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TOWN OF CLAREMONT 2009 - 2010 ANNUAL REPORT Page ii TABLE OF CONTENTS MAYOR‟S FOREWORD ............................................................................................. 1 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER‟S REPORT .................................................................... 4 COUNCILLOR PROFILE ............................................................................................. 6 REVIEW OF OUTCOMES ......................................................................................... 10 RUN CLAREMONT ................................................................................................... 10 RENEW CLAREMONT .............................................................................................. 26 FUTURE CLAREMONT .............................................................................................. 31 PARTNERING INITIATIVES ........................................................................................ 39 DISABILITY ACCESS AND INCLUSION PLAN ........................................................ 41 NATIONAL COMPETITION POLICY ....................................................................... 42 STATISTICAL COMPARISONS ................................................................................. 43 STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ................................................... 45 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR‟S REPORT ....................................................................... 46 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT ................................................................................ 48 Page i MAYOR’S FOREWORD It is a privilege indeed to report to you as mayor of the Town of Claremont. Your council has achieved a great deal over the course of the year. Much has been done and the foundation is set for much more. The „new‟ business centre of Claremont has continued to take shape, with the Multiplex/Hawaiian development stage 1 project and the Clough/Twin Oceans development opened. One does not have to agree with everything in the new developments to acknowledge that they have brought new energy and opportunity to the town centre. The Claremont Quarter will be finished soon; the second stage is planned to open in early 2011, and it will set Claremont apart from other shopping centres. This is a time of change and the council wants to ensure that great opportunities emerge for the businesses which have been at the core of the town‟s commerce. There are plans now for significant investment by the Town in Bay View Terrace and other precincts within the town centre. Discussions are underway with a number of property owners who want to improve their assets in the town centre and businesses are contacting the Town to enquire about opportunities to become involved. The Claremont North East Precinct (NEP) Structure Plan project area covers approximately 9.4 ha on the northern side of the Claremont Train Station. The land is well located for transit orientated development (TOD) as it is within walking distance of the Claremont Town Centre and within very close proximity to the Claremont Train Station. Some 500 new residential dwellings will be provided so that a greater range of people will have the option of living in central Claremont. 2009-2010 was a mixed year for the project. Whilst numerous project milestones and State planning approvals were achieved, progress of the supporting business case for Cabinet approval has been delayed by cross-agency (State level) issues. A Cabinet decision to proceed with the NEP is anticipated in September 2010. Key milestones achieved this financial year include: Ministerial approval of the Major Metropolitan Region Scheme Amendment; Ministerial approval of the Local Planning Scheme Amendment; Western Australian Planning Commission approval of the Structure Plan; and Urban Planning Reform Category winner in the 2010 National Awards for Local Government. In February 2009 the Minister for Local Government announced wide-ranging strategies for the reform of local government in Western Australia. Council complied with the Minister‟s requirement to prepare and present a submission outlining the Council‟s position about local government reform. Town of Claremont is supporting the move for structural reform subject to the interests of the Town‟s residents not Page 1 Town of Claremont Annual Report 2009 – 2010 being diminished. In March 2010 Council agreed to enter into a Regional Transition Group [RTG] with the Towns of Cottesloe and Mosman Park and Shire of Peppermint Grove. This would allow the members of the group to develop a business plan and have a sound basis upon which to assess if a merger would be a good outcome for the communities. I think it is unfortunate that it has not been possible to form a RTG, with both Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove voting against an RTG and Cottesloe‟s agreement being conditioned in such a manner that Claremont was left without partners to work with. I fear that if we do not find a way to work together then sooner or later the decision will be taken from local hands; so I believe it is important to secure a positive future for our communities by taking a proactive approach to reform. Your council will continue to seek opportunities to work with our neighbours for a united outcome. This was a year of change in the area of regional cooperation and we have been actively evaluating the effectiveness of the current regional structure. In the future the focus may be less on the Western Suburbs Regional Organisation of Councils (WESROC), as the Chief Executive Officers seek further opportunities for cooperation beyond WESROC. Lakeway continues to be a standout subdivision, attracting awards from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and the Institute of Public Works Engineering of Australia (IPWEA). The acknowledgment from the development industry and the sales achieved certainly validates Council decision to proceed with this venture for the ongoing benefit of current and future generations. With the sale of 24 lots grossing $19,786,000 all costs have been covered, the Treasury loan retired and surplus funds invested in capital works or held as reserves in safe investments. There are 15 lots remaining with a gross value in excess of $12 million. Lakeway is poised to move from subdivision to a community with 19 development applications approved for the construction of houses over the course of the year and the first home being completed and occupied. The Claremont Pool is receiving a major upgrade after your Council approved $1.9 million to refurbish the 25 metre and 50 metre pools. After almost 40 years the pools had deteriorated significantly and the drainage systems and other support infrastructure required attention. The major works consist of stainless steel PVC laminated modular systems being inserted within the existing structures. The works required closure of the Claremont Pool from May and it is scheduled to reopen for On a more subdued note I recognise the passing of former long serving councillor and Freeman of the Town, Trevor Nicholas. He served the Claremont community as a councillor from 1956 to 1989, a commitment that would be equalled by few, if any, across local government in WA. Perhaps he should best be remembered for his drive to get the Claremont Pool built, which is recognised in the naming of the main pool in his name. Page 2 I must also recognise the contribution of council members, staff and many volunteers to Claremont. Because 2009 was an election year some council members are no longer on the Council and their service, in particular, should be acknowledged. I am pleased to acknowledge our new Chief Executive Officer. We are indeed fortunate to welcome Stephen Goode, a very experienced and qualified professional who is already making a real contribution to the Town. I thank everybody who has contributed to our community and look forward to the opportunity to work together in the year ahead. Jock Barker MAYOR Page 3 Town of Claremont Annual Report 2009 – 2010 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT During this period the strong commitment to the future direction developed in 2006 and reviewed in 2008 has been maintained. It is a true testament to the Council and officers who set out the direction in the Plan for the Future that it remains our guiding document, our road map to the future, and continues to deliver future focussed projects while ensuring today‟s priorities are properly addressed. The architect of this comprehensive foundation for Claremont‟s future was the Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Kyron, who left the Town after some ten years service. The Town‟s organisational structure remains focussed on the program areas: Run Claremont, Renew Claremont and Future Claremont. The Plan for the Future is the foundation for everything the Town does and a very effective accountability mechanism is achieved by linking everything back to the Plan: Council‟s budget, business unit plans, officer performance agreements are all aligned. This alignment ensures the Town‟s resources are appropriately directed and properly utilised. Our emphasis on planning for the future and ensuring that the Claremont Council strongly influences how the town develops has continued. The Strategic Investments Section is managing many present and future development projects in the Town. During the year the flagship development at Lakeway won prestigious awards including the „Best Residential Development under 250 Lots‟ and „Rising Star Award‟ categories of the 2010 Urban Development