Annual Report 2016/17 About Our How to Read Our Annual Report Annual Report
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Annual Report 2016/17 About our How to read our Annual Report Annual Report Swan Hill Rural City Council is pleased to present Part one – Introduction its 2016/17 Annual Report, which provides a detailed account of our performance from 1 July Provides a snapshot of our region and highlights 2016 to 30 June 2017. what we have accomplished. Documenting Council’s performance against the Part two – The year in review 2016/17 Budget and the Council Plan, the Annual Messages from our Mayor and CEO, a financial Report highlights achievements and challenges summary and major projects highlights. faced within key service areas and programs in the fourth year of the 2013-17 Council Plan. Part three – Our council Council seeks to achieve community Our region’s history and profile, and information on engagement and an understanding of Council’s our Councillors. operations by conducting its affairs openly and Part four – Our people with integrity. Information on Council’s employees, including our Transparency in our decision-making and organisational structure, Occupational Health and accountability are core values of Council, Safety, Equal Opportunity and appreciating our therefore reflecting high levels of good staff. governance. This report provides information to a variety of Part five – Our performance audiences including community groups, Results against our Council Plan Key Strategic businesses, ratepayers, visitors, investors, Initiatives, Local Government Performance government agencies and other interested Reporting Indicators and Major Initiatives and stakeholders. Services identified in the 2016/17 Budget. Part six – Corporate governance Acknowledgement Governance and statutory information including decision-making, elected members, risk Swan Hill Rural City Council acknowledges the management, benchmarking and accountability. traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, and pays its respects to their elders, past Part seven – Performance statement and present. Local Government Performance Reporting Indicators for Sustainable Capacity, Service Performance and Financial Performance. Part eight – Financial performance Council’s general purpose financial statements. 2 Swan Hill Rural City Council | 2016/17 Annual Report Contents Part one Part five Demographic snapshot 5 Accountability Framework 36 Our Vision, Mission and Values 5 Governance and Leadership 37 Highlights of the year 6 Community Health and Wellbeing 40 Year at a glance 8 Economic Growth 51 Built and Natural Environment 55 Part two Messages from our Mayor and CEO 15 Part six Financial Summary 16 Corporate Governance 60 Major Capital Works 20 Governance and Management Checklist 69 Part three Part seven Our municipality’s profile 23 Performance Statement 76 Our Council 24 Appendices: 92 Donations and contributions 92 Part four Organisations of which Council is a financial member 96 Our Executive Leadership Team 26 Our Organisation Structure 28 Council employees 29 Part eight Other staff matters 31 Financial Statements 98 3 . Part one Introduction Welcome to the report Our Vision of operations A vibrant, growing and sustainable community with pride and confidence in a prosperous future. We are committed to transparent reporting and accountability to our community. The annual report is our primary means of advising residents within Our Mission the Swan Hill Rural City Council region about our operations and performance during the 2016/17 We will lead, advocate and provide a range of financial year. services that support our community and plan for the future. Snapshot of the region Swan Hill Rural City Council covers 6,116 square kilometres and is home to 20,361 people. It Our Values includes the townships of Swan Hill, Robinvale, Council values our residents and community and Lake Boga, Nyah, Nyah West, Piangil, Woorinen, will be responsive to their needs. In pursuing our Ultima, Manangatang, Boundary Bend and Tresco. objectives, we believe in, and are committed to the Agriculture and manufacturing drive the Swan Hill following values: Rural City economy. Community Engagement Almost 16 per cent of the total economic output We will ensure that our communities are engaged from the region comes from agricultural production. and informed. Irrigated farming (including stone fruit, grapes, Leadership nuts, olives and vegetable production) accounts for over 11 per cent of the total economic output for We will lead with integrity and encourage the municipality, while traditional livestock and innovation. broadacre farming accounts for almost four per Fairness cent. We will value and embrace the diversity of our More than 18 per cent of all jobs in the city are community and ensure that all people are treated directly related to agriculture. equally. Food manufacturing (processing) accounts for Accountability almost 10 per cent of the municipality’s economic output. We will be transparent in our activities and we value feedback. Located along the Murray River, tourism plays an important role in our region’s economy as well. Our climate and natural beauty attracts about 656,000 visitors each year. 20,361 Our population 6,116km2 Our area 3,492km The length of our local roads (sealed and unsealed) 11,939 Our rateable properties $1.18 billion Gross regional product 7,927 People working Part one | Introduction 5 Highlights of the year Governance and Leadership Economic Growth Council elections were held in October, with Funding was secured for the $1.75 million four new Councillors elected and three Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange returned. redevelopment, and a project manager was appointed. New Director Infrastructure Oliver McNulty was appointed. The Chisholm Reserve Drag Strip was opened. Councillor Code of Conduct was reviewed and An episode of Masterchef was filmed at the adopted. Pioneer Settlement. The Council Plan 2017-21 and Strategic The Robinvale Employment Network was Resource Plan 2017-21 were adopted. launched. The Governor of Victoria completed a two day Funding was secured from the State tour of the municipality. Government for the Swan Hill Riverfront Development and the Robinvale Community Local Government Performance Reporting and Hub and Library. Best Value Reporting for the 2015/16 period was completed. Tower Hill stage 10 residential allotments were released to the market. Community Local Law No. 2 was adopted after a period of community consultation. A grant was secured to upgrade the Milloo Street boat ramp in Swan Hill. The Lower Murray Inn deck and Horseshoe Community Health and Wellbeing Bend fencing was installed at the Pioneer Child Safe Standards Policy was adopted. Settlement. Council transitioned out of the administration of Work started on the Swan Hill Riverfront its 273 Home Care Packages, signing an Commercial Development Strategy and the agreement with not-for-profit provider Uniting Murray River Interpretive Centre Feasibility AgeWell to deliver the packages. Study. Harmony Day was held at Swan Hill Riverside The Pioneer Settlement celebrated 50 years. Park. The Recreational Vehicle Friendly policy was NOVO Youth Council and Youth Support adopted. Program staff participated in the Victoria Government Youth Summit. Council’s Community Care program received a perfect score in its Commonwealth quality review. The Da Vinci exhibition was held at Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery. 6 Swan Hill Rural City Council | 2016/17 Annual Report Challenges and the year ahead Built and Natural Environment An 85kWh solar power system was installed on Continuing to determine Council’s role in Council’s Splatt Street and Beveridge Street community-based aged care. Commonwealth offices. aged care reforms are being rolled out across the country, and Council will need to consider Designs for the Swan Hill Riverside Park Active the diverse communities of the municipality Play Precinct were completed. when determining its role in community-based Lighting was installed at Alan Garden Reserve aged care beyond 2020 when the full reforms and Ken Harrison Reserve, Swan Hill. are implemented. Work started on the 12-month project to Continuing to improve the way we deliver upgrade Nyah Road in Swan Hill. services to our community, to balance the need for additional funding within the State A new footpath was laid in Frederick Street and Government’s rate cap. This will include Lloyd Street, Nyah West. pursuing external funding, reviewing our services and processes, and improving our The Road Management Plan was adopted. procurement practices. The Sustainable Living Strategy was adopted. Continuing implementation of projects from the Swan Hill Riverfront Masterplan. Completing the Lake Boga Catalina Museum café and playground project. Continuing work to deliver the Robinvale Community Hub and Library. Working with ANDRA and Swan Hill Drag Racing Club to complete the city’s new quarter mile drag strip to Australian racing standards. Completing Stage 2 of the Swan Hill CBD drainage upgrade, from Campbell Street to the Murray River. Reviewing all Community Plans. Upgrading the Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange. Developing a Cultural Services Plan. Part one | Introduction 7 Year at a glance July August Jaycee Park Meeting Place Brown Street shopping precinct upgrade The Brown Street shopping precinct received upgraded footpaths and paving, as well as new and replacement street furniture and bins. These upgrades bring the area in line with recent Swan Hill CBD upgrades. Laneway art The Indigenous-themed Meeting Place was