At the Council meeting held 26 May:
- Cr Hamer asked Council to monitor the condition of the Strahan wharf where cracks have been increasing, near where the train ticket carriage is located. The General Manager took this on notice and advised discussions are ongoing with the West Coast Wilderness Railway who have scheduled the carriage relocation
- Cr Hamer asked if Council could investigate partnering with Sustainable Timbers and Parks and Wildlife to open up parcels of land suitable for firewood gathering, to help with the cost of living. The General Manager advised Council could seek approval, with Sustainable Timbers running a permitting process for access to parts of the forest. The General Manager will follow this up.
- Cr Hamer asked whether Council could discuss with the Queenstown Crows the possibility of managing RV Camping at the Queenstown Recreation Ground, with funds contributing to ground maintenance, following the recent correspondence from the Hon. Ruth Forest regarding the condition of the ground. The General Manager took this on notice. The Mayor advised that the Crows have previously declined to manage the RV Camping. The Queenstown Lions Club currently holds the lease to manage the site, which expires in twelve months. When the expression of interest for RV Camping management is next advertised, the Crows may choose to submit an application.
- Cr Hamer asked for an update on the grant funding received some time ago from Anne Urquhart MP, including how the funds were allocated and whether any balance remains. The General Manager took this on notice.
- Cr McKay asked if there was an update from State Growth regarding the approvals for changing signage on the Corner Harvey and Reid Street, Strahan as where it was amended has created a traffic hazard and unintended consequences including long vehicles travelling down Harvey Street. The General Manager advised he would follow up with State Growth.
- Cr McKay asked if there had been any details provided to Council regarding the number of toilets to be placed at the upgraded Fossey River rest stop, noting that Council has previously raised on several occasions the importance of this rest stop for traffic flow in and out of the West Coast. The General Manager advised that the government has been reticent to provide details, with Council requesting final plans for some time. The General Manager will now follow up directly with the minister.
- Cr McKay asked for an update on progress toward the requested West Coast RV Strategy, noting the upcoming commencement of the new Spirit of Tasmania sailings from 21 October 2026. The General Manager advised that preliminary work has commenced, and further advice will be provided to Councillors. The Mayor added that LGAT has also undertaken work in this area.
- Discussed correspondence received about trees in Wilsdon Street, Queenstown and a noise complaint about the Queenstown Recreation Ground.
- Noted updates from each department, with clarification provided around commercial leases, smartlock date, the Queenstown Swimming Pool liner project, Zeehan footpath upgrade, vandalism claims and prosecution processes and the Hedley Faull Park redevelopment.
- Approved an Innovation Grant request to CS Rowland Multimedia for a project to capture the sounds of the West Coast.
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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 23 June 2026.