Once again the horsetail falls walking track is a community talking point, following its closure only weeks after the supposed completion of stage 1.

It my understanding the closure will stay in place whilst negotiations continue between the various Government departments and the lease holder. To this end I would urge people to abide by the closure signs until the issues are resolved.

I have not been backwards in my criticism of the falls track and other working group projects such as the mountain bike trails and mountain bike hub for Zeehan - both ill thought out and dead in the water through a lack of ability to complete along with funding for marketing and development.  At this point in time the only local work created by the working group projects appears to be the Strahan footpath project supervised by the Council, and as can be seen we have continued that program on with our own capital works program to the amount of $500,000.00 per year.

A reminder that public submissions for items to be considered for inclusion in the 2017-2018 Council budget are due by this Friday.  Submissions should highlight a connection to the West Coast Community Plan 2025 to ensure they are in line with the vision adopted by the community.  More information is available at the Council office and website.

Councillors have received an update from NBN Co regarding the West Coast rollout.  Contractors engaged by NBN Co will be in the region shortly conducting initial assessments, with the aim to have the West Coast connected to NBN by the end of 2018. Council and NBN Co will provide more details to residents as the project moves forward, including any opportunity for local employment.

Phil Vickers

MAYOR