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CHIPPING NORTON LAKE AUTHORITY Annual Report 2009-2010 The Hon Tony Kelly ALGA MLC Minister for Lands Level 34 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place SYDNEY NSW 2000 21 October 2010 2009/10 Annual Report for Chipping Norton Lake Authority Dear Mr Kelly I have the pleasure of submitting to you, for presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report of the Chipping Norton Lake Authority for the year ended 30 June 2010. The report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act, 1984, and the Public Finance and Audit Act, 1983. Yours sincerely Brian Dooley Minister’s Delegate CONTENTS Introductory Remarks 1 Aims and Objectives of the Authority 2 Administration 2 Areas of the Department of Land and Property Management 3 Authority Relevant to the Chipping Norton Lake Authority Improvement Works: Floyd Bay Boat Ramp Complex 4 Compiling the History of The Chipping Norton Lake Scheme 5 Developing an Option for a State Park 5 Other Activities of the Authority: 7 Land Divestment 7 Leases and Licences 7 Approvals Within the Development Area 7 Financial Report to 30 June 2010 Statement by Minister 9 Independent Auditor’s Report 10 Statement of Comprehensive Income 12 Statement of Financial Position 13 Statement of Changes in Equity 14 Statement of Cash Flows 15 Notes to the Financial Statements 16 Appendices: A - Land Management and Divestment 26 B - Geographical Names 27 C - Provisional Budget 2009/2010 29 D - Locality Plan 30 E - Aerial Photographs of Chipping Norton Lake Scheme 31 1 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS Initially established within the portfolio of the then Minister for Public Works, the responsibility for the administration and implementation of the “Chipping Norton Lake Authority Act 1977” was vested in the Minister for Lands by a special supplement of the Government Gazette in February 2005. The charter of the Chipping Norton Lake Authority (CNLA) is the environmental restoration of a six kilometer reach of the Georges River near Chipping Norton devastated by uncontrolled sand extraction. Activities under the CNLA Act included the design and implementation of numerous works covering erosion control, sand mine rehabilitation, provision of access, picnic facilities and habitat restoration all undertaken in accordance with an approved Master Plan of the lake scheme. During 2009/10, the last major project of the CNLA, the construction of the Floyd Bay Boating Complex, was completed. All land previously held by the Authority, apart from lands beneath Chipping Norton Lake and associated waterways has been divested to the Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA) to become Crown land. During the preceding 33 years, the CNLA has been progressively restoring the degraded reach of the Georges River between Milperra and Liverpool. The river and the associated foreshore parklands now represent a significant recreational amenity for hundreds of thousands of residents from Central and Western Sydney. Reaching the end of the restoration project which spanned in excess of 30 years it was fitting to prepare a concise history of the scheme. Substantial progress was achieved in 2009/10 in assembling historical data to be used in the preparation of a short book about the Authority. During 2009/10 the Authority also worked closely with staff of the LPMA to assess the viability of establishing a State Park over the footprint of the original lake scheme. Detailed discussions were conducted between Councils and agencies with a view to formally consolidating Council and Crown lands into a State Park of regional significance. 2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE AUTHORITY The objective of the Authority’s activities was to transform an environment previously devastated by poorly managed soil and sand extraction operations into an attractive regional recreational resource with improved ecological values. The works considered necessary to achieve this transformation include: The development of a lake system with adequate circulation to maintain water quality and sufficient area and depth to permit use for boating and other recreational activities; The provision of rehabilitated habitats for the preservation of native wildlife; The stabilisation of eroding foreshore areas, the construction of beaches and the provision of public access to lake foreshores via walkways, cycle tracks and roads; The creation of landscaped parks and carparks on the lake foreshores for passive recreation and for sporting and other pursuits; The construction of wharves, boat launching facilities, picnic facilities and amenities. ADMINISTRATION The Manager, Southern Projects of the Land and Property Management Authority, Mr Brian Dooley, managed the affairs of the Authority on behalf of the Minister as his formally appointed delegate. Administration was conducted from the Wollongong Office of the Land and Property Management Authority. The office address of the Chipping Norton Lake Authority is: Level “O” State Office Block 84 Crown Street Wollongong PO Box 867 Wollongong NSW 2520 T: 4275 9475 F: 4225 0480 Business Hours: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm (Monday to Friday) 3 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE RELEVANT TO THE CHIPPING NORTON LAKE AUTHORITY 2009-10 Minister for Lands The Hon Tony Kelly ALGA MLC Land and Property Management Authority Minister’s Delegate Brian Dooley BE, M Eng Sc Administrative Officer Support from Pam Outtrim LPMA 4 ACTIVITES 2009/10 The final major project on the Authority’s works program, being the construction of the Floyd Bay Boatramp complex, was completed in March 2010. On 28 June 2010 the then Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay MP, opened the facility with the participation of the Mayor of Fairfield City Council, Nick Lalich. The Floyd Bay Boatramp Complex, together with adjoining roadworks and landscaping, cost some $270,000 to construct. The facility entails a double concrete ramp and a large trailer parking area consisting of 15 bays. The new ramp will service the suburbs on the northern shore of the Georges River. The complex sits between the newly landscaped grounds at Hollywood Park and Howard Park. The Georges River is now popular for a range of boating activities including sail, oar and motor driven craft. Facilities such as those at Floyd Bay improve accessibility to the river and their proximity to recently restored parkland which makes them ideal for enabling a range of shore based activities including bird watching and photography. The Opening of Floyd Bay Boatramp Complex (from left) Nick Lalich, Mayor of Fairfield City Council and MP for NSW electorate of Cabramatta; Brian Dooley, Chipping Norton Lake Authority; Paul McLeay, Minister for Ports and Waterways;, Rory O’Hara, NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officer. 5 Compiling the History of the Chipping Norton Lake Scheme During 2009/10 energy was directed toward compiling a history of the Chipping Norton Lake Scheme. Extending over a period of 33 years there is significant interest in the origins of the Authority and its activities since 1977. Limited work in compiling the history had commenced in previous years however in 2009/10 substantial information was obtained from a number of senior officers who had significant roles in the Authority over the last several decades. The history when completed will describe the roles of significant state and local government representatives as well as the roles and accomplishments of those who worked on the scheme. Heron Park 1977 Heron Park 2007 Developing an Option for a State Park During 2009/10 the CNLA worked closely with the LPMA with a view to establishing the viability of developing a State Park incorporating the restored parklands and waterbodies of the original Chipping Norton Lake Scheme. The LPMA engaged specialist consultants to develop a Plan of Management, Masterplan and Business Plan to support the potential establishment of a State Park. The CNLA provided specific inputs to the preparation of the reports and worked with LPMA staff to identify suitable options for the long term management of the park. It is intended that the State Park incorporate lands originally restored by the CNLA plus other public areas, managed by Council in close proximity to the Georges River between Milperra Bridge and Liverpool. The Chipping Norton Lakes Scheme consists of some 350 hectares, 30 kilometres (by river) from Botany Bay. The lake scheme is surrounded by extensive urban and industrial areas. The scheme functions as a green oasis in the midst of large population centres within Bankstown, Liverpool and Fairfield City Council areas. 6 Conferring the status of State Park will encourage more appropriate marketing and commercial development opportunities to be actioned. It is intended that “Chipping Norton Lakes State Park will be western Sydney’s Lakeside Playground – an accessible place where a diverse community can play or relax, be stimulated or enjoy tranquil lakes and restored bushland and wildlife.” (quote from draft Business Plan) The Mission Statement for the Business Plan was: “to generate community benefits and be financially self funding in the long term”. Discussions with local councils and their communities are in progress. If a State Park is to be developed it is likely to be formalised in early 2011. It is envisaged that the remaining funds of the Chipping Norton Lake Authority, being some $200,000 would be directed to support the establishment of the Park. 7 OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE AUTHORITY Land Divestment Land held under Authority title includes the bed of the Georges River and Lakes within the Scheme boundary. The Authority has also previously purchased private land, spending over $3.9 million to date. No land purchase was made during 2009/10. Once restored, the administration of individual parcels of land is transferred by gazettal to the Land and Property Management Authority (formerly the Department of Lands) at no charge. Details of parcels of land that have been or are proposed to be divested to the Minister for Lands are listed in Appendix A. The Minister for Lands has appointed Fairfield City Council, Bankstown City Council and Liverpool City Council as trustees of divested public lands within their respective areas.