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Chief Financial Officer – Tony Rocca
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Formal consideration of
Annual Report 2023/24
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Item 1
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Purpose
To formally consider the Maroondah City Council Annual
Report 2023/24, pursuant to the statutory requirements of the Local
Government Act 2020 and its associated regulations.
Strategic /
policy issues
The following directions contained in Maroondah 2040:
Our Future Together and the Council Plan 2021-2025 (Year 4: 2024-2025) 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 actively engaged in local decision making, led by an
innovative community inspired Council that collaborates regionally and
proactively champions local needs.
Key Directions 2021 – 2025:
8.1 Provide community inspired
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
As per the statutory requirements of Section 98 of the
Local Government Act 2020, Council is required to prepare an Annual Report
each financial year.
Section 100 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires
Council to hold an open meeting to consider the Report within four (4) months
of the end of the financial year and under section 100(2)(a) requires that
during an election year, the annual report must be presented at a Council
meeting open to the public no later than that the day before the election day.
Key features of the Annual Report must include the
following:
· A report of Council’s operations during the financial year.
· Audited financial statements for the financial year.
· Audited performance statement for the financial year.
· A copy of the auditor’s report on the financial statements.
· A copy of the auditor’s report on the performance statement.
· Any other matters prescribed by the regulations including relevant
performance indicator results and checklist items from the Local Government
Performance Reporting Framework.
Issue /
discussion
The Annual Report reflects Council’s activities and
outcomes during the 2023/24 financial year, which demonstrates Council’s
ongoing commitment to the Maroondah community.
Key highlights
over the past 12 months include the development of several strategic documents
including the Maroondah Physical Activity Strategy 2024-2029; Maroondah
Extended Outdoor Dining Policy; Public Toilet Policy 2024-2029, and
the Stadium Sports Strategy.
Council has continued to strategically plan for the future
of Maroondah’s two key Activity Centres. The Ringwood Metropolitan
Activity Centre (MAC) Masterplan 2018 was completed in December 2021. Council
is working with the Department of Transport and Planning on a refreshed
masterplan which will further reinforce Ringwood’s role as a regional
economic and housing centre. Development in the Ringwood MAC is continuing to
take shape in response to the land use guidance in the Masterplan, with approximately
$360 million of investment over the past 12 months. This includes the new
commercial building on Bond Street, Ringwood, the commencement of the new
Activity Centre Carpark adjacent to the station on Bedford Road, and
significant new developments along Maroondah Highway. Development of the
Croydon Structure Plan is nearing completion and will respond to the expected
population growth with Main Street continuing to serve as an important local
destination.
Council has continued to work with key stakeholders, user
groups and the community on development of the Croydon Community Wellbeing
Precinct. The Community Hub was opened in July 2023 and is now home to a range
of community groups. Detailed design for the Cultural Hub continues to
progress, with the Australian Government contributing $5 million in funding
towards the arts and cultural space. Construction of the Cultural Hub is
scheduled to commence in late 2024.
Council’s advocacy work with the
Victorian and Australian Governments has continued to seek funding
opportunities for a range of significant projects to benefit the Maroondah
community. Commitments during 2023/24 included Australian Government funding of
$1.35 million for major traffic safety improvements at Eastfield Road, Morinda
Street and Railway Avenue, Ringwood East. The Victorian Government has also
committed $1 billion for a new Maroondah Hospital. Council has continued to
work with the Level Crossing Removal Authority to ensure excellent outcomes
from the removal of crossings at Dublin Road, Bedford Road and Coolstore Road;
along with the construction of new stations at Croydon and East Ringwood, due
for completion by the end of 2024.
Regional
partnerships and initiatives have continued to be a focus. Council actively
supports the Eastern Regional Group of Councils (ERG), which works
collaboratively to achieve integrated advocacy and planning as well as joint
procurement for shared services, which is supported by a four-year plan.
During the
2023/24 financial year, Council also:
· Adopted Community Local Law 2023.
· Delivered a range of community safety initiatives.
· Opened Maroondah Edge, a new 5 lane indoor cricket training centre
in Ringwood.
· Opened a new multipurpose pavilion at JW Manson Reserve in Wantirna.
· Completed the new Town Park sportsfield and the installation of new
sportsfield lighting at East Ringwood Reserve and Croydon Park.
· Continued to work in partnership with other levels of government,
local organisations and agencies to support a community led recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic.
· Worked in partnership with Knox and Yarra Ranges councils to
implement the Bayswater Business Precinct Transformation Strategy.
· Delivered another successful Maroondah Festival and Kinder Expo.
· Continued to implement the Arts and Cultural Development Strategy.
· Implemented the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service.
· Completed carpark improvements at Jubilee Park in Ringwood, and at
Heathmont Reserve and HE Parker Reserve in Heathmont.
· Develop an updated Maroondah Flood Map.
· Completed works at Kent Avenue, Merrindale and Tintern Avenue
Shopping Centres as part of the Commercial Centres Improvement Program.
· Launched a new Maroondah City Council website.
A broad range of other Council
achievements during the 2023/24 financial year can be found in the attached Annual
Report 2023/24.
Financial /
economic issues
Council’s
2023/24 Budget and Long-Term Financial Strategy (LTFS) continues to be based on
sound financial management, as well as an understanding of the rising cost of
living facing ratepayers, while managing the ongoing financial impacts arising
from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The LTFS outlines Council’s projected financial
position for the next 10 years, providing guidance Council and ultimately the
community, about the future directions and operations of Council. The LTFS
demonstrates Council’s long-term financial sustainability and ensures we
continue to invest in community facilities and services, while operating within
the rate cap environment as set out in the Local Government (Fair Go Rates)
Act 2015.
Maroondah City Council complied with the Victorian
Government’s 2023/24 rate cap.
Environmental
/ amenity issues
As noted in the Annual Report 2023/24.
Social /
community issues
As noted in the Annual Report 2023/24.
Community
consultation
Council will make the Annual Report 2023/24 available
to the Maroondah community through its website and at its customer service
centres.
Conclusion
The Annual Report 2023/24 outlines and confirms that
Council has made significant advances towards achieving the community
aspirations outlined in the Maroondah 2040 Community Vision. This relates to
community service delivery, environmental enhancements, economic development, infrastructure
development and civic administration and leadership, in addition to its
statutory requirements.
Attachments
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1. 
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Maroondah
City Council Annual Report 2023/24
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CONFIDENTIALITY
Not Applicable
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RECOMMENDATION
That COUNCIL
1. notes that the relevant statutory
requirements under the local government act 2020 and associated regulations
have been met
2. formally endorses the maroondah
city council annual report 2023/24
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