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Resignations and staff vacancies have plagued a Tasmanian council throughout 2025, the union representing workers says. The Australian Services Union says 21 staff, of a workforce of about 75, have left the West Coast Council since January. ASU coordinator Samantha Batchelor recently met with Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent and said the union had raised concerns with the elected council members and management staff. Last month the council's registration for its entire vehicle fleet mistakenly lapsed for a week, and in the same month, confidential information was accidentally included in a public meeting agenda document. The council's general manager, Scott Riley, who took the reins in February, said it was "completely expected" for workplaces to experience volatility during periods of change. Ms Batchelor said there seemed to be a "high level of dissatisfaction" in the council's workforce. "The level of turnover and vacancy has now created unsustainable and excessive workloads that lead to poor mental health outcomes, workplace stresses and are triggering people's desires to leave." Departments down to solo staff, union says Mr Riley, who began in the general manager's role on February 3, said the rate of turnover was typical at the West Coast. [It is] completely expected in relation to the introduction of some change and moving the organisation forward in meeting its community needs," Mr Riley said. Ms Batchelor, however, said vacancies were affecting the council's ability to function properly. "Those workloads are unsustainable. They're inherently likely to have an impact on the delivery of services to the community. "And, concerningly, can pose a significant risk to individuals' health and safety." Mr Riley said "I refute absolutely" claims made by the union and former staff about the culture at the council. "But I take it very seriously when there are concerns raised and people are not held accountable," he said. Ms Batchelor said she met with Mr Vincent on October 27 and discussed issues at the council. "It didn't come as news to him that there are concerns at the West Coast Council," she said. "He has committed to us to intervene if required." Confidential matters mistakenly posted in council agenda Last month the council's entire vehicle fleet registration lapsed for a week, leading to staff members illegally driving unregistered and therefore uninsured vehicles. Mr Riley described the issue as minor and said it was rectified within hours of being identified, but acknowledged he was ultimately responsible. In another error, the council mistakenly published a version of the October monthly meeting agenda that included several confidential matters. The document was removed and replaced with the correct agenda ahead of Tuesday's meeting. Among the details included were references to an ongoing sexual harassment claim, a historic sexual abuse claim, and an unfair dismissal claim. "You would be familiar with the broad range of issues that are raised in society at the moment around a number of those concerns," Mr Riley said. "Those issues are not unfamiliar to all local government communities, organisations across the nation." The agenda also featured the addresses and details of 10 allegations of "illegal building works" the council was investigating. Mr Riley accepted the publication of such details in the monthly agenda was "unusual", but said it was "addressed immediately". "There was a minor administrative error in relation to that process," Mr Riley said. He said the error was the result of a "glitch" in oversight processes for which he took "full responsibility". Councils responsible for their own workforce, minister says Mr Vincent was asked whether he was concerned about the issues at the West Coast Council, but did not answer that question directly. "Councils are responsible for appointing staff, and for monitoring and managing their performance," he said. "We are committed to working with the local government sector," Mr Vincent said. Ms Batchelor said she had put concerns in writing to the mayor and the general manager and was hoping for a "rapid" response. However, she said if the council failed to address the union's concerns, she would not hesitate to seek Mr Vincent's intervention. Mr Riley said he would "welcome any open investigation". West Coast Council Mayor Shane Pitt was contacted for comment.
