Crime Stoppers Week this year is targeting the manufacture, supply and distribution of the illicit drug Ice, motor vehicle theft and shoplifting.
The West Coast Council has always been a strong supporter of Crime Stoppers, sponsoring the organisation when it was first started in Tasmania many years ago. Whilst we no longer provide financial support I remain a Director on the Board and believe Crime Stoppers plays a vital role in reducing crime. We are lucky on the West Coast that we have a relatively low crime rate however I encourage anyone who is aware of a crime to report it to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au. Reporting a crime to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous.
The 120th birthday celebrations for the West Coast Wilderness Railway last week was a great success – with the new museum at the Queenstown station a credit to local graphic designer Lea Walpole and historian Mark Metrikas. As West Coasters we sometimes forget the importance of an asset such as the railway to our community, both in its role in our history and now as a major tourism attraction. I took the opportunity during my speech at the celebrations to remind us all that the railway is crucial to West Coast tourism and our challenge is to increase our tourism season. Council, and following on from comments by operators at the recent Destination West Coast forum, believes this can be achieved through strong partnerships between businesses and tourism operators, and through reinvigorated branding and marketing of our region. Council has requested funding for a branding strategy from the State Government and I am hopeful of a positive outcome to our request.
Phil Vickers
MAYOR