ANNUAL REPORT 2013‐2014 >>Council Profile
Total Population 17,671 Total Area 1,761 sq kms Number of Rateable Properties 10,171 Total Road Network 1,309 kms Sealed Roads 315 kms Unsealed Roads 994 kms Number of Electors 12,367 Total number of Elected Members, including the Mayor 11
Number of Staff FTE 94.65
Total Revenue $24m
Value of Infrastructure Maintained Infrastructure $140m Total Assets $213m
Front page photo : Solomontown Beach Plaza & 4Shore SK8
Some photos throughout this document supplied by The Recorder newspaper.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 2 >>Table of Contents
2 Council Profile 3 Table of Contents 4 Strategic Statements 5-7 Strategic Snapshot 2013-2014 8 Message from the Mayor 9 Elected Members 10 Elected Member Meeting Attendance and Training 11-12 Community Awards 13-14 Chief Executive Officer’s Report 15-26 Corporate & Community 27-32 Development & Regulation 33-35 Financial & Information 36-46 Infrastructure 47-50 Governance 51-53 Compliance 54-55 Financial Performance 56-92 2013-2014 Financial Statements
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 3 >> Strategic Statements
Following is an excerpt from Council’s Strategic Plan and highlights Council’s Vision, Mission, Core Values and Key Goals that it is aiming to achieve.
VISION
To promote a quality lifestyle in a dynamic and prosperous region.
MISSION
A progressive organisation delivering to our customers high quality value for money services that meet their diverse needs.
CORE VALUES
Port Pirie Regional Council is committed to the following core values:
. Professionalism - Ensure Council is skilled, knowledgeable, experienced and works as a cohesive team, promoting strong leadership.
. Customer Focused - Council understands the needs of the community, and will endeavour to provide appropriate and timely services that meet expectations.
. Accountability and Integrity - Council will communicate honestly and openly, showing respect, strong business ethics and fulfilment of legal and statutory obligations.
. Innovative and Imaginative - Council will take a creative approach to meet all challenges and will strive for continual improvement.
. Efficiency - Council will responsibly manage resources to achieve excellent outcomes.
KEY GOALS
1. Quality Lifestyle - Establish the Port Pirie Region as a quality lifestyle choice which has an inclusive sense of community pride.
2. Economic Prosperity - Port Pirie is a clean, vibrant, thriving region that encourages sustainable new business investment, supports existing business growth and has a growing population base.
3. Infrastructure & Asset Management - Provide public infrastructure and amenities that enhance the image of the Port Pirie Region, that are safe, functional, welcoming and appealing to the local community, investors and visitors while achieving the principles of triple bottom line sustainability.
4. Environment Sustainability - Effective management of the region’s environment to ensure ecological sustainability.
5. Organisational Excellence - Develop an organisation that is outwardly focused, responsive and progressive, balanced with financial and performance accountability
Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 4 >>Strategic Snapshot
This snapshot summarises our annual performance in relation to the implementation of the five themes of Council’s Strategic Plan 2010-2019.
Building community pride via involvement in Australia Day Awards in Port Pirie and throughout the region (pp 11-12 ).
Provided a range of activities for all ages at the Library & IT Centre (pp 17-21 ).
Provided a range of community events during the year and assisting other organisations with their events (pp 23-26 ).
Assisted many community organisations via Council’s Community Assistance Fund and rate rebates (pp 34-35 )
Continued to provide community housing for the aged (pp 26 )
Replacement of the community bus with a more modern and comfortable vehicle. (pp 26 )
Commenced the preparation of a Regional Public Health Plan (pp Theme 1 30 ) Quality Lifestyle – Establish the Port Pirie Region as a Obtained a grant to upgrade the Warnertown Entrance to Port quality lifestyle choice which has an Pirie (pp 13 ) inclusive sense of community pride.
Actively involved in the Nyrstar Redevelopment (pp 8,28 )
Strengthened the Upper Spencer Gulf Cities through involvement in the USG Common Purpose Group; Provincial Cities Association and Regional Development Australia (pp 8 )
Commissioned a Port Options Study and a video Fly Through of the preferred option to expand our Port (pp 13 )
Completed CBD Master Plan (pp 13 )
Increase in number and value of Development Applications
received (pp 14, 28-29 ) Theme 2 Provision of visitor information and tourism promotion services at Economic Prosperity – our multi-award winning Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre Port Pirie is a clean, vibrant, thriving (pp 21-23 ) region that encourages sustainable new business investment, supports Achieved RV Friendly Town status for Port Pirie & Crystal Brook (pp existing business growth and has a 23 ) growing population base. Completion of the Solomontown Beach Plaza project (pp 27-28 )
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 5 >>Strategic Snapshot
Commenced work on preparing a Port Pirie Recreation Precinct Master Plan (pp 13 )
Refurbishment of the Crystal Brook Library/Office (pp 18 )
Merger of IT Centre with the Library in Port Pirie to improve service delivery (pp 18 )
Completed a $1.7 million road resealing program (pp 40-41 )
Completed a $700,000 rural road resheeting program (pp 41-42 )
Theme 3 Undertook major footbath, kerb and stormwater projects across the Infrastructure & Asset region (pp 42) Management – Provide public infrastructure and Implemented stage 1 of CBD bicycle network (pp 42 ) amenities that enhance the image of the Port Pirie Region, that are safe, functional, welcoming and appealing to the local community, investors and visitors while achieving the principles of triple bottom line sustainability.
Involved in the formation of the Targeted Lead Abatement Program (pp 8 )
First full year of operations of Council’s new multi-award winning Transfer Station and recycling strategy (pp 36-38 )
Undertook “Wipe out Waste” school education program (pp 37 )
Completed major upgrades to the Crystal Brook CWMS ponds (pp 8)
Continuation with the implementation of Council’s environmental
health initiatives (pp 30-31 )
Theme 4 Environment Sustainability – Effective management of the region’s environment to ensure ecological sustainability.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 6 >>Strategic Snapshot
Winning many industry awards including (pp 13 )
Significantly overhauled the Council website during the year and continued to increase its social media presence during the year (pp 13 )
Continual improvement in Council’s financial position and result (pp 14 )
Progress made on the implementation of Council’s WHS Plan (pp 15 )
Theme 5 Overhauled Council’s policy framework (pp 49 ) Organisational Excellence - Develop an organisation that is outwardly focused, responsive and progressive, balanced with financial and performance accountability.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 7 >>Message from the Mayor
all who were involved in providing support during these events.
Council was actively involved in these events providing support to the CFS and Zone Emergency Centre during the Bangor Fires, as well as assisting with fire breaks, road closures and at the airport, ensuring that ongoing air support could be maintained.
Council also provided a quick response with the immediate clean up in the aftermath of the Napperby floods and will continue its work in this area for some time to come. Once the State Government Disaster Assistance has been provided to Council, and combined with additional funds from
It gives me great pleasure to present Port Pirie Regional Council, extensive works on road related infrastructure will Council’s 2013-2014 Annual Report, highlighting the many commence. In addition, Council has sought a grant and in- achievements made by Council during the year. kind assistance from a number of Government agencies to undertake a flood mitigation study of the Napperby area, I was delighted to attend the joint announcement by Nyrstar and will be working with land owners to minimise the impact and the State Government in May 2014, informing the of a reoccurrence of this event. community that Nyrstar had gained the necessary approvals and assurances from the State Government to enable their The past year has seen a number of major projects being Board to give the go ahead for a $AU514m redevelop of the completed, as well as planning commencing for a number of Port Pirie smelter (the “Transformation”). other large projects. Some of Council’s major achievements during the year included: This was a truly historic day for the City. There are very few places in South Australia that can claim that this much • Road Reseals private investment expenditure is occurring. The decision by • Senate Road Reconstruction the Nyrstar Board is very much welcomed and it is • Abattoirs Road Reconstruction commenced anticipated it will lead to a significant amount of other • Road Resheeting business investment in our City. • Kerbing - The Terrace, Napperby & Frederick Street • Footpath - Cunningham Street (Crystal Brook) • Port Pirie Bicycle Network • Playgrounds - Stanhope, Catherine Commons • Irrigation - Risdon Heights, Catherine Commons • Solomontown Beach Plaza • Port Pirie Swimming Pool carpark reseal, irrigation etc • Beach Lighting upgrade • Skate Park Shelter (Crystal Brook) • Office Airconditioning • Sundry building improvements • Effluent Pond (Crystal Brook) upgrade Pictured at the Nyrstar Redevelopment announcement : Mayor Vanstone; Hon Geoff Brock MP, Minister for Regional Development; Roland Junck, • Waste Facility Road Access Upgrade Nyrstar CEO; Hon Jay Weatherill, Premier; Hon Tom Koutsantonis, Treasurer. • Tourism Lighting, Signage & other
Council has been actively involved in the Nyrstar Council continues to seek out opportunities to attract more redevelopment : business and employment opportunities to the region. I will
. assisting with the approvals process; continue to work hard for this region to attract business and . lobbying Government for support for this project; investment and improve the employment opportunities and . discussions with the Board about the importance of the lifestyle of residents.
project to Port Pirie when they visited our City; The Port Pirie Regional Council is also building stronger links . assisting with formulating the Targeted Lead with our sister cities of Whyalla and Port Augusta. This tri- Abatement program; city alliance, along with three Regional Development Boards . providing land for their construction camp; and representatives from the education sector, forms a . generally providing support where possible. unique advocacy and lobby group known as the Upper Council looks forward to this redevelopment occurring and Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group. This body, using the to a bright future for our community critical mass of the three Upper Spencer Gulf cities, is gaining in recognition and respect at State and Federal level On a more sombre note, Council was devastated with the and is playing a vital role in seeking investment from both destruction caused by the Bangor fires and then the the private and Governmental sector. Napperby floods. These events caused great angst within our community. I was however proud at the response from I wish to thank everyone for their support and look forward our community to these events. The outpouring of to a positive and prosperous future for the City and region. assistance and generosity was truly amazing. I wish to thank Mayor Brenton Vanstone
Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 8 >>Elected Member Information
Elected Members of Council : 2010 to 2014
Mayor Brenton Vanstone
(Top row) Deputy Mayor Cr John Rohde, Cr Mike Basley, Cr Gerry Chivell, Cr Debbie Devlin, Cr Dino Gadaleta. (Second row) Cr Shirley Hortin, Cr Garry Nayda, Cr Joe Paparella, Cr Leon Stephens, Cr Neville Wilson.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 9 >>Elected Member Information
Meeting Attendance
ELECTED ORDINARY SPECIAL Committee Meetings MEMBERS MEETINGS MEETINGS Audit Sport & Dry Entrances Asset CEO Section Rec Areas Mgment Perform. 101A Review (Dev Act) Mayor 12 2 7 Brenton Vanstone Deputy Mayor 8 1 4 6 1 John Rohde Cr Mike Basley 12 2 3 5 2
Cr Gerry Chivell 12 2 3 2 1
Cr Debbie Devlin 11 2 3 1 7 2 Cr Dino Gadaleta 10 1 4 Cr Shirley Hortin 9 2
Cr Garry Nayda 11 2 2 1
Cr Joe Paparella 9 2 Cr Leon Stephens 7 1 2 2 2
Cr Neville Wilson 10 2 3 5 5 TOTALS 12 2 3 3 2 1 5 7 2
Training/Conferences
ELECTED MEMBER DESCRIPTION DATE Mayor Brenton Vanstone 6th Annual SA Major Projects Conference (Adelaide) 16 & 17 July 2013 LGA Federal Election Lunch/Election Strategy (Adelaide) 18 July 2013 Regional Development SA Infrastructure Summit (Barossa Valley) 23 & 24 July 2013 LGA President’s Luncheon (Adelaide) 13 August 2013 CEO Performance Management (Adelaide) 10 September 2013 LGA President’s Luncheon (Adelaide) 8 October 2013 Mining SA Conference (Whyalla) 26 & 27 November 2013 LGA Delegation to Canberra 2-4 March 2014 2014 Mainstreet SA Conference (Gawler) 4 April 2014 2014 Local Government Showcase & OGM (Adelaide) 10 & 11 April 2014 4th Resource Investment Symposium (Broken Hill) 26-28 May 2014 ALGA National General Assembly (Canberra) 15-18 June 2014 Cr Mike Basley LGA Code of Conduct Training 28 October 2014 Council & Committee Meeting Procedure (Adelaide) 2 December 2014 2014 Local Government Showcase & OGM (Adelaide) 10-11 April 2014 Cr Gerry Chivell LGA Roads & Works Conference (Renmark) 21-23 August 2013 LGA Code of Conduct Training 28 October 2013 LGA Conference & AGM 24-25 October 2013 Council & Committee Meeting Procedure (Adelaide) 2 December 2013 2014 LGA Showcase & OGM 10 & 11 April 2014 Cr Dino Gadaleta Council & Committee Meeting Procedure (Adelaide) 2 December 2013
Cr Shirley Hortin LGA Roads & Works Conference (Renmark) 21-23 August 2013 LGA Conference & AGM (Adelaide) 24 & 25 October 2013 2014 LGA Showcase & OGM (Adelaide) 10 & 11 April 2014 Cr Joe Paparella Council & Committee Meeting Procedure (Adelaide) 2 December 2013
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 10 >>Community Awards
2014 Port Pirie Australia Day Awards
Citizen of the Year Elected to the positon of Secretary of the Northern Awarded to Country Music Association in 1998, Roma continued Roma Sampson this role for the next 15 years. Roma has witnessed and been involved in many changes to the Port Pirie
Country Music Festival, with the Talent Quest being a principle building block since the Festival’s inception over 30 years ago.
Roma has received a Service and Merit Award from the Northern Country Music Association, life membership, as well as an Industry Award for Outstanding Support to the SA Country Music Industry in 2009.
Roma has been a member of the Port Pirie Harness Racing Club for over 40 years and at one stage was the official photographer, and is now a life member. Roma Sampson, Port Pirie Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award recipient.
Event of the Year 52 various workshop sessions catering for every Awarded to the preference.
Port Pirie SA Rural Women’s Gathering – The Gathering also supported a community arts 18-20 October 2013 project – Yarnbombing – with the City blooming with a kaleidoscope of colour.
The event was an outstanding success given the number of participants and the enjoyment had by all and also provided the opportunity to showcase Port Pirie and the region in the best possible light.
Margie Arnold, Chair of the Port Pirie SA Rural Women’s (fourth of left) with the Port Pirie Event of the Year Award, with Mayor Brenton Vanstone and Committee Members, Joy Parr, Deb Tregilgas, Rae Harding, Jenny Hughes, Vicki South, Ellie Green and Gwen Paterson.
The SA Rural Women’s Gathering is an annual event held throughout South Australia in the rural sector. The 17th annual Rural Women’s Gathering held in Port Pirie was attended by over 380 women with 270 registered participants, with the remaining 100 being committee members, workshop presenters, speakers and volunteers. The event attracted women from right throughout the State.
Planning for the event commenced in 2011 with a 22 member committee, who collaborated successfully to present an impressive array of keynote speakers and
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT – 2013-2014 11 >>Community Awards
2013 Crystal Brook Australia Day Awards
Citizen of the Year Awarded to Elaine Haggerty
A well known Crystal Brook character, who for many years delivered the towns mail, Elaine is a long time volunteer for many local organisations and is the local coordinator of Meals on Wheels, as well as a volunteer community bus driver and hospital car driver.
Young Citizen of the Year Awarded to Nicole Kelly
A veteran of more than six years as a CFS volunteer in Clare and now Crystal Brook, Nicole also served as Regional Representative for the CFS Youth Advisory Council. Nicole assisted with the re-establishment of Scouts in Crystal Brook and with no experience in Scouts, took on the role of Akela and the formation of a Cubs group for boy and girls between 8 and 11 years Crystal Brook Young Citizen of the Year Nicole Kelly and of age. Citizen of the Year Elaine Haggerty cutting the Australia Day cake.
Community Event of the Year Awarded to Crystal Brook Kindergarten Family Market
A great example of community spirit, this event whilst raising funds for the kindergarten, also invited many other groups to benefit through participation. This event was enthusiastically embraced by many families throughout the region.
Karena Wilson, Jacinta Huxtable and Olivia Alpe accept the Crystal Brook Event of the Year award for the Crystal Brook Kindergarten.
2013 Redhill Community Awards
Citizen of the Year Awarded to Noel Pilkington
A valuable community member, Noel has been heavily involved with the Broughton Basketball Association over many years, serving in just about every position, as well as coaching and umpiring. He is an Association Best & Fairest winner and a life Member.
Noel has contributed and worked tirelessly for the Redhill Tennis Club, BSR Football Club, Redhill Primary Noel Pilkington, second from left, was the Redhill Citizen of School, St Marks College, Redhill Rural School Council, the Year recipient and is pictured with Cr Neville Wilson, the Redhill Development Board, Redhill CFS volunteer (for Hon Geoff Brock, Member for Frome and Cr Shirley Hortin. more than 40 years, captain for 10 years).
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT – 2013-2014 12 >>Chief Executive Officer’s Report
While these are still works in progress, significant improvements have already been made in a number of areas.
In addition to this, Council has overhauled its website to improve the visual appearance of the site, improve the information available and the ease to access this information. Council also has continued to expand its social media presence and introduced a smart phone app in order to expand the channels available to keep the community informed of Council activities and receive feedback.
Whilst so much good work has been achieved, there is also so much more to do. Our aim is to continually improve on everything we do, year on year.
Council has also been aggressive in applying for grants for projects identified in its Asset Management Plan and its Long Term Financial Plan. There has been significant success in
this area with funding secured during the year for the CEO Dr Andrew Johnson at the official opening of the Solomontown Beach Plaza. following projects:
As Chief Executive Officer of Port Pirie Regional Council and • Solomontown Beach Plaza leading a group of dedicated staff, it is extremely gratifying • Abattoirs Road realignment when our organisation is fast gaining the reputation as being • Boat Ramp replacement & duplication a regional leader in many aspects of our operations. We are • Wetlands Master Plan regularly used as a point of reference for best practice for a • USG Regional Sustainability Planning regional council and we are regularly called apon to present • City Bike loop at conferences, workshops and think tanks. • City Entrances
To highlight some of the good work our staff are achieving, Unfortunately, despite multiple attempts, Council has not the Council has won the following awards over the past 12 yet been able to secure funding for the implementation of months: our CBD Master Plan. Efforts in this area will continue.
• 2013 Resilience Australia Award • 2013 PIA Award for Planning Excellence (Best Planning Council has been involved in discussions with port operators, Idea Award – Large Project) mining companies and the State Government for some time over the opportunities to upgrade our port to cater to the • 2013 SATC Local Government Award for Tourism – Bronze Award emerging mining sector in South Australia. To assist to sell the strategic advantages of Port Pirie, Council engaged • 2013 SATC Visitor Information & Services – Silver Award Aurecon to prepare an independent report analysing our • 2013 KESAB Sustainable Community Award port and the role it could play in the future. • Runner-up Award in the 14th Annual South Australian
Regional Awards in the category of sustainability in the The report concluded that Port Pire could play an important region of the Yorke and Mid North role in the development of the emerging mining sector in • 2014 LGMA Leadership Award (Waste Strategy) this State, as it could provide a saleable port solution, at a • 2014 IPWEA Award (Community Consultation, Waste lower cost than a green field deep sea port, and that it could Strategy) be implemented in a shorter time frame than other options elsewhere in the State. Council also commissioned a video I congratulate all staff who have been involved in this fly-through of its preferred port solution. Council has used success. these tools to engage Government and industry in discussions on investing in the expansion of the port.
The Aurecon report and the video fly-through are available from Council’s website.
Other significant achievements during the year included the completion of the Master Plan to rejuvenate our CBD. Council also commenced the community consultation in relation to preparing a Port Pirie Sports Precinct Master Plan which is designed to set the framework for the major redevelopment of Memorial Oval, Pirie West Oval and the Council has also put in considerable effort to review and swimming pool complex. improve its customer service systems and has undertaken a comprehensive independent review of its parks operations with a view of providing better service to the community.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 13 >>Chief Executive Officer’s Report
It is also pleasing to see development application numbers The 2014 Financial Statements represent a positive trend and the value of these applications increase over the last which will continue to improve as Council implements the few years. These are a positive trend for the growth of our strategies within its Long Term Financial Plan. community. The year ahead looks exciting with further works proposed Council continues to increase its resources and efforts in on the foreshore including the Solomontown boat ramp providing a safe work environment for its staff. This has duplication, a toilet block in this area and dredging, with our resulted in a significant reduction in lost time injuries over first stage of the entrance project set to be completed. the last 5 years and we continue to exceed industry benchmarks in this regard. Work on the Master Plan for the Port Pirie Sports Precinct has gained pace late in this financial year and is expected to Council’s Audited 2013/14 Financial Statements show that take shape and progress rapidly in 2014/15. Council has recorded an operating deficit of $2.5 million before capital revenues. This represents a deterioration to the deficit recorded in 2013 of $1.7 million. However the Dr Andrew Johnson 2014 result was heavily impacted by the Federal CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Government’s decision to no longer provide advance payments of the financial assistance grant ($2.2 million). Ignoring this transaction, Council has achieved a deficit of just $0.3 million, the best result for many years.
Council’s Net Assets have increased by $2.7 million to $206.0 million. The increase is largely due to a revaluation of stormwater drainage, CWMS and bridge assets ($5.2 million) and a reduction in cash held ($3.0 million), which was offset by a decrease in borrowings ($0.6 million). The reduction in cash reflects Council’s policy to use existing funds before borrowing, resulting in significant net savings.
The Operating Surplus Ratio indicates a deficit ratio of (18%), compared to (14%) in 2013. The more relevant Adjusted Operating Surplus Ratio (ignoring advance payments of financial assistance grants) reveals a deficit ratio of just (1%), compared to (13%) in 2013 and (5%) in 2012. Council has not achieved a positive ratio since 2008. This represents a positive trend for Council to build on into the future and is consistent with the Long Term Financial Plan’s trend towards a sustainable operating surplus by 2016.
The Net Financial Liabilities Ratio of 35% represents an increase to the previous ratio of 20% in 2013. The result reflects the reduction in cash holdings as at 30 June 2014. This represents a manageable trend for Council, and is in compliance with the Long Term Financial Plan which provides for a long term target range of 30%-70%.
The Asset Sustainability Ratio compares the capital expended on existing assets to that proposed in Council’s Asset Management Plan. The ratio of 71% is an improvement on previous ratios of 67% (2013) and 26% (2012), albeit that these were calculated against asset depreciation costs. The ratio reflects Council’s changing priority towards servicing and replacing existing assets as indicated in the Long Term Financial Plan and Capital Works Program.
Council expended $4.3 million on renewing existing assets while spending $1.5 million on new and upgraded assets. In future years, Council expects to fully fund new assets by grants, sale of surplus assets, loans or by operating surpluses, to maximise amounts to be spent on existing assets.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 14 >>Corporate & Community
RESPONSIBILITIES • Injury Management Program To implement and maintain the Injury Management • Governance practices that assist the Local Government Association • Administrative Support Workers Compensation Scheme in the management of • Human Resource Management work related injuries in accordance with legislation compliance. • Work Health & Safety (WHS) • Elections • Policy & Procedure Project • Property Management To implement a system that is compliant with WHS • Tourism & Arts legislation.
• Library & IT Suite • Hazard Management Project • Community Services Task risk assessments have been through the consultation process with relevant stakeholders and 2013/14 ACHIEVEMENTS effectiveness of control measures are reviewed.
During the planning process, Management were especially WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY (WHS) conscious of past deficiencies in the area of planning and programming realistic and achievable actions, objectives and Work has continued on the 2013/14 WHS Plan with target dates. With this focus, energies were directed to programs. Areas of focus of the Plan were: WHS Training, balancing the allocation of resources with identified areas Contractor Management, Emergency Management, Injury requiring improvement. This effort has been rewarded with Management, Policies & Procedures and Hazard the close out of three of the above focus areas: Injury Management. Management Program, Policy & Procedure Project and Hazard Management Project. Work continues on the Objectives for each area were: remaining programs with an anticipated target date of
September 2014. Planning and programming of the new • WHS Training Program WHS Plan for 2015/16 will commence in October/November All Council workers are aware of their responsibilities of 2014. for WHS and that they are trained and competent to do their job safely. Also that mandatory safety training In addition to the WHS Plan, Council also maintains a WHS requirements are met, to enable the organisation to Event Calendar that covers operational, workplace have a layered, qualified and informed approach to monitoring, WHS training, policy and procedure reviews, and organisational safety. the internal audit schedule. The Event Calendar ensures compliance with legislation, performance standards for self insurers and Council procedures. The Calendar also incorporates the successful Health Monitoring Program featuring health assessments and skin cancer screenings. This program is provided by the Corporate Health Group in conjunction with the Local Government Worker’s Compensation Scheme. Council also provides an immunisation program to all employees.
Reporting of hazards is a proactive approach to hazard management, ensuring issues are addressed by implementing control measures before an injury and/or property damage is sustained. There were 11 reported hazards in 2013/14. The most frequent hazards were • Contractor Management Program lighting, slips, trips/falls and ergonomics/workplace design. Council's contractor management systems are effective in mitigating WHS risk. Reporting of incidents is important so investigations can be undertaken to identify root causes and implement control • Emergency Management Program measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of further injury To implement and maintain an effective WHS and/or property damage. 44 incidents were reported in emergency management system. 2013/14 with 5 lost time injuries. Equipment/material,
procedures, management systems and training featured highly in root causes of reported incidents.
Year For FTE Claims LTI’s LTI Freq’ncy Duration Incident 5 Day Table showing Days Rate Rate Rate No. comparison of PPRC 2011/12 PPRC 107 7 4 40 18.1 10.3 3.6 2 with Group C Councils Group C as at 30 June 2014. 2012/13 PPRC 90 5 2 22 11.1 11.0 2.2 2 Group C 100 11 5 100 26.9 18.6 5.4 3 LTI = Lost Time Injuries FTE = Full Time Employee 2013/14 PPRC 87 6 5 10 28.7 2.0 5.7 0
Group C 85 7.5 3.5 41.4 20.5 11.8 4.1 2
Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 15 >>Corporate & Community
Council data in BLUE. Number of Claims = All claims ie Primaries and Secondaries reported during the period. Lost Time Injuries as defined in Australian Standard 1885.1 – One complete shift or more of lost time, not cumulative. Note – figures depend upon compensation reimbursement being claimed up to end of period.
PROPERTY documentation, contractor information and awarding of the tender. The Property Section of Council was expanded in 2013 to include a full time Property Officer in addition to the already Leases, licences and permits are regularly reviewed and employed Property Maintenance Officer. Council sought issued in accordance with the appropriate legislation. In the and was successful in employing a fully qualified Property last 12 months a module called Leases, Licences and Permits Officer with extensive experience in this field. has been developed on our corporate software to enable more efficient processes and record keeping to occur. Council, over a number of years, has been compiling a list of issues that relate to property that Council owns or affects As the fully resourced Property Section is in its infancy, a landowners adjacent to Council property. These issues have large amount of staff time has been taken up with the been considered a risk to Council and have now been development of new processes and procedure appropriately prioritised for resolution. documentation to ensure legislative compliance and ensuring the most effective and efficient processes are in The Property Officer will be, as a matter of priority, place. The next phase of the procedure documentation is addressing the high risk issues, then focusing on the the development of a reporting mechanism back to the remaining issues. Senior Management Team.
As at 30 June 2014, there are 144 issues on the Property TASK CURRENT COMPLETE Management list, with others accumulating weekly as project work carried out by Council staff throughout the Community 23 5 Council area discover new property issues. Acquisition 18 2
The major categories these issues can be placed into are: Procurement 1 2 Disposals – land Council does not want to retain; Road Processes – opening and closing of roads within the Council Disposal 41 3 area; Acquisitions – land that needs to be acquired to allow road realignment to occur; Encroachments - where property Road Processes 39 1 boundaries have not been adhered to. Other Projects 5 4 A key requirement of the Property Section is to work closely TOTAL 127 17 with other departments of Council, in particular the Infrastructure Department, who when undertaking projects often find easement issues which the Property Section then need to resolve. Community
3% When dealing with these issues a large component is to 12% 16% work with the community to resolve the issue. Explaining Acquisition and working with the community is a key fundamental aspect of the position. The Property Section, as well as 13% being technically proficient, must also be well versed in 27% 1% Procurement communicating with the public. 28% The Property Section is also handling contracts relating to Disposal the cleaning of all Council buildings and public conveniences. This involves developing the specification, tender
Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 16 >>Corporate & Community
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Employment Status Male Female Total Full Time 59 24 83 The Human Resources Department of Council is an internal Part Time 1 8 9 service provider with a strong focus on ensuring that Council Casual 4 6 10 has the people and performance capacities necessary to Total 64 38 102 fulfil its legislative requirements. FTE Status as at 30 June 2014: 94.65 with 6 roles (4.95 FTE) The goal of the Human Resources Group is to provide quality vacant as at 30/6/14. information and support services in all aspects of people and performance management. Core services and activity Council’s Gender and Age mix as at 30 June 2014 is as follows: throughout the period have included:
• Attraction & Engagement Age Group Male Female Total % Recruitment policies and processes are continually 18 - 24 years 4 4 8 7.8 updated to provide the most efficient manner in 25 - 34 years 4 10 14 13.7 recruitment. Council has been proactive with a 35 - 44 years 17 6 23 22.6 Graduate program and has engaged two Engineering 45 - 54 years 18 5 23 22.6 Graduates within our Infrastructure Department. 55 - 64 years 18 11 29 28.4 65 + years 3 2 5 4.9 • Training & Talent Development A Training Plan has been developed which is aligned 64 38 102 with the completed annual performance appraisals. Development will focus on programs for our emerging Staff Service Awards leaders to ensure succession plans are met. The following staff achieved service milestones during 2013/14, and were presented with their certificates from • Performance Management & Reward both Council and the Local Government Association of SA : Performance appraisals are conducted on an annual basis and are a key component for ensuring a two-way Jim Meaney 30 years communication process is in place to look at job Trevor Cugley 10 years performance. David Evans 10 years Peter Everett 10 years • Organisational Development Sara Haldane 10 years Council has recently appointed an Organisational Jennifer McDonald 10 years Development Manager who will focus on leadership
and talent development, succession planning, team
building, change management and policy development.
• Industrial Relations
The current period has seen a relatively stable
workplace environment with workplace agreements
not due for renewal until late 2014.
• Workers Compensation & Rehabilitation Legislative compliance continues to be excellent in these areas.
• Personnel & Organisational Support Services All staff have undertaken bullying and harassment awareness training and an external officer has been engaged to be the contact point for any employee issues or complaints.
• Workforce Planning All staff participated in an Employee Engagement Council CEO Dr Andrew Johnson presenting Staff Service Awards (clockwise) Survey in mid 2013 and action plans for key issues David Evans, Jennifer McDonald, Jim Meaney & Trevor Cugley. identified have been formulated and implemented. ELECTIONS The Human Resource Department of Council also provides a No elections were held during the year. The next Periodical link to Superannuation providers that hold employees’ Election is scheduled for November 2014. superannuation funds. Changes to Government legislation and the global financial situation have forced changes to Council’s contributions and methods of operation: LIBRARY SERVICES
• Salary Link is currently 9.3% for existing employees The Port Pirie Regional Library Service aims to provide high before 1 July 2011 quality library and information services to all sectors of the • New employees and non-Salary Link Members 9.5% local community. The Library Service provides gateways to information, learning and leisure. The service consists of 2 Council’s workforce as at 30 June 2014 consisted of 102 branches: the Port Pirie Public Library and the Crystal Brook employees including full-time, part-time, and casual Public Library. The Council also contributes to the funding of employees. the Flinders Mobile Library which visits Napperby, Koolunga and Redhill on a regular basis.
Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 17 >>Corporate & Community
The Port Pirie Branch is open 46 hours per week over 6 days public on a fee basis. The IT Suite specialises in training the and the Crystal Brook branch 30 hours per week over 5 days. public in a wide array of training courses from beginners to advanced skills. The Library collection includes books, magazines, music CD’s, DVD’s, CD-ROM’s, jigsaws, hear a books, language kits, graphic novels, ebooks, online resources and sports equipment for people of all ages.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
Refurbishment of Crystal Book Library/Office With the combining of the Crystal Brook Office functions with the library functions, it became clear that the work station and customer service desk needed modification to meet customer and staff needs. The results of the refurbishment is a more attractive reception area providing Over the course of this last financial year, the Port Pirie improved customer service. Regional Library has offered a number of different computer and tablet courses that can match other state-wide libraries. IPad Training was offered for the first time.
• Public Training The chart below shows the number of courses run for the public over a five year period. This includes both PC and iPad training. The number of training courses offered improved 38% over the last financial year. Over a five year period, the year saw an improvement of 28% over the average of the last 4 years. During the last financial year there have been 103 courses available to Crystal Brook Library the public. refurbishment
As part of the Public Library, the Training and Merger of IT Centre with the Library Technology Support Officer now offers training in the In August 2013, the Port Pirie IT Centre amalgamated with online services available. These are free to the public the Port Pirie Regional Library. The merging between these and include how to use eBooks and how to access two services has offered an opportunity for the IT Centre to digital newspapers, encyclopaedias and ancestry expand on its existing clientele and be connected to the websites. organisational structure. The Officer from the old IT Centre now has wider duties. • Staff Training
Over the period of December 2013 to April 2014 The collection of computers is now referred to as the IT Suite council-wide staff development training was conducted within the Library. The IT Suite continues to provide a at the IT Suite. The courses consisted of 8 training variety of services of a similar nature to what is being courses with varying degrees of difficulty and 36 staff delivered by other South Australian Public Libraries. Services were involved. provided through the IT Suite are training, printing services, as well as access to broadband internet for the general
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Activities & Events The course was a fun and interactive experience • Holiday Fun @ your library - Activities designed to give students an understanding of digital Craft technology, tips and techniques on composition as well School holiday activities are a regular feature of the as how to edit their photographs. library program and are well supported by the
community. The program is aimed at 4-10 year olds. A number of parents/carers are staying and assisting which is appreciated. The highlight for this program has
been establishing a program at the Crystal Brook branch. 15 sessions were run including 4 at Crystal Brook with 308 children attending. This was an extra five sessions on last year and an extra 136 children
catered for.
Summer Reading Program Over summer the Library joined the nation-wide
Summer Reading Program - “The Principles of Investigation”. Thirty-six children registered. African Cultural Event The Community Development Officer organised an Performances - Andy Jones th African Drummer to perform in the Library on 30 May. On 16th January children’s entertainer and author Andy School students from John Pirie Secondary School, Jones presented a hilarious and interactive musical Solomontown Primary School and Mid North Education show about jokes and humour. Centre attended the performance by Bortier Okoe. The Even though the performance was designed for primary seventy school children and their teachers were school children, the adults got just as much enjoyment enthralled by the drumming, dance and performance. as the children. 41 children and 21 adults attended the performance.
• Youth Activity @your library Digital Photography
Through the expertise of the Technology & Training Support Officer, support from the Community Development Officer, and National Youth Week
funding, the Library held a free Digital Photography • Children’s Book Week Workshop for 10-15 year In August each year Children’s Book Week is celebrated olds. at the Library. Due to the interest from schools, the Library conducted book week over two weeks in “How your Camera Works; August. Some of the shortlisted books were read, what it does; and Creating followed by a craft activity where children designed Great Photos” was the their own flag for their universe. 29 class groups, 583 theme this year. students participated. The theme for the year was “Read across the Universe”.
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While Marie ran the first three sessions, Stamos provided training at one of the local high schools on State Library Services that would be useful to teachers and students.
Feedback via email from a member of the Local Family History Group: “Once again, many thanks for making the visit by the State Library such a great day. I still haven't checked out all of the sites (it may take me weeks).”
Children’s Book Week activities in the Library Conference Room Gardening Workshop In June the Community Development Officer organised some • Events for Adults very successful gardening information sessions in the Library Chemistry Exhibition by Karen Montgomery from “K Space”. The afternoon
session covered propagation from seeds and cuttings and Port Pirie Library hosted “Chemistry and the Nucleus” th th was fully booked out. The evening session on Nature’s Exhibition from 24 February to 24 March, a fertilisers was also very popular. travelling exhibition created by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and sponsored by the Inspiring Australia Program of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, Research and Tertiary Education – Questacon. Port Pirie Library was one of five sites in South Australia where the exhibition could be viewed.
Volunteers Over the past 12 months a small group of enthusiastic volunteers have been assisting Library staff with our Home Library Service selections and deliveries and keeping our books in order on the shelves. Their help is much valued and State Library: Undertaking Research greatly appreciated. On the 21st March we hosted Stamos Ganiaris, The Library also values the Justice of the Peace and District Education Librarian and Marie Maddocks, Family Family History Group who regularly attend the Library. The History Officer from the State Library of South Australia Justice of the Peace Service continues on Wednesday and who ran four sessions for us. We had to turn people Friday afternoons between 1pm and 3pm. away from the first two sessions as the venue had reached the seated capacity of 30. Each session went The Port Pirie District Family History Group is providing a for an hour. Sessions offered were: volunteer on Friday afternoons between 1pm and 3pm to assist people with their family research. - An Introduction to the State Library Family History Resources through Library Guides Performance Find the keys to unlock your past among records of Business Improvements births, deaths and marriages, shipping, directories The team undertook a complete revision of work and church records. instructions at the Port Pirie branch to ensure they reflected the new practices that had evolved to meet the new location - Useful Family History Websites Unearth what you haven’t known about your and the new Library Management System.
family in websites packed with Family History Another business improvement occurred due to the new information. Library Management System. The new Library Management - Searching for the Soldier in your Family System has changed some work practices which has allowed Discover what the library can help you find if the Library to implement a program of “floor walking”. anyone in your family participated in any war in What this means is that for an hour, sometimes 2, a staff any country. member is allocated to be amongst the shelves to assist - Online Newspapers customers with queries whilst also shelving, checking for Delve into free newspaper databases at home, missing items and pulling items off the shelves that have including information gems at your fingertips in been requested by customers at other libraries. This has a Trove. two fold effect of customers receiving an improved service and collection maintenance tasks being completed in a timely manner.
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Statistics Wireless access has increased in part due to being able to The following statistics indicates the performance of the provide wireless access at Crystal Brook in 2013 as well as Library service (Port Pirie and Crystal Brook) over the Port Pirie. There is still a high demand for internet use from 2013/14 financial year. the community, even though home ownership of internet devices has increased over this period. 2009/ 2010/ 2011/ 2012/ 2013/ 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 TOURISM Items loaned 144,344 166,694 161,671 148,416 121,66 2 Visitor Statistics Incoming - - 4,195 7,945 A total of 12,000 counter enquiries were recorded at the material* Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre in 2014, with Material sent - - 4,484 9,650 110,000 people recorded as coming through the doors. to other Interstate visitation increased greatly from the previous libraries* year, with visitors from outside of South Australia New items 11,733 10,274 11,617 9,092 5,375 Patrons 89,364 103,902 169,645 166,509 175,92 comprising 35% of Centre enquiries. visiting the 6 library The majority of interstate visitors were from Victoria and Active library 8,543 6,697 6,506 9,013 6,866 New South Wales (each had a market share of 31% of membership interstate visitation). 27% of enquiries were received by (use within locals, many who went on to participate in the other last 3 years) attractions and services in the Cultural Precinct. Library 35,884 39,367 39,452 39,758 39,690 holdings Tourism Attractions Wireless 1,134 791 1,186 1,085 1,597 internet use The Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre continues to th successfully operate tourist and community attractions with * Since 7 March 2013 when joined the 1LMS the support of dedicated volunteers. This includes the Pirie Summary Rail Express Miniature Railway, Pirie Model Rail, Shakka the The Port Pirie Regional Library Service is well utilised by the Great White Shark Exhibition and Nyrstar Smelter Tours. community. The table below shows visitation to these attractions for the The loans of physical items have dropped at the Port Pirie first six months of 2014. Branch from last year, but usage of the Library for other activities has increased as can be seen by the door count. Visitation Attraction The Library is used by people who come in and read the 2013/14 paper, undertake a computer course, book a computer, Shakka the Great White Shark 3659 attend events and activities, visit the JP, seek advice from Exhibition the Local History Group and use the wireless services to Pirie Rail Express Miniature 2127 name a few of the activities in the Library that do not involve Railway loans. Pirie Model Railway 326 Nyrstar Smelter Tours 855 Materials coming into and being sent from the Library service shows that our borrowers are receiving materials Two of the Centre’s attractions experienced an increase in from other libraries and that we are assisting other libraries visitor numbers in 2013/14 compared to 2012/13. Shakka provide materials to their customers. the Great White Shark Exhibition had a 62% increase in
The Crystal Brook Branch has increased its door count since visitors while Pirie Rail Express had a 20% increase in visitors. becoming a one-stop shop for Council with the loans This can be attributed to special events and promotions held remaining the same as when it was a library-only facility. throughout the year focusing on these attractions.
The data shows a significant drop in new items added and through investigation this is attributed to the way the old Library Management System counted what was classed as new. The figure for the 2013/14 financial year is from the new Library Management System and is a more accurate reflection.
With the implementation of the One Library Management System (1LMS) across the State, borrowers who had a card at multiple libraries now only need to have one card which can be used at all libraries. This means we will see a decrease in memberships per library. For example, in the past people from Napperby or Port Germein may have had a
Port Pirie Library card along with a Flinders Mobile Library Visitors are in awe of the Shakka the Great White Shark Exhibition. card but now they only need to use their Flinders Mobile Library card to borrow at Port Pirie.
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Nyrstar Smelter Tour participation decreased by 10% but The Centre itself celebrated its 20th anniversary in May 2014 started to increase dramatically from July 2014 when news with a day of celebrations. This included free entry to all of the tours ending was released. attractions and local producers providing tastings and showcasing their wares. Tourism Awards Port Pirie Regional Council celebrated another successful year at the 2013 SA Tourism Awards, receiving medals in two categories. The Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre won a silver medal in the Visitor Information & Services category while Council won a bronze medal in the Local Government Tourism Award category.
Tourism Coordinator Belinda Jackson, left, and Tourism Administration Assistant Tabitha Runkel, second from right, with Tourism Information Officers Margaret Swingler, Pam Fletcher and volunteers Betty Edwards and Graeme Williams at the Tourism & Arts Centre’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
In addition, the Tourism & Arts Centre has hosted several business networking evenings and public events to showcase the centre, its attractions and the wider Cultural Precinct to the public.
Work on New Visitor Guide Work has been continuing on the new Port Pirie & Southern Flinders Visitor Guide, to be released in September 2014.
Tourism Coordinator Belinda Jackson and Director Corporate & This work included community consultation, writing and Community Colin Byles with the medal certificates from the 2013 SA editing content, sourcing business advertising and more. Tourism Awards Adelaide Caravan & Camping Show Social Media Port Pirie Regional Council funded and organised a Southern A Facebook page has been established to promote tourism Flinders Ranges stand at the 2014 Adelaide Caravan & and events to the community and beyond. The Port Pirie Camping Show. This event is the major tourism consumer Tourism & Events Facebook page has received over 400 likes show in South Australia and is aimed at caravan and and has been a valuable promotional tool. motorhome travellers.
This Facebook page has been used to promote upcoming This promotion proved effective for Port Pirie, with the Council and community events, increase awareness of the number of visitors from Adelaide in the quarter following attractions in and around Port Pirie and inform the public on the show (March-June 2014) increasing by 2.5% and attractions at the Tourism & Arts Centre (eg Pirie Rail believed to increase further during the traditional Flinders Express run days). Ranges tourism season in the winter months.
Anniversary Celebrations Regional Photo Shoot The Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre celebrated Port Pirie Regional Council conducted a photo shoot with a two significant milestones in 2013/14. Pirie Rail Express professional photographer in August 2013 to update the Miniature Railway, a popular tourist and community selection of images available for promotional use. This attraction, celebrated 10 years of operations in September photo shoot focused on attractions of Port Pirie, including 2013. the Tourism & Arts Centre, Memorial Park and Solomontown Beach, as well as venturing to regional attractions including A Family Fun Day attracted 300 people to enjoy a ride Alligator Gorge. followed by face painting and kids’ activities. Miniature These images have been used for the new Council website, railways from around South Australia visited and brought in various advertisements and promotions and will be their own engines to enhance the railway experience. showcased in the new Port Pirie & Southern Flinders Visitor Guide.
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Posters have also been installed at the public toilets in Napperby, Nelshaby and Crystal Brook.
Mobile Visitor Information Centre A mobile Visitor Information Centre (VIC) concept was trialled successfully by the Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre. A display was established at the Port Pirie Tennis Centre during the Port Pirie Pro Tour Tennis International event in February. There are plans to continue the mobile VIC for events, bringing visitor information and a community presence to Port Pirie’s major events.
Pirie to Napperby Cycle Trail Work was finalised on a new cycling trail linking Port Pirie and Napperby. This trail was completed as part of an agreement with the Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority (SFRTA) to work in with the Southern Flinders Ranges Cycle Tourism Master Plan.
The mountain bike trail starts behind the Port Pirie Beach Caravan Park and extends along Port Germein Road, to National Highway One and along Gulf View Drive to Napperby playground.
Two of the brilliant images captured by photographer Dale Smith in his photo RV Friendly shoot in and around Port Pirie last year. Final touches have been made to confirm Port Pirie and Crystal Brook as RV Friendly towns. This means both towns Signage & Flags meet criteria set by the Campervan Motorhome Club of The Port Pirie Regional Tourism & Arts Centre has addressed Australia (CMCA) to be promoted as prime destinations for feedback from visitors finding the Centre difficult to find by self contained RV travellers. installing bright new signage and advertising flags.
The 4.5 metre sign is illuminated at night and has Other Council areas (including Bowman Park in Crystal information on all of the services located within the Cultural Brook, Ellis Street Reserve in Redhill and Bunyip Park in Precinct, including the Library and Art Gallery. Koolunga) have been passed as RV Friendly Destinations.
Flags promoting the Visitor Information Centre, Library and Regional Restructure Process/Networks Art Gallery have also been created. These can be brought in Port Pirie Regional Council maintains strong relationships and out on a daily basis and create a bright, colourful with tourism bodies and networks across the state including entrance to the Centre car park. Flinders Ranges & Outback SA Tourism Board (FROSAT) and the Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority (SFRTA). This has included involvement with the regional restructure process.
PROMOTIONS/SPECIAL EVENTS
Events Strategy There were a number of key achievements from the Port Pirie Regional Council’s Event Strategy. These included: • Enhanced internal processes (road closure procedures, events database, event guidelines) • Tourism promotion (Outdoor Expo) • Marketing strategies (social media pages, multimedia of events) Promotional Posters • Business events (Global Maintenance Conference, Port Pirie has created new advertisements for the town and Festive Fair, Outdoor Expo) its tourist attractions that stand out from the crowd. • Cultural events (Great Night Out, Cultural Precinct Promotional posters have been installed on the back of stall events) doors in public toilets around Port Pirie, including the • Evaluation (detailed evaluations conducted, resulting in Tourism & Arts Centre, Library, Flinders View Park and likely improvement of future events) Solomontown Beach. • Increased community events assistance (promotion,
These posters show some of the brilliant images of the Community Assistance Fund applications, region with a call to action for the Tourism & Arts Centre. documentation, planning processes, risk management, This form of advertising is cheap and effective, as the etc). posters capture people’s attention.
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2013 Global Maintenance Conference & Trade Show with the chance to work together by extending opening The 2013 Global Maintenance & SACOME Resource Industry hours, conducting sales, or participating with stalls to Conference and Trade Expo was held in Port Pirie at the leverage from the free entertainment provided at Flinders Northern Festival Centre on the 21st & 22nd August 2013. View Park. Council supported the event via the services of the Special Events Coordinator who was highly involved in the While participation was low, the event proved to be of coordination of the event. benefit to the businesses that attended. The event will be driven by the Chamber of Commerce if it is to be held in the Approximately 350 delegates from varying industries, future. backgrounds and companies attended the two day conference which featured a range of presentations on strategies, investment and development, and their potential opportunities for suppliers and investors of the Spencer Gulf.
Delegates had numerous networking opportunities during the conference, predominantly within the Trade Expo area. Over 50 exhibitors displayed their products & services in both the ballroom and marquee areas, with a record number of exhibitors enjoying the many relationships and networking opportunities. Heavy mining machinery and equipment also set the scene of the event with cranes, vehicles, training pantech’s, and machinery situated along Gertrude Street. New Years Eve Party in the Park The 2013 Port Pirie New Years Eve Party in the Park was held Council also hosted a Mayoral Reception and official on Tuesday 31st December in Memorial Park. This welcome in the Cultural Precinct, thereby promoting the community event aims to provide free family entertainment facility. The reception was well attended, and both the for the community to celebrate the arrival of the New Year venue and event were highly commended by many in a fun and safe environment. delegates. The lawns of Memorial Park were packed with families The Conference was another fantastic success for the region enjoying the entertainment on deck chairs and picnic rugs, considering the current activity within the sector, and Port extending all the way to the rotunda area. Event organisers Pirie looks forward to hosting the Conference again in the estimated a crowd of approximately 4000 throughout the near future. night, with a similar attendance to 2012. This included a number of visitors to the city, with staff and the Mayor Christmas Markets talking to people from Port Augusta, Jamestown, Clare, The 2013 Port Pirie Christmas Markets were held on Laura, Booleroo Centre and interstate. Saturday 7th December at Flinders View Park Port Pirie. 25 stallholders provided a variety of goods and services to an Activities such as the fireworks displays and Cornsey’s All estimated crowd of between 1000-1500 people throughout Stars were very well received by the community, with many the day. cheers and positive comments. The 2013 Port Pirie New Years Eve Party in the Park was declared a success and Stallholder numbers increased from 18 in 2012, with 9 received an encouraging amount of positive feedback during participating in the event for the first time, while the variety and following the event. of products and services available also broadened.
For the children there were pony rides, face painting, fairy floss and novelty stalls, entertaining families passing through the Park.
A combination of the factors listed above, perfect weather, and a popular Christmas Pageant, all contributed to a successful event for all stallholders involved.
Festive Fair The Festive Fair was held at Flinders View Park on Thursday th Great Night Out 12 December 2013. An initiative of the Port Pirie Regional st Council, supported by the Port Pirie Chamber of Commerce, The Port Pirie Great Night Out was held on 31 January 2014 the event was an extension of the 2012 Festive Fashion at Memorial Park, Port Pirie. Council was successful in its Affair aiming to incorporate all local businesses further than grant submission to the Sammy D Foundation to host the just fashion. Great Night Out; one of five events promoting the awareness of alcohol fuelled violence across South Australia. The primary objective of the event was to promote local business and benefit the economy by providing businesses
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The alcohol free event targeted 18-30 year olds where a Solomontown Beach Plaza Opening total of 9 DJs performed from 6.00pm – 10.30pm across two The official opening for the Solomontown Beach Plaza was stages, while four food and drink stalls catered for the event. held on 13th April 2014. The new plaza area and Beach Road Around 150-200 youths visited the Park throughout the were officially opened by Council, with the event also night and although this was less than expected, factors such featuring a range of family friendly entertainment. as the weather and ‘Big Day Out’ event in Adelaide are thought to have deterred young adults from attending. The main objective was to showcase the new area to a wide audience and highlight the various ways in which the Plaza The Great Night Out is considered to have been a worthy can potentially be used by the community, in particular for event to coordinate, and although attendance could events, entertainment, and business. improve, the event addressed an important issue and provided high quality free entertainment for the youth of Entertainment included: the community. • Port Pirie Producers Market • Kite flying workshop and demonstrations • BMX demonstration • ‘Rolling Thunder’ by local Harley Davidson owners • Trax FM broadcast • Golden North Ice Cream Van.
A wide range of entertainment ensured all in attendance enjoyed themselves and provided a glimpse into what is possible at the Plaza in the future.
Southern Flinders Outdoor Expo and Lifestyle Show The inaugural Southern Flinders Outdoor Expo and Lifestyle Show was held on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March 2014 at Memorial Oval, Port Pirie. The event aimed to fulfil a number of objectives within Council’s Event Strategy including: • Promoting the Southern Flinders Ranges and local tourism • Attracting visitors to the region • Instigate economic activity • Develop new major events for the region.
Approximately 3000 people attended Saturday, followed by approximately 1000 on Sunday, with a mixture of both locals and visitors from around the mid north. A total of 39 exhibitors displayed various products and services of all things outdoors, including boating & fishing, caravan & camping, 4x4 driving, food & wine and everything that represents the Southern Flinders Ranges.
An entertainment program consisting of vehicle and vessel
displays, children’s entertainment, demonstrations and informative speakers, ensured all ages and interests were catered for.
The Outdoor Expo and Lifestyle Show has many opportunities for improvement and growth in the future. A strong foundation was established which has seen stakeholders and the community take to the concept quite well. Strong and positive feedback has been received, allowing Council to take these ideas and comments into account for 2015 to deliver a bigger and better event.
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Community Events requests. The waiting list is at a minimal level of registered The Port Pirie community again enjoyed the extensive interest. positive benefits to the region through major community events. Some of the major community events included:
• Port Pirie Gymnastics Invitational • SA Country Football Championships • Port Pirie Tennis International • Smelters Picnic • Blessing of the Fleet • SA Rural Women’s Gathering • Port Pirie Music Festival • Make-a-Wish Fun Run • Port Pirie Christmas Pageant • Candlelight Carols • Australia Day Celebrations • Crystal Brook Street Party • Crystal Brook Show • Bunyip Festival • Port Pirie Producers Markets • Clean up Australia Day • Nyrstar Open Swim • Tarpari Day • Cultural Precinct Events • SA Harley Owners Rally
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY SERVICES
Council provides a number of services and facilities to the community which includes:
• Community Bus • Community Housing for the Aged • Youth Development and participation by supporting and connecting with service organisations and networks • Facilitating and promoting activities within and around the Cultural Precinct • Developing Volunteer Management systems and processes, underpinned by Best Practice standards within Local Government and followed by all Councils statewide.
Community Bus The new air conditioned Community Bus Service is made available for use by community clubs, health services and other community organisations supporting social activities and programs of benefit to older people residing in Port Pirie and regional areas.
The Council owned vehicle is now a ‘user pays’ service delivery where each group hiring the 12 seater bus nominates a driver who takes responsibility for the vehicle. Hiring is conducted through a booking system managed by staff at the Crystal Brook office.
Currently the vehicle is housed at the Crystal Brook Hospital which works well for groups who wish to utilise the vehicle out of office hours or over a weekend. Hirers can access keys on presentation of their documentation to hospital staff.
Community Housing Council has 6 units in Revell and 4 in Eleventh Street for older people. Within the last 12 months there has been 4 vacancies and 4 new tenancies. Service delivery includes the maintenance of units and supporting the tenants in their
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RESPONSIBILITIES The Plaza was designed by Hywel Jones Landscape Architects and constructed by Outside Ideas, who were selected • Planning Control following a competitive tendering process. Construction • Local Heritage occurred over a four month period between November 2013 • Building Control and March 2014. During this period Council staff were • Building Fire Safety Inspections encouraged to visit the site under supervision to enhance • European Wasp & Bee Control community ownership of the finished area and the public • Mosquito Control were continually updated through press releases and Council • Feral Bird Management reports. • Wastewater Assessment & Control • Community Wastewater Management Scheme The Plaza was opened by Mayor Brenton Vanstone on 13 • Community Swimming Pools April 2014. The opening was designed as a community event • Food Safety & Food Premises Inspections to showcase the potential of the new Plaza and the • Health Education & Promotion Solomontown Beach area. The opening included the • Public and Environmental Health following elements: • Warm Water & Cooling Tower Control • • DrumMuster Program Rolling Thunder comprising approximately 50 Harley Davidson motorcycles, being the first vehicles to drive • Sharps Disposal Service through the Plaza; • Unsightly Land & Building Control • A kite flying exhibition and workshop to engage the • Parking & Council By-law Control children of Port Pirie; • Dog and Cat Management • The utilisation of the adjacent Skate Park for an • Fire Prevention exhibition of the talented Port Pirie Youth on BMX bikes; • 2013/2014 ACHIEVEMENTS Producers Market; and • A live broadcast from the local Radio Station Trax FM. Solomontown Beach Plaza On 11 March 2014, the Port Pirie Regional Council completed the construction of the Solomontown Beach Plaza at Beach Road and Main Road, Port Pirie.
The Solomontown Beach Plaza project was the result of a number of years of Council work that commenced in November 2011 and involved extensive community and stakeholder consultation, the adoption of a vision for the wider area and the creation of a master plan and subsequent detailed design for a new community owned public space.
The design principle adopted in the design of the Plaza was to create a public space that would function efficiently as an inviting and attractive space for people to use and interact with. It would be a space with a high level of visual presentation, a key destination space along Main Road and a key entry point to the Solomontown Beach Precinct. The Plaza was to complement the vision of the Solomontown Beach Precinct as: “A family oriented recreation and leisure area, comprising tourist and permanent accommodation, cafés, restaurants and bars alongside improved play facilities for children and families.”
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land to enhance and complement the adjacent residential development and provide for passive recreational activities. Once completed, the drainage system will facilitate a considerable residential land supply as an urban extension to Port Pirie.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS Motel - Wandearah Road Port Pirie In 2014, Development Plan Consent was granted for a three storey building containing 63 motel rooms on land at Wandearah Road, Port Pirie. The gross development value of the proposed development would be in excess of $3M. The application has been the subject of a Category 2 Public Notification with no representations received.
The works have resulted in a Plaza that the community is Building Rules Consent and final Development Approval are proud of and have taken ownership of. The provision of the yet to be granted, however it is understood that the shared surface that allows vehicular traffic to access through developer has entered into negotiations with an occupier the plaza on the same plane as pedestrian traffic has with a view to advancing the project in the 2014/15 financial increased permeability in the area and access to the Beach. year. The new space also provides a viable alternative as a space for public events and activities. Shopping Complex, Wandearah Road, Port Pirie
In terms of regenerative benefits, the new Plaza has Development Plan Consent was granted for a 10,350sqm increased interest in vacant and derelict sites in the area, building containing three retail tenancies on land located at with developers acquiring and consolidating landholdings Wandearah Road, Port Pirie. The proposed shopping with a view to undertaking development works that complex would be located to the south of the proposed complement the new tourist and recreation image that the motel and would have a gross development value in excess Plaza has created. of $10M. The proposed complex would comprise three large tenancies each in excess of 2,500sqm.
Building Rules Consent and final Development Approvals are yet to be granted for the development, however it is understood that the developer is keen to progress the development in the 2014/15 financial year.
Nyrstar Construction Camp - Beach Road Solomontown
As part of the Transformation Project Nyrstar has proposed, Development Approval has been granted for a temporary construction camp on land located at Beach Road, Port Pirie. The proposed accommodation camp has a build cost of approximately $12M and would accommodate up to 400 workers associated with the Transformation Project. The camp would be constructed in two stages, with the first stage comprising accommodation for approximately 280 South West Drainage construction workers and the balance being constructed as Council intends to construct strategic stormwater drainage part of the second stage. infrastructure to secure the residential land supply to the south-west of the City. The South West Drainage Scheme is a Construction of the camp will commence in August 2014. complex stormwater drainage system that extends from The camp is expected to be in place for a period of 5 years Three Chain Road in the east to beyond Port Davis Road in with all development removed from the site at the end of the west. It has been designed to ensure that residential the 5 year period unless otherwise approved by Council. zoned land, schools and dwellings in the south-west of the City are protected from flooding in the event of a 100 year DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS ARI and to provide for the future expansion of the City. Including the above applications, Council received 371 The area of land expected to be served by the South West development applications during 2013/14. These Drainage Scheme is approximately 310 hectares in size and applications represent in excess of $44 million in contains land currently used for residential purposes, land development and 45 additional allotments in the region. zoned for residential purposes and land intended for residential purposes in the future. This land has historically During the reporting period, 313 applications were been the subject of flooding and the intent is to convey the processed as Category 1 (no public notification), 57 were stormwater through a series of open drains and detention Category 2 (adjoining owner notification) and 10 were basins to the Gulf. The open drains will also form linear park Category 3 (public notification by public notice).
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The assessment of Development Applications is undertaken by Council staff under delegated authority, however the Council Development Assessment Panel (CDAP) made decisions on 13 applications.
15 Land Division applications and 81 dwelling applications were received during the 2013/14 reporting period, this compares with 10 land divisions and 87 dwellings for the previous financial year.
COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT PANEL The Development Assessment Panel has the delegated authority of Council to function under the Development Act. The Panel, re-appointed in April 2013, consists of 3 Elected Members: Crs Debbie Devlin, Joe Paparella and John Rohde and 4 members of the public: Chad King, Fiona Barr, Ian Miller and Presiding Member, Trevor White.
The Panel meets monthly, or as required to consider CUSTOMER SERVICE applications for Development approval.
The Council’s Development and Regulation team continue to STRATEGIES & POLICY DEVELOPMENT experience a high number of enquiries from ratepayers and In 2012/13 the Council received a Planning Institute of the community. Australia Award for Planning Excellence for its Strategic Planning work in respect of the Port Pirie Retail and In comparison to the 2012/13 financial year it has been Industrial/Employment Lands Study. It was considered to be identified that planning enquiries and general enquiries are a comprehensive and proactive project with excellent higher than the previous year with a significant increase assessment of opportunity. It was designed to future proof towards the end of the year. This could indicate that there is Port Pirie as an important Regional Centre and to attract the beginning of a movement in the development industry, employment and therefore an increase in population. with an emerging interest in the Port Pirie market as a result of the recent announcement regarding the transformation Undertaking parallel land use/employment lands assessment of the Nyrstar Smelter. and retail analysis was considered to demonstrate sound strategic planning and thinking. On average, enquiries relating to animal management are higher than the 2012/13 financial year which is understood The judges considered to be as a result of increased animal registration inspections that the work has and the subsequent increase in dog registrations. potential National The remaining enquiries are consistent with the previous application for other renewal projects of old ports which financial year and with many of these enquiries dealt with face similar issues within constraints if limited resources. either directly at the front counter or through telephone conversations. Outlined in the graphs below are the This work is expected to be used to undertake Development enquiries received by the department for the 2012/13 and Plan Amendments in the 2014/15 financial year, including 2013/14 financial years. work alongside the Better Development Plan Amendment process.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 29 >>Development & Regulation
Housing Land Availability Surveys are also to be undertaken Dog Control Statistics in 2014/15 to further enhance the Councils suite of background planning documents and studies. In association with Council’s Animal Management Plan, responsible pet owners are encouraged to properly identify DOG AND CAT MANAGEMENT their pets, preferably by micro-chip. This ensures prompt identification and return of pets to owners. Authority for the management of dogs and cats within the district is vested in Council under the Dog and Cat Cat Control Management Act, 1995. Council continues to assist the community with the control The objectives of the Act are to encourage responsible of feral cats by offering a cat trap service. There were 231 ownership, promote effective management and reduce the cat trap requests during the 2013/14 period, an increase of public and environmental impact from dogs and cats. 43 from the previous year, indicative of a continuing problem. Use of this service can be arranged through the Council is responsible under the Act to receive registration Council Administration Office. of dogs, provide a suitable pound for detained dogs and the enforcement of the Act. During the report year, Council Cat owners are urged to collar and micro-chip domestic cats received 450 complaints in relation to dogs barking, to identify inadvertently seized pets and ensure their wandering at large, and attacking or harassing persons or release. In addition to micro-chipping of pets, Council other animals, in comparison to 420 for the 2012/2013 year. recommends de-sexing of animals that are not required for specific breeding purposes. Council attended to 415 reports of dogs wandering at large, with a total of 291 dogs impounded for wandering at large. LITTER CONTROL Of these 63% were reunited with their owners, 13% were desexed, immunised, micro-chipped and rehomed, and 24% The dumping of household rubbish within the Council area is were euthanised. a recurring problem, resulting in costs to the community associated with cleanup and disposal.
Council has a reward program which offers a financial reward to any person who provides information leading to a successful prosecution for the dumping of rubbish on property under the control of Council.
During the 2013/14 period, 8 expiation notices were issued to for illegal dumping, compared to 1 during the 2012/2013 year.
Dog Registrations
During 2013/2014 Council undertook a dog registration audit throughout the Port Pirie area. During this audit a high number of unregistered dogs have been detected and a total of 3,784 dogs were registered during this year, compared to 3,339 dogs registered in 2012/2013 within the Port Pirie Regional Council area. This represents a 13% increase in dog registrations for the 2013/14 financial year. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
During the 2013/14 year, development of the Regional Public Health Plan commenced along with routine compliance inspections of food premises, waste control systems, temporary accommodation facilities, hairdressing and body piercing businesses, high risk manufactured water systems, swimming pools and infectious disease vector control/investigation.
Community Wastewater Management Systems
Council continues to operate Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) in Napperby and Crystal Brook.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 30 >>Development & Regulation
The EHO regularly monitors the quality of effluent processed Environmental Health Activities by the systems in line with the Public and Environmental Orders/ Activity Inspections Comments Health (Waste Control) Regulations. The CWMS Warnings 362 containers - 28 used Management Team meets regularly to oversee the Sharps 6 0 syringes collected from operations and maintenance of the Schemes. Disposal public areas Sharps Disposal On-Site 23 new systems installed, Wastewater 46 0 each requiring 2 Council continues to provide sharps disposal containers to Systems inspections pensioners and health care card holders free of charge, and Both CWMS are monitored to other members of the community for a minimal charge. CWMS 75 0 & compliance tested During 2013/14 382 sharps containers were distributed. regularly. Mandatory Inspection Waste Control Systems HRMWS 8 8 Orders are issued annually for each system. 23 On-site Wastewater Systems applications were approved Public pools are inspected during the year. As part of their approval, each system is Pools 8 0 periodically & disinfection subject to three mandatory inspections by the logs checked. Environmental Health Officer. All food premises are Food Safety 172 0 routinely inspected. Community Wastewater Management Systems Pests & Warnings issued regarding 30 4 Council continues to operate Community Wastewater Vermin feral birds and rats. European wasp nests are Management Systems (CWMS) in Napperby and Crystal European 5 0 destroyed by pest Brook. Wasps controller if located.
The EHO regularly monitors the quality of effluent processed by the systems in line with the Public and Environmental FIRE PREVENTION Health (Waste Control) Regulations. The CWMS The term Bushfire Prevention can be misleading, as the total Management Team meets regularly to oversee the prevention of fire is not possible, bushfires are inevitable. operations and maintenance of the Schemes. There will always be bushfire even if all human action could
be controlled, because of naturally occurring events such as High Risk Manufactured Water Systems (HRMWS) Cooling lightning. Therefore, the better term for Council’s role is the Towers & Warm Water Systems management, or mitigation, of fire. This means minimising Since October 2008, when the State Government introduced the impact of bushfires on the community, and building a the Public and Environmental Health Act (Legionella) more resilient community. Regulations, 41 HRMWS have been identified. Each system must be registered with Council and inspected annually. The Port Pirie Regional Council delivers strategies and activities that aim to protect life and reduce the impact of Community Swimming Pools bushfires with the key outcomes including:
There are 8 public access pools throughout the Region, each • Reduction in the frequency of fires; pool is inspected at least annually, to ensure safe water • Reduction in the impact that fires have on the quality is maintained. community;
• An educated and informed community; and Food Premises Inspections • The provision of cost-effective levels of community fire 172 routine food premises inspections were conducted protection whilst maintaining a balance of proper land throughout the Region using Australian Food Safety management Assessment System, under the SA Food Act 2001. There were no significant issues discovered, and all matters were “It is essential for everybody to accept that Bushfire resolved through educational/diplomatic measures. Prevention is a Community Responsibility, Whoever owns the fuel, owns the fire” Mosquito Control Role of a Fire Prevention Officer The Council engages the services of a professional Pest Controller to conduct its on-going eradication program. At Each Council must appoint a suitably qualified Fire present more than 27 known breeding sites are treated Prevention Officer to administer legislative requirements twice each year. and coordinate the management of a fire prevention program and activities to mitigate risks, both on public and European Wasp & Bee Control private land.
During the 2013/14 season, 5 These responsibilities include: European Wasp nests were • Community Education and Awareness; destroyed. • Provide Information and Advice; and
• Property Inspection and Enforcement. European Wasps are a potential threat to public health and safety. When located, nests are destroyed by Council.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 31 >>Development & Regulation
65 property owners were issue non compliance notices and an expiation notice of $315. Of the 65 property owners, 90% undertook the required works, with Council arranging to undertake the required works on the remaining non complying properties with these costs being borne by the land owner.
Councils Fire Prevention Officer continues to liaise with State Government to ensure that land owned by or under the care, control and management of State Government are also managed and the risks mitigated through works undertaken where they impact on assets.
Council’s Fire Prevention Officer attended three instances of illegal burning and the property owner complied with Councils request to extinguish the fire. Warnings were issued on these occasions due to the minor nature of the burning.
Fire Permits were issued to primary producers to undertake stubble or broad acre burning from 15 March 2014. A total of 15 burning permits were issued, with 13 being for stubble or broad acre burns, 1 for fire extinguisher training and one to a public utility for public works to be undertaken.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 32 >>Finance & Information RESPONSIBILITIES borrowing and a capital works budget of $93 million.
“To provide financial, information and customer services of Council also implemented its comprehensive review of its a high quality in support of the general operations of rating structure, which introduced land use rating to all Council”. properties outside of Port Pirie city. CWMS and waste management service charges were reviewed to ensure • Financial Management and Reporting recovery of the actual cost of effluent disposal and waste • Property Information, Rate and Service Charges collection and disposal from users of these services. • Annual Budget and Reviews • Long Term Financial Planning and Strategy Annual Budget • Investments and Loans The Annual Budget is developed within the guidelines of the • Accounts Payable and Receivable Budget Objectives Plan and Treasury Policies. Aims include: • Internal Control and Audit • Operating result to be positive; • Information Technology and Communication Systems • Expenditure on the renewal and replacement of • Records Management existing assets to be equal to or greater than annual depreciation expenses; ACHIEVEMENTS • Emphasis on seeking grant funds for projects; • Emphasis on User Pays Policy. Unqualified Audit Report; Adoption of Annual Business Plan, Budget and Rates; Review of the Budget Budget Reviews completed each quarter; Council conducts a formal Budget Review as at the end of Review and adoption of Council’s fees and charges. September, December and March. The purpose of these Application of new rating system and strategy; reviews is to provide the opportunity for a major Review of CWMS and waste service charges; examination of budget amounts allocated for operating Revaluation of CWMS, stormwater drainage and bridge activities, to re-assess allocations for capital projects and to assets and of buildings subject to AASB 13; generally monitor the progress and cost of all programs and Review of Community Assistance Policy and funding activities against those adopted in the Annual Budget. framework; Review and development of financial policies and Investments procedures; Council’s Investment Policy was developed to meet the Review and improvement of Internal Financial Controls; requirements of Sections 139 and 140 of the Local Review of Audit Committee performance and work Government Act 1999, to ensure the integrity of investments planning; and to monitor the performance of the investment portfolio Review of staff job descriptions and conduct of within policy guidelines. performance and development reviews; Redevelopment of corporate website; The main objectives of the policy are to protect funds and to Upgrade of CCTV systems at Solomontown Beach; maximise returns within an acceptable and prudent level of Development of various in-house databases; risk. The Budget objective to maximise investment revenue Processing, archiving and records management of is supported by the strategy to monitor the level of funds, current and historical documents and data; and to transfer temporarily surplus funds to higher interest Planning of records storage strategies and facilities. return investments.
FINANCIAL PLAN AND BUDGET Surplus funds are invested with the Local Government Finance Authority for high levels of return with low risk The Strategic Plan adopted by Council is supported by a Long exposure, minimal transaction costs and easy access. Term Financial Plan, as part of an integrated suite of plans to guide the future of the Council. The plans incorporate the Loans many changes both within Council and Local Government Council maintains low borrowing liabilities compared to and address the long-term sustainability of the Council. most other Councils and industry averages. Its six outstanding loans were all borrowed from the Local Changing economic conditions, rate policy review, State and Government Finance Authority. Federal Government plans and legislation, all influence financial planning and impact on the ability of Council to Loans are used to finance shortfalls in cash required to fund deliver services to the community. The Long Term Financial the Annual Budget, consistent with the Council’s long term Plan provides a high level financial framework to enable financial strategies. A mixture of fixed term loans and cash Council to meet required service levels and to manage and advance debentures is used to minimise financial risk by maintain its wide range of community assets. providing a variety of repayment terms and interest rates.
The Long Term Financial Plan was reviewed and updated Council also lends funds to community groups, generally to along with the Asset Management Plan and associated improve facilities located on Council property. Council has a Capital Works Program for the period 2013-2023. The plans policy to recover market interest rates on such loans, which were adopted by Council in July 2013 following public may be financed through the Local Government Finance consultation. The Long Term Financial Plan provides for a Authority or internally. sustained operating surplus from 2015, modest levels of
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 33 >>Finance & Information COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
The following allocations were made from Council’s Community Assistance Fund and from its general revenue during 2013/14 :
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUND Port Pirie Bowling Club 2013 Spring Bowling Carnival $1,100 Port Pirie Ministers Association PP Carol by Candlelight $1,100 Port Pirie Regional Gymnastics Academy PP Gymnastics Invitational $5,000 Mid North Postive Mental Health Mental Health Day $400 Port Pirie Motorcycle Club Andy Hensel Support to Walk Fundraiser event $1,500 Crystal Brook Community Carols Committee CB Communitry Carols $1,500 Virtus Soccer Club Canteen and Shelter upgrade $2,000 Port Pirie Motorcycle Club 2014 Prince and King of the Gulf Motocross $1,000 Crystal Brook Golf Club Entrance road and surrounding grounds $750 Boystown Port Pirie 2014 Muso Magic $3,000 Park Royal Panthers Hockey Club Hockey 20 year reunion $2,500 Koolunga Development Association Tables and chairs at Bunyip Park $1,500 Port Pirie Regional Health Tarpari Wellbeing Day, preparation and cleanup $3,000 Port Pirie Harness Racing Club Port Pirie Pacing Cup $1,000 Virtus Soccer Club Biography Publication $1,000 Port Pirie Pistol and Shooting Club Inc Pathway edges at clubrooms $900 Adelaide Kids Film Festival Regional Tour to Port Pirie $1,500 Crystal Brook RSL CB Institute hire $150 Port Netball Club 60 Year Anniversary $2,000 Make-A-Wish Port Pirie Branch Fun Run/Walk traffic management $1,500 Gulnare/Redhill Football/Netball Club Gravel and Grading at Redfhill Oval $1,000 Northern Country Music Association Port Pirie Music Festival $3,000 Rotary Club of Port Pirie Port Pirie Fly In, waste and cleanup $4,500 Pirie Ranges Triathlon Club Port Pirie Triathlon $2,000 TOTAL $42,900 COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, EVENTS & FACILITIES Australia Day - Port Pirie Community event $12,448 Australia Day - Crystal Brook Community event $1,227 Australia Day - Redhill Community event $727 Christmas Pageant – Port Pirie Community event $12,915 Christmas Pageant/ Street Party – Crystal Brook Community event $3,696 Smelters Picnic – Port Pirie Community event $3,994 Blessing of the Fleet Community event $1,410 Bunyip Festival Community event $691 Crystal Brook Show Community event $4,668 Bedford Industries Waste Disposal Concessions $1,124 Uniting Care Wesley - Mens Shed Waste Disposal Concessions $3,121 Orana Waste Disposal Concessions $830 St Vincent De Paul Waste Disposal Concessions $2,089 Lifeline Waste Disposal Concessions $10,608 Uniting Care Wesley Waste Disposal Concessions $494 Port Pirie Sporting Association Sporting Representations contribution $4,000 Butlers Bridge Hall Maintenance Contribution $500 Wandearah Hall Maintenance Contribution $500 Napperby Hall Maintenance Contribution $1,500 Crystal Brook Community Association Annual Contribution $5,000 Redhill Development Association Annual Contribution $5,000 Koolunga Development Association Annual Contribution $5,000 Port Pirie District Development Board Annual Contribution $5,000 Crystal Brook Oval Management Water Contribution $25,000 Redhill Development Association Water Contribution $15,000 Port Pirie Softball Association Water Contribution $15,000 Port Pirie Hospital Health Services Rate Rebate $88,785 Crystal Brook Hospital Health Services Rate Rebate $8,005 Hospital Units Health Services Rate Rebate $11,559 Revival Church Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,794 Lutheran Church CB Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $803
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 34 >>Finance & Information Catholic Church CB Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $838 Uniting Church Koolunga Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $543 Catholic Church Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,575 Greek Orthodox Church Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,732 St Marks Cathedral Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $2,925 Uniting Church PP Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,418 Anglican Church PP Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $3,270 Anglican Church PP Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,951 Anglican Church Crystal Brook Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $650 Christian Community Church Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $3,145 Lutheran Church PP Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $2,674 Uniting Church PP Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $3,427 Latter Day Saints Church Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $2,265 Baptist Church Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,794 Uniting Church Clements Gap Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $514 Catholic Church Redhill Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $373 Uniting Church Wandearah Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $471 Aust Conference Centre Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,889 Jehovah's Witnesses Congretation Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $2,082 Uniting Church CB Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,087 Uniting Church CB Religious Purposes Rate Rebate $1,087 Christian School Educational Purposes Rate Rebate $4,078 Boarder Accommodation St Marks Educational Purposes Rate Rebate $1,135 Catholic School Cropping Land Educational Purposes Rate Rebate $913 St Marks School Bosco Educational Purposes Rate Rebate $14,015 Bedford Industries Community Services Rate Rebate $3,811 Orana Incorporated Community Services Rate Rebate $1,652 Uniting Care Wesley Community Services Rate Rebate $3,329 Boystown Community Services Rate Rebate $4,141 Lealholme Community Services Rate Rebate $12,770 St Joseph's House Community Services Rate Rebate $34,404 Helping Hand Aged Care Units Community Services Rate Rebate $7,923 Willochra Home Community Services Rate Rebate $4,703 Families SA Community Services Rate Rebate $887 Uniting Care Wesley Community Services Rate Rebate $3,160 Centacare Office Community Services Rate Rebate $1,818 Central Mission Community Services Rate Rebate $12,729 Women's Housing Community Services Rate Rebate $839 Wesley Country Housing Community Services Rate Rebate $12,568 Crystal Brook Aged Care Units Aged/Disabled Accommodation Rate Rebate $1,572 Crystal Brook Retirement Village Aged/Disabled Accommodation Rate Rebate $4,307 Car Park Florence Street Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $7,211 Napperby Tennis and Community Club Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $471 Tennis Courts Senate Road Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $915 Meals on Wheels Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $1,205 Senior Citizens Port Pirie Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $1,750 Lifeline Retail Store Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $2,847 YWCA Port Pirie Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $1,139 Napperby Memorial Hall Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $657 Mundoora Institute Library Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $524 Wandearah Memorial Hall Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $727 Nukana Community Centre Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $1,320 Crystal Brook RSL Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $1,078 CWA Redhill Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $464 CWA Crystal Brook Community Service/Benefit Rate Rebate $598 Scouting Assoc Port Pirie Children/Young Person Facilities Rate Rebate $1,255 Scouting Assoc Napperby Children/Young Person Facilities Rate Rebate $657 Scouting Assoc Crystal Brook Children/Young Person Facilities Rate Rebate $581 Crystal Brook Heritage Preservation/Historical Significance Rate Rebate $677 Memorial and Reserve Redhill Preservation/Historical Significance Rate Rebate $399 Butler's Bridge School Preservation/Historical Significance Rate Rebate $445
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 35 >>Infrastructure
RESPONSIBILITIES The comprehensive Waste Management Strategy involved:
• Maintenance of parks, gardens, reserves and • closing and rehabilitating its existing landfill; playgrounds. • constructing a new state of the art $3.5 million fully • Construction and maintenance of roads, kerbs, gutters enclosed transfer station for domestic and commercial and footpaths. waste and recyclables; • Streetscaping including verges, median strips, street • implementing a three bin recycling kerbside collection trees and roadside vegetation management. service for the first time; • Street sweeping, kerbside collection and waste • preparing a Waste Pathways Strategy; management including DrumMuster. • implementing an anti-litter campaign; • Stormwater drainage construction and maintenance. • implementing an illegal dumping; and, • Maintenance of levee and tidal protection infrastructure. • undertaking extensive community consultation and • Marine facilities including boat ramps and associated car education. parking, jetties, wharf and revetment wall. • Environment protection incorporating the management IPWEA SA 2014 Excellence Awards - Community of recycled water to irrigate selected parks and reserves. Engagement in a Public Works Project • Public safety including street lighting, the road safety centre and rapid response service. • Traffic Management including signs, line marking and other road side furniture. • Private works are undertaken from time to time for individuals or organisations. • Operation of works depots in Port Pirie and Crystal Brook. • Plant and machinery purchase and maintenance. • Asset Management.
2013/2014 ACHIEVEMENTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
LGMA SA 2014 Leadership Excellence Award - Excellence in Environmental Leadership and Sustainability Council also recently won the Institute of Public Works Engineers Australasia SA Division 2014 Excellence Award for its Waste Management Strategy. This is yet another prestigious award.
Waste Transfer Station Access In order to improve the efficiency and safety of operations, the access road to the waste transfer station was upgraded, as well as the junction with Three Chain Road (Spencer Highway) to accommodate road trains for the haulage of waste to landfill off site.
The road base was constructed with recycled concrete processed at the waste transfer station and then covered with 50mm of asphalt. Once this was completed, line marking was completed which included a turning lane into The Hon Geoff Brock, Minister for Regional Development and Local the Pirie Bottle and Scrap Depot to reduce traffic congestion. Government, CEO Dr Andrew Johnson, Director Infrastructure Kathryn Johnson and Mayor Vanstone accepting the Award Landfill Reclamation In the reporting period, just over $450,000 was spent on the Council recently won a Local Government Manager’s rehabilitation of the former landfill site. Association SA Division 2014 Leadership Excellence Award for its Waste Management Strategy. This prestigious award, The first section of Area Two has had capping completed and along, with a number of other awards won by Council during mulch placed on top. Upon completion of this section, 2013, highlights that Port Pirie Regional Council can compete approximately 100 established trees were planted in this with other regional and metropolitan councils with its area and also on the buffer mound. The Parks and innovation and leadership. Port Pirie Regional Council is also Recreation staff have connected all these trees to a drip fast becoming a waste industry best practice example for system to ensure that they can establish and survive in the regional councils in SA. warmer weather.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 36 >>Infrastructure
Community Consultation and Education Council offered half price dumping for domestic waste at the Port Pirie and Crystal Brook Transfer Stations for Clean Up Wipe Out Waste – School Education Program Australia Day, which proved very popular with the general WOW - Wipe Out Waste is a schools program of Zero Waste public. SA and is delivered by KESAB environmental solutions.
The Wipe Out Waste program is a whole school site approach to waste management and learning which encourages schools to reduce waste to landfill, increase opportunities to learn about resource recovery, improve waste reduction systems and encourage school communities to adopt sustainable behaviours.
Schools were invited to participate in the WOW Program visit which included a number of performances of Wally and the WOW Wizard in Port Pirie and Crystal Brook, a teacher information session and tour of the Waste Transfer Station and school bin audits.
The performance provided an entertaining and educational look into reducing food packaging in schools and preschools, Clean up Australia Day participants at Solomontown Beach recycling systems, and use of two and three bin systems. The audience was largely Kindergarten to Year 2 students Waste Statistics from various schools in the Council area. Overall, approximately 8,200 properties are serviced by the kerbside recycling collection service. This is made up of Teachers were also provided with resources they can use to residential properties, businesses and Council properties. implement waste education into their lessons. The kerbside recycling collection service is contracted to Veolia for a seven year period which is due to expire in November 2018. Council officers are provided with regular reports from Veolia detailing the number of bins collected and any non-conformance issues.
On average, there has been an 80% uptake of Recycling (yellow bin) and a 40% uptake of Green (green bin).
The non-conformance issues reported by Veolia include: • Overweight bins • Contamination • Wrong bin left out • Bin in an unsuitable location for collection
Council is currently working with Veolia to review the Risdon Park Primary School students enjoying the Wipe Out Waste management of non-conformance, in an effort to improve performance the process. Obviously, the most concerning issue continues to be contamination. Having said that, Council has done Airdale Primary School students participated in a bin audit of very little in the way of community education regarding the school classroom and playground bins. Students sorted recycling and waste management in general, so the overall and weighed the rubbish under the supervision of a trained results are pleasing. WOW officer. The school was provided with an audit report with results and recommendations for actions to improve Waste Transfer Station - In waste management and encourage recycling. Waste coming into the Waste Transfer Station is initially reviewed at the weighbridge office and reported in the Waste Transfer Station Tours weighbridge software as an incoming transaction. Tours of the Waste Transfer Station have been undertaken by interested schools and community groups. Incoming transactions can be reported in one of the following ways: Clean Up Australia Day • $ Value Clean Up Australia Day was held in March 2014, with • Weight (tonne) approximately 10 people attending. The target areas for the • Quantity (number) clean up included Solomontown Beach, the Skate Park, • Volume Solomontown Boat Ramp, Memorial Oval and Memorial Park.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 37 >>Infrastructure
The graph below represents the number of transactions Other waste can be processed on site but is then sent to across the weighbridge by Veolia as part of the kerbside landfill offsite. Mattresses and lounges are shredded by collection service. This represents 7% of the total Council site staff and tyres are shredded by a contractor transactions over the weighbridge at the Waste Transfer before being sent to landfill. Station. Waste Transfer Station - Out Council has a number of contracts in place for the transport and disposal of waste from the Waste Transfer Station.
General Waste Council has a contract with Transpacific Industries to transport general waste to a landfill at Inkerman. The contract is a three year contract due to expire in July 2016, with an optional renewal of two years. For the period the reporting period, approximately 7,780t of General Waste was removed from site and sent to landfill.
Recyclables Under the same contract, Transpacific Industries also removes the recyclables from the Waste Transfer Station and transports them to VISY at Wingfield. For the same period, approximately 1,280t of Recyclables were removed from site.
The graph below represents public transactions across the Cardboard weighbridge. This represents 93% of the total transactions Approximately 70t of cardboard has been removed from site over the weighbridge at the Waste Transfer Station. by Clare Valley Waste and taken to the facility at Brinkworth.
Council has a two year contract in place that expires in July 2015, with an optional renewal of two years.
E-Waste Approximately 37t of E-Waste has been removed from site by DHL Supply Chain under the Commonwealth Government Computer and Television Product Stewardship Scheme.
Outgoing Recoverables Other minor items such as scrap steel and bottles and cans, are recycled with Pirie Bottle and Scrap Metal which is located next door to the Waste Transfer Station.
Waste Transfer Station – Operations The current operating hours of the Waste Transfer Station are Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, and Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 10am-2pm. Waste leaving the Waste Transfer Station is reported by weight (tonnes) across the weighbridge. For the reporting period, the total number of transactions over the weighbridge were 16,828. An interesting point to consider is the relationship of the volume of waste compared with weight. For example, in an The breakdown of these transactions is as follows: outgoing load there can be up to 25t of general waste per • Council 2,214 truck, but only 16t of recyclables per truck. • Domestic 10,097 • Commercial 4,517 Waste Transfer Station - Processing Some waste can be processed on site and reused by Council. Approximately 3,000t of green waste has been shredded by a contractor for re-use on site as part of the remediation of the landfill. Approximately 10,000t of construction and demolition waste material has been crushed by a contractor into material suitable for road making. This material will be used as road base on Council’s road construction projects.
Approximately 5,000t of clean soil has been received. This is suitable for re-use, either mixed into road base material or as clean fill on site.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 38 >>Infrastructure
PARKS AND RECREATION
Tree Planting Tree planting has been conducted throughout the region, including street trees and feature trees in various parks, as well as in response to customer requests.
Tree watering was heavily undertaken in response to a long dry summer which caused a number of the newer street trees to suffer.
Three Chain Road was a focus for tree and stump removal Stanhope Park and replanting to improve the visual amenity of this important arterial road.
National Tree Day National Tree Day is an important event which helps green the environment. This event continues to be successful with an increasing number of participants taking part each year.
National Tree Day was held on Sunday 27 July 2014 and tree planting took place within the waste site on Magor Road. The area identified for tree planting will provide a buffer Catherine Commons Park between the adjoining property and the proposed area for excavating soil material to be used to rehabilitate the closed Irrigation landfill. 500 trees were planted by volunteers on this day. New irrigation systems were installed at Catherine Commons Park and Risdon Heights Park
Crystal Brook Skate Park To compliment the newly constructed skate park at Crystal Brook, Council has constructed a shelter and installed seating.
Volunteers planting trees
Crystal Brook Skate Park Shelter
CEMETERIES
Port Pirie Cemetery The Port Pirie cemetery continues to be extended with new beams and roadways constructed. Roses were also planted to finish off the previously extended area.
Tree planting was guided by Garry Taylor and Phillipa Woolford New irrigation and lawn will be laid in the 2014/15 financial year. Park Garden Beds A number of garden beds have been replanted across the region. The key focus of this program has been to revitalise and provide more colour, to achieve a greater visual appeal.
Playground Replacements New playgrounds have been installed at Stanhope Park and Catherine Commons Park to replace outdated equipment.
New beams and roadway at the Port Pirie cemetery
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 39 >>Infrastructure
PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
Council Depot Administration Building Road Resealing – Bituminous Spray Seal A verandah has been constructed to the back of the Depot In 2013/14 $1.7 million was allocated to resealing roads Administration building. This will cool down the office area throughout the Council area. As part of the resealing and shade vehicles in the summer months, as well as provide program the kerb and water table was repaired as required protection from wet weather during the winter months. and in some cases the road surface was required to be patched in preparation for the resealing works.
The following roads were included in the program:
Rural area • Claridge Road from Eyre Road Extension to Huddleston Road • Cunningham Street from Mercowie Road to Mais Terrace • Ellis Street from Barr Street to Redhill Terrace • Scenic Drive North from 540m North of Flinders View Drive to 1450m North of Flinders View Drive • Wandearah Road from 1.0km West of Spencer Highway to 2.0km West of Spencer Highway • Wongabirrie Road from Goyder Highway to End of Seal at 750m South • Moorhouse Street from Bowman Street to Maslin Street • Seventh Street (Koolunga) from First Street to Fourth Street • Steamtrain Road Railway Terrace to Magor Road
Urban area • Algernon Street from Falconer Street to Senate Road Depot Administration Office – New Verandah • Barbara Crescent from Kingston Road to Williams Drive • Cottell Street from Three Chain Road to Wandeearah Road Safety Centre Road The new shed at the Road Safety Centre has been • Dunn Street from Balmoral Road to Gwyn Street completed. • Edward Street from Dorothy Street to Three Chain Road • Elizabeth Street from Esmond Road to Brown Street • Foristel Street from Blight Street to Parker Street • Frederick Road from The Terrace to Rodda Street • Gooding Street from Goode Road to End of Gooding Street • Harrison Crescent from Henry Street to Senate Road • Ingerson Street from Knapman Street to Butterick Street • James Street from Afton Street to Zeta Street • Jeffrey Street from Three Chain Road to the end • Jenkins Street from Senate Road to Caldecott Street • Lamb Street from Senate Road to Westley St • Lydeamore Street from Plenty Street to Barry Street • Moresby Crescent from Start of Moresby Crescent to Bain Avenue • Norah Street from Smale Street to Anzac Road • Oliver Street from Three Chain Road (Service Road E) to Pugsley St • Parker Street from Ferme Street to the end • Pirie Street from Murn Street to Three Chain Road • Pugsley Street from Wood Street to Oliver Street • Radford Drive from Kingston Road to the end • Sandery Street from Burt Street to End of Sandery Street • Scone Street from Westley Street to Tummell Street • Searle Street from Wandearah Road to Degenhardt Street • Sifton Street from Senate Road to End Seal • Sixth Street (Port Pirie) (010) from Tenth Street to Goode Road • Smale Street from Jervis Street to Kingston Road
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 40 >>Infrastructure
• South Street from Balmoral Road to Henry Street The kerb and water table was repaired as required prior to • Tay Street from Goode Road to End Of Seal the resurfacing of these roads. Significant sections of kerb • Tenth Street (Port Pirie) from The Terrace to Cockburn and water table were replaced on Senate Road. Senate Street Road also involved removing problem trees causing damage • Una Avenue from Magor Road to Beaumont Avenue to the kerb and water table. The removed trees were • Wall Street from Anzac Road to Leonard Avenue replaced with more appropriate species of trees. • Warren Street from Murn Street to Three Chain Road • Western Street from Warnertown Road to Emma Street • York Road from Senate Road to Amanda Street
Road Resealing – Asphalt A number of roads were resurfaced with asphalt. The value of the work was approximately $270,000. The following roads were included in the program:
• Senate Road from Balmoral Road to Esmond Road • The Terrace from Balmoral Road to Esmond Road • Wandearah Road from Balmoral to Esmond Road • The Terrace/York Road intersection The Terrace during construction The method that was used to undertake the resurfacing works was to profile off and remove the existing asphalt surface and lay a new asphalt surface over the existing pavement. Due to the extremely hot weather conditions, the laying of the asphalt was undertaken at night time when the air temperature was relatively lower. The night works occurred on The Terrace and Senate Roads.
The Terrace after construction
Night works being undertaken on Senate Road The Terrace/York Road before the works
The Terrace/York Road during the works
Clockwise from left: The Terrace/York Road before works; during works; after works.
Road Resheeting In 2013/14 $700,000 was allocated to resheeting rural roads. The following roads were included in the program:
• North South Rd (Sandy Lane to Honeymoon Ranch Rd) • North South Rd (Honeymoon Ranch Rd to 1.5Km North) • North South Rd (1.5km North of Honeymoon Ranch Rd The completed works on Senate Road to Mallee Rd) • North South Rd (2.0Km North of Mallee Road to Wandearah Rd)
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 41 >>Infrastructure
• Sandy Lane (North South Rd to 1.6Km East) CBD Bicycle Network • Sandy Lane (1.6km East to Pt Pirie/Broughton Road) Council received funding of $25,000 under the Department • Old Broughton Rd (1.8km Nth of Sandy Lane to Mallee of Transport, Planning and Infrastructure’s 2013/14 State Rd) Bicycle Fund for the implementation of the first stage of its • Old Broughton Rd (Wandearah Rd to 1.1 km Nth of Bicycle Strategy being the CBD Bicycle Network. Wandearah Rd) • Old Broughton Rd (2.2km Nth of Wandearah Rd to The project involved construction of new paths and 3.7km Nth of Wandearah Rd) upgrading existing paths to provide a continuous bicycle • Old Broughton Rd (3.7km Nth of Wandearah Rd to path loop through the CBD and foreshore area. Signs were River Rd) installed to highlight the bicycle path to improve the safety • Old Broughton Rd (1.45Km North of River Rd to for both path users and motorists driving near the path. 2.35km Nth of River Rd) • The Whim Rd (Woodlands Rd to 1.0km East of The bicycle path loop runs along the foreshore from the Woodlands) caravan park through to Mary-Elie Street, then loops around • Valley Rd Crystal Brook (0.8km East West Terrace to Memorial Oval and through Memorial Park, along The 1.5 East of West Terrace) Terrace, Grey Terrace and back along Wandearah Road to Mary-Elie Street. • Klingers Rd (Slattery Road to Boundary Road)
• Valley Rd (Smarts Rd to 2.1km North) The bicycle path also links up with the Port Pirie to Napperby • Mallee Grove Rd (Harry's Rd to Valley Rd) cycle trail at the foreshore near the Caravan Park. • Mallee Grove Rd (Valley Rd to 1.0km East)
• Mallee Grove Rd (1.0 East of Valley Road to Bevan Spencers Fire Track) • Narridy/Koolunga Rd (Sims Hill Rd to Council Boundary) • Collinsfield Rd (5.4km East of Hyden Rd to 6.0km East of Hyden Rd) • Perrins Rd (River Rd to Perrins House Rd) • Ghost Gully Rd (Freemans Gate to Harry's Rd) • Exchange Rd (Wyeuro Rd to .6km East) • Exchange Rd (.6km East of Wyeuro Rd to Old Broughton Rd) • Lower Broughton Rd (5.5km North of Freezer Rd to Exchange Rd) • Port Davis Rd (End of Seal to No Pants Lane) • Port Davis Rd (No Pants Lane to Aerodrome Rd) • Viewbank Road Upgrade (Valley Road to Parry's) • Klaus Rd (From Mallee Grove to Smarts Road) Bicycle path adjacent The Terrace/Memorial Park FOOTPATH WORKS
Urban Major capital works in the CBD were deferred ending Council’s ability to secure funding towards the implementation of the Master Plan to revitalise the CBD.
General maintenance was undertaken across the region to repair damaged sections of footpath to remove trip hazards and to replenish crusher sand where required.
In particular, the focus was around school zones with inspections undertaken during holidays of surrounding areas and footpath repairs undertaken to limit disruption during tem times.
Rural In the rural area the footpath work focussed continuing the sealed footpath network in Crystal Brook with a new sealed footpath constructed in Cunningham Street from Eyre Road to Brandis Street.
Maintenance works was also undertaken in Napperby to repair scouring from the February rainfall event.
Wandearah Road
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 42 >>Infrastructure
KERB WORKS Third Street Napperby Following on from the drainage works completed in 2012/13 The Terrace to Sixth Street and Third Street, new kerb and water table New kerb and water table was laid along The Terrace has been laid in Third Street, Napperby. between Kingston Road and Pelham Road. This has finished The footpath was also constructed with crusher sand. The the loop around the golf course and is a popular route for sealing of the road shoulder was not included in the scope of walkers. works but may be considered in future years.
The road edge was excavated prior to new kerbing being laid and the footpath was levelled and covered with crusher sand. Road reinstatement also took place to match existing pavement levels to the new kerb.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Drainage Maintenance Various minor maintenance projects were undertaken across Frederick Road the urban area of Port Pirie Regional Council. The kerb and water table was replaced along both sides of Frederick Road between The Terrace and Rodda Street. The drain from Mary Elie Street to Phoenix Park Wetlands has had sections removed and replaced due to tree roots The same method was used for constructing the completely blocking parts of the system. replacement kerb. The road edge was excavated prior to new kerbing being laid and the footpath was levelled and Council staff worked with pipe cleaning contractors to clear covered with crusher sand. Road reinstatement also took side entry pits and pipes in various locations. In some place to match existing pavement levels to the new kerb. locations these drains also had CCTV cameras put through
them to view any subsidences or blockages. Frederick Road was also resealed as part of the reseal program. Repairs and maintenance has been undertaken of side entry pit lids and frames to ensure that they do not present a hazard to road users.
Tide valves have been inspected and repaired. Council worked with contractors to clean tide valve pits. The tide valves in the river were inspected by a diving contractor.
Regular inspectons of the tide valves and pits are also undertaken upon receiving advance warning of a storm or tide surge from the Bureau of Meteorology or State Emergency Services.
Rural In Sixth Street Napperby, works have been completed to improve the open earth drain from North Terrace to Third Street. Driveway culvert crossings have been replaced to ensure a consistent rate of flow through the drain.
In Crystal Brook, continuing on from the upgrade of the underground stormwater drainage in Eyre Road and Cunningham Street, the open earth drain from Railway Terrace through to Binney Road was reformed to ensure that the water could flow away.
The finished kerb and water table with new footpath and road surface
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 43 >>Infrastructure
The drain passes under a number of railway lines and Eyre Road, then travels along the length of Wongabirrie Road.
Weed Spray Quad Bike
MARINE FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
Council has continued with improvement to its marine (Left to right) New driveway crossing of creek on Wongabirrie Road; facilities. More specifically, detailed designs were prepared open drain on Wongabirrie Road. for the replacement and upgrade of the current boat ramp pontoons and piles. PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Council was successful in its application for funding to the SA Plant Replacement Program Recreation Boating and Fishing Committee for funding to Council allocated about $750,000 to replace plant and replace and upgrade the current boat launching facilities. In equipment. As part of Council’s plant replacement program, the reporting period, the contractor was engaged to the following items of plant were purchased: undertake the works and materials ordered. The physical on • Mitsubishi Fuso 3.5 tonne tray top, fitted with chassis ground works were carried over into the following financial mounted tool locker and sign rack. year. • Hino 616 4.5 tonne tray top, fitted with chassis mounted tool locker and sign rack. ASSET MANAGEMENT • ATV CanAM Weed Spray Bike fitted with updated spraying equipment to replace Council’s out dated spray Council’s Asset Management team continued mapping all of bike and equipment. Council’s assets using the geographical information system • Toro Grandmaster Front Deck Mower. (GIS), Mapinfo and linking to documentation such as plans, • Caterpillar 12M Motor Grader. specifications and photos. • Hydralada Maxi 540 Cherry Picker. Using specialist asset management software to analyse the The following trucks have replaced utilities. asset data, further work has been carried out to update the road assets, including kerb and footpath.
The focus of this financial year was stormwater assets, with significant improvement made to the accuracy of the asset data, particularly relating to stormwater assets. This includes pipes, pits, pump stations and rising mains, lagoons and tide gates. This culminated in the stormwater assets being imported into the new system and re-valued.
FIRE AND FLOOD
The Bangor Fire was ablaze for over 30 days. The fire was started by a lightning strike in hard to reach terrain in the Port Germein Gorge on 14 January. The fire burnt through 35,000 hectares and had a perimeter of 195km. The fire threatened properties across the three Council areas of Port Pirie, Northern Areas and Mount Remarkable.
Council staff assisted through the Zone Emergency Management Committee Operations Centre based at the Police Station. Along with other state agencies such as Police, Housing, Health, Transport, State Emergency Services, Ambulance and Water, Council provided around (left to right) : new Fuso truck; new Hino truck. the clock assistance and advice in support of the field operations led by the Country Fire Service.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 44 >>Infrastructure
Council also provided on ground assistance to the aerodrome to ensure smooth operation of the air based fire fighting crews. Assistance was by way of watering the runway to minimise dust and at times ensuring water supply. Part way through the fire fighting effort, the Country Fire Service based itself at Memorial Oval for about 10 days and then at the Crystal Brook Oval. Council provided assistance in management and maintenance of both sites to ensure that the CFS staff and volunteers had Other minor assistance was provided with setting up road closures and the grading of fire breaks. Council contributed $30,000 worth of assistance to the Bangor fire fighting effort. Muster Drive at Napperby Creek Council’s field staff and contractors worked to remove silt and debris from the roads and culvert crossings to make the assets safe. Council officers engaged an independent engineer to assess the damage and compile an inventory of the repairs required in order for Council to submit a claim to the Local Government Disaster Recovery Assistance Program via the State Treasury department. It is expected that the total cost to repair the damage to Council’s assets is in excess of $1million. It is unknown the value of damage caused to private property. Council contributed around $75,000 in response to the flood response and repairs before any contribution from the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements. On Friday 14 February, the fire ground was drenched by a As a mitigation strategy Council submitted a funding rainfall event of between 50mm and 100mm in about 3 application to the SA Fire and Emergency Services hours across a wide spread area. While the rain was Commission’s Natural Disaster Resilience Program for the welcomed and assisted with declaring the fire controlled, it development of a flood plain management study to provide resulted in significant damage caused by flooding and the education and advice to residents affected by the floods on runoff of silt and sediment from the fire ground. how to prepare themselves for future flooding events.
Council’s roads and drainage assets through out Napperby and Nelshaby were significantly damaged by the flood waters and sedimentation. A significant number of private properties were also affected.
Napperby Creek flowing over Scenic Drive at San Remo Park
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 45 >>Infrastructure
STAFFING Sal Lucivero resigned from Council after 29 years within the Infrastructure department. Sal commenced in 1985 as a Retirements and Farewells Junior Technical Officer. With study and hard work, Sal Tony Gray retired as a truck driver on 15 November 2013 earned the position of Manager Operations. after 46 years with Council.
Sal Lucivero and Steve Wilsdon
Tony Gray with his Local Government Association of SA Service Award
Steven Wilsdon resigned from Council after 23 years with Parks & Recreation within the Infrastructure department. Steve commenced in 1996 as a Parks & Recreation worker and worked his way up the ranks to his final position as Supervisor.
Steve Wilsdon (left) with Director Infrastructure Kathryn Johnson and wife Sharon Wilsdon.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 46 >>Governance Statement
SUMMARY The Development Assessment Panel meets on the third Wednesday of each month. • Aged Care Facilities • By-laws The Building Fire Safety Committee holds a minimum of two • Decision Making Structure of Council meetings each calendar year on a day and time nominated • Elected Member Allowances by the Presiding Member. • Elections • Financial Plan and Budget Council, Committee and Panel meetings are open to the public and attendance at these meetings is encouraged, • Performance Measurement however members of the public may only observe the • Policies proceedings unless invited to address the meeting. • Rate Rebates & Remissions
• Regional Groups Members of the public are able to put forward their views • Strategic Plan on particular issues before Council in the following manner:
AGED CARE FACILITIES (a) Deputations Applications for a rate rebate were received from two Aged With the permission of the Committee Chairperson or Care facilities, totaling $55,474.50. the Mayor, a member of the public can address Council or a Committee personally, or on behalf of a BY-LAWS group of residents.
By-laws by definition are rules made by a local authority for (b) Written Requests the regulation of its affairs or management of the area it Any person wishing a matter to be considered by governs. Council also has the power to make By-laws for Council should communicate in writing to the Chief different activities of Council not stated directly in Executive Officer. legislation. (c) Petitions Current By-laws are: Written petitions should be addressed to the Council on any issue within Council’s jurisdiction, and will then 1. Permits & Penalties be presented to Council. 2. Moveable Signs
3. Local Government Land (d) Elected Members 4. Roads Members of the public can contact an Elected Member 5. Dogs of Council to discuss any issue relevant to Council. 6. Cats
(e) Public Question Time A review of all the By-laws was completed in the 2008/09 Council will allocate fifteen (15) minutes in the Council year, with the exception of No. 6 Cats which was adopted by Agenda for each monthly Ordinary Meeting for the Council on 27 February 2013. purpose of Public Question Time.
DECISION MAKING STRUCTURE OF COUNCIL Closing dates apply for matters to be included in Council agendas. Please check with Council for these “deadlines”. Committee Structure
COUNCIL Agendas for all meetings are placed on public display at the Administration Centre no less than three clear days prior to Asset Management Committee meetings. Minutes of Council meetings are placed on Audit Committee display within five days after a meeting. Building Fire Safety Committee CEO Performance Review Committee Council Decision Review Council Development Assessment Panel Council is committed to transparent decision-making Dry Areas Committee processes and to providing a fair and objective procedure for Entrances Committee the review of decisions made by Council. A formal Mid North STARCLUB Field Officer Management Committee Complaints Policy & Procedures has been adopted as part of Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority a customer focus approach to service delivery. Sport & Recreation Committee Strategic Planning & Development Policy Committee Many issues arise during the course of the Council activities and most are initially made verbally by telephone, face-to- Attendance by the Public face or in writing to a Council Officer, or to an Elected Council Meetings are held at the Council Chamber, Port Pirie Member. Any grievances will first be referred to the Administration Centre, 115 Ellen Street, Port Pirie, at 7.30 relevant Council staff member and on most occasions this pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month. results in the matter being resolved satisfactorily.
The Audit Committee meets at least two times a year at The Complaints Policy & Procedures is to provide a appropriate times in the reporting and audit cycle and framework to Council for receiving and responding to otherwise as required. complaints from the public as a means of improving
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 47 >>Governance Statement customer service in all areas of Council’s operations. This • Performance Indicators policy aims to ensure that issues which are the subject of To set targets and monitor progress towards the three complaints are addressed promptly when possible, to the key financial performance indicators of Asset satisfaction of the complainant, and in a manner which, as Sustainability Ratio, Net Financial Liabilities Ratio and far as possible, ensures that such issues will not be the the Asset Sustainability Ratio. subject of future similar complaints. Council’s Annual Business Plan and Budget is adopted in Delegations July each year. The following guidelines are used in the The Chief Executive Officer and Senior Officers have the preparation of the budget: authority from Council to make decisions on a number of specified administrative and policy matters. These • Long Term Plan Compliance delegations are reviewed on an annual basis. To adopt the principles and estimates from the Long Term Financial Plan as far as is possible, taking into consideration changes in immediate needs and ELECTED MEMBER ALLOWANCES circumstances.
Members’ allowances to June 2014 were as follows: • Annual Balanced Budget To adopt a balanced budget where the cost of providing Mayor $49,672 services and activities is met within the revenue level of Deputy Mayor $15,525 the current year. Where a shortfall exists, funds are Councillors $12,419 sourced from reserves, grants and/or debt.
A $100 allowance per meeting attended was paid to Council • Maintenance of Existing Assets Members, Crs D Devlin, J Rohde and J Paparella appointed to To develop programs to renew and maintain existing the Council Development Assessment Panel. assets. The creation of new assets only where community demand exists. ELECTIONS • Emphasis on Seeking Grant Funds Council elections are held every 4 years with all positions To seek to match new grant and subsidy schemes being declared vacant. The next election will be held in available with existing programs that meet the fund November 2014. criteria and allow Council to access wider revenue sources. FINANCIAL PLAN AND BUDGET • Maximisation of Investment Income The Long Term Financial Plan 2013-23 was adopted by To closely monitor the level of funds on hand to ensure Council on 10 July 2013. The Plan seeks to achieve the that there is sufficient to meet immediate needs and following objectives: transfer any excess to a higher interest investment account, combined with minimal use of short term • Financial Sustainability credit facilities. To achieve and maintain financial sustainability, whereby Council’s planned long-term service and • Examination of User Pays Policy infrastructure levels and standards are met without To develop a framework to examine the partial or full unplanned increases in rates or disruptive cuts to cost recovery for the delivery of Council services. services. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT • Asset Management To ensure that the maintenance and renewal of existing The Council seeks to monitor its performance against a assets is fairly and equitably funded from current and group of quality performance measures. Council uses future ratepayers and that new assets are acquired and information available from supplementary organisations, constructed in accordance with community demand Local Government Association Comparative Performance and affordability. Measure – Community Survey, Risk Management Review, Work Health & Safety statistics. • Borrowing To utilise debt in a responsible manner, to finance short Financial performance is monitored against the Financial term works which will provide for future efficiencies or Plan using the Annual Budget and Budget Review processes. major long term infrastructure as required. The 2013/14 Budget was formally reviewed on three (3) • Rates occasions during the year. Several projects were added and To raise the appropriate revenue to fund the long term removed during the year and adjustments made accordingly. needs of the community, in a responsible and equitable manner. As Council’s principle source of income, it is Adherence to Budget is monitored on a quarterly basis important to maintain a consistent and predictable through the reporting mechanisms of the Audit Committee. rating structure to ensure the long term viability of the Plan. Also, the General Purpose Financial Statements contain a number of Financial Performance Indicators (see Note 15 of the Financial Statements).
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 48 >>Governance Statement
. Private Works Policy POLICIES . Procurement Policy . Rates Policy Council is governed by a number of internal policies that are . Risk Management Policy determined to be of either a governance or operational . Roadside Vegetation Management Plan nature. Over the last 12 months, a substantial amount of . Selection of Road Names Policy time from each department has been given to review all . Signs Policy policies. . Standards & Requirements - Design, Construction & Development of Infrastructure Assets Policy A number of policies were found to be : . Street Lighting Policy • either covered by new legislation; . Supplementary Election Policy • a by-law ; . Treasury Management Policy • not required due to a change in the service delivery of . Trees Policy functions or the function was not carried out by . Vandalism - Rewards for Information Policy Council; . Volunteers Policy • amalgamated into one policy rather than a number of . Voting En-Bloc Policy policies that were similar in nature. . Waste Reduction Policy (Strategy) 2010 – 2015 . Whistleblowers Protection Policy This has led to a reduction in the number of policies. The review of policies is carried out on an annual basis. RATE REBATES & REMISSIONS
. Asset Accounting Policy Sections 159 to 166 of the Local Government Act 1999 . Caretaker Policy require Council to grant certain statutory or discretionary . Code of Practice for Access to Council & Committee rebates on rates. Meetings & Documents . Community Assistance Policy The total value of statutory and discretionary rebates . Community Bus Policy & Guidelines granted for 2013/14 was $319,877, excluding those . Community Engagement Policy properties that are exempt from Council rates such as . Complaints Policy & Procedures Government land. . Congratulatory Letters – Births & Condolences . Council Induction Policy Also, the General Purpose Financial Statements contain a . Council Logo Policy number of Financial Performance Indicators (see Note 15 of . Council Member Electronic Communications Policy the Financial Statements). . Disposal of Land & Assets Policy . Elected Members Allowances & Support Policy REGIONAL GROUPS . Elected Members Conduct Complaint Handling . Elected Members Training & Development Policy & The Council supports and makes contributions to the Plan following regional groups: . Enforcement Policy . Financial Reserves Policy • Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group . Food Act Inspection Fees Policy • Provincial Cities Association . Footways – Construction for Commercial Premises • Regional Development Australia Yorke & Mid North, . Footways – Crossing Places (formerly Southern Flinders Ranges Development . Footways – Landscaping, Construction or Work by Board) Adjoining Property Owners/Residents • Central Local Government Region. . Footways – Paving • Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority. . Footways – Ramps . Fraud & Corruption Prevention Policy STRATEGIC PLAN . Freedom of Information Procedures . Funding Policy The Strategic Plan provides the structure for the creation of . Glass Beverage Containers Policy the Council’s future over the next 10 years. This is Council’s . Good Governance & Administrative Practice Policy second Strategic Plan. The plan outlines priorities and . Household Kerbside Collection Policy directions for 2010-2019 and has been developed through . Inspection Day Policy an extensive process which has involved: . Interaction of Development Act, State Records Act & FOI Act with Copyright Act Policy • A comprehensive process of consultation with the . Internal Control Policy community, industry, government and key stakeholders . Internal Review of Council Decisions Policy through a community survey and focus groups to . Mayor Seeking Legal Advice Policy determine their needs and any key issues; . Mayoral Appeals Policy • Review and analysis of information collected; . Media Policy • Consideration of State and regional plans; . Naturestrips Policy • Workshops with Elected Members and Senior Council . Official Anniversary Messages Policy staff, and . Order Making Policy • Input and analysis by an external consultant. . Outdoor Trading Policy
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 49 >>Governance Statement
The Plan’s strategic direction focuses on five key areas:
• Quality lifestyle • Economic prosperity • Infrastructure & asset management • Environment sustainability • Organisational excellence.
Objectives and strategies have been developed for each of these key areas.
The Strategic Plan was adopted on 26 August 2009.
The Plan is supported by a 10 year Long Term Financial Plan and a Capital Works Plan. Annual Business Plans are being developed for each department of Council. Annual budgets are now developed to align with this suite of plans.
The Strategic Plan is due to be reviewed in the next financial year.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 50 >>Compliance Statement
SUMMARY Freedom of Information Request Forms should be addressed to: • Access to Council Documents Chief Executive Officer Port Pirie Regional Council • Community Land PO Box 45 • Competitive Service Delivery PORT PIRIE SA 5540 • Confidentiality Provisions • Elector Representation Applications will be responded to as soon as possible within the statutory 30 days of Council receiving the properly • Procurement Policy for Goods and Services completed Freedom of Information Form, together with the • Registers, Codes and Policies application and search fees. • Salary Packaging for Senior Officers Amendment of Council Records • Section 41 Committees A member of the public may gain access to Council • Staffing documents to make amendments concerning their personal • Subsidiaries affairs by making a request under the Local Government Act. • Tenders A member of the public may then request a correction to • Work Health and Safety any information about themselves that is incomplete, incorrect, misleading or out of date.
To gain access to these Council records, a member of the ACCESS TO COUNCIL DOCUMENTS public must complete a Freedom of Information Request
The following documents are available for public inspection Form as indicated above, outlining the records that he/she at the Council Offices free of charge. Members of the public wishes to inspect. may purchase copies of these documents for a fee of 25 Freedom of Information Applications cents per page. In the period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014, three (3) requests
for access under Section 13 of the Freedom of Information • Council Agenda & Minutes Act 1991 were processed. Information was given for all • Regulatory Committee Agendas & Minutes three cases. • Section 41 Committee Agendas & Minutes COMMUNITY LAND • Council Policies • Strategic Plan Legislation introduced within the Local Government Act • Budget Statements 1999 required land to be classified as Community Land or be exempted from the Community Land classification. • Annual Report
• Council By-laws Land classified as Community Land must have a • Annual Financial Statements management plan developed which outlines to the • Planning Application Register community how this land will be managed and maintained • Building Application Register by Council.
• Register of Elected Members - Allowances & Benefits Land owned by Council and acquired during the year has • Register of Employees’ Salaries Land Management Plans reviewed or new plans created to • Wages & Benefits meet the legislative requirements. • Assessment Book COMPETITIVE SERVICE DELIVERY • Register of Public Streets & Roads
• Register of Fees & Charges Levied Council has purchased a percentage of services from • Planning Applications by Consent external contractors. The reasons generally are that Council • Development Plan is not able to provide these services at a reasonably • Any document seeking public comment comparable rate, within a specified time or due to a lack of specialist expertise. Other Information Requests Requests for other information not included in the above, The majority of services are delivered utilising Council assets will be considered in accordance with the Freedom of and staff resources (refer to table below). Information Act.
EXPENDITURE BY CATEGORY FOR YEAR 2013/14 Under this legislation, an application fee and a search fee must be forwarded with the completed request form as Employee Costs $6,470,000 30% provided for in Section 13, Freedom of Information Act Contractual Services, 1991, unless the applicant is granted an exemption. $9,830,000 46% Materials & Other Should the applicant require copies of any document Total Expenditure inspected pursuant to a Freedom of Information request, (excluding capital, $21,280,000 100% the charges set out in Freedom of Information (Fees & including depreciation) Charges) Regulations 2003, Schedule 1, will apply.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 51 >>Compliance Statement
CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS • Encouragement of the development of competitive local business and industry; Council held 12 Ordinary Meetings and 1 Special Meeting • Environmental protection; between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014. A total of 420 • Workplace health and safety. resolutions were made at these meetings, of which 62 were considered “in confidence”. Generally, Council will adopt the following approaches: The broad reasons for the consideration of matters “in • Direct purchasing; confidence” were as follows: • Quotations (Informal); • Request for quotations (RFQ); • Tenders and Quotations • Requests for Expressions of Interest (REOI); • Land and Buildings • Request for tenders; • Requested by a person/organisation • Panel Contracts; • Legal Advice • Strategic Alliances. • Employee Matters • Commercial Advantage. Council has adopted principles to encourage the development of competitive local business and industry in All confidential orders remain in place until all parties agree making procurement decisions, to assist economic growth that the decision be released from confidentiality. within the local community.
ELECTOR REPRESENTATION REGISTERS, CODES & POLICIES
An Elector Representation Review was carried out in 2013, In accordance with the Local Government Act 1999, Council finalised and approved by the Electoral Commissioner in must maintain certain Registers, Codes and Policies. The November 2013, and gazetted on 28 November 2013. following information is available for inspection by the public at the Port Pirie Regional Council Administration The Elector Representation Review outcome was to reduce Centre. the number of councillors from 10 to 9 members and a Mayor, a total of 10 Elected Members. The name of the Registers Council remained the same, Port Pirie Regional Council, and • Members Register of Interest the councillors represent the whole of the Council area, so a no wards system continues to exist. • Members Register of Allowances & Benefits • Register of Public Roads & Streets The new number of Elected Members will be used for the • Register of Fees & Charges November 2014 Council Elections. • Development Application Register
• Register of Employee Salaries, Wages & Benefits The elector ratio for the Port Pirie Regional Council is 1:1221 based on the total number of members on Council (10), not • Officers Register of Interest the total number of councillors. • Bylaws • Annual Statement & Budget Elector Council Members Electors • Annual Report Ratio • Financial Statements Copper Coast 11 10,013 1:910 • Meeting Agendas & Minutes Murray Bridge 10 13,018 1:1301 Port Pirie 10 12,210 1:1221 Codes Victor Harbor 10 11,323 1:1132 • Code of Conduct for Elected Members Wattle Range 12 8,646 1:720 • Code of Practice for access to meetings and documents Yorke • Code of Conduct for Employees 12 9,404 1:783 Peninsula Policies Policies are reference guidelines determined by Council and PROCUREMENT POLICY FOR GOODS AND SERVICES used by Elected Members and Staff when making decisions. Council has developed a Policy Document that is continually Council has adopted several policies to ensure a fair, updated. Refer to the Governance Statement within this transparent and accountable process in the purchase of Annual Report for a full list of policies. goods and services. Council aims to ensure that its methods are cost effective and represent best value for money. SALARY PACKAGING FOR SENIOR OFFICERS
In fulfilling Council’s purchasing role, the following principles Council’s Senior Officers are as follows: apply: • Chief Executive Officer • Obtaining value for money; • Director Corporate & Community • Probity, ethical behaviour and fair dealing; • Director Finance & Information • Accountability, transparency and reporting; • Director Development & Regulation • Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation; • Director Infrastructure
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 52 >>Compliance Statement
• Manager Engineering WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY • Manager Operations • Manager Assets The Port Pirie Regional Council continues to maintain a high standard of Work Health and Safety Management. • Manager Organisational Development.
The Management Plan for Work Health and Safety, which Salaries for these Officers are in accordance with the had been developed pursuant to the WorkCover applicable Award and Council’s Enterprise Agreement. Performance Standards for Self Insurers, requires Council as Other benefits/conditions of employment include: an exempt employer, to set its own Work Health and Safety performance bonus, additional superannuation, telephone objectives based on the organisation’s own requirements expenses and provision of a major vehicle with all Fringe and to integrate Work Health and Safety into the Benefits Tax expenses paid by Council. organisation’s Management Plan.
SECTION 41 COMMITTEES Council’s Work Health and Safety committees which
comprise management and employee representatives Existing Committees continues to update its plan, policies and procedures for the • Asset Management Committee use of employees. • Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority • Audit Committee The committees have been assisted in their work by the • Dry Areas Committee Regional Risk Coordinator, who also assists other councils in • Entrances Committee the Mid North region. This assistance has been invaluable to • Sport & Recreation Committee Council. • CEO Performance Review Committee • Port Pirie Masters Games Committee Policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and new • Mid North STARCLUB Field Officer Management procedures are introduced if considered necessary. Committee Workplace inspections are undertaken on a regular basis. STAFFING Council participates in the Local Government Association As at 30 June 2014, Council employed 89.7 full-time Workers Compensation Scheme’s Healthy Lifestyle projects equivalent employees including cadets, trainees and and continues to provide annual health screenings for its apprentices in all areas of Council operations. employees.
STATUTORY COMMITTEES Work Health and Safety training information sessions are made available to employees on a continuing basis. • Council Development Assessment Panel • Building Fire Safety Committee • Strategic Planning & Development Policy Committee
SUBSIDIARIES
Council has not formed any single Council subsidiary pursuant to Section 42 of the Local Government Act 1999.
Council is a member of one (1) regional subsidiary pursuant to Section 43 of the Act:
• The Central Local Government Region is made up of 13 councils that meet regularly to discuss issues and make recommendations to the Local Government Association. The annual contribution $10,865 (incl. GST).
Council makes an annual contribution to the subsidiary. The report of activities and the annual financial statements are the responsibility of the body, therefore the financial activities are not included in the accounts of this Council. Reports received from the subsidiary are available for inspection at the Port Pirie Administration Centre.
TENDERS
For the year ended 30 June 2014, a total of twelve (12) tenders were sought for the supply of goods and services.
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 53 >>Financial Performance
INTRODUCTION The primary reasons for the change in operating result from the previous year are provided as follows: The Council adopted its 2013/14 Annual Business Plan in conjunction with the Annual Budget process in July 2013. • Reduced financial assistance grants $2.82 million; The Annual Business Plan is a framework of services, • Increased rate revenue $1.42 million; programs and projects for the year and provides important • Landfill remediation liability $0.35 million; links and references to the Council’s Strategic Plan and other long term plans and policies. Full details of operating income and expenditure are presented in Notes 2 and 3 of the 2013/14 Annual Financial The annual independent audit was conducted by Dean Statements. Newbery and Partners, Chartered Accountants, to form an opinion according to Australian Accounting Standards and CAPITAL EXPENDITURE other statutory requirements, as to whether the Council’s Capital works undertaken in 2013/14 amounted to $1.51 Annual Financial Statements form a fair view of the million for the construction of new assets and upgrade of operations and the financial position of Council for the year existing assets, while $4.30 million was spent on renewal ended 30 June 2014. and replacement of existing assets. Major projects
undertaken during the year included: The audited Statements for the year were reviewed and endorsed by Council’s Audit Committee at its meeting held • on 29 September 2014, and subsequently presented to Solomontown Plaza $0.47 million; • Council. Rural road resheeting $0.76 million; • Road reconstruction and resealing $1.90 million; The full version of the 2013/14 Annual Financial Statements • Building improvements $0.15 million is included as an attachment to the 2013/14 Annual Report. • New and replacement plant and vehicles $0.91 million; • CWMS Pond at Crystal Brook $0.59 million; and OPERATIONS • Solomontown Boat Ramp commencement $0.19 million. Council achieved an operating deficit $2.47 million in 2013/14, following a $1.69 million deficit in 2012/13. The The capital program was supported by grant funds of $0.28 latest deficit was largely due to the discontinuation of million from the Federal and State Governments. advance payments of financial assistance grants. The graph below compares capital expenditures on new and
existing assets against depreciation in recent years. The following charts show the operating revenue sources and expenditure categories for 2013/14.
FINANCIAL POSITION - EQUITY
Council’s equity (net current assets) has increased from $203 million to $206 million as at 30 June 2014 million. The primary reasons for this increase are provided below:
• Reduced cash reserves $2.84 million; and • Increased asset valuation $5.02 million;
Reserve funds were held for community wastewater management schemes ($0.72 million) and for other minor purposes ($0.49 million).
>>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 54
>>Financial Performance
NET CURRENT ASSETS reducing cash holdings. Council has nominated a target range of 30% to 70% for this indicator. The total amount of cash and equivalents held at 30 June 2014 was $0.19 million and outstanding receivables were $1.42 million. Funds were depleted due to the discontinuation of the advance payment of financial assistance grants.
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
The value of non-current assets increased from $208 million to $213 million due primarily to a revaluation of Council’s CWMS, stormwater drainage, bridge and building assets.
Long term asset management and planning continues to be a major focus for Council. Infrastructure assets are being reviewed to ensure that data is current and accurate, to enable further assessment of service levels required by the The Asset Sustainability Ratio expresses net capital community. Council is committed to maintaining and expenditure on renewal and replacement of existing assets upgrading its infrastructure, property, plant and equipment against that planned in its Asset Management Plan (prior to at serviceable and sustainable levels. 2014 against depreciation) costs. The graph below shows that Council is making substantial progress to increase its LIABILITIES commitment to renew existing assets. Council’s Asset Sustainability Ratio target range for the next five years is Council’s liabilities consist of accounts payable, borrowings 100%, to align with its long term Asset Management Plan. and a provision to remediate its landfill depot and to allow for post-closure costs. The landfill provision was reduced following payments of $0.46 million during the year, however the total liability was revised to $2.01 million as at 30 June 2014.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Council’s financial sustainability is measured by three key financial indicators.
The Operating Surplus Ratio expresses the operating surplus (or deficit) as a percentage of rate revenue. Council had a larger operational deficit in 2013/14 than in the previous year, largely due to the absence of advance payments of financial assistance grants in 2013. The Adjusted Operating Surplus Ratio (excluding advance grant payments) however Overall, Council’s performance continues to be encouraging, indicates a ratio of (1%), which continues Council’s recovery in that its operating result is improving over time, its net of recent years (as shown in the graph below). financial liabilities are still very manageable and its future commitment to renew and replace existing assets is high. Council has set a target to breakeven (0%) in 2016 and increase its surplus thereafter, thereby creating the capacity The Long Term Financial Plan 2013-2023 provides the to directly fund rather than borrow for essential works. framework for Council to reach and maintain financial sustainability. The Plan along with the Asset Management Plan and Capital Works Program, provides the following strategies to ensure the Council’s ability to provide the infrastructure, facilities and services required by its community: • review of rating systems for equity and consistency; • applying user pays principles where appropriate; • reducing operating expenditure where possible; • increasing capital commitment to existing assets; • reducing and prioritising construction of new assets; • seeking and maximising external funding of new assets; • improving asset data and management; and • determining sustainable asset service levels.
Further detail on financial indicators can be found in Note 15 The Net Financial Liabilities Ratio expresses Council’s total of the 2013/14 Annual Financial Statements. liabilities less financial assets as a percentage of its operating revenue. The graph below reflects low debt overall, and >>Port Pirie Regional Council – ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 55
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