upper hunter shire council annual report 2016/2017

Upper Hunter Shire Council • Annual Report 2016 - 2017 1

PART 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council

Upper Hunter Shire CouncilANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017



PART 1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF COUNCIL

What is the Annual Report? ........................................................................................................... 3

Message from the Mayor .................................................................................................................. 4

Message from the General Manager ......................................................................................... 5

Our Achievements and Highlights 2016 - 2017 ...................................................................6

Our Shire .................................................................................................................................................... 7

Our Council ...............................................................................................................................................8

Our Organisation ..................................................................................................................................9

Our Vision, Mission and Corporate Values ........................................................................... 10

Our Charter .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Our Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework ................................................... 12

PART 2 DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN REPORT

Key Achievements for the Year ............................................................................................ 2 - 7Delivery Program Objectives, Strategies and Performance ................................8 - 71

PART 3 STATUTORY STATEMENTS

Statutory Statements.................................................................................................................2 - 16

PART 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GRANT FUNDING

Acknowledgement of Grants ........................................................................................................ 2

PART 5 GOVERNMENT INFORMATION (PUBLIC ACCESS)

Act Annual Report .........................................................................................................................2 - 3

PART 6 FINANCIAL SUMMARY & STATEMENTS, INCLUDING ASSET REPORTING

Financial Summary .................................................................................................................. 2 - 153

The Annual Report 2016/2017 is structured into 6 parts, as follows:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 Introduction and Overview of Council



What is the Annual Report? ...........................................................................................................................................................................................3

Message from the Mayor ..................................................................................................................................................................................................4

Message from the General Manager .........................................................................................................................................................................5

Our Achievements and Highlights 2016 - 2017 ...................................................................................................................................................6

Our Shire ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7

Our Council ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

Our Organisation ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................9

Our Vision, Mission and Corporate Values .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Our Charter ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................11

Our Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework ...................................................................................................................................12

Part 1 - Introduction and Overview of Council



The Annual Report documents the performance of the Council over the past financial year. The most important role of the Annual Report is in ensuring the Community is able to see what our financial and operational performance has been for the 2016/2017 year.

It is an opportunity for us to communicate how we have performed over the last financial year against what we said we would do, in a transparent and accountable way.

It is also a valuable exercise for reviewing our achievements and to check the organisation is on track for the coming year.

The Annual Report focuses mainly on Council’s implementation of its Community Strategic Plan 2013+, Delivery Program and Operational Plan.

The Annual Report also includes a range of statutory information Council is required to report on under the Local Government Act and Regulation. This information assists the community’s understanding of Council’s performance as a business entity and community leader.

What is the Annual Report?



It is my privilege to present the Upper Hunter Shire Council Annual Report for 2016/2017. Council has had another busy year, undertaking $13 million in capital projects, including $7.4 million on major projects.

Council has enjoyed the opportunity to develop a new Community Strategic Plan 2027, which creates a roadmap for the Upper Hunter Shire that will guide local decision-making and community participation over the next decade.

We committed to a new approach in engagement to specifically reach out to people in the Upper Hunter Shire who are less likely to participate in conventional methods of consultation or have been traditionally “hard to reach’. A highlight was “Popping-up” and speaking openly with over 980 Community members. As a result the plan reflects the diversity of views in the Shire.

The CSP 2027 has 11 Community Priorities, which represent the 10 most important priorities for the future and the final priority is to highlight the importance for Council to continue to be Fit for the Future. Moving forward, the Community will be able to see how we are working to achieve these priorities as they will link to Council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan.

Council applied and was successful in gaining grants totalling $17.4 million, for a number of major projects over the period 2017 through to 2020. The projects include:

• Willow Tree Road Upgrade Project;

• Scone Golf Course Reconstruction;

• Saleyards Redevelopment; and

• White Park covered Arena

I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for their commitment in serving the residents of the Upper Hunter Shire.

I would also like to thank Councils Senior Management and Staff whose hard work is demonstrated within this Report. I look forward to our even greater achievements in the future.

I extend Council’s sincere appreciation to the many community members who are assisting Council in working towards the shared vision for the Shire of a quality rural lifestyle in a vibrant, caring and sustainable community.

Cr Wayne BedggoodMAYOR

Message from the Mayor



This is my final Annual Report for the Upper Hunter Shire before I move back home to New Zealand to take on a new role. It has been a privilege to work and live in the Shire and I know that Council will continue to work towards the shared vision of a quality rural lifestyle in a vibrant, caring and sustainable community.

The Upper Hunter Shire Council is responsible for a large geographic area, maintaining a region of around 8,100 square kilometres including roads, bridges, parks, footpaths, water and sewage services.

Along with infrastructure services, Council provides a vast range of community services, such as youth and children’s services, aged care services, libraries and sporting programs. Council also has a role in economic development, managing Scone and Upper Hunter Airport, Scone Saleyards, Visitor Information Centres and tourism promotion.

Some of the highlights for 2016/2017 include:• Council endorsed Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027 with 11 Community priorities, including Fit for the

Future;• Council engaged with over 980 Community members during development of the CSP 2027;• Completion of Sandy Creek Bridge; and• Continued upgrade of our sealed and unsealed road network.

Our significant achievements would not be possible without the ongoing commitment of a dedicated team. I would like to thank our Mayor Wayne Bedggood and Councillors for their leadership and vision this year and for their continued support during my time as General Manager.

I would also like to acknowledge my Executive Management Team and the more than 200 staff for their efforts, achievements and support.

The Community is the backbone of this region and their ongoing commitment enhances social cohesion and a sense of purpose within our Community. I have enjoyed meeting and working with the many Community members during my time as General Manager.

The Upper Hunter Shire is a wonderful region and I am truly proud of Council’s role in delivering the many achievements and Community outcomes detailed in our Annual Report 2016/2017.

Waid CrockettGeneral Manager

Message from the General Manager



Our Achievements and Highlights

2 kms replaced water pipe.

1.7 kms renewed sewer pipe.

Council endorsedCommunity Strategic Plan (CSP)

2027 with 11 Community Priorities including Fit for the Future.

107,962 visitors to Council’s website.

Customer Satisfaction 82% You spoke. We listened.

22.5 kms of unsealed road resheeted.

Over 29.5 kms of road resealed.

Completion ofSandy Creek Bridge.

Development AssessmentCouncil approved $26.3 million

worth of development. 85% approved under delegated authority.

Capital WorksUndertook 41 major projects

Total project value $7.4 million.

6 kms of urban, rural and regional roads rehabilitated.

1.4 kms of new footpath and cycleways

Council engaged with over 980 community members during development of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2027



The Upper Hunter Shire is located inland of Newcastle in the Hunter Region of NSW and has a total land area of 8,100 square kilometres. The population in the Upper Hunter Shire is around 2% of the Hunter Region population and 28% of its area.

Council manages:

• 3 Council Branch Offices;

• 8 Community Halls;

• 5 Public Library Branches;

• 3 Public Swimming Pools;

• 2 Community Technology Centres;

• 3 Youth Centres;

- Advice and referral

- Skills Group

- Casework

- Counselling Early Intervention Services

• 3 Approved Children’s Education and Care Services;

- The Early Leaning Centre (ELC) Long Day Care - Family Day Care (FDC) - Scone Out of School Hours / Vacation Care Program (SOOSH)

• 17 Independent Living Units;

• 1 Aged Hostel;

• 2 Low Income Units;

• 3 Animal Shelters;

• 5 Waste depots.

Council manages more than 119 hectares of sports ground.

4,700 residences are serviced by kerbside garbage and recycling.

Council is responsible for 1,770 kilometres of local road, 27.3 kilometres of footpath and 118.8 kilometres of kerb and gutter.

There are 93 bridges within the Upper Hunter Shire – 25% of these are timber bridges.

Council’s Assets including infrastructure, property, plant and equipment are valued at almost $700 million.

Our Shire

Barrington TopsNational Park

North Westto Coolah

West toDunedooDubbo

CASSILIS

South West toUlan and Mudgee

MERRIWA

BUNNAN

PARKVILLE

SCONE

BLADFORD

MURRURUNDI

BELLTREES

ROUCHEL

ELLERSTON

MOONANFLAT

WINGEN

North East toWillow Tree

North toNundle

East toGloucester

South East along the New England Highwayto Muswellbrook, Singleton, Maitland,Newcastle and SydneyEast along the Golden Highway

to Denman, Singleton and Maitland

GUNGAL

GUNDY

ABERDEEN

North toWillow Tree

Tamworth

TIMOR

Goulburn RiverNational Park

TowarriNational Park

Cedar BrushNature Reserve

Coolah TopsNational Park

Camerons GorgeNature Reserve

Burning MountainNature Reserve

LakeGlenbawn

Wingen MaldNature Reserve

TimorCaves

Ben Halls GapNational Park

Upper Hunter Shire Council

0 10 20

Kilometres

30 40



Our Councillors

Back Row: Cr Kiwa Fisher, Cr Ron Campbell, Cr James Burns, Cr Sue Abbott, Cr Josh BrownFront Row: Cr Lorna Driscoll, Mayor Wayne Bedggood, Deputy Mayor Maurice Collison, Cr Lee Watts

Council Term 2016-2020



GENERAL MANAGER

Waid Crockett

Business Enterprise and

Tourism

Strategic Planning

Communications

OPERATIONSSPECIAL PROJECTS

ExecutiveAssistant

Governance &Executive Support

Internal Audit / Risk

Internal and ExternalCommunication (incl media)

Website ManagementCommunity Engagement

Corporate Branding

Tourism and EventsEconomic Development

SaleyardsAirport

PropertyCaravan Parks

Grants

CustomerService

Planning and Regulation

CustomerService Centres

Call CentreAdministration

Health and BuildingRegulatory Compliance

Animal ControlAdministration

Planning & DevelopmentAssessment

CommunityServices

LibraryChildcare & Youth Services

Aged Care ServicesSport Participation

Sustainability & Environment

Water andSewerage

StrategicAssets

WorksDelivery Finance Information

ServicesHuman

Resources

Trade WasteWater Supply

Sewerage Services

Asset Management StrategyAsset Management Plans

Survey and DesignAsset Systems

Development Eng. Traffic

Construction WorksRecreation

Road and Bridge MaintenanceBuilding Services

Management AccountingFinancial Accounting

RatesRevenue Services

PayrollStores and Purchasing

Plant Services

Information TechnologyInformation Management

Records

Human ResourcesWorkforce Planning

WH&SReturn to Work

Internal AuditInsurance Management

Enterprise Risk

Integrated Planning andReporting (IP&R)

Council Wide ServiceImprovement

Project ManagementProject Administration

Site CoordinationDeliver Significant Projects such as:

- Willow Tree Road- White Park Development

- Pipeline to Murrurundi- Cassilis Sewerage Scheme

SustainabilityEnvironmentSolid Waste

Steve Pryor, DirectorAlan Fletcher

ENVIRONMENTAL & COMMUNITY SERVICES

Matthew Pringle, Director

Our Organisation



VisionA Quality Rural Lifestyle – in a vibrant, caring and sustainable community.

Our Values• Mutual respect for all people and cultures.

• Ensure staff and community safety.

• Efficient, effective and reliable service.

• Honest, open and accountable.

• Deliver on our Commitments.

• Improved Environmental Responsibility.

Our commitment to the Community• We will deliver high quality, innovative, consistent and responsive services to the community.

• We respect the rights of everyone to be treated fairly.

• We will keep our community informed about Council services and financial position.

• We will continually strive to improve our services to the community and encourage community engagement.

• We will deliver increased effort in the protection of the environment.

Our commitment to each other• We will conduct a safe, fair and open workplace where achievements are recognised and people are

encouraged to develop personally.

• We will communicate openly and in clear and consistent language.

Vision, Values and Commitment



Our Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework



Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting framework is colour coded and each of the key documents has a marking with the corresponding colour.

This alignment of Councils Key Plans is formed through the 11 Community Priorities and the 4 Key Focus Areas:

• Community Life;

• Built and Natural Environment;

• Economic and Infrastructure; and

• Leadership and Community Engagement

Delivery Program Operational Plan Long Term Financial Plan Workforce Management Plan

Asset Management Plans Community Strategic Plan CSP 2027

End of Term Report Other Strategic Plan

Upper Hunter Shire Council Annual Report

Our Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework - Colour Codes

upper hunter shire council annual report 2016/2017

Documents