Annual Report Annual 2012-2013 An aerial view of Jeparit – Andrew Kube Shire Council Shire Hindmarsh Hindmarsh Shire Council 2012-2013 Annual Report Sheep grazing near Pink Lake The natural beauty of Lake Hindmarsh Senior Management Council Offices Chief Executive Officer Main Office Mr Tony Doyle Nhill Dimboola 92 Nelson Street 101 Lloyd Street Director Infrastructure Services Nhill, Victoria 3418 Dimboola, Victoria 3414 Mr Douglas Gowans Phone 03 5391 4444 Phone 03 5391 4452 Acting Director Community Customer Service Centres and Corporate Services Jeparit Rainbow Mr Stephen Kerrigan 10 Roy Street Federal Street Hindmarsh Jeparit, Victoria 3423 Rainbow, 3424 Shire Council Phone 03 5391 44450 Phone 03 5391 4451 For further information or queries please visit: The Hindmarsh Shire Council is a legally constituted entity under the Local Government Act 1989, www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au or email info@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au and was formed from the former Dimboola and Lowan Shire Councils in 1995. Design and production by Hansen Design and Print Contents Shire Profile .......................................................................................................................................2 Mayor's Report ................................................................................................................................4 Chief Executive Officer's Report .............................................................................................6 Councillors .........................................................................................................................................9 Corporate and Community Services Report .................................................................. 10 Community Development Report ........................................................................................ 10 Corporate Services Report ..................................................................................................... 13 Infrastructure Services Report ...............................................................................................14 Nhill Enduro motorbike riders Equal Opportunity, Local Laws and Whistleblowers ...................................................15 Staff Numbers ............................................................................................................................... 16 Staff Structure ...............................................................................................................................17 Information to be made available to the public ........................................................... 18 Council Grants, Contributions and Memberships ........................................................ 19 Performance Statement ........................................................................................................... 20 Certification of Performance Statement .......................................................................... 22 Victorian Auditor-General's Report on the Performance Statement ................. 23 Council Plan Strategies ............................................................................................................ 25 Victoria Local Government Indicators .............................................................................. 34 Financial Statements Comprehensive Income Statement .................................................................................... 36 Balance Statement ..................................................................................................................... 40 Statement of Changes in Equity .......................................................................................... 41 Cash Flow Statement................................................................................................................. 42 Notes to the Financial Report ............................................................................................... 43 Certification of Financial Report .......................................................................................... 80 Standard Statements Jeparit Rainbow netball Notes to Standard Statements ............................................................................................ 82 Standard Income Statement .................................................................................................. 83 Standard Income Statement Comparison Report ....................................................... 84 Standard Balance Sheet .......................................................................................................... 85 Standard Balance Sheet Comparison Report ............................................................... 86 Standard Statement of Cash Flow ...................................................................................... 87 Standard Statement of Cash Flow Comparison Report ........................................... 88 Standard Statement of Capital Works .............................................................................. 89 Standard Statement of Capital Works Comparison Report ................................... 90 Certification of the Standard Statements ....................................................................... 91 Auditor General's Report on Financial and Standard Statements ...................... 92 Nhill vs. Dimboola senior footballers 2012-2013 Annual Report 1 Shire Profile Vision History A caring, active community striving to enhance its The Hindmarsh Shire Council was created in January 1995 environment, economy and liveability. as part of state-wide local government reform program. The Hindmarsh Shire consists of the former Shire of Dimboola Mission (created 1885), and the Shire of Lowan (created 1875). Our mission is to; Prior to European settlement, the Wotjobaluk community > provide accessible services to enable the community lived in the area. Council acknowledges them as the first to be healthy, active and engaged; owners of the land. Prior to all civic ceremonies the following statement is made – “Welcome to Hindmarsh Shire. We > provide infrastructure essential to support the acknowledge the Indigenous community as the first owners community; of this country. We recognise the important ongoing role > protect and enhance our natural environment; that indigenous people have in our community.” In 2005, the native title of the Wotjobaluk was recognised > foster a thriving and diversified local economy where by the High Court of Australia at an historic hearing in economic growth is encouraged and supported; and Dimboola. This was a joyous and significant day for all in > realise the excellence in our people, processes and the Shire and the first recognition of native title in Victoria. systems. Governance Values Six elected Councillors represent three wards with two Hindmarsh Shire Council is committed to the following Councillors in each of the wards. values; Councillors elected in November 2008 for a four-year term were Mick Gawith (Mayor), David Colbert, Rob Gersch, Wayne > Leadership and direction; Lovett, Ron Lowe and Cliff Unger. Council elections were held on 27 October 2012 and the > Transparency and accountability; following Councillors were elected for a four year term: Rob > Honesty and integrity; Gersch (Mayor), Elizabeth Chivell, Ron Lowe, Debra Nelson, Wendy Robins and Tony Schneider. > Trust and respect; Note: Elizabeth Chivell resigned from the position of > Diversity and equality; Councillor on 27 August 2013. > Justice and fairness; Landform and Vegetation > Sustainability; and The Hindmarsh Shire has an area of 7,527 square kilometres and is gently undulating. It averages an elevation equivalent > Aspiration. to sea level. Large areas of the local soils are well suited to dry land agriculture. A very low percentage of native Background vegetation remains outside the National Park areas, with Hindmarsh Shire is located in the Wimmera and covers 97% of native vegetation cleared. A major focus is to an area of 7,527 square kilometres. The shire shares its preserve the indigenous vegetation remnants, protect bio- boundaries with West Wimmera Shire Council, Yarriambiack diversity via planted corridors (bio-links) linking the Big Shire Council, Horsham Rural City Council and Mildura Rural Desert and Little Desert, and to generally increase the City Council. amount of cover by revegetation on private land. Council Some key features of the Shire are Lake Hindmarsh, Lake considers it of the utmost importance to preserve and Albacutya, Little Desert National Park, Big Desert National enhance our biodiversity. Council is committed to an Park and the Wimmera River. environmental overlay of bio-link corridors. In partnership The Shire comprises 7,500 square kilometres, a population with the Hindmarsh Landcare Network, Council has been of 5,800 with 80% living in the towns of Dimboola, Jeparit, very successful in the implementation of landcare projects Nhill and Rainbow. There are 5,050 rateable properties for throughout the Shire linking up the Little Desert and Big 2013/14 Deserts, and facilitating improved agricultural and land use practices. Location Hindmarsh Shire is located in the central North West Population Victoria and is bounded in the north by the Big Desert According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Shire’s and Wyperfeld National Park; and in the south by the Little estimated residential population at 30 June 2011 was Desert National Park. On the east, west