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DIRECTOR Planning &
Community – Phil
Turner
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Formal Consideration of
Annual Report 2015/16
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Item 1
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Purpose
To formally consider the Annual Report 2015/16 pursuant to
the provisions of the Local Government Act 1989 (the Act) and associated
regulations.
CARETAKER
STATEMENT
The recommended decision is not a ‘Major Policy
Decision’, as defined in section 93A of the Local Government Act 1989, or
a ‘Significant Decision’ within the meaning of the Election Period
(Caretaker) policy.
Strategic /
policy issues
The following directions contained in Maroondah 2040:
Our Future Together and the Council Plan 2013-2017 (Year 4: 2016-2017) provide
the strategic framework that underpins the purpose of this report.
Outcome Area: A well governed and
empowered community
Our Vision: In 2040, Maroondah will
be an empowered community that is actively engaged in Council decision making
through processes that consider the needs and aspirations of all ages and
population groups. Council will provide strong and responsive leadership,
ensuring transparency, while working with the community to advocate for and
‘champion’ local needs.
Key Directions 2013 – 2017:
8.1 Provide
enhanced governance that is transparent, accessible, inclusive and accountable
8.2 Ensure
responsible and sustainable management of Maroondah’s resources, assets,
infrastructure and natural environment
Background
Under Section 131 of the Act, Council is required to prepare
and submit an Annual Report to the
Minister for Local Government within three months of
the end of each financial year. The 2015/16 Annual Report was submitted to the
Minister on 22 September 2016. Receipt of the report was subsequently
acknowledged by the Minister’s office and Local Government Victoria.
Section 134 of the Act also
requires Council to hold a meeting to consider the report within one month of
submission to the Minister. This meeting is required to be an open meeting and
at least 14 days’ notice of the meeting must be given. Such notice
was given in The Age newspaper on 22 September 2016 and the Maroondah Leader on
27 September 2016.
Issue /
discussion
Council endorsed the Annual Report for submission to the
Minister at its meeting held on 19 September 2016 and a copy of the report was
subsequently forwarded on 20 September 2016.
The necessary statutory advertising has been undertaken and
copies of the report have been made available from the Council Service Centres,
Croydon and Realm Libraries, and Council’s website.
Key features of the Annual Report as required by section 131
of the Act, include the following matters:
· A report of Council’s operations during the financial year
· Audited financial statements for the financial year
· Performance Statement prepared under Section 132
· Report on the Performance Statement prepared under Section 133
· Inclusion of Council results relating to the Local Government
Performance Reporting Framework for 2015/16
The report demonstrates Council’s
ongoing commitment to the Maroondah community, highlighting a range of
achievements including:
Aquanation
Maroondah’s new state of the art aquatic and leisure
centre opened its doors to the community in August 2015. The $52.2 million
centre features a 66.5 metre pool and 10 metre diving tower, a warm water pool,
a dedicated learn to swim pool, large toddler and children’s leisure play
pool, a large gym with three separate group fitness rooms, child care
facilities and a café. It also has two indoor waterslides which can
be used all year round, and dry diving facilities unique in Australia, which
allow for more effective training routines, and provide divers, from beginner
to elite, the ability to perfect their technique in a more controlled
environment.
Realm
Realm, Council’s new library, cultural, knowledge and
innovation centre commenced operations on 29 October 2015. The $24 million
state-of-the-art facility incorporates a library with areas to engage children
and young people; a comprehensive Council service centre; ArtSpace; the
Centre for Regional Knowledge and Innovation; BizHub business resource centre
and co-working space; a café; reading spaces; and a local history
display.
Ringwood Town Square
Ringwood Town Square officially opened in
October 2015 after many years of planning, negotiation and development work
between Council, QIC and the Victorian Government. As the cornerstone of the
new Eastland redevelopment, Ringwood Town Square provides access to Realm,
Ringwood Station and bus interchange, and a range of restaurants and boutique
retail stores. Council has worked in partnership with Eastland to
deliver a range of community and civic activations in the Ringwood Town Square
precinct, including markets, live music performances, festivals and civic
events.
Upgrade of
Ringwood Station and Bus Interchange
The Victorian Government’s $66 million upgrade of
Ringwood Station and Bus Interchange was officially opened in February 2016
with a community celebration. The vibrant new station precinct helps to ensure
that Ringwood is an easily accessible destination for regional business,
commercial, retail, social and cultural activities. Throughout the project,
Council successfully advocated for the implementation of good design principles
and the inclusion of accessible infrastructure such as lifts, escalators, ramps
and stairs.
Kevin Pratt Pavilion
The Kevin Pratt Pavilion at Mullum Mullum Reserve was
officially re-opened in February 2016, following a $2.8 million dollar
redevelopment and refurbishment. Two large multipurpose rooms have been added,
enabling clubs to hold social functions and build their membership base. The
rooms are also used by University of the Third Age Ringwood (U3A) for a range
of activities. The new pavilion provides enhanced facilities for Norwood
Sporting Club, which includes the Norwood Football and Cricket clubs as well as
the Junior Football Club, Netball Club and Social Golf Club.
Parkwood and historic land swap
Refurbishment of the former Parkwood Secondary College was
completed early in the 2015/16 financial year. During the financial year,
Council also secured a land swap arrangement with the Victorian Government
which will see Council take possession of approximately 35,000sqm of land, in
two parcels, in exchange for an 8,000sqm piece of Council land adjacent to the
Melba College which will go to assisting with the upgrade of the Melba College
site. The first parcel of land which Council will take ownership of is
approximately 15,000sqm at Parkwood, resulting in the cancellation of
Council’s current lease agreement at Parkwood resulting in ongoing
financial savings. The second parcel of land that will be given to Council is
approximately 20,000sqm of the former Croydon South Primary School site.
Council has advocated for some time to the Victorian Government to seek to have
part of the former Croydon South Primary School site made available for
community use.
Housing Strategy
Over the past two years, Council has developed a new housing
strategy to establish future policy directions and guide future residential
development. The process of developing this Strategy involved developing a
holistic body of background research along with considerable engagement with
the community and key stakeholders. The Strategy sets out a vision for housing
in Maroondah, addresses issues facing the municipality and sets out key
directions and priority actions to address these challenges.
Active & Healthy Ageing Initiative
Council launched the Active & Healthy Ageing Initiative
in October 2015 as Council’s and the community’s blueprint for
creating an age-friendly Maroondah. The initiative is a partnership between
Council and the community to introduce age-friendly projects and services that
support an active and healthy population. The aim is to maintain and increase
wellbeing throughout life as we work towards becoming a more Age Friendly City.
The Initiative has been endorsed by COTA Victoria and was developed following
extensive community consultation and ongoing engagement.
Maroondah Children’s Plan
2015-2019
In August 2015, Council adopted the
Maroondah Children’s Plan 2015-2019. The Plan builds on previous Early
Years Plans and details how Council will work to enhance the lives of children aged
0 to 12 and their families living in the municipality.
Advocacy for Federal election
Council conducted a successful advocacy campaign in the lead
up to the 2016 Federal election. Commencing in October 2015 key projects were
identified and detailed information was provided to the major candidates in the
three electorates, Casey, Deakin and Menzies. With the election of the Federal
Coalition in July 2016, residents can look forward to more than $40 million in
Federal funding towards significant roads, community and sporting projects in
Maroondah.
Financial /
economic issues
The cost of printing Council’s 2015/16 Annual Report
is met within the current budget. A relatively small number of Annual Report
copies will be printed on recycled stock to meet statutory, administrative and
community needs. The Annual Report will also be made available on
Council’s website for download.
A small print run of the Our Achievements 2015/16 document
will enable circulation of this summary to relevant stakeholders, Council
service centres and libraries. The cost of printing this supporting document is
met within the current budget.
Environmental
/ amenity issues
Not Applicable
Social /
community issues
Not Applicable
Community
consultation
Pursuant to section 131 of the
Act:
· Following the submission of the Annual Report to the Minister,
Council must give public notice that the Annual Report has been prepared and
can be inspected at the Council Offices.
· Section 134 of the Act also requires Council to
hold a meeting to consider the report within one month of submission to the
Minister. This meeting is required to be an open meeting and at least 14
days’ notice of the meeting must be given.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, such public
notice was published in The Age newspaper on 22 September 2016 and in the
Maroondah Leader newspaper on 27 September.
Copies of the endorsed Annual Report were also made
available for inspection at the Council Service Centres, Croydon and Realm
Libraries and Council’s website.
No submissions were received.
Conclusion
The Annual Report 2015/16 confirms that Council has made
significant advances towards achieving the community aspirations relating to
community service delivery, environmental enhancement, economic development, infrastructure
development and civic administration and leadership, in addition to its
statutory requirements under section 131 of the Act.
Attachments
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1.⇩
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Annual
Report 2015/16
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CONFIDENTIALITY
Not Applicable
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RECOMMENDATION
That COUNCIL
1. FORMALLY
ENDORSES THE MAROONDAH CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
2. NOTES
THAT THE RELEVANT STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET
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