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Central Desert Shire2012–13 Annual Report

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Contents

Alcoota Station = EngawalaAtitjere = Harts RangeEngawala = Alcoota StationHarts Range = AtitjereHooker Creek = LajamanuLajamanu = Hooker CreekLaramba = NapperbyMt Allen = YuelamuNapperby = LarambaYuelamu = Mt Allen

List of Alternative Place Names

ABS Australian Bureau of StatisticsBIITE Batchelor Institute of Indigenous

Tertiary EducationCDEP Community Development

Employment ProjectCDSC Central Desert Shire CouncilCEO Chief Executive OfficerCr CouncillorESO Essential Servicer OfficerFaHCSIA Australian Government Department

Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

FTE full-time equivalentHMP Housing Maintenance ProgramHR human resourcesIT information technologyKPI key performance indicatorLGA local government areaLGANT Local Government Association of

the Northern TerritoryLLN Language, Literacy and NumeracyMoU memorandum of understandingNT Northern TerritoryRJCP Remote Jobs and Communities

ProgramSSC Shire Service Centre

List of Shortened Forms

Shire President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Chief Executive Officer’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Our Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Elected Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Local Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Council Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Our Executive Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Organisational Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Our Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Our Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Key Performance Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Our Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Service Delivery Approach and Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Municipal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Community Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Commercial Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Corporate Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Our People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Staff Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Work Health and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Recruitment and Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Workplace Mentoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Staff Training and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Enterprise Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Our Achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Atitjere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Engawala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Lajamanu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Laramba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Nyirripi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Ti Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Yuelamu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Yuendumu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Willowra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Our Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Goal 1: Social and Cultural . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Goal 2: Physical Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Goal 3: Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Goal 4: Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Goal 5: Management and Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Our Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Finance KPIs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Financial Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Finance Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Our VisionTwo ways, one outcome: Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together .

Our MissionTo work together in one spirit, guided by strong leadership and good management to provide high-quality services across the Central Desert Shire .

Our ValuesWe highly value:

● RESPECT, for each other, culture, language, community and environment● STRONG and GOOD LEADERSHIP, applied courageously and uniformly across the

organisation, constantly seeking organisational improvement● TEAMWORK, all working together towards accomplishing common goals● ACCOUNTABILITY, all taking personal responsibility for decisions and actions to achieve

agreed outcomes and standards● INTEGRITY, taking responsibility for honesty, trust and openness in all our actions .

Our GoalsSee page 26 .

Service Delivery CentresAnmatjere (Ti Tree)Phone: 08 8956 9933 Fax: 08 8956 9730Email: anmatjere@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

AtitjerePhone: 08 8956 9787 Fax: 08 8956 9917 Email: atitjere@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

EngawalaPhone: 08 8956 9989 Fax: 08 8956 9976 Email: engawala@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

LajamanuPhone: 08 8975 0886 Fax: 08 8975 0988 Email: lajamanu@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Laramba

OfficeAlice SpringsFreecall: 1300 360 605Phone: 8958 9500

General fax: 08 8958 9501 Fax for Purchase Orders: 08 8958 9502Fax for Payroll: 08 8958 9503Fax for Human Resources: 08 8958 9504 Accounts Payable email: accounts .payable@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Street address: 1 Bagot Street Alice Springs NT 0870

Postal address: PO Box 2257 Alice Springs NT 0871

Email: info@centraldesert .nt .gov .au Website: www .centraldesert .nt .gov .au

CDS Depot Street address (NO MAIL):41 Cameron Street Alice Springs NT 0870

Phone: 08 8959 0700 Fax: 08 8959 0701

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Welcome

On behalf of my fellow Council Members, both past and present, I am pleased to present to you the Central Desert Shire Council’s 2012–13 Annual Report . This year

sees the Council celebrate its fifth birthday and I am proud that I have been associated with the Council over this period, initially as a councillor, then Deputy and now as Shire President .

As I have travelled throughout the Shire, attending Local Boards and visiting community events, I am pleased to see that the Council is making a positive difference to our communities . It is worth reflecting not only on the successes of the past year but also the successes of the past five years as we reach this important birthday .

As this Council model becomes established within communities, Councillors, Local Boards and community members are growing in confidence . We are finding our voice and this voice is growing stronger and stronger .

The Council’s nine Local Boards continue to be a strong and confident voice within community . This year we had a great number of successful Local Boards with 62% of scheduled meetings occurring . With five meetings scheduled in each of our nine communities, our Local Boards provide valuable input into our Council’s operations .

I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for their commitment and contribution during the year . I would also like to thank and encourage our Local Board members to keep up the good work .

Cr Adrian Dixon Shire President

The 2012–13 year has been very productive, with a significant number

of major projects being completed and strategic initiatives being significantly progressed .

I am very proud of what has been achieved this year . The Council has focused on community engagement in all areas . This has seen a significant improvement in Local Board involvement, and thus a strong voice in the communities .

Key ProjectsThe 2012–13 financial year saw the finalisation of the CDEP Extension project, with a large number of major projects being brought to conclusion . Through the financial support of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHSCIA), the Council has been able to deliver:

y resource centres in each community within the Shire

y provision of fire-preparedness training, fire trailers and fire water tanks to a number of communities .

Work has commenced on major upgrades to visitor accommodation facilities in Yuendumu and Lajamanu . These capital upgrades were made possible by the NT Government’s Special Purpose Grants . Other major capital upgrades included the Lajamanu and Laramba Aged Care buildings, water and sewerage to the Yuelamu activity centre, and the construction of an ablution block in Lajamanu .

Shire President’s MessageA number of major road upgrades through the federally funded Roads to Recovery program were undertaken . These include:

y Yuelamu access road y Yuendumu–Nyirripi Road upgrade (upgrade floodway, install soakage detour) y Yuendumu intersection upgrade y Nyirripi airport access road .

Service DeliveryThe Council continues to provide high-quality services across the Shire . The Council’s desire to establish clear service delivery expectations has led to the development of a ‘core services matrix’ for all communities . The matrix has allowed Local Boards to clearly identify core service delivery priorities for each community and keep track of the progress made against these targets . The tool is proving extremely valuable and has been incorporated within the Shire Plan .

Waste has been a major focus for core service delivery within the Council and this focus will continue into the 2013–14 financial year . With financial assistance from the NT Health Department, the Council has led a regional waste management program which has seen significant improvements in the way waste is managed in community sites . Upgrades have occurred to the majority of the Council’s waste facilities and waste segregation has been embraced by the communities .

The Council was successful in tendering for the provision of the Remote Jobs and Communities program for the north-western Alice Springs region and this will allow the Council to continue its ongoing focus on employment and training for community residents .

The Council Youth, Sport and Recreation team has continued its successful programs into communities with the Central Desert Softball competition into its third year . This program provides sporting opportunities for women and is used to reinforce and support education on healthy lifestyles . This year the Council increased its focus on youth and launched a number of programs aimed at this age group . The Youth Tunes Road Show was particularly successful and showcased the talents of the Shire’s young (and not so young) musicians .

Planning for the futureThe Council continues to develop its internal capacity and has been actively establishing long-term plans to guide the Council’s future priorities . Over the past financial year, the Council enacted the following plans and strategies:

y 10-Year Roads Plan y 10-Year Fleet and Plant Replacement Plan y Communication Plan y Customer Service Plan y Tourism Plan .

These plans form part of an overall governance framework which encourages transparency, accountability and good decision making .

I would like to acknowledge and thank the contribution that the Council staff have made to making 2012–13 so successful . I would also like to congratulate the Councillors and all the Local Board members for their tremendous contribution . It is gratifying to see that the Council’s vision; ‘two ways, one outcome: Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together’ is alive within our Council’s communities .

Cathryn Hutton Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Shire President Adrian Dixon, Deputy President Robert Robertson and Director of Community Services John Gaynor travelled to Canberra in late June to meet with government ministers and representatives, opposition spokespersons and departmental officials.

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Our Governance

Our Governance

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PresidentDeputy President until April 2013

Shire Councillors

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Adrian DixonAnmatjere Ward PO Box 137, Alice Springs NT 0872 P 08 8956 8455 F 08 8956 8341 adrian .dixon@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Norbert Jampijinpa PatrickNorthern Tanami Ward CMB Lajamanu via Katherine NT 0852 P 08 8977 1084 F 08 8975 1038 M 0457303503 norbert .patrick@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Robert RobertsonSouthern Tanami Ward LBO, Alice Springs NT 0872 P 08 8956 4000 F 08 8956 4070 robert .robertson@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Councillor Benedy BirdAnmatjere Ward PMB 180, Alice Springs NT 0872 P 08 8956 9989 F 08 8956 9976 benedy .bird@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Councillor Elizabeth BirdAkityarre Ward PO Box 8045, Alice Springs NT 0871 P 08 8956 9779 indiana@reachnet .com .au

Councillor James Jampajimpa Glenn Anmatjere Ward PMB 256 via Alice Springs NT 0871 P 08 8956 9933 F 08 8956 9730 M 0427 535 938 james .glenn@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Councillor William Japanangka JohnsonNorthern Tanami Ward CMB Lajamanu via Katherine NT 0852 P Community 08 8956 8507; 08 8977 1084 Tanami Downs (Robin Lawson, Willie’s wife); 08 8956 8738*/13 F 08 8975 1038 Tanami Downs 08 8956 8574 M 0429 133 925 william .johnson@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Councillor April MartinSouthern Tanami Ward PMB 224, Alice Springs NT 0872 P 08 8956 4820 F 08 8956 4920 april .martin@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Councillor Norbert Jampijinpa PatrickNorthern Tanami Ward CMB Lajamanu via Katherine NT 0852 P 08 8977 1084 F 08 8975 1038 M 0457303503 norbert .patrick@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Councillor Louis Japanangka Schaber Akityarre Ward PMB 86, Alice Springs NT 0872 P 08 8956 9787 F 08 8956 9917 P Community 08 8956 9658 (letting it ring) louis .schaber@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Councillor Jacob SpencerSouthern Tanami Ward PMB 16, Alice Springs NT 0872 P 08 8956 8720 F 08 8956 8739 Jacob .spencer@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Councillor Marlene TilmouthAnmatjere Ward PMB 180, Alice Springs NT 0872 P 08 8956 9989 F 08 8956 9976 marlene .tilmouth@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

Elected MembersOur Council reflects the community and we are proud that 11 of our 12 Councillors are Indigenous .

There have been no changes to the membership of the Central Desert Shire Council Since the general local government election of Councillors in March 2012 . Councillor Norbert Patrick was elected as the Deputy Shire President for a term of 12 months in April 2012 and Cr Robert Robertson took over reigns as Deputy Shire President at the 7 June 2013 Ordinary Council Meeting .

Deputy President elected June 2013

Councillor Georgina Wilson Southern Tanami Ward LBO, Alice Springs NT 0872 P 08 8956 4000 F 08 8956 4070 georgina .wilson@centraldesert .nt .gov .au

The Elected Members of Central Desert Shire Council.

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

COUNCIL

DIRECTORWORKS

DIRECTOR FINANCE &

CORPORATE SERVICES

DIRECTOR COMMUNITY

SERVICES

COMMUNITY

LOCAL BOARDS 9 Communities

STANDING COMMITTEES

Finance and AuditCEO Performance Review

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:• Shire Service Management

• Roads• Waste Management

• Parks & Recreation Facilities• Animal Control• Street Lighting

• Visitor Accommodation• Cemetery Management

• Local Emergency Recovery• Traffic Management

• Weed & Fire Hazard Reduction• Project Management

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:• Finance

• Human Resources• Staff Training

• Customer Service• Territory Housing• Power and Water

• Asset Management• Information Services

• Toursim and Economic Development• Governance

• Public & Corporate Relations• Risk Management

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:• Aged & Disability Services

• Children’s Services• School Nutrition

• Community Media• Domestic Violence & Mediation

• Night Patrol• Youth, Sport and Recreation• Community Development• Library & Cultural Heritage

• Remote Jobs and Communities Program• Post Office Agency and Centrelink

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:• Overall Management• Council Planning and Reporting• Advocacy and Representation • Intergovernmental Relations• Community Planning and Engagement

Our Governance Our Governance

The Council continued to schedule its Ordinary Council meetings every two months, rotating the location of the meetings between the Alice Springs office and the major communities of Lajamanu, Ti Tree, Atitjere and Yuendumu . During this financial year all of the regional meetings were cancelled and rescheduled to Alice Springs due to cultural reasons .

Council Meetings

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Special Council Meetings

Ordinary Council Meetings

Georgina Wilson

Marlene Tilmouth

Jacob Spencer

Louis Schaber

April Martin

William Johnson

James Glenn

Elizabeth Bird

Benedy Bird

Robert Robertson

Norbert Patrick

Adrian Dixon

Local GovernanceCouncil has supported the nine Local Boards meeting across our catchment providing over 100 board position opportunities for the community to be part of local decision making to improve the local community .

In terms of adult representation this equates to one in every 30 adult residents as a representative of the community .

Council had its best result in three years in terms of Local Board attendance, hitting over 60% attendance of target compared to 45% in 2011–12 .

In addition the Northern Territory Government has undertaken extensive consultation to further support local board empowerment and decision making, which Council has endorsed . The regional governance reforms will be implemented in 2013–14 .

Community 2012–13 YTD No.

Engawala 100% 5

Anmatjere 100% 5

Atitjere 100% 4

Laramba 50% 2

Nyirripi 50% 2

Yuelamu 50% 2

Yuendumu 50% 2

Lajamanu 25% 1

Willowra 25% 1

TOTAL 61.3%

Our Executive TeamAs part of a financial sustainability review Council has agreed to changes in Directorates and as of June 2013 operates with three directors to focus on improved service delivery and integrated planning .

As a result, the new organisation structure (opposite) focuses on improved service management and supervision at the community level with standards, policy and procedure development across all sites .

Organisational StructureThe following organisational structure illustrates the various services provided under each Directorate .

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Our Community

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Central Desert Shire is a major employer in the region, employing over 210 staff in the community – many of whom are local .

We are proud of our achievement that as of the 30 June 2013 the total proportion of Indigenous staff is 69% .

The map of the Central Desert Region, below, shows our nine shire service delivery centres .

Services were delivered to an estimated resident population of approximately 4331 people, broken down as follows .

Our Community

Locality Population

Greater Regional Anmatjere* 540

Ti Tree 143

Wilora 129

Willowra 253

Engawala 167

Harts Range Region (excluding Engawala) 460

Lajamanu 755

Laramba 292

Nyirripi 246

Tanami Region (excluding Lajamanu and Nyirripi 320

Yuelamu 236

Yuendumu 790

Total LGA of Central Desert 4331

The table is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), data available on request .

*The SSC of Greater Regional Anmatjere is not entirely contained within the LGA of Central Desert, so reduced by 81 people to ensure sum to LGA total .

The Northern Territory Government and the NT Grants Commission use ABS Estimated Resident Population figures when representing population .

The Central Desert Shire

Location of Central Desert Shire within the Northern Territory

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Our Performance

The Council is proud of its achievements in 2012–13 . Here are a few of the highlights .

Our PerformanceKey Performance Indicators

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The following is a summary of our key performance indicators (KPIs) for 2012–13 .

KPI Result Indicator

Percentage of Corporate Plan Actions achieved within designated timeframes . CDS had over 160 action in 2012–13 reported in our Corporate Plan .

Greater than 90%

Compliance with the CDSC 10-Year Roads Work Plan . 100%

Percentage of Territory Housing repairs and maintenance completed .Calculated as the number of work orders completed as a percentage of the work orders issued .

99%

Plant and vehicles serviceable . Calculated as the number of items of plant and vehicles in operation as a percentage of the establishment .

Currently estimated at 95%

Indigenous employment rate . 69%

Compliance with Waste Management Strategy .The number of Service Delivery Centres compliant with CDSC Waste Management Strategy .

100%

Community services delivered in accordance with the grant conditions . 100% Compliance

Number of Scheduled Local Board Meetings successfully conducted . Average 61%

Performance Management Reviews are undertaken in a timely manner . 52%

Staff turnover . 32%

Health and safety .Lost-time injury rate . Calculated as the total number of hours lost through injury over the total number of labour hours .

0 .67%

Compliance with statutory and legislative requirements . 100% compliant

69% of Indigenous employees as of 30 June 2013 .

Over 85 200 bins collected .

All 9 community rubbish dumps upgraded in 2012–13 .

1240 km unsealed roads graded .

36 914 meals prepared and delivered to aged and disability clients .

Over 25% increase in Local Board Meetings held (61 .3% in 2012–13 from 46% in 2011–12) .

2012 housing maintenance and repairs completed .

2591 activities delivered by the Youth, Sport and Recreation program .

118 females participated in annual CDS Softball Championship .

2463 hours of live radio broadcasted by the CDS Media Officers .

126 frail aged residents received Aged Care services .

Over 3000 night patrols provided to ensure community safety .

41 172 meals prepared and delivered by School Nutrition program for children .

6936 water samples gathered to ensure quality water supplies at 8 communities .

6024 power generator reads to ensure power supply to eight communities .

Over 1280 dogs treated as part of the Animal Management program .

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Our Services

Municipal ServicesAll service delivery centres provide the following core municipal services:

y Rubbish collection service / landfill and waste management (including litter reduction) .

y Maintenance and upgrade of Council-controlled parks, ovals, reserves and open spaces .

y Cemetery management . y Support of Local Boards . y Companion animal welfare and control . y Local emergency recovery management . y Local road maintenance of over 2070 km of dirt road .

y Traffic management . y Weed control and fire hazard reduction .

Our ServicesCommunity ServicesThe following community services are provided on behalf of other government agencies on a grant basis.

Children’s Services y Operation of long day-care childcare centres in Yuendumu and Laramba.

y Operation of crèche services in Nyirripi, Yuelamu and Atitjere.

y Provision of playgroup service in Yuendumu.

y Provision of school nutrition programs in Willowra, Wilora, Engawala, Yuelamu, Nyirripi and Laramba.

Aged Care and Disability Services

y Delivery of aged and disability care services to 126 people living in Ti Tree (including Wilora), Yuelamu, Laramba, Nyirripi, and Lajamanu, including personal care, respite care, meals on wheels and transport services.

Night Patrol Services y Operation of 13 night patrol crews consisting of four officers per crew to assist community safety in Lajamanu (x2), Yuendumu (x2), Willowra, Nyirripi, Yuelamu, Laramba, Wilora, Nturiya, Pmara Jutunta, Engawala and Atitjere.

y Assistance with special events in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and neighbouring communities where Central Desert Shire residents are active participants or are highly represented; for example, sports weekends and cultural events.

Youth Sport and Community Services

y Provision of youth services and recreation activities in the communities of Atitjere, Engawala, Ti Tree, Laramba, Yuelamu and Lajamanu.

y Support and management of radio services in the communities of Engawala, Yuelamu and Lajamanu.

y Management of public libraries in the communities of Ti Tree and Lajamanu.

y Australia Post services in all communities.

y Provision of domestic violence and mediation service in Yuendumu.

Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) (RJCP from 2013)

y Delivery of various CDEP to 240 people across the Shire communities to build work readiness and resilience, develop labour market skills, and build community and individual capacity. Note that this program was officially abolished by the Australian Government of 30 June 2013 and replaced by the Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP).

Job Search Australia y Delivery of job search assistance for 80 unemployed people living in Atitjere, Engawala and Mulga Bore, including work-readiness training, job placements and support services. Note that this program was officially abolished by the Australian Government of 30 June 2013 and replaced by the RJCP.

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Service Delivery Approach and ProfileCouncil agreed to focus on setting service standards and keeping a log of all community requests in the future, and work is being progressed to ensure this becomes part of ongoing practice .

Council’s service range and profile is broad and includes a range of municipal and community services for each of its nine communities, mostly via our service delivery centres, with support as required via our Alice Springs office .

Our service delivery centres are located at Engawala, Atitjere, Lajamanu, Laramba, Nyirripi, Ti Tree, Willowra, Yuelamu and Yuendumu .

Our ranges of service provided in 2012–13 are summarised in the following pages .

Commercial ServicesThe following services are provided based on various commercial contracts:

y Public housing repairs and maintenance on behalf of Territory Housing.

y Maintenance of power supply and generators for all communities, apart from Laramba where it is provided by another contractor.

y Maintenance of water supply and water quality for all communities, apart from Laramba where it is provided by another contractor.

y Maintenance of sewerage treatment facilities.

y Maintenance of airstrips and support for emergency evacuation.

y The new Remote Community Jobs Program for five communities.

y Yuendumu post office contract and other postal services on behalf of Australia post.

Corporate ServicesThe above services are supported by corporate staff in the areas of human resources, finance, asset management, information technology, records, planning and governance to ensure quality services can be provided.

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Our People

Work Health and SafetyThe introduction of the new national work health and safety legislation has meant significant work by the organisation and all staff to ensure we have systems in place to ensure a safe environment for all .

CDS enhanced Work Health and Safety Management compliance as per the new national legislation . We saw a great result in the reduction in employee work time lost due to work injury by over 50% . A great result by all .

Recruitment and RetentionThe yearly voluntary staff turnover rate of 32% was below our target of 35% .

During the financial year a total of 125 roles were advertised, with 121 filled across all the Service Delivery Centres of the Council . Factors affecting retention and attraction were identified and measures to systematically address them were put in place . Cross-cultural training continued to be offered to all new non-Indigenous staff within stipulated timelines .

Workplace MentoringThe Council recognises that working in remote communities can be problematic for staff and actively mentors and supports Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff across all of its workplaces . The mentor program is designed to improve staff retention and assist staff to fulfil employment expectations . Workplace mentors provided:

y staff support interviews y conflict mediation y toolbox training and induction support y assistance to supervisors and managers on HR issues .

Staff Training and DevelopmentA total of 96 employees from across all the Service Delivery Centres of the Shire Council went through relevant job-specific training and development . Some of the courses undertaken are listed in the table below .

Enterprise AgreementThe Shire Council’s second Enterprise Agreement was negotiated during 2012–13; it was approved by staff and then approved by the Fair Work Commission .

Our People

Our staff are our greatest asset . We provide strategic and aligned human resource (HR) service, advice and support

in the areas of recruitment, training, work health and safety, industrial/employee relations, change management and strategic human resources .

Our HR team has provided significant leadership and achieved various outcomes in the year including:

y successfully ensuring the enterprise agreement was approved y reducing voluntary staff turnover to 32% below target of KPI of 35%

y supporting an increase in Indigenous staff to 69% of total staff y reducing in employee time lost due to injury by over 50% .

Staff ProfileAs of June 2013:

Total staff 270 .7 full-time equivalent (FTE)

Core 94 .49 FTE

Agency and commercial 176 .21 FTE

As of June 30 2013, 69% of the workforce was Indigenous and 82% of staff based in community .

Course Numbers

Cert 3 Community Services/HACC/Aged Care 5

Cert 2 in Community Services 19

Cert 3 in Children’s Services 6

Cert 2 in Children’s Services 18

Cert II Sport and Recreation 4

Cert IV Sport and Recreation 2

Cert IV Frontline Management 11

Certificate II in Electro-technology, Remote Area ESO 11

Cert I Construction 3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% Indigenous employment (excluding CDEP)

% Indigenous employment (including CDEP)

JUNE 13MAY 13MAR 13JAN 2013NOV 2012SEP 2012JULY 2012

REPORTING PERIOD

PERC

ENTA

GE O

F TO

TAL

EMPL

OYM

ENT

Location of staff 2013

Community

Main office

82%

18%

Indigenous employment 2013

15

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Our Achievements

NuMbER OF STAFF: 30

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 80%

LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: Leo Hemara, Kyle Dunn, Benny Pope, Louise Webb, Kate McMaster, Edward Duffill, Rosalie Petrick, Joseph Webb, Billy Liddle, Cecilia Schaber, Joanne Peckham and Peppi Drover .

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Louis Schaber, Cr Liz Bird

An vitiu quo vicerei perit.

Community Achievements y Centre Park established, including playground, water, fencing, and lights .

y Car bodies cleaned up from around community . y Firebreaks upgraded . y One family cemetery fenced and upgraded . y Oval hill established for spectator viewing . y Centrelink office moved into Council office for better service provision .

y Public laundry established near childcare centre . y Three youth, sport and recreation staff members obtained their Active After-Schools Community Coach certificate from the Australian Sports Commission .

y Completion of consultations and preparation for delivery of new childcare building .

y Activity Centre completed and fitted out . y Fire trailers delivered to community for fire preparedness . y Fire Preparedness training delivered . y 100% of Local Board meetings were held .

Our Achievements

On the following pages we highlight our specific achievements for each

community for 2012–13 . Our major highlights include:

Atitjere

y Successful Fire Preparedness Program delivered in communities . This program has delivered water trailers and trucks, fire-fighting water tanks and a grader for fire prevention and management .

y Completed CDEP Activity Centres in 9 communities for use by local and visiting trainers and community groups .

y Established Central Australian Waste Management Program across three southern NT Shires .

y Upgraded 8 of 12 community landfills to best practice standard . y Completed 6 major Roads to Recovery road upgrades ($1 .2 million total) .

y Established all-Indigenous western road-grading crew . y Laramba Childcare building upgraded to meet standards at a cost of $220,000 .

y Removed car bodies from most communities . y Yuendumu Mediation Program assisted the community to surpass 304 days of peace (at 30 June 2013) .

y Upgrade of the Yuelamu sport and recreation facilities . y Willowra and Nyirripi basketball lights upgrades . y Recipient of the ‘Rising Heart’ award for community health promotion activities as part of the successful Central Desert Softball Championship .

2013 was the 50th anniversary of the Yuendumu Sports Weekend.

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Our Achievements

NuMbER OF STAFF: 14

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 85%

LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: David Rogers, Peter Dunn, Kevin Bloomfield, Terry Drover, Sarah Williams, Carl Inkamala, Joy Turner, Barbara Tilmouth, Nancy Tilmouth, Cathy Bloomfield, Riley Williams, Priscilla Williams, David Bird and Anton Drover

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Adrian Dixon, Cr James Glenn, Cr Benedy Bird and Cr Marlene Tilmouth

Community Achievements y Basketball lights and switching upgraded . y Council office air-conditioning upgraded . y Local Indigenous Youth, Sport and Recreation Officer graduated from Charles Darwin University with a Certificate II in Sport and Recreation .

y A new radio broadcasting facility was installed and is now operational in partnership with PAW Media .

y School Nutrition Program prepared and delivered in excess of 5600 meals to school-aged kids, and was involved in ‘Engawala School Celebration Day’ with wok cooking and talking about healthy lifestyles .

y School Nutrition Program facility and the Women’s Centre received a kitchen upgrade to meet environmental health standards .

y Implementation of the Child Care Food Safety Plan . y Activity Centre completed and fitted out . y Fire trailers delivered to community for fire preparedness . y Fire Preparedness Training delivered . y 100% of Local Board meetings were held .

Lajamanu

Community Achievements y Upgrades to two Lajamanu ovals . y Car bodies and legacy waste removed from around community . y Successful Clean Up Day, March 2013 . y New landfill pit excavated, new public drop-off area established, old pit on Wave Hill Station rehabilitated .

y Opening of new Centrelink office as part of main admin building . y Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established with Wave Hill Station for ongoing use of landfill and cemetery on their pastoral lease .

y Speed humps installed . y Media Officers received Remote Media Awards for their expertise in broadcasting .

y Centrelink office upgrade completed . y New verandah for Lajamanu Aged Care Centre completed . y Implementation of the Aged Care Food Safety Plan . y Aged Care participation in Quality Review Program . y Activity Centre completed and fitted out . y Fire truck delivered to community for fire preparedness . y Fire Preparedness Training delivered .

clockwise from top: Engawala Clean Up Day 2013; Local Board members receive certificates of appreciation; lunch is prepared at the Women’s Centre; new tiling in the activity centre.

top: Craig Patterson, Hector Patterson, Michael Erglis, Lionel Wilson at work installing landfill entry grid. middle and bottom: Lajamanu market garden had a bumper watermelon crop.

Engawala

NuMbER OF STAFF: 31

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 83%

LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: Sharon Anderson-Long, Doris Lewis, Robyn Lawson, Robert George, Joe Marshall, Shane White, Maxwell Tasman, Biddy Long, Elizabeth Ross and Nita Patrick .

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Norbert Patrick and Cr Willie Johnson .

Our Achievements

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Our AchievementsOur Achievements

Laramba

top to bottom: Fire Preparedness Training; Youth Tunes Roadshow visited Laramba; putting Fire Preparedness Training to the test.

NuMbER OF STAFF: 25

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 80%

LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: Ben Gallagher, Cr Jacob Spencer, Colin Gibson, Valerie Morris, Lance Turner, Douglas Wilson, Marshall Poulson, Micah Hudson, Alice Henwood, Lyle Gibson and Timothy Marshall .

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Jacob Spencer, Cr Robert Robertson, Cr Georgina Wilson, Cr April Martin .

Community Achievements y Depot shed upgraded and completed new depot fenced compound .

y Street name signs, directional signs and building signs erected in all locations .

y Basketball court lights upgraded . y Landfill upgraded, including new pits, fencing and waste segregation facilities .

y Aged Care participation in Quality Review Program . y Implementation of the Childcare and Aged Care Food Safety Plan . y School Nutrition programs now cooking meals for crèche services to meet Environmental Health requirements .

y School Nutrition Program prepared and delivered 4320 meals to school-aged children .

y Activity Centre completed and fitted out . y Fire trailer delivered to community for fire preparedness . y Fire Preparedness Training delivered .

top to bottom: Nyirripi from the air; the Nyirripi sacred sites bypass road is officially opened; Nyirripi cemetery.

Community Achievements y Cemetery upgraded . y Computer labs installed in partnership with CAYLUS and SKYS . y Landfill upgraded with fencing and waste segregation facilities . y The second ‘community on tour’ of the CDS Youth Tunes Roadshow, held over the Easter school holidays as part of National Youth Week .

y Childcare building upgraded to meet standards, at a cost of $220 000 .

y School Nutrition Program moved from Aged Care to the school to improve the eating area for school kids .

y School Nutrition Program prepared and delivered in excess of 10 900 meals to school-aged kids .

y Aged Care participation in Quality Review Program . y Implementation of the Child Care and Aged Care Food Safety Plan .

y Activity Centre completed and fitted out . y Fire trailers delivered to community for fire preparedness . y Fire Preparedness Training delivered .

NuMbER OF STAFF: 19

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 84%

LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: Stephen Maney, Ron Hagan, Huckitta Lynch, Ronnie McNamara, Amy Stafford, Jamsie Stafford, Peter Stafford, Billy Briscoe, Debbie Williams, Caesar Tilmouth and Stephen Briscoe .

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Adrian Dixon, Cr Benedy Bird, Cr James Glenn, Cr Marlene Tilmouth .

Nyirripi

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Our Achievements Our Achievements

Yuelamu

NuMbER OF STAFF: 22

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 90%

LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: David McCormack, David Stafford, Billy Stafford, Gibson Long, Mack Murphy, Melissa Morton, Lilly Stafford, Una Tilmouth, Stella Bambra, Billy Jr Stafford, Grace Tilmouth and Sharon Briscoe .

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Adrian Dixon, Cr Benedy Bird, Cr James Glenn, Cr Marlene Tilmouth .

Ti Tree

Community Achievements y Youth, sport and recreation facility upgrade to include a recreation hall, training room and undercover basketball court .

y Water connection to basketball stadium and football oval . y All car bodies removed from within community . y Playground erected in south of community, water supply connected, trees planted .

y Cemetery fencing and road signage improved . y Computer labs installed in partnership with CAYLUS and SKYS . y Bitumen reseal of several streets, including sealing hill road . y Landfill upgraded . y Yuelamu Eagles – 2012 Shire Softball Champions won the Community Division of the NT Softball Championships in Darwin, supported by CDSC .

y Upgrade of Aged Care Centre to include new kitchen appliances and activities room .

y Aged Care participation in Quality Review Program . y Aged Care and School Nutrition Kitchen upgraded to meet environmental health standards .

y School Nutrition program now cooking meals for crèche services to meet environmental health requirements .

y School Nutrition Program prepared and delivered 10 580 meals to school-aged children .

y Activity Centre commenced (completed August 2013) . y Fire trailers delivered to community for fire preparedness . y Fire Preparedness Training delivered .

The Ti Tree office provides services to Ti Tree town, Nturiya, Pmara Jutunta, Six Mile, Alyuen and Wilora .

NuMbER OF STAFF: 36

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 88%

LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: Dean Pepperill, Jimmy Haines, Hannes Rosslee, Randy Morton, Kerrie Sankey, Comet Fishhook, Tony Warn, Tony Scrutton and Rodney Baird .

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Adrian Dixon, Cr Benedy Bird, Cr James Glenn, Cr Marlene Tilmouth .

Community Achievements y Landfills upgraded in Ti Tree town and Pmara Jutunta . y Street name signs completed at all communities . y Speed and traffic control devices placed in Pmara Jutunta and Wilora .

y Lights at basketball court . y Oval irrigation at Ti Tree town re-established, giving green playing surface .

y Territory Tidy Towns clean-up competition held across the region, won by Pmara Jutunta .

y Ti Tree Celtics – first CDS team to compete in the community division of the Imparja Cup – a national Indigenous cricket tournament .

y Aged Care participation in Quality Review Program . y Ti Tree Aged Care services have been delivered to Nturiya, Pmara Jutunta, Six Mile, Alyuen and Wilora .

y Alyuen provided with Aged Care meal delivery service – 1300 meals delivered for old people .

y Activity Centre completed and fitted out . y Fire truck and fire trailers delivered to community for fire preparedness .

y Fire Preparedness Training delivered . y School Nutrition Program delivered 1244 meals to Wilora community .

y 100% of Local Board meetings were held .

top to bottom: The Ti Tree Celtics were the first team from CDS to compete in the Imparja Cup; new landfill site at Six Mile; Ti Tree Aged Care services delivered 1300 meals in 2012–13.

top to bottom: Yuelamu Aged Care take a bush trip; local crew undertaking repairs and maintenance work.

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Our AchievementsOur Achievements

25

Willowra

NuMbER OF STAFF: 21

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 80%

WILLOWRA LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: Marjorie Brown, Kathy Walker, Barbara Williams, Jeanie Presley, Elwyn Jurrah, Ernest Haines, Lillian Long and Jodie Anne Walker .

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Jacob Spencer, Cr Robert Robertson, Cr Georgina Wilson, Cr April Martin .

Yuendumu

Community Achievements y Basketball court lights upgrade In partnership with CAYLUS . y Landfill upgraded . y Wheelie bins per household increased from one to two . y Two hard-waste trailers provided for households averaging three full trailers a week .

y Shire Office fenced and front yard grassed, improving aesthetics . y Old legacy rubbish piles cleaned up inside community . y School Nutrition Program prepared and delivered over 8600 meals to school aged children .

y Activity Centre completed and fitted out . y Fire trailers delivered to community for fire preparedness . y Fire preparedness training delivered

NuMbER OF STAFF: 47

PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENOuS STAFF: 78%

YuENDuMu LOCAL bOARD MEMbERS: Tommy Watson, Otto Simms, Francis Kelly, Warren Williams, Brian Wilson, Maisie Wayne, Nellie Wayne, Jean Brown, Reva Dickson, Valerie Martin, Cecilia Alfonso and Malcolm Wall .

WARD COuNCILLORS: Cr Jacob Spencer, Cr Robert Robertson, Cr Georgina Wilson, Cr April Martin .

Community Achievements y Landfill upgraded, including asbestos-disposal pit approval .

y Legacy (old) waste piles partially cleaned up around the community .

y Cemetery perimeter fencing upgraded . y Road intersection at Consiton Street upgraded .

y Vet services provided by Warlukurlangu Artists, supported by Council .

y Mediation and Justice Committee active participation in building and maintaining peace in the community . 304 days of continuous peace as at 30 June 2013 . Preparation for celebration of a year of peace in the community .

y Whole-of-community Careers Expo . y Whole-of-community School Christmas Party .

y Employment of Early Childhood Area Coordinator to further support Childcare and Playgroup across Nyirripi, Yuendumu and Yuelamu .

y Playgroup created and signed off on communication protocols and an MOU with ‘Families As First Teachers’ to build positive relationships with community stakeholders .

y Playgroup running from the pool on Fridays (weather permitting) .

y Activity Centre completed and fitted out . y Fire truck and fire trailer delivered to community for fire preparedness .

y Fire Preparedness Training delivered .

top to bottom: local crew undertaking repairs and maintenance work; the new CDEP Activity Centre opened in February; resealing the streets of Yuelamu.

clockwise from top: Yuendumu Christmas Concert; landfill; Yuendumu elders and leaders with Tim Reddel, Deputy Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services, meet as part of community mediation; Yuendumu Fun Day.

Our Goals Our Goals

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Goal 1: Social and Cultural

Children’s ServicesThe Children Services Management team implemented a number of improved practices and procedures across all Children’s Services Programs, including cleaning procedures, chemical-handling procedures, nappy-changing procedures, evacuation procedures, mandatory reporting processes, working with children checks and police checks .

The program worked closely with environmental health to improve hygiene practices and implemented a number of facility modifications to meet health regulations, both in Children’s Services and School Nutrition Programs .

The program coordinated a large number of community consultations with builders, architects and funding bodies regarding new buildings at Atitjere, Yuelamu and Yuendumu to ensure the community voice was heard and implemented into building design, and ensured that Local Boards were up to date with information and had the opportunity to have input .

The School Nutrition Programs have increased support through employment of a School Nutrition Officer .

A total of 41 172 meals were prepared and delivered by the School Nutrition Program across six communities .

The Children’s Services Program worked with Aged Care and Youth Sport and Recreation to develop the Central Desert Shire Food Safety Plan . The program has embedded these new practices into the regular training package created with Axford Remote Training to ensure ongoing quality of service .

Across all 12 services the Program Manager has conducted a full evaluation of individual children’s services, and assessed, created and commenced implementation of a children’s service restructure to increase staff supervision and support on the ground for Childcare, Crèche, Playgroup and School Nutrition programs .

Aged CareAged Care services were delivered to 126 frail aged and disabled clients living in the CDS region . A total of 36 914 meals were prepared and delivered to aged and disability clients throughout the year .

In consultation with the Australia Government Department of Health and Ageing, the Aged and Disability program completed a Quality Review Plan to guide the implementation of a continuous improvement program . The Food Safety Plan was successfully developed and implemented across our Aged Care services .

Night PatrolIn excess of 3000 Night Patrols were delivered across all communities in the Central Desert Shire Region .

A satellite vehicle-monitoring system was purchased and installation into all vehicles commenced .

Goal 1: Social and Cultural Maintain and improve the health, culture and wellbeing of the community

Eastern Arrernte: Mwantyele rlkerte akerte arnte-arnte aremele akangkentyele aknangentyele tyerrtye Ingkerreke mwerre anenhewerretye akert arlke aremele . Arnte-arnte aremele interre iteremele rlkerte kenge akerte arlke akngantyeke arlke tyerrtye akerteke ampere itne kenhe itne arle anemeke arlke .

Anmatjere: Tyerretye mwarre arrkwetyeke,pmere mwarre arrkwetyeke, anfketyeke mwarre arrkwetyeke, kwerrenhe mwarre arrkwetyeke, Ingkerreke mwarre anetyeke .

Warlpiri: Jukurrpala manyungka palypuru nyinanjaku ngurrangka .

Goal 2: Physical Assets Well-managed and well-maintained physical infrastructure

Eastern Arrernte: Mwantyele arnte-arnte areme ampere iwenhe apeke renhe ingekerreke-ke alakenhe akwele .

Anamtjere: Mwarre arnte arnte areme, atemele, mpwareme, mwarre arrkwete anetyeke .

Warlpiri: Murlparlu warra-warra kanjaku, warrki-kirlangu nyiya kanti-kanti .

Goal 3: Economy A dynamic and growing economy with strong local employment

Eastern Arrernte: Ilyempenye anthurre amangele arle aneme mane mpwarelte anamele warrke arlke atningke akertele .

Anmatjere: Kwen yanhe akwete arrwetyeke . Economy amangke le leme . Warreke a,amgke le leme, tyerretye ke .

Warlpiri: Nguru warlalja warrki nyiyaku . Wiri maninjaku ngurraju .

Goal 4: Environment A region that respects, protects and looks after its natural and built environment

Eastern Arrernte: Agelhe anteke ingkerrekele arle arnte-arnte anthurre renhe, mwantyele ampere ahelhe anteke arerlte anemele .

Anmatjere: Pmere atemele, pmere nhen arnte arnte aremele . Rubetyr kwetyemele iwetyeke, pmere mwarre arrkwetyeke .

Warlpiri: Murlparlu warra-warra kanjaku nguru warlalja .

Goal 5: Democracy and Governance Good leadership, effective advocacy and high quality services supported by good management practices

Eastern Arrernte: Ilyenpenye anthurrele akwele arnte-arnte arerlte anetyenhele mwantyele iterremele ilemele anthemele arlke services mwerre anthurre renhe itne apurtele nhenhe ikwerele arle warrke-irreme itne ingkerrekele .

Anmatjere: Tyerretye mwarre atningkele angketye, anyinte awemele mpwareme, nhenge rikarlhe mpwareme . Tyerretye mwarre arnte arnte aremele akaltyele .

Warlpiri: Nguru warlalja pirrjirdi mardaka .

Our Goals

top: Yuendumu Fun Day.above: Aged Care workers.

Our Goals

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Our Goals

Youth, Sport and RecreationThe Youth, Sport and Recreation program delivered a combination of after-school, vacation care, youth, sport, recreation, art and cultural activities in Atitjere, Engawala, Lajamanu, Yuelamu, Laramba and Ti Tree .

Under a partnership arrangement with the Walpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation, Youth, Sport and Recreation programs were delivered in Willowra and Nyirripi .

The program worked closely with Central Australia Youth Link Up Services to deliver sport and recreation infrastructure to many communities in the region and enhance service delivery through the provision of operational funding .

The program received a Rising Heart Encouragement Award through the Heart Foundation Local Government Awards for its efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles and healthy choices .

A total of 2591 activities were delivered by the program across eight communities; 118 female community members participated in the annual CDS Softball Championships .

Australia Post The Shire is the main provider of postal services to all of our communities, with the exception of Ti Tree . The Yuendumu Post Office is the only licensed post office in the region .

CentrelinkThe Centrelink service centres of the Shire are fully staffed in the eight communities where they are located . Agents receive training on an ongoing basis . The use of self-help facilities are promoted to ensure an efficient and equitable service .

The Harts Range Races.

Community EventsThe Central Desert Shire is a proud supporter of numerous annual community events such as Aileron Races, Harts Range Races and a number of community sports weekends that are held during the school holidays .

The Shire is also proud to host the annual CDS Softball Championship to provide women with the opportunity to participate in structured sporting competition and a pathway for further representation .

Community MediaBroadcasting services across the Shire are delivered by community broadcasters and retransmission sites . The Shire enjoys a professional relationship with PAW Media and Communications as the Remote Indigenous Media Organisation for the Shire .

In all, 2463 hours of live radio was broadcast by the CDS Media Officers .

Domestic ViolenceThe Domestic Violence and Mediation Programs in Yuendumu work closely with FaHCSIA, night patrol and the community to support the residents of Yuendumu in finding positive pathways and increase community safety .

Library ServicesIn partnership with NT Libraries, the Shire manages the operation of two public library services: one in Ti Tree and another in Lajamanu . The services in the libraries are improved all the time and both libraries now have access to My Story social history databases .

top to bottom: 2013 was the 50th anniversary of the Yuendumu Sports Weekend; the Shire’s Sport and Recreation team; the Ti Tree Celtic Cricket club were the first team from the Shire to compete in the Imparja Cup.

Our Goals Our Goals

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Our Goals

Goal 2: Physical Assets

Asset ManagementThe 2012–13 year saw a significant upgrade of Council’s rubbish collection plant through the purchase of two new purpose-built 3-tonne tipping trucks (Ti Tree and Yuendumu) and two new purpose-built rubbish tipping trailers (Nyirripi and Yuelamu) . These purchases almost complete the upgrade of Council’s rubbish collection plant, with only the rubbish compactor at Lajamanu remaining in the scheduled replacement program; this replacement is planned for the 2014–15 financial year .

A further three new 2-tonne tippers (Laramba, Willowra and Yuelamu), one new 3-tonne tipper (Atitjere), two used backhoes (Lajamanu and Willowra) and five 4x4 light utility vehicles were purchased as part of Council’s core services fleet renewal plan .

The year also saw a successful program of disposals . A number old and disused items of fleet and plant were collected and disposed from service delivery centres and culminated in an on-site auction at Lajamanu . The success of the onsite auction has seen the Lajamanu depot transformed from a cluttered storage yard of old and disused plant and equipment to a more efficient, spacious and safe work site .

Road Maintenance and upgradesCouncil established an all-Indigenous road crew in 2012–13, based out of Yuendumu, to service the 1690 km of Council-managed unsealed roads around Nyirripi, Yuendumu, Yuelamu, Laramba and Willowra . The team completed its scheduled grading program, covering 1240 km of roads, maintaining a good quality network for residents and visitors to use . Contract or Shire graders are used around other Service Centres .

Major Roads to Recovery projects were completed at six sites to the value of $1 .2 million, including Yuelamu access road upgrade; Yuelamu internal road reseals; Yuendumu internal road intersection replacement; Nyirripi access road upgrade at soakage and floodway; and Willowra and Nyirripi airport road upgrades .

Outstations and HomelandsThe Central Desert Shire Council is contracted by the NT Government to assist 18 occupied outstations with power and water provision, sewage management, road maintenance, waste disposal, dog control, fire management, dust control and environmental health activities . The Council also provides housing maintenance support to 75 houses in these 18 outstations .

Reliable water and power supplies remained a priority through the year . We upgraded several bores during the year due to failure and in this process we moved towards a standardised specification for bore pumps and equipment . This means that we are better equipped to deal with water outages in the future . Karrinyarra bore failed in May 2013, and a new borehole was drilled next to it . Funding was secured in June 2013 for a new bore at Alyuen outstation, with works expected to be complete by Christmas 2013 . Bushlight solar power supplies all continue to operate reliably, with the ongoing commitment from Bushlight and CDSC to maintain and protect these assets .

We have maintained our commitments in regards to scheduled visits for plumbing and electrical throughout the year, with each occupied outstation house receiving six-monthly visits from these trades and any work or upgrade completed . We will continue to support outstations in this way as doing so means there are less urgent call outs and issues with water and power supply .

Firebreaks have been maintained to a high level, and no significant fire incidents occurred during the year .

From May 2013, day-to-day support for outstation infrastructure reverted to local Works crews stationed in nearby communities, providing a faster, more responsive service .

Repairs and Maintenance for Territory Housing The Council manages a repairs and maintenance program for Territory Housing to all communities throughout the Shire . The program focuses on maintenance with building, plumbing and electrical repairs being completed by local teams and trades on an ongoing basis .

During the last six months the Shire has, through its local teams, completed over 33% of the repairs approved by Territory Housing and intends to strengthen this outcome .

In the 2012–13 financial year we received 2012 maintenance and repair requests, of which 99% of those approved by Territory Housing have been completed .

The Shire is working closely with Territory Housing to improve the current system to facilitate a quicker response to maintenance requests .

Under the HMP fencing program the Shire will be installing over 150 new fences across nine of our communities . This will provide local employment for community members . This program is scheduled to continue until next year . Work has commenced in Pmara Jutunta in June 2013 and will roll out across the other nominated communities .

Essential Services ProgramOur Essential Services work entails the following work under contract to NT Power and Water:

y maintaining power generation equipment

y ensuring water supplies are at adequate levels

y monitoring of water quality y maintenance of sewerage systems .

The program also provides support to emergency services though attending medical evacuations and maintaining airstrip infrastructure .

The Council has provided essential services to eight of the nine Service Delivery Centres in the Central Desert region .

Our Trainee Essential Service Officer Program resulted in three students obtaining a Certificate II in Electro technology, Remote Area Essential Services .

Two staff have since been appointed to Essential Service Officer positions at Yuelamu .

The contract is up for tender next year and a feature of our new tender bid will be the expansion of our existing traineeship program that provides a pathway for local Indigenous people to enter the workforce .

We are proud that eight of our 14 staff currently employed in the Essential Services Program are local Indigenous people .

Our Goals

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Our Goals

Goal 3: Economy

Economic Development and TourismThe Council is the largest employer of Indigenous people in the catchment (at 69% Indigenous) and one of the largest in Australia .

Council has started developing a tourism and economic development plan that will build on current approaches but also work with all local stakeholders to ensure local jobs and economic development for communities .

Resources have been reallocated to support winning tenders in 2013–14 and ensure greater commercial focus and development to benefit the community .

The Central Desert Shire Jobs ProgramOn 30 June 2013 the long-established CDEP program ended throughout Australia .

Central Desert Shire Council achieved major outcomes and milestones in this program over the last five years, including the following examples .

1. Improved AssetsCentral Desert Shire now has major assets in the communities that were non-existent five years ago . These include activity centres, staff accommodation, refurbishment of units and guest accommodation, training workshops, tractors and slashers for fire prevention, graders, trailers and other various equipment .

2. Kitchens and Quality QuiltersThe ladies have commercial-style kitchens within each activity centre suitable for all training needs in each location, which proved popular with the healthy nutrition and sports program . Central Desert Shire has very talented quilters in the Atitjere area; this resulted from the CDEP women’s activity and can continue to grow into successful social enterprise for these ladies and support community development .

3. Jobs FocusThe CDEP program secured many full-time and part-time jobs for local participants within the communities, both within CDS and with other stakeholders . CDEP supported the ESO program throughout the communities across the Shire .

4. Specialist TrainingCDS was successful in securing funding for specialist trainer/mentors, a social worker under a pilot program, and specialist LLN trainer/assessors for many of the different activities to ensure achievements were met with all the non-accredited training provided . CDEP provided permanent access to a specialist driver trainer for the program .

5. Fire Prevention across the Region Another major achievement was reached when CDS CDEP secured funding to implement the provision of fire assets and delivery of fire and related LLN training across three shires – Barkly, MacDonnell, Central Desert – and Tjuwanpa Outstations Resource Centre .

The Atitjere Activity Centre.

Our Goals Our Goals

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Goal 4: Environment

Landfill and Rubbish ManagementLandfills were upgraded to best practice standard in eight of 12 Council-managed landfills this year . Others are scheduled for upgrades in early 2013–14 . Upgrades included new landfill pits at Lajamanu, Yuendumu, Ti Tree town and Willowra as well as perimeter fencing upgrades at Pmara Jutunta, Ti Tree town and Willowra . All sites except Lajamanu are now lockable to exclude the general public from pits . New public drop-off areas have been established at all landfills, including bays for recyclables and listed (hazardous) wastes . This was part of a highly successful Central Australian Waste Management Program, funded by the NT Department of Health, operating in the three southern NT Shires . The Waste Management Coordinator was hosted and supported by Central Desert Shire .

Substantial training was provided to Council works staff on landfill management . Much ‘legacy waste’ piles (old waste piles) were also removed from Yuendumu, Yuelamu and Lajamanu to start a general clean up of all communities . A car body removal contract saw old car stockpiles removed from most communities, with Engawala, Atitjere and Nyirripi scheduled for early 2013–14 .

Companion Animal ProgramCouncil’s nine community service centres received two visits each from vets during the 2012–13 financial year . At Yuendumu, Warlukurlangu Artists provided this service, supported by Council .

The main types of treatments administered by vets were internal and external parasite control, de-sexing (with the owner’s consent) or euthanasia (with the owner’s consent) mostly in cases where their dogs were sick .

Vets also supported local participation in animal management as well as promoting education on how to look after pets .

Funding has been allocated for the 2013–14 year to employ a full-time Animal Management Coordinator . This will further increase Council’s support for companion animal health and wellbeing in all communities .

Disaster Management and Emergency Recovery ManagementThe main disaster hazards affecting communities are flood and fire . There were no major incidents in any community of Central Desert Shire in 2012–13 .

Fire breaks are maintained in all centres . Focus was placed on clearing debris from grassed areas surrounding communities, to allow safe, efficient slashing of those areas . Council continues to work closely with Bushfires NT to undertake controlled back burns around communities to reduce fire risk .

The Companion Animal Program teaches dog owners how to care for their animals.

Our Goals

Goal 5: Management and Governance

Proactive Partnerships with Government Agencies and the Private SectorCouncil has forged a wide range of cooperative arrangements with external stakeholders . During the year the following arrangements existed:

y Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Council and Central Land Council .

y MoU between Council and Youth Challenge Australia, Mt . Theo – Yuendumu Substance Misuse Aboriginal Corporation and Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Association .

y MoU between Council and the Centre for Applied Technology .

y MoU between Council and Central Australian Youth Link Up Service .

y MoU between Menzies School of Health Research and Council’s Nutrition Program at Nyirripi .

y Council, Desert Peoples Centre, Centre for Applied Technology and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) for the CDEP Livelihoods Pathways .

y Council and BIITE for the management of the Lajamanu Learning Centre .

y Council and Charles Darwin University for CDEP Training Modules .

y Alliance between Council and Katherine West Health Board on matters of common concern .

y Letter of Intent regarding working together to further Early Childhood Care and Development in Walpiri communities with World Vision .

y MoU between the Northern Territory Police and Council’s Night Patrol Service .

The Council has also been actively engaged on the Central Australian Regional Management Plan – parties include Central Desert Shire, MacDonnell Shire, Barkly Shire and Alice Springs Town Council .

Local Government Association of the Northern TerritoryThe President and the Deputy President represented Central Desert Shire Council at meetings of the Local Government Association of the NT (LGANT) . Cr Norbert Patrick also represents the Shire on the LGANT Executive .

Effective and Efficient Shire ManagementCorporate Approach and PerformanceAll Corporate areas are developing service standards and clear roles and responsibilities for all staff and internal service users . These have been completed for HR and IT and have started for Assets Management and Finance with the aim to finalise in 2013–14 .

The measurement of services was progressed during the year and greater work on outputs and measures of service will be a focus for 2013–14 .

Integrated PlanningThe Council has continued to refine and improve its reporting against the Corporate Plan . Reporting provides both the Council and the public an opportunity to review the activities of the Shire against the agreed Corporate Plan . The progress reports for 2012–13 are available for viewing on the Shire’s website .

Policy Review and DevelopmentCouncil continues to develop new policies and review existing policies in accordance with its review schedule . In 2012–13 a number of significant policies were discussed and implemented, including policies on Equal Opportunity Employment, Work Health and Safety, Recognition of Service, and Smoke Free Workplace to name a few .

All policies are published on the Council’s web site .

Risk Management During 2012–13 the Shire undertook a comprehensive review of its risk management practices . After consultation the Council adopted the Risk Management Plan in April 2013 .

The Shire utilised the approach established in the AS/NZS 31000:2009 Australian Standard and has adopted this standard as its basic approach to risk management . The Risk Management Plan, also tabled at the April Council meeting, was used by the Council in its deliberations leading up to the adoption of the 2013–14 Strategic and Corporate Plan thus ensuring the establishment of a process that integrates managing risk into the organisation’s overall governance and strategy and planning .

Yuelamu men have participated in stockman’s training.

Our Goals

36

Record Keeping This financial year Council continued to build on its commitment to comply with part 9 of the Information Act 2003. The electronic document management system is now capturing all documents that have been received by Council and sent out to third parties by Council . The use of the document management system has allowed us to fully automate the internal processing and flow of invoices throughout the Council, resulting in time and cost savings while enhancing accountability and transparency . Council also adopted and implemented a standard structure, called the Business Classification Scheme which is used to store electronic records . A number of procedures relating to record keeping have been released and users have been keen taking up the benefits provided by the automated record keeping system as provided by the Council .

Information Services The year has seen development of service standards to improve roles and responsibilities and response times for service .

Our biggest concern is the slow satellite connectivity in Atitjere, Engawala, Laramba, Nyirripi, Willowra and Yuelamu . That is a major inefficiency in the organisation and is a priority for 2013–14 .

The on-site Information Services visiting schedule to the remote sites, which started last year, continued to be effective regarding on-site support for our computer users . Issues are detected and corrected before they have a negative impact . Overall this has been a year of consolidation of that which is working and renewal of that which could be enhanced and upgraded, resulting in a positive and bright outlook of the Information Systems over the next year .

Communication Strategy and Action Plan Council endorsed a Communication Strategy and Action plan that has entailed a focus on improved internal and external communication .

Central Desert News, a colourful plain English newsletter, is now in its fifth year . Electronic and web versions have been well received by residents, staff and stakeholders alike .

The website features community-based information allowing residents and visitors to access relevant, distinctive and informative content .

As a result, media coverage of Shire affairs increased during 2012–13, hitting our planned target of more than one positive media story per month . Examples of some of the positive media stories include:

y Youth Sport and Recreation activities, including softball competition and band tour .

y Council hitting 69% indigenous employment .

y Approval of the Shire Plan .

CouncilbizCouncilBiz is a local government subsidiary owned by the Council and other seven Shires in the NT . Its main purpose is the provision of IT Services for its members . The services provided by CouncilBiz include:

y IT Support for the main business systems

y IT Services, including network management

y Business Support for business systems y IT and Business Systems Training .

The annual financial statements for CouncilBiz are available from the Council’s website .

Finance KPIs

KPI Result Indicator

Operating DeficitTotal operating revenue (excluding capital grants) less total operating expenses divided by total operating revenue .

No deficit

Interest CoverageEarnings before interest and tax divided by interest expense

Greater than 3

Sustainability RatioCapital expenditures divided by depreciation expense

>10

Current RatioCurrent assets divided by current liabilities

1 .77

Rate CoverageRates revenue divided by total revenue . It should be noted that this is an aspirational target as historically the Council has only been able to secure <2% rates coverage .

2 .11%

Our Finances

37

38

Financial SnapshotRevenue by Type

Gain from Disposal of Assets

$0.15 m Other Operating Revenue$6.01 m

Grants$24.38 m

Rates & Charges$1.1 m

User Charges & Fees$0.34 m

Interest$0.64 m

Expenditure by Type

Finance Costs$0.04 m

Materials & Contracts$7.71 m

Employee Costs$15.36 m

Depreciation$2.95 m

Other Expenses$3.42 m

Revenue by Type Expenditure by Type

$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

2013

2011

2012

Other Expenses

Depreciation

Finance Costs

Materials & Contra

cts

Employee Costs

$0.04 m

$0.061 m

$0.064 m$ M

ILLI

ON

Comparative Expenses 2011–13

Comparative Revenue 2011–13

$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

$25

$30

2011

2012

2013

Gain on Revaluation of PPE

Gain from Disp

osal of Asse

ts

Other Operating Revenue

Grants

Interest

User Charges &

Fees

Rates & Charges

$0.15 m

$0.004 m

2011 only

$0.143 m$1.1m

$0.576 m

$0.444 m

$0.34 m

$0.317 m

$0.305 m

$0.64 m

$0.927 m

$0.606 m

$ M

ILLI

ON

Our Finances

$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

2013

2011

2012

Other Expenses

Depreciation

Finance Costs

Materials & Contra

cts

Employee Costs

$0.04 m

$0.061 m

$0.064 m$ M

ILLI

ON

$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

2013

2011

2012

Other Expenses

Depreciation

Finance Costs

Materials & Contra

cts

Employee Costs

$0.04 m

$0.061 m

$0.064 m$ M

ILLI

ON

CreditsAll photos Central Desert Shire Council, unless otherwise creditedProduction: Bruderlin MacLean Publishing Services

Shire Council Headquarters1 Bagot Street PO Box 2257Alice Springs Alice Springs

NT 0870 NT 0871

Phone 08 8958 9500Freecall 1300 360 605 Fax 08 8958 9501 Email info@centraldesert .nt .gov .au Web www .centraldesert .nt .gov .au