ANNUAL REPORT 2015

WELCOME TO BLACKTOWN CITY

BLACKTOWN CITY IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF WESTERN SYDNEY. IT IS HOME TO A YOUNG, MULTICULTURAL POPULATION OF MORE THAN 332,000 PEOPLE. ONLY 35 KILOMETRES FROM THE SYDNEY CBD, IT OFFERS FAST M2, M4 AND M7 CONNECTIONS AND CONVENIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT VIA THE WESTERN RAIL LINE.

Blacktown City is a great place to live of land. Key areas set for expansion and work. Comprising 48 suburbs, A GROWING POPULATION include Kellyville Ridge, The Ponds, 22 employment precincts and 16 town Today, Blacktown City is the largest Colebee and Ropes Crossing. Urban centres, it offers a welcoming local government area by population in renewal is also occurring in established community and abundant economic NSW, and the fifth largest in Australia. centres such as Blacktown, Mount opportunities for people of all Originally home to the Darug people, Druitt, Rooty Hill and Seven Hills. backgrounds. the first European settlement occurred The City is supported by quality locally at Prospect Hill in 1791. The A THRIVING ECONOMY health and education services. It also City’s population began to grow after Blacktown City’s economy sustains features a wide range of cultural, World War 2. This accelerated during about 18,000 businesses and 110,000 recreational and leisure facilities the 1960s and 1970s as large-scale jobs. Of these jobs, 44% are held by including 5 aquatic and leisure centres, housing estates were built in Blacktown and Mount Druitt. local residents. The local economy 5 libraries, 32 community centres produces more than $13 billion a year and 840 parks and reserves. Over the last 20 years, major in goods and services. This makes Boasting a healthy, active population development has occurred in suburbs Blacktown City an important and modern, internationally recognised such as Glenwood, Oakhurst, Plumpton, contributor to the prosperity of venues, Blacktown City is the sporting Glendenning and Stanhope Gardens. Sydney and NSW. capital of Western Sydney. The population of Blacktown City is expected to reach 500,000 over the next 30 years. The City’s North West Growth Centre will contain 50,000 new houses and apartments across 10,000 hectares

FAST FACTS SMART CITY BLACKTOWN CITY • Blacktown City covers • 1.4 million people visited HIGHLIGHTS 2014–15 249 square kilometres and Blacktown City Libraries • Blacktown City Festival: Held in contains 48 suburbs. during 2014–15. May, our annual extravaganza of • We are the largest local • Max Webber Library in Blacktown parades, music and comedy was government area in NSW by is now connected to the National an event to be savoured. population, and the fourth Broadband Network. • Australia Day: We welcomed new largest in Australia. • Free public Wi-Fi is coming to citizens and partied long into the • Of our 332,000 residents, 45% the Blacktown and Mount Druitt night with a family concert and are aged under 30; 24.9% are CBDs from 2016. fireworks. aged 55 and over. • Chinese New Year: 15,000 people • The Blacktown community packed into Nurragingy Reserve is home to people from to celebrate the Year of the Goat. 176 countries. • World Cup cricket: We had front • More than a third of our row seats when some of the population can speak a language world’s best players warmed other than English. up at Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney (see full story, page 33).

01 WELCOME TO BLACKTOWN CITY 01 A SMART AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY 24 A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR 04 ASSET RENEWAL AND REDUCING THE BACKLOG 26 COUNCILLORS 06 A GROWING CITY SUPPORTED COMMITTEES 08 BY INFRASTRUCTURE 28

GENERAL MANAGER’S REVIEW 10 ANZAC CENTENARY WALK 30

CORPORATE TEAM 12 A SPORTING AND ACTIVE CITY 32

CORPORATE STATEMENTS 14 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COMES TO BLACKTOWN 33 PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW 16 A LEADING CITY 34 A VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY 17 BLACKTOWN SHOWGROUND WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD 36 NEW COMMUNITY HUBS OPEN IN GLENWOOD AND LALOR PARK 18 LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS 38

A CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 103 ENVIRONMENT 20 APPENDICES 223 BLACKTOWN CITY RUNNING FESTIVAL 22

02 BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2015 CONTENTS

03 WELCOME TO BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL’S 2015 ANNUAL REPORT.

This is a definitive guide to Blacktown’s After careful community consultation, granted pensioners free entry to local progress as we evolve into one of Council proceeded with a rate variation swimming pools. We have consulted Australia’s leading regional cities. commencing in 2014–15. widely as we develop the 2016 Social Plan. During 2014–15, we welcomed over 7,000 This difficult decision softened the new residents, taking our population impact of $2 million in cuts to Financial Council is doing its part to promote to more than 332,000 people. We cared Assistance Grants by the Federal opportunity through our Youth for 1,000 local children each day Government and further cuts by the Ambassador Program, Tertiary across our child care centres, loaned NSW Government. It has also allowed Scholarships and a partnership with 1 million items through our libraries, Council to confront one of its key Western Sydney University offering collected 5.5 million bins of garbage and challenges – the need to substantially scholarships of up to $5,000 for local 2.7 million recycling bins. increase investment in infrastructure. students. We continue to recognise excellence through the Blacktown Over the next 2 decades, the population Our Council is custodian of more than City Arts Prize and Mayor’s Creative of Blacktown City is projected to soar $3.2 billion in community assets, Writing Prize. We are also encouraging above 500,000. This will place pressure including roads, bridges, footpaths, local schools to become sustainability on infrastructure and services. At the drainage, buildings and recreational leaders through the Eco-Active same time, we should relish the facilities. Following a deliberate Schools Program. opportunity to elevate our City’s status reordering of priorities as part of – while retaining the character that Council’s mini-budget in late 2014, In exciting news, Blacktown’s Max makes our community so unique. I can confirm we are on target to Webber Library is now connected to dramatically reduce the infrastructure the National Broadband Network, Blacktown City is friendly and renewal backlog, from $80 million and the Blacktown and Mount Druitt welcoming to all, no matter where in worth of work in July 2014 to less than CBDs will have free Wi-Fi access from the world our people come from and no $50 million by June 2016. next year. These are vital milestones matter what their needs or aspirations as Blacktown City transforms into a may be. As Mayor, it makes me proud to This is not simply an abstract figure. 21st century knowledge centre. lead a City with such incredible heart. It is a vital contribution towards securing Blacktown City’s future A love of sport and fitness is integral Blacktown City Council has worked and lifting this financial burden from to Blacktown City’s identity. This year, hard to develop a fiscally responsible the next generation. Blacktown International Sportspark strategy for our City’s growth. Sydney was selected to host three As Mayor, I am acutely conscious ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 warm-up of Council’s social obligations. matches. The inaugural Blacktown Notwithstanding the $13 billion in City Running Festival attracted annual economic activity across 900 participants. More than 10,000 Blacktown City, and major new visitors enjoyed a splash at Waterworld employers such as Toll Group (whose Central, and the reopening of the Mount parcel freight depot in Bungarribee is Druitt Swimming Centre was a massive the largest of its kind in Australia) and win for people power. The decision Kuehne + Nagel (a 20,000 square metre by the Western Sydney Wanderers logistics centre on track to achieve to make Blacktown their permanent 4 Green Star As Built rating), significant headquarters will greatly boost our pockets of our community are doing City’s profile. it tough. My thanks to everyone at Council and Ours is a City that cares – and that’s in the community who has worked why we are implementing positive so tirelessly to make 2014–15 such strategies to address issues such as a success. As Council looks to the poverty, drug addiction and social future, we stand ready to facilitate new alienation. This year, we opened new investment, smart ideas and more community hubs at Glenwood and Lalor exciting events. Park. These multipurpose facilities are functioning as a much-needed home for We will leave no stone unturned when providers such as Care Connect. Our it comes to creating jobs for the people community kitchen in Lethbridge Park of Blacktown City and making our served about 9,000 meals. We have also region an even better place to live. COUNCILLOR STEPHEN BALI raised Council’s voluntary pensioner Cr Stephen Bali MAYOR OF BLACKTOWN CITY rate rebate from $105 to $200 and Mayor of Blacktown City

04 A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

PROMOTING A SHARED VISION FOR IMPROVING PROJECTING THE CITY AND OUR OUR STANDARD FINANCIAL COMMUNITY OF SERVICE STRENGTH

05 COUNCILLORS

BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL’S GEOGRAPHIC AREA IS DIVIDED INTO 5 WARDS, EACH REPRESENTED BY 3 COUNCILLORS.

WARD 1 WARD 2 WARD 3 WARD 4 WARD 5

JESS DIAZ SUSAI BENJAMIN JP EDMOND ATALLA MARK HOLMES TONY BLEASDALE OAM BA, LLB, MBA BSc, DIPSSA (MA Social Work), BLaws BEng

DR RUSS DICKENS OAM MAYOR, STEPHEN BALI DEPUTY MAYOR, ALAN PENDLETON OAM LEO KELLY OAM MVSc (Syd Univ), MACVSc CPA, F Fin, AMIIA JACQUELINE DONALDSON

ISABELLE WHITE WALTER SMITH JP LEN ROBINSON KARLO SILJEG CHARLIE LOWLES OAM BEd (Hons), BA (Syd Univ)

06 07 COMMITTEES

COMMITTEES COMMITTEE MEMBERS PURPOSE

Policy and Mayor Stephen Bali (Chair) and all Councillors Guide Council in formulating its City Vision and Integrated Strategy Planning and Reporting objectives and priorities.

Planning and Mayor Stephen Bali (Chair) and all Councillors Consider development issues such as planning proposals, Development local environmental plans and development applications (except those relating to heritage sites).

Historical Mayor Stephen Bali, Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Consider all issues relating to heritage sites Donaldson (Chair) and all Councillors, plus and buildings. representatives of local historical societies, the Prospect Heritage Trust and the Saint Bartholomew’s Guides.

Special Mayor Stephen Bali (Chair) and all Councillors Consider budget submissions and all issues relating Estimates to rates structure, income and expenditure, and Council’s operational plan.

Enterprise Mayor Stephen Bali (Chair), Deputy Mayor Review and update Council’s enterprise agreement. Agreement Jacqueline Donaldson, Cr Karlo Siljeg, General Manager Kerry Robinson (or nominee)

Sister Cities Mayor Stephen Bali (Chair), Deputy Mayor Promote and conduct Council’s Sister Cities program, Jacqueline Donaldson, Cr Walter Smith, engaging in exchanges with national and international Cr Leo Kelly OAM, Cr Isabelle White and partners in education, sport, culture and business. Cr Dr Russ Dickens OAM

Internal Audit Mayor Stephen Bali, Cr Alan Pendleton OAM Review audit reports and system improvement recommendations.

SUB-COMMITTEES SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS PURPOSE

Arts Reference Mayor Stephen Bali, Cr Leo Kelly OAM (Chair) Raise the profile of Council’s art programs in the Advisory and Cr Mark Holmes community and the professional arts sector, and bring in extra resources.

Blacktown CBD Mayor Stephen Bali, Cr Dr Russ Dickens OAM Consider issues relating to the Blacktown CBD. Advisory (Chair) and Ward 3 Councillors

Mount Druitt Mayor Stephen Bali, Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Consider issues relating to the Mount Druitt CBD. Town Centre Donaldson (Chair) and Wards 4 and 5 Councillors Advisory

Senior Citizens Mayor Stephen Bali, Cr Walter Smith (Chair) and Consider issues relating to senior citizens. Advisory Cr Charlie Lowles OAM

Warrick Lane Mayor Stephen Bali and all Councillors Consider issues relating to the development of the Development Warrick Lane site in Blacktown.

Youth Advisory Cr Mark Holmes and Cr Tony Bleasdale OAM Provide a voice for young people within Blacktown City and consider ways to improve youth services and facilities.

08 SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS PURPOSE

Access Advisory Mayor Stephen Bali, Cr Susai Benjamin (Chair) Consider special access needs, especially for people and Cr Isabelle White with a disability and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Community Mayor Stephen Bali, Cr Mark Holmes, Engage widely with local stakeholders to address Safety Advisory Cr Walter Smith and Cr Edmond Atalla safety issues within Blacktown City.

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali, Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Consider ways to improve services and facilities to City Council Donaldson (Chair) and Cr Tony Bleasdale OAM address the needs of Blacktown City’s Aboriginal Aboriginal communities. Advisory

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali, Cr Dr Russ Dickens Consider animal issues and urban companion Council Urban OAM (Chair), Cr Isabelle White and animal programs. Animals Advisory Cr Alan Pendleton OAM Sub-Committee

4-YEAR APPOINTMENTS ORGANISATION COUNCILLOR

Blacktown City Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee Cr Karlo Siljeg

Westpool Cr Walter Smith

Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils Cr Mark Holmes and Cr Jacqueline Donaldson

Parramatta River Catchment Group Cr Dr Russ Dickens OAM and Cr Susai Benjamin

Hawkesbury River County Council Cr Jess Diaz and Cr Walter Smith

Executive of the Floodplain Mitigation Authorities of NSW Cr Jess Diaz and Cr Walter Smith

Community Relations Commission – Regional Advisory Cr Walter Smith Council (term expired 30 June 2014)

Western Sydney Academy of Sport Advisory Forum Cr Len Robinson

Blacktown Venue Management Ltd Mayor Stephen Bali, Cr Dr Russell Dickens OAM, Cr Tony Bleasdale OAM and Cr Len Robinson

09 GENERAL MANAGER’S REVIEW

10 ON BEHALF OF THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, OUR MANAGEMENT AND STAFF, I AM PLEASED TO PRESENT BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL’S 2014–15 ANNUAL REPORT.

This is an exciting time for Blacktown As part of our mission to serve • Council donated $15,000 to the City. We are the state’s largest local residents, the City has introduced Wheelchair Basketball Program at government area by population, and state-of-the-art facilities at Blacktown Kevin Betts Stadium in Mount Druitt in so many ways, the heart of Sydney. Customer Information Centre. Our • Council reached an agreement with Over the past financial year, our extended trading hours are 8am to Telstra to deploy free public Wi-Fi in 1,650 dedicated staff members have 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. I warmly Blacktown and Mount Druitt CBDs supported the 15 elected councillors to invite you to visit us and enjoy the for the next five years. deliver great outcomes. improvements. Finally, I encourage you to read the Revitalising the City’s assets has been Boosting local employment is another enclosed State of the Environment a signature achievement, including priority for the City. Blacktown’s central Report, which demonstrates our our roads, bridges, footpaths, location in Western Sydney and access commitment to providing clean and parks, drainage and stormwater to multiple employment hubs gives us environmentally friendly local spaces. systems, and community facilities. a competitive advantage in terms of Importantly, Council remains debt- job creation. The newly opened Sydney My thanks to the elected Council, my free and the City’s population is Business Park, located in Marsden executive team and the talented staff booming. This growth is reflected in Park, is 3.2 times larger than Norwest who make Blacktown City the fantastic building approvals. In the most recent Business Park and will employ up to place it is today. This report is a proud measurements for 2014, Blacktown 15,000 people when fully developed. record of our achievements and had the highest number of approvals aspirations for the future. Over the past 12 months, Council determined in NSW and one of the has consulted widely with the local We look forward to continuing to shortest assessment timeframes. community on matters such as our serve you. The City is now embarking on an Animal Holding Facility, neighbourhood Kerry Robinson ambitious transformation program parks, small reserves and our annual General Manager to cater for a population projected budget. This year we commenced work to grow beyond 500,000 in coming on our 2016 Social Plan and sought the decades. Our ‘B500 strategy’ visualises views of 2,155 community members what Council’s services and locations through surveys and focus groups. will look like in the future, so wise These discussions are helping us investments can be made today. identify the services that are needed to ‘Eyes on Blacktown’ is an innovative build an inclusive community and help program to improve the City’s physical the most vulnerable. amenity, as experienced by visitors Below are some additional highlights travelling through its main corridors. from 2014–15: Significant tree planting works will be an initial priority. • 1.4 million people visited our libraries We have initiated a comprehensive Better Practice Review to ensure • The Mount Druitt Swimming Centre the City is delivering the right mix of reopened in November 2014 services, in an effective and sustainable • The 14th annual Softball Australia manner. Finally, our future depends International Friendship Series and on attracting the best talent. The City 3 ICC Cricket World Cup warm up has restructured its organisation matches were held at Blacktown and made key appointments in International Sportspark, Sydney areas such as corporate strategy, • Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope economic development, planning and received its 11 millionth visitor architecture that will drive genuine • Council provided work experience KERRY ROBINSON community benefits. opportunities to 235 students GENERAL MANAGER • 15,000 people attended our Chinese New Year celebrations at Nurragingy Reserve

11 CORPORATE TEAM

KERRY ROBINSON GLENNYS JAMES RUDI SVARC GENERAL MANAGER ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER DIRECTOR, CITY ASSETS DIRECTOR, CITY STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT

Kerry Robinson has broad experience Glennys James joined Blacktown Rudi Svarc is an expert in traffic in town planning, valuation, real City Council nearly 40 years ago as a management and transport planning. estate, property development and local student town planner. She has been He began his career with the NSW government. He has held senior roles at the forefront of Blacktown’s growth Roads and Traffic Authority, before in organisations such as Raine & Horne from a municipality of 180,000 people to working in local government for the Commercial, Delfin Property Group a vast city of 340,000. She has worked past 25 years. Rudi’s previous roles and Lend Lease. As General Manager as a team member, senior manager include managing traffic and transport of Landcom and UrbanGrowth NSW, and director and was the first woman sections for both Hills Shire Council he delivered more than $1.5 billion in to become a member of the Council and Blacktown City Council. real estate projects. These included executive in 1990. She has overseen For 7 years, he managed Blacktown’s major industrial developments, the development of Blacktown’s new City Projects section, which is master-planned communities such suburbs and employment precincts, responsible for the planning and as The Ponds in Blacktown City and spanning the initial strategic planning construction of major local works. Vantage in Port Stephens, and the of these areas to the detailed approvals During this time Rudi managed several Rouse Hill Town Centre. He has taught given to development. Glennys of Council’s major projects such as at the University of New South Wales pioneered Council’s Section 94 the construction of the AFL/Cricket and worked at Parramatta and Bathurst contributions system in the early 1980s stadium at Blacktown International City Councils. and is a recognised leader in local Sportspark Sydney, the redevelopment government in contributions policy. Kerry is a graduate of the Institute of Blacktown Showground, and the of Company Directors and Deputy Glennys has been an influential construction of Mount Druitt Hub, the Chairman of Blacktown Venue adviser to the NSW Government on Dennis Johnson Library and Glenwood Management Limited. He is a board matters relating to the future growth Community Hub. In March 2015, Rudi member of Westpool and United Pools of Western Sydney and is a member was appointed Director of City Assets. insurance companies and a non- of the Local Environmental Plan executive Director of Link Housing Review Panel. She has served on a Limited, a community housing provider large range of advisory committees to that manages about 1,300 homes. Government over her career. In 2013, she received a Commendation in the In 2013, Kerry was appointed General development industry’s awards for Manager of Blacktown City Council, excellence demonstrated by women where he is responsible for more than in development. 1,650 staff members and an annual budget of about $500 million. He is also Chair of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils General Managers Forum.

12 PETER SMITH WAYNE ROGERS DIRECTOR, CITY LIVING DIRECTOR, CORPORATE SERVICES

Peter Smith has a long and proud Wayne Rogers has worked in local association with Blacktown. A former government for over 20 years at student at Walters Road Public School 5 councils, the last 10 years at and Mitchell High School, he began Blacktown. Wayne’s qualifications working for Blacktown City Council include a Bachelor of Commerce in 1977. Peter has made a significant (majoring in Accounting) and he has contribution as a manager and also completed the CPA and MBA. team member in building surveying, He served as Finance Manager at environmental health, environmental Blacktown City Council for 6 years sustainability, development before being appointed Director of assessment and engineering. Corporate Services in 2011. He was appointed Director of City Wayne is responsible for workforce Living in 2011. In this role, Peter development, business technology, is responsible for environmental corporate governance and property, services, waste resource management, business assurance, corporate finance, urban companion animal management, events and industry liaison. He has community development and overseen the introduction of Council’s aquatic centres. Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework and is responsible for Peter’s directorate also includes Council’s section 94 plans, which mark libraries, childcare, key venues and an exciting new phase for Blacktown Blacktown Arts Centre. in light of the rapid development of the North West Growth Centre.

13 CORPORATE STATEMENTS

TRANSFORMING HELPING THE CITY INTO CREATING A INDIVIDUALS A CENTRE OF COMPASSIONATE WITH UNIQUE CULTURE, ART AND INCLUSIVE NEEDS TO ACHIEVE AND LEARNING COMMUNITY THEIR POTENTIAL

14 COUNCIL IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING ITS OPERATIONS, SERVICE DELIVERY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING SHOW INTEGRITY AND ARE AT ALL TIMES EQUITABLE, TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE.

Council is a committed advocate • TIMELY. While this document for the City’s interests and will focuses on a 17 year and longer provide opportunities to involve and timeframe, many of the strategies empower the community in creating will continue to evolve beyond a dynamic City. this period. Some strategies are currently being implemented and The people of Blacktown have a will come to fruition in the short great deal of pride in and respect for term, while other strategies will be their City. Council is committed to implemented as resources permit. supporting our community’s diversity and relationships with tolerance, • ROBUST. As Council and the fairness and respect. community face a constantly changing environment, our planning The guiding principles of Council, as per and delivery must be flexible and our Blacktown City 2030 Community robust. To accomplish the objectives Strategic Plan, are outlined below: in the vision, we will respond • SUSTAINABLE. Council’s focus to change but remain focused is to ensure that it functions in on delivery. a sustainable manner, ensuring • BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS. the community, environment Council recognises that our and economy benefit now and in partnerships with the community, the future. government, private entities, • PRACTICAL. Blacktown is a community groups, stakeholders and practical ‘can do’ city and our Vision non-government organisations must reflects this attitude. Our primary ensure that all sectors are working commitment is to achieve our towards a shared vision for the City. diverse goals through the delivery • COMMUNICATION. Council will of tangible projects and programs continue to strive to maintain and that will leave a lasting and positive improve communication across community legacy. the City, utilising contemporary • INNOVATIVE. Council encourages technologies and innovative methods innovation and resourcefulness, and to engage stakeholders on its supports those who show initiative strategy, plans and decisions. and responsibility. • EQUITABLE. Council strongly believes in equity and recognises its role in providing opportunities for all residents.

15 PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW 2014–15

COUNCIL IS PLEASED TO REPORT ANNUALLY ON ITS PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AS REQUIRED UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT AND THE INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING GUIDELINES.

All NSW councils are required to • BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL develop integrated strategic plans. SPORTSPARK: to provide a first- PROGRESS OF OPERATIONAL These include a 10-year Community class multi-sport venue serving Strategic Plan, a 4-year Delivery local, regional, state, national and PLAN 2014–2015 Program and 1-year Operational plans. international markets. The following table summarises the progress of the 198 actions included in • BECOMING A REGIONAL CITY: Blacktown City 2030 is Council’s Council’s Operational Plan 2014–2015. long-term Community Strategic Plan. to work with the state government Designed to guide the City over the to gain regional city status for next 15 years and beyond, it identifies Blacktown city centre. 6 key objectives that should underpin • MOTOR SPORT PRECINCT: to create all Council initiatives. They are: an internationally recognised cluster • a vibrant and inclusive community of motor sport facilities that attracts tourism and investment. • a clean and sustainable environment • BLACKTOWN SHOWGROUND: • a smart and prosperous economy to deliver a showcase precinct • a growing city supported by encompassing quality cultural and infrastructure recreational facilities connected to • a sporting and active city surrounding housing and transport. • a leading city. • MARKETING, BRANDING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: to Completing the vision are 8 ‘trigger promote Blacktown City as an projects’ that ensure Blacktown City emerging regional city and to 2030 is practical and deliverable. engage the local community and They are: stakeholders in a shared vision – COMPLETED 86% • BLACKTOWN CITY CENTRE: a city of excellence that is dynamic, DELAYED 12% to provide a mix of business, diverse and progressive. employment, residential, recreation, OFF TARGET 2% health, cultural, entertainment In 2014, Council adopted Delivery and education uses that promote a Program 2013–2017. This sets out the vibrant CBD. specific projects and activities Council has committed to delivering under the • ASSET MANAGEMENT AND 6 key objectives and 8 trigger projects ACTION STATUS RENEWAL: to maintain and renew outlined in Blacktown City 2030. existing infrastructure through Completed 174 long term financial planning, based Finally, Council’s Operational Plan outlines specific actions needed to on modelling. On target – achieve the goals contained in the • DIGITAL NETWORKS AND Delivery Program. This includes COMMUNICATIONS: to ensure that Not commenced – Council’s services, annual budget, Blacktown residents have equitable rates, fees and charges. access to evolving computer Delayed 21 technologies and opportunities to develop techno-literacy skills. Off target 3 Total 198

16 A VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY PROGRESS OF DELIVERY PROGRAM 2013–17

Council aims to ensure that our local backgrounds shared a night of Blacktown Native Institution site, communities continue to be welcoming, games, dance and fun. artists and the community came vibrant and inclusive, individuals and • We held a Volunteer Thank You event together to develop a vision for the groups achieve their potential, and the on 20 June 2015, which was attended future, share and collect stories, and City prospers as a centre of culture, art by 142 community members. create new artworks. and learning. The event celebrated volunteering in • The Doug Moran National Portrait Aboriginal communities and featured Prize came to Blacktown Arts NEW COMMUNITY HUBS a performance by the Mount Druitt Centre for the first time in February Indigenous Children’s Choir. 2015. Selected works from the • We continued to deliver, construct Moran Contemporary Photographic and plan community hubs across the • We served about 9,000 meals at the Prize were also on display. As part City. These innovative multi-purpose Council-supported Lethbridge Park of the exhibition, the Moran Arts facilities consolidate community Community Kitchen in 2014–15. Foundation ran free photography services under one roof, offering • We donated $15,000 to the Wheelchair workshops for local schools. space for playgroups, community Basketball Program at Kevin Betts celebrations, private functions, clinic Stadium in Mount Druitt, funding 6 • Blacktown City Festival was held in services, school holiday activities new wheelchairs. New participants May 2015. Over 8 days, 18 separate and small business office space. in the program will be able to use events were held. The opening event, They are a vital part of our mission the wheelchairs until they are able to the Blacktown City Medieval Fayre, to help people access services, source suitable competitive chairs for attracted 70,000 people. make friends and learn new skills. wheelchair basketball. • The continued success of Council’s • We opened the Lalor Park community • We held a workshop on creating Australia Day Program included the hub on 18 April 2015 and more than liveable communities for older Wake up with the Wildlife breakfast, 800 people attended a family fun day people, which was attended by citizenship ceremony, Australia held as part of the celebrations. 74 community members, including Day citizen award presentation, and family concert and fireworks. • We opened the Glenwood community local carers and seniors. hub on 13 June 2015 and more than • We hosted our second Chinese 4,000 people attended a multicultural CELEBRATING ART New Year event at Nurragingy festival held as part of the Reserve in February 2015. The event celebrations. AND CULTURE was attended by an estimated 15,000 people. • We continued operating successful • We launched the Blacktown hubs in Bungarribee, Mount Druitt, City Art Prize with a glittering Ropes Crossing and The Ponds. reception at Blacktown Arts Centre TRIGGER PROJECT on 5 December 2014. More than • The Bungarribee community hub 500 entries were received for what – BLACKTOWN won the Urban Development Institute is one of Western Sydney’s most of Australia Awards for Excellence SHOWGROUND popular art prizes. prize for Government Leadership for The Blacktown Showground is an Urban Design. • We began the pop-up garden project outstanding venue for a diverse range at the Blacktown Arts Centre. Located of community events. In March, the old in the car park, the garden is made Showground site hosted the Blacktown SUPPORTING OUR from recycled waste materials and City Show, attracting a large audience. DIVERSE COMMUNITY maintained by volunteer gardeners. Over the past year, the site has also hosted 2 Indian community festivals • We consulted widely with the • Blacktown Arts Centre hosted the and 5 gymkhanas. community between March and May It’s Timely exhibition, which celebrated 2015 to develop the Blacktown Social two famous speeches Gough Whitlam In August 2014, the Blacktown Plan 2016. More than 2,155 people delivered at Blacktown’s Bowman Hall. Showground redevelopment received completed surveys or participated The first of these was in 1972, when a major accolade. It won the Parks and in focus groups. Whitlam launched the Labor Party’s Leisure Australia Playspace Award for election campaign. The second was a • We finalised the second round of projects worth more than $1 million, major policy address he gave in 1974. Council small grants program in and was praised for creating an ‘open, Also featured in the exhibition were which 9 community groups shared a accessible green park in an increasing works from artists inspired by the $7,500 fund. The grants went towards densely populated city’. The previous Whitlam era. The exhibition opening a domestic violence program, year, we won the Parks and Leisure was held on the 40th anniversary of gardening and art resources and Australia Regional Award (NSW/ACT). the 1974 speech. It was attended by general operating costs. Antony Whitlam QC and included a The inaugural Workers’ Memorial • We partnered with Multicultural special performance by ‘Little Pattie’ Day was held on the redeveloped NSW, Youth off the Streets, Ted Noffs (Patricia Amphlett). Showground site in April and it is Street University and the Mount envisaged this event will expand next • Blacktown Arts Centre collaborated Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency to year. The National Aborigines and with the Museum of Contemporary hold a successful Youth Networking Islanders Day Observance Committee Art and UrbanGrowth NSW on Evening in May 2015. More than 90 (NAIDOC) Week Family Fun Day was the C3West project. Based at the young people from different cultural held in July. 17 ACHIEVEMENT NEW COMMUNITY HUBS OPEN IN GLENWOOD AND LALOR PARK

18 COUNCIL IS IMPROVING ITS NETWORK OF COMMUNITY HUBS. THESE MULTI- PURPOSE FACILITIES DELIVER MODERN SERVICES, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF, AND FOSTER A VALUABLE SENSE OF LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD PRIDE.

Over the past 12 months, we have had exciting activity around our community LALOR PARK hubs. We officially opened new hubs Based in one of the City’s more in Glenwood and Lalor Park during established suburbs, the Lalor Park well-attended family fun days in community hub is a refurbished April. The Bungarribee hub, which building that was previously home opened in February 2014, won a to the Lalor Park senior citizens’ prestigious industry award. Our other centre. It is yet another impressive hubs in Mount Druitt, Ropes Crossing multipurpose facility providing a wide and The Ponds are continuing to range of activities, well suited to the successfully serve their communities community’s diverse needs. and support residents. A prominent feature in the hall is a beautiful mural with a bamboo design GLENWOOD painted by local Indigenous artists as part of a program run by Marist Youth The Glenwood community hub is Care, Blacktown. a state-of-the-art facility that has been redeveloped out of the former The hub is already home to important Glenwood neighbourhood centre. Its services such as Care Connect, which layout and design are the result of offers health and wellbeing programs intensive public consultation, dating to help elderly people and those back to a 2011 open day attended with illnesses to live independently. by hundreds of local residents, who It is also the new headquarters for participated and completed surveys. the Blacktown City Band. The hub has a range of facilities, including a 250-seat banquet hall, BUNGARRIBEE a smaller meeting hall, meeting The Bungarribee community hub was rooms, a computer room, playground, recently recognised by the Urban outdoor barbecue facilities, café and Development Institute of Australia commercial kitchen. The building’s through its Awards for Excellence. green features include solar panels It won the prize for Government and rainwater harvesting, as well Leadership for Urban Design. as captivating floral artworks and The judges noted that the hub had sculptures designed by local artist ‘set the benchmark’ for council, Nerine Martini. state agency and public collaboration The hub will be a venue for weddings, in the development of long-term birthdays and other religious and community facilities. cultural occasions. It will provide a As we look toward the future, convenient space for playgroups, clinic Blacktown City Council remains services, school holiday activities, and passionately committed to local exercise and dance classes, as well as community hubs as a way to support office capacity for small businesses. local culture and recreation, health and wellbeing, and lifelong learning.

19 A CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT PROGRESS OF DELIVERY PROGRAM 2013–17

COUNCIL AIMS TO PROVIDE LOCAL SPACES THAT ARE CLEAN AND HEALTHY, TURN AWARENESS INTO ACTION TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AND WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.

TEAMING UP WITH RECYCLING AND CULTIVATING COMMUNITY OUR COMMUNITY MANAGING WASTE GARDENS • We awarded 8 local schools • We launched GreenMoney, a • We continued to support local funding totalling $14,959 through community recycling incentive community gardens, holding events the Eco-Active Schools Program. scheme. The program is designed including workshops and school The program provides grants to to reward households for helping holiday activities as well as weekly schools in the local government the environment. The initiative was gardening activities at Grantham, area to complete an environmental launched on 30 May, and nearly Bungarribee, Blacktown Showground project over 12 months. Participating 4,000 residents registered within and Lethbridge Park community schools were William Rose School, the first month. gardens. Willmot Public School, St Clare’s • We established a new litter • We completed a collaborative project Catholic High School, Shalvey Public prevention program in Minchinbury with TAFE NSW to build a greenhouse School, Plumpton Public School, and in the Prospect industrial area, at the Grantham community garden. Glenwood High School, St Agnes assisted by funding from the NSW • The 2014 Blacktown City Garden Catholic High School and Lethbridge Environment Protection Authority. Park Public School. Competition attracted more than We engaged 30 stakeholders, 60 individual entries and 17 in the • We held Earth Hour 2015 Picnic in installed 4 surveillance cameras community, school and commercial the Park in partnership with Lalor and 20 customised bins near the category, the most new entrants for Park Community Garden and local Skyline drive-in and at bus shelters this competition in many years. volunteers. Dubbed by Earth Hour as on Blacktown and Reservoir the largest event of its type in Sydney Roads, Prospect. and designed to promote local food • We helped launch the NSW LEADING BY EXAMPLE security, it was attended by hundreds Environmental Protection Authority’s • We became a member of the Green of people. Householders Asbestos Disposal Building Council of Australia. This is • In 2014, we held Sustainable Trial for Western Sydney. To date, a national, not-for-profit organisation September, a priceless opportunity residents across Western Sydney that is committed to developing to showcase sustainability themed have lodged 181 rebate requests. a sustainable property industry activities and events across the City, for Australia by encouraging the including a ‘Day at the Farm’ and the adoption of green building practices. Showground Spring Fair. • We held 101 bushcare group activities and 17 events to promote the local bushcare program. • More than 26,900 plants were given to the community at various community events and festivals. • About 800 volunteers from across the community collected 9 tonnes of waste from 41 registered sites on Clean Up Australia Day 2015. More than 9,500 students from 40 schools also participated.

20 TURN AWARENESS INTO ACTION COLLABORATE TO HALT OR PROVIDE LOCAL WITH OUR REVERSE THREATS SPACES AND COMMUNITY TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENTS AND OTHER AND NATURAL THAT ARE CLEAN STAKEHOLDERS ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTHY

21 EVENT BLACKTOWN CITY RUNNING FESTIVAL

22 A HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR WAS THE INAUGURAL WESTLINK M7 BLACKTOWN CITY RUNNING FESTIVAL.

The festival was held on Sunday Competitors vied for their share of 27 July, 2014 at Blacktown International a $20,000 prize pool – courtesy of Sportspark Sydney, Eastern Road, Westlink M7 – for the Marathon and Rooty Hill. Half Marathon, while Blacktown City Council sponsored the 10km and 4km It was the first time that the Blacktown events. First across the line in the City Fun Runs and Westlink M7 Cities marathon was NSW runner David Marathon merged to form one event on Criniti, who completed the course in the same day. The event combined the 2 hours 24 minutes and 32 seconds, Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km Run ahead of 176 competitors. David and Walk and the 4km Run and Walk, received $5,000 in prize money. which made up part of the Blacktown City Festival program. Previously the The event finished with a presentation Fun Run was held in May each year; to congratulate all participants and the new-look combined race is now present award winners with their held in July. prize money, prizes and trophies. Thanks also went to volunteers and The Running Festival attracted officials, without whose efforts the 900 local and international competitors, Running Festival could not have including participants from Hong been staged. Kong, Africa, New Zealand and Europe. For locals, the event proved especially The event is primarily funded by popular, with the Fun Run drawing Council and in a welcome gesture, lots of participants, many of them for every marathon finisher Council family groups. donated $5 to the Westmead Medical Research Foundation, to help purchase Boasting one of the world’s only medical equipment and to fund traffic-free marathon circuits, the care services and research projects. race provided runners of different The Running Festival also raised skill levels a seamless course, free funds for Blacktown, Mt Druitt and from worries about negotiating kerbs, Westmead Hospitals to ensure local gutters or traffic. Running alongside families receive the best care when the M7 motorway, the marathon course they need it most. was internationally accredited by the Association of International Marathons Following this successful launch, and Distance Races. the plan is for the Running Festival to become a permanent annual fixture, The 42.195km marathon was held in both locally and on the international ideal weather conditions, starting sporting calendar. in Liverpool at Robins Football Club car park, Ash Road, Prestons. Runners then travelled along the Westlink M7 Shared Pathway some 32km to Quakers Hill, where they turned back and continued to the finish line at the Athletics Centre, Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney in Rooty Hill.

23 A SMART AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY PROGRESS OF DELIVERY PROGRAM 2013–17

COUNCIL AIMS TO PURSUE STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES AND PARTNERSHIPS TO GROW THE LOCAL AND REGIONAL ECONOMY AND ATTRACT INVESTMENT TO OUR CITY.

• We received more than 225 entries LIFELONG LEARNING for the Mayoral Creative Writing IMPROVING CITY • We welcomed about 1.4 million Prize, and around 400 people AMENITIES visitors to Blacktown City Libraries attended the announcement of the • We completed improvements in the during 2014–15. winner on 22 August 2014. CBDs including the Campbell Street • We received more than 339,000 hits footpath works outside Bowman on the libraries’ website. FREE PUBLIC WI-FI Hall, Blacktown, and the bus rail • We received more than 52,625 hits interchange in Mount Druitt. • We have reached an agreement with on the libraries’ Facebook page. Telstra to deploy free public Wi-Fi • We endorsed ‘Eyes on Blacktown’, • We delivered 1,502 library events, in the Blacktown and Mount Druitt a document repositioning the public attended by 57,819 people. CBDs for the next five years. A total image of Blacktown City and focusing • We switched the public computers of 15 access points will be installed in on transport lines and hubs as a way and Wi-Fi access at Blacktown’s the Blacktown CBD. It is anticipated to enliven, engage and encourage Max Webber Library to the National that Mount Druitt CBD access points use of our public spaces. Broadband Network in June 2015. will be installed in 2016. This ensures that our library SUPPORTING RETAIL AND provides faster and more reliable EMBRACING THE internet services, which gives SMALL BUSINESS our community the potential to be DIGITAL ECONOMY • We finished upgrading the Whalan more productive, creative, efficient • We participated in the Riverstone shopping precinct on Bulolo Drive. and connected. Digital Hub program, funded • We reinforced our support for • We hosted a TEDx live-streamed by the federal Department of small business by joining the Small talk from the Sydney Opera House at Communications. This two‑year Business Friendly Councils Program, Max Webber Library, which was well program, which ended on developed by the NSW Office of attended. This was the first TEDx talk 31 December 2014, helped the the Small Business Commissioner live-streamed by the library service. local community increase its (OSBC). In signing up to the program, • We broadcast a talk from the Sydney online engagement and better we committed to meet a number of Writers’ Festival with Abdi Aden, understand the opportunities OSBC benchmarks, which include famous for appearing on the SBS presented by the digital economy. strengthening Council engagement program Go Back to Where You Came with the small business sector. From. He spoke about his memoir Shining: Story of a Lucky Man. The podcast was followed on Twitter.

PURSUING STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES AND PARTNERSHIPS

24 TRIGGER PROJECT – TRIGGER PROJECT – TRIGGER PROJECT – BLACKTOWN CITY CENTRE BECOMING A REGIONAL DIGITAL NETWORKS AND This is a busy and exciting time for CITY COMMUNICATIONS the redevelopment of Blacktown Council continues to make vigorous Visitors to Blacktown City Libraries City Centre. representations to the NSW enjoyed 466,267 Wi-Fi sessions, Council has used market research to Government to relocate a state including 213,699 sessions on free find out what people think about living, government department to the CBD. computers, in 2014–15. In addition, working, visiting and investing in the the City’s libraries delivered almost Council representatives attended Blacktown CBD. The research results 300 computer-training sessions. the Urban Development Institute were reported to Council, and are being of Australia’s National Congress. The libraries offer computer training to used to prepare a Blacktown CBD place This platform allowed us to promote Centrelink customers, and Blacktown making strategy. the Blacktown Local Environment Plan and Mount Druitt libraries also offer Public domain improvements to Main and infill housing opportunities to the computer training in Arabic and Hindi. Street, Blacktown, are due to start development industry. Council worked with Telstra to deliver before the end of 2015, using funds this initiative, which will continue Finally, Council has worked closely from the 2014–15 and 2015–16 budgets. throughout 2015. Several community with NSW Government consultants to groups, including the WASH (Women’s Council adopted a Section 94 share insights about the challenge of Activities and Self Help) House, also contributions plan for City Centre developing key metropolitan centres. use library facilities for training. infrastructure improvements in We highlighted the Government’s September 2015. inadequate attention to some of Blacktown City’s community hubs Finally, the City Centre Masterplan is Blacktown’s major employment offer basic computer training. For being revised now that the Blacktown precincts, including Blacktown Hospital example, Blacktown Computer Pals has Local Environment Plan 2015 has and NSW TAFE. relocated to the hub in Bungarribee. been gazetted. Unfortunately, a loss of funding led to the closure of a pilot program offering free business-related advice at Blacktown Library.

FACILITATING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OF THE LOCAL ATTRACTING AND REGIONAL INVESTMENT TO ECONOMY BLACKTOWN CITY

25 MANAGING OUR ASSETS COUNCIL IS THE CUSTODIAN OF AROUND $3.2 BILLION WORTH OF COMMUNITY ASSETS, WHICH IT USES TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, WORKERS, STUDENTS AND VISITORS.

Along with other councils, Blacktown Tribunal for a special rate variation, to City Council needs to invest more to be directed to asset renewal, together renew the City’s infrastructure such as with reallocated funding from new roads, footpaths, bridges, drainage and capital works and operational savings. stormwater assets, parks and sports This strategy increased the year’s asset ovals, as well as Council libraries and renewal funds by more than $10 million community centres. over that of the previous year. Our draft Community Strategic Looking ahead, Council will face much Plan, Blacktown City 2030 – City higher funding requirements than now, of Excellence, captures Council’s as the 1980s-era infrastructure in practical approach to fulfilling the large areas of the City will need to be community’s aspirations for the City, renewed. Because of this, Council must including maintaining its growth and adequately assess its asset renewal its place as a regional leader. requirements to more accurately predict funding requirements. The plan includes a set of ‘trigger projects’ that will advance this Council is committed to maintaining long-term strategy. It is envisaged and renewing existing infrastructure that from 2013 to 2017 we will spend through long-term financial planning around $80 million on these projects, based on renewal modelling. working in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ensure this vision is achieved. REDUCING THE BACKLOG Council’s asset renewal backlog was $60 million at 30 June 2015 and is TACKLING ASSET projected to be less than $50 million RENEWAL at 30 June 2016. Based on Council’s current asset renewal funding strategy, A major challenge confronting around $247 million will be allocated the whole NSW local government towards asset renewal between sector is the need to increase 2015–16 and 2024–25. funding allocated to maintaining and renewing infrastructure. Without A major goal for Council’s Long Term adequate funding, we cannot effectively Financial Plan was to reduce the maintain and renew our assets to backlog using funding from the special maximise their life. rate variation. And while the asset renewal funding strategy does not Despite significantly higher funding eliminate the backlog, it is forecast that for asset renewal over the previous the current level of funding will allow decade, Blacktown City’s asset renewal Council to keep it at a manageable backlog as at 30 June 2014 was level over the next 10 years, when it is $79.8 million. expected to be around $78 million. In February 2014, Council adopted We have allocated funding from an asset renewal funding strategy, the federal government’s Roads to which included an application to the Recovery program to help reduce Independent Pricing and Regulatory the backlog.

26 ACHIEVEMENT ASSET RENEWAL AND REDUCING THE BACKLOG

27 A GROWING CITY SUPPORTED BY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRESS OF DELIVERY PROGRAM 2013–17

COUNCIL AIMS TO PROVIDE WELL-PLANNED AND LIVEABLE NEIGHBOURHOODS WITH HOUSING THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF OUR GROWING COMMUNITY AND IS SUPPORTED BY TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

• We finished improving traffic PLANNING FOR NEW TRANSPORT AND facilities at Sterling Road in HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE Minchinbury, Meurants Lane in • Our draft Local Environmental UPGRADES Glenwood, Emerson Street in Plan 2015 was made law by the Shalvey, Belmore Avenue in Mount • We entered into 4 planning Minister for Planning on 26 May Druitt, Morreau Reserve in Rooty agreements with developers to 2015. This plan will help shape Hill, Lynwood Park in Lalor Park, provide infrastructure works the development and character School Parade in Doonside, Harry and funding to the North West of Blacktown City for the Dennison Park in Rooty Hill, Quakers Growth Centre. next generation. Hill Parkway in Quakers Hill, Wilson • We constructed road pavement Road in Acacia Gardens, Doonside • We adopted New Section 94 at Acacia Gardens, Arndell Park, Crescent in Blacktown and Kildare Contributions Plan No. 24 – Blacktown, Bidwill, Colebee, Road in Doonside. Schofields Precinct on 13 May 2015. Doonside, Glenwood, Hebersham, • We finished the creek rehabilitation • We conducted our biannual Huntingwood, Kellyville Ridge, Kings of Breakfast Creek Main Branch developers’ forum as part of our Park, Lalor Park, Lethbridge Park, in Blacktown. engagement with key stakeholders Marayong, Minchinbury, Mount in the delivery of new housing, • We finished building cycleways Druitt, Parklea, Plumpton, Prospect, at Cross Street in Doonside subdivision and development in Rooty Hill, Schofields, Seven Hills, Blacktown City. and at Stanhope Parkway in Shalvey, Toongabbie and Whalan. Stanhope Gardens. • We finalised and exhibited the • We resurfaced road pavement at • We reconstructed pavements at former Ashlar Golf Course Arndell Park, Blacktown, Bidwill, Planning Agreement between Blackett, Dean Park, Emerton, Dharruk, Dean Park, Doonside, Hebersham, Lalor Park, Marayong, Council and Australand Residential Hassall Grove, Hebersham, Kings Developments. The agreement Prospect, Seven Hills, Shalvey, Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Tregear, Whalan and Willmot. provides for Australand to Lethbridge Park, Marayong, contribute to development through Minchinbury, Mount Druitt, works‑in‑kind that meet the Plumpton, Prospect, Quakers Hill, demand for public infrastructure Rooty Hill, Seven Hills, Shalvey, resulting from the construction Tregear, Whalan and Willmot. of up to 850 dwellings.

HOUSING THAT MEETS OUR GROWING COMMUNITY’S NEEDS

28 UPGRADES TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES • We finished refurbishing Emerton Leisure Centre and Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope.

TRIGGER PROJECT – ASSET MANAGEMENT AND RENEWAL Council’s funding strategy for asset management and renewal was finalised in February 2014 after extensive community consultation. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal approved Council’s application for a special rate variation to fund the majority of the extra expenditure. Council also reduced its capital and operational expenses by $3 million a year. In the 2014–15 budget, we allocated an extra $8.557 million for infrastructure renewal spending, of which $5.557 million was funded from the special rate variation. • $5.5 million for roads and transport • $1.3 million for community buildings • $1.8 million for parks, reserves and sports fields • $1.4 million for Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney and local aquatic and leisure centres. In December 2014, following a strategic forum on key city priorities, we adopted a plan to fund an additional $12.3 million of asset renewal works in 2014–15. This will reduce the infrastructure renewal backlog to less than $60 million by 30 June 2015.

INVESTING IN TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS

29 ANZAC DAY 2015 MARKED 100 YEARS SINCE THE GALLIPOLI LANDINGS, A FATEFUL EVENT THAT SHATTERED AUSTRALIA’S INNOCENCE AND BROUGHT HOME THE TRAGEDY OF WAR.

This year, Council – supported by a Another monument commemorates $26,000 federal government grant – the Coo-ee March, which stopped at was honoured to coordinate the Anzac Colyton in 1915 to attract new recruits Centenary Walk project. Set within the to the war effort. peaceful surrounds of Mount Druitt The monuments complement the Remembrance Gardens, the Walk is a existing honour roll that lists every fitting memorial to the local soldiers Mount Druitt soldier who fought in who served in World War I. World War I. Mature trees add to the The Anzac Centenary Walk was opened gardens’ tranquillity, and signs have on 22 April at The Manse, home of the been erected to encourage passers-by Mount Druitt Historical Society, which to pay their respects. tirelessly contributed to the project. As Blacktown City develops and the Attending the opening were families community grows stronger and more of the soldiers featured in the diverse, it is important to look not only Centenary Walk. Each spoke about to the future, but also reflect on the their family pride. area’s past. Council will work with local schools to encourage more children The Walk features 5 monuments to visit the site and learn about the displaying poignant images and stories Anzacs’ sacrifices. with a local connection to World War I. They include the story of James Weir, Sincere thanks to the Mount Druitt who lied about his age and joined the Historical Society, Mount Druitt British Territorial Army in 1913 aged 11, Chamber of Commerce, Colyton Public before setting sail for the war in Egypt School, Penrith City Council, Gilgandra three years later. The Weir family later Museum and Historical Society, and settled in Mount Druitt. the Rooty Hill and St Marys RSL sub‑branches. All these organisations Another story featured is that of worked closely with Council to Stephen Shadlow, who was born in discover the stories featured on St Marys and killed at Gallipoli on the Centenary Walk. 29 April 1915. Also featured is Rooty Hill sheep shearer Owen Wallace Mount Druitt Remembrance Gardens Baker, who died on the battlefield in is located on Ropes Creek Road, France in 1917. Mount Druitt.

30 EVENT ANZAC CENTENARY WALK

31 A SPORTING AND ACTIVE CITY PROGRESS OF DELIVERY PROGRAM 2013–17

COUNCIL AIMS TO STRENGTHEN OUR POSITION AS THE RECOGNISED SPORTING CAPITAL OF WESTERN SYDNEY BY DEVELOPING WORLD-CLASS VENUES AND EVENTS, AND PROMOTING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN A HEALTHY AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.

• Blacktown Aquatic Centre was a HOSTING MAJOR finalist in the Local Business Awards TRIGGER PROJECT – SPORTING EVENTS – Fitness Services category. BLACKTOWN MOTOR • Blacktown International Sportspark • Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope SPORT PRECINCT hosted 3 ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 received its 11 millionth customer. Council is considering significantly warm-up matches: Pakistan versus • Waterworld Central, Australia’s only boosting promotion of local motor Bangladesh, Scotland versus Ireland inflatable waterpark, operated at sports events in a bid to attract more and Bangladesh versus Ireland. Blacktown International Sportspark visitors. Over the next financial year, • The Sportspark also hosted the Sydney attracting more than we will look at aligning the local 14th annual Softball Australia 10,000 visitors. motor sports calendar with other International Friendship Series, in major sporting events to maximise which Australian teams competed tourist activity. against visiting teams from the US TRIGGER PROJECT and New Zealand. – BLACKTOWN The Greater Blacktown Business Chamber has designed a proposal INTERNATIONAL PROMOTING COMMUNITY to host a future business expo SPORTSPARK SYDNEY at the Blacktown motor sports FITNESS precinct. This would help drive Considerable progress was made on valuable corporate opportunities • The inaugural Blacktown City the Blacktown International Sportspark to Blacktown City. Running Festival was held on Sydney Masterplan in 2014–15. 27 July 2014, which combined Council is also consulting with the Cities Marathon and Festival Council worked closely with the Sydney Dragway – another important Fun Run. About 900 competitors Western Sydney Parklands Trust to stakeholder in the City – to discuss registered across 6 events. develop a joint master plan for the how we can cross-promote its facility northern sector of the parklands. and cooperate on new events and • Emerton Leisure Centre hosted the The Western Sydney Wanderers and product opportunities. Happiness Cycle run on 10 November Blacktown District Soccer Football 2014. More than 300 local children Association were also consulted and received a free bicycle, helmet the Blacktown Venue Management and light. They also participated in board endorsed the master plan in July. workshops about road safety, as well as building and maintaining Council has made 2 submissions to bicycles. The event was supported the NSW Government to try to secure by Coca Cola, 4 local agencies and continued funding for Sportspark, a community volunteers. 2000 Sydney Olympics legacy venue. An application for $250,000 out of the Government’s Strategic Fund was unsuccessful, and it is still to advise whether the park will continue to receive Olympic legacy funding.

32 EVENT INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COMES TO BLACKTOWN

BLACKTOWN CITY IS THE PROUD HOME OF CRICKET IN WESTERN SYDNEY. IN 2015, THE WORLD SAT UP AND TOOK NOTE.

In February, Blacktown International Just as importantly, Blacktown Sportspark Sydney was selected to host International Sportspark Sydney has 3 warm-up fixtures for the ICC Cricket enjoyed a partnership with Cricket NSW World Cup 2015. since 2009 and is widely acclaimed as the premier elite-level cricket facility The matches featured were Pakistan in Western Sydney. The venue has versus Bangladesh (9 February), hosted Sheffield Shield and Women’s Ireland versus Scotland (10 February) National Cricket League matches. and Bangladesh versus Ireland Its attractions include a high-quality (12 February). playing surface, dressing rooms, Hordes of local cricket fans grabbed grandstand seating, and indoor and the chance to see some of the world’s outdoor practice wickets. best players and teams in advance Other international teams, such of the sport’s most prestigious as the West Indies and Sri Lanka, event. A buoyant crowd of more than made a beeline for Blacktown to take 6,000 people attended the opening advantage of these facilities in the lead game, in which Pakistan chased up to the 2015 World Cup. down Bangladesh’s total of 246. (Both teams would later make the Adding to the excitement for local fans, World Cup quarter-finals). the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy was placed on display. A special luncheon Contributing to a fun, family-friendly was also held to coincide with the atmosphere, matches were ticketed cricket matches, bringing together but free of charge. Best of all, Western leading Blacktown City business and Sydney cricket fans were treated community stakeholders. to world-class action in their own backyard, and spared the long trek and The future looks bright for Blacktown high prices of attending a game at the International Sportspark Sydney, which Sydney Cricket Ground. is already home to athletics, AFL, world-class baseball and softball, Hosting international cricket matches and of course, the Western Sydney was a tremendous coup for Blacktown, Wanderers FC. giving the City considerable exposure. Yet the honour was only a matter of The venue may have hosted the World time – cricket has the ability to unite Cup cricket warm-up matches this people from many backgrounds and time, but perhaps the next time the cultures, making it a perfect fit for a tournament comes Down Under, we diverse city like ours. might just be part of the main event.

33 A LEADING CITY PROGRESS OF DELIVERY PROGRAM 2013–17

COUNCIL AIMS TO PROMOTE A SHARED VISION FOR THE CITY AND ITS COMMUNITY THAT UNDERPINS GOVERNANCE, CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE STANDARDS.

STRONG FINANCIAL SUPPORTING OUR TRIGGER PROJECT – OUTLOOK WORKFORCE PROMOTING THE CITY: • We adopted the 2015–16 budget • The NSW Industrial Relations MARKETING, BRANDING at Council’s ordinary meeting on Commission formally approved 17 June 2015. our 2015 Enterprise Agreement. AND COMMUNITY • At $502 million, Council’s 2015–16 This agreement will operate for ENGAGEMENT 3 years and represents a significant budget its set to be its biggest In September 2014, Council engaged ever. We propose to spend a record achievement for Council, its staff and unions. an external marketing and brand $95 million on capital works and expert to devise a fresh Blacktown City asset renewal. • We have employed 8 business brand and logo that will enjoy longevity • Our 2015 budget launch was administration trainees, 6 and appropriately reflect the unique attended by representatives of apprentices and a graduate design character of the local community. 68 local businesses. This event engineer since the start of 2015. Extensive interviews were conducted drew impressive region-wide media • We have provided work experience with Councillors, staff members, coverage about the scale of our opportunities for 235 students. business and community leaders and budget and extent of capital spending local residents. The project is subject on roads to support business activity. to future Council reports. A new style guide manual has been developed to ensure consistency of tone and language across Council publications. Council is undertaking extensive community engagement and the results of these consultations are being incorporated as Council considers future strategies and projects, most notably the 2016 Social Plan.

34 35 ACHIEVEMENT BLACKTOWN SHOWGROUND WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

4 KEY TO 17 NEW PLAY COUNCIL’S 2025 HECTARES OF AREAS FOR VISION PLANS FAMILY SPACE ALL AGES

36 LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE ALREADY GIVEN AN ENTHUSIASTIC THUMBS UP TO THE PLAYGROUND FACILITIES AT THE REVAMPED BLACKTOWN SHOWGROUND. NOW, INDUSTRY EXPERTS AGREE.

Parks and Leisure Australia, the Council first identified the national peak industry association, has redevelopment of the Showground in recognised Council for delivering an its Vision 2025 document. The aim was outstanding community play facility. to create a stunning green showcase for the City and a lively cultural, It awarded Council the prestigious entertainment and community precinct Playspace Award for Excellence for with connections to transport and projects worth more than $1 million, residential areas. praising its creation of an ‘open, accessible green park in a large Today, the Showground is a place where populated city’. people of all ages can jog, cycle, play sports, enjoy picnics and barbecues, The iconic 17-hectare Blacktown or simply find a quiet area to read Showground contains a cluster of four and reflect. much-loved playground spaces for people of different ages and abilities. We created new and exciting water Completed in May 2013 as part of the features, both in the play spaces and $16 million, stage one redevelopment by introducing a sustainable wetland. of the Showground, they include: This followed very strong feedback • a junior playground (for children aged from Blacktown City residents who 2–8) with an activity unit, swings, were eager for respite and refreshing stepping stones, rotating ball and environments to enjoy during timber balance beams hot weather. • a senior playground (for children The Parks and Leisure award is aged 8–12) with a cableway, timber fitting recognition of everyone who balance beams and challenging works so hard to make our facilities climbing opportunities great – including architects, builders, landscapers and maintenance staff. • a splash pad featuring a special toddlers’ area, ground sprays, water Most of all, it is a tribute to the tunnel and interactive sound features Blacktown City community, which • a low water-use playground featuring told Council exactly what it wanted: a a water maze made from concrete versatile play space that would inspire and river pebbles. children for generations to come. In recognising the play spaces at Blacktown Showground, Parks and Leisure Australia highly rated the quality of the design and construction, creativity and innovation, cost- effectiveness, integration with surrounding environment, and social sustainability. The peak body also recognised Council’s extensive community consultation, and the strong public satisfaction with the facilities.

37 LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

38 AMOUNT OF RATES AND CHARGES WRITTEN OFF

RATES AND CHARGES WRITTEN OFF

TYPE VALUE

Pensioner rates abandoned under section 575 of the LGA 1993 $2,546,242.65

Pensioner rates abandoned under section 582 of the LGA 1993 $1,263,931.20

Pensioner garbage charges abandoned under section 575 of the LGA 1993 $996,212.65

Supplementary rates abandoned $4,208,352.13

Non-rateable properties $161,753.65

Ordinary rates abandoned $156,478.73

Extra charges abandoned $17,379.98

Legal costs abandoned $18,545.32

Waste management and sanitary charges written off $335,471.92

Total $9,704,368.23

Note: Waste management and sanitary It is compulsory that Council reduce (write off) charges have been written off because: rates as prescribed by section 575 of the Local • a request was made to reduce Government Act 1993. services to the property Rates written off under section 582 of the Local Government Act 1993 are not a compulsory • the property was unoccupied write off, but are in accordance with Council’s • a pensioner has exchanged a large policy for rates applicable to pensioners. bin for a small bin Rates are initially levied but not served on • charges have been written off and properties awaiting split valuation. Upon receipt will be levied again at a later date of separate values from the Valuer-General, the original rate levies are abandoned and rates are • the charges were raised in error. levied and served on the new properties.

39 DETAILS OF CONTRACTS EXCEEDING $150,000

CONTRACTS AWARDED EXCEEDING $150,000 Council awarded the following lump sum contracts exceeding $150,000 between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015.

CONTRACTOR CONTRACT REF. DESCRIPTION OF WORKS VALUE

Chesterton International (NSW) 29/2013 Property management services $242,193.60 Pty Ltd

The Trustee for Artifex 22/2014 Project management services $545,600.00 Management Unit Trust

Fantastic Services Pty Ltd 8/2014 Cleaning of Council buildings $2,454,990.00

Aries Cleaning Services Pty Ltd 8/2014 Cleaning of Council buildings $2,931,138.00

Westbury Constructions Pty Ltd 25/2014 Construction of shelter structure – Grantham Heritage $141,768.00 Park, Seven Hills Road South, Seven Hills

Mondo Pacific Pty Ltd 14/1016 Athletics track at Blacktown International Sportspark $675,000.00

Carfax Commercial 32/2014 Conservation works – Woodstock, Hobson Place, $1,677,870.00 Constructions Pty Ltd Plumpton

Haste Control Service 1/2014 Security system installation and maintenance $249,494.25

ECS International & Security 1/2014 Crowd control services $142,837.20 Investigations Pty Ltd

Southern Cross Protection 1/2014 Static guards, patrol services, alarm services $716,012.22 Pty Ltd

Statewide Civil Pty Ltd 29/2014 Construction of Blacktown Tennis Centre and indoor court $15,065,081.00 extension at Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope Gardens

GreenMoney 23/2014 Community recycling incentive scheme $408,540.00

Ryalex Security 36/2014 Installation of access control $59,755.00

Australian Security Technology 37/2014 Electronic key management system $177,203.00 Pty Ltd

Independent Locksmiths & 38/2014 CCTV and monitoring services $248,032.00 Security Pty Ltd

Elton Consulting Group Pty Ltd 3/2015 Riverstone Town Centre masterplan $254,545.00

Dezign Interiors 13/2015 Office refurbishment at 7 Florence St, Oakhurst $484,719.00

Sydney Truck Centre 1/2015 Side-loading waste compaction vehicle $386,920.00

40 SCHEDULE OF RATES CONTRACTS During the year, Council also paid for a number of Schedule of Rates Contracts, where services were provided as and when required at the contracted rate. The total value of some of these contracts are expected to exceed $150,000 over their life.

CONTRACTOR CONTRACT DESCRIPTION OF WORKS VALUE REF.

Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd 7/2014 Asphaltic concrete surfacing of roads Schedule of Rates

Bitupave T/As NSW 7/2014 Asphaltic concrete surfacing of roads Schedule of Rates Boral Asphalt

Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd 7/2014 Asphaltic concrete surfacing of roads Schedule of Rates

Bernipave Pty Ltd 7/2014 Asphaltic concrete surfacing of roads Schedule of Rates

State Asphalt Services Pty Ltd 7/2014 Asphaltic concrete surfacing of roads Schedule of Rates

Coca Cola Amatil (NSW) Ltd 15/2014 Supply of soft beverages Schedule of Rates

City of Ryde Council 19/2014 Supply of base and sub-base (recycled materials) for Schedule of Rates road pavements

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd 19/2014 Supply of base and sub-base (recycled materials) for Schedule of Rates road pavements

Concrete Recyclers Group P/L T/ 19/2014 Supply of base and sub-base (recycled materials) for Schedule of Rates As Crusher Rentals road pavements

Australasian Safety Services 16/2014 Provision of work health and safety services Schedule of Rates

OHS Services Australia P/L T/As 16/2014 Provision of work health and safety services Schedule of Rates Minerva Consulting Group

OSHEM Solutions Pty Ltd 16/2014 Work health and safety services Schedule of Rates

Safety Australia Group 16/2014 Work health and safety services Schedule of Rates

SafetyWorks Group Pty Ltd 16/2014 Work health and safety services Schedule of Rates

Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd 6/2014 Stabilisation of road pavements Schedule of Rates

Roadworx Surfacing Pty Ltd 6/2014 Stabilisation of road pavements Schedule of Rates

Hills District Mercantile Pty Ltd 12/2014 Debt recovery services Schedule of Rates

All Pavement Solutions Pty Ltd 4/2014 Bitumen sealing of roads Schedule of Rates

SRS Roads Pty Ltd 10/2014 Surface treatment of roads (rejuvenation and crack sealing) Schedule of Rates

Brooks NSW Pty Ltd 2/2014 Sportsfield irrigation and drainage Schedule of Rates

The Green Horticultural Group 2/2014 Sportsfield irrigation and drainage Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

Total Irrigation Designers 2/2014 Sportsfield irrigation and drainage Schedule of Rates

Crest Air Conditioning 26/2014 Air conditioning maintenance Schedule of Rates

41 DETAILS OF CONTRACTS EXCEEDING $150,000

CONTRACTOR CONTRACT DESCRIPTION OF WORKS VALUE REF.

Grosvenor Engineering Group 26/2014 Air conditioning maintenance Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

Hirotec Maintenance Pty Ltd 26/2014 Air conditioning maintenance Schedule of Rates

Landpartners Limited 28/2014 Supplier panel – project management and surveying Schedule of Rates services

Brown Consulting (NSW) Pty Ltd 28/2014 Supplier panel – project management and surveying Schedule of Rates services

Cardno (NSW/ACT) Pty Ltd 28/2014 Supplier panel – project management and surveying Schedule of Rates services

Craig & Rhodes Pty Ltd 28/2014 Supplier panel – project management and surveying Schedule of Rates services

RPS Australia East Pty Ltd 28/2014 Supplier panel – project management and surveying Schedule of Rates services

Combined Traffic Management 24/2014 Pavement marking Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

Allstate Linemarking Services 24/2014 Pavement marking Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

Houghton and Meredith Pty Ltd 5/2014 Construction of road and drain Schedule of Rates

Jay and Lel Civil Contractors 5/2014 Construction of road and drain Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

J & G Excavations & Asphalting 5/2014 Construction of road and drain Schedule of Rates (NSW) Pty Ltd

Devcon Civil Pty Ltd 5/2014 Construction of road and drain Schedule of Rates

Staples Australia Pty Ltd 27/2014 Provision of toner cartridges and accessories Schedule of Rates

Mediaform Computer Supplies 27/2014 Provision of toner cartridges and accessories Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

Tony and Jane Grima 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates

Houghton and Meredith Pty Ltd 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates

Lawrence Grima 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates

Raygal Pty Ltd 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates

Envirocivil NSW Pty Ltd 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates

Canterbury Bankstown Bobcat 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates and Tipper Hire Pty Ltd

Spiteri Haulage Company 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

42 CONTRACTOR CONTRACT DESCRIPTION OF WORKS VALUE REF.

Aquarius Transport Group 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

E & B Tipper Hire Pty Ltd 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates

Regal Excavations Pty Ltd 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates

AMA Plant Hire 5/2015 Truck hire Schedule of Rates

Amack Earthmovers 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Coates Hire Operations Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Conplant Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

William J and Kerry A Grima 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Tony and Jane Grima 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Houghton and Meredith Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Jay and Lel Civil Contractors 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

Kennards Hire Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Lawrence Grima 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

O & J Said Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Level-N-Load Plant Hire 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Envirocivil NSW Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

LJ Follington Constructions 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

Dig It Up 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Aquarius Transport Group 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

Regal Excavations Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

AMA Plant Hire 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Azbuild Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Hydrodig Pty Ltd 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates

Watergrasshill Contracting 6/2015 Plant hire Schedule of Rates Pty Ltd

43 COMPETITIVE NEUTRALITY

To comply with national competition Council uses activity-based A complaints-handling mechanism policy, Council applies the principles of costing methodologies and a tax- that complies with the NSW Local competitive neutrality to its nominated equivalent regime to support true Government Act and the national Category 1 and Category 2 business costing reporting and pricing of its competition policy is also in place. activities, which include: business activities. Council did not receive any competitive The details of revenues, expenses and neutrality complaints during 2014–15. assets held for each business activity CATEGORY 1 Council regards the national are outlined in the Special Purpose • Land development competition policy as a management Financial Reports starting on page 200 tool to help deliver high-quality • Deregulated approvals of this Annual Report. service at the best price. As such, Council’s land development business Council will continue to employ a CATEGORY 2 activity performed in accordance with variety of competitive techniques to • Commercial waste Council’s projected 2014–15 strategy. ensure this occurs. • Property management

44 SUMMARY OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

LOCAL COURT MATTERS

NUMBER OFFENCE RESULT PENALTY OF COURT MATTERS

7 Disobey No Stopping sign Guilty $1,180.00

3 Disobey No Stopping sign Section 10

2 Disobey No Stopping sign – school zone Guilty $700.00

4 Disobey No Stopping sign – school zone Section 10

1 Disobey No Stopping sign – school zone Withdrawn

1 Double Parking Guilty $242.00

2 Double Parking Section 10

1 Double Parking – school zone Section 10

1 Disobey No Parking sign Guilty $100.00

1 Disobey No Parking sign Withdrawn

1 Not angle park as indicated Guilty $100.00

1 Not angle park as indicated Section 10

1 Not parallel park in direction of travel Section 10

1 Not park wholly within bay Section 10

1 Not stand vehicle in marked parking space Section 10

1 Park continuously for longer than permitted Guilty $100.00

6 Stop in parking area for disabled without permit Guilty $2,594.00

4 Stop in parking area for disabled without permit Section 10

1 Stop heavy/long vehicle longer than allowed Guilty $400.00

2 Stop heavy/long vehicle longer than allowed Section 10

2 Stop in bus zone – school zone Guilty $400.00

3 Stop in bus zone – school zone Section 10

1 Stop in bus zone – school zone Withdrawn

1 Stop in loading zone Guilty $169.00

2 Stop in loading zone Section 10

1 Stop in mail zone Guilty $100.00

2 Stop in taxi zone Section 10

45 SUMMARY OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

NUMBER OFFENCE RESULT PENALTY OF COURT MATTERS

2 Stop on/near pedestrian crossing Guilty $604.00

1 Stop on/near children’s crossing – school zone Guilty $250.00

2 Stop on path/strip in built up area Guilty $183.00

1 Stop on path/strip in built up area Withdrawn

2 Stop on path/strip in built up area – school zone Guilty $200.00

1 Stop on/across driveway/other access to land Guilty $150.00

1 Stop within 10 metres of intersection Guilty $242.00

1 Stop within 10 metres of intersection Section 10

TOTAL 66 TOTAL $7,714.00

A Section 10 under the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 is when the offender is found guilty but the conviction is not recorded i.e. the court orders that the charge can be dismissed, orders a good behaviour bond or participation in an intervention program.

46 LAND AND ENVIRONMENT COURT

MATTER EXPENDITURE

Defending appeals in the Land and Environment Court of NSW against planning decisions of Council

RHD Developments – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a subdivision at Symonds Road, Colebee $5,809.50 HWL Ebsworths Engaged September 2014 Matter settled

Zhinar Architects – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a mixed use commercial and residential $18,898.17 development at Railway Road, Quakers Hill Marsdens Engaged April 2014 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Nirimba Developments – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a pedestrian management plan $575.00 relating to a residential flat building at Nirimba Drive, Quakers Hill Sparke Helmore Engaged February 2012 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of an integrated housing $9,846.68 development at Ropes Crossing Boulevard, Ropes Crossing Bartier Perry Engaged July 2014 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $9,174.97 development at Cornelia Street, Toongabbie Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $10,588.30 development at Lloyd Street, Blacktown Bartier Perry Engaged July 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $12,375.51 development at Richmond Road, Woodcroft Bartier Perry Engaged April 2013 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $9,598.02 development at Irelands Road, Blacktown Bartier Perry Engaged September 2014 Matter settled

47 SUMMARY OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

MATTER EXPENDITURE

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $6,973.33 development at 33 Railway Road, Quakers Hill Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Corrente Designs – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing development at $4,985.50 Derby Street, Mt Druitt HWL Ebsworths Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $20,982.15 development at 91 Newton Road, Blacktown Bartier Perry Engaged December 2013 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a subdivision at $9,297.10 Voysey Close, Quakers Hill Lindsay Taylor Lawyers Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $7,020.00 development at Rooty Hill Road North, Plumpton Marsdens Engaged September 2014 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $3,603.02 development at Leabons Lane, Seven Hills Bartier Perry Engaged January 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $1,773.56 development at Abraham Street, Rooty Hill Bartier Perry Engaged May 2013 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $8,125.85 development at Quakers Road, Marayong Bartier Perry Engaged August 2014 Matter settled

48 MATTER EXPENDITURE

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $7,418.71 development at Hartington Street, Rooty Hill Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a section 96 application at $3,135.16 Fourth Avenue, Blacktown Bartier Perry Engaged September 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $7,861.67 development at Carter Street, Toongabbie Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $9,036.40 development at Doonside Crescent, Doonside Lindsay Taylor Lawyers Engaged August 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $8,752.67 development at Cambridge Street, Blacktown Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $5,320.84 development at Derby Street, Rooty Hill Bartier Perry Engaged July 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $10,398.03 development at Boonderoo Street, Glenwood Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a subdivision at $2,674.51 Burdekin Road, Schofields Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

49 SUMMARY OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

MATTER EXPENDITURE

Highgate Management – Appeal against the deemed refusal of bulk earthworks at $155,826.48 Riverstone Parade, Riverstone Sparke Helmore Engaged May 2014 Matter finalised – Appeal dismissed

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a subdivision at $4,090.17 Fyfe Road, Kellyville Ridge Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $21,204.85 development at Fyfe Road, Kellyville Ridge Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Halabi – Appeal against the deemed refusal of an affordable housing development at $20,472.82 Cobham Street, Kings Park Sparke Helmore Engaged June 2014 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $9,383.27 development at Rota Place, Kings Park Lindsay Taylor Lawyers Engaged August 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $9,537.00 development at Garfield Road East, Riverstone Lindsay Taylor Lawyers Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $6,633.40 development at Ellam Drive, Seven Hills Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged August 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $8,385.40 development at Blacktown Road, Prospect Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged August 2014 Matter settled

50 MATTER EXPENDITURE

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a residential flat building at $22,393.35 Pelican Road, Schofields Lindsay Taylor Lawyers Engaged November 2014 Matter settled

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $12,438.20 development at Booreea Street, Blacktown Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged July 2014 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Western Grammar School – Appeal against the deemed refusal of extensions to a school at $27,644.57 Cannery Road, Plumpton Marsdens Engaged March 2014 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of an integrated housing $894.16 development at Burrowes Grove, Dean Park Bartier Perry Engaged July 2013 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $2,465.34 development at Meurants Lane, Glenwood Bartier Perry Engaged May 2014 Matter settled

Falamaki – Appeal against the deemed refusal of an affordable rental housing development at $99.00 Petunia Street, Marayong Sparke Helmore Engaged December 2013 Matter discontinued by applicant

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $614.66 development at Victoria Street, Rooty Hill Bartier Perry Engaged May 2013 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $739.67 development at Blenheim Avenue, Rooty Hill Bartier Perry Engaged May 2013 Matter finalised – Appeal upheld

51 SUMMARY OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

MATTER EXPENDITURE

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing $1,986.50 development at Fifth Avenue, Blacktown Bartier Perry Engaged December 2013 Matter settled

Jasarevic – Appeal against the refusal of a dual occupancy and subdivision at $11,096.74 Lowana Crescent, Seven Hills Lindsay Taylor Lawyers Engaged March 2014 Matter settled

Kuhni – Appeal against the refusal of a dual occupancy at Montrose Street, Quakers Hill $1,166.60 Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged October 2012 Matter settled

Winton Catalina – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a subdivision at Schofields Road, Schofields $8,360.70 Sparke Helmore Engaged March 2015 Matter settled

Zammit – Appeal against the deemed refusal of a medium density housing development at 65-67 $1,060.33 Allawah Street, Blacktown Bartier Perry Engaged May 2015 Matter ongoing

Universal Property Group – Appeal against the deemed refusal of an integrated housing $1,415.33 development at lot 13 Ropes Crossing Boulevarde, Ropes Crossing Bartier Perry Engaged July 2012 Matter not finalised

Total $507,980.92

52 MATTER EXPENDITURE

Taking action in the Land and Environment Court of NSW against breaches of planning law

The Penetrators P/L – Proceedings regarding unauthorised waste facility at Melbourne Road, $7,611.53 Riverstone Lindsay Taylor Lawyers Engaged June 2013 Matter ongoing

The Penetrators P/L – Proceedings regarding unauthorised waste facility at Hamilton Street, $13,823.37 Vineyard Lindsay Taylor Lawyers Engaged June 2013 Matter ongoing

Martelli – Proceedings regarding an unauthorised residential development at Richmond Road, $22,403.53 Dean Park Marsdens Engaged December 2013 Matter ongoing

1/115-117 Best Road – Action against unauthorised brothel at 1/115–117 Best Road, Seven Hills $6,574.42 Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged April 2013 Matter finalised – activity ceased

Wilkie – Proceedings regarding unauthorised dwelling at Robert Street, Riverstone $28,052.30 Sparke Helmore Engaged March 2014 Matter ongoing

Dikha – Proceedings regarding Construction Certificate at 7 Cooper Street, Blacktown $24,030.93 Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged September 2014 Matter ongoing

Pearce – Proceedings regarding the removal of rubbish and overgrown vegetation at Piccadilly $1,773.49 Street, Riverstone Bartier Parry Engaged August 2011 Matter ongoing

11/4 Solander Road – Proceedings regarding unauthorised brothel at 11/4 Solander Road, Kings $958.50 Langley Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged November 2014 Matter ongoing

Universal Property Group – Proceedings regarding use of cranes at Dunlop Avenue, Ropes Crossing $1,542.50 Bartier Perry Engaged September 2014 Matter ongoing

53 SUMMARY OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

MATTER EXPENDITURE

6/138 Best Road – Action against unauthorised brothel at 6/138 Best Road, Seven Hills $6,915.63 Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged April 2013 Matter finalised – activity ceased

Universal Property Group – Proceedings regarding use of cranes at Best Road, Seven Hills $3,952.06 Bartier Perry Engaged September 2014 Matter ongoing

Horizon Projects – Proceedings regarding use of cranes at Main Street, Blacktown $5,776.11 Bartier Perry Engaged September 2014 Matter ongoing

Micallef – Action against an unauthorised carport at 37 Maloney Street, Blacktown $2,023.70 Houston Dearn O'Connor Engaged January 2015 Matter settled

Total $125,723.39

Miscellaneous legal matters and advices

Lindsay Taylor Lawyers $2,556.00

Houston Dearn O'Connor $3,486.54

Sparke Helmore $2,229.70

Marsdens $1,571.50

HWL Ebsworth $1,750.00

Total $11,593.74

Net Costs $645,165.00

54 CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER SECTION 356

CATEGORY TOTAL

Local bands $2,500

Cultural $1,500

Education $49,700

Historical $13,581

Service clubs $10,000

Sporting $98,800

Youth $500

Scouts, guides, Air League $995

Various community groups $16,300

Total $193,876

55 PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES TO WHICH COUNCIL WAS A PARTY

During the financial year, Council was • Western Sydney Alliance (Group a member of the following entities. of Councils opposed to a second Sydney airport, expected to be • Australian Local Government located at Badgerys Creek) Nuclear Free Zones and Toxic Industry Secretariat • Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) • Blacktown Emerging Communities Action Plan (BECAP) • Westpool and United Insurance Pools insurance provider • Clubs NSW community development support expenditure committee • Blacktown Community Services Conference, comprising SydWest • Floodplains Management Multicultural Services Inc, Holy Authority, NSW Family Services and Community • Hawkesbury River County Council Resources Network. • Lethbridge Park Food Kitchen in conjunction with Housing NSW, Skillpower, Food Buster and Wise Employment • NSW Local Government Association • Parramatta River Catchment Group • Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities

BLACKTOWN CITY INFORMATION CENTRE

56 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT PLAN

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT HUMAN RESOURCES The Learning and Development department continued to focus on The People and Culture OPPORTUNITIES compliance training and professional department continues to deliver development opportunities for staff We are committed to ensuring all a variety of services to support through in-house and on-site courses. employees have equal access to Council’s workforce. available opportunities across the Over the financial year, 2,407 staff This financial year, we have organisation, including learning members attended courses in a total successfully developed and and development, promotion of 10,311 hours of course delivery. implemented our online recruitment and recruitment. Training resources continue to be system. This has seen a number of dedicated to revising our safety We work hard to provide a workplace positive benefits, including a more training packages. free of discrimination and to foster a contemporary service in which an culture based on respect. We promote easier online application process We have also designed and delivered our values of teamwork, customer replaced paper applications. a tailored leadership development focus, innovation and commitment program, which includes the corporate By implementing our strategies, we to safety. Leadership Capability Framework for continue to deliver procedures that our senior management. We also look to support groups that support staff and management in may have suffered discrimination in their work. the past, including women, Aboriginal AUDIT COMMITTEE and Torres Strait Islander people, We have renewed our Enterprise people with disability and people Bargaining Agreement for another Blacktown City Council’s Audit from culturally and linguistically three years. As the largest Council Committee provides independent diverse backgrounds. in NSW it is also the largest such assurance and assistance on risk agreement in the state, worth management, governance and external Council continues to offer a variety $400 million over four years. reporting responsibilities. of flexible working conditions for its employees, including employees who Staff consultation and feedback The committee’s membership includes have returned from parental leave, who from our last employee survey an independent Chair, 3 independent have long-term caring responsibilities have resulted in a definition of our members and one Councillor and staff members who may require organisational values. These are nominated by Council. The Audit workplace adjustments. definitions of teamwork, customer Committee members are: focus, innovation and commitment • Terry McCormack, retired Specific equal employment opportunity to safety. These values underpin our General Manager (EEO) initiatives this financial culture and the way we work. year included: • Dr Philip Ross, Associate Professor, We welcomed more than 250 new School of Accounting, University • developing key organisational employees this financial year, across a of Western Sydney procedures around respectful wide variety of roles and classifications. behaviour and supporting family • Peter McLean, Chief Executive Importantly, the number of women as and domestic violence victims Officer, Keep Australia a percentage of new employees rose Beautiful NSW • continuing support for the EEO 2% this year to 58% of all new staff, committee as it reviews our and women make up more than 53% • Alan Travers, retired EEO Management Plan of our total workforce. General Manager (appointed 1 September 2014) • hosting the ‘R U OK Day’ series of events LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT • Councillor Dr Russell Dickens OAM. • hosting White Ribbon Day events Council remains committed to providing The Audit Committee met 6 times in across our facilities career development opportunities the 2014–15 financial year to review • promoting Council’s flexible work for younger members of the workforce. Council’s audited financial statements conditions for parents returning In 2014–15, Council employed and the internal audit program. The to work, which continues to be 34 apprentices and 16 trainees. following Internal Audit reports were tabled to the Committee: well used Maintaining its commitment to • scoping opportunities to formalise providing workplace learning • Fraud and Corruption Risk an identified Aboriginal and Torres opportunities to students, Council Assessment Strait Islander traineeship position. hosted more than 250 work experience • Blacktown Venue Management placements from local high schools, • Leisure and Aquatic Centres universities and TAFE institutions • Outstanding Debtors – during the year. Dennis Johnson Library

57 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT PLAN

• Asset Management Processes The WHS Management System is 6. Health planning and injury • Section 94 Revenue and Expenditure program based and put in place with management – We conduct health 38 Standard Operating Procedures. assessments to identify where • Childcare Operations We manage WHS issues effectively, hazardous exposures may occur and • Investments and Cash Management efficiently and ethically to look after our put in place control measures to • Records Management people and the community. eliminate or reduce the identified health effects. We promote our workers’ • Management Reporting We have 9 WHS system drivers: health and wellbeing through health and Budgeting 1. Policy and planning – We take a expos and immunisation programs. • Delegations planned approach to developing and 7. Emergency planning and putting in place systems. • Commercial Leases and response – We assess the likelihood Property Management 2. Task analysis – We know tasks must of emergencies and put in place • Business Continuity Management be done safely and without harming our measures to prevent or prepare for • Companion Animals Management workers, property or the environment. any such events. We frequently review our processes to 8. System failure analysis – We find develop safe systems of work. WORK HEALTH out why failures occur and identify 3. Education and training – We give their causes to improve our safety AND SAFETY our workers information, instruction management systems and processes. and training to make sure they are Our Management team is committed 9. Communication – We consult competent to do their tasks safely. to improving work health and safety our workers and share important (WHS). 4. Hazard identification and risk health and safety information to keep Council develops an annual WHS control – We assess risk in a planned everyone informed about requirements Management Plan to continuously and predetermined manner to prevent under legislation, codes of practice, improve WHS. Our 4 key objectives are: injury and illness. Australian Standards and safety management guidelines. • decreasing the number and severity 5. Design control and purchasing – We of injuries review our processes to address risks We measure our achievements to at the design or pre-purchase stage. improve our systems. • providing a workplace with a positive health and safety culture • maintaining WHS processes • improving WHS legal and self- insurance compliance.

COUNCIL EMPLOYS OVER 1,650 STAFF

58 KPI 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 TARGET IMPROVEMENT ACTIONS

Number of incidents reported 482 402 274 Improving N/A including near misses

Lost time injury frequency 34.26 28.30 28.65 Exceeded N/A rates per million hours worked target (annual target 30)

Lost time injury frequency rates Not 0% 14% Exceeded N/A (10-year target) – aligned to assessed target national strategy (annual target 3% reduction), in comparison to the previous financial year

Average time lost in days 22 18 22 Below target Review and update the injury (target less than 18 days lost management program per claim)

Inspection and testing program 98% 92% 70% Below target Develop enhanced reporting to (target 90% completed) promote escalation

Communication – number of 636 547 420 Exceeded N/A toolbox talks (target no less than target 312 per year)

The percentage of corrective Not 21% 46% Below target Short-term controls were action completion rates with assessed implemented to control hazards. hazard controlled within specified Timeframes were exceeded timeframes for hazards rated to implement permanent medium and high risk (target 75% solutions. completed on time)

Audit program (target 100% 100% 100% 75% Below target Audit program fully completed completed) with final audit occurring one month behind schedule.

SERIOUS INCIDENT SYSTEM REVIEW Council’s commitment to continuous improvement, coupled with effective A workplace fatality occurred this The WHS audits completed this financial consultation with workers and their HSRs, year on a contractor’s construction year include: reflects an ongoing drive to improve WHS site. WorkCover NSW is reviewing • WHS Management System – NSW and provide workers with the opportunity the incident. WorkCover Self Insurer Audit Tool to express their views and contribute to • Managing electrical risks at the resolution of WHS issues. CONSULTATION the workplace As part of our commitment to • Managing risk of plant in the workplace consulting with our staff members and sharing information about WHS • Preventing and responding to issues, we have 14 health and safety workplace bullying and harassment representatives (HSRs) from our • Managing noise and preventing work groups. hearing loss • Demolition and excavation work.

59 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

2014–15 REPORT ON PROGRESS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Council approved the introduction of the stormwater management service charge in 2007, which commenced in the 2007–08 financial year. The current Environmental Stormwater Management Program (ESMP) follows a review in the 2012 financial year. This 5‑year rolling program for 2013–14 to 2017–18 delivers capital works and ensures any new infrastructure is maintained. It also establishes a foundation for future capital and on-ground works and helps Council’s management, strategic and development planning processes. The following table summarises the progress of projects under the program. Please note that the table does not include projects that are due to begin in future financial years. These will be reported in future annual reports.

ACTIVITY WARD ACTIVITY TITLE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION ACTIVITY OUTCOME STATUS FUNDS FUNDS EXPENDED NO. ALLOCATED EXPENDED % 2014–15 2014–15 (INCLUDES ANY UNEXPENDED FUNDS FROM 2013–14)

1 All Stormwater Industrial Two temporary full-time industrial audit officers draw up an inspection program Increase awareness and understanding among small- Ongoing $234,024 $117,358 50 Auditing Program for small- to medium-sized industrial businesses. The program ensures to medium-sized industrial businesses about their businesses are adopting safe and responsible stormwater management responsibilities for managing stormwater and ensuring they practices. This includes regularly reviewing the Industrial Audit Framework don’t pollute our waterways. and funding extra resources such as educational materials.

2 All Stormwater Education One temporary full-time officer regularly reviews and acts on the Stormwater Improve community awareness of stormwater issues and Ongoing $165,407 $85,472 52 Program Education Strategy. This includes funding extra resources such as increase community participation in activities that help create educational materials. healthier local waterways.

3 All Water Quality and Regularly review and conduct water quality and quantity monitoring activities, Monitor water quality and quantity variations associated with Ongoing $321,710 $233,737 73 Quantity Monitoring and where appropriate, fund specific monitoring programs to assess the results long-term changes in waterway health due to catchment land Program or performance of on-ground works. use changes and/or catchment management activities. This data will help ensure sufficient background information is available to make informed catchment management decisions. It will also provide an information resource for the community.

4 All Integrated Water Cycle Temporary employment of an officer where needed to regularly review and act Increase awareness among Council staff and the local Ongoing $136,775 $67,879 50 Management (IWCM) and on the WSUD Capacity Building Program and Implementation Plan. This includes development community and consultants about the principles Water Sensitive Urban establishing a Water Working Group and a Council intranet hub for information and implementation of WSUD – particularly Council’s planning Design (WSUD) Capacity sharing; auditing existing in-house policies, roles and responsibilities to gain provisions – and the assets being acquired through the North Building Program more clarity for Council officers; developing and delivering a technical training West Growth Centre. It will increase the knowledge and program; and developing and delivering a mentoring program so that interested technical skills of Council staff who design, construct and and motivated individuals can work in a supported environment. maintain on-ground WSUD measures, such as bioretention systems. It will also increase the capacity of Council staff and local developers and consultants to comply with the requirements for implementation of WSUD within Council’s current planning controls.

5 4 Blacktown Stormwater Implement a surface stormwater harvesting and reuse scheme at Blacktown Supply 200 megalitres of fit-for-purpose secure water to Practical $3,083,011 $2,521,471 82 Harvesting and International Sportspark and surrounding reserves to supply 200 megalitres of supply Blacktown International Sportspark and surrounding completion of Reuse Scheme fit-for-purpose water that will help conserve potable water supplies. This project reserves. The scheme will help increase awareness about construction has additional funding from Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Stormwater the development and use of alternative water supplies achieved Harvesting and Reuse Grant Program. through practical application. The project will also improve environmental health by integrating WSUD principles into Council’s infrastructure. Potential potable water savings will offset scheme maintenance costs.

60 2014–15 REPORT ON PROGRESS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Council approved the introduction of the stormwater management service charge in 2007, which commenced in the 2007–08 financial year. The current Environmental Stormwater Management Program (ESMP) follows a review in the 2012 financial year. This 5‑year rolling program for 2013–14 to 2017–18 delivers capital works and ensures any new infrastructure is maintained. It also establishes a foundation for future capital and on-ground works and helps Council’s management, strategic and development planning processes. The following table summarises the progress of projects under the program. Please note that the table does not include projects that are due to begin in future financial years. These will be reported in future annual reports.

ACTIVITY WARD ACTIVITY TITLE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION ACTIVITY OUTCOME STATUS FUNDS FUNDS EXPENDED NO. ALLOCATED EXPENDED % 2014–15 2014–15 (INCLUDES ANY UNEXPENDED FUNDS FROM 2013–14)

1 All Stormwater Industrial Two temporary full-time industrial audit officers draw up an inspection program Increase awareness and understanding among small- Ongoing $234,024 $117,358 50 Auditing Program for small- to medium-sized industrial businesses. The program ensures to medium-sized industrial businesses about their businesses are adopting safe and responsible stormwater management responsibilities for managing stormwater and ensuring they practices. This includes regularly reviewing the Industrial Audit Framework don’t pollute our waterways. and funding extra resources such as educational materials.

2 All Stormwater Education One temporary full-time officer regularly reviews and acts on the Stormwater Improve community awareness of stormwater issues and Ongoing $165,407 $85,472 52 Program Education Strategy. This includes funding extra resources such as increase community participation in activities that help create educational materials. healthier local waterways.

3 All Water Quality and Regularly review and conduct water quality and quantity monitoring activities, Monitor water quality and quantity variations associated with Ongoing $321,710 $233,737 73 Quantity Monitoring and where appropriate, fund specific monitoring programs to assess the results long-term changes in waterway health due to catchment land Program or performance of on-ground works. use changes and/or catchment management activities. This data will help ensure sufficient background information is available to make informed catchment management decisions. It will also provide an information resource for the community.

4 All Integrated Water Cycle Temporary employment of an officer where needed to regularly review and act Increase awareness among Council staff and the local Ongoing $136,775 $67,879 50 Management (IWCM) and on the WSUD Capacity Building Program and Implementation Plan. This includes development community and consultants about the principles Water Sensitive Urban establishing a Water Working Group and a Council intranet hub for information and implementation of WSUD – particularly Council’s planning Design (WSUD) Capacity sharing; auditing existing in-house policies, roles and responsibilities to gain provisions – and the assets being acquired through the North Building Program more clarity for Council officers; developing and delivering a technical training West Growth Centre. It will increase the knowledge and program; and developing and delivering a mentoring program so that interested technical skills of Council staff who design, construct and and motivated individuals can work in a supported environment. maintain on-ground WSUD measures, such as bioretention systems. It will also increase the capacity of Council staff and local developers and consultants to comply with the requirements for implementation of WSUD within Council’s current planning controls.

5 4 Blacktown Stormwater Implement a surface stormwater harvesting and reuse scheme at Blacktown Supply 200 megalitres of fit-for-purpose secure water to Practical $3,083,011 $2,521,471 82 Harvesting and International Sportspark and surrounding reserves to supply 200 megalitres of supply Blacktown International Sportspark and surrounding completion of Reuse Scheme fit-for-purpose water that will help conserve potable water supplies. This project reserves. The scheme will help increase awareness about construction has additional funding from Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Stormwater the development and use of alternative water supplies achieved Harvesting and Reuse Grant Program. through practical application. The project will also improve environmental health by integrating WSUD principles into Council’s infrastructure. Potential potable water savings will offset scheme maintenance costs.

61 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

ACTIVITY WARD ACTIVITY TITLE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION ACTIVITY OUTCOME STATUS FUNDS FUNDS EXPENDED NO. ALLOCATED EXPENDED % 2014–15 2014–15 (INCLUDES ANY UNEXPENDED FUNDS FROM 2013–14)

6 All Sediment and rubbish Remove accumulated rubbish in waterways and drainage channels. Help prevent blockages that can cause localised stormwater Ongoing $638,062 $717,249 89 removal from waterways flooding from reduced channel capacity, protect Council’s assets, improve community safety and prevent large sediment loads from being transported downstream, which improves waterway health.

7 2 Lalor Creek bed and Complete construction and a year’s maintenance activities to rehabilitate Protect Council’s assets, improve community safety and Construction $147,293 $126,733 86 bank stabilisation the creek at Troubadour Reserve, Lalor Park. improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and complete fauna and removing weeds and accumulated sediment.

8 All Stormwater quality Maintain water quality treatment measures (excluding wetlands) such as gross Maintain these devices to ensure they prevent or minimise Ongoing $421,654 $410,080 97 improvement pollutant traps, litter traps and booms, bioretention systems, raingardens and pollutants entering local waterways, conserving overall device maintenance tree bioretention pods constructed as part of this program or newly acquired waterway health. (excluding wetlands) by Council.

9 All Wetland maintenance Maintain Eskdale Street and Mitchell Reserve wetlands and any future wetlands Ensure wetlands fulfil their intended function of preventing or Ongoing $148,074 $134,381 91 Council acquires. Activities include general management of the water body, minimising the pollutants entering local waterways, conserving vegetation management and paying costs associated with pumping mechanisms. overall waterway health.

10 All Aquatic and riparian Remove aquatic and riparian weeds from waterways. Eliminate aquatic weeds and associated riparian weeds to Ongoing $50,000 $50,638 101 weed control improve waterway health by allowing native flora and fauna to recolonise.

11 All Integrated Water Cycle Two temporary full-time IWCM & WSUD audit officers produce an inspection Increase awareness and understanding among landowners Ongoing $161,441 $135,079 84 Management (IWCM) program to ensure that privately owned developments maintain their onsite of privately owned developments about their responsibilities and Water Sensitive detention and WSUD measures in accordance with their development consent. for managing and maintaining onsite detention and WSUD Urban Design (WSUD) This includes funding for resources such as educational materials and training measures. This will help minimise the impact of development Auditing Program for landowners. on the health of local waterways.

12 All Water planning and Temporary employment of a full-time catchment management officer to Ensure water management is coordinated and consistent. It will Ongoing $311,148 $115,238 37 project administration undertake water-planning projects and manage on-ground activities and other improve understanding and increase the amount of information program-related projects. This includes the review of the State of the Waterways available, which will help Council and the community to Management Plans to create sub-catchment management plans. These will better manage local waterways and adopt sustainable water provide a holistic overview of water balance; pollutant information; geomorphic management practices. It will help inform management condition of the waterways within the sub-catchment; and community visions for decisions to ensure the needs of each sub-catchment are the sub-catchments. In addition, it will provide linkages to Council’s Biodiversity considered and funding is used to greatest advantage. Strategy, Environmental Education Strategies and Planning Provisions. Once complete, creek and wetland asset management plans and an overarching water strategy, which coordinates all water programs and policies within Council, will be developed.

13 All Maintenance of drainage Maintain drainage basins built under this program or newly acquired by Council. Maintain drainage basins to ensure they fulfil their Ongoing $36,418 $37,595 103 basins intended function.

14 All Participation in research Participate in research programs and regional natural resource management Acquire knowledge and technical skills on current best practice Ongoing $37,164 $8,768 24 programs and regional groups, such as the Hawkesbury Nepean Local Government Advisory Group and for water management activities, and share information natural resource Parramatta River Catchment Group. and resources, which may lead to more efficient project management groups management and delivery.

15 3 Sediment removal Prepare a review of environmental factors, sediment testing and works Ensure William Lawson Wetland fulfils its intended function of Environmental $143,400 $28,189 20 from William Lawson to remove and dispose of the accumulated sediment in William Lawson removing or stopping pollutants and sediments from travelling studies Wetland, Prospect Wetland, Prospect. downstream, improving the health of waterways. completed

62 ACTIVITY WARD ACTIVITY TITLE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION ACTIVITY OUTCOME STATUS FUNDS FUNDS EXPENDED NO. ALLOCATED EXPENDED % 2014–15 2014–15 (INCLUDES ANY UNEXPENDED FUNDS FROM 2013–14)

6 All Sediment and rubbish Remove accumulated rubbish in waterways and drainage channels. Help prevent blockages that can cause localised stormwater Ongoing $638,062 $717,249 89 removal from waterways flooding from reduced channel capacity, protect Council’s assets, improve community safety and prevent large sediment loads from being transported downstream, which improves waterway health.

7 2 Lalor Creek bed and Complete construction and a year’s maintenance activities to rehabilitate Protect Council’s assets, improve community safety and Construction $147,293 $126,733 86 bank stabilisation the creek at Troubadour Reserve, Lalor Park. improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and complete fauna and removing weeds and accumulated sediment.

8 All Stormwater quality Maintain water quality treatment measures (excluding wetlands) such as gross Maintain these devices to ensure they prevent or minimise Ongoing $421,654 $410,080 97 improvement pollutant traps, litter traps and booms, bioretention systems, raingardens and pollutants entering local waterways, conserving overall device maintenance tree bioretention pods constructed as part of this program or newly acquired waterway health. (excluding wetlands) by Council.

9 All Wetland maintenance Maintain Eskdale Street and Mitchell Reserve wetlands and any future wetlands Ensure wetlands fulfil their intended function of preventing or Ongoing $148,074 $134,381 91 Council acquires. Activities include general management of the water body, minimising the pollutants entering local waterways, conserving vegetation management and paying costs associated with pumping mechanisms. overall waterway health.

10 All Aquatic and riparian Remove aquatic and riparian weeds from waterways. Eliminate aquatic weeds and associated riparian weeds to Ongoing $50,000 $50,638 101 weed control improve waterway health by allowing native flora and fauna to recolonise.

11 All Integrated Water Cycle Two temporary full-time IWCM & WSUD audit officers produce an inspection Increase awareness and understanding among landowners Ongoing $161,441 $135,079 84 Management (IWCM) program to ensure that privately owned developments maintain their onsite of privately owned developments about their responsibilities and Water Sensitive detention and WSUD measures in accordance with their development consent. for managing and maintaining onsite detention and WSUD Urban Design (WSUD) This includes funding for resources such as educational materials and training measures. This will help minimise the impact of development Auditing Program for landowners. on the health of local waterways.

12 All Water planning and Temporary employment of a full-time catchment management officer to Ensure water management is coordinated and consistent. It will Ongoing $311,148 $115,238 37 project administration undertake water-planning projects and manage on-ground activities and other improve understanding and increase the amount of information program-related projects. This includes the review of the State of the Waterways available, which will help Council and the community to Management Plans to create sub-catchment management plans. These will better manage local waterways and adopt sustainable water provide a holistic overview of water balance; pollutant information; geomorphic management practices. It will help inform management condition of the waterways within the sub-catchment; and community visions for decisions to ensure the needs of each sub-catchment are the sub-catchments. In addition, it will provide linkages to Council’s Biodiversity considered and funding is used to greatest advantage. Strategy, Environmental Education Strategies and Planning Provisions. Once complete, creek and wetland asset management plans and an overarching water strategy, which coordinates all water programs and policies within Council, will be developed.

13 All Maintenance of drainage Maintain drainage basins built under this program or newly acquired by Council. Maintain drainage basins to ensure they fulfil their Ongoing $36,418 $37,595 103 basins intended function.

14 All Participation in research Participate in research programs and regional natural resource management Acquire knowledge and technical skills on current best practice Ongoing $37,164 $8,768 24 programs and regional groups, such as the Hawkesbury Nepean Local Government Advisory Group and for water management activities, and share information natural resource Parramatta River Catchment Group. and resources, which may lead to more efficient project management groups management and delivery.

15 3 Sediment removal Prepare a review of environmental factors, sediment testing and works Ensure William Lawson Wetland fulfils its intended function of Environmental $143,400 $28,189 20 from William Lawson to remove and dispose of the accumulated sediment in William Lawson removing or stopping pollutants and sediments from travelling studies Wetland, Prospect Wetland, Prospect. downstream, improving the health of waterways. completed

63 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

ACTIVITY WARD ACTIVITY TITLE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION ACTIVITY OUTCOME STATUS FUNDS FUNDS EXPENDED NO. ALLOCATED EXPENDED % 2014–15 2014–15 (INCLUDES ANY UNEXPENDED FUNDS FROM 2013–14)

16 5 Sediment removal from Prepare a Review of Environmental Factors, sediment testing and works to Ensure Plumpton Park Wetland fulfils its intended function of Environmental $110,000 $0 0 Plumpton Park Wetland, remove and dispose of the accumulated sediment in Plumpton Park Wetland. removing or stopping pollutants and sediments from travelling studies Plumpton downstream, improving the health of waterways. completed

21 All Minor bed and bank Use soft engineering techniques to stabilise beds and banks at various locations Protect Council’s assets to improve community safety and help Ongoing $74,865 $74,709 100 stabilisation, city wide throughout the Blacktown LGA. This activity includes engaging resources to help improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and develop and deliver contracts related to bed and bank stabilisation and other fauna and removing weeds. maintenance activities.

25 2 Minor bed and bank Use soft engineering techniques to stabilise beds and banks at Lalor Creek. Protect Council’s assets to improve community safety and help Construction $42,822 $35,770 84 stabilisation, Lalor Creek improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and 88% complete (excluding Pearce and fauna and removing weeds. Troubadour Reserves)

27 4 Minor bed and bank Use soft engineering techniques to stabilise beds and banks at Eastern Creek Protect Council’s assets to improve community safety and help Completed $50,000 $50,638 101 stabilisation Eastern and Blacktown International Sportspark, Rooty Hill. improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and Creek, Blacktown fauna and removing weeds. International Sportspark, Rooty Hill

29 All Maintenance of bed Maintain bed and bank stabilisation works, including general management of the Protect Council’s assets to improve community safety and help Ongoing $80,000 $52,363 65 and bank stabilisation creek and vegetation. improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and works on Lalor Creek at fauna and removing weeds. Pearce and Troubadour Reserves, Kings Langley, and at Waller Creek at Morgan Power Reserve, Kings Langley

64 ACTIVITY WARD ACTIVITY TITLE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION ACTIVITY OUTCOME STATUS FUNDS FUNDS EXPENDED NO. ALLOCATED EXPENDED % 2014–15 2014–15 (INCLUDES ANY UNEXPENDED FUNDS FROM 2013–14)

16 5 Sediment removal from Prepare a Review of Environmental Factors, sediment testing and works to Ensure Plumpton Park Wetland fulfils its intended function of Environmental $110,000 $0 0 Plumpton Park Wetland, remove and dispose of the accumulated sediment in Plumpton Park Wetland. removing or stopping pollutants and sediments from travelling studies Plumpton downstream, improving the health of waterways. completed

21 All Minor bed and bank Use soft engineering techniques to stabilise beds and banks at various locations Protect Council’s assets to improve community safety and help Ongoing $74,865 $74,709 100 stabilisation, city wide throughout the Blacktown LGA. This activity includes engaging resources to help improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and develop and deliver contracts related to bed and bank stabilisation and other fauna and removing weeds. maintenance activities.

25 2 Minor bed and bank Use soft engineering techniques to stabilise beds and banks at Lalor Creek. Protect Council’s assets to improve community safety and help Construction $42,822 $35,770 84 stabilisation, Lalor Creek improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and 88% complete (excluding Pearce and fauna and removing weeds. Troubadour Reserves)

27 4 Minor bed and bank Use soft engineering techniques to stabilise beds and banks at Eastern Creek Protect Council’s assets to improve community safety and help Completed $50,000 $50,638 101 stabilisation Eastern and Blacktown International Sportspark, Rooty Hill. improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and Creek, Blacktown fauna and removing weeds. International Sportspark, Rooty Hill

29 All Maintenance of bed Maintain bed and bank stabilisation works, including general management of the Protect Council’s assets to improve community safety and help Ongoing $80,000 $52,363 65 and bank stabilisation creek and vegetation. improve waterway health by re-establishing native flora and works on Lalor Creek at fauna and removing weeds. Pearce and Troubadour Reserves, Kings Langley, and at Waller Creek at Morgan Power Reserve, Kings Langley

65 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT

STATE OF THE STRATEGY STATEMENT FOCUS AREA 1: ENVIRONMENT Provide local places and spaces COUNCIL LEADS BY that are clean and healthy and turn REPORT 2014–15 awareness and commitment into EXAMPLE THROUGH action to halt or reverse the effects, INTEGRATING STRATEGIC DIRECTION pressures and threats on the built and A clean and sustainable environment. natural environment by working in SUSTAINABILITY collaboration with our community and other stakeholders. INTO CORE BUSINESS AND REDUCING ITS ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN ITS DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS Environmental awareness is incorporated into the staff induction program. It focuses on our sustainability policies and programs and the practical ways staff can implement them. All staff members are encouraged to take personal action to become more sustainable. Sustainable resource procurement and management of day-to-day operations are areas of particular interest. We undertook a range of water-saving initiatives, which include: • replacing the Civic Centre’s water cooling tower with an air-cooling tower to reduce electricity and water use • completing water use audits of three of our top water consuming assets. The Blacktown stormwater harvesting and reuse scheme will begin working in March 2016. This will harvest 200 mega litres of water annually from Angus Creek and use a gross pollutant trap, ponds, wetlands and ultraviolet light to clean the water. It will then be used to irrigate the Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney, Anne Aquilina Reserve, Kareela Reserve and Charlie Bali Reserve, as well as being used to top up the ornamental ponds at Nurragingy Reserve. We undertook a range of energy saving initiatives, which include: • commissioning an audit of Blacktown Leisure Centre in Stanhope to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption.

OUR COMMUNITY GARDENS ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE LIVING

66 FOCUS AREA 2: We offer varying levels of support POP-UP GARDENS AND and encouragement to the following ACTIVITIES AT EMERTON YOUTH ENCOURAGE HEALTHY established gardens: AND RECREATION CENTRE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING • Lalor Park Community Garden The pop-up gardens at Emerton OPPORTUNITIES FOR • Marist Youth Care Youth and Recreation Centre were Community Garden THE COMMUNITY constructed during and after the • Riverstone Community Garden April 2015 school holidays. Two We facilitate a range of programs • Quakers Hill Uniting Church wheelbarrows were painted with that encourage our community to Community Garden outdoor and nature-based themes take positive steps towards becoming and prepared and planted with herbs, • Willmot Public School. more sustainable. vegetables and flowering plants. This was a popular program and the young SUSTAINABLE LIVING TAFE OUTREACH PROGRAM participants are still caring for and WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES This program has been operating at harvesting the vegetables. Grantham Heritage Park since early We hosted 55 free sustainable living 2011. In 2013, it was extended from workshops and about 950 residents ECO ACTIVE SCHOOLS offering a Statement of Attainment attended. The workshops gave PROGRAM in Sustainable Horticulture to participants practical information and offering trade-level qualifications – Our Eco Active Schools program is an hands-on experience on ways to reduce Certificates of Horticulture II, III and environmental sustainability grants their impact on the environment. IV. This program is a partnership program tailored to schools in our LGA. The feedback showed that 95% of between Council and Nirimba and participants were satisfied or very The 2014–15 program focused on: Blue Mountains TAFE colleges. satisfied with the program. • creating habitat – supporting About 100 students were enrolled wildlife by establishing a natural Popular topics included a presentation in 2014 and about 350 students have environment for local fauna such as by sustainability expert Michael Mobbs, graduated since the program began. insects, birds, frogs and mammals a native wildlife guided night walk, a World Water Day wetlands tour, • educating students – experts in pickling and preserving, and bread biodiversity produced displays, and pasta making. workshops and lessons on wildlife conservation and other COMMUNITY GARDENS environmental themes linked to the K–12 curriculum. We support community gardens in the local government area (LGA). Gardens The following schools received run by volunteers and managed by $14,612 in funding. Council include: • Blacktown Showground Community Garden • Grantham Heritage Park Community Garden SCHOOL PROJECT TITLE • Bungarribee Community Garden • Bush Tucker and Medicinal Garden Glenwood High School Bush regeneration and habitat creation at Grantham Heritage Park. Lethbridge Park Public School Habitats and homes We jointly support other gardens with Community Greening, a branch Plumpton Public School Take 3 of the Botanic Gardens Trust that works with gardens in Housing Shalvey Public School Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden NSW areas, including: • Bidwill Community Garden St Agnes Catholic High School St Agnes native garden • Oasis (Toongabbie) Community St Clare’s Catholic High School R-Eco @ Clare Garden • Lethbridge Park Community Garden. William Rose School Sensory habitat and ongoing development Willmot Public School Willmot is home (WisH) garden project

67 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT

YOUTH PROGRAMS EnviroMentors, Knowaste and Radical Recyclers visited local preschools, primary and high schools. Over 68 days, 4,831 students were taught about recycling, waste disposal, worm farming, composting and reusing old items. Students from The Ponds High School toured community gardens to learn about growing food plants and starting a school kitchen garden. Primary school children had a field day to learn about the differences between natural and artificial waterways.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEEK 2014 Local Government Week is held each August. The Council gave away trees at the Village Green in Blacktown and at Dawson Mall in Mount Druitt and hosted stalls and displays to increase environmental awareness.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SUSTAINABLE SEPTEMBER 2014

68 SUSTAINABLE SEPTEMBER 2014 and food security. Earth Hour billed POP-UP GARDEN AT THE Council showcased themed activities the event as the largest of its type in BLACKTOWN ARTS CENTRE Sydney. It opened in mid-afternoon and and events in Sustainable September. We built a pop-up garden in the ran until 9pm, attracting hundreds of These included 5 sustainable living Blacktown Arts Centre car park people who browsed the stalls, watched workshops; a screening of the from materials used in the ‘recycled the performers and entertainers and documentary ‘Trashed’; environmental castle’ at Medieval Fayre. Volunteers took part in environmentally themed workshops for kids; travelling plant formed a pop-up garden club that craft activities and cooking workshops. giveaways; the Blacktown Showground met weekly to maintain and water the Spring Fair, a community garden open garden. The pop-up garden has been day and celebration; and A day at the MEDIEVAL FAYRE 2015 the venue for several sustainable Farm, an urban farm experience held In May 2015, we integrated an living workshops and school holiday at Grantham Heritage Park. environmental message into the activities. It remained at the Arts medieval theme instead of hosting Centre until September 2015. EARTH HOUR 2015 a standalone Greener Living Expo. In March, Council worked with We built a ‘recycled castle’ from waste CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY 2015 materials diverted from landfill, supporters of the Lalor Park In 2015, 794 community volunteers including timber pallets, bicycle Community Garden and local collected 9 tonnes of waste from tyres and tin cans. Within the castle volunteers to create a twilight picnic 41 registered sites. From across the walls, we built a medieval barnyard at the park for Earth Hour. The theme LGA, 9,586 students from 40 schools and community garden display, gave was support for Australian food and also participated. farmers, which allowed us to promote away plants, and hosted kids recycled the local food system and educate craft activities and a Plastic Free people about community gardens July promotion.

THE RECYCLED CASTLE AT THE BLACKTOWN CITY MEDIEVAL FAYRE

69 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT

OUR CITY’S WASTE DIVERSION RATE

2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15

Percentage of waste diverted from landfill 58% 64% 61% 65% 64%

BETTER WASTE AND RECYCLING FUNDED PROJECTS AND ACTIONS

NAME OF PROJECT OR ACTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION FUNDED FUNDED IN IN 2013–14 2014–15

Bins in public places Install modern enclosed vandal-proof bins to minimise Yes Yes street litter

Upgrade bins at Replace all bins to ensure they are scavenger and vandal-proof Yes Yes Nurragingy Reserve for two years

Illegal dumping clean-up program Replace current street clean-up crane with a skid-steer loader, Yes No trailer and tow bar attachment

Illegal dumping infra-red cameras Purchase of night-time remote area surveillance cameras Yes No

Illegal dumping officer Temporary position that will target specific types of dumping Yes Yes

Clean cities project officer Temporary position aimed at implementing our Clean Cities Yes Yes Strategy and Action Plan

Garden waste processing feasibility Prepare a business case to determine whether a dedicated depot Yes No and environmental assessment will help address this waste

Community recycling Described as a ‘frequent flyer’ program for recycling and Yes Yes rewards program the environment, it will provide incentives to reward good recycling behaviour

Keep our centre beautiful Engage young people in positive litter behaviour through an art Yes No art project competition at Emerton Youth Recreation Centre

Youth litter awareness project Blacktown City Libraries will work closely with young people to Yes No educate and raise community awareness about the importance of managing litter

Photographic competition on Competition for children and adults showcasing waste solutions Yes No finding solutions for waste

Illegal dumping deterrence Fencing, mounding (planted out), gates and surveillance Not Yes (motion sensor) to reduce illegal dumping on our reserves applicable

Adopt a Park This two-year pilot project will see interested groups commit to Not Yes looking after a park or reserve by reducing litter and rubbish, applicable planting and regenerating bush. We will give participants the materials and help they need to best look after their nominated area.

Regional Illegal Dumping This covers our annual membership to Western Sydney Regional Not Yes (RID) squad Illegal Dumping squad. applicable

70 DIVERSION OF WASTE BETTER WASTE AND FOCUS AREA 3: FROM LANDFILL RECYCLING FUND ENHANCE THE WELLBEING We are eligible for financial support We are committed to the Western under the NSW Government’s Better AND AMENITY OF THE Sydney Regional Waste Avoidance and Waste and Recycling fund for activities COMMUNITY AND Resource Recovery Strategy, which that will improve waste avoidance and seeks to divert waste from landfill resource recovery, and tackle litter and PROMOTE A CLEAN AND across the region. The strategy sets the illegal dumping. targets for 2021–22, which include: ATTRACTIVE CITY We applied for funding to maintain • increasing recycling rates to 70% We monitor businesses and properties public bins, reduce litter and for municipal solid waste within our LGA to ensure their premises illegal dumping and strengthen our are clean, safe and not polluting the • increasing waste diverted from community engagement. environment. The following tables landfill to 75%. summarise the number and type of Our diversion and recycling rates are inspections we do. consistently under the regional strategy targets but are on track to meet the NSW target of 75% by 2021. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INVESTIGATIONS HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL CLEANOUT TYPE OF INVESTIGATION 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 In 2014–15, 885 residents correctly disposed of 39.7 kilograms of unwanted Food – hygiene and handling 43 56 53 69 49 household chemicals through the Environment Protection Authority’s Food – foreign matter 18 19 26 26 14 Chemical CleanOut program. Food – food quality 32 27 28 49 43 MOUNT DRUITT RESTORIA Food – food poisoning 17 17 34 47 26 Our Mount Druitt Restoria project is a joint initiative with Whalan Community Food – food labelling 5 3 6 6 5 Action Group and Housing NSW in and advertising which unwanted furniture is diverted from landfill, restored and distributed Food – other 14 12 16 17 13 to people in need. Food – itinerant vendors 6 10 9 4 0 In 2014–15, 4 volunteers restored 89 pieces of furniture. Total inspections 135 144 172 218 150 BICYCLE RECYCLE PROGRAM Launched in 2009, unwanted bicycles SURVEILLANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES are repaired and restored and donated back to the community at ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 local community festivals and events through a lottery system. Onsite sewerage management systems – 541 402 238 More than 750 bikes have been given routine inspections away since the program began. In 2015, volunteers attended weekly sessions to Routine skin penetration premises inspections 246 250 287 recondition bicycles to be given to local Routine cooling tower inspections 75 78 159 children and young people. Routine food premises inspections 990 1,157 1,330

Total 1,852 1,887 2,014

71 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT

POLLUTION INVESTIGATIONS

TYPE OF INVESTIGATION 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15

Water pollution – domestic 79 95 106 104 132

Water pollution – commercial/industrial 35 49 92 65 99

Water pollution – spills 16 12 3 23 33

Water pollution – sewage complaint 81 90 87 101 86

Total water pollution 211 246 288 293 350

Air pollution – commercial/industrial 62 30 40 58 45

Air pollution – backyard burning 69 64 10 79 122

Air pollution – wood heaters 33 19 30 29 28

Air pollution – odour 111 92 173 125 89

Total air pollution 275 205 253 291 284

Noise pollution – barking dogs 735 797 810 837 727

Noise pollution – commercial/industrial 94 85 92 88 109

Noise pollution – air conditioners 25 20 29 34 33

Noise pollution – alarms 29 19 31 54 40

Noise pollution – music 232 220 215 244 293

Noise pollution – pool filters 11 7 13 9 14

Total noise pollution 1,126 1,148 1,190 1,266 1,216

Land pollution – unauthorised fill 9 18 23 15 32

Land pollution – illegal dumping 121 144 206 166 151

Land pollution – overgrown premises 815 1,076 789 719 865

Total land pollution 945 1,238 1,018 900 1,048

72 NOTICES AND FINES ISSUED

NOTICE OR FINE TYPE 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15

Noise pollution notices 15 19 8 21 20

Noise pollution fines * * 3 5 4

Water pollution notices 89 71 55 62 171

Water pollution fines * * 0 14 51

Land pollution 194 46 30 17 2

Land pollution fines * * 0 0 5

Air pollution notices 25 13 19 53 71

Air pollution fines * * 0 10 6

Environmental health notices 181 79 100 104 63

Environmental health fines 92 53 88 121 71

Total notices/fines 596 281 303 407 464

* Data breakdown not available

FOCUS AREA 4: The ecological condition of our creeks WATER SENSITIVE URBAN varies but is fair overall. PURSUE BEST PRACTICE DESIGN AUDITING PROGRAM We continue to use the ‘reference This program proactively inspects SUSTAINABLE WATER creek’ – a minimally disturbed creek, developments, including privately MANAGEMENT TO representative of what would have owned water quality treatment existed prior to European settlement systems, to ensure the devices are PROTECT AND IMPROVE to set local water quality objectives. being maintained. The creek is a tributary of Little THE WATER QUALITY OF Creek at the Shanes Park Airservices The Water Sensitive Urban Design THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT Australia site. Compliance Officer has been focusing on developer maintained assets that We facilitate a range of programs will eventually be council owned. that work towards protecting and WATER SENSITIVE This has included resolving issues improving the water quality in our local URBAN DESIGN CAPACITY from construction of the assets and waterways. BUILDING PROGRAM also ensuring maintenance during This was developed to help us adopt the agreed maintenance period is WATERWAYS HEALTH the principles of sustainable water performed. Currently this is focusing MONITORING PROGRAM management in our operations and on water quality assets in The Ponds and Bunya developments. There have We regularly monitor the health of projects. During 2014–15, this program been some major construction issues our waterways through 16 monitoring continued to help our water working to resolve and maintenance is being sites on 14 creeks in the city. The data group, developed resources and guides poorly performed. Council is however, is analysed and a waterway health on best practice water management, working with the private contractors grade is issued for each creek. We and provided training sessions for to resolve these issues and build the use the information to prioritise our staff. contractor’s capacity to construct and creek remediation works, monitor the maintain this new type of asset. impacts of increased urbanisation and the effectiveness of our water quality planning controls.

73 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT

WATER MANAGEMENT CATCHMENT PLANNING During 2014–15, more than 1,600 residents participated in COLLABORATIONS We have begun catchment planning and stormwater education activities, have almost finished a series of creek We participate in the Parramatta including waterways bus tours, audits. Two contractors have traversed River Catchment Group, which native animal spotlight walks, 80% of the creeks within the Blacktown consists of NSW State Government, community festivals, and school LGA. By using strategic monitoring local government and community activities, including catchment field points at every 600 metres, Council representatives. The group is days and demonstrations of our has been gathering vital data about collaborating to improve the health of catchment model. the Parramatta River. their condition and future management options. We launched a targeted place-based We are also a member of the Sydney community project at The Ponds to Metropolitan Consortium for the STORMWATER EDUCATION raise awareness and improve its water Cooperative Research Centre for quality and habitat. Water Sensitive Cities. This is a Stormwater education helps our collaborative program with more community to understand the We also co-hosted the Blacktown than 70 partners working together for functioning of the catchments and Beach Party with the Parramatta urban water reform. stormwater system and how they can River Catchment Group as part of influence the quality of the water in the ‘Our Living River Campaign’. our waterways. Our activities focus on More than 500 residents took part encouraging the community to keep in water‑related activities and local areas clean and healthy. events designed to raise awareness about the impact we all have on our local waterways.

FOCUS AREA 5: CONSERVE, RESTORE AND ENHANCE THE CITY’S BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH, PARTICULARLY THREATENED SPECIES, POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES Biodiversity refers to all life forms: plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part. Protecting biodiversity and land resources is important because of its role in sustaining natural processes, such as nutrient cycling, soil formation and pollination, which ensure the survival of healthy ecosystems. We implement a range of programs aimed at conserving our biodiversity.

VOLUNTEER BUSHCARE PROGRAM Bushcare groups are made of residents who volunteer to participate in practical activities to improve the health and aesthetics of local THERE ARE OVER 140 BUSHCARE VOLUNTEERS REGISTERED IN BLACKTOWN CITY bushland reserves. The groups extend our capacity to undertake

74 revegetation and regeneration works, In 2014–15, we: In 2014–15, 30 species, populations as well as increasing understanding of • completed 87 high priority actions and communities in the Blacktown biodiversity issues. LGA were listed as vulnerable, 19 • began or continued 9 high were endangered, 11 were critically Bushcare groups carried out weeding, priority actions endangered and one was extinct under revegetation and regeneration • completed 12 medium this Act. activities at: priority actions • Banks Reserve, Kings Langley • began or continued 23 medium NSW LEGISLATION • Bill Colbourne Reserve, Doonside priority actions The Threatened Species Conservation • Duncan Park, Seven Hills • began 6 medium priority actions Act 1995 (NSW) provides for • Faulkland Crescent Reserve, • completed 1 low priority action. the conservation of threatened Kings Park species, populations and ecological communities of animals and plants. • Reserve 813, Kellyville Ridge BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION • Knudsen Reserve, Riverstone The following table represents the COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATION number of vulnerable, endangered • Morgan Power Reserve, and critically endangered species, The Environment Protection and Kings Langley populations and communities in the Biodiversity Conservation Act • Pied Piper Playground, Seven Hills Blacktown LGA, listed under this Act. 1999 provides a national scheme • RAAF Memorial Park, Mount Druitt for environmental protection and • Snowy Reserve, Seven Hills biodiversity conservation. • Timbertop Reserve, Prospect • Tregear Reserve, Tregear • Tuscan Waters, Glenwood • Whitehaven Reserve, Quakers Hill. OUR VOLUNTEER BUSHCARE GROUPS NATIONAL TREE DAY We proudly support National Tree 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 Day, which is facilitated nationally by Planet Ark. This event is well received Number of Bushcare groups 14 16 13 14 14 locally, however the number of plants and the participation rate varies each Number of registered 142 150 202 161 148 year due to media coverage, volunteer Bushcare volunteers group involvement, the number Number of natives planted 940 3,326 2,933 5,809 4,653 of planting sites and the weather. by volunteers Our activities included: • holding National Tree Day on 27 July Number of hectares under 53.68 29.75 30.75 39.96 30.30 2014, when 2,008 natives were restoration by volunteers planted at five sites across the City • giving 500 plants to 25 schools and National Tree Day volunteers 309 246 300 211 136 community groups for planting as part of Schools National Tree Day. STATUS OF SPECIES, POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES KNOWN BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY TO EXIST IN THE BLACKTOWN LGA LISTED IN THE THREATENED 2011–20 SPECIES CONSERVATION ACT 1995 (NSW) Our Biodiversity Strategy is a centralised, comprehensive record STATUS 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 of information about biodiversity. It prescribes actions to protect Vulnerable 19 61 75 72 133 biodiversity values across the LGA. Endangered 15 16 64 66 51 We developed our strategy to ensure the effective long-term management Critically endangered 2 4 4 5 9 and viability of remnant vegetation and ecosystems. Source: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage 2015 – Bionet

75 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT

BUSH REGENERATION AND • Doonside Crescent Reserve, COMMUNITY PLANT GIVEAWAYS Woodcroft REVEGETATION PROJECTS We promote the greening of our City • Refalo Reserve, Glenwood On-ground restoration projects to nurture our native flora and fauna undertaken in 2014–15 include: • Faulkland Crescent Reserve, and improve the natural environment Kings Park for local people. We propagate a wide • Nurragingy Reserve, Lorikeet range of native and non-native plants Marsh, Doonside • Douglas Siding Reserve, Quakers Hill at our nursery in Blacktown. • Lalor Creek, Kings Langley • Duncan Park, Seven Hills In 2014–15, we gave 38,416 free • Melrose Park, Quakers Hill • Metella Reserve, Toongabbie plants to our community to plant in • Eskdale Street Wetland Reserve, • Yarramundi Reserve, Dean Park their gardens. Minchinbury • Upperby Reserve, Dean Park • Mitchell Reserve Wetland, Blacktown • International Peace Park (Blacktown Creek), Blacktown PLANT GIVEAWAYS • Pied Piper Playground, Seven Hills TYPE 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 • Plumpton Park, Plumpton • Sherwood Park, Quakers Hill Travelling 11,121 11,344 9,129 10,105 11,389 • Timbertop Reserve, Prospect Local Government Week 4,944 4,908 4,179 4,018 5,000 • Knudsen Reserve, Riverstone • Orana Park, Blacktown General 17,080 10,860 13,116 14,820 11,401 • Doctor Charles McKay Reserve, School and community 20,817 26,562 8,889 8,800 10,626 Mount Druitt TOTAL 53,962 53,674 35,313 37,743 38,416

STORMWATER EDUCATION PARTICIPANTS AT NURRAGINGY RESERVE, DOONSIDE

76 FOCUS AREA 6: SUSTAINABLE FLEET Fuel consumption continues to fall from 2005–06 levels, providing an We continue to lead by example with MITIGATE AND ADAPT estimated 5% annual saving over the our Sustainable Fleet policy, which last nine years. TO THE IMPACTS OF encourages the use of smaller engine, CLIMATE CHANGE FOR THE liquid petroleum gas and hybrid During 2014–15, our total diesel vehicles for staff. We are also replacing consumption (13,516 litres) and 75% of BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND works vehicles with more fuel efficient our petrol consumption (69,917 litres) and lower emission equivalents. used biofuels. This is in line with a State FUTURE GENERATIONS Government mandate encouraging the As a trial of low-emission vehicles, Council continues to address the issue use of biofuels wherever possible for we have leased 6 hybrid electric cars of climate change and we work for Council vehicles. maximum efficiency and best practice. for staff use. The cars can travel We undertook several initiatives to 40 kilometres on a full charge with reduce atmospheric pollutants and almost no emissions, as we offset with improve air quality in the western solar energy. Sydney basin. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BLACKTOWN CLIMATE CHANGE 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 ACTION AND ADAPTATION PLAN We are continuously reducing Quantity of greenhouse gas 37,169 36,824 38,133 38,720 36,077 greenhouse gas emissions through emissions in tonnes CO2-e targeted energy savings, including: • upgrading of our existing assets,

which has saved 1,460 tonnes of CO2 per year, including 4,574 gigajoules of energy • reducing our energy use (excluding streetlights) by 332 gigajoules in 2014–15 through energy efficient projects. Our greenhouse gas emissions are represented in the following table.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION We facilitated four energy smart workshops, which provided advice and tips on energy conservation at home.

COOL STREETS PROGRAM The Cool Streets program aims to reduce the ‘urban heat island effect’ caused by a lack of vegetation and an excess of heat-trapping surfaces such as concrete and brick. We engaged a consultant to examine urban land design in the City and produce designs with strategic plantings of suitable plant species. These designs will be used on 2 streets in Woodcroft and Glenwood.

RESIDENTS ATTENDING EARTH HOUR PICNIC IN THE PARK 2015

77 INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET RENEWAL

INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET RENEWAL

FUNDING STRATEGY INCLUDING SPECIAL RATE VARIATION Council’s long-term planning identifies the need for extra funding for infrastructure asset renewal to deal with a backlog of works and achieve sustainable management of our community assets such as roads, bridges, footpaths, buildings and parks. Major additional investment began in 2014–15 with a funding strategy that includes a special rate variation approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Authority (IPART) for the majority of the extra funds. In the 2014–15 budget, we allocated an extra $8.557 million for infrastructure renewal spending, of which $5.557 million was funded from the special rate variation. The following table is a summary by asset program for where this extra funding was allocated and what percentage of works were completed during the 2014-15 financial year.

PROGRAM BUDGET TOTAL VARIANCE PERCENTAGE OF ‘000 EXPENDITURE ‘000 WORKS COMPLETED ‘000 AS AT 30 JUNE 2015

Bridges 400,000 71,732 328,268 15%

Buildings – amenities and toilets 375,500 380,090 (4,590) 100%

Buildings – childcare centres 35,500 35,500 0 100%

Buildings – general 227,000 205,531 21,469 91%

Buildings – libraries 183,800 183,800 0 100%

Buildings – neighbourhood centres and halls 90,000 95,810 (5,810) 100%

Buildings – pools 793,000 98,302 694,698 12%

Pavement renewal 3,969,000 3,759,691 209,309 95%

Minor building improvements/major building maintenance 85,000 85,000 0 100%

Park improvements (landscaping, playgrounds, sportsground facilities, irrigation and hard surfaces) 1,290,500 1,106,312 184,188 86%

Path paving 1,017,700 1,001,582 16,118 100%

Reseal 90,000 102,434 (12,434) 100%

Total 8,557,000 7,125,784 1,431,216 83%

In December 2014, Council adopted a plan to allocate a further $12.3 million on asset renewal works for transport assets. The combination of this additional allocation of $12.3 million and the approved asset renewal funding strategy of $8.557 million has seen Council reduce its infrastructure renewal backlog to less than $60 million as at 30 June 2015.

78 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 2014–15

TRAFFIC AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE CONSTRUCTING TRANSPORT WORKS IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTAINING During the 2014–15 financial year, The projects to embellish the Bulolo INFRASTRUCTURE Council spent more than $3.5 million Drive Neighbourhood Centre in Constructing and maintaining on traffic and transport works to Whalan and the Walters Road shopping roads, drainage, and recreation improve safety and efficiency for precinct in Blacktown are now and community facilities in one of cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. complete. The work on both centres the state’s most rapidly developing Works included new pedestrian and included removing existing footpaths, areas is a constant challenge. One of cyclist facilities, new roundabouts and reconstructing the footpaths with Council’s largest items of annual various other facilities within the local coloured concrete, and constructing expenditure is the Annual Works government area. new garden beds and landscaped Improvement Program. areas, including installing new bins In 2014–15, Council started and finished and seats. constructing the Roads and Maritime Services–funded Richmond Road shared user path (SUP) between Third Avenue and Paula Street in Blacktown. An extension of this SUP beyond Paula Street will be constructed in 2015–16. SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURE

SAFE ROAD NETWORK Drainage $11.276 million The first year of the Safer Travel Resurfacing roads $7.844 million Strategic Plan 2014–2020 was implemented. Positive messages Regional roads $2.909 million reinforce the City’s ongoing excellent performance in avoiding serious Reconstructing roads $14.492 million crashes, and encourage residents Upgrading roads $0.683 million to continue this performance. Road rules, licensing and police enforcement Final layer of asphalt on roads in new subdivisions $0.511 million continue to feature in public education displays at shopping centres and Traffic facilities $4.368 million festivals, as well as in education programs run by services that assist Embellishment works in the CBD and commercial centres $0.754 million migrants and the elderly. Road safety audits were conducted at 11 schools. Paving pathways and minor works $2.214 million

CREEK REHABILITATION Constructing parks $1.767 million IN TROUBADOR RESERVE, Improving major parks and reserves $5.334 million KINGS LANGLEY Constructing buildings $10.410 million The staged creek rehabilitation and bank stabilisation of Lalor Creek in Playground equipment $0.156 million Troubador Reserve between Whitby Lighting for sporting fields $0.288 million Road and the M7 motorway started in August 2013 and is now complete. The Total $63,013,883 project included removing weeds and vegetation along the creek banks, some minor re-alignment and reconstructing the banks using large sandstone boulders, combined with extensive landscaping and revegetation.

79 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 2014–15

SOME ROAD AND • Pathway 8254, Whalan • Cross Street, Doonside TRANSPORT PROJECTS • Pathway 8262, Prospect • Richmond Road, Blacktown • Pathway 8263, Whalan UNDERTAKEN IN 2014–15 • Pathway 8281, Blackett TRAFFIC FACILITIES – AS PART OF COUNCIL’S • Pathway 8315, Whalan PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES ANNUAL WORKS • Pathway 8319, Whalan • Meurants Lane, Glenwood • Pathway 8481, Willmot IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TRAFFIC FACILITIES – PAVING PATHWAYS RECONSTRUCTING ROADS GENERAL DEVICES • Blacktown Road, Prospect • Allendale Street, Marayong • Wilson Road, Acacia Gardens • Lisbon Street, Mount Druitt • Anvil Road, Seven Hills • Cross Street, Doonside • Castle Street, Blacktown • McIntosh Street, Kings Park TRAFFIC FACILITIES – • Essex Street, Blacktown • William Mason Reserve, Mount Druitt PUBLIC CAR PARKING • Richmond Road, Doonside • Feramin Avenue, Whalan • Car Park 101, Doonside • Robshaw Road, Marayong • Flushcombe Road, Blacktown • Car Park 12, Blacktown • Glenwood Park Drive, Glenwood • Car Park 138, R606, Minchinbury RECONSTRUCTING PATHWAYS • Hoadley Place, Arndell Park • Car Park 145, Minchinbury • Pathway 8031, Tregear • Ibis Road, Lalor Park • Car Park 148, Schofields • Pathway 8032, Tregear • Luxford Road, Mount Druitt • Car Park 155, Bidwill • Pathway 8144, Lalor Park • Kerry Road, Schofields • Car Park 167, Bidwill • Pathway 8223, Tregear • Kiata Crescent, Doonside • Car Park 177, Lethbridge Park • Pathway 8236, Lalor Park • Knox Road access road, Doonside • Car Park 200, Lalor Park • Pathway 8300, Seven Hills • Meela Street, Blacktown • Car Park 210, Emerton • Pathway 8426, Lalor Park • Merriville Road, Kellyville Ridge • Car Park 231, Doonside • Pathway 8005, Whalan • Noel Street, Marayong • Car Park 244, Rooty Hill • Pathway 8006, Whalan • Palau Crescent, Lethbridge Park • Car Park 272, Blacktown • Pathway 8013, Blackett • Paul Street, Blacktown • Car Park 298, Doonside • Pathway 8017, Hebersham • Pretoria Road, Seven Hills • Car Park 306, Quakers Hill • Pathway 8021, Seven Hills • Rignold Street, Doonside • Car Park 84, Lethbridge Park • Pathway 8030, Tregear • Robyn Street, Blacktown • Pathway 8036, Emerton • Salamaua Road, Whalan RESURFACING ROADS • Pathway 8061, Marayong • Sargents Road, Minchinbury • Astral Drive, Doonside • Pathway 8062, Blackett • Station Road, Seven Hills • Bambara Street, Dharruk • Pathway 8063, Blackett • Symonds Road, Colebee • Bluett Crescent, Doonside • Pathway 8065, Blackett • Tallawong Avenue, Blacktown • Booreea Street, Blacktown • Pathway 8066, Blackett • Tongariro Terrace, Bidwill • Booth Place, Minchinbury • Pathway 8074, Hebersham • William Street, Seven Hills • Bowral Road, Blacktown • Pathway 8075, Hebersham • Byrd Place, Tregear • Pathway 8076, Hebersham UPGRADING ROADS • Crawford Road, Doonside • Pathway 8147, Blacktown • Railway Terrace, Riverstone • Cullen Place, Dharruk • Pathway 8187, Blackett • Douglas Road, Blacktown • Pathway 8189, Blackett TRAFFIC FACILITIES – • Doust Place, Shalvey • Pathway 8195, Willmot BICYCLE SCHEMES • Dunsmore Street, Rooty Hill • Pathway 8197, Willmot • Jersey Road/Lamb Street, Plumpton • Farnham Road, Quakers Hill • Pathway 8217, Whalan • Stanhope Parkway, Stanhope Gardens • Federal Road, Seven Hills • Pathway 8218, Whalan

80 • Freeman Street, Lalor Park REPORT ON THE CONDITION OF PUBLIC WORKS • Gibson Place, Blacktown • Gira Place, Dharruk COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY BUILDINGS • Greta Place, Hebersham Council maintains 381 buildings, with a total estimated value of approximately $461 • Hampton Crescent, Prospect million. These buildings include Council’s administrative offices, works depots, libraries, childcare centres, community centres, pool buildings, amenities buildings • Horatio Place, Plumpton and other auxiliary buildings. Council inspects its buildings biennially, documenting • Ida Place, Blacktown details of planned maintenance, outstanding unplanned maintenance, asset renewal • Jennifer Avenue, Blacktown and upgrade options. • Jodie Place, Quakers Hill CATEGORY ESTIMATED COST COST TO 2014–15 • Kempe Parade, Kings Langley TO BRING TO A MAINTAIN AT A ACTUAL • Kerwin Circle, Hebersham SATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY MAINTENANCE STANDARD STANDARD COSTS • Kildare Road, Blacktown • Lakewood Drive, Woodcroft Buildings $5.020 million $9.439 million p.a. $8.422 million • Le Marie Avenue, Lethbridge Park • Leicester Square, Blacktown • Lindley Square, Bidwill COUNCIL’S TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE • London Street, Blacktown Council maintains 1,352 kilometres of roads. This comprises 1,247 kilometres of sealed local roads, 87 kilometres of sealed regional roads and 18 kilometres of • Madagascar Drive, Kings Park unsealed roads. This road network is supported by other transport infrastructure • Mendi Place, Whalan such as bridges, car parks, public pathways and footpaths. These asset classes are • Mercator Crescent, Willmot valued at approximately $1.735 million. • Miax Place, Dharruk Council conducts routine maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrade programs for its • Monash Road, Blacktown transport infrastructure, which is generally in a satisfactory condition. • Mount Druitt Place, Mount Druitt The following table summarises the transport infrastructure included in this • Mount Street, Mount Druitt year’s report. • Myrtle Street, Prospect CATEGORY ESTIMATED COST COST TO 2014–15 • Nash Place, Blacktown TO BRING TO A MAINTAIN AT A ACTUAL • Nicobar Street, Lalor Park SATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY MAINTENANCE STANDARD STANDARD COSTS • Pisa Place, Plumpton • Raven Grove, Bidwill Sealed roads $43.410 million $20.098 million p.a. $28.394 million • Rice Place, Shalvey Unsealed roads $4,000 $1.05 million p.a. $1.063 million • Rosina Crescent, Kings Langley • Samoa Place, Lethbridge Park Bridges $0.315 million $0.793 million p.a. $0.073 million • Scherell Street, Dharruk Public pathways $1.340 million $0.672 million p.a. $1.819 million • Second Avenue, Seven Hills • Sher Place, Prospect Car parks $1.755 million $0.971 million p.a. $1.485 million • Sherbrooke Street, Rooty Hill Footpaths $4.431 million $1.444 million p.a. $1.067 million • Sherridon Crescent, Quakers Hill • Stuart Mould Crescent, Lalor Park • Tambaroora Crescent, Marayong • Trinity Place, Kings Langley • Tula Place, Tregear • Venus Place, Kings Langley • Wayne Street, Dean Park • Whitby Road, Kings Langley • Wilson Road, Acacia Gardens

81 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 2014–15

COUNCIL’S STORMWATER Council inspects its drainage assets annually, identifying unplanned maintenance DRAINAGE NETWORK and necessary asset renewal and upgrade projects. Council maintains 1,062 kilometres 1 This does not include natural creeks and watercourses. of piped drainage, 43.3 kilometres of CATEGORY ESTIMATED COST COST TO 2014–15 concrete- and rock-lined channels, TO BRING TO A MAINTAIN AT A ACTUAL 32.7 kilometres of open grass SATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY MAINTENANCE channels1, 68 flood retention basins, STANDARD STANDARD COSTS 49 stormwater quality improvement devices and 263 pollution control Drainage $3.527 million $1.652 million p.a. $2.849 million devices. These asset classes are valued at approximately $667.654 million. Council undertakes regular maintenance and upgrades drainage facilities annually. Drainage facilities are generally in a satisfactory condition.

ADDITIONAL infrastructure are not included in the The amount of capital renewal estimated cost to bring existing assets identified at the end of the financial INFORMATION RELATING to a satisfactory condition. year that is unable to be covered by the Annual Works Improvement Program TO THE CONDITION OF Source: Office of Local Government contributes towards the cost to bring Code of Accounting Practice. PUBLIC WORKS to a satisfactory standard. This work is described as deferred renewal. ESTIMATED COST TO BRING TO COUNCIL HAS DEFINED A SATISFACTORY STANDARD REPLACEMENT AS COUNCIL HAS DEFINED REPAIR AS CAPITAL RENEWAL UNPLANNED MAINTENANCE DEFINITION Council assesses its infrastructure Council also inspects its infrastructure assets periodically. The aim of these In determining the estimated cost to assets once or more throughout the inspections is to determine when the bring public works to a satisfactory year to identify any existing defects asset is anticipated to fail and require condition, councils should be requiring repair. Similar to capital replacement, what treatment will estimating in current dollars the renewal, repair work is recorded when return the asset to service and what amount required to be spent on distress exceeds set intervention the anticipated costs are. existing infrastructure. The level of levels. Council’s identification of ‘satisfactory’ condition is determined Ultimately, all infrastructure assets defects is based around the Institute of by council and relates to existing fail, and each year Council invests Public Works Engineering Australia’s assets, not enhanced assets. in works to return these assets to (IPWEA) AUS-SPEC system – the For example, suppose an existing service through its Annual Works local government specification for timber bridge is considered to be in an Improvement Program. Infrastructure managing asset life cycles. The system unsatisfactory condition because of assets are also unique, and failure is based on maintenance activity, surface deterioration. The cost to bring mechanisms differ between asset with documented intervention levels, to a satisfactory condition entails the types. For example, a road seal response times, work methods and necessary amount of expenditure requires replacement when it can no performance measures. to repair or replace the surface longer protect the underlying pavement Depending on the asset’s importance, to a satisfactory level. If surface from water penetration, whereas an air the risk associated with the defect and replacement entails other costs, or conditioner in a community centre will the availability of funds, maintenance even complete replacement of the be replaced when it can no longer be is undertaken on a priority basis bridge, then those costs are included. repaired. The failure types of Council’s through annual maintenance budgets. However, all costs must be limited to assets are defined with documented The amount of unplanned maintenance providing the ‘existing’ service, not intervention levels. identified at the end of the financial year an improved one. Costs of upgrading contributes towards the cost to bring existing assets or providing new to a satisfactory standard. This work is described as deferred maintenance.

82 CATEGORY DEFERRED RENEWAL DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ESTIMATED COST TO BRING TO A (1) (2) SATISFACTORY STANDARD (1 + 2)

Buildings $2.680 million $2.340 million $5.020 million

Sealed roads $35.487 million $7.923 million $43.410 million

Unsealed roads $0 $0.004 million $0.004 million

Bridges $0.275 million $0.040 million $0.315 million

Public pathways $0.760 million $0.580 million $1.340 million

Car parks $1.358 million $0.397 million $1.755 million

Footpaths $0 $4.431 million $4.431 million

Drainage $0.012 million $3.515 million $3.527 million

Total $40.572 million $19.230 million $59.802 million

COST TO MAINTAIN AT A CATEGORY AVERAGE ANNUAL AVERAGE ESTIMATED SATISFACTORY STANDARD ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ANNUAL COST TO RENEWAL IN 2014–15 INCREASE IN MAINTAIN TO A DEFINITION (1) (2) MAINTENANCE SATISFACTORY Required annual maintenance (3) STANDARD is the amount that should be (1 + 2 + 3) spent to maintain assets to a satisfactory standard. Buildings $1.947 million $7.326 million $0.166 million $9.439 million Source: Office of Local Government Sealed Code of Accounting Practice. roads $15.000 million $4.305 million $0.793 million $20.098 million Council considers the required Unsealed amount spent to maintain assets roads $0 $1.055 million $0 $1.055 million to a satisfactory standard as an annualised estimate of renewal and Bridges $0.275 million $0.368 million $0.150 million $0.793 million unplanned maintenance. To estimate the annual renewal Public requirements, a 10-year renewal pathways $0.617 million $0 $0.055 million $0.672 million forecast is prepared based on the asset condition assessments already Car parks $0.933 million $0 $0.038 million $0.971 million detailed. In preparing the forecasts, treatments that provide the lowest Footpaths $0 $0.932 million $0.512 million $1.444 million life cycle costs (that is, the lowest Drainage $0 $1.317 million $0.335 million $1.652 million cost that delivers the longest life) are selected. An example of this is Total $18.772 million $15.303 million $2.049 million $36.124 million resealing a road as it loses its ability to protect the pavement underneath from water penetration. Failure to renew would accelerate the need for more expensive rehabilitation. The estimate of maintenance is a combination of the actual maintenance spent and the average annual growth in deferred maintenance.

83 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS 2014–15

ANNUAL MAINTENANCE More rigorous inspections are The results from these inspections IN 2014–15 required for bridges and prescribed are also included into this report. flood retention basins. In addition to regular Council DEFINITION Prescribed basins are flood retention inspections, a suitably qualified Current annual maintenance is what basins that could pose risk to property engineer inspects all bridges annually. has been spent in the reporting period. should they fail. Basins that are Problems found during the engineering prescribed by the New South Wales assessments are escalated to Maintenance against each asset Dams Safety Committee require more structural engineering companies category reported is determined frequent and intensive inspections with in-depth experience with complex through actual expenditure of their to manage the additional risks they concrete structures for verification associated operational budgets. pose. Council has interests in three and remedial works. Council has prescribed dams: identified a number of issues with • the Fox Hills retention basin its bridge assets that have been referred for structural inspections and • the DEP retention basin remediation works. • the Pied Piper Playground detention basin.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING ACTUAL MAINTENANCE EXPENDITURE IN 2014–15

CATEGORY ACTIVITY EXPENDITURE CATEGORY ACTIVITY EXPENDITURE

Buildings Painting $675,835 Unsealed roads Routine maintenance $1.063 million Carpentry $1,292,947 Bridges Inspection and maintenance $0.073 million Electrical $1,293,260 Public Plumbers $1,218,912 pathways Renewal works $1.819 million

General trades $703,352 Car parks Renewal works $1.485 million

Contractors $1,110,525 Footpaths Routine maintenance $700,551

Administration $1,030,723 Renewal works $366,904

Building refurbishment $1,096,137 Total $1.067 million

Total $8.422 million Drainage Routine maintenance $2,037,358

Sealed Routine maintenance $4,150,090 Waterways $182,685 roads Resealing $7,844,913 Detention basins $447,675

Failed pavement $14,492,292 Pollution control devices $181,461

Roadworks Total $2.849 million (renewal expenditure only) $427,784

Regional roads $1,478,522

Total $28.394 million

84 EXPRESSING ASSET CONDITION AS REMAINING ECONOMIC LIFE The following table details the conversion of asset condition into remaining economic life expressed as a percentage.

CONDITION DESCRIPTION OF CONDITION REMAINING ECONOMIC LIFE (%)

1 Very good – only planned maintenance required 100–80

2 Good – minor maintenance and planned maintenance required 80–60

3 Fair – significant maintenance required 60–25

4 Poor – significant renewal or rehabilitation required 25–5

5 Very poor – urgent renewal or upgrade required 5–0

DRAINAGE CONDITION RATING TRANSPORT CONDITION RATING BUILDING CONDITION RATING

CONDITION 1 33% CONDITION 1 27% CONDITION 1 24%

CONDITION 2 53% CONDITION 2 42% CONDITION 2 35%

CONDITION 3 13% CONDITION 3 22% CONDITION 3 28%

CONDITION 4 1% CONDITION 4 7% CONDITION 4 12%

CONDITION 5 0% CONDITION 5 2% CONDITION 5 1%

85 COMPANION ANIMALS

COMPANION ANIMALS ACT 25 (D) COMMUNITY 25 (E) DESEXING INITIATIVES AND REGULATION EDUCATION PROGRAMS Council has maintained its desexing Council provided extra resources for a program with Sydney University 25 (A, B AND C) ENFORCING AND Companion Animal Education program and continues to partner with local in local schools. It targets older veterinarians to provide low-cost ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH students and complements the existing desexing for any companion animals THE NSW COMPANION ANIMALS OLG education program. sold or rehomed from the AHF. ACT AND REGULATION We delivered 25 sessions at 15 primary In addition, Council won a grant under Council has an ongoing program for schools in a trial run in Term 4, 2013. the OLG’s Responsible Pet Ownership enforcing and ensuring compliance with We have since visited another 35 Grants Program and has partnered the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 schools and presented 57 sessions with the western suburbs branch of the and the Companion Animals Regulation to more than 1,600 students and NSW Animal Welfare League to provide 2008. In addition to the existing 40 teachers. Students learn about low-cost desexing for cats in the LGA. restricted breed and dangerous dog animal care and responsibility, and provisions, this includes changes to understanding animal behaviour 25 (F) ALTERNATIVES the Act that allow Council officers to to avoid the risk of being bitten. TO EUTHANASIA declare dogs as menacing. Feedback has been positive and several schools have requested return visits. All unclaimed impounded animals Council lodged its Return of Seizures are assessed to ensure that they are information 2014–15, which gave the We held the Annual Pet Festival suitable for rehoming. Suitable animals Office of Local Government (OLG) again in 2014. Visitors were given are advertised for sale and if unsold details of all animals seized under free microchipping for their pets, and they are offered to rehoming agencies. the Act. veterinarians gave free health checks. Stalls provided information on pet In addition, Council has invested As part of our reporting requirements, considerable resources in ensuring Council also gives the OLG ongoing care and welfare and responsible pet ownership. that the percentage of animals information about dog attacks. being returned to their owner or Urban animal management in the Animal Service Officers attended being rehomed continues to rise. Blacktown LGA in 2014–15 cost community festivals – including our These initiatives have resulted in 91% $2.2 million. These costs were partially travelling tree giveaways – to promote of all dogs and 46% of cats impounded offset by $1.44 million in income responsible pet ownership and at the AHF being reunited with their generated by fines, fees and charges, provide free microchipping. owner, sold or rehomed. and other income from the companion Council also has an Urban animal fund and from other Councils Companion Animal Management 25 (G) OFF-LEASH AREAS using our Animal Holding Facility (AHF). Advisory Sub‑Committee that Each local Council is required to canvasses issues and makes provide at least one ‘off-leash’ area. recommendations to Council about Blacktown City Council has 12 off‑leash urban animal management. areas, 5 of which are fenced. In addition, a fenced off-leash area is located at Bungarribee Park, Doonside Road, Doonside. The Western Sydney Parklands Trust operates this park.

86 MAKING INFORMATION AVAILABLE

Agency name BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT COST Blacktown City Council PUBLICATION GUIDE A TO Z Principal department (if applicable) Community Land Free Governance Services section SUBJECT COST Complaint Free Reporting period Cost Acoustic Reports Free 30 June 2014 to 01 July 2015 Compliment Free Advice and Guidance – GIPA Free OBLIGATIONS UNDER Comprehensive Agendas – Council Meetings Free Performance Assessment THE GIPA ACT of Council by DLG Free Agendas – Sub-Committees Free 1. R EVIEW OF PROACTIVE of Council Construction Certificates Free RELEASE PROGRAM – Annual Financial Report Free Consultants Reports Free CLAUSE 7(A) Annual Reports Free Under section 7 of the Government Contamination Reports Free Information (Public Access) Act Appeal Decisions – Free Content Management (GIPA Act), agencies must review Information their programs for the release of Process Free government information to identify the Appeal Decisions – Free Contracts Currently kinds of information that can be made Planning Available for Public Tender Free publicly available. This review must be undertaken at least once every Applications – Not Planning Contracts Register – 12 months. or Development Free Awarded Contracts Free Our agency’s program for the proactive Approvals Free release of information involves Contribution Plans – Under Section 94 of the Planning improving the depth of information Approvals – Not Planning and Assessment Act Free we make available on our website and and Development Free at our Blacktown City Information Copyright Conditions Free Centre and libraries. Arts Policy Free During the reporting period, we Creative Commons Asset Register Free encouraged members of the public to Attribution Licence Free participate in the review of our policies Auditor’s Reports Free and functions through comments and Cultural Plan Free suggestions on any of the material Best Value Selection we publish. Customer Service Criteria (Procurement) Free Agreements Free Because of this review, we released the Blacktown Venue following information proactively: Delegations Register Free Management Publications Free Delivery Program – Budgets Free 2010–2011 Delivery Building Certificates Free Program Free

Building Plans Free Development Control Plans Free

Business Plans for Services Disclosure Log – GIPA Free Provided by Council Free Dog Register Exempt Charges and Fees Free Economic Development Code of Conduct Free Strategy and Plan Free

Code of Meeting Practice Free EEO Management Plan Free

Code of Procurement Free Electoral Commission Information – Blacktown Free

87 MAKING INFORMATION AVAILABLE

SUBJECT COST SUBJECT COST SUBJECT COST

Environmental Impact Local Environmental Plans Public Consultations – Assessments Free (LEPs) Free Consultation Papers or Information, any Summary Feedback Free Local Orders Free of the Responses and the Outcome of the Financial Audit Reports Free Major Policy Proposals and Consultation Exercise Free Decisions Free Financial Statements Free Public Forum Free Management Plans Free Forward Planning – Budget Free Public Registers and Mapping Information Free Registers Held as Public Funding for Partnership Records – for Example Arrangements Free Media Releases – Media Register of Pecuniary Statements and Releases Free Interests Free GIPA Application Forms Free Meeting Schedule Free Publication Guide Free GIPA Council Contacts Free Minutes – Council Meetings Free Records Management GIPA List of Charges Free Policy Free MOUs – Partnership Graffiti Register Free Agreements Made by Register of Councillors’ and the Council with Various Staff Pecuniary Interests Free Heritage Reports Free Groups in the Public, Private, Voluntary, Home Warranty Insurance Register of Gifts and Community and Faith Hospitality Free Documents Free Sectors Free Register of Investments Free Impounded Animals – Occupation Certificates Free Individual Animals Free Review of Council Policies Operational Plans Free Information Application Free and Functions Free Ordinary Meetings of Review of Publication Guide Free Inspection Reports – Food Council Free Premises Free Service Agreements – Organisational Chart Free Internal Audit Committee within Council Free Minutes Free Organisational Service Standards – Performance Reviews Free Investment Register Free Customer Charter and Service Standards Free Pay and Grading Structure Free Land Acquisitions – Compulsory Free Services for Members of Planning Instruments Free the Public – Details of all the Council’s Services can Land Register Free Plans – Buildings Free be Found in the Council’s Leaflets, Booklets and Policy Register Free Directory of Services Free Newsletters – Various Leaflets and Council Procurement Policies and Services Listing for which Publications Available Procedures Free the Council is Entitled to in Council Offices, Recover a Fee, Together Neighbourhood Centres, Promoting Better Practice with those Fees – for Libraries etc. Free Reviews – OLG’s PBP Example Licensing Fees Review Reports Free and Charges Free Leases and Licences for use of Public Land as Properties – Private Charge Social Plan Free Community Land Free

88 SUBJECT COST SUBJECT COST 3. N UMBER OF REFUSED APPLICATIONS FOR Spending Reviews – the Vision – 2030 Blacktown SCHEDULE 1 INFORMATION – Quarterly Review of City Vision Free CLAUSE 7(C) Budgets Free Voting Record on Clause 7(c) refers to the number of Staff Enterprise Agreement Free Planning Matters Free applications received, not decisions made about those applications. Statistical Information on Westpool Free It does not cover informal requests. Blacktown Free WSROC Free During the reporting period, our Strategic Long-term Plan Free agency refused 0 access applications either wholly or in part because the Strategies Developed 2. N UMBER OF ACCESS information requested was information in Partnership with referred to in Schedule 1 to the Other Authorities Free APPLICATIONS RECEIVED – GIPA Act. CLAUSE 7(B) Structural Certificates Free Statistical information about access Clause 7(b) refers to the number of applications – Clause 7(d) and The Civic Office Facilities applications received, not decisions Schedule 2. and Expenses Policy Free made about those applications. It does not cover informal requests. Timetable of Council Meetings – Committee During the reporting period, our agency Dates for the Current Year Free received 4 formal access applications (including withdrawn applications but Tree Inspection Reports Free not invalid applications).

BLACKTOWN CITY’S ANIMAL HOLDING FACILITY, PROSPECT

89 MAKING INFORMATION AVAILABLE

TABLE A: NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS BY TYPE OF APPLICANT AND OUTCOME*

ACCESS ACCESS ACCESS INFORMATION INFORMATION REFUSE TO REFUSE TO APPLICATION GRANTED GRANTED REFUSED NOT HELD ALREADY DEAL WITH CONFIRM/ WITHDRAWN IN FULL IN PART IN FULL AVAILABLE APPLICATION DENY WHETHER INFORMATION IS HELD

Media 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Members of Parliament 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Private sector business 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Not-for-profit organisations or community groups 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Members of the public (application by legal representative) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Members of the public (other) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

* A personal information application is an access application for personal information (as defined in Clause 4 or Schedule 4 to the Act) about an individual.

TABLE B: NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS BY TYPE OF APPLICATION AND OUTCOME

ACCESS ACCESS ACCESS INFORMATION INFORMATION REFUSE TO REFUSE TO APPLICATION GRANTED GRANTED REFUSED NOT HELD ALREADY DEAL WITH CONFIRM/ WITHDRAWN IN FULL IN PART IN FULL AVAILABLE APPLICATION DENY WHETHER INFORMATION IS HELD

Personal information applications* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Access applications (other than personal information applications) 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Access applications that are partly personal information applications and partly other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

* A personal information application is an access application for personal information (as defined in Clause 4 of Schedule 4 to the Act) about the applicant (the applicant being an individual).

90 TABLE C: INVALID APPLICATIONS

REASON FOR INVALIDITY NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS

Application does not comply with formal requirements (section 41 of the Act) 0

Application is for excluded information of the agency (section 43 of the Act) 0

Application contravenes restraint order (section 110 of the Act) 0

Total number of invalid applications received 0

Invalid applications that subsequently became valid applications 0

TABLE D: CONCLUSIVE PRESUMPTION OF OVERRIDING PUBLIC INTEREST AGAINST DISCLOSURE: MATTERS LISTED IN SCHEDULE 1 OF THE ACT

NUMBER OF TIMES CONSIDERATION USED*

Overriding secrecy laws 0

Cabinet information 0

Executive Council information 0

Contempt 0

Legal professional privilege 0

Excluded information 0

Documents affecting law enforcement and public safety 0

Transport safety 0

Adoption 0

Care and protection of children 0

Ministerial code of conduct 0

Aboriginal and environmental heritage 0

* M ore than 1 public interest consideration may apply in relation to a particular access application and, if so, each such consideration is recorded (but only once per application). This also applies to Table E.

91 MAKING INFORMATION AVAILABLE

TABLE E: OTHER PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERATIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE: MATTERS LISTED IN TABLE TO SECTION 14 OF THE ACT

NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WHEN APPLICATION NOT SUCCESSFUL

Responsible and effective government 0

Law enforcement and security 0

Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice 0

Business interests of agencies and other persons 1

Environment, culture, economy and general matters 0

Secrecy provisions 0

Exempt documents under interstate Freedom of Information legislation 0

TABLE F: TIMELINESS

NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS

Decided within the statutory timeframe (20 days plus any extensions) 3

Decided after 35 days (by agreement with applicant) 1

Not decided within time (deemed refusal) 0

TABLE G: NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS REVIEWED UNDER PART 5 OF THE ACT (BY TYPE OF REVIEW AND OUTCOME)

DECISION DECISION TOTAL VARIED UPHELD

Internal review 0 0 0

Review by Information Commissioner* 0 0 0

Internal review following recommendation under section 93 of Act 0 0 0

Review by ADT 0 0 0

* T he Information Commissioner does not have the authority to vary decisions, but can make recommendation to the original decision-maker. The data in this case indicates that a recommendation to vary or uphold the original decision has been made.

TABLE H: APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW UNDER PART 5 OF THE ACT (BY TYPE OF APPLICANT)

NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW

Applications by access applicants 0

Applications by persons to whom information the subject of access application relates 0 (see section 54 of the Act)

92 PLANNING AGREEMENTS

PLANNING AGREEMENT REGISTER (PA) The following planning agreements (PA) have been entered into in accordance with Section 93F of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.

PA No.: PA Parties: PA No.: 01 Landcom of Riverbank Corporate 04 Centre, Level 2, 330 Church Street, Name of PA: Name of PA: Parramatta NSW 2150 Interchange Park Planning Agreement Wallgrove Stage 1 (as amended) Blacktown City Council Planning Agreement of 62 Flushcombe Road, Short description: Short description: Blacktown NSW 2148 This agreement is a mechanism for This agreement enables Council providing public infrastructure to Land to which the PA applies: to grant Development Consent to the area commonly known as Lot The area is bounded to the north by developments in Stage 3 of SEPP 11 Precinct that would normally Schofields Road; to the west by a 59 Employment Lands by allowing be provided under Section 94 of ridgeline east of Hambledon Road; to the developer to provide security the Environmental Planning and the south by the suburb of Quakers to Council, in lieu of its future Assessment Act 1979. Hill and the Parklea Prison; and to the Section 94 obligation, until Council east by Fyfe Road and Castlebrook adopts the applicable Section 94 Date PA was entered into: Cemetery. Contributions Plan. 6 September 2006 Legal Document No.: Date PA was entered into: Deed of Variation: LD-06-143 8 March 2007 24 June 2013 PA Parties: PA Parties: PA No.: Jacfin Pty Ltdof c/o GTA Real Estate Interchange Park Pty 03 PricewaterhouseCoopers, Limited of Level 17, 60 Castlereagh 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Name of PA: Raceway Precinct Planning Agreement Blacktown City Council Blacktown City Council of of 62 Flushcombe Road, 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown Short description: Blacktown NSW 2148 NSW 2148 This agreement is a mechanism for providing public infrastructure Land to which the PA applies: Land to which the PA applies: to the area commonly known as The land is located in the Stage 3 The land identified in Schedule 2, the Raceway Precinct that would Eastern Creek Precinct of State known as Lot 11 Precinct in State normally be provided under Section Environmental Planning Policy No 59 Environmental Planning Policy No 59 – 94 of the Environmental Planning and – Central Western Sydney Economic Central Western Sydney Economic and Assessment Act 1979. and Employment Area and consists of Employment Area Date PA was entered into: that part of Lot 102 in Deposited Plan Legal Document No.: 22 December 2006 1028252, which is defined as the ‘Stage LD-06-117 1 Development Land’ in DA-06-1228. PA Parties: Investa Commercial Developments Pty Legal Document No.: PA No.: Ltd of Level 6, Deutsche Bank Place, LD-07-27 02 126 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2150 Name of PA: Blacktown City Council of Second Ponds Creek Planning 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown Agreement NSW 2148 Short description: Land to which the PA applies: This agreement is a mechanism for The land is known as the Raceway providing public infrastructure to the Precinct of State Environmental area commonly known as Second Ponds Planning Policy No 59 – Central Creek that would normally be provided Western Sydney Economic and under Section 94 of the Environmental Employment Area and consists of Lots Planning and Assessment Act 1979. 2 and 5 in Deposited Plan 1079897. Date PA was entered into: Legal Document No.: 12 October 2006 LD-07-1

93 PLANNING AGREEMENTS

PA No.: PA Parties: PA No.: 05 Jacfin Pty Ltd of c/o 08 PricewaterhouseCoopers, Name of PA: Name of PA: 201 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Motor Vehicle Logistics Facility Eastern Creek Business Park Planning Agreement Blacktown City Council Planning Agreement EC3 of 62 Flushcombe Road, Short description: Short description: Blacktown NSW 2148 This agreement enables Council This agreement enables Council to grant Development Consent to Land to which the PA applies: to grant Development Consent to developments in Stage 3 of SEPP The land is located in the Stage 3 developments in Stage 3 of SEPP 59 Employment Lands by allowing Eastern Creek Precinct of State 59 Employment Lands by allowing the developer to provide security Environmental Planning Policy No 59 the developer to provide security to Council, in lieu of its future – Central Western Sydney Economic to Council, in lieu of its future Section 94 obligation, until Council and Employment Area and consists Section 94 obligation, until Council adopts the applicable Section 94 of that part of Lot 204 in Deposited adopts the applicable Section 94 Contributions Plan. Plan 1117111. Contributions Plan. Date PA was entered into: Legal Document No.: Date PA was entered into: 5 July 2008 LD-08-111 20 March 2009 PA Parties: PA Parties: Jacfin Pty Ltd of c/o PA No.: Australand 111 Pty Ltd of PricewaterhouseCoopers, 07 Level 3, 1C Homebush Bay Drive, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Name of PA: Rhodes NSW 2138 Blacktown City Council Stonecutters Ridge Planning Hartford Road Lane Pty Ltd of Level 33, Agreement (amended 6 May 2015) of 62 Flushcombe Road, 680 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Blacktown NSW 2148 Short description: Blacktown City Council Land to which the PA applies: This agreement is a mechanism for of 62 Flushcombe Road, The land is located in the Stage 3 providing public infrastructure to Blacktown NSW 2148 Eastern Creek Precinct of State Colebee Release Area that would Land to which the PA applies: Environmental Planning Policy No 59 normally be provided under Section The land is located in the Stage 3 – Central Western Sydney Economic 94 of the Environmental Planning and Eastern Creek Precinct of State and Employment Area and consists Assessment Act 1979. The agreement Environmental Planning Policy No 59 of that part of Lot 102 in Deposited was amended through a Deed of – Central Western Sydney Economic Plan 1028252. Variation on 6 May 2015. and Employment Area Lot 122 in Legal Document No.: Date PA was entered into: Deposited Plan 1049623. LD-08-80 1 December 2008 Legal Document No.: Date amendment was made: LD-09-34 PA No.: 6 May 2015 06 PA Parties: PA No.: Name of PA: Medallist Golf Holdings Pty 09 Eastern Creek Stage 2 Subdivision Ltd of Level 14, 1 Martin Place, Name of PA: Planning Agreement Sydney NSW 2000 Tesrol Eastern Creek Stage 1 Short description: Blacktown City Council Planning Agreement This agreement enables Council of 62 Flushcombe Road, Short description: to grant Development Consent to Blacktown NSW 2148 This agreement enables Council developments in Stage 3 of SEPP Land to which the PA applies: to grant Development Consent to 59 Employment Lands by allowing The land is located in the Colebee developments in Stage 3 of SEPP the developer to provide security Release Area and consists of PT Lot 103 59 Employment Lands by allowing to Council, in lieu of its future DP 1127481, PT Lot 104 DP1127481, Lot the developer to provide security to Section 94 obligation, until Council 105 DP 1127481, Lot 106 DP 1127481, Lot Council, in lieu of its future Section adopts the applicable Section 94 107 DP 1127481, Lot 108 DP1127481 and 94 obligation, until Council adopts the Contributions Plan. PT Lot 109 DP1127481. applicable Section 94 Contributions Date PA was entered into: Plan. The agreement also obligates Legal Document No.: 22 September 2008 the developer to provide precinct LD-08-143 works-in-kind.

94 Date PA was entered into: Legal Document No.: Date PA was entered into: 28 October 2009 LD-09-116 29 March 2010 PA Parties: PA Parties: Australand 111 Pty Ltd of PA No.: Jacfin Pty Ltd of c/o Level 3, 1C Homebush Bay Drive, 11 PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rhodes NSW 2138 Name of PA: 201 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000 Blacktown City Council Mirvac Planning Agreement Blacktown City Council of 62 Flushcombe Road, Short description: of 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148 This agreement enables Council Blacktown NSW 2148 Land to which the PA applies: to grant Development Consent to Land to which the PA applies: The land to which the Stage 1 Planning developments in Stage 3 of SEPP The land is located in the Stage 3 Agreement applies is located in the 59 Employment Lands by allowing Eastern Creek Precinct of State Stage 3 Eastern Creek Precinct of State the developer to provide security Environmental Planning Policy No 59 – Environmental Planning Policy No 59 – to Council, in lieu of its future Central Western Sydney Economic and Central Western Sydney Economic and Section 94 obligation, until Council Employment Area and consists of Lot Employment Area. Refer to page 27 of adopts the applicable Section 94 302 in Deposited Plan 1133621. the agreement for the location. Contributions Plan. Legal Document No.: Legal Document No.: Date PA was entered into: LD-10-41 LD-09-115 04 January 2010 PA Parties: PA No.: PA No.: Mirvac Funds Management Limited 13 10 of Level 26, 60 Margaret Street, Name of PA: Sydney NSW 2000 Name of PA: Eastern Creek Stage 3B Subdivision Tesrol Eastern Creek Stage 2 Perpetual Nominees Limited of Planning Agreement Planning Agreement Level 12, 123 Pitt Street, Sydney Short description: NSW 2000 Short description: This agreement enables Council This agreement enables Council Blacktown City Council to grant Development Consent to to grant Development Consent to of 62 Flushcombe Road, developments in Stage 3 of SEPP developments in Stage 3 of SEPP Blacktown NSW 2148 59 Employment Lands by allowing 59 Employment Lands by allowing the developer to provide security Land to which the PA applies: the developer to provide security to to Council, in lieu of its future The land is located in the Stage 3 Council, in lieu of its future Section Section 94 obligation, until Council Eastern Creek Precinct of State 94 obligation, until Council adopts the adopts the applicable Section 94 Environmental Planning Policy No 59 – applicable Section 94 Contributions Contributions Plan. Central Western Sydney Economic and Plan. The agreement also obligates Employment Area and consists of Lot Date PA was entered into: the developer to provide precinct 101 in Deposited Plan 1028252. 29 March 2010 works-in-kind. Legal Document No.: PA Parties: Date PA was entered into: LD-10-1 Jacfin Pty Ltd of c/o 28 October 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers, 201 PA Parties: PA No.: Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australand 111 Pty Ltd of 12 Blacktown City Council Level 3, 1C Homebush Bay Drive, Name of PA: of 62 Flushcombe Road, Rhodes NSW 2138 Eastern Creek Stage 3A Subdivision Blacktown NSW 2148 Blacktown City Council Planning Agreement Land to which the PA applies: of 62 Flushcombe Road, Short description: The land is located in the Stage 3 Blacktown NSW 2148 This agreement enables Council Eastern Creek Precinct of State Land to which the PA applies: to grant Development Consent to Environmental Planning Policy No 59 The land to which the Stage 2 Planning developments in Stage 3 of SEPP – Central Western Sydney Economic Agreement applies is located in the 59 Employment Lands by allowing and Employment Area and consists of Stage 3 Eastern Creek Precinct of State the developer to provide security Lot 3101 in the subdivision of Lot 302 Environmental Planning Policy No 59 – to Council, in lieu of its future in Deposited Plan 1133621. Central Western Sydney Economic and Section 94 obligation, until Council Legal Document No.: Employment Area. Refer to page 26 of adopts the applicable Section 94 LD-10-40 the agreement for the location. Contributions Plan.

95 PLANNING AGREEMENTS

PA No.: Land to which the PA applies: PA Parties: 14 Lot 187 in DP1007801 and Lot 11 in Landcom of Riverbank Corporate DP 1084455 at Old Windsor Road and Centre, Level 2, 330 Church Street, Name of PA: Meurants Lane Glenwood. Parramatta NSW 2150 Bungarribee Precinct 1 Planning Agreement Legal Document No.: Blacktown City Council LD-10-137 of 62 Flushcombe Road, Short description: Blacktown NSW 2148 This agreement is a mechanism for providing public infrastructure to PA No.: Land to which the PA applies: 16 Precinct 1 of the Doonside Residential The land within the Stage 2 boundary Parcel that would normally be provided Name of PA: area identified as such on Works under Section 94 of the Environmental Fitzpatrick Investments Pty Limited Plan 04 in Part 2 of Schedule 3 to Planning and Assessment Act 1979. and Blacktown City Council the agreement. Date PA was entered into: Short description: Legal Document No.: 8 June 2010 This agreement is a mechanism for LD-11-31 PA Parties: providing land and public infrastructure Landcom of Riverbank Corporate to the Timbertop Reserve at PA No.: Centre, Level 2, 330 Church Street, Prospect. It also contributes to the 18 costs of ongoing maintenance and Parramatta NSW 2150 Name of PA: improvements to the reserve. Blacktown City Council Marsden Park Industrial Precinct Planning Agreement of 62 Flushcombe Road, Date PA was entered into: Blacktown NSW 2148 22 December 2010 (amended 24 December 2012) Land to which the PA applies: PA Parties: Short description: Fitzpatrick Investments Pty The land edged in heavy black and This agreement is a mechanism for Limited indicated as Precinct 1 on the plan in of Suite 2501, 44 Market St, providing public infrastructure to the Schedule 1 to the agreement. Sydney NSW 2000 Marsden Park Industrial Precinct that would normally be provided under Blacktown City Council Legal Document No.: Section 94 of the Environmental of 62 Flushcombe Road, LD-10-63 Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Blacktown NSW 2148 The agreement was amended through a PA No.: Land to which the PA applies: Deed of Variation on 24 December 2012. 15 Part of Lot 101 in Deposited Plan Date PA was entered into: 863828 in the Blacktown LGA suburb Name of PA: 13 October 2011 of Prospect. Valentine Park Planning Agreement Deed of Variation: Legal Document No.: Short description: 24 December 2012 LD -11-1 This agreement is a mechanism for PA Parties: providing public infrastructure to the Marsden Park Developments Pty current headquarters of Football NSW PA No.: Limited of 920 Richmond Road, at Valentine Park Glenwood that would 17 Marsden Park NSW 2765 normally be provided under Section Name of PA: 94 of the Environmental Planning and Bungarribee Precinct 2 Blacktown City Council Assessment Act 1979. Planning Agreement of 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148 Date PA was entered into: Short description: 15 November 2010 This agreement is a mechanism for Land to which the PA applies: The land identified in the Land PA Parties: providing public infrastructure to Identification Map in Schedule 1 Football NSW Limited of Precinct 2 of the Doonside Residential to the agreement. 235 Meurants Lane Glenwood Parcel that would normally be provided NSW 2768 under Section 94 of the Environmental Legal Document No.: Planning and Assessment Act 1979. LD-11-112 Blacktown City Council of 62 Flushcombe Road, Date PA was entered into: Blacktown NSW 2148 10 March 2011

96 PA No.: PA Parties: PA No.: 19 Goodman Property Services (Aust) 22 Pty Limited of Level 10, 60 Castlereagh Name of PA: Name of PA: Street, Sydney NSW 2001 799 Richmond Road Marsden 236 Richmond Road Woodcroft Park Planning Agreement Trust Company Limited of Level 15, Planning Agreement (amended 4 April 2014) 20 Bond Street, Sydney NSW 2001 Short description: Short description: Blacktown City Council This agreement is a mechanism This agreement is a mechanism for of 62 Flushcombe Road, to contribute towards public providing public infrastructure to Blacktown NSW 2148 infrastructure in the Woodcroft area land at 799 Richmond Road, Marsden that would normally be provided Land to which the PA applies: Park that would normally be provided under Section 94 of the Environmental Lots 101–105 in DP 1166084, being under Section 94 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. land that was previously Lots 1, 2, Planning and Assessment Act 1979. and 3 in DP 815845 and Lots 2, 3 and 4 Date PA was entered into: Date PA was entered into: in DP 801213. 13 April 2012 19 December 2011 Legal Document No.: PA Parties: Deed of Variation: LD-12-1 Universal Property Group Pty Ltd 4 April 2014 t/a Batha Investments of Unit 1/129 Magowar Road, Girraween NSW 2145 PA Parties: PA No.: The Smith Family Trust of 21 Blacktown City Council 799 Richmond Road, Marsden Name of PA: of 62 Flushcombe Road, Park NSW 2765 Bungarribee Precincts 3, 4 and 5 Blacktown NSW 2148 Planning Agreement Blacktown City Council Land to which the PA applies: of 62 Flushcombe Road, Short description: Lot 1 in Deposited Plan 786901 at Blacktown NSW 2148 This agreement is a mechanism for 236 Richmond Road Woodcroft Land to which the PA applies: providing public infrastructure to Legal Document No.: Lot 26 DP 661196, Lot 1 DP 397350, Precincts 3, 4 and 5 of the Doonside LD-12-48 Lot 1 DP 840786, Lot 9 DP 976748 and Residential Parcel that would Lot 86 DP 752030, otherwise known as normally be provided under Section 799 Richmond Road, Marsden Park. 94 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Legal Document No.: LD-12-2 Date PA was entered into: 24 January 2012 PA No.: PA Parties: 20 Landcom of Level 14, 60 Station Street, Parramatta NSW 2159 Name of PA: Huntingwood East Blacktown City Council Planning Agreement of 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148 Short description: This agreement is a mechanism to Land to which the PA applies: allow the development of Lots 101 The land within the Stage 3, 4 to 105 in DP 1166084 that is located and 5 boundary area identified as in the Western Sydney Employment such on Works Plan 02 and Works Area (WSEA). Plan 03 in Schedule 3 of this draft Planning Agreement. Date PA was entered into: 22 December 2011 Legal Document No.: LD-12-13

97 PLANNING AGREEMENTS

PA No.: Blacktown City Council PA Parties: 23 of 62 Flushcombe Road, The Trust Company Ltd Blacktown NSW 2148 GGGAIF JV No. 3 Pty Ltd Name of PA: GGGAIF JV No. 4 Pty Ltd Bungarribee Precinct 6 Land to which the PA applies: The Minister administering the Planning Agreement The land is located in the Stage 3 Environmental Planning and Eastern Creek Precinct of State Short description: Assessment Act 1979 Environmental Planning Policy No 59 This agreement is a mechanism for Blacktown City Council – Central Western Sydney Economic providing public infrastructure to Western Sydney Parklands Trust and Employment Area and consists of Precinct 6 of the Doonside Residential Lot 11 in Deposited Plan 1157491. Land to which the PA applies: Parcel that would normally be provided Lots 30 to 32 and 331 in DP 1161771, under Section 94 of the Environmental Legal Document No.: Lot 34 in DP 1169557, Lots 5 and 6 Planning and Assessment Act 1979. LD-13-55 in DP 1127100 and Lots 332 and 333 Date PA was entered into: in DP 1192405 30 April 2013 PA No.: 25 Legal Document No.: PA Parties: LD-14-31 Landcom of Riverbank Corporate Name of PA: Burrawa Rise Planning Agreement Centre, Level 2, 330 Church Street, PA No.: Parramatta NSW 2150 Short description: 27 This agreement is a mechanism for Blacktown City Council Name of PA: providing public infrastructure in the of 62 Flushcombe Road, Skylands Stage 1 Planning Agreement Blacktown NSW 2148 Schofields Precinct of the North West Growth Centre ahead of a Section 94 Short description: Land to which the PA applies: Contributions Plan for the Precinct. This agreement is a mechanism for The land bounded by the dotted blue providing public infrastructure in the Date PA was entered into: line identified as the ‘Precinct 6 Schofields Precinct of the North West 29 November 2013 Boundary’ on the Land Dedication Plan, Growth Centre ahead of a Section 94 being part Lot 61 DP 1111529. PA Parties: Contributions Plan for the Precinct. Schofields WW Pty Ltd as trustee for Legal Document No.: Date PA was entered into: Crown Projects Trust (No. 17) of Suite LD-13-37 16 April 2014 704, 70 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 PA Parties: PA No.: Blacktown City Council Dairycorp Pty Limited 24 of 62 Flushcombe Road, ACN 007 093 898 of PO Box 759, Blacktown NSW 2148 Name of PA: Newport Beach NSW 2106 Eastern Creek Stage 4 Subdivision Land to which the PA applies: Gregory Lindsay-Owen Planning Agreement Lot 200 in DP 133490, Lot 5 in DP of PO Box 759, Newport Beach 227761 and Lots 1 to 14 in DP 2912 Short description: NSW 2106 This agreement enables Council Legal Document No.: Schofields Property Development to grant Development Consent to LD-13-128 Pty Ltd ABN 78 141 112 165 developments in Stage 3 of SEPP of Level1, 6 Southbank Quay, 59 Employment Lands by allowing PA No.: Southbank Victoria 3006 the developer to provide security 26 to Council, in lieu of its future Blacktown City Council Name of PA: Section 94 obligation, until Council of 62 Flushcombe Road, Huntingwood West adopts the applicable Section 94 Blacktown NSW 2148 Planning Agreement Contributions Plan. Land to which the PA applies: Short description: Date PA was entered into: Lot 200 in DP 1140580 This agreement is a mechanism 24 June 2013 for providing public infrastructure Legal Document No.: PA Parties: in Huntingwood West. LD-14-30 Jacfin Pty Ltd of c/o Date PA was entered into: PricewaterhouseCoopers, 201 Sussex 4 April 2014 Street, Sydney NSW 2000

98 PA No.: PA No.: PA No.: 28 30 32 Name of PA: Name of PA: Name of PA: North West Growth Centre Precincts 107 Symonds Road, Colebee Marsden Park Precinct 1 Planning Agreement DA-13-855 Planning Agreement Planning Agreement Short description: Short description: Short description: This agreement is a mechanism for This agreement is a mechanism for This agreement is a mechanism funding public infrastructure in the funding public infrastructure in the for providing public infrastructure Schofields Precinct of the North West Schofields Precinct of the North West in the Marsden Park Precinct, Growth Centre ahead of a Section 94 Growth Centre ahead of a Section 94 which is needed because of Contributions Plan for the Precinct. Contributions Plan for the Precinct. residential development. Date PA was entered into: Date PA was entered into: Date PA was entered into: 31 July 2014 10 November 2014 22 December 2014 PA Parties: PA Parties: PA Parties: So Hip Tong of 25 Arthur Street, RHD Developments Pty Ltd of Stockland Development Pty Limited Strathfield NSW 2135 Suite 305, 177–185 William Street, of Level 25, 133 Castlereagh Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Sydney NSW 2000 Blacktown City Council of 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown City Council Blacktown City Council Blacktown NSW 2148 of 62 Flushcombe Road, of 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148 Blacktown NSW 2148 Land to which the PA applies: Lot 1 in DP 1103871 Land to which the PA applies: Land to which the PA applies: Lot 3 in DP1041877 Lot 113 in DP 1190510, Lot 6 in DP Legal Document No.: 235714 and Lots 3 and 4 in DP 1191653 LD-14-105 Legal Document No.: LD-14-160 Legal Document No.: PA No.: LD-15-5 29 PA No.: 31 PA No.: Name of PA: 33 North West Growth Centre Precincts Name of PA: Planning Agreement DA-14-475 Former Ashlar Golf Course Site Name of PA: Planning Agreement North West Growth Centre Precincts Short description: Planning Agreement DA-14-531 This agreement is a mechanism for Short description: providing public infrastructure in the This agreement is a mechanism Short description: Schofields Precinct of the North West for providing public infrastructure This agreement is a mechanism for Growth Centre ahead of a Section 94 to the former Ashlar golf course providing public infrastructure in the Contributions Plan for the Precinct. site, which is needed as a result Schofields Precinct, which is needed of residential development. because of residential development. Date PA was entered into: 11 September 2014 Date PA was entered into: Date PA was entered into: 21 November 2014 22 December 2014 PA Parties: Muscat Emanuel of 39 Argowan Road, PA Parties: PA Parties: Schofields, NSW 2762 Australand Residential No 165 Magee Holdings Investments Pty Ltd Pty Ltd as trustee for the Australand of Suite 704, Level 7, 70 Pitt Street, Blacktown City Council Residential Unit Trust of 1 Homebush Sydney NSW 2000 of 62 Flushcombe Road, Bay Drive, Building C, Level 3, Blacktown NSW 2148 Blacktown City Council Rhodes NSW 2138 of 62 Flushcombe Road, Land to which the PA applies: Blacktown City Council Blacktown NSW 2148 Lot 42 in DP 12445 of 62 Flushcombe Road, Land to which the PA applies: Legal Document No.: Blacktown NSW 2148 Lots 35 to 38 in DP 12445 and Lot 39A LD-14-127 Land to which the PA applies: in DP 361488 Lot 1 in DP 222469, Lot 1 in DP 785936, Legal Document No.: and Lots 17 and 18 in DP 29519 LD-15-4 Legal Document No.: LD-14-167

99 PLANNING AGREEMENTS

PA No.: PA No.: PA No.: 34 35 36 Name of PA: Name of PA: Name of PA: North West Growth Centre Precincts North West Growth Centre Precincts North West Growth Centre Precincts Planning Agreement DA-14-675 Planning Agreement DA-14-1560 Planning Agreement DA-14-2067 Short description: Short description: Short description: This agreement is a mechanism for This agreement is a mechanism for This agreement is a mechanism for providing public infrastructure in the providing public infrastructure in the providing public infrastructure in the Schofields Precinct, which is needed Schofields Precinct, which is needed Schofields Precinct, which is needed because of residential development. because of residential development. because of residential development. Date PA was entered into: Date PA was entered into: Date PA was entered into: 22 December 2014 22 December 2014 22 December 2014 PA Parties: PA Parties: PA Parties: Magee Holdings Investments Pty Ltd Magee Holdings Investments Pty Ltd Magee Holdings Investments Pty Ltd of Suite 704, Level 7, 70 Pitt Street, of Suite 704, Level 7, 70 Pitt Street, of Suite 704, Level 7, 70 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Sydney NSW 2000 Sydney NSW 2000 Blacktown City Council Blacktown City Council Blacktown City Council of 62 Flushcombe Road, of 62 Flushcombe Road, of 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148 Blacktown NSW 2148 Blacktown NSW 2148 Land to which the PA applies: Land to which the PA applies: Land to which the PA applies: Lots 40 to 42 and 45 in DP 12445 and Lots 35, 36, 37 and 38 in DP 12445 and Lot 38 in DP 12445 Lot 2 in DP 1191977 Lot 39A in DP 361488 Legal Document No.: Legal Document No.: Legal Document No.: LD-15-1 LD-15-3 LD-15-2

100 PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE

PUBLIC INTEREST MADE BY PUBLIC UNDER A ALL DISCLOSURES OFFICIALS STATUTORY OTHER PERFORMING OR OTHER PIDS Blacktown City Council is committed THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LEGAL to acting in the best interests of the FUNCTIONS OBLIGATION community and to upholding the principles of honesty, integrity and No. of public officials who made 0 0 0 transparency in its administration public interest disclosures to your of Council funds and assets. public authority In conjunction with Council’s Fraud and Corruption Prevention Policy and its No. of public interest disclosures 0 0 0 Code of Conduct, the Internal Reporting received by your public authority Policy of Council is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public Of the public interest disclosures received, how many were primarily about: Interest Disclosures Act 1994, Corrupt conduct 0 0 0 recognising the value and importance of public officials (staff, Councillors and Maladministration 0 0 0 contractors) who report wrongdoing. Council has distributed policies to Serious and substantial waste 0 0 0 employees via Code of Conduct training and new employees receive induction Government information 0 0 0 training, which is supported by policies contravention published on Council’s intranet Local government pecuniary 0 0 0 site. The Independent Commission interest contravention Against Corruption has helped train managers on key aspects of No. of public interest disclosures 0 0 0 corruption prevention. received since 1 July 2014 that In the 2014–15 financial year, have been finalised in this the following number and types reporting period of disclosures were made and investigated: Have you established an internal reporting policy? Yes

Has the head of your public authority met their staff Yes awareness obligations?

Please select how staff have been made aware: Policy briefing from senior managers; training provided by the Ombudsman; training provided by your organisation; links on your intranet site; training provided to new staff during induction; messages in circulars

101 OTHER INFORMATION

OVERSEAS VISITS MAYORAL AND EXTERNAL BODIES A Blacktown City Council COUNCILLOR FEES delegation visited our Sister Cities FUNCTIONS DELEGATED During 2014–15, the following in China (Liaocheng) and South amounts were spent on Mayoral BY COUNCIL Korea (Suseong‑gu) from and Councillors’ fees. Council did not delegate any function 20–28 September 2014. to an external body during the The delegation comprised Councillor TYPE VALUE financial year. Len Robinson (representing the Mayor), Councillor Walter Smith, General Mayoral fees $67,823 Manager Kerry Robinson, Manager STATEMENT OF Events and Sister Cities Peter Filmer, Deputy Mayoral fees $10,477 CONTROLLING INTEREST Sister Cities committee members Doug Adams accompanied by Maree Adams, Councillors’ fees $428,837 COMPANIES IN WHICH COUNCIL Ron Alder accompanied by Lorelle HELD A CONTROLLING Love, and interpreters Zhang Hong Total $507,137 and Tao Zhang. INTEREST Mr Tao and Mrs Zhang left the Total cost of expenses and the Council controls a company limited delegation in China. provision of facilities for Councillors by guarantee (Blacktown Venue to carry out their civic functions. Management Limited), responsible The delegation was joined by the for the operational management and following people in Suseong-gu. In addition to the Mayoral and promotion of Blacktown International Councillors’ fees shown above, Sister Cities Project Officer Gordon Sportspark Sydney on Council’s behalf. $1,500,445 was also spent during Allen, Mitchell High School Principal 2014–15 on Councillors’ expenses and Elena Maranis, 7 Indigenous providing facilities in accordance with TOTAL REMUNERATION OF performers, Sam Beatty, Taryn Beatty, Council’s policy for the Payment of Majeda – Mo’ Beatty, Xing-Yee Beatty, GM AND SENIOR STAFF Expenses and Provision of Facilities to Djakapurra Beaty, Dion Drummond and Councillors. For details, see appendix Troy Allen, and interpreter Sophia Ra. STATE OF SENIOR OFFICERS’ (page 224). REMUNERATION PACKAGES COSTS Council is required to provide details of expenses, including: 2014–15 financial year Cr Robinson (representing the Mayor): • office equipment: $31,235 General Manager: $322,679 in accordance with Council Policy, funded by Council. • telephone calls: $10,242 Council Executive: $1,089,901 Cr Smith and Sister Cities community • attendance at conferences and Council executive staff consists of representatives and their partners: seminars (NSW): $34,405 Directors of Corporate Services, self-funded. • training and skills development: $0 Design and Development, City Assets and City Living. General Manager Robinson, Officers • interstate visits: $68,925 Filmer and Allen: funded by Council. • overseas visits: $5,638 ENVIRONMENTAL Interpreters: funded by Council and • provision of care for child or respectively China and South Korea. immediate family member: nil. UPGRADE AGREEMENTS Principal Mitchell High School and UNDER S406 Indigenous performers: funded WORK CARRIED OUT by Council. ON PRIVATE LAND ENVIRONMENTAL UPGRADE No other sponsors involved. AGREEMENTS UNDER S406 The total cost to Council for this WORK CARRIED OUT ON Council did not enter into any delegation visit was $46,541.44. PRIVATE LAND agreements during the 2014–15 financial year. Council did not carry out work on private land during the 2014–15 financial year.

102 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

103 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 UNDERSTANDING COUNCIL’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE NOTES TO THE Each year, individual Local Governments across NSW are FINANCIAL STATEMENTS required to present a set of audited financial statements to The Notes to the financial statements provide greater their Council & Community. detail and additional information on the 5 primary financial statements. WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE STATEMENTS The financial statements set out the financial performance, ABOUT THE AUDITOR’S REPORTS financial position & cash flows of Council for the financial year Council’s financial statements are required to be audited ended 30 June 2015. by external accountants (that generally specialize in The format of the financial statements is standard across Local Government). all NSW Councils and complies with both the accounting In NSW, the Auditor provides 2 audit reports: & reporting requirements of Australian Accounting 1. An opinion on whether the financial statements present Standards and requirements as set down by the Office fairly the Council’s financial performance & position, & of Local Government. 2. Their observations on the conduct of the Audit including ABOUT THE COUNCILLOR/ commentary on the Council’s financial performance & financial position. MANAGEMENT STATEMENT The financial statements must be certified by Senior staff as WHO USES THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ? “presenting fairly” the Council’s financial results for the year, and are required to be adopted by Council - ensuring both The financial statements are publicly available documents responsibility for & ownership of the financial statements. & must be presented at a Council meeting between 7 days & 5 weeks after the date of the Audit Report. ABOUT THE PRIMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Submissions from the public can be made to Council up to 7 days subsequent to the public presentation of the The financial statements incorporate 5 “primary” financial statements. financial statements: Council is required to forward an audited set of financial 1. The Income Statement statements to the Office of Local Government. Summarises Council’s financial performance for the year, listing all income & expenses. This statement also displays Council’s original adopted budget to provide a comparison between what was projected and what actually occurred. 2. The Statement of Comprehensive Income Primarily records changes in the fair values of Council’s Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment. 3. The Statement of Financial Position A 30 June snapshot of Council’s financial position indicating its Assets, Liabilities & “Net Wealth”. 4. The Statement of Changes in Equity The overall change for the year (in dollars) of Council’s “Net Wealth”. 5. The Statement of Cash Flows Indicates where Council’s cash came from and where it was spent. This statement also displays Council’s original adopted budget to provide a comparison between what was projected and what actually occurred.

104 105 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Income Statement for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Budget 1 Actual Actual 2015 $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

Income from Continuing Operations Revenue: 178,379 Rates & Annual Charges 3a 179,588 164,175 28,654 User Charges & Fees 3b 33,122 30,310 11,550 Interest & Investment Revenue 3c 13,397 13,837 12,388 Other Revenues 3d 17,681 15,489 29,164 Grants & Contributions provided for Operating Purposes 3e,f 31,199 21,827 2 59,502 Grants & Contributions provided for Capital Purposes 3e,f 222,820 109,269 Other Income: 2,000 Net gains from the disposal of assets 5 6,528 2,993 Net Share of interests in Joint Ventures & - - Associates using the equity method 19 658 1,350

321,637 Total Income from Continuing Operations 504,993 359,250

Expenses from Continuing Operations 117,547 Employee Benefits & On-Costs 4a 119,398 112,075 - - Borrowing Costs 4b - - 42,078 Materials & Contracts 4c 45,755 38,676 60,000 Depreciation & Amortisation 4d 62,533 58,388 51,341 Other Expenses 4e 56,175 52,931

270,966 Total Expenses from Continuing Operations 283,861 262,070

50,671 Operating Result from Continuing Operations 221,132 97,180

50,671 Net Operating Result for the Year 221,132 97,180

Net Operating Result for the year before Grants and (8,831) Contributions provided for Capital Purposes (1,688) (12,089)

1 Original Budget as approved by Council - refer Note 16 2 The Financial Assistance Grant for 13/14 was lower due to timing difference related to a change in how the grant was paid in prior years-refer Note 3 (e)

This Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notes. page 4

106 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

Net Operating Result for the year (as per Income statement) 221,132 97,180

Other Comprehensive Income:

Amounts which will not be reclassified subsequently to the Operating Result

Gain (loss) on revaluation of I,PP&E 20b (ii) 60,445 75,600 Adjustment to correct prior period errors 20 ( c ) 70,238 10,526 Total Items which will not be reclassified subsequently to the Operating Result 130,683 86,126

Amounts which will be reclassified subsequently to the Operating Result when specific conditions are met Nil

Total Other Comprehensive Income for the year 130,683 86,126

Total Comprehensive Income for the Year 351,815 183,306

Total Comprehensive Income attributable to Council 351,815 183,306

This Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notes. page 5

107 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2015

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

ASSETS Current Assets Cash & Cash Equivalents 6a 78,331 63,284 Investments 6b 219,500 101,000 Receivables 7 20,525 19,117 Inventories 8 39,924 37,163 Other 8 408 820 Total Current Assets 358,688 221,384

Non-Current Assets Investments 6b 62,500 132,500 Receivables 7 9,494 1,676 Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment 9 3,153,075 2,872,618 Investments accounted for using the equity method 19 7,414 6,756 Investment Property 14 38,548 35,290 Intangible Assets 25 3,844 995 Total Non-Current Assets 3,274,875 3,049,835 TOTAL ASSETS 3,633,563 3,271,219

LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Payables 10 45,897 36,715 Provisions 10 50,014 46,504 Total Current Liabilities 95,911 83,219

Non-Current Liabilities Provisions 10 6,097 8,260 Total Non-Current Liabilities 6,097 8,260 TOTAL LIABILITIES 102,008 91,479 Net Assets 3,531,555 3,179,740

EQUITY Retained Earnings 20 2,910,304 2,618,934 Revaluation Reserves 20 621,251 560,806 Total Equity 3,531,555 3,179,740

This Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notes. page 6

108 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Statement of Changes in Equity for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Non- Retained Reserves Council controlling Total $ '000 Notes Earnings (Refer 20b) Interest Interest Equity

2015 Opening Balance (as per Last Year's Audited Accounts) 2,618,934 560,806 3,179,740 - 3,179,740 a. Correction of Prior Period Errors 20 (c) - - - - - b. Changes in Accounting Policies (prior year effects) 20 (d) - - - - Revised Opening Balance (as at 1/7/14) 2,618,934 560,806 3,179,740 - 3,179,740 c. Net Operating Result for the Year 221,132 - 221,132 - 221,132 d. Other Comprehensive Income - Revaluations : IPP&E Asset Revaluation Rsve 20b (ii) - 60,445 60,445 - 60,445 - Correction of Prior Period Errors 20a 70,238 - 70,238 - 70,238 Other Comprehensive Income 70,238 60,445 130,683 - 130,683

Total Comprehensive Income (c&d) 291,370 60,445 351,815 - 351,815

Equity - Balance at end of the reporting period 2,910,304 621,251 3,531,555 - 3,531,555

Non- Retained Reserves Council controlling Total $ '000 Notes Earnings (Refer 20b) Interest Interest Equity

2014 Opening Balance (as per Last Year's Audited Accounts) 2,511,228 485,206 2,996,434 - 2,996,434 a. Correction of Prior Period Errors 20 (c) - - - - - b. Changes in Accounting Policies (prior year effects) 20 (d) - - - - - Revised Opening Balance (as at 1/7/13) 2,511,228 485,206 2,996,434 - 2,996,434 c. Net Operating Result for the Year 97,180 - 97,180 - 97,180 d. Other Comprehensive Income - Revaluations : IPP&E Asset Revaluation Rsve 20b (ii) - 75,600 75,600 - 75,600 - Correction of Prior Period Errors 20b (ii) 10,526 - 10,526 - 10,526 Other Comprehensive Income 10,526 75,600 86,126 - 86,126

Total Comprehensive Income (c&d) 107,706 75,600 183,306 - 183,306

Equity - Balance at end of the reporting period 2,618,934 560,806 3,179,740 - 3,179,740

This Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notes. page 7

109 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Statement of Cash Flows for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Budget Actual Actual 2015 $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

Cash Flows from Operating Activities Receipts: 178,379 Rates & Annual Charges 179,226 164,161 31,519 User Charges & Fees 35,219 32,642 11,550 Investment & Interest Revenue Received 13,240 14,532 88,665 Grants & Contributions 132,247 59,132 - - Bonds, Deposits & Retention amounts received 2,389 1,661 16,827 Other 20,558 27,148 Payments: (117,547) Employee Benefits & On-Costs (116,166) (109,496) (41,116) Materials & Contracts (44,362) (41,048) (70,209) Other (71,454) (69,962) 98,068 Net Cash provided (or used in) Operating Activities 11b 150,897 78,770

Cash Flows from Investing Activities Receipts: - - Sale of Investment Securities 280,000 259,000 3,000 Sale of Real Estate Assets 14,029 3,084 2,000 Sale of Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment 2,696 1,533 Payments: - - Purchase of Investment Securities (328,500) (260,500) (120) Purchase of Investment Property ( 8 ) (127) (82,630) Purchase of Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment (92,216) (90,789) (2,880) Purchase of Real Estate Assets (8,740) (16,271) - - Purchase of Intangible Assets (3,111) (206)

(80,630) Net Cash provided (or used in) Investing Activities (135,850) (104,276)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities Receipts: Nil

17,438 Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash & Cash Equivalents 15,047 (25,506)

25,784 plus: Cash & Cash Equivalents - beginning of year 11a 63,284 88,790

43,222 Cash & Cash Equivalents - end of the year 11a 78,331 63,284

Additional Information:

plus: Investments on hand - end of year 6b 282,000 233,500

Total Cash, Cash Equivalents & Investments 360,331 296,784 Please refer to Note 11 for information on the following: - Non Cash Financing & Investing Activities. - Financing Arrangements.

This Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notes. page 8

110 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Contents of the Notes accompanying the Financial Statements

Note Details Page

1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 112 2(a) Council Functions / Activities - Financial Information 131 2(b) Council Functions / Activities - Component Descriptions 132 3 Income from Continuing Operations 134 4 Expenses from Continuing Operations 140 5 Gains or Losses from the Disposal of Assets 143 6(a) Cash & Cash Equivalent Assets 144 6(b) Investments 144 6(c) Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents & Investments - Details 145 7 Receivables 147 8 Inventories and Other Assets 148 9(a) Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment 149 9(b) Externally Restricted Infrastructure, Property, Plant and Equipment 150 9(c) Infrastructure, Property, Plant and Equipment - Current Year Impairments 150 n/a 10(a) Payables, Borrowings and Provisions 151 10(b) Description of (and movements in) Provisions 152 11 Statement of Cash Flows - Additional Information 153 12 Commitments for Expenditure 155 13 Statement of Performance Measures: 13a (i) Local Government Industry Indicators (Consolidated) 156 13a (ii) Local Government Industry Graphs (Consolidated) 157 14 Investment Properties 159 15 Financial Risk Management 160 16 Material Budget Variations 164 17 Statement of Developer Contributions 167 18 Contingencies and Other Liabilities/Assets not recognised 176 19 Interests in Other Entities 178 20 Equity - Retained Earnings and Revaluation Reserves 181

21 Financial Result & Financial Position by Fund 183 n/a 22 "Held for Sale" Non Current Assets & Disposal Groups 183 n/a 23 Events occurring after the Reporting Date 183 n/a 24 Discontinued Operations 184 n/a 25 Intangible Assets 184 26 Reinstatement, Rehabilitation and Restoration Liabilities 184 n/a 27 Fair Value Measurement 185

n/a - not applicable

111 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The principal accounting policies adopted by Council in the (III) NEW AND AMENDED STANDARDS ADOPTED preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set BY COUNCIL out below in order to assist in its general understanding. During the current year, the following relevant accounting Under Australian Accounting Standards (AASBs), accounting standards became mandatory and have been adopted policies are defined as those specific principles, bases, by Council: conventions, rules and practices applied by a reporting • AASB 10 Consolidated Financial Statements entity (in this case Council) in preparing and presenting its financial statements. • AASB 11 Joint Arrangements • AASB 12 Disclosures of Interests in Other Entities (A) BASIS OF PREPARATION AASB 10 introduced a new definition of control based on the substance of the relationship and required Councils to (I) BACKGROUND consider their involvement with other entities regardless of These financial statements are general purpose financial whether there was a financial interest. statements which have been prepared in accordance with; AASB 11 classified joint arrangements into either joint • Australian Accounting Standards and Australian Accounting ventures (equity accounting) or joint operations (accounting Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting for share of assets and liabilities). Standards Board, AASB 12 has increased the level of disclosures required where • the Local Government Act (1993) & Regulation, and Council has any interests in subsidiaries, joint arrangements, • the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice associates or unconsolidated structured entities. and Financial Reporting. Although the adoption of the standards did not impact on For the purpose of preparing these financial statements, any of the amounts recognised in the financial statements, Council has been deemed to be a not-for-profit entity. it did impact on the type of information disclosed in relation to Council’s interest in the Westpool and United Independent (II) COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL Pools (UIP) joint venture. REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRSS) (IV) EARLY ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS Because AASBs are sector neutral, some standards either: Council has elected to early adopt AASB 2015-7 Amendments (a) have local Australian content and prescription that is to Australian Accounting Standards – Fair Value Disclosures specific to the Not-For-Profit sector (including Local of Not-for-Profit Public Sector Entities in the annual reporting Government) which are not in compliance with IFRS’s, or period beginning 1 July 2014. (b) specifically exclude application by Not for Profit entities. The application of the standard’s requirements has had an Accordingly in preparing these financial statements and impact on the type of information disclosed in the Council’s accompanying notes, Council has been unable to comply fully financial statements. In summary, the disclosures of with International Accounting Standards, but has complied quantitative information about the significant unobservable fully with Australian Accounting Standards. inputs used in fair value measurements and the sensitivity of Under the Local Government Act (LGA), Regulations and certain fair value measurements to changes in unobservable Local Government Code of Accounting Practice & Financial inputs will no longer be required Reporting, it should be noted that Councils in NSW only have Refer further to paragraph (ab) relating to a summary of the a requirement to comply with AASBs. effects of Standards with future operative dates.

112 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(V) BASIS OF ACCOUNTING Critical accounting estimates and assumptions These financial statements have been prepared under the Council makes estimates and assumptions concerning historical cost convention except for: the future. (i) certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value through The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, profit or loss and available-for-sale financial assets seldom equal the related actual results. which are all valued at fair value, The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk (ii) the write down of any Asset on the basis of Impairment of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts (if warranted) and of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are set (iii) certain classes of non-current assets (eg. Infrastructure, out below: Property, Plant & Equipment and Investment Property) (i) Estimated fair values of investment properties that are accounted for at fair valuation. (ii) Estimated fair values of infrastructure, property, plant The accrual basis of accounting has also been applied in and equipment. their preparation. (iii) Estimated remediation provisions.

(VI) CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES Critical judgements in applying Council’s accounting policies Council’s accounting policies have been consistently applied to (i) Impairment of Receivables - Council has made a all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. significant judgement about the impairment of a number There have also been no changes in accounting policies when of its receivables in Note 7. compared with previous financial statements unless otherwise (ii) Projected Section 94 Commitments – Council has used stated [refer Note 20(d)]. significant judgement in determining future Section 94 income and expenditure in Note 17. (VII) CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements requires the use (B) REVENUE RECOGNITION of certain critical accounting estimates (in conformity Council recognises revenue when the amount of revenue can with AASBs). be reliably measured, it is probable that future economic Accordingly this requires management to exercise benefits will flow to it and specific criteria have been met for its judgement in the process of applying the Council’s each of the Council’s activities as described below. accounting policies. Council bases any estimates on historical results, taking into Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and based on historical experience and other factors, including the specifics of each arrangement. expectations of future events that may have a financial impact Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration on Council and that are believed to be reasonable under the received or receivable. circumstances.

113 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Revenue is measured on major income categories as follows: CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER SECTION 94 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT ACT RATES, ANNUAL CHARGES, GRANTS The Council has obligations to provide facilities from AND CONTRIBUTIONS contribution revenues levied on developers under the Rates, annual charges, grants and contributions (including provisions of S94 of the EPA Act 1979. developer contributions) are recognised as revenues when Whilst Council generally incorporates these amounts as the Council obtains control over the assets comprising part of a Development Consents Order, such developer these receipts. contributions are only recognised as income upon their Control over assets acquired from rates and annual charges physical receipt by Council, due to the possibility that is obtained at the commencement of the rating year as it is individual Development Consents may not be acted upon by the an enforceable debt linked to the rateable property or, where applicant and accordingly would not be payable to Council. earlier, upon receipt of the rates. Developer contributions may only be expended for the A provision for the impairment on rates receivables has not purposes for which the contributions were required but the been established as unpaid rates represent a charge against Council may apply contributions according to the priorities the rateable property that will be recovered when the property established in work schedules. is next sold. A detailed Note relating to developer contributions can be Control over granted assets is normally obtained upon their found at Note 17. receipt (or acquittal) or upon earlier notification that a grant The Council has obligations to provide facilities from has been secured, and is valued at their fair value at the date contributions required from developers under the provisions of transfer. of S94 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act. Revenue from Contributions is recognised when the Council Contributions received each year are required to be held as either obtains control of the contribution or the right to receive restricted assets until used for the purposes designated in it, (i) it is probable that the economic benefits comprising the formal contribution plans. (ii) contribution will flow to the Council and the amount of the Amounts may be expended only for the purposes for which contribution can be measured reliably. the contributions were required, but the Council may, within Where grants or contributions recognised as revenues during each area of benefit, apply contributions according to the the financial year were obtained on condition that they be priorities established in the relevant contributions plan and expended in a particular manner or used over a particular accompanying works schedules. period and those conditions were undischarged at balance The following contributions plans have been adopted by date, the unused grant or contribution is disclosed in Note 3(g). Council and are available for public inspection free of cost. Note 3(g) also discloses the amount of unused grant or contribution from prior years that was expended on Council’s CP No. 1 – 1980’s Release Area operations during the current year. Date Plan came into force – 15/12/2010 Trunk Drainage Flood Mitigation Major Roads Overbridges Open Space Community Facilities

CP No. 2 – Local Roadworks Date Plan came into force – 04/06/2008 Roadworks

114 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

CP No. 3 – Open Space in the Established Residential Areas CP No. 17 – Quakers Hill Commercial Precinct Date Plan came into force – 06/03/2013 Date Plan came into force – 17/12/2008 Land Acquisitions Playgrounds Traffic Management Facilities Playing Fields CP No. 20 – Riverstone & Alex Avenue Precincts Landscaping Date Plan came into force – 01/12/2010 Amenities Buildings Reviewed on 24/06/2015 Fencing Roads Car parking Drainage Lighting Open Space Picnic Facilities Environmental Conservation CP No. 4 – Mount Druitt Development Area Community Facilities Date Plan came into force – 23/02/2005 CP No. 21 – Marsden Park Industrial Precinct Trunk Drainage Date Plan came into force – 05/06/2010 Local Roads Roads CP No. 5 – Parklea Release Area Drainage Date Plan came into force – 19/06/2013 Open Space Trunk Drainage Environmental Conservation Tributary Trunk Drainage Community Facilities Major Roads CP No. 22 – Area 20 Precinct Local Roads Date Plan came into force – 05/06/2013 Open Space Roads Community Facilities Drainage CP No. 6 – Woodcroft Estate Open Space Date Plan came into force – 31/10/1993 Environmental Conservation Trunk Drainage Community Facilities Open Space CP No. 23 – Riverstone West Precinct Community Facilities Date Plan came into force – 03/08/2013 CP No. 7 – Car Parking in the Blacktown City Centre Roads Date Plan came into force – 17/02/1999 Drainage Car Parking CP No. 24 – Schofields Precinct CP No. 13 – New Tribes Mission Site – Open Space Date Plan came into force – 27/05/2015 Date Plan came into force – 07/11/2001 Roads Land Acquisition Drainage Embellishment Open Space Environmental Conservation CP No. 15 – Metella Road Floodplain Aquatic Centre Date Plan came into force – 27/10/2004 Community Facilities Compensatory Works to the Floodplain

CP No. 16 – Blacktown CBD (Northern Precinct) It should be noted that as at 30 June 2015 no Section 94 Date Plan came into force – 31/03/2004 Contributions under Contribution Plans No.17, 23 & 24 have been received. Local Road Construction On 5 August 2015 Council resolved (report CS350127) to Streetscape Facilities transfer the remaining funds from Section 94 contributions Traffic Management Facilities plans 6 and 13 to the Special projects reserve. Open Space Community Facilities

115 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Council also holds contributions, which were obtained prior OTHER INCOME to the requirement to have contribution plans in place. Other income is recorded when the payment is due, the These moneys must be applied only for purposes for which value of the payment is notified or the payment is received, they were obtained. whichever occurs first. Council has identified the need for supplementary funding to ensure all contribution plan commitments are met and to (C) PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION achieve this has established an Infrastructure Sinking Fund which makes annual contributions. These financial statements incorporate (i) the assets and liabilities of Council and any entities (or operations) that it controls (as at 30 June 2015) and (ii) all the related operating USER CHARGES, FEES AND OTHER INCOME results (for the financial year ended the 30th June 2015). User charges, fees and other income (including parking fees Detailed information relating to the entities that Council and fines) are recognised as revenue when the service has Controls can be found at Note 19(a). been provided, the payment is received, or when the penalty has been applied, whichever first occurs. In the process of reporting on Council’s activities as a single unit, all inter-entity year end balances and reporting period A provision for the impairment of these receivables is transactions have been eliminated in full between Council recognised when collection in full is no longer probable. and its controlled entities. A liability is recognised in respect of revenue that is reciprocal in nature to the extent that the requisite service has not (I) THE CONSOLIDATED FUND been provided as at balance date. In accordance with the provisions of Section 409(1) of the LGA 1993, all money and property received by Council is held in the SALE OF INFRASTRUCTURE, PROPERTY, Council’s Consolidated Fund unless it is required to be held in PLANT AND EQUIPMENT the Council’s Trust Fund. The profit or loss on sale of an asset is determined when The Consolidated Fund and other entities through which the control of the asset has irrevocably passed to the buyer. Council controls resources to carry on its functions have been included in the financial statements forming part of INTEREST AND RENTS this report. Rental income is accounted for on a straight-line basis over The following entities have been included as part of the the lease term. Consolidated Fund: Interest Income from Cash & Investments is accounted for • General Purpose Operations using the effective interest rate at the date that interest • Westpool (Joint Venture) is earned. • United Independent Pool (Joint Venture) DIVIDEND INCOME • Blacktown International Sportspark Revenue is recognised when the Council’s right to receive the Due to their immaterial value and nature, the following payment is established, which is generally when shareholders Committees, Entities & Operations have been excluded approve the dividend. from consolidation: • Hall Management Committee • Park Management Committee

116 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Council controls approximately sixty eight (68) Park and Council has no jointly controlled operations at present. Hall Management Committees under Section 355 of the However, when such operations are entered into the assets Local Government Act 1993. Thirty seven (37) of these which are controlled and the liabilities incurred by Council are committees maintain their own funds and were instructed recognised in the balance sheet. to provide Council with audited financial statements for the Expenses incurred and Council’s share of income is accounting year ended 31 March 2015. Of the thirty seven recognised in the income statement. (37) Committees, seventeen (17) complied and provided their financial statements. Joint Ventures The (i) total income and expenditure from continuing Joint Ventures represent operational arrangements whereby operations and (ii) the net assets held by these excluded the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have Committees & Operations is as follows: rights to the net assets of the arrangement. Total income Any interests in Joint Ventures are accounted for using the from continuing operations $358,878 equity method and are carried at cost. Total expenditure Under the equity method, Council’s share of the operation’s from continuing operations $319,911 profits/(losses) are recognised in the income statement, and Total net assets held (ie Equity) $892,339 its share of movements in retained earnings & reserves are recognised in the balance sheet. (II) THE TRUST FUND Westpool and UIP In accordance with the provisions of Section 411 of the Local Government Act 1993 (as amended), a separate and distinct Blacktown City Council’s interests in the Local Government Trust Fund is maintained to account for all money and property Insurance Pools “Westpool” and “UIP” have been recognised received by the Council in trust which must be applied only for as a Joint Venture in the financial statements using the Equity the purposes of or in accordance with the trusts relating to Accounting method. those monies. The proportionate interests in the assets, liabilities and Trust monies and property subject to Council’s control have expenses of Westpool and UIP have been incorporated in the been included in these statements. financial statements under the appropriate headings. Trust monies and property held by Council but not subject Detailed information relating to the Joint Venture can be found to the control of Council, have been excluded from these at Note 19(b). statements. A separate statement of monies held in the Trust Fund is Blacktown International Sportspark available for inspection at the Council office by any person free In 2001/02, Council assumed responsibility for Blacktown of charge. International Sportspark, Sydney. Council established Blacktown Venue Management (ACN 098 490 978), as (III) JOINT ARRANGEMENTS a separate legal entity responsible for the operational management of the venue. Joint Operations (controlled assets & operations) Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney is a public Joint Operations represent operational arrangements where company limited by guarantee and is fully owned by Blacktown the joint control parties have rights to specific assets and City Council. obligations for specific liabilities relating to the arrangement rather than a right to the net assets of the arrangement.

117 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The company was issued a certificate of registration from The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance charges, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission are included in borrowings. on 19 October, 2001, and commenced operations from Each lease payment is allocated between the liability January 2002, following the appointment of a Chief outstanding and the recognition of a finance charge. Executive Officer. The interest element of the finance charge is costed to the Funding for Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney is income statement over the lease period so as to produce a by way of revenue generated from operations, and a subsidy constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of from Council. The annual financial contribution from the State the liability for each period. Government towards operating costs was withdrawn by the Government in 2013. Property, plant and equipment acquired under finance leases is depreciated over the shorter of each leased asset’s useful For the purpose of financial reporting in accordance with life and the lease term. the Corporations legislation, Council considers Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney to be a non-reporting No finance leases were held by Council as at 30 June 2015. entity. A separate set of financial statements for Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney is prepared and audited OPERATING LEASES annually on this basis. Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards For the purposes of Council’s General Purpose Financial of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as Statements, all transactions associated with Blacktown operating leases. International Sportspark, Sydney have been consolidated Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives into Council’s accounts. received from the lessor) are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. (IV) ASSOCIATES Lease income from operating leases is recognised in income Council has no interest in any Associates. on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

(V) COUNTY COUNCILS (E) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Council is not a member of any County Councils. For Statement of Cash Flows (and Statement of Financial Position) presentation purposes, cash and cash (VI) UNCONSOLIDATED STRUCTURED ENTITIES equivalents includes; Council has no interest in any Unconsolidated • cash on hand, Structured Entities. • deposits held at call with financial institutions, (D) LEASES • other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily All Leases entered into by Council are reviewed and convertible to known amounts of cash and which are classified on inception date as either a Finance Lease or subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, and an Operating Lease. • bank overdrafts. FINANCE LEASES Leases of property, plant and equipment where the Council has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Finance leases are capitalised at the lease’s inception at the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments.

118 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current (III) HELD-TO-MATURITY INVESTMENTS liabilities on the balance sheet but are incorporated Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial into Cash & Cash Equivalents for presentation of the assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed Cash Flow Statement. maturities that the Council’s management has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. (F) INVESTMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS In contrast to the “Loans & Receivables” classification, these Council (in accordance with AASB 139) classifies each of investments are generally quoted in an active market. its investments into one of the following categories for measurement purposes: Held-to-maturity financial assets are included in non‑current assets, except for those with maturities less • financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, than 12 months from the reporting date, which are classified • loans and receivables, as current assets. • held-to-maturity investments, and • available-for-sale financial assets. (IV) AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS Each classification depends on the purpose/intention for which Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that the investment was acquired & at the time it was acquired. are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories. Management determines each Investment classification at the time of initial recognition and re-evaluates this designation Investments must be designated as available-for-sale if at each reporting date. they do not have fixed maturities and fixed or determinable payments and management intends to hold them for the medium to long term. (I) FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS Accordingly, this classification principally comprises marketable equity securities, but can include all types of Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets that could otherwise be classified in one of financial assets that are “held for trading”. the other investment categories. A financial asset is classified in the “held for trading” category They are generally included in non-current assets unless if it is acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the management intends to dispose of the investment within short term. 12 months of the balance sheet date or the term to maturity Assets in this category are primarily classified as current from the reporting date is less than 12 months. assets as they are primarily held for trading &/or are expected to be realised within 12 months of the balance sheet date. FINANCIAL ASSETS – RECLASSIFICATION Council may choose to reclassify a non-derivative trading (II) LOANS AND RECEIVABLES financial asset out of the held-for-trading category if the Loans and receivables are non derivative financial assets financial asset is no longer held for the purpose of selling it with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in in the near term. an active market. Financial assets other than loans and receivables are They arise when the Council provides money, goods or permitted to be reclassified out of the held-for-trading services directly to a debtor with no intention (or in some cases category only in rare circumstances arising from a single ability) of selling the resulting receivable. event that is unusual and highly unlikely to recur in the near term. They are included in current assets, except for those with maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date which are classified as non-current assets.

119 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Council may also choose to reclassify financial assets that Realised and unrealised gains and losses arising from would meet the definition of loans and receivables out of changes in the fair value of the financial assets classified as the held-for-trading or available-for-sale categories if it “fair value through profit or loss”category are included in the has the intention and ability to hold these financial assets income statement in the period in which they arise. for the foreseeable future or until maturity at the date Unrealised gains and losses arising from changes in the fair of reclassification. value of non monetary securities classified as “available- Reclassifications are made at fair value as of the for-sale” are recognised in equity in the available-for-sale reclassification date. Fair value becomes the new cost or investments revaluation reserve. amortised cost as applicable, and no reversals of fair value When securities classified as “available-for-sale” are sold gains or losses recorded before reclassification date are or impaired, the accumulated fair value adjustments are subsequently made. included in the income statement as gains and losses from Effective interest rates for financial assets reclassified to investment securities. loans and receivables and held-to-maturity categories are determined at the reclassification date. Further increases (iii) Types of Investments in estimates of cash flows adjust effective interest Council has an approved Investment Policy in order to rates prospectively. undertake its investment of money in accordance with (and to comply with) Section 625 of the Local Government Act and GENERAL ACCOUNTING & MEASUREMENT S212 of the LG (General) Regulation 2005. OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: Investments are placed and managed in accordance with the (i) Initial Recognition Policy and having particular regard to authorised investments prescribed under the Ministerial Local Government Investments are initially recognised (and measured) at fair Investment Order. value, plus in the case of investments not at “fair value through profit or loss”, directly attributable transactions costs Council maintains its investment Policy in compliance with the Act and ensures that it or its representatives exercise care, Purchases and sales of investments are recognised on trade- diligence and skill that a prudent person would exercise in date – the date on which the Council commits to purchase investing Council funds. or sell the asset. Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive (G) FAIR VALUE ESTIMATION cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities transferred and the Council has transferred substantially all must be estimated for recognition and measurement or for the risks and rewards of ownership. disclosure purposes. (ii) Subsequent Measurement The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. Available-for-sale financial assets and financial assets at fair value through profit and loss are subsequently carried at The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an fair value. active market is determined using valuation techniques. Loans and receivables and held-to-maturity investments are Council uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. are based on market conditions existing at each balance date. Quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments are used for long-term debt instruments held.

120 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES If the market for a financial asset is not active (and for unlisted (I) INVENTORIES securities), the Council establishes fair value by using valuation techniques. RAW MATERIALS AND STORES, WORK IN PROGRESS These include reference to the fair values of recent arm’s AND FINISHED GOODS length transactions, involving the same instruments or other Raw materials and stores, work in progress and finished goods instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash in respect of business undertakings are all stated at the lower flow analysis, and option pricing models refined to reflect the of cost and net realisable value. issuer’s specific circumstances. Cost comprises direct materials, direct labour and an The nominal value less estimated credit adjustments of trade appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their expenditure, the latter being allocated on the basis of normal fair values. operating capacity. The fair value of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is Costs are assigned to individual items of inventory on the basis estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at of weighted average costs. the current market interest rate that is available to the Council for similar financial instruments. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of (H) RECEIVABLES completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost, less any provision Inventories held in respect of non-business undertakings for impairment. have been valued at cost subject to adjustment for loss of service potential. Receivables (excluding Rates & Annual Charges) are generally due for settlement no more than 30 days from the date LAND HELD FOR RESALE/CAPITALISATION of recognition. OF BORROWING COSTS The collectibility of receivables is reviewed on an ongoing Land held for resale is stated at the lower of cost and net basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written realisable value. off in accordance with Council’s policy. Cost is assigned by specific identification and includes the A provision for impairment (ie. an allowance account) relating cost of acquisition, and development and borrowing costs to receivables is established when there is objective evidence during development. that the Council will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of each receivable. When development is completed, borrowing costs and other holding charges are expensed as incurred. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated Borrowing costs included in the cost of land held for resale are future cash flows, discounted at the effective interest rate. those costs that would have been avoided if the expenditure on the acquisition and development of the land had not Impairment losses are recognised in the Income Statement been made. within other expenses. When a receivable for which an impairment allowance had been recognised becomes uncollectible in a subsequent period, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against other expenses in the income statement.

121 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Borrowing costs incurred while active development is The discount rate used is the Council’s incremental borrowing interrupted for extended periods are recognised as expenses. rate, being the rate at which a similar borrowing could be obtained from an independent financier under comparable (J) INFRASTRUCTURE, PROPERTY, PLANT terms and conditions. AND EQUIPMENT (I,PP&E) Where infrastructure, property, plant and equipment assets are acquired for no cost or for an amount other than cost, the ACQUISITION OF ASSETS assets are recognised in the financial statements at their fair value at acquisition date – being the amount that the asset Council’s non current assets are continually revalued (over a could have been exchanged between knowledgeable willing 5 year period) in accordance with the fair valuation policy as parties in an arm’s length transaction. mandated by the Office of Local Government. At balance date, the following classes of I,PP&E were stated at SUBSEQUENT COSTS their Fair Value; Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount • Plant and Equipment or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when (as approximated by depreciated historical cost) it is probable that future economic benefits associated with • Operational Land (Internal Valuation) provided by John the item will flow to Council and the cost of the item can be Smith, Council’s Property Services Coordinator measured reliably. • Community Land (External Valuation) All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the • Land Improvements income statement during the financial period in which they (as approximated by depreciated historical cost) are incurred. • Buildings – Specialised/Non Specialised (External Valuation) - Specialised / Non-Specialised 30 June ASSET REVALUATIONS (INCLUDING INDEXATION) 2013 by Scott Fullarton, Valuation No. MKT4903 Assessment In accounting for Asset Revaluations relating to Infrastructure, of useful lives undertaken by Council officers. Property, Plant & Equipment: • Other Structures • Increases in the combined carrying amounts of asset (as approximated by depreciated historical cost) classes arising on revaluation are credited to the asset • Roads Assets incl. roads, bridges & footpaths revaluation reserve. (Internal Valuation) • To the extent that a net asset class increase reverses a • Bulk Earthworks (Internal Valuation) decrease previously recognised via the profit or loss, then • Drainage Assets (Internal Valuation) increase is first recognised in profit or loss. • Other Assets • Net decreases that reverse previous increases of the same (as approximated by depreciated historical cost) asset class are first charged against revaluation reserves directly in equity to the extent of the remaining reserve • Investment Properties – refer Note 1(p) attributable to the asset, with all other decreases charged to the Income statement. INITIAL RECOGNITION On initial recognition, an assets cost is measured at its fair value, plus all expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition. Where settlement of any part of an asset’s cash consideration is deferred, the amounts payable in the future are discounted to their present value as at the date of recognition (ie. date of exchange) of the asset to arrive at fair value.

122 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES For all other assets, Council assesses at each reporting date All asset residual values and useful lives are reviewed and whether there is any indication that a revalued asset’s carrying adjusted (if appropriate), at each reporting date. amount may differ materially from that which would be An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its determined if the asset were revalued at the reporting date. recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater If any such indication exists, Council determines the asset’s than its estimated recoverable amount – refer Note 1(s) on fair value and revalues the asset to that amount. Asset Impairment. Full revaluations are undertaken for all assets on a 5 year cycle. DISPOSAL AND DE-RECOGNITION An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised DEPRECIATION upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Depreciation on Council’s infrastructure, property, plant and equipment assets is calculated using the straight line method Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset in order to allocate an assets cost (net of residual values) (calculated as the difference between the net disposal over its estimated useful life. proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in Council’s Income Statement in the year the asset Land is not depreciated. is derecognised. Estimated useful lives for Council’s I,PP&E include: (K) LAND Plant & Equipment Land (other than Land under Roads) is in accordance with Office Equipment 5 to 10 years Part 2 of Chapter 6 of the Local Government Act (1993) Office furniture 10 to 20 years classified as either Operational or Community. Computer Equipment 4 years This classification of Land is disclosed in Note 9(a). Vehicles 5 to 8 years (L) LAND UNDER ROADS Heavy Plant/Road Making equip. 5 to 10 years Land under roads is land under roadways and road Other plant and equipment 5 to 10 years reserves including land under footpaths, nature strips and median strips. Other Equipment Council has elected not to recognise land under roads Playground equipment 5 to 20 years acquired before 1 July 2008 in accordance with AASB 1051. Benches, seats etc 10 to 20 years Land under roads acquired after 1 July 2008 is recognised in accordance with AASB 116 – Property, Plant and Equipment. Buildings Buildings 25 to 384 years Buildings Substructure – Concrete Infinite

Transportation Assets Bridges 15 – 100 years Bus shelters 10 – 30 years Car Parking 30 – 60 years Drainage 50 – 100 years Drainage–Pollution Control Devices 10 – 50 years Footpaths 50 – 60 years Road – Structure 15 – 115 years Road – Surface 10 – 50 years Traffic Control Devices 10 – 50 years

Other Infrastructure Assets Bulk earthworks Infinite

123 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(M) INTANGIBLE ASSETS (O) RURAL FIRE SERVICE ASSETS Under section 119 of the Rural Fires Act 1997, “all fire fighting IT DEVELOPMENT AND SOFTWARE equipment purchased or constructed wholly or from money to Costs incurred in developing products or systems and costs the credit of the Fund is to be vested in the council of the area incurred in acquiring software and licenses that will contribute for or on behalf of which the fire fighting equipment has been to future period financial benefits through revenue generation purchased or constructed”. and/or cost reduction are capitalised to software and systems. At present, the accounting for such fire fighting equipment is Costs capitalised include external direct costs of materials not treated in a consistent manner across all Councils. and service, direct payroll and payroll related costs of Until such time as discussions on this matter have concluded employees’ time spent on the project. and the legislation changed, Council will continue to account Amortisation is calculated on a straight line basis over periods for these assets as it has been doing in previous years, which generally ranging from 3 to 5 years. is to exclude the assets, their values and depreciation charges from these financial statements. IT development costs include only those costs directly attributable to the development phase and are only recognised following completion of technical feasibility and where (P) INVESTMENT PROPERTY Council has an intention and ability to use the asset. Investment property comprises land &/or buildings that are principally held for long-term rental yields, capital gains, (N) CROWN RESERVES or both, that is not occupied by Council. Crown Reserves under Council’s care and control are Investment property is carried at fair value, representing recognised as assets of the Council. an open-market value determined by external valuers. While ownership of the reserves remains with the Crown, Annual changes in the fair value of Investment Properties are Council retains operational control of the reserves and is recorded in the Income Statement as part of “Other Income”. responsible for their maintenance and use in accordance with Full revaluations are carried out every three years by the specific purposes to which the reserves are dedicated. a member of the Australian Property Institute with an Improvements on Crown Reserves are also recorded as appropriate index utilised each year in between the full assets, while maintenance costs incurred by Council and revaluations. revenues relating the reserves are recognised within The last full revaluation for Council’s Investment Properties Council’s Income Statement. was dated 30/06/14. Representations are currently being sought across State and Local Government to develop a consistent (Q) PROVISIONS FOR CLOSE DOWN, RESTORATION accounting treatment for Crown Reserves across both AND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP COSTS – tiers of government. INCLUDING TIPS AND QUARRIES Close down, Restoration and Remediation costs include the dismantling and demolition of infrastructure, the removal of residual materials and the remediation of disturbed areas.

124 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Estimated close down and restoration costs are provided for Provision is made for the estimated present value of the costs in the accounting period when the obligation arising from the of environmental clean up obligations outstanding at the related disturbance occurs, whether this occurs during the balance sheet date. development or during the operation phase, based on the net These costs are charged to the income statement. present value of estimated future costs. Movements in the environmental clean up provisions are Provisions for close down and restoration costs do not include presented as an operating cost, except for the unwind of the any additional obligations which are expected to arise from discount which is shown as a borrowing cost. future disturbance. Remediation procedures generally commence soon after Costs are estimated on the basis of a closure plan. the time the damage, remediation process and estimated The cost estimates are calculated annually during the life of remediation costs become known, but may continue for many the operation to reflect known developments, eg updated cost years depending on the nature of the disturbance and the estimates and revisions to the estimated lives of operations, remediation techniques. and are subject to formal review at regular intervals. As noted above, the ultimate cost of environmental Close down, Restoration and Remediation costs are a normal remediation is uncertain and cost estimates can vary in consequence of tip and quarry operations, and the majority of response to many factors including changes to the relevant close down and restoration expenditure is incurred at the end legal requirements, the emergence of new restoration of the life of the operations. techniques or experience at other locations. Although the ultimate cost to be incurred is uncertain, The expected timing of expenditure can also change, for Council estimates the respective costs based on feasibility example in response to changes in quarry reserves or and engineering studies using current restoration standards production rates. and techniques. As a result there could be significant adjustments to the The amortisation or ‘unwinding’ of the discount applied in provision for close down and restoration and environmental establishing the net present value of provisions is charged to clean up, which would affect future financial results. the income statement in each accounting period. Specific Information relating to Council’s provisions relating This amortisation of the discount is disclosed as a borrowing to Close down, Restoration and Remediation costs can be cost in Note 4(b). found at Note 26. Other movements in the provisions for Close down, Restoration and Remediation costs including those resulting (R) NON-CURRENT ASSETS (OR DISPOSAL from new disturbance, updated cost estimates, changes to the GROUPS) “HELD FOR SALE” & estimated lives of operations and revisions to discount rates DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS are capitalised within property, plant and equipment. Non-current assets (or disposal groups) are classified These costs are then depreciated over the lives of the assets as held for sale and stated at the lower of either (i) their to which they relate. carrying amount and (ii) fair value less costs to sell, if their Where rehabilitation is conducted systematically over the life carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale of the operation, rather than at the time of closure, provision is transaction rather than through continuing use. made for the estimated outstanding continuous rehabilitation The exception to this is plant and motor vehicles which are work at each balance sheet date and the cost is charged to the turned over on a regular basis. Plant and motor vehicles are income statement. retained in Non Current Assets under the classification of Infrastructure, Property, Plant and Equipment - unless the assets are to be traded in after 30 June and the replacement assets were already purchased and accounted for as at 30 June.

125 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES For any assets or disposal groups classified as Non-Current Non-financial assets (other than goodwill) that suffered a Assets “held for sale”, an impairment loss is recognised at prior period impairment are reviewed for possible reversal any time when the assets carrying value is greater than its fair of the impairment at each reporting date. value less costs to sell. Goodwill & other Intangible Assets that have an indefinite Non-current assets “held for sale” are not depreciated or useful life and are not subject to amortisation are tested amortised while they are classified as “held for sale”. annually for impairment. Non-current assets classified as “held for sale” are presented separately from the other assets in the balance sheet. (T) PAYABLES A Discontinued Operation is a component of Council that has These amounts represent liabilities and include goods and been disposed of or is classified as “held for sale” and that services provided to the Council prior to the end of financial represents a separate major line of business or geographical year which are unpaid. area of operations, is part of a single co-ordinated plan to The amounts for goods and services are unsecured and are dispose of such a line of business or area of operations, or is usually paid within 30 days of recognition. a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale. The results of discontinued operations are presented (U) BORROWINGS separately on the face of the income statement. Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. (S) IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS Borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost. All Council’s I,PP&E is subject to an annual assessment of impairment. Amortisation results in any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption amount being Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for recognised in the Income Statement over the period of the impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances borrowings using the effective interest method. indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Borrowings are removed from the balance sheet when the An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. or expired. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the less costs to sell and value in use. Council has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the Where an asset is not held principally for cash generating liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date. purposes (for example Infrastructure Assets) and would be replaced if the Council was deprived of it then depreciated (V) BORROWING COSTS replacement cost is used as value in use, otherwise value in Borrowing costs are expensed. use is estimated by using a discounted cash flow model.

126 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(W) PROVISIONS (II) OTHER LONG TERM OBLIGATIONS Provisions for legal claims, service warranties and other like The liability for long service leave and annual leave which is liabilities are recognised when: not expected to be settled within 12 months after the end of • Council has a present legal or constructive obligation as a the period in which the employees render the related service result of past events; is recognised in the provision for employee benefits and measured as the present value of expected future payments • it is more likely than not that an outflow of resources will to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to be required to settle the obligation; and the end of the reporting period using the projected unit credit • the amount has been reliably estimated. method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses. of service. Expected future payments are discounted using Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood market yields at the end of the reporting period on national that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by government bonds with terms to maturity and currency considering the class of obligations as a whole. that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future A provision is recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow cash outflows. with respect to any one item included in the same class of The obligations are presented as current liabilities in the obligations may be small. balance sheet if the entity does not have an unconditional Provisions are measured at the present value of right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to reporting date, regardless of when the actual settlement is settle the present obligation at the reporting date. expected to occur The discount rate used to determine the present value reflects (III) RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. All employees of the Council are entitled to benefits on retirement, disability or death. Council contributes to various The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans on behalf recognised as interest expense. of its employees. A liability or asset in respect of defined benefit superannuation (X) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS plans would ordinarily be recognised in the balance sheet, and measured as the present value of the defined benefit (I) SHORT TERM OBLIGATIONS obligation at the reporting date plus unrecognised actuarial Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary gains (less unrecognised actuarial losses) less the fair benefits, annual leave and accumulating sick leave expected to value of the superannuation fund’s assets at that date and be settled within 12 months after the end of the period in which any unrecognised past service cost. The present value of the employees render the related service are recognised in the defined benefit obligation is based on expected future respect of employees’ services up to the end of the reporting payments which arise from membership of the fund to the period and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid reporting date, calculated annually by independent actuaries when the liabilities are settled. The liability for annual leave using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given and accumulating sick leave is recognised in the provision to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of for employee benefits. All other short-term employee benefit employee departures and periods of service. However, when obligations are presented as payables. this information is not reliably available, Council accounts for its obligations to defined benefit plans on the same basis as its obligations to defined contribution plans (see below).

127 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Local Government Superannuation Scheme has advised EXCEPTIONS member councils that, as a result of the global financial In the case of liabilities where Council does not have the crisis, it has a significant deficiency of assets over liabilities. unconditional right to defer settlement beyond 12 months As a result, they have asked for significant increases in (such as vested long service leave), the liability is classified contributions to recover that deficiency. Council’s share of that as current even if not expected to be settled within the next deficiency cannot be accurately calculated as the Scheme is a 12 months. mutual arrangement where assets and liabilities are pooled together for all member councils. For this reason, no liability In the case of inventories that are “held for trading”, these are for the deficiency has been recognised in Council’s accounts. also classified as current even if not expected to be realised Council has, however, disclosed a contingent liability in note 18 in the next 12 months. to reflect the possible obligation that may arise should the Scheme require immediate payment to correct the deficiency. (AA) TAXES Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as The Council is exempt from both Commonwealth Income Tax an expense as they become payable. Prepaid contributions are and Capital Gains Tax. recognised as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a Council does however have to comply with both Fringe Benefits reduction in the future payments is available. Tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

(Y) SELF INSURANCE GOODS & SERVICES TAX (GST) Council has determined to self-insure for various risks Income, expenses and assets are all recognised net of the including public liability and professional indemnity. amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not A provision for self-insurance has been made to recognise recoverable from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). outstanding claims the amount of which is detailed in Note 10. In these circumstances the GST is recognised as part Council also maintains cash and investments to meet expected of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the future claims and these are detailed in Note 6(c). revenue / expense. Receivables and payables within the Balance Sheet are stated (Z) ALLOCATION BETWEEN CURRENT AND inclusive of any applicable GST. NON‑CURRENT ASSETS & LIABILITIES The net amount of GST recoverable from or payable to the In the determination of whether an asset or liability is ATO is included as a current asset or current liability in the classified as current or non-current, consideration is given to Balance Sheet. the time when each asset or liability is expected to be settled. Operating cash flows within the Cash Flow Statement are on a The asset or liability is classified as current if it is expected gross basis, ie. they are inclusive of GST where applicable. to be settled within the next 12 months, being the Council’s Investing and Financing cash flows are treated on a net basis operational cycle. (where recoverable form the ATO), ie. they are exclusive of GST. Instead, the GST component of investing and financing activity cash flows which are recoverable from or payable to the ATO are classified as operating cash flows.

128 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the AASB 15 - Revenue from contracts with customers and amount of GST recoverable from (or payable to) the ATO. associated amending standards AASB 15 will introduce a five step process for revenue (AB) N EW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND recognition with the core principle of the new Standard being INTERPRETATIONS that entities recognise revenue so as to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the Certain new (or amended) accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory consideration (that is, payment) to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. for reporting periods ending 30 June 2015. The changes in revenue recognition requirements in AASB 15 Council has not adopted any of these standards early. may cause changes to accounting policies relating to the timing and amount of revenue recorded in the financial Council’s assessment of the impact of these new standards statements as well as additional disclosures. and interpretations is set out below. The full impact of AASB 15 has not yet been ascertained Apart from the AASB disclosures below, there are no other or quantified. standards that are “not yet effective” which are expected to have a material impact on Council in the current or future AASB 15 will replace AASB 118 which covers contracts for reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions. goods and services and AASB 111 which covers construction contracts. APPLICABLE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT: The effective date of this standard is for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017. AASB 9 - Financial Instruments (and associated amending standards) AASB 124 - Related Party Disclosures AASB 9 replaces AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition From 1 July 2016, AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures will and Measurement and has an effective date for reporting apply to Council. periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 (and must be applied retrospectively). This means that Council will be required to disclose information about related parties and Council transactions The overriding impact of AASB 9 is to change the requirements with those related parties. for the classification, measurement and disclosures associated with financial assets. Related parties will more than likely include the Mayor, Councillors and certain Council staff. In addition, the close Under the new requirements the four current categories of family members of those people and any organisations financial assets stipulated in AASB 139 will be replaced with that they control or are associated with will be classified two measurement categories: as related parties (and fall under the related party • fair value and reporting requirements). • amortised cost (where financial assets will only be able to be measured at amortised cost where very specific conditions are met).

129 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

AASB 2014 - 10 Sale or contribution of Assets between an (AC) ROUNDING OF AMOUNTS Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture Unless otherwise indicated, amounts in the financial The amendments address an acknowledged inconsistency statements have been rounded off to the nearest between the requirements in AASB 10 and those in AASB thousand dollars. 128 (2011), in dealing with the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. (AD) COMPARATIVE FIGURES The main consequence of the amendments is that a full gain To ensure comparability with the current reporting period’s or loss is recognised when a transaction involves a business figures, some comparative period line items and amounts may (whether it is housed in a subsidiary or not). have been reclassified or individually reported for the first A partial gain or loss is recognised when a transaction involves time within these financial statements and/or the notes. assets that do not constitute a business, even if these assets are housed in a subsidiary. (AE) DISCLAIMER The effective date of this standard is for annual reporting Nothing contained within these statements may be taken periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016. to be an admission of any liability to any person under any circumstance. This standard will only impact Council where there has been a sale or contribution of assets between the entity and the associate/joint venture.

NOT APPLICABLE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT PER SE; None

130 Financial Statements 2015 2014 4,755 Actual 89,009 123,808 424,179 1,347,508 1,281,960 3,271,219 3,271,219 (Current & & (Current 2015 Non-current) 7,199 Actual Total held Assets 143,943 484,244 114,177 1,561,873 1,322,127 3,633,563 3,633,563 - 68 2014 5,652 1,292 4,098 Actual 11,712 22,822 22,822 - 820 125 Continuing Operations 2015 Income from 5,119 Actual 10,467 21,613 38,144 38,144 Grants included in 2014 Actual (8,570) (9,393) (3,807) (4,533) 28,099 95,384 97,180 97,180 2015 (7,012) (3,177) (2,934) (4,628) Actual 49,182 189,701 221,132 221,132

2015 Operating Result from from Result Operating Continuing Operations Continuing 8,371 (5,622) (5,583) 90,022 50,671 50,671 (12,972) (23,545) Budget

Original 2014 8,292 Actual 30,004 69,780 38,397 12,995 262,070 262,070 102,602

2015 8,671 Actual 30,736 76,172 43,563 13,835 283,861 283,861 110,884

Details of these Functions/Activities are provided in Note 2(b). Operations 2015 8,114 30,440 72,602 36,625 13,417 Expenses from Continuing Expenses Continuing from Budget 270,966 270,966 109,768 Original

Income, attributed havebeen directly Expenses to the following and Assets Functions / Activities. 2014 4,485 8,462 Actual 21,434 60,387 66,496 359,250 359,250 197,986

2015 5,737 9,207 Actual 23,724 72,995 92,745 504,993 504,993 300,585

Operations 2015 2,492 7,834 Income from Continuing Income Continuing from 17,468 49,057 44,996 Budget 321,637 321,637 199,790 Original

Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial 2(a).Note Functions Council / Activities Information - Financial for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year Functions/Activities Activities & Total Functions from Result Operating Operations Continuing A Vibrant and Inclusive Community and Inclusive Vibrant A Environment and Sustainable Clean A Economy and Prosperous Smart A Infrastructure by Supported City Growing A City and Active Sporting A A Leading City A $ '000 page 29

131 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 2(b). Council Functions / Activities - Component Descriptions

Details relating to the Council's functions / activities as reported in Note 2(a) are as follows:

A VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY Childrens Services Governance and Corporate Administration City Marketing and Promotions Libraries Community Buildings Maintenance of Civil Infrastructure Community Regulation Social Planning and Development Economic Development Strategic Development Emergency Services

A CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT Building and Development Support Services Parks and Reserves Improvements Community Regulation Parks and Reserves Maintenance Construction of Civil Infrastructure Recration Centres Design of Civil Infrastructure Recreation Planning and Development Emergency Services Social Planning and Development Health and Environmental Services Strategic Development Maintenance of Civil Infrastructure Urban Animal Management Waste Removal Services

A SMART AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY Building and Development Support Services Health and Environmental Services City Marketing and Promotions Libraries Community Regulation Property Development Construction of Civil Infrastructure Social Planning and Development Corporate Support Services Strategic Development Design of Civil Infrastructure Transport Planning Economic Development

A GROWING CITY SUPPORTED BY INFRASTRUCTURE Building and Development Support Services Engineering Support Services Building Services Maintenance of Civil Infrastructure Catchment and Stormwater Management Parks and Reserves Maintenance Civil Infrastructure Planning Property Maintenance Community Buildings Recreation Planning and Development Community Regulation Social Planning and Development Construction of Civil Infrastructure Strategic Development Design of Civil Infrastructure Transport Planning Development Services

page 30

132 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 2(b). Council Functions / Activities - Component Descriptions (continued)

Details relating to the Council's functions / activities as reported in Note 2(a) are as follows:

A SPORTING CITY Aquatic and Leisure Centres Property Maintenance City Marketing and Promotions Recreation Centres Economic Development Recreation Planning and Development Parks and Reserves Maintenance Social Planning and Development

A LEADING CITY Blacktown City Information Centre Economic Development Building Mechanical Services / Depot Utilities Financial Management Business Technology Fleet Management City Marketing and Promotions Governance and Corporate Administration Community Buildings Human Resources Corporate Finance Property Development Corporate Strategy Property Management Corporate Support Services

page 31

133 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 3. Income from Continuing Operations

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(a) Rates & Annual Charges

Ordinary Rates Residential 95,115 87,550 Farmland 855 891 Business 40,205 35,050 Total Ordinary Rates 136,175 123,491

Special Rates Nil

Annual Charges (pursuant to s.496, s.496A, s.496B, s.501 & s.611) Domestic Waste Management Services 39,368 36,701 Stormwater Management Services 2,994 2,971 Waste Management Services (non-domestic) 897 858 Section 611 Charges 154 154 Total Annual Charges 43,413 40,684

TOTAL RATES & ANNUAL CHARGES 179,588 164,175

Council has used 2011 year valuations provided by the NSW Valuer General in calculating its rates.

page 32

134 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 3. Income from Continuing Operations (continued)

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(b) User Charges & Fees

Specific User Charges (per s.502 - Specific "actual use" charges) Sullage and Septic Tank Charges 72 94 Total User Charges 72 94

Other User Charges & Fees (i) Fees & Charges - Statutory & Regulatory Functions (per s.608) Building Construction / Compliance Certificate Fees 997 1,013 Building Services - Other 30 41 Engineering Construction / Compliance Certificate Fees 2,026 1,684 Planning & Building Regulation 3,748 2,757 Registration Fees 730 502 Section 603 Certificates 497 497 Section 735A Certificate Fees 115 123 Subdivision Certificate Fees 615 407 Zoning Certificates 854 759 Total Fees & Charges - Statutory/Regulatory 9,612 7,783

(ii) Fees & Charges - Other(incl. General User Charges (per s.608) Animal Control 194 163 Child Care / Pre School 12,199 12,061 Hall Hire 747 703 Health & Fitness 2,179 2,104 Health Licences and Fees 226 174 Inspections - Vehicle Crossings 584 349 Laneway Closure Application Fees 8 25 Library - Photocopier / Fax Charges 75 64 Parking Fees 121 129 Swimming Pools 5,717 5,357 Other 1,388 1,304 Total Fees & Charges - Other 23,438 22,433

TOTAL USER CHARGES & FEES 33,122 30,310

page 33

135 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 3. Income from Continuing Operations (continued)

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(c) Interest & Investment Revenue (incl. losses)

Interest & Dividends - Interest on Overdue Rates & Annual Charges (incl. Special Purpose Rates) 336 356 - Interest earned on Investments (interest & coupon payment income) 13,061 13,481 TOTAL INTEREST & INVESTMENT REVENUE 13,397 13,837

Interest Revenue is attributable to: Unrestricted Investments/Financial Assets: Overdue Rates & Annual Charges (General Fund) 336 356 General Council Cash & Investments 2,213 1,911 Restricted Investments/Funds - External: Development Contributions - Section 94 6,539 5,746 Other Externally Restricted Assets 1,009 950 Restricted Investments/Funds - Internal: Internally Restricted Assets 3,300 4,874 Total Interest & Investment Revenue Recognised 13,397 13,837

(d) Other Revenues

Fair Value Adjustments - Investment Properties 14 3,250 2,778 Rental Income - Investment Properties 14 1,102 1,146 Rental Income - Other Council Properties 1,429 1,286 Fines 2,473 2,222 Legal Fees Recovery - Rates & Charges (Extra Charges) 268 307 Legal Fees Recovery - Other 50 108 Animal Control 212 197 Community Services / Child Care 542 586 Contributions to Long Service Leave - Other Councils 136 55 Diesel Rebate 125 119 Disposal of Garbage 15 89 Employee Contributions 1,106 1,020 Recreation and Leisure 3,064 2,975 Reinstatement of Roads and Footpaths 2,764 1,808 Other 1,145 793 TOTAL OTHER REVENUE 17,681 15,489

page 34

136 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 3. Income from Continuing Operations (continued)

2015 2014 2015 2014 $ '000 Operating Operating Capital Capital

(e) Grants

General Purpose (Untied) Financial Assistance 1 18,672 9,224 - - Pensioners' Rates Subsidies - General Component 1,400 1,382 - - Total General Purpose 20,072 10,606 - -

1 The Financial Assistance Grant for the comparative 13/14 year reflects a one off timing difference (reduction). This grant ceased being paid in advance in the 13/14 year by up to 50% as had occurred in previous years.

Specific Purpose Pensioners' Rates Subsidies: - Domestic Waste Management 558 528 - - Bushfire & Emergency Services 252 327 - 294 Community Care Services 4,202 3,987 - 2 Community Centres - - 58 14 Employment & Training Programs 70 238 - - Environmental Protection 317 1,597 - - Heritage & Cultural 441 422 - - Library - - 139 119 Library - per capita 670 670 - - Parks & Reserves 2 61 318 100 Street Lighting 1,167 547 - - Transport (Roads to Recovery) - - 8,420 - Transport (Other Roads & Bridges Funding) 66 122 519 2,323 Better Waste & Recycling 459 415 200 305 Other 94 145 120 - Total Specific Purpose 8,298 9,059 9,774 3,157 Total Grants 28,370 19,665 9,774 3,157

Grant Revenue is attributable to: - Commonwealth Funding 19,870 10,237 9,032 2,342 - State Funding 8,500 9,428 742 520 - Other Funding - - - 295 28,370 19,665 9,774 3,157

page 35

137 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 3. Income from Continuing Operations (continued)

2015 2014 2015 2014 $ '000 Operating Operating Capital Capital

(f) Contributions

Developer Contributions: (s93 & s94 - EP&A Act, s64 of the LGA): S 94 - Contributions towards amenities/services - - 44,425 31,030 Voluntary Planning Agreements - - 7,431 4,051 NSW Local Infrastructure Growth Scheme - - 37,983 - Total Developer Contributions 17 - - 89,839 35,081

Other Contributions: Animal Control 548 254 - - Cleaning 50 56 - - Community Services / Child Care 575 568 - - Contributions to Outgoings - Investment Properties 116 116 - - Land Under Roads Dedications - - 51,822 32,326 Parks and Reserves 324 401 6,526 4,156 Paving - - 3,332 1,500 RMS Contributions (Regional Roads, Block Grant) - - 5,080 3,068 Subdividors Works - - 56,138 29,774 Sullage 9 5 - - Town Planning 357 - - - Waste Services NSW 793 730 - - Transport - - 158 99 Other 57 32 151 108 Total Other Contributions 2,829 2,162 123,207 71,031 Total Contributions 2,829 2,162 213,046 106,112

TOTAL GRANTS & CONTRIBUTIONS 31,199 21,827 222,820 109,269

page 36

138 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 3. Income from Continuing Operations (continued)

Actual Actual $ '000 2015 2014

(g) Restrictions relating to Grants and Contributions

Certain grants & contributions are obtained by Council on condition that they be spent in a specified manner:

Unexpended at the Close of the Previous Reporting Period 139,926 159,825 add: Grants & contributions recognised in the current period but not yet spent: 40,463 3,588 less: Grants & contributions recognised in a previous reporting period now spent: (10,966) (23,487)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Assets during the Period 29,497 (19,899)

Unexpended and held as Restricted Assets 169,423 139,926

Comprising: - Specific Purpose Unexpended Grants 6,042 6,341 - Developer Contributions 147,329 123,133 - Other Contributions 16,052 10,452 169,423 139,926

page 37

139 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 4. Expenses from Continuing Operations

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(a) Employee Benefits & On-Costs

Salaries and Wages 86,944 81,269 Travelling 204 167 Employee Leave Entitlements (ELE) 18,172 17,794 Superannuation 10,518 10,017 Workers' Compensation Insurance 3,093 2,332 Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) 611 348 Training Costs (other than Salaries & Wages) 934 761 Other 1,406 953 Total Employee Costs 121,882 113,641 less: Capitalised Costs (2,484) (1,566) TOTAL EMPLOYEE COSTS EXPENSED 119,398 112,075

Number of "Equivalent Full Time" Employees at year end 1,427 1,409

(b) Borrowing Costs Nil

(c) Materials & Contracts

Raw Materials & Consumables 13,913 13,305 Contractor & Consultancy Costs 30,318 23,713 Auditors Remuneration (1) 119 118 Legal Expenses: - Legal Expenses: Planning & Development 944 731 - Legal Expenses: Other 414 688 Operating Leases: - Operating Lease Rentals: Minimum Lease Payments(2) 47 121 TOTAL MATERIALS & CONTRACTS 45,755 38,676

1. Auditor Remuneration During the year, the following fees were incurred for services provided by the Council's Auditor (& the Auditors of other Consolidated Entities): (i) Audit and Other Assurance Services - Audit & review of financial statements: Council's Auditor 119 118 Remuneration for audit and other assurance services 119 118 Total Auditor Remuneration 119 118

2. Operating Lease Payments are attributable to: Other 47 121 47 121

page 38

140 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 4. Expenses from Continuing Operations (continued)

Impairment Costs Depreciation/Amortisation Actual Actual Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014 2015 2014

(d) Depreciation, Amortisation & Impairment

Plant and Equipment - - 5,450 5,632 Office Equipment - - 1,030 1,065 Furniture & Fittings - - 440 424 Land Improvements (depreciable) - - 2,826 2,522 Buildings - Non Specialised - - 2,509 2,511 Buildings - Specialised - - 7,811 5,934 Other Structures - - 635 596 Infrastructure: - Roads - - 33,609 31,495 - Stormwater Drainage - - 7,007 6,890 Other Assets - Library Books - - 951 1,099 - Other - - 3 - Intangible Assets 25 - - 262 220 TOTAL DEPRECIATION & IMPAIRMENT COSTS EXPENSED - - 62,533 58,388

page 39

141 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 4. Expenses from Continuing Operations (continued)

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(e) Other Expenses

Other Expenses for the year include the following:

Advertising 904 649 Bad & Doubtful Debts 132 48 Bank Charges / Credit Card Charges 399 341 Computer Equipment Maintenance 866 685 Contributions/Levies to Other Levels of Government - 38 - Department of Planning Levy 221 217 - Emergency Services Levy (includes FRNSW, SES, and RFS Levies) 2,516 2,451 - Tipping Fees 26,430 23,760 Councillor Expenses - Mayoral Fee 78 76 Councillor Expenses - Councillors' Fees 427 403 Councillors' Expenses (incl. Mayor) - Other (excluding fees above) 413 316 Cultural Services / Civic Events 1,468 1,534 Data Processing Costs 766 799 Donations, Contributions & Assistance to other organisations (Section 356) 275 264 - Hawkesbury River County Council 162 157 Electricity & Heating 2,938 3,122 External Plant Hire 298 36 Fee Relief Advance to Carers 1,598 1,790 Insurance 3,188 3,048 Marketing / Promotions 284 284 Parking Patrol 286 283 Post Office Agency Charges 334 311 Postage 520 443 Refund Developer Contributions - 8 Security 386 148 Security Mailing Services 81 114 Street Lighting 6,481 6,011 Telephone & Communications 1,201 1,159 Valuation Fees (Rates) 591 584 Water Rates & Charges 1,429 2,193 Other 1,503 1,659 TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES 56,175 52,931

page 40

142 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 5. Gains or Losses from the Disposal of Assets

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

Land Proceeds from Disposal - Property 672 - less: Carrying Amount of Property Assets Sold / Written Off (46) - Net Gain/(Loss) on Disposal 626 -

Plant & Equipment Proceeds from Disposal - Plant & Equipment 2,541 1,581 less: Carrying Amount of P&E Assets Sold / Written Off (2,776) (1,721) Net Gain/(Loss) on Disposal (235) (140)

Real Estate Assets Held For Sale Proceeds from Disposal - Real Estate Assets 13,477 4,212 less: Carrying Amount of Real Estate Assets Sold / Written Off (7,340) (1,079) Net Gain/(Loss) on Disposal 6,137 3,133

Financial Assets* Proceeds from Disposal / Redemptions / Maturities - Financial Assets 280,000 259,000 less: Carrying Amount of Financial Assets Sold / Redeemed / Matured (280,000) (259,000) Net Gain/(Loss) on Disposal - -

NET GAIN/(LOSS) ON DISPOSAL OF ASSETS 6,528 2,993

page 41

143 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 6a. - Cash Assets and Note 6b. - Investments

2015 2015 2014 2014 Actual Actual Actual Actual $ '000 Notes Current Non Current Current Non Current

Cash & Cash Equivalents (Note 6a) Cash on Hand and at Bank 5,399 - 13,147 - Cash-Equivalent Assets 1 - Deposits at Call 12,432 - 12,637 - - Short Term Deposits 60,500 - 37,500 - Total Cash & Cash Equivalents 78,331 - 63,284 -

Investments (Note 6b) - Long Term Deposits 219,500 62,500 101,000 132,500 Total Investments 219,500 62,500 101,000 132,500 TOTAL CASH ASSETS, CASH EQUIVALENTS & INVESTMENTS 297,831 62,500 164,284 132,500

1 Those Investments where time to maturity (from date of purchase) is < 3 mths.

Cash, Cash Equivalents & Investments were classified at year end in accordance with AASB 139 as follows:

Cash & Cash Equivalents a. "At Fair Value through the Profit & Loss" 78,331 - 63,284 -

Investments b. "Held to Maturity" 6(b-ii) 219,500 62,500 101,000 132,500 Investments 219,500 62,500 101,000 132,500

Refer to Note 27 - Fair Value Measurement for information regarding the fair value of investments held.

Note 6(b-i) Reconciliation of Investments classified as "Held to Maturity" Balance at the Beginning of the Year 101,000 132,500 95,000 137,000 Additions 328,500 - 260,500 - Disposals (sales & redemptions) (210,000) (70,000) (254,500) (4,500) Balance at End of Year 219,500 62,500 101,000 132,500

Comprising: - Long Term Deposits 280,000 62,500 101,000 132,500 Total 219,500 62,500 101,000 132,500

page 42

144 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 6c. Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents & Investments - Details

2015 2015 2014 2014 Actual Actual Actual Actual $ '000 Current Non Current Current Non Current

Total Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments 297,831 62,500 164,284 132,500 attributable to: External Restrictions (refer below) 122,434 62,500 23,940 132,500 Internal Restrictions (refer below) 152,327 - 121,149 - Unrestricted 23,070 - 19,195 - 297,831 62,500 164,284 132,500

2015 Opening Transfers to Transfers from Closing $ '000 Balance Restrictions Restrictions Balance

Details of Restrictions

External Restrictions - Included in Liabilities Nil

External Restrictions - Other Developer Contributions - General (D) 82,129 85,983 (54,451) 113,661 Second Ponds Creek Voluntary Planning Agreement 39,500 - (7,500) 32,000 Voluntary Planning Agreements 1,504 258 (94) 1,668 RMS Contributions (E) 680 4,524 (4,630) 574 Specific Purpose Unexpended Grants (F) 6,341 13,753 (14,052) 6,042 Domestic Waste Management (G) 13,290 2,397 (2,145) 13,542 Stormwater Management (G) 3,224 3,378 (4,850) 1,752 Contribution to Works 1,775 179 (231) 1,723 Subdivider Contributions 7,278 6,632 (673) 13,237 Other 719 33 (17) 735 External Restrictions - Other 156,440 117,137 (88,643) 184,934 Total External Restrictions 156,440 117,137 (88,643) 184,934

D Development contributions which are not yet expended for the provision of services and amenities in accordance with contributions plans (refer Note 17). E RMS Contributions which are not yet expended for the provision of services and amenities in accordance with those contributions. F Grants which are not yet expended for the purposes for which the grants were obtained. (refer Note 1) G Water, Sewerage, Domestic Waste Management (DWM) & other Special Rates/Levies/Charges are externally restricted assets and must be applied for the purposes for which they were raised.

page 32

145 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 6c. Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents & Investments - Details (continued)

2015 Opening Transfers to Transfers from Closing $ '000 Balance Restrictions Restrictions Balance

Internal Restrictions

Asbestos Removal Crisis Reserve 90 7 (59) 38 Asset Renewal Reserve 3,380 14,499 (12,590) 5,289 Badgerys Creek Airport Reserve 27 2 - 29 Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope 6,606 486 (177) 6,915 Blacktown Showground Redevelopment Reserve 922 1,098 (2,020) - Blacktown Venue Management Reserve 1,245 1,753 (451) 2,547 Business Technology Reserve 7,801 416 (2,918) 5,299 Childcare Centres Improvement 1,568 654 (363) 1,859 City Promotions Reseve 77 - (77) - Companion Animal Reserve 222 390 - 612 Contributions Received in Advance 19 - (19) - Deposits, Retentions & Bonds 14,854 4,286 (1,845) 17,295 Deregulated Approvals Reserve 2,535 606 (653) 2,488 Early Settlers Memorial Reserve 860 - (860) - e-Business Strategy Reserve 3,249 944 - 4,193 Emerton Leisure Centre Reserve 632 181 (57) 756 Employees Leave Entitlement 12,476 1,341 - 13,817 Energy and Water Fund Reserve 230 121 - 351 Equipment Replacement Reserve 480 468 (58) 890 Family Day Care 525 58 - 583 Future Election Expenses 759 315 - 1,074 Historical Buildings Restoration 1,342 131 (182) 1,291 Infrastructure Sinking Fund 28,636 18,086 (20,088) 26,634 Internal S94 Contributions - 708 - 708 Land Projects Reserves 13,086 24,072 (351) 36,807 New Major Parks Reserve 1,034 62 (44) 1,052 Nurragingy Reserve 194 12 - 206 Other 2,413 3,399 (3,898) 1,914 Other Plant Replacement 2,991 2,082 (3,000) 2,073 PC Replacement Reserve 564 470 - 1,034 Playground Replacement Reserve 2,649 160 (37) 2,772 Printing Equipment Replacement 513 29 (93) 449 Riverstone Cemetery Reserve 1,227 343 (4) 1,566 Sargents Centre Reserve 102 - (102) - Special Projects Reserve - 8,495 - 8,495 St Bartholomew's Church Restoration 20 2 - 22 Stormwater Maintenance Reserve 242 8 (250) - Street Lighting Reserve 497 - (497) - Sundry Gratuitous Payments 59 - (59) - Westpool Contributions Reserve 624 695 (300) 1,019 Workers Compensation Self Insurance Claims (H) 6,347 282 (4,379) 2,250 Youth Accomodation Project 52 - (52) - Total Internal Restrictions 121,149 86,661 (55,483) 152,327

TOTAL RESTRICTIONS 277,589 203,798 (144,126) 337,261

page 44

146 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 7. Receivables

2015 2014 $ '000 Notes Current Non Current Current Non Current

Purpose Rates & Annual Charges 3,693 2,295 3,561 1,955 Interest & Extra Charges 461 306 436 316 User Charges & Fees 538 - 475 - Capital Debtors (being sale of assets) - Sale of Land 1,550 - 1,600 - - Other Asset Sales 63 - 48 - Accrued Revenues - Interest on Investments 5,249 - 5,059 - Government Grants & Subsidies 3,777 - 2,033 - Net GST Receivable 3,467 - 3,865 - Section 94 Landcom Second Ponds Creek - 7,614 - - Legal Costs on Outstanding Rates 186 - 342 - Restorations 316 - 782 - Section 611 Charges 154 - 154 - Other Debtors 1,362 - 1,033 - Total 20,816 10,215 19,388 2,271 less: Provision for Impairment Rates & Annual Charges (161) (581) (142) (490) Interest & Extra Charges (118) (140) (105) (105) Other Debtors ( 1 2 ) - ( 2 4 ) - Total Provision for Impairment - Receivables (291) (721) (271) (595)

TOTAL NET RECEIVABLES 20,525 9,494 19,117 1,676

Externally Restricted Receivables Domestic Waste Management 2,415 - 2,224 - Developer Contributions - 7,614 - - Total External Restrictions 2,415 7,614 2,224 - Internally Restricted Receivables Nil Unrestricted Receivables 18,110 1,880 16,893 1,676 TOTAL NET RECEIVABLES 20,525 9,494 19,117 1,676

Notes on Debtors above: (i) Rates & Annual Charges Outstanding are secured against the property.

(ii) Doubtful Rates Debtors are provided for where the value of the property is less than the debt outstanding. An allowance for other doubtful debts is made when there is objective evidence that a receivable is impaired.

(iii) Interest was charged on overdue rates & charges at 8.50% (2014 9.00%). Generally all other receivables are non interest bearing.

(iv) Please refer to Note 15 for issues concerning Credit Risk and Fair Value disclosures.

page 45

147 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 8. Inventories & Other Assets

2015 2014 $ '000 Notes Current Non Current Current Non Current

Inventories Real Estate for resale(refer below) 37,339 - 34,615 - Stores & Materials 2,585 - 2,548 - Total Inventories 39,924 - 37,163 -

Other Assets Prepayments 253 - 655 - Land Acquisition in Progress 155 - 165 - Total Other Assets 408 - 820 -

TOTAL INVENTORIES / OTHER ASSETS 40,332 - 37,983 -

Externally Restricted Assets

There are no restrictions applicable to the above assets.

(i) Other Disclosures

(a) Details for Real Estate Development Residential 23,555 - 22,375 - Industrial/Commercial 11,078 - 9,589 - Other Properties 2,706 - 2,651 - Total Real Estate for Resale 37,339 - 34,615 - (Valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value)

Represented by: Acquisition Costs 18,571 - 17,103 - Development Costs 18,768 - 17,512 - Total Costs 37,339 - 34,615 - Total Real Estate for Resale 37,339 - 34,615 -

Movements: Real Estate assets at beginning of the year 34,615 - 19,278 - - Purchases and other costs 8,740 - 16,271 - - Transfers in from (out to) Note 9 1,324 - 145 - - WDV of Sales (exp) 5 (7,340) - (1,079) - Total Real Estate for Resale 37,339 - 34,615 -

(b) Current Assets not anticipated to be settled within the next 12 months The following Inventories & Other Assets, even though classified as current are not expected to be recovered in the next 12 months; 2015 2014 Real Estate for Resale 17,418 25,930 17,418 25,930 page 46

148 Financial Statements 2015 - 35,404 21,856 23,986 283,237 357,615 331,081 Carrying 3,153,075 3,153,075 1,132,327 1,132,327 ------7 677,407 1,118,432 Accumulated as at as at 30/6/2015 7 101 69 32 8,699 6,808 1,891 At 35,404 81,267 52,967 28,300 21,856 23,986 22,059 16,659 5,400 14,544 12,205 2,339 21,200 7,179 14,021 283,237 357,615 131,536 21,677 109,859 331,081 132,260 45,459 86,801 329,267 82,303 246,964 4,271,507 4,271,507 1,809,734 1,809,734 Fair Value Dep'n Value ------60,445 46,122 14,323 667,654 195,692 471,962 (ARR) to Equity to Equity Increments Revaluation Revaluation ------(1,324) (1,245) (Note 8) (Note for Resale Real Estate Tfs from/(to) ------3,720 (79) 4,472 70,238 & Transfers Adjustments ------(4,904) WIP Transfers ------(3) (440) (951) (635) (7,007) 2,876 16,785 (2,826) (1,030) (2,509) (7,811) (62,271) (33,609) 2,028 45,261 Expense Depreciation ------Asset Movements Period the during Reporting Asset (2,822) WDV of Asset Asset of Disposals - - - 516 645 121 846 783 59,582 Asset 216,191 Additions - 21,745 18,563 23,986 20,820 1,036 302,104 51,870 283,966 291,291 35,364 (46) Carrying 2,872,618 2,872,618 1,012,943 1,012,943 ------7 600,980 1,001,878 Accumulated as at as at 30/6/2014 7 101 66 35 8,578 6,368 2,210 At 75,112 47,515 27,597 8,929 (2,776) (5,450) 21,745 23,986 21,414 15,629 5,785 20,820 13,697 11,253 2,444 20,417 6,544 13,873 302,104 123,530 18,851 104,679 8,006 600,499 177,222 423,277 21,708 283,966 291,291 126,755 42,951 83,804 5,506 326,551 74,492 252,059 2,716 3,874,496 3,874,496 1,613,923 1,613,923 Fair Value Dep'n Value (post 30/6/08) (non-depreciable) - Land under Roads Roads under - Land - Bulk Earthworks Drainage - Stormwater Collections - Heritage - OperationalLand - Roads, Bridges, Footpaths - Stormwater Drainage (non-depreciable) Drainage - Stormwater - Community Land - Library Books - Library - Other Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Statements Financial to the Notes Equipment & Plant Infrastructure,9a. Property, Note TOTAL INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANT PROPERTY, & EQUIP. PlantEquipment & for the financial30 June ended 2015 year $ '000 Work Capital in Progress Improvements Land - depreciable Office Equipment Buildings - Non Specialised Buildings - Non Furniture & Fittings Furniture Buildings - Specialised Other Structures Other Assets: Other Infrastructure: Land: Additions to Buildings &Infrastructure Assets are made up of Asset Renewals ($30,451,000) and New Assets ($60,097,000). Renewals are defined as the replacement of existing assets (as opposed to the acquisition of new assets). Refer to Note 27 - Fair Value Measurement for information regarding the fair value of other Infrastructure, Property, Plant &Equipment.

page 47

149 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 9b. Externally Restricted Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment

$ '000 Actual Actual 2015 2014 Class of Asset At At A/Dep & Carrying At At A/Dep & Carrying Cost Fair Value Impairm't Value Cost Fair Value Impairm't Value Domestic Waste Management Plant & Equipment - 17,221 12,002 5,219 - 16,485 10,800 5,685 Land - Operational Land - 7,650 - 7,650 - 7,650 - 7,650 Buildings - 345 13 332 - 345 6 339 Total DWM - 25,216 12,015 13,201 - 24,480 10,806 13,674

TOTAL RESTRICTED I,PP&E - 25,216 12,015 13,201 - 24,480 10,806 13,674

Note 9c. Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment - Current Year Impairments

Actual Actual Council has recognised no impairment losses during the reporting period nor reversed any prior period losses.

page 48

150 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 10a. Payables, Borrowings & Provisions

2015 2014 $ '000 Notes Current Non Current Current Non Current

Payables Goods & Services 21,454 - 15,448 - Payments Received In Advance 2,793 - 2,622 - Accrued Expenses: - Salaries & Wages 1,922 - 1,363 - Security Bonds, Deposits & Retentions 17,295 - 14,906 - Other 2,433 - 2,376 - Total Payables 45,897 - 36,715 -

Borrowings Nil

Provisions Employee Benefits; Annual Leave 15,352 - 14,498 - Sick Leave 6,524 - 6,241 - Long Service Leave 25,721 427 23,883 420 Gratuities 5 - 5 - Sub Total - Aggregate Employee Benefits 47,602 427 44,627 420 Self Insurance - Workers Compensation 1,970 5,670 1,600 5,050 Section 94 Landcom Second Ponds Creek - - - 2,790 Other 442 - 277 - Total Provisions 50,014 6,097 46,504 8,260

Total Payables, Borrowings & Provisions 95,911 6,097 83,219 8,260

(i) Liabilities relating to Restricted Assets 2015 2014 Current Non Current Current Non Current Externally Restricted Assets Domestic Waste Management 1,568 - 1,435 - Developer Contributions - - - 2,790 Liabilities relating to externally restricted assets 1,568 - 1,435 2,790

Internally Restricted Assets Nil

Total Liabilities relating to restricted assets 1,568 - 1,435 2,790 Total Liabilities relating to unrestricted assets 94,343 6,097 81,784 5,470 TOTAL PAYABLES, BORROWINGS & PROVISIONS 95,911 6,097 83,219 8,260

page 48

151 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 10a. Payables, Borrowings & Provisions (continued)

Actual Actual $ '000 2015 2014

(ii) Current Liabilities not anticipated to be settled within the next 12 months

The following Liabilities, even though classified as current, are not expected to be settled in the next 12 months.

Provisions - Employees Benefits 35,234 34,050 Payables - Security Bonds, Deposits & Retentions 9,083 8,257 44,317 42,307

Note 10b. Description of and movements in Provisions

2014 2015 Opening Remeasurement Unused Closing Additional Decrease due to Balance effects due to amounts Balance Class of Provision Provisions Payments as at 1/7/14 Discounting reversed as at 30/6/15 Self Insurance 6,650 4,062 (3,072) - - 7,640 Other 3,067 239 (2,864) - - 442 TOTAL 9,717 4,301 (5,936) - - 8,082

a. Employee's Leave Entitlements & On-Costs represents those benefits accrued and payable and an estimate of those that will become payable in the future as a result of past service.

b. Self Insurance Provisions represent both (i) claims incurred but not reported and (ii) claims reported & estimated as a result of Council's being a self insurer up to certain levels of excess.

page 48

152 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 11. Statement of Cash Flows - Additional Information

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(a) Reconciliation of Cash Assets

Total Cash & Cash Equivalent Assets 6a 78,331 63,284 Less Bank Overdraft 10 - - BALANCE as per the STATEMENT of CASH FLOWS 78,331 63,284

(b) Reconciliation of Net Operating Result to Cash provided from Operating Activities

Net Operating Result from Income Statement 221,132 97,180 Adjust for non cash items: Depreciation & Amortisation 62,533 58,388 Net Losses/(Gains) on Disposal of Assets (6,528) (2,993) Non Cash Capital Grants and Contributions (123,975) (73,725) Losses/(Gains) recognised on Fair Value Re-measurements through the P&L: - Investment Properties (3,250) (2,778) Share of Net (Profits) or Losses of Associates/Joint Ventures (658) (1,350)

+/- Movement in Operating Assets and Liabilities & Other Cash Items: Decrease/(Increase) in Receivables (9,407) (3,303) Increase/(Decrease) in Provision for Doubtful Debts 146 ( 4 1 ) Decrease/(Increase) in Inventories ( 3 7 ) (109) Decrease/(Increase) in Other Assets 412 (449) Increase/(Decrease) in Payables 6,006 1,605 Increase/(Decrease) in other accrued Expenses Payable 559 371 Increase/(Decrease) in Other Liabilities 2,617 205 Increase/(Decrease) in Employee Leave Entitlements 2,982 2,441 Increase/(Decrease) in Other Provisions (1,635) 3,328 NET CASH PROVIDED FROM/(USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES from the STATEMENT of CASH FLOWS 150,897 78,770

page 51

153 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 11. Statement of Cash Flows - Additional Information (continued)

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(c) Non-Cash Investing & Financing Activities

S94 Contributions "in kind" 8,501 5,792 Other Dedications 58,306 38,046 Other Infrastructure Assets 53,203 29,887 Voluntary Planning Agreements "in kind" 3,965 - Total Non-Cash Investing & Financing Activities 123,975 73,725

(d) Financing Arrangements

(i) Unrestricted access was available at balance date to the following lines of credit:

Bank Overdraft Facilities (1) 1,000 1,000 Total Financing Arrangements 1,000 1,000

1. The Bank overdraft facility may be drawn at any time and may be terminated by the bank without notice. Interest rates on overdrafts are Interest Rates on Loans & Other Payables are disclosed in Note 15.

(ii) Secured Loan Liabilities

Loans are secured by a mortgage over future years Rate Revenue only.

(e) Bank Guarantees

As Council is self insured for Workers Compensation, Council has a bank guarantee with Workcover for the 2014/15 financial year for $6.16 Million.

page 52

154 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 12. Commitments for Expenditure

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(a) Capital Commitments (exclusive of GST)

Capital expenditure committed for at the reporting date but not recognised in the financial statements as liabilities:

Property, Plant & Equipment Buildings 752 223 Plant & Equipment 1,517 741 Roads, Bridges & Drainage 2,078 442 Office Equipment 4 54 Land Development - 16,340 Land Acquisitions 57,097 4,861 Library Books 3 263 Furniture & Fittings 4 12 Other 1,377 598 Total Commitments 62,832 23,534

These expenditures are payable as follows: Within the next year 62,832 23,534 Total Payable 62,832 23,534

Sources for Funding of Capital Commitments: Unrestricted General Funds 6,468 2,333 Externally Restricted Reserves 56,364 16,340 Internally Restricted Reserves - 4,861 Total Sources of Funding 62,832 23,534

(b) Finance Lease Commitments

Nil (c) Operating Lease Commitments (Non Cancellable) a. Commitments under Non Cancellable Operating Leases at the Reporting date, but not recognised as Liabilities are payable: Within the next year 134 128 Later than one year and not later than 5 years 95 209 Later than 5 years - - Total Non Cancellable Operating Lease Commitments 229 337 b. Non Cancellable Operating Leases include the following assets: Photocopiers and gym equipment

Conditions relating to Operating Leases: - All Operating Lease Agreements are secured only against the Leased Asset. - No Lease Agreements impose any financial restrictions on Council regarding future debt etc.

page 53

155 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 13a(i). Statement of Performance Measurement - Indicators (Consolidated)

Amounts Indicator Prior Periods $ '000 2015 2015 2014 2013

Local Government Industry Indicators - Consolidated

1. Operating Performance Ratio Total continuing operating revenue (1) (excl. Capital Grants & Contributions) - Operating Expenses (12,124) -4.46% -7.91% -4.81% Total continuing operating revenue (1) 271,737 (excl. Capital Grants & Contributions)

2. Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio Total continuing operating revenue (1) (excl. ALL Grants & Contributions) 240,538 48.64% 62.77% 54.13% Total continuing operating revenue (1) 494,557

3. Unrestricted Current Ratio Current Assets less all External Restrictions (2) 216,421 4.33x 4.29 4.40 Current Liabilities less Specific Purpose Liabilities (3, 4) 50,026

4. Debt Service Cover Ratio Operating Result (1) before capital excluding interest and depreciation / impairment / amortisation 50,409 0.00x 0.00 0.00 Principal Repayments (from the Statement of Cash Flows) - + Borrowing Costs (from the Income Statement)

5. Rates, Annual Charges, Interest & Extra Charges Outstanding Percentage Rates, Annual and Extra Charges Outstanding 5,755 3.10% 3.19% 3.44% Rates, Annual and Extra Charges Collectible 185,618

5a. Rates Outstanding Percentage (recoverable) Rates, Annual and Extra Charges Outstanding minus amounts not recoverable 2,772 1.52% 1.50% 1.82% Gross Rates, Annual and Extra Charges Collectible 182,635

6. Cash Expense Cover Ratio Current Year's Cash and Cash Equivalents + All Term Deposits 360,331 18.64 x12 16.15 17.73 Payments from cash flow of operating and 19,332 mths financing activities Notes

(1) Excludes fair value adjustments and reversal of revaluation decrements, net gain/(loss) on sale of assets and the net share of interests in joint ventures & associates. (2) Refer Notes 6-8 inclusive. Also excludes any real estate & land for resale not expected to be sold in the next 12 months (3) Refer to Note 10(a). (4) Refer to Note 10(a)(ii) - excludes all payables & provisions not expected to be paid in the next 12 months (incl. ELE).

page 54

156 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 13a(ii). Local Government Industry Indicators - Graphs (Consolidated)

1. OPERATING PERFORMANCE RATIO Commentary on 2014/15 Result 1. Operating Performance Ratio Purpose of PURPOSE OF COMMENTARY ON 2014/15 RESULT 0.0% 2012 2013 2014 2015 Operating OPERATING 0% 2012 2013 2014 2015 Performance RatioPERFORMANCE 2014/15 Ratio -4.46%2014/15 Ratio -4.46% -1%-1.0% RATIO -1.24%-1.24% -2%-2.0% -4.46% Council's ratioCouncil’s for 2014/15 ratio was for negative 2014/15 was negative 4.46%, -4.81% This ratio -3% 4.46%, which didwhich not meet did notthe benchmarkmeet the benchmark of 0% or -3.0% measures -4% of 0% or better. Depreciation, which This ratio measures better. Depreciation, which represents about 22% -4.0% -7.91% -4.46% Council’srepresents about 22% of the Council's RATIO % RATIO Ratio % Ratio -5% -4.81% Councilʼs of the Council’s overall operational expenditure, achievementoverall operational expenditure, has a -5.0% achievement of has a significant impact on this ratio. -6% of containingsignificant impact on this ratio. Additional containing operating Additional depreciation expense is increasing -7%-6.0% operatingdepreciation expense is increasing as a expenditure within as a result of an increase in expenditure on both -8% expenditureresult of an increase in expenditure on both -7.0% -7.91% operating revenue. asset renewals and the construction of new within operatingasset renewals and the construction of new -9% infrastructure in the North West Growth Centre. -8.0% revenue.infrastructure in the North West Growth -9.0% Centre. Benchmark: Minimum >=0.00% Ratio is within Benchmark Benchmark: ――― Minimum >=0.00% Ratio is within Benchmark SourceSource for for Benchmark: Benchmark: Code Code of of Accounting Accounting Practice Practice and and Financial Financial ReportingReporting #23 Ratio is outside Ratio Benchmark is outside Benchmark

2. Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio Commentary on 2014/15 Result 2. OWN SOURCE OPERATING REVENUE RATIOPurpose of OwnPURPOSE OF COMMENTARY ON 2014/15 RESULT 100%100% Source OperatingOWN SOURCE Revenue Ratio 2014/15 Ratio 48.64% 90%90% OPERATING 2014/15 Ratio 48.64% 80%80% REVENUE RATIO 70%70% 62.77% Council's percentage of own source 57.72% 54.13% This ratio Council’s percentage of own source revenue for 60%60% This ratio measures revenue for 2014/15 was 48.64%. This 48.64% measures fiscal 2014/15 was 48.64%. This indicator is largely 50%50% fiscal flexibility. It is indicator is largely affected by Council's Ratio % Ratio RATIO % RATIO flexibility. It affected by Council’s high level of development 40%40% the degree of reliance high level of development activity, which 62.77% on external fundingis the degreemeans a significantactivity, proportion which means of Council's a significant proportion of 30%30% 57.72% 54.13% 48.64% sources such as 20% of reliancerevenue on is fromCouncil’s Section revenue 94 developer is from Section 94 developer 20% operating grants & 10% external fundingcontributions andcontributions non-cash contributions and non-cash contributions 10% contributions.sources such(works as in kind).(works Council in kind).did not Council meet the did not meet the target 0%0% 20122012 20132013 20142014 2015 2015 operating grantstarget of 60% for thisof ratio 60% for for 2014/15. this ratio for 2014/15. & contributions. Benchmark: ――― Minimum >=60.00% Ratio is within Benchmark Benchmark:Source for Benchmark: Code of AccountingMinimum Practice >=60.00% and Financial Reporting #23 Ratio is outside Ratio Benchmark is within Benchmark Source for Benchmark: Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting #23 Ratio is outside Benchmark 3. Unrestricted Current Ratio Commentary on 2014/15 Result Purpose of 3. UNRESTRICTED5.0 CURRENT RATIO Unrestricted Current 4.5 Ratio PURPOSE OF 2014/15 RatioCOMMENTARY 4.33x ON 2014/15 RESULT 5.0%4.0 UNRESTRICTED 4.26% 4.40% 4.29% 4.33% 4.5%3.5 CURRENT RATIO 2014/15 Ratio 4.33x 4.0%3.0 A ratio of 4.33x indicates that Council has a To assess theTo assess the 3.5%2.5 adequacy of working very sound liquidity position, meaning there 4.40 Ratio (x) Ratio 4.33 adequacy of 3.0%2.0 4.26 4.29 capital and its ability are sufficient liquidA ratio assets of on4.33x hand indicates to meet that Council has a working capital 2.5%1.5 to satisfy obligations current liabilitiesvery as they sound fall due.liquidity A ratio position, of meaning there RATIO % RATIO in the short termand for its ability 2.0%1.0 less than 1.5:1 isare deemed sufficient unsatisfactory liquid assets as on hand to meet the unrestricted to satisfy 1.5%0.5 a Council may becurrent unable liabilities to meet its as short they fall due. A ratio of activities of Council.obligations in theterm financial commitments. 1.0%0.0 less than 1.5:1 is deemed unsatisfactory as a short term for 0.5% 2012 2013 2014 2015 Council may be unable to meet its short term the unrestricted 0.0% financial commitments. Benchmark:2012 ――― 2013Minimum >=1.502014 2015 activities Ratio is within Benchmark Source for Benchmark: Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting #23of Council. Ratio is outside Benchmark

Benchmark: Minimum >=1.50 Ratio is within Benchmarkpage 55 Source for Benchmark: Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting #23 Ratio is outside Benchmark

157 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 13a(ii). Local Government Industry Indicators - Graphs (Consolidated)

4. DEBT SERVICE4. Debt Service COVER Cover RatioRATIO PURPOSE OF Commentary onCOMMENTARY 2014/15 Result ON 2014/15 RESULT Purpose of Debt 2.5 DEBT SERVICE Service Cover RatioCOVER RATIO 2014/15 Ratio 0.00x2014/15 Ratio 0.00x 2.0 This ratio 1.5 measures the This ratio measuresavailability

RATIO (X) RATIO the availability of Ratio (x) Ratio 1.0 of operating operating cash to Council has a CouncilDebt Service has aCover Debt Ratio Service of Cover Ratio of zero cash to service service debt including zero and has been debtand freehas sincebeen 1999.debt free since 1999. 0.5 interest, principaldebt and including 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 lease payments interest, 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 principal and 2012 2013 2014 2015 2012 2013 2014 2015 lease payments

Benchmark: ――― Minimum >=2.00 Ratio is within Benchmark Benchmark:Source for Benchmark: Code of AccountingMinimum Practice >=2.00 and Financial Reporting #23 Ratio is outside Ratio Benchmark is within Benchmark Source for Benchmark: Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting #23 Ratio is outside Benchmark 5. Rates, Annual Charges, Interest & Extra Commentary on 2014/15 Result Purpose of Rates & Charges Outstanding Percentage 5. RATES,6% ANNUAL CHARGES, INTEREST &Annual Charges Outstanding RatioPURPOSE OF 2014/15 RatioCOMMENTARY 3.10% ON 2014/15 RESULT EXTRA5% CHARGES OUTSTANDING PERCENTAGE RATES & ANNUAL 6% CHARGES 2014/15 Ratio 3.10% 4% OUTSTANDING 5% RATIO 3% To assess the impact

Ratio % Ratio of uncollected rates This measure at 3.10% reflects that 4% 3.32% 3.44% 3.19% 3.10% To assess 2% and annual charges Council has been able to continue to 3.32% 3.44% on Council's liquiditythe impact of 3% 3.19% 3.10% maintain thisThis ratio measurewell below at the 3.10% industry reflects that Council has RATIO % RATIO and the adequacyuncollected of benchmark of 5%. 1% been able to continue to maintain this ratio well 2% recovery efforts.rates and annual below the industry benchmark of 5%. 0% charges on 1% 2012 2013 2014 2015 Council’s liquidity and the adequacy Benchmark:0% ――― Maximum <5.00% Ratio is within Benchmark 2012 2013 2014 2015 of recovery efforts. Source for Benchmark: Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting #23 Ratio is outside Benchmark

Benchmark: Minimum <5.00% Ratio is within Benchmark 6. Cash Expense Cover Ratio Commentary on 2014/15 Result Source for Benchmark: Code of Accounting Practice and FinancialPurpose Reporting of Cash #23 Ratio is outside Benchmark Expense Cover 20.0 Ratio 2014/15 Ratio 18.64 mths 6. CASH EXPENSE COVER RATIO PURPOSE OF COMMENTARY ON 2014/15 RESULT 15.0 18.64 CASH EXPENSEThis ratio is calculated by dividing a 20.0 18.00 17.73 This liquidity ratioCOVER RATIOCouncil's Cash and Cash2014/15 Equivalents Ratio as 18.64 mths 16.15 per the Statement of Cash Flows by the net 10.0 indicates the number 18.00 17.73 18.64 of months a Council of the operational expenses less 15.0 16.15 This liquidity

Ratio (mths) can continue payingratio indicatesdepreciation Thisand borrowingratio is calculated costs, and by dividing a Council’s 5.0 for its immediatethe number multiplyingCash the and result Cash by 12. Equivalents The as per the Statement expenses without 10.0 of monthsbenchmark a for thisof Cash ratio Flowsis greater by thanthe net3 of the operational additional cash inflow.

RATIO (mths) RATIO months. For 2014/2015, Council exceeded 0.0 Council can expenses less depreciation and borrowing 2012 2013 2014 2015 the benchmark with a ratio of 18.64. 5.0 continue paying costs, and multiplying the result by 12. for its immediate The benchmark for this ratio is greater than Benchmark: ――― Minimum >=3.00 expenses withoutRatio is within3 months. Benchmark For 2014/2015, Council exceeded the Source0.0 for Benchmark: Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting #23 Ratio is outside Benchmark 2012 2013 2014 2015 additional benchmark with a ratio of 18.64. cash inflow.

Benchmark: Minimum >=3.00 Ratio is within Benchmarkpage 56 Source for Benchmark: Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting #23 Ratio is outside Benchmark

158 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 14. Investment Properties

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(a) Investment Properties at Fair value

Investment Properties on Hand 38,548 35,290

Reconciliation of Annual Movement: Opening Balance 35,290 32,385 - Capitalised Expenditure - this year 8 127 - Net Gain/(Loss) from Fair Value Adjustments 3,250 2,778 CLOSING BALANCE - INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 38,548 35,290

(b) Valuation Basis

The basis of valuation of Investment Properties is Fair Value, being the amounts for which the properties could be exchanged between willing parties in arms length transaction, based on current prices in an active market for similar properties in the same location and condition and subject to similar leases. The 2014 revaluations were based on Independent Assessments made by: Mr Dennis Rylaarsdam APPI of Lunney Watt & Associates PTY Ltd The 2015 revaluations are based on movements in a relevant property price index.

(c) Contractual Obligations at Reporting Date

Refer to Note 12 for disclosures relating to any Capital and Service obligations that have been contracted.

(d) Leasing Arrangements

Future Minimum Lease Payments receivable under non-cancellable Investment Property Operating Leases not recognised in the Financial Statements are receivable as follows: Within 1 year 1,630 1,473 Later than 1 year but less than 5 years 3,176 1,878 Later than 5 years 406 590 Total Minimum Lease Payments Receivable 5,212 3,941

(e) Investment Property Income & Expenditure - summary

Rental Income from Investment Properties: - Minimum Lease Payments 1,102 1,146 - Other Income 116 116 Direct Operating Expenses on Investment Properties: - that generated rental income (555) (471) Net Revenue Contribution from Investment Properties 663 791 plus: Fair Value Movement for year 3,250 2,778 Total Income attributable to Investment Properties 3,913 3,569

Refer to Note 27- Fair Value Measurement for information regarding the fair value of investment properties held. page 57

159 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 15. Financial Risk Management

$ '000

Risk Management

Council's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks including (1) price risk, (2) credit risk, (3) liquidity risk and (4) interest rate risk.

The Council's overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the financial performance of the Council.

Council does not engage in transactions expressed in foreign currencies and is therefore not subject to foreign currency risk.

Financial risk management is carried out by Council's Finance Section under policies approved by the Council.

A comparison by category of the carrying amounts and fair values of Council's Financial Assets & Financial Liabilities recognised in the financial statements is presented below.

Carrying Value Fair Value 2015 2014 2015 2014 Financial Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents 78,331 63,284 78,331 63,284 Investments - "Held to Maturity" 282,000 233,500 282,000 233,500 Receivables 30,019 20,789 30,019 20,789 Total Financial Assets 390,350 317,573 390,350 317,573

Financial Liabilities Payables 43,104 34,093 43,104 34,093 Total Financial Liabilities 43,104 34,093 43,104 34,093

Fair Value is determined as follows:

- Cash & Cash Equivalents, Receivables, Payables - are estimated to be the carrying value which approximates mkt value.

- Borrowings & Held to Maturity Investments - are based upon estimated future cash flows discounted by the current market interest rates applicable to assets & liabilities with similar risk profiles, unless quoted market prices are available.

- Financial Assets classified (i) "at fair value through profit & loss" or (ii) Available for Sale - are based upon quoted market prices (in active markets for identical investments) at the reporting date or independent valuation.

Refer to Note 27 - Fair Value Measurement for information regarding the fair value of financial assets & liabilities

page 58

160 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 15. Financial Risk Management (continued)

$ '000

(a) Cash & Cash Equivalents, Financial assets 'at fair value through the profit & Loss' "Available-for-sale" financial assets & "Held-to-maturity" Investments

Council's objective is to maximise its return on cash & investments whilst maintaining an adequate level of liquidity and preserving capital.

Council's Finance area manages the Cash and Investments portfolio with the assistance of independent advisors.

Council has an Investment Policy which complies with the Local Government Act & Minister's Investment Order. This Policy is regularly reviewed by Council staff and an Investment Report is tabled before Council on a monthly basis setting out the portfolio breakup and its performance.

The risks associated with the investments held are:

- Price Risk - the risk that the capital value of Investments may fluctuate due to changes in market prices, whether there changes are caused by factors specific to individual financial instruments or their issuers or are caused by factors affecting similar instruments traded in a market.

- Interest Rate Risk - the risk that movements in interest rates could affect returns and income.

- Credit Risk - the risk that the investment counterparty will not complete their obligations particular to a financial instrument, resulting in a financial loss to Council - be it of a capital or income nature.

Council manages these risks (amongst other measures) by diversifying its portfolio and only purchasing investments with high credit ratings or capital guarantees.

Council also seeks advice from independent advisers before placing any funds in Cash Equivalents & Investments.

The following represents a summary of the sensitivity of Council's Income Statement and Accumulated Surplus (for the reporting period) due to a change in either the price of a financial asset or the interest rates applicable.

It is assumed that the change in interest rates would have been constant throughout the reporting period.

Increase of Values/Rates Decrease of Values/Rates 2015 Profit Equity Profit Equity $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Possible impact of a 1% movement in Interest Rates 3,603 3,603 3,603 3,603

2014 Possible impact of a 1% movement in Interest Rates 2,968 2,968 2,968 2,968

page 59

161 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 15. Financial Risk Management (continued)

$ '000

(b) Receivables

Council's major receivables comprise (i) Rates & Annual charges and (ii) User Charges & Fees. The major risk associated with these receivables is credit risk - the risk that debts due and payable to Council may not be repaid in full. Council manages this risk by monitoring outstanding debt and employing stringent debt recovery procedures. It also encourages ratepayers to pay their rates by the due date through incentives. Credit risk on rates and annual charges is minimised by the ability of Council to secure a charge over the land relating to the debts - that is, the land can be sold to recover the debt. Council is also able to charge interest on overdue rates & annual charges at higher than market rates which further encourages the payment of debt. There are no significant concentrations of credit risk, whether through exposure to individual customers, specific industry sectors and/or regions. The level of outstanding receivables is reported to Council monthly and benchmarks are set and monitored for acceptable collection performance. Council makes suitable provision for doubtful receivables as required and carries out credit checks on most non-rate debtors. There are no material receivables that have been subjected to a re-negotiation of repayment terms. A profile of Council's receivables credit risk at balance date follows:

2015 2015 2014 2014 Rates & Rates & Annual Other Annual Other Charges Receivables Charges Receivables (i) Ageing of Receivables - % Current (not yet overdue) 0% 86% 0% 84% Overdue 100% 14% 100% 16% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Rates & Rates & (ii) Ageing of Receivables - value Annual Other Annual Other Rates & Annual Charges Other Receivables Charges Receivables Charges Receivables Current Current - 20,818 - 13,425 < 1 year overdue 0 - 30 days overdue 3,291 2,688 3,068 612 1 - 2 years overdue 30 - 60 days overdue 2,897 86 2,631 209 2 - 5 years overdue 60 - 90 days overdue 287 79 302 166 > 5 years overdue > 90 days overdue 280 605 267 979 6,755 24,276 6,268 15,391

(iii) Movement in Provision for Impairment 2015 2014 of Receivables Balance at the beginning of the year 866 907 + new provisions recognised during the year 369 118 - amounts already provided for & written off this year (223) (159) Balance at the end of the year 1,012 866

page 60

162 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 15. Financial Risk Management (continued)

$ '000

(c) Payables & Borrowings

Payables & Borrowings are both subject to liquidity risk - the risk that insufficient funds may be on hand to meet payment obligations as and when they fall due.

Council manages this risk by monitoring its cash flow requirements and liquidity levels and maintaining an adequate cash buffer.

Payment terms can (in extenuating circumstances) also be extended & overdraft facilities utilised as required.

The contractual undiscounted cash outflows (ie. principal and interest) of Council's Payables & Borrowings are set out in the maturity table below:

$ '000 Subject Total Actual to no payable in: Cash Carrying maturity ≤ 1 Year 1-2 Yrs 2-3 Yrs 3-4 Yrs 4-5 Yrs > 5 Yrs Outflows Values

2015 Trade/Other Payables 17,295 25,809 - - - - - 43,104 43,104 Total Financial Liabilities 17,295 25,809 - - - - - 43,104 43,104

2014 Trade/Other Payables 14,906 19,187 - - - - - 34,093 34,093 Total Financial Liabilities 14,906 19,187 - - - - - 34,093 34,093

Council does not have any borowings.

page 61

163 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 16. Material Budget Variations

$ '000

Council's Original Financial Budget for 14/15 was adopted by the Council on 25 June 2014.

While the Income Statement included in this General Purpose Financial Report must disclose the Original Budget adopted by Council, the Local Government Act requires Council to review its Financial Budget on a Quarterly Basis, so that it is able to manage the various variations between actuals versus budget that invariably occur throughout the year.

This Note sets out the details of MATERIAL VARIATIONS between Council's Original Budget and its Actual results for the year as per the Income Statement - even though such variations may have been adjusted for during each Quarterly Budget Review.

Note that for Variations* of Budget to Actual : Material Variations represent those variances that amount to 10% or more of the original budgeted figure. F = Favourable Budget Variation, U = Unfavourable Budget Variation

2015 2015 2015 $ '000 Budget Actual ------Variance* ------

REVENUES Rates & Annual Charges 178,379 179,588 1,209 1% F

User Charges & Fees 28,654 33,122 4,468 16% F Council received and processed a high number of development and subdivision applications and engineering, construction and compliance certificates during 2014/15 as a result of increased development in the local government area. The revenue for these works resulted in the original budget for these fees being exceeded.

Interest & Investment Revenue 11,550 13,397 1,847 16% F Councilʼs interest and investment revenue exceeded the original budget due to higher than anticipated average investment portfolio balance during the financial year than was originally anticipated, along with the average return on investments for the financial year being slightly higher than forecast.

Other Revenues 12,388 17,681 5,293 43% F This favourable variance was due to increased income being received for reinstatement of roads and foothpaths which exceeded the original budget by $1.2 Million. In addition, Council undertook a desktop revaluation of its investment properties. As at 30 June 2015, the fair value of Councilʼs investment properties was $38.6 Million (see Note 14 for more detail) . This revaluation resulted in a fair value increase of $3.250 Million Council was required to record as income through the income statement which was not included in the original budget.

Operating Grants & Contributions 29,164 31,199 2,035 7% F

page 62

164 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 16. Material Budget Variations (continued)

2015 2015 2015 $ '000 Budget Actual ------Variance* ------

REVENUES (continued) Capital Grants & Contributions 59,502 222,820 163,318 274% F This favourable variance was due to Council receiving $37.9 Million from the NSW State Government's Local Infrastructure Growth Scheme (LIGS) reported as Section 94 contributions. The LIGS was established to assist NSW Councils in funding the gap between what developers pay in Section 94 contributions and what Council requires to fund essential infrastructure listed in Section 94 Contribution Plans. The LIGS is administered by the Department of Planning and Environment and the NSW Treasury. At the time of preparing the original budget it was not known what the approved funding amount would be. Council also received $34 Million in Section 94 cash contributions which exceeded the original of $21.725 Million by $12.275 Million. In addition, Council received a number of non- cash land and infrastructure assets totalling $123.975 Million that were that were dedicated to Council during the year in lieu of payments of subdividor contributions, which exceeded the original budget of $35.067 Million by $88.908 Million.

Net Gains from Disposal of Assets 2,000 6,528 4,528 226% F This favourable variance is related to the sale of land, being Lots 2 and 2 Plan DP591894 and 791630 Owen Street, Glendenning. This sale was not included in the original budget for 2014/15. The net proceeds of the sale were were transferred to Council's internally restricted land projects reserve.

Joint Ventures & Associates - Net Profits - 658 658 0% F This is related to Council's profit share in Westpool and United Independent Pools. Westpool and United Independent Pools are separate entities set up as joint ventures with a number of other Council's for self-insurance purposes. As it is difficult for Council to forecast the claims experience for each insurance pool in any given year and therefore the size of the surplus or deficit for each insurance pool, there was no original budget included in the estimates for the 2014/15 financial year.

page 63

165 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 16. Material Budget Variations (continued)

2015 2015 2015 $ '000 Budget Actual ------Variance* ------

EXPENSES Employee Benefits & On-Costs 117,547 119,398 (1,851) (2%) U Council exceeded the budget for employee benefits and on-costs by $1.851 million (1.57%). This variation is mainly related to the following employee costs that were not included in the original budget: • Additional casual costs of $360k due to Council receiving and processing a higher number of development and subdivision applications and engineering and compliance certificates. This expense was offset with additional income from development and subdivision applications and engineering and compliance certificates. • An additional $1.3 million expense was incurred as part of the calculation for Council’s provision for employee leave entitlements (ELE). This additional non cash expense was incurred as a result of a change in interest rates for the calculation of employee leave entitlements (ELE) for the “provision of Annual Leave and Long Service Leave not expected to be taken within the next 12 months”. • Council’s provision for Workers Compensation for self-insurance also increased by $990k based on the actuary’s assessment.

Materials & Contracts 42,078 45,755 (3,677) (9%) U This unfavourable variance relates to an increased number of reinstatement of roads and footpath works undertaken during the year that were not included in the original budget These works were generally funded by contributions recorded as other revenue. In addition, an increased number of road maintenance works were undertaken and voted by Council during the year which were not included in the original vote.

Depreciation & Amortisation 60,000 62,533 (2,533) (4%) U

Other Expenses 51,341 56,175 (4,834) (9%) U

Budget Variations relating to Council's Cash Flow Statement include:

Cash Flows from Operating Activities 98,068 150,897 52,829 53.9% F This favourable variance was predominately due to Council receiving $37.9 Million from the NSW State Government's Local Infrastructure Growth Scheme (LIGS) reported as S94 contributions. The LIGS was established to assist NSW Councils in funding the gap between what developers pay in Section 94 contributions and what Council requires to fund essential infrastructure listed in Section 94 Contribution Plans. The LIGS is administered by the Department of Planning and Environment and the NSW Treasury. At the time of preparing the original budget it was not known what the approved funding amount would be.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities (80,630) (135,850) (55,220) 68.5% U This variation is related to the completion of a number of capital works projects that were revoted from the previous financial year in addition to Council acquiring a number of parcels of land during the financial year for S94 development purposes. These expenditures were not included in the original budget for 2014/15.

page 48

166 Financial Statements 2015 ------Internal Borrowings Cumulative due/(payable) - - 1 (89) (523) (922) (922) 1,251 (1,155) 18,576 11,660 (17,108) (13,535) (under) Over or Over Funding - (945) (384) (768) (4,877) still Exp (10,491) (15,222) (10,938) (726,198) (264,132) (552,636) (1,586,591) (1,586,591) outstanding Projections - - 348 768 8,805 4,052 14,811 23,727 Future 697,449 239,872 482,588 income 1,472,420 1,472,420 - 531 946 295 903 302 412 1,668 11,641 42,836 56,513 12,071 32,000 Asset (12,789) Held as 147,329 113,249 113,661 Restricted ------(800) 2,700 (1,900) Internal (to)/from Borrowing - - - (2) (5) (3) (845) (190) (9,265) (7,500) (7,326) Year during (18,929) (12,161) (13,166) (54,563) (54,566) (69,392) Expenditure - - 9 5 7 7 55 16 72 59 332 1,299 1,099 3,579 6,473 6,480 6,539 earned in Year Interest ------4,726 3,775 8,501 8,501 3,965 Non Cash ------17 17 Contributions 2,278 1,311 3,466 Cash 27,272 13,513 29,499 73,907 73,907 77,373 12,466 received during the Year - 524 295 870 295 894 408 2,799 1,064 1,504 26,369 30,870 14,951 78,931 79,339 39,500 Balance 120,343 Opening PURPOSE Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS & LEVIES Drainage Roads Traffic Facilities Tree Planting Parking Open Space Community Facilities Overbridges Streetscapes ConservationE2 Aquatic Centre Total Contributions $ '000 Council contributions, consent recovers issued raises subjecta development to Council. works are levies that by & into enters on development planning agreements All contributions be spent/utilised must for specific the interest applicable levied and any were purpose they unspent to funds. funds remaining to be attributed must followingThe tables detail receipt, the interest and use of contributions above the & levies of value and the all funds remaining which in "restricted" future their are use. a under Plan - S94 Contributions Plans under not S94 Plans Under Total S94 Revenue - Agreements Planning Voluntary Creek Ponds Second Agreements Planning Voluntary

page 65

167 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015 ------8 144 395 364 $'000 1,033 3,910 3,833 20,237 66,585 96,509 (continued) Local Roadworks Open Space Established in Residential Areas Mount Druitt Redevelopment Areas Parklea Release Area Woodcroft Car Parking Centre the Blacktown in City Administration Charges Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year It should be noted that ofunspent in funds S94 the $113.7 Million as held restricted assets as at 30th June acquisitions 2015, land and works $96.5 million totalling had alread Council under Contribution the Plans: following by been approved and voted Contribution No. 1 - Plan Contribution No. 2 - Plan Contribution No. 3 - Plan Contribution No. 4 - Plan 1980's Release Areas Contribution No. 5 - Plan Contribution No. 6 - Plan Contribution No. 7 - Plan Contribution Plans All - Contribution No. 10 - Plan Contribution No. 11 - Plan Contribution No. 13 - Plan Contribution No. 15 - Plan Tree on Nature Planning Strips Contribution No. 16 - Plan Sec. 94 under Plans Contribution No. 20 - Plan Tribes New Mission - Site Open Space Contribution No. 21 - Plan Road Floodplain Metella Contribution No. 22 - Plan CBD Northern District Riverstone Precinct Alex & Avenue Marsden Park Industrial Precinct Area 20 Precinct $ '000

page 66

168 Financial Statements 2015 ------Internal Internal Internal Borrowings Borrowings Borrowings Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative

due/(payable) due/(payable) due/(payable) 2,580 1,006 1,251 (2,132) (13,473) (11,052) 11,238 (24,836) (11,052) (under) (under) (under) Over or Over or Over or Over Funding Funding Funding

- (301) (1,762) (4,315) (1,762) 2,580 still (50,762) still still (18,571) Exp Exp Exp (31,935) (14,211) (18,571) outstanding outstanding outstanding

Projections Projections Projections

669 348 669 3,036 4,717 5,813 1,899 3,036 25,137 12,360 Future Future Future income income income

604 903 6,266 9,640 1,306 1,306 6,850 6,850 (5,261) 12,152 Asset Asset Asset Held as Held as Held as Restricted Restricted Restricted ------Internal Internal Internal (to)/from (to)/from (to)/from Borrowing Borrowing Borrowing - - - - (19) (22) (415) (456) (707) (707) Year Year Year during during during Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure 35 16 14 14 174 268 200 693 229 229 earned earned earned in Year in Year in Year Interest Interest Interest ------(continued) Non Cash Non Cash Non Cash 17 473 194 282 282 Contributions Contributions Contributions 1,250 1,368 3,302 3,993 3,993 Cash Cash Cash received during the Year received during the Year received during the Year 375 870 4,767 8,094 8,613 1,010 1,010 3,335 3,335 (5,493) Balance Balance Balance Opening Opening Opening PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year PLAN CONTRIBUTIONSS94 A - UNDER CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 1 - 1980's Release Area Drainage Roads Open Space Community Facilities Overbridges Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 2 - Local Roadworks Roads Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 3 - Open Space Established in Areas Open Space Total $ '000

page 67

169 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015 ------Internal Internal Internal Borrowings Borrowings Borrowings Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative

due/(payable) due/(payable) due/(payable) 83 523 959 208 232 (131) 4,639 6,505 1,235 19,324 (1,866) 17,261 (under) (under) (under) Over or Over or Over or Over Funding Funding Funding

------(1,988) (1,412) (2,544) still still still (29,537) Exp Exp Exp (23,593) outstanding outstanding Projections

Projections Projections

- - - - 731 327 404 559 945 9,396 1,231 6,661 Future Future Future income outstanding income income

83 208 232 523 6,178 3,908 2,664 2,558 (2,270) 17,442 16,801 39,465 Asset Asset Asset Held as Held as Held as Restricted Restricted Restricted ------2,700 2,700 Internal Internal Internal (to)/from (to)/from (to)/from Borrowing Borrowing Borrowing - - - - - (9) (9) (10) (27) (3,898) (8,228) Year Year Year (12,163) during during during Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure - 2 4 1 7 77 77 98 299 105 2,149 2,651 earned earned earned in Year in Year in Year Interest Interest Interest ------(continued) 4,726 3,775 8,501 Non Cash Non Cash Non Cash - - - - - 95 276 276 169 446 Contributions Contributions Contributions 3,367 4,077 Cash Cash Cash received during the Year received during the Year received during the Year 82 206 228 516 5,834 3,564 2,481 6,460 (2,270) 14,301 10,457 33,699 Balance Balance Balance Opening Opening Opening PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year PLAN CONTRIBUTIONSS94 A - UNDER CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 4 - Mount Druitt Development Area Drainage Roads Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 5 - Parklea Release Area Drainage Roads Open Space Community Facilities Total -CONTRIBUTION 6 Woodcroft NUMBER PLAN Drainage Open Space Community Facilities Total On 5 August 2015 Council resolved on report CS350127 to transfer the remaining funds from Section 94 contribution 6 to the Special projects plan reserve. $ '000

page 68

170 Financial Statements 2015 ------Internal Internal Internal Borrowings Borrowings Borrowings Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative

due/(payable) due/(payable) due/(payable) 1 1 45 45 (89) (89) (under) (under) (under) Over or Over or Over or Over Funding Funding

- - (945) (384) (384) (945) still still still Exp Exp Exp outstanding outstanding Funding outstanding Projections Projections Projections

------Future Future Future income income income

45 45 295 295 946 946 Asset Asset Asset Held as Held as Held as Restricted Restricted Restricted ------Internal Internal Internal (to)/from (to)/from (to)/from Borrowing Borrowing Borrowing - - (5) (5) (190) (190) Year Year Year during during during Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure 5 5 2 2 55 55 earned earned earned in Year in Year in Year Interest Interest Interest ------(continued) Non Cash Non Cash Non Cash - - - - 17 17 Contributions Contributions Contributions Cash Cash Cash received during the Year received during the Year received during the Year 43 43 295 295 1,064 1,064 Balance Balance Balance Opening Opening Opening PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year PLAN CONTRIBUTIONSS94 A - UNDER CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 7 - Car Parking Centre the Blacktown in City Parking Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 10 - Tree on Nature Planting Strips Tree Planting Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 13 -Tribes New Mission (Open Site Space) Open Space Total On 5 August 2015 Council resolved on report CS350127 to transfer the remaining funds from Section 94 contribution 13 to the Special projects plan reserve. $ '000

page 69

171 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015 ------Internal Internal Internal Borrowings Borrowings Borrowings Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative

due/(payable) due/(payable) due/(payable) (67) (67) (220) (220) (405) (523) (497) (620) (3,133) (1,088) (under) (under) (under) Over or Over or Over or Over Funding Funding

(333) (333) (1,567) (1,567) (3,781) (4,877) (4,635) (5,790) still still (29,241) still Exp Exp Exp (10,158) outstanding outstanding outstanding Funding

Projections Projections Projections

266 266 1,252 1,252 2,946 8,539 4,052 3,927 4,898 24,362 Future Future Future income income income

- - 95 95 430 531 302 211 272 1,746 Asset Asset Asset Held as Held as Held as Restricted Restricted Restricted ------Internal Internal Internal (to)/from (to)/from (to)/from Borrowing Borrowing Borrowing - - - - (3) (3) (1) (2) (1) (4) Year Year Year during during during Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure - - 8 9 7 4 5 17 17 33 earned earned earned in Year in Year in Year Interest Interest Interest ------(continued) Non Cash Non Cash Non Cash ------Contributions Contributions Contributions Cash Cash Cash received during the Year received during the Year received during the Year - - 81 81 423 524 295 207 268 1,717 Balance Balance Balance Opening Opening Opening PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year PLAN CONTRIBUTIONSS94 A - UNDER CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 15 - Road Floodplain Metella Drainage Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 16 - Blacktown CBD (Northern Precinct) Roads Traffic Facilities Streetscapes Open Space Community Facilities Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 17 - Quakers Commercial Hill Precinct Traffic Facilities Total $ '000

page 70

172 Financial Statements 2015 ------Internal Internal Borrowings Borrowings Cumulative Cumulative

due/(payable) due/(payable) ------(under) (under) Over or Over or Over Funding Funding

(939) (3,151) (6,448) (2,408) still still Exp Exp (38,116) (812,043) (331,020) (439,283) (134,307) (228,854) (124,898) (164,659) outstanding outstanding

Projections Projections 888 3,649 2,395 19,300 38,116 762,973 331,622 Future Future 431,296 109,111 199,617 124,680 165,543 income income

- 13 51 218 (498) (884) (602) 7,987 25,196 29,237 49,070 (12,852) Asset Asset Held as Held as Restricted Restricted ------(800) (1,900) (2,700) Internal Internal (to)/from (to)/from Borrowing Borrowing - - - (4) (773) (968) (972) (4,002) (1,014) Year Year (18,040) (13,166) (36,995) during during Expenditure Expenditure - - 8 1 1 21 71 10 923 741 918 2,674 earned earned in Year in Year Interest Interest ------(continued) Non Cash Non Cash - 7 83 13 50 448 153 Contributions Contributions 1,249 26,421 12,698 20,488 61,304 Cash Cash received during the Year received during the Year - - - - 47 894 207 207 (517) 12,530 11,833 24,787 Balance Balance Opening Opening PURPOSE PURPOSE Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year PLAN CONTRIBUTIONSS94 A - UNDER CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 20 - Riverstone Precincts Alex & Avenue * Drainage Roads Open Space Community Facilities ConservationE2 Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 21 - Marsden Park Industrial Precinct * Drainage Roads Open Space Community Facilities ConservationE2 Total $ '000

page 71

173 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015 ------Internal Internal Borrowings Borrowings Cumulative Cumulative

due/(payable) due/(payable) ------(under) (under) Over or Over or Over Funding Funding

(350) (1,716) still (92,229) still (60,558) Exp Exp (25,028) (19,973) (45,162) (15,794) (44,764) outstanding outstanding

Projections Projections

347 1,704 91,765 60,558 25,028 19,845 44,841 15,794 44,764 Future Future income income

- - - - 3 12 128 321 464 Asset Asset Held as Held as Restricted Restricted ------Internal Internal (to)/from (to)/from Borrowing Borrowing ------(1) (44) (45) Year Year during during Expenditure Expenditure ------2 4 6 earned earned in Year in Year Interest Interest ------(continued) Non Cash Non Cash - - - - 3 12 170 318 503 Contributions Contributions Cash Cash received during the Year received during the Year ------Balance Balance Opening Opening PURPOSE PURPOSE Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year PLAN CONTRIBUTIONSS94 A - UNDER CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 22 - Area 20 Precinct * Drainage Roads Open Space Community Facilities ConservationE2 Total CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 23 - Riverstone West Precinct * Drainage Roads Total $ '000

page 72

174 Financial Statements 2015 ------Internal Internal Borrowings Borrowings Cumulative Cumulative due/(payable) due/(payable) ------(under) (under) Over or Over or Over Funding Funding (412) (678) (768) (412) (1,835) still still Exp Exp (85,705) (15,702) (52,951) (157,639) outstanding outstanding Projections Projections - - 678 768 1,835 86,153 15,702 55,517 160,653 Future Future income income - - - - 412 412 (448) (2,566) (3,014) Asset Asset Held as Held as Restricted Restricted ------Internal Internal (to)/from (to)/from Borrowing Borrowing - - - - (3) (3) (448) (2,566) (3,014) Year Year during during Expenditure Expenditure ------7 7 earned earned in Year in Year Interest Interest ------(continued) Non Cash Non Cash ------Contributions Contributions Cash Cash received during the Year received during the Year ------408 408 Balance Balance Opening Opening PURPOSE PURPOSE funding shortfall is $495 Million. for$77 Million these precincts. lease note the following in relation to the Over or (Under) Funding Projections for CP20 to CP24 CP20 for Projections Funding (Under) or Over to the relation following in the note lease Projected future contributions are subject to further arrangements the State Government with regard in to funding the $30,000 perCap. above S94E lot Total estimated contribution developer income for the residential precincts of based CP20 to CP 24 is on 21,200 lots $636 Million capped at $30,000 per meaning lot, the the projected However cost of works does above, shown not include "non-essential infrastructure", the Department as defined by of Infrastructure & Planning tot which - - - Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Notes to theStatements Financial Contributions 17.Note Statement of Developer for ended 30 June 2015 the financial year PLAN CONTRIBUTIONSS94 A - UNDER CONTRIBUTION NUMBER PLAN 24 - Schofields Precinct * Drainage Roads Open Space Community Facilities ConservationE2 Aquatic Centre Total *P Total S94 CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN S94 - NOT A UNDER Roads $ '000

page 73

175 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 18. Contingencies & Other Assets/Liabilities Not Recognised

$ '000

The following assets and liabilities do not qualify for (ii) Other Guarantees recognition in the Statement of Financial Position, but their knowledge & disclosure is considered relevant Council has provided no other Guarantees other than to the users of Council's Financial Report. those listed above.

LIABILITIES NOT RECOGNISED: 2. Other Liabilities

1. Guarantees (i) Third Party Claims

(i) Defined Benefit Superannuation The Council is involved from time to time in various Contribution Plans claims incidental to the ordinary course of business including claims for damages relating to its services. Council participates in an employer sponsored Defined Benefit Superannuation Scheme, and makes Council believes that it is appropriately covered contributions as determined by the Superannuation for all claims through its Insurance Coverage and Scheme's Trustees. does not expect any material liabilities to eventuate.

Member Councils bear responsibility of ensuring there (ii) S94 Plans are sufficient funds available to pay out the required benefits as they fall due. Council levies Section 94/94A Contributions upon various development across the Council area through The scheme administrators have advised Council's the required Contributions Plans. estimated share of the deficit is $1.4 Million as at 30 June 2015. However, they may call Council As part of these Plans, Council has received funds to make an immediate payment sufficient to offset for which it will be required to expend the monies in this deficit at any time. As the scheme is a mutal accordance with those Plans. arrangement where assets and liabilities are pooled together for all member councils, the amount of As well, these Plans indicate proposed future such a payment is not able to be reliably quantified. expenditure to be undertaken by Council, which will be funded by making levies and receipting funds in Future contributions made to the defined benefit future years or where a shortfall exists by the use of scheme to rectify the net deficit position will be Council's General Funds. recognised as an expense when they become payable - similar to the accounting for Defined These future expenses do not yet qualify as liabilities Contributions Plans. as of the Reporting Date, but represent Councils intention to spend funds in the manner and timing set out in those Plans.

(iii) Potential Land Acquisitions due to Planning Restrictions imposed by Council

Council has classified a number of privately owned land parcels as Local Open Space or Bushland.

page 74

176 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 18. Contingencies & Other Assets/Liabilities Not Recognised (continued)

$ '000

LIABILITIES NOT RECOGNISED (continued): (vi) Open Space Recreation Facilities

2. Other Liabilities Depending upon the outcome of future investigations into Council's various parks and reserves, it is (iii) Potential Land Acquisitions due to Planning possible that future remediation may be required at Restrictions imposed by Council (continued) some locations. Neither the scope or actual cost of such remediation works is certain at this stage. As a result, where notified in writing by the various owners, Council will be required to purchase these In relation to an area of land which Council has leased land parcels. for a number of years from Sydney Water at Prospect, it has been identified that remediation work will be At reporting date, reliable estimates as to the value of required in the future. any potential liability (& subsequent land asset) from such potential acquisitions has not been possible. Again neither the scope or actual cost of the works required is certain at this stage. (iv) Workers Compensation Insurance - Bank Guarantee ASSETS NOT RECOGNISED: Since 1 September 1991, Council has been self insured for workers compensation. A condition of being (i) Land Under Roads approved to hold a self insurance licence is that Council must either lodge a security deposit with the As permitted under AASB 1051, Council has elected Workcover Authority or provide a bank guarantee to not to bring to account Land Under Roads that it secure total outstanding claims liabilities. owned or controlled up to & including 30/6/08.

Workercover has determined Council's bank guarantee (ii) Infringement Notices/Fines to be $6.95 Million for the 2015/16 financial year upon reviewing the report from Council's actuary. Fines & Penalty Income, the result of Council issuing Infringement Notices is followed up and collected by The bank guarantee for the 2014/15 financial year is the Infringement Processing Bureau. currently $6.16 million. Councils Revenue Recognition policy for such Council has supported this bank guarantee with an income is to account for it as revenue on receipt. internally restricted investment with a value of $2.25 Million as at 30 June 2015. Accordingly, at Year End, there is a potential asset due to Council representing issued but unpaid (v) Potential future remediations Infringement Notices.

Council may in the future need to undertake Due to the limited information available on the status, rehabilitation of Council's sites. value and duration of outstanding Notices, Council is Accordingly the rehabilitation is considered as a unable to determine the value of outstanding income. potential contingent liability in relation to possible future remediation costs which at this stage cannot be determined.

page 75

177 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 19. Interests in Other Entities

$ '000

Council's objectives can and in some cases are best met through the use of separate entities & operations.

These operations and entities range from 100% ownership and control through to lower levels of ownership and control via co-operative arrangements with other Councils, Bodies and other Outside Organisations.

The accounting and reporting for these various entities, operations and arrangements varies in accordance with accounting standards, depending on the level of Councils (i) interest and (ii) control and the type (form) of entity/operation, as follows;

Controlled Entities (Subsidiaries) Note 19(a) Operational arrangements where Council's control (but not necessarily interest) exceeds 50%.

Joint Ventures & Associates Note 19(b) Joint Ventures are operational arrangements where the parties that have joint control have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. Associates are separate entities where Council has significant influence over the operations (but neither controls nor jointly controls them).

Accounting Recognition:

(i) Subsidiaries disclosed under Note 19(a) are accounted for on a "line by line" consolidation basis within the Income Statement and Statement of Financial Position.

(ii) Joint Ventures and Associates as per Notes 19(b)(i) & (ii) are accounted for using the Equity Accounting Method and are disclosed as a 1 line entry in both the Income Statement and Statement of Financial Position.

Council's Share of Net Income Council's Share of Net Assets Actual Actual Actual Actual 2015 2014 2015 2014 Joint Ventures 658 1,350 7,414 6,756 Associates - - - - Total 658 1,350 7,414 6,756

(a) Controlled Entities (Subsidiaries) - being entities & operations controlled by Council

Council has no interest in any Controlled Entities (Subsidiaries).

page 74

178 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 19. Interests in Other Entities (continued)

$ '000

(b) Joint Ventures and Associates

Council has incorporated the following Joint Ventures and Associates into it's consolidated Financial Statements.

(a) Net Carrying Amounts - Council's Share Nature of Measurement Name of Entity Relationship Method 2015 2014 Westpool & United Independent Pools Joint Venture Equity 7,414 6,756 Total Carrying Amounts - Material Joint Ventures and Associates 7,414 6,756

(b) Details Place of Name of Entity Principal Activity Business Westpool & United Independent Pools Self Insurance Penrith NSW

(c) Relevant Interests & Fair Values Interest in Interest in Proportion of Outputs Ownership Voting Power Name of Entity 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Westpool & United Independent Pools 20% 19% 20% 19% 20% 19%

(d) Summarised Financial Information for Joint Ventures & Associates

Westpool & United name here…#1 Independent Pools Statement of Financial Position 0 0 2015 2014 Current Assets Other Current Assets 14,710 37,198 Current Assets 0 14,710 37,198 Non-Current Assets 54,249 24,701

Current Liabilities 0 6,550 5,243 Non-Current Liabilities 24,948 21,738

Net Assets 0 37,461 34,918

Reconciliation of the Carrying Amount Opening Net Assets (1 July) 0 34,918 29,997 Profit/(Loss) for the period 2,543 4,921 Closing Net Assets 0 37,461 34,918

Council's share of Net Assets (%) 19.8% 19.3% Council's share of Net Assets ($) - - 7,414 6,756

page 77

179 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 19. Interests in Other Entities (continued)

$ '000

(b) Joint Ventures and Associates (continued)

(d) Summarised Financial Information for Joint Ventures & Associates (continued)

Westpool & United name here…#1 Independent Pools 2015 2014 2015 2014 Statement of Comprehensive Income Income 19,251 18,781 Expenses (16,708) (13,860) Profit/(Loss) for Period 0 2,543 4,921

Other Comprehensive Income - - Total Comprehensive Income 0 2,543 4,921

Council's share of Income (%) 25.9% 27.4% Council's share of Profit/(Loss) ($) - - 658 1,350 Council's share of Comprehensive Income ($) - - 658 1,350

page 78

180 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 20. Equity - Retained Earnings and Revaluation Reserves

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(a) Retained Earnings

Movements in Retained Earnings were as follows: Balance at beginning of Year (from previous years audited accounts) 2,618,934 2,511,228 a. Correction of errors disclosed in this year's financial statements 70,238 10,526 b. Net Operating Result for the Year 221,132 97,180 Balance at End of the Reporting Period 2,910,304 2,618,934

(b) Reserves

(i) Reserves are represented by:

- Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment Revaluation Reserve 621,251 560,806 Total 621,251 560,806

(ii) Reconciliation of movements in Reserves:

Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment Revaluation Reserve - Opening Balance 560,806 485,206 - Revaluations for the year 9(a) 60,445 75,600 - Balance at End of Year 621,251 560,806

TOTAL VALUE OF RESERVES 621,251 560,806

(iii) Nature & Purpose of Reserves

Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment Revaluation Reserve - The Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment Revaluation Reserve is used to record increments/decrements of Non Current Asset values due to their revaluation.

page 79

181 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 20. Equity - Retained Earnings and Revaluation Reserves (continued)

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(c) Correction of Error/s relating to a Previous Reporting Period

Correction of errors disclosed in this year's financial statements: DetailsAs part ofof errorreviewing are to Council's be listed dedicationshere including… for 2014/15 it was identified -that the certainnature landof the under error roads and community land properties Council -now the ownsamount were of thenot correctionpreviously in recognised. each prior period presented -This the variouswas due financial to Council statement not receiving lines itemschange affected of ownership details from -the the NSW amount Valuer of the General correction by the taken time to the the financial prior period statements opening were completed balance of and equity as such were not included. -These other detailserrors have been adjusted against the current year balances of -IPPE other and details retained earnings to correct the errors as it was considered -impractical other details to restate the prior year comparatives.

- Land under roads not previously recognised 3,720 - - Community land not previously recognised 4,472 -

As part of the revaluation of infrastructure assets it was identified that certain properties Council owns had not previously been recognised. The revaluation in the 2014/15 financial year identified these errors and an adjustment has been made against the current year balances of IPPE and retained earnings to correct the errors as it was considered impractical to restate the prior year comparatives

- Drainage not previously recognised 16,785 - - Roads, Bridges and Footpaths not previously recognised 45,261 - 70,238 -

Correction of errors as disclosed in last year's financial statements: As part of the revaluation of land under roads (post 2008) it was identified that certain properties Council owns were not previously being recognised. Additionally, as part of the revaluation process it was discovered that certain land under roads are now owned by Council. The revaluation in 2013/14 financial year identified these errors and an adjustment has been made against the current year balances of IPPE and retained earnings to correct the errors as it was considered impractical to restate the prior year comparatives.

- Land under roads not previously recognised 14,326 - Land under roads previously recognised incorrectly (3,800) 10,526 In accordance with AASB 108 - Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, the above Prior Period Errors have been recognised retrospectively.

page 80

182 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 20. Equity - Retained Earnings and Revaluation Reserves (continued)

Actual Actual $ '000 Notes 2015 2014

(d) Voluntary Changes in Accounting Policies

Council made no voluntary changes in any accounting policies during the year.

Note 21. Financial Result & Financial Position by Fund

Council utilises only a General Fund for its operations.

Note 22. "Held for Sale" Non Current Assets & Disposal Groups

Council did not classify any Non Current Assets or Disposal Groups as "Held for Sale".

Note 23. Events occurring after the Reporting Date

Events that occur between the end of the reporting period (ending 30 June 2015) and the date when the financial statements are "authorised for issue" have been taken into account in preparing these statements.

Council has adopted the date of receipt of the Auditors' Report as the applicable "authorised for issue" date relating to these General Purpose Financial Statements.

Accordingly, the "authorised for issue" date is 07/10/15.

Events that occur after the Reporting Period represent one of two types:

(i) Events that provide evidence of conditions that existed at the Reporting Period

These financial statements (and the figures therein) incorporate all "adjusting events" that provided evidence of conditions that existed at 30 June 2015.

(ii) Events that provide evidence of conditions that arose after the Reporting Period

These financial statements (& figures therein) do not incorporate any "non-adjusting events" that have occurred after 30 June 2015 and which are only indicative of conditions that arose after 30 June 2015.

Council is unaware of any material or significant "non-adjusting events" that should be disclosed.

page 74

183 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 24. Discontinued Operations

$ '000

Council has not classified any of its Operations as "Discontinued".

Note 25. Intangible Assets

Actual Actual $ '000 2015 2014

Intangible Assets represent identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance.

Intangible Assets are as follows;

Opening Values: Gross Book Value (1/7) 1,308 1,104 Accumulated Amortisation (1/7) (313) (93) Accumulated Impairment (1/7) - - Net Book Value - Opening Balance 995 1,011

Movements for the year - Purchases 3,111 206

- Amortisation charges (262) (222)

Closing Values: Gross Book Value (30/6) 4,419 1,308 Accumulated Amortisation (30/6) (575) (313) Accumulated Impairment (30/6) - -

TOTAL INTANGIBLE ASSETS - NET BOOK VALUE 1 3,844 995

1. The Net Book Value of Intangible Assets represent:

- Software* 3,844 995 3,844 995

*Cost of acquiring and implementing new software for Council's corporate business system and electronic document records management system and other software purchases.

Note 26. Reinstatement, Rehabilitation & Restoration Liabilities

Council has no outstanding obligations to make, restore, rehabilitate or reinstate any of its assets/operations.

page 82

184 Financial Statements 2015

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 27. Fair Value Measurement

$ '000

Fair value measurements

The Council measures the following asset and liability classes at fair value on a recurring basis:

- Infrastructure, Property, Plant and Equipment - Investment Property - Financial Assets & Liabilities

The fair value of assets and liabilities must be estimated in accordance with various Accounting Standards for either recognition and measurement requirements or for disclosure purposes.

Fair value hierarchy

AASB 13 Fair Value Measurement requires all assets and liabilities measured at fair value to be assigned to a "level" in the fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

(1) The following table presents all assets and liabilities that have been measured & recognised at fair values: Fair Value Measurement Hierarchy 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Date Quoted Significant Significant Recurring Fair Value Measurements of latest prices in observable unobservable Valuation active mkts inputs inputs

Investment Properties DetailsInvestment here… Properties dd/mm/yy30/06/14 - - 38,548 38,548 - Total Investment Properties - - 38,548 38,548

Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment Plant & Equipment 30/06/15 - - 28,300 28,300 Office Equipment 30/06/15 - - 5,400 5,400 Furniture & Fittings 30/06/15 - - 1,891 1,891 Operational Land 30/06/13 - - 283,237 283,237 Community Land 30/06/11 - - 331,081 331,081 Land under Roads (post 30/06/08) 30/06/14 - - 357,615 357,615 Land improvements - depreciable 30/06/15 - - 109,859 109,859 Buildings - Non Specialised 30/06/13 - - 86,801 86,801 Buildings - Specialised 30/06/13 - - 246,964 246,964 (continued on the next page...) ####### - -

page 74

185 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements 2015 Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 27. Fair Value Measurement (continued)

$ '000

(1) The following table presents all assets and liabilities that have been measured & recognised at fair values (continued): Fair Value Measurement Hierarchy 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Date Quoted Significant Significant Recurring Fair Value Measurements of latest prices in observable unobservable Valuation active mkts inputs inputs Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment cont'd Other Structures 30/06/15 - - 14,021 14,021 Roads, Bridges, Footpaths 30/06/15 - - 1,132,327 1,132,327 Bulk Earthworks (non-depreciable) 30/06/15 - - 23,986 23,986 Stormwater Drainage 30/06/15 - - 471,962 471,962 Stormwater Drainage (non-depreciable) 30/06/15 - - 21,856 21,856 Heritage Collections 30/06/15 - - Library Books 30/06/15 - - 2,339 2,339 Other 30/06/15 - - 32 32 Total Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment - - 3,117,671 3,117,671

2014

Investment Properties Investment Properties 30/06/14 - - 35,290 35,290 Total Investment Properties - - 35,290 35,290 Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment Plant & Equipment 30/06/14 - - 27,597 27,597 Office Equipment 30/06/14 - - 5,785 5,785 Furniture & Fittings 30/06/14 - - 2,210 2,210 Operational Land 30/06/13 - - 283,966 283,966 Community Land 30/06/11 - - 291,291 291,291 Land under Roads (post 30/06/08) 30/06/14 - - 302,104 302,104 Land improvements - depreciable 30/06/14 - - 104,679 104,679 Buildings - Non Specialised 30/06/13 - - 83,804 83,804 Buildings - Specialised 30/06/13 - - 252,059 252,059 Other Structures 30/06/14 - - 13,873 13,873 Roads, Bridges, Footpaths 30/06/14 - - 1,012,943 1,012,943 Bulk Earthworks (non-depreciable) 30/06/14 - - 23,986 23,986 Stormwater Drainage 30/06/14 - - 423,277 423,277 Stormwater Drainage (non-depreciable) 30/06/14 - - 20,820 20,820 Heritage Collections 30/06/14 - - Library Books 30/06/14 - - 2,444 2,444 Other 30/06/14 - - 35 35 Total Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment - - 2,850,873 2,850,873

(2) Transfers between Level 1 & Level 2 Fair Value Hierarchies During the year, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value hierarchies for recurring fair value measurements.

page 74

186 _ page 85 ervable input Financial Statements 2015 The last full revaluation of unobservable inputs(Level 3 es. ises ises is not occupied by Council. e value of investment property as at 30 June Th that lar properties within the area. The key unobs mi of si term rental yields, capital gains, or both, - or with reference to value s hierarchy. determined by LunneyWatts and Associates Limited. Pty and was land &/or buildings that are principally held for long roperties was as at 30 June 2014 A A price index was utilised to derive the fair value of Councilʼs Investment Properties as at 30 June 2015. . s determined using either the capitalisation of rental income approach a 2014 w to the valuation was the rent or price per square metre. All investment property valuations are included in level 3 of the fair value Full revaluationsFull are carried out every three a member by years of the Australian Property Institute with an appropriate index utilised each in betweenyear the full revaluations On a triennial basis, the Council engages external, independent and qualified valuers to determine the fairvalue of its investment properti Investment Properties Investment Investment property comprises for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 Councilʼs Investmen t P inputs). The Fair Valuation techniques Council has employed while utilising Level 3 inputs are as follows: Blacktown City Council City Blacktown Statements the Financial to Notes Measurement Value Fair 27. Note (3) Valuation techniques used to derive Level 2 and Level 3 Fair Values Where Council is unable to derive Fair Valuations using quoted market prices of identical assets (ie. Level 1 inputs), Council instead util

187 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS _ ing page 86 notes. he t e rep ort th alue in ng i Financial Statements 2015 air v f s dur ed at Office of Local Government. sc los i ion proces ion alua t v s are d , CCTV and portable air conditioning units he t in ools t e a sset he s ange e t er h and n no ch po w s, Therefor er s be e s. pp em t e h a chi he i cost. cost. od t The r wo the fair valuation policy as mandated by the and wood chippers s, ued at aw hoes he na tu re of hains ba ck imilar assets. d and val to t s s, se ift ue amerasand photocopiers lers, c kl c ai s d or in accordancein with al tr cost of cost rs, f er, digi t vest rolle he a sset t icles men t, ers, p eh eplacement d har qui s r tt ings i alue of alue er v e os s, wee tt ings a ss et s are recogni en g tables chairs and tables air v Fi er (over a 5 year period) re & F epe rs, t ipp e f he gr th itu we ne ts, nications nications s d p ass u s ure & n t ct s, mow ab i ed on t ni le f s a revalued revalued omm re cle c and Furn and rage c s ba s hi e, unt ipment r to nclude: and Fu r ve ent , s wa nt asset ed i ial – generator e ion ns rc ipm us io xc avators, stre et ing a mo e: he se er h ard d stat t pu ts rs, e lu ut k omme e Equ n to e Equipm or nc e of , c c 3 i u ic he carry s i ra ks ff t el assets are continuallyassets al e Off ic – w v v uc – t hat he ent, t – tr tt ings City Council City alue current able le able ment – co mp It ems es Fi ws mes t v ipm v p categ ori cl su et line pa tt ern of consumpt li fe as Equipmen t, O ure & Vehi & Fleet t il ilrevie ul e Equi & e a ss d. ic o raight ff o re si dual unc unc leet ant & Equ & ant F Plant Major Plant Minor Plant and Equipment It ems Furni • St • • • Pl Co • Usef Co • O Plant • N The s • peri • The un obser for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 Blacktown Statements the Financial to Notes Measurement Value Fair 27. Note Equ & Plant Property, Infrastructure, Councilʼs non -

188 _ are , page 87 at 30 June as Financial Statements 2015 d. o and Land under Roads. Valuations for e rep ort ing peri th ng i , playground equipment, field lighting, irrigation Land under Roads lastwas revalued s dur and es ion ion proc t prone, flood zonings and usability of the land. June 2013 alua rea s in open space at 30 he v t blic a as ed p u value value of the Councilʼs Community Land ange in pa v rks, n no ch wo s be e ion e h a pro te ct The r as. oads) ways, estua ry e e are different nature or recent prices of similar properties in less active markets, adjusted to reflect those differences cycl n Spa c ping, Land under Roads has been determined using a unit rate per square metre, derived from the Valuer Generalʼs valuation performed ca ds oads. he Op e lan t hin ed of wit is rally mpr performed the by Councilʼs internal valuations team. iate adjustments are also made for the inherent features of the property such as fire - co s gen e s is City Council City et and are s vements clas pro et s Im as cost approach has approach cost Improvements. Land to value utilised been nd o t her as This Land Land Community Land was last revalued as at 30 June 2011, Operational Land lastwas revalued 2014. Thekey unobservable input to the valuation is the rate per square metre. There has been no change thein valuation process during the reporting period. Valuer Generalʼs valuation considers land in all zoning, Community Land average and Land under R unit derived from Valuerʼs Generalʼs valuation is considered the most practicable approach to valuing The fair value for Community Land and for rating purposes, and applying to the total area. Given the nature of Community Land and Land under Roads, comparable sales data is generally not available. As the Operational L The fair value of land has been determined referencing by to currentit prices in an active market for similar properties.Where suchinformation is not available, current prices an in active market for properties of a considered. Appropr onal, Community and Land under R under Land and Community onal, (Operati Land The Council has used external, independent and qualified valuers to determine the fair a for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 Blacktown Statements the Financial to Notes Measurement Value Fair 27. Note

189 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS _ page 88 has been has been a building. ble. va which which ion of t cost, which is the the is which cost, t ini t Financial Statements 2015 re un obser he de f square metre d. an d a meet t o per dgment h did not ju c the rate the rate nal o si e rep ort ing peri th fes ureswhi ro ng i p cant s dur fi her struct t proces e signi s, an d o ion t requ ir ain alua ts se fount he v t as in ing, hese en c t ange all s, f ion of at n no ch n d. ng w alu o v ri aini s be e ustry. , re t ing p e ing e h a t d in t hed in or se p The r helters re s he res. he inputs u inputs he uring t uring t s d me of o oces ing buildings,ing sha de 3 as s el v r pa rk ion pr t ion alua v s le ca he t in ed of sed a i is ge gor mpr te ha n co s ca i s is City Council City ss en no c en no ures a e ct cl clas s Value of each building is obtained by applying a unit rate to a structure or a square metre rate to a building, based on its current replacemen current based a building, on its ratemetre to or a square structure applyingrate a unit to a is by obtained s building of each Value s b et a s ngs r Stru asset e h Gros cost approach has approach cost Other Structu to value utilised been il di lowest cost of replacing the economic benefits of the existing asset using modern technology. The is input key unobservable modern technology. asset existing using of the economic benefits costlowest the of replacing the ind across similar properties costs of construction to benchmarked Bu The Council engages external, independent and qualified valuers to determine the fair value of the Councilʼs buildings. Buildings were last revalued as at 30 June 2013 and Ltd. Pty Valuations Scott Fullarton by determined were fair values the The This The r Oth e This as The for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 Blacktown Statements the Financial to Notes Measurement Value Fair 27. Note

190 _ page 89 Financial Statements 2015

s. base payment, surface and kerb and gutter and further separated into segments for inspection and depreciable. at 30 June 2015. The valuations also included assessment of the overall useful life of each type of asset and the subsequent as depreciable.

City Council City bulk earthworks that are non - Stormwater Drainage Drainage Stormwater fair value of these assets basedwas on their current replacement cost

Roads, Bridges and Footpaths - This asset class is categorised as Level 3 as some of the above mentioned inputs used in the valuation of these assets require significant professional judgement and are therefore observable. The This asset class includes kerb and gutter, car parking, path and cycleways, guard rails, mediums, bus shelters, bridges and footpaths. Councilʼs roads are componentised into formation, base pavement, sub - - valuation. The formation costs of roads are recognised and valued at cost. Council assumes that the carrying amount reflects the fair value of the assets due to the nature of the items.The formation of road bulk earthworks are non - The Stormwater Drainage asset class consists of basins, pits and pipes, gross pollutant traps, open channels and culverts. This includes formation of drainage areas which include A valuation of the Infrastructure assets was performed by the Councilʼs internal engineering team. The gross value of stipulatedthe in contractsinfrastructure with third party suppliers,assets which is a key observableare input. determined using rates Infrastructure assets were last valued determination of the remaining useful life of each asset. for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 Blacktown Statements the Financial to Notes Measurement Value Fair 27. Note Infrastructure Assets

191 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS _ page 90 Financial Statements 2015 Ebooks,Online, journals, magazines,CDs and DVDs whichare recognised and valuedatcost. Council library books, City Council City ooks ry B bra Li - Other Assets Assets included thisin asset category consist of assumes that the carrying amount reflects the fair value of the assets due to the nature of the items. There are no major variances between the fair value and carrying amount of these assets. Therefore these assets are disclosed at fair value in the notes. Whilst these assets are recognised at cost with supporting supplier invoices (observable input) the remaining significant inputs (useful life, pattern of consumption, asset condition and residual values) are unobservable and therefore categorised as level 3. There has been no change thein valuation process during the reporting period. for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 Blacktown Statements the Financial to Notes Measurement Value Fair 27. Note This asset class is categorised as Level 3 as some ofthe above mentioned inputs used in the valuation of these assets require significant professional judgement and are therefore observable. There has been no change thein valuation process during the reporting period.

192 Financial Statements 2015

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 27. Fair Value Measurement (continued)

$ '000

(4). Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) a. The following tables present the changes in Level 3 Fair Value Asset Classes.

Asset Asset Investment Class Class IPPE Properties Total

Opening Balance - 1/7/13 - - 2,649,747 32,385 2,682,132

Purchases (GBV) - - 168,139 127 168,266 Disposals (WDV) - - (1,721) - (1,721) Depreciation & Impairment - - (58,168) - (58,168) 1 FV Gains - Income Statement - - - 2,778 2,778 WIP Transfers - - 6,895 - 6,895 Adjustments & Transfers - - 10,526 - 10,526 Tfrs from/(to) Real Estate Assets held for Resa - - (145) - (145) Revaluation Increments to Equity (ARR) - - 75,600 - 75,600

Closing Balance - 30/6/14 2,850,873 35,290 2,886,163

Purchases (GBV) - - 197,628 8 197,636 Disposals (WDV) - - (2,822) - (2,822) Depreciation & Impairment - - (62,271) - (62,271) 1 FV Gains - Income Statement - - - 3,250 3,250 WIP Transfers - - 4,904 - 4,904 Adjustments & Transfers - - 11,302 - 11,302 Tfrs from/(to) Real Estate Assets held for Resa - - (1,324) - (1,324) Revaluation Increments to Equity (ARR) - - 119,381 - 119,381

Closing Balance - 30/6/15 3,117,671 38,548 3,156,219

1 FV Gains recognised in the Income Statement relating to assets still on hand at year end total: YE 13/14 - - - 2,778 2,778 YE 14/15 - - - 3,250 3,250

(5). Highest and best use

All of Council's non financial assets are considered as being utilised for their highest and best use.

page 91

193 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Blacktown City Council

Independent auditor’s report to the Council – s417(2) Report on the general purpose financial statements

Report on the financial statements

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Blacktown City Council, which comprise the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2015 and the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, accompanying notes to the financial statements and the Statement by Councillors and Management in the approved form as required by Section 413(2) of the Local Government Act 1993.

Councillors’ responsibility for the financial statements The Councillors of the Council are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Local Government Act 1993 and for such internal control as the Councillors determine is necessary to enable the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Those standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by Councillors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

When this audit report is included in an Annual Report, our procedures include reading the other information in the Annual Report to determine whether it contains any material inconsistencies with the financial statements.

Our audit responsibility does not extend to the Original Budget Figures included in the Income Statement, Statement of Cash Flows and the Original Budget disclosures in notes 2(a) and 16 and the Projections disclosed in note 17 to the financial statements, nor the attached Special Schedules, and accordingly, we express no opinion on them.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 Darling Park Tower 2, 201 Sussex Street, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY NSW 1171 T +61 2 8266 0000, F +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. page 92

194 We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions.

Auditor’s opinion: In our opinion:

(a) the Council’s accounting records have been kept in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993, Chapter 13 part 3 Division 2 (the Division); and

(b) the financial statements:

(i) have been presented, in all material respects, in accordance with the requirements of this Division

(ii) are consistent with the Council’s accounting records

(iii) present fairly, in all material respects, the Council’s financial position as at 30 June 2015 and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards

(c) all information relevant to the conduct of the audit has been obtained; and

(d) there are no material deficiencies in the accounting records or financial statements that have come to light during the course of the audit.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Peter Buchholz Sydney Partner 14 October 2015

......

page 93

195 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Mayor Councillor Stephen Bali Blacktown City Council DX 8117 Blacktown

Dear Councillor Bali

Report on the conduct of the Audit for year ended 30 June 2015 – Section 417(3)

We have completed our audit of the financial reports of the Council for the year ended 30 June 2015, in accordance with Section 415 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Our audit has been conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards to provide reasonable assurance as to whether the financial reports are free of material misstatement. Our procedures included examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial reports, and the evaluation of accounting policies and significant accounting estimates. These procedures have been undertaken to form an opinion as to whether, in all material respects, the financial reports are presented fairly in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards as well as statutory requirements so as to present a view which is consistent with our understanding of the Council’s financial position, the results of its operations and its cash flows.

This report should be read in conjunction with our audit opinion on the general purpose financial statements provided under Section 417(2) of the Local Government Act 1993.

Flowing from our audit, there are a number of comments we wish to raise concerning the trends in Council's finances. These are set out below.

Operating result Council’s operating surplus increased from $97m in the previous year to $221m in the current period. The operating result before capital items was a deficit of $2 million compared to $12 million in the previous year.

Cash position Council’s overall cash position increased from $296m to $360m during the period under review. The following table highlights the composition of cash.

June 2015 June 2014 $m $m Externally restricted 185 156 Internally restricted 152 121 Unrestricted 23 19 Total 360 296

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 Darling Park Tower 2, 201 Sussex Street, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY NSW 1171 T: +61 2 8266 0000, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. page 94

196 Working capital Council’s net current assets increased from $138m to $263m during the period under review.

The value of net current assets needs to be adjusted in order to establish Council’s available working capital.

June 2015 June 2014 $m $m Net current assets 263 138 Less: External restrictions - Cash 122 24 - Debtors 2 2 Less: Internal restrictions - Cash 153 121 - Debtors - - Less: Real estate assets - Current 17 26 (31) (35) Add: Current liabilities to be funded from other sources 52 55 Available Working Capital 21 20

The effective unrestricted or available working capital upon which Council could build its 2016 budget was $21m.

Performance indicators The financial reports disclose of a number of indicators in Note 13 and these are detailed below:

June 2015 June 2014 % % Operating Performance Ratio (4) (8) Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio 49 63 Unrestricted Current Ratio 433 429 Debt Service Cover Ratio - - Rates Outstanding Ratio 3.1 3.2 Cash Expense Cover Ratio 19 16

The Operating Performance Ratio improved but remained below the accepted industry benchmark of 0%.

The Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio declined to below the industry benchmark of 60%. However, this was due to significantly higher levels of capital grants and contributions (up$114m) which actually benefit Council financially.

The Unrestricted Current Ratio improved and remained well above the industry benchmark or 150%.

page 95

197 GENERAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Debt Service Cover Ratio reflects the debt free position Council has maintained for over two decades.

The Rates Outstanding Ratio improved and remains better than the accepted industry benchmark of 5%. In terms of those ratepayers that Council actively pursues the ratio is at 1.5%.

The Cash Expense Cover Ratio indicates that Council could continue to trade for 19 months should cash inflows cease.

Council is considered to be in a strong and stable financial position reflecting prudent financial management over many years. Most indicators stand better than accepted industry benchmarks.

General The books of accounts and records inspected by us have been kept in an accurate and conscientious manner. We thank the General Manager and his staff for the cooperation and courtesy extended to us during the course of our audit.

Yours faithfully

PricewaterhouseCoopers

P L Buchholz Partner Sydney 14 October, 2015

page 96

198 This page is intentionally blank

199 SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

200 SPFS 2015

Blacktown City Council

Special Purpose Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Contents Page

1. Statement by Councillors & Management 202

2. Special Purpose Financial Statements:

Income Statement - Water Supply Business Activity n/a Income Statement - Sewerage Business Activity n/a Income Statement - Other Business Activities 203

Statement of Financial Position - Water Supply Business Activity n/a Statement of Financial Position - Sewerage Business Activity n/a Statement of Financial Position - Other Business Activities 205

3. Notes to the Special Purpose Financial Statements 207

4. Auditor's Report 211

Background

(i) These Special Purpose Financial Statements have been prepared for the use by both Council and the Division of Local Government in fulfilling their requirements under National Competition Policy.

(ii) The principle of competitive neutrality is based on the concept of a "level playing field" between persons/entities competing in a market place, particularly between private and public sector competitors.

Essentially, the principle is that government businesses, whether Commonwealth, State or Local, should operate without net competitive advantages over other businesses as a result of their public ownership.

(iii) For Council, the principle of competitive neutrality & public reporting applies only to declared business activities.

These include (a) those activities classified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as business activities being water supply, sewerage services, abattoirs, gas production and reticulation and (b) those activities with a turnover of over $2 million that Council has formally declared as a Business Activity (defined as Category 1 activities).

(iv) In preparing these financial statements for Council's self classified Category 1 businesses and ABS defined activities, councils must (a) adopt a corporatisation model and (b) apply full cost attribution including tax equivalent regime payments & debt guarantee fees (where the business benefits from councils borrowing position by comparison with commercial rates).

201 SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

202 SPFS 2015

Blacktown City Council

Income Statement of Council's Other Business Activities for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 Deregulated Land Developments Approvals Category 1 Category 1 Actual Actual Actual Actual $ '000 2015 2014 2015 2014

Income from continuing operations Access charges - - - - User charges - - 2,645 2,493 Fees - - - - Interest - - - - Grants and contributions provided for non capital purposes - - - - Profit from the sale of assets 6,137 3,133 - - Other income 200 106 - - Total income from continuing operations 6,337 3,239 2,645 2,493

Expenses from continuing operations Employee benefits and on-costs 230 171 1,690 1,488 Borrowing costs - - - - Materials and contracts - - 24 7 Depreciation and impairment - - 9 13 Loss on sale of assets - - - - Calculated taxation equivalents 1,020 654 85 74 Debt guarantee fee (if applicable) - - - - Other expenses 85 127 137 113 Total expenses from continuing operations 1,335 952 1,945 1,695 Surplus (deficit) from Continuing Operations before capital amounts 5,002 2,287 700 798

Grants and contributions provided for capital purposes - - - - Surplus (deficit) from Continuing Operations after capital amounts 5,002 2,287 700 798

Surplus (deficit) from discontinued operations - - - - Surplus (deficit) from ALL Operations before tax 5,002 2,287 700 798 less: Corporate Taxation Equivalent (30%) [based on result before capital] (1,501) (686) (210) (239)

SURPLUS (DEFICIT) AFTER TAX 3,501 1,601 490 559 plus Opening Retained Profits 67,231 64,290 5,360 4,488 plus/less: Prior Period Adjustments - - - - plus Adjustments for amounts unpaid: - Taxation equivalent payments 1,020 654 85 74 - Debt guarantee fees - - - - - Corporate taxation equivalent 1,501 686 210 239 add: - Subsidy Paid/Contribution To Operations - - - - less: - TER dividend paid - - - - - Dividend paid - - - - Closing Retained Profits 73,253 67,231 6,145 5,360

Return on Capital % n/a n/a 853.7% 760.0% Required Return on Capital % 3.02% 3.56% 3.02% 3.56% Subsidy from Council - - - -

page 3

203 SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SPFS 2015

Blacktown City Council

Income Statement of Council's Other Business Activities for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 Property Commercial Waste Management Category 2 Category 2 Actual Actual Actual Actual $ '000 2015 2014 2015 2014

Income from continuing operations Access charges 924 879 - - User charges - - 1,959 1,763 Fees - - - - Interest 21 13 - - Grants and contributions provided for non capital purposes - - - - Fair Value Revaluation Profit - Investment Properties - - 1,248 1,010 Profit from the sale of assets - - - - Other income - - - - Total income from continuing operations 945 892 3,207 2,773

Expenses from continuing operations Employee benefits and on-costs 147 135 180 145 Borrowing costs - - - - Materials and contracts 101 94 75 58 Depreciation and impairment 28 29 380 228 Loss on sale of assets - - - - Calculated taxation equivalents 8 7 537 531 Other expenses 684 666 1,023 903 Total expenses from continuing operations 968 931 2,195 1,865 Surplus (deficit) from Continuing Operations before capital amounts (23) (39) 1,012 908

Grants and contributions provided for capital purposes - - - - Surplus (deficit) from Continuing Operations after capital amounts (23) (39) 1,012 908

Surplus (deficit) from discontinued operations - - - - Surplus (deficit) from ALL Operations before tax (23) (39) 1,012 908 less: Corporate Taxation Equivalent (30%) [based on result before capital] - - (304) (272)

SURPLUS (DEFICIT) AFTER TAX (23) (39) 708 636

plus Opening Retained Profits 1,089 1,121 46,945 45,506 plus/less: Prior Period Adjustments - - - plus Adjustments for amounts unpaid: - Taxation equivalent payments 8 7 537 531 - Debt guarantee fees - - - - - Corporate taxation equivalent - - 304 272 add: - Subsidy Paid/Contribution To Operations - - - - less: - TER dividend paid - - - - - Dividend paid - - - - Closing Retained Profits 1,074 1,089 48,494 46,945

Return on Capital % -5.8% -10.1% 3.0% 2.9% Required Return on Capital % 3.02% 3.56% 3.02% 3.56% Subsidy from Council 35 53 7 222

page 4

204 SPFS 2015

Blacktown City Council

Statement of Financial Position - Council's Other Business Activities as at 30 June 2015

Land Developments Deregulated Approvals

Category 1 Category 1 Actual Actual Actual Actual $ '000 2015 2014 2015 2014

ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 35,914 13,086 4,427 3,341 Investments - 17,930 2,288 2,535 Receivables - 1,600 - - Inventories 37,339 34,615 - - Other - - - - Non-current assets classified as held for sale - - - - Total Current Assets 73,253 67,231 6,715 5,876

Non-Current Assets Investments - - - - Receivables - - - - Inventories - - - - Infrastructure, property, plant and equipment - - 82 105 Investments accounted for using equity method - - - - Investment property - - - - Intangible Assets - - - - Other - - - - Total Non-Current Assets - - 82 105 TOTAL ASSETS 73,253 67,231 6,797 5,981

LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Bank Overdraft - - - - Payables - - 1 6 Interest bearing liabilities - - - - Provisions - - 579 547 Total Current Liabilities - - 580 553

Non-Current Liabilities Payables - - - - Interest bearing liabilities - - - - Provisions - - 72 68 Total Non-Current Liabilities - - 72 68 TOTAL LIABILITIES - - 652 621 NET ASSETS 73,253 67,231 6,145 5,360

EQUITY Retained earnings 73,253 67,231 6,145 5,360 Revaluation reserves - - - - Council equity interest 73,253 67,231 6,145 5,360 Non-controlling equity interest - - - - TOTAL EQUITY 73,253 67,231 6,145 5,360

page 5

205 SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SPFS 2015

Blacktown City Council

Statement of Financial Position - Council's Other Business Activities as at 30 June 2015

Commercial Waste Property Management

Category 2 Category 2 Actual Actual Actual Actual $ '000 2015 2014 2015 2014

ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 417 463 8,808 11,012 Investments 359 355 - - Receivables 54 51 284 249 Inventories - - - - Other - - - - Non-current assets classified as held for sale - - - - Total Current Assets 830 869 9,092 11,261

Non-Current Assets Investments - - - - Receivables - - - - Inventories - - - - Infrastructure, property, plant and equipment 395 385 33,941 31,730 Investments accounted for using equity method - - - - Investment property - - 14,808 13,560 Intangible Assets - - - - Other - - - - Total Non-Current Assets 395 385 48,749 45,290 TOTAL ASSETS 1,225 1,254 57,841 56,551

LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Bank Overdraft - - - - Payables 21 20 56 30 Interest bearing liabilities - - - - Provisions 31 28 78 65 Total Current Liabilities 52 48 134 95

Non-Current Liabilities Payables - - - - Interest bearing liabilities - - - - Provisions - - - - Total Non-Current Liabilities - - - - TOTAL LIABILITIES 52 48 134 95 NET ASSETS 1,173 1,206 57,707 56,456

EQUITY Retained earnings 1,074 1,089 48,494 46,945 Revaluation reserves 99 117 9,213 9,511 Council equity interest 1,173 1,206 57,707 56,456 Non-controlling equity interest - - - - TOTAL EQUITY 1,173 1,206 57,707 56,456

page 6

206 SPFS 2015

Blacktown City Council

Special Purpose Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Contents of the Notes accompanying the Financial Statements

Note Details Page

1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 208

2 Water Supply Business Best Practice Management disclosure requirements n/a

3 Sewerage Business Best Practice Management disclosure requirements n/a

207 SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SPFS 2015_

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Special Purpose Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies

These financial statements are Special Purpose The pricing & costing guidelines outline the process Financial Statements (SPFS) prepared for use by for identifying and allocating costs to activities and Council and the Office of Local Government. provide a standard of disclosure requirements. These disclosures are reflected in Councilʼs pricing For the purposes of these statements, the Council is and/or financial reporting systems and include not a reporting not-for-profit entity. taxation equivalents; council subsidies; return on investments (rate of return); and dividends paid. The figures presented in these special purpose financial statements, unless otherwise stated, have Declared Business Activities been prepared in accordance with: In accordance with Pricing & Costing for Council . the recognition and measurement criteria of Businesses - A Guide to Competitive Neutrality, relevant Australian Accounting Standards, Council has declared that the following are to be considered as business activities: . other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) & Category 1 . Australian Accounting Interpretations. a. Land Development The disclosures in these special purpose financial The development and marketing of residential statements have been prepared in accordance with: and commercial land throughout the City

. the Local Government Act and Regulation, and b. Deregulated Approvals . the Local Government Code of Accounting The provision of Contestable Development Practice and Financial Reporting. Services relating to the approval and inspection of building and engineering works The statements are also prepared on an accruals basis, based on historic costs and do not take into Category 2 account changing money values nor current values of non-current assets (except where specifically a. Commercial Waste stated). The provision of waste removal services to the commercial sections of the City Certain taxes and other costs (appropriately described) have been imputed for the purposes of b. Property Management the National Competition Policy. The protection of Councilʼs commercial and National Competition Policy residential assets and maximisation of returns from Councilʼs lease portfolio Council has adopted the principle of ʻcompetitive neutralityʼ to its business activities as part of the Monetary Amounts national competition policy which is being applied throughout Australia at all levels of government. Amounts shown in the financial statements are in Australian currency and rounded to the nearest one The framework for its application is set out in the thousand dollars. June 1996 Government Policy statement on the “Application of National Competition Policy to Local (i) Taxation Equivalent Charges Government”. Council is liable to pay various taxes and financial The “Pricing & Costing for Council Businesses A duties in undertaking its business activities. Where Guide to Competitive Neutrality” issued by the Office this is the case, they are disclosed in these of Local Government in July 1997 has also been statements as a cost of operations just like all other adopted. costs.

page 8

208 SPFS 2015_

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Special Purpose Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies

However, where Council is exempt from paying taxes The rate applied of 30% is the equivalent company which are generally paid by private sector tax rate prevalent as at balance date. No businesses (such as income tax), equivalent tax adjustments have been made for variations that have payments have been applied to all Council occurred during the year. nominated business activities and are reflected in these financial statements. Local Government Rates & Charges

For the purposes of disclosing comparative A calculation of the equivalent rates and charges information relevant to the private sector equivalent, payable on all Category 1 businesses has been the following taxation equivalents have been applied applied to all land assets owned or exclusively used to all council nominated business activities (this does by the Business Activity. not include councilʼs non-business activities): Loan & Debt Guarantee Fees Notional Rate Applied % The debt guarantee fee is designed to ensure that Corporate Income Tax Rate – 30% council business activities face “true” commercial borrowing costs in line with private sector Land Tax – The first $432,000 of combined land competitors. values attracts 0%. From $432,001 to $2,641,000 the rate is 1.6% + $100. For the remaining combined In order to calculate a debt guarantee fee, council land value that exceeds $2,641,000, a premium has determined what the differential borrowing rate marginal rate of 2.0% applies. would have been between the commercial rate and the councilʼs borrowing rate for its business activities. Payroll Tax – 5.45% on the value of taxable salaries and wages in excess of $750,000. (ii) Subsidies

Income Tax Government policy requires that subsidies provided to customers and the funding of those subsidies An income tax equivalent has been applied on the must be explicitly disclosed. profits of each reported Business Activity. Subsidies occur where council provides services on Whilst income tax is not a specific cost for the a less than cost recovery basis. This option is purpose of pricing a good or service, it needs to be exercised on a range of services in order for council taken into account of in terms of assessing the rate to meet its community service obligations. of return required on capital invested. Accordingly, Subsidies disclosed (in relation to Accordingly, the return on capital invested is set at a National Competition Policy) represents the pre-tax level (gain/(loss) from ordinary activities difference between revenue generated from ʻrate of before capital amounts) as would be applied by a returnʼ pricing and revenue generated from prices set private sector competitor – that is, it should include a by the council in any given financial year. provision equivalent to the corporate income tax rate, currently 30%. The overall effect of subsidies is contained within the Income Statement of each reported Business Income Tax is only applied where a positive Activity. gain/(loss) from ordinary activities before capital amounts has been achieved. (iii) Return on Investments (Rate of Return)

Since this taxation equivalent is notional - that is, it is The Policy statement requires that councils with payable to the “Council” as the owner of business Category 1 businesses “would be expected to operations, it represents an internal payment and generate a return on capital funds employed that is has no effect on the operations of the council. comparable to rates of return for private businesses Accordingly, there is no need for disclosure of operating in a similar field”. internal charges in Council's General Purpose Financial Statements.

page 9

209 SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SPFS 2015_

Blacktown City Council

Notes to the Special Purpose Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies

Such funds are subsequently available for meeting commitments or financing future investment strategies.

The Rate of Return on Capital is calculated as follows:

Operating Result before Capital Income + Interest Expense

Written Down Value of I,PP&E as at 30 June

As a minimum, business activities should generate a return equal to the Commonwealth 10 year bond rate which is 3.02% at 30/6/15.

The actual rate of return achieved by each Business Activity is disclosed at the foot of each respective Income Statement.

(iv) Dividends

Council is not required to pay dividends to either itself (as owner of a range of businesses) or to any external entities.

page 10

210 The Blacktown City Council

Independent auditor’s report Report on the special purpose financial statements

Report on the financial statements

We have audited the accompanying financial statements, being the special purpose financial statements, of the Blacktown City Council (the Council), which comprises the Statement of Financial Position by Business Activity for the year ended 30 June 2015, the Income Statements by Business Activity for the year then ended, Notes to the financial statements for the Business Activities identified by Council and the Statement by Councillors and Management made pursuant to the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting for the year ended 30 June 2015.

Councillors’ responsibility for the financial report The Councillors of the Council are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements and have determined that the accounting policies described in note 1 to the financial statements which form part of the financial statements, are appropriate to meet the requirements of the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting. The Councillors responsibility also includes such internal control as the Councillors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Auditor’s responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Those Auditing Standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by Councillors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 Darling Park Tower 2, 201 Sussex Street, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY NSW 1171 T: +61 2 8266 0000, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. page 11

211 SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Auditor’s opinion: In our opinion, the financial statements presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position by Business Activity of The Blacktown City Council as of 30 June 2015 and its financial performance by Business Activity for the year then ended in accordance with the requirements of those applicable Accounting Standards detailed in Note 1 to the financial statements, and the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting.

Basis of Accounting and Restriction on Distribution and Use Without modifying our opinion, we draw attention to Note 1 to the financial statements, which describe the basis of accounting. The financial statements have been prepared for the purpose of fulfilling the Council’s financial reporting responsibilities under the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting. As a result, the financial statements may not be suitable for another purpose. Our report is intended solely for the Council.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Peter Buchholz Sydney Partner 14 October 2015 ......

page 12

212 SPECIAL SCHEDULES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

213 SPECIAL SCHEDULES

Special Schedules 2015

Blacktown City Council

Special Schedules for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Contents Page Special Schedules1

- Special Schedule No. 1 Net Cost of Services 215

- Special Schedule No. 7 Report on Infrastructure Assets (as at 30 June 2015) 217

- Special Schedule No. 8 Financial Projections n/a

- Special Schedule No. 9 Permissible Income Calculation 220

1 Special Schedules are not audited (with the exception of Special Schedule 9).

Background

(i) These Special Schedules have been designed to meet the requirements of special purpose users such as;

 the NSW Grants Commission  the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS),  the NSW Office of Water (NOW), and  the Office of Local Government (OLG).

(ii) The financial data is collected for various uses including;

 the allocation of Financial Assistance Grants,  the incorporation of Local Government financial figures in national statistics,  the monitoring of loan approvals,  the allocation of borrowing rights, and  the monitoring of the financial activities of specific services.

page 1

214 Special Schedules 2015

Blacktown City Council

Special Schedule No. 1 - Net Cost of Services for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

$'000 Expenses from. Income from Net Cost. Function or Activity Continuing. continuing operations of Services. Operations. Non Capital. Capital.

Governance 2,213 92 - (2,121)

Administration 60,341 15,173 6 (45,162)

Public Order and Safety Fire Service Levy, Fire Protection, Emergency Services 3,145 252 - (2,893) Beach Control - - - - Enforcement of Local Govt. Regulations 1,722 - - (1,722) Animal Control 2,596 1,453 - (1,143) Other - - - - Total Public Order & Safety 7,463 1,705 - (5,758)

Health 2,577 270 - (2,307)

Environment Noxious Plants and Insect/Vermin Control 180 - - (180) Other Environmental Protection 344 1,137 - 793 Solid Waste Management 39,803 41,779 - 1,976 Street Cleaning 5,249 5 - (5,244) Drainage 8,873 2,994 53,152 47,273 Stormwater Management 2,323 - - (2,323) Total Environment 56,772 45,915 53,152 42,295

Community Services and Education Administration & Education 3,976 1,730 - (2,246) Social Protection (Welfare) - - - - Aged Persons and Disabled 416 17 - (399) Children's Services 16,948 15,703 - (1,245) Total Community Services & Education 21,340 17,450 - (3,890)

Housing and Community Amenities Housing 112 10 (294) (396) Public Cemeteries 14 339 - 325 Public Conveniences 33 - - (33) Street Lighting 6,560 1,167 - (5,393) Town Planning 6,402 6,464 - 62 Other Community Amenities 436 432 3,213 3,209 Total Housing and Community Amenities 13,557 8,412 2,919 (2,226)

page 2

215 SPECIAL SCHEDULES

Special Schedules 2015

Blacktown City Council

Special Schedule No. 1 - Net Cost of Services (continued) for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

$'000 Expenses from. Income from Net Cost. Function or Activity Continuing. continuing operations of Services. Operations. Non Capital. Capital.

Recreation and Culture Public Libraries 8,895 866 138 (7,891) Museums 66 - - (66) Art Galleries 1,128 39 - (1,089) Community Centres and Halls 5,953 867 3,838 (1,248) Performing Arts Venues - - - - Other Performing Arts - - - - Other Cultural Services 2,760 506 - (2,254) Sporting Grounds and Venues 7,755 1,539 145 (6,071) Swimming Pools 10,309 5,791 - (4,518) Parks & Gardens (Lakes) 19,507 611 41,026 22,130 Other Sport and Recreation 4,311 3,557 3,362 2,608 Total Recreation and Culture 60,684 13,776 48,509 1,601

Mining, Manufacturing and Construction Building Control 2,795 1,578 - (1,217) Other Mining, Manufacturing & Construction - - - - Total Mining, Manufacturing and Const. 2,795 1,578 - (1,217)

Transport and Communication Urban Roads (UR) - Local 38,070 919 93,299 56,148 Urban Roads - Regional 2,663 64 6,526 3,927 Sealed Rural Roads (SRR) - Local 3,150 76 7,721 4,647 Sealed Rural Roads (SRR) - Regional 288 7 705 424 Unsealed Rural Roads (URR) - Local 538 13 1,318 793 Unsealed Rural Roads (URR) - Regional - - - - Bridges on UR - Local 2,749 - - (2,749) Bridges on SRR - Local - - - - Bridges on URR - Local - - - - Bridges on Regional Roads - - - - Bus Shelters & Services 25 - - (25) Parking Areas 131 2,369 - 2,238 Footpaths 1,906 1,761 3,332 3,187 Aerodromes - - - - Other Transport & Communication 3,707 650 5,333 2,276 Total Transport and Communication 53,227 5,859 118,234 70,866

Economic Affairs Camping Areas & Caravan Parks - - - - Tourism & Area Promotion 1,645 3 - (1,642) Real Estate Development - 6,963 - 6,963 Other Economic Affairs 1,247 5,349 - 4,102 Total Economic Affairs 2,892 12,315 - 9,423 Totals – Functions 283,861 122,545 222,820 61,504 General Purpose Revenues (2) 158,970 158,970 Share of interests - joint ventures & associates using the equity method - 658 658 (1) NET OPERATING RESULT 283,861 282,173 222,820 221,132

(1) As reported in the Income Statement (2) Includes: Rates & Annual Charges (incl. Ex Gratia, excl. Water & Sewer), Non Capital General Purpose Grants, Interest on Investments (excl. Ext. Restricted Assets) & Interest on overdue Rates & Annual Charges

page 3

216 Special Schedules 2015 Special Schedules 2015 5 0% 1% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 4 2% 2% 0% 2% 2% 9% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1% 11% 3 9% 8% 9% 7% 8% 14% 12% 26% 32% 15% 27% 12% refer (4) & (5) 2 17% 45% 50% 17% 47% 24% 42% 33% 27% 28% 50% 41% Assets in ConditionAssets of WDVas a % 1 72% 38% 42% 72% 38% 41% 51% 33% 57% 34% 42% Description here… Description here… Description here… Description here… Description here… Description 45% (WDV) 1,902 4,954 Written refer (4) Condition Condition Condition Condition Condition 36,685 87,260 24,705 333,765 333,765 921,375 471,962 471,962 1,076,881 1,882,608 Down Value 6 7 8 9 10 73 Actual Actual 8,422 8,422 1,063 1,067 1,485 1,819 2,849 2,849 refer (3) 2014/15 28,394 33,901 45,172 Maintenance 793 971 672 9,439 9,439 1,055 1,444 1,652 1,652 Annual Annual refer (2) 20,098 25,033 36,124 Required Required Maintenance 4 315 5,020 5,020 4,431 1,755 1,340 3,527 3,527 refer (1) 43,410 51,255 59,802 standard standard satisfactory satisfactory Estimated cost to bring up to a a bring to up No work required (normalNo work required maintenance) minor maintenance work required Only work required Maintenance required Renewal required Urgent renewal/upgrading Asset Category Asset Buildings sub total Roads Sealed Roads Unsealed Bridges Footpaths Carpark Pathways sub total Drainage sub total ASSETS - ALL TOTAL Excellent Good Average Poor Poor Very 1 2 3 4 5 Infrastructure Condition Asset Assessment "Key" Satisfactory is defined as “satisfying expectations needs, or leaving no room for complaint, causing satisfaction, adequate”. The estimated cost to bring assets to a satisfactory standard is the amount of money that is required to be spent on an asset to ensure that it is ina satisfactory standard. This estimated cost shouldnot include planned any enhancements (ie.to heighten, intensify improve or the facilities). Required Annual Maintenance is should “what be spent to maintainassets ina satisfactory standard. Actual Maintenance is has what been spent inthe current to year maintainthe assets. Actual Maintenance may than be higher the lower or required annual maintenance due to the timing the of maintenance when actually occurs. Written Value is Down inaccordance Note with 9 of Council's General Purpose Financial Statements Blacktown City Council City Blacktown SpecialInfrastructure ScheduleNo. on 7 - Report Assets as at 30 June 2015 30 as at $'000 Class Asset Buildings Roads Drainage Notes: (1). (2). (3). (4). (5).

page 4 page 5

217 SPECIAL SCHEDULES

Special Schedules 2015 Special Schedules 2015 5 0% 2% 0% 0% 2% 0% 0% 0% 2% 0% 0% 11% 4 8% 7% 1% 8% 7% 9% 0% 3% 6% 1% 6% 30% 3 17% 22% 13% 17% 20% 26% 12% 45% 27% 25% 13% 20% refer (4) & (5) 2 21% 43% 53% 21% 45% 24% 46% 29% 18% 26% 53% 42% Assets in Condition as a % of Fair Value of % a in Condition as Assets 1 54% 26% 33% 54% 26% 41% 42% 23% 14% 41% 33% Description here… Description here… Description here… Description here… Description here… Description 32% Fair Value 2,581 refer (4) Condition Condition Condition Condition Condition 50,412 37,066 12,591 461,527 461,527 143,877 667,654 667,654 1,488,812 1,735,339 2,864,520 (continued) 6 7 8 9 10 73 Actual Actual 8,422 8,422 1,063 1,067 1,485 1,819 2,849 2,849 refer (3) 2014/15 28,394 33,901 45,172 Maintenance 793 971 672 9,439 9,439 1,055 1,444 1,652 1,652 Annual Annual refer (2) 20,098 25,033 36,124 Required Required Maintenance 4 315 5,020 5,020 4,431 1,755 1,340 3,527 3,527 refer (1) 43,410 51,255 59,802 standard standard satisfactory satisfactory Estimated cost to bring up to a a bring to up No work required (normalNo work required maintenance) minor maintenance work required Only work required Maintenance required Renewal required Urgent renewal/upgrading Asset Category Asset Buildings sub total Roads Sealed Roads Unsealed Bridges Footpaths Carpark Pathways sub total Drainage sub total ASSETS - ALL TOTAL Excellent Good Average Poor Poor Very 1 2 3 4 5 Infrastructure Condition Asset Assessment "Key" Satisfactory is defined as “satisfying expectations needs, or leaving no room for complaint, causing satisfaction, adequate”. The estimated cost to bring assets to a satisfactory standard is the amount of money that is required to be spent on an asset to ensure that it is ina satisfactory standard. This estimated cost shouldnot include planned any enhancements (ie.to heighten, intensify improve or the facilities). Required Annual Maintenance is should “what be spent to maintainassets ina satisfactory standard. Actual Maintenance is has what been spent inthe current to year maintainthe assets. Actual Maintenance may than be higher the lower or required annual maintenance due to the timing the of maintenance when actually occurs. Fair Value is inaccordance Note with 9 of Council's General Purpose Financial Statements SpecialInfrastructure ScheduleNo. on 7 - Report Assets (Voluntary) Council City Blacktown SpecialInfrastructure ScheduleNo. on 7 - Report Assets (Voluntary) as at 30 June 2015 30 as at $'000 Class Asset Buildings Roads Drainage June 2015 30 as at Notes: (1). (2). (3). (4). (5).

page 6 page 7

218 Special Schedules 2015

Blacktown City Council

Special Schedule No. 7 - Report on Infrastructure Assets (continued) for the financial year ended 30 June 2015

Amounts Indicator Prior Periods $ '000 2015 2015 2014 2013

Infrastructure Asset Performance Indicators Consolidated

1. Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio Asset Renewals (Building and Infrastructure) (1) 30,451 59.78% 41.28% 38.11% Depreciation, Amortisation & Impairment 50,936

2. Infrastructure Backlog Ratio Estimated Cost to bring Assets to a Satisfactory Condition 59,802 (2) 3.18% 4.61% 4.21% Total value of Infrastructure and Building Assets 1,882,608 & depreciable Land Improvement Assets

2. a Infrastructure Backlog Ratio (fair value) Estimated Cost to bring Assets to a Satisfactory Condition 59,802 (3) 2.09% 3.04% 2.85% Total value of Infrastructure and Building Assets 2,864,520

3. Asset Maintenance Ratio Actual Asset Maintenance 45,172 1.25 0.91 1.02 Required Asset Maintenance 36,124

4. Capital Expenditure Ratio Annual Capital Expenditure 213,369 3.41 3.08 2.65 Annual Depreciation 62,533

Notes (1) Asset Renewals represent the replacement &/or refurbishment of existing assets to an equivalent capacity/performance as opposed to the acquisition of new assets (or the refurbishment of old assets) that increases capacity/performance. Asset Renewals include building, infrastructure & Other Structure assets only.

(2) Written Down Value

(3) Fair Value

page 8

219 SPECIAL SCHEDULES

Special Schedules 2015

Blacktown City Council

Special Schedule No. 9 - Permissible Income Calculation for the financial year ended 30 June 2016

Calculation Calculation $'000 2014/15 2015/16

Notional General Income Calculation (1)

Last Year Notional General Income Yield a 125,659 136,700 (2) Plus or minus Adjustments b 2,356 3,393 Notional General Income c = (a + b) 128,015 140,093

Permissible Income Calculation (3) Special variation percentage d 6.70% 5.11% or Rate peg percentage e 2.30% 2.40% or Crown land adjustment (incl. rate peg percentage) f 0.00% 0.00%

less expiring Special variation amount g - - plus Special variation amount h = d x (c-g) 8,577 7,159 or plus Rate peg amount i = c x e - - or plus Crown land adjustment and rate peg amount j = c x f - - sub-total k = (c+g+h+i+j) 136,592 147,252

plus (or minus) last year's Carry Forward Total l 1 24 less Valuation Objections claimed in the previous year m (148) (279) sub-total n = (l + m) (147) (255)

Total Permissible income o = k + n 136,445 146,997

less Notional General Income Yield p 136,700 147,327 Catch-up or (excess) result q = o - p (255) (330)

(4) plus Income lost due to valuation objections claimed r 279 341 (5) less Unused catch-up s - - Carry forward to next year t = q + r - s 24 11

Notes 1 The Notional General Income will not reconcile with rate income in the financial statements in the corresponding year. The statements are reported on an accrual accounting basis which include amounts that relate to prior years' rates income.

2 Adjustments account for changes in the number of assessments and any increase or decrease in land value occurring during the year. The adjustments are called "supplementary valuations" as defined in the Valuation of Land Act 1916.

3 The Special Variation Percentage is inclusive of the Rate Peg percentage and where applicable crown land adjustment.

4 Valuation objections are unexpected changes in land values as a result of land owners successfully objecting to the land value issued by the Valuer-General. Councils can claim the value of the income lost due to valuation objections in any single year.

5 Unused catch-up amounts will be deducted if they are not caught up within 2 years. Usually councils will have a nominal carry forward figure. These amounts can be adjusted for in setting the rates in a future year.

6 Carry forward amounts which are in excess (an amount that exceeds the permissible income) require Ministerial approval by order published in the NSW Government Gazette in accordance with section 512 of the Local Government Act 1993. The OLG will extract these amounts from councils’ Special Schedule 9 in the Financial Data Return (FDR) to administer this process.

page 9

220 The Blacktown City Council

Independent auditor’s report Report on the Special Schedule No. 9

Report on the Special Schedule No. 9

We have audited the accompanying special purpose financial statement comprising the reconciliation of total permissible general income (Special Schedule No. 9) of the Blacktown City Council (“the Council”) for the year ending 30 June 2016.

Councillors’ responsibility for Special Schedule No. 9 The Councillors of the Council are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of Special Schedule No. 9 in accordance with the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting (Guidelines) Update No. 23. This responsibility includes the maintenance of adequate accounting records and internal controls designed to prevent and detect fraud and error; designing, implementing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of Special Schedule No. 9 that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.

Auditors’ Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Special Schedule No. 9 based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether Special Schedule No. 9 is free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in Special Schedule No. 9. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of Special Schedule No. 9, whether due to fraud or error. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of Special Schedule No. 9.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, together with the inherent limitations of internal control, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.

In making our risk assessments, we consider internal controls relevant to the entity’s preparation of Special Schedule No. 9 in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 Darling Park Tower 2, 201 Sussex Street, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY NSW 1171 T: +61 2 8266 0000, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. page 10

221 SPECIAL SCHEDULES

Independence In conducting our audit, we followed applicable independence requirements of Australian professional ethical pronouncements.

Audit Opinion In our opinion, Special Schedule No. 9 of the Blacktown City Council for the year ending 30 June 2016 is properly drawn up in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the Office of Local Government and in accordance with the books and records of the Council.

Restriction on distribution Without modifying our opinion, we advise that this schedule has been prepared for distribution to the Office of Local Government for the purposes of confirming that Council’s reconciliation of the total permissible general income is presented fairly. As a result, the schedule may not be suitable for another purpose. Our report is intended solely for the council and the Office of Local Government.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Peter Buchholz Sydney Partner 14 October 2015

page 11

222 APPENDICES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

223 APPENDICES

POLICY NUMBER: P000469.6

SUBJECT: CIVIC OFFICE EXPENSES AND FACILITIES POLICY

SUBJECT AREA: COUNCILLORS – GENERAL

STRATEGY: GOVERNANCE AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP

FILE NUMBER: 117-337-1/2

INCEPTION DATE: 20 SEPTEMBER 2007

LAST REVIEW DATE: 8 JANUARY 2015

REPORT: FC340157 PO1716

RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS: DIRECTOR FINANCE AND CORPORATE STRATEGY AND MANAGER GOVERNANCE AND PROPERTY SERVICES

RELATED DOCUMENTS

BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL – CODE OF CONDUCT

OLG CIRCULAR 05/08 – LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR COUNCILLORS AND COUNCIL EMPLOYEES

OLG CIRCULAR 08/24 – MISUSE OF COUNCIL RESOURCES

OLG CIRCULAR 08/37 – COUNCIL DECISION MAKING PRIOR TO ORDINARY ELECTIONS

OLG CIRCULAR 09/36 – RELEASE OF REVISED COUNCILLOR EXPENSES AND FACILITIES GUIDELINES

INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) – NO EXCUSE FOR MISUSE, PREVENTING THE MISUSE OF COUNCIL RESOURCES (GUIDELINES 2) NOVEMBER 2002.

OLG Better Practice Review of Blacktown City Council – June 2011

OLG Circular 11-27 – Findings from Review of Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policies

224 1. INTRODUCTION 226 6.2 A DDITIONAL FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR THE MAYOR 231 1.1URPOSE P 226 6.2.1 Mayoral Vehicle 231 1.2 STATUS OF THIS POLICY 226 6.2.2 Telephone 231 6.2.3 Mobile Telephone 231 6.2.4 Office Facilities 232 2. PRINCIPLES 226 6.2.5 Secretarial Support and Postage 232 6.2.6 Credit Card 232 2.1ONDUCT C 226 6.2.7 Clothing 232 2.2 PARTICIPATION, EQUITY AND ACCESS 226 6.2.8 Community Event Admission Fees 232 2.3 ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY 226 6.3 F ACILITIES PROVIDED FOR 2.4 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 226 THE DEPUTY MAYOR 232 2.5 REASONABLE EXPENSES 226 6.4 C OUNCIL CONCERTS, FUNCTIONS AND PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT 232 2.6 RECOGNISING LOCAL DIFFERENCES 226 6.5 P URCHASE AND RETURN OF EQUIPMENT 2.7 LIMITS AND STANDARDS 226 AND FACILITIES BY COUNCILLORS 232 2.8 CLAIMS AND RECONCILIATIONS 226 6.6 LIMITATIONS 232 2.9 APPROVAL ARRANGEMENTS 226 2.10 PRIVATE BENEFIT 226 7. INSURANCE 233 2.11 NO GENERAL EXPENSES 226

3. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES 227 8. LEGAL EXPENSES 233 3.1 SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND TRAINING 227 3.1.1 Event Fees 227 3.1.2 Accommodation 227 3.1.3 Hire Car 227 3.1.4 Car Parking Fees 227 9. SUPERANNUATION 233 3.1.5 Transportation (Except Hire Car) 227 3.1.6 Sustenance Expenses 227 3.1.7 Out-of-Pocket Expenses 228 3.1.8 General Manager’s Delegation 228 10. CARER EXPENSES 3.2 U SE OF PRIVATE VEHICLES, TAXIS AND DISABILITY PROVISIONS 234 AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT 228 10.1 CARER EXPENSES 234 10.2 P ROVISIONS FOR COUNCILLORS 4. AUTHORISATION 229 WITH DISABILITIES 234 4.1 S EMINARS, CONFERENCES AND TRAINING SESSIONS 229 11. RECOGNITION OF SERVICE 234 4.2 OVERSEAS TRAVEL 229 4.3 PROVIDING GIFTS OR BENEFITS 11 229 12. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES 234 5. CLAIMS AND RECONCILIATIONS 229 APPENDIX A 235 6. F ACILITIES FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS 230 6.1 SUPPORT FACILITIES 230 APPENDIX B 236 6.1.1 Computer Equipment 230 6.1.2 Facsimile Equipment 230 6.1.3 Mobile Telephone 230 APPENDIX C 237 6.1.4 Stationery and Equipment 230 6.1.5 Clothing 230 6.1.6 Secretarial Assistance 231 APPENDIX D 238 6.1.7 Other Facilities 231 6.1.8 Meals and Refreshments 231 6.1.9 Shredding Machine 231 6.1.10 Desk, Office Chair and Storage Cabinet 231

225 APPENDICES

1. INTRODUCTION

This policy applies to Administrator(s) 1.1 PURPOSE appointed by the Minister, subject to 1.2 STATUS OF The Office of Local Government has any necessary modifications. THIS POLICY issued Guidelines to assist Councils The 8th Edition of this policy replaces to review and prepare policies for the Facilities and expenses are for the the Civic Office Expenses and Facilities expenses and facilities of Mayors and year ending 30 September each Policy 7th Edition, which was adopted Councillors. year to coincide with the Mayoral election cycle. by Council in September 2013. The Guidelines have been adopted under s.23A and s.252(5) of the Local Council must review this policy each Government Act 1993 (“the Act”) as year and submit it to the Office of Local Director-General’s Guidelines. Council Government as part of the annual must comply with these Guidelines report by 30th November each year. when preparing and adopting an This policy is related to Council’s Code Expenses and Facilities Policy under of Conduct but does not deal with ss.252 to 254 of the Act. Council setting and paying annual fees to the considers that this policy complies with Mayor and Councillors, the making those Guidelines. of which is determined by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.

2. PRINCIPLES

This policy has been developed on the following principles. 2.4 PROFESSIONAL 2.8 CLAIMS AND DEVELOPMENT RECONCILIATIONS 2.1 CONDUCT Council keeps its elected Councillors must generally claim and representatives up-to-date with local reconcile expenses, allowances and Under s.439 of the Act and the Model government issues. Council will pay advances within 3 months of the end Code of Conduct, Councillors must for professional development of elected of the financial year in which expenses act lawfully, honestly and exercise representatives through conferences, were incurred. a reasonable degree of care and seminars and training. diligence in carrying out their functions under the Act or any other Act. 2.9 APPROVAL 2.5 REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS 2.2 PARTICIPATION, EXPENSES Councillors must complete the EQUITY AND ACCESS Councillors are paid for expenses appropriate claim forms required by that they reasonably incur in their this policy. This policy has been developed on official duties. Councillors must not a non-discriminatory basis and in use Council facilities, equipment an equitable manner to enable the and services for election material or 2.10 PRIVATE BENEFIT full participation in Council from political campaigning. Councillors are not to obtain private different walks of life. It aims to benefit from Council’s equipment and encourage members of the community, facilities or from travel bonus or similar particularly under represented groups 2.6 RECOGNISING LOCAL schemes. Council accepts that there such as those in primary care giver may be incidental private use. roles or with disabilities, to seek DIFFERENCES election to Council by ensuring that The payment levels, quality and range they are not financially or otherwise of facilities reflect the capacity of 2.11 NO GENERAL disadvantaged in undertaking specific Blacktown City Council to pay and what EXPENSES duties of a Councillor. is acceptable to the community. Council will not pay general expenses. 2.3 ACCOUNTABILITY 2.7 LIMITS AND TRANSPARENCY Where practicable, there are limits on the cost of Councillors’ expenses, Councillors will only be paid expenses equipment and facilities. There are if the expenses are identified in this also standards for the provision of policy. Payment is subject to the terms Councillors’ equipment and facilities. of this policy.

226 3. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

3.1 SEMINARS, 3.1.3 HIRE CAR 3.1.6 SUSTENANCE EXPENSES CONFERENCES If requested, Council will pay for a Council will pay for: hire car for each day of an Event and i. Breakfast, lunch and dinner AND TRAINING for each day of travelling to and from The expenses below will be paid for an Event. ii. Morning and afternoon teas Councillors attending conferences, The hire car will be limited to a iii. Meals and refreshments when seminars and training (“Events”) standard family size six cylinder vehicle away from home to attend an that have been authorised by Council hired at the most competitive rate. Event that are not provided at an resolution, or for one day Events under Event or in an accommodation Councillors must travel by the most delegated authority by either the Mayor package for an Event. direct route and may request a or Deputy Mayor. Council will pay up to the limits hire car only where it is the most below. The limits will be reviewed Council will not pay expenses for practicable and economical mode annually subject to CPI indexation. partners or children. of transport subject to any personal medical considerations. 1. Attendance at full day Events: 3.1.1 EVENT FEES The driver of a hire car is responsible (A) $204.70 each day Council will pay for: for traffic or parking fines. or (B) $ 87.40 each day i. Registration fees 3.1.4 CAR PARKING FEES 2. Attendance at half day or less Events: ii. Fees for the main Event dinner, if Council will pay for: not covered by registration fees. (A) $ 93.75 each day i. Hotel/Motel parking - fees not or 3.1.2 ACCOMMODATION included in accommodation costs (B) $ 43.60 each day If an Event venue is located 25 ii. Airport parking - fees for a Councillors can claim advance payment kilometres or more from Council’s Councillor’s private vehicle for up to the maximum amount under 1.(B) Administration Centre, Councillors the duration of an Event, if the or 2.(B). If Councillors incur expenses attending the Event will be entitled to total cost to Council, including taxi higher than the advance payment, overnight accommodation. fares to and from the airport car they can claim reimbursement after park and the airport, is less than the Event up to the maximum amount Council will pay for accommodation the equivalent taxi fares to and under 1.(A) or 2.(A). If Councillors selected by Council or the General from the Councillor’s residence incur expenses lower than the advance Manager for cost and convenience. and the airport. payment, they must refund the unused A Councillor may choose Councillors must complete the claim amount to Council within 30 days of the accommodation at a different location form at Appendix B and supply receipts end of the Event. that costs the same or less. or tax invoices. For Events outside the metropolitan The number of accommodation days area, Councillors can also claim up to is limited to: 3.1.5 TRANSPORTATION two days at the maximum daily rate for • Registration day (EXCEPT HIRE CAR) one day travel time to the Event and one day returning from the Event if they • Each day on which an Event has Council will arrange and pay for travel on those days. official sessions, and the night transportation to and from Events preceding an Event where there is a including: A “day” is defined as registration day or reasonable need for accommodation a day on which there are official Event i. Air fares - economy class sessions. • Each day on which a Councillor requires accommodation while ii. Private vehicle costs – Councillors must complete the claim travelling to and from an Event. intrastate only form at Appendix A in all cases and iii. Train fares - economy class supply receipts or tax invoices for intrastate only. expenses claimed under 1.(A) or 2.(A). Councillors must travel by the most direct route and the most practicable and economical mode of transport subject to any personal medical considerations. The driver of a private vehicle is responsible for traffic or parking fines.

227 APPENDICES

3. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES (CONTINUED)

3.1.7 OUT-OF-POCKET 3.2 USE OF PRIVATE “Use” means: EXPENSES VEHICLES, TAXIS AND • Travel directly to and from the Council will pay for out-of-pocket location of conferences, seminars, expenses for attendance at events PUBLIC TRANSPORT training sessions, meetings or other gatherings including charges for refreshments, Councillors may use their private taxi fares, laundry, dry cleaning, phone vehicles, taxis or public transport • Travel to and from an airport, and facsimile, internet, photocopies, to attend meetings and other railway station or other travel postage, newspapers and road tolls. gatherings including: interchange where other modes of travel to conferences, seminars Councillors must claim expenses using • Ordinary and Extraordinary and training commence. the claim form at Appendix B. meetings of Council Council will pay Councillors an allowance • Council Committee meetings (being the maximum calculated under 3.1.8 GENERAL MANAGER’S where the Councillor is a member Council’s Enterprise Agreement) to use of the Committee DELEGATION their private vehicles. Council grants the General Manager • Ordinary, Committee and Sub ‑Committee Meetings of an Council will provide each Councillor delegated authority to exceed the terms with a “cab charge” credit card or an of 3.1.2 above (accommodation), 3.1.3 organisation where Council has appointed the Councillor as a alternative taxi charge credit card to pay above (rental car), and the number for taxi services. of days sustenance outlined in 3.1.6 Council delegate above, if the cost to Council does not • Conferences, seminars and training Council will pay each Councillor’s claims exceed the amount calculated if those sessions where Council (or the Mayor for reasonable public transport expenses, provisions were applied strictly. or Deputy Mayor under delegated and will provide each Councillor with authority) has approved attendance an “Opal” card or an alternative public transport charge, debit or credit card to pay • Inspections inside or outside the for public transport fares. local government area where Council (or the Mayor under delegated Councillors must claim private vehicle authority) has approved attendance expenses and public transport expenses • Council functions that Council using the claim form at Appendix C. “Opal”, has authorised cab charge or alternative card statements will be verified to confirm appropriate use. • Functions to which the Mayor has been invited and which another Councillor attends at the Mayor’s request • Official Council briefings, information sessions, strategic planning forums and other gatherings to which all Councillors have been invited by the Mayor and or the General Manager.

228 4. AUTHORISATION

Only Council can approve attendance proposals including which Councillors 4.1 SEMINARS, at seminars, conferences or training propose to take the trip, the purpose CONFERENCES AND sessions of more than one day and of the trip, expected benefits, duration, involving an overnight stay. However, itinerary and approximate total cost. TRAINING SESSIONS due to late notice or where it is not After returning, Councillors (or a The Mayor, or in the Mayor’s absence, possible or appropriate to obtain Council staff member accompanying the Deputy Mayor, has delegated approval from Council, approval a Councillor) should submit a written authority to authorise Councillor may be given jointly by the Mayor, or report to an ordinary meeting of attendance at seminars, conferences in the Mayor’s absence, the Deputy Council detailing the aspects of the or training sessions that are no more Mayor, and the General Manager. trip relevant to Council business and than one day’s duration. After returning, Councillors (or a or the local community including the Council staff member accompanying a Councillors must make a written benefits achieved. request to the Mayor (including the Councillor) should report to Council on Council’s Annual Report will include benefits to Council from attending). aspects relevant to Council business and or the local community. No report details of overseas travel. Where Councillors hold executive is required for the annual conferences positions on local government of the State and National Local 4.3 PROVIDING GIFTS organisations such as Local Government Associations. Government NSW, the Australian OR BENEFITS Local Government Association or the Where it is appropriate for Councillors Australian Local Government Women’s 4.2 OVERSEAS TRAVEL to give a gift or benefit (for example, Association, the Mayor can approve Council must approve overseas travel on a Council business trip or when attendance at meetings, seminars in an ordinary meeting before the receiving visitors), the gift or benefit and conferences with payment of Mayor and or Councillors commence should be of token value as defined in travel, accommodation and out-of- travel. The report on the overseas the Code of Conduct. pocket expenses, but not payment travel should include detailed for sustenance.

5. CLAIMS AND RECONCILIATIONS

Councillors must claim and reconcile expenses, allowances and advances within 3 months of the end of the financial year in which expenses were incurred (except where the Mayor and the General Manager certify in writing that there are or were exceptional circumstances). Council will not pay expenses or allowances claimed later.

229 APPENDICES

6. F ACILITIES FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS

6.1 SUPPORT FACILITIES 6.1.2 FACSIMILE EQUIPMENT v. Notepaper Council will provide the following Council will provide, maintain and vi. Business cards support facilities: provide consumables for an appropriate vii. Up to one briefcase during each facsimile machine at a Councillor’s four year Council term residence or office. Council will install 6.1.1 COMPUTER EQUIPMENT a suitable telephone line and associated viii. Up to one new edition of a street Council will provide, install and equipment (including a power supply if directory every two years maintain suitable information necessary) and pay for usage costs up ix. Up to 200 Christmas Cards plus technology hardware (including to $200 (plus GST) each month. stamps each year a printer), software and internet This equipment must remain at the access (including wireless access x. Suitable name badges for Councillor’s residence or office but if appropriate) at each Councillor’s Councillors and their partners remains the property of Council and, residence or office as part of an after the Councillor’s term of office xi. Up to 1,000 standard stamps each Electronic Business Paper and Council ends or Council replaces or upgrades year to each Councillor for the Business Information System. Council the equipment, must be returned to purposes of postage, provided that will also provide mobile internet access Council or purchased according to unclaimed stamps can accumulate for tablet computers. Section 6.5 of this policy. from year to year during the four Council will provide consumables year Council term (up to $500 (plus GST) each year), 6.1.3 MOBILE TELEPHONE xii. Up to 150 Pocket Diaries each year meet recurrent costs for hardware to the Mayor, 120 each year to the If requested, Council will provide and and software and install necessary Deputy Mayor and 100 each year to maintain a mobile telephone for each upgrades. each Councillor Councillor. Council will pay the costs of The minimum standard of computer calls up to $200 (plus GST) each month xiii. One diary (with inserts) each year. equipment includes a desktop or and internet access (not including the Councillors must use the claim form laptop, and a tablet, and accessories; purchase of apps or other software). a combined printer, copier, scanner at Appendix D for stationery and and facsimile; and appropriate Council will provide a voicemail and equipment under (vii), (viii), (ix), (xi) or communication equipment including or paging service on Council’s mobile (xii) above. modems, routers and appropriate phones and may provide additional security measures. products or services including apps or 6.1.5 CLOTHING other software. If requested, Council Council will provide the following Council will provide training for the will install a car kit in a Councillor’s corporate clothing to each Councillor use of the hardware and software and private vehicle that is compatible with (up to $1,000 (plus GST) each year, provide separate email addresses for their mobile telephone. The maximum the limit to be adjusted to the CPI for civic duties. standard of mobile telephone is a smart Sydney at 1 March each year) with This equipment must remain at the phone including email and internet a preference for Australian made Councillor’s residence or office but connection. products where available: remains the property of Council and, Councillors may install apps or other i. Up to one blazer embroidered after the Councillor’s term of office software on their mobile telephones at with the Council Coat of Arms and ends or Council replaces or upgrades their own cost provided that these do Council Logo during each four year the equipment, must be returned to not adversely affect normal functions. Council or purchased according to Council term Section 6.5 of this policy. 6.1.4 STATIONERY AND ii. A reasonable number of neck ties EQUIPMENT or scarves embroidered with the Council Coat of Arms and Council Council will provide an adequate Logo supply of the following stationery and equipment to each Councillor (up to iii. Up to one quality sunhat each year $3,090 (plus GST) each year): iv. Up to one tie bar and set of cuff i. A4 letterhead and additional links during each four year Council blank pages term ii. Paper suitable for v. Up to two business shirts or allocated printers blouses and two polo shirts each year in colours compatible iii. Envelopes with Council’s logo or corporate iv. “With Compliments” slips colours and embroidered with Council’s logo

230 6. F ACILITIES FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS (CONTINUED) vi. Up to two appropriate all weather iv. Security Access coats during each four year Restricted security access to the 6.2 ADDITIONAL Council term Civic Centre basement car park, FACILITIES PROVIDED public areas, Councillor rooms vii. Up to one pair of safety shoes and facilities and the Council FOR THE MAYOR (personal protective equipment Chambers and Committee Rooms. suitable for site visits) every 6.2.1 MAYORAL VEHICLE two years. v. Video Conferencing Access to the video conferencing i. Type and Cost of Vehicle Councillors must use the claim form facility at the Riverstone Digital The Mayor may choose the type of at Appendix D for clothing under (i) to Hub to conduct online meetings vehicle at the time of replacement (vii) above. with members of the community. up to a maximum value (excluding Subject to availability and on request, GST) that does not exceed the Australian Tax Office luxury car Council will also supply shirts, ties, 6.1.8 MEALS AND scarves, pens, cufflinks, brooches and tax threshold for ‘other cars’ and tie pins for promotional events and REFRESHMENTS in the range available for purchase occasions. Council will provide appropriate meals in the specifications of the State and refreshments at meetings of Contracts Control Board’s ‘Light Vehicle Contract’ and within the 6.1.6 SECRETARIAL Council and Committees, light meals at meetings of Sub-Committees, and Local Government Procurement ASSISTANCE a stocked refreshment cabinet in the Guidelines. Under Council’s Council will provide secretarial and or Councillors’ area. current Light Fleet procedures, typing assistance to Councillors on the vehicles are replaced at specific 5th Floor of the Civic Centre. 6.1.9 SHREDDING MACHINE kilometre limits. ii. Use of Vehicle Council will provide and maintain a The Mayoral vehicle is for the civic 6.1.7 OTHER FACILITIES shredding machine for each Councillor duties and functions of the Office Council will provide the following office up to $500 (plus GST) to dispose of of Mayor and for incidental private facilities for Councillors at the Civic confidential material. Councillors use. Centre, at the Mount Druitt Hub and the should dispose of shredded material in Riverstone Digital Hub. their recycling bins. iii. Mobile Phone Attachment Council will install and maintain a i. Office space This equipment must remain at the suitable mobile phone attachment Sufficient office space with Councillor’s residence or office but in the Mayoral vehicle. appropriate office furniture to remains the property of Council and, allow the proper conduct of civic after the Councillor’s term of office iv. Electronic Tolls duties including the following ends or Council replaces or upgrades Council will supply an electronic activities: the equipment, must be returned to toll tag for the Mayoral vehicle • Letter writing Council or purchased according to and pay usage costs. Section 6.5 of this policy. • Interviewing v. Other Vehicle Costs • Small meetings Council will pay the costs 6.1.10 DESK, OFFICE CHAIR of registration, insurance, • Reading. AND STORAGE CABINET maintenance, weekly cleaning ii. Office Equipment On request and only once during each (wash and vacuum), fuel and • A standard digital telephone four year Council term, Council will Fringe Benefits Tax for the connected to Council’s PABX provide and maintain a desk up to $650 Mayoral vehicle. System (plus GST), an office chair up to $500 • A facsimile machine connected (plus GST) and a storage cabinet up to 6.2.2 TELEPHONE to a dedicated telephone line $250 (plus GST) for each Councillor, Council will provide a separate the limits to be adjusted to the CPI for • A computer terminal with telephone on a dedicated line at the Sydney at 1 March each year. internet access connected to Mayor’s residence. Council’s Corporate Information This equipment must remain at the System Councillor’s residence or office but 6.2.3 MOBILE TELEPHONE • A stocked refreshment cabinet. remains the property of Council and, Council will provide a suitable after the Councillor’s term of office international roaming facility for the iii. Car Parking ends or Council replaces or upgrades Access to one reserved car Mayor’s mobile telephone for overseas the equipment, must be returned to trips on official business. parking space in the Civic Centre Council or purchased according to basement car park. Section 6.5 of this policy.

231 APPENDICES

6. F ACILITIES FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS (CONTINUED)

6.2.4 OFFICE FACILITIES 6.2.8 COMMUNITY EVENT 6.5 PURCHASE AND The Mayor is entitled to use the ADMISSION FEES RETURN OF EQUIPMENT Mayoral Office and its facilities at the When the Mayor has accepted an Civic Centre. invitation to attend a community event BY COUNCILLORS representing Council, Council will pay When a Councillor leaves civic office, 6.2.5 SECRETARIAL SUPPORT any admission fee for the Mayor or the or when Council upgrades equipment AND POSTAGE Mayor’s Councillor delegate. allocated to a Councillor, the Councillor may ask to purchase all or some of Council will provide secretarial support the equipment. to the Mayor at the Civic Centre during 6.3 FACILITIES PROVIDED normal office hours. The General Manager will decide FOR THE DEPUTY MAYOR whether or not to sell the equipment Council will pay for postage of the Council will provide the Deputy and the purchase price, which must Mayor’s official mail. Mayor with the same facilities as reflect the market value. The General other Councillors. Manager may ask for independent 6.2.6 CREDIT CARD advice on the market value. Council pays the Deputy Mayor an Council will provide a corporate allowance at the rate of 13.45% of the A Councillor must pay for the credit card to the Mayor on the fee payable to the Mayor under s.249 of equipment within seven working following conditions: the Act, and as determined by the Local days of receiving notice of the • The credit card is for incidental Government Remuneration Tribunal, determined price. expenses for civic duties outside the out of the fee payable to the Mayor. Councillors who do not wish to Civic Centre such as attendance at acquire equipment must return it to functions, parking and entertainment 6.4 COUNCIL CONCERTS, the Civic Centre within seven days of • The credit card will have a limit of vacating office. $5,000 FUNCTIONS AND PUBLIC • The credit card account will be in the ENTERTAINMENT 6.6 LIMITATIONS name of Blacktown City Council and The Mayor and Councillors are each Councillors may use facilities only the credit card will be issued to the entitled to two tickets to every event Mayor personally while they hold office. Council provides or function organised or presented by and pays for facilities for official • The Mayor must complete any Council or a greater number where the use only, unless stated otherwise. A required application form Mayor and General Manager approve. Councillor who exceeds a maximum • The credit card must not be used for Councillors will receive invitations to limit must pay the balance within one cash advances relevant functions held in their wards. month of invoice. Councillors may use • The credit card must not be used as This includes any function that has any facilities only while they hold office. an alternative to petty cash of the following: Councillors must not delete, disable, • The Mayor must return the credit • Council sponsorship substitute or otherwise change card to the General Manager on • Council involvement any security measures without the or prior to the date the Mayor’s authorisation of the General Manager term ceases • Local government interest to or the Manager Business Technology. Councillors. • The Mayor and General Manager must both authorise payment of Councillor expenses will not be paid credit card statements. to support Councillor attendance at political fundraising functions. 6.2.7 CLOTHING On request, Council will provide an additional Council blazer to the Mayor during each four year Council term.

232 7. INSURANCE

Council will maintain the • Personal Accident – for Councillor • Other insurances – when considered following insurances: and partner while on Council business necessary by the General Manager • Public Liability – relating to a • Defamation – excluding (eg travel insurance). Councillor’s performance of their Councillor‑to‑Councillor, • Council will pay any excess under official duties Councillor‑to‑Staff and a policy. • Professional Indemnity – relating to Staffo ‑t ‑Councillor a Councillor’s performance of their • Councillor and Officers – relating to official duties and or exercise of their a Councillor’s performance of their Council functions official duties

8. LEGAL EXPENSES

Council may indemnify or reimburse »» Office of the Ombudsman incurred given the nature of the inquiry, the reasonable legal expenses of: »» Office of Local Government investigation, hearing or proceeding, but only where the outcome is • A Councillor defending an action »» Police taken against the Councillor arising substantially favourable to the from the performance in good faith »» Director of Public Prosecutions Councillor. of a function under the Act (see s.731 »» Local Government Pecuniary Council must pass a resolution to of the Act) Interest Tribunal into the authorise legal expenses and payment • A Councillor where legal proceedings conduct of a Councillor, or legal is limited to $10,000 (plus GST) each are being taken against a Councillor, proceedings being taken against year for each Councillor. arising out of or in connection with a Councillor arising out of or in connection with the Councillor’s Council will not provide indemnification the Councillor’s performance of or reimbursement for Councillor- their elected role or exercise of their exercise of their function as a Councillor. to-Councillor, Councillor-to-Staff, functions as a Councillor Staff-to-Councillor actions and legal • A Councillor incurred in the event of Council may reimburse the Councillor expenses to Councillors for legal action an inquiry, investigation or hearing by after the conclusion of the inquiry, initiated by Councillors. any of the following: investigation, hearing or proceeding on a solicitor/client basis for all legal »» Independent Commission Against expenses properly and reasonably Corruption

9. SUPERANNUATION

If a Councillor makes a written request, Councillors should note that the As the ATO does not deem Councillors to Council may pay part of the Councillor, Australian Tax Office (“ATO”) be employees of the Council, there are Mayoral or Deputy Mayoral allowances Interpretative Decision (ATO ID no implications for the Superannuation due under s.248 and s.249 of the Act 2007/205) states that: Guarantee or Fringe Benefits Tax. to complying superannuation funds on “Amounts paid by a local government behalf of the Councillor. council in the form of contributions Councillors should seek their own to a complying superannuation fund financial advice on the impact on their that are assessable to the fund under personal financial and taxation benefits section 295/160 of the ITAA 1997, do before requesting a payment. not represent assessable income of the Councillor for the purposes of the ITAA 1997.”

233 APPENDICES

10. C ARER EXPENSES AND DISABILITY PROVISIONS

• Official Council functions authorised 10.1 CARER EXPENSES as Council business by a resolution 10.2 PROVISIONS FOR Council will reimburse carer expenses of Council COUNCILLORS WITH (up to $4,000 (plus GST) each year) for • Conferences, seminars and training a Councillor who is the principal carer DISABILITIES approved by Council resolution or by of a child (up to 16 years old) or an the Mayor under delegated authority Council may resolve to provide elderly, disabled and or sick immediate reasonable additional facilities and family member. • Functions to which the Mayor has been expenses to any Councillor with a invited and which another Councillor disability to allow that Councillor Official civic functions include attends at the Mayor’s request. attendance at: to perform their civic duties. If caring for an adult, a Councillor • Ordinary and Extraordinary meetings Council will pay expenses after needs to provide suitable evidence of Council the General Manager and Mayor (such as advice from a medical both approve. • Council Committee meetings of practitioner) to the General Manager which the Councillor is a member that reimbursement is appropriate . • Ordinary, Committee and Sub- A Councillor must lodge a formal Committee Meetings of an claim with receipts and tax invoices organisation where the Councillor within one month of incurring carer has, by Council resolution, been duly expenses. Council will pay expenses elected as a Council delegate after the General Manager and Mayor • Inspections, inside or outside both approve. the area authorised by Council resolution or by the Mayor under delegated authority

11. RECOGNITION OF SERVICE

Council will recognise a Councillor’s Service Certification Where the Mayor is being recognised, service as follows if the Councillor • On holding civic office for 20 years (5 the gift will be chosen by the Deputy agrees to accept: terms) – presentation of plaque at a Mayor and General Manager. • On ceasing to hold civic office – Council dinner If any existing Councillor has achieved presentation of a Certificate of • On holding civic office for 25 years – any of the above years of service when Service and a gift chosen by the presentation of a gift chosen by the this policy commences, Council will apply Mayor and General Manager Mayor and General Manager the highest recognition that applies. • On holding civic office for 12 years • On ceasing to hold civic office after (3 terms) – presentation of Long more than 25 years – a civic dinner.

12. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

Councillors may ask to have any The mediator or arbitrator will be disputed determination under selected from the Panels by the Mayor this policy resolved by mediation and General Manager, and the mediator’s and or arbitration by a member of or arbitrator’s decision is final. Council’s Legal Services or Conduct Review Panels.

234 APPENDIX A APPENDIX A

COUNCILLOR’S CLAIM FOR SUSTENANCE EXPENSES UNDER SECTION 3.1.6

 1A (full day - upper limit)  1B (full day - lower limit)  ADVANCE  2A (half day - upper limit)  2B (half day - lower limit)  REIMBURSEMENT

Receipts/Invoices Attached?  Yes (required for 1A and 2A)  No (only for 1B and 2B)

NAME ______

CONFERENCE/ SEMINAR/TRAINING/ ______

______

DATE ______

VENUE ______

COUNCIL AUTHORISATION MEETING DATE ______REPORT NO ______

FILE REFERENCE ______

COMMENTS AMOUNT TOTAL EXPENSES INCURRED: ______$ ______

ADVANCE: ______$ ______

REFUND: ______$ ______

MAXIMUM PAYABLE: ______$ ______

I declare that the information I have supplied is correct and represents expenditure that I have incurred or expect to incur in attending the above event in accordance with Council's Civic Office Expenses and Facilities Policy. If I am claiming an advance, I will certify my actual expenses when known, provide required receipts, and refund any unspent part of the advance.

SIGNATURE: ______DATE: ______

Note: This form must be completed and forwarded to the Administrative Assistant Conferences within 3 months of the end of the financial year in which the Conference, Seminar or Training occurred.

Office Use Only:

Reconciled in accordance with Council’s Civic Office, Expenses and Facilities Policy (8th Edition).

Signature: Date:

Officer Title:

Civic Office Expenses and Facilities Policy 8th Edition 22 235

APPENDICES

APPENDIX B APPENDIX B COUNCILLOR’S CLAIM FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES UNDER SECTION 3.1.7

NAME: ______

CONFERENCE/ SEMINAR/TRAINING: ______OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY) ______

DATE: ______

VENUE: ______COUNCIL AUTHORISATION: MEETING DATE: ______REPORT NO: ______

DETAILS OF OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES AMOUNT (Receipts and tax invoices must be attached)

______$ ______

______$ ______

______$ ______

______$ ______

______$ ______

______$ ______

______$ ______

TOTAL AMOUNT CLAIMED $ ______

I declare that the information I have supplied is correct and represents expenditure that I have incurred in attending the above event in accordance with Council's Civic Office Expenses and Facilities Policy.

SIGNATURE: ______DATE: ______

Note: This form must be completed and forwarded to the Administrative Assistant Conferences within 3 months of the end of the financial year in which the Conference, Seminar or Training occurred.

Office Use Only:

Reconciled in accordance with Council’s Civic Office, Expenses and Facilities Policy (8th Edition).

Signature: Date:

Officer Title:

Civic Office Expenses and Facilities Policy 8th Edition 23 236

APPENDIXAPPENDIX C C

COUNCILLOR’S CLAIM FOR TRAVELLING EXPENSES UNDER SECTION 3.2

NAME

PRIVATE VEHICLE ENGINE SIZE: Under 2.5 litres 2.5 litres or over MODE KILOMETRES DATE PURPOSE OF TRAVEL (Meeting attended) (private vehicle or OR public transport) FARE

MAYORAL REPRESENTATIONS (Event attended and location)

TOTAL KILOMETRES: x rate per km. c. = TOTAL VEHICLE CLAIM $ TOTAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT CLAIM $ TOTAL PAYMENT APPROVED $

TRAVELLING EXPENSES means actual out-of-pocket expenses by public transport or the rate per kilometre applicable for use of own car as specified under the Local Government (State) Award.

I declare that the information I have supplied is correct and r epresents expenditure that I have incurred for travelling from my residence to Council and return, or as otherwise stated.

SIGNATURE: ______DATE: ______

Note: Details will be pre-filled where available. Details not pre-filled must be completed. Mayoral representations are separated to identify non-routine travel. The claim must be completed and forwarded to the Administrative Assistant Conferences within 3 months of the end of the financial year in which the expenditure occurred.

Office Use Only:

Reconciled in accordance with Council’s Civic Office, Expenses and Facilities Policy (8th Edition).

Signature: Date:

Officer Title:

237 Civic Office Expenses and Facilities Policy 8th Edition 24

APPENDICES

APPENDIXAPPENDIX D D

COUNCILLOR’S CLAIM FOR CERTAIN EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES UNDER SECTIONS 6.1.4 AND 6.1.5

NAME ______

OFFICE use only Size/ Section Description Maximum Requested Issued Date Colour 6.1.5 (ii) Neck tie or scarf N/A

6.1.5 (iii) Sunhat 1 each year

6.1.4 (viii) Street directory 1 every 2 years N/A

Business shirts or 6.1.5 (v) 2 each year blouses

6.1.5 (v) Polo shirts 2 each year

Christmas Cards 6.1.4 (ix) 200 each year N/A plus stamps Standard postage 6.1.4 (xi) 1,000 each year N/A stamps Each year: Mayor - 150 6.1.4 (xii) Pocket diaries N/A Deputy Mayor - 120 Councillor - 100 6.1.5 (i) Blazer 1 each term

6.1.4 (vii) Briefcase 1 each term N/A

6.1.5 (iv) Tie Bar 1 each term N/A

6.1.5 (iv) Cufflinks 1 each term N/A

6.1.5 (vi) All weather coat 2 each term

6.1.5 (vii) Safety shoes 1 pair every 2 years

I declare that the information I have supplied represents equipment and or facilities I require in accordance with Council's Civic Office Expenses and Facilities Policy.

SIGNATURE: ______DATE: ______

238 Civic Office Expenses and Facilities Policy 8th Edition 25

This page is intentionally blank

239 APPENDICES

This page is intentionally blank

240

BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown NSW 2148 PO Box 63, Blacktown NSW 2148 Ph: 9839 6000 Fax: 9831 1961 Website: www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au Facebook: I love Blacktown Twitter: @blacktowncc Flickr: Blacktown City Council YouTube: BlacktownCityCouncil Instagram: SeeBlacktown