A Regional Community Cabinet will be meeting in Queenstown later this month and Councillors are currently working on a paper to present to Ministers.

This paper details a range of issues and opportunities for the West Coast across a wide variety of topics including health, infrastructure, economic and community development projects, natural resource management and transport.

The West Coast Aquatic Facilities Strategy project is well underway with an engineer on site later this week to conduct a complete inspection of each swimming pool.  Details of all key stakeholders (schools, user groups etc.) have been provided to the consultants who will soon make contact to conduct interviews.  The public will also have the opportunity to participate via community meetings and a survey – details of which are being confirmed. 

Following the successful Destination West Coast tourism forum last month, an outcomes report has been provided to all attendees.  A further meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss how to implement these outcomes for the West Coast tourism industry.

Council staff continue to liaise with Masters Games management.  We are still hopeful of submitting a Footy 15’s team however this will hinge on a number of factors including rostering and location of games.  We are also requesting games to be played on the West Coast.  Council’s Economic Development, Tourism and Events Coordinator is also working with Games management to host an information session on the West Coast for West Coast tourism and business operators to learn about the opportunities available as a result of the Games.  With 5000 people expected on the North West Coast for the event many will visit the West Coast and we need to be able to capitalise on this by ensuring we are open for business. 

Phil Vickers

MAYOR