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Balranald Shire Council

Agenda – Ordinary Meeting – 16th August 2016 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

This is of the Business Paper of the Ordinary Monthly Meeting of Balranald Shire Council held in the Council Chambers, Market Street Balranald on Tuesday 16th August 2016.

PRESENT:

APOLOGIES:

DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Calendar of Events August - September

AUGUST

16 Council Meeting @ 5pm

17 Road Inspection – Bus Trip at 8am

28 – 30 LG NSW Water Management Conference in Broken Hill

30 CSP & 11am

31 CMRTF Meeting @ 11am in Swan Hill

SEPTEMBER

6 Euston Beautification Meeting @ 9am

6 Tourism Meeting @ 5pm

7 Balranald Beautification @ 7pm

20 Council @ 5PM

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Recommendation: That: “The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Thursday 19th July 2016 copies having previously been circulated to each Councillor be taken as read and confirmed.” “The minutes of the Confidential Meeting of Council held on Thursday 19th July 2016 copies having previously been circulated to each Councillor be taken as read and confirmed.”




PRESENTATION/DELEGATIONS

MAYORAL MINUTE/REPORT COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR ADOPTION

COMMITTEE & OTHER REPORTS FOR INFORMATION

DELEGATES REPORTS




NOTICES OF MOTION/RESCISSION

Cr Cooke has provided the following notice of motion. That the General Manager provide a report to Council advising:

1. How much money was over claimed by Bidgee Haven Hostel for ACFI packs?

2. Is Council required to reimburse the Government ACFI Department? 3. What are the time frames for which the ACFI review Officers investigated?

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

Cr Ken Barnes has provided the following questions on notice;

1 The senior Citizens Hall is being hired by a group on a weekly basis, 50% of the

hire rate is being subsidized by the council. If sanctioned by council, when and what are the conditions, if not why? 2. Would the Council adopt a policy of treating Committee meeting minutes as

separate identities and not simply a single block item? 3. Answers to Questions taken on notice. These are generally e-mailed out. Would

it be possible to also collate these as an extra item within the monthly meeting business papers?

4. Can Council be provided with an update of the current residency status of Bidgee Haven?




GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORTS (Incorporating all Staff Reports) Corporate and Community Development Division

Item C - 1 STATEMENT OF FUNDS File number: 085

Reporting Officer: Elizabeth White Director of Corporate and Community Development Operational Plan Objective: Pillar Six: Our Leadership – a community that values and fosters leadership, lifelong learning, innovation and good governance Officer Recommendation:

That Council receive and note the report Purpose of Report Funds Report for the Month Ending 31st July 2016. Investment Held:

Bankwest 1,000,000 NAB 2,000,000 Westpac 1,500,000

4,500,000

FUNDS HELD Investment Bank Combined Restricted Balance General 2,400,000 -328,647 2,071,353 2,049,000 22,353 DWM 0 124,050 124,050 60,000 64,050 Water 600,000 314,910 914,910 428,000 486,910 Sewer 1,500,000 429,559 1,929,559 1,777,000 152,559

Total 4,500,000 539,872 5,039,872 4,314,000 725,872

Report All investments shown have been made in accordance with Section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993, the regulations and council’s investment policy.




Bank Reconciliation Balance B/F From Previous Month

641,326

ADD Receipts for Month: Caravan Park 44,450

Debtors 119,660 Certificates 16,627

Discovery Centre 4,977

GST/PAYG 21,490 Hostel Fees 5,440 Hostel Subsidy 21,710

Interest Received

9,026 Investment Called Back 500,000

Rates & Water 70,686 Rent 2,050 RMS 4,875 W/Comp Re-imbursements 12,479

Sale of Tractor 50,000

Sundry 4,987

888,457

LESS Payments for the Month:

Administration 27,515 Caravan Park 20,797 Communication 4,210 Contractor 4,630

Contributions - RFS 33,881

Councillor Fees 9,746 Discovery Centre - Stocks 4,237

Discovery Centre 4,462

Fuel 31,201

Repayment of Bond – SC Units 92,411

Hostel – Other 5,479 Insurance 292,815

Lease 19,794 Licence 1,250

Mech. Parts & Consumables 4,551 Parks, Gardens, Cemetery 1,769 Payroll 253,216 Postage, Printing & Stationery 5,142 Repairs & Maintenance 7,558 Roads 38,928 Subs/Memberships 4,950

Purchase of Vehicles 101,149 Waste Management Expenses 900

Water 17,346 Sundry 1,974

989,911

Cash Book Balance as at End of Month

539,872

Less Outstanding Deposits as at end of Month

-3,398

Plus Unpresented Cheques as at end of Month

19,223

Bank Balance as at End of Month

555,697




Item C – 2 TOURISM REPORT – July 2016 File number: 771B Reporting Officer: Director of Corporate & Community Development Operational Plan Objective: Pillar 3: Our Economy – 3.2.1 Tourism Officer Recommendation:

1. That Council accept the July Tourism report for information

Purpose of Report To provide Council with a progress report on Tourism activities. Report Attached to this report is the Tourism Monthly Reporting Dashboard for the month of June 2016. The following is a summary of the Statistics provided in this report: July has been a very active and successful month. We commenced our “Balranald Business Online” Project with the first 5 websites in construction, we received record results with our social media campaign on Facebook and towards the end of the month we added Google Analytics to the tourism website to monitor statistics and trends. It was observed that straight after promotional posts on social media with links to the website, the traffic on the website doubled for the duration of the promotion. Walk-In increased by 34% compared to July 2015 and an increase of 5% compared to last month. Sales increased by 18% compared to May 2015 and an increase of 38% compared to sales last month. The largest percentage of visitors in July came from intrastate visitors at 53% and interstate at 40% in the following order VIC, SA, QLD, TAS, WA & NT. International visitors was at 2%, coming from the NZ, Japan, Sweden, Ireland and Malaysia. Coaches/Groups accounted for 5% of visitors. Note that we also recorded 8 groups of visitors that the VIC team encouraged to stay an extra night. One group stayed an extra 4 nights due to promotion of attractions in and around Balranald. Most popular merchandise this month: Magnets, Robinvale Estates products, Independence Studios products, Frog Figurines, & pistachios. The “Discover Balranald & Surrounds” performed exceptionally well and has already reached 1339 LIKES which is a 59% increase on last month and has had a record reach of 143,356 people and record engagement (likes, comments, clicks & shares) of 12,505 people from 7 posts. The post with the most engagement was our promotion of the Five Rivers which recorded a reach of 55,006 people and engagement of 5,755 people.




Our integrated “Discover Balranald & Surrounds” social media campaign will continue in August along with print media adverts. TV, radio and other print media booked in for the pursuing months. The new Visitor Guide is also scheduled for printing in August.

Financial Implication Nil

Legislative Implication Nil

Policy Implication Nil

Attachments Tourism Monthly Reporting Dashboard




Item C – 3 END OF TERM REPORT – PROGRESS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN File number: 155 Reporting Officer: Elizabeth White Director of Corporate and Community Development Operational Plan Objective: Pillar One: Our People – a community that is proactive, engaged, inclusive and connected. Officer Recommendation: That Council receive and note the end of term report on the progress and implementation of the Community Strategic Plan.

Purpose of Report The purpose of this report is to provide the outgoing Council with an end of term report on the progress and implementation of the Community Strategic Plan 2012 – 2022. Background The end of term report is a legislative requirement under the integrated Planning & reporting framework and must be tabled at the last meeting of the 2012-2016 Council. Discussion The end of term report provides a summary of the progress on the implementation and effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) in achieving the social, environmental, economic and Civic Leadership objectives since its adoption in October 2012. The end of term report also provides a summary of the outcomes achieved by this Council, along with community partners who are advocates in meeting the Six key objectives outlined in the CSP. The Six Key objectives are: 1. Our People 2. Our Place 3. Our Economy 4. Our Culture 5. Our Infrastructure 6. Our Leadership




Measuring the Community Strategic Plan As part of the Development of the CSP a number of measures were linked to each of the strategies. 2012 Community Engagement, and Councils actual performance through their Delivery Program and partnership with others. The end of term report has been developed to reflect the CSP and the objectives and strategies contained therein. It shows how Council has in partnership with Federal & State Government, not for profit organisations and the community as a whole has delivered, to meet the aspirations of the Community. Attached to this report is a comprehensive summary of the outcomes achieved by the 2012-2016 Council in meeting the objectives of the CSP.

Financial Implication Nil to this Report

Legislative Implication NSW Local Government Act 1993 Sec. 406 (1) & The Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines for Local Government in NSW


Attachments Community Strategic Plan Review and Outcomes




Balranald Shire 2022 Community Strategic Plan Outcomes Pillar One: OUR PEOPLE

A community that is proactive, engaged, inclusive and connected Council has measured the performance of the following actions from the Community Strategic Plan

Balranald Shire

2022 Objectives Council

Services Community Strategic Plan Actions 2012-2016 Action Performance

Measurement

Outcomes

1.1.1

Expand

opportunities for

social interaction

Community

Development a) Facilitate more family friendly social

events Councils Role: Advocate

d) Utilise Theatre for More social events

Councils Role: Advocate

Theatre utilisation increased

by 25% on previous year

Council contributed to New

Year’s Eve celebrations, movies

at the Theatre Royal, Easter /

Christmas activities, 5 Rivers

Festival

Council allocated a

maintenance budget to the

Theatre Royal to ensure upkeep

of the premises, ensuring the

facility is kept in an appropriate

manner for potential social

events. Council held 2 movie

nights at the Royal during 2014

Easter Holidays

1.2.1

Develop and

implement a

Welcoming

Strategy

Community

Development a) Create welcome teams in each

township

Councils Role: Facilitator

Teams in place by June 2013

Kit prepared by March 2013

Council welcomes all new

residents to Balranald Shire and

welcome kits are accessible on

Councils Website

The welcome Kit has been

completed and is available on

Councils website. The Kit is

updated on an

as-needs basis.




b) Assemble welcome kits with

information


1.2.2

Encourage

understanding,

respect and

tolerance

between our

diverse

communities

Community

Development a) Create opportunities to share and

celebrate cultural diversity and achievements


c) Create welcome to country information

signage

Councils Role: Leader

Host joint events to celebrate

NAIDOC Week and

Reconciliation Week

Signage to be created and

installed by June 2013

Council continues to keep an

open dialog with all cultures

within the Shire.

Council also holds Citizenship

Ceremonies on as-needs basis,

with and over the past four years,

has held 11 Citizenship

ceremonies.

Signage is installed at the

Balranald Discovery Centre

complex and Heritage Park.

1.2.3

Implement a

people asset

mapping project

to see what skills

our community

members are

willing to share

and what they

care about

Community

Development

a) Develop a skill and passion survey


c) Create database and website Councils Role: Leader

d) Create connection between shared

skills and passions Councils Role: Leader

Completed by March 2013

Completed by March 2013

Completed by June 2013

Council is working with the

Cultural Committee to facilitate

this program




Pillar One: OUR PEOPLE Continued

Balranald Shire



Measurement

Outcomes

1.2.4

Improve

communications

and information

dissemination

within our Shire

Community

Development b)Develop community directory


c)Develop quality community website


d)Develop central and attractive

noticeboards in all townships


e)Investigate initiatives, increase Euston

content in the Robinvale Sentinel


Completed by September

2012

Website completed by

December 2012. User survey

by March 2013

Completed by December

2012

Ongoing relationship

developed. Monitor Sentinel

for additional Euston content

A Community Directory created

& on Councils Corporate

website. Council is continuing to

grow and improve the directory

necessary.

Council’s Corporate website is

up and running, with continual

updates and alterations added

as required.

A new Tourism website was

created and released in mid-

2016 to align with Council’s new

(2015 – 2018) Tourism Strategy

New town entry signs into

Balranald promoting the

Balranald Discovery Centre

erected in December 2015

Regular media releases are sent

to the Sentinel.




Pillar One: OUR PEOPLE Continued

1.2.5

Improve Council

engagement

with the

community to

inform decision

making

Community

Development a)Regular Council e-newsletter


b)Use of community conversations and focus

groups


Improved liaison with

community. Increased

community participation in

conversations and focus

groups

Council distributes a monthly

newsletter via its website, email

to its mailing list, hard copy to all

within the Shire and hard copy

mail-outs

Council has been using

community consultation on an

increased basis.

Council also continues to advise

residents of activities through the

production of its monthly

Newsletter

1.3.1 Develop and

implement a

Youth Strategy

Community

Development Youth Services

c)Investigate the appointment of a youth

worker


d) Construct a Skate Park


e)Facilitate school holiday program


Investigations complete with

options identified

Skate Park developed 2015

Increased number of school

holiday activities

Council is continuing to

investigate grant funding

opportunities.

Skate Park completed 2016

Council hosts an Annual Youth

Week event




Pillar Two: OUR PLACE A liveable and thriving community that maintains lifestyle opportunities and addresses its disadvantages

Council has measured the performance of the following actions from the Community Strategic Plan

Balranald Shire

2022 Objectives

Council

Services

Community Strategic Plan Actions 2012-2016 Action Performance

Measurement

Outcomes

2.1.1

Design and

implement a

Population

Retention and

Attraction

Strategy

Community

Development a) Develop, implement and promote a

population retention and attraction

strategy Councils Role: Leader

Strategy developed by April

2013. Implementation and

promotion by June 2013.

Council resolved to adopt a

Statement rather than a

Strategy.

2.1.2

Establish a

Mining Liaison

Committee to

maximise

positive

community

outcomes from

potential mining

activities

Economic

Development a) Instigate regular dialogue with mining

companies Councils Role: Leader

b) Research other towns experiencing

new mining activities Councils Role: Leader

Meetings held on a quarterly

basis

Research completed by

March 2013

General Manager in regular

communication with the mining

companies. Regular briefings are

given to Council.

GM has discussed matter with

other Councils and information

obtained forms part of VPA

process.

2.2.3

Plan for an

ageing

population.

Aged Care a) Examine needs and options for an

ageing population Councils Role: Leader

Surveys and focus groups

completed by March 2013

Council held a committee

meeting to assess options on

needs of extending facility.

Council resolved not to go

ahead with extensions at this

stage




2.3.1

Establish a

Leisure Centre in

Balranald.

Community

Development

a) Identify funding sources and project

partners


b) Promote community engagement


Project funding and partners

identified by April 2013

Focus Groups completed by

May 2013

No current funding opportunities

have been identified at this time.

Community engagement on a

new strategic Plan will take

place in 2016 after election of a

new Council

2.3.2

Improve the

Balranald

Swimming Pool

Infrastructure c) Construct hydrotherapy pool


Pool construction completed

by August 2012. Pool constructed with heating

added. Internal finishes

completed 2013/14.

2.3.3

Promote the

Theatre Royal

Community

Development a) Encourage partnerships in all cultural and

movie events at the Theatre Royal


Increased number of joint

events held A number of events held,

including Seniors Week, joint

Meeting of Councils & Cultural

Committee concert. Council

trialled movie nights over the

Easter holidays.

2.3.4

Development of

playground

facilities

Infrastructure a) Undertake an audit of current facilities in

Euston and Balranald


b) Consultation with the community Councils Role: Leader

Audit completed.

Sun protection compliant

shade structures to be

provided to all playgrounds

within Balranald Shire.

Ongoing program of works.

Discovery Centre playground

shade sails erected in 2015/16.




Pillar Three: OUR ECONOMY A community that ensures a strong and resilient economy

Council has measured the performance of the following actions from the Community Strategic Plan Balranald Shire

2022 Objectives

Council

Services

Community Strategic Plan Actions 2012-2016 Action Performance

Measurement

Outcomes

3.1.1

Implement

regular business

networking and

training initiatives

Economic

Development

a) Develop a Balranald Business Association


b) Investigate a regular Business After Hours

Networking event


c) Instigate regular training initiatives

responding to expressed needs for local

businesses


Business Association

established by December

2013

Bi – Annual event created

by June 2013

Training Plan developed by

Balranald Inc.

Balranald Retail Group

revitalised. Council assisted with

the marketing of the Christmas

Promotion.

Completed by Balranald Inc.

Hospitality courses have been

run by Balranald Inc. and

Balranald Inc. advised the

training plan has been

completed. Survey sent out by

Tourism Coordinator to business

operators to establish topics

required by operators for

workshops.

Tourism department working with

Balranald Inc. in staging regular

Business After Hours workshops

Audit was conducted by Tourism

Coordinator to identify gaps and

establish training needs.

A survey was also sent out by

Tourism Coordinator to business

operators to establish training

needs.




d) Promote a strong customer service ethos


Customer service workshops

held in October 2012

Workshops & Training Plan have

been scheduled as part of the

“Balranald Business Online”

Project along with the Tourism

Strategic Plan’s objective to

build the local tourism capacity

BEC have conducted customer

service workshops. More

customer service workshops

have been scheduled for

delivery for the 2016/17 year by

the BEC and other trainers

3.1.2

Implement a

Business

Expansion and

Retention

(B.E.A.R.)

Program

Economic

Development

a) Source funding for BEAR


b) Design survey


c) Recruit volunteer interviewers


d) Implement the program over a two month

period


e) Prepare BEAR report


Funding secured by

November 12

Completed by January 2013

Recruitment completed by

Feb 2013

Surveys completed by April

2013

Report prepared by June

2013

Funding has not been

forthcoming

3.1.3

Promote use of

enterprise

creation and

expansion

Economic

Development

a) Promote and illustrate the availability of

schemes like NEIS, IFP, ICAS and RRGRECDF


Ongoing referrals

Ongoing regular service provider

visits and referrals by General

Manager.




schemes and

funding sources.

3.2.1

Formulate and

implement a

Balranald Shire

Tourism and

Marketing

Strategy.

3.2.1

Formulate and

implement a

Balranald Shire

Tourism and

Marketing

Strategy.

Tourism

Tourism

a) Audit existing tourism assets


b) Identify and clarify key tourism changes


Completed by September

2012

Completed by October 2012

Comprehensive tourism audit of

assets conducted Jan – May

2015

Comprehensive market &

industry research & scanning was

conducted Jan – June 2015

New Tourism Coordinator was

appointed in Oct 2014 to grow

tourism and the visitor economy

A new Tourism Strategy Plan &

Destination Management Plan

was developed August 2015

New Tourism Brand was

developed (logo, slogan, market

positioning elements) developed

in August/Sept 2015

New Tourism website was

released in June 2016

New Visitor Guide was

developed in June – July 2016

Development of new tourism

collateral




Collation of data & statistics for

strategy planning & performance

measures & reporting

Collaboration & joint Marketing

activities with National Parks

Collaboration & Joint project

based activities and initiatives

with surrounding LGA’s (north,

west, east & south of Balranald &

the Sturt Highway

Collaboration with local

operators in developing

packaged visitor services and

offerings

Development of strategic

alliances and relationships with

tourism related government

agencies including Destination

NSW, Regional Tourism

Organisations & Networks & RDA

Murray




3.2.1

Formulate and

implement a

Balranald Shire

Tourism and

Marketing

Strategy.

Tourism

c) Instigate stakeholder dialogue


d) Explore collaborative approaches to

marketing and promotions


e) Support new tourism services and product

and build tourism operator capacity


Monthly Tourism Meetings

held

Increased number of local

and regional promotions

and marketing activities

Development of successful local

and regional media relationships

to support PR activities

Regular media releases &

advertising in local & regional

media

Establishment and

implementation of successful

social media & digital marketing

activities

Success in Inland Tourism Awards

(Bronze) & NSW Tourism Awards

(Silver) for the Discovery Centre

Implementation of surveys to

local operators re SWOT Analysis

of the local tourism industry in

June – August 2015.

Identification of gaps in

delivering optimum service

throughout the Shire and support

required




Grant awarded in June 2016 for

the “Balranald Business Online

Project” to build our local

operators’ online capacity

Workshops for local operators to

support capacity building

Development of the Tourism

Ambassador program

Increased number of workshops

held to support and grow the

local tourism industry




Pillar Three: OUR ECONOMY Continued

Balranald Shire



Measurement Outcomes

3.2.2

Redevelop

Heritage Park

and construct

new Visitor and

Interpretive

Centre.

Economic

Development

/ Infrastructure

a) Continue community consultation


b) Award tenders for construction


Continued community

consultation

Tender awarded

Completed.

2013/14

3.2.4

Improve links

between

Balranald

communities

and Mungo and

Yanga National

Parks.

Economic

Development

/ Infrastructure

c) Lobby for sealing of Mungo access and

loop Councils Role: Leader

Lobbing undertaken Discussions held with Local

Federal Member, application

submitted for Round 1 of the

Murray Darling Basin Economic

Diversification Program Funding.

Have continued to lobby over

the four year period and

obtained funding from “Fixing

Country Roads”, achieving

4.37km of sealing on Marma Box

Creek and Euston Prungle Roads.

3.2.7

Implement

physical

improvements to

Market Street

Infrastructure b) Continue to pursue funding for Market St

upgrade


Lobbing undertaken Stage 1 completed in

conjunction with RMS project.

Stage 2 (Mayall to McCabe St’s)

completed October 2014




Pillar Three: OUR ECONOMY Continued

Balranald Shire




3.3.1

Utilise the new

Trade Training

Centre to

enhance the

range of local

training

programs.

Economic and

Community

Development

a) Build a strong working relationship with

Balranald Central School


b) Audit local industry and business training

needs


c) Identify relevant training funding sources


d) Develop a calendar of training programs


e) Establish collaborative training

arrangements with accredited trainers (MAX

Employment, Sureway, Riverina TAFE and MMT)


f) Instigate small business training courses


Regular meetings with senior

staff

Audit undertaken by

Balranald Inc. by June 2013

Funding sources identified

by Balranald Inc. by June

2013

Calendar of training

programs completed by

Balranald Inc. by June 2013

Quarterly meetings held with

training providers by

Balranald Inc.

Small business training

courses implemented by

Balranald Inc.

Ongoing communication

maintained by GM and DCCD.

School Captains have assisted

with mayoral elections and

Council intends to invite them to

continue to assist.




Balranald Inc. has been working

with the training providers.

Hospitality courses and BEC

workshops provided by Balranald

Inc. and Council.




Pillar Four: OUR CULTURE A community that respects and celebrates its diverse cultures, heritage and arts


Balranald Shire

2022 Objectives

Council

Services

Community Strategic Plan Actions

2012-2016

Action Performance

Measurement

Outcomes

4.1.1

Identify,

protect and

interpret our

significant

heritage sites.

Community

Development

a) Undertake a Shire Heritage assessment


e) Extend the Heritage Trail in Balranald


Shire Heritage assessment

by March 2013

Extension of Heritage Trail

completed by May 2013

A Military trail has been

developed. A number of

plaques have already

been erected.

Heritage Review completed by

Noel Thompson Architecture in

2013/14

Trail commenced in 2013/14, and

continued in 2014/15 with audit

conducted. Currently in Tourism

Action Plan for trail to be

extended to incorporate

historical markers against all

historical Shire landmarks /

buildings.

A Military trail has been

developed. A number of

plaques have already been

erected.




Pillar Five: OUR INFRASTRUCTURE A community that maintains and strengthens its natural and built environment


Note: State of the Environment report (SOE) now included in CSP

Balranald Shire


Services Community Strategic Plan Actions

2012-2016 Action Performance


5.1.1

Continual focus

on reducing our

environmental

footprint and

being

environmentally

sustainable

Continual focus

on reducing

our

environmental

footprint

a) Encourage environmentally friendly

practices Councils Role: Facilitator

Maintain recycling activities -

waste oil and scrap metal

recycling.

Reduction in Councils

environmental footprint and

being environmentally

sustainable

Council maintains facilities at

Balranald & Euston to cater for

recycling of viable materials,

including metal, oil, chemical

drum recycling.

Council turned over a number of

plant & fleet items to ensure its

environmental footprint is

minimised via the use of modern

emission & fuel economy

technology.

Council's new Tourist Information

Centre incorporates

interpretative material

concerning the local

environment. Council installed a

solar PV array on the new tourist

information centre to reduce its

reliance on grid supplied energy

5.1.2

Maintain healthy

and clean river

systems.

Support

Community

projects to

protect river

systems and

enhance

Lake Benanee access for boating


Support Euston

Beautification Committee

seek funding for Lake

Benanee boat launching

facility

Funding received, project

underway. Donations provided

towards re-stocking.

Better Boating funding obtained.

Project is in progress.




positive river

interactions

Improve boat launching facilities along the

Murrumbidgee, Wakool and Murray Rivers


Complete docking pontoons

and access platforms at

boat ramp sites.

5.2.1

Extend mobile

coverage

especially in the

Hatfield / Claire

area and

National Parks

Infrastructure a) Lobby for extension of mobile phone

coverage and utilisation of unused mobile

phone towers


Submissions completed to

relevant stakeholders by

September 2012

Council and Clare Community

continue to lobby

5.2.2

Achieve priority

as a National

Broadband

(NBB) Site

Infrastructure a) Lobby for inclusion in the next roll out of the

NBN


Submissions completed to

relevant stakeholders by

September 2012

GM has lobbied via RAMROC.

1 April 2015 – Announcement

made that installation work will

commence by September 2016 in

Balranald.

5.3.2

Provide for more

and improved

footpaths, bike

paths and

mobility scooter

paved concrete

paths

Infrastructure a) Review the pedestrian access

management policy (PAMP)


Policy reviewed. Further

funding for shared pathways

sought.

50% external funding received for

Mayall, O’Connor, We and

Church Street project, Balranald.

200m of new footpath in River

Street 2015/16




Pillar Six: OUR LEADERSHIP

A community that values and fosters leadership, lifelong learning, innovation and good governance Council has measured the performance of the following actions from the Community Strategic Plan

Balranald Shire

2022 Objectives Council Services Community Strategic Plan Actions

2012-2016 Action Performance


6.1.1

Establish a

Leadership

Development

Network and

Strategy.

Community

Development

a) Audit current leadership development

opportunities at local, regional and

State levels. Councils Role: Leader

Audit completed by April

2012

On-going

Council resolved not to proceed

with the establishment of a

Community Leadership Strategy at

this stage

6.3.1

Encourage

community

member

participation in

decision making

Civic Services a) Organise regular forums that enable

community participation in decision making


b) Continue to encourage community

involvement in Council Committees


Regular Committee

meetings held

Additional advertising

through Council newsletter

to attract new members to

Committees

Regular committee meetings held.

Advertising completed annually,

after review by Council.

6.3.2

Ensure that

Council is

efficiently

managed to

provide civic

leadership and

good governance

to meet all the

future needs of

our community.

Organisational

Management a) Provide good governance, prudent

financial management and effective

support services for all its activities


Less than 15 written

customer complaints. No

audit qualifications

Over the four year period, Councils

audit has been signed with no audit

qualifications by auditors.

Over the four year period, Council

has received less than five

complaints each year




Infrastructure and Development Reports

Item I - 1 CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATES

File number: 600 Reporting Officer: Director Infrastructure and Development – John Stevenson

Operational Plan Objective: Pillar 6 Officer Recommendation: That the report be noted.

Purpose of Report To advise Council of Certificates issued under delegated authority. Report The following Construction Certificates, Complying Development Certificates, Section 68 Certificates and / or Notices of Determinations have been issued since the June 2016 meeting of Council.

Application Owner/Applicant Locality Description

DA 66/2016 Costa Holdings Costa Boulevard, Euston Shed Extension

DA 69/2016 J. Standen Rosenhoe, Weimby-Kyalite Road, Kyalite

Farm Storage

Shed

DA 72/2016 Costa Holdings Costa Boulevard, Euston Shed

DA 01/2017 S. Haines 45 Moa Street, Balranald Shed

S68

01/2017

Mark Tyrrell Murray Terrace, Euston 4 x Transportable

Caravan Park

Cabins

Financial Implication Nil.

Legislative Implication The approvals process.

Policy Implication Nil.

Attachments Nil.




Item I - 2 MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

File number: 726 Reporting Officer: Director of Infrastructure – John Stevenson

Operational Plan Objective: Pillar 5 – Our Infrastructure Officer Recommendation: That the report be noted and accepted.

Purpose of Report To provide Council with a progress report on works, since the July meeting. Report 1. Road Maintenance Council has continued its unsealed roads maintenance due to the favourable weather conditions, as well as sealed road maintenance. Works have been undertaken in the following areas:

Hatfield The Vale Road maintenance grading

Hatfield The Vale Road Floodway and Scour protection and Grid maintenance

General sign repair and maintenance

Patching of various roads in preparation for resealing

2. Roads to Recovery Program

Works are complete to finished gravel stage on a further 4.5km section of Marma Box Creek Rd westerly from the end of seal. This will complete the trial section which will be sealed later in the year. 3. Miscellaneous Works a) Bituminous patching of the Balranald Caltex Service Station truck access

utilising a cement stabilised crushed rock b) The Resealing Tender and the Telemetry contract are progressing c) Asset investigation, sewer camera work and associated condition reports

are to be carried out in a part of the Balranald sewer network over the next 6 weeks.

d) A Pergola at Balranald Aged Care was erected e) A water main break near the Balranald reservoir was repaired as well as

various valve repair and replacement works




Marma Box Creek Road Trial section

1.9km sealed

Financial Implication As per budgeted works program.

Legislative Implication Nil.

Policy Implication Rural Roads Policy.

Attachments Nil.




Item I – 3 OFFICIAL ROAD NAMING File number: 712 Reporting Officer: Director Infrastructure and Development – John Stevenson

Operational Plan Objective: Pillar 5 Our Infrastructure Officer Recommendation:

1. 1. That Council seek public comment on naming roads with naming discrepancies for a period of 28 days.

2. 2. Any public comments be reported to the October Meeting of Council.

Purpose of Report To progress the official road naming of Council’s rural roads. Report A number of roads within our local government area lack official road names or have conflicting road names between Council and Land & Property Information datasets, see Attachment 1. In order to progress the official road naming process, community consultation should be undertaken, the results of which would be reported the October meeting of Council. Discussions will need to be undertaken with neighbouring local government authorities to negotiate an equitable outcome for roads that cross local government boundaries.

Financial Implication N/A



Attachments Attachment 1: Notes on discrepancies between Council & NSW Land & Property Information road name data




Attachment 1: Draft Rural Roads List

Council Policy Name LPI Name Issue Comment

Balranald Weir No LPI Name

Binda Melton Grove No LPI Name

Bourpie Lane No LPI Name

Bourpie Road No LPI Name

Carinya No LPI Name

Chilichil No LPI Name

Clare Freshwater East Clare Name difference

Clare School East Clare Name difference

Courtney Drive No LPI name

Culparlin Alma Alma Name difference

Kyalite Moulamein Kyalite Name difference

Crosses LGA boundary

Keogh No LPI name

Melton Grove Dockerty Dockerty Name difference


Mengler No LPI name

Redbank Weir No LPI name

Tarwong Freshwater Freswater Name difference

The Island Island Name difference

Thomson No LPI name

Weimby Kyalite No LPI name

Dry Lake No LPI Name

Boree Plains Gol Gol No LPI name

Clare Freshwater East Clare Name difference

Magenta D Block No LPI name

Hatfield The Vale No LPI name

Oxley Clare Merrung Rung & Clare Oxley

Name difference

Weimby Benongal Weimby Name difference

Weimby Kyalite No LPI name

Turlee Leaghur No LPI name

Hatfield The Vale No LPI name




Council Policy Name LPI Name Issue Comment

Margenta Wampo No LPI name

Mildura Ivanhoe Gol Gol, Garnpang, Garnpung multiple names


Nandum Corrong No LPI name

Tarwong Freshwater Freshwater Name difference

Antonio No LPI name

Bella Vista Close No LPI name

Bridge Road No LPI name

Costa Boulevard No LPI name

Murray Valley Hwy Service No LPI name

Rose No LPI name




General Manager’s Reports

Item G - 1 DONATION REQUESTS File number: 56 Reporting Officer: Aaron Drenovski, General Manager Operational Plan Objective: Pillar 1: Our People – A Community that is proactive, engaged, inclusive and connected. Officer Recommendation: That Council provide the:

1. Station Kids Swimming Group with a donation of $300. 2. Balranald Multi-Purpose Health Service with a donation of $500. 3. Balranald Murrumbidgee Classic with a donation of $500.

Purpose of Report To seek Council’s decision on the current round of donation requests. Report Council has recently received 3 completed donation application forms with the critical detail provided in the table below. As part of Councils privacy management the completed forms have been provided to Councillors under separate cover.

Community Group or

Organisation

Project or Event Name

Project or Event

total cost

Funds requested

Officer recommendation

based on Council’s Policy

Station Kids Swimming Group

Swimming Lessons

$10,600 $300 $300

Balranald Multi-Purpose Health Service

Engage sponsorship for writers workshop

$6,600 $500 $500

Balranald Murrumbidgee Classic

Fishing Competition – entry forms

$700 $700 $500

The applications meet the requirements of Council’s Donation, Subsidies & Financial Assistance Policy. The last 2 applications were received post the Policies application closing date; however have been included, as they were received before the Council Agenda report was finalised.




At the June Council meeting, Council resolved to support the Balranald New Year’s Eve Committee with a contribution of $3,500 towards the cost of the fireworks and $900 to Balranald Masonic Lodge towards the cost of rates. The Donation Budget for 2016/2017 is $10,000 and the remaining funds are $5,600 following the two contributions approved at the June Council meeting. Station Kids received a donation from Council in the 2015/2016 financial year and the Balranald Multi-Purpose Health Service has not sought a donation in recent years. Council has funded the printing of the Balranald Murrumbidgee Classic in the past 2 financial years, with the amounts being $645 & $614.

Financial Implication 2016-2017 Donation Budget is $10,000, $4,400 is committed.


Policy Implication In accordance with Council’s Donations Policy

Attachments Donation Application Form provided under separate cover




Item G - 2 REDBANK NORTH WATER LICENCE MEETING File Number: 323 Reporting Officer: Aaron Drenovski, General Manager Operational Plan Objective: Pillar Six: Our Leadership – A community that values and fosters leadership, lifelong learning, innovation and good governance. Officer Recommendation: That Council receives and notes the report.

Purpose of report To advise Council of the outcome of a meeting attended by all Redbank North Supplementary Water licence shareholders and representatives from Water NSW. Report Council owns 3,417 shares of the 104,964 Shares in the Redbank North Supplementary Water Licence (WAL 36224). Council’s share of the water licence is associated with the Balranald Common Land. There are a total of 18 shareholders on the licence. Approximately two years ago shareholders ceased receiving individual accounts with one account being sent out for the water licence. The account was initially sent to Council and then the Land Council. A telephone conference was held on 6 July 2015 with representatives from Water NSW and DPI water to determine how the water licence bill could be split and sent to individual shareholders. Since that meeting a number of changes have occurred within Water NSW and DPI water departments which delayed any progress on the matter until recently. Council organised a meeting that was held on Wednesday 3 August for all Shareholders of the licence to attend along with representatives from Water NSW. Water NSW representatives advised shareholders that to overcome the billing issues the proposal was to allocate an individual licence to each current shareholder of licence WAL36224. Shareholders agreed unanimously to proceed with individual licences. Application forms were provided to Shareholders with Water NSW representatives offering to assist with filling out the forms. It is anticipated that all applications will be submitted to Water NSW by mid to late September 2016. As the intention is to split one licence the application needs to be made as a whole and Council will submit the application, pay the associated fees and shareholders will be invoiced an even proportion of the application fee (as agreed at the meeting).




At the meeting, shareholders also discussed the opportunity to sell the water licence or part thereof to the government. The majority of shareholders agreed to investigate the opportunity to sell the water as per the attached letter.

Financial Implication Associate application fees in the order of $1,000 with 17/18ths to be recouped from the other 17 licence shareholders



Attachments Letter to Gavin Hanlon




Item G – 3 EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS File number: 25 Reporting Officer: Aaron Drenovski, General Manager Operational Plan Objective: Pillar Six: Our Leadership – a community that values and fosters leadership, lifelong learning, innovation and good governance Officer Recommendation: That Council receive & note the report.

Purpose of Report To provide Council with an update on Emergency Services Levy transitional arrangements. Report From 1 July 2017 the State Government will abolish the Emergency Service Levy (ESL) on insurance policies and replace it with the Emergency Services Property Levy (ESPL), paid alongside Council rates. The RAMROC group of Councils wrote to the Premier and four other Ministers as per attached letter stating that the levying and collection of the ESPL should not be the responsibility or function of Local Government Councils. A response is yet to be received from the Premier regarding these matters. Council received an email from the Department of Justice on 15 July (as attached) advising Council of the Emergency Services Levy transitional arrangements. The State Government have changed the method of calculating individual Councils contributions. Council officers prepared the 2016/2017 budget estimates in conjunction with the RFS. The new method for calculating Council’s contribution has added an additional $16,615 to the RFS contribution as per the table below.




RAMROC on behalf of the member Councils has written to the Premier (as attached) raising concerns about the new methodology being implemented without consultation. The result being a substantial increase for some Councils that has eventuated post their budgets being adopted.

Financial Implication Additional expense of $15,934 to what was budgeted for



Attachments 1/Letter to Premier from RAMROC 2/Email from Department of Justice 3/Letter to Premier from RAMROC




Attachment 1




Attachment 2




Attachment 3

PO Box 3572, Phone (02) 6023 8791

Level 3, 553 Kiewa Street, Fax (02) 6023 8169

ALBURY NSW 2640 Email [email protected]

5

th August 2016

The Hon Mike Baird MP,

Premier of NSW,

GPO Box 5341,

SYDNEY NSW 2000

Dear Premier,

Councils’ Rural Fire Service Contributions for 2016-2017

RAMROC, on behalf of its 14 Member Councils in the Riverina and Murray region, writes to express strong

disappointment in relation to the determining of Rural Fire Service Contributions for the current year, which

has caused huge increases in the final amounts payable by some rural Councils.

The new RFS methodology has been established without consultation with Local Government, nor with the

Councils that are now being significantly impacted. It is unrealistic to expect that Councils can simply

continue to absorb RFS contribution increases in most years and still be expected to maintain the level and

quality of other services that are so critical for the wellbeing of communities.

For your information in relation to the 2016-2017 RFS contributions, I draw attention to two specific examples

in the RAMROC region, as follows:-

1. Hay Shire Council – up 88% from the 2016-2017 Budget amount of $72,001 estimated in March 2016, to a final advised amount of $135,066 levied in July 2016. This single cost increase of $63,065 is equivalent to 2.77% of Council’s total rate income, in itself far above the rate pegging limit of 1.8%.

2. Balranald Shire Council – up 8.9% from the RFS 2016-2017 Budget estimate in March 2016 of $181,752 to a final advised amount of $198,367 in July 2016. Whilst the percentage increase is much lower than that experienced by Hay Shire, the net cost increase of $16,615 is still equivalent to 1.28% of the Shire’s total rate income, not much below the rate pegging limit.

Whilst all RAMROC Councils understand and support the critical importance of an adequately funded

emergency services system, to which those Councils contribute very significant amounts annually, the

increasing RFS charges being experienced in most years, always well above the annual rate pegging limit

imposed on Councils, are disheartening and cause a real drain on the ability of Councils to maintain important

service levels.




Worse still is the fact that these 2016-2017 increases were unanticipated and therefore are not provided for in

Councils’ 2016-2017 Annual Operational Plan and Budget Estimates. The inevitable outcome is that other

important community based services and / or infrastructure projects may now have to be cut to make way for

the RFS increased charge.

I would be pleased to receive your Government’s response and hopefully your approval for a retrospective

adjustment to be made to reduce the accounts levied on Hay Shire and Balranald Shire Councils and other

Councils adversely affected. A copy of this letter has been sent to Treasurer the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP,

the Minister for Emergency Services the Hon David Elliott MP and to the Member for Murray the Hon Adrian

Piccoli MP, seeking their support and assistance in the matter.

Yours faithfully,

Ray Stubbs

Executive Officer RAMROC




Item G – 4 SUMMARIES OF MEETINGS File number: 25 Reporting Officer: Aaron Drenovski, General Manager Operational Plan Objective: Pillar Six: Our Leadership – a community that values and fosters leadership, lifelong learning, innovation and good governance Officer Recommendation: That Council receive and note the report.

Purpose of Report To advise Council of a summary of meetings held. Report

On Wednesday 20 July the General Manager and Director of Infrastructure and Development met with a Developer looking to lodge a SEARS application for a 50-200MW Solar Farm located within the Shire. The developer indicated that a project of this scale would have a construction phase of 9-12months and would employ in the order of 200 workers. Councillor Jolliffe and the General Manager met with Fred Spain and Andria Lukess from NSW Public Works on Thursday 21 July. Fred and Andria advised that they had been appointed to project manage aspects of the Nimmie Ciara Project with Fred being based in Hay. The Mayor and General Manager attended the RAMROC Board meeting on Friday 21 July held in Jerilderie. Councillors were provided a copy of the meeting minutes on Wednesday 27 July. With the recent amalgamations, 8 former Councils were automatically terminated as members with 4 newly constituted Councils becoming members by resolution of the committee. A large portion of the meeting was spent on determining RAMROCs preference of a Joint Organisation structure for the region. The General Manager attended a meeting on Wednesday 3 August with all Shareholders of the Redbank North Supplementary Water Licence (WAL 36224) attending. The meeting was ran by Water NSW representatives with the purpose to assist Shareholders to obtain individual water licences. There is a specific report on this matter to Council.

Financial Implication Nil



Attachments Nil




ITEM G – 5 CORRESPONDENCE

File Number: 712 Reporting Officer: Aaron Drenovski, General Manager Operational Plan Objective: Pillar 1: Our People – A community that is proactive, engaged, inclusive and connected Officer Recommendation: For information. Purpose of Report To advise Council of recent correspondence of interest. Report

1. Letter from Mark Speakman, Minister for Environment




ITEM G - 6 ACTION SHEET Reporting Officer: Aaron Drenovski, General Manager File Number: 120 Officer Recommendation: For information.

Purpose of Report To bring forward for Councillors information the Action Report with actions taken on previous council resolutions.

BALRANALD SHIRE COUNCIL ACTION SHEET

JULY 2016

MIINUTE DIRECTOR/ FILE NO

SUBJECT DATE COMPLETED

COMMENTS CURRENT STATUS

03.16.3657 DID No Dogs allowed sign for Anderson Park In progress

04.16.3676 DID Euston Beautification: Investigate signage for sculptures in park (not to be sat on) Liaise with contractor re Euston Courthouse refurbishment. Follow up the pavement repair works at the end of Shailer Terrace.

Attended to In Progress In Progress.

04.16.3676 DID Traffic Committee: Follow up with RMS re; Morris Rd/Sturt Hwy intersection.

With RMS

05.16.3697 DID Balranald Beautification Committee; Replacement of roses at old gaol. Purchase of trees and provision of extra seating at lawn cemetery.

Completed In Progress

06.16.3718 DID Tourism Committee – - Erect signs at Memorial Bird Trail - Provide quotes to next tourism meeting re; proposed awning at Gaol.

Completed

DCCD Tourism Committee – - Write to Minister re; consider BSC as part of the funding for Regional Development of Roads.

In Progress

DID Balranald Beautification - Investigate Church St Crepe Myrtles from Moa St – Cemetery - Liaise with Garden Staff re; trees adjacent to MPS in Court Street.

Completed In Progress

06.16.3728 DID Advertise Alcohol Free Zone for Balranald and Euston and arrange signage.

Completed




06.16.3731 DID Apply to make Chinese Cemetery reserve Freehold.

on going

06.16.3733 DID Investigate Aboriginal Cemetery and report back to Council.

Will be reported to September Council Meeting

06.16.3750 DCCD Arrange signage of Discovery Centre Café Lease

Completed

07.16.3755 DID Euston Beautification & Tourism Approach Leon Follett re; storyboard stop points. Advertise in Sentinel re; photos or history notes.

Waiting for Leon to return Ad prepared

Tourism Investigate Land Titles and report to Office of Environment re; bird trail Provide update of works on Wintong School Present options for signs and communications – Mungo Road Closed sign

Map was provided to Tourism Committee Signs ordered

07.16.3758 DCCD Arrange increase of rates as per Operational Plan

Completed

07.16.3762 DID Advise Cobar Shire that council will support the application without monetary contributions.

Completed

07.16.3764 DID Accept the offer of present Waste Depot manager and arrange lease. Endorse access for businesses to the Waste Depot outside of normal hours.

Lease prepared System prepared

07.16.3765 DID Advertise the draft contaminated lands policy and report back to September Meeting.

In Progress

07.16.3767 GM Arrange registration for Cr O’Halloran and Cr Jolliffe to attend Water Management Conference

27.07.2016 Completed

07.16.3769 GM Request to the Minister that the 8 FarWest councils join tourism network as standalone and have outback it the area title.

03.08.2016 Letter Sent

07.16.3776 GM Seek Legal advice on caltex In Progress

GM Write to Sussan Ley re phone tower. 26.07.2016 Letter Sent

DCCD Note the charges of commercial and domestic sewerage.

19.07.2016 Noted

DCCD Hostel fees report distributed to Councillors.

29.07.2016 Email sent to Councillors

DID Arrange Bus Trip for Road Inspections in August.

In Progress

CLOSED MEETING - CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

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