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ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15

PO Box 399

TAILEM BEND SA 5260

Phone: 1300 785 277

[email protected]

2014/15 Annual Report adopted by Council on 17 November 2015

CONTENTS. Introduction Message from the Mayor 1 Council profile 2 Elected Members 3 Organisational structure 4 Corporate Governance Section 41 committees 5 Policies reviewed/endorsed 5 List of Registers and Codes 5 Freedom of Information requests 5 Ombudsman’s investigations 5 Elected Members – attendance at Council meetings 6 Confidential orders 6 Representation quota 6 Internal reviews of a Council decision 7 Community Land Management Plans 7 External auditor remuneration 7 Elected Members’ allowances 7 Senior staff salaries and benefits 7 Procurement 7 Risk management 7 Citizenship 7 Regional leadership 8 Local Government elections 8 2014/15 Annual Business Plan report card 9 Audit Committee report card 12 Environmental Local Action Plan 13 Water security initiatives 13 Natural Resource Management funding 13 Tree death and decline 13 Coorong Green Army crew 13 Coorong Lower Lakes & Murray Mouth program (CLLMM) 14 Biodiversity Fund – Rounds 1 & 2 14 2014/15 on ground works summary 14 Asset management and planning 15 Civil road construction 15 Waste management 15 Major works projects 16 Key projects for 2015/16 16 Fire prevention 16 Development statistics 16

Economic District tourism initiatives 17 Tailem info Station 17 Boundary and town entrance signage 17 SA Motorsport Park 18 Community Development Community grants 19 Youth development 19 Volunteers 19 Murraylands Careers Expo 19 Community libraries 19 Future library use 20 Community transport 20 Home and Community Care 20 Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle (OPAL) 21 Sport and recreation 21 Animal management 22 Food safety 22 Organisational Development Excellence, innovation and capacity 23 Elected Members’ training 23 Employee statistics 24 Learning and development 24 Employee recognition 24 Work Health and Safety 24 Information and communications 24 Appendices 25

The Coorong District Council wishes to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians – the people of the Ngarrindjeri nation whose ancestral lands on which we meet. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of Aboriginal people to country. We also pay respect to the cultural authority of Aboriginal people from other areas of South Australia and Australia.

OUR YEAR

IN NUMBERS.

2,114

FACEBOOK

FOLLOWERS

186 DEVELOPMENT

APPLICATIONS LODGED

38k COMMUNITY

GRANTS

DISPERSED

KILOMETRES OF ROAD

RE-SHEETING WORKS

38.2

1,776

CUSTOMER

REQUESTS

PROCESSED

625

TONNES RECYCLABLE & ORGANIC

WASTE DIVERTED

FROM LANDFILL

61 CAPITAL PROJECTS

UNDERTAKEN

1

MESSAGE

FROM THE

MAYOR.

2014/15 heralded an exciting period of change for Council, the

community and our neighbouring council districts as we eagerly

anticipate the future. As I reflect on the activities of the past twelve

months, it gives me great pleasure to present Council’s 2014/15

Annual Report.

The composition of Council as a result of the local government

elections has presented a refreshed and united team as we front

the future. I would like to pay tribute to past mayor Roger

Strother, who retired after seven and a half years at the mayoral

helm. Prior to this Roger served a combined twenty years as

councillor on the Coorong and former Meningie councils, some of

those years I had the pleasure of sharing with him. Roger paved a

firm foundation for the Council under this leadership, particularly at

the plight of the Lower Lakes drought. I wish Roger and wife Mary

well as they settle into life post-Council.

Retiring councillors Andrew Dawes, Jeff Klitscher and Locky

McKinna are also appreciated for their efforts and service to the

community. The four vacant positions were filled at the last

election by Julie Barrie (Parks), Vern Leng and Mick O’Hara (Lakes)

and Donna Middleton (Mallee), who join our five successful re-

standing members. The ongoing development of the community

has always been a priority for Council, particularly the new Council

as we look to the future.

Development of South Australia’s premier motorsport park at

Tailem Bend continues to belt along at rapid pace, and this was

definitely seen as a highlight. While construction is yet to

commence, 2014/15 saw planning approvals and land

management agreements finalised to ensure development

compliance. A funding injection from the Federal Government was

also welcomed by the developers, Peregrine Corporation. The

sense of renewed tourism, economic development and

employment optimism alike is evident in the community.

With the big ticket items running their course, several other

important functions continue to tick along in the background.

Road revaluations, road re-sheeting works (38.2 kms), tourism

development and commencement of our four-year strategic

planning process also rate highly. These are just some of the

activities undertaken to affirm our commitment to the communities

we serve.

We are a Council that is open for business, ready to hear from and

work with you. It is our aim to make this district one of the best

places to live, work and play.

I commend the activities of 2014/15 to you and present this annual

report for your information.

Cr. Neville Jaensch

MAYOR

2

COUNCIL PROFILE.

VISION A progressive and proactive

Council recognised for its

diverse communities,

prosperous economy and

unique and highly valued

environment.

MISSION Council is committed to:

Providing leadership for

the community and

ensuring efficient and

effective management of

the community’s

resources.

Responsibly managing the

natural and built

environment to achieve

sustainability.

Facilitating economic

prosperity, growth and

employment throughout

the district.

Actively enhancing the

quality of life for the

community by

encouraging health,

wellbeing and safety.

Being an employer of

choice that attracts,

develops and inspires

highly talented employees

and elected members.

CORE VALUES Integrity

Proactive

Progressive

Collaborative

Service excellence

Enjoy work

THE KEY FACTS State electorates Hammond, MacKillop

Federal electorate Barker

District size 8,836m2 (primarily rural land)

Population 5,525 (2011 Census)

Rateable properties 3,761

Roads, sealed 321 kms

Roads, unsealed 1,563 kms

Principal office Tailem Bend

Branch offices Meningie, Tintinara

Arterial highways Dukes, Princes and Mallee (state controlled)

3

ELECTED MEMBERS. (sworn in 18 November 2014)

MAYOR

Cr. Neville Jaensch JP

LAKES WARD

Cr. Sharon Bland

Deputy Mayor

Cr. Vern Leng

Cr. Mick O’Hara

MALLEE WARD

Cr. Donna Middleton

Cr. Bob Simcock

Cr. Peter Wright

PARKS WARD

Cr. Julie Barrie

Cr. Jeff Arthur

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE. (as at 30 June 2015)

Chief Executive Officer

Vincent Cammell

Director Infrastructure &

Assets

David Mosel

Manager Technical Services

Geoff Hood

Works Co-ordinator Roads

Dean Mustart

Road Maintenance

Team

Road Construction - Team Peake

Road Construction - Team Tintinara

Patrol Graders

Works Coordinator Community Facilities

Craig Cockshell

Tailem Bend Community

Facilities Team

Meningie Community

Facilities Team

Coonalpyn Community

Facilities Team

Waste & Water Operations Officer

Martin Thomas

Executive Assistant to Director Infrastructure

& Assets

Kate Arbon

Manager Projects & Procurement

Michael Collins

Infrastructure & Assets Administration Support

Officer

Wendy Bower

Director Community & Corporate

Nat Traeger

Manager Corporate Services

Vacant

Senior Finance Officer

Katrina Fromm

Finance Officer

Sacha Holme

(0.8 FTE)

Finance Officer

Kimberley Jacobs

(0.4 FTE)

Information Services

Coordinator

Richard Boscence

Corporate Support Officer (Civic Ctr)

Michelle Dohnt

Corporate Information Officers (Civic Centre)

Vicki Mayfield

(0.6FTE)

Melissa McKenzie Campbell

(0.4 FTE)

Human Services Coordinator

Desma Fraser

WH&S Officer

Belinda Freund

(0.5 FTE)

Human Services Support Officer

Jenny Phillips

(0.6 FTE)

Manager OPAL

Sheridan O’Brien

OPAL Project Support Officer

Emily Arbon

Manager Development & Environmental

Services

Jim Quinn

General Inspector

Michael Vivian

Senior Planning Consultant

Kylie Schilling

Planning Assessment &

Coordination Officer

Wendy Ziersch

Planning Assessment Officer

Rosie Browne

Development Administration

Officer

Ashlee Crossman

Manager Local Action Planning

Graham Gates

LAP Implementation Officer

Tracey Strugnell

LAP Implementation Officer

Samantha Blight

Lakes Revegetation Works Coordinator

Jonathan Starks

(0.8 FTE)

Community & Corporate Support Officers

Patsy Crabb

Jessica Medlen

TBCC Coordinator

Tammy Shepherd

(0.8 FTE)

HACC Administration Officer

Eva Haydon

(0.6 FTE)

Community & Tourism

Development Officer

Anna Del Rio

Community & Corporate

Project Officer

Renee Marles

Executive Officer

Ben Jarvis

Senior Strategic & Corporate Planning

Officer

Belinda Croser

5

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

SECTION 41

COMMITTEES The following committees,

formed under section 41 of the

Local Government Act 1999 exist

to streamline Council business

and management of community

assets:

Australia Day Awards

Committee

Coorong Bushfire Prevention

Committee

Coonalpyn Community Hall

Committee

Coorong Local Action Plan

Committee

Coonalpyn Soldiers

Memorial Swimming Pool

and Caravan Park Committee

Meningie Airfield

Management Committee

Meningie Cemetery

Committee

Moorlands Hall Committee

Pangarinda Botanic Garden

Committee

Tailem Bend Town Hall

Committee

Tintinara Aerodrome

Management Committee

Tintinara Community

Gymnasium Committee

Tintinara Community Men’s

Shed Committee

Tintinara Development

Group

Tintinara Homes and

Community Centre

Committee

Tintinara War Memorial

Committee

POLICIES

REVIEWED/ENDORSED 2015/16 Rating Policy

Caretaker Policy

Code of Conduct for Council

Employees

Code of Practice for Access

to Meetings of Council and

Committees and Council

Documents

Code of Practice for

Proceedings of Council and

Committee Meetings

Complaints and

Compliments Policy

Community Engagement

Policy

Control of Election Signs

Policy

Debt Recovery Policy

Economic Development

Policy

Elected Members Allowance,

Benefits & Support Policy

Elected Members Induction

Policy

Elected Members Training &

Development Policy

Enforcement Review Policy

Fraud & Corruption Policy

Hierarchy of Roads Policy

Interaction of the

Development Act, State

Records Act and Freedom of

Information Act with the

Copyright Act

Internal Review of Council

Decisions Policy

Lease, Licence & Permit for

Council owned & controlled

Land & Buildings Policy

Motor Vehicle Policy

Naming & Numbering of

Roads Policy

Rate Rebate Policy

Records Management Policy

Requests for Service Policy

LIST OF REGISTERS AND

CODES Code of Conduct for Council

Employees*

Code of Conduct for Council

Members

Code of Practice for Access

to Meetings of Council and

Committees and Council

Documents*

Code of Practice for

Proceedings of Council and

Committee Meetings*

* reviewed in 2014/15

2014/15 Fees & Charges

Schedule

Register of By-Laws

Register of Campaign

Donations

Register of Community Land

Register of Delegations (25

instruments in 2014/15)

Register of Elected Members

Allowances and Benefits

Register of Interest (Council

employees and Elected

Members)

Register of Gifts (to Council

employees and Elected

Members)

Register of Public Roads

Register of Salaries

FREEDOM OF

INFORMATION

REQUESTS Council received one Freedom of

Information Request during

2014/15.

OMBUDSMAN’S

INVESTIGATIONS The Ombudsman did not

conduct any investigations

during 2014/15.

6


ELECTED MEMBERS – ATTENDANCE AT

COUNCIL MEETINGS For the previous term of Council (July – October

2014), four ordinary meetings and one special

meeting were held:

Member Attendance

Mayor Cr. Roger Strother 5

Cr. Jeff Arthur 4

Cr. Sharon Bland 3

Cr. Andrew Dawes 4

Cr. Neville Jaensch 4

Cr. Jeff Klitscher 3

Cr. Locky McKinna 5

Cr. Bob Simcock 5

Cr. Peter Wright 4

For the previous term of Council (November 2014 –

June 2015), eight ordinary meetings and two special

meetings were held:

Member Attendance

Mayor Cr. Neville Jaensch 10

Cr. Jeff Arthur 8

Cr. Julie Barrie 10

Cr. Sharon Bland 10

Cr. Vern Leng 10

Cr. Donna Middleton 9

Cr. Mick O’Hara 6

Cr. Bob Simcock 10

Cr. Peter Wright 10

CONFIDENTIAL ORDERS During 2014/15 Council made 16 confidential orders

representing the following subsections of the Local

Government Act 1999:

(a) information the disclosure of which would involve

the unreasonable disclosure of information

concerning the personal affairs of any person

(living or dead) (12 orders)

(b) information the disclosure of which –

(i) could reasonably be expected to confer a

commercial advantage on a person with

whom the council is conducting, or

proposing to conduct, business, or to

prejudice the commercial position of the

council; and

(ii) would, on balance, be contrary to the

public interest (2 orders)

(k) tenders for the supply of goods, the provision of

services or the carrying out of works (2 orders)

At the annual review of confidential orders, Council

released 36 items from the confidential minute

register.

REPRESENTATION QUOTA The following table displays a grouping of similar South Australian councils using the Australian Classification of

Local Governments. The councils below are classed as Rural Agricultural Large.

Council Electors Council members (inc. Mayor) Representation quota

Clare & Gilbert Valleys 6,630 10 663

Coorong 3,896 9 432

Grant 5,544 10 554

Mallala 5,824 10 582

Mid Murray 6,149 10 614

Naracoorte Lucindale 5,778 11 525

Northern Areas 3,489 9 387

Renmark Paringa 6,367 9 707

Tatiara 4,524 10 452

7


INTERNAL REVIEWS OF A

COUNCIL DECISION There were no internal review

requests made during 2014/15.

The overarching policy was

reviewed by Council on 21 April

2015, with the Director

Community & Corporate

reappointed as the internal

review contact officer.

COMMUNITY LAND

MANAGEMENT PLANS Council owns and controls 130

pieces of land classified as

community land. During

2014/15, no pieces of

community land were disposed

of.

EXTERNAL AUDITOR

REMUNERATION Council’s external auditor for

2014/15 was Ian G McDonald.

The total remuneration paid for

undertaking the annual audit of

Council’s financial statements

was $13,200.

Council resolved to remunerate

Rex Mooney, Independent

Chairperson of the Audit

Committee $725 per meeting.

ELECTED MEMBERS’

ALLOWANCES In 2014/15 the breakdown was

as follows:

Mayor $36,400

Deputy Mayor $11,365

Councillor $ 9,100

Council also reimburses Elected

Members for all prescribed travel

and administrative expenses.

SENIOR STAFF SALARIES

AND BENEFITS The Chief Executive Officer

receives a total employment

package of $179,406 and the

Directors (2) ranged from

$125,494 to $128,593.

The executive staff are not paid

overtime but receive, as part of

their total salary package, the

benefit of private use of a fully

maintained motor vehicle

(subject to fuel costs being paid

by the officer when on leave)

and provision of an iPad, iPhone

and laptop.

PROCUREMENT Council released 18 invitations

for tender or request for

quotations in 2014/15 which

were primarily for road

construction & maintenance and

plant & equipment.

RISK MANAGEMENT Council participates in an annual

risk review conducted by the

Local Government Association

Mutual Liability Scheme. A

range of questions are posed to

Council to make an accurate

assessment of the effectiveness

of risk management systems

within the organisation.

The results of the review provide

an opportunity to identify gaps

and set a program to address

non conformances. In 2014/15

the review process and focus

changed from previous years,

which reflect changing claim

trends.

Emerging result areas from the

2014/15 review include:

Procurement 90.8%

Road management 89.6%

Volunteers/committees 78.9%

Environment/trees 57.3%

CITIZENSHIP Mayor’s Strother and Jaensch

relish conferring new Australian

citizens. In 2014/15 three

citizens were conferred at

ceremonies held across the

district.

8


REGIONAL LEADERSHIP Council is in a unique geographical location – the gateway to neighbouring tourism regions, situated on major

transport corridors and the largest rural Council area in the state. The area comprises land within regions generally

known as the Murraylands and Upper South East. To keep abreast of regional trends and state wide impacts,

Council is a member of:

- Regional Development Australia Murraylands & Riverland – (funding partner) membership allows

Council to collaborate with Murraylands and Riverland councils regarding regional programs, initiatives

and informed economic development.

- Murray & Mallee Local Government Association – (funding partner) membership provides Council the

ability to achieve improvements for the benefit of Council and constituent councils at regional level,

advocate for regional representation and undertake region wide beneficial projects.

- Limestone Coast Local Government Association – (observer) formerly the South East Local Government

Association, Council’s observing seat gives us an insight into similar regional issues in the south east

tourism district.

- Murraylands Tourism Partnership – (funding partner) seen as a focal contact point for the tourism

industry, Council’s membership affords the opportunity to receive direct tourism advice, leverage

partnership opportunities and achieve sustainable strategic outcomes for the region.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 2014 saw the Council conduct a periodic election as stipulated by legislation. Council participated in a state wide

campaign (initiated by the Electoral Commission of South Australia and Local Government Association) to increase

voter turn out, seek elected member nominations and remind constituents about voting procedures.

Council’s Caretaker Policy, which governs the conduct of Council and its staff during the election period, was

adopted in July 2014. At the close of nominations on 16 September 2014 elections were declared in the Mallee and

Parks wards, with all Lakes ward nominees elected unopposed.

After seven years at the helm, Mayor Roger Strother retired, as did Lakes ward councillor Andrew Dawes.

Councillors Jeff Klitscher (Parks) and Locky McKinna (Mallee) were unsuccessful in the election process. Come 18

November 2014, nine elected members (four new) were sworn in, officially bringing the 2014 local government

periodic election process to a close.

Council will have the opportunity to provide feedback into a review of the 2014 local government elections in

2015/16.

9

2014/15 ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN

REPORT CARD.

LEADERSHIP To provide leadership for the community and ensure efficient and effective management of the community’s

resources.

Objective 2014/15 key outcome(s)

Construction of new Council office, Railway

Terrace, Tailem Bend

Building occupied November 2014. Community

space enhancements include promotion of

meeting space and establishment of Coorong Art

Gallery (utilising bare passage/chamber wall

space).

Development of the proposed Murray Darling

Basin Interpretive and Resource Centre

Diversification funding never seen to completion

by Federal Government. Council diverted plans

and strategy for future of Meningie Customer

Service Centre.

Completion of Tauragat Well Road, Coonalpyn Part funded through Special Local Roads

Program. A further 4 kilometres sealed.

Implementation of the One Library System All sites live by end of October 2014.

Replacement of Pettet Street pump station,

Meningie

Deferred - pending discussion with nearby

property developers to ascertain capacity

requirements for the pump station prior to

construction ($214k reduction).

Replacement of footpaths as required in Council’s

Asset Infrastructure Management Plan

Completion of Tailem Bend footpath (service

road) due mid-2015/16. Tintinara

footpath/parking (school ground) due mid-

2015/16.

Replacement of kerb and gutter as required in

Council’s Asset Infrastructure Management Plan

Footpath replaced along Princes Highway service

road, Tailem Bend.

Development and review of Asset Infrastructure

Management Plans

Ongoing.

Minor plant replacement Various items of minor plant purchased as

required.

Plant and machinery replacements as per

schedule

Purchase of a new construction grader, a new

backhoe and mower for the Tintinara Community

Facilities team.

Sealed roads replacement (rural) Rural resealing occurred on parts of Lime Kiln

Road, Tailem Bend.

Sealed roads replacement (urban) Urban resealing occurred on various sections of

the Princes Highway service road in Tailem Bend,

including re-asphalting in front of the Riverside

Hotel and Granites Road, Tailem Bend. Sections

of Railway Terrace and Manning Street were also

resealed.

10

LEADERSHIP (continued)


Unsealed roads replacement as required in Road

Asset Management Plan

38.2 kilometres of unsealed road resurfacing was

carried out across the district.

Various bin stand replacements throughout

district

Bin stands replaced as deemed necessary.

Replacement of all locks on Council buildings via

a master key system

Not achieved – deferred and to be considered in

2015/16.

Capital works on Fred’s Landing, Tailem Bend as

per conceptual plan

Not achieved – deferred and to be considered in

2015/16.

Adjust docking at Narrung jetty Stage 1 works commenced with stage 2 to be

completed as part of the 2015/16 Capital Works

program.

Continuation of stormwater works (Meningie) as

per concept plan

Detailed design completed. Civil works due to

commence in 2015/16.

Changeover of 17 vehicles (utilities) as per fleet

agreement

Changed over 17 vehicles in accordance with the

Peter Hood Holden agreement.

Changeover of 32 vehicles (administration) as per

fleet agreement

Following a review of Council’s administration

fleet vehicle agreement, Council entered into an

agreement with Toyota Fleet Management and

reduced the total number of vehicle to 11.

Vehicles are now retained by Council for a period

of 36 months.

Replace UPS battery backup (IT) UPS unit replaced in full upon migration to new

Fourier Technologies environment and relocation

to Coorong Civic Centre, October 2014.

Acquisition of A1 printer and scanner, Tailem

Bend

Unit acquired October 2014 to coincide with

relocation to Coorong Civic Centre.

Ongoing records management Achieved. 16,598 electronic records created and

12 linear metres of hard copy records destructed.

Undertake Council website review Not achieved – awaiting finalisation of district

branding/phrase in 2015/16 and appointment of

a project team.

SUSTAINABILITY Responsibly manage the natural and built environment to achieve sustainability.


Refurbishment of Coonalpyn public toilets Project completed by December 2014.

Remediate West Terrace. Meningie reserve area Project completed June 2015 which included

additional works through the support of

volunteers and financial donations.

Various irrigation replacements Replacements undertaken as required, including

the sub-surface irrigation system of the Rotunda

Park in Tailem Bend.

Replacement of shelter at Dickson Reserve, Tailem

Bend

Shelter commenced construction (off site) in June

2015 and scheduled to be installed mid-2015/16.

Replacement of electric barbecue at Dickson

Reserve, Tailem Bend

Barbecue purchased in June 2015 and scheduled

to be installed in conjunction with shelter (above).

11

PROSPERITY Facilitate economic prosperity, growth and employment throughout the district.


Primary Production and Murray River

Development Plan Amendment

Partly deferred – Integrated Water Management

Development Plan Amendment (Part 1) took

precedence.

Coonalpyn township plan Research underway. Incorporates investigation

into water harvesting also.

Determine tourism and information signage

requirements

Initial requirements determined. District welcome

signs branding adopted and project established

for advancement into 2015/16.

WELLBEING Actively enhance the quality of life for the community by encouraging health, well being and safety.


Playground replacement as identified from audits Meningie playground identified as part of

replacement upgrade. Works scheduled and

underway.

Replace a section of safety barrier on Princes

Highway, Tailem Bend

Safety barrier replacement has been deferred

following completion of the Tailem Bend street

scaping plan (to occur 2015/16).

Improve safety of area at Dickson Reserve Safety improvements captured as part of

barbecue and shelter installation (to occur

2015/16).

Assist with the ongoing establishment of the

Tintinara Community Men’s Shed

$17,000 expended in 2014/15. Cement floor

installed and electrical connection finalised at

time of printing.

Delivery of the Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle

(OPAL) program

Achieved. Contractual funding issues resolved to

2017. Key focus areas included Life Looks

Brighter Outside and Water – the original cool

drink.

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE Be an employer of choice that attracts, develops and inspires highly talented employees and elected members.


Participation in the 2014 local government

periodic election

Successful participation as per legislative

requirements. Caretaker policy adopted

(statewide), communication strategy implemented

with nine Elected Members in place by 18

November 2014.

Develop an induction plan for new Elected

Members

Achieved. Induction plan implemented in

conjunction with review of training policy.

Implementation of new managed service

provision contract

Transition to Fourier Technologies environment

achieved.

12

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CARD.

The Audit Committee is formed under section 41 of

the Local Government Act 1999 as a committee of

Council for the purpose of providing independent

advice and making recommendations to full Council

on matters relating to the corporate and financial

governance of Council.

The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting

Council in fulfilling its corporate governance

responsibilities in regard to:

Business risk management

Compliance with legal and regulatory obligations

The establishment and maintenance of the

internal control framework

The reliability and integrity of financial

information for inclusion in financial statements

and other financial reports

Monitoring the financial performance of Council

Development and review of a long term financial

plan and associated policies

Safeguarding the independence of the internal

and external auditors

Audit, accounting and financial reporting

obligations

The Audit Committee met on five occasions in

2014/15 – 7 October 2014, 3 November 2014, 23

March 2015, 16 April 2015 and 9 June 2015.

Membership was split due to the re-appointment of

Council delegates as a result of the 2014 local

government periodic election.

Meeting attendance for the previous term of Council

(July – November 2014):

Member Attendance

Rex Mooney (Independent Chairperson) 2

Mayor Cr. Roger Strother 2

Cr. Jeff Arthur 2

Cr. Andrew Dawes 1

Cr. Neville Jaensch (proxy) 2

Cr. Peter Wright 2

Meeting attendance for the current term of Council

(November 2014 – June 2015):

Member Attendance

Rex Mooney (Independent Chairperson) 3

Mayor Cr. Neville Jaensch 1

Cr. Vern Leng (proxy) 2

Cr. Mick O’Hara 1

Cr. Bob Simcock 3

Cr. Peter Wright 3

The Chief Executive Officer, Director Community &

Corporate and Manager Corporate Services are

generally in attendance at each meeting and the

committee may co-opt expertise when required.

The Audit Committee works program largely dictates

the agenda content of each meeting, resulting in a

more target driven document for the committee to

work with. Significant achievements throughout

2014/15 include:

Adoption of the 2014/15 annual financial

statements

Review of the Community Wastewater

Management Scheme (CWMS) Asset

Management Plan

Review of the 2015/16 Annual Business Plan prior

to its cyclical period of community engagement

and subsequent adoption by Council

Review of several policies related to Council’s

financial management practices

Extension of Independent Chairperson’s term

until June 2016

The Audit Committee farewelled former Manager

Corporate Services, Paul Duka in May 2015. Paul’s

five-year term with Council saw advancement in

financial reporting and discipline when comparing

annual capital works programs against Council’s

strategic plan, policies and budget. Paul’s

enthusiasm for fiscal financial management and good

governance will be missed.

13

ENVIRONMENTAL. Responsibly managing the natural and built environment to achieve sustainability.

LOCAL ACTION PLAN The Coorong Tatiara Local

Action Plan (LAP) exists to

provide information to the

community regarding

environmental initiatives, general

land management and natural

resource management advice.

LAP Officers have maintained

their proactive approach in the

delivery of the following

environmentally themed

projects:

WATER SECURITY

INITIATIVES The rapidly rising cost of mains

water has placed substantial

pressure on the viability of

grazing enterprises dependent

on mains water. With annual

water bills in excess of $100,000

and water leaks up to $10,000

the Coorong LAP has taken an

interest in the rising costs and

flow on effects.

In response to the success of the

of the inaugural water security

forum in 2012, the LAP has

continued to support other

water saving initiatives including

water quality workshops,

displays at local events and

media articles.

Negotiations with SA Water are

currently in progress regarding

the establishment of an off-peak

water transportation scheme for

Coorong district landholders

(including the western portion of

Tatiara council).

NATURAL RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT

FUNDING The LAP received $110,000 from

the South Australian Murray

Darling Basin Natural Resource

Management (NRM) Board to

carry out “connecting

communities” projects in

2014/15. Project initiatives

included:

Recruitment and

maintenance of volunteers

Support school and youth

involvement in NRM

Recognition and protection

of indigenous assets, value

and knowledge

Built skills in areas such as

leadership, education, team

building, group and

partnership development

Provision of technical

support for landholders to

enable them to undertake

NRM works on their

properties

Community engagement for

other NRM programs

including land, pest plants

and animals, wetlands and

floodplains, terrestrial

biodiversity, public land

management, Aboriginal

partnerships, volunteer

support, NRM education and

atmosphere.

TREE DEATH AND

DECLINE Federation University (Ballarat)

have been engaged by the

Coorong LAP to carry out a three

year study into tree death and

decline in the Coorong and

Tatiara council areas. The study

scope focuses on identification

of factors that can kill trees,

including a component on

Mundulla Yellows.

2014/15 was the first year of the

project.

COORONG GREEN ARMY

CREW In June 2015 the LAP welcomed

its first Coorong Green Army

Team. Based in Meningie, the

Green Army is a hands on,

practical environmental action

program that supports local

environment and heritage

conservation projects.

Participants also receive formal

entry level qualifications for a

career in environment and

conservation.

An application for the next

round of Green Army funding

will be submitted in 2015/16,

with the aim of establishing a

team in the Tatiara towns of

Keith and Bordertown.

14


COORONG LOWER LAKES & MURRAY MOUTH PROGRAM (CLLMM) The CLMMM recovery project, funded by the Australian government, is helping to ensure the region remains a

health, productive and resilient wetland system while maintaining its internal importance status. The following

works were completed in the Coorong district during 2014/15:

Revegetation occurred on 8 sites (including one direct seeded)

18 existing sites maintained in 2014/15

Total area planted: 23.7 hectares

Total area maintained: 196.98 hectares

Total number of plants planted: 76,210

Total number of groups involved in CLLMM projects: 10

The plants are a mixture of trees, shrubs and sedges and are guarded with biodegradable milk carton guards.

2015/16 is classed as a maintenance year (with no new plantings to be undertaken).

BIODIVERSITY FUND – ROUNDS 1 & 2 Funding from rounds 1 and 2 of the Biodiversity Fund (Commonwealth) will inject up to $3.6 million of environment

protection and biodiversity initiatives to June 2017. Since funding was awarded in 2012/13 there has been an

emphasis on invasive species control and biodiversity enhancement in the Coorong and Tatiara districts.

Broad focus areas such as endangered flora and fauna, landscape revegetation and reduction of feral animal impact

will cover an area of some 1,531,100 hectares. On-ground actions completed as part of the Biodiversity Fund are

summarised below:

2014/15 ON GROUND WORKS SUMMARY Hectares KMs of fence

Clay spreading 42 0

Earthworks, wind erosion stabilisation 51 0

Pest animal control 141,710 0

Pest plant control 2,579 0

Endangered species protection 1,380 48

Protecting remnant native vegetation 9,160 59

Wetlands protection 268 6

Revegetation 825 37

TOTAL (Coorong and Tatiara areas) 156,015 hectares 150 kms

15


ASSET MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING In accordance with legislative requirements and good

asset management practices, Council undertook a

review of its Community Wastewater Management

Systems (CWMS), utilising the services of Gayler

Professional Services.

A CWMS Asset Management Plan, detailing the

management of the CWMS collective infrastructure

network was adopted by Council on 17 March 2015.

CIVIL ROAD CONSTRUCTION Road renewal occurred at the following unsealed

road locations:

Bunbury Meningie

Bunbury Road Coorong Seven Mile Road

Narrung Stud Road

Coonalpyn Yumali Road

Heinrich Road

Venning Road Moorlands

Kuchel Road

Culburra

Richardson Road Peake

Stirling Well Road

Field

Yarindale Road Tintinara

Emu Springs Road

Jabuk Heron Road

Bee Hive Road Jaeschke Road

Reseals occurred at the following sealed road

locations:

Tailem Bend

Granites Road

Lime Kiln Road

Railway Terrace

Service roads

Road reconstruction (continuation from 2013/14)

occurred at the following locations:

Coonalpyn

Tauragat Well Road

Tailem Bend

Murray Street

WASTE MANAGEMENT Council provides a weekly kerbside collection in all

township areas. For residents outside these areas,

properties located on the existing route have the

option of an en-route collection, and for those not

located en-route the option of a bin bank collection

or waste depot dump vouchers are available.

Residents are also able to dispose of waste at

Council’s waste transfer stations located at Tailem

Bend, Meningie, Tintinara, Coonalpyn, Jabuk and

Yumali.

The kerbside (domestic) waste disposed to landfill in

2014/15 was 849 tonne, compared to 866 tonne in

2013/14.

Surprisingly, Council collected less recyclable waste in

2014/15 (293 tonne) compared to 305 tonne in

2013/14.

Again, total green organics decreased by 17 tonne,

with 332 tonne in 2014/15 compared to 349 tonne in

2013/14.

Waste disposal behaviour by residents can be difficult

to interpret, however it appears utilisation of

recycling services at waste depots may be on the

increase.

16


MAJOR WORKS PROJECTS Several major (capital) works projects were

undertaken in 2014/15 including:

Construction of new office accommodation,

Tailem Bend

Reconstruction of Murray Street (including

junctions with Cypress Street and South Terrace),

Tailem Bend

Installation of floating pontoon at Dickson

Reserve, Tailem Bend

Purchase new BBQ and outdoor furniture for

Dickson Reserve, Tailem Bend

Upgrades to Hunter Park (West Terrace),

Meningie

Painting of the old ‘Chambers’, Meningie

Refurbishment of public toilets, Coonalpyn

Replacement of playground equipment,

Meningie

Conceptual designs for stormwater upgrade,

Meningie

Construction of new camping ground toilet

blocks, Narrung

KEY PROJECTS FOR 2015/16 Council has listed the following key projects for

2015/16 (in addition to scheduled works):

Tailem Bend

New BBQ shelter, Dickson Reserve

Meningie

Installation of fishing deck, Hunter Park

Renovations at Meningie Council office

Narrung

Jetty enhancements/user friendly options

Coonalpyn

Water harvesting project

Tintinara

Lake Indawarra and railway corridor master planning

FIRE PREVENTION Council’s Bushfire Prevention Committee exists to

advise the appropriate authorities of the existence of

fire hazards within the council area and to make

recommendations on their removal.

The committee did not meet in 2014/15.

Number of Section 105F notices issued: 88

Number of Schedule 9 permits issued: 40

DEVELOPMENT STATISTICS Council’s development services team processed an unprecedented amount of development applications in

2014/15, primarily in part due to consumer confidence and vested interested in the SA Motorsport Park project, but

also to promote development in suitable locations.

Total processed

in 2014/15

New dwellings 27

Dwelling additions and alterations over $2,000 16

Domestic outbuildings and minor additions/alterations 87

Commercial development – including farm implement sheds, olive orchards and piggeries 18

Commercial additions/alternations – including community facilities 13

Land division 16

Tourist facilities (additions/alterations/signage) 5

Swimming pools 4

Dredging/emergency dredging 0

17

ECONOMIC. Facilitating economic prosperity, growth and employment throughout the district.

DISTRICT TOURISM INITIATIVES Council is involved in several projects that involve the

creation and visual improvement of information

boards, general tourism signage and promotion in

printed and online publications. The purpose of

these initiatives is to inform visitors about what is

around them, direct them to tourist attractions and

encourage them to stay longer (some of these

involve Boothby and Tolmer Rocks, Coonalpyn

information bay and signage in Tailem Bend).

Closer relationships have been forged with the

tourism business community by assisting with online

development, promotion and business networking.

This highlights the importance of having an online

presence so the travelling tourist in our areas can

easily locate attractions, accommodation and

eateries.

Council is also indentifying ways of becoming a more

RV friendly destination. 2014/15 provided an

opportunity for towns and sporting grounds within

the district to host an overflow of RV travellers (en-

route to a regional event). This represented an

opportunity for growth in our local economy and a

chance for local sporting clubs to raise additional

income.

TAILEM INFO STATION

Council provided in-kind support to Tailem info

Station (TiS), a new entity and board of management

established on 1 July 2014. The primary function of

TiS is to facilitate the provision of tourist information

services for Tailem Bend, the Coorong and surrounds

within the heritage listed railway station and

museum.

Online development, improved signage, sourcing of

local produce and crafts and interior makeovers are

just some of the projects undertaken by TiS in their

first twelve months of operation. Fettlers (volunteers)

undergo ongoing training in areas such as

information technology, customer service, basic

finance and regional tourist information.

BOUNDARY AND TOWN ENTRANCE

SIGNAGE PROJECT Room to Move, Room to Play is the new tagline to

represent Coorong District Council as an area, a

destination, as well as an organisation. It will appear on

welcome signs throughout the district to highlight the

changing face of the region.

The new tagline, adopted late 2014/15, captures

geographical and landscape elements as well as a

dynamic sense of place of the Coorong region.

A prototype of the sign (left) will feature the tagline and

regional tourism branding to advise travellers that they

have entered the Murray River, Lakes & Coorong tourism

region.

18

SA Motorsport Park

The SA Motorsport Park, Australia’s premier multi-

purpose motorsport facility to be located in Tailem

Bend will facilitate economic prosperity, growth and

employment unseen in the history of the Coorong

District Council.

The 680 hectare site, situated at the corner of the

Mallee and Dukes Highways, Tailem Bend, has been

purchased by private developers (Peregrine

Corporation) for the creation of Australia’s premier

motorsport hub. World class facilities will be housed

at the prime site in an effort to allow Tailem Bend to

present the best motorsport complex in Australia.

Chief Executive Officer Vincent Cammell says the

project is not just about motorsport, but about the

potential for regional growth and increased

employment and services in the area.

FACILITIES Four race circuits (3.3, 3.6, 4.8 and 7.2 kms)

Drag, drift, karting and rally driving facilities

4WD adventure facilities

On-site accommodation

Airstrip/VMax

On The Run service station

Industrial park

KEY ECONOMIC STATISTICS $113.4m Gross Regional Product (Murray and

Mallee)

974 FTE jobs created in the Murray and Mallee

339,000 extra visitors to the region (per annum)

Significant private industry investment

Delivery of a Labor state election promise

FUNDING Council submitted an application to the Federal

Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund in

December 2014 to support infrastructure requirements

associated with the proposed development.

When the Federal Government handed down the

2015/16 Budget in May 2015, $7.5 million was allocated

towards the motorsport park project. This amount

complements significant private funding and investment

by the State government.

Council will execute the funding agreement with the

Commonwealth in 2015/16.

19

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. Actively enhancing the quality of life for the community by encouraging health,


COMMUNITY GRANTS $38,824 in funding was awarded

to various community projects.

Council’s Community Events,

Grants & Donations program

continues to draw a high

number of applications each

round, with the following

projects funded in 2014/15:

Refurbishment of Tintinara

Railway Station signal box

room

iPad and stand for visitor

information outlets

Kindergym equipment,

Meningie

Meningie Memorial Park

upgrades

Expansion of Rotary Club

shed facilities, Tailem Bend

Meningie pelican poles

Township entrance sign wall,

Coonalpyn

Community Bush Tucker

Garden, Malaleuca Nursery

Tin animal sculpture park,

Tailem Bend

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Council leveraged with the

Tailem Bend Community Centre

(TBCC) for it’s youth

development component in

2014/15. The TBCC obtained

$5,000 from the Department for

Families and Social Inclusion to

establish the Coorong

Connections Network, a group

for young people aged 12 – 25

years.

The network will exist to

disseminate information, identify

and respond to the needs of

young people in the community

and up skill network members.

Into 2015/16, TBCC will

coordinate a youth advisory

group, meeting at various

locations in the Coorong.

VOLUNTEEERS Council has 137 active volunteers

which contribute to town

beautification, environmental

initiatives and library assistance

across the district.

Approximately 110 volunteers

were guests of honour at

Council’s Volunteer Recognition

Event held in Tintinara on 14

May 2015. 26 different

community groups were

represented from across the

district.

A lunch was catered to thank

local volunteers along with

entertainment from the Tintinara

Drama Group, Tintinara School

Choir, guest speaker Ben Hooper

and the inaugural “Mayor’s

Mummy” game!

Council highly values each of it’s

volunteers and the work they

undertake to make our district a

better place.

MURRAYLANDS

CAREERS EXPO Council continues to support the

Murraylands Careers Expo as a

bronze sponsor of the event, and

created a display highlighting

Council as a local employer of

choice. The site was themed

“Picture yourself with us” inviting

students to pick a random

position title out of a hat. The

students then dressed up as the

role and had photos taken in a

hired photo booth. Active visual

and physical engagement with

expo participants continues to

make Council’s site a success.

COMMUNITY LIBRARIES The SA public library ‘one card’

network – a system which

connects the 130 public libraries

across South Australia – was

rolled out across Council’s five

community libraries.

The one card system allows users

to borrow and return items

wherever they go, using the one

library card.

By September 2014, the one card

network was live at all sites and

has since seen the beginning of

a new chapter for Council’s


20



FUTURE LIBRARY USE Council accepted an offer made by the Libraries

Board of South Australia to participate in a pilot

program, which looked at options for future models

of service delivery in communities with school


Four community workshops were held to determine

what the community wants from a public library

service. An online survey also complemented this

process.

Findings were reviewed by the steering group and

the project was finalised in June 2015.

Recommendations for a forward plan were presented

to Council in early 2015/16.

COMMUNITY TRANSPORT The Murray Mallee Community Transport Scheme

plays an important key role as a central point of

contact for the transport needs within the Coorong,

Karoonda East Murray and Southern Mallee councils.

Federal and state funding, constituent council

contributions and client fees fund the scheme’s ability

to broker and coordinate transport for the transport

disadvantaged.

No. of volunteers Hours volunteered

22 730

The scheme also coordinates bookings for the

Murray-Mallee medical bus and provides ad-hoc

transport where no other transport is available in the

region and/or where resources are available.

Passenger trip breakdown is classified as follows.

HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE Council’s Home and Community Care (HACC)

program is delivered through the Tailem Bend

Community Centre, with overarching financial and

contractual support provided by Council.

The HACC program assists the frail elderly, people

with a disability and their carers to remain living

independently at home through the provision of

minor home maintenance, annual gardening

assistance and social support.

In 2014/15 the program provided the following

assistance:

Number of clients: 316

Hours of service: 6,425

Expenditure: $210,170

Group outings: 3

From 1 July 2015 the HACC program will be referred

to as the Commonwealth Home Support Program

(CHSP).

Group outings are funded through social support and

fundraising and afford social connection

opportunities for residents. Three separate town

tours were held in 2014/15, touring the three main

townships in the Council district.

The Tailem Bend Community Centre is located at 141

Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend.

75% medical

trips

25% social trips

21



OBESITY PREVENTION AND LIFESTYLE The Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle (OPAL) program

continued into it’s third year of operation in 2014/15.

Continuity of the program has meant long term

commitment towards healthy eating and physical

activity initiatives targeted at children and families

throughout the district.

OPAL’s Life Looks Brighter Outside theme, aimed at

encouraging children and families to enjoy local

parks and places, has resulted in the following key

achievements:

Promotion of geocaching activities throughout

the Council district. Local maps have also been

developed to highlight geocaches in local towns

for beginners to try

Facilitation of a year 2 school program aimed at

inspiring children to play outside. Children

learned about edible gardens, camping, bug

catching and kite making

Mayor’s Pedometer Challenge – 171 students

participated with 439 pedometers sold or

provided to the community at large

Promotion of local parks and playgrounds

through development of a local map

Other key community projects aimed at improving

the eating and activity patterns of children and

families include:

Support of the Meningie playground upgrade

Coordination of the Imagination Playground – an

innovative big blue block set which tours the

district

Continued support for schools to embed school

gardens into the curriculum, therefore educating

children on the benefits of growing and eating

fresh, local food

Purchased a selection of giant games for use at

community events and available to be loaned by

the community

Purchase of a mobile skate ramp (to be

transported between towns) in response to

community desire for a permanent skate park

Liaison with local schools to provide professional

development training for teachers/support staff

Attendance at eight community events

Production of a school holiday activity calendar

SPORT AND RECREATION

Murraylands River Trail

Council has been an advocate for the Murraylands River Trail since it’s inception in 2013. In conjunction with Mid

Murray and Murray Bridge councils, a feasibility study has been developed for the design and construction of a

walking and cycling trail from Morgan to Salt Creek. Once constructed, the trail will demonstrate a whole-of-

community focus and provide for people of various abilities, cycling and environmental enthusiasts, tourists and

Indigenous groups.

STARCLUB

A strong recreational culture and the development of sport and active recreational opportunities continues to be

delivered across the Council district and wider Murraylands through the Murraylands STARCLUB field officer. The

STARCLUB program aligns with Council’s philosophy of healthy activities for our community.

22



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Council’s response to the proposed amendments to

the Dog & Cat Management Act 1995

Council reviewed the proposed amendments to the

Dog & Cat Management Act, the largest review since

it’s inception in 1995.

While Council welcomed the review of the reforms,

they did express concern regarding mandated

microchipping and potential increase to fines.

2014/15 animal management statistics

Total dog income: $31,298

Total dogs registered: 1,851

Wandering dogs: 103

Dogs returned*: 76

Impounded: 27

Dogs re-homed: 19

Wandering stock: 19

Barking complaints: 17

Transfers: 14

RSPCA cases: 8

Dog attacks: 5

Euthanased: 4

Claimed: 4

* without expiation

Dog walking group

A first for dogs and their owners has been the

formation of the Tailem Bend dog walking group

which offers social activities for dogs and some

‘leadership’ training for owners. The first session was

held on 10 February 2015 with a great turnout and

lots of tail wagging.

The initiative was developed by Council’s General

Inspector in conjunction with a community member.

The group is self sufficient now, with walks carried

out weekly.

FOOD SAFETY As a requirement of the Food Act 2001, Council

undertakes routine inspections of food business

premises in the district to ensure that the community

expectations of food safety and hygiene standards

are met. Council also has a proactive approach to

providing food handler training and community

education.

Registered businesses: 114

Premises inspected: 57

Complaints: 9

Food handling courses: 2

The Murray and Mallee Local Government

Association Regional Health Plan 2013 - 2018 is a

legislative requirement of the South Australian Public

Health Act 2011. This five year plan was developed

by the eight member councils of the Association and

identifies the key strategies, actions and projects that

the councils will deliver to prevent disease, protect

public health and promote good health and

wellbeing across the region. Many of the activities

identified in the plan are taken from, or refer to,

existing council strategic plans.

23

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Being an employer of choice that attracts, develops and inspires highly talented

employees and elected members.

EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION AND

CAPACITY Council’s long term goal to reach physical

organisational capacity was achieved with the

occupation of the Coorong Civic Centre in Tailem

Bend. A ten-year project in the making has seen the

development of a modern building on Railway

Terrace which houses Council staff, multiple

community meeting facilities and a recently added art

gallery.

The building, fully operational by November 2014 has

seen the consolidation of Council staff into one

cohesive location and emergence into the arts and

culture sphere, a first for Council. The Coorong Art

Gallery occupies existing space within the building

and has transformed bare wall space into a canvas for

local artists to exhibit their wares. The foresight of

Council’s long term office accommodation working

party and the recent occupation of the building has

paved the way for increased organisational capacity,

excellence and innovation.

ELECTED MEMBERS’ TRAINING Council’s Elected Members Training & Development

Policy was reviewed in October 2014 prior to

commencement of the current Council. Elected

Members were subject to an intensive training

session as part of their induction which addressed:

Introduction to local government

Legal responsibilities

Council and committee meetings

Financial management and reporting

This training complied with the mandatory

requirements outlined in the Local Government

(Governance) Amendment Bill 2014, which was

passed through Parliament prior to the periodic

election period.

Elected Members were also afforded local, state and

national (where applicable) training and networking

opportunities. A copy of Council’s Elected Members

Training Register details such opportunities, and is

available on request.

24

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Being an employer of choice that attracts, develops and inspires highly talented

employees and elected members.

EMPLOYEE STATISTICS

Number of employees: 78

FTE equivalent: 60

Employee turnover: 12.8%

Absenteeism hours:* 34

* (average, per employee)

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT The following employee training programs were

delivered/undertaken during 2014/15:

Certificate lll Land Management & Conservation

Contract Management

First Aid

Finance Fundamentals

Front End Loader competency

Managing Trees in the Public Realm

Payroll Practices for Local Government

PowerBudget refresher training

Records Management Boxing and Listing

Records Management Fundamentals

Women’s Springboard Development Program

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION As part of Council’s Employee Reward and

Recognition Program, Employee of the Year Awards

were distributed in 2014/15. Ben Jarvis (inside) and

Max Jolly (outside) were the recipients in their

respective fields of work.

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY (WHS) Council has a total of 38 WHS policies and

procedures and 10 of these were reviewed in

2014/15.

Also throughout this period, 15 injury/incident

reports were lodged and 10 hazard reports

investigated.

INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATIONS

Records management

16,598 electronic records created

12 linear metres of hard copy records destructed

Use of the TRIM software allows Council to

adequately manage electronic and physical records in

one system, regardless of their type, format or source.

This ensures legislative compliance obligations.

Information technology

Following a review of Council’s core application

delivery environment, a select tender was undertaken

during 2014/15 with a detailed recommendation to

Council to transition away from Civica Cloud Service

to Fourier Technologies. In October 2014 all core

software applications were migrated across to the

new environment supplied by Fourier.

The transition included upgrades to Council’s

corporate business system (Authority) and electronic

records management system. The new agreement

also includes support and maintenance of Council’s

local network and information technology

infrastructure.

Communications

84 media releases generated and disseminated

2,114 Facebook followers

Council also developed marketing material (in

conjunction with the Local Government Association

and Electoral Commission of South Australia) for the

2014 local government periodic elections.

25

APPENDICES.

2014/15 Audited Financial Statements

2014/15 Murray & Mallee Local Government

Association Annual Report*

2014/15 Murray Mallee Community Transport

Scheme Annual Report*

WE’RE REDUCING

OUR CARBON

FOOTPRINT......

* Subsidiary annual

reports will no longer

be appended to

Council’s annual report

in hard copy format.

Respective documents

can be accessed at

Council’s website by

clicking here.

While hard copies are

available on request,

we want to be seen to

be doing our bit for

the environment - one

page at a time.

http://www.coorong.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=249

Coorong District Council – 2014/2015 Annual Financial Statements

ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 June 2015

CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Date: 20th October 2015


STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME for the year ended 30 June 2015

2015 2014

Notes $'000 $'000

INCOME

Rates 2 7,153 6,516

Statutory charges 2 136 127

User charges 2 183 161

Grants, subsidies and contributions 2 5,120 4,034

Investment income 2 1 2

Reimbursements 2 427 539

Other income 2 122 202

Net gain - equity accounted Council businesses 18 7 6

Total Income 13,149 11,587

EXPENSES

Employee costs 3 4,382 4,157

Materials, contracts & other expenses 3 5,342 5,581

Depreciation, amortisation & impairment 3 3,816 4,090

Finance costs 3 179 53

Total Expenses 13,719 13,881

OPERATING SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) (570) (2,294)

Asset disposal & fair value adjustments 4 (127) (426)

Amounts received specifically for new or upgraded assets 2 420 433

NET SURPLUS / (DEFICIT)

transferred to Equity Statement (277) (2,287)

Other Comprehensive Income

Amounts which will not be reclassified subsequently to

operating result

Changes in revaluation surplus - infrastructure,

property, plant & equipment9 44,767 (2,312)

Impairment (expense) / recoupments offset to asset

revaluation reserve9 (939) (807)

Total Other Comprehensive Income 43,828 (3,119)

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 43,551 (5,406)

This Statement is to be read in conjunction with the attached Notes.


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION for the year ended 30 June 2015

2015 2014

ASSETS Notes $'000 $'000

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents 5 1,614 204

Trade & other receivables 5 1,093 1,095

Inventories 5 26 34

2,733 1,333

Total Current Assets 2,733 1,333

Non-current Assets

Equity accounted investments in Council businesses 6 47 40

Investment property 7 - 935

Infrastructure, property, plant & equipment 7 199,049 153,093

Other non-current assets 6 - 1,556

Total Non-current Assets 199,096 155,624

Total Assets 201,829 156,957

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Trade & other payables 8 3,045 1,234

Borrowings 8 1,990 2,534

Provisions 8 875 797

5,910 4,565

Total Current Liabilities 5,910 4,565

Non-current Liabilities

Trade & Other Payables 8 79 79

Borrowings 8 1,301 1,300

Provisions 8 145 155

Total Non-current Liabilities 1,525 1,534

Total Liabilities 7,435 6,099

NET ASSETS 194,394 150,858

EQUITY

Accumulated Surplus 27,337 27,629

Asset Revaluation Reserves 9 166,073 122,245

Other Reserves 9 984 984

TOTAL EQUITY 194,394 150,858

This Statement is to be read in conjunction with the attached Notes.


STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the year ended 30 June 2015

Accumulated

Surplus

Asset

Revaluation

Reserve

Other

Reserves

TOTAL

EQUITY

2015 Notes $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Balance at end of previous reporting period 27,629 122,245 984 150,858

Restated opening balance 27,629 122,245 984 150,858

Net Surplus / (Deficit) for Year (277) (277)


Gain on revaluation of infrastructure, property, plant &

equipment44,767 44,767


revaluation reserve(939) (939)

Other equity adjustments - equity accounted Council

businesses(15) (15)

Balance at end of period 27,337 166,073 984 194,394

2014

Balance at end of previous reporting period 29,682 125,364 1,218 156,264

Restated opening balance 29,682 125,364 1,218 156,264

Net Surplus / (Deficit) for Year (2,287) (2,287)


Changes in revaluation surplus - infrastructure,

property, plant & equipment(2,312) (2,312)


revaluation reserve(807) (807)

Transfers between reserves 234 (234) -

Balance at end of period 27,629 122,245 984 150,858

This Statement is to be read in conjunction with the attached Notes


STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW for the year ended 30 June 2015

2015 2014

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Notes $'000 $'000

Receipts

Rates - general & other 7,075 6,495

Fees & other charges 150 137

User charges 184 51

Investment receipts 1 3

Grants utilised for operating purposes 5,120 4,337

Reimbursements 427 586

Other revenues (1,008) 1,925

Payments

Employee costs (4,423) (4,094)

Materials, contracts & other expenses (2,328) (7,786)

Finance payments (122) (41)

Net Cash provided by (or used in) Operating

Activities5,076 1,613

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Receipts

Amounts specifically for new or upgraded assets 420 433

Sale of replaced assets 978 968

Sale of surplus assets 280 162

Sale of investment property 935 54

Repayments of loans by community groups 53

Distributions received from equity accounted Council

businesses9

Payments

Expenditure on renewal/replacement of assets (3,417) (4,751)

Expenditure on new/upgraded assets (2,356) (2,089)

Loans made to community groups (25) (18)

Net Cash provided by (or used in) Investing

Activities(3,123) (5,241)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Receipts

Proceeds from borrowings - 8,943

Payments

Repayments of borrowings (543) (5,377)

Repayment of aged care facility deposits - (63)

Net Cash provided by (or used in) Financing

Activities(543) 3,503

Net Increase (Decrease) in cash held 1,410 (125)

Cash & cash equivalents at beginning of period 10 204 329

Cash & cash equivalents at end of period 10 1,614 204

This Statement is to be read in conjunction with the attached Notes


NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 30 June 2015

Note 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial report are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Basis of Preparation Compliance with Australian Accounting Standards This general purpose financial report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards as they apply to not-for-profit entities, other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board, Interpretations and relevant South Australian legislation. The financial report was authorised for issue by certificate under regulation 14 of the Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations 2011.

Historical Cost Convention Except as stated below, these financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention.

Critical Accounting Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Australian Accounting Standards requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates, and requires management to exercise its judgement in applying Council’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are specifically referred to in the relevant sections of this Note.

Rounding All amounts in the financial statements have been rounded to the nearest thousand dollars ($’000).

The Local Government Reporting Entity Coorong District Council is incorporated under the SA Local Government Act 1999 and has its principal place of business at 93a Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend. These financial statements include the consolidated fund and all entities through which Council controls resources to carry on its functions. In the process of reporting on the Council as a single unit, all transactions and balances between activity areas and controlled entities have been eliminated. Trust monies and property held by Council but subject to the control of other persons have been excluded from these reports. A separate statement of moneys held in the Trust Fund is available for inspection at the Council Office by any person free of charge.

Income recognition Income is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Income is recognised when the Council obtains control over the assets comprising the income, or when the amount due constitutes an enforceable debt, whichever first occurs. Where grants, contributions and donations recognised as incomes during the reporting period were obtained on the condition that they be expended in a particular manner or used over a


particular period, and those conditions were undischarged as at the reporting date, the amounts subject to those undischarged conditions are disclosed in these notes. Also disclosed is the amount of grants, contributions and receivables recognised as incomes in a previous reporting period which were obtained in respect of the Council's operations for the current reporting period. On 30 June 2015 Coorong District Council received an advance Financial Assistance Grant (FAG) payable for two quarters of 2015/16 financial year, to the value of $1,593,124. In the 2014/15 accounts, management has determined to adopt a different treatment of the advance payments, than from previous years for various reasons including the uncertainty of future advance FAG payments and when it will be received. Consequently this amount is being accounted and disclosed as an amount received in advance for the 2014/15 accounts.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and other Financial Instruments Cash Assets include all amounts readily convertible to cash on hand at Council’s option with an insignificant risk of changes in value with a maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition. Receivables for rates and annual charges are secured over the subject land, and bear interest at rates determined in accordance with the Local Government Act 1999. Other receivables are generally unsecured and do not bear interest. All receivables are reviewed as at the reporting date and adequate allowance made for amounts the receipt of which is considered doubtful. All financial instruments are recognised at fair value at the date of recognition. A detailed statement of the accounting policies applied to financial instruments forms part of Note 12.

Inventories Inventories held in respect of stores have been valued by using the weighted average cost on a continual basis, after adjustment for loss of service potential. Inventories held in respect of business undertakings have been valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Real Estate Assets Development Real Estate Assets developments have been classified as Inventory in accordance with AASB 102 and are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Cost includes the costs of acquisition, development, borrowing and other costs incurred on financing of that acquisition and up to the time of sale. Any amount by which cost exceeds the net realisable value has been recognised as an expense. Revenues arising from the sale of property are recognised in the operating statement when settlement is completed.

Other Real Estate held for resale Properties not acquired for development, but which Council has decided to sell as surplus to requirements, are recognised at the carrying value at the time of that decision. Certain properties, auctioned for non-payment of rates in accordance with the Local Government Act but which failed to meet the reserve set by Council and are available for sale by private treaty, are recorded at the lower of the unpaid rates and charges at the time of auction or the reserve set by Council. Holding costs in relation to these properties are recognised as an expense when incurred.


Infrastructure, Property, Plant & Equipment Initial Recognition All assets are initially recognised at cost. All non-current assets purchased or constructed are capitalised as the expenditure is incurred and depreciated as soon as the asset is held “ready for use”. Cost is determined as the fair value of the assets given as consideration plus costs incidental to the acquisition, including architects' fees and engineering design fees and all other costs incurred. The cost of non-current assets constructed by the Council includes the cost of all materials used in construction, direct labour on the project and an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead. Capital works still in progress at balance date are recognised as other non-current assets and transferred to infrastructure, property, plant & equipment when completed ready for use. This did not apply for 2014/15. For assets acquired at no cost or for nominal consideration, cost is determined as fair value at the date of acquisition, and also did not apply for this year.

Materiality Assets with an economic life in excess of one year are only capitalised where the cost of acquisition exceeds materiality thresholds established by Council for each type of asset. In determining (and in annually reviewing) such thresholds, regard is had to the nature of the asset and its estimated service life. Examples of capitalisation thresholds applied during the year are as follows. No capitalisation threshold is applied to the acquisition of land or interests in land.

2014- 2015 2013- 2014

Office Furniture & Equipment $500 $500 Other Plant & Equipment $500 $500 Buildings - new construction/extensions $5,000 $5,000 Park & Playground Furniture & Equipment $3,000 $3,000 Road construction & reconstruction $3,000 $3,000 Paving & Footpaths, Kerb & Gutter $3,000 $3,000 Drains & Culverts $3,000 $3,000 CWMS $3,000 $3,000 Water Scheme $3,000 $3,000 Other Assets $500 $500

Subsequent Recognition All material asset classes are revalued on a regular basis such that the carrying values are not materially different from fair value. For infrastructure and other asset classes where no active market exists, fair value is determined to be the current replacement cost of an asset less, where applicable, accumulated depreciation calculated on the basis of such cost to reflect the already consumed or expired future economic benefits of the asset. Further detail of existing valuations, methods and valuers are provided at Note 7.

Depreciation of Non-Current Assets Other than land, all infrastructure, property, plant and equipment assets recognised are systematically depreciated over their useful lives on a straight-line basis which, in the opinion of Council, best reflects the consumption of the service potential embodied in those assets. Major depreciation periods for each class of asset are shown below. Depreciation periods for infrastructure assets have been estimated based on the best information available to Council, but appropriate records covering the entire life cycle of these assets are not available, and extreme care should be used in interpreting financial information based on these estimates.


Plant, Furniture & Equipment 2014 – 2015 2013 - 2014

Office Equipment 4 years 4 years Office Furniture 10 years 10 years Vehicles and Road-making Equip 5 to 30 years 5 to 30years Other Plant & Equipment 5 to 20 years 5 to 20 years Building & Other Structures Buildings – masonry 50 to 80 years 50 to 80 years Buildings – other construction 10 to 40 years 10 to 40 years Infrastructure Sealed Roads – Surface 20 to 30 years 20 to 30 years Sealed Roads – Pavement 70 years 70 years Unsealed Roads - Pavement 25 to 30 years 25 to 30 years Paving & Footpaths, Kerb & Gutter 10 to 70 years 10 to 70 years Drains 30 years 30 years Water Supply - Pipes 60 years 60 years Water Supply - Pumps & Meters 7 to 30 years 7 to 30 years Stormwater - Pipes 60 years 60 years Stormwater - Other 7 to 100 years 7 to 80 years CWMS – Pipes 60 to 80 years 60 years CWMS – Mechanical & Electrical 25 years 25 years CWMS – Other 15 to 150 years 50 years Other Assets Various Other Assets 5 to 50 years 5 to 50 years

Impairment Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to depreciation and are reviewed annually for impairment. Assets that are subject to depreciation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount (which is the higher of the present value of future cash outflows or value in use). For assets whose future economic benefits are not dependent on the ability to generate cash flows, and where the future economic benefits would be replaced if Council were deprived thereof, the value in use is the depreciated replacement cost. In assessing impairment for these assets, a rebuttable assumption is made that the current replacement cost exceeds the original cost

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