2010/2011 Annual Report Page 1
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The City of Newcastle Annual Report 2010-2011 Production 2010/11 Annual Report - The City of Newcastle Enquiries For information about this document contact: Corporate Planning The City of Newcastle Phone: 02 4974 2825 Published by The City of Newcastle 282 King Street, Newcastle Phone: 02 4974 2000 (main switchboard) Post: PO Box 489 Newcastle NSW 2300 Australia Fax: 02 4974 2222 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au November 2011 © 2011 The City of Newcastle Main image: Newcastle 1965 watercolour and ink on paper Bequeathed by Anne von Bertouch OAM through the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation 2003 Newcastle Art Gallery collection Ocean Baths at night. Bottom right: Newcastle Harbour 1970-71 oil on board Gift of Margaret Olley AC, AO 2005 Newcastle Art Gallery collection Bottom centre: State dockyard, Newcastle 1974 oil on board Gift of Lady Drysdale 1986 Newcastle Art Gallery collection Bottom left: Westerly day in Newcastle 1971 oil on board Bequeathed by Anne von Bertouch OAM through the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation 2003 Newcastle Art Gallery collection Contents Lord Mayor’s message 1 General Manager’s message 2 The City of Newcastle City Council 3 Vision, Mission and Values 5 Strategic objectives 6 Economic and asset development 8 Community and cultural development 20 Environmental enhancement 35 Governance and organisational development 48 Attachments 76 The Lord Mayor’s Message I would like to acknowledge the work done over the past year by caretaker General Manager Rob Noble and thank him for his dedication to improving Newcastle. Over the past year Council officers and Councillors worked diligently to contain and reduce costs through greater efficiency so that we could begin the year with a balanced budget. This paved the way for Council to undertake its largest capital works program yet, spending more than $30 million on renewing and maintaining infrastructure including roads, footpaths, drains, parks and community facilities. Some examples of the major developments in the past year include the generation of Brand Newcastle to focus the way that Newcastle is promoted. The brand focuses on four key attributes (hard working, authentic/real, world class and ever changing) and was chosen by industry to help it attract investment, business, employees, students and visitors using a consistent message, look and feel. In March this year, Council endorsed the Newcastle 2030 Vision and Community Strategic Plan. This visionary document is the result of extensive community consultation taking place over 18 months. More than 1,500 people had direct input into the plan, which will now help shape policies and actions throughout the city for the next 20 years. The $23.5million Newcastle Museum development is the most significant project the City of Newcastle has undertaken in recent years. The new museum showcases a wide range of cultural, educational and entertainment programs for the Newcastle community and draws many visitors to the region. Projects nearing completion include the Wallsend to Glendale shared pathway, the Wallsend Park skate facility and the Newcomen Street retaining wall. In addition, a number of major projects were commenced or progressed. Work on the $7.2 redevelopment of No 2 Sportsground also continued with major construction starting in February. The project is on budget and on track for completion at the end of 2011. This annual report will outline many other initiatives and achievements of Council during 2010/2011. While there are many challenges ahead, there are also countless opportunities to be realised and Council will continue to work closely with the community to identify and meet its needs as well as deliver key civic projects that will enhance quality of life for, and the services delivered to, Novocastrians . John Tate Lord Mayor The City of Newcastle 2010/2011 Annual Report Page 1 The General Manager’s message The 2010/2011 reporting period was one of great change for The City of Newcastle when three people were responsible for leading the administration of the Council. I would like to thank Lindy Hyam for her contribution to the city’s development during her 14 months as General Manager, and to Rob Noble who acted as caretaker General Manager until I arrived in August 2011. I would particularly like to thank Judy Jaeger, Director of Future City for acting as General Manager in the period between Lindy’s leaving and Rob’s appointment. Given these changes in management, it is particularly pleasing to report that Council continued its high level of service to the community and maintained its focus on delivering 69 service areas. During the year, Council prepared its first Asset Management Strategy that supports delivery of the Community Strategic Plan endorsed by Council in March 2011and provides direction to the management of community infrastructure assets. A number of key community projects were funded including revitalising No 2 Sportsground, adding to our libraries collections and replacing the Stockton Beach Tourist Park cabins. Council has continued to successfully engage with the community on important projects. Stockton residents attended a workshop to discuss upcoming improvements to the Stockton Beach Tourist Park and hear about progress on local coastal revitalisation. In addition, community consultation sessions were held for the proposed upgrades to Ironbark Creek in Elermore Vale and drainage rehabilitation works in Hamilton and Cooks Hill. Also, more than 100 people dropped by a special community event to provide feedback on the recently completed Islington Park Draft Concept Masterplan. The year saw the completion of a number of significant infrastructure projects including the Fernleigh Track, Empire Park and Wallsend skate facilities and King Edward Park retaining wall and the opening of the new Museum that was completed on August 4. Phil Pearce General Manager The City of Newcastle 2010/2011 Annual Report Page 2 The City of Newcastle Great Place - Great Lifestyle - Great Future The City of Newcastle includes a vast and diverse natural environment. Our beaches are a key focus of our City as are our coastal headlands. We also have a number of bushland areas including Blackbutt Reserve which provides a wonderful green canopy in the middle of our City. Situated on the Hunter River, the City is located two hours from Sydney, one hour from the world renowned vineyards of the lower and upper Hunter Valley and 30 minutes to beautiful Lake Macquarie. Council acknowledges the Awabakal and Worimi peoples as the traditional custodians of the land and waters of Newcastle. In the language of the Awabakal people, Newcastle is known as Muloobinba, ‘place of sea fern’ and the Hunter River as Coquun. Council respects the deep spiritual connection of the traditional owners to the land and waters of Newcastle and is advised on matters affecting local Aboriginal people by its Gurakai Committee. Newcastle is also celebrated as a historic city on the sea with a working harbour, a charming blend of new and old architecture, and a fascinating history of Novocastrian resilience and pride that is uniquely Newcastle. A great place to live and visit, Newcastle contains many cultural and heritage attractions including Fort Scratchley, the Newcastle Region Art Gallery and Newcastle Museum. Our population is growing Population of The City of Newcastle (1996 to 2011) In 2011, the population of Newcastle is predicted to be 160,000 154,777 of which 2.2 per cent (or 3,405 persons) are of 155,000 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait and Islander descent. 150,000 145,000 140,000 154,777 Household occupancy rates have stayed relatively the Population 135,000 130,000 same at approximately 2.5 persons per dwelling, with 141,753 125,000 the total number of private dwellings predicted for 2011 137,307 120,000 133,686 at 55,994. 1996 2001 2006 2011 Prediction Census Year Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing 2006 and Estimated Resident Population 2009 The City of Newcastle 2010/2011 Annual Report Page 3 The City of Newcastle manages on behalf of the Summary of Assets by Ward community a vast range of buildings and structures, roads, footpaths, parks, reserves and natural habitats to ensure the economic, social Ward Buildings Trees Road and environmental sustainability and lifestyle of and pavement our city. These facilities and assets include: structures Ward 1 249 24,414 374 km Ward 2 123 21,097 257 km Ward 3 157 27,843 257 km Local Roads 7.5 million sqm Ward 4 113 32,118 327 km Kerb and gutter 1.5 million m Bus shelters 124 Total projected expenditure on services for the 2010/2011 financial year was $192.9 million with Retaining walls 18 km $30 million expended on the Major Asset Preservation Program and a further $27.5 million Stormwater pipes 423 km on major projects including: Playgrounds 115 589 Garden beds Newcastle Museum Redevelopment $23.5 million Creeks 67 km Coastline Cycleway Stockton $1.3 million Bushland 5.7 million sqm Hunter Street/Civic Precinct $3 million Revitalisation Library - general collection 370,235 books No 2 Sportsground Redevelopment $7.2 million Art Gallery - study collection 94 objects Stockton Beach Tourist Park $1.2 million Improvements Local footpaths 1.2 million sqm Corporate Asset Management $1.2 million Bridges 260 System Sea and river walls 10.9 km Coastal Revitalisation Masterplan $5 million Buildings and structures 591 Stormwater pits 16,000 Sports fields 146 Trees 105,472 Wetlands 2.1 million sqm Library - Local Studies