2017/2018 ANNUAL REPORT Table of CONTENTS MAYOR’S MESSAGE ......................................................... 3 CEO’S MESSAGE ................................................................ 4 OUR ORGANISATION ..................................................... 5 LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY ...................................27 PROMOTING PROSPERITY ....................................... 43 OUR STREETS + PLACES .............................................53 KEEPING THINGS CLEAN + GREEN ........................61 GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE ..................................71 APPENDIX 1 ..........................................................................78 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2017/18 APPENDIX 2 .......................................................................127 LIMESTONE COAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 2 Rainbow Van - Caroline Hammat MAYOR’S MESSAGE I am pleased to present the However, despite the 2017/18 Annual Report for Commonwealth Government the Wattle Range Council. offering $9 million towards The report provides details of completing the final stage of Council’s activities throughout the bypass, the former State the year. Government would not commit the additional funding to complete the Council has taken a conservative project. Given a commitment by the and fiscally responsible approach new Government to complete the to raising rates while also delivering bypass, Council expects funding services to our communities. In to be forthcoming in the upcoming doing so, Council applied a modest State budget to finally finish the 0.5 per cent increase in total rate project that will provide a safer revenue. traffic environment for locals and Finally, I would like to personally This was one of the lowest council visitors alike. thank CEO Ben Gower and rate increases across the State. As Council continues to recognise the Executive Assistant Catherine a comparison, the rateable amount need to invest in our communities, Allen for their support and advice of the average residential property whether it’s through sporting throughout the year. is the third lowest in the entire and community grants, parks Limestone Coast. and gardens enhancements and I commend the 2017/18 Annual Report to you. Council continues to oppose State infrastructure investment. All make Government moves to shift costs Wattle Range a better place to live, to our ratepayers. This year, the work and do business. Peter Gandolfi State Government transferred Many projects and events MAYOR former Housing Trust properties wouldn’t be possible without the to a community housing authority. fantastic support of our volunteer As a result, Wattle Range Council community. Volunteers are part of ratepayers are now required to our social fabric and, through their provide a State Government involvement and commitment to our mandated $90,000 subsidy for community, we are stronger for it. these properties through a 75 On behalf of Council, I thank you all. per cent rebate on rates. Most of the transferred properties only The delivery of services by Wattle attract $150 in rates per annum – Range Council would not be unreasonably low. possible without the work done by Council employees. From our We hope that with the change in grader drivers, administration State Government this year, that and early learning centre staff to cost shifting to ratepayers from the management, all provide a valued State Government will be reversed service to our communities. and that vital infrastructure projects will be funded by the Government such as the completion of the Penola bypass. The bypass has been a matter of debate for decades. Council has completed the acquisition of the entire corridor and the first stage of the bypass has been built. 3 CEO’S MESSAGE Council has continued to invest We have a very diverse Council area in the Wattle Range community with each individual town having throughout the 2017/18 financial unique needs and priorities. We will year in line with our Strategic continue to listen to the voice of Plan. these communities through open and constructive consultation and An increased focus on a range of make a concerted effort to improve community infrastructure initiatives their liveability in a financially has delivered over 90 capital responsible way. projects throughout the course of the year. We have continued to All of this work is underpinned by pursue greater efficiencies through our vision to make Wattle Range a innovation, the use of emerging great place to live and work – an technologies, our procurement objective that will continue to guide activities, and the streamlining of all of our future decision making. our processes and procedures. The Council has been in a sound We are now able to measure how financial position for the last we are performing against a range couple of years, which has enabled of key performance indicators in us to improve the infrastructure near real time, which in turn enables and services we provide to the us to make more informed and community without a significant timely decisions. This also enables increase in rates. us to prioritise our finite resources We were able to fund all of this towards those areas that need years projects and services with just them the most. a half a percent increase in rate One example is the Gladys Smith revenue whilst still maintaining a Early Learning Centre which has healthy surplus. Our net debt is low experienced a significant turn and all of our key financial indicators around after implementing a range suggest we are performing in of performance enhancements, and a financially sustainable and this facility is now close to being fully responsible way. self-funded. I would also like to personally thank Council staff upgraded Wandillo the Mayor, Elected Members and Forest Road at a fraction of the staff for all of their support and cost of the external quotes that guidance throughout the year, were received, and there are many as well as the many individuals, other examples where we have businesses, clubs and associations been able to provide high quality that make up this wonderful outcomes for our communities at community. a very cost effective price. We have another busy year ahead We continue to review services of us, and I look forward to working across the full range of Council with you all again to make Wattle activities to ensure we are delivering Range a great place to live value for money for our residents. and work. We also continued our work with communities on the development Ben Gower of individual Town Plans to identify CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER future investment needs. These plans will be used to develop future budgets that will be aligned to the long term priorities and issues that have been identified for each of our 13 townships. 4 Salmon Hole - Graeme Mellor OUR ORGANISATION Section CONTENTS HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT OUR COUNCIL .........................................................6 ELECTED MEMBERS .......................................................... 8-9 MEETINGS AND COUNCIL MEETINGS .......................................................... 10 GATHERINGS COUNCIL COMMITTEES ................................................... 10 28 of Council CORPORATE STRUCTURE ................................................12 HUMAN RESOURCES ...........................................................13 COMMUNICATIONS + MEDIA ........................................15 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ............................................17 127 STRATEGIC PLAN 2018-2021 ..........................................21 Employees ACHIEVEMENTSStrategic Plan Website HITS ORGANISATIONAL EXCELLENCE A great place to work where 107,740 innovation and efficiency is expected and customers are our focus. STRATEGIES .........................................6 642 ACTIONS .............................................36 COMPLETED .......................................4 After Hours Calls TO 24/7 CALL CENTRE BENCHMARK COMPLETION PERCENTAGE 25% COMPLETED 38.89% OPERATINGCouncil’s SURPLUS PERCENTAGE YET TO BE COMPLETED $3.46 MILLION 61.11% 5 ABOUT OUR COUNCIL Wattle Range Council was formed on 1st July 1997 following an amalgamation between the former District Councils of Beachport, Millicent and Penola. The Council extends from the Coast to the Victorian Border incorporating the seaside towns of Beachport and Southend extending inland to Millicent as the major service centre and easterly across to the historic town of Penola and world renowned wine region of Coonawarra. Wattle Range Council is one of the most diverse and productive rural areas in South Australia. The Council comprises 13 townships, covers an area of 394,602 hectares and is home to 11,981 residents. WARD STRUCTURE In For The Day - Sandi Spink 6 Our ORGANISATION GENERAL INFORMATION TOTAL COUNCIL AREA 394,602 HA TOTAL PROPERTIES 9, 74 4 RATEABLE PROPERTIES 8,969 NON RATEABLE PROPERTIES 775 CAPITAL VALUE OF PROPERTIES 3,139 ($MIL) AS AT 1ST JULY 2017 TOTAL ROADS 2,443 KM ROADS SEALED ROADS UNSEALED ESTIMATED POPULATION 547 KM 1,896 KM 11,981 AS AT 30TH JUNE 2017 SOURCE: SA LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS COMMISSION 7 OUR VISION + CORE VALUES VISION “Wattle Range - a great place to live and work.” TRUST Trust is the glue that binds us all together as a community. Doing what we say we are going to do and being honest and transparent in both our intentions and actions helps build trusted relationships. TEAMWORK Teamwork is the cornerstone of high performing organisations, embracing the diversity of thoughts and experiences