Outcomes – October Council Meeting

At the Council meeting held 28 October, Council: 

• Received several questions from a member of the public in relation to the Queenstown Squash & Fitness Centre, primarily equipment repairs and maintenance, access to squash courts and toilets/showers, any plans to relocate the gym, and an update regarding roof repairs – the Mayor referenced a motion on notice to be discussed later in the meeting which would address these questions 

• Received a question from a member of the public regarding updating Council’s website in relation to how the community can engage with Council – General Manager will meet with member of the public to obtain further information 

• Received a question from a member of the public requesting an update on the trees on corner of McNamara and Mellor Street – General Manager advised contractors have been engaged to submit quotes and committed to communicating further with the resident regarding a schedule for the works 

• Carried a motion on notice from Cr Pitt regarding the Queenstown Squash & Fitness Centre, with Council resolving to having a report prepared for the meeting to be held 11 December 2025 outlining the status of all gym equipment on site including any upgrade plans, the status on the repairs to the facility as part of the insurance claim including expected completion date, the status of the bouldering wall project, and any long-term plans for the gym in terms of development or potential relocation 

• Carried a motion on notice from Cr Hamer regarding open drains, with Council resolving to investigate fencing off open drains around the west coast starting with Meredith Street Strahan (or the most dangerous drains identified), and to step funding to ensure all West Coast towns are free of open/exposed drains and adopt a structured plan for future works. 

• Carried a Motion on notice from Cr McKay regarding self-contained recreational vehicle (RV) travel, with Council to investigate grant opportunities to support the development of a Regional RV Strategy;  consider a preliminary scoping process, in collaboration with key stakeholders and neighbouring LGAs where relevant, to identify the current and future infrastructure, waste management, and servicing needs specific to RV and self-contained vehicle travel; and, provide a report to Council on potential funding sources, project partners, and a timeline to progress such a strategy. 

• Received a question without notice from Cr Butterfield asking for Council to provide details on the after-treatment measures being undertaken as part of our weed management control program, including gorse removal and concerns around preventing regrowth, to understand ongoing management strategies that are in place – General Manager advised that the initial strategy around bushfire hazard reduction has been to reduce the extensive amount of gorse. There will need to be an integrated approach to follow this up, with several outcomes to manage in the longer term 

• Received a question without notice from Cr Hamer asking if a report could be presented to Council in relation to Council support of The Unconformity, for transparency for the community to see what Council is providing – General Manager will provide this information following collation of data and formal debrief process 

• Noted the Emergency Management meeting minutes from 10 September 

• Noted the problems with public toilet facilities in Strahan, highlighted in the West Coast Visitor Information Centre report, with Cr McKay requesting that Council investigate damage to plumbing in the cruise terminal building – General Manager took this request on notice 

• Cr McKay sought clarification around the workforce data – Manager Organisational Performance advised that a lost day is when an employee is away from the workplace, with the increased lost days relating to two worker compensation claims, one of which is now concluded.  

• Cr McKay requested that work be completed to ensure names on all Macquarie Heads Camp Ground licences are in the correct name to ensure records are correct – General Manager took this request on notice 

• Cr McKay noted the new report presented regarding facility use, asking if there have been any reports of additional damage given the extended access, and for some media regarding how to use the out of hours access and how to obtain membership to Council facilities –  Manager Organisational Performance advised that no reports of additional damage have been received since the introduction of 24-hour access via the app.  

• Cr McKay noted the Strahan Gym & Multi- Purpose Centre was officially opening, with no gym equipment, requesting an update on the equipment – General Manager advised that final equipment installation is imminent, the delay caused by arrival of some parts  

• Correspondence was received in relation to the Strahan Waterfront Precinct Redevelopment and concerns regarding the concrete wall – General Manager will respond accordingly 

• Correspondence was received from Anita Dow regarding Glover Creek flooding – Council will respond and also contact relevant government departments to clarify that whilst the Department of Natural Resources has advised responsibility for stormwater management lies with Council, the river is not Council’s responsibility  

• Considered and carried the Discussion paper – Reforms to Councillor Numbers and Allowances, as part of the proposed amendments to the Local Government Act, with Council agreeing to make a written submission to the Minister for Local Government, detailing that 5 Councillors would likely result in issues representing our communities and that Council’s preference, if there is going to be a reduction, is that 7 Councillors is more viable. 

• Noted a report regarding Council’s Fire Risk Abatement Process which updating Council on the proposed works for the risk abatement program, including workflow, maps and updated processes.  Councillors noted the detailed steps involved in fire risk abatement, with the report clearly showing areas of responsibility and providing an avenue for discussion with all stakeholders 

• Approved a general rates remission to the Queenstown Scouts and Strahan Rifle Club for a period of three years, with further information to be sought in relation to the Zeehan RSL application. 

• Noted the Finance Report, informing the Council of the financial position as at 30 September.  Finance Reports will be provided on a quarterly basis. Councillors thanked staff for the quality of the report. 

• Noted a report advising Council of the proposed closure period for the Council office and depots over the 25/26 Christmas and New Year period, with closure at 12:00pm on Wednesday, 24 December 2025 and reopening on Monday, 5 January 2026. Cr Jordan requested the General Manager follow-up to ensure bins at the Strahan Waste Transfer Station, Macquarie Heads and Wharf are adequately managed during the closure period – General Manager took this request on notice 

• Noted the Quarterly Communications Report which provided an update on media and communications activity over July-September. Cr McKay noted the details of the report and the value of the Western Echo pages as a great point of contact with the community. 

• Mayor Pitt drew the 2025-2026 West Coast Winner recipients: $2,000 voucher – Te-Ari Murphy & Maddison Brodie from Strahan; $1,000 voucher – Stuart Thurgood from Queenstown; $500 voucher – Graham & Marie Paige from Rosebery & $500 voucher – Barry Hooper from Rosebery 

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A recording is available via our YouTube channel. Please note the audio is poor quality this month.