councillor information bulletin · councillor information bulletin page 4 25 july 2013 - issue...

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Thursday 25 July 2013 - Issue 29/13

COUNCILLOR INFORMATION BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE Item Page

1 CENTENARY OF ANZAC AND COMMEMORATION OF WORLD WAR

I COMMITTEE MINUTES - THURSDAY 4 JULY 2013 .................................... 4 2 OVERVIEW OF FEDERAL AND STATE BUDGETS ..................................... 12 3 LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE AUDIT - JUNE 2013 .............. 36 4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION

REFERENDUM .............................................................................................. 39 5 FINANCIAL FUTURE WORKSHOPS 6 & 13 AUGUST 2013 ........................ 53 6 MAYOR'S DIARY FOR THE PERIOD 10TH JULY TO 23RD JULY 2013 ..... 54

Confidential Councillor Information Bulletin

25 July 2013 - Issue 29/13

THURSDAY, 25 JULY 2013 7.30pm Citizenship Ceremony

Civic Hall, 1 Devlin Street, Ryde Contact: Courtney Long - Team Manager

Event Development - 9952 8385 WEDNESDAY, 31 JULY 2013 6.00pm Additional Ryde Youth Council (RYC)

Meeting Wullametta Meeting Room, Top Ryde Library 1A Pope Street,

Contact: Baharak Sahebekhtiari – Acting Group Manager, Community Life - 9952 8310

7.00pm Community Forum on Planning

Proposal for LEP 2013 Civic Centre, Level 5 - Meeting Rooms 1, 2 and 3

Contact: Dominic Johnson, Group Manager Planning & Environment – 9952 8190

THURSDAY, 1 AUGUST 2013 3.30pm NSROC Annual Conference

‘The Deckhouse’, Clarke Rd, Woolwich

Contact: Jani ne Ricketts Acting Executive Director – NSROC - 9911 3660

5.00pm Centenary of ANZAC and Commemoration of World War 1 Committee Eucalyptus Room, Community Life, 1A Pope Street, Ryde

Contact: Courtney Long – Team Manager – Event Development – 9952 8385

TUESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2013 5.00pm Planning and Environment Committee

Meeting Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2

5.00pm Works and Community Committee


6.30pm Workshop - Financial Futures Part 1

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 NB. Working dinner during Workshop

Contact: Roy Newsome Group Manager Corporate Services – 9952 8011

8.30pm Presentation on 2- 14 Tennyson Road Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2


9.00pm Presentation – Epping Road /Wicks

Road Macquarie Park Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2


THURSDAY, 8 AUGUST 2013 4.00pm Macquarie Park Forum

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 Contact: John Brown, Place Manager –

9952 8185 Chair: Councillor Pickering

7.30pm Citizenship Ceremony Civic Hall, 1 Devlin Street, Ryde

Contact: Courtney Long - Team Manager Event Development - 9952 8385

MONDAY, 12 AUGUST 2013 6.00pm Bicycle Advisory Committee

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 Contact: Harry Muker, Section Manager –

Traffic – 9952 8116 TUESDAY, 13 AUGUST 2013 5.30pm Workshop - Financial Futures Part 2

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 Contact: Roy Newsome Group Manager

Corporate Services – 9952 8011 6.30pm Briefing prior to Council Meeting -

opportunity to raise concerns and discuss issues on the Agenda Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 NB. Working dinner during Briefing

7.30pm Council Meeting

Civic Centre, Level 6, Council Chambers

Confidential Councillor Information Bulletin

25 July 2013 - Issue 29/13

WEDNESDAY, 14 AUGUST 2013 8.00am Granny Smith Festival Sub-

Committee Meeting Eastwood Women's Rest Centre, Hillview Road, Eastwood

Contact: Courtney Long - Team Manager Event Development - 9952 8385

5.00pm Economic Development Advisory

Committee Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 1

Contact: Nathan Pratt, Economic Development Manager – 9952 8051

THURSDAY, 15 AUGUST 2013 5.30pm Citizen Engagement Advisory


Contact: Angela Jones Blayney, Manager Communications and Media – 9952 8480

MONDAY, 19 AUGUST 2013 6.00pm Sport & Recreation Advisory


Contact: Simon James, Section Manager Sport & Recreation – 9952 8092 Chair: Councillor Laxale

TUESDAY, 20 AUGUST 2013 5.00pm Planning and Environment Committee


5.00pm Works and Community Committee


6.30pm Workshop – Libraries for Ryde

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 NB. Working dinner during Workshop

Contact:

Jill Webb – Manager, Library Services – 9952 8341

7.30pm Workshop - Ombudsman System

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 Contact: Shane Sullivan – Manager, Customer

Service & Governance – 9952 8200 WEDNESDAY, 21 AUGUST 2013 6.00pm Heritage Advisory Committee

Civic Centre Level 5, Room 2 Contact: Lexie Macdonald – Team Leader

Strategic Planning – 9952 8059 Chair: The Mayor, Clr Ivan Petch

MONDAY, 26 AUGUST 2013 6.00pm Eastwood Events and Promotions

Committee Eastwood Women’s Rest Centre

Contact: Derek McCarthy, Manager – Community Relations & Events - 9952 8384 Chair: Councillor Li

TUESDAY, 27 AUGUST 2013 5.30pm Workshop - Paid Parking and Boom

Gates in Council Car Parks - TBC Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2


6.30pm Briefing prior to Council Meeting -

opportunity to raise concerns and discuss issues on the Agenda Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 NB. Working dinner during Briefing

7.30pm Council Meeting

Civic Centre, Level 6, Council Chambers

Counc illor Information Bulletin

25 July 2013 - Issue 29/13

1 CENTENARY OF ANZAC AND COMMEMORATION OF WORLD WAR I COMMITTEE MINUTES - THURSDAY 4 JULY 2013

The Centenary of ANZAC and Commemoration of World War I Committee meets monthly to consider matters relating to the activities taking place in 2014-2018. The minutes of the Centenary of ANZAC and Commemoration of World War I Committee held on Thursday 4 July 2013 are attached. If you require any further information contact Derek McCarthy, Manager – Community Capacity and Events on 9952 8384.

Contact:

Name: Baharak Sahebekhtiari

Position: Acting Group Manager – Community Life

Contact No: 9952 8310

ATTACHMENT

1 Minutes_Thursday 4 July 2013_Centenary of ANZAC and Commemoration of World War I Committee

Councillor Information Bulletin ITEM 1 (continued) ATTACHMENT 1

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Subject:

Centenary of ANZAC and Commemoration of World War 1 Committee meeting

File No: COR2013/351/2

Document Ref: D13/ 54052

Venue: Acacia Meeting Room, Community Life, 1A Pope Street Ryde

Date: Thursday, 4th July 2013

Time: 5.00pm – 6.10pm

Chair: Councillor Jerome Laxale

Meeting Support (MS): Linda Smith

Staff Convenor: Derek McCarthy

Circulation: Participants

Present Apology Name Position Title Organisation

Councillor Jerome Laxale Chair City of Ryde The Mayor, Councillor I Petch Delegate City of Ryde Bernard Cox Community Representative Ayse Dalkic Community Representative Dennis English Community Representative Robert Gamble Community Representative Robin McKinnon Community Representative Kim Phillips Community Representative Betty Willis Community Representative Lexie McDonald Team Leader – Strategic

Planning City of Ryde

Derek McCarthy Manager – Community Capacity and Events

City of Ryde

Courtney Long Events Officer City of Ryde Angela Phippen Local Studies Historian City of Ryde Linda Smith EA to the Mayor and Councillors City of Ryde


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Details Action Responsibility and Date

1.

Present: As outlined above.

Noted

2.

Apologies: As outlined above.

Noted

3.

Committee member introductions and background: Councillor Laxale welcomed all present to the inaugural meeting of the committee and asked each member of the committee to introduce themselves. Jerome Laxale: Was keen to arrange a formal recognition of the centenary after attending events earlier in 2013. Robin McKinnon: Has been involved with the RSL since 1975 and was encouraged to join the committee by RSL members. Kim Phillips: A member of Ryde District Historical Society and involved with Ryde goes to war project and Spirit of Gallipoli. Dennis English: A local resident with keen interest in Gallipoli campaign. Courtney Long: Staff member working in Events section Bernard Cox: President of Ryde Sub Branch of RSL Keen to see the ANZAC centenary celebrated. Betty Willis: Secretary of Ryde District Historical Society and involved with Ryde goes to war project Angela Phippen: Employee of Council as librarian for local studies Ivan Petch: Fifty five years involvement with RSL. As mayor, pleased to support Clr Laxale’s suggestion that a committee be formed. Derek McCarthy: Leader of the team at Council that will be responsible for overseeing the decisions of this committee Robert Gamble: Has family ties with Australian armed services and is direct assistant to Dick Payton OAM

Noted


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4.

Terms of Reference: The terms of reference set out the roles and responsibilities of members of this committee. They are similar to the terms of reference used by all Council advisory committees.

Members to review Terms of Reference and advise Derek McCarthy of any suggested amendments.

5.

Application for Government Funding The Commonwealth Government has committed to provide funding of $100,000 to each Federal electorate through an ANZAC Centenary Local Grants program. The City of Ryde is in the Federal electorate of Bennelong. Conditions apply to the grants and a number of groups can apply within each electorate. It was suggested that numerous projects be listed by this committee when seeking funding, in the hope that at least one/some of them will be successful.

The information regarding the federal grant was noted.

6.

Request from John Alexander OAM MP Advice has been received from the office of John Alexander OAM MP – Member for Bennelong that Mr Alexander will be forming a committee to consult with the community and to ensure that supported proposals meet the eligibility and assessment criteria of the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants program. Mr Alexander has asked this committee to nominate a representative to his committee.

Mr Bernard Cox is to be nominated by this committee for a place on the electorate committee to be formed by John Alexander OAM MP. Kim Phillips to be the alternate delegate Derek to write to Mr Alexander’s office and advise that this committee is keen to seek grant funding but doesn’t have a specific project in mind at present.


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7.

Request for use of the word ANZAC Courtney advised that application will be made to the Dept of Veterans Affairs seeking permission to use the word ANZAC in future correspondence by this committee.

Application to be made to the Dept of Veterans Affairs


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8.

New Business Councillor Laxale suggested that this part of the meeting be used to discuss activities being undertaken and to seek suggestions with regard to ANZAC centenary celebrations.

The Historical Society is endeavouring to identify and gather information on all Ryde citizens involved in WW1. To date 2300 people have been identified. Of these all are men with the exception of 8 nurses.

The Society would appreciate funding to produce a book on the soldiers identified.

The Society would like to load the information it gathers onto a website

A display which could travel to schools and other locations was also suggested.

Community grant funding for the “Ryde goes to war” project may be available.

Bernard Cox suggested an ANZAC memorial in ANZAC Park would be appropriate. It was suggested the memorial could be interactive. It could show the roll of people who served and photos.

He stated that in St Kilda a project is underway to place a plaque on the home of each person who served in the war. Perhaps something similar could be done in Ryde

It was noted that from 1500 homes in Ryde at the time of the war, 2000 people enlisted to serve.

A victory medal could be given to school children to commemorate ANZAC Day

A map of Ryde as it was during 1915 – 18 could be created showing the homes where people enlisted

Historypin is a world wide website where information is provided about any address you nominate. This could be used in the above project

Funding had previously been offered by a sister city of Council in China. Enquiries could be made if this offer was still open and the funding used to beautify the location of any new memorial.

Derek to provide advice re community grant funding to the Historical Society with regard to the Ryde goes to war project It was suggested that this committee should act as a clearing house for all groups and individuals in the local area who will be taking part in ANZAC commemoration activities. A diary of events and website should be created and administered by Council Events scheduled by all organisations should be included. Links to the historical society etc should be included on the webpage


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Angela Phippen is investigating the work of the volunteer workers association which modified and built homes after the war. She also mentioned that some people named their homes after battlefields.

Angela also suggested walking tours of the local area

She suggested that perhaps the minutes of Ryde and Eastwood Councils (which are hand written) could be loaded onto Council’s website to produce a source for people undertaking research about WW1.

She advised the library could be used as a venue for events and education

Information could be provided about how to trace ancestors etc.

It was mentioned that the Historical Society has produced a CD on how to trace WW1 history

The Australian War Memorial Museum could be approached and asked to provide artefacts for display.

Members of the public could be asked to loan items for display

EOI from members of the public willing to loan items or have them digitally recorded could be taken.

Ryde Youth Theatre are researching the era and would like to be involved in the centenary commemoration.

Flags could be flown on Council street poles during centenary celebrations.

Consideration should be given to flying the NZ flag also.

Derek advised that approx 140 banners will be flown on roadside poles to commemorate ANZAC Day 2014.

For ANZAC Day 2015, it was suggested large screens be set up in various locations to allow people to gather and watch the dawn service at Gallipoli and following services throughout the day.

The major gathering point to be ANZAC Park at West Ryde where a potential new memorial would be unveiled and people


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8.

could gather to watch the Dawn Service at Gallipoli on a large screen

Attempts to be made to coordinate all RSL services on ANZAC Day 2015.

Attempt to involve schools in the commemoration events as much as possible

Consider starting a “twitter” and “facebook” account to provide information about what happened “on this day”. Information from Council minutes could be included.

Councillor Laxale thanked everyone for their suggestions and advice He stated that for the next meeting members should start to consider:

ideas for a memorial, details about a travelling display, what to do on ANZAC Day 2015

Once some ideas are better formed it will be necessary to get costings. Councillor Laxale advised additional members to the committee are welcome. Next Meeting: Thursday, 1st August 2013 Time: 5.00pm Venue: Acacia Meeting Room, Community Life, 1A Pope Street Ryde

Committee members should feel free to email everyone with ideas Proposals should be sent to Courtney Long Any people wishing to join the committee should complete a form and contact Courtney


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2 OVERVIEW OF FEDERAL AND STATE BUDGETS

As Councillors would be aware the Federal and State Governments handed down their budgets for the 2013/2014 financial year in May/June. Both the Australian Local Government Association (Federal Budget) and Local Government NSW (State Budget) have provided various summarise and documents outlining the content of the budgets as it relates to Local Government. These documents are attached however, the following summary is provided that highlights the key points that are relevant for Local Government and our Council.

1. Federal Budget

They key points to note in respect of the Federal Budget relating to Local Government are:

$40 million additional assistance to flood damage communities $12.9 million to assist Council’s connecting to the NBN First two quarterly payments of Financial Assistance Grant brought forward Funding for the ‘Missing Link’ between F3 and M2 Funding for extension of M4 and M5

2. State Budget

Generally the State Budget’s commitment to Local Government has remained at the

same levels for 2012-2013. Key points to note are:

Allocation of $99m to fund the gap between Council’s developer contributions and actual cost to build new infrastructure

Confirmation that a 3rd round of the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme (LIRS) will be offered later in 2013

$20.9m allocated to support the implementation of new planning system $8m allocated for upgrading local infrastructure for selected Urban Activation

Precincts (UAP) $5.3m continued fundin g for the Joint Removal Planning Panels and Planning

Assessment Commission

Contact:

Name: John Todd

Position: Chief Financial Officer

Contact No: (02) 9952 8025

Counc illor Information Bulletin ITEM 2 (continued)

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ATTACHMENTS

1 ALGA - Media Release

2 ALGA - Key Points

3 ALGA - Financing Local Government

4 ALGA - Transport - A Local Government Perspective

5 LG NSW - NSW budget overview


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3 LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE AUDIT - JUNE 2013

The Division of Local Government (DLG) released its report “Local Government Infrastructure Audit” in June 2013. An electronic copy of this will be made available on BoardVantage. Council staff have reviewed the document, along with commentary from LG Solutions, the providers of financial commentary to Local Government. The Report’s Key Findings include that:

The total infrastructure backlog for all NSW councils was estimated to be $7.4 billion at 30 June 2012 of which :

o $4.5 billion relates to roads and related assets, & o $1 billion relates to buildings and in total represents 10% of the WDV of Council’s IPP&E base.

The infrastructure backlog is over $1,000 per head of the NSW population.

While stated in isolation, it varies across regions: o the Far West has the biggest backlog at about $4,700 per capita, o followed by Orana ($3,730), o Mid north Coast ($2,890), o Murray ($2,850) and the o Northern Rivers area ($2,820) o City of Ryde ($728)

While asset data is being improved 37% of councils still need to implement or improve

their infrastructure management practices and procedures.

Many councils still need to determine levels of service in consultation with their communities for all asset classes.

There were a number of funding & financing strategies listed that “may help Councils

to reduce their backlog &/or to prevent the backlog increasing such as:

o Borrowings (especially for councils with low or no debt), o Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme (subsidised interest rates), o Special rate variations, o Grants from other levels of government”

The Report’s 17 Recommendations were broken up across 4 headings:

Skilled People, Appropriate Processes, Reliable Data, & Adequate Resources


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More specifically from a City of Ryde perspective the following observations have been made by the Service Unit Manager – Asset Systems.

The analysis is predicated almost exclusively on information that Councils provide in their financial statements and especially Special Schedule 7 (SS7) in annual reports.

Although the DLG has for many years published a comparative assessment, there has been little attempt or discussion on “normalising” the definitions or values presented.

The “Bring to Standard” (BTS) values in SS7s are a critical factor of the DLG audit, yet despite years of requests and industry discussion, there is no consensus on what it represents. This is also a point to be highlighted in the Financial Sustainability Workshops being held on 6 & 13 August 2013.

Depending on the BTS adopted by Council this could materially impact the values of the Infrastructure backlog. More than likely it would push this value upwards.

There are 2 different lines of thought on this as well: o A strict view of only including replacing and repairing existing assets to usable on

a like for like basis (maybe physical condition 3 on a 5 point scale))

o The other being to match the aspirations of a community strategic plan.

Integrated Planning & Reporting (IP&R) is not yet fully reflected in Council’s values for Special Schedule 7 or depreciation, as the DLG audit looks at several years of information some of which pre-dates the IP&R.

Similarly, changes in depreciation calculation to reflect AASB116 can’t be fully reflected in the audit analysis due to this timing. This affects the Infrastructure Renewal Ratio (IRR) which uses depreciation, and capital expenditure on asset renewals a. As we have found at Ryde, and is likely to be the case across many Councils, the

distinction of renewed versus upgrade or extra assets may not be made affecting the ratios.

b. The rates/amounts of depreciation that will be reflected in the next iteration of depreciation may be lower than previously used as a consequence of applying AASB116.

c. The IRR is likely to be higher than the DLG audit has used.

The analysis commentary is only done to a regional level, and doesn’t reflect the

position of any particular Council.


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The audit findings fundamentally come to two things:

1. that funding to deal with any infrastructure backlogs is expected to come from Rates, whether direct or paying off loans.

2. that metropolitan Councils are likely to see less of the share of federal and state grants related to infrastructure.

The audit goes further in suggesting a broad or generic increase in rates above rate pegging of the order of about 12%. Conclusion Following on from all the above comments, what can be said is that this further highlights the need for Council to address the issue of Infrastructure Backlog and Financial Sustainability with its community. Contact: Name: John Todd Position: Chief Financial Officer Contact No: 9952 8025


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4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION REFERENDUM

Attached for the information of Councillors is correspondence received and sent regarding the Referendum on the Constitutional Recognition of Local Government.

As Councillors would recall, Council resolved on 12 February 2013 not to contribute to the campaign. Since this resolution there has been some correspondence including a recent request for Council to reconsider this position.

Contact:

Name: Shane Sullivan

Position: Manager - Customer Service and Governance


ATTACHMENTS

1 Polling Day Update

2 Local Government Referendum Campaign Update

3 Constitutional Recognition of Local Government - payment of levies

4 Signed Letter to Cr Rhoades & Clr Donald with supporting documentation 25 June 2013


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5 FINANCIAL FUTURE WORKSHOPS 6 & 13 AUGUST 2013

Following on from Council’s previous consideration of the TCorp report and as agreed with Councillors, two workshops have been organised for 6 and 13 August 2013 that will provide Councillors with a high level overview of the current state of Council’s financial position that will also include a snapshot of the condition of its infrastructure assets. The workshops will also provide Councillors with an overview of the funding options available to Council and describe the pros and cons of each option. The goals of the workshops are to provide all Councillors with a comprehensive understanding of Council’s financial position and funding options available for how Council can address and protect its long term financial position. It is proposed that the outcomes from the Workshops will then be reported to Council for adoption, which will provide staff a clear direction and action plan in respect of addressing Council’s financial future. A brief report together with the presentation will be made available to Councillors by Friday, 2 August 2013.

Contact:

Name: Roy Newsome

Position: Group Manager - Corporate Services



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6 MAYOR'S DIARY FOR THE PERIOD 10TH JULY TO 23RD JULY 2013

ATTACHED is the Mayor’s Diary containing a list of events and functions attended by the Mayor for the period between 10th July and 23rd July 2013.

Contact:

Name: Linda Smith

Position: EA to the Mayor and Councillors


ATTACHMENT

1 Mayor’s Diary for the period between 10th July and 23rd July 2013


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