Lake Macquarie City

Annual Report 2016-2017 table of contents

05 About this report Our reports 06 Message from the Mayor 55 Our compliance reports 07 Message from the CEO Workforce and performance 56 Structure and performance 58 Fair and equal employment Our year 59 Work health and safety 09 Our year in review 61 Awards 10 Performance snapshot 62 Productivity improvements 12 Financial snapshot 63 Fit for the Future improvement plan 13 Value for rates Community engagement and education 14 City snapshot and overview 64 Community engagement 65 Public access to information Our results 67 Companion animals 17 Reporting our achievements Support and partnerships 18 Caring for the environment 68 Contributions and donations 24 Caring for our community 73 Partnerships, co-operatives and joint ventures 28 Sport, recreation and culture 76 External bodies exercising Council functions 34 Transport, roads and drainage 80 Controlling interest and service charges 38 Urban and economic development 80 Voluntary planning agreements 44 Civic leadership 81 Private works 50 Business activities Assets 82 State of our infrastructure assets

Financial reports 86 Special rate variation 87 Sustainability and environment levy 88 Legal proceedings 89 Councillors’ and Mayor’s expenses 89 Overseas visits 89 Senior staff remuneration 90 Contracts awarded 91 Financial position 94 Financial statements

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 3 Lake Macquarie City 4 Annual Report 2016-2017 about this report

The Annual Report is one of the key points of accountability between Council and the community of Lake Macquarie City.

Our annual report provides our The report demonstrates the breadth understand how they interact and community with a comprehensive of Council operations and the get the maximum leverage from their and transparent statement of our services provided to the community efforts by planning holistically and performance in achieving the targets throughout the year. It also describes sustainably for the future. and strategies of our Delivery how the organisation is governed The Delivery Program is a four- Program, and reaching the goals and managed, including reporting on year plan that covers the term of of our Community Strategic Plan. Council’s financial performance. an elected Council. To create the It is an important piece of Council’s The Lake Macquarie City State of Program, we look at the Community integrated planning and reporting the Environment Report 2016-2017 Strategic Plan and ask what we can framework that connects the and the Annual Financial Statements achieve over the coming four years community’s long-term goals with 2016-2017 are published as to bring us closer to the community’s Council’s day-to-day actions. separate volumes of this report and vision and values. This annual report offers an overview are available at lakemac.com.au. With limited resources – skills, labour, of Council’s performance for the The report also fulfils Council’s time and money – we cannot achieve period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 statutory responsibilities under the everything at once. The four-year against the actions and performance Local Government Act 1993 and Delivery Program is reviewed annually targets of the Operational Plan legislative reporting requirements. to determine which objectives set out 2016-2017, which is the final year of in the Community Strategic Plan can the Delivery Program 2013-2017. be achieved within Council’s available How we plan and report The report describes the various resources, and an Operational Plan ways we have worked with our The NSW local government of actions for the coming financial community and our partners in integrated planning and reporting year is created. This ensures that government, industry and business framework recognises that Council’s long-term planning is over the past twelve months to most communities share similar consistent with the current and future achieve our City’s vision and respond aspirations: a safe, healthy and needs of the community. to priorities for the City in six key pleasant place to live, a sustainable focus areas: environment, opportunities for social interaction, education Caring for the environment; and employment, and reliable Caring for our community; infrastructure. The difference lies Sport, recreation and culture; in how each community responds Transport, roads and drainage; to these needs. Urban and economic It also recognises that council development; and plans and policies should not exist in isolation - that they are Civic leadership. inter-connected. This framework allows NSW councils to draw their various plans together,

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 5 message from the Mayor

I present this annual report with pride in the many excellent outcomes achieved for Lake Macquarie City in the past year.

Council has worked hard to deliver As part of our integrated approach united by a shared commitment to services, programs and infrastructure to transport, we also worked our community and to seeing our that enrich the quality of life of all who throughout the year to extend City evolve and thrive. live, visit and do business here. our network of footpaths, shared As the year ended, we said goodbye The Hunter region is growing and pathways and on-road cycleways, to Brian Bell, an outstanding changing, and this report sheds light while improving 90 kilometres of General Manager who earned on our efforts to make the most of our roads and installing seven new the respect and admiration of emerging opportunities for the City accessible bus shelters. everyone he worked with. Council’s while maintaining a strong focus on Making our City more inclusive relationship with the community what matters most to our community. and accessible for everyone is has flourished under his leadership, A key challenge we face is to the goal of our Disability Inclusion and he has overseen a period of ensure that local development and Action Plan, launched in June. exceptional financial and operational growth complements our City’s The plan recognises the crucial management. unique character and enhances role Council can play in helping to We have since welcomed Morven our already strong sense of place. identify and break down barriers Cameron as Chief Executive Officer. Our redevelopment of Warners for those with disability living and Morven’s energetic approach Bay foreshore took shape this year, working in our City. promises to take us in exciting new while across the lake we began to We also celebrated 20 years of the directions. She is a most competent reveal an attractive new streetscape Sculpture Park at Lake Macquarie and down-to-earth leader who has a at The Boulevarde in Toronto. We City Art Gallery, and looked to the strong vision for our City’s role in the also commenced works for the $15 future, working with the community region and for a customer-focused million Pasterfield Sports Complex to develop a new City-wide Arts, organisational culture. that will provide state-of-the art Heritage and Cultural Plan. In closing, I would like to recreational facilities in the fast- Overall, it was a year of many new acknowledge the work of our Council growing suburb of Cameron Park. beginnings for Council and our City. staff. Their strong performance has I was delighted to cut the ribbon We welcomed a freshly elected been recognised at regional, state at the opening of the major new Council, a new Chief Executive and national levels with several roundabout at Glendale, which Officer and a new Community awards won. Notable among these marked the successful completion Strategic Plan – Our Future in Focus. are being named Aboriginal Council of Stage 1 of the Lake Macquarie Our Future in Focus is an inspiring of the Year and receiving the NSW Transport Interchange. Council has blueprint that captures the ideas, Local Government Excellence Award secured more than $27.45 million priorities and aspirations of our for Community Engagement for our from state and federal governments community, and will guide our work Shape Your Future program. to get the Interchange under way, over the next 10 years. and welcomed the announcement The new Council, elected in Councillor Kay Fraser in June of a further $1.7 million from September 2016, represents a Mayor the NSW Government to develop the healthy diversity of views, and I am strategic business case for the next proud to lead knowing that we are stages of the project.

Lake Macquarie City 6 Annual Report 2016-2017 message from the CEO

We achieved another year of strong performance in managing our resources effectively to deliver quality assets and services to our community.

I am pleased to report that Council and this annual report details many of the Year in the NSW Local achieved excellent results across all productivity improvements we have Government Aboriginal Network areas of our operations and service made to adopt environmentally Awards and receiving the NSW Local delivery during 2016-2017. This is sustainable approaches and Government Excellence Award for a great way to bring our Delivery generate significant cost savings Community Engagement for our Program 2013-2017 to a close and for Council and our ratepayers. Shape Your Future program. begin our new planning cycle. This includes detail of productivity I moved into the role of Chief Our integrated approach to reporting improvements made under our ‘Fit Executive Officer in August 2017, means that with each target we for the Future’ improvement plan. as we ushered in our new 10-year meet, we are achieving the strategies I am particularly proud that these Community Strategic Plan – Our and addressing our community’s results were achieved in a year Future in Focus and four-year Delivery priorities, as captured in our four- in which we completed Stage1 Program – Our Future in Detail, along year Delivery Program and 10-year of the Lake Macquarie Transport with our new Resourcing Strategy – Community Strategic Plan. Interchange while continuing to invest Delivering our Future. In 2016-2017, we achieved 95 per in the revitalisation of infrastructure On behalf of Council, I would like to cent of our performance targets, with throughout the City. This major take this opportunity to once again 161 of 170 targets met across our milestone was achieved while we thank everyone who participated in six key focus areas and business completed works to beautify and creating this new suite of planning activities. This result maintains our improve our town centres, parks, documents through our Shape Your strong track record, which has seen playgrounds and sporting facilities, Future community engagement us achieve more than 80 per cent and deliver innovative and engaging program. Council is proud to become of annual performance targets every programs at our libraries, swim the custodian of these documents, year since 2009. centres and the art gallery. which reflect the input of more than At the same time, we delivered an Shared decision making and 4000 people. These plans will guide operating surplus of $8.6 million effective working partnerships us over the next ten years, and I am for 2016-2017, while maintaining with government agencies, non- very excited to be leading our work to manageable levels of debt. This government organisations, business bring this new vision for our City to life. is consistent with the targets of and most importantly our community I would like to thank my colleagues Council’s long-term financial plan, have been critical to this success. and the elected Councillors for which forecasts a return to surplus A new Customer Service Charter their efforts throughout the year. by 2017-2018. was developed during the year and The organisation’s success is an Revenue raised through the rate adopted by Council in February, expression of their willingness to variation approved by IPART in June which sets out our commitment to listen to our community and to work 2012 has provided the foundations our community and outlines the levels effectively together. for financial sustainability that Council of service they can expect when they engage with us as an organisation. continues to build upon through Morven Cameron strong financial management and Our engagement with the community Chief Executive Officer continuous improvement. was recognised at state and national Organisational efficiency has been level this year, with several awards a strong focus across all areas of won. Notable among these was Lake Macquarie City our operations over recent years, being named Aboriginal Council Annual Report 2016-2017 7 OUR YEAR

Lake Macquarie City 8 Annual Report 2016-2017 our year in review

This year we have worked to make Lake Macquarie a more inclusive and liveable City that unlocks its potential through smart, sustainable solutions.

The completion of Stage 1 of the The commencement of works for the We have continued to increase Lake Macquarie Interchange is Pasterfield Sports Centre at Cameron our efforts to involve our local a major achievement that marks Park, and the launch of our new community in planning and decision the culmination of Council’s four- mobile library service – The Rover, making. Thousands of residents, year Delivery Program and a new along with our efforts to cut waste businesses and other stakeholders emphasis on connectivity, mobility and move to renewable energy, are took the opportunity to provide and accessibility for the City. Stage just some of the projects that are input on a broad range of issues this 1 of the Interchange links Cardiff and positioning Lake Macquarie City well year, including the design of new Glendale easing traffic congestion for the future. recreation areas and upgrades to and improving connectivity around Meeting the needs of current and local playgrounds. this busy retail, business, sports and future residents in our growing City We also sought community input entertainment hub. is a challenge we continue to face. in the development of our first Making it safe to connect with Council’s timely approval during Customer Service Charter and new others and get around our City is an the year of 2681 development Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017- emerging priority for Council, and applications, which includes new 2021, both of which are clear signs mobility and accessibility is a key value applications worth $607 million, of Council’s commitment to putting underpinning the new Lake Macquarie speaks to the pace and scale of the people of Lake Macquarie at the City Community Strategic Plan for this growth. heart of everything we do. 2017-2027, Our Future in Focus. One of the key ways Council is Financial sustainability and a responding to change is to focus workplace culture of ongoing on the needs and involvement of productivity improvement has everyone in our community. provided a stable base from which Council has been able to make progress on major projects and a number of new initiatives for the City this year. The performance snapshot overleaf highlights some of these significant gains.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 9 performance snapshot We achieved 95 per cent of our performance targets across all areas of our Delivery Program in 2016-2017, resulting in many great outcomes for our City and its people.

96 100 95 87 87 82 84 83 83 85 79 80 80 71 69 63 57 60 161 of 170

targets 40 achieved

20

6 02/0 3 03/0 4 04/0 5 05/0 6 06/0 7 07/0 8 08/0 9 09/1 0 10/1 1 11/1 2 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/1 7 +94H 0

we’re on our way works commence

$607m in approvals

Stage 1 of the Lake Macquarie Transport We approved 2681 development Work commenced at the major new Interchange was completed and opened applications including $607 million in new Pasterfield Sports Complex at to traffic in June and $321 million in amended approvals Cameron Park

Lake Macquarie City 10 Annual Report 2016-2017 excellent destinations

our future in focus art park

A new 10-year plan for our City was Trip Advisor Certificates of Excellence We celebrated 20 years of the developed with input from more than 4000 were awarded to our four freshly upgraded Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery in our community holiday parks Sculpture Park

hello Rover!

likes growing everyone is here

Our new Lake Mac Grows facebook page Our new mobile library ‘Rover’ hit the We launched our new Disability Inclusion sprouted up and is getting bigger each day streets Action Plan

less wasteful

shared journeys $4m redevelopment

We built 6.3km of new cycleways and We sent 3895 tonnes less waste to Our $4 million redevelopment of The shared pathways landfill this year Boulevarde at Toronto took shape

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 11 financial snapshot

Revenue raised through the rate variation approved by IPART in 2012 has provided the foundations for financial sustainability that Council is building on through strong financial management and continuous improvement, while maintaining essential services and infrastructure.

Council has reported an operating surplus before capital revenue of $8.604 million. The operating result for 2016-2017, reflects strong performance in relation to Council's 10-year Long- term Financial Plan, which forecast a return to surplus by 2017-2018.

Income from continuing operations 2016-2017 Expenses from continuing operations 2016-2017

Rates 41% Employee benefits and Annual charges 12% on-costs 39% User charges and fees 6% Borrowing costs 2.5% Interest and investment Materials and contracts 18% revenue 3% Depreciation and Other revenues 4% amortisation 23.5% Grants and contributions for Other expenses 11% operating purposes 13% Net loss from the disposal of Grants and contributions for assets 6% 41+126341321H capital purposes 21% 39+31823116H

Lake Macquarie City 12 Annual Report 2016-2017 value for rates

Council invests rates income in improving our City and enhancing quality of life for Lake Macquarie residents.

For each $100 Council spent during Council returns any profits generated the year, the following breakdown by its business activities to the shows how we invested these funds community through new or improved in service delivery, infrastructure services and facilities. development and maintenance across our key focus areas and business activities.

What $100 of rates bought in 2016-2017

caring for our community transport, roads and drainage caring for the environment  $21.55  $26.31  $19.61 Asset administration $14.65 Roads $21.97 Waste services $13.37 Emergency services $1.94 Traffic and transport $2.77 Environmental enhancement Human services and community Drainage $1.57 and protection $5.26 development $3.32 Lake and foreshore Public health $1.64 management $0.41 Catchment management $0.57

sport, recreation and culture urban and economic development  $17.34  $6.99 Sport and recreation $10.47 Land use $6.37 Swimming centres $2.18 Economic and employment Libraries $3.83 development $0.62 Cultural services $0.86

business activities civic leadership $4.54  $3.66 Property City administration management $3.69 (corporate services) $2.16 CiviLake $0.85 Democratic government $1.50

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 13 snapshot of our City

City area: Targets Workforce: 757km2 to 2036: 81,882 24,450 Lake more residents Businesses: circumference: 13,621 174km 13,700 new dwellings Gross regional Population: product: 205,748 11,741 $9.244 billion new jobs

NORTH WARD

Glendale Cardiff

Charlestown

Warners Bay

Toronto EAST WARD WEST WARD Belmont

Morisset Swansea

Wyee

OUR CITY

Lake Macquarie City 14 Annual Report 2016-2017 City overview

Lake Macquarie City’s population is Our people and life Lake, bush, coast more than 205,748, making it the and mountains Population growth and change are largest city in the Lower Hunter and challenges and opportunities for the The Lake, bushland, coast and the seventh most populous in NSW. City. The City’s population is expected mountains are important features People who live in the 95 communities to increase by 24,450 between now of our City. The City enjoys 38,000 that dot our landscape are blessed and 2036, creating demand for hectares of bushland. How we with an enviable lifestyle – a superb 13,700 new dwellings and 11,741 manage growth and change will be natural environment, world-class new jobs. Like many coastal areas, vital to the long-term preservation of infrastructure and facilities, engaged we have an ageing population our natural assets. and connected communities, the although we also have a large potential for significant economic Climate change is perhaps the proportion of our population under growth and a positive outlook for our greatest challenge facing the globe 15 years of age. Responding to future. The City’s centrepiece is a vast and Lake Macquarie is not immune growth in the number of people over blue water expanse, twice the size of to its impacts. How the City responds 65 and younger people presents Sydney Harbour. and adapts to this challenge will have different challenges and opportunities. a major bearing on our quality of life. Lake Macquarie was first inhabited Transport choice and convenience by the Awabakal tribe, Awabakal is one of the most important issues meaning ‘people of the calm surface’, Prosperity and for our residents, including having more than 8000 years ago. European success a transport network that allows us settlement dates from 1826 where to move around our City safely and Lake Macquarie’s economic land was used mainly for timber easily. The Lake Macquarie Transport strength is built upon its diverse production and farming. Interchange at Glendale is one of the landscape and natural resource The northern part of the City was most important infrastructure projects base, with key industries developing developed from the 1870s primarily for the region, and when complete out of timber, agriculture, water and for the establishment of coal mining, will be a key component of the City’s minerals. The City has developed into and development in the southern transport network. The growth in a hub for small- to medium- sized part of the City in the early 1900s shared paths connecting our key businesses with professional was aided by the construction of the destinations continues to make services, knowledge, healthcare railway line to Sydney. The most rapid walking and cycling a more viable and technology-based industries development occurred in the years transport option. exhibiting strong growth. after the two world wars especially Using technology and creativity to With a labour force of more than from the 1960s. our advantage and incorporating 100,000 people and roughly Lake Macquarie is uniquely new ways of connecting with each 14,000 businesses along with positioned, 60 minutes to Sydney other are important issues for our fluctuations in the growth and on the M1, 10 minutes to Newcastle City. Having safe vibrant spaces and decline in various industries, and its international airport, places for our residents will enable providing jobs within the City for 35 minutes to Hunter Valley our towns and suburbs to foster our residents is a key challenge. Wine Country and 40 minutes involvement, cohesion and a strong Development in response to to Newcastle airport and is just sense of community that population growth and change two hours by car from Sydney’s we all desire. continues to be a significant driver international airport. of economic activity in the City. With an eye on the past and present, we are keenly focused on the future of the City and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 15 OUR RESULTS

Lake Macquarie City 16 Annual Report 2016-2017 reporting our achievements

This section of the Annual Report 2016-2017 documents Council’s achievements in implementing the principal activities contained in the Revised Delivery Program 2013-2017, and corresponding actions and performance measurements in the Operational Plan 2016-2017. focus area reporting

The Lake Macquarie Community Caring for the Caring for our Sport, recreation Strategic Plan 2013-2023 groups environment community and culture community priorities in six focus areas (right). High-level priorities and strategies identified in each focus area in Transport, roads Urban and Civic the Community Strategic Plan link and drainage economic leadership directly to actions in Council’s four- development year Delivery Program and annual Operational Plan. our business activities

Council is involved in a range of CiviLake Property and business activities. It reports annually Business on the performance of its business Development units, CiviLake and Property and Business Development.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 17 caring for the environment

Council’s environmental sustainability programs continue to maximise the wellbeing of our residents while reducing our City’s environmental footprint. We performed strongly across all four priorities for this focus area, actively promoting and facilitating sustainable living, enhancing our ecosystems, minimising environmental risks such as floods and bush fires, and building participation at the community level through our successful engagement programs.

Strategic Direction A City responsive to its environment. A City that makes an equitable contribution to global sustainability. A well designed, adaptable and liveable City. Objective To provide integrated environmental management, strategic planning outcomes and waste management to enhance and sustain the natural and cultural built environment and contribute to an equitable regional and global ecological footprint.

Snapshot of performance 28 of 28 targets achieved

Lake Macquarie City 18 Annual Report 2016-2017 Sustainable living Delivery Program priority 1.1

Better Building Strategy Solar-powered Council Community-owned renewables 550kW Council’s Better Building In 2016-2017 we installed of solar power Strategy provides guidance a further 78 kilowatts (kW) We supported a range capacity achieved for retrofits to help make of solar panels on Council’s of community-owned Council’s community Gatehouse Building to renewable energy projects 22.5% facilities more sustainable bring our total solar energy throughout the year, and reduction in greenhouse by using less water, energy generating capacity to provided an update to gas emissions and raw materials. Under 550kW. Council in June 2017. Some the Strategy, we completed of these included support several key projects during for Office of Environment Water-smart 1238 2016-2017. These included: and Heritage programs, commercial recycling playing fields services a review of heating, including metering options As part of our water saving ventilation and air following the end of the Sports Field Improvement conditioning at solar feed-in tariff; support Program, we completed Charlestown Library, for Suncrowd bulk buy irrigation improvements at The Swansea Centre and of solar photovoltaic (PV) Lisle Carr Oval, Finnan Oval Swansea Swim Centre; and battery systems; and Ulinga Oval. and installation of PV at lighting upgrades We also replaced existing Cardiff Early Education at Edgeworth irrigation systems at Centre, Cameron Park Neighbourhood Centre, Hunter Sports Centre Multi-purpose Centre and The Swansea Centre, and Gibson Field, and Swansea Belmont Surf Swansea Swim Centre completed compost trial Life Saving Club (with and Speers Point Swim works (top dress and grant funding through Centre; and aerate) at Waterboard Oval, the Community Building installation of thermal film Les Wakeman Field, Liles Partnership Program). at Toronto Library. Oval, Rathmines Oval and These retrofits will save Kahibah Oval. Greenhouse gas an estimated $27,158 in reductions electricity bills and 98.3 Commercial recycling As a result of programs tonnes in carbon dioxide on the increase equivalents (tC0 -e) each to reduce greenhouse 2 Another 101 Lake year. gas pollution, it is estimated Macquarie commercial that greenhouse gas premises were registered emissions from Council for Council’s commercial operations in 2016-2017 recycling service during were 15,866t tC02-e, the year, bringing the total achieving our reduction number of businesses, target of 22.5 per cent. schools and Council- City-wide, a reduction of managed premises using 10.9 per cent from the the service to 640, and the 2007-2008 baseline was total number of services to achieved. 1238. This represents a ten- fold increase from the 2008 Lake Macquarie City baseline of 108 services. Annual Report 2016-2017 19 Sustainable living (continued) Delivery Program priority 1.1

Cutting waste to landfill Food scraps shift that they preferred the

Our efforts to work with the Our green waste service kerbside food waste service 4.6% to the current bin collection reduction in waste community to manage our is set to expand in 2018 to landfill City’s waste have achieved to include collection and system, and 96 per cent a 3.92 per cent average processing of food organics, reporting that they found annual reduction in waste following milestones met in the food scraps bin and to landfill compared to the 2016-2017. compostable bags easy to use. 2007-2008 baseline. This is Construction of our green well above our target of two waste processing facility per cent. The total waste to at Awaba commenced landfill for 2016-2017 was and we completed a 66- 80,663 tonnes compared day kerbside food waste to 84,558 tonnes in 2015- trial with 70 households 2016, which is a total in Rathmines and Fishing reduction in waste to landfill Point. The trial was of 4.6 per cent. successful, with 88 per cent of participants indicating Ecosystem enhancement Delivery Program priority 1.2

Managing our Protecting our City-wide biodiversity coastal zone waterways analysis 10 priority actions taken The Lake Macquarie We completed 23 on- We improved our technical for our coast Coastal Zone Management ground projects to improve capacity to analyse local Plan was approved by and protect our aquatic biodiversity with completion the NSW Government in ecosystems during the year. of work on our species 23 on-ground lake and September 2016 and 10 These included: models, including updated foreshore projects priority actions identified in installation of three vegetation and digital the plan were completed new stormwater quality elevations. during the year. improvement devices These actions included, (SQIDs) at Redhead, amongst others, a detailed Buttaba and Balcolyn; cliff stability assessment for completion of four five priority sites (Dudley, foreshore improvement Redhead, Caves Beach, projects at Yarrawonga Swansea Heads and Park, Marks Point, Catherine Hill Bay) and Balcolyn and completion of cliff safety Bonnells Bay; fencing at Redhead and completion of 12 Caves Beach, a review of stream stabilisation our jetty construction and works projects at Warners boat ramp rehabilitation Creek, Scrubby Creek, programs, a review of the Cockle Creek (x three), design of creek bank works, Fossil Wing Creek, Little and the introduction of Flaggy Creek, Cocked off-road vehicle permits at Hat Creek, Jewells Nine Mile Beach. (x three) and Slatey Creek; and completion of four wetland rehabilitation works at Belmont North, Five Islands, Pendlebury Park and Salts Bay.

Lake Macquarie City 20 Annual Report 2016-2017 Ecosystem enhancement (continued) Delivery Program priority 1.2

On-ground ecosystem Illegal dumping 50 improvements enforcement illegal dump sites cleaned Council completed nine Illegal dumping enforcement up by the offender projects to improve and activities increased terrestrial ecosystems during the year, with across the City, including: Council responding to all 9 ecosystem improvement works to protect sand 912 reported incidents and projects complete island shorebirds, three investigating 311, or 34.1 coastal dune rehabilitation per cent, against a target works conducted by of 30 per cent. One major Council lifeguards in off- targeted operation was season (Nine Mile Beach, completed at Awaba in Redhead and Caves conjunction with deterrence Beach); works, however no penalties resulted. habitat corridor planting at Martinsville; and four illegal dumping deterrence works (Awaba, Barnsley, Edgeworth and Hillsborough).

Environmental security Delivery Program priority 1.3

Flood study Adaptation projects Air quality The final Draft Winding Warners Bay foreshore Council’s request to the 12 bush fire hazard Creek and Jewells works were constructed Environment Protection reduction burns Wetlands Floodplain Risk using a design that can Authority to amend the Management studies and allow for adaptation to Clean Air Regulation plans, and the Draft Upper future sea level rise over to enable Council to 47 Cockle Creek Flood Risk time. Cliff stability works to approve open burning was sites inspected for black slag Management Study were protect public recreational approved and the regulation completed during the year. infrastructure at Caves amended. The draft LT Creek Flood Beach were also completed. Communication and Risk Management Study is engagement with the currently under review. community commenced and the program was Managing launched on 1 April 2017 contaminated land to coincide with end of the annual bushfire danger We continued our period. ongoing work to manage contaminated land and reduce exposure risks across the City. Council Bush fire risk inspected 47 high priority and education sites for exposed black Council continued to slag and identified 12 maintain bush fire asset deposits requiring action. protection zones across Work was completed at the City, completing 12 10 of these sites. Works hazard reduction burns for the remaining two covering 58 hectares sites will be completed during the year. in 2017-2018. Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 21 Sustainability engagement Delivery Program priority 1.4

More residents choose to Sustainable More prepared for reduce consumption Neighbourhoods natural disasters 5167 active in Sustainable Participants in Council’s program The Early Warning Network Neighbourhoods program campaigns to reduce their Council continues to had 5254 local subscribers consumption of energy and support community and 3500 people visited water increased to 2294 groups to plan and the emergency services 2294 residents engaged in people, a 20.6 per cent implement projects and display at the 2016 Living reducing consumption increase on the baseline of events that contribute to a Smart Festival. In addition, 1902 at 30 June 2016. local vision of sustainability Lake Macquarie Interagency A range of activities through the Sustainable and Hunter and Central 8919 contributed to this target Neighbourhoods program. Coast Councils Disaster engaged in natural disaster preparedness including: During the 2016-2017, Resilience Interagency had 55 participants, while we National Garage Sale Trail 5167 people participated recorded 98 participants (48 households) in the program, which is a 747 volunteered 5.1 per cent increase on at Council-run emergency in waste education and Super Street Sale clean up actions the previous year. The newly preparedness workshops (24 households) formed Rathmines and and 12 participants in Dora Active transport Warners Bay Sustainable Creek Safety Plan. (352 participants) Neighbourhood Groups In total, there were 8919 Lake Mac Grows launched their first participants for the year, (521 participants) Sustainable Neighbourhood which is an increase of 6.1 Healthy Lunch Boxes Action Plans during the per cent from baseline of (145 participants) year. 8406 at 30 June 2016. Bust Your Pool Bills (134 applicants) Waste awareness school workshops cuts contamination (669 participants) Council’s waste awareness community garden campaigns are providing workshops highly effective, with only a (139 participants) 0.3 per cent contamination in kerbside domestic green Living Smart Festival bins, which is below the workshops target of three per cent. (310 participants) The contamination rate in kerbside domestic recycling Volunteers clean up bins was two per cent, A total of 747 participants which is well below the were engaged in waste target of five per cent. education and clean- up activities this year, exceeding our target of 500. We attracted 291 participants to 16 Eco Angel clean up events and 400 participated in litter reduction educational activities at the Living Smart Festival Action Ocean Pod.

Lake Macquarie City 22 Annual Report 2016-2017 Sustainability engagement (continued) Delivery Program priority 1.4

Enhancing local This includes: 235 participants at ecosystems Backyard and Beyond 4110 368 new sign ups to engaged in ecosystem Our work to monitor, Backyard Habitat for workshops enhancement activities protect and restore local Wildlife program (total 48 volunteer efforts ecosystems was boosted registrations 2174) for community eco- during the year with an 202 attendees at Living monitoring increase in the number Smart Festival backyard 39 participants at grant of people participating workshops workshops in Council run programs 4142 native plants and activities including distributed at Living Smart Backyard Habitat for Festival Wildlife, community ecosystem monitoring 4 new properties activities, workshops and signed up to Land for the Explore the Great Wildlife Program (total Outdoors program. Through registrations 76) these activities, Council has 761 participants in successfully reached 4110 Explore Our Great participants, which is a 23 Outdoors program per cent increase on the 575 participants at May baseline of 3338 at 30 Movie Month June 2016.

Challenges and targets not met

All 28 performance indicators were met during the year.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 23 caring for our community

Council continues to host major events, run programs and support networks that engage and connect local communities and celebrate our diversity. Our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of residents saw us deliver crime prevention and awareness programs, complete health inspections of food premises and provide Ranger services throughout the City. We continued to develop long-term strategies to ensure Lake Macquarie City is a great place to live for everyone in our community. This year, we worked with the community to develop a new Disability Inclusion Action Plan that will guide our work over the next four years to make our City more inclusive and accessible for people of all abilities. In pursuit of our aim to provide opportunities for all residents to participate in the economic and social life of our City, we provided high- quality family day care services and delivered training and support to the hundreds of volunteers who help run our community facilities.

Strategic Direction A City responsive to the wellbeing needs of its residents. Objective Advocate for and develop opportunities that will ensure all residents have equal opportunity to participate in the economic and social life of the community.

Snapshot of performance 24 of 26 targets achieved

Lake Macquarie City 24 Annual Report 2016-2017 Social and community planning Delivery Program priority 2.1

A safer community 10,000 coasters to local Disability Inclusion Council worked with pubs and clubs carrying Action Plan 200 students attended respectful stakeholders to address the message ‘don’t be a Council is committed to relationships workshops anti-social behaviour in bystander’ toward domestic being an inclusive and Charlestown. violence. accessible city for people 60 We delivered the 2017 of all abilities. In June sites cleaned Operation Bounceback Graffiti hotspots targeted 2017, Council adopted the of grafitti campaign, aimed at Disability Inclusion Action Council continues to reducing motor vehicle theft. Plan 2017-2021. The new partner with Juvenile Justice The campaign involved the Plan was developed with and Corrective Services screening of community the community to identify for the removal of graffiti service announcements in and break down barriers throughout the City. The local cinemas, along with for those with disability program resulted in the community information living and working in Lake removal of graffiti on 160 sessions at shopping Macquarie, and will guide occasions at more than 60 centres. Council’s planning and individual sites. We also worked with actions over the next four Council also worked with Bahtabah Local Aboriginal years. Rotary to support and Land Council and Swansea The Plan covers the promote 2016 Graffiti High School to design following four focus areas: Removal Day in Lake a Landcare program Macquarie, which involved positive community involving students at risk of the clean up of graffiti at a attitudes and behaviours; disengagement with school significant site in Merrigum liveable communities, and community, to promote Street, Windale. including improvements to participation and community the physical environment; pride in the bushlands behind Caves and Hams Celebrating diversity employment opportunities; and Beaches. We undertook activities and events to celebrate accessible information and support services. Domestic violence NAIDOC Week, Children’s awareness Week, International Day of People with a Disability, 100 people attended International Women’s the Reclaim the Night Day, Close the Gap Day, event at Warners Bay and Harmony Day, Seniors Week a White Ribbon Morning and National Youth Week. A MORE Tea. The events helped INCLUSIVE AND to bring attention to issues Our involvement with the ACCESSIBLE CITY Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2017–2021 of violence against women Hunter Multicultural Expo and children. was a success. We worked with local multicultural Council also held a services to hold a refugee Respectful Relationships welcome barbecue. workshop with more than 200 Year 9 and Year 10 students, and delivered Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 25 Social and community planning (continued) Delivery Program priority 2.1

Me2 disability inclusion In addition, more than ‘Endless Summer’ events at program in development 500 attended the You’re Council’s swim centres. 500 attended You're We developed the Me2 Kidding Me Expo, featuring We also worked with Kidding Me expo Program for people with 55 services, 38 car Eastlake Youth Centre a disability, featuring an seat checks, 32 music to provide outreach in active inclusion sports day, workshops, two reptile Charlestown, and helped workshops and classes. The shows and a presentation deliver the Cameron Park program will commence in on CPR. Twilight Festival. late 2017. Community engagement Fun for over 55s for the design of a new You’re Kidding Me Our Over 55s program, youth facility at Windale also Between 30 to 50 people which featured history commenced. registered for each session tours, healthy cooking of our ‘You’re Kidding demonstrations, ballroom NAIDOC Week dancing and heart moves Me’ program this year. Council provided $12,500 of classes. The program featured funding to 24 schools and workshops on music, community organisations Youth programming language development, to undertake activities and emotional development, We worked with the Lake programs to celebrate anxiety, sleep, and Macquarie Youth Advisory NAIDOC Week. individual speech screening Council to deliver three assessments. Provide family day care Delivery Program priority 2.2

Caring for our kids Hunter New England Area The service now has 121 Lake Macquarie Family Health employer-sponsored registered educators, 121 registered Family Day Day Care service continues places and Hunter TAFE exceeding the set target Care educators to exceed national quality play sessions were fully of 111 for the year. Our standards. utilised, and Council met all coordinators conducted Family Day Care requests for care under the 675 support visits, including partnerships were in place Samaritans Brighter Futures home safety audits for and continued to function program. educators. effectively during the year. Respond to community concerns regarding Ranger and public health issues Delivery Program priority 2.3

Health awareness throughout the year with revealing an 88 per cent updates three microchipping events, compliance rate with health 886 health inspections of We provided community one school education event, regulations. food premises awareness and monitoring one community event, two advice regarding mosquito information sessions and Ranger services provided monitoring and wild rabbit four mail outs to owners of to the community 361 control, and issued two unregistered pets. Our Rangers received 361 after-hours calls handled by our Rangers food safety newsletters. after-hours calls during the year and responded to all Food premises inspected Protecting our pets within 24 hours. Council health inspectors Our companion animal completed 886 inspections education and awareness of local food premises, programs continued

Lake Macquarie City 26 Annual Report 2016-2017 Community facilities management Delivery Program priority 2.4

Access for all Council also performed including CCTV installations, We continued our regular inspections and financial auditing, safety of 196 facilities volunteers works program to make risk assessments to enable volunteers during incidents, trained community facilities more proactive maintenance of and volunteer safety officer accessible for all. Works halls, sportsgrounds and inductions. identified in our Disability other community facilities The second information Action Plan and Community throughout the City. session was held on 24 May Facilities Strategy were 2017 with 94 volunteers Cemeteries upgraded completed during the year, attending to discuss issues A new ash interment garden including replacement of including Cityserve, sports was installed at Belmont the kitchenettes at Warners field irrigation works, new Cemetery and internal roads Bay Child Care Centre. capital projects, the Facility at Toronto Cemetery were Designs for the change Manager website update, sealed. rooms at Warners Bay and volunteer safety officer and Edgeworth Child Care inductions. Centre were completed, Supporting our Twelve of Council’s 97 with works scheduled for volunteers delegated authority groups December 2017. We held two workshops during the year to provide required a volunteer safety Maintaining our information and training to officer to complete the community facilities the 196 volunteers who induction at November. Promotion of our facilities manage Council-owned Eleven were inducted in was a focus during the community facilities. May, taking the overall year, with events at The first information session volunteer safety officer rate community halls and launch was held on 30 November to 99 per cent. of the Facility Finder on 2016 with 102 volunteers Council’s website in May, attending to discuss issues with planned expansion to include additional facilities.

Challenges and targets not met

24 of 26 performance indicators were met during the year.

Accessibility works will be incorporated into the Community in progress reinstatement of Belmont Facilities Strategy Wangi Wangi Netball Courts Baths, as the amenities will A full review of the previous works are complete, and need to be re-designed to Strategy and audit was not pathways to link the car consider the impact of the achieved. The first draft park to the netball courts enclosed swimming area. of the updated Strategy is at Gregory Park, West This re-design work will be under way and is due for Wallsend are also complete. undertaken during 2017- completion in 2017-2018. 2018. Accessible car park works at Evans Park, Cardiff and Preliminary design work has Finnan Oval, Blackalls Park commenced on the internal are complete, including refurbishment of Rathmines rectification works. Community Hall, and will be completed after asbestos is The construction of removed. an accessible toilet at Belmont Foreshore was not undertaken during 2016- 2017. Instead, this project

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 27 spor t, recreation and culture

It was an exciting year for sport, recreation and culture in our City. Highlights included beginning to construct the $15 million Cameron Park Recreation Area, launching our new mobile library service, the Rover, and celebrating 20 years of the Lake Macquarie City Art gallery’s Sculpture Park. We worked with our community and stakeholders to develop a new Arts, Heritage and Cultural Plan for the City that will see Council play a more active role in fostering creativity and bringing our culture and history to life throughout our City over the next four years. Summer heatwaves saw a sharp increase in visits to our patrolled beaches, where our professional lifeguards performed 154 rescues, while over winter they taught water survival skills to kids at 81 schools.

Snapshot of performance 32 of 35 targets achieved

Lake Macquarie City 28 Annual Report 2016-2017 Provision of community-based swimming centres Delivery Program priority 3.1

Better swim centres our targets, with 338,362 Our actions to revitalise visits this year, which is up 338,362 visits to swim centres the City’s swim centres 13,100 on 2015-2016. and improve the leisure Council has continued programs they offer are its plans to redevelop proving popular with the Charlestown Swim the community, with the Centre as a contemporary number of people using swimming complex and and enjoying our facilities leisure facility. The business increasing during the year. case is complete, including Attendance figures for our review of work completed swim centres exceeded during the preparation of the concept designs.

Recreation and community land planning Delivery Program priority 3.2

Safe and the Molly Smith Netball Better car parking functional parks Courts at Belmont and at Swansea boat 111 All required inspections constructed a new retaining ramp playgrounds inspected have been completed. Due wall at Cardiff Tennis Courts. We completed a new diligence inspections have We also delivered new car park at the Lake been carried out by staff on playgrounds at Taylor Park, Street, Swansea boat a quarterly basis over the Barnsley and Cardale Street ramp as part of our boat past financial year to identify Reserve, Macquarie Hills ramp rehabilitation and action safety related and a new take-off area for program. The facility was issues. Staff have inspected the Lake Macquarie Variety available for public use in 111 local playgrounds and Playground's flying fox. September 2016. more than 3300 parks and reserves assets that are located across the City. Assets inspected included picnic tables, jetties, seating, fencing, retaining walls, barbecues, shelters and bollards. Under our parks infrastructure renewal program we resurfaced Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 29 Recreation and community land planning Delivery Program priority 3.2

Sports fields New vision for improved Hunter Sports Centre We delivered upgraded We completed the feasibility sports facilities in line with report and cost benefit the priorities in our Sports analysis for the revitalisation Facilities Strategy. of Hunter Sports Centre. Improvements included: Council is now seeking Upgrades to fields funding for an expanded and installation of new project that includes the floodlighting at Allen Davis Trampoline Centre of Field, Gateshead; Excellence. Redevelopment of the amenities building at Parbury Park, Swansea; and Upgrades to floodlighting at Wangi Wangi Netball Facility.

Delivery of major projects to the community Delivery Program priority 3.3

Cameron Park All abilities access to Planning for the future of Recreation Area Redhead Men’s Shed Speers Point Park $15M recreation area The Cameron Park A disability access ramp Approvals were received under contruction Recreation Area, now at the Redhead Men’s for creation of a central officially named the Shed was constructed and promenade and associated Pasterfield Sports Complex, launched with an official picnic areas at Speers Point will become the major opening on 4 June 2017. Park, allowing the project to sporting and recreational move into the construction hub for Cameron Park, phase. Thomas H Halton providing a vital pedestrian Master Plan and cycle link between Fernleigh Track the areas of the growing The Thomas H Halton Park suburb. Master Plan was adopted We continued to deliver by Council on 26 June 2017 projects to improve the The $15 million project is and a detailed design of Fernleigh Track, with estimated to be delivered in the park has commenced, installation of interpretive 2019 and includes a two- including a $2 million signage at Whitebridge. storey community building, playground, skate and BMX a major combination sports facility and a fenced dog field, a skate zone, netball exercise park. courts and a multi-court, accessible path network, two playgrounds and an New sound system for outdoor exercise area. Performing Arts Centre The tender for construction Best practice audiovisual was awarded and options were chosen for construction commenced in Lake Macquarie Performing June this year. Arts Centre, with purchase to occur in the 2017-2018 financial year, in line with Council’s budget allocation.

Lake Macquarie City 30 Annual Report 2016-2017 Delivery of an art gallery service for the community Delivery Program priority 3.4

Gallery visitation Satisfaction ratings Artwork acquired increases 20% Satisfaction ratings for During the year, 42 artworks above target for Lake Macquarie City Art each exhibition and were acquired, donated gallery visitation Gallery attracted solid general gallery visits were or gifted for the collection. audiences in 2016-2017, consistently between 97 These include two pieces exceeding targets for the and 100 per cent across by Michael Bell, one by 77% year with 42,045 visitors. the year. Stella O’Halloran and two of exhibitions included Indigenous material This figure is 20 per cent by Thelma Bartman, as well above the annual target of as the Firkin Collection (29 Partnerships 35,000 and represents a items by various Australian real increase on average Partner programming artists, schools and genres), 42 artworks acquired past annual visitation. This such as Mapping the Lake two works by Aaron is due to a quality exhibition with Tantrum Youth Arts Bellette, five by Vernon program that included and Oceanactionpod, Ah Kee, one by Saretta successful exhibition coinciding with the water Fielding and one by Sharna programs such as Living exhibition, combined with Teperson. All were approved Cultures, Soft Core, wider marketing saw school through the Art Gallery Saltwater Country and the student visits to the gallery Advisory Committee. continue to increase on annual First Class HSC During the year, three average for non-Archibald project. exhibitions included works Prize years. Wider marketing and from the gallery’s collection. more outdoor events and A total of 1513 school In planning for the end of programming also drove students visited the gallery 2017 are two additional higher visitation. The gallery compared to 2300 for the exhibitions, Book Club and staged 57events, including same period last year, which Board, will draw on the Connect to Country and 20 included the Archibald Prize. collection and other public Years of the Sculpture Park, loans. attracting 4778 participants. Art classes have run on Aboriginal content average at 89 per cent On average, 77 per cent capacity, the same rate as of exhibitions contained last year. A total of 269 art Aboriginal content across classes were conducted the year. Exhibitions are during the year, with 2180 supported by public and participants attending. education programs Good attendance was due developed in partnership to programming a balance with the gallery’s Aboriginal of free and paid classes and Reference Group. activities. These included the Art(ful) Futures project with mental health workers and service users, and a seniors’ art program.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 31 Provide adaptive library services for the community Delivery Program priority 3.5

Our libraries come alive Lake Mac Libraries also and quirky monsters, The Lake Mac Libraries hosted exceeded its target to Rover is a pop-up activity 2083 achieve a minimum 800,000 centre in a van, offering events at Lake Mac 2083 events during the libraries year with 32,564 people interactions online through access to new technology, attending, representing its general website, history classes, games, books and (on average) 92 per cent of website, online resources, unexpected events. 712K total capacity. and social media, library visitors with 1,033,525 online Visits to Lake Mac Libraries interactions recorded reached 712,141 against for the year. loans the NSW State Library 1.3M benchmark of a minimum 700,000 visits on site, or The Rover hits 4.5 visits per capita. the streets Loans reached 1,360,181 The Rover is Lake Mac against the NSW State Libraries’ re-imagined Library benchmark of a mobile library service, minimum of 1.3 million bringing new experiences loans, or 5.5 loans per to people across the City. capita. Decked out in colourful

Provision of beach patrol services Delivery Program priority 3.6

Safe in the surf Water survival Life-saving education Attendances at Council’s skills for kids Council’s Lifeguards 1.08M visits to our beaches four patrolled beaches Thousands of primary delivered 21 CPR and more than doubled for the school students participated emergency care programs season to 1,089,144 visits. in Council’s winter water to the community during the 154 This is largely attributed to safety program, A Matter of 2016 winter period.There rescues performed the heatwave conditions Seconds. Our professional was an increase of 8.8 per by our lifeguards experienced in December lifeguards visited 81 schools cent in participation across and January, and the during the year, where they the programs, with a total of 517 NSW Surf Life Saving presented water safety 517 participants. Customer adults were taught CPR Championships being held education sessions to surveys indicted a high level at Blacksmiths Beach in students in Kindergarten, of satisfaction. March. Year 3 and Year 6. Lifeguards commenced a seven-day patrol service at Christmas, including a remote posting at Hams Beach, and performed 154 rescues, 2538 first aid treatments and 2774 preventative actions across the season. Beaches required closure on 173 occasions due to large surf, lightning storms and shark sightings.

Lake Macquarie City 32 Annual Report 2016-2017 Supporting community, cultural and sporting events in the City Delivery Program priority 3.7

Financial support for Council also provided community events $136,980 in corporate $264,779 Through its community sponsorship to support for 84 community events funding program, Council 18 events including local allocated $106,678 in surfing and athletics events, funding during the year for community festivals and an 51 community events, such opera program. as the Lake Macquarie A further 15 events were Aboriginal Elders Olympics, funded with $21,121 the Hunter Memory Walk allocated under the Lake and Jog, Tantrum Youth Macquarie Games program. Arts’ Mapping the Lake and various cultural celebrations.

Challenges and targets not met 3 of 35 performance indicators were not met during the year.

Extension of Designs completed for Valentine jetty interior enhancements at 99.5% Design of the extended jetty was Toronto Library, including audio of membership target achieved completed during the year and hub maker space a construction tender awarded. Although the original intent of the Construction commenced but Toronto activation project, a cafe, was delayed due to manufacturing was abandoned, new opportunities technical issues. The project was to incorporate an audio hub maker completed and the jetty was ready space were seized as part of a more for use in August 2017. strategic approach to activating our library branches. Designs and upgrades for Toronto Library are now Library membership targets due for completion in 2017-2018. Lake Mac Libraries had a total of 59,719 members for the year, 281 short of the 60,000 target.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 33 transport, roads and drainage

We successfully completed Stage 1 of the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange, providing an essential road link to ease congestion around Glendale and paving the way for further funding of this priority infrastructure project for our City and region. At the same time, we have made steady progress in our work to revitalise the Toronto streetscape, with major improvements to The Boulevarde well underway. Our efforts during the year to reseal and resurface roads and build new shared pathways and on-road cycleways all bring us closer to our vision for a well-serviced and sustainable transport network for our City. Priority stormwater infrastructure works and regular maintenance of our drainage system completed this year will help keep people and their property safe while helping to improve the quality of water in our beautiful lake in years to come.

Strategic Direction A well serviced an equitable City. Objective Develop and maintain a sustainable road an drainage network and facilitate continual improvement of the City’s transport network.

Snapshot of performance 13 of 15 targets achieved

Lake Macquarie City 34 Annual Report 2016-2017 Improve the transportation network across the City Delivery Program priority 4.1

Lake Macquarie First section of Developing the case Transport Interchange Interchange open for funding 2km Lake Macquarie Transport Construction works Council welcomed the of roadworks Interchange at Glendale, continued this year and announcement of $1.7 is the City’s highest priority the first section of the million funding from the 1000 infrastructure project, Interchange opened to NSW Government in workers during identified in many NSW traffic on 19 June 2017. June 2017 to complete a construction Government and Council This essential road link strategic business case for plans over the years. It provides a second access the remaining stages of the will drive employment to Stockland Glendale and Interchange. The business 92 new streetlights growth and improve the the Hunter Sports Centre case is an essential step connectivity and viability of from Main Road, Cardiff, in bidding for government major centres throughout which will significantly funds to undertake the 3 the Hunter Region. relieve traffic congestion at remaining stages of the 3000m of concrete local bottlenecks such as Interchange. It will also the crossroads and Lake ensure that the priorities Road roundabout. outlined in Hunter Regional 18,000m2 Construction involved Plan 2036 are realised of landscaping extending and realigning for both Lake Macquarie Glendale Drive to meet an City and the wider Hunter extended Stockland Drive at Region. 10,000 a new four-leg roundabout, The budget commits to the vehicles a day expected building a bridge over preparation of a strategic Winding Creek, installing business case for all stages traffic lights at the Main of the project, including Road intersection and laying the Pennant Street rail new footpaths and shared bridge, train station and bus pathway. interchange. The project was jointly The Pennant Street funded by the Australian Bridge will connect the Government, the NSW Glendale retail precinct Government and Lake with the extensive Macquarie City Council. Cardiff commercial and manufacturing zone on the opposite side of the Main Northern Railway Line, opening up land for residential, business and industrial development. The bridge is Council’s next funding target.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 35 Improve the transportation network across the City (continued) Delivery Program priority 4.1

Toronto streetscape New cycleways and Maintaining our takes shape shared pathways transport assets 1.6km of new footpaths The Toronto Streetscape We exceeded our targets City footpaths, cycleways, constructed Master Plan is a major to construct 6km of on traffic facilities and street project for the local Toronto and off-road cycleways furniture were inspected community, which will throughout the City during for safety as part of 0.8km of new shared improve access, help the year. Council’s due diligence pathways modernise the town centre, An 800-metre shared procedures and responsive and improve opportunities pathway was completed at maintenance was performed for increased economic as scheduled. 5.2km TC Frith Avenue, Boolaroo of new on-road activity. as part of the Speers Point cycleways Construction progressed to Glendale shared pathway. Improving pedestrian during the year, with We also constructed access approximately 45 per cent 5.2km of new on-road We made it easier to of the works completed, cycleways along: South access our City on foot including completion of Street, Windale (300 with completion of 1.6km Stages 1, 2, 3 and near metres); Cameron Park of footpath during the completion of Stage 4 of the Drive, Cameron Park (1,500 year, Shade Lane, Windale master plan. metres); Maddison Drive, (40 metres); Park Street, The northern side of The Adamstown Heights (600 Belmont North (450 metres); Boulevarde has been metres); Sealand Road, Floraville Road, Belmont reconstructed and now Fishing Point (100 metres); North (60 metres); William provides a better looking, Northville Drive, Barnsley Street, Teralba (140 metres); more accessible and (250 metres); Ntaba Road, Ridley Street, Edgeworth lower maintenance town Jewells (300 metres); (260 metres); Brighton centre. Small business McElwee Drive, Tingira Avenue, Toronto (530 owners in the constructed Heights (500 metres); metres); and other minor areas are already reporting Withers Street, West locations (120 metres). an increase in trade. As Wallsend (360 metres); construction continues in Wakefield Road, Wakefield 2017-2018, it is anticipated (500 metres); Bath Street, the whole town centre will Wyee Point (300 metres), begin to reap the economic and other minor locations benefits of the upgrade. (500 metres). New seats, trees, gardens constructed in the first half of 2017 will be extended along the entire southern side of the street and works to the eastern end will include new decks to better facilitate outdoor dining opportunities.

Lake Macquarie City 36 Annual Report 2016-2017 Provide and maintain drainage infrastructure Delivery Program priority 4.2

Following last year’s for stormwater quality stormwater quality improvement devices improvement trial, and, where appropriate, Council has incorporated raising service requests recommended improvement to undertake vegetation actions into standard work maintenance. practices. This includes continuing to complete condition assessments

Provide and maintain road infrastructure Delivery Program priority 4.3

Smoother, safer journeys Kerb and gutter Wyee Point (230 metres); Park Street, Arcadia Vale 90km Council reconstructed or Council constructed more of existing roads were (160 metres); South Street, resealed 90km of our City’s than six kilometres of new resealed or reconstructed existing roads this year, and kerb and gutter throughout Windale (285 metres); Bath sealed gravel at Mandalong the year, against a target Street, Wyee Point (735 >6km Road, Mandalong (1.8km); of 2.4km. metres); Sealand Road, Fishing Point Stage 1 works kerb and gutter and completed minor gravel Major projects included only (450 metres) and constructed sealing works at various kerb and gutter works at 65 metres at other minor locations City-wide (500 Corden Street, Edgeworth locations. metres). (475 metres); Short Street,

Challenges and targets not met

2 of 15 performance indicators were not met during the year.

New bus shelters Stormwater infrastructure Fabrication of eight bus shelters upgrades 7of 8 is complete, along with on-site Two stormwater infrastructure shelters installed installation of seven shelters. projects were complete by 30 June Site issues delayed installation 2017, with the third completed in 2 of 3 for one shelter, which will be July 2017. drainage projects installed at an alternative location Projects completed were drainage completed by September 2017. improvements and installation of a Shelter installation is complete new gross pollutant trap at 3A Ilford at the following seven locations: Avenue, Buttaba, and drainage 31 Kalaroo Road, Redhead; improvements including new 38 Kalaroo Road, Redhead; drainage pipes and pits Bath and 103 Cowlishaw Street, Redhead; Short Streets, Wyee Point. 58 Pacific Highway, Gateshead; Construction commenced in May for 73 Main Road, Boolaroo; and drainage improvement works Barford on both sides of Glendale Drive, Street, Speers Point, but works had Glendale. to be extended two weeks to deal with a soil compaction issue.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 37 urban and economic development

We made strong steps for our future prosperity this year in partnership with the City’s economic development company, Dantia, and through our strategic business development and destination marketing initiatives. We also continued our strong performance in reducing processing times for development applications and worked alongside the business and development industry to forge the right outcomes for our City, based on sustainable and socially responsible economic growth.

Strategic Direction A well designed, adaptable and liveable City. Objective The City’s economy prospers, with managed growth that enhances quality of life, while balancing employment and environmental aims.

Snapshot of performance 25 of 26 targets achieved

Lake Macquarie City 38 Annual Report 2016-2017 Develop sustainable and socially responsible economic growth Delivery Program priority 5.1

Dantia stimulates space in Charlestown that Engaging the small investment provides an appealing business sector 69 members at the modern workplace for local The Lake Macquarie Council’s Combined Dantia Smart Hub start-ups and functions Economic Development Chambers Consultative as a hub for professional Company, Dantia, delivers Committee provided networking and the economic development feedback to inform the exchange of ideas. activities to support development of Council’s retention and growth of Consulting firm TPPG long-term strategic plans, existing local businesses, commenced a review of along with strategies and attract more business Dantia’s performance after to ensure effective to Lake Macquarie City. three years of operation. engagement with the local Dantia reported solid small business sector. performance against all its Proposed strategies, which targets for the year, with include development of 48 per cent of projects in a suite of online tools to the ‘investment’ pillar of its support ongoing dialogue four-pillar strategy: identity, between Council and infrastructure, investment local businesses, will be and innovation. considered by Council in Dantia’s efforts resulted in the second half of 2017. the creation of 251 jobs, with another 924 jobs New policy fosters projected for creation business activity through commitments and Council’s first Local investments secured. At Approvals Policy was the end of the year, Dantia adopted in February 2016 had delivered 17 projects and information was and another 21 were available on Council’s secured or in progress. In website and from the addition, Dantia presented Customer Service Centre. or facilitated 39 industry and Under this new policy, business events attracting approvals were issued 1690 attendees. for five footpath dining The Dantia Smart Hub premises, five mobile (DaSH) continued to grow, vending operators and 20 with 69 members at 30 street stalls. June. DasH is a co-working

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 39 Maximise economic benefit from tourism Delivery Program priority 5.2

Tapping into the friends New Destination Tourism and relatives market Marketing Plan Partnership Program 100 members in tourism Our visiting friends and The 2017-2018 Destination The partnership between partnership relatives campaign Marketing Plan was Lake Macquarie Tourism concluded on 20 June, developed during the year and industry operators reaching almost 60,000 and includes strategies to maximises the exposure 5% people and gathering promote Lake Macquarie of the area as a tourism more visits to the Lake almost 5,000 new through the Legendary destination through the Mac Tourism website marketing contacts for Pacific Coast Touring promotion of partner Lake Macquarie Tourism, Program, the Lake Mac businesses and the with a conversion rate of Ambassador Program provision of quality local, 7.3 per cent (compared (annual family and friends regional and New South to the industry rate of 2.6 campaign) and continuation Wales information. per cent). of the Tourism Partnership One hundred tourism Program. operators joined the Tourism website membership program hits increase Pacific Coast during the year. The popularity of our online Touring Program local tourism information Lake Macquarie Tourism’s has continued to increase, participation in the with five per cent more Legendary Pacific Coast unique page visits to the Touring Program continued Lake Mac Tourism website, during the year and was with 122,151 visits during promoted through the the year. pacificcoast.com.au website, as part of the Fly Drive campaign and featured in Virgin airline magazines.

Lake Macquarie City 40 Annual Report 2016-2017 Develop tools to guide sustainable, safe and attractive development and infrastructure Delivery Program priority 5.3

The City’s Building relationships Stronger heritage adaptation plans with the development protection 160 participated in Work to plan for future industry Council continued to adaptation workshops flood and coastal risks Council continues to identify and manage for Pelican Blacksmiths develop meaningful heritage values and progressed well during relationships with the mechanisms to support the year, with significant development industry conservation at a high engagement with the local to promote positive level. We successfully community and relevant outcomes for the City’s delivered the Local stakeholders. More than built environment. Staff Heritage Fund grants 160 people participated attended development program, providing $8495 in workshops and drop-in industry forums including to enable restoration and sessions, and Council’s the Property Council, maintenance of heritage Have Your Say website for Urban Development items in the City. the project received more Institute of Australia, and Three projects were than 1200 visits. One hard the Building Surveyors finalised in 2016-2017 copy newsletter and 10 – Housing Industry as a result of grant funds e-newsletter updates kept Association. Council also and one project did not the community informed hosted meetings with proceed. Unspent grant of engagement outcomes development industry funds were re-allocated and progress throughout representatives. to prepare a conservation the year. In late 2016, an assessment report on eleven-member Volunteer Faster development three local community war Community Planning assessment memorials: Killingworth Group formed to review War Memorial, West Council continued to meet community feedback and Wallsend War Memorial, or exceed development adaptation solutions for and German Trench assessment timeframes inclusion in the Pelican Mortar, Speers Point Park. and Blacksmiths area across all application Local Adaptation Plan. types as follows: Fast track – 18 days (target – 20 days) General – 22 days (target – 30 days) Medium – 60 days (target – 60 days) Major – 54 days (target – 90 days)

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 41 Ensure responsible development Delivery Program priority 5.4

Erosion control Long-term land use Online assessment for the City planning system in progress 1406 erosion control We audited 1406 We completed Shape Council continued work inspections development sites across Your Future, a City-wide throughout the year to the City this year to engagement program to introduce an electronic proactively monitor, promote develop a new statement assessment process for and enforce effective of vision and values for the all applications. A software erosion and sediment City and gather ideas to upgrade and subsequent controls. This equates to an inform our new Community training for staff is due average of 351 audits each Strategic Plan and long- for completion in quarter. term land use planning. October 2017. Community workshops Review of the Hunter were completed between Regional Plan June and November 2016 and a new City vision and Council completed a review community values were of the Hunter Regional Plan adopted by Council in and Hunter City Plan, which November 2016. Briefs confirmed that no changes were prepared for key were required to Council’s technical studies including planning instruments. transport, housing and Council also participated in economy, and themed preparation of the Greater spotlight papers and district Newcastle Metropolitan character statements are Strategy. being refined for community engagement in September 2017.

Lake Macquarie City 42 Annual Report 2016-2017 Developer contributions Delivery Program priority 5.5

Contribution plans for Catchment contribution Charlestown, Glendale, plans are developed in $39.5M contributions plan Belmont and Toronto reference to detailed for Toronto Councils must adopt background studies. contributions plans Studies for the Belmont before they levy Contributions Catchment developer contributions. Plan progressed well during A contributions plan the year, including for identifies public services development projections, and amenities to meet the open space and recreation, demand of development. community facilities, and Examples include open traffic and transportation. space, recreation facilities, The studies are due for car parking and community public exhibition in late facilities. 2017. Council endorsed the Toronto Contribution Catchment Plan in November 2016, which estimates that $39.5 million of facilities will be required to meet the needs of the future community.

Challenges and targets not met

1 of 26 performance indicators was not met during the year.

City-wide parking strategy Council continued to prepare a City-wide Parking Strategy to create a long- term plan for the provision and management of parking across the City, based on extensive feedback from residents in 2015-2016. The draft Strategy was well advanced at the end of June.

Have your say on the Lake Mac Parking Strategy

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 43 civic leadership

Council provides opportunities for the community to participate in decision making and engage on key issues affecting the City. Faster response times to customer enquiries and new ways to access advice, services and resources online or with specialist face-to-face support, reflect our commitment to delivering excellent customer service. We continue streamline and develop our systems to deliver a highly integrated approach to planning and reporting that helps us identify the changing needs of our community and respond with services and facilities that maintain and improve their quality of life. Strategic Direction Provide open and ethical leadership that is accountable to, and works with, the community to provide services and facilities that satisfy their needs while providing a sustainable future for the City and the region. Objective Deliver Council’s support, regulatory and corporate functions in an open, efficient and cost-effective manner.

Snapshot of performance 28 of 28 targets achieved

Lake Macquarie City 44 Annual Report 2016-2017 Customer service Delivery Program priority 6.1

Customer calls and acknowledging Online customer response times emails within one working services 80.6% of calls answered During the year, the day and responding to Council continued to within 30 seconds Customer Service Centre a letter or email within develop and expand answered 80.6 per cent 10 days. our online information of phone calls within 30 The charter also outlines services across social 31,000 seconds; achieved a two what we expect of our media, our website and follow us on social media minute and nine second customers in order that we e-news services. During average customer wait time can deliver great customer the year, we distributed 33 at the counter. More than service, including providing e-newsletters and there 83 per cent of customer accurate and complete were 38,000 visits to our phone queries were information in a timely Have Your Say Lake Mac answered within the manner, treating Council engagement site. We now Customer Service Centre. employees with respect have more than 31,000 and providing honest and people following us on our constructive feedback on social media accounts. Customer charter our service. A customer charter was The charter is available adopted in February online at lakemac.com.au 2017 which sets out our commitment to customers and outlines the level of Customer Charter

Our customer charter sets out our commitment to you, our customer, and outlines the service customers can service you can expect from us. What we do expect from Council as an Beyond rates, roads and rubbish, we provide a wide range of facilities, infrastructure and services. When you walk along the lake foreshore, visit the library or art gallery, play on a sports field, enjoy the clean and tidy amenity of a picnic area or drop your child to a Lake Macquarie Family Day Care organisation. educator, you are benefiting from the work of Lake Macquarie City Council. Our commitment to you

You can expect that we will: Some commitments i   tailor our response to your do what we say we will monitor our performance needs and provide you with do and update you if we to ensure we are providing outlined in the charter the information you require are unable to meet our our customers with quality commitments service are broad; such as J   treat you with respect, aim to provide consistent actively pursue continuous integrity and honesty and clear information improvement and committing to being across our communication understand the needs of channels our customers now and into the future open and transparent Our people will:     about our processes, greet you in a friendly be open and communicate clearly be experienced and way and identify transparent about our and in plain language knowledgeable treating customers with ourselves processes     treat every focus on helping you take responsibility have systems in respect and honesty, and customer equally find solutions to your for answering your place to ensure and sensitively needs enquiry that we protect your confidential communicating clearly with information them. While others are lakemac.com.au [email protected] 02 4921 0333 lakemaccity specific; such as returning

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 45 Community engagement Delivery Program priority 6.2

Engagement on The Media Centre received staff telephone protocols; major issues 114,215 views of stories 2526 rates payments and registered have your Through Council’s during the year. The most enquiries; and say users read story for the year was engagement program, community hall bookings. thousands of residents ‘Reminder to vote in the Following successful trials 50,000 provided valuable input and Local Government Elections attendance at Council's conducted in 2016, Council feedback on major issues this Saturday’ with 4000 major events has introduced customer affecting the City. views. journey mapping to help Council published 27 videos Engagement projects systematically identify and on its websites and social included Lifestyle 2050 remove ‘pain points’ in its media platforms. (Shape Your Future); Lake service and information Macquarie Transport pathways. The trials Interchange; Toronto Celebrating mapped areas such as Streetscape Master Plan; our citizens booking lessons at a local Disability Inclusion Action We welcomed new swim centre and placing an Plan; Community Strategic members of our community, order for a lost, stolen or Plan – Our Future in with 422 residents damaged bin. Focus; Arts, Heritage and naturalised in five Council- Cultural Plan; review of run citizenship ceremonies the Aboriginal Community A connected and during the year. Plan; Thomas H Halton inclusive community Park; Wangi Wangi outdoor Council hosted the 2017 Council’s major community exercise equipment; and Lake Macquarie Australia events continued to Windale Community Centre. Day Awards in January bring people together. to recognise outstanding Detail of these engagement The Living Smart Festival individuals, groups projects is included on pages held in September 2016 and events that have 64 and 65 of this report. attracted an estimated significantly contributed to 20,000 people, while Council’s online community life in our City. 25,000 attended Carols By engagement continues The 2017 Lake Macquarie Candlelight in December to expand, with 2526 Sports Awards celebrated and 10,000 attended the participants registered the outstanding Lake Macquarie Festival on on our Have Your Say performance of our City’s Australia Day. Lake Mac community sporting women, men, girls engagement website. and boys, and our sports administrators. Keeping our community informed Better customer During the year, Council’s experiences media team issued 779 Council has worked proactive media items to improve customer through media releases, experiences across priority media centre stories and areas of its interactions niche media publications. during the year, with The media team also fielded improvements implemented 442 media enquiries. This for five processes: media strategy created 3600 mentions of Council development applications projects, plans and people, process for non- in print, TV, radio and professional developers; online media, reaching a automated data collection cumulative audience of for reporting of Councillor more than 61.1 million. This and MP requests; is the equivalent of $10.94 million in free media.

Lake Macquarie City 46 Annual Report 2016-2017 Governance Delivery Program priority 6.3

Advocacy for our City Promoting relationships Effective council 80 During the year, Council with key agencies meetings external forums advocated for our City Council staff played an Council met regularly as attendance making 35 submissions active role in regional, scheduled during the year on broad range of matters state and national forums and in accordance with including: to build relationships with Council’s Code of Meeting Infrastructure priorities for key agencies and share Practice. Meetings were Hunter Regional Plan; their knowledge and advertised accordingly experience of best practice. in local papers and on Regional Planning Inquiry; Staff attended more than the Council’s website. Proposed changes to 80 external forums and Councillors were able to Codes SEPP to allow meetings in 2016-2017. access accurate information low rise medium density in a timely manner through housing (up to 10 regular briefing sessions and Advocacy informed by dwellings) as complying advisory committees. development; community input Draft Hunter Regional Throughout the year staff Plan and Draft Central actively engaged with the Coast Regional Plan; community on a number of key projects, such Hunter Special as meeting weekly with Infrastructure Contribution the Toronto community Plan; during implementation of Review of the the Toronto Streetscape Mine Subsidence Master Plan. Staff also Compensation Act; participated in a research Draft SEPP (State funding application for Environment Planning transformation of smelter Policies) Educational slag by Macquarie Establishments and Child University; provided Care Facilities 2017 and support for a waste levy Infrastructure SEPP; exemption for Belmont Inquiry into Transport Wetland State Park Trust; Access for Seniors and submitted a tourism grant Disadvantaged People in for a virtual museum; Rural and Regional NSW; attended a session on the Hunter Urban Development Draft Social Impact Program to advocate for Assessment Guidelines the City’s role in delivering for State Significant diverse and affordable Mining Development; housing in the Hunter NSW Draft Climate Region; and held meetings Change Framework; with the community Department of regarding the draft Environment and Planning adaptation plan for Pelican regarding wind farming; and Blacksmiths. Biodiversity reform; SEPP 44 Koala Habitat Protection; Coastal Management SEPP; and State Insurance Regulatory Authority regarding their plans to review the system for licensing organisations that are self-insured for workers’ compensation.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 47 Long-term financial planning and modelling Delivery Program priority 6.4

Accountability and Grants and sponsorship We also received 11 transparency secured sponsorships during the $13.7 M As part of our Integrated During the year, Council year. Five of these were in grants received Planning and Reporting received more than monetary agreements with a Framework, the 2015-2016 $13.7 million in recurrent total value of $11,250, two Financial Statements were and oneoff grant funds, were in-kind agreements lodged with the Department including: valued at $5000, and four were media partnerships of Local Government in $188,000 to upgrade valued at $6250. October 2016 and made parking at the boat available on Council’s ramp at The Esplanade, website. Swansea; Council’s Long Term $23,000 for an automatic Financial Plan was updated irrigation system at and adopted in June 2017. Edgeworth No.2 Field; $49,000 for Lake Improving our Macquarie Residential productivity Burglary Project; Council made or $150,000 for Martinsville investigated productivity Fire Station; improvements across most $115,000 for upgrade areas of its operations, to parking at Thomas save money and reduce Humphreys Reserve boat environmental impacts while ramp, Swansea; delivering improved services $90,000 for Living Creek to the community. Corridors; and These productivity $8000 to restore urban improvements are creeks in the City. documented on pages 62 and 63 of this report.

Long-term workforce planning Delivery Program priority 6.5

Workforce Safety performance Management Strategy The implementation of Actions in the 2013-2017 Council’s 2016-2018 Workforce Management Safety Management Plan Strategy were completed continued throughout and a new Strategy for the year with strategies 2017-2021 was adopted by and performance targets Council in June 2017. monitored and reported monthly. These achievements are documented on pages 59 and 60 of this report.

Lake Macquarie City 48 Annual Report 2016-2017 Internal support services Delivery Program priority 6.6

Our corporate management system software, Sycle, continues to provide a platform for activity planning and performance reporting. Investigations into integration between all modules are under way.

Plant and fleet management Delivery Program priority 9.1

Fleet management Throughout the year, our drives savings plant and fleet replacement 2.6% reduction in fuel Council’s fleet management program has involved consumption strategy continues to deliver transitioning to Euro 6 financial and environmental engine technology aimed 1.5% improvements. at further reducing our reduction in fleet emissions. This transition is Council has achieved a carbon emissions ahead of Euro 6 technology 2.6 per cent reduction in becoming a mandatory fuel consumption from its requirement in Australia. passenger fleet in the past The requirement comes into 12 months, resulting in a effect late 2018. 1.5 per cent reduction in carbon emissions and estimated cost savings of $20,000.

Challenges and targets not met

All 28 performance targets were met during the year.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 49 business activities

Council is involved in a range of entrepreneurial activities. Profits generated by Council businesses are returned to the community through the provision of new or improved services and facilities. CiviLake CiviLake is Council’s principal provider of civil construction and maintenance, horticultural and building trade services. Additionally, CiviLake carries out external works and services for its public and private sector clients. CiviLake delivers quality works and services in a safe, cost-effective and environmentally- sound manner, providing solutions to meet its clients’ needs. Property and Business Development Property and Business Development maximises the long-term value of Council's property portfolio and provides a range of services including management of our holiday parks, as well as property valuation, land reclassifications, disposal and acquisition, car pool management, footway dining and road closures. Snapshot of performance 11 of 12 targets achieved

Lake Macquarie City 50 Annual Report 2016-2017 CiviLake

Generate a commercial return for Council on its investment in external works Delivery Program priority 7.1

We completed $3 million of external works for Roads $729,437 and Maritime Services return to Council during the year, representing 5.5 per cent of our total annual turnover of $55 million. We achieved a profit of 15.5 per cent on these external works, which equates to $729,437 to Council’s benefit. Bulk materials procurement, recycling and sustainability Delivery Program priority 7.2

We continued to manage We reused around On behalf of Roads and excess bulk material, 18,700 tonnes of Maritime Services, Council 90,850 tonnes of material such as earth, concrete, material generated from also organised the recycling diverted from landfill and asphalt and gravel, at the Summerhill Waste of 650 tonnes of reclaimed constructively re-used or from our worksites Management Centre asphalt from Council- in accordance with expansion, along with maintained roads. Environmental Protection 1000 tonnes of material Authority requirements and generated by a private in a manner that minimises subdivision, for rehabilitation waste and maximises of a dormant Council quarry. recycling opportunities. During the year, we redirected 90,850 tonnes of bulk material, worth approximately $1 million, away from landfill. Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 51 Provision of high quality infrastructure works that have a positive impact on the community Delivery Program priority 7.3

City maintenance and building renovations. spend of $25.4 million or Redevelopment of The 95.5 per cent of the total $30M improvement works works program CiviLake successfully Boulevarde at Toronto and a approved budget allocation. completed delivered around 30 per further stage of the Warners The backlog of public cent or approximately Bay Foreshore Master Plan tree works was effectively $30 million of Council’s are examples of major eliminated this year. In ongoing capital works works commenced. addition, Council responded program this year. Works The City maintenance to more than 14,000 service delivered included road program was delivered enquiries from the public. rehabilitation, kerb and successfully with a total guttering, sportsfield improvements and major Property and Business Development Provide a high standard of facilities for holiday parks Delivery Program priority 8.1

Holiday Parks At Wangi Point Lakeside 12-month digital advertising 9 upgrades Holiday Park refurbishment campaign which received improvement projects Nine of 11 capital projects of the Park Manager’s more than 1.2 million views completed were completed this year residence bathroom and resulting in 200,428 laundry was completed, website visits – an (see targets not met at the 100 end of this section for detail along with retiling of the increase of 17 per cent actions completed to of the two projects not showers in the main in traffic compared with improve marketing complete at 30 June. amenities building. the previous year. Upgrades to the Swansea In December 2016, Lakeside Holiday Park Marketing our a transition to digital included construction and Holiday Parks customer feedback surveys led to a dramatic refurbishment of 53 tourist Strategic marketing of our increase in the number of sites including new roads, holiday parks continues to surveys completed. power, water, sewer, street improve, with an increasing Almost 700 customer lighting and barbecue focus on social media and feedback were received, facilities. Council also digital marketing. One resulting in increased implemented Stage 5 of the hundred actions were awareness of customer Landscaping Master Plan implemented under the perception of facilities and for the park. Strategic Marketing Plan customer service at each A major refurbishment during the year, resulting holiday park. of the No.1 amenities in increased awareness of block included new tiling, Lake Macquarie Holiday In 2017, all four Lake toilets, showers vanities Parks and a higher level Macquarie Holiday Parks and painting, while design of engagement with received TripAdvisor plans were completed for customers. Excellence awards for consistently achieving refurbishment of the One of the key actions positive traveller reviews on No.2 amenities block in achieved was the TripAdvisor during the year. 2017-2018. implementation of a

Lake Macquarie City 52 Annual Report 2016-2017 Increase net yield on commercial and residential properties Delivery Program priority 8.2

Council-owned Divestment and operational requirements, properties in redevelopment of and completed the 4 development reports Town Centres surplus lots development and sale completed Council commenced Council officers are in of 10 lots at Cooranbong, implementation of regular contact with with nine of the 10 lots development opportunities, commercial agents in transacting in the as identified in four Town an attempt to identify financial year. Centre reports completed opportunities that may this year. These actions lead to divestment and/ include commissioning or redevelopment of specialist consultant existing sites or acquisition reports for operational of additional property in land at Toronto to inform accordance with Council’s development potential; Investment Policy. approaches made to Outside of the Town owners to consolidate Centre precincts, Council Council landholdings and transacted seven scattered progress redevelopment; lots during the financial progression of sale of year that were identified as surplus land in Charlestown surplus to Council’s Town Centre; and renewed redevelopment discussions with a new adjoining landowner at Warners Bay.

Challenges and targets not met

One of 12 performance indicators was not met during the year.

Blacksmiths Beachside Belmont Pines Lakeside Holiday Park Holiday Park 90% of capital works A new four-unit caravan Foreshore stabilisation projects completed amenity block was installed works around the Park this year and design were completed, including plans for stormwater extensive stonework along drainage improvements the shoreline and installation have been completed. of two new fish cleaning However, refurbishment tables. Construction of of the swimming pool the recreation room and and surrounds was not barbecue facilities was completed until July 2017. commenced as at 30 June and completed in August 2017.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 53 OUR REPORTS

Lake Macquarie City 54 Annual Report 2016-2017 our compliance reports

In addition to reporting on our achievements in implementing the Delivery Program, Council reports annually to the community on its business activities and financial performance, as well as on our City’s built and natural assets.

Under the Local Government The Annual Report also includes Integrated Planning and Reporting information prescribed by the Local Framework, a comprehensive State Government (General) Regulation of the Environment Report is required 2005. These requirements have been every four years. In addition, Council included in the Regulation because prepares an annual State of the the information is important and Environment Report each other helps the community understand year to provide information on how their Council has performed, progress in implementing the Lake both as a service provider and a Macquarie Sustainability Action Plan. community leader. The 2016-2017 Lake Macquarie City State of the Environment Report is published as a separate volume of this Annual Report. An easy-to-read summary of Council’s financial performance is provided in this report. A complete version of the Annual Financial Statements 2016-2017 is published as a separate volume of this Annual Report.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 55 structure and performance

Our council NORTH WARD

Glendale our wards Cardiff

Charlestown Lake Macquarie City Council is divided into Warners Bay three wards: North, East and West.

All Lake Macquarie ratepayers and residents Toronto EAST WARD over the age of 18 are eligible to enrol and WEST WARD vote in the local government elections. Belmont Residents who are enrolled can vote to elect a Mayor and four Councillors to represent their respective ward.

Morisset Swansea

Wyee

Our elected council

Lake Macquarie City Council is A local government election was represented by an elected Mayor held on 10 September 2016 for and twelve Councillors. There are Lake Macquarie City. The newly four elected Councillors for each elected Councillors commenced ward in Lake Macquarie. their term of office on 19 September 2016, when results were declared.

Lake Macquarie City 56 Annual Report 2016-2017 Our councillors (1 July 2016 to 10 September 2016) Our Mayor (1 July 2016 to 19 September 2016)* Mayor North Ward

Cr Brian Adamthwaite Cr Robert Denton Cr Barry Johnston Cr Barney Langford

Cr Jodie Harrison East Ward

Cr Kay Fraser Cr Jason Pauling Cr Laurie Coghlan Cr Chad Griffith West Ward West

Cr Wendy Harrison Cr Daniel Wallace Cr Ken Paxinos Cr Rosmairi Dawson

*In accordance with section 233(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, all Councillors other than the Mayor stop holding office on the day of the ordinary election. In accordance with section 230(3), the Mayor holds office until his or her successor is declared elected.

Councillor profiles and contact details are available at Our councillors (current from 19 September 2016) lakemac.com.au/council/councillors-and-wards Mayor North Ward

Cr Brian Adamthwaite Cr Kevin Baker Cr Barney Langford Cr Colin Grigg

Cr Kay Fraser East Ward

Cr Adam Shultz Cr Nick Jones Cr Christine Buckley Cr John Gilbert West Ward West

Cr David Belcher Cr Jason Pauling Cr Wendy Harrison Cr Luke Cubis

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 57 our structure and senior staff

Mayor and Councillors

General Manager (CEO)

General Director Director Director Manager’s Community City Strategy Operations Secretariat Development Corporate CiviLake Corporate Asset Information Corporate Risk Finance Management Corporate Legal and Compliance Strategy City Projects Development Mechanical Depot Corporate Community Assessment and and Supply Support Planning Compliance Waste, Environment Internal Auditor Cultural Services Finance and and Rangers Administration Organisational Customer Service Performance and Communications Integrated Planning Leisure Services Property and Business Development Sustainability fair and equal employment

Council’s Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan provides a range of strategies to ensure that Council operates within the principles of fairness and equity.

The Equal Employment Opportunity re-energised the existing Equal delivered an ongoing leadership Management Plan 2014-2018 builds Employment Opportunity Contact program for supervisors and team on Council’s previous efforts to Officer Network to provide ongoing leaders, and completed a pilot develop a culture that supports and support and assistance for of an emerging leader program promotes an equitable and diverse employees; focused on skills and professional workforce. The plan requires that all development. The program is included an online module our employees adopt fair practices, designed to build the management on bullying and harassment make unbiased decisions, and capability of our existing and future awareness for all new starters; recognise and respect the social, leaders; personal and cultural attributes of continued to exhibit at the further developed resources to fellow staff. Newcastle Lake Macquarie Career reduce loss of workforce skills and Training Expo promoting Council implemented several and knowledge as mature-aged Council as a great place to work strategies during 2016-2017 to workers retire; support these objectives: and encouraging people from many industries and fields to consider a career in Council;

Lake Macquarie City 58 Annual Report 2016-2017 continued our ongoing Education continued to implement a Workforce diversity to Employment program, which workforce planning framework Council participates in industry is a framework to build the across all departments, with benchmarking, which provides number of trainees, apprentices consideration to succession workforce data on diversity. Council and cadets employed directly planning, skills recognition, uses this data and its analysis to by Council. A total of 31 targeted career planning, and manage: participants have been employed equity and diversity, recognising in the program with many in non- that our people are our greatest gender diversity, including gender traditional areas, such as events, asset; turnover rates and a gender- arts administration, business conducted cultural awareness diverse succession of emerging analysis, building surveying and training to enhance knowledge and leaders; and sustainability. An Aboriginal and skills of employees; and Torres Strait Islander trainee is at age diversity, including attraction Toronto Library studying Library supported carers through initiatives and retention of young people Information Systems. The program under our 2014 Enterprise and mature aged workers, and demonstrates Council’s ongoing Agreement Carers Leave succession planning. commitment, as one of the largest provisions. Increased access to During the year, Council adopted employers in the region, to creating extended leave recognises the the Disability Inclusion Action Plan employment opportunities and skill additional responsibilities of carers 2017–2021, which covers a number development in our local area; within the community and our of focus areas, including supporting workplace. access to meaningful employment for people with disability. work, health and safety

The safety and wellbeing of our people and the broader community is our number one priority. Council has developed strategies aimed at continually improving the organisation’s Work, Health and Safety (WHS) performance. This year, we achieved a number of milestones.

WHS management system

Council has a best practice Work high levels of health and safety is included a car and bike show, Health and Safety Management a priority of Council’ and ‘staff are recognition and awards for System that is aimed at meeting aware of their health and safety staff safety, and distribution of legislative, self-insurer and responsibilities’. This represents a resources promoting safe driving organisational requirements. one per cent improvement on the and vehicle safety. Our Safety Management Team result achieved in the 2015 survey, conducts a program of internal and is 17 per cent better than the Safety Management Plan audit of departments each year average performance of all councils aimed at continuous improvement participating in the VOICE survey Council has commenced its Safety in the implementation of our safety across Australia. Management Plan 2016-2018 and achieved positive results across system. Departments are routinely In 2016, Council was recognised the majority of indicators. achieving and exceeding the 85 per as a finalist in the SafeWork NSW, cent conformance target, which Safe Work Awards for Excellence In 2016-2017, we delivered: demonstrates a strong level of in Safety Culture. initiatives that helped reduce implementation and compliance In October, we participated in motor vehicle accident targets; across the organisation. the National Safe Work Month, initiatives to reduce injuries and with a focus on safe driving. We improve compliance to our Safety Safety culture participate in the event each year, Management System with regard and this year, staff participation Council’s staff safety culture to high-risk work; and continues to strengthen. In the most was higher than previous years, recent Staff Culture (VOICE) Survey with the majority of feedback our internal WHS auditing conducted in 2017, staff safety being positive and recognising program across the whole scored strongly with 94 per cent of the high level of relevance and organisation. respondents agreeing that ‘keeping staff engagement. Activities

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 59 103 102

82

69

49 44 45 34

2015/16 2016/17

LOST TIME MEDICAL FIRST AID NIL INJURIES TREATMENT INJURIES ONLY TREATMENT

WHS performance Injury severity: This financial year there was a rise -10% Council’s injury reduction strategies in the count of lost time injuries have seen steady improvements in 162 total injuries from 34 in 2015-2016 to 44 in performance for 2016-2017, in terms 2016-2017. Medical treatment of the total number and severity of injuries were also higher than the injuries, the average number of hours previous year, at 49, compared +29.4% lost due to injury, and the overall cost to 45. First aid injuries decreased 44 lost time injuries of injury claims. from 103 in 2015-2016 to 69 Injury performance: in 2016-2017. While the lost During 2016-2017, we time and medical injury counts -17.9% experienced 162 total injuries, an had increased, the severity of 124 average hours lost improvement on the previous year, those injuries had decreased in which we experienced 180. as represented by reductions in Total injuries include provision of average time lost and costs of first aid, medical treatment and claims. -33.2% lost time injuries. Nil treatment Hours lost: $7155.37 average cost injuries increased during the year, During 2016-2017, the total lost which is reflective of our early time injury hours rose to 5452, reporting practices. compared to 5127 in 2015-2016, however the average hours lost per injury reduced to 124 in 2016- 2017, compared to an average of 151 hours lost in 2015-2016. Claims costs: The total cost of injury claims in 2016-2017 has decreased to $314,852, compared to $364,172 paid in 2015-2016, with an average claim costing $7155, a reduction of 33.2 per cent compared to the previous year.

Lake Macquarie City 60 Annual Report 2016-2017 awards won 2016-2017

2016 NSW Local Government the Aboriginal Reference Group the being implemented to advance and Aboriginal Network Awards exhibition explored the complex improve local government in New Winner – Council of the Year history shared by Aboriginal people, South Wales. Christian missionaries and colonial The award recognises Council’s Through the Shape Your Future lawmakers. The project included commitment to local Aboriginal project, Council reached more than a large-scale community-made and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 170,000 people with more than artwork, engaging both Aboriginal as well as their history, culture and 4000 participating directly in and non-Aboriginal students. More achievements. The award recognises engagement activities that generated than 200 people participated. This Council’s success in maintaining 1800 ideas and priorities for the City. overwhelming response indicated partnerships with the community and The use of innovative engagement great community support and local Aboriginal Land Councils to techniques – from virtual reality to allowed participants the opportunity deliver a range of exciting programs parklets, interactive mapping and to learn about mission life. aimed at encouraging healthy living, involvement of futurists, along with community leadership, participation our marketing strategy – meant in community events and raising 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate Council was able to reach as many public awareness. of Excellence Awards residents as possible and encourage them to be actively involved in All four of Lake Macquarie City developing a new vision and set of Council’s Holiday Parks have Aquatic and Recreation values for Lake Macquarie City. received a 2017 TripAdvisor Institute Excellence Award Council also received Highly Certificate of Excellence Award – Winner – Customer Service Commended in the category Belmont Pines Lakeside Holiday Team of the Year Community Partnerships and Park, Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Collaboration for the Hunter-Central Lake Mac Swim Centres was Park, Swansea Gardens Lakeside Coast Region Illegal Dumping Squad, awarded Customer Service Team Holiday Park and Wangi Point and in the Excellence in Local of the Year in recognition of the Lakeside Holiday Park. positive feedback it continually Economic Contribution category receives from its customers. Lake for its arms-length Economic Mac Swim Centres regularly gathers 2016 National Landcare Awards Development Company, Dantia. feedback from customers to help Winner – Best Landcare identify opportunities to improve Partnership International Champions customer service. A user survey Council’s partnership with Lake of Engagement Innovation conducted last year showed a 97 per Macquarie Landcare and local Award 2016 cent satisfaction rating across four Landcare volunteers was named the Runner up – Shape Your Future Council-managed Swim Centres. best in Australia at the 2016 National The award recognises outstanding Landcare Awards. initiatives or projects that use 2017 PIA National Awards for The organisation has grown to innovative tools, ideas or practices Planning Excellence become the largest Landcare to enhance efficiency, implement Winner – Hard Won Victory – network in NSW with almost 300 change, or improve the situation for Marks Point and Belmont South volunteer groups involved. Local the client, organisation or community. Landcarers planted more than Local Adaptation Plan Council used audacious ideas and 13,200 native plants during the year, Council was recognised for its provocative imagery – such as a and an area of more than 91,046m3 collaboration with local residents over giant waterslide, bridge across was weeded to remove invasive three years to produce a long-term the lake, lakeside waterpark and plant species. strategy and 10-year Action Plan to wind farms – placed on buses, help manage the effects of future sea footpaths and billboards to ‘stir the level rise on their communities. LG Professionals NSW Local pot’ and spark conversation. New The Marks Point and Belmont South Government Excellence Awards technologies including virtual reality, Local Adaptation Plan is a leading Winner – Community online mapping and QR codes were model for climate change adaptation Engagement – Shape Your Future a fun and effective way to appeal to people, especially young people. and is included as one of several Highly Commended – Hunter/ Council also engaged a group of ‘best practice’ case studies in the Central Coast Region Illegal futurists to provide the context for Federal Government’s online coastal Dumping Squad planning guide, CoastAdapt. the vision and values, and present Highly Commended – Dantia: predictions and possibilities about Lake Macquarie Economic the future. 2016 IMAGinE awards Development Company Winner – Engagement Programs The NSW Local Government Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Excellence Awards recognise the won the award for its exhibition excellent contributions, outstanding Lore & Order. In consultation with achievements and innovations Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 61 2017 Floodplain Management relating to property flooding hazards has improved local sports fields using Australia Excellence Awards in Lake Macquarie City. compost made from green organics. Highly Commended – Property This program has provided increased longevity and reduced maintenance Flooding Information Summary AORA NSW Leadership requirements for playing fields while The Floodplain Management Australia Awards 2016 beneficially reusing green organics Excellence Awards publicly recognise Highly Commended – Compost and assisting to achieve Council’s the outstanding contribution of FMA user demonstrating innovation sustainability targets. organisations and individuals in land and advocacy in Amenity Markets use planning, reducing flood impacts, – Lake Macquarie Sports Field managing flood incidents or restoring Improvement Program communities after a flood event. Council’s Sports Field Improvement Council’s Property Flooding Program was recognised at the Information Summary tool makes it Australian Organics Recycling easier for homeowners, occupiers Association (AORA) NSW Division and developers to access information Leadership Awards. The program productivity improvements

Area of operation Improvement

Sustainability Energy efficiency upgrades at the Swansea Centre, Speers Point and Swansea Swim Centres, Rural Fire Service headquarters and Toronto Library saved 36,061 kilowatt hours and 38.28 tonnes (t) of CO2-e per year. The implementation of automatic irrigation systems at Hunter Sports Centre and at Lisle Carr, Finnan, Ulinga and Gibson ovals is saving $14,175 per year. Twenty-eight penalty infringement notices valued at $47,150 were issued by the Regional Illegal Dumping Squad. We also achieved iIlegal dumping clean-up cost savings of $54,410.

CiviLake We redirected 90,850 t of bulk material, worth approximately $1 million away from landfill. Around 18,700 t of excavated natural material from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre expansion and a further 1000 t of material generated by a private subdivision was reused for the partial rehabilitation of a dormant. Council quarry. On behalf of Roads and Maritime Services, we also organised the recycling of 650 t of reclaimed asphalt from Council-maintained roads.

Corporate Information Linking of software systems, specifically Lake Maps and iFerret, to improve search capabilities enabled numerous staff across the organisation valuable time-saving for their workloads.

Community Planning We greatly reduced our hard-copy mail-out of the Over 55s Program, encouraging people to subscribe to the electronic newsletter. We also combined our advertising for the program with the Library’s advertising, increasing our reach.

Strategic Risk and The expansion of our risk and safety management software enabled effective and efficient recording and Improvement management of environmental hazards, improvements and non-conformances.

Mechanical, Depot The successful trial of a new environmentally friendly soil stabilisation product led to a complete redesign of a new and Supply roadside stabilisation truck to serve a dual function of stabilisation and water cart operations. A business review investigated under-utilised plant. After consultation with stakeholders, a recommendation was made to sell a grader, and to increase the internal hire charge on Council’s dog trailers in order to adequately recover their true cost and remove any cross-subsidy that currently occurs.

Safety management We coordinated a successful SafeWork Australia Month focusing on safe driving. The 2016 event included a car and bike show and the creation of a series of video clips to promote safe driving behaviours. Participation was strong and the event feedback indicated that it was very relevant and well received. Furthermore, Council was recognised in the 2016 SafeWork NSW Awards as a finalist for excellence in safety culture.

Lake Macquarie City 62 Annual Report 2016-2017 fit for the future improvement plan

In December 2015, the NSW Government announced that Lake Macquarie City Council was, in its opinion, ‘fit for the future’ and able to remain a stand-alone council. The determination requires Council to report on improvements over a nine-year period.

In the second year of this program, These actions extend and we have continued to make complement Council’s ongoing significant progress implementing program of productivity actions that further strengthen improvements. our performance and financially sustainability and improve the services and assets we deliver for the community.

Second-year actions completed

Swim centre improvements Specific business sustainability indicators and action plan completed. New administration management structure developed.

Surf club improvements Sustainable business plans in development for four surf clubs.

Family Day Care improvements Family Day Care now operating as a financially sustainable service.

On-site recovery of landfill cover material Contract awarded for expansion of Awaba Waste Management Facility, which will generate sufficient cover material for the site, avoiding the need to purchase imported material.

Annual energy and water Installed 78kW of solar panels on Council’s Works Depot. Reviewed heating, ventilation and saving initiatives air-conditioning at three facilities. Upgraded lighting at four facilities; and installed thermal film at one facility. Completed irrigation improvements at three ovals and replaced systems at two ovals. Completed compost trial works (top-dress and aerate) at five ovals.

Construction waste management improvements Civil works design review has resulted in balanced waste soil budget, so that disposal of waste soil has not been required.

Reduce infrastructure backlog Our infrastructure backlog has reduced from 3.02 per cent in 2016 to 2.47 per cent in 2017.

Improve mobile technology capability Enterprise mobility strategy developed and mobile technology deployed to 63 staff in CiviLake.

Commence internal borrowings Internal borrowing introduced in 2016 via Council resolution on 23 May 2016, which approved internal borrowings of $19.282 million over 20 years.

Business process reviews completed Six business process reviews were completed for the following areas: internal waste service provision reviewed, enterprise mobility strategy developed, business improvement framework developed, customer charter implemented, digital economy strategy reviewed, financial management maturity reviewed and Audit Risk Improvement Committee established.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 63 community education and engagement community engagement

Council is committed to engagement and involving the community in planning and decision- making for our City. Engagement strengthens the links between Council and the community, and ensures we are aware of and responsive to community concerns, and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of our service delivery.

In 2016-2017, we asked our community to:

collaborate with us to develop review and provide input into our provide feedback on a proposal to a new City vision and sets of Aboriginal Community Plan 2017- install exercise stations along the community values to help guide 2020, which sets out Council’s Lake foreshore in Wangi Wangi; the future direction of Lake actions and priorities with respect provide feedback on the Belmont Macquarie City; to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Sports Field master plan, which help us translate the new City Islander communities; details a proposal for a multi- vision into a new Community help identify important linkages to functional sporting precinct for Strategic Plan 2017-2017, and improve walking opportunities in regional and state competitions; ensure we have responded to our City by mapping where they suggest ideas for playground community priorities in our walk using an online interactive upgrades at Warner Park and four-year Delivery Program map and series of ‘walkshops’; Charlestown Lions Park; 2017-2021and 2017-2018 provide feedback on preliminary suggest ideas for a new multi- Operational Plan; plans to extend the Speers Point purpose community centre and reimagine the role of arts, heritage to Glendale shared pathway at library at Windale; and culture in City life, and help Argenton and Eleebana; develop a comprehensive plan suggest ideas and provide for the next decade; feedback on a new master plan for help develop a new Disability Thomas H Halton Park, Croudace Inclusion Action Plan 2017-2021 Bay, which with guide the park’s to make it easier for people with a transformation into an exciting disability to live, work and visit recreation precinct; Lake Macquarie;

Lake Macquarie City 64 Annual Report 2016-2017 provide feedback on four alternate have their say on how Council provide input on the Buttaba Hills options for the replacement of the manages future flood risks around South area plan; Pelican Boat Ramp; the LT Creek and Upper Cockle improve our town centre provide their input into the Creek catchments; streetscape in Toronto; and development and implementation help us develop to management have their say on our Customer of local adaption plans for Pelican plan for a flying-fox camp at Charter, to guide our customer and Blacksmiths and Marks Blackalls Park; interactions and help to measure Point and Belmont South to help work with us as we consider how our organisational performance. manage current and future flood to proceed with infrastructure and coastal risks; planning for the Wyee West paper subdivision;

public access to information

The main purpose of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) is to provide the public with access to as much information held by local government agencies as possible, in the circumstances of each request. The benefit of this legislation is to provide more open, accountable and transparent government.

Council provides information to the Proactive release In 2017, Council released 47 community in three key ways: of information open data sets to the Federal open access to information that is Government’s open data portal Council is committed to the proactive readily available; data.gov.au, which makes the data release of information on its website available to everyone and provides access to information that can be and through social media. a one-stop shop for app developers disclosed to the public by informal This year, Council used social and researchers. Investigating open release, for example where no media platforms Facebook, Twitter, data and making more data available third party personal information is Instagram and YouTube to distribute to the community is an action in involved; and information to the community. Council’s Lake Mac Smart City, access to information that requires Each year, Council conducts a Smart Council – Digital Economy a formal access application, for review, as required under Section 7 Strategy 2016-2020. example where consultation with a of the GIPA Act, to identify further third party is required. information it will proactively release through its website, social media Open access to and other publications. In addition, information Council continuously reviews the content available on its website to Council releases a wide variety of ensure it is transparent, accurate and information for open access through informative. its website, including policies, Council’s program for proactive planning documents, development release of information involves application information, Council reviewing formal and informal business papers and Council access applications received to meeting minutes. determine the kinds of information the community is seeking. Customer Service Centre staff are consulted about the types of requests they receive through telephone calls and the service counter. Council has determined that the types of new enquiries received generally relate to a program or initiative that Council is undertaking at that time. Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 65 Formal public access Number of access to information Number of applications in which requests requests received: Sixty-six formal access to information was access applications (including refused either wholly or partly: In addition to open access and withdrawn applications, but not Three applications were partly proactive release of information, invalid applications). refused. Nil applications were wholly Council provides information to the refused. community in response to formal Number of access to information information requests under the requests declared invalid: Six (five Reasons information was not GIPA Act. A full report on Council’s of which subsequently became valid). disclosed: See table opposite. compliance with the Act is available upon request. Timeliness of (valid) applications: Number of applications reviewed: Sixty-seven applications were One decided within the statutory timeframe (20 days plus any extensions).

Reasons against disclosure (public interest considerations) Number received

Legal professional privilege 3

Responsible and effective government 5

Law enforcement and security 2

Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice 15

Business interests of agencies and other persons 3

Outcome of applications received Number received

Access granted in full

Private sector business 6

Members of the public (application by legal representative) 17

Members of the public (other) 21

Access granted in part

Members of the public (application by legal representative) 4

Members of the public (other) 17

Information not held

Members of public (other) 1

Information already available

Members of the public (application by legal representative) 1

Members of public (other) 1

Refuse to deal with application

Members of the public (application by legal representative) 3

Members of public (other) 1

Application withdrawn

Members of public (other) 4

TOTAL (*some applications had more than one outcome) 76

Lake Macquarie City 66 Annual Report 2016-2017 companion animals

Our Rangers are responsible for enforcing companion animal laws, as well as educating the community about responsible pet ownership. Council spent $1,424,499 on companion animal activities and received $375,807 in companion animal revenue in 2016-2017.

Impounded animals By improving registration numbers and delivering targeted education, Council Rangers impounded 928 Off-leash areas Council Rangers will be able to stray pets during the year. The increase the number of animals for dogs rangers were able to return 405 pets returned to their owners and reduce Council provides off-leash to their owners and transported the the number of animals taken to areas for dogs at: remaining 523 pets to the RSPCA. the RSPCA. Barnsley Reasons against disclosure (public interest considerations) Number received Belmont North Dog attacks Responsible pet Blackalls Park Legal professional privilege 3 Over the past year, Council rangers ownership education Blacksmiths received 510 reports of alleged dog Responsible and effective government 5 attacks. Of these attacks, 438 were Rangers continue to deliver Bolton Point education programs, media Law enforcement and security 2 considered to be minor attacks, 72 Bonnells Bay campaigns and free microchipping were major attacks. Booragul Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice 15 days to increase responsible dog and cat ownership. Through these Buttaba Business interests of agencies and other persons 3 Promoting the desexing programs, Council emphasises the Cardiff of dogs and cats importance of microchipping, as it Caves Beach can increase the chance of owners Outcome of applications received Number received Charlestown Council Rangers promote the being reunited with their pet. importance of desexing and Council Coal Point If a Ranger collects an animal, it Access granted in full participates in National Desexing is checked for identification and Croudace Bay Month each July. Private sector business 6 returned to the owner as the first Dora Creek Rangers promote the importance of option. If the owner cannot be Gateshead Members of the public (application by legal representative) 17 desexing pets through media and identified, a Ranger will take the communication campaigns, as well Marks Point Members of the public (other) 21 animal to the RSPCA pound at as by working with Hunter Animal Rutherford, where it is held pending Morisset Access granted in part Watch. being claimed by the owner. If the Rathmines animal is not claimed, Council’s Redhead Members of the public (application by legal representative) 4 pound agent, the RSPCA, will Registration Redhead Beach assess the animal for its suitability Members of the public (other) 17 Ranger project for re-homing. Speers Point In 2016-2017, Council received Information not held Online information at lakemac.com. Swansea grant funding from the Office of au also educates people about their Toronto Members of public (other) 1 Local Government under the responsibilities as pet owners. Responsible Pet Ownership Valentine Information already available Grants Program. The Program West Wallsend provides funding to councils to Alternatives to Windale Members of the public (application by legal representative) 1 target programs that increase euthanasia for Wyee microchipping, lifetime registration Members of public (other) 1 and desexing rates, and better unclaimed animals For details of off-leash areas, visit lakemac.com.au. Refuse to deal with application address dangerous dog issues in The RSPCA has established the community. relationships with various companion Members of the public (application by legal representative) 3 Council used some funding animal welfare groups to increase the number of animals being re-homed in Members of public (other) 1 from this program to convert an infrequently used horse trailer into the community. Application withdrawn a trailer for microchipping and educational events in the community. Members of public (other) 4 It is envisaged that the trailer will increase the numbers of dogs being TOTAL (*some applications had more than one outcome) 76 microchipped and registered. It will also enable Council Rangers to improve education of the City residents as to their responsibilities of owning a companion animal.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 67 support and partnerships contributions and donations

Through the donation and financial assistance program, Council provides financial and in-kind support for not-for-profit groups and organisations, which have significant local membership or participation and/ or are undertaking a project showing significant local benefits to Lake Macquarie.

Annual donations program

Group Funds

Anglican Church of Windale 150

Bonnells Bay Progress Association 220

Macquarie Care 1000

Coon Island Management Board 1500

Wangi Wangi RSL Sub Branch 1000

Friends of Belmont Cemetery 1000

1st Belmont North Sea Scouts 1000

Redhead Community Library 1000

Neighbourhood Centre West Wallsend/West Wallsend Community Hall 1000

Salvation Army 500

Rathmines Wangi Ladies Probus Club Inc. 1000

Sugarloaf and Districts Action Group Inc. – West Wallsend Cemetery Subcommittee 1000

Toronto Uniting Church – Care N Share Group 240

East Lake Macquarie Historical Society Inc. 1000

Lake Macquarie City 68 Annual Report 2016-2017 Group Funds

Mum’s Cottage 1000

Valentine Hydrotherapy Pools 10,000

Wangi Ridge Preservation Board 1000

Eastlakes U3A 1000

Australian Red Cross 500

TOTAL $25,110

Donations and financial assistance program

Group Funds Whitebridge Resident 50

Linking Youth n Community Inc. 960

Lake Macquarie U3A 1000

1st Rathmines Scouts 975

Resident West Wallsend 500

Wangi Wangi RSL Sub Branch Ltd 1000

Vivid Life Church 900

Valentine Resident’s Association 195

Cancer Council NSW 160

Noah’s Retreat Community Services 50

Teralba Amateur Sailing Club 500

Lions Club of Valentine Ltd 730

1st Byattunga Scout Group 995

Cure Cancer Australia 300

Parents Beyond Breakup 520

Boolaroo Speers Point RSL Sub Branch 1000

Hunter Arts Network 500

NSW Justices Association – Morisset Branch 630

Toronto Bridge Club 500

TOTAL $11,465

Community event funding program Council’s community funding program recognises the vital contribution that community groups and organisations play in the development of social capital and quality of life in Lake Macquarie. Funding is provided in three categories: Seed funding of up to $5000 to help new community events get up and running; and Growth funding of up to $5000 to improve existing events. Lake Macquarie Games funding of up to $4000 is also available to sporting and recreation clubs for events and activities they host under the banner of the Lake Macquarie Games.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 69 Seed and growth funding

Group Funds

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW - Memory Walk and Jog 2070

Art Lovers’ Movement 500

Australian Fife Club of NSW Inc. 500

Avondale School 1000

Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council - Elders Olympics 3000

Centre for Hope - Summer Series Events (Northlakes) 800

Centre for Hope - Windale Family Fun Day 1000

Community Activities Lake Macquarie - Teddy Bears’ Picnic - Morisset 500

Delta Dogs Fun Walk - Croudace Bay Park 1045

Dixon Park Coldies Northern Districts Winter Swim Carnival 1596

Dobell Festival of Arts and Crafts - Wangi Wangi 1500

Eleebana Lions Club 5000

Harmony Concert - Cameron Park Centre 400

Lake Mac Business - Swanfest 2978

Lake Macquarie Business Limited - Swansea Carols 3000

Lake Macquarie Music Society - Young Performers of the Year 695.50

Marmong Point Sailing Club 5000

Men’s Shed - Blast from the Past 3244

Morisset Lake Mac District Agricultural Association - Morisset Show 1500

Newcastle Highland Dancing Association 936

Nga Hau E Wha - Newcastle Maori Club Inc. 3450

Northern NSW School Football Inc. 1500

Northern Settlement Services - Harmony Day 1350

Northlakes Chamber - Cardiff Halloween 3744

Novocastrian Swimming Club 500

Opera Hunter 5000

Rathmines Catalina Festival 5000

Redhead Men’s Shed 1154

Rotary Club of Morisset Inc. - Carols 3000

Rotary Club of Toronto Sunrise - Lakefest 2795

Sport NSW 1100

Swansea Community Cottage - Art by the Lake 1500

Tantrum Youth Arts - Mapping the Lake 4325

The Mindstorm Foundation 1955

The Newcastle Samoan Community Inc. - Independence Day 730

Toronto Chamber of Commerce - Greater Toronto Spring Fair 3564

Toronto Chamber of Commerce - Carols in the Park 3000

Toronto Chamber of Commerce - Arts and Crafts Fair 2200

Toronto Men’s Shed 3326.90

Toronto Men’s Shed - Blast from the Past 2099

Valentine Football Club 1730

Lake Macquarie City 70 Annual Report 2016-2017 Group Funds

Valentine Public School Parents and Citizens Association 500

Vedic Samiti Newcastle - Hunter Indian Idol 500

Wangi Sustainable Neighbourhood Group 4244

Warners Bay Chamber 5000

Windale Rugby League Club 870.50

Wyee Public School Parents and Citizens 1000

TOTAL $101,401.90

Lake Macquarie Games

Event Organisation Funds

2017 Optimist National Championships South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club 1100

3D Archery Event Lake Macquarie Field Archers 179

Baseball Masters Toronto Tigers Baseball Club 710

Carrangal Shield MacHunter Athletic Club 570

Cathering Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club Catho Challenge 2500

Croquet Golf and Ricochet Singles and Doubles Toronto Croquet Club 476

Disabled Sailing Sailability NSW Belmont 514.50

Lake Macquarie City Games 2017 West Wallsend Indoor Swimming Club 560

Lake Macquarie Rowing Club Rowing Regatta 2410

Masters Open Swim Meet Novocastrian Masters Swimming Club Inc. 3293.99

Rogaining Event NSW Rogaining Association 3073

Schools Netball Competition Charlestown Netball Association 860

The Nine Mile Classic Swansea Belmont SLSC 4200

U/8 - U/17 Surf Life Saving Carnival Swansea Belmont SLSC 2464

TOTAL $22,910.49

Sponsorship Our sponsorship program recognises the vital contribution that businesses, government agencies, and not-for-profit organisations play in the development of our social capital and quality of life through events and activities in Lake Macquarie City. Applications are assessed against weighted selection criteria on a monthly basis, applications are then presented at a Council budget meeting for approval.

Event Organisation Funds

2017 Downhill National Series, Round 1 Mountain Bike Australia 8500

Disabled Waterski World Championships Disabled Water Ski Australia 10,000

Don Giovanni Opera Hunter 10,000

Fernleigh 15 Athletics NSW 17,500

Hunter Elvis Festival Hunter Elvis Festival 10,000

Hunter Track Classic Athletics NSW 5000

Lake Mac Running Festival GC Management 10,000

Lake Macquarie Festival of Surfing Surfest 10,000

Lake Macquarie Open Cardiff Squash Centre 1600

Lakemac Heritage Festival Lakemac Heritage Festival Inc. 5000

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 71 Event Organisation Funds

Loop the Lake Warners Bay Rotary Club 5000

Music in the Podium Warners Bay Chamber of Commerce 12,000

Philhamornic Orchestra Lake Macquarie Music Society 5000

Port to Port MTB Initiative Sport 10,000

Regional research program Hunter Research Foundation 6250

Science and Engineering Challenge University of Newcastle 5000

Star Struck NSW Department of Education 1000

Swimming NSW Country Champs Swimming NSW 5000

TOTAL $136,850

Rent subsidies

Grouping Subsidy

Clubs, non-profit organisations and community groups 1,127,654.09

Child care centres 849,689.03

TOTAL $ 1,977,343.11

Local Heritage Fund Council offers small grants to owners of heritage-listed properties in Lake Macquarie on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to assist with the maintenance of their properties.

Heritage item address Project description Local heritage funds

32 Wilkinson Road, Martinsville Exterior repainting and minor repairs 1845.85

48A Wallace Street, West Wallsend Correction of rising damp, replacement of damp course 5000

74 Carrington Street, West Wallsend Roof restoration 1650

Total $8495.85

Environmental Sustainability Grants Through the Environmental Sustainability Grants program, Council supports residents who want to work together to make our City environmentally sustainable and reduce our impact on the local and global environment. In 2016-2017, Council awarded $38,433 (excluding GST) / ($40,235 (including GST) in grant funding to 15 community groups and schools.

Applicant Project title Grant funds Grant funds awarded awarded (excluding GST) (including GST)

Winding Creek riparian restoration and water quality Allambie Care 3000 3300 project

Awabakal Heritage Eco Village Indigenous Corporation Australian Heritage Bushland Garden 2735 3009

Belmont North Public School Parents and Citizens Garden for sustainable living education and yarning 3000 3300 Association circle

Biddabah Public School Parents and Citizens Onsite separation and recovery of co-mingled and 2000 2200 Association soft plastics

Blacksmiths Public School Parents and Citizens Blacksmiths School greenhouse 2000 2200 Association

Cardiff Early Education and Care Centre Incorporated Sustainable energy system 3000 3300

Dudley Community Garden Dudley Community Garden space 3000 3300

House With No Steps Our Community Garden 3000 3300

Lake Macquarie City 72 Annual Report 2016-2017 Applicant Project title Grant funds Grant funds awarded awarded (excluding GST) (including GST)

Raising awareness about local plant species with Lakeside Drive Landcare 907 997.70 traditional uses

Mens’ Shed Youth Mentoring Collaborative Sensory outdoor learning space 3000 3300

Chicken coop and community garden Sugar Valley Neighbourhood Centre 3000 3300 redevelopment/expansion

Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups (Dudley, LT Responsible dog care brochure 946 1041 Creek, Redhead and Toronto)

Swansea Community Cottage The Growing Patch 3000 3300

Toronto Community Childcare Centre Sustainability overhaul 989 1087.94

Toronto High School Parents and Citizens Association Outdoor learning space 3000 3300

TOTAL $38,433 $40,235.64 partnerships, co-operatives and joint ventures

Program name Participants with Lake Macquarie City Council Description

Backyard and Beyond Hunter Valley Beekeepers Association, National Parks Council partners with stakeholders to raise resident’s including Explore Our Association NSW, Native Animal Trust Fund, Ocean awareness of importance of our natural environment. The Great Outdoors and Coastal Care Initiatives (OCCI), Royal Motor Yacht program encourages residents to connect with natural areas, Club Toronto, Community Environment Network modify their behaviours, and actively participate in citizen science and community programs

Backyard Habitat for Hunter Indigenous Plants, Morisset Nursery, Participating nurseries offer native plants at discounted rate to Wildlife Newcastle Wildflower Nursery, Poppy’s Garden Backyard Habitat for Wildlife program members Centre, Riverdene Nurseries

Business Battery Storage NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) An OEH workshop delivered with the support of Council Seminar to inform local business about battery energy storage technologies and techniques. Council undertook two training sessions during 2016-2017

Chemical Clean Out NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA), Residents are encouraged to drop off their household Glendale TAFE, Cleanaway chemical waste on two designated Saturdays, one in May and one October each year. This year Council partnered with Glendale TAFE as the drop-off location

Clean Up Australia Day Clean Up Australia, Lions Clubs, Sustainable Council participates in Clean Up Australia Day and works with Neighbourhood groups, Landcare groups, Scouts, communities to clean up and conserve our environment Guides, environmental groups, bushwalking clubs, football clubs, diving clubs, running clubs, youth groups and churches

ClubGrants All clubs in Lake Macquarie that meet the criteria for Council is part of the ClubGrants committee that assesses the ClubGrants funding program and ranks the applicants

Community development Various community organisations, government Staff in Council’s Social and Community Planning team work activities departments and agencies with a range of community and government stakeholders to deliver policies and programs for the social services in our City. This includes service programs for young people, crime prevention, Aboriginal people, people with disability, older people, children and families, and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background

Community facilities Various community groups Community facilities managed on Council’s behalf (under delegated authority), provide a broad range of services and activities in line with Council’s vision for the local community. These include services, activities and events for young people, Aboriginal people, people with a disability, older people, children and families, and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 73 Program name Participants with Lake Macquarie City Council Description

Community Recycling NSW EPA, Toxfree, Household problem wastes (light globes, batteries, paints, Centre oils, gas cylinders, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, polystyrene) collected for free and processed by Toxfree

Dantia The Lake Macquarie Economic Development Dantia works with business, government, the community and Company Ltd partners to advance the sustainable economic prosperity of Lake Macquarie City

Domestic Violence Staying Home Leaving Violence project, NSW Police, A partnership to raise awareness in the community about Committees NSW Department of Family and Community Services, domestic and family violence. Council also works in Nova Women’s Accommodation and Support partnership with these committees to deliver events such Service, Southlakes Refuge, Domestic Violence Court as the White Ribbon morning tea and the Reclaim the Night Advocacy Service, Toronto Youth Service, Department march of Human Services, Community Corrections

Eco Angel program Tangaroa Blue, Sustainable Neighbourhood groups, Local groups and businesses participate in the program and Charter Hall, Youth Groups, Avondale College, encourage residents to take pride in their place. Tangaroa Caterpillar Mining, Landcare groups, OCCI, Lake Blue coordinate Australian Marine Debris Database in Macquarie City Scouts which data collected from Eco Angel activities is stored and available for public access

Environmental Upgrade OEH, Clean Energy Finance Corporation A service provided by Council to help commercial building Agreements owners enhance the environmental performance and operational costs of their buildings. OEH provides ongoing coordination support to a group of councils providing the innovative finance product

E-waste collection (part of Hunter Resource Recovery (HRR) Matthews Metal HRR provides a permanent e-waste drop-off location. As the the bulk waste collection) Management result of a successful community-based trial, e-waste is now collected as part of the community bulk waste collection

Fridge Buyback program Operated under the NSW Government Energy Saving A residential energy savings program where second working Scheme fridges and upright fridges are removed free of charge and rebates offered

Garage Sale Trail Hunter Councils, , Hunter Waste Educators Group The Garage Sale Trail is a national annual initiative which (HWEG) promotes waste avoidance and re-use by providing a marketplace for secondhand items – one weekend in September

Graffiti Hotspot Program Juvenile Justice NSW, Corrective Services NSW This program involves engaging offenders to remove graffiti from private property, commercial premises, and other locations around the City that Council is not responsible for maintaining

Harmony Day and Various community organisations, government A partnership to raise community awareness and deliver Refugee Week departments and agencies events to celebrate Harmony Day and Refugee Week

Hunter-Central Coast Dungog, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Council entered into a partnership agreement in June 2014 Regional Illegal Dumping Maitland, Newcastle, Central Coast, Cessnock and to commence planning and operation of a Regional Illegal Squad Lake Macquarie Councils, NSW EPA, NSW National Dumping squad. The RID squad is a partnership between Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS), Hunter nine local councils and NSW EPA. The squad is hosted by Development Corporation (HDC) Lake Macquarie City Council and provides rangers at Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Wyong, Gosford, Singleton and Muswellbrook to tackle illegal dumping across the region. The RID Squad has completed joint on-ground operations with NSW EPA, NSW NPWS and HDC in the past financial year

Hunter Multicultural Expo Northern Settlement Services, Department of Human A partnership to deliver an expo promoting services to the Services, Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre, region’s multicultural community TAFE and various multicultural and non-multicultural organisations

Hunter Region Sports Hunter Region Sports Centre The Hunter Region Sports Centre is owned by Council Centre but controlled by a community-based committee involving Council representatives, representatives of regional state athletics and gymnastics bodies, as well as a number of community representatives

International Day for Disability Network Hunter, Newcastle City Council, Council is a partner in the coordination of a regional program People with a Disability various community organisations, and government for International Day for People with a Disability departments and agencies

Lake Macquarie Air Local industry with air quality prescriptions in the Advisory group for air quality and air pollution management Quality Reference Group Environment Protection Licence for Industry in the City

Lake Macquarie City 74 Annual Report 2016-2017 Program name Participants with Lake Macquarie City Council Description

Lake Macquarie Dune Hunter Water Corporation, Belmont Golf Club, Council partners with other coastal land owners to undertake Ecosystem Enhancement Belmont Wetlands State Park Trust, OEH dune rehabilitation between Redhead and Blacksmiths Program

Lead Expert Working NSW EPA, NSW Health, health and academic experts An initiative of NSW EPA, set up to provide technical advice Group about management of lead. Hosted by Council

Lake Macquarie Youth Community Activities Lake Macquarie A partnership to resource and support the ongoing operations Advisory Council of Lake Macquarie Youth Advisory Council

Living Smart Festival Lake Macquarie Farmers Market, Hunter Resource A one-day community event in Speers Point Park supported Recovery, Bunnings Warehouse, Salvation Army, by a number of project sponsors to engage the community Newcastle Herald, The Good Guys Warners Bay, on ways to integrate sustainability into everyday living Upcycle Newcastle, Metro Cycles

NAIDOC Week Various community organisations, government A partnership to deliver events to celebrate NAIDOC Week, departments and agencies, and schools as well as providing funding to community organisations and schools to undertake activities

National Youth Week Various community organisations Council provided funding and worked with various community organisations to deliver events and activities to celebrate National Youth Week

Over 55s Program Various community organisations, private businesses, This is a free program for residents aged 55 years and over (previously Annual Seniors government departments and agencies to deliver which focuses on health, safety and wellbeing. Sessions Program) sessions included: introduction to yoga; memory changes; history tours; tai chi; hearing screenings; and lessons on using e-books, tablets and smartphones

Paint the Lake REaD Narunbah, Early Links, Milabah Southlake Supporting and encouraging the whole community to read, Neighbourhood Centre, Family Insight, Newcastle talk, rhyme and sing with children from birth so that they are Mens Shed more prepared for literacy and numeracy when they start school

Regional Capacity Hunter and Central Coast Councils An advisory group for contaminated land management, and Building Program for policy/ procedure development for local government Contaminated Land

Seniors Week University of the Third Age, Sing Australia A partnership to deliver a concert for older people to celebrate Seniors Week

The Happy Lunch Box NSW Environmental Trust, NSW EPA, Atune Health A six-week grant-funded program to help young families learn program Centre, Kahibah Public School, Fennell Bay Public how to make healthy, affordable and waste-free lunches for School, Belmont and Cardiff Libraries children

The Place: Charlestown The GPT Group The Place: Charlestown Community Centre is a positive Community Centre investment in the community’s future, particularly for Charlestown and surrounding areas. The management model for the facility is a governing Board comprising Council’s General Manager, Mayor, Councillors, GPT Group, as well as general community and youth representatives. The Board employs a Centre Manager responsible for delivering the Centre strategic plan

Tunbilliko Exchange NSW Police, Hunter TAFE, Belmont Rotary, NSW A program to enhance and strengthen relationships between Program Department of Justice Crime Prevention Division, the Aboriginal community and NSW Police PCYC NSW, Minimbah Aboriginal Education Consultative Group

You’re Kidding Me Early Start Speech Pathology, ATUNE Health Centre, Offering families access to free workshops and clinics to Family Chiropractic Centre Charlestown, Julie Logan support their child’s development Music, Bronni Page Yoga, LifeWise Centre

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 75 external bodies exercising Council functions

Hunter Resource Hunter Integrated Delegated authority Recovery Pty Ltd Resources Pty Ltd to external bodies Hunter Resource Recovery Pty Hunter Integrated Resources Pty Ltd Council delegates authority Ltd provides Council’s kerbside (HIR), was established to administer to external groups to manage recycling service and is jointly owned the Hunter Region Waste Project on and operate public facilities. and operated by Lake Macquarie, behalf of the member councils, Lake This arrangement is more efficient Cessnock, Maitland and Singleton Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland for Council and gives the community councils. and Newcastle. greater ownership of public facilities, Hunter Resource Recovery manages The Waste Project was terminated such as sporting and recreation the kerbside recycling collection in 2009; however, the HIR company facilities and community halls services contract with Solo structure is being retained as a and centres. Resource Recovery and subsequent potential vehicle for other activities recyclables processing by Visy in the future. Recycling, as well as services to allow residents to properly dispose of e-waste and other household items.

The care, control and management of community halls and centres

Facility External body

Dudley Senior Citizens Centre Dudley Combined Pensioners and Senior Citizens Inc.

Holmesville Community Garden Holmesville Community Garden Operating Committee

Rathmines Community Hall Rathmines Community Hall Operating Committee

Redhead Community Library Redhead Community Library Operating Committee

Ulinga Park Community Hall Ulinga Youth Centre Inc.

Windale Community Hall Windale Community Hall Operating Committee

Wyee Community Hall Wyee Community Hall Operating Committee

The care, control and management of child care centres

Facility External body

Birralee Longday Care Centre Whitebridge Birralee Longday Care Centre Elected Management Committee

Bolton Point Child Care Centre Bolton Point Child Care Elected Committee

Cardiff Early Education and Care Centre Cardiff Early Education and Care Elected Committee

Charlestown Child Care and Early Learning Centre Charlestown Child Care and Early Learning Elected Committee

Eastlake Community Child Care Centre Belmont Community Child Care Elected Committee

Edgeworth Child Care Centre Edgeworth Child Care Elected Committee

Glendale Early Education Centre Glendale Early Education Elected Committee

KU Kahibah Road Child Care Centre KU Children’s Services

Mount Hutton Child Care Centre Mount Hutton Child Care Elected Committee

Peter Pan Kindergarten, Wangi Wangi Peter Pan Kindergarten Elected Committee

Redhead Community Preschool Redhead Community Preschool Elected Committee

Toronto Community Preschool Toronto Community Preschool Elected Committee

Warners Bay Early Learning and Care Centre Warners Bay Early Learning and Care Elected Committee

Woodrising Community Preschool and Child Care Centre Woodrising Community Preschool Elected Committee

Lake Macquarie City 76 Annual Report 2016-2017 The care, control and management of sporting and recreation facilities

Facility External body

Aitchison Reserve Belmont Swansea Junior Soccer Club Inc.

Auston Oval and Bernie Goodwin Reserve Morisset United Football Club Inc.

Awaba Oval Awaba Oval Community Operating Committee

Balcomb Field, Dudley Balcomb Field Community Operating Committee

Baxter Field, Marks Point Baxter Field Community Operating Committee

Belmont Macquarie Tennis Courts Belmont Macquarie Tennis Club Inc.

Belmont North Netball Courts Belmont North Netball Club Inc.

Belmont Ovals (Cahill, Miller, Barton and Lumsden Ovals) Belmont Ovals Community Operating Committee

Bill Bower Oval, Glendale Glendale Junior Rugby League Club Inc.

Blackalls Park (Finnan, Waterboard, Croft and Todd Street Ovals) Blackalls Park Ovals Community Operating Committee

Blacksmiths Oval Belmont Swansea United Football Club Inc.

Blacksmiths Tennis Courts Blacksmiths Tennis Club Inc.

Bolton Point Tennis Courts Bolton Point Tennis Club Inc.

Bonnells Bay Netball Courts Morisset Netball Club Inc.

Cardiff Ovals (No 1, 2 and 3 Ovals) Cardiff Ovals Community Operating Committee

Cardiff Park Tennis Courts Cardiff Park Tennis Community Operating Committee

Caves Beach Netball Courts Caves Beach Netball Inc.

Caves Beach Tennis Courts Caves Beach Tennis Club Inc.

Chapman Oval, Swansea Swansea Football Club Inc.

Charlestown Oval Charlestown Junior Football Club Inc.

Cooranbong Recreation and Equestrian Reserve Cooranbong Recreation and Equestrian Reserve Community Operating Committee

Croudace Bay Sports Complex Valentine Eleebana Netball Inc. Valentine Eleebana JRLFC Inc. Valentine Eleebana Football Club Inc.

Dora Creek Ovals (Douglass Street Ovals) Dora Creek Ovals Community Operating Committee

Edgeworth Junior Football Edgeworth Junior Soccer Club Inc.

Edgeworth Little Athletics Edgeworth and District Little Athletics Centre Inc.

Edgeworth Netball Sugar Valley Netball Club Inc.

Eleebana Oval Valentine Eleebana Soccer Club Inc.

Evans Park, Cardiff Cardiff Junior Football Club Inc.

Fassifern Oval Westlakes Archers Inc.

Feighan Oval, Warners Bay Feighan Oval Community Operating Committee

Finnan Oval Water Board Oval and Blackalls Park Ovals Blackalls Park Ovals Community Operating Committee

Fishburn Fields, Rathmines Westlakes Wildcats Junior Football Club Inc.

Fred Wright, Harold Knight Ovals and Mick Middleton Field, Gateshead Kahibah Football Club Inc.

Gateshead Ovals (Allen Davis and Ernie Calland Fields) Gateshead Ovals Community Operating Committee

Gibson Field, Morisset Southern Lakes Rugby Union Club Inc.

Gregory Park, West Wallsend (Les Wakeman Field) Gregory Park Community Operating Committee

Harold Knight Oval, Gateshead Charlestown City Blues Football Club Inc.

Hillsborough Oval Cardiff Junior Australian Football Club Inc.

Hillsborough Tennis Courts Hillsborough Tennis Club Inc.

Holford Oval, Mount Hutton Valentine Eleebana Football Club Inc.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 77 Facility External body

Jack Stewart Netball Courts, Charlestown Charlestown Netball Association Inc.

John Street Field, Warners Bay Warners Bay Soccer Club Inc.

Johnston Park, West Wallsend West Wallsend Senior Soccer Club Ltd

Kahibah Oval and Andy Bird Field, Kahibah Kahibah Ovals Community Operating Committee

Keith Barry Oval, Toronto West Macquarie Sub Junior Rugby League Club Inc.

Kindyerra Reserve, Argenton (Jack Edwards Fields) Argenton United Junior Soccer Club Inc.

Lake Macquarie City Petanque, Teralba Lake Macquarie City Petanque Club Inc.

Lakelands Oval Warners Bay Soccer Club Inc.

Lakelands Tennis Courts Lakelands Tennis Club Inc.

Lance York Field, Garden Suburb Garden Suburb Soccer Club Inc.

Lenaghan Oval, Belmont North Belmont North Junior Rugby League Club Inc.

Liles Oval, Redhead Liles Ovals Community Operating Committee

Lisle Carr Field, Whitebridge Charlestown City Blues Football Club Inc.

Lydon Field, Dudley Dudley Redhead United Soccer Club Inc.

Macquarie Field, Speers Point Lake Macquarie City Football Club Inc.

Marks Oval, Floraville Belmont Football Club Ltd

Marks Oval Tennis Courts, Floraville Marks Oval Tennis Community Operating Committee

Martinsville Oval Martinsville Oval Community Operating Committee

Molly Smith Netball Courts, Belmont Lakeside Netball Association Inc.

Mount Hutton Tennis Courts Mount Hutton Tennis Club Inc.

Nancy Dwyer and Ken Booth Netball Courts, Cardiff Cardiff Netball Club Inc.

Neegulbah Park, Macquarie Hills Cardiff and District Little Athletics Centre Inc.

New Tredinnick Fields, Speers Point Lake Macquarie Football Club Inc.

Parbury Park, Swansea Parbury Park Community Operating Committee

Peacock Field, Toronto Ovals Toronto Ovals Community Operating Committee

Pendlebury Oval, Bolton Point Lakers Baseball Club Inc.

Pickering Oval, Adamstown Heights Pickering Oval Community Operating Committee

Rathmines Tennis Courts Rathmines Tennis Club Inc.

Redhead Tennis Courts Redhead Tennis Club Inc.

Ron Hill Oval, Toronto Ron Hill Oval Community Operating Committee

St John Oval, Charlestown St John Oval Community Operating Committee

Swansea Equestrian Ground Swansea Horse and Riders Club Inc.

Swansea South Tennis Courts Swansea South Tennis Club Inc.

Taylor Park (Barnsley) Taylor Park Community Operating Committee

Lake Macquarie City 78 Annual Report 2016-2017 Facility External body

Tulkaba Park (Teralba) Lake Macquarie Australian Football Club Inc.

Ulinga Park, Cardiff South (Tennis and Netball Courts) Ulinga Youth Centre Inc.

Ulinga Park (Jack Neave Fields) Ulinga Park (Playing Fields) Community Operating Committee

Walters Park, Speers Point Lake Macquarie Rugby Club Inc.

Wangi Wangi Netball Courts Westlakes District Netball Association Inc.

Wangi Wangi Oval Wangi Oval Community Operating Committee

Warners Bay Netball Courts Warners Bay Netball Inc.

West Wallsend Tennis Courts West Wallsend Tennis Club Inc.

Whitebridge Tennis Courts Whitebridge Tennis Club Inc.

Windale Ovals (Hunter Barnett and Michael Bird Fields) Windale Ovals Community Operating Committee

Windale Netball Courts Atuka Netball Club Inc.

Windsor Park, Gateshead Phoenix Charlestown Baseball Club Inc.

Woodrising Netball Courts Bolton Point Fennell Bay Netball Club Inc.

Wyee Community Tennis Courts Wyee Community Hall Community Operating Committee

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 79 controlling interests and service charges

Controlling interest Stormwater Coastal protection in companies management charge services charge Council holds no controlling interests Council does not administer an Council does not administer an in companies. annual charge for stormwater annual charge for coastal protection management services. services.

voluntary planning agreements

A voluntary planning agreement is an agreement entered into by a planning authority such as Lake Macquarie Council and a developer.

Under the agreement, a developer construction of infrastructure, and agrees to provide or fund public provision of materials of public amenities and public services, benefit and/or use. affordable housing, transport and Council is required to report annually other infrastructure. Contributions on planning agreements that we in can be made through dedication force during the year. of land, monetary contributions,

Developer Development Agreement details Date made

North Lakes Pty Ltd Rezoning of land at Northlakes Drive The developer will transfer 102.44ha of land to 3/06/2008 Cameron Park - Residential land Council for conservation purposes. subdivision

Johnson Property Group Pty Ltd Rezoning of land at North The agreement prescribes a range of public 26/11/2008 Cooranbong - Residential land benefits in the form of land dedication, capital subdivision works and cash contributions that include: · open space land – indicative value $6.8 million, · recreation facilities – indicative value $23.4 million · community facilities land and capital works – indicative value $6.9 million · road works – indicative value $14.4 million. It also prescribes the dedication of 119.24ha of conservation land and payment of endowment fund monies of approximately $1 million (plus indexation) relating to this environmental corridor. The developer will be required to: · prepare a rehabilitation and maintenance plan for the area; and · provide a maintenance schedule for five years for the following facilities once competed: on site neighbourhood park, on site sports facility and dog exercise park; north and south local parks; town common neighbourhood park and sports facility area; and multi-purpose centre.

Lake Macquarie City 80 Annual Report 2016-2017 Developer Development Agreement details Date made

Templar Charlestown DA/1604/2008 – Commercial The developer is to pay Council $455,482.45 17/05/2010 Pty Ltd and retail development (plus indexation) in lieu of providing some of the car parking spaces required as a result of the development on the development site. The developer is also required to pay approximately $6,832.24 (plus indexation) for administration costs.

Hydrox Nominees Pty Ltd DA/251/2013 – Employment The agreement provides for the developer to: 21/01/2015 generating development at Windale · acquire and transfer to Council various unformed roads land (4.35ha); · undertake maintenance works on the proposed environmental conservation land which includes the preparation of a vegetation management plan for a minimum of three years, or until the land reaches a stable state (as defined in the planning agreement); · assist Council in the preparation of a plan of management for the offset site; and · pay an endowment fund of $429,000 (plus indexation) to Council to support the ongoing management of the biodiversity offset lands. Under the agreement, Council is required to reclassify the roads land (once it has been transferred to Council) from operational land to community land, to support its proposed end use as a biodiversity offset.

Metromix Pty Limited MISC/43/2011 – Quarry extension at The developer is to pay a haulage contribution 6/02/2017 Teralba to Council for the renewal and repair of parts of Rhondda Road, Wakefield Road, Northville Drive, Railway Street, William Street, Short Street, York Street and Toronto Road, Teralba. The haulage contribution paid to Council is at a rate of $0.066 (plus indexation) per tonne per kilometre of materials hauled. private works

Council has business units that carry The prices for this work are based out various private works on a cost on unit rates set by Council and recovery or commercial basis, both in incorporated in Council’s annual Fees and outside of Lake Macquarie City. and Charges. Some of this work is carried out on The Fees and Charges document is private land. available at lakemac.com.au.

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 81 assets

Providing infrastructure that meets community needs and expectations is fundamental to the economic, social and cultural vibrancy of Lake Macquarie City. state of our infrastructure assets

The challenge in managing disposal of assets. renewal expenditure (which is based our assets is to maintain and The AMPs are closely aligned with on a range of factors, including asset enhance existing infrastructure the Long-term Financial Plan to condition and remaining life) and while continuing to provide new ensure that required funding is what is planned to be funded in the infrastructure for our growing City. identified for the upkeep of our Long-term Financial Plan. Council’s infrastructure assets were assets. The current Capital Renewal Funding valued at $2.73 billion at June 2017. Six AMPs cover Council’s key Gap for Council’s infrastructure is These assets include roads, bridges, infrastructure asset classes: $47.3 million. drains, footpaths, cycleways, parks, Buildings A primary reason for the renewal reserves, community buildings, funding gap is that, over past years, Drainage/stormwater childcare centres, libraries, swim infrastructure costs have increased centres and beach facilities. Natural areas faster than Council’s income. Asset Parks and reserves Council continues to implement a management plans Roads and bridges range of measures to manage the Traffic and transportation funding gap over the long term, Through our Asset Management including: Plans (AMPs) Council takes a increasing expenditure on asset whole-of-life approach to managing Capital renewal renewal including implementation infrastructure assets. Our AMPs of the IPART special rate identify the levels of service we Capital renewal is usually major work variation; currently provide, future demands that restores an existing asset to its on our assets, as well as planned original condition. The total amount improving asset knowledge improvements. spent on infrastructure capital (performance, condition and renewal for the 2016-2017 financial remaining life); Expenditure projections and funding year was $45 million. requirements are identified for the improving maintenance to extend next 20 years, allowing for projected A key performance target relating asset lives and defer projected cost increases and growth in assets. to asset management is the Capital renewal; This includes planning, creation, Renewal Funding Gap. This is the operation, maintenance, renewal and difference between the required

Lake Macquarie City 82 Annual Report 2016-2017 improving efficiency in delivery of practices in 2016-2017, including: developing an assets register maintenance and renewal; consolidating Asset Management for Council’s commercial and developing and using low-cost Plans for the City’s assets residential buildings, consistent renewal methods; Infrastructure and Community with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia International rationalising (disposing) of Asset Management Plans; Management Manual; unnecessary and low-use assets; further improving its capital works reviewing maintenance practices reviewing service levels; and and maintenance processes to support Council’s integrated and programs for open channels redistributing funding allocations. project management system; and natural watercourses to reduce blockages, flooding and continuing to expand the use of bank erosion; Maintenance Council’s GIS mapping system reviewing the process for Asset maintenance is the regular to complement Council’s asset management systems; monitoring and reporting works ongoing work that is necessary for fire asset protection zones in further assessing asset conditions to keep assets operating so they natural areas; provide the required levels of service. to determine condition profiles Maintenance funding needs to keep for all asset classes, including reviewing processes for asset pace with rising costs associated a representative sample of the condition assessment, defect with the growing size and age of drainage system; identification and performance monitoring; the infrastructure base, changing commencing a review of the standards and increasing community framework for asset data reviewing and documenting expectations. management in association with procedures for processing of the Future Directions project; asset financial information; and Asset management undertaking further training to reviewing the structure of the improvements enhance asset management Asset Management department In 2016-2017 Council continued to knowledge, skills and abilities to ensure it is best placed to meet make significant improvements to its across the organisation; current and future opportunities asset base and asset management and challenges. developing a register of key capabilities in line with its Asset infrastructure that provides The Asset Management Steering Management Improvement Plan. regional and national benefits for Group undertook a review of the The Plan was developed using the which Council requires funding Improvement Plan and developed findings of an Asset Management support from other levels of a revised Action Plan for 2017-2021. Maturity Audit previously conducted government; Many of the revised actions relate by an external specialist. It identifies to the implementation of the Asset reviewing and updating 42 key actions to ensure Council’s Management Information System processes for maintenance and asset management continues to scheduled for 2017-2019. advance. Target timeframes have renewal planning for existing been set for these actions based on assets; the risk implications identified during reviewing processes for the the audit. Clear responsibilities for transfer of developer constructed completing the actions within target assets to Council to ensure they timeframes have also been assigned. meet Council’s standards and Council’s Asset Management requirements; Steering Group monitors implementation of the Asset Management Improvement Plan. This innovative internal grouping Expenditure on infrastructure maintenance 2016-2017 was formed to oversee execution Buildings $3,450,275 of the Asset Management Strategy. It provides a platform for staff from Drainage/stormwater $2,827,437 Council’s Asset Management, Natural areas $4,281,589 Development Assessment and Compliance, Community Planning, Park and reserves $9,037,483 City Projects, CiviLake, Integrated Roads and bridges $5,684,880 Planning, Finance and Sustainability departments to collaborate in pursuit Traffic and transportation $577,442 of the shared goal of sustainable TOTAL $25,859,106 asset lifecycle management on behalf of the community. The Steering Group oversaw numerous enhancements to Council’s asset management

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 83 Buildings Buildings assets Council provides a strategic asset Halls 38 community halls providing meeting places for community management system for all of its groups and not-for-profit organisations. building assets, to enable the effective and efficient delivery of building Operating buildings 39 operating buildings, ranging from works depots and related services to the community. administration buildings, to Rural Fire Service buildings and State Emergency Service facilities. Some of the major challenges facing Council in providing these services Childcare-related buildings 16 childcare-related buildings and structures, ranging from include meeting our growing City’s full day care facilities, to family day care and operational need for an increase in infrastructure structures. and balancing these needs with those Aged and disability service 11 aged care and disability service facilities which provide forecasted on ageing infrastructure. facilities support for seniors and people with a disability, including the Cardiff Senior Citizens facility and many Meals on Wheels Council has made further progress operations. in gathering and incorporating information regarding the needs users Libraries Nine library facilities, one of which is located at the Toronto of public facilities such as community Commercial Centre. We recently opened a new ‘lifestyle’ halls, public toilets, swim centres and library in the main retail precinct of Cardiff. libraries, combining condition ratings Cultural buildings Three cultural buildings: the Lake Macquarie Performing Arts with serviceability and functionality, to Centre and the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery. ensure the best approach is taken. Multi-purpose facilities Four multi-purpose buildings located in key locations Managing this class of assets involves throughout the City. ensuring that our existing buildings Aquatic and athletic facilities Six aquatic facilities, and an Athletics Australia-accredited comply with current regulations Regional Athletics Centre. and includes, but is not limited to, essential service regulations (fire Public amenities 134 public amenity buildings. ratings, correct egress), Australian Surf lifesaving clubs Four surf lifesaving clubs along the City’s coastline. Standards, the National Construction Code, guidelines for safe pool Sporting facilities 112 sporting facilities, providing for sports such as cricket, operations and retro-fitting of soccer, netball, tennis, rugby union and rugby league. sustainability features to our buildings. Replacement Value These Community Assets have a replacement value of $184.9 million

Natural areas Natural areas assets Council manages an array of natural Natural areas About 4000 ha of natural areas consisting of approximately area assets. The area is largely 1200 individual clusters or sites. bushfire-prone and Council has fire trails and asset protection zones to Trees An unspecified number of trees located on Council- protect life and property from the risk managed land, including streets, parks and reserves. of bush fire. The major issues facing Bush fire protection Bush fire protection assets, including four fire trails and 146 the area are increasing costs, an asset protection zones. increasing population and continued Replacement value These infrastructure assets (excluding trees) have a changes to legislative obligations. replacement value of $468.7 million. The natural areas asset group provides vital safety, amenity and ecosystem services for the local community and broader region. The major asset issues for the natural areas group are the extensive interface between developed and natural areas, the fragmentation of natural areas into smaller sites and the lack of historical asset management for the natural areas group.

Lake Macquarie City 84 Annual Report 2016-2017 Drainage/stormwater Drainage/stormwater assets Council provides a stormwater Pipes 695.7 km network to enable safe and effective collection and disposal of Pits, inlets and outlets 27,645 items stormwater. There are performance Open drains 102 km deficiencies of stormwater assets at several locations throughout the City. Stormwater quality improvement devices 790 items (SQIDs) and flood mitigation structures Works to address these issues are prioritised systematically to develop Replacement value These infrastructure assets have a replacement a forward program for capital value of $484.3 million. upgrade works.

Parks and reserves Parks and reserves assets Council provides a parks and Park play facilities 112 playgrounds distributed across parks and reserves network to enable a diverse sporting grounds in the City. range of quality passive and active recreational opportunities Park foreshore facilities 31 jetties, 31 boat ramps, five marine waste transfer facilities and 19 fish cleaning tables. for residents and visitors of Lake Macquarie. Many existing park Open space utilities Includes bubblers, outdoor showers, barbecues, and reserve services are reliant on lights and lead-in poles. associated infrastructure across Sport-specific structures and surfaces Includes netball and tennis courts, tiered seating, parks, sports grounds, foreshore dug outs and sports lighting. areas and cemeteries. Open space structures Includes park furniture such as seats, tables, Management of these assets includes shelters, viewing platforms and fences. ensuring the existing network of infrastructure is replaced in line with Cemetery and memorial-specific Niche walls, cemetery beams, war memorials and structures commemorations. the forecasted demands identified in the relevant strategies. These Replacement value These infrastructure assets have a replacement actions must also be balanced with value of $84.6 million. a whole-of-life approach to asset management, including maintaining agreed service levels.

Roads and bridges Roads and bridges assets Council provides a network of roads, Roads 1334 km bridges and associated assets to meet the local transport needs of the Kerb and gutter 1782 km Lake Macquarie community. Vehicle bridges Road bridges Park 86 items The condition of roads and bridges bridges Two items assets are assessed annually. Actions Pedestrian bridges Road bridges Park 36 items to address any issues identified are bridges 80 items prioritised systematically to develop a forward program for capital and Park viewing decks 14 items maintenance works. Underpasses Three items

Car parks Sealed Concrete 298 items Gravel 16 items 83 items

Replacement value These infrastructure assets have a replacement value of $1.60 billion.

Traffic and Traffic and transportation assets transportation Footpaths/cycleways 553 km Council provides and maintains Road/street furniture 1337 items transportation infrastructure assets to serve the transport needs of Traffic facilities 1,826 installations local communities, including people Replacement value These infrastructure assets have a replacement with a varying range of abilities. value of $175 million. Transport assets are integrated with Council’s roads, drainage, parks and community facilities. Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 85 financial reports special rate variation

In 2012, Council received approval for a seven-year special rate variation to increase its general income in order to secure its long-term financial sustainability and maintain the assets and levels of service needed for our growing City.

The Independent Pricing and The actual Operating Surplus (before efficiently to ensure they provide the Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) Capital amounts) achieved in the required levels of service at the most approved the variation in accordance 2016-2017 financial year of $8.604 economical cost. with Council’s Funding Option million was a pleasing result. A full report on the state of Council’s 2 – Maintain Services. Under this infrastructure assets is provided on option, Council services would pages 82 to 85 of this report. stay largely the same, with minimal Program of expenditure improvements or upgrades, the The program of expenditure for the condition of assets would be seven-year rate variation is outlined Productivity savings maintained at current rates, and an in Council’s Long-term Financial achieved operating deficit would remain until Plan and detailed annually in the 2016-2017. Operational Plan and Budget. In making its determination for the For the 2016-2017 financial year, this seven-year special rate variation, special rate variation raised $5.959 IPART commended Council for million of revenue, which Council Outcomes achieved addressing financial sustainability and managing the City’s infrastructure used to maintain levels of service and Key outcomes achieved as a result backlog. IPART also acknowledged invest in community infrastructure of the variation are detailed in the that Council is efficient and has a renewal and maintenance. ‘Our results’ section of this report. culture of continuous improvement. Council was on track to achieve a projected Operating Surplus in In resolving to apply for the special 2017-2018, however we received Asset renewal rate variation, Councillors made advanced payment of half the and maintenance a commitment to operational 2017-2018 Financial Assistance efficiency and an ongoing culture Grant in 2016-2017 financial year. expenditure of productivity improvement. This resulted in a positive impact on During 2016-2017 Council spent Productivity savings achieved during the operating result for 2016-2017, $45 million on capital renewal works 2016-2017 are provided on pages however has had a negative impact to restore existing assets to their 62 and 63 of this report. on the projected Operating Surplus original condition, and a further in 2017-2018. This position will be $25.9 million on regular ongoing continually monitored and revised maintenance on infrastructure assets in line with required changes to our to keep these assets operating Long-term Financial Plan.

Lake Macquarie City 86 Annual Report 2016-2017 Addressing financial hardship There was no significant change in manageable amounts. Council also the percentage of rates and charges offers the option to pay by a monthly outstanding. The outstanding rates direct debit to assist ratepayers and annual charges for 2016-2017 in managing the payment of their was 3.68 per cent, compared to council rate obligations. Residents 3.87 per cent for 2015-2016. To of ratable properties who hold a assist any ratepayers facing difficulty Pensioner Concession card are paying their rates, satisfactory generally entitled to a rebate on arrangements can usually be their rates. made to tailor payments to more sustainability and environmental levy

In 2009, the Minister for Local Government approved a special rate variation to increase general rates income for sustainability and environmental projects.

This funding has helped Council to The special variation expired in The table below gives an overview carry out on-ground works to: June 2014. At that time, $555,495 of the project areas funded by the protect and improve the health of special variation funds remained special rate variation in 2016-2017. of Lake Macquarie and its unspent, and additional income The remaining amount of special catchment; and in 2014-2015 of $62,564 brought variation funding of $174,062 has the balance of unspent funds to been allocated to environmental improve environmental $618,059. sustainability of the City, focusing improvement activities programmed on water, energy, transport, During the 2014-2015 and 2015- for 2017-2018. waste, ecosystem enhancement, 2016 financial years, a total of climate change adaptation, $355,596 was spent. natural disaster risk minimisation, In 2016-2017, $122,871 of the monitoring and reporting of remaining $262,463 special environmental performance, and variation funding was allocated to community engagement. environmental improvement activities, of which $88,401 was spent.

Project area Funds allocated 2016-2017 Funds spent 2016-2017 Activities

Ecosystem enhancement $40,000 $40,000 Lake Macquarie Aquatic Health Monitoring Program

Environmental security $82,871 $48,401 Progressed Jewells Wetland Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan

Progressed Upper Cockle Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan

Constructed cliff stability and safety fencing at Redhead and Caves Beach

Progressed assessment of the cost of frequent inundation on public infrastructure project

Totals $122,871 $88,401

NB: No Levy revenue in 2016-2017 – Levy funds carried forward from the previous financial year

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 87 legal proceedings

During 2016-2017 Lake Macquarie City Council has been involved in legal proceedings in the Local Court, Land and Environment Court, Court of Appeal and the Federal Court of Australia.

Local Court Of the 14 appeals: Land and Council becomes involved in legal Five had convictions recorded Environment Court proceedings in the Local Court for and/or fines imposed by the The bulk of Council’s Land and four main reasons: prosecutions, Court; Environment Court litigation appeals, court elections in respect of Seven were found proven and is in Classes 1 and 4. Class 1 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) the Court either did not record proceedings relate to environmental and debt recovery proceedings. a conviction, or recorded a planning and protection appeals. Prosecutions generally relate to conviction without further penalty; Class 4 proceedings relate to failure to obtain or comply with an and environmental planning and approval, non-compliance with Two were withdrawn by Council protection enforcement and Council orders and notices (such on receipt of submissions. development contract enforcement as clean-up notices), and offences (e.g. planning law breaches under the Companion Animals Act or breaches of conditions of 1998. Appeals usually concern Two other court elections in relation development consent). decisions Council has made under to PINs occurred in 2016-2017. One the Companion Animals Act 1998. related to unauthorised tree removal During 2016-2017, Council was Court elections for PINs often relate and the other to failure to obtain involved in: to traffic offences, and debt recovery approval for an on-site sewage Six Class 1 proceedings with proceedings are mostly focused on management system. In both cases, a total cost of $103,696. Of the recovery of unpaid rates. Council withdrew prior to hearing. these, one appeal was resolved by agreement with consent conditions imposed, and one Prosecutions Debt recovery was dismissed by the Court. Four In 2016-2017 Council was involved Council incurred legal expenses of appeals are ongoing; in two prosecutions. One related to $115,603 during 2016-2017 for the Three Class 4 proceedings, with a prosecution under the Companion recovery of unpaid rates for: a total cost of $675,250. Council Animals Act 1998, in which control commencement of 376 was joined in one proceeding orders were imposed. The other proceedings by way of statement because of its interest as owner relates to illegal dumping, and is of claim; of neighbouring land, and it ongoing. obtainment of 126 default was resolved by agreement judgments in favour of Council; between the other parties to the Appeals and proceedings. Of the other two, There were five appeals lodged with enforcement of judgments by one is ongoing, and the other has the Local Court. All related to Council seeking writs of execution for 126 been appealed to the Court of decisions under the Companion matters. Appeal of NSW, as noted below; and Animals Act 1998. Of these: Three of the proceedings were Two had convictions recorded defended, with one resolved by Two combined Class 1 and 4 and fines imposed; agreement and discontinued. proceedings, with a total cost of $584,263. One of these was One was proven but dismissed by Judgment was granted to Council discontinued with partial payment the Court; and in the other two cases. Total legal expenses in these matters amounted of Council’s costs, and the other Two were withdrawn by Council to $4100, and total costs amounting is ongoing. prior to hearing. to $1597.20 were awarded by the Court. Court of Appeal of NSW Court elections for PINs Applications to set aside default Fourteen Court Elections were judgment were received in three The decision in one of the Land and received regarding PINs relating matters, with a negotiated settlement Environment Court proceedings to parking offences. Generally, of $1000 agreed in relation to one disclosed above was appealed to the Council manages these with application. Total legal expenses in Court of Appeal. Council has filed a support from NSW Police, except one of those matters was $1400, submitting appearance in this matter, in special circumstances where and all applications were ultimately and a decision has not yet been Council need to be directly involved. withdrawn. made by the Court in this matter.

Lake Macquarie City 88 Annual Report 2016-2017 Federal Court The other is a native title Further information determination application to the of Australia Attorney General of New South regarding legal Council has been involved in Wales by the Awabakal and Guringai proceedings two proceedings in the Federal People. Council was a respondent Further information regarding the Court of Australia. in this matter due to the potential total cost of legal expenses incurred One is a class action relating impact on its interests in land. by Council during 2016-2017, to the provision of financial services Council incurred legal expenses of including the legal proceedings set by Standard & Poor’s International $225 in this matter, with proceedings out above, is included in Council’s and McGraw-Hill Financial discontinued by the applicant. Financial Statements. Workers Incorporated. These proceedings compensation and other employment are ongoing, and Council has not yet matters, as well as public liability and incurred any legal costs. professional indemnity claims, are disclosed separately in this report. Councillors' and Mayor's expenses

Mayoral allowance $62,416

Councillors’ allowances $300,165

Provision of dedicated office equipment (leased laptop computers, iPads, faxes, mobile phones and accessories) $38,285

Telephone calls and communications $27,810

Councillors’ attendance at conferences/seminars $53,879

Training of Councillors $15,363

Overseas visits including transport and accommodation $11,429

Interstate visits including transport and accommodation -

Meeting expenses $35,488

Motor vehicle for Mayor $11,869

Motor vehicle for Councillors $15,104

Mayoral secretarial services $100,579

Councillor support service (one day a week) $16,865

Mayoral office expenses $33,559

Councillors’ vehicle allowance (for use of their own private vehicles/taxis) $6,955

TOTAL $729,766 overseas visits

Position Destination Purpose Date Cost

Mayor Lithuania International Children’s Games 2017 28 June - 10 July $11,502 senior staff remuneration

Lake Macquarie City Council employs This figure includes salaries and super three senior staff, not including the contributions (including salary sacrifice). General Manager/Chief Executive Officer. If applicable, the total also includes The total amount of money payable bonus payments, performance payments in respect to the employment of or other payments, non-cash benefits Senior Staff during 2016-2017 was and Fringe Benefits Tax payable. $862,132.62. Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 89 contracts awarded

$ Amount Contractor Goods and services ex GST

AGL Retail Energy Limited $203,080 Supply of gas to amenities

AGL Sales Pty Limited $859,200 Supply of electricity to public lighting

A-Space $150,871 Design and construction of Cedar Cutters playground at Cooranbong

Beau Corp Projects Pty Ltd $899,708 Refurbishments to Speers Point and Swansea swim centres

Cardno (NSW) Pty Ltd $168,830 Detailed geotechnical assessment of cliff top stability in high hazard coastal locations

Chesterfield Australia Pty Ltd $197,790 Two John Deer 6100MC tractors, one flail mower and one reach mower

Chesterfield Australia Pty Ltd $174,203 John Deer 6105MC tractor fitted with front end loader

Clement Marine Constructions $499,570 Extension of Valentine Jetty

Daracon Group $16,664,137 Awaba Waste Management Facility upgrade

Daracon Quarries $439,861 Supply of pavement materials

Daracon Quarries $459,071 Supply of aggregate materials

Downer EDI Works $3,603,381 Supply, deliver and lay asphaltic concrete

Downer EDI Works $1,056,540 Supply asphaltic concrete

Downer EDI Works $295,282 Pavement enrichment and rejuvenation works

ERM Power Retail Pty Ltd $317,275 Supply of electricity to small sites

Facility Design Group $263,240 Refurbishment design of Toronto Swim Centre

Fenworx Pty Ltd $7,803,002 Supply, deliver and lay asphaltic concrete

Gilbert & Roach Pty Ltd $178,773 Isuzu FSR140-260 cab chassis fitted with tilt/tip body

HCB Solar $200,381 Solar photovoltaic installation at the Gatehouse Building, Boolaroo

Hunter Wharf and Barge $169,550 Design and construction of a pontoon at Thomas H Halton Park, Croudace Bay

Hunter Wharf and Barge $258,500 Design and construction of a boat ramp at Toronto Lions Park, Toronto

JMK Excavations Pty Ltd $373,457 Civil works at Mullington Park

JNA Development Pty Ltd $650,079 Construction of a recreation room and barbeque facility at Belmont Pines Holiday Park

Mat Brown Building Pty Ltd $561,900 Upgrade works to the Landcare Resource Centre at Teralba - Stage 1.1

Metromix Quarries $828,824 Supply of pavement materials

Mullane Construction Plumbing Pty Ltd $290,720 Watermain relocation at The Boulevarde, Toronto

Newcastle Commercial Vehicles Pty Ltd $212,786 HINO FE1426 cab chassis with erosion control / dust suppression body

Newcastle Commercial Vehicles Pty Ltd $738,499 Mercedes Benz Econic cab chassis fitted with rear loading garbage compaction body

Origin Energy Electricity Limited $619,580 Supply of electricity to large sites

Rees Electrical Pty Limited $153,070 Lighting upgrade at No 2 Oval, Cardiff

Renworx Pty Ltd $450,505 Sportsfield renovation services

Robson Civil Projects Pty Ltd $3,885,996 Construction of new promenade, amenities and off leash dog park at Speers Point Park

Scape Constructions Pty Ltd $13,140,381 Construction of a recreation area at Cameron Park

Volvo Commercial Vehicles – Newcastle $1,819,966 Volvo FE cab chassis fitted with side loading garbage compaction body

WesTrac Equipment $201,700 Five Caterpillar CB24B rollers

Lake Macquarie City 90 Annual Report 2016-2017 financial position

Operating result before capital

Council has reported an operating Operating Result Before Capital surplus before capital revenue of $8.604 million. 20,000 Despite this surplus, Council’s financial resources remain under 15,000 pressure, often because of factors beyond our control, while the ability to generate sufficient revenues 10,000 to cover expenditure is limited by 0 legislative requirements. $'00 5,000 The seven-year special rate variation for Lake Macquarie City, approved by IPART in 2012, greatly assists Council 0 in overcoming financial challenges. 07/08 08/0909/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 Council’s Long-term Financial Plan -5,000 provides a 10-year blueprint for our continued financial stability. The plan forecasts an operating deficit in 2016-2017, and a return to surplus in 2017-2018.

Gross outstanding debt Gross Outstanding Debt The amount of gross outstanding debt remains manageable and affordable, with total outstanding 90,000 debt now at $84.7 million. The level of new borrowings in 2017 80,000 was $3.23 million, compared to 70,000 $1.868 million in 2016. The higher level of new external borrowings for 60,000 2017 was because of the purchase 50,000 of waste assets, however overall $'000 40,000 borrowings were less than originally anticipated due to the use of 30,000

Council’s unallocated reserves. 20,000 The level of debt remains affordable, 10,000 with Council’s debt service ratio remaining strong and within an 0 acceptable range. 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 As a result of restrictions placed on us by cost shifting and constraints on income, we are still experiencing increasing pressure to fund a significant amount of new capital term of our loans over recent years inter-generational equity, which works from loan borrowings. so that they more readily match the attempts to ensure that future lifecycle of the assets the funds are ratepayers pay for the use of capital In an attempt to reduce the used to acquire or build. This action initiatives by way of future loan short-term financial impact of our also supports the principle of payments. borrowings, we have increased the

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 91 Debt service ratio

The debt service ratio compares The debt serviceDebt Service ratio Ratiforo 2016-2017 Increasing demands placed on the net debt service cost (including was 3.49 per cent and, as can be Council to borrow additional funds principal repayments and interest) to seen from the below graph, the ratio to provide various levels of works operating revenue and is a relevant is in a downward trend and well demanded by our community may indicator of the affordability of an below the NSW Group 5 Councils well see this ratio increase over organisation’s11.00% debt position. average, indicating that current levels coming years. 9.00% of debt remain manageable. Council upper limit Debt Service Ratio 7.00%

5.00%

11.00%3.00% Council Council upper limit 9.001.00% % NSW Group 5 7.00-1.00%% Councils Average 07/0808/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17 5.00%

3.00% Council 1.00% NSW Group 5 -1.00% Councils Average 07/0808/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17

Unrestricted current ratio

The unrestricted current ratio is The unrestricted current ratio for a measure of the ability to satisfy 2016-2017 was 2.90:1, which is financial obligations in the short term considered satisfactory and indicates and is a ratio of current assets, less Council has no problem in meeting externally-restricted assets, divided all payments when they fall due. by current liabilities, less specific- purpose liabilities. Unrestricted Current Ratio

3.50

3.00 Unrestricted Current Ratio 2.50

2.00

3.501.50

3.001.00

2.500.50 Council

2.000.00 NSW Group 5 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17 Councils Average 1.50

1.00

0.50 Council

0.00 NSW Group 5 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17 Councils Average Lake Macquarie City 92 Annual Report 2016-2017

Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio

120.00%

100.00% Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio Council target ratio 80.00%

60.00% 120.00% 40.00% 100.00% 20.00% Council Council target ratio 80.00% 0.00% NSW Group 5 Councils Average 60.00% 07/0808/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17

40.00%

20.00% Council

0.00% NSW Group 5 07/0808/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17 Councils Average Debt Service Ratio

11.00%

9.00% Council upper limit

7.00%

5.00%

3.00% Council 1.00% NSW Group 5 -1.00% Councils Average 07/0808/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17

Unrestricted Current Ratio

3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50 Council

0.00 NSW Group 5 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17 Councils Average

Building and infrastructure renewals ratio

The building and infrastructure that we are replacing our assets at expend on asset maintenance and renewal ratio was 1.13 (113 per cent) a rate equal to or greater than the renewal. Over time, this strategy for 2016-2017 and was determined consumption of these assets. should see the trend of the above by dividing total asset renewals We are currently implementing graph continue to improve. (building and infrastructure) by the sophisticated Asset Management depreciation charge. A ratio of one Plans to ensure we get an optimum or greater (100 per cent) indicates return on each and every dollar we Building and Infrastructure Renewals Ratio

120.00%

100.00%

Council target ratio 80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00% Council

0.00% NSW Group 5 07/0808/09 09/1010/11 11/1212/13 13/1414/15 15/1616/17 Councils Average

(Data only available for last 9 years)

Internally restricted cash

The graph below shows the amounts restricted cash supports a number These funds are invested in of ‘internally restricted’ cash held by of different projects that have accordance with Councils’ Council over the past 10 years. been approved by Council which investment policy until the Internally restricted cash is funds are, for various reasons, awaiting expenditure is required. held by Council for specific future commencement at some time in the purposes as determined by the future. Council. Each balance of internally

Internally Restricted Cash

140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000 0

$'00 60,000

40,000

20,000

0 07/08 08/0909/10 10/1111/12 12/1313/14 14/1515/16 16/17

YEAR

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017 93 financial statements

You can find the complete version of Council’s audited Annual Financial Statements 2016-2017: online at lakemac.com.au/annual-reporting, or by phoning Council’s Customer Service Centre on 4921 0333.

Lake Macquarie City 94 Annual Report 2016-2017

Lake Macquarie City Annual Report 2016-2017

Lake Macquarie City Council 126-138 Main Road, SPEERS POINT NSW 2284 Box 1906 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310

(02) 4921 0333 [email protected] lakemac.com.au facebook.com/lakemaccity twitter.com/lakemac

Designed by Raelene Narraway, Graphic Designer Printed December 2017 on recycled paper by Lakemac Print (02) 4921 0510

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