swan hill rural city council 2011/12 annual report welcome about our annual report Swan Hill Rural City Council is pleased to present its how to read our 2011/12 Annual Report which provides a detailed account of our performance from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. Documenting Council’s progress against the 2009-2013 annual report Council Plan, it highlights achievements and challenges This report is divided into nine parts for easy navigation. faced within key service areas and programs. Part one (Page 4) Council seeks to achieve community inclusiveness and an An overview of Council and the organisation, including our understanding of Council’s operations by conducting its profile, a snapshot of our performance, a financial affairs openly and with integrity, reflecting high levels of overview, messages from the Mayor and CEO and our good governance. organisational structure. This report provides information to a variety of audiences Part two (Page 16) including all community townships, businesses, Outlining Council’s social, economic and environmental ratepayers, Government agencies and other interested impacts. stakeholders. Part three (Page 18) Detailing how Council engages and supports our community. Part four (Page 28) Focuses on how Council promotes and pursues economic growth and development. acknowledgment Part five (Page 36) Information on how Council has actively worked to Swan Hill Rural City Council would like to acknowledge the manage our environment. elders both past and present and the peoples of the Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa, Wadi Wadi, Tati Tati and Part six (Page 40) the Latji Latji clans whose traditional lands form the Swan Council’s efforts to lead and govern our community. Hill Rural City Council municipality. Part seven (Page 46) Information on Council’s employees, including Occupational Health and Safety, Equal Opportunity and appreciating our staff. Part eight (Page 52) Governance and statutory information including decision making, risk management, benchmarking and accountability. Part nine (page 70) Details Council’s financial performance for 2011/12 | 2 | SHRCC Annual Report 2011/12 contents Our Vision, Mission and Values 4 Our Rural City Profile 5 Our performance at a glance 6 Year at a glance 8 A Message from the Mayor and CEO 10 Our Council 12 Our Executive Management Team 14 Our Organisation Structure 15 Sustainability 16 Sustainable Communities 18 Economic Growth 28 Environmental Management 36 Governance and Leadership 40 Our People 46 Corporate Governance 52 Appendices 65 Financial Performance 70 Understanding the Financial Statements 74 General Purpose Financial Statements 77 Standard Statements 126 Performance Statements 139 feedback Our Annual Report content is guided by Local Government regulations. If you would like to help us improve the way we report, please send your feedback via email to: [email protected] Alternatively, via post to: Chief Executive Officer Swan Hill Rural City Council PO Box 488 SWAN HILL VIC 3585 | 3 | part one our vision A vibrant community that displays growth and sustainability with a strong identity and confidence in a prosperous future by working together. our mission The Swan Hill Rural City Council will lead, work with, help and empower our communities to build our future together. 22,275 Our population our values 39 Achievement - Actively pursue outcomes for the Our median age community. Community Engagement - Ensuring our communities are engaged, informed and able to contribute to Council’s 6,103km decision-making process. Our area Leadership - Council will lead and develop leadership within our community. 3,484km Fairness - We will ensure that all members of the The length of our local roads community are treated equitably. Integrity - We act with integrity, honesty and in ways that reflect our values. 11,679 Our rateable properties Tolerance and Community Cohesion - Accepting, valuing and embracing the diversity of our community. Accountability - Being transparent in our decision- making, we welcome public scrutiny and community feedback. | 4 | SHRCC Annual Report 2011/12 our profile our history Home to just over 22,000 people, Swan Hill Rural City For thousands of years, the traditional owners of the lands Council covers about 6,000 square kilometres and offers that now form the Swan Hill Rural City Council - the its residents and visitors a mix of both rural and urban Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa, Wadi Wadi, Tati Tati and living. Latji Latji clans - lived in the region, with the land providing abundant food sources and a permanent water supply. Featuring a modern and thriving regional centre, the municipality also boasts the characteristics of rural living, In 1836, led by explorer Major Thomas Mitchell, the first including a strong community and relaxed lifestyle. Europeans arrived. Upon hearing positive reports about the area, the settlers started to arrive, establishing large Continued investment, as well as a strong focus on long- sheep stations next to the water of the Murray River. term growth and sustainability, remain as high priorities for Swan Hill Rural City Council. Setting a number of In 1871, the Shire of Swan Hill was proclaimed, and at the initiatives and targets to establish the foundations to time, was located in the town of Kerang (which now forms achieve this vision during the next 30 years, Council part of the Ganawarra Shire), while the Shire of Castle strives to shape our municipality to be the region of choice Donnington, created in 1893, was centred around the town to live, work, invest and visit. of Swan Hill. With more than 40 commercially-grown products including By 1904 the Castle Donnington Shire assumed the title of almonds, olives, stonefruit (nectarines, peaches and the Shire of Swan Hill and in 1939 the Borough of Swan plums), table and wine grapes, vegetables (carrots and Hill was formed. potatoes), cereals, legumes, lucerne, sheep, beef and dairy, it is easy to see why our municipality is an important In March 1965, the Borough became the City of Swan Hill part of Victoria’s food bowl. and 30 years later the Shire and the City were amalgamated forming the Swan Hill Rural City Council in Located along the Murray River, it’s not surprising that January 1995, which today includes the townships of tourism also plays an important role in our region’s Swan Hill, Robinvale, Lake Boga, Nyah, Nyah West, economy. Our Mediterranean climate and natural beauty Piangil, Woorinen, Ultima, Manangatang, Boundary Bend attracts about 237,000 domestic visitors each year, staying and Tresco. for a total of 674,000 nights and injecting $70 million into the local economy. Our municipality is also proud to be such a diverse region with over 40 nationalities among its communities and a population that is warm, welcoming and resilient. There is no denying that our residents have faced some tough times over the years, including years of ongoing drought only to be followed by a one in 100 year flood. Yet during those challenging times it has only seen our support networks strengthen. part one - Council overview | 5 | performance at a glance Strategic Objective Achievements Challenges Sustainable Communities Mobile Library review Rapid pace of Early Years reforms Harmony Day 2012 Review of Domestic Animal Nyah Community Centre Management Plan Review of user fees and charges Construction of Woorinen Skate Park with limited funds Youth space in Manangatang Implementation of Public Health and Wellbeing Plan Draft Early Years Strategic Plan developed Economic Growth Stage 2 of Swan Hill CBD Pacific Seasonal Workers Pilot redevelopment Scheme funding ceased Barry Steggall Park all abilities Refining design of Swan Hill playground Aerodrome Tower Hill Estate development Revised Developer Contributions Improving our township entrances Policy for South West Residential Precinct Highway Business Strategy completed Swan Hill Riverside Caravan Park development Swan Hill Clock Tower project Environmental Management Funding received for pest plants Pest plants and animals and animal control responsibility Resilience Action Strategy Green Lights funding cuts Development of Sustainable Water Unsuccessful funding for the Use Strategy Federal Government’s Community Review of Sustainable Water Use Energy Efficiency Program Plan New green waste service in Swan Hill Involving our youth in the environment Governance and Leadership Rates collection over 97% Redesign of Council’s newsletter Murray Darling Basin Plan New service agreement for Swan Swan Hill District Health funding Hill Regional Library Fire Services Property Levy Central Murray Regional Transport Cross border issues Study Difficulty in recruiting key staff New document output devices Roll out of Alfresco - Council’s new information storage network | 6 | SHRCC Annual Report 2011/12 * No comparative data for the State Government Community Satisfaction Survey results has been provided as the survey format was redesigned to meet the varying needs of all Councils across the State. The Year Ahead Community Satisfaction Results * Review of Reserves Masterplan Town Hall PACC major upgrade Family Day Care available in Manangatang 66 Community and cultural activities Stage 3 of Swan Hill CBD redevelopment Completion of Barry Steggall Park all abilities playground Potential air service from Swan Hill Aerodrome 50 Business and community development and tourism Implementation of the Resilience Action Strategy Further clarity regarding pest plants and animals