City of Lake Macquarie

Annual Report 2015-2016 table of contents

5 Executive summary our year our reports 6 Message from the Mayor 33 Our progress 87 About our reports 7 Message from the General Manager 34 Annual snapshot 88 Fair and equal employment 36 Financial snapshot 90 Work, health and safety 37 Value for rates 92 Companion animals 38 Community engagement our City 94 External bodies exercising 42 Local government in review Council functions 8 Snapshot of our City 44 Awards 98 Partnerships, co-operatives 10 Our wards and councillors and joint ventures 11 Our structure and senior staff 101 Controlling interests and our results service charges 101 Private works 49 Reporting our achievements our purpose 102 Contributions and donations 50 Caring for the environment 108 Legal proceedings 12 Our mission and commitment 56 Caring for our community 109 Overseas visits 13 Our vision, goals and values 60 Sport, recreation and culture 110 Public access to information 66 Transport, roads 115 Special rate variation and drainage 116 Productivity improvements our term 70 Urban and economic development 118 Fit for the Future improvement plan 14 End of term report 76 Civic leadership 120 Sustainability and 15 Major achievements 82 Business activities environment levy 16 Caring for the environment 122 Contracts awarded 18 Caring for our community 124 State of our infrastructure 20 Sport, recreation and culture assets 22 Civic leadership 133 Councillors’ and 24 Urban and economic development Mayor's expenses 26 Transport, roads and drainage 134 Financial position 28 Business activities 138 Financial statements for 30 Awards the year ending 2015-2016

Annual Report 2015-2016 3 4 Annual Report 2015-2016 executive summary

We are engaged in projects that are shaping the future of our City and increasing the wellbeing of our community.

It was a watershed moment for The key components in this strategy Our track record of high performance our City when construction are innovation and investment, in effectively and efficiently meeting commenced on the Lake Macquarie digital literacy and inclusion, the needs of our community has led Transport Interchange this year. online participation, connected to our recognition, through the NSW The Interchange has been a long- communities, and great places. All Government’s local government term strategic vision of Council to of which are attributes of the newly reform process, as a council that open up Glendale to further business refurbished Speers Point Library, is fit to operate as an individual development and pave the way for which provides a great new home organisation. creation of thousands of new jobs. for our City’s rich Community History This Annual Report offers a broad This major infrastructure project collection, as well as public access overview of Lake Macquarie City for our City and the Hunter region computers and new reading spaces. Council’s performance for the period has been more than decade in During recent years, we have worked 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016, against the planning and we have forged to make all of Council’s buildings the goals of the Operational Plan partnerships across all levels of more sustainable and cost-efficient. 2015-2016 and the key strategic government, securing $38 million The installation of an additional activities of the Community Plan to make it happen. 35 kilowatts of solar panels on 2013-2023. Driving jobs creation is a high our buildings this year brings our The report also includes the priority for Council and the mission solar power generating capacity End of Term Report, which reports of Dantia, our arms-length economic to 481 kilowatts, making us on our achievements during the development company. Dantia officially qualify as a small-scale elected Council’s term office, from opened its Smart Hub, DaSH, in power station. 2012 to 2016. Charlestown this year, providing We are proud to have taken a The final section of this Annual our City’s first quality co-working leadership role in helping our Report includes reports that meet space and networking hub for local community to plan for sea level rise our obligations under the Local entrepreneurs and small businesses. and flood risk. The award-winning Government Act 1993 (NSW) and the This new hub is a head start in Marks Point and Belmont South requirements of the NSW Integrated our bid to become a Smart City, Local Area Adaptation Plan is the Planning and Reporting Framework. outcome of close collaboration with a bid further boosted during the Lake Macquarie City Council’s State local residents and is the first in a year with 300 ideas from our of the Environment Report 2015- suite of adaptation plans for low-lying community for ways we can use 2016 and Financial Statements areas of the City. digital technologies to make our 2015-2016 are published under City better, more connected and These are just a few achievements separate covers and are available more sustainable. These ideas have from a year in which we delivered at lakemac.com.au. informed development of our first strong performance across all digital economy strategy, Lake Mac areas of our operations and an Smart City, Smart Council, which unprecedented level of engagement was adopted in March. with our community.

Annual Report 2015-2016 5 message from the Mayor

I am proud to report on the many achievements that are building a bright future for Lake Macquarie City and our community.

This annual report documents consultation and planning. This regional football facility at Speers the final reporting period for the first stage of the project will improve Point, and a growing network of Council elected in 2012, and so this access in and around the Glendale shared pathways and on-road is my final message as Mayor of and is an essential step in cycleways. Lake Macquarie. transforming this suburban centre These are gains we have made while When I started my term as Mayor, into an employment ‘super hub’ for continuing to do all the everyday Council was awarded the prestigious the Lower Hunter. things each year, such as resealing or AR Bluett Memorial Award for Over the years, our community resurfacing more than 90 kilometres excellence in all-round performance has had significant involvement in of roads, conducting safety and in NSW Local Government. developing and implementing our performance checks of equipment in This was a great achievement and waste strategy, which is proving our 111 playgrounds, and enhancing confirmation that we had in place effective with an average annual and restoring our natural areas. a very solid foundation for the City, waste reduction of four per cent. It is these things, along with Council’s based on financial sustainability, The roll out of green waste bins ability to operate efficiently, that have quality services, sound policies and into Lake Macquarie suburbs and, enabled Lake Macquarie City Council a clear vision for the future. importantly, the way our residents to continue to stand alone and have participated in making this Over the past four years, we have remain as a Council in its own right. service a continued success, has made it our challenge to build on I’d like to take this opportunity contributed significantly to this these strengths and I am proud to to thank the Lake Macquarie outcome. report that we have continued to community for the support and forge our identity as a progressive Other strategic gains we have participation it has shown me over Council that both leads and listens made during the term include the past four years as Mayor and to its community. the establishment of Dantia, prior to that, as a Councillor. Lake Macquarie’s first economic Our award-winning collaboration I have also been incredibly development company, and the with the community of Marks Point fortunate to work with Brian Bell, an creation of the DaSH smart hub and Belmont South in developing outstanding General Manager who co-working space at Charlestown the City’s first-ever local adaptation is completely worthy of the Public this year. plan has provided a set of agreed Service Medal he was awarded adaptation strategies and actions Bringing the world to Lake Macquarie earlier this year. via the International Children’s Games that will allow people to continue Thank you for the memories – it has in 2014 was an excellent moment in to live in and enjoy these areas. been a great honour and pleasure to our City’s history. I hope that we can This positive approach provides a serve this great City and its people. blueprint for our collaboration with continue to reach out the world and other communities in low-lying celebrate our young people in the suburbs around the lake. years to come. Councillor Jodie Harrison Mayor Construction is now in progress We also end the term with a new for the Lake Macquarie Transport library and improved streetscape at Interchange, following extensive Cardiff, a revitalised swim centre at West Wallsend, a $13 million

6 Annual Report 2015-2016 message from the General Manager

We ended this year and the four-year term of the elected Council with our strongest performance in more than ten years.

A key test of our performance will well in relation to NSW Comparative As we move into the new term always be the extent to which our Data. This analysis shows that our of our elected Council, we will community is satisfied with the employee costs remain the lowest endeavour to maintain a culture Council services they receive, and per capita of any council in our of high performance and orient how well we are delivering their vision grouping – a clear indication that ourselves towards the future by for Lake Macquarie City. Through our we are providing value-for-money embracing the opportunities new integrated approach to reporting we services. technology can offer our City and its move closer to that vision with every The gradual strengthening of people, engaging deeply with our performance indicator we meet. our Council during the term has community, and strengthening our I am proud to report that this year positioned us well with regard to partnerships with government we achieved a 96 per cent success the NSW Government’s ‘Fit for the and industry. rate, which means our community is Future’ local government reform I would like to thank Mayor Jodie benefiting from the achievement of program. In December 2015, Harrison for her outstanding 167 performance indicators across Council was recognised through contribution to Council and the City. all six of the focus areas in our this process as an organisation that Mayor Harrison has led the Council Community Strategic Plan. is able to operate efficiently as a since 2012, but has served as a Confirmation that we are making a stand-alone organisation. Councillor since 2008. Although positive difference to people’s lives in We have now entered a formal departing her role as Mayor, I have Lake Macquarie can also be found in improvement plan under ‘Fit for no doubt she will maintain her the results of our biannual customer the Future’, and the organisation passionate commitment to Lake satisfaction survey. The latest survey, is making solid progress in Macquarie City and its people. conducted in early 2016, revealed implementing these actions which that 93 per cent of respondents were supplement our ongoing program of Brian Bell at least somewhat satisfied with the productivity improvements. General Manager services they receive from Council. This Annual Report details These are excellent results for many improvements we have our City, which reflect our made during the year that have commitment to continuous resulted in environmentally improvement and quality service sustainable approaches and delivery. Even better, we achieved significant cost savings to them while delivering a budget Council and our ratepayers. surplus and remaining on track with our Long Term Financial Plan. Organisational efficiency has been a strong focus across all areas of our operations over the past four years, and we continue to perform

Annual Report 2015-2016 7 snapshot of our City

City area: Rainfall: 757km2 Total annual rainfall 1150mm Lake circumference: 174km Labour force: 101,452 Population: 204,166 Unemployment rate: 5.8% Targets between 2016-2036: Businesses: 24,450 people 13,623 13,700 new dwellings 11,741 new jobs Climate: Mean minimum temperature 11.5˚ Mean maximum temperature 24.1˚

OUR CITY

8 Annual Report 2015-2016 City overview

Location and transport Environment Economy Lake Macquarie is ideally positioned Lake Macquarie has a picturesque It is estimated that there are 81,882 on the east coast of Australia. It landscape of more than 757km2 of employed people who reside in is conveniently located on the M1 spectacular beaches, mountains the Lake Macquarie area, with motorway, 90 minutes north of and lake foreshore. The Watagan approximately 51,584 of those people Sydney, 10 minutes from Newcastle Mountains to the west have forests, working in the local government area. and 40 minutes from the Hunter Valley numerous outlooks, picnic and This represents 21.5 per cent of the and Central Coast. camping spots and magnificent jobs within the Lower Hunter. The City is just two hours by car waterfalls. Lake Macquarie’s population from Sydney’s international airport, The centrepiece of the City, increased 8.3 per cent in the 10 25 minutes from Newcastle Airport, Lake Macquarie, is one of the largest years to 2016. The local workforce and 10 minutes from the Port of coastal saltwater lakes in Australia; increased by 7.3 per cent during the Newcastle. CityRail services are about twice the area and volume same period. The number of jobs available regularly on the Central of Sydney Harbour. With more than created in the City increased by 9.9 Coast and Newcastle line to Lake 38,000ha of natural ecosystem per cent between 2008 and 2013. Macquarie, and excellent road diversity, the City is home to a variety The health care and social assistance networks provide access to the of wildlife including more than 112 sector is the largest employer at 13.8 Central West, Northern Tablelands, threatened species such as squirrel per cent of jobs, followed by retail the Mid-North Coast and the North gliders, green and golden bell frogs, trade and manufacturing at 11.8 and Coast regions of NSW. powerful owls, green sea turtles 10.2 per cent respectively. The largest and the black-eyed Susan plant growth in employment opportunities (tetratheca juncea). occurred in the health care and social History assistance sector with more than Lake Macquarie was first inhabited 1700 jobs created between 2006 by the Awabakal tribe, Awabakal Population and 2011. Many jobs were created in meaning ‘people of the calm surface’, Lake Macquarie’s population is accommodation and food services, as more than 8000 years ago. The City estimated to be 204,166, making it well as in the education and training is named after Governor Lachlan the largest city in the Lower Hunter. sectors, with 579 and 403 jobs Macquarie. European settlement The population is distributed around created respectively. dates from 1826 when the first land the lake, in more than Lake Macquarie contributes a grants were issued. Land was used 90 communities. Gross Regional Product of $8.982 mainly for timber production and The City’s population is expected to billion to the economy, and our farming. The northern part of the increase by 24,450 between 2016 manufacturing sector is the largest City was developed from the 1870s, and 2036, creating demand for contributor at almost 24 per cent. primarily for the establishment of 11,741 new jobs and 13,700 This represents 20.5 per cent of the coal mining, and development in the new dwellings. final goods and services produced in southern part of the City in the early the Hunter Region. 1900s was aided by the construction In the 2015-2016 financial year, of the railway line to Sydney. development worth $686 million The most significant development was approved in Lake Macquarie, occurred in the years after the a dramatic increase of close to two World Wars. $310 million, or 82 per cent from 2014-2015.

Annual Report 2015-2016 9 our North Ward wards Glendale Cardiff Charlestown Lake Macquarie City Council is divided into West Ward Warners Bay three wards: North, East and West.

All Lake Macquarie ratepayers and residents Toronto East Ward over the age of 18 are eligible to enrol and vote in the local government elections. Belmont Residents who are enrolled can vote to elect a Mayor and four Councillors to represent their respective ward. Swansea Morisset Pulbah Island

Wyee our councillors Mayor North Ward

Cr Brian Adamthwaite Cr Robert Denton Cr Barry Johnston Cr Barney Langford

Cr Jodie Harrison East Ward

Cr Kay Fraser Cr Jason Pauling Cr Laurie Coghlan Cr Chad Griffith West Ward West

Cr Wendy Harrison Cr Daniel Wallace Cr Ken Paxinos Cr Rosmairi Dawson

10 Annual Report 2015-2016 our structure and senior staff

Mayor and Councillors

General Manager (CEO)

General Director Director Director Manager’s Community City Strategy Operations Secretariat Development Corporate CiviLake Corporate Asset Information Corporate Risk Finance Management Corporate Legal and Compliance Strategy City Projects Development Mechanical Depot Corporate Community Assessment and and Supply Support Planning Compliance Waste, Environment Internal Auditor Cultural Services Finance and and Rangers Organisational Administration Customer Service Performance and Communications Integrated Planning Leisure Services Property and Business Development Sustainability

Annual Report 2015-2016 11 our mission Council provides a diverse range of services and facilities to residents. Our mission statement ‘Quality Lifestyle’ represents and embodies our overarching goal in providing these services, and is simple but instantly accessible. In order to achieve the vision and mission for the City, Council employees strive for the following goals and abide by our values. our commitment Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges that Aboriginal people in this area, the Awabakal, were the first people of this land and are the proud survivors of more than two hundred years of continuing dispossession. Council respects the rights of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to pursue their own values and culture.

OUR PURPOSE

12 Annual Report 2015-2016 our our our vision goals values

Establish a place where the Deliver all of our services in Leadership environment will be protected a demonstrably competitive Considering how today’s decisions and enhanced, and where manner. will impact on tomorrow and setting people and native flora and fauna Achieve world’s best practice an example through our actions. will co-exist in harmony. through the implementation of Have a prosperous economy the quality workstyle philosophy. Excellence with a supportive attitude to Our reputation comes from efficiently Generate sustainable growth balanced economic growth, delivering quality services and through economic development. managed in a way to enhance outcomes. We support each other quality of life and satisfy the Facilitate community consultation to achieve our best. employment and environmental and participation in the decision- aims of the community. making process. Innovation Creating an environment in which Encourage a community spirit, Provide and maintain effective fresh ideas and new ways of which promotes a fulfilling physical infrastructure. doing things are encouraged and lifestyle, enhances health and Protect and enhance the supported. social wellbeing, encourages environment through waste family life and lifestyle management and balanced Professionalism choices, allows opportunities development. Taking ownership of our decisions, to participate in sport and whether popular or not. Our integrity recreation, promotes equal Plan and provide social is evident in our transparent and access to all services and infrastructure to meet community accountable processes. facilities, as well as enables needs. all citizens to contribute to the Maximise employment in the City Relationships City’s economic and social through economic growth. Building collaborative partnerships development. through mutual understanding Safeguard the quality of lifestyle and respect, honest and inclusive Encourage and enable all in Lake Macquarie. communication, and integrity people to participate fully in the of action. economic and social life of the Carry out entrepreneurial community as well as enjoy activities (where appropriate). Community equal life chances and equal Bringing people together to support opportunity for access to the each other, inspire change and resources of the community. achieve our common goals. Recognise, encourage and develop the City’s diverse cultural Balance life and talents, and protect and Recognising the changing needs of promote its heritage. our community and being committed to providing opportunities to create a balanced lifestyle and sustainable environment for all.

Annual Report 2015-2016 13 end of term report

Under the NSW Government’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Legislation for Local Government, Council is required to produce a report every four years on its progress in implementing the City of Lake Macquarie Community Strategic Plan. The aim of the End of Term Report 2012-2016 is to provide an update to the Lake Macquarie community on progress towards achieving the social, environmental, economic and civic leadership objectives of the Community Strategic Plan during the elected Council’s term in office. Our End of Term Report outlines progress Council has made through its 2013-2017 Delivery Program and annual operational plans between 2012 and 2016, against the vision and strategies presented in the Community Strategic Plan. The Community Strategic Plan 2013-2023 groups community priorities in six focus areas. The End of Term Report highlights Council’s achievements in each of these focus areas as well as awards won over the past four years.

14 Annual Report 2015-2016 2012 NSW Council of the Year Love the Lake We were awarded the prestigious We launched our award- A R Bluett Award for Excellence in winning tourism campaign all-round performance. Live the Life, Love the Lake. Securing our Future Cycling Strategy Council’s extensive Securing our Future community engagement program resulted in approval of a seven-year We adopted a 10-year Cycling Strategy rate variation for the City. This has allowed us to achieve as part of our integrated approach to financial sustainability while continuing to deliver quality transport and community wellbeing. services and assets. 2013 International Children’s Games Hosted in 2014, bringing together young athletes Green waste success from 30 countries to participate. Our City’s kerbside green waste service rolled out in April 2013 and has significantly reduced waste to landfill. Lifestyle 2030 Strategy We developed Lifestyle 2030 to provide the long-term direction for land use and development of the City, based on the principles of sustainability. A new Local Environment Plan was adopted in 2014 to complement the strategy.

2014 Libraries of the future The new Cardiff Library opened as part of Dantia our work to transform the City’s library The City’s first independently governed services for the digital era. economic development company was established. New home of football We partnered with Northern NSW Football to create the $13 million Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility in Speers Point. 2015 First local adaptation plan One of the first local plans in Australia to address local climate change impacts was Construction begins developed through a four-year collaboration The Lake Macquarie Transport with Marks Point and Belmont South residents Interchange is well under way. and other key stakeholders. Stage 1 of this major regional infrastructure project commenced construction in July 2015. Swim centres re-imagined The refurbished West Wallsend Swim Centre opened and concept 93 per cent satisfaction designs for Charlestown and Swansea Council achieved a 93 per cent Leisure Centres were developed community satisfaction rating in our with community input. 2016 biennial survey.

2016

Lake Mac Smart City Council adopted its digital Financially secure economy strategy, informed by and fit to stand alone 300 ideas from our community. Council was deemed ‘Fit for the Future’ by the NSW Government and delivered an operating surplus for 2015-2016. Annual Report 2015-2016 15 caring for the environment

Sustainable living Greener playing fields was submitted for certification, Soil and irrigation works to reduce and 10 priority actions have been Expanding and improve water use were implemented. waste services completed at 25 sports fields and A total of 78 on-ground aquatic to maximise have increased the quality of playing ecosystem improvement projects resource surfaces throughout the City. were completed, including recovery installation of stormwater treatment We achieved an Building energy resilience devices, stream bank rehabilitation, average reduction Council has worked with residents stabilisation of foreshore areas and of 3.2 per cent a year and businesses to reduce energy restoration of wetlands. in waste to landfill. consumption and increase efficiency Terrestrial Introduction of the three-bin through its Your Dollars Your Choices ecosystems service in April 2013 saw resource campaign, promotion of programs recovery increase from 22 per cent such as Save Watts, environmental Council completed to 35 per cent each year. Green upgrade agreements for commercial 22 terrestrial waste diverted from landfill increased building owners, and working ecosystem from 1500 tonnes in 2007-2008, to with local businesses through the improvement 25,000 tonnes in 2015-2016. Sustainability Advantage program. projects including illegal dumping The Community Recycling Priority actions implemented at deterrence works, biodiversity Centre opened at Awaba Waste Council as part of the Plan include improvement projects and dune Management Facility in 2014, improved lighting efficiency, solar restoration works. diverting problem waste from installations, an increase in electric landfill every year. vehicle fleet and electric vehicle Urban growth is placing significant charging infrastructure. pressure on the habitat of large forest Commercial recycling services owls. Council released guidelines to increased from 108 services in 2007- Renewable energy protect the Powerful Owl, Masked 2008 to 1234 services in June 2016. Council now has 481 kilowatts (kW) Owl, Sooty Owl and Barking Owl. Better Buildings Strategy of solar energy capacity installed, We also adopted the Lake providing estimated annual savings The Strategy aims to incorporate Macquarie Squirrel Glider Planning of $150,000 and 700 tonnes of sustainable building design principles and Management Guidelines 2015, greenhouse gas emissions. in all of Council’s community which will inform conservation, buildings. More than 20 sites We installed 382kW of solar at strategic land use planning and land were retrofitted during the term, various sites including the Swansea management across the City. resulting in significant savings in Centre, Council’s Administration Illegal dumping energy and water use. Building and Works Depot, Belmont Library and West Wallsend Swim A Regional Illegal Dumping squad, Greenhouse gas emissions Centre during the reporting period. hosted by Council, was established Across the City, per capita in 2014 and is a partnership of 10 greenhouse gas emissions have Ecosystem councils and the NSW Environment reduced by 10.64 per cent, which Protection Authority (EPA). Illegal was less than the 19.5 per cent target enhancement dumping enforcement activities have resulted in 44 sites being cleaned for the period. Total emissions for the Coastal zone management period decreased by 5.81 per cent. up by the offender, 399 infringement In 2015, the draft Lake Macquarie notices and 192 hours in additional Coastal Zone Management Plan enforcement activity.

16 Annual Report 2015-2016 Flood planning was completed Environmental security 25,000 for the priority catchment of Dora tonnes of green waste Adaptation planning Creek to reduce the liability and diverted from landfill Council collaborated with impact of flooding for owners and residents of Marks Point and occupiers of flood-prone land. Belmont South to create the 382 City’s first local adaptation plan. Sustainability kilowatts of solar installed on Council buildings It has been recognised as a best engagement practice model for working with the community to prepare and Sustainable 5.81% plan for climate change impacts, neighbourhoods total reduction in greenhouse emissions particularly sea level rise. Sustainable Work also commenced on a Neighbourhood second adaptation plan, for Groups are now 100 Pelican and Blacksmiths. established across ecosystem improvement half of our City and projects delivered Air quality the number of resident Council is addressing air quality subscribers has increased issues through various initiatives by 56 per cent, with 4916 people 300 tonnes of asbestos removed including the Lake Macquarie subscribed in 2015-2016. from public areas Air Quality Reference Group, exceedance mapping for common Key campaigns and problem pollutants, and wood Council facilitated sustainability 56% increase smoke reduction programs. practice and behaviour change in Sustainable Neighbourhoods at a local level through delivery of engagement Contaminated land four campaigns: Backyard and Council has incorporated land Beyond (ecosystems); Your Dollars, contamination assessments in Your Choices (energy, waste, rezoning applications and revised water, transport); Be Ready, Be Development Control Plan provisions, Safe (natural hazard and disaster implemented a management plan for preparedness); and Sort it Right contaminated land in Council’s care (waste services). and control, assessed and managed exposed Pasminco black slag at Environmental Sustainability priority sites, removed 300 tonnes Action Plan of asbestos waste from public areas The Environmental Sustainability and participated in the EPA Lead Action Plan 2014-2023, a Expert Working Group and Lead framework for sustainability planning, Community Reference Group. decision making and action, aligns with Council’s overall strategic Natural disaster preparedness direction and ensures a whole-of- We completed the City-wide Council approach and continued flood warning system, allowing commitment of resources to action for improved monitoring of for sustainability. flood events.

Annual Report 2015-2016 17 caring for our community

Social and Council also adopted the Community Lake Macquarie Youth Strategy events community planning 2014-2019, which provides the and programs basis for the delivery of initiatives that Crime prevention Council address the needs of young people. continues to To address high priority crimes we The Lake Macquarie Children and celebrate our developed and adopted the Crime Family Strategy 2015-2020 identifies City’s diversity Prevention Strategy 2015-2018. actions for supporting education and by hosting and We ran Operation Bounceback service providers, and for supporting participating in in 2013 and 2014 and worked children’s development and families. celebrations for NAIDOC Week, with NSW Police on Operation The City of Lake Macquarie International Day of People with Tabella to combat vehicle and Multicultural Plan 2016-2020 Disability, Harmony Day, International numberplate theft. We also targeted supports Council’s ongoing Women’s Day, Children’s Week, 150 graffiti hotspots throughout commitment to further collaborate Youth Week, Senior’s Week and the City each year through our and strengthen relationships with Refugee Week. partnership with Juvenilie Justice community, service providers, In 2013, Council’s You’re Kidding and Corrective Services. organisations and stakeholder Me Expo was held for the first We worked with stakeholders agencies for the benefit of our time. The program has since been to reduce anti-social behaviour multicultural community. developed and helps to connect around the Charlestown area, about 400 participants with children Planning for future need which included a trial lighting and family services that may be able program at Charlestown Community Facilities to assist them. Oval, as well as space Studies for the The Over 55s program activation activities at the Charlestown, Glendale includes activities such as yoga, southern end of Charlestown and Toronto Developer mobility scooter safety, Tai Chi, Square Shopping Centre. Contributions Catchment hearing screenings, digital Areas were developed. Community action plans photography, technology training, These studies were We worked to meet the social and social media. Throughout the prepared to identify the need needs of our community through term, 333 sessions were held with for community infrastructure for the development and delivery of a total of 7045 participants. City’s future population and inform strategies and action plans with how developer contributions should our community. be allocated for these areas. The Lake Macquarie Disability Action Plan 2013-2017 identifies priority actions for Council that will remove barriers faced by people with disability. Our Ageing Population Strategy 2014-2017 identifies priority actions for Council that will assist in meeting the needs of our ageing population.

18 Annual Report 2015-2016 Family Day Care Public health monitoring and advice 150 Since 2012, Council’s Family Day We provided community awareness graffiti hotspots targeted Care Service has maintained a and monitoring advice to the rating of Exceeding National Quality community regarding water quality, Standards as assessed weed spraying, mosquito monitoring 7045 by the Department and food safety. participated in our of Education and Over 55s program Communities. Community A team of 111 9000 qualified early facilities hours of quality family day care each week childhood Refurbishment of the educators provide previously derelict small group Lambton Colliery has 2086 education and care provided a home for pets returned to their in a home environment during the Redhead Mens’ owners by our rangers school and business hours as Shed and the service well as overnight, weekend and it provides. vacation care periods. 3 Council provided a facilities studies completed The service provides more than ramp, accessible toilet to plan for future need 9000 hours of care each week to and car parking at Holmesville 800 children, which is equivalent to Community Hall, along with the capacity of five 40-place child replacement of the floor; replaced care centres. the amenities at Redhead Beach; completed external works to Ranger and public Ulinga Park Community Hall health issues Cardiff South; and provided a ramp, accessible toilet and car parking at Jack Stewart Netball Increased ranger services Courts, Charlestown. We increased service In 2014, Council launched the levels and reduced Facility Manager website for its response times for volunteers who manage community our City rangers, and recreation facilities under allowing additional delegated authority from Council. patrols across the The website provides instructions, City after working policies, guidelines and other hours and on resources, which assist volunteers weekends. to perform their role. Council also delivered companion animal and awareness programs, such as education sessions and microchipping days.

Annual Report 2015-2016 19 sport, recreation and culture

Lake Mac Swim Lakeside aquatic facilities Speers Point Park Master Plan Centres We completed jetty upgrades and The $13 million Lake Macquarie installations at Swansea, Warners Regional Football Facility opened in Council completed Bay, Rathmines, Valentine and November 2014. The significant renewal Sunshine. Two boat ramps were site, developed works across our reconstructed at Swansea, and we by Northern swim centres, installed a new dinghy storage rack NSW Football, including at Sunshine, designated swimming enhances the improved change area signs at Croudace Bay and recreational rooms, plant room upgraded parking at Swansea. An opportunities upgrades and new all-abilities foreshore pathway was available in line splash pads, as well as also completed for a viewing platform with the Speers a total renovation of West Wallsend at Blacksmiths Beach. Point Park Masterplan, Indoor Swim Centre. providing a major football event Managing centre for the Hunter and attracting In consultation with the community, recreational assets teams from around the region. we prepared concept designs for upgrades to Charlestown and We consulted Swansea swim centres that will the community Lake Macquarie City transform these high-priority throughout the term facilities into contemporary, multi- to ensure parks, Art Gallery functional leisure centres. playgrounds and sports infrastructure The period has seen strong growth Satisfaction levels measured through service standards and consolidation in art gallery our biennial surveys remained continue to meet target community services, with visitor numbers consistently high and patrons satisfaction levels. increasing by 30 per cent to 39,000 surveyed during the 2015-2016 visitors a year. season gave our swim centres a Annual due diligence and condition The education and art workshops satisfaction rating of 98 per cent. assessments were completed for more than 3000 parks and reserves programs have developed, with a 25 per cent increase in school visitation Recreation and assets including picnic tables, jetties, seating, fencing, retaining walls, and 35 per cent increase in art class community land barbecues and shelters. attendees. Organised tours for general planning community groups, Major projects for the Hunter Sports Centre especially seniors community and disability We developed draft concept designs groups, have and associated feasibility reports Improved sportsgrounds doubled in the for redevelopment of the Hunter last two years. Sports Centre at Glendale. Grant We upgraded amenities, car parks, submissions for the redevelopment floodlighting and playing surfaces The gallery were made to the Hunter across our City. Upgrades were presented 64 Infrastructure and Investment Fund completed at Finnan Oval, Gregory exhibitions during the term and the National Stronger Regions Park, Liles Oval, Douglass Street including 47 curated in-house or Fund during the term. Oval, Bernie Goodwin Oval, New in consultation with independent Tredinnick Field, Allen Davis Field, curators, with 21 containing Ulinga Oval, Auston Oval and John artwork from the gallery’s collection. Street Fields. On average, 60 per cent of the 20 Annual Report 2015-2016 exhibitions had Hunter-based A larger and more modern Cardiff content and 60 per cent had library opened in March 2014. The 98% customer satisfaction rating Aboriginal content. new facility features free wi-fi, a for our swim centres We exceeded our acquisitions target, technology play area with 3D printer, acquiring 88 artworks between a free phone-charging station as well 2012-2016 – together representing as enhanced browsing and access 3000 parks and more than $220,000 of new to collections. reserves assets assessed for safety and fitness for purpose collection assets. A new LED digital lighting system Beach patrol services installed in 2015 makes our gallery $13M invested in Council professional lifeguards the new Lake Macquarie one of the most environmentally helped save lives and deal with Regional Football Facility sustainable galleries in the country. injuries as part of our ongoing industry-leading beach lifeguard Lake Mac Libraries 30% service at Redhead, Blacksmiths, increase in art gallery Caves and Catherine Hill Bay Council has advanced visitation beaches. Approximately 500,000 its plans to transform people visited our patrolled beaches the City’s library each season, with an average of service into one 92% 89 rescues and 4050 preventative increase in library that embraces program participation actions performed each year. technology and contemporary An average of 7920 students at 65 local primary schools participated in 15,000 approaches visits a month to to community Council’s annual winter water safety Lake Mac History Online involvement. This new program called A Matter of Seconds. model has resulted in a 92 per cent increase in participation during the Community, cultural 89 rescues performed period. In 2012-2013 Lake Mac and sporting events each year* by our Libraries presented 1045 programs professional lifeguards to 14,295 people. In 2015-2016, this International *On average over the term increased to more than 2000 events Children’s Games with approximately 27,500 attendees. More than 1500 national and Lake Mac Libraries introduced international athletes and access to 3D printing and has delegates representing expanded our e-books collection 30 countries came to to include eMagazines, eAudio our City to participate and eMusic. This has increased in the Games from 6 to loans from our electronic 11 December 2014. collections to 120,000 loans We were particularly in 2016. proud to bring the Games The Lake Macquarie History Online to our City, as it was a first project was launched in 2013 and for Australia and the Southern has attracted 15,000 visits a month Hemisphere. A full report on the on average during 2015-2016. Games and its legacy is available at icg-lakemacquarie2014.com.

Annual Report 2015-2016 21 civic leadership

Customer service Community Community participation engagement We introduced a Community Timely customer service Engagement Framework that guides Our Customer Service Centre Major events and civic functions Council staff in ensuring engagement is undertaken for all Council projects, received more than 600,000 phone Council successfully hosted a wide plans and strategies. calls during the term and answered range of events including the Living 80.6 per cent of these calls within Smart Festival, Carols by Candlelight In 2012, we expanded our Have Your just 30 seconds. Service Centre staff and The Lake Macquarie Festival on Say portal haveyoursaylakemac. also assisted more than 70,000 Australia Day. com.au. The site now has more customers at the counter and than 2050 registered The Lake Macquarie Australia Day worked to reduce wait times, participants. Awards and Sports Awards ran with an average wait time of annually and have recognised More recently, Council 2 minutes and 45 seconds achieved hundreds of outstanding has used online over the four-year period. individuals, organisations and collaborative maps, Online services initiatives within our City during ‘pop-up’ booths, surveys, traditional Since 2012, we have increased the the term. media, social media number of online ‘touch points’ and Since 2012, the City of Lake and workshops to gather ratepayers can now pay their rates Macquarie has welcomed many feedback and share ideas with the electronically. new members of our community, community. The mobile website MyLakeMac, with 1097 residents naturalised in Councillors were invited to attend launched in 2013, provides residents Council-run citizenship ceremonies. and participate in community with information on bin collection Media and mass communication information and engagement dates, approved developments in activities, including a series of their area, events and news stories. Over the past four years, Council has provided information ‘Councillors on the Couch’ We have also been to the community using a range of sessions, which provided an proactive in media streams including traditional opportunity to promote their role expanding our media outlets, social media, within the community. social media marketing, consultation and industry- presence and specific media. Community satisfaction surveys have growing More than 1000 randomly selected We launched our Your City magazine followings on Lake Macquarie residents were in Summer 2013, which provides Facbook, Twitter, asked to rate the importance of a friendly format for information on Instagram, Pinterest Council services and indicate how Council’s activities to more than and Linked in. satisfied they were with them, as part 90,000 households. In 2015, we redeveloped our website of Council’s community surveys in lakemac.com.au to make it more More recently, Council’s own online April 2014 and April 2016. media centre was launched in June visually appealing, relevant, mobile Survey feedback from residents 2016. Video and audio content, friendly, accessible and easy to revealed that 85 per cent of residents along with enhanced imagery, navigate. were at least somewhat satisfied with has also become a key feature to Council’s performance in April 2014, complement our messaging. while satisfaction levels improved to 93 per cent in April 2016.

22 Annual Report 2015-2016 Planning for financial largest workplaces in the region, to nurturing local employment and skill 93% sustainability satisfaction rating from residents development. surveyed in 2015-2016 At the beginning of the term, the An independent external audit of Independent Pricing and Regulatory Council’s Workplace Health and Tribunal approved a seven-year Safety Management System 90,000 rate variation for the City, based on found 100 per cent compliance, a households received our bi-annual Your City magazine the results of Council’s extensive result that auditors remarked was Securing our Future community unprecedented. engagement program. 2050 registered to our online Revenue raised has enabled Council Productivity improvements Have Your Say website to achieve financial sustainability Introduction of field-based while continuing to deliver the right technology in several Council level of services and maintaining the 25,500 services has achieved significant time followers on Council’s quality of City infrastructure including savings in data entry social media accounts our roads, libraries and swim centres. and travel between Council managed its finances worksites. throughout the term to deliver an A new tender 1097 operating surplus in 2015-2016 management citizens naturalised while significantly reducing its tool has reduced infrastructure backlog. average tender 80% During the term, we also secured processing by of calls answered more than $76 million in grant 25 days. within 30 seconds funding, sponsorship and alternative In 2014-2015, we spent $245,000 funding opportunities for priority on works at the Awaba Waste projects for our community. 25 Disposal Facility to extend the life of days faster Leadership strength and financial the facility. Material excavated from for tender processing stability, along with rigorous the works was used as site cover planning and reporting, led to material, resulting in savings Council being deemed ‘fit for the of around $800,000. future’ by the NSW Government in December 2015. Plant and fleet Long-term planning Transition of our passenger vehicle fleet from 6-cylinder to a dedicated Workforce development 4-cylinder fleet in mid-2016 has and safety achieved Council’s 10-year, 30 per We introduced a workforce capability cent emission reduction, two years framework to ensure employees ahead of the 2018 target. Council have a sound understanding of their purchased two dedicated electric performance requirements and to vehicles during the term, and in inform corporate learning strategies. April 2016, placed reservations for five electric vehicles due for an Our trainee and apprentice program, Australian release in 2018 that will Education to Employment, shows supplement the number of zero our commitment, as one of the emission vehicles in the fleet. Annual Report 2015-2016 23 urban and economic development

Sustainable and Streetscape master plans provides the long-term direction socially responsible During the term, streetscape for the overall development of the economic growth masterplans were prepared, City and describes Council’s high- exhibited and adopted by Council level policies for managing private Dantia to revitalise the City’s nine major and public development in Lake In 2013-2014, town centres. Macquarie. the newly The Edgeworth Renewal Corridor established Maximising the Strategy was adopted by Council, Lake Macquarie economic benefit and new Area Plans have been Economic adopted for North Wallarah, Development from tourism Charlestown, Belmont, Morisset, Board set a Warners Bay, the Glendale Emerging Council’s tourism strategy for the strategic direction for Regional Centre and the former City is guided by its overarching the City’s economy and established Pasminco Lead Smelter site. Destination Management Plan. Dantia, the City’s first independently governed economic development Lake Macquarie City now receives Conserving heritage company. 1.09 million visitors each year and values tourism brings more than $190 Dantia met its first year strategic Council adopted a million annually into the Lake targets, and is on track to continue Heritage Strategy to Macquarie economy. to do so. assist in identifying Lake Macquarie Tourism has an heritage values The Dantia Smart Hub (DaSH) at annual multichannel marketing and implementing Charlestown, a modern workspace presence through online activity, measures to support and professional network for television, print, local campaigns their conservation. businesses and entrepreneurs to and public relations. Annual tourism In addition, several new connect and grow their initiatives, marketing plans have produced heritage items were identified opened in April 2016 and is strong results, increasing online for inclusion in Council’s Local operating successfully. activity by 20 per cent. Environmental Plan (LEP). Town entry signage The Lake Macquarie Visitor Both the Local Heritage Fund The town entry sign program has been Information Centre relocated to the and Community Heritage Grants implemented, marking Lake Macquarie ground floor of the Swansea Centre, programs were successfully City’s major entries. Major town entry attracting positive feedback from delivered, providing funds to assist signs for the City’s nine major centres users, and a new Lake Macquarie with the preservation of locally and five minor city entry signs were Tourism Partnership Program, owned, but nationally significant, installed during the term. One major launched in July 2015, attracted collections of materials that are town entry sign remains to be installed 105 members in its first year. publicly accessible. at Glendale, following Tools for sustainable, Streamlining the completion development approvals of the Lake attractive development Macquarie Council continued excellent Transport During the term, Council adopted performance in reducing times for Interchange a new City-wide land use strategy, development applications (DAs), with project. Lifestyle 2030. The strategy 2713 applications received online. Overall, Council’s median approval

24 Annual Report 2015-2016 time for all DAs is approximately Council has processed LEP 20 days, which is well under the amendments to assist in meeting 100% of Dantia’s first-year NSW median for this Council term. future land use needs. The more strategic targets met We sought greater significant of these are the former efficiencies in our Speers Point Quarry, Munibung Hill,

DA processes the Former Pasminco Lead Smelter 1.09 M and Incitec sites at Boolaroo. people now visit our during the term, City each year while maintaining To broaden the range of housing high customer types that could be constructed in service levels by: the City, Council modified its planning 20 appointing staff to provision to permit prefabricated day average for improve customer dwellings on land where a dwelling DA approvals service and marketing house would ordinarily be permitted. opportunities; streamlining pre- lodgement meetings; purchasing 9 Infrastructure streetscape masterplans technology to increase completion completed rates in the field; and broadening for the future e-lodgement services. Council produces contribution catchment plans to identify how Responsible money levied from developer development in the City contributions can be spent to best meet the needs Managing of the community, development impacts for example We appointed a dedicated Erosion through provision Control Officer and performed of parks, sporting around 5000 inspections of grounds and other development sites across the City recreational facilities. to proactively monitor, promote Reviews of and enforce effective erosion and Charlestown and sediment controls. Glendale were completed during the term, with the Charlestown Planning for future housing Contribution Catchment Plan Council has been actively monitoring adopted in September 2015, and the and reviewing its progress in the Glendale Plan adopted in May 2016. supply of housing across the City The Draft Toronto Contribution over the past four years. A more Catchment Plan will be reliable system that covers infill exhibited during 2016-2017, as well as green-field housing has while development projections been developed, with updates now are complete for the Belmont happening on a twice-yearly basis. contribution catchment. A new geographic information system has made land use planning and monitoring activities more efficient.

Annual Report 2015-2016 25 transport, roads and drainage

Improving our Maintaining our network Risk management plans for local transport network Asset management plans for our roads infrastructure have been City’s transportation and roads reviewed yearly and assets at critical risk identified. Annual work Active transport infrastructure were reviewed and updated during the term. programs were developed to address We made it easier the critical risks and Through this strategic approach to access our maintain the roads network to a to asset management, appropriate City on foot, with safe and functional level. construction of levels of renewal funding have The scheduled programs for 3.94km of new been provided, supplemented by kerb and gutter installation, road footpaths during the Special Rate Variation. reconstruction, and gravel roads the term, completed This has resulted in the average sealing were achieved each year 2.8km of off-road shared condition of the road network throughout the term. pathways, and increased the City’s exceeding the target pavement condition index of 6.5 out of 10. on-road cycleways to 15.4km. Access to public transport It has also led to a progressive reduction in the infrastructure backlog. Community access to public transport services improved City footpaths, cycleways, traffic during this term with bus shelters facilities and street furniture were either installed or upgraded in 27 inspected for safety as part of locations to increase accessibility Council’s due diligence procedures, and improve the travel experience and maintenance was performed for public transport users. The as scheduled, taking into account shelters are designed with people of requests received in response to all abilities in mind and comply with damage sustained as a result of the Disability Act requirements. April 2015 storm event.

26 Annual Report 2015-2016 City drainage projects were undertaken to replace and upgrade failing drainage. 90km Since 2012, Council has completed or more of our roads were resealed We also completed a review of or reconstructed each year 21 high-priority stormwater upgrade stormwater quality control device projects to address flooding, erosion maintenance that highlighted and drainage issues throughout opportunities for improved vegetation 27 the City. maintenance practices. improved bus shelters Closed circuit television (CCTV) pipe inspections were completed and the data used to confirm the 3.94km condition of the pipe and pit of new footpaths delivered network and identify critical infrastructure risks. Based on 2.8km data from these of off-road shared inspections, pathways created 13 asset replacement 15.4km of on-road cycleways now available

21 stormwater upgrades delivered

Annual Report 2015-2016 27 business activities

CiviLake

Infrastructure works for the • mowing 700 parks and reserves Commercial return on community and 132 sporting fields; external works CiviLake is responsible for the • maintaining 374 gardens CiviLake delivered more than $20 construction and maintenance of our and plantings and all trees million of works for external clients City’s infrastructure, and is Council’s on public land; during the period. This equates principal provider of • maintaining, enhancing and to 11 per cent civil construction constructing playground of CiviLake’s and maintenance, facilities; and turnover, which horticultural exceeds the • carrying out the Road and building target of not Maintenance Council Contract trade services. less than five for the maintenance and Employing per cent. enhancement of the State Road around 300 staff Network within our City on behalf with a diverse Bulk materials of Roads and Maritime Services. range of skills and recycling experience, CiviLake provides quality A major new roundabout at CiviLake recycled more than 45,000 work in a sustainable and safe Wyee Road and Rutleys Road tonnes of construction waste manner. was completed during the term, through capping and filling of land along with intersection upgrades at At the end of term, CiviLake’s at the Sustainable Resource Centre Fairfax Road and The Esplanade, responsibilities included: in Teralba and other valuable re-use. Warners Bay, and Dunkley Parade This waste would otherwise have • maintaining more than 1,250 and Tennent Road, Mount Hutton. gone to landfill at our Waste Facility. km local, regional and state roads, including reconstruction, rehabilitation and a resurfacing program for approximately 700,000 m2 of these roads; • maintaining city infrastructure, including footpaths, shared pathways, signage, bridges, public wharfs and drainage systems;

28 Annual Report 2015-2016 Property management

Quality holiday parks Council’s strategic sales and Leases to community groups Capital improvements made to our marketing plan for our holiday parks We implemented a Lease Equity holiday parks over the term were was updated in conjunction with Model, which has led to a total of delivered in accordance with the the launch of a new website and 44 new and renewed leases for five-year business plan for each park. increased digital marketing during Council-owned properties. A further the term. Results include additional Some of the improvements Council six community leases were entered business and higher customer achieved include: into during the period. engagement. • a new amenities building and We continue to manage our In 2016 Council received the better reception area, along with commercial and residential properties LG Professionals Excellence in upgraded camping sites and to maximise the long-term value of Asset Management Award for the foreshore improvement works at Council’s property portfolio. development and implementation Belmont Pines Holiday Park; of Asset Management Plans for the • two new cabins and a recreation Holiday Parks. In addition to this, room at Blacksmiths Beachside Swansea Gardens and Belmont Holiday Park: Pines received Tripadvisor Excellence • a resort-style swimming pool, awards in 2016. two new cabins, road reconstruction, security fencing and refurbished amenities buildings at Swansea Gardens Holiday Park; and • two new safari tents and road reconstruction at Wangi Wangi Holiday Park.

Annual Report 2015-2016 29 awards

2012-2013 2013-2014

AR Bluett Memorial Awards RH Dougherty Awards Hunter/Central Coast NSW Council of the Year Winner – Leading Practice in Tourism Awards 2013 Communication Management – Awarded to Council for excellence Winner – Destination Marketing Reporting to Your Community in all-round performance throughout Awarded for Lake Macquarie 2011-2012. This award Awarded for the Securing our Future Tourism’s marketing campaign ‘Lots represents the community information booklet. to Love, Love the Lake’ in recognition greatest accolade of the brand and its targeted launch a NSW council into social media. can achieve, IMAGinE Awards being the Winner – Education and Public NSW Tourism Awards 2013 state’s premier Engagement award for local Winner – State Tourism government. Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery and the gallery’s Aboriginal Reference Awarded for the Group won the award for Stencils success of ‘Lots 2012 Planning Past, Stencils Last. to Love, Love Excellence the Lake’ in NSW Awards attracting Multimedia and Publication website hits Winner – Improving Planning Design Awards and increasing Processes and Practices Winner – Best Catalogue visitor numbers to the area. Awarded for Council’s Aboriginal Awarded to Lake Macquarie Cultural Heritage Planning City Art Gallery for best catalogue Framework. for (re)vision. 2013 Lower Hunter Urban Design Awards Local Government Winner – GHD Small Space Excellence in the Development Environment Awards Council proudly won this award for Winner – Sustainable Procurement the Speers Point Cafe and Amenities at Speers Point Park. Awarded for implementation of strategic reviews of solar cooling Winner – Scooters and Mobility and heating at Council’s six largest and Australian Independent Living energy-using sites, and pool Aids Universal Access Award upgrades to reduce water, energy Winner – CityGreen Landscape and chemical use. and Public Art Award Awarded to Lake Macquarie Variety Playground.

30 Annual Report 2015-2016 2014-2015

Museums Australia NSW Local Government 2015 Tripadvisor Publication Excellence Awards 2014 Certificate of Excellence Design Awards Winner – Excellence in Asset Winner – Certificate of Excellence Management Winner – Best Catalogue The recognition for Belmont Pines Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery The award recognised Council’s Holiday Park follows several years was awarded Best Catalogue leadership and cutting-edge of park upgrades and increased (under 64 pages) for the exhibition capabilities in the field, in particular occupancy rates at Council’s tourist catalogue Look closely now. its effective use of an Asset sites. Council also received a Management Steering Group. Certificate of Excellence for Speers Point Park. The park’s facilities were 2013 NSW Public Libraries extended with the opening of Lake Marketing Awards NSW Local Government Macquarie Regional Football Facility Excellence in the and upgrades to the Speers Point Winner – Programs Environment Swim Centre. Lake Mac Libraries was recognised Awards 2014 for the Naruta-Ka-Wa Story Quilt Multimedia and Publication project, an exciting initiative that has Overall winner – Local strengthened relationships with Sustainability Award Design Awards local Aboriginal and Torres Strait For success in embedding Winner – Best Poster Project Islander communities. sustainability principles across all aspects of Council’s operations. Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, in partnership with Western Plains Winner – Organics Cultural Centre, won the award for Recovery Best Poster for the exhibition Wild Award Side: the animal in art. For introduction of Council’s Green Waste Service to the 74,000 households in the local government area.

Winner – Natural Environment Policies, Planning and Decision Making, Division C For planning and management guidelines aimed at protecting two plant species and four threatened owl species.

Annual Report 2015-2016 31

+96H 4

OUR YEAR

32 Annual Report 2015-2016 our progress

This year we have continued to make solid progress towards the vision outlined in our Community Strategic Plan, to enrich the quality of life our City offers its residents and all who visit and do business here.

Council met 96 per cent of This achievement further boosts Operational Plan performance targets Council's record in performance for 2015-2016, resulting in many improvement from a base of

great outcomes for our community. 57 per cent in 2002-2003 to We achieved 167 of 174 Operational 96 per cent in 2015-2016. Plan performance targets during 2015-2016, with strong performance Percentage of performance targets met 2002-2003 to 2015-2016

in all areas of our operations. A

96 total of 155 of these targets were 87 87 achieved in our six key focus areas 84 83 83 85 80 82 and the additional 12, in our 79 business activities. 71 69 63 +96H Most of the seven targets not 4 57 met will be achieved in the new financial year.

167 02/0 3 03/0 4 04/0 5 05/0 6 06/0 7 07/0 8 08/0 9 09/1 0 10/1 1 11/1 2 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 96% 2015-2016

7

Annual Report 2015-2016 33 annual snapshot

We achieved excellent results across all six of our key focus areas this year, with 100 per cent of targets met in four of these focus areas.

Caring for the environment 100% of total performance targets met We investigated 348 incidents of illegal dumping and engaged offenders to remove 100.4 cubic metres of 29 waste from 50 dump sites around the City this year. Our award-winning sports field water efficiency program of 29 continued, with irrigation works now complete at targets Charlestown Oval, Jack McLaughlin Oval, Kahibah Oval, achieved Marks Oval, Tredinnick Oval and Ernie Calland Field.

Caring for our community 100% of total performance targets met Our You’re Kidding Me program delivered monthly sessions to connect parents and carers to resources 25 and services that can support their child’s learning and development. of 25 We installed more accessible toilets and kitchens targets at community halls and completed accessibility achieved works at Jack Stewart Netball Courts as part of our Disability Action Plan.

Sport, recreation and culture 87% of total performance targets met Revitalisation of our swim centres is driving increased attendances, with 77,640 more visits recorded for 33 2015-2016, compared to the previous year. We completed a refurbishment of Speers Point of 38 Library. The new-look library includes a dedicated targets Community History section, public access computers achieved and reading areas.

34 Annual Report 2015-2016 Transport, roads and drainage 93% of total performance targets met Construction of the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange is well under way, with roadworks 14 completed at Stockland Drive and a new roundabout installed at Glendale Drive. of 15 We made it easier to access our City using active targets transport, with construction of 1.3km of new footpaths, achieved 1.4km of shared pathways and 7km of on-road cycleways.

Urban and economic development 100% of total performance targets met Dantia opened its Smart Hub (DaSH) at Charlestown in April, providing a quality co-working space for 27 local entrepreneurs and businesses to collaborate and network. of 27 Our DA processing has continued to improve, targets with general applications processed, on average, achieved within 20 days.

Civic leadership 100% of total performance targets met Results from our biennial community survey of residents conducted in 2016 show record satisfaction 27 levels of 93 per cent. We are providing more ways than ever for the of 27 community to connect and engage with Council and targets local decision making. Our expanded have your say achieved website now has 2050 registered participants and we have 25,500 followers on social media.

Annual Report 2015-2016 35 financial snapshot

Revenue raised through the rate variation approved by IPART in 2012 has provided the foundations for financial sustainability that Council is building on through strong financial management and continuous improvement, while maintaining essential services and infrastructure.

Resurfaced roads and upgraded Council has reported an operating Council’s Long Term Financial drainage, new cycleways and surplus before capital revenue of Plan provides a 10-year blueprint shared pathways, renewal projects $15.959 million. for our continued financial stability. for our swim centres, and better The operating result for 2015-2016, The plan forecasts operating deficits playgrounds are just some of the although pleasing, can be attributed in 2016-2017, and a return to many improvements Council has to a number of one-off items. surplus in 2017-2018. made during the year.

Income from continuing operations 2015-2016 Expenses from continuing operations 2015-2016

Rates 39% Employee benefits and Annual charges 11% on-costs 41% User charges and fees 6% Borrowing costs 3% Interest and investment Materials and contracts 20% revenue 3% Depreciation and Other revenues 4% amortisation 24% Grants and contributions for Other expenses 12% operating purposes 9% Grants and contributions for capital purposes 26% 39+116349262H Other income 2% 41+3202412H

36 Annual Report 2015-2016 value for rates

Council invests rates income in improving our City and enhancing quality of life for Lake Macquarie residents.

For each $100 Council spent during Council returns any profits generated the year, the following breakdown by its business activities to the shows how we invested these funds community through new or improved in service delivery, infrastructure services and facilities. development and maintenance across our key focus areas and business activities.

What $100 of rates bought in 2015-2016

caring for the environment transport, roads and drainage caring for our community  $19.44  $26.35  $19.22 Waste services $13.49 Roads $21.90 Management - built and natural Environmental enhancement Traffic and transport $3.12 environment assets $11.31 and protection $4.92 Drainage $1.34 Emergency services $2.92 Lake and foreshore Human services and community management $0.45 development $3.29 Catchment management $0.59 Public health $1.70

urban and economic development sport, recreation and culture  $6.67  $17.87 Land use $5.96 Sport and recreation $10.14 Economic and employment Swimming centres $2.35 development $0.71 Libraries $4.47 Cultural services $0.91

civic leadership business activities  $5.24 $5.21 City adminstration Property (corporate services) $4.10 management $3.47 Democratic government $1.14 Civilake $1.74

Annual Report 2015-2016 37 community engagement

Council is committed to engagement and involving the community in planning and decision making for our City. Engagement strengthens the links between Council and the community, and ensures we are aware of and responsive to community concerns, and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of our service delivery.

In 2015-2016, we asked our community to:

ensure we have identified join us on our Smart City journey, suggest ideas for Bernie Goodwin the appropriate priorities for with ideas to develop our first Memorial Park, which will provide the year ahead during exhibition Digital Economy Strategy; the community of Morisset and of our Draft Operational Plan surrounding areas with a modern, identify opportunities for new 2016-2017; safe and functional recreation housing, jobs and improved open area; provide their input into the space in Windale; development of local adaptation provide input and feedback on help shape the future of our plans for Marks Point and the Multicultural Plan 2016-2020, region’s premier sporting venue, Belmont South and for Pelican a first for Lake Macquarie; Hunter Sports Centre; and Blacksmiths to explore ways improve our town centre to manage current and future help design exciting new skate streetscape in Glendale; flood and coastal risks; parks at Charlestown and Windale; complete a survey on the future of Belmont Foreshore after develop a youth skate space damage from April 2015 storms as part of the Cameron Park caused the existing bathing Recreation Area Master Plan; enclosure to have to be removed; assist with the development of a Community Safety Plan that will better prepare Dora Creek for severe weather and natural disasters;

38 Annual Report 2015-2016 We spoke to school students, skateboarders, scooter riders and residents about new skate parks.

suggest ideas to refresh and plan for an exciting new give input to ensure that update community halls and recreation precinct at Council plans appropriately for multi-purpose centres across Thomas H Halton Park, future car parking needs at the City; Croudace Bay, and we will all our town centres. be working with the community provide feedback on a draft Plan to prepare a draft Master Plan of Management for Trinity Point for the popular park; Reserve to help ensure residents and visitors continue to enjoy review a proposal that allowed valued open space and access to owners of properties that meet the lake foreshore; certain criteria to burn dry, dead vegetation on their land; and have their say on how Council manages future flood risks around the Jewells Wetland catchment and the Winding Creek and Lower Cockle Creek catchment;

Annual Report 2015-2016 39 Key projects

Skate Lake Mac Also this year, skaters were given TomorrowMakers was a unique Council is committed to designing a taste of what they can expect to opportunity for young people to and constructing skate parks that see at Cameron Park, with Council get together and investigate how meet the needs of Lake Macquarie’s exhibiting concept designs, featuring the use of technology can make growing skate boarding and scooter a beginner area, street zone and Lake Macquarie an even better riding community. During March, April intermediate zone with a kidney- place. Guests spent the evening and May 2016, Council was out in shaped bowl. Feedback is being hearing from inspiring industry the community speaking to schools, used to finalise designs for this new experts, interacting with technologies young people, skate boarders, skate park, which will be constructed like 3D printing and virtual reality, scooter riders and residents to find as a part of the Cameron Park and generating ideas with their fellow out what features they would like Recreation Area. forward-thinking peers included in our future skate parks. Through our engagement activities, By involving the community in the Digital Economy Strategy we received significant input from residents and businesses throughout design process, we aim to encourage How does a city become a ‘Smart the year. This has informed skate park users to take pride in City’? That is a burning question development of our Smart City, these facilities and enjoy them for at all levels of government as Smart Council Digital Economy many years to come. cities and towns around Australia Strategy, which positions our City Skaters were encouraged to work out how to capitalise on the to become a more connected, help design new skate parks at rollout of the National Broadband progressive and sustainable Charlestown and Windale, by Network and harness emerging regional centre. sharing their ideas, filling out a short digital technologies to benefit their survey or sending in drawings, communities. photos or videos. In July 2015, we asked our Information about Council’s skate community how we can use parks and future design opportunities technology to make the City even was made available at www. better and more connected. haveyoursaylakemac.com.au/ More than 300 ideas weresubmitted skate-lake-mac. at community stalls, over social media and at a specific TomorrowMakers event.

40 Annual Report 2015-2016 Skaters helped design new parks in Charlestown, Windale and Cameron Park.

Engagement by numbers

1000 2006 25 randomly-selected Lake people are registered to people experienced virtual Macquarie residents completed Council’s Have Your Say Lake reality to demonstrate how sea an independent phone survey to Mac online engagement hub level rise may affect the Pelican measure community satisfaction foreshore in the future with Council services, and 93 per cent said they were at least 255 somewhat satisfied improvement ideas were 800 suggested to upgrade Council’s comments and submissions community facilities were received identifying parking 18 and other transportation issues targeted Council advisory and ideas, in addition to 600 committees, such as the Aquatic 477 surveys about parking in our Services Committee, Waste people responded to our town centres Advisory Committee and Ageing Belmont Swimming Area survey and Disability Panel, helped us make more informed decisions

889 people responded to our ‘food scrap shift to green bins’ community survey in late 2015

Annual Report 2015-2016 41 local government in review

Our strong performance and an integrated approach to planning has positioned our Council well for the major reforms of the local government sector in NSW. In December 2015, the NSW Government released its determination that Lake Macquarie City Council was ‘fit for the future’ and would remain a stand-alone Council.

All levels of government are working Fit for the Future partner identified for them in the towards a more sustainable future Panel’s report or by standing alone. for local councils and have a shared 2012 These proposals were required to strategic vision, titled Destination The NSW Government appointed address seven financial sustainability 2036. Council is committed to this the Independent Local Government criteria, as well as demonstrating whole-of-government approach, Review Panel to investigate how councils had sufficient scale which aims to build stronger and opportunities to strengthen the and capacity. more effective councils through effectiveness of local government 2015 appropriate processes and across NSW. structural changes. In June, Council endorsed a The reforms aim to increase the 2013 submission to IPART, on behalf of effectiveness and strategic capacity The Panel released its final report in, the Lake Macquarie community, of local government across NSW, which made 65 recommendations responding to the proposed reforms including through the development of for local government reform. and identifying improvements to new legislation. More information is Council actively participated in the enhance Council’s performance. available at fitforthefuture. consultation process to represent This submission reflected the views nsw.gov.au. and advocate for our City, and to of 87 per cent of Lake Macquarie City residents, who preferred to Council participated actively in ensure our community had a voice stand alone and not merge with the reform process throughout in this local government reform Newcastle City Council. A copy of the year, making submissions process. One of Council’s key Council’s submission is available at and representations to the NSW comments on the report was that lakemac.com.au. Government’s Fit for the Future a proposed amalgamation with initiative, the Upper House Newcastle City Council was not In July, Council submitted a response Inquiry into Local Government necessary and would be detrimental to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Fit and amendments to the Local to the Lake Macquarie community. for the Future, undertaken by the Government Act. NSW Legislative Council. 2014 In August, IPART released its In September 2014, the NSW assessment of whether councils Government delivered its blueprint were ‘fit’ or ‘not fit’. Lake Macquarie for the future of Local Government, City Council was found to be fit on titled Fit for the Future. Councils were the financial sustainability criteria, given until 30 June 2015 to submit but not to have sufficient scale and a proposal to IPART on how they capacity when compared against the would become ‘fit for the future’, Panel’s preference for a merger with either by merging with the merger Newcastle City Council. 42 Annual Report 2015-2016 As a consequence, IPART Review of the Local Joint organisations recommended that Lake Macquarie Joint organisations are a key part and Newcastle councils be merged. Government Act of the Fit for the Future reform In 2012, the NSW Government In December, the NSW Government package, providing a forum for local appointed a four-member Taskforce released its response to IPART’s councils and the NSW Government to review the Local Government report, and found that Lake to connect ideas and priorities at Act 1993 and the City of Sydney Macquarie City Council was, in its the regional level to help our local Act 1988. The Taskforce looked at opinion, ‘fit for the future’ and able communities to grow and thrive. to remain a stand-alone council. ways to modernise the legislation, The proposal is that joint The decision came after a lengthy to ensure it would meet the future organisations be empowered to government decision-making needs of councils and communities. bring all councils in defined regions process, which included numerous The recommendations of the together to discuss and agree on NSW Government assessments of Taskforce were exhibited for strategic regional priorities for their Council’s ability to operate efficiently. public comment in early 2014. communities. Joint organisations The determination requires Council Council is generally supportive would also create a mechanism to implement the improvements of these recommendations and for State and Local Government described in our submission the NSW Government’s response to collaborate on agreed priorities to IPART. to them, which was released in September 2014. in a more consistent, structured and effective way. Lake Macquarie 2016 Since then, the NSW Government participated in a Pilot Joint Council has made progress in has amended the Local Government Organisation for the Hunter, to implementing the improvements Act to strengthen accountability of develop the Joint Organisation described in our submission councillors, and is in the process model and build better working to IPART. These achievements of amending the Act’s planning relationships between councils are detailed in the productivity and governance measures. These and State agencies. improvements section of this Phase 1 amendments to the Act are Annual Report. expected to pass the Parliament in The Office of Local Government has released a discussion paper In May, the NSW Government the second half of 2016. on how it plans to roll out Joint formed a new Central Coast Council, Organisations across the State. This consisting of the entire Gosford and model is expected to be embedded Wyong council areas. The boundary in Phase 2 amendments to the between Wyong Shire Council and Local Government Act, which are Lake Macquarie City Council will anticipated for late 2016. therefore remain unchanged as part of the current reforms. Annual Report 2015-2016 43 awards

2015 IAP2 Core 2015 NSW Coastal 2015 NSW Local Values Awards Management Awards Government Week Winner - Environment Winner – Award for Excellence in Awards Coastal management Council won an International Winner – Most Innovative Event Association for Public Participation’s Council won the 2015 NSW Coastal Council’s hosting of the 2014 (IAP2) Core Values Award for its Management Award for Excellence in Lake Macquarie International collaboration with residents to create Coastal Management in recognition Children’s Games was recognised the Marks Point and Belmont South of its work in integrated coastal as the most innovative local Local Adaptation Plan, one of the first planning, including development government event in NSW. sea level rise adaptation plans to be of the Marks Point and Belmont developed in Australia at a local level. South Local Adaptation Plan and Winner – Most Innovative Youth The award recognises excellence in the Lake Macquarie Coastal Zone Week Program public participation throughout the Management Plan. Lake Macquarie City Council’s 2015 Asia Pacific Region. Youth Week was recognised as the most innovative Youth Week program in NSW. 2015 NSW Local Government 2015 NSW Government Environmental Green Globe Awards Excellence Awards Highly commended - Natural Highly commended – Division C environment - Ecosystem Highly Commended – - Climate Change Action enhancement Community Involvement Award Council was recognised for – Lake Macquarie Landcare Council was recognised for its its collaboration with the and Marks Point Belmont South work to expand community community to develop the Marks Community Working Group partnerships and give priority Point and Belmont South Local to protecting and restoring the Lake Macquarie Landcare was Adaptation Plan. natural environment across the recognised for its significant ongoing local government area through its initiatives that have involved extensive Ecosystem Enhancement program. engagement with local communities. The Marks Point and Belmont South local Adaptation Plan Community Working Group were highly commended for their work with Council to develop the local adaptation plan for their area.

44 Annual Report 2015-2016 Council won the Statewide Mutual Risk Management Excellence Award for its Managing Shark Sightings Procedure

2015 Statewide Mutual 2015 Lower Hunter 2015 NSW Resilient Risk Management Urban Design Awards Australia Awards Excellence Awards Winner - Scooters and Highly commended Mobility and AILA - Universal Winner Community volunteers were Access Award recognised at the 2015 NSW Council won the Statewide Mutual Lake Macquarie Variety Resilient Australia Awards for their Risk Management Excellence Award Playground was successful in efforts in assisting residents of Dora for its Managing Shark Sightings winning the Scooters and Mobility Creek to manage the impacts of Procedure. Council developed and and AILA - Universal Access Award natural disasters. implemented the procedure to category of the 2015 Lower Hunter address the credible risk posed by a The Dora Creek Progress Association Urban Design Awards. shark attack at Lake Macquarie’s four and Dora Creek Sustainable patrolled beaches. Neighbourhood Group worked with Lake Macquarie City Council and the 2015 UDIA NSW State Emergency Service to develop a Community Safety Plan for their 2015 NSW/ACT Meriton Awards for community. Regional Achievement Excellence Commendation – and Community Australian Property Awards Concept Design Group GSA for Lake Macquarie City Institute 2015 JLL Semi-finalist – Peabody Energy Council received a commendation Heritage Awards Environment and Landcare in the 2015 UDIA NSW Meriton Winner – Heritage Award – Lake Macquarie Awards for Excellence for its concept Landcare design for Morisset Library and Lake Macquarie City Council won Recognising the significant Community Building. the Australian Property Institute’s contribution that Lake Macquarie 2015 JLL Heritage Award for the Landcare has made for the successful refurbishment of the environment and community. Masonic Hall in Lakeview Street, Speers Point.

Annual Report 2015-2016 45 Royal Australian Air 2015 National 2016 NSW Local Force Supportive Landcare Awards Government Excellence Employer Awards 2015 Winner – Australian Government Awards Partnerships with Landcare Winner Excellence in Asset Management The partnership between Lake Council received the RAAF – Lake Macquarie Holiday Parks Macquarie City Council and Lake Supportive Employer Award 2015 Improvement Program Macquarie Landcare was recognised in recognition and thanks for support Council received the Award for with receipt of the Australian given to the Australian Defence its program to improve the quality Government Partnerships with Force Reserves. and range of facilities available at Landcare Award. This award is Lake Macquarie City’s four Council- presented to a local or regional managed holiday parks: Belmont authority for innovation and IMaGINE Awards 2015 Pines Lakeside Holiday Park; excellence in creating partnerships Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Park; Winner – Exhibition Projects with their Landcare authority. Swansea Gardens Lakeside Holiday Winner – Sustainability Lake Macquarie Landcare’s Park; and Wangi Point Lakeside Programs Blacksmiths Dunecare group was Holiday Park. Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery also recognised at the award was recognised ahead of 23 other ceremony and received a Coastcare entrants in the Exhibition Projects Award. Blacksmiths Dunecare group Australian Water category, for its (in)visible: the First has undertaken dune regeneration Peoples and War exhibition, and work on Blacksmiths Beach for more Association Awards in the Sustainability Programs than 25 years. 2016 category, for its new energy Program Innovation Award efficient lighting system. Council won the NSW AWA Program Innovation Award for the Lake Macquarie Sports Field Improvement Program, a holistic and integrated suite of works that aims to save water and use compost product to better maintain the quality of our sports fields for the community.

46 Annual Report 2015-2016 2016 Museum and Galleries National Awards (MAGNAs) External recognition for staff in their roles at Council Winner – Temporary or Travelling Exhibition Winner – Indigenous Royal Humane 2016 Australia Day Project or Keeping Place The Gallery was awarded a MAGNA Society NSW Bronze Honours – Public in the Temporary or Travelling Awards Service Medal Exhibition category for its (in)visible: Winner – Troy Ham General Manager, Brian Bell the First Peoples and War exhibition Council’s General Manager, Brian and another in the Indigenous Bell received the Public Service Project or Keeping Place category Medal for his outstanding public for its Lore & Order exhibition. service to local government in NSW. 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Lake Macquarie beach lifeguard, Winner – Certificate of Troy Ham, received a Royal Excellence – Belmont Pines Humane Society NSW Bronze Holiday Park Award for acts of bravery shown Winner – Certificate of during a dangerous rescue Excellence – Swansea Gardens near Snapper Point in the Lake Holiday Park Munmorah State Conservation Belmont Pines and Swansea Reserve. Mr Ham successfully Gardens, two of Lake Macquarie rescued four teenage boys City Council’s four holiday parks, from an inundated cave after received a TripAdvisor Certificate of they became trapped by the Excellence in 2016. rising tide and dangerous surf in November 2014.

Annual Report 2015-2016 47 OUR RESULTS

48 Annual Report 2015-2016 reporting our achievements

This section of the Annual Report 2015-2016 documents Council’s achievements in implementing the principal activities contained in the Revised Delivery Program 2013-2017, and corresponding actions and performance measurements in the Operational Plan 2015-2016. Focus area reporting

The Lake Macquarie Community Caring for the Caring for our Sport, recreation Strategic Plan 2013-2023 groups environment community and culture community priorities in six focus areas (right). High-level priorities and strategies identified in each focus area in Transport, roads Urban and Civic the Community Strategic Plan link and drainage economic leadership directly to actions in Council’s four- development year Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan.

Our business activities

Council is involved in a range of CiviLake Property and business activities. It reports annually Business on the performance of its business Development units, Civilake and Property and Business Development.

Annual Report 2015-2016 49 caring for the environment

Council’s environmental sustainability programs continue to maximise the wellbeing of our residents while reducing our City’s environmental footprint. We performed strongly across all four priorities for this focus area, actively promoting and facilitating sustainable living, enhancing our ecosystems, minimising environmental risks such as floods and bush fires, and building participation at the community level through our successful engagement programs.

Strategic Direction A City responsive to its environment. A City that makes an equitable contribution to global sustainability. A well designed, adaptable and liveable City. Objective To provide integrated environmental management, strategic planning outcomes and waste management to enhance and sustain the natural and cultural built environment and contribute to an equitable regional and global ecological footprint.

Snapshot of performance 29 of 29 indicators achieved

50 Annual Report 2015-2016 Sustainable living Delivery Program priority 1.1

Better Building Strategy Water-smart Commercial recycling

Council’s Better Building playing fields on the increase 481kW of solar generating capacity Strategy provides guidance As part of our water- Another 101 Lake for retrofits to help make saving Sports Field Macquarie commercial Council’s community Improvement Program premises were registered 19.5% facilities more sustainable we completed irrigation for Council’s commercial reduction in greenhouse by using less water, system improvements recycling service during gas emissions energy and raw materials. at Charlestown Oval, the year, bringing the total Retrofits completed during Ernie Calland Field, Jack number of businesses, 2015-2016 will save an McLaughlin Field, Kahibah schools and Council- 1238 estimated $20,138 in Oval, Marks Oval and managed premises using commercial recycling services electricity bills and 89.07 Tredinnick Oval. We also the service to 640 and the tonnes in carbon dioxide completed soil improvement total number of services equivalents (tC0 -e) works at Balcomb to 1238. This represents 2 4.03% each year. Field, Cardiff No.2 Oval, a ten-fold increase from average annual reduction Cooranbong Equestrian the 2008 baseline of in waste to landfill Solar City Reserve, Feighan Oval, 108 services. We installed 35 kilowatts Edgeworth No.2 Oval, Keith (kW) of solar panels to Barry No.2 Field, Lydon Cutting waste to landfill bring our total solar Field, Parbury Park, Ulinga Our efforts to work with the energy generating Ovals, and Valentine Rugby community to manage our capacity to 481kW. League Fields. growing City’s waste have Council's Administration achieved a 4.03 per cent Building is our largest Greenhouse gas average annual reduction in installation, with a reductions waste to landfill compared 178kW capacity. As a result of all to the 2007-2008 baseline. Council’s programs to This is well above our target reduce greenhouse gas of two per cent. pollution, it is estimated The total waste to landfill that greenhouse gas for 2015-2016 was emissions from our 84,558 tonnes. operations in 2014-2015 were 16,480 t CO2-e, achieving our reduction target of 19.5 per cent.

Annual Report 2015-2016 51 We completed 22 on-ground works projects to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems.

Ecosystem enhancement Delivery Program priority 1.2

On-ground ecosystem foreshore stabilisation Increased illegal dumping 32 improvements and littoral vegetation at enforcement activity ecosystem improvement We completed ten Bonnells Bay, Kilaben Illegal dumping enforcement projects complete terrestrial ecosystem Bay Park, Murrays and activities increased improvement projects Beach, King Street during the year, with an Balcolyn, Warners 10 during the year. These additional 192 hours priority actions taken included a City-wide dune Bay, Village Bay and in enforcement activity for our coast ecosystem enhancement Yarrawonga Park; and undertaken, 348 incidents project as well as illegal streambank stabilisation investigated and 72 50 dumping deterrence and riparian improvement infringement notices issued illegal dump sites cleaned works at Cameron at Cocked Hat Creek, by Council. up by the offender Park Drive, Cameron Cockle Creek Little Fifty sites were cleaned up Park; Freemans Drive, Flaggy Creek and Slatey by the offender resulting Cooranbong; Mine Camp Creek. in removal of 100.4 cubic Road, Catherine Hill Bay; metres of waste. Racecourse Road, Teralba; Managing our coast Rutleys Road, Wyee; We implemented ten Summerhill Drive, Wangi; priority actions from our and Wyee Road, Wyee. Coastal Zone Management Biodiversity improvement Plan including a multi- projects were also stakeholder strategy for completed at Fencott 4WD access to Nine Drive, Jewells and Ivy Mile Beach, advocacy Street, Dudley. on a container deposit scheme, participation A further 22 on-ground in the seagrass-friendly projects were implemented moorings working group to improve and protect our and stormwater quality aquatic ecosystems. These improvement device included: performance monitoring. wetland rehabilitation at Black Neds Bay, Blacksmiths, Cockle Bay, Dora Creek, Fullers Creek, Salts Bay and Tulkaba;

52 Annual Report 2015-2016 Environmental security Delivery Program priority 1.3

Flood risk management Air quality Managing contaminated land 12 A survey calling for Council continued to bush fire hazard community input on the monitor and address We continued our reduction burns flood history of Upper air quality issues during ongoing work to manage Cockle Creek, along with the year through various contaminated land and 11 flood modelling and a initiatives including reduce exposure risks sites managed calibration study were convening the Lake across the City. Actions for black slag completed during the Macquarie Air Quality included inspection of year as part of Council’s Reference Group. 35 sites for the presence work to develop a draft The Lower Hunter Particle of exposed black slag. flood study for this priority Characterisation Study was Risk management works flood-risk area. released by the Office of were undertaken at 11 Council also sought Environment and Heritage of these sites. community assistance to in April 2016 and assessed We also updated our manage for future flood for significance to the Lake Contaminated Land risks engaging with the Macquarie City Council Policy procedures and community to provide area. The findings of the management processes, feedback on flood risk assessment were that the and participated in the management plans for the air quality in Lake Macquarie NSW Environment Jewells Wetland catchment is generally ‘good’, although Protection Authority Lead and the Winding Creek wood heating may be Expert Working Group and Lower Cockle Creek a source of particulate and the Lead Community catchments. pollution in the winter Reference Group. Data collection and months. We also published fact modelling was also sheets to inform the undertaken to inform community on management development of the Marks of contaminated soils. Point Belmont South Overland Flood Study.

Bush fire risk and education Council continued to maintain bush fire asset protection zones across the City, completing 12 hazard reduction burns covering 58 hectares during the year.

Annual Report 2015-2016 53 Community participation on our ecosystem enhancement and monitoring programs increased by 13 per cent.

Sustainability engagement Delivery Program priority 1.4

Sustainable More prepared for Habitat for Wildlife, Neighbourhoods natural disasters community ecosystem 4916 active in Sustainable program Activities with the flood- monitoring activities, Neighbourhoods Program Council continues to prone community of workshops and a film support community groups Dora Creek, finalisation series on environmental to plan and implement of disaster plans with and sustainability issues. 1893 Participation increased residents use less projects and events that vulnerable groups, and water and energy contribute to a local continuing promotion and about 13 per cent, from vision of sustainability uptake of Lake Macquarie 2955 people engaged in through the Sustainable City Council Early Warning 2014-2015 to 3338 as at 8406 Neighbourhoods program. Network alerts have 30 June 2016. engaged in natural disaster preparedness increased the number During 2015-2016, 4916 Waste awareness of participants engaged people participated in the cuts contamination program, which is a 14.2 in our natural disaster 3338 Council’s waste awareness engaged in ecosystem per cent increase on the preparedness campaign. campaigns are proving enhancement activities previous year. Activities Participation increased to highly effective, with only that have contributed 8406 residents at June two per cent contamination to this increase include 2016, representing an in the recycling service, 5167 the development of new increase of about 10 per subscribers to which was well below the groups in the Rathmines cent from 2014-2015. Early Warning service target of five per cent, and and Warners Bay areas Enhancing local 0.27 per cent contamination and expansion of both the ecosystems in the green waste service, Cardiff Area Group and the which was well below the Morisset and Peninsula Our work to monitor, target of two per cent. Group. protect and restore local ecosystems was boosted More residents choose during the year with an to reduce consumption increase in the number Participants in Council’s of people participating in campaigns to reduce their Council-run programs and consumption of energy and activities including Backyard water increased by 40 per cent from the same time last year.

54 Annual Report 2015-2016 Challenges and targets not met

All 29 performance indicators were met during the year.

Looking forward

Continue with preparations for Continue to provide opportunities commencement of Phase 2 of for the community to work Council’s green waste service actively on environmental in 2017-2018, which will allow sustainability activities through residents to place household programs such as Sustainable food waste in their green waste Neighbourhoods. bin so that it can be diverted from landfill. Continue to work with the NSW Environmental Protection Commence implementation of Authority and Hunter New priority actions identified in the England Health to address long- Lake Macquarie Coastal Zone term management of legacy Management Plan. lead contamination hazards and report progress to Council. Complete two projects demonstrating application of planning thresholds and adaptive design for Council assets.

Annual Report 2015-2016 55 caring for our community

Council continues to host major events, run programs and support networks that engage and connect local communities and celebrate our diversity. Our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of residents saw us complete health inspections of food premises across the City and extend our Ranger services. We also improved disability access at local halls, while delivering training and support to the hundreds of volunteers who help run our community facilities. In pursuit of our aim to provide opportunities for all residents to participate in the economic and social life of our City, we provided high-quality family day care services and we developed long-term strategies to ensure Lake Macquarie is a great place to live for everyone in our community. Strategic Direction A City responsive to the wellbeing needs of its residents. Objective Advocate for and develop opportunities that will ensure all residents have equal opportunity to participate in the economic and social life of the community.

Snapshot of performance 25 of 25 targets achieved

56 Annual Report 2015-2016 Social and community planning Delivery Program priority 2.1

A safer community A six-week recreation Development with We carried out actions program at Charlestown people in mind 200 graffiti clean-ups under our Crime Prevention Oval aimed to reduce the Council provided comments at 50 sites Strategy 2015-2018 to level of antisocial behaviour on more than 250 address high priority crimes and increase positive development applications of residential burglary, ownership of the space and and provided advice on a 250 DAs assessed theft from motor vehicles, facilities by young people. further 75 proposals in the for safety, access and crime prevention malicious damage and year regarding disability assault (including Youth celebrated access, crime prevention domestic violence). We provided $8500 to through environmental support nine Youth Week Site safety inspections design, social impacts and activities and Council won were made throughout the adherence to regulations the award for the Most year at various locations, regarding children. Innovative Youth Week including at Warners Program at the 2015 NSW Parenting support Bay, Marmong Point and Local Government Awards. Our parenting support Cameron Park, to address program, You're Kidding crime and public safety Council staff worked with Me, continues to expand, issues and concerns. the Lake Macquarie Youth Council to deliver projects with between 60 and 100 In October, Council hosted to encourage positive use people registering for each a Reclaim the Night march of spaces at Charlestown month’s sessions. Topics to raise awareness about Square Shopping Centre, included school readiness, violence against women. the Endless Summer child and family nutrition, Approximately 120 people youthfocused event at behaviour management, attended and marched to Charlestown Swim Centre, speech screening, safe show their support. and consulted with young kids, and the nervous and We also raised awareness people regarding the anxious child. We also of domestic and family proposed Charlestown and launched the Paint the Lake violence support services Windale skate facilities. REaD program, to promote with an information stall at children's early literacy We also partnered with Glendale shopping centre, development. the Lake Macquarie PCYC and delivered 10,000 and the Lakers Basketball coasters and 125 posters Celebrations connecting Club to deliver a basketball and magnets to clubs and our communities program for young people businesses throughout Council provided more at Charlestown Oval, and the City. than $11,000 to support worked with services 23 programs and events Council continues to partner to hold the Cameron hosted as part of NAIDOC with the departments Park Twilight Festival in Week celebrations in of Juvenile Justice and November. Lake Macquarie. We Corrective Services for also hosted activities and the removal of graffiti events to celebrate Youth throughout the City. This Week, Children's Week, program resulted in the International Women's removal of graffiti on almost Day, Harmony Day and 200 occasions, at more Seniors’ Week. than 50 individual sites. Annual Report 2015-2016 57 Our award-winning Family Day Care service caters for children from birth to 13 years.

Provide family day care Delivery Program priority 2.2

Caring for our kids England Health employer- Thirteen new educators Lake Macquarie Family sponsored places and were recruited during the 113 registered Family Day Day Care service continues Hunter TAFE play sessions year, bringing the total Care educators to exceed national quality were fully utilised, and number of registered standards. Council met all requests educators that operate All partnerships for the for care under the Brighter Council’s award-winning delivery of Family Day Care Futures Early Intervention Family Day Care service to were in place and continued program. 113 as at June 2016. to function effectively during the year. Hunter New

Respond to community concerns regarding Ranger and public health issues Delivery Program priority 2.3

Health awareness Protecting our pets Ranger services provided updates to the community 755 Our companion animal health inspections of We provided two education and awareness Our Rangers received 436 food premises community awareness programs continued after-hours calls during messages on public health throughout the year with the year and responded issues to the community, nine events and three mail- to all within the required 436 including results of local timeframes. after-hours calls handled outs to contact owners of by our Rangers monitoring of mosquitoes. unregistered pets.

Food premises inspected Council health inspectors completed 755 inspections of local food premises, revealing a 94 per cent compliance rate with health regulations.

58 Annual Report 2015-2016 Community facilities management Delivery Program priority 2.4

Access for all Cemeteries upgraded Maintaining our We continued our New niche walls were community facilities $181,504 to improve accessibility works program to make installed to extend Regular meetings with at community facilities community facilities more Whitebridge and West organisations and accessible for all. Works Wallsend cemeteries. committees managing identified in our Disability Council-owned community 465 Action Plan and Community facilities were hosted to buildings inspected Supporting our Facilities Strategy were assist them in maintaining volunteers completed during the year, stakeholder relationships. We held two workshops including replacement of the to provide information and Council also performed 190 kitchen at Wyee Community volunteers trained training to 190 volunteers regular inspections and Hall; construction of an who manage Council- risk assessments to enable accessible toilet and parking owned community facilities. proactive maintenance of space at Kilaben Bay These sessions included halls, sportsgrounds and Community Hall; disability induction of suitably other community facilities access works at Jack trained and volunteer throughout the City. Stewart Netball Courts; safety officers. and design of a toilet and kitchen upgrade at Garden Suburb Community Hall.

Challenges and targets not met

All 25 performance indicators were met during the year.

Looking forward

We will consult with the We will carry out actions to community, service providers and improve our Child Care Centres other stakeholders to develop a including design of baby change new Disability Inclusion Action room at Warners Bay Child Care Plan for the City. Centre, design of a laundry and baby change room at Design of internal refurbishment Edgeworth Child Care Centre, of Rathmines Community Hall, and replacement of kitchenettes construction of disability parking in the four playrooms at Warners spaces, pathway and accessible Bay Child Care Centre. toilets at Wangi Netball Courts and Oval, and construction of A community facilities an accessible toilet at Belmont study will be undertaken to Foreshore will be completed guide expenditure in line in line with Council's Disability with community needs under Action Plan and Community the Belmont Developer Facilities Strategy. Contribution Plan.

Annual Report 2015-2016 59 sport, recreation and culture

It was an exciting year for sport, recreation and culture in our City. Highlights included refurbishment of Speers Point Library, a new jetty at Sunshine Park and acquisition of 87 new artworks for Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery. We also began to prepare the site for the $15 million Cameron Park Recreational Area, which will become a major sporting and recreational hub in our City. Our efforts to revitalise our swim centres, parks and playgrounds also saw progress, with design work completed for the redevelopment of Swansea Swim Centre and for a central promenade at Speers Point Park.

Snapshot of performance 33 of 38 targets achieved

60 Annual Report 2015-2016 Provision of community-based swimming centres Delivery Program priority 3.1

Better swim centres Satisfaction levels also swim centres. A detailed Our actions to revitalise increased, with user concept design and an 324,843 visits to swim centres the City’s swim centres surveys completed for the accompanying feasibility and improve the leisure 2015-2016 swim season analysis was completed programs they offer are revealing that 98 per cent for Swansea Swim proving popular with of patrons were satisfied or Centre during the year, 98% the community, with the very satisfied with our swim and a DA lodged for of swim centre users satisfied number of people using facilities and programs. the redevelopment of and enjoying our facilities Following the successful Charlestown Swim Centre increasing during the year. $3.3 million refurbishment in May 2015 remains under assessment. Attendance figures for of West Wallsend Swim 2015-2016 were 324,843, Centre in 2015, Council which is 77,640 more than has continued its plans the previous year. to redevelop the City’s

Recreation and community land planning Delivery Program priority 3.2

Safe and functional parks Lake, Toronto; new bollard New jetty at Due diligence inspections fencing at Pacific Drive, Sunshine Park 111 were carried out at Council’s Swansea and Blackalls We installed a new jetty at playgrounds inspected 111 local playgrounds Avenue, Blackalls Park; as Sunshine Park, including and on more than 3000 well as two beach access new piles, a pontoon and parks and reserves assets, pathways at Blacksmiths gangway, as well as a including picnic tables, Beach. Under the program, connecting pathway and jetties, seating, fencing, Council also replaced the landscaping. retaining walls, barbecues, water charge fence at shelters and bollards. Windale Rugby League and stairs at Holford Oval, Our parks infrastructure Mount Hutton this year. renewal program delivered a new playground at Forest

Jim Ridgeway (the late), Douglas Archibald, Paul Maher with members of the community Awabakal Dreaming (detail) 2001 mixed glazed tiles, Merewether churt, 221cm radius, (consultant Mark Johnson), supported by the Australia Council for the Arts. Annual Report 2015-2016 61 Delivery of major projects to the community Delivery Program priority 3.3

Performing Arts and includes a two-storey Planning for the future Centre upgraded community building, a of Speers Point Park $15M major combination sports recreation project New LED lights have been Detailed designs for a commenced installed at Lake Macquarie field, a skate zone, netball central promenade and Performing Arts Centre to courts and a multi-court, associated picnic areas at improve energy efficiency accessible path network, Speers Point Park were and reduce ongoing two playgrounds and an completed during the year operating costs. outdoor exercise area. and documentation was Earthworks and site in progress to allow the preparations began in project to move into the Cameron Park January, followed by construction phase in 2017. Recreation Area community consultation The Cameron Park about the design and Fernleigh Track Recreation Area will features of a new skate become the major sporting zone to be included in We continued to deliver and recreational hub for the recreation area. The projects to improve the Cameron Park, providing a proposed skate zone Fernleigh Track, including vital pedestrian and cycle will form part of a youth installation of a new toilet link between the areas recreation precinct, and facility and landscaping of the growing suburb, will be constructed close works at Whitebridge, and and creating an important to picnic areas, barbecue interpretive signage at bushland reserve for native facilities, senior and junior Whitebridge and Redhead flora and fauna. The $15 play areas, and the existing Stations. million project is estimated BMX track. to be delivered in 2019

Tactile story book could be the first of many Possibly the first of its kind in Australia, a storybook produced by Lake Mac Libraries on a 3D printer is enabling children with a vision impairment to experience the detailed illustrations that complement the children’s classic, Goodnight Moon. The tactile storybook allows visually impaired children to feel their way around 3D renders of objects and characters featured in the narrative, allowing them to experience the role illustrations play in storytelling. Council has already started work on a second book, with the goal of creating ten tactile books to help vision impaired students have a higher level of participation in mainstream classrooms.

62 Annual Report 2015-2016 We opened the doors on our new-look Speers Point Library.

Delivery of an art gallery service for the community Delivery Program priority 3.4

Lake Macquarie Art Gallery Aboriginal content Bell, Thelma Bartman, 48,130 attracted strong audiences On average, 61 per cent Stella O’Halloran, Lezlie visitors to the art gallery in 2015-2016 with 48,130 of exhibitions contained Tilley, Judy Watson, Brett visitors. This is a 56 per Aboriginal content across McMahon and Irvine Homer. cent increase from the Of these, 32 were cultural the year, including the 2,149 2014-2015 figure of 30,686. award winning exhibitions gifts, 25 were donations school children School tour group numbers Lore & Order and (in)visible: and the remaining 30 visited the gallery also grew by 56 per cent, the First Peoples and War. were purchased for the art with 2149 school students gallery by the Art Gallery visiting, compared to 1377 Society. The acquisitions 61% last year. 87 artworks acquired have greatly enhanced the of exhibitions included Indigenous material Numbers were boosted During 2015-2016 the gallery's collection as an through the year in Art Gallery acquired 87 asset and display resource. response to the Impressions separate artworks for the During the year, gallery staff collection (64 of which 87 of Paris and Archibald developed Your Collection, artworks acquired Prize exhibitions, but these are contained within three a set of six exhibitions figures are also the result of folios). These include The designed to reinforce effective programming and Bicentennial Folio of Prints community ownership of the marketing. by Twenty Five Australian collection. Artists and works by Vernon Ah Kee, Michael

Provide adaptive library services for the community Delivery Program priority 3.5

New home for space and upgraded air Thousands of events community history conditioning. 2352 Lake Mac Libraries hosted events at Lake Mac We completed our The refurbishment was 2352 events with 27,434 libraries refurbishment of Speers supported with a $200,000 people attending and an Point Library, providing the grant from the NSW average attendance rate of community with a new-look Government’s Revitalising 95 per cent. 27,343 library and better access to Regional Libraries program. attended the City’s community and family history resources, along with a new study

Annual Report 2015-2016 63 Provision of beach patrol services Delivery Program priority 3.6

Safe in the surf Water survival providing a more realistic

A total of 525,555 residents skills for kids experience for students; 93 and staff newly trained and rescues performed and visitors flocked to our Thousands of primary by our lifeguards patrolled beaches this year. school students participated rotated through the program to build the experience Council lifeguards helped in Council’s winter water base. 8079 save lives and deal with safety program, A Matter children learnt injuries throughout the of Seconds. A total of 73 water safety skills beach season as part of schools participated in our ongoing professional this year's program, which beach lifeguard service at saw Council’s professional Redhead, Blacksmiths, lifeguards present 357 Caves and Catherine Hill water safety education Bay beaches. sessions to 8079 students in Kindergarten, Year 3 Our professional lifeguards and Year 6. took 5772 preventative actions to ensure the Improvements made to the safety of beachgoers, and program during the year performed 93 rescues and included: a presentation administered 1780 first aid tailored to local places, treatments during the year. risks and conditions; 15 new resuscitation dummies, Community satisfaction with Council’s professional beach lifeguards was rated at 4.35 out of 5.

Supporting community, cultural and sporting events in the City Delivery Program priority 3.7

Financial support for Council also provided A further 21 events were community events $129,750 in corporate funded with $23,722 $243,639 Through its community sponsorship to support allocated under the Lake for 82 community events funding program, Council 16 organisations to present Macquarie Games program. allocated $90,167 in funding local surfing and athletics during the year for 45 events, community festivals community events including and an opera program. choral festivals, marathons and cultural celebrations.

64 Annual Report 2015-2016 Challenges and targets not met

Five of 38 performance indicators Lake Mac Libraries membership were not met during the year. was 60,447 at 30 June 2016, 693,214 which is 30 per cent of the visits to Lake Mac Libraries The expansion of Allen Davis population. This does not meet playing fields was delayed while the NSW State Library baseline Council pursued environmental of 44 per cent of the population, investigations. These 99% which for Lake Macquarie City of library loans target met investigations are complete and would be 89,177 members. construction will commence in 2016-2017. Lake Mac Libraries fell short of its target to achieve 500,000 unique 60,447 Speers Point Library was closed page visits for its website, with library members for three months for renovations, 485,461 visits reported for the affecting library use during the year. An upgrade to the network year. As a result, visits to Lake is in progress to resolve network Mac Libraries totalled 693,214, issues affecting customers’ which did not reach the NSW access to the library website and State Library baseline target of online resources. 880,000 visits. Council fell just short of the NSW State Library benchmark of 6.91 loans per capita, which for Lake Macquarie City is 1,382,000 loans. Total loans for the year were 1,368,441, which is 99 per cent of the NSW State Library target.

Looking forward

Prepare and exhibit the Work with the community final concept designs for an to develop a master plan expanded and improved Hunter for Thomas H Halton Park, Sports Centre. Croudace Bay. Reconstruct the car park at Lake Design enhancements for Street Swansea and extend the the interior of Toronto Library, jetty at Valentine. including new cafe facilities within the library. Upgrade lighting at Wangi Netball Facility. Commence construction of the Cameron Park Recreation Area.

Annual Report 2015-2016 65 transport, roads and drainage

We achieved 93 per cent of our performance targets for this focus area this year, which brings us closer to our vision for a well-serviced and sustainable transport and drainage network for our City. Construction commenced on the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange, our major transport infrastructure project that will connect Glendale and Cardiff, providing a vital link to meet the future transport needs of the Lower Hunter region. Priority stormwater infrastructure works and regular maintenance of our drainage system completed this year will help keep people and their property safe while helping to improve the quality of water in our beautiful lake in years to come. Strategic Direction A well serviced an equitable City. Objective Develop and maintain a sustainable road an drainage network and facilitate continual improvement of the City’s transport network.

Snapshot of performance 14 of 15 targets achieved

66 Annual Report 2015-2016 Improve the transportation network across the City Delivery Program priority 4.1

Lake Macquarie These works extend Transport Interchange Stockland Drive to connect $38M Lake Macquarie Transport with Glendale Drive, funding secured Interchange, at Glendale, improving access to the is identified in the NSW Glendale shopping centre. Government’s Hunter Construction is due for $32M completion in 2016-2017. sought for Regional Plan 2036 as a Pennant St Bridge high-priority infrastructure Funding sought for project with potential Pennant Street Bridge to drive employment The next part of the Railway station and 1.135km growth and improve the of new footpaths Interchange project will transport interchange connectivity and viability of constructed involve building the Pennant The third part of the major centres throughout Street Bridge over the Interchange project, the Hunter Region. existing railway line and the construction of an Interchange under creating a link between integrated transport construction Glendale and Cardiff, cutting interchange with a new Construction works travel time and accelerating railway station at Glendale, commenced this year development of commercial remains unfunded. Council on the first part of the and industrial lands in is continuing to work with Interchange, with $38 Glendale, Boolaroo and Transport for NSW to million in funding from all Cardiff. This would create monitor patronage and three levels of government. at least 6200 local jobs and demand for the station at allow for the construction Glendale in the long term. of 6000 new residences. Detailed design and planning approvals were completed during the year and Council is now seeking funding contributions from the State and Federal governments.

Annual Report 2015-2016 67 Maintaining our Improving Off-road projects transport assets pedestrian access completed include a shared 1.4km City footpaths, cycleways, We made it easier to pathway along Bareki of new shared pathways traffic facilities and street access our City on foot Road, Eleebana (800m) furniture were inspected with construction of and another from Creek for safety as part of 1.335km of new footpaths Reserve Road, Speers 7km Point to Glendale (300m). of new on-road Council’s due diligence during the year, at Warner cycleways procedures and responsive Street, Warners Bay (65m); The Fernleigh Track was maintenance was performed Mariner Drive, Eleebana extended along Alick Street, as scheduled. (145m); Mulbinga Street, Belmont (305m). 10 bus shelters Kerb extensions, guardrails Charlestown (130m); We constructed 7km of new completed and traffic calming projects Charles Street, Charlestown on-road cycleways along: were completed, and a (135m); James Street, Toonibal Avenue, Eleebana roundabout at Minmi Road Charlestown (130m); Powell (150m); Wyee Road, Wyee and Northlakes Drive is Street, Charlestown (20m); (1.2km); Yarrawonga Park ontrack for completion in Dora Street, Morisset (35m); Road, Yarrawonga Park late 2016. Hutchinson Street, Redhead (1.34km); Ilford Avenue, (100m); Woods Street, Arcadia Vale (1.6km); Redhead (105m); Brown and Weir Road, Teralba User-friendly bus shelters Street, Redhead (50m); and (2.72km). Community access to Old Belmont Road, Belmont public transport services North (220m). improved this year with 10 bus shelters installed or New cycleways and upgraded across the City, shared pathways in the suburbs of Argenton, Boolaroo, Belmont North We exceeded our targets (x 2), Cardiff, Edgeworth to construct 6km of on Floraville, Gateshead, and off-road cycleways Glendale and Wyee Point. throughout the City during The shelters are designed the year, with delivery with people of all abilities of 1.4km of new shared in mind and comply with pathways and 7km of Disability Discrimination Act on-road cycleways. requirements.

Provide and maintain drainage infrastructure Delivery Program priority 4.2

Priority drainage works A major drainage Closed circuit television 4 Council completed three improvement project for (CCTV) pipe inspections stormwater infrastructure high priority stormwater Station Street, Bonnells were completed and the projects complete upgrade projects at Arcadia Bay, worth $1.2 million, data used to confirm the Vale, Coal Point and Wyee. commenced during the condition of the pipe and pit A drainage easement and year and was 70 per cent network and identify critical pipe upgrade at Yarrawonga complete and three weeks infrastructure risks. Park Road, Yarrawonga ahead of schedule at the Park was also undertaken end of June. to redirect stormwater run- off from the road system.

68 Annual Report 2015-2016 Provide and maintain road infrastructure Delivery Program priority 4.3

Smoother, safer journeys Kerb and gutter Yarrawonga Park Road, Yarrawonga Park (926m); 90km Council reconstructed or Council constructed more of existing roads were Ilford Avenue, Arcadia Vale resealed 90km of our City’s than six kilometres of new resealed or reconstructed existing roads this year, kerb and gutter throughout (777m); Wyee Road, Wyee (1.665km); and Government and sealed gravel roads the year, against a target 2km at Becks Road, Freemans of 2.4km. Road, Wyee (673m). gravel roads sealed Waterhole (1.6km), and in Major projects included kerb Awaba and Eraring (400m). and gutter works at George Street, Barnsley (1km); >6km kerb and gutter constructed Challenges and targets not met

1 of 15 performance indicators were not met during the year.

Footpath construction completed with the budget Council fell short of its target to available in 2015-2016. Construction 85% construct 1.335km of new footpaths works at Park Street, Belmont complete during the year. Site constraints in (200m) were outstanding as at a number of locations meant that 30 June 2016, but scheduled for construction costs were significantly completion in 2016-2017. higher than forecast. As a result, the full extent of footpath could not be

Looking forward

Complete 1.6km of footpaths Complete three high-priority and 6km of on- and off-road stormwater infrastructure cycleways. upgrade projects and implement an improved maintenance Install or upgrade eight bus procedure for our stormwater shelters. quality devices. Provide transport, road and drainage works for the Toronto Streetscape Master Plan.

Annual Report 2015-2016 69 urban and economic development

We made strong steps for our future prosperity this year, in partnership with the City’s economic development company, Dantia, and through development of our new Destination Marketing Plan. Our online tourism marketing is gaining increasing traction, with increased hits to our tourism website. Council continued its excellent performance in reducing processing times for development applications and worked alongside the business and development industry to forge the right outcomes for our City, based on sustainable and socially responsible economic growth.

Strategic Direction A well designed, adaptable and liveable City. Objective The City’s economy prospers, with managed growth that enhances quality of life, while balancing employment and environmental aims.

Snapshot of performance 27 of 27 targets achieved

70 Annual Report 2015-2016 Develop sustainable and socially responsible economic growth Delivery Program priority 5.1

Dantia fosters Improving the identity installed on the Corner innovation of our town centres Woodford Street and 100% of Dantia's targets met The Lake Macquarie Council adopted a new Newcastle Link Road, Economic Development streetscape master plan Cameron Park; George Company, Dantia, delivers for Glendale in June, Booth Drive, Seahampton; economic development which provides a blueprint Freemans Drive, Freemans 1 activities to support for improved pedestrian Waterhole; Wyee Road, streetscape master plan adopted retention and growth of accessibility and safety Wyee; and Rutleys Road, existing local businesses, throughout the centre, with Wyee Point. and attract more business better linkages between the 5 to Lake Macquarie City. town centre and the natural town entry signs Dantia met all of its second- environment. The plan will installed year performance targets enhance the character while making a significant of Glendale by providing leap forward in its work opportunities for public art, to foster innovators and high quality street furniture, entrepreneurs in the City trees, lighting and paving. this year, with the opening Council continued its of the Dantia Smart Hub roll-out of new City entry (DasH), a co-working space statements throughout the in Charlestown. DaSH year, with new signs provides an appealing modern workspace for local start-ups and functions as a hub for professional networking and the exchange of ideas.

Annual Report 2015-2016 71 Maximise economic benefit from tourism Delivery Program priority 5.2

New Destination Lake Mac Tourism website Marketing Plan ambassadors sought hits increase 105 members in new A new annual Destination We launched the Lake Mac The popularity of our online tourism partnership Marketing Plan for Lake Ambassador campaign local tourism information Macquarie City was finalised to encourage residents to has continued to increase, in August and includes get to know their City and with 28220 more visits 28,220 strategies to promote Lake promote it to friends and to the Lake Mac Tourism more visits to the Macquarie through the relatives. Residents were website, up from 125,141 in Tourism website Legendary Pacific Coast encouraged to visit different 2014-2015 to 153,361 Touring Program, the Lake locations throughout in 2015-2016. Mac Ambassador Program the City, and have their and the Tourism Partnership ambassador passports Program. stamped so they could enter in a prize draw. Pacific Coast Touring Program Partnership program for Lake Macquarie Tourism’s tourism operators participation in the A new Tourism Partnership Legendary Pacific Coast Program approved by Touring Program was Council in 2015 has confirmed during the year attracted 105 members and promotion through in its first year. the pacificcoast.com.au website commenced.

72 Annual Report 2015-2016 Develop tools to guide sustainable, safe and attractive development and infrastructure Delivery Program priority 5.3

The City’s Pelican and Smart City, adaptation plans Blacksmiths plan Smart Council 1st adaptation plan The City’s first local area Consultation commenced Council’s first-ever digital adopted by Council adaptation plan was in November to develop economy strategy, Lake adopted by Council in a local adaptation plan Mac Smart City, Smart March. The Marks Point for the Pelican and Council, was formally 800 responses to consultation and Belmont South Plan Blacksmiths area. In adopted in March. The on parking will allow people to March, residents were strategy was developed continue to live and build given the opportunity with the community and in these areas as sea and to engage with Council provides the City with $14,000 lake levels continue to rise. staff and independent a long-term vision for for heritage restoration Community involvement specialists in coastal, capitalising on new will remain a central focus channel and flooding high-speed broadband for Council as we begin hazards, and to explore enabled technologies to to implement priority ways we can plan for create a more connected, actions within the plan. future uncertainty. innovative and resilient City - a Smart City. In light of the actions identified, work has Stronger heritage commenced to review protection land use planning and Council continued to development controls, identify and manage including controls around heritage values and building heights, setbacks, mechanisms to filling of land prone to support conservation sea level rise and at a high level. We adaptable housing. successfully delivered the Local Heritage Fund grants program, providing $14,000 to enable restoration and maintenance of heritage items in the City.

Annual Report 2015-2016 73 Our median determination time for development applications was just 20 days.

City-wide Council received 600 survey while our performance Building relationships parking strategy responses and more than exceeded targets across all with the development Council is preparing a 800 comments identifying application types as follows: industry City-wide Parking Strategy parking and other • fast track – 15 days Council staff attended to provide a long-term transport issues. (target – 20 days); development industry plan for the provision and • general – 20 days forums including the management of parking Faster development (target – 30 days); Property Council, Urban across the City. The Development Institute of assessment • medium – 58 days Strategy will enable the City Australia, Building Surveyors Council continued to (target – 60 days); and to better prepare, – Housing Industry improve its performance in plan for, and manage • major – 67 days Association. Council also development assessment parking issues. (target – 90 days). hosted meetings with during the year and our Our median timeframe development industry Council launched a City- technical and supervisory for approvals continues to representatives. wide parking survey staff were available to be below NSW and Group 5 during the year to gather facilitate the delivery of Council averages. community feedback on timely decisions. how parking is currently We achieved a median used throughout Lake determination time of 20 Macquarie City. days for all applications,

Ensure responsible development Delivery Program priority 5.4

Electronic Long-term land Erosion control assessment process use planning for the City 60 mobile devices for To further streamline the We launched Shape We visited 1544 development inspections process for development Your Future, a City-wide development sites across inspections, Council engagement program to the City this year to 1544 implemented an inspection develop a new statement proactively monitor, promote erosion control app tool and provided 60 of vision and values for and enforce effective inspections mobile devices for staff to the City and gather ideas erosion and sediment assist them in processing that will inform our new controls. inspections on site. Community Strategic Plan and long-term land use planning.

74 Annual Report 2015-2016 Developer contributions Delivery Program priority 5.5

Contribution plans for Examples include open background studies will be Charlestown, Glendale, space, recreation facilities, reported to Council for Belmont and Toronto car parking and community exhibition in 2016-2017. Councils must adopt facilities. Projections for development contributions plans before Council approved the in the Belmont they levy developer Glendale Contributions Contributions Catchment contributions. Catchment Plan in May. were also completed during A contributions plan The draft Toronto the year. identifies public services Contributions Catchment and amenities to meet the plan and associated demand of development.

Challenges and targets not met

All 27 performance indicators were met during the year.

Looking forward

Continue to promote Lake Complete the Shape your Macquarie destinations and Future engagement program services through the Legendary and deliver a new set of vision Pacific Coast Touring Route and values for the City. Program. Work with the community to develop a local adaption plan for Pelican and Blacksmiths.

Annual Report 2015-2016 75 civic leadership

Council provides opportunities for the community to participate in decision making and engage on key issues affecting the City. Faster response times to customer enquiries and new ways to access advice, services and resources online or with specialist face-to-face support, reflect our commitment to delivering excellent customer service. We continue streamline and develop our systems to deliver a highly integrated approach to planning and reporting that helps us identify the changing needs of our community and respond with services and facilities that maintain and improve their quality of life. Strategic Direction Provide open and ethical leadership that is accountable to, and works with, the community to provide services and facilities that satisfy their needs while providing a sustainable future for the City and the region. Objective Deliver Council’s support, regulatory and corporate functions in an open, efficient and cost-effective manner.

Snapshot of performance 27 of 27 targets achieved

76 Annual Report 2015-2016 Customer service Delivery Program priority 6.1

Customer Online customer services response times 84.4% We are continuing to of calls answered Council continued to develop and expand within 30 seconds strive for excellence in our online information timely customer service services across social throughout the year, media, our website and 27,336 achieving average wait e-news services. Council’s follow us on social media times at our customer social media following service counter that were reached 27,336 across 61 seconds faster than all its platforms during the 4.46M our target. year, and we established a website visits A total of 84.7 per cent LinkedIn account. of calls to Council’s Visits to our website Customer Service Centre increased by close to six were answered within 30 per cent, from 4,210,138 seconds, which is 4.4 per visits in 2014-2015 to cent higher than our target, 4,461,063 in 2015-2016. while 84.7 per cent of calls We now publish three to the Service Centre e-newsletters (Your City were dealt with at first Online, What’s on and contact, well above our Over 55s) which are target of 80 per cent. steadily growing in popularity. Distribution increased to 27 issues in 2015-2016, with a base of 3938 subscribers.

Annual Report 2015-2016 77 Community engagement Delivery Program priority 6.2

Community satisfaction We launched 18 Keeping our community levels high sites through our informed 93% satisfaction rating Council’s community survey engagement portal Council provides information in April 2016 revealed that haveyoursaylakemac. to the community using a 93 per cent of residents com.au, which attracted range of media streams 26,500 were at least somewhat 26,500 visits and provided including traditional media visited our have your say satisfied with Council’s a mechanism for the outlets, social media, website performance. community to engage marketing, consultation and directly on a range of issues Satisfaction with Council’s industry-specific media. We 245 during the year. provision of information issued 266 media releases citizens naturalised improved between 2014 Pages 38 to 41 of this and articles this year as and 2016, with survey report provide detail of our part of our proactive media results indicating a rating of community engagement strategy. 266 3.47 in 2016 compared to program in 2015-2016. Council's online media media releases issued 3.45 out of 5 in 2014. centre was launched in A connected and June, with Flickr photo inclusive community Engagement on galleries and YouTube major issues Council’s major community videos. Council staff Through Council’s events, such as the ever- will continue to extend engagement program, popular Living Smart the reach of Council’s thousands of residents Festival, Carols by communications through provided valuable input Candlelight and Lake specialist media and its and feedback on major Macquarie Festival were content strategy for the new issues affecting the held during the year. media centre. City this year, including We also welcomed new development of our Digital members of our community, Economy Strategy and with 245 residents our Multicultural Plan; naturalised in four Council- redevelopment of Hunter run citizenship ceremonies. Sports Centre; opportunities for new housing, jobs and improved open space in Windale; and planning for future flood risks at Dora Creek, Pelican and Blacksmiths.

78 Annual Report 2015-2016 Governance Delivery Program priority 6.3

Effective council Hunter Regional Weeds • Cultural diversity – NSW meetings Committee, Regional Department of Fair Council met regularly as Emergency Management Trading multicultural scheduled during the year Committee and Lake consultation; and in accordance with Macquarie Local Emergency • Smart Cities – Local Council’s Code of Meeting Management Committee. Government involvement Practice. Meetings were for transitioning to digital Advocacy for our City advertised accordingly economy; renewable in local papers and on During the year, Council energy forum for the Council's website. advocated for our City on Hunter; SOLGM Future Councillors were able to a broad range of matters Workforce Forum; and including: access accurate information • Planning – we engaged in a timely manner through • Transport – we sought and provided information regular briefing sessions and funding for the Lake to the Joint Regional advisory committees. Macquarie Transport Planning Panel and Interchange, liaised with SEPP65 (Design Promoting relationships NSW Regional Transport Quality of Residential with key agencies regarding installation of Apartment Development) Council staff played an bike racks on buses, Committee, and gave active role in regional, and participated in the feedback on the NSW state and national forums Hunter Public Transport Planning Reforms. to build relationships with Roundtable; We also established a key agencies and share • Funding – we sought working group to progress their knowledge and improved funding for ideas for the future use experience of best practice. Financial Assistance of Holmesville Tennis This included participation Grants for local Courts and participated in in networks and forums government; the Newcastle and Lake such as Hunter Councils, • Social services – we Macquarie Career and LGNSW Learning and participated in the Training Expo. Development Network NSW Council of Social and forum on service Services round table delivery, LG Professionals discussion with local benchmarking workshops, State Members of capacity building for the Parliament to raise National Disability Insurance issues regarding Scheme, the Elder abuse homelessness, housing, collaborative, Indigenous and child poverty; Fire Management Forum,

Annual Report 2015-2016 79 Long-term financial planning and modelling Delivery Program priority 6.4

Accountability and and one-off grant funds for works; $33,000 for disability transparency 70 programs and projects, pool hoists at Charlestown $25 M The 2014-2015 accounts including $8 million for and Morisset swim centres; in grants received were submitted to the Lake Macquarie Transport and $85,000 for urban Office of Local Government Interchange, $500,000 creek restoration. on 29 October 2015 and for Lake Mac Libraries; presented to the public on $489,000 for car and 10 November 2015. trailer parking at Thomas Humphreys Reserve During the year, Council Swansea; $313,000 for received more than bush fire hazard reduction $25 million in recurrent

Long-term workforce planning Delivery Program priority 6.5

Workforce Management Increasing productivity These productivity Strategy Council made or improvements are Implementation of Council's investigated productivity documented on pages Workforce Management improvements across most 116 and 117 of this report. Strategy 2013-2017 areas of its operations, to continued in 2015-2016, save money and reduce with all four-year strategic environmental impacts while objectives on track for delivering improved services completion by June 2017. to the community. Internal support services Delivery Program priority 6.6

Our corporate management system with upgrades planned for software, Sycle continues to provide 2016-2017 to further enhance an integrated platform for activity integration. planning and performance reporting,

80 Annual Report 2015-2016 Plant and fleet management Delivery Program priority 9.1

Council’s Fleet Management Strategy We achieved a 4.8 per cent continues to deliver financial and reduction in fuel consumption from environmental improvements. our passenger fleet, resulting in

Throughout 2015-2016, we worked a 4 per cent reduction in carbon to transform our fleet so that by emissions and estimated cost August 2016, all passenger and savings of $40,000. light commercial vehicles will be four-cylinder models.

Challenges and targets not met

All 27 performance targets were met during the year.

Looking forward

Ensure information about the Work with the community to roles and responsibilities of a develop a new long-term vision councillor are readily available and values for our City, to inform in the lead up to the Lake the next Community Strategic Macquarie Local Government Plan and City-wide land use election. Induct new Councillors strategy. and provide access to training, Implement three business support and resources. process improvements to enhance the quality of Council's interactions with customers.

Annual Report 2015-2016 81 business activities

Council is involved in a range of entrepreneurial activities. Profits generated by Council businesses are returned to the community through the provision of new or improved services and facilities. CiviLake CiviLake is Council’s principal provider of civil construction and maintenance, horticultural and building trade services. Additionally, CiviLake carries out external works and services for its public and private sector clients. CiviLake delivers quality works and services in a safe, cost-effective and environmentally-sound manner, providing solutions to meet its clients’ needs. Property and Business Development Property and Business Development maximises the long-term value of Council's property portfolio and provides a range of services including management of our holiday parks, as well as property valuation, land reclassifications, disposal and acquisition, car pool management, footway dining and road closures. Snapshot of performance 12 of 13 targets achieved

82 Annual Report 2015-2016 CiviLake Generate a commercial return for Council on its investment in external works Delivery Program priority 7.1

CiviLake completed $63 clients, which represents million worth of construction 7.6 per cent of annual $63M and maintenance activities turnover, well above of works completed during the year. Works Council’s target of included $4.8 million in 5 per cent. contracts for external

Bulk construction materials procurement, recycling and sustainability Delivery Program priority 7.2

CiviLake continued to a private subdivision and delivered 6,188 tonnes manage bulk material re-used for earthworks of public road material 178,388 tonnes of material at or from its worksites at the Cameron Park to another project during diverted from landfill and in accordance with Recreation Area. the year. constructively re-used Environmental Protection A further 13,700 tonnes Filling and capping authority requirements, and of material was generated required for Stage 1 of in a manner that minimises by a private subdivision the Sustainable Resource waste and maximises and re-used for the partial Centre site was slightly recycling opportunities. rehabilitation of a dormant ahead of schedule at During 2015-2016, Council quarry. the end of June. CiviLake redirected 178,388 On behalf of Roads and tonnes of bulk material, Maritime Services, CiviLake worth $188,000, away also stabilised 8,500 tonnes from landfill. of pavement material in situ Around 150,000 tonnes and excavated and of virgin excavated natural material was generated by

Annual Report 2015-2016 83 Provision of high quality infrastructure works that have a positive impact on the community Delivery Program priority 7.3

Breakdown of works Responding to service requests 13,809 The $63 million worth of service requests works CiviLake completed 13,809 responses completed in 2015-2016 included $25 to service requests million of maintenance, $25 were completed while million of road and drainage successfully reducing the construction, $10 million of backlog of public tree minor asset replacement service requests from more and three million of building than 1200 to around 950. construction works during the year.

Property and Business Development Provide a high standard of facilities for holiday parks Delivery Program priority 8.1

Holiday Park At Wangi Wangi, a section Strategic marketing 9 improvements of road within holiday park Strategic marketing of improvement projects Capital improvements was repaired and resealed. our holiday parks completed were made to the Holiday Stage 4 of the Landscape continues to improve, Parks were delivered in Master Plan for Swansea with an increasing focus 60 accordance with the Gardens Holiday Park was on social media and digital actions completed to five-year business plan implemented. Extensive tree marketing. Sixty actions improve marketing for each park. planting, new gardens and were implemented under A new recreation room and turfing works completed the Strategic Marketing barbecue was completed during the year have Plan during the year, at Blacksmiths Beachside beautified the park while resulting in additional Holiday Park. improving shade and business and a higher grassed areas. level of engagement The reception area and with customers. office at Belmont Pines Council also completed Holiday Park was improved substantial work on a and extended, and a larger new amenities block workshop and storage for Swansea Gardens building was built. Designs commenced in May and were also completed for was on track for completion a new recreation room in August 2016. The block and barbecue facility, and includes stylish bathrooms for high priority foreshore with new showers and stabilisation works. toilets.

84 Annual Report 2015-2016 Increase net yield on commercial and residential properties Delivery Program priority 8.2

Council completed of Council-owned land Town Centre development classified as ‘operational’. 3 development reports reports for Charlestown, Investment properties completed Toronto, Belmont and were reviewed and Warners Bay town recommendations centres. The reports detail provided for potential development opportunities property investment and constraints, and and/or development as identify options to opportunities are identified. value-add or dispose

Challenges and targets not met

One of 13 performance indicators was not met during the year.

Nine of ten capital works planned for the year were completed. 90% The remaining project, Swansea of capital works projects completed Amenities No 1 refurbishment, commenced in May and was on track for completion in August 2016.

Looking forward

Ensure all construction and Complete the works program maintenance programs are and implement the marketing completed in accordance with plan for Council-managed agreed levels of service. holiday parks. Carry out external works that Continue the strategic target optimum utilisation of commercial review of Council’s resources and an appropriate property investment portfolio to return on investment. identify properties that do not Ensure bulk materials at and/ meet our investment objectives or removed from work sites is and provide recommendations managed in accordance with for their divestment, regulatory requirements and in redevelopment and where a manner that both minimises relevant, acquisition of additional waste and maximises recycling properties. opportunities.

Annual Report 2015-2016 85 OUR REPORTS

86 Annual Report 2015-2016 about our reports

In addition to reporting on our achievements in implementing the Delivery Program, Council reports annually to the community on its business activities and financial performance, as well as on the state of our City’s infrastructure assets and the state of the environment.

Under the Integrated Planning The Annual Report also includes and Reporting Framework, a information prescribed by the Local comprehensive State of the Government (General) Regulation Environment Report is required every 2005. These requirements have been four years. This report is required included in the Regulation because for 2015-2016 and is published as the information is important and a separate volume of this Annual helps the community understand Report. how their Council has performed, both as a service provider and a community leader.

Annual Report 2015-2016 87 fair and equal employment

Council’s Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan provides a range of strategies to ensure that Council operates within the principles of fairness and equity. The Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan 2014-2018 builds on Council’s previous efforts to develop a culture that supports and promotes an equitable and diverse workforce.

The plan requires that all our delivered an ongoing leadership introduced an Education to employees adopt fair practices, make program for supervisors and Employment program, which is a unbiased decisions, and recognise team leaders, and completed framework to build the number of and respect the social, personal and a pilot of an emerging leader trainees, apprentices and cadets cultural attributes of fellow staff. program focused on skills and employed directly by Council. 17 Council implemented several professional development. The participants have been employed strategies during 2015-2016 to program is designed to build the in the program with many in non- support these objectives: management capability of our traditional areas, such as events, existing and future leaders; arts administration, business re-energised the existing Equal analysis, building surveying and completed a training program Employment Opportunity Contact sustainability. An Aboriginal and predominantly for outdoor staff to Officer Network to provide Torres Strait Islander trainee build their skills in English literacy, ongoing support and assistance is at Toronto Library studying numeracy and digital technology. for employees; Library Information Systems. The More than 170 staff completed program demonstrates Council’s included an online module the program; on bullying and harassment ongoing commitment, as one awareness for all new starters; developed resources to reduce of the largest employers in the loss of workforce skills as mature region, to creating employment continued to exhibit at the aged workers retire; opportunities and skill Newcastle Lake Macquarie development in our local area; Career and Training Expo promoting Council as a great place to work and encouraging people from many industries and fields to consider a career in Council;

88 Annual Report 2015-2016 implemented a workforce Workforce diversity planning framework across all Council participates in industry departments, with consideration benchmarking which provides to succession planning, skills workforce data on diversity. Council recognition, targeted career uses this data and its analysis to planning, and equity and diversity, manage: recognising that our people are our greatest asset; gender diversity, including: a gender-diverse succession of conducted cultual awareness emerging leaders; and gender training for relevant departments turnover rates. and roles to enhance knowledge and skills of employees; and age diversity, including: attraction and retention of young people; supported carers through our attraction and retention of mature Enterprise Agreement provisions. aged workers; and succession The 2014 Employment planning. Agreement introduces Carer Break Leave. Increased access to extended leave recognises the additional responsibilities of carers within the community and our workplace.

Annual Report 2015-2016 89 work, health and safety

The safety and wellbeing of our people and the broader community is our number one priority. Council has developed strategies aimed at continually improving the organisation’s Work, Health and Safety (WHS) performance. This year, we achieved a number of milestones.

WHS management Safety culture Safety system Council’s staff safety culture Management Plan continues to strengthen. In the most As a condition of our Workers’ Council has completed its Safety recent Staff Culture (VOICE) Survey Compensation Self Insurer Licence, Management Plan 2014-2016 and conducted in 2015, 93 per cent of Council’s Safety Management achieved positive results across the respondents agreed that keeping System is externally audited every majority of indicators. high levels of health and safety is a three years by the State Insurance priority of Council. This represents a In 2015-2016, we delivered: Regulatory Authority, formerly three per cent improvement on the WorkCover Authority. initiatives that helped achieve our result achieved in the 2013 survey, lost time injury reduction targets; The most recent audit, conducted and is 20 per cent better than the in November 2014, resulted in average performance of the initiatives to improve compliance Council achieving an unprecedented 2700 organisations that participate in to our Safety Management 100 per cent conformance to the the VOICE surveys across Australia. System with regard to high-risk audit criteria, with no additional work; and In October 2015, we participated recommendations made. in the National Safe Work Month, our internal WHS auditing Our Safety Management Team with a focus on Mental Health. We program across the whole conducts a program of internal participate in the event each year, organisation. audit of departments each year and this year, staff participation was aimed at continuous improvement higher than previous years, with the in the implementation of our safety majority of feedback being positive system. Departments are routinely and indicating the relevance of the achieving and exceeding the 85 per topics. Activities included a series cent conformance target, which of presentations on mental health, demonstrates a strong level of recognition and awards for staff implementation and compliance safety, and distribution of resources across the organisation. promoting mental health and wellbeing.

90 Annual Report 2015-2016 103 93 81

68 57

44 44

33

2014/15 2015/16

LOST TIME MEDICAL FIRST AID NIL INJURIES TREATMENT INJURIES ONLY TREATMENT

WHS performance Council’s injury reduction strategies have seen solid improvements in performance for 2015- 2016, in terms of the number and severity of injuries, the number of hours lost due to injury, and the overall cost of injury claims.

Injury performance: During 2015-2016, we experienced 180 total injuries, an improvement on the previous year, in which we experienced 194. Total injuries include 7.2% provision of first aid, medical treatment and lost time injuries. Nil treatment injuries 180 total injuries increased during the year, which reflects improved early reporting practices.

Injury severity: The severity of injuries has decreased over the reporting period, with a reduction in lost time injuries from 57 in 2014-2015 to 33 in 2015-2016. Medical 42.1% treatment injuries were the same as the previous year, at 44. First aid injuries increased 33 lost time injuries from 93 in 2014-2015 to 103 in 2015-2016.

Hours lost: During 2015-2016, the total lost time injury hours fell to 2500, compared to 5621 in 2014-2015, and average hours lost per injury also trended downwards to 76 in 55.5% 2015-2016, compared to an average of 99 hours lost in 2014-2015. 2500 hours lost

Claims costs: The total cost of injury claims in 2015-2016 has decreased to $221,691, compared to $357,415 paid in 2014-2015. 37.9% $221,691 total cost

Annual Report 2015-2016 91 companion animals

Our Rangers are responsible for enforcing companion animal laws, as well as educating the community about responsible pet ownership. Council spent $1,386,409 on companion animal activities and received $357,387 in companion animal revenue in 2015-2016.

Impounded animals Registration registrations of 845. The project has also resulted in a significant number Council Rangers impounded 1134 Ranger project of people updating their address stray pets during the year. The In 2015-2016, Council was and ownership details with the NSW rangers were able to release 548 successful with an application for Pet Registry. These corrections to pets to their owners and transported grant funding from the Office of the Registry increase the chances the remaining 586 pets to the Local Government under year two of returning animals impounded by RSPCA. of the Responsible Pet Ownership Council Rangers to their owners. Grants Program. Dog attacks The Responsible Pet Ownership Grants Program provides funding Over the past year, Council rangers Responsible pet to councils to target programs that received 490 reports of alleged dog increase microchipping, lifetime ownership education attacks. Of these attacks, 414 were registration and desexing rates, Rangers continue to deliver considered to be minor attacks and and address dangerous dog issues education programs, media 76 were major attacks. in the community. campaigns and free microchipping The funding from this program days to increase responsible dog Promoting the desexing contributed towards Council’s and cat ownership. Through these Registration Ranger project. programs, Council emphasises the of dogs and cats importance of microchipping, as it This project aims to increase To promote the importance of can increase the chance of owners companion animal registrations being reunited with their pet. desexing pets and assist owners in and educate owners of their paying for the procedure, Council responsibilities as a companion If a Ranger collects an animal, participates in National Desexing animal owner. Since this project it is checked for identification and Month each July. commenced in October 2015, there returned to the owner as the first Rangers promote the importance has been an estimated comparative option. If the owner cannot be of desexing pets through media increase in companion animal identified, a Ranger will take the and communication campaigns, animal to the RSPCA pound at as well as by working with Hunter Animal Watch.

92 Annual Report 2015-2016 Rutherford, where it is held pending being claimed by the owner. If the animal is not claimed, Council’s Off-leash areas for dogs pound agent, the RSPCA, will assess the animal for its suitability Council provides off-leash areas for dogs at: for re-homing. Barnsley Coal Point Toronto Online information at lakemac.com.au also Belmont North Croudace Bay Valentine educates people about their Buttaba Dora Creek West Wallsend responsibilities as pet owners. Blackalls Park Gateshead Windale Blacksmiths Marks Point Wyee Bolton Point Morisset Alternatives to Bonnells Bay Rathmines euthanasia for Booragul Redhead Beach unclaimed animals Cardiff Redhead The RSPCA has established Caves Beach Speers Point relationships with various companion Charlestown Swansea animal welfare groups to increase the number of animals being For details of off-leash areas, visit lakemac.com.au. re-homed in the community.

Annual Report 2015-2016 93 external bodies exercising Council functions

Hunter Resource Hunter Integrated Delegated authority Recovery Pty Ltd Resources Pty Ltd to external bodies Hunter Resource Recovery Pty Hunter Integrated Resources Pty Ltd Council delegates authority to Ltd provides Council's kerbside (HIR), was established to administer external groups to manage and recycling service and is jointly the Hunter Region Waste Project operate public facilities. This owned and operated by Lake on behalf of the member councils, arrangement is more efficient Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, for Council and gives the and Singleton councils. Maitland and Newcastle. community greater ownership of The Waste Project was terminated public facilities, such as sporting Hunter Resource Recovery manages in 2009; however, the HIR company and recreation facilities and the kerbside recycling collection structure is being retained as a community halls and centres. services contract with Solo potential vehicle for other activities Resource Recovery and subsequent in the future. recyclables processing by Visy Recycling, as well as services to allow residents to properly dispose of e-waste and other household items.

The care, control and management of community halls and centres

Facility External body

Dudley Senior Citizens Centre Dudley Combined Pensioners and Senior Citizens Inc.

Holmesville Community Hall Holmesville Community Hall Operating Committee

John Young Community Hall John Young Community Hall Operating Committee

Marks Point Community Hall Marks Point Community Hall Operating Committee

Rathmines Community Hall Rathmines Community Hall Operating Committee

Redhead Community Library Redhead Community Library Operating Committee

Ulinga Park Community Hall Ulinga Youth Centre Inc.

Windale Community Hall Windale Community Hall Operating Committee

Wyee Community Hall Wyee Community Hall Operating Committee

94 Annual Report 2015-2016 The care, control and management of child care centres

Facility External body

Birralee Longday Care Centre Whitebridge Birralee Longday Care Centre Elected Management Committee

Bolton Point Child Care Centre Bolton Point Child Care Elected Committee

Cardiff Early Education and Care Centre Cardiff Early Education and Care Elected Committee

Charlestown Child Care and Early Learning Centre Charlestown Child Care and Early Learning Elected Committee

Eastlake Community Child Care Centre Belmont Community Child Care Elected Committee

Edgeworth Child Care Centre Edgeworth Child Care Elected Committee

Glendale Early Education Centre Glendale Early Education Elected Committee

KU Kahibah Road Child Care Centre KU Children’s Services

Mount Hutton Child Care Centre Mount Hutton Child Care Elected Committee

Peter Pan Kindergarten, Wangi Wangi Peter Pan Kindergarten Elected Committee

Redhead Community Preschool Redhead Community Preschool Elected Committee

Toronto Community Preschool Toronto Community Preschool Elected Committee

Warners Bay Early Learning and Care Centre Warners Bay Early Learning and Care Elected Committee

Woodrising Community Preschool and Child Care Centre Woodrising Community Preschool Elected Committee

The care, control and management of sporting and recreation facilities

Facility External body

Aitchison Reserve Belmont Swansea Junior Soccer Club Inc.

Auston Oval and Bernie Goodwin Reserve Morisset United Football Club Inc.

Awaba Oval Awaba Oval Community Operating Committee

Bahloo Reserve, Windale Bahloo Reserve Community Operating Committee

Balcomb Field, Dudley Balcomb Field Community Operating Committee

Baxter Field, Marks Point Baxter Field Community Operating Committee

Belmont North Netball Courts Belmont North Netball Club Inc.

Belmont Ovals (Cahill, Miller, Barton and Lumsden Ovals) Belmont Ovals Community Operating Committee

Bill Bower Oval, Glendale Glendale Ovals Community Operating Committee

Blackalls Park (Finnan, Waterboard, Croft and Todd Street Ovals) Blackalls Park Ovals Community Operating Committee

Blacksmiths Oval Belmont Swansea United Football Club Inc.

Blacksmiths Tennis Courts Blacksmiths Tennis Club Inc.

Bolton Point Tennis Courts Bolton Point Tennis Club Inc.

Bonnells Bay Netball Courts Morisset Netball Club Inc.

Cardiff Ovals (No 1, 2 and 3 Ovals) Cardiff Ovals Community Operating Committee

Cardiff Park Tennis Courts Cardiff Park Tennis Community Operating Committee

Caves Beach Netball Courts Caves Beach Netball Inc.

Caves Beach Tennis Courts Caves Beach Tennis Club Inc.

Chapman Oval, Swansea Swansea Football Club Inc.

Charlestown Oval Charlestown Junior Football Club Inc.

Cooranbong Recreation and Equestrian Reserve Community Cooranbong Recreation and Equestrian Reserve Operating Committee

Annual Report 2015-2016 95 Facility External body

Croudace Bay Sports Complex Valentine Eleebana Netball Inc. Valentine Eleebana JRLFC Inc. Valentine Eleebana Football Club Inc.

Dora Creek Ovals (Douglass Street Ovals) Dora Creek Ovals Community Operating Committee

Edgeworth Junior Football Edgeworth Junior Soccer Club Inc.

Edgeworth Little Athletics Edgeworth and District Little Athletics Centre Inc.

Edgeworth Netball Sugar Valley Netball Inc.

Eleebana Oval Valentine Eleebana Soccer Club Inc.

Evans Park, Cardiff Cardiff Junior Football Club Inc.

Fassifern Oval Westlakes Archers Inc.

Feighan Oval, Warners Bay Feighan Oval Community Operating Committee

Finnan Oval, Water Board Oval and Blackalls Park Ovals Blackalls Park Ovals Community Operating Committee

Fishburn Fields, Rathmines Westlakes Wildcats Junior Football Club Inc.

Fred Wright Oval, Gateshead Kahibah Football Club Inc.

Gateshead Ovals (Allen Davis and Ernie Calland Fields) Gateshead Ovals Community Operating Committee

Gibson Field, Morisset Southern Lakes Rugby Union Club Inc.

Gregory Park, West Wallsend (Les Wakeman Field) Gregory Park Community Operating Committee

Harold Knight Oval, Gateshead Charlestown City Blues Football Club Inc.

Hillsborough Oval Cardiff Junior Australian Football Club Inc.

Hillsborough Tennis Courts Hillsborough Tennis Club Inc.

Holford Oval, Mount Hutton Valentine Eleebana Football Club Inc.

Jack Stewart Netball Courts, Charlestown Charlestown Netball Association Inc.

John Street Field, Warners Bay Warners Bay Soccer Club Inc.

Johnston Park, West Wallsend West Wallsend Senior Soccer Club Ltd

Kahibah Oval and Andy Bird Field, Kahibah Kahibah Ovals Community Operating Committee

Keith Barry Oval, Toronto West Keith Barry Ovals Community Operating Committee

Kindyerra Reserve, Argenton (Jack Edwards Fields) Argenton United Junior Soccer Club Inc.

Lake Macquarie City Petanque, Teralba Lake Macquarie City Petanque Club Inc.

Lakelands Oval Warners Bay Soccer Club Inc.

Lakelands Tennis Courts Lakelands Tennis Club Inc.

Lance York Field, Garden Suburb Garden Suburb Soccer Club Inc.

Lenaghan Oval, Belmont North Belmont North Junior Rugby League Club Inc.

Liles Oval, Redhead Liles Ovals Community Operating Committee

Lisle Carr Field, Whitebridge Charlestown City Blues Football Club Inc.

Lydon Field, Dudley Dudley Redhead United Soccer Club Inc.

Macquarie Field, Speers Point Lake Macquarie City Football Club Inc.

Marks Oval, Floraville Belmont Football Club Ltd

Marks Oval Tennis Courts, Floraville Marks Oval Tennis Community Operating Committee

Martinsville Oval Martinsville Oval Community Operating Committee

Mick Middleton Field, Gateshead Kahibah Football Club Inc.

Molly Smith Netball Courts, Belmont Lakeside Netball Association Inc.

Mount Hutton Tennis Courts Mount Hutton Tennis Club Inc.

96 Annual Report 2015-2016 Facility External body

Nancy Dwyer and Ken Booth Netball Courts, Cardiff Cardiff Netball Club Inc.

Neegulbah Park, Macquarie Hills Cardiff and District Little Athletics Centre Inc.

New Tredinnick Fields, Speers Point Lake Macquarie Football Club Inc.

Parbury Park, Swansea Parbury Park Community Operating Committee

Peacock Field, Toronto Ovals Toronto Ovals Community Operating Committee

Pendlebury Oval, Bolton Point Lakers Baseball Club Inc.

Pickering Oval, Adamstown Heights Pickering Oval Community Operating Committee

Rathmines Tennis Courts Rathmines Tennis Club Inc.

Redhead Tennis Courts Redhead Tennis Club Inc.

Ron Hill Oval, Toronto Ron Hill Oval Community Operating Committee

St John Oval, Charlestown St John Oval Community Operating Committee

Swansea Equestrian Ground Swansea Horse and Riders Club Inc.

Swansea South Tennis Courts Swansea South Tennis Club Inc.

Taylor Park, Barnsley Taylor Park Community Operating Committee

Tulkaba Park, Teralba Lake Macquarie Australian Football Club Inc.

Ulinga Park, Cardiff South (Tennis and Netball Courts) Ulinga Youth Centre Inc.

Ulinga Park (Jack Neave Fields) Ulinga Park (Playing Fields) Community Operating Committee

Walters Park, Speers Point Lake Macquarie Rugby Club Inc.

Wangi Netball Courts Westlakes District Netball Association Inc.

Wangi Oval Wangi Oval Community Operating Committee

Warners Bay Netball Courts Warners Bay Netball Inc.

West Wallsend Tennis Courts West Wallsend Tennis Club Inc.

Windale Ovals (Hunter Barnett and Michael Bird Fields) Windale Ovals Community Operating Committee

Windsor Park, Gateshead Phoenix Charlestown Baseball Club Inc.

Woodrising Netball Courts Bolton Point Fennell Bay Netball Club Inc.

Wyee Community Tennis Courts Wyee Community Hall Community Operating Committee

Annual Report 2015-2016 97 partnerships, co-operatives and joint ventures

Program name Participants with Lake Macquarie City Council Description

Backyard and Beyond Hunter Valley Beekeepers Association, National Council partners with stakeholders to raise resident’s including Explore Our Parks Association NSW, Native Animal Trust Fund, awareness of importance of our natural environment. Great Outdoors Ocean and Coastal Care Initiatives (OCCI), Royal The program encourages residents to connect with natural Motor Yacht Club Toronto areas, modify their behaviours, and actively participate in community monitoring and other programs

Backyard Habitat for Hunter Indigenous Plants, Morisset Nursery, Participating nurseries offer native plants at discounted rate to Wildlife Newcastle Wildflower Nursery, Poppy's Garden Backyard Habitat for Wildlife program members Centre, Riverdene Nurseries

Business Battery Storage NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) An OEH workshop delivered with the support of Council Seminar to inform local businesses about battery energy storage technologies and techniques

Chemical Clean Out NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA), Residents are encouraged to drop off their household Glendale TAFE, Cleanaway chemical waste on two designated Saturdays, one in May and one October each year. This year Council partnered with Glendale TAFE as the drop-off location

Children's Week Narunbah, Early Links, Milabah Southlake Partners hosted a family fun day to Launch the Paint the Lake Neighbourhood Centre, Family Insight, Newcastle REaD program Men’s Shed

Clean Up Australia Day Clean Up Australia, Scouts, Guides, Lions Clubs, Council participates in Clean Up Australia Day and works with Sustainable Neighbourhood groups, Landcare communities to clean up and conserve our environment groups, environmental groups, bushwalking clubs and churches

ClubGrants All clubs in Lake Macquarie that meet the criteria for Council is part of the ClubGrants committee that assesses the ClubGrants funding program and ranks the applicants

Community development Various community organisations, government Staff in Council's Community Planning team work with a activities departments and agencies range of community and government stakeholders to deliver policies and programs for the social services in our City. This includes service programs for young people, crime prevention, Aboriginal people, people with a disability, older people, children and families, and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background

Community facilities Various community groups Community facilities managed on Council's behalf (under delegated authority), provide a broad range of services and activities in line with Council’s vision for the local community. These include services, activities and events for young people, Aboriginal people, people with a disability, older people, children and families, and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background

Community Recycling NSW EPA, Toxfree, Environmental Trust Household problem wastes (light globes, batteries, paints, Centre oils, gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, polystyrene) collected for free and processed by Toxfree

98 Annual Report 2015-2016 Program name Participants with Lake Macquarie City Council Description

Dantia The Lake Macquarie Economic Development Dantia works with business, government, the community and Company Ltd partners to advance the sustainable economic prosperity of Lake Macquarie City.

Domestic Violence Staying Home Leaving Violence project, NSW A partnership to raise awareness in the community about Committees Police, NSW Department of Family and Community domestic and family violence. Council also works in Services, Nova Women’s Accommodation and partnership with these committees to deliver events such Support Service, Southlakes Refuge, Domestic as the White Ribbon morning tea and the Reclaim the Night Violence Court Advocacy Service, Toronto Youth march Service, Department of Human Services, Community Corrections

Eco Angel program Tangaroa Blue, Sustainable Neighbourhood groups, Local groups, and businesses participate in the program and Combined Hunter Underwater Group, OCCI, encourage residents to take pride in their place. Tangaroa Inghams Lake Macquarie City Scouts Blue coordinate the Australian Marine Debris Database in which data collected from Eco Angel activities is stored and available for public access

Environmental Upgrade OEH, Clean Energy Finance Corporation A service provided by Council to help commercial building Agreements owners enhance the environmental performance and operational costs of their buildings. OEH provides ongoing coordination support to a group of councils providing the innovative finance product

E-waste collection (part of Hunter Resource Recovery (HRR) HRR provides a permanent e-waste drop-off location. As the the bulk waste collection) result of a successful community-based trial, e-waste is now collected as part of the community bulk waste collection

Garage Sale Trail Hunter councils, Hunter and Central Coast Regional A regional partnership to bring the National Garage Sale Environmental Management Strategy Program to the Hunter. The Garage Sale Trail promotes waste avoidance and re-use by providing a marketplace for second- hand items

Graffiti Hotspot Program Juvenile Justice NSW, Corrective Services NSW This program involves engaging offenders to remove graffiti from private property, commercial premises, and other locations around the City that Council is not responsible for maintaining

Harmony Day and Various community organisations, government A partnership to raise community awareness and deliver Refugee Week departments and agencies events to celebrate Harmony Day and Refugee Week

Hunter Central Coast Dungog, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Council entered into a partnership agreement in June Regional Illegal Dumping Maitland, Newcastle, Gosford, Wyong, Cessnock 2014 to commence planning and operation of a Regional Squad and Lake Macquarie Councils, NSW EPA, NSW Illegal Dumping squad. The RID squad is a partnership National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS), between 10 local councils and NSW EPA. The squad is Hunter Development Corporation (HDC) hosted by Lake Macquarie City Council and provides rangers at Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Wyong, Gosford, Singleton and Muswellbrook to tackle illegal dumping across the region. The RID Squad has completed joint on-ground operations with NSW EPA, NSW NPWS and HDC in the past financial year

Hunter Multicultural Expo Northern Settlement Services, Department of Human A partnership to deliver an expo promoting services to the Services, Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre, region's multicultural community TAFE and various multicultural and non-multicultural organisations

Hunter Region Sports Hunter Region Sports Centre The Hunter Region Sports Centre is owned by Council but Centre controlled by a community-based committee involving Council representatives, representatives of regional state athletics and gymnastics bodies, as well as a number of community representatives

International Day for Disability Network Hunter, Newcastle City Council, Council is a partner in the coordination of a regional program People with a Disability various community organisations, and government for International Day for People with a Disability departments and agencies

Lake Macquarie Air Local industry with air quality prescriptions in the Advisory group for air quality and air pollution management Quality Reference Group Environment Protection Licence for Industry in the City

Lake Macquarie Dune Hunter Water Corporation, Belmont Golf Club, Council partners with other coastal land owners to undertake Ecosystem Enhancement Belmont Wetlands State Park Trust, OEH dune rehabilitation between Redhead and Blacksmiths Program

Annual Report 2015-2016 99 Program name Participants with Lake Macquarie City Council Description

Lake Mac Loves Food Slow Food Hunter Valley, Belmont Neighbourhood A workshop series and 'talking' dinner event delivered in Workshop Series Centre conjunction with project partners to engage community on food waste avoidance

Lake Macquarie Youth Community Activities Lake Macquarie A partnership to resource and support the ongoing operations Advisory Council of Lake Macquarie Youth Advisory Council

Lead Expert NSW EPA, NSW Health, health and academic An initiative of NSW EPA, set up to provide technical advice Working Group experts about management of lead. Hosted by Council

Living Smart Festival Lake Macquarie Farmers Market, Hunter Resource A one-day community event in Speers Point Park supported Recovery, Bunnings Warehouse, Metro Cycles, by a number of project sponsors to engage the community on Hudson Homes, NBN, Newcastle Herald, The Good ways to integrate sustainability into everyday living Guys Warners Bay

Looking After Us and Lake Macquarie Support Services, All Saints Undertaken with grant funding from the Ministry for Police Our Place Belmont Anglican Church, Charlestown Caring and Emergency Services, the program involved emergency Group, Morisset and Toronto Meals on Wheels planning for vulnerable people via social service organisations Charlestown Meals on Wheels, Dora Creek Progress and working with the Dora Creek community to develop and Association, Dora Creek Sustainable Neighbourhood pilot a community safety plan Group, NSW State Emergency Service

NAIDOC Week Various community organisations, government A partnership to deliver events to celebrate NAIDOC Week, departments and agencies, and schools as well as providing funding to community organisations and schools to undertake activities

National Youth Week Various community organisations Council provided funding and worked with various community organisations to deliver nine events and activities to celebrate National Youth Week

OEH Energy Efficiency OEH OEH delivers energy efficiency training and provides follow-up Training - Lighting and technical support through preferred consultants and experts. HVAC Council has undertaken two training sessions and accessed support during 2015-2016

Over 55s Program Various community organisations, private This is a free program for residents aged 55 years and over businesses, government departments and agencies which focuses on health, safety and wellbeing. Sessions (previously Annual to deliver sessions included: introduction to yoga; memory changes; mobility Seniors Program) scooter safety; tai chi; hearing screenings; and lessons on using e-books, tablets and smartphones

Paint the Lake REaD Narunbah, Early Links, Milabah Southlake Supporting and encouraging the whole community to read, Neighbourhood Centre, Family Insight, Newcastle talk, rhyme and sing with children from birth so that they are Mens Shed more prepared for literacy and numeracy when they start school

Regional Capacity Open to all Hunter Councils A NSW EPA-funded reference group facilitated by Hunter and Building Program for Central Coast Regional Environmental Strategy (HCCREMS). Contaminated Land The program builds local capacity in the management of contaminated land issues

Seniors Week University of the Third Age, Sing Australia A partnership to deliver a concert for older people to celebrate Seniors Week

The Happy Lunch Box NSW Environmental Trust, NSW EPA, Atune Health A six-week grant-funded program to help young families learn Centre, Kahibah Public School, Fennell Bay Public how to make healthy, affordable and waste-free lunches for School, Lake Mac Libraries at Belmont and Cardiff children

The Place: Charlestown The GPT Group The Place: Charlestown Community Centre is a positive Community Centre investment in the community's future, particularly for Charlestown and surrounding areas. The management model for the facility is a governing Board comprising Council’s General Manager, Mayor, Councillors, GPT Group, as well as general community and youth representatives. The Board employs a Centre Manager responsible for delivering the Centre's strategic plan

Tunbilliko Exchange NSW Police, Hunter TAFE, Belmont Rotary, NSW A pilot program to enhance and strengthen relationships program Department of Justice Crime Prevention Division, between the Aboriginal community and NSW Police PCYC NSW, Minimbah Aboriginal Education Consultative Group

You're Kidding Me Early Start Speech Pathology, ATUNE Health Centre, Offering families access to free workshops and clinics to Family Chiropractic Centre Charlestown, Julie Logan support their child's development Music, Bronni Page Yoga, LifeWise Centre

100 Annual Report 2015-2016 controlling interests and service charges

Controlling interest Coastal protection in companies services charge Council holds no controlling interests Council does not administer an in companies. annual charge for coastal protection services. Stormwater management charge Council does not administer an annual charge for stormwater management services.

private works

Council has business units that carry The prices for this work are based out various private works on a cost on unit rates set by Council and recovery or commercial basis, both incorporated in Council’s annual in and outside of Lake Macquarie Fees and Charges. City. Some of this work is carried out The Fees and Charges document is on private land. available at lakemac.com.au.

Annual Report 2015-2016 101 contributions and donations

Through the donation and financial assistance funding program, Council provides financial and in-kind support for not-for-profit groups and organisations, which have significant local membership or participation and/or are undertaking a project showing significant local benefits to Lake Macquarie.

Annual donations program

Group Funds

Anglican Church of Windale $1000

Bonnells Bay Progress Association $200

Caves Beach Gym Inc. $1000

Coon Island Management Board $1500

Eastlakes Little Athletics $1000

Friends of Belmont Cemetery $1000

Lake Macquarie Live Steam and Locomotive Society $1000

Redhead Community Library $1000

Resident of Springvale Circuit, Cameron Park $65

Salvation Army $1000

Southlake Carers Inc. $1000

Sugarloaf and Districts Action Group $1000

Swansea Meals on Wheels $1000

Teralba Amateur Sailing Club $500

The Lake Macquarie Foundation $1000

Valentine Hydrotherapy Pools $10000

Wangi Ridge Preservation Board $1000

TOTAL $24,265

102 Annual Report 2015-2016 Donations and financial assistance program

Group Funds

1st Teralba Sea Scouts $987

Central Newcastle Rugby League Club $500

Edgeworth Child Care Centre $250

Edgeworth resident $65

Eleebana Lions Club $375

Lioness Club of East Gosford $500

Lions Club Valentine $975

Lucky Stars Transplant Cricket Inc. $166

Marine Rescue NSW $1000

Novocastrian Swimming Club $500

NSW Justice Association $547.80

Resident Kahibah $25

Sailability NSW Toronto Branch $1000

The House with No Steps – Edgeworth Community Hub $75

Toronto Bridge Club $500

Toronto Uniting Church $256

Valentine Residents Association $190

Vivid Life Church $400

Wangi Wangi RSL Sub Branch $1000

Warners Bay Rotary Club $1000

West Wallsend District Heritage Group $1000

TOTAL $11,311.80

Annual Report 2015-2016 103 Rent subsidies

Grouping Subsidy

Clubs, non-profit organisations and community groups $1,797,595

Child care centres $856,958

TOTAL $2,654,553

Community funding program Council’s community funding program recognises the vital contribution that community groups and organisations play in the development of social capital and quality of life in Lake Macquarie. Funding is provided in three categories: Seed funding of up to $5000 to help new community events get up and running; and Growth funding of up to $5000 to improve existing events. Funding of up to $4000 is also available to sporting and recreation clubs for events and activities they host under the banner of the Lake Macquarie Games. In 2015-2016, Council provided $113,890.20 through the program.

Seed and growth funding

Organisation Amount

Alzheimers Aust NSW $4190

Australian Breastfeeding Association – Seminar and workshop $900.70

Avondale School Family Festival $1000

Belmont Chamber of Commerce $2500

Belmont Neighbourhood Centre $1500

Black Dog Institute $1520

Bonnells Bay Public School Parents and Citizens $1000

Boolaroo Speers Point Swim Club $3500

Caged Bird Exhibition and Judging; Family day and education activity $694

CALM $2450

Carols by the Lake 2015 $3038.90

Cure Brain Cancer Foundation – Burpee Mile $190

Hunter Animal Rescue – Pet Picnic Day $1250

Hunter Valley Paddlesports Club – NSW Marathon Series $3910

Indian Association of Newcastle – Diwali Mela $400

Lake Macquarie Heritage Festival $5000

Lake Macquarie Lakefest $3595

Lake Macquarie Music Society – Eisteddfod and Festival of Choirs $4750

Lake Macquarie Suicide Prevention – Walk with Us $390

Lakes Athletics Carnival $1500

Miracle Babies $1810

Morisset and District Agricultural Association – Annual Show $1500

Newcastle Bangladeshi Community Inc. $900

Newcastle Bangladeshi Community Inc. – South Asian cultural night $400

104 Annual Report 2015-2016 Organisation Amount

Nga Hau E Wha – Waitangi Day $1549

Northern NSW Schools Football Inc. $3140

Northern Settlement Services – Harmony Day $1240

Northern Settlement Services – Independence Day – Samoans $690

Northlakes Chamber of Commerce $4181

Northlakes Chamber of Commerce Inc. – Catch you in Cardiff $1681

NSW Rogaining – Paddy Pallin $3530

Opera Hunter $2384.70

Orchestra Nova $338.50

Redhead Surf Life Saving Club $5000

Southlake Christmas Spectacular $3965

The Canopy – Cameron Park Twilight Festival $1167.30

Toronto Chamber of Commerce and Industry $3564

Valentine Hydrotherapy Pool Inc. $2217

Valentine Public School Parents and Citizens $1000

Vedic Semiti Newcastle – Indian music concert $640

Wangi Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group $1178

Wangi Carols $1700

Wangi Lions Club – Dobell Festival of Arts and Crafts $1500

Warners Bay Community Garden $613.60

West Wallsend Senior Football Club – 125 Years of Football $1000

TOTAL $90,167.70

Sponsorship Our sponsorship program recognises the vital contribution that businesses, government agencies, and not-for-profit organisations play in the development of our social capital and quality of life through events and activities in Lake Macquarie City. Applications are assessed against weighted selection criteria on a monthly basis, applications are then presented at a Council budget meeting for approval.

Organisation Event Amount

Athletics NSW Fernleigh 15 $17,500

Athletics NSW Hunter Track Classic $5000

GC Management Lake Mac Running Festival $10,000

SportsFest (Granted $20,000 in total: $10,00 from Sponsorship, $5,000 $10,000 Hunter Academy of Sport from Community Funding, $5,000 from Lake Macquarie Games)

Hunter Research Foundation Regional research program $12,500

Hunter Surf Lifesaving Summer of Surf $5000

Initiative Sport Port to Port MTB $10,000

Lake Macquarie Music Society Lake Macquarie Philharmonic Orchestra $5000

Lake Macquarie Rugby Union Lake Macquarie International Rugby 7s $3000

NSW Department of Education and StarStruck $2500 Communities

Annual Report 2015-2016 105 Opera Hunter The Marriage of Figaro $10,000

Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Rathmines Catalina Festival $5000 Association Inc.

Surfest Lake Macquarie Festival of Surfing $10,000

Swansea Chamber of Commerce Swansea Spring Time, Swansea Carols and SwanFest $12,000

Variety The Children's Charity Variety Children's Christmas Party $250

Warners Bay Chamber of Commerce Music in the Podium $12,000

TOTAL $129,750

Lake Macquarie Games

Event Organisation Amount

3D Archery Event Lake Macquarie Field Archers $280.50

Baseball Masters Toronto Senior Baseball Club $810

Baseball Tournament Toronto Junior Baseball Club $1475

Catherine Hill Bay Boardriders' Club Catho Classic $650

Catho Challenge Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club $3070

Charlestown Netball Twilight Competition $1350

Charlestown Netball Association Netball Championships $1050

Lake Macquarie City Games All Schools Trampoline $875 Eastlake Trampoline Sports Championships

Lake Macquarie Rogain NSW Rogaining $3383

Lake Macquarie Rowing Club Rowing Regatta - Held at Berry Park $1610

Field Archery Championships Westlakes Archers $682.50

Macquarie Hunter Athletics Carrangal Shield $297.50

Petanque Competition Lake Macquarie City Petanque $94.50

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Kick for a Cause $1310

Sailability NSW Belmont 16's Sailing for Disabled $500

Southlake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club Optimist National Championships $1097.50

Speers Point Sailing Club Sailing Competition $220

Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club Lake Macquarie Games - u/8 to u/17 Surf Life Saving Carnival $2464

Toronto Croquet Golf Croquet Doubles $778

West Wallsend Swimming Club Swimming Competition $1725

TOTAL $23,722.50

106 Annual Report 2015-2016 Local Heritage Fund Council offers small grants to owners of heritage-listed properties in Lake Macquarie on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to assist with the maintenance of their properties.

Project description Total project Applicant’s Local heritage Heritage item address cost contribution funding

27 Appletree Road, Holmesville Verandah restoration 12,693 8193 4500

10 Council Street, Speers Point Brick work repair 4200 2200 2000

Wall repair and window 661 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong 11,527.13 7527.13 4000 replacement

Exterior repainting and 32 Wilkinson Road, Martinsville 6199.99 3699.99 2500 minor repairs

Exterior repainting and 495 Martinsville Road, Martinsville 2750 1750 1000 minor repairs

TOTAL $37,370.12 $23,370.12 $14,000

Environmental Sustainability Grants Through the Environmental Sustainability Grants program, Council supports residents who want to work together to make our City environmentally sustainable and reduce our impact on the local and global environment. In 2015-2016, Council awarded $37,481 in grant funding to 15 community groups and schools.

Applicant Project title Grant funds awarded ($)

Avondale School - Toronto Primary Campus Parents and Citizens Sustainable Living Gardens 2750 Association

Belmont Neighbourhood Centre Habitat Hut Water Tank 2000

Birralee Long Daycare and Preschool, Whitebridge Birralee Interactive Native Flora Garden 3000

Rehabilitation and revegetation of a Riparian 2645 Central Rankin Park Landcare Zone of Blue Wren Creek

Land for Wildlife Bushmatters and Wildlife 3000 Community Environment Network Inc. Wonders workshops

Glendale Early Education Centre Outdoor Sustainable Learning Area 3000

Greater Charlestown Sustainable Neighbourhood Group National Tree Day Native Tree Planting 2926

Green Point Foreshore Reserve Landcare Orchids of Green Point Foreshore Reserve 1824

Jewells Primary School Parents and Citizens Association Jewells Primary Green Team 1650

Lake Macquarie Rowing Club Rowers are Green 2 3000

Lakeside School Parents and Citizens Association Lakeside Sensory Rainforest 2900

Our Community Place Inc. School Habitat Rehabilitation 3000

Peter Pan Preschool Wangi Wangi Garden Bed 982

Southlake Community Services Keeping It Green 2504

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Parents and Friends The Habitat Garden 2300 Association, Kilaben Bay

TOTAL $37,481

Annual Report 2015-2016 107 legal proceedings

Matter Court Costs paid Costs awarded Status

Australasian Land and Environment Enforcement proceedings in respect of planning - - Conference Association Court (Class 4) breaches. Resolved by agreement.

Australian Native Land and Environment Enforcement proceedings in respect of planning - - Landscapes Court (Class 4) breaches. Ongoing

Appeal against Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for Dalzotto Local Court - - unlawful development. Appeal upheld.

Appeal against PIN for not microchipping dog. Glasson Local Court - - Dismissed.

Land and Environment Enforcement proceedings in respect of planning Gordon - - Court (Class 4) breaches. Orders made against respondents.

Appeal against PIN issued for dog attack and appeal Greenham Local Court - - against dangerous dog declaration. Dismissed.

Griffiths Local Court - - Appeal against illegal dumping PIN. Dismissed.

Lovatt Local Court - - Appeal against dangerous dog declaration. Ongoing.

Maxymenko Local Court - - Debt recovery. Ongoing.

Misonpet Investments Land and Environment Appeal against Council adopting the Ada Street, Cardiff - - Pty Ltd Court (Class 4) Area Plan. Listed for hearing. Ongoing.

Land and Environment Appeal in respect of deemed refusal of Intensive Newport Central - - Court (Class 1) Livestock Agriculture DA. Ongoing.

Pasminco Cockle Land and Environment Declaratory proceedings relating to consent conditions. - - Creek Court (Class 4) Hearing completed, awaiting judgement.

Ridgemont Land and Environment Appeal against deemed refusal of DA. Matter resolved by - - Developments Court (Class 1) agreement.

Russell Local Court - - Appeal against PIN issued for dog attack. Dismissed.

Appeal against PIN issued for dog attack and appeal Saville Local Court - - against dangerous dog declaration. Dismissed.

Appeal against PIN issued for dog attack and appeal Van Rugge Local Court - - against dangerous dog declaration. Ongoing.

Land and Environment Waldrip - - Appeal in respect of DA approval. Dismissed. Court (Class 1)

108 Annual Report 2015-2016 overseas visits

Position Destination Purpose Notes Date Cost

General Manager Whakatane, LGCOG meeting Attendance at Local Government 17-19 Feb 2016 $2700 New Zealand Chief Officers Group meeting

General Manager New Zealand SOLGM Future Presented keynote address on 20-21 June 2016 Costs covered by host Workforce Forum Australasian Management Challenge 2016 and developing future leaders

Manager New Zealand SOLGM Future Attended Australasian Management 20-21 June 2016 $2029 Organisational Workforce Forum Challenge and developing future Performance 2016 leaders

Manager Idaho, USA Field trip to Bunker Insights informed development of the 6-15 June 2016 $3606 Sustainability Hill Superfund Lake Macquarie Lead Expert Working site to investigate Group findings. contaminated land management practices

Annual Report 2015-2016 109 public access to information

The main purpose of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) is to provide the public with access to as much information held by local government agencies as possible, in the circumstances of each request. The benefit of this legislation is to provide more open, accountable and transparent government.

Council provides information to the Proactive release determine the kinds of information community in three key ways: of information the community is seeking. Customer open access to information that Service Centre staff are consulted is readily available; Council is committed to the proactive about the types of requests they release of information on its website receive through telephone calls and access to information that can and through social media. the service counter. Council has be disclosed to the public by determined that the types of new informal release, for example This year, Council used social enquiries received generally relate to where no third party personal media platforms Facebook, Twitter, a program or initiative that Council is information is involved; and Instagram and YouTube to distribute information to the community. undertaking at that time. access to information that During 2015-2016, improvements requires a formal access Each year, Council conducts a were made to Council’s website application, for example review, as required under Section 7 including improved online access to where consultation with a third of the GIPA Act, to identify further information and services. party is required. information it will proactively release through its website, social media Council issued more than 450 Open access to and other publications. In addition, media releases during the year, Council continuously reviews the along with summer and winter information content available on its website to editions of Your City magazine, Council releases a wide variety of ensure it is transparent, accurate and which was distributed to each information for open access through informative. household. its website, including policies, Council’s program for proactive planning documents, development release of information involves application information, Council reviewing formal and informal access business papers and Council applications received to meeting minutes.

110 Annual Report 2015-2016 Redeveloped website Property Flooding Inundation Hazard Map showing the area that may be inundated Council launched its redeveloped Information Summary with a 0.9m sea level rise; and website during the year. The new In May 2016, Council launched an site, which was developed in Lake Macquarie Catchments online Property Flooding Information consultation with the community, and Flood Studies Map – Summary. The online service industry and staff, provides improved showing areas in the City for provides details of the possible usability, is more responsive to which Council has completed a effects on the specified property customer needs and encourages detailed flood study or flood risk from flooding, tidal inundation and community engagement. management plan. predicted sea level rises. To improve the site, Council This information may be useful Council also provided on its website performed a content review to help when assessing risk for building or a series of flood maps. These create a simpler navigation structure planning, or for providing evidence to include the: and the site received a new mobile- help reduce insurance premiums. friendly visual design. Council also Lake Waterway Flood Study Maps conducted extensive prototyping showing the extent of flooding for and user testing. most of the foreshore areas and lake waterway; The new website, launched in October 2015, has delivered Flood Control Lots Map improved information discovery for showing the whole lake and flood users and has increased access to control lots; online and offline services.

Annual Report 2015-2016 111 Media Centre Fit for the Future Fees and charges Launched in June 2016, the Lake Council created a section on its online search Mac Media Centre is a news hub Have Your Say site to keep the In June 2016, Council replaced its providing an online space for Council community informed about the NSW lengthy Fees and Charges document to communicate and interact with Government’s reform process for with a searchable online database. the community, entertain and inform local government, Fit for the Future, The new web tool provides an residents, discuss issues and and the potential impact proposed improved user experience and makes advocate views. changes on local residents. finding fees associated with Council The Media Centre integrates with Under the reforms, the State services significantly easier. social media such Facebook and Government required NSW councils Implementation of the required Twitter, can present information from to submit a proposal by 30 June software has also streamlined the a variety of sources and formats such 2015 outlining how they would annual preparation of the Fees and as YouTube and Flickr, and provides become ‘fit for the future’. Charges. access to Council’s latest Have Council’s official submissions and Your Say community engagement responses were made available campaigns. on the site, along with fact sheets A new email newsletter subscription and responses to frequently asked service was created to allow the questions. community to choose the news and information they would like to receive as an e-newsletter.

112 Annual Report 2015-2016 Formal public Number of applications in which access to information was access requests refused or granted only in part: In addition to open access and Twenty-one applications, comprising proactive release of information, 16 applications that were granted in Council provides information to part and five that were refused. the community in response to formal information requests under Reasons information was not the GIPA Act. disclosed: Number of access to More than one public interest information requests received: consideration may apply in relation to a particular application. The reasons Fifty-two formal access applications recorded for the 26 applications (including withdrawn applications, refused or granted only in part are but not invalid applications). reported overleaf. Number of access to information Number of applications requests declared invalid: reviewed: One. Two. Timeliness of (valid) applications: All applications were decided within the statutory timeframe (20 days plus any extensions).

Annual Report 2015-2016 113 Reasons against disclosure (public interest considerations) Number received

Legal professional privilege 1

Responsible and effective government 5

Law enforcement and security 5

Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice 13

Business interests of agencies and other persons 4

Environment, culture, economy and general matters 1

Outcome of applications received Number received

Access granted in full

Private sector business 6

Not for profit organisations or community groups 2

Members of the public (application by legal representative) 5

Members of the public (other) 15

Access granted in part

Private sector business 1

Not-for-profit organisations or community groups 2

Members of the public (application by legal representative) 1

Members of the public (other) 12

Access refused in full

Not-for-profit organisations or community groups 1

Members of public (other) 4

Information not held

Private sector business 1

Information already available

Members of public (other) 1

Applications withdrawn

Private sector business 1

Members of the public (other) 3

TOTAL (*some applications had more than one outcome) 55

114 Annual Report 2015-2016 special rate variation

In 2012, Council received approval for a seven-year special rate variation to increase its general income in order to secure its long-term financial sustainability and maintain the assets and levels of service needed for our growing City.

IPART approved the variation in Outcomes achieved that Council is efficient and has a accordance with Council’s Funding culture of continuous improvement. Key outcomes achieved as a result of Option 2 – Maintain Services. the variation are detailed in the 'our In resolving to apply for the special Under this option, Council services results' section of this report. rate variation, Councillors made would stay largely the same, with a commitment to operational minimal improvements or upgrades, efficiency and an ongoing culture of the condition of assets would be Asset renewal productivity improvement. maintained at current rates, and an and maintenance Productivity savings achieved during operating deficit would remain until 2015-2016 are provided on pages 2016-2017. expenditure 116 and 117 of this report. For the 2015-2016 financial year, this During 2015-2016 Council spent special rate variation raised $5.949 $31.5 million on capital renewal million of revenue, which Council works to restore existing assets to Addressing financial used to maintain levels of service and their original condition, and a further hardship $24.6 million on regular ongoing invest in community infrastructure There was no significant change in maintenance on infrastructure assets renewal and maintenance. the percentage of rates and charges to keep these assets operating Council is currently on track to outstanding. The outstanding rates efficiently to ensure they provide the achieve a projected Operating and annual charges for 2015-2016 required levels of service at the most Surplus in 2017-2018, with this was 3.87 per cent, compared to economical cost. position continually monitored and 3.64 per cent for 2014-2015. A full report on the state of Council’s revised in line with required changes To assist any ratepayers facing infrastructure assets is provided on to our Long Term Financial Plan. difficulty paying their rates, pages 124 to 132 of this report. The actual Operating Deficit (before satisfactory arrangements can Capital amounts) achieved in the usually be made to tailor payments 2015-2016 financial year of $15.959 Productivity savings to more manageable amounts. million was a pleasing result. achieved Council also offers the option to pay by a monthly direct debit to assist In making its determination for the ratepayers in managing the payment Program of expenditure seven-year special rate variation, of their council rate obligations. The program of expenditure for the IPART commended Council for Residents of rateable properties who seven-year rate variation is outlined addressing financial sustainability and hold a Pensioner Concession card in Council’s Long Term Financial managing the City’s infrastructure are generally entitled to a rebate Plan and detailed annually in the backlog. IPART also acknowledged on their rates. Operational Plan and Budget.

Annual Report 2015-2016 115 productivity improvements

Area of operation Improvement

City Projects Staff have activated an electronic plan lodgment and validation system, developed by NSW Land and Property Information (LPI). The system, known as ePlan, provides a more secure and efficient way to process land title plans, streamlines plan lodgments and will deliver both cost and time savings. Council staff, in collaboration with LPI, have been actively engaged in the installation of a geographical positioning system (GPS) reference station at Council’s Administration Building. This reference station forms part of CORSNet NSW, the state-owned system of GPS reference stations used by government and industry. The station will improve accuracy in survey of GPS results in the Lake Macquarie area, for engineering and property surveys, and for organisations that have GPS survey or asset capture equipment. Savings have been achieved for Council through removal of the annual LPI licence fee for the life of the reference station.

CiviLake Capping and filling of the approved recycling site at Teralba and other approved sites resulted in the re-use of 33,880 tonnes of compliant material. This resulted in savings of $7.59 million in disposal fees. These savings are based on disposal at Awaba Waste Management Facility at a rate of $224 a tonne.

Human Resources Productivity improvements of approximately 150 hours of staff time each year have been achieved following launch of a toolkit for internal job applicants. Recruitment advertising protocols were reviewed, resulting in more effective advertising of vacant positions, with no increase in costs.

Integrated Planning Scanning of old planning documents and photos has been completed in-house, with collaboration between departments. The cost to outsource this work was estimated at $10,000.

Library, Leisure and Culture Lake Mac Libraries and Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery implemented a successful change in a recycling contract, resulting in savings of $6000.

Mechanical, Depot and Supply The Plant and Fleet Team implemented a condition-based replacement strategy for small plant. Small plant due for replacement is subject to mechanical condition assessments to determine if operational lives can be extended. The strategy has resulted in the doubling of service lives for a number of small plant categories. The extended intervals have resulted in $150,000 in capital funds returned to the Asset Replacement Reserve with no appreciable impact on maintenance costs. An expansion of the steel fabrication area in the Council’s workshop will allow the bus shelter fabrication program to be delivered at lower cost. By having the space to fabricate five shelters at a time (rather than one at a time as has been the practice), we estimate a reduction in costs of $280,000 over the five years remaining in the program.

116 Annual Report 2015-2016 Area of operation Improvement

Sustainability Retrofits implemented under our Better Building Strategy are projected to save $20,138 in electricity costs

and 89.07 tonnes of C02-e annually. Retrofits were completed at 15 facilities during the year. An increased focus on illegal dumping compliance through the RID Squad program has led to $73,600 in infringement notices being issued and clean up at the offender’s cost of 100.4 cubic metres of dumped waste at 50 sites. Council’s water leak detection and billing verification program saved Council $379,000 in water charges and 152,672 kilolitres in billed consumption.

Waste, Environment and Rangers The useful life of the Awaba Waste Management Facility was extended by excavating on-site material, at a cost of $94,000. The material is used to cover waste to prevent odours and vermin, as required under Council's EPA operating licence for the site. Use of on-site material has resulted in savings of about $1 million for the year. Council implemented changes to the missed bin procedure for our kerbside waste collection services to increase communication between collection and administration staff, and to improve customer satisfaction. Public amenity cleaning staff trialed a smartphone to enable improved communications with their coordinator. Further investigations are under way to improve tracking of cleaning activities. Purchase of a folding and enveloping machine for use in processing companion animal identification and registration forms has resulted in time savings of four staff hours a week, equivalent to $6000 a year.

Annual Report 2015-2016 117 fit for the future improvement plan

In December, the NSW Government announced that Lake Macquarie City Council was, in its opinion, ‘fit for the future’ and able to remain a stand-alone council. The determination requires Council to report on improvements over a nine-year period.

In the first year, we have made These actions extend and significant progress in implementing complement Council’s ongoing actions that further strengthen program of productivity our performance and financially improvements, as detailed on pages sustainability and improve the 116 and 117 of this Annual Report. services and assets we deliver for the community.

118 Annual Report 2015-2016 First-year actions completed

Introduction of food waste to the kerbside A community engagement program has commenced to prepare for introduction of the green waste bin food waste service. A trial of the new service is proposed for October 2016. Council’s green waste processing facility is on track to be commissioned, with full service to commence in 2017.

Diversion of recyclables from landfill New 360-litre recycling bins were made available across the City. A total of 1133 new 360L bins were delivered in 2015-2016. Commercial recycling increased by 101 new services during the year.

Waste construction management Development consent was granted for a quarry rehabilitation program.

On-site recovery of landfill cover material Importation of cover material was substantially reduced due to identification of on-site sources. Detailed planning was completed for the landfill extension.

Energy and water savings Soil and irrigation improvements were completed at 14 sportsfields. We installed 178kW of solar panels on Council's Administration Building.

Swim centre improvements A new swim centre entry and booking system is now operational. A new knowledge management and business tracking system was introduced and staff trained. Trial of a new centre management structure has commenced and will continue until April 2017.

Family Day Care business model revised A new business model introduced and additional educators were engaged.

Tennis court leasing and licensing New court leasing and licensing fees now apply to 53 per cent of our tennis court facilities.

Fleet management improvements An extended replacement interval for passenger vehicles was introduced and we commenced an oil additive replacement program.

Infrastructure backlog and asset maintenance The 2015-2016 infrastructure backlog ratio was three per cent, which puts us on track to meet our target to achieve and maintain an infrastructure backlog ratio (replacement cost method) of less than two per cent within five years.

Improved modelling of financial performance We revised and updated the model for our Long-term Financial Plan. The new model provides forecast increased confidence in our 10-year financial performance forecast.

Procurement improvements Improvements to our supplier management and contract management were completed and staff were trained in this new approach.

Cash management strategy An internal borrowings program was introduced.

NSW Rural Fire Service contributions Revised indexation was applied from June 2016.

Business process reviews completed Six business process reviews were completed for the following areas: customer service, financial management maturity, legal services, purchase-to-pay process, requisitioner process and internal borrowings.

Annual Report 2015-2016 119 sustainability and environmental levy

In 2009, the Minister for Local Government approved a special rate variation to increase general rates income for sustainability and environmental projects.

This funding has helped Council to: During the 2014-2015 financial carry out on-ground works to year, $176,720 was spent, and protect and improve the health in 2015-2016, $232,802 of the of Lake Macquarie and its remaining funds were allocated to catchment; and environmental improvement activities, of which $53,926 was unspent. improve environmental sustainability of the City, focusing The table opposite gives an overview on water, energy, transport, of the project areas funded by the waste, ecosystem enhancement, special rate variation in 2015-2016. climate change adaptation, The total remaining amount of special natural disaster risk minimisation, variation funding of $262,463 has monitoring and reporting of been allocated to environmental environmental performance, and improvement activities programmed community engagement. for 2016-2017. The special variation expired in June 2014. At that time, $555,495 of special variation funds remained unspent, and additional income in 2014-2015 of $62,564 brought the balance of unspent funds to $618,059.

120 Annual Report 2015-2016 Project Area Funds allocated Funds spent Activities 2015-2016 2015-2016

Ecosystem Enhancement $27,125 $27,125 Undertook on-site verification works to validate vegetation mapping at various sites.

Prepared a consolidated biodiversity map layer for the City.

Undertook foreshore stabilisation and littoral vegetation works at Murrays Beach and Marks Point.

Governance and Audit $55,000 $55,000 Set up e21 Energy Plus billing verification service to verify Council is billed correctly for energy consumption.

Environmental Incident Tracking for Figtree Expansion Project.

Sustainable Living $48,000 $48,000 Implemented improvements to irrigation systems at three sites to improve water use efficiency and effectiveness.

Metering and clean energy regulator accreditation.

Environmental Security $102,677 $48,751 Assessment and management of Pasminco black slag contamination at high priority public sites.

Undertook Flood Warning System maintenance and replaced a water level sensor at Stony Creek, Toronto.

Constructed cliff stability and safety fencing at Redhead and Caves Beach.

Prepared a scoping study for a foreshore voluntary house-raising scheme in Lake Macquarie.

Lake Macquarie City-wide Flood Warning System - stage 2 high priority rain and water level gauge installations and upgrades completed.

Totals $232,802 $178,876

NB: No Levy revenue in 2015-2016 – Levy funds carried forward from the previous financial year

Annual Report 2015-2016 121 contracts awarded

Contractor $ Amount ex GST Goods and services

AGL Retail Energy Limited $231,287 Supply of gas to amenities

AGL Sales Pty Limited $1,412,411 Supply of electricity to large sites and public lighting

ATI Australia Pty Limited $706,310 Hardware, services and maintenance support for microwave radio hardware, power systems, and networking systems

Chesterfield Australia Pty Ltd $259,817 John Deere 6090MC agricultural tractor fitted with John Deere front end loader attachment

Daracon Quarries $708,961 Supply of aggregate materials

Data#3 Group $164,509 Core client access software licenses

Dell Australia Pty Ltd $226,321 Leased computer hardware

Downer EDI Works $278,480 Pavement enrichment and rejuvenation works

Downer EDI Works $3,894,888 Supply, deliver and lay asphaltic concrete

Downer EDI Works $1,427,048 Supply asphaltic concrete

Fenworx Pty Ltd $4,989,171 Supply, deliver and lay asphaltic concrete

Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd $183,721 Supply asphaltic concrete

Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd $918,231 Bituminous surfacing

Gleeson Civil Engineering Pty Ltd $163,528 Mount Sugarloaf road rectification works

GW Building Pty Ltd $340,850 Refurbishment of the Swansea Gardens Lakeside Holiday Park amenities building 1 – stage 2

GW Building Pty Ltd $252,228 Construction of a recreation room and barbeque facility at Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Park

GW Building Pty Ltd $259,567 Upgrade works to the Belmont North Neighbourhood Centre

Hitachi Construction Machinery Aust $244,454 Hitachi ZX180-5 wheel loader with 4-in1 bucket

Liebherr Australia Pty Ltd $458,305 Liebherr LR634 tracked loader

Metormix Quarries $778,377 Supply of pavement materials

Newcastle Commercial Vehicles Pty Ltd $1,097,804 Mercedes Benz Econic cab chassis fitted with Bucher Municipal rear loading garbage compaction body

122 Annual Report 2015-2016 Contractor $ Amount ex GST Goods and services

Northrop Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd $659,730 Cameron Park Recreation Area design

Rees Electrical Pty Ltd $166,216 Auston Oval lighting upgrade

Renworx Pty Ltd $415,476 Sports field renovation services

Signature Custom Floats Pty Ltd $729,810 Supply and delivery of nine worksite caravans

SMEC $280,827 Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange construction phase support

The Green Horticultural Group $220,744 Sports field renovation services

Think Projects Group Pty Limited $221,175 Upgrade works to the Peacock Field amenities building

Think Projects Group Pty Limited $522,384 Refurbishment of Speers Point Library

Think Projects Pty Limited $194,102 Construction of a new storage shed and first aid room at Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club

Turspec Pty Ltd $77,787 Sports field renovation services

Tutt Bryant Equipment $150,200 Bomag BW25 pneumatic tyred roller with hydraulic power divider

Annual Report 2015-2016 123 state of our infrastructure assets

Providing infrastructure that meets community needs and expectations is fundamental to the economic, social and cultural vibrancy of Lake Macquarie City.

The challenge in managing The AMPs are closely aligned with The current Capital Renewal our assets is to maintain and the Long Term Financial Plan to Funding Gap for Council’s enhance existing infrastructure ensure that required funding is infrastructure is $55.56 million. while continuing to provide identified for the upkeep of our A primary reason for the renewal new infrastructure for our assets. funding gap is that, over past growing City. Six AMPs cover Council’s key years, infrastructure costs have Council’s infrastructure assets infrastructure asset classes: increased faster than Council’s were valued at $2.69 billion at Buildings income. June 2016. These assets include Drainage/stormwater A range of measures continue roads, bridges, drains, footpaths, to be implemented to manage Natural areas cycleways, parks, reserves, the funding gap over the long community buildings, childcare Parks and reserves term, including: centres, libraries, swim centres Roads and bridges increasing expenditure on asset and beach facilities. Traffic and transportation renewal including implementation of the IPART special rate Asset Capital renewal variation; management plans Capital renewal is usually major improving asset knowledge Through our Asset Management work that restores an existing asset (performance, condition and Plans (AMPs) Council takes a to its original condition. The total remaining life); whole-of-life approach to managing amount spent on infrastructure improving maintenance to extend infrastructure assets. Our AMPs capital renewal for the 2015-2016 asset lives and defer projected identify the levels of service we financial year was $31.5 million. renewal; currently provide, future demands A key performance target relating improving efficiency in delivery of on our assets, as well as planned to asset management is the maintenance and renewal; improvements. Capital Renewal Funding Gap. developing and using low-cost Expenditure projections and funding This is the difference between renewal methods; requirements are identified for the the required renewal expenditure next 20 years, allowing for projected (which is based on a range of rationalising (disposing) of cost increases and growth in assets. factors, including asset condition unnecessary and low-use assets; This includes planning, creation, and remaining life) and what is reviewing service levels; and operation, maintenance, renewal planned to be funded in the Long redistributing funding allocations. and disposal of assets. Term Financial Plan.

124 Annual Report 2015-2016 Expenditure on infrastructure maintenance 2015-2016

Buildings $2,054,043

Drainage/stormwater $3,258,308

Natural areas $2,871,060

Park and reserves $8,316,194

Roads and bridges $7,402,130

Traffic and transportation $729,935

TOTAL $24,631,670

Maintenance Asset Council’s Asset Management Steering Group monitors Asset maintenance is the regular management implementation of the Asset ongoing work that is necessary Management Improvement Plan. to keep assets operating so improvements This innovative internal Group was they provide the required levels In 2015-2016 Council continued to formed to oversee execution of of service. Maintenance funding make significant improvements to its the Asset Management Strategy. needs to keep pace with rising asset base and asset management It provides a platform for staff from costs associated with the capabilities in line with its Asset Council’s Assets, Development growing size and age of the Management Improvement Plan. Assessment and Compliance, infrastructure base, changing The Plan was developed using the Community Planning, City Projects, standards and increasing findings of an Asset Management CiviLake, Integrated Planning, community expectations. Maturity Audit previously conducted by an external specialist. It identifies Finance and Sustainability 42 key actions to ensure Council’s departments to collaborate in pursuit asset management continues to of the shared goal of sustainable advance. Target timeframes have asset life cycle management on been set for these actions based on behalf of the community. the risk implications identified during the audit. Clear responsibilities for completing the actions within target timeframes have also been assigned.

Annual Report 2015-2016 125 The Steering Group oversaw reviewing standard drawings and undertaking revaluations of a numerous enhancements to guidelines for managing donated number of asset classes including Council’s asset management and developer funded assets swim centres, open space and practices in 2015-2016, including: reviewing processes for the recreational assets, valued at transfer of developer constructed $221.5 million. completing Asset Management assets to Council to ensure they Plans (version 7) for the City’s meet Council’s standards and During 2015-2016 Council’s external infrastructure and community requirements; auditors reviewed the systems assets and an Asset Management developing an assets register and processes Council has in Plan (version 4) for natural areas; for Council’s commercial and place for capturing, recording and further improving its capital works residential buildings, consistent reporting asset information. The and maintenance processes with the Institute of Public Works purpose of this audit was to assess to support Council’s integrated Engineering Australia International the adequacy of the information project management system; Management Manual; contained in the Financial Statements Special Schedule No. 7 Report on continuing to expand the use of reviewing maintenance practices Infrastructure Assets. The results Council’s GIS mapping system and programs for open channels of this preparedness audit, as to complement Council’s asset and natural watercourses to submitted to the NSW Office of Local management systems; reduce blockages, flooding and bank erosion; Government, indicate that Council’s further assessing asset conditions systems and processes are adequate reviewing the process for to determine condition profiles to meet the requirements. for all asset classes including monitoring and reporting works a representative sample of the for fire asset protection zones in drainage system; natural areas; bedding down the new corporate undertaking an audit of Council estimating system to achieve facilities to review existing security more accurate and consistent configuration, identify security unit rate and resource-based risks and recommend controls to estimates for capital works and manage the risks; maintenance; reviewing and documenting undertaking further training to procedures for processing of enhance asset management asset financial information; knowledge, skills and abilities reviewing the structure of the across the organisation; Asset Management department updating information on key to ensure it is best placed to meet infrastructure that provides current and future opportunities regional and national benefits and challenges; and where Council requires funding support from other levels of government;

126 Annual Report 2015-2016 Buildings

Council provides a strategic asset Council has made further progress regulations and includes, but is management system for all of in gathering and incorporating not limited to, essential service its building assets, to enable the information regarding the needs of regulations (fire ratings, correct effective and efficient delivery of the user groups of public facilities egress), Australian Standards, building related services to the such as community halls, public the National Construction Code, community. Some of the major toilets, swim centres and libraries, guidelines for safe pool operations challenges facing Council in combining condition ratings with and retro-fitting of sustainability providing these services include serviceability and functionality, to features to our buildings. meeting our growing City’s need ensure the best approach is taken. for an increase in infrastructure Managing this class of assets and balancing these needs with involves ensuring that our existing those forecasted on ageing buildings comply with current infrastructure.

Buildings assets

Halls 37 community halls providing meeting places for community groups and not-for-profit organisations.

Operating buildings 39 operating buildings, ranging from works depots and administration buildings, to Rural Fire Service buildings and State Emergency Service facilities.

Childcare-related buildings 14 childcare-related buildings and structures, ranging from full day care facilities, to family day care and operational structures.

Aged and disability service facilities 10 aged care and disability service facilities which provide support for seniors and people with a disability, including the Cardiff Senior Citizens facility and many Meals on Wheels operations.

Libraries Nine library facilities, one of which is located at the Toronto Commercial Centre. We recently opened a new ‘lifestyle’ library in the main retail precinct of Cardiff.

Cultural buildings Two cultural buildings: the Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre and the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery.

Multi-purpose facilities Eight multi-purpose buildings located in key locations throughout the City.

Aquatic and athletic facilities Six aquatic facilities, and an Athletics Australia-accredited Regional Athletics Centre.

Public amenities 135 public amenity buildings.

Surf lifesaving clubs Four surf lifesaving clubs along the City’s coastline.

Sporting facilities 104 sporting facilities, providing for sports such as cricket, soccer, netball, tennis, rugby union and rugby league.

Annual Report 2015-2016 127 Drainage/stormwater

Council provides a stormwater Works to address these issues are network to enable safe and prioritised systematically to develop effective collection and disposal a forward program for capital of stormwater. There are upgrade works. performance deficiencies of stormwater assets at several locations throughout the City.

Drainage/stormwater assets

Pipes 632 km

Pits, inlets and outlets 30,493 items

Open drains 102 km

Stormwater quality improvement devices (SQIDs) 671 items and flood mitigation structures

Replacement value These infrastructure assets have a replacement value of $461.3 million.

128 Annual Report 2015-2016 Natural areas

Council manages an array of natural The natural areas asset group of natural areas into smaller area assets. The area is largely provides vital safety, amenity and sites and the lack of historical bushfire-prone and Council has fire ecosystem services for the local asset management for the natural trails and asset protection zones to community and broader region. areas group. protect life and property from the The major asset issues for the risk of bush fire. The major issues natural areas group are the extensive facing the area are increasing interface between developed and costs, an increasing population and natural areas, the fragmentation continued changes to legislative obligations.

Natural areas assets

Natural areas About 4000 ha of natural areas consisting of approximately 1200 individual clusters or sites.

Trees An unspecified number of trees located on Council-managed land, including streets, parks and reserves.

Bush fire protection Bush fire protection assets, including 11 fire trails and 171 asset protection zones.

Replacement value These infrastructure assets (excluding trees) have a replacement value of $480.9 million.

Annual Report 2015-2016 129 Parks and reserves

Council provides a parks and Management of these assets reserves network to enable a includes ensuring the existing diverse range of quality passive and network of infrastructure is replaced active recreational opportunities in line with the forecasted demands for residents and visitors of Lake identified in the relevant strategies. Macquarie. Many existing park These actions must also be balanced and reserve services are reliant on with a whole-of-life approach to associated infrastructure across asset management, including parks, sports grounds, foreshore maintaining agreed service levels. areas and cemeteries.

Parks and reserves assets

Park play facilities 111 playgrounds distributed across parks and sporting grounds in the City.

Park foreshore facilities 31 jetties, 31 boat ramps, 5 marine waste transfer facilities and19 fish cleaning tables.

Open space utilities Includes bubblers, outdoor showers, barbecues, lights and lead-in poles.

Sport-specific structures and surfaces Includes netball and tennis courts, tiered seating, dug outs and sports lighting.

Open space structures Includes park furniture such as seats, tables, shelters, viewing platforms and fences.

Cemetery and memorial-specific structures Niche walls, cemetery beams, war memorials and commemorations.

Replacement value These infrastructure assets have a replacement value of $81.9 million.

130 Annual Report 2015-2016 Roads and bridges

Council provides a network of roads, issues identified are prioritised bridges and associated assets to systematically to develop a forward meet the local transport needs of the program for capital and maintenance Lake Macquarie community. works. The condition of roads and bridges assets are assessed annually. Actions to address any

Roads and bridges assets

Roads 1322 km

Kerb and gutter 1764 km

Vehicle bridges Road bridges 78 items Park bridges 10 items

Pedestrian bridges Road bridges 36 items Park bridges 80 items

Park viewing decks 14 items

Underpasses Three items

Car parks Sealed 298 items Concrete 16 items Gravel 83 items

Replacement value These infrastructure assets have a replacement value of $1.59 billion.

Annual Report 2015-2016 131 Traffic and transportation

Council provides and maintains transportation infrastructure assets to serve the transport needs of local communities, including people with a varying range of abilities. Transport assets are integrated with Council’s roads, drainage, parks and community facilities.

Traffic and transportation assets

Footpaths/cycleways 533 km

Road/street furniture 883 items

Traffic facilities 2,753 installations

Replacement value These infrastructure assets have a replacement value of $116.6 million.

132 Annual Report 2015-2016 Councillors' and Mayor's expenses

Mayoral allowance $60,922

Councillors’ allowances $303,278

Provision of dedicated office equipment (leased laptop computers, iPads, faxes, mobile phones and accessories) $3938

Telephone calls and communications $23,350

Councillors’ attendance at conferences/seminars $29,452

Training of Councillors -

Overseas visits including transport and accommodation $1282

Interstate visits including transport and accommodation $4093

Meeting expenses $18,919

Motor vehicle for Mayor $20,539

Motor vehicle for Councillors $16,189

Mayoral secretarial services $99,841

Councillor support service (one day a week) $17,570

Mayoral office expenses $3646

Councillors’ vehicle allowance (for use of their own private vehicles/taxis) $5089

TOTAL $608,108

Annual Report 2015-2016 133 Debt Service Ratio

10.00% 9.00% Council Upper Limit 8.00% 7.00% 6.00% 5.00% 4.00% 3.00% Council 2.00% 1.00% NSW Group 5 Councils Average 0.00% 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Unrestricted Current Ratio

3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50 Council

0.00 NSW Group 5 Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio

120.00%

100.00% Council Target Ratio

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00% Council

NSW Group 5 financial0.00% Councils Average position06/0707/08 08/0909/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Operating result before capital

Council has reported an operating to generate sufficient revenues Council’s Long Term Financial surplus before capital revenue of to cover expenditure is limited by Plan provides a 10-year blueprint $15.959 million. legislative requirements. for our continued financial stability. The operating result for 2015-2016, The seven-year special rate The plan forecasts an operating although pleasing, can be attributed variation for Lake Macquarie deficit in 2016-2017, and a return to to a number of one-off items. City, approved by IPART in 2012, surplus in 2017-2018. Despite this surplus, Council's greatly assists Council in financial resources remain under overcoming financial challenges. pressure, often because of factors beyond our control, while the ability

Operating Result Before Capital

20,000

15,000

10,000 0 $'00 5,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/1515/16

-5,000

Gross Outstanding Debt

90,000

80,000

70,000 134 Annual Report 2015-2016 60,000

50,000 0

$'00 40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Internally Restricted Cash

120,000

100,000

80,000 0 60,000 $'00

40,000

20,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/1313/14 14/1515/16

YEAR Debt Service Ratio

10.00% 9.00% Council Upper Limit 8.00% 7.00% 6.00% 5.00% 4.00% 3.00% Council 2.00% 1.00% NSW Group 5 Councils Average 0.00% 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Unrestricted Current Ratio

3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50 Council

0.00 NSW Group 5 Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio

120.00%

100.00% Council Target Ratio

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00% Council

NSW Group 5 0.00% Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/0909/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Operating Result Before Capital

20,000

15,000

Gross outstanding debt 10,000 0

The$'00 amount of gross outstanding The level of debt remains In an attempt to reduce the debt remains5,000 manageable and affordable with Council’s debt short-term financial impact of our affordable, with total outstanding service ratio remaining strong borrowings, we have increased the debt now just under $84 million. and within an acceptable range. term of our loans over recent years The level of0 new borrowings in 2016 However, as a result of restrictions so that they more readily match the was $1.868 million,06/07 compared07/08 to 08/09 09/10placed 10/11on us by 11/12cost shifting12/13 and 13/14 14/1life 51cycle of5/16 the assets the funds are $15 million in 2015. The lower level constraints on income, we are still used to acquire or build. This action experiencing increasing pressure also supports the principle of inter- of new-5,000 external borrowings for 2016 was achieved through Council's use to fund a significant amount of new generational equity, which attempts of unallocated reserves. capital works from loan borrowings. to ensure that future ratepayers pay for the use of capital initiatives by way of future loan payments. Gross Outstanding Debt

90,000

80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000 0

$'00 40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Internally Restricted Cash

Debt120,000 service ratio

The debt service ratio compares The debt service ratio for 2015-2016 Increasing demands placed on the net100,000 debt service cost (including was 4.08 per cent and as can be Council to borrow additional funds principal repayments and interest) to seen from the below graph, the ratio to provide various levels of works

operating80,000 revenue and is a relevant is in a downward trend and well demanded by our community may indicator of the affordability of an below the NSW Group 5 Councils well see this ratio increase over organisation’s debt position. average indicating that current levels coming years. 0 60,000 of debt remain manageable. $'00 Debt Service Ratio 40,000

10.00% 9.0020,000% Council Upper Limit 8.00% 7.00% 0 6.00% 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/1313/14 14/1515/16 5.00% YEAR 4.00% 3.00% Council 2.00% 1.00% NSW Group 5 Councils Average 0.00% 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Annual Report 2015-2016 135

Unrestricted Current Ratio

3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50 Council

0.00 NSW Group 5 Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio

120.00%

100.00% Council Target Ratio

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00% Council

NSW Group 5 0.00% Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/0909/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Operating Result Before Capital

20,000

15,000

10,000 0 $'00 5,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/1515/16

-5,000

Gross Outstanding Debt

90,000

80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000 0

$'00 40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Internally Restricted Cash

120,000

100,000

80,000 0 60,000 $'00

40,000

20,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/1313/14 14/1515/16

YEAR Debt Service Ratio

10.00% 9.00% Council Upper Limit 8.00% 7.00% 6.00% 5.00% 4.00% 3.00% Debt Service Ratio Council Unrestricted2.00% current ratio 1.00% NSW Group 5 Councils Average 10.00%0.00% 9.00% 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 The unrestricted current ratio is The unrestricted current ratio for Council Upper Limit 8.00% a measure of the ability to satisfy 2015-2016 was 2.67:1, which is 7.00% financial obligations in the short term considered satisfactory and indicates and 6.00is a %ratio of current assets, less Council has no problem in meeting externally-restricted5.00% assets, divided all payments when they fall due. by current4.00% liabilities, less specific- 3.00% purpose liabilities. Council 2.00% 1.00% Unrestricted Current Ratio NSW Group 5 Councils Average 0.00% 3.50 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50 Unrestricted Current Ratio 1.00

Council 3.500.50

0.00 NSW Group 5 3.00 Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 2.50

2.00

Building1.50 and infrastructure renewals ratio 1.00 Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio 0.50 Council The building120.00% and infrastructure that we are replacing our assets at Plans to ensure we get an optimum renewal0.00 ratio was .84 (84 per cent) a rate equal to or greater than the return on each NSWand Groupevery 5 dollar we Councils Average for 2015-2016100.00%06/0 70and was7/08 determined08/09 09/1 01consumption0/11 11/121 of these2/13 assets.13/14 14/15 15/16expendCouncil on asset Target maintenance Ratio and by dividing total asset renewals We are currently implementing renewal. Over time, this strategy (building80.00% and infrastructure) by the sophisticated Asset Management should see the trend of the above depreciation charge. A ratio of one graph continue to improve. or greater60.00% (100 per cent) indicates

40.00% Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio

20.00% Council 120.00% NSW Group 5 0.00% 100.00% Council TargetCouncils Ratio Average 06/0707/08 08/0909/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00% Council

NSW Group 5 0.00% Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/0909/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

(Data only available for last 9 years)

136 Annual Report 2015-2016

Operating Result Before Capital

20,000

15,000

10,000 Operating Result Before Capital 0 $'00

20,0005,000

15,0000 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/1515/16

10,000-5,000 0 $'00 5,000 Gross Outstanding Debt

0 90,000 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/1515/16

80,000 -5,000 70,000

60,000

50,000 0 Gross Outstanding Debt

$'00 40,000

30,000 90,000 20,000 80,000 10,000 70,000 0 60,000 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 50,000 0

$'00 40,000 Internally Restricted Cash 30,000

120,00020,000

10,000 100,000 0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 80,000 0 60,000 Internally Restricted Cash $'00

120,00040,000

100,00020,000

80,0000 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/1313/14 14/1515/16

0 YEAR 60,000 $'00

40,000

20,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/1313/14 14/1515/16

YEAR Debt Service Ratio

10.00% 9.00% Council Upper Limit 8.00% 7.00% 6.00% 5.00% 4.00% 3.00% Council 2.00% 1.00% NSW Group 5 Councils Average 0.00% 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Unrestricted Current Ratio

3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50 Council

0.00 NSW Group 5 Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio

120.00%

100.00% Council Target Ratio

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00% Council

NSW Group 5 0.00% Councils Average 06/0707/08 08/0909/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16

Operating Result Before Capital

20,000

15,000

10,000 0 $'00 5,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/1515/16

-5,000

Gross Outstanding Debt

90,000

80,000

70,000

60,000

Internally50,000 restricted cash 0

$'00 40,000

The graph30,00 below0 shows the amounts restricted cash supports a number These funds are invested in of ‘internally restricted’ cash held by of different projects that have accordance with Councils' Council20,00 over0 the past 10 years. been approved by Council which investment policy until the

Internally10,00 restricted0 cash is funds are, for various reasons, awaiting expenditure is required. held by Council for specific future commencement at some time in purposes as0 determined by the the future. 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 Council. Each balance of internally

Internally Restricted Cash

120,000

100,000

80,000 0 60,000 $'00

40,000

20,000

0 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/1313/14 14/1515/16

YEAR

Annual Report 2015-2016 137 financial statements for the year ending 2015-2016

You can find the complete version of Council’s Annual Financial Statements 2015-2016: • online at lakemac.com.au, or • by phoning Council’s Customer Service Centre on 4921 0333.

138 Annual Report 2015-2016

City of Lake Macquarie Annual Report 2015-2016

Lake Macquarie City Council 126-138 Main Road, SPEERS POINT NSW 2284 Box 1906 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310

(02) 4921 0333 [email protected] lakemac.com.au facebook.com/lakemaccity twitter.com/lakemac

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