July 10, 2025 • 13 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Good morning to the Mayor Shane Pitt and General Manager
Scott Riley. Good morning guys, Good morning Andrew. How are
you not too bad?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Good morning Andrews.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Can you get closity your might please?
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Sir?
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Yeah, I know, we've got to give a good hit
them moved. Okay, let's start off no less of the
questions that this week council rates.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yes, Andrew, the financial year has come around. The Council's
considered its budget will be simplifying the rating system this
year and sort of balancing out and leveling out some
equity within the system. There will be a minimal overall
increase within the structure, so the overall rates the total
quantum is going up by about two point four percent,
(00:46):
but we've been offering the fifty dollars rebate to rate
payers or received the government pension mission as well. We're
also looking to continue the rates remissions for not for
profit organizations that meet the criteria with a simplified process
to take the administration out of that. The rates will
also include a new rebate for Hobart for home builders
(01:09):
who not continues yep, so we're still incentivizing new home
bills within the region. Also, there will be introduction of
an incentive for ratepayers who pay their rates in full,
and that rate process will be that they have the
opportunity to go into a draw for one or four vouchers.
There will be two five hundred dollars ourchers, one one
(01:31):
thousand dollars our chat, and a two thousand dollars ourcher,
with the winners to be drawn at the September Council meeting.
Property owners who are businesses, government agencies, council staff and
councilors won't be eligible for that pair enough. And we
also think that rate payers who could struggle paying their rates,
(01:53):
we encourage them to actually reach out and organize a
payment plan.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Nice and easy. Okay, we'll go to you. Shane Usel
Coach caught up with Braden Andrew the.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Cart Yes on Tuesday. Andrew were able to meet with
Senator Oh she's not a senator any longer, she's a
member of Member so Yes and we discussed some points
on the Bendigo Bank, of course high on our list
at the moment of important topics for the West Coast,
(02:24):
and also the Telstra upgrade, which was an election commitment
to the West Coast and the wider Northwest Coast with
that nine million dollars the Fed's put on the table
to improve our telecommunications here on the West Coast, so
we'll see where that goes. But yeah, no, it was
some good discussion for Ben and she's assistant. Certainly she's
(02:47):
been talking to the Bendigo.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Bank Cup.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Hierarchy and I'm still waiting for a for a meeting
with the community Liaison manager, but hopefully that will happen
in the early next week, so we'll see where that stems.
But yeah, no, and I guess we took it to
(03:10):
a special meeting a council on Tuesday night the letter
that we've received the previous Tuesday, and we've moved the
motion to investigate the options for a community bank for
the West Coast community, including them continuing until the end
of their lease, which is on the thirtieth of June
twenty twenty sixth, with the premises that they've got at
(03:33):
the moment.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
So is this why they are leaving because of the
lease or not?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I don't think so, Andrew. I think what they're saying
is that people have changed their way of banking and
they don't believe they need a bank here.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
But I think we all change the way we do things,
but it doesn't mean that the bank has to move
on and no presence anymore.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Exactly right mate, And that's where we're coming from as well.
We've got a community of a lot of elderly people
that still use their past books and haven't got the cards.
And the other thing is people have to travel two
hours if they want to go on face to face
bank with a banking personnel. So Bernie is our closest.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Bank and if you don't have a car, well your.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Bugget exactly right mate. Yeah, so we'll you know, we've
got a roll of in this is AICEA and facilitation
and we'll encourage the bend you go to communicate clearly
and promptly with the community. You know, given a couple
of months and then they're going to shut the bank,
it's not a not a real good time frame for
(04:39):
people trying to get their their their position changed. So
we're going to make sure that, you know, whatever we
can do. I've got discussed with Anita Dow, We've got
meetings today with the Premiere and Dean Winter in regard
to this as well. So yes, so you know, we'll
(05:00):
make sure but I guess the main thing is Andrew
that we want to hear from the community as well
whether they want our community bank. So it's no use
us going forward saying that the community wants a community bank.
If they don't want it.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
What have heard on the streets. I think they do.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yes, that's exactly need.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Something here on the West Coast. It's not just Queenstown,
it's every other town on the West Coast.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Yes, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Okay, then we'll go to you scott Council office closure.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yes, in terms of the office closure, the Queenstown office
were closed on the sixteenth of July between eleven am
and three pm. We actually have an all staff meeting,
so we're getting all our team together from the entire
region working through a few of the things that we
have on our plate out of the budget, looking at
(05:48):
you know, building and planning applications and other bits and pieces,
so looking at going forward, looking at going forward, particularly
after the Council's adopt its budget. All the processes that
we offer our online systems will still be available, but
if people are looking for face to face contact, if
they could ease around those hours, we'd greatly appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Well, we'll take a break now. It is a forty
four back with Mere on air with Shane Pitt and
(06:32):
of course Scott. Rightly, Scott, we'll go to you now.
The mail quary Heads site invoices.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Yes, Andrew sideholders, McCrary Heads Campgrounds have been issued with invoices.
Whever we had a little hiccup circumstances around that is
that the invoice the due date on the invoices was incorrect.
New invoices are being issued this week with an extended
due date of Thursday, the fourteenth of August for the payments.
(06:58):
We apologize for any inconvenience there caused by the administry
of error. Siteholders wanting to make payments can still do
so on their original invicees Queries relating to the invoices
or anything like that can be directed through our customer
service team or through the macquarie Heads Campgrounds office.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Right yep, okay to the just t shamee for how
it's parked in zen I believe it's up and open.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Yeah, so exciting, Andrew that the park's not officially open yet.
We we're waiting for the federal minister. Well, hopefully it'll
be in Urkhat that may come down and open the park.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
You've got to wait for this one across the road
to open as well.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Yeah, so both of them will be at the same time.
They're both federally funded, so there is a protocol that
we need to follow when it comes to federal funding.
And I guess you know that we are unveiling off
a plaque and I guess cutting of the river. When
we can get the federal minister or in Urkhat down here.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Try and get King Charles down you reckon.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
It'd be great, you know, and we know that the
community we're excited about the news. I did mention last
week that we didn't think it'll be open, but the
staff were able to get the last little details fixed up.
There is still some fencing up around the basketball court there.
I think we've just sealed the sealed the basketball court,
(08:23):
so that should be just waiting for I guess some
line marking and that to go on there, and that
should be we should be able to remove the temporary
fencing as well from that.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
So now there's the Heady Fours Park here in Queenstown.
What's going on with that?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah, so works are still continuing it is disappointing. We
haven't been able to get this get it open at
the same time as the how To park. But we
did run into a bit of an issue of TAZ
Networks with regard to how close some of the infrastructure
was to their infrastructure. But that's all been sorted now
and it's not far away, so hopefully with the fine
(09:00):
weather will certainly help this. And you know, we're expecting
to have the project to be completed in early August,
so I know we keep saying that it seems to
be a month after a month, but yeah, now there
certainly on track now if we look out the window there,
Andrew is certainly not far away now, so you know,
(09:21):
hopefully we can get that well.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
I think once that vincing comes down you'll actually see
what they've actually done. And from from here from the
studio we can see into it. It's looking great. You've
got a place where you can wash your bikes, you've
got a fox trail. Yeah, you've got everything there.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
For the kids. Yeah. I guess it's a wide range
of ages that suits as well, the same as the
one over and Zoo, so that one, you know, it's
that suits a wide range of ages for the kids,
so it's not just the toddlers, it's you know, teenagers
as well can venture into the playgrounds and have their
bit of a player as well. So no, it's great.
(09:58):
And you know, even on Tuesday we had the opening
of the well, the official opening of the Zoo Pharmacy
over there, which and was over there, and you know,
she commented on the park how how good it looks,
and you know, and even the barbecue area and I said, well,
that's been there for a little while, but it's had
(10:18):
a bit of a facelift. But no, it's certainly a
great area over there in Zoo and this one in
Quincident will be the same.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
And any feedback on the one in Zeno.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
I've got a hell of a lot of comments how
how good it is, and yeah from Zoom residents, so yes,
and even some of the dads at work have said
that they're a bit heavy for the flying Fox, but
go on it.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
So that's you know, that that says.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
That it's good to watch them.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Miners appreciated to buy all over there in zone. So yeah,
hopefully we can get that basketball open as soon as possible,
then the whole park will be right right to go.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Comp it's good with it permitting as well.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
That's right, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Yeah, it is okay. Any other council matters you need
to arise.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Just one I want to talk about, Andrew, in relation
to how our meetings are streaming online. I know there's
been some community concern around that. We've been progressively working
through all the gremlins in the system. The advice that
I received most recently is it's most likely the software package,
and we will attempt to get that sorted before the
next meeting. I do appreciate community is concerned that they
(11:28):
can't hear the audio and participate. That step up in
services has got to be resilient for community.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
So it's as they do with the internet, outside.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Part of that, but also part of the software package
that allows us to stream that stream it through.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
And I guess you know when you talk about that, Andrew,
We've had this issue right back from when it was
in Stare. So we're trying to work through that and
Scott and his team will certainly do the best to
get it up and running as soon as possible. But
the other option that residents have got they come along
to the personuncil in person which we would love to
(12:05):
see and we don't see a lot of people in
the gallery, but you know it's open there and people can.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Hold a lot the gallery.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Yeah yeah, yep, so like it's yeah, one of them
things that we'd love to see residents at the meeting
and participating at the meeting.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
And it's good to talk face to face for them
as well.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Yeah, and I guess you know, when you think about
it, it was only when COVID come along that streaming was allowed.
Before that there was no streaming. It was you had
to be at the council chambers.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
So right, yeah, there you go. Oh wrap it up now,
Shane Scott, thank you this morning and we'll see you
Shane next next week.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Yes you will think okay.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
You're a better music and more right. Remember, if you've
got any questions for the mayor, whether it be in
your street or town, get in touch with us and
we'll ask it for you. Go to Sevenexcess dot com
dot are you look for shows and look for Mere
on air and of course if you've missed the day's
full interview you can go do seven Access dot com
dot AU that's the Mayor on air or thanks to
the West Coast Council workni partnership with our community
Good morning to the Mayor Shane Pitt and General Manager
Scott Riley. Good morning guys, Good morning Andrew. How are
you not too bad?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Good morning Andrews.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Can you get closity your might please?
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Sir?
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Yeah, I know, we've got to give a good hit
them moved. Okay, let's start off no less of the
questions that this week council rates.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yes, Andrew, the financial year has come around. The Council's
considered its budget will be simplifying the rating system this
year and sort of balancing out and leveling out some
equity within the system. There will be a minimal overall
increase within the structure, so the overall rates the total
quantum is going up by about two point four percent,
(00:46):
but we've been offering the fifty dollars rebate to rate
payers or received the government pension mission as well. We're
also looking to continue the rates remissions for not for
profit organizations that meet the criteria with a simplified process
to take the administration out of that. The rates will
also include a new rebate for Hobart for home builders
(01:09):
who not continues yep, so we're still incentivizing new home
bills within the region. Also, there will be introduction of
an incentive for ratepayers who pay their rates in full,
and that rate process will be that they have the
opportunity to go into a draw for one or four vouchers.
There will be two five hundred dollars ourchers, one one
(01:31):
thousand dollars our chat, and a two thousand dollars ourcher,
with the winners to be drawn at the September Council meeting.
Property owners who are businesses, government agencies, council staff and
councilors won't be eligible for that pair enough. And we
also think that rate payers who could struggle paying their rates,
(01:53):
we encourage them to actually reach out and organize a
payment plan.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Nice and easy. Okay, we'll go to you. Shane Usel
Coach caught up with Braden Andrew the.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Cart Yes on Tuesday. Andrew were able to meet with
Senator Oh she's not a senator any longer, she's a
member of Member so Yes and we discussed some points
on the Bendigo Bank, of course high on our list
at the moment of important topics for the West Coast,
(02:24):
and also the Telstra upgrade, which was an election commitment
to the West Coast and the wider Northwest Coast with
that nine million dollars the Fed's put on the table
to improve our telecommunications here on the West Coast, so
we'll see where that goes. But yeah, no, it was
some good discussion for Ben and she's assistant. Certainly she's
(02:47):
been talking to the Bendigo.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Bank Cup.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Hierarchy and I'm still waiting for a for a meeting
with the community Liaison manager, but hopefully that will happen
in the early next week, so we'll see where that stems.
But yeah, no, and I guess we took it to
(03:10):
a special meeting a council on Tuesday night the letter
that we've received the previous Tuesday, and we've moved the
motion to investigate the options for a community bank for
the West Coast community, including them continuing until the end
of their lease, which is on the thirtieth of June
twenty twenty sixth, with the premises that they've got at
(03:33):
the moment.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
So is this why they are leaving because of the
lease or not?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I don't think so, Andrew. I think what they're saying
is that people have changed their way of banking and
they don't believe they need a bank here.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
But I think we all change the way we do things,
but it doesn't mean that the bank has to move
on and no presence anymore.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Exactly right mate, And that's where we're coming from as well.
We've got a community of a lot of elderly people
that still use their past books and haven't got the cards.
And the other thing is people have to travel two
hours if they want to go on face to face
bank with a banking personnel. So Bernie is our closest.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Bank and if you don't have a car, well your.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Bugget exactly right mate. Yeah, so we'll you know, we've
got a roll of in this is AICEA and facilitation
and we'll encourage the bend you go to communicate clearly
and promptly with the community. You know, given a couple
of months and then they're going to shut the bank,
it's not a not a real good time frame for
(04:39):
people trying to get their their their position changed. So
we're going to make sure that, you know, whatever we
can do. I've got discussed with Anita Dow, We've got
meetings today with the Premiere and Dean Winter in regard
to this as well. So yes, so you know, we'll
(05:00):
make sure but I guess the main thing is Andrew
that we want to hear from the community as well
whether they want our community bank. So it's no use
us going forward saying that the community wants a community bank.
If they don't want it.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
What have heard on the streets. I think they do.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yes, that's exactly need.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Something here on the West Coast. It's not just Queenstown,
it's every other town on the West Coast.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Yes, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Okay, then we'll go to you scott Council office closure.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yes, in terms of the office closure, the Queenstown office
were closed on the sixteenth of July between eleven am
and three pm. We actually have an all staff meeting,
so we're getting all our team together from the entire
region working through a few of the things that we
have on our plate out of the budget, looking at
(05:48):
you know, building and planning applications and other bits and pieces,
so looking at going forward, looking at going forward, particularly
after the Council's adopt its budget. All the processes that
we offer our online systems will still be available, but
if people are looking for face to face contact, if
they could ease around those hours, we'd greatly appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Well, we'll take a break now. It is a forty
four back with Mere on air with Shane Pitt and
(06:32):
of course Scott. Rightly, Scott, we'll go to you now.
The mail quary Heads site invoices.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Yes, Andrew sideholders, McCrary Heads Campgrounds have been issued with invoices.
Whever we had a little hiccup circumstances around that is
that the invoice the due date on the invoices was incorrect.
New invoices are being issued this week with an extended
due date of Thursday, the fourteenth of August for the payments.
(06:58):
We apologize for any inconvenience there caused by the administry
of error. Siteholders wanting to make payments can still do
so on their original invicees Queries relating to the invoices
or anything like that can be directed through our customer
service team or through the macquarie Heads Campgrounds office.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Right yep, okay to the just t shamee for how
it's parked in zen I believe it's up and open.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
Yeah, so exciting, Andrew that the park's not officially open yet.
We we're waiting for the federal minister. Well, hopefully it'll
be in Urkhat that may come down and open the park.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
You've got to wait for this one across the road
to open as well.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Yeah, so both of them will be at the same time.
They're both federally funded, so there is a protocol that
we need to follow when it comes to federal funding.
And I guess you know that we are unveiling off
a plaque and I guess cutting of the river. When
we can get the federal minister or in Urkhat down here.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Try and get King Charles down you reckon.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
It'd be great, you know, and we know that the
community we're excited about the news. I did mention last
week that we didn't think it'll be open, but the
staff were able to get the last little details fixed up.
There is still some fencing up around the basketball court there.
I think we've just sealed the sealed the basketball court,
(08:23):
so that should be just waiting for I guess some
line marking and that to go on there, and that
should be we should be able to remove the temporary
fencing as well from that.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
So now there's the Heady Fours Park here in Queenstown.
What's going on with that?
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Yeah, so works are still continuing it is disappointing. We
haven't been able to get this get it open at
the same time as the how To park. But we
did run into a bit of an issue of TAZ
Networks with regard to how close some of the infrastructure
was to their infrastructure. But that's all been sorted now
and it's not far away, so hopefully with the fine
(09:00):
weather will certainly help this. And you know, we're expecting
to have the project to be completed in early August,
so I know we keep saying that it seems to
be a month after a month, but yeah, now there
certainly on track now if we look out the window there,
Andrew is certainly not far away now, so you know,
(09:21):
hopefully we can get that well.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
I think once that vincing comes down you'll actually see
what they've actually done. And from from here from the
studio we can see into it. It's looking great. You've
got a place where you can wash your bikes, you've
got a fox trail. Yeah, you've got everything there.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
For the kids. Yeah. I guess it's a wide range
of ages that suits as well, the same as the
one over and Zoo, so that one, you know, it's
that suits a wide range of ages for the kids,
so it's not just the toddlers, it's you know, teenagers
as well can venture into the playgrounds and have their
bit of a player as well. So no, it's great.
(09:58):
And you know, even on Tuesday we had the opening
of the well, the official opening of the Zoo Pharmacy
over there, which and was over there, and you know,
she commented on the park how how good it looks,
and you know, and even the barbecue area and I said, well,
that's been there for a little while, but it's had
(10:18):
a bit of a facelift. But no, it's certainly a
great area over there in Zoo and this one in
Quincident will be the same.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
And any feedback on the one in Zeno.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
I've got a hell of a lot of comments how
how good it is, and yeah from Zoom residents, so yes,
and even some of the dads at work have said
that they're a bit heavy for the flying Fox, but
go on it.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
So that's you know, that that says.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
That it's good to watch them.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Miners appreciated to buy all over there in zone. So yeah,
hopefully we can get that basketball open as soon as possible,
then the whole park will be right right to go.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Comp it's good with it permitting as well.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
That's right, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Yeah, it is okay. Any other council matters you need
to arise.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Just one I want to talk about, Andrew, in relation
to how our meetings are streaming online. I know there's
been some community concern around that. We've been progressively working
through all the gremlins in the system. The advice that
I received most recently is it's most likely the software package,
and we will attempt to get that sorted before the
next meeting. I do appreciate community is concerned that they
(11:28):
can't hear the audio and participate. That step up in
services has got to be resilient for community.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
So it's as they do with the internet, outside.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Part of that, but also part of the software package
that allows us to stream that stream it through.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
And I guess you know when you talk about that, Andrew,
We've had this issue right back from when it was
in Stare. So we're trying to work through that and
Scott and his team will certainly do the best to
get it up and running as soon as possible. But
the other option that residents have got they come along
to the personuncil in person which we would love to
(12:05):
see and we don't see a lot of people in
the gallery, but you know it's open there and people can.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Hold a lot the gallery.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Yeah yeah, yep, so like it's yeah, one of them
things that we'd love to see residents at the meeting
and participating at the meeting.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
And it's good to talk face to face for them
as well.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Yeah, and I guess you know, when you think about
it, it was only when COVID come along that streaming was allowed.
Before that there was no streaming. It was you had
to be at the council chambers.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
So right, yeah, there you go. Oh wrap it up now,
Shane Scott, thank you this morning and we'll see you
Shane next next week.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Yes you will think okay.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
You're a better music and more right. Remember, if you've
got any questions for the mayor, whether it be in
your street or town, get in touch with us and
we'll ask it for you. Go to Sevenexcess dot com
dot are you look for shows and look for Mere
on air and of course if you've missed the day's
full interview you can go do seven Access dot com
dot AU that's the Mayor on air or thanks to
the West Coast Council workni partnership with our community
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