TABLE OF CONTENTS Shire Location 3 Mayor’s Report 4 Acting CEO’s Foreword 6 Councillor Profiles 8 Organisational Structure 13 Service Highlights 14 Victorian Local Sustainability Accord 14 Cities for Climate Protection 14 Eco Buy 14 Revegetation of Woollen Rises Quarry 14 The Buloke Biolink Project 14 Landcare 15 Recreation 16 Aquatic Facility Management 16 Playgrounds 17 Council Buildings/Property Management 18 Statutory and Strategic Land Use Planning 18 Building Control 19 Food Safety 19 Food Safety Programs 19 Infectious Disease 19 Immunisations 20 Gardasil 20 Tobacco Education and Enforcement Activity 20 Septic Tank Inspection 20 Plant and Fleet Management 20 Local Roads Management 21 Sealed Road Service Standards 21 Gravel Road Service Standards 21 Earth Formed and Paddock Access Roads 21 Associated Road Assets 21 Local Roads Rehabilitation 22 Local Roads and Town Streets Resealing Programs 22 Local Gravel Roads Re-sheeting Program 22 Local Sealed Roads Gravel Shoulder Re-sheeting Program 22 Local Roads Maintenance 22 Waste Management 22 Landfill Site Rehabilitation 23 Gravel Pit Restoration 23 Aerodromes 23 Transport Connections Project 23 Local Laws and Fire Prevention 23 Home Care Services 23 Delivered Meals 24 Personal Care 24 General Home Care 24 Property Maintenance 24 Respite Care 24 Buloke Shire Council 2006/2007 Annual Report 1 Volunteer Coordination 25 Community Aged Care Packages 25 Youth Services Officer 26 Youth Groups 26 FreeZA 26 Transition to Work 26 Networking/Partnerships 26 Economic Development 27 Urban Rural Friendship Alliance 29 Human Resources 29 Work Cover Claims 29 Work Cover Premiums 29 Risk Management 30 OH&S Committee 30 Information Available for Inspection 31 Freedom of Information Statement 32 Equal Opportunity Policy Statement 33 Best Value Statement 34 Employee Statistics 35 National Competition Policy Statement 36 Grants and Donations 37 Memberships 38 Performance Indicators 39 Community Satisfaction Survey 40 Council Contacts 41 Financial Statements 42 Comparison Report 43 Notes to Financial Report 51 Certification of Standard Statements 52 Financial Statements 54 Notes to Financial Report 5 Introduction to the Performance Statement 5 Certification of Performance Statement 41 Certification of Financial Statement Auditor General’s Report Buloke Shire Council 2006/2007 Annual Report 2 SHIRE LOCATION The Buloke Shire is located in north-west Victoria on the eastern edge of the Wimmera plains and southern Mallee, 300 km from Melbourne. It occupies an area of 8,000 square kilometres with a population of 6981 people – less than one person per square kilometre. The main townships within the Shire are: Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Sea Lake and Wycheproof. Agriculture, specifically grain production, is the primary source of income and employment in the area. Other forms of farming, education, retail, community service sectors and light industry also provide employment and income. Buloke Shire Council 2006/2007 Annual Report 3 MAYOR’S REPORT It is a surprisingly difficult task to look back over a twelve month period and select just a few of the many events and happenings that have occurred to highlight in the Annual Report. With a terrible 2006 behind us I think we all looked forward with optimism to this season. The 2007 season appeared to be one of the most promising, with a terrific start and above average commodity prices. Council has always considered itself to be in drought recovery and the development and implementation of actions to address the economic, social and community consequences of the continuing situation have dominated discussion with other levels of government, within the Council itself and within the community. The situation is such that it is inconsequential whether as individuals we believe in climate change or not. The reality is that weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable and have an ongoing impact on everything we do. Council is grateful to the extensive financial support the Federal Government and State Government have given Buloke during this period. Without this support, the Buloke community would have felt the impact of the drought conditions much more than they have. Council is also grateful to the support provided by local health services, not-for-profit organisations, peak bodies, service clubs and community based organisations. As I indicated in my introductory comments to the 2005-2006 Annual Report, tough times in Buloke always brings out the best in the community. In the face of continuing drought conditions, increased water shortages, very difficult economic circumstances and some tragic local incidents involving young people the Buloke community has continued to demonstrate its compassion, resilience and inner strength. This is what makes living in Buloke and representing the community at a Councillor level such as privilege. My Councillor colleagues and I are always proud to say we come from Buloke. Proud of what the Buloke community has achieved and proud of the way it works together irrespective of the circumstances that occur. A particular highlight of the last year has been the continuing maturity of the Friendship Alliance between Buloke and the City of Hobsons Bay. The growth of this relationship has resulted in community organisations across the Shire strengthening ties with similar organisations in Hobsons Bay. Organisations from Hobsons Bay have supported festivals and events in Buloke, promoted Buloke based businesses in Hobsons Bay, financially assisted local community groups and provided sponsorship to a wide range of events and activities. There can be no doubt that the Friendship Alliance will continue to grow in strength in future years. 2006/07 has seen the maturing of Council’s commitment to Community Planning. Over the next 12 months each community within the Shire will be given the opportunity to develop, and/or update its community plan in a manner that suits that community. Community planning is already strongly embraced across the Shire. The funding Council has received to enhance this process will ensure more people embrace the opportunity to participate and help shape the future of their township/locality and the Shire as a whole. It is also appropriate in the context of this report that I comment on the Council decision to bring forward the date on which the employment contract with the previous Chief Executive Officer was concluded. The decision, in mid November 2006, to take this action was not unanimous and created a divide in Council and the community that continued for some months. Whether seen as a poor decision, or a good decision, the action taken did lead to Council reviewing a number of governance procedures. Actions taken subsequent to this decision have included improvements to meeting procedures, the creation of new opportunities for community consultation and changes to the relationship between Councillors and the incumbent CEO. Buloke Shire Council 2006/2007 Annual Report 4 I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the long hours that all of my Councillor colleagues put into their role as a Councillor of the Shire of Buloke. As well as their duties as local representatives, Councillors are active participants in local, regional, statewide and sometimes national working parties on a wide range of matters affecting Buloke. As representatives of the Buloke community Councillors represent local interests in matters as diverse as Rail Freight, Saleyards Management, Waste Disposal, Catchment Management, Children’s Services, Highway Improvements, Community Safety, Library Services, Environmental Management, Heritage, Health Services, Youth Services, Aged Services and Emergency Management just to name a few of the meetings and forums Councillors regularly attend. For a small Shire, Buloke has a BIG heart. This is reflected in the community spirit which is so evident in everything that happens in Buloke. Everyone works together and everyone puts in, this is the Buloke way. Cr Reid Mather Mayor, Buloke Shire Council Buloke Shire Council 2006/2007 Annual Report 5 ACTING CEO’S FOREWORD 2006/2007 has been a year for the council to focus on ‘getting the fundamentals right’. It has been a period of significant change, both for the organisation and for the future of our Shire. At the organisational level budget processes have been reviewed, new financial reporting requirements introduced, governance procedures overhauled, new opportunities for community consultation instigated, community planning initiated and changes made to the management structure of the Council organisation. In addition, from an operational viewpoint there have been a number of successful achievements including initiation of an after hours emergency response capability, improvements to animal control services, improved completion of capital works, employment of a full time youth officer, employment of a full time community building facilitator, preparation of a new environmental local law, construction of a new Children’s Services centre at Sea Lake, investment in new storm-water harvesting projects, winterisation of swimming pools to save water and a review of road maintenance practices too identify just a few highlights. A review of Council’s Meeting Local Law was also completed during the course of the year resulting in revised meeting procedures, including the introduction of provisions for questions from the public and questions from Councillors. The new procedures have also resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of items