WINTON SHIRE COUNCIL

CORPORATE PLAN 2016-2021

This publication has been compiled by the Winton Shire Council. http://www.winton.qld.gov.au

© Winton Shire Council, 2016

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SHIRE OVERVIEW ...... 4 MAYORS STATEMENT ...... 5 WINTON SHIRE COUNCIL ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ...... 6 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ...... 7 OUR VISION ...... 8 OUR MISSION STATEMENT ...... 8 OUR VALUES ...... 9 THE CORPORATE PLAN BUILDING BLOCKS ...... 10 COUNCIL COMMITTEE STRUCTURES ...... 11 GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE ...... 12 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ...... 15 HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING ...... 17 COMMUNITY, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE ...... 19 TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE...... 21 SHIRE OVERVIEW

The is a local government area in Central West . It covers an area of 53,000 square kilometres and has existed as a local government entity since 1887. Winton is a diverse shire, rich in history, natural beauty and culture.

The lands of the Winton Shire were originally inhabited by a range of indigenous people including Goa, Maiwali, Pita Pita, Yirandali, Iningai and Wunumara nations. Council acknowledges their occupation and ownership of the land prior to European settlement and respects the culture and historical association with the land of the traditional owners.

Ludwig Leichhardt was thought to have passed the area in 1848 in his attempt to cross the continent. Augustus Gregory followed 10 years later searching for Leichhardt. Explorers and then John McKinlay, William Landsborough and Frederick Walker also passed through the area in 1861‐ 62, looking for Burke and Wills.

European settlers took up land around Winton from 1866 and the first properties were Elderslie, Vindex, Bladensburg and Oondooroo. The town was officially gazetted on 5 July 1879.

In 1895, 'Banjo' Paterson wrote Australia's unofficial anthem Waltzing Matilda at Dagworth Station in Winton Shire, and legend has it that it was first performed in public at Winton's North Gregory Hotel. Years later, in 1920, QANTAS was formed in Winton.

Winton has a rich history with links to the Great Shearers' Strike, Waltzing Matilda and Qantas, but today the town is almost as well known for something far more ancient ‐ dinosaurs. The first prehistoric discovery in Winton Shire was made in 1962, on Cork Station – a fossilized footprint. This led to the discovery of the world’s only recorded dinosaur stampede, now known as the Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways. The region is now home to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs which will expand into the most comprehensive Australian natural history museum in the world.

The region's low annual rainfall made it ideal for sheep and up to 1.5 million sheep have been grazed during past good seasons. However, modern downturns in the pastoral industry have forced residents to consider new economic opportunities. Major industries for Winton are beef, opals and tourism.

MAYORS STATEMENT

Winton Shire Council and the Winton Community are proud of our heritage These categories form the five pillars of our response to ensuring the incorporating the home of Waltzing Matilda and as the Birthplace of QANTAS. sustainability of the region and the services that we seek to provide to the We recognise that we live in an area of outstanding rugged beauty that is highly community. seasonal.

The seasonality of our environment presents many challenges to both Council and the Community, dealing with very wide ranges of climatic conditions including drought, floods, heat and cold weather.

The resilience of the Community in navigating and managing these challenges is Gavin Baskett a source of pride for residents and Council alike. Mayor

Council seeks to provide a broad range of services to the community that ensure that we are sustainable and have a reasonable quality of life.

This Corporate Plan seeks to set the strategic direction for the organisation in responding to Community needs in the following areas:

1. Governance and Accountability 2. Economic Development 3. Health, Environment and Planning 4. Community, Culture and Lifestyle 5. Transport and Infrastructure WINTON SHIRE COUNCIL ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

COUNCILLOR

Cr Tina Elliott MAYOR 23 Vindex Street WINTON QLD 4735 Cr Gavin Baskett 21 Blomfield Street WINTON QLD 4735 COUNCILLOR

Cr Travis Harbour 20 Nisbet Street WINTON QLD 4735

COUNCILLOR

Cr Joel Mann DEPUTY MAYOR 30 Chirnside Street WINTON QLD 4735 Cr Shane Mann 83 Vindex Street COUNCILLOR WINTON QLD 4735

Cr Judy Sale 53 Nesbit Street WINTON QLD 4735

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

Elected Representatives

MAYOR COUNCILLORS

Staff Chief Executive Officer/Director Governance and Finance Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Director of Corporate and Community Services Director of Works

Outcomes Governance and Finance Economic Development Health, Environment and Planning Community, Culture and Lifestyle Transport and Infrastructure

OUR VISION

Winton. Legendary. Safe. Scenic.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To lead and work in partnership with the community to improve our lifestyle whilst preserving our heritage.

OUR VALUES

Accountability Meaningful Community Engagement

The ethical concept associated with responsibility, Encompasses the principle of seeking the views and opinions of the enforcement, blameworthiness, transparent process, liability Community. This is to be through an effective committee system and public and other terms associated with being answerable for the trust consultation process as part of Council’s decision making methodology. that is bestowed by those whom we serve.

Good Governance Effectiveness This describes the process of decision‐making and the process by which The idea of carrying out a program or process that is entirely adequate to decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Hereby, public institutions accomplish the purpose that has been identified as a goal or aspiration. conduct public affairs, manage public resources, and guarantee the realisation of human rights. Good governance accomplishes this in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of Efficiency law

The concept that in the process of pursuing or effecting any program, procedure or task where all wastage is minimised. Ethical & Legal Behaviour

Ethical behaviour is characterized by honesty, fairness and equity in all Sustainability interpersonal relationships. Ethical behaviour respects the dignity, diversity and rights of individuals and groups of people. When coupled with legal Is the capacity to maintain a certain process or state indefinitely. When behaviour there is an expectation that there will be a penalty for conduct applied in an economic context, a business is sustainable if it has adapted its that breaches any law, statute or regulation. practices for the use of renewable resources and is accountable for the environmental impacts of its activities. THE CORPORATE PLAN BUILDING BLOCKS

The Corporate Plan has a number of levels that build into the Level Two – Strategies and Goals outcomes Winton Shire Council expects to achieve over the next four The Strategies are the secondary level of focus and broaden Council’s (4) years. The “Values” from vital elements throughout and provide a view to establish the issues that require a strategic goal. moral undercurrent that permeates all the levels of the Plan.

The Goals provide the considered aspirations that Council wishes and The Corporate Plan will be supported by the Annual Operation Plan expects will arise from identified strategies. and Annual Budget that will identify the yearly specific outcomes and the allocated resources to pursue and achieve these intentions at a tactical level. Level Three – Strategic Functions and Outcomes This is the lowest level in the Corporate Planning process and seeks Level One – Programs and Objectives to break the Strategies into achievable and attainable tasks. The Programs are Council’s highest levels of focus and seek to break down Council’s operations into defined departments around which The Outcomes are the measure of the Strategic Functions success reporting, accountability, management and control can be managed and although not totally specific in nature have a level of and supervised. measurability that enables an audit of their success.

The Objectives are the results and consequences that Council expects Level Four – Council’s Committee Structure will eventuate from this organisational structure. Winton Shire Council has an extensive Committee system that feeds into the Council operations through minutes, recommendations and Councillors and senior staff are allocated to both monitor the results personal representations. and encourage the pursuit of the Objectives.

PORTFOLIOS

The Mayor has ex officio control over all Programmes and is charged with the overall promotion the Winton Shire Council’s mission, aims, goals and is responsible to the

MAYOR electorate for all these outcomes.

Governance and Economic Health, Environment Community, Culture Transport and Finance Development and Planning and Lifestyle Infrastructure PROGRAM

To maximise the potential To provide a suite of facilities of our Shire and secure To ensure that we manage our To ensure that we manage our To provide corporate leadership and services that provide for the appropriate economic environment in a sustainable infrastructure to provide safe, within an open, accountable education, enjoyment and well‐ development within an way to ensure that we have safe healthy and equitable access to transparent financial system. being of the community at environmentally sustainable and healthy communities. the community. large. setting. OBJECTIVES

Work Advisory Committee Regional Arts Development Shire Rural Land Management Fund Committee Tourism Strategy Committee Audit Committee Shire Beautification & Cemetery Roads and Streets Committee Committee Wild Dog Management Advisory Committee Committee Winton Showground Users

COMMITTEE Committee

Governance and Finance

Objective:

To provide corporate leadership within an open, accountable, transparent financial system.

Portfolio:

Cr Joel Mann

STRATEGIES AND GOALS STRATEGIC FUNCTION OUTCOMES

GOVERNANCE Community to ensure minutes, reports, financial reports and Council tenders are available on Council's web site Communication after confirmation. to provide honest, transparent and to provide regular Mayoral press releases to news outlets. accountable corporate governance in line to ensure that there is a public consultation process and feedback when issues demand and as with corporate values circumstances require Community Engagement to ensure Council has a constructive and active two-way communication with the community Consultation to consult with State and Federal agencies as issues and circumstances require delegations with State and Federal Members and agencies as issues and circumstances require Governance to ensure the Councillors and the Staff Codes of Conduct are adhered to

FINANCE Council's Resources to assess all avenues for the potential use of Council's assets, resources and facilities. Council Assets to source or provide sufficient funds to maintain and improve Council assets to providing the wider community with Financial Reporting to ensure that the budget, operational plan and annual financial statements are produced within the confidence by effectively managing statutory reporting timeframes. revenues and expenditure to ensure the financial viability of the Shire and to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the organisation SERVICE Customer focus to respond to customer communications in a prompt and informative manner. Customer complaints to maintain a formal Complaints Process (including a register and report on the outcome) to achieve a customer focussed organisation that monitors, communicates and responds to community needs REGIONAL GOVERNANCE ROLE Regional to support and participate in the regional organisations that promotes and addresses the Programs, Organisations Strategies and Purposes of the Winton Shire Council. to play a constructive leadership role in regional issues. Regional Activities to play a proactive role in regional activities.

DEVELOPMENT Business Development to respond to opportunities for new industry and overcome constraints for the development of existing businesses. to develop an economic development To actively pursue new business development opportunities for the Shire in order to diversify our philosophy that encourages and supports local economy sustainable growth whilst considering Saleyards to continue to promote and operate Winton as a stock selling and spelling centre. environmental and heritage sites for future generations

STRATEGIES AND GOALS STRATEGIC FUNCTION OUTCOMES

EMERGENCY SERVICES Disaster Response and Relief to ensure that a capable emergency response is provided, within the resources available to the Shire. to develop and implement disaster management mitigation plans and strategies Disaster Mitigation to develop and implement disaster mitigation plans and strategies.

EXTERNAL UTILITY SERVICES Rail Services to lobby for the retention and improvement of rail services to the Shire.

to retain and improve the transport, Air Services to lobby to ensure the provision of appropriate air services to the Shire. communication and rural power network that Bus Services to ensure there is the provision of appropriate coach/bus services to the Shire. services this region Power / Electricity to lobby government and implement programmes to ensure the provision of reliable and affordable electrical power in the Shire. to investigate economic renewable options for the Shire

Telecommunications to ensure the provision of appropriate levels of affordable telecommunication services to the Shire.

Economic Development

Objective:

To maximise the potential of our shire and secure appropriate economic development within an environmentally sustainable setting.

Portfolio:

Cr Judy Sale

STRATEGIES AND GOALS STRATEGIC FUNCTION OUTCOMES

TOURISM Preservation of Historic Sites to identify and protect historic sites in the shire on a priority basis.

Tourism Product to enhance existing product and facilitate development of new products to maximise the benefits to the community Development of Winton from sustainable tourism Tourism Marketing to provide a framework for the cost effective promotion of Winton that will encourage increased visitor stays and widen the market scope & share. Tourism Facilities to maintain and improve existing facilities to enhance the Winton tourist experience.

Tourism Education and to increase the awareness of the potential benefits of tourism to the Winton economy through Training education, training & edification. BEAUTIFICATION Beautification to plan and implement the ongoing improvement in the appearance of the Shire.

Public Parks to maintain and develop parks to meet the needs of the community. to develop new and implement the ongoing improvement in the appearance of the Shire. National Parks to assist respective State Government departments to preserve the natural attributes of National Parks while increasing access and appreciation AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Airport Development to ensure that the Council airstrips and landing surfaces are maintained at a safe standard and the facilities are appropriate to the level of use to maintain existing Council air strips at a safe standard, appropriate to the level of use. BUSINESS Communications Develop appropriate levels of communications services. to improve and develop business continuity strategies and opportunities

Health, Environment and Planning

Objective:

To ensure that we manage our environment in a sustainable way to ensure that we have safe and healthy communities.

Portfolio:

Cr Travis Harbour

STRATEGIES AND GOALS STRATEGIC FUNCTION OUTCOMES

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Environmental Health to conduct food inspections of all food preparation facilities. to conduct urban property inspection to minimise vermin harbour. to develop new and implement the ongoing to conduct urban property inspection to licensed Environmentally Relevant Activities improvement in the appearance of the Shire. GARBAGE Garbage Collections to monitor and improve waste management collection practices

to ensure that the current garbage collection facilities meet the needs of the Community. ANIMAL CONTROL Animal Control to control animal management in Winton.

to provide appropriate management of the control of animals within the town environment. NATURAL RESOURCES and Stock Routes Reserves to support the ideal that the Stock Route Network’s integrity as a State corridor is maintained and ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT enhanced so that unimpeded travel can occur through Winton Shire and adjoining Shires. to manage the grazing impacts of travelling stock, and/or agisted stock, on the land condition and to provide sustainable management of the areas of significance of the Stock Route Network within Winton Shire, and to ensure that the natural environment through application of grazing resources are available for future use. resources and enforcement of legislation. to implement the objectives identified in the Winton Shire Council Stock Route Management Plan. Pest Management to implement the objectives identified in the Pest Management Plan. to support the Pest Management Plan in bringing together all government agencies, businesses and the community in a concerted effort to tackle the critical issue of pests, by increasing awareness, sharing responsibility, and coordinating action. to support the development of a cluster fence solution to address the issue of wild dogs in the region. Commons to maintain Common facilities at a level that meets the needs of the community and maintains environmental responsibility. TOWN PLANNING Town Planning Policy to review and upgrade Council's current town Plan to ensure it meets community needs. Planning to ensure that appropriate zoned land is available to meet public demand. to manage the development of land use in a to encourage development but not at the detriment of culture, heritage or environmental issues. sustainable manner. Community, Culture and Lifestyle

Objective:

To provide a suite of facilities and services that provide for the education, enjoyment and well‐being of the community at large.

Portfolio:

Cr Tina Elliott STRATEGIES AND GOALS STRATEGIC FUNCTION OUTCOMES

LIFESTYLE Lifestyle to enhance the liveability of Winton Shire to manage and develop our communities in Promotion and Facilitation encourage participation and community involvement in sporting and recreational activities. such a way that they are accessible, function well, are safe and convenient with Education to lobby to provide children of the Shire with educational opportunities equivalent to their peers appropriate amenities that makes them a elsewhere in Queensland desirable place to live. Education that Council endeavour to provide assistance to the community in overcoming the challenge of our remoteness in terms of accessing development opportunities for the whole community Aged Welfare to monitor and respond to the needs of the aged in the community

COMMUNITY SERVICES Health Care to monitor and advocate for improved health services offered to the community Home and Community Care to maintain and enhance Council sponsored health services to ensure the provision of appropriate health and welfare services to the community. Youth Development to monitor and respond to the needs of the youth in the community. Child Care to facilitate the provision of child care services. Community and Individual to monitor and respond to the social needs of the community. Support Family Support to maintain and improve level of health services offered to the rural community. CULTURAL SERVICES Arts and Culture to develop, support and facilitate arts and cultural activities in the shire. to pursue the aims and objectives of the Arts and Cultural Policy to promote and facilitate Arts and Cultural Activities throughout the Shire.

SPORT and RECREATION Sporting Facilities to provide sporting facilities appropriate to the needs of the community. Recreational Facilities to provide recreational facilities appropriate to the needs of the community. to develop new and maintain existing sporting and recreational facilities Library to provide library services appropriate to the needs of the community and other users. appropriate to the needs of the community

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE Council Building to maintain and develop Council buildings Management to explore the needs for new Council building Housing to monitor and respond to the need for housing in the community infrastructure whilst preserving existing assets. Transport and Infrastructure

Objective:

To ensure that we manage our infrastructure to provide safe, healthy and equitable access to the community.

Portfolio:

Cr Shane Mann STRATEGIES AND GOALS STRATEGIC FUNCTION OUTCOMES

ASSET MANAGEMENT Asset management to implement an asset/risk management assessment of Council's operations

to develop a progressive asset/risk management plan SAFETY SafePlan 3 to embrace the objectives of SafePlan 3 and fully implement its objectives.

to acknowledge the need for a safe environment in all aspects of Council Drug and Alcohol Testing to continue the implementation of the Drug and Alcohol Policy operations. BEST PRACTICE Operational Performance benchmark Council operations against similar Councils

Quality Assurance implement a Quality Assurance framework for Council operations

ROADS and STREETS State and National Roads to lobby for the improvement of government roads of significant economic benefit to the shire. Town Streets to provide a street network that satisfies the needs of the community, in terms of surface, lighting to ensure the provision of a roads and and safety. drainage system that facilitates efficient Rural Roads to provide a rural road network that satisfies the needs of the community, in terms of safety and movement and preserves the integrity of access. the local environment Footpaths to provide a network of footpaths to satisfy the pedestrian traffic needs of the town. Storm Water Drains to provide a drainage system that minimises the impact of local flooding. Signage on Roads and Streets to provide signage on roads and streets according to National Standards. WATER and SEWERAGE Shire Water Assets to maintain the performance of water management facilities (ie bores, heat exchange unit and water storage) to meet the current and potential water Water Quality to supply potable water at safe temperatures and pressure levels and sewerage needs of the Community. Water Conservation to promote Waterwise strategies within the Shire Sewerage Assets to maintain and improve sewerage infrastructure SHIRE PLANT and EQUIPMENT Plant and Equipment to ensure that Council maintains an appropriate level of plant, equipment and vehicles to effectively complete future municipal works to ensure that Council plant operates to ensure that adequate plant planning, both physically and financially, is made for at maximum effectiveness and plant replacements. efficiency. WASTE MANAGEMENT Waste Management to monitor and improve waste management practices.

to provide waste management operations Tip Management to manage the Council landfill in accordance with environmental requirements and the Waste that are economically and environmentally Management Plan sustainable in the long term with a focus on cost effectiveness and quality. Tip Development Long term Strategic Management of the tip