Mayors Update - May

Published 5th June 2024

MAYOR’S SUMMARY MAY 2024

The Ordinary Meeting of Council was held on Tuesday 28 May in Queenstown.

The meeting was made available to view via LIVE Stream. The meeting was open to public attendance, with one member in attendance. Six Councillors were present at the meeting with Mayor Pitt on approved leave, and Councillors Newman and Graham noted as apologies. Deputy Mayor Butterfield chaired the meeting.

COUNCILLOR RAISED ISSUES AND INFORMATION

Question without Notice

Cr Iwanicki:

Is the education and training committee still active and if so when can we expect a report from them?         

General Manager took the question on notice.

Cr McKay:

Strahan playground project – Councillors said there is a wind proof fence, but this has not been erected, is there plans to erect?

General Manager advised the windbreak was not included in the concept designs and was originally part of the playground design at West Strahan Beach location. If concerns are raised Council could look at adding a windbreak as needed.

Cr McKay:

Requested plans be attached as an appendix to Council agendas until development is completed?

General Manager advised the plans were not approved by Council as the project was under $500,000. The General Manager will investigate adding the plans of current projects to the agenda.

Cr McKay:

Expressed her appreciation to Council staff for the recent budget site visits and walk arounds. She was especially impressed by the Zeehan Landfill but said there is more work to do on recycling to reduce the contamination and to be better custodians of land.

Deputy Mayor Butterfield also showed appreciations to staff who organised the visit.

Cr Hamer:

Asked for an update on the signs at Anzac Park?

General Manager advised currently the sign provides clear directions to council and state roads. There has been no request from the community to move the sign. If Council were to move the sign, then Council must pay for the full cost of a new sign and its relocation.

Cr Hamer:

Is there an update on the Railway shipping containers?

The General Manager has spoken to West Coast Wilderness Railway and while they are removing vegetation from carpark in Strahan, there is a delay on the equipment required to move the containers. They have indicated that the work will be completed by the end of June.

CORRESPONDENCE

Council reviewed the below incoming and outgoing correspondence for the month, with the following actions were determined.

Noting Decision 

That Council RESOLVES that the Correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, as presented, be noted.

Outcome: Carried

Correspondence In

Subject

Email – Anita Dow MP – Plans as Local Member

Plans as Local Member for Braddon and organising meetings with stakeholders

Letter – Department of Health – Rural Health Services

Plans to improve rural health services and organising community consultation

Email – Hon Nick Duigan MLC – Response to letter from Mayor Shane Pitt

“Strong Plan to Revitalise the West Coast”

Email – Tasmanian Waste and Resource Recovery Board – Levy Support Program

Levy Support Program for remote Councils regarding landfill levies paid

Email – Hon Eric Abetz MP – Response to Letter from Mayor Shane Pitt about Mountain Heights Bus

The appointment of a new driver for Mountain Heights bus route

Email – Marc Brown – Telstra – Response to letter from Shane Pitt

Technician inspecting the excess water flow in Telstra pits

Correspondence Out

Subject

Minister Palmer and Minister Abetz

The urgent overturn of suspension of a Mountain Heights school bus service

Premier Rockliff

Congratulations letter regarding election

REPORT – EVENT SPONSORSHIP - TULLAH PROGRESS ASSOCIATION

Recommendation

That Council:

To determine (if any) the amount of cash Event Sponsorship for the applicant, Tullah Progress Association for the Charles Woodley Memorial Fishing Competition 2024.

Moved: Cr Stringer

Seconded: Cr Iwanicki

Outcome: Carried (Amount of $2,000)

REPORT - IN-KIND SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION - BAY OF FIRES SEASON 2

Recommendation

That Council:

Note this report, and the commencement of filming on the West Coast for Season 2 of Bay of Fires.

Outcome: Noted

REPORT - WEST COAST HERITAGE TOURISM STRATEGY & BUSINESS CASE

Recommendation

That Council:

Endorse the West Coast Heritage Tourism Strategy and Business Case as presented.

Moved: Cr Iwanicki

Seconded: Cr Stringer

Outcome: Carried (Against: Cr Hamer)

REPORT - HAROLD STREET STRAHAN CRASH BARRIER DESIGN

Amended motion

That Council defer the Harold Street crash barrier until engineering design and traffic management reports on Harold Street are presented.

Moved: Cr Stringer

Seconded: Cr Jordan

Outcome: Carried

CLOSED REPORT - LETTES BAY JETTIES LICENCE

Council will undertake a licence over the Lettes Bay Jetties for a term of 1 year, to prevent removal of the jetties and to allow the Lettes Bay Jetties Association time to take on a licence.

OTHER

Agendas and Minutes for the Council Meetings can be accessed on the West Coast Council website www.westcoast.tas.gov.au and hard copies are available for viewing at West Coast Council Agencies as listed below:

  • West Coast Council Queenstown
  • Post Office Strahan
  • Post Office Zeehan
  • Rosebery District High School Rosebery
  • Tullah Post Office

Questions for public question time can be submitted via the General Manager, 7 days prior to the day of the meeting, by emailing ea@westcoast.tas.gov.au or post to PO Box 63 Queenstown 7467.

Robert Butterfield

DEPUTY MAYOR