PART 1 Introduction and Overview of Council PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council Part 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council What is the Annual Report? ........................................................................................................................................................................................03 Message from the Mayor .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 04 Our Achievements and Highlights 2015 - 2016 ................................................................................................................................................05 Our Shire ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 06 Our Council ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................07 Our Organisation .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 09 Our Vision, Mission and Corporate Values .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Our Charter ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Our Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework ...................................................................................................................................12 Our Future Direction .......................................................................................................................................................................................................13 Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 2 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council What is the Annual Report? The Annual Report documents the performance of the Council over the past financial year. The most important role of the Annual Report is in ensuring the Community is able to see what our financial and operational performance has been for the last financial year. It is an opportunity for us to communicate how we have performed over the last financial year against what we said we would do, in a transparent and accountable way. It is also a valuable exercise for reviewing our achievements and to check the organisation is on track for the coming year. The Annual Report focuses mainly on Council’s implementation of its Community Strategic Plan 2013+, Delivery Program and Operational Plan. The Annual Report also includes a range of statutory information Council is required to report on under the Local Government Act and Regulation. This information assists the community’s understanding of Council’s performance as a business entity and community leader. Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 3 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council Message from the Mayor It is my privilege to present the Upper Hunter Shire Council Annual Report for 2015/2016. Council has had another busy year undertaking $16 million in capital projects, including $11 million on major projects. The Upper Hunter Shire Council is responsible for a large geographic area, maintaining a region of around 8,100 square kilometres including roads, bridges, parks, footpaths, water and sewage services. Along with infrastructure services, Council provides a vast range of community services, such as youth and children’s services, aged care services, libraries and sporting programs. Council also has a role in economic development, managing Scone and Upper Hunter Airport, Scone Saleyards, Visitor Information Centres and tourism promotion. Council was deemed “Fit for the Future”, demonstrating it can meet all State Government Indicators for financial stability. There were no boundary changes proposed as Council demonstrated how we would improve services and facilities over the next 5 years. As the final year of the previous Council term has ended, I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for their commitment in serving the residents of the Upper Hunter Shire. Council’s End of Term Report 2012-2016 which is included in this Report looks at the broad scope of achievement, providing a summary of the many highlights during this Council term. I would also like to thank Councils Senior Management and Staff whose hard work is demonstrated within this Report. I look forward to our even greater achievements in the future. I extend Council’s sincere appreciation to the many community members who are assisting Council in working towards the shared vision for the Shire of a quality rural lifestyle in a vibrant, caring and sustainable community. I would also like to welcome the new Councillors for the next 4 year term and look forward to working with them. A high priority for the first 9 months, is the development of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027. The Community Strategic Plan is a shared vision of what the Upper Hunter Shire Community values and aspires to for the next 10 years. The engagement of the Community is critical to help frame the conversation and to identify what issues need to be explored. Cr Wayne Bedggood MAYOR Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 4 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council 8 kms of urban, rural and regional roads rehabilitated. 94,550 visitors to 3.17 kms replaced water pipe. Council’s website. 5.93 kms renewed sewer pipe. Customer Satisfaction Our Achievements 82% You spoke. We listened. and Highlights Capital Works Undertook 51 major projects Total project value $11 million. Fit for the Future Upper Hunter Shire Council demonstrates it can meet all State Government indicators for financial stability. 45 kms of unsealed road No boundary changes proposed. resheeted. Development Assessment Council approved $26.8 million Completion of worth of development. Starrs Crossing Bridge. Over 40 kms of road resealed. 94% approved under delegated authority. Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 5 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council Our Shire The Upper Hunter Shire is located inland of Newcastle in the Hunter Region of Council manages more than 119 hectares of sports ground. NSW and has a total land area of 8,100 square kilometres. The population in the 4,700 residences are serviced by kerbside garbage and recycling. Upper Hunter Shire is around 2% of the Hunter Region population and 28% of its area. Council is responsible for 1,770 kilometres of local road, 27.3 kilometres of footpath and 118.8 kilometres of kerb and gutter. Council manages: There are 93 bridges within the Upper Hunter Shire – 25% of these are timber • 3 Council Branch Offices; bridges. • 8 Community Halls; Council’s Assets including infrastructure, property, plant and equipment are • 5 Public Library Branches; valued at almost $700 million. • 3 Public Swimming Pools; • 2 Community Technology Centres; • 3 Youth Centres; - Advice and referral - Skills Group North to Nundle - Casework Ben Halls Gap Upper Hunter Shire Council National Park - Counselling Early Intervention Services North to • 3 Approved Children’s Education and Care Services; Willow Tree Tamworth Timor Caves MURRURUNDI - The Early Leaning Centre (ELC) Long Day Care North East to TIMOR - Family Day Care (FDC) Willow Tree BLADFORD Coolah Tops Burning Mountain National Park Nature Reserve ELLERSTON - Scone Out of School Hours / Vacation Care Program (SOOSH) Cedar Brush Nature Reserve Wingen Mald Nature Reserve North West • 17 Independent Living Units; to Coolah WINGEN Camerons Gorge Towarri Nature Reserve • 1 Aged Hostel; National Park MOONAN East to FLAT Gloucester • 2 Low Income Units; West to Dunedoo PARKVILLE BELLTREES Dubbo GUNDY Barrington Tops • 3 Animal Shelters; CASSILIS National Park SCONE BUNNAN Lake • 5 Waste depots. Glenbawn ROUCHEL ABERDEEN MERRIWA South West to Ulan and Mudgee GUNGAL South East along the New England Highway to Muswellbrook, Singleton, Maitland, East along the Golden Highway Newcastle and Sydney to Denman, Singleton and Maitland Goulburn River National Park 0 10 20 30 40 Kilometres Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 6 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council Our Councillors Council Term 2012-2016 Left to Right: Cr Ron Campbell, Cr Lorna Driscoll, Cr Peter Bishop, Cr Michael Johnsen, Mayor Wayne Bedggood, Deputy Mayor Maurice Collison, Cr Deirdre Peebles, Cr Lee Watts and Cr Kiwa Fisher. Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 7 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council Our Councillors Council Term 2016-2020 Left to Right: Cr Kiwa Fisher, Cr Lorna Driscoll, Cr Ron Campbell, Mayor Wayne Bedggood, Cr James Burns, Deputy Mayor Maurice Collison, Cr Sue Abbott, Cr Lee Watts and Cr Josh Brown. Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 8 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council Our Organisation GENERAL MANAGER Waid Crockett COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE AND EXECUTIVE SUPPORT BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND TOURISM