CROYDON SHIRE COUNCIL Annual Report 2006 - 2007 Croydon Shire Council Annual Report 2006-2007 Contents Welcome & History of Local Government Pg 3 Mission Statement Pg 4 Shire Profile Pg 5 Mayor’s Report and Councillors Pg 6-9 Chief Executive Officer’s Report Pg 10 Shire Organisational Structure Pg 11 Croydon Shire Council Employees Pg 12-13 General Information Pg 13-19 National Competition Annual Report Commentary Pg 20 Community Financial Report Pg 21-22 Highlights of Shire Activities Pg 23-32 Financial Statements 2006/2007 Audit Certificate Management Certificate Mayor Corrie Pickering presenting the Young Sports Award as part of the Australia Day Celebrations. Croydon Shire Council Page 2 Annual Report 2006 – 2007 WELCOME Welcome to the Croydon Shire Council Annual Report 2006-2007. This document meets the Legislative requirements under the Local Government Act whilst at the same time giving readers a window view of the happenings, events and the people who are a part of this gulf savannah region of Far North Queensland. Please take this opportunity to read, consider and enjoy this report on the progress of the Shire of Croydon over the last twelve months. History of Local Government There have been four changes of Local Government in Croydon during its history. On 31 st December 1887, the Croydon Divisional Board was established. This became the Croydon Shire on 31 st March 1903. The Croydon Borough Council was established on 7 th April 1892. This became the Town of Croydon on 31 st March 1903. The Town Council was abolished on 19 th December 1908 after a life, with the Borough, of sixteen years. The Town Council was then absorbed with Croydon Shire. This covers 29,538 square kilometres, in which Croydon is now the only township. An exciting development for Croydon this year was when a Chinese Student visited to assist with the interpretation of the Chinese sandstone graves. Many of the Chinese who came to Croydon during the gold rush days came from the same area of China as the Student. Croydon Shire Council Page 3 Annual Report 2006 – 2007 Mission Statement To continually improve the quality of life for Shire residents through the provision of quality goods and services, and the continued broadening of the economic base of the Shire. Croydon Shire Council Page 4 Annual Report 2006 – 2007 Croydon Shire Council Profile Croydon Shire is located just south of the base of the Gulf of Carpentaria in Far North Queensland. The Shire is approximately 2,200 kilometres by road from the capital city of Brisbane. Encompassing an area of 29,538 square kilometres, it is approximately half the size of Tasmania and offers a unique and beautiful outback experience. The Croydon Shire Council sees the continued improvement of the quality of life and the provision of quality services to the Shire residents as its most important role followed closely by the continued broadening of the economic base of the Shire. Ultimately it is the economic viability of the Shire, which will assist with continual improvement of all aspects of life for the community. The Croydon Shire Council as a whole, elected representatives and administrative personnel, work vigorously to deliver positive outcomes for its constituents. The future of the Shire is well planned through the implementation of its five (5) year Corporate Planning process and the efficient delivery of its Annual Operational Plan. This process involves an annual survey conducted throughout the whole of the area, feedback and analysis of the information received, consideration and finally if deemed in the best interests of the community, adoption by the Council. The economy of the Shire remains based around the pastoral and services industries. Future prosperity is perceived to be linked to a burgeoning Mining Industry and the further development of a diverse Tourism experience, the economic benefits of which have lead to the Shire placing a strong emphasis on enhancing attractions and upgrading facilities. The Shire is renowned for its Outback hospitality, friendly welcoming residents, well maintained sport & recreational facilities and relaxed laid back atmosphere which is hugely attractive to weary travellers and visitors who wonder through the region. The township boasts many beautiful shady parks and streetscapes with free electric barbecues installed at the Brown Street playground complex and at the Lake Belmore recreational area to entice weary travellers to stop a while and enjoy the historic atmosphere. A quick drive around the town leads to an impressive array of facilities that have had shade structures and tables and chairs provided in an open invitation for locals and visitors to participate in a healthier lifestyle. The township has actively competed in the Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland Campaign for many years being deemed the third friendliest town in Queensland for 2006 and runner up to Toowoomba in the Tidiest Town in Queensland in 2007. This was a tremendous accomplishment for such a small remote community, which struggles with the challenges of a lack of economical development and its geographical isolation from all major centres especially those on the eastern seaboard. The Council & Community works hard to promote itself as an oasis in the outback with the result that many who once would not have contemplated stopping now see the improvements as a magnet drawing people to stay overnight and even longer to enjoy the leisurely, friendly outback savannah hospitality. With successful promotion an increasing number of individuals are visiting the Gulf Savannah Region for fishing, camping, researching their family’s history or riding on the historical Croydon to Normanton Gulflander Train, “the Tin Hare”. Croydon is a “must see” destination not to be missed on anyone’s travelling itinerary. Council acknowledges and is proud of its achievements and strives to build on this to provide a quality lifestyle to residents and an enjoyable stay and memorable experience to visitors. Croydon Shire Council Page 5 Annual Report 2006 – 2007 Croydon Shire Council is a Corporate Body consisting of five (5) elected members, the Mayor and four (4) Councillors. Mayor Deputy Mayor Corrie Pickering Trevor Pickering Councillors Eddie Garde Brian Knudsen Valmai Butler Chief Executive Officer William Kerwin Council Chambers Postal Address Samwell Street, Croydon Qld 4871 Children of Croydon participate in the annual Gulf Eisteddfod, PO Box 17, Croydon Qld 4871 which is held in the first quarter of the calendar year. Telephone Facsimile (07) 4745 6185 (07) 4745 6147 Email Website [email protected] www.croydonshire.com.au [email protected] Auditor KPMG, Level 13, Cairns Corporate Tower, 14 Lake Street, Cairns Qld 4870 Solicitors King and Company Solicitors, Level 7 Quay Central, 95 North Quay, Brisbane Qld 4001 MacDonnell’s Solicitors, Cnr Shields & Grafton Streets, Cairns Qld 4870 Financial Institutions Westpac Banking Corporation, Landsborough Street, Normanton Qld 4890 & Queensland Treasury Corporation, Level 14, 61 Mary Street, Brisbane Qld 4000 Croydon Shire Council Page 6 Annual Report 2006 – 2007 Message from the Mayor The past twelve months has certainly been full of shocks and surprises. Our year was nicely balanced with our works program, our political works with the Size, Shape and Sustainability, was going well and Council thought we had a good working relationship with both sides of Government. Like all other Queensland Councils, we were caught by surprise when on April 17th the State Government announced that a yet to be appointed commission would be overseeing the amalgamations or not of all Councils in Queensland and Size, Shape and Sustainability was cancelled. This heralded a three month period of uncertainty until we found we were not to be amalgamated. Due to the possible changes ahead for Councils, GSD was also closely examined with a view to changes. Council considered joining with CREDC for the purposes of sharing information and office space. Unfortunately CREDC was disbanded so we are again rethinking our options. Also in April, Council signed off on our second ILUA with the Tagalaka People and were invited to present at the Native Title Conference in Cairns in June. The Council completed the widening of the last section of the Croydon to Normanton road, which has completed that section of the Savannah Way as a two lane highway. Two of our Staff Members have become new mothers and another is due later in the year – Croydon is doing its bit to increase the population. Congratulations to our new mothers. Corrie Pickering Mayor Croydon Shire Members of the Croydon State Primary School Touch Football Team. Teams from other neighboring communities compete in Croydon annually at the Gulf Touch Football Carnival. Croydon Shire Council Page 7 Annual Report 2006 – 2007 ELECTED MEMBER PROFILES AND EARNINGS Mayor Corrie Pickering Elected: 1997 Occupation: Grazier Council Portfolio: Representative for Gulf Savannah Development Inc.; Disaster Management; Road Alliance Group; Northern Gulf Resources Management Group; Native Title; Landcare. Meetings Attended - Ordinary 9 - Special 2 Meetings/Conferences Attended - 26 Meeting Fees - $19,250-00 Mayoral Allowance - $ 7,116-65 Telephone Allowance - $ 600-00 Total - $26,966-65 Cr. Corrie Pickering Deputy Mayor Trevor Pickering Elected: 2000 Occupation: Earthmoving Contractor Council Portfolio: Sport & Recreation; Disaster Management Council Meetings Attended - Ordinary 9 - Special 2 Meetings/Conferences Attended -