West Coast Councillors unanimously agreed to postpone making a decision regarding the future operations of the Macquarie Heads Camping Ground at its monthly meeting this week (21 March), following the acceptance of a procedural motion from Mayor Phil Vickers.

General Manager Dirk Dowling had prepared a lengthy report to update Council on historical practices and current operations at the popular camp site.  Council leases land off the State Government, operating a camp site and providing licenced sites in the area.  The report provided five detailed recommendations to Council regarding the renewal of the lease, which is due to expire in 2018, and management of the areas.

“Future management of the Macquarie Heads Camping Ground is a priority for Council and as elected members we want to ensure we fully understand all that is involved in managing and maintaining the site,” Mayor Vickers said after the meeting.

“As a whole, Councillors therefore thought it prudent to lay the motion on the table, as permitted under the Local Government Act, to allow us more time to visit the site and workshop material.”

The camping ground currently has an area managed by a Council caretaker for overnight camping and over ninety sites which are licenced to individuals. 

Also at the March Council meeting a request for funding assistance from Strahan Junior Sports was denied as the application did not meet the criteria set out in the Financial and In-Kind Assistance Policy.

“Whilst community organisations are able to apply for assistance, it is important that they have correct governance processes in place.  This is a timely reminder for such organisations to ensure they are incorporated and are able to provide relevant information to support their applications to Council,” Mayor Vickers said.

Council will also be supporting the upcoming Macquarie Harbour Clean-Up by way of approving a request from Tassal to waive fees to dump waste at the Zeehan Landfill Site valued at over $11,000.  The event, held in partnership with Parks and Wildlife and Cradle Coast NRM, will be held in April and will include removal of general waste from the harbour along with larger items that have been dumped along Ocean Beach.

An event to appropriately recognise West Coast volunteers will also go ahead, with Councillors unanimously moving to accept a report recommending involvement in National Volunteers Week 2017.  Council’s Economic Development, Tourism and Events Coordinator will commence organising the event, to be held the week of 8-12 May.