April 2026 Update
A community update session for the Strahan Waterfront Project, originally scheduled for Thursday 16 April, will be rescheduled.
Due to the impacts of the Easter period, the project program is not as advanced as initially anticipated. Rescheduling the community session will enable:
- the Working Group to consider the Request for Quotation submissions received for the appointment of a landscape architect
- Introduction and discussion of the preferred consultant prior to community engagement
- Potential scheduling of the selected landscape architect to attend the next community session to:
- Hear community concerns directly
- Consider feedback
- Share early design ideas and inspirations
It is proposed the community information session will be scheduled for early May, following completion of the quotation assessment and subject to consultant availability.
This next community information session will be an important phase of engagement, providing the community an opportunity to raise design concerns and provide feedback directly to Council and the Working Group – helping to inform future stages of the project.
March 2026 Updates
A community information session held on 19 March was attended by approximately thirty people, including members of the Strahan Waterfront Advisory Committee, West Coast Councillors and Council staff. Updates on key project matters were provided, including:
- Management and conclusion of the current construction contract and return of the site to the West Coast Council.
- Progression of the design consultancy for landscaping and placemaking services. Council will review these submissions as soon as possible.
- Design of the wall modifications, with draft designs to be provided for community feedback.
- Relocation of the fuel and railway carriage, with action progressing with the West Coast Wilderness Railway. A timeline is to be advised. Access arrangement for fuel relocation site was reviewed, and input has advised an amended option could be considered. This is progressing.
- Traffic modelling of the site access, including pedestrian interactions, has been discussed and revised designs are being prepared for the relocated fuel site at the Old Tassal Wharf location.
- Parking management of the precinct, with revised traffic management solutions for signage and guidance under way.
Following discussion at the information session, additional actions were noted:
- new traffic management signage will be implemented on the working port to advise the public about unauthorised access, with parking areas reserved for commercial wharf operators only.
- access options considering using the access south of the former Tassal building will be revised.
- a revised cleaning schedule for amenities will be investigated.
- odour concerns around the ventilation of the new amenities will be reviewed and reported back to the next meeting.
February 2026 Updates
The site now open and accessible to the public.
On‑site lighting is fully operational, providing improved visibility, safety, and amenity for community members and visitors enjoying the foreshore area. The only exception is the lighting in the new car park area, which will be connected once TasNetworks completes the final electrical works.
Another key milestone has been met, with the occupancy permit issued for the new toilets. Located on the Esplanade between The Ship That Never Was and the Huon Pine/Sawmill area, the toilets opened to the public on 26 February. The toilets will be open 6am-9pm, with the intention of installing the Unlock West Coast app for 24/7 access in the future. The portable toilets will remain in place in the short term.
Landscaping areas within the site have been roped off temporarily, with further works to be completed.
The Strahan Waterfront Advisory Committee has been meeting and working closely with Council to progress key elements of the project. The committee has provided valuable insight and local knowledge, helping shape important design and delivery decisions.
A community information session held on 19 February was also well attended. Attendees expressed strong support for the progress made to date and contributed feedback on several project components. This included:
- Adjustments to the height of the waterfront wall
- Input into preferred locations for the relocated fuel tanks
- General feedback on how the public will use and enjoy the revitalised area
Temporary Toilets Installed
30 January 2026
Project Recommendations January 2026
In response to community concerns raised in a petition, at a public meeting and at a community information session, West Coast Council on 27 January adopted a series of recommendations to address these concerns and ensure the waterfront project meets both community and Council expectations.
A summary of the recommendations is available below, with the detailed report presented to Council also available to download on this project page.
In summary, Council:
- Acknowledged community concerns
- Endorsed immediate actions including stopping hard rock landscaping and reviewing project contract implementation.
- Agreed to the immediate removal of all hard landscaping, investigation of temporary fuel supply option to allow the fuel tanks to be demolished, updated traffic signage to assist the working port functions, review of all approvals for the project works and completion of the new toilet facilities as a priority.
- Agreed to undertake community consultation on the project design elements including waterfront views, landscaping, removal of a large portion of the current wall structure excluding the support area for the new waterfront shelter, waters edge concrete designs, parking, signage and wayfinding and material selection.
- Agreed to wharf industry stakeholder consultation.
- Agreed consultation should be undertaken using the IAP2 model.
- Approved investigation for potential options for additional toilet facilities
- Confirmed the scheduling of community engagement and collaboration meetings to be held 19 February, 19 March and 16 April 2026
- Agreed to consider a report on the community feedback recommendations for project modifications at the West Coast Council Ordinary meeting in April 2026.
2025 Project Updates
4 September 2025
Current project works include:
- Post prep and install continuing at the West Coast Visitor Information Centre/The Ship That Never Was
- Continuing painting the West Coast Visitor Information Centre trusses
- Roof works including new gutter and brackets installed and mini orb replaced on the southwest corner of the West Coast Visitor Information Centre
- Prep the footpath between The Ship That Never Was and the road
- Joist install continuing on the boardwalk
- Glass cleaning and removing old shade sails on the West Coast Visitor Information Centre roof
July 2025
Construction is now 50%. Concrete for the water’s edge stairs was poured, the wall completed, boardwalk is under construction, timber supports have been removed from the visitor centre building, ready for replacement whilst the steel roof structure of the centre has been refurbished.
June 2025
Works are now 40% complete and continue to be on track for a November completion. Footings are now complete on the shelter wall whilst the stairs on the water’s edge was formed.
The concrete footpath and trees have been removed, with electrical trenching works 80% complete.
May 2025
Construction is 25% complete, with an expected November completion. Piling works for the boardwalk have been completed, and the shelter and new toilet block is under construction.
April 2025
28 March 2025
- How to move forward with refurbishing the Centre to ensure it is safe and accessible
- How to preserve and reimagine the Reflections Exhibition, with some items in very poor condition
- How to fund any approved future works, with current funding not enough to cover expected new project requirements
- The impact of a longer closure on the operations of the West Coast Visitor Information Centre, who have moved to operate out of a smaller, temporary location
25 March 2025
3 March 2025
- landscaping is underway
- engagement with Heritage Tasmania and artists involved with the Reflections Exhibition is ongoing, items will not be removed until further assessment is completed, under the guidance of a suitably qualified professional
- testing of ground conditions for the proposed boardwalk is planned, with a pilling rig to arrive on site soon
- the concrete slab for new public toilets has been poured
- footings for the new shelter that will be built onsite have been constructed
Project Background
The Strahan Waterfront Precinct Redevelopment has been in the works since 2015, when Council worked in partnership with TasPorts, the Department of State Growth and broader community to develop the Strahan Waterfront Precinct Plan.
The wharf area is recognised as an integral part of the community, in providing a sense of place for locals and showcasing an important element in the history of Strahan. The area also provides employment opportunities and through the redevelopment, an enhanced tourist experience.
Overall it was identified that a redevelopment of the wharf precinct will create a modern, accessible public space that celebrates the existing area, making it a vibrant place for locals and visitors to connect.
The outcome of the precinct project will provide:
- a new outdoor public space to make the waters edge more enjoyable and enhance the accessibility to waterfront businesses
- renewal of the West Coast Visitor Information Centre building to enhance visitor servicing
- relocation of existing public amenities for enhanced convenience for all
- reconfiguration of existing car parking and associated works
After a tender process, AJR Construct were awarded the contract to complete the redevelopment. Works started in January 2025, to be completed in stages and within the approximate completion date of late October 2025.
Project timeframes reflect the time needed for necessary consultation with the community and stakeholders, the summer weather window for construction and the condition of the grant that all funds are spent by the end of 2025.
The West Coast Visitor Information Centre has relocated to temporary premises at 29 Esplanade, Strahan, for the duration of the project.
Project Documents
FAQ
The Australian and Tasmanian Government have contributed $3,375,000 to the project.
The West Coast Visitor Information Centre has relocated to temporary premises at 29 The Esplanade in Strahan. It will remain here while works are completed. We expect to be in our temporary home until August 2025.
The Visitor Information Centre will continue to provide visitor assistance, accommodation and activity bookings, sale of West Coast Tas merchandise and sale of tickets to The Ship That Never Was.
The Centre will be open Monday-Friday from 10am to 5.30pm.
Activity and accommodation bookings, local information and merchandise also remain available online at www.westcoasttas.com
Following the heritage listing being confirmed in March 2025, Council liaised with Heritage Tasmania and other stakeholders to look at what works can proceed within the parameters of the heritage listing.
The focus for 2025 is to complete the Strahan Waterfront Redevelopment project with the existing agency without undertaking extensive internal renovations to the West Coast Visitor Information Centre.
This approach aligns with the heritage mandate, which emphasizes preserving the internal orientation and historical essence of the building.
Following consensus from the heritage team, our focus has shifted to reinstate the structural integrity of the building while enhancing the condition of its external components.
The internal refurbishment will be scoped separately at a later stage, as it requires more time and detailed planning.
Our current efforts are concentrated on:
- Replacing the old wooden posts and their foundations
- Cleaning the roof
- Developing the surrounding area of the building to protect the structure from decays
- Preserving all internal artifacts and layout as-is
This strategy ensures compliance with heritage expectations while allowing us to move forward with the broader Strahan Waterfront Redevelopment Project.
Documents
