wandering shire council
TRANSCRIPT
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2011
SHIRE OF WANDERING
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Notice is given that the
Shire of Wandering
Annual Electors Meeting
Will be held in the
Wandering Community Centre
on
Thursday 19 April 2012
Commencing at 7:30pm
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AGENDA 1. Confirmation of Minutes - Meeting 7 February 2011 2. Business Arising from Minutes 3. President’s Report 4. Chief Executive Officer’s Report 5. Annual Statements 6. Questions Without Notice 7. Meeting Closure _________________________ Martin Whitely Chief Executive Officer 5 April 2012
Shire Profile
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Shire of Wandering
2010/11 Annual Report
(Incorporating the Annual Financial Statement)
INDEX
1. Shire Profile 4 - 5 2. Council Members 6 3. Structure & Staff 7 4. President’s Report 8 - 9 5. Chief Executive Officer’s Report 10 - 11 6. Annual Financial Statement & Auditor’s Report
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Shire Profile Foreword This is the Annual Report of the Shire of Wandering for the year ended 30th June, 2011. The Report is prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.53 of the Local Government Act 1995. The Act requires each local government to prepare an Annual Report for each financial year, which contains details of its operations and activities and it is hoped that you will find the information of interest. Council welcomes any comment from residents and ratepayers of the Shire.
Address The Shire of Wandering’s Office is located (and postal address) at:
22 Watts Street Wandering WA 6308
Contact can be made by telephone (on 9884 1056) or by facsimile (on 9884 1510). E-mail address: [email protected] All correspondence should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer. The Shire also has a website located at: www.wandering.wa.gov.au
Location Wandering is located 120km to the south east of Perth off Albany Hwy on the edge of the Darling Escarpment. The Shire of Wandering has an area of 1,955km² of which some 900km² is State Forest. Population of the Shire, according to the ABS as at 2006, was 355. The Shire borders the local authorities of Armadale, Serpentine Jarrahdale, Murray, Boddington, Williams, Cuballing, Pingelly, Brookton and Beverley. The town of Wandering is located at latitude 32°40’35” south, longitude 116°40’07” east at an elevation of 280 metres, with an average rainfall of approximately 600mm. History Wandering is recorded as being first settled in 1861 when applications were made for the first freehold lots by George and John Watts whose wandering horses found what now Grassdale farm is. The local authority (Wandering Roads District) was created on 10th October, 1874. This was changed to the Shire of Wandering on 23rd June, 1961.
Council Meetings Council meets are held on the third Thursday of the month (except January) in the Council Chamber at the Shire Office. Meetings commence at 11.00am and observers are welcome. A period of up to 15 minutes public question time is allowed at the start of each meeting.
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Items for consideration by Council must be with the CEO at 12 noon on the Wednesday, 8 days before each meeting. This allows for the item to be included in the Agenda document and provides Councillors time to consider the matter and conduct any research required. Late items will not be considered.
Wards & Elections The Wandering Roads Board was originally divided into 3 Wards (North, North East and South) on 17th May, 1918. A number of minor variations to Ward boundaries have occurred over the years, before the Town Ward was created on 8th September, 2000. The Shire was divided into 4 Wards until the 2009 elections when the wards system was abolished. Council now has 7 Councillors, which remains unchanged from the previous ward system, with Council elections held in October of each second year. Each term of office is four years.
Crest The Shire’s Crest graphics, adopted in 1956, include the three traditional industries – grain, sheep and wool. The accepted literal translation of the Latin on the Crest – Veritatis Simplex Oratio Est - is “It Is Simple To Speak The Truth”.
Vision Statement Council’s vision for the Shire of Wandering is to sustain, improve and develop the Wandering region through the provision and facilitation of infrastructure, services and opportunities for businesses and quality of life for residents.
Industry & Services Major agricultural activities include cereal crops (oats, wheat, barley) pulse crops (lupins, chickpeas, faba beans) oil seed (canola), sheep (wool & meat), cattle (meat), pigs, vineyards, olive groves and other limited commercial services. Services provided include a primary school, with bus services to Boddington for junior high school education. Major sporting and recreational facilities include the town oval, tennis / basketball / netball courts, badminton courts and golf course.
Justices Of The Peace The following people have been appointed as a Justice of the Peace: Ms Lee-Ann Muller Telephone 9884 1045 Mr R J (Bob) Treasure Telephone: 9884 1010 Mr Ian Turton Telephone 9887 6032
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Council Members (As at 30 June 2011) Members are elected to Council for a four year term. Elections are held on the third Saturday of October of every second year. The President and Deputy President are elected from and by the Members. Cr BE (Bruce) Dowsett, President First elected May 1995, Retiring 2013 Telephone: 9884 1031 Facsimile: nil Email: [email protected] Cr KJ (Kel) Price, Deputy President First elected May 1980, Retiring 2011 Telephone: 9887 7061 Facsimile: 9887 7003 Cr KJ (Ken) Barge First elected May 2005, Retiring 2013 Telephone: 9884 1095 Cr GG (Graeme) Kerr First elected May 1993, Retiring 2011 Telephone: 9887 6018 Facsimile: 9887 6014 Email: [email protected] Cr JR (Jim) McNeil First elected May 2001, Retiring 2013 Telephone: 9887 6010 Facsimile: 9887 6050
Cr DF (Don) White First elected May 1984, Retiring 2011 Telephone: 9884 1034 Facsimile: 9884 1054
Cr JC (Joe) Schorer First elected October 2009, Retiring 2013 Telephone: 9884 1018 Facsimile: 9887 1518 Email: [email protected]
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Structure & Staff (As at 30 June 2011)
Urban & Rural Perspectives
(Joe Douglas)
Ralph Ferguson Town Planning
Bruce Nairn Vernon Keally Peter Haas
Adrianne Yzerman Dorothy Nottle Peter Borg Environmental Health & Wendy Stringer (Cleaning) John Wyatt Building Services Hayley Barge Michael Reitmajer Toni Reitmajer
Council 7 Councillors
Chief Executive Officer Martin Whitely
Office Staff
Consultants
Other Staff
Works Supervisor
Gary Mathewson
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President’s Report Overview The year under review is from July 2010 to June 2011.
Roadworks Council continued its commitment to the ongoing upgrade of the road network with the completion of reconstruction projects on the North Bannister Wandering and Wandering Pingelly roads. In addition to the reconstruction works more than 7km’s of reseals were completed during the financial year. Approximately $300,000 each year is allocated to reconstruction projects within the Shire with Council contributing a third from its own resources, the balance coming from State grants. A long term plan for road maintenance and construction is in place to ensure the road network is adequately maintained within the Shire with particular emphasis being placed on the gravel sheeting requirements within the Shire.
Committees & Delegates Council has formed an Audit Committee to comply with the Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations 1996. And Council has also appointed delegates to external Committee’s as follows:
Dryandra Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils (Cr Dowsett and Cr Kerr)
Hotham Sub Group, Regional Road Group (Cr Dowsett and Cr Kerr)
Hotham Catchment Landcare Committee (Cr McNeil and Cr Barge)
Pingelly Wandering Local Emergency Plan Committee (Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, Peter Monk and Cr Dowsett)
Local Emergency Plan Committee (Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, Peter Monk)
Wandering Primary School Community Liaison Committee (Cr Barge and Cr White)
Hotham Way Committee (Chief Executive Officer)
Worsley Community Consultative Committee (Cr Schorer and Cr White)
Boddington Gold Mine Expansion Steering Committee (Cr Schorer and Cr White)
Dryandra Country Visitor Centre (Cr Schorer and Cr Price)
Brookton Land Conservation District Committee (Cr Kerr)
Wagin Regional Waste Committee (Cr Barge and Cr Kerr)
Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades Thanks once again are expressed to all the members of the volunteer bush fire brigades and particularly to the Fire Control Officers. The efforts of all volunteers are to be applauded by all members of the community.
Land Development Council continues to explore options for further residential, commercial, industrial and rural residential land that is suitable for development. Council currently owns a quantity of land which has been set aside for possible future residential and industrial subdivisions.
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Structural Reform Discussions on amalgamations in local government continue to surface periodically. Council is opposed to the amalgamation of the Shire of Wandering. It is the view of Council that there should be no forced amalgamations of Western Australian local authorities and Council will continue to represent the best interests of Wandering as the debate over reform continues in the next year and probably beyond.
Councillors and Staff Again, I would like to extend my thanks to my fellow Councillors and all staff for their support over the past twelve months.
Cr B E (Bruce) Dowsett President
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Chief Executive Officer’s Report
After commencing in January 2010 I enjoyed my first full 12 months at the helm and feel that the Shire has had a productive and fulfilling year dealing with the existing challenges facing local government.
Council I would like acknowledge my appreciation to the President, Deputy President and all Councillors for their support in the past 12 months and I would forward to having a long and successful relationship with Council in future years.
Staff After a period of staff turnover the last 12 months saw great stability in the workforce. With the mining fraternity on our doorstep we are fortunate to have a dedicated group of employees who are always happy to help out wherever possible.
Finance Council’s financial position remains strong after recording a surplus for the year of $1,625,917 and ending the financial year with in excess of $780,000 in cash reserves. Council’s financial position is further strengthened by the multiple dwellings and landholdings owned by the Shire within the town site and surrounding areas.
Local Government Reform Local Government reform continues to remain on the agenda of the State Government and at the present time we still have not been given any firm direction on what are the options for Wandering. Further information on this matter will be distributed to the community as it comes to hand.
Freedom of Information The Shire of Wandering will provide information to people requesting it from Council. Should a request not be met satisfactorily, then a Freedom of Information Application can be lodged with Council. During the year ended 30 June 2011, no Freedom of Information Applications were received.
Agencies The Australia Post Agency, including Commonwealth Bank (savings) Agency and the on-line vehicle licensing agency on behalf of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure have continued. Although the commissions are low, the service to residents is regarded as essential. Each of these agencies pays a commission to the Shire and by conducting your business through the Shire Office, you can help to maximise the resultant commission.
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan Council continues to remain committed to the Disability Services Plan and will undertake improvements to ensure ongoing access to Council Property and Services for people with disabilities as funds become available.
National Competition Policy In accordance with statutory requirements set down in the National Competition Policy legislation, outlined below is a report on the Shire of Wandering’s compliance with the requirements:
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Competitive Neutrality The Shire of Wandering does not have a business activity which generates a user pays income of $200,000, therefore no obligation exists for the municipality to conduct a Public Benefits test. Nonetheless, the Shire of Wandering remains committed to the principals of Competitive Neutrality. Legislative Review The Shire of Wandering has reviewed some Local Laws and has concluded that none restrict competition in anyway. Nonetheless, the Shire of Wandering remains committed to the principals of Legislative Reform. Structural Reform The Shire of Wandering has no obligations for structural reform. Nonetheless, the Shire of Wandering remains committed to the principals of Structural Reform.
Record Keeping Plan The Shire of Wandering is committed to ensure that all staff, contractors and elected members maintain compliant record keeping practices. Accordingly Council continues to maintain a record keeping system to be fully compliant with the relevant legislation.
Other The next twelve months looks to be an exciting period with the finalisation of the fuel facility, refurbishment of shire offices, continued road construction, shire office refurbishments and many more activities budgeted to take place in the 2011/12 financial year.
Martin Whitely Chief Executive Officer