2019/20 ANNUAL REPORT ISSN 1836-6104 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Yorke Peninsula Council acknowledges the Narungga (traditionally spelled Nharangga) people, the traditional owners of this land and pay respect to their Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Narungga people living here today. “We will foster opportunities to support and enhance Yorke Peninsula, which is valued for its natural beauty, rich agriculture, spectacular coastline and unique blend of seaside and rural lifestyles” CONTENTS Welcome 1 Message from the Mayor & CEO 2 Our Council & Organisation 4 Our Governance 9 Our People & Culture 15 Maitland Office: Our Organisational Highlights (Main Office) 16 8 Elizabeth Street Goal 1: Economically Prosperous Peninsula 17 MAITLAND 5573 Goal 2: Community Connected through Infrastructure 22 Minlaton Office: 18 Main Street Goal 3: Valued and Restored Environment 26 MINLATON 5576 Goal 4: Community Engaged and Supported 30 Yorketown Office: 15 Edithburgh Road Goal 5: Responsible Governance 36 YORKETOWN 5575 Our Council Performance 43 PO Box 57 MAITLAND SA 5573 Financial 44 (08) 8832 0000 Annual Capital Projects 47 [email protected] Strategic Management Plan 52 www.yorke.sa.gov.au Appendix 1: Audited Financial Statements 54 @YorkePeninsulaCouncil Appendix 2: Support Documentation 106 Appendix 3: Legatus Group Annual Report 116 WELCOME The Yorke Peninsula Council covers an area of 5,900 square kilometres, has a distance of approximately 175 kilometres between its northern and southern boundaries, and being a Peninsula, has a varying width east to west averaging approximately 30 kilometres. The Council is unique in comparison to other Local Government Authorities in that it is bordered by sea on three sides and as such has 485 kilometres of coastline. Yorke Peninsula is the traditional winning Walk the Yorke, as well as home of the Nharangga people who National Trust / Museums and art / have occupied the area for around craft galleries. 40,000 years. This annual report provides our Yorke Peninsula is known for its rich ratepayers, visitors, government agricultural history and agriculture agencies and our community with an will remain for quite some time as the account of Council’s achievements largest source of employment and and performance for the financial economic output on the Peninsula. year 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020. However, tourism is emerging as an The Yorke Peninsula Annual Report industry that must grow in order to meets the requirements of the Local ensure a sustainable future for all. Government Act 1999. We trust Council currently maintains three that this report demonstrates our office locations and four works commitment in working together depots. with the community to shape a sustainable future for current and The Council area boasts both private future generations. and public schooling, is serviced by three hospitals (two public, one This year’s Annual Report has seen a private) and associated specialist decrease in the length of the report to and aged care providers. A wide assist in reducing printing costs and range of sporting clubs provide a assist in contributing to a healthier varied range of recreational pursuits, environment. Detailed listing of together with the opportunities content referred to in the report is available from the coastline available on the Yorke Peninsula surrounding the peninsula. There are Council website www.yorke.sa.gov. excellent walking trails established au or on request through Council. within the area including the award Page 1 of 148 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR & CEO Is it with great pleasure that together of South Australian’s exploring their own we present the 2019/20 Yorke Peninsula back yard. Council Annual Report. COVID-19 also meant the cancellation of Firstly, we must acknowledge the many events, including (but not limited devastating events of 2019/20. Our to): the 2020 Art Exhibition, YorKon as well region was officially recognised by the as many community markets. Australian Government as being drought Further within this report our financial affected, then due to the dryness of the information will detail the ‘wash up’ from land, a number of towns were wrecked COVID-19. by fire (White Hut, Price, Yorketown and Another devastating occurrence was the Edithburgh plus Maitland). The Yorketown/ passing of Cr Jeff Cook. Cr Cook diligently Edithburgh fire alone saw 5,000 hectares served the Yorke Peninsula as an Elected burnt and 11 properties including sheds Member for 37 years. Jeff’s wisdom and and homes destroyed. Over 30 people experience will be sorely missed. suffered minor injuries and the residents of Edithburgh and Sultana Point were Despite all of these terrible events, Council evacuated to Coobowie in the first was still able to deliver many varied instance and then moved onto Stansbury. projects and services throughout the year. All of these projects and continuing Then just as our communities started services are highlighted throughout this their recovery, we were all impacted by report. Pages 47 – 51 list all of the key COVID-19. Given the higher than average projects completed throughout 2019/20. median age of our residents, COVID-19 was of great concern for many. Tourism In closing we would like to thank all of is a critical industry for the peninsula, so the Council staff for their hard work and Council had some complex decisions to diligence during these difficult times make – how to protect the health of our and the elected body for their continuing community whilst balancing our economic support and dedication to the Yorke responsibilities for the peninsula. Whilst Peninsula community. there was some tension and angst from both side (residents and visitors) we firmly believe that we struck the right balance. The Yorke Peninsula did not experience Darren Braund any community transmission of COVID-19 MAYOR plus our visitors were lined up and ready to return on the day that restrictions were lifted. In fact, the tourism industry has in Andrew Cameron more recent months been the beneficiary CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Page 2 of 148 1:1.9 8,831 Electors currently Current enrolled population density 14,029 Ratable properties within the Council region 1.1m 485km Visitors to the region Coastline Total length of spectacular Region includes Copper Coast and Barunga West Councils. coastline $274.8m Assets Community assets owned 11,324 by Council. 45 Townships in the Population Council region ABS Regional Popula- tion Growth data issued 25/03/2020 23 km Total length of constructed footpaths 3,890 KM 5,900 km² Total length of Yorke Total area Peninsula Council serviced by Council road network Page 3 of 148 OUR COUNCIL & ORGANISATION The District Council of Yorke Peninsula was established on 10 February 1997 following the voluntary amalgamation of the District Councils of Central Yorke Peninsula, Minlaton, Yorketown and Warooka. In September 2013 Council endorsed a resolution to change the Council’s name to Yorke Peninsula Council. Council is made up of 12 Elected Members, one of whom is the Mayor, and all are elected by eligible voters. In accordance with the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999, elections are held every four years, with the last election held in November 2018. The next Council election will be held in November 2022. Page 4 of 148 OUR COUNCIL Councillor Councillor Councillor Deputy Mayor Richard Carruthers Roger Johns David Langford Tania Stock KALKABURY WARD MAYOR Councillor Councillor Councillor Darren Braund Naomi Bittner Michael Murdock* Leanne O’Brien GUM FLAT WARD * Elected on 09/09/2020 Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Anthony Bennett Adam Meyer Kristin Murdock John Rich INNES PENTON VALE WARD VALE CR JEFFREY COOK In May 2020 Elected Members, staff and until his passing. streets of Minlaton for his hearse the broader community farewelled Cr parade. This was a fitting farewell for a Jeff was not only a passionate about his Jeff Cook. man who dedicated much of his life to role as an Elected Member and being the community. In his role as the Minlaton Chairman able to serve his community, he was Rest in peace Jeff (Mayor) Jeff oversaw the amalgamation also a well-known musician and poet. of several councils in 1997 to form the Due to COVID-19 restrictions Jeff’s current Yorke Peninsula Council. In total funeral service could only be attended Jeff served as an Elected Member for 37 by family and close friends. However years. He was first elected to Minlaton as a sign of great respect, many local District Council in 1983 and continued community members, fellow Elected as a councillor for the Gum Flat Ward Members and Council staff lined the Page 5 of 148 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Business Legend Mayor and Council Improvement Officer Corporate Management Team Elected Members Governance Manager Roles Officer Supervisory Roles Executive Assistants Non Supervisory Roles Executive Executive Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Assistant Support Officer Director Assets & Director Director Corporate Executive Executive Executive Infrastructure Services Assistant Development Services Assistant & Community Services Assistant Assets Manager Property Tenure Development Officer Manager Business YP Art Exhibition Manager Services and Public Relations Project Officer Assets Support Senior Compliance Officer Senior Records Officer Senior Development Officer Records Officer Planning Officer Officer Building Officer