Annual Report
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Annual2009–2010 Report A Lifesty Le for everyone CONTENTS Our Corporate Plan 2009–2013 .................................... 1 Message from the Mayor ............................................... 2 Message from the CEO .................................................. 3 Councillor Highlights .................................................... 4 Meetings and Conferences ............................................ 6 Executive team ............................................................. 7 Smart ........................................................................... 8 Natural ....................................................................... 18 Dynamic ..................................................................... 24 Healthy ....................................................................... 32 Our vision is for the Fraser Coast to offer “a lifestyle for Statutory Information ................................................ 40 Our vision everyone”. Fraser Coast Regional Council will work towards achieving this vision by sustaining our unique natural environment, building a dynamic region, maintaining a healthy community and establishing a smart customer orientated organisation. The Fraser Coast region covers an area of 7,125 km from the Gunalda Range to the south, past Howard on the Bruce Highway to the north, east to World Heritage listed Fraser Island and west to Brooweena. The population of the region at the 2006 Census was 86,747 O u r gu i d i n g and by 2031 it is estimated that the population will exceed 150,000. These are the principles that guide our actions and decisions when dealing with the community, customers and The median age of Fraser Coast Regional Council’s population stakeholders: is projected to increase by two years from 43 years in 2006 to 45 years in 2031. The median age for Queensland was HONESTY 36 and is projected to be 41 years in 2031. We behave ethically and act with honesty, fairness, courage The average household weekly income is $1,033. and loyalty. The region has a labour force of 35,167 people. Unemployment is approximately 5.5% of the ACCOUNTABILITY labour force. The gross regional product is We conduct ourselves in a business-like manner to deliver $2.8 billion. efficient and expert services in the public interest and we More than 1.6 million people visit the are open, consistent and transparent about our decisions. Fraser Coast each year. T EAMWORK We work together to strive for excellence, creativity, leading-edge technology and quality outcomes for the organisation and the region. R ESPECT We recognise and support the contribution of individuals and respect each other, our families, our clients, those with different ideas and from diverse backgrounds and cultures. C OMMUNICATION We keep people informed through active engagement and consultation and being open to alternative ideas. Purpose of report This Annual Report enables Council to share with the community and interested stakeholders information about our achievements, plans and challenges during the 2009- 2010 financial year. It also contains statutory information required by the Local Government Act 1993 including Council’s audited financial statements. i o n A L C o u n e g C i r L t A N S > – s P L > > A R M s Our Corporate Plan o E u C T p G E R M P L p N T A r M N o e O S L I U r s > D V t onal Pla > i 2009-2013 ti ns s A ra E e i i p P o O e > rf n o n r M t r e m g a f d Our Corporate Plan is a high level strategic planning n g u c C B e SHORT TERM C o R o m e r p document that provides the basis for Council decisions and PLANS p m o o o r t u r – i n a n g u t i e t A t r policies. It is part of Council’s overall planning framework n o n y p u e a l R P r P l e a l n a n which includes short term, medium term and long term plans L n n f a S l a l y o P c P c i i a S u g l t e and strategies. P t t l a a r t t n n r S a e t t e m s g e i g u c a e D n o a r The Fraser Coast Regional Council Corporate Plan 2009-2013 c M f u t m e e s e i n s t A s L n F a i l n P a l identifies four aspirations for Council and our community and n a c i w e i t a number of specific outcomes for each of these aspirations. L h b A A n i s A u t s SMART Leadership andOUTCOMES innovation A smart, sustainable Knowledge management and customer focused People development organisation Community and customer focus Marketing S NATURAL Natural environment A unique natural Biodiversity and climate change ION T environment Waste management A DY NAMIC Built environment ASPIR A diverse, innovative and Infrastructure prosperous region Commerce and industry Tourism destination HEALTHY Heritage and culture A livable, healthy and happy Community health and safety community Community development A Lifesty Le for everyone 1 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Council has achieved some important milestones in the past Council also launched a multi-media marketing campaign year, not the least of which was delivering our second budget using a series of discovery trails, the Our Fraser Coast which included $66 million for capital works. Magazine and a new look My Fraser Coast Website to inspire people to visit the region and stay longer by discovering the Balancing the budget was made harder as Council juggled range of unique experiences on offer. the loss of $14 million in State Government funding with the need to ensure projects went ahead to stimulate the Council also engaged the community by hosting four economy and build much needed infrastructure. community briefings across the region so we could hear first hand your concerns and aspirations for the future. Council also implemented a five-point plan to stimulate the economy in response to the Global Financial Crisis. Information gathered at those meetings was very useful when it came time for Council to formulate the 2010/11 To maintain our reputation as one of the fastest growing budget. regions in Australia, Council launched its Economic Development Strategy to outline how we plan to attract new I congratulate and thank all those who organised or business to the region to create jobs and wealth. volunteered at the many community events across the region to ensure their success. Council launched the Fraser Coast 2031 Sustainable Growth Strategy, the first step in defining a land use strategy and Together we can make a difference and ensure that the a strategic framework for the future Fraser Coast Regional Fraser Coast region remains a desirable place to live. Council Planning Scheme. Council developed and released for public comment the Draft 2030 Aviation Strategy which will guide Council in growing aviation services across the region. To boost tourism, the major employer on the Fraser Coast, Mick Kruger Council has injected funds into staging events and attracting Mayor tourists. Fraser Coast Regional Council 2 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO CEO This year’s annual report provides an opportunity to reflect Planning Act, Local Government Act, Right to Information and on the achievements of the Council and Council staff. Many Privacy Legislation during the year meant staff has had to of these achievements flow on from the building blocks become familiar with new provisions and introduce internal laid during amalgamation. Staff have continued to achieve changes. significant outcomes and improve services and service There was change in the Executive Management Team as delivery. David King and Ron Smith left Council to take up positions This year Council moved to a three directorate model to with other local authorities and private enterprise. more effectively deliver services. While there have been The remaining members of the Executive Management many changes since amalgamation in 2008, the staff Team have been given additional responsibilities as the have remained focused and worked with the Executive expectations of Council and the community increase. To that Management Team to bring about cultural change. It was end I would like to acknowledge the contributions of Lisa pleasing to note that even during this period of change Desmond, Peter Smith, Wayne Sweeney and all the staff of staff recorded an overall satisfaction rating of 71 %. Given the Fraser Coast Regional Council for their ongoing support. the uncertainty and the negative press Council sometimes receives this was a reassuring outcome. In looking back at what has been achieved, I believe that the Council is in a position to build on the benefits of The global financial crisis had a major impact on the amalgamation and start focusing on the future of the region. development industry and this created additional pressures This has not always been possible given the requirements for Council through a reduction in revenue from development of building a new organisation, but with the start of Fraser sources. The Council resolved to stimulate growth through Coast 2031, the formation of new working groups and a more targeted strategies such as reduced fees and charges, streamlined structure, improved consultation mechanisms shovel-ready project initiatives and other discounting of and dedicated staff, I believe the Fraser Coast will continue contributions. This created even more pressure on the to grow and prosper in the future. Council’s bottom line. As the State Government continued to reform local government a new raft of legislation was introduced and further changes are likely. The introduction of the Sustainable Andrew Brien Chief Executive Officer A Lifesty Le for everyone 3 C o u n c i l l o r H i gh l i gh ts C R JULIE ARTHUr (DEPUTY MaYOR) road safety.