DeliveryGunnedah Program 2013-2017 Shire and Operational Council Plan 2015/16 Contents Commentary 2 Mayors Introduction ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––2 General Managers Introduction –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––3 Understanding the Plan ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––4 How we Plan –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––4 Community Engagement ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––5 Elected Representatives –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––6 Our Organisation ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––7 Organisational Chart ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––8 Strategic Direction ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––9 How to Read the Delivery Program and Operational Plan –––––––––––––––––– 11 Financial Snapshot ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 15 Actions, Tasks and Performance Measure by Business Unit 17 General Manager –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 18 GM Management ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 18 Community Care ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 20 Customer and Community Relations –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 24 Human Resources ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 30 Saleyards –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 32 Business and Finance –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 34 Business Systems and Governance ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 42 Infrastructure Services ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 51 Infrastructure Management ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 51 Mapping, Assets, Design and Development ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 54 Public Facilities ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 59 Water and Sewer ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 72 Works –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 78 Planning and Environmental Services –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 99 Director Management ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 99 Building and Compliance ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––101 Community and Cultural Development ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––108 Development and Planning ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––119 Revenue Policy 124 Rating Classification Maps –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––141 Gunnedah Shire ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––142 Gunnedah –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––143 Breeza –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––144 Carroll ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––145 Curlewis –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––146 Emerald Hill/Kelvin –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––147 Mullaley––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––148 Tambar Springs ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––149 2015/16 Fees and Charges 150 Gunnedah Shire Council Delivery Program 2013-2017 and Operational Plan 2015/16 1 1. Mayor’s Introduction The priority set by the NSW State Government to Major projects that are to be undertaken in the 2015/16 review the role and function of local government year include the continuation of the Gunnedah Memorial through the ‘Fit for the Future’ reform has compelled Pool Complex Renewal Project, continuation of the Councils, large and small, to cast a critical eye over Blackjack Creek Flood Mitigation Project, finalisation their functions and services to find opportunities for of the Riverine Precinct development, investigations greater financial efficiency, service improvements into the Inclusive Playground development for and sustainable practices. For many Councils, the Gunnedah, investigations into establishing resource process of comprehensive self-evaluation in the wake sharing frameworks with other neighbouring councils of widespread change and reform is indeed a daunting and exploration into the establishment of a sister city task, however, for Gunnedah Shire and its community I relationship with the Linhe District, China. am pleased to state that the task is much less so. It is with whole hearted commitment to meeting Gunnedah Shire Council is well on the way to being the strategic vision of our community that I present “Fit for the Future”. In fact, we presently meet all the the combined 2013-17 Delivery Plan and 2015-16 indicators for a ‘fit’ council under the reform criteria. Of Operational Plan, inclusive of the annual budget and course, we will not rest at this and will strive for even Fees and Charges. The year ahead shows great more improvements. We will continue to build strong promise and along with my fellow councillors, I look relationships with our neighbouring councils. We will forward to delivering on our community’s vision for the continue to represent Gunnedah’s interests by actively Gunnedah Shire. being involved in the Namoi Regional Organisation of Councils and shaping the future of regional collaboration in local government. We will continue to shape Councillor Owen Hasler the future of our community by strengthening local MAYOR Government . We are now entering our third year in a four year delivery program, under the new Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework. To date, we have secured a number of significant and positive outcomes for our community and we are confident that in the year ahead, we will continue to work towards the realisation of our community’s vision for the Gunnedah Shire. Gunnedah Shire Council is well on the way to being “Fit for the Future”. Gunnedah Shire Council Delivery Program 2013-2017 and Operational Plan 2015/16 2 2. General Manager’s Introduction I am pleased to present the The State Government has advised that once a council Operational Plan for 2015/16. has demonstrated that it is fit for the future it will be provided benefits such as access to cheaper finance The Operational Plan, an essential component of and a streamlined process for varying rates outside of our Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework, rate pegging. describes the actions Council will take over the next 12 months to deliver on the community’s vision for our I am pleased to advise that Gunnedah Shire Council Shire. can already demonstrate that it is fit for the future against all of the criteria and benchmarks set under The consistent hard work of our staff, continuous the State’s Program. The Operational Plan and Delivery improvement of our processes, systems and Plan provides further detail on how Council will ensure it governance, and commitment to cost reduction by remains fit for the future over the next four years. management through greater efficiency has enabled Council to address considerable challenges in recent Council is making significant improvements to our years. This has been achieved whilst still ensuring productivity whilst we move closer to the vision we Council’s continued financial sustainability and the share with the community, as outlined in the Community ability to plan for growth and a positive future for our Strategic Plan. This Delivery Program and Operational community. Plan demonstrate our ongoing commitment to getting value for money and solid outcomes for the community Revenue raised through the special rate variation (SRV) of Gunnedah Shire. approved by IPART in June 2013 has enabled Council to maintain services and renew existing assets, as well as add to the Shire’s infrastructure where required. Eric Groth The SRV has also ensured Council is well placed to GENERAL MANAGER address the requirements under the State Government’s Local Government Reform Program, called “Fit For the Future”. Infrastructure projects budgeted for over the next 12 months include $4 million to commence the Memorial Pool renewal, $1.4m for Simpsons Bridge, $1m for unsealed rural road resheeting, $2.2m for rural road resealing, $1.3m for urban road renewal, $0.6m for new stormwater drainage, $0.5m to commence Blackjack Creek Flood Mitigation works, $0.6m for water mains renewal, $0.4m for kerb and gutter renewal, $1.8m to replace plant, and $8m to upgrade the Gunnedah sewerage treatment plant. Council is currently preparing its submission, required to be lodged by 30 June 2015, for the “Fit For the Future” Program. Under the program, Councils are required to review their position, make a submission in regard to whether they are fit for the future or present an improvement plan showing how they will become fit for the future, and then implement that plan. Gunnedah Shire Council Delivery Program 2013-2017 and Operational Plan 2015/16 3 3. Understanding HOW THE IP&R FRAMEWORK the Plan The Delivery Program 2013-2017, incorporating the WORKS! Operational Plan 2015-16, defines the actions Council will take towards achieving our community’s vision for our Shire. This vision is captured in the Community Strategic Plan 2012-2022. COMMUNITY PRIORITIES 4. How we Plan COMMUNITY Local Councils in NSW are required to undertake their STRATEGIC PLAN planning and reporting activities in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local