Mayor Bob Tremain launched Council conducted two Auctions in December 2008 in Warialda and Of particular note: two great initiatives for the Bingara. This process proved very successful with Council undergoing Shire’s youth during the year. On 18th November 2008 at the inaugural meeting of the Australian a ‘spring clean’ and creating an additional income stream. The first, was the Mayor’s Council of Local Government the Prime Minister the Hon. Kevin Rudd Essay competition. School MP and the Minister for Local Government, Hon Anthony Albanese Council representatives continue to meet and liaise with Country students highlighted their MP announced $300million through the Regional and Local Energy regarding the proposed Intelligent Network Program. Gwydir understanding of the role of Community Infrastructure Program in the 08/09 financial year for local Shire has been short listed as a test case community for Country Gwydir Shire. councils and shires to stimulate economic activity and support jobs in Energy’s northern pilot program. local communities. The second, was the Mayoral Council’s General Manager by invitation spoke at Department Achiever’s Award. This From this program Gwydir Shire Council received $352,000. This of Environment and Climate Change Integrating Sustainability in Award acknowledged an amount was used to upgrade parks at North Star, Upper Horton and Local Government forum. The topic of the forum was: What are the outstanding ‘all round’ school Gravesend. In addition, monies were allocated to the construction of implications for government strategy and practice. the Warialda Tourist Centre and the renovation of The Roxy restaurant citizen at each school in the Shire. kitchen. These projects reinforced the value Council places in its The Gwydir Shire also greatly benefited from the opening of Multi smaller villages; to create new industry and employment opportunities Purpose Facilities in Bingara and Warialda. through the provision of exceptional tourist and hospitality facilities. On 25th June, a second meeting of Australian Council of Local Government, Canberra was held and as a result Gwydir Shire Council received another funding allocation of $134,000 through the Federal Government’s economic stimulus program. Council held a family Picnic Day on 3rd October 2008 at the Warialda Recreational Grounds which brought together the whole of Council’s staff for a day of enjoyment and socialising. Mayor Bob Tremain also called for fundraising for the Victorian Bush Fire victims and hosted two Victorian Bush Fire Appeal Concerts in February. The Bingara concert featured Melinda Schneider. With the Warialda concert featuring Sally Anne Whitten and Jared Scott. A monster raffle was also run with huge support from the community. Monies raised totalled $11,200. These monies are currently held by Council in trust for Mansfield Council awaiting their advice. 2 3 Local Government Elections Council continues to support The Hon. Richard Torbay MP conducted a tour of the Shire in The Local Government elections were held on 13th September and facilitate a great February and visited local Schools and attended an official dinner 2008. All six of the inaugural Councillors who stood for re-election number of external services with representatives of Council, Bingara and District VISION 20/20 were re-elected, with Cr Mark Coulton, Cr John Wearne and Cr Doug in the area including a and Warialda Chamber of Commerce. Due to flooding Mr Torbay Clark retiring. Mrs Angela Doering, Mr Rod King and Mr Claude legal service, Centrelink, was unable to visit the schools in the northern part of the Shire. Nichols were elected in their place. Mr King was previously an elected RTA, Community Colleges, Councillor on the former Bingara Shire Council. Home Care, CMA, Landcare Community consultation continued with Public Meetings hosted by The new Council formed was: groups, veterinary services. Council in March 2009 Warialda Rail, Warialda, Yallaroi, North Star, Mayor Bob Tremain It also supports local schools Croppa Creek, Rocky Creek, Coolatai, Crooble, Gravesend, Bingara Deputy Mayor David Rose particularly with transport and Upper Horton. Cr Catherine Egan and awards. Cr Peter Caskey During the period Council representatives met with Hon Gary Gray Cr Clem Gordon Council supports both AO MP Parliamentary Secretary and the Hon Maxine McKew MP Cr Peter Pankhurst financially and in kind Parliamentary Secretary to discuss Gwydir projects and potential Cr Angela Doering community groups. funding opportunities. Cr Rod King; and Cr Claude Nichols On 14th April Cr Gordon resigned. As a result a by-election was held on 11th July with Cr John Coulton being elected. Council reaffirmed its strategic direction by readopting its Vision, Values and Mission Statement at its April Ordinary Meeting. During this period the Council organisation was lead by the Senior Management Team consisting of: Max Eastcott General Manager; Leeah Daley Organisation Development Director; Ron Wood Corporate Services Director; Roger McGrath Environmental and Social Services Director; Alan Kerr Manager Engineering Services; Andrew Cooper Town Services Manager; Glen Pereira Environmental Services Manager; Suzy Webber Social Services Manager; Tim Cox Assistant Finance Manager; and Carmen Southwell Public Officer and Executive Support. 4 5 6 Gwydir Shire Organisation Structure May 2009 GWYDIR SHIRE COUNCIL DRAFT RECOMMENDED ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE 19th May 2009 NOTE Gwydir Shire Council Mayor and Councillors Recommended new positions Administration shown in blue Support Public Officer General Manager Max Eastcott Youth Services Organisation Development Director Corporate Services Director Engineering Social and Environmental Director Co-ordinator Attached Trainee HR Officer Team Leader Assistant Finance Org Dev Officer (To be recruited Manager Payroll from existing staff) Admin & Records Assist Environmental Services Manager Toy Library Roxy Theatre I.T. Accounts Events & Promotions Customer Service Records Officer Web Dev & Maint. Admin Support RTA V Building Officers Aged Services Family Worker Store Centrelink/Librarian GIS Environmental Property Building Maintenance Officer Naroo Hostel Recreation Officer Information Maintenance Tharawonga Mobile Pre School Tourism Bingara Environmental Liaison Medical Services Centre/ Warialda Landfill Training Officer Cleaning (P/T) Warialda HACC Bingara Medical Bingara Pre School Centre Bingara HACC Noxious Ranger Weeds Swimming Pools Bingara Caravan Parks/Halls Insurance, Risk & OHS Coordinator Engineering Structure Proposed Engineering Structure 19th May 2009 May without 2009 names. Admin Assistant Engineering Project Officer Vacant (New) Design & Project Engineer Vacant (New) Manager Engineering Town Services Engineer Surveyor Services Survey Assistant Engineering Cadet Cadet Engineer Works Supervisor—North Works Supervisor—South Plant Foreman Town Services Foreman Vacant Construction Crew 1 Bitumen Crew Construction Crew Bitumen Crew Workshop North Ganger Leading Hand Ganger Leading Hand Mechanic W & S North Water Carter Labourer Roller Operator Labourer Apprentice W & S South Roller Operator Water Carter Excavator Operato Excavator Operator Reactive Reactive Mainte- Maintenance nance Crew Leading Hand Workshop South Leading Hand Labourer Mechanic Construction Crew 2 Labourer Gravel Crew Apprentice Grader Operator Truck Operator School Trainee Water Carter Loader Operator Roller Operator Parkes & Gardens (South) Town Streets Maintenance Slasher Operator Parkes & Gardens (North) North Star Crew Float Operator Leading Hand Labourer Gravel Resheet Crew Maintenance Grader Ganger Crew Water Carter Grader Operator Vacant Roller Operator Loader Operator Slasher Operator Truck Operator Truck Driver Tipman (Float/Tipper) Concrete Crew Ganger Labourer New Positions Proposed—Shared Trainee Overseer (accession Planning) and an Maintenance Grader additional Labourer Crew Grader Operator 7 Gwydir Shire Council's Gwydir Shire Council The GLR concept has Vision Statement: continues as a learning been promoted by various To be the recognised leader in Local Government through continuous members of Council’s staff at learning and sustainability organisation conferences and seminars The Gwydir Learning Region (GLR) changed its structure during during the year such as Mission: 2008/2009 and set its sights on raising its profile and its influence the Rural Education Forum nationally. The Council is now represented on the Board of the To ensure that the Council’s long term role is viable and sustainable Australia held at Dubbo in Australian Learning Communities Network Inc. by meeting the needs of our residents in a responsible caring way, September 2008. attract sustainable development while maintaining the traditional rural The GLR has developed a very close relationship with the values, character and culture of our people In addition, Council’s Mr Rod Department of Education and Training and continues to meet Smith was guest speaker regularly with representatives of the Department and the Teachers at the NSW Learning Council's Values Federation. Communities Forum in August 2009. Mr Smith presented For our Community and Visitors: Gwydir Learning Region Website was developed with a blog the concept and important We will provide a safe, clean and healthy environment in which all allowing for interaction with and between participants. role of the GLR. people have the opportunity to participate in, and share in the Gwydir Shire Council supports the concept