Hume City Council NNUAL R EPORT · Environmental sustainability Hume City Council's commitment to environmental sustainability is emphasised through its membership of the internationally

H u m e C i t y C o u n c i l

A N N U A L R E P O R T

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ANNUAL REPORT 2002/03

Proud CityAbout this report...Welcome to Hume City Council's Annual Report for

2002/03. Council prides itself on undertaking initiatives

to improve the lifestyle of our 144,000 residents,

focusing not only on their immediate needs, but planning

for a prosperous, progressive and sustainable future.

In fact, the theme of this year's report is 'Pride'. Hume

was named Victoria's Proud City for 2003 by Keep

Australia Beautiful Victoria and we are proud to

showcase our achievements and future directions to all

stakeholders.

The report offers Hume's current and future residents,

businesses, staff, State and Federal politicians and other

interested parties an opportunity to review the City's

performance against its corporate plan and budget

objectives of the past financial year. The reader can also

expect to gain an appreciation of the future endeavours

for the City's ongoing development.

The report reflects Hume City Council's commitment to

transparency and good governance, reporting beyond

the requirements of the Local Government Act 1989 to

include Council's commitment to triple bottom line

reporting.

Throughout the report, the reader will: see a full and

frank review of Council's performance against stated

objectives; celebrate the achievements of the past year;

share its disappointments; and gain an appreciation of

the challenges facing a diverse and growing city.

Key statisticsHume City is home to 144,000 residents andhas an area of 503 square kilometres.

Demographics:• People under 18 years: 31.1%

• People over 65 years: 6.9%

• Indigenous people: 675

• Countries of origin: 128

• Languages spoken (other than English): 101

• Voters: 97,985 (as at December 2002)

• Rateable Properties: 53,402 (as at 30 June 2003).

Economic indicators:• Building investment in Hume rose 5% in

2002/03 to $444m which ranks 6th inVictoria.

• The rate of industrial and commercialinvestment in Hume over the past five yearshas averaged $1.9m per week.

• Shopping Centres:!! Principal Activity Centres: 1

(Broadmeadows Town Centre)!! Major Activity Centres: 2

(Sunbury and Gladstone Park)!! Neighbourhood Activity Centres

(comprising six or more shops): 16 (including Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Tullamarine and Campbellfield)

• Number of businesses: Approximately 10,000 Construction (21%), property and businessservices (16%), transport & storage (15%),retail 12% and manufacturing (11%) makeup the major employer groups.

Hume City Council:• Employs 1,438 people in a range of

professions across full-time, part-time and casual positions.

• Maintains a local road network inexcess of 855 kilometres.

• Maintains an 859 kilometre footpathnetwork.

• Manages 478 hectares of open space.

CONTENTSCITY PROFILE 2

WHAT WE STAND FOR 4

SUMMARY OF OUR PERFORMANCE FOR 2002/2003 6

WHAT WE'RE PROUD OF 10

AN AWARD WINNING CITY 14

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 16

DISAPPOINTMENTS 17

OUR CHALLENGES 18

MAYOR'S REVIEW 19

HUME COUNCILLORS 20

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT 22

INTRODUCING THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM 23

ORGANISATION CHART 24

GOVERNANCE 26

VALUING HUME'S STAFF 30

2002/03 PERFORMANCE REPORT 36

CIVIC LEADERSHIP 38

EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 44

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES 50

COMMUNITY SERVICES 58

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT 80

FINANCE AND QUALITY 94

BEST VALUE SUMMARY REPORT 102

GRANTS PROVIDED BY COUNCIL 104

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 112

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 115

YOUR FEEDBACK WELCOME 150

NOTES 151

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City Profile

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2002/03HUME CITY COUNCIL

Hume City is a place of great contrasts, taking pride inits award winning wineries, heritage-listed landmarksand active and prosperous community.

Located just 20 kilometres from the centre of Melbourneand bordering rural Victoria, Hume City is readilyaccessible to interstate and international visitors. It is a'Gateway City', positioned astride the Tullamarine Freeway,Hume Highway, Calder Highway and the Western RingRoad.

A dynamic city, Hume is underpinned by cultural diversityand is home to some of Australia's best-known names inbusiness-Ford Motor Company, Melbourne Airport, Visy,CSL, Nestle, Lanes and The Age. A variety of leadingindustry sectors choose to maintain a presence in HumeCity, including freight, engineering, aviation, automotivemanufacturing, steel, plastics, electronics communication,tourism, food processing, vineyards, paper manufacturing,education, construction and retailing.

Hume is a hive of activity and has a rapidly expandingpopulation. Residential developments are attractingfamilies who contribute to the building of strong, diverseand unique communities.

Social justice is a cornerstone of community developmentin Hume City and priority is given to including people,regardless of background, while recognising and valuingtheir unique characteristics.

The citizens of Hume City are serviced by quality primaryand secondary schools that are complemented at thetertiary level by the Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE inBroadmeadows and the Sunbury campus of VictoriaUniversity.

Hume City Council's progressive and innovative policiesand practices aim to support each of the City's distinctcommunities while conserving the City's natural attributesand providing for the needs of a rapidly growingcommunity.

TOP Goonawarra Winery is one of Sunbury's premier winemakingvenues.

MIDDLE The Western Ring Road enables easy access to the GatewayCity.

BOTTOM Rupertswood, Sunbury is the home of The Ashes and one of Hume's oldest historic landmarks.

Council reviews its Corporate Plan annually, resulting in a rollingthree year Plan that sets a clear direction for Council to follow.

Our VisionHume - a prosperous, progressive, sustainable and vibrantgateway city: distinguished by the diversity of its community and renowned for social justice and community inclusion.

Our MissionOur Mission is to provide 'Democratic Representation and Quality Services' to the Hume community.

Our ValuesUnderpinning Council's Vision and Mission is a set of values that highlight the commitment Council gives to the community. These values are:

Our Community Working in partnership with the community in all activities and decision-making.

Democracy Acknowledging the importance of democratic governance and the central role of Council in preserving democratic processes within Hume City.

Integrity Conducting Council business in an open and participative manner, respecting differing views and encouraging honesty and integrity.

Fairness and Justice Ensuring Council activities uphold and promote a fair and just society.

Diversity Recognising and valuing the social, economic and geographic diversity of the municipality and the multicultural nature of the many resident communities.

Access and Equity Welcoming and supporting the inclusion of all people in City life.

Advocacy Actively representing the interests of the community and business.

Communication Proactive communication with the community; seeking views, listening to, and promptly responding to needs, concerns and ideas.

Sustainability Supporting the principles of sustainability, incorporating a balance between society, the environment and the economy.

Environment Valuing the City's natural environment and heritage.

Staff Development Acknowledging the vital resource provided by Council staff and supporting their development, in order to foster innovation, initiative and improved service delivery.

5ANNUAL REPORT 2002/03HUME CITY COUNCIL

What we stand for

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6 7ANNUAL REPORT 2002/03HUME CITY COUNCIL

Corporate Plan 2002 - 2005The six commitment areas of the 2002 - 2005 CorporatePlan, which was adopted on 8 July 2002, have guidedCouncil's activities throughout 2002/03. The commitmentareas were: Civic Leadership; Employment and EconomicDevelopment; Residential Services; Community Services;Planning and Environment; and Finance and Quality.

Of the 86 actions included for the 2002/03 financial year,73 (85%) were achieved (65 by the due date and a further8 by 30 June 2003) and 13 (15%) were not achieved.

The Corporate Plan 2002 - 2005 included Corporate PlanIndicators and Annual Business Plan 2002/03 Targets. 13of these were related to the Annual Constituent SatisfactionSurvey. In eight of these, we exceeded our targets.

Social Justice Building strong, vibrant and prosperous communities bypromoting social justice and community wellbeing is one ofHume City Council's prime objectives. Council believes thatall members of the Hume community should have theopportunity to develop to their full potential and in return,contribute to the community in which they live. Access toeducation, employment, housing and transport should beavailable to all citizens, irrespective of their cultural orlinguistic heritage, physical or intellectual abilities, healthstatus or family circumstances. The Hume City CouncilSocial Justice Charter was developed in partnership withthe community in 2000/01 and Council has reported on itsprogress against this charter by an annual report to thecommunity in March each year. The Victorian Premier, theHon. Steve Bracks, launched the 2003 Social JusticeReport on 12 March 2003.

Financial AccountabilityA net profit result of $20m was achieved for the year, which wasahead of budget expectations. This result was delivered throughprudent financial management of programs and services and asa consequence of the vast amount of industrial and residentialdevelopment within the city. $18.7m of contributed assets in theform of roads, kerb and channel and drainage were receivedfrom developers of subdivisions. Council also undertook arevaluation of land in its control and identified a net increase inthese assets of $87.4m, which when added to the net profitresult meant that Council's total net assets (ratepayers' equity),grew by a staggering $107.4m.

Council's overall net worth, as reported in the Statement ofFinancial Position, identified that net current assets (workingcapital) were $4.25m in 2002/03, in line with expectations andcovenants set. Council was required to record an amount of$3.3m in relation to the unfunded superannuation liability andthis is the primary reason interest bearing liabilities increased.These liabilities increased by $2.5m in the year from $19.3m in2001/02 to $21.8m at 30 June 2003. Outside of this unforseenitem, all other amounts were in line with expectations.

The delivery of Council's large capital works program ($21.9m)impacted on the cash flow position, which saw cash, balancesdecrease by $3.8m against a budget of $3.4m. The net overallcash position was affected by the non-receipt of all the capitalfunding expected for the year, with $0.9m recorded as a debtor.

Summary of ourperformance

2002/03

RIGHT Hume's 2003 Social Justice Report was launched on 12 March 2003.

Community Satisfaction SurveyThe annual Community Satisfaction Survey, commissionedby researchers Newton Wayman Chong for the Departmentof Victorian Communities, measures the performance ofVictorian councils across nine Responsibility Areas: LocalRoads and Footpaths; Health and Human Services; TheAppearance of Public Areas; Recreational Facilities; TrafficManagement and Parking Facilities; Waste Management;Enforcement of By-laws; Economic Development and TownPlanning Policy and Approvals.

The survey results for Hume City Council were based ontelephone interviews with at least 350 Hume residents,conducted in February and March 2003.

There were satisfactory results across all responsibilityareas, with ratings for six of the nine areas improving theirperformance.

In the areas of Customer Contact and CommunityEngagement, which are measured separately, Council againachieved good results, but the rating for Advocacy fell from65 to 61.

The rating for overall performance of the Council fell to 63from 64 but is still showing a positive trend over the sixyears since surveying began.


Environmental sustainabilityHume City Council's commitment to environmentalsustainability is emphasised through its membership of theinternationally recognised Cities for Climate ProtectionProgram.

Working together with the Hume community, Council hasbeen able to demonstrate a long history of environmentaland greening initiatives. The success of multiculturalplanting festivals, local tree planting days and the 11 CityPride awards received in December 2002, including beingnamed Victoria's Proud City, all bear testament to thatcommitment. The strong partnerships fostered betweenlocal Friends groups and Council contributes to a whole-of-community response to the environment.

Council continued to implement its StormwaterManagement Strategy that will ensure cleaner, healthierwaterways into the future. In excess of $2.7m was spentover the reporting period on landfill operations at BolindaRoad, Broadmeadows and Riddell Road, Sunbury.

Capital worksCouncil adopted a Capital Works budget for 2002/03 of$21,897,923. Of the 139 projects which formed the CapitalWorks Program, 127 (91%) were completed, three (2%)were abandoned and nine (7%) will be carried forward to2003/04 or deferred.

Council spent $1.1m on footpath rehabilitation across themunicipality, $650k on road resealing and asphaltingworks, $12.6m on construction and fit out of the HumeGlobal Learning Centre in Broadmeadows and $2.6m onthe Visy Cares Learning Centre in Meadow Heights. TheSunbury Youth Centre was upgraded at a cost of $680kand $1.75m was spent to maintain and expand Council'stwo landfill sites.

Council was successful in obtaining funding for a range ofprojects under VicRoads, Federal and State Blackspotprograms, in addition to the allocated maintenance funding.A summary of capital works projects for 2002/03 can befound on Page 47.

OPPOSITE PAGE

LEFT Moonee Ponds Creek is one of Hume's waterways that benefits from an active Friends group.

RIGHT Reconstruction of the Konagaderra Road Bridge was completed in March 2003 at a cost of $548,000.

BELOW Providing excellent customer service is a priority at the Hume Global Learning Centre.

Our performance 2002/03

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60

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Rati

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Overall performance

While the rating for overallperformance fell slightly,the trend for the past sixyears has been positive.

A rating of 62 forperformance in the keyservice areas has been

consistent with previousyears.


Hume wins Keep Australia Beautiful CityPride AwardsOn 5 December 2002 Hume City Council was namedVictoria's Proud City for 2003. Hume City Council andHume community groups were awarded 11 of 23 KeepAustralia Beautiful City Pride awards.

These awards were in the following categories:• Victoria's Proud City:

Hume City Council

• Proud Early Learning Centre:Westmere Children's Services

• Proud Secondary School:Hillcrest Secondary College

• Adopt-a-spot beautification:Sunbury Railway Station Garden

• Ongoing environmental project:The Sunbury-Melton Recycled Water Project

• Commercial Press:Sunbury Telegraph

• Radio:North West FM

• Television:Totally Wild (Network Ten) for a report on Hume CityCouncil's 2001 Improve Our City Week.

Special commendations were also presented to:• Commercial/Industrial site:

The Age Print Centre

• Community Group:Friends of Woodlands Historic Park/Sunbury VisitorInformation Centre.

The judges were impressed by Hume's submission, whichdetailed the positive relationships between Council and thelocal community in promoting environmental andbeautification projects.

What we’reproud of

Hume Councillors, staff and proud community members accept the2003 Proud City Award on 5 December 2003.


Governor Landy visits Hume CityCouncil was proud to showcase Hume City, its people andthe local economy to the Governor of Victoria, John LandyAC on Thursday 25 July 2002.

The Governor had written to Council earlier in the year,expressing an interest in visiting the region to see first handa number of exciting developments occurring in the City,including construction of the Hume Global Learning Centre;duplication of Pascoe Vale Road; the proposed CraigieburnBypass; and residential development at Mount Ridley andCraigieburn.

Feedback from the Governor was very positive and heasked Council to pass on his appreciation to businessleaders, local schools and community groups whoparticipated in making the day a memorable one.

Environmental initiatives State of the Environment Report The inaugural Hume City Council State of the EnvironmentReport was released to the community on 4 March 2003 ata community launch at Woodlands Historic Homestead.

The Report detailed the key issues affecting theenvironment of Hume City and outlined how Council canmove forward in partnership with all stakeholders toprotect and enhance the local environment for futuregenerations.

Cities for Climate Protection Program (CCP)The Cities for Climate Protection Program provides aframework for local governments and their communities toreduce greenhouse gas emissions. Council successfullycompleted Milestones One and Two of the Program byestimating current greenhouse gas emissions and settingtargets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Hume's Local Greenhouse Action Plan (Milestone Three)was adopted by Council on 10 June 2003. The Plancontains eight broad strategies and proposed actions toreduce energy consumption across the municipality. TheLocal Greenhouse Action Plan will now be implementedand reviewed in 2006.

Hume Global Learning VillageThe past year has seen the beginning stages of one of thegreatest initiatives Council has ever undertaken-the creationof the Hume Global Learning Village.

The establishment of the Hume Global Learning Village hasbeen facilitated in partnership with various learningproviders in Hume City to bring about social and economicprosperity in our community and to raise the level ofcommunity participation in a wide range of learningactivities and opportunities.

Council has brought together many of the organisationsinvolved in learning within Hume under the banner of theHume Global Learning Village. Schools, NeighbourhoodHouses, Victoria University, Kangan Batman TAFE, the LLENand other community based groups have commencedworking together in order to improve access to learningopportunities for all people living and working in Hume.

At the heart of this initiative are Council's two flagshiplearning facilities, the Hume Global Learning Centre and theVisy Cares Learning Centre. 2003 has seen the opening ofthese facilities, which have been established to enable thecommunity to access formal and informal learning - fromreading books and watching videos, to leisure and culturallearning, and business and job skills training.

By September 2003, the structure of the Hume GlobalLearning Village will be formalised. Council will alsoestablish the Hume Global Learning Village Advisory Boardby December 2003. This group will provide high leveladvice to Council and to Hume Global Learning Villagemembers regarding lifelong learning, business, marketing,academia, education, training, government policy andcommunity development.

Visit by renowned lifelong learning expertOn Friday 21 February 2003, Hume City Council wasprivileged to host a seminar by international lifelonglearning expert, Professor Norman Longworth. Members ofthe Hume Global Learning Village and other interestedcommunity representatives attended the seminar andworkshop with Professor Longworth, where early plans forthe activities of Hume Global Learning Village wereestablished.

World's Largest Picture Book As part of the official opening of the Hume Global LearningCentre on 12 March 2003, Premier Bracks launched Hume'sGuinness Book of Records attempt for The World's LargestPicture book.

43 Hume schools participated in the creation of the two metrehigh by two metre wide, 100 plus page picture book. Despiteweighing more than 350kg, the pages can be turned and read.

The book, written by author Ruth Ingham, is titled Zolden:Global Explorer and was illustrated by Hume students. It hasInternational Standard Book Number (ISBN) certification and isnow a centrepiece artwork at the Hume Global LearningCentre.

What we’re proud of

ABOVE Victorian Governor, John Landy and former Mayor, Ann Potter visit Brite Industries in Broadmeadows.

RIGHT Hume Chief Executive Officer, Darrell Treloar; Professor JimFalk from Victoria University; Matt Ruchel, EnvironmentCoordinator; Cr Drew Jessop and Cr Mohamad Abbouche at thelaunch of State of the Environment Report on 4 March 2003.

The Hume Global Learning Village provides learning opportunitiesfor all members of the community.

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Hume City Council has many reasons to be proud of itsachievements over the past year and is thrilled thatthese achievements have been formally recognised.Detailed below are the awards and specialcommendations received by Council in 2002/03:

• Hume City Council won Victoria's Proud City award inthe Keep Australia Beautiful 2003 City Pride Awards

• Council was a finalist in the prestigious BanksiaEnvironment Foundation Awards for Category 3:'Government Leading by Example for a SustainableFuture', for the implementation of the SustainabilityFramework, taking in the State of Environment Report,Local Greenhouse Action Plan and Native VegetationStudy.

• In July 2002, Hume City Council was recognised for itsefforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by takingout an award as part of the Cities for Climate Protection(CCP) Program. Council's award for successfullycompleting Milestone One (Stage One) of the CCPprogram involved an analysis of greenhouse gasemissions produced by Hume residents andbusinesses.

• In November 2002, Council took out a second award aspart of the CCP Program for successfully completingMilestone Two (Stage Two) of the CCP program.

• Council was awarded a Bronze Award in May at the2003 Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA) for its2001/02 Annual Report. The awards recognise thereporting achievements of corporate, government andnon-governmental organisations and provided anopportunity for Council to benchmark its report againstthe ARA criteria, which are based on world's bestpractice.

• In a road safety partnership with the Rotary Club ofSunbury, RoadSafe North Western, the TransportAccident Commission, the Victoria Police and VicRoads,Hume City Council provided Sunbury Rotary Club with avehicle for use within their award-winning "Drive 120"young driver program. "Drive 120" won anEncouragement Award at the inaugural statewide"Saferoads" Road Safety Awards presented at theSaferoads Conference in July 2002.

• Council subdivision officers, Tony Magazzu and GordonKappler were nominated in December 2002 by theAssociation of Consulting Surveyors as one of the topfive municipal subdivision approval teams in Victoria.

• Sunbury Aquatic Centre was again a regional winner inthe Fitness Centre Category of the Hume/MacedonLeader Community Business awards, announced inNovember 2002.

An Award winning City

Hume Mayor, Cr Burhan Yigit; Executive Officer, Helen Anstis andChief Executive Officer, Darrell Treloar accept a Bronze Award atthe Annual Report Awards on 22 May 2003.

A number of issues were cause for disappointmentduring the year and most of them were beyond Council'sdirect control. However, Council is eager to see themresolved and will be working to that end over the comingyear. Those issues included:

Lack of a Catchment Management Authorityin SunburyCouncil has been in discussion with the relevant authorities forsome time regarding the creation of a Catchment ManagementAuthority in the Sunbury area. A water management authority iscrucial to improving the health of streams and creeks inSunbury, most of which are in a poor state. Council looksforward to having this matter being resolved, in the near future,by the Victorian Government.

Unfunded superannuation liabilityFollowing the Council amalgamations in 1994, a significantdebt arising from the unfunded superannuation liability has putpressure on an already tight budget. Council will investigateproactive ways in which to manage this debt, in consultationwith Local Authorities Super, the superannuation body for localgovernment in Victoria.

Level of Home and Community Care (HACC)FundingHume City Council's direct contribution to the provision ofHACC services increased by 47% or $308k in 2002/03. Formany years, the level of HACC (Commonwealth and StateGovernment funded) contributions to Hume City Council hasbeen substantially less per capita of the target population thanfor the other Councils in the Department of Human Services(DHS) Northern Region. The Regional DHS office has beenproactive in attempting to redress the imbalance, but theproposed amended funding formula remains significantlyinadequate. Council will continue to work positively with DHSin order to achieve equity in HACC funding.

Melbourne 2030The Victorian State Government has established a masterplanning document to facilitate the effective growth,development and servicing of metropolitan Melbourne into thefuture ('Melbourne 2030'). Whilst Council commends the StateGovernment for its proactivity and efforts to provide for asustainable future, Council does not support a number of theMelbourne 2030 proposals. Most notably, Council does notsupport the proposed Urban Growth Boundary for theCraigieburn area, which is at significant variance to Council'sexisting planning provisions. Council looks forward to playing akey role on the Smart Growth Committee in order to ensure animproved outcome.


Providing services for older members of the community is apriority for Hume City Council.

Significantevents

Disappointments

During 2002/03, a number of significant events occurred inrelation to Hume City Council's service delivery. These areoutlined below:

Broadmeadows Town Hall returns tocommunity ownershipFollowing protracted negotiations with the North MelbourneFootball Club Social Club, the Broadmeadows Town Hall leasewas terminated in February 2003. In addition, a terminationpayment of $500,000 was made to the Council by a third party.

Finalisation of this matter occurred when the VictorianCasino and Gaming Authority approved an application for ahotel and gaming venue for 80 machines at Roxburgh Parkand the approval for the 105 machines at theBroadmeadows Town Hall was surrendered by the NorthMelbourne Football Club Social Club.

With the Broadmeadows Town Hall once again under Councilcontrol, a review will be undertaken as part of the masterplanning for the Broadmeadows Transit City Project to determinethe best use of the building for the community.

Conflict in IraqHume City Council, in its emergency recovery capacity,facilitated a working group of local communityrepresentatives, social support organisations, governmentagencies and faith leaders to address the local impact of thewar in Iraq. The working group was formed in March 2003.

Initiatives included:• The provision of local opportunities for accessing Red Cross

tracing services to reunite families separated by the conflict

• Identification and coordination of support services includingcounselling

• Supporting activities, which promoted community harmonyand peace.

The Hume community was exceptionally understanding of howthe events in Iraq have impacted on many residents living in

Hume City and supported residents experiencing stress andgrief at a time of immense uncertainty.

Dissolution of the Hume Moonee ValleyRegional Library CorporationHume City Council moved to a direct service delivery model forits library services on 1 January 2003. The decision followed acomprehensive joint review of library services in Hume andMoonee Valley and agreement being reached with MooneeValley City Council to dissolve the Hume-Moonee ValleyRegional Library Corporation (HMVRLC).

The decision was taken in response to the global impact of newtechnology, the changing nature of traditional library servicesand the impending construction (at the time) of the Hume GlobalLearning Centre.

The move had no adverse impacts on library users in theshort term and residents will receive progressivelyimproved services as the vision for the Hume GlobalLearning Village becomes a reality.

Council electionThe 2003 Hume City Council election was held on 15 March. Areview of Ward boundaries adopted by Council in 2002 changedthe Council structure from eight Wards to nine. All nine Wardswere contested, with a total of 64 candidates standing. Theelection was conducted by postal vote, managed by theVictorian Electoral Commission (VEC) on behalf of Council.

Following an extensive marketing campaign by Council and theVEC, 73,447 people voted-a return rate of 75%.

The term of the current Council was originally due to end inMarch 2006. However, the Victorian State Government hasbeen reviewing the role of Local Government in Victoria andhas announced it proposes to move all Victorian councils toone common election day. This will be achieved by 2008,but as part of the transition process, the term of the currentCouncil will be cut short, with Councillors retiring on 26November 2005.


Some of the key challenges facing the City over thecoming year and beyond are:

Rebuilding the Broadmeadows LeisureCentreCouncil approved the reconstruction of the BroadmeadowsLeisure Centre at a cost of $3.1m on 28 July 2003. Workinvolves the construction of a new aquatics facility at theLeisure Centre. This will include the refurbishment of themain pool area, creation of a water feature, new filtrationplant and associated piping and general refurbishment of themain pool area. Construction is scheduled to commencetowards the end of September 2003 and be completed bythe end of the 2004 financial year. During the constructionworks, the aquatics area will be closed to users. Thechallenge will be to ensure that works are completed ontime and with minimal disruption to the community.

Implementing the Waste ManagementStrategyThe implementation of the Hume Waste ManagementStrategy will be one of the biggest physical operations everundertaken by Council. In a major service delivery initiative,from September 2003 all households in Hume City will beissued with new 140 litre garbage bins, have their current240 litre garbage bins converted to a recycling bin(recycling crates will no longer be used) and an optionalorganics collection service will be offered. It will takeapproximately three months to fully implement.

In addition to the bin distribution, the strategy also involvesmanagement of individual contracts for each part of theoperation. These are the manufacture of recycling, garbageand organic bin contracts; starting up of the recyclingcollection contract; recycling sorting contract; and greenorganic waste collection contract. This will involve anumber of areas across Council and will present achallenge in handling the customer service requirementsduring the strategy roll out.

Implementation of the STEP AssetManagement Program Council has joined the Municipal Association of Victoria"STEP" Asset Management Program. This structuredapproach to asset management identifies the extent ofcouncil assets and helps develop or improve systems toensure the most efficient long-term management of theassets. The program extends over two years but themajority of the work is required in the first year as assetsare checked, recorded and levels of maintenance and lifedetermined.

Detailed Asset Management Plans are being developed andwill be approved by Council. The work involves nearly allareas of Council as input is fed into the planningprocesses. Once the plans have been developed, they willprovide the basis of Council's long term management of itsphysical assets-such as roads and buildings-to ensure thecommunity has received the best value for money from itsinvestment.

Road Management Act compliance Council will develop documented maintenance systems andprograms in preparation for the Road Management Actcoming into operation in January 2005. This is required toensure the Hume City road network is managed asefficiently as possible and Council can demonstrate whatwork has been undertaken to ensure that risks to thecommunity and Council's insurance liabilities areminimised. This will require the coordination of a number ofareas involved in road maintenance and repair to developappropriate systems.

Ourchallenges

A year to be proud ofHume CityIn previous Annual Reports to ourstakeholders, Council has focused onthe Triple Bottom Line approach to itsoperations. While this approach hascontinued in 2002/03, the emphasishas shifted slightly to embraceHume's title as 2003 Proud City.

Throughout this Report, mention willbe made of this honour and themany things Hume is proud of.

The highlight of the year, andperhaps of this decade, was theconstruction and subsequent officialopening on 12 March 2003 of theHume Global Learning Centre inBroadmeadows. This facility, alongwith the new Visy Cares LearningCentre in Meadow Heights havealready had a significant socialimpact as a conduit for communitylearning and empowerment.

Unprecedented growth and economicactivity across the City has had apositive flow on effect foremployment, fostered by Council at alocal level with a number of keyinitiatives highlighted in this report.

On the environmental front, Councilhas built upon the excellent workundertaken last year to reassert itscommitment to the environment byreleasing the inaugural State of theEnvironment Report and bycompleting the requirements for

achieving Milestones Two and Threeof the Cities for Climate ProtectionProgram.

During the year, Council hasdelivered on our Corporate Plancommitments to: make a significantinvestment in City infrastructure;improve the overall visual amenity ofopen spaces and streetscapes;improve upon our fiscal position; andfurther develop a reputation as asocially just and responsible council.

Consolidating the Triple BottomLine approachAs I mentioned earlier, the TripleBottom Line principles of financialresponsibility, social equity andenvironmental sustainability are stillvery much at the forefront ofCouncil's service delivery and policydevelopment. The 2002-2005Corporate Plan is underpinned bythis approach.

In a community as socially,geographically and economicallydiverse as Hume, this approach hasserved our constituents well over thepast year and will influence Council'sfuture direction.

Looking to the futureCouncil is proud of its achievementsand remains strong in the belief thatpromoting a social justice agendawill contribute to building Hume Cityas a vibrant and supportivecommunity.

To that end, Council looks to extendand deepen its engagement withsocial justice issues through twomajor projects to be undertaken in2003/2004:

• Building a Future TogetherAn Inquiry into Poverty in HumeCity, through which Hume CityCouncil will engage with itsdiverse communities tounderstand the nature and extentof poverty in Hume City, and thestrategies that could be pursuedto reduce the impact of poverty.

• A Bill of RightsThis will be an expression of thecommitment of Hume CityCouncil to promoting theenjoyment of essentialentitlements by members of all ofits communities.

Financial accountability, beingsocially progressive and ensuring asustainable environment for futuregenerations will continue to be areasof key focus.

CR BURHAN YIGITMAYOR

Mayor’sReviewCouncillor Burhan Yigit

Mayor

Cr Burhan Yigit, Mayor

Shankland Ward

Councillor Burhan Yigithas been a Councillorsince March 2000 and is amember of the HumeEconomic DevelopmentCommittee, the NorthernRegion WasteManagement Group andThe Meadow HeightsLearning Shop. Cr Yigit isthe Finance and EconomicDevelopment PortfolioCouncillor. He is also amember of theBroadmeadows ValleyPark Advisory Group andPresident of the CoolarooBranch of the AustralianLabor Party.

Cr Yigit was born in Turkeyand is married with twodaughters. He holds anAssociate Diploma ofTechnology at RMIT andcurrently works as anElectoral Officer for theMember for MelbourneNorth, the Hon. MarshaThomson, MLC.

Cr Kevin Sheahan,Deputy Mayor

Ningulabul Ward

Cr Kevin Sheahan waselected to Hume CityCouncil in March 2000. CrSheahan is the Manager ofKangan Batman TAFE'sPolymer EngineeringTraining Centre. He and hisfamily have lived in HumeCity for many years.

Cr Sheahan waspreviously a Councillor ofthe former City ofBroadmeadows for sixyears and served asMayor during that time. Heis the Portfolio Councillorfor Housing andEmployment.

Cr Gary Jungwirth

Airport Ward

Cr Gary Jungwirth has beenAirport Ward Councillor since1997. He has a Master'sDegree in Public Policy,Bachelors Degrees in Lawand Arts and Post GraduateDiplomas in Town andRegional Planning andCriminology from MelbourneUniversity. He is a qualifiedlawyer and town planner andcurrently works as a policyadviser.

Cr Jungwirth is a formerChairman of Orana FamilyServices and currentChairman of BroadmeadowsUniting Care. He is a memberof the Craigieburn branch ofthe Australian Labor Party;Secretary of the MooneePonds Creek CoordinationCommittee; deputy chair ofthe Hume Social Justice andSafe City Task Force;Chairman of the VictorianGroup of the AustralianMayoral Aviation Council;Chair of the Friends of AileuCommunity Committee;representative on the HumeIndigenous AdvisoryCommittee; and deputydelegate to the VictorianLocal GovernanceAssociation.

Cr Jungwirth was Mayor ofHume City in 2000/01 and isportfolio Councillor for SocialJustice and Arts and Culture.He is married to Anne andhas two teenage sons-Edwinand Tom.

Cr Drew Jessop

Aitken Ward

Cr Drew Jessop isemployed with a majorretail water company andhas lived in Aitken Wardfor 18 years. He iscurrently involved in anumber of communityorganisations, includingCraigieburn PrimarySchool; St. ThomasUniting Church; MerriCreek ManagementCommittee; CraigieburnCommunity AdvisoryCommittee; SelwynNeighbourhood House;and is chairman of theOrana Family ServicesManagement Board.

Cr Jessop is a member ofthe Hume City CouncilBusiness Committee, theCraigieburn BypassAdvisory Committee, andis the EnvironmentalSustainability PortfolioCouncillor. He is also onthe Craigieburn BranchExecutive of the AustralianLabor Party. Cr Jessop ismarried with two childrenand a foster daughter.


Cr Jack Ogilvie

Evans Ward

Cr Jack Ogilvie is servinghis third term as anindependent member ofHume City Council, andhas lived in themunicipality for more than20 years. He has servedon many local communitygroups and committees, isa past President ofSunbury Apex Club,former District Governorwith Apex Australia and aDirector of the Cancer andNatural TherapiesFoundation.

Cr Ogilvie is the PortfolioCouncillor for Planning. Hewas a Councillor with theformer Shire of Bulla(1990-93), and wasMayor of Hume CityCouncil in 1999/2000. Heis married to Lesley andhas two daughters -Rebecca and Michelle.

Cr Jack Medcraft

Jackson Ward

Cr Jack Medcraft is a newaddition to Council, havingbeen elected in March2003.

A resident of Sunbury formany years, Cr Medcraftis a member of a numberof community groups,including the SunburyResidents' Association,Sunbury CommunityPolicing Group, SunburyAutumn FestivalOrganising Committee andis known as aspokesperson for theVictims Rights GroupPALS - People AgainstLenient Sentencing. He iscurrently employed withthe large retail chainHarvey Norman.

Cr Medcraft is married toChristine and has threechildren - Rhiannon, Sarahand Matthew.

Cr MohamadAbbouche

Maygar Ward

Cr Mohamad Abbouchewas elected to Hume CityCouncil in March 2000,and has lived in Hume Citywith his wife and threesons since 1993.

He is a member ofCouncil's AuditCommittee, Jobs forHume Taskforce, theHume EconomicDevelopment Committeeand the Road Safety Multi-agency Taskforce. CrAbbouche is the PortfolioCouncillor for ResidentialServices and Transport.He was born in Lebanon,and holds qualifications inCeramic Engineering andIndustrial Engineering.

He has worked as a GlassScientist and CeramicsLecturer, and currentlyworks as an ElectoralOfficer for SenatorStephen Conroy, theFederal Shadow Ministerfor Finance. He isSecretary of the HumeBranch of the AustralianLabor Party and a StateConference Delegate.

Cr Robert Sheahan

Merri Merri Ward

Cr Robert Sheahan waselected to Hume CityCouncil in March 2003,becoming Hume CityCouncil's youngestCouncillor at 19 years ofage.

Cr Sheahan is currently inhis second year of studyat RMIT University,working towards aBachelor of Business inEntrepreneurship. With akeen eye for business, CrSheahan currently ownsand operates severalbusinesses and started hisfirst venture while still inhigh school. One of theyoungest members of theAustralian Micro BusinessNetwork, he has wonseveral awards as abusiness student and islooking to utilise hisbusiness skills to createlocal jobs, in addition tofocusing on youth issues.

Cr Adem Atmaca

Woodlands Ward

Cr Adem Atmaca is a newface to Council, havingbeen elected at the March2003 poll as anindependent.

Cr Atmaca has been aresident of Greenvale for anumber of years and livedin Hume for a total of 20years. Employed in theinformation technologysector, Cr Atmaca is aCommunications Engineerand consults in projectmanagement. He is a pastSecretary of the GreenvaleProgress Association anda member of Council'sBusiness Committee. CrAtmaca is married withthree young daughters.

Hume

Councillors

Hume City isdivided intonine Wardsand holdselections

every three years, unlessotherwise required by theLocal Government Act1989. Hume CityCouncillors were electedon 15 March 2003 andwould normally completetheir terms in March2006. The VictorianGovernment hasannounced that theelection will be broughtforward to 26 November2005 as part of thetransition arrangements tointroduce a commonelection date for allCouncils.

Councillors'accountabilities focus onthe provision of facilitiesand services for thecommunity. They alsodevelop policies andframe local laws to fostera safe and socially justsociety.

Councillors were paid anannual allowance of$15,000 per annum,which will rise to $18,000from 1 July 2003. TheMayor receives $45,000per annum, which will riseto $57,500 on 1 July2003. Councillors alsoreceive a mobile phone,laptop computer,phone/fax, cabchargevouchers, and are able toclaim reimbursement forCouncil-related expensessuch as travel, car parkingand childcare.

One Councillor representseach Ward and theCouncil elects a Mayoreach year. The Wards andelected representatives for2002/03 were:

20


Chief Executive Officer

Darrell Treloar BE (Civil), LGE, MBS, GradAICD, FAIM, FIPWEA

Darrell Treloar joinedHume City Council in1998. He has 30 yearsexperience in localgovernment and hasplayed a leadership rolein the sector for mostof that time. He is aformer VictorianPresident of theInstitute of MunicipalEngineering Australiaand was awarded theCedric Tuxen Medal in2000 for outstandingservice to localgovernment. As ChiefExecutive Officer, he isresponsible foradvising the Counciland overallmanagement ofoperations inaccordance withCouncil's CorporatePlan.

Executive Director

Frank Dixon MBA, Dip Man, Grad Dip Rec.

Frank Dixoncommenced his localgovernment career 21years ago in RecreationManagement with theTown of Bairnsdale. AsExecutive Director, heis responsible forleading the Council'scorporate planning andstrategic decision-making processes;facilitating TripleBottom Lineconsideration of allaspects of Council'soperations, providingadvice to Council inrelation toenvironmental planningand communityservices planning;producing servicedelivery strategies;undertaking Best Valuereviews of Councilservices; providinghuman resourcesmanagement andemployee support; andfacilitatingorganisationalimprovement within aBusiness Excellenceframework.

Director Service Delivery

Wal Lawson Dip Eng (Civil) Dip Man, GradAICD

Wal Lawson has 33years local governmentexperience, including17 years ininfrastructure and assetmanagement and 16years as a seniorofficer. As DirectorService Delivery, he isresponsible forensuring the delivery ofa diverse range ofservices including:roads and drainage;parks and open space;leisure services; familyand communityservices; healthservices; aged andyouth services; wastemanagement; locallaws; animal control;building control; andbuilding maintenance.

Director City andEconomicDevelopmentKurt Bruhn MBA, BE (Civil)

Kurt Bruhn has workedas a senior officer inlocal government for 19years covering areassuch as organisationaldevelopment, projectmanagement, townplanning, property andeconomic development.As Director City andEconomicDevelopment, he isresponsible forfostering economicgrowth, assistingexisting businesses togrow and develop;attracting new value-adding investments tothe City; increasingemploymentopportunities; andreducingunemployment throughjob growth. He is alsoresponsible forproviding valuation,property advice andservices andoverseeing Council'sstatutory and strategictown planningfunctions.

Director CorporateServices

Wayne Harvey Dip Man, Dip CE

Wayne Harveycommenced his career inlocal government withthe former City ofBroadmeadows in 1968.As Director CorporateServices he wasresponsible for managingcorporate support andgovernance; financialplanning andmanagement;information technologyand telecommunicationssupport; frontlinecustomer service; assetdevelopment; contractmanagement; andinfrastructure planningand design. Mr Harveytook long service leavefrom 8 July to 6September 2002 andwas appointed interimChief Executive Officer atthe newly created BenallaRural City Council, onsecondment, from 2November 2002 to 1June 2003. During hisabsence, Domenic Isolaacted in the position ofDirector CorporateServices. Mr Harveyresigned on 30 June2003 to take up anappointment as ChiefExecutive Officer atCampaspe Shire Council.

Acting DirectorCorporate Services

Domenic IsolaBBus (Accounting), CPA (8 July- 6 September 2002 and 2November 2002 - 1 June 2003)

Domenic Isolacommenced his careerin local government in1996 following acareer in InstitutionalBanking Audit in aleading major financialinstitution. Domenic isan executive memberof FinPro (FinanceProfessionals in LocalGovernment), amember of theCertified PracticingAccountants PublicSector Committee anda Council member ofthe Kangan BatmanTAFE atBroadmeadows. AsActing DirectorCorporate Services, heassumed responsibilityfor those areasnormally handled byMr Harvey.

Domenic Isola wasappointed DirectorCorporate Services on4 August 2003.

Introducing the Executive Management Team

Chief Executive Officer’s report

Darrell Treloar


OverviewIt has been another busy year, withCouncil once again delivering on itscommitments to the community andbuilding a sustainable future for HumeCity. 86 Business Plan Actions wereidentified for 2002/03 in the HumeCorporate Plan 2002-2005. Of these,73 (85%) were achieved and those thatwere not generally involvedcircumstances beyond Council'scontrol.

StaffMany important achievements aredescribed in the Annual Report and Iwill not repeat them here, but I do wishto pay tribute to the professionalismand dedication of the management andstaff of Hume City Council. They havecontinued to work together and it isthrough their collective efforts that newbuildings are completed on time andwithin budget, high quality services aredelivered to the community and theappearance of public areas throughoutthe City continues to improve.

Staff shortages in some areas, notablyStrategic Planning, Asset Managementand Environmental health, presentedchallenges, however these have beenand continue to be addressed by moretargeted recruiting practices, consistentwith our "Employer of Choice" strategy.

Much work has been done to improvethe culture and leadership capacity ofthe organisation and two new programshave been developed and implemented.The first is "Our Team Culture" whichdefines attributes that Hume staffexpect. They are:

• Valuing people and diversity

• United and seamless

• Learning and improving

• Effective leadership

• Results oriented

• Customer service focus.

Action plans are being pursued at alllevels of the organisation to 'live" theculture and ensure it becomesembedded.

The second is a leadershipdevelopment program, where desiredleadership competencies have beenidentified. 360º feedback is being usedto guide the preparation of a personaldevelopment plan for all persons havingresponsibility for staff supervision.

Training remains a key focus at Humeand partnership arrangements withexternal providers, including SwinburneUniversity, CMC Training at Work andPDF Management Services Pty Ltd,have resulted in nationally accreditedtraining being provided in-house tostaff.

The Staff Satisfaction Index was 67.8,up marginally from 67.5 in 2001/02and 64.1 in 2000/01.

FinancesCouncil achieved an operating surplusof $20.m and while cash held at year-end reduced to $2.m (as aconsequence of the unusually highcapital works program undertaken), netcash inflows from operating activitiesincreased to $12.6m. The Council hasa sound financial position, underscoredby its five-year financial plan andrigorous reporting arrangements.

Community Satisfaction SurveyThe results of the Annual CommunitySatisfaction Survey 2003 continued toshow positive trends in six of the nineresponsibility areas (although the ratingfor overall performance dropped

slightly from 64 to 63). The ratings forCustomer Contact and communityEngagement increased, but the ratingfor advocacy fell significantly from 65to 61. Factors such as the drought,Council elections and acquisition of theFederation Arch around the time of thesurvey may have influenced results insome areas.

ChallengesTwo key challenges to be addressedover the coming year are marketingHume City Council to its variousstakeholders and improving theunderstanding of Victorian Governmentdecision-makers regardingcircumstances at Hume. Readers ofthis Annual Report will be aware of themany positive developments, socialinitiatives and environmental activitiesthat are occurring in Hume City.However, while we have much to beproud of, we do not always ensure allstakeholders are fully informed andshare in the benefits of ourachievements. In addition, Council'sexperience with Melbourne 2030 andthe current inadequate level of HACCfunding have served to highlight thatwe need to do more to ensure theinterests of the Hume community areactively promoted. These areas will bevigorously pursued throughout2003/04.

I wish to thank the Councillors for theirleadership and I look forward to ourcontinued success over the next yearand beyond.

DARRELL TRELOARCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


Organisation Chart

Service Delivery

Director - Wal Lawson

Strategy & Organisation Development

Executive Director - Frank Dixon

City & Economic Development

Director - Kurt Bruhn

Corporate Services

Acting Director - Domenic Isola


Darrell Treloar

EXECUTIVE OFFICERHelen Anstis

Executive Services & Communications

HUMAN RESOURCES

ManagerRussell JoinerEmployee relations; Industrial relations; OH&S;Equal Opportunity; Training; Organisation development

ENVIRONMENT

CoordinatorMatt RuchelStrategic land use planning; Environmental planning; Revegetation; Weed management; Landscape planning of openspace;Open spaces; Environmental communityeducation

SOCIALDEVELOPMENT

Acting Manager Cathy MarshallSocial, health & leisurestrategic planning; Research;Advocacy in relation tosocial justice, access andequity, etc;City Improvement Program

CORPORATE POLICY& DIRECTIONS

ManagerDane TruscottCorporate & businessplanning; Business Excellence;Continuous improvement; Benchmarking; Strategic risk management;KPIs; Best Value Implementation

LEARNINGCOMMUNITIES

General ManagerVanessa Little

Hume Global LearningVillage;Hume Global LearningVillage Library Service;Lifelong Learning

SERVICES

Manager Danny Eaton

Waste services; Road & street sweeping; Fleet; City Laws; Building & property services; Fire prevention planning;Road works & drainage

PARKS

ManagerCraig Medcalf

Manage & maintain parks &open space assets;Remnant & revegetation sites,street & reserve trees;Horticultural and landscapemaintenance

COMMUNITYSERVICES

ManagerLaurence Alvis

Pre-schools; Child care; Home care; Social support; Health; Out of school hours; Youth, accommodation &support; Maternal & child health

LEISURE SERVICES

ManagerBruce Fordham

Leisure centres; Leisure programs; Arts & culture;Sports grounds; Community sports funding;Festivals & communityprograms; Aquatics

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

ManagerStephen Loquet

Help Desk services; Infrastructure management;Technical support; Hardware/softwareacquisition;System security; Business analysis support

FINANCE

Acting ManagerDaryl Whitfort

Financial statementpreparation; Annual budget;Financial planning; Accounting services;Rates & payroll services

CORPORATE & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Manager Gavan O'Keefe

Governance; Insurance administration; Advertising;Cemetery administration; Customer service;Work experienceadministration

ASSET DEVELOPMENT

General Manager Neil Allen

Project & contractmanagement; Asset management;Traffic & civil design; Subdivision matters; Service compliance

CITY DEVELOPMENT

ManagerMichael Nelthorpe

Assessment of planningpermit applications; Administration of theSubdivisions Act 1988; Enforcement of planningschemes & permits

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ManagerRon Ghiggino

Commercial investment; Business support;Local employmentopportunities

PROPERTY & VALUATIONS

ManagerHayley Drummond

Provide valuations todetermine rates; Management of Council'sleased properties;Provide property data toCouncil & external authorities

STRATEGICPLANNING

ManagerPeter Gaschk

Strategic land use planning; Hume Planning Schemereview and amendments;Heritage, neighbourhoodcharacter and urban designanalysis; Melbourne 2030 strategyimplementation;Local Structure Planning

COMMUNITY

COUNCIL


Councillor and staff interactionThe Local Government Act 1989 defines the roles ofelected members and officers of Council. The Act andCodes of Conduct for Councillors and staff recognise therelationship that exists.

Councillors' Code of ConductThe Councillors' Code of Conduct recognises their role asleaders and acknowledges the Chief Executive Officer ashaving responsibility for staff and staffing issues.Councillors acknowledge that they have no capacity toindividually direct members of staff to carry out particularfunctions.

Councillors conduct an annual self-assessment of theiradherence to the Councillors' Code of Conduct at the end ofeach Mayoral term. This year, the review coincided with theend of the Council term of office. Prior to the Councilelection in March 2003, the outgoing Council assessed itsperformance and considered its adherence to the Code ofConduct was of an excellent standard. Decision-making,community expectations of the Councillors and therelationship with staff and the senior officers were all ratedas excellent.

Staff Code of ConductHume City Council's Executive Management Team approveda staff Code of Conduct in May 2000. The Code wasreviewed in October 2002 and copies were provided to allstaff.

The Code of Conduct forms part of the EmploymentContract and is built into the corporate induction programto ensure all staff are aware of its importance.

It is a practical working document and is used to indicateappropriate behavioural, ethical and performancestandards. The Code covers issues from ethical behaviourto efficient use of Council resources.

Risk managementThe Local Government Act 1989 indemnifies Councillorsagainst civil liability for any actions taken honestly andwithout negligence.

Any liability for those actions is the responsibility of thelocal government authority. Council holds public liabilityand professional indemnity insurance for this purpose.

The implementation of quality systems across theorganisation demonstrates Council's commitment tominimising risk and improving management and operationalsystems. Council will continue to manage and maintain itsexisting quality systems.

Trades Practices ActCouncil complied with the Trade Practices Act Part 4(Competition Code in Victoria) and no complaints werereceived regarding Council's operations or activities. TheAustralian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)did not receive any complaints or referrals for investigation.

Competitive neutralityCouncil complied with its competitive neutralityrequirements and applies competitive neutrality principlesto its significant business activities on an ongoing basis.No complaints were received in relation to competitiveneutrality pricing during the year and there were noinstances of non-compliance with competitive neutrality.Council received a competition payment of $254,515 forfull compliance with the Victorian Government competitiveneutrality requirements.

A revised copy of the Staff Code of Conduct was sent to all staff inOctober, 2002.

Executive overviewCorporate governance is the way an organisation iscontrolled and governed to achieve its goals andobjectives. Hume City Council is committed to the higheststandards of integrity and transparency in its operations onbehalf of the Hume community.

Hume City Council aspires to fully engage its community inthe governance of the City. Ideally, all residents andratepayers will know what is happening in theirneighbourhood and understand how they can participate inthe decision making process.

Council undertakes executive overview through the use ofStrategy and Policy meetings. These meetings are held onthe first and third Monday of each month. This informalarrangement provides elected members and senior Councilofficers an opportunity to fully explore matters relevant todecision-making, receive detailed briefings on currentissues and have hands-on involvement in policydevelopment.

Formal Council meetings are held on the second and fourthMonday of each month. The responsibility for makingdecisions rests with elected members through a vote at theformal Council meetings. Officers do not vote ondecisions, but provide independent advice to electedmembers to assist them in decision-making.

The following is an overview of the main features ofCouncil's governance system:

Councillor representationCouncil is required to review its Ward boundaries every sixyears to ensure that the number of voters in each Warddoes not vary by greater than 10%.

As Hume City Council is the fourth fastest growingmunicipality in Victoria, when reviewing the Wardboundaries in early 2002, Council needed to be mindful ofthe high level of future residential growth. To ensureeffective representation, Council redrew its internal Wardboundaries using, where possible, major physicalboundaries, and allowing for future population increases inresidential growth areas. The result was the gazettal ofnine Wards in place of the previous eight on 29 August2002.

In naming the Wards, Council used the following criteria:

(a) Key identifiable features

(b) Significant geographical features

(c) Koori locality names, to be approved in accordancewith appropriate protocols

(d) Recognisable key community identities of the area.

The following Ward names were adopted: Airport, Aitken,Evans, Jackson, Maygar, Merri Merri, Ningulabul,Shankland and Woodlands.

The role of policyCouncil is a policy-driven organisation. Major policydevelopment includes extensive consultation and ensuresconsistency in decision-making and accountability to thecommunity.

Governance

Council meetings are held twice each month and are open to thecommunity.


and considered eight internal audit reports and actionsarising from outstanding audit recommendations andundertook a comprehensive review of the FinancialStatements.

As part of the continuous improvement process, the AuditCommittee undertook a thorough review of the existingdelegation and charter, resulting in a revised charter beingrecommended to Council. Changes provide a morecomprehensive listing of the role that the Committeeperforms and were approved by Council on 14 July 2003.

Members of the Committee during 2002/03 were:independent chairperson, Geoff Harry; independent memberStewart Newey; the Chief Executive Officer, Darrell Treloar;Cr Kevin Sheahan; and Cr Mohamad Abbouche.

Audit Committee members' record of attendance

Committee Committee Attendance ApologiesMember meetings received

Geoff Harry 4 4 -

Cr Mohamad Abbouche 4 4 -

Cr Kevin Sheahan 4 2 2

Darrell Treloar 4 4 -

Stewart Newey 4 4 -

Business Committee

The Business Committee oversees the operation ofCouncil's internal Service Delivery Business Units andgenerally meets on a monthly basis.

The Committee is independently chaired by Brian Tymms,with other members being:

• Cr Drew Jessop

• Cr Kevin Sheahan (until March 2003)

• Cr Adem Atmaca (from March 2003)

• Darrell Treloar (Chief Executive Officer)

• Wal Lawson (Director Service Delivery)

The Business Committee has played an important role inguiding the management of the Service Delivery division tofocus on those key areas that are critical to success. Inparticular, it has encouraged management to bring aboutcultural and practical changes in customer service delivery.It has also been supportive of management in itsapplication of quality processes and a measurement-basedapproach to performance improvement.

Business Committee members' record of attendance

Committee Committee Attendance Apologiesmember meetings received

Brian Tymms 10 10 -

Cr Drew Jessop 10 9 1


Cr Adem Atmaca 3 3 -

Mr Darrell Treloar 10 9 1

Mr Wal Lawson 10 9 1

GovernanceContract managementCouncil managed 151 major contracts with external partiesduring the 2002/03 financial year. This included enteringinto 73 new contracts. All contracts were managed inaccordance with the specification requirements and nomajor variations occurred.

Contracts with an estimated value in excess of $50,000were subject to the full tender process, includingadvertising in a national newspaper and formal approval byCouncil.

Contracts with a value of less than $50,000 were subject toa quotation process and approved under delegation by theChief Executive Officer or appropriate officer.

Purchases of goods and services with a value of less that$5,000 were dealt with under the purchase order system.

Performance managementCouncillors monitor the organisation's performance againstits Corporate Plan quarterly. Financial Plans are monitoredmonthly.

Regular reporting against the goals of the Corporate andFinancial Plans clearly demonstrates to the community thatCouncil gives close attention to the management of itsresources.

Corporate governance legislation Council must comply with a variety of legislation aimed atachieving sound corporate governance outcomes for thecommunity. The most important of these are:

• Local Government Act 1989

• Freedom of Information Act

• Trade Practices Act

• Environmental Protection Act

• Privacy Act.

Internal auditCouncil's internal audit function is undertaken by DayNeilson pursuant to a five-year contract, now in its fourthyear. Once again, the internal auditors assistedmanagement to carry out their responsibilities effectively byidentifying business process improvements and cost-effective controls. The internal auditors' purpose is toidentify areas where council may be exposed to risks inbusiness processes and recommend processimprovements. In addition, they provide an assurancefunction to management, and Council's Audit Committee,on the soundness and adequacy of the control framework.

The function also allows Council to monitor compliancewith legislative requirements.

External audit Council is audited annually by the State Government'sAuditor General's office. This provides a statutorymechanism for external review of Council's operations andother corporate matters that may affect the soundmanagement of the organisation.

Special committeesTwo special committees (established pursuant to Section86 of the Local Government Act 1989) continued to provideassistance to Council in the areas of audit and servicedelivery operations, as outlined below.

Audit CommitteeThe Audit Committee comprises two Independentmembers, one who acts as Chairperson, the ChiefExecutive Officer and two councillors. The committeeperforms an independent assessment of the financial andmanagement operations of the Council, including theinternal audit role. The Audit Committee has delegatedresponsibility for risk management in relation to financialviability and legislative compliance of Council. The AuditCommittee met four times during the year and reviewed Council's Business Committee monitors service delivery to all

stakeholders.


The development and adoption of Council's firstcomprehensive and coordinated Human ResourcesStrategy in August 2002 provided a framework forstrategic workforce planning and the continueddevelopment of Council's staff to ensure that corporateobjectives and priorities are met.

The overall objective of the Human Resources Strategy isto enhance organisational performance and facilitatestrategic organisational development.

Hume - an employer of choice The effective recruitment of suitably qualified, skilled andexperienced staff remains a priority to ensure Council hasthe resources to meet commitments made to thecommunity through the Corporate Plan and other keyorganisational strategies.

Council strives to maintain and enhance its employer ofchoice status and reputation by providing support, facilitiesand assistance to enable staff to achieve a balancebetween their work and family obligations. In particular,Council provides the following support and assistance foremployees, many now embodied in Council's EnterpriseAgreement:

• Family friendly policies

• Paid maternity leave

• Paid adoption leave

• Paid paternity leave

• Pre-natal leave

• Breast feeding facilities (to be introduced in late 2003)

• Childcare costs for unplanned meetings or workrequirements etc.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - a new providerhas been selected to increase the level of supportavailable to staff

• Family Carer Rooms

• Corporate Health and Well Being Program

• Corporate Health Insurance Program

• Flexible leave and work arrangements

• Salary sacrifice arrangements.

Council also recognises the needs of its diverse,multicultural and multi-religious workforce and providesaccess to facilities that enable employees to practice andfulfil their religious obligations.

ValuingHume’s staff

Council Strives to be an employer of choice.


Working for Hume City Council undertakes an independent survey of staff opinionsannually to measure its performance against the 16international benchmarks. The benchmarks are derived fromthe Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award, the most prestigiousquality and customer service award in the world.

The 16 Benchmarks measure: Best Practice Orientation;Trust in Management Competence; OrganisationalCommitment; Teamwork; Communication with immediateSupervisor; Customer Orientation Company Pride (Safety);Employee Empowerment; Employee Support; ManagementResponsiveness; external Customer Commitment; EmployeeAutonomy; Training; Internal Customer Service; QualityCommitment; and Employee Productivity Involvement.

The Employee Satisfaction Index, which measures how theorganisation is performing overall, has risen from 64.1 in2000/01 to 67.8 in 2002/03.

Of the 16 benchmarks, improvements were evident in 13areas. Upon a more detailed analysis of the survey results,a number of common organisational issues were identified.In particular, quality commitment, internal customerorientation and external customer orientation are currentlybeing addressed. An initiative to define and improve "OurTeam Culture" and our Leadership Development Programwere developed. When combined with increased resourcesin targeted areas, they will ensure further improvement inthe benchmarks throughout 2003.

A learning organisation Council is committed to the training and development of allemployees. A coordinated training program links to formaltraining packages and qualifications in a variety of fieldswithin the local government industry.

The training program ensures that all employees have theopportunity to acquire and/or continually develop the skills,knowledge and personal attributes necessary to effectivelyperform their jobs, while working towards gaining anationally recognised qualification wherever possible.

In September 2002, Registered Training Organisations(RTOs) were contracted to provide and deliver relevanttraining packages and this has ensured both quality andefficiency, and the delivery of specific training packages.

Hume also uses trained employees as WorkplaceAssessors who work with assessors from the RTOs toprovide support, advice and assistance to employeescompleting training packages and to guide them throughthe assessment processes.

All training provided: is relevant; is directly and immediatelyapplicable to the employees' jobs; leads to improvedperformance and operational effectiveness; and providesopportunities for career development.

Area of Training (2002/03)No. of Employees

Management (including Diploma of Frontline 328Management, recruitment & selection and financial management)

Operational specific training (includes Certificate III 139to Diploma Level in Community Services; civil construction; asset maintenance and horticulture; early childhood; youth & health services; leisure programs and certificates; problem solving; and team building)

OH&S (includes operational specific OH&S; 366emergency procedures; manual handling; warden training; first aid courses; hazard identification & reporting)

Service First customer service training 63

Computer skills (includes Microsoft Office 101applications & Council's core applications - Proclaim, TEA 2000, Finance 1 & CHRIS)

New employee induction & equal opportunity training 221

Attendance at external conferences 549

TOTAL 1,767

Networking Council actively encourages its staff to develop theirprofessional skills and knowledge through attendance atconferences, seminars and networking events. Councilalso created an in-house learning and networkingopportunity for Hume Leaders through a series of forums.This networking opportunity enabled corporate objectivesto be discussed, an alignment of focus and a forum toaddress current issues.

This year, Hume Leaders' Forums were addressed byseveral renowned and respected keynote speakers whoshared their expertise on various aspects of leadership andorganisational performance management. They included:professional speaker Robyn Moore; former CEO of SOCOG,Sandy Hollway; Steve Simpson, internationally renownedcustomer service expert; and Tom O'Toole, manager andfounder of the Beechworth Bakery.

Valuing Hume’s staff

The Employee SatisfactionIndex, which measures howthe organisation isperforming overall, has risenfrom 64.1 in 2000/01 to 67.8in 2002/03.


Effective employee relations With the adoption of Council's third Enterprise Agreement(which will apply for the next three years), Council has entereda phase of workplace stability underpinned by a commitmentto continuous improvement, organisation development, BestValue, workplace flexibility, staff training and development,workplace consultation, occupational health and safety, andeffectively managing work and family responsibilities.

Work Unit Continuous Improvement Committees are anintegral part of the commitment to continuous improvementand have been established across the organisation.Management and employee representatives on theContinuous Improvement Committees are workingcollaboratively to identify improvements to work practicesand address workplace issues.

Ensuring employee health and safetyThe health, safety and wellbeing of all employees are apriority at Hume. Council and management are committed to:

• Ensuring a safe work environment;

• Reducing and preventing workplace accidents andinjuries; and

• Facilitating the effective rehabilitation and return to workof injured employees.

Emphasis is placed on mutual responsibility and all employeesare responsible for ensuring workplace safety - their ownsafety, the health and safety of those they work with, and thehealth and safety of customers and the community.

Through an effective and coordinated approach involvingSafety Action Groups and Safety Audit ManagementReports, all employees have a direct opportunity to identifyworkplace hazards and issues, which may impact on theirhealth, safety and wellbeing.

Health and Safety Representatives have a formal role inworkplace health and safety, especially in regard topreventing injuries and accidents, and are essential to the

effective management and control of workplace safetyissues. Formal training was provided in May 2003 toenable them to effectively fulfil the role and responsibilitiesof elected Health and Safety Representatives.

The identification and implementation of safe workingprocedures is continuing across the organisation. TheFamily Services department is implementing SafetyMapand the Parks, City Works, Property Services, Fleet, Wasteand Environmental Services Departments are continuing toundertake SafetyMap audits to ensure they maintain safeworking systems and practices.

Equal Employment OpportunityEqual Employment Opportunity training continued in 2002/03with an ongoing program of awareness training for staff, as anintegral part of the Induction Program for all new staff. Thetraining gives staff a clear understanding of the organisation'spolicies and their rights and obligations in regard to equalopportunity, harassment and bullying.

Policies covering equal opportunity, harassment, sexualharassment and bullying were revised and have been includedin the Human Resources manual 'Hume's Way' and onCouncil's intranet site to ensure they are accessible to staff. Adocumented process for complaint handling has beendeveloped and incorporated into the revised policies.

The Executive Safety Group adopted a Code of Practice in July2002 to prevent bullying within the organisation and provide aprocess for addressing any incidents which may occur.Council will undertake a review of the number and location ofContact Officers in the next financial year and provide trainingto equip them to fulfil their role.

Celebrating staff achievementsCouncil's Employee of the Month and Idea of the Month awardschemes continued to identify and celebrate innovation and bestpractice. In 2002/03, 14 staff received Employee of the Monthawards and a further 14 received recognition for innovation.

Valuing Hume’s staffThe Annual Awards and Recognition Evening was held on 2 August 2002. Outstanding achievements by individualsand teams within Council in the following areas wererecognised:

• Outstanding Individual Contribution - Ros Young,Community Services

• Outstanding Team Contribution - Projects and ContractManagement Team

• Achievement of Innovation & Development in:

- Customer Service - Management Reporting Unit, Finance

- Financial Management - Finance Team, Finance

- Service Delivery - Catherine Hutchinson, Maternal and Child Health, Community Services

- Learning & Organisational Development - Hume Workplace Assessors.

Recognising long serviceLong serving employees at Hume City Council (and itspredecessors) are acknowledged and recognised each yearat the Council's Awards and Recognition Evening. Thisyear, the following major milestones were achieved:

Name Length of service

Kenneth Coundon 30 years

Jeffrey Coundon 30 years

Joan Houston 25 years

Kenneth Peachey 25 years

John Lacy 25 years

Elleke Penny 20 years

Wendy Lumsden 20 years

Patricia Kukulies 20 years

John Williams 20 years

In addition, another 23 employees achieved 10 years ofservice and 15 achieved 15 years of service.

Organisational profile - workforcestatisticsThe following statistics provide an overview of the structureand breakdown of Council's workforce as at 30 June 2003:

Employee statistics

Number EFT %

Full time 460 460 61.1

Part time 284 132 17.5

Temporary full time 24 24 3.2

Temporary part time 19 9.5 1.3

Casual 645 125.9 16.7

Specific Function 6 1.1 0.2

Total Employees 1,438 752.5 100

Gender breakdown

Category Male Female Total number staff staff of staff

Full time 218 242 460

Part time 32 252 284

Temporary full time 8 16 24

Temporary part time 4 15 19

Casual 145 500 645

Specific function 2 4 6

TOTAL 409 1,029 1,438

Percentage of staff by gender 28.4 71.6 100


Meeting our commitments to the HumecommunityIn the following pages, we report on Council's performancein the 2002/03 financial year.

Prior to the commencement of each financial year, a reviewof the three-year rolling Corporate Plan is undertaken.Council conducts extensive research and consultation withthe community and key stakeholders to gain an accurateunderstanding of their needs and aspirations. Thisinformation is then used to identify initiatives under each ofthe commitment areas within the Corporate Plan.

In the 2002 - 2005 Corporate Plan, Council's six keycommitment areas were:

Civic Leadership

Employment and Economic Development

Residential Services

Community Services

Planning and Environment

Finance and Quality.

By achieving the goals and objectives set out in theCorporate Plan, Council is able to meet its overallcommitments to the Hume community. The Corporate Planis also used to drive the budget process to ensure adequateand appropriate funding is allocated to achieve the statedgoals.

Performance is monitored and measured throughout theyear to ensure outcomes are achieved.

Triple Bottom Line ReportingCouncil continued to focus its efforts this year on a triplebottom line approach. This approach acknowledges that asustainable future depends on a balanced approach toeconomic growth, environmental management and socialresponsibility.

This year, Council expanded upon its commitment to triplebottom line reporting by identifying those areas of theCorporate Plan that meet these underlying principles.

Council is pleased to report on its achievements across thesix Commitment areas.

2002/03Performance Report

Access for all is a key component of Council's triple bottom linecommitment to social justice.

CivicLeadership

The range of services provided under this commitmentincludes: corporate support; customer services;communication; democratic representation; open andtransparent governance; advocacy for our communities;planning for the future; and support for communityengagement.

Commitments in this area relate to a triple bottom linefocus; advocacy; communication; participative democracy;community empowerment and engagement; municipalprecincts; and Council's overall performance.

Council is proud of its achievements in relation to actionsidentified in the Corporate Plan for this area:

Participative democracyOrdinary meetings of CouncilDuring Ordinary meetings, Council must ensure thatdecision-making supports the achievement of thecommunity vision and the Corporate Plan in accordancewith the Local Government Act 1989 and other relevantlegislation. The ordinary meeting allows the Council toreview recommendations made by officers; accept reportsfrom committees and make decisions on matters beforethem.

Council meetings are generally held on the second andfourth Monday of each month and are open to the public.The first meeting each month is devoted to general matters.The second meeting addresses issues specific to townplanning, finance and confidential matters. Council alsoheld 2 special Council meetings during the year to deal withurgent matters or issues specifically requiring a specialmeeting of Council.

A total of 25 Council meetings were held during 2002/03,generally at the Broadmeadows and Sunbury CouncilChambers but with three held at remote community venuesthroughout the City, being at the Progress Hall, Coolarooand the Buchan Street Community Centre and Visy CaresLearning Centre in Meadow Heights.

Ordinary Council Meetings ApologiesMeeting meetings attended received

required to(including Special

Meetings)

Cr Mohamad Abbouche 25 24 1

Cr Drew Jessop 25 25 -

Cr Gary Jungwirth 25 23 2

Cr Jack Ogilvie 25 24 1


Cr Burhan Yigit 25 25 -

Cr Ann Potter* 16 16 -

Cr Dot White * 16 16 -

Cr Adem Atmaca# 9 9 -

Cr Jack Medcraft# 9 9 -

Cr Robert Sheahan# 9 8 1

* Council term ended in March 2003# Council term commenced in March 2003

Ward meetingsThe Ward meeting process has been very successful inproviding a forum for residents to raise issues of concernwith their local Councillor and for Councillors to obtainfeedback on a range of matters. Details of Ward Meetingsare outlined below:

Ward Councillor Date (2002) Venue

Airport Cr Jungwirth 4 September Tullamarine PublicHall

Pascoe Cr Yigit 18 September Meadow Heights Community Centre

Evans &Jackson Cr Ogilvie & 2 October & Sunbury Council Cr Potter 5 October Chamber

Joint meeting

Culpin & Cr Abbouche & 16 October BroadmeadowsMaygar Cr Sheahan Town Hall

Joint meeting

Ridley Cr Jessop 30 October Craigieburn Function Rooms

Woodlands Cr White 13 November Westmeadows Hall

Commitment 1We will provide high quality democratic representation to all constituents.

ANNUAL REPORT 2002/03HUME CITY COUNCIL38 39


Attendance by interested citizens at Ward Meetings

Ward Number of Number of attendees Requests

Airport Ward 51 119

Culpin Ward 20 59

Evans Ward 18 121

Jackson Ward 21 95

Maygar Ward 38 53

Pascoe Ward 13 46

Ridley Ward 61 134

Woodlands Ward 48 167

TOTAL 270 794

AdvocacyCouncil continues to work closely with State and FederalMembers of Parliament and to advocate on behalf of itscommunity. Major issues pursued were:

• Council has responded on behalf of the HumeCommunity to the Melbourne Metropolitan Strategy,"Melbourne 2030"

• Provision of aged services in Hume City

• Transport upgrades

• Construction of the E14 Transit corridor north ofSomerton Rd, Greenvale

• The need for public housing

• Crisis and transitional housing

• Urban renewal and development

• The Melbourne to Bendigo Fast Rail issues

• Increased funding for Home and Community CareServices.

Council advocated for the provision of locally basedsettlement services following the Department ofImmigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs(DIMIA) decision to discontinue funding of the NorthernMetropolitan Migrant Resource Centre. Council facilitateddiscussions with DIMIA representatives, local communityagencies and organisations to develop a proposal for thecontinuation of settlement services in Hume City. Humeresidents are now able to access a range of servicesprovided by the North West Migrant Resource Centre at theVisy Cares Learning Centre in Meadow Heights.

Council also met with: - the Victorian Treasurer & Minister for the Department of

Innovation, Industry & Regional Development, and Member for Broadmeadows, the Hon. John Brumby

- the Minister for Ports, and Member for Melbourne North,the Hon. Candy Broad

- the Minister for Community Services and Housing, the Hon. Bronwyn Pike

to discuss a broad range of issues relating toimprovements required in local road infrastructure, thecurrent state of public housing and urban renewal projects.

Community Empowerment andEngagementCommunity Consultation RegisterA Community Consultation Register has been establishedby Council and currently comprises 1,400 names that weregathered through various Council surveys in 2002. TheRegister includes 176 residents from non-English speakingbackgrounds (NESB) and complies with the PrivacyInformation legislation.

The Register was as a resource for Council's 2002 Festivaland Cultural Survey and the 2003 CorporatePlan/Communications Survey. The use of the Registerresulted in increases in both the NESB response rate and abetter Hume-wide representation.

In 2003/04 Council will continue to use the Register toassist in conducting surveys with appropriate NESB andHume community representation. Council will also continueto collect the names of any residents interested in beingplaced on the Register.

Sunbury Engagement StrategyAs part of Hume City Council's long-term planning forSunbury, residents were involved in a visioning exercise aspart of a larger community engagement process. Commonthemes which emerged from the process included:Sunbury's sense of identity and community spirit; facilitiesand services that meet the needs of the community; desirefor a well planned town; better transport and trafficmanagement; that Sunbury remain semi-rural in character;and the importance of the green belt and the environment.

In progressing one of the identified themes, Council hosteda competition to encourage residents to come up with alogo that best summed up the spirit and identity ofSunbury. The response from the community was excellent,with more than 100 budding artists submitting some 200pieces of artwork. The winning artwork best captured theidentity and essence of Sunbury and was then used toinform the creation of a new Sunbury logo-which now canbe seen on the new welcome signs at the entry points intoSunbury.

Council will continue to address the key issues identifiedthrough the Sunbury engagement process and will workprogressively to address the community's aspirations.Some of the initiatives undertaken by Council to dateinclude the upgrade of Sunbury Memorial Hall, theredevelopment of the Sunbury Youth Centre, theconstruction of a skate park in Cornish Street and thecreation of an urban design framework for the SunburyTown Centre.

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Rati

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Advocacy

Civic Leadership

Local graphic designer Ben Vujakovic displays his winning logo onsignage at Vineyard Road, Sunbury.

Council's rating foradvocacy fell by four

points in 2003 and is anarea targeted for

improvement in thecoming year.


Craigieburn community forumCouncil, in conjunction with the Craigieburn CommunityAdvisory Committee, conducted a community forum on 19February 2003 entitled "Improving Access to HealthServices in Craigieburn". The forum provided a valuableopportunity for community members, service providers andCouncil representatives to identify some of the key healthservice issues currently facing the Craigieburn community.The information obtained at the forum will form the basisfor further advocacy to improve local access to a range ofmuch needed health services.

Supporting community leadershipCouncil sponsored the attendance of five communitymembers at the inaugural "Communities in Control"Conference held at the Moonee Valley Racecourse in April2003. The Hume representatives joined the almost 1300grass roots community delegates in listening to a range ofinternational and local keynote speakers. The conferencehighlighted why community organisations are so beneficialfor national health and wellbeing and provided participantswith a wealth of inspiration and information to continuetheir voluntary work in Hume City.

Community GrantsCouncil recognises the significant contribution made bynumerous groups and organisations working for the benefit ofthe community. Under the Community Grants Scheme,Council granted $251,500 towards the conduct of 138community based programs in 2003.

Endeavouring to further the aims of the Hume Social JusticeCharter and build a stronger community, Council encouragescommunity participation and supports self-determination. Thefunds allocated to a number of groups under the category ofGlobal Colours Hume Winter Music Festival are indicative ofCouncil's commitment to facilitate community participation.

Through the Community Grants Scheme, Council has supportedthe establishment of new groups, aided the continuance ofactivities of existing groups and assisted with the operation ofCommunity and Neighbourhood Houses.

For details of the grants issued under the 2003 CommunityGrants Scheme please refer to page 91.

Education GrantsCouncil's Education Grants program demonstrates acommitment to building partnerships with young peopleand assisting them to realise their academic aspirations.

All primary schools throughout Hume City were asked tonominate one student who fulfilled the following criteria forthe Education Grants:

• Demonstrate good qualities of citizenship

• For a variety of reasons, require support in the transitionfrom primary to secondary school

• Have a record of progress in all areas of the schoolcurriculum.

Council received 45 nominations from 43 schools (whichincluded two sets of twins receiving $250 each). Thegrants totalled $21,000 and were presented at a ceremonyheld at the Roxburgh Park Youth and Recreation Centre on12 December 2002.

For details of the grants issued under the 2003 EducationGrants Scheme please refer to page 95.

CommunicationCouncil is committed to keeping its residents informedabout Council priorities and major issues that may affectthem. A number of mechanisms are provided forstakeholders to provide feedback to Council, includingsurveys, Ward meetings, feedback forms in Council's Pridemagazine and question time at Council meetings.

Council is working to enhance its image throughout the Cityand beyond and to engender pride among residents. Overthe past year, Council continued to implement the actionsarising from the 2001-2004 Hume CommunicationStrategy, which aims to identify the key methods ofcommunicating Council activities, seeking feedback fromthe community and enhancing civic pride, participation andpartnerships.

Residents were informed through a community newsletterdelivered three times a year to all households and a weeklyfull-page advertisement in local Leader newspapers. Aspart of Council's Ward meeting process, every resident andproperty owner in the municipality received a letter seekingtheir comments about any Council issue.

A communication survey involving approximately 300households selected at random was carried out in March2003 and identified the main ways in which residentswanted to receive information from Council. Following thesurvey, a review was conducted and in April 2003, and anew-look community magazine, Pride was introduced.From July 2003, Pride will be produced quarterly and theHume City News weekly page in local Leader newspaperswill appear monthly.

Council received positive media coverage for its initiativesand programs, with 796 articles published in localnewspapers. 62% of the stories were positive, 14%negative and 24% neutral. Following on from the successof a budget media briefing in July 2003, a fortnightly mediabriefing will be reintroduced, commencing in August 2003.

Municipal PrecinctCouncil has secured a Victorian Government grant todevelop a Masterplan for the Broadmeadows MunicipalPrecinct. The objectives of the Masterplan are to establish ashared vision which will ensure the precinct continues tobe recognised as a thriving regional centre; to maximiseexisting infrastructure located within the precinct; and toencourage public and private investment to ensure highquality, commercially viable and environmentallysustainable development while improving services andproviding job opportunities for the local and broadercommunity.

A detailed Strategy Plan to guide the development of theMaster Plan was adopted by Council on 24 June 2002 anda draft Master Plan will be released for public consultationlater this year.

Council's overall performanceCouncil has a comprehensive corporate planning processthat ensures that all departmental and individual goals arelinked to Corporate Plan objectives. This process includesthe development of a Business Plan that outlines keybusiness activities and performance indicators. This Planensures that corporate objectives are cascaded todepartmental and individual work plans. It was adopted byCouncil on 8 July 2002.

Civic Leadership

A slight increase fromprevious years' figures

was recorded forCommunity Engagement.

BELOW Hume City Council's Mayor, Cr Burhan Yigit and Deputy Mayor, Cr Kevin Sheahan are sworn at the Statutory Meeting on 19 March 2003.


The range of support and business development servicesprovided by Council includes: job growth initiatives; localbusiness support; facilitating the establishment of newbusinesses; tourism; promoting Hume City; propertymanagement and valuation services.

Commitments in this area relate to enhancing employmentopportunities; exploring opportunities for diversifying theeconomic base of the City; attracting commercialinvestment; managing Council's property assets andsupporting local businesses.

Council is proud of its achievements in relation to actionsidentified in the Corporate Plan for this area.

Economic Development initiativesDuring the past year, Council has provided a range of supportand business development services that will strengthen thelocal economy and employment opportunities.

This range of support and business development servicesincludes job growth initiatives; local business support; facilitatingthe establishment of new businesses; tourism; promoting HumeCity; property management; and valuation services.

Economic development continues to improve in the AnnualCommunity Satisfaction Survey, with the rating increasingfrom 58 to 61 over the previous twelve months.

Specific projects and activities undertaken in 2002/03 aresummarised below:

Jobs for Hume TaskforceThe Jobs for Hume Taskforce is a sister committee of theHume Economic Development Committee and comprisessenior representatives from the education and trainingsectors, job network providers, community, Stategovernment and Council.

The Taskforce met during the year to share ideas anddevelop programs. This included the support anddevelopment of three Community Jobs Program projects,which employed 55 people for up to 16 weeks each.

A major achievement was the continued development ofthe 'Jobs for Hume' column in local Leader newspapers,where nearly 1,000 jobs were advertised, supported byeditorials on employment in Hume featuring the careers oflocal identities.

A new initiative instigated this year was the publication inthe local Leader Newspapers of the 'Life of Work' seriesthat profiles the careers of working people within Hume in avariety of environments.

Another key activity was the Hume Careers and Jobs Expoheld at the Broadmeadows Town Centre. 30 organisationsparticipated, with many thousands of local residents takingthe opportunity to visit the expo.

Employment &Economic

Development

Commitment 2We will foster economic development for the benefit ofthe whole community.

Economic Developmentcontinues to improve,

rising eight points over thepast five surveys.

The Meadows is a premier sporting and meeting venue in Hume City.


Sustainable investmentActivities were focused on facilitating and encouragingcontinued investment in the City by developingpartnerships, implementing the Hume Investment Marketingand Industry Diversification Strategies and pursuing highprobability investment opportunities.

There has been strong growth across a broad range ofindustries, enhancing long-term wealth creation capacity.The economic strengths created in the core sectors ofmanufacturing and transport, coupled with populationgrowth have driven strong growth in education, businessservices and lifestyle industries such as accommodation,cafes and restaurants. This growth rates Hume City as oneof the four best performing regions in Victoria.

In 2002, Hume City ranked sixth in Victoria and fourth inouter Melbourne for total building investment. The totalvalue of these building works was $444m.

In supporting and encouraging investment opportunities,Council produced and distributed quarterly editions ofEconomic Update to key investment decision-makers overa wide range of industries and worked with major businesspark developers to attract prospective tenants. A number ofcorporate networking events were conducted, includingbusiness breakfasts, investment seminars and forums.

Community Jobs ProgramsCouncil continued to participate in the Victoriangovernment's Community Jobs Program, which aims toprovide work for local unemployed young people.

The Shankland Reserve project was completed inDecember 2002 and employed 16 participants inlandscaping and horticultural works at the Reserve.Participants received training in landscaping andhorticultural skills and completed works on tree planting,embankments and paving.

Building on last year's project to develop a RailwayEmbankment Concept Plan, 16 participants were employedto complete stage one of the Camp Road overpass projectin Broadmeadows. The participants learnt skills inequipment handling, horticulture and landscaping. KanganBatman TAFE delivered training for both these projects.

Council supported the Djerriwarrh Jobs Future project thatenabled 22 participants to be employed and receive trainingin retail and leisure centre services. Council provided workexperience placements in customer service and leisurecentres.

PartnershipsDuring the year, employment and training partnerships weredeveloped with a range of organisations, resulting in nearly120 job seekers being given opportunities in workexperience or training.

Council supported the innovative 'Employment for Life' pilotprogram delivered through Brite Industries. This programwas supported by a number of other Hume companies,including support by Ford Motor Company with Fordemployees acting as mentors to program participants.

Productive partnerships were also maintained with LeaderNewspaper Group, Workforce Plus, Delfin/Lend Lease,Djerriwarrh Job Futures, Kangan Batman TAFE, LatrobeUniversity, Hilton Melbourne Airport, QANTAS Catering andMelbourne Airport Management.

AdvocacyCouncil advocated at State and Federal levels to createemployment, including active support for the VictorianGovernment policy position to the Productivity CommissionInquiry into the automotive industry. Subsequently, theFederal Government adopted a position in response to theinquiry that will continue to encourage and supportinvestment and employment in the automotivemanufacturing industry. This policy position was asuccessful outcome and one which will benefit a majoremployment sector in Hume City.

A successful project submission was made to FederalDepartment of Transport and Regional Services RegionalAssistance Program to undertake a productivity andcapability study of the City's agriculture and agribusiness todevelop strategies to grow sustainable employment. Theproject will be implemented in 2003/04.

Employment & Econ omic Development

The Age Print Centre in Tullamarine is an impressive icon on theHume skyline.


Property asset managementDuring the past 12 months, Council has inspectedapproximately 26,000 properties as part of preparatorywork for the 2004 valuations and earned a total of$129,322 from sales of valuation data to Yarra ValleyWater, City West Water and the State Revenue Office.

A total of 5,234 supplementary valuations have also beencarried out, generating $831,758 in additional rate incomefor the financial year. This compares favourably with2001/02, when 3,548 supplementary valuations werecompleted.

The Property and Valuations Department commenced areview of Council's Property Asset Portfolio, which will becompleted in the 2003/04 financial year.

In addition:

• Council's property lease register has been reviewed andmore than 98 properties have been examined.

• 4,250 square metres of land adjacent to theBroadmeadows Town Park was transferred to KanganBatman TAFE for the construction of the KurnungWilliam Balluk Learning Centre. This land wasexchanged with land for the Broadmeadows Basketballstadium site.

• The sale of 7,385 square metres of land to the CFA at27 Barrymore Road, Greenvale will enable theconstruction of a new fire station. The proceeds will beplaced in trust for the future development of recreationalfacilities in the area.

• A five-year agreement was developed with MelbourneAirport regarding the valuation of the rateable portion ofnon-aeronautical activities.

• The termination of the lease agreement with the NorthMelbourne Football Club Social Club in respect to theBroadmeadows Town Hall was finalised in March 2003.

Business supportDuring 2002/03, Council provided opportunities for Humebusinesses to network, with an emphasis on establishinglinks to foster growth and profitability and facilitatebusiness to business communication within Hume.

Other support involved recognition of businessachievement, facilitation of business improvement, andcontinued work with local traders to improve retailamenities. Major initiatives included:

• Council supported the 2002 Leader NewspaperRegional Business Awards, with 100 nominationsreceived for the Regional 2002 Awards.

• The following workshops were held for local businessesas part of the State government's Business LinksProgram: Buying a Business; Lease/Retail Tenancies;Buying a Franchise; and Understanding the RetailTenancy Act.

• The Sunbury Visitor Information Centre was open everyday except for Christmas Day and Good Friday.Approximately 14,000 visitors came to the Centreduring the year. The Centre also supported a widerange of events and local tourism-related products.

• Four Hume Business Breakfasts were conducted duringthe year and were attended by a wide range of Humebusinesses and addressed by high profile businessleaders: Geoff Polites, President of Ford Australia; JohnTaber, General Manager Business Development, Urbanand Regional Land Corporation; Marcia Griffin, formerCEO of POLA Cosmetics; and Robert Gottliebsen,leading financial journalist.

• The inaugural Hume City 'World's Longest Lunch' washeld on 28 March in the former Ansett Airlines terminalat Melbourne Airport. The event was part ofMelbourne's Food and Wine Festival and boasted morethan 300 corporate participants. The event was held inpartnership with Melbourne Airport Hilton, QANTASCatering, Melbourne Airport Management and KanganBatman TAFE.

• Council supported and participated in the Sunbury WineFestival on 25 August 2002, attended by an estimated10,000 people.

• Regular meetings were held with trader groups andupgrades were completed at Sunbury, Olsen Place,Dallas and Barry Road Shopping Centres. The OlsenPlace improvements were officially opened by theMayor at a community launch on 20 June 2003.

Employment & Econ omic Development

Hume hosted in excess of 300 people at the World's Longest Lunchat Melbourne Airport on 28 March 2003.

TOP The Sunbury Visitor Information Centre - helping Hume visitors enjoy the best the region has to offer.

ABOVE Melbourne Airport is Hume City's largest ratepayer.


The range of services provided by Council includes: themaintenance and upgrading of roads, bridges, footpaths,drains, street lighting, bus shelters, landfills andcommunity facilities; asset management; wastemanagement; traffic management; and urban design.

Commitments in this area relate to footpaths and localroads; construction standards; parks and open space;waste management; stormwater management; buildingmaintenance; local area infrastructure plans; and assetprotection.

Council is proud of its achievements in relation to actionsidentified in the Corporate Plan for this area:

Footpaths and local roadsFootpath upgrades Approximately 14,930 lineal metres of footpaths wererepaired under Council's footpath maintenance program ata cost of $1.105 million. New works totalling $57,000 werealso carried out on Gap Road, Raleigh Street, KyabramStreet and Pascoe Vale Road to link existing footpathnetworks.

In addition to significant progress being made on footpathimprovements throughout the City, a detailed analysis wasundertaken of the expenditure required on footpaths. It wasdetermined that, based on the current life cycle ofapproximately 40 years for concrete footpaths, footpathmaintenance funding needed to be in the order of $1.97mper annum. As a result, Council has now committed toincrease annual footpath maintenance funding to $2.1m.

ResidentialServices

Commitment 3We will deliver a high standard of infrastructure andphysical services that will enhance residential amenity.

ABOVE Council regularly maintains and upgrades its 109 bus sheltersacross the City.

RIGHT $1.105m was spent on footpath repair and maintenance in 2002/03.


Maintenance of road assetsCouncil undertakes routine maintenance, such asinspection and repair of road pavements and road furnitureon declared main roads. This work is undertaken inaccordance with VicRoads standards and specifications.The following maintenance activities were undertaken onlocal roads and VicRoads assets between 1 July 2002 and30 June 2003:

Local VicRoads TOTALroads roads

New signs installed 2,885 514 3,399

Signs cleaned/repaired 6,714 1,525 8,239

Syringes collected 423 - 423

Stormwater pits cleaned 4,686 311 4,997

Broken pit lids replaced 747 98 845

Asphalt repairs (m2) 1,063 431 1,494

Urban infrastructure design The draft Hume City Infrastructure Standards Manual wasdeveloped in November 2002. Developers are nowworking to these new draft standards.

Waste managementCouncil adopted its new Waste Management Strategy on25 November 2002. The Strategy includes:

• The adoption of a 140 litre Mobile Garbage Bin (MGB)as the standard domestic garbage bin for urban andrural areas

• A weekly garbage collection service

• Optional 80 litre MGB or 240 litre for garbage, subjectto conditions

• Fortnightly 240 litre mobile recycling bin collectionservice for all residents

• Optional fortnightly domestic organic waste collectionservice

• Continuation of the existing hard waste collectionservice

• Investigation of a Waste to Energy plant or similarfacility.

Implementation of the Waste Management Strategy hascommenced, with an extensive communication campaigncarried out to educate residents on its introduction. Thenew service will be introduced from September 2003.

Local road works$609,000 was invested on a local road reseal and resheetprogram in line with Council's long term pavementpreservation strategy. Approximately 1.6% of the total roadnetwork, or 83,100 square metres of roads, wereresurfaced.

An analysis of local road resealing and resheetingrequirements identified that, based on an average 10 yearlifecycle for spray sealed roads, Council needed to resealapproximately 140,300 square metres per year. Based onan average life cycle of 20 years, approximately 197,800square metres of asphalt surfaced roads need to beresheeted annually. As part of the Five-Year Capital WorksProgram, Council has allowed for funding increases toreach the required level over the next five years.

In 2002/03, resealing and resheeting works werecompleted on the following local roads:

• Mt Ridley Road (reconstructed section), Mickleham

• Settlement Road, Sunbury

• Konagaderra Road, Oaklands Park

• Taylor Drive, (from South Circular Drive to ParnellCrescent), Gladstone Park

• Railway Crescent, King William Street to Rye Street,Broadmeadows

• Cahill Street, Bulla

• Bramcote Drive to Forman Street, Westmeadows

• Elizabeth Drive (Stage 1 - Mitchells Lane to Gap Road),Sunbury

• Elizabeth Drive (Stage 1 - North East of Riddell Road),Sunbury

• Girgarre Street (Pascoe Vale Road to Bogong Court),Dallas

• Barkley Street, Sunbury

• Counihan Street, Sunbury

• Ventnor Crescent, Coolaroo

• Hudson Circuit, Meadow Heights

• Brooklyn Court, Campbellfield

• Settlement Road West, Sunbury.


The reconstruction of Mt Ridley Road was completed during2002/03.

An additional commitmenthas been made in the

2003/04 budget toincrease expenditure on

local roads and footpathsto $2.1m.


Local area infrastructure plansDuring the year, Council continued to target local precinctcapital works projects and communicated our progress onthese through the Hume News and Pride communitynewsletters and in local newspapers.

Capital works programCouncil adopted a Capital Works budget for 2002/03 of$21,897,923. Of the 139 projects which formed the CapitalWorks Program, 127 (91%) were completed, three (2%)were abandoned and nine (7%) will be carried forward to2003/04 or deferred.

Council spent $1.1m on footpath rehabilitation across themunicipality, $650k on road resealing and asphaltingworks, $12.6m on construction and fit out of the HumeGlobal Learning Centre in Broadmeadows and $2.6m onthe Visy Cares Learning Centre in Meadow Heights. TheSunbury Youth Centre was upgraded at a cost of $680kand $1.75m was spent to maintain and expand Council'stwo landfill sites.

The following major capital works were completed in2002/03 financial year:

Project Budget $million

Visy Cares Learning Centre, Meadow Heights 2.60

Sunbury skate facility 0.10

Sunbury Youth Centre extension 0.68

Hume Global Learning Centre 12.6

Broadmeadows Leisure Centre design works 0.10

Neighbourhood Improvement Program 0.12

Playspace and playgrounds across the City 0.13

Information Technology Strategy Implementation 0.12

PC upgrade 0.17

Local road resealing and asphalting 0.65

Footpath rehabilitation 1.10

Local area traffic management and general traffic works 0.19

Landfill works at Bolinda Road and Riddell Road landfills 1.75

Visy Cares Learning Centre - precinct road works 0.24

Greenvale Tennis Pavilion - contribution towards redevelopment of a multi-function centre 0.10

Upgrade of kindergartens to meet current regulations 0.15

Geographic Information Systems implementation and computer server and software upgrades 0.10

Olsen Place Shopping Centre streetscape improvements 0.15

Plant purchases 2.25

Litter collectionThe amount of litter collected over the last two years hasincreased significantly. This is mainly due to theimplementation of Council's Litter Strategy (including theallocation of additional funding for litter patrols), the re-allocation of existing resources to litter hotspots andincreased reporting of rubbish dumping.

Tonnes of litter collected

Category 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 Change from

2001/02

Street sweeping 1,080 1,805 1,900 5%

Litter bins 660 1,000 1,020 2%

Dumped rubbish 1,800 2,300 2,605 13%

Roadside litter 600 800 1,200 33%

Litter traps 180 230 285 20%

Stormwater pits/pipes 370 340 310 -8%

TOTAL 4,690 6,475 7,315 13%

It is evident that the increased focus on litter removal hasresulted in substantially more litter being removed frompublic areas.

Building maintenanceThe maintenance and enhancement of buildings owned andmanaged by Hume City is a priority in Council's five yearAsset Management Plan.

Council's objective is to preserve the structural integrity andenhance the physical appearance of its facilities and toprovide security, safety and amenity to staff and users.

Council owns and maintains the following facilities:

• Council Offices 3

• Libraries 5

• Kindergartens 22

• Major leisure centres/pools 4

• Maternal & Child Health Centres 15

• Child Care Centres 6

• Public halls 10

• Community centres 14

• Sports pavilions & changerooms 41

• Public toilets 28

• BBQ shelters & gazebos 19

During 2002/03, maintenance expenditure (excluding themajor leisure facilities) totalled $1.95m and includedplanned works and both preventative and reactivemaintenance.

5,054 requests for reactive maintenance were actioned and296 after hours emergency situations were responded to.

Street lightingCouncil funds maintenance and electricity charges forstreet lighting on local and main roads throughout the City.As Hume continues to grow, the cost of street lightingincreases. As at 30 June 2003, there were 12,243streetlights in Hume City and the operating cost wasaround $80k per month.


Council's results in thearea of waste

management continue toimprove and have been

boosted by theimplementation of the

Waste ManagementStrategy.

Cr Burhan Yigit, Ann Potter, Projects Manager Domenico Lagudaand Frank McGuire, Chair of the Hume Safe City and Social JusticeTaskforce inspect construction of the Visy Cares Learning Centre.


Innovative maintenance During the past 12 months, Council's maintenance teamshave worked actively to identify and program maintenanceactivities before potential issues are reported by the public.This has been carried out through the continualdevelopment of maintenance/inspection programs andreports that identify maintenance activities and direct themto the relevant team for action.

Preventative maintenance has become a major focus of themaintenance teams and this innovative approach hasresulted in the installation of 25 stormwater pit guards in theSunbury Town Centre. The environmentally friendly guardsprevent large items of litter entering the stormwater systemand in turn, prevent blockages and flooding. The installationof additional pit guards in major centres and litter hotspotswill be carried out progressively over the coming years.

Asset protectionCouncil's Asset Protection Program includes administrationand enforcement of the Hume City Council Building andWorks Code of Practice and building site Asset ProtectionPermits. During the reporting year, 2,289 Asset ProtectionPermits were issued for local building sites. CouncilOfficers were involved with associated enforcement,prevention of infrastructure asset damage and attribution ofasset damage charges to builders.

A dedicated officer was appointed in 2002 to administerand enforce asset protection under Local Law No. 1(Building and Works Code of Practice) and prosecution forminor court cases is now undertaken in-house.

The number of Building Code of Practice fines increased30% from 150 in 2001/02 to 195 in 2002/03.

Capital works highlights• The construction of the Hume Global Learning Centre at

a cost of $12.6m. This project was built to extremelytight timelines and was officially opened by the Premierof Victoria, the Hon. Steve Bracks MP on 12 March2003.

• The construction of the Visy Cares Learning Centre wasalso completed to tight timelines and within budget. Acommunity celebration was held at the Centre on 6March 2003.

• An extensive upgrade of the Sunbury Youth Centre wascompleted and an official opening held on 30 January2003.

The projects carried forward to 2003/04 are:

Project Name Comment

Craigieburn Tennis This project was subject to a grant, Court repairs which was not received in time for the project

to be completed in the 2002/03 financial year.

Rotunda in Works deferred due to the Broadmeadows Broadmeadows Transit City Study not being completed.Valley Park

Visy Cares Learning Landscaping works for the Village Green Precinct Landscape required extensive consultation and could not Plan be completed within the financial year.

Bridgewater Initial planning was undertaken, however the Neighbourhood land purchase cannot take place until 1 JulyChildren's Centre 2003.

Jack Roper Reserve The extensive consultation process took longer disabled access to than anticipated.jetty

Greenvale Tennis This project was delayed whilst the source of Pavilion - funds was being determined.contributiontowards a multi-function centre

Purchase of digital The quality of the initial aerial photos was poor. aerial photography New photographs will be taken and the project

rescheduled to August 2003.

During the development of the 2003/04 Capital WorksProgram, an extensive analysis was carried out on thecondition of Council's assets. The analysis identifiedoutstanding construction works totalling $166.9m. A lifecycle analysis also indicated that a significant fundingboost was required for road reseals, footpath rehabilitationand new road works. Council has allocated additionalfunding in its five year Capital Works Program to addressthis demonstrated need.

Stormwater managementAs part of Hume City Council's commitment to theenvironment, $497,960 was spent in 2002/03 installing 16litter nets and gross pollutant traps throughout Hume Cityto prevent rubbish from polluting creeks and waterways.

Council allocated $250,000 in its budget for the work, withanother $250,000 obtained under two separate fundingprograms - the Victorian Stormwater Action Program andthe Moonee Ponds Creek Litter Initiative.

Five litter traps have been installed at Ripplebrook Drive(opposite Dookie Court, Hamilton Street, Mitre Court andRosebud Crescent) to protect Yuroke Creek, which flowsthrough the Broadmeadows Valley Park into the MooneePonds Creek. These traps will collect litter generated alongPascoe Vale Road, north of Johnstone Road, an area whichincludes shops, businesses, schools and theBroadmeadows Town Centre.

Two traps are also located at Fawkner Street and GlobalDrive in Westmeadows. These traps will protect theMoonee Ponds Creek, collecting litter generated from theFawkner Street and Mickleham Road shops. Litter traps andnets have also been installed in locations in Sunbury(Macedon Street, Aitken Street and Brook Street) and onMahoneys Road, Campbellfield.


Council's Asset Protection Program continues to be a success,ensuring that building sites are fenced and damage to localinfrastructure is minimised.


The range of services provided by Council includes:maternal & child health; pre-schools; child care andoccasional child care; holiday programs; school crossingsupervision; youth services; family services; aged care;respite care; home care; delivered meals;accommodation & support; services for people withdisabilities; access & equity; social support; communitytransport; cultural activities and support; leisure andrecreation; health and safety; food safety audits; diseasecontrol; immunisations; community services planning;community development; community facilities; librariesand community grants.

Commitments in this area embrace social justice; a safeand healthy city; the delivery of a range of quality services;provision of facilities; and advocacy and support.

Council is proud of its achievements in relation to actionsidentified in the Corporate Plan for this area.

Social JusticeBuilding strong, vibrant and prosperous communities is anoverarching objective of Hume City Council. Council isdriven by the belief that every effort should be made toreduce economic and social inequities which result in somepeople experiencing severe and ongoing disadvantagethrough no fault of their own.

The Social Justice 2003 Report was launched at the HumeGlobal Learning Centre opening on 12 March 2003.

The Report profiled the achievements of the past year whichhave contributed to reducing disadvantage and strengtheningthe Hume community. Specifically, this report highlightedachievements in the following key areas:

Job creation: Jobs for Hume, Tarcoola Avenue/Shankland BoulevardReserve Development

Education Development: Hume Global Learning Centre, Visy Cares Learning Centre,new schools, Malcolm Creek Learning Centre

Housing initiatives: Urban renewal projects, Social Housing Strategy, Melbourne2030

Transport issues: Transit City, Integrated Transport Strategy, and CommunityTransport Service

Programs and projects supporting culturally andlinguistically diverse communities: HumeLink, Link-in Project, Multicultural Issues Forum,Cultural Experience, Interfaith Leaders Network, PrayerRoster, Hume Municipal USA Crisis Recovery Group, HumeIndigenous Advisory Committee (Koori Leadership Program,Koori Learning Centre, National Treaty Conference)

Programs which support residents with a disability, anaddictive disorder or who live in an isolated situation:Disability Action Team, Galaxyland case study and guidelinesfor playground development, Jack Roper Reserve, SigningDeaf Choir, Teenage Holiday Program Inclusive

Community health and safety: Drug and Alcohol Strategy, Early Intervention for ProblemGamblers, Safe Use of Medications forum.

Council remains strong in the belief that promoting a socialjustice agenda will contribute to building Hume City as avibrant and supportive community.

CommunityServices

Commitment 4We will provide and facilitate the delivery of humanservices, which contribute to the quality of life for allresidents.


Indigenous community Koori Leadership ProgramHume City Council received funding through theDepartment of Justice to develop and implement a KooriLeadership program. In partnership with Kangan BatmanTAFE, three Koori mentors were recruited and trained towork with young Koori people in need of guidance andsupport. The mentors were supported by the staff at theKoori Unit at Kangan Batman TAFE and the young peoplewere encouraged to pursue further training opportunities toenable them to develop their employment and life skills.The Hume Whittlesea LLEN has provided additional fundingfor this program, which will enable it to continue throughout2003.

Koori Learning CentreA new facility for Koori learning and cultural education willbe constructed during 2003. Council played a key role inthe provision of a central site for the centre. The centre willadjoin the main campus of the Kangan Batman TAFECollege and the Broadmeadows Town Park. Architecturalplans have been developed in consultation with indigenousleaders, the local community and Council.

National Treaty ConferenceCouncil sponsored two members of the Hume IndigenousAdvisory Committee (HIAC) to attend the National TreatyConference held in Canberra in August 2002. Attendanceat the conference enabled the HIAC representatives to hearthe current thinking on issues associated with native titleand reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenousAustralians. These are issues of national importance andrequire understanding at the local level.

The Committee plans to:• Organise a range of activities with Council in connection

with events of significance in relation to Hume'sindigenous communities, such as Reconciliation Weekand NAIDOC Week in 2004; and

• Develop a relationship protocol to inform Council andother organisations on promoting a deeperunderstanding of the appropriate ways to engage withHume's indigenous peoples in relation to issues andactions affecting those people.

Disability Action Team (DAT)In late October 2002, Council formed the Disability ActionTeam, a specialist advisory committee comprisingcommunity representatives, including people withdisabilities, carers and service providers. Council hasdeliberately chosen to refer to it as an 'Action Team' givenits pro-active role to provide Council with specialist adviceand assistance in forward planning around issues that mayrelate to or have an impact upon Hume residents with adisability.

Housing Strategy and action plansAccess to appropriate housing is identified as a criticalelement in community wellbeing and is one of the prioritiesidentified in the Hume City Council Social Justice Charter.

Council adopted the Hume Housing Strategy in December2002, along with the Older Persons AccommodationStrategy. Council is currently formulating two additionalaction plans stemming from the Housing Strategy that willpromote the creation of livable, vibrant and supportivecommunities and advocate for greater levels of sociallyresponsive and affordable housing within Hume City.

The development of the Older Persons AccommodationStrategy and Action Plan has enabled Council to take aleadership role in planning for the current and futureaccommodation needs of older residents.

Specifically, Council has:• Advocated for improved Home and Community Care

(HACC) funding

• Identified and documented innovative models of socialhousing provision, targeting older people

• Identified suitably located land for older personsaccommodation development

• Produced an information kit and guidelines forresidential aged care providers seeking Council supportfor Commonwealth residential aged care fundingapplications.

Hume will continue to advocate for the development ofindependent and supported accommodation options, suchas hostels and nursing homes, which respond to localneed.

Cultural and linguistic diversityHume City Council continued to engage the members of itsdiverse communities to promote their fullest participation incity life. The momentum established through theMulticultural Issues Forum was maintained throughout2002/03 with forums held regarding transport; arts andcultural activities; and problem gambling.

The Hume Interfaith Leaders' Network has also contributedto strengthening the bonds of Hume's diverse communities.The Network actively pursued initiatives such as:

• The distribution of a booklet describing the Network'srole and seeking community suggestions in relation topromoting harmony within Hume City

• The expansion of the prayer roster for Council meetingsto reflect the diversity of faiths - Buddhist, Christian,Hindu, Islam, and Sikh

• The provision of support to those affected by thebombing in Bali and the war in Iraq

• The blessing of the Hume Global Learning Centre andthe contribution of sacred texts to the Age Library bymembers of the network

• The attendance of representatives at the WorldConference on Religion and Peace, includingparticipation on a panel discussing "Building TrustBetween Local Faith Communities”.

Community Services

The Hume Interfaith Leaders Network participated in thecommunity celebrations at the Hume Global Learning Centre on 23 May 2003.

Wurundjeri Tribe Elder Norman Hunter conducted a traditionalWelcome to Country ceremony at the Hume Global Learning Centreopening celebrations.


Drug and Alcohol StrategyIn June 2003, Council launched its Drug and AlcoholStrategy which aims to reduce the negative health andsocial impacts of alcohol and drug use within Hume City.The strategy is a key commitment of the Hume SocialJustice Charter.

Council will pursue the implementation of this plan inpartnership with relevant agencies. The Drug and AlcoholStrategy incorporates a range of initiatives that focus on:

• The provision of relevant information and education

• Advocating for adequate health and support services

• Coordination and referral between local services andagencies

• Community participation and involvement in supportand prevention activities.

The preparation of the Drug and Alcohol Strategy is theculmination of two years of collaborative work by CouncilOfficers, Victoria Police, local health agencies andresidents.

Friends of Aileu, East TimorCouncil's City Improvement Program went international thisyear with assistance from the Foreign Ministry of EastTimor. More than 2,000 students and members of theAileu community undertook planting, painting, buildingrepairs and other improvement activities in their localcommunity.

A number of schools have been involved in the friendshiprelationship between Hume, Moreland and Aileu since itsinception in May 2000. A workshop was run in December2002 to understand the needs of schools involved in thefriendship program and how it could be improved. Apartnership with the Alola Foundation in East Timor hasbeen established which will assist with linking schools inHume and Moreland to schools in East Timor.

With the support of Council, some members of the Friendsof Aileu Committee participated in the Victorian LocalGovernance Conference, held in April 2003 at whichPresident Xanana Gusmao was the guest speaker. TheFriends of Aileu also acted as conference secretariat andconvenor of the inaugural Australian Local GovernmentAssociation conference on East Timor in Alice Springs.

Vicki Day (Australian Volunteers International partnershipvolunteer) has completed the school year teaching Englishlanguage to senior secondary students in Aileu. Vicki hastaught 350 students over 12 sessions per week.

Hoholau Primary School received a donation of $1000 thatwas used to purchase sporting goods, sporting uniforms,clocks and chairs for this remote primary school.

Access for All Abilities (AAA)Access for All Abilities is funded by the Department ofSport and Recreation Victoria to encourage and supportsport and recreation environments that are inclusive of andaccessible to people with a disability. Over the past year,Hume's Access for All Abilities strategy has been to ensurecollaboration between departments within Council and workwith community groups and agencies in the development ofmore recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.

This year's highlights include:• The Signing Deaf Choir performing for a second year at

Hume's Carols By Candlelight

• The ongoing development of the "THP Inclusive"program which supports the participation of youngpeople with disabilities in Council's Teenage HolidayProgram

• The introduction of swimming classes for children withdisabilities in Broadmeadows.

Areas of planning that will come to fruition next year are thecreation of an accessible pathway and jetty atBroadmeadows' Jack Roper Reserve; community basedsailing opportunities; a song writing project to create dancemusic that was to have its premiere at the Winter MusicFestival in July; and the redevelopment of BroadmeadowsLeisure Centre.

Early Intervention for Problem Gamblers ProjectIn September 2002, Council adopted the Early Interventionfor Problem Gamblers Report, which had beencommissioned in response to community concern aboutthe impact of an increase in the number of gaming venuesin Hume City, and an under representation of persons fromculturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds seekingassistance with problem gambling.

The report identified that the key issues of concern to theHume community are:• The need for information and education about the early

signs of problem gambling

• The language and cultural barriers that inhibit someresidents from seeking help when they have a gamblingproblem

• The high number of gaming venues and electronicgaming machines in Hume City

• The limited social and recreational opportunities whichcontribute to the attractiveness of gaming venues.

The actions arising from the report's recommendationsinclude:• The development of audio tapes and CDs which provide

information on the early warning signs of problemgambling and available support services. The tapes/CDsare available in six community languages and aredistributed by Gamblers Help Northern.

• The establishment of a social support program forwomen in Sunbury that offers alternative social activities,coordinated by the Sunbury Community Health Centre.

Community Services

Hearing impaired residents enjoyed a performance by the SigningDeaf Choir at the 2002 Carols by Candlelight event.

East Timorese children are the beneficiaries of Hume andMoreland City Council's Friendship Agreement with Aileu.


The Galgi-gnarrak Yirranboi TreeThe Weaving Lands project, funded by VicHealth, ArtsVictoria and the Community Support Fund, aimed to involvethe local community in the interpretation of the indigenousenvironment. The project created a unique sculpture fromindigenous plant material using traditional andcontemporary basketry techniques. The sculpture wasnamed by local Wurundjeri elder Norm Hunter. The namemeans 'Backbone of Tomorrow'.

The bark on the trunk and branches were made by skilledbasketmakers with Australian, Indigenous, Maori, Italian,Cook Island, Kurdish, Samoan, Hmong and Vietnamesebackgrounds. These artists demonstrated their traditionalpractices and skills at community workshops and festivals.

The leaves on the tree were created by local residents andvisitors to Hume City. Young and old joined in at festivals,workshops and community plantings to create thehundreds of leaves-and some flowers-growing on the tree.Basket hyphonate making was a new skill for most of thesepeople, although many of them come from cultures inwhich it is a familiar tradition.

A public appeal was launched in August 2002 to sendrequested material aid to East Timor. Rotary Australiaagain assisted with the logistics of transporting thecontainer. Educational material, clothes, quilts, sewingmaterials and treadle machines made up the bulk of thisshipment.

$8,500 was raised through coffee sales in the last 12months, with the special blend of East Timor coffee nowavailable to the public at the Broadmeadows, Craigieburnand Sunbury Council offices.

The Friends of Aileu Committee will continue to focus onfundraising activities in the coming year and look atinnovative ways in which to maximise the benefits of thefriendship relationship for the people of East Timor.

Delivering quality servicesBest Value review of community servicesBest Value reviews have been completed for 17 communityservices programs during 2002/03. Services reviewedinclude Home Care, Long Day Care, Pre School, Youth andOut of School Hours programs. The Best Value evaluationframework (adopted by Council in November 2001) guidedeach of the reviews.

Community consultation was an integral component of theBest Value review process and as such, each service orprogram has drawn upon data arising from communityconsultation. The specific consultation activities wererecorded in each service/program review report. The BestValue reviews identified many improvement initiatives andgave staff further opportunities to strengthen theservice/program to better meet the needs of clients.

For more information on Council's commitment to the BestValue process, please refer to the Best Value SummaryReport on page 89.

Arts & Cultural Strategy Hume City has a truly unique cultural identity. The artisticstrength of Hume City lies in its dynamic cultural,environmental and historical diversity. This diversity offersresidents and visitors not only a wealth of experiences, butresources and skills.

To support the arts and culture in Hume City, Counciladopted a new Arts & Cultural Strategy in February, 2003.

This Strategy identifies three key roles for Council's supportto arts and cultural development:

• Expressing cultural identity

• Providing and supporting arts and cultural activity

• Developing local tourism and cultural industries.

Arts and cultural opportunities are explored throughCouncil's work in many fields, including communitydevelopment, lifelong learning and economic development.This broad approach to arts and culture is incorporated intoa range of new initiatives. These include the Hume GlobalLearning Village; urban renewal projects for Sunbury TownCentre and Broadmeadows/ Dallas; and planning for theBroadmeadows Transit City Project.

Major initiatives identified in the Arts and Cultural Strategyinclude a review of performing arts centre requirements inBroadmeadows; ongoing commitment to the GlobalWarmers Winter Music Festival; and the development of aPublic Art Strategy.

Community Services

LEFT & ABOVE Participants from many cultural backgrounds created the Galgi-gnarrak Yirranboi Tree.


Community cultural eventsArts and cultural development is flourishing in Hume City,with a wide range of activities being offered and supportedacross the municipality.

A new event has been added to the Hume calendar, theGlobal Colours Hume Winter Music Festival. CelebratingHume's vibrant cultural diversity and designed to warm upthe winter months, the festival was planned for its launch inJuly 2003. Twelve community groups took part in a sixmonth training program in event management, and with theparticipation of businesses and other community groups, afabulous program of 24 individual events was planned for arange of venues across Hume.

A new craft market commenced at the Hume GlobalLearning Centre in May 2003. Featuring local artists andcrafts people, the monthly craft market provides anopportunity for residents to see craft demonstrations andpurchase quality hand made goods.

The Hume Community Dance Program has expanded its roleto include theatre classes and changed its name to TheHume Performing Arts Program to reflect its broadening role.There are currently over 750 students enrolled in classes,which are held in a range of locations across Hume. Thisunique program offers affordable and non-competitiveclasses for all age groups and abilities, as well as a specialclass for people with intellectual disabilities.

The Roxburgh Park Homestead Community, Arts and CulturalCentre has also been active in encouraging arts and culturaldevelopment in the area. This year's Multicultural Festival,held in February 2003 was bigger and better than ever, witharound 1,000 people attending and 20 groups performing.

The Homestead produced a fabulous exhibition called "ASense of Place", featuring cultural items from around theworld loaned by community members. Throughout the year itcontinued to provide valuable adult education courses and awelcoming meeting place for community and culturalgroups.

The Broadmeadows Community Festival, held on 26 October2002, was a showcase for the diversity of our community,with the World Stage featuring dynamic performances frommany cultural groups within Hume.

The annual Carols by Candlelight was threatened by rain thisyear. Nevertheless an audience of around 3,000 peoplepersisted despite the cold and drizzle. This year's programfeatured the local Congregational Church of Samoa Choir andthe Signing Deaf Choir.

The Craigieburn Festival expanded to fill the whole weekend,starting with the Craigieburn Art Group Art Show. With theassistance of Delfin as the new principal sponsor, theprogram included a Children's Storybook Picnic on Saturdaymorning and the Delfin Duck Derby on Saturday afternoon.Youth activities, Saturday night's drumming and firespectacular and the Big Family Fun Day on Sundaycompleted a great weekend's entertainment.

As well as presenting a permanent display of the history ofthe Sunbury region, the George Evans Museum hosted fivetravelling exhibitions this year, featuring guest speakers."Wedded Bliss", an exhibition of original wedding gownsfrom 1850 -1990, and "1918: Australian in France" - anexhibition from the Australian War Memorial, both attracted afull house to their launches.

Garden of FriendsA unique courtyard garden which captures the culturaldiversity of the local community has been designed for theVisy Cares Learning Centre in Meadows Heights by localartist Aslam Akram, in partnership with public artists andlandscape architects.

Local community groups have been involved in the designand created beautiful relief tiles that will be installed in theGarden. Based on traditional gardens from around theworld, the courtyard will include water features, calligraphyinspired paving designs and tropical plants.

Design work began at the Visy Cares Learning Centre inFebruary 2003 and the garden is expected to be installedby November 2003.

The project has been funded by the Australia Council forthe Arts, Parks Victoria, Myer Foundation and theCommunity Support Fund.

Cultural identity building initiativeA cultural identity building initiative is currently underwayand has been funded by Council and external organisationssuch as the Community Support Fund, the MyerFoundation, Parks Victoria and the Department ofInnovation, Industry and Regional Development. The aim ofthe initiative is to celebrate the unique cultural, social,linguistic, geographic and economic mix that is Humethrough eight individual projects that showcase our identity.

Projects such as Weaving Lands and the creation of theSunbury Logo have already been completed. Otherinitiatives, including the Global Colours Music Festival, theMulticultural Kitchen, Roxburgh Park Settlement, OpenDoors and Up on the Hill, Down in the Town will take placethroughout 2003/04. To ensure the projects are promotedto all Hume residents and beyond, each of the projects willbe documented in detail through photographs, text andaudio recordings wherever possible to ensure that theycontinue to be a valuable resource to the community.

Community Services

ABOVE & RIGHT Hume community groups came together to participatein cultural activities throughout the year.

OPPOSITE Dancing performances were a highlight of the 2003 Craigieburn Festival.


Hume Global Learning Village Library ServiceThis year has seen the re-establishment of Council's directdelivery of library services within the city, enabling thelibraries to play a key role in the lifelong learning objectivesof Council.

On 1 January 2003, Council took over the management ofthe library service from the Hume-Moonee Valley RegionalLibrary Corporation. Nearly 50 staff were transferred toCouncil from the Sunbury, Craigieburn, Tullamarine,Gladstone Park and mobile libraries and from the previouslibrary administration.

Broadmeadows' first public library, The Age Library, ishoused in the new Global Learning Centre and it officiallyopened its doors to the public on 23 May 2003. In the firstmonth of operation 22,822 people visited the Age Libraryand 10,209 items were loaned. The opening collection inthe Age Library was 35,000 items.

During the year, 31,719 library members across Hume Cityborrowed 276,531 items and there were 641,339 visits tolocal libraries.

The 2003/04 financial year will be an important year for theHume Global Learning Village Library Service, with anadditional $800,000 funding provided by Council toincrease the size of library collections by approximately31,000 items. A major project to be undertaken by librarystaff will be the purchase of a new library managementsystem that will enable the community to access the librarycatalogue on a new user-friendly interface.

Hume leisure centresCouncil operates three major leisure facilities atBroadmeadows, Sunbury and Craigieburn. 421,082individual visits were made to the Centres during 2002/03.

On average, there were 4,255 memberships at Hume CityCouncil Leisure facilities during the year, a 3.2% increaseon the previous year's average of 4,125.

The swim school proved popular, with 3,625 individualsparticipating in the program at the three Centres. There wasan increase of 275 (7.6%) from 2001/02 attendance levels.

Broadmeadows Leisure CentreRedevelopment work on Broadmeadows Leisure Centre'spool area will begin in late September 2003 and is expectedto be completed by August 2004. Planning for these majorrenovations, including a comprehensive communityconsultation program and detailed design, has occurredduring the year.

The new look facilities will include:• Two separate bodies of water, operating at different

temperatures

• The creation of leisure water space with shallowwarmer water, beach entry and interactive play space.This will include sprayers, jets and moving water.

• Additional school, family and disabled change areasand separate change rooms

• Relocation of the spa and sauna facilities.

The redevelopment will provide greater flexibility in theprogramming of aquatic services and enhanced social andrecreational opportunities for all users.

Provision of facilitiesHume Global Learning Centre The Hume Global Learning Centre, located in the businessand community precinct of Broadmeadows, was officiallyopening by the Victorian Premier, The Hon. Steve BracksMP on 12 March 2003.

A community event on 23 May 2003 was an opportunityfor the community to celebrate in style at the new Centre.More than 550 guests of all ages enjoyed a journeythrough the 'Global Village', with music, displays and foodfrom around the world. One lucky community member wona holiday to Tasmania, provided by Rex Airlines.

In the short time from open day until 30 June 2003, over2,100 people attended training programs and communityevents in the Hume Global Learning Centre.

The Hume Global Learning Centre has been establishedwith the support of the Community Support Fund, Ford,The Age and the Pratt Foundation. These are importantprivate and public sector partners - not only for theestablishment of the Centre, but also for services andprograms planned for the future.

Visy Cares Learning Centre Opened to the public on 6 March 2003, the Visy CaresLearning Centre at Meadow Heights offers a range ofhealth, recreational, learning and community activities.Council's Maternal and Child Health services are offeredthrough the Centre, as well as community-based programsand activities. More than 400 people attended the OpenDay celebrations.

The Visy Cares Learning Centre is now managed by acommunity board of management. The development of thisfacility was made possible by a partnership with VisyCares, the Government of Victoria and the CommunitySupport Fund.

Programs at the Centre include support for new migrants tolearn English, classes in tae kwon do, keep fit for women,playgroups, Maternal and Child health services and internetaccess. 5,050 people have attended training orrecreational programs at the Centre since March 2003. TheVisy Cares Learning Centre has been used as a prayercentre by the local Muslim community and this willcontinue until the completion of the new mosque in theMeadow Heights Community Precinct.

Community Services

ABOVE The new Visy Cares Learning Centre at Meadow Heights is already proving a popular venue with the local community.

LEFT Local schoolchildren enjoyed reading The World’s Largest Picturebook at the opening of the Hume Global Learning Centre.

The new Age Library at Broadmeadows.


Goonawarra Recreation ReserveOn 14 July 2003, Hume City Council adopted in principle, adraft master plan for Goonawarra Recreation Reserve inLancefield Road, Sunbury.

The purpose of the master plan was to identify futuresporting and passive recreational opportunities at thereserve, which comprises 15.39 hectares of public openspace. A range of consultation methods were used indeveloping the draft master plan, including focus groupsheld in February 2003, meetings with sporting clubs andcommunity members and interviews with key stakeholders.

The draft master plan includes the provision of sportingfields; a sporting pavilion; children's playground; familyBBQ and picnic area; and a tennis court.

A safe and healthy CityHume Social Justice and Safe City TaskforceThe Hume Social Justice and Safe City Taskforce sawseveral significant developments during the past year,including the opening of the Hume Global Learning Centrein Broadmeadows and the Visy Cares Learning Centre inMeadow Heights.

A major early initiative of the Taskforce, Hume's IntegratedHealth, Safety and Crime Prevention Framework continuesto provide an excellent structure for addressing manydiverse issues relevant to this community. The "multi-agency teams" approach within this framework hascontinued to provide inter-agency strength and focus forseveral issue-specific sub-committees. Some of the initialteams have achieved their original aims and members nowkeep in contact on a more informal basis, while othergroups continue to meet regularly to work collectivelytowards their team objectives.

The various teams' highlights over the past year aresummarised below:

Road safety: The team continues to implement the actionsarising from the Hume Road Safety Strategic Plan. Theimplementation and reporting of road safety actions atHume and interaction with the Taskforce recently receivedaccolades as a best practice model for the whole ofVictoria. VicRoads management and the Victoria PoliceAssistant Commissioner have recently promoted thisintegrated approach to road safety and other social issuesas an ideal way to maximise resources towards commongoals, to enhance decision making and to avoidduplication.

Alcohol and other drugs: The team has provided significantinput into the Hume Drug and Alcohol Strategy and ActionPlan. An Alcohol and Other Drugs Project Officer, appointedin April 2003, will work closely with the team to overseethe implementation of the strategy, including sevencommunity based pilot programs. On 24 June 2003,Council launched the Hume Drug and Alcohol Strategybrochure and the Youth Pocket Pal, providing usefulinformation to Hume citizens about the health impacts ofalcohol and a range of drugs, and contact information forsupport services.

Positive ageing: A Falls Prevention Booklet was launchedand distributed; a Safe Use of Medications Forum for olderpeople was held during Community Safety month; a Carers'Action Plan was developed in November 2003; and HumeU3A was given Council funding to purchase two computersfor visually impaired residents.

Children's safety: Child safety promotional activities wereheld during annual Community Safety month andpresentations on child safety were made to a number ofHume community groups. A child safety video produced byCouncil in partnership with the Department of HumanServices and targeting expectant parents across the statewill be launched in Hume in October 2003.

H2O for All AbilitiesA swimming program for children with disabilities wasintroduced in February 2003 and incorporates all aspectsof swimming and water safety in a quality, fun and safeenvironment. CarerLinks North, a Commonwealth CarerRespite Centre, subsidised eligible participants in theprogram. All lessons are provided on a one-on-one basisand are conducted by qualified staff from theBroadmeadows Leisure Centre on Saturday morningsduring each school term at the Broadmeadows HealthService Hydrotherapy Pool.

Sunbury Aquatic Centre The Sunbury Aquatic Centre continues to provide a broadrange of leisure and fitness activities for the residents ofSunbury and the wider community. The centre and itsprograms continue to be well supported and a Masterplanfor the future staged development of Sunbury AquaticCentre was completed in March 2003.

$100,000 has been included in the 2003/04 budget for thecompletion of design and documentation for Stage 1 works- an extension to the fitness area. Stage 2 proposes majorrefurbishment of change facilities, offices and child careareas, in addition to new 'wet' change facilities andprofessional health suite space. Stages three and four willinclude major refurbishment of the aquatic facilities andwater treatment plant.

Children's programsA major review of Sunbury Aquatic Centre childcare operationswas completed during the year to improve customer serviceand operational efficiencies, and to ensure compliance with thenew Department of Human Services regulations. Changeswere made to the booking and entry procedures.

Craigieburn Leisure CentreCouncil submitted an application to the state government inOctober 2002 for funding to develop a Masterplan toredevelop the Craigieburn Leisure Centre. The submissiondetailed the ageing infrastructure of the current facilitiesand estimated expansion of population in the surroundinggeographic area but was unsuccessful. In September2002,18 unemployed participants in the Employability forLife program were employed to paint the basketball courtwalls at the Craigieburn Leisure Centre.

Introduction of new fitness programsThe Living Longer - Living Stronger program for older adultswas launched in July 2002 at Sunbury Aquatic Centre andthe Les Mills Group Fitness classes BODYPUMP andBODYBALANCE were introduced at Broadmeadows LeisureCentre in April 2003.

Living Longer - Living Stronger has been enormouslysuccessful and is attended by an average of 65 peopleevery week. It was promoted through local newspapers,Council's community magazine, street advertising signage,and in the Council of the Ageing (COTA) newsletter.

Acknowledged throughout the fitness industry as theworld's best fitness classes, Les Mills Body TrainingSystems have created a revolution in group fitness that hasspread through more than 6,000 world class gymnasiumsin 45 countries over the last five years. Becoming licensedto deliver Les Mills classes provided Council with arecognised brand product and the means of consistentlydelivering excellence to group fitness class participants.

Community Services

Nessie the pool monster makes a splash at Sunbury AquaticCentre.


Child Safety Program The prevention of injuries to children is a major priority ofHume City Council. Parents and carers of young childrencan access free information and advice through Council'sChild Safety Program, which liaises closely with specialistsafety organisations. In 2002/03, interactive child safetysessions were presented to more than fifty local parentgroups at their own venues and included sessions for localfamilies from diverse cultural backgrounds. Severalcommunity groups and schools were provided with a rangeof child safety posters, videos and parent handouts andlocal health professionals received training and up to dateparent information about child safety issues.

Council's child safety program is highly regarded andCouncil is often consulted in the development of new,statewide child safety resources and programs. During thepast year, Council offered training and support to three newchild safety programs being piloted in other municipalitiesand assisted with the development of new road safetyprogram materials. In a funding partnership with theDepartment of Human Services, Council began productionof a child safety video, targeting expectant parents. Thisvaluable resource will be available statewide from late2003, to assist new parents to keep their babies safe.

Road safetyYear 2 of Council's Road Safety Strategy Plan wassuccessfully completed and included the following works:

• The development of a comprehensive CommunicationStrategy

• Upgrading of walking and cycling links throughout the City

• Promotion of safety around schools

• A targeted campaign to address speed in local streets

• A review of traffic accident statistics and Local AreaTraffic Management studies in Meadow Heights, Jacanaand Broadmeadows

• Staff driver education

• 'Keys Please' Program.

To assist with road safety, a speed trailer was purchasedthrough a grant from VicRoads and the State government.The speed trailer will be trialed over the coming year atselected locations where vehicle speeds have been excessive.

A 50kph speed trial was carried out to create greaterawareness through the use of stickers placed on garbagebins in streets where speeding was a problem. In responseto the community participation, 50kph stickers wereinstalled at selected streets in Greenvale; Sunbury; MeadowHeights; Broadmeadows; Westmeadows; Gladstone Parkand Craigieburn. However, the trial indicated that thestickers had no impact on slowing down vehicles intargeted streets. Additional works were carried out to raiseawareness regarding speed limits and 50kph speed limitsigns were painted on 10 roads across the City.

Industrial safety: A forum highlighting safety strategies forlocal businesses has been planned and will be held again in2003. The focus will shift slightly towards a broader "betterbusiness practice" forum.

Hume Indigenous Advisory Committee: Two workinggroups will focus on development of a 'relationshipprotocol' and a plan for Council to run community eventslocally in conjunction with important indigenous events,such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

Youth Advisory Committee: Groups of young people met todiscuss issues that affect young people and provided atwo-way exchange of information between Council andlocal youth. The Committee organised and promotedspecial events and ongoing activities relevant to youngpeople in Hume City during the year.

Violence prevention & women's safety: Annual CommunitySafety Month/ Week Without Violence activities were held,including a poster competition for secondary colleges topromote harmony between young people.

Disability Action Team: A new team was formed in 2002 toprovide an appropriate advisory body for specialist adviceand assistance in forward planning around issues thatrelate to Hume residents with a disability.

Problem Gambling: This group worked towards theimplementation of the Hume Early Intervention ProblemGambling Project and three identified pilot projects havebeen substantially completed, focussing on: issues inSunbury; information provision to multicultural groups; andon an upcoming forum with venue providers. Members ofthe Team will continue to work on aspects of problemgambling and collaborate on an informal basis.

Multicultural Issues Forum: During this year, a formalworkshop focussed on problem gambling. The InterfaithLeaders' Network is now an ongoing committee, whichruns independently. Exploring, establishing and promotingreligious harmony and social justice will drive futureactions.

Gladstone Park Community Safety ForumAs part of Hume City Council's ongoing commitment tocommunity safety, Council hosted a community safetyforum in Gladstone Park in Community Safety Month,October 2002. This provided the opportunity for localresidents, community representatives, Council and otherkey agencies to identify and discuss a wide range ofcommunity safety issues and to explore potential actions todeal with each of these issues.

Council officers outlined existing policies relating to lightingand graffiti; littering and dog control; policies on drinking inpublic open spaces; and implementation of the Hume RoadSafety Strategy. They provided an overview of the HumeDrug and Alcohol Strategy and Youth Services Programs.The Victoria Police also presented information about theirproactive policing initiatives.

An Action Plan has been developed from the issues raisedat the forum and strategies have been identified in closeconsultation with the local community and relevant serviceproviders, to make the most of existing programs and togenerate new initiatives as needed.

This Action Plan seeks to involve local residents,community groups, Council and other key agencies ininitiatives designed to achieve enhanced levels of safetyand perceptions of safety within Gladstone Park.

Community Services

take in school crossing pic from tranny


Community ServicesImmunisationCouncil continues to provide a comprehensiveimmunisation service for residents and staff of Hume CityCouncil.

In late 2002, the Commonwealth Government introduced aphased program to vaccinate all children in Australiabetween the ages of 12 months and 19 years with theMeningococcal C vaccine. Due to the introduction of thisvaccine, the number of immunisations for 2002/03increased from 18,000 to 21,067.

The introduction of the secondary school aged programhas presented a huge challenge for Council's immunisationteam, with all primary school children also to beimmunised by July 2004. An ongoing program for pre-school children between the ages of 12 months and fiveyears for the Meningococcal C vaccine and other routinevaccinations is offered at any of the 14 immunisationsessions held each month throughout Hume City.

By October 2003, all secondary school children in HumeCity will have been offered the Meningococcal C vaccine. Inaddition, all Year 7 students will have been offered theHepatitis B vaccine and all Year 10 students will have beenoffered the ADT (adult diphtheria, tetanus) vaccine.

An on demand Pediculosis program was also offered and1,623 examinations of children have been conducted in thelast year.

There have been 2,547 School Entry ImmunisationCertificates (SEIC) issued. From 1 January 2004, themethod in which SEIC's are to be issued will change. TheAustralian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) willissue a Child History Statement which will replace theSEIC's issued by Council. Some SEIC's will still be issuedby Council for children who do not fulfil the ACIRrequirements.

Hume Health Action Plan In April 2002, Council launched the Hume Health ActionPlan 2001 - 2004. The plan identifies eight key healthrelated issues, which were found to be challenging to thehealth of Hume citizens, and outlines a wide range ofstrategies to overcome these barriers. It outlines Council'scommitment to providing leadership and a coordinating rolein the protection and promotion of health in the localcommunity

The Plan was developed in collaboration with local healthagencies and service providers, who also have a key role inimplementing the Action Plan. Some of the achievementsfrom Year 1 of the Health Action Plan include:

Mental Health and Well Being• Mental Health Festival held in October 2002

• Support for Recent Mothers Project

• Flying High/Link In/Peer Education Programs to helpyoung people develop social skills and self-esteem.

Physical Health and Wellbeing• A range of diabetes and asthma education

programs/activities including provision of information tothe Turkish and Arabic communities.

Health services Council's Health Services Unit conducted seven food safetyprogram seminars for food businesses across the city,which were attended by more than 150 people.

A training program for 20 food proprietors from culturallyand linguistically diverse communities was also held inconjunction with the Adult Multicultural Education Service(AMES). This program was aimed at improving foodhygiene and handling procedures, as well as helping thesebusinesses meet new requirements under the Food Act. All14 students who participated in the 14 week coursepassed.

489 food samples were purchased for analysis from localfood businesses and three northern region samplingsurveys were conducted, which involved: nursing homesand child care centres; cleanliness of gloves used by foodhandlers; and preparation and cooking of kebabs. 47 ofthe samples failed to meet labelling requirements and 16samples failed to meet the microbiological standards,mostly due to the presence and level of bacterialcontamination. All failed samples were followed up byofficers and remedies initiated to prevent a recurrence.

101 water samples were taken from public pools and spasin the municipality. Of these, 20 samples failed to meet therequired chemical standards, mainly because chlorinelevels were found to be below the permitted minimum level.Eight samples also failed to meet the microbiologicalcriteria.

Education visits as a part of the Tobacco Program werecarried out at over 150 tobacco retailers, eatingestablishments, licensed premises, bingo centres andgaming venues to educate proprietors on the Stategovernment's 'sales to minors', 'smoke free dining' and'smoke free gaming' policies. Of the 105 tobacco retailpremises where a test purchase was conducted, five soldcigarettes to a minor and were subsequently issued an onthe spot fine of $200.

Health and HumanServices continued to ratefavourably, despite a slight

decrease in the previousyears' result.

take in immunisation pic from tranny


The MCH team in Meadow Heights moved into the new VisyCares Learning Centre on 28 April 2003 and are now able tooffer a greater range of service options to families in thelocality.

Council's Maternal and Child Health Service provides on-site interpreters for parents who speak Turkish andVietnamese at its Meadow Heights Service. This year, therewas a need to support Arabic speaking women, and anArabic interpreter was made available.

Pre-schools and occasional careCouncil continues to provide a number of three and fouryear old pre-school and activity programs across the city.Enrolments have remained consistent, with 1,548 four yearold children attending pre-school in 2003.

Services for three year olds are currently being reviewed toascertain service user needs, locations of services,utilisation rates and benchmarking of programs with othermunicipalities.

Council's pre-school services will be participating in the'Best Start' partnership. One of the activities of thepartnership will be the development of a project to facilitatethe transition of children from pre-school to primaryschool. The aim of the project will be to strengthen theearly year services to children and families and to providecontinuity of services.

Parents have been surveyed throughout the year andfeedback has been positive about the level of service beingprovided by the programs. As part of Council'scommitment to quality improvement, parents will continueto be sought for their feedback via surveys and variousforums.

Service provision is constrained at times due to staffingshortages. The statewide shortage of pre-school teacherspresents difficulties when backfilling with relief staff orrecruiting to fill permanent positions. Pre-school andOccasional Care staff have undertaken combined in-service

training days to enable them to receive current training anddevelopment in the early childhood industry.

All centres have had fences and bathrooms upgraded tomeet the requirements of the Children's ServicesRegulations. The Department of Human Services recentlyadvised Council it was successful in its submission tocontinue as a Group Employer of services.

The Pre-school Field Officer program has receivedadditional funding to enable the expansion of the service tomeet the demand for support to children with additionalneeds. The Occasional Care service at Meadow Heightshas been relocated to the Visy Cares Learning Centre andnow has the capacity to offer up to 15 hours of care perchild per week.

Community ServicesChild Care

Out of School HoursThe Out of School Hours (OOSH) program area has recentlybeen restructured by merging Vacation Care and Before andAfter School Hours programs. This merger has enabledCouncil to offer an integrated approach to improving theservices to school age children in the municipality.

In 2003/04, the OOSH program will commence a QualityAssurance process aimed at ensuring Council continues toexceed accepted standards of care in this area. The Beforeand After School Hours program based at Craigieburn Southhas recently moved into a new facility at Malcolm Creek.Council has also been approved an additional 90 vacation careplaces, taking the number of places offered by Council to 645.

Early Childhood Services Hume City Council has five Long Day Care centres thatmaintained enrolments at 99% capacity and provided thecommunity with 255 places during 2002/03.

Council's childcare staff have been working through a NationalAccreditation process, an extensive process that requires theinvolvement of all staff to meet benchmarks in 10 principalareas. Final assessment is due in November 2003.

Council's aim over the next 12 months is to maintain highenrolment rates and build strong links with supportingagencies and service providers.

Children's Services Resource and Development OfficerProgram (CSRDO)The CSRDO program continues to support over 100 childrenwith special needs and/or from culturally and linguisticallydiverse backgrounds. The CSRDO is available to independent,private and Council-run services, including long day care,vacation care, occasional care and before and after schoolcare programs. The CSRDOs were able to access the SpecialNeeds Subsidy Scheme (SNSS) for 80 children. It is expectedthat $25.8 million will be released in the 2003/04 FederalBudget, to continue supporting the SNSS program.

Maternal & Child Health (MCH) services2,174 babies were born in the municipality and 90% ofparents made contact with the MCH service that was locatedclosest to their home. The MCH service provided a number ofdifferent services this year, as outlined below, in response tocommunity need.

• In a first for Council, a new playgroup was initiated atMeadow Fair North, the first group to specifically target theinteraction of parents and their children.

• Council organised a community support day on 17 April2003 in partnership with the Victorian Cooperative onChildren's Services for Ethnic Groups and funded through aBest Start grant. The community support day was held atVisy Cares Learning Centre and attended by 130 Iraqiwomen and their children who were affected by the war inIraq. Speakers from the Red Cross, the Islamic Women'sAssociation and survivors of trauma and tortureacknowledged the women's feelings and concerns andexplored with them ways of dealing with the currentsituation. Arabic and Assyrian interpreters were provided toensure that everyone was an active participant on the day

• A dads' night was held in Gladstone Park.

Community Services


Youth ServicesCouncil's Youth Services team works with young peopleaged 12-24 years across different locations in themunicipality. The team prides itself on its ability to providea diverse range of programs to young people in their localcommunities.

Some examples of innovative approaches to developingprograms for young people are the Link In program thatworks with newly arrived young people and the Bullyingand Diversity Program that works on a peer educationmodel. Youth Services also ran a number of superviseddance parties and band nights during the year andparticipated in the three major festivals run by Council.

The Teenage Holiday Program (Inclusive) is a programspecifically designed for young people with disabilities andhas been piloted over the first three terms of 2002/03. Theinclusive program was fully integrated into the TeenageHoliday Program with the key aim of offering activities thatensure young people with a disability have the opportunityto participate in a range of activities and spend time withtheir peers.

The Hume Youth Advisory committee ran a Youth Forum inAugust 2002, which was attended by 100 young peoplefrom across the City. The young people identified a numberof key issues that they were concerned about and haveprioritised the issues of crime and safety to be targetedthrough an Action Plan in 2003/04.

The refurbishment and renovation of the Sunbury YoungPeople's Place was another key achievement, having beencompleted and reopened with a community celebration on30 January 2003. Comments received from the users ofthe Centre have been very positive.

During 2003/04 financial year, Council will conduct areview of youth needs in the municipality and develop astrategy to determine how these needs can best be met.

Accommodation and SupportActive consumer participation has been a significant focusfor the Accommodation & Support Service in 2002/03.Accommodation & Support workers have worked withyoung people and families to encourage them to take aproactive role in establishing greater community links andsocial options in a move to alleviate some of the barriersencountered by people experiencing homelessness.

Group work activities have been a primary emphasis for theprogram, with a number of social/recreational activities heldthroughout the year. Activities have ranged from family daytrips to the zoo to movie and dinner evenings. The objectiveof these activities was to bring people together to addressissues of social isolation and the impact on the lives ofthose who experience it.

In addition to the group work programs, theAccommodation and Support Service supported serviceusers to actively raise community awareness of the issuesconfronting people who are homeless or at risk ofhomelessness. A photographic exhibition, designed andcontributed to by people utilising the service was heldduring Victoria's annual Housing Week. The exhibition hadthe theme "strengthening communities" and allowed thoseinvolved to visually display their perceptions of communityand experiences of homelessness.

Community Care ServicesSupport for the frail aged and people with disabilities wasdelivered through the provision of a range of home careservices, as well as social and recreational opportunitiesaimed at helping people to develop support networks andreduce social isolation. During 2002/03, Community Carestaff provided 71,217 hours of home care services,including: 36,970 hours of homecare; 15,353 hours ofpersonal care; 16,513 hours of respite care; and 2,381hours of home maintenance. Council also provided 39,873home delivered meals.

Council held a number of events during March and April forthe Senior Citizens Festival, including a BBQ, andperformances by the Australian Children's Choir and theArgentinian Tango Dancers. More than 700 seniorsparticipated in the festival.

Carers' luncheons were held to celebrate Carers Week inOctober 2002 and a Carers' forum was well attended byHume carers and service agencies in November 2002. ACarers Action Plan will be finalised and launched in August2003 and will include actions targeting increasedinformation, training and support for Hume carers.

The Positive Ageing Team led a number of safety initiativesduring the year. A Hume Falls Prevention Booklet wasdeveloped and launched in September 2002, with over1200 booklets being distributed within the Humecommunity. A Safe Use of Medications forum was held aspart of Community Safety Month in October 2003 andincluded pharmacists speaking via interpreters to discusssafe use of medications with older adults. More than 150residents from culturally and linguistically diversebackgrounds attended.

There is currently a waiting list of 25 clients for homecareservices and further funding from State and Federalgovernments is required to meet the growing demand.Council continues to lobby for additional funds to enableresidents to receive the homecare services they require toremain living independently at home.

The Department of Human Services will be undertaking aHome and Community Care Assessment betweenSeptember 2003 and February 2004 to ensure thatCouncil's Community Care service meets the NationalService Standards. An initial self-assessment of the servicewas undertaken in May 2003 and staff identifiedcontinuous improvement initiatives to ensure that theservice is fully compliant with and where possible, exceedsthe National Service Standards.

Community Services

Council coordinated a number of events for Hume's young peoplethroughout the year.


The range of services provided by Council includes: CityImprovement Program; Neighbourhood EnhancementProgram; Industrial Precinct Enhancement Program;environmental planning and management; open spaceplanning; maintenance and development of parks,bushland and sporting fields; waterways and reserves;maintenance and planting of trees; social anddemographic research; statutory and strategic land useplanning; subdivisional planning and supervision;building control; permits; planning and local lawsenforcement and education; animal welfare andregistration; environmental education; enhancing publicamenity; reducing weed and pest infestations; protectingcommunity and heritage assets; and integrating safetyinto all aspects of community life.

Commitments in this area relate to implementation of theHume Planning Scheme; adherence to standards ofdevelopment; environmental sustainability; urban amenity;enforcement of local laws; traffic and parking controls; andplanning and advocating for enhanced public transport.

Hume Planning Scheme ReviewCouncil's Corporate Plan identified the need to review andupdate various sections of the Hume Planning Scheme.During 2002/03, this work has been frustrated by key staffshortages in the Strategic Planning Department. Inaddition, a number of key projects were placed on hold dueto pending planning legislative changes, (eg developmentcontributions review and release of the State Government's," Melbourne 2030 - Planning for Sustainable Growth"strategy). Upon release of this strategy in October 2002,Council's resources were redirected to undertake anextensive community consultation program that enabled acomprehensive submission to be prepared and lodged withthe State government in February 2003.

The following strategic planning projects were carried out in2002/03 or are currently being addressed:

Hume Planning Scheme complianceIn the 2002/03, 715 decisions were made on planningpermit applications and appeals were lodged on 11occasions. Of the appeals heard at the Victorian Civil andAdministrative Tribunal, two supported Council's decision,one overturned Council's decision, two were resolved atmediation, five are yet to be determined and one has beendeferred for mediation.

In total, more than 98% of planning permit decisions madeby Council or under delegated authority by Council officerswere accepted. According to VCAT records, Hume CityCouncil has one of the lowest numbers of planning appealsamong metropolitan Councils.

Planning & Environment

Commitment 5We will support high quality, sustainable, safe livingenvironments.

Strategic planning staff review Council's submission to Melbourne2030.


Council also provided advice to landowners who requestedfurther information regarding Melbourne 2030 and implicationsfor their land. A number of 'one-on-one' meetings were held withlandowners at their request. The consultative processundertaken by Council helped shape Council's final submission.Most comments were supportive of Council's current strategicplanning framework.

Council's submission to Melbourne 2030 was placed on its webpage and formal presentations were made to the Minister forPlanning, local members of Parliament and Department ofSustainability and Environment officers. Council is now waitingfor further direction from the Minister on key recommendationsmade in the submission.

Standards of developmentGuidelines for urban development and open space Council continues to foster positive relationships with majordevelopers in the City to ensure that high quality residentialand industrial estates are built. Substantial efforts are beingmade, particularly in the new areas of Craigieburn, inresponse to the rapid rate of development.

Planning permits valued at in excess of $197m were issuedin 2002/03, representing a 12.5% increase from the $175mrealised in 2001/02.

Council has commenced the development of guidelines forinfrastructure planning in new estates that aim to provide aseries of consistent standards for road, drainage and openspace infrastructure. Following internal and externalconsultation and research into current best practice,Volume I, Guidelines for the Planning, Design andConstruction for Open Space was completed in May 2003.

The guidelines will assist developers to confidently plansustainable, high amenity open spaces in new estatesacross the City.

Town planning education Council's information meeting policy implementationcontinued this year, with more than 50 meetings heldbetween Council planning staff, applicants and residentsabout individual planning permit applications. Thesemeetings gave residents and developers an opportunity tomeet 'face to face' to discuss issues and enabled bothparties to hear about the relevant planning controls andprocesses.

An informative 12 page brochure entitled "Planning Permitsin Hume City" was produced. It detailed the permit processand answered many frequently asked questions. Copies ofthe brochure were sent to local building designers anddevelopers and are available over the counter and atinformation meetings.

Neighbourhood Character StudyThe study was completed, exhibited and adopted byCouncil on 23 June 2003. Development industryworkshops will be conducted to inform the industry on newdesign standards for residential development identified inthe study. Local policies reflecting key elements of thestudy will be inserted into the Planning Scheme and theMunicipal Strategic Statement modified to reflect theoutcomes of the study.

Hume Heritage StudyStudy citations in both the Bulla and Broadmeadowsstudies are now being reviewed/updated to reflect changesin Heritage Victoria criteria. A consultation program will becarried out with landowners during October/November2003 and a Planning Scheme amendment to add heritageoverlays into the Planning Scheme is expected in February2004.

Land Capability StudyThis project has been placed on hold pending Melbourne2030 Green Wedge outcomes. A revised brief will beprepared to reflect new directions for rural land policy andmanagement. An Environmental Planning and LandSuitability Atlas will be completed by December 2003, withdetailed policy work commencing on the Hume GreenWedge (Green Wedge Action Plan) and growth areas in2004.

Development Contributions FrameworkThis project has been placed on hold pending the release ofnew State Government guidelines/review of developmentcontributions. An Issues Paper will be prepared byDecember 2003 following release of the guidelines andfurther direction on Hume growth areas planning underMelbourne 2030.

Melbourne 2030 - Planning for SustainableGrowthMelbourne 2030 is a 30 year plan to manage growth andchange across metropolitan Melbourne and the surroundingregion. The plan emphasises the City's interdependence withregional Victoria, to provide maximum benefit to the whole state.The plan's major thrust is to continue to protect the liveability ofthe established areas and to increasingly concentrate majorchange in strategic redevelopment sites such as activity centresand undeveloped land.

Council undertook an extensive consultation process to assistthe preparation of its submission to Melbourne 2030 duringJanuary 2003. This consultative process encouraged thegeneral community to participate in community informationsessions, which were held at Sunbury, Craigieburn andBroadmeadows. The information sessions enabled over 150residents to gain an overview of key directions of Melbourne2030, an outline of how Melbourne 2030 affects the futureplanning of Hume and an opportunity to participate in opendiscussion.

In addition, Council sought comments from key externalstakeholders, comprising servicing agencies, major developers,interest groups, and other municipalities. Issues discussed withkey stakeholders concentrated on aspects of Melbourne 2030,which would influence any future planning of the City.


A positive trend hascontinued for community

satisfaction with TownPlanning Policy &

Approvals.


Farm (Weed Management) Rebate Properties classified as farmland cover approximately 70%of Hume City. In 2002/03, Council successful implementeda Farm (Weed Management) Rebate scheme for farmlandin Hume. A rate rebate of 23% was available to owners ofland with "Farm Land" status. These owners will continueto receive the rebate in 2003/04 subject to completing aWeed Management Plan application form to demonstratethat they have a plan for controlling weeds on theirproperty. 70% of eligible landholders have successfullyapplied for the weed rebate by the due date.

Council established a Farm (Weed Management) AdvisoryGroup, which has assisted Council in the development offorms and information to be distributed to landholders. Twoinformation nights and a field day were held to assistlandholders to complete the application forms.

In future years, farm landholders will be required toprogressively implement their Weed Management Plans inorder to receive the rebate.

Weed eradication initiatives Council invested $114,000 in weed eradication initiatives in2002/03. This included 2,201 hours of on the groundworks controlling weeds across 78 sites. Information andsupport was provided to the community via 300 telephoneadvisory calls to the Weeds Hotline. Four editions of HumeWeed News, media releases and special events were heldto educate rural landholders about weeds.

A number of research projects were also initiated with twoprojects relating to the management of the nationallysignificant weed Chilean Needle Grass. The Needle GrassAction Plan targets Texas and Chilean needle grass onslashed roadsides in Hume, in partnership with the KeithTurnbull Research Institute and Royal Melbourne Institute ofTechnology.

Environmental sustainabilityCouncil has continued its commitment to environmentalsustainability in 2002/03 with on the ground works,environmental planning, community education andadvocacy.

Environmental Sustainability Framework ImplementationPlan The Hume Environmental Sustainability FrameworkImplementation Plan was adopted by Council on 28October 2002. The Implementation Plan identified three keyareas for implementation:

• Adoption and Implementation of Cities for ClimateProtection Program Milestones 2 & 3, which includesthe development of a Local Greenhouse Action Plan

• State of the Environment Reporting

• Development of a Natural Heritage Strategy,incorporating natural environments in creek valleys

• Establishment of the Environmental SustainabilityTaskforce.

State of the Environment Report The first Hume City Council State of the EnvironmentReport was adopted by Council and released to thecommunity on 3 March 2003. A community launch washeld at Woodlands Historic Homestead.

Using a modified State-Condition-Response methodology,the State of the Environment Report 2002/03 provideddetailed information around five key issues affecting theenvironment of Hume City:

• Indigenous Vegetation

• Waterways

• Weeds

• Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Domestic Waste.

Cities for Climate Protection Program (CCP)Milestone 2 of the Cities for Climate Protection Programwas adopted by Council in September 2002. This Milestoneinvolves the setting of targets for the reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions. Two separate emissionreduction goals for Council and the Hume community wereadopted:

• Corporate (Council) Goal: Reduce greenhouse gasemissions from 1999 levels by 10% by 2010.

• Community Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissionsfrom 1999 levels by 10% by 2010.

A discussion paper for developing a Local GreenhouseAction Plan was released to the community for consultationin December 2002 and the Plan was adopted by Council on10 June 2003, which completes the requirements forMilestone 3. The Plan contains eight broad strategies andsubsequent actions to reduce energy consumption acrossthe municipality. The Local Greenhouse Action Plan willnow be implemented and reviewed in 2006.


ABOVE Aggressive weed control measures are carried out as required across the City.


Specific City Improvement Program activities are outlinedbelow:

School activitiesThe implementation of Improve Our City Week 2002(IOCW) varied significantly from previous years, with themajor focus for 2002 being on schools.

In previous years, IOCW school activities were held both onand off campus and schools were provided with SchoolEnhancement Program grants.

In 2002, IOCW did not include any off-campus sites.Instead, the School Enhancement Program was partnereddirectly with Improve Our City Week, and funding wasdisbursed to schools to fund 'on-campus' environmentalactivities during Improve Our City Week. A basic grant of$450 was offered to each school, with the potential forfurther funding depending on the total number of schoolsparticipating.

Schools were provided with a list of suggested IOCWactivities, including:

• Holding a litter-free day and waste wise picnic lunch

• Hosting an on-site Council garbage truck demonstration

• Establishing a worm farm or compost bin and hostingan on-site worm farm demonstration by the Centre forEducation and Research in Environmental Strategies(CERES)

• Creating a mural

• Holding a planting activity

• Holding a working bee to re-mulch garden beds, re-paint playground furniture etc.

33 Hume schools participated in Improve Our City Week,and an additional two schools received stand alone SchoolEnhancement Program grants for an activity in 2003.

Improve our City WeekImprove Our City Week 2002, sponsored by Hoyts Cinemasand Jason Real Estate, involved over 8000 participants,including:

• Schools - 6237 students

• East Timor - an estimated 2000 community members

• Improve Our City Week Short story competition - 59entries

• Improve Our City Week Civic Reception - 80participants

• Neighbourhood Improvement Program BBQ consultation- 35 participants.

Hoyts Cinemas donated a screening of Jungle Book 2 for270 people at Hoyts Broadmeadows, first prize in the'Most Enthusiastic Improve Our City Week School'competition. Jason Real Estate donated 13 full-colourcommunity notice boards erected around the City topromote Improve Our City Week.

The official launch of the Roxburgh Park Sports Pavilionwas held on Saturday 17 November 2002. Therecommencement of Council's free public mulchingprogram was included, with the service being offered from10am - 4pm on Sunday 17 November, at the JohnstoneStreet Reserve, Broadmeadows.

The Improve Our City Week Civic Reception was held onWednesday 20 November at the Jack McKenzie CommunityHall in Bulla. The evening included prize presentations tothe winners of the Improve Our City Week Short StoryCompetition and the 'My Vision for Hume' calendarcompetition. Performance group Vox Bandicoot providedentertainment - with an environmental education theme.

Preserving natural environmentsA discussion paper is currently being developed by Councilto identify appropriate strategies for the enhancement andprotection of waterways in Hume City. Waterways andcreek valleys will be incorporated in a broader NaturalHeritage Strategy which will seek to integrate differentenvironmental components into a set of strategic principlesand identify long term actions to protect natural heritageincluding:

• Waterways and Creek Valleys

• Indigenous Vegetation

• Geological Sites of Significance

• Fauna.

As part of this work, a study and database of IndigenousVegetation was completed and adopted by Council inFebruary 2003. Work on the Natural Heritage Strategy willcontinue in 2003/04, with a view to completion in 2004/05.

Greening Hume Council's Greening Programs continued in 2002/03, thoughthe planting season was shortened due to the drought. Theachievements of the Greening Program included:

• Distribution of 13,475 indigenous trees and shrubs to61 eligible rural landholders to develop shelter belts andwildlife corridors and to control weeds and erosion aspart of Council's Rural Areas Plant Donation Scheme.

• Fostering partnerships with local community groupsand other organisations at more than 30 greeningevents, involving 1,096 participants, to plant 21,969plants for revegetation purposes.

Urban amenityCity Improvement ProgramNow in its fourth year, Council's City Improvement Program(CIP) is a community initiative aimed at improving theenvironmental quality and appearance of Hume City.

To date, the program has been so successful that in2002/03 the CIP, which normally runs for just three monthsof the year, was extended to cover 12 months of projectsand improvements for the local community.

Working in partnership with local traders, residents andschool children, the key outcomes of the 2002/03 CIPincluded:

• Sunbury Town Centre improvements to street furnitureand creation of additional spaces for café furniture

• Upgrade of the Dallas Retail Centre, including streetfurniture and landscaping and the development of aconcept design for the precinct

• Landscaping of the Camp Road overpass on PascoeVale Road through a community jobs program

• Neighbourhood Improvement Program upgrades toreserves in Greenvale, Meadow Heights, Upfield andSunbury.


Extensive footpath repairs were targeted in the 2002/03 CityImprovement Program.


Parks & Open SpacesThe provision of high quality open spaces is one of Council'skey activities. The drought brought with it a number ofchallenges this year in the management of parks, gardens,trees and open spaces in Hume.

Sportsfield maintenanceCouncil maintains 47 sports ovals that are used for a varietyof sports including football cricket, soccer, athletics, rugbyand gridiron. Audits were carried out on all sporting ovals inHume City to determine the impact of the drought on playingsurfaces. Turf renovation and irrigation programs wereimplemented to improve and sustain the turf and surrounds.

Synthetic turf underlays were placed on many cricket wickets,resulting in the protection of cricket pitches and avoiding theneed to cover wickets with soil during the football season.

Tree care and street beautificationThe addition of a second tree crew and the employment of aTree Establishment Officer in April 2003 enhanced Council'stimely response to customer requests and ensured the healthof recently planted street and reserve trees in the City.

Council embarked on a major street tree planting regime thatsaw 2,300 street trees planted across the municipality duringthe year. 500 new street trees were planted in Dallas as partof the Dallas-Broadmeadows Urban Renewal Program. Treesplay a vital role in the streets and parks of Hume and Councilwill continue to carry out strategic street tree planting in futureyears.

A major focus this year has been a targeted reduction in theuse of potable (drinking) water. In Sunbury, Council beganusing recycled water to water street trees. This projectlessened Council's use of drinkable water and is a keyenvironmental achievement. 500 street trees were watered inSunbury every fortnight with recycled water, ensuring thehealth and vigour of the street trees.

Council responded to 463 residents' requests for new streettrees over the course of the year.

Short story competitionFor the first time in 2002, Council ran an 'Improve Our CityWeek Short Story Competition' which was open to allprimary and secondary students in Hume City.

The Competition provided students with the beginning of anenvironmental story, written by Ruth Ingham, and invitedthem to complete it in 500 words or less.

Drawing on the Improve Our City Week theme of'Environmental Magic', students had two stories to choosefrom: 'The Gateway City' and 'From little things'.

The competition was well received, with 59 entries from 34schools across the city. Prizes of a CD player and portabledisc player were presented at a special Improve our CityWeek civic reception held on Wednesday 20 November2002.

East Timor involvementCouncil donated $1000 to the District of Aileu to enableactivities to occur at four local schools.

An estimated 2,000 people participated and activitiesincluded tree planting activities; adding fly-wire screens toschool building windows to combat mosquitos and preventmalaria; adding doors to three buildings; and paintingbuildings and outdoor areas.

The activity was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairsand Cooperation (MFAC) of the Government of theDemocratic Republic of East Timor, the Friends of AileuCommittee, and the District Administrator of Aileu.

IPEP successThe Industrial Precinct Enhancement Program (IPEP)continued this year with Fordson, Colbert and GlenbarryRoads in Campbellfield, Commerce Court in Sunbury andRushwood and Technical Drives in Craigieburn beingtargeted. This innovative program results in thebeautification of industrial properties in Hume City and thestrengthening of the relationships between business ownersand Council.

Sunbury Town CentreThe urban design and parking and traffic managementframework of the Sunbury Town Centre Renewal Projectcommenced in February 2003 and is due to be completedby December. This framework will consider options torefresh street paving and furniture in the 'old town centre'and provide direction on improving traffic and parking in thecommercial areas of Sunbury.

Urban Renewal PlanIn May 2003, Council adopted the "Better Living in Dallasand Broadmeadows" Urban Renewal Plan. The plan, to beimplemented from 2003/04 onwards, aims to rejuvenatethe area by providing better housing choices; strengtheningthe local community; improving local job and trainingopportunities; community facilities and transport;enhancing the physical appearance; and attractinginvestment.

Planning & EnvironmentCouncil continued to

achieve positive results inthe appearance of publicplaces, primarily through

implementation of the CityImprovement Program.


Building Control ServicesThe administration and enforcement of Council's buildingcontrol responsibilities is fundamental to the safety, health,amenity and prosperity of the Hume community.

Council is responsible for the administration andenforcement of the Building Act and Regulations throughoutHume City. Council's Municipal Building Surveyor is thestatutory officer responsible under the Act for administeringand enforcing these responsibilities, including the following:

Building Permits3071 Building Permits were issued in Hume with a total valueof $293.5m. Council's Building Control Department received573 applications for Building Permits totalling $15m.

Previous years' comparisons

Year 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03

Total Permits issued 2,622 3,227 3,071

$236m $424m $293.5 m

Permits issued by 570 593 573Council $24m $27m $15m

Building inspectionsCouncil's Building Inspectors carried out 2076 mandatorybuilding inspections in relation to Building Permits issued by theMunicipal Building Surveyor during the 2002/03 financial year.


Year 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03

Building Inspections 1,577 1,323 2,076

Building Control investigationsCouncil received 377 reports of illegal or dangerousbuilding works, which were investigated and enforced byCouncil's Building Surveyors and Inspectors as required.


Year 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03

Investigations 314 435 377

Maintenance of parksIn 2002/03, Council maintained 233 neighbourhood parks,263 walkways, and 80 remnant vegetation sites byemploying 12 mowing crews, five horticultural teams andtwo flying crews.

Bollards were placed in many parks to restrict car accessand to provide safe playing and recreation areas. ArdlieStreet Reserve, Westmeadows; Drummond Street Reserve,Greenvale; Progress Reserve, Coolaroo and AndersonStreet Reserve, Broadmeadows are some of these parks.

Council responded to 4,761 resident requests during theyear on issues such as tree removal and advice, planting,playground equipment and sports ground maintenance.

Natural vegetation management80 remnant vegetation sites covering 250 hectares aremanaged and sustained by Council's Natural VegetationManagement Teams. These areas are home to a myriad ofremnant plant species, some of which are rare andendangered. These sites are also home to native faunasuch as kangaroos, wombats, platypus and birds of prey(eagles, owls, and falcons). Council worked closely withmany Friends Groups and government departments toensure the remnant vegetation of Hume is better managedand protected for future generations to enjoy.

TransportIntegrated Transport StudyAdvocacy for enhanced public transport services anddevelopment of arterial road networks has continued duringthe year. A Transport Priorities Plan will be formalised andpresented to Council by December 2003.

In addition to these activities, Council also coordinated orassisted in the following matters:

• Merri Creek Regional Park

• Melbourne Airport Master Plan and Environs Strategy

• Essendon Airport Master Plan.

Further information about Council's role in advocating onbehalf of the Hume community can be found on page 35.

LEFT New planting and revegetation work was carried out at a number of local recreation areas.


2076 building inspections were carried out across the City in2002/03.


Swimming pool safetyCouncil carried out pool safety barrier compliance auditsand legal enforcement in relation to 38 swimming and spapools. Community education information on the importanceof adequate pool safety was published on Council'swebsite, in local newspapers and in the Pride communitynewsletter.

Building safety Council's Building Surveying and Inspections officerscarried out building safety and essential servicesmaintenance on 30 properties in Hume. These audits haveresulted in the inspected buildings being upgraded tocomply with the relevant safety and maintenancestandards.

Consent and report applicationsCouncil received and determined 405 consent and reportapplications to modify the siting provisions of the BuildingRegulations, an increase of 14% on 2001/02 applications.These applications included building siting provisions andbuilding over easements on flood prone or unsewered land.

Property informationCouncil's Building Control Services Department receivedand processed 5,717 applications for property informationin relation to the development, improvement, sale orpurchase of properties throughout Hume City. Propertyinformation includes building permits and inspectionapprovals dates, copies of approval documents, landhazard information, outstanding notices and orders anddrainage assets information.

Half Cost Fencing programDuring the 2002/03 financial year, Council contributed tothe construction, repair or replacement of 280 boundaryfences throughout Hume City at a total cost of $130,000.

Enforcement of Local LawsA significant service delivery review of Council's City LawsDepartment was undertaken during 2002/03 and targetedanimal control; traffic enforcement; litter enforcement andcustomer service.

The review and subsequent implementation plan focussedon responsive service provision, with particular focus onthe speedy resolution of customer requests.

Traffic enforcementAn additional Traffic Officer was contracted to:

• Increase Council's presence in the community,particularly to enforce parking around schools, majorshopping centres and on nature strips;

• Establish education programs in areas where parkingrestrictions have changed;

• Provide traffic management solutions to major events,such as the opening of the Hume Global LearningCentre and the Visy Cares Learning Centre; and

• Accommodate the increased workload arising from thetransfer of enforcement responsibility to Council for theBroadmeadows Town Centre and Sunbury ShoppingCentre car parks.

Animal registration and enforcementCouncil has now commenced a registered animal returnprogram that involves a Duty Officer who can access theanimal database via a notebook computer to provide acontinuous service.

In conjunction with this initiative, Ranger hours have beenstaggered to improve service coverage and Council initiatedan encouragement program for the desexing andmicrochipping of domestic animals.

Building Code of Practice:Council's Local Laws Officers work closely with buildingcontractors and developers to ensure compliance withCouncil's Building Code of Practice. During the reportingyear Officers issued 897 notices to comply.

Local laws statistics:

2001/02 2002/03

Year No. Amount No. Amount

Animal registrations 21243 $329,884 19291 $317,223

Infringement notices 5436 $612,890 7082 $820,720issued

Animal infringement 582 $67,500 649 $109,900notices

Parking and traffic 4483 $357,490 6031 $474,420

Litter 63 $6,300 66 $13,200

Local laws 227 $165,400 253 $206,600

Fire prevention 81 $16,200 83 $16,600

Building Code notices 897 n/a 483 n/ato comply


A rating of 62 was animprovement on the 2002

figure.


The range of services provided by Council includes:financial planning and management; revenue raising;capital works planning; fleet management; provision ofservices in accordance with Best Value Principles;organisational development and improvement anddevelopment of staff.

Commitments in this area relate to financial accountability;information systems; quality services; grants andpartnerships; implementation of 'Best Value'; continuousimprovement and innovation; 'Business Excellence';Customer Service; and Human Resources.

Financial accountabilityCouncil's financial position continued to grow and improvethroughout the year with the achievement of an operatingsurplus of $20m, an increase from the previous year of$4.9m.

A record $21.9m of capital works was undertaken,including the Hume Global Learning Centre and the VisyCares Learning Centre.

Significantly, Council was able to internally fund this level ofcapital works and has established its five-year financialplan on the basis of no new borrowings. The level of cashheld at year-end was reduced, however the net cashinflows from operating activities increased for the fifthconsecutive year to $12.5m and is expected to increase to$18.9m in 2003/04. This will be the first time that cashgenerated from operating activities will be above the level ofdepreciation for the year and is a key indicator ofsustainability.

During the year, in line with budget expectations, Councilfinanced outstanding debt in accordance with its debtstrategy. This resulted in Council consolidating all loans ata reduced interest rate and setting the term of the loans to10 years. This allowed for a reduction of $2m in servicecosts to be made available to fund capital works.

At 30 June 2003, Council was required to record a debt of$3.3m for the unfunded superannuation liability. Thisunforeseen liability has been recorded as an interestbearing liability and is a major disappointment to Counciland the local government sector as a whole. The LocalAuthorities Superannuation Board manages the scheme for'defined benefits members' and as a consequence of fallingequity markets an actuarial review of the fund, concludedthat an unfunded liability existed at 31 December 2002.Council's share of this is $3.3m, including anycontributions tax payable.

Council reviewed its arrangements for transactional bankingservices in 2003, and at the same time, ratepayers wereprovided the option of paying rates by BPAY, on top of theexisting options of EFTPOS, credit card, direct debit and theInternet.

Continued enhancements were made to financial reportingand best practice guidelines were adopted for presentationof the 2003/04 budget. This complemented a review andupdate of Council's five-year financial plan, whichcontinues to ensure long term sustainability by reducingloan balances, increasing surpluses and consolidating thecash position.

Finance & Quality

Commitment 6We will provide value and accountability in servicedelivery.


Capital worksIn addition to the Capital Works Program detailed on page47, a range of Capital Works projects have been completedthat will enhance the recreational and social needs ofresidents in the municipality. Planning for all of theseprojects has been undertaken in conjunction with residentsand community members associated with each of theprojects.

These include:• Completion of the Hume Global Learning Centre in

Broadmeadows

• Completion of the Visy Cares Learning Centre inMeadow Heights

• Installation of 10 new playgrounds throughout themunicipality

• Landscaping and lighting at Tarcoola/ShanklandReserve in Meadow Heights

• New fencing at both Craigieburn and Campbellfieldtennis courts

• Tennis court repairs at Greenvale and WestmeadowsTennis Clubs

• Ball protection fencing at Vic Foster Reserve inCraigieburn

• The completion of Sunbury Skate Park

• Redevelopment works at Sunbury Youth Centre

• Upgrading of fencing around all of Council's pre-schoolsand child care centres

• Completion of the Sunbury Aquatic Centre Master Plan.

In addition to those projects listed above, planning hasbeen undertaken to enable the following projects tocommence in the new financial year.

1. Landscape improvements to Elmhurst Reserve inGladstone Park that will include some skate elementsfor local children

2. Redevelopment of the aquatic components atBroadmeadows Leisure Centre

3. Construction of a second sports court at the RoxburghCollege school stadium

4. Completion of a new clubroom at Greenvale TennisCourts

5. Landscape improvements, including the provision of anew playground and skate park, at the Barrymore RoadReserve in Greenvale

6. Construction of an Integrated Children's Centre atMalcolm Creek Learning Centre in Craigieburn and theBridgewater Estate in Roxburgh Park.

7. Construction of an access pathway for people of allabilities to the lake at Jack Roper Reserve in CampRoad, Broadmeadows

8. Development of a Master Plan for the GoonawarraRecreation Park in Lancefield Road, Sunbury.

During the year, Council's equity interest in the Hume-Moonee Valley Regional Library Corporation was revieweddue to the dissolution of the corporation. Extensive analysisand auditing of the assets cash position and financialbalances were undertaken and provided to the voluntaryadministrator of the corporation. The finalisation of theadministration was not fully complete at 30 June 2003.

During the year, Council again continued to improve itsfinancial position and accountability. Key financialindicators are monitored constantly by Council and thefollowing charts demonstrate positive trends in keyfinancial ratios over the past four years.

The Working Capital Ratio demonstrates the organisation's ability to meet/fund obligations when they fall due. The higher the ratio the better.

The Debt Commitment Ratio indicates the level of income/fundingrequired to repay debt and interest. The lower the ratio, the better the result.

The level of debt held against rate revenue. The greater the positivedifferences, the better.

Finance & Quality

Planning commenced in 2002/03 for the redevelopment of theBroadmeadows Leisure Centre's aquatics area.


E-Gaps projectIn late 2002, Council successfully applied for funding for anE-gaps project to provide public access to the Internet. Theproject was funded by Multimedia Victoria, the Departmentof Innovation, Industry and Regional Development and wasadministered by VICNET.

Four Internet kiosks have been established, with twolocated at the Broadmeadows Leisure Centre and two at theRoxburgh Park Youth and Recreation Centre. The Mayor ofHume City officially opened the kiosks on 11 June 2003.

Hume City Council websiteCouncil's website continued to be a useful communicationtool, with 8,464 people visiting the site in June 2003, anincrease of 111% over the previous year.

The website functionality is currently being reviewed with aview to upgrading the site before the end of 2003.

Hume Map RoomHume's Internet Map Room application was added toCouncil's website in June 2003 and allows users to viewHume's digital maps and zoom down to a property level.Users can access modules such as Ward boundaries,waste collection areas and Council facilities directly on thissite and gain valuable information.

Grant opportunitiesCouncil received $80,000 to contribute towards theincorporation of public art in the renewal of DallasShopping Centre as identified in the Better Living in Dallasand Broadmeadows Urban Renewal Plan.

Council was also successful in obtaining funding for fourprojects from Sport and Recreation Victoria and twoprojects from the Department of Natural Resources andEnvironment for recreation and open space projects:

Playground at Bulla Recreation Reserve ($20,045)This playground, which will cater for children of all abilities,will be located close to the newly developed picnic areabetween the Jack MacKenzie Community Hall and the BullaHill Railway. Council will match the grant from Sport andRecreation Victoria.

Craigieburn Tennis Courts ($34,238)Craigieburn Tennis Club will lay a synthetic grass surfaceon the existing tennis courts. In addition, improvementswill be made to the clubroom to enhance the building andto provide facilities for people with a disability. Landscapingof the viewing areas will also be undertaken. Council willassist the Craigieburn Tennis Club to deliver this project.

Playgrounds196 playgrounds are maintained and managed by Council.Five new playspaces were installed at Vaucluse Avenue,Gladstone Park; Melrose Drive Reserve and Andlon CourtReserve, Tullamarine; Rokewood Crescent Reserve,Meadow Heights; and Bradford Avenue, Greenvale.

Five playgrounds at Clovelly Drive, Craigieburn; LawsonStreet Reserve, Sunbury; Gladstone Park Reserve andTrentham Drive Reserve, Gladstone Park; and ChurchillAvenue Reserve, Tullamarine were upgraded with new playequipment.

Information systemsDuring the year, an Information Technology Strategy wasdeveloped to direct Information Services for the next threeyears. The strategy included an assessment of the currentstatus of Council's systems and a direction for the futuredevelopment of information technology to improve servicedelivery to the organisation and the community.

The strategy builds on the general replacement program ofcomputers, which in 2002/03 included the replacement ofmore that 100 PCs, and expands this to the infrastructuresupporting the network. These upgrades to Council'sinfrastructure are planned for the 2003/04 financial yearand a budget allocation of $900,000 has been made for toensure that systems upgrades can be delivered.

An important attribute of the strategy included theestablishment and operation of an Information ServicesSteering Committee comprising the Executive ManagementTeam and the Information Services Manager. The steeringcommittee has overseen policy direction in 2002/03 andalso reviewed the upgrade program for 2003/04.

A major project undertaken during the year involvedacquisition and commissioning of new technology at theHume Global Learning Centre at Broadmeadows. TheCentre includes the new Age Library and numerousmeeting and training rooms. From a technology

perspective, there are over 100 computers in the centrethat provide staff access to the corporate network, internetPCs to provide Internet access to the public and trainingPCs in training rooms to provide computer training forCouncil staff and the public.

Following the dissolution of the Hume-Moonee ValleyLibrary Corporation in January 2003, Council will continueto manage the Library Management System for both Humeand Moonee Valley City Councils as an interim measure untila new system is purchased in the 2003/04 financial year.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) StrategyCouncil adopted a GIS Strategy in February 2003 whichaims to streamline the provision of information to thecommunity and provide staff with the latest technology tocarry out their roles. The strategy adopts ORACLE SpatialRDBMS as the analysis tool, with the Digital Cadastral MapBase configured to Geocentric Datum of Australia. The keyprinciples of the strategy are to:

• Upgrade existing hardware, software and datainfrastructure to enhance the information stored andused by Council

• Create linkages between Map Base information andrelevant property databases

• Develop Intranet-based GIS applications with variousmodules for external and internal use

• Develop GIS applications to enable staff to betterprovide information to the community and conductmore detailed and complex analysis of the City.

In the first stage of implementation, all the necessaryhardware and software upgrades have been carried out andthe development of the Internet and Intranet GIS applicationsand data preparation is well underway. Implementation isexpected to be completed in August 2003.

Finance & Quality


Customer Service EnhancementIn 2001, Council made a commitment in its Corporate Planto improve the level of customer service delivered by allareas of Council. A survey of customers was then carriedout to gain an understanding of customers' expectations ofCouncil's customer service.

Following analysis of the survey results, a CustomerRelationship Management Plan was developed andendorsed by Council on 8 July 2002. A campaign toimprove customer service called Service First included stafftraining, development of monitoring processes and regularsurveying of customers.

Other initiatives identified in the Customer RelationshipManagement Plan and carried out during the year include thefollowing:

• The Broadmeadows office foyer was renovated in July2002 to provide a one-stop enquiry/cashier facility. Thishas significantly reduced customer waiting times ascustomers now join one queue to either make an enquiryor a payment.

• In order to focus attention on the delivery of high qualitycustomer service to core customers, responsibility for theoperation of the Sunbury Vic Roads Agency was handedback to the State Government. This seamless transfer ofresponsibilities occurred on 1 January 2003.

• In order to make the payment of rates easier for propertyowners, in July 2002 Council introduced the option tomake payments by credit card or savings account throughBPAY.

• At the commencement of the implementation of Council'snew waste management strategy in May 2003, CustomerService Officers were trained in all aspects of the newservice and extra staff were recruited for theimplementation period. This ensured a minimal negativeimpact on customer service when thousands of ratepayerswere placing orders for their new waste service.

Westmeadows Tennis Club ($24,227)An additional synthetic grass tennis court with lighting fornight tennis will be constructed at the WestmeadowsTennis Club, in Willowbrook Reserve, Westmeadows.Westmeadows Tennis Club will match this grant withCouncil and will manage the construction process.

Leisure Strategy Plan ($25,000)Council will undertake a comprehensive review of theexisting leisure provision within the municipality and identifythe strategic direction for the planning and development ofleisure opportunities within Hume for the next five years.

Sunbury Recreation Reserve ($21,800)A shared pathway will be constructed between the twobridges that cross Blind Creek on the northern side. Thepathway will replace the existing eroded track, whichprovides access from Cornish Street to Riddell Road. Councilwill match this grant in order to complete the project.

Greenvale Recreation Reserve ($6,000)Council has provided matching funding in order toconstruct barrier fencing along the Greenvale Tennis Clubboundary on Somerton Road. In addition, a study has beenundertaken to address the issue of drainage run-off into theremnant native grasslands within the reserve.

Best ValueCouncil has developed a Best Value program and allCouncil services and functions will be reviewed against theBest Value Principles by December 2005.

The review of Council services incorporates the strategicplanning, service delivery and maintenance anddevelopment components of each service. All legislativerequirements under the Best Value principles have been metand all Best Value reviews scheduled for 2002/03 werecompleted by June 2003.

For further information regarding Best Value, refer toCouncil's Best Value Summary Report on page 89.

Business ExcellenceThe Australian Business Excellence Framework (ABEF) wasadopted as an important tool to monitor organisationalperformance and as a model for driving continuousimprovement. An initial self-assessment was conductedand a set of 27 improvement opportunities were identifiedin December 2000. These improvement opportunities wereaddressed in 2001/02 and 2002/03.

A report on the Business Excellence achievements to datewas presented to Council in June 2003 and included anindependent audit of the status of each improvementopportunity. With the completion of this audit, the initialphase of Council's Business Excellence program has nowconcluded. A further set of improvement opportunities andtasks will be developed through a second generation selfassessment and will form the basis of the next phase ofCouncil's Business Excellence Program.

Finance & Quality

A long term Leisure Strategy Plan will identify user needs andrecommend future improvements.

Council is performing wellin the area of customer

contact and will continueto build on this positive

trend.


Victorian Local Government Indicators’ Reporting Requirement

Category Measure Actual Result2002/2003

Overall Community Satisfaction rating for overall performance generally of the council. 63 Performance

Advocacy Community Satisfaction rating for Council's advocacy and community representation 61 on key local issues.

Engagement Community Satisfaction rating for Council's engagement in decision making on key local issues. 62

All Rates Average Rates and Charges per assessment $805.77

Residential Rates Average Residential Rates and Charges per assessment $649.66

Operating Costs Average operating expenditure per assessment $1,731.31

Capital Expenditure Average Capital expenditure per assessment $427.37

Infrastructure Renewal 31%Renewal and Maintenance 49%

Debts Average Liabilities per assessment $803.40

Operating result Operating result per assessment $395.20

In 1999, the Victorian government introduced the LocalGovernment (Best Value Principles) Act, requiringcouncils to systematically review their services againstsix best value principles. The principles relate to qualityand cost standards, responsiveness, accessibility,continuous improvement, community consultation, andreporting to the community.

Council developed a Best Value model that not onlyaddresses legislative requirements, but demonstrates acommitment to continuous improvement and businessexcellence. This model focuses on four key areas:

• Accountability to residents, funding bodies and otherkey stakeholders

• Effectiveness of systems and processes

• Consumer consultation and satisfaction

• Quality and cost of the service provided.

It has been designed to promote purposeful reflection andcontinuous improvement. It is an outcome evaluationmodel that engages key stakeholders so that users'expectation are clearly identified and understood. Thismodel encourages each service area to investigate anddetermine the quality of service being delivered, and whereappropriate, initiate continuous improvement strategies.

The following table summarises the reviews completed in2002/03 in accordance with Council's Best Value Program:

Best Value Program achievements 2002/03

Service Status

Delivered meals Completed

Child Safety Officer Completed

Children's Services Resource CompletedDevelopment Program

Hume Older Persons Social Group Completed

Youth Services Completed

Long Day Care Completed

Festivals and events Completed

Pre-School Program Completed

Records Management Completed

Waste Services Completed

A full report on Council's Best Value achievements for2002/03 can be inspected at Council's Broadmeadows,Sunbury and Craigieburn Offices during business hours.Requests for copies of the full report can be made bycontacting Corporate Policy and Directions on 9205 2200.

Best Value Summary Report Victorian Local GovernmentIndicators’ Reporting Requirement


CATEGORY - ORGANISATION Amount 10% GST Cheque/s of Grant Allocation Total

ESTABLISHMENT

1 Family Drug Help Support Group - Hume City 1,000 1,000

2 AROHANUI Creative Arts 800 800

3 Cosmic Beat 500 50 550

4 Hoa Lu Parents Group 500 500

5 Kurdish Federation of Australia Limited 500 500

6 MEWS Residents Group 500 50 550

7 Hume Iraqi Women's Association 500 500

8 Australian Cultural Turkish Women's Association 430 430

9 Australia - Gallipoli Friendship Society Inc. 400 400

10 IHYA - U - SUNNAH ALMUTAHARA (ISMA) Association 400 400

11 FELAUST Filipino/Aust. Elderly Citizens Group of Broadmeadows & District Inc. 400 400

FUNDING CATEGORY - ESTABLISHMENT TOTAL $5,930 $100 $6,030

Grants provided by CouncilCommunity grants

Grants provided by Council Community grants


ACTIVITY

18 Australian Croatian Senior Citizens Club Broadmeadows 400 400

19 Neighbourhood Watch Hume 20 Craigieburn 400 400

20 Meadow Heights Turkish Elderly Citizens 400 40 440

21 Australian Yugoslav Multicultural Pensioner Group Inc. 400 40 440

22 Sunbury Rainbow Kids Inc. 400 400

23 The Broadmeadows Greek Elderly Citizens Club Inc. 400 40 440

24 Circolo Pensionati, Italiani di Greenvale Inc. 400 400

25 Somali - Youth Group 400 40 440

26 Broadmeadows Turkish Senior Citizens Club Inc. 400 400

27 Australian Lebanese Welfare Inc 400 40 440

28 Meadowbank Safety House Committee 400 40 440

29 Broadmeadows Vietnamese Senior Citizens Club Inc. 400 400

30 Vietnamese Women's Association in Broadmeadows Inc. 400 400

31 Hmong Australian Society Inc. 400 400

32 Sunbury U3A Inc. 400 40 440

33 Turkish Women's Group 400 40 440

34 Arabic Women's Group Inc. 400 400

35 Mature Age Activity Group Inc. 400 400

36 Australian Croatian Senior Citizens Club Gladstone Park Inc. 400 400

37 Spanish Speaking Senior Citizens Club of Broadmeadows and Districts 400 400

38 Happy Valley Playgroup 400 400

39 1st Roxburgh Park Scout Group 400 400

40 Coolaroo Cricket Club 400 400

41 Northern Suburb Arab Senior Citizens Club 400 400

42 Northern Metropolitan Multicultural Seniors Clubs Network Inc. 400 40 440

43 Samoan Playgroup 400 400

44 Samoan Women's Group 400 400

45 Sunbury Fire Brigade 400 40 440

46 Filipino-Australian Society Melbourne's Northwest Inc. 400 400

47 Broadmeadows Greek Women's Club Inc. 370 370

48 The MEWS Sewing Circle 300 30 330

49 Australian Breast Feeding Association Sunbury / Macedon Ranges Group 300 300

50 Broadmeadows Progress Association 300 300

continued over >

ACTIVITY

1 Spanish Speaking Community of Hume Inc. 500 50 550

2 Meadow Heights Turkish Women's Association Inc. 500 500

3 Broadmeadows English Language Centre 500 50 550

4 Broadband Public Tenants Association Inc. 500 50 550

5 The Vietnamese Community in Northern Melbourne Inc. 500 500

6 Broadmeadows Community Singing Group 500 500

7 Parent Carer's Support Network North West Region Inc. 500 500

8 Circolo Pensionati Italiani di Gladstone Park Inc. 400 400

9 Kurdistan Women's League of Australia Inc. 400 400

10 Sunbury Rebels Basketball Club Inc. 400 400

11 Koorie Open Door Education KODE Box Forest Secondary College 400 40 440

12 Greek Senior Citizens Club of Gladstone Park & Tullamarine Inc. 400 400

13 Craigieburn Senior Citizens Inc. 400 400

14 Circolo Pensionati Multiculturali di Greenvale Inc. 400 400

15 Circolo Pensionati, Italiani di Tullamarine 400 400

16 Broadmeadows Senior Citizens Club Inc. 400 400

17 Hume University of the Third Age Inc. 400 40 440

continued over >



ACTIVITY

51 Veterans Golf Classic Inc. 300 30 330

52 Attwood Playgroup 300 300

53 Congregational Christian Church in Samoa - Whittlesea Parish 300 300

54 Australian Breast Feeding Association Essendon Group 250 250

55 Macedon Ranges Social Club 250 250

56 Slovenian Australian Social and Sports Club "Jadran" Inc. 250 250

57 The North west Multiple Birth Club Inc. 200 200

58 Sunranges Twins Plus Inc. 200 200

59 Craigieburn Men's Group 150 150

60 Craigieburn Historical Interest Group Inc. 150 150

FUNDING CATEGORY - ACTIVITY TOTAL $22,720 $690 $23,410


WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL

1 Meadowbank Primary School 3,000 300 3,300

2 Sunbury & District Grape Growers Association 3,000 300 3,300

3 Koori Programs Unit Band - Kangan Batman TAFE 2,500 250 2,750

4 Arohanui Creative Arts 2,000 2,000

5 Sunbury & District Arts & Cultural Board 2,000 2,000

6 Spanish Speaking Community of Hume 2,000 200 2,200

7 Club Wild, St Lawrence Community Services 2,000 200 2,200

8 Broadmeadows Community Singing Group 2,000 2,000

9 Congregational Christian Church of Samoa 1,500 1,500

10 Australian Gallipoli Friendship Society 2,000 2,000

FUNDING CATEGORY - WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL TOTAL $22,000 $1,250 $23,250



DEVELOPMENT

4 Sunbury Community Health Centre Inc 4,250 425 4,675

5 Broadmeadows Disability Services 4,250 425 4,675

6 PDIS Parent Drug Information & Support Inc. - Sunbury Street Surfer 3,750 3,750

7 Broadmeadows Community Legal Service 3,600 360 3,960

8 Outreach Victoria 3,500 350 3,850

9 Somali Inter Riverine Community Development Association Inc 3,500 3,500

10 Banksia Gardens Community Centre 3,500 350 3,850

11 Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre (formerly Learning North West) 3,000 300 3,300

12 Sailability Victoria Inc. 3,000 300 3,300

13 Anglicare Broadmeadows Family Services 2,700 270 2,970

14 Broadmeadows Women's Community House - Anglicare Victoria 2,000 200 2,200

15 Sunbury Community Care Inc. 2,000 200 2,200

16 Sunspec Support Group 1,500 150 1,650

17 Broad Insight Group Incorporated 1,500 150 1,650

18 Sunbury Police Community Consultative Committee 1,500 1,500

19 Upfield Secondary College 1,500 150 1,650

20 Broadmeadows Community Legal Service Inc, Broadmeadows 1,500 150 1,650

21 Dallas Neighbourhood House 1,500 150 1,650

22 Dallas Welfare & Youth Services Inc 1,500 1,500

23 Broadband Public Tenants Association Inc. 1,500 150 1,650

24 Upfield Primary School 1,500 150 1,650

25 Boilerhouse Theatre Company 1,500 1,500

26 Coburg Samoan AOG Inc Youth Group 1,000 100 1,100

27 Meadow Heights Primary School 1,000 100 1,100

28 Craigieburn Community Toy Library 1,000 1,000

29 Hmong Pahawn Institute of Australia Inc. 800 800

30 St Mary's Anglican Church Sunbury 500 50 550

31 Craigieburn Dog Obedience Group 500 500

32 Polynesian Community Federation of Victoria - Te Rangatahi Inc 500 500

33 Hume City Teuila Rugby Union Club 500 500

34 New Zealand Maori Club (Takumana Cultural Group) of Victoria Inc. 500 50 550

35 North Victorian Buddhist Association 500 50 550

36 East Sunbury Sporting Group Inc. 500 50 550

FUNDING CATEGORY - DEVELOPMENT TOTAL $75,850 $6,080 $81,930

DEVELOPMENT

1 Victorian Arabic Social Services 5,000 500 5,500

2 Dianella Community Health Inc 5,000 500 5,500

3 Craigieburn & District Ambulance Committee Inc 4,500 450 4,950

continued over >



PROGRAM

1 Citizen Advocacy Sunbury & Districts Inc. 8,000 800 8,800

2 Northern Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre 8,000 800 8,800

3 Sunbury & District Arts & Cultural Board Inc. 6,000 6,000

4 Sunbury Community Care Inc. 6,000 600 6,600

5 Meadowbank Early Learning Centre - Pre Primary Playgroup Inc. 6,000 600 6,600

6 Cancer Natural Therapy Foundation 6,000 6,000

7 Roxburgh Park Uniting Church Family Centre 5,500 550 6,050

8 Broadmeadows Disability Services 5,500 550 6,050

9 Broadmeadows Community Toy Library Inc. 5,000 500 5,500

10 Glenroy Community Information Centre Inc. 4,000 400 4,400

FUNDING CATEGORY - PROGRAM TOTAL $60,000 $4,800 $64,800



SUMMARY TABLE COMMUNITY GRANTS 2003

11 Establishment 5,930 100 6,030

60 Activity 22,720 690 23,410

10 Winter Music Festival 22,000 1,250 23,250

36 Development 75,850 6,080 81,930

10 Program 60,000 4,800 64,800

11 Neighbourhood House 65,000 5,800 70,800



NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE

1 Coolaroo West Neighbourhood House 8,000 800 8,800

2 Dallas Neighbourhood House 8,000 800 8,800

3 Banksia Gardens Association 8,000 800 8,800

4 Goonawarra Neighbourhood House 7,500 750 8,250

5 Craigieburn Further Education 7,000 700 7,700

6 Attwood House Community Centre 7,000 7,000

7 Tullamarine Community Centre 7,000 700 7,700

8 Sunbury Neighbourhood House 3,500 350 3,850

9 Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre 3,000 300 3,300

10 Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre 3,000 300 3,300

11 Anglicare Broadmeadows Community House 3,000 300 3,300

FUNDING CATEGORY - NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE TOTAL $65,000 $5,800 $70,800


Grants provided by CouncilEducation grants

Student Surname Primary School Grant Given

Cecchini Bethal Primary School $500.00

Newman Broadmeadows Primary School $500.00

Sabra Broadmeadows Special Development School $500.00

Nguyen Broadmeadows West Primary $500.00

Metesula Cambellfield Heights Primary School $500.00

Iosua - Fiu Campmeadows Primary School $500.00

Van Heusden Coolaroo South Primary School $500.00

Cooke Craigieburn Primary School $500.00

Baldacchino Craigieburn South Primary School $500.00

Nguyen Dallas North Primary School $500.00

Moshy Dallas Primary School $500.00

Pecorari Gladstone Park Primary School $500.00

Thompson Gladstone Views Primary $500.00

Tomaskovic Good Samaritan Primary School $500.00

Osborne Goonawarra Primary School $250.00

Osborne Goonawarra Primary School $250.00

Vanzwienen Greenvale Primary School $500.00

Lle Melo Holy Child Primary School $500.00

Stock Hume Valley School $500.00

Cicek Isik College $500.00

Hughes Jacana Primary School $500.00

Hansen Killara Primary School $500.00

Dostine Kismet Park Primary School $250.00

Dostine Kismet Park Primary School $250.00

Bissett Meadowbank Primary School $500.00

Sinnett Meadow Fair North Primary School $500.00

Galuez Meadow Heights Primary School $500.00

Blackbourn Mickleham Primary School $500.00

Reay Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Primary School $500.00

Bailey Our Lady's Primary School $500.00

Denys Roxburgh Homestead Primary $500.00

Lettieri School of Good Shepherd $500.00

Morgan Shields Street School $500.00

Downes St. Carlo Borromeo Primary School $500.00

Brophy St.Anne's Primary School $500.00

Student Surname Primary School Grant Given

Istifo St.Dominics Catholic Primary $500.00

Jewell Sunbury Christian School $500.00

Gammon Sunbury Heights Primary School $500.00

Gallagher Sunbury Primary School $500.00

Woolley Sunbury West Primary School $500.00

Cooke Tullamarine Primary School $500.00

Alaoui Upfield Primary School $500.00

Nikau Westmeadows Heights Primary School $500.00

Warren Westmeadows Primary School $500.00

Carew Willmott Park Primary School $500.00

SUB TOTAL $21,500.00

GST $2,150.00

TOTAL $23,650.00

Grants provided by CouncilMayoral grants

DATE MAYOR ASSOCIATION AMOUNT

16 Jul 02 Cr Potter Special Olympics Victoria - To assist Keith Goggin with expenses for the Invitational $ 100National Games in NSW

16 Jun 02 Cr Potter The Pascoe/Hume Advocacy Committee Inc. - To assist with expenses for the $ 100children's disco.

18 Jul 02 Cr Potter Veterans Golf Classic - To assist with the Mayoral Golf Classic for 2003 (sponsorship) $ 200

16 Aug 02 Cr Potter Sunbury Art Society Inc. - To assist with funding for better lighting for the Memorial Hall $ 400

16 Aug 02 Cr Potter Isik College - To assist with expenses for their science show. $ 200

18 Sep 02 Cr Potter James Ellery - To assist with expenses for the National Youth Science Forum In $ 200Canberra 2003

3 Oct 02 Cr Potter Bowden Davies - To assist with expenses for the National Ice Hockey Championships $ 200

3 Oct 02 Cr Potter St Andrew's Sunbury - To assist with expenses with their 79th Flower & Craft Show $ 250

23 Oct 02 Cr Potter Our Lady of Mt Carmel Tennis Club - To assist with their financial costs $ 200

23 Oct 02 Cr Potter Graffiti that was removed from a scout building in Sunbury $ 196.50

28 Oct 02 Cr Potter To assist Meadowbank Primary School with award for outstanding citizenship $ 50

11 Dec 02 Cr Potter To assist Ellie Thom with expenses for the Victorian National Championships $ 160

11 Dec 02 Cr Potter To assist Emma Neeley with expenses for the Australian Age, National Swimming Carnival $ 150

11 Dec 02 Cr Potter To assist the club to purchase new equipment as their other equipment has been stolen $ 200

16 Jan 03 Cr Potter To assist L J Hooker Charity Golf Day - funds for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation $ 200

16 Jan 02 Cr Potter To assist with the implementation of the Whitelion Program $ 250

16 Jan 02 Cr Potter To assist L J Hooker Charity Golf Day - funds for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation $ 200

29 Jan 03 Cr Potter Sunbury Salvation Army Christmas Appeal $ 160

14 Feb 03 Cr Potter To assist Kelly-Jo Lacey with expenses for the Australian Championships $ 100

12 Mar 03 Cr Yigit To assist Karen Denyer with some of her daily expenses when she lost her home in a fire $ 400

12 Mar 03 Cr Yigit To assist the Veterans Golf Classic with their tournament in 2004 $ 100

TOTAL $4,016.50


Supplementary Information

Information available for inspection at theBroadmeadows Office:a Details of current allowances fixed for the Mayor and

Councillors under section 74 or 74A of the Act;

b Details of senior officers' total salary packages for thecurrent financial year and the previous year, includingthe gross salary, the amount of Council or employercontribution to superannuation, the value of any motorvehicle provided by Council and the total value of anyother benefits and allowances provided by Council;

c Details of overseas or interstate travel (with theexception of interstate travel by land for less than threedays) undertaken in an official capacity by Councillorsor any member of Council staff in the previous 12months, including the names of the Councillors ormembers of Council staff and the date, destination,purpose and total cost of the overseas or interstatetravel;

d Names of Council officers who were required to submita return of interest during the financial year and thedates the returns were submitted;

e Names of Councillors who submitted returns of interestduring the financial year and the dates the returns weresubmitted;

f Agendas for and minutes of ordinary and specialmeetings held in the previous 12 months kept underSection 93 of the Act except if the minutes relate toparts of meetings which have been closed to membersof the public under Section 89 of the Act;

g A list of all special committees established by Counciland the purpose for which each committee wasestablished;

h A list of all special committees established by Councilwhich were abolished or ceased to function during thefinancial year;

i Minutes of meetings of special committees establishedunder Section 86 of the Act and held in the previous 12months except if the minutes relate to parts of meetingswhich have been closed to members of the public underSection 89 of the Act;

j Applications for enrolment on the voters' roll underSections 12 and 13 of the Act for the immediate pastroll and the next roll being prepared;

k A register of delegations kept under Sections 87, 88and 98 of the Act;

l Submissions received in accordance with Section 223of the Act during the previous 12 months;

m Agreements to establish regional libraries under Section196 of the Act;

n Details of all property, finance and operating leasesinvolving land, buildings, plant, computer equipment orvehicles entered into by Council as lessor or lessee,including the name of the other party to the lease andthe terms and the value of the lease;

o A register of authorised officers appointed underSection 224 of the Local Government Act;

p A list of donations and grants made by Council duringthe financial year, including the names of persons orbodies which have received a donation or grant and theamount of each donation or grant;

q A list of the names of the organisations of whichCouncil was a member during the financial year anddetails of all membership fees and other amounts andservices provided during that year to each organisationby Council; and

r A list of contracts valued at $100,000 or more whichCouncil entered into during the financial year withoutfirst engaging in a competitive process and which arenot contracts referred to in Section 186(5) of the Act.

Supplementary Information

The number of FOI requests made to Council 25

The number of decisions that an applicant was not entitled to access to a document pursuant to a Section 30 5request, the provisions of this Act under which these decisions were made and the number of times Section 31 1each provision was invoked Section 32 3

Section 33 7Section 34 3

The name and designation of each officer with authority to make a decision in relation to a request, Geoff Ferguson, 19and the number of decisions made by each officer that an applicant was not entitled to access to a Corporate Support document pursuant to a request Coordinator

The number of applications under section 51(1) for review of a decision, and in respect of each application for review

(i) The name of the officer who made the decision under review Darrell Treloar, Chief Executive Officer

(ii) The name and designation of the officer who conducted the review and the decision of that officer Darrell Treloar, Chief Executive Officer:Decision 1 Confirmed in fullDecision 2 Confirmed exemption -

21 Released 11

(iii)If the officer conducting the review confirmed, in whole or in part, a decision that an applicant is not Sections 31 entitled to access to a document in accordance with a request, the provision of this Act under which and 33that decision was made

The number of applications to the Tribunal under Section 50(2) and in respect of each application 1

(i) The decision of the Tribunal; Not yet heard

(ii) The details of any other order made by the Tribunal Not applicable

(iii)If the decision in respect of which the application was made was a decision that an applicant is not Not applicableentitled to access to a document in accordance with a request

Particulars of any disciplinary action taken against any officer in respect of the administration of this act; Nil

The amount of charges collected by Council $1,596

(i) Particulars of any reading room or other facility provided by the agency or minister for use by Nilapplicants or members of the public, and the publications, documents or other information regularly on display in that reading room or other facility

(ii) Particulars of any difficulties encountered in the administration of this Act in relation to matters of The complexity of staffing and costs requests and number of

documents has increased.Several requests have substantially and significantly diverted the resources of the agency from its other operations.

Any other facts that indicate an effort by the Council to administer and implement the spirit and intention Council engages external of this Act. staff resources to ensure

applications to be fulfilled.

Freedom of InformationIn accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982, Act No. 9589/1982, Section 65AA Report by Council, the followinginformation is supplied for the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003.

Documents

Hume City Council NNUAL R EPORT · Environmental sustainability Hume City Council's commitment to environmental sustainability is emphasised through its membership of the internationally