2016/2017 ANNUAL REPORT GOLDEN BROWN IN MT BURR Find us on Facebook wattlerange.sa.gov.au BRONWYN DANIELLO TABLE OF CONTENTS OUR ORGANISATION ................................................................................................3 Mayors Message ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................4 CEOs Message ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................5 About Our Council .......................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Elected Members .........................................................................................................................................................................................................8 Council Meetings .........................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Council Committees .................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Strategic Plan ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Corporate Structure ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Communications & Media .....................................................................................................................................................................................13 Information Technology ..........................................................................................................................................................................................14 LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY .................................................................................. 19 Events, Awards & Sponsorship ...........................................................................................................................................................................24 Community & Social Development ................................................................................................................................................................. 32 Library & Gallery ........................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Gladys Smith Early Learning Centre ...............................................................................................................................................................36 PROMOTING PROSPERITY ......................................................................................37 Economic Development ........................................................................................................................................................................................42 Tourism ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Southern Ocean Tourist Park ..............................................................................................................................................................................46 Millicent Stock Saleyards ......................................................................................................................................................................................46 OUR STREETS & PLACES .........................................................................................47 Capital Works .............................................................................................................................................................................................................50 Parks & Gardens ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 53 Asset Management ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 53 Swimming Facilities ..................................................................................................................................................................................................54 KEEPING THINGS CLEAN & GREEN .........................................................................55 Waste Management Services ............................................................................................................................................................................ 59 Wastewater Systems ...............................................................................................................................................................................................60 Environmental Initiatives ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 61 Environmental Health.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 62 Development (Planning & Building) ................................................................................................................................................................. 63 General Inspectorate .............................................................................................................................................................................................64 GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE .................................................................................65 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ....................................................................................73 Annual Audit .................................................................................................................................................................................................................76 Your Rates ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................76 APPENDIX 1 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION STATEMENT ...........................................................79 APPENDIX 2 WATTLE RANGE COUNCIL ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2016/17 .......................89 APPENDIX 3 LIMESTONE COAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 ......... 139 02 OUR ORGANISATION BLOW HOLE SIMON WHENNAN 03 MAYOR’S MESSAGE I am pleased to present With further investment in our Council area anticipated, Council has taken the 2016/17 Annual the initiative to approach the State Report for the Wattle Government to acquire Millicent’s Range Council. The disused railway land. report provides details Council intends to remediate the land to allow future development on of Council activities it. Given its proximity to the Millicent throughout the year. town centre and the fact that it has This year, Council entered into a remained abandoned for more than Friendship City Agreement with the 20 years, remediation of the site will Longkou District Municipality in the be a positive step towards meeting Shandong Province, China. The City future demand for housing within the of Longkou has a population of township. approximately 800,000 people in It is abundantly obvious that our an area of 901 square kilometres. community volunteers underpin many This is the first agreement of this type of the events held in Wattle Range. I would also like to thank elected since the formation of Wattle Range Council thanks all of those people members of Council for their passion Council in 1997. The agreement who do so much to make our district towards improving our Council area, was signed at Longkou in May and the wonderful place it is to live. CEO Ben Gower and Executive bolsters opportunities for trade, Many events, services and projects Assistant Catherine Allen for their commerce and cultural exchanges would not be possible without their advice and assistance, and the through co-operation by both local support and dedication to our entire Council workforce for their government bodies. communities - on behalf of Council, contribution to our communities. Other positive economic news in the I thank them all. Wattle Range Council area during Peter Gandolfi the year was the official opening MAYOR of the Blue Lake Dairy facility at Snuggery by