Works & Services News 2025

Works & Services Update – December 2025

As 2025 wrapped up, Council’s Works & Services team finished the year with a busy and productive December, delivering essential maintenance and improvements right across the Island. Here’s a snapshot of what was achieved.

Safety First

The final Work Health & Safety Committee meeting reflected on safety improvements made throughout 2025 ensuring lessons learned throughout the year are carried forward.

Roads & Drainage

Crews carried out pothole repairs on a wide range of gravel roads, including Trousers Point, Coast, Badger Corner, Killiecrankie, Fairhaven and Memana.
Maintenance grading was completed on Palana Road, West End Road, Trousers Point Road and Big River Road, alongside ongoing bitumen patching, drainage works, guidepost maintenance and vegetation control.
Capital works continued with re-sheeting on Big River Road and Reedy Lagoon Road, and quarry inspections were completed in collaboration with the EPA and Mineral Resources Tasmania.

Town Maintenance

Across Whitemark, Lady Barron and other public spaces, crews focused on mowing, brush cutting and weeding, as well as cleaning footpath gutters.
Boat ramps received attention too, with pressure cleaning, new ladders installed at Whitemark Jetty, and upgrades completed at Palana.
Construction also began on the new community recycling and resource recovery facility at the Whitemark Waste Facility. Routine cleaning of public toilets, BBQ areas, halls, gyms and Council facilities continued throughout the month.

Resource Recovery & Waste

Waste from the Killiecrankie and Lady Barron transfer stations was transported to Whitemark for processing, alongside regular landfill compaction, covering and recycling hub servicing.
In December, 135.95 tonnes of leviable waste were processed.
The Recycling Hubs and ‘hard to recycle items’ collected 209.93 kg during the month, bringing total diversion to 898.89 kg since launch.
To make waste and recycling information easier to access, the A–Z Waste Guide and Recycle Coach app were officially launched.

Plant & Machinery

A new 20-tonne Kobelco excavator joined Council’s fleet, strengthening capacity across waste operations, roads and drainage, and quarry works.

Working with State Government

The new Palana/Lady Barron Road Maintenance Contract was finalised with the Department of State Growth, supporting continued upkeep of this important road.

Works, Health & Safety & Operations Update – November 2025

November was a busy and productive month for our Works and Services team, with steady progress across roads, waste, parks, and community facilities.

We continued strengthening workplace safety with updated chemical storage practices, staff training, and routine site inspections showing ongoing improvements.

On our roads, crews carried out pothole repairs, grading, drainage upgrades, vegetation clearing, and signage installation across the island. Capital drainage projects progressed well at Thule and Lackrana Roads.

Waste services ran smoothly, with regular transfer of materials from Killiecrankie and Lady Barron to Whitemark, ongoing landfill maintenance, and weekly Cash4Cans events. Recycling hubs were frequently used—especially at Lady Barron, where a community member even left flowers as a thank-you. Our recycling programs continue to grow, diverting almost 689kg of materials from landfill since starting.

Town Maintenance teams kept public spaces looking great, with mowing, weeding, garden care, gutter cleaning, bin servicing, signage installation, building repairs, and boat ramp cleaning. Preparation also began for new relocatable buildings at the depot.

Gravel extraction resumed at Lughrata Quarry to support road resheeting, and Council finalised tenders for new plant and equipment through the LGAT system.

Overall, November saw strong progress across the board, with our teams working hard to maintain roads, support recycling, improve safety, and care for the parks, facilities, and public spaces we all enjoy.

Works, Health & Safety & Operations Update – October 2025

October was a full and productive month for Council’s Works and Services, with steady progress across our roads, facilities, and safety systems - even with a few wet days thrown into the mix!

Work Health & Safety
Council was pleased to support the Flinders Island Show Society with event safety planning and the Town Maintenance team assisting with finishing touches to facilities for this year’s Show. A new event inspection template was developed as part of this work and will now be available for other community groups to use - helping to make local events safer and easier to run. Staff in Waste and Town Maintenance completed asbestos awareness training, and a new review schedule is in place to keep Job Safety Analyses up to date. The ongoing review of Safety Data Sheets and chemical registers is progressing well and is due for completion in November.

Roads & Drainage
The roads crew kept busy with pothole repairs, grading and drainage improvements on several gravel roads. They also carried out vegetation control and road sweeping across town. Wet weather slowed bitumen works, but the team took advantage of the downtime to focus on Lady Barron– Palana Road. Council thanks residents for their patience while these works continue — especially during short-term traffic interruptions.

Town Maintenance, Parks & Reserves
Regular mowing, brush cutting and cemetery maintenance continued throughout the month, keeping public spaces tidy and well-presented. The gutters around key facilities were cleaned, vegetation was trimmed along Bluff Track, and the Palana boat ramp had a much-needed pressure clean - just in time for the crays and summer boating season.

Resource Recovery & Waste Management
Operations at the Waste Facility ran smoothly through October, supported by the weekly Cash4Cans collection days in partnership with Recycle Rewards and the Flinders Island District High School Association. A total of 117.7 tonnes of waste went to landfill during the month. The Recycling Hubs program continues to grow in popularity, having now diverted 666.99 kilograms of materials from landfill since its launch. Batteries, coffee pods and printer cartridges remain the top-performing items - a big thank you to everyone taking part and helping reduce waste across the islands.

Plant, Machinery & Fleet
Preparations are underway for Council’s surplus plant and equipment auction, to be held via Nutrien (AuctionsPlus) on 8 December. Tendering has also commenced for new plant and equipment to ensure our fleet remains efficient and fit for purpose. In October, Council also welcomed Senator Tammy Tyrrel to the island to view several ongoing infrastructure projects and discuss future opportunities for regional investment.

Works and Services Report – September 2025

Spring has sprung and the Works and Services team has been busy keeping the island’s roads, parks, and community spaces in great shape.

Safety First

A strong safety culture continues across Council, with all incidents and hazards now being reported within 24 hours for the sixth month in a row. Most past incidents have been closed out, and new training in Manual Handling has begun, using rainy days for productive learning. Nearly all contractors are now onboarded to the Skytrust system, helping keep compliance simple and up to date.

Roads and Maintenance

Grading and pothole repairs were completed across Boyes, Melrose, Palana, Trousers Point, and several other roads, while contractors worked along Long Point, Hines, and Blundstones Roads. Bitumen patching and drainage works took place on Coast Road and surrounding streets, and roadside vegetation trimming helped improve visibility and safety.

Town Maintenance

Our towns are looking neat and welcoming thanks to regular mowing, brush cutting, and weeding at parks, cemeteries, and reserves. At the Whitemark Showgrounds, new seating timber, fresh paint, and a path between the Tearoom and Exhibition Hall have lifted the space. Routine cleaning and maintenance of Council facilities, BBQs, and public toilets also continued throughout the month.

Waste and Recycling

Cash4Cans ran every Monday at the Whitemark Waste Facility with support from Recycle Rewards and FIDHS Association. Around 66 tonnes of mulch and clean fill were moved from Lady Barron to Whitemark, and recycling hubs were serviced across the island. drumMuster collected 191 drums, and over 666 kg of recyclable materials have now been diverted from landfill through Recycle Rewards programs — a great community effort!

Works and Services Report – August 2025

Work Health and Safety
The WHS Committee met on 11 September to review ongoing safety initiatives. Incident and hazard reporting continues to perform strongly, with consistent 24-hour response times thanks to the Skytrust app. A new Safety Inspection process has been developed to align with the Risk Management Framework, and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) are being reviewed and digitised for easier access and version control. The daily Toolbox Meeting process has also been digitised, making it more efficient, engaging for staff, and supporting sustainability through iPad integration.

Roads and Drainage
Maintenance work in August included pothole repairs, grading, drainage improvements, vegetation control, sign replacement, and bitumen patching under private works.

Town Maintenance
The team continued mowing and brush cutting in parks, reserves, and cemeteries, inspecting footpaths, maintaining park and street furniture, cleaning public spaces, checking boat ramps, and keeping Bluff Track clear. Building maintenance was carried out at the depot and Whitemark Showgrounds, while staff continued their Certificate III Civil Construction training.

Resource Recovery and Waste Management
Waste and recyclables were transported from transfer stations to the Whitemark Waste Facility for processing. Scrap metal recycling, garden waste mulching, and operation of the Bulk Bag Baler continued smoothly. Waste reporting and levy submissions were completed, and programs such as drumMuster, Cash for Cash, and Big Bag Recovery kept rolling. Community education and engagement remained a focus, with ongoing collaboration with government representatives.

Fleet and Plant
Two new Toyota Workmate utes joined the fleet, supporting ongoing operations.

Looking ahead, the team will continue routine road and town maintenance, WHS improvements, resource recovery operations, public education initiatives, and preparation for the gravel re-sheet program and inspection and re-seal of the Palana, Lady Barron Road.

Works and Services Report – July 2025

All around the island this July, the Works and Services team has been busy making life a little smoother, safer, and tidier for us all. Their efforts show in the little (and not so little) improvements you’ll spot wherever you go.

Keeping the Roads Moving
Grading crews have been out in force, giving some love to Palana, Killiecrankie, West End, Camerons Inlet, and plenty more. Potholes have been patched, culverts cleared, and roadside vegetation trimmed back to make travel safer and smoother for everyone. Even the contractors have pitched in, with works on Fairhaven, Wingaroo, Memana and beyond.

Town Pride
From mowing and brush cutting our cemeteries, showgrounds, and reserves, to fresh signage at the Whitemark Tip and line marking at the MPC carpark, the town maintenance team has been busy keeping things tidy and welcoming. Over at Lady Barron, the tennis courts have had a spruce up with cleared banks and woodchips, ready for a summer hit out.

Waste Not, Want Not
Our waste and recycling team continues to make great strides. Green waste at Lady Barron was chipped, e-waste shipped off, and recyclables sorted for their next life. A community member even donated a huge stash of aluminium ring pulls, proving that small actions can add up to big impact. Battery recycling is also powering along, and we're kicking goals in the Recycle Rewards program.

Little Extras That Make a Big Difference
Sometimes it’s the smaller touches that stand out, like transplanting native seedlings in the Depot hothouse or clearing drain pits in Whitemark and Lady Barron. These are the quiet jobs that keep our places safe, green, and looking their best.

A Big Thank You

The Works and Services crew really are the unsung heroes of Council. They’re out in the rain, the wind, and the mud, making sure our roads are safe, our towns are clean, and our community spaces are ready to be enjoyed. July was another month of hard work, and it shows in every corner of the island.

Next time you see one of the team out and about, give them a wave. They’ve certainly earned it!

Works and Services Report – June/July 2025

Throughout June and July, the Works and Services team delivered essential maintenance, capital upgrades, and safety improvements across the island.

Gravel road maintenance remained a priority, with pothole repairs on Palana, North East River, and Boat Harbour Roads. Grading was carried out across key roads including Coast, Logan Lagoon, Melrose, and Camerons Inlet Roads, with contractors supporting work on Haulands Gap, Madeleys, and Furneaux Lookout Roads. Drainage upgrades were completed on Lagoon and Allports Roads, alongside vegetation control and new guideposts on West End Road. Signage improvements included bridge signage and a replaced Give Way sign in Whitemark.

Capital works progressed with rip and reform projects on Coast and Palana Roads, and contractor-led drainage works on Palana and West End Roads. Soil was carted for coverage at the Whitemark Waste Facility, and staff undertook grader and traffic management training to support ongoing operations. A digital Job Safety Analysis was developed with TasWater in preparation for drain cleaning using a Hydro-vac plant.

Town maintenance teams completed regular mowing, brush cutting, and footpath inspections across Whitemark, Lady Barron, and the cemeteries. At the Showgrounds, green waste was cleared from the arena and new trees were planted near the vet facility. Bluff Track was trimmed and cleared for emergency access, and minor building works were completed at the Duck Pond and Whitemark Waste Facility.

Capital improvements included recycled plastic wheel stops at the MPC carpark and a new basketball ring at the Lady Barron tennis court. Cleaning of public toilets, halls, BBQs, and other facilities continued as scheduled, with staff also completing ChemCert training.

Resource recovery operations remained steady, with waste and recyclables transferred from outlying stations to Whitemark. The Recycling Hub officially opened, with a community campaign to follow. Landfill was managed and covered, and battery stillage received to support safe off-island transport. The June landfill levy was $4,781.07 for 106.53 tonnes of waste. Recycling efforts continue to grow, with over 440kg diverted from landfill, led by batteries, coffee pods, and printer cartridges.

Biosecurity audit outcomes are being addressed, and planning continues for community education and sustainable event support. The local school association joined the Recycle Rewards program, with events set to begin once live on the app.

Fleet planning progressed with updates to the plant and vehicle asset management plan. Approved assets are being prepared for disposal, and procurement for replacements has commenced.

Looking ahead, the team will continue with grading and drainage works, pressure clean public infrastructure, chip green waste at both transfer stations, and begin use of the Bulk Bag Baler. Work is also underway to prepare the Whitemark Waste Facility for the OneStop metal recycling project.

May 2025 Update

WORKS AND SERVICES COORDINATOR’S REPORT

Throughout May, the Works and Services team focused on essential maintenance, capital works, and safety improvements across the island.

Workplace safety actions progressed, with weekly vehicle checks reinforced at toolbox meetings, new water barriers installed at the tip for staff safety, and a digital radar sign purchased to support safer traffic speeds near roadworks.

Road maintenance included pothole repairs, grading, drainage upgrades, and vegetation clearing. Capital works progressed with resheeting on Killiecrankie Road, drainage improvements on Palana Road, and footpath upgrades on Patrick Street in Whitemark. Signage installations and State Growth works - such as guideposts and patching - also continued.

Town maintenance teams managed mowing, brush cutting, tree planting, and building repairs across community spaces, with additional work at Emita Hall, Yellow Beach BBQ, and the FAEC site. Public facilities, including toilets and BBQs, were cleaned regularly, and a new cleaner was inducted to the team.

Resource recovery and waste operations remained active, with material transferred from outlying waste stations to Whitemark, landfill managed, and e-waste sorted for shipping. The Recycle Rewards program began with staff training, a test run of the vending machine, and extended opening hours at the facility. May’s landfill levy was calculated at $6,302.95 for 140.44 tonnes of waste. Recycling efforts diverted over 440kg of materials from landfill to date, led by battery and coffee pod collections.

At Lughrata quarry, erosion control and drainage works were completed. A new grader was received and commissioned with staff training.

This report highlights the team’s continued commitment to maintaining and improving infrastructure and services across the municipality.

April 2025 Update

Flinders Council Works & Services Update

Over the past month, the Works and Services team has been hard at work across Flinders Island, delivering essential maintenance, capital upgrades, and community services that keep our island running smoothly.

On the Roads

We’ve continued our regular maintenance program across both gravel and sealed roads. Pothole repairs were carried out in Lady Barron, and bitumen works were completed on Memana Road and Lackrana Road. Grading was conducted on Palana Road and Killiecrankie Road, improving drivability and safety.

In drainage, new culverts, wing walls, and related works were delivered on Five Mile Jim Road, Maynards Road, Boat Harbour Road, and North East River Road. Gutter cleaning in Moonbird Street has helped improve stormwater flow.

Vegetation control works included the removal of a dangerous tree on North East River Road and slashing at Holloway Park. Guideposts were also installed along Palana Road.

Meanwhile, capital works progressed on Pot Boil Road, where vegetation clearing is now complete. Drainage upgrades were also carried out on Trousers Point Road, West End Road, and Palana Road.

Caring for Our Towns

Our town maintenance crews were busy mowing and brush-cutting reserves, parks, cemeteries, and showgrounds across Whitemark and Lady Barron, and preparing sites at Lady Barron and Emita for ANZAC Day commemorations.

Footpaths were edged and mulched, street bins emptied, and routine inspections were conducted on playgrounds, footpaths, and boat ramps. The Whitemark Foreshore and Killiecrankie BBQs were serviced, while an inspection cap was installed at Bakery Park.

On Robert Street, two new “concealed entrance” signs were installed near the art gallery corner, and pedestrian bollards were added on Walker Street for increased footpath safety.

We also cleaned out stormwater pits on Robert Street and trimmed overhanging branches along Bluff Track. Internal and external cleaning was carried out across public facilities, including toilets, BBQ areas, gyms, halls, and council offices.

Other Highlights

A new Isuzu Hook Bin Truck has been received and commissioned, improving our waste transport capabilities.
Concrete piping was installed at Lughrata Pit to manage runoff and control erosion.
The Department of State Growth contract was received and is under review.
Training continued across the team, including risk assessments and digital tools like ApprovalMax.

Works & Services Update

Upcoming Works & Services Projects – February & March

The Works & Services team is continuing essential infrastructure improvements across the island to enhance safety, accessibility, and road conditions. Here’s what’s coming up:

February Works

Footpath Construction & Car Park– Whitemark Gym & MPC (Robert St)
Ongoing upgrades to footpaths and car park surfaces at the Whitemark Gym and Multi-Purpose Centre on Robert Street will improve accessibility and usability for the community. Please be mindful of construction activities in the area.

Vegetation Control – Lady Barron Road & Priority Council Roads
Regular roadside vegetation maintenance is scheduled along Lady Barron Road and other key Council managed roads. This work ensures clear sightlines and safer road conditions for all users. Please drive with caution when passing work crews.

March Works

Drainage Works – West End, Palana & Trousers Point Roads
To improve road longevity and resilience, drainage works will be carried out along West End Road, Palana Road, and Trousers Point Road. These upgrades aim to improve water flow management and prevent erosion and surface damage.

Killiecrankie Road Re-Sheeting
Following last year’s drainage improvements, Killiecrankie Road will undergo re-sheeting to further enhance road stability and driving conditions.