Council Meeting
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Corporate Plan Adopted
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's draft Corporate Plan setting out Council's major objectives over the next 12 months and what is proposed for the following two years, was tonight formally adopted by Administrator Dick Persson.
The Plan includes the annual Budget and identifies Council's major capital works projects including the Lake Cathie / Bonny Hills Sewerage Treatment Plan Augmentation, construction of the SES Building and Emergency Centre, Town Beach Kiosk and Sea Rescue building, King Creek Road upgrade, Wauchope CBD bypass, Laurieton's Bold Street Stage 2 upgrade, Small Town Sewerage Program and the continued construction of the Glasshouse.
A surplus of $52,117 has been forecast for 2008/09, while it is anticipated there will be deficits for 2009/10 of $3.3 million and 2010/11 of $3.7 million.
The forecast deficits are based on the assumption that Council will lose control of its water and sewer operations from 1 July 2009 following the current Water Utilities Review. This will have a significant negative financial impact on Council's General Fund, which in turn impacts on the capital works Council can deliver.
Administrator Dick Persson said, "I have studied the draft Corporate Plan and Council's Budget in great detail and feel the projects set out in the Plan can be achieved, albeit with some pain given the increase in charges.
"I have also read the 18 submissions from residents and taken the issues raised very seriously before making my decision to adopt the draft Corporate Plan," Mr Persson said.
"While there are significant capital works projects being undertaken during the next year, it is disappointing that Council can not deliver everything the community wants.
"During the past year or so, Council undertook some very substantial capital works projects like the Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant, the Link Road and the Glasshouse which are all very expensive. These works have left a dent in Council's coffers, which means the next few years will be very tight financially," Mr Persson said.
Copies of the full Corporate Plan are available from Council's offices or from Council's 2008-2011 Corporate Plan webpage.
New SES Building
Port Macquarie's long awaited new State Emergency Service and Emergency Operations building is a step closer with Council tonight accepting a negotiated price for the construction of the centre.
A W Edwards have been awarded the $1.44 million dollar contract following a protracted tender phase.
"I am pleased to announce that this very worthwhile project can finally move forward, Administrator Dick Persson said.
"The SES do a fantastic job in assisting communities in some very trying times and conditions and they deserve the best possible headquarters from which to train and use as their base. I understand this has been on the drawing board for quite sometime and I am pleased it can now become a reality.
"I look forward to attending the opening which is expected to be in December this year, Mr Persson said.
Reconciliation & Commitment and Action Plan Adopted
Council Administrator Dick Persson tonight adopted a recommendation to formally undertake an 'Acknowledgement of Country' at all formal meetings organized by Council.
Mr Persson has been acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land since becoming the Administrator in February this year.
The Statement of Reconciliation & Commitment and Action Plan has been developed by drawing on a wide range or sources including the Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation and the Road Map for Reconciliation developed by the Australian Reconciliation Council and the Australian Local Government Association, as well as the Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The Action Plan provides three key strategies and action for implementation in a whole of Council approach to identifying Council's functions that may relate to members of the Aboriginal community.
The Statement of Reconciliation & Commitment and Action Plan will now go on public exhibition.
Independent Financial Advisor Appointed
Administrator Dick Persson tonight accepted a tender from Oakvale Capital for the provision of Independent Financial Advisory Services to Council.
Mr Persson called for Council to seek independent financial advice shortly after he commenced his role as Administrator.
Council's Director of Corporate Business Services, Tony Leahy said, "The tender from Oakvale Capital indicated they were the most experienced financial advisors who tendered for the position and have a great deal of knowledge and experience in relation to Local Government clients.
"Oakvale are the largest independent financial risk management firm in Australia with over $75 billion dollars under advice and currently advise over 170 Government, corporate and other institutional clients in Australia. We feel they are best suited to Council's needs", Mr Leahy said.
Pick a Name for Areas 13 & 14
The search is on to find official names for Areas 13 and 14 in the Port Macquarie Local Government area.
Council Administrator Dick Persson tonight announced that Council would engage in a public consultation process and invite submissions for the naming of Area 13 to the west of Port Macquarie and Area 14 between Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills.
"While it is appropriate for planning purposes to refer to these areas by number, I think it is time we actually found a proper name for them, Mr Persson said.
"I invite the community to use their imagination within the boundaries set by the Geographic Names Board to come up with a suitable name. The names should be easy to pronounce, possibly using early explorers, pioneers or names with an Aboriginal origin for inspiration.
"The winning names will earn prizes totaling $1,000 for the people who come up with the most appropriate name for the locations," Mr Persson said.
