CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 27 June 2009 to 25 June 2010 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE About Cairns Regional Council’s 2009/10 Annual Report This report has been prepared in accordance with Chapter 7, Part 8 of the Local Government Act 1993 (The Act). Page i ANNUAL REPORT 2009/10 TABLE OF CONTENTS ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING CORPORATE AND OPERATIONAL PLANS...........1 COUNCILLORS' CODE OF CONDUCT ..................................................................................................................9 REMUNERATION AND SUPERANNUATION PARTICULARS.......................................................................... 10 COUNCILLOR ATTENDANCE AT COUNCIL MEETINGS................................................................................... 12 COMPETITIVE NEUTRALITY COMPLAINTS AND DECISIONS........................................................................ 17 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ............................................................................................................ 17 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS UNITS.......................................................................................................................22 CAIRNS WORKS .............................................................................................................................. 22 CAIRNS WATER AND WASTE ........................................................................................................... 29 LIST OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES......................................................................................................................... 40 BUILDING CERTIFICATION................................................................................................................................ 40 COMMUNITY FINANCIAL REPORT................................................................................................................... 41 CAPITAL WORKS HIGHLIGHTS ........................................................................................................................ 53 SPECIAL EXPENDITURE REPORTING CATEGORIES...................................................................................... 56 SPECIAL RATES AND CHARGES...................................................................................................................... 70 SUMMARY OF RATES REBATES AND CONCESSIONS.................................................................................. 73 SUMMARY OF COUNCIL’S BORROWING POLICY.......................................................................................... 76 ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTS WITH OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ............................................ 78 INVITATIONS TO TENDERERS TO CHANGE THEIR TENDERS ...................................................................... 78 INVITATIONS TO PROVIDE EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST............................................................................. 78 REGISTERS......................................................................................................................................................... 79 RESERVE LAND CONTROLLED BY COUNCIL.................................................................................................. 79 ROADS CONTROLLED BUT NOT OWNED BY COUNCIL................................................................................. 80 OTHER ISSUES RELEVANT TO MAKING AN INFORMED ASSESSMENT .................................................... 80 Page ii ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE IN IMPLEMENTING CORPORATE AND OPERATIONAL PLANS Local Government Act 1993 s.533 …a local government’s annual report must contain an assessment of its performance in implementing its corporate and operational plans.… The Corporate Plan 2009/14 was adopted at Councils’ Special Meeting held on 29th June 2009. This document provides the strategic direction for all activities to be undertaken by Council and its commercial business units. Utilising the Corporate Plan 2009/14 as the principal planning document, the key services and projects to be delivered for the financial year were established in the 2009/2010 Operational Plan. Reports are presented to the monthly Committee meetings enabling Council to review and assess the progress of the Operational Plan. In addition quarterly reviews of Capital and Operational Budgets are reported to Council and workshops conducted as required. A consolidated review is presented to Council, quarterly, which references implemented and completed activities for the preceding three month period against the Corporate Plan Goals and Objectives. This review also includes capital works that have been completed in that period. A summary of achievements against the Corporate Plan appears below and copies of these plans and reports may be obtained by accessing Council’s website at www.cairns.qld.gov.au. Objectives Outcomes 1.1 Deliver improved management of the Cattana Wetlands – Stage 1. Officially opened region’s natural resources and biological on December 6, 2009. diversity for sustainability and ecosystem Green Choice program - recruitment, induction health. and project plans completed for Douglas, Stratford, Gordonvale, Cattana and Red Arrow realignment 1.2 Achieve greater recognition of the natural Work was undertaken on the Daintree environment as an integral part of the Vegetation Preservation Area proposal region’s identity and fundamental to quality of life. 1.3 Provide strong community leadership Energy emissions audit and draft action plan through the adoption, maintenance and completed. promotion of coordinated environmental Reef Guardian Council Action Plan completed frameworks with stakeholders. as part of MOU with GBRMPA. Council has continued involvement with energy wise schools program. 1.4 Further improve the treatment, recycling Waste Management Strategy was adopted by and disposal of household and commercial Council 9 December 2009. waste. 1.5 Further improve the treatment of Construction for the four treatment plants being wastewater to minimise its impact on the upgraded under the Cleaner Seas project was environment. completed and commissioning commenced. Planning for Mossman treatment plant upgrade underway. 1.6 Further improve the management of Lake Placid / Caravonica / Kamerunga Flood stormwater to reduce disruption and Mitigation Scheme completed and stage one of damage to the community and natural CBD Flood Mitigation Scheme became environment caused by polluted operational. stormwater and flooding. Improve flood immunity was achieved for areas of Edge Hill, Manunda and Manoora. Page 1 Objectives Outcomes 1.7 Deliver more environmentally sustainable Project plan was developed, a consultancy Council operations and facilities. awarded and internal workshops conducted for the Sustainability Scorecard project. Council’s paper smart strategy was adopted. 2010/11 Departmental Capital Works submissions process was modified to achieve alignment with Council’s sustainability targets. 1.8 Actively reduce Council’s greenhouse gas Greenhouse gas emissions inventory was emissions. completed and Council adopted a carbon reduction policy. Energy emissions goals were adopted to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020 with a 50% emissions reduction on 2007/08 levels by 2020. Planning commenced on the closure plan for Portsmith landfill and an energy emissions data management project. 1.9 Implement relevant legislation and local Local laws Approved Inspection Program was laws. conducted. A Micro-chipping program was undertaken in conjunction with the RSPCA and local veterinarian. Program commenced to implement new requirements under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 Worked commenced to address Unlicensed Programs - Flammable & Combustible Liquids Licensing (DGSM Act) Mossman and Environmentally Relevant Activities (EP Act) in Cairns & Mossman. High Risk Audit Program was undertaken for Environmentally Relevant Activities (EP Act) ERA Compliance Inspections were undertaken. Food safety accreditation programs for caters, private hospitals and vulnerable populations under the Food Act 2006 were conducted. Officers have continued to prepare for the introduction of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. Page 2 Objectives Outcomes 2.1 Implement a more comprehensive and Further extensions were made to Council's coordinated approach to community health CCTV network, including installations City and safety. Library. A community safety patrol program was implemented for the West Cairns area. Street lighting was significantly improved throughout the CBD and through City Place. Lighting improvements were installed at McLeod Street, Shields Street, City Place, Grafton Street and Hartley Street East. City Safe Security Patrol tenders was awarded and lighting has also been improved at Dillon Street and Glenoma Park Council continued to support the cross- Government and agency efforts to resolve homelessness issues in the local government area. Council was successful in securing funding for the construction of the Cairns Local Disaster Coordination Centre at Woree, with construction underway. 2.2 Improve the quality and opportunities for Council completed a Parks and Recreation use of public space across the region. Strategy to guide developments over the next 5 years. Cattana Wetlands development was officially opened to the public. The Port Douglas Waterfront Masterplan was completed. The Cairns Cultural Precinct project has received funding endorsements from Federal and State Governments and will deliver greater opportunities