Outback Communities Authority 2017-18 Annual Report Outback Communities Authority 12 Tassie Street, PO Box 2353, Port Augusta SA 5700 www.oca.sa.gov.au Contact phone number (08) 8648 5970 Contact email [email protected] ISSN 2208 6846 Date presented to Minister 28 September 2018 Public – I2 – A1 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT for the Outback Communities Authority To: The Hon. Stephan Knoll MHA Transport and Infrastructure Housing and Urban Development City of Adelaide Local Government This annual report is to be presented to Parliament to meet the statutory reporting requirements of Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009 and meets the requirements of Premier and Cabinet Circular PC013 Annual Reporting. This report is verified to be accurate for the purposes of annual reporting to the Parliament of South Australia. Submitted on behalf of the Outback Communities Authority by: Mark R Sutton Director, Outback Communities Authority Date 21 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT for the Outback Communities Authority Contents Contents .................................................................................................................... 3 Section A: Reporting required under the Public Sector Act 2009, the Public Sector Regulations 2010 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1987 ................. 4 Agency purpose or role ..................................................................................................... 4 Objectives of the Act .......................................................................................................... 4 Objectives of the Outback Communities Authority ............................................................. 4 Key strategies and their relationship to SA Government objectives ................................... 5 Agency programs and initiatives and their effectiveness and efficiency ............................. 7 Legislation administered by the agency ........................................................................... 10 Organisation of the agency .............................................................................................. 10 Employment opportunity programs .................................................................................. 12 Agency performance management and development systems ........................................ 13 Work health, safety and return to work programs of the agency and their effectiveness .. 14 Work health and safety and return to work performance .................................................. 15 [Data SA – South Australian Government Data Directory] ............................................... 15 Fraud detected in the agency .......................................................................................... 15 Strategies implemented to control and prevent fraud ....................................................... 16 [Data SA – South Australian Government Data Directory] ............................................... 16 Whistle-blowers’ disclosure ............................................................................................. 16 [Data SA – South Australian Government Data Directory] ............................................... 16 Executive employment in the agency .............................................................................. 17 Consultants ..................................................................................................................... 17 [Data SA – South Australian Government Data Directory] ............................................... 17 Contractors above $10,000 ............................................................................................. 17 [Data SA – South Australian Government Data Directory] ............................................... 19 Financial performance of the agency ............................................................................... 20 Section B: Reporting required under any other act or regulation ..................... 22 Section C: Reporting of public complaints as requested by the Ombudsman. 23 Summary of complaints by subject .................................................................................. 23 [Data SA – South Australian Government Data Directory] ............................................... 23 Complaint outcomes ........................................................................................................ 23 Appendix: Audited financial statements 2017-18 ................................................ 24 3 | 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT for the Outback Communities Authority Section A: Reporting required under the Public Sector Act 2009, the Public Sector Regulations 2010 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1987 Agency purpose or role The Outback Communities Authority (OCA) is established pursuant to the Outback Communities (Administration and Management) Act 2009 and commenced operations on 1 July 2010. The OCA replaced the Outback Areas Community Development Trust as the management and governance authority for the outback, however is the same body corporate. The OCA has responsibility for the management and ‘limited’ local governance of the unincorporated areas of South Australia along with articulating the views, interests and aspirations of outback residents. The region encompasses 63% of the State of South Australia and is home to approximately 3000 people who reside in a number of small townships and numerous small settlements including pastoral, farming and tourism enterprises. From 1 July 2014 the OCA has been placed administratively within the Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI), accountable to the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government as of 23 March 2018. The OCA’s structure is unique in the Australian context as it performs some functions traditionally undertaken by Local Government and some which usually fall within the jurisdiction of State Governments. Objectives of the Act • Provide for efficient and accountable administration and management of outback communities; and • Promote participation of outback communities in their administration and management; and • Raise revenue for public services and facilities in the outback. Objectives of the Outback Communities Authority • To manage the provision of public services and facilities to outback communities; and • To promote improvements in the provision of public services and facilities to outback communities; and • To articulate the views, interests and aspirations of outback communities. 4 | 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT for the Outback Communities Authority Key strategies and their relationship to SA Government objectives Key strategy SA Government objective Grow our Community Delivering Frontline Services and Creating Jobs Facilitate the improvement in the wellbeing of people living, working and visiting the Outback Working in partnership with other sectors of Government: • instigate infrastructure projects that facilitate economic growth and are sustainable to meet the needs for the region, inclusive of: - All communities having access to mobile and internet communication by 2020 - An all-weather road network to key locations by 2030, including sealing the Strzelecki track - Installation of sustainable power supplies at all communities by 2020 - A network of 24-hour, all- weather airstrips for emergency use by 2020 - Ensuring access to potable water for communities - Improved waste management including the availability of recycling by 2020 • Develop partnerships with service providers to improve the quality of service provision to the Outback • Work to create attractive environments and conditions for professionals who work in the Outback • Establish an effective Services SA presence in the Outback • Ensure an appropriate level of Police presence in the Outback • Support the implementation of the recently completed OCA Regional Recreation and Sport Plan • Actively advocate for accessible and effective health services including aged care, emergency response and dental care 5 | 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT for the Outback Communities Authority Key strategy SA Government objective Grow our Economy Creating Jobs and Unlocking Investment Facilitate new opportunities and investment in the Outback Working in partnership with other sectors of Government: • Develop creative economic development seed funding programs with flexible entry levels to grow new and existing businesses • Facilitate and support the development of an Outback Tourism strategy that promotes diversification of the economy, incorporates visitor experience opportunities and leverages the investment in Leigh Creek by December 2018 • Strongly advocate for innovative approaches to the delivery of services for children and young people to retain our young people in the Outback • Influence the development of a Regional Workforce Development Strategy that identifies regional opportunities for regional employment growth and educational opportunities Grow our Influence and Presence Delivering Frontline Services and Unlocking Investment Facilitate understanding of the needs of Outback people and promote the OCA’s key role in decision making for the Outback Working in partnership with other sectors of Government to: • Bring to Government decision making an awareness of remote and very remote community issues, and promote the OCA as first point of contact for pivotal strategic decision makers on Outback matters 6 | 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT for the Outback Communities Authority Agency programs and initiatives and their effectiveness