Wrap of June meeting

Operational Plan brings raft of changes

Councillors adopted the Draft Operational Plan 2018/2019, which includes the budget and fees and charges for the upcoming financial year. Some of the major outcomes of this Operational Plan are:

A budgeted deficit of $1.78 million for the financial year, which represents a 2.2% reduction on the previous deficit. A continuation of the transfer of 1% of mining rates to the residential category to try and lessen the city's inordinate reliance on mining rates. The plan is designed to safeguard the city in the event that mining should suddenly close or rapidly decline in Broken Hill, the commodities market crashes, or legislation is implemented forcing Council to lower its current high rating of mines. An extra $2 million in infrastructure upgrades enabled by Council's $10 million loan. A spend of around $9.2 million on capital projects, with $6.77 million of that amount to come from Council’s budget. The remainder will be funded by grants, restricted cash assets, and other external sources. $5.04m will be spent on roads, including sealing a section of Brown Street to connect the roads that lead to Silverton and The Living Desert to benefit tourists visiting the city. A major section of Oxide Street between Crystal and Wolfram Streets will also be reconstructed. Other major projects include the revitalisation of Patton Park, making footpaths in the CBD disability-friendly, installation of CCTV and smart lighting for Sturt and Patton Parks, a new dog pound, and the design and construction plans for the city’s new library. A reduction in opening hours at the Library, Art Gallery and GeoCentre. The reduction in hours will give staff time to carry out planning and maintenance tasks that are not currently being completed, and see the facilities operate at a level that reflects tourism trends and other similar facilities around the State. The new hours are expected to come into effect in mid-August, and will be reviewed after 6 months. An increase in fees for businesses dumping commercial quantities of waste at the rubbish depot. The fees will still be significantly lower than those charged at similar facilities elsewhere in the State, however the increase should help offset the annual subsidy that Council currently provides the waste facility and enable an appropriate provision for future remediation works at the depot. Domestic waste will remain free.

Council maintains financial direction

Council's Long Term Financial Plan 2019-2028 was adopted. The plan is largely unchanged from last year, as Council remains committed to returning to surplus in 2023, renewing assets faster than they deteriorate, and finding internal efficiencies to cut costs without compromising services to the community. Councillors did however vote to receive a report investigating the possibility of setting up a 'future fund' for when the city's mines close.

Communications strategies formalised

Council's draft Communications and Community Engagement Strategy and Social Media Strategy were both adopted. The draft Communications and Engagement Strategy is a forward-facing document which outlines to the community when, how, and why Council engages and communicates, and the methodology behind its approach. It is complemented by the draft Social Media Strategy, which outlines how Council utilises its various social media platforms across the organisation to communicate with the community.

14 groups share in Council funding

Council has allocated $47,237 in funding to 14 local groups through the first round of its Community Assistance Grants for 2018/2019. The total includes the waiving of various fees for waste, venue hire, and legal support for the Silver City Pastoral and Agricultural Association (Silver City Show), In One Accord (Carols By Candlelight), Broken Hill Mineral Club (Rock On event), Broken Hill Eisteddfod Society, Lions Club, Silver City Quilters, and the Broken Hill Model Flying Club. The Broken Hill Soccer association receives $6,800 for a new ride on mower, $5,300 goes to the Broken Hill Kart Club for a shade shelter, the Zinc Bowling Club receives $3,800 for new benches and kitchen equipment, and $3,300 goes to the Repertory Society including a rates rebate and money for the installation of new heaters. Meanwhile Broken Hill Community Inc receives $2,400 to repair and repaint their mural and brickwork, $1,700 goes toward a disdabled bathroom for the North Football Club, and the Greyhound Racing Club receives $1,700 toward the refurbishment of their kitchen and canteen. Council also considered amending the Grants Policy to put a $5,000 cap on applications, however Councillors decided against the move at last night's meeting and removed the recommendation from the report.

Changes to Art Gallery Advisory Committee

Council acknowledged the resignation of John Sloane and Natasha Bearman from the Art Gallery Advisory Committee, and expressed their appreciation to John and Natasha for their contribution to both the Committee and the community. Council also accepted a Committee nomination from Justin Files, and agreed to reduce Committee size from 13 members down to 10, with the reduction to take place via attrition.

New pathway for new business

Councillors voted to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with Service NSW for the Easy To Do Businesses initiative. The service will provide proponents with assistance with the licenses and permits required to start a new business, and assign a personal Business Concierge to each prospective developer to assist them in gaining Council DA approval, outdoor dining consent, liquor licensing, and other requirements for small businesses to emerge and succeed.

More land management tasks for Council

An amendment to the Crown Land Management Act 2016 will see Council manage Crown Reserves as public land under the Local Government Act, with the State retaining some oversight functions. The majority of Council-managed Crown reserves will now be classified as community land, requiring Council to formulate new plans to manage these areas within three years.

More help needed for Lamb Oval

Council accepted the nomination of Paul Kemp to the ET Lamb Memorial Oval Community Committee, and resolved to call for more nominations to the Committee via Council's website and local media.

New tipper truck for Warnock Street Works Depot

In the only confidential matter of the night, Councillors voted in favour of purchasing a new FM 500 tipper truck from Hino Motor Sales Australia Pty Ltd for $168,909 ex. GST.