Annual Report 2012-2013

Building a Better Community

Contents

Infrastructure Services 21-25

 Department Operations and Structure Outline  Major Projects  2012/2013 Capital Road Works Program  Miscellaneous Projects Mayor’s Report 1  Projects undertaken in partnership with Council

Chief Executive Officer’s Report 2 Environmental Services 27-35

Community Members Profile 2012-2014 3-5  Department Operations and Structure Outline  Development Assessment

Environmental Health Community Services 7-19   Dog and Cat Management  Department Operations and Structure Outline  Parking Control  Community Organisation Support  Bushfire Prevention  Council Events  Animal and Plant Control  Library Services  Effluent Drainage /Management/Planning/Maintenance  Riverland Community Transport  Major Projects  Youth Services

 Berri Visitor Information Centre Corporate Services 37-71

 Department Operations and Structure Outline  Rating and Valuations - Rating Policy for the Year 2012/2013  Annual Business Plan Implementation  Financial Management Statement  Annual Financial Statements for the Year ended 30th June 2013

Executive Services 73-104

 Governance  Compliance

Regional Subsidiary Reports 105-126

 Murray and Mallee Local Government Association

It is with great pleasure that I present the Berri Barmera Councils We were pleased to announce that Garry Pinnington of Berri was Annual Report for 2012/2013. named our Citizen of the Year, Olivia Sully of Berri the Young Citizen of the Year, the Big River Regional Street Rod Nationals the As each year goes by since the drought, continuing rains help to fill Communirty Event of the Year and the Berri District Youth Club for Mayor’s Report our catchment areas providing light at the end of the tunnel. The the Contribution to the Community Award. They were all presented structure of a Murray Darling Basin Plan for our State will give a little with their awards at the very successful Australia Day Breakfast more confidence to all our irrigators for their future. event which was held in Barmera on the Lakefront. Former Premier of South Australia Dr Lynn Arnold was our Australia Day In November 2012, the three Riverland Councils were honoured to Ambassador helping present the awards on the day. host a Vice Regal reception at the Berri Resort Hotel for His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce Governor of South Australia and his wife In mid June while attending the National General Assembly of Local “The structure of a Liz. They were last here as our guests back in April 2008. Government in Canberra, we were pleased with the announcement from the Federal Minister for Local Government the Hon. Anthony Murray Darling Basin Council have continued the upgrade of various bitumen road reseals Albanese that all Councils would benefit from the Regional and road reconstructions as part of our works program along with the Development Australia Fund. Our Council received $214,000 that Plan for our State will ongoing constructions of new footpaths and gopher routes within our will again be put to good use. towns progressing well over the past year. give a little more In conclusion, I would once again like to pass on my sincere appreciation to my fellow Elected Members, CEO David Beaton, confidence to all our Executive officers and all staff and volunteers for their continued dedication in serving the Berri Barmera Council and for the support they have given to me during the year. irrigators for their

I would furthermore recommend that to find out more on the future”. operations of your Council; please consider reading through the Annual Report in its entirety.

Photo courtesy of the Riverland Weekly

The household waste / recycling project was rolled out at the start of 2013 and although there were some minor issues to start with, overall it has been widely accepted by the community. It will be of great benefit to our district and environment well into the future.

Council supported notable events throughout the year such as; the Riverland Field Days, the Berri Merri Christmas Event, the Barmera Christmas Pageant and the Riverland Country Music Festival. A big part of Councils revenue also goes into supporting the various sporting clubs within our district.

Mayor Peter R. Hunt

CEO’s Report

Dear Residents, “Berri Barmera Council has budgeted its first The annual report is provided to record the results that Council has achieved in its multi-faceted approach to better delivery of surplus since the former services and keeping its rate increases to a minimum.

Councils amalgamated This year has seen the introduction of the three bin waste system and is now in a sound to satisfy the higher environmental demands on Council. The positive results in the six months that it was operating included financial position to 489 tonnes of recycling and 408 tonnes of green waste no longer being buried in land fill. achieve some long held community projects and The Council has completed stormwater retention upgrades and aspirations”. has its subsurface irrigation operating efficiently. These improvements will reduce Councils need to draw water from the River Murray and save millions of litres of water annually.

The Bonney Theatre has had a major face lift over the last few years and now is in wonderful condition for community use.

I am extremely proud of the diligence and commitment by staff Berri Barmera Council has budgeted its first surplus since the whose efforts continue to support the direction of Council and former Councils amalgamated and is now in a sound financial the Community. position to achieve some long held community projects and aspirations.

Please take your time to read the report and forward any questions or queries that arise to the Council on [email protected] or the principle office on 08 8582 1922.

CEO David Beaton

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Cr Rhonda Centofanti Mayor Peter Hunt

PO Box 182 PO Box 1326 WINKIE SA 5343 BERRI SA 5343 Cr Andrew Kassebaum Phone 85837216 Phone 0408821922 Deputy Mayor

(appointed December 2012)

Committee Membership PO Box 14 Asset Management Committee GLOSSOP SA 5344 Strategic Governance Committee Phone 85837116 Committee Membership Berri Town Beautification Committee Barmera Town Beautification Committee Asset Management Committee Audit Committee (ex Officio) Strategic Governance Committee Recreation Facilities Committee Berri Town Beautification Committee Major Projects Committee (Ex Officio) Cemetery Advisory Committee Martin Bend Recreation Area Committee Committee Membership Recreation Facilities Committee Barmera Town Beautification Committee Asset Management Committee Major Projects Committee Strategic Governance Committee (Chair) Martin Bend Recreation Area Committee Audit Committee (Proxy) Other Cemetery Advisory Committee

Recreational Facilities Committee Other Murray Mallee Local Government Association (Vice President) Major Projects Committee LGA of SA—State Executive Riverland Regional Development Assessment Panel Riverland Local Government Forum Upper Murray Garden Of Memory (Cemetery) Committee (Observer) Local Government Finance Authority Other SAROC

Monash and Lone Gum Community Association Inc (Observer) Murray Darling Association Riverland Wine and Food Festival Steering Committee Riverland Local Government NRM Advisory Group Riverland Local Government Forum MMLGA

Council Members Profile 2010-2014

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Cr Vicki Beech

PO Box 173 Cr Michelle Campbell BERRI SA 5343 Phone 85821293

23 Powell Street BERRI SA 5343 Phone 85824858 Cr Trevor Chapple

Committee Membership

Asset Management Committee PO Box 567 Strategic Governance Committee BERRI SA 5343 Berri Town Beautification Committee Phone 85832057 YACU (Youth and Council Unite) Committee Committee Membership Recreation Facilities Committee Barmera Town Beautification Committee Asset Management Committee Community Grant Panel Review Strategic Governance Committee YACU (Youth and Council Unite) Recreation Facilities Committee Martin Bend Recreation Area Committee Committee Membership

Other Asset Management Committee Strategic Governance Committee Riverland Regional Waste Management Strategy Committee Audit Committee Riverland Recreation and Sport “Be Active” Steering Committee Berri Town Beautification Committee Berri Barmera Local Action Planning Recreation Facilities Committee Riverland Local Government NRM Advisory Group Barmera Town Beautification Committee Major Projects Committee Martin Bend Recreation Area Committee

Council Members Profile 2010-2014

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Cr Margaret Evans OAM Cr Bruce Richardson

PO Box 509 BERRI SA 5343 2/1 McGilton Road Phone 85823015 BERRI SA 5343 Phone 85821764

Cr Mike Fuller

54 Nookamka Terrace

BARMERA SA 5345 Committee Membership Committee Membership Phone 85881130

Asset Management Committee Asset Management Committee (Chairman)

Strategic Governance Committee Strategic Governance Committee

Cemetery Advisory Committee Audit Committee

Berri Town Beautification Committee

Recreational Facilities Committee Recreational Facilities Committee

Major Projects Committee

Committee Membership Other:

Berri Barmera HAC (Observer) Other Asset Management Committee

Strategic Governance Committee Berri Traders Association (Observer) Barmera Town Beautification Committee Audit Committee Recreational Facilities Committee

Other

MMLGA—Riverland Community Transport Advisory Scheme Committee Barmera District War Memorial Community Centre (Observer) Murray Darling Association

Council Members Profile 2010-2014

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Community Services

Department Operations and Structure Outline Riverland Community Transport

Community Organisation Support Youth

Council Events Berri Visitor Information Centre

Library Services

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Department Operations and Structure Outline

The Community Services Department is responsible for the management and operations of the following functions of Council:

 Grants Commission  Culture and Heritage

 Tourism  Community / Social Development

 Library  Sport & Recreation Administration

 Community Transport  Aged Persons

 Youth  Medical and Health Services

To effectively implement the management and operations of the Department, the following Staffing Structure applies:

Library Manager (1) Community Development Officer (1)

Barmera Staff Berri Staff

Visitor Information Riverland Community Youth Development Centre Manager (1) Transport Trainee (1) Officer (1)

Customer Service Staff / Volunteers

Community Services

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Community Organisation Support The following organisations and projects have received support through the Community Grants Program in 2012/2013:

Organisation Project/Event Cash In-Kind Supporting our Community to build a better Riverland Youth Theatre Riverland Youth Theatre $2,000 Community $150 Youth Parliament Riverland Team Youth Parliament SA Activity Council has taken a proactive approach for a number of Barmera Primary School Barmera Environmental Expo 2012 $500 years in supporting community groups that are Berri District Youth Club Inc Equipment Upgrade $2,000 committed to contributing to the community’s quality of life. Whether it is through project partnership The National Trust of SA: Barmera Branch Internment Camp Hut Display- Mannequins $598 agreements, community grant applications or operational Barmera Monash Football Club Cyclone Fence Eastern End Goals $2,000 contributions, Council’s support has consisted of financial, Berri Senior Citizens Club Repainting of Senior Citizens Clubrooms $1,000 in kind or a combination of both. Cobdogla Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee Refurbishment of Kitchen $4,000 Each year Council also maintains a wide range of facilities Cobdogla Steam Friends Society Inc Seating for Wine and Dine Events at Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum Nil $4,000 that are provided at heavily subsidised rates to Norwood Cycling Club Inc. 38th Tour of the Riverland $1,500 community organisations. Many of these are heavily reliant on additional funding from various sources Adelaide Triathlon Club Barmera Murray Man Multi Sport Festival $1,000 $4,000 (including user fees) but without Council contribution Adelaide Triathlon Club Mini-Triathlon $1,250 $750 many of these services would not be viable. Some of Berri Barmera Ministers Association Inc Carols by the River at Berri $1,500 these include Rocky’s Hall of Fame, Barmera Recreation Centre, Berri District Swimming Pool and most recreation Riverland Primary Schools' Music Festival Riverland Primary Schools' Music Festival $500 and sports grounds in the district. A number of Berri District Business Association 2012 Berri Merri Christmas $1,500 organisations also gain supplementary funding through $500 Council for their operations, including the Regional Riverland Country Music Club Inc Country Music Festival - Additional support Development Australia, Riverland Youth Theatre and Rotary Club of Berri Apprentice and Trainee Awards Support $250 Barmera Visitor Information Centre. Berri Rowing Club Front Veranda for Club / Boathouse $1,000 Barmera Basketball Association Inc Kitchen upgrade $4,000 In total the investment into community activities, not including facility maintenance and operations, is over Barmera Tennis Club Inc Shade shelters $4,000 $500,000 which is only a small percentage of the total Riverland Brass Inc Operational support (rates, water, electricity etc) $1,250 value that these activities return into the community in both economic and social impact. Operation Flinders Foundation Inc Exercise 4A/13 $1,500 Barmera Live Action Group Barmera Christmas Pageant $1,000 $500 NAIDOC Committee Community March and Awards Ceremony $1500 $1000 Berri Swimming Club Swimming Carnival $600

OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 5: We will reward groups that have a strong self help culture to work in partnership to maximise the benefit from limited funds.

OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 6: We will promote and support special events and multi-cultural festivals that bring the community together.

OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 9. We will provide high quality facilities, services and attractions because it will entice tourists to our region and provide employment locally. Community Services

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Council Events Young Citizen of the Year - Olivia Sully Community Event of the Year - Big River Regional Street Rod Olivia has provided high levels of Community Service and youth Nationals leadership through many avenues including Girl Guides, the Berri After two years of planning, the 2012 Big River Nationals returned AUSTRALIA DAY 2013 Netball club, at her school Glossop High School and in to the Riverland Field Days site at Barmera from the 13th to the Environmental areas. 16th of April 2012. The event, hosted by the locally based Set on the banks of Lake Bonney, the 2013 Australia Day Riverside Rodders Club, was organised and promoted by an celebrations were again launched with the annual community walk Guides: In 2012, Olivia was chaperone to Minister Penny Wong enthusiastic committee of South Australian Hot Rodders. A new at dawn. 62 participants braved the early start, led by volunteers for the Anzac Youth vigils, assisted at the Riverland Special website was established and an advertising campaign conducted from the Heart Foundation walking group. The three kilometre walk School Craft Fair carrying out community face painting, and which contributed to the event being an outstanding success with embraces all that the lakefront has to offer, acting as a peaceful marched as a banner carrier at various community events. Olivia over 550 entries and approximately 1100 people participating backdrop as the walkers welcomed the day with a stroll. was recipient of the Queen’s Guide award, the highest Youth providing a significant boost to the local economy over the period Award in Girl Guiding, requiring a high level of commitment, of the event. The event provided attractions for the entire family, Over 200 residents enjoyed the free breakfast, with pancakes, service and perseverance over 3 + years. She has also achieved including Show n Shine, car and owner portraits, variety stalls and bacon and eggs cooked by volunteers from the Barmera Lions Club the Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards and is working rides. and Council staff. The backdrop of the river made for a great towards her Gold Award. Each of these Awards has included a setting for this years official speeches and ceremonies, including range of Community Service activities as well as physical, Building a Better Community Award - Berri District Youth Club Australia Day Ambassador, Dr Lynn Arnold, Young South Australian personal and leadership development. of the Year (2010), who shared his visions about being an Glossop High School – Olivia was elected as 2012 Head Prefect Berri District Youth Club is a recreation club teaching gymnastics Australian. at Glossop High School, representing the school and student and acrobatics skills for fun, fitness, competition and community body at many functions, as a part of the debating team and involvement. The gymnasts have won both local and state OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 6: We will promote and addressing the Governing Council with the student leadership competitions and have participated in many displays to support induction. As Hughes House Captain, she has supported and local community events. The club, which is run by volunteers has support special events and multi-cultural festivals that organised many fundraising and sporting events and also played been operating since 1964 and has 160 active members competing bring the community together. in school netball and girls football. in a number of local and state competitions with the support of 25 Community: Olivia was awarded the 2012 Berri Lions Youth of coaches and 8 committee members. Berri District Youth Club runs A special part of each Berri Barmera Council Australia Day the Year. She has coached Junior Berri Netball Club teams for 2 courses to enable their volunteers to become nationally accredited Celebration is the presentation of our districts Australia Day years as well as playing for the club. Olivia has been a mentor for coaches and have introduced awards for both gymnasts and Awards. This years recipients were: - Primary School environmental expos and participated in State, volunteers. In 2012, the club won the Advantage SA Regional National and International conferences and grown hundreds of Sports Award which applauds the talents of sporting individuals, Citizen of the Year - Garry Pinnington seedlings for Trees for Life. She cleans the Berri Church of Christ groups, teams, clubs, coaches, trainers or volunteers who have Garry Pinnington is a Berri resident and is well known for his regularly and served at the Christmas Day Community Lunch at significantly raised the profile of a particular sport or impacting dedication and volunteer service to several Riverland clubs and the Berri Church of Christ. sport in regional South Australia. The Berri District Youth Club are committees including: very proud to be a part of the Berri Barmera Council District. President and Life Member of the Berri-View Lawn Tennis Club. Provides kitchen and bar service for three days annually in OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 8: We will be “Young Family May for the Seniors Tennis Tournament. Attends regular Friendly” with areas and events that support community working bees for the club. President of the Riverland Lawn Tennis Association. involvement to make it easier for families to move and Coordinates international tennis events at BVLTC promoting stay in the region. the Riverland area and generating income to the local economy. Board member of Berri Cottage Homes. Attends working bees on a regular basis. Secretary of Destination Riverland. Past Treasurer and Vice President of Riverland Life FM. Co-Founder of Freedom Gospel Ministries, a project which sees Garry being a overseas mission worker, assisting to build an orphanage, medical centre and school in northern India and raising finance to assist in missionary work in India. Berri Netball Club – cooking BBQ’s for home games to assist with fundraising and attending working bees. Garry instigated and assisted in the relocation of the Berri Netball courts move to the Berri Tennis Club. Community Services

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Library Services Our local project team consisting of Peter Ison, Merridy Rady, MONSTER BOOK SALE Peg Germein, Maureen Spiers and two GHS staff have been As part of the National Year of Reading, Library staff from meeting since late 2012 to manage the process of transferring Renmark and Paringa, Berri and Barmera public libraries Your Library@ Berri Barmera all library resources at each location across to the new volunteered their time to run the Riverland’s first monster book statewide One Card LMS known as Symphony. This is a sale since 2007. The sale took place at the Berri Town Hall on Berri and Barmera libraries have had another busy and successful considerable undertaking which requires many tasks to be Sunday 1st July 2012 from 10am to 3pm. The sale was year with many events being held that have encouraged completed within a strict timeline that fits with the Public advertised in the Riverland Weekly, Murray Pioneer and on local community involvement and participation. Some are highlighted Library’s project roll out around South Australia. Regular TV and radio and was a roaring success with hundreds of in the following report and others such as book groups and tele-conference meetings have been scheduled so both teams people attending from all over the Riverland. Excess books were children’s activities occur on a regular weekly and monthly basis. can guide the project plan and meet required deadlines. At this donated to the Rotary Club of Berri for transport to the needy in East Timor and to the Salvation Army for distribution and sale Staff at both sites have worked intensively on the 1LMS project point we are on track with all staff taking an active part in around SA. Over $4,400 was raised at the book sale and split and some other new initiatives such as the ‘Get Savvy’ sessions preparing our library stock for transition in October 2013. are creating interest and have been well supported. SA Public equally between the three libraries taking part. This money will be used to further develop our collections. Libraries have introduced an e-books platform and many people OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL – OBJECTIVE 6: are enjoying this new online service. We will promote and support Special Events and Our library website has been re-worked and continues to provide multi-cultural festivals that bring the community information and links to our Facebook page and to the many other online resources now available. together.

Staff have attended training and development opportunities throughout the year to enhance their skills and improve the way our services are offered. Feedback from customers has been positive and encouraging. We look forward to the transition of our library management system to the new ‘Symphony’ 1LMS in October and being able to share the many features and benefits it will offer our customers in the coming year.

OUR ECONOMY – OBJECTIVE 9: We will provide high quality facilities, services and attractions because it will entice tourists to our region and provide employment locally. Book lovers search for a bargain at the 2012 Monster Book Sale STATE-WIDE LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (1LMS) This is a state-wide project that involves all public libraries moving to the same Library Management System to better facilitate the sharing of library resources for customers across South Australia. Although this project began for some metropolitan libraries in early 2012, it wasn’t until May 2013 that we held our first official 1LMS meeting with the Adelaide based Public Library Services project team to begin planning for the transition to the new system at Berri Barmera.

Community Services

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LIBRARY & INFORMATION WEEK

Our annual Library and Information Week event was again a great success at both Berri and Barmera libraries. This year's theme of Barmera Library and Council customers were invited to pick 'Share Your Story' provided an opportunity for us to try something up our “Share a Story” Forms and write a short story about new. Berri Library held a ‘Getting started with family history’ session some aspect of their lives to be included in a local history on Monday May 20th, ‘Introduction to Overdrive: free eBooks for book for library use. Seven selected guest story tellers from your smart device’ and a Self-Published authors session was well all walks of life and ranging in age from 14 to 70 plus, were attended on Tuesday 21st May. On Wednesday both libraries took invited to tell their stories – each individual talking for around part in the National Simultaneous Story Time and ran children’s 5 minutes in our session “Sharing stories - 5 minutes of activities with visiting schools. On Thursday at Berri Library a creative fame.” Topics included miniature dolls houses and furniture- writing session was run as part of the ABC Open program, an iPad making, the art of tattooing, wood art pictures, working with story time was held and extra Overdrive sessions were once again youth, the history of baking in Barmera, how to get a book well attended at both libraries. To close the week’s celebrations, published at the age of 14, and the touching story of one Berri Library had a local musician to entertain while a morning tea man’s childhood experiences. The 36 stories from our 'Share was offered to the community and a raffle prize of an e-reader was Your Story' activity were bound into a book. drawn by our Mayor, Peter Hunt.

Six of the stars of “Share your stories – 5 minutes of fame”

ADULT LEARNERS

Bringing together new faces, new ideas, new knowledge, and new cultures from our community into the library environment is something we have passionately pursued during the past year. Barmera Library celebrated Adult Learners Week in September with special volunteer instructors invited to the library to encourage the principle of life-long learning. The benefits of Tai Chi were demonstrated by Abbie Evans and her class while Helen Burgemeister, an award-winning mosaics artist from Renmark presented a Self-published authors Pam and Ada at Berri Library practical demonstration of her art showing adult learners how to get started in mosaics. Volunteer teachers continued our “Computer lessons for beginners” classes, giving weekly one on one lessons to adults who would like to expand their knowledge of computers and IT skills. The Berri Library celebrated Adult Learners Week with a Family History Workshop.

The TeachMe online resource was purchased for volunteers to use with customers at our free weekly computer lessons. Library staff have continued to support and encourage digital literacy amongst all our customers, and staying up-to date with new IT and technologies is another way we help a wide cross section of the community. Computer lessons for beginners at Barmera with Col- leen and volunteer teacher Terri.

ABC Radio’s Bruce Mellett reading to a school group Community Services

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BUSH POETS AT BARMERA LIBRARY

The ‘Bush Poets’ afternoon at Barmera Library, held again for Barmera Town Beautification Committee meetings were held at the the sixth year running in June 2013, consisted of a variety of library bi monthly at the library. local and visiting poets and artists entertaining a large crowd of sixty visitors and locals. Compered by Irish born poet Jill Our libraries act as a meeting place for our local Reading or Book Wherry, the afternoon featured music by Ukulele player Joyce Groups to get together and discuss what’s great about books, Pamintuan, Mary Kew and Grace Gregory. The legendary Bob reading and life! The Berri Library holds two Book Group meetings Maygor was a special guest poet joining the impressive line-up a month and the Barmera Library Reading Group meet monthly, of local and visiting poets. under the experienced guidance of retired librarian Di Tillett.

Barmera Library staff helped distribute and promote surveys being OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL – OBJECTIVE 8: undertaken by Flinders University students on topics including breast cancer, local history, and the Bonney Theatre. We will be ―Young Family Friendly with areas and events that support community involvement to make Both libraries produce a regular newsletter containing new book lists, photos of library events and promotions that is given away to it easier for families to move and stay in the region. library customers and emailed to community members and added The Council understands that within modern society to libraries website.

there are multiple demands on young families with Barmera Library again entered into the spirit of the Christmas dual employment, single parents and shared custody Pageant in December – having a merry time in Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood and his Merry Men float. parenting greater than previous generations. Council will target its facilities and recreation options to parents that have less available time due to their changed circumstances. Robin Hood and his very merry men, women and children at the Christmas pageant December 2012

CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK GET READING PROMOTION The Children’s Book Week theme “Champions Read” was fitting Our annual “Get Reading” promotion took place in September when both libraries made free copies of the “50 books you can’t put in this Olympic Games year. Barmera Library was very busy with down” guide available with bookmarks and balloons given away. This is a very successful program promoted nationally that draws new children from St Joseph’s, Barmera, Kingston and Loveday and current library members in to our space. Both libraries hold copies of the selected 50 titles and all have been on regular loan visiting for stories and activities based on the prize winning throughout the campaign. children’s books. A total of 104 children and 20 adults attended these sessions during book week. VOLUNTEERS Peg Germein went to Barmera Primary School during Book Berri and Barmera libraries have been very fortunate to have a dedicated crew of volunteers lending their expertise to various ventures Week and joined with other guest readers from the community throughout the year. These include roles ranging from co-ordinating Baby Rhyme time, book covering, re-shelving and book repairs to reading books to small groups. The children had come to basic computing instruction, genealogy and special projects such as preparing for the new 1LMS. We thank them all and applaud their school dressed in their pyjamas and ready to listen to some amazing contributions to our libraries, Council and the community. favourite “bedtime stories”.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Staff from Berri and Barmera libraries attended the Riverland Field Days to read stories and show children how to do some great crafty activities and using the occasion to promote library and council services to the community. Community Services

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‘GET SAVVY’ COMMUNITY SESSIONS PARTNERSHIPS WITH KINDERGARTEN AND LOCAL SCHOOLS

The Berri Library have trialled free information nights for our Barmera Library staff continued their long association with the community this year. During March and April various sessions Barmera Kindergarten, with one staff member going to the with an IT focus were held and presented by library staff and Kindergarten weekly to read stories. Groups of around ten children others from government agencies. 87 people attended the ‘Get from the Kindergarten and two teachers visited the library on most Savvy with IT’ program resulting in many new faces visiting the Thursdays during the term, sharing in activities and reading library and seeing what is on offer to them. Sessions run by ABC specially selected picture books. Open presenter Daniel Schmidt were so successful that Daniel conducted an additional 2 sessions! The program included An Partnerships with local schools continued with visits from St Introduction to Smartphones, Tablets and eReaders, Using eBay Josephs, Loveday and Barmera Primary School during the last for the first time, Online safety & security focussing on scams, financial year. Schools were notified about children’s activities and identity fraud/theft & safe internet practices, Learn to make a events and invited to attend. Barmera Library staff attended Video Postcard, Pt 1, Basic Facebook: what first time users need School and Library Hub Group meetings wherever possible to to know and Learn to make a Video Postcard, Pt. 2. We would further strengthen ties with the schools. Barmera Library has a like to thank the following presenters: Daniel Schmidt (ABC collection of Premiers reading challenge books marked with the Open), Tony Vowles (SA Police) Peter Ison and Hanah Garoufalis reading levels stickers and are these have been useful for parents (BLIC). and children and complement the school’s library collections.

Another program of ‘Get Savvy’ sessions ran in June. Topics National Simultaneous Story Time was celebrated with the book included Introduction to Android and iPad tablets, Facebook, ‘The wrong book’ being read to children from St Joseph’s at the Riverland Community Legal Services and Twitter. Once again the library and the Kindergarten. An iPad version of the story was also sessions were very popular and had good numbers in shown this year to re-enforce the story in children’s minds. attendance. Our thanks to presenters Steven Smith (Riv Community Legal Services), Alysha Hermann (Country Arts SA), Several Glossop High School students volunteered their time after Peter Ison and Hanah Garoufalis (BLIC). school this year, helping out at the library as part of their Citizenship Services Challenge. Some of the entries in the “Read it, Snap It” photo competition

OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL – OBJECTIVE 7: We will engage the youth at their level to understand NATIONAL YEAR OF READING PHOTO COMPETITION their views to build opportunities for retention and A “Read it, Snap it” photo competition was held at Barmera and Berri increased community involvement. libraries to help celebrate the National Year of Reading with winners judged at Berri by Alysha Herrmann from Country Arts SA. The winner of a Kindle eBook reader in the adult competition was Ellen Ryan-Colton for her “Explore Your Own Backyard” photo and winner of a Sony EBook reader for the children’s section was Benjamin Menadue for his “Scary Hair Blue” photo. Congratulations to all our winners at Berri and Barmera and this competition was a great way to end the planned activities to celebrate National year of Reading in 2012. Introduction to Smartphones, Tablets and eReaders

Participants at our Using eBay for the First Time session Community Services

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GLOSSOP HIGH SCHOOL-SENIOR CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

The focus in the past year has been on several main areas. With advice from the Modern History teacher we have endeavoured to develop this aspect of the non-fiction collection so that up to date and relevant information is available to students on a broader range of topics for their major assignment.

School library staff Maureen Spiers and Sue Fisher, as well as volunteers, worked solidly to prepare for the transition to the 1LMS planned for 17th October, 2013. The re-barcoding of up to 10 000 school items to C barcodes has been a large task which was made more manageable with the assistance of two former librarians: Claire White and Helen Richter.

At the commencement of the school year, Year 11 students were introduced to the physical as well as the online resources available to them via the Berri Library and Information Centre. New teenage reading signage at Berri Library

The newly developed website at www.berribarmeralibrary.org.au was a feature of the presentation. Year 12 English and Modern History classes were given instruction on the use of the SLASA Online Referencing Generator to assist with the preparation of bibliographies for their assignments. One-on-one assistance was given to students requiring specific information for their TAFE SA ACTIVITIES Research Project topics. Hanah Garoufalis and Merridy Rady have taken an active part in all aspects of our joint-use library service including daily operations The addition of large and colourful signage has enabled us to and general library events such as book groups, the Get Savvy program, website design and construction, the 1LMS project and define areas more clearly and has brightened up the teenage regular promotional campaigns. Both staff members have spent many hours assisting people to enrol in TafeSA courses via SATAC and area of the library quite considerably. guiding them through the complexities of the Tafe enrolment process. Peak times have been at the beginning of semesters when students are referred here by the campus staff and lecturers. Once classes were established, orientation sessions were planned and We were pleased to get a “good report” from the DECD Chief delivered to numerous program areas where students were introduced to new ways of finding information, online research techniques Executive, Keith Bartley who visited the Senior Campus and in and general study skills. We also offer this service to individual students in the library on a day to day basis. We have attended regular particular the library, along with his wife Geraldine. Positive meetings with our TafeSA library partners and taken part in specific training and staff development sessions so that we can comply feedback from Mr. Bartley focused on the successful with the service level requirements of our parent organisation and offer consistent processes to our students. Staff have visited the collaboration between Glossop High School, TafeSA and the Renmark Campus to maintain the collections there and to offer assistance to lecturers and program staff when required. TafeSA has community which has enabled the continued provision of a begun a major restructure to transition three institutes to a ‘Stronger as One’ entity. This will see many changes to the sector and a unique joint use library facility: the Berri Library and Information possible impact on Tafe staff roles at the library. Centre.

Community Services

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STATISTICS FROM YOUR LIBRARY SERVICE BERRI BARMERA COUNCIL LIBRARY STATISTICS 2012/2013 LOANS BERRI BARMERA 2011-2012 2012-2013 2011-2012 2012-2013 2012-2013 TOTALS Adult Fiction 13,645 12,620 11,618 12,064 24,684 Adult Non-Fiction 5,324 5,219 2,491 2,636 7,855 Large Print 5,350 3,977 5,235 4,539 8,516 Sub Total Adult 24,319 21,816 19,344 19,239 41,055 Children 6,348 6,767 6,013 5,167 11,934 Children Non-Fiction 1,435 483 806 913 1,396 Children Adolescent 1,696 2,270 518 535 2,805 Sub Total Children 9,479 9,520 7,337 6,615 16,135 Magazines 2,472 2,625 3,502 3,463 6,088 CDs 3,177 2,377 1,715 1,841 4,218 CD-ROMs 1,395 749 477 451 1,200 Videos 46 0 202 84 84 DVDs 13,462 12,493 12,881 11,501 23,994 Hear-A- Books 763 650 643 649 1,299 LOTE 91 87 81 70 157 School Resources 8,831* 12,840* 35 20 12,860 TAFE Resources 3,057 3,596 40 35 3,631 ILLs & Other 392 195 1,121 647 842 AV Equipment 4,005 606 N/A N/A 606 TOTALS 71,489 67,554 47,378 44,615 112,169 USAGE BERRI BARMERA 2011-2012 2012-2013 2011-2012 2012-2013 2012-2013 TOTALS Door Count 114,893 131,534 42,744 41,837 173,371 Internet Bookings 6,928 6,464 3,902 5,460 11,924 Holiday Activities 146 206 266 304 510 Weekly children’s Activities* 299 443 1,504 1,632 2,075

SA Network Inter Library Loans (totals combined) 7,605 5,367 4,737 3,482 8,849

Visits per capita (Berri 7,025, Barmera 4,188) 16.4 18.7 10.2 10.0 15.5 Loans per capita 10.2 9.6 11.3 10.7 10 Open hours per annum 2,750 2,750 1,950 1,950 4,700 Web Catalogue Searches 8,748 8,322 combined statistics 8,322

*Includes school laptop loans ** includes Barmera Baby Rhyme Time Community Services

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Over 591 individuals used the services of the Riverland Community Transport Scheme in 2012/13, these clients are equally shared amongst the three Councils. The Scheme relies on the generosity of some 20 volunteers who have provided over 8,000 hours this year towards transporting clients between Riverland towns and also to Adelaide. The scheme consists of three Council owned vehicles and a partnership Community Bus servicing the local area, whilst a separate mini bus, known as the medical bus, undertakes trips to Adelaide almost daily. Collectively these vehicles travel over 260,000km for the year and provided over 6000 client trips.

Every community transport trip would not be viable with out the contributions made by clients and the broader community, and most importantly the dedicated volunteers giving their time to ensure those in need get to their destinations. Funding is Riverland Community Transport provided by Home and Community Care and the State Government’s Public Transport Division contributes towards the operational costs of the vehicles purchased by the Berri Barmera Council. Riverland Community Transport (RCT) was established in 1998 and has been coordinated by the Berri Barmera Council since its inception. The key goal of RCT is to Council continues to advocate to a number of state and local agencies to ensure that improved transport services are link Riverland residents with the commercial operators, including the Taxi Services and developed. This includes increasing the use of public services for agency clients who have the capacity to access these Bus operators such as Link SA, Premier Stateliner and Townsend’s. Achieving this services and for agencies that have significant resources to better use their fleets to increase transport options to all residents priority will ensure increased use of these public transport options, so they may of the Riverland. continue to be sustainable well into the future.

OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 10: We support the development of OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 1: We will support and lobby in partnership with the State Government modern a public and community transport system for our community. well staffed medical facilities including local specialty services to attract and retain people in the region. This will include the provision of adequate passenger transport to medical services. Although private or commercial transport options meet the requirements of most Riverlanders, some community members may not always have access to these options and in these situations Riverland Community Transport is able to provide volunteer driven vehicles to ensure that the frail, isolated and other transport disadvantaged residents get to important appointments and other priority activities.

Community Transport Service Summary

Local Riverland Assistance 2010 - 2011 2011 - 2012 2012 - 2013

Individuals Assisted 350 311 259

Passenger Trips provided 7,532 5,786 4406

Volunteer Hours 4,579hrs 3,914 hrs 3,420hrs

Kilometres travelled 179,896km 129,529km 127,431km

Clients deferred to Public Services 59 186 259

Adelaide Transport Assistance 2010 - 2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Individuals Assisted 300 335 332

Passenger Trips provided 1,707 1,719 1660

Volunteer Hours 4,206hrs 4,615 hrs 4,416 hrs

Kilometres travelled 126,195km 138,436km 134,560km Community Services

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Youth Services

YOUNG LEADERS IN BERRI BARMERA COUNCIL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS TO ‘BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY’

Young members of the council district aged 12-25 continue to lead The 2012-2013 year has seen a number of collaborative projects the way in our community. The Youth Advisory Committee (YACU) and resource sharing to provide opportunities for local youth, is the platform for youth voice in Local Government as well as State including activities focused on young people who were at risk of & Federal Government. Each year the committee members disengaging. volunteer numerous hours to building a better community through a variety of projects, events and advocating for change. “Community Driven Public Art/Spaces’ involved 60 Glossop High School students who explored civic involvement as part of their Some of the Council and community event highlights include; citizenship week studies via an exciting hands on week of  Australia Day workshops held at the Riverland Complex. Working with a local artist the students combined the arts with community capacity Monash Shindig  building.  Face painting workshops  National Youth Week Council also provided support for the Aboriginal Young Women’s  Café Conversations Leadership Program at Calperum station held during Reconciliation Week. The camp was held over 3 days for 18 young  Glossop High School Programs women, with guest speakers from a range of agencies and included a singing and song writing workshop with the Aboriginal The YACU facebook page which was launched in 2011 continued to singer Krista Pav. Krista and the girls wrote a beautiful song called connect young people with local, national and even global ‘Healing’ and had the opportunity to sing their song at the opportunities and campaigns such as youth leadership programs Chaffey Theatre before the Black Screen movies were held. RYLA & Youth Parliament, Advantage SA Young Achiever Awards, OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 5: We will reward groups National Volunteers Week, Youth Leading the World The ‘Passion for Fashion’ program was designed to engage (environmental congress) & the local inter-town Bus Service...just to participants in exploring their opportunities in training and that have a strong self help culture to work in name a few! employment pathways. Over a six week period the group worked partnership to maximise the benefit from limited with industry professionals to plan and execute a Fashion Parade. OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 7: We will engage the youth at Skills featured included modelling, hair and make-up, event funds. management, choreography and media and marketing. their level to understand their views to build opportunities OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 6: We will promote and for retention and increased community involvement. The Berri Barmera Council support for collaborative approaches support special events and multi-cultural festivals that and resource sharing exists through effective information bring the community together. dissemination throughout the region and state via regular attendance of the  Riverland & Mallee Youth Sector Network  Local Government Youth Sector Forum  Youth Affairs Council SA  Riverland Youth Mentoring Alliance

Community Services

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Berri Visitor Information Centre Berri Visitor Information Centre Statistics COMMUNICATION This year has continued to be a period of growth for the Berri Visitor Numbers 2010 - 2011 2011 - 2012 2012 - 2013 Visitor Information Centre, seeing strong visitor numbers and an Staff have continued to update the Discovery Murray events increase in our ‘buy local’ product range. guide, to ensure that the exposure to local events reaches the Local Visitors 3505 3326 3480 broadest potential visitor market. We will increase this

The Visitor Information Centre continues to provide far more than information to Council’s Website and Community and Council Intrastate Visitors 2023 1273 1803 just information for visitors. Aside from being an agency for the Connect information services before the end of 2013 to purchase of bus tickets, the centre also provides a range of ensure that residents can also access this information. Interstate Visitors 1266 1157 1873 administrative duties for Council’s Community Service department, including maintaining ‘events calendars’ and General Community The Visitor Information Centre’s Facebook page continues to Overseas Visitors 772 641 394 Information and hosting the administration operations for grow with over 980 friends and growing every day. With a Riverland Community Transport. cross section of local residents, businesses and organisations Unknown Visitors 5636 8961 8441 and a large number of others from around the nation, this Bus Enquiries 3017 2889 2864 The staff and volunteers also develop ideas for trails and tours social media page allows us to keep everyone up to date with around the entire region and create the brochures for these not only what’s on but also for local organisations to further TOTAL VISITORS 16,219 18,247 18,855 activities. promote their events and activities.

OUR ECONOMY 6: We will promote and encourage Our Community/Social 6: We will promote and Information Requested 2010 - 2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 eco-tourism because it will mean an increased support special events and multi-cultural festivals Directions/Maps 3154 2881 2982 understanding of our unique environment and promote that bring the community together. Attractions 1608 1844 1715 its preservation and create employment. VISITOR NUMBERS Cruises/Tours 713 618 557

SOUVENIR AREA Visitor numbers have continued to improve after the lower Food Outlets 559 335 502 visitations associated with the years of drought and side The space available to our souvenir area has expanded yet again effects of the global financial crisis. The staff team have Restaurants/Cafés 186 233 355 with new storage units being installed; allowing for more local worked on a new statistics collection process that will allow us products and artwork to be displayed. This has allowed our new to monitor where visitors are from and what kind of Shops 270 407 375 local branding campaign to be implemented, which combines information were they after. This data will assist us to locally produced items and the marketing materials of local concentrate on improving the information detail that is stored Accommodation Enquiries 579 1141 1356 businesses and tourism operators to showcase what is available in both hard copy and electronic versions. across our district. 95% of our merchandise items are sourced Camping 451 344 245 from local suppliers (within a 50km radius); this is a point of difference of our centre over many others. This commitment Events 591 830 527 means our pricing is a little higher for products but judging from the sales trends the ‘buy local’ strategy is being received very well Walks 156 n/a n/a by local residents and visitors alike, who are looking for that something special to take home with them. National Parks 379 312 265

Souvenirs 1192 2615 2766 The range of gifts includes many usual souvenirs of postcards, glasses, tea spoons, hatpins and magnets, but we have now also Just Looking 3500 2526 2683 introduced crafts, jams, sauces, jewellery, knitted products and artwork by local artists. Our suppliers include: Bella Lavender, Detail not gathered 2881 4361 4527 Backyard Breads, Italo Vardaro, Off the Block, Almondco, Nippy’s Juices and many other small businesses. TOTAL 16,219 18,247 18,855

OUR ECONOMY 4: We will support local businesses and towns to work together to increase their profitability and opportunity because resources are limited and we need to maximise our return. Community Services

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Infrastructure Services

Department Operations and Structure Outline Miscellaneous Projects

Major Projects Projects undertaken in partnership with Council

2012/2013 Capital Road Works Program

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Department Operations and Structure Outline

The Infrastructure Services Department is responsible for the management and operations of the following functions of Council:

● Cemeteries

● Waste Management

● Street Cleaning ● Road Maintenance

● Public Lighting ● Stormwater Drainage

● Foreshore Protection ● Parking Off Street

● Parks & Gardens ● Plant Operations

● Sport & Recreation ● Works Depots

● Quarries ● Vandalism

To effectively implement the management and operations of the Department the following Staffing Structure applies:

Manager Infrastructure Services - Greg Perry

Graduate Engineer (1) Personal Admin. Assistant (1) Infrastructure Contractors

Works Coordinator

Parks & Gardens / Workshop / Depot Construction / Maintenance Maintenance Team Team

Infrastructure Services

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BARMERA BIKE TRACK Major Projects Council received grant funding from the State Bicycle Fund and the BERRI STORMWATER REUSE PROJECT State Black Spot Program to assist in the construction of a cycling and walking track along Nookamka Terrace from Hawdon Street to The Berri Stormwater Project was jointly funded by a grant received from Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population Kelly Avenue Barmera. A 2.2m wide asphalt (hot mix) path has been and Communities; via Strengthening Basin Communities—Water Saving Initiatives Component—Round 2. The Berri Stormwater Reuse constructed to enable a more user friendly means of travel by objectives were; bicycle and by foot for local residents and school children. The constructed path has proved popular and appears to have increased Maximise the volume of stormwater that can be harvested for reuse on Council Irrigated Public Open Space (IPOS);  in use.  Improve the quality of stormwater being discharged; if any; to the Murray River;  Improve the performance of the stormwater drainage system and reduce the flooding frequency along Gilbert Street. OUR ECONOMY – OBJECTIVE 8:  Enlarge and formalize the stormwater retention basins at Hughes Street and River View Drive. We will actively lobby State and Federal Governments for

The original funding application suggested an average annual yield of 70ML of harvested stormwater, with modelling based on the new funding because it will mean Council can provide improved basin retention designs over a 50 year daily rainfall record for Berri which takes into account site specific evaporation and irrigation data. services. The reuse figure of 70ML should be surpassed with the reconfiguration and decommissioning of two old pump stations being adjacent the Berri Bowling Club and Berri Visitor Information Centre that draw directly from the Murray River. Centralising and constructing a OUR COMMUNITY / SOCIAL – OBJECTIVE 3: major pump station for Councils IPOS will enable even further gains in reuse yields; this pump station will deliver irrigation water to a greater area, limiting the amount of infiltration and evaporation from the catchment ponds. Energy savings should also be realized to We will provide non-structured recreation facilities, locally some degree from on demand irrigation pumps that ramp up or down according to delivery requirements. and regionally to increase participation, fitness and well

being including nature trails, bike tracks, walking tracks OUR ECONOMY – OBJECTIVE 8: and canoe courses, art and culture. We will actively lobby State and Federal Governments for funding because it will mean Council can provide improved services

OUR ENVIRONMENT – OBJECTIVE 4: We will extend and fund waste water and stormwater reuse projects because it will reduce reliance on the Murray.

Infrastructure Services

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CRAWFORD TERRACE

The surface on Crawford Terrace had deteriorated with large cracks which were also raised; the road was at a point where it was not able to be overlayed with any product as a maintenance option and therefore needed to be replaced. Council in collaboration with the Berri Town Beautification Committee decided that it would like to see a concrete island median constructed with trees planted in it similar to that already existing on Kay Avenue Berri.

Concrete medians were constructed and planted with irrigated deciduous trees, the old road surface was profiled and new asphalt laid; the project was completed with the assistance of federal funding from the Roads to Recovery Fund.

GLOSSOP STORMWATER

The township of Glossop has for a number of years been subject to localised flooding. Certain parts of the town become inun- dated with stormwater after large rain events especially if they are experienced concurrently over a few days. The stormwater reten- tion basins were not big enough and did not have enough capacity to store the surface water runoff and because part of the town is constructed at the same level it was subject to the periodic flood- ing. Council has since enlarged both basins in an attempt to cater for the extra stormwater; the expansion of one of the basins was lim- ited by the land parcel size but it is hoped that it will be large enough and in turn will be monitored.

The 2012/13 Capital Road Works Program CORPORATE SERVICES

The 2012/13 Capital Road Works Program has seen the following completed Objective: Ensure transparent and accountable governance and financial responsibility.

Reseals Unsealed Roads – Re-sheeting Gopher Routes Asset Management Plans: Review and update Asset Foreman Road Brown Road Berri Management Plan for Infrastructure Assets Thelma Road Schell Road Mortimer Road Lower Winkie Road Hodges Road Zante Road East Raybould Road Curren Road Cobdogla OUR COMMUNITY / SOCIAL – OBJECTIVE 3: Stacey Road McLeod Street Right Footpath We will provide non-structured recreation Jury Road Other Dolan Street Footpath Glossop Kondoprias Court Comely Road – form and resheet facilities, locally and regionally to increase Dean Drive Streeter Avenue participation, fitness and well being including Wills Court Anderson Terrace Easter Court Monash nature trails, bike tracks, walking tracks and Anderson Street Footpath Madison Avenue West canoe courses, art and culture. Lean Street R L Gambling Road Bigg Road Infrastructure Services

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Miscellaneous Projects Projects undertaken in partnership with Council

Some of the other projects undertaken by Council: Berri Town Beautification Committee Welcome to Berri Signs (Garry Duncan wooden painted) Anderson Street - verge sealing and stormwater retention swale Trees purchased for Holden Park Malaga Terrace – kerb replacement Steel Arbour for Caltex round-a-bout in conjunction with the Berri Lions Club Queen Elisabeth Drive – new concrete kerbing Succulent plantings around ‘Welcome to Berri Sign’ (Old Sturt Highway / Pennyfield Road) Whitmore - kerbing & crossover Cooper Street - kerb replacement Barmera Town Beautification Committee Paver replacement - Bice Street (Old Clarks Foodland) Numerous concrete pillars with descriptive Paver replacement - Vaughn Terrace (Mitre 10) Purchase of Roses and planting in Barwell Avenue Paver replacement - Kay Avenue (Riverland Lending Services & Berri Court House) Purchase and planting of Lantana in median Graffiti removal around the town is being coordinated between committee volunteers on an as needs basis. Fix Barmera Town Clock chimes.

Infrastructure Services

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Environmental Services

Department Operations and Structure Outline

Development Assessment

Environmental Health

Dog and Cat Management

Parking Control

Bushfire Prevention

Animal and Plant Control

Effluent Drainage /Management/Planning/Maintenance

Major Projects

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Department Operations and Structure Outline

The Environment Services Department is responsible for the management and operations of the following functions of Council;

 Development Assessment  General Inspections

 Environmental Health  By Law Enforcement

 Dog and Cat Management  Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS)

 Parking Control  Property Leasing/Licensing

 Bushfire Prevention  Building Maintenance

 Animal and Plant Control  Major Projects

To effectively implement the management and operations of the Department the following staffing structure applies:

Manager Environmental Services & Special Projects - Gary Brinkworth

Administration Officer (1)

Environmental Health Development Officer - Development Officer - Effluent / Waste Water General Inspector (1) Property Officer (1) Officer (1) Planning (1) Building (1) Contractors

Environmental Services

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Development Assessment Riverland Regional Development Assessment Panel (RRDAP) Council undertook a Better Development Plan Conversion and Riverland wide alignment, resulting in the gazettal of the Berri Barmera Development Plan on

In January 2010, the Berri Barmera Council, together with the Renmark 1 December 2011. Council’s development services encompass the following Paringa and Loxton Waikerie Councils formed the RRDAP pursuant to main areas of responsibility: Section 34 of the Development Act 1993. The RRDAP commenced Council also commenced proceedings under section 30 to prepare a Strategic  Development assessment operations on 1 January 2010. The formation of the RRDAP is an Directions Report, its period review of the Development Plan. This process will  Policy planning important way of promoting a common approach to assessment and be completed during the 2013-14 year.  Building control policy development in the Riverland region. Development Act 101A Committee  Building fire safety The RRDAP assesses applications and hears applicants, as a delegate  Illegal development/compliance of Council on behalf of the Renmark Paringa, Loxton Waikerie and Council is required to form a strategic planning and development policy Berri Barmera Councils. The Panel adheres to the Minister's Code of committee pursuant to section 101A of the Development Act 1993. The DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT Conduct under section 21A of the Development Act 1993, and adopts functions of the committee are to advise and assist Council in undertaking its own Operating Procedures for the conduct of its members and for strategic planning and monitoring, and to ensure that Councils strategic Development plan assessment involves assessment of a its meetings. planning and development policies accord with the Regional Planning development proposal against the relevant development The following people have been appointed as members of the Strategy. provisions contained within Council’s Development Plan to RRDAP: determine the appropriateness of a development and land The committee comprises all elected members and the Mayor, and is advised use upon a particular site. Independent Presiding Member - Mr Bruce Ballantyne by staff members. Independent Members: Miss Rebecca Perkin (Berri Barmera Council), The majority of applications processed by Council under the Messrs David Kanizay (Loxton Waikerie Council), Geoffrey Parsons COMPLIANCE / ILLEGAL DEVELOPMENT Development Act were ‘consent’ applications which do not (Renmark Paringa Council) involve public notification and are dealt with by Council staff Elected Members: Crs Rhonda Centofanti (Berri Barmera Council), Council undertakes to inspect properties at various stages of development as using extensive delegated authority granted to them by Margaret Malthouse (Loxton Waikerie Council) and Mark Chown part of a development application process. It also inspects incidences of illegal Council. (Renmark Paringa Council). development where development approval has not been sought for changes in land use and building work. Mindful of costs involved with action through the Other applications considered as Category 2 or 3 forms of All members have a keen interest in community planning and have Environment, Resources and Development Court, Council attempts to work development pursuant to the Development Act required knowledge of the Development Act and Regulations with appropriate with property owners towards a suitable outcome for all parties. Council has public notification procedures to be followed. Similarly, those qualifications and/or experience relevant to development assessment. investigated and taken both formal and informal action on a number of forms of development classed as non-complying followed The Panel met on seven occasions during the 2012-13 year. The occasions during the year. the public notification process. RRDAP assessed 24 applications on behalf of the Councils. Panel members are remunerated by each relevant Council; independent and In the past 12 months, Council received 176 applications, Elected Member representatives are paid $200 per meeting. Mr primarily comprising domestic uses, and including 11 land Ballantyne, as the Presiding Member, is reimbursed $700 plus GST divisions. (including travel) per meeting.

The Development Assessment Commission also issued a POLICY PLANNING number of consents for Crown development. Development Plan Review Appeal Proceedings Pursuant to the Development Act 1993 and Development Regulations As provided for by the Development Act 1993, should a 2008, each Council is required to have, and maintain, a Development person be aggrieved by a decision of Council with respect to Plan. The Development Plan is the property of the Minister for Urban their development application, or who are third parties that Development and Planning, however it is the responsibility of the have lodged representations during the public notification Council to periodically review the Development Plan through the period, appeals may be lodged with the Environment, Section 30 Review process, and both Council and the Minister have Resources and Development Court. the power to amend the Development Plan through the Development Plan Amendment process. One appeal was lodged with the Environment Resources and Development Court. A compromise was reached at the Continual updating of the Development Plan is vitally important to conference stage. ensure the policy is tailored to take account of current issues and provides for “best outcome” developments through the development assessment process. Environmental Services

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Building Fire Safety Committee Environmental Health I’M ALERT ON-LINE FOOD SAFETY TRAINING

The Riverland Regional Building Fire Safety committee was FOOD On line food safety training is provided on Councils web site implemented in October 2009. The purpose of the committee is to providing free and unlimited access to a training resource aimed undertake inspections of public use buildings (those other than for Council continues to undertake its legal responsibilities under the at assisting businesses and food handlers in gaining valuable skills domestic purposes) to determine its adequacy of fire safety. During the and knowledge in food safety and hygiene. past twelve months the Committee have inspected a number of provisions of the Food Act 2001. During the 12 month period to 30 June 2013, 35 routine inspections were undertaken and 17 premises where the public either work or assemble for pleasure. In the PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH course of these inspections deficiencies were noted and action taken follow up inspections were also undertaken to ensure compliance with outstanding issues. One inspection was undertaken as a result to rectify the situation. The South Australian Public Health Act was passed by Parliament of complaints. 23 written warnings were issued as well as one improvement notice and two expiation notices. in June 2011 and came into full operation on 16 June 2013. The During the 2012/13 reporting period the following inspections were Act replaces the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987. The undertaken; During the reporting period 9 complaints were received involving Regulations under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 food safety. Five of these complaints were justified. have also been replaced with new Regulations. Type of Inspection Quantity Number of

Inspections The child care centre and aged care facility that provide food for Hotels and Gaming venues 3 3 vulnerable persons are audited by Council’s Environmental Health Officer who is a SA Health approved auditor. Each facility has been Motels audited once during the reporting period. The two local hospitals Caravan Parks & Backpackers 3 3 and associated aged care facilities are audited by the SA Health .

Golf clubs

Packing sheds

Commercial/industrial complexes 3 2

Council buildings 1 1

Age care facility 1 1

In addition to the Committee’s role Council’s Building Officer conducted follow up inspections to determine compliance with fire safety issues linked to development applications.

Environmental Services

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IMMUNISATION EUROPEAN WASPS SWIMMING POOLS

The School Based Immunisation Program was provided for Council is a contributor to the European Wasp Equalisation There are 12 public swimming pools and 1 public spa pools within year 8 and 9 students at the Riverland Special School and Fund. During the reporting period there were no European Wasp the district. 15 routine and follow up inspections were undertaken Glossop High School. Follow up clinics are provided Nests either identified or destroyed. When a nest is located, to ensure compliance with the Public and Environmental Health approximately one week after each school clinic to ensure arrangements can made to have the nest destroyed by a (General) Regulations 2006. Future inspections will be undertaken that all students are provided with adequate opportunities licensed pest controller at no cost to the ratepayer. Information pursuant to the South Australian Public Health (General) to attend. All year 8 students are offered the Hepatitis B and about European Wasps is available from Council. Regulations 2013. Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccines. Year 8 girls are offered the Gardasil (human papillomavirus) Vaccine. All year 9 students MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL ACTIVITIES WASTE CONTROL SYSTEMS are offered the Boostrix (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine. Year 9 boys are offered the Gardasil (human The mosquito and Public Health Research Group at the During the 2012/2013 year, 31 applications to install new, or alter papillomavirus) Vaccine. University of South Australia provided mosquito surveillance and existing, waste control systems were received. 46 approvals were spot control services to seven local government areas along the issued. One Maintenance Order was issued under the Public and LEGIONELLA River Murray from September 2012 to April 2013. This was the Environmental Health (Waste Control) Regulations 2010 and must fourteenth consecutive year of this service. now be re-issued under the new South Australian Public Health The Public and Environmental Health (Legionella) (Wastewater) Regulations 2013. Regulations 2008 & the new South Australian Public Health The program saw eleven sampling trips performed by the Uni SA (Legionella) Regulations 2013 require all High Risk field officer. Regular reports are provided to Council along with Council engages a contactor to undertake a desludging program of Manufactured Water Systems (HRMWS), i.e. warm water regular newsletters and updates. the septic tanks connected to the Community Wastewater systems and cooling water systems, to be inspected Management System (CWMS). On a rotational basis each septic tank annually. A total of 2,005 adult mosquitoes were trapped in the Berri is pumped about every four years. In reporting on the operations Barmera Council area during the 2012-13 season. This was 83% the contactor includes details such as the location and condition of Pursuant to Regulation 15, Notices requiring inspections of of the previous year’s total catch and 8% of the 2010-11 season the septic tanks. 794 septic tanks were desludged. Where septic cooling water systems and warm water systems were issued catch of 24,458. tanks are not exposed for desludging or defects were found with to HRMWS operators to cause an inspection to be carried the septic tanks, letters are sent to property owners advising them out by an independent third party inspector. Council’s EHO investigates mosquito related complaints and of the action required to expose or maintain the septic tank. A refers these to the contractor/s when necessary for surveillance number of septic tanks have been repaired or replaced as a result of There are 5 premises with a total of 12 cooling water and/or treatment. these letters. systems and 3 premises with a total of 4 warm water systems. All cooling water systems and three warm water “Fight the Bite” pamphlets are distributed within the community systems were inspected during the 2012-13 period. as are resources previously developed by the Riverland Information is still to be provided to Council to confirm that Arbovirus Prevention Working Group (RAPWG), including a the outstanding warm water systems have been converted bookmark and A4 size checklist, aimed at reminding tourists to to hot water systems and therefore no longer require take personal protection measures against mosquito bites. These inspection as per the Regulations. resources continue to be distributed, e.g. during routine swimming pool inspections so that accommodation providers One Regulation 18 Notice was issued to an operator of a can include them in compendiums for guests. HRMWS. This notice remains outstanding.

Environmental Services

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Dog and Cat Management Parking Control Bushfire Prevention

Council has responsibility for dog and cat management in accordance The General Inspector continues to enforce parking regulations in the The Berri Barmera Council District Bushfire Prevention Committee with the Cat and Dog Management Act 1995. The objectives of the act towns of Berri and Barmera. In total, 195 parking expiation notices was replaced in 2009/2010 following a change to regulations and are to encourage responsible dog ownership, promote effective were issued. The council resolved at it June 2013 meeting that the two bushfire prevention is now managed by the Regional Bushfire management and reduce the impact of dogs and cats on the public permit parking areas would be utilised for two hour and untimed Prevention Committee. and environment. public car parking. The Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 stipulates that each Over the 2012/13 period there were 2219 dogs registered within the rural council must appoint a Fire Prevention Officer for its area. council area. The role of the Fire Prevention Officer includes monitoring of residential and rural areas to ensure land owners take responsible Council’s Animal Management Plan was reviewed in 2012. The plan steps to protect their property from fire, as required under the provides Council with a sound basis and direction from which it can act. Inspections are carried out, leading up to and during the Fire plan, co-ordinate and make future decisions to meet the needs of the Danger Season to assess compliance. Notices are issued where community. It aims to establish management guidelines where people compliance has not been met. and their pets can integrate harmoniously within the Berri Barmera community. Section 105F Notices are issued pursuant to the Act, requiring landowners to maintain their properties to reduce the risk of fire. During the reporting period 113 dogs were impounded, and Council’s Council also has the responsibility to ensure that reserves under General Inspector undertook the following duties; its care and control are maintained to fire prevention standards.

Last years drought had a significant impact on the horticultural blocks with the supply of water being restricted and in some

Complaint 2012/2013 cases stopped. This created a significant fire hazard for the 2012/13 summer season. The General Inspector continue to Dog wandering at large 218 monitor these land holdings and issued clean up notices where required. Dog impounded 113

Dog returned to owner 93 Section 105F Statistics 2012/2013

Dog attack 14 Section 105F notices issued 22

Dog harass 39 Council action required 4

Noise complaint 27 Expiations issued Nil

In total the Council issued 22 permits under the Fire and Off leash dog parks suggested sites were investigated during 2011/12. Emergency Services Act to burn during the fire danger season. In December 2012 the off leash dog park at the Colin Jennings Apex The type of activities that were allowed by these permits included Park, Berri was officially opened. burning off stubble, burning old plantings and rubbish, lighting BBQs, training exercises, burning general garden waste and the disposal of drug crops. An additional 6 permits were issued to burn on a total fire ban day.

Environmental Services

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Animal and Plant Control Major Projects

The Berri Barmera Council is a member of the Riverland Local OUR ECONOMY 8: We will actively lobby State and Government NRM Advisory Group established by the SA Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board. BONNEY THEATRE Federal Governments for funding because it will mean Council can provide improved services Works have now been completed on the latest stage of works to the Effluent Drainage / Management / Bonney Theatre. This has included an upgrade of the amenities, foyer, OUR ECONOMY 9: We will provide high quality ventilation system and heating to the main theatre. This upgrade now Planning / Maintenance provides the theatre with both male and female toilets, a disabled toilet facilities, services and attractions because it will and a more comfortable theatre due to the ventilation and heating. entice tourists to our region and provide employment Delays were experienced during the construction due to the State Council has an agreement with Trility to operate and maintain Heritage listing of the building which made making changes more locally. infrastructure for waste water in the Berri Barmera Council Area. difficult due to the approvals process and the age of the building which This facility produces on average 200-220 megalitres per year of provided many unknowns about the structure of the building. OUR ENVIRONMENT 3: We will promote alternate water that will be available for use on public spaces in the towns energy supplies to reduce our carbon footprint. of Berri and Barmera. Also included in the project was an upgrade to the building fire safety system. This provides a new deluge system to the stage and automated OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 3: We will provide Regular meetings between Trility and representatives of Council alarm system that connects directly to the CFS in the event of an occur to ensure effective communication between the parties. incident. non-structured recreation facilities, locally and

regionally to increase participation, fitness and well

being including nature trails, bike tracks, walking

tracks and canoe courses, art and culture.

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BARMERA RECREATION CENTRE BERRI BOAT RAMP WASTE MANAGEMENT

Council has undertaken an upgrade of the Barmera Recreation Centre Plans have been prepared for the proposed Berri Boat Ramp which Council has engaged the services of Transpacific Waste that has provided new insulation and natural light to the stadium to includes the provision of a new 4 lane boat ramp with a central Management for the collection and disposal of Council’s kerbside improve the comfort for patrons and reduce energy consumption. Also pontoon to assist with the launching and retrieval of boats and waste. This collaboration has included the implementation of the included is a change of use for the squash courts to consulting rooms vehicle and trailer parking. These plans have been granted new 3 bin system to allow for the separation of green waste and and workout rooms that will be leased out to a private practitioner as Development Approval by the Riverland Regional Development recyclables from the general waste that goes to landfill sites. well as a new canteen area for use by the sporting clubs. Assessment Panel under the Development Act 1993 after public Transpacific have also commenced construction of a new regional consultation and referral to external agencies. This allows council to Waste Transfer Station which will assist in the separation of waste Overall this project will seek to improve the management of the commence construction of the facility. locally for transport outside the region. This will reduce the overall Barmera Recreation Centre so that council can minimise the operating cost for Council’s waste management while also improving the costs of the facility while maximising the accessibility for the The South Australian Boating Facility Advisory Committee has impact on the environment by reducing the amount of waste to community. This will be achieved by reducing the reliance of mechanical considered the application by the Berri Barmera Council for funding landfill sites and encouraging reuse of materials through recycling. heating and cooling along with lighting and by the new tenant being on the project and a decision on the assistance that council may responsible for the day to day management of the use of the facility. receive is expected by the Minister towards the end of 2013. Once The Council’s waste management strategy is supported this is considered then council can proceed to tender with the application. through the Strategic Objectives of OUR ECONOMY 7 and OUR ECONOMY 7: We will facilitate and partner business and OUR ENVIRONMENT 1,2 AND 7. industry because it will create employment. This project is reflected in Council’s Strategic Plan in OUR OUR ECONOMY 9: We will provide high quality facilities, ECONOMY 7, 8 AND 9 and OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 3. services and attractions because it will entice tourists to our region and provide employment locally. CAR PARKING AUDIT

OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 3: We will provide non-structured The Berri Barmera Council will undertake an audit of car parking recreation facilities, locally and regionally to increase within the Berri District Centre in order to assist in resolving the difficulties of car parking within the town. The project will also assist participation, fitness and well being including nature trails, businesses from regenerating by seeking to establish a Car Parking bike tracks, walking tracks and canoe courses, art and culture. Fund which will create an off-set for developers to pay into. This fund then can be utilised on projects that will aim to improve car

parking or reduce the reliance of vehicles in the town centre. BERRI RECREATION CENTRE AND GLASSEY PARK REDEVELOPMENT

The Berri Barmera Council has committed to investigating the This project will reflect the Strategic Plan via objectives development of a new recreation centre with the preferred location to contained in OUR ECONOMY 3 and is expected to be be at Glassey Park. Council is currently working with a designer along with the sporting clubs who would utilise such a facility on the design of completed during 2014. the centre. Once this stage is complete then a development application can be lodged for assessment of the project under the Development Act 1993.

The Council is also committed to progressing with the relocation of the Berri Bowls Club to Glassey Park in an effort to combine sporting facilities in order to provide the highest level sporting facilities while reducing the costs to operate on our community.

OUR ECONOMY 3: We will solve Berri’s parking problem because it will increase accessibility for businesses to establish and expand. OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 4: We will amalgamate sporting facilities to continue to provide the top level of facilities within our means. Environmental Services

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BARMERA PLAYSPACE – STAGE 2 WORKS STRATEGIC DIRECTION REPORT

The Barmera Playspace Committee were successful in obtaining Under Section 30 of the Development Act 1993, Council is funding for a new stage of works that has provided facilities for required to provide a Strategic Direction Report every 5 years disabled visitors. This included a new disabled swing, spring platform, which is used to identify future directions for the Berri Barmera see saw and trike track. The Committee also funded additional works Council Development Plan. The Development Plan is the most that provided football goals and a drop shot goal. Works are now important document in identifying areas of land that are complete on this stage of works which has provided one of the most suitable for particular forms of development and the criteria desirable locations for young families to attend in the region. against which any application must be assessed. Getting the zoning right to facilitate new opportunities and to reflect the OUR ECONOMY 1: We will promote and foster the direction of our community with new industries is critical to the economic development of our district. entrepreneurial spirit that helped build the Riverland because we need locals investing in our community. The Strategic Direction Report has undergone public consultation during August and September and upon further OUR ECONOMY 9:, OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 3: review will be adopted by Council for submission to the OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 5: We will reward groups that Minister for approval. have a strong self help culture to work in partnership to The Strategic Direction Report relates specifically to maximise the benefit from limited funds. the Strategic Plan via objectives contained within OUR ECONOMY 6: We will promote and encourage eco-tourism because it will mean an increased understanding of our unique environment and promote its preservation and create employment. OUR ECONOMY: 7 AND

OUR ECONOMY 10: We will facilitate development of lifestyle retirement villages because it will attract retirees and provide an economic boost to our region. OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 3 AND OUR COMMUNITY/SOCIAL 9: Promote over 50 Residential Estates to support the ageing population within the region so that they can still live locally

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36

Corporate Services

Department Operations and Structure Outline

Rating and Valuations - Rating Policy for the Year 2012/2013

Annual Business Plan Implementation

Financial Management Statement

Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2013

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Department Operations and Structure Outline

Audit Committee Asset Management Committee

Project Monitoring Committee Strategic Governance Committee

Major Project Committee Berri Town Beautification Committee

The Corporate Services Department is responsible for the management and operations of the

following functions of Council as summarised in the Functional and Corporate Structure:

 Corporate Policies / Procedures  Financial Management  Council / Committee Meetings  Debtors / Creditors  Customer Services  Payroll  Rates and Property  Records Management  Grants Commission  Council Support / Administration Information Technology  Insurance

To effectively implement the management and operations of the Department, the following Staffing Structure applies:

Manager Corporate Services - Karyn Burton

Customer Service / Rates Officer (1) Payroll Officer Debtors/Creditors Administration Staff (1) (1)

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Rating Policy for the Year 2012/2013 Contact Details for Further Information Introduction The Berri Barmera Council's principal office is located at 19 Wilson Street, Berri, South This document sets out the policy of the Berri Barmera Council for setting and collecting rates from its Community for Australia. The office is open to the public between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm the 2012/2013 financial year. Monday to Friday.

Postal Address: PO Box 229, Berri SA 5343 Phone: (08) 8582 1922  Valuation used for rating  Late payment of rates Fax: (08) 8582 3029  Method used to value land  Rebate of rates Email: [email protected] Web: www.berribarmera.sa.gov.au  Rate Capping  Adoption of valuations  Notional Values  Remission and postponement of rates For the convenience of ratepayers, an office is also located at the Barmera Library  Councils revenue raising powers  Deferment of Rates - Primary Producers Barwell Avenue, Barmera, with opening hours being on Mondays from 9.30am to 1pm and Tuesday to Friday between 9.30am to 5.00pm.  Deferential general rates  Sale of land for non- payment of rates

 Minimum rate  Rate Impact Statement Phone: (08) 8588 1477  Service Charge  Application of the policy Fax: (08) 8588 1243  Natural resource management levy  Disclaimer  Rate concessions  Adoption and review  Payment of rates

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VALUATIONS USED FOR RATING METHOD USED TO VALUE LAND

The following table and information provides a breakdown of valuation movements within the Council area, The Council may adopt one of three valuation methodologies to value the properties in its area. separated in the respective Land Use Codes provided by the Valuer Generals Office. They are:

Capital Value - the value of the land and all of the improvements on the land. Valuation Valuation Land Use Code Variance ($) Variance (%) 11/12 12/13 Site Value - the value of the land and any improvements which permanently affect the amenity or use of the land, such as drainage works, but excluding the value of buildings and other Residential 754,869,000 764,288,000 9,419,000 1.25 improvements. Commercial (Shops) 46,892,000 47,581,500 689,500 1.47 Annual Value - a valuation of the rental potential of the property. Commercial (Offices) 14,239,000 14,127,000 -112,000 -0.79 Commercial (Other) 70,919,880 71,941,380 1,021,500 1.44 The Council has decided to continue to use Capital Value as the basis for valuing land within the Council area. The Council considers that this method of valuing land provides the fairest method of Industrial (Light) 6,442,500 6,582,500 140,000 2.17 distributing the rate burden across all ratepayers on the following basis: Industrial (Other) 30,724,000 30,355,500 -368,500 -1.20 Primary Production 226,797,200 223,711,400 -3,085,800 -1.36  the equity principle of taxation requires that taxpayers of greater wealth pay more tax than those of lesser wealth; Vacant Land 25,537,240 24,746,740 -790,500 -3.10  property value is a relatively good indicator of wealth and capital value, which closely Others 83,315,240 82,755,640 -559,600 -0.67 approximates the market value of a property and provides the best indicator of overall property value. Total 1,259,736,060 1,265,929,660 6,353,600 0.50

The figures contained within the above table are provided by the Valuer Generals Office and demonstrates a minimal overall movements of valuations over the Council area. ADOPTION OF VALUATIONS

The following information relates to the valuation changes in each of the Land use Codes used by The Council proposes to adopt the valuations made by the Valuer-General as provided to the Council for rating purposes Council for the financial year 2012/2013. If a ratepayer is dissatisfied with the valuation made by the Valuer-General then the ratepayer may object to the Valuer-General in writing, within 60 days of The valuations displayed are valuations used for rating purposes, that is non-ratable valuations are receiving the notice of the valuation, explaining the basis for the objection, provided they have not: not included. (a) previously received a notice of this valuation under the Local Government Act, 1999, in which case the Valuation Valuation objection period is sixty (60) days from the receipt of the first notice; or Land Use Code Variance ($) Variance (%) 11/12 12/13 (b) This 60 day objection period may be extended by the Valuer-General where it can be shown Residential Towns 481,328,828 483,677,282 2,348,454 0.49 there is Residential Rural 295,315,010 303,499,190 8,184,180 2.77 reasonable cause;

Primary Production 209,123,440 206,664,410 -2,459,030 -1.18 (c) you may not object to the valuation if the Valuer-General has already considered an objection by Rural Dry/Vacant 15,804,520 13,303,520 -2,501,000 -15.82 you to that valuation.

Other 23,706,088 28,295,450 4,589,362 19.36 Objections are to be forwarded to: Commercial Towns 112,027,360 107,354,844 -4,672,516 -4.17 State Valuation Office Commercial Rural 19,060,790 17,117,140 -1,943,650 -10.20 GPO Box 1354 Industrial Towns 6,273,000 10,182,176 3,909,176 62.32 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Industrial Rural 26,099,100 25,111,100 -988,000 -3.79 Email: [email protected] Telephone: 1300 653 345. Total 1,188,738,136 1,195,045,112 6,466,976 0.54 Fax: (08) 8226 1428 Corporate Services

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NOTIONAL VALUES The localities and uses are as follows:

Certain properties may be eligible for a notional value under the Valuation of 1. Township of Barmera, Berri, Cobdogla, Glossop, Loveday and Monash as defined, with land use categories including Land Act 1971 where the property is the principal place of residence of a residential, commercial, industrial and other. ratepayer. This can relate to certain primary production land or where there is 2. Outside of aforesaid Townships as defined, with land use categories including residential, primary production, vacant State heritage recognition. A notional value is generally less than the capital rural dry, other, commercial and industrial. value and this will result in reduced rates, unless the minimum rate already applies. Application for a notional value must be made to the Office of the Valuer The Council is proposing to raise rate revenue of $6,994,222 in a total revenue budget of $14,015,960 and will continue to -General. use the differential rating method as follows:

(1) Townships of Barmera, Berri, Cobdogla, Glossop, Loveday and Monash as defined: COUNCIL’S REVENUE RAISING POWERS (a) Residential 0.5746 cents in the dollar on the capital value of such rateable property (b) Commercial 0.6102 “ “ All land within a Council area, except for land specifically exempt (e.g. Crown (c) Industrial 0.7487 “ “ Land, Council occupied land and other land prescribed in the Local Government (d) Other 0.6413 “ “ Act 1999 – refer Section 147 of the Act), is rateable. The Local Government Act provides for a Council to raise revenue for the broad purposes of the Council (2) Outside the aforesaid Townships as defined: through a general rate, which applies to all rateable properties, or through (a) Residential 0.5651 cents in the dollar on the capital value of such rateable property differential general rates, which apply to classes of properties. In addition, (b) Primary Production 0.5264 “ “ Council can raise separate rates for specific areas of the Council, or service rates (c) Vacant 0.4672 “ “ or charges for specific services. (d) Other 0.6413 “ “ (e) Commercial 0.5924 “ “ The Council also raises revenue through fees and charges, which are set giving (f) Industrial 0.6914 “ “ consideration to the cost of the service provided and any equity issues. Refer to Section 9 - Funding the Business Plan. Land use is used as the factor to apply differential rates. If a ratepayer believes that a particular property has been wrongly classified as to its land use, then they may object to that land use within 60 days of receiving notice. A ratepayer may discuss the matter with the Council’s Rates Officer in the first instance and Council will provide a copy of Section 156 of the DIFFERENTIAL GENERAL RATES Local Government Act 1999 which sets out the rights and obligations of ratepayers in respect of objections to a land use.

The Council has decided to impose differential general rates according to the Class Description Capital Value (CV) % of total No of properties Proposed Rates % of total rates locality of the land and its use, pursuant to Section 156 (1)(c ) of the Local CV levied Government Act 1999. Non rateable 70,845,548 5.60 485 0 0 In applying Differential General Rates Council has considered and is satisfied that Residential 483,677,282 38.20 3142 2,882,943 41.22 the rating system addresses the issue of consistency and comparability across all Council areas, particularly as it relates to the various sectors of the business and Residential Other 303,499,190 23.97 1246 1,718,813 24.57 wider community. This satisfies the requirements of Section 153(2) of the Local Government Act 1999. Primary Production 206,664,410 16.32 924 1,100,439 15.73

The localities and uses are as follows: Rural Dry/Vacant 13,303,520 1.05 199 79,616 1.14

Other 28,295,450 2.23 71 184,635 2.64 1. Township of Barmera, Berri, Cobdogla, Glossop, Loveday and Monash as defined, with land use categories including residential, commercial, Commercial Towns 107,354,844 8.48 352 671,009 9.59 industrial and other. 2. Outside of aforesaid Townships as defined, with land use categories Commercial Other 17,117,140 1.35 54 102,870 1.47 including residential, primary production, vacant rural dry, other, commercial and industrial. Industrial Towns 10,182,176 0.80 55 78,508 1.12

Industrial Other 25,111,100 1.98 37 175,389 2.51 Total 1,266,089,660 100 6565 6,994,222 100

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MINIMUM RATE SERVICE CHARGE—WASTE MANAGEMENT This will increase the allowance per property by 280 litres per fortnight and reduce the need for residents to go to the landfill A Council may impose a minimum amount payable by way of rates, provided Pursuant to Section 155 of the Act, Waste Management Service facility with green waste but it will have to be sorted. To recover that it has not imposed a fixed charge. Where two or more adjoining Charges (pro rata) based on the nature of the service and the extra expense an annual service charge will be set at $195 properties have the same owner and are occupied by the same occupier, only varying according to the Waste Management system in for the three bin collection and $165 for the two bin collection. one minimum rate is payable by the ratepayer. Where a Council imposes a accordance with Regulation 9B(1) of the Local Government Council will begin charging ratepayers for this service only when minimum rate it must not apply to more than 35% of properties in the (General) Regulations 1999 be declared and imposed on all land the new service arrangements begin, which is anticipated to be Council area. to which the Council provides or makes available the prescribed January, 2013. service for, in the first instance, the period 1st January 2013 and st The Council proposes to set a minimum rate of $589 which shall be applied ending 30th June 2013, with the 1 January 2013 being the to all rateable properties within the Council District. This will affect 17.37% of commencement date of the new service.. This includes the whole rateable properties and will raise $626,107 of rate revenue for the 2012/2013 Council area in which waste management services are provided. NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT LEVY financial year. The reasons for imposing a minimum rate are: The annual service charge for the second half of the 2012‐13 financial year for the waste management service will be $195 for The Natural Resources Management Act 2004 requires that the  The Council considers it appropriate that all rateable properties make the three bin collection and $165 for the two bin collection. Net Berri Barmera Council collect on behalf of the SA Murray-Darling a base level contribution to the cost of administering the Council’s income derived from the Waste Management charge for the Basin Natural Resources Management Board a levy on all activities; 2012/2013 year is anticipated to be $888,982 (excluding GST), rateable properties within its Council area. which relates to the cost of the new expanded service. (See  The cost of creating and maintaining the physical infrastructure that Appendix 3 - Report on Waste Management Service Charge supports each property. The levy funds ongoing NRM projects that are vital to the region prepared in accordance with Section 151 (6) of the Local to protect and manage precious natural resources such as water Government Act). SERVICE CHARGE - COMMUNITY WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM and soil and control pest plants and animals.

Following the requirement by the Environment Protection Council may impose an annual service charge on rateable (and non rateable) For the financial year 2011/2012 the Berri Barmera Council are Authority to close all Riverland waste management facilities by land within its area for the provision of a prescribed service. A prescribed required to make payable to the SA Murray-Darling Basin the end of 2012, the Councils are required to transport waste out service is legislated as any of the following services:- Natural Resources Management Board an amount of $119,125. of the region. As a consequence they have sought a joint  The treatment or provision of water; contract to achieve the greatest efficiency. Councils are In order to recover this amount a separate rate of .000098 cents The collection, treatment or disposal (including recycling) of waste; pursuing recycling and green waste collection to reduce waste  in the dollar has been declared, based on the capital value of all going to landfill and the need to transport it all out of the  Any other service prescribed by the regulations (which includes the rateable land within the Council area. A minimum separate rate region. This comes as a major cost to the Riverland community collection, treatment or disposal of wastewater or effluent). of $12.00 has also been declared for such rateable land. and Berri Barmera Council in particular with the overall waste The Council provides a community wastewater management system to management allocation increasing from $701,000 in 2011/2012 properties in the townships of Barmera, Berri, Cobdogla, Glossop, Monash to $1,198,000 in 2012/2013, a massive 71% increase. To recover and Loveday. The full cost of operating and maintaining the service for the this amount Council is introducing a consistent service charge to financial year 2012/2013 is budgeted to be $3,686,430. This includes the all properties eligible to have their waste collected. The running of the Wastewater Re-Use Scheme as well as capital expenditure of environmental benefits of less waste and greater recycling and $238,303 for the replacement and renewal of pumps and other equipment. re-use of material will ensure this community contributes to a more sustainable future. As per the declaration of the service charge relating to Effluent Drainage Schemes, the Council will recover the operating cost through the imposition The service will include – of a service charge of $332.50 for each unoccupied property unit and $665 Weekly domestic collection in a smaller 140 litre bin for all for each occupied property unit. properties Fortnightly recycling collection in a 240 litre bin for all properties Fortnightly green waste collection in a 240 litre bin for town residential properties.

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RATE CONCESSIONS PAYMENT OF RATES

The State Government, in providing equity across SA in this area, funds a range of concessions on The Local Government Act 1999 requires that Council must provide an opportunity for all ratepayers to pay rates by Council rates. The concessions are administered by various State Agencies who determine quarterly instalments. These instalments are to be payable in the months of September, December, March and June. eligibility and pay the concession directly to Council on behalf of the ratepayer. Concessions are available only on the principal place of residence. It is not mandatory for ratepayers to pay by quarterly instalments, however it is an option that Council must make available to all ratepayers. Ratepayers who believe they are entitled to a concession should not withhold payment of rates pending assessment of an application by the State Government as penalties apply to overdue The due dates for the quarterly instalments of Council rates for 2012/2013 are: rates. A refund will be paid to an eligible person if Council is advised that a concession applies and the rates have already been paid. 4th September, 2012 4th December, 2012 State Seniors Card Ratepayer (Self Funded Retirees) 4th March, 2013 4th June, 2013 This concession is administered by Revenue SA. If you are a self-funded retiree and currently hold a State Seniors Card you may be eligible for a concession toward Council rates. In the case of Council rates may be paid: couples, both must qualify, or if only one holds a State Senior’s Card, the other must not be in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week. If you have not received a concession on your - by mail (cheque or money order) rate notice or would like further information please contact the Revenue SA Call Centre on - by telephone, using a debit or credit card, phone (08) 8582 1922 1300 366 150. - by Bpay facility as detailed on the rate notice - by internet as detailed on the rate notice Pension Concession - in person at the Council Office locations - EFTPOS facilities are available for payments. - by Australia Post billpay facility as detailed on the rate notice If you are an eligible pensioner you may be entitled to a remission on your rates. Application forms (including information on the concessions) are available from the Council office or by Any ratepayer who may, or is likely to, experience difficulties with meeting the standard payment arrangements phoning the DFC Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 or Council on 8582 1922. should contact the Rates Officer on (08) 8582 1922 to discuss alternative payment arrangements. Such enquiries are treated confidentially. An eligible pensioner must hold a Pension Card, State Concession Card or be a T.P.I. Pensioner. They must also be responsible for the payment of rates on the property for which they are claim- ing a concession. The State Government administers the applications. It is important to note that LATE PAYMENT OF RATES seeking a remission does not change the due date for payment of rates. The Local Government Act provides that Councils impose a penalty of a 2% fine on any payment for rates, whether Unemployed Persons Concessions instalment or otherwise, that is not paid on or before the due date as from 1 July 2012. A payment that continues to be late is then charged a prescribed interest rate, set each year according to a formula in the Act, for each month it The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) Department of Human Services (DHS) may continues to be late. The purpose of this penalty is to act as a deterrent to ratepayers who might otherwise fail to assist with the payment of Council rates for your principal place of residence (remissions are not pay their rates on time, to allow Councils to recover the administrative cost of following up unpaid rates and to available on vacant land or rental premises). Please contact the Concessions Hotline on cover any interest cost the Council may meet because it has not received the rates on time. For the 2012/2013 1800 307 758 or your nearest DHS office for details. financial year this rate is 0.7083% per month (for 11/12 the rate is 0.75%).

Concession on Waste Management Service Charge for Pensioners When the Council receives a payment in respect of overdue rates the Council applies the money received as follows:

For those ratepayers who are eligible for the above State Government Concessions, Council will - first – to satisfy any costs awarded in connection with court proceedings; remit a fixed amount of $20 per annum against the newly introduced Waste Management Service - second – to satisfy any interest costs; Charge. This remission will be applied automatically at the same time the State Government Con- - third – in payment of any fines imposed; cessions are applied and will show separately on the rate notice. Please note, however that eligi- - fourth – in payment of rates, in chronological order (starting with the oldest account first). bility for this concession is determined by the various State Government Agencies who then notify Council. REBATE OF RATES

The Local Government Act requires Councils to rebate the rates payable on some land. Specific provisions are made for land used for health services, community services, religious purposes, public cemeteries and educational institutions.

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Discretionary rebates may be applied by the Council under Section 166 of the Act, upon receipt of REMISSION AND POSTPONEMENT OF RATES applications in accordance with Council’s Rate Rebate Policy that deem to satisfy the criteria specified within this section. The Council under the discretionary rebate of rates, may grant a rebate in any of Section 182 of the Local Government Act permits the Council, on the application of the ratepayer, to partially or the following purposes and cases: wholly remit rates or to postpone rates, on the basis of hardship. Where a ratepayer is suffering hardship in paying rates, it is recommended to contact the Rates Officer on (08) 85821922 to discuss the matter.  Where the rebate is desirable for the purpose of securing the proper development of the area (or a part of the area). A ratepayer may be required to submit evidence of the hardship being suffered to benefit from the application of Section 182. Such enquiries are treated confidentially by the Council.  Where the rebate is desirable for the purpose of assisting or supporting a business in its area.

 Where the rebate will conduce to the preservation of buildings or places of historic significance. For those ratepayers who are on fixed incomes such as pensioners and self funded retirees, we propose to remit  Where the land is being used for educational purposes. a fixed amount of $20 per annum of the general rates and $20 per annum of the effluent drainage service  Where the land is being used for agricultural, horticultural or floricultural exhibitions. charge to assist those ratepayers who may be experiencing hardship. To be eligible to receive the remission an application must be made to council and is subject to the following criteria:  Where the land is being used for hospital or health centre.  Where the land is being used to provide facilities or services for children or young persons.  The property is the principal residence of the ratepayer and is the only property owned by the ratepayer;  Where the land is being used to provide accommodation for the aged or disabled.  Where the land is being used for a residential aged care facility that is approved for Commonwealth  The property has been owned by the ratepayer and has been their principal residence for a minimum of 5 funding under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cwlth) or a day therapy centre. years;  Where the land is being used by an organisation which, in the opinion of the council, provides a benefit or service to the local community.  The ratepayer is able to produce one of the following identification cards;  Where the rebate relates to common property or land vested in a community corporation under the

Community Titles Act 1996 over which the public has a free and unrestricted right of access and - Pensioner Concession Card – Centrelink enjoyment. - Pensioner Concession Car – Veteran Affairs Where the rebate is considered by the council to be appropriate to provide relief against what would - T.P.I. Card – Veteran Affairs otherwise amount to a substantial change in rates payable by a ratepayer due to – - Or they can demonstrate to Council that they are a self funded retiree with an income of less than $35,000 per annum. A redistribution of the rates burden within the community arising from a change to the basis or structure of the council’s rates, or Section 182A of the Local Government Act permits the Council, upon application by the ratepayer, to postpone A change to the basis on which land is valued for the purpose of rating, rapid changes payment of any amount of rates in excess of $500.00 for the current or future financial year by: in valuation, or anomalies in valuations.  A (prescribed) ratepayer who holds a current State Seniors Card issued by the State Government, or

spouse of a prescribed ratepayer; Any rebate over and above the legislated percentage provided by the Act, for mandatory rebates or discretionary rebates, will need to be considered by Council  Where the rates are payable on the principal place of residence; upon written application and in conjunction with the Rate Rebate Policy adopted by  Where the land is owned by the prescribed ratepayer, or the prescribed ratepayer and his or her spouse, Council on 26th July 2005. Applications for such additional rebates are required on an and not other person has an interest, as owner, in the land. annual basis. Any rates that are postponed will become due and payable: RATE CAPPING  When the title to the land is transferred to another person, or

To address any potential inequities in how the rates are levied across the district, Council has decided  There is failure to comply with a condition of postponement. to provide relief by way of rate capping. Where a ratepayer is levied an increase in general rates greater than 12% a rate cap will be applied to ensure no ratepayer will pay any more than 12% on the Interest will accrue on the amount postponed at the prescribed rate per month until the full amount is paid. previous year’s general rates. This rebate will not apply where: Postponement is available as a right and can only be refused when the applicant/s has less than 50% equity in the property. Ownership of the rateable property has changed since 1 July, 2011;  Any such increase in the capital value of the rateable property is a result of improvements made on the property since 1 July, 2011 with a value in excess of $10,000; There has been a change of land use, or there have been zoning changes which have contributed to the increase in valuation. Corporate Services

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SALE OF LAND FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RATES Annual Business Plan Implementation The Local Government Act provides that a Council may sell any property where the rates have been in arrears for three years or more. The Council is required to notify the owner of the land of its intention The Annual Business Plan, which is prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 123 of the Local to sell the land, provide the owner with details of the outstanding amounts, and advise the owner of Government Act 1999, provides details as to the projects and activities of the Council for the year and how these its intention to sell the land if payment of the outstanding amount is not received within one month. projects and activities integrate with the Measures and Corporate Objectives contained in the Strategic Plan. The projects that were contained specifically within the Annual Business Plan are listed in the following table, which also advises as to the status of the projects as at 30th June 2013. RATE IMPACT STATEMENT The status refers to whether the project was completed, deferred for future completion or carried forward for The Council has considered the impact of rates on all classes of properties in its area. inclusion within the 2012/2013 year.

In setting rates, Council has taken into account a number of factors including: It is noted from the table aside that there are a number of projects that have been carried forward to the 2013/2014 year, primarily due to the fact that either the projects are very large and planning stages are still  The affects of the current economic climate. proceeding or in fact, the project was being undertaken but had not been finalised by the reporting date. Some projects are shown as ‘on-going’ as they are programmed projects and are prioritised according to Council’s Imposed legislative changes. Asset Management Plans. The need to manage, maintain and improve the community’s infrastructure and other assets. Overall, the assessment of the performance of the Council for the year is satisfactory as a majority of the projects The requirement to maintain current service levels to the community. committed to by Council were completed during the year and within their financial constraints. The need to ensure long term financial sustainability of the Council. Cost increases that are over and above inflation.

Council takes into consideration the effect of rates on all ratepayers and is mindful of maintaining the balance between economic and community development.

Application of the Policy

Where a ratepayer believes that the Council has failed to properly apply this policy it should raise the matter with the Council. In the first instance contact should be made with the Manager of Corporate Services on (08) 8582 1922 to discuss the matter. If after the initial contact a ratepayer is still dissatis- fied they should write to the Chief Executive Officer, Berri Barmera Council, PO Box 229, Berri SA 5343.

Disclaimer

A rate cannot be challenged on the basis of non-compliance with the rating policy and must be paid in accordance with the required payment provisions.

Adoption and Review

This policy was adopted at the Council meeting held on 12th July 2012, being resolution number 3068/12 of the Council meeting. The policy will be reviewed annually in May or June to coincide with Council adopting its annual budget and declaring the annual rates.

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Infrastructure Services Status Infrastructure Services cont….

Berri Cemetery Extensions Ongoing Gopher Routes, Berri and Barmera Completed

Berri and Barmera Town Beautification Projects Ongoing Bike Track/Footpath Nookamka Terrace Barmera Completed

School Safe Routes Ongoing Stormwater Harvesting Project Completed

Waste Landfill Rehabilitation Ongoing Stormwater Renewal Glossop Ongoing

Hardwaste Collection Completed Stormwater Retention Pond – Land Purchase Completed

Glassey Park – Soccer Grounds Ongoing Plant and Machinery Purchases Completed

Matthews Park Berri Turf Ongoing Corporate Services

Mulching Parks and Street Verges Completed Asset Management Plan Ongoing

Rodeo Grounds Cleanup Ongoing IT Plant and Equipment Ongoing

Cemetery Furniture and Vaults and Signs Ongoing Corporate Branding Ongoing

Waste Transfer Station Completed Community Services

Implement new Waste Management System (including bins purchase) Completed Statewide Library Management System Ongoing

Street Banners and Signs Completed Barmera Recreation Centre Upgrade Ongoing

Irrigation Automation Ongoing Berri and Barmera Libraries Plant and Equipment Replacement Completed

Hill Street Park Development Barmera Completed Environmental Services

Playground Equipment Replacement including Monash Adventure Park Completed Spot DPA Review Ongoing

Road Reseals Completed Heritage Survey and DPA Ongoing

Unsealed Road Resheeting Completed Craggs Creek/VIC Building Flooring & Balustrade Completed

Comley Road Barmera Upgrade Completed Off Leash Dog Park Fencing Completed

Crawford Terrace Berri Upgrade Completed Effluent Plant & Equipment Replacement Ongoing

Anderson Street Barmera Kerbing, verge and drainage Completed Monash Playground Kiosk Upgrade Completed

Crossover Whitmore Avenue Barmera Completed Bonney Theatre Upgrades Completed

Malaga Terrace Berri Kerbing Completed Berri Marina Boatramp Upgrade Ongoing

Queen Elizabeth Drive Barmera Kerbing renewal Completed Executive Services

Cooper Street Berri kerbing renewal Completed Future Direction Planning – Town Centre Renewal Porject, including fu- Ongoing ture planning for sporting/community facilities Riverland Resource Sharing Ongoing

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Financial Management Statement

The following financial indicators for 2012/2013 are interpreted as follows:

Operating Surplus Ratio ACTUAL TO BUDGET OPERATING EXPENDITURE COMPARISON 2012/2013 This ratio expresses the operating surplus as a percentage of general and other rates, net of the NRM levy. Again in June 2013 two quarters of the 2013/2014 Commonwealth Government Financial Assistance Grant was received. This amount has been recorded as amount received in advance which offsets the overstated operating results of the previous years. Although the financial indicator is showing a deficit of 7% the underlying real result is a surplus of 6%.

Net Financial Liabilities Ratio This ratio indicates the extent to which net financial liabilities of Council can be met by its operating revenue. Where the ratio is falling over time indicates that the Councils capacity to meets its financial obligations from operating revenue is strengthening. The 2012/2013 ratio is within the adopted target.

Asset Sustainability Ratio This ratio indicates whether Council is renewing or replacing existing non-financial assets at the same rate the assets are wearing out. Council’s target is to have this ratio between 50% and 100% of depreciation. The current indicator shows a drop as Council has concentrated on new asset investment as a result of grant funding becoming available. INDICATOR 2013 2012 2011 Operating Surplus Ratio -7% 2% -3% Net Financial Liabilities 25% 16% 18% Ratio Asset Sustainability Ratio 33% 35% 62%

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Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30th June 2013

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Executive Services

Governance Compliance

Council General Information Registers, Codes, Policies and Procedures Corporate Structure Members Allowances Regional Involvement - MMLGA/Riverland Local Government Forum Elector Representation Review Senior Executive Officers – Register of Salaries Competitive Tendering/Cost Effective Delivery of Service Human Resource Management /Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare/ Delegations of Power Injury and Rehabilitation Management/Risk Management Grievance Procedures Decision Making Structure of Council Council and Committee Meetings/Matters Considered in Confidence Council/Committee Meetings Freedom of Information/Information Statement - General Strategic and Corporate Plan National Competition Policy Corporate Objectives

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COUNCIL MEETING AND ATTENDANCES BY MEMBERS FOR PERIOD 2012 - 2013 Council General Information - Council Area

Elected Member Ordinary Meetings Special Council Meetings

Mayor Peter Hunt 12 7

Cr Rhonda Centofanti 12 7

Cr Margaret Evans 11 6

Cr Michelle Campbell 10 5

Cr Vicki Beech 11 7

Cr Mike Fuller 9 7

Cr Bruce Richardson 11 7

Cr Trevor Chapple 10 6 Cr Andrew Kassebaum 11 5

ELECTED MEMBER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Throughout 2012 - 2013 Elected Members attended the following Conferences and Training Sessions;

 Local Government Showcase and Conference

 SA Local Government Roads and Works Conference

 National Local Roads & Transport Congress The Berri Barmera Council area incorporates the Berri, Barmera, Cobdogla, Loveday, Monash, Glossop, Winkie and Overland Corner districts. There are no  LGA – AGM and associated sessions Wards, with all eight elected members (and the Mayor) representing the interests of the entire community and district.  National General Assembly of Local Government (Canberra)

 Other associated LGA sessions

 Training (Wallmans Lawyers)

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Corporate Structure

The Corporate and Functional Structure (overleaf) reflects areas of responsibility within Council’s various Departments/ Functions.

To compliment the Corporate and Functional Structure further, Committees have been appointed to enhance decision making and accountability of the Department/Functional areas.

The Committees are:

 Asset Management Committee  Strategic Governance Committee  Barmera Town Beautification Committee  Audit Committee  Recreation Facilities Committee  Cemetery Advisory Committee  Martin Bend Recreational Area Committee  Youth and Council Unite (YACU)  Major Projects Committee  Berri Town Beautification Committee

(Additional information on the roles and functions of the Council is included in the “Decision Making Structure of the Council” section of the report)

Other Specific Purposes Committees:

 Berri Barmera Council Building Fire Safety Committee  Berri Barmera Bushfire Prevention Committee  Riverland Community Transport  Riverland Regional Development Assessment Panel

The three Riverland Council Mayors with His Excellency the Governor of South Australia during his regional visit in November 2012.

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Regional Involvement Senior Executive Officers

MURRAY AND MALLEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION REGISTER OF SALARIES

Council is a member of the Murray and Mallee Local Government Association which is a Regional Subsidiary established pursuant to the Schedule 2, Schedule 28 of the Local Government Act, 1999. The membership of the Association includes the following Councils: Title of Position Classification Other Benefits Packages Provided

 Berri Barmera Council Novated Lease Available  Coorong District Council Annual salary increase CPI – as per  District Council of Karoonda East Murray Chief Executive Officer Contract Agreement contract  District Council of Loxton Waikerie Mobile Phone / Work related calls  Mid Murray Council  The Rural City of Murray Bridge Contract Agreement Novated Lease Allowance Manager Corporate Services Includes EB  Renmark Paringa Council, and Telephone allowance Agreement  Southern Mallee District Council

Pursuant to Schedule 2 (Section 28) of the Local Government Act 1999, the Annual Report of the Murray and Mallee Local Government Association is included within this report under the heading “Regional Contract Agreement Novated Lease available Manager Infrastructure Services Subsidiary Reports” (Refer Contents). Includes EB Agreement Telephone allowance

RIVERLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FORUM

Novated Lease Available ASU Award Senior The Berri Barmera Council, along with the Loxton Waikerie and Renmark Paringa Councils form the Manager Environmental Services All telephone rental & calls incl. Riverland Local Government Forum. Though the Forum is not constituted under the Local Government Officer Level 2 Inc. 1 and Special Projects Mobile (excluding overseas calls) Act, the Forum does provide an opportunity for the Riverland Councils to meet and discuss issues Includes EB Agreement affecting the Region.

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Human Resources Work Health and Safety (WHS)

The workforce remained stable for the 2012-2013 period with This year saw the introduction of the new national harmonised workplace safety laws. Council has been working tirelessly through this 66 Full Time Equivalent ’s. Councils across SA are participating transition period to have all policies and procedures adopted by the end of the year. It is anticipated that the full implementation of in the Workforce Planning Project, a project of the LGA in these will be achieved by mid next year, with the additional training of staff that is required being mapped out in an implementation partnership with Workforce Planning Australia. The Workforce schedule. Planning Project commenced in 2011, and continues to be rolled out across the state. Our Council is participating in the The WHS and IM Plan which aims to address systemic non conformances, has been monitored and reported on through out the year and current round (round 4) which is well underway. The first stage will undergo a full review for the next year is compiling the context of the plan and the majority of this has been completed. Part of this process included a staff survey of Council undertook the annual Key Performance Indicator Audit by the Local Government Association Workers Compensation Scheme which 100% of all identified staff undertook. The workforce (LGAWCS) in late 2012. The level of performance of Council in safety and injury management has been maintained with Council scoring a development plan is the second stage to the project where the rebate of 90%. action plan for strategies on retention, skills gaps analysis, trends and impacts by or to the strategic plan will be looked at Wellbeing programs have been highly supported by Council staff. These include health assessments, skin screens and Fitness2live in detail. programs. Injury Management continues to be well managed between Council, LGAWCS and staff with the priority being returning injured workers back to work as quickly as possible through prompt and supportive claims and rehabilitation management. Training and Development

Training and development remains a primary focus of council with approximately 530 sessions attended in 2012-2013. Training is identified through Staff Performance Appraisals and through legislative and industry requirements.

Emergency Management

Council has been working with the LGA and other state agencies with emergency management and is continuing to develop plans that will provide sound guidance for Council to met legislative responsibilities. It is expected that Councils Emergency Management Plan will be completed by the end of the year. Flood mapping has been completed and additional supplementary projects are being explored. Council continues to be an active member of the Murray Mallee Zone Emergency Management Committee and the Riverland Zone Emergency Centre.

Risk Management

A Risk Management Committee has been established and will monitor and review Council’s risks. Through proactive management and maintenance of Councils assets, infrastructure and facilities it has ensured that Councils exposure to liability is limited.

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Workers Compensation Claims Data

Claims Lost Time Injury Days

Other: Similar group of councils. Please note variations to historic data exists this year due to Berri Barmera Council being allocated from Group D to Group C for comparison of similar councils.

Data source: LGAWCS, Claims Analysis and Tracking System (CATS) as at 30 June 2012. Statistical information is updated monthly by LGAWCS but the accuracy is dependent on the timing of information being lodged and processed.

CORPORATE OBJECTIVES

Workforce Planning Objective: To respond to workplace trends and opportunities through workforce planning in accord with council strategic priorities.

Human Resources Objective: To improve human resources and employment relations processes and performance outcomes.

Training and Development Objective: Council pursues strategies to ensure a well trained and motivated workforce.

Risk Management Objective: Through planning, implementation and completion of strategies council endeavors to minimize risk of the potential losses against, liabilities and the community

WHS Objective: To provide a safe and supportive work environment for council staff and visitors; and engage with the workforce to optimise the health, safety and welfare of people at work.

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Asset Management Committee Strategic Governance Committee Decision Making Structure of Council The basic function of the Asset Management Committee is 1. The basic function of the Strategic Governance To facilitate sound governance and to ensure that decision making processes are carried out to implement Council’s asset management strategy and Committee is to develop and implement and review in the most efficient manner the Council has adopted the following decision making policy framework and recommend divisional operations to Council’s long term Strategic Plan. Develop a policy structure. The structure of Council and its major committees which integrate with Council’s best meet the needs and aspirations of the Berri Barmera framework based on the Strategic Plan and recommend Corporate Structure are as follows: community. divisional operations to best meet the needs and aspirations of the Berri Barmera community. Specific Functions 2. To monitor the progress of delivering all funded capital and major operating projects included in Council’s annual COUNCIL 1) To guide the development of an asset management Management Plan and Budget. policy framework for the Council and make recommendations for consideration in forward Specific Functions financial estimates, and to deal with matters in respect of Council’s asset management programs. 1) To develop, implement and review a Strategic Plan for Riverland 2) To oversee the regular evaluation of asset Berri Barmera Council area including undertaking Regional Asset management and programs and the review of relevant extensive public consultation. Strategic Governance Development Management Audit Committee service levels. 2) To develop a policy framework for the Council to Committee Assessment Committee 3) To formulate and deliver appropriate strategies in support the strategic direction of the Council. Panel relation to its strategic property holdings. 3) To review and make recommendations regarding the 4) To receive deputations and/or representations from Council’s Management Plan. interested parties, which may aid Council, in 4) To receive deputations and/or representations from determining its objectives, strategies and priorities. interested parties, which may aid Council, in Riverland Regional Development Assessment Panel (RRDAP) 5) To establish sub-committees and/or working parties determining its objectives, strategies and priorities. to assist in carrying out the Committee’s functions. 5) To receive reports and enquiry on the progress of In January 2010, the Berri Barmera Council, together with the Renmark Paringa and Loxton 6) To consider any other matters referred to it by the Council’s capital and operating projects budget Waikerie Councils formed the RRDAP pursuant to Section 34 of the Development Act 1993. Council, other Council Committees and the Chief program. The formation of the RRDAP plays an important part of the promotion of a Executive Officer. 6) To monitor the timeliness of Council planning and common approach to development assessment and policy in the Riverland region. execution of Council’s approved projects. Membership – All Councillors 7) Ensure compliance with Council’s purchasing policies in The RRDAP assesses applications and hears applicants, as a delegate of the Renmark Chairperson - Cr B Richardson regard to tendering of works, services or products. Paringa, Loxton Waikerie and Berri Barmera Councils. The Panel adheres to the Minister's Attendees - Chief Executive Officer and Management 8) Recommend areas of process improvement to increase Code of Conduct under section 21A of the Act, and adopts its own Operating Procedures Team effectiveness of project delivery. for the conduct of its members and for its meetings. Co-Ordinator - Manager Infrastructure Services 9) To establish sub-committees and/or working parties to assist in carrying out the Committee’s functions. The following people have been appointed as members of the RRDAP: 10) To consider any other matters referred to it by the Council, other Council Committees and the Chief Independent Presiding Member - Mr Bruce Ballantyne Executive Officer. Independent Members: Ms Rebecca Perkin (Berri Barmera Council), Messrs David Kanizay (Loxton Waikerie Council), Geoffrey Parsons (Renmark Paringa Council) Membership – All Councillors Elected Members: Mrs Rhonda Centofanti (Berri Barmera Council), Mrs Margaret Malthouse Chairperson - Cr A Kassebaum (Loxton Waikerie Council) and Mr Mark Chown (Renmark Paringa Council). Attendees - Chief Executive Officer and Management Team All members have a keen interest in town planning and have knowledge of the Development Co-ordinator - Chief Executive Officer Act and Regulations with appropriate qualifications and/or experience relevant to development assessment. The Panel met on seven occasions during the 2012-13 year. The RRDAP assessed 24 applications on behalf of the Councils. Panel members are remunerated by each relevant Council; independent and Elected Member representatives are paid $200 per meeting. Mr Ballantyne, as the Presiding Member, is reimbursed $700 plus GST (including travel) per meeting. Executive Services - Governance

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Audit Committee Council/Committee Meetings

The functions of the Audit Committee include: Council meetings are generally held on the fourth Tuesday of every month commencing at 6.00pm. These meetings are  reviewing annual financial statements to ensure that they present maintained in a public forum with the exception of items that fairly the state of affairs of the council; and Council considers for reasons pursuant to Section 90 of the  proposing, and providing information relevant to, a review of the Local Government Act need to be discussed in confidence. Council’s strategic management plans or Annual Business Plan; and Although meetings are held in a public forum, members of the  proposing, and reviewing, the exercise of powers under Section public attending are not permitted to speak, however 130A; and individuals are provided with an opportunity to make  if the Council has exempted a subsidiary from the requirement to representation and address Council on specific issues that are have an audit committee, the functions that would, apart from the raised. exemption, have been performed by the subsidiary’s audit committee; and In addition, the Council maintains a wide distribution of its Council and Committee Agendas to the local community via the  liaising with the Council’s auditor; and website and Council office.  reviewing the adequacy of the accounting, internal control, reporting and other financial management systems and practices The Council and committee agendas are placed on public of the council on a regular basis. display within the Council office at least three days prior to the Council and committee meetings in accordance with the Membership: provisions of the Local Government Act 1999.  One independent member (John Comrie) In addition to the above mentioned Committees, the Council  Cr B Richardson also has formed a number of other committees that incorporate  Cr M Fuller either full Council representation or a mixture of Council and  Cr T Chapple community representation and perform various tasks or manage  Mayor P Hunt (ex officio) Council facilities.

Cr A Kassebaum (Proxy)  These committees include the following:  Chief Executive Officer  Manager Corporate Services  Cemetery Advisory Committee  Internal/External Auditors  Berri Town Beautification Committee  Human Resources/Risk Management  Barmera Town Beautification Committee  Youth and Council Unite (YACU)  Recreation Facilities Committee  Martin Bend Recreational Area Committee Barmera Beautification Committee members meet at the  Major Projects Committee Barmera Library bi-monthly.

Following Meetings of Council and Committees, the Minutes of such are available on the Council’s website. Minutes can also be viewed at the Council Office or purchased if desired.

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STRATEGIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK Strategic and Corporate Plans The following Strategic Planning framework ensures integration of Council’s Strategic Direction with the day to day operations of the Council. The Strategic and Corporate Plans to 2015 established the following Vision for the Council:

VISION:

In 2015 the Berri Barmera Council shall be part of one regional community, which is sustainable, growing and prosperous, where residents are enjoying a STRATEGIC PLAN lifestyle and environment second to none.

The Corporate and Strategic Plan includes Objectives for key areas, namely:

 Our Economy: STRATEGIC STRATEGIC

In 2025 the economy will be horticulture based but more diverse MANAGEMENT FUTURE DIRECTION PLAN MANAGEMENT PLANS and vibrant, with a range of traditional and new businesses.

 Our Environment In 2025 the environment will be healthier and sustainable. Council

will be a leader in holistic reuse of industry and community waste. COMMUNITY SERVICE OBLIGATIONS - STANDARDS

 Our Community / Social In 2025 our community will be diverse, healthy, sporting, safe, friendly, growing, with a sense of community self help and pride that supports the aged and youth. OPERATIONAL/DEPARTMENT PLANS OPERATIONAL PLANS PLANS OPERATIONAL

ANNUAL BUSINESS PLANS – ANNUAL BUDGET

IMPLEMENTATION, REPORTING, MEASURING AND REVIEW PLAN IMPLEMENTATION IMPLEMENTATION MEASURING, REVIEW REVIEW MEASURING,

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The following Action Plans encompass the major activities that Council will undertake to achieve its objectives. Throughout the 2012/2013 year, 93% of the objectives outlined in the action plan had been completed or were in progress. (as demonstrated in the chart alongside)

Our Economy: In 2025 the economy will be horticulture based but more diverse and vibrant, with a range of traditional and new businesses.

93% Completed or in Progress

Corporate / Strategic Plan Reference (Objective) Actions 2012/2013 Performance Outcomes (Measures)

Develop a Business Support Policy Completed

1: We will promote and foster the entrepreneurial Develop a rate remissions policy for business Completed spirit that helped build the Riverland because we need locals investing in our community. Build and maintain links with: Funding for high priority projects increased - resulting in new Regional Development Australia business start ups (pending) Several local projects funded. State Government Federal Government

2.1 Complete the design and cost/s for Glassey Park. Completed

2: We will complete Berri Riverfront from the hotel 2.2 Work with the Land Management Corporation to finalise project to full Still Pending to the caravan park and Sporting Clubs’ Projects government approval at Glassey Park. to stimulate the economy. 2.3 Let tenders for redevelopment at Glassey Park Completed

2.4 Work with developers to achieve best outcomes for the development. Re- development commenced

3.1 Audit the current available parking spaces Audit completed

3: We will solve Berri’s parking problem because it 3.2 Establish a policy on parking for Berri on current and future predicted Parking policy completed and implemented will increase accessibility for businesses to establish demand and expand. 3.3. Establish a car park fund under the Development Act Car park fund established

3.4 Implement policy on parking.

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4: We will support local businesses and 4.1 Develop partnerships with traders organisations No projects towns to work together to increase their profitability and opportunity because 4.2 Maximise return on investment with joint or linked programs. No projects developed resources are limited and we need to maximise our return.

5.1 Identify areas of suitable rural land. 20% increase in correctly identified land and appropriately zoned. 5: We will promote country style living to enhance the lifestyle opportunities and 5.2 Assess available and required infrastructure because there is a growing demand for these type of properties. 5.3 Adjust Development Assessment Plan New Development Plan adopted.

6: We will promote and encourage 6.1 Investigate eco-tourism based options for Lake Bonney. A number of eco-tourism options developed (In progress) eco-tourism because it will mean an increased understanding of our unique 6.2 Develop a localised Tourism Strategy across Council area. Local Tourism Strategy developed environment and promote its preservation and create employment. 6.3 Implement 6.1 and 6.2 Increase in eco tourism (2 new businesses)

7.1 Identify key stakeholders with whom to develop alliances and relationships A number of key stakeholders identified 7: We will facilitate and partner business and industry because it will create employment. 7.2 Identify opportunities for employment creation and economic growth Increase in regional employment (ABS)

8.1 Identify future needs via Council planning processes A number of projects funded 8: We will actively lobby State and Federal  Stormwater Infrastructure Governments for funding because it will  Sub-Surface Irrigation mean Council can provide improved services.

8.2 Source funding through available grants and programs

9: We will provide high quality facilities, 9.1 Audit of standard of facilities and amenities Audit of standard of facilities and amenities completed (Partial) services and attractions because it will entice tourists to our region and provide 9.2 Promotion of the facilities within the region Facilities promoted - Website enquiries specific to promotion materials employment locally.

10: We will facilitate development of lifestyle 10.1 Audit of available land correctly zoned Audit of available land completed (RDA Project) retirement villages because it will attract retirees and provide an economic boost to 10.2 What is required for future demand Future demand identified our region. 10.3 Adjusting the DAP to reflect future demand DAP adjusted to reflect future demand

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Our Environment:

In 2025 the environment will be healthier and sustainable. Council will be a leader in holistic reuse of industry and community waste.

Corporate / Strategic Plan Reference Actions 2012/2013 Performance Outcomes (Measures) (Objective)

Develop a waste minimisation strategy Reduction in tonnage received for landfill 1: We will have a community that recycles, because that will reduce waste going to Recycling commenced 1/1/2013 landfill.

Complete the assessment for the regional waste management facility Assessment for regional waste facility completed 2: We will promote a regional landfill facility to reduce costs across the region.

Investigation of suitability and sustainability of alternative energies for the region Increase in use of alternate energy. 3: We will promote alternate energy supplies to reduce our carbon footprint.

4.1 Extend the waste water re-use ie Glassey Park Increase in land using waste water irrigation. (land doubled under waste 4: We will extend and fund waste water and water use) stormwater re-use projects because it will reduce reliance on the Murray. 4.2 Implement storm water harvesting Amount of mega litres of storm water harvested. (Project commencing 2012/2013)

5.1 Install sub surface drip irrigation to parks and gardens and recreational areas Project to install sub surface drip irrigation to parks and gardens and recreational areas completed. (Completed 2012)

5: We will establish better watering systems 5.2 We will promote the use of low water use plants within Community facilities to Increase in the sites of low water use plants to reduce water wastage. reduce water usage.

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6: We will work with the NRM Board to Establish working party with NRM and other Riverland Councils to create greater No Projects promote better grey water disposal from awareness and facilitate development of more river waste disposal sites river users to promote tourism use of the river and protect the environment.

7: We will promote community awareness Working with and forming partnerships with local stakeholders to promote community Assessment of annual LGA comparative performance standard regarding preserving the natural awareness. survey results to determine improvements environment because it will create a better, healthier and more sustainable environment

8. We will have at least one town in the top Working with Berri and Barmera beautification committees, schools and industry to Placement of a town in top ten of Tidy Town awards 10 of Tidy Towns because this will mean we increase the amenity of our townships are looking after our towns and our environment.

Our Community/ Social:

In 2025 our community will be diverse, healthy, sporting, safe, friendly, growing, with a sense of community self help and pride that supports the aged and youth.

Corporate / Strategic Plan Reference Actions 2012/2013 Performance Outcomes (Measures) (Objective)

1.1 Developing partnerships and relationships with local medical facility providers 1: We will support and lobby in partnership with the State Government modern well 1.2 Assisting with redevelopment of RRHS at Berri Expanded medical health facilities. Expansion due for completion 2014. staffed medical facilities including local specialty services to attract and retain 1.3 Develop strategies to assist with retention of Barmera Hospital in accord with people in the region. This will include the ageing population. provision of adequate passenger transport to medical services. 1.4 Review patient passenger transport services Completed 2012.

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2.1 Establish regular communication with SAPOL about community safety Regional Superintendent attended

2.2 Review of dry areas Completed and 3 year extension granted.

2: We will work with SA Police and 2.3 Developing crime prevention strategy No projects associated groups to have a safe community. 2.4 Development of community emergency management plan and Community emergency management plan and promotion for community promotion for community awareness awareness developed (Commenced)

3.1 Audit of non structured recreation and cultural facilities Audit of non structured recreation and cultural facilities completed. 3: We will provide non-structured recreation facilities, locally and 3.2 Assessment of community demand Assessment of community demand undertaken. (No Progress) regionally to increase participation, fitness and well being including 3.3 Development of non structured recreation and cultural facilities Development of non structured recreation and cultural facilities completed nature trails, bike tracks, walking tracks and canoe courses, art and culture.

4.1 Audit of sporting facilities Audit of sporting facilities completed

4.2 Assessment of community demand Assessment of community demand undertaken 4: We will amalgamate sporting facilities to continue to provide the top level of 4.3 Development of policy for support of sporting groups Policy for support of sporting groups developed facilities within our means

5.1 Develop a policy for support of community groups with an emphasis on Policy for support of community groups with an emphasis on self-help self-help developed. Barmera Soccer Club assisted. 5: We will reward groups that have a strong self help culture to work in 5.2 Review the Community Grants policy Completed partnership to maximise the benefit from limited funds.

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Development of policy for promotion and support towards special events Policy for promotion and support towards special events developed. 6: We will promote and support special events and multi-cultural festivals that bring the community together.

7.1 Develop a strategy to utilise social media more effectively Social media strategy developed (No Progress)

7.2 Develop youth leadership through programs in partnership with community Youth partnership program developed 7: We will engage the youth at their service organisations level to understand their views to build opportunities for retention and 7.3 Provide career development programs and traineeships Increase in percentage of Council workforce undertaking or have increased community involvement. completed traineeships.

7.4 To increase the diversity of Council’s youth network Increase in the diversity of Council’s youth network

We will be “Young Family Friendly” with areas and events that support Our percentage of young families against Riverland average (as 8: We will be “Young Family Friendly” community involvement to make it easier for families to move and stay in the measured by ABS) with areas and events that support region. community involvement to make it easier for families to move and stay in the region.

9.1 Audit of available land correctly zoned Audit of available land completed (RDA Project) 9: Promote over 50 Residential Estates to support the ageing population within 9.2 What is required for future demand Future demand identified the region so that they can still live locally 9.3 Adjusting the DAP to reflect future demand DAP adjusted to reflect future demand

Link Council policies and programs with an emphasis to reflect the transport Following Review of patient passenger transport services needs of our community completed link relevant Council policies and programs 10: We support the development of a public and community transport system for our community.

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Corporate Services: (Asset Management, Financial Management, Risk Management, Records, Information Technology, Customer Service)

Objective – Ensure transparent and accountable governance and financial responsibility.

Corporate / Strategic Plan Reference Actions 2012/2013 Performance Outcomes (Measures) (Objective)

Prepare Annual Business Plan and Budget in line with statutory requirements and community needs

Completed Annual Business Plan Ensure raising of rates and associated charges are consistent with Council’s rate declaration and rating policies.

Ensure rate notices are prepared and distributed within statutory timeframes.

Prepare 10 year LTFP in line with statutory requirements and community needs

Review and update assumptions in consultation with Audit Committee Completed Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) Review and amend where appropriate key financial performance targets

Amend the LTFP to ensure consistent integration with Asset Management Plans

Review and update Asset Management Plan for Infrastructure assets (roads, footpaths and kerbing) ensuring it includes –

 Annual and future capital works programmes and costings for minimum of 10 years for all asset replacements, upgrades and disposals.

 Ensure data is systematically recorded to enable sound asset management

Asset Management Plans decision making. In Progress  Determination of service levels provided by Council.

 Determine labour requirements regarding Council staff and sub- contractors as an outcome of future capital works requirements.

 Financial data such as valuations and annual depreciation are recorded.

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Develop Asset Management Plan for Stormwater assets ensuring it includes – In Progress  Annual and future capital works programmes and costings for minimum of 10 years for all asset replacements, upgrades and disposals.  Ensure data is systematically recorded to enable sound asset management Asset Management Plans (cont) decision making.  Determination of service levels provided by Council.  Determine labour requirements regarding Council staff and sub contractors as an outcome of future capital works requirements.  Financial data such as valuations and annual depreciation are recorded.

Develop Asset Management Plan for Community Wastewater Management In Progress Systems (CWMS) assets ensuring it includes –  Annual and future capital works programmes and costings for minimum of 10 years for all asset replacements, upgrades and disposals.  Ensure data is systematically recorded to enable sound asset management Asset Management Plans (cont) decision making.  Determination of service levels provided by Council.  Determine labour requirements regarding Council staff and sub contractors as an outcome of future capital works requirements.  Financial data such as valuations and annual depreciation are recorded

Develop Asset Management Plan for Building assets ensuring it includes - In Progress  Annual and future capital works programmes and costings for minimum of 10 years for all asset replacements, upgrades and disposals.  Ensure data is systematically recorded to enable sound asset management decision making. Asset Management Plans (cont)  Determination of service levels provided by Council.  Financial data such as valuations and annual depreciation are recorded.

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In Progress Develop Asset Management Plan for Parks/ Gardens and Sport and Recreation assets (playgrounds, irrigation, trees, sundry structures) ensuring it includes-  Annual and future capital works programmes and costings for minimum of 10 years for all Asset Management Plans (cont) asset replacements, upgrades and disposals.  Ensure data is systematically recorded to enable sound asset management decision making.  Determination of service levels provided by Council.  Financial data such as valuations and annual depreciation are recorded.

Develop Asset Management Plan for Other Assets (major plant, minor plant, office equipment, In Progress IT ) ensuring it includes-  Annual and future capital upgrade and replacement programmes and costings for minimum Asset Management Plans (cont) of 10 years.  Ensure data is systematically recorded to enable sound asset management decision making

 Financial data such as valuations and annual depreciation are recorded.

Review and update existing policies in particular Contracts and Tendering Policy, Asset Completed Management and Asset Accounting Policies.

Develop policy regarding budget preparation, review and reporting outcomes Completed Financial Risk Management

Develop policy for Internal Financial Control Systems Completed

Develop suite of documented Internal Financial Control processes. Completed

Ensure committee meetings are held at least 3 times per year in accordance with Terms of Reference (TOR).

Update work programme to include Asset Management Planning. Audit Committee Prepare relevant reports in order to assist the Committee to carry out its functions as stated in TOR.

Ensure Audit Committee prepare written annual report of its activities to present to Council and to publish on Council’s website.

Improve the effectiveness of Council’s computer system by regularly replacing obsolete hardware and software

Information Technology (IT) Develop asset management plan specific to the IT requirements of Council

Make available appropriate training to staff on all software applications applicable to their roles.

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Review records management practices to ensure incoming and outgoing records are being stored and filed appropriately.

Develop procedures to ensure timely collection of incoming mail and distribution to organization.

Review and develop consistent logging of all incoming and outgoing correspondence, including emails. Records Management Review adequacy of storage facilities

Review archiving and sentencing requirements.

Ensure Customer Service software application is utilised extensively and correctly throughout organization. Customer Service

HUMAN RESOURCES (including Occupational Health and Safety, training and development, performance appraisal, Enterprise Bargaining Agreement)

Risk Management Objective:

Through planning, implementation and completion of strategies council endeavours to minimise risk of the potential losses against, liabilities and the community.

Corporate / Strategic Plan Reference Actions 2012/2013 Performance Outcomes (Measures) (Objective)

1. Form a cross-functional committee to drive risk management activity. Committee established

2. Formulate a program for all Council functions to undertake business risk identification and management.

3. Complete the existing draft business continuity plan. Risk Management 4. Consult and develop departmental business continuity plans. Import on Risk Management Register

5. Review the issues and actions relating to business continuity in the current Risk management plan and set up a regular review cycle.

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1. To implement the Occupational Health and Safety and Injury Management (OHS Plan adopted and IM) OHS and IM plan.

2. To monitor and review council’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Review completed Occupational Health, Safety And Welfare Management Systems.

Objective: To provide a safe and 3. Identify opportunities for improvement by continually evaluating the performance supportive work environment for council of the OHS & IM system against its OHSW policy, objectives and targets staff and visitors

4. Develop benchmarking tool for performance measurement.

5. Implement an internal auditing schedule Schedule adopted

1. Develop and review HR policies and procedures. Meet legislative compliance Human Resources Practices

2. Review the staff recruitment process in the delivery of expeditious and quality In Progress Objective: To improve human resources appointments. and employment relations processes and performance outcomes. 3. Review position descriptions In Progress

Develop and create a workforce plan to meet future needs of council.

1. Include a breakdown of human resource needs by service in the workforce plan. Include projections in the workforce plan over a 4 year horizon. Review & update the workforce plan at least annually. 2. Project changing resource levels to meet anticipated service levels identified in Council's Strategic Management Plans in the workforce plan.

3. Analyse job descriptions to collate a profile of required skills for each service or workgroup. Workforce Planning

4. Collate information on the skills of current staff and compare with a profile of Objective: To respond to workplace trends required skills to identify gaps. and opportunities through workforce planning in accord with Council strategic 5. Identify the impacts on skill requirements of the goals of the Strategic priorities. Management Plans and identify further gaps.

6. Develop strategies to address skills shortages.

7. Create a staff establishment report which compares positions and vacancies.

8. Seek alternative solutions to identified skills gaps.

9. Develop a succession plan for key personnel and skills areas.

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1. Introduce staff performance scheme which addresses staff training and development needs.

Training and Development 2. Ensure that the personal plans for staff reflect the goals of the service

delivery plan. Objective: Council pursues strategies to ensure a well-trained and 3. Collate the training and development needs of individual staff into a train- motivated workforce ing program

4. Develop annual report on the outcomes of the training plan for staff development.

Representative & Open Council: Provide open, accessible and accountable governance and ensure the The community’s satisfaction with accessibility to Council information, community has open access to Council decisions documents and meetings

Professional Development of Councillors Develop annual plan for the professional development of councillors Numbers of the community satisfied with Council’s overall performance

Consultation and Engagement Use proactive and innovative ways to inform, engage and involve the Numbers of the community satisfied with Council’s consultation with community residents Governance

Compliance Objective: Provision of progressive Meet Council’s legislative obligations and increase community awareness Evidence that policies, systems and procedures have been developed and are leadership and good governance through education and enforcement where necessary. functioning effectively, by Governance Review. which encourages confidence of the community in the Council Risk Management

Model best practice in risk management to minimise risks to Council, its Evidence that policies, systems and procedures have been developed and are workforce and the community. functioning effectively.

Financial Sustainability Ensure the long term financial sustainability of the Council The 7 key indicators under the LGA 2007 Model Financial Statements.

Occupational Health and Safety Engage with the workforce to optimise the health, safety and welfare of Average overall result (expressed as a %) of the annual WorkCover audit people at work

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Registers, Codes, Policies and Procedures (Required to be kept under the Local Government Act and/or Local Government Elections Act 1999)

Registers

The Common Seal Register (Sec. 38) Register of Interests - Members (Section 64) Register of Allowances and Benefits - Elected Members (Section 79) Delegations Register (Section 103) Register of Remuneration, Salaries and Benefits (Employees) (Section 105) Register of Interest (Staff) (Section 111-119) Register of Community Land (Section 207) Register of Public Roads (Section 231) Register of Approvals for Use of Community Land (Section 242) Register of By-laws Register of Gifts Register of Fees and Charges Declarations by Elected Members

List of the Codes of Conduct / Practice (Note: These Codes etc. are available on Council’s website)

Access to Meetings - Code of Practice (Policy A10) Code of Conduct for Council Employees (Policy C17) Code of Conduct for Council Members (Policy C18) Confidentiality Provisions - Code of Practice (Policy C19.5) Consultation Policy (Policy C20) Contracting and Tendering Policy (Policy C22) Council Decisions Procedure - Review of (Policy C62) Order Making Policy (Policy O20) Rating Policy (Policy R22)

Council Policies and Bylaws

The Berri Barmera Council has developed a Policy Manual which is continually updated to reflect changes in circumstances or if a new issue arises.

Council's Policies and Bylaws Index is listed overleaf-

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Statutory Requirements Access to Meetings – Code of Practice Rates Fines / Rates Recovery Policy

Code of Conduct – Elected Members & Committee Members Rate Capping Policy

Code of Conduct – Council Employees Rate Rebate Policy

Confidentiality Provisions – Code of Practice Rate Remission Policy

Contracting and Tendering

Order Making Policy Governance Chief Executive Officer Appraisal

Public Consultation and Community Engagement Elections – Caretaker Policy

Rate Policy (2012-2013) Elections – Casual Vacancies (Supplementary Election)

Review of Council Decisions (Including Handling Complaints) Policy Development

Financial Management Annual Budget Policy Public Relations Citizenship Ceremonies

Asset Accounting Electronic Communications

Flag Flying Policy Asset Management Media and Communications Policy Business Support Policy

Credit Card Use

Debt Recovery Elected Members Code of Practice – Meeting Procedures

Fees & Charges Policy and Schedule Council Member Access to Information

Fraud & Corruption Prevention Policy Council Representations and Delegations

Full Cost Attribution Deputy Mayor / Presiding Members

Internal Financial Control Policy Elected Member Electronic Communication & IPad Policy

Treasury Management Elected Members Support

Valuation of Land Under Roads Policy Mayor / Chairpersons Seeking Legal Advice

Whistleblower Protection Policy Training – Elected Members

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Risk Management Children & Vulnerable Persons’ Safety Policy Roads and Footpaths Crossings (Driveways) Policy

Risk Management Policy Footpath Construction

Community Services Community Grants Policy Waste Management Hard Waste Collection Policy

Community Bus Use Kerbside Waste, Recycling and Green Waste Service Policy

Refuse Collection – 240 litre Bin Allocation and Replacement

Community Transport Scheme Community Transport Policy

Environmental Services Community Wastewater Management Scheme (CWMS) (Connection Fees)

Tourism Tourism Services Abandoned Vehicles Policy

Election Signs

Youth Services Youth Services Policy Liquor Licencing Policy

Outdoor Dining Policy

Library Library Collection & Development Policy Permit Parking Policy

Library – Conditions of Use Policy Signage Policy

Land Development Infrastructure Guidelines

Infrastructure Management Plant & Equipment – Emergency Use of Delegations under the Development Act 1993

Plant and Equipment – Employee Use of Building Inspection Policy Plant Operations – Plant Replacement

Private Works

Township and Rural Tree Policy

Urban House Numbering Policy

Vaughan Terrace War Memorial Policy

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Members Allowances A comparison chart of Council’s within the State with similar Elector/Elected member ratio is as The following allowances are paid to Elected Members as at 30 June 2013 follows:

Mayor $49060 Deputy Mayor $15332 Councillors $12265 Elected Members Council Electors Ratio

Including Mayor Elector Representation Review Alexandrina 12 18786 1565

Barossa Council 12 16461 1371

Under the requirements of the Local Government Act 1999, Councils representation Berri Barmera 9 7209 801 must comply with a specified quota tolerance. The Berri Barmera Council is represented by a Mayor and eight Councillors. The Local Government (Elections) Act Copper Coast 11 10013 910 1999 requires that as at 1 January of every election year, the Council Voters Roll is to be purged of all landlords, business lessees and resident non-citizens in readiness for the Light Regional 11 9763 887 period election. The total number of electors in the district of The Berri Barmera Council is as follows: Loxton Waikerie 11 8100 736 House of Assembly as provided by the State Electoral Commission 7207 Council’s Supplementary Roll 2 Murray Bridge 10 13018 1301 Total: 7209 Port Pirie 11 12199 1109 Council’s representation quota is therefore 801 electors per elected member. Victor Harbor 10 11323 1132 Pursuant to section 12(13)(a) of the Act, the Electoral Commissioner has certified that the most recent review undertaken by Council satisfies the requirements of Section 12. Wattle Range 12 8646 720 Representation arrangements are as follows: Yorke Peninsula 12 9404 783  Compromision of Council being a Mayor and eight councilors.  The Council area will not be divided into wards, thereby requiring all members to represent the Council area as a whole.

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Competitive Tendering / Cost Effective Delivery of Service

Contractors are awarded on a tender/quotation basis as Councils commitment towards providing cost effective services to its community and providing the opportunity for competitive tendering. Resulting from this approach by Council. Significant amounts of Councils operations are contracted out to minimize Councils requirement to provide expensive plant and equipment and to maintain a relatively small workforce to reduce overheads. The table below outlines the contract work awarded through tendering/quotation processes for specific projects and functions of the Council.

CONTRACTORS 2012/2013 (Major) CONTRACTORS 2012/2013 – Sundries (Multiple Contractors)

Audit Contract (External) Ian McDonald 12000.00 Barmera Recreation Building Maintenance 6451.00

Barmera Recreation Centre Management YMCA (Adelaide) 17628.00 Berri Library Maintenance 4654.00 Chubb Fire 436.00 Zippy Cleaning 9471.00 Barmera Library Maintenance 8444.00 Effluent Drainage Maintenance D. Kuhn Plumbing 47186.00 Laser Alignment Maintenance 28612.00 Council Office Building 14367.00 Riverland Tank and Drain 90780.00 Debt Collection Costs 40552.00

Garbage Collection Higgs Contractors ( Hard waste 14000.00 Halls Building Maintenance 58957.00 Collection) Transpacific – Cleanaway 348827.00 Immunization Maintenance 5502.00 Transpacific Industries 78448.00 Loxton Waikerie Council 154188.00 Transpacific Industries 102664.00 Town Planning Consultants Fees 22250.00

Riverland Animal and Plant Control Board Casey’s Pest Control 380.00 Town Planning Legal Fees 9115.00 Public Convenience Management Wayne’s Cleaning Services 43189.56 Street Tree Maintenance 8412.00 Pink 20067.22 Riverland Tank and Drain 4015.00 Verrall’s Cleaning 19253.88 TOTAL 178704.00

Mildura Rural City Council 212457.00 Sealed Road Construction Topcoat Asphalt 79026.00

Gopher Route footpath construction Topcoat Asphalt 54768.00

Stormwater Harvesting Southfront 28200.00 Thinkwater 167692.00 D. Kuhn Plumbing 2089.00 Scherer Contractors 1450572.00

Swimming Pool Management YMCA (Adelaide) 39166.00

Community Wastewater Management Scheme Trility 2222632.00

Barmera Recreation Centre Refurbishment Kregar Building 390478.00 Habitable Places 20945.00 D. Kuhn Plumbing 644.00 Riverland Fire and Safety 558.00 Robert Beech 198.00 Planet Lighting 5748.00 Executive Services - Compliance

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Delegations of Power In the event that the complaint does or is likely to take longer than twenty days to resolve, a deadline for resolution To assist in the decision making process of Council, the Council has delegated of the complaint will be set with the complainant. responsibilities and powers to the Chief Executive Officer and/or specific committees of Council. These delegations are reviewed on an annual basis and are available for If the complainant is not satisfied with the advice given and requests a review of the outcome and the complaint was public inspection free of charge at the Council Office. originally handled internally the complaint will be referred to a person from the panel established by the Local Government Association.

Where a complaint has been addressed through the Local Government process the complainant may refer the Grievance Procedures complaint to the Competition Commissioner.

In relation to grievance procedures and review of Council’s decisions, the Council has formally adopted a procedure for internal review of Council decisions as per the During 2012/2013 one complaint was received that was deemed as necessary to be recorded in Councils requirements of Section 270 of the Local Government Act. The procedure provides “Complaints Register”, and grievance procedures put in place. Processes were followed in accordance with the a mechanism for persons grieved by a Council decision or a decision made by an requirements of Section 270 of the Local Government Act 1999 and Council Policy, and the matter was resolved to officer and sets out the procedures for application for the review of the decision. the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Further, the procedure states the following as its primary principles:

When a complaint is received it shall be referred to the Chief Executive Officer for internal Investigation in the first instance. Council and Committee Meetings/Matters considered in confidence In the event that the Chief Executive Officer is of the opinion that the complaint requires an independent investigation then the Chief Executive Officer shall refer the Further to Councils decision making structure, there were a number of occasions during the financial year that complaint to the Independent panel established by the Local Government Council considered matters in confidence pursuant to Section 90 of the Local Government Act 1999. During the year Association. there were 12 Ordinary and seven Special Meetings of Council and 30 Committee/Sub-Committee Meetings.

At the time Council resolves to consider a matter in confidence, Council complies with its access to Council Action: Within five working days from receipt of the complaint: Meetings, Council Committees and Council Documents Code. Also, Council specifies a time for the item to remain confidential with delegated power provided to the Chief Executive Officer to remove the confidentiality provision  record the complaint in the complaints register provided the item has satisfactorily been completed or the need for the item to remain confidential has been reviewed.  acknowledge the complaint

 advise the complainant who will be dealing with the complaint  provide the complainant with a copy of the policy  provide the complainant with a copy of the complaints process

Within twenty working days from receipt of the complaint:

 investigate the complaint  advise the complainant of the result of the investigation and any corrective action taken  record the outcome in the complaints register

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The following table contains details of the Council / Committee Meetings.

No. of Total Confidential Particulars Reason for Confidentiality Meetings Resolutions Passed Resolutions

Pursuant to Sections: Council Meetings 90(2)90(3)(m) Amendment to Development Plan 19 398 12 (including Special Meetings) 90(2)90(3)(d) Commercial in Confidence 90(3)(b) Commercial in confidence/contrary to public interest

38 Berri Town Beautification Committee 7 Nil N/A (Recommendations)

Strategic Governance Committee 4 15 Nil N/A

31 Barmera Town Beautification Committee 6 Nil N/A (Recommendations)

Pursuant to Sections:

90(3)(d) commercial information of a confidential nature (not being a trade secret) the disclosure of which— Asset Management Committee 4 22 3 (i) could reasonably be expected to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied the information, or to confer a commercial advantage on a third party; and (ii) would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest……. This is a matter of commercial sensitivity that could prejudice if made public at this time

Audit Committee 2 14 Nil N/A

13 Riverland Regional Development 7 (Berri Barmera Council only) Nil Assessment Panel N/A

Martin Bend Recreational Area Committee 7 29 Nil N/A

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Freedom of Information Statement / Information Statement

During 2012/2013 there were three Freedom of Information (FOI) applications received and determined to the satisfaction of the Applicants.

INFORMATION STATEMENT (GENERAL)

The following information statement is published by the Berri Barmera Council in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 4 of the Local Government Act 1999.

Council’s Role

The Council’s role is to provide for the government and management of its area at the local level. Section 6 of the Local Government Act 1999, defines the role of Council as follows:

b) as a person elected to the Council-  To act as a representative, informed and responsible decision-maker in the interests of its community; and (i) to represent the interests of residents and ratepayers, to provide community leadership and  To provide and co-ordinate various public services and facilities and to develop its community and resources guidance, and to facilitate communication between the community and the Council. in a socially just and ecologically sustainable manner; and  To encourage and develop initiatives within its community for improving the quality of life of the community; Activities that Council provides or is associated with (financial or otherwise) and The activities that Council provides or is associated with are:  To represent the interests of its community to the wider community; and

public functions, donations to local organisations, dog control, fire prevention, animal and plant  To exercise, perform and discharge the powers, functions and duties of local government under the Local control, health inspections, immunisation program, cemeteries, public toilets, garbage collection Government Act and other Acts in relation to the area for which it is constituted. and disposal, District Halls, Community Library and Information Centre, parks and gardens, play equipment, boat ramps, ovals, building and development control, road maintenance and The role of the Principal Member and Members of Council construction, footpaths, gopher routes, kerbs and guttering, storm water control, bike tracks, street lighting, tourism, private works, industrial estate, support re loans to sporting clubs, The role of the principal member (Mayor) and members of Council is defined in Sections 58 and 59 of the Local leasing of Council owned property to community organisations, etc. Government Act 1999.

1)The role of the principal member is: a) to preside at meetings of the Council; b) if requested, to provide advice to the Chief Executive Officer between Council meetings on the implementation of a decision of the Council; c) to act as the principal spokesperson of the Council; d) to exercise other functions of the Council as the Council determines; e) to carry out the civic and ceremonial duties of the office of principal member

2)The role of members of Council is: a) as a member of the governing body of the Council-

(i) to participate in the deliberations and civic activities of the Council; ii) to keep the Council’s objectives and policies under review to ensure that they are appropriate and effective; (iii) to keep Council’s resource allocation, expenditure and activities, and the efficiency and effectiveness of its service delivery under review;

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Agendas and Minutes Community Consultation Access to Council Documents

Agendas for all Council and Committee meetings are placed on The Council has adopted a Public Consultation Policy in A list of documents available for inspection or copy are listed below, public display not less than three days prior to meetings, minutes accordance with Section 50 of the Local Government Act 1999. with the relevant fee per page or entry listed, should a copy be being made available for perusal within five days of a meeting. Though the Act specifics that Councils must have public required. A comprehensive listing of Council’s Fees and Charges is Agendas and Minutes for Council and DAP Meetings (now Regional consultation polices in place for mandatory consultation with available on the website. Development Assessment Panel) are also available on Council’s the public on specific issues, the policy is also used for general website. The timeframes for the availability of Council agendas and consultation with the public on other issues at the Councils minutes are in accordance with the Local Government Act and discretion. Regulations. In addition there are also opportunities for the public to Delegations attend public meetings or information forums on certain Fees and Charges Particulars Current 2012/2013 issues or to complete a survey on specific issues. The Council Council Documents Etc. GST Inclusive To assist in the decision making process of Council, the Council has is also required to consult with the public on other matters as (Where applicable) $ delegated responsibilities and powers to the Chief Executive Officer a requirement of relevant legislation. and/or specific committees of Council. These delegations are reviewed on an annual basis. The delegations are available for public inspection free of charge at the Council Office. Sale of Minutes / Agendas 5.00

Public Participation Annual Financial Statements 10.00 Annual Report 10.00 Members of the public have a number of opportunities to put Budget Report 20.00 forward their views on particular issues before Council. Search Fees - Standard (8 days) 49.00 These include: Search Fees - Rates Only 29.00

Deputations - with the permission of the Mayor, a member of the Extract from Assessment Book 20c per A4 page public can address the Council or a Committee, personally or on behalf of a group of residents

Presentations to Council - with prior notification and arrangement with the Mayor, a member of the public can address the Council for a period of time determined by the Mayor on any issue relevant to Council. Documents are available for public inspection at the Principal Office of Council between 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (excluding Public Petitions - written petitions can be addressed to the Council on any Holidays). Members of the public may also purchase copies of these issue within the Council’s jurisdiction. documents at Council’s Principal Office.

Written Requests - a member of the public can write to the Council The Council also readily provides information to the public, with on any Council Policy, activity or service Council Agendas and Minutes being available on Council’s website and the Council Office. Elected Members - members of the public can contact their Elected Members to discuss any issue relevant to Council.

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Amendment of Council Records Other information requests Action: Within five working days from receipt of the complaint:

A member of the public may request a correction to any Council readily provides information requested by the public.  record the complaint in the complaints register information relating to them that is incomplete, incorrect, Requests for any other information will be considered in accordance misleading or out of date. To gain access to Council records a with the Freedom of Information provisions of the Local Government  acknowledge the complaint member of the public must indicate in writing the documents Act. Under this legislation an application fee and a search fee must  advise the complainant who will be dealing with the complaint required to be inspected and complete a Freedom of Information be forwarded with a completed request for access form as provided  provide the complainant with a copy of the policy Request Form. by Council that satisfies the requirements of Section 13 of the  provide the complainant with a copy of the complaints process Freedom of Information Act, 1991, unless the applicant is granted an

Citizenship exemption. Within twenty working days from receipt of the complaint:

During the 2012-2013 year, 18 people received citizenship Should the applicant require copies of any documents inspected certificates. pursuant to a Freedom of Information request, legislative charges  investigate the complaint will apply.  advise the complainant of the result of the investigation and any corrective action taken Freedom of Information Request Forms and other requests  record the outcome in the complaints register regarding the access to Council documents must be addressed to:

Freedom of Information Officer In the event that the complaint does or is likely to take longer than Berri Barmera Council twenty days to resolve a deadline for resolution of the complaint will 19 Wilson Street (or PO Box 229) be set with the complainant. BERRI SA 5343 If the complainant is not satisfied with the advice given and requests a Response to applications will be within the statutory thirty (30) days review of the outcome and the complaint was originally handled from the date of receipt of the properly completed Freedom of internally the complaint will be referred to a person from the panel Information Request Form, together with the application and established by the Local Government Association. appropriate fees. Where a complaint has been addressed through the Local Government process the complainant may refer the complaint to the Competition National Competition Policy Commissioner.

Pursuant to the Government Business Enterprises (Competition) Act 1996 and the revised Clause 7 Statement published in September 2002, the following information is provided:

1) Significant Business Activities Category One - Nil Category Two - Nil

2) Complaints Mechanism Council has adopted an entitled “Competition Principles— complaints Process” (Policy C19), which reads as follows:

When a complaint is received it shall be referred to the Chief Executive Officer for internal investigation in the first instance.

In the event that the Chief Executive Officer is of the opinion that the complaint requires an independent investigation then the Chief Executive Officer shall refer the complaint to the independent panel established by the Local Government Association.

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THE MURRAY AND MALLEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013

Comprising:

Berri Barmera Council

Coorong District Council

District Council of Karoonda East Murray

District Council of Loxton Waikerie

Mid Murray Council

Rural City of Murray Bridge

Renmark Paringa Council, and the

Southern Mallee District Council

Regional Subsidiary Reports

105

PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT

In my first term as President of the Association, I have the greatest  Facilitation of the region’s Annual Priority Planning Day of pleasure in providing the following President’s Annual report for and the subsequent formation of the Association’s the period 2012 to 2013. Working Party and professional facilitation to forward the aims of the region’s priorities, This Report focuses on the activities undertaken, and as outlined  Tackled the matter of the closure of River Murray Ferries in the Association’s Annual Business Plan 2012-2013. President, Mayor David Burgess. service and conducted a deputation to the Minister to

obtain clarity and undertaking for the continuance of services I am proud of the Association’s achievements over the past year, and asset upgrades, especially addressing the number of new and emerging issues that affect local government and the community.  Provision of assistance and local government representation with the NRM Board on the Integrated Vulnerability Sometimes it is necessary for us to revisit the purpose and mission Assessment project, with the commencement of Phase 2 of the I take this opportunity to sincerely thank Vice President of the Association that is to provide an effective and efficient project. Mayor Peter Hunt, Mayor Leon Stasinowsky (as proxy) for being Delegates to the SAROC Committee and the regional organization, facilitating the coordination of Local  Promotion of the LGA’s Local Government Stimulus package, Government resources, the fostering of partnership approaches LGA State Executive Committee and all other Member  Ministerial approach to improve local government access Council Mayors, Delegates, both past and present, to regional issues and projects and the lobbying for the benefit to the Waste to Resources fund to assist with regional of our regional communities. Member Council CEO’s and staff, all of whom have waste infrastructure to ensure that State Government provided local government representation to the Waste Targets are achieved, With this in mind, the following provides a snapshot of the key activities Association, internal and external committees and undertaken:  Consideration of internal human resource matters including working parties. employee sick leave provisions,  Completion of the Ensuring Local Government services Timely information has again been provided to the Provision Project, with the provision of the RISE economic  Through the SAROC Committee, requested the State Government to reconsider the costs to Councils for the Association from the Local Government Association of SA. I modelling tools for the Riverland and Murraylands sub-regions especially recognise the efforts of both Wendy Campana and and as the region as a whole. A presentation of the project at installation, powering and maintenance of street traffic lighting, Chris Russell. These efforts have been mirroredby the Office the October 2012 LGA General Meeting and completion of a of State/Local Government Relations by the regular reports  Provision of a detailed response to the Minister on the draft regional training program. provided by both Mick Petrovski and Alex Hart. I Statement for Regional SA,  Ministerial exemption from the necessity for the Association to recognise their support, advice and well researched install an external audit committee.  Currently and actively promoting the concept and information provided.  Provision of support and provision of input into the LGA’s benefits of video conferencing, not only assisting Strategy for Regional SA. Councils’ cost base, but potentially making local training I thank our CEO Peter Campbell for his continued initiatives a reality,  Review of the Zero Waste SA Regional Implementation program. commitment and support provided to me and the  Commencement of the production of a Regional Public Association over the past year. Health Plan. The Association has more recently undertaken actions, including: I have a sense of pride about the achievements and  Lifting of the ban on fishing for catfish in the River Murray, The Association continues to be vitally involved with: undertakings of the Association during my term as  Potato Imports from New Zealand,  The Murray Darling Basin Plan and funding issues President and thank all Member Councils and Delegates for the opportunity afforded to me being your President  Direct participation and financial assistance to the Dream around the River Murray water flow operations, for the past year. Australia Project to attract overseas migrants to work in local  Regional submission for the Special Local Roads Program, government and private enterprise in the region, this year providing $2.05m in funding availability,  Promoted and facilitated the LGA’s Council Performance  Councils’ facilitation of the NBN Co rollout and for the Improvement Program including the Business Partner Program provision of Council land for fixed wireless towers, and Resource Sharing initiatives,  Climate Change issues,

 Addressed the issue of Carbon Pricing for off-road vehicles as it  Trail Bike access to Road Reserves, affects local government, Mayor David Burgess, President 2012-2013  The downgrading of the Broomrape Eradication Program, Murray and Mallee Local Government Association.  And the State Government’s reduction of funding for regional Sport and Recreation facilities. Regional Subsidiary Reports

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OVERVIEW OF THE REGION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENCY

The Region is located in the Murraylands Statistical Mayor David Burgess, Mid Murray Council was elected President Region in eastern South Australia and is dissected by the at the Annual General Meeting held at Tailem Bend on the 1st River Murray. It covers a large area in excess of June, 2012 and Mayor Peter Hunt, Berri Barmera Council was 50,000 km2 taking in the areas from the Riverland in elected Vice President both for a full annual term of office. the north, agriculture areas in the central, west, south and east along the Victorian border, and south westerly to REPRESENTATION: LOCAL GOVERNMENT the coast and lakes. Rural based communities throughout the area share a common interest in ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA (LGA SA) agriculture/horticulture, with towns primarily servicing the farming and horticultural communities and Mayor David Burgess and Mayor Peter Hunt served on the LGA supporting a growing tourism sector. The Region has a Board (previously termed the State Executive of the Local population base of approximately 68,000 (approx. 4.6% of Government Association of South Australia), with Mayor Leon the State population). Stasinowsky, District Council of Loxton Waikerie, as proxy.

The Murray River, and its associated wetlands and wildlife, Lake Bonney and a number of National/ ASSOCIATION: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Conservation Parks, support a range of rare and SERVICES endangered plant and animal species, and are major The Chief Executive Officer services for the Association for the tourist attractions throughout parts of the Riverland and year were again provided by Peter Campbell. Mallee. Towards the coast, the Coorong National Park,

Lake Alexandrina and the shores of Lake Albert are all In accordance with a resolution of Member Council Delegates, well known tourist attractions, particularly for the Chief Executive Officer underwent performance review recreational boating and fishing. process in June, 2013, coinciding with the production of the

Association’s draft 2013-2014 Annual Business Plan and draft Murray Bridge provides regional services to the lower parts 2013-2014 Budget. of the Region and supports both an industrial and commercial base. The Review Panel consists of the President and Vice-President of

the Association, Russell Peate, CEO, Mid Murray Council and The Murray River travels from the north, and passing Peter Bond, CEO of the Rural City of Murray Bridge. The through seven of the member Councils, flows into Lake Association has noted that satisfactory Chief Executive Officer Alexandrina in the south. It supports a number of tourist service has been provided and extended the Contract of Service and recreation activities, with a number of tourism vessels to December, 2014. operating from centres along the river.

The Region is serviced by the South Eastern Freeway, CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE Princes, Dukes, Sturt and Mallee Highways, with the Berri ASSOCIATION (Loxton) to Murray Bridge Road providing a direct link diagonally across the Region. The Association operated as a Regional Subsidiary under the transitional provisions of the Local Government Act 1999 until The Association works closely with its major regional December, 2001 with a formal Charter, agreed to by Member partners - the Murray and Mallee Regional Councils, becoming effective on the 13th December, 2001. Coordination Network, and the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Murraylands and Riverland Board. Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1999, a review of the Association’s Charter for a Regional Subsidiary is not due until 2014. The current Charter can be viewed on the Association’s website at www.mmlga.sa.gov.au

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THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION All Association Meetings, including Committee Meetings’ MEMBER COUNCIL DELEGATES TO THE Agendas and Minutes are available for viewing and or ASSOCIATION. As a Regional Subsidiary of the Member Councils, the Association has as downloading from the Association’s website at its governing document, the Charter gazetted on the 8th February, 2007 www.mmlga.sa.gov.au The following are the current Delegates representing Member (reviewed 2011) as provided for under the Local Government Act 1999. Councils as at the AGM of the 7th June, 2013: The purpose for which the Association has been established is to: A number of guest speakers and attendees have made  Undertake coordinating, advocacy and representational roles for presentations/addresses to the Association meetings Berri Barmera Council (BBC): Mayor Peter Hunt, Vice President, its constituent Councils at a regional level. throughout the year. They include: Deputy Mayor Andrew Kassebaum and David Beaton, CEO (proxy).  Facilitate and coordinate activities of local government at a  Andrew Milazzo, Executive Director, DPTI, regional level related to environment, economic and social Paul Gelston, Director Road and Traffic Management, DPTI, and Coorong District Council (CDC): Mayor Roger Strother, Michael development with the object of achieving continual Jon Whelan, Regional Manager, Eastern, DPTI. Boyd, CEO, Cr. Sharon Bland (proxy), Deputy Mayor Peter Wright improvement for the benefit of the communities of its  Greg Lundstrom, SA MDB NRM Board. (proxy) and Tim Tol, Director Sustainable Development (proxy). constituent Councils.  Richard Bingham – SA Ombudsman and Martha Savva, District Council of Karoonda East Murray (DCKEM): Mayor Kevin Develop, encourage, promote, foster and maintain consultation   Robyn Daly, LGA Mutual Liability Scheme, Burdett, Peter Smithson, CEO and Deputy Mayor Colin Zadow (proxy). and cooperation and to strengthen the representation and status of local government when dealing with other levels of  Noel Mensforth, Dept. of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI), District Council of Loxton Waikerie (DCLW): Mayor Leon government, private enterprise and the community. Stasinowsky, Peter Ackland, CEO and Deputy Mayor Mark Ward  Rosalie Day, Connecting-Up,  Develop further cooperation between its constituent Councils for (proxy). the benefit of the communities in the region.  Dr. John Virtue, BioSecurity SA,  Develop and manage policies which guide the conduct of  Rod Ralph SA MDB NRM Board, Mid Murray Council (MMC): Mayor David Burgess, President, Deputy programs and projects in the region with the objective of  Lincoln Size, CEO, Country South SA Medicare Local, Mayor Kevin Myers, Cr. Inez Bormann (proxy), Russell Peate, CEO securing the best outcomes for the communities in the region. and (proxy) and Robin Bourne, Deputy CEO, (proxy).  Undertake projects that benefit the region and its communities.  Ms. Christine Trenorden and Professor Graham Sanson, The Rural City of Murray Bridge (RCMB): Mayor Allan Arbon, OAM,

Local Excellence Expert Panel. Deputy Mayor Barry Laubsch, Cr. Jerry Wilson, (proxy) and Peter Bond, ASSOCIATION MEETINGS CEO (proxy). Representatives of both the LGA and the Office of Local During 2012 – 2013, the Association has met bi-monthly General Government attended each meeting and took the opportunity District Council of Renmark Paringa (RPC): Mayor Neil Martinson, Meetings, convened on: to brief the Association of the relevant matters being addressed Deputy Mayor Peter Hunter, Tony Siviour, CEO (proxy) and Nathan by their respective bodies. Haynes, Director Corporate and Community Services (proxy). 3rd August, 2012 - General Meeting - at the District Council of Loxton Waikerie Council Chamber, East Terrace, Loxton - the District Council of We acknowledge the support of Wendy Campana, Executive Southern Mallee District Council (SMDC): Mayor Gordon Hancock, Loxton Waikerie as host. Director, and Chris Russell, LGA SA who has been ready to assist Deputy Mayor Jeff Nickolls and Anthony Renshaw, CEO (proxy). the Region and ensure that the LGA SA has had a presence at 5th October, 2012 - General Meeting - at the Mid Murray Council our meetings. The Association has also enjoyed a close working Meeting Room, 47 Adelaide Road, Mannum - the Mid Murray Council as relationship with its State and Federal Members of Parliament, a host. number of whom have been regular attendees at our meetings.

7th December, 2012 - General Meeting - at the Renmark Paringa The President has continued the practice of giving each of our Community and Civic Centre, 61 Eighteenth Street, Renmark - the guests the opportunity to address our meetings briefly about Renmark Paringa Council as host. matters and issues before them that may be of interest to the Association and Member Councils. The contribution from all of 1st February, 2013 - General Meeting - at the Rural City of Murray Bridge the speakers, presenters and guests has kept the Association Council Chamber, 2 Seventh Street, Murray Bridge - the Rural City of and the Delegates abreast of a wide ranging number of issues Murray Bridge as host. that impact on Local Government and the communities in the Region. 5th April, 2013 - General Meeting - at the Lameroo Memorial Hall, 63 Railway Terrace South, Lameroo - the Southern Mallee District Council as host.

7th June, 2013 - Annual General Meeting - at the Berri Barmera Council Chamber, 19 Wilson Street, Berri - the Berri Barmera Council as host. Regional Subsidiary Reports

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ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS Tom King, Manager Infrastructure Services, Berri Barmera Council. (by River Murray Ferries Working Group: virtue of position held) Russell Peate, CEO, Mid Murray Council, Tony Siviour, CEO, The following were the Association Committee Members up until the David Beaton, CEO, Berri Barmera Council. (by virtue of position held) Renmark Paringa Council, Michael Boyd, CEO, Coorong AGM of the 7th June, 2013: Peter Bond, CEO, Rural City of Murray Bridge. (by virtue of position District Council, held) Infrastructure Director, District Council of Loxton Waikerie. (by Dept. of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure representa- LGA Board: virtue of position held) Mayor Gordon Hancock, Southern Mallee tives. President, Mayor David Burgess, Mid Murray Council (by virtue of District Council. position held). Cr. Trevor Kerley, District Council of Karoonda East Murray. Murray and Mallee Annual Priority Working Party: Vice President, Mayor Peter Hunt, Berri Barmera Council (by virtue of A representative, Zero Waste SA. (external appointment). Tony Siviour, CEO, Renmark Paringa Council, Peter Bond, position held). CEO, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Russell Peate, CEO, Mid Proxy for President or Vice President, Mayor Leon Stasinowsky, District Murray and Mallee Local Government Association Regional Murray Council, Council of Loxton Waikerie. Transport Strategy Committee: Tony Renshaw, CEO, Southern Mallee District Council, Mayor Mayor Roger Strother, Coorong District Council, Chair Peter Leon Stasinowsky, District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Alex South Australian Regional Organisation of Councils (SAROC): Campbell, CEO, M&MLGA Hart, Office of State/Local Government Relations. President, Mayor David Burgess, Mid Murray Council (by virtue of President, Mayor David Burgess, Mid Murray Council Paul Day - position held). Vice President, Mayor Peter Hunt, Berri Barmera Council Renmark Paringa Council Regional Public Health Plan Steering Committee: (by virtue of position held). Barry Fletcher - private citizen representing Berri Barmera Council Garry Brinkworth, Berri Barmera Council, Proxy for President and or Vice President, Mayor Leon Stasinowsky, Director of Infrastructure - District Council of Loxton Waikerie Harc Wordsworth, Southern Mallee District Council and the District Council of Loxton Waikerie. Peter Smithson - District Council of Karoonda East Murray (Ron Palm District Council of Karoonda East Murray, Jim Quinn, Coorong CEO M&MLGA - Peter Campbell (by virtue of position held). - proxy) Peter Bond, CEO, Rural City of Murray Bridge (David Allen - District Council, proxy) Katina Nikas, Renmark Paringa Council, Kelvin Goldstone, Regional Development Australia (Murraylands and Riverland) Works Manager - Southern Mallee District Council David Mosel, Mid Murray Council, Phil Eckert, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Board. Coorong District Council Stephen Bateman, District Council of Loxton Waikerie. Deputy Mayor Barry Laubsch - Rural City of Murray Bridge. President, A representative - Regional Development Australia (Murraylands and Mayor David Burgess - Mid Murray Council. Riverland) Board DTEI (Transport SA) - 2 nominees (external appoint- EXECUTIVE MEETINGS ment) Mayor Neil Martinson - Renmark Paringa Council. Cr. Trevor Norton, District Council of Loxton Waikerie. There were no Executive Meetings held during the year. M&MLGA Transport Reference Group. - Community Transport: SA MDB NRM Board. Peter Smithson, CEO, District Council of Karoonda East Murray. (by Deputy Mayor Andrew Kassebaum, Berri Barmera Council. virtue of position held) Cr. Mike Fuller, Berri Barmera Council. Murray and Mallee Local Government Association Regional Waste Management Strategy Committee: Murraylands and Riverland Regional Coordination Network: President M&MLGA as Chair, Mayor David Burgess. Deputy Mayor Peter Smithson, CEO, District Council of Karoonda East Murray. Barry Laubsch, Rural City of Murray Bridge. Tony Siviour, CEO, Renmark Paringa Council. (by virtue of position LGA Land Access Working Group: held) David Mosel, Asset Manager, Coorong District Council. Peter Smithson, CEO, District Council of Karoonda East Murray. Brenton Lewis, CEO Murraylands Regional Development Board. Mayor Roger Strother, Coorong District Council. Murray and Mallee Zone Emergency Management Committee: Paul Day (interim representative), Renmark Paringa Council. (by virtue Mayor Neil Martinson, Renmark Paringa Council, Chair. Mayor Peter of position held) Hunt, Berri Barmera Council. Works Manager, Mid Murray Council. (by virtue of position held) Peter Bond, CEO, Rural City of Murray Bridge. Peter Ackland, CEO, District Council of Loxton Waikerie. (by virtue of Director Infrastructure Services, District Council of Loxton Waikerie. position held) David Mosel, Asset Manager, Coorong District Council. Works Manager, Southern Mallee District Council. (by virtue of position Harc Wordsworth, Manager, Environment and Planning, Southern held) Mallee District Council. Works Manager, Southern Mallee District Peter Smithson, CEO, District Council of Karoonda East Murray - proxy Council. to be advised. (both by virtue of positions held)

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GENERAL ACTIVITIES  Ministerial request for improved access to the Waste to The meetings are usually held bi-monthly on the day preceding Resources Fund. the meeting of the LGA Board. The Association undertakes a coordinating role, in conjunction with  Improved funding support initiatives for Rural SA Member Councils, on their issues and those raised by the Local request to OS/LGR. SAROC has a Memorandum of Understanding between Regional Government Association of South Australia, the community, and Local Government Associations and the Local Government other relevant parties’ concerns and interests.  Ministerial submission re funding availability for River Murray Water Operations. Association of South Australia, which was completed in August, 2003. State and Federal Members of Parliament representing our Region  Submission to Primary Industries re funding support for have been briefed and support has been sought for issues raised. Lifting the Ban on Fishing for Catfish in the River The Association has provided our regional input into many topics Murray Project. that are relevant to all communities across the State, some of Submissions and briefings undertaken include:  Submission to Federal Government re state-wide which include:  Submission for Special Local Roads applications for 2013- Murray Darling Basin Agreements.  Regional Heritage Advisory Service 2014 funding round.  Funding support request to the Federal Government for  The Impact of the Graduated Licensing System on Rural  Submissions to the SAROC Committee, including: the Mindarie Connect Project. Communities - Regional Development Discussion Paper  Bushfire Management Area Planning - Shared Use of School Recreation and Sport Facilities Development (Trusses) Variation Regulations The CEO has also attended Forums, Workshops and Briefings  Regional Development Discussion Paper - Funding for Regional Development Australia (RDA) throughout the year regarding evolving issues and to make  Shared Use of School Recreation and Sport Facilities Committees Post June 2013 contribution on behalf of the Association. These have included:  Development (Trusses) Variation Regulations - LGRF Business Partner Program 2012-13 Natural Resources  Funding for Regional Development Australia (RDA) Management (NRM) Planning Reform  Regional LGA CEO’s Briefings (6). - Importation of Whole Fresh Potatoes from Countries Committees Post June 2013  Regional Strategy for SA Workshop. Afflicted with “Zebra Chip Prone” Potato Products  Regulation of Water Industry Regional Annual Strategic Planning Day workshops X4 - Recreational Boating Facilities Regional Planning Days   LGRF Business Partner Program 2012-13 - Regional Statement for South Australia of.  Natural Resources Management (NRM) - Solid Waste Levy – Waste to Resources Fund Public  RISE Economic Modelling Tool Training Workshop.  Planning Reform Lighting Costs  LGA Teleconference re Economic Stimulus Package - Video Conferencing Pilot Project Program briefing.  Importation of Whole Fresh Potatoes from Countries Afflicted with “Zebra Chip Prone”  Submission to the Minister for Primary Industries re  I-Vision – Telstra Video Conferencing briefing and continuation of the Broomrape Eradication Program. demonstration.  Potato Products  Submission to Zero Waste SA for Regional Implementation  NBN Briefing.  E-Waste and National Co-regulatory Arrangements funding applications for the 2013-2014 funding round.  Dream Australia LG briefing and filming.  Wind Farm Planning  In partnership with the SA MDB NRM Board, provided a  Recreational Boating Facilities submission for funding to undertake Phase 2 of the  Deputation with Minister Kousantonis. Integrated Vulnerability Assessment Project.  Integrated Vulnerability Assessment Project Workshop.  Regional Planning Days  Further submission to the Murray Darling Basin Authority re  Visitor Information Centre Funding the Draft Basin Plan. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL  Regional Statement for South AustraliaSolid Waste Levy –  Submission to the LGA re the Strategy for Regional SA. ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS (SAROC) Waste to Resources Fund  Submission to the State Government re closure of the Cadell  Public Lighting Costs The President, Mayor David Burgess, Vice President Mayor River Murray Ferry Service.  Video Conferencing Pilot Project Peter Hunt, (Mayor Leon Stasinowsky as proxy on occasions) Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committee  Submission to OS/LGR re Statutory Closure of Ferry Services and the Chief Executive Officer have attended SAROC meetings  Procedures. during the year. Elections  Submission to the LGA re Trail Bike Access to Road Reserves.  Fire and Emergency Services Act (FESA) Review  Submission to the LGA re Video Conferencing Pilot Project.  ESCOSA Pricing for CWMS  Submission to the Minister for Primary Industries re Potato Imports from New Zealand.  Submission to Primary Industries re Statement for Regional SA.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO 30TH JUNE, 2013 BEYOND 2013

The audited Financial Statements are included at the rear of this General Meetings of the Association will continue to be held report. Surplus cash flow funds have been deposited with the Local during 2013-2014 on the first Friday in the months of August, Government Finance Authority and drawn on when and as required. December, February, April with the Annual General Meeting to be held in June. They will be held throughout the Region, REGIONAL ENHANCEMENT AND CAPACITY hosted alphabetically by the Member Councils. BUILDING At the Annual General Meeting held on the 1st June, 2013, the The Association acknowledges and thanks the Local Government Association endorsed the Annual Business Plan 2013-2014 and Research and Development Fund Scheme for their annual 2012-2013 the Associated Annual Budget. These documents are available grant of $36,424 (excl GST) to the Association. to be viewed and downloaded from the Association’s website at www.mmlga.sa.gov.au This grant has ensured that the Association has been able to CONTACT DETAILS undertake regional enhancement and capacity building projects The status of the objectives and actions in the Association’s throughout the year. Annual Business Plan 2013-2014 will be reviewed half yearly at the December General Meeting and the June Annual General President INFORMING COUNCILS AND OTHER PARTIES Meeting as per the provisions of the Association’s Charter. Mayor David Burgess The Association recognises the importance of providing both topical 475 Cliff View Drive and detailed information on its activities to Member Councils, the LGA SA, the Dept. of Planning Transport and Infrastructure, Wongolla SA 5238 Politicians, other key stakeholders and the general public within and outside the Region. Tel: 85708320

Over past years, and after each General Meeting or Annual General Meeting, the Association produced a Newsletter, the "Murray Mallee Chief Executive Officer Briefs". Peter Campbell This publication explained the activities of the Association during the 65 Underwood Avenue period and highlights issues of importance to the region. Goolwa Beach SA 5214 The Newsletter was widely distributed to media outlets, Po Box 1014 Goolwa SA 5214 Governmental Departments, Politicians and interested parties. Tel: (08) 8555 3929 Mob: 0429 862 669 Now that the Minutes of Association General Meetings are produced in an expanded and explanatory form, the President and the CEO Email: [email protected] suspended the production of the Newsletter in October 2012 in favour of wide Minutes distribution. This initiative has received wider and favourable comment.

The Association’s website www.mmlga.sa.gov.au contains a wealth of information on the Association’s activities, including all Agendas, Appendices, Minutes for General and Committee Meetings and past Newsletters.

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