information document january 2011 - coorong district … · coonalpyn primary school letter of...

18 January 2011

Item Page Governance Information Items 1 Corporate & Community Information Items 10 Infrastructure & Assets Information Items 14 Sustainable Development Information Items

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River Murray Flow Advice 21 Coonalpyn Primary School letter of thanks 26 Meningie Area School letter of thanks 27 Murray Mallee Community Transport Scheme letter of thanks

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DENR Corporate Plan 30 Murray Darling Association E News 31 Local Government Matters 34 Lakes Hub Newsletter January 3 2011 38 Lakes Hub Newsletter January 10 2011 43 Lower River Murray Drought Reference Group minutes 16 December 2010

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Hon Gail Gago MP. Letter of congratulations to Elected Members

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Murray Darling Association correspondence

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Coorong Shack rental update No Page number - separate document

Information Document January 2011

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GOVERNANCE

Information items

1. CEO MEETINGS / FUNCTIONS ATTENDED

Date Who/organisation Regarding Where December 14

Council Meeting Tintinara

15 Wayne Cheeseman & Yvonne Whibley

Visitor Information Centre Tailem Bend

15 Raukkan Community Council

Raukkan Alliance Agreement signing ceremony

Raukkan

16 Staff & Elected Members Christmas function Tintinara 18 Tailem Bend Community Christmas pageant Tailem Bend 20 Leadership Team Weekly meeting Tailem Bend 20 Adrian Pederick, Terry

Stephens (MLC), Tailem Bend Motorsport Park Reps, Mayor

Tailem Bend Motorsport Park Tailem Bend

21 Rob Edwards Overview of OHS One System Pilot project

Tailem Bend

21 TRIM (New records management system)

Training Tailem Bend

January 5

Ian Darbyshire, CE SA Tourism

Tourism issues in Council area Adelaide

5 Brenton Lewis, MR RDA Tourism, Water Issues Murray Bridge 6 Long Term Office

Accommodation Working Party

Meeting Tailem Bend

7 Managers Run Tintinara AM 7 Managers Run Meningie PM 10 Leadership Team Weekly meeting Tailem Bend 13 Junior Ambassadors,

Director Corporate & Community, Governance Officer

Junior Ambassadors induction Tailem Bend

17 Leadership Team Weekly meeting Tailem Bend 17 Mayor & CEO 2011 Santos Tour Down

Under - Governors Reception Adelaide

Michael Boyd CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


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If you are interested in attending the above residential please contact Laura Peters.


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2. RAUKKAN ALLIANCE AGREEMENT (Refer separate attachment)

The Raukkan Alliance Agreement was signed on Wednesday 15 December 2010, and a signing ceremony held at Raukkan. The ceremony was attended by Mayor Roger Strother, Deputy Mayor Neville Jaensch, Councillors Andrew Dawes, Sharon Bland, Jeff Klitscher and Locky McKinna. A copy of the signed Raukkan Alliance Agreement is attached.

3. 2011 SANTOS TOUR DOWN UNDER (Refer separate attachments)

Final preparations are in place for the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under Stage 2 Start in Tailem Bend on 19 January 2011. Council have been provided with regular updates as to the staging of the Tour Down Under requirements; community event; community engagement; advertising; indigenous involvement; volunteer involvement; and sponsorship. It is anticipated that Council will be provided with a financial cost following the conclusion and round up of the event facilitation.

For Councils information the days activities are as follows : 7.45 am Breakfast of Champions 8.00 am Commencement of Community event “munch on The street” 8.30 am Community event – track side Ngarrindjeri welcome

Pedal Prix exhibition race – Tailem Bend Primary School and Coomandook Area School Special guests will roam the crowd at times throughout the course of the event.

9.30 am Tour Parade arrives 10.00 am Team Cars arrive and sign on commences 10.50 am National Anthem – Darren Gurney Presentation of gift by Mayor 11.00 am Race Starts 11.15 am Open Air Concert Council Members are provided with separate attachments being:


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• A copy of the point to point stage of the event • Council’s Community Event flyer

The Community event flyer has been distributed throughout South Australia to all accredited information centres; to local businesses throughout the district; Council residents via Australia Post; and is available on Councils website. Council Officers have been able to gain approval to include on Councils website footage of former Tour Down Under winner Pat Jonker who rides for the Uni SA Team and Jeff Kasparian, who give a preview of the Stage 2 of the Santos TDU, from Tailem Bend to Mannum. This is a fantastic media tool and great marketing for Tailem Bend. Local artists Sandy Przibilla and Denise McLoughlin have worked tirelessly to provide a fantastic display of artistic hay bale sculptures; provided the painting in the town hall as a feature for the “breakfast of champions”; painted old bikes which have been joined together to provide a “welcome” to Tailem Bend message. A bike has been fully mosaiced by Sandy and Denise and the Tour Down Under pubic relations department were advised of this unique piece of art work. As a result a photo shoot was requested and organized. The Mayor attended along with Sandy, Denise, Anna and Helen two members of the Community Working Group. It is anticipated that this will feature in the Advertiser Newspaper lift out “Tour Down Under” flyer which will appear in the Advertiser on Saturday 15 January. It is proposed that the mosaic bike will be a commemorative piece and will be placed in a prominent position as recognition of the 2011 Stage 2 Start in Tailem Bend. Rosa Hillam from Meningie facilitated local students and young people who prepared and painted a scene of the Coorong which is attached to the balcony of the Town Hall and will certainly be a feature for the event. Local artists David and Maggie Forsyth have prepared the “gift from Council” to be presented to the Stage 1 winner of the TDU. This will be presented by the Mayor just prior to the race. Council Asset Services Staff have worked tirelessly to prepare the Town for the event, and this will hold Council and the community in good stead for the “Santos Best Dressed Town Competition”: The Mayor proposes to host a “thank you” event for all volunteers. Details will be advised when finalized.


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4. AUSTRALIA DAY 2011

Council members are formally advised of the Australia Day events to be held within the Council district. All events are currently being facilitated by community members and should prove to be most enjoyable. David Malinda, was announced as the Australia Day Council Australia Day Ambassador for Council’s district and has indicated his intention to attend Meningie and Tailem Bend events. Michael Boyd Chief Executive Officer will host Mr Malinda on the day, meeting at Tailem Bend at the day’s commencement and providing transport for the day’s activities. The Australia Day events program for Council has been advertised in the local press; on the Australia Day Council website; Council’s website; Council notice boards and on flyers distributed throughout the district. It has been suggested that Elected Members provide assistance on the day, in supporting the hosting of the Australia Day Ambassador Mr David Malinda and the Mayor in his formal duties.

The following is provided as an outline of the days activities :

Fun Run and Aussie Breakky – Meningie 7:30 AM to 11.00 AM Fun Run commencing at 7.30 am, (5km or 10 km), (registrations for the Fun Run are at 6.30 am to 7.30 am) 8.00 am breakfast in the Park; cost for breakfast if not participating in the fun run,. 9.30 am - Fun Run Presentations; 10.00 am Australia Day Award Presentations. Citizen of the Year – Meningie - Clem Mason and Neil Shillabeer (jointly awarded). Aussie BBQ Lunch – Tailem Bend 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Tailem Bend Town Hall, Railway Terrace , Tailem Bend Hosted by the Tailem Bend Rotary Club, an Aussie style bbq lunch in the Tailem Bend Town Hall. Cost $10. Entertainment provided by local identities. Australia Day Award Presentations to commence at 12.15 pm, followed by lunch at approximately 1.00 pm. Citizen of the Year – Tailem Bend – Denise McLoughlin and Sandy Przibilla (jointly awarded); Citizen of the Year – East Wellington – Kaye Bartlett ; Community Event of the Year – Community Achievement Award – Cancer : Meet the Challenge. Aussie afternoon tea – Malinong 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm Malinong Hall, Malinong Australia Day Award presentation to commence at 4.00 pm Following the award presentation enjoy an Aussie Afternoon Tea. Please bring a plate of afternoon tea


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to share. Tea/Coffee/Cordial and Water provided, with soft drinks being available to purchase. Citizen of the Year – Malinong - Cheryle Mickan. Aussie BBQ Sausage Sizzle Tea – Netherton 6.00 pm to 8.00 PM Netherton Hall, Netherton Australia Day Award presentation to commence at 6.00 pm. Following the award presentations enjoy an Aussie BBQ Sausage Sizzle Tea, gold coin donation. Please BYO chair and nibbles. Citizen of the Year – Netherton - Douglas Spry; Community Event of the Year – Netherton Centenary Celebrations. Aussie BBQ Tea – Coonalpyn 7.00 pm to 9.00 PM Coonalpyn Hall, Coonalpyn Australia Day Celebrations and tea to commence at 7.00 pm. Cost $6 per adult $4.00 per child, please byo salad to share. Award presentation to commence at 8.00 pm. Australia Day – Community Service Award – Vina Birkin; Community Event of the Year – Coonalpyn Centenary Celebrations. Following the award presentations Coonalpyn Centenary dinner photo re run.

5. NOMINATIONS FOR THE SA WATER CUSTOMER COUNCIL

The SA Water Customer Council has written to the LGA requesting nominations for a Local Government Member on the SA Water Customer Council. Nominations must be forwarded to the LGA by COB 7 February 2011. The role of the SA Water Customer Council is to provide a mechanism for SA Water to obtain the views of customers about the services it provides, to better understand the needs of its customers and consumers while also serving as a useful mechanism for the release of information from the Corporation. The SA Water Customer Council is intended to be an advisory body without management responsibility. Other roles include:

• Providing SA Water with input on the types of services and high quality advice on the interests of customers and consumers of SA Water;

• Providing input to the standards of delivery of services which are acceptable to customers;

• Providing advice on the Customer Contract and other such key issues related to SA Water's planning and operations;

• Reviewing the development of policies that affect SA Water's consumers and customers;

• Assessing ongoing performance; and • Being proactive in assisting in the development of policies with SA

Water introducing protocols for Customer Council involvement at an early stage of policy development.

Appointments to the SA Water Customer Council are for a period of two years, commencing immediately. The LGA was represented by former Cr Raelene Telfer (Marion) on the SA Water Customer Council.


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Sitting fees of $177 per half day session are payable. The SA Water Customer Council meets five times a year, normally on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning at 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide. Members may be required to make an additional site visit as well. LGA nominations on outside bodies will, unless determined otherwise by the LGA Senior Executive Committee, be currently serving Council Members or Council Staff. Nominations addressing the selection criteria for the SA Water Customer Council must be forwarded to Local Government Association by COB Monday 7 February 2011. The LGA Senior Executive Committee will consider nominations received at its meeting on Thursday 17 February 2011. Should a Council representative be willing to nominate a resolution of Council would be required. For further details contact Lee Bailey, Governance Officer.

6. NOMINATION STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet has requested the LGA provide nominations for a Local Government Member on the State Emergency Management Committee. Nominations must be forwarded to the LGA by COB 15 February 2011. The State Emergency Management Committee is established pursuant to the Emergency Management Act 2004. The functions of the State Emergency Management Committee are: (a) to provide leadership and maintain oversight of emergency management planning in the State; (b) to prepare and keep under review the State Emergency Management Plan; (c) to provide advice to the Minister in relation to the operation of this Act and the management of emergencies in the State; (d) to undertake risk assessments relating to emergencies or potential emergencies where SEMC thinks fit or where requested by the Minister; (e) to ensure that agencies and organisations with functions under the State Emergency Management Plan are aware of those functions and are provided with adequate information for the purpose of understanding and carrying out those functions; (f) to monitor the capacity of agencies and organisations with functions under the State Emergency Management Plan to properly carry out those functions; (g) to co-ordinate the development and implementation of strategies and policies relating to emergency management (including strategies and policies developed at a national level and agreed to by the State); (h) if an identified major incident, a major emergency or a disaster is declared under this Act - to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the State Emergency Management Plan and the response and recovery operations taken during or following the emergency; (i) to perform any other functions assigned to SEMC by this Act or by the Minister. Appointments to the State Emergency Management Committee are for a period of 3 years. The current LGA appointed Member is Wendy Campana and Deputy


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Member is Michael Barry, of the Local Government Association. Terms for both appointments expire on 20 February 2011, and both are eligible for re-appointment. Sitting fees are not payable, however travel expenses may be paid if travelling further than 40km one way at the nominees personal expense. The State Emergency Management Committee usually meets every second month at the State Administration Centre in Adelaide during business hours for up to an hour and a half per meeting. LGA nominations on outside bodies will, unless determined otherwise by the LGA State or Senior Executive Committee, be currently serving Council Members or Council Staff. Nominations addressing the Selection Criteria for the State Emergency Management Committee must be forwarded to Local Government Association by COB Tuesday 15 February 2011. The LGA Senior Executive Committee will consider nominations received at its meeting on Thursday 17 February 2011. Should a Council representative be willing to nominate a resolution of Council would be required. For further details contact Lee Bailey, Governance Officer.

7. LGA NOMINATION FOR FEDERAL BLACK SPOT CONSULTATIVE PANEL

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) has written to the LGA requesting nominations for a Local Government Member on the Federal Black Spot Consultative Panel. Nominations must be forwarded to the LGA by COB 15 February 2011. The Nation Building Program Black Spot funding is administered on behalf of the Australian Government by the federal Department for Infrastructure and Transport. States must observe funding conditions as provided in Part 7 of the Nation Building Program Act. These Notes provide additional information on meeting these conditions. The Federal Black Spot Consultative Panel has been established comprising representatives of the DTEI, Local Government, and community and road user groups, such as the SA Freight Council, SARTA, Motor Accident Commission, the RAA and Bicycle SA. The purpose of the panel is to consider and comment upon all nominations for Black Spot treatment within South Australia. The Panel meets once a year to finalise a program for approval by the Federal Minister for Transport. There are no sitting fees payable to members. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for 18 February 2011, to be held at Roma Mitchell House, 136 North Terrace, Adelaide at 12pm.


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Further information can be found on the Nation Building Program website. Appointments to the Federal Black Spot Consultative Panel are ongoing. The LGA was previously represented by Mr Don Pegler, formerly of the District Council of Grant. Mayor Brian Hurn (Barossa) is the current proxy member. LGA nominations on outside bodies will, unless determined otherwise by the LGA State Executive Committee, be currently serving Council Members or Council Staff. Nominations addressing the Selection Criteria for the Federal Black Spot Consultative Panel must be forwarded to the LGA COB 15 February 2011. The LGA Senior Executive Committee will consider nominations received at its meeting on Thursday 17 February 2011. Should a Council representative be willing to nominate a resolution of Council would be required. For further details contact Lee Bailey, Governance Officer.

Michael Boyd CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


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CORPORATE & COMMUNITY

Information Items 1. OHS & RISK MANAGEMENT REPORT

1.1 December Activities – One System Pilot Program As previously reported, all South Australian Councils are required to implement a raft of new OHS & W policies and procedures, known as One System. This will ensure that Local Government in South Australia retains the self insured status, which saves all Councils a significant amount in insurance premiums. Given that the new documents are extremely detailed, a number of regional Councils have expressed concerns to the Local Government Workers Compensation Scheme about the struggle to allocate sufficient resources. The Scheme has responded by inviting Councils to apply for the One System Pilot Program, which will supply successful Councils with external resources for a six week timeframe to implement programs to achieve compliance. The Coorong District Council subsequently expressed in taking part in the program.

The Divisional Manager of the LGAWCS, Rob Edwards, attended Council on 21 December 2010 to give an overview of the program to the Leadership Team and to inform Council that the expression of interest had been successful. While initially wishing to commence the program in late January, the current vacancies in the Infrastructure and Assets Department make that timeframe unsuitable as the input from these positions is absolutely critical to the success of the program. The proposed commencement timeframe is now May 2011.

1.2 OH&S Key Performance Indicators

Key Performance Indicator Month (Dec)

2010/11 YTD

2009/2010 TOTAL

2008/2009 TOTAL

2007/2008 TOTAL

Employee Lost Time Injuries Claim

0 1 4 1 1

Employee Medical Expense Only Claim

1 1 1 3 0

Employee Minor Injury/Incident* 0 4 7 7 7 Employee All Other Accidents/Injuries/Incidents^

0 1 3 7 6

Total incidents 1 7 15 18 14

* Minor Injuries / Incidents – Minor injuries or incidents which do not result in any loss or work time, do not require professional medical assistance / advice or which do not cause damage to property or equipment

^ All other Accidents/ Injuries / Incidents – Incidents where professional medical assistance /advice is required, work time is lost, where property (council property or other) is damaged and any minor incidents which have a potential for serious injury.

1.3 Risk Management – Riverbank Slumping

No inspections undertaken in December. 1.4 Risk Management Key Performance Indicators


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2. HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT

2.1 Employee Movements Council is currently recruiting the following positions;

• Acting Administration Officer • Works Co-ordinator Roads • Works Co-ordinator Community Facilities • Manager, Assets

Interviews for the administration role will take place on 13 January, while the other positions are currently still being advertised. Council appointed Gilda Savellano to the position of Public Toilet Cleaner at Coomandook in December. Gilda has previous experience in a similar role and is carrying out her duties in a very diligent manner. 2.2 Employee Awards The second year of the ‘Inside’ and ‘Outside’ Employee of the Year Awards was again embraced in 2010. Nominations were invited and encouraged from all staff with a pleasing number of nominations being received. The awards were announced and presented at the Elected Member/Staff Christmas Function held at the Tintinara Bowling Club on Thursday 16 December 2010; Inside Employee of the Year Jim Quinn Outside Employee of the Year Kevin Lee Employee Commendation Award Chris Brown An engraved perpetual trophy and framed certificate were presented to Jim and Kevin, with Chris also receiving a framed certificate. CEO Michael Boyd also gave a comprehensive outline of the achievements of each award winner. All employees nominated had a certificate of recognition posted in their personnel file. Staff service awards were also presented from both Council and the LGA. Any Coorong staff member with more than 5 years service was presented with a certificate and commemorative individually labelled bottle of wine and any staff member with more than 10 years local government service was awarded a certificate from the LGA.

Key Performance Indicator Month

Dec 2010/2011

YTD 2009/2010

TOTAL 2008/2009

TOTAL 2007/2008

TOTAL

Public Incident Report 0 1 5 6 8 Public Liability Claim/Damage Request

0 0 1 1

2

General Insurance Claims 0 4 10 10 3 Total Claims/Incidents 0 5 16 17 13


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2.3 Human Resources Key Performance Indicators

Key Performance Indicator ^ 2010/11 2009/2010

Dec 2010 July 2010 – June 2011

(YTD)

Dec 2009 July 2009- June 2010

Employee absenteeism (hrs)* 383.50 1789.40 199.20 2466.7

Movements In 1 5 0 12

Movements Out 1 3 1 15

Employee turnover 4% 19%

* Employee absenteeism comprises of sick, family and personal leave taken by Council employees.

^ The table does not include MMCTS employees. *The comparative excessive amount of sick leave taken is due to extended medical leave of a current employee*

3. RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROJECT REPORT

On 13 December 2010 Council, with the assistance of Civica went live with the TRIM Electronic Document Records Management System (EDRMS), which includes a change in internal records processing and introduction of the Records Management Policy. The TRIM system is endorsed by the legislate body, State Records as a compliant EDRMS and is a core component to the objective of the project which is to;

“To develop and implement as a whole a records management policy, procedures and systems that enable Council to meet and or exceed best practice and legislative requirements within two years” The centralisation of processing records to the Customer Service Centre has commenced, with Council’s post office box at Meningie being diverted to Tailem Bend. This has allowed Council to work on improvement and standardisation whilst allowing for the flexibility of future growth and change which is a major step in the achievement of the project objective. Development of internal procedure documentation is almost complete and this will assist staff further with understanding the changes to their daily process and give clear guidelines to the responsibility of all staff. This documentation is a subset of and accompanied by the introduction of the Records Management Policy which was endorsed by Council at the December Council meeting. Council’s former Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) which has been in service since 2003 has been made obsolete and is now offline with all data successfully merged into TRIM. This has enabled all historical information saved in the now obsolete system to still be accessed through TRIM. The implementation of the new EDRMS also included an upgrade of Council’s core business application Authority with full integration between the two applications. The new integration allows Council and staff to;


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• Maintain a single Name and Address Register, therefore reducing duplication of stored information

• Link documentation and records in TRIM to People, Property, Animals and Rates within Authority

• Traverse between the two systems using the links with the click of a button

• Save documents and records generated using Authority directly to TRIM

Some of this functionality was utilised in the previous system but due to technological enhancements this has been improved to allow greater flexibility. Further improvement to a number of areas in records management and the new systems will be undertaken in the next six months to ensure the project will meet the objective in the specified time frame. In a shorter timeframe, investigation will commence in utilising TRIM for customer action requests and workflows and this will be stage two of the project. It is envisaged that this will address the customer charter and ensure measurable response rates to correspondence and telephone calls are obtained and actioned by the Management Team.

Nat Traeger DIRECTOR CORPORATE & COMMUNITY


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INFRASTRUCTURE & ASSETS SERVICES

Information Items

1. MENINGIE STORMWATER

Council received a letter from Matthew Hood requesting assistance from Council to upgrade the footpath and driveway crossovers for the new Car Wash site on the corner of Narrung Road and Princes Highway. As works are due to commence for the upgrading of stormwater infrastructure at this intersection, I have advised Mr Hood that any works on the footpath or driveway crossovers will not commence until the completion of the stormwater upgrade. Pursuant to Section 215 of the Local Government Act 1999: If a Council changes the level of a road, the Council must-

(a) ensure that adjoining properties have adequate access to the road; (b) construct any retaining walls, embankments or other structures necessary

to provide protection required in consequence of the change of level.

2. COMMUNITY WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (CWMS) – FORMERLY STEDS

Following an audit on all CWMS in South Australia in 2005, it was determined that most schemes were not compliant and needed works. The LGA advised Councils of available funding through the Federal Government Water Smart Australia programme towards South Australia’s Community Waste Water Management Schemes Waste Water Re-use Projects. Council was successful in receiving a total of $651,900 in funding for the upgrade of the Tailem Bend, Tintinara and Meningie CWMS. The upgrade of the Tailem Bend, Tintinara and Meningie CWMS is to ensure that the existing facilities meet standards acceptable by regulatory authorities and to enable Council to effectively manage environmental and public health risks. Council currently does not have a Business Plan for the CWMS, but will undertake a review of our operations in 2011-2012 and develop a Business Plan for all schemes.

David Mosel DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE & ASSETS


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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Information Items

1. LGMA MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE

Councils Leadership Team recently decided to submit a team in the LGMA Management Challenge for 2011. This is the first time the Coorong District Council has entered a team into the Challenge. In recent years the Leadership Team have been proactive in identifying, promoting and encouraging staff with leadership potential to improve leadership skills. In addition to assisting staff with training and educational opportunities the Council has sent two staff members through the LGMA Emerging Leaders program, Lesley Zadow in 2008 and Richard Boscence in 2009. For 2011 it was decided that entering a team in the LGMA Management Challenge would provide a great opportunity for several individual staff members and the Council as a whole. The LGMA Management Challenge is a developmental program that produces outcomes that have relevant, tangible and enduring benefits for participants and the Council. Teams of five or six members, with the aid of an in-house mentor will spend a few hours in the weeks preceding the Challenge developing team skills, getting to know each other's strengths and to plan strategies. The first part of the challenge involves a task to be performed within our Council prior to the regional finals. Each year the Challenge looks at a topical issue for Local Government and teams will be required to undertake some research and look at strategies for addressing those challenges. The regional finals will be held during the week of 21-25 March 2011. The Coorong District Council team to be entered in the LGMA Management Challenge were introduced at the Staff and Elected Member Christmas Show. The team will include; Derek Henderson, Jim Quinn, Graham Gates, Richard Boscence, Paul Duka and Desma Fraser. The mentor for the team will be Timothy Tol. This is a great initiative and will provide all the members of the team with personal, profession and team development that will bring many benefits to the Council. It is hoped that Council will enter a team in the Management Challenge at least on a bi annually basis to give further staff this opportunity. Further reports will be provided to Council throughout the challenge process to update elected members on the performance of Councils inaugural LGMA Management Challenge team.


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2. DEVELOPMENT REPORT Development Approvals Issued by Year

Year Number of Development Approvals

Value ($)

2005 159 6,346,107 2006 181 7,238,471 2007 192 6,738,535 2008 204 8,797,802 2009 154 6,806,144 2010 134 5,812,964

Development Applications Lodged in 2010 There were 169 development applications lodged in 2010 totalling $10,416,137

in potential investment.

DEVELOPMENT Number Valued at

New Dwellings 18 $2,105,850.20

Dwelling Additions & Alterations over $2,000 9 $452,735.00

Domestic Outbuildings & Minor Additions/Alterations 73 $503,578.00

Swimming Pools 4 $30,800.00

Commercial Development, i.e. Olive Orchards, Piggeries, Farm Implement sheds 24 $5,792,979.00

Commercial Additions/Alterations 19 $1,522,195.00

Tourist Facilities (Additions/Alterations/Signage) 1 3,000.00 Emergency Dredging (Lake Albert, Lake Alexandrina & River Murray) 1 5,000.00

Land Division 20

TOTAL: 169 10,416,137.20

Of the 18 new dwellings lodged: 6 were in Tailem Bend, 3 each in Meningie and Tintinara, 1 each in Wellington East and Washpool Estate with the remaining 4 in rural areas. The 20 Land Division applications lodged in 2010 included 6 residential land divisions resulting in potentially 400 additional allotments. It should be noted the majority of these allotments are contained within 2 applications, one at Meningie for the Meningie Waters Development (previously known as Sweetwater, Warrengie and Coorong Waters) for 348 allotments (including 25 reserves) and one at Wellington East for 48 allotments. Both these land division applications are for similar land divisions that have previously been considered by Council however due to the time since the original applications were lodged and the significant differences in layout they required new development applications to be lodged. The assessments for both these land division applications are yet to be completed. There were 13 land divisions in rural areas resulting in 15 additional allotments and one land division application in Noonameena creating 3 additional allotments.


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3. LGA COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY PILOT PROGRAM (SOLAR COUNCILS)

Further to Councils decision at its November 2010 meeting to participate in the LGA Community Renewable Energy Pilot Program (Solar Councils) public information sessions have been organised.

ZEN Home Energy Systems will be conducting the information sessions. These sessions allow residents and businesses to discuss their individual requirements and ask any questions they may have about solar systems. From there, on-site inspections will be arranged and formal quotes provided. Online registration is available for community members who are unable to make it to one of the sessions. Registration is available via the Solar Councils website at www.solarcouncils.com.au.

Session details are as follows:

• Tuesday 22nd February 2011 at the Tintinara War Memorial Hall, 49 Becker Terrace, Tintinara

• Wednesday 23rd February 2011 at the Meningie Bowling Club, Princes Highway, Meningie

• Thursday 24th February 2011 at the Tailem Bend Town Hall, 95 Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend

All sessions will occur from 4pm to 7pm with presentations by ZEN Home Energy representatives on the hour every hour. A householder mail out will occur from 17 January 2011 inviting the community to attend the information sessions, the mail out will include a brochure from ZEN Home Energy Systems detailing the Solar Councils program as well as a letter from the Mayor encouraging community members to participate. Details of the Solar Councils program have been attached to Councils website and a press release will be distributed later in January 2011. More information about the program can be found at www.solarcouncils.com.au.


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4. COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS PROJECT UPDATE

The community survey for the Community Needs Analysis was distributed to all householders throughout the Council district from 20 December 2010. There were 2372 surveys distributed. The closing date for completed surveys is Friday 11th February 2011. At the time of writing this report we had received 78 returned surveys. Council staff have commenced collating the survey responses and it is aimed to have a completed Community Needs Analysis report, which will include an analysis of the community survey responses, presented to the March 2011 Council meeting.

5. SOUTH EAST FERAL DEER AND GOAT CONTROL AND SURVEY PROGRAM

The SE NRM Board has provided correspondence regarding the Feral Deer and Goat Control and Survey Program. The on ground activities for the 2010 feral deer and goat control and survey project were completed in May last year. Two aerial surveys were undertaken in 2010 at both Gum Lagoon and Messent Conservation Park – one prior to control operations and one after. The survey area at Messent was significantly increased in 2010 to include large areas of private land to the south of the Conservation Park. It is estimated that the feral deer population across the whole Messant survey area was approximately 713 animals before control activities and 533 after the control activities. The accuracy levels of the survey may contribute to variations from these estimates by as much as +/- 40%. However, in general terms the aerial survey results at Gum Lagoon and Messent Conservation Parks, together with broader landholder observations, indicated that feral deer numbers have reduced since 2009. The aerial survey continues to suggest that there are many more deer present at these sites than perceived. The level of accuracy of the aerial survey remains lower than desirable due to the highly mobile nature of deer. The Aerial Control program in 2010 included nine sites (mostly Conservation Parks) that were targeted with varying results due to the habitat types and related visibility. In total across all areas approximately 845 deer, 201 goats and 16 foxes were removed. The largest number of deer were removed from Gum Lagoon Conservation Park and the majority of goats were removed from Ngarkat. The details of the control operations for 2011 are yet to be confirmed however it is anticipated that activities will be repeated in much the same way as 2010 with focus given to areas of high deer and goat numbers. The indicative timing for activities is late March to Mid April 2011. 2011 is the final year of the currently funded program.


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6. DRAFT UPPER SOUTH EAST DRAINAGE NETWORK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Council has recently received a copy of the draft Upper South East Drainage Network Strategy from the Department for Water. The Strategy has been prepared pursuant to Section 43A of the Upper South East Dryland Salinity and Flood Management Act 2002. The draft Upper South East Drainage Network Management Strategy proposes high level Government policy with respect to:

• The management of water resources in the Upper South East drainage network, for purposes including environmental flows, flood mitigation and groundwater/salinity management,

• Supporting both environmental and agricultural production values that are affected by the management of water resources within the network, and

• The management of discharges from the network – including that to the south lagoon of the Coorong.

A copy of the draft Strategy is available on the Water for Good website at www.waterforgood.sa.gov.au. A further report regarding the contents of the Strategy will be presented to Council at its meeting to be held in February 2011. Comments on the Strategy need to be submitted to the Department for Water by 25 February 2011.

7. DEVELOPING A NATIONAL COASTAL ADAPTATION AGENDA – A REPORT ON THE NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE FORUM

Council had recently received a copy of the report on the National Coasts and Climate Change Forum, Developing a National Coastal Adaptation Agenda from the Commonwealth Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. The report was released on 23 November 2010. The National Climate Change Forum brought together around 200 key decision makers in early 2010 to discuss the latest science on climate risks for coastal communities and to inform development of a national strategy to prepare for these risks. Local, state and federal decision makers discussed the latest science on climate risks for coastal communities and the key issues in developing a national coastal adaptation agenda, such as planning frameworks and building standards. Key themes that emerged from the Forum included the need for better information on climate change impacts and risks to communities, greater consistency in planning approaches and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities at different levels of government. A strong outcome from the Forum was a consistent emphasis on the importance of early community engagement and effective communication.


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The report is available on the Department for Climate Change website at www.climatechange.gov.au. With regard to land use and development in a climate change context the Council is involved with the array of projects as part of the Strengthening Basin Communities funding. The reports, investigations and outcomes from these projects will be posted on Councils website and further reports will be presented to Council which will ensure some of the key themes as identified by the forum are met by Council with regard to climate change impacts on the district and region.

Timothy Tol DIRECTOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT


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A copy of the DENR Corporate Plan 2010-2014 is available to view from Laura Peters, Executive Assistant.


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Lower River Murray Reference Group

Local Government Centre, Murray Bridge Meeting opened at 2.00pm Attendees – Members Dean Brown (Chair), Peter R Smith, Cr David Peake, Robin Bourne, Neil Shillabeer, Jarrod Eaton, Glen Jones, Rod Baker, Darryl Webb, Richard Reedy, Keith Loeser, Rob Frazer, Dawn Horton, Glenn Dean, Bob England, Lian Jaensch, Kathryn Rothe, Terese Reeves, Deana Constable, Monique White, Jim Cawthorne, Krys Baker, Chris Bagley, Trevor Hammond, Russell Seaman, Charles Irwin, Jack Reddin & Lynn Schmaal. Guest – Dan Sarbretto Apologies Adrian Pederick, Cr Peter Wright, David Watkins, Di Davidson, Craig Eckermann, Graham Webster, Julie Peltz, Lynette Tapp, Maria Patterson, Mayor Roger Strother, Mike South & David Palmer. Item 1. Welcome and Apologies

Dean Brown opened the meeting and welcomed all attending to the last meeting of 2010. Dean thanked the Murray Bridge Council for the use of their facilities.

Item 2. Minutes from Previous Meeting – Thursday, 18 November 2010 The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as a true and correct record with the following corrections: - Darryl Webb was an apology. - No. 18 Delete “h” from has and delete “DKAUS”. It was noted that the discussion and comments from the last meeting were informative and people found it very helpful when doing the submissions for the Basin Plan. D Brown reported that a representative from EPA had questioned the value of this Group. Members expressed strongly the view that they felt the Group was still required.

Item 3 River Murray Water Resource Report Jarrod Eaton presented the latest River Murray Water Resource Report. J Eaton to email the report. Item 4 Report on projected water levels below Lock 1 and projected flow rates

River Murray Level Projections (Indicative Only) was circulated to members. Websites available for information: www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/Environment/TheRiverMurray/River+Murray+Levels.htm http://www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/RMWD/Pages/default.aspx

In reference to the “black water” coming down stream reported last meeting, D Brown reported there is no concern with the quality of the water. The water flow has exceeded all expectations and it is imperative that flow information is distributed to businesses in a timely manner.

Item 5 Discussion on issues with water lying on the Lower River Murray Swamps Dan Sarbretto, Asset Manager - Department for Water reported:

• levee banks between Mannum and Wellington have experienced damage.

Meeting Minutes Thursday, 16 December 2010


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• Project underway to repair cracks at Mypologa and Neeta • Have undertaken a trial to repair the cracks which has been quite successful. • rain has held up the work • photos were shown of the repaired levee banks using the slurry. • hopes to have the Government levee bank repairs completed by end of June

2011. • talked about levee bank heights. On the aerial survey of the levee banks, the

1974 flood level was plotted and they are not expecting any over topping at this level.

• Low strength cement slurry mix less than 2mpa is being used in the levee cracks. It is desirable to work with cement contractors to work out best mix.

Future of the River Murray Swamps Group requested the LIDAR results to be mailed to each Trust and to date they have not received the information. D Brown requested that D Sarbretto ensure that the Groups get the information in the next coming week as a matter of urgency.

Action item: LIDAR results to be mailed to each Irrigation Trust on Swamps.

D Brown reported that he has been receiving general concerns via emails regarding the swamps and concerns were expressed at a meeting of the Future of the River Murray Swamps Group yesterday: - seepage under levee banks. - on a number of the swamps the water is accumulating quite significantly. - exasperated by the rain in recent weeks. - In some areas exasperated by runoff from roads and other public areas. - trees that have been planted are dying and other established trees are dying. - high pump out costs. EPA have approved the pumping. - electricity costs for the pumps. - pipes have cracked as a result of the drought. - drop in levee banks - soil built up with organic matter. - lot of variations between areas.

Currently the private levee’s are the responsibility of the private owner. The cracking and seepage are not caused by the actions of the private owner but rather the low River level in the drought. D Sarbretto advised: • if a private levee is not maintained adequately it would be the private person’s

responsibility. If it is a breach because of wide spread flooding the Emergency Act would come into play.

• Increased pumping cost is a Private Irrigators issue. • Increased storm water a council issue. • trees – land management issue for land owner. • trees on levee banks falling over. Government removes any trees that have

fallen over into the River which are a navigation hazard. • Ring Richard Brown for riverbank collapsing on 1800 751 970 or 000. D Brown thanked D Sarbretto for his report.

Item 6 Update on the MBDA Basin Plan Guide

D Brown advised: • that he had sent around an email advising the extension for submissions.


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• Mike Taylor has resigned as Chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority as of end of January 2011.

• A number of people have met since our last meeting with Minister Simon Crean and had a detailed discussion.

• Dean Brown was invited to participate in the MDBA workshop in Canberra. He was very disappointed at the few people that had been invited from South Australia as he was one of four.

• Some points raised from the workshop which was subsequent to the meeting held here were: - the current diversion limit of 665 GL for SA. For the River Murray in SA they

are proposing a reduction of 26% to 35% on the current diversion limit. However the CAP is 719GL after adjustments for interstate trade and the Living Murray Initiative. This makes a 54GL gap for SA to our disadvantage between the current diversion limit and the CAP. Interstate they have used the CAP figure for the current diversion limit. If you translate the reduced 54GL, SA have to reduce their take by 32% to 40%, not 26% to 35%. When asked how this was established it was reported that it is based on the CAP. After disagreeing with this D Brown was told it was based on the water allocation plan. D Brown pointed out that the water allocation plan was based on the CAP. After a lengthy discussion D Brown was told the current division limit was what their computer model had come out with as the average allocation of water in SA over a 114 year period.

- The second issue was the Eastern Mt Lofty Ranges page 68 Fig 6.6 which shows there are three catchments in the entire Basin that are in good health, one being the Eastern Mt Lofty Ranges. They have proposed no restrictions on the water out of the Ovens and no restrictions on use of water out of Paroo, but have proposed a 26% to 35% reduction on the Eastern Mt Lofty Ranges. The inconsistency was pointed out but was told on the environmental assessment the reduction should not have been in place, but based on the figure the modelers had come up with to achieve their targeted water savings for the whole basin. - There was a presentation on underground diversions – D Brown pointed out that the Angas Bremer Basin has an extraction of 6.4GL with a 40% reduction imposed upon it. In 1995 the extraction cap for the Angas Bremer Basin was 27GL. The State Government recognized that it was being over extracted and had imposed a restriction on it which reduced it from then from 27GL to 6.4GL. Since the reduction in 1995 the water level in Angas Bremer has improved enormously, the quality improved dramatically, the salinity has dropped and there has been an excellent recovery. The speaker agreed that a new assessment should be done as he had been made aware of the details two days earlier.

SA will have to fight very hard as people in other states don’t care about the Lower Lakes and the flow through.

D Brown encouraged members to look at Volume two of the MDBA Basin Plan which consists of three books -

appendix C Community profile for the Riverland Page 1029, the community profile on SA River Murray below Lock 1 on page 1083 to 1110 and encouraged members to write in about the socio economics analysis.

Item 7 Sociological Study for the MDBA by Flinders University


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Neil Shillabeer reported that Dr Jonathon Sobels of Flinders University had been commissioned by the MDBA to undertake a sociological study of the impact of the drought on communities around the Lower Lakes. - Originally Groups were interviewed in 2006 - Terms of reference have been developed. - Authority will fund the project. - The social cost to the community has not been looked at. - Project to be completed by 14.02.11.

Darryl Webb to take up with the Authority about extending the study to Lock 1. It was felt we need more cohesion for the river.

D Brown recommended members to read the study done by Adrian Rizza who interviewed all the major banks. His study is on the MDBA website.

State Government’s submission to the MDBA Guide was tabled. D Brown thanked N Shillabeer for his report. Item 8 Update on CLLMM Plan – DENR

Russell Seaman reported: • dredging has been completed and they are in negotiations with the Federal

Government for the money to implement the CLLMM Plan. • modeling is being done by CSIRO • Funds are required from the Authority and Commonwealth to remove the

regulators at Narrung and Clayton. • Will talk to SARDI about the pond weed and will report back.

Action: Russell Seaman to report back on the weed problem in the Goolwa Channel.

D Brown advised that permission has been granted to irrigate from the Goolwa Channel, Finniss and Currency Creek. D Brown thanked R Seaman for his update.

Item 9 Collapsing River Bank Report Glen Jones and Dean Brown reported:

Public meeting organised by Mid Murray Council to discuss the extreme danger zone which includes six houses at Caloote. The area has been deemed completely unsafe and fenced off and residences have been advised not to go into the houses. The boat ramp and picnic area is a less dangerous area. Recommendation that a stress test of the area be done in the next couple of days. A request was put forward for more information on collapsing of river banks.

Item 10 General Community Issues – Jim Cawthorne reported: If EC finishes end of March 2011 they will have to look at how the impacts will be addressed. Decision on EC will be made end of January 2011. Public meetings will be held. Adverse impacts such as downy mildew and rain on cereal harvest crops are being experienced at present. D Brown advised that a financial forum was held with the banks. Despite the rain Dryland farmers will end up in a pretty good position and most farmers will make significant money.


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D Brown thanked J Cawthorne for his update. Misinformation about the lack of water: Members expressed concern about misinformation about the lack of water and in particular in other States as they think it is about the drought and not over allocation of the River Murray.

Resolved the Lower River Murray Drought Reference Group delete “Drought” from its title and be called Lower River Murray Reference Group.

Item 11 Future Meeting Dates – Thursday 20 January 2011 at 2.00 pm D Brown advised that he would like to hold a meeting in January because the Bureau of Meteorology have forecasted 24 cyclones hitting the northern part of Australia this summer compared to a long term average of 12 and the La Nina affect is as strong as ever and will remain strong for the next three to four months. There is a good prospect that water will make its way down the Murray Darling Basin. Meeting Close: Dean Brown wished everyone a very happy Christmas, all the Best for the New Year and safe travel and closed the meeting at 4.45 pm

LLRMDRG Meeting Issues and Actions – Thursday, 16 December 2010

Action Response

LIDAR results to be mailed to each Irrigation Trust on Swamps.

Russell Seaman to report back on the weed problem in the Goolwa Channel.

Dean Brown Chair Lower River Murray Reference Group


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