Ordinary meeting in April 2026. 

The full recommendations and report can be viewed here  

• Received a question on notice from a member of the public requesting a permanent cat management enforcement area around the Zeehan boundary to help eradicate feral cats – Council will consider the adoption of an Animal Control By-Law during 2026, with cats to be considered as part of this by-law. 

• Received a question on notice from a member of the public requesting an update on removal of trees, or their branches, located on the corner of McNamara and Mellor Street in Queenstown – the General Manager visited the site, with Council still waiting for commitment from the contractor 

• Received a question on notice from a member of the public regarding the management of foxglove and other declared weeds on council land and Council’s contractor engagement processes – Council’s primary concern to date has been the removal of fuel for fires, such as gorse, blackberry and broom. While foxglove is a declared weed, it is not considered a fire risk. Council employees generally clear Council-owned properties rather than contractors. 

• Received a question from a member of the public regarding the sale of the Union Steamship Building in Strahan and the condition providing community access to the middle floor for ten years, asking when the ten year period starts and are there arrangements in place to protect the community in case the current owner sells before the ten years access if finished – The Mayor advised the ten year timeframe will start from when access is available, not from the sale date, and there would be arrangements in place should the owner sold the building. 

• Received a question from a member of the public regarding the Strahan Waterfront redevelopment project, asking if the superintendent or principal’s representative had changed and why – The change was made as it is believed this will bring about better outcomes for the community and the project. 

• Received a question from a member of the public regarding geotechnical investigations of Harold Street, Strahan and mention in the Council agenda of one-way conversion – a decision to convert Harold Street to one-way has not been made, with further investigations and discussions needed. 

• Received a question from a member of the public regarding Dick Clark Jetty Strahan asking for a prompt solution to regaining access as it has been fenced off for a year – The Mayor advised Council was trying to get a MAST grant to cover the repair costs 

• Received a question on notice from Cr Hamer regarding lack of equipment in the new Strahan Gym – replacement equipment has been dispatched and is expected to arrive shortly. Council is aware the service level needs to be improved, and measures have been enacted to improve operational leadership. 

• Received a question on notice from Cr Iwanicki asking what communication has Council undertaken with the State Government regarding the closure of the Fossey River public toilets, and has Council received any formal advice or plans outlining replacement facilities, the proposed number of toilets and amenities to be provided –Council has written to State Growth numerous times, including highlighting three years ago that plans for only 1 toilet were inadequate. Council has not seen any redesigned plans.  Council will reach out to Waratah-Wynyard Council, where the facilities are located, for plans. 

• Received a question on notice from Cr Iwanicki asking if Council was aware of the loss of pathology services at the West Coast District Hospital following a change in provider – Council has not been previously made aware of the service level changes. Council will submit an updated request to the Minister for Health to have the services reinstated.  

• Received a question on notice from Cr Iwanicki regarding pieces of equipment at the Queenstown Gym remaining in disrepair, with no progress made since a report was tabled to Council in December, asking reasons for the ongoing repair delays and if Council would consider providing gym users with a fee reduction, refund, or formal apology in recognition of the prolonged disruption and reduced service availability – Council officers are currently reconfirming the scope of outstanding repairs, replacement requirements, and finalising timeframes with suppliers. This matter is being progressed as a priority. Council acknowledges the inconvenience experienced by gym users and once timeframes are confirmed, Council will provide further information to members regarding the status of the works. 

• Received a question without notice from Cr McKay asking if the General Manager has contacted Westpac regarding its regional community banking service – The General Manager advised no formal correspondence has occurred following initial conversations with Westpac. Council has also been trying to arrange a meeting with the Bank of Us. 

• Received a question without notice from Cr McKay regarding the increase in RV campers parking at toilet facilities now 24hr access is available, and if this could be included within the RV Straetgy that is being developed – this was noted 

• Carried a motion on notice from Cr Hamer to investigate and follow up with road repairs at the Trial Harbour camp ground. Council noted this area is the responsibility of the Parks & Wildlife Service and Council will advocate to PWS for works to be completed. 

• Discussed the Premier’s response to Council’s query regarding access to breast screening for West Coast women.  Noting that government has introduced a temporary travel subsidy. Council determined to correspond with the Premier and Minister for Health requesting a breast screen unit be located on the West Coast while the mobile service is out of action. 

• Noted updates from each department, including the quarterly Communications Report and an update on the Abatement Program. 

• Councillors highlighted that Council has been actively reducing fire risk on Council land, with 80 parcels of land identified as requiring fire risk abatement. 

• Council will write to PWS and NRM highlighting that gorse is on the outskirts of Strahan, increasing the risk of spreading into the world heritage area, and requesting action to eradicate. 

• Discussed funding provided to the Western Region Strategic Partnership for housing – Council will write to the Western Strategic Partnership asking if it is possible for some of the $3m housing funds to be allocated to build a house designated for domestic violence victims. 

• Carried a report supporting the sale of properties for unpaid rates. 

• Approved the renewal of a lease with the Queenstown Lions Club for the Queenstown Recreation Ground for twelve months whilst an EOI process is undertaken. The Lions Club lease the ground for the purpose of offering self-contained camping, with camping fees redirected back into the community as part of Lions Club projects.  

• Approved the renewal of a lease with the Queenstown Football Club for the Queenstown Recreation Ground facilities for a further five years pending an assessment of the building. The football club use the clubrooms and ticket office as part of their club activities.  

• Approved a lease with the Sustainable Timber for a property at Harvey Street, Strahan for five years.   

• Received the finance report as at 31 December 2025 .

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A recording is available via our YouTube channel. Please note the audio for the recording is not loud.