Annual Report 2017/18 Acknowledgement of Country
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ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY City of Darwin acknowledges the Larrakia people as the Traditional Owners of all the land and waters of the Greater Darwin region. To the Larrakia, Darwin is known as Garramilla. The original language of the Larrakia is Gulumirrgin (pronounced Goo-loo-midgin). Often referred to as Saltwater People, the Larrakia lived on pristine coastal land. They established Song Lines that connected Larrakia people to Country, allowing stories and history to be told and retold for future generations. Larrakia people are proud of their rich and vibrant culture, and work hard to maintain their links to Country and ancestors. IMAGE BY DENISE OVALL (2016) (REFER TO PAGE 194/195) 2 OUR CITY CITY OF DARWIN OUR CITY OUR PERFORMANCE GOVERNANCE FINANCES APPENDICES WELCOME TO THE CITY OF DARWIN ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2017/18 City of Darwin is proud to present the • Demonstrate our commitment to good City of Darwin Annual Report for 2017/18. governance as an accountable and This report outlines City of Darwin’s transparent local government. performance over the year against the • Promote City of Darwin and Council to investors locally and goals and outcomes of the Evolving Darwin with our neighbours in Asia. Towards 2020 Strategic Plan, Annual • Build confidence and satisfaction in the Municipal Plan and budget. It also provides partnerships that are being created with an insight into our aspirations for the future other levels of government, community to ensure we remain on track to deliver on groups, local business and industry leaders our 2020 vision. through key projects and services. • Recognise the achievements The Annual Report is Council’s primary tool for of our organisation. reporting to our community and stakeholders • Market Council as an employer on service delivery and financial performance, of choice for future staff. and is a vital part of our overall governance framework and commitment to transparency and The annual report is divided into five sections: accountability. Our community and stakeholders 1. Our City provides a statistical profile include Darwin residents and ratepayers, local of City of Darwin, the Lord Mayor and business owners, potential investors, community Chief Executive Officer Messages, groups, government agencies, funding bodies and Elected Members and highlights. present and future staff. 2. Our Performance outlines the In accordance with the Local Government Act, achievements and opportunities regarding all councils must present an annual report to the the five goals in the strategic plan. Minister by 15 November each year. The annual 3. Governance provides an overview of the report must include a copy of the council’s audited democratic and corporate governance financial statements for the relevant financial arrangements for the leadership year and it must contain an assessment of the and management of Council. council’s performance against the objectives 4. Finances presents a summary of financial stated in the relevant municipal plan, including information and the Audited Financial indicators of performance. Statements for the 2017/18 financial year. In addition to meeting our legislative obligations, 5. Appendices include an annual Municipal 2017/18 REPORT ANNUAL the objectives with this report are to: Plan Performance Report of actions and • Communicate our vision and strategic key performance indicators, Annual Report direction to the community. compliance with the Local Government Act and regulations, and other indexes. • Instil community confidence in our ability to show strong leadership and deliver on our promises. OUR CITY CITY OF DARWIN 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgment of Country 2 1.9 Emergency Management 30 Welcome to the City of Darwin Annual Report for 2017/18 3 Cyclone Marcus – Saturday, 17 March 2018 30 OUR CITY 6 Tree Replanting 33 Pre-cyclone Clean Up 33 1.1 City Profile 6 OUR PERFORMANCE 34 1.2 City of Darwin Annual Vision and Goals 34 Report 2017/18 Highlights 13 Goal 1 – Collaborative, Inclusive and Connected Community 36 1.3 Finance Highlights 14 Community inclusion supported 36 1.4 Evolving Darwin Towards Desirable places and 2020 Strategic Plan Report Card 15 open spaces for people 41 Connected community Goal 1 – Collaborative, through technology 44 Inclusive and Connected Community 15 Improved relations with all levels of Goal 2 – Vibrant, Flexible government and significant stakeholders 46 and Tropical Lifestyle 16 Towards 2020 for a Collaborative, Goal 3 – Environmentally Sustainable City 17 Inclusive and Connected Community 47 Goal 4 – Historic and Culturally Rich City 18 Goal 2 – Vibrant, Flexible and Tropical Lifestyle 48 Goal 5 – Effective and Responsible Governance 19 Improved access and connectivity 48 1.5 Lord Mayor’s Report 20 A sense of place and community 49 Increased sport, recreation and leisure experiences 52 1.6 Chief Executive Officer’s Report 23 Economic growth supported 56 Towards 2020 for a Vibrant, 1.7 Our Elected Members 26 Flexible and Tropical City 57 1.8 A Year in Darwin 28 ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 REPORT ANNUAL 4 OUR CITY CITY OF DARWIN OUR CITY OUR PERFORMANCE GOVERNANCE FINANCES APPENDICES Goal 3 – Environmentally 3.2 Corporate Governance 96 Sustainable City 58 Our organisation 96 Council’s carbon footprint reduced 58 Looking forward 97 Darwin community’s carbon Our people 98 footprint reduced 59 Planning and performance management 102 Conserve and protect the Darwin environment 61 Risk management and audit 103 Towards 2020 for an Procurement and local support 105 Environmentally Sustainable City 63 Our commitment to transparency 109 Goal 4 – Historic and FINANCES 110 Culturally Rich City 64 Recognised key activities and events 64 4.1 Community Financial Report 110 Community life rich in creativity 68 Towards 2020 for a Historic 4.2 Financial Key and Culturally Rich City 71 Performance Indicators 114 Goal 5 – Effective and Responsible Governance 72 4.3 Audited Financial Statements 116 Quality services 72 CEO Statement 119 Quality people 74 Independent Auditor’s Report 164 Good governance 76 APPENDICES 166 Effective leadership and advocacy 78 Responsible financial and asset management 80 5.1 2017/18 Municipal Towards 2020 for Effective Plan Performance 166 and Responsible Governance 81 Municipal Plan Action Reporting 167 GOVERNANCE 82 Municipal Plan KPI Reporting 181 5.2 Legislative Compliance 189 3.1 Democratic Governance 83 Role of Council 83 5.3 Index of Key Words 190 2017/18 REPORT ANNUAL Council Meetings and Committees 84 Elected Member Meeting Attendance 90 5.4 Index of Figures 193 Elected Member Allowances 91 Index of Tables 193 Acknowledgement of Images 194 OUR CITY CITY OF DARWIN 5 DARWIN SUNSET 1.0 OUR CITY 1.1 CITY PROFILE HISTORY OF DARWIN previously untouched by foreign conflict. Many people were killed and injured in the first and subsequent attacks on northern Australia over a 21-month period. City of Darwin commemorates the The original inhabitants of the Greater Darwin Bombing of Darwin on 19 February each year. area are the Larrakia people, who are prominent and active members of the community. December 2017 will mark 43 years since Cyclone Tracy devastated the city on Christmas Day On 9 September 1839, HMS Beagle sailed into 1974. Cyclone Tracy had a profound impact on Darwin Harbour during a surveying voyage and the Darwin community – 66 people were killed, Captain John Clements Wickham named the more than 70% of Darwin’s homes destroyed harbour Port Darwin in honour of his former or severely damaged, all public services shipmate, Charles Darwin, who had sailed with (communications, power, water and sewerage) him on the ship’s previous voyage. severed, 41,000 people left homeless, and Darwin is a modern city but has a lot of history, 35,362 people, of the 47,000 total population including enduring hardship on its way to of Darwin, evacuated. becoming the cosmopolitan community of today. Having been almost entirely rebuilt twice due to On 19 February 1942, Darwin was bombed in cyclones, Darwin is one of Australia’s youngest Japanese air raids, bringing war home to a country ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 REPORT ANNUAL built capital cities. 6 OUR CITY CITY OF DARWIN OUR CITY OUR PERFORMANCE GOVERNANCE FINANCES APPENDICES LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN DARWIN There were attempts to introduce local government to Darwin before local government functions were taken over by the Commonwealth in 1937, but none were successful. In 1939, the Commonwealth established the Darwin Town Management Board, which was made up of three Commonwealth Government officers and a Citizens’ Advisory Committee. The Management Board ceased when Darwin was bombed during World War II and a new Town Management Board was formed after Darwin was returned to civilian control following the war. In September 1953, the Local Government Bill was introduced into the NT Legislative Council. Its progress was delayed by VIETNAM extended debate and an election. The Bill CAMBODIA PHILIPPINES was finally passed in November 1954 and Phnom Penn the Local Government Ordinance was given assent in November 1955, providing Kuala BRUNEI Lumpur for Darwin Municipal Council. MALAYSIA Singapore On 1 July 1957, voters elected for the first time a mayor – Lucius “Bill” Richardson – PAPUA NEW GUINEA and 12 councillors for Darwin City Council. Jakarta INDONESIA Dili In May 1975, Darwin’s first female EAST Mayor, Dr Ella Stack was elected. She TIMOR Port Moresby played a prominent role in the Darwin DARWIN Reconstruction Committee following Cyclone Tracy. CAIRNS After the 2012 local government election, Darwin City Council was AUSTRALIA renamed City of Darwin. 2017/18 REPORT ANNUAL BRISBANE City representation today is made up of a Lord Mayor and 12 Aldermen across four PERTH SYDNEY wards. Further information on the wards ADELAIDE and elected members can be found from MELBOURNE DISTANCES pages 26 in this report. • Adelaide CBD 3,000km • Brisbane CBD 3,400km • Cairns CBD 2,800km • Perth CBD 4,000km OUR CITY CITY OF DARWIN 7 DARWIN SKYLINE DARWIN’S PROFILE Darwin is the social, cultural and economic heart of the Northern Territory.