Annual Report 2006 - 2007
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Coorong District Council Annual Report 2006 - 2007 Creating a Better Future ~ with Pride The Coorong District Council 2006/07 Annual Report Our Vision is: Creating a Better Future ~ with Pride Our Mission is: ¾ To provide strong leadership. ¾ To listen and be sensitive to the community. ¾ To serve the community with equality. ¾ To actively encourage and support enterprise for local prosperity. ¾ To foster community health. ¾ To protect and enhance the environment. Our Core Values are: The Coorong District Council has a commitment to balancing the following core values: ¾ Integrity ¾ Reliability ¾ Consistency ¾ Continuous improvement ¾ Financial responsibility ¾ Quality customer service ¾ Acting in the best interest of the community The Coorong, view from Long Point. The Coorong District Council 2006/07 Annual Report CONTENTS Mayor’s Message ..................................................................................... 1 Chief Executive Officer’s Report............................................................. 3 Council Overview .................................................................................... 5 Governance .............................................................................................. 6 Organisational Structure......................................................................... 10 Departmental Reports • Corporate Services ..................................................................... 11 • Development & Environmental Services................................... 19 • Technical Services...................................................................... 24 Statutory Information............................................................................. 28 Documents Available for Public Inspection .......................................... 36 Rating Policy.......................................................................................... 37 Annual Financial Statements 2006/2007 Murray & Mallee Local Government Association Annual Report Murray Mallee Community Transport Scheme Annual Report Coonalpyn Swimming Pool. Front Cover: 2007 Australia Day Celebrations at Coomandook. The Coorong District Council 2006/07 Annual Report Mayor’s Message Cr. Keith Scobie Welcome to my first report as Mayor of The Coorong District Council. I was very humbled to be chosen by my fellow councillors to lead Council for the period from November 2006 to November 2008. The 2006/07 year has been one of significant change for The Coorong District Council. At the election in November 2006, the number of councillors was reduced from 12 to 9, following a representation review in late 2005. Of the nine elected members on Council, four are representing their community for the first time. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Crs. Alison Jaensch, Richard Harkness, Denise Richardson and Peter Wright for their success in being elected. I also extend my congratulations to Cr. Paul Simmons, who returns to Council after a few years’ absence. Cr. Heather Moore resigned in early 2007, I would like to thank her for her many years of hard work and dedication to Council and the community. The 2006/07 year was also a year of significant change in the community. For the first time in many, many years, parts of the Council area were subject to the ravaging effects of the drought. Dryland farms, as well as those reliant on river or lake water for irrigation or stock purposes, have all experienced less than ideal conditions following the lack of winter and spring rains in 2006. Council has been working with the community to try to lessen the impact of the drought. Council supported the exceptional circumstances application for the upper south-east region of South Australia and threw its support behind the lower lakes community in trying to oppose the construction of a temporary weir downstream of Wellington on the River Murray. Through the establishment of the Lower Lakes and Coorong Infrastructure Committee, the community and Council are working together to stop the construction of what they believe would have an extremely detrimental impact on the environment. I am concerned that the internationally recognised Ramsar status afforded the lower lakes and the Coorong could be in grave doubt, as well as the economic future of those dependent on reliable water supplies. Whilst I understand that the State Government has a responsibility to secure the water supply for Adelaide and other centres reliant on River Murray water, I do not believe that a weir will provide the hoped-for solution. I would urge the State Government to quickly consider all other possible means of providing water for South Australia’s urban communities and avoid the creation of yet another man- made structure in Australia’s mighty Murray. 1 The Coorong District Council 2006/07 Annual Report Aside from continuing to work with our communities through this difficult period, Councillors will be working closely together early next financial year to develop the framework for Council’s strategic direction. During this process, Council will be seeking the community’s participation to help it identify the long term goals and direction for this Council and its communities. Since November 2006, Council has been reviewing its governance structures, in particular, its relationships with the community through its many committees. Council has modernised its committee structure, to ensure that they better reflect the role that Council must play in developing long-term goals and strategies. Native title negotiations for the claim made by the First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee have begun in earnest and are progressing well. It is hoped that these negotiations can be concluded in the 2007/08 financial year. There are two other aspects of Council’s approach that I would like to highlight. During my term as Mayor, I will be working hard to ensure that Council consults with the community in relation to any issues of public interest and that as elected members and an administration, we are available and approachable. Council has consulted with the community on a range of issues this year and is grateful for the feedback, positive and negative, that it has received. Secondly, I would like to stress the importance of succession planning in local government. Succession planning is important not only amongst Council’s employees, but also in the ranks of our elected members. For the community and Council to prosper into the future, we must ensure that we are identifying the leaders of the future and encouraging and nurturing them to take over where we leave off. I acknowledge the large challenges The Coorong District Council’s communities have had to face during the continuing drought conditions and lack of access to water from the River Murray and lower lakes. I am encouraged by the resilience of individuals and the community as a whole in supporting each other during these trying times. I would like to thank all elected members, particularly the Deputy Mayor, Cr. Roger Strother, for their input during the seven months since the election and I also acknowledge the achievements of the previous Council. Thank you to the Chief Executive Officer, managers and staff for the work that has been achieved over the year and the professional image of Council they portray. Cr. Keith Scobie Mayor 2 The Coorong District Council 2006/07 Annual Report Chief Executive Officer’s Report Mr Tim Drew Welcome to The Coorong District Council’s 2006/07 Annual Report. This annual report is one of the most important documents that Council prepares. It is the primary means by which Council reports to the community on its performance and achievements for the year. I have listed some of the main aspects of Council’s performance and achievements for the year in the sections below. Governance Council once again has undergone a significant amount of change in the last 12 months. The election in November 2006 has seen significant changes at the elected member level, which has presented many challenges and opportunities. There has also been further change within Council’s organisational structure during the year, which should enhance Council’s ability to deliver efficient and effective services to the community. I was pleased to be able to reinstate the Manager Corporate Services position in early 2007. Corporate Services plays a vital role in supporting all areas of Council and requires dedicated leadership from within the organisation. Council faces many challenges in relation to financial management and sustainability, risk management, information technology and staff recruitment and retention all of which require the leadership of an appropriately qualified and experienced manager. Being entrusted with the stewardship of public funds and significant levels of public assets brings with it the responsibility of managing and utilising them for maximum benefit. Council will soon be commencing work on developing a long-term financial plan and an infrastructure and asset management plan. Both plans are not only requirements of the Local Government Act 1999, but also necessary to ensure that Council properly performs its stewardship role. The decision by Council to replace the Administrative Services Committee and the Technical Services Committee with an Audit Committee and Strategic Asset Management Committee respectively, also reflects the recognition of the need for Council to adopt a more strategic outlook. Financial Performance The financial performance for the year