Outcomes -August Council Meeting

At the Council meeting held 26 August, Council: 

• Received a question without notice from Cr Butterfield – can the new technology being used to allow 24-hour access to gyms and public toilets also be used on waste transfer station gates to allow increased access to the transfer stations? The Manager Infrastructure & Operations advised this is being explored.  

• Received a question without notice from Cr Butterfield – when will the parking line marking on Orr St Queenstown be carried out, as new line marking is needed to allow the maximum number of vehicles to be parked in the area? The General Manager advised this will be completed this summer, with some line marking to be completed in-house.  

• Received a question without notice from Cr Butterfield – is there an update on the Queenstown Squash & Fitness Centre roof repairs, which have been ongoing and impacting use of the facility? The Manager Infrastructure & Operations advised that the contractor will be back on site from next week.  There has been a gap in works due to insurance claim processes.   

• Received a question without notice from Cr Butterfield – would Council consider installing an honour board for the recipients of the West Coast Spirit Award, as a meaningful way to acknowledge and create a lasting tribute for recipients? The General Manager will investigate and provide update to Councillors.  

• Received a question without notice from Cr McKay – can the General Manager and Operations Department provide an overview of the reasons behind the structure of opening hours for the waste transfer station opening hours, particularly the Sunday closure? The General Manager will provide a further update to Council, with this information to form part of a Waste Management Strategy that is being developed.  

• Received a question without notice from Cr McKay – is there an update regarding 24-hour access to public toilets as several of our public toilets now display stickers referencing out of hours access?  The Manager of Organisational Performance advised that as part of the digitisation project to improve accessibility to Council facilities and services, new technology has been rolled out which allows access to public toilets and Strahan Slipway showers outside normal opening hours.  People can use their mobile phones to scan a QR code which unlocks the doors. This has been a soft launch, with data showing out of hours use already.  There will be broader promotion of the changes in coming weeks.  

• Received a question without notice from Cr McKay – can line marking be completed on the tennis courts next to the new Strahan Gym & Multi-Purpose Centre? A works request will be logged for this work.  

• Received a question without notice from Cr McKay – have all rates notices been dispatched?  The General Manager advised that all notices have now been sent to ratepayers.  

• Received a question without notice from Cr Newman – can we advocate for ABC radio reception, which is poor or non-existent in some areas, to be improved given this is used during emergency situations? Council will write to the ABC Radio.  

• Received a question without notice from Mayor Pitt seeking Council’s support to write to CEO of Ochre Health regarding the news that the contract of a doctor will not be renewed.  This doctor is committed to working in the region which would provide continuity of care.  Attraction and retention of medical professionals has been highlighted by Council in the past and renewal of this contract would be a positive.  Council will write to Ochre Health and provide a copy to the Premier and other relevant state and federal representatives.  

• Passed a motion on notice from Cr McKay to investigate the digitisation of cemetery records and develop a burial and cemetery management strategy.   

• Noted the works being done to complete the redevelopment of Hedley Faull Park in Queenstown, with the General Manager thanking the community for their patience and acknowledging there are several items outstanding. Contractors will be providing advice this week regarding an opening date.  

• Highlighted the proposed upgrade to the Queenstown Swimming Pool, including installation of a disability hoist. This project will be completed in stages, at either ends of the pool season.  

• Operations staff were commended for the work being completed around the community, with reference to the open drainage work in Zeehan and cleaning of paths in Rosebery. 

• Discussed correspondence from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania regarding the Recycle Rewards Scheme and Council’s concern regarding location of reverse vending machines in the region.   

• Noted the Cradle Coast Waste Management Group 2025-2026 Annual Plan and Budget, with the General Manager to arrange a Councillor visit to the Spreyton facility.  

• Approved a general rates remission to the Zeehan Men’s Shed for a period of three years   

• Approved the lease of crown land on the Esplanade in Strahan, to assist in allowing for a functional design for fuel storage at the Strahan wharf. 

• Supported the sale of eight properties to recover unpaid rates and other costs against the properties.  These will be sold by auction in late September.  

In the closed session Council considered a report relating to asset disposal to optimise Council’s ability to provide services, approving release of the following recommendation that Council: 

• Endorses the disposal of the listed heavy plant equipment as outlined in the closed session report. 

• Approves the reinvestment of proceeds into the purposes identified in section 2 of the closed session report. 

• Delegates authority to the General Manager to manage the disposal process and reinvestment program. 

• Notes the alignment of this disposal with the broader fleet optimisation strategy 

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A recording is available via our YouTube channel.