community services departmental report march 2019 … · 2019. 4. 10. · workshops and inspiring...

Mansfield Shire Council: Community Services Departmental Report

Community Services - of 6

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENTAL REPORT MARCH 2019

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The Community Matching Fund was released on 18 February 2019, and applications were received through to the 18 March. Thirteen applications were received, however one application from Beolite Quilting Group was deemed ineligible because the group is not an incorporated association and were not able to provide an Auspice for their application. The total grant request from the 12 eligible groups was $22,860. In addition to a written application, submitted online for the first time through Council’s website, applicants were required to present their projects to the assessment panel made up of Council’s Executive Management team. The presentations were held on Thursday 28 March. A full report on the outcome of the fund will be presented to Council at the April Ordinary Council meeting. Youth The Mansfield Youth Centre continues to be busy, and is now consistently close to capacity. We have again been successful in receiving Youth Week funding for a youth photography workshop. Over two weekends, six young people participated with professional local photographer, Billie Leatham. Focusing on the art of portraits, participants learnt to how to set up a photo shoot, as well as editing process. Portrait subjects were residents of Beolite Village and the young people really enjoyed chatting to the residents, hearing their stories and getting a sense of how to best to represent them through photos.

Portrait of Sandy Jones

L2P L2P currently has 11 learner drivers on the road, and 9 active mentors. March saw our opening retreat for the MyLeap Leadership for Life Group. 12 young people aged 18-25 participated in a 4 day retreat with workshops and inspiring guest speakers. Volunteers 84 volunteers were active in March, contributing a total of 222.5 hours across the following 8 programs:

• Library Services • Youth Centre • FReeZA • L2P Learner Driver Program • Meals on Wheel • Volunteer Transport • Community Shopping Bus • Planned Activity Groups

Age Friendly: The Age-friendly Communities Project was deep in its community training and consultation phase throughout March. Seven ‘Age-friendly Communities Project Ambassadors’ were identified from various communities within Mansfield Shire and trained on basic community development principles and engagement and consultation approaches.



The ambassadors worked in conjunction with the project officer to commence undertaking community consultation across the Shire; focus-group discussions were facilitated and ‘The Essential Features of an Age-friendly Northeast Victoria Community Checklist’ was implemented for Jamieson, Woods Point, Goughs Bay & Mountain Bay and Merrijig communities. The data from the consultation process, comprising of results from focus groups, online and hard copy questionnaires (of which, 190 were received) and checklists, informed the identification of community strengths, barriers and key age-friendly priority areas to be addressed for each community. Well-attended, individual community planning workshops were held in the above communities wherein residents had the opportunity to receive an overview of results and actively workshop ideas and strategies to form the basis of Age-friendly Community plans and advocacy plans. Mansfield Swimming Pool: 3,300 people visited the Mansfield Swimming Pool during the month of March. The FReeZA committee organised a successful ‘Summer Sounds’ Pool Party. There was free entry, sausage sizzle, pizza stall, photo booth, DJ and a brand new giant pool inflatable. 350 people attended including many young teens and families.

Visitor Information Centre In the month of March, 2742 people visited the Visitor Information Centre. The VIC staff reported • that the camping trend is still strong • an increase in visitor traffic coming from the

King Valley • Information on Craig’s Hut and

walking/hiking still the most sort after.

Events Five events were supported through the event management process during March. Tourism Tourism North East launched ‘Feast High Country’ Festival - A celebration of all the gourmet goodness of Victoria's High Country during May of which Mansfield is hosting 3 events. For more information visit: https://www.feasthighcountry.com.au/festival/

https://www.feasthighcountry.com.au/festival/



ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Live Country Victoria On 27 March 2019, Twig marketing attended Mansfield Shire to interview selected people that have made the tree change from a city based setting, focusing on people that have started a business or landed a secure job.

The program is to promote what our Shire has to offer with the main goal of enticing people to make the move into rural areas. We look forward to reading all the content produced on www.livecountry.com.au Business Directory Local Businesses featured on Councils business directory have received two reminder emails this month. Reminder emails have been sent out to prompt more businesses to update and claim their listings. This has sparked a great success with over 100 businesses responding.

All the businesses that have responded to the emails will be guided through the next step to self-manage their account on the new website.

Now that all the groundwork has been completed, the business directory will be going live on 1 April 2019.

StartUp ShakeUP North East Vic Startup Shakeup, in partnership with Runway Geelong, is bringing a Pitch Fest to North East Victoria on April 4.

The competition, to be held in Wangaratta, will see startups pitching their business idea and competing for a share in over $100,000 in prizes - including an all-expenses paid trip to attend the Jiangsu Victoria Startup Summit held in Nanjing, China in May 2019.

The Summit creates a unique opportunity for Victorian and Jiangsu cities and businesses alike to exchange knowledge, build strong commercial relationships and discuss solutions to current issues affecting communities.

The winner of the April 4 Pitch Fest competition will win a fully paid trip including travel, accommodation, and a formal introduction that could pave the way for a thriving global venture.

This will be one of several competitions held state wide to select 15 Victorian start-ups who will then be matched with Jiangsu start-ups or companies to participate in a hackathon and Mayors and Investors Forum on 14-15 May in Nanjing, China.

PHOTO CAPTION: L-R Catherine MacMillan (Benalla Rural City), Peter Dostis (Runway), Emma Jones (Startup Shakeup), Rachael Richards (Rural City Wangaratta), Anne Shaw (NE Tracks LLEN), Brett Ambrosio (GOTAFE), Ilena Young (Charles Sturt University), Danielle Roberts (Mansfield Shire) planning the upcoming Pitch Night in Wangaratta

http://www.livecountry.com.au/



HEALTH & WELLBEING Maternal and Child Health The focus for March has been distribution and collation of the MCH Client Satisfaction survey. Enhanced MCH Nurses work with vulnerable families and those that need extra MCH support in areas of parenting and some Child protection and Child First cases. Liaising with Integrated Family Services workers and Supported Playgroup to engage vulnerable families. The State-wide MCH Conference on 1 March “Learning from Evidence and Future Directions” was attended by the MHC nurses and Community Health and Wellbeing Team Leader. A valuable opportunity to hear legal applications and relevant themes for MCH nurses. The Commission for Children and Young People provided an informative presentation about Child death inquires. Supported Play Group (SPG) Each Friday morning from 10pm to 12pm, SPG is run in the multipurpose room at the Family and Children’s Centre. There are currently 8 families enrolled. SPG employ Smalltalk strategies to increase the number of quality interactions caregivers have with their children. It also supports parents to increase confidence and engagement in the community. We have had the pleasure of Linda Dermott join us as a volunteer. She has training and experience with Mother Goose and is assisting with SPG sessions when she is available. Two families this month have had home visits assist in the developing of parenting strategies in the home.

Fruit snacks for morning tea at SPG

Regional Assessment Service This month we have assessed nine new clients and implemented services to support them to stay at home independently. The team provided support for six clients to assist them with linking in with other care services. New services were reviewed and implemented to support seven existing clients to remain living at home. Both assessment officers attended a very informative training session, in Benalla, with assessment staff around the NE on building Aboriginal Cultural Competency. Rural Access Rural Access, now known as Building Inclusive Communities (BIC) funding has extended to December 2019 for Local Government Agencies who have applied for or have received Information Linkages & Capacity funding. Mansfield Shire Council have not applied for Information Linkages Capacity grant funding at this point. An attempt to collaborate with other Ovens Murray Building Inclusive Communities officers was not taken up in January when discussed due to the time constraints of funding applications.



Tourism North East facilitated an ‘Accessible Tourism’ workshop, which was attended by Council officers, to gain ideas for a project proposal to increase accessibility into businesses and accommodation in Mansfield. A workshop will be developed and run in Mansfield with Tourism operators to improve accessibility and provide ‘Disability Awareness Training’. Community and Home Care 31 Highett Street continues to be a busy hub for the Community and Home care team. Eleven Community Care Workers, an Administrative assistant and Coordinator continue to deliver services to maximise the client’s independence at home and in the community. 189 clients received home care, 42 clients’ personal care and 246 meals delivered during the month of March.

Volunteers continue to play a vital role assisting with the delivery of our Home and Community Care Services especially with the Meals on Wheels program, Planned Activities Groups, client transport, and the community shopping bus. Rain, hail or heat wave they are ready for service. A special thanks to all our volunteers that have assisted our service over the past month.

The Community and Home Care staff received fire safety awareness training delivered by CFA educator, John Valcich. Topics covered included, safe travelling in times of bush fire risk, taking shelter and protection from radiant heat.

Planned Activities Groups Spring Club followed an autumn theme this month; members enjoyed Shrove Tuesday with pancakes for morning tea and St Patricks Day, participants wore a range of green hats, scarfs and many hilarious Irish jokes shared.

Well attended is our balance and strength training group, “Easy Movers”. This group has doubled attendance numbers over the past month. In fact, the demand for this group has been so high we now have a waiting list; clients have also requested we hold two sessions per week instead of one. Qualified staff, pictured below, facilitate the exercise program.

Integrated Family Services The Integrated Family services staff continue to review case practice procedures, documentation and models of service delivery, in order to ensure better alignment with the aims of the Child First/IFS Alliance.



This includes the transition from a ‘family counselling’ to a ‘family case work’ type model, and closer working relationships with both early childhood and youth programs. Potential changes to service delivery also include a reduction in worker caseloads, meaning more intensive family – based interventions, as well as higher levels of throughput, via a revised intake, assessment, service – plan, and allocation model. Fiona Dundas finishes in April; recruitment for a full time Family Case Worker is in process. While IFS are not running at full capacity in terms of EFT, the program is still supporting 19 active families and does not have a current waiting list.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Online Booking System The online booking system is in progress; in the meantime, all bookings are being captured through the outlook calendars, which are accessible for viewing by all staff. Licences A majority of Sport and Recreation Clubs will be entering into Licence agreements from 1 July 2019, these licences are currently in the consultation process. The licences have been prepared and licence fees calculated in conjunction with the Leasing and Licencing Policy.

Road Discontinuance A number of road discontinuance requests have come through from the Community and we are working through these with both Council Staff and DELWP where required.

Mansfield Shire Council – Corporate & Organisational Development

Information Services - Page 1 of 2

CORPORATE & ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT March 2019

HUMAN RESOURCES • Bonnie Clark commenced with us

recently as the Youth Services & Partnerships Co-ordinator.

• Interviews for the positon of Works Inspector, Senior Local Laws Officer and Patrol person have concluded. Reference checking is currently underway and we hope to be in a position to offer contracts for all three positions in the near future.

• Preparation for the next Employee Engagement Survey is underway; the survey will be launched on 13 May 2019 for two weeks. The results of the survey will be presented to staff late June early July.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Part of ensuring Council’s information is secure is for IT to go “phishing – a fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. On 12 March 2019 IT staff released a “drill” phishing email to all staff via a third party security website. We were pleased with the large number of staff who refused to take the bait. Within minutes IT received 18 emails, 12 phone calls and 5 personal visits from staff reporting the suspect email. Of the 101 emails sent over 50% of staff contacted IT immediately to report it, and either deleted it or left it unopened until it had been checked out.

Mansfield Shire Council – Corporate & Organisational Development

Corporate and Organisational Development - Page 2 of 2

CUSTOMER SERVICE & RECORDS Customer Record Management System Statistics for the March included 162 customer requests with 99 closed out. The majority of requests sit within Field Services and Local Laws.

There are currently 6 overdue requests, and follow up reminder emails have been sent to appropriate staff members for action.

Department Total Events

Events Closed Open Open

Overdue Draft Pending Pending

Overdue Customer Service and Records 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 Engineering 34 24 6 1 0 3 0 Environmental Health 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 Field Services 57 37 12 5 1 2 0 Local Laws 37 24 1 0 0 9 3 Planning & Environment 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 Risk and OHS 22 4 1 0 0 17 0 Unassigned 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Waste 4 3 0 0 0 0 1 Total 162 99 21 6 1 31 4

Mansfield Shire Council – Development Services Departmental Report

Department - Page 1 of 8

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENTAL REPORT APRIL 2019

Environment Advisory Committee The Environment Advisory Committee (EAC) met on 8 March 2018 and was chaired by Cr Attley. The EAC heard about community driven environmental projects. The minutes of the EAC have been provided for the upcoming Council Meeting. Three new student representatives from Mansfield Secondary College have joined the EAC. These are Denny Walker, Lily Bennett and Julia Davies. The current community members on the EAC were thanked for their participation on the committee following the end of their tenure. Expressions of interest from community members seeking to participate on the EAC into the future will be sought shortly. Environment Strategy Development A request for quote has been prepared for the drafting an updated Mansfield Shire Environment Strategy. Over the next two months a Consultant will develop the draft strategy using the following process: • Online survey (on Council ‘your say’

website) to identify Environment Strategy themes;

• Community consultation at Bush market (8 June 2019) to identify themes;

• Community workshop for input to draft strategy;

• Key stakeholders workshop for input to draft strategy;

• Councillor workshop for input to draft strategy;

• Document workshop outcomes into draft Strategy;

• Present draft Strategy to Councillors.

Future of our Forests Consultation Tuesday 19 March the Environment Officer attended a workshop for Local Government on the current forest management reform process in Marysville. The State Government is renegotiating the Regional Forest Agreements with the Commonwealth Government. Local Government has been invited to participate in the Regional Forest Agreement review. Comments on the State Government ‘engage’ website have now closed. Feedback provided to the website around the Mansfield area can be seen below.

As part of the review process, DELWP will be amending the Code of Practice for Timber Harvesting. Compliance with the Code of Practice exempts forestry operations from the need for a planning permits under the Mansfield Planning Scheme.



Roadside Weed Control Activities Complete for 2018-2019 season Roadside weed control contractors for Mansfield Shire Council have completed their allocated works for 2018-2019 season. Contractors have sprayed blackberries, broom and gorse in the following regions:

- Merton; - Ancona; - Bonnie Doon; - Maindample; - Tolmie; - Howes Creek; - Gough’s Bay; - Piries; - Booroolite; - Merrijig.

Council contributed an addition $20,000 to the funding provided by the State Government to spray roadside weeds this financial year. The future of this program is uncertain with State Government funding not yet committed beyond June 2019. REM (Renewable Energy Mansfield) Forum event On Tuesday 26 March 2019, 67 residents packed into Council Chamber to hear about current opportunities and rebates available for domestic solar systems.

The event was hosted by Renewable Energy Mansfield (REM) and Up2Us Landcare Alliance. Bendigo Bank has financially supported REM. Andrew Web from REM introduced the evening and welcomed everyone. James Bramwell from Sustainability Victoria informed the audience about current Stage Government rebates for solar panels and solar hot water systems. A panel of local solar installers were then questioned by the audience and REM’s own Andy Setchell who channelled Tony Jones for the remainder of the hour. The panel explained the benefits of using local installers and what sort of technologies were now available and what pitfalls should be looked out for. The evening was considered a great success by the group who thanked contributors to the event. Council has supported this community led initiative by hosting the event in Council Chambers and providing in-kind support with staff time. REM are planning on hosting future information sessions on renewable energy technology for the community throughout the year.



DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STATISTICS – MARCH 2019

PLANNING Planning Applications Lodged

Type of Application Lodged

Use and development for a dwelling (1 with outbuilding ) 3

Buildings & works (extension to existing dwelling) 3

Staged thirty four lot subdivision 1

Two lot subdivision 2

Development of camping & caravan park (86 sites) 1

Development of shed 2

Use and development of land for veterinary clinic 1

Total 13

Planning Applications Determined Type of Application Determined

Development of dwelling (2 without outbuilding) 3

Use & development of land for glamping 1

Use and development of rural store/outbuilding 2

Buildings & works (addition to existing dwelling) 1 Use and development for host farm accommodation &

outbuilding 1

Use of land for winery & liquor licence 1

Buildings & works (extension to existing dwelling) 2

Two lot subdivision 3

Total 14



Other Planning Consents & Enquiries

Extension of time 4

Secondary Consent (re-endorse plans) 2

Plans for endorsement, landscape plans 1

Statement of Compliance 2

Certification Applications Lodged for the Month Application No Date

Lodged Type Location Application Stage

S126897V/19 20/3/2019 Certification 2 lot subdivision

15 Avoca Court Mansfield Under Assessment

S136654S/19 20/03/2019 Certification 2 lot subdivision

115 Highton Lane Mansfield Under Assessment

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNLODGED 13 25 16 18 14 20 7 15 13ISSUED 10 14 8 25 19 23 17 13 14

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Monthly Planning ApplicationsLodged & Issued - July 2018 - June 2019



Days Taken to Approve Planning Application JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL

1 - 30 days 2 2 4 8

31 - 60 days 6 7 5 18

Over 60 days 7 2 5 14 Withdrawn /

Permit not req/ Lapsed/Refused

2 2 1 5

Number of applications

finalised 17 13 15 45

4

5

5

1

1 - 30 Days

30-60 Days

Over 60 Days

Other Refusal/withdrawn

March 2019 Approval Time



Delegated Planning Approvals File No. Description. Property Address.

DA3339 Use & development of the land for glamping

321 Rifle Butts Road Mansfield

DA7060 Extension to dwelling 155 Shanks Lane Boorolite DA7066 Use & development for host farm

accommodation & outbuildings 105 Graves Road Mansfield

DA7075 Development of dwelling & outbuilding 33 Wattle Court Tolmie

DA7076 Development of dwelling 90 Ambrose Drive Tolmie

DA229 Use of land for winery & liquor licence 15 Barak Court Bonnie Doon DA7093 Buildings & works – deck 38 Dawn Crescent Bonnie Doon DA7099 Buildings & works – deck 87 Dry Creek Road Bonnie Doon DA4931/2 Two lot subdivision 13 Highett Street Mansfield DA7006 Development of outbuilding 293 Howqua River Road Howqua

DA70225 Two lot subdivision 148 Malcolm Street Mansfield

DA3804 Use and development of rural store 152 Davies Road Merrijig

DA4938 Two lot subdivision boundary realignment 129 Olivers Road Mansfield

DA7019 Development of dwelling and shed 1850 Mt Buller Road Merrijig

BUILDING Monthly Comparative Value of Building Permits Lodged

2018-19 2017-18 2016-17

JUL $2,676,220 $2,806,374 $1,239,521

AUG $4,610,305 $2,575,688 $3,028,490

SEP $3,471,180 $3,525,850 $3,283,640

OCT $8,387,850 $3,669,368 $3,087,059

NOV $9,182,342 $2,110,805 $2,840,190

DEC $2,218,114 $3,425,626 $1,287,616

JAN $4,662,208 $1,412,051 $4,662,701

FEB $5,154,596 $3,317,615 $3,473,971

MAR $5,249,817 $4,018,171 $5,215,249

APR $6,325,641 $4,342,287

MAY $7,272,446 $3,247,878

JUN $8,458,304 $1,011,969

TOTAL $45,612,632 $48,917,939 $36,720,571



Monthly Comparison of Permits Lodged for Dwellings

2018-19 2017-18 2016-17

JUL 8 8 7 7 3 3

AUG 14 22 7 14 11 14

SEP 10 32 8 22 9 23

OCT 16 48 9 31 10 33

NOV 18* 66 5 36 6 39

DEC 6 72 7 43 5 44

JAN 12 84 3 46 9 53

FEB 12 96 9 55 10 63

MAR 8 104 10 65 9 72

APR 15 80 11 83

MAY 15 95 12 95

JUN 25 120 3 98

TOTAL 104 120 98

* NB: One permit issued for dual occupancy at 33 Curia Street

Value of Building Permits Lodged with Council

Type Number Value

RESIDENTIAL (6 Urban 2 Rural) 8 $2,675,401

ALT & ADDITIONS 7 $271,568

DOMESTIC SHEDS & CARPORTS 7 $350,500

SWIMMING POOLS & FENCES 2 $132,702

COMMERCIAL & PUBLIC AMENITIES 3 $1,819,646

TOTAL COST OF BUILDING WORKS 27 $5,249,817



SEPTIC

Septic Applications Lodged, Approved and Issued for the Month

Applications Lodged Permits to Install Issued

Permits to Use Issued

JUL 4 0 1

AUG 6 7 6

SEP 7 3 5

OCT 9 10 5

NOV 14 8 3

DEC 8 13 5

JAN 3 6 4

FEB 9 4 1

MAR 5 8 9

APR

MAY

JUN

TOTAL 65 59 39

Septic Applications Lodged 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17

JUL 4 4 5 5 5 5

AUG 6 10 4 9 8 13

SEP 7 17 6 15 4 17

OCT 9 26 5 20 8 25

NOV 14 40 2 22 7 32

DEC 8 48 6 28 5 37

JAN 3 51 3 31 2 39

FEB 9 60 5 36 4 43

MAR 5 65 10 46 12 55

APR 11 57 6 61

MAY 8 65 6 67

JUN 2 67 6 73

TOTAL 65 67 73

Executive Services Department Report: March 2019

Page 1 of 1

EXECUTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENTAL REPORT

MARCH 2019

NON-RESIDENT RATEPAYERS FORUM Invitation were sent out at the end of March to our Non-Resident Ratepayers advising of the annual Forum to be held 7 May at the Whitehorse Centre, Nunawading. Held during the Budget consultation period, the Forum is a way for Council to acknowledge our significant number of non-resident ratepayers and to provide an opportunity for everyone to be informed of current issues.

With the continued uptake of those signing up for email notification from Council, the number of invites sent via Australia Post this year has been reduced to approximately 1,400 (200 less than last year). This reduction will translate to considerable cost savings for Council on the mail out. The number who have registered for email notifications has risen to almost 1,900 with the total number of absentee owners being 3,244.

Infrastructure Department Report April 2019

Infrastructure - Page 1 of 2

INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT REPORT April Meeting 2019

CAPITAL WORKS

Works to construct and seal New Street (south) have now reached practical completion. Installation of street trees will be completed upon more favourable weather conditions.

Perkins Architects have been engaged to undertake the consultation and design of the proposed Lords Pavilion. The Lakins Road culvert installation is progressing well. The site has been prepared and the base slab has been poured. The precast culverts will be delivered and installed in April.

The intersection construction of Old Eildon Road/Eildon-Jamieson Road and the Tolmie- Mahaikah Road seal extension projects are nearing completion. The road base for both jobs has been prepared and they will be sealed in April 2019.

The annual footpath reinstatement program has been completed. Approximately 165sqm of failed footpath has been replaced.

Infrastructure Department Report April 2019

Infrastructure - Page 2 of 2

The Bon Crescent toilet replacement for Bonnie Doon is well underway. The offsite construction is progressing well with the precast concrete work completed.

The new facility is on track for installation and completion in May.

community services departmental report march 2019 … · 2019. 4. 10. · workshops and inspiring...

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