ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 CONTENTS Introduction _________________________________4 Community Grants _________________________ 13 WTA Chair Report ____________________________5 Animal Education Program _________________ 14 WTA CEO Report ____________________________6 2018 Australia Day ________________________ 15 Planning ____________________________________7 Disaster Management ______________________ 16 WTA Organisational Structure ________________8 Weipa’s 50th Celebration ___________________ 17 WTA Meetings _______________________________9 Community Activities _______________________ 19 WTA Member Attendance ___________________ 10 Community Financial Report ________________ 22 Member Remuneration _____________________ 11 2017-18 Capital Additions __________________ 28 Community Requests and Complaints ________ 12 2017-18 Audited Financial Statements _______ 33 MagiQ Software ___________________________ 12 WEIPA TOWN AUTHORITY • ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 3 Contents INTRODUCTION Weipa is a vibrant, sustainable coastal WTA Vision community of approximately 4,000 To create a diverse, connected and sustainable residents, located at Albatross Bay on the community, the hub of our unique Cape lifestyle. west coast of Cape York Peninsula, in the Gulf of Carpentaria. WTA Mission The township sits around 200km from Australia’s The WTA’s mission is to deliver strong, accountable northern tip and about 800km from Cairns by road (or and inclusive leadership that meets the needs of the 1.5 hours flying time by air). Despite the distance from community through: other major cities, the Weipa Township serves as the • Generating opportunities for economic regional hub for the Western Cape York Region and development contains all the facilities and conveniences of modern • Delivering high quality municipal infrastructure and living. services Rich in both natural beauty and cultural heritage, • Providing open and transparent governance this region features stunning beaches, unspoiled • Creating and leveraging partnerships with the wilderness and unrivaled fishing making Weipa the community including the traditional owners of the ideal base to explore the Cape’s many attractions. It land. is home to a number of different Traditional Owner groups, each contributing to the unique diversity of the area. The Weipa Township is located on the traditional lands of the Alngith people. The Weipa Town Authority (WTA) vision and mission statement continue to define the overall objectives and guide the day-to-day performance and priorities of the WTA Team. 4 WEIPA TOWN AUTHORITY • ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 Introduction WTA CHAIR REPORT I believe the value of this Annual Report for Those of us who have lived here for some time cannot the people of Weipa cannot be understated. help but notice the changes to our weather patterns and the level of unpredictability that now accompanies It is one of the tools we use to inform the community our wet. We as a community need to continually adapt on the performance of the WTA. Building on the the way we do things to offset some of those impacts, previous 2016/17 Annual Report I am pleased to now and to continue to keep our community a great place present the 2017/18 Annual Report and I acknowledge to live. The WTA is investigating ways to make better the hard work and dedication of the staff at the Weipa use of our green belts, parks and open spaces so that Town Authority in preparing this report. they are cooler and greener. We are working towards Like all communities we have ageing essential becoming more energy and water efficient and to see infrastructure that needs to be continually repaired or any future developments reflect this in the planning replaced so that these essential services can continue phase. to be provided. At the same time, we endeavor to The future for Weipa and our region is very optimistic provide services and activities that support the and I look forward to continue working with the amenity and unique lifestyle that we enjoy living here. community to make sure that we benefit from any As I have mentioned at many forums the ongoing opportunities that come our way. conversation with the State Government, Rio Tinto and the Weipa Town Authority about the governance of the community continues. Michael Rowland Weipa Town Authority Chair With the projects being delivered by the Rio Tinto Liveability Project Team like the Sports Complex and the Kumrumja Centre and others this will add to the venues available for the community to use. I do not feel that anybody has fully comprehended yet the opportunities that the sealing of the Peninsula Development Road is going to have for Cape York and Weipa. The obvious increase in tourism numbers and the variety of tourists that will now be able to access this great region is going to bring many opportunities for business to start or existing ones to grow. Of course, with all opportunities there inevitably comes challenges, managing growth is a double-edged sword, while it offers financial variety and diversity it also places added demand on infrastructure and the ability of the community to adapt and preserve those essential qualities that we treasure as part of our home. WEIPA TOWN AUTHORITY • ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 5 WTA Chair Report WTA CEO REPORT I am very pleased to provide the Chief 2017-2018 marked a change to real growth for Weipa Executive Officer Report for the WTA Annual and the greater Western Cape region with Amrun construction ramping up which saw an increase of new Report 2017-2018. contractors and families arriving in Weipa, new and The year kicked off with a fun filled community expanded local businesses and new sporting groups. celebration in July, being 50 years since Weipa was officially opened as a town. History tours and gala The year ahead dinner were held to celebrate mateship and honour The risks and opportunities I see ahead for the WTA Weipa’s achievements. Friends and families relaxed relate to creating economic opportunity through and saw out Sunday afternoon with the arts, live a competitive market, whilst at the same time performances, and a fabulous fireworks display. I protecting the natural environment and our unique would like to acknowledge the work of the WTA team remote lifestyle. There are huge opportunities ahead (particularly Fiona Langsdorf) and volunteers in for Weipa. The sealing of the Peninsula Development facilitating such an enjoyable community celebration. Road (PDR) will have economic flow on benefits in the Following on from such a great event, the WTA has years to come. committed to developing the Rocky Point foreshore The WTA intend to fully support Weipa in growth area and Kumrumja Park as part of an important with responsible planning and compliance processes precinct that enhances the Weipa lifestyle and grows including a review of local laws, a new draft community involvement through more activities such Town Planning Scheme and Local Government as markets, food, exhibits and entertainment. Infrastructure Plan to be launched next year. The WTA will also be working closely with Rio Tinto to The year it was deliver on new and improved community facility Maintaining Weipa’s enviable lifestyle and providing projects that enhance Weipa’s Liveability. value-for-money multi-purpose facilities to resident We live in a wonderful region and I am truly proud and visitors remained a key consideration for the WTA of the WTA’s role in delivering outcomes for the in 2017-2018. community. During this year, the WTA invested in – • Roofing upgrades for C&K Kindergarten and Pebbles Playgroup Emily Peel • Implementing MaqiQ software to improve the way Chief Executive Officer we do business and take advantage of technology Weipa Town Authority advances • Construction of the Andoom Oval Canteen • Critical infrastructure projects – Re-lining of aged sewer mains, and water main upgrades to improve water flows and pressure throughout Rocky Point • New pool vacuum and large floating inflatable for the Aquatic Centre • New programs by the WTA – sports programs, animal education and special events. In 2017-2018, residents expressed concerns about wandering/barking dogs, water leaks, hazardous trees and illegal dumping. Overall, the community demonstrated a genuine willingness to work with the WTA and comply with requirements, also in keeping the town’s animals safe and happy. 6 WEIPA TOWN AUTHORITY • ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 WTA CEO Report PLANNING & ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE The Weipa Town Authority Corporate 2. Engaging and collaborating with our community Plan 2015 – 2020 (with Addendum) sets to celebrate our cultural identity and to provide the WTA’s future direction by outlining a high quality of life through health, education, its objectives, strategies and future work recreational services and facilities. activities. 3. Creating an environmentally aware and resilient community that respects and protects natural It identifies how the WTA will work with the broader life support systems and the Cape’s unique local community to deliver services, infrastructure and ecosystems. financial sustainability for Weipa, as identified in the 4. Working towards an independent and financially Weipa Community Plan 2012-2022. secure government authority that works with the Operational delivery of the plan was undertaken community to deliver excellence and accountability through the development of an annual WTA in service provision now and into the future. Operational Plan 2017-2018. Projects and deliverables The RTAW and WTA Management Protocol was are