The Ordinary Meeting of Council was held on Tuesday 26 April 2022 in Queenstown (5.00pm- 7.20pm). Due to technical difficulties the LIVE Stream was not available to the to the public, however an audio recording of the meeting is available on the Council website. The meeting was open to the public with attendance from 7 members of the public.
All Councillors were present at the meeting, with Councillor Gerrity leaving the meeting at 6.40pm
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND QUESTION TIME
Kylie - Queenstown Is there a way to fix the King St Bridge? |
The question was taken on notice. The Mayor advised the decision of closure was made by Council some time ago and report that came back from the structural engineer advised the main structure of the bridge is the issue. |
COUNCILLOR RAISED ISSUES
Questions Without Notice:
Cr Ryan-Sykes 1. Given the lease with the state government for the Macquarie head camping ground ends 2027 however all site holder licences expire June 2022, Will Council be willing to enter a renewal of all the current licenses of the Macquarie Heads camping ground to the maximum years allowable under law and also within the timeframe of our current lease arrangements? |
Response Question noted. There is a report on the matter included in the agenda. |
2. Will council be willing to change the conditions of the temporary site holder permits, at time of their expiry, such that any renewed permit issued to them includes changes that alter the existing clause to do with transferrable sublicences such that the new clause reads that for any sublicense to be valid it must provide that the sublicence is not transferrable with the following exceptions; (a) the sublicence is transferrable to a spouse of the sublicensee, or (B) next of kin in the event there is no spouse for the sublicence to be transferred to? |
Response Question noted. Advice included in the report in the agenda. |
| 3. Also will the Council be willing not to increase permit fees other than by way of CPI increases and covering costs for maintenance for the current camping grounds? |
Response Question noted. Advice included in the report in the agenda. These decisions are made by Council with any subsidies a matter of Council not Council staff. |
| 4. Why is Council proposing to have fees and conditions discussed at a closed meeting? |
Response Disposal of property discussion are held in the Closed meeting as per the Local Government Act and is a matter for Council to determine what is discussed in Closed session. |
| 5. A follow up question in relation Council's answer to my last question without notice in relation to battery disposal locations. Under the current circumstances where does Council advise that used batteries can be disposed of, on the West Coast, for example, would it be considered household waste? |
Response Question was taken on Notice. |
| 6. Could Council explain why the showers in the general public toilet block in Strahan is not included on Council's vandalism reporting as the signs within that toilet block state that they are closed due to vandalism? Also when will those showers be fixed? |
Response This has been included in past Council reports. The question of when they will be fixed was taken on notice. |
| 7. Why should Council consider selling properties of where 24 West Coast families are renting from Council? Where are those 24 families going to live if they can't afford rent increases by private owners at market value? |
Response The General Manager believed that factual statements were made in the statement that are not accurate. The question was noted, and advice is provided to Council in report. |
| 8. Why is there not a motion to allow ratepayers to continue the cost burden of allowing those 24 families to live in properties even though that option is mentioned in report of the relevant meeting agenda item? |
Response Council's decision will be made based on qualified advice. |
Questions on Notice:
Cr Evans Does Council have a roadmap for supporting and promoting the physical, mental and social wellbeing our young people aged between 12 and 24? |
Response |
No. |
Cr Evans advised that other Councils have a Youth Action Plan and he requested that this be added to the Annual Plan discussions. |
Cr Butterfield (Late Item) 1. Was the housing in Dilger court originally constructed with government grants as community housing for a period of 10 years? |
Response The housing in Dilger court was constructed with assistance, though we are unable to identify the type of grant, nor the specific terms i.e., social/affordable or community housing. It is noted that Council is not a social housing provider and cannot take direct referral of tenants from Housing Connect. |
| 2. Did that period start when the grant was received or when the first original tenants moved in. |
Response We have been unable to identify a definitive answer to this. |
| 3. Were the tenants advised that their housing was no longer considered as community subsidised housing in writing by council or real estate? If so, when? |
Response Tenants have been advised that rents are based on market values, this has occurred on numerous occasions. Additionally, it has been the matter of public discussion for some period, including we tenants as rents commenced increasing from 2 years ago. It is noted that none of the tenants at Dilger Court are social housing tenants through Housing Connect, or a social housing provider. |
| 4. Would Council consider stepping the increase to bring the properties in line with the current marked 50% increase for 12 months and the remainder the following 12 months. |
Response Provision of subsidies to individuals using funding from rates is a matter for Councillors to determine. Where subsidies are provided it is recommended that they are transparent, fair, and in accordance we a clear policy. For example, will Council subsidise rents for all Council houses? Will Council subsidies rents for all tenants eligible for social housing on the West Coast? Where a policy is in place Council staff can implement that policy. |
Motions without Notice:
Nil.
Motions on Notice:
Nil.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was a variety of correspondence presented to Council at the meeting.
Correspondence |
Subject |
Galley Museum |
Letter of Support |
Minister Petrusma |
Birthday Bay Track |
UTAS Prof Black |
The Strengths of the West Coast |
Gavin Pearce |
Mining Communities |
Premier Peter Gutwein |
Age Care Services |
Shredley MTB Skills Tas |
Letter of Support |
Correspondence |
Subject |
|---|---|
Minister Petrusma |
Hearing Living Experience Survey 2022 |
Veolia Australia |
Container Refund Scheme |
West Coast Recreation Association Inc. |
Draft Gordon River Recreational Plan |
Office of the Hon. Jacquie Petrusma |
Birthday Bay Track |
Zeehan Primary School |
Request for Funds |
Minister Ferguson |
Western Explorer Feasibility Study |
Prof Black UTAS |
The Strengths of the West Coast |
Peter Hannah |
Council RV parks, rest Areas and Camping Areas |
Macquarie heads (Middle Blue Zone Section Site Holders) |
Macquarie Heads |
REPORTS SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL
100/22 REPORT – RISK APPETITE STATEMENT
Recommendation |
That Council: Approve the Risk Appetite Statement and include it as an appendix to Council Policy WCC.020 Risk Management; and Council Note that a Strategic Risk Register will be created by Councillors in financial year 22/23. |
Moved: Cr Evans Seconded: Cr Ryan-Sykes |
Outcome: Carried |
101/22 REPORT – WEST COAST WILDERNESS CENTRE
Recommendation |
That Council: Note the funding contribution from the Tasmanian Government and thank the Department of Education for their support, and Adopt the West Coast Wilderness Centre – Final Report (Appendix 1) and agree to advocate for the project. |
Moved: Cr Newman Seconded: Cr Evans |
Outcome: Carried |
102/22 REPORT – PUBLIC TOILET REPLACEMENT TULLAH
Recommendation |
That Council: Approve capital expenditure of $80,000 for the Tullah Toilet Project to provide community members and visitors to the region a DDA compliant toilet facility that will meet the needs of the community for many years. |
Moved: Cr Ryan-Sykes Seconded: Cr Graham |
Outcome: Carried |
SUSPENDED STANDING ORDERS
Recommendation |
That Council suspend standing orders for the purpose of allowing Macquarie Heads Campsite representatives the opportunity to present to Council. |
Moved: Cr Newman Seconded: Cr Graham |
Outcome: Carried |
Recommendation |
That Council resume standing orders. |
Moved: Cr Newman Seconded: Cr Graham |
Outcome: Carried |
103/22 REPORT – MACQUARIE HEADS CAMPGROUND SITE LICENCES
Moved: Cr Stringer Seconded: Cr Evans |
That Council: A. Agree to prepare future Macquarie Heads temporary permit on the basis they will be offered for 2-years on current terms and conditions. |
Outcome: Carried Against: Cr Ryan-Sykes |
B. Note the likely recommended increase for temporary permit fees. |
Outcome: Noted by Council |
C. Agree to explore with alternative management options with the State Government. |
Outcome: Carried Against: Cr Gerrity, Cr Ryan-Sykes |
D. Note a future formal decision on licences will be required to consider licence fees and terms. |
Outcome: Noted by Council |
104/22 REPORT – RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Recommendation |
That Council: Decide in principle to dispose of the majority of the housing owned by Council and note that further reports in accordance with s.177 will be provided to Council on specific sales. And Decide to plan for subdivision of Council land where appropriate to enable additional housing construction. |
Moved: Cr Newman Seconded: Cr Graham |
Outcome: Carried Against: Cr Gerrity, Cr Ryan-Sykes |
Cr Gerrity left the meeting. |
104A/22 LATE ITEM - PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE CLOSURE (OFF KING ST & OFF MURRAY ST)
Recommendation |
That Council note that the Pedestrian Bridge (off King St and off Murray St) will be removed as soon as possible. |
Moved: Cr Ryan-Sykes Seconded: Cr Graham |
Outcome: Carried Against: Cr Ryan-Sykes |
TRIAL HARBOUR ROAD UPGRADES LRCI LRCI phase 3 funding application approved. Create a $610,000 capex project. |
FUTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT Council endorsed the letter of submission. |
Agendas and Minutes for the Council Meetings can be accessed on the West Coast Council website www.westcoast.tas.gov.au and hard copies are available for viewing at West Coast Council Agencies as listed below:
- West Coast Council Queenstown
- Post Office Strahan
- Post Office Zeehan
- Rosebery District High School Rosebery
- Tullah Post Office
