Wrap of August Meeting

NOTICES OF MOTION

Councillor Tom Kennedy put forward 18 Notices of Motion, the majority of which were gathered from a community meeting held by Cr Kennedy on July 31. Cr Kennedy called for:

Council to organise a protest and day of action regarding the Darling River and Menindee Lakes led by Mayor Darriea Turley, including a march along Argent Street and on to the Sturt park. The day was suggested by Aboriginal Elder Dr Beryl Carmichael. Councillors voted in favour of the motion.   Council to prepare a report around commercial dumping at the city's waste facility. Councillors voted against the motion as it was already the subject of a Council report later in the night.   Council to have public question time at the beginning and end of meetings. Councillors voted in favour of the motion.   Council to reopen the Imperial Lakes, with costs to be funded by Council and grants. Councillors voted to support the reopening of the lakes in principle, with a report to be prepared on how any reopening could possibly be funded.   Council to name a street after the late Pro Hart. Councillors voted in favour of an amendment calling for anyone interested in renaming any streets or Council assets to lodge a submission through Council's Asset Naming Committee.   Council to clean and paint rubbish bins in the CBD. Councillors voted for a press release to be prepared around Council's ongoing schedule of works.   Council to hold an annual festival to to showcase the city's mining, minerals, and family heritage. As the Heritage Committee already runs a Heritage Festival, an amendment was passed advising that the convenor of any future public meeting should promote the existing Heritage Festival, and encourage participation.   Council to report to the community the costs around the Civic Centre and associated legal action. Councillors voted against the motion as it was already the subject of a Council report later in the night.   Council to only use consultants when the required information or task cannot be sourced by the community for free. Councillors voted against the motion as Council already only uses consultants when required.   Council to hold a public competition to place a mural on the Art Gallery wall. Councillors voted against the motion.   Council to write to the Minister for Local Government and request new legislation preventing candidates running under political parties in local elections. Councillors voted against the motion.   Council to review its public art policy, and paint an elephant on the Civic Centre if the Crystal Lane mural is removed. Councillors passed an amendment supporting a review of the Public Art Policy, but removed the request for an elephant to be painted on the Civic Centre.   Council to establish a future fund from a portion of mine rates. In the report the General Manager advised that a redistribution of mine rates would not create increased rates revenue to place into a Future Fund. Councillors voted against the motion.   Council to prepare a report on possibly reverting rates distribution levels back to 2012/2013 levels. Councillors voted in favour of the motion.   Council to better explain the decision to reduce Library hours. Councillors voted against the motion as the decision has been explained at length across all communication platforms available to Council.   Council to receive the minutes of Cr Kennedy's public meeting. Councillors voted in favour of the motion.   Councillors to meet with Dr Ramu Nachiappan to come up with alterations to the Crystal Street mural so it will meet heritage requirements. Councillors voted against the the motion as the matter has already been decided at a previous meeting.   Council to compare tourism numbers over the last 12 years against the level of water in the Menindee Lakes. Councillors voted in favour of the motion.  

REGULAR AGENDA

Progress update on yearly and long-term plans

Council reported on Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for its Operational Plan 2017-2018, and its four-year Delivery Program 2017-2021. Of the 338 KPIs in the Operational Plan, 223 were completed or form an ongoing part of Council's operations, while 23 have been deferred. 61 KPIs are still in progress, and 41 were not commenced or not achieved. Of the 264 KPIs in the four-year Delivery Program, 165 have been completed or are an ongoing part of Council's operations, while 29 have been deferred. 40 KPIs are still in progress, while 30 are not yet commenced or achieved. An update on the 87 KPIs in Council's Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) was also tabled. Council is currently 12 months into its four-year DIAP, with KPIs 18 already completed or forming part of Council's ongoing operations. 21 KPIs are in progress, while another 48 are not yet commenced.

Draft financial statements to be audited

Council tabled its draft annual financial statements in the form of a General Purpose Financial Report and a Special Purpose Financial Report. The reports will now be independently audited, with final figures to be presented at the October meeting of Council.

Waste fees and processes in need of review

Incorrect classification and charging of commercial waste entering the city's waste facility has resulted in Council losing around $1.6 million in revenue since July 2015. If allowed to continue, current waste classification practices could also see Council breach its Environment Protection Authority licence conditions. Council will now consult with businesses and the community and prepare a new structure around waste fees and classification practices, with a report to go to Council in October.

Residents happy with life, but expect more from Council

Council held a community satisfaction survey for the first time since 2011. The final report showed an overall satisfaction rating of 2.9 out of 5 for Council's performance over the last 12 months. Residents are generally unhappy with the city's appearance, the maintenance of roads and footpaths, and the handling of the Civic Centre Project and BHP Billiton Foundation donation. However they are happy with Council's waste management, the Aquatic Centre, and the city's tourism and cultural facilities. Broken Hill's residents are, on average, happier with their lives than other Australian citizens. Councillor Kennedy asked that Councillors receive information showing what online data was used in the survey, and its impact on the final report.

New policy to govern Council loans

Councillors considered a draft Loan Borrowing Policy. The aim of the policy is to ensure Council has a structured and disciplined approach to borrowing of funds for funding new infrastructure, and renewing existing infrastructure. The draft plan will go on public display for 28 days, before being again considered by Councillors at the October meeting.

Plan to better manage The Living Desert

A draft Plan of Management (PoM) has been drawn up for The Living Desert. The PoM has been developed to reflect the values and aspirations of the community for the Living Desert and the environmental and cultural significance of the site. These aspects were established through consultation with Living Desert staff and volunteers, and desktop and field research undertaken by qualified ecologists. The PoM will also ensure that activities undertaken as part of the plan conform to NSW and Commonwealth legislative requirements.

New haulage route gets green light

Councillors voted in favour of a request from Perilya to modify its ore haulage route relating to the North Mine. Under the changes trucks will run to the east out of the mine, along Potosi Haul Road before connecting with the Barrier Highway at the Silver Peak Road intersection. From there trucks will continue along the pre-existing haulage route to Perilya's South operations. Light vehicles will still be able to access the North Mine via the Argent Street entrance. The mine will also look to reduce its evaporation ponds.

Public to design gateways signs

Councillors voted to hold a public competition to design new welcome signs for roads leading in and out of the city.

Traffic Committee targets problem intersection

The Local Traffic Committee recommended that speed humps be trialled at the corner of Wright and Warnock Streets, and that 30-minute parking zones be placed at the front of Far West HACC Services at 475 Argent Street. Councillors voted in favour of both recommendations.

CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

Civic Centre costs remain confidential, for now

In the confidential matters, Councillors discussed costs around the Civic Centre refurbishment, and its associated legal costs. This information remains confidential to ensure ongoing legal proceedings around this matter are not compromised. Details around the Civic Centre will be made public when Council is able to do so.

Rocket confirmed for Patton Park

Council voted to award the tender for the Patton Street Park play equipment to Omnitech Playgrounds for $287,951. The 'rocket' design, which was chosen by the community, has had some minor tweaks in response to public feedback, with the nose of the rocket now enclosed, and UV-resistant panels added to the western side of the rocket to provide more sun protection for children. Clear panels have also been added to the tube slide for greater visibility. The park's new public amenities tender was awarded to Exeloo for $240,000.

Pay rise for GM

Councillors voted in favour of a pay increase of six per cent for General Manager James Roncon. The General Manager Performance Review Committee assessed Mr Roncon's performance as ‘exceeding expectations, to outstanding’. The increase also reflects market movement and peer relativity within the sector.