March 31, 2025 • 14 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Oh yes, good morning, Shane. How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Good morning? How are you Andrew?
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Good And we've got a new person in here as well.
Speaker 3 (00:06):
Good morning Andrew.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
How are you Scott? Very well, welcome to the West Coast,
like they've said that to me about a month and
a half ago.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
So you've been howdy is the last couple of days?
How are you liking it?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
I'm finding it fabulous. I've been a regular visit to
the West Coast over many decades. In the past I
worked in the States, so I'm keen to make a
difference and mete everyone.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
That sounds great, okay, Shane, you're there around the around
the corner at the computer. I'm sorry that the desk
is not that big. What's happening with the council at
the moment?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, no, it's good to see Scott on board now
started on Monday. And you know, as he said, he's
had got thirty years of experience in local governments, experienced
chap and has been as you mentioned there earlier, has
been in Tasmania before up there at circle ahead.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
So we're during end of the face.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yes, so we're really keen to now that Scott's here
to start moving forward and continue on the work that
our last general manager has done. So yeah, sounds great.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
We've got some listener questions now, did you tell me
whether we can read out both?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Yes? Mate, yep.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Okay, here we go. The two questions here to the
mayor with the council, please look at lowering the green
waste bin and timber and I am bin heights at
the West Coast transfer stations. Due to the heights, it's
hard to unload the trailer safely. If the bins were lowered,
it would allow people to unload trailers safely.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
That went over the general manager on the spot straight
and that's a good question.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
One of the provisions that we have when we're managing
those sites is actually we've got some height restriction so
that there's no fall. But I'm certainly happy to take
that on notice and get back to Brian to how
that works. I've got some suggestions that I'll have a
look at with the team. Yep, and there's a possibility
that we could make a positive change there.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Okay. The second question is is there any future road
works planned for them Branelli Street in Strawn.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
In terms of that particular street, I'll have to respectfully
in the first week. I'll take that one on notice
and certainly make contact and find out exactly from the
team what's going on in that space.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I like you here. Are you coming here every Friday?
This would be great? Okay, another question from our listener.
Why has the playground been destroyed at how it's parking
z in and why as it has only been renewed recently,
it could have been saved and given to a school
of childcare center. Why is counsel wasting so much rate
players money.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, well, I guess there's a good question there from
that resident. But I guess we're not. The equipment that
was in the playground wasn't in good condition, so that
you know, this playground equipment's got a ten year lifespan.
It's been there somewhat some many years now. The skate
(03:11):
park itself has been there over ten years now, so
and we've been in negation or discussions with the community
around what they wanted in the playground, talk to the schools.
We had a community consultation session over there at Zone
or over twelve months ago now before we started working
(03:32):
through this. And yeah, so it's not if the equipment
was in good condition. We would have looked at donating
that to a school or to some other organization to use,
but we felt that it wasn't in good condition. And
with regard to wasting rate payers money, well, this was
from a federal green, federal government green as long as
(03:55):
the same as the one in Queenstown, the playground in
queens and they both come under the same grant of
a million dollars. And you know, we had to use
that money otherwise we would have lost it. And we
don't want to give away federal funds. You you do
give it back, exactly. It's hard to get so we
want to make sure we use it to the best.
(04:15):
And that's what it was for. Was for playgrounds. At
the time, we were just done the Strong playground. We'd
already just done Taller as well, and the Roseberry Skatepark
was being done at the same time, so near the
Zone and Queenstown playgrounds were the only playgrounds left it
at this stage. We've got Rosebury that needs to be updated,
(04:36):
but that's still got a few years left before it's
ten year plans up.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Okay, other council information that we need to know about.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Yeah, so we've got our health and well being strategy.
I guess that's that's been on the table for a
little while now, Andrew. So that feedback for that is
closers on Monday, the twenty fourth of February.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Okay, let's have a look at some vacant positions.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
General manager.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Yes, yes, we have a few out there, Andrew.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
This is normal to change over this.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
In terms of cyclic this time of the year, it's
not uncommon that people take the opportunity over the break
and move on or plan to do something over the break.
So we've got executive officer position out there at the
present point in time. That's the person that will be
working closely with the mayor and myself. And we also
have team member in facilities. That's a pretty diverse role,
(05:34):
basically engaged in sort of all our outdoor activities. We've
got a municipal employee in Queenstown and Strawn which is
responsible for sort of the road, storm water, those sorts
of particular parks and cards and facilities. And then we're
also chasing a payroll officer so the rest of us
in the team can get paid.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
That's what I said last week. You did, Andrew have
a payroller?
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yeah? Yes.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Now, if people think they're suitable for these positions, how
do they apply?
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Okay, all our positions are up on the website. But
if someone doesn't have access to that, happy to come
into the front counter and make an inquiry. Yep, certainly
welcome anybody coming in.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Sounds great, Shane, Scott. We're going to take a break,
thanks Andrew. Yes, good morning to you. It is Shane
(07:23):
Pitt and also the new general manager, Scott Riley. Welcome
back guys, Thanks Andrew. Okay, let's talk about verge mowing.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Okay, in terms of the verge mowing, or as I
would describe it in layman's terms, essentially, the roadside Mowing
Council's implemented a new policy. But I'm receiving community feedback.
Only been here a few days and the number of
people have spoken to me about that. So I'll be
having a conversation with counsel. But as part of the
program that got rolling at the moment, the teams will
(07:56):
be out and about. You'll see the odd road closure
traffic management about the place, so that when we're doing
that task, we're actually doing that safe.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Now, this is different to curbside mowing. That's it correct, Yeah, right, Yeah,
the difference there.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
The difference is curbside mowing is essentially in the more
urban areas where you've got curb and channel yep, and
the verge is the stuff on the roadside where you
haven't got some of that infrastructure.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Now, I remember last week talking to Shane. Curbside people
are saying I shouldn't have to mow my lawn out
the front because I don't own it.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yeah, well that's a hot topic at the moment, Andrew,
and I guess you know we've gone through the.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
People saying what are they saying, Oh.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Just that they don't Our council has over the many
years or since I guess since the West Coast Council
started as West Coast or became the West Coast Council,
that the council used to look after the nature strips
in around our communities. Well, there was a few local
people that wanted to utilize that nature strip for part
(09:00):
cars or using it for garden space. So the council
put a policy together, as other councils around tasmay you're
in Australia, do to give that back to the the
I guess the property owners to use for their.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Own benefits, so it's owned by council that is utilized
by the personality said that premises.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Exactly right, and I guess you know it came about.
If we look some of the streets around Queenstown, there's
some of the nature strips were removed and sealed for
people to park on you So that was one I
guess that happened a few years ago, and some other
people in around our community thought, well, yeah, I wouldn't
mind doing that on my nature strip, but you know,
(09:44):
if it's we don't want to see it.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
When people have two or three cars in a family.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Exactly, and we don't want to see our nature strips
torn up either. So we put the policy together thinking
that we'd allow people to look after their own natures
strip and use it as they wanted, with certain restrictions
on it. Of course, because there is safety reasons around
the height of trees, etc. And the type of material
(10:11):
that people use on their nature strip, we don't want
to make it safety hazard for other users in the area.
But you know, there has been a few issues around
that and we've taken that back to the staff for
looking at that now and they'll come back with some
other recommendations that can be can assist us moving forward.
(10:34):
But with regard to some of the other issues we've
got around vegetation clearing around our towns, it's not just
the nature strip policy that's affected that. We've also got
the issue we had when one of our employees had
an incident a couple of years ago now so you know,
(10:55):
well over twelve months ago. Sorry, So you know, we've
got work safe, have put some criterias in place, and
that's also affecting us at the moment as well. But
as the general man, as you mentioned, he's got some
ideas that he's looking at and we hopefully this will
in the new future, we'll see.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Some I suppose we gon to look at the guidelines too.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Exactly right. Yeah, So there's a lot of things we're
working through, and I guess you know, it is that
time of the year. And we also see a lot
of issues with abatements in properties as well. So that's
outside of councilors control, apart from if someone does put
(11:40):
a complaint forward about an abatement of a property next
door or in the streets somewhere that until it gets
to a certain height, we can't send out in abatements,
but once it gets to that height, we can and
on which council are doing so, and of course we
are hitting up state government as well. So a lot
of our land around our towns, in our towns is
(12:02):
crown land, especially around river aways or creeks, so you know,
we're working with them as well, so that you know
there is.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
I can put my hand up, I've got crown behind
my land and it's just overgrown. It's just you wonder
this type of weather, the fire is going to come
through your place has gone.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Next exactly, you know. And we've certainly been discussing this
with Task Fire over the over the last few years
with regard to that, and they're looking at the all
the the strategies around their fire management and also parks
and wildlife. But you know, these things we've seen some
burnoffs over in Zoon which probably assisted these recent fires
(12:46):
in Zooe that they they didn't get as bad as
what they could have could have done.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
So you know, I think we didn't have the winds
that's what made a difference.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
It probably is, mate, But you know, we need to
make sure that that we're on top of this and
these other departments are as well, so we'll continue to
advocate to make sure that they are continuing looking at
their strategies around five and fire management around our towns.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Right now, the project update with the Preston Street and
Espland intersection in Queenstown.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Yeah, so that's part of our council Intersection and Neural program,
so the intersections will be bought up to modern day
standards with the formal life, storm water and curbing and
road servicing. So we're seen there just as you come
out of Queenstown Andrew where they've almost completed that one
(13:38):
section on the esplanade there, so we'll continue working through
that and there's another section further down.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
How long do you think it will take before that's completed.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Oh, hopefully we'll be finished before the end of the
summer period because we don't get a lot of time
through the year to be able to do some of
these things. So this is it is mate, Yeah, and
the weather has been kind to us, so he can
say that again. Hopefully the contractors are onto it and
get it finished as soon as possible.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Fantastic with Shane Scott. Thank you this morning, No, thanks Andrew,
because it's anytime that Shane wants a day off, you
can always come in.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
I would gladly fill in for the mayor anytime.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
That would be great.
Oh yes, good morning, Shane. How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Good morning? How are you Andrew?
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Good And we've got a new person in here as well.
Speaker 3 (00:06):
Good morning Andrew.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
How are you Scott? Very well, welcome to the West Coast,
like they've said that to me about a month and
a half ago.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
So you've been howdy is the last couple of days?
How are you liking it?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
I'm finding it fabulous. I've been a regular visit to
the West Coast over many decades. In the past I
worked in the States, so I'm keen to make a
difference and mete everyone.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
That sounds great, okay, Shane, you're there around the around
the corner at the computer. I'm sorry that the desk
is not that big. What's happening with the council at
the moment?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, no, it's good to see Scott on board now
started on Monday. And you know, as he said, he's
had got thirty years of experience in local governments, experienced
chap and has been as you mentioned there earlier, has
been in Tasmania before up there at circle ahead.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
So we're during end of the face.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yes, so we're really keen to now that Scott's here
to start moving forward and continue on the work that
our last general manager has done. So yeah, sounds great.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
We've got some listener questions now, did you tell me
whether we can read out both?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Yes? Mate, yep.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Okay, here we go. The two questions here to the
mayor with the council, please look at lowering the green
waste bin and timber and I am bin heights at
the West Coast transfer stations. Due to the heights, it's
hard to unload the trailer safely. If the bins were lowered,
it would allow people to unload trailers safely.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
That went over the general manager on the spot straight
and that's a good question.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
One of the provisions that we have when we're managing
those sites is actually we've got some height restriction so
that there's no fall. But I'm certainly happy to take
that on notice and get back to Brian to how
that works. I've got some suggestions that I'll have a
look at with the team. Yep, and there's a possibility
that we could make a positive change there.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Okay. The second question is is there any future road
works planned for them Branelli Street in Strawn.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
In terms of that particular street, I'll have to respectfully
in the first week. I'll take that one on notice
and certainly make contact and find out exactly from the
team what's going on in that space.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I like you here. Are you coming here every Friday?
This would be great? Okay, another question from our listener.
Why has the playground been destroyed at how it's parking
z in and why as it has only been renewed recently,
it could have been saved and given to a school
of childcare center. Why is counsel wasting so much rate
players money.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, well, I guess there's a good question there from
that resident. But I guess we're not. The equipment that
was in the playground wasn't in good condition, so that
you know, this playground equipment's got a ten year lifespan.
It's been there somewhat some many years now. The skate
(03:11):
park itself has been there over ten years now, so
and we've been in negation or discussions with the community
around what they wanted in the playground, talk to the schools.
We had a community consultation session over there at Zone
or over twelve months ago now before we started working
(03:32):
through this. And yeah, so it's not if the equipment
was in good condition. We would have looked at donating
that to a school or to some other organization to use,
but we felt that it wasn't in good condition. And
with regard to wasting rate payers money, well, this was
from a federal green, federal government green as long as
(03:55):
the same as the one in Queenstown, the playground in
queens and they both come under the same grant of
a million dollars. And you know, we had to use
that money otherwise we would have lost it. And we
don't want to give away federal funds. You you do
give it back, exactly. It's hard to get so we
want to make sure we use it to the best.
(04:15):
And that's what it was for. Was for playgrounds. At
the time, we were just done the Strong playground. We'd
already just done Taller as well, and the Roseberry Skatepark
was being done at the same time, so near the
Zone and Queenstown playgrounds were the only playgrounds left it
at this stage. We've got Rosebury that needs to be updated,
(04:36):
but that's still got a few years left before it's
ten year plans up.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Okay, other council information that we need to know about.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Yeah, so we've got our health and well being strategy.
I guess that's that's been on the table for a
little while now, Andrew. So that feedback for that is
closers on Monday, the twenty fourth of February.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Okay, let's have a look at some vacant positions.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
General manager.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Yes, yes, we have a few out there, Andrew.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
This is normal to change over this.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
In terms of cyclic this time of the year, it's
not uncommon that people take the opportunity over the break
and move on or plan to do something over the break.
So we've got executive officer position out there at the
present point in time. That's the person that will be
working closely with the mayor and myself. And we also
have team member in facilities. That's a pretty diverse role,
(05:34):
basically engaged in sort of all our outdoor activities. We've
got a municipal employee in Queenstown and Strawn which is
responsible for sort of the road, storm water, those sorts
of particular parks and cards and facilities. And then we're
also chasing a payroll officer so the rest of us
in the team can get paid.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
That's what I said last week. You did, Andrew have
a payroller?
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yeah? Yes.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Now, if people think they're suitable for these positions, how
do they apply?
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Okay, all our positions are up on the website. But
if someone doesn't have access to that, happy to come
into the front counter and make an inquiry. Yep, certainly
welcome anybody coming in.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Sounds great, Shane, Scott. We're going to take a break,
thanks Andrew. Yes, good morning to you. It is Shane
(07:23):
Pitt and also the new general manager, Scott Riley. Welcome
back guys, Thanks Andrew. Okay, let's talk about verge mowing.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Okay, in terms of the verge mowing, or as I
would describe it in layman's terms, essentially, the roadside Mowing
Council's implemented a new policy. But I'm receiving community feedback.
Only been here a few days and the number of
people have spoken to me about that. So I'll be
having a conversation with counsel. But as part of the
program that got rolling at the moment, the teams will
(07:56):
be out and about. You'll see the odd road closure
traffic management about the place, so that when we're doing
that task, we're actually doing that safe.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Now, this is different to curbside mowing. That's it correct, Yeah, right, Yeah,
the difference there.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
The difference is curbside mowing is essentially in the more
urban areas where you've got curb and channel yep, and
the verge is the stuff on the roadside where you
haven't got some of that infrastructure.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Now, I remember last week talking to Shane. Curbside people
are saying I shouldn't have to mow my lawn out
the front because I don't own it.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yeah, well that's a hot topic at the moment, Andrew,
and I guess you know we've gone through the.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
People saying what are they saying, Oh.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Just that they don't Our council has over the many
years or since I guess since the West Coast Council
started as West Coast or became the West Coast Council,
that the council used to look after the nature strips
in around our communities. Well, there was a few local
people that wanted to utilize that nature strip for part
(09:00):
cars or using it for garden space. So the council
put a policy together, as other councils around tasmay you're
in Australia, do to give that back to the the
I guess the property owners to use for their.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Own benefits, so it's owned by council that is utilized
by the personality said that premises.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Exactly right, and I guess you know it came about.
If we look some of the streets around Queenstown, there's
some of the nature strips were removed and sealed for
people to park on you So that was one I
guess that happened a few years ago, and some other
people in around our community thought, well, yeah, I wouldn't
mind doing that on my nature strip, but you know,
(09:44):
if it's we don't want to see it.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
When people have two or three cars in a family.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Exactly, and we don't want to see our nature strips
torn up either. So we put the policy together thinking
that we'd allow people to look after their own natures
strip and use it as they wanted, with certain restrictions
on it. Of course, because there is safety reasons around
the height of trees, etc. And the type of material
(10:11):
that people use on their nature strip, we don't want
to make it safety hazard for other users in the area.
But you know, there has been a few issues around
that and we've taken that back to the staff for
looking at that now and they'll come back with some
other recommendations that can be can assist us moving forward.
(10:34):
But with regard to some of the other issues we've
got around vegetation clearing around our towns, it's not just
the nature strip policy that's affected that. We've also got
the issue we had when one of our employees had
an incident a couple of years ago now so you know,
(10:55):
well over twelve months ago. Sorry, So you know, we've
got work safe, have put some criterias in place, and
that's also affecting us at the moment as well. But
as the general man, as you mentioned, he's got some
ideas that he's looking at and we hopefully this will
in the new future, we'll see.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Some I suppose we gon to look at the guidelines too.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Exactly right. Yeah, So there's a lot of things we're
working through, and I guess you know, it is that
time of the year. And we also see a lot
of issues with abatements in properties as well. So that's
outside of councilors control, apart from if someone does put
(11:40):
a complaint forward about an abatement of a property next
door or in the streets somewhere that until it gets
to a certain height, we can't send out in abatements,
but once it gets to that height, we can and
on which council are doing so, and of course we
are hitting up state government as well. So a lot
of our land around our towns, in our towns is
(12:02):
crown land, especially around river aways or creeks, so you know,
we're working with them as well, so that you know
there is.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
I can put my hand up, I've got crown behind
my land and it's just overgrown. It's just you wonder
this type of weather, the fire is going to come
through your place has gone.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Next exactly, you know. And we've certainly been discussing this
with Task Fire over the over the last few years
with regard to that, and they're looking at the all
the the strategies around their fire management and also parks
and wildlife. But you know, these things we've seen some
burnoffs over in Zoon which probably assisted these recent fires
(12:46):
in Zooe that they they didn't get as bad as
what they could have could have done.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
So you know, I think we didn't have the winds
that's what made a difference.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
It probably is, mate, But you know, we need to
make sure that that we're on top of this and
these other departments are as well, so we'll continue to
advocate to make sure that they are continuing looking at
their strategies around five and fire management around our towns.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Right now, the project update with the Preston Street and
Espland intersection in Queenstown.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Yeah, so that's part of our council Intersection and Neural program,
so the intersections will be bought up to modern day
standards with the formal life, storm water and curbing and
road servicing. So we're seen there just as you come
out of Queenstown Andrew where they've almost completed that one
(13:38):
section on the esplanade there, so we'll continue working through
that and there's another section further down.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
How long do you think it will take before that's completed.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Oh, hopefully we'll be finished before the end of the
summer period because we don't get a lot of time
through the year to be able to do some of
these things. So this is it is mate, Yeah, and
the weather has been kind to us, so he can
say that again. Hopefully the contractors are onto it and
get it finished as soon as possible.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Fantastic with Shane Scott. Thank you this morning, No, thanks Andrew,
because it's anytime that Shane wants a day off, you
can always come in.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
I would gladly fill in for the mayor anytime.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
That would be great.
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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