The Corporation of the City of Whyalla
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THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF WHYALLA 2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2015/16 Upgrades to Whyalla Wetlands A number of significant upgrades were undertaken at Whyalla Wetlands throughout the 2015/16 period, which were well received and commended by the community, evidenced by a significant increase in use. Whyalla City Plaza upgrades Whyalla City Council continued an upgrade of the city’s main business district, the Whyalla City Plaza, aimed at enhancing the city’s ‘main street’ precinct as a visually attractive, functional and competitive retail centre that responds to Whyalla’s unique character and sense of place. Works included the installation of landscaped parklets to improve the visual appeal of the area, minor paving, upgrading street lighting and upgrading existing planter beds. Development of Cuttlefish Drive access track Whyalla City Council is working towards improving facilities to enable increased tourism activity, and noting the tourism potential of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish, resolved to develop a public road to the coastline viewing areas at Stony Point. Construction of a new road intersection and realigned portion of the access road to replace the existing track from the Port Bonython Road (informally known as Cuttlefish Drive) was undertaken so as to provide a safer entry point from Port Bonython Road than currently exists. Improvements made to Ada Ryan Gardens Upgrades of popular community precinct the Ada Ryan Gardens were undertaken in the 2015/16 period. Upgrades included works on the bird enclosure by way of rat proofing, painting the bottom of the iron shed and cage sheeting, installation of large round planter pots with appropriate grasses and other habitat, the installation of solar LED lighting, and the replacement of two old sheds with a more visually appealing shed. Whyalla City Council annual report 2015/16 | 2 CONTENTS OUR VISION, MISSION, AND VALUES……………………………………………………………………………………………..4 A MESSAGE FROM OUR MAYOR ................................................................................................... 5 A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……7 OUR CITY PROFILE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 OUR ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN ...................................................................................................... 9 OUR STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS ...................................................................................................... 15 MEASURING OUR PERFORMANCE .............................................................................................. 15 OUR OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ................................................................................................ 22 COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL WELLBEING ............................................................................................. 23 QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES……………………………………………………………………………………… 32 DELIVERING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY…………………………………………………………………………………………..37 ENHANCING CITY DESIGN AND FUNCTION ....................................................................................... 46 CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT........…………………………………………………..51 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHYALLA .................................................................................................. 82 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ......................................................................................................... 84 A GLIMPSE INTO 2016/17 ........................................................................................................... 86 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS………………………………………………………………………………………………88 EPLGA ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16………………………………………………………………………………………………134 Whyalla City Council annual report 2015/16 | 3 OUR VISION We are guided by our vision that: ‘Whyalla will be a vibrant, attractive city offering our community a diverse range of sustainable economic, social, environmental and cultural opportunities’. OUR MISSION ‘We will provide access to quality infrastructure, services and facilities, capitalising on and protecting our attractive coastal and outback landscapes. ‘We will be home to an energetic, harmonious, integrated community actively involved in shaping Whyalla for current and future generations.’ OUR VALUES Integrity Transparency Accountability Respect Commitment to community Good governance Innovation Fairness and equity Safety Whyalla City Council annual report 2015/16 | 4 A MESSAGE FROM OUR MAYOR The past 12 months have certainly produced some challenges for the City of Whyalla. The Arrium situation has caused some downturn in retail and other businesses, as well as uncertainty in the community. Despite this, the City of Whyalla has also had some major triumphs throughout the 2015/16 year. Work continued at the Whyalla Wetlands, which has quickly become a hotspot for community activity, with many residents enjoying the walking tracks, improved amenities and of course trying out the nature playground. As a council we take pride in our city, and have been working hard to increase the visual amenity of Whyalla. Throughout the year we have continued to ‘green’ the city, with the planting of visually pleasing trees and shrubs on median strips as well as landscaping works in the City Plaza and Whyalla Wetlands. We also saw the introduction of a series of Summer Markets, which have provided great entertainment to market-goers, as well as an opportunity for local business owners and craftspeople to showcase their special talents. Over the past 12 months we have come together as a community on many occasions, whether it be to celebrate Australia Day, enjoy a day out with family and friends at the inaugural Summer Markets, or revel in the wonder that is the ‘Big Red’ snapper at the 25th Australian National Snapper Fishing Competition. The City of Whyalla prides itself on organising and hosting quality events for its community, and also encouraging tourism activity. We look forward to continuing to engage the community with events and entertainment throughout the year and into the future. Whyalla has always been known for its giving community; when someone is in need of support, we rally around and our resilience shines through. This is why it is always important to recognise the people within our community who dedicate so much of their time giving back. As a council we endeavour to recognise those people deserving of recognition. We do this through the annual Australia Day Awards, the Graeme Jose Spirit of Whyalla Award, and also by taking the time out to celebrate the achievements of our staff and volunteers. Without volunteers the city would be a very different place, and it is important to remember that there is always an opportunity to give back to the community that gives you so much. Perhaps one of the saddest events of the 2015/16 year was the loss of Whyalla’s long serving mayor, Jim Pollock. Jim dedicated much of his life to the city of Whyalla and its people. He was a fearless leader, acting on behalf of the council and the city on countless occasions, and always offering his services if he thought it would benefit the community he so dearly loved. Whyalla City Council annual report 2015/16 | 5 Jim’s passion and love for the people of Whyalla saw him achieve many great things, and his tireless efforts will forever be recognised as we come to terms with the loss of a truly wonderful man. I personally miss him greatly, and our city mourns his passing. In the current economic climate, we will be working with government bodies at all levels as well as trade and industry leaders to assist in developing possible solutions aimed at increasing economic sustainability and diversification within the region. As a council we will continue to consider the needs of the community when making our decisions, and will endeavour to strive for excellence when it comes to providing services and facility upgrades. Whyalla City Council has achieved significant performance success this financial year through consistent collaboration of the council, its staff and the community working side by side. We look forward to the successes that lie ahead over the next 12 months as we continue to work towards achieving our vision for the city. Whyalla City Council annual report 2015/16 | 6 A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO Against the backdrop of difficult economic and political times, the City of Whyalla has continued to deliver community improvements as part of its endeavors to enhance the total quality of life in the city. Over the past 12 months the council has set its sights on continuing to address a backlog of necessary asset renewals, spending a combined budget of more than $2 million to upgrade footpaths, seal unsealed roads, and reseal roads requiring attention. Perhaps the most notable achievement for the 2015/16 financial period has been the council’s continued efforts at the Whyalla Wetlands. Over the past 12 months a number of improvements have been made to the wetlands, including the installation of a new central shelter with lights, seating and a barbecue, the installation of a shade structure over the outdoor exercising equipment, as well as an upgrade to the central path, including solar LED lighting being installed, and tuckeroos planted in the avenue along the entire length. Along with upgrading the city’s existing assets, the council continued to invest in its landscape masterplan, spending more than $500,000 to undertake various capital landscaping projects, including median and verge upgrades, sundry reserves,