Outcomes – September Council Meeting

At the Council meeting held 23 September, Council: 

• Received a question from a member of the public – what is being done about the concrete wall being constructed as part of the Strahan Waterfront Redevelopment Project, and why is it being allowed to continue to be built? The wall is part of the structure for the shelter.  Council acknowledges that appearance of the wall and will be looking at how this can be improved. 

• Received a question from a member of the public – when is the Strahan Waterfront Redevelopment Project project going to be finished and what measures does the Council have in place to hold the contractors accountable for a timely conclusion? Recent advice indicates the project will be concluded prior to Christmas, with scaffolding to be removed soon.  Contracts have terms and conditions in relation to timelines. 

• Received a question from a member of the public – what is the weed management plan for Strahan with particular focus on the harbour edge and the encroaching gorse from Zeehan, given the proximity and danger to the World Heritage Area? The General Manager advised he has reached out to the north west weed management group for advice. 

• Received a question on notice from Cr Hamer – have the plans for the shelter wall being constructed as part of the Strahan Waterfront Redevelopment Project changed and when will the project be finished? The shelter wall was always part of the design and included in plans from the beginning. The wall is a supporting structure for a roof that will come off it. Councillors will consider some options for improving how the wall looks. Works are expected to be completed by Christmas. 

• Received a question without notice from Cr Butterfield – what can be done about the increase in dogs at large in Queenstown? Council does do some proactive patrols and residents can contact Council with information such as time, location and dog description. 

• Received a question without notice from Cr Butterfield – who is responsible for fixing flooding issues related to Glover Creek in Queenstown? The Mayor advised that the Crown owned the area and had been approached in relation to the issue but had advised they did not believe it was their issue to resolve as it sat on land used by the mine.  Crown Land had agreed to help Council and the mine should any works be planned there. 

• Received a question without notice from Cr Butterfield – did Council follow up with regards to Bendigo Bank breaching a code of conduct by closing? The General Manager advised that this had been asked, with no further action.  

• Received a motion on notice from Cr Hamer that Council include assessment and piping of exposed drains in Strahan in its ongoing works programs. The Mayor advised that Council had spent significant funds on the Meredith Street drain with the works deemed adequate and engineered to do the job. The motion failed. 

• Councillors noted the successful official openings for Howard’s park and the Zeehan Gym and Multi-Purpose Centre, including the swimming pool, on 14 September.  The community celebrations were well supported by the public and community groups.  Congratulations and thank you to all involved in planning the event, particularly Lena in the Growth & Change Department.   

• Cr Iwanicki asked for an update on the works to the Council-owned house in Rosebery to be used as family day care.  The General Manager advised he has spoken to some residents who were concerned about increased parking, with concerns alleviated following the explanation of family day care and the low number of children to use the service.  Works to fencing at the property are to be completed. 

• Cr Iwanicki requested an update on the opening of Hedley Faul Park in Queenstown – the General Manager advised that a small section would remain closed whilst awaiting better weather for asphalting, with the rest of the park to be opened within a week, ready for school holidays. 

• Cr Iwanicki noted positive feedback received around the new 24-hour access via QR codes for the public toilets, asking if more promotion of this service is planned. The Manager of Organisational Performance advised that this has been a soft launch, with the app changing and updating. More promotion will occur soon.  

• Cr McKay noted that the Growth & Change team had met with Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania, requesting that the current issues being faced by the Zeehan Neighbourhood Centre which is struggling for funding, and the Rosebery Neighbourhood House which is now only open by appointment, be included in their modelling when discussing opening neighbourhood houses in Queenstown and Strahan.  

• Discussed a letter from Homes Tasmania seeking a partnership with Council to support the redevelopment of the old Central School in Queenstown, with funding from the Australian Government to demolish existing improvements, remediate and prepare the site for redevelopment and deliver a housing concept plan. Council determined they are not supportive of demolition based upon limited advice on the proposed development of the site, with no proposed designs presented, with a preference for the current funding to focus on updating nursing accommodation for key workers on the Corner of Cutten and Peter Street, Queenstown.   

• Considered a report to purchase 3 Agnes Street, Rosebery, with Councillors voting unanimously for the General Manager to negotiate the purchase, which will allow for the Rosebery Playground precinct to be extended. 

• Approved a general rates remission to the Zeehan Neighbourhood Centre and the Zeehan Lions Club for a period of three years  . 

• Adopted the Councillor Dispute Resolution Policy. The policy was updated following some minor legislative changes which resulted in this policy needing to be changed and adopted. 

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