appendix 2 - ipart · 80 years before the birth of the internet. 92% of australians now use the...

1WWW.NORTHERNBEACHES .NSW.GOV.AU

Northern Beaches CouncilVISION AND BLUEPRINT

Appendix 2.1

N O R T H E R N B E A C H E S . N S W . G O V . A U

2 WWW.NORTHERNBEACHES .NSW.GOV.AU

Don, March 2015

“Collectively, it is the most beautiful and comfortable place to live in that I know of.”


HELLO NORTHERN BEACHESNORTHERNBEACHES .SYDNEY | NORTHERNBEACHES.NSW.GOV.AU


Page No. Section

05 Fit for the Future Northern Beaches Council Vision and Blueprint06 Introduction08 HowitBenefitstheCommunity20 WorkingwiththeNSWGovernmentandOrganisations24 Operational Blueprint

CONTENTS


FIT FOR THE FUTURE NORTHERN BEACHES COUNCILVISION AND BLUEPRINT

A new Northern Beaches Council

WarringahCouncilandtheWarringahcommunitystronglyagreewiththerecommendationoftheNSWGovernment’sIndependentLocalGovernmentReview Panel that one new Northern Beaches Council, madefromthebestpartsofManly,WarringahandPittwaterCouncils,wouldcreatethebestscaleandcapacityforlocalgovernmentintheregion.

ThenewCouncilwillbemoreeffectiveanddeliversavingsofover$200millionover10yearsforthecommunity.

WarringahhassoughttoreachanagreementwithPittwaterandManlytomergeviaCouncilresolutions(16Dec2014,24Mar2015and23Jun2015),letters,publicstatements,regionalworkshopsandpersonalapproaches.

TheNorthernBeachesCouncilmodelreceivedwidespreadsupportfromthecommunity.Over4,200respondentsfromacrossthenorthernbeachesprovidedfeedbackstatingtheirpreferenceforlocalgovernmentreform.Thereisverystrongsupportforasinglenorthernbeachescouncil,with69%ofsubmissionsand49%oftelephonerespondentsinfavouroftheunitedmodel.

This Northern Beaches Council Vision and Blueprint identifiesprioritiesandhowitwilltacklecriticalissuesforthecommunitythatrequirearegionalapproachandaddresslocalneedsatthesametime.

AlreadywithanextremelystrongcommunityidentityacrossNSWtheNorthernBeachesisonecommunityofinterest.Celebratinglocalvillagecharacter,andvoicesservicinguniquelocalrequirementsandachievingwidespreaddemocracycanallbeachievedwiththerightgovernancemodel.

TheVisionandBlueprintdemonstrateshowthenewNorthernBeachesCouncilwillworkcloselywiththeNSWGovernmenttoeffectivelyplanforthisregion,thecommunityandthefutureofSydney.

Uniting the Northern Beaches to create anewCouncil...justmakessense.


Blair, March 2015

“It’s so naturally beautiful.”*

Facts on ‘Splitting the NorthernBeaches’ • Theboundaryisunknownand

willbecostlytodrawup

• Itwillcostupto$179mover10years–thehighestofallmergeroptions(SGS,KPMG)

• There is no option for a rates freeze

• Servicestoresidentswillbedisrupted

• Pittwaterratepayerswillbegiftedincome-generatingassetssuchasKimbrikiwhileManlywillinheritcostlyinfrastructure such as Brookvale OvalandWarringahAquaticCentre–creating‘have’and‘havenots’.

• Warringahratepayerswilllikelypayhigherrates


Introduction

Uniting the Northern Beaches communitytocreateanew,professionalandsustainablelocalgovernmentorganisationisneeded.

Sydney’sNorthernBeachesisadistinctcommunitywithsimilarvalues,interestsandneeds.

Aloveofthebeachesandbush,anenjoymentofarelaxedandbalancedlifestylearethingsthatbringustogetherontheNorthernBeachesasexpressedbythemembersofthepublicthroughoutthisVisionpiece.

Onenew,effectiveandefficientNorthernBeachesCouncilwouldbringtogetherthebestofManly,WarringahandPittwaterCouncilsandcouldofferaratefreezeinthefirstthreeyearsfromthe$200millioninsavings.

It would also surpass all the Fit for the Futurebenchmarksby2019/20.

With the focus on the future, a new Northern BeachesCouncilcouldhelpachievethingsthatsmallerorganisationscouldonlydreamof… DeeWhytoChatswoodBusRapidTransportNorthernBeachesUniversityCampusBrookvaleOvalStadiumNorthern Beaches Business and TourismDevelopmentCentreHolisticenvironmentalplanning

“No change is not an option”

“... look beyond today into the future” The Hon. Paul Toole MinisterforLocalGovernment2014and2015

TheIndependentLocalGovernmentReviewPanel(ILGRP)wasrightwhenitsaidoneNorthernBeachesCouncilisthebestandonlyoptionforstructuralreform.Twoindependentstudieshaveshownthiswouldyieldthemostsavingsandbenefitsforthenorthernbeachescommunity.

Citingitsgeographic,economicandsocialties,theILGRPfoundamalgamatingthreeCouncilswouldimprovefinancesandstrategiccapacityaswellasprovideanimportantregionalcontextforcreatingjobs,transport,housingandrecreationalfacilities.

This is in stark contrast with the idea of splitting WarringahCouncilintoPittwaterandManlyCouncils.Thiscouldcostupto$179millionover10yearsandwouldcreatetwoCouncilssmallerthanWarringah’scurrentsize.

SplittingtheNorthernBeachesgoesagainsttheveryheartoftheFitfortheFuturereformprogram.

“The… areas are comparable in all respects – physical, social, cultural, economic and administrative. The strong natural boundaries make it an ideal geographic unit for integrated planning, development, administration and com-munity of interest” LocalGovernmentBoundariesCommission1977(recommendingoneNorthernBeachesCouncil)

“Dividing this Council makes little sense…it is fundamentally flawed.”

“The Panel obviously saw no need for boundary changes on the northern beaches and that the Manly/Pittwater proposal clearly would go against the Panel’s approach.”ProfessorGrahamSansom,IndependentLocalGovernmentReviewPanel2014and2015

*Allcommunitycommentsfrom WarringahCouncilCommunityConsultation,2015


CommonCommunityVisionsAcrosstheNorthernBeaches

AustralianOpenofSurfing,ManlyBeach

LifestyleandrecreationatNarrabeenLagoonMulti-UseTrail

VibrantbeachesandwaterwaysinPittwater


How it Benefits the Community

WhilethepeopleoftheNorthernBeachesareunified bymanythings,thecommunitiesofManly,DeeWhyandPalmBeachhavecelebrateddifferences.

Ourlocalvoiceswouldbestrengthenedunderanewsystemofgovernancewhichsupportsactiveneighbourhoodcommitteesandcommunityboards.

Concernsaboutlosinglocalidentitywillsoonbeforgottenwhenlocalcommunitiesaremoreempoweredtomakedecisionsabouttheirowndestiny–especiallywhentheseactionsareputintoplacewiththehelpofafull-timeMayorandawell-resourcedCouncilorganisation.

• ExistingCustomerServiceCentresmaintainedatAvalon,MonaVale,DeeWhyandManly.

• Expanded24/7onlineservices,shorteningresponsetimes.

• Anindependentombudsmanmanagingcomplaintsandensuringtransparency.

• MonthlyonlineupdatesontheprogressofCouncilprojectsandfinances.

• Elected representatives with strong linkstothecommunityandabilitiesinstrategicandbusinessmanagement.

• StrategicCommitteesonareassuchastheenvironment,transportandcommunityservices.

• Localcommunitybodiestosetservicelevels and allocate resources.

• Greaterpromotionofkeytourismdestinations,suchasManly,andstrongereconomicdevelopment.

Local Voices

Manly – ‘Where natural environment and heritage sustain and complement a vibrant cosmopolitan and community lifestyle.’

Warringah - ‘A vibrant, caring community, thriving in a unique beach and bush environment, supporting a balance of lifestyle, business and recreation.’

Pittwater - ‘To be a vibrant sustainable community of connected villages inspired by bush, beach and water.’


GreatercollaborationwithStateGovernmenttodrivetransportimprovementandaccesstotheNorthernBeaches

Economicdevelopmentandemploymentgrowthinpartnerships(NorthernBeachesCareerExpo,NorthernBeachesBusinessEducationNetwork

Active Seniors


0 5 10 15 20

75+ years

65-74

55-64

45-54

35-44

25-34

12-24

0-11 years

Age and Gender*

1,171

1,248

2,177

4,177

4,917

12,474

7,914

67,011

0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000

Car, as driver

Bus

Work at home

Car as passenger

Walked only

Ferry

Motorbike/scooter

Bicycle

How we get to Work*

Westillrelyheavilyoncarstogettowork.However,thiswillchangeaspublictransportimprovesandmoreofusmakelifestylechoicesandworkfromhome

Economicdevelopmentandemploymentgrowthinpartnerships(NorthernBeachesCareerExpo,NorthernBeachesBusinessEducationNetwork

Therearemoreprofessionalsin the Northern Beaches than anyotheroccupation

*Source: ABS 2011 Census

Wehaveasimilarproportionof pre-schoolersandahigherproportionofpersonsatpostretirementagethangreaterSydney

Who We Are

33%

9%

8%

14%

9%

2%

4%

2%

19%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Not stated

Labourers

Machineryoperator

Sales

Clerical &administrative

Community &personal services

Technicians& trades

Professionals

Managers

Occupations*

Male% Female%

AccessCouncil AnytimeAnywhereA24/7onlineservice centre wouldbeavailableviaweb,tabletandmobiledevice.

For All AgesUsageofmobiledevicesis increasing across all age groups* allowing for serviceimprovementsandgeo-targetingservices along the Northern Beaches.

MobileUsers

Thereisanopportunityfor traditional service areassuchaslibrariestoincreasethecustomerservice offering with approximatelyathirdofservicestillbeingdoneover the counter**ACMA2013/14*

WarringahCouncil2013/14**

bothup 8% in last 12months


TheKALOFYouthapp.Anorthernbeachesinitiative

www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

GrowingsocialmediaandfreeWi-Filocationsacrossthenorthernbeaches

Celebratingthenorthernbeaches Socialmessaging,connectingwithmorelocalresidentseachday57%of55-66yearoldsaredownloadingmore

70% 50%


ANewModelofConnectivitynorthernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Access to a new Northern Beaches Council will beunprecedented.Thelandscapehaschanged.TheLocalGovernmentActwasdevelopedabout80yearsbeforethebirthoftheinternet.92% of Australians now use the internet.* NorthernBeachesresidentshaveaboveaverage internetconnectivity.*** ACMA2013/14*(seeFigB)ABS***

SocialConnectivityandEngagementOnthenorthernbeaches,ourcommunityhas a growing preference for digital communications,includingsocialmedia.AlreadythecombinedsocialmediafootprintofthenorthernbeachescouncilsisthesamesizeasManly’spopulationof45,000.

65+

55-64

45-54

35-44

25-34

18-24

35%

57%

67%

80%

89%

92% 4

4

3

5

13

11

% point change from 2013

Allagesaredownloadingmoreapps*

FigAACMA2013/14*

kalof.com.au-ForYouthbyYouthKALOFYouthTeam,representativeof ages12-24years-aNorthernBeachesinitiativetoengageyouthviaiOSandAndroidApps.

Wi-Fi-WhereWeConnect86%Athome45% At work19%Wi-Fihotspots18%Atfriend’splaceCouncilWi-Fihotspotscouldbeincreasedunder a new Northern Beaches Council.KeyWi-Fipointscouldbeadded,totheportfolioofconnectedcommunitycentres,librariesand villages across the Northern Beaches.

www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

GrowingsocialmediaandfreeWi-Filocationsacrossthenorthernbeaches

Celebratingthenorthernbeaches Socialmessaging,connectingwithmorelocalresidentseachday

+

+

+

=45,000

Northernbeachessocial footprint

NORTHERNBEACHES.NSW.GOV.AU

NORTHERNBEACHES.NSW.GOV.AU


Patricia, March 2015

“Having lived here over 45 years, although I certainly don’t know everyone, we still feel like family.”


RecreationandWellbeing

With a strong focus on recreation, the Northern Beacheshasmorethan150sportsfields,70sporting groups and over 60 schools. A single bookingsystemandfeestructurewouldreduceduplicationandmakeplanningeasierforusers.

• Culturaleventstoattractmoresponsorshipand have stronger purchasing power.

• Arts and culture supported with coordination betweentheatres,galleriesandlibraries.

• TheManlyBoyCharltonSwimCentreandWarringahAquaticCentreprovidingcomplementaryandcost-effectivefacilitiesandprograms.

• Bikepaths,walkingtrailsandbushtrackslinked across the Northern Beaches.

• MajoreventsgrowingacrosscurrentCouncilboundariesandcelebratingmultipledestinations.

• Onelibrarycardandalargerhomelibraryserviceaccessedbyallresidents.

• Onebeachparkingstickertogiveratepayersfreeparkingatallbeaches.

• Youth,aged,multiculturalanddisabilityservicesexpandedwithalargervoiceforadvocacy.

• Councilchildcareservices,alreadysharedbetweenManlyandWarringah,strengthenedandexpanded.


“It is such a great area for bringing up a family - good shops, sports facilities and parks...”Christine, May 2015


EnvironmentandWaste

Theenvironmentwillbenefitthankstounifiedandsmartermanagementofbeaches,stormwater,bushland,ourfourlagoonsandcatchments.

• Investmentinwildlifecorridorsandlinkingreserves;morecapacitytopurchaseland of high conservation value, and reduceweedsandferalanimals.

• Integratedapproachtoprotectingandmaintainingournaturalassetsandabetterchanceforourindigenous heritage and threatened species.

• ImplementationofoneregionalwastesolutionandalternativewastetreatmentatKimbriki,increasingrecyclingandmakingtheregionself-sufficientinwastemanagement.

• Single point of contact for State agencies, emergencyservicesandthecommunityonenvironmentalhazardsandincidents.

• Betterresourcestotacklethebigrisksofnaturaldisasters,coastalerosionandclimatechange.

• Complementaryprogramsfromaward-winningEnvironmentCentresatManly,NarrabeenandKimbrikiandcoordinatedsustainabilityeventsandeducation.

• Greaterprocurementpowertoreduceutilitycostsandresourceuse.


“I love visiting Manly, Freshwater, Avalon and Palm Beach for the day. There is always something to do. I never need to leave the Northern Beaches. We have everything on our doorstep.” Emma, March 2015


BusinessandCommunityGroups

BusinessesandcommunityorganisationswouldimmediatelybenefitbyonlyhavingtodealwithoneCounciladministration,withonesetofrulesandfees. • Creationofadedicated,one-stop-

shoptosupportbusinessandtourismdevelopmentacrosstheregion.

• Morethan50%oftheNorthernBeachesworkforceworkslocally.ThisfigurecouldbemaintainedorstrengthenedwiththedevelopmentofdiversifiedeconomichubssuchasBrookvale,DeeWhy,FrenchsForest,ManlyandMonaVale.

• EconomicgrowthcouldbeincreasedwithpublictransportthatisdirectlylinkedtotheGlobalEconomicCorridorcentresofNorthSydney,ChatswoodandMacquariePark.

• EstablishmentofaNorthernBeachesuniversitycampustoimprovetrainingandkeepyoungpeopleinthearea.

• Onesetofdevelopmentapprovalsand planning rules.

• Streamlinedcommunitygrantprocess.

• EliminatingneedforextralevelsofbureaucracywithSHOROC.

• Strong partnerships with local and regional groups.

‘The positive and proactive stand taken by Warringah Council will be applauded by business who has long argued that 41 councils across Sydney creates unnecessary red tape and duplication of effort.’

PatriciaForsythe,ExecutiveDirector,SydneyBusinessChamber.


“It is a clean and very beautiful environment to be enjoyed and respected by all. The diversity of cultures is growing across the Northern Beaches which brings a wonderful sense of sharing and living in harmony with each other.”Margo, March 2015


Working with the NSW Government and Organisations

Health

• Ensure the precinct around the new Northern Beaches Hospital is a success with theappropriateroads,publictransportandroomforcommercialgrowth.

• One partner with State agencies in the deliveryoflocalandcommunityhealth.

Transport

• One partner for the successful construction of theNorth-SouthBusRapidTransportsystem.

• StrongerlinkstotheGlobalEconomicCorridorwithEast-WestBusRapidTransport and other solutions.

• Roads,parking,footpathsandcyclewayspositionedtobestaccommodateregional plans and funding.

• A joint regional approach to active transport.

HousingandDevelopment

• Greaterabilitytoimplementhousingtargetsandintroduceanappropriatemixofhousingoptionsincludingaffordablehousing.

• Delivering services and facilities for new developments,alongwithtransport,trafficandparkingneeds.

• Streamlined,fasterdevelopmentapprovalprocess.

• Moreresourcingtoensurebuildingactivitiescomplywithapprovalsandsafetystandards.

Environment

• Bettercoordinatedmanagementoffire,floods,stormsandcoastalerosionhazards.

A single partner to help the Statedeliverimprovementstooureconomy,wellbeing,safety,infrastructureandenvironment.


Northern Beaches Organisations

AnewNorthernBeachesCouncilwillbealignedwithexistingcommunitygroupsandGovernmentagencyservices across the Northern Beaches including:

• Surf Life Saving Northern Beaches

• PoliceLocalAreaCommand

• Area Health District

• Headspace

• PoliceCitizensYouthClub

• MarineRescue

• Forest Coach Lines

• CommunityTransport

• Youth Reach

• NorthernSydneyInstituteTAFE

• Sea Eagles

• ManlyDaily


“The Manly, Warringah and Pittwater communities are very closely linked in culture and character and therefore there is no need for three separate councils.”Jill, April 2015

Image: Surf Life rescue boats on the Northern Beaches (Dee Why), Courtesy of William J Hall collection 1890-1930’s


Operational Blueprint

TheNorthernBeachesCouncilhasscaleandcapacityforitsregionandwiderSydneyandwouldsurpassallFitfortheFuturebenchmarksby2019/20.

TheNorthernBeachesisanislandinmetropolitanSydneywithapopulationof238,000whichisexpectedtogrowto307,400by2031.

OneCouncilcanbuildonthebestelementsandexpertiseofManly,PittwaterandWarringah Councils; leveraging the individual strengthsofsystems,processesandpeopleindevelopingahighperformingorganisation.

“We’ve been asked by the State Government to create a stronger local government sector, a combined northern beaches council taking in all three could be very strong. It could play a very important role in Sydney”.ProfessorGrahamSansom,IndependentLocalGovernmentReviewPanel2014

ScaleandCapacity


GreaterCapacityto Address Regional Challenges

Challenge/Priority MoreCapacity

Regional infrastructure √ Integratedtransport,sustainable,withcross-regionallinks √

Housinggrowthandaffordability √Economicgrowth,strategiccentres and links √

Growinglocaljobsandskilled workforce √

Stronger partnership with GovernmenttoaddressprioritiesinMetroStrategyandSubregionalplan

√

Meetsgrowingneedsfordiversecommunityservicesand infrastructure

√

Health services and facilities for the growing population √

Sustainablewasteandenergymanagement √

Protectingourenvironment,catchmentsandbiodiversity √

Managingenvironmentalrisks √


CommunitySupportInsubmissions,theNorthernBeachescommunitytoldWarringah Council their preferred scenarios were:

• 69% Northern Beaches Council

• 20%(StatusQuo)

• 6%ManlyandWarringah

• 2% Pittwater and Warringah

• 3%SplitWarringah

Community’sTopFiveBenefitsMoreefficientandbetteruseofresourcesReduced costsReducedbureaucracyUnifytheNorthernBeachesBetter regional facilities and services

Community’sTopFiveConcernsLocalissuesoverlookedandlossoflocalidentityNone/can’tthinkofanyResource shifting with rates spent elsewhereLoss of representation or local voiceToobureaucraticandlessefficient

TransitionCommitteeArepresentativeTransitionCommitteewillbeestablishedtodefinethegovernancemodelto:

• ensuregeographicalandequitablerepresentation

• provide conduits for local representation

• providetransparencyinbudgetallocation

• deliverrobustsocialandfinancialplanning

TheTransitionCommitteewillberesponsiblefor:

• continuityofservicestothecommunity

• implementationofchangemanagementprocesses

• integrationofsystems,dataandprocesses

• minimisationoftransitioncosts

Theywillalsoberesponsibleforaddressingthekeyconcernsofthecommunity,asseenabove.AnoperationalframeworkwillbedefinedtodeliverandreportperformanceagainsttheBenchmarks.

SGSEconomicsandPlanningexaminedoptionsforlocalgovernmentontheNorthernBeachesin2013and2015.Itexaminedfinancialaspectsaswellasstrategiccapacity,efficiencies,communitiesofinterest,service provision and local representation.

Thekeyfindingswere:

• one Northern Beaches Council was the preferred option, with a score weighted significantlyhigherthanthestatusquo

• a Northern Beaches Council could saveover$200mover10years

• one Northern Beaches Council would retain theidentityandcommunityofinterestassociated with the Northern Beaches

• splittingWarringahwastheworstoutcomefinancially,potentiallycosting$179mover10years.

CostsofFormingaNewOrganisationSGSEconomicsandPlanningassumedcostsof:

• 1.4%oftheoperatingbudgetofthecombiningcouncilsforchangestosystemsandprocesses

• staffredundanciesofanadditional1.0-1.4%willbeoffsetbynaturalstaffattritionandsavings.

• $10.5mtransitionfundingfromNSWGovernment

• savingswithinthefirst3years

• systemandprocessimprovements

• natural staff attrition

• robustplanningandmanagementof the transition.

FinancialandNon-FinancialBenefitsof one Northern Beaches Council


Source:KPMG(2015)IndependentreviewofstructuraloptionsforManlyCouncilandPittwaterCouncil–PartB(page63).

Ratio Benchmark Period

15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20

OperatingPerformance >0% -1.2% 4.2% 4.0% 5.9% 6.4%

Own Source Revenue >60% 90% 89% 90% 92% 93%

Building & Infrastructure Asset Renewal

>100% 138% 101% 106% 103% 104%

Infrastructure Backlog 100% 111% 111% 111% 111% 112%

DebtService


Lynette, March 2015

“Nobody ever wants to move from the Northern Beaches. It is beautiful with access to many different waterways, lots of natural bushland, good services, a great place to bring up kids. I never want to leave here and could not imagine living anywhere else.”


Transition

Thetransitionhasbeenscopedwithastagedapproach to create the new Council.

ATransitionCommitteewouldoverseeteamstoprepareandimplementthemerge.

2016• Agreementonstructureandgovernance.

• Appointmentofanewexecutive.

• ElectionsfornewCouncillorsandMayor.

• Achangemanagementplanwithrelatedresourcingandcommunications.

• Creationofframeworkforcommunityandstaffengagement.

2017 • Developmentofavision,cultureand

CommunityStrategicPlanwiththecommunity,staffandkeystakeholders.

• Beginning of staged integration of finances,systems,staffandassets.

• Coordinated strategic and operational planning for services.

• Newoperationalmodelinplace.


IMAGINETHIS...

Improved playgrounds, sportsfields and parks

Full-time Mayor to meet your needs

Improved waste management and more recycling

Less red tape for businesses and organisations dealing with Council

Extra love for Brookvale Oval

One beach parking sticker for all the northern beaches

One voice to more effectively lobby for better roads and public transport (about time!)

NORTH HEAD

31WWW.NORTHERNBEACHES .NSW.GOV.AUW W W . N O R T H E R N B E A C H E S . N S W . G O V . A U

Environment improved with coordinated management and greater resources

One set of planning rules and faster DA processing

One Council (not three) to manage lagoons and waterways

One voice to work better with State health bodies

Coordinated coastal management and beach services

BARRENJOEY HEAD

40km

Protection of the lifestyle for your children


N O R T H E R N B E A C H E S . N S W . G O V . A UThisdocumenthasbeenproducedbyWarringahCouncil.

ImagesusedwithinthispublicationarecopyrightWarringahCouncilandmustnotbereproduced,copiedordistributed.

appendix 2 - ipart · 80 years before the birth of the internet. 92% of australians now use the...

Documents