Annual Report 2008-2009
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District Council of Kimba Established 1924 www.kimba.sa.gov.au ANNUAL REPORT 2008/2009 Buckleboo Road Opening Council Members March 2009 and Executives 2008/2009 By Council working closely with and as part of the Community we can New Chambers/Meeting make the difference room 1 Page: Contents: 2 Contents 3 Mayor’s comments 4 Chief Executive Officer’s comments 5 Works Manager’s comments 6 Council Vision 7 Map – District Council of Kimba 8 Council Elected Members 9 Council representation ‐ other bodies, Council Employees ‐ Administration 10 Council Employees ‐ Works 11 Organisational Chart & Decision making structure Council Committee representatives 12 Auditor 13 Eastern Eyre Waste Management Group Engineering Works 14 Administration 14 Council Representation 15 Competitive Tender Arrangements 15‐18 Community Land Management Plans 19 Facilities 19‐21 Administration, Finance and Governance - Rates - Development - Public & Environmental Health - Sport & Recreation - School/Community Library - Waste Management - Complaint / Request procedure - Strategic Management Plans/Budget & Financial Reports - Debt Levels 22 Rate Rebate Applications 22 Freedom of Information 23 Competitive Neutrality 23 E.E.O. & Human Resource Management 24 Regional Subsidiaries 24 Financial Statements 24 Confidentiality Provisions 25 Senior Officer Remuneration 22‐27 APPENDIX A – Strategic Directions, Achievements 2007/08, 2008/09 28 APPENDIX B – Registers & Codes of Conduct & Practice 29‐30 APPENDIX C – Natural Resource Management 31 APPENDIX D – F.O.I. Information Summary 32‐39 APPENDIX E – Employees Code of Conduct 40‐42 APPENDIX F – DCK Public Consultation Policy 43‐45 APPENDIX G – F.O.I. Information Statement 1. Structure & functions of the Council 2. Services for the Community 3. Public Participation 4. Access to Council Documents 5. Amendment of Council Records 46 APPENDIX H – Financial Statements 47 APPENDIX I – ERDB Annual Report 48 APPENDIX J – EPLGA Annual Report 2 MMAAYYOORR’’SS CCOOMMMMEENNTTSS :: Before I started my 2008/09 report I had cause to review my report of the previous financial year. I was struck by the similarities and the old saying the more things change the more they stay the same. Thankfully in 2008/09 we have continued to have stability throughout the workforceh wit leadership provided by Deb, Michael and Rick for the admin and works groups respectively. Those leaders also need to be lead and the DC Kimba and its residents are fortunate to have Daryl as our CEO. I am quite sure that, as elected members, we are fortunate to have Daryl to guide us through the increasingly tricky maze that is Local Government in 2009. I also suspect that many residents do not realize the value and benefits that Daryl brings to this community through his experience and hands on approach. We were able to complete the sealing of the Buckleboo Road and it was pleasing to see many residents at the opening ceremony, capably conducted by Senator Annette Hurley. I can also report that the Kimba section of the Cowell road sealing has been completed with only line marking and minor remedial work needed to totally finish the job. We are also well on the way to having the new Ellis Drive blocks ready for owners to occupy. Happily we had wet weather to slow down activity in this area. We have also completed the fence, the surveying and CWMS connections for the four blocks at the northern end of the KPMV. Council has not yet made a decision on when to take them to market. Perhaps the biggest highlight for the year has been the construction and completion of the new Council Chamber/Meeting room. It was delivered to us on time and on budget and will be of major benefit to the community for many years to come. I am delighted with the response of the many community groups who are making the most of this impressive facility. Daryl, Carolyn and I attended the ALGA annual conference in Canberra during June. Whilst the conference can get bogged down by people who want to listen to their own voice, in the main it was a positive experience. We listened to some excellent speakers and met people from other states involved in Local Government and came away with new ideas and perspectives that we can consider for our own community. Our district again suffered a poor agricultural season and the whole community felt the implications of 3 poor seasons in a row. On a positive note a good start and a wet winter are hopefully indicators that the district will have a reasonable cropping year. Council continues to have to spend an inordinate amount of time on governance issues. However, we are always able to get over the bar that State and Federal Governments seem to want to push higher and higher. Finally, I would like to thank Deputy Mayor Carolyn Haskett, my fellow elected members, Daryl Cearns and staff of DC Kimba. Together we can go forward and make a positive difference to our community. John Schaefer 3 CCHHIIEEFF EEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEE OOFFFFIICCEERR’’SS CCOOMMMMEENNTTSS:: Councils continued progress during 2008/2009 was very pleasing with major projects such as the Kimba – Cowell road (to council’s boundary), construction and sealing of 13km of the Buckleboo road and completion of the new Council Chamber/Community meeting room. Completion of the new Council Chamber/Community meeting room has allowed the old chamber to be converted into a new and bigger filing area which ultimately has allowed Council to bring all of our filing records under one roof. We have had many favourable comments regarding the new Chamber/meeting room and many groups have already used the facility. Before its completion Council made a decision to allow groups that assist the Kimba community in any way free use of the facility and have agreed that their decision continue. The 2009/2010 budget has allowed for funds to complete the Civic Centre by reroofing and rendering the administration section of the building. During 2009/2010 administration staff will review and update the Long Term Financial Plan as the original plan was prepared during a time when a substantial fund from road grants and private works was being received. Our council like many smaller council depend heavily on Federal Financial Assistance Grants which when added to the rates collected allow us to maintain current services and where possible consider additional services. Cost shifting is still an enormous problem and a year does not go by where governments transfer services or increase compliance in various areas which takes funds from the “physical” to administration. Much is made of councils being more transparent and compliant but history shows no evidence where local government has got things as terribly wrong as some might want us to believe. During 2008/2009 council bought and freeholded the land the Kimba Pioneer Memorial Village was on which we then subdivided creating 4 new blocks for sale as residential allotments. Council also continues to carry out the rezoning of section 224 hd Solomon (old rodeo ground) as residential so that a bank of residential blocks will be available in future if needed. Funds have been allowed in the 2009/2010 budget for the commencement of a feasibility study on the site. Council has asked that the study will identify types and sizes of blocks, costs of power, water and wastewater. Councils continued progress during 2008/2009 was assisted greatly by the good working relationship between council members and staff and now, more than ever we will all need to look outside the circle to continue the progress following the loss of substantial road funds that have been received over many years. While I mention it each year I continue to be amazed at those people in our town who volunteer in so many ways to keep Kimba a great place to live. Small councils like ours will never be able to carry out all of the tasks that are needed to keep Kimba thriving but knowing the volunteers are there to assist is much appreciated. Daryl Cearns 4 WWOORRKKSS MMAANNAAGGEERR’’SS CCOOMMMMEENNTTSS :: The 2008/09 financial year certainly was a busy and productive period for the works department. During the year several milestone events were achieved, including the completion of the Buckleboo Road and Cowell Road sealing projects. Forty five kilometres in total has been constructed and sealed on council’s portion of the dCowell Roa with a further 13 kilometres completing the Buckleboo Road. This will reduce the burden of continual maintenance on these roads and improve safety for the public. Five kilometres of re‐sheeting was also completed on local roads during this period. Council has been able to upgrade the Recreation Reserve with the additional funding received from the Federal Government Initiative. This work included the extension of the main oval and provision of 2 cricket pitches providing a much improved playing surface and becoming a key part in the overall plan of the Recreation Reserve. Also completed is the major revegetation program to beautify the area, along with irrigation installed. This first stage of the upgrade will be completed in the 2009/2010 financial year. Council continues to maintain and improve the infrastructure within the town, including the commencement of the development of Ellis Drive. New footway construction along West Terrace, from South Terrace to Cross Street was also completed. Numerous other areas also received ongoing attention and improvement including the replacement of street trees and replacement of trees and irrigation at the cemetery. Visitors to Kimba provide us with positive feedback and comments on the presentation of our town of which we are proud. Council’s recycling initiatives continue as we strive to meet targets placed upon us by regulatory authorities. Our refuse and recycling centre operates well and this is helped by the commitment of the residents who use the facility.