ANNUAL REPORT PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY. SUPPORTING OUR ECONOMY. 2019 – 2020 // Surfers at Elephant Rock, Currumbin. CITY OF GOLD COAST ANNUAL REPORT 2019–20 // Surfers Paradise skyline. 2 Welcome to the City of Gold Coast Annual Report for 2019–20 The theme for this year’s Annual This report also provides the disclosure An electronic version of this Report is requirements relating to the Local ‘Protecting our community. report is available on the City and reflects Government Act 2009 (the Act) and the Supporting our economy.’ website: cityofgoldcoast.com.au/ a challenging year for the Gold Coast. Local Government Regulation 2012 annualreport (the Regulation). During 2019–20, as the Gold Coast economy was continuing to grow and Language assistance Report structure diversify, Council continued to deliver If you need an interpreter to help you on a range of strategies designed to Chapter 1 Year in review presents contact the City of Gold Coast, please meet the needs of a rapidly growing the City Vision and provides reports from call the Translating and Interpreting city population. A series of natural the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer. Service (TIS National) on 13 1450 or visit disasters from late 2019, followed by It also provides an overview of the the City website for further details. the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, rates and performance in the 2019–20 impacted the city and Council quickly financial year. Chinese Simplified devised a support and stimulus package Chapter 2 Our city provides a profile 如果您需要口译员来帮助您联系黄金海 to assist the city to respond and recover. 13 1450 of the Gold Coast, Council of the City of 岸市议会，请致电 联系翻译服务 (TIS National) The historic growth of the Gold Coast Gold Coast, Divisional Councillors and 处 或访问市议会网站获取更 economy together with our strong Council services. 多详细信息。 community spirit and enviable natural Japanese Chapter 3 Our achievements presents environment, continue to make the city a ゴールド・コースト市役所にご連絡く Council’s major achievements under highly desirable place to live, work, stay ださる際に通訳が必要な方は、電話 the three themes of the Gold Coast and visit. These strengths, together with 番号13 1450の翻訳通訳サービス(TIS 2022: Place, Prosperity and People and improving connectivity will help to ensure National)までお電話いただくか、市役 highlights major events and awards. that our community can keep in touch 所ホームページにて詳細をご覧くださ with family and friends, continue to work Chapter 4 Democratic governance い。 and conduct business. provides Council’s democratic Korean governance arrangements; Councillor The city is well positioned for recovery 골드코스트시에 연락할 때, 통역사의 attendance and remuneration and from COVID-19 and Council is 도움이 필요하시다면, 번역 및 통역 support provided to community committed to maintaining the lifestyle 서비스 (TIS National) 13 1450번으로 organisations and business. opportunities that make our city more 전화하시거나, 저희 골드코스트시 resilient and make our residents proud to Chapter 5 Corporate governance 웹사이트를 방문해서 자세한 정보를 call the Gold Coast home. provides Council’s corporate governance 찾아 보시기 바랍니다. arrangements; organisational Español (Spanish) About this report structure; performance against the Si necesita un intérprete para City Operational Plan and Corporate The Annual Report provides an comunicarse con la Ciudad de Gold Plan and the performance of Council’s overview of the Council of the City of Coast, llame al Servicio de Traducción e commercialised business units. Gold Coast (Council) activities during Interpretación (TIS National) al 13 1450, the 2019 –20 financial year. It also Chapter 6 Finance provides the o busque más información en la página identifies progress towards achieving Community Financial Report and audited web de la Ciudad. Our City Vision ‘Inspired by lifestyle. Financial Statements of Council for the Driven by opportunity’ and Council’s year ended 30 June 2020. Corporate Plan, Gold Coast 2022. It Chapter 7 Appendices provides includes details on Council’s financial details of grants to community performance as at 30 June 2020 and organisations, indexes and other governance and statutory information. supporting information. Some photos in report were taken prior to social distancing measures being implemented. 3 CITY OF GOLD COAST ANNUAL REPORT 2019–20 CONTENTS 1.0 YEAR IN REVIEW 4.0 DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE 1.1 City Vision 7 4.1 Role of Council 55 1.2 Mayor’s Report 8 4.2 Council meetings and committees 57 1.3 Chief Executive Officer’s Report 10 4.3 Mayor and Councillor meeting attendance 68 1.4 Council response to COVID-19 13 4.4 Mayor and Councillor remuneration 72 1.5 Your rates at work 14 4.5 Mayor and Councillor expenses and facilities 73 1.6 Performance at a glance 15 4.6 Mayor and Councillor travel 81 4.7 Councillor conduct 82 2.0 OUR CITY 4.8 Grants to community organisations 83 2.1 City profile 19 4.9 Beneficial enterprises 84 2.2 City features 22 4.10 Discounts and concessions 85 2.3 Our Council 24 2.4 Our Councillors 25 5.0 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 2.5 Council programs and services 31 5.1 Role of the administration 87 5.2 Our organisation 89 3.0 OUR ACHIEVEMENTS 5.3 Planning for the future of the city 100 3.1 The best Place to live, visit and stay 34 5.4 Managing the City responsibly 107 3.2 Prosperity built on a strong diverse economy 40 5.5 Engaging residents, customers and visitors 128 3.3 People contribute to a strong 5.6 Gold Coast Water Annual Operations community spirit 46 Report 2019–20 133 3.4 Major events 50 5.7 Gold Coast Waste Management Annual Operations Report 2019–20 137 3.5 Awards and recognition 52 // Skyline from Currumbin. 4 6.0 FINANCE 7.0 APPENDICES 6.1 Report by the Manager Corporate Finance 141 7.1 Mayor and divisional donations 217 6.2 Community Financial Report 144 7.2 Legislative compliance 236 6.3 Financial Statements 155 7.3 Glossary 240 Statement of Comprehensive Income 155 7.4 Index of key words 243 Statement of Financial Position 7.5 Index of figures 245 (Balance Sheet) 156 7.6 Index of tables 246 Statement of Changes in Equity 157 7.7 Bibliography 248 Statement of Cash Flows 159 7.8 Contacts 249 6.3.1 Management Certificate 203 6.3.2 Independent Auditor’s Report 204 6.4 Current Year Financial Sustainability Statement 208 6.4.1 Certificate of Accuracy – Current Year Financial Sustainability Statement 209 6.4.2 Independent Auditor’s Report – Current Year Financial Sustainability Statement 210 6.5 Long-Term Financial Sustainability Statement 213 6.5.1 Certificate of Accuracy – Long-Term Financial Sustainability Statement 214 5 1.0 YEAR IN REVIEW Chapter one presents the City Vision and provides reports from the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer. It also provides an overview of the rates and performance in the 2019–20 financial year. 6 CHAPTER 1 YEAR IN REVIEW 1.1 CITY VISION Council of the City of Gold Coast (Council) has adopted the Our Corporate Plan – Gold Coast 2022 City Vision: ‘Inspired by lifestyle. Driven by opportunity’. Gold Coast 2022 was adopted on 13 June 2017 and revised This vision reflects the importance of lifestyle choice and on 7 December 2018. It supports delivery of the City Vision by innovation to our growing city, supporting inclusive communities, providing direction on priorities to 2022. strong business growth and a vibrant Gold Coast culture. The plan is built around three themes: Council’s Corporate Plan, Gold Coast 2022 together with our • The best PLACE to live, visit and stay. This theme describes longer term strategies support the implementation of the City the development of the Gold Coast and options for city living. Vision through investment in key initiatives and outcomes which support these aspirations. Those strategies focus on cultural • PROSPERITY built on a strong diverse economy. development, customer experience, economic development, This theme describes the city’s business sector, reputation natural areas, solid waste, transport, ocean beaches and water. and employment opportunities. • PEOPLE contribute to a strong community spirit. This theme describes the city’s culture and community. Figure 1: Gold Coast 2022 – plan structure CITY VISION Inspired by lifestyle. Driven by opportunity. Gold Coast 2022 PLACE PROSPERITY PEOPLE Our city provides a choice Our city’s economy is Our city is safe of liveable places diverse and innovative We are proud of our city We live in balance We have a thriving Our community is with nature cultural economy inclusive and supportive We manage our resources We have infrastructure Our city embraces culture for a sustainable future that supports productivity every day and growth We can get around the Our city provides a wide city easily We are a city with a strong range of job opportunities and globally competitive We are an active digital city business environment We are an active and Our modern centres create healthy community We are a globally vibrant communities recognised tourism Everyone can enjoy a destination beach experience We have a positive Our city is resilient to global reputation natural hazards SUPPORTING THE DELIVERY OF GOLD COAST 2022 We plan for the future of the city. We manage the city responsibly. We actively engage residents, customers and visitors. 7 CITY OF GOLD COAST ANNUAL REPORT 2019–20 1.2 MAYOR’S REPORT Recovery the priority The Gold Coast, like the rest of the world, wishes that Our outdoor staff had to transform the way they worked. COVID-19 had never occurred, but I am proud of the way New measures of social distancing and COVID-safe practices we have risen to the challenge. The determination to meet had to be adopted. Wearing personal protection equipment the challenges of the pandemic has driven Councillors, and implementing new levels of hygiene became the norm.