The Quarterly
Oct - DecOctober 2015 to December 2020 The Quarterly
Office of the Chief Executive Officer Office of the Chief Executive Officer
People Leadership Human Resources Communications Work Health Safety Governance Organisation Development Strategy Environmental Strategy
report Chief Executive Officer’s Quarterly Update October – December 2020
Welcome to the second Quarterly Report for the 2020-21 The grant is an essential catalyst to support and empower financial year. the Alexandrina Council business community to enact change that will assist in rebuilding the local economic The report summarises Council’s highlights and landscape. achievements over the past three months, which saw continued service interruptions and challenges associated The Strathalbyn Town Centre Streetscape Revitalisation with the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Through our Project commenced in early December with the re- experiences earlier in the year, we were ready to act alignment of the three-way intersection between Sunter quickly and decisively on any changes, so as to minimise Street, Albyn Terrace, and Rankine Street, including the impact on our workflows and associated plans. As landscaping, stormwater, underground services, kerbs and I mentioned in the last quarterly report, the pandemic footpaths for the area. It is fantastic to see the soil turned has prompted us to further innovate and evolve as following extensive community consultation, procurement an organisation and I believe our overall response to and design phases. the November lockdown has shown our growth in that endeavour. We held a series of community consultations through the reporting period. Notably, we commenced consultation In early October, we received the exciting news that the on the draft A2040 Community Strategic Plan which Federal Government will contribute $5million towards supports the Alexandrina 2040: Our plan to thrive. We the upgrade of the Goolwa Oval Sports Precinct. This also consulted on the Coastal Adaptation Study, which is funding complements a State Government contribution of looking at how the impacts of climate change might affect $0.8million and Council funding of $2.5million. Securing our coast into the future, and to learn about the possible this investment would not be possible without the support adaptation options for Alexandrina’s coastline; and the of Senator Anne Ruston, and the significant efforts of Elector Representation Review which will help Council plan Rebekha Sharkie Federal Member for Mayo. Plans for the for possible options regarding elector representation into clubroom redevelopment were released in November and the future. construction commenced in December. I trust you will find this report interesting as we plan, Also in October, Council supported a recommendation progress and complete more valuable projects through from the SA Wooden Boat Festival Committee to cancel the 2021. event in 2021. Unfortunately, the event cannot be held in its current format given the additional costs associated to ensure a ‘COVID Safe’ environment. Council looks forward to working with the organising committee for the festival’s return in 2023, which is due to coincide with the exciting Glenn Rappensberg completion of the $7.5million Goolwa Wharf Precinct Chief Executive Officer upgrade.
In November, Alexandrina businesses were awarded grant funding when Council supported the allocation of almost $50,000 from round one of the 2020-2021 Economic Development and Events Recovery Grant Fund. The primary objective of the grant program is to assist businesses recover from the negative impacts caused by COVID-19 and associated restrictions; and to stimulate the local economy by supporting new activities that generate growth.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Leadership Objective: To facilitate Council leadership and accountable decision-making in the interests of our community. Providing a strategic direction for Council's environmental actions and responsibilities.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region 4 Thrive in 'Clean, Green' Futures
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Environmental Strategy and Climate Change The new Environmental Advisory Panel was selected. Council recognises the importance of Community Members on the panel to advise on the Environmental Action Plan, in particular, to help with the protection of environmental assets and values.
The Environmental Action Plan, endorsed by Council, ensures that Alexandrina Council continues its commitment to environmental sustainability and the protection of our natural environment across the four pillars: Protecting our water resources; Enhancing biodiversity; progressively addressing climate change; and Living local. Agenda and minutes are available on Council’s website.
Environmental Strategy continues to focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation, with the implementation of a Section 41 Committee as part of Council's Climate Emergency Declaration and the development of a Climate Emergency Action Plan, focusing on the reduction of corporate and community carbon emissions. The Section 41 Committee will be established in early 2021.
Review the Environmental Action Plan 2014-2018. Pending adoption of a new Community Strategic Plan for 2020-2040, a review of the Environmental Action Plan 2014-2018 will take place in 2021.
Develop and implement progressive approach to climate change(CB) Measure, report & reduce Council's greenhouse emissions-Council has replaced the majority of lighting of the Goolwa Administration and Library Building with energy saving LEDs, saving over 46% of energy consumption of the building. Council is in the process of adding four solar arrays across different buildings in Goolwa and Strathalbyn. Work will begin once SA Power Networks has approved the solar arrays.
Council continues to measure and report its corporate greenhouse emissions at the end of each financial year and discloses it on its website once all data is collected and analysed. Further information is available on Council’s website under “Climate Change”.
Participate in regional and local climate adaptation planning. Council continues to be an active partner in the Resilient Hills and Coasts climate change adaptation, a partnership that developed the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island region of South Australia, and is now implementing the plan.
Develop and deliver program for protection of water resources (CB) Advocate in support of a healthy, working Murray-Darling Basin: Council continues to advocate strongly in the area of water policy, playing an active role in Murray Darling Association (MDA) Region 6, to help secure a freshwater future for the Lower Murray, Lakes and Coorong. This includes advocacy with all levels of government.
In collaboration with Rural City of Murray Bridge and Coorong District Council, Alexandrina now employs a part-time executive officer that will help to focus on support of a healthy, working Murray-Darling Basin, including continued advocacy for the Basin Plan implementation, water security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and water quality.
Incorporate water efficiency infrastructure into new & existing Council buildings & facilities: Monitor & report on Council and community water consumption-In second quarter; Council used a total of 10216kL of mains water across the Alexandrina area. This is less than the 12283 kL used in Quarter 1 of this year, but slightly more than the 9000kL used in the same quarter last year.
Advocate in support of a healthy, working Murray-Darling Basin-Council continues to advocate strongly in water policy, to secure a "Freshwater Future" for the Lower Murray, Lakes and Coorong. Through ongoing membership and active participation in many government and non-government groups, such as the Murray Darling Association (MDA) Region 6.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Council, together with a range of stakeholders under leadership of the Federal Member for Mayo, Rebekah Sharkie MP, advocated for the successful announced of an $8 million research institute focusing on the health of the Murray Mouth, Lower Lakes and Coorong. The new 'Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Research Hub' will be overseen by the Goyder Institute, and its central office is expected to operate out of Goolwa. . Improve management of Council's environmental assets (CB)
Develop & implement policies, procedures & plans for the protection & management of Council’s environmental assets: Council continues to develop and implement policies, procedures and plans for the protection and management of Council’s environmental assets. This includes looking at the governance of climate change risks on environmental assets.
Work in partnership with DEWNR, NRM & community stakeholders to protect & enhance local biodiversity: Council continues to protect and manage Council’s environmental assets, such as working in partnership with our local bush care groups, along with DEW and Landscape South Australia.
Work in partnership with other Divisions of Council to maximise & promote environmental outcomes: Environmental Strategy Team continues to work in collaboration with other Divisions of Council to enhance environmental outcomes. Environmental Strategy also provides vital input into the Alexandrina 2040 process to ensure that environmental outcomes, as outlined by the communities, are recognised.
Governance Facilitate effective and efficient governance and accountability frameworks in the organisation (CB) Review Business Continuity Plan-The Business Continuity Plan has been reviewed for the 2020/21 year. The Plan has been tested with the Continuity Management team. The document is current and effective. Next review July 2021
Support Governance policy activities-Public Policies and Procedures review schedule were discussed at the March Council Meeting. The recommendation at this meeting saw the review cycle changed to a 4 yearly cycle unless the policy or procedure required more frequent review by legislation or in response to change in circumstances.
Strategy and Advocacy Facilitate the development, implementation, monitoring and review of Council's Strategic Plans (CB) As part of Alexandrina Council's strategic review, residents and visitors were asked to share what their hopes, ideas and vision was for the next two decades. As a result, over 1,800 voices contributed to the Community Strategy and aspirational narrative.
With a supporting 4 year delivery plan, audio versions of the documents and video series, it’s really easy to learn more about the future plans for the next four and twenty years.
The plans propose a new approach to community involvement and planning with the Village Innovation Plans and a focus on a Liveable, Green and Connected future.
The A2040 Community Strategy (including the Long Term Financial Plan and Asset Management Plan) was approved to proceed to Community Consultation by the Chamber on 22 December 2020. The community consultation period concluded on 27 January 2021. A special meeting of Council has been scheduled for 22 February 2021 to consider the consultation feedback and recommendations to endorse the A2040 Community Strategy.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Office of the CEO
Objective:
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Office of the CEO Deliver the professional operations of the Office of the Mayor and Chief Executive (CB) The Corinthian Lodge conducted the unveiling of the New Masonic Plaque at Centenary Hall with Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg in attendance on 8 October. The symbolic plaque acknowledges the historical presence of the Corinthians in Centenary Hall.
On 9 October, Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg both attended the official opening of the Strathalbyn Neighbourhood Centre. Mayor Parkes also attended the Handing Over Ceremony for a new Rescue Boat at the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club.
Mayor Parkes attended the Opening of the 2020-21 Sailing Season at the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club on 10 October and the Goolwa Aquatic Club on 18 October.
Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg attended the Commemoration of 50 years since the closing of the Sandergrove to Milang Railway Branch Line on the evening of 29 October.
Mayor Parkes enjoyed the NAIDOC celebrations at the Eastern Fleurieu School, Strathalbyn on 20 October.
Mayor Parkes hosted the Mayor and CEO of Robe Council and provided a tour of the Alexandrina Business Hub on 28 October.
The Mayor was pleased to conduct the official opening of the Rotary Club of Goolwa Open Garden Scheme on 31 October and the Angas Go-Kart Club official opening of the upgraded St Johns Observation Station on 1 November.
Mayor Parkes conducted a citizenship ceremony for five conferees on Monday 2 November with Mr Rappensberg in attendance to welcome our new Australian Citizens.
On the 6 November, the Mayor attended the Strath Neighbourhood Centre AGM.
Remembrance Services on the 11 November were held in various locations within Alexandrina Council Region. Mr Rappensberg attended the service at the Milang RSL Memorial Gardens where the finished project was well received by the Milang community and guests. Mayor Parkes attended the Goolwa RSL Remembrance Service.
The Mayor attended the Port Elliot Town & Foreshore Improvement Association meeting on 2 December and the Goolwa Primary School Year 7 Graduation Presentation Night on 9 December.
Two separate Citizenship ceremonies were held on 18 December to welcome eight new Australian conferees as they receive their citizenships certificates.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Mayor was unable to attend a number of events, providing virtual video messages for the Strathalbyn Christmas Carols event and the Mt Compass Areas School Presentation Night; the Mayor also provided a message to the schools Council Award recipient and read a Mayor’s Christmas Story for the Alexandrina Libraries.
Mayor Parkes conducted regular radio interviews during this time with local radio stations.
Organisational leadership to drive achievement of local and regional outcomes (CB) Mayor Parkes an d Mr Rappensberg attended an LGA Reform Briefing with Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Spokesperson for Local Government, Jayne Stinson via videoconference on 30 September.
On 2 October and 4 December, Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg met with Member for Heysen, Josh Teague MP to discuss key infrastructure projects and the interests of the Alexandrina Community were represented for the Strathalbyn region.
13 October Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg met with the Coordinator General of the National Drought and Recovery Agency in the Alexandrina Business Hub. The Coordinator General’s visit was part of a tour of regional South Australia.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Mr Rappensberg participated in a LGA briefing with Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Anne Ruston and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator Simon Birmingham, to hear an update directly from the Senators on federal matters affect LG sector on the 15 October.
Mr Rappensberg attended the South Coast Regional University Centre Steering Committee meeting via videoconference on the 16 October and 16 December. On the 29 October, Mr Rappensberg attended the RDA AHFKI Regional University workshop with neighbouring councils at the City of Victor Harbor council.
Two Coastal Adaptation workshops were held at the Centenary Hall, Goolwa on the 20 & 27 October. Mayor Parkes opened the workshop with approximately 30 affected residents in attendance with Mr Rappensberg provided the closing remarks.
On the 27 October, Mayor Parkes conducted a citizenship ceremony for two new conferees with Mr Rappensberg in attendance.
Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg met with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority leaders to discuss the Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan Agreement on the 27 October 2020.
The first of the Coastal Adaptation workshops was held at the Centenary Hall, Goolwa. Mayor Parkes opened the workshop with approximately 30 affected residents in attendance. Mr Rappensberg provided the closing remarks on the 27 October 2020.
Mr Rappensberg attended the Regional Development Australia, Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island (RDA AHFKI) AGM and Board Meeting held at Hahndorf on the 28 October.
On the 29 October, Mayor Parkes attended in person, the Local Government Association Annual General Meeting, whilst due to COVID- 19 restrictions, Mr Rappensberg linked in via videoconference.
Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg, with executive team members, attended a Ngarrindjeri Ruwe (Country) Workshop with the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation and four neighbouring councils on the 30 October held in Murray Bridge.
Mr Rappensberg met with the Executive Officer of the Fleurieu Regional Waste Authority (FRWA) for the purpose of the revision of the FRWA Charter on the 4 November.
Mr Rappensberg attended the Murray Darling Association Region 6 Executive committee meeting and the LGA CEO Advisory Committee meeting on the 5 November both via videoconference.
Mr Rappensberg attended The LG Professionals SA CO Network Forum – in Conversation with the Minister on Friday 6 November.
Joining with Yankalilla Council, Mr Rappensberg and Planning staff attended a Planning Code and Design reform meeting with Executives from Planning SA on t 11 November.
On 13 November, Mr Rappensberg chaired the second meeting with stakeholders working to develop a proposal for a Water Research Institute in Goolwa. The meeting was attended by Mayor Parkes and Rebekha Sharkie, Federal Member for Mayo.
Due to the COVID-19 Lockdown in November, Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg participated in the S&HLGA Advisory Committee meeting via videoconference on 20 November. Alexandrina Council hosted the final S&HLGA Meeting on 11 December.
Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation met with Mayor Parkes, Mr Rappensberg and Executive Staff via videoconference to discuss a Master Services Agreement on November 25.
Mr Rappensberg and Mayor Parkes participated in the LGA electronic briefing with Premier Hon Steven Marshall MP to hear an update from the Premier on COVID-19, economic stimulus and other matters affecting the local government sector on 2 December.
Mr Rappensberg attended the final Regional Development Australia Board meeting for 2020 in Langhorne Creek on the 9 December.
Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg welcomed guests from G’day Group providing a tour of the region in relation to economic development opportunities on 15 December.
Mayor Parkes and Mr Rappensberg met with David Basham, Minister for Primary Industry and Josh Teague, Member for Heysen to discuss the Strathalbyn Abattoir on 22 December.
During this time Mayor Parkes attended the SA Regional Organisation of Councils; LGA Board of Directors; LGA Audit & Risk Committee, LG Transport Advisory Panel; Southern & Hills LGA; SA Coastal Councils Alliance; Australian Coastal Councils Association and Coorong Partnership meetings, predominately via videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: People Objective: Develop and maintain legislatively compliant systems and processes that facilitate the provision of a workforce that has the capability to deliver Council’s Community Strategic Plan.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Work Health Safety Develop a supported culture of health, safety and wellbeing (CI) 2019-2020 WHS KPI Plan and Program completed to 100%, the highest ever completion rate achieved. The 2020-2021 WHS KPI Plan and Program draft is being reviewed by LGAWCS and will be implemented in February 2021. Key actions include policy review, Oscar W volunteers safety and compliance and confined spaces.
2020-21 Project Updates as at 31 December 2020
Project Name Project Description On Time On Budget
The Goolwa Oval Sporting Precinct complex seeks to deliver new, dedicated sporting grounds and facilities to cater for Goolwa Goolwa Sporting Complex Township's existing and future sporting, recreational and community needs.
The Goolwa Oval Masterplan was endorsed by Council at its meeting on 21 October 2019. Progress comment: Project not fully funded. Administration continues to advocate for State and Commonwealth funding to augment Council's Long Term Financial Plan funding allocation.
Administration is working with oval stakeholders to develop a mutually agreed management model for implementation once the project is complete.
IN PROGRESS Onsite works for the new clubrooms has commenced with installation of security fencing around the worksite. Demolition is programmed for early January 2021 with completion of the build estimated prior to 21 September 2021.
Development of the Goolwa Waste Redevelopment of the Goolwa Waste and Recycling station. Final components include stormwater works and intersection Transfer Station upgrade.
Progress comment: Postponed works for bulk earthworks, stormwater and street lighting completed. New entrance works has been delayed due to stormwater design changes, issued to DPTI for final review. IN PROGRESS No work started on stormwater basin expansion.
Stage 1 - Construction of picnic table, shelter, commercial area, informal parking, signage, rubble footpath, irrigation and sandbags with tie points. Demolition of existing structure. Reed clearance. Landscaping. Upgrade of informal boat ramps. Goolwa Jet Ski Recreational Facility Stage 2 - Contraction of garden bed, viewing platform, paving/seating. Installation of additional shelter.
Development of the Goolwa Jet ski site draft design is complete. Application for funding through Open Space for People and Place grant unsuccessful. Progress comment: Scoping exercise to be undertaken in preparation of report to Council. Council report required to finalise community consultation and determine future project. IN PROGRESS
Renewal of technically obsolete communications systems and infrastructure - Research and cost a solution for the integration CWMS : Smart Water Project Capital of SCADA remote access and process visualisation. Final product should include the potential uptake and phasing timeline for Renewal 18/19 building technical capability. Represents the key strategic delivery of long-term cost reduction, treatment quality, asset management and efficiency improvements via technical integration.
The Major Project Authorisation document has been signed by senior management and the RFQ was released to 7 vendors via the LGAP Vendor Panel on 14 September 2020. LGAP have been contracted to manage the vendor selection process with vendor RFQ submissions due on October 16. The Panel made it's final recommendation for preferred tenderer in early November and received executive approval to start contract discussions on the 17th December. With Christmas closures the team is now developing draft contracts with the preferred tenderer. Progress comment: Assuming final internal contract approval in February, the Proof of Concept (POC) will start immediately at Mount Compass and will be completed prior to the end of this financial year. Following user testing acceptance and project team approval the full regional rollout will be completed over the next 18 months.
Supportive communications networks are being installed to meet the requirements of the renewed system. A microwave link has been installed and commissioned for the Port Elliot & Strathalbyn wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). NBN has been connected to the property boundary at Mount Compass with internal cabling now located and integrated with onsite automation equipment. Goolwa WWTP has already mature and established communications. IN PROGRESS 20 Vacuum pits in Coorong Quays have been fitted with valve and level sensors for testing of the FloVac radio monitoring network. Work has also begun on testing a competitive radio network from a local supplier and 5 Vacuum pits will initially be fitted with different sensors for level and valve operation as part of the Coorong Quays acquisition and integration project. Augmentation and renewal of this infrastructure is integral for Council to managing its' service risks post the June 2021 handover date.
CWMS Laboratory Investigate the process validation and infrastructure expansion requirements for internal laboratory testing. Process Analysis & Laboratory Upgrades Gap analysis on skills, equipment & building augmentations. Project represents the quality assurance layer and is integrated with processing monitoring improvements across all schemes. Technical Officer precursor to project initiation.
Facilities have been ordered and installed for the laboratory. This includes connection to required services. Progress comment: Fitout of laboratory will be postponed until the appropriate appointment of a qualified Technical Officer. IN PROGRESS This is expected to occur in FY20/21 with timing of final laboratory installation pushing to FY21/22.
1 of 7 2020-21 Project Updates as at 31 December 2020
Project Name Project Description On Time On Budget
R&O: Woodchester Entry Statement Project to create entrance statement in Woodchester for the Langhorne Creek winery region.
Progress comment: Stone wall construction was completed by Traditional Heritage Masonry in early August. Catscratch undertook the Installation of signage and metal leaf decorations. All works were completed in early November. COMPLETED
This project involves the transfer of ownership of the Coorong Quays Community Wastewater Management Scheme (CWMS) to Alexandrina Council.
Council will be responsible for managing and maintaining the system as well as operating the system which includes the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater generated within the development. Connecting the Coorong Quays CWMS collection system into the Goolwa CWMS collection system will require a range of infrastructure upgrades in both the short term and the long term. Some of the upgrades are within Coorong Quays, while some are within the wider Goolwa CWMS network. Financial contributions will be required by both parties in order for these works to be undertaken. Coorong Quays Wastewater Acquisition & Integration Project Works include but are not limited to; - Expansion of pressure networks. - Design and construction of new pumping facilities. - Wastewater treatment process upgrades. - Irrigation infrastructure expansion. - Augmentation of Coorong Quays entire collection network. - Integration of monitoring and regional communication technology.
The anticipated ownership transition date is set for the 19th of June 2021.
Integration engineering and project implementation is progressing according to plan.
Summary of works includes but is not limited to; Progress comment: - The required completion of pressure network expansion within Goolwa and on Hindmarsh has been completed. - Civil & mechanical pumpstation works are completed for the new Hindmarsh Island pump station. - Civil & mechanical installation of solids separation infrastructure at the Goolwa WWTP. - The design and expansion of lateral pivot irrigation for sustainable water reuse. This has been fully constructed and commissioned. - Coorong Quays vacuum network augmentations are well under way with approximately 100 sites retrofitted to date. - Proof of concept monitoring devices installed and operational.
Works will continue for the remainder of the financial year with electrical and automation infrastructure being a major focus. This will include the commissioning of new assets and processes. Coorong Quays network augmentations are tracking according to plan with another program of works to be released to the market shortly. IN PROGRESS Budgets are tracking well but will need to be monitored closely with changes in market pricing across the term and with complexity of augmenting 250 sites.
The team is now working through a final transitioning plan to highlight the requirements to de-risk the operational handover.
R&O: River Based Recreational Boating Program for the renewal of jetties, pontoons and other structural assets used for river based recreation. Facilities 20/21
Progress comment: The development of the Jetty asset management plan to be completed by end of March 2021, followed by prioritisation of program. Delays due to COVID- IN PROGRESS 19 and staff movement.
For the Goolwa main office and library, Sustainable Focus has identified that the most beneficial improvement opportunities are the replacement of office and library area lighting with more efficient LED products, and the replacement of the existing Main Office Energy Efficiency Project Building Management System (BMS) with a more advanced system to allow better control of the air conditioning system and the equipment responsible for causing the off-peak baseload demand at this site.
Progress comment: Lighting upgrade complete.
IN PROGRESS Specifications for BMS system currently in progress with tender process to follow.
2 of 7 2020-21 Project Updates as at 31 December 2020
Project Name Project Description On Time On Budget
Port Elliot Oval Irrigation Renewal of Port Elliot Cricket Club irrigation.
Progress comment: Installed new irrigation system at the Port Elliot Cricket Club. The new system operates using 100% of reclaimed class C water and appropriate approvals received from SA Health and Environment Protective Agency. COMPLETED
Strathalbyn Gasworks flooding issue Gasworks Cottages - Stormwater upgrade.
Progress comment: Construction was completed by BBE Contractors in early June 2020. Additional required works were completed by Sean Pearson Excavations in Mid-August COMPLETED 2020. All works were completed within budget.
Mixing issues with the Mount Compass Sequence Batch Reactor (SBR). Non-compliant results and subsequent investigations have resulted in the need for improved mixing during the aeration treatment phase. This is causing issue with available oxygen Mount Compass WWTP Mixer Process and the propagation of poor settling micro-organisms. Installation This is expansion project will look at the installation, automation and programming of a dedicated mixer installation.
Automation designs have been completed and new electrical engineering infrastructure constructed for Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) installation. Progress comment: Pumping infrastructure has been procured and the team is currently working through challenges of installing within a 'live' plant environment.
All HMI screens for operations and programming has been developed for upload to the WWTP PLC for commissioning post mechanical installations. Challenges are present for the installation of equipment with limited ability to stop plant functioning. The team is working through options on the best options to achieve the required result. IN PROGRESS
Goolwa North Vacuum Station: Electrical Soft Starter Infrastructure Critical fault in pump station control infrastructure. Pump soft starters to be replaced under station Capital Renewal. Renewal - CAP0000144
Progress comment: Root cause analysis complete for alarming and fault issues at the Goolwa Vacuum station. This has created protracted and extensive resourcing to manage these events. Faulty automation equipment to be renewed as a priority.
Initial pump driver infrastructure renewed and tested. Fault has ceased for these particular components. COMPLETED Final replacements of remaining pump drivers were completed early 2020.
3 of 7 2020-21 Project Updates as at 31 December 2020
Project Name Project Description On Time On Budget
Council are currently undertaking a major business planning review and reform process as part of the review and implementation of their Strategic Plan. The process requires the development/update of various business plans in order to support the Strategic Plan. These plans interrelate with each other and need to harmonise to support the strategic principles. Council are seeking to commence their Strategic Plan development in December 2020. The Asset Management Plan and the Long-Term Financial Plan are required to be updated prior to December 2020 to feed into the Strategic Plan review. These two plans require input from the wastewater masterplan. In order to ensure the Strategic Plan schedule is maintained this means that the CWMS 30 Year Masterplan needs to be developed to a final draft stage by July 2020.
Wastewater 30 year Infrastructure In conjunction the Council owned water utility has conducted a strategic focus for the immediate future. These areas of Masterplan prioritisation will be recognised as foundation projects and initiatives to develop core capabilities for the effective management of the utility. The 30 year Masterplan is recognised as one of these keystone projects for the future stability, optimisation and sustainable growth of the utility. The Masterplan will compartmentalise the growth drivers and infrastructure demands in a segmented timeline, which includes;
– 1-5 year immediate infrastructure needs – 5-10 year medium term projects – 10-20 input to next LTFP – 20 year long term projects – 30 year completion of the plan Progress on implementation is tracking to plan with completion of a number of key steps. Initial engineering modelling on existing and future capacity has been assessed. This critical analysis has identified a number of underlying infrastructure improvements that align with the Schemes risk reduction, digital and data transitions strategies. In addition, future demand forecasts (based on population growth) have been integrated into the above assessment to better understand regional impacts Progress comment: from long-term infrastructure expansion. As part of that process, the Scheme has developed some key adaptation principles to future proof against the predicted change implications of a ‘2050 world’. Focus has now turned to prioritising projects (step 4) for inclusion in the Council’s LTFP process. This initial scope will look at delivering infrastructure augmentation to manage any identified risks to the organisation such as corrective actions necessary to resolve any existing compliance and capacity gaps within networks. Prioritisation will also include the development of an ‘evidence base’ (data) to ensure infrastructure investment decision making is sound. Following the identification of short-term infrastructure needs, the project will then move to strategic long-term regional planning over the next 30 years. This will utilise key findings through existing and future focused regional growth analysis to explore opportunities for regional and inter-regional infrastructure planning. The technical advisory team is currently developing an internal draft for review and to start a process of infrastructure and IN PROGRESS strategic refinement. This will need to work concurrently with other asset management advancement to ensure all modelling is considered holistically. The project is tracking adequately but will require significant internal resourcing to ensure it reaches a professional maturity prior to initial presentation with Elected Members.
Alexandrina Council, Surf Life Saving SA and Goolwa Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) have commenced works on the exciting Goolwa Beach Masterplan transformation of the Goolwa Beach precinct, in the form of the new Goolwa SLSC facility and surrounds. In order to deliver the Goolwa Beach SLSC facility, significant changes are required within the Goolwa Beach environs.
Progress comment: Goolwa Beach Master plan Project comprises a number of elements. The Phase 2 of the project that comprises of Carpark and surrounding infrastructure upgrade and renewal are on hold pending Grant funding. IN PROGRESS
Sealing of Dry Plains Road 5.78km sealing of high-traffic rural collective roads.
Progress comment: The design tender is about to be released and closes on the 9th of April 2020. On award of the tender the design process will be completed in preparation of funding application being developed. IN PROGRESS
Development of facility including relocation and upgrade of kitchen, creation of a green and dressing room, refurbishment of Strathalbyn Town Hall Renewal and the existing supper room, installation of stage A/V system and replacement of main hall lighting and ceiling fans with energy Upgrade efficient products.
Progress comment: Detailed designs, specifications and plans have been complete by design consultants with a RFT released via SA Tenders for construction on 20 November and closing on the 18th December 2020. Tenders have been received and are currently in the evaluation phase.
IN PROGRESS Onsite works were programmed to commence late January to early February 2021 and completed April 2020.
4 of 7 2020-21 Project Updates as at 31 December 2020
Project Name Project Description On Time On Budget
Demolition of existing toilet block and replace with a new contemporary amenity with facilities that comply with current DDA Milang Foreshore, Public Toilet Renewal standards, building codes and trends including accessible and ambulant toilets, baby change facilities and external shower wash area.
Community consultation has been undertaken with a 'drop in' session and a survey through Councils MySay site. Feedback from the consultation has been Progress comment: included in the RFT documentation which was released on 3 December 2020 and due to close on the 24 December 2020. Evaluation phase currently in progress.
IN PROGRESS Works are due to commence late January 2021 and be complete prior to 31 March 2021.
Renovate and upgrade existing building to create a usable contemporary multi-purpose space that will accommodate a variety of uses. Works to include replacement of access ramp to Australian building codes and DDA compliance, renewal works to Old Chart Room, Goolwa Renewal existing superstructure components, internal fit out and upgrade of electrical items, installation of air conditioning system and construction of a new external hard stand.
Progress comment: Detailed design and specifications have been complete with a RFT or construction released on 6 November 2020 and closed on 3 December 2020. Following a tender evaluation a contractor has been awarded the works and has commenced administration.
COMPLETED Onsite works were programmed to commence in February 2021 and were completed in May 2021.
Quarry Road / Alexandrina Rd Quarry Road upgrade includes the upgrading of existing road infrastructure to facilitate B-Double access to Tooperang Quarry. Intersection realignment
Progress comment: All Works were completed by early October 2019, Practical completion signoff. Additional budget was required providing an improved surface, this has provided a longer asset life with reduced maintenance. COMPLETED
A series of projects identified as an outcome from the Strathalbyn Town Centre - Traffic, Parking & Streetscape master plan. Works for 2019 / 2020 Strathalbyn Streetscape Revitalisation 1. Rankine / Albyn / Sunter interesection upgrade and parking. 2. Sunter / St Andrews Church upgrade.
Progress comment: Detailed design phase commenced with Contract awarded. IN PROGRESS
Upgrade of oval foreshore including relocation of swimming area, new oval car park & access road, foreshore shelters, Clayton Bay Oval Foreshore & Carpark improvements to toilets, reconfigure boat ramp car park & improve footpath links, restrict vehicle access to cliffs, tree Upgrade planting & signage.
Progress comment: Reeds completed, shelter installed and path maintenance and resheet of carpark were completed in July 2020. COMPLETED
Gloria Jones Reserve Upgrade Renew revetment & upgrade carpark & reserve facilities. Identified in Clayton Bay Foreshore Master Plan.
Progress comment: Community consultation in regards of the usage and required facilities in progress to be completed by the 15th of December 2020. NOT STARTED
Kurramin Court Road Sealing Port Elliot Sealing of road providing access to Port Elliot Dog Park Dog Park Project depends on the completion of Stormwater project to the road
Progress comment: Project design completed, entrance road and car park works wil commence late May with cmpletion this financial year. NOT STARTED
5 of 7 2020-21 Project Updates as at 31 December 2020
Project Name Project Description On Time On Budget
CWMS Strathalbyn Lagoon and Construction of the new 110 megalitre storage lagoon at Strathalbyn. Wastewater Treatment plant Expansion Wastewater treatment infrastructure and process upgrades.
Stage 1 - Construction of the new 110 megalitre storage lagoon and pipe infrastructure has been completed.
Stage 2: Wastewater treatment infrastructure and process upgrades. The team engaged our end-use customers due to the challenges of augmenting the disinfection processes while still maintaining treatment operations. This has established a construction timeline that must occur over the Autumn & Winter months. Based on these changes it is assumed that this project will not Progress comment: be fully commissioned until 2021.
Full site handover was carried out on the 20 July 2020 for construction works to proceed. Large scale water movements between the two lagoons is now occurring to facilitate the infrastructure augmentations on a live wastewater treatment facility. Due to the scale and complexity the site was effectively isolated with any persons needing to enter the site required to follow strict site induction processes and adhere to all site instructions.
Practical completion of civil and mechanical infrastructure has now been completed for the contracted works. The team is now working through a commissioning plan for process changes and future programming and automation works.
Internal automation design and electrical infrastructure is progressing to budget and to plan. This complex work will also require a complete process IN PROGRESS engineering assessment and programming overhaul. These works will occur concurrently and beyond the Stage 2 civil and mechanical works. The final automation and electrical hardware panels are constructed and installed. Automation programming has started and will require significant internal resourcing to deliver a fully functional treatment process.
Treatment plant process engineering is now scheduled to commence in the last quarter of 2021. This has been scheduled to align with competing priorities and risks associated with Coorong Quays infrastructure works and meeting contractual timelines.
Coastal Erosion Prevention Key outcomes identified from Council’s Coastal Erosion Mapping study.
Progress comment: Basham's Beach errosion control project completed. Stage 2 due to be completed by end of the current financial year. NOT STARTED
Port Elliot Reserves Irrigation Upgrade Replace Class C Drip line irrigation systems in Continental, Harbour Masters and Commodore Reserves
Progress comment: The Sub-surface irrigation at Harbour Master Reserve and Continental Park complete.
IN PROGRESS The Commodore Reserve irrigation replacement on hold awaiting completion of Port Elliot Surf Life Saving Club.
The CSR project is the result of a review of the existing corporate systems software to ensure it could meet the Council’s business needs. The current system has been used by Alexandrina Council for the past 18 years and does not effectively Corporate Systems Review (CSR) support the Council’s business processes and outcomes. As a result Council will look to the market for a best practice software provider with a focus on the Customer Journey.
Configuration design workshops have been completed for the Financials (FIN), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Human Resources & Payroll (HRP) and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) modules and the resulting Configuration Design Documents have been reviewed and formally accepted.
Configuration design workshops for the Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) module incorporating asset, work and project management functional Progress comment: areas have been completed and Configuration Design Documents are undergoing final review. Configuration design workshops for the Spatial (SPT) module were completed in late November and the draft Configuration Design Document is being reviewed.
Implementation Team Training has now been completed for the FIN, SCM and ECM modules as well as for the Payroll and Workforce Management functional areas of HRP. Implementation Team Training for the EAM module has commenced and will be completed in December. Implementation Team Training for the SPT module will commence in mid-January 2021.
IN PROGRESS System configuration has now been completed for the FIN and SCM modules and is continuing for the Payroll and Workforce Management functional areas of HRP. Configuration is scheduled to be completed for all Release 1 modules by mid-March 2021.
The Change Management Plan has been reviewed and accepted by the Project Steering Group (PSG). The document was endorsed by CoG on 08/12/2020.
6 of 7 2020-21 Project Updates as at 31 December 2020
Project Name Project Description On Time On Budget
Building upgrade and expansion including the internal upgrade of toilet and kitchen facilities and office extension to the Strathalbyn Senior Citizens existing building.
Progress comment: Project Complete. COMPLETED
Capital Renewal of Bridges, Bridge Components - Wing Walls, Abutments, Railings, Deck. Currently programmed to be utilised Capital Renewal - Bridges 19/20 for Wickham Hill Road bridge structural analysis and potential remediation works to increase load limit.
Progress comment: Contract for assessing structural integrity of Wickham Hill Bridge awarded to the engineering consultant. Report being prepared with upgrade/renewal COMPLETED recommendations to allow for higher load limit on this heavy vehicle route.
Capital Renewal - Bridges 20/21 Capital Renewal of Bridges, Bridge Components - Wing Walls, Abutments, Railings, Deck.
Progress comment: Consultants finalising program of works. Delays due to covid and staff movement. IN PROGRESS
Key
Within budget / timeframe estimates
Potential to move outside budget / timeframe estimates
Outside budget / timeframe estimates
7 of 7 The Quarterly
Resources
Finance Services Information Services Creditors Services Information Technology Rates & Debtors Services Information Management Financial Management & Accounting Payroll Services Business Reporting Subsidiaries
Business Services Property Management Leases & Licences Procurement & Contracting Risk & Audit
report
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Business Services Objective: Ensure good governance principles for administrating Council responsibilities, minimising risk while delivering cost effective outcome for the community.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Council Properties Council property lease agreements Ongoing administration of lease, licence, permit and other tenure agreements undertaken in accordance with Council's Lease and Licence Policy and the Local Government Act 1999. A current full review of Council’s Permit system is underway and the Lease and Licence Policy is scheduled for its 12 month review in February 2021.
Risk & Audit Corporate Risk Framew ork Council’s Emergency Management Plan, Incident Operation Manual and Emergency Incident Kits were finalised in preparation for the summer bushfire season, further training for key staff is programmed for early 2021.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Finance Services Objective: Planning and managing the monetary funds of Council to deliver the aspirations of our community - we account for our activities, act sustainably and disclose the results in a transparent manner.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Rates & Debtors Services Rating Review Council is progressing a Rating Review, planned to be finalised in early 2021. This review aims to assist Council to evaluate its rating system to ensure it is equitable, effective and aligned with Community’s changing priorities and expectations.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Information Services Objective: Delivering flexible information technology solutions that support business operations by providing access to information and systems - anywhere, anytime on any device.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Information Management Information Management Three Freedom of Information (FOI) applications were received and three determinations were completed in the October to Decem ber 2020 quarter.
Information Technology Mobile Phone Services Following a comprehensive open tender process, Council signed a new mobile phone contract with Optus to provide communication s for voice and data services. 114 mobile services have been successfully ported over to new provider and IT working through the remaining Data and telemetry services during January with aim to be completed by end of February.
The Quarterly
Environment
Asset Planning & Design Community Facilities & Open Space Infrastructure Services Environmental Assets Project Design Recreation, Open Space and Reserves Community Facilities Building Management
Asset Management & Field Services & Civil Assets Geographic Information Services Bridges and Stormwater Management Asset Management Depot Operations Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Field Services Footpaths & Cycle Tracks Roads & Car Parks
Facilities & Council Properties Building & Property Management
report
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Asset Planning & Design Objective: To design, develop and deliver future capital works projects and residential development infrastructure in compliance with relevant legislation and standards.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region 2 Activate our Spaces
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Infrastructure Services Delivery of capital & renewal infrastructure projects in accordance with adopted Long Term Financial Plan & Annual Business Plan (CB) Finalise & manage design documentation or Project delivery in accordance with the Asset Management Plans, and Long Term Financial Plan. Design documentation has been prepared to meet the time frames of construction and the LTFP.
Additional projects have been added to this year’s program due to successful funding grant applications. These projects contain limited time frames for delivery of design and construct and these are being achieved.
Delivery of capital & renewal building projects in accordance with adopted Long Term Financial Plan & Annual Business Plan (CB) Delivery of capital and renewal building projects in accordance with the long term strategic plan .
Manage major service contracts relating to statutory compliance and building function report.
Preparation of annual asset renewal programs for Council Buildings is ongoing.
Provide engineering assessment for land divisions and large scale development applications where appropriate (CB) Provide engineering advi ce, timely and accurate development assessment - The provision of engineering advice to internal and external customers has been efficiently delivered within Council's customer contact time frames.
The professional advice given is according to authority requirements, codes of practice, and relevant standards. The processing of Development Applications and Land Divisions has been successfully achieved within designated time frames along with accurate assessment, application of standards, and in accordance with Council policies and procedures.
Implement Bashams Beach Regional Park priority projects and goals (CB) Basham's beach projects continue to be developed in conjunction with the community and user groups. Progress on these projects is reported quarterly as part of the Ratalang Basham’s Beach and Horseshoe Bay Advisory Committee minutes.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Community Facilities & Open Space Objective: To provide community facilities that promote and enhance our life style, while protecting our environmental assets through sound land management practices.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region 2 Activate our Spaces 4 Thrive in 'Clean, Green' Futures
Serv ice Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Community Facilities Ensure Council owned community public convenience and facilities are serviced and well -maintained (CB) Public convenience cleaning managed through a contracted service provider. General maintenance managed through local contractors and internal labour.
Environmental Assets Protect, maintain & restore biodiversity within Council's land (CB)
Foster relationships with community groups to support local biodiversity : Support for community groups with grants for working on council land where requested. Ongoing collaborations with the Hills and Fleurieu Landscapes Board for selected fox and weed programs and the ongoing Coastal Seascapes program. Support to Angas River Catchment Group to install the new signage for the Angas River Nature Walk.
Manage and maintain assets in the Coastal and Riverfront areas: Maintenance of winter plantings is continuing in the coastal areas. All Beach and River access maintenance programs have been elevated over the holiday period to cater for additional foot traffic. Capital Works fence replacement program will resume in February. Planning for the yearly rabbit control program for Ratalang Basham Beach Conservation Reserve Fire control measures are complete in Ratalang / Basham Beach Conservation Reserve.
Manage and maintain urban and rural biodiversity reserves: As of 2021, there are 15 Urban biodiversity reserves, 29 Rural biodiversity reserves, 13 Coastal and 4 Wetlands receiving management and maintenance including selected roadside markers and weed control in native vegetation along the road network.
Recreation, Open Space and Reserves Deliver efficient and effective recreation and open space reserves (CB) Reserves a nd open spaces maintained to service levels through proactive inspections and customer requests.
Most recent KPI service level review indicated an increase in performance.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Field Services & Civil Assets Objective: To provide customer service and engineering solutions in the management, operation and construction of Council’s civil assets.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Bridges and Stormwater Management Deliver effective and efficient Bridges and Stormwater Management (CB) Bridges and storm water maintained to service levels through pro -active inspections and customer requests. Environm ental obligations for gross pollutant traps satisfied by contracted service providers procured annually.
Footpaths & Cycle Tracks Deliver effective and efficient Footpaths & Cycle Tracks (CB) Footpaths and Cycle Tracks maintained to service levels thr ough pro -active ins pections and customer requests.
Roads & Car Parks Deliver effective and efficient Roads & Car Parks (CB) Roads and Car parks maintained to service levels through pro -active inspections, customer requ ests and the pro -active grading program.
Review sealed and unsealed roads maintenance and renewal practices and procedures (CI) Continuous improvement opportunities are constantly under review. Rip and reform practices introduced into the unsealed gradi ng methodology producing positive outcomes.
The Quarterly
Community Wellbeing
Community Wellbeing Library & Customer Service Arts & Culture Customer Services Community Development, Partnerships & Advisory Libraries Services Alexandrina Visitor Services Community Transport Event Management Family & Youth Services Community Connect Community Health, Sport & Recreation Services
Health, Environment & Community Safety Sustainable Resource Management Community Safety Community Wastewater Management Systems Environmental Health (CWMS) & Water Recycling Waste Management
report
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Community Wellbeing Objective: Supporting and advocating a range of equitable and accessible wellbeing programs to encourage our community to live a healthy and active life.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region 2 Activate our Spaces 3 Participate in Wellbeing
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Arts & Culture Support public art within the Alexandrina region (CB) Coordinate and advocate for public art in the re gion: Two public art projects were endorsed for the 20/21 financial year. 1) A mural on the Southern Fleurieu Historic Museum commemorating the agricultural history of the region has been completed and is receiving positive feedback via social media and anecdotally from the community. 2) A re-creation of a mural from the 1960s by artist Helen Fuller commemorating the importance of surf culture at Middleton is in progress and will be installed within the newly refurbished shelter, a 100 plus year old building, the last shell grit construction on the Southern Fleurieu. The mural will contain interactive software so visitors can interact using smartphone technology. The refurbishment and installation of the mural are due for completion in the first quarter of 2021.
Community Connect Manage community recreation infrastructure (CB) Manage the operations of the Goolwa Sports Stadium and the management agreement for the Strathalbyn Swimming Pool - The Goolwa Sports Stadium floor was resurfaced in January 2021. The Stadium has 6 regular users. There is also an ongoing discussion with the Education Department with respect to the new Goolwa High School using the facility. Strathalbyn Swimming Pool upgrades to female and male toilets and shower cubicles completed.
Provide equitable, accessible and appropriate programs and facilities through Alexandrina Council's Community Connect Services (CB) Social support and transport services continue to be offered via the community connect program utilising COVID Safe pra ctices. The provision of transport has provided challenges in the Strathalbyn region due to a shortage of transport volunteers and no Taxi companies servicing the region. In response the Community Connect Program have established an arrangement to engage Resthaven should we be unable to meet the transport needs of a consumer. The Community Wellbeing Team has also engaged a consultant to produce a Community Transport Review that is due to be delivered by 31st January 2021. The recommendations from this review will inform future decisions regarding community transport.
Implement and manage transition from Commonwealth Home Support Program and Home and Community Care Program (CB) Transition out of delivering CHSP and SA HACC: To assist the transition ou t process , a decision was made to broker a service provider to deliver two 'service types' of the community connect program: Domestic Assistance (DA) and Home Maintenance (HM). A request for tender process was undertaken and as a result Resthaven were successful in obtaining these services. All consumers of these services were notified in December 2020 of this change. The Department of Human Services have been notified of this change and the Transition Out Plan updated to reflect these changes and re-submitted to DHS. SA HACC funding was to cease on 31st January 2021 and has been extended to March 31st 2021, a deed of variation has been signed to reflect this. A staff member has been allocated to actively work with any remaining SA HACC consumers to support and assist them to transition out of receiving SA HACC services.
Community Development, Partnerships & Advisory Services Develop management and funding models for key community recreation infrastructure and community centre (CB) • Engagement with user groups regarding the governance model for a new shared community facility at the Goolwa Oval Sporting Precinct . • Undertaking research tasks to understand good practice and trends in the governance of community recreation infrastructure and community centres in Local Government. • Internal stakeholder engagement to inform management and funding models for social infrastructure. • Work program is on track to meet internal and external stakeholder expectations and deliverables in the 2020/2021 Financial Year.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Seek external grants and manage the delivery of Council's Community Grants Program (CB) Coordinate Councils community grants program : Applications for Council’s COVID-19 Community Reactivation Grants are currently being accepted on an ongoing basis until all funds are allocated. As at 31 December 2020, 29 applications had been received, 24 of which had been approved, 3 were pending approval and 2 were awaiting additional information regarding their application. Funding has been provided to support a range of community groups with a range of projects, including sanitiser stations, equipment purchases, member reactivation activities and support with meeting utility payments.
At its meeting on 16 November 2020, Council awarded a total of $47,164 to 10 successful applicants from Round 1 of Council's Economic Development Recovery Grant. As at 31 December 2020, 8 of the 10 grant payments had been processed, with 2 recipients still to submit a tax invoice for their grant.
Preparations are currently underway for Round 2 of Council's Economic Development Recovery Grant, due to be released in mid-January 2021.
Transition to a new Community Wellbeing team portfolio that will enable effective and efficient alignment with community needs and organisational priorities. (CI) The Structure for the Community Wellbeing Team has been finalised as transition activities continue to progress. Professional Development has been sourced and will be tailored to support staff to transition from their existing roles to their new roles within the Community Wellbeing Team Structure.
Community Wellbeing Advisory Forum - The first forum is planned for February and those people who lodged an expression of interest have been informed of the Forum. A staff member is working closely with the consultant to plan and deliver a series of associated workshops throughout 2021.
Community Centres - The Social Infrastructure Planner is developing a Community Centre Directions Paper to inform and guide Councils work with Community Centres across the region.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Health, Environment & Community Safety Objective: Providing best practice Environmental Health and Community Safety services for the community, through education, provision of professional advice and information, as well as compliance with relevant legislation and standards.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
3 Participate in Wellbeing
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Environmental He alth Deliver an effective and efficient operational environmental health service (CB) Council continues to engage the services of the City of Onkaparinga to deliver important immunisation services to the Alexand rina community. In addition to school clinics, which form part of a state government-funded program, monthly clinics are held in both Goolwa and Strathalbyn to ensure that immunisation services are accessible for our community.
In the past quarter, Council has been formally notified of SA Health's intention to alter the conditions for funding, while this does not immediately impact our service provision it is likely to increase the cost of the service at the next contract renewal as the number of service providers able to fulfil SA Health's requirements is limited.
Undertake inspections/audits of swimming pools, hairdressers, tattooists and body piercers: Council's environmental health team continues to undertake routine inspections of swimming pools available for use by the public, known skin penetration premises (tattooists and body piercers) and High Risk Manufactures Water Systems located within the Council district. The team also investigate and respond to any community concerns about potential public health risks that are received about these types of premises. One complaint was received and resolved in the past quarter in regards to a public swimming pool.
Council continues to engage a contractor to desludge septic tanks connected to Council's Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS), as part of a program that protects the Council's valuable CWMS infrastructure. The new contractor for the Goolwa and Port Elliot contract commenced in the past quarter, changeover of contractors has been relatively smooth and the new contract is going well. The Environmental Health team have received and assessed 138 wastewater works applications over the past quarter. This reflects an increase in the workload of approximately a third due to the increase in development. These assessments ensure that wastewater systems are adequately designed and can therefore be installed to meet public health regulation requirements. Additionally, the team have undertaken 57 inspections of approved systems to ensure that they have been installed in accordance with their approval requirements.
Over the course of this quarterly reporting period, 73 complaints were received in relation to non-compliant wastewater management systems which have the potential to cause a risk to public health. The nature of these complaints largely relate to inappropriate disposal of effluent, insufficient aerobic wastewater system servicing, damaged septic tank infrastructure and the installation of wastewater systems without, or contrary to, an approval condition. Each of the complaints received by the Environmental Health team was investigated, with the action taken as appropriate to meet legislative requirements that are in place to protect public health. As a result of these investigations, 4 legal notices were issued under the South Australian Public Health Act, to secure compliance. Council's environmental health team continue to undertake food safety inspections of food businesses located within the Council district, in accordance with a state-wide risk-based schedule. Over the past quarter, 65 food businesses were inspected by the team. One complaint in relation to food safety and/or food handling was reported to Council this quarter and was investigated by Authorised Officers, with action taken as appropriate to manage public safety risk.
Council supports the ongoing learning of local food handlers by maintaining a subscription to I'M ALERT, online food safety and food handler training program which is available free of charge through the Council's website.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Library & Customer Service Objective: Delivering high quality customer information and providing safe spaces for the community to explore, interact and imagine.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region 2 Activate our Spaces 3 Participate in Wellbeing
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Alexandrina Visitor Services Manage and promote accessible tourism information services (CB) With support fro m Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism, a suite of professional images were captured showcasing all aspects of the Alexandrina Region. The South Australian Tourism Commission and Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism will use these images to promote and showcase our region in future online marketing campaigns.
Customer Services Deliver excellence in customer service (CB) Over the October to December 2020 period, the Service Centre was presented with 10,752 phone calls. A total of 26,072 counci l payments to the value of $12.9M were processed, 17% being over the phone and in person with the remaining 83% paid via online means.
78% of calls received to council were answered within 30 seconds, exceeding our target of 70% and the call abandonment rate was 3.65%.
A total of 484 Property Search requests were processed to the value of $25,758.00, 1 more than the same period in 2019.
Working collaboratively across Council to increase community awareness of facilities and services (CB) Councils Customer Experience team continues to provide valuable support to our residents with council’s fortnightly kerbside waste collection.
Council continues to support our residents by selling compostable materials at a discounted rate encouraging everyone to recycle more and embrace the new waste stream and acting as a drop off point for old mobile phones and batteries.
During this quarter 9 Compost Bins, 16 Worm Farms, 48 Kitchen Caddy’s and 124 replacement bags were sold to residents. 20kg of batteries and 6kg of old mobiles being disposed of in the correct manner.
Libraries Manage library operations to deliver quality library services (CB) In October 2020, Alexandrina Libraries hosted a visit from the Library Board of South Australia. It had been 12 years since t he board visited our region, they were extremely impressed with our facilities and the support our Library Service provided community during the COVID-19 restrictions. A tour of the Goolwa Library and Mount Compass Library Kiosk was well received, leaving them with a memorabl e experience listening to the story telling of one of our young Mayor’s Short Story Challenge Winners.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Sustainable Resource Management
Objective: To support awareness, provide integrated waste management and sustainable resource manageme nt, including stormwater for our community.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
4 Thrive in 'Clean, Green' Futures
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) & Water Recyc ling Provide effective and innovative community wastewater management (CB)
We’ve had 3 rising main breakages in the last reporting quarter which were promptly repaired by the team. This result is consistent with historical averages for the second quarter period. Emergency works can be very disruptive to the community and the CWMS team. Reduction in reactive workloads is a very good indicator of improved operational performance.
The group also addressed a number of customer defect and corrective actions requests with an 88% resolution rate currently for FY20/21.
The emergence of odour complaints at the Fenchurch pump station has forced the diversion of resources to ensure that eradication of these issues is addressed as a matter of priority. These figures do not include the extensive customer service and investigation requirements associated with the team's pre-development enquiry and development application responsibilities.
During the last quarter, the team has had a total of 64 alarms from the network. High alarming levels are quite common during the wetter months with more demand on the system due to storm and wet weather events. Historical averages for system alarming for the second quarter are 130. This highlights a material improvement in reactive workloads. This figure includes 31 alarms occurring out of hours and requiring on-call personnel to attend. This KPI will continue to act as a major strategic indicator for transitioning the group from reactive workloads to more planned operational tasks. Although a positive result the KPI is extremely sensitive to annual and seasonal issues which can create abnormalities in the data. It is suspected that these figures are skewed based on the lack of storm and high rain events this year.
Preventative maintenance schedules were lower than historical averages. A total of 80% compliance was recorded throughout the reporting year compared to a 95% historical average. This has been largely skewed with key personnel off on unplanned leave. This quality assurance metric continues to develop with more expectation and understanding of industry compliance. This situation creates downward pressure on the small field services team. This result is not unwelcome and/or unexpected. It clearly highlights the change occurring within the department and the impacts that even minor reduction in resourcing has on our performance.
Develop wastewater network process monitoring system (CI) The Major Project Authorisation document has been signed by senior management and the RFQ was released to 7 vendors via the LGAP Vendor Panel on 14 September 2020. LGAP has been contracted to manage the vendor selection process with vendor RFQ submissions due on October 23rd. 20 Vacuum pits in Coorong Quays have been fitted with valve and level sensors for testing of the FloVac radio monitoring network. Work has also begun on testing a competitive radio network from a local supplier and 5 Vacuu m pits will initially be fitted with different sensors for level and valve operation. A microwave link has been installed and commissioned for the Port Elliot WWTP. Two sites have been selected for the microwave link to the Mt Compass WWTP with permission required to use Crown land at one of the sites. Field testing of a rugged tabled for asset data capture is underway and is proving very successful so far.
Develop wastewater 30 year Masterplan (CI) The focus has now turned to prioritising projects (step 4) for inclusion in the Council’s LTFP process. This initial scope wi ll look at delivering infrastructure augmentation to manage any identified risks to the organisation such as corrective actions necessary to resolve any existing compliance and capacity gaps within networks. Prioritisation will also include the development of an ‘evidence base’ (data) to ensure infrastructure investment decision making is sound. The LTFP and asset management plans have now been endorsed by the Council for public consultation. Following the identification of short-term infrastructure needs, the project will then move to strategic long-term regional planning over the next 30 years. This will utilise key findings through existing and future-focused regional growth analysis to explore opportunities for regional and inter-regional infrastructure planning. The technical advisory team is currently developing an internal draft for review and to start a process of infrastructure and strategic refinement. This will need to work concurrently with other asset management advancement to ensure all modelling is considered holistically. The project is tracking adequately but will require significant internal resourcing to ensure it reaches a professional maturity prior to initial presentation with Elected Member as part of the LTFP process and subsequent longer-term strategic planning outcomes beyond a 10- year timeframe.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Manage the capacity & performance of our water recycling networks (CB) Approximately 12 ML of stormwater has already been reused to date which is consistent with the historical average (11 ML). 29 8 ML of treated wastewater has been beneficially used which is well above the historical averages of 250 ML for the period of July to December.
The main driver for this was due to the expansion of infrastructure works within the systems at Goolwa and Strathalbyn which has created increases in the use of recycled water.
The Goolwa recycling process has been under review for some time. Storage and reuse options are nearly at capacity and present a risk during years of higher than average rainfall. This issue has been incorporated into additional high level negotiations and capital projects to leverage advantages for Alexandrina. The irrigation expansion at the Goolwa facility is now complete and fully commissioned. Drivers were to increase the amount of hectares for irrigation to meet the step change in wastewater inflows from Coorong Quays in 2021. Engineering assessments continue at Mount Compass to find a sustainable path for reuse of recycled water. The team is working on an emergency response plan to ensure water volumes and storage capacities are closely monitored and an interim irrigation solution to be submitted as a containment solution. This will need approval and endorsement from key state regulators as part of the transition process.
Waste Management Oversee operational delivery by Council's Regional Waste Authorities (CB) The Fleurieu Regional Waste Authority continues to build on its success from 2019 -20 providing a range of new services and initiatives to the community. FRWA has recently introduced two new services, Weekly Food Waste Collections and Special Order Collections. The Weekly Food Waste Collection is targeted at small food producing businesses which are unable to recycle their food waste. The Special Order Collection Service enables residents to purchase an additional collection of the general waste bin. This will be particularly useful for holiday houses where bins are required to be emptied at different times.
To improve our kerbside waste collection service FRWA will be trailing the weekly collection of green organics and recycling during summer in a section of Hayborough, McCraken and Chiton. From the trial, we will be able to gauge the financial and environmental impacts as well as the community response to additional recycling collections. They have also recently provided the residents of Mount Compass with free kitchen caddies and education material to increase the diversion of FOGO.
Financially, FRWA is performing well, forecasting an end of year surplus of $46,391 as of the end of September. Kerbside waste volumes in Alexandrina are 8% higher than the same period last year with increases in Recycling and FOGO. The diversion rate has increased to 61%, due in part, to the high levels of garden waste being collected during spring.
FRWA anticipated a very busy summer period and are reacting well to meet the acute needs of the unprecedented influx of seasonal visitations.
FRWA met with Mr Greg Pattinson, Chief Executive Officer of Foodbank South Australia. Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organisation in Australia – servicing over 2,400 charities in every state and territory to enable them to provide food to 815,000 people per month. Foodbank is also a member of the Global Foodbanking Network, an international organisation dedicated to developing foodbanking around the world. In 2000, Foodbank SA was launched by the Governor of South Australia The Honourable Sir Eric James Neal AC. It now has Foodbank Food Hubs in Berri, Mount Gambier, Whyalla, as well as centrally located sites in Edwardstown, Bowden, Christies Beach and Elizabeth.
Once we have an established list of customers using our weekly food waste collection service we will be able to introduce them to Foodbank SA who can provide a better use of their food waste rather than organic compost. Food waste in conjunction with Y-Waste has developed an app where a food merchant has perfectly good meals that they cannot sell and want to donate to someone in need put a notice on the Y-Waste App. A charity that knows of someone who is in need of food provides them with a special code to use in the app. That person downloads and registers with the app and using their special code can see the meals available and can claim the meal off the merchant. The merchant then receives a receipt for the meal that they can use as a tax deduction.
Overall Waste tonnages are increasing across Alexandrina Council. At the end of November, the Alexandrina Council Kerbside waste tonnages are 8% higher than the same period last year, while achieving a waste diversion from landfill rate of 61%. Across the Alexandrina Waste Recycling Depots, total waste is up 11% with waste to landfill down 3% and waste diverted from landfill up 14%. This results in a waste diversion rate of 85% as is attributable to the hard work of depot staff in establishing services for the community and separating waste as it arrives. With Goolwa Waste and Recycling Depot Customer numbers up 15% for the period 1 July to 31 December 2020.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Mount Compass FOGO Project update: • 460 Kitchen caddy packs delivered to households in Mount Compass • 200 Primary School students engaged • 60 Bags of Peats Soils Garden Compost awarded as prizes. • 75% Increase in the number of FOGO bins collected • 58% Of residents now using FOGO bins compared to 42% before the project. • 45% Increase in tonnes of FOGO collected (2.8t).
The Summer Recycling Collection Trial has commenced with 650 information packs delivered to residents and road sign signage and social media campaigns rolled out. The trial is going well to date with some minor complaints received but most of the community are on board with the trial.
Consultation with constituent Councils has commenced on amendments to the Fleurieu Regional Waste Authority Charter with a presentation to Alexandrina Council scheduled for February 2021.
The Quarterly
Growth
Planning & Development Economic Development Development Assessment - Building Precincts Development Assessment - Compliance Tourism Development Assessment - Planning
report
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Economic Development Objective: To attract, promote and foster local tourism and events providing economic and social benefits to the community and region.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
2 Activate our Spaces
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Tourism Work in partnership with state, regional and local tourism associations to support tourism across the region (CB) Due to current restrictions regarding COVID19 regulations regarding large e vents, it was necessary to cancel the 2021 South Australian Wooden Boat Festival. In the absence of the physical festival a comprehensive digital marketing plan and campaign will be rolled out to keep the festival spirit ‘alive’ and at the forefront of people’s minds leading into the 2023 festival. The objective of the plan is to increase audience and target market reach by creating contemporary and engaging content on our digital marketing platforms for international, national and local wooden boating fraternities and festivals. The campaign and marketing plan will also promote Goolwa, the Wharf Precinct and the Alexandrina region as a tourism destination and a great place to holiday and stay any time of the year.
Council also resolved to create an overarching Alexandrina Wooden Boat Strategy that will define the relationship between the Wooden Boat Festival, wooden boats owned by Council, the various stakeholders in the Goolwa Wharf Precinct and linkages between upstream towns. The strategy will cover options for volunteer management and succession planning, partnering with upstream communities and the potential for asset sharing, such as pontoons, and connecting with local schools for potential trade and training programs linked to boating industries. The strategy will include but not be limited to asset management, future of the Barge Dart, inventory audits, vessel management plans, storage and use. In addition, the use and maintenance of the wharf, marinas, jetties, pontoons, mooring and water access points will be considered.
The PS Oscar W Work Health Safety and Risk Management project is underway implementing necessary tasks and ensuring compliance with legal requirements plus deliver recommendations for the future management of the vessel to ensure the ongoing integrity of the PS Oscar W. Work includes undertaking and completing the necessary tasks identified by Local Government Risk services and the creation of an ongoing management plan for the care, maintenance of the vessel including training needs, risk assessments and job descriptions for the volunteers which is crucial for the PS Oscar W to continue to be operational and compliant.
Maintenance on Oscar W The PS Oscar W underwent its biennial out of water survey for maintenance. The amount o f repairs required to the hull every two years is not evident until the vessel is slipped. General slipping works includes: planking, caulking, bitumen coat on timber, sandblasting and steel hull coatings, plus rotten timber replacements inboard and outside. A new rudder was built by the team at Armfield Slip. Electrical upgrades were undertaken along with boiler repairs. All repairs are approved by a qualified marine surveyor and sent to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Every Wednesday a dedicated group of Council Volunteers carry out general maintenance work and wood yard duties to keep Oscar in the best possible condition in preparation for general cruising and display whilst docked and the wharf. Due to the age of Oscar a high level of maintenance is necessary to keep her in Survey.
Activating the Goolwa Wharf Precinct A Placemaking strategy was developed to guide Council’s activities over the next two years to ensure the infrastructure upgrades of the Goolwa Wharf Precinct are maximised and the Wharf is best positioned to become an iconic destination once works are complete.
Brown Signage project Council worked with the South Australian Tourism Commission through Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism and the State Government Department for Infrastructure and Transport to renew and improve tourism signage for townships within the Alexandrina Council region. The Brown Tourism signage project is complete with Alexandrina Council securing 18 signs across the region. The design and placement of the signs was approved with installation planned in early 2021.
Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism Partnership (FPT) The FPT Regional Manager provides a monthly advisory service to tourism operators in the Business Hub (and in some cases on site). During Q2 he met with 5 businesses. FPT worked with SATC to organise Network 7 Morning Show ‘Sunrise’ on 29 September to live broadcast from the Kuti Shack and Goolwa Beach. There was extensive exposure for the ‘Our Local Alexandrina’ digital platform during the filming.
Murray River Lakes Coorong Alliance Partnership (MRLCA) Seed funding was provided to include Goolwa and our river towns in the Visitor guide and social media activity.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Business Support
Business Alexandrina There were 5 events with 30+ attendees in total with half being tourism / hospitality businesses. The events included a digital marketing event hosted by Adelaide Business Hub and the first networking event for Our Local Alexandrina.
The ‘Expert in Residence’ program hosted 32 meetings and 25 sessions were held
Round One of the Alexandrina Economic Development Recovery Grants were promoted, received and assessed with ten businesses being awarded grants to the value of $48,000.
3 Business focused newsletters were published to a total of 3,900 recipients.
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
Department: Strategic Development Objective: Provides strategic development and building surveying services to Council and the community by ensuring responsive and relevant planning policy and safe and compliant buildings. This is achieved through timely and accurate decision making and informative customer service.
Alexandrina Connecting Communities 2014-2023 Aspiration Areas
1 Innovate throughout our Region 2 Activate our Spaces
Service Area Reporting - Strategic Highlights
Development Assessment - Building Undertake building rules assessment of development applications in accordance with the Development Act & Regulations and Building Code of Australia (CB) Provide an active & effective Building Fi re Safety Committee (BFSC) Due to the COVID lockdown in November the scheduled meeting for the Alexandrina BFSC was cancelled. The next meeting will be scheduled for the third quarter of the reporting period.
DC of Yankalilla – A meeting was able to be held for Yankalilla at which their first scheduled inspections were undertaken.
Provide Building Rules Advice and Assessment Councils building section has issued consents for 136 building rules applications out of a total of 280 building consents granted in the Council area for the period (including private certification). This equates to 48.5% of all building consents being assessed by Council building surveyors. The 213 consents included 76 new dwellings and 69 dwelling additions.
The total number of building rules consents issued was up by 51% comparable to the same period last year. The number of new dwellings was up by 100% and dwelling additions were up by 23% comparable to the same period last year. The new dwellings is quite a considerable jump and can be attributed to the funding stimulus that is currently available.
Report on inspections (Buildings & Swimming Pools) and enforcement activities For the period a total of 340 mandatory notifications were given with 42 inspections carried out, which included 35 structural frames, 1 mandatory swimming pool, 5 proactive swimming pool investigations and 1 other inspection. This equates to 10% of all mandatory notifications being inspected and 16% of notified swimming pools. Of the notified structural frames that were inspected 97% were from a licensed builder and 3% were owner builders.
It had been intended from this quarter that we would start reporting against the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act inspection practice direction however given that there is still some uncertainty with how inspections will be reported in the new system and there is a possibility of it going live in March 2021 it was decided to continue to report as we have previously done.
During this period the building department continued its one day per week at DC Yankalilla in accordance with the service agreement to undertake building inspections/building surveying services, during October and November. Unfortunately our Senior Building Surveyor resigned in December so again we scaled back our commitment to an as needs basis during December which will continue into January following which this will be re-evaluated.
Strategic Planning Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act Implementation (CI) Planning, Develo pment and Infrastructure Act (PDI Act) - Reform Update
During the reporting period the following has occurred with respect to the planning reform implementation: • An additional consultation period for the revised Planning and Design Code was announced and undertaken between 4 November and 18 December 2020. This required staff to review the new Code against Council's first submission to determine where there may still be some concerns. A Council briefing was undertaken to go through the changes before a report was prepared for Council endorsement of the proposed concerns and a submission lodged. • It was intimated that the commencement of the new system would be in the first quarter of 2021. As a result staff commenced weekly Business Readiness meetings with State Government staff to ensure that we are getting the necessary procedures, accreditations, accesses to the new system and other system and administrative processes in place by mid-February. Depending on how ready Councils are by this time may determine the 'go live' date. • During the period and particularly during the Code consultation staff have continued to meet with their DIT Council Liaison Officer to
Q2 2020-21 (Oct - Dec)
work through specific Code matters that relate to Alexandrina Council as well as attend session s being run by DIT and the LGA to ensure that they are being kept informed of the progress of the reforms and how it will impact on Council.
Provide sustainable growth of townships and rural areas through progressive and appropriate policy planning (CB) The following has occurred during the reporting period:
Goolwa Growth Area Development Plan Amendment (DPA) Given the number of submissions received during the public consultation period and the general concerns raised with the extent of the proposed rezoning it was decided to meet with the key land owners to discuss the way forward with the growth area. These meetings occurred in November following which each land owner will be providing some feedback on their preferred approach. A further meeting is to be held in February with the Education Department, whose land now adjoins the growth area, to discuss their future plans and the possibilities in relation to shared facilities and interface solutions. Once this meeting has occurred a briefing will be organised with Council to go through possible next steps with the project.
Strathalbyn Deferred Urban Development Plan Amendment (DPA) Following the public consultation and the summarising of the submissions received a Council briefing was held on 26 October 2020 to provide a summary of the issues raised during the consultation, a review of the housing demand and supply and options for the re-zoning based on these factors. A report was then presented at the 16 November 2020 Council meeting at which the DPA was approved with some amendments. Following that decision staff have finalised the documentation and submitted it with the Minister of Planning for approval.
Given the timing of this decision, and providing Ministerial approval is granted, the proposed rezoning will be able to be converted into the new Code format and incorporated for when it goes live.
Heritage Advisory Committee The reporting period has seen another successful Heritage Awards evening presented, a cancelled meeting due to COVID lockdown and a workshop to discuss the awards criteria.
The Heritage Awards, held on 22 October 2020 at Clayton Bay, were attended by some 60 people, with Eric Heapy, former CEO of the National Trust and the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority speaking about the meani ngs behind cemetery headstones. Again the awards were well received and the recipients very thankful for the recognition, which is deserving. Given the continuing success of the awards the committee felt that it was timely to review the award categories and criteria which was undertaken at a workshop in December. With the awards usually aligned with History Month the next awards will be held in May 2021.
Alexandrina Sustainable Agricultural Round Table (ASART) No meetings of ASART have occurred during the reporting period however meetings have occurred internally with the Mayor and Elected Members on ASART to start discussing the future of the group. From the survey undertaken it is seen to be a forum that is supported however the task is now to reinvent the group with a key focus being within the economic development area.
Strathalbyn Traffic, Parking and Streetscape Strategy The wayfinding sign content was completed and on-site construction of stage 1 of the streetscape plan commenced in December.
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Following Council's submission to be a GM crop free area in September, advise was received in early November that the Minister had denied this request. 11 Councils in South Australia, including Alexandrina, sought to become GM free however no Council was granted this exemption thereby making it possible for GM crops to be grown in South Australia.
Yankalilla Service Agreement The service agreement with Yankalilla Council has continued to deliver building, strategic planning and Assessment Manager services during the reporting period.
Strategic planning has continued to assist with planning reform related matters and in particular reviewing the second iteration of the Planning and Design Code during the consultation period, presenting at Council forum's and preparing the relevant Council reports.