JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL
AGENDA AND BUSINESS PAPER
Ordinary Meeting of Council
Tuesday, 19 April 2016
@ 4.30pm
in the Council Chambers
Our Vision:
“Junee will be a great place to live, with a healthy civic pride. That will come about because the amenity of the Shire – social, recreational, cultural, environmental and visual – is the best quality possible given our circumstances. There will be an increase in population because of this, with the increase made up of people who are net contributors to the community.
“Junee will be prosperous and existing services and businesses will have been preserved and grown. The Shire will have economic development strategies recognising the different circumstances of urban and rural areas.
“Junee will be a place where innovative, responsive leadership and management occurs in all facets of community life.
“It will be an independent Local Government area with a strong sense of identity.”
Our Mission:
The community and Junee Shire Council are to Make Tracks systematically and with determination towards the Shire Vision.”
Our Community Values:
Proud and welcoming – we are proud of our Shire and as a friendly community we encourage and support new residents and business owners.
Innovative and progressive – we welcome new ideas and we seek to make changes that will improve the lifestyle of our community.
Inclusive – we have a perspective broader than the Shire boundary; our regional focus means we are tuned to the opportunities available through co-operation and partnerships.
Leadership and wisdom – we listen and act; we are prepared to take tough decisions in the best interests of the future of our people, our place and our economy.
AGENDA APOLOGIES CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ORDINARY MEETING 15 MARCH 2016 MATTERS ARISING OUT OF MINUTES DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MAYORAL MINUTE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT 1[ADCCS] JUNEE SHIRE LAND VALUATIONS 2[ACDDS] EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) POLICY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN 3[AFM] COUNCIL INVESTMENTS AND BANK BALANCES 4[AFM] RATE ARREARS AS AT 31 MARCH 2016 5[DES] COLLECTION OF FIREWOOD FROM PUBLIC PLACES 6[ADDES] A REVIEW OF COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT FOR INLAND NSW 7[ADDES] DRAFT JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL SECTION 94A CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN 2016 8[ADDES] RIVERINA REGIONAL FOOD DIRECTORY AND MODEL GUIDELINES 9[MFCD] JUNEE RECREATION AND AQUATIC CENTRE – HVAC UPGRADE PROJECT – SELECTIVE
TENDER CORRESPONDENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS Athenium Committee Broadway Museum Committee Internal Audit Committee DELEGATES REPORTS Visitor Information Center Stats Riverina Regional Library Report NOTICES OF MOTION NIL
LATE BUSINESS (MATTERS OF URGENCY) NIL
QUESTIONS/STATEMENTS WITH NOTICE INFORMATION BOOKLET – TABLED FOR THE INFORMATION OF COUNCILLORS GENERAL MANAGER’S CONFIDENTIAL REPORT – RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMITTEE OF A WHOLE MEETING 1[GM] JUNEE CARAVAN PARK LEASE 2[GM] MEDICAL CENTRE LEASE CLOSE
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The meeting opened at 4.30pm. PRESENT Councillors N Smith, M Austin, R Callow, A Clinton, P Halliburton, L Cummins, M Holmes, C Randall and J Ward. STAFF General Manager, Acting Director Corporate and Community Services, Director Engineering Services, Acting Director Development and Environmental Services and Executive Assistant. ADDRESS BY KIRSTY O’DONNELL - INLAND RAIL Ms Kirsty O’Donnell, a representative of ARTC’s Inland Rail Project addressed the Council and gave an update on the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail plan. ADDRESS BY SYDNEY LISLE – DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Mr Sydney Lisle from the Department of Primary Industries addressed the Council and gave a presentation on the new Biosecurity Act. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES – ORDINARY MEETING 16 FEBRUARY 2016 01.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr P Halliburton seconded Cr M Austin that the minutes of
the Ordinary Meeting held on 16 February 2015, copies of which had been supplied to each Councillor, be confirmed.
BUSINESS ARISING Nil DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillors were invited to disclose any Declarations of Interest related to the items of business in the report. Councillor M Holmes declared a minor non-pecuniary interest in Item 1 as his wife is an employee of the Junee Medical Centre. MAYORAL MINUTE Nil GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT The General Manager presented a report which dealt with Items 1 to 7, and the following action was taken:
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1[GM] 2016 NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT – CALL FOR MOTIONS
02.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr C Randall seconded Cr R Callow that the Australian Local
Government Association’s National General Assembly for 2016 and the call for motions be noted.
2[GM] RELOCATION OF THE MODEL HMAS JUNEE TO JUNEE EX-
SERVICES MEMORIAL CLUB 03.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr R Callow seconded Cr J Ward that:
1. Council agree to relocating, on loan, the model of HMAS Junee and associated memorabilia to the Junee Ex-Services Club.
2. An agreement be prepared between the parties to ensure that these items are
adequately protected and cared for and that the agreement be for a period of two years.
3[GM] RURAL FIRE SERVICE CONTRIBUTIONS 04.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr C Randall seconded Cr M Holmes that:
1. The Council conduct a review of expenditure related to the Rural Fire Services to establish further savings in expenditure in providing that service.
2. Council continue to lobby for a review of the Rural Fires Acts to provide councils with a
stronger influence in the determination of their financial contribution towards the Rural Fire Service.
4[GM] REROC SUBMISSIONS 05.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr M Austin seconded Cr J Ward that Council note both
submissions to the State Government by Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC).
5[AFM] COUNCIL INVESTMENTS AND BANK BALANCES 06.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr J Ward seconded Cr M Austin that:
1. The Monthly Investment Reports as at 29 February 2016 be received and noted. 2. The Certificate of the Responsible Accounting Officer be noted and the report adopted.
6[DES] MOBILE PHONE BLACK SPOT PROGRAMME 07.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr P Halliburton seconded Cr R Callow that the Junee Shire
Council note the report on the Mobile Black Spot Programme Round 2.
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7[ADDES] RIVERINA REGIONAL FOOD DIRECTORY AND MODEL CATERING GUIDELINES
08.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr P Halliburton seconded Cr C Randall that the report be
submitted for Councillors information. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Junee Junction Recreation & Aquatic Centre Section 355 Committee 09.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr M Holmes seconded Cr R Callow that the minutes of the
Junee Junction Recreation & Aquatic Centre Section 355 Committee held on 2 March 2016, copies of which had been supplied to each Councillor, be confirmed and adopted.
DELEGATES’ REPORTS • Eastern Riverina Destination Management Organisation – Cr R Callow • Junee Golf Club – Cr C Randall • Noxious Weeds Committee – Cr C Randall • Goldenfields Water County Council – Cr A Clinton • REROC – Cr L Cummins NOTICE OF MOTION Nil QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Cr A Clinton LATE BUSINESS Nil INFORMATION BOOKLET The information booklet was received and noted. 10.03.16 At 6.26pm Council RESOLVED on the motion of Cr J Ward seconded Cr P Halliburton to go
into Closed Committee of the Whole under Section 10A (2(c) of the Local Government Act 1993 to consider information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.
CONFIDENTIAL REPORT 1[GM] JUNEE MEDICAL CENTRE LEASE 11.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr R Callow seconded Cr L Cummins that:
1. Council prepare a draft long-term lease for the Junee Medical Centre.
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2. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and General Manager negotiate with the current Lessee during the drafting of a new lease with the view to providing a final draft to Council within two months.
2[GM] JUNEE CARAVAN PARK LEASE 12.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr J Ward seconded Cr M Austin that:
1. The commencing rental to be paid by the Lessee under the new lease be set at $30,000 per annum.
2. There will an adjustment in the rental for any agreed capital works done by the Lessee
on council assets. 3. The three year market rent review will ensure that the full market value will be
achieved in six years ie: by the second market rent review. 4. The term of the new lease be for a period of ten years with two further options of ten
years.
5. The Mayor and General Manager be given the power to negotiate the terms of the new lease.
REVERSION TO OPEN COUNCIL 13.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr P Halliburton seconded Cr L Cummins that Council move
out of committee and revert to an open meeting of the Council, the time being 6.43pm. REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF CLOSED COMMITTEE 14.03.16 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr M Holmes seconded Cr L Cummins that the resolutions of
the Confidential Committee be adopted. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 6.44pm.
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GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
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1[ADCCS] JUNEE SHIRE LAND VALUATIONS The Valuer General, as part of its requirement to provide Council land valuations every three years, undertook a significant analysis of the Junee property market in 2015 to provide an accurate and reliable basis of valuation. The Valuer General has now produced its final report following the 2015 Valuation of Junee Shire. The land values, which are made for rating and taxing purposes, must have regard to specific requirements and assumptions in rating and taxation legislation. Because of the specific requirements the valuations may vary from market levels. It should be noted that the new valuations have no impact on the amount of rates Council is allowed to raise. The report shows, however, some statistical information about movements in property values. In aggregate, land valuations increased by 5% between 2012 and 2015 with increases across most sectors. Residential Land The past 12 months has seen widespread residential sales over the region, including both vacant and improved sales in the residential components. Growth was evident in all residential locations of the market, apart from the Village of Old Junee, since the 2012 valuation, with the highest increases in the sought-after quality John Potts Estate and large lot residential. Properties in the John Potts Estate area increased in value by 13.5% while large lot residential blocks near Junee increased by 7%. There has been a slight increase for the rest of the town and villages, including overall good demand for the lower value areas which have increased from a low cost base driven by first home buyer and investor demand. Village values have generally been stable with land values remaining largely unchanged until the last 12 months where sales have supported an increase, apart from Old Junee which has had a slight decrease. Rural Land The broad acre rural property market has experienced increases of approximately 5%. This trend has been consistent across lifestyle/grazing/hobby farms, rural-residential and rural retreat holdings throughout the Shire. Commercial Land The small commercial sector has had very little sales movement. Average values have increased since the last general valuation in 2012 by approximately 5%.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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Industrial Land The small industrial zoned land sector has also experienced an increase in line with residential values of approximately 5%. Recommendation: That the information be noted.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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2[ADCCS] EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) POLICY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Councils current EEO Policy and EEO Management Plan were last amended on 17 April 2012 and are due for review. As part of the review there are a number of changes to the EEO Management Plan with only one relevant change to the EEO Policy. There is also a replacement policy for Workplace Bullying and Harassment. The new policies are attachments to this report as is the old Harassment Policy which needs to be rescinded. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy (Amended) The major change is the inclusion of a Contact Officer role that will be able to assist employees through the giving of impartial advice and guidance through the reporting process. Attachment 1 Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Management Plan (Amended) Council is required by Section 345 of the Local Government Act 1993 to prepare and implement an EEO Management Plan. Major changes to the Plan were:
The deletion of any wording which could have been perceived as discriminatory. Ensuring that it met all current legislation pertaining to EEO and Discrimination. Removal of the procedural section of the Plan and replaced it with a standalone EEO,
Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Protocol. The truncation of the definitions table to reduce the repetitiveness and reader confusion.
Attachment 2
Harassment Prevention Policy (Rescind) As this policy was adopted on 18 June 1998 and no longer meets legislative compliance Council is required to rescind this Policy. It is to replaced with the Workplace Bullying, Harassment and Descrimination Policy. Workplace Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy (New) Council is required under Work Health & Safety and Anti-Discrimination legislations to prevent and manage Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in the workplace. In the past Council has addressed these issues through the EEO Management Plan and the Harassment Prevention Policy. This policy will enable Council to meet its legislative obligations and compliance in these staffing matters. Attachment 3 EEO, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Protocol (New) The procedural section of the EEO Management Plan has now been replaced with a standalone EEO, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Protocol.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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Recommendations 1. Council adopt the revised Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy and Equal
Employment Opportunity Management Plan as presented. 2. Council adopt the new Workplace Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy
as presented and rescind the previous Harassment Prevention Policy.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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3[AFM] COUNCIL INVESTMENTS AND BANK BALANCES It is required under Clause 212 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 and section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993 to provide the Council with a written report monthly setting out details of all money that the Council has invested. On the following page of this business paper is a Monthly Investment Report as at 31 March 2016. Certification – Responsible Accounting Officer I, Peter White, hereby certify that the investments listed in this report have been made in accordance with Section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993, Clause 212 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 and Council's Investment Policy. Recommendations: 1. That the Monthly Investment Reports as at 31 March 2016 be received and noted. 2. That the Certificate of the Responsible Accounting Officer be noted and the report
adopted.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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Monthly Investment Report as at 31 March 2016
a) Council's Investments as at 31 March 2016
Investment Inception
Date Term (Days)
Maturity Date
Interest Rate Performance Benchmark
Benchmark Rate
Percentage of Portfolio Principal Value Market Value
Term Deposit
NAB 7-Jan-16 90 6 Apr-16 3.02% BBSW - 90 Day Av 2.330% 17.54% 500,000.00 500,000.00
ME Bank 17-Feb-16 90 17-May-16 2.85% BBSW - 90 Day Av 2.335% 17.54% 500,000.00 500,000.00
ME Bank 15-Mar-16 92 15-Jun-16 2.85% BBSW - 90 Day Av 2.335% 17.54% 500,000.00 500,000.00
Bank of Queensland 17-Nov-15 153 18-Apr-16 2.90% BBSW – 90 Day Av 2.425% 17.54% 500,000.00 500,000.00
AMP Bank 28-Mar-16 181 25-Sep-16 3.00% BBSW - 90 Day Av 2.407% 17.54% 500,000.00 500,000.00
Total Term Deposits
87.7% $2,500,000.00 $2,500,000.00
AMP On Call 2.55% 12.3% 350,000.00 350.000.00
TOTAL INVESTMENTS 100.00% $2,850,000.00 $2,850,000.00
Cash at Bank – as per Bank Statement
$353,972.19
TOTAL FUNDS $3,203,972.19
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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b) Application of Investment Funds –
As at 31 March 2016 Restricted
Funds Description Value Externally Restricted
Unspent Loans
$0.00
Sewerage Fund
$2,000,718.64
Domestic Waste Management $121,410.23
Unspent Grants
$256,504.55
Reserves Trust
$19,444.44
Section 94A Contributions
$0.00
Trust Fund
$31,966.55
$2,430,044.41
Internally Restricted
ELE Reserve
$205,000.00
Gravel Pit Restoration
$26,847.97
Community Transport - Vehicle Replacement $131,760.26
Illabo Cenotaph Project $10,000.00 Laurie Daley Oval facilities $5,000.00
Bowen Monument Wantabadgery $8,000.00
Cooinda Court Sprinklers $5,000.00
Junee Historical Society - Sale of Old Museum Site $30,717.21
$422,325.44
Unrestricted Funds
$351,602.34
TOTAL FUNDS $3,203,972.19 * Externally & Internally Restricted Reserve figures are subject to final adjustment and external audit at 30 June each year. Figures shown above are estimate only.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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4[DCCS] RATES ARREARS AS AT 31 MARCH 2016 The rates that were outstanding as at 31 March 2016 compared to the position at 30 June 2015 are set out below.
Category
Balance at 31/3/16 (net
of provision) Balance at
30/6/15 Total
Collectible Outstanding
Rates %
Farmland 37,580.70 39,481.44 1,823,664.62 0.71
Residential (Junee) 293,447.96 327,176.26 2,483,533.62 5.58
Residential (Rural & Village) 64,050.24 48,391.58 425,448.78 1.22
Business 55,571.10 38,206.71 525,920.19 1.06
450,650.00 453,256.00 5,258,567.22 8.57
Rates / Charges Outstanding
The outstanding rates percentage of 8.57% shown in the table above is an indicator of the impact of uncollected rates and annual charges on Council’s liquidity and the adequacy of debt recovery efforts. Generally the benchmark rate for rural councils is 10% uncollected at year end and the percentage of 8.57% shown above (at 31 March 2016) compares favourably with recent years with the percentage being 10.20% at 30 June 2014 and 9.03% at 30 June 2015.
Recommendation: That the report be noted.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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5[DES] COLLECTION OF FIREWOOD FROM PUBLIC PLACES Background The issue of the collection of standing and fallen timber from public places – inclusive of roadsides – has been an ongoing issue for this Council over a number of years. Council resolved in July 2015 to provide for: 1. Suitable signage be erected at key locations indicating that the collection of wood from any public
place within Junee Shire is restricted or prohibited. 2. Suitable notices be placed in the Southern Cross newspaper at the earliest opportunity and prior to
1 June of 2016. 3. A policy be prepared to properly address the protocols for the collection of wood and the issuing of
permits and infringement notices prior to 1 June 2016. 4. The collection of wood from any public place be prohibited for commercial use. This report deals with resolution 3. The other resolutions where activated as an immediate response to the level and frequency of wood being collected from roadside areas. More importantly, there has been a significant reduction of tree felling for commercial or inappropriate personal use from public places. Two draft documents have been prepared to support resolution 3. Both the documents take a holistic approach to managing the protection of vegetation and habitat on Council public land while addressing the particular issues which stimulated the Council report in July 2015 regarding the collection of firewood. Protection of Council Land and roadside Vegetation and Habitat Policy This document outlines the regulatory obligations of the Council. It outlines the approval process for activity related to the protection of Council land and roadside vegetation. How the Council administers that approval process is outlined in the accompanying guideline. The policy also reinforces those activities which are prohibited, such as the collection of firewood for commercial purposes or collection for any purpose in medium or high conservation areas. Collection of Firewood from Roadsides and Council Land Guidelines This document details how the organisation will deal with assumed consent or breaches under the policy. The guideline provides a framework from which authorised staff attending to matters referenced in the policy can follow. The guideline provides for an assumed consent for the collection of firewood from low conservation areas for legitimate domestic purposes, essentially removing the needs for an application process in most cases. The guideline also provides for a first warning to be issue at the discretion of authorised officers rather than a penalty infringement notice being issue.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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The guideline provides for the impoundment of firewood in circumstances of non-compliance with the firewood stored and reallocated to Not for Profit community groups for the purpose of raffling or donation. Legislative Context Activities by individuals and third parties on land that is either under the care, control or management of a council, is controlled by a number of pieces of legislation. With regard to the specific actions of felling, removing or damaging plants, or dead wood, these pieces of legislation include: • Roads Act 1993 • Local Government Act 1993 • Crown Lands Act 1989 • Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, and • In some cases their respective regulations. Recommendation That Council place the draft Protection of Council Land and roadside Vegetation and Habitat Policy together with the Collection of Firewood from Roadsides and Council Land Guidelines on public exhibition for 28 days.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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6[ADDES] A REVIEW OF COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT FOR INLAND NSW Background State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development) 2008 formally commenced in 2009. This Policy applies State-wide and allows for certain types of development to be carried out as exempt (without approval), or complying development (projects that can be fast-tracked through the approval process). Supporting the Policy are 12 exempt and complying development codes which include controls for a range of developments including residential, commercial and industrial. The Department of Planning and Environment is currently reviewing the Policy in response to feedback that suggests the Policy is difficult to understand and doesn’t respond to the differences in ‘built form’ between development in inland NSW and development in metropolitan areas. The Department is seeking submissions until the 29 April 2016 on the review of exempt and complying development controls for inland NSW. Summary of proposed changes A copy of the summary table prepared by the Department of proposed technical control changes is attached for information. The following is a brief summary of the proposed key amendments: • The existing General and Rural Housing Code provisions will be combined and simplified in
a single Inland Code for complying development. This means dwelling houses and attached ancillary development, outbuildings, detached studios and farm buildings will now be permitted under the Inland Code.
• In local government areas located west of the Great Dividing Range, the existing General and Rural Housing Code will no longer apply.
• The site coverage, articulation zone and principal open space development standards will
no longer apply to development under the Inland Code.
• Gross floor area, landscaped area and setbacks will be the principle controls for determining the area which can be built upon.
• Setback clauses will be simplified in order to better reflect the prevailing single storey built
form. • The range and scale of farm buildings which are able to be erected under the existing
General Exempt Development Code is to be expanded for all rural land in NSW. • Built to boundary setbacks will no longer apply to dwelling houses. • The size and scale of farm buildings are to be determined by the size of a total land holding,
as opposed to a single lot.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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Comments on proposed Inland Code The proposal to develop an inland code for Exempt and Complying Development recognises the differences between the coastal/metropolitan environments of NSW and the rural/inland areas. In general terms, the changes reflect current practices in inland development which is substantially different to metropolitan areas. The changes to Complying Developments reflect this approach and are supported. However the changes also increase the range of exempt developments that are typical in rural areas including grain bunkers, silos, stockyards and farm buildings. One of the significant additions to exempt development is non-commercial grain bunkers that have a maximum footprint of 7000m2 or 0.7ha in area. The minimum setback to adjoining dwelling houses is proposed to be 100m. From experience with grain storage bunkers there is potential for significant impacts including noise, dust, truck movements etc. There is no discussion in the review about setback distances for proposed exempt development such as farm buildings, silos, stock yards or grain bunkers from main and arterial roads or adjoining residential or village zones. In some cases these developments may be located within the RU1 zone close to main and arterial roads as well as the boundaries of towns and villages and potentially impact on a large number of residential properties. There is also a high potential for land use conflicts where the expansion of villages or towns may be prejudiced by the location of these types of development without the opportunity to observe due planning processes including consideration of future residential amenity. The review process engaged with a range of larger regional Councils and a limited number of smaller rural Councils like Junee. The proposed impact of the Inland Regional Code could be substantial across NSW and it would be advantageous to trial the changes in specific target Councils to ensure that the changes are workable. Recommendations: It is recommended that Council make submission to the Department of Planning and Environment indicating general support of the changes to Complying Development through the development of an Inland Regional Code and requesting the Department give consideration to the following: 1. The proposed setbacks for non-commercial farm sheds, stockyards, silos and grain
bunkers be reviewed having regard to the setback methodology from neighbouring dwellings( not associated with the development) and the interface to sensitive land use zonings contained in Schedule 3 of the EPA Regulations 2000 including: • a minimum setback of 500m from neighbouring dwellings (not associated with
the proposal) and existing land use zone boundaries of RU5, R5 and other sensitive land use zones for non-commercial grain bunkers, and
• a minimum of 250m from neighbouring dwellings (not associated with the proposal) and existing land use zone boundaries of RU5, R5 and other sensitive land use zones for silos, farm sheds and stockyards
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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2. That the Inland Code include separate setbacks provisions for exempt development from arterial and major roads and exempt development only be permitted where no new access crossing is required to be constructed onto any road.
3. The Inland Code for exempt development exclude land that has been identified for future residential or rural residential development under a Council strategy, endorsed by the Minister under Section 117 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, so as not to prejudice future expansion of inland towns and villages, and
4. The Department consider an interim trial of the Inland Code at target regional and
small rural Councils to assess the impacts of the changes prior to adoption across inland Councils in NSW.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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7[ADDES] DRAFT JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL SECTION 94A CONTRIBUTIONS PLAN 2016
Background Council resolved at its meeting on the 16 February 2016:
1. That Council endorse the Draft Junee Shire Council Section 94A Contributions Plan 2016 for public exhibition.
2. Exhibit the Draft Junee Shire Council Section 94A Contributions Plan 2016 for a period of 28 days, and
3. Consider a further report on any submissions to the Draft Plan at the completion of the
exhibition period.
Current Situation The Draft Section 94A Plan was exhibited from Thursday, 25 February 2016 to Thursday, 31 March 2016. A copy of the Draft Plan, as exhibited, was attached to the 16 February 2016 Business Papers for Councillors information. One submission was received during the exhibition process. A copy of that submission is set out below.
The submission raises the following issues for consideration by Council: • The inclusion of a map identifying the location of projects included under the Plan.
• The option to reconsider the priority listing of projects, and • Clarification on the capital works to be funded under the Plan.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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In response to the submission, the following comments are made: • The comments in relation to the inclusion of a map are noted however this is not essential
to the understanding of the Plan.
• The priority for works is based on those projects that are the highest in need and to which Council has committed or accessed funding. The timeframe for the priority timing is also included in the Plan based on short, medium and long term timelines. This is consistent with the current approaches to Section 94A plan preparation.
• All works listed in the Plan are for capital works projects. This also includes recoupment of
funded projects that have been completed. In future reviews the full listing of the capital works projects would be of benefit to explaining the Plan directions.
In general, the comments in the Plan are relevant to improving the presentation of the Plan. Further consideration of these improvements can be included in future reviews of the Plan. Recommendations: It is recommended that Council: 1. Adopt the Draft Junee Shire Section 94A Contributions Plan 2016 as exhibited.
2. In accordance with Section 30(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment
Regulation 2000, Council give public notice of its decision within 28 days. 3. In accordance with Section 30(4) specify in that public notice that Junee Shire
Section 94A Contributions Plan 2016 comes into effect on the 21 June 2016, and 4. In accordance with Section 94AE of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 provide a copy of the Plan to the Minister for Planning.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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8[ADDES] RIVERINA REGIONAL FOOD DIRECTORY AND MODEL GUIDELINES
Background The Riverina Regional Food Directory and Model Catering Guidelines were presented to Council at its meeting on the 15 March 2016 with a view of providing a further report to Council on the implications for Council associated with the Food Directory and adopting the Model Guidelines. Riverina Regional Food Directory The RDA has circulated a template for registration by producers/caterers and suppliers that may meet the criteria established to be included in the Directory. As previously reported in the most current directory there are five growers, producers or providers listed from Junee Shire. Councillors identified at the meeting on the 15 March 2016 a number of other local producers that might benefit from inclusion within the Directory. It is suggested that Council make local producers/caterers and suppliers aware of the Directory and also provide a link to the Regional Food Directory from Council’s website to promote better access to this information. Riverina Regional Food Catering Guidelines and Policy Council currently caters for meetings, guest visits or special occasions including official openings eg. Junee Library, new section of road near Qube has been sourced from the following local businesses: • Junee Bakery • Railway Café • Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory • Betty’s on Broadway • Off the Railz Café – now closed
Council has also held functions at the Junee Ex-Services Club and the Licorice Factory where catering is in-house provided by the respective businesses. For other events held at the Athenium Theatre for example, external caterers are contracted to provide these services and are usually engaged separately by the event organiser. The Junee Recreation & Aquatic Centre only sells pre-packaged food. Kiosk items are sourced from: • Coca Cola • Accredited Distributors • Streets Ice-Cream
Smaller quantities of kiosk stock (specialty items) are sourced from “At One Foods”, “Vitaco Foods” and “Cool Crush”.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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Council’s approach is consistent with the Guidelines that promote sourcing and supporting local and regional businesses wherever possible. However there is also an expectation in the Guidelines that to meet the objectives of sourcing local produce, caterers and food suppliers used by Council also aim to source local produce, where possible, from the Riverina Regional Food Directory or within a 200km radius of Junee Shire. At this stage, discussions with these local businesses and suppliers that Council utilises, have not occurred to determine: • if they are aware of the Riverina Regional Food Directory, or • whether they source food within the local area/region
If Council is to consider leading this process and endorsing the Draft Catering Guidelines and Policy then this engagement is necessary to implement any change and thinking about sourcing local and regional produce. Recommendations: 1. That Council contact local producers/caterers/suppliers and provide them with
details of the Riverina Regional Food Directory.
2. That Council provide a link to the Regional Food Directory from Council’s website to promote access to this information, and
3. That Council commence discussions with local caterers and suppliers that Council
utilises to examine how the Riverina Regional Food Catering Guidelines and Policy might be implemented to support local and regional produce.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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9[MFCD] JUNEE RECREATION AND AQUATIC CENTRE – HVAC UPGRADE PROJECT – SELECTIVE TENDER
As Council is aware, there is a budget allocation in Council’s 2015/2016 capital works budget to proceed with energy efficiency works at the Junee Junction Recreation & Aquatic Centre. The majority of the proposed works will centre on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) upgrades to the pool hall, gym and support areas. Council engaged ESBS Pty Ltd to oversee the design and specification process and also to support Council in the tender documentation process, installation stage monitoring and post installation monitoring. The tender documentation (Tender Brief and Specifications) has now been completed and a decision is required on the most appropriate tendering method for this Project. This report recommends that a selective tender process is utilised for the Junee Junction Recreation & Aquatic Centre HVAC Upgrade Project. Background Clause 166 of the Local Government Regulation identifies the types of tendering methods that councils can use. Council must decide whether it is going to use an open or selective tendering process. Open tendering is undertaken through public advertisements inviting interested persons to submit a tender. Selective tendering can be undertaken by either advertising an expression of interest and then inviting tenders from suitable respondents or by inviting tenders from a pre-prepared list of recognised contractors. It should be noted that Junee Shire Council does not have a pre-prepared list of recognised contractors. Council should select the tendering method that: • Has the greatest likelihood of achieving the best value for money • Meets its needs • Is appropriate for the level of risk • Is timely • Avoids creating unnecessary costs for it and/or tenderers; and • Safeguards the security and confidentiality of all tenders. The Junee Recreation Centre HVAC Upgrade project is one which requires very specific contractor skills and expertise. The project will be installing new plant and equipment into an already operating facility which will require an integration of new and existing plant and equipment and therefore a high level of discussion and negotiation between the successful tenderer and the Project Management Team (Council and ESBS). As a result, it is considered that the best tendering method for this project is the selective tendering option advertising for expressions of interest.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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This option will allow the Project Management Team to: • Dictate a shorter pricing period; 2-3 weeks vs 4-5 weeks. • Extend invitations only to contractors the Project Management Team believe are suitable
(experience, resourcing, etc). • Save considerable time not having to evaluate a large number of broad tenders. • Invite specific contractors which will most likely lead to those contractors showing more
interest and committing more time to their tender. The following extract from the Local Government Regulation will guide Council on the process for selective tendering:
(a) LOCAL GOVERNMENT (GENERAL) REGULATION 2005 - REG 168
(i) 168 Selective tendering method by which invitations to tender for proposed contract are made following public advertisement asking for expressions of interest
(1) A council that decides to use the selective tendering method referred to in clause 166 (b) for
allocating a particular proposed contract must publish in the relevant newspapers an advertisement inviting applications from persons interested in tendering for the proposed contract.
(2) Every such advertisement must include:
(a) a brief description of the work, goods, facilities, services or property concerned, and (b) the name of a person to whom requests for information concerning the proposed contract
may be addressed and how the person can be contacted, and (c) the deadline for submitting applications.
The deadline must be a specified time on a date that is at least 21 days after the date of publication or first publication of the advertisement.
(3) A council must consider all applications made in response to such an advertisement and, in so
doing, must take into account: (a) the experience of the applicants in fulfilling the requirements of similar contracts, and (b) the capacity of the applicants to fulfil the requirements of the proposed contract.
(4) After considering the applications, the council may either:
(a) send invitations in writing to all applicants, or such of them as the council thinks will be able
to fulfil the requirements of the proposed contract, to tender for the proposed contract, or (b) decline to invite tenders from any of the applicants.
(5) In inviting tenders from applicants, the council must:
(a) invite them to submit tenders to the council by the deadline specified in the invitations, and (b) give details of where and when tender documents relating to the proposed contract can be
obtained and the purchase price of those documents. The deadline must be a specified time on a date that is at least 21 days after the date of the invitation.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT TO THE ORDINARY MEETING OF JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON 19 APRIL 2016.
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Following the above Regulation, and subject to Junee Shire Council endorsing the recommendation from this report, it is anticipated that Council will advertise for Expressions of Interest from suitable contractors in appropriate newspapers for a period of 21 days. This 21 day period can effectively commence immediately following an endorsement of the process by Council. The Council will then be advised (in a subsequent report to Council) of those contractors who have nominated for the selective tendering process after the advertising period has elapsed. These selected contractors will be given the opportunity to submit a full tender, addressing all requirements in the tender documentation by the specified closing date. If this process, and the subsequent assessment of the tenders has identified a suitable contractor, a report to Council will be required with a recommendation to award the contract. Financial Impact The proposal to utilise the selective tendering process for this project will not have any significant financial impact for the project. Recommendation: 1. That Council proceed with the selective tendering provisions under the Local
Government Act for the HVAC Upgrade Project at the Junee Junction Recreation & Aquatic Centre.
JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL
ATTACHMENT TO GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
2016
Item No.
2[ADCCS]
Subject
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)
POLICY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan Page 1
Attachment 1
JUNEE SHIRE
COUNCIL POLICY
REGISTER
SUBJECT: STAFF
POLICY TITLE: EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate management and organisational commitment to EEO. Council will ensure that there is knowledge and understanding of the principles together with an awareness of the issues relating to the management of EEO in the workplace.
INTRODUCTION
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) means that all employees receive fair and equitable treatment in the workplace. EEO is fundamental to good personnel management.
Council is required to ensure that EEO is implemented and coordinated within the workplace.
EEO OFFICER
The Equal Employment Opportunity Officer has the overall responsibility for the implementation and Co-ordination of the Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan.
The EEO Officer for the Junee Shire Council is the incumbent Director Finance and Administration.
CONTACT OFFICER
The Contact Officer is an employee or employer nominated person that employees can confidentially approach for advice and direction if they feel that there is an EEO issue affecting them, an individual or group in the workplace. The Contact Officer is to be suitably trained for this role.
This role is one of guidance and clarification of policy/protocols and has no authority to resolve EEO issues.
The Contact Officer will be Council's Work Safe & Risk Manager.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan Page 2
Attachment 1
STATUTORY PROVISIONS
Section 345 of the Local Government Act 1993 requires Council to prepare and implement an Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan to support and implement this policy.
POLICY
The Council supports and endorses the principles of equal employment opportunity as it relates to recruitment, selection criteria, training and staff development programs, promotion and conditions of employment.
The Mayor, Councillors and Management of the Council of the Shire of Junee believe that prospective employees, current employees, contract workers of the Shire of Junee are entitled to be treated on the basis of their true ability and merit and to work in an environment which is free of bullying, discrimination and harassment.
The Council recognises that anti-discrimination legislation in its various forms has been introduced to protect individuals and groups from unfair attitudes and practices that may exist within that work environment and society generally, and accordingly is committed to achieving equal employment opportunity for all employees as means of increasing the effectiveness of the Shire of Junee and recognising the true potential of its employees.
Accordingly, all employees are entitled to access employment, promotion, training, transfers and the benefits of employment on the basis of merit and will be assessed on the basis of their skills, qualifications, abilities, work performance and aptitudes.
All human relations policies and practices will be consistent with EEO principles and all relevant legislation.
Discrimination in employment and in the supply of goods and services is unlawful under Commonwealth and New South Wales legislation. Thus, stereotype assumptions based on prejudice will have no place in the Shire of Junee and there shall be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of sex, race, age, marital or domestic status, homosexual, disability, transgender (transsexual), carer’s responsibilities, or because of who you are related to or who you associate with. Vilification against certain people is also against the law.
EEO complaints will be dealt in accordance with Councils EEO, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Protocol.
Employees
All employees of the Shire of Junee have a legal and moral responsibility to treat each other fairly and are expected to fulfil these responsibilities as a condition of employment.
Where employees believe they may have been discriminated against or harassed on any of the above grounds, they are encouraged to raise the matter with their Supervisor.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan Page 3
Attachment 1
Directors, Supervisors, Contact Officer and EEO Officer
Directors, Supervisors, Contact Officer and EEO Officer are obliged to treat reports of possible discrimination seriously and sympathetically and to investigate them thoroughly, remembering that confidentiality and impartiality must be maintained at all times.
The results of the investigations shall be reported to the General Manager immediately. They are also obliged to ensure that no one is disadvantaged or victimised as a result of a discrimination complaint being made or investigated.
Established breaches of the Shire of Junee’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy will be met with disciplinary reaction and may result in dismissal.
Equal Employment Opportunities / Affirmative Action Program
The Shire of Junee is mindful of the provisions of both the Local Government Act and the New South Wales Anti-discrimination Act, 1977.
Accordingly, the Shire of Junee is committed to removing any barriers to equal opportunity faced by women, people of a non-English speaking background, indigenous people and people with disabilities and will take positive steps to promote their equality.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Policy has the endorsement of Council and Senior Management and you are asked to give it your full support.
DATE ADOPTED: 18 June 1998 MINUTE NO: 08.0698AMENDED: 17 April 2012 MINUTE NO: 09.04.12 AMENDED:MINUTE NO:
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 1
Attachment 2
Equal Employment Opportunity Management Plan INTRODUCTION Junee Shire Council’s Equal Opportunity (EEO) Management Plan aims to ensure that all employees receive fair and equitable treatment in the workplace, by providing an equal opportunity when applying for employment, training and promotion, and in their work conditions. The primary aim of our EEO Management Plan is to have a workforce free of harassment, discrimination and bullying, to support staff in striving to meet their full potential and to provide equal access to career opportunities. Council’s EEO Management Plan is a ‘living document’ and will be reviewed in line with legislative requirements and the changing business environment.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 2
STRATEGY 1 - COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS Objective: To inform all employees, potential employees and the general community at large that the Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation The EEO statement - “The Junee Shire Council is an equal employment opportunity employer” is included in all job advertisements. Review all literature to ensure it conforms to EEO principles. All new staff is to be provided with a copy of the EEO Management Plan. Segments on EEO are to be included in appropriate employee training programs (e.g. supervisor training). Display a copy of Council’s EEO Policy in staff rooms and on Council’s public notice board. An EEO report is to be included in Council’s Annual Report.
All Council employees All potential employees The community at large
General Manager Directors
Ongoing Ensure that the Policy Statement is distributed to all employees and that the community of the Junee Shire is aware of Council’s commitment to EEO.
Review the Policy and Management Plan triennially.
All Specific Actions have been taken.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 3
STRATEGY 2 – CONSULTATION Objective: To ensure the active participation of all management, employees and relevant unions in the EEO Management Plan. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Invite comment and input from all relevant unions via the Consultative Committee. Invite comment and input from all Council employees at all levels on initiatives within and/or resulting from EEO Management Plan. Identify EEO potential problem areas via Consultative Committee.
All management Employees Relevant unions.
Consultative Committee EEO Officer
Ongoing Check that all Specific Actions are completed.
Evaluate feedback from process.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 4
STRATEGY 3 - RECRUITMENT & SELECTION Objective: To review recruitment & selection practices and procedures to ensure that they conform with to EEO principles and demonstrate fair practices. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Review current practices and establish procedures for each of the following: policy and procedures to ensure that the Recruitment & Selection process meets all EEO requirements. Ensure questions and questioning techniques are non-discriminatory and fulfills all EEO requirements. To encourage applicants for positions to demonstrate an awareness of EEO principles and practices at interview. The level of awareness and knowledge is to be varied according to the level and nature of the position and the number of staff to be supervised.
General Manager Directors Department Managers Selection Panels
Council General Manager Directors
Ongoing Check that all Specific Actions are completed.
Evaluate all practices & procedures for EEO commitment and non-discriminatory impact.
Ensure all recruitment practices and procedures are documented.
Monitor Selection Panel compliance with EEO principles.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 5
STRATEGY 4 - APPOINTMENT, PROMOTION AND TRANSFER Objective: To ensure all employees are treated in a fair and consistent manner in relation to employment matters. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Review current practices and procedures for appointment, promotion and transfer and career mobility. Identify when appropriate opportunities arise for job multi-skilling and job re-design and ensure they meet the needs of employees, as well as the needs of the employer. Review all job evaluation/performance appraisal procedures to ensure that they are non-discriminatory in content and administration.
All employees Directors EEO Officer Consultative Committee
Ongoing Check that all relevant Specific Actions are completed.
Ensure all policies and procedures are examined for EEO commitment and non-discriminator impact.
Ensure all appointment, promotion, transfer and career mobility procedures are documented and are readily available.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 6
STRATEGY 4.1 - Appointment, Promotion and Transfer - Higher Grades Objective: To ensure that all employees have equal opportunities to relieve/act in higher positions. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Review the practices and guidelines on relief/acting in higher positions. Matters to be covered by practices and guidelines should include: The need to ensure that arrangements are based on merit or the development needs of employees; The need to advertise any long term positions and call for expressions of interest; The need to develop appropriate acting/relief rosters to ensure equitable access for all appropriate employees for short term acting/relief opportunities.
All employees Directors Ongoing Report participation in acting/relief opportunity by EEO target groups via the appropriate mediums.
All Specific Actions are completed.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 7
STRATEGY 4.2 - Appointment, Promotion and Transfer - Disabilities Objective: To identify opportunities for providing positions for people with physical disabilities in Council employment. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Identify opportunities for providing positions for people with physical disabilities. Identify any barriers to gaining appointment, selection and promotion. Identify issues of access. Identify assistance needed with regard to gaining recognition of skills and qualifications. Remove any perceived barriers from workplace layouts, access, workplace safety, equipment, work experience/training courses and career development
People with identified physical disabilities.
Directors Ongoing Opportunities identified.
Barriers and issues of access identified.
Evaluate advertisements and their placement.
All Specific Actions are completed.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 8
STRATEGY 4.3 - Appointment, Promotion and Transfer - Career Paths Objective: To ensure that all employees have equal opportunities for promotion and career path development within the Council. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Identify barriers to people gaining promotion and career path development within Council. Advertise internally and/or externally all opportunities for promotion, transfers, secondment, higher duties and training programs. Provide work experience to staff with work experience and career development.
All employees Directors Supervisors
Ongoing Check that all Specific Actions are completed.
Monitor representation, promotion and career path development of target groups in Council employment.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 9
STRATEGY 4.4 - Appointment, Promotion and Transfer - Part-time Objective: To remove any barriers to part-time positions within Council. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Identify occupations and levels where part-time positions are currently available. Identify and where possible eliminate barriers to providing more opportunities for part-time positions. This includes job specifications, workloads/continuity, job training, employment benefits and occupants decision not to job share. Identify further opportunities for part-time work. Advertise in appropriate ways all opportunities and programs for part-time positions.
People seeking part-time work.
Directors
Ongoing All Actions are completed.
Check all responses to Actions.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 10
STRATEGY 5 - TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Objective: To ensure staff receives training and development opportunities based on policies and procedures which confirm EEO principles. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation In consultation with the employee prepare a formal training plan that incorporates EEO principles and review annually. Offer access to and encourage participation in training courses and education support to allow staff to reach their full potential. Include in the proposed Employee Booklet Handbook Council’s commitment to EEO principles. Ensure access to training courses is consistent with EEO principles. Ensure that in-house & external training courses are non-discriminatory and consistent with Council’s EEO policy.
All employees Directors
Ongoing Policies reviewed
Course content monitored
All Specific Actions are completed
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 11
STRATEGY 6 - CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Objective: To review and monitor conditions of service and practices to ensure they conform to EEO principles and demonstrate fair practice. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Document conditions of service for all categories of employees and inform employees of these conditions. Ensure travel, accommodation, and overtime are administered in a fair and equitable manner. Ensure leave without pay, short/emergency leave provisions and study leave are administered in a fair and equitable manner. Check that all new policies and procedures adhere to EEO principles and are documented. Ensure all new employees are provided with a Corporate induction on commencement of employment with the Council.
All employees General Manager Directors Supervisors
Ongoing All Actions are completed.
EEO report to staff and ratepayers annually.
All new employees are provided with a copy of the EEO Management Plan.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 12
STRATEGY 7 - GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES Objective: To encourage and maintain a harmonious work environment by introducing an effective mechanism for the resolution of grievances, accessible to all staff. Action Target Group Responsibility Target
Date Measures Evaluation
Monitor and review the procedural guidelines for dealing with grievances, in consultation with management and unions. Distribution of procedures via notice boards and Council publications. All supervisors to be issued with a copy. Appropriate training of nominated staff and managers.
All employees General Manager Directors Supervisors
Ongoing Monitor and report on the number of complaints, directorates, types of grievances and resolved/ unresolved complaints.
All Actions are completed.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 13
STRATEGY 8 - EVALUATION & REVIEW OF EEO MANAGEMENT PLAN Objective: To ensure that this EEO Management Plan addresses current and future needs of the Junee Shire Council and is flexible enough to adapt and respond to changing or unforeseen factors. Action Target Group Responsibility Target Date Measures Evaluation Regularly review progress on implementation and relevance of the Plan. Develop a reporting format to enable the issue of an annual progress report. Publish as part of Council’s Annual Report the progress made during the year on implementing the Plan; on new issues arising from grievance procedures; and repeating essential information of EEO policy, practices and procedures.
All employees General Manager Directors EEO Officer
Ongoing Annual Report
Reviews held regularly and issues identified.
Report format adequately reflects results.
Annual Report published.
All Specific Actions are completed.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 14
DEFINITIONS
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
A person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as Aboriginal or Islander and is accepted as such by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island community.
Affirmative Action:
Taking positive steps to remedy recognised disadvantage through pro-active initiatives, including legislation and management programs that progress equal employment opportunity. More specifically EEO aims to facilitate the needs of those who have been disadvantaged in the past ensuring: • Career advancement and development programs for woman to encourage greater access to promotion. • The provision of wheelchair access for people with disabilities • Increased employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.
Age Discrimination: Refers to less favourable or unfair treatment based on age. Bullying:
Relates to a ground of discrimination and is one or more occurrences of treating an individual or group of people less favourably and it includes behaviour that humiliates, intimidates, offends, degrades a person. Bullies may use loud and aggressive tactics (yelling or screaming) or more subtle intimidation (inappropriate comments about appearance, constant criticism, isolation from normal work interaction, impossible deadlines). Bullying is unlawful under the Work Health & Safety Act 2011.
Carers Responsibility:
Refers to less favourable or unfair treatment because you of the need to care for or support a child or other 'immediate family member'.
Discrimination:
Treating a person or group less favourably or unfairly because they belong to a particular group of people. Discrimination can be on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, homosexuality, religion, political beliefs, disability or impairment, age or transgender. Direct Discrimination: is treating someone unfairly or unequally simply because they belong to a particular group or category of people. Indirect Discrimination: is where there is a requirement (rule, policy, practice, procedure) that is the same for everyone, but that has an unequal or disproportionate effect or result on particular groups.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):
Is the principle that ensures all staff and potential staff is treated equitably and fairly, regardless of their race, sex, marital status, age, physical or intellectual impairment or sexual preference.
Harassment: Any behaviour that has the effect of offending, humiliating or intimidating the person at whom it is directed is considered harassment.
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 15
Sexual Harassment: unwanted, unsolicited and unreciprocated conduct of a sexual nature that may be an isolated incident or a series of incidents. Racial Harassment: any act involving a distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race. Disability Harassment: discrimination or harassment in employment due to disability.
Homosexual Discrimination:
Occurs if a person is treated less favourably on the grounds of homosexuality, or their believed homosexuality.
Intellectual Impairment
Any defect or disturbance of the functioning of a person’s brain. This may result in learning problems.
Management: All staff with supervisory responsibility. Merit Principles: People are to be assessed according to their skills, abilities, qualifications, experience and standard of work performance relevant
to the duties of the position, training and development opportunity, disregarding any personal characteristics that are irrelevant to the position, training or development opportunity.
Non English Speaking Background (NESB)
People who were born in a country where English is not the main language spoken, or to people born in Australia with one or both parents NESB.
Physical Impairment Any defect or disturbance in the structure or functioning of a person’s body. Physical, Intellectual or Psychiatric Impairment Discrimination:
Occurs when someone is treated less favourably than another person in the same or similar circumstances, because of the impairment.
Protected Disclosure:
The reporting of corruption, maladministration or serious and substantial waste within Council, without fear of reprisal.
Psychiatric Impairment:
Any condition that impairs a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that result in disturbed behaviour.
Racial Discrimination:
Is when a person is treated less favourably than another person in a similar situation because of their race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status.
Racial Vilification: A racial act or action that happens publicly as opposed to privately and that could encourage others to hate, have serious contempt for, or severely ridicule a person, or group of people, because of their race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national
Junee Shire Council – EEO Management Plan page 16
background. Sex Discrimination: Refers to less favourable treatment on the grounds of a person’s sex, or any characteristic of a person’s sex. Sex Discrimination
also covers discrimination on the grounds of marital status or pregnancy. Target Groups: Groups who have been identified as experiencing high levels of discrimination and disadvantage in the workplace and for whom
EEO strategies are developed to address these disadvantages. Transgender Discrimination:
Occurs if a person is treated less favourably or unfairly because they are transgender or others think they are transgender.
Vexatious or Frivolous Complaints:
A vexatious complaint is a form of abuse. A vexatious complaint has the power to hurt and disrupt another person's life in such a way that their career can be torn to shreds and may result in psychological injury.
Vicarious Liability: An employer may be vicariously liable for the conduct of an individual or group of employees at any level of the organisation, and for contract workers, consultants or persons employed on commission.
Victimisation: Victimisation means punishing or threatening to punish because they have made a complaint about discrimination, or helped someone else to make one
Vilification: Vilification is when someone says or does something in public that could make other people ridicule or hate a particular group of people e.g. because of their race, homosexuality or HIV/AIDS status.
Attachment 3
1
JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL
POLICY REGISTER
SUBJECT: WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY
POLICY TITLE: WORKPLACE BULLYING, HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION POLICY
OBJECTIVE: To assist Council in providing a safe working environment for its employees.
1.0 DUTY OF CARE
1.1 Junee Shire Council (Council) is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment in which all workers are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination is a risk to the health and safety of the workplace. It is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the Council.
1.2 This Policy outlines the Council’s commitment to a safe and healthy workplace and is aimed at ensuring, so far as it reasonably can, that employees are not subjected to any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination while at work. It also details the legal responsibilities of the Council and employees in relation to preventing bullying in the workplace.
2.0 SCOPE
2.1 This Policy covers all employees of the Council (whether full-time, part-time or casual) and all persons performing work at the direction of, in connection with, or on behalf of the Council (for example contractors, subcontractors, agents, consultants, and temporary staff; collectively ‘workers’).
2.2 This Policy extends to all functions and places that are work related, for example, work lunches, conferences, Christmas parties and client functions.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1. Everyone at the workplace has a legal responsibility to prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination from occurring.
3.2 Under the relevant legislations (the Legislation) the Council has the primary duty to eliminate or minimise, as far as reasonable practicable, the risks associated with bullying, harassment and discrimination. This duty includes the implementation of strategies to prevent workplace bullying. This Policy will assist the Council in complying with its legal responsibilities.
3.3 Workers are also required under the Legislation to take reasonable care for their own welfare, as well as that of others at the Council’s workplace. They
Attachment 3
2
must also comply with any reasonable instruction given by the Council. Compliance with this Policy will assist workers in meeting their legal responsibilities.
4.0 DEFINITIONS
4.1 BULLYING
Workplace bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or a group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety.
It can occur in any workplace and can be harmful to you if you experience or witness it.
Examples of potential unreasonable behaviour include:
offensive language or comments
unjustified criticism
deliberately excluding someone from workplace activities
withholding information that is needed for work.
Everyone at work can help ensure that bullying does not occur. It is important to respond quickly because the longer bullying continues, the more difficult it is to address and the harder it becomes to repair working relationships.
4.2 HARASSMENT
4.2.1 A person is subjected to “workplace harassment” if the person is subjected to repeated behaviour, other than behaviour amounting to sexual harassment, by a person, including the person’s employer or a co-worker or group of co-workers of the person that:
is unwelcome and unsolicited; the person considers being offensive, intimidating, humiliating or
threatening; A reasonable person would consider being offensive, humiliating,
intimidating or threatening.
4.3 DISCRIMINATION
4.3.1 Direct Discrimination – Direct discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly compared to someone else in the same or similar circumstances and it is because of sex, pregnancy, breastfeeding, race, age, marital or domestic status, homosexuality, disability, transgender status or carer’s responsibilities.
4.32 Indirect Discrimination – Indirect discrimination may occur when an employer has a rule or requirement that is applied to everyone, but it
Attachment 3
3
disadvantages more people from a particular group than people who are not in that group – unless the employer can show that the rule or requirement is ‘reasonable in all the circumstances’. The rule may be written or unwritten.
5.0 REASONABLE STAFF MANAGEMENT
Managing staff does not constitute bullying, if it is done in a reasonable manner. Managers have the right, and are obliged to, manage their staff. This includes directing the way in which work is performed, undertaking performance reviews and providing feedback (even if negative) and disciplining and counselling staff. Examples of reasonable management practices include:
setting reasonable performance goals, standards and deadlines inconsultation with workers and after considering their respective skills and experience;
allocating work fairly; fairly roster and allocate working hours; transferring a worker for legitimate and explained operational reasons; deciding not to select a worker for promotion, following a fair and
documented process; informing a worker about unsatisfactory work performance in a
constructive way and in accordance with any workplace policies oragreements;
informing a worker about inappropriate behaviour in an objective andconfidential way;
implementing Organisational changes or restructuring; and performance management processes.
6.0 ALLEGATIONS AND COMPLAINTS
Any suspected breaches of this Policy, the EEO Policy or the EEO Management Plan will be dealt with the EEO, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Protocol.
If an employee fails to comply with the intent of this policy, disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the Disciplinary Procedures as set down in the Local Government (State) Award 2014 or subsequent agreements. Such action may result in termination of employment.
6.0 CONVEYING OF POLICY DETAIL
Managers and Supervisors are to ensure that all persons are made aware of the contents of this Policy and its application, including implications, in the workplace.
7.0 CONFIDENTIALITY
7.1 Strict confidentiality will be maintained regarding the personal details of any employee involved in counselling or disciplinary action relating to breaches of this policy.
7.2 Confidential information regarding such incidents will be maintained on the
Attachment 3
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employee’s personal file.
7.3 Access to employee personal files will be in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.
8.0 REVIEW AND EVALUATION
This policy shall be reviewed in consultation with the Work Health and Safety Committee every two years and/or when changes to legislation require.
OFFICE USE ONLY:
FILE REF NO:
DATE ADOPTED:
MIN. NO:
JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL
ATTACHMENT TO GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
2016
Item No.
5[DES]
Subject
COLLECTION OF FIREWOOD FROM PUBLIC PLACES
Junee Shire Council Belmore St (PO Box 93) Junee, NSW 2663
Protection of Council Land and
Roadside Vegetation and Habitat
POLICY
1. Introduction
Councils are responsible for the management and protection of public lands that are under the care and control of a Council. This may include parks, reserves, operational land and road reserves.
Roadside reserves often contain significant biodiversity, including remnant vegetation that is absent in other areas of the landscape due to land-use changes. Because they are often continuous, particularly in rural areas, road reserves provide invaluable habitat corridors, allowing for native animals and plants to migrate across the landscape. This aspect is particularly important to protect if we are concerned with preserving some level of resilience in the face of threats such as climate change, feral predation/competition etc.
Vegetation on land under the care or control of Junee Shire Council may be threatened by inappropriate activities that reduce the extent and quality of native and other vegetation and wildlife habitats.
The Council, as a land manager, has a responsibility to ensure activities do not have a detrimental impact on protected or threatened plants and animals or Endangered Ecological Communities.
The Council, in its actions, is guided by the relevant legislation and operational guidelines such the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 or the Roadside Vegetation Management Guidelines.
2. Policy Objective
The objective of this policy is to improve the protection of native vegetation and wildlife habitat present on land under the care or control of Junee Shire Council.
3. Scope of policy – land to which this policy applies
This policy applies to the Junee Shire Council Local Government Area. It applies to all land under the care and control of Junee Shire Council.
For Roadside Conservation Values, see Roadside Conservation Value, Junee LGA Map, as amended from time to time.
For the purposes of Section 158 of the Local Government Act, this policy comprises three parts:
• Part 1 specifies the circumstances and activities in which a person is exempt from the necessity to apply for an approval issued under this Policy
• Part 2 specifies the criteria the Council must take into consideration in determining whether to give or refuse an approval under this Policy, and
• Part 3 specifies other matters relating to approvals issued under this Policy.
4. Definitions
Authorised Officer Is taken to be an authorised person as defined in the Local Government Act 1993.
Collection The collating, stacking or removal of a thing from its pre-existing location.
Commercial purposes The doing or undertaking of an activity for the purpose of financial or other gain.
Domestic purposes The doing or undertaking of an activity for the purpose of serving one’s place of residence or the residence of an immediate family member.
Part 1
5. Activities that do not require approval - exemptions
The following activities may be undertaken without the approval of Junee Shire Council, that is they are exempt:
(a) As part of an approved development under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
(b) As part of Council activities in accordance with an approved Review of Environmental Factors under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
(c) As part of normal Council maintenance activities that do not require a Review of Environmental Factors under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
(d) As part of state electrical infrastructure works under Section 41 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007.
(e) As part of flood mitigation work under Section 49 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 and in accordance with an approved Review of Environmental Factors and/or a Part 7 Fisheries Permit.
(f) As part of state road works that are conducted in accordance with an approved environmental assessment.
(g) Pruning of limbs which project over private property boundary. (h) Noxious weed control in accordance with Section 13 of the Noxious Weeds Act
1993. (i) An approved Bushfire Hazard Reduction activity under Section 63 and Section
100C of the Rural Fires Act 1997. (j) Grazing and travelling of stock in or through areas of Medium or Low
Conservation Value.
6. Activities that require approval
The following activities may be undertaken with the approval of Junee Shire Council:
(a) Collection of firewood for domestic purposes in areas of Low Conservation Value.
(b) Boundary fence buffer maintenance in accordance with a routine agricultural management activity as defined in section 11 of the Native Vegetation Act 1993, whereby the maintenance activity is to occur on a road reserve or public land.
(c) Disposal or provision of timber to third parties, created as part of activities that do not require approval under this policy (i.e. road works, electricity infrastructure installation or maintenance, flood mitigation works).
(d) Collection of wildflowers and seeds in accordance with National Florabank National Code of Practice (1998) and Guidelines.
(e) Creation of firebreaks or bush fire hazard reduction in association with private land or private property protection whereby the maintenance activity is to occur on the roadside reserve or public land
(f) Grazing and travelling stock in or through areas of High Conservation Value.
7. Prohibited Activities
The following activities are prohibited:
(a) The felling or clearing of any vegetation that is not permitted by Section 5 of this policy.
(b) Collection of firewood from any area for commercial purposes. (c) Collection of firewood for any purpose from areas of High or Medium
Conservation value. (d) Collection of firewood for any purpose from an unformed public or Crown
road. (e) Collection of firewood from any site of road works. (f) Clearing, damaging or picking a listed protected native vegetation species as per
Schedule 13 of the National parks and Wildlife Act 1974. (g) Picking or pruning plants or collecting seed from a listed threatened species or
endangered ecological community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 or the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Cth. 1999.
(h) Removal or moving of any rock, soil or sand, unless in accordance with Section 5 of this Policy.
(i) Disposal of litter or waste. (j) Any other activity that is prohibited by an Act or Regulation of NSW or the
Commonwealth.
Part 2
8. Gaining approval from Council
A person wishing to undertake an activity as per Section 6 of this Policy, with the exception of the collection of firewood, may request an approval in accordance with the process and requirements of Approval for Activities on Public Land – Guideline, as amended from time to time.
A person wishing to undertake the collection of firewood in accordance with Section 6 must do so in accordance with Collection of Firewood from Roadsides and Council Land - Guideline.
An approval may be refused for the following reasons:
• The proposed activity is a prohibited activity as per Section 7 of this Policy. • The proposed activity is likely to result in a negative impact on threatened
species or a threatened species’ habitat or an endangered ecological community. • The proposed activity is likely to have a significant impact upon the native
vegetation, protected species, wildlife habitat, public amenity or landscape value. • The proposed activity may present a danger to members of the public, council
staff or any other person.
Part 3
9. Offences
An Authorised Officer may impose a penalty for each individual action.
(a) It is an offence to undertake an activity listed in Section 6 of this Policy without an appropriate approval having first been granted by the Council a. Maximum Penalty: 20 penalty units as per Section 629 of the Local Government
Act 1993. (b) It is an offence to undertake an activity listed in Section 7 of this Policy.
a. Maximum Penalty 20 penalty units as per Section 629 of the Local Government Act 1993.
(c) It is an offence to undertake an activity if acting contrary to a notice erected by Junee Shire Council at that place, or if acting contrary to any condition imposed upon the person undertaking an activity for which an approval has been granted as per Section 8 of this Policy.
Junee Shire Council Belmore St (PO Box 93) Junee, NSW 2663
Collection of Firewood from
Roadsides and Council Land
GUIDELINE
i
Contents 1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Name of Guideline .................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Purpose of the Guideline ........................................................................................................ 1
1.3 Connection with Integrated Planning and Reporting ............................................................. 1
1.4 Definitions ............................................................................................................................... 1
2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2
3 Regulation of the Collection of Firewood ....................................................................................... 3
4 Consent for the Collection of Firewood .......................................................................................... 4
4.1 Assumed Consent.................................................................................................................... 4
4.2 Requirements for Assumed Consent ...................................................................................... 4
4.3 Failure to Comply .................................................................................................................... 5
4.4 Alternate process approval ..................................................................................................... 5
5 Guidance for Staff – Enforcement .................................................................................................. 6
5.1 Acting on Complaints .............................................................................................................. 6
5.2 Checking for Compliance with Assumed Consent .................................................................. 6
5.3 Issuing of Warnings ................................................................................................................. 6
5.4 Impoundment of Collected Firewood ..................................................................................... 7
5.5 Issuing of General Infringement Notices ................................................................................ 7
6 Disposal of Impounded Firewood ................................................................................................... 8
6.1 Collection and Transport of Impounded Firewood ................................................................. 8
6.2 Disposal of Split and Cut Firewood by Public Tender ............................................................. 8
6.3 Disposal of Firewood that is Not Split or Cut .......................................................................... 8
7 Disposal of Wood from Council Worksites ..................................................................................... 9
7.1 Clearing of Trees and Vegetation ............................................................................................ 9
7.2 Trees and Vegetation to be Disposed ..................................................................................... 9
7.2.1 Disposal On-Site .............................................................................................................. 9
7.2.2 Disposal on a Proximate Site ........................................................................................... 9
1
1 Purpose
1.1 Name of Guideline Collection of Firewood from Roadsides and Council Land – Guideline
1.2 Purpose of the Guideline The purpose of this Guideline is:
• to provide guidance to those wishing to undertake collection of firewood from land under the control or care of Junee Shire Council,
• to provide guidance to staff in the assessment of any application for consent to undertake collection of firewood from land under the control or care of Junee Shire Council, and
• to provide guidance to staff in the enforcement of the collection of firewood from land under the control or care of Junee Shire Council, an activity requiring consent under Protection of Council Land and Roadside Vegetation and Habitat Policy.
1.3 Connection with Integrated Planning and Reporting The Local Government Act 1993 dictates that councils in NSW have, among other things, the following as their charter:
• to properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment of the area for which it is responsible, in a manner that is consistent with and promotes the principles of ecologically sustainable development
• to have regard to the long term and cumulative effects of its decisions • to exercise its functions in a manner that is consistent with and promotes social justice
principles of equity, access, participation and rights
1.4 Definitions Authorised Officer Has the same meaning as in Protection of Council Land and Roadside
Vegetation and Habitat Policy Collecting Has the same meaning as in Protection of Council Land and Roadside
Vegetation and Habitat Policy Manager Means the Director Engineering Services. Responsible Person Generally taken to be the person in possession of any equipment or
materials, or the registered owner of any vehicles or trailers.
2
2 Introduction In its Protection of Council Land and Roadside Vegetation and Habitat Policy (the Policy), Junee Shire Council regulates the activities that may be undertaken on roadsides and other land under the care or control of the Council. The objective of the Policy is to improve the protection of native vegetation and wildlife habitat present on these lands.
The collection of firewood is an activity that, unregulated, has the potential to have a significantly detrimental impact on native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Indeed it has been identified by the NSW Scientific Committee as a key threatening process, as defined under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
It is for this reason that the Policy regulates, among other activities, the collection of firewood.
3
3 Regulation of the Collection of Firewood The Policy sets out the activities for which consent may or may not be required and those activities that are prohibited.
Pursuant to the Policy:
• The felling or removal of any tree, shrub or other vegetation is prohibited. • The collection of firewood from any Council worksite is prohibited. • The collection of firewood from any lands under the care or control of the Council, including
roadsides, that are identified as being of High or Medium Conservation Value is prohibited. • The collection of firewood from any land under the care or control of the Council for any
reason with the exception of domestic heating and/or cooking, is prohibited. • The collection of firewood from any land under the care or control of the Council by a
person that is not a resident of the Junee Shire Council Local Government Area is prohibited. • With consent, a person who is a resident of the Junee Shire Council Local Government Area
may collect firewood from lands under the care or control of the Council, including roadsides that are identified as being of Low Conservation Value.
For the purpose of the Policy, the Roadside Conservation Value, Junee LGA Map shall be the Enforceable Map and it is this map that will identify High and Medium Conservation Value roadsides.
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4 Consent for the Collection of Firewood
4.1 Assumed Consent For the purpose of the Policy, a person shall be granted assumed consent, subject to satisfying the requirements of this Guideline, for the collection of firewood from Low Conservation Value lands under the care or control of the Council, including roadsides. That is, so long as a person can comply with the requirements in section 4.2 Requirements for Assumed Consent, for the purpose of the Policy, they have assumed consent to collect firewood from Low Conservation Value lands without contacting the Council.
An Authorised Officer may, at any point in time, request that a person collecting firewood pursuant to this section, demonstrate compliance with section 4.2 Requirements for Assumed Consent. For staff guidance, refer to section 5.2 Checking of Compliance with Assume Consent.
4.2 Requirements for Assumed Consent A person (the Responsible Person) complying with the following shall be granted assumed consent for the purpose of the Policy:
(a) The Responsible Person shall hold a current public liability insurance policy and that policy shall have a minimum amount for public liability of not less than $20,000,000 and that policy shall note Junee Shire Council as an interested party. Reason: To limit Junee Shire Council’s exposure to litigation.
(b) The Responsible Person shall not use or direct the use of mobile plant for the collection of firewood as permitted in the Policy and in accordance with this section. Reason: To limit the potential for damage to roadside vegetation and the hazard posed to users of the road.
(c) The Responsible Person shall not park or store vehicles, plant or other equipment within 6m of the traffic lane of a road without a valid traffic control plan. Reason: There is an obligation on any person conducting works or activities within the road reserve to maintain a safe workplace. This entails the prevention of injury to any person undertaking a work or activity and the protection of road users from hazards stemming from the work or activity.
(d) If any plant, persons or materials are located within 6m of the traffic lane of a road, the Responsible Person shall have in place a traffic control plan that conforms with the requirements of the Traffic Control at Worksites Guideline as published by NSW Roads and Maritime Services and the Responsible Person or their agents shall hold the required accreditation for the installation of the traffic control plan. Reason: There is an obligation on any person conducting works or activities within the road reserve to maintain a safe workplace. A traffic control plan assists with limiting the exposure to risk arising from working on or near a road for both those persons working and users of that road.
(e) While collecting firewood, the Responsible Person shall carry a copy of this Guideline and the Enforceable Map. Reason: To ensure that persons collecting firewood are familiar with the requirements for Assumed Consent.
5
4.3 Failure to Comply Should a Responsible Person fail to comply with the requirements outlined in section 4.2 Requirements for Assumed Consent, for the purpose of the Policy, they will be deemed to have undertaken a restricted activity without consent.
Failing to comply with section 4.2(c) and (d), may result in action or prosecution under the Roads Act 1993, depending on the gravity of the risk the Responsible Person is exposing road users to.
Further, failure to comply will render the Responsible Person ineligible for assumed consent for a period of six (6) months.
4.4 Alternate process approval Should a Responsible Person be unable to comply with the requirements in section 4.2 Requirements for Assumed Consent, but believe they can satisfy the objectives of that section via other means then they shall submit a proposal outlining the alternative methods proposed.
An inspection of the proposed area from which collection of firewood will take place may be required. If consent is granted, a written consent will be provided generally within 28 days of receipt of a proposal.
Consent may be refused for the following reasons:
• The activity as proposed is prohibited by the Policy. • The activity as proposed will present an unacceptable risk to staff or road users. • The activity as proposed will or is likely to have a detrimental impact on threatened species
or habitat supporting threatened species. • The activity as proposed will or is likely to have a significant impact upon the native
vegetation, protected species, wildlife habitat, public amenity or landscape value.
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5 Guidance for Staff – Enforcement
5.1 Acting on Complaints Junee Shire Council is committed to acting on complaints from members of the public to ascertain whether or not there has been a breach of a Council policy or of the various acts and regulations over which Junee Shire Council has jurisdiction.
Accordingly, all complaints regarding the collection of firewood shall be investigated to the fullest extent given the resources available to the Council.
When a member of the public notifies the Council of a suspicious or prohibited activity, they will be asked to provide a number of items of information to the Officer receiving the notification. This information will include date, time and location, descriptions of vehicles or names of persons involved and the name and a contact telephone number of the person making the notification. The reason for recording their name and a contact number is so that they can be contacted at a later date either to clarify information they provided or to provide them with an account of the outcome.
5.2 Checking for Compliance with Assumed Consent An Authorised Officer is permitted to make an enquiry of any person collecting firewood in accordance with section 4.1 Assumed Consent, and this permission is extended to other information the Authorised Officer reasonably requires to fulfil their enquiry, such as name and address.
An Authorised Officer may enquire about some or all requirements required for assumed consent and as outlined in section 4.2 Requirements for Assumed Consent.
Any person collecting firewood in accordance with section 4.1 Assumed Consent shall provide any and all information to the Authorised Officer. Failure to supply required information shall be deemed to be a failure to comply with the requirements for Assumed Consent.
5.3 Issuing of Warnings Junee Shire Council is committed to the fair, open and transparent treatment of its residents and in doing so recognises that, despite its best efforts, some residents may not be aware of the restrictions and requirements surrounding the collection of firewood from lands under the control or care of the Council.
A person that is a resident of Junee Shire LGA and is found to be collecting firewood from an area permitted by the Policy, but for a use other than a domestic one shall be provided with seven (7) days to demonstrate that the use was domestic. A person may demonstrate use by completing a statutory declaration in accordance with the Oaths Act 1900 and supplying a copy to the Manager within the time period permitted.
Upon the Manager receiving satisfactory evidence of domestic use, any impounded firewood shall be released to the Responsible Person; the requirements of Section 23 of the Impounding Act 1900 shall apply.
7
5.4 Impoundment of Collected Firewood As a general deterrent, any split or cut firewood that has been collected will be impounded by the Council’s Authorised Officer, irrespective of whether a warning has or has not been issued to the person, as permitted by the Impounding Act 1993.
For the purpose of Section 23 of that Act, no person is entitled to the lawful possession of collected firewood that has been collected in contravention of the Policy and accordingly no firewood collected will be released from impoundment except where proof of domestic use has been established.
For the purposes of impounding collected firewood, an Authorised Officer may act in a manner that contravenes the Policy, for example may use or direct to be used an item of mobile plant to collect impounded firewood.
Any firewood collected but not split or cut shall be left to remain in place on the lands from which it was originally collected from. However, the collected firewood shall, for the purpose of Section 34 of the Impoundment Act 1900, be deemed to have been impounded.
For disposal of impounded firewood, refer to section 6 Disposal of Impounded Firewood.
5.5 Issuing of General Infringement Notices An Authorised Officer may issue a General Infringement Notice (GIN) in accordance with the Policy, however, in the case that a Responsible Person is suspected of collecting firewood from an area as permitted by the Policy with consent, but for a use other than a domestic one, the Authorised Officer shall not issue a General Infringement Notice until the expiration of the time period granted to the Responsible Person in section 5.3 Issuing of Warnings.
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6 Disposal of Impounded Firewood
6.1 Collection and Transport of Impounded Firewood An Authorised Officer is permitted, in spite the requirements of this Guideline or of the Policy, to collect and transport any split or cut firewood that has been impounded in accordance with section 5.4 Impoundment of Collected Firewood to the Council’s pound or other depot in control of the Council.
Any firewood impounded but awaiting possible release, shall be kept separate to any previously impounded firewood and shall be identified in such a way that should it be released to the Responsible Person, there will be no confusion as to the extent to which a Responsible Person may claim.
6.2 Disposal of Split and Cut Firewood by Public Tender Firewood impounded by the Council’s Authorised Officer shall be disposed of in accordance with Section 24 of the Impounding Act 1993 and shall be disposed via a public tender process, generally in the Autumn months or otherwise as necessary to make room for other material.
In tendering any impounded firewood, the Council shall only consider tenders from not-for-profits or charitable organisations as registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and where the not-for-profit or charity intends to raffle or otherwise raise funds from the firewood for the purpose of pursing the objects of the organisation’s constitution.
6.3 Disposal of Firewood that is Not Split or Cut Firewood that, for whatever reason, has been impounded or has been recovered from the Council’s worksites and is not split or cut, may be offered to a not-for-profit or charity for the purpose of cutting and splitting the firewood. That organisation may then raffle or otherwise raise funds from the firewood for the purpose of pursuing the objects of that organisation’s constitution, or may offer it to another not-for-profit or charity for the same purpose.
9
7 Disposal of Wood from Council Worksites
7.1 Clearing of Trees and Vegetation Through the delivery of public infrastructure works such as roads, sewer lines and auxiliary infrastructure such as stockpile sites, it is often necessary to clear vegetation and remove large trees.
At the time of such works, a review of the environmental factors is undertaken to determine whether the impacts on the environment can be managed in such a way as to eliminate any long term or substantive detrimental impacts or whether the impacts, on balance, are offset by the gains from the works.
The Policy permits trees and vegetation to be cleared from land under the care or control of the council so long as it is done so in accompaniment to works that have had an approved review of environmental factors or the works do not require a review of environmental factors.
7.2 Trees and Vegetation to be Disposed In offsetting the impact of the Council’s infrastructure and maintenance works, a hierarchy of disposal options shall be applied to vegetation and trees that have been cleared in the undertaking of the works.
7.2.1 Disposal On-Site Every effort shall be made to dispose of vegetation and trees within the road reserve and adjoining the location of the works. In doing this, the Council will minimise the impact of the clearing on the environment by ensuring that the cleared vegetation will at least remain in the nutrient cycle and will, for a time, provide habitat for various native species of fauna.
However, there will be occasions when disposing of cleared vegetation will pose an unacceptable risk to users of the road, or present as a substantial inconvenience to road users, such as the driving of stock along a stock route. In that instance, vegetation should be disposed of on land under the care or control of the Council as close to the site as possible.
7.2.2 Disposal on a Proximate Site If cleared vegetation cannot be disposed of on-site, then a proximate site on land under the care or control of the Council should be identified and vegetation disposed of at that site.
In doing so, consideration should be given to the impact of the vegetation to be disposed, the risk posed by the possible translocation of noxious or nuisance weeds, the additional cost of disposal and whether there will be a substantive benefit to the environment.
Similarly to section 7.2.1 Disposal On-Site, if the act of disposing vegetation on a site that might otherwise be suitable presents an unacceptable risk to users of the road, or presents as a substantial inconvenience to road users, vegetation shall be disposed of at a depot or similar operational land under the care or control of the Council, where it may be ultimately disposed of in accordance with section 6.3 Disposal of Firewood that is Not Split or Cut.
JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL
ATTACHMENT TO GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
2016
Item No. Subject
6[ADDES] A REVIEW OF COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT FOR INLAND NSW
SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL
INLAND HOUSING CODE
15_051
REV G 10-02-2016
This table acts as a brief summary and comparison between the current general and rural housing code and the proposed Inland Housing Code. The table should
act as a guide only and it is expected that knowledge of the current Exempt and Complying Development Codes 2008 would be required. Where the Inland
Housing Code is a stand-alone code it is intended to it to apply to all residential and rural zoned land.
STANDARD CURRENT GENERAL HOUSING CODE (CURRENT)
RURAL HOUSING CODE (CURRENT)
INLAND HOUSING CODE (PROPOSED)
Min lot size 200m² 6m wide.
Min lot size for dwelling house in LEP or other EPI – otherwise. RU1,-4, RU6, R5 - 4000m²
Min lot size for dwelling house in LEP or other EPI, otherwise - 200m²
Height of Building 8.5m R5 Lots <4000m2 – 8.5m RU1,2,3,4,6 & R5>4000m²- 10m
8.5m
Maximum site coverage
Varies with lot R5 lots <4000m² – 30% Delete
Maximum floor area 200-250m² 90% >250m²-300m² 85% >300m²-450m² 270m² >450m²-600m² 330m² >600m²-900m² 380m² >900m² 430m²
Dwelling house R5 lots <4000m² -430m2
>200m²-400m² 75% >400m²-700m² 65% >700m²-1000m² 50% >1000m² 500m²
Landscaped Area
200m²-300m² 10% >300m²-450m² 15% >450m²-600m² 20% >600m²-900m² 30% >900m²-1500m² 40% >1500m² 45% (Min width 1.5m)
R5 lots < 4000m² – 45% (min width 2.5m)
200-400m² 15% >400-700m² 25% >700-1000m² 35% >1000-1500m² 40% >1500m² 60% (Min width 1.5m)
Landscaped area forward of building line.
<18m 25% >18m 50%
R5 lots 50%
<18m 25% >18m 50%
Primary Road Setback Average within 40m or 200m²-300m² 3m >300m²-900m² 4.5m >900m²-1500m² 6.5m >1500m² 10m
R5 < 4000m2 Average within 40m or 10m If no houses within distance. R5 ≥4000m² 15m RU4 30m RU1,2,3 50m
R1-4 & RU5
Average within 40m or 4.5m 10m to listed roads R5 & RU1-4
10m on RU1-4 zoned land 50m to unsealed roads
Secondary Road setback
200m²-600m² 2m >600m²-1,500m² 3m >1500m² 5m
R5 <4000m² 5m R5 ≥4000m² or 10m RU1,2,3,4,6
R1-4 & RU5
If lot width <18m 3m >18m 5m R5 & RU1-4
10m
Side Setbacks Lot width Height Setback
6m-10m 0m-5.5m 0.9m
6m-10m >5.5m-8.5m
=(building height-5.5m)/4+0.9m
>10m-18m 0m-4.5m 0.9m
>10m-18m >4.5m-8.5m
=(building height-4.5m)/4+0.9m
>18m-24m 0m-4.5m 1.5m
>18m-24m >4.5m-8.5m
=(building height-4.5m)/4+1.5m
More than 24m
0m-8.5m 2.5m
Lot Zone
Area
Setback
R5 <4000m² 2.5m
R5 ≥4000m² 10m
RU1,2,3,4 - 10m
R1-4 & RU5
0.9m side setback and 45o building envelope measured 3m over side boundary. R5 & RU1-4
Lot area <4000m² 2.5m Lot area >4000m² 10m
Rear setback Lot Area Height Setback
200m²- 900m²
0m-4.5m 3m
200m²- 300 m²
>4.5m-8.5m
10m or average setback from adjoining houses with height >4.5m
>300m² 900 m²
>4.5m 8m
>900m²-1500m²
0m-4.5m >4.5m
5m 12m
>1500m² 0m-4.5m 10m >4.5m 15m
Rear Setback of 15m R1-4 & RU5
3m with 8m rear setback above 4.5m R5 & RU1-4
Lot area <4000m² Lot area >4000m²
Articulation New dwelling house (excludes battle axe blocks) Facing primary road- Must have a front door and window to a habitable room Parallel road- Must have a front door and window to a habitable room
Applies to R5 lots <4000m²
Facing primary road- Must have a front door and window to a habitable room Parallel road- Must have a front door and window to a habitable room
Delete
Front setback >3m- May incorporate an articulation zone of 1.5m into required setback Corner lots- Must have a window ≥1m² to a habitable room facing and visible from a secondary rd.
Front setback >3m- May incorporated an articulation zone of 1.5m into required setback Corner lots- Must have a window ≥1m² to a habitable room facing and visible from a secondary rd.
Garages Primary Rd Setback Setback ≥4.5m 1m behind building line <4.5m 5.5m from boundary Lot Width Garage Width >8 ≤12m 3.2m wide >12m 6.0m wide Lot width <8m garage access only from secondary rd. parallel rd. or lane. Hardstand 2.6m x 5.4m
Applies to R5 lots <4000m2
Primary Rd Setback Setback ≥4.5m 1m behind building line <4.5m 5.5m from boundary Frontage Width Garage Width >15m 50% width of building <15m 60% width of building Max opening no more than 6m wide Hardstand 2.6m x 5.4m
Garage door setback 1m behind building line. Max width of garage door 6m Additional 3.2m garage door may have frontage to street if setback set back further 1m.
Car parking At least 1 space on a lot which house is erected ( may be a hardstand, carport or garage) Lot width <8m Off street parking not required >8m 1 Off street parking space required Alterations and additions- 1 off street parking space must be retained.
Zone R5 < 4000m² At least 1 space on a lot on which a house is erected( may be a hardstand, carport or garage) Alterations and additions- 1 off street parking space must be retained.
At least one space behind the front building line – car space and access to space to comply with AS2890.1
Privacy controls Privacy screen required for windows: Privacy screen required for windows when:
Habitable room FFL >1m above existing ground level
Sill < 1.5m from FFL
Located <3m from side or rear boundary OR
Habitable room FFL>3m above existing ground level
Sill < 1.5m from FFL
Located 3m -6m from side of rear boundary Does not apply to bedroom windows <2m² Privacy screen required for balcony, deck, terrace, patio >3m² when:
Setback <3m from side or rear boundary with floor level >1m
Setback 3m-6m from side or rear boundary with floor level >2m
Zone R5 < 4000m² Privacy screen required for windows when:
Habitable room FFL >1m above existing ground level
Sill < 1.5m from FFL
Located <3m from side or rear boundary OR
Habitable room FFL>3m above existing ground level
Sill < 1.5m from FFL
Located 3m -6m from side of rear boundary
Does not apply to bedroom windows <2m² Privacy screen required for balcony, deck, terrace, patio >3m² when:
Setback <3m from side or rear boundary with floor level >1m
Setback 3m-6m from side or rear boundary with floor level >2m
Privacy screen required for windows when:
Habitable room FFL >1m above existing ground level
Sill < 1.5m from FFL
Located <3m from side or rear boundary
OR
Habitable room FFL>3m above existing ground level
Sill < 1.5m from FFL
Located 3m -6m from side of rear boundary
Does not apply to bedroom windows <2m² Privacy screen required for balcony, deck, terrace, patio >3m² when:
Setback <3m from side or rear boundary with floor level >1m
Setback 3m-6m from side or rear boundary with floor level >2m
Principal Private open space
Lot width 6m-10m - 16m² Lot width >10m- 24m²
Lot R5 <4000m² – 24m² Delete
Outbuildings
Maximum GFA >200-300m² 36m² >300-600m² 45m² >600-900m² 60m² >900m² 100m²
R5 lots <4000m²– 500m² for agriculture 100m² for other use
10% lot area to max 100m² 35m² for habitable rooms (detached studios)
Height 4.8m Outbuilding 4.8m Shed/farm building 7.0m
4.5m (farm buildings separated)
Front setback Behind building line R5 < 4000m² Average within 40m or 10m If no houses within distance. R5 ≥4000m2 15m RU4 30m RU1,2,3 50m
Behind building line
Side / Rear Setback Side- Same as dwelling house
Lot width Height Setback
6m-10m 0m-5.5m 0.9m
6m-10m >5.5m-8.5m =(building height-5.5m)/4+0.9m
>10m-18m 0m-4.5m 0.9m
>10m-18m >4.5m-8.5m =(building height-4.5m)/4 +0.9m
>18m-24m 0m-4.5m 1.5m
>18m-24m >4.5m-8.5m =(building height-4.5m)/4+1.5m
More than 24m
0m-8.5m 2.5m
Rear
Agricultural use- 10m Other uses - 5m
0.9m Or
0m and 450 building envelope measured 3m over side boundary if masonry construction.
Lot Area Height Setback
200m2-300m2
0m-3.3m >3.3m
0 ¼ height >3.3m
300m2-900m2
0-3.8m >3.8m
0.9m 0.9+ ¼ height >3.8m
900m2-1500m2
0-3.8m >3.8m
1.5m 1.5+ ¼ height >3.8m
>1500m2
0m-3.8m 2.5m >3.8m 2.5+ ¼ height >3.8m
Farm buildings
Land use zones R5, RU1,RU2,RU3,RU4,RU6 RU1, RU2, RU3, RU4
Height of building Shed/farm building 7m <4000m² - 7m >4000m² - 12.5m
Gross Floor Area (all farm sheds on site)
Zone R5 < 4000m² 500m2 for agricultural use
Land holding <20ha- 2.5% land holding to maximum 2500n²
Setbacks Side and Rear Setback- 10m
Primary Road: 20m Side and rear boundary: 10m Waterbody (natural) 50m
NEW EXEMPT DEVELOPMENT
It is proposed to include these development types as exempt development as the anecdotal evidence is that many of the structures are currently being erected without any consent.
Where one is required it is unlikely that by making the development type complying development would by incentive be enough to apply for a complying development certificate.
It is understood that most farm buildings and silos are in ‘package’ or ‘prefabricated’ form.
Farm buildings
Land use zones RU1,RU2,RU3, RU4, RU6 RU1, RU2, RU3, RU4, RU6
Height of building 7m >4ha – 12.5m <4ha - 7m
Gross Floor Area <2ha- 50m² ≥2ha- 200m²
<4ha - 50m² >4ha - 200m²
Setbacks 20m from road 50m from dwelling on adjoining lot 50m from natural waterbody
20m from Road 50m from dwelling on adjoining lot 10m from side or rear boundary 50m from waterbody (natural)
Structural certification Be designed by and constructed in accordance with the specifications of a professional engineer
Structure to be certified by a Structural Engineer.
Stockyards
Land use zones RU1,RU2,RU3, RU4, RU6 RU1, RU2, RU6
Use Private
Gross Floor Area 0.5ha
Setbacks 10m from boundary with road 50m from dwelling on adjoining lot 10m from side or rear boundary 100m from waterbody (natural)
10m from boundary with road 200m from dwelling on adjoining lot 10m from side or rear boundary 100m from waterbody (natural)
Silos & Grain storage bunkers
Land use zones RU1,RU2,RU3, RU4, RU6 RU1, RU2, RU6
Setback 10m from boundary with road 50m from dwelling on adjoining lot 10m from side or rear boundary 100m from waterbody (natural)
15m from boundary with road 100m from dwelling on adjoining lot 100m from dwelling house on lot 100m from side or rear boundary 50m from waterbody (natural)
Use Private only
Height 7m 15m
Min land size - 100ha
Grain storage bunker footprint - 7000m2 Max
Distance from dwelling house 50m from dwelling on adjoining lot 100m
ATHENIUM WORKING PARTY
MEETING MINUTES
1
Minutes Date 22 March 2016 Start Time: 2.33pm Finish Time: 3.50pm Location: Junee Shire Council Chambers
Meeting Purpose Working Party
Attendees David Koren, George Benedyka, Barbara Manwaring, Ian Manwaring, and Daris Olsauskas
Apologies Neil Smith, James Davis, Virginia Stewart, Dal Eisenhauer and Nicole Barton
Guests
Previous Minutes Minutes of meeting held 23 November 2015 confirmed by Barbara Manwaring seconded George Benedyka
Correspondence In
Out
Actions and Agreements
No Topic Discussion Resolution/Outcome By who
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Business Arising • Long grass and general upkeep of side blocks around Athenium – Barb has attempted to contact the GEO representative with no success.
• Dress circle – Ian enquired if Council would allow Friends to use volunteers, who are qualified tradespersons, to do work on the dress circle to keep costs down. David advised that there is still a lot of work to do before we get to this stage.
FAT will try again.
FAT
AGENDA ITEMS 2. Financial Position a. JSC - Presentation of YTD income and expenditure statements
(attached).
Report noted. JSC
ATHENIUM WORKING PARTY
2
3. List of Projects and Maintenance Works
1. Dress circle 2. Air Conditioning
3. New kitchen 4. Disability access to upstairs area 5. Dampness under stage area 6. Stage Lighting 7. Completion of outside neon lighting 8. Proposed landscaping works/fencing
9. Pigeons 10. Storage 11. Front door sign
• Dampness under stage area. Barb suggested that problem may be caused
by leakage from the old toilets.
• Pigeons – causing problems to Athenium. • Storage – a demountable building may be available to FAT for use as a
short-term solution for storage which would be placed at the back of the Athenium.
• Back boundary is currently un-fenced. FAT would like to see security fencing and gates erected.
• Users of the Athenium need to be accountable for leaving building in a clean and tidy condition after functions are held.
• Front door sign to remind people to check that doors are securely
locked before leaving.
1. Progressing 2. High priority – needs
funding 3. High priority – needs
funding 4. Future planning 5. Under discussion 6. Need quotes 7. Under discussion 8. Future planning
required 9. Under discussion 10. Under discussion 11. Nicole to complete JSC to investigate. Seek more money from Council’s budget for maintenance, repairs & pigeon proofing etc. at Athenium. Daris to investigate if Heritage Council would approve. Future planning item. Athenium to be checked after functions. David to get new sign made.
JSC JSCJSC JSC FAT JSC JSC
4. Funding Opportunities • Creating Liveable Communities Grant – disability access to Athenium. Detailed designs are currently being prepared before final cost of the project can be determined.
FAT/JSC
ATHENIUM WORKING PARTY
3
• Stronger Communities Program – Dress Circle works – Grant
submission successful; planning continuing for completion of project.
JSC
5. Increased Usage of Athenium • JSC presented booking numbers which are steadily increasing with bookings into 2017 now being taken.
JSC
6. General Business • Barb informed the Committee that Lloyd Nesire was no longer a member of their Athenium Theatre Committee and presented two letters which had been sent to Lloyd thanking him for his assistance over the previous years.
Meeting closed at 3.50pm.
Next Meeting: Monday, 25 July 2016 @ 2.30pm Venue: Junee Shire Council Chambers
BROADWAY MUSEUM WORKING PARTY
MEETING MINUTES
1
Minutes Date 22 March 2016 Start Time: 4.03pm Finish Time: 4.50pm Location Junee Shire Council Chambers
Meeting Purpose Working Party
Attendees Maree Fitzgerald, Warwick Brandon, Rob Rashleigh, Peter Boyton, David Koren, Daris Olsauskas and Linda Calis
Apologies Neil Smith, Bob Callow, James Davis Lola Cummins and Nicole Barton
Guests
Previous Minutes Minutes of meeting held 23 November 2015 Moved by Warwick Brandon Seconded Rob Rashleigh
Correspondence In
Out
Actions and Agreements No Topic Discussion Resolution/Outcome By who
AGENDA ITEMS 1. Business Arising Nil 2. Financial Position • JSC - Presentation of YTD income and expenditure statements. It was
noted that additional funds will be sought in Council’s next budget for repairs/maintenance of the Museum.
Report noted
JSC
BROADWAY MUSEUM WORKING PARTY
2
No Topic Discussion Resolution/Outcome By who
3. Volunteer Management and Attraction
• Cross training for tourist information staff and Museum staff. Nicole and Maureen have started process.
Work in progress.
JSC & JDHS
4. List of Capital Items Review • External painting of building – waiting on finance. • Internal painting of building – waiting on finance. • Replacement of existing roofing iron, guttering, downpipes and flashing
that have deteriorated.
3rd on Priority List 2nd on Priority List 1st on Priority List
5. Broadway Museum Visitor Numbers
• 1389 walk-in visitors were recorded from September 2015 to March 2016.
6. Other Business • Tin on back roof lifting. JDHS to ask Dion Flint to attend to.
• New step to be made leading into the model train room. • JDHS enquired if land at back of Museum was a separate block as they
would like to add a new shed/awning for storage and/or display of equipment. Block is separate from front blocks but all are owned by Junee Shire Council.
• Warwick enquired about pest control for the Museum. Need to check with Graham Ritter as to what is appropriate for use around different exhibits.
• Maree enquired as to how long the fencing surround Wah’s Garage will be in place. JSC will email Maree with information once obtained.
• GEO were approached to help with cleaning of toilets and mowing at Museum. Mowing has been done but toilets not cleaned. Need to find someone else to clean toilets.
• Fence near disabled toilet is falling over.
Seek quote from Dion Flint. JDHS JSC to investigate. JSC to investigate. JDHS JSC to investigate and fix.
JDHS JDHS JSC JSC JDHS JSC
Meeting closed at 4.50pm.
Next Meeting: Monday, 25 July 2016 @ 4.00pm Venue: Junee Shire Council Chambers
Page 1
MINUTES OF INTERNAL AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 9.00AM THURSDAY, 24 MARCH 2016
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Committee Members:
Mr P McMurray (Chairman, Gundagai Shire Council), Mr P Luff (Gundagai Shire Council), Cr R Callow and Cr A Clinton. Staff:
Mr J Davis, Mr L Hullick and Mr J Broadbent (Internal Auditor) The meeting opened at 9.08am.
_______________________________________________________ Apologies: Nil. Confirmation of Minutes – Internal Audit Committee Meeting held 8 October 2015 RESOLVED on the motion of Cr A Clinton seconded Mr P Luff that the minutes of the Internal Audit Committee Meeting held on 8 October 2015, copies of which had been supplied to each Committee member, be confirmed. Business Arising from previous Internal Audit Committee Meetings Nil. Agenda Items 1. Purchasing Report RESOLVED on the motion of Cr A Clinton seconded Mr P Luff that the Purchasing Report be noted. 2. Contract Management Report RESOLVED on the motion of Mr P Luff seconded Cr A Clinton that the report be noted.
Page 2
3. Audit Scope – Management of Portable and Attractive Items RESOLVED on the motion of Cr A Clinton seconded Mr P Luff that the report be noted. 4. Junee shire Council Audit Recommendations Report RESOLVED on the motion of Cr R Callow seconded Cr A Clinton that the report be noted. 5. Internal Audit Program 2015-2017 Scope Report RESOLVED on the motion of Cr R Callow seconded Cr A Clinton that the report be noted. 6. Notifications of: • Incidents of Fraud – no incidents to report. • NSW Ombudsman Requests – no incidents to report. • ICAC Enquiries involving Junee Shire Council – no incidents to report. 7. Other Business Nil. 8. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Internal Audit Committee will be on 7 July 2016.
The meeting closed at 10.05am.
*******
VISITORSTATISTICS
34% OFVISITORS WEREFROM OTHERNSW (OUTSIDEOF THERIVERINA)
34% 66%
Statistics from the Visitors Centrefrom September 2015 to March 2016
OF VISITORS SURVEYED STAYEDFOR ONE OR MORE NIGHTS
WITH VIC BEING THE SECOND HIGHEST WITH 19%
FOLLOWED BY 11% FROM QLD
WITH SATURDAY BEING THE SECOND MOST POPULARON 19% CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY 18% ON A WEDNESDAY
OF VISITORS SURVEYED WERE DAYTRIPPERS
21% OFVISITORSATTENDED THECENTRE ONA SUNDAY
1389 IS THETOTAL NUMBEROF WALK-INSRECORDED
Year (All) Year (All)
Year (All)
Where from Length of Stay
Sum of Walk InsColumn Labels Junee 15 Day Visit 119
Row Labels 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 Grand Total Wagga Wagga 14 O/N Visit 62
Sunday 39 43 69 9 43 41 54 298 Other areas in Riverina 21
Monday 46 27 36 12 20 35 13 189 Other NSW 99
Wednesday 59 41 31 24 38 44 10 247 From ACT 29
Thursday 29 61 23 10 39 25 21 208 From VIC 56
Friday 27 59 25 19 19 24 9 182 From QLD 33
Saturday 23 63 30 9 68 63 7 263 From TAS 4
Tuesday 2 2 From SA 6
Grand Total 223 294 214 83 229 232 114 1389 From WA 4
International 15
Row Labels Sum of Grand Total
Sunday 298
Monday 189
Tuesday 2
Wednesday 247
Thursday 208
Friday 182
Saturday 263
Grand Total 1389
Day Visit 66%
O/N Visit 34%
Total
Day Visit O/N Visit
Year
5% 5%
7%
34%
10%
19%
11%
1%
2% 1%
5%
Total
Junee
Wagga Wagga
Other areas in Riverina
Other NSW
From ACT
From VIC
From QLD
From TAS
From SA
From WA
International
Values
JuneeWagga WaggaOther areas in RiverinaOther NSWFrom ACTFrom VICFrom QLDFrom TASFrom SAFrom WAInternational
Year
21%
14%
0%
18%
15%
13%
19%
Total
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Row Labels
Sum of Grand Total
Riverina Regional Library Report
Wednesday 30th March 2016
David Koren and I attended the Riverina Regional Library Meeting on the above date.
Junee Shire Council will pay $112,318 for our Regional Library Services in 2016/17. This is about a 2% increase
from 2015/16. Our population of 6,297 equates to 4.57% of the Library’s base population. Our 2,030 square
kilometres equates to 4.24 % of the land base of the Riverina Regional Library. Sixty percent of this money
($67,390.80) comes back to Junee in terms of stock and other accessories.
The Riverina Regional Library is the largest library in NSW. It has the one service model for all Councils, but its
flexible financial model is very important. It does have the capacity to increase, so it is Fit for the Future. There
will be an announcement in September about its relationship to Joint Organisations.
A tender has been accepted for the refurbishment of the new Headquarters. It should be ready this year.
The number of Book Clubs has continued to increase. There are now 90, with 255 book titles from which to
choose. Junior Book Clubs were started in 2015.
Eloans are consistent and increasing. However, there will always be a place for physical loans.
The Collection Maintenance Strategy (Weeding) is done using statistics that show the age of the book and the
number of times it has been borrowed. A Library is a business, just like any shop, and presentation and new
stock is important to increasing borrowing and use. Obvious local history books and other related reference
books are not weeded. There is collaboration between Riverina Regional and Local Library staff. Well read
books are replaced. Extra copies of popular books are purchased.
There is a reciprocal membership policy, whereby one can borrow from another Library, eg Armidale Library,
when one is visiting there. This itinerant policy lasts for four weeks.
At this stage e usage cannot be generated by individual branches‐‐‐figures are only available as a whole.
However, this could come into being in the future.
On Line membership will be available form mid 2016.
Junee Library, along with all the other libraries, can facilitate nomination of people for a Reading Cultural
Award. Nominations close at 5.00pm on Tuesday 10th May. To be nominated, a person has to have facilitated
reading of some sort in the past twelve months. Nomination Forms are at the Library.
Amy Heap spoke about Go Digi and Tech Savvy Seniors where the Library is attempting to improve digital
literacy for Seniors. There is going to be a one week demonstration in the Wagga Market Place in June of Go
Digi and it is to be hoped that one person from each Branch can be there at some point.
The proposed Management Plan for 2016‐17 was presented.
Cr Pam Halliburton April 2016
Page 1 of 12
JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL
INFORMATION BOOKLET
ORDINARY MEETING TUESDAY, 19 APRIL 2016
1[GM] COUNCILLOR DELEGATE MEETINGS
2[WSRM] WORKERS’ COMPENSATION/REHABILITATION
3[LOIC] LIBRARY 4[DES] WORKS PROGRAM
5[DES] SEWERAGE SYSTEM
6[DDES] SOLID WASTE REPORT
7[EO] NOXIOUS WEEDS
8[DDES] S.149 CERTIFICATES
9[DDES] DEVELOPMENT/COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT DETERMINATIONS
10[DDES] HEALTH, BUILDING, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS
11[DCS] COMMUNITY TRANSPORT 12[BSO] COMMUNITY AND RECREATION 13[FA] CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUESTS SUMMARY
*******
Page 2 of 12
1[GM] COUNCILLOR DELEGATE MEETINGS
Notification of Council Committee meetings or community meetings for which Councillors may be attending. Council Committee/Delegates Meetings
Council Delegate/Attendee
Meeting Date
Councillors Workshop – Draft Financial Estimates 19 April 2016 Councillors Workshop – Draft Financial Estimates 3 May 2016 Cr L Cummins REROC Board Meeting 26 April 2016 Cr B Callow & Cr N Smith ERDMO Meeting 28 April 2016
Community Organisation Meetings
Council Delegate/Attendee
Meeting Date
Councillors Old Junee Progress Association 4 May 2016 2[WSRM] WORKERS’ COMPENSATION/REHABILITATION
There were no new claims for the month of March 2016. 3[LOIC] LIBRARY
Two regular storytime sessions each week and two other group visits have occasioned a large number of presentations this month. Storytime & School presentations performed in March 2016. Date Group Presenter 1/3/2016 Tuesday Storytime Margaret Kanaley 3/3/2016 Goodstart Early Learning Kim Richards 4/3/2016 Junee Pre-School x 2 sessions (10am & 11am) Kim Richards 8/3/2016 Tuesday Storytime Kim Richards 10/3/2016 Goodstart Early Learning Kim Richards 15/3/2016 Tuesday Storytime Margaret Kanaley 17/3/2016 Goodstart Early Learning Kim Richards 22/3/2016 Tuesday Storytime Kim Richards 22/3/2016 Saint Joseph Primary School/Kindergarten N/A 24/3/2016 Goodstart Early Learning Kim Richards 29/3/2016 Tuesday Storytime Margaret Kanaley 31/3/2016 Goodstart Early Learning Kim Richards
Meetings, training and other activities: • Meeting with Robin Cuttle (Local History Photo Project) Monday, 7 March 2016. • Conference Room used by Nicole Barton for the Junee Youth Council on Wednesday, 23
March 2016.
Page 3 of 12
Upcoming Business April May Activity 5, 12 & 19 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 Tuesday morning Story-time 7, 14 & 21 5, 12, 19 & 26 Good Start Early Learning Story-time visit 11-22 School holidays – Lego building 13 Tech Savvy Seniors training (Seniors Week) 18 Photo project - meeting with local residents Wifi connections for March, (Highest count in one day was 23 March 2016 with 32 clients).
Page 4 of 12
4[DES] WORKS PROGRAM
State Road 78 Olympic Highway Guidepost maintenance and pothole patching was completed on this road. Linemarking has also been completed on the reseals. State Road 57 Goldfields Way Work has commenced at Old Junee on various sections of roadworks for the RMS. The first section involves lane widening, a new entrance to the silo, shape correction and a full overlay and line stabilisation for a 500m section at Old Junee rail crossing. Main Road 243 Gundagai Road The rehabilitation at Ballengoarrah Lane has been bitumen sealed, guide posts erected and linemarking completed. Rural Sealed Roads A 2km section was sealed on the Combaning Road. There is only 3kms left to reconstruct. The earthmoving plant has moved up to the boundary on the last kilometre section and is halfway through gravelling it. Junee Township Regent Street drainage is now complete. New kerb and guttering has been placed from Kanaley Square to Duke Street. The gutter has been backfilled and bitumen sealed to blend in with the existing road. The lane running between Pitt Street and Elizabeth Street was freshened up and a bitumen seal applied. General
Customer Private Work Carried Out R Norman Excavator hire R Waters Excavator hire G Noak Excavator hire J Friend Excavator hire Rural Fire Services Grade and gravel fire trails
Parks and Gardens General Garden and grounds maintenance has been carried out on all parks and gardens, cemeteries, rest areas and sporting fields within the township of Junee and surrounding villages. Sporting Fields
Page 5 of 12
Burns Park: • Mowing • Spraying and fertilising
Laurie Daley Oval: • Renovation and over-sowing Loftus Oval: • Mowing Parks and Gardens: • Mowing/weeding • Pruning • Weed spraying Rest Areas Wallacetown: • Mowing and edging • Vegetation maintenance • Weed spraying Illabo: • Mowing and edging • Vegetation maintenance Bethungra: • Mowing • Weed spraying
Drains and Gutters • Cleaning of drainage structures • Cleaning of V drains • Gutter cleaning and edging Street Trees • Stump grinding • Tree removal • Pruning • Planting Picket Fence • Repairing Humphrey Street picket fence Cemeteries • Lawn, Monumental and Rural: • General maintenance including mowing and edging • Maintenance of existing trees
Page 6 of 12
• Weed spraying There were six grave sites prepared for burial in Junee cemeteries during the month of March 2016. Town Streets • Mowing of roadside verges, nature strips and open areas. • Gutter cleaning • Green waste removal Bike Path • Edging • Mowing • Tree pruning
5[DES] SEWERAGE SYSTEM
Over the month of March, there were four chokes in the services and one choke in the mains. 30mtrs of sewer main were cleaned, removing fatty deposits. Inflow to the treatment plants totalled 26.6 ML, up from 24.1ML last month. There was 15 ML reused which was down from 29.8ML last month. There was no effluent discharged. The Treatment plants are producing good effluent. The monitoring of Hydrogen Sulphide gas levels at various locations around the Treatment Plants is continuing. Galvanised handrails around the structures associated with the old trickling system have suffered from surface corrosion and have been sanded and recoated with “Solaguard” paint. 6[DDES] SOLID WASTE REPORT
Junee Transfer Station The Junee Transfer Station is functioning well with no issues or incidents at the site. Rural Transfer Stations All rural transfer stations were inspected on 7 April 2016 and were found to be in a satisfactory condition. 7[EO] NOXIOUS WEEDS
• High risk sites and pathways inspected. • High risk pathways, (heavy traffic roadways) inspected. • High risk sites, (parking areas, public areas, grain delivery sites etc) inspected. • New weeds inspector engaged; Jeremy Crocker to start 18 April. • Working with TSC and Chartis Technology to arrive at a suitable solution for RENWA
mapping and Biosecurity Information System (BIS) compliance. • Updating current weeds list to Primary Industries Weed Risk Assessment system in
preparation for Regional Weed planning. • Updating High Risk Site data. • Road verge control works carried out in Patterson’s Road area.
Page 7 of 12
8[DDES] S.149 CERTIFICATES
Average Processing time (Working Days) for last 10 Certificates 2 days
9[DDES] DEVELOPMENT/COMPLYING DEVELOPMENT DETERMINATIONS
DA/CDC No. Development Address Date
Approved 10/2016/07 New Shade Structure 116 Lorne Street, Junee 7/03/2016
10/2016/11 Change of Use to Residential 40 Button Avenue, Junee 10/03/2016
10/2016/12 Signage in Heritage Conservation Area 89 Lorne Street, Junee 23/03/2016
10/2016/15 Footpath Trading / Display 89 Lorne Street, Junee 23/03/2016
10/2016/16 Two New Farm Sheds 367 Strathmore Road, Yathella 30/03/2016
10/2016/17 New Billboard in Pony Club Grounds Old Junee Road, Junee 30/03/2016
15/2016/07 New Verandah 1 Hart Street, Junee 2/03/2016
15/2016/08 New Double Garage 18 Stewart Street, Junee 10/03/2016
15/2016/09 Shipping Container for Storage Loftus Oval, 44 Park Lane, Junee 30/03/2016
10[DDES] HEALTH, BUILDING, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS
46 health, building, planning and environmental inspections were carried out during the month of March, 2016. 11[DCS] COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
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12[BSO] COMMUNITY AND RECREATION 1. Junee Junction Recreation and Aquatic Centre
a) JJRAC Statistics
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b) 2015/2016 Capital Works
• Planning is continuing with proposed energy efficiency works. It is anticipated that these major works will take place in 2016.
c) Other Operational Matters
• The Centre has moved to its ‘Winter’ operating which will see the Centre operating from 6.00am to 8.00pm on Monday to Fridays, from 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays and 11.00am to 3.00pm on Sundays.
• The key permanent fulltime position at the Centre (Health & Fitness Coordinator) is under recruitment.
• Advertising is continuing to commence a social netball competition at the Centre. The aim is to run the competition on a Thursday evening at 6.00pm following the netball training which commences at 4.30pm. If there are enough teams entered, both courts will be used to run the competition.
• In an effort to mitigate the season loss of JJRAC swimming members over the winter period, a series of events, launches and challenges will be conducted in April through to August. Details of these events will be promoted to members and patrons in the coming weeks and months.
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2. Youth Program a) Seven individual activities were planned for the April school holidays (9 – 26 April).
These included: • Bus over to Gundagai’s RiveRage on the 9 April (14+ only). Council has been
lucky enough to have received a transport grant of $596 for this event.
• Hair & Makeup workshop on the 12 April (13-17 yrs)
• DJ Workshop on the 15 April (13-18 yrs)
• Blacklight Rave Party on the 16 April (13-18 yrs)
• Eating Contest on the 18 April (Ages 12+). This event will be run by the Youth Council supported by Council staff.
• Airborne Gymnastics on the 20 April (Ages 6-12 yrs)
• Sports Gala Day and Outdoor Family Movie Night on the 22 April (All Ages)
• (Note: the Junee Library will also conduct an interactive Lego display during
the school holidays).
b) The Outdoor Family Movie Night after the Gala Sports Day will be in place of the traditional bus and movie trip to Wagga.
c) The Youth Council will be co-organising the Eating Contest and the Sports Gala Day & Outdoor Movie Night.
3. Athenium Theatre
a. Planning is continuing with the Athenium’s Dress Circle Works project. Following the appropriate approvals, it is expected that the project will commence with the support of the Friends of the Athenium Theatre.
b. Use/bookings for the Athenium Theatre continues to be strong. A recent wedding held at the Athenium went extremely well with good feedback from the organisers.
4. 2016 Seniors Festival
The 2016 Seniors Festival occurred from Sunday, 3 April to Saturday, 9 April 2016. There were some excellent attendances at the events, particularly at the Seniors Luncheon at the Ex-Services Club (77 attendees) and for the bus trip to Albury to watch the Johnny Cash Tribute Show. Special thanks must go to the Junee Senior Citizens Club and Junee Shire Councillors for their efforts to make sure the events ran smoothly.
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The Gentle Water Exercise Group enjoying some well-earned scones after their exercise at the Recreation Centre.