information document - coorong district council document... · information document – february...

INFORMATION DOCUMENT

17 February 2015

Department Commencing page

Strategy & Governance CEO meetings/functions attended Australia Day 2015 Correspondence from Steven Griffiths MP Lower Lakes & Coorong Tourism and Boating Group minutes

2

Community & Corporate Corporate Services report Regulatory Services report Community Services report Tourism report

8

Infrastructure & Assets Nil to report

--

Information Document – February 2015

2

STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE

Information items

1. CEO - MEETINGS/FUNCTIONS ATTENDED

Date Details

January 2015

19 Meeting with Jeff Klitscher re: various Coonalpyn projects, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Manager Projects & Procurement re: Washpool Road closure easements, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Director Infrastructure & Assets, Manager Technical Services and Manager Projects & Procurement re: Tailem Bend Tennis Club lease issues, Tailem Bend

20 ABC Radio (Riverland) interview, via telephone

Council meeting, Tailem Bend

21 Meeting with Director Infrastructure & Assets, Manager Projects & Procurement and Mallee Ward councilors re: Lot 101 Murrayview Estate, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Tony Pasin MP Senior Advisor, Murray Bridge

22 Meeting with Norman Waterhouse Lawyers, Adelaide

Meeting with Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure re: Tailem Bend Motorsport Park development, Adelaide

23 Meeting with Tony Pasin MP re: pensioner concessions, Murray Bridge

Meeting with Tintinara Community Men’s Shed Committee re: business plan review, Tailem Bend

27 Meeting with Mayor, Tailem Bend

28 Meeting with Simcock Commercial re: former Customer Service Centre lease, Tailem Bend

29 Meeting with Peregrine Corporation re: native vegetation update, Adelaide

Meeting with Development Assessment Commission re: Tailem Bend Motorsport Park development, Adelaide

30 Murray Darling Association Region 6 meeting, Tailem Bend

Farwell morning tea for William Morris, Tailem Bend

Discussion with Mayor and Manager Corporate Services re: 2013/14 2nd Quarter Budget Review, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Manager Projects & Procurement re: Tintinara Community Men’s Shed extension and DPTI approvals, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Lynton Piggot re: Lot 101 Murrayview Estate documentation, Tailem Bend

February 2015

2 Meeting with Adelaide Hills Regional Waste Management Authority, Brinkley

Meeting with Leadership Team to discuss 2015/16 Budget bids, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Human Services Coordinator re: outside workforce performance review process, Tailem Bend


3

February 2015 (cont).

3 Meeting with Director Infrastructure & Assets and Manager Development and Environmental Services re: Tailem Bend Motorsport Park, Mount Barker

Photo shoot and interview for Murray Valley Standard, Tailem Bend

Elected Members workshop, Tailem Bend

4 Discussion with Peregrine Corporation re: Coonalpyn BP, via telephone

Meeting with Minister Ian Hunter MLC re: Murray Darling Basin Interpretive and Resource Centre, Adelaide

5 Combined Managers meeting, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Locky McKinna re: Lot 101 Murrayview Estate, Tailem Bend

6 Murray & Mallee Local Government Association meeting, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Mayor and Annette Jager re: development issues, Tailem Bend

9 Leadership Team meeting, Tailem Bend

10 Meeting with Leadership Team to conduct next review of 2015/16 Budget, Tailem Bend

Farewell afternoon tea for Bianca Gazzola, Tailem Bend

Visit Dickson Reserve pontoon to inspect damage, Tailem Bend

11 Meeting with Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide

Meeting with Norman Waterhouse Lawyers, Adelaide

Meeting with Peregrine Corporation re: Coonalpyn BP, Adelaide

12 Meeting with Peter Bond (Chief Executive Officer, Rural City of Murray Bridge), Murray Bridge

Meeting with Australian Workers Union representatives, Tailem Bend

Community Facilities toolbox meeting, Meningie

Meeting with Development Assessment Commission representatives re: Tailem Bend Motorsport Park development, Tailem Bend

13 SELGA annual general and ordinary meetings, Naracoorte

16 Council agenda review with Mayor, Tailem Bend

Meeting with Campervan and Motorhome Group representative re: upcoming event, Tailem Bend

17 Council meeting, Tintinara

Vincent Cammell CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


4

2. AUSTRALIA DAY 2015

A record of five Australia Day events were held across the district on Monday 26 January 2015 highlighting the achievements of the following worthy award winners: Citizen of the Year Helen Marshall Coonalpyn Dr. Michael Kerrigan Meningie Graham Wright Meningie Christine Toogood Sherlock Ross Morris Tailem Bend Darren Gurney Tailem Bend Young Citizen of the Year Kyle Challinger Coonalpyn Community Event of the Year Ki Ki Centenary 2013 Ki Ki Tailem Bend Christmas Parade Tailem Bend Community Project of the Year Meningie & District Lions Club Inc. Walking Trail Mayor’s Award Rexley (Ian) Qualmann Meningie As some events were held concurrently, special thanks to Councillors Barrie and Simcock who presided at various events while the Mayor was undertaking the same role in a different location. Unfortunately the Australia Day Ambassador allocated to Council by the Australia Day Council of SA withdrew in January 2015, leaving Council with no ambassador this year. Hopefully 2016 will yield a different result. The Mayor will send letters of appreciation to the respective hosting organisations in due course and the Australia Day Awards Committee will meet again mid-year to discuss criteria and details for the 2016 awards. Photos of some events appear on the following page.


5

Ki Ki Pastime Club Inc. members with Councillors Jeff Arthur and Julie Barrie and Executive Officer

Ben Jarvis.

Meningie Citizen of the Year Dr. Michael Kerrigan pictured with Deputy Mayor Cr. Sharon Bland and

Mayor Cr. Neville Jaensch.

Mayor Cr. Neville Jaensch congratulates Mayor’s Award recipient Ian Qualmann and Citizen of the Year Dr. Michael Kerrigan and Graham Wright

Dwayne Thomas and Julieanne Tresize of the

Tailem Bend Christmas Parade Committee collect their Community Event of the Year Award with Citizens of the Year Ross Morris and Darren

Gurney. Mayor Cr. Neville Jaensch and Tony Pasin MP (Member for Barker) also joined the

festivities.


6

3. STEVEN GRIFFITHS MP – MEMBER FOR GOYDER – LIBERAL PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY Steven Griffiths MP, in his capacity as Shadow Minister for Local Government, has written to Council regarding an announcement by the Liberal Party should they be successful at the 2018 State election. Please refer to following page for details.

Scanned By: records on 22/01/2015 09:45:30

Mayor Neville Jae nschçoorong District Council C0010ng District CouncilPO Box 399TAILEM BEND SA 5260 j 2 2 /AN 2015

j TAiLEw BEND OFF/CEDear Mayor Jaensch

Several months ago I wrote to all 68 councils in South Australia requesting details about the financialimpact of the removal by the South Australian Labor Government of the general remissions for theEmergency Services Levy (ESL).

The information I received highlighted real concerns across the board, with accompanying cited dollarincreases being significant, severely impacting on current and future budgets.

•State Labor has refused to budge on the ESL, with Premier Weatherill and Treasurer Koutsantoniscontinuing to refuse to recognise the full consequences of this collective additional $90 million peryear hit.

However, I am pleased that this week Steven Marshall MP has announced that the Liberal Party will,if successful at the 2018 State Election, put the general remission back in place as its first act ingovernment.

Please find attached a copy of the press release issued by Steven Marshall − an announcement that isa good one for local government and the communities it serves.

If you require any information on this announcement do not hesitate to contact me.

Steven GriffithsMember fo r GoyderShadow Minister for Regional DevelopmentShadow Minister fo r Local GovernmentShadow Minister for Planning•

Steven Marshall MPState Liberal Leader

Sunday 18 January 2015

Massive Liberal tax cut for South Australian familiesThe State Liberals have committed to reversing the Weatherill Government's savage increases in theEmergency Services Levy (ESL) giving South Australians desperately needed tax relief.

The State Liberals opposed the Weatherill Government's massive increase to the ESL when it wasannounced and if elected in 2018 our first act will be to reverse this $90 million tax grab.

"The Weatherill Government's massive increase to the ESL tax has placed many ordinary SouthAustralians under intense financial pressure at the very moment they can least afford it," said StateLiberal Leader Steven Marshall.

"This $90 million tax cut will deliver annual cost of living relief for ordinary South Australians whoalready have the most expensive gas, water and electricity in the country.

"The ESL is a tax on the family home and the State Liberals commitment to restore the remission onthe ESL will deliver an annual $168 tax cut for owners of a home worth $450,000. This amounts to a$672 tax cut over the life of the Government.

The Weatherill Government's massive increases in the ESL tax doesn't just hit homeowners, it is alsolevied on sporting clubs, community organisations, churches and independent schools.

"The increases in the ESL are cascading throughout the community, embedding higher costs forstruggling families at every turn.

"The Weatherill Government's ESL tax hike is also impacting on the quality of education SouthAustralia's independent schools are able to provide.

"With 35% of students attending independent schools they are an important plank in SouthAustralia's education system and the massive increases in the ESL is forcing them to cut services orincrease fees.

"The Weatherill Labor Government is also putting its hand into the pockets of hard working parentsevery time they pay a sporting club fee or use a community facility.

"This massive tax cut will also have a positive effect on South Australia's moribund economy,boosting business confidence, investment and job creation.

"The Weatherill Government was already the highest taxing State Government in Australia before itjacked up the ESL on families and businesses across the state.

Contact: Greg Charter 0488 177 243

www.stevenmarshall.com.auwww.facebook.com/stevenmarshaUMP

twitter.cornlmarshall steven

"Taking tens of millions of dollars in the ESL tax from SA businesses further restricts their capacity togrow their businesses and create jobs.

"The South Australian economy is flat lining under the Weatherill Labor Government's punitive taxregime and the unemployed are paying the ultimate price of these policy failures.

"Our commitment on the ESL will be paid for through existing policies we have already announced tocreate efficiencies in the public sector.

"The policy we took to the 2014 election would save more than the cost of reinstating the remissionsto the ESL.

"In the lead up to the 2018 election, we will have more to say on tax reform, and more importantly taxrelief, to help all South Australians struggling under the burden of SA Labor's exorbitant tax regime."

Note: ESL tax cut would begin from 1 June 2018 under this policy.

Contact: Greg Charter 0488 177 243

www.stevenmarshall.com.auwww.facebook.com/stevenmarshaliMP

twitter.com/marshall steven


7

4. LOWER LAKES & COORONG TOURISM AND BOATING GROUP – MINUTES OF

MEETING HELD 29 JANUARY 2015 Mayor Cr. Jaensch has attended two meetings of the Lower Lakes & Coorong Tourism and Boating Group since his term as Mayor. The Mayor has indicated that membership of this group will assist in building Council’s tourism networks with Alexandrina, Mid-Murray and Murray Bridge councils. Please refer to following page for minutes of the meeting.

Lower Lakes & Coorong Tourism & Environment Group Meeting: Thursday 29 January 2015 at The Marina Hindmarsh Island. The meeting was opened at 10.00 AM by Chairman, Hon. Dean Brown AO.

1. Attendance & Apologies:

Attendance: Hon. Dean Brown (chair), Tom Chapman, Glen Jones, Paul Harvey, Neil Shillabeer,

Mayor Keith Parkes (at 12.30 PM), Mayor Neville Jaensch, Cr. Jim Davis, Lyn Clark,

Andrew Dawes, Adrian Pederick, Ken Durward, Garry Fyfe (SAWater), John Clark

(Minutes).

Apologies: Peter Thomas, Colin Grundy, Michael Shelton, Ian Darbyshire,

The Chairman welcomed Adrian Pederick, Neville Jaensch, and Garry Fyfe.

Neville advised that he has organised a briefing session for Coorong Council by the Lower Lakes &

Coorong Tourism and Boating Group on Tuesday 3 March with all welcome, time TBA.

Coorong Council is keen to re-invent tourism and is working with Alexandrina, Mid Murray and Murray

Bridge Councils.

A new motor sports complex together with a 100 room motel and convention centre, airstrip and caravan

park is to be built at Tailem Bend. This will also cater for other sports and events. This project has full

government bi-partisan support together with $ 7m funding available.

2. Minutes of Meeting 16 December 2014

The Minutes were accepted as a correct record of proceedings.

3. Action List and business arising

Ken advised that a letter has been sent to DPTI Boating Safety Unit regarding sailing around Stony Point.

No response has so far been received.

Meningie Jetty needs an extension to clear a shallow, rocky, bottom, with an arm and wave attenuator and

pontoons, to attract larger boats.

Narrung Jetty needs buffers on concrete pipes and a new deck. A new toilet block has been recently

established. Council has funds together with SABFAC funding.

We also need to consider navigation beacons and Adrian P has taken this up.

CCLMM funds are possible for the establishment of pedestrian access to the Tauwitchere Barrage. This

needs council support.

It will be the 150th

anniversary of Meningie in 2016. It would be good to see some regional aquatic

activity and this could be a driver to have navigation issues addressed.

4. Water Resources Report (Paul Harvey)

Basin Inflow Summary

The inflow to the River Murray System during December 2014 was 160 GL compared to a long-term

inflow for the month of 460 GL. The inflow to Menindee Lakes during December 2014 was 1 GL

compared to the long-term inflow of 120 GL.

Although the recent rainfall across the whole of the Basin has not generated significant river flows or

filled key storages, it has resulted in decreased irrigation demands, freeing up some channel capacity for

delivery of environmental flows to SA during January and February.

Current Storage Levels

Storage Capacity (GL)

Current Volume (GL) (21/01/15)

%

(previous month)

Comments

Dartmouth 3 856 3 159 82% (87%) Long-term Ave 81%

Hume 3 037 1 535 51% (64%) Long-term Ave 62%

Lake Victoria 677 462 68% (81%) Long-term Ave 79%

Menindee Lakes 1 731 159 9% (13%) In NSW Control Long-term Ave 49%

Total MDBA 9 269 5 315 57% (65%) Long-term Ave 69%

Burrinjuck 1 028 585 57% (74%)

Blowering 1 628 542 33% (39%)

Eildon 3 334 2 479 74% (80%)

Whole Basin 22 214 11 033 50% (56%)

Flow to South Australia

Flow to SA in December was ~ 255 GL compared to 375 GL last December (long-term average ~690

GL). Flow to SA currently consists of January Entitlement Flow of 217 GL plus Environmental water

from the CEWH of 77 GL.

The CEWH have confirmed the delivery of 135 GL of environmental water to South Australia between

January and May. Discussions between DEWNR, MDBA and CEWO resulted in up to an additional 100

GL for delivery over this period in addition to the volume previously agreed.

The flow at the South Australian border last week was approximately 10.3 GL/day and has decreased to

around 10 GL/day currently. The environmental water is being delivered to provide in-channel, Lower

Lakes and Coorong environmental benefits and assist in discharging salt through the Murray Mouth.

The flow over Lock 1 is approximately 6.8 GL/day and is likely to increase to around 7 GL/day during

the coming week, depending on weather conditions and extractions.

Deferred Water Storage

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority advised that on 1 January 2015, South Australia had 42.8 GL of

water deferred and stored in Dartmouth (29.5 GL for critical human water needs and 13.3 GL for private

carryover use in future dry years). Volumes stored are adjusted for net evaporation losses until delivered

to South Australia. All this water has been ‘transferred’ upstream and is stored in Dartmouth Dam where

net evaporation losses are minimal.

Barrage Operations and Murray Mouth

Dredging operations at the Murray Mouth commenced on 9 January 2015 to maintain connectivity

between the river and the Southern Ocean. A second dredge will commence as soon as possible.

Dredging commenced on the Tauwitchere side of the mouth but consideration is being given to moving

the dredge to the Goolwa side if conditions deteriorate further before the second dredge is in place.

Exclusion Zones have been established around the dredging operations to ensure public safety. There is

also a partial park closure in place for the northern tip of the Coorong National Park.

Signage has been installed at appropriate locations and flyers have been distributed advising of Exclusion

Zones.

Any boats navigating through the Murray Mouth region, in particular through the Goolwa channel in

close proximity to the mouth, need to proceed with extreme caution due to sandbars and boats are

advised to avoid attempting to travel through at low tide.

The water level in Lake Alexandrina is approximately 0.65 m AHD and Lake Albert is approximately

0.64 AHD. When conditions are favourable, barrage releases are being prioritised through Tauwitchere

and Goolwa (approximately 70:30 ratio), adjacent to the fishways. Releases have been targeted to

maximise outcomes for the Goolwa channel and Coorong salinity and attempts have been made to

“pulse” water through Goolwa barrage to scour as much sand as possible for the volume of water

available. All fishways are operating.

The environmental water being provided by CEWH is subject to maintaining the lakes water levels

within specific ranges over the next three months. Specifically South Australia is required to maintain

the lakes between 0.50m AHD and 0.60m AHD at the end of both February and March.

Construction Works

Lock 7 – advanced notice

Remedial works at Lock 7 are expected to commence after the Australia Day long weekend in January

2015 and take around 12 weeks to complete. The works are necessary to maintain the structural integrity

of the Lock chamber. During this period Lock 7 will be closed to navigation.

Pike Floodplain

Construction works are underway at Banks B and C on the Pike Floodplain to reinstate fish passage and

hydraulic connectivity between the River Murray and Mundic Creek. Works are expected to be ongoing

until July 2015. This activity will not cause restrictions to navigation on the main channel of the River

Murray.

Yatco Lagoon

Work is underway to relocate pump offtakes from Yatco Lagoon and install new pump offtakes on the

River Murray. The construction work is expected to be completed by mid-2015.

Climate Outlook

The Bureau has predicted that a drier than normal period over the next 3 months although conditions are

not likely to be extreme. In particular, large parts of Queensland have an increased chance of a drier than

normal season, but the area of strongest probabilities has reduced considerably from last month's outlook.

Elsewhere across the Basin, the chances of a wetter or drier season are roughly equal.

Climate influences include El Niño-like conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean, and warmer than normal

waters across the Indian Ocean basin and to the southeast of Australia

Summary

• Storage conditions are slightly below the long term average for this time of year with the exception of

the extreme low volume in Menindee Lakes. The situation in Menindee Lakes is of concern,

particularly with respect to the water supply for Broken Hill.;

• Climate forecasts are still trending towards drier conditions across the whole of the Basin with a high

probability of El Niño or near El Niño conditions through much of the year;

• Flow to South Australia includes increased environmental flows negotiated with CEWH;

• South Australia still has 42.8 GL deferred water stored in Dartmouth Dam;

• Current operations at the Lower Lakes and barrages are aimed at maintaining water levels through

summer whilst still releasing sufficient water to minimise sand build-up at the Murray Mouth and to

keep the mouth open until dredging commences; and

• Dredging at the Murray Mouth has commenced and the second dredge should be in place in the near

future.

Current Flows (27/01/15) (ML/day)

Murray Doctors Point 18 812 16 667 in December Corowa 18 450 Yarrawonga 10 119 Mulwala Canal 5 580 Yarrawonga Main Canal 1 400 Torrumbarry 7 141 National Channel 2 410 Wakool 9 246 Flow to SA 10 081

Darling Weir 32 162 131 in December Burtundy 123

Murrumbidgee Balranald 1 470

Ovens Peechelba 342

Salinity (27/01/15)

Murray Corowa 60 EC Yarrawonga 35 EC Torrumbarry 63 EC Wakool 92 EC D/S Mildura Weir 113 EC Lock 6 190 EC Lock 1 344 EC Wellington 390 EC Milang 762 EC Mulgundawa 764 EC Poltalloch 673 EC Raukkan 820 EC U/S Tauwitchere 788 EC U/S Ewe Island 934 EC U/S Mundoo 1 032 EC Clayton 873 EC

Goolwa 1 222 EC L Albert (Waltowa) 2 357 EC 2 043 EC in December L Albert (Meningie) 2 426 EC 2 402 EC in December L Albert (Warringee) 2 360 EC 2 436 EC in December

Darling Weir 32 742 EC Burtundy 973 EC

Murrumbidgee Balranald 151 EC 104 EC in December

Ovens Peechelba 78 EC

NSW has partially restore its funding levels to the MDBA, but all is quiet in SA.

SA Water needs to find more budget savings.

5. Tourism Group

SABA (Southern Alexandrina Business Association) has agreed in principle to establish a Tourism Sub-

Committee under its umbrella. This will afford the facilities and privileges available under an

incorporated body – such as banking, grants, and insurance, etc. John Clark is the liaison point with the

Lower Lakes & Coorong Tourism and Boating Group.

A second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 4 February where there will be discussion about the

organisational structure.

Questions were asked about the role of Fleurieu Peninsular Tourism and RDA. FPT is involved but down

to 1 person.

It was advised that Candice Torres from Murraylands has left.

6. Murray Mouth Dredging

Glen Jones and Garry Fyfe reported.

SA Water is trying to minimise the inconvenience to boating on the Tauwitchere side but there will be

problems on the Goolwa side. There have been breakdowns with the first dredge with it currently shifting

about 100 cubic m per week. The target is 500 to 600 c m/w.

There is a boat stuck at the MM.

The question was asked as to the impact on Easter boating activities. SA Water will try, but things are not

looking good.

The closure of the MM has generated adverse media attention.

There was an excellent session on ABC Radio with Sam Dodd on Wednesday.

Mariners need 2-3 weeks notice on channel availability

SA Water will consider boating in media releases and keep this group informed.

7. Boating facilities funding

Glen advises that the saga drags on. Glen will forward the current wish list to Dean asap. A regional

perspective is being taken with 8 councils involved. There was an excellent article prepared for

“Logbook” magazine via Keith Parkes. There is also material being prepared by Tom Chapman.

There has been a considerable loss of government personnel but the Minister continues to be sympathetic,

and wants to meet regularly.

Federal regional development funding appears to be dead but there are other funding possibilities.

8. Lake Albert Scoping Study and related issues

The study is complete. There is a public meeting being held regarding the impact on the Coorong. We

are waiting on the formal response from the government.

Action is needed on the Lake Albert/Coorong connector but the cost/benefit analysis was not good. The

cost to build the connector is $ 19m.

The next phase would be an EIS on the Coorong.

It may be that there is a need for a one-off pumping scenario, however a long lead time is required in order

to achieve all the necessary approvals.

We need to focus on the impact on the Coorong for such a pumping operation.

It is difficult to get this message across to the Commonwealth and we need to communicate with the

Parliamentary Secretary.

ACTION: Paul to contact the Parliamentary Secretary re one-off pumping.

There are huge issues with the Ngarrindjeri.

Coorong Council totally supports the Scoping Study and the work being done by Neil’s group.

Water pulsing/cycling does work in Lake Albert provided that there is water available, however we seem

to have reached a salinity plateau.

If there is another period of sustained low River flows, Lake Albert is starting from a very high base.

The message to the MDBA is that the region has not recovered from the Millenium Drought, with

consequent poor community confidence and low investment.

There has been a loss of high turn-over businesses, and there has been no government support for post-

bund recovery – which was promised.

It was observed that the EPBC Act is grossly deficient. It requires assessment of the actions being taken –

not the outcome of those actions!

9. Other business

9.1 Surf Lifesaving Clubs

Jim advised that there are 15 surf lifesaving clubs in SA, 3 of which are in the Alexandrina Council area.

They all require upgrades, building works or re-builds. Under the government regulations 1/3 of the funds

need to come from councils. This is a large impost on Alexandrina Council. The Chiton Rocks SLSC is

on the border with Victor Harbor and Alexandrina is trying to get VH Council to contribute.

We need viable SLSCs to sustain tourism.

Alexandrina Council is looking for suggestions regarding alternative sources of funding.

9.2 Proposed change in medical service arrangements

Country Health SA has moved to stop local doctors from servicing the South Coast (and other regional)

Hospital(s), instead utilising doctors from outside the area. This also means that patients would not be

treated by their GP except if admitted as private patients. Considerable resources have been invested in

making facilities such as the Goolwa Medical Centre as triage centres, particularly for stroke and heart

attack cases. This decision will mean that patients will wait longer for emergency medical attention.

ACTION: John to raise with Adrian Pederick.

9.3 Goolwa Regatta Week

Paul advised that Goolwa regatta Week was most successful with 50% of the boats in the Milang-Goolwa

event being local. There were approximately 150 boats , each with an average crew of 3. This is a good

foundation and needs to be linked with other events – such as perhaps a concurrent a bicycle race.

9.4 Wooden Boat Festival

Keith advised that more than 170 boats have registered and there is a long list of exhibitors. The event

manager has had difficulty sourcing sufficient marquees.

Sponsorship is looking good and a major sponsor is expected to be signed within a week for a long-term

commitment.

A Navy helicopter is coming. There will be 8 paddlewheelers.

The budget is uncertain. Security and licensing costs have blown out due to increased SAPOL anti-

terrorism requirements.

There will be fireworks.

The volunteers will be smaller in number and better trained.

The event is being conducted in conjunction with the National Maritime Conference.

The media coverage will include 5MU, 5AA and Channel 9.

9.5 NZ Fur Seals

Andrew advised that NZ Fur Seals were aggravating local fishers. This is having a significant impact on

the fishing industry. Minister Hunter is not interested.

Seals have decimated the Granite Island penguin colony and are now in Lake Albert.

ACTION: Andrew Dawes to raise the NZ Fur Seal issue with Adrian Pederick.

8. Next Meetings: The next meeting will be held THURSDAY 19 MARCH 2015 at The Marina Hindmarsh Island at

10.00 AM

Meeting Closed: 12.45 PM. Thanks to Tom and TMHI for their hospitality.

ACTION POINT SUMMARY

Reference

Meeting/No./

(clause no.)

Officer

Responsible

Description Status

AUGUST 5

(9)

DENR Follow up on the ferry impact

if the Narrung Narrows

causeway were to be removed

ACTIVE: There is a proposal from

SA to Commonwealth. Reed growth

problems.

AUGUST 6

(16)

Paul Harvey Lead the re-draft of a revised

“The facts The Lower Murray,

Lakes and Coorong” brochure.

ACTIVE

MAR 22

(7)

Glen Contact Rob Kieran re

Tauwitchere Barrage

pedestrian access funding

ACTIVE

MAY 24

(7)

Paul Harvey Explore sand movement

modelling results for the

Murray Mouth.

ACTIVE Paul will contact Andrew

Beal and David Katz

MAY 22

(10)

Dean Talk with Neville

Styan(Alexandrina Council)

re a meeting with Ngarrindjeri

concerning MM destination

objections

ACTIVE

MAR 5

(7)

Neil seek permission to disclose

CLMM expenditure

information to this group

ACTIVE

AUGUST 21

(8)

Dean/John Arrange a meeting with

Alexandrina Council to focus

on boating tourism within the

greater Murray, the importance

of this in terms of economic

development and the need to

join the Murraylands Tourism

Partnership.

ACTIVE

AUGUST 21

(10)

Glen Contact Coorong Council re

Narrung Jetty funding

ACTIVE

NOVEMBER

13

Ken contact the Boating Safety

Unit DPTI re Stony Point

passage rules

COMPLETE

NOVEMBER

13 (7.8)

Glen produce a one-page dot-point

summary of our facilities wish

list which can be sent to the

PM and others as necessary

ACTIVE

DECEMBER

16 (6)

John Approach SABA regarding the

possibility of the Tourism

Group coming under SABA

COMPLETE SABA has agreed in

principle with John Clark as liaison

point

JANUARY29

(8)

Paul Contact the Parliamentary

Secretary re one-off pumping

at Lake Albert.

ACTIVE

JANUARY 29

(9.2)

John Raise changes to regional

hospital services with Adrian

Pederick

ACTIVE

JANUARY 29

(9.5)

Andrew Raise the NZ Fur Seal issue

with Adrian Pederick

ACTIVE


8

COMMUNITY & CORPORATE

Information Items

1. CORPORATE SERVICES 1.1 Finance & Rating Nil to report 1.2 Debt Recovery & Maintenance

Council is continuing to be proactive in recovering debt from outstanding rates and debtors. From the last report submitted, Council has escalated its current batch from reminder 2 and has issued 70 final notices. A batch of outstanding debtor accounts has also been selected and 7 second reminder letters have been sent out.

Total number of completed files since the debt recovery module has been implemented has increased from 517 to 573.

1.3 Information Technology Nil to report

OUTSTANDING - ALL FILES

STATUS TOTAL FILES

NOVEMBER 2014

ARRANGE 131,353.17 50

SEC 184 43,474.52 7

EXTERNAL 96,924.80 58

ON HOLD 55,972.44 27

FINAL NTCE 0 0

NCML ARRAN 8,520.90 4

REMINDER 1 0 0

REMINDER 2 7,547.23 21

TOTAL $343,793.06 167


TOTAL FILES

DECEMBER 2014

134,175.75 46

43,594.01 7

95,655.41 56

60,628.36 27

9,724.61 15

8,314.47 4

51,804.91 107

0 0

$403,897.52 262


TOTAL FILES

JANUARY 2015

129,697.62 47

43,444.01 7

91,913.47 54

54,407.17 19

8,650.78 13

8,224.47 4

6,990.91 7

39367.73 87

$382,696.16 238


TOTAL FILES

FEBRUARY 2015

123,655.28 44

43,444.01 7

89,667.82 49

54,330.86 20

36,299.25 80

8,064.47 4

0 0

6,940.91 7

$362,402.60 211


9

1.4 Records Management Nil to report

1.5 Customer Service Nil to report 1.6 Human Resource Management 1.6.1 Human Resource Statistics

Key Performance Indicator ^ 2014/15 2013/14

Jan 2015 July 2013 – June 2014

(YTD)

Jan 2014 July 2013 – June 2014

(YTD)

Employee absenteeism (hrs) 85.5 824.25 173.10 1688.39

Movements In 1 7 0 14

Movements Out 0 2 0 10

Employee turnover 13.3%

* Employee absenteeism comprises of sick, family and personal leave taken by Council

employees. ^ The table does not include MMCTS employees.

1.7 Work Health & Safety

1.7.1 WHS Statistics

Key Performance Indicator Month (Jan)

2014/15 YTD

2013/14 TOTAL

2012/13 TOTAL

2011/12 TOTAL

Employee lost time injuries claim 0 0 2 4 0

Employee medical expense only claim 0 1 0 0 1

Employee minor injury/incident* 1 3 5 10 9

Employee all other accidents/injuries/incidents/hazards^

0 7 3 3 1

Total incidents 1 11 10 17 11

* Minor Injuries / Incidents – Minor injuries or incidents which do not result in any loss or work time, do not require professional medical assistance / advice or which do not cause damage to property or equipment

^ All other Accidents / Injuries / Incidents – Incidents where professional medical assistance /advice is

required, work time is lost, where property (council property or other) is damaged and any minor incidents which have a potential for serious injury.


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1.8 Risk Management

1.9 Requests for Service Coorong District Council delivers an extensive range of services to the community and is committed to providing them in a quality manner. Council is always striving towards best practice and seeks to identify ways in which it can proactively improve its services.

Council’s Requests for Service Policy and Procedure requires the development and maintenance of a policy about any reasonable request for a provision of a service by the Council or for the improvement of a current service. Within the policy, a commitment was made to report to Council twice yearly on the number and nature of requests received, including rejected requests.

Requests for service are processed within Council’s central software package “Authority” in the Customer Request Module (CRM). The module provides a single environment that manages all forms of communication between Council and customers and additionally, monitors performance across all Council operations. Reporting mechanisms within the module report on the following: Individual task listings Phone messages Missed targets Rejected tasks Compliments & Complaints Departmental task listings To meet Council’s commitment stated within the Requests for Service Policy, staff processed and analysed two reports, CRM Task Listing and Rejected Task Report.

Results & Analysis – Nature & Number of Requests In analysing the CRM Task Listing Report in the date range of 1 July 2014 – 31 December 2014, any figures that were identified as not being a request for service from Council were eliminated. Further, the report was categorised into specific Council functions, with the results represented in the table below:

Key Performance Indicator Month (Jan)

2014/15 YTD

2013/14 TOTAL

2012/2013 TOTAL

2011/2012 TOTAL

Public Incident Report 0 1 4 6 10

Public Liability Claim/Damage Request

0 2 6 6 0

General Insurance Claims 2 8 15 14 4

Total Claims/Incidents 2 11 25 26 14


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Description Inclusions No of requests %

Compliance Animals, planning, health etc 59 6.26%

Community Facilities Cemeteries, CWMS 180 19.11%

Community & Corporate Finance, payroll, community, tourism, HR etc

520 55.20%

Council Buildings Depots, offices, land disposal 28 2.97%

Other Council Infrastructure Footpaths, rural roads, line marking, heavy vehicle access

120 12.74%

Home & Community Care Enquiries, new requests 26 2.76%

Waste Management Kerbside, recycling 9 0.96%

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Compliance Of the 59 requests for service lodge in the area of compliance, development enquiries (new & existing) totalled 16, while animal issues & parking contributed 17 requests each. Other contributors were fire prevention, liquor licence requests, litter, and septic pumping.

Community Facilities The majority of requests for service in the area of Community Facilities were regarding trees (trimming, fallen and removal) and totalled 50 requests for service. Other significant contributors were hall enquiries & maintenance, totalling 19 requests, and signage (new & damaged/stolen), with 33 requests and parks and gardens maintenance contributing 25 requests. Other areas noted were stormwater, mowing, and public toilet requests. Community & Corporate The statistics report that Community & Corporate receive the majority of customer requests for service, however of the 520 requests received, 430 of those requests were rates related. Information Technology requests also totalled 30, and Records Management also contributed 45 requests.

Council buildings Council building statistics consisted of depot maintenance & enquiries, access to Council properties and other general property enquiries.

Other Council Infrastructure Road reports of poor conditions, potholes, line marking and storm damage made up the majority of requests for service for other Council infrastructure, contributing 93 requests. Issues with footpaths (alteration, poor condition, trip hazard & increased level of service) totalled 27 requests.

Home and Community Care Council received 26 enquiries for the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

Waste Management Waste management received 9 requests, the majority being Council street bins, kerbside waste and recycling requests, and bin lid replacement.


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Results & Analysis – Rejected Requests No requests were rejected during the reporting period.

1.10 Compliments & Complaints

Council’s current Complaints & Compliments Policy and underpinning procedure was reviewed in July 2014 and details Council’s commitment to the provision of quality service to customers.

Complaints are viewed as a valuable and essential tool to test and improve practices and procedures and challenge the status quo. There are some key triggers for complaints, sometimes changes in processes and charges will result in a high number of complaints, (e.g. the changes to waste management and kerbside collection), or a delay in service delivery when the expectations that the public have of the organisation may not line up with the services and limitations of Council.

Compliments are an excellent source of positive feedback for staff and provide a platform for recognition of a job well done and have the ability to motivate and engage staff. Compliments also reinforce to the organisation that processes are working correctly and that the external customer’s expectations of service delivery have been met.

Staff have analysed reports for the period of 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2014 and provided the data below.

Customer Request - Complaints

Complaint - Community & Corporate 12

Complaint - Infrastructure and Assets 10

3rd Party Complaint 7

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Complaints lodged regarding the Community & Corporate department accounted for 41%

of complaints. The vast majority of the complaints (75%) relate to increase in Council rates.

Infrastructure and Assets received 10 complaints, 40% of which were regarding the change in waste fees and charges. Other complaints related to signage and a burial issue. Complaint lodged by a third party accounted for 24% of the complaints processed by Council and consisted of parking, fire prevention, development and cat complaints.

Customer Request - Compliments

Staff Compliment - Corporate and Community 7

Staff Compliment - Infrastructure & Assets 4

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Compliments lodged in the Community & Corporate department included:

excellent customer service dog waste issues assistance with planning enquiries Council’s tourism initiatives

Compliments lodged in the Infrastructure & Assets department included:

fencing at the Meningie Aerodrome internment of ashes roadside slashing

2. REGULATORY SERVICES 2.1 Planning & Building Services

Although there has been a significant level of enquiries either by telephone or across the front counter for development information, only 8 applications were received during January. For the corresponding period to the end of January 2014; 11 applications were received, for 2015; 8 applications have been lodged for assessment. The 8 development applications lodged during January comprise of: New Dwellings Wellington East 1 Shops/Commercial/Industrial Additions Tailem Bend 2

Shed/Garage/Verandah/Carport/Jetty

Tailem Bend 1 Tintinara 1 Wellington East 2 Salt Creek 1

Not included in the information above is the Motorsport Park Development Application that was lodged directly with Development Assessment Commission (DAC) by the applicant. Council representatives attended a meeting with DAC and the government agencies who have received referral requests. The Coordinator General, Mr. James Hallion, assigned DAC as the relevant planning authority for the Motorsport Park proposal, due to its economic significance to the State. The development application was lodged in late December and is now progressing through assessment and the public notification process. It is at this stage that Council can make recommendations relating to roads, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure and their impact on Council’s own infrastructure.


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Representatives from the Environmental Protection Authority, the Department of Environment Water & Natural Resources, the Department for Planning Transport & Infrastructure, the Native Vegetation Council and the applicant were present to discuss and consider matters of detail relevant to the specific agencies. Through Council’s Principal Building Consultant, Mr Dave Vandborg, Council has been able to provide comment to the ‘Farm Buildings Discussion Paper’. The Discussion Paper is looking at the classification of farm buildings and as such the level of fire fighting facilities required based on the classification. Officers have been directly involved with numerous Development Applications for a variety of buildings including hay sheds, machinery sheds, chicken farms, piggeries and the like. In most instances the physical and financial impacts of the fire fighting facilities requested by the CFS have been either onerous or excessive. For example, the costs of providing ring mains, pumps and tanks range from $40,000 for medium size hay sheds to $120,000 for chicken farms. Due to the significant changes in the industry over the last ten years there is now little to no fire safety or life safety issues in these types of buildings. The very low risk of these structures, the fact there are no ‘employees’ working in them full time is the reason the classification of farm buildings is being reviewed through the Discussion Paper process.

2.2 Building Fire Safety Committee

The Building Fire Safety Committee did not meet during January. However, CFS requirements for Fire Safety Building Compliance Certification for a development in Meningie required comment from Council’s Principal Building Officer.

2.3 Animal Management Nil to report

2.4 Public Health 2.4.1 Mosquito Program Due to heavy rain events during the first two weeks of January 2015, SA Health contacted Council enquiring if any additional monitoring and treatment works was being undertaken. Council officers were already focussing on known problem areas and established habitat sites. During the month, 27 site visits within Tailem Bend, Meningie and their surrounds were monitored resulting in 18 sites being treated for larvae activity. Specific treatments, including briquettes, pellets and sand were applied based on the type of habitat and environmental conditions of each site. Although the number of mosquitoes caught during January increased by 41% (110 to 155) across the six trap sites the overall numbers are still below the long term average. As reported last month Waltowa Swamp is the problem area, with 75% of the catch being from that one location during January.


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There have been no reports of either Ross River virus or Barmah Forest virus for the district during the first five months of this mosquito season.

2.4.2 School Based Immunisation Program A new contract has been entered into with SA Health for the delivery of the School Based Immunisation Program for 2015. The program is conducted in the districts three area schools, Coomandook, Meningie and Tintinara. The vaccination cards and information pamphlets were delivered to the schools during the first week of term.

2.5 Other Legislative Services Nil to report

2.6 Fire Prevention Nil to report

3. COMMUNITY SERVICES 3.1 OPAL Nil to report 3.2 Local Action Plan 3.2.1 Coming Events

The LAP Team will have displays at the following events: The Mallee and Coorong NRM Group in conjunction with the Karoonda Ag Bureau are

holding a Sustainable Ag Forum at Karoonda on 20 February 2015 with a focus on Herbicide Resistance.

Meningie Food, Fun & Family Fair 6 March 2015 Mundulla Show 7 March 2015

(Jointly with the SE NRM Board) Karoonda Farm Fair 27 and 28 March 2015

(Jointly with the SAMDB NRM Board) Tintinara Lions Wool Show, Goods Auction & Craft Fair 12 April 2015

3.2.2 Coomandook Agricultural Bureau Information Collation Project

Back in August 2014 at a meeting held to form a farming systems group within the Coomandook area, there was a small exercise between the groups of participants there to brainstorm to see what agricultural trials and works were currently being done in the area. It was surprising to see just how much was happening in this region. Further from this, it was thought that a publication produced which summarised with limited detail just exactly


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what was currently being undertaken and previously achieved would be beneficial to the group.

From this, we thought if the publication produced worked within the following guidelines, it would offer a great guide to past and present region specific research and trials.

SAMDB NRM have offered $15,000 of funding to the LAP to collate historic trial and demonstration site data from around the Coomandook area.

The location covered will be around Coomandook bounded by: Netherton, Coonalpyn, Geranium, Malinong, Cooke Plains, and Moorlands. Covering areas of similar soil types.

The topic area covered will be: Cropping and Livestock Production. The information looked at will be no more than 20 years old. This will be a pilot project, if successful it could be replicated elsewhere.

3.2.3 Wetland works

A contractor was engaged to clear out the Phragmites reed growth which was effectively blocking the inlet to Waltowa wetland from Lake Alexandrina. After clearing of the inlet the sluice gate was removed. This allowed water to gradually flow into the wetland providing valuable shallow water habitat for the areas wader birds.

3.2.4 Meningie Lions Walking Trail

The LAP has successfully supported the Meningie Lions Club with funding for interpretive signage and directional posts which have been installed at the Lions Walking Trail, off Bowmann Street and East Terrace. The signage informs walkers of the route of the trail, the distance and what native flora they will likely see.


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3.3 Community Funding & Support

3.3.1 Individual Sport & Cultural Grant Council has received an application from Riley Merritt of Tailem Bend under its Individual Sport & Cultural Grants Policy. Riley has been selected to represent Australia in the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup playing in the U16’s team from 1 – 7 April 2015 in New Zealand.

Riley’s application has been addressed as eligible under the criteria for the above policy and a $400 grant has been provided.

3.3.2 Thank you for funding Nil to report

3.3.2 Section 7 – Completion Records

Nil to report


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3.4 Communication & Media

3.4.1 Social Media - Facebook Now with 1,835 likes and increased engagement from community members. Local amateur or professional photographers are sending us their photos and allowing us to share them, increasing our reach and engagement with our followers.

We recently shared the news of the master plan for the SA Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend. This post reached 75,552 people, with 495 people sharing it, 1,235 people liking it and 241 comments! The power of social media at it’s finest!


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3.4.2 Community Awards Nil to report

3.5 Home & Community Care (HACC)

Home maintenance

We are still getting requests from people or organisations who are ineligible for services. This indicates that more information and education needs to take place. The HACC team will continue to present to community groups regarding the HACC program. Waiting periods are a continued problem. Although the distances and the lack of contractors in outer regions is an issue, we’ve identified that in approx. 30% of client requests clients do not reply to phone calls from the contractor, or have forgotten they submitted a request. We are currently streamlining the request recording to ensure clients know when the contractor is coming. A total of 175 clients are registered for home maintenance services. Figures below have been adjusted to reflect outstanding jobs not yet being invoiced. These might have been completed.


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Locality Total clients registered

Maintenance (Open)

Completed $

Meningie 42 17 25 2,891

Tailem Bend

85 50 15 2,971

Coonalpyn 14 11 3 386

Tintinara 20 7 13 2,094

Other 10 6 4 341

TOTAL 171 91 60 8,683

Home modifications

There are a total of 23 home modification requests either by referral or by people enquiring themselves. The challenge with timely execution of home modification is to obtain quotes in a timely manner and the timely execution of the jobs. We are working with the contractors and occupational therapist to streamline processes. The introduction of the CHSP will address a large part of this and reduce waiting periods for clients.

Locality Total clients

Outstanding Modifications

$ (Actual)

Tintinara 1 - 738

Tailem Bend 12 8 1,180

Meningie 6 - 2,792

Coonalpyn 3 3 -

Other 1 1 -

TOTAL 20 3,975

NB: Outstanding jobs means that no invoice has been received yet.

4. TOURISM REPORT Tailem info Station: Community & Tourism Development Officer recently trained volunteers of Tailem info Station about how to use a laptop, which also has an online visitor tracking system which will allow Council to determine tourism trends in our region (where do the majority of tourists come from, and why they are visiting the region). The laptop will be used by volunteers for checking Tailem info Station’s emails and Facebook to respond to customer enquiries with the aid of the internet. Tailem info Station now has visitor feedback forms for tourist to fill in. These give us an insight of what tourist think of the station and the customer service provided, and helps in selecting the ‘Fettler of the Month’. Online development: Community & Tourism Development Office and Casual Tourism Officer have now generated content for a number of attractions in our Council area, they have been uploaded to the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) and are available for people to look at. The following attractions are now visible on a wide variety of tourism websites:


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Coonalpyn Tauragat Well Tauragat Hill Original site of Coonalpyn Primary School Coonalpyn swimming pool Coonalpyn Soldiers Memorial Gates Tintinara Tintinara Walking Trail Lake Indawarra Messent Conservation Park Meningie Lookout Raukkan Church Tailem Bend Riverbend Heritage Trail

Examples:

Tailem info Station is on Google Places. Google Places is Google's listing for local business search results. Google Places appears at the very top of the Google search results when a user is looking for local information.


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Tailem info Station is on Trip Advisor is the world’s largest travel website, its content is provided by consumers as it is a travel review website. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 315 million unique monthly visitors**, and more than 200 million reviews and opinions covering more than 4.4 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. Tailem info Station’s Trip Advisor listing has 3 very positive reviews, see below.


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News from the Tourism and Community Development corner: Community & Tourism Development Officer has visited Pangarinda Arboretum and met with the committee regarding ways of promoting them across various platforms (signage, social media, enewsletter, brochures, info bays). Community & Tourism Development Officer and Director Community & Corporate will collaborate with them to assist in building a strong business case for Pangarinda. Community & Tourism Development Officer has been to the Tailem Bend Golf Course once again to assist with promotion and social media strategies. Community & Tourism Development Officer has been collaborating with the Lions Club of Meningie assisting them with the planning of the Meningie RV Leisure Fest to be held in November (creation of flyer and website assistance).

5. Tintinara Community Men’s Shed See next page


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INFRASTRUCTURE & ASSETS

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