INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUE NO. 16/2017 21 September 2017

Issue 16 – 21 September 2017

Information Bulletin

Issue No. 16/2017 Inside this Issue

Correspondence

& Papers

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Correspondence WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News ........................................ COR 1 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News ............................... COR 9 Media Releases - nil

Information from Human

Resources Blue Divider

Employee Movements ............................................................................................HR-1

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Technical Services

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Outstanding Matters and Information Items Various Items ................................................................................................... T-1 Monthly Departmental Reports Technical Services Works Programme............................................................ T-2

Community

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Outstanding Matters & Information Items Report on Outstanding Matters ....................................................................... C-1 Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Community Planning ...................................................................................... C-3 Community Development ............................................................................... C-6 Recreation Services Report ........................................................................... C-20 Library & Heritage Services Report ............................................................. C-33 Ranger & Emergency Services Report .......................................................... C-39

City Strategy Lilac DDiivviiddeerr

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Development Services

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WALGA NEWS 8 September 2017 Expressions of Interest – Trinity of Management with Ernesto Sirolli Following Ernesto Sirolli’s thoroughly engaging presentation on Community Enterprise Facilitation at the recent WA Local Government Convention, WALGA is taking expressions of interest for his three-day Trinity of Management Masterclass.

The Masterclass would take place in February next year and would require 25 participants to be viable and it will cost approximately $1500 per person.

To register your interest or for more information, email Event Manager Emily Ferguson by Friday, 29 September.

State Public Health Plan: Ideas Ignition WALGA will host a feedback session to assist in developing a sector-wide submission on the First Interim State Public Health Plan.

The facilitated session will be hosted at the WALGA Boardroom on Thursday, 19 October, and includes afternoon tea.

This fun and engaging session will be tailored to participant number and Local Government.

It aims to capture a sector perspective on the Plan’s priority areas, targeted objectives, and policy priorities, and Local Government views on State and Local Public Health Planning.

Date: Thursday, 19 October Time: 2:00pm to 4:30pm (Registration from 1:30PM) Afternoon tea provided Venue: WALGA Boardroom, ONE70, LV1, 170 Railway Parade, West Leederville Cost: Free RSVP: Thursday, 12 October For more information, email Marketing and Events Officer Ulla Prill or call 9213 2043.

Finance Training The following finance training courses are available for Local Government Officers: Financial Fundamentals - Budgeting Wednesday and Thursday, 27 to 28 September Accounts Payable for Local Government Thursday, 5 October Accounts Receivable for Local Government Friday, 6 October Financial Fundamentals - Monthly Annual Reporting Thursday and Friday, 12 to 13 October For more information or to register online, visit the WALGA Training website or email the Training team.

Certificate III in Waste Management Certificate III in Waste Management (CPP30711) is a nationally-recognised qualification that has been developed for those working in waste management within Local Government or the private sector.

This six-day training program is suitable for those working directly in the waste management area at a practical level, for example at a landfill, transfer station or waste treatment facility.

The program will be held from Monday, 2 October to Wednesday, 4 October and Monday, 13 November to Wednesday, 15 November.

For more information or to register online, visit the WALGA Training website or email the Training team.

Building Inspections - Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor

The Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor prepared a policy in April on the minimum fire safety and evacuation measures considered necessary to limit injury and loss of life in an emergency within a licensed premise.

WALGA has been advised that the officers at the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor are currently undertaking inspections and issuing work orders to those premises that do not comply with the minimum fire safety measures outlined in this policy.

Local licensed premises should contact the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor if they have any concerns in regards to the application of the Department’s fire safety policy.

For more information, email the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor or call 6551 4888.

Recognising and Responding to Amphetamine Intoxication and Opioid Overdose at Events The Workforce Development Branch of the Mental Health Commission is holding a training session.

This training session is offered specifically to event staff including event organisers, Local Government Officers, security, crowd controllers, bar staff, harm reduction teams, first aid teams, vendors and volunteers.

Participants will be introduced to the” recognise and respond” training including:

• harms and effects of opioids and amphetamines (focusing on ecstasy and meth) • identifying signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and amphetamine

intoxication/toxicity • effective approaches in a range of settings • use of de-escalation skills • administration of naloxone, and • issues pertinent to event/festival settings.

Date: Tuesday, 12 September Time: 9:00am to 2:00pm Venue: Mental Health Commission, 1st Floor, 1 Nash Street, East Perth

For more information, email Mental Health Commission's Jessamie Skinner.

Seeking Support on National Firearms Amnesty Crime Stoppers, Federal Government and State Government are seeking support from Local Governments in making residents aware of the current national firearms amnesty.

Members of the public can register or hand in any unregistered firearms without penalty until Saturday, 30 September.

Over 12,500 firearms have been handed in across Australia in the first month of the amnesty to help make communities safer.

Crime Stoppers is supporting the National Firearms Amnesty with a focus on regional areas of WA.

For more information, visit the Firearm Amnesty website or call 1800 909 826.

Forum: Reducing Alcohol-related Harm in Your Local Government

Know Injury is holding a forum focusing on the role of Local Governments in reducing alcohol-related harm.

The forum will be facilitated by Public Health Advocacy Institute WA Director Dr Melissa Stoneham.

Topics will include sponsorship of festivals, reducing alcohol-related violence, using local data, reducing alcohol promotion in local sports, and alcohol advertising.

This forum is targeted at Local Government managers and officers in the areas of environmental health, community safety, community development, and health promotion.

Date: Thursday, 26 October Time: 9:00am to 12:30pm Venue: Bentley Technology Park,

6 Sarich Way Bentley, WA 6012 Cost: $20 per person To register or for more information visit the Know Injury Website or call 9420 7212.

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Essentials Webinar and Workshop A MAR Essentials workshop is being held in Perth on Thursday, 26 October and Friday, 27 October. This workshop is for Local Government Officers thinking about how to begin a viable MAR project.

Presented by the nation’s top MAR practitioners and scientists, participants will have access to professionals experienced in the planning, feasibility, economic, environmental and scientific aspects of establishing a MAR scheme.

This workshop is a joint initiative of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training and the International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management in association with WA Water Corporation, CSIRO, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, City of Mandurah, UWA, City of Kalamunda and other organisations.

WA Water Awards The Australian Water Association WA Awards aim to acknowledge the exceptional achievements by individuals and organisations in the WA water industry.

The Awards recognise innovation and excellence in delivery of water projects and programs. The awards have become the vehicle that showcases the outstanding work that is being carried out across the state, including a number of entries from Regional WA. The Awards were established in 1996 to recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions related to water in Western Australia.

The WA Awards are in line with the Australian Water Association National Awards and provide the opportunity for the WA winners to enter in the National Awards which are presented at Ozwater each year.

The 2017 WA Water Awards Ceremony and 45th Anniversary Dinner is being held on Friday, 20 October.

These Awards represent a great opportunity for innovative Local Governments water projects to be recognised so Local Governments are encouraged to submit nominations.

WALGA NEWS 15 September 2017 Bags Bagged Following the WALGA State Council resolution in July to advocate for a State-wide ban on single-use plastic bags, the State Government has announced they will ban these bags by mid 2018. In their media release the Government identified that there was widespread support across the Local Government sector for the ban.

The introduction of the ban by Sunday, 1 July next year will align with a planned bag ban in Queensland.

The Association is waiting for more information on the approach the Government will take to the ban and what community engagement is planned.

For more information, click here.

Regional Road Group (RRG) Survey – State Black Spot Program and Road Safety Auditing WALGA’s RoadWise Program is seeking feedback from Elected Members and Local Government Officers who attend RRG meetings or are involved in the State Black Spot program and road safety auditing. The survey will collect feedback on:

• The support and assistance RRG members expect/require from WALGA’s RoadWise team in relation to Black Spot programs

• Road safety auditing and the likely impacts the recent changes to the accreditation of Road Safety Auditors might have for Local Governments across the state and what support Local Governments might require from RoadWise Road Safety Advisors.

Local Government Elected Members who attend RRG meetings and Local Government Officers who either attend RRG meetings or are involved in preparing Black Spot nominations and road safety auditing will be invited to complete this survey.

A survey link will be sent out via email on Tuesday, 19 September and will stay open until Tuesday, 10 October.

If you require assistance with completing the survey or would prefer to complete the survey via telephone, contact Administration Officer, Infrastructure, Audra de Pina on 9213 2059.

For more information, email Road Safety Project Officer, Infrastructure Louise Russell-Weisz.

Main Roads LINSIG Training Course Main Roads now require LINSIG software to be used when undertaking traffic modelling for new or modified traffic signals. Main Roads is running a LINSIG Basic 1 and 2 training course on Tuesday, 31 October and Wednesday, 1 November. Technical Officers are encouraged to attend both Basic 1 and 2. Project Managers should attend only Basic 1 to gain an appreciation of LINSIG concepts.

Local Government Officers can register their interest in attending the course by emailing their details and which courses they wish to attend to Administration Officer, Infrastructure Audra de Pina.

There are limited positions available and they will be allocated on a first to register basis. Main Roads will run further courses if needed. There is no charge to attend.

For more information, email Policy Manager Transport and Roads, Mark Bondietti or call 9213 2040.

Approval Of Local Government Ranger Vehicles For Use of Yellow Flashing Warning Lights The Department of Transport has issued a Notice under Regulation 289(1)(a)(ii) of the Road Traffic Code 2000, approving Local Government Ranger Services vehicles for use of yellow flashing warning lights. The Association appreciates the simplified approach, with the Notice taking the place of the former process whereby Local Governments sought approval from the Department for each vehicle with yellow flashing warning lights.

However, this approval is subject to important conditions set down in the Notice (which can be found here) and Local Governments are encouraged to ensure these conditions are read, understood and applied.

For more information, visit the Department of Transport website.

Seeking Local Government Feedback on Revised State Planning Policy 5.4 - Road and Rail Noise The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) has released a revised State Planning Policy 5.4 - Road and Rail Noise, and associated Guidelines for public comment. WALGA will be developing a sector submission.

The key objective of SPP 5.4 is to minimise the impact of road and rail noise on noise-sensitive land uses; and protect the State’s key transport corridors.

More information on the draft SPP 5.4 and Guidelines can be found here.

Submissions are required to be lodged with the WAPC by 5:00pm on Friday, 15 December.

The Association requests member feedback by Friday, 1 December, which will be used to develop a sector submission for WALGA’s State Council’s endorsement.

For more information or to provide feedback, email the WALGA Planning team.

Training The following courses are available for Local Government Officers: Effective Supervision - Part 1 Monday and Tuesday, 2 to 3 October

Accounts Payable for Local Government Thursday, 5 October

Accounts Receivable for Local Government Friday, 6 October

Financial Fundamentals - Monthly Annual Reporting Thursday and Friday, 12 to 13 October

For more information or to register online, visit the WALGA Training website or email the Training team.

NAMN Forum: Citizen Science The event will provide an overview of a range of citizen science programs, and demonstrate how scientists and local communities can work together to achieve cost-effective monitoring programs, ensure ecological research informs policy and management practices, and increase environmental awareness. Former WA Chief Scientist and keynote speaker Professor Lyn Beazley will be joined by experts from State and Local Government Departments, the WA Biodiversity Science Institute, Conservation Council of WA, Northern Agricultural Catchment Council, research institutes and community organisations.

Date: Tuesday, 26 September Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm (Registration from 8:30am) Venue: WALGA Boardroom, ONE70, LV1, 170 Railway Parade West Leederville Cost: $66 (Incl GST) RSVP: Tuesday, 19 September Click here to view the program or register for the forum For more information, email Marketing and Events Officer Ulla Prill or call 9213 2043.

Local Government People and Culture Seminar The Local Government People and Culture Seminar aims to engage Local Government Officers from a range of disciplines and organisational levels, with speakers offering expertise to help attendees influence their organisation’s culture and build capacity to innovate. Date: Friday, 13 October Time: 8:30am to 5:00pm (Registrations from 8:00am) Venue: Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre Cost: $250.00 (Incl GST) RSVP: By Thursday, 5 October

This full day seminar will offer interactive presentations, practical guidance on contemporary and future issues within the Local Government sector. The day will conclude with a networking sundowner.

CEOs, senior staff, line managers, governance and human resource practitioners, training and recruitment officers of all Local Governments and Associate Members are encouraged to attend.

Click here to view the program or register for the seminar.

For more information, email Marketing and Events Officer Ulla Prill or call 9213 2043.

Heritage Engineering Training Course Local Government Officers are invited to attend a one-day training session for engineers and other professionals seeking to contribute to the conservation of WA's cultural heritage. The course is hosted by Engineers Australia and aims to ensure engineering professionals can make a positive contribution to heritage conservation and adaptive reuse projects. The program includes case studies and presentations on: • Conservation Principles - The Burra Charter

• Heritage Structural Engineering in Practice

• Structural Design through the Ages

• Physical Actions

• Construction Materials

Date: Thursday, 9 November Venue: Engineers Australia, 712 Murray Street, West Perth Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm Cost: $330 (early bird special, non-member) Early bird rates are available until Saturday, 30 September. For more information, visit the Engineers Australia website.

ALGA NEWS 8 September 2017 President's column IN AN IDEAL world, councils should be capable of keeping their community infrastructure functional and fit for purpose. And it’s crucial that we do because our communities rely upon it. However, our asset base is extensive, our funding base is limited, and 11 per cent of or assets are in poor or very poor condition.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has estimated that as of 2016 Local Government owned and managed around $408 billion in non-financial assets.

But assets inevitably age and/or deteriorate with use.

When the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) surveyed 230 councils on the condition, capacity and function of their community infrastructure, the results (published in the 2015 “State of the Assets: Community Infrastructure Report’’) were concerning.

Those councils reported that around 11 per cent of their assets – including buildings and facilities, parks and recreation, storm-water systems, water and waste-water assets, and airports and aerodromes – were either in poor or very poor condition. The non-road assets requiring significant renewal or replacement added up to $11 billion. That figure would be higher now.

Ensuring that councils receive the financial support they need to renew and maintain existing community infrastructure remains an important major ALGA policy objective.

In 2015, ALGA proposed a Local Government Community Program of $300 million per annum over four years, to be funded by the Commonwealth.

Compelling reasons were given as to why the Australian Government should get behind the program: it would promote development opportunities and create jobs in areas where they are badly needed, act as a stimulus to counter slowing economic growth, and enable important social and regional outcomes such as stronger social capital, greater community resilience, enhanced health and wellbeing, and attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.

Now we need your help to reinforce the message.

We want you to demonstrate that councils have projects that are shovel-ready if funding support were made available. To make this easy for you and your CEO, ALGA has established a Community Infrastructure Ideas Register.

The Register is now open and I encourage all councils to take up the challenge and provide us with three ready-to-go projects or perhaps update your previous entries. I am writing to your council on this matter and want to take this opportunity to reinforce my request for project proposals.

Please check sure your council responds – I'm sure you and your community would want their projects on that list.

Persuasive though it is, ALGA’s proposal for a Community Infrastructure Program needs your support with proposals for real projects, in real communities, that are shovel-ready. Share your aspirations with ALGA and we can use them to reinforce the need for the program with the Commonwealth.

Those of you who attended this year’s National General Assembly would have heard a similar call for projects from the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Stephen Jones, so we know that the Labor Opposition is thinking about the idea. The project ideas we collect will be used in advocacy with both the Government and Opposition.

Hoping to hear from you or your CEO soon,

DOL

Regions 'will embrace decentralisation' QUEENSLAND Federal MP John McVeigh told Parliament on Monday “there is much enthusiasm and capacity in rural and regional Australia to house Commonwealth departments”.

Mr McVeigh was presenting a regional development and decentralisation Issues Paper prepared by the House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation, of which he is chairman.

However, Mr McVeigh said “the committee is mindful that decentralisation is not an end in itself. Regional growth, long-term employment opportunities and sustainability must be the driving factors, along with the improvement of government services".

The Paper sets out the committee’s preliminary research and thinking on best-practice approaches to regional development, the decentralisation of Commonwealth entities, and how corporate decentralisation might be supported.

Mr McVeigh said a key focus for the committee would be “measuring the success of recent decentralisation policy – that is determining the net benefit of moving government entities from one location to another”, and examining best-practice approaches to regional development.

He encouraged interested people and organisations to make a submission to the Inquiry.

Fourteeen submissions have been received by the Select Committee thus far, including one from Alpine Health, a multi-purpose health and aged care provider in Victoria’s Alpine Shire.

It claims Alpine Health’s long-term financial sustainability is being eroded by its inability to provide modern aged-care facilities, and that while private enterprise aged-care facilities in Bright and Myrtleford are receiving government support for upgrades, “our plans to replace ageing infrastructure have not been supported”.

“This is a fundamental flaw that can only be overcome by new government investment,” the submission says.

“The investment required to place Alpine Health in a viable position for service delivery into the future pales into insignificance when compared to the full absorbed cost of the staffing, infrastructure and technology required to decentralise departments.”

The Turnbull Government’s initiatives to decentralise Commonwealth agencies, meanwhile, are generating controversy on other fronts. On Monday, Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce appeared to backtrack on claims that jobs would be moving from Geelong to Darwin.

Speaking at the opening of a biosecurity hub in Darwin on 1 September, Mr Joyce said “this facility at Berrimah will help replace some of the work we’re currently doing in Geelong. So we’re moving jobs and work from Melbourne to Darwin; that’s a good outcome for the North”.

On Monday, however, a spokeswoman for Mr Joyce’s office said the NT facility would not impact on staffing levels at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong.

Submissions to inform the Select Committee’s deliberations can be made via its website and by following the prompts. Submission will close on 15 September.

The Issues Paper is available for download on the Parliament House website.

How Bellingen won a better broadband deal BELLINGEN Shire Council has negotiated with NBN Co for fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) broadband access to be provided across the board to Bellingen ratepayers and business owners.

NBN Co had originally planned for only half the Bellingen township to receive fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) with the other half being provided with FTTC. However, residents and business people declared that FTTN was not a long-term “technologically sustainable option” and lobbed council and NBN Co for FTTC.

FTTC involves connecting fibre to a distribution point outside each serviced home. Because it uses a much shorter length of existing copper cable than for FTTN, faster internet speeds are achievable. However, connection costs per premises for FTTC are about $600 more than for than FTTN.

In late June, Bellingen town meetings attended by senior NBN Co representatives, Shire council staff, local chamber of commerce members, and Telstra representative were held. NBN Co has since announced that the FTTN-designated segment of the town’s proposed network will be switched over to FTTC.

Reflecting on the decision, Bellingen Mayor Dominic King said councils could play an important role in pushing for better NBN outcomes in their communities.

"This is what happens when a community stands up and makes its voice heard," Mr King said.

“It is really important that councils actively advocate on behalf of their communities, and the outcomes that a small council [like Bellingen] has been able to achieve for its community are an absolute testament to that.”

Associate Professor Mark Gregory, a telecommunications and network engineering academic at Melbourne’s RMIT University has agreed, describing Bellingen’s success as “a win for common sense [demonstrating] that councils and state governments need to get more involved to prevent their constituents being left behind with obsolete technologies”.

NBN Co says it has always been committed to engaging with Local Government and their communities to facilitate network roll-out and to optimise network capability – and it has been an exhibitor at the National General Assembly of Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) for the past three years.

However, it has cautioned that corporate, geographical and technical considerations largely determine whether broadband access is via FTTN, FTTC, fibre-to-the-basement (FTTB), fixed wireless or satellite.

NBN Co’s Corporate Social Responsibility General Manager, Sam Dimarco,said Dorrigo (like Bellingen) would be provided with FTTC because it made better business sense. However, Urunga, also in the Bellingen shire, would received only FTTN access, despite townspeople wanting FTTC.

Mr Dimarco said communities where FTTN access had been pre-planned could, if they had the money to pay for it, lobby for an upgrade to FTTC. However, this pathway would not be available to all as only a million or so premises are scheduled to receive FTTC by the time roll-out is complete in 2020.

Those councils and communities wanting to engage with NBN Co can do so by visiting its website.

The Australian Local Government Association’s “Best practice guide for Councils when initially dealing with NBN Co’’ is another useful resource.

Victorian Government unveils cyber security strategy THE VICTORIAN State Government has unveiled a cyber security strategy designed to “uplift” the cyber security capacity of government and restore confidence in government IT and digital service delivery.

The strategy, believed to be the first implemented by a state or territory government, focuses on five priority areas to help Victoria shift from an individual agency approach to tackling cyber security to a whole-of-government one.

“While our approach to date has worked to some extent, Victorian auditor-general reports and departmental in-house testing regularly uncover vulnerabilities that must be addressed,” the strategy document states.

“The time for an agency-by-agency (only) approach has passed. We need to address these risks strategically, and where it makes sense, holistically.”

The strategy proposes, among other thing, the appointment of a Chief Information Security Officer, the creation of a cyber security office, and the establishment of an information-sharing and incident response service.

Victorian Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings said the strategy would rely on collaboration across governments and service providers (both public and private sector), and with the state’s university and technology sectors.

NSW councils act on recycling industry woes MAITLAND City Council is joining three other Hunter Valley and Central Coast councils – Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Singleton – to make submissions to the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to address the current failures in the recycled products market.

The submissions are being developed by Hunter Resource Recovery, the organisation which manages the four councils’ recycling programs.

In August, local media reported that Polytrade Recycling, which is subcontracted by Hunter Resource Recovery to manage its waste, had had to resort to storing tonnes of glass in sheds in Victoria due to the collapse in demand for recycled glass in Australia.

Hunter Resource Recovery CEO Roger Lewis said that excess glass wastage and stock-piling around the country – a consequence of Australian companies buying cheap imported glass instead of recycled domestic glass – “should be recognised as a crisis”.

“Unless this is addressed by state and federal government, we’re going to keep stockpiling glass with no end market,” Mr Lewis said.

Mr Lewis said the four member councils of Hunter Resource Recycling contribute about 18,000 tonnes of waste glass each year to the crisis, with the majority of that going into storage as companies wait for a respite in industry conditions.

Mr Lewis said he hoped that the Hunter and Lake Macquarie councils’ action would spur others around the country to act.

“We’d like to see councils from across Australia get on board and join in pressuring the state and federal government to relieve the industry, because it’s vital,” Mr Lewis said.

Inquiry calls for import ban on combustible cladding A FEDERAL Parliamentary Committee inquiry on non-conforming building products has recommended an immediate ban on the importation, sale and use of flammable aluminium cladding.

Polyethylene core aluminium panels are believed to have contributed substantially to the speed and ferocity of fires at at the Grenfell Tower in London earlier this year and at the Lacrosse apartment building in Melbourne in 2014.

On Monday, a Four Corners report on ABC TV detailed the widespread use of non-compliant aluminium cladding on Australian buildings. It also highlighted building product substitution and counterfeiting rackets and the inadequate oversight of building regulations.

The Senate Economics Committee’s interim report, released on Wednesday and downloadable here, has also recommended the state and territory governments collaborate on developing nationally consistent statutory duty-of-care protection for end-users in the residential strata sector.

And it suggests the Commonwealth “consider imposing a penalties regime for non-compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) such as a revocation of accreditation or a ban from tendering for Commonwealth-funded construction work and substantial financial penalties”.

Australian Steel Institute (ASI) Chief Executive Tony Dixon has said the NCC should be changed to promote the concept of risk-based, fit-for-purpose classification of construction products.

“Currently in the NCC, risk is quantified only in relation to certain load types,” he said. “It should also be quantified on the resistance side of the equation by introducing an apt classification scheme.”

Instituting proper compliance measures at the start of the building process would reduce pressure at the end stage and deliver better outcomes, Mr Dixon said.

Another inquiry into non-conforming building products and construction safety issues is being conducted by the Building Ministers’ Forum (BMF). Audits of buildings suspected of containing flammable cladding are also being undertaken.

Push for audit of Community Development Grants Program THE NEWCASTLE Herald newspaper has editorialised on the need for an audit of the Community Development Grants program, arguing “the distribution of funds to communities across the country does not stand up well to scrutiny”.

The leading article, published on Wednesday, suggests “A search of the 538 funded projects that appear on a list administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development shows that rather than being a nation of equals, we’re more a nation of winners and losers.

“The winners are marginal seats where the Coalition campaigned hard for votes at elections in 2013 and 2016. The losers are electorates like Hunter, Shortland and Newcastle, where Labor candidates were expected to win and the Coalition didn’t put much effort into election campaign promises.”

It concluded, “One of the quickest ways to erode public trust in the political process is for people to see proof that politics takes precedence over community need. An audit is timely and necessary”.

In July, federal Labor’s shadow regional services and local government minister, Stephen Jones, wrote to the Australian National Audit Office querying whether Community Development Grants in the Hunter region met Department of Finance guidelines.

Federal Auditor-General Grant Hehir wrote back saying that “a potential performance audit topic has been included on the program titled ‘Administration of the Community Development Grants program’.”

ALGA Congress to look at CSO funding for roads FUTURE road funding arrangements and, in particular, how Community Service Obligations might be needed to help councils fund their roads, will be discussed at the 2017 ALGA Local Roads and Transport Congress to be held in Albany in November.

Austroads released a report in June examining Community Service Obligations (CSO) and how such a concept might be applied to the roads sector.

Developing a CSO framework for roads which would help Australia meet its future transport challenges is not a new idea. Governments and policy-makers have been wrestling with it for over two decades but only now, as fuel excise revenue falls away in the face of fuel-efficient vehicles and electric cars loom on the horizon, is a sense of urgency entering the debate.

Australia lacks a direct road pricing system – and roads are, in the main, not supplied by commercial enterprises and that makes the application of the CSO concept to roads problematic.

Another challenge is politics, which the Austroads report summary drew attention to when it observed that “a key implementation issue for governments is to agree on minimum service levels and on the degree to which those levels are nationally consistent.

“It is apparent from our discussions with state and local governments that there is work to be done to gain agreement on service levels for CSO purposes.”

A third challenge is the requirement to establish new institutional and governance frameworks, always a difficult proposition in the face of a well-established existing model.

Despite the challenges, the Austroads report makes a strong case for CSOs to be applied to roads, particularly those where annual average daily traffic (or total vehicle kilometres travelled) are relatively low, and where maintenance costs per kilometre are relatively higher. Such roads figure prominently in rural and regional Local Government Areas.

The application of CSO principles to roads would better connect revenues to providers, improving the ability of councils and road agencies to plan, fund, maintain and build road networks. That would allow for the more efficient movement of freight, which is expanding rapidly around the country.

Councils need to engage in this discussion now, given the critical role CSOs are likely to play in the future funding of local government roads. The Local Roads and Transport Congress is an important opportunity for councils to make their views known. Go to the ALGA website to register your attendance.

News in Brief A DEPUTATION of council mayors and chief executives from Melbourne’s outer western suburbs flew to Canberra on Wednesday to argue for increased Commonwealth and state investment to enable their region to better cope with rapid population growth.

City of Melton Mayor Sophie Ramsey said the west was having to absorb a large part of Melbourne’s rapidly increasing population, and it urgently needed services and infrastructure to support that growth.

Local councils are proposing a number of policies and projects to meet the demands of future growth, including a freight infrastructure investment strategy, a Melbourne airport rail link, and the resumption of the Maribyrnong Defence site for urban housing.

City of Hobsons Bay Mayor Sandra Wilson said “this [City Deal] isn’t just about planning for houses, schools and hospitals where there were once paddocks or warehouses. This is about creating new jobs, transport networks, and industries for Melbourne’s future.

“With 30,000 to 50,000 people predicted to be moving to our region every year, we cannot afford to delay,” Mayor Wilson said.

THE DELETION of 10 Queensland place names from official state records and data bases following community concerns about their suitability has sparked calls for a national audit of offensively named places.

Indigenous academic and activist Dr Stephen Hagan, who spent a decade fighting to have a stand at the Toowoomba Sports Ground re-named, said there were sites around the country where offensive terminology had been used or which had been named after indigenous massacre sites.

“[Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel] Scullion should appoint an advisory committee or body to do a full audit,” Dr Hagan told National Indigenous Television News. “They ought to travel around the country and talk to Aboriginal communities and say look is there a landmark or something in your community that’s offensive.”

The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM), which announced the changes last week, considers place name submissions from local councils, community groups and the public based on a set of “responsible naming principles”.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has committed his government to renaming landmarks with offensive names, and said last week that he had spoken to the NT place names committee and urged them to bring in more signage that better reflects history. He also suggested the committee should consider reinstating the original indigenous names of certain places.

STEVEN KENNEDY has been appointed Secretary of the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, succeeding Mike Mrdak, who is to become the Secretary of the Department of Communications and the Arts.

In a statement on Thursday, Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester praised Mr Mrdak’s leadership, saying it had “helped this Government deliver infrastructure projects and programs throughout Australia, which have made a difference in people’s lives”.

Dr Kennedy is currently a Deputy Secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet responsible for innovation and transformation. He has been involved in the Government’s cities agenda, regulatory reform, public data and digital innovation.

INDEPENDENT Hearing and Assessment Panels (IHAPs) are now mandatory for all councils in Greater Sydney and Wollongong after amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act were passed by the NSW Parliament last month.

Development applications and applications to modify consents are now to be determined by delegates of the council (planning officers), IHAPS, and regional planning panels.

Under the amendments, the panels, which will consider applications, valued at between $5 million and $30 million as well as a range of high-risk development types. Property developers and real estate agents will not be able to sit on panels.

Local councils will still process most applications for individual houses or alterations to existing houses.

The amended Act stipulates that IHAPs must comprise three independent expert members and a community member.

The community member, to be selected by the council, will represent the geographical area within the Local Government Area of the proposed development, and provide local perspective.

IHAP members, who will be chosen by councils from a pool managed by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, will have to be expert in one or more of the following fields: planning, architecture, heritage, the environment, urban design, economics, traffic and transport, law, engineering, tourism, or government and public administration.

FORTY-SIX NSW Local Government elections are being held this Saturday, with around 2.79 million ratepayers eligible to vote. Twenty of the councils are the result of amalgamations engineered by the state government of Premier Mike Baird, who has since left politics.

There are 61 candidates hoping to become a mayor in these elections, including high-profile former Federal government minister Philip Ruddock, who is running in the Hornsby Shire.

Information about which councils are having elections, and where polling places are located, can be found on the NSW Electoral Commission's home page. The website also lists candidates, but provides no profiles.

Election results will be published on the website from 6pm on Saturday. Voting is compulsory for all people enrolled in LGAs where elections are taking place, with fines of $55 applying for those who fail to vote.

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of the East Pilbara Shire says the West Australian Government should consider adopting Queensland-style laws restricting fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) mining operations around established towns.

The Queensland Parliament passed legislation last month preventing resource projects designed exclusively to be FIFO operations from being established within 125km of towns with more than 200 residents.

Allen Cooper said similar legislation would benefit WA regional towns.

“Whilst we talk about local jobs for local content … maybe the government needs to start talking more," he said, adding that resource companies could be doing more to advertise for residential positions.

“I know the companies talk about it, but maybe you’ve got to go down the line of somewhere enforcing it.”

Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA Acting Chief Executive Nicole Roocke said mining companies had to take a range of factors into account when determining housing arrangements at mining camps, including local infrastructure.

REGIONAL and remote disability services are at risk of being scaled back or shut down altogether because of inadequate Commonwealth funding, providers have warned.

The current National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding model, administered by National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), ensures service providers in rural and remote areas receive a loading of 20-25 per cent to reflect the added costs of providing services in those regions.

However, according to disability sector advocates, the narrow definition of “regional and remote’’ excludes large swathes of regional Australia.

National Disability Services Chief Executive Ken Baker said last week that two-thirds of disability service providers were “very worried about their capacity to provide services at current NDIS prices’’.

In June, the Federal Government commissioned an independent review into NDIS pricing with the eventual aim of completely deregulating prices once the market matures in “size, quality and innovation”.

A spokesman for the NDIA said the review would consider pricing in regional and remote areas.

THE PLANNING Institute of Australia (PIA) is inviting Local Government to submit abstracts for its 2018 National Planning Congress being held in Perth on 9-11 May, 2018.

The Congress (#PIACongress18) will be the biggest and most prestigious planning event of next year, providing delegates with a unique opportunity to share contemporary ideas, insights, experiences and predictions. The theme will be “Frontiers of Planning”.

Rolf Fenner, PIA’s newly appointed Chief Policy Officer (and a former ALGA senior policy adviser), says Local Government plays a critical role in helping deliver liveable communities and built environments, adding that council planners who attend the conference can look forward to exploring innovations and new technologies to better inform them on how to plan cities.

The deadline for abstract submissions is 29 September 2017. Details are on the organisation’s website.

VICTORIAN Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins has appointed two municipal monitors to the City of Greater Geelong Council to “oversee and assist the council in implementing the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry’’.

They are Jude Munro, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Brisbane City Council, and Peter Dorling, a former Executive Director of the Committee for Geelong and a current administrator at the Greater Geelong Council.

The appointments follow changes to the council’s media policy prohibiting councillors from commenting on “key city announcements”, “controversial’’ matters or council “outcomes’’ without mayor approval.

Administrator chairman Kathy Alexander said the media policy changes removed “the notion” of any councillor other than the mayor being a spokesperson. Only on non-controversial ward matters will councillors be free to comment publicly.

AS PART of its effort to build capacity in the disability and aged care sector workforce, the Federal Government is inviting service providers and coordinators to apply for grants from its Boosting Local Care Workforce Opportunity transition scheme.

The three-year scheme aims to create more jobs in rural, regional and outer-metropolitan areas so NDIS participants and older Australians seeking aged care services have access to high quality services and support. First first announced in the 2017-18 Federal Budget, the scheme is worth $33 million.

Applications are due by 26 September 2017, with the first successful organisation expected to be finalised by December 2017 ahead of roll-out shortly after. The Community Grants Hub website has more details.

NEARLY 1000 people and organisations have given feedback on a discussion paper reviewing the safe operation of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), or drones, released last month.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) paper examines five issues: drone registration, the training and education of drone operators, geo-fencing (technology that uses GPS location signals to prevent machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones), counter-drone technology, and future approaches to drone safety regulation.

The discussion paper remains open for public comment until 22 September.

THE FEDERATION of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia is staging its biennial conference in Darwin on 8-10 October.

Entitled “Celebrate. Reflect. Advance: Challenges and Possibilities for Multicultural Australia’’, the conference will assemble community leaders, advocates, stakeholders and service providers to “share knowledge and best practice, to highlight challenges, and to explore possibilities with a network of organisations and individuals who share a vision for a harmonious multicultural Australia".

In recognition of the vital role that councils play in the settlement and support of migrants – and in creating an inclusive and supportive environment – the Darwin conference will also feature a dedicated Local Government stream.

Click here to register.

ALGA NEWS 15 September 2017 President's column Warnings in the Victorian Parliament this week about the financial struggles facing small rural councils should trouble us all.

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) President Mary Lalios gave a gloomy but accurate assessment of smaller councils’ inability to deal with lower levels of Commonwealth funding and a 2 per cent cap on rate increases.

Similar concerns have arisen in my home state of South Australia, where the Liberal Opposition Party has said it will peg council rates if it wins government at the state election due next March.

NSW councils have laboured under rate capping since 1978, and last November were told by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (which sets the allowable rate increase) that they could increase their rates for the next financial year by no more than 1.5 per cent.

IPART said the 1.5 per cent figure was fair given low inflation and slow wage growth.

But as my colleague, Local Government NSW President Keith Rhoades, said at the time, IPART’s conclusions ignored the 1.8 per cent increase in CPI, the equivalent increase in employment benefits and non-residential building costs greater than 1.5 per cent. And he pointed out, rightly in my view, that the rage peg was “a financial noose which continued to tighten” around councils and local communities.

Yet surely it would be a brave observer who concluded that the Sydney market would be overly sensitive to rate rises when the same market is still growing despite the largest increase in property costs and rents in Australia in recent years. Yet there's no sign of an IPART equivalent seeking to intervene on rents or property prices.

Consider this: Sydney councils have been rate-pegged for the longest duration in the nation, and many of them now impose the highest developer charges in the nation for new homes. The Sydney market has the longest running housing supply shortfall and, as a direct consequence, the highest average rents in the nation. Perhaps it's just me, but in my mind, these factors are intrinsically linked.

What is wrong with Councils determining their own level of rates? After all, as the recent NSW council elections demonstrated, we are ultimately accountable to our voters, and if we get the balance wrong we risk being thrown out of office. It's a proven mechanism – it's called democracy.

Meanwhile, the well-intentioned but unelected IPART need never worry about facing the voters about the short and long-term impacts of rate pegging.

This week Cr Lalios told the Victorian Parliament that capital spending in small rural shires would decline by 30 per cent from 2016-20, with the three-year freeze in Financial Assistance Grants, the cancellation of the Country Roads and Bridges Program in 2105, and the two per cent rate cap contributing substantially to that reduction.

The immediate consequences of rate capping, particularly for councils with limited access to other revenue like parking fees, fines and charges, are an increase in debt levels, a drop in service levels, or a combination of both.

Over the longer term, however, that’s unsustainable. The Commonwealth’s “efficiency dividends’’ show year-on-year budget cuts imposed on departments and agencies inevitably lead to reduced or cancelled public services. Why would Local Government be any different?

Councils have the narrowest revenue base of the three levels of government, yet the heaviest roads and infrastructure burden. Rate caps are the financial equivalent of a ball and chain. And it is ratepayers and local businesses who are hit hardest by truncated services, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of capacity to innovate and respond to emerging community needs.

Councils are already attempting to offset the double whammy of rate caps and lower Commonwealth funding by using collaborative procurement, improved asset management, and by developing cost-sharing partnerships and other options – but this may not be enough to change the fundamentals.

As I advocate on your behalf for a return to sustainable federal funding, I am drawing a clear link to the call for an end to rates caps in favour of local decision-making. I make it clear that for every dollar councils are unable to raise locally, they will be looking for it elsewhere – with the Commonwealth a primary target.

You can help, by making this dynamic clear to your local federal member, just as I did to Senator Nash this week.

All the best,

Calls to limit candidates' campaign spending THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT Association of Queensland wants council election spending capped before scheduled Local Government elections in 2020, arguing it would promote fairer elections and help prevent corruption.

Under the LGAQ proposal, outlined in letters to the Palaszczuk Government and the Queensland Opposition, an expenditure cap of $2 per voter for mayoral candidates and $1 per voter for council candidates would apply. The proposed rules would also prevent mayoral candidates from spending more than $200,000 and council candidates from spending more than $50,000 on their campaigns.

The LGAQ argues these spending limits would deal with some of the issues covered in the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra, an investigation into last year’s elections for the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Logan councils.

“Our position is clear,” LGAQ Chief Executive Greg Hallam said last week. “When it comes to the conduct of candidates in local government elections, whether they are already councillors or seeking to become councillors, transparency is paramount.’’’

“That is why we have strongly supported the introduction of real-time disclosure of electoral donations and continue to call on the Government to oblige all council election candidates to disclose their pecuniary interests at the time they nominate.’’

Mr Hallam said the LGAQ believed campaign spending caps were an important further step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the sector.

“We believe this would help prevent corruption and undue influence as it would deal with the demand for campaign funds that drive fund-raising practices,’’ he said.

On 1 July, 2016, new NSW electoral laws were introduced capping political donations to Local Government election candidates and parties. These were set at $6100 for parties and $2700 for candidates.

Rules were also introduced stipulating that any Individual or entity incurring more than $2000 in electoral communication expenditure during a local Council election period must register with the NSW Electoral Commission and appoint an official agent.

Otherwise, candidates for council election in NSW are not limited in their campaign spending. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said a spending cap will be in place by next March.

Rates cap crippling smaller councils: MAV THE MUNICIPAL Association of Victoria (MAV) says small rural councils are struggling to maintain local services and assets as they deal with reductions in state and Commonwealth funding and 2 per cent cap on rate increases.

At a public hearing of the Parliamentary inquiry into the Victorian Government’s rate capping policy last week, MAV President Mary Lalios said financial projections produced by Local Government Victoria indicated that capital spending in small rural shires would decline by 30 per cent from 2016-20.

“In the next two or three years we are going to see serious impacts on councils’ ability to meet their community service and asset renewal obligations, particularly in smaller councils,” Cr Lalios said.

“Rural councils each lost around $1 million a year for their local road maintenance when the State Government did not renew the Country Roads and Bridges Program in 2015. On top of this, the Federal Government’s three-year freeze of Financial Assistance Grants indexation cost Victorian councils around $200 million for local infrastructure and community services.

“While we welcome the Federal Government’s decision to restore indexation, the three-year freeze has left a significant ongoing funding gap," Cr Lalios said..

“It is critical that these funding cuts are reversed. Under the two per cent rate cap, we are starting to see small councils really struggling to deliver services and capital works programs.

“It’s now up to the State and Federal governments to restore the funding they have cut for local community infrastructure and services to ensure that rural communities are not negatively impacted,” she said.

The Andrews Government introduced an indefinite rate cap in December 2015, in response to what it claimed were uncontrollable rate rises from local councils.

It imposed a 2.5 per cent cap for the 2016-17 financial year – in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – and last December, Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins announced a 2 per cent cap for the 2017-18 financial year.

Following Cr Lalios’s Parliamentary appearance, Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg, President of the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) emailed mayors and councilors saying that “if you want to see what rate capping would do to our sector, you don’t need to look much further than across the border in Victoria”.

She also criticised the SA Liberal Party for committing to implement a rate-capping policy if it wins government at the March 2018 general election.

She said the party had sent residents in the state electorate of Bright a letter saying the role of councils should be “maintaining footpaths and roads, collecting rubbish, looking after our parks and sporting ovals, and supporting our seniors”.

“It’s easy to say councils should ‘get back to basics’,” Mayor Rosenberg said, “but harder to image our communities without the hundreds of facilities and services that our sector provides.”.

On Monday, Ballarat City deputy mayor Mark Harris told local media the rate capping formula was broken and should be scrapped for a more modern system.

“What galled us was when our local member [Wendouree MLA Sharon Knight] put out radio ads saying councils were greedy and the government was here to stop rapacious rate rises,” he said.

“Rates are a historic anachronism; they are like a land tax – it is hardly equitable to have rates on property to fund roads.

“There are no direct connections. Most councils acknowledge we don’t want to put rates up, but the formula is broken.”

Ms Knight said the Labor Government went to the last election with a rate-capping policy. “And we implemented it as we said we would.

“Any council can go to the Essentials Services Commission and state they are under pressure, under hardship, and have that rate capping waived,” she added.

Regional WA being 'stung by airlines' PEOPLE living in remote Western Australia are putting off booking flights to deal with family or health emergencies because of “exorbitant airfares”, a WA Parliamentary inquiry has heard.

The Economics and Industry Standing Committee inquiry is examining why WA regional airfares are so high, the social and economic impacts of this fare regime, and what the airlines and the WA Government might do about it.

Qantas executives who appeared before the inquiry this week heard claims the airline’s fare policies were “hurting” communities in the Goldfields and the Pilbara. In response, Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Andrew David told the inquiry the airline had recently announced a 12-month trial of discounted fares to six regional centres, including Broome and Kalgoorlie, and that its WA airfares were now lower than they were in 2013.

He said, however, that eight of the State’s regional airports were among the most expensive in the airline’s domestic network, with high maintenance, labour and other costs, and that this had contributed significantly to relatively higher airfares.

He denied Qantas was making large profits from its WA operations, saying profit per passenger per flight was only $7, and added that many routes (particularly to Pilbara mining centres) were unique in that planes left Perth full but often returned empty. Offering fare discounts would not help to fill those return seats, he said.

Airports Association of Australia Chief Executive Caroline Wilkie [a keynote speaker at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress on 6-8 November] told the hearing later that airport costs made up only 5-13 per cent of regional airfares, and that most regional airports operated at a loss.

In July, the Chief Executive of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Council, John Walker, said airfares to and from Kalgoorlie had risen significantly over the past year. And he hinted that unless Qantas and Virgin lowered their fares, the council would investigate alternatives.

“There [are] a lot of regulatory hurdles, we understand that,” he told media at the time. “But when you pay $820 to fly on Virgin or Qantas for a weekend, maybe there’s a Kalgoorlie airplane that flies weekend routes. It’s unlikely, but it’s something we need to explore.

“We think they are gouging the residents to fill the plane after they have done their corporate deals with fly-in, fly-out people, who obviously [make] no contribution to the local community … whereas the local people who do have their businesses penalised.”

The Qantas discount fare trial begins in November

Defence 'must improve communications with councils' THE DEPARTMENT of Defence must do more to communicate and consult with local councils and communities regarding military activities in the Fitzroy, Townsville and Shoalwater Bay areas of Queensland, a Senate committee has said.

In its second interim report on the impact of Defence training activities and facilities on rural and regional communities, the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee recommended that the Department – in consultation with local councils – review its communications to

ensure “the most effective flow of information, including plans which may generate potential business opportunities”.

It also recommended Defence commission an independent economic impact assessment of the loss of rateable land in the Livingstone Shire Council resulting from the proposed expansion of the Shoalwater Bay military training area.

In response to local community concerns about “the lack of effective notification by Defence about forthcoming exercises in training areas and the difficulty in locating an appropriate contact to convey concerns”, the report recommended the Department disseminate as much information, with as much advance notice, as possible, and that it make available a public contact point for the local community.

The second interim report is available at the Parliament of Australia website.

National Road Safety Strategy to get once-over FEDERAL Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester has commissioned an inquiry into the effectiveness of the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 amid fears of growing community complacency about road safety.

“After decades of reductions in road trauma, we have experienced a spike in several states in recent years,” Mr Chester said on 9 September, “and it’s timely to review the national strategy, in partnership with the state government and the community.”

He said the inquiry would assess current actions and help find new ways to reduce the number of road fatalities and serious injuries.

Associate Professor Jeremy Woolley, Director of the Centre for Automotive Safety Research at the University of Adelaide, and Dr John Crozier, Chairman of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ Trauma Committee, have been appointed to head the inquiry.

In December 2016, the Commonwealth committed $450,000 over three years to the Australian Trauma Registry to better understand the types of injuries and the impact on the health system caused by road crashes. And in July this year, two research projects into mobile phone distraction and drug-driving – believed to be major contributors to serious road trauma and death – were commissioned.

Mr Chester said the latest inquiry would also complement existing investment in road safety through the road blackspots, heavy vehicle safety initiatives, and infrastructure investment program.

The Minister announced other further road safety initiatives this week, including a further $16 million over four years for the Keys2drive learner-driver program, a further $828,000 over two years for heavy vehicle driver fatigue research, and $15.5 million over four years for a range of heavy vehicle safety initiatives.

WA Local Government Minister plays diversity card WEST AUSTRALIAN Local Government Minister David Templeman says new ways need to be found to get more women, younger people, and individuals from ethnic backgrounds to stand for council so that they’re truly representative of the communities they serve.

Speaking on Perth radio on Monday – and just days away from the close of nominations for the WA Local Government elections scheduled for 21 October – Mr Templeman said the “make-up of our elected representation in Local Government is still very narrow and doesn’t reflect the wider diversity of our WA population.

“I just want to see some more diversity. I think diversity is good, and having a wider range of people around that table at a council will end up making good decisions for their communities because they reflect the communities’ makeup.”

Mr Templeman raised the diversity issue in an article in The West Australian newspaper on Monday. The story also quoted him saying he supported the idea of councillors undertaking training courses so they were aware of their duties and responsibilities.

Training, development, and the need for greater diversity on councils were key aspects of a survey of Local Government elected members conducted by University of Western Australia (UWA) last year – and to which Mr Templeman referred in his newspaper and radio comments.

The Census was commissioned by the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) and the Department of Local Government and Communities (DLGC), and it noted that West Australian councillors were predominantly “white, elderly and male”.

“[This] lack of diversity and representativeness in the council chamber challenges the very idea that local government is the level of government closest to the local community,’’ the Census said.

The authors also said many survey participants had identified a need for training and development, particularly in governance matters. To that end, they suggested all elected members be mandated to undertake training courses in core competency areas, and that their participation in senior committee roles be contingent on successfully completing these courses.

WALGA is already acting on the Census findings, working with the DLGC to promote participation in next month’s council elections, and encouraging councils to develop diversity and inclusion policies, and to report publicly on their gender equity statistics. And, it is currently conducting a salary and workforce survey to add to its database on the make-up of Local Government staff.

In his radio interview, Mr Templeman said the review of the Local Government Act now underway was “all about improving the transparency, improving the accountability [of Local Government] and of course making sure that people are much more willing to participate in local democracy at the council level.”

And in The West Australian article, he revealed that Labor was looking at gifts for councillors and how they were reported by shires and cities – and considering legislation giving itself powers to sack individual councillors. Currently, the State Government can only remove an entire council for poor performance.

WA Local Government Minister plays diversity card WEST AUSTRALIAN Local Government Minister David Templeman says new ways need to be found to get more women, younger people, and individuals from ethnic backgrounds to stand for council so that they’re truly representative of the communities they serve.

Speaking on Perth radio on Monday – and just days away from the close of nominations for the WA Local Government elections scheduled for 21 October – Mr Templeman said the “make-up of our elected representation in Local Government is still very narrow and doesn’t reflect the wider diversity of our WA population.

“I just want to see some more diversity. I think diversity is good, and having a wider range of people around that table at a council will end up making good decisions for their communities because they reflect the communities’ makeup.”

Mr Templeman raised the diversity issue in an article in The West Australian newspaper on Monday. The story also quoted him saying he supported the idea of councillors undertaking training courses so they were aware of their duties and responsibilities.

Training, development, and the need for greater diversity on councils were key aspects of a survey of Local Government elected members conducted by University of Western Australia (UWA) last year – and to which Mr Templeman referred in his newspaper and radio comments.

The Census was commissioned by the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) and the Department of Local Government and Communities (DLGC), and it noted that West Australian councillors were predominantly “white, elderly and male”.

“[This] lack of diversity and representativeness in the council chamber challenges the very idea that local government is the level of government closest to the local community,’’ the Census said.

The authors also said many survey participants had identified a need for training and development, particularly in governance matters. To that end, they suggested all elected members be mandated to undertake training courses in core competency areas, and that their participation in senior committee roles be contingent on successfully completing these courses.

WALGA is already acting on the Census findings, working with the DLGC to promote participation in next month’s council elections, and encouraging councils to develop diversity and inclusion policies, and to report publicly on their gender equity statistics. And, it is currently conducting a salary and workforce survey to add to its database on the make-up of Local Government staff.

In his radio interview, Mr Templeman said the review of the Local Government Act now underway was “all about improving the transparency, improving the accountability [of Local Government] and of course making sure that people are much more willing to participate in local democracy at the council level.”

And in The West Australian article, he revealed that Labor was looking at gifts for councillors and how they were reported by shires and cities – and considering legislation giving itself powers to sack individual councillors. Currently, the State Government can only remove an entire council for poor performance.

Take driverless car trials to the bush, report urges THE FEDERAL Government has been urged to fund trials of automated vehicles with a public transport application in metropolitan and country regions.

A report into the social issues relating to land-based driverless vehicles in Australia – tabled in Federal Parliament this week by the Industry, Innovations, Science and Resources Committee – said public acceptance of the technology was vital.

Therefore, the Commonwealth – together with state and territory governments and local councils – should facilitate and encourage automated vehicle trials allowing the public to experience these vehicles on public roads.

The Committee’s 10 recommendations were, variously, for the Commonwealth to assume greater leadership on driverless vehicles by guiding efforts to standardise road infrastructure (particularly signs and road markings), ensuring a whole-of-government approach to the new technologies, identifying industry needs, and establishing either a dedicated national body or cross-agency taskforce to coordinate preparations for the advent of land-based automated vehicles.

Committee Chairman Michelle Landry said all levels of government were working to address regulatory barriers, but added that it was vital the views and concerns of Australians were taken into account so that the expected benefits of automated vehicles, social and economic, could be fully realised.

The report, together with public submissions, is available on the Committee’s website.

News in brief A SENATE Committee inquiry into the Community Development Program (CDP) has been told that the controversial work-for-the-dole program is discriminatory and should be scrapped.

John Paterson, Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory (APO NT) said the current program was causing significant harm to communities, and was “not an effective piece of work”.

Mr Paterson said the wages of people on the CDP were “an absolute disgrace”.

“What it reminds me of is a modern-day Wave Hill situation where Aboriginal people were paid sugar, flour and tea," he said. “Those sorts of conditions and that sort of wage offer and assistance for Aboriginal Australians should not be offered in this day and age.”

APO NT has launched an alternative program, the Proposed Remote Development and Employment Scheme, which it says focusses on increasing jobs, boosting community development, and lessening the welfare system’s intrusion into people’s lives.

"Government should seriously consider the implementation of this alternative model immediately. Not next week, not next month, not a year but right now because Aboriginal people, Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal families are hurting,” Mr Paterson said.

THE REPLACEMENT or upgrade of 186 bridges across Australia has been announced under Round Three of the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Program.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said the $162.5 million to be provided in the third funding round – which will be matched by successful proponents – would deliver more fit-for-purposed bridges and “improve driving conditions for residents and local freight operators”.

A full list of successful Round Three projects can be found here.

THE VICTORIAN State Government has appointed a monitor to oversee the administration of the Frankston City Council.

The appointment follows a review of governance and spending at the Melbourne bayside council by the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate.

Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins – replaced on Wednesday by Marlene Kairouz – said she’d accepted the Inspectorate’s recommendation to appoint a monitor, who would

“work with the councillors to improve the way they work as a team, how they work with the administration and make regular reports to me and the community”.

THE DEPARTMENT of Infrastructure and Transport is accepting applications for Round Five of the its Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program funding.

The 2015-16 Federal Budget allocated $33.7 million over four years to fund five rounds of works to improve the safety and capacity of remote airstrips.The program does not cover landside works including terminals, hangars, buildings or commercial developments.

Eligible projects can include:

• upgrading runway surfaces; • upgrading stormwater drainage; • installing or upgrading runway lighting and navigation aids; and • installing or upgrading animal-proof runway fencing.

Ninety-one upgrade projects across the country were funded in the last round. These included $1.5 million for the reconstruction of the Bathurst Island aerodrome in the Northern Territory, $266,275 to reseal runway, taxiway and other surfaces at Ravensthorpe, WA, $63,636 for a reseal of the runway and lighting at Menindee in NSW; and $3847 for lighting works at Wudinna in SA.

Round Five applications are open until 20 October 2017. Visit the departmental website to put in a bid.

A PROPOSAL by the East Gippsland Shire Council to require permits for livestock movements on council roads has upset local farmers, who claim it is overly bureaucratic and a revenue grab.

The summary of the Council’s draft General Local Law [to maintain and enhance peace, order and good government of the shire] says a permit system would result in “better management and control of livestock movement on council roads … improve road safety and reduce council’s legal liability”.

However, former Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) livestock group president Chris Nixon says the proposal is based on “spurious claims” of legal liability.

“Common sense says farmers have appropriate insurance in place,” he said. “You wouldn’t take the risk. The shire is looking to raise money, outside the rate cap, I think that’s all it really is.”

The initial annual cost of the three-year permit had been set at $107, but Mr Nixon fears the price will rise over time.

VicRoads requires farmers to put up signs warning of stock movements; primary producers also have to have public liability insurance.

The council is seeking public feedback on the draft General Local Law, with final submissions due by 12pm on 29 September.

EIGHTEEN new fixed wireless sites supplying 3747 regional and rural homes and businesses with broadband services were switched on in August.

The premises, spread across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, SA and WA, can access broadband with speeds of up to 50 megabits a second download and 20 megabits a second upload. This

brings to nearly 200,000 the premises in region and rural Australia which are now connected to broadband.

A network of 1700 fixed wireless towers will deliver services to all but a handful of rural and regional consumers by the time the broadband roll-out is complete in 2020, with the remainder to receive a satellite service.

THE KYOGLE Shire Council is writing to the Prime Minister in support of the Australia Day resolution passed at the National General Assembly (NGA) of Local Government in June.

Mayor Danielle Mulholland said the NGA resolution was to encourage Australian councils to consider efforts they could take to lobby the Federal Government to change the date of recognition of Australia Day.

“We are writing a letter to the Prime Minister, the NSW Premier and ministers to support that position,” she said.

Cr Mulholland said, however, that the council will continue to fund and stage Australia Day activities.

In related news, Moreland City Council’s motion to abandon Australia Day celebrations – passed on Wednesday night – has been condemned by Federal Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

The shire council reaffirmed its commitment to hosting a citizenship ceremony on January 26. However, Mr Hawke reiterated that councils deemed to have “violated the integrity of the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code” would have their right to stage such ceremonies cancelled.

REGISTRATIONS of interest are being sought from construction companies for the upgrade of the Parkes to Narromine section of the Inland Rail project.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) says a shortlist of companies will be selected from the Registration of Interest process and invited to proceed to a formal Expressions of Interest phase.

Work on the 107km rail corridor is expected to start in 2018. It will involve track upgrades, track formation and culverts. Three new crossing loops at Goonumbla, Peak Hill, and Timjelly will also be built. This is in preparation for double-stacked trains of 1.8km in length

Registrations of interest can be made here.

THE NORTHERN Territory Government has appointed Denys Stedman as the Territory’s first Buy Local Industry Advocate. Mr Stedman, a managing partner at KPMG Australia’s Darwin office, will provide an independent advocacy function to government on behalf of local industry.

Announcing the appointment last Friday, Chief Minister Michael Gunner said it was part of a raft of government reforms designed to support local Territory jobs and enterprises.

Other initiatives include requiring all capital grants to include a “Buy Local’’ condition, and increasing the minimum weighting applied to local content in government tender assessments to 30 per cent.

THE INSTITUTE of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Victoria Leadership is accepting nominations for its Public Sector Awards.

There are eight categories in the Awards, which recognise exemplary innovation and leadership. They are open to individuals and teams who work in and with the Victorian public sector, or who work with Commonwealth, Local Government and community sector organisations delivering services in Victoria.

Nominations close Monday 25 September. To find out more and to nominate, visit the IPPA Victoria website.

Issue 16 – 21 September 2017

Information Bulletin

Issue No. 16/2017 Inside this Issue

Correspondence

& Papers

Pink Divider

Correspondence WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News ........................................ COR 1 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News ............................... COR 9 Media Releases - nil

Information from Human

Resources Blue Divider

Employee Movements ............................................................................................HR-1

IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn ttoo SSttaannddiinngg CCoommmmiitttteeeess

Technical Services

GGrreeeenn DDiivviiddeerr

Outstanding Matters and Information Items Various Items ................................................................................................... T-1 Monthly Departmental Reports Technical Services Works Programme............................................................ T-2

Community

Services Beige Divider

Outstanding Matters & Information Items Report on Outstanding Matters ....................................................................... C-1 Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Community Planning ...................................................................................... C-3 Community Development ............................................................................... C-6 Recreation Services Report ........................................................................... C-20 Library & Heritage Services Report ............................................................. C-33 Ranger & Emergency Services Report .......................................................... C-39

City Strategy Lilac DDiivviiddeerr

Nil

Development Services

Yellow Divider

Nil

Information Bulletin Page Information Items from Human Resource Management HR1 1.1 EMPLOYEE MOVEMENTS

New Staff:

• Business Systems Analyst – 18/09/2017

• Coordinator Growth and Urban Regeneration – 27/09/2017

• Digital Print Production Officer – 11/10/2017

• Print Production Assistant – 11/10/2017

• Landscape Architect – 16/10/2017

Staff Leaving:

• Community Development Coordinator – 15/09/2017

• Construction Supervisor – 21/09/2017

• Club Development Officer – 6/10/2017

Other Staff Movements (Internal):

• Strategic Community Planning Projects – Extension of contract until 1/12/2017

• Administration Officer (Planning) – Casual contract extended until 29/9/2017

• Administration Officer (Planning) casual employee transfer to full-time contract position

of Planning Services Information Officer from 2/10/2017 to 4/5/2018

Current Recruitment Activity:

• Senior Technical Officer Waste – Closes 21/09/2017

• Ranger – Closes 21/09/2017

• Manager Community Development – Closes 21/09/2017

• Leading Hand – Waste Disposal – Closes 28/09/2017

• Administration Officer – Parks and Environment Closes 28/09/2017

• Procurement Officer – Recruitment Progressing

• Customer Service Officer Recreation – Recruitment Progressing

• Senior Project Planning Officer - Local Planning Scheme – Recruitment Progressing

• Irrigation Fitter – Recruitment Progressing

Information Bulletin Page Information Items from Human Resource Management HR2

• Strategic Projects Officer – Recruitment Progressing

• Coordinator Environment – Recruitment Progressing

• Construction Engineer – Recruitment Progressing

Issue 16 – 21 September 2017

Information Bulletin

Issue No. 16/2017 Inside this Issue

Correspondence

& Papers

Pink Divider

Correspondence WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News ........................................ COR 1 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News ............................... COR 9 Media Releases - nil

Information from Human

Resources Blue Divider

Employee Movements ............................................................................................HR-1

IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn ttoo SSttaannddiinngg CCoommmmiitttteeeess

Technical Services

GGrreeeenn DDiivviiddeerr

Outstanding Matters and Information Items Various Items ................................................................................................... T-1 Monthly Departmental Reports Technical Services Works Programme............................................................ T-2

Community

Services Beige Divider

Outstanding Matters & Information Items Report on Outstanding Matters ....................................................................... C-1 Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Community Planning ...................................................................................... C-3 Community Development ............................................................................... C-6 Recreation Services Report ........................................................................... C-20 Library & Heritage Services Report ............................................................. C-33 Ranger & Emergency Services Report .......................................................... C-39

City Strategy Lilac DDiivviiddeerr

Nil

Development Services

Yellow Divider

Nil

Information Bulletin T1 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS

ITEM REFERRING COMMITTEE COMMENTS

Ordinary Council Meeting of Monday, 29 May 2017: Matters for Referral – Cr Zelones: “That the matter of barriers to prevent vehicle access to active sporting reserves be referred to the Technical Services Committee.”

Technical Services

Report anticipated for presentation at the 2 October 2017 Technical Services Committee Meeting.

Information Bulletin T2 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

Page 2 of 7

TECHNICAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE Works Program – September 2017 – November 2017

Department September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 City Projects Piara Waters (South) – construction ongoing

Armadale Aquatic Centre redevelopment – construction EOI evaluation, demolition tender evaluation

Piara Waters (South-East) – continue design process

Armadale District Hall – design continuing

Piara Waters (South) – construction ongoing Armadale Aquatic Centre redevelopment –

demolition commences Piara Waters (South-East) – continue design

process Armadale District Hall – design continuing

Piara Waters (South) – construction ongoing Armadale Aquatic Centre redevelopment –

demolition complete Piara Waters (South-East) – continue design

process Armadale District Hall – design continuing

Civil Works Construction Tait St, Kootingal Rd and Windarra Way

intersection upgrade Tait St – Lowanna Way to Armadale Rd

resurfacing Asphalt reseal to Dumsday Dr Preparation works for October reseal

projects

Construction Asphalt reseal to Chidzey Dr Asphalt reseal to Locksley Ave Asphalt reseal to Sexty St Asphalt reseal to Cohuna Dr Asphalt reseal to Tarrawan Pl Asphalt reseal to Owtram St Asphalt reseal to Galliers Ave Asphalt reseal to Clarence Rd

Construction Asphalt reseal to Foster Rd Asphalt reseal to William St Asphalt reseal to Railway Ave – Ryand to

Wakehurst

Maintenance New footpath on Lake View Tce between Lake

Rd and Gertrude Ave (RHS), Champion Lakes Routine maintenance as per Program Contract road sweeping Car park and path sweeping Footpath defects Car park maintenance

Maintenance New footpath on Brookton Hwy between

Bernard St and shops, Kelmscott (tentative) Routine maintenance as per Program Contract road sweeping Car park and path sweeping Footpath defects Car park maintenance

Maintenance New footpath on Brookton Hwy between

Bernard St and shops, Kelmscott (tentative) Routine maintenance as per Program Contract road sweeping Car park and path sweeping Footpath defects Car park maintenance

Information Bulletin T3 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

Page 3 of 7

Department September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 Engineering Design Braemore St line marking and street lighting

Streich Ave/Foster Rd intersection upgrade John Dunn Oval Dog Park car park John Dunn Oval ring road upgrade Balannup Rd ultimate upgrade – Ranford Rd to

Reilly Rd (DCS) Balannup Rd service relocation (DCS) Balannup Rd + Ranford Rd intersection street

light relocation (Black Spot) Fourth Rd power undergrounding Fourth Rd streetscape upgrade Rowley Rd East street lighting upgrade design

(Black Spot) Brookton Hwy pathway Urch Rd pathway Soldiers Rd pathway Procurement and management of street lighting

design and installation works (DCS/Muni/Black Spot)

Bus shelters (various)

Carradine Rd + Carawatha Ave intersection upgrade

Streich Ave/Foster Rd Intersection Upgrade (Black Spot)

Balannup Rd ultimate upgrade – Ranford Rd to Reilly Rd (DCS)

Balannup Rd service relocation (DCS) Fourth Rd power undergrounding Fourth Rd streetscape upgrade Rowley Rd East street lighting upgrade design

(Black Spot) Brookton Hwy pathway Urch Rd pathway Soldiers Rd pathway Eighth Rd upgrade (subject to agreement with

MRA) Forrest Rd upgrade (subject to commencement

of design for Eight Rd + Forrest Rd intersection) Powell Cres extension to Forrest Rd (Subject to

commencement of design for Eighth Rd + Forrest Rd intersection)

Procurement and management of street lighting design and installation works (DCS/Muni/Black Spot)

Bus shelters (various)

Carradine Rd + Carawatha Ave intersection upgrade

Balannup Rd ultimate upgrade – Ranford Rd to Reilly Rd (DCS)

Balannup Rd service relocation (DCS) Fourth Rd power undergrounding Fourth Rd streetscape upgrade Forrest Rd upgrade (Subject to commencement

of design for Eighth Rd + Forrest Rd intersection)

Powell Cres extension to Forrest Rd (subject to commencement of design for Eighth Rd + Forrest Rd intersection)

Lowanna Way Drainage upgrade Mason Rd/Warton Rd pre-deflection (DCS) Bus shelters (various)

Information Bulletin T4 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

Page 4 of 7

Department September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 Parks Design and Documentation

Migrant Park Playground design Minnawarra Dredge & Landscape tender

documentation Piara South contract admin Armadale Town Hall landscaping concept Balannup Living Stream request for tender Various Civil Works design input Piara Oval East design John Dunn Dog Park tender process Balannup Living Stream request for tender

Stage 2 Hardworks Sanctuary Lake & Surrounds LED lighting

project Various project RFQs

Benbeculla Park Playground upgrade design Migrant Park Playground design Minnawarra Dredge & Landscape tender

documentation Piara South contract admin Armadale Town Hall landscaping concept Balannup Living Stream request for tender Various Civil Works design input Piara Oval East design Sanctuary Lake & Surrounds LED lighting

project Cross Park Hardcourt Lighting audit/design and

specification Various project RFQs

Cross Park Hardcourt lighting audit/design and specification

Various Project RFQs Ranford Rd/Alexwood Dr median island

landscape upgrade Erica St POS design and documentation

Harrisdale/Piara Waters Various landscape works submissions under

review Various landscape works in pre-handover

period

Harrisdale/Piara Waters Various landscape works submissions under

review Various landscape works in pre-handover

period

Harrisdale/Piara Waters Various landscape works submissions under

review Various landscape works in pre-handover period

Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority Area Works

Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority Area Works

Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority Area Works

Wungong Various landscape works submissions under

review

Wungong Various landscape works submissions under

review

Wungong Various landscape works submissions under

review

Information Bulletin T5 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

Page 5 of 7

Department September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 Parks Works Capital

Various Capital Works projects Champion Lakes Beach Playground upgrade Sports Oval Lighting Upgrade -John

Dunn Memorial Oval and Gwynne Park Main Oval

Cross Park Cricket net relocation Warton /Ranford/Skeet contract admin Groundwater production bores, Cross Park,

Fancote Park, Springdale Oval Warton Rd landscaping Paterson Park Playground upgrade Various fencing projects Irrigation Injection system installs

Capital Various Capital Works projects Sports Oval Lighting Upgrade -John

Dunn Memorial Oval and Gwynne Park Main Oval

Cross Park Cricket net relocation Warton /Ranford/Skeet contract admin Groundwater production bores, Cross Park,

Fancote Park, Springdale Oval Warton Rd Landscaping contract admin Erica Street Upgrade POS Strategy Precinct G Various fencing projects Irrigation Injection system installs

Capital Various Capital Works projects Master Plan Implementation John Dunn Dog

park Sports Oval Lighting Upgrade -John

Dunn Memorial Oval and Gwynne Park Main Oval

Cross Park Cricket net relocation Warton /Ranford/Skeet contract admin Groundwater production bores, Cross Park,

Fancote Park, Springdale Oval Warton Rd Landscaping contract admin Erica Street Upgrade POS Strategy Precinct G Sanctuary Park & Surrounds LED lighting

project

Maintenance Contract landscape maintenance Contract play space maintenance Scheduled mowing and general maintenance Irrigation maintenance Bushland maintenance Civic precinct maintenance Contract new estate maintenance Contract streetscape maintenance Customer requests Contract barbecue cleaning Contract street tree maintenance Urban Forest plantings maintenance and new

install Bridge and boardwalk upgrades Streetscape garden upgrades

Maintenance Contract landscape maintenance Contract play space maintenance Scheduled mowing and general maintenance Irrigation maintenance Bushland maintenance Civic precinct maintenance Contract new estate maintenance Contract streetscape maintenance Customer requests Contract barbecue cleaning Contract street tree maintenance Urban Forest plantings maintenance and new

install Bridge and boardwalk upgrade Streetscape garden upgrades

Maintenance Contract landscape maintenance Contract play space maintenance Scheduled mowing and general maintenance Irrigation maintenance Bushland maintenance Civic precinct maintenance Contract new estate maintenance Contract streetscape maintenance Customer requests Contract barbecue cleaning Contract street tree maintenance Urban Forest plantings maintenance and new

install Bridge and boardwalk upgrade Streetscape garden upgrades

Information Bulletin T6 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

Page 6 of 7

Department September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 Property Management

Design Kelmscott Hall Upgrade –final design and

documentation award Champion Centre – prelims completed – Tender July

17

Design Kelmscott Hall documentation completed and

construction tender issued Champion Centre feasibility completed by

design consultant

Design Kelmscott Hall construction tender reviewed Champion Centre , concepts under review

New Works Roleystone Theatre asbestos removal program Westfield Scouts asbestos removal All works at Landfill site completed Creyk Park – Channel 9 Makeover completed

New Works Rolystone Theatre asbestos removal program

and staging under review Armadale Tennis Club and surrounding

buildings power upgrade from sub-station, initial report submitted

Landfill site works on hold pending compliance review

New Works Rolystone Theatre asbestos removal under

review, report being prepared to the extent of works

Armadale Tennis Club and surrounding buildings power upgrade from sub-station, electrical consultant to liaise with Western Power

Landfill site rectification works to commence

Upgrade Greendale Centre upgrade/refurbishment – works

85% completed Greendale Centre fit out internal spaces City Wide security upgrade to web based application

for remote management – various facilities ongoing AC Admin Building – commence consultation with

staff – area 1

Upgrade Greendale Centre – upgrade/refurb – works

90% completed. Most constructions work completed internal

finishes are being completed/organised Landscaping/planting being reviewed City security upgrade and tender completed

contract documentation to be executed AC Main Admin Building - progressing

Upgrade Greendale Centre – upgrade/refurb –PC reached Constructions work completed internal finishes

completed Landscaping/planting completed AC Main Admin Building – works scheduled to

commence

Maintenance Programmed maintenance works continue in all of

the City’s buildings, and include: o Electrical Safety Program – Residual Current

Devices (RCDs) o Air conditioning maintenance – monthly o Alarm change overs – domestic to commercial

4G units various sites o Fire Services maintenance in various sites

Maintenance Programmed maintenance works continue in all of

the City’s buildings, and include: o Electrical Safety Program – Residual Current

Devices (RCDs) o Air conditioning maintenance – monthly o Alarm change overs – domestic to commercial

4G units various sites o Fire Services maintenance in various sites

In addition to the above property condition reports are being undertaken

Maintenance Programmed maintenance works continue in all of

the City’s buildings, and include: o Electrical Safety Program – Residual

Current Devices (RCDs) o Air conditioning maintenance – monthly o Alarm change overs – domestic to

commercial 4G units various sites o Fire Services maintenance in various sites

In addition to the above property condition reports are being undertaken and reviewed against maintenance works program

Information Bulletin T7 Information Items from the Technical Services Directorate

Page 7 of 7

Department September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 Subdivisional Development

Strategic Referrals Shepherd Cl LWMS Cell K Wungong Cell G Wungong Precinct C Lake Rd SP

Strategic Referrals Cell K Wungong Anstey Rd SP Cell G Wungong Precinct C Lake Rd SP

Strategic Referrals Shepherd Cl LWMS Cell G Wungong Precinct C Lake Rd SP

Water Management South Forrestdale Industrial Lots 16 & 20 Eleventh Rd Champion Lakes Stage 7 CY O’Connor UWMP Lot 9 McNeil Rd UWMP Hilbert Parks Stage 3 UWMP Cell F – FP3 UWMP Forrestdale Business Park West UWMP

Water Management South Forrestdale Industrial Lots 16 & 20 Eleventh Rd Champion Lakes Stage 7 CY O’Connor UWMP Lot 9 McNeil Rd UWMP Hilbert Parks Stage 3 UWMP Cell F – FP3 UWMP Forrestdale Business Park West UWMP

Water Management South Forrestdale Industrial Champion Lakes Stage 7 Lot 9 McNeil Rd UWMP Hilbert Parks Stage 3 UWMP Cell F – FP3 UWMP Forrestdale Business Park West UWMP

Civil Works Assessment The Avenues Stage 6 Sienna Wood Town Centre Madox Stage 2a Mason Green Stage 7 – civils Lot 30 Armadale Rd Lot 501 Nicholson Rd Stage 1 Scenic Lakes Stage 1 – civils Piara Waters Stage 16 Forrestdale Business Park West (waiting for

UWMP) 104 Wollaston Ave

Civil Works Assessment Mason Green Stage 7 – civils Springtime Stage 4 – civils Lot 30 Armadale Rd Lot 501 Nicholson Rd Stage 1 Newhaven Grove Stage 9 Scenic Lakes Stage 1 – civils Forrestdale Business Park West (waiting for

UWMP) Stage 16 Piara Waters

Civil Works Assessment Madox Stage 2a Mason Green Stage 7 – civils Springtime Stage 4 – civils Lot 30 Armadale Rd Lot 501 Nicholson Rd Stage 1 Newhaven Grove Stage 9 Scenic Lakes Stage 1 – civils Forrestdale Business Park West (waiting for

UWMP)

Civil Construction Madox Stage 1 Mason Green Stage 5 & 6 - subgrade Onyx Rd (Grouped Housing) Newhaven Grove Stage 8 Newhaven Grove Stage 11 – road base Newhaven POS C and POS F Heron Park Stage 25 Wright Rd extension Lot 2 Eleventh Rd 7 and 65 Lake Rd

Civil Construction Madox Stage 2a Sienna Wood Cell D Stage 5& 6 – road works Onyx Rd (Grouped Housing) Newhaven Grove Stage 8 Newhaven Grove Stage 11 – road base Newhaven POS C and POS F Heron Park Stage 25 Wright Rd extension Lot 2 Eleventh Rd 7 and 65 Lake Rd The Avenues Stage 6 Sienna Wood Town Centre

Civil Construction Sienna Wood Cell D Stage 5& 6 – road works Onyx Rd (Grouped Housing) Newhaven Grove Stage 8 Newhaven POS C and POS F Heron Park Stage 26 Wright Rd extension Lot 2 Eleventh Rd 7 and 65 Lake Rd The Avenues Stage 6 Sienna Wood Town Centre Madox Stage 2a

Issue 16 – 21 September 2017

Information Bulletin

Issue No. 16/2017 Inside this Issue

Correspondence

& Papers

Pink Divider

Correspondence WA Local Government Association (WALGA) News ........................................ COR 1 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) News ............................... COR 9 Media Releases - nil

Information from Human

Resources Blue Divider

Employee Movements ............................................................................................HR-1

IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn ttoo SSttaannddiinngg CCoommmmiitttteeeess

Technical Services

GGrreeeenn DDiivviiddeerr

Outstanding Matters and Information Items Various Items ................................................................................................... T-1 Monthly Departmental Reports Technical Services Works Programme............................................................ T-2

Community

Services Beige Divider

Outstanding Matters & Information Items Report on Outstanding Matters ....................................................................... C-1 Monthly / Quarterly Departmental Reports Community Planning ...................................................................................... C-3 Community Development ............................................................................... C-6 Recreation Services Report ........................................................................... C-20 Library & Heritage Services Report ............................................................. C-33 Ranger & Emergency Services Report .......................................................... C-39

City Strategy Lilac DDiivviiddeerr

Nil

Development Services

Yellow Divider

Nil

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-1 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

CD/A/10 CD/106471/17

EVENTS CALENDAR – OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2017 Name of Event Venue Date Dogs Day Out Kelmscott Hall and Rushton Park 1 October 2017 Community Safety Day & Piara Masala

Piara Waters Oval 15 October 2017

Mental Health Week Stress Free Day

Champion Centre 10 October 2017

Age Friendly Expo Jull Street and Armadale Shopping City

26 October 2017

Hawker’s Markets Memorial Park, Armadale 3 November 2017 Hawker’s Markets Memorial Park, Armadale Christmas Parade and Carols by Candlelight

Jull Street Mall and Memorial Park 1 December 2017

Australia Day celebrations Minnawarra Park 26 January 2018

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-2 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

CD/A/10 CD/106471/17

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

REPORT ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS – AUGUST 2017 ITEM DEPT. ACTION/STATUS

Shopping Trolleys in Public Access Areas (Refer to item 5.1 of Committee Services Committee Meeting 4 April 2017) That the matter be referred to the relevant Directorate for action and/or report to the appropriate Committee (Cr Best)

Ranger Services/Parks & Garden

Currently being investigated. Memo to be forwarded in due

course.

Investigation of Assistance Walks for Disabled Persons in Natural Environment (Refer Item 5.2 of Committee Services Committee Meeting 4 April 2017) That the matter be referred to the relevant Directorate for action and/or report to the appropriate Committee (Cr Stewart)

Community Development

Councillor Item currently being investigated

Banners in the Jull Street Mall (Refer to item 6.1 of Committee Services Committee Meeting 8 August 2017) That Council Officers investigate options to use the banners to promote Heritage, Environment, Community Groups, Events and Initiatives.

Community Development

Currently being investigated. Memo to be forwarded in due

course.

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Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-6 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The Community Development Team’s aim is to build a safe, healthy and connected community through the facilitation of various programs and services. This includes four areas of focus: • Places Activation • Partnerships • Community Engagement • Capacity Building The Community Development Department comprises the following teams: • Community Development • Indigenous Development • Arts and Major Events • Volunteer Services Major Projects Community Group Capacity Building Program The Community Connect Lunch was a great success, and saw the launch of the new Growing our Community Calendar, which outlines the support that the City offers to community groups. This is now available on the City’s Webpage: https://www.armadale.wa.gov.au/growingourcommunity Children and Families Forrestdale Primary School

Discussions are underway to test the feasibility of having a community playgroup on the Forrestdale Primary school site, specifically targeting new families in the Haynes/Hilbert areas. This will be a three way partnership between Forrestdale PS, Creating Communities

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-7 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

(working with PEET & Co) and CoA to get this group established to be self-sustaining. The school will offer space and occasional staff interaction to ease transition to school, Creating Communities will connect their residents from The Avenue and some funding to seed this playgroup and the City’s role will be to connecting other stakeholders such as PlaygroupWA and local parenting services to offer information sessions for the parents of the playgroup. PlaygroupWA will assist with their Enhanced Transition to School program, which is specifically to encourage schools to offer playgroups onsite as an opportunity to ease the transition to school for children and parents who are navigating the school system for the first time.

Armadale Primary School

Through consultation with their school community, Armadale PS have identified that Families would like to have an onsite Playgroup and have connected with PlaygroupWA Enhanced Transition to School program and are starting Wednesday 6th September with the support of PlaygroupWA and start fourth term in their own right. This will be a playgroup for the Armadale Primary School community only. The recent upgrade to Lion’s Park will include children’s artwork from the students at Armadale Primary School. The treated pine poles that have been installed will be an art project that 24 students will apply their talents to under the supervision of their art teacher over a series of excursions to the park site. The children’s involvement will allow them to establish a sense of pride in this space that is closely located to their school.

Community Led Initiatives

Madiworks Inc has been involved with the City for a few years to provide different programs involving music and movement. In 2016, they were successful in obtaining Annual Contribution funding and delivered Protective Behaviours education to primary school aged children. While doing this work, they became aware of the services in Armadale who support victims of abuse and their families and through their relationships with the children and their families. The staff at MadiWorks Inc organised and held an information session for other dance schools in the area to raise the awareness of how to best assist children and their families and also to acquaint them with what is available in the local area and the process of how to handle disclosures. A group of Roleystone mums have connected with Communicare Parenting Services to hold a series of parenting workshops in the home of one resident. This arrangement was reached because there was a group of 8 mums who wanted to attend the workshops but were not able to during the week in the evenings as they did not have anyone to care for their children. Joint Projects CDO Families and Children has been working on several joint projects recently, these have included National Student Volunteering Tree Planting and the planning for the Community Safety Day and Age Friendly Expo which both take place in October.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-8 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Youth Armadale Aspire Graduation The pilot Armadale Aspire youth career development program successfully concluded in a formal Graduation evening at the Armadale District Hall on 23 August. The 20 participating year 10 students from six local high schools were provided the opportunity to present their achievements and learnings to an audience of family members, Councilors, school Principals and staff, local business Directors and City of Armadale staff. The students proudly collected certificates presented on stage by the Mayor. In addition, four students who excelled in the program were presented with work experience/ mentoring placements with the partner industries: Beaver Trees and Alita Construction. Some key outcomes from the joint Community and Economic Development Armadale Aspire Program include: • 100% of students reported their skills and knowledge has increased after participating in

Armadale Aspire • 80% of students felt more connected to their local community as a result of participating

in Armadale Aspire • 100% of students reported they will use the skills developed in the program to further

their careers • 85% of students acquired skills they previously did not have. • 90% of students said they now had an idea of what they want to do after they leave

school • 90% of students want to continue study after high school • 55% of students reported the Armadale Aspire Program has changed their mind about

what they want to do after high school. Cross local-government collaborations The City of Armadale has built strong and sustainable relationships with the South East Corridor local government Community Development and Youth teams specifically; City of Gosnells, City of Canning and City of Belmont. Discussions have commenced and continued for future youth collaborations in the coming months including: • King of the Hill Skate and Scooter Competition – In addition to hosting a qualifier heat,

CoA will be hosting the final in 2018 – utilising two of our local skate park facilities.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-9 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

• GELO group Comedy heats and show – a new opportunity where comedy and improve workshops will be hosted at each local government and a large final show will see all participants come together and receive the opportunity for the winner to have all expenses paid trip to perform at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 2018, in partnership with GELO (entertainment provider).

Night Fields – the City successfully delivered Night Fields in Armadale this year and due to the success, has invited the Cities of Gosnells and Canning to partner on the venture delivering the program across several different parks in the South East Corridor and exploring the option of busing participants to each series. Night Fields launches 25 October 2017.

FRAMED Cirque FRAMED was again fully booked this year and saw a safe, fun and vibrant environment for the City’s local young people aged 13 – 17 years old. The Town Hall was transformed into a circus-infused theme and three bands in addition to our local DJ/ MC entertained the crowd all night. FRAMED provides a platform for young local musicians to develop their skills, perform to their peers and community and build their confidence.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-10 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

National Student Volunteer Week The City’s Community Development Officers for Children & Families and Youth in addition to the Volunteer Services Coordinator partnered with the Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group to celebrate National Student Volunteer Week in August. 15 local students both high school and primary school, joined the City at Fancote Park to plant 600 native plants along the banks of the Billabong (Canning River) at Rushton Park. Their efforts will assist in supplementing habitats for local fauna and improve the health of the local waterways. The students all expressed interest in wanting to further connect with their community and pursue further volunteering.

Summer Skate Clinics The City has partnered again with Skateboarding WA to deliver skate workshops for the local youth, activating all three of the local skate parks. Varying from last season’s clinics, the

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-11 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

new workshops will incorporate a clinic component and a battle/ jam session and game of skate to cater for the diverse age range the clinics have been attracting. Clinics have been scheduled for: 9th September, 29th September, 19th October, 28th October, 30th November, 4th January, 10th January 2018. Youth Engagement Project As part of the City’s successful $10,000 Department for Communities grant, the CDO-Youth has commenced the partnership with Notre Dame University as part of the Youth Engagement Program. More than 50 Notre Dame Behavioural Science students were taken on a bus tour around the City of Armadale to explore the diverse communities, place areas and social situations in addition to understand the geographical isolation facing many suburbs and communities. The students were also invited to an interview panel session hosted in the Function Room, with select key stakeholders in the Armadale Youth and Community fields including delegates from; youth justice, WA Police, Department of Education, Save the Children, headspace Armadale, YMCA. This was an opportunity to gather consulted research on the trends, issues, feedback, gaps, opportunities etc. for local youth from experts in this field. This research will go toward the full review of youth friendly spaces, places and programs; a key priority identified in the Community Development Strategy 2017 – 2021.

Armadale Youth Intervention Partnership (AYIP) Armadale Youth Intervention Partnership (AYIP) is partnering with the West Australian Football Commission to provide a leadership development program for five young people. The 10-week project will commence immediately following AYIP's Summer Holiday

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-12 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

program and will qualify young people in football referee and coaching qualifications, allow them to train with and be mentored by professional players, develop program planning skills and much more. The program will culminate in the young people using their new abilities to plan and run a youth sports event to be held at the Subiaco Oval. The program will commence in the second week of term 1 and will work in partnership with Cecil Andrews High School. Following this, newly qualified and experienced umpires and coaches will be employed through the Nightfields program. Armadale Youth Intervention Partnership (AYIP) Breakfast Club Following consultation with families and schools, the Armadale Youth Intervention Partnership has collaborated for a weekday "Breakfast Club". Bringing together youth workers with established relationships from One Step Closer, Ignite Basketball, Strong Path and Y-Time and using resources from Hope Community Services and the Champion Centre, young people are collected from their homes and given the best possible start to the day. Working with families, they make sure children are washed and dressed in school uniforms, ready to be collected. Youth workers meet the young people at 7am and transport them to the Champion Centre where they sit at a table and eat a cooked breakfast. At 8:00am, we board the bus and drop young people at their respective schools. The aim is to contribute to build life skills, provide consistency and contribute to the raising of attendances in partnership with schools, which are following an Individual Education Plan for those highlighted as having complex needs of the AYIP service, Nerrigen Principal Jane Westcott said: "The Breakfast Club proposal is a strategy that could have far-reaching benefits for the children and their families. Development of a morning routine and organisational skills, development of trust between the children and adults in the community while providing opportunities for youth workers to work with young people in a co-regulation capacity. As we know, developing a detailed understanding of the triggers associated with trauma and the scaffolding of strategies to access the ‘thinking’ part of the brain is extremely important. Co-regulation and de-escalation strategies will support our young people with opportunities to be successful in the rest of his day; while further building trust and skills needed to function productively in life."

POSITIVE AGEING ‘Stay on Your Feet: Build Your Balance Program’ The City was successful in an ‘Injury Control Council’, ‘Stay on Your Feet: Build Your Balance Grant Application’ of $5,160.00. Through this grant the City will:

• Provide LiFe training for up to 24 internal and external professionals in September 2017 • Develop a LiFe Program

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-13 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

• Pilot the LiFe Program with local Home and Community Care providers clients in

November 2017

• Evaluate the program for sustainability of continuing the program in the community or to be part of program already provided ( this may exceed the grant period to ensure sustainability) and

• Acquit the grant in December 2017 The LiFE program is a novel approach to exercise which aims to embed balance and strength activities within the everyday tasks of the older person. This program is targeted towards older adults who are risk of falling or have fallen and who have significant cognitive impairment that would impact on their ability to exercise safely.

Positive Ageing Sessions The City’s Positive Ageing Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month (excluding January) at the Armadale Library. The next Positive Ageing Session will be on the 6 September at 1.30pm at the Armadale Library. The topics for this session will on ‘Arthritis and Osteoporosis’ presented by an ambassador from Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA and ‘Healthy Bladder and Bowel’ presented by a representative from the Continence Foundation of Australia WA. Age Friendly Communities The City is in the process of developing an Age Friendly Community Strategy funded through a $10,000 Age Friendly Community Grant from the Department of Local Government and Communities. A reference group has been identified to help oversee the project. Status of the project: • Consultation was concluded in May.

• The City has received the Community Engagement Report which outlines the outcomes

of the consultation. • A Councillor’s Workshop was held on 14 August. • We anticipate receiving the Draft Age Friendly Communities Strategy in September and

will present at the Community Services Committee and Council in November 2017.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-14 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Age Friendly Communities Expo – For the Young and Young at Heart The City with Armadale Shopping City and New Spring Church, will host an Age Friendly Expo - For the Young and Young at Heart’ on the 26 October, between 9.30am – 1.30pm in Jull Street Armadale and Armadale Shopping City.

This expo is a celebration of Senior’s Week and Children’s Week. It will be Age Friendly and inclusive for all age groups. The expo will be held in Jull Street Mall and throughout Armadale Shopping City. Activities will include information displays for all age groups, live entertainment, interactive experiences and demonstrations. Representatives from businesses, groups, organisations, schools and government departments will be participating.

ACCESS AND INCLUSION Club Abilities Project- Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2016-2021 (DAIP): Outcome 1.2 The City has partnered with Inclusion WA through a $47,000 grant to build capacity of community groups and clubs to include people with disability and mental health issues into existing structures/programs. A steering group has been identified to oversee the project. Memberships of this group include CoA, Inclusion WA, Clubs, and people with disability. The proposed timeframe for the project is from March 2017 – March 2018. Inclusion WA has conducted consultation in the community to identify the direction of the project. A ‘Community Consultation Initial Report’ has been presented to the City of Armadale with a summary of the outcomes of the consultation, project outputs, proposed training sessions for clubs and service providers, club mentoring and project timelines. Identified and attendance of completed Community Workshops are:

• Volunteering Towards Inclusion. Seventeen people attended

• Social Inclusion & Disability Awareness: Tuesday 18 July 4-6pm, Frye Park Pavilion - Eleven people attended

• Mental Health & Valued Roles: Thursday 15 August 10am – noon, City of Armadale –

Thirteen people attended • Recreation Advice Workshop: Tuesday 5 September 10am –noon, City of Armadale and • Building Stronger, Better Connected Clubs: Wednesday 6 – 8pm, Frye Park Pavilion

Representatives from Inclusion WA have started mentoring 17 clubs/organisations.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-15 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Disability Access and Inclusion Reference Group The Disability Access and Inclusion Reference Group (DA&IRG) held a meeting on the 24 August. The meeting included updates on Lion’s Park, Club Abilities and National Insurance Scheme. The next meeting will be on the 14 December. COMMUNITY SAFETY Community Safety Response Program The City’s Community Safety Officer works closely with police to address community safety issues as they arise. This enables the City to proactively respond to residents’ concerns and demonstrate that the City is working towards Community Safety in partnership with Police and other stakeholders such as Neighbourhood Watch. This month include: • 26 August 2017 saw a Street Meet N Greet conducted in Champion Lakes. Champion

Lakes is a newly formed arm of NHW Armadale and has grown very quickly over the last few months. This day saw approximately 100 residents attend and had a real multicultural flavour to the day. 31 people had number plate screws fitted to their vehicles, many home security packs were provided, community feedback from this event was that these types of get together allows them to meet neighbours whom they would not normally communicate with and assists in breaking down barriers. Gosnells Police were also in attendance on the day.

• SCAN is starting to come together with the project passing through the next level of

command in WA Police. SCAN once implemented will enable local businesses to take ownership of what happens around their business, this will allow them to communicate quickly and effectively with other business and warn each other of ant social behaviour.

• Community Safety Day 2017 is coming together with 27 stall holders based around

crime prevention and safety nominating to take part in the day. This year we have provided an avenue for the Piara Punjab Club (Indian community) to join the event.

ARTS AND MAJOR EVENTS Volunteer Services Step into Volunteering

Armadale Volunteer Services hosted a “Step into Volunteering” workshops on August 22. “Step into Volunteering” workshops are suitable for people wanting to start volunteering but not sure how to get started. This session was held at the Kelmscott library and attracted 15 people. The Volunteer Services Coordinator also delivered modified Step into Volunteering

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-16 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

sessions to 35 students involved with the Cecil Andrews Police Rangers and 20 students completing the Armadale Aspire program. The next Step into Volunteering session will be held at the Armadale Library on 14 September 2017. Preparing for and Recruitment of Volunteers The Cities of Armadale and Gosnells invited volunteer managers, community groups and clubs who would like to learn more about preparing for and recruitment of volunteers to attend a full day Volunteer Masterclass on Wednesday 6 September at Lyal Richardson Hall at The Agonis Building. Topics covered that were covered on the day included: Organisational Culture and Readiness This workshop will be focused on the pre-recruitment phase of engaging volunteers. Topics covered will include organisational culture, identifying what motivates volunteers and legal requirements. Marketing, Connecting and Matching Expectations It is no longer about just recruiting; it’s about connecting volunteers and matching their expectation with yours. We focus on segmenting target markets, developing messages, writing winning advertisements to different target groups, screening and selecting, preparing for interviews, and conducting interviews. These workshops are part of a masterclass series of workshops offered by the peak body of volunteering – Volunteering WA. These workshops offer four levels of endorsement which align with nationally recognised qualifications. These endorsements reward those who manage volunteers for their on-going personal commitment to professional development. Achievements are recognised with a Certificate at each level of attainment, providing a measurable standard for volunteer management. 19 people attended these workshops. INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT Indigenous Development Prime Minister & Cabinet Representative Visit On Tuesday 5th September 2017 the First Assistance Secretary, Troy Sloan, visited the Champion Centre to take a tour and talk to staff regarding programs. Mr Sloan works in the

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-17 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Closing the Gap (CtG) Division of PM&C and met with IAS providers who are contributing the Closing the Gap. Champion Centre Bidi Waalitj Program On the 17th of August the Wirrpanda Foundation held an employment information session at the Champion Centre for their The Bidi Waalitj Program, this program is aimed at assisting young Indigenous people between 15-24 years of age that reside throughout the Southern Corridor of the Perth Region. The Bidi Waalitj Program will involve tailored training for each participant and mentoring by Indigenous Mentors. There was a good turnout on the day with several participants in attendance and signing up for the program. Troy Egan from the Wirrpanda Foundation will now be based at the centre every Friday to meet with young

Indigenous people interested in the program. Telethon Kids Institute The Koorlangkas Yarning project met with community women to discuss a study that reinforces to the families the importance of language and yarning to babies. They will use the Champion Centre on an ongoing basis to meet with mothers and grandmothers to discuss the project. Women’s Health Expo On the 6th of September the Champion Centre hosted an International Women’s health expo for the local community as it was International women’s health week. The local Armadale South Metropolitan TAFE Certificate III

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-18 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

students who are studying Community Services came down for the day to help out.

There were over 20 service providers that attended this event. There were free health and hearing checks on the day, information around mental health, drug and alcohol, financial counselling, information around the local Tafes and Universities in the area and the courses they offer and more. Some of the service providers that attended were Breast Screen WA, Audio Clinic, Sussex Street Law Centre, ARCHE Health, Moorditj Djenna, South Metropolitan Tafe, Cervical Cancer Prevention and Palmerston There were over 150 people that attended this event and through the feedback received from the community the Champion Centre is now looking at holding this event twice a year.

Indigenous Advancement Strategy Ngalang Djookan Danjookan Program (Our Sisters together) Each week the girls participate in nutrition classes with the food from our food security program and they are currently making a cook book of all their recipes, the scones seem to be the favourite so far. The food they prepare, they take home to their families for tea that night and they also take home fruit, vegetables and bread.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-19 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-20 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

PROGRAMS OPERATING AT THE CHAMPION CENTRE Organisation Programs Day Birrdirt Woman’s Group Women’s group Monday South Metro TAFE Leadership, Life Skills, Health and

Wellbeing course Monday, Wednesday and Friday

City of Armadale Food relief Monday and Wednesday

Rise Elders Group Elder’s group Tuesday and Thursday

Boodjari Yorgas playgroup Supported playgroup Tuesday Girls after school group After school program for girls aged 6 – 12 Wednesday Save the Children Australia Supported Playgroup Wednesday

and Friday Child and Adolescent Health Unit Child health clinic Wednesday Muggin Aboriginal Corporation Mooditj Koort Mental Health First Aid

Training Thursday

Palmerston Counselling Counselling Thursday Together We Can Afterschool Group

After school program for children aged 7- 14

Thursday

St John of God counselling Counselling Friday Wirrpanda Foundation Mentoring and employment Friday

RECREATION SERVICES The Recreation Services Team aims to build a safe, healthy and connected community through:

• Facility Management • Capacity Building • Health and Wellbeing Programs • Service Delivery Major Project Reports

As part of the McGowan Government’s Local Projects, Local Jobs program many projects within the City of Armadale were awarded grant funding. Please find an update of projects below: • Armadale Bowling Club – installation of solar panels – Completed • Armadale Girl Guides – installation of patio and concrete – On hold

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-21 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

• Armadale Soccer Club – installation of patio and seating – quotes received, awaiting confirmation of extra funding through Stronger Communities Program (Federal finding through Matt Keogh)

• Armadale Sporting Club – refurbishment of change rooms – quotes received, work to be

completed following City of Armadale insurance claim for broken pipework • Piara Waters Junior Football Club – Piara Waters Oval perimeter fencing – On hold -

extra funding awarded through Stronger Communities Program (Federal finding through Matt Keogh)

Stronger Communities Program The Stronger Communities Programme (SCP) provides grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local governments for capital projects. The City successfully put in an expression of interest in Round 3 of the Stronger Communities Grant Program for $20,000 for the Piara Waters Oval perimeter fence, to compliment the already received $20,000 from the Local Projects, Local Jobs funding. This will allow the safety fence to be extended even further to allow a safe environment for the local community. The next stage is to apply for a grant by September 28, 2017.

Community Facilities Community Vs Commercial (Regular Users) The City’s facilities host over 80 regular groups’ activities in any given week and an average quarterly invoice amount of $65,000 we have a level playing field of 45% commercial use versus 55% community use. 9% of community user groups have access to facilities through the Community Development team via MOU.

9%

46%

45%

Hirer Type

MOU

Community

Standard

Other Activities

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-22 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Facility User With an increase of 30% in the casual use of the City’s 17 facilities recorded for August 2017 from this time last year we are starting to see the results of more stringent application processing. With the addition of one new facility (Harrisdale Pavilion) since August 2018 which now accounts for 12% of the overall total of casual bookings the figures still reflect a 10% increase. Facility use overall has shown a 6% increase with casual, regular and seasonal users on this time last year.

Club Development

Seville Dragons Basketball Club – Basketball in Armadale

Over the past few months and in collaboration with Armadale Arena Staff, the Club Development Officer has worked with local Volunteers and Basketball WA to create the Seville Dragons Basketball Club (SDBC) as the only Basketball Club within the City of Armadale. Term 4, 2017 will mark the commencement of their operations from the Armadale Arena. SDBC, with the ongoing support of Recreation Services will undertake the task of running the program and are now incorporated and therefore qualify for government funding such as KidSport. Community Connect Lunch The Club Development Officer has worked with the Community Development Team on the City’s second Connecting Community Networking event was hosted as a lunch on 10 August, bringing together a range of sporting clubs, community groups and volunteers to share ideas create partnership and learn about how the City can support their important work.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-23 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Fifty-Three (53) Attendees from Thirty-Two (32) Community Groups attended the event in what was the launch the City’s updated Growing our Community Calendar. Dale Little Athletics ‘Come n Try’ Program. The Club Development Officer has worked with WA Little Athletics (WALA), Communicare and Dale Little Athletics Club (DLAC) to offer a free four week Come and Try Athletics program. This program is aimed at allowing local children from 6-18 participate in Little Athletics Clinics free of charge. DLAC is on hand to assist WALA coaching the participants and to liaise with parents in the aim of obtaining new members. As part of their Get Active Project, Communicare fully support the program by advertising to their Cultural and Language Diverse clientele and encouraging them to come along and use Athletics as the vehicle for their families to integrate into the local community. Piara Masala Festival The Club Development Officer has worked with the Community Development Team to support the recently incorporated Piara Punjab Club to start a new community festival ‘Piara Masala’ in Piara Waters. In the first year, they have been encouraged to join together with the Community Safety Day event at the Piara Waters Pavilion on Sunday 15 October. They will assist with coordinating an Indian food outlet and Indian entertainment and the community safety information will reach a greater level of new migrant families. Through vehicles such as sport (Cricket) and dancing, their vision is to grow the event that will have a fusion of Australian-Asian culture similar to the successful community model of the Harmony Festival in Harrisdale. Piara Punjab Club began as a group of Indian mates who hired Piara Waters Oval to play Social Cricket each Sunday in summer.

Club Abilities Project The City has partnered with Inclusion WA through a $47,000 grant to build capacity of community groups and clubs to include people with disability and mental health issues into existing structures/programs. A steering group has been identified to oversee the project. Memberships of this group include CoA, Inclusion WA, Clubs, and people with disability. The proposed timeframe for the project is from March 2017 – March 2018. Inclusion WA has conducted consultation in the community to identify the direction of the project. A ‘Community Consultation Initial Report’ has been presented to the City of Armadale with a summary of the outcomes of the consultation, project outputs, proposed training sessions for clubs and service providers, club mentoring and project timelines. Identified Community Workshops have now been scheduled. These are as below: • Social Inclusion & Disability Awareness: Tuesday 18 July 4-6pm, Frye Park Pavilion;

Twelve (12) Attendees from nine (9) Community Groups attended • Mental Health & Valued Roles: Thursday 15 August 10am – noon, City of Armadale;

Eleven (11) Attendees from nine (8) Community Groups attended

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-24 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

• Recreation Advice Workshop: Tuesday 5 September 10am –noon, City of Armadale; and

• Building Stronger, Better Connected Clubs: Wednesday 29 November 6 – 8pm, Frye Park Pavilion.

Representatives from Inclusion WA have also commenced mentoring specified clubs. The maximum of ten (10) Community Organisations have commenced the Mentoring Program Club Development Officer – Active Clubs e-Bulletin Each month, the Club Development Officer collaborates information on fantastic stories and achievements by the City’s Community Groups, Grant and Sponsorship opportunities, upcoming programs and projects, and important information from other Departments such as Community Services, Parks and Property and sends the Active Clubs e-Bulletin out to the 545 Club Committee Subscribers. Councillors can subscribe by ticking the Active Sporting Clubs Box at the bottom of the City’s website. Club Development – Career Pathway Program Sport and Recreation (a division of DLGSC) provides an Emerging Professional Program and targets people in their first five years in the Sport and Recreation sector. The program is an initiative helping people studying and working in sport and recreation industries to develop their knowledge and skills. On Thursday 17 August participants graduated to marking the end of this year's program. Participants were presented with certificates from Nick Sloan, Director of Industry Development and Participation, Sport and Recreation (DLGSC). The Emerging Professionals also presented on their 40 hour industry volunteer projects in front of their industry mentors. The City’s Club Development Officer, David Thomason participated in the program. His volunteer project was entitled “The effects of Local Government Reserve Maintenance Periods on Community Sporting Groups and State Sporting Associations alike.”

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-25 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

80%

3%

17%

August Arena Bookings Hirer Types

RegularBookingsCasualBookingsIn Kind

Armadale Arena Bookings

Casual bookings will continue to be at a low percentage due to peak time court space availability being low, due to regular hirer’s bookings and our centre sports programs. 17% of the centres August bookings are on a MOU or under a Council agreement with fees in kind to the value of $4,041.88 for the month of August.

Armadale Redbacks Roller Skating has reduced their bookings with cancellation of the Thursday afternoon timeslot. Changes are ahead for Ready Steady Go Kids and Prime Movers. Prime Movers are consolidating 2 groups into one session at the Arena on Thursday mornings in part due to the upgrades of Kelmscott Hall that are planned. Ready Steady Go Kids have not had much interest in the Wednesday morning timeslot at the centre so in Term 4 will be launching an after school session on Monday afternoons. We will continue to support these groups with promotion on our Term information flyers and space in the centre for their promotional materials. Marketing Display stands – New slatwall display stands are now in use in the centre and at outside events to help display our promotional materials. These came from Armadale Aquatic Centre and are already a valuable promotional tool.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-26 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

1% 4%

13%

27% 50%

5%

Membership Type Distribution

1mth membership

3mth membership

12 month FlexiD/Debit12mth membership

12mth DDmembership12mth OPmembership

Postcards - Special promotional postcards have been created to hand out at Community Events, with the Armadale Highland Gathering and Kilt Run being the first event where Arena staff will be handing out the postcards and promoting the Leisure Centre.

Wellness Workshops – As part of the 12 Week New Body Challenge we have 3 wellness workshops scheduled for September and October and for the first time these will be open to the general public. Bookings for the workshops are via Eventbrite and are promoted on the City’s website, Arena Facebook page and via Eventbrite. Arena Kiosk Our Kiosk sales of soup and toasted sandwiches have been successful with 2 more months of soup sales planned. The Coffee machine from Armadale Aquatic Centre is being installed at the Arena kiosk – with the machine having extra capabilities that our 9 year old machine doesn’t have.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-27 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Memberships Direct Debit membership types continue to be the most popular membership types for health club memberships. Adding the Flexi Direct Debit membership figures with our standard direct debit memberships means 63% of members pay via direct debit. This process will be streamlined when the new operating system, Envibe, goes live in December/January. 3 Month memberships are mainly made up of memberships for people via their insurance companies for workers compensation or other insurance rehabilitation reasons. The winter period has seen a slight decrease in memberships however figures are starting to increase with the beginning of spring – usually a busier time for new members. LIBRARY SERVICES Statistical Performance Indicators The Library Department’s statistical performance indicators report for the month of August 2017. There is a significant reduction in the Current Members statistic from July and August 2017 brought about by the change of the Library Management System (LMS) in February 2016. The agreed Western Australian standard for current library members is those whose barcode has been seen by the LMS in the previous two year period, so this anomaly will correct itself over time. Computer use and overall library usage is also reduced as a result of the computer issues experienced during 2016/17 and the City is currently endeavouring to resolve these issues. Activities and community information sessions A total of 47 sessions, both regular and special were held. A total of 1,191 people participated in these various activities. In any month regular sessions could include: story time, Baby Rhyme Time, school holiday programs, English conversation classes, reading & writing groups, computer training sessions, 3D printing workshops, games mornings and the Men’s Social Group. Special sessions could include: workshops, author talks, workshops, presentations, demonstrations, specialist programs, and community information sessions. 1,523 children, teachers, parents or community members were reached through 21 external visits to schools, childcare centres, and community facilities or events. For adults and seniors: Programs and activities Topic: Turn your hobby into a thriving Business Presenter: Charlene O’Brien.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-28 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Date: 29 August 2017 Venue: Armadale Library No. Attended = 49 Comments: Successful Armadale artist and eco-clothing designer Charlene O’Brien came to Armadale Library to speak on two topics: meeting the challenges of choosing art as a career path and overcoming those struggles, plus the opportunities offered by the upcoming ARC (Artists’ Retail Collective) centre. Charlene also gave the attendees, many of whom are local artists, the chance to ask detailed questions about ARC and its retail centre (which will open in the Jull Street Mall in October 2017) and what is required of artists wishing to join. She spoke enthusiastically about how much the retail space is needed, the role local artists play in the community, and the support this project has had from the City of Armadale. Also mentioned was the Armadale Hills Open Studio Arts Trail and other programs that led up to the creation of ARC. Topic: Flying High Presenter: Simon Cherriman Date: 7 August 2017 Venue: Armadale Library No. Attended = 40 Comments: Simon Cherriman, Perth based environmental biologist and filmmaker, presented a slideshow of stunning photography and spoke in-depth about the eagles found in the Perth Hills. This session was enjoyed by a large group, who listened intently to Simon’s knowledgeable, sometimes funny and other times sad tales, about the birds he is so passionate about. Question and answer time followed. Topic: Footsteps into the Past Presenters: Bree Hartley and Kim Fletcher as tour guides, plus other presenters. Date: 26 August 2017 Venue: St Mary in the Valley Anglican Church, River

Road, Kelmscott. No. Attended = 45 Comments: This event, run as part of Spring into Armadale and National Family History Month, saw two tour groups being guided around two ‘tracks’ of graves with historical commentary.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-29 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Each group enjoyed hearing from its own guide, plus guest presenters in character at some graves, during the first half of the event. There was a brief interval for refreshments, after which both groups changed sides to be led by the other guide and hear about a new set of graves. Members of the Roleystone Theatre Group and the Kelmscott History Group, along with other volunteers, were instrumental in making this event a success. They gave visitors a great sense of connection with the district’s past, and several attendees asked for further information from the scripts used by presenters. Topic: Cemeteries can tell stories Presenter: Sandy Hayward Date: 23 August 2017 Venue: Armadale Library No. Attending: 19 Comments: Sandy Hayward’s research on the history of East Perth Cemeteries has taught her many lessons that she was able to pass on to local historians who are involved in researching aspects of our district’s cemeteries. There were plenty of questions for Sandy, with a handful of people staying behind for more one on one informal chats on specific questions and concerns. Refreshments were served and many conversations between attendees continued after the event. Workshops and presentations Topic: Home Fire Safety Presenter: Department of Fire and Emergency Services Date: 18 August 2017 Venue: Armadale Library No. Attended = 8 Comments: Firefighters from the local Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) visited Armadale Library to discuss fire safety in the home. The information shared at this session included common winter hazards and home and family safety precautions during cold weather. Participants were encouraged to create a fire plan, to share this plan with other members of the household, and to arrange an assembly point in the event of an emergency. This session was a collaborative effort between the DFES Community Engagement team, DFES firefighters and the City of Armadale.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-30 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Topic: Writing Workshop Presenter: Susan Midalia Date: 26 August 2017 Venue: Armadale Library No. Attended = 22 Comments: Local Perth short story writer, Susan Midalia, returned to Armadale Library to present a writing workshop. Attendees were asked a number of questions to get creative thoughts flowing, including the big question: What should you write about? Participants performed a number of writing exercises, learned the essential elements of memorable creative writing, and shared their finished work with the rest of the group. Susan provided constructive feedback. This workshop served as an introduction to the inaugural Armadale Writers’ Award which will be open for entries during September 2017. Topic: Origami Presenter: Nami Osaki Date: 1 August 2017 Venue: Armadale Library No. Attended = 8 Comments: Professional artist and talented crafter, Nami Osaki, conducted an origami session catered to adults. Nami has extensive experience in delivering these workshops and always brings a healthy dose of creativity and a wealth of knowledge about the art form. Attendees learned by demonstration and examples how to create paper flowers, stars, and boxes. Origami is a great craft to enhance dexterity and focus. Refreshments were enjoyed and selections of topical books were displayed and available to borrow. For young people and teens: Programs and activities Topic: Learning English Through Storytime [LETS] Presenters: Jenny Ramshaw, Claire Tomlin, Laura Osborne, Rita Lennon Dates: July / August 2017 Venue: Kelmscott library Comments:

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Learning English Through Storytime is a family literacy program aimed at parents with children aged three to four who have a CaLD (culturally and linguistically diverse) background. The storytime is structures, promoting English skills and encourages parents to read at home with their child. Following successful programmes over the past year, the seven week sessions were offered again during Term Three in 2017. Although only a small group who took advantage of these fun and educational sessions, those who did attend found it very beneficial and learnt new skills to use at home. The families attending speak Tamil and Punjabi at home and practice English on a day-to-day basis. The program will be offered at Armadale Library in Term Four, 2017. Topic: Children’s Book Week 2017 Presenters: Justin D’Ath, Rebecca Flanagan, Shirley Reilly, Rita Lennon, Jenny Ramshaw Dates: 21-25 August Venues: Armadale Library, Kelmscott Library, Seville Grove Library and various schools in the City of Armadale Number attending special Book Week sessions: 220 Number reached as part of Book Week library outreach or visits to the library: 665 Comments: The theme for Children’s Book Week 2017 (August 19-26) is Escape to Everywhere. Each year, schools and public libraries from all over Australia spend the week celebrating books by Australian children’s authors and illustrators offering activities and book readings to highlight the importance of reading. The City of Armadale Libraries celebrated Children’s Book Week with two school sessions presented by interstate children’s author Justin D’Ath who haswritten over 50 children’s books. The Year 5 students from Challis Community Primary School and Year 3 and 4

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-32 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

students from Neerigen Brook Primary School thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Justin’s journey becoming an author and his tips for writing stories. Feedback from schools included: My Year Fives were completely amazed with Justin's presentation. I can't thank the City’s Libraries enough for the amazing opportunity. Challis Community Primary School A special session for toddlers with Book Fairy Rebecca Flanagan promoted our Better Beginnings Sing With Me packs. A playgroup from Gwynne Park Primary School and two family day care groups were among the attendees to this lovely session highlighting the importance of rhymes in children’s early literacy development. Armadale librarian Shirley Reilly visited five local schools to read shortlisted books from the Children’s Book Council Book of the Year Awards and promoted library services and programs. In total she read to 433 children and parents during the week. The Better Beginnings Kindy family literacy program, Pre-Primary Ripper Nippers and the Year 1 Ripper Readers programs were delivered. Feedback from schools included: I would like to sincerely thank you for delivering the Better Beginnings, Ripper Nippers and Ripper Readers to Early Childhood today. We also appreciated a special visit from Roary the dinosaur. We are thankful and very appreciative of the working partnership our school has with the City of Armadale Libraries. Clifton Hills Primary School Children’s Book Week story times were held at each library for the regular weekly story time session with 153 people attending. 15 children from My World Childcare Centre visited Seville Grove Library and 55 Year 4 students and teachers from Dale Christian School visited Armadale Library for special sessions with librarian Rita Lennon. Armadale Library also hosted a story time for 9 students and carers from Canning Vale Education Support School. Various shortlisted titles for the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards were displayed in each of our libraries. The Armadale Book Cubby was in residence at Australian Christian College Darling Downs for Book Week.

Justin D’Ath school session Rebecca Flanagan – Sing With Me session

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Kindy children receiving their Better Roary visits Clifton Hills PS! Beginnings reading packs Other library matters of interest State-wide public library matters: Inter-Library Loans A state-wide trial of a reduced Inter-Library Loan Service commenced from July 1st. During the trial fiction items less than 12 months old will not be able to be requested or supplied by libraries. Customers who make excessive use of the Inter-Library Loan Service may have their requests limited. HERITAGE SERVICES

Statistical Performance Indicators The Heritage Department’s statistical performance indicators report for the month of August 2017 Month: 2017 2016

Visitor Numbers: The number of visitors to History House Museum, Bert Tyler Vintage Machinery Museum and the Birtwistle Local Studies Library

101 114

Education Programs: The number of students and teachers interacted with through the Museum’s Australian Curriculum based education programs, both incursions and excursions, as well as the Museum in a Box (MiaB) program .

Public Programs: The number of people attending talks, workshops, exhibition openings, school holiday programs, presentations and other events.

Reference and Research: The number of reference enquiries responded to, or major research undertaken in response to all public enquiries received (volunteer

14 12

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hours may assist with the research). Volunteer Hours: The number of volunteer hours spent on customer service, data entry, conservation tasks, family history assistance, oral history recording and transcribing and other duties.

216 175

The visitor numbers, (to the Museum in particular), correlate to the current temporary exhibition and any official opening or public programs associated with the exhibitions. The number of students and teachers interacted with in the Education programs is dependent upon the school year, with some school terms being more popular for visits by schools, depending on curriculum and timetabling. Birtwistle Local Studies Library Projects and activities Oral History Transcribers are busy working on four interviews recorded in July. A number of draft transcripts are with the relevant interviewees for checking before being finalised. Research requests

Research requests at the BLSL during August included queries about:

• Traditional owners of land in the district. • The ‘Bull and Bush’ tearooms in Bedfordale established by the Smith family • The Mead family of Beenup / Byford, relating to the Whitby property • Benjamin Vidgen Cross and the Cross family • The construction of the Armadale District Hall, materials used internally and externally

plus furniture, fixtures and decoration • Jack O’Meagher and his video tour of Karragullen and surrounds (1998) • The small cemetery in Kelmscott which is currently the site of John Dunn oval • Creyk Park Pavilion Donations • Photographs and printed material relating to Guides and Brownies activity in the district,

circa 1950s, including notable images that show the old Kelmscott Hall and camping in Bedfordale

• Copies of construction plans for the Armadale Aqua Slides

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• Photographs and a programme related to exhibition Hockey matches played at the Armadale Arena in 1981 between a touring German team (Frankenthal) and a representative West Australian team. Photographs include former Mayor Ian Blackburn meeting the teams

Other Birtwistle Local Studies Library matters of interest

World War I research wiki New categories and features have been added to the wiki during August, allowing volunteers to create better links between subjects while adding new information. Local History Practitioners Group The acting Local Studies Librarian attended the Local History Practitioners’ Group quarterly meeting at Mount Flora Museum in the City of Stirling. Topics included staff security in isolated workplaces, the creation of a helpful best practice guide / manual for local history practitioners in WA, and a presentation on creating effective history educational resources and events. Cataloguing During August there has been an intense focus on cataloguing difficult items and reducing the backlog of standard items. Close to 150 new records have been created. Events Four local studies events took place during August; Cemeteries can tell Stories at Armadale Library, Footsteps into the Past at St Mary’s Church cemetery in Kelmscott, How to Turn Your Hobby into a Thriving Business at Armadale Library, and Finding Your Family (over four days) at both Seville Grove and Kelmscott Libraries. Two of the three events saw turnouts exceeding the allotted bookings. History House Museum Education Programs School Visits Dale Christian School Year 4s visited the Museum to participate in the Local Government program. The children went up to the Council Chambers to hear a talk from Councillor Henry Zelones Mayor of the City of Armadale; discovered our Local Government collection and explored the process by which an idea from the community can be presented to Council. MiaB No boxes went out in August. School Incursions

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The Education Officer visited two schools over 3 days. At Xavier Catholic School the Education Officer gave a presentation to the Year 6 children on “Life in a New Land”. At Harrisdale Primary School there was a presentation on the “Changes in Armadale over Time”. Both presentations were very well received with the children actively participation in the presentation. Other History House Museum matters of interest Museums Australia WA Workshop for Education Programs in Museums The Education Officer attended a workshop run by Museums Australia WA at the Shipwreck Gallery in Fremantle. The workshop’s focus was on what teachers want from an education program and what children want from an education program. It was an interactive presentation with participants joining in the activities that children would do should they visit the Museum. Some great ideas have already been incorporated successfully into our Education Programs. Teachers’Afternoon The Museum hosted a Teachers’ Afternoon on 15 August. Six teachers attended and our Education Programs were showcased with a focus on our MiaB and Incursion program. Visit to Guildford Historical Society The staff and volunteers visited Guildford Gaol on 16 August to view the redesign of the space and have a look “out the back” – the storage and work areas of the Museum. Paul Bridges, the Curator took as on the tour of the work areas and a lovely volunteer took us on a guided tour of the Gaol. Perth Heritage Volunteering Network Meeting The Museum’s Volunteer Manager attended a meeting at Wilkinson Homestead in Gosnells to discuss the formation and continuation of the group and what we hoped to achieve in the group. The focus is very much on assisting and supporting the managers of volunteers in the Heritage area. Next meeting is scheduled for later in the year. Statistics August 2017

Hours of operation ARM 297 KMS 219 SVG 219

Visitors (door counter) ARM 19603 KMS 6636 SVG 4800

New members ARM 251 KMS 60 SVG 76

Current members ARM 16372 KMS 5226 SVG 4271

Issues (i.e. Loans) ARM 14307 KMS 7536 SVG 7033 Online 2010

Reference enquiries ARM 2089 KMS 1218 SVG 1100

Volunteers/hours ARM -/- KMS -/- SVG 2/3

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-37 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

PCRes sessions ARM 1961 KMS 657 SVG 619

Wifi usage ARM 2441 KMS 661 SVG 408

Selfcheck loans ARM 7007 KMS 2072 SVG 855

Website/Catalogue visits 5693/2575

Stock added/deleted 2891/1605

Community engagement sessions/attendance 47/1191

05,000

10,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,000

Total Issues August 2017

2017

2016

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

Armadale Kelmscott Seville Grove Total

Visits August 2017

2017

2016

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-38 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

050

100150200250300350400450

Armadale Kelmscott Seville Grove Total

New Borrowers August 2017

2017

2016

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

Armadale Kelmscott Seville Grove Total

Current Members August 2017

2017

2016

0500

1,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,5005,000

Armadale Kelmscott Seville Grove Total

Computer Use August 2017

2017 PC

2016 PC

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-39 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

RANGER AND EMERGENCY SERVICES Animal Control Dogs Ranger Services received five hundred and nine (509) requests for assistance during the report period. The primary focus of Ranger Services is managing the response to the community for requests for service. There has been a slight decrease in this area of animal control during the past twelve (12) months as can be demonstrated by the overall number of requests for assistance as compared to the corresponding period of 2016. Cats Ranger Services received 96 requests for assistance during this report period. The number of cat registrations continues to increase, with the total number of cats currently registered standing at 2,938. Cats have formed a bond with many people, providing companionship and entertainment. Studies have shown that relationships with animals are positive and important to many people, contributing to health and well-being. Notwithstanding, domestic cats have bred faster than they can be accommodated and, due to their independence and agility, are often allowed to wander. Oversupply, people’s changing circumstances, and nuisance complaints lead to cats being impounded. The difficulty of finding homes for these cats in the long breeding season means a number of cats are euthanised however Ranger Services have managed to rehome a large number of unclaimed cats. Livestock During this report period Ranger Services attended to 36 requests for assistance in dealing with stock wandering. The majority of incidents involving stock on public roads, and highways, occur outside normal working hours generally late night or early hours of the morning.

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

1 2 3 4

Wifi Use August 2017

2017 Wifi

2016 Wifi

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-40 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Vehicles Parking

Ranger Service attended to 249 matters relating to the unlawful parking of vehicles during this report period.

Control of Vehicles (Off Road Areas) Ranger Service attended to 10 reports of vehicles (motor cycles) being driven in areas that are prohibited, during the report period. Abandoned Vehicles The number of abandoned vehicles continues to increase, and the cost to the City in the collection and disposal of the vehicle (most of which have no commercial value) is far in excess of projected budget estimates. This is a problem currently being shared by most Metropolitan Local Litter Ranger Services have received a number of complaints, from concerned members of the community, regarding household rubbish being deposited onto reserves and road verges throughout the district. Keeping roadsides, reserves and other areas litter free is a major focus of the City of Armadale and Rangers are ever vigilant in identifying and apprehending litter offenders. During this report period Ranger Services attended to 154 requests for service. Fire & Emergency Services Prevention During August the Fire Prevention Officer (FPO) in conjunction with the Community Emergency Services Coordinator (CESC) has been preparing inspections areas for the Rangers during the fire preparation period. The FPO has also completed some inspections on environmentally sensitive City reserves. Works orders have been raised against these reserves and sent to Parks & Gardens. There were 44 enquires relating to fire during the August report period; however these matters were principally related to firebreak information. The FPO attended a State conference on Bushfire Mitigation Planning. A 2017 / 2018 Local Government Grant has been awarded to the City for the building of a new fire station for Bedfordale Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (BVBFB) , the purchase of three fire trucks for the brigades and one rescue truck for the SES.

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-41 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

August 2017

DOGS August August 2017/2018 2016/2017

2017 2016 Progressive Total

Progressive Total

Wandering 54 53 113 122 Down 7% Dogs for Pick Up 28 37 59 77 Down 2% Barking 18 13 37 31 Up 19% Attacks 24 26 32 43 Down 26% Lost & Found 42 27 56 85 Down 34% Multiple / Restricted Inspections

3 10 6 12 Down 50%

Vet collection & Cremation

51 34 92 66 Up 40%

Impounded Dogs 40 45 66 102 Down 35% General Information 31 41 60 74 Down 19% Sub Total 291 286 521 612 Down 15% Office Phone Enquiries 218 326 365 506 Down 28% Total 509 612 886 1118 Down 21%

CATS August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total Cats for Pick Up 29 13 56 27 Up 107%

Lost & Found 20 3 25 20 Up 25% Impounded Cats 36 16 70 32 Up 118% Nuisance 2 2 4 2 Up 100% General Information 2 7 3 16 Down 82% Dead Cats 7 5 9 13 Down 31% Total 96 46 167 110 Up 52%

PARKING / VEHICLES August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total General Parking 31 49 63 97 Down 35%

Trucks 3 2 5 3 Up 66% School Parking 70 58 131 119 Up 10% Illegal Parking in CBD 20 20 40 39 Up 3% Total 124 129 239 258 Down 7% Impounded Vehicles 1 8 9 16 Down 4% Abandoned Vehicles 33 49 70 92 Down 2% Off Road Vehicles 10 6 21 27 Down 22%

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-42 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Total 44 63 100 135 Down 26% Office Phone Enquiries 91 51 126 100 Up 26% Total 259 243 465 493 Down 6%

LIVESTOCK August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total Lost & Found 0 0 0 0 Same

Impounded Livestock 0 0 0 1 Down General 0 6 16 15 Up 7% Sub Total 0 6 16 16 Same Office Phone Enquiries 36 5 41 15 Up 7% Total 36 11 57 31 Up 84%

LITTER August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total General Information 0 0 0 1 Down

Private Property 3 7 7 8 Down 13% Roadside / Reserve 61 53 114 67 Up 70% Verge 84 70 162 75 Up 116% Sub Total 148 130 283 151 Up 87% Office Phone Enquiries 6 17 9 25 Down 64% Total 154 147 292 176 Up 66%

FIRE August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total Burning Off / General

Information 2 0 4 2

Up 100% Firebreak / Hazard 4 10 10 14 Down 29% Firebreak Variation Requests

1 6 1 7 Down

Firebreak Variations Issued

0 0 0 0 Same

Fire Permit Enquiries 0 0 0 0 Same Permits Issued 0 0 0 0 Same Nuisance Smoke - Legal Burning Off

0 0 0 0 Same

Sub Total 7 16 15 23 Down 35% Fire Hazard - Verge 0 0 0 0 Same

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-43 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

Inspections Sub Total 7 16 15 23 Down 35% Office Phone Enquiries 37 21 48 35 Up 37% Total 44 37 63 58 Up 9%

GENERAL August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total General Information 7 33 17 45 Down 62%

Shopping Trolleys 1 2 1 2 Down 50% Sub Total 8 35 18 47 Down 62% Office Phone Enquiries - Trolleys

12 3 12 4 Up

Office Phone Enquiries - Cats

45 56 73 95 Down 23%

Office Phone Enquiries - General

0 7 0 9 Down

Total 65 101 103 155 Down 34%

TOTAL August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total Sub Total Reports /

Complaints 718 711 1359 1352

Up 1% Total Office Phone Enquiries

445 486 674 789 Down15%

Total Reports / Complaints 1163 1197 2033 2141 Down 5%

WARNINGS August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total Dogs 11 14 42 44 Down5%

Parking 0 0 2 0 Up Off Road Vehicles 0 0 0 0 Same Litter 0 0 0 0 Same Fire & Fire Orders 6 7 7 14 Down 50% Shopping Trolleys 0 0 0 0 Same Cat Control Notices 5 0 15 10 up 50% Other (Inc Abandoned Vehicles)

5 7 40 47 Up 15%

Total 27 28 106 115 Down 8%

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-44 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

INFRINGEMENTS August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total Dogs 17 26 44 51 Down 14%

Parking 75 86 215 164 Up 31% Off Road Vehicles 0 2 0 4 Down Litter 8 10 14 27 Down 48% Fire 1 1 1 1 Same Cats 2 2 7 2 Up Shopping Trolleys 0 0 0 0 Same Other 0 0 2 0 Up Total 103 127 283 249 Up 14% NUMBER WITHDRAWN 30 74 53 93 Down 44% Number Paid 109 109 187 196 Down 5%

COURT

PROSECUTIONS August August 2017/2018 2016/2017

2017 2016 Progressive Total

Progressive Total

Dog 4 0 4 1 Up Fire 0 0 0 0 Same Parking 2 0 2 0 Up Litter 0 0 0 0 Same Off Road Vehicles 0 0 0 0 Same Total 6 0 6 1 Up No. of Guilty Verdicts 6 0 6 1 Up Withdrawn 0 0 0 0 Same

FINES ENFORCEMENT August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total Infringements sent to FER 57 66 102 83 Up 23%

Information Bulletin – Issue No. 16/2017 Page C-45 Information Items from the Community Services Directorate

DOG & CAT

REGISTRATIONS August August 2017/2018 2016/2017

2017 2016 Progressive Total

Progressive Total

New Dog Registrations 174 168 296 375 Down 21% Renewed Dog Registrations

112 69 177 161 Up 10%

Total 286 237 473 536 Up 12% Total Dogs on System 11544

New Cat Registrations 44 38 79 94 Down 16%

Renewed Cat Registrations 0 0 2 0 Up Total 44 38 81 94 Down 14% Total Cats on System 2938

PHONE CALLS August August 2017/2018 2016/2017 2017 2016 Progressive

Total Progressive

Total Office – Rangers calling

Office 118 129 165 141

Up 17% Office – Messages for Staff

37 30 57 93 Down 39%

Office - Front Counter 33 12 55 50 Up 10% Office – Referred to Other 39 45 56 94 Down 40% Calls to Rangers’ Private Residences from After Hours Service

4 4 8 8 Same

TOTAL 231 220 341 386 Down 12%