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 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 - The Early Leaning Centre (ELC) Long Day Care North East to TIMOR - Family Day Care (FDC) Willow Tree BLADFORD Coolah Tops 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 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 Newcastle and Sydney to Denman, Singleton and Maitland Goulburn River National Park 0 10 20 30 40

Kilometres

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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 INTERNAL AUDIT AND RISK • Tourism and Events COMMUNICATIONS • Caravan Parks and Camping Areas CORPORATE PLANNING • Economic Development COUNCIL • Property (Strategic) & Business Development • Saleyards • Airport • Grants

FINANCE PLANNING WATER AND WASTE • Management Accounting • Approval of Development and • Solid Waste • Financial Accounting Subdivision Applications • Trade Waste • Rates • Strategic Planning • Water Maintenance • Revenue Services • LEP Amendments • Sewer Maintenance • Payroll • Advice to Developers and STRATEGIC ASSETS • Stores and Purchasing Community • Asset Management Strategy • Plant Services HEALTH AND BUILDING • Asset Management Plans INFORMATION SERVICES • Inspection of Food Shops, • Survey and Design • Information Technology Hairdressers, Skin Penetration • Asset / GIS Systems • Information Management Premises • Development Engineering • Records • Health Complaints • Traffic COMMUNITY SERVICES • On-site Sewer Installation WORKS DELIVERY • Libraries • Environment Reporting • Operational Management • Cultural Services • Approval of Construction • Project Management • Childcare Certificates • Recreation • Youth Services • Building Inspections and Advice • Road and Bridge Maintenance • Aged Care Services REGULATORY COMPLIANCE • Capital Works • Sports Participation • On-site Sewerage Inspections • Property Maintenance

Steve Pryor, Director Steve HUMAN RESOURCES • Swimming Pool Fencing • Human Resources • Compliant Investigation and Director Alan Fletcher, • Workforce Planning Pringle, Director Matthew Action • Work Health and Safety ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE • Return to Work • Companian Animal and Stock

CORPORATE & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMUNITY & CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICES ENVIRONMENTAL & CUSTOMER SERVICES CUSTOMER & ENVIRONMENTAL

Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 9 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council

Our Vision, Mission and Corporate Values

Vision A quality rural lifestyle in a vibrant, caring and sustainable community.

Mission • To enhance the quality of life of all Shire residents by the provision of appropriate services and facilities through effective and efficient management of resources. • To serve the community through equality of opportunity and involvement. • To build a prosperous environmentally sustainable future. • To foster sustainable, economic and social growth.

Corporate Values Council’s corporate values are the foundation for the performance of Council’s Charter in the achievement of its mission and vision. These values reflect the attitudes and beliefs of Councillors and Staff.

We are and will continue to abide by these corporate values: • Accessibility and Equity; • Openness and Accountability; • Courtesy, Honesty and Integrity; • Competent, Efficient and Effective Service; • Teamwork; and • Environmental Responsibility.

Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 10 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council

Our Charter

Council’s Charter as prescribed in the Local Government Act 1993 is: • To provide directly or on behalf of other levels of government, after due consultation, adequate, equitable and appropriate services and facilities for the community and to ensure that those services and facilities are managed efficiently and effectively; • To exercise community leadership; • To exercise its functions in a manner that is consistent with and actively promotes the principles of multiculturalism; • To promote and to provide and plan for the needs of children; • To properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment of the area for which it is responsible, in a manner that is consistent with and promotes the principles of ecologically sustainable development; • To have regard to the long term and cumulative effects of its decisions; • To bear in mind that it is the custodian and trustee of public assets and to effectively plan for, account for and manage the assets for which it is responsible; • To engage in long-term strategic planning on behalf of the local community; • To exercise its functions in a manner that is consistent with and promotes social justice principles of equity, access, participation and rights; • To facilitate the involvement of councilors, members of the public, users of facilities and services and council staff in the development, improvement and co-ordination of local government; • To raise funds for local purposes by the fair imposition of rates, charges and fees, by income earned from investments and, when appropriate, by borrowing and grants; • To keep the local community and the State government (and through it, the wider community) informed about the activities; • To ensure that, in the exercise of its regulatory functions, it acts consistently and without bias, particularly where an activity of the council is affected; and • To be a responsible employer.

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Our Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework

OTHER STATE PLANS STATE PLAN RELEVANT REGIONAL AND STRATEGIES NSW 2021 PLANS

UPPER HUNTER SHIRE COUNCIL COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN 2027

OTHER STRATEGIC PLANS

FIT FOR THE egCUSTOMER CULTURAL DISABILITY LAND-USE FUTURE SERVICEPLAN INCLUSION STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ACTION PLAN PLAN RESOURCING STRATEGY

ECONOMIC INTEGRATED LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABILITY WATER CYCLE FINANCIAL AND TOURISM ACTION PLAN MANAGEMENT PLANNING UPPER HUNTER STRATEGY PLAN SHIRE COMMUNITY WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT MANAGEMENT DELIVERY PLANNING PROGRAM 4 years ASSET MANAGEMENT PLANNING OPERATIONAL PLAN 1 year

PERPETUAL END OF TERM MONITORING REPORT AND REVIEW 4 years

ANNUAL REPORT

PLANS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT, BEING REVIEWED OR UPDATED.

Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2015 - 2016 12 PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council

Our Future Direction

The local government election in September 2016 triggered the need for Council to review the Community Strategic Plan 2013+ and to commence development of the Upper Hunter Shire Community Strategic Plan 2027. This opens the way for Council and the Community to have important discussions about funding priorities, service levels and preserving local identity and to plan in partnership for a more sustainable future. The engagement of the Community is critical to help frame the conversation and to identify what issues need to be explored. An initial step is the development of the CSP Engagement Strategy, which outlines how we will engage with the community to produce the new Community Strategic Plan. It states how we are to have these discussions, with whom and what the intended outcomes will be. It outlines how the Community can be involved in this very important process. The CSP is the highest level plan that Council will prepare and it will guide and inform our decisions in developing our four year Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan. Upper Hunter Shire Council is required to complete and adopt the new Community Strategic Plan by 30 June 2017 and it is very important that the whole Community take an active role in its development to ensure it reflects the Community’s vision for the future

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