for ramroc meeting 5th... · web viewconsideration was given to a report by the executive officer...

Member Councils are advised that a General Meeting of the Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils (RAMROC) will be held on Wednesday 5th March 2014 in the Ian Gilbert Room at Jerilderie Shire Council commencing at 10.00 am

Morning tea/coffee will be available from 9.30 am

For catering purposes, please RSVP numbers attending to Julie Conn at Jerilderie Shire by Monday 4th November 2013 – phone 03 5886 1200, or email her at

[email protected]

Mayors /Delegates: Councillors Terry Hogan, Bernard Curtin, Kevin Mack, Fred Longmire, Steve

O’Halloran, Norm Brennan, Lindsay Renwick, Heather Wilton, Bill Sheaffe, Tom Weyrich, Neil Gorey, John Dal Broi, Phillip Wells, Paul Maytom, Jenny Clarke, Peter Laird, Patrick Bourke and Peter Nunan

GeneralManagers Messrs Rowan Perkins, Frank Zaknich, Chris Gillard, Barry Barlow, Des Bilske,

Steven Pinnuck, Allen Dwyer, Craig Moffitt, Phil Higgins (Murray Shire Acting GM), Bruce Graham, Peter Kozlowski, John Batchelor, Brett Stonestreet, Joseph Bianchini (Murrumbidgee Shire Acting GM), Ray Pluis, Adrian Butler, Ken Croskell and Robert Rayner (Balranald Shire Acting GM)

MEETING AGENDA ITEMS

MRRR 1 APOLOGIES

MRRR 2 MINUTES OF RAMROC MEETING HELD AT JERILDERIE ON WEDNESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2013 (pages 2 to 7)

MRRR 3 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 6TH NOVEMBER 2013 (page 7)

MRRR 4 PRESENTATIONS (see notes on page 7)

Item 4.1 At 10.30 am - Viewing of the final draft of the RAMROC/Murray Local Land Services and Murray Darling Association Food and Fibre Production DVD by Adrian Wells Regional Manager Murray Darling Association

Item 4.2 At 11.00 am - Rhondda Dickson - Chief Executive Murray Darling Basin Authority – regarding the status of the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan

MRRR 5 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT (pages 8 to 17)

MRRR 6 RAMROC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PERIOD ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2013 (page 18 and see separate pdf attachment)

MRRR 7 REPORTS OF WORKING GROUP MEETINGS – AS FOLLOWS (pages 18 to 36):-7.1 Engineers Group – 6th November 20137.2 Riverina Waste Group – 3rd December 2013 7.3 Planners Group – 11th December 20137.4 Murray Waste Group – 19th December 20137.5 Engineers Group - 5th February 20147.6 General Managers Group – 14th February 2014

MRRR 8 GENERAL BUSINESS MATTERS

RAY STUBBSEXECUTIVE OFFICER

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mailto:[email protected]

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS (RAMROC), HELD IN THE IAN GILBERT ROOM AT JERILDERIE SHIRE COUNCIL, ON WEDNESDAY 6 TH NOVEMBER 2013 AT 10.23 AM

PRESENT

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Albury City:

Balranald:

Mr Brad Ferris

Cr Steve O’HalloranMr Robert Rayner

Berrigan: Cr Bernard CurtinCr Brian HillMr Rowan Perkins

Carrathool: Cr Peter LairdMr Ken Croskell

Conargo: Cr Norm BrennanMr Barry Barlow

Corowa: Mr Bob Parr

Deniliquin:

Greater Hume:

Griffith City:

Cr Lindsay RenwickCr Ashley Hall

Cr Heather WiltonMr Steven Pinnuck

Cr John Dal BroiMr Brett Stonestreet

Hay: Cr Bill SheaffeMr Allen Dwyer

Jerilderie: Cr Terry HoganCr Ruth McRae

Leeton: Cr Paul MaytomMr John Batchelor

Murray: Cr Tom WeyrichCr John PocklingtonCr Betty MurphyMr Greg Murdoch

Murrumbidgee: Cr Phillip Wells

Narrandera: Cr Jenny ClarkeMr Ray Pluis

Wakool: Cr Neil Gorey Mr Bruce Graham

Wentworth: Cr Peter Nunan Mr Peter Kozlowski

RAMROC Mr Ray Stubbs Executive Officer

MEETING GUESTS: The Hon Sussan Ley MP – Member for Farrer and Assistant Minister for Education

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Mr Adam Wyldeck – Policy Adviser (Sussan Ley MP) Ms Yasmin King – NSW Small Business

CommissionerMr Graeme Sayer – CEO Riverina and Albury Hume

Business Enterprise CentresCr Colin James – Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival

CommitteeMr Ross Bodey – Tuppal Food and Fibre festival

Committee Ms Lani Houston – Executive Officer Riverina RDA

MRRR 1 - APOLOGIES: Cr Kevin Mack - Mayor Albury CityMr Frank Zaknich - General Manager Albury CityCr Fred Longmire - Mayor Corowa ShireMr Chris Gillard - General Manager Corowa ShireCr Mick Rutledge - Deputy Mayor Hay ShireMs Carolyn Upston General Manager MurrumbidgeeMr Adrian Butler – General Manager Urana ShireMr Des Bilske - General Manager Deniliquin CouncilMr Craig Moffitt – General Manager Jerilderie Shire

RESOLVED that the apologies be received and accepted(Moved Greater Hume and seconded Carrathool)

MRRR 2 - MINUTES OF RAMROC MEETING HELD AT JERILDERIE ON 7 TH AUGUST 2013

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the General Meeting held 7th August 2013 be received and accepted. (Moved Griffith and seconded Deniliquin)

MRRR 3 – MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 7 TH AUGUST 2013 MEETING

ITEM 8.4 - Police Numbers in Rural Towns and Communities

RESOLVED that the Albury, Deniliquin and Griffith Local Area Police Commanders be invited to attend a RAMROC meeting in early 2014 and that Police and Emergency Services Minister the Hon Michael Gallacher MLC be invited to visit the region and attend the RAMROC meeting with the Local Area Commanders(Moved Leeton and seconded Berrigan)

MRRR 4 - PRESENTATIONS

4.1 Presentation by Cr Colin Jones Berrigan Shire and Mr Ross Bodey – Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival – 17-19 October 2014

Colin Jones and Ross Bodey addressed the meeting in regard to planning for the Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival, which will be held at Tuppal Station Tocumwal from 17th to 19th October 2014. They encouraged RAMROC’s potential involvement as a sponsor and display participant as a practical follow on activity of RAMROC’s Water4Food campaign

4.2 Presentation by the Hon Sussan Ley MP – Member for Farrer and Assistant Minister for Education

Sussan Ley MP addressed the meeting in relation to a number of issues of importance to her portfolio as the Assistant Minister for Education, as well as the Murray Darling Basin Authority and issues relating the implementation of the Basin Plan, RAMROC’s representations seeking restoration of RDAF Round 5 funding, the Government’s proposed National Stronger Regions Program due for commencement in 2015 and co-operative action proposed by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments to provide financial assistance to farming enterprises affected by frost damage to crops.

4.3 Presentation by Yasmin King NSW Small Business Commissioner

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Yasmin King addressed the meeting on her role and responsibilities as the NSW Small Business Commissioner and outlined the broad diversity of services provided by the Small Business Offices, including dispute resolution, dealing with red tape issues, professional business advice and health checks available to small business enterprises through services provided in the RAMROC region by the Murray Hume BEC and Riverina BEC.

MRRR 5 – EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT

5.1 – Independent Local Government Review Panel’s Proposed County Council Model and Alternative Options for Improved Regional Collaboration

Consideration was given to a report by the Executive Officer in relation to work carried out by the General Managers Group into alternative options for a more structured and improved model for regional collaboration by Councils, following a comprehensive review of models that have been put forward for consideration by REROC, SHOROC, Hunter Councils and the NSW Urban Taskforce.

The General Managers Group has also consulted with REROC and as a result has recommended to the meeting that RAMROC resolve to favour the development of the Strategic Regional Council model, generally as proposed by REROC and incorporating the following three key elements:-

Regional Strategic Planning Activities Advocacy and Lobbying Activities Regional Shared Services

RESOLVED that the Executive Officer’s report be adopted and that RAMROC adopt a preferred policy position supporting the development of a regional collaboration model, generally in accordance with the REROC concept.

FURTHER RESOLVED that RAMROC advise the NSW Minister for Local Government the Hon Don Page MP of its support for the REROC concept as the preferred model for regional collaboration between Councils.(Moved Griffith and seconded Greater Hume)

(Note: The Mayor of Balranald Shire Cr Steve O’Halloran requested that his vote opposing the above resolutions be recorded)

5.2 – Local Government NSW Board – Interface with Regional and Rural Councils

The Executive Officer reported on the importance of maintaining strong communication between the LG NSW Board and Councils throughout the State, following the merger of the former LGA and Shires Associations and the abolition of Shire Divisions from the new LG NSW structure.

The meeting also discussed the format and content of the recent initial Conference of the new merged LG NSW and ways in which improvements should be made for future conferences. Suggestions made at the RAMROC meeting will be taken to the Board’s next meeting by Cr Lindsay Renwick, where it will be discussing a range of Conference issues

RESOLVED that RAMROC write to LG NSW, suggesting that there would be benefit in developing a co-operative working relationship between LG NSW and Councils, as well as with a statewide network of ROC Chairs and Executive Officers(Moved Greater Hume and seconded Carrathool)

5.3 – Commonwealth Funding Programs for Regional Australia

The meeting considered a report from the Executive Officer in relation to concerns that the recently elected Commonwealth Government will not guarantee the funding commitments of the former Labor Government in relation to the $150 million RDAF Round 5 Program or the $100 million Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program.

RESOLVED that RAMROC continue to press the Commonwealth Government to provide funding for the projects submitted by Councils under the former Round 5 RDAF program and

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for potential projects under the Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program, and that it be pointed out that the proposed National Stronger Regions Program is not scheduled to start until at least 2015 and that in respect of the Round 5 grants there had already been substantial progress made on contract arrangements with the Federal Department of Regional Development Australia which should be honoured by the new Coalition Government

FURTHER RESOLVED that RAMROC seek a delegation to the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Warren Truss MP in relation to these matters and guidelines that will apply to the National Stronger Regions Program, including the availability of grants annually to all regional and rural Councils, the setting of appropriate timeframes for the development of project applications and for Councils to have an ability to accumulate grant allocations to develop a longer term specific major project.(Moved Berrigan and seconded Hay)

5.4 – Nimmie-Caira Regional and Economic Diversification Project Proposal

Following the August 2013 announcement that the Commonwealth Government has agreed to invest $180 million in the purchase of some 80,000 hectares and the associated 381,000 megalitres in water entitlements for the Basin Plan’s Nimmie-Caira environmental water delivery scheme, the NSW Office of Water is now co-ordinating with RAMROC, Hay, Wakool and Balranald Shires a major research, environmental, tourism, indigenous cultural and commercial project for the acquired area, at an initial estimated cost of around $12 million.

RESOLVED that RAMROC lend strong support to the proposal being developed for the establishment of an international standard environmental, commercial, cultural and tourism development at Nimmie-Caira and that the proposal be encouraged for funding by both the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments(Moved Hay and seconded Wakool)

5.5 – NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure – Population Projections 2011 and 2031

In September 2013, the Demography Unit at DoP publicly released its preliminary report on NSW 2011-2031 Population Projections for Local Government council areas. The projections are very much at odds with independent demographic work carried out on behalf of individual RAMROC Councils by private sector demographers and also in conflict with other sections of DoP and also other NSW State Agencies

RESOLVED that a small Working Group of RAMROC General Managers be formed to develop a formal regional response to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure

FURTHER RESOLVED that the issue be drawn to the attention of Local State Members the Hon Adrian Piccoli MP, John Williams MP and Greg Aplin MP, and that the Members be requested to arrange a RAMROC delegation to the Minister for Planning the Hon Brad Hazzard MP, in order to brief the Minister and to stress upon him the adverse implications of the population projections for the RAMROC region. (Moved Griffith and seconded Greater Hume)

5.6 - Murray Darling Basin Plan Implementation – Draft Constraints Management Strategy

MDBA released its draft Constraints Management Strategy on 9th October 2013 and has since held a number of community consultation workshops throughout the region, with a deadline for stakeholder feedback by the end of October 2013. Some RAMROC Councils have participated in the workshops and a separate meeting with other RAMROC Councils was held in Narrandera on 23rd October 2013.

The Executive Officer verbally reported that a submission has been lodged with MDBA and further time has been granted time to provide any additional feedback arising from this RAMROC meeting.

RESOLVED that the EO’s report be endorsed and that a supplementary submission be lodged by 8th November as agreed, incorporating any additional feedback provided by General Managers to the Executive Officer

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(Moved Berrigan and seconded Murray)

5.7 Proposed Delegation to NSW Police Minister The Hon Michael Gallacher MLC

RAMROC has been liaising with the Minister’s office for a delegation to meet with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon Michael Gallacher MLC, in relation to the inadequacy of police numbers and service levels in many rural towns and communities across the region.

The Minister has agreed to receive a delegation early in 2014 and in the meantime the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister has responded in writing to a number of issues that have been raised by RAMROC Councils and Narrandera Shire in particular.

RESOLVED that arrangements be finalised for an early 2014 delegation to the Minister and that the RAMROC Deputy Chairman and Mayor of Carrathool Shire Cr Peter Laird and the Mayor of Murray Shire Cr Tom Weyrich also participate in the delegation(Moved Narrandera and seconded Leeton)

5.8 Annual Leave Executive Officer

The Executive Officer reported that he proposes to take Annual Leave during December and January and that he has made arrangements for Greg Murdoch to handle urgent matters and other administrative issues as required during that period

RESOLVED that it be noted that the Executive Officer will take Annual Leave from Monday 9th December 2013 and re-commencing on 3rd February 2014 and that leave be formally approved(Moved Hay and seconded Murray)

MRRR 6 – RAMROC 2013-2014 ANNUAL BUDGET AND SCHEDULE OF COUNCIL CONTRIBUTIONS

The Executive Officer has previously distributed to Member Councils the 2013-2014 Budget papers and details of proposed membership contributions by Councils. No objections have been received.

RESOLVED that the 2013-2014 RAMROC Budget for all RAMROC Accounts and the Schedule of Council Contributions for the General Account revenue source be adopted and that invoices be now issued for membership contributions(Moved Greater Hume and seconded Narrandera)

MRRR 7 – RAMROC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED 30 TH SEPTEMBER 2013

The first quarter financial statements to 30th September 2013 for all RAMROC Funds were submitted for consideration. At this stage, there are no apparent movements away from the Budget Estimates

RESOLVED that the Financial Statements for the first quarter period to 30th September 2013 be adopted.(Moved Greater Hume and seconded Berrigan)

MRRR 8 - REPORTS OF RAMROC WORKING GROUPS

The reports of the following Working Group meetings were submitted for information and consideration:-

8.1 - RAMROC Engineers Group Meeting – 7TH August 2013 8.2 - RAMROC Murray Waste Group – 7th August 2013 8.3 - RAMROC Planners Group Meeting – 11th September 2013 8.4 - RAMROC General Managers Group Meeting – 16th September 2013 8.5 - RAMROC Riverina Waste Group Meeting – 23rd September 2013 8.6 - RAMROC General Managers Group Meeting – 24th October 2013

RESOLVED that the reports of the Working Group Meetings be received and noted and that the actions taken therein be endorsed.

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(Moved Griffith and seconded Hay)

MRRR 8 – GENERAL BUSINESS ITEMS

8.1 – LG NSW – Review of 2013 Conference and Planning for 2014

Cr Lindsay Renwick thanked Councils for the support given to Cr Denise Osborne and himself at the October elections for the election of Board Members for LG NSW. He advised that the President Cr Keith Rhoades and Executive Members are keen to attend ROC meetings to meet with Council Mayors, Councillors and General Managers. He also advised that the Board of LG NSW will be meeting shortly to review aspects of the 2013 Conference, taking on board the feedback received from RAMROC Councils and others across the State, and the Board will also be planning for the 2014 Conference.

8.2 – Koondrook-Perricoota Forest Flood Enhancement Works

Cr Neil Gorey reported that the $80 million Koondrook-Perricoota Forest project to deliver environmental water to 17,000 hectares of forest area was officially commissioned on 24 th July 2013 by the former Federal Water Minister Mark Butler MP and NSW Minister Katrina Hodgkinson MP. Some project works remain to be completed, including ways to more effectively remove the environmental water from the forest area back into the river system.

There being no further business, the November 6th RAMROC meeting concluded at 12.55 pm

MRRR 3 - MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF RAMROC GENERAL MEETING ON 6 TH NOVEMBER 2013

MRRR 4 – PRESENTATIONS

4.1 - Viewing of final draft of the RAMROC / Murray Local Land Services / Murray Darling Association Food and Fibre DVD

At 10.30 am, Adrian Wells Regional General Manager of the Murray Darling Association will be attending the meeting to present the final draft of the Food and Fibre Production DVD

4.2 - Presentation by Rhondda Dickson Chief Executive Murray Darling Basin Authority

At 11.00 am, MDBA Chief Executive Rhondda Dickson will talk about the current status of the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and its associated components including Annual Watering Proposals, the Constraints Management Strategy and the Socio-Economic Analysis, together with responses to matters that have previously been raised by RAMROC Councils. The presentation by Ms Dickson will be followed by questions and general discussion.

In relation to the matter of the Constraints Management Strategy, attached separately are RAMROC letters to the MDBA Chief Executive dated 5th and 7th November 2013, together with her reply of 8th November. Also attached are copies of letters received from The Hon Greg Hunt Minister for the Environment and Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment.

MRRR 5 – EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT

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Item 5.1 – Final Report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel (ILGRP) – “ Revitalising Local Government” Preamble,

The following report arises from the release on 8th January by the Minister for Local Government of the Final Report by the Independent Local Government Review Panel. The Minister has invited submissions by 4th April 2014

Recommendations by Executive Officer

1. That RAMROC develop a regional submission to the Minister for Local Government in response to the Final Report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel

2. That RAMROC propose that in relation to the Panel Report and recommendations for the establishment of “Joint Organisations” that the existing 18 Member Councils region is the most appropriate joint collaboration structure for this region and that the Minister be requested to support the development of a Pilot Study and to provide financial assistance toward the costs of engaging expert professional services to facilitate the development of that Pilot Study

3. That RAMROC inform the Minister that it is strongly opposed to the Panel’s recommendations that Balranald and Wentworth Shires be included in the proposed Far West Regional Authority

4. That RAMROC inform the Minister that it sees no purpose or benefit in pursuing the Panel’s proposals and recommendations for mergers and boundary changes in the RAMROC region

5. That RAMROC inform the Minister that Panel’s recommendations relating to Part B Finance and Governance are generally well founded and are worthy of in-principle support

EO’s Report

On 8th January 2014, the Minister for Local Government publicly released the ILGRP Final Report “Revitalising Local Government”

RAMROC and the Member Councils now have the opportunity to make a written submission on the Panel’s Final Report by Friday 4th April 2014.

Essentially, the ILGRP Final Report encompasses four key components, these being Part A - The Need for Sustainable Change (Report pages 20 to 32) Part B - Finance and Governance (Report pages 33 to 68) Part C - Structure and Boundaries (Report pages 69 to 122) Part D – Implementation (Report pages 123 to 132)

I suggest that at this meeting, RAMROC might focus on the following issues:-

1. Whether to make a RAMROC regional submission in response to the Final Report and its recommendations, bearing in mind the potential for a range of sometimes differing views and policy positions of the 18 Member Councils,

2. If a RAMROC response is proposed, what are the areas of regional consensus in relation to the report’s recommendations which are listed below:-

Part B - Finance and Governance – are the ILGRP proposals sound and worthy of support. Are there any recommendations that should be opposed;

Part C - Structure and Boundaries – what would be RAMROC’s regional position in relation to:-

a. The suggestions for amalgamations or boundary changes as listed on pages 114 and 115 of the Panel’s report;

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b. The proposals for establishment of three Joint Organisations for the Upper Murray, Mid Murray and Murrumbidgee, as well as the Far West Regional Authority which includes Wentworth and Balranald Shires, as per the boundaries map on page 88 and the suggestions for Joint Organisation framework and core functions, as set out on pages 82 and 83;

c. Whether RAMROC proposes that this region be the subject of a Pilot Study for establishment of a Joint Organisation comprising all 18 Councils. In this regard, there are recommendations to this effect emanating from the meeting of the six Mid Murray Councils held on Wednesday 12th February and also the General Managers Group meeting held on Friday 14th February and these are set out below.

d. The Panel’s proposals for “Rural Councils” and/or “Community Boards”

Part D – Implementation – what would be RAMROC’s position on

a. Collaborative strategic planning between State and Local Governments (pages 124 and 125),

b. The role of Local Government NSW and the State-Local Agreement (page 126)

c. The role of the Division of Local Government (page 127)

d. Proposal for amendments to the State Constitution to strengthen LG recognition

e. The role, structure and membership of the proposed Ministerial Advisory Group (page 128)

RAMROC has previously considered the ILGRP progress reports and has made regionally based submissions. RAMROC has also made written representations to the Minister for Local Government the Hon Don Page MP in relation to the most appropriate model for regional collaboration, following the GMs Group discussions with REROC and based on the existing ROC boundaries. (see attached correspondence to and from Minister Page)

Since release of the ILGRP Final Report, a number of RAMROC Councils have held meetings and/or workshops to discuss the report’s contents and recommendations.

On Wednesday 12th February, the Mayors and General Managers of the six Councils in the proposed Mid Murray “Joint Organisation” region (Berrigan, Conargo, Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Murray and Wakool) met to canvass the report’s proposals.

The outcomes of that meeting are as set out in the Communique attached. The principal conclusions that came out of the Mid Murray meeting were:-

The Councils were in agreement that optimum long term sustainability and service provision to communities and residents will best be achieved through continuing and enhancing the effective and cost efficient collaboration and co-operation that already exists through the RAMROC network, which embraces 18 Member Councils across the Murray and Murrumbidgee region

The Councils decided to recommend to the next RAMROC meeting that a pilot study be undertaken into the best form of legal structure and functions of the ROC, based on proactive and progressive cooperative arrangements between councils that can work into the future for this region. The resolution will ask for RAMROC to request state recognition and financial support to undertake a comprehensive review

There was general consensus that mergers and boundary changes suggested in the Panel’s Report for the Mid Murray region are not appropriate and would not provide long term solutions and would be strongly opposed by the vast majority of ratepayers and residents in the region. Most Councils expressed concern that mergers could result in a reduction in services to smaller communities

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The meeting paid tribute to the ILGRP members and recognised the significant effort and research that has been undertaken by the Panel in arriving at an extensive range of its 65 recommendations. Most of the recommendations were generally supported, with many of them viewed as providing significant opportunities for improvements to Local Government across the State.

The Panel’s report and recommendations were also considered at the General Managers Group meeting at Moama on Friday 14th February, at which the following resolution was passed:-

That the Executive Officer prepare a further report to the RAMROC meeting on Wednesday 5th March, on the basis that RAMROC propose to the Minister for Local Government that a comprehensive Pilot Study be undertaken, whereby the existing 18 RAMROC Councils would become the Joint Organisation for the Murray and Western Riverina regions of south west New South Wales, and with a request that the State Government provide support and financial assistance towards the cost of engaging professional services to assist in carrying out the proposed Pilot Study.

At the invitation of the RAMROC Chairman Cr Terry Hogan AM, the Minister for Local Government the Hon Don Page MP will be attending the RAMROC meeting on Wednesday 30th April 2014 at Albury for a detailed discussion regarding the ILGRP Final Report. For that meeting, it would certainly be advantageous for RAMROC to have developed a regional position to take to the Minister at that meeting.

For information and to facilitate discussion on the issues raised above, the principal recommendations set out in the ILGRP Final Report are as follows:-

Sub Part 5 - Fiscal Responsibility Establish an Integrated Fiscal Responsibility Program, co-ordinated by DLG and also

involving T-Corp, IPART and LG NSW (5.1 and 5.3) Introduce more rigorous guidelines for Delivery Programs (5.2) Place local government audit under the aegis of the Auditor General (5.4)

Sub Part 6 - Strengthening the Revenue Base Commission IPART to undertake a further review of the rating system focused on options to

reduce or remove excessive exemptions and concessions; and more equitable rating of apartments and other multi-unit dwellings (6.3)

Either replace rate pegging with a new system of “rate benchmarking” or streamline current arrangements to remove unwarranted complexity, costs and constraints to sound financial management (6.5)

Subject to any legal constraints, seek to re-distribute Federal Financial Assistance Grants and some State grants, in order to channel additional support to councils and communities with the greatest needs (6.6)

Establish a State-wide borrowing facility to enable local government to make increased use of debt where appropriate (6.7)

Sub Part 7 - Meeting Infrastructure Needs Maintain the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme (LIRS) for at least 5 years, with a focus on

Councils facing the most severe infrastructure problems (7.2) Pool a proportion of funds from the roads component of Federal Financial Assistance Grants

and, if possible, the Roads to Recovery program, in order to establish a Strategic Projects Fund for roads and bridges (7.2)

Adopt a similar model to Queensland’s Regional Roads and Transport Groups (7.4)

Sub Part 8 - Improvement, Productivity and Accountability Commission IPART to undertake a whole of government review of the regulatory, compliance

and reporting burden on councils (8.2) Amend the IPR Guidelines to require councils to incorporate regular service reviews in their

Delivery Programs (8.4) Strengthen requirements for internal and performance auditing as proposed in Box 17 (8.5)

Sub Part 9 - Political Leadership and Good Governance Require councils to undertake regular Representation Reviews (9.1)

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Amend the legislated role of Councillors and Mayors and introduce mandatory professional development programs (9.2 and 9.3)

Amend the legislated role and standard of contract provisions of General Managers (9.5) Develop a Good Governance Guide (9.7)

Sub Part 10 - Advance Structural Reform Introduce additional options for local government structures, including Regional Joint

Organisations, Rural Councils and Community Boards, to facilitate a better response to the needs and circumstances of different regions (10.1)

Legislate a revised process for considering potential amalgamations and boundary changes through a re-constituted and more independent Boundaries Commission (10.3)

Encourage voluntary mergers of councils through measures to lower barriers and provide professional and financial support (10.4)

Sub Part 11 - Regional Joint Organisations Establish new Joint Organisations (JOs) for each of the regions shown on Map 2 – under new

provisions of the Local Government Act that replaces those for County Councils (11.5) Establish Regional Water Alliances in each JO along the lines proposed in the 2009

Armstrong Gellatly Report (11.3)

Sub Part 12 - Rural Councils and Community Boards Establish a Working Party to further develop the concept of “Rural Councils” (12.1) Include provisions for optional “Community Boards” (12.2)

Sub Parts 13 and 14 - Metropolitan Sydney, Hunter and Central Coast Seek evidence based responses from councils to the Panel’s proposals for mergers and

major boundary changes (13.3, 14.1 and 14.2) Maximise utilisation of the local government revenue base in the eastern half of the Sydney

region in order to free-up State resources (13.6)

Sub Part 15 - Non-Metropolitan Regions Progressively refer (non-metropolitan) councils to the re-constituted Boundaries Commission

in accordance with Table 11 and the proposed timeline (15.1)

Sub Part 16 – The Far West Agree in principle to the establishment of a Far West Regional Authority (16.3) Adopt the preferred new arrangements for local government set out in Box 40 (16.4)

Sub Part 17 – State-Local Government Relations Introduce new arrangements for collaboration, whole of government strategic planning at a

regional level (17.3) Amend the State Constitution o strengthen recognition of elected local government (17.4)

(End of report for Item 5.1)

Item 5.2 - Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival October 2014 – Sponsorship Proposal for RAMROC

PreambleThe following report is in relation to a proposal from the Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival Committee, inviting RAMROC to take up a Gold Sponsorship Package for the October 2014 Festival


1. That taking into account the matters referred to in the Executive Officer’s report, that the Tuppal Food and Fibre Organising Committee be advised that regrettably RAMROC is not in a position to take up the Gold Sponsorship proposal or to participate in the October 2014 Festival.

2. That the Executive Officer continue to pursue funding opportunities to enable the supply of the some 2,000 to 2,500 Water Cycle and Food Production and Processing DVDs to the Festival Committee for insertion in the Festival’s children’s educational showbags

EO’s Report

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At the November 6 RAMROC meeting, a presentation was made by Ross Bodey and Cr Colin Jones (Berrigan Shire) on behalf of the Organising Committee for the Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival, which is to be held at Tuppal Station Tocumwal from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th October 2014.

The RAMROC Chairman Cr Terry Hogan and I subsequently met with members of the Organising Committee at Berrigan on 21st November, to discuss the potential for RAMROC’s participation as a supplement to the Water4Food (food and fibre production) campaign and to canvass the overall cost of a sponsorship package and the establishment and servicing of a Festival site and associated food/fibre display.

The Organising Committee has submitted a Gold Sponsorship package proposal as follows:-

Following our discussion in Berrigan and with the how and why of that discussion about your ability to assist our festival in a funded manner we have come up with a package that will assist us and give you good value for your dollar spent.

We accept that you have some challenges to levy your member councils but in the end this is for the greater good of agriculture which is what we all survive on.

We propose a Gold Sponsorship for RAMROC

Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival will provide for RAMROC

Two 4m x 4m sites in a prominent position in the education and resources (water harvesting, storage, landcare, conservation etc) area.

Two pagoda marquees to fit the two sites, fully erected and ready for your occupation.

Access to corporate area 10am to 4pm each day in the wool room of the Iconic Tuppal Woolshed.

Recognition signage at the entry gate of Gold sponsorship.

Recognition on Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival website home page as a Gold sponsor with a hyperlink to your chosen website.

Recognition for DVD on food group production to be circulated to schools in early 2015 on the credits as a financial contributor and sponsor.

Four tickets to the exclusive networking function in the wool room of the Iconic Tuppal Woolshed. This will be after the gates close on the Schools Friday. Politicians, both State and Federal, celebrities, fellow exhibitors, Industry people and educators.

Eight exhibitor passes with exhibitor parking and four guest passes.

Social media exposure as a Gold sponsor on face book Festival page.

The financial investment for RAMROC would be $20,000

Because of our frank discussion in Berrigan and our mutual commitment to the success of the principles of this festival I would add the following.

We understand that you would also like to contribute to the student show bag with your DVD the Water Cycle and this would be a great donation to the knowledge of young Australians.

We are seeking dollar sponsorship from many directions and have received a good donation from Berrigan Shire and will from Conargo Shire when we have co-operative discussions in January.We have a presentation meeting booked with the Murray River Group of Councils in Victoria early in January where we will be seeking sponsorship also.

We would see that your 18 member councils would likely contribute $1,000 for each council and RAMROC might top it to make the $20,000.

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We would then not seek any further dollar contributions from any of your member shires thereafter. This, we think, is a good deal for the 18 shires to promote themselves and agriculture in general.

However, we would then be active with your 18 shires to give us as much co-operation as possible through their EDO’s to promote our festival and to assist us, with your recommendation, to get as many food producing businesses involved as possible. Griffith, Carrathool, Leeton and Balranald have been in touch with us to indicate their desire to get their food producers involved in the festival. In the end this will be a team effort for agriculture.

Ray and Terry, we would not normally talk in the above manner because we are mainly talking to peak bodies and organisations with, often, a chain of bureaucracy but to you we feel that you are fellow farmers at heart with the same values as we have to promote agriculture.

I hope this above proposal finds you in good stead and we look forward to being partners in a successful event. Please consider the above and I have no doubt we will talk before long.

Apart from the $20,000 cash sponsorship proposed by the Committee, other costs that would be associated with participation by RAMROC would be:-

Festival Showbags – the supply of the RAMROC / Murray Darling Association / Murray LLS Water Cycle and Food and Fibre Production DVDs. To supply say 2,000 to 2,500 DVD copies for children’s’ showbags would cost around $10,000. Indications are that I may be able to source some external funding assistance towards this cost;

Site establishment costs – set up display stands and stock with brochures and materials etc – need to allow for cost of say $5,000

Other costs – travel, accommodation, meals etc (assuming that Councils would be prepared to supply staff at no charge to service the display area etc) – need to allow for cost of say $2,000

Contingency provision of say 10% will need to allow say $3,000

So in total, the all up cost could be as high as $40,000, for which there is no provision in the 2013-2014 RAMROC Budget. This will therefore require RAMROC to obtain a substantial partnering sponsor, or alternatively for a special cash contribution to be made by Member Councils.

If the Member Councils were to fund the entire cost, a cash contribution of up to $2,000 per Council would be required. In this regard, the Organising Committee has indicated that if RAMROC commits to the sponsorship package by way of Councils’ contributions, the Committee would not pursue any further contributions from the Councils (apart from any commitments that have already been made)

This matter was referred to the General Managers Group meeting on 14th February, at which a number of areas of strong concern were canvassed by the GMs, including:-

Difficulty for some Councils to commit to a financial contribution of up to $2,000 for this particular event, particularly for the smaller Councils and those in far distant locations;

The precedent of RAMROC Councils contributing to one specific Festival, bearing in mind the number of other Festivals held throughout the region and the many requests for financial support that are received by those local Councils;

The lack of resourcing capacity for RAMROC to set up and service a substantial display stand at the Festival

Participation in individual festivals is not a RAMROC core function or activity and RAMROC does not have the financial or resource capacity for participation.

Under those circumstances, the General Managers Group meeting was of the view that RAMROC is regrettably not in a position to commit to the sponsorship proposal.

I have spoken this week to the Co-ordinator Ross Bodey and he advises that proposals seeking industry association sponsorships are being well received and that the Festival planning is on track. The Committee is also planning to conduct roadshows over coming weeks in specific food producing regions such as Griffith etc, in order to attract support from producers and processing industries and from the large industry organisations.(End of Report for Item 5.2)

Item 5.3 – Commonwealth Government Review of Regional Development Australia Role and Structure and RDA Committees

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Preamble

This report relates to the Commonwealth Government’s proposed review of the Regional Development Australia program and the invitation by the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Warren Truss MP for the RAMROC Chairman to make comment arising from their discussions in November 2013. Also representations that have been made by Wakool Shire to the Deputy Prime Minister and suggestions by the NSW Business Chamber for the review to take account of the recommendations of the Independent Local Government Review Panel for Joint Organisations to undertake regional economic development


1. That the Executive Officer’s report be received and that the issues be drawn to the attention of the NSW Minister for Local Government the Hon Don Page MP, proposing that the question of the most appropriate structure and function for effective economic development in the RAMROC region should be comprehensively examined as part of the proposed Pilot Study for the establishment of a Joint Organisation.

2. That this matter and the proposal to Minister Don Page MP be also drawn to the attention of the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development the Hon Warren Truss MP and to the NSW Deputy Premier and State Minister for Trade and Investment the Hon Andrew Stoner MP

EO’s Report

On 17th November 2013, Chairman Cr Terry Hogan attended a function in Griffith and had the opportunity to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development the Hon Warren Truss MP As a result of their discussions concerning the importance of all levels of Government working together to achieve improved opportunities for regional economic growth and development, the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that the Commonwealth Government is proposing to undertake a review of the role and structure of Regional Development Australia and RDA Committees.

The Deputy Prime Minister invited Cr Hogan as Chairman of RAMROC to write to him with suggestions regarding the RDA review.

The text of the Chairman’s letter to Mr Truss was as follows:-

“Dear Mr Truss,

I really appreciated the opportunity yesterday at Griffith to have a chat with you regarding a number of matters relating to Commonwealth, State and Local Government relationships and in particular ways in which Governments, Councils and communities can work together, in order to achieve improved economic development outcomes for regional and rural Australia.

I was very impressed by your comments and the government’s desire to create industry and employment and especially how we might work with you and your department in making the RDA’s more relevant to rural and regional Australia.

On that particular issue, I would like to express the views of RAMROC Councils concerning the effectiveness of the current RDA Committees and whether they should continue to function in their present form, or alternatively what suggestions RAMROC has to improve the current structure and role of RDAs, or perhaps alternative arrangements which would be more effective.

In August 2012, as Chairman of RAMROC, I wrote to the then Federal Government Minister Simon Crean and to the NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner MP, in which I provided feedback in relation to a number of concerns which were being expressed by Member Councils regarding the lack of effectiveness of the Regional Development Australia program.

The concerns of RAMROC were, and still are, principally as follows:-

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Over the past 6 years the former Federal Government failed to demonstrate a meaningful commitment to the economic growth and wellbeing of communities in regional and rural Australia;

There was an absence of Government support and financial incentives at both the Federal and State level to assist the development of new or existing industries and businesses in regional and rural areas, and to facilitate the relocation of industry/business away from the major capital cities;

With our State Government there is an ongoing trend to relocate government agencies and services away from regional and rural towns, with no apparent intention to reverse that situation;

In many regions. there is an absence of productive engagement and co-operation in economic and business development between the existing RDA Committees and Councils;

The combined funding from Federal and State Governments to RDAs has barely been sufficient to meet basic employment and administrative costs, let alone RDAs having the capacity to provide any financial assistance to important local programs and projects;

The previous Area Consultative Committees had been empowered to fund worthwhile initiatives in their region and were also structured to facilitate interstate regional co-operation, such as in the Murray region of southern NSW and northern Victoria;

RDA administrative officers appear to be constantly bogged down with red tape and in complying with onerous reporting requirements to Governments;

RDA Committees have been constrained in their capacity to provide any critical analysis of Government policies and practices, or to effectively advocate the interests of Councils and communities at both Federal and State Government levels;

If the RDA program model is to be retained by the new Coalition Government, the following suggestions are made for your consideration:-

RDAs should be regional communities of interest focussed and structured, irrespective of State Government boundaries - commerce and industry don’t recognise state borders;

RDA Committee members need to be appointed on a basis of merit and comprise proven business leaders who have capacity to stimulate and foster regional economic initiatives that will create investment and employment in the region;

An RDA should be the acknowledged interface between local councils and communities with both Federal and State Governments, so that they can work in close collaboration with Governments, Councils and local industry and business to promote growth and employment opportunities;

RDA Committees and their local Councils need to be provided with direct and prompt access at short notice to senior officials at both Federal and State levels, in order to facilitate and fast track new investments as they arise;

Autonomy and funding needs to be provided to RDAs to allow them to work in partnership with Councils and communities, in order to prioritise and fund important infrastructure projects at the local community level, in much the same way as existed under the previous Area Consultative Committee model;

RDA Committees should be performance based;

Minister, in my view there needs to be a total re-think about the future sustainability and economic viability of towns and communities in regional and rural Australia, because the current arrangements are simply not working. If the Regional Development Australia program established by the former Federal Government is to continue, it does need to be completely re-vamped, in terms of boundaries, structure, functions, collaborative relationships, partnership funding etc.

RAMROC certainly does not profess to have all the answers or solutions, nor can Governments afford for any review be in any way a superficial one. Perhaps the most appropriate way forward would be for you to consider the establishment of a Regional Development Taskforce, comprising specialist members from the three levels of Government and from private sector industry and business, which would be tasked with undertaking a thorough and comprehensive review of the current arrangements and to develop a framework that will provide the pathway to successful outcomes.

The Executive Committee of RAMROC would be pleased to come to Canberra and discuss these issues with you in more detail at any time. I can be contacted as above, or alternatively the RAMROC Executive Officer Ray Stubbs can be contacted on 02 6023 8791 or 0408 498 534, or by email at [email protected]

On 23rd December, the Deputy Prime Minister responded to the RAMROC Chairman in the following terms:-

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“Thank you for your letter of dated 18th November 2013 outlining how Governments, Councils and communities can work together to achieve improved economic development outcomes for regional and rural Australia.

I am interested to hear the views of RAMROC regarding the current role and structure of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committees. I also appreciate the work that RAMROC has done to identify how the RDA model can be reformed to more effectively deal with the challenges and opportunities confronting rural and regional Australia.

The Government is committed to supporting a committee-based network of community leaders who will foster strong communication between local communities and the Australian and State Governments. The Government is reviewing the current arrangements for RDA Committees, to determine how this model aligns with our vision for regional Australia.

The Australian Government also recognises that local councils, businesses and community groups are the backbone of regional Australia. The Government intends to work closely with those sectors to build stronger regional economies and cohesive communities.

You may have seen my recent announcement that the Government will be providing up to $342 million toward approximately 300 community projects across Australia through the new Community Development Grants Programme (CDGP). The CDGP funding will support infrastructure that promotes stable, secure and viable local and regional economies throughout Australia.

I look forward to providing you with an update on how the Government will continue to implement its vision for regional Australia in the near future”

Recently, Wakool Shire has also written to Mr Truss, proposing the formation of a cross border Mid-Murray Regional Development Australia organisation. The Council has proposed that a Mid Murray RDA, embracing 7 Councils in NSW (from Berrigan to Balranald) and 5 Councils in northern Victoria (from Moira Shire to Swan Hill).

The rationale behind the Wakool letter is that RDA regions are intended as areas where:- There are relatively strong social and lifestyle connections and similarities; There are substantial economic linkages; There is a track record, or strong likelihood, of collaboration between stakeholders They particularly reflect the real world in which people interact, where they shop, where their

children are schooled and where goods, services and people move; They are not based on administrative or political considerations, unless they meet the first 3

criteria above)

Also recently at the State level, the NSW Business Chamber CEO Stephen Cartwright wrote to NSW Deputy Premier the Hon Andrew Stoner (with copies to the Hon Warren Truss MP and the Hon Don Page MP), arising from a survey of its 16 Regional Advisory Councils on the following questions:-

How effective is your local RDA; Are there any functions of the RDA that are already being met by Federal, State or Local

Agencies; Level of support for retaining RDAs; Any suggestions on ways to improve the current RDA system

The NSW Chamber Regional Advisory Council responses ranged from positive, to partial support, to one of hostility. There was a clear consensus that RDAs do fill a regional vacuum that federal, state and local governments fail to address. However the respondents generally identified that RDAs lacked focus and therefore need to be re-calibrated towards more effectively delivering economic development outcomes. Also that it would be timely for state and federal governments to review the function and performance of RDAs.

Interestingly, the NSW Chamber indicated to the Deputy Premier that it would support consideration of an RDA model forming an integral part of a new system of regional “Joint Organisations”, as recommended by the Independent Local Government Review Panel and which nominates regional economic development as one of the key functions of a new Joint Organisation.

The Chamber suggests that requiring an RDA to deliver these functions of behalf of a new Local Government Joint Organisation would help to reduce duplication and increase the strategic alignment

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between local, state and federal agencies. Sub regional committees or economic advisory boards would possibly be required to feed into the overall JO structure.

The General Managers Group discussed these issues at its Moama meeting on 14th February and there was a general consensus that regional economic development could well be a major function of a RAMROC Councils “Joint Organisation”. The GMs suggest that this potential should definitely be a key focus of the proposed Pilot Study which has been recommended in Item 5.1 above relating to to the Final Report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel.

The suggestion of Wakool Shire could also form part of this review, particularly in the context of dealing with economic development issues at the sub regional level such as in the Upper Murray, Mid Murray, Lower Murray and Murrumbidgee regions and the potential for cross border collaboration with the neighbouring Victorian Councils.(End of report for Item 5.3)

Item 5.4 – Commonwealth Government’s $100 Million Mobile Phone Coverage Program

Preamble

This report is in relation to the Commonwealth Government’s commitment of $100 million for improvements to the mobile phone network and the elimination of the most urgent mobile blackspot areas

Recommendation by Executive OfficerFor information at this stage as to the actions being taken by RAMROC

EO’s report

Prior to the 2013 Federal Election, the Coalition announced a policy to invest $100 million to ensure that regional, remote and outer-metropolitan communities have access to more reliable and available mobile phone services.

The policy contains two main funding packages as follows:- $80 million for mobile network expansion, to improve coverage and competition along major

transport routes, in small communities, and in locations prone to natural disasters $20 million for a mobile black spot program, to address conspicuous coverage deficits, for

example in popular seasonal tourist locations.

The Government expects leverage of at least an additional $100 million in private investment from mobile phone carriers and telecommunications infrastructure providers. There is potential to also leverage funding from other levels of Government.

The Member for Farrer the Hon Sussan Ley MP is taking a very proactive approach on behalf of communities in the RAMROC region. She has been provided with a comprehensive list of network and blackspot deficiencies in Council areas across the region, which she is taking up with the Minister for Communications the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and with the Parliamentary Secretary the Hon Paul Fletcher MP.

Arrangements are in train for the Parliamentary Secretary to visit this region on Thursday 22nd May and he is keen to meet with Council representatives and communities to see at first hand the problems. Further details will be distributed to Councils in due course.

In mid December, the Department of Communications issued a Discussion Paper “Mobile Coverage Programme”, which sets out options for delivery of the Mobile Network Expansion Project and the follow up Mobile Black Spots Project. The Paper outlines proposed assessment criteria for both of those projects and a brief submission will be made by the 28 February deadline, outlining issues for the RAMROC region and the actions which are in place.

The General Managers Group also had discussions regarding this matter with four senior Telstra officials at its meeting on 14th February, particularly in relation to the high priority criteria which will apply, such as highway areas, communities at risk (fire, flood etc), tourist locations and isolated communities. Obviously, it will not be possible to fix every problem, but the program will hopefully improve some of the current deficiencies in this region. (End of report for Item 5.4)

MRRR 6 – RAMROC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PERIOD ENDED 31 ST DECEMBER 2013

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Executive Officer Report

Attached separately are the RAMROC 2013-2014 financial statements for the six month period ended 31st December 2013 for the following:-

Composite Balance Sheet for all Accounts General Account Summary Murray Waste Group Account Summary Riverina Waste Group Account Summary Water4Food Account Summary (now closed)

In all accounts, the income and expenditure items are on track, with no significant variations expected for the year.

A review of the format for both the Murray and Riverina Waste Group Accounts is being carried out, so as to create separate accounts for Stages 1 and 2 of the Regional Waste Strategy program. This will simplify the accounts and provide more detail of the Regional Strategy components.

Similarly for the General Account, the next set of financial statements will create separate accounts for the Roadside Vegetation Improvement Program ($250,000 State Government grant) and the Woodsmoke Reduction Education Program ($75,000 State Government grant recently announced).

Executive Officer’s RecommendationThat the RAMROC 2013-2014 Financial Statements for the six month period ended 31st December 2013 be adopted

MRRR 7 – REPORTS OF WORKING GROUP MEETINGS

The reports of the following RAMROC Working Group meetings are set out on the following pages 19 to inclusive:-

7.1 Engineers Group – 6th November 20137.2 Riverina Waste Group – 3rd December 2013 7.3 Planners Group – 11th December 20137.4 Murray Waste Group – 19th December 20137.5 Engineers Group - 5th February 20147.6 General Managers Group – 14th February 2014

Executive Officer’s RecommendationThat the Working Group Reports be received and noted and that the actions taken therein be endorsed

MRRR 8 - GENERAL BUSINESS MATTERS

7.1 RAMROC Engineers Group Meeting 6 th November 2013

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MINUTES OF THE RAMROC ENGINEERS MEETING HELD AT JERILDERIE6th November 2013 at 10.00am

Meeting opened: 10.00amPresent: David Tamlyn Jerilderie Shire (Chair)Andrew Lawson Albury CitySteven Millett Albury CityFred Exton Berrigan Shire Ken Thompson Carrathool ShireNigel Sutton Corowa ShireMark Dalzell Deniliquin ShireDallas Bibby Griffith CityAaron Drenovski Hay ShireDenis Gelle Jerilderie ShireChris Lashbrook Leeton ShireBarry Heins Leeton ShireLeigh Robins Murray ShireRay Egan Murrumbidgee ShireBrian Ebery Wakool Shire

Guests:Owen James Downer GroupJoel Nicholls Downer Group

Apologies:Brad Ferris Albury CityMyles Humphries Berrigan Shire Doug Carmichael Corowa ShireStephen Joyce Carrathool ShireGreg Blackie Greater HumeManjit Chugha Griffith CityFred Groenewald MurrayJoseph Bianchini Murrumbidgee Shire Steve Goodsell Murrumbidgee ShirePenny Craig Urana Shire

Confirmation of Minutes Moved Dallas Bibby and seconded Leigh Robbins that the minutes of last meeting be accepted.

Owen James / Joel Nicholls – Downer GroupSEALING / RESEALING - Class 170 Bitumen verses C240 verses C320 verses 5% Scrap Rubber verses 17 parts RMB S45R and Primer Seal with Class 170 Cut Back Bitumen

- C320 brittle in winter when used in this area, trial showed brittle and stripping when used in Griffith approx 8 years ago.

- C170 is not as good as it used to be, standard is too broad, not all loads are the same. - Have been trialling C240 but at the moment only one supplier and 15-20c dearer than C170 –

no results from trial yet, feel that it is the right track but is too dear.- Shell should start producing / supplying in 2014 and the price should come down, wait for trial

results, hopefully available from Shell in Melbourne, costs should come down.- RMS on the right track – stiffening up roads.- PMB scrap rubber – some suppliers only adding 5% rubber not 17%, some are blending

onsite, not good results, not consistent, no quality test report, safety issues.- Good results with polymer S20E & S35E- Liquid Roads – emulsion and sand spray on.

Alternative to enrichments, cost effective, extends life of pavement, cheaper than other seals, extra 4-5 years on the surface, fills in the gaps of the first seal. May be an alternative fix for bleeding, look at case by case.

- Discussion regarding council process for problem areas – intersections, roundabouts.Jerilderie Shire Council is trialling 20mm Micro Seal.

- Will look at trialling C240 in 2014 – expect trial results and price decrease, if successful will probably replace C170.

Agenda Items1. Infrastructure Project

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Council’s to supply Greg Blackie with GIS information within the next month. David will forward Greg’s email with list of information required.

2. Vehicle route assessment form to be emailed to group.

3. NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme – letter received from MIL agreeing to the scheme using irrigation structures.

4. Flow Meters – anyone wanting to have their flow meters verified by contractor to contact Myles at Berrigan Shire.

5. Grader Concessional Registration – discussion re guidelines.

6. Drug & Alcohol Policy.Murray Shire have mandatory quarterly testing conducted by a contractor, feel it has changed the culture. Provide breath testing equipment at the Depots.Issues raised regarding prescribed medications.

7. Vegetation – Feather Top Rhodes Grass has been used in the past as a roadside grass, grows fast, assist with stopping erosion, good establishment. Problem with this weed in cropping areas.

8. RAMROC Engineers Report“Build A Bridge” will be held next year.

8a Discussion regarding gravel pits, royalties, rehabilitation.

9. Plant and Vehicle Induction SheetsDavid to email a copy of Jerilderie Shire Councils Plant sheet.

10. Rail Interface AgreementsNo updates received.David to speak to REROC regarding agreements in their area.Need an agreement – legal requirement.

11. IPART Submissions re costs of infrastructure.“Benchmark cost for local council infrastructure contributions feedback by 7 November 2013 (tomorrow).

12. RMS – RMCCSeveral issues with communication discussed.Regional Road v’s RMCC – happy with Regional Road funding arrangements would not support changes.

13. Training Required.Workers on Foot Training – discuss at February meeting.Jerilderie / Berrigan require Red Card training.

Meeting closed at 12.40pm (Next Meeting Wednesday 5thFebruary 2014)

Item 7.2 Minutes of Riverina Waste Group Meeting 28 th November 2013

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Carrathool, Griffith, Hay, Jerilderie, Leeton, Murrumbidgee & Narrandera

Meeting opened 10.40am

Present: John Roser (Chair), Trent Cormie and John Craig.

Guests: Nil Apologies: Garry Stoll, Susan Appleyard, Kendall Clydesdale, Aaron Drenovski, Ray Stubbs, Shane Wilson, David Tull and Douglas Burke

Minutes previous meeting:Accepted. Moved John Roser, 2nd Trent Cormie

The chairperson welcomed those in attendance and expressed disappointment that there was not better representation.

Business arising from previous minutes:Nil (items are covered in the agenda)

General matters from the agenda-

Milestone 1 Kerbside Recycling Collection Community EducationThe coordinator reported on the slow progress of the development of the Get it Right on Bin Night campaign. We are still awaiting approval from Sustainability Victoria to use their material and there have been some negotiations with the NSW EPA. In the interim Griffith City Council and JR Richards are conducting their own television campaign which should air across the region before Christmas. It was noted that JR Richards are keen to be part of the Get it Right on Bin Night program when it becomes reality.

The information was noted.

Milestone 2 Expand kerbside recycling services within the region

There were no reports of expanded collection areas.The information was noted.

Milestone 3 Local and Regional CommunicationThe coordinator reported on liaison with other voluntary waste groups and RENEW1. It was noted that through the RENEW network there had been considerable input into the roll out of programs under the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.The coordinator also reported that he had attended several meetings of the REROC waste group and collaboration had flowed from this attendance.


Milestone 4 Industry LiaisonWinery Waste Project

1 The network of voluntary waste groups across NSW including the EPA and Local Government Assoc.

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MINUTESRAMROC Riverina Waste Group meetingMeeting Date: Tuesday 5th December 2013Time: 10.30am Venue: Griffith

Location: Council Office

The coordinator provided a written report on the third annual Winery Waste Forum which was hosted by the group in Griffith on 22nd October. Whilst attendance was not high there had been positive outcomes and those in attendance believed the session had been a valuable use of their time. It was agreed that the next forum should be expanded to take in other large industries and that Griffith City Council be invited to make a presentation on their future waste disposal strategies.


Milestone 5 Effective Landfill ManagementE WasteSee the report under Milestone 8.

Milestone 6 Illegal DumpingThe coordinator noted that funding will soon be available to ramp up efforts to reduce the incidents of dumping as this is a prime strategy in the NSW Waste Less, Recycle More initiative. It was agreed that the coordinator should prepare an application for funding to include three elements being

engagement of a regional investigation officer; the provision of surveillance equipment and training in its operation; and a comprehensive education program.

Moved Trent Cormie , 2nd John Roser

Milestone 7 Community Awareness & Education Campaign Waste Watchers Program

The EnviroMentors program has again been rolled out across the region with 28 days of education provided to 18 participating schools. Attendees noted that they had been made aware the educators where in attendance at the schools.At the previous meeting it was agreed that next year the Riverina Environment Centre be asked to conduct session in one of the local government areas as a trial. Preliminary discussions have taken place.

The information was noted. Garden Smart

The meeting was again reminded of the provision of the facilitator to run these events.The information was noted.

Milestone 8 Collective Tendering and Group Investigations

Metal Recycling ContractCouncils continue to provide positive feedback on the service delivered by the contractor [One Steel]. The contracts will expire early in 2014 for each council with the date dependent on when the particular council signed an agreement. It seems that the councils are happy to take up the option in the agreement for a further 2 year extension.It was agreed the coordinator would-

Advise each council to enter into a new agreement within the terms of the agreement; Advise OneSteel that councils were willing to enter into a further agreement; and Draft a pro-forma letter which could be used by councils to extend their contract.

Moved John Roser, 2nd Trent Cormie Discarded Gas Cylinders

A contractor had visited the area and de-valved the gas cylinders for participating councils. This was arranged by Griffith City Council and had worked to the satisfaction of those involved.

E-wasteThe coordinator provided a report on the trial that had been held at Jerilderie Shire. The container at Jerilderie had, miraculously, been filled when the contractor arrived to shift the vessel to Leeton.The full load was taken to Melbourne for processing and the container returned to Leeton. This container has already been filled once and it has subsequently been emptied and replaced. The trial has been conducted with PGM recyclers and they have been very cooperative.

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Councils need to be aware that at the previous meeting of the group a decision was made not to enter into a regional agreement for the collection and transport of e-waste and that each council should make their own arrangement.

Griffith Community Recycling Centre

One element of the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative is funding to establish infrastructure for community recycling centres by upgrading existing facilities, constructing new facilities or trialling innovative solutions where a fixed facility is not practicable. Griffith is keen to establish such a centre and the coordinator is to work with Griffith City Council in a bid to gain funding. It was noted that round 1 applications close on 3 February 2014.The centre will be a place where householders can drop off their problem wastes: unwanted paints, oils, gas bottles, car and household batteries, fluorescent tubes and globes and smoke detectors. The EPA will fund the transportation of the waste from the centre and its subsequent disposal.

A second stage will be some sort of mobile service to cover the rest of the Riverina Waste Group councils.

The meeting supported Griffith’s application.Moved Trent Cormie , 2nd John Roser

Milestone 9 Love Food, Hate Waste ProgramThe coordinated reiterated that any councils that had events and would like a stall or presentation from the waste group, especially related to love food hate waste or garden smart, should notify the coordinator of their requirements.


Milestone 10 Regional Waste Management StrategyThe group had previously endorsed the development of a strategic plan for waste which would look across council boundaries and make recommendations that were logical, economically viable and sustainable.

To achieve this goal we partnered with the Murray Waste Group and sought funding from both the EPA and the RAMROC councils. The first stage was an audit of all of the facilities and services across the region and this will give us an indication of future capacity. This audit has now been completed and the results have been made available to Councils. The second stage has been fully funded to the tune of $100,000 by the EPA and involves the utilisation of the audit to determine a strategy. Quotations for this stage were received from 3 consultancies specialising in waste strategy development. The quotations were assessed against a set of predetermined criteria and as a result Mike Ritchie and Associates [MRA] were appointed.

The strategy development project must be completed to draft stage and submitted to the EPA by late March 2014. The final strategy will suggest how we should deal with waste in the future and will consider regional facilities. It will not be possible for the group or individual councils to obtain funding for capital works unless they have been identified in the final strategy.

At its previous meeting the group agreed that the ultimate goal should be to have every urban centre within Riverina Waste Group utilising a 3 bin system supported by viable recycling and organics treatment facilities.


Milestone 11 Waste Minimisation TrainingTAFE Riverina Institute again conducted a course for waste depot operators. Several councils were represented and in total there were 21 attendees. There were reports of success and those who had sent staff had positive feedback.


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Milestone 12 Green Waste Diversion and CompostingThis potential project will gain strength if councils elect to move to the adoption of a 3 bin system which includes organics. It was noted that a composting facility could easily be established in Leeton as it already had a suitable and developed site. This information will need to be fed into the regional strategy.


Milestone 13 Gas Recovery from Landfill SitesIt was noted that this project would probably not be the best use of the group’s time and funds as it is unlikely that any proposal will be economically feasible.

Financial ReportThe audited financial report was provided by RAMROC and distributed to all present.

Moved John Roser, 2nd Trent Cormie

General business

The next Meeting Date will be dependent on the availability of EPA staff as they propose to hold a consultation session related to landfill levies and the POEO Act to coincide with the meeting.Meeting closed 12.05pm

Item 7.3 Minutes of RAMROC Planners Group Meeting – 11 th December 2013

MINUTES OF THE RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS PLANNERS GROUP

MEETING 11 DECEMBER 2013DENILIQUIN COUNCIL

10.30AM

1. PresentJames Brown - Berrigan Shire CouncilBob Parr - Corowa Shire CouncilMarie Sutton - Conargo Shire CouncilShavaun Tasker – Deniliquin CouncilAshley Albury – Department of PlanningDavid Christy - Albury Shire CouncilGlenn Bulmer - Murray Shire CouncilJulie Rogers - Deniliquin CouncilLaurie Stevens - Berrigan Shire CouncilHarvey McKinnon – Deniliquin CouncilGreg Johnston – Deniliquin CouncilKelly McNicol – Griffith Council

2. ApologiesSusan Appleyard – On leaveMichael Keys - Albury Shire CouncilShane Wilson - Carrathool Shire CouncilColin Kane – Greater Hume ShireJack Terblanche – Hay CouncilRay Stubbs – RAMROC

Moved – Bob Parr Seconded – Marie Sutton

3. Confirmation of Minutes The minutes of the meeting of the Riverina and Murray Regional Organization of Council Planners Group Meeting 11 September 2013 are a true and accurate record.

Moved – Bob Parr Seconded – Marie Sutton

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Matters arising from minutes

Bob Parr raised some concerns about population projections which created some discussion on how the population projections will affect various Councils.

David Christy gave an update on Albury City Council’s recent development application for the Wodonga Cancer Centre and the issue relating to contributions to be paid. David advised there was no decision made and that the applicant was required to apply for a compliance certificate in accordance with the Water Management Act 2000.

David Christy discussed the various phone apps available for various types of Council inspections. David will circulate information on these.

Bob Parr raised the issue identified by Colin Kane at the last Ramroc meeting in relation to clause 4.2 in the standard instrument. Bob agreed that all Councils should look at clause 4.2 and possibly amend the clause.

4. Draft Murray Regional StrategyAshley Albury advised that the Demography Unit are proposing to redraft the boundaries. The Regional Growth Plan for this area is expected to expand to include Wagga and Griffith but is not proposing to include Wentworth or Balranald. The discussion paper is due out in May 2014 for this region. Regional Growth Plans will be electronic, which will include a website with chapters and will be map based.

Bob Parr was concerned about how the population projections will impact Regional Growth Plans. Ashley advised that they will be looked at on a regional basis rather than a Council basis and reference groups will be set up. He advised that the initial recommendation is that there will be 19 boundaries and 3 or 4 little regions. The DoP are still moving ahead with Regional Growth Plans.

5. Department of Planning and Infrastructure UpdatesAshley Albury advised that in December 2013 the Upper House passed the Planning Bill with significant amendments which are as follows:

Removal of the “Code assessable development” Removal of existing “resource significance” provisions for mining projects New “affordable housing” provisions Some changes around environmental assessment processes that mainly apply to State

Significant Development and Public Priority Insfrastructure. Amendments to expand the public exhibition and public consultation provisions throughout

the Planning Bill.

Ashley advised the department is still going ahead with standard instruments and the department is currently doing policy work on SEPP’s and 117’s. The department is also looking at growth planning which will include a review on river setbacks and Councils may be contacted by a consultant. Setbacks for septic systems and access will be included in this review.

6. General Business1. Planning Reform Bill discussion which included an overview of the amendments again. It is expected to be reintroduced in February 2014. David Christy has some notes he prepared for a workshop held in Albury which he will circulate.

2. Developer contributions (David Christy) – IPART put out a benchmark report, comments are due 17/1/2014. Michael Keys went to the workshop and noted the key thing was “land valuation”. Old land value may or may not be reflective of its current value. Michael is working on a submission from Albury City Council – there will be no submission from Ramroc.

3. Service review on building surveying and compliance (David Christy) – Albury City Council needs four million dollars to get balance in the budget so the Council is going through a service review which involves contacting tradies about feedback in relation to the services Council provide and how to improve them. They are trialling lots of new technology in an attempt to cost save.

4. Potential resource sharing opportunities across Ramroc (David Christy) – as part of the Albury City Council service review they are looking at investigating resource sharing for services such as food shop inspections, fire safety inspections, strategic planning etc.

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MURRAY WASTE MANAGEMENT GROUPAlbury, Balranald, Berrigan, Conargo, Corowa, Deniliquin,

Greater Hume, Hay, Jerilderie, Murray, Urana, Wakool, Wentworth

5. SOE Requirements (Bob Parr) – Bob advised that recently he has read information that suggests that there is still a push for regional SOE plans. He questioned if it was the right move to pull the pin on regional plans and questioned whether or not we should reconsider this decision as a group? A suggestion was made that we could have one regional plan and an annexure for each individual council at the end of the regional plan.Bob will circulate the recent information he has read in relation to this matter.

6. Contracts for CC’s, DA’s and swimming pool inspections (Bob Parr) – A discussion on the requirement of Council entering into contracts as required by the regulation for CC’s, DA’s and swimming pool inspections. It was suggested that we should not be entering into contracts for DA’s as there is no opportunity to choose a competitor. Bob questioned whether or not we should get a legal opinion from the Ramroc group. It was noted that the PCA is not a contract.

7. Next Meeting 12th March 2014

7.4 - Minutes of Murray Waste Group Meeting 19 th December 2013

10.40am:WELCOMEGroup chair, Myles Humphries, welcomed members and opened the meeting.

PRESENTMyles Humphries, Berrigan; Simon Arkinstall, Murray; Nigel Sutton, Corowa; Mark Cook, Deniliquin; Andrew Shaw, Greater Hume; Nigel Taylor, co-ordinator.

APOLOGIESAndrea Baldwin, Albury; Ray Mitchell, Balranald; Geoff Pitt, Conargo; Penny Craig, Urana; Geoff Barker, Wakool; Susan Appleyard, Jerilderie; Aaron Drenovski, Hay.Geoff advised he was retiring from his position at Wakool, with environmental officer Alex Romanin to become Wakool’s waste group representative.Members expressed their appreciation for Geoff’s involvement and contribution to the group, including his term as group chair.Moved that the apologies be accepted: Andrew Shaw, 2nd Simon Arkinstall.Carried.

MINUTES PREVIOUS MEETINGMoved that the minutes be accepted: Mark Cook, 2nd Andrew Shaw.Carried.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTESNone.

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MINUTESRAMROC Murray Voluntary Waste

Management Group meeting10.30am,

Thursday, December 19, 2013, Deniliquin Council Chambers, Deniliquin.

The co-ordinator recommended the group start the meeting at agenda Item 3 and defer Items 1 and 2 (Waste Less Recycle More funding and RAMROC regional waste strategy) to be dealt with separately.Moved Andrew Shaw, 2nd Mark Cook.Carried.

3: WASTE LEVY/POEO CONSULTATIONMembers were informed before the meeting that the EPA had confirmed the postponement of its consultation on the potential expansion of the Section 88 waste levy and POEO waste regulations review until at least February/March next year.Moved Simon Arkinstall, 2nd Andrew Shaw, that the co-ordinator advise members when the consultation sessions would be held in the region.Carried.

4: SCRAP METAL CONTRACTThe renewal of the RAMROC Murray regional scrap metal contract was managed by a sub-committee comprising Simon Arkinstall, Andrea Baldwin and Myles Humphries in the co-ordinator’s absence while on leave.The co-ordinator thanked them for undertaking this task on his behalf and noted the higher-than-expected price negotiated with the successful tenderer.Ten councils have indicated they are taking part in the latest two-year contract, with a six-month option.Wentworth, Urana and Corowa have declined to participate, although Nigel Sutton indicated Corowa might review its position.Moved Mark Cook, 2nd Nigel Sutton, that the item be noted.Carried.

5: PGM E-WASTE PROPOSALThe meeting was presented with the following advice from Stuart Luff, from PGM Refiners, in relation to regional e-waste collections.“For those councils that are part of RAMROC and do not have an e-waste solution in place I can offer not only FREE recycling, but free transport from their site to Dandenong and return.To explain how this works:

It is a requirement of the scheme that each site or location have a site ID: e.g. NS1234 – Albury

When we collect from a site and recycle we have to state what site, we then get allocated a number for that collection (called a Movement ID), so it would be site NS1234 – Albury Movement ID MNS0001.

Trouble with this is it’s not flexible. If we get a collection from Jerilderie or Wakool, it makes it difficult to assign that to a site ID.

I have now got a site ID which covers ALL Councils in the RAMROC group who do not have a permanent e-waste solution in place, including transport.

This is very good news, as it gives us flexibility.”Mark Cook said Deniliquin’s contract with PGM was working extremely well, while other members who had yet to make a commitment would investigate this proposal further.Moved Andrew Shaw, 2nd Simon Arkinstall, that the item be noted.Carried.

6: ENVIROMENTORS PROGRAMThe latest EnviroMentors school education program was delivered by Keep Australia Beautiful NSW across the RAMROC Murray region from October 21 to November 8, 2013.An invoice for $18,926 has just been received, with the cost of conducting the program to be shared equally between RAMROC and member councils.A total of 19 workshops were delivered to 16 schools across the region with the themes “In the Bin” and “Compost Critters”.

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The co-ordinator said member councils would be invoiced early next year for their contribution towards the program, and the evaluation report would be circulated to members as soon as it was received.Moved Nigel Sutton, 2nd Mark Cook, that the item be noted.Carried.

7: LANDFILL OPERATORS TRAINING COURSEMyles Humphries and Mark Cook attended the fourth Landfill Operators Training Course held at NSW Riverina TAFE’s National Environment Centre, Thurgoona, from November 19-21, 2013.This year a successful application to NSW State Training Services to financially support the course resulted in a subsidised course registration fee for participants.Twenty-one registrations were received from councils across NSW.Those who successfully completed the course received the nationally-recognized Australian Vocational Education and Training competency “Maintaining Waste Disposal Sites”.

Myles said the course had attracted a good number of participants from across NSW, which presented valuable opportunities for knowledge-sharing and networking.Both agreed the majority of the course content was relevant to landfill operators, the target audience.Members agreed the course should continue, even if they were unable to send representatives.Moved Nigel Sutton, 2nd Andrew Shaw, that the co-ordinator facilitate another course in October/November 2014.

8: WASTE REFRIGERANTGroup chair Myles Humphries reported he had been in discussion with Cliff Shaw, from the Australian Refrigeration Council, about the collection of used fridges at the Tocumwal landfill following an inspection of the site without notice.It was suggested fridges should be segregated from the other scrap metal and that the gas should be recovered to ensure compliance with the relevant Federal regulatory requirements.Myles referenced the RAMROC Murray regional scrap metal waste collection contract, which points out the contractor is required to comply with WorkCover and EPA regulations and ensure safe crushing of items before transportation.The co-ordinator advised that this section of the contract applied only to gas bottles.After a lengthy discussion members agreed the issue needed to be addressed, particularly in the context of the recent incident at Albury where a skip of scrap metal caught fire after a refrigerator was ruptured.Andrea Baldwin advised the co-ordinator before the meeting that she had contracted a Victorian-based business, Ecofeet, to recover refrigerant from end-of-life refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioners and vehicle air-conditioners.The quoted rate was $20 a unit for a minimum of 30 units, with a sliding scale thereafter.The company would be willing to discuss a regional arrangement if approached.Simon Arkinstall said $20 a unit was a small amount of money when councils were receiving significant returns from their scrap metal collections.Members could either recover the $20 in gate fees or absorb it into their scrap metal returns.To ignore the issue could expose councils to significant risks and penalties.It was also suggested there might be an economic opportunity for refrigeration businesses in each member council area to provide this service.Further information can be obtained from the Ecofeet website: http://ecofeet.com.au/whatisrefrigerant/.Moved Mark Cook, 2nd Nigel Sutton that the co-ordinator approach Ecofeet to discuss a regional arrangement, and that members investigate whether refrigeration companies in their local communities might be willing to provide this service. All are to report back to the February meeting.Carried.

9: GENERAL BUSINESSNone.

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http://ecofeet.com.au/whatisrefrigerant/

10: MEETING SCHEDULEThe group was asked whether it wished to continue the previous practice of meeting on the first Wednesday of alternate months: ie, February 5, April 2, June 4, August 6, October 1 and December 3 in 2014.The co-ordinator said the only date that might change was the June meeting, which would be held in Wagga the day before the No Time to Waste regional waste conference. This date had yet to be determined.

Moved Nigel Sutton, 2nd Mark Cook, that the group adopt the above meeting schedule, and that all meetings, with the exception of the June meeting, be held at Deniliquin Council Chambers.Carried.

1: WASTE LESS, RECYCLE MORE FIRST TRANCHE OF FUNDING NOW OPEN

The co-ordinator gave the meeting a lengthy presentation on the first tranche of grant funding announced under the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.

Waste Less, Recycle More is a $465.7 million initiative designed by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to stimulate investment in infrastructure, combat littering and illegal dumping and achieve the State’s recycling targets,.

The EPA is working with the NSW Environmental Trust to jointly deliver some of the grant programs.

The Environmental Trust has opened the first round of funding for four separate grants, totalling $38.62 million over four years.

Information about all the grant programs and the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative is available at http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/wasteless.htm

The following grant programs are now open councils in both levied and non-levied areas: $16.22 million Local Government Organics Collection Systems - to help councils implement

new or enhanced household kerbside collection services for organic waste. Applications close: 3 February 2014.

$11.35 million for Community Recycling Centres - to establish infrastructure for community recycling centres by upgrading existing facilities, constructing new facilities or trialling innovative solutions where a fixed facility is not practicable. Applications close: 3 February 2014.

$1.4 million Love Food, Hate Waste – to support food waste avoidance education and awareness projects with Love Food Hate Waste partners. Applications close: 28 February 2014.

On Wednesday, December 18, the Minister for the Environment, Robyn Parker, announced the second tranche of grant funding under the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.

The new grant programs now open for applications totalling $84.77 million.

Led by the EPA and delivered by the Environmental Trust, they are: $41.67 million Organics Infrastructure (Large and Small) Fund – that aims to provide support in

establishing new and enhanced organics infrastructure and on-site processing. The fund will also support the redistribution of food from business to people in need and council initiatives such as compost bins and worm farms. Applications close March 7, 2014.

$43.1 million Major Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund – that aims to accelerate and stimulate investment in waste and recycling infrastructure in the levy paying areas of NSW to increase resource recovery to meet the NSW 2021 recycling targets. Applications close March 7, 2014.

Following the announcement of the first tranche of grants, a total of $125 million in funding is now open under the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.

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http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/grants.htm#FWA

http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/grants.htm#CRS

http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/grants.htm#LGOC

http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/wasteless.htm

http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/resources/waste/130050WLRM.pdf

Grant programs will progressively rolled out over the next four years, with a timetable of anticipated grant release dates expected to be available on the EPA website early next year.The co-ordinator said the timing of the application deadlines for the first tranche of funding was a challenge when most member councils and staff would be on leave during the Christmas/New Year break.Most grant programs would be rolled out over the four years of the WLRC program, with the best opportunities for members under round one being the Community Drop-Off Centres.Andrea Baldwin indicated before the meeting that Albury would be seeking grants under the Organics Collection Systems program and also for a Community Drop-Off Centre.Murray Shire will also consider developing a business case and application for a Community Drop-Off Centre.An application for a centre at Deniliquin will be developed under the RAMROC regional waste strategy because of its central location.There was also discussion about whether organics could be taken to a suitably licensed processing facility outside NSW and still attract grant funding under the WLRM program.Moved Simon Arkinstall, 2nd Nigel Sutton, that the group note the intention of Albury, Murray and Deniliquin to submit grant applications for Community Crop-Off Centres; that the co-ordinator determine the status of processing facilities outside NSW; and that the group defer consideration of the other grant programs until early next year due to the timing of the current round of applications.Carried.

2: REGIONAL WASTE STRATEGYThe RAMROC Murray and Riverina waste group co-ordinators, Nigel Taylor and John Craig, took part in an inception meeting with Mike Ritchie and Associates in Sydney on December 17 as the first step in launching the development and delivery of the RAMROC regional waste strategy (Stage Two).The project timeframe had previously been pushed back because of EPA funding delays.Draft regional strategies are now to be completed by April 30, 2014, and the final document signed off by June 30, 2014.The EPA has provided RAMROC’s Murray and Riverina waste groups a total of $100,000 to complete Stage Two of the project. Stage One of the strategy development was the GHD audit report circulated to members for comment.A number of errors were identified in the report, but Mike Ritchie and Associates indicated they were not likely to impact on their work.At the inception meeting in Sydney it was agreed that, as a first step, five business cases would be developed in accordance with the aims of the NSW WARR Strategy 2013-2021:

1) Regionalisation of infrastructure – recommendation on landfills to close;2) Template design of a model Transfer Station;3) Cost of a yellow bin processing MRF in Leeton, Griffith, Narrandera;4) Introduction of FOGO/GO collection in Leeton, Griffith and Narrandera; and5) Community Drop-Off Centre at Deniliquin.

Moved Nigel Sutton, 2nd Andrew Shaw, that the co-ordinator liaise with MRA with a view to having Mike Ritchie and the project manager, Ellena Mangavoulakis, address a meeting of RAMROC Murray general managers, councillors and waste group members in Deniliquin on February 5.Carried. Meeting closed: 1.15pm.

Next meeting: 10.30am, Wednesday, February 5, 2014, Deniliquin Council Chambers.

7.5 Minutes of Engineers Group Meeting – 5 th February 2014

MINUTES OF THE RAMROC ENGINEERS MEETING HELD AT JERILDERIE5 February 2014 at 10.00am

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Meeting opened: 10.10am

Present: David Tamlyn Jerilderie Shire (Chair)Andrew Lawson Albury CityBrad Ferris Albury CityKen Thompson Carrathool ShireStephen Joyce Carrathool Shire Nigel Sutton Corowa ShireGreg Blackie Greater Hume ShireDallas Bibby Griffith CityAaron Drenovski Hay ShireDenis Gelle Jerilderie ShireChris Lashbrook Leeton ShireLeigh Robins Murray ShireJoseph Bianchini Murrumbidgee Shire Penny Craig Urana ShireSubash Wijesiri Urana Shire

Guests:Andrew Bomm Rice Growers AssociationBill McDonald NSW FarmersJoe Yammouni iBuy Auctions

Apologies:John Stevenson Balranald ShireVince Scoleri Balranald ShireFred Exton Berrigan ShireJim Grant Deniliquin CouncilMark Dalzell Deniliquin CouncilKen Cunningham Griffith CityFred Groenwald Murray ShireFrank Dyrssen Narrandera ShireColin SandfordBrian Ebery Wakool ShireRay Stubbs RAMROCLindsay Tanner RMS

Confirmation of Minutes Moved Ken Thompson and seconded Leigh Robbins that the minutes of last meeting be accepted.

Andrew Bomm Rice Growers AssociationBill McDonald NSW Farmers

Grain Harvest Management SchemeRicegrowers – hard to get accurate loads with high moisture grain loaded on damp ground. Zero tolerance from RMS lead to underloaded trucks, extra truck movements, grain being dumped.Receival points not using zero tolerance – GHMS codifies what was already happening.Should not lead to an increase in truck movements.SunRice have a 3 strikes policy for loads 3-5% over. 90% of loads are under weight or within 1%.Access to properties is an issue with Councils.Hope the data will show that loads are on or under the 3% over weight.Will be interested to see final figures of vehicle movements.Bill McDonald advised that the Government have appointed a consultant group; Transport NSW has organized 3 meetings around the state to speak to ROC’s. Hopefully will have all the data for feedback to Council’s. Bill suggests that Wagga is not an ideal area as there is little grain grown in the area, suggests Narrandera would be better location. No consistency in communication with Transport NSW – staff changes.Consultants will have data from last grain harvest.RGA would not support an increase in the 5% tolerance.Loophole in 3 strikes policy – ban against number plate not owner / truck.Not enough consultation before introduction of GHMS. A lot of private receival points (wheat, canola, barley) not adhering to GHMS. SunRice only receival point for rice will be adhering to GHMS.

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Bill – participating receival points should have a sign. RMS inspectors can ask for weighbridge tickets. Participating receivers will send data to RMS.Discussion regarding Road Train and B Double permits. NHVR may be reinstating permits.Seasonal routes discussed. Liability to Council’s if routes are approved and do not meet the guidelines.Bridge assessments on routes discussed.Would prefer individual permits – more control.Cost to upgrade access to properties an issue for some landowners.NHVR doesn’t mention permits – all applications will now be made through NHVR with inspections done by Councils. Oversize permits will also be handled by NHVR.Issue of time taken to receive permits.Dallas advised that at the Alice Springs conference there were 4 sessions on NHVR and a lot of questions were unanswered.NHVR will be asking for predetermined route assessments from each council.Bill will email David when he knows when the consultants will be in our area.

Joe Yammouni – iBuy AuctionsJoe gave a presentation and outlined the iBuy Auction websites and products available to Council’s.

Agenda Items

1. NHVR – Ken ThompsonAttended the meeting in Albury – discussion focused on transport industry, nothing about Councils. Changes to the Roads Act – State Government to be the Road Authority. Council can ask for payment for assessments.Vehicle inspectors discussed – may need more will assess when up and running.Penny advised that the industry meeting were given different information. NHVR starts on Monday 10 February 2014.David will try to get someone from NHVR to the next meeting.

2. Discussion regarding RMS 40m AB Triple trial. RMS have asked Councils for feedback but have already approved the trial.

3. Sealing – Bitumen Trials – David TamlynWill be trialling C240 on Kidman Way – may be able to get the price down if several Council’s trial at the same time (suggest March 2014).

4. Has anyone tried Otter Seal Trial for unsealed roads – (Joseph Bianchini)Several Councils have used Poly Com with good results.

5. Interface Agreements – all REROC Councils have signed agreements with John Holland. Several issues with disused railway line discussed.Training required for working near railway lines.

6. RAMROC Infrastructure Project – Greg BlackieHave received information from 5 Council’s will chase up the other 10. Hope to be able to show a draft map at the next meeting.

General Business

1. PEG Meeting will be held at Narrandera Golf Club 12 February 2014.2. Email from Lindsay Tanner regarding meetings at Deniliquin (1 April) and Wagga (3 April) –

these meetings will replace Consultative Committee.

Meeting closed at 12.35pm (Next Meeting Wednesday 7 May 2014)

7.6 -

Minutes of General Managers Group – 14 th February 2014

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MINUTES OF THE RAMROC GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP MEETING HELD AT THE MOAMA OFFICES OF MURRAY SHIRE COUNCIL ON FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2014 AT 11.00 AM_______________________________________________________________________________

PRESENT: Brett Stonestreet (Griffith), Bruce Graham (Wakool), Greg Murdoch (Murray), Barry Barlow (Conargo), Ray Pluis (Narrandera), Frank Zaknich (Albury), Rowan Perkins (Berrigan), Adrian Butler (Urana), Craig Moffitt (Jerilderie), Peter Kozlowski (Wentworth), Chris Gillard (Corowa) and Ray Stubbs (Executive Officer)

GUESTS:- Telstra – Melvin Arulanthu, Chris Taylor, Steve Tinker and Tony MitchellLGMA – Vicki Keating

1. GENERAL MANAGER APOLOGIES: Allen Dwyer (Hay), Steven Pinnuck (Greater Hume), Des Bilske (Deniliquin),John Batchelor (Leeton), Ken Croskell (Carrathool), Robert Rayner (Acting GM Balranald) and Joseph Bianchini (Acting GM Murrumbidgee),

RESOLVED that the apologies be accepted.

2. MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP MEETING – 24 th October 2013

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 24th October 2013 be confirmed.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 24 TH OCTOBER 2013

Item 5 – Presentation by Dr Kim Johnstone – Department of Planning and Infrastructure

The Executive Officer advised that a RAMROC delegation is being arranged to the Minister in relation to the issue of population projections and he enquired as to whether some General Managers would be interested in participating. Brett Stonestreet advised that he would be keen to take part in the delegation in company with the RAMROC Executive and Mayors.

4 PRESENTATIONS (AS PER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT ITEMS 1 AND 2)

4.1 Presentation by Senior Officers Telstra Business and Telstra Countrywide

The Regional Business Development Manager Melvin Arulanthu and members of the Telstra team gave a powerpoint presentation regarding Telstra proposals to work more closely with RAMROC Councils in order to improve services across the region, particularly in relation to the Federal Government’s $100 million program to upgrade mobile phone networks in regional areas and resolve as many of the most serious mobile blackspot areas as possible.

The Telstra representatives advised that their Area General Managers will be in contact with all of the RAMROC Councils individually to implement measures which will improve the capability of Councils to provide information more effectively to their ratepayers and residents. A timetable for engagement with Councils at the senior management level will be finalised in the near future and advice will forwarded to the Executive Officer for distribution to Councils.

4.2 Presentation by Vicki Keating Executive Manager LGMA

Vicki Keating addressed the meeting in relation to the LGMA Local government Operational and Management Effectiveness Self Assessment Program and she encouraged all RAMROC Councils to participate. Earlybird registrations to qualify for discounted prices close at the end of February and additional discounts are available if 50% or more of RAMROC Councils decide to participate.

Vicki responded to a number of questions regarding the program and the short timetable in which Councils need to make a decision and she undertook to send to the Executive Officer more information, as well as additional details of the trial survey outputs and information as to other NSW Councils which will be participating in the program.

5. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT

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Items 5.1 and 5.2. related to the presentations by Telstra and LGMA

Item 5.3 - Final Report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel (ILGRP) – “Revitalising Local Government”

The Executive Officer reported on aspects dealing with the Final Report of the ILGRP, which was publicly released by the Minister for Local Government the Hon Don Page MP in early January 2014.. Feedback and submissions have been invited and close on 4th April 2014.

General Managers considered that most of the Panel’s recommendations on Governance and Finance issues are generally well founded, although some do require comment and perhaps refinement. RAMROC General Managers will email their comments on aspects of those Governance and Finance matters to the Executive Officer for further discussion at the RAMROC meeting on 5 th March.

It was noted that there is no interest by the great majority of RAMROC Councils at this stage in pursuing amalgamations or boundary changes and the consensus is that RAMROC should focus on the issue of the Panel’s recommendations for the establishment of “Joint Organisations” to undertake a relevant range of regional strategic functions.

In relation to the current RAMROC region which comprises 18 Member Councils, the Panel Report has proposed that three Joint Organisations be established covering the Upper Murray, Mid Murray and Murrumbidgee regions and also that Balranald and Wentworth Shires become part of a proposed Western Region Authority.

RESOLVED that the Executive Officer prepare a further report to the RAMROC meeting on Wednesday 5th March, on the basis that RAMROC propose to the Minister for Local Government that a comprehensive Pilot Study be undertaken, whereby the existing 18 RAMROC Councils could become the Joint Organisation for the Murray and Western Riverina regions of south west New South Wales, and with a request that the State Government provide financial assistance towards the cost of engaging professional services to assist in carrying out the proposed Pilot Study.

5.4 Final Report of the Local Government Acts Taskforce – “A New Local Government Act for New South Wales and review of the City of Sydney Act 1988 ”

The Executive Officer reported on the outcomes and recommendations of the LG Acts Taskforce. In general, the GMs Group believes that the Taskforce has done an excellent job and that the recommendations for a new LG Act are sound. Submissions are invited by early March.

RESOLVED that no submission is required and that the Executive Officer write to the Taskforce commending it on the work which has been carried out.

5.5 Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival – Sponsorship Proposal for RAMROC Participation

The Executive Officer reported that following the presentation to the February RAMROC meeting by Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival representatives, he and Chairman Cr Hogan had met with the Committee and as a result a $20,000 Gold Sponsorship proposal has been received from the Committee. The EO reported that other display and servicing costs amounting to a potential further $20,000 may be involved and he suggested that it would be necessary to seek out potential partners to defray the overall costs if RAMROC is prepared to take part in the October 2014 Festival. No funds have been budgeted and the Member Councils would be required to meet a large proportion of the overall costs involved.

RESOLVED that the Executive Officer report to the RAMROC Board, pointing out the estimated total cost of up to $40,000 for RAMROC to be a Gold Sponsor and to take an active role in the Food and Fibre Festival and that the EO recommend that the Committee be advised that that regrettably RAMROC is not in a position to participate.

5.6 Commonwealth Government Review of Regional Development Australia

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The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development the Hon Warren Truss MP has advised that the Commonwealth Government is undertaking a review of the role and structure of Regional Development Australia Committees. The RAMROC Chairman has corresponded with the DPM in the matter and Wakool Shire has also made a submission suggesting the formation of a cross border regional economic body for that Mid Murray region. Copies of the correspondence were include in a report to the meeting by the Executive Officer.

RESOLVED that the correspondence be noted and that the question of an appropriate structure to most effectively manage regional economic development be examined as part of the proposed Pilot Study for whole of the RAMROC region to be a “Joint Organisation” as proposed in Item 5.3 above

Item 5.7 Willis Australia Limited – Insurance Brokers

Willis Australia has offered to make a webinar presentation to interested RAMROC Councils in regard to the potential for the Company to provide Insurance Procurement and Advisory services to Councils in regional NSW. The Company has suggested that a webinar be arranged for Friday 7th March 2014 at 10.00 am

RESOLVED that Willis Australia be advised that the proposed webinar date is satisfactory and that the Company be invited to proceed with the necessary arrangements

Item 5.8 Setting Date for the April General Managers Group Meeting

The meeting discussed the best date for holding of the next General Managers Group, having regard to conflicts with Easter, Anzac Day and the LGMA Forum

RESOLVED that the next General Managers Group meeting be held at Jerilderie on Friday 11th April 2014

Item 5.9 Request for Presentation to General Managers Group

A request has been received from Ibis Information Systems Pty Ltd of Ringwood to make a presentation to the General Managers Group in relation to professional LG services which the Company provides to Councils in both Australia and New Zealand

RESOLVED that Ibis Information Systems be invited to arrange a webinar presentation to the Group on a date to be arranged through the Executive Officer

6 REPORTS OF RAMROC WORKING GROUPS

Consideration was given to the reports of the following RAMROC Working Group meetings:- 6.1 Engineers Group - 6th November 2013 6.2 Riverina Waste Group – 3rd December 2013 6.3 Planners Group – 11th December 2013 6.4 Murray Waste Group – 19th December 2013 6.5 Engineers Group – 5th February 2014

RESOLVED that the Working Group Reports be noted

7 – GENERAL BUSINESS

7.1 – Telstra Billing to Corowa Shire

Chris Gillard advised of problems being experienced with Telstra for billing for mobile phone services for Corowa Shire and options being explored by his Council7.2 - Visit to region by NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon Michael Gallacher MLC to Narrandera Shire

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Ray Pluis advised that Narrandera Shire is concerned that the Minister visited the Shire without prior announcement to the Council, and despite the fact that RAMROC and Narrandera Shire have been seeking a delegation to meet with the Minister in relation to the issue of policing numbers and service levels in the region

7.3 - RMS Road Maintenance Contracts

Greg Murdoch suggested that contact be made with Mitchell Judd at RMS Head Office to pursue potential opportunities for the provision of RMS Road Maintenance Contracts on a council cluster basis

Footnote: Since the GMs meeting, the Chair of the RAMROC Engineers Group David Tamlyn has already made positive contact with Mr Judd in relation to this matter

7.4 – Retirement of Greg Murdoch – General Manager Murray Shire Council

General Managers acknowledged the long and outstanding service that Greg has provided to his Council and wished him well in his retirement. A presentation was made by Rowan Perkins on behalf of the GMs Group.

The meeting concluded at 2.45 pm

END OF AGENDA RAMROC MEETING 5 TH MARCH 2014

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for ramroc meeting 5th... · web viewconsideration was given to a report by the executive officer...

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