Bellingen Shire Council End of Term Report 2012-2016 Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 2012-2016 Bellingen Shire Council Elected Representatives ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Fit For the Future ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Shire of Bellingen 2030 Community Vision Overview .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Resilient Economy .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Community Wellbeing ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Places for People .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Living Environment ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 33 Civic Leadership ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Bellingen Shire Council Significant Achievements – 2012 to 2016..................................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Economic and Business Development ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Community Wellbeing .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 50 Sustainable Environment and Waste ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 64 Financial Services ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 70 Governance and Engagement .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 73 Information Technology Services ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 82 Organisational Development and Strategy ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 85 Works Operations ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 91 Asset Management and Design ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 96 Water and Wastewater ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 100 Land Use Services .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 104 Detailed Operational Plans Status Report ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 111 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 301 Page 2 of 302 End of Term Report 2012 - 2016 INTRODUCTION In 2009, the NSW State Parliament voted to introduce Integrated Planning & Reporting (IP&R) reforms within the NSW Local Government Act 1993. Under these reforms, Bellingen Shire Council is required to prepare an End of Term Report on the progress of implementation of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) which is to be presented at the final meeting of the outgoing council. The purpose of the CSP (referred to by Bellingen Shire Council as the Shire of Bellingen 2030 Community Vision (2030 Vision)) is to look to the future for our community. This vision is our highest level planning document and aligns our community’s vision with a clear strategic direction for the Shire’s long term future. These strategic directions inform Council’s detailed planning process which is encapsulated in the four year Delivery Program and annual Operational Plans. The intent of the Delivery Program is to ensure that the elected council plans the strategies most likely to make a positive contribution towards the achievement of the 2030 Vision. The Operational Plans detail what actions Council intends to take in the planning year to work towards those strategies contained in the Delivery Program. Extensive consultation with the community on the 2030 Vision commenced in mid 2010, and was updated early 2013 and identified key aspirations that became the five themes of: Resilient Economy Community Wellbeing Places for People Living Environment Civic Leadership To maximise the community’s opportunities of making its lifestyle vision a reality over the long term and to enhance the effectiveness of the Delivery Program, an emphasis is placed on partnership with other stakeholders, including government agencies, non-government organisations, community groups and individuals who also have a role to play in delivering these outcomes. Council is the key driver of the 2030 Vision but implementation is also Page 3 of 302 the responsibility of all community stakeholders. Council does not have the full responsibility for implementing or resourcing all of the community’s aspirations. Integrated Planning & Reporting Framework The Shire of Bellingen 2030 Community Vision is Bellingen Shire Council’s highest level strategic document. Council uses the 2030 Vision to guide and inform its planning and decision processes. Community Vision Aspirations of (Community our community for our Shire Strategic Plan) The Delivery Program and Operational Plan are at the heart of the 10+ years Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework. Together they drive the process of taking the aspirations from the Bellingen 2030 Community Actions which Vision which are the responsibility of Council, and transforming them into are Council’s Resourcing Strategy other other responsibility Long Term Financial Plan clearly defined plans and actions that will be reported against every year Workforce Management Plan are balanced in the Bellingen Shire Council Annual Report. against available Asset Management Plans resources The Delivery Program outlines the medium term priorities to be pursued by Council during its term in office. The priorities contained within the Delivery Program Council action 4 years Delivery Program are linked to specific themes, aspirations and strategic plans informed by the Community directions of the community as expressed in the 2030 Vision. The Vision and Delivery Program informs the Operational Plan, which outlines