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CENTRAL TABLELANDS W a t e r

Business Paper

Ordinary Meeting of Central Tablelands Water

8th August 2012

Grenfell

Phone: 02 6368 2208 Fax: 02 6368 2451 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctw.gov.au30 Church Street P.O. Box 61 BLAYNEY NSW 2799

Central Tablelands County Council T/A Central Tablelands Water ABN: 43 721 523 632

2 August 2012

Notice to Members Your attendance is requested at an Ordinary Meeting of Council to be held at the Weddin Shire Council on Wednesday, 8 August 2012 at 10.30am. Morning tea will be served at 10.00am.

Agenda 1. Public Forum

2. Apologies for non-attendance

3. Leaves of absence granted

4. Confirmation of Minutes - Ordinary Meeting held on 13.06.12

5. Chairman’s Minute

6. Councillor Representation

7. Notices of Motion

8. Reports of Staff

9. Adjourn Meeting and proceed into Committee of the Whole

10. Resume Ordinary Meeting & Report of Committee of the Whole

11. Next Meeting – Grenfell – 10th October 2012

Yours faithfully

A. Perry General Manager

Ordinary Meeting – 8 August 2012 Page No 1

This is Page No. 1 of the Agenda presented to the Ordinary Meeting of Central Tablelands County Council held at Weddin Shire Council on 8 August 2012

INDEX OF REPORTS OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF CENTRAL TABLELANDS WATER

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 8 AUGUST 2012

CORPORATE & FINANCIAL SERVICES REPORTS

01 Financial Matters (4) .............................................................................. 3 02 Budget Review Statement - 30th June 2012 (15) .................................. 6 03 Policy Register (84) ............................................................................. 14 04 Disclosure of Interests (157) ................................................................ 15 05 Financial Statement by Council (15) .................................................... 16 06 Blayney Shire Council - Constituent Delegates (328) .......................... 18 07 Life Education Australia (210) .............................................................. 20 08 Four Year Period Report (84) .............................................................. 22 09 Staff Performance Reviews (349) ........................................................ 24 10 LGSA Water Management Conference (9) .......................................... 25 11 WBC Alliance - Executive Officer's Report (356) ................................. 27

ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS SERVICES REPORTS

12 Purchase of Plant (87) ......................................................................... 40 13 Maintenance of Council's Systems (105) ............................................. 41 14 Performance of Council's Systems (105) ............................................. 43 15 New Water Services (80) ..................................................................... 45

COMMITTEE REPORTS

16 Water Leakage Account 4059-00000-2 (288) General Manager - Annual Performance Review (261) ...................................................... 46

17 Questions on Notice ............................................................................ 47 18 Proceed to Committee of the Whole .................................................... 48 19 Report of the Committee of the Whole ................................................. 49



01) Financial Matters (4) (Gavin Rhodes)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT Details of all payments made to creditors in the preceding two months are available for inspection at the Blayney office. The Bank Reconciliation, as at 31st July 2012, together with a Statement of Funds Invested, is attached to the business paper. Council’s Petty Cash Book and the Warrant Listing will be tabled on meeting day. As required by Council, the following table details the status of Council’s investments through Lehman Bros at 30th June 2012:

Investment Interest Rate

Above BBSW Call Date Maturity

Date Interest

Paid Face Value

Current % value

Current Value

Aphex (Glenelg AA-) 5.1950% 2.09% 22/06/2009 22/12/2014 Quarterly 50,000 15.98 7,990

MAS (Parkes AA-) 0.0306% -4.02% 20/12/2009 20/06/2015 Quarterly 300,000 N/A N/A

ZIRCON (Coolangatta AA) N/A N/A 20/03/2011 20/09/2014 N/A 250,000 100.00 250,000

ZIRCON (Miami AA) N/A N/A 20/03/2015 20/03/2017 N/A 50,000 100.00 50,000

Total $650,000 47.38 $307,990

The value of the CDO investments acquired through Lehman’s have increased with the latest valuations received as at 30 June 2012, showing an increase in the total net valuations from $304,565 at 30 April 2012 to $307,990 at 30 June 2012, an increase of $3,425. Valuations are now valued at 47.38% of par value. Council’s Omega (Henley AAA) investment matured on 22 June 2012 with the original face value of $200,000 being received. As reported at the June 2012 Council Meeting, the class action by a significant number of councils against Lehman Australia is continuing. Council’s legal representatives, Piper Alderman, together with litigation funders IMF (Australia) Ltd, are confident of a successful outcome and the best possible return from the investments is received. Whilst Council’s CDO investments are currently well below par value, Council’s remaining investment portfolio of approximately $2.68 million is all capital guaranteed, primarily in term deposits. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil



Attachments 1 Bank Reconciliation to 31st July 2012 1 Page

ATTACHMENT NO: 1 - BANK RECONCILIATION TO 31ST JULY 2012 ITEM NO: 01




02) Budget Review Statement - 30th June 2012 (15) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the budget review statement for the quarter ended 30th June 2012 be

accepted, and the variations therein be adopted. REPORT The Budget Review Statement (BRS) to 30th June 2012 is presented to Council with a revised estimated deficit of $415,352.00 for the year. This estimated deficit for 2011/2012 represents an overall increase of $369,273 on the original budget deficit of $46,509.00. The main variances contributing to this disappointing result can be best summarised as follows: Increased Revenue User Charges (incl. Private Works) $ 39,295 Reduced Income: Water Sales $430,102 Contribution to works $ 5,351 Other Revenues (net) $ 10,002 ($445,455) Increased Expenditure: Technical & Supervision Expenses (net) $ 23,819 Plant Replacements (net) $ 43,345 ($ 67,164) Reduced Expenditure: Management Expenses (net) $ 9,820 Operational Expenses – (net) $ 94,231 $104,051 _________

Net Variance to the original 2011/2012 Budget Deficit ($369,273) ========

The revised budget forecast deficit is once again directly attributed to a decrease in the budget forecast for water sales due to a second year of above average rainfall in the region. This deficit result of $415,352 is a disappointing result when it comes on top of a $600,201 deficit the previous year. These deficit years can only be funded from one source, namely reserves. As well, Council’s reserves have been further reduced by the devastating flood damage to Council’s trunk mains in March this year. The final cost of this damage is estimated to be close to $600,000. It is hard to fathom why Council cannot be eligible for Natural Disaster Funding in the same line as general purpose councils.



It is hoped that, with Council’s responsible approach to increased pricing in 2012/2013 and with a favourable return to a normal weather season, Council’s financial situation can recover from these past two years and continue to grow the reserves to meet Council’s long term capital works programme. Report by Responsible Accounting Officer The following statement is made in accordance with Clause 203(2) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2005: It is my opinion that the Quarterly Budget Review Statement for Central Tablelands Water for the quarter ended 30 June 2012 indicates that Council’s projected financial position at 30 June 2012 will be satisfactory at year end, having regard to the projected estimates of income and expenditure and the original budgeted income and expenditure.

Gavin Rhodes Responsible Accounting Officer BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments 1 Budget Review Statement to 30th June 2012 6 Pages

ATTACHMENT NO: 1 - BUDGET REVIEW STATEMENT TO 30TH JUNE 2012

ITEM NO: 02



ITEM NO: 02




03) Policy Register (84) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the updated Policy Register, as presented, be adopted. REPORT An updated version of the Policy Register has been delivered to all Councillors together with this business paper. The Policy Register was last updated in August 2011. Any new policies, changes to policies or policy deletions, resolved by Council since August 2011, have been highlighted in the register in red. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments Nil



04) Disclosure of Interests (157) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT Section 449 (3) of the Local Government Act requires that: “A councillor or designated person holding that position at 30 June in any year must complete and lodge with the General Manager, within three months after that date, a return in the form prescribed by the Regulations.” Current councillors (and senior staff) are required to submit returns by 30 September. A copy of the Schedule 3 return was included with this business paper. As this is the last Council meeting before the local government elections, Councillors are respectfully requested to comply with the requirements of the Act by completing the return and lodging it with the General Manager either at this Council meeting or reasonably soon after. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments Nil



05) Financial Statement by Council (15) (Gavin Rhodes)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the statement required by Section 413(2)(c) of the Local Government Act,

1993 in relation to Council’s Financial Reports for the period ending 30 June 2012 be completed.

2. That Morse Group be invited (in accordance with regulations) to complete the audit for the financial year ending 30 June 2012.

REPORT Section 413(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993, requires Council to prepare Financial Reports and to refer those reports for audit within four (4) months after the end of the financial year (s416(1)). As an attachment to the Financial Reports, Council is required to present a statement on its opinion on the reports. A copy of the Statement required is attached. Once the auditor has completed the audit and has submitted their report, Council must fix a date for a meeting at which the auditor’s report will be presented, and give public notice of the date. This date must be at least seven (7) days after the date on which notice is given, but not more than five (5) weeks after the auditor’s reports are given to Council. The auditor will be presenting their report to the October 2012 Meeting of Council. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments 1 Statement by Members and Management 2012 1 Page

ATTACHMENT NO: 1 - STATEMENT BY MEMBERS AND MANAGEMENT 2012

ITEM NO: 05




06) Blayney Shire Council - Constituent Delegates (328) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT In the adoption of the Chairman’s Minute at the June 2012 Council meeting, Council resolved to write to its three constituent Council’s respectfully requesting that delegates elected to Central Tablelands Water should be consumers of the County Council. To date, the only written response has been from Blayney Shire Council advising that they could not support the request, however, verbal advice has been received from Cabonne Council that they had agreed to Council’s request and had resolved it into policy. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments 1 Response letter from Blayney Shire Council 1 Page

ATTACHMENT NO: 1 - RESPONSE LETTER FROM BLAYNEY SHIRE COUNCIL

ITEM NO: 06




07) Life Education Australia (210) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That Council support Life Education Australia with a one off Section 356

contribution of $500.00. REPORT The Chief Executive Officer of Life Education Australia addressed the Centroc Board meeting on 24 May 2012 advising of the financial struggle his organisation is facing to keeping the Mobile Learning Centres operating. Subsequent to that meeting the CEO has written to Council seeking assistance by way of a financial contribution from Council. In his letter, the CEO wondered if Council could contribute $2.00 per child but made no mention of how many children he was referring to. Council could consider a one off donation of $500.00 which could be funded from within Council’s budget which has a provision of $1,200.00 for ad hoc donations. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Within 2012/2013 budget POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments 1 Letter from Life Education Australia 1 Page

ATTACHMENT NO: 1 - LETTER FROM LIFE EDUCATION AUSTRALIA ITEM NO: 07




08) Four Year Period Report (84) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted REPORT As this is the last meeting of this Council before the September local government elections, Councillors may wish to reflect on what has been achieved under their watch over the past four years. In summary, listed below are a few of the major achievements during this time:

Replacement of AC reticulation mains in Eugowra. Replacement of AC reticulation mains in Cudal. Replacement of AC reticulation mains in Morebel. Replacement of AC reticulation mains in Millthorpe. Replacement of AC reticulation mains in Carcoar. Replacement of AC reticulation mains in South Canowindra. Significant number of mains extensions in Grenfell, Blayney, Millthorpe,

Manildra and South Canowindra. Installation of a Polyelectrolyte System at Blayney Water Filtration Plant. Installation of an Activated Carbon System at Carcoar Water Filtration Plant. Major Telemetry installation and upgrade at Grenfell and Mt. Canobolas. Ongoing annual water meter replacement programme replacing all domestic

meters after registration of 5,000 kilolitres. Commencement of the replacement and upgrade of Council’s IT System. Major flood restoration works on Council’s trunk mains between Mandurama

and Canowindra. It is a major achievement, that without the assistance of any government funding, Council has now renewed approximately 60% of the entire reticulation water mains in the water supply network. All of this work has been carried out in-house and to the credit of the Operations Manager and Operations staff. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil



Attachments Nil



09) Staff Performance Reviews (349) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT Annual performance reviews on all non-operations staff have been completed and once again the General Manager is pleased to report that he is supported by a cohesive and dedicated team in finance, administration and operations management. The Operations Manager has also completed annual performance reviews on all operations staff with pleasing and satisfactory outcomes. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments Nil



10) LGSA Water Management Conference (9) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT The Chairman, General Manager and Operations Manager attended the LGSA Water Management Conference held in Wagga Wagga on 23 & 24 July. Notable speakers and topics included: Dr Brian Spies – Sustainable water management – building resilience to climate

impacts and social change – droughts in long term less severe but more often in the short term.

Chris Davis, Commissioner, National Water Commission – Performance of regional water utilities. Unfortunately his report focused on utilities with 20,000 or more consumers.

Dr Joel Byrnes, Associate Director, AECOM – Local water utilities and Local Government financial sustainability – is there a link?

Panel Discussion – Reform of local water utilities – Where to from here? The Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson MP – her address

centred around most information we already had heard about except that she did say that the recommendations of the Armstrong Gellatly Report would be considered in conjunction with the upcoming review of the Local Government Act. Prior to the Minister’s address, and as she entered the conference auditorium, the General Manager attempted to briefly ask her whether there were any plans to remove the classification of local water utilities as trading undertakings and make them eligible for Natural Disaster Funding. Unfortunately, the Minister brushed the General Manager aside and summoned her Ministerial Assistant to attend to my question who in turn told the General Manager he knew nothing about the matter or even about water as agriculture was his area, he suggested the General Manager put the matter in writing to the Minister, the General Manager advised him that numerous letters had already been written and that the Minister was well aware of the situation.

Mr Adrian Langdon from Statewater gave a very interesting address outlining the agency’s $250 million dollar upgrade programme for various Statewater dams across NSW which was necessary to bring these dams up to meet the new dam safety requirement of being able to withstand a 1 in 100,000 year flood event. In his presentation, Mr Langdon stated that Statewater are looking at additional water storages across NSW and he made a brief mention of a potential dam in the Centroc area without going into any detail. This certainly sparked the interest of Council’s representatives and the General Manager approached Mr Langdon during the morning tea to seek more information. Mr Langdon explained that Statewater were looking at the option of building a 90 to 100 megalitre dam on the Belubula River in the original location planned for the existing Carcoar Dam. The location would be downstream of Carcoar Dam and



downstream of the junction of Coombing Creek and the Belubula River. The proposal, if it gets off the ground, would have a catchment of over 500 square kilometres and encompass a number of creeks that enter the Belubula River upstream of the proposed dam. Mr Langdon stated that, if this dam was to become a reality, it would satisfy all the irrigation needs downstream in the Belubula valley, the environmental needs would be enhanced and would certainly assist the mining potential in the area. This would then leave Lake Rowlands and Carcoar Dam available for town water requirements and he even suggested a pipeline from Carcoar Dam to Orange could be a distinct suitable option. Two statistical points given were that the average inland NSW water

consumption was 215 kilolitres and that bottled water costs are between $500 and $3,000 kilolitre (CTW is $1.99 kilolitre in 2012/2013). During the conference there were several concurrent streams with topics

ranging from Skills, training and succession planning, Climate Change – impacts and adaptation, Water Industry Competition Act (WICA), stormwater and drinking water quality. There were also a number of infrastructure site visits as well as the annual Water Directorate Forum.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments Nil



11) WBC Alliance - Executive Officer's Report (356) (Donna Galvin)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT Report attached. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments 1 WBC Executive Officer Report to Council 12 Pages

ATTACHMENT NO: 1 - WBC EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT TO COUNCIL

ITEM NO: 11



ITEM NO: 11




12) Purchase of Plant (87) (Darrell Sligar)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That Council endorse the action of the Plant Committee. REPORT During the past two months Council sold two vehicles. Sales June 2012 – July 2012 Plant Sales

Plant Date of Purchase

Purchase Price

(GST exc) KM's (000) Sale Date Depreciation Sale Price

(GST exc) Profit/(Loss)

on sale

Toyota Hilux Workmate 28/07/2010 $18,798 30 11/07/2012 $7,510 $13,181 $1,893

Audi A4 16/05/2011 $51,018 45 26/07/2012 $11,965 $31,818 ($7,235)




13) Maintenance of Council's Systems (105) (Darrell Sligar)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT a) Meter Reading

Meter reading for the 2012/2013 financial year commenced with Blayney Shire Council commercials on the 13th July 2012.

b) Meter replacement/Service Replacement Program Council Staff have replaced 20 full services and 29 partial services during the past two months.

c) Hydrant/Valve Replacement Hydrant and Valve maintenance continued throughout the County area over the past two months.

d) Pump Station Maintenance Pump Station maintenance continued throughout the County area with cleaning and repairing paint work the main priority.

e) Reservoir Maintenance Reservoir cleaning was carried out on reservoirs at South Canowindra, Nyrang Creek and North Canowindra. Faulty tank filling valves were refurbished on the Manildra reservoir.

f) Stock takes Stock takes were carried out on the Bulk Store along with all depot and vehicle tools.

g) Filtration Plant Maintenance A number of trees were removed at Blayney to allow a new security fence to be erected around the new PAL plant. Two sludge lagoons were cleaned at Carcoar.

h) Staff Training All staff completed a first aid refresher, 5 staff completed a Traffic Control red card refresher, staff completed a Traffic Control blue card refresher.

i) Flood Restoration Three locations have been under bored with PN25 Polyethylene Pipe installed. Engineering firms are manufacturing the ‘Y’ pieces and long radius bends/tapers required to complete the connections. An 18 metre universal beam with saddles is also being fabricated for another connection.



14) Performance of Council's Systems (105) (Darrell Sligar)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT j) Main breaks

The main failures recorded during the past two months are listed in the table below.

Location Date Size Comment

Canowindra Nyrang Creek Various Various 6 Leaks – Polyethylene Lines

Trajere Rural Scheme 13.07.12 580mm Split Length

k) Reservoir Levels Reservoir levels have been maintained at or near 100% of capacity.

l) Service Complaints and Requests A summary of service complaints and requests received for the last two months are as follows: Dirty Water 0 Meter New/Replacement 1 Leaking Meter 9 Leaking Service 4 Low Pressure 1 Main Break 0 Meter Burst 2 Meter not shutting off 3 No Water 2 Quality Complaint 0 Leaking Hydrant 2 Path Cock Failure 0 Main Inspection 0 Customer Damaged Service 2 A further summary detailing all service complaints and requests is enclosed with the business paper.

m) Lake Rowlands The level of Lake Rowlands increased from 92% 4th June 2012 to 100% 17th June 2012. It has remained above 100% since. 5,670 megalitres has been discharged to the river system during the past two months.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil



POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments Nil



15) New Water Services (80) (Darrell Sligar)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the information be noted. REPORT During the past two months there has been three (3) new water services connected to Council’s mains. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS Nil POLICY IMPLICATIONS Nil Attachments Nil



16) Water Leakage Account 4059-00000-2 (288) General Manager - Annual Performance Review (261) (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That, as these matters deal with items that are subject to the affairs of an

individual, Council consider it in Committee of the Whole and that in terms of Section 10A (2) of the Local Government Act, the press and the public be excluded from the meeting of the Committee of the Whole.

Attachments Nil



17) Questions on Notice (Tony Perry)

No questions on notice were received. Attachments Nil



18) Proceed to Committee of the Whole (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That, as business for the Ordinary Meeting has now concluded, Council proceed

into Committee of the Whole to discuss the items referred to in the report. Council should exclude the press and public at this point, for confidential discussion on the items referred to Committee Attachments Nil



19) Report of the Committee of the Whole (Tony Perry)

RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole be adopted. Attachments Nil

Ordinary Meeting – 13 June 2012 Page No 1

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Central Tablelands Water held at Cabonne

Shire Council, on Wednesday, 13 June 2012, commencing at 10.30am

Present Cr. John Farr OAM (Chairman) Cabonne Cr. Kevin Duffy Cabonne Cr. Geoffrey McClelland (Deputy Chairman) Weddin Cr. Barry Hinde Weddin Cr. Geoffrey Braddon OAM Blayney Cr. Kevin Radburn Blayney Tony Perry (General Manager) Darrell Sligar (Operations Manager) Gavin Rhodes (Finance Manager) PUBLIC FORUM Graeme Fleming, General Manager Cabonne Council, and Dale Jones, Communications Officer Cabonne Council, were in attendance for the Public Forum and Chairman’s Minute. I extend a very warm welcome to the General Manager of Cabonne Council, Graeme Fleming, together with the Communications Officer for Cabonne Shire, Dale Jones. I would like to acknowledge Graeme Fleming’s service of 25 years with Cabonne Council. Graeme has been a strong supporter of Central Tablelands Water (CTW) as well as the WBC Alliance. He has been a great mentor as a General Manager to all of the younger GM’s that have kicked off in this area as well as a couple of the Blayney GM’s that he’s helped considerably over the years. Graeme is held in very high regard within the Local Government industry, so high in fact that he was recently nominated and appointed to the Bluett Award Committee. This is a highly respected position which doesn’t require him to be working in LG. When he jumped up on the stage at the Shires Association Conference to announce Councillor Bill Bott, who was going to make the announcement and present the 2011 Bluett Award, you would swear he’d been there for 10 years. It was also very fitting that Graeme was nominated for and received the Public Service Medal in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List. All at CTW extend to Graeme the warmest congratulations for this award. So congratulations to you from CTW and all of us here. All of us at CTW are very aware of the wonderful job that you’ve done for Cabonne Council and when you retire on the 3rd of August we hope that you wear your caravan tyres out with your wife. Once again thanks Graeme, thanks for your support we wish you well in your retirement. APOLOGIES Nil

This is Page No. 1 of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held 13 June 2012.


CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 12/038 RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Central Tablelands Water, held on 11 April 2012, being minute numbers 12/021 to 12/037 inclusive, be confirmed. (Cr. Hinde/Cr. Radburn)

CHAIRMAN’S MINUTE This is my second last Chairman’s minute. As you know, I have been on this Council for almost 29 years, and this is almost the completion of 17 years as Chairman. I dread the thought of someone taking that prize off me, but it will happen one day. In my role as Chairman, and previously as mayor of Cabonne Council, I have seen a lot of things happen and a lot of things go. This is not a farewell speech by any means, but what I want to talk about is the future of Local Government, the recent Shire’s Association Conference and what’s happening with Local Government at the moment. As you all know, the Local Government Minister Don Page set up the 2036 Conference in Dubbo, and out of that the Minister then set up a Local Government Review Panel, with 5 terms of reference, which is due to report back to the Minister by July 2013. Minister Page made the statement that, out of the 151 Councils in NSW, there are up to 50 percent that are unsustainable financially and they need to be reviewed and looked at within the five terms of reference. I would like to read out the five terms of reference which were repeated at least three times during the Shires Conference, to remind us so we don’t forget them. The terms of reference are the ability to support the current and future needs of local communities, the ability to deliver services and infrastructure efficiently, effectively and in a timely manner, the financial sustainability of each local government area, the ability for local representative and decision making, and the barriers and incentives to encourage voluntary boundary change. Now you can read a lot into that or you can ignore it, but I believe that if you ignore it will be at your own peril. I am talking about not only Central Tablelands Water (CTW) but also about Blayney, Weddin and Cabonne Councils. As I said, the Minister stated that of the 151 Councils, 50 percent are unsustainable, so in my opinion, and the Minister’s opinion, Local Government must act now or be swallowed up similar to what happened in Victoria. The answer is, in my opinion, and you can all have your own opinions, alliances, collaboration, sharing and jointing of departments, now I’ll talk more about that later and the General Manager might also like to talk about that later, diversifying, it was revealed yesterday that Mudgee Council bought a mall in the main street, which proved to be very contentious. It cost Mudgee Council millions to do it up. The Council is going to get 20 percent return on their money over 30 years, I am not aware of any other local government council earning that rate of return.. That is called diversifying. Careful investment. I think we need to think of those sorts of ideas, think outside the square. We are told that Local Government infrastructure is falling apart and billions of dollars needs to be spent to upgrade or renew it, and I’ve noticed that today in the newspaper the NSW State Government has brought a lot more money back into local water and sewerage repairs. Local Government I believe must borrow now, the dollar I believe will never ever be cheaper, the longer we leave it the dearer it will get.



The future is in our hands. We must act over the next twelve months, and CTW is part of Local Government, we must review every part of our organisation over the next twelve months and see where we can save, diversify, improve. I’ll have more to say at the next meeting. I want to talk about the recent Shires Association Conference. A team of four represented Council at the three day conference. The cost to Council was in the vicinity of about $6,000, which included, accommodation, conference fees, food, functions, travelling, taxis etc. One of our nominated delegates decided to leave the Monday conference at lunchtime, The same delegate was in and out of the conference all day on Tuesday, going home that afternoon and not attending on the Wednesday. His paid accommodation was not used on the last night and he didn’t attend either of the two dinner functions that were paid for. I believe that this is unacceptable for CTW to pay that sort of money out and be wasted. Council has nominated three to attend the ALGA Conference in Canberra next week. Due to the circumstances outlined above and due to the General Manager attending a family function and not being available, I am recommending that CTW not be represented at the Canberra conference. Further, the annual LGSA Water Management Conference is only a month away and I am recommending that the General Manager, Operations Manager and the Chairman are the only representatives to attend. With regard to the forthcoming local government elections in September and future representation on CTW. I am recommending that, as recommended in my Chairman’s minute four years ago, a letter be forwarded from CTW to the General Manager’s of the three constituent Councils and request that the elected representatives to CTW should be CTW consumers. 12/039 RESOLVED:

That the Chairman’s Minute, as read, be accepted and the contents therein be noted and endorsed. (McClelland/Braddon)

COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATION Councillor Farr, Councillor Braddon and Councillor Duffy advised of their attendance at the 2012 Shires Association Conference and the 2012 LGMA Forum representing CTW. Councillor Farr also advised of his attendance representing CTW at the CENTROC Board Meeting in Crookwell. Councillor Duffy also advised of his attendance representing CTW at the WBC Board Meeting in Molong. 01) INTEGRATED PLANNING & REPORTING (IP&R) (391)

12/040 RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with Sections 402-406 of the Local Government Act 1993, and, following the statutory period of 28 days public display, Council now resolve to adopt the following draft Plans:

a. Delivery Plan 2012–2016



b. Operational Plan 2012–2013 – Part 1 & 2 c. Workforce Management Plan 2012–2016 d. Asset Management Strategy and Plans e. Long Term Financial Plan

(Cr. Duffy/Cr. Braddon) 02) BUDGET REVIEW STATEMENT - 31ST MARCH 2012 (15)

12/041 RESOLVED:

That the budget review statement for the quarter ended 31st March 2012 be accepted, and the variations therein be adopted. (Cr. Radburn/Cr. Braddon)

03) FINANCIAL MATTERS (4)

12/042 RESOLVED:

That the information be noted. (Cr. Duffy/Cr. Hinde)

04) LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL (248)

12/043 RESOLVED:

That Council endorse its policy of paying the maximum fees to the Chairman and Members of Central Tablelands County Council, as determined by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal for Category County Council – Water. (Cr. Radburn/Cr. Hinde)

05) FLOOD DAMAGE TO TRUNK MAINS (395)

12/044 RESOLVED:

That the General Manager write to the Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Primary Industries and local members of parliament expressing Council’s disappointment and dissatisfaction with the decision to rule Council ineligible for Natural Disaster Funding due to the classification of local water utilities as trading undertakings. (Cr. McClelland/Cr. Hinde)

06) FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIRS - EMERGENCY REPAIRS (395)

12/045 RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with Section 55, (3), (i), (k), Council endorse the action of the General Manager in engaging contractors, without going to tender, to carry out urgent permanent restoration of trunk mains damaged by floods on 1 March 2012, this action being necessary to ensure the continuing security of the potable water supply to a number of towns and villages within the supply network, thereby preventing a public health risk



to those communities. (Cr. McClelland/Cr. Hinde)

07) LAKE ROWLANDS - SAFETY UPGRADE REVIEW (94)

12/046 RESOLVED:

1. That engineering consultants GHD be appointed to carry out the Lake Rowlands upgrade options study at a cost of $38,160 (excl. GST) and to carry out a survey required for the development of Concept Design Layouts at an estimated cost of $5,000.

2. That the General Manager prepare a submission on behalf of CTW to the NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee Inquiry into the Adequacy of Water Storages in NSW and that the General Manager liaise with the CENTROC Infrastructure Committee with regard to the submission.

3. That Mr Rob Parker, expert dam consultant , be invited to attend with the General Manager at future Public Hearings of the Standing Committee Inquiry.

4. That the General Manager write to Chairman of the previous Standing Committee Inquiry into Economic and Social Development in Central Western NSW seeking results of that Inquiry.

(Cr. McClelland/Cr. Duffy) 08) 2010/2011 NSW WATER SUPPLY PERFORMANCE MONITORING

REPORT (217)

12/047 RESOLVED: That the 2010/2011 Water Supply Performance Report for Local Government Water Utilities be received and noted. (Cr. Braddon/Cr. Hinde)

09) FORESTS NSW - CORPORISATION BY NSW GOVERNMENT (217)

12/048 RESOLVED:

That the information be noted. (Cr. Radburn/Cr. Braddon)

10) NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK - SITE ACCESS EUGOWRA

(124)

12/049 RESOLVED: That Council endorse the action taken to date by the General Manager in his communication with the consultants working on behalf of the National Broadband Network. (Cr. Hinde/Cr. Radburn)



11) CABONNE COUNCIL - SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT, MANILDRA (324) Cr Farr and Cr Duffy declared an Interest at left the meeting at 11.25am.

12/050 RESOLVED: That Council offer Cabonne Council a two (2) year interest free deferred payment for Section 64 developer charges on proposed Lots 14, 15, 16 and 17 in Lot 100 DP1110843 Manildra, with conditions in accordance with Council policy but with the need for a bank guarantee being replaced with a written guarantee of payment from Cabonne Council. (Cr. McClelland/Cr. Braddon)

Cr Farr and Cr Duffy returned to the meeting at 11.30am. 12) LGSA 2012 WATER MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE (9)

Approval for attendance resolved in Chairman’s minute, minute number

12/051 13) WBC ALLIANCE - EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT (356)

12/052 RESOLVED:

That the information be noted. (Cr. Radburn/Cr. Braddon)

14) PURCHASE OF PLANT (87)

12/053 RESOLVED:

That Council endorse the action of the Plant Committee. (Cr. Radburn/Cr. Braddon)

15) MAINTENANCE OF COUNCIL'S SYSTEMS (105)

12/054 RESOLVED:

That the information be noted. (Cr. Duffy/Cr. Braddon)

16) PERFORMANCE OF COUNCIL'S SYSTEMS (105)

12/055 RESOLVED:

That the information be noted. (Cr. Duffy/Cr. Braddon)



17) NEW WATER SERVICES (80)

12/056 RESOLVED: That the information be noted. (Cr. Duffy/Cr. Braddon)

18) WATER LEAKAGE ACCOUNT 9057-00000-3 (297)

WATER LEAKAGE ACCOUNT 1744-00000-9 (283)

12/057 RESOLVED: That, as these matters deal with items that are subject to the affairs of an individual, Council consider it in Committee of the Whole and that in terms of Section 10A (2) of the Local Government Act, the press and the public be excluded from the meeting of the Committee of the Whole. (Cr. Braddon/Cr. Duffy)

19) QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

Councillor Duffy suggested that Council should consider introducing a

policy allowing mobile phones to be switched on in Council meetings provided they were on silent or vibrate. There was a consensus that there was no need for such a policy.

20) PROCEED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

12/058 RESOLVED:

That, as business for the Ordinary Meeting has now concluded, Council proceed into Committee of the Whole to discuss the items referred to in the report. (Cr. Braddon/Cr. Duffy)

21) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE


Proceedings in brief:

RECOMMENDATION: That Council adhere to its policy of no concession for water leakage but that the consumer be given the option of paying the account within a reasonable time by instalments. (Cr. Braddon/Cr. Radburn) An amendment was moved by Councillor Duffy and seconded by Councillor McClelland that the consumer be given a 50% discount on the consumption charge and the balance to be paid in three instalments. The amendment was carried and became the motion.




RECOMMENDATION: That Council grant the consumer a concession of 50% of the consumption charge as recorded on the April 2012 water account, and that the consumer be offered the opportunity to pay the balance of the account under a negotiated instalment plan of 3 instalments. (Cr. Duffy/Cr. McClelland)


Cr McClelland declared an interest and left meeting at 11.50am.

RECOMMENDATION: The Council adhere to its policy of no concession for water leakage. (Cr. Braddon/Cr. Radburn)

RECOMMENDATION:

That as the deliberation of the Committee is concluded, the Council reconvene the Ordinary Meeting. (Cr. Hinde/Cr. Braddon)

22) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

12/059 RESOLVED:

That the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole be adopted. (Cr. Braddon/Cr. Hinde)

Next Meeting: The next meeting of Central Tablelands Water will be held in Grenfell

on 8th August 2012 There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 12.00pm.

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