ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
Presented at the Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 18 November 2015 at 5pm
Glenorchy Council Chambers Main Road, Glenorchy
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CONTENTS
ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCTION ...... 1
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES ...... 3
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTES & AGENDA ...... 4
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ...... 5
CHAIR’S REPORT ...... 8
EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT ...... 9
FINANCIAL RECORDS ...... 13
. ANNUAL REPORT – 2014-2015
ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCTION
CyclingSouth is a regional organisation made up of the five Councils in the Greater Hobart area to provide a collaborative approach to increasing recreational and transportation usage of bicycles. This aim is to help Councils achieve their goals to improve community health and well-being, social inclusion, access and sustainability. Cycling South grew from the Southern Regional Councils Bicycle Committee (formed in the 1990s) and commenced in mid-2000.
Cycling South facilitates strategic regional planning of bicycle networks and provides advocacy on behalf of the member councils for more state government resources and policies supporting cycling in the region. It provides a forum for local government to engage with the community by promoting the achievements of the member councils in active transport and recreation.
The regional focus recognises that the member Councils are interconnected and cycling projects in one municipal area benefit residents in adjoining municipalities as people move across council boundaries when they use their bicycles to commute to work, get exercise, meet with friends or go places.
A part-time Executive Officer is employed to provide regional coordination for bicycle network planning as well as work directly with Council Officers to provide support and specialist advice including identifying network priorities and technical design guidance.
The activities of CyclingSouth are overseen by a Management Committee comprising representatives of the member councils. In addition, key stakeholder groups are invited to attend committee meetings.
The organisations and their nominees represented on the Committee in 2014-2015 were:
Hobart City Council Glenorchy City Council Ald Helen Burnet (Chair) Ald Haydyn Neilsen Ald Damon Thomas Ald Mat Stevenson Ald Suzy Cooper Mr Len Yeats Ms Angela Moore (Manager – Traffic Engineering)
Clarence City Council Kingborough Council Ald Kay McFarlane (Secretary) Cr Richard Atkinson (Deputy Chair) Ald Sharyn Von Bertouch Mr Ian Preece (Treasurer/Public Officer)
Brighton Council Bicycle Tasmania / Tasmanian Bicycle Council Cr Leigh Gray Ms Emma Pharo Mr Callum Pearce-Rasmussen
The day-to day implementation of CyclingSouth's strategic and operational plans is managed by the Executive Officer, Ms Mary McParland.
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In order to facilitate the delivery of the program, Glenorchy City Council has acted since December 2004 as the host agency, providing office space and secretariat support, replacing some of the service provided by Hobart City Council between September 2000 and December 2004.
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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
CyclingSouth’s strategic objectives are to assist local government to meet strategic goals to create and maintain healthy, sustainable and socially connected communities. This is achieved in the following ways:
• Facilitate and support the development of cycling infrastructure in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Tasmania to increase opportunities for residents to adopt active transport modes and participate in recreation for improved community health and well-being.
• Maintain strong communication with other stakeholders, in particular state government representatives and agencies and community-based cycling organisations.
• Increase the participation in cycling through encouragement and education programs such as Adult Cycling Courses.
• Promote cycling activities and events in Tasmania such as National Ride to Work Day.
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTES & AGENDA
As required under the Rules of CyclingSouth Inc:
• The date and agenda of the Annual General Meeting was duly notified to members at least 14 days prior to the meeting date.
• Reports on the transactions of CyclingSouth Inc in the last preceding financial year are presented in this document for presentation to the Annual General Meeting.
• The following agenda shall apply for the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 18 November 2015. AGENDA
1. Attendance and Apologies
2. Confirmation of minutes of preceding Annual General Meeting on 9 December 2014, and/or any other General Meeting held since.
3. Receipt from Management Committee, Auditor and servants of CyclingSouth Inc reports on the transactions of CyclingSouth Inc during the last preceding financial year.
3.1. Chair report
3.2. Executive Officer report
3.3. Treasurer Report
4. Appointment of Auditor
5. Other business
6. Close
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday 9 December 2014 4.30pm Lower Ground Floor Conference room, Hobart City Council Meeting opened 4.35pm
1. PRESE T Chair Cr Flora Fox (Kingborough Council) Deputy Chair Ald Helen Burnet (Hobart City Council) Members Ian Preece (Clarence City Council) Ald Kay McFarlane (Clarence City Council) Mary McParland (Executive Officer) Rod Marshall (Glenorchy City Council) Stuart Baird (Hobart City Council) Ald Sharyn Von Bertouch (Clarence City Council) Angela Moore (Hobart City Council) Cr Richard Atkinson (Kingborough Council) Callum Pearce-Rasmussen (Brighton) APOLOGIES Ald Haydyn Nielsen (Glenorchy City Council) Peter Ridler (Glenorchy City Council) Owen Gerversoni (Hobart City Council) Emma Pharo (Bicycle Tasmania) Luke Middleton (DIER) Glenn Sheppard (Glenorchy City Council) Len Yeats (Glenorchy City Council) Philip Cocker (Hobart City Council)
2. PREVIOUS MI UTES The Minutes of the previous meeting on 13 November 2013 were tabled
Moved Rod Marshall, Seconded Stuart Baird that the minutes be adopted CARRIED 3. A UAL REPORT 3.1 Chair’s Report
Cr Flora Fox addressed the committee and gave an overview of projects delivered in recent years as well as the challenges of expanding the cycling network during a period of funding cuts. The Chair report acknowledged contribution of the member councils and staff, in particular Glenorchy Council for hosting the CyclingSouth office. Ald Helen Burnet moved a motion of thanks for the contribution made by Cr Flora Fox. Moved Ald Kay McFarlane; Seconded Ian Preece that the report be received. CARRIED
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3.2 Executive Officer’s Report The Executive Officer reported on the progress of the Hobart Regional Arterial Bicycle Network Plan outlining projects delivered in the 2013/14 financial year and outlined other activities carried out by Cycling South to increase participation in cycling and make it safer. Moved Ald Helen Burnet; Seconded Angela Moore that the reports be received. CARRIED 3.3 Financial Report
The unaudited financial reports for 2013/14 were presented. A meeting will be held at a later date to accept the audited figures.
Moved Rod Marshall and Seconded Stuart Baird that the unaudited financial statements for 2013/14 be accepted by the committee and endorsed at a future meeting once they have been audited..
CARRIED
4 APPOI TME T OF MA AGEME T COMMITTEE MEMBERS Management Committee members will remain unchanged until after the next local government election. The members are: 4.1 Hobart City Council Ald Helen Burnett (nominated voting member) Ald Damon Thomas Ald Suzy Cooper Ms Angela Moore 4.2 Clarence City Council Ald Kay McFarlane (nominated voting member) Ald Sharyn von Bertouch Mr Ian Preece 4.3 Kingborough Council Cr Richard Atkinson (nominated voting member) 4.4 Glenorchy City Council Ald Haydyn Neilsen (nominated voting member) Ald Matt Stevenson Len Yeates 4.5 Brighton Council Cr Leigh Grey (nominated voting member) Mr Callum Pearce-Rathmussen 5 APPOI TME T OF MA AGEME T COMMITTEE MEMBERS I ACCORDA CE WITH RULE 22 OF THE RULES OF CYCLI G SOUTH I C. 5.1 Chair Ald Helen Burnet nominated from the floor. Moved: Cr Richard Atkinson; Seconded Ald Kay McFarlane. CARRIED
5.2 Deputy Chair Ald Kay McFarlane and Cr Richard Atkinson nominated from the floor. A vote was held and Cr Richard Atkinson was elected Deputy Chair. Moved: Ald Helen Burnet, Seconded: Ian Preece CARRIED
5.3 Secretary
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Ald Kay McFarlane nominated from the floor. Moved: Ald Kay McFarlane, Seconded Ald Helen Burnet. CARRIED 5.4 Treasurer / Public Officer Ian Preece nominated from the floor. Moved Ian Preece, Seconded Stuart Baird. CARRIED
6 APPOI TME T OF AUDITOR Moved Cr Ald Kay McFarlane; Seconded Mr Rod Marshall that Alyssa Charlton be appointed auditor for 2014/15 financial year. CARRIED 7 CO TRIBUTIO TO CYCLI G SOUTH. Funding contribution to Cycling South needs to increase annually with CPI. The financial position needs to be visited during 2015 to determine future funding contributions. Motion to be ratified at the next meeting. Moved Ald Helen Burnet, seconded Ald Kay McFarlane the funding contribution be reviewed an increased annually with CPI CARRIED
7 OTHER BUSI ESS None The meeting closed at 5.08pm.
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CHAIR’S REPORT
Overview of Year
Following national and international trends, there is an increased response by local government in southern Tasmania to the community's desire for better cycling facilities. In my first year chairing Cycling South (CS), I wanted us as an organisation to focus on the bigger picture which fits with the organisation's objectives and our capacity.
Earlier in the year, the committee looked at our strategic focus found the committee reassessing the organisation's priorities. The strategic direction and better communication was placed at the top of the list. Executive Officer Mary McParland teamed with Bicycle Network to meet with the Premier (also minister for Sport, Recreation and communities and Tourism) to inform and lobby on various issues. In particular the lack of dedicated funding for cycling projects was raised.
As part of an improved communication strategy, Mary is also attending all member councils' Bicycle Advisory Group meetings, and has provided each Council with an update of projects undertaken by Cycling South. The e-newsletter continues to be a good resource for news from the organisation, and for events and other data relevant to cycling.
Making use of a 3 day working week, Mary also moved away from time-expensive projects such as the Ride to Work bike breakfast on October 14, this year left to Bicycle Network Tasmania to organise. It all helped focus on the larger issues of bike advocacy in the interests of member Councils and their constituents and visitors.
There have been some positive movements in cycling, in part added by the work and promotion of Cycling South. They include: • Bonnet Hill uphill sealed shoulders • 1.5 m overtaking on double lines laws from the state government • Extension of Morrison St bike lanes in Hobart • Clarence Foreshore Trail at Lindisfarne • Interest in active transport from the new Prime Minister • National Cycling Participation survey showing an increase in riding in Tasmania since the 2013 survey and participation levels in Tasmania are close to the national average.
Further consideration to improve outcomes with greater funding from member Councils can no longer be delayed: if we want to be more effective we, like the councils we represent, must commit to a better funded model which will ultimately deliver more integrated bike paths and cycle ways for a healthier and more sustainable active transport network. To that end, the committee has agreed to lobbying their Council for an increased financial commitment to funding CS for next year's budgets.
Summary In closing, I would like to thank all of the committee, particularly deputy chair Cr Richard Atkinson who has chaired meetings in my absence. I would also like to thank the EO, for her ongoing dedication to the organisation and cycling in general. Our combined commitment to furthering the bicycle network in each of our councils is much more effective through the work of Cycling South. Next year will provide us with greater opportunities to do more.
Ald Helen Burnet Chair
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EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
Overview of Year
The biggest challenge facing the implementation of the Hobart Regional Arterial Bicycle Network Plan and the State Government’s Principal Urban Cycling Network is a lack of state government funding. With the Trails and Bikeway Program discontinued the development of shared pathways, trails and cycleways across the state has slowed. I met with the Premier earlier in the year, along with Bicycle Network Tasmania, to discuss the importance of funding infrastructure that provides for walking and cycling, particularly as they tick many boxes for meeting government objectives - health and exercise, mobility and transport, liveability and tourism.
To quote Alexander Graham Bell, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us ”. Although there is no dedicated funding for cycling, new doors have opened up.
The Vulnerable Road Users Program, which is funded through the Road Safety Levy, has been used as a defacto infrastructure fund. Glenorchy were successful in obtaining funds for the Main Road bike lanes between Austins Ferry and St Virgils. Clarence was successful with their application to extend the multi-user path from the Tasman Hwy pedestrian overpass to Rosny Hill Road.
Other doors that have opened this year are the State Government’s allocation of $5M road maintenance funding towards shoulder sealing on cycling routes. The Channel Highway over Bonnet Hill will be the first project to have sealed shoulders installed in the uphill direction, increasing comfort and safety for all road users. Keen lobbying by the Bonnet Hill Community Association and KBUG helped raise the profile of this project and other popular cycling routes will be improved over time. Discussions took place during the year about the size of aggregate used for shoulder sealing and construction techniques to ensure new sealed shoulders are properly rolled and swept to cater for cycling.
In February a new road rule came into effect allowing drivers to cross a double white line to safely overtake a cyclist. This allows drivers to give more room when passing.
The Road Safety Advisory Council implemented the roll out of safe passing distance signage on popular cycling routes. In higher speed zones the distance is 1.5m. The signs help to educate motorists and also define what is an acceptable overtaking distance. Road Rule 144 refers to drivers leaving a sufficient distance to avoid a collision when overtaking but the definition of sufficient distance had not been clarified before.
The Department of State Growth’s Positive Provisioning Policy has also contributed to projects in the Greater Hobart area. The upgrade of the South Arm Highway between Oceana Drive and Rokeby resulted in a concrete multi-user pathway alongside the roadway, as well as paths on Pass Road and Tollard Drive connecting to the new signalised intersection on South Arm Highway.
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A new slip lane on the Bowen Bridge on the eastern shore incorporated a new pathway in the project to connect riders from East Derwent Highway to the Bowen Bridge pathway.
The Hobart Regional Arterial Bicycle Network Plan Progress
Each member council (except for Brighton) has a Bicycle Advisory Committee which meets bi-monthly and are made up of community representatives, council staff, aldermen/councillors and the Cycling South Executive Officer. The committees provide advice to the respective councils on cycling projects and priorities.
Progress on the network varies between council areas but a few significant additions were made in 2014/15.
Hobart
• The next stage of the Sandy Bay Road Walking and Cycling Project was implemented, with a widened pathway installed between Derwent Water Ave and Marieville Esplanade.
• The footpath along Morrison St was widened to provide a shared space for cycling and planning work is underway for the final section between Brooke St pier and PW1.
• The Battery Point Walkway was approved by Hobart City Council but disappointingly overturned by the Widened footpath along Morrison St with a coloured area Planning Tribunal. defining the section shared with bike riders
• Augusta Road had uphill bike lanes installed between Creek Road and Giblin St.
• The first stage of a pathway alongside IMAS was installed using temporary materials to provide a link between PW1 and Battery Point. Bollards and paint were used to define the space and UTAS will upgrade the pathway with more permanent materials.
• The New Town Velodrome was resurfaced, providing an improved and safety track and the Pipeline Track had the twin bridges replaced with wider and more user-friendly ones.
Glenorchy
• An application made to the Vulnerable Road Users Program for the Main Road bicycle lanes was partially funded which will allow Council to install bike lanes between Austins Ferry and St Virgils.
• Budgetary limitations have resulted in no capital works spending. Shovel-ready projects have not progressed. These include the Barossa Creek Trail connection to the Intercity Cycleway and the Intercity Cycleway extension from Bilton St Claremont to Austins Ferry. The Lutana Link rail spur has been raised as a priority by community members but no progress on this has been made and TasRail has started leasing sections of the corridor to adjoining property owners.
• An opportunity for Bunnings to construct a shared pathway along their frontage on Howard Road was missed but it will be possible for Council to widen the footpath in the future once funds are allocated to capital works projects again.
• Signage was installed in the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park to assist mountain bikers and walkers find trails, especially the North-South Track
• A Happiness Cycle event coordinated by Bicycle Network with support from council saw 150 bikes distributed to 14-15 year old school students from Glenorchy who didn’t have a bike already.
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Clarence
• Council received the 2014 Medibank Active Tasmania Awards – Local Government Section for their work on the Clarence Foreshore Trail. Additional sections added to the Clarence Foreshore Trail during the year included a widened pathway at the Clarence Hotel as part of a carpark upgrade.
• A stakeholder group was appointed to make recommendations to Council for improvements to Clarence Street based on the recommendations of the community reference group and the Clarence St risk assessment carried out by SKM. This project is ongoing.
• As part of the Rokeby Road upgrade a new shared pathway was constructed between Oceana Drive and Tollard Drive with additional paths constructed from the signalised intersection along Tollard Drive and Pass Road to Glebe Hill Estate.
• The Clarence Mountain Bike Park has experienced increased use with the carpark at capacity on some weekends. New signage has been installed in the park and works carried out to make the XC loop more accessible. Dirt Jumps were also constructed at Risdon Vale by the Risdon Vale Bike Collective.
Kingborough
• The $30,000 Trails and Bikeways funding secured by Cycling South to complete the gap between the Whitewater Creek Trail and the Coffee Creek Trail has still not been spent as the path will sensibly be incorporated into the Bunnings Development which is due to be constructed in 2015/16.
• Successful campaigning by the Bonnet Hill Community Association and the Kingborough Bicycle Users Group resulted in funding being allocated to sealed shoulders on the Channel Highway over Bonnet Hill
• Centre line marking on Mt Royal Road was modified to create more space for uphill cyclists, as well as removing a median island on a bend which was a squeeze point.
Brighton
• The Jordan River Trail was extended by approximately 150m at the southern end near Andrew Street as well as sealing a flood prone 100m section north of Blackburn Ave.
Counts program The annual counts program was carried out in March 2015 which showed steady usage on most bike routes with a slight drop in numbers overall, but nothing statistically significant.
Grant applications Cycling South made no grant applications in 2014/15.
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Cycling promotion activities
Ride to Work Day – 15 October 2014 A community breakfast was hosted in Hobart as part of National Ride to Work Day. The event continues to attract new riders as well as bringing together regular riders who demonstrate that commuting to work is possible in Hobart and a reality for hundreds of workers. It also provides an important networking and promotional opportunity for Cycling South and supporters of Ride to Work Day. This was the last Ride to Work Event coordinated by Cycling South with Bicycle Network coordinating the 2015 event.
State Bike Week – March 2015 The Tasmanian Bicycle Council (TBC) coordinated the promotion of Bike Week statewide which included a commercial on Southern Cross. As a member of the TBC CyclingSouth assisted with the promotion and organisation of the following events in conjunction with Bicycle Tasmania • Family Ride (Clarence area) • Women on Wheels (Clarence area) • Century & Half Century Ride (Clarence area) The purpose of Bike Week is to promote cycling to a broad cross-section of the community, get people on their bikes and promote council infrastructure.
Cycling education CyclingSouth ran two adult cycling courses during the year. In March 6 women learned to ride (the oldest was 82 years) and a second course was held in May with 4 participants. Summary
CyclingSouth continues to play a role in the development of cycling infrastructure across the Greater Hobart Region, as well as a mechanism for promoting good work being done by councils via the website and newsletter. I would like to acknowledge the work of Peter Ridler who acted as Treasurer for 12 years and continued to provide support during the transition to the Reckon accounting system. Also Glenorchy City Council’s contribution for subsidised office space is appreciated. I would also like to recognise the productive and valuable working relationships I have with council officers from the member councils, the staff at Bicycle Network Tasmania (in particular Emma Pharo), the volunteers at Bicycle Network Tasmania and Luke Middleton from Department of State Growth. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my appreciation for the Committee of Management who work within their local government areas to support and implement cycling projects across the region.
MARY McPARLAND Executive Officer
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FINANCIAL RECORDS
OTES TO A D FORMI G PART OF THE ACCOU TS FOR THE YEAR E DED 30 JU E 2014
In 2013/14 Cycling South implemented the Reckon accounting software program to assist with the management of the financial records. Prior to this, the records were maintained on an Excel spreadsheet. Peter Ridler should be acknowledged for acting as Treasurer from 2002 to 2014 and taking over coordination of the financial records from Hobart City Council in 2005 which involved many hours of volunteer labour. In 2012/13 it was recognised that the volume of transactions was making it difficult and time consuming to manage. The new system has made recording and reporting the financial records much easier and more efficient.
The balance sheet shows $11,265 in account receivables. This includes $6,800 from Department of State Growth for Cycleway signage in Glenorchy, $4,125 from Hobart City Council for bike counts and $340 from bike shops for bike maps. $3,118 in GST is owed to the Tax Office.
The Profit and Loss Statement indicates a loss of $24,117.13. This was for several reasons: • In the 2013/14 financial year funding was received for projects but the funds were not spent until the 2014/15 financial year, resulting in a $27,988 surplus the previous financial year. These projects included the Hobart bike counts and the Intercity Cycleway signage project. • Glenorchy City Council’s contribution for 2014/15 operating costs were paid at the end of the previous financial year and allocated to the previous financial year’s figures, resulting in no contribution recorded for GCC in 2014/15 (but two contributions recorded for 2013/14).
The appointed auditor for 2014/15 was Alissa Charlton. The following audited documents are attached.
• Audit Report • Balance Sheet • Profit and Loss Statement
IAN PREECE Treasurer
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