EYRE PENINSULA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION Minutes of the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association Board Meetingheld at Whyalla Regional Development Australia Board Room, 127 Nicholson Avenue, WhyallaNorrie on Friday7th December 2012, commencing at 10.30am. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Julie Low (Chair) President, EPLGA Roger Nield Mayor, District Council of Cleve Eddie Elleway Mayor, District Council of Franklin Harbour Tim Scholz Chairperson, Wudinna District Council Pat Clark Chairperson, District Council of Elliston Bruce Green Mayor, City of Port Lincoln Jim Pollock Mayor, City of Whyalla John Schaefer Mayor, District Council of Kimba Laurie Collins Mayor, District Council of Tumby Bay GUESTS / OBSERVERS Faye Davis Councillor, City of Port Lincoln Adam Gray Director, LGA SA Merton Hodge Councillor, Whyalla City Council Kevin May Region 6 Commander, CFS Richard Bingham Ombudsman SA Jodie Jones District Council of Cleve Peter Arnold CEO, District Council of Cleve Murray Mason Deputy Mayor, District Council of Tumby Bay Tony Irvine CEO, District Council of Tumby Bay Andrea Jorgensen Chief Project Officer, DPTI Donna Ferretti DPTI Terry Barnes CEO, District Council of Franklin Harbour Gavin Jackson D/Mayor, District Council of Franklin Harbour Peter Peppin CEO, City of Whyalla Deb Larwood A/CEO, District Council of Kimba Annie Lane Eyre Peninsula NRM Dean Johnson Deputy Mayor, District Council of Kimba Peter Hall DMITRE Josh Zugger Electranet Scott Haynes Electranet Rod Pearson CEO, District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula Diana Laube Executive Officer, EPLGA Tamara Humenick Minute Taker 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Welcome/Apologies Julie Low welcomed Board Members, Council representatives and guests. Apologies were received from: Stephen Marlow Mining Alliance Lachlan Miller CEO, District Council of Streaky Bay Rob Stephens Mayor, District Council of Streaky Bay DeanWhitford D/Mayor, District Council of Streaky Bay AllanSuter Mayor, District Council of Ceduna Geoff Moffatt CEO, District Council of Ceduna Rowan Ramsay Member for Grey Stephen Griffiths Member for Goyder, Shadow Minister State/LG Relations Michael Barry Office for State Local Govt Relations Mick Petrovski Director, Office for State/Local Government Relations Alan McGuire CEO, Wudinna District Council N:\STAFF\EPLGA\EPLGA Minutes\2012\Eplgaboardmtg-7Dec2012.Docx Neville Scholz D/Chair, Wudinna District Council Kym Callaghan D/Chair, District Council of Elliston PaulPedler D/Mayor, District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula Steve Kerrigan District Council of Elliston Mayor Jim Pollock gave a warm welcome from the City of Whyalla to Board Members and visitors. Mayor Pollock gave a brief overview of what has been happening in the City of Whyalla including the recent storm which caused excessive damage, the ElectraNet Power Sub-station, the Port nearing completion, the hospital upgrade and the BHP release. Mayor Low indicated to the floor that it is Diana’s last meeting and she will be on leave until a new EO is appointed. 1.2 Minutes of Previous Meeting 252/12 Moved Mayor Nield, seconded Pat Callaghan that the minutes of the Board Meeting of the EPLGA held in Port Lincoln on Friday 14th September2012 be adopted as a true and correct record of that meeting. CARRIED 2. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 2.1 NRM Issue Paper – June and September meetings The NRM Issue Paper was sent to the Minister who has made a comment via the Port Lincoln Times indicating that the ELGA is misguided. Diana added about the community connections meeting by DENR where there was opportunity to speak with Landcare and Coastcare. EPLGA have raised concerns that have been raised right around the state so these issues are back on the agenda with the LGA. A reply from the Minister arrived yesterday and Chairman Scholz indicated there was nothing new expressed. 2.2 Executive Officer Recruitment Mayor Low advised the Board that interviews for the EO position will occur Wednesday 12th December and CEOs will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible. In addition, EPLGA have received written confirmation that the LGA will fund the outreach component of the position. There was general discussion. 2.3 RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Funding Agreement Mayor Pollock indicated RDAWEP are continuing lobbying for State funding to be reconsidered and Council are not expected to cover costs due to the cut at this stage. The seven SA Regional RDAs have come together to address the issue of funding. A SAROC analysis endorsed by the State Executive to look at the impact of not having RDA in the regions will be conducted. Bruce Green raised a question regarding continuation of RDAWEP business and when the need for funding will arise. RDA WEP can continue to run into 2013 however they need funding guaranteed as soon as possible. Michael O’Neil (SA Centre for Economic Studies) has been commissioned to complete the study on the impact of loss of RDA. Work has been done to press the value of Regional Development Boardsinthe regions. Mayor Collins asked about the expanded role of EPLGA and whether there was consideration of taking on some of the functions of RDA. There is no such plan currently. 2.4 Road Strategy Review (tabled as item 2.7 in Agenda) EPLGA are working out the Eyre Peninsula Road Strategy which has not had a major review in 10 years. 253/12 Moved Jim Pollock, seconded Laurie Collins that the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association endorses the signing and sealing of the Contract and Work Specification with SMEC Australia Pty Ltd of Level 3, 190 Flinders Street, Adelaide for the development of the Eyre Peninsula Regional Roads Strategy. The agreed contract price is $32,426. N:\STAFF\EPLGA\EPLGA Minutes\2012\Eplgaboardmtg-7Dec2012.Docx CARRIED 2.5 Combined Forum with Central Region (2.8 in Agenda) The combined forum is set for April. A firm commitment from politicians can only be given closer to the date. Diana will be talking to Anita on this topic next week. Mayor Green asked if this will be the day before or after the LGA conference. It will be the afternoon prior to the LGA conference in Adelaide when many members are already assembled. 3. GENERAL REPORTS 3.1 President’s Report – Mayor Julie Low Mayor Low reported on her calendar events over the past months inclusive of SAROC and LGA State Executive meetings in September and November, President’s dinner, EP Integrated Climate Change meeting, Regional Communities Consultative Committee meeting, Kimba airstrip opening ceremony, DEWNR Engagement meeting and the LGA Conference and AGM. The President’s report included information on Starr Consultants meeting with three councils to produce a Shared Service draft report as a model to work together for the benefit of the region. An update on progress of the EO recruitment process was given with gratitude expressed to Diana Laube for her invaluable contributions to EPLGA and assisting in her role replacement. Councils will be advised of the outcome following interviews next week. 3.2 Executive Officer’s Report – Diana Laube (included in agenda) Diana highlighted in the EO report in regard to video conferencing and suggested Councils give consideration to setting up this facility. LGA has gone to tender regarding the set up. The idea is to have a South Australian network between Councils so they can communicate with each other and with Adelaide Departments. Diana indicated that the cost is around $1500 per month per station however this would cut costs of staff travelling and spending time away from the region. Bruce Green asked Diana to draft a recommendation to initiate the video conferencing. It is on the LGA agenda and Diana asked members to look at anything that comes out regarding the feature. There was brief discussion about Diana’ suggestion that Councils may like to review their Board Member in light of the expected changed focus for EPLGA operations. Alf Brinkman has passed away which has affected the Cleve community as he was their Works Manager for a period of time. Diana acknowledged Mr Brinkman’s contributions to the region. 3.3 Local Government Association of SA Adam Gray presented his report to members and elaborated on the report content with contact details contained in relevance to each section of the report. Councils who have positive experiences around community engagement that would raise the profile of Local Government were encouraged to submit their stories. Mayor Collins raised concern about workforce planning for Councils who are losing required positions due to retirement. In particular, Mayor Collins raised issues in relation to the imminent retirement of most of the Building Staff around the region. The response was services would possibly go out to tender. Donna Ferretti suggested conversing with Uni SA on this issue. Mayor Nield asked a question on waste management looking at lower input for smaller councils with transport costs going through the roof in regional SA. Adam acknowledged the issue and will raise with LGA SA. Mayor Green asked about the agreement between Whyalla and EPA in regard to Environmental Nuisance. Whyalla indicated nuisance complaints are being better addressed with Council administering investigations. 3.4 Office of State/Local Government Relations N:\STAFF\EPLGA\EPLGA Minutes\2012\Eplgaboardmtg-7Dec2012.Docx A brief report was given on the Planning SA Draft Consultation and the possibility of a sustainability funding meeting in the region. Local Government to be informed. 3.5 Regional Development Australia – Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Inc Alex Todd presented a brief summary on RDAWEP ventures with the major focus on funding and Grant Submissions. Alex indicated Michael O’Neil will be completing a review of South Australia’s seven regional RDAs looking at performance indicators and the future role going forward with focus on structure, service delivery and budget processes. Surveys have been sent out to RDA Chairs, Councils and CEO’s regarding the role of Regional Development in the regions.