Annual Report 20192020 Welcome Welcome to the City of Whittlesea’s This report provides an overview of The report highlights achievements Annual Report 2019-20. Council is Council’s performance in the 2019-20 and challenges faced and includes committed to transparent reporting financial year against the five goals set statutory reporting and legislative and accountability to the community out in our Council Plan 2017-2021 and information as required under the and our stakeholders. Annual Budget 2019-20. Local Government Act 1989 and other legislation. Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners The City of Whittlesea recognises the rich Aboriginal heritage of this country and acknowledges the Wurundjeri Willum Clan as the Traditional Owners of this place. Council offices 25 Ferres Boulevard 03 9217 2170 South Morang VIC 3752 National Relay Service: 133 677 (ask for 9217 2170) Shop MM1, Westfield Plenty Valley Shopping Centre Locked Bag 1 415 McDonalds Road Bundoora MDC, VIC 3083 Mill Park VIC 3082 [email protected] 9404 8800 whittlesea.vic.gov.au Epping Depot facebook.com/cityofwhittlesea 68-96 Houston Street @citywhittlesea Epping VIC 3076 CityWhittlesea 9401 0555 Opening hours Free telephone interpreter service Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm 131 450 Page 2 City of Whittlesea Annual Report 2019-2020 Contents Administrator’s message 8 Acting CEO’s message 9 The year in review 10 Highlights 14 Major capital works 16 Financial summary 18 Community satisfaction survey 22 Our Council 24 Our people 26 Our performance 32 Governance 74 Annual Financial Report 2019-20 100 Appendix 1 Protected Disclosure Act 2012 176 About the City of Whittlesea Report of operations About the City of Whittlesea The City of Whittlesea is located in current growth area precincts of The Wurundjeri Willum people were Melbourne’s northern suburbs, about Mernda, Doreen, South Morang, the original inhabitants of the area 20 kilometres from the city centre. Epping North and Wollert, and the and are the Traditional Owners of It is one of Melbourne’s largest rural areas of Donnybrook, Whittlesea this land. Compared with other municipalities, covering a land area of township and surrounds. Significant municipalities, the City of Whittlesea approximately 490 square kilometres. future growth is projected for Wollert has the second largest population and Donnybrook. The rural areas of of Aboriginal and Torres Strait The majority of the City of Whittlesea the municipality are characterised by Islanders (ATSI) by person count in population live in urban areas. This farming, forested areas and historic Metropolitan Melbourne, with 1,635 is split across the major established township communities including ATSI residents, whose median age is suburbs of Bundoora, Epping, Lalor, Whittlesea. 21 years. Mill Park and Thomastown, the 234,989 2.3% Total population Growth in in 2020 2019-20 Years 34 is the median 27.7% 16.2% age of Of the population Of population residents aged 0-19 years over 60 years 49.7% 50.3% Males Females Page 4 City of Whittlesea AnnualAnnual ReportReport 2019-2020 2019-2020 Report of operations About the City of Whittlesea 42.3% Of households are couples with children 62 21.6% Number of babies Of households are couples born every week without children 52,077 Suburb with the largest population 91,643 – Epping (including Epping North) Number of 5,564 residential Suburb with the smallest population properties – Whittlesea township 35.5% 44.1% Of residents born overseas Residents who speak a language other than English at home The most common languages spoken other than English: Macedonian 5.1%, Arabic 5%, Italian 5%, Greek 3.7% and Punjabi 3.2% City of Whittlesea Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 5 Our vision, our values Report of operations Our vision Whittlesea 2040: a place for all Our vision is underpinned by five goals: Connected communities Liveable neighbourhoods Our City opens its arms to every resident and is Our City is well-planned and beautiful, and our a place where all walks of life are celebrated and neighbourhoods and town centres are convenient supported. and vibrant places to live, work and play. Strong local economy Sustainable environment Our City is the smart choice for innovation, Our City’s superb landscapes and natural business growth and industry investment. environment are an enduring source of pride. High performing organisation Council delivers a range of internal functions and activities enabling the delivery of efficient ffand e ective services and initiatives. Council’s goal is to be a high-performing organisation which delivers best value to the community. Our values At the City of Whittlesea, we live our values to deliver the best outcomes for our community. We believe that the way each of us behaves at work determines how effective we are as an organisation. Our values are: Excellence – be diligent, innovative and accountable Respect – be considerate Open communication – listen, be frank, fearless and honest Valuing diversity – appreciate everyone’s strengths Wellbeing – care for ourselves, others and our environment Page 6 City of Whittlesea Annual Report 2019-2020 Report of operations Our services Our services Council is responsible for delivering 26 services to the community, aligned to our five goals: Connected communities Sustainable environment • Aboriginal reconciliation • Conservation and land management • Arts, heritage and festivals • Climate change action • Community facilities • Waste and recycling • Leisure and recreation • Water management • Ageing well • Animal management High performing organisation • Family and children’s services • Our systems and knowledge • Public health and safety • Our finance and assets • Youth services • Our people • Community strengthening • Our governance • Customer service, communications and civic participation Liveable neighbourhoods • Roads, public transport and footpaths • Traffic management • Parks and open space • Planning and building Strong local economy • Investment attraction • Libraries • Local business support City of Whittlesea Annual Report 2019-2020 Page 7 Administrator’s message Report of operations Administrator’s message staff morale and developing a clear million upgrade at TH Hurrey Reserve, action plan and roadmap for which transformed this popular Yan the future. Yean reserve. Being physically present in the The cover of this Annual Report community has been challenging shows Ganbu Gulinj, a new since the change in governance community centre to cater for the occurred just as the COVID-19 growing Epping North and Wollert pandemic was emerging. However, community. the Council has had great pleasure A $12 million upgrade to the busy attending online community intersection of Findon Road, The engagement forums, events and Lakes Boulevard and Ferres Boulevard activities. has improved traffic flow for In addition, we have actively motorists and improved safety for participated in a multiplicity of pedestrians and cyclists. internal and external Council Advisory Before restrictions on gatherings Committees, meetings with local Ms Lydia Wilson came into place in March, community Members of Parliament, business Administrator events were held to bring the City of webinars, and briefings with groups Whittlesea together. We welcomed I am pleased to present the and stakeholders. City of Whittlesea Annual Report 800 new residents at our Welcome for 2019-20. Council has proudly supported many Expo and around 1800 people not for profit organisations delivering enjoyed our Christmas Carols where There is no doubt this year has been front line relief and services through songs were sung in many languages significant in many ways for the City our $200,000 Emergency Relief Fund. including Boonwurrung, Macedonian, of Whittlesea. We expanded our Financial Hardship Spanish and Hebrew. Policy to provide relief to residents, My appointment as Interim Many Council events have businesses, groups and clubs and Administrator on 21 March 2020 by transformed into digital experiences committed a further $2 million to the Minister for Local Government and I commend the organisation COVID-19 recovery in the 2020-21 came after the dismissal of for its ability to adapt very quickly Budget. Councillors a few days earlier. to enable our community to stay It is a role that I take enormous A $90,000 business support package connected. was created as a starting fund for a pride in and was very pleased to be Together with Administrator Billson range of initiatives to help our local appointed Chair Administrator on and Administrator Duncan, this new businesses remain viable, and our 19 June, the day The Hon Bruce Council looks forward to developing community grants were re-imagined Billson and Ms Peita Duncan joined a respectful and understanding to encourage new initiatives that will the Council. relationship with the community and help our City recover from COVID-19 other stakeholders over the next four Since joining the City of Whittlesea, impacts. a key focus has been embedding year. Despite the challenges to restore good governance at Council Finally, thank you to our Acting governance at the City of Whittlesea as recommended in the State CEO Mr Joe Carbone, for providing and support the community through Government-appointed Municipal exemplary leadership since March, an unprecedented pandemic, the City Monitor’s report tabled in Parliament and I acknowledge the contributions of Whittlesea has continued to deliver on 17 March 2020. of former CEO Mr Simon Overland on its vision for Whittlesea 2040 and Acting CEO Mr Kelvin Spiller This has included restoring stability Vision – a place for all. to the organisation following a (December 2019-March 2020) for significant period of turmoil and Our $67 million new works program their work in this financial year. delivered around 128 projects for our disruption. The future is very bright for the City community to enjoy and ensure our of Whittlesea and I look forward Early in the next financial year City is well planned and meets the to serving this vibrant community our efforts will go into securing a needs of all those who work, live and alongside my Administrator talented, experienced and highly visit here.