Two days on the magnificent West Coast starting at Strahan. Deputy Leader, Jeremy Rockliff, and I met the Mayor, Darryl Gerrity - a colourful character and passionate advocate for his region. We discussed a range of issues confronting the West Coast, including;

	the proposal to truck softwood logs from Strahan to Scottsdale for processing by Auspine, with the added strain on local roads through an increase of log trucks;
	the need to upgrade Queenstown’s water supply infrastructure, which has been problem for several years;
	the future of the Lake Margaret power station;
	the fate of the old Queenstown hospital; and
	poor high school retention rates;

Access to education for young West Coasters is problematic in the college years, with students needing to travel to either Burnie or Hobart to further their education. That is a real disincentive to further study, and contributes to poor retention rates and a diminished skills base. 

We then visited the West Coast Visitor Centre and some local businesses before heading across to Queenstown.

Mr John Halton, Chairman of ‘Project Queenstown’ informed us of some local tourism initiatives, and gave us a tour of the now deserted Mt. Lyell Mines offices. We called in at the local radio station, West Coast 7XS, for an interview and then toured the impressive new West Coast District Hospital. We visited the Eric Thomas Galley Museum, which contains a fantastic array of historical displays, collected by hard working volunteers.

To finish the day, we joined locals for a beer at the Queenstown RSL Club, and then a meal at the Mt. Lyell Hotel.

A full day, but just what 200 Tassie Towns is all about. Getting out into local communities, and meeting with local people. And I have a bit of work to do when I get back, chasing up the government on some local issues.

Slept very well at the delightful Penghana Bed & Breakfast.