30 May 2017 |
A footpath improvement program, funded by the West Coast Council and providing casual employment, has been completed on time and on budget.
The $500,000 program, part of the Council’s 2016-2017 Capital Works program, saw people employed on a casual basis for the duration of the program and West Coast contractors used for earthmoving and other works.
“Following Council’s standard recruitment process which saw forty applications, ten successful applicants completed an induction to Council’s team,” General Manager Dirk Dowling said. “The program commenced in Queenstown in mid-November last year and wrapped up last week when the final footpath in the current program was completed in Rosebery,”
This program focuses on safety concerns, poor structural condition of the footpaths, and also takes into consideration recommendations from the public. The current program involved works across nine sites in Queenstown, Rosebery, Zeehan and Tullah with construction of new kerb and channel and access points, with some footpaths concreted and others sealed.
Council hosted a get-together on 29 May, thanking those involved in the program, with Mr. Dowling praising the efforts of workers.
“The commitment shown by those working on the program is to be commended, with many having their first experience concreting and working with local government. The efforts of all on the team have allowed this program to be completed on time and on budget.”
The current program builds on previous programs Council has managed in the last few years which also resulted in casual employees gaining skills and securing fulltime employment. The skills learnt during the current program have resulted in one casual employee gaining a full time position with another organisation. The success of the Footpath Improvement Program and its management structure is strongly supported by West Coast councillors who are looking to make allocation in the next budget to continue to the program.
“Not only did the program deliver much needed improvements to footpaths across the region, it gave a boost to employment in the region, something Council was excited to be able to offer,” Mayor Phil Vickers said.
Mayor Phil Vickers, West Coast Council staff and members of the Footpath Improvement Program team at the wrap-up presentation, 29 May 2017
Footpath Improvement Program casual employee Max Duncombe receiving certificate of recognition from Group Leader John Davern, 29 May 2017
Completed footpath, Main Street Zeehan
Completed footpath, Cutten Street Queenstown