The Coorong District Council
Annual Report 2004 - 2005
Creating a Better Future ~ with Pride
Our Vision
Creating a Better Future ~ with pride
Our Mission Is ¾ To provide strong leadership ¾ To listen and be sensitive to the community ¾ To serve the community with equality ¾ To actively encourage and support enterprise for local prosperity ¾ To foster community health. ¾ To protect and enhance the environment
Core Values Are The Coorong District Council has a commitment to balancing the following core values ¾ Integrity ¾ Reliability ¾ Consistency ¾ Continuous Improvement ¾ Financial Responsibility ¾ Quality Customer Service ¾ Acting in the best interest of the community
CONTENTS
Mayor’s Message ------1
Chief Executive Officer’s Report------3
Elected Members ------5
Representation ------6
Structure & Functions of Council ------7
Occupation Health, Safety & Welfare ------10
Risk Management------13
Departmental Reports
• Administrative Services------15
• Technical Services------18
• Development & Environmental Services Department ------22
Information ------32
Documents Available for Public Inspection------38
Rating Policy ------39
Separate Documents:
Coorong District Council’s Annual Financial Statements 2004/2005
Murray Mallee Community Transport Scheme Annual Report
Murray & Mallee Local Government Association Annual Report
Mayor’s Message
Cr. Neville Jaensch I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Councillors and staff for their support and endeavours continuing to “create a better future – with pride” for Council and our community. As an organisation Council must always be mindful that we are accountable to our communities and it is our responsibility to be aware of and sensitive to, their opinions, needs and ideas. Council is also under constant pressures that affect its decision making and these include, budget constraints as well as State and Federal Government requirements and or initiatives and changing legislation these are not common just our Council but all of Local Government. This became more public in the Hawker report on Cost Shifting.
Over the last twelve months there has been a substantial increase in interest from developers in residential subdivisions. These will take a number years to come into fruition but the future looks exciting for development within our area with residential and other commercial developments being pursued. In time these changes can mean more job opportunities for our youth and diversity for our region. With these potential changes in mind Council has commenced a district wide PAR with the assistance of interested community members who formed a working group with Council to establish the direction of the district wide PAR. The Murraylands Regional Development Board has also been instrumental in promoting our Council area with potential developer and I thank the Chief Executive Officer, Brenton Lewis for their support in this area.
Tailem Bend’s North Terrace, Trevena Road being stage 1 of a project to upgrade and make safer access to the SACBH Silos for the heavy vehicles and the community has commenced. This will be a great improvement not only for the Tailem Bend community but the farmers accessing the silos and the visitors to the town centre of Tailem Bend. Council would not have been able to undertake this project without the financial assistance from Special Local Roads Program and the Roads to Recovery Program.
Council’s Manager Technical Services, Mr Trevor Gordon retires beginning of next financial year so he will not be apart of the completion of the above project but there are many project around the district to which Trevor has influenced for the enhancement of all. I wish to personally thank Trevor for his service to this Local Government area (Chief Executive Officer of former Peake District Council), his support including times when he was Acting Chief Executive Officer of this Council. We wish Trevor all the best in his retirement.
It is also with sadness that Council was informed of the Chief Executive Officer, Bill Paterson’s intention to retire in December 2005. Bill is the first Chief Executive Officer of the Coorong District Council having previously being Chief Executive Officer of the District Council of Meningie. Bill has successfully seen through the amalgamation of the three previous councils the third one being Coonalpyn Downs District Council. Bill has lead with Councillors to deliver to the community a unified, healthy and growing Council to which we all can be proud of. On behalf of Council and the Community I take this opportunity in advance to thank Bill and his wife Jill for their service and wish them well in their retirement.
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Although the retirement of two of Council’s senior staff members is a loss to Council it will not be a total loss to the Community as both families are planning to remain in the district.
I welcome you to Councils 2004/2005 Annual report and encourage you to read further about the Council as an organisation and about the Coorong district.
Cr. Neville Jaensch MAYOR
Council meeting held at Narrung Hall
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Chief Executive Officer Mr William (Bill) Paterson Local Government in South Australia is coming under continual pressure in respect to not only performing well in a range of functions, but to report on that performance in a manner that is meaningful at a variety of levels, not the least of which is the ratepayer. Meaningful reporting is a good thing, if it makes it possible for rate payers to become more involved in the level of government that has every day direct effects on the way in which things are done around them. Unfortunately a report in a format useful to other levels of government, is often meaningless to the general public just because of the difference in detail required. An unavoidable outcome of this requirement for more and particular reporting is more resources required to provide these reports. To enable a council to fill its role as a representative informed and responsible decision maker, providing and coordinating various public services and facilities, response from the public is essential, and for this to be an informed response, appropriate reporting is again essential. The Council has commenced the process of reviewing its “Development Plan” under the Development Act 1993. While this plan is still essentially a land use plan, it is requirement that it have closer ties to state planning in regards to infrastructure and outcomes desired at a State level. Public comment will be sought on the Plan Amendment Report, that being the document that amends the Development Plan. It is likely that other Plan Amendment Reports will be commissioned in respect to land use changes in particular areas of the district. The 2004/05 year became pivotal in terms of major road works in Tailem Bend when decisions by other councils in the region to defer major works programs subject to grants, enabled Council to bring forward the complete reconstruction of the North Terrace-Trevena Road heavy traffic route road works. The two year project will also include major upgrades of roads adjacent to and associated with the heavy traffic route. While this work necessitated deferment of other district works, the net gain for the whole district in terms of problems solved will be very large. While Council does not have a direct responsibility for the control of underground or surface water resources either as an asset or as a liability, it will in accordance with the Local Government Act continue to have a major role to “to represent the interests of the community to the wider community” for all aspects of water management. The future management of water will be extremely important to the future of the Coorong District and its people as the Council in line with its Strategic Plan seeks to “Create a Better Future with Pride”. In this my final Annual Report for the Coorong District Council, I believe I can with all those involved look back at a procession of worthwhile achievements, while looking forward with anticipation to the future. Personally I say “thank-you” to the Council for the opportunity to be your Chief Executive Officer and “thank you” to my fellow employees of the Council for your cooperation and assistance.
W.R. Paterson Chief Executive Officer
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Coorong District Council Area
Area of 8,836 km2 (largest Council area in the State) Population of approximately 6,000 Sealed Roads 294km Unsealed Roads 1,588km Rate Revenue $3,360,000 Rateable Assessments approx. 3,586 Hosts diverse primary industry including: Cropping Livestock (Sheep, Cattle, Pigs) Dairying Commercial Fishing Aquaculture Horticulture Fodder Mining (eg gypsum) A growing Tourism Industry with three major highways being the Dukes, Mallee and Princes.
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Elected Members (Councillors)
Photo Elected Members & Staff in attendance at a Council meeting Cr. Gary Appelkamp, Cr. Ted Freak, Mr. Clarry Fisher, Mr. Robin Hood, Mr. Bill Paterson, Cr. Roger Strother, Cr. Neville Jaensch, Mr. Trevor Gordon, Cr. Peter Mattner, Mr. Trevor Symonds, Cr. Keith Scobie, Mr. Graham Gates, Cr. James Fairbairn, Cr. David Pentland, Cr. Bob Tanner, Cr. Dianne Woidt, Cr. Heather Moore, Miss. Catherine Sleep.
Absent in group photo - Cr. Geraldine Dickson
After electio ns held in 2003 the following Councillors were elected. Ward 12 Councillors Cr. Neville Jaensch, Mayor Mallee 5 Mallee Ward Cr. Peter Mattner, Deputy Mayor Parks 4 Lakes Ward Cr. James Fairbairn Parks 3 Parks Ward Cr. Dianne Woidt Parks Cr. Heather Moore Mallee Cr. Geraldin e Dickson Mallee Cr. David Pentland Mallee Cr. Ted Freak Mallee Cr. Bob Tanner Lakes Cr. Keith Scobie Lakes Cr. Roger Strother Lakes Cr. Garry Appelkamp Lakes
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Representation
The Community with 5585 electors is represented by 12 Councillors elected from 3 wards with a representation quota of 465.
The representation quota for similar South Australian councils as determined by the Australian Classification of Local Governments system is 630, however the Coorong District is substantially larger in area than the next largest council in the ten South Australian Councils in category of Rural Agricultural Large.
Council has conducted a review of representation under Chapter 3 Part 1 Division 2 of the Act commencing in October 2004, and at the time of writing the report is waiting for a response from the Electoral Office.
Section 28 of the Local Government Act includes the following provisions for Public Initiated Submissions in relation to adjustment of the representative structure of a council.
“(2) A group of at least 20 eligible electors may submit to a council a submission that the council consider a proposal- (a) to alter the boundaries of the council; (b) to alter the composition of the council or the representative structure of the council (including by the creation, alteration or abolition of wards); (c) to incorporate within the area of the council a part of the State that is not within the area of a council.
(4) A submission under subsection (2) must- (a) set out in general terms the grounds on which the submission is made and the issues that, in the opinion of the person or persons making the submission, should be considered in an assessment of the matter; and (b) nominate five persons who are willing to represent the interests of persons who would be directly affected by any proposal based on the matters raised in the submission; and (c) comply with guidelines published by the Panel. (Boundary Adjustment Facilitation Panel)
(5) The eligible electors making the submission must furnish a copy of a submission under subsection (2) to the Panel in accordance with guidelines published by the Boundary Adjustment Facilitation Panel.”
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Decision Making
In the words of the Local Government Act 1999, the Council sitting as an elected body is “to act as a representative, informed and responsible decision maker in the interests of its community”. As an aid in decision making Council receives reports from its officers and on occasions seeks information from external consultants. Committees have been formed to streamline Council business. These Committees meet regularly and make recommendations to Council. The Council may also delegate specific functions or powers to a committee or to an officer of council. A full list of Council committees is contained in the Structure and Functions of Council. Structures & Functions of Council
Full Council Full Council, consisting of 12 Elected Members, one of whom is chosen by the Members as Presiding Member (Mayor) is the decision making body on all policy matters. Ordinary meeting of the full council are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and members of the public are welcome to attend. Agendas and Minutes Agendas of all full Council and Committees of Council are publicly displayed three days prior to the meeting with minutes being available within five days of that meeting. Committees of Council: Committees have been formed to streamline Council business. These Committees meet regularly and make recommendations to Council. Members of the public are again welcome to attend. These Committees are: Standing Committees of Council: All report direct to Council and their minutes are included within the Council minutes • Administrative Services Committee • Development & Environmental Services Committee • Technical Services Committee Other Committees of Council A number of committees comprising elected members, staff and the public have been established to investigate and manage particular issues. All report direct to Council and their minutes are included within the Council minutes. • Coorong Bushfire Prevention Committee • Coorong Communication Project Committee • Coorong Community Links Committee • Coorong Good Food on the Road Driving Committee • Coorong Local Action Plan Committee
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Community Committees of Council Mostly comprise of community members and have an elected member and or staff member delegated to the committee. These committees are primarily established to manage a range of council properties, these are: i Coonalpyn Community Hall Committee i Coonalpyn Soldiers Memorial Swimming Pool & Caravan Park Committee i Meningie Oval Recreation Areas Committee i Meningie Cemetery Committee i Moorlands Hall Committee i Pangarinda Arboretum Committee i Tailem Bend Cemetery Committee i Tailem Rail Committee i Tintinara Airfield Committee i Tintinara Development Group i Tintinara Health & Recreation Centre Committee i Tintinara Homes Committee i Tintinara Oval and Recreation Area Committee i Tintinara War Memorial Hall Committee The minutes of these Committees are generally included in the agenda for the Technical Services Committee when they relate to property management, but may also be referred to other functional areas of Council.
Coorong District Development Assessment Panel The Coorong District Development Assessment Panel is not a committee of Council and is formed by Council under the Development Assessment Act to determine development applications not otherwise delegated to council officers.
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COUNCIL Committees of Council Elected Members
GOVERNANCE Chief Executive Officer
Executive Assistant Also Office Coordinator
Development & Environmental Services Administrative Services Technical Services Manager Manager (CEO) Manager Engineer Planning & Finance Development Officer Administrator Information Services & Systems Coordinator Environmental Supervisor Rural Roads Health Officer
OHS & Risk Rural Roads Group LAP Project Officer Management Officer
General Inspector Senior Admin. Officer LAP (Also Office Coordinator) Office Coordinator Supervisor Community Facilities Implementation Officer Community Services Group
Administration Officers Supervisor Special Projects
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Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare
The Coorong District Council is a member of the Local Government Association (LGA) and that being a body that was granted a self-insurance license by the State Government in 1986. Each year the LGA’s Regional Risk Coordinator in conjunction with Coorong Council’s OHS/Risk Manager conducts an Occupational Health & Safety Self Audit. This provides a tool for auditing OHS Performance and Review and is conducted annually. WorkCover Corporation Performance Standards for Self Insurers (1998) require compliance and ownership at all levels of an organisation and measures the organisation’s commitment and philosophy in respect to Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Claims Management. The Performance Standards are based on a management systems approach and provide guidelines for integrating OHS&W, Rehabilitation and Claims with the organisation’s corporate objectives. The Audit process identified areas demonstrating management commitment to the Health, Safety and Welfare of its employees, contractors and third parties through the implementation of a systematic management approach. The Council has demonstrated a long history of commitment to ongoing OHS&W, Rehabilitation and equitable Claims Management. This commitment has been particularly evident in past years and is reflected in Council’s continuous improvement in performance. The OHS Self Audit score of 26.8% out of a possible 30% was a very good result attained by Coorong District Council and clearly shows continuous improvement. Internal audit results are documented and as necessary specific action plans developed by the Regional Risk Coordinator (LGAWCS) and OHS&W/Risk Coordinator in response to completed audits to track progress towards completion of corrective actions. The OHS&W Committee monitors progress, to ensure corrective actions are effective and to demonstrate evaluation of corrective actions on an ongoing basis. The Committee consists of 5 Members of the Workforce and 5 Management representatives. The OHS&W/Risk Coordinator, OHS&W/Risk Manager and the Regional Risk Coordinator are also non-voting members. Health and Safety committees meet regularly and discuss workplace health and safety issues. They are primarily responsible for health and safety issues that affect the organisation as a whole. For example, the development and review of organisation Policies and Procedures. The Senior Management Team meetings also monitor progress on corrective actions, to ensure they are completed and evaluated for effectiveness. With the development of an extensive, Council specific Occupational Health Safety and Injury Management Action Plan, which clearly identifies the proactive program for OHS&W and Injury Management, we have included regular reviews to ensure continuous improvement. The Local Government Association is keeping us well informed with monthly injury statistics and six monthly performance reports. The data below is taken from our last report.
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Statistical Performance 1999 – 2005 Comparisons of the Coorong District Council with Group D Councils (Councils of approx same size) For Number No. of No.of LTI Frequency Duration Incident 5Day 1Year Year of FTE Claims LTIs Days Rate Rate Rate No. No 1999/2000 CDC 51 8 5 23 49.0 4.6 9.8 1 0 Group 58 8 3 31 29.0 9.2 5.8 1 0 2000/2001 CDC 53 4 1 5 9.4 5.0 1.9 1 0 Group 68 8 2 41 18.1 16.8 3.6 1 0 2001/2002 CDC 50 9 2 2 20.0 1.0 4.0 0 0 Group 60 9 3 14 28.7 4.2 5.7 1 0 2002/2003 CDC 55 6 4 55 36.4 13.8 7.3 1 0 Group 68 10 4 42 30.1 10.2 6.0 2 0 2003/2004 CDC 59 3 - - 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 Group 42 4 1 6 14.6 5.2 2.9 0 0 2004/2005 CDC 59 3 1 1 8.5 1.0 1.7 0 0 Group 62 8 2 20 19.6 8.4 3.9 1 0
Note: all data is derived from the June 2005 CATS (Claims Analysis Tracking System) statistics – all years are subject to development.
As can be seen we have had 3 claims this year .
The Corporate Health Group again has provided Skin Cancer screenings and Fitness Assessments again and OHS training courses have included Health & Safety Reps, First Aid, Roles and Responsibilities, Fire Equipment, Workzone Traffic Management and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.
The Regional Risk Coordinator also provides an analysis of significant injuries for the past five years 2000 -2004(inclusive) and compares it with data of 1999 – 2003. For the purpose of this analysis significant injuries are those injuries that have a net cost which exceeds $1000. There are 11 significant claims for this period compared with 13 for the earlier period. Of these eleven significant injuries the nature of injuries have been 7 sprains, strains of joints and adjacent muscles, 3 have been Insect/Spider Bites and Stings and 1 have been Disorder of Muscle, Tendons, Soft Tissue claims. Nature of injuries associated with all claims for both the 1999-2003 and the 2000 - 2004 (inclusive) period and their net cost are: 1999 – 2003 2000 - 2004 Nature of Injury No Cost $ No Cost $ Sprains, Strains of joints and adj. 15 49872 16 48669 Muscles Open Wound 4 401 2 190 Superficial Injury 2 1340 2 1340 Bruising (skin intact) 3 223 3 223 Foreign Body Eye 3 573 3 573 Poisoning, Toxic Effects 2 2496 2 2496 Disorders of Muscle, tendons & soft 2 7150 1 4166 tissue Total 31 61655 29 57657
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The high cost of Sprains, Strains of Joints & Adj. Muscles, is due to three large claims that occurred 1999 and 2000. The calmative cost of these 3 claims was approx. $20,000. These claims have been finalised. There is also a major claim in 2003 which has a significant impact on the total cost of claims for Sprains, Strains of Joint & Adj. Muscles and which has now been finalised. The high cost of Disorders of Muscles, Tendons and Soft Tissue claims continues to feature in the current analysis. Focus on the reduction of Manual Handling Injuries should continue for Coorong District Council. In addition as the Healthy Lifestyle program has emphasised the need for a Skin Cancer Prevention Program. The program implemented throughout Local Government in South Australian has revealed that 1 in 4 persons screened for skin cancer have been identified as having some form of skin cancer requiring referral for treatment or monitoring. Mental Stress Disorder Claims have also been on the increase and the difficulty of rehabilitation for these employees leads to very high cost claims. As with any Occupational Health and Safety issue prevention is far better and less costly than cure or treatment, an Employee Assistance Program it is therefore recommended to be reviewed on a regular basis.
Lost Time Injury Benchmarks based on last three years of injuries should be: Claims >4 Primary Lost Time Injuries >1 Lost Time Injury Days >15 Frequency Rate >10 Duration Rate >4 Claims in excess of five days lost >0 Claims in excess of one year lost time >0
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Risk Management
This year saw some excellent results in our Risk Review that is conducted annually by the Regional Risk Coordinator for the Local Government Association Mutual Liability Scheme. The Risk Management Review covers most areas of Council operations and specifically targets areas that have a high level of civil liability exposures or areas that require a formal Risk Management approach to prevent potential civil liability claims. As the main pieces of legislation that are administered by Local Government, focus is given to compliance with the Local Government Act 1999 and the Development Act 1993.
RISK REVIEW SUMMARY Council: COORONG DISTRICT COUNCIL Date of Review 25/05/2005 Risk Manager/Risk Coordinator NEAL FALLON Section Council Max Percentage Score Score 1. Risk & Emergency Management / Professional Indemnity 120 125 96%
2. Committee & Non Employment Management 90 100 95% 3. Contract Management 105 110 95% 4. Legislative Requirements – Land 115 120 96% 5. Asset Management Programmes & Systems – Land 110 115 96%
6. Land Use (Lease/licence/permit Activities) 105 110 95% 7. Legislative Requirements – Roads 85 90 94% 8. Road Management Programmes & Systems 60 65 92% Total Score (s) 790 835 95%
These results show that Council’s Risk Management practices are now showing improvements that have a positive effect on our insurance rebate that we receive from the LGAMLS. Last years Risk Review had a result of 89.78% compared to this year’s result being 95%. These figures show a major improvement over 12 months. As previously reported Council had engaged the services of Asbestos Management Company (Carter Corporation) to undertake a three stage Asbestos Identification Audit of all their buildings. Stage three is now being undertaken by the company and will be completed shortly. At the conclusion of the audit they will create an Asbestos Register for each building inspected. They also include Asbestos Awareness training for the entire Council staff. The Regional Risk Coordinator in conjunction with Council’s OHS/Risk Manager has just put together a Risk Register for Coorong District Council. This register consists of many of the Risks Coorong Council is exposed to. It also has a level of the risk rating, and current control measures.
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An Excerpt of the Risk Register
Risk Current Control Measures Residual Risk Reduction No Description of Risk Freq. Severity Rating Div. in Place Risk Action
1 Elected Members Acting outside direction/ Members Code of 1.01 policy/legislation C 2 M1 CEO Conduct
1.02 Acting outside duty/authority
1.03 Actions not in good faith LG Act, Members Code of Conduct, Members Conflict of Interest 1.04 Conflict of Interest C 2 M1 CEO Guidelines
1.05 Failure of duty LG Act, Members Code 1.06 Failure to register interests A 2 L2 CEO of Conduct Failure to undertake 1.07 administration duties LG Act, Members Code 1.08 Libel & Slander C 2 M1 CEO of Conduct
With the Risk Management Programs that Council have put in place we look forward to achieving continuous improvement.
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Departmental Reports
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Responsibilities • Customer Service Provisions • Customer Support Services • Administrative Support • Management of Files for Council land • Information Technology Strategic Direction • Information Technology Support Services • Geographical Information Systems (GIS - Mapping) Implementation/maintenance • Records Management • Financial Management • Personnel Management & Human Resources • Asset Management • Cemetery Administrative Support • Grant Funding Support • Coordinate the OHS & W and Risk Management functions of Council • The provision of information on council activities to the public
The 2004/2005 Year in Summary The Administrative Services Department is directly responsible to the Chief Executive Officer. The Department has been involved in the following initiatives during the year: • Continuing change in Records Management as the management of records is changed to meet standards set down by the State Government. The Council is continuing to work towards meeting the standards and guidelines outlined by State Records with steady progress being made on the cataloguing and sentencing of archives from the previous three Councils. Council conducts an internal desktop audit each year to gauge its progress against these guidelines. State Records will be conducting audits of selected Councils throughout the State commencing next financial year.
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• The electronic records management system is being utilised with the highlight being that all offices are able to access copies of records electronically and quickly. Staff have managed to achieve the goal of incoming mail being entered electronically and sent to the responsible officer(s) within 24 hours of receipt, in normal circumstances. • An automated schedule has been developed ensuring regular staff employment appraisals are conducted. • Overseeing the filling of staff vacancies as required in various departments. Producing an internal staff news sheet incorporating the lighter side of life. • Continuing the development of Registers for legislative as well as Risk Management purposes of all land through the maintenance of in excess of 200 comprehensive property files for land either owned by or under Council’s Care and Control. These files contain information on various parcels of land with the intent being to build up sufficient information over time to provide a continuing and worthwhile history of the land. • Continue the preparation and adoption of Management Plans for Council’s Community Lands. Due to the bulk of plans that need to be prepared and adopted the plans have being prepared in groups of similar land to enable one plan to apply to more than one piece of land. Where needed or circumstances warrant, individual plans have been prepared. • The Geographical Information System (GIS) has continued to service the needs of other departments and has seen an upgrade in the software interface to Exponaire. External and internal staff training has been undertaken and the new interface is being used by various staff in their day to day work as well as for specialised projects and or reports. Council has commissioned help externally to further develop the mapping layers and this is proving quite successful and efficient. • Provision of Information Technology support to council officers thus maximizing the benefits gained from Council’s IT environment. • Further developing the 3 year Financial Plan enabling works and other programs to be forecast in advance and for the preparation of annual budgets to be guided by long term budget trends. • Provision of Administrative support to other areas of Council. • The appointment of a full time officer to carry out the functions of OHS&W and Risk Management in 02/03 has contributed to Council receiving the benefit of rebates payable for OHS & W, in recognition of safety, rehabilitation and claims performance and is also assisting Council to earn a favourable profile in the risk management area. • Developing the Council website to enable council minutes and other documents to be available “on line”. The website is regularly updated and added to, with the changes and/or new items listed on the home page.
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Directions for 2005/2006 Year Some of the issues facing the Department in the 2005/2006 financial year include: • Development of internal training session on Council’s Electronic Records Management Software for new administration based staff. Document Records Management procedures, and to continue to make gains on the archiving, sentencing and cataloguing of records from the previous Councils. To make further Archived records in storage. improvements and to gather further evidence of compliance with State Records Act and guidelines. • Update Business Plan for the Administrative Services Department for future strategic directions of the department. • Continue to maintain the Community Land files and to monitor the Community Land Management Plans. • Further develop layers in the GIS system to meet the changing needs of Local Government. Provide ongoing support and guidance to staff using the GIS system. • In conjunction with Technical Services, GPS all Council’s road signage and reserve infrastructure for Asset Management purposes. • Continue training regimes for multi-skilling of administration staff. • Ongoing contribution of information for various agencies and Elected Members. • The enhancement of electronic on line payment to enable other council charges such as dog registrations and development fees to be paid by credit card. • The growing of the website to contain a wider range of council and community related information for council customers.
Bill Paterson Manager Administrative Services/ Chief Executive Officer
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Technical Services
Responsibilities. The Technical Services Department is responsible for a wide range of activities including the following:
• Maintenance of parks, gardens, reserves, playgrounds to provide active and passive recreational facilities. • Construction and maintenance of roads and verges • Construction and maintenance of kerb, gutter and footpath • Stormwater management • Operation and maintenance of four common effluent drainage schemes located at Tailem Bend, Meningie, East Wellington and Tintinara. • Operation and maintenance of three water schemes at East Wellington, Narrung and Peake.
• Council operates cemeteries at Tailem Bend, Footpath works, Princes Highway Meningie Meningie, Tintinara, Coonalpyn, Peake and East Wellington. • Foreshore and Jetty maintenance • Maintenance of a wide range of community land and facilities throughout the district eg Council owned Halls • Design and survey works associated with roadworks, drainage and sundry asset development. • Street sweeping and domestic garbage collection including a kerbside recycling service in the urban areas. • Development and operation of waste depots and transfer depots within the district. • Plant and equipment management • Contract Management • Management of all Council assets including roads, buildings, signage etc. • Public Conveniences • Special Infrastructure Projects • Aerodrome maintenance and development • Plant and machinery purchase and maintenance • Traffic management works • Occupational Health and Safety matters • Disaster Management
Coonalpyn Swimming Pool 18
Technical Services
The 2004/2005 Year in Summary The Technical Services Department during this period has been involved in the following projects and issues within the Council area • 42.6 Kilometres of open surface road re- sheeted or reconstructed. • 0.05 Kilometres of concrete footpath constructed. • Sealed 3 roads being: Cemetery Road, Meningie. Selby Road, Meningie. Windmill Drive, Meningie. • 4.5 kms approximately of road resealed Parkin Hall Road Coomandook adjacent the School including: Narrung Road, part of a long term programme. Only 3 kms remain to complete resealing this road. Old Dukes Highway, part of a long term programme. Filmer Road, Tintinara. • Started construction of Tailem Central car park. • Council was successful in receiving $346,300 for the reconstruction of North Terrace and Trevena Road area from the Roads to Recovery programme. This is an on-going project and similar funding is anticipated for 2005/2006. This reconstruction will cater for heavy vehicles accessing Ausbulk Silos. And provide an identifiable freight route through Tailem Bend to Karoonda. • Council also receives an annual allocation under the Roads to Recovery Programme of $440,474. Some of the sealing, resealing and design work for 2004/2005 have been funded from this Roads to Recovery Funding Roads to Recovery Funds are over and above Council’s “normal” roadwork’s budget. • Undertook several private works projects. In particular Council undertook the construction of internal roads and the Dukes Highway intersection associated with the Big Olive industrial subdivision. This was carried out at the total cost of the developer.
Big Olive Subdivision roadworks
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Technical Services
• Upgraded water systems in various parks and gardens within area including the provision of a computer operated irrigation system. • Upgrading work at various cemeteries within area including the sealing of the road and car park at the Meningie Cemetery.
Cemetery Road sealing, Meningie Cemetery Carpark sealing, Meningie
• Upgraded various Council halls within the district • Purchased several major items of Machinery including a patrol grader, a maintenance truck for Meningie area and a water tanker. • Carried out regular maintenance program on roads, footways, reserves and other Council infrastructure. • Continued with the upgrading of Waste Management Services across the area. the following estimated quantity of material is being recycled per month • Kerbside pick up co-mingled material 151 tonne • Cardboard 48 tonne • Newspaper 15 tonne • Plastic/Tin cans/Juice cartons etc 8 tonne • Lead Acid Batteries 3 tonne • Implemented and monitored various policies and procedures under the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Program. • Continued with the upgrading of some of the STEDS pumps at Meningie • Commenced the development of asset plans for Council’s infrastructure
War Memorial, Tailem Bend
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Technical Services
Directions for 2005/2006 Year Some of the issues facing the Department in the 2005/2006 financial year include; • Continue to review and update Waste Management Service in line with State Government and Zero Waste objectives.. • Develop long term objectives and goals for the creation of long term programmes. • Continue with the road sealing, reconstruction and maintenance programmes to at least a similar level as 2004/2005. • Continue with the upgrading and maintenance of reserve areas. • Continue to develop and promote safe work and operation practices throughout the organisation.. • Develop asset management plans for all of Council’s infrastructure. • Provide toilet facilities at Fred’s Landing. • Continue and complete the upgrading works for the North Terrace, Trevena Road and Granites Road heavy vehicle route to AusBulk Silo. • Continue and complete the upgrading works of the Railway Terrace Tailem Bend Car Park. • Continue upgrading council plant and equipment. • Upgrade the Coonalpyn pool by tiling the pool deck area.
W. Henderson MANAGER TECHNICAL SERVICES
Windmill placed in Tintinara by Heart of the Parks Visitor Information outlet.
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Development & Environmental Services
Report Under the Public and Environmental Health Act for the year ending 30 June 2005
Public and Environmental Health Indicators
Disease Control Council over the past 12 months has provided a position for Full time Environmental Health Officer to meet the expectations of the Coorong District Council’s community. The Environmental Health Officers have followed up on health complaints and issued appropriate notices under the Public and Environmental Health Act. Coorong District Council reported food poisoning notifications were followed up. Public swimming pools are monitored on a regular basis. Council has carried out audits on its STED schemes to comply with EPA licensing requirements. East Wellington rising main to and from the town boundary to the STEDS ponds was replaced due to constant problems with the existing rising main. Councils Environmental Health Officer’s check all waste control applications and when necessary try to inspect installation of the waste control systems. Head lice are still a problem in local schools and advice is provided on best methods of control. Council has maintained its immunisation program. The Coorong District Council along with most other Councils along the River Murray have maintained a contract with the Adelaide University to monitor and control mosquitos Approximately ten reports of sitings were received concerning European Wasp with one confirmed and exterminated. Several properties were issued with notices to clean up with nearly all complying.
Food Safety and Nutrition All food safety notification recalls where applicable were provided to appropriate food businesses. Council received only two food related complaints that were followed up and resolved. Food premises inspections were carried out and five improvement notices issued. The Coorong Good Food on the Road program has been extremely successful with the incorporation of food nutrition and the food safe program. Council has accredited one food premise under the food safe program and several others are close to being accredited.
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Development & Environmental Services
Health Care and Community The Coorong Community Links Committee had further success in accessing funds to provide services to the Coorong District Council area. The Coorong District Council provides the facilities and financial assistance for services to be delivered through the Tailem Bend Community House. Council in conjunction with the Office of Youth took part in the National Youth Week by providing school students the opportunity to interact with Local Ngarrindjeri People and learn about native history of the Coorong area. The day was extremely successful and well received.
The Coorong District Council provided Students participating in the National Youth Week land and financial assistance and in conjunction with South Australian Community Housing Authority constructed three fully contained units at Tintinara for aged and disadvantaged. Council has received part funding to install three further stormwater sedimentation traps to filter water entering the River Murray. An upgrade of the Senior Citizens building has taken place at a cost of approximately $110,000.
Environmental Management and Sustainability The Coorong District Council won the 2004 Local Government Landcare Award for the second time the first being in 2002. The Coorong District Council area is still faced with some major issues such as salinity and flows coming down the River Murray. The Coorong District Council is responsible for three non potable water supplies and is still in the process accessing the best option to deliver a potable water supply to the Township of East Wellington. The Coorong District Council manages three Waste Disposal sites and three transfer stations and has revised its Waste Management Plan. Council has a monthly waste recycling collection. Drum muster was also conducted in the last financial year.
Delegation The Coorong District Council has Delegated the Chief Executive Officer the powers under the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987 and the Food Act and those powers have been further delegated those powers to council’s authorised officers. The Coorong District council has maintained adequate measures to ensure compliance with part 111 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 1997
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Development & Environmental Services
RESPONSIBILITIES Planning and Development Planning approvals Subdivisions Building Approvals Community Services & Events Building Contracts and Maintenance Home and Community Care Services Home assistance Health Services including immunisation and Youth Bedford Groundwater interception Project Australia day Celebrations Public and Environmental Health One of the many Australia Day Awards Food act & Food shop Inspections presentations held on Australia Day within our General Inspector District. This one was held at Salt Creek. Fire Prevention Dog and Cat management By-Laws order making, signs, parking, and litter Land care, the Coorong Local Action Plan Grant Applications Community services and Events
The 2004/2005 Year in Summary The 2004/05 year has been an extremely busy year for the Development and Environmental Services Department with the commencement of 2 Plan amendment reports being prepared. One for the area covering a proposed canal development at Meningie and the other a council wide PAR.
Significant interest in the form of development has been shown in the district and it appears to be gaining further momentum every month. The Coorong Community Links Committee has provided further financial support in the way of a grant from HACC to the community through Tailem Bend and Meningie Hospitals and the Tailem Bend Community Centre and including Home Assistance.
Opening of the three units constructed at Tintinara 24
Development & Environmental Services
Councils Development and Environmental Services Department is still involved in the Following; • Sustainable Recreation Project for the River Murray and Lakes • NRM Plan introduction • Murray and Mallee Salinity PAR proposal • EPA Lower lakes Risk assessment project Coorong • Murray Darling Association Region 6 and the Murray and lower Lakes Local Government Working Group • Development Assessment Panel • Building Fire Safety Committee • Renovations to Council’s Tailem Bend Senior Citizens Building • Renovations Council Leased Tailem Bend Railway Station • Renovations Tailem Bend Community Centre • Maintenance of Council buildings • Maintenance of syringe disposal units Public Toilets • Installation of solar heating for the Coonalpyn Public Swimming Pool and the ongoing maintenance of the pool. • Continuation of The Coorong Good Food on the Road Project. • Bedford groundwater Interception Project. • Submissions for various grants • Dog and Cat and Animal Management Plan • Bushfire Prevention Plan • Mosquito monitoring program • Australia Day celebrations • Responses to the following Bills before parliament Sustainable Development Bill Response to the River Murray Act. Council Wide PAR Warrenengie Development Zone PAR Tailem Bend Industrial subdivision
The Coorong District Council has again received significant inquiries in relation to development in the form of residential subdivisions, horticulture and intensive animal keeping such as piggeries and poultry production.
Summary of Development Statistics for 2004/2005 DEVELOPMENT Number Valued at New Dwellings 35 $5,092,235.00 Dwelling Additions & Alterations over $2,000 24 $922,400.00 Domestic Outbuildings & Minor Additions/Alterations 88 $577,544.00 Commercial Development, i.e. Olive Orchards, Piggeries 22 $2,663,650.00 Commercial Additions/Alterations 43 $823,225.00 Swimming Pools 5 $54,987.00 TOTAL: 217 $10,134,041.00
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Development & Environmental Services
Summary of Development Statistics for 2003/2004 DEVELOPMENT Number Valued at New Dwellings 37 $4,250,114.00 Dwelling Additions & Alterations over $2,000 68 $1,099,383.00 Domestic Outbuildings & Minor Additions/Alterations 21 $17,500.00 Commercial Development, ie Olive Orchards, Piggeries 47 $1,171,952.00 Commercial Additions/Alterations 7 $145,071.00 Swimming Pools 0 00 TOTAL: 191 $6,684,402.00
Summary of Development Statistics for 2002/2003 DEVELOPMENT Number Valued at New Dwellings 21 $2,268,706.00 Dwelling Additions & Alterations over $2,000 28 $434,502.00 Domestic Outbuildings & Minor Additions/Alterations 70 $498,150.00 Commercial Development, ie Olive Orchards, Piggeries 30 $15,187.166.00 Commercial Additions/Alterations 2 $32,000.00 Swimming Pools 1 $1,000.00 TOTAL: 152 $18,421,524.00
Summary of Development Statistics for 2001/2002 DEVELOPMENT Number Valued at New Dwellings 29 $2,454,714.00 Dwelling Additions & Alterations over $2,000 10 $341,215.00 Domestic Outbuildings & Minor Additions/Alterations 102 $426,836.00 Commercial Development, ie Olive Orchards, Piggeries 49 $3,400.759.00 Commercial Additions/Alterations 0 $0.00 Swimming Pools 1 $5,000.00 TOTAL: 191 $6,628,524.00
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Development & Environmental Services Landcare
Local Action Plan On-ground Works Incentives (Devolved Grants) The Local Action Plan (LAP) Committee iis now in their ninth year of on-ground works. More than 100,000 hectares of works have been completed to date.
The 2005 LAP On-Ground Works Program to date, included: Revegetation 138 ha Native vegetation and wetlands protected 1097 ha Perennial Pastures 10,440 ha Fodder shrubs 74 ha Farm forestry 24 ha Saltland pastures 516 ha Leveling sand drift 155 ha Stabilizing wind erosion 170 ha Clay spreading 656 ha Fencing the above options 206 km
Review of the Coorong District LAP Rural Solutions gave a presentation on the Review of the Coorong District LAP on 28 September 2004. Overall, the review was good, particularly the processes used for our devolved grants and the community embracing the Local Action Plan. Since inception, the LAP has achieved approximately 20% groundwater recharge reduction in the area. The 50% recharge targets originally set by the LAP in 1996 will take a longer than originally envisaged. It was found that the original modeling and methodology used to set a goal of 50% recharge reduction was still ‘state of the art’ Key suggestions: • Need to review the priority Hundreds for recharge reduction. • Need to develop better monitoring and mapping systems on on-ground works. • Need to develop a few focus properties which have a good existing piezometer network to better monitor recharge reduction.
NRM Act 2004 and NRM Boards A considerable amount of time has been spent dealing with the new NRM Act and the implications for the Coorong District Council area. Under the new regional delivery arrangements the Council area is split, with approximately two thirds of the area going to the South East NRM Region and the remainder staying within the South Australian Murray Darling Basin NRM Region. This may have significant impacts on the way the LAP operates in the future. Council and the LAP have been proactive in presenting options for the new NRM Boards to consider when dealing with our area. Several meetings have been held with the Presiding Members of both boards in order to work out cross boundary issues.
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Development & Environmental Services
A joint submission for the preferred NRM delivery option for the Coorong District was presented to the M-DB – SE NRM Cross Boundary Steering Committee at Tintinara on 2 August 2004. The Coorong Animal and Plant Control Board, the Coorong District Soil Conservation Board, The Coorong District Council and the Coorong District Local Action Plan Committee jointly submitted a proposal collectively supporting the formation of a sub- regional group that crosses the NRM regional boundary between the MDB & SE.
The LAP and Coorong APCB provided a joint presentation to the SE NRM Board at their 2nd meeting, which was held at Coonalpyn on June 27th.
NRM plans and Investment Strategies The section of the Coorong District and Southern Mallee Councils that are to be included in the South East NRM Region are not covered in the current SE NRM Plan or Investment Strategy. The LAP has a commitment from the SA M-DB group to continue to fund programs in this area. The LAP had had input into the preparation of the next phase of the SE Investment Strategy to ensure the continuation of funding to priority projects within this area.
Groundwater Monitoring in LAP Area The LAP has a contract with the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation to undertake all groundwater monitoring in the area. Over 200 bores and piesometers are monitored for groundwater depth and salinity levels. The monitoring is essential for measuring the progress of the LAP on-ground works program to address groundwater recharge, urban salinity in the Tintinara/Coomandook township areas as well as providing information to assist in the water allocation process in the Tintinara Coonalpyn Prescribed Wells Area
Ramsar Wetlands of International Significance The LAP Committee is working with the Department of Environment and Heritage to implement wetland restoration works in the Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar area. This has involved working with local landholders, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Aboriginal Lands Trust, to co-ordinate large scale revegetation programs and the reinstatement of more natural water flows into wetlands which have been isolated by human activity.
Lower Lakes Project Officer A Lower Lakes Project Officer position has been funded in the latest Round of SA MDB Community Grants. With 20% of time allocated to the Lakes and Coorong that are in the Coorong District Council area and the rest of the time will be implementing Ramsar on-ground works around the Lower Lakes and Coorong part of the job will be supervising wetland planning and addressing coastal and estuarine issues. The position is to be based in Strathalbyn.
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Development & Environmental Services
Coorong & Mallee Farm Forestry Network The Network’s foundation meeting was held in November 2004 and was well attended by landholders and other interested parties. Two guest speakers, one from Forestry SA and a, successful farm forester from Bangham attended and presented points of veiw.
Membership of the network is on the rise. Two local newsletters have been produced and distributed. 1000 promotional brochures have also been produced and printed and are ready for distribution at field days etc. Forestry Network Chairman was interviewed recently on 5MU, talking about the activities of the network.
Members of the network attended a field day organized by the Green Triangle Branch of the Australian Forest Growers in the Upper South East, as well as a Firewood Forum held at Strathalbyn. A locally organized tree pruning field day is planned for October.
The Network has been approached by the Land Management Program based at Strathalbyn to help promote farm forestry in low rainfall areas and to jointly run field days on the Western side of the river. The Land management program will be promoting the Network at the upcoming Murray Bridge Field Days.
Irrigator Groups Two irrigator groups that have been formed in the Council area. 1) The Meningie Narrung Lakes Irrigators Association. 2) The Upper South East Water Resources Group. (in the Tintinara Coonalpyn Prescribed Wells Area)
Both groups have similar aims and objectives. a. To provide a structured and formal facility for those involved in the local irrigation industry to efficiently and effectively represent their experiences and requirements. b. To promote and facilitate productivity, efficiency and responsible management or any other relevant matters.
The LAP is in a position to support both groups financially as well as with Project Officer time. This will include administrative support, workshops, field days etc.
Irrigation Land and Water Management Planning Officer Tintinara Coonalpyn area Funding has been received from the South Australian Murray Darling Basin and the SE Natural Resources Consultative Committee to employ a Land and Water Management Planning Officer for the Tintinara Coonalpyn Prescribed Wells Area. Council has agreed to be the employer and the position will be managed by the SECWMB and a Board supported local advisory committee. The successful applicant will be commenced the position on the 17 January 2005.
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Development & Environmental Services
The Land & Water Management Planning Officer will lead and coordinate the Development of a Land & Water Management Plan with specific emphasis on the irrigated portion of the Tintinara Coonalpyn area. The preparation of the Plan will be undertaken through engaging the community to set direction and detail an action plan for the management of the area. The plan when completed will outline priorities and threats to land and water management and will describe an agreed work program to achieve community objectives. The Plan will describe a compelling case for involvement and action by landholders, Federal, State and Local Government and regional organisations.
Tintinara Salinity Risk Assessment The South East Catchment Board has contracted Australian Water Environments to do a salinity and rising groundwater risk assessment for the township of Tintinara. Coorong Council staff and the LAP Officers have assisted with identification of infrastructure that could be at risk, and provision of resource information to help with the assessment.
2004 National Landcare Awards The Coorong District Council were proud to accept the National Local Government Landcare Award at a ceremony held in Canberra on the 1st September. Council was recognized for incorporating the environment into their strategic and development plans, for their support of the Local Action Plan and for their waste management programs.
Reports and Publications produced • 3 LAP newsletters • 3 Lower Lakes newsletters • 2 Farm forestry newsletters • 2005 on-ground works booklet • Fact sheet for Lower Murray Local Government Working Group • 2 Fact sheets for the Meningie Lakes Irrigators Association • Wind Erosion fact sheet
LAP tours and visitors • Tour of the LAP area by the Murray Darling Association. • Parliamentary NRM Council tour of Meningie Narrung area • USE drains and Morella tour by Council • USE drains and Morella tour by SA MDB LAP Officers • USE drains and Morella tour by the Western Australian Channel Management Group
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Development & Environmental Services
Workshops/field days • Three Irrigation workshops at Narrung • Irrigation workshop held at Tintinara • Wetland monitoring workshop, Poltalloch • Salinity Risk workshop, Meningie
Presentations at conferences, workshops etc • National Conservation Incentives Forum, Melbourne • Regional Local Action Planning Community Forum, Loxton • Tatiara Council, Bordertown • Lacepede Tatiara Soil Conservation Board, Bordertown • Rural City of Murray Bridge Council • South East NRM Board, Coonalpyn • Cooperative Research Centre for Plant Based Solutions for Dryland Salinity
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Information
An Information Statement is available as a separate document in accordance with requirements, however the contents are included in this Annual Report.
ACCESS TO COUNCIL DOCUMENTS Documents Available for Inspection The following documents are available for public inspection at the Council offices free of charge or some items are available via councils website www.coorong.sa.gov.au. Members of the public may purchase copies of the documents for a fee as per Fees and Charges Register. i Council Agendas & Minutes i Standing Committee Agendas i Standing Committee Minutes i Policy Manual i Strategic Plan i Budget Statements i Annual Report i Register of Fees and Charges i Council By-Laws i Annual Financial Statements i Planning Application Register i Building Application Register i Register of Elected Members i Allowance & Benefits i Officers Register of Remuneration i Register of Public Streets & Roads i Assessment Book
Other information Requests Requests for other information not included in the above, will be considered in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1991. Under this legislation, an application fee and a search fee must be forwarded with the completed request form as provided for under the Act, unless the applicant is granted an exemption in accordance with the Act. Should the applicant require copies of any document inspected pursuant to a Freedom of Information request, charges as set will apply. Freedom of Information Request Forms should be addressed to: Chief Executive Officer Coorong District Council PO Box 28 MENINGIE SA 5264 Applications will be responded to as soon as possible within the statutory 30 days of Council receiving the properly completed Freedom of Information Form, together with the application and search fees. In the 12 months ended 30 June 2004, no certificates pursuant to Section 65 of the Local Government (Freedom of Information) Act, (since repealed) were issued.
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Elected Members Allowances Elected Members receive allowances in accordance with The Local Government Act and Regulations 1999. Council has determined the following Annual Allowances for the 2004/2005 year. Presiding Member $8,000; Deputy Presiding Member and Chairs of Standing Committees $3,750; other Councillors $3,000. Council has resolved to provide reimbursement for expenses incurred in travelling within the Council area on Council business at a rate determined by Commonwealth Legislation. The Council has also resolved to reimburse Elected Members for a range of additional expenses, e.g. approved travel outside the Council area, attendance at conferences, and the provision of phone/facsimile machines for council business.
TENDERING AND SUPPLY In July 2000 Council adopted a competitive tendering, contracting and sale of land and other assets policy. Through this policy the Council is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent and accountable process, in the provision of services, purchasing of goods and services and in the disposal of land and other assets. The Council aims to ensure that its methods of service provision, including the carrying out of works, purchasing goods and the sale of land and other assets are cost effective and meet the needs of the community and legislative requirements and represent best value for money, while taking into account the need to support the local economy. Generally, Council will purchase goods through adoption of the following approaches: • Direct purchase from a particular supplier • Obtaining quotations to select a supplier • Requesting tenders from a selected range of suppliers • Calling open tenders • Contract for service where rate is pre-determined by Council.
In identifying the circumstances in which to apply these options, Council will consider a number of issues, e.g. • The number of known suppliers of the goods or services. • The existence of local suppliers of the goods or services and the impact on the local economy if the goods or services were purchased from outside the council area. • The total estimated value of the purchase. • Organisational capacity and attitude to elected Council/staff roles and responsibilities in purchasing. • Delegation limits taking into consideration accountability, responsibility, operational efficiency and urgency of supply. • Previous experience with suppliers. • Compliance with statutory obligations. The following list contains some of the areas for which Council utilizes contractors to carry out services. • Cartage of road building material • Waste management • Food premises inspections • Road line marking • Engineering services • Information services
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COMPETITION PRINCIPLES The Council does not conduct any significant business activity. All by-laws have been reviewed and found not to have an effect on competition. No complaints have been received by Council about the application of competitive neutrality.
AMENDMENT OF COUNCIL RECORDS A member of the public may gain access to Council documents to make amendments concerning their personal affairs by making a request under the Freedom of Information Act. A member of the public may then request a correction to any information about themselves that is incomplete, incorrect, misleading or out of date. To gain access to these Council records, a member of the public must complete a Freedom of Information Request Form as indicated above, outlining the records that he/she wishes to inspect.
SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The Chief Executive Officer, and Managers, are not paid overtime but receive as a part of their salary package the use of a motor vehicle subject to fuel costs being paid by the officer when on leave. Two managers also receive a telephone allowance of $50 per quarter for metered calls. The Chief Executive Officer receives cost of local calls and an allowance of $50 per quarter for metered calls to a maximum value of $800 per annum, and private mobile phone calls to a maximum value of $250 per annum.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS Residents are notified of some Development Applications requiring the approval of Council. A number of applications are exempted from public notification by the Planning Act. When an application is publicly notified, residents have the opportunity both to write to Council expressing their view of the application and to subsequently personally address the Development Assessment Panel before a decision is made. From 1st July 2001 all development applications previously requiring the approval of Council are now referred to the Coorong District Development Assessment Panel. This panel which comprises elected members and staff sits independently of council and hears representations and receives written submissions on publicly notified development applications prior to making decisions.
RETIREMENT VILLAGES While the community caters for retired persons in a range of appropriate and different ways there are no Retirement Villages established within the District.
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STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLANS The Strategic Plan for the period 2001-2006 was revised during the 2002/2003 financial year. The plan is the primary planning document for the period 2001-2006 but will be updated to meet the requirements of the Local Government Act and the changing needs of the District. The plan was developed in 1999 as a result of investigation and consultation with Elected Members, Citizens and Council staff. The Development Plan being a document prepared in conjunction with Planning SA under the Development Act 1993 seeks to provide principles of development control in support of and consistent with the Strategic Plan. A new Development Plan incorporating the whole district was developed during 2000 and 2001 and the consolidated plan came into operation in October 2001; further ministerial amendments to plans on a State wide basis came into effect in December 2001 and February 2002 and August 2003. In order to achieve outcomes in the key areas listed in the Strategic Plan Council is refining a second tier of operational plans known as Business Plans for each of our departments. These plans together make up the Strategic Management Plans. Progress towards achieving outcomes listed in the Strategic Plans and Business Plans and directions for the 2004/2005 year are found within the departmental reports contained within this Annual Report. In the last three years Council has participated in a community survey carried out by Roy Morgan Research on behalf of the Local Government Association of SA. In a question relating to community satisfaction with the performance of the Council in providing services and facilities and as an effective decision maker Council received a score of 101.68, in 2002/2003 and 106.75 in 2003/2004 where a score greater than 100 was regarded as above satisfactory. The 2004/2005 score was 100.77.
SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY Full Council makes decisions on policy issues relating to services that are provided for members of the public. These services currently include: i Roads/Footpath/Kerbing i Traffic control Devices i Cycle Tracks i Public Cemeteries i Car parks i Storm-water Drainage i School Crossings i Parking Bays/Street Closures i Street Lighting i Street Sweeping i Street Tree Planting i Garbage Collection i War Memorials i Public Seating i Parks & Reserves i Community Halls & Centres i Foreshore Facilities i Immunisation Programs i Aged Care i Parking Control & Management i Dog/Cat Management i Environmental Health i Litter Bins i Public Toilets i Bus Shelters i Playground Equipment i Boat Ramps i Home Assistance Scheme i Planning Controls i Tourism/Arts Development i Crime Prevention Strategies i Recreation/Sport Facilities i Community Libraries i Litter control
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Delegations
The Chief Executive Officer and other Officers have the delegated authority from Council to make decisions on a number of specified administrative and policy matters. These delegations are listed in Council Policy Manual and are reviewed annually by council. In keeping with legislative requirement: i to determine policies to be applied by the council in exercising its discretionary powers; i to determine the type, range and scope of projects to be undertaken by the Council; and i to develop comprehensive management plans, budgets, financial controls and performance objectives and indicators for the operations of the Council, The Council makes decisions which direct and/or determine its activities and functions. Such decisions include the approval of works and services to be undertaken, and the resources which are to be made available to undertake such works and services. Following a change to the Development Act in July 2001, development control not delegated to council officers that would have otherwise been determined by Council is determined by the Coorong District Development Assessment Panel.
Public Participation
Members of the public have a number of opportunities to put forward their views on particular issues before Council. These are: (a) Deputations With the permission of the Committee Chairperson or the Chairman, a member of the public can address a Committee or the Council personally or on behalf of a group of residents. (b) Petitions Written petitions can be addressed to the Council on any issue within the Council’s jurisdiction. (c) Written Requests A member of the public can write to the Council on any Council policy, activity or service. (d) Elected Members Members of the public can contact their Elected Members of Council to discuss any issue relevant to Council.
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Community Consultation
The Coorong District council consults with local residents on particular issues that affect their neighbourhood (Note – below are examples only) (a) Alcohol free zones (b) Waste Management issues (c) Land use zone issues (d) Community Land exclusions (e) Management Plans for Community Land (f) Major road changes proposed Consultation is conducted in accordance with the Public Consultation Policy.
Matters For Which Council Can Order That The Public Be Excluded.
Under Section 90 (3) of the Local Government Act 1999 Council or a Committee may order that the Public be excluded for a particular agenda item. In accordance with its Code of Practice for access to Council Meetings and Council Documents, the following information is provided on the use of this provision. Confidentiality provisions of 90 (3) and 91(7) were utilised 30 times during the period ended 30 June 2005. Out of the 30: ¾ Number of occasions that resulted in a decision or decisions being made 20 times (10 occasions did not result in a motion). ¾ Number of occasions that information declared confidential has subsequently been made publicly available; 11 times. ¾ Number of occasions that information declared confidential and has still not been made publicly available, 9 as matters have not been settled Number of occasions each of the provisions of section 90(3) and section 91 (7) were utilised were approximately 5% of total agenda items considered. The following is an indication of any particular issues that contributed to the use of confidentiality provisions; • Commercial issues, 11 times • Personal affairs of any person; 4 times. • Legal or professional advice, 3 times.
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Documents available for public inspection
The following documents are available for inspection by the public. Some documents are available on the Council website www.coorong.sa.gov.au. A copy of any document may be obtained, a charge will apply Policies and codes: Code of Conduct for Council Employees Code of Conduct for Council Members. Code of Practice for Access to Council Meetings Council Committees and Council Documents. Collection of Long Term Outstanding Rates Policy Competitive Tendering, Contracting, Purchasing, Sale of Land and Other Assets Policy Community Committees of Council Policy Control of State and Federal Election Signs Policy Customer Service Policy Delegations- Annual Review Elected Members’ Allowances and Support Policy Function Expenditure guidelines Interim Farm Building Policy Internal Control Policy Internal Review of Council Decisions Policy Local Government Land, Lease Licence and Authorisation Provisions Public Consultation Policy Provision of Donation in respect of Payment of Rates for Community Organisations and Groups Policy Provision of Loans and Grants to Community Groups Policy Rating Policy Revegetation of Council Road Reserves Policy Risk Management Policy Unmade Roads Policy Vandalism & Graffiti Prevention and Management Policy Volunteer Management Policy Website use policy Registers - Required under the Local Government Act 1999 Members Register of Interest Members Register of Allowances and Benefits Officers Register of Interest Officers Register of Remuneration and Benefits Register of Public Roads Register of Fees & Charges levied by Council Council By-laws Community land Campaign Donations Return for Candidates at the May 2000 Periodic Election
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RATING POLICY 2004
INTRODUCTION This document sets out the policy of the Coorong District Council for setting and collecting rates from its community. The policy covers: • method used to value land • adoption of valuations • business impact statement • Council’s revenue raising powers • differential general rates • service charges • water catchment levy (the Council’s collection role) • pensioner concessions • other concessions • payment of rates • late payment of rates • remission and postponement of rates • rebate of rates • sale of land for non-payment of rates • disclaimer
CONTACT DETAILS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Trevor Symonds Finance Administrator or Di Miell, Rates Officer by phoning your nearest Council office, as detailed below or fax 8757 2222 email: [email protected] The Coorong District Council Meningie Office 49 Princes Highway (Telephone 8575 1008) Meningie, 5264 The Coorong District Council Tailem Bend Office 95 Railway Terrace (Telephone 8572 3611) Tailem Bend, 5260 The Coorong District Council Tintinara Office 37 Becker Terrace (Telephone 8757 2100) Tintinara 5266
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STRATEGIC FOCUS In setting its rates for the 2004/2005 financial year the Council has considered the following:
• its current strategic plan, The Coorong District Council Strategic Plan was last revised in April 2003. The strategic plan was developed in 1999 following an extensive community consultation program;
• the current economic climate and relevant factors such as inflation and interest rates;
• the specific issues faced by our community, which are:
the need to update and maintain capital equipment to enable servicing of the road network and other essential infrastructure;
the maintenance and improvement of community assets to enable the District to be promoted as an attractive place in which to live work, invest and visit;
the sustainable management of waste and the promotion of recycling programs;
the development of expanded aged care support services;
the fostering and promoting of recreational activities for all ages.
• the budget for the 2004/2005 financial year;
• the impact of rates on the community, including:
householders, businesses and primary producers;
the broad principle that the rate in the dollar should be the same for all properties except where there is clearly a different level of services available to ratepayers or some other circumstance which warrants variation from the broad principle;
minimising the level of general rate required by levying fees and charges for goods and services on a user pays basis, where that is possible, to recover the full cost of operating or providing the service or goods, with provision for concessions to those members of the community unable to meet the full cost.
• for the 2004/2005 financial year the Council has increased rates by 3.50% with the rate in the dollar being reduced significantly because of an increase in valuations to set a budget that will provide the Council with sufficient additional revenue to meet cost increases. The Strategic Management Plan provides the Strategic direction of Council over a five year period while the budget provides detail for the 2004/2005 year and a forecast for the following two years as a part of that plan and the rates are set at a level to meet that budget. Council raises revenue for governance and administration, which deliver goods and services to the community. These goods and services are generally not provided by the private sector and may include road infrastructure, waste management, social services, libraries, regulatory services, health services and street lighting to mention a few. The Council recognises there may be situations where ratepayers provide or maintain infrastructure that might otherwise be provided or maintained by the Council. In these circumstances, the Council will consider if any possible rate rebates or other concessions apply in order to provide financial assistance to these ratepayers.
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Rates are a system of taxation on the community for local government to deliver the goods and services expected by the community. All ratepayers receive benefits from paying rates. In considering the impact of rates on the various sectors of the community, the Council has determined its rates so that they apply in a consistent manner and are comparable with the level of services provided in the urban and rural areas. The strategic management plans and the Council’s budget are available for inspection at the contact locations listed on Page 1. The Council conducts public consultation on a broad range of issues relating to specific programs and the future directions for the area. These opportunities are always advertised in local papers. Ratepayers and other interested parties are welcome to attend. The Council also encourages feedback at anytime and such comments may be sent to:
Mr Bill Paterson Chief Executive Officer The Coorong District Council PO Box 28 Meningie 5264
ANNUAL ADOPTION OF THE RATING POLICY Section 171 of the Local Government Act 1999 requires a Council to prepare and adopt each year, in conjunction with setting the rates, a rates policy. The policy must be available at the principal office of the Council and a summary version must be distributed with the rates notice. This policy is available for inspection at contact locations listed on Page 1 or by visiting the council web page on www.coorong.sa.gov.au.
METHOD USED TO VALUE LAND The Council may adopt one of three valuation methodologies to value the properties in its area. They are: • Capital Value – the value of the land and all of the improvements on the land. • Site Value – the value of the land and any improvements which permanently affect the amenity of use of the land, such as drainage works, but excluding the value of buildings and other improvements. • Annual Value – a valuation of the rental potential of the property.
The Council has decided to continue to use capital value as the basis for valuing land within the council area. . The Council considered that this method of valuing land provides the fairest method of distributing the rate burden across all ratepayers because property value is a relatively good indicator of wealth and capital value, which closely approximates the market value of a property and provides the best indicator of overall property value.
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ADOPTION OF VALUATIONS The Council has adopted the valuations made by the Valuer-General as provided to the Council on July, 13th 2004. If a ratepayer is dissatisfied with the valuation made by the Valuer-General then the ratepayer may object to the Valuer-General in writing within 60 days of receiving the notice of the valuation, explaining the basis for the objection, provided they have not: (a) previously received a notice of this valuation under the Local Government Act 1999, in which case the objection period is 60 days from the receipt of the first notice; or (b) previously had an objection to the valuation considered by the Valuer-General. The address of the Office of the Valuer-General is: Office of the Valuer-General GPO Box 1354 ADELAIDE SA 5001 email: [email protected] and the telephone number is 1300 653 345. Please note that the Council has no role in this process. It is also important to note that the lodgement of an objection does not change the due date for the payment of rates.
NOTIONAL VALUES Certain properties may be eligible for a notional value under the Valuation of Land Act 1971 where the property is the principal place of residence of a ratepayer. This can relate to certain primary production land or where there is State heritage recognition. A notional value is generally less than the capital value and this will result in reduced rates, unless the minimum rate already applies. Application for a notional value must be made to the Office of the Valuer- General.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT The Council has considered the impact of rates on all businesses in the Council area, including primary production. Council maintains contact with the business community both directly and through the Murraylands Regional Development Board. Council has also considered; • Those elements of the Council’s strategic management plans relating to business development: • The Regional Development Plan. • The equity of the distribution of the rate burden – apart from the decision to provide a differential rate between urban and non-urban land, as outlined under the heading “Differential General Rates”, the Council considers that all ratepayers receive broadly comparable services and are generally similarly impacted upon by prevailing economic conditions. A differential rate is applied as between urban and non urban land due to the different levels of service provided to urban users when compared to the non urban.
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• Council’s policy on facilitating local economic development:
Preference for local suppliers where price, quality and service provision are comparable to suppliers outside the Council area;
Support for and contribution to tourism marketing.
Support for and contribution to the Murraylands Regional Development Board. • Current local, state and national economic conditions and expected changes during the next financial year. The general economic climate is stable and appears likely to continue to be stable over the next twelve months. Reasonable prospects exist for a continuation of a low rate of inflation and low interest rates. • Changes in the valuation of business and primary production properties from the previous financial year. In keeping with state wide trends, valuations of properties generally with access to water have increased more sharply than in other areas which have experienced only a small increase in valuation in most cases. • Specific Council projects for the coming year that will solely or principally benefit businesses and primary producers – Council has undertaken a business needs analysis and established a profile of businesses across the district and is working with the Murraylands Regional Development Board to address the needs of businesses. • Specific infrastructure maintenance issues that will solely or principally benefit businesses and primary producers will be:
upgrading the pavement structure and sealing major roads both rural and urban. This is partly as a result of the need for roads to carry heavier vehicles to service industry;
formal parking areas in towns and settlements.
COUNCIL’S REVENUE RAISING POWERS All land within a Council area, except for land specifically exempt (e.g. Crown land held for a public purpose, Council occupied land and other land prescribed in the Local Government Act 1999 – refer Section 147 of the Act), is rateable. The Local Government Act provides for a Council to raise revenue for the broad purposes of the Council through a general rate, which applies to all rateable properties, or through differential general rates, which apply to classes of properties. In addition, Council can raise separate rates, for specific areas of the Council or service rates or charges for specific services. The Council also raises revenue through fees and charges, which are set giving consideration to the cost of the service provided and any equity issues. The list of applicable fees and charges is available at the contact locations listed on Page 1.
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DIFFERENTIAL GENERAL RATES The Council has decided to impose differential general rates on the following properties: all rateable urban land (townships of: Tailem Bend, Meningie, Tintinara, Coonalpyn and the East Wellington township zone)
all other rateable land. At its meeting of July, 13, 2004 the Council decided to raise rate revenue of $ 3,855,400 in a total revenue budget of $ 9,773,000. As a result of this decision the Council has set a rate of 0.44 cents in the dollar for all rateable urban land and a rate of 0.40 in the dollar for all other rateable land. The differential rate for all rateable urban land is expected to recover $1,030,948 and the differential rate for all other land is expected to recover $2,628,956 towards the total rate revenue. The Council provides a greater level of services to the urban areas, therefore, it has decided to set a higher rate in the dollar for rateable urban land in order to recover the additional costs associated with providing those services. Fixed Charge A fixed charge of $195.00 applies to all rateable properties. Single Farm Enterprise Section 152(2)(d) of the Local Government Act 1999 provides that where a Council declares a general rate which is based in whole or in part, on a fixed charge: “If two or more pieces of rateable land within the area of the Council constitute a single farm enterprise only one fixed charge may be imposed against the whole of the land”. A single farm enterprise must be comprised of two or more pieces of rateable land which are farm land and are occupied by the same person or persons. To enable properties to be identified as single farm enterprises it will be necessary for ratepayers to complete an application form to provide details to Council to enable Council to identify the land concerned. An application form can be obtained from any of the 3 Council Offices.
SERVICE CHARGES Septic Tank Effluent Disposal The Council provides a septic tank effluent disposal system to residential and commercial properties in Meningie, Tailem Bend, Tintinara and East Wellington. From this year council has changed the CED charge to include an additional charge for the pumping out of septic tanks on a three year cycle. The full cost of operating and maintaining this service for this financial year is budgeted to be $ 175,000 of which $ 119,200 is for normal operations while the balance is for capital replacement. The capital replacement component is funded from reserves. The Council will recover the cost of operating and maintenance through a range of service charges. These charges are, occupied land $115 per unit (which includes $30 to cover the pump out of septic tanks) and vacant land $25. Where the service is provided to non-rateable land, a service charge is levied against the land.
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Water Supply The Council provides water supply systems to residential and commercial properties in the small townships of East Wellington, Narrung and Peake. The full cost of operating these systems is raised from a range of service Charges as follows: • East Wellington water supply; a Service Charge comprised of $ 165 plus 90cents per kilolitre for usage in excess of 125 kilolitres per annum; • Peake water supply; a Service Charge comprised of $120 plus 90 cents per Kilolitre in excess of 125 kilolitres per annum; and • Narrung water supply; a Service Charge of $430 for residential connection and a charge of $165 for non-connected service. Due to drought conditions in the catchment areas of the Murray Darling basin, council has imposed restrictions on the use of water where that water is taken from the River Murray system. Council is continuing to consult with SA Water regarding the supply at East Wellington.
WATER CATCHMENT LEVY Parts of the Council are in the River Murray Catchment Water Management Board and the South East Catchment Water Management Board area. The Council is required under the Water Resources Act to fund, along with other Councils of the catchment area, the operations of the Catchment Water Management Boards. By law, a separate rate is levied at the same rate for all properties within a particular catchment area, with the exception of ratepayers that are subject to other Water Resources Act levies. The amount of the levy payable by each ratepayer is shown separately on the rate notice and this year is $15.00. Council acts as a collection agent on behalf of the Catchment Water Management Boards. It does not retain any or part of the revenue raised by the levy for its own use, nor does the Council determine how the revenue is spent.
PENSIONER CONCESSIONS Rate Concessions The State Government, in providing equity across SA in this area funds a range of concessions on Council rates. The concessions are administered by various State Agencies who determine eligibility and pay the concession directly to Council on behalf of the ratepayer. Concessions are available only on the principal place of residence. Ratepayers who believe they are entitled to a concession should not withhold payment of rates pending assessment of an application by the State Government as penalties apply to overdue rates. A refund will be paid to an eligible person if Council is advised that a concession applies and the rates have already been paid.
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State Seniors Card Ratepayer (self funded retiree) This concession is administered by Revenue SA. If you are a self-funded retiree and currently hold a State Seniors Card you may be eligible for a concession toward Council Rates. In the case of couples, both must qualify, or if only one holds a State Senior's Card, the other must not be in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week. If you have not received a concession on your rates notice or would like further information please contact the Revenue SA Call Centre on 1300 366 150.’ Pensioner Concession An eligible pensioner must hold a Pension Card, State Concession Card or a Repatriation Health Card marked TPI Gold, EDA Gold or War Widow and may be entitled to a concession on Council rates (and water and effluent charges where applicable). Application forms, which include information on the concessions, are available from the Council, SA Water Corporation and its District Offices or the Department of Human Services. This concession is administered by SA Water on behalf of the Department of Human Services and further information can be obtained by telephoning SA Water on 1300 650 950.
OTHER CONCESSIONS The Department of Family and Youth Services administers Council rate concessions available to range of eligible persons receiving State and Commonwealth allowances. This includes, but is not limited to, ratepayers who are in receipt of: Austudy, Newstart, Parenting Payment, Partner Allowance, Sickness Allowance, Special Benefit, Widow Allowance, Youth Allowance, Abstudy, CDEP or a New Enterprise Initiative Scheme. It may also apply to ratepayers in receipt of a pension as a war widow under legislation of the United Kingdom or New Zealand and the holders of a State Concession Card issued by Family and Youth Services. All enquires should be directed to you nearest branch office of Family and Youth Services (refer to the White Pages telephone directory for location and telephone details).
PAYMENT OF RATES The Council has decided that the payment of rates will be by four quarterly instalments, due on the 16th September, 2004, 16th of December, 2004, 16th March, 2005 and 16th June, 2005. The Council is offering a discount of 1.5% for the payment of all rates (in full) by 1st September, 2004. A notice will be sent to each ratepayer 30 days prior to each quarterly instalment being due. Rates may be paid: • By post to the Coorong District Council at PO Box 1021, Tintinara 5266; • In person, at the Council offices at Meningie, Tailem Bend and Tintinara during the hours of 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. • Electronic payments available via the ‘web’, log onto www.coorong.sa.gov.au and follow the prompts or over the counter using CREDIT cards.
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LATE PAYMENT OF RATES The Local Government Act provides that Councils impose an initial penalty of 2% on any payment for rates, whether by instalment or otherwise, that is received late. A payment that continues to be late is then charged a prescribed interest rate on the expiration of each month that that it continues to be late. For the 2004/2005 financial year this prescribed rate is 0.771% per month. When the Council receives a payment in respect of overdue rates the Council applies the money as follows: first – to satisfy any costs awarded in connection with court proceedings; second – to satisfy any interest costs; third – in payment of any fines imposed; fourth – in payment of rates, in chronological order (starting with the oldest rate account). Postal delays which result in the payment being received after the due date will incur a fine. Council does not usually waive the fine because of such delays.
REMISSION AND POSTPONEMENT OF RATES Where the payment of rates will cause a ratepayer demonstrable hardship, the Council is prepared to make extended payment provision or defer the payment of rates. This will only occur upon application and persons likely to be affected are asked to contact Mr Trevor Symonds, Finance Administrator or Di Miell, Rates Officer on 8757 2100 to discuss the matter. Such inquiries are treated confidentially by the Council.
REBATE OF RATES The Local Government Act requires Councils to rebate the rates payable on some land. Specific provisions are made for land used for health services, community services, religious purposes, public cemeteries, the Royal Zoological Society and educational institutions. Discretionary rebates may be applied by the Council under Section 166 of the Act. For the 2004-2005 year council has introduced the following discretionary rebates, which will be granted on Council’s own initiative pursuant to Section 159 (3) of the Local Government Act: • in accordance with Section 166(1)(e), a rebate of 100% of differential general rates, the fixed charge and the water catchment levy for land used by agricultural and horticultural societies; • in accordance with Section 166(1)(j), a rebate of 75 % of differential general rates and the water catchment levy and 100% of the fixed charge for community organisations who hold a liquor or gaming licence; and • in accordance with Section 166(1)(j), a rebate of 100% of differential general rates, the fixed charge and the water catchment levy for community organisations without a liquor or gaming licence. The reason for Council granting discretionary rebates is to assist those organisations maintain their facilities which are predominately on Council property.
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RATE CAPPING For the year ending 30 June 2005 and in accordance with Section 166 (1) (l) (ii) of the Local Government Act, Council has decided to make generally available a rebate on the differential general rates paid, so that the maximum rate paid on any one assessment in 2004/2005 is no greater than 20% more than that applicable in 2003/2004, subject to the increase not being due to capital improvements on the property or a change in ownership with the new value reflecting the purchase price. Council has adopted this position for the current financial year due to the rapid and uneven increases in valuations experienced during the period since the valuation was last adopted.
SALE OF LAND FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RATES The Local Government Act provides that a Council may sell any property where the rates have been in arrears for three years or more. The Council is required to notify the owner of the land of its intention to sell the land if payment of the outstanding amount is not received within one month, and provide the owner with details of the outstanding amounts. Except in extraordinary circumstances, the Council will enforce the sale of land for arrears of rates and a copy of the Council’s policy is available from any office of the Council by phoning the Rates Office on 8757 2100 or by writing to the Finance Office, Coorong District Council, PO Box 1021, Tintinara 5266.
DISCLAIMER A rate cannot be challenged on the basis of non-compliance with this Policy and rates must be paid in accordance with the required payment provisions.
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