Kogarah City Council END OF TERM REPORT 2012 - IPART · PDF fileKOGARAH CITY COUNCIL. END OF TERM REPORT 2012 . MAYORS MESSAGE. In 2009 Council embarked on an exercise to gain a clear

Kogarah City CouncilEND OF TERM REPORT2012

KOGARAH CITY COUNCIL2

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MAYORS MESSAGE

In 2009 Council embarked on an exercise to gain a clear understanding of what our community wanted to see happen in Kogarah. We set out to develop our Community Strategic Plan which involved extensive and in-depth consultation with individuals, community groups and organisations, local businesses and other stakeholders.

From that consultation, Bright Future, Better Lifestyle: Kogarah 2020 was born. This is a plan that captures our citizens’ aspirations for our City, their views on what works and what doesn’t and what their ideal future would look like.

The past four years have seen Council work on the implementation of that plan for our City. We have a four year Delivery Program in place that outlines the principal activities that align with the strategies in our Community Strategic Plan and we have been working hard on making those activities a success.

This end of term report summarises Council’s performance in the past four years and reports on our progress to date. It addresses the question, ‘have we done what we said we would do’?

As you will read on the following pages, we have developed a number of indicators used for the first time to report on our progress. While this report presents an overview of our results to date, there is still work to be done. Rest assured Council will continue to work hard to deliver the objectives of our Community Strategic Plan that aim to preserve and enhance the ‘better lifestyle’ our community enjoys today and into the future.

Mayor Nickolas VarvarisThe City of Kogarah

KOGARAH CITY COUNCIL 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................4

Measures to monitor Progress ..........................................................................................................................5

Major Milestones ......................................................................................................................................................6

A Clean Green and Sustainable City .......................................................................................................... 10

A Liveable and Connected City ..................................................................................................................... 14

A Thriving and Prosperous City ..................................................................................................................... 17

A Vibrant, Safe and Inclusive City ................................................................................................................. 20

An Active and Healthy City .............................................................................................................................. 25

An Innovative and Efficient Council ............................................................................................................. 27


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INTRODUCTIONIn 2009 the NSW State Parliament voted to introduce Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) reforms within the Local Government Act. These reforms replaced the former Management Plan and Social Plan with an integrated framework. It includes a new requirement to prepare a long term Community Strategic Plan and Resourcing Strategy.

Throughout 2009 Council undertook extensive community consultation in the development of our first Community Strategic Plan – Bright Future, Better Lifestyle; Kogarah 2020 - that was formally adopted by Council in 2010.

Bright Future, Better Lifestyle; Kogarah 2020 is about the future of the whole community. It represents the aspirations of the people who live, visit and work in the City of Kogarah. It is a 10 year vision developed as a collaborative effort between the community and Council.

Under the legislation, each elected council is required to adopt its own four year Delivery Program. The Delivery Program is a statement of commitment to the community from each newly elected Council. In preparing the Delivery Program, Council takes ownership for its responsibility in achieving the community’s long-term goals, outlining what it intends to do towards achieving these goals during its term of office and what its priorities will be.

Although Bright Future, Better Lifestyle; Kogarah 2020 plans ahead for the next 10 years, it is not intended that the plan be set in stone for that period and it is a requirement of the Local Government Act that the Community Strategic Plan be reviewed every four years. From 2012, each newly elected council must complete the review by 30 June in the year following the local government elections and roll the planning period forward by at least four years so that it is always a 10 year minimum plan.

The End of Term report is a report on Council’s progress in the implementation and effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan over the past four years and focuses on the broader question of ‘have we done what we said we would’. A complete list of Council’s achievements for each year can be found in Council’s Delivery Program and Operational Plan Progress Reports.

Over the coming nine months as part of Council’s community engagement for the review of the Community Strategic Plan feedback will be sought on:

• Our community vision statement

• Our Strategic objectives for the community that address social, environmental, economic and civic leadership issues identified by the community

• Our Strategies for achieving each objective


MEASURES TO MONITOR OUR PROGRESSCouncil’s Community Strategic Plan, Bright Future, Better Lifestyle; Kogarah 2020, identifies the following measures to help monitor Council’s progress and assess the effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan in achieving its objectives:

A Clean Green and Sustainable City

An increase in the use of alternative energy and water sources

Reduced consumption of potable water and reduced generation of greenhouse gas emissionsAn increase in vegetation canopy and the quality of landscaping across the CityA reduction per capita of tonnes of waste to landfill Improved standards of water quality for our waterways

A Liveable and Connected City

An additional 2,550 dwellings provided by 2031 across the City of Kogarah, in accordance with the requirements of the NSW State Government’s draft South Sub-Regional StrategyAn increase in the proportion of new housing stock that is affordable housingDevelopment is of a high quality, in keeping with the character of neighbourhoods and includes environmentally sustainable principlesA reduction in the dependence on vehicles within our City and the promotion of sustainable transport options.

A Thriving and Prosperous City

An additional 2,500 jobs in the Kogarah Town Centre and 4,000 additional jobs across the City of KogarahA higher local resident participation rate in local employmentAn increase in the number of community members satisfied with the range of products and services that are available within their community

A Vibrant, Safe and Inclusive City

An increase in the proportion of people who feel safe within their communityAn increase in community members participating in community events, activities and organisationsAn increase in the community members who are satisfied with the range and quality of community and cultural facilities and opportunitiesAn increase in community members who feel they have equitable access to community services and facilities that meet their needs

A Healthy and Active City

Increased community participation in sporting and passive recreational activitiesImproved walking and cycling networks across the City and within our open space and recreational areasEnhanced playgrounds and recreational facilities


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An Innovative and efficient Council

Compliance with the requirements of the Department of Local Government’s ‘Promoting Better Practice’ programRecognition as a leading local government employerIncreasing levels of customer satisfaction with the provision of information by Council and the methods by which it is available

To assist Council in monitoring these measures a range of indicators have been developed that focus on both outputs and outcomes. These have been listed under each Strategic Direction reported on below.

This is the first time Council has reported against these indicators. Not all data is accessible on an annual basis. In these circumstances Council has reported the current data available. The results provided throughout this report will become baseline data that Council can use as a benchmark in future years.

As part of Council’s current review of the Community Strategic Plan, further work is being undertaken to establish a detailed community indicator framework that will assist in monitoring our progress in future years. The results contained within this report will form the basis for the development of this framework.


Dover Park foreshore improvement and habitat development

City status granted April 2009

Community Strategic Plan - Bright Future, Better Lifestyle: Kogarah 2020

Jubilee Oval refurbishment

Kogarah Town Centre refurbishment and new transport interchange

Carss Park Kiosk

Jubillee Oval Community SpaceInfrastructure with provision for people with disabilities

MAJOR MILESTONES OVER PAST 4 YEARS


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National leaders in environmental programs

Art and Culture Exhibitions including Kogarah Art Prize

Beverley Park stormwater management

Youth Recreational Facilities and Public Art at Hogben Park

Wyong Street Reserve development and Neverfail Bay foreshore restoration project

Major events engaging our diverse community Carss Park EcoShed Community Space & Community Garden

State Government Recognition as a Major Centre

PJ Ferry Reserve Community Space and playground

New waste collection program

Parks and gardens construction and maintenance

Refurbished parks


Foreshore and bushland management Sportsfield irrigation & lighting

Kogarah City CouncilANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011

Long term financial sustainability

Refurbishment of Oatley and South Hurstville Libraries

A range of youth, seniors and multicultural programs

Supporting Local Business programs

Moore Reserve Wetland revegetation

New park furniture

Extensive road resurfacing & construction

Leading NSW Council in water and energy management

Children’s actvities in Libraries


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New playgrounds with protective shade cloth

Stormwater floodplain mitigation works, Blakehurst

Stormwater, kerb and guttering works

Commencement of the City’s new Local Environmental Plan

Major childcare facility refurbishments

Construction of Dover Park Boat Ramp

Oatley Memorial Boardwalk

Sportsfield amenities

Road construction & maintenance

Leading NSW Council in food regulation programs


A CLEAN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CITYKogarah City Council has a vision to create a clean, green and sustainable city which recognises the responsibility of the community to protect the environment and to preserve it for current and future generations. A green city is both a challenge and a priority. Establishing a balance between the natural and built environment is critical to the success of this vision. Although Council is committed to reducing its ecological footprint, achieving this vision would not be possible without the efforts and support of the community.

This past year has seen the City of Kogarah receive one of the highest environmental awards for local government – the National and NSW Keep Australia Beautiful Overall Sustainable Council Awards.

These awards reflect the hard work and dedication of the community to improve and maintain our environment. They are recognition for the wide range of environmentally sustainable projects the Council pursues and the consistent approach to managing the local environment in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Kogarah City Council also recognises the challenge of climate change which requires significant commitment and considerable action from all members of society. Council continues to work on mitigating its greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time on adapting to the impacts of climate change. With this in mind, Council has adopted a Sustainable Events Policy, updated its Fleet Management Strategy and improved its procurement practices. Council is also continuing to improve its understanding of energy usage, in particular for open space public lighting through energy audits, increasing its renewable energy generation potential and replacement projects that ensure more efficient public lighting. These projects are assisting Council to work towards achieving an increase in the use of alternative energy and water resources by the community.

Currently twenty-seven per cent (27%) of Council’s facilities have energy efficiency measures installed. These assist Council in working towards increasing the use of alternative energy and water sources. Overall 3.2 per cent of Council’s total energy use is derived from renewable energy.

In 2010/11 Kogarah City Council began monitoring its annual greenhouse gas emissions in tonnes of C02. During 2010/11 Council produced 5,206 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. As this is a new reporting indicator this figure will provide a baseline for Council to report against in future years.

To achieve the community’s vision of a ‘Clean, Green and Sustainable City’, Council has undertaken numerous environmental programs and projects. These include demonstrable outcomes within the areas of catchment protection, biodiversity, water efficiency, renewable energy, combating climate change and waste minimisation. In addition, Council delivers a number of educational programs to improve community and staff awareness such as the Catchment Crusaders Program, Eco Living Workshops and Green Champions.

Council has successfully reduced its annual water consumption over the past year by approximately fourteen percent (14%). In 2010/11 the community’s annual water consumption was approximately 89.2 kL per person which was also a reduction from 94.2kL per person in 2009/10. Council will continue to work with the community through its environmental programs and projects to encourage a further reduction in water consumption.

Kogarah City Council is actively working towards reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill by encouraging the community to minimise the amount of waste produced, to reuse products and recycle. Currently Council’s waste diversion rate from landfill is forty-seven (47%), one of the highest in the Sydney Metropolitan area.


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Council is also committed to improving the overall quality of the waste collection service being provided to the community and local businesses and to achieve this has engaged a new service provider. The new provider, SITA Environmental Solutions entered into a joint contract with Kogarah City, Hurstville City and Rockdale City Councils, collecting waste across the whole of the St George Region over the week. This has resulted in significant savings for residents and less truck movements in each LGA every week.

In 2011 Council provided a total of $25,000 in funding through the Mayor’s Green Grants program to support the delivery of environmental projects within local schools and the community. These grants are made available biannually to the community.

The community has told us that for some the word ‘green’ does not just mean environmentally sustainable. The community is keen to see well planned tree planting programs in the streets and parks across the whole City, so as to provide vegetation corridors where native birds and animals can travel safely through habitat areas. Over the past two years Council has coordinated the planting of approximately 6,265 indigenous plants through National Tree Day, street trees and bush regeneration projects.

The community has a number of volunteers who are involved with and contribute to helping preserve our natural resources through voluntary field work. Over the past two (2) years bush care volunteers have provided over 884 hours of their time. Council established its first community garden in Carss Park in 2009. Since opening the garden, membership of this thriving community hub has increased to 26 residents and includes rasied beds for easy access and a teaching bed for the adjacent Narani Childcare Centre.


A CLEAN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CITYMEASURE INDICATOR RESULT

2010/11RESULT 2011/12

An increase in the use of alternative energy and water resources

KCC annual electricity consumption (kilowatt hrs - excluding main street lighting) - Organisational

* 1,631,329 kWh

KCC annual electricity consumption for main street lighting (kilowatt hrs)

* 2,411,418 kWh

Proportion of renewable energy used as a % of total energy use by Council

* 3.2 % (as per KCC EMP)

Percentage of Council’s facilities where energy efficiency measures have been installed

* 27% (as per KCC EMP)

Reduced consumption of potable water and generation greenhouse gas emissions

KCC annual greenhouse gas emissions in tonnes of C02 (organisational)

* 5,206 tonnes

KCC annual water consumption (kL) (organisational)

112,866 96,279

City of Kogarah (community) annual water consumption (kL)

5,282,998 (89.2 kL per person)

*

An increase in vegetation canopy and the quality of landscaping across the City

Number of recorded fauna species * 85Number of trees planted 12,000 12,382

Area of parks which have regeneration work (including pest control) undertaken - in hectares

30 30

Number of indigenous plants planted:• National Tree Day• Street Trees• Bush Regeneration Projects

3000176900

2000189*

Number of acid sulphate soils sites:• Total affected• Class 1 & 2

*2907719

Percentage of active service station compliance with underground petroleum Storage Systems Regulation 2008

36% 64%

Number of community bush volunteer hours 500 384Number of KCC Community Garden members

26 26

Number of volunteers involved and amount of hours contributed in natural resources voluntary field work - Community Gardens

* 960 hours

* data unavailable for this period


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A CLEAN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CITYMEASURE INDICATOR RESULT

2010/11RESULT 2011/12

A reduction per capita of tonnes of waste to landfill

Tonnes domestic waste sent to landfill 11,514 11,845Tonnes domestic waste not sent to landfill 11,007 11,615Domestic recycling collected (tonnes and its % of total waste)

6105 24%

6092 24%

Domestic garden organics/green waste collected (tonnes and its % of total waste)

4902 20%

5522.75 21%

Amount of material collected during Council clean-up and recycled (tonnes and its % of total waste)

16.8 1%

17.8 2%

Percentage of contamination levels in the:

• recycling bin per person per household in LGA

• the garden waste bin per person per household in LGA

12%

1%

*

*Total diversion rate from landfill 45% 47%Number of Clean up Australia Day sites within the City of Kogarah

11 Sites 20 Sites

Number of environmental education programs, workshops and tours delivered annually. Specifically:

• Waste

• Water

• Energy

*

38 Total

28

5

5

Number of events and festivals which Council participated in to disseminate environmental information

* 16

Number of schools and childcare centres engaged to foster environmentally sustainable behaviour annually

* 36

Amount of funding provided to Kogarah’s community to support the delivery of environmental projects (Mayor’s Green Grants - Bi annually)

* $25,000



A CLEAN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CITY

MEASURE INDICATOR RESULT 2010/11

RESULT 2011/12

Improved standards of water quality for our waterways

Total amount of litter collected from pits and small gross pollutant traps in tonnes

54 39.5

Total amount of litter collected annually from large gross pollutant traps in tonnes

66.2 41.5

Number of stormwater treatment devices and percentage of catchment area covered by them.

63% 63%


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A LIVEABLE AND CONNECTED CITYThe vision for the City of Kogarah to be a liveable and connected city relates to the built environment and the way we travel around the City. Council’s aim is to conserve, protect and enhance both the natural and built environments of the City of Kogarah while improving the quality of life of those who live, work and play in Kogarah. This includes providing the infrastructure that will ensure the community is able to travel safely, economically and conveniently around the City by car, walking, riding a bike or catching a bus or train.

Council is currently undertaking a major staged review of its planning controls to ensure that the City of Kogarah remains a sustainable and vibrant place to live, work and play. This will result in the preparation of a new Local Environmental Plan (Kogarah LEP 2012) and Development Control Plan (DCP) that will apply to the whole Kogarah Local Government Area.

Stage 1 has already commenced and will result in the replacement of Council’s existing LEP (Kogarah LEP 1998) with the State Government’s Standard Instrument LEP. This stage aims to convert as closely as possible the existing provisions of Kogarah LEP 1998 into the new format.

The written LEP instrument will be accompanied by a series of maps, including the land zoning map. The LEP is the principal legal document determining land use and managing development at the local level.

Future stages of the review of planning controls will include a detailed examination of all of the City’s employment based land and residential land. This aims to ensure that Kogarah continues to provide employment opportunities for its residents and remains a thriving and prosperous medical, financial and economic hub within the St George Region. It will also provide a choice of housing which is sustainable and meets the needs of our community. During the development of Council’s Strategic Plan, housing affordability was

identified as an important issue for the younger members of our community. It is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase a house or unit to stay in the area close to other family members. The financial impact on residents currently purchasing housing is further demonstrated through the data collected in the 2011 Census which shows that the proportion of residents owning or purchasing their homes is increasing. Interestingly, 12.7 per cent of Kogarah residents purchasing a house are spending more than 30 per cent of their gross income on housing costs compared to the NSW average of 10.5 per cent.

Built heritage is an important part of the City’s built environment and provides our community with a sense of identity, pride and history. It also makes an important contribution to the character and amenity of the City. Kogarah City Council has 188 heritage items in the LGA, six (6) properties listed on the State Heritage Register and three (3) heritage conservation areas in the LGA. To encourage the retention and maintenance of properties that have heritage significance throughout the LGA, Council provides a Heritage Grant Program. This program provides financial incentives to the owners of Heritage listed properties to ensure that local heritage in private ownership is protected and maintained.

Transport plays a major role in keeping our community physically connected to work, leisure and other services. At present, Kogarah City’s main transport options are walking, private and public buses, rail and private vehicles. The City’s transport infrastructure includes bus stops, streets and footpaths, and some recreational bike paths.

Council has a role in advocating to relevant State and Federal Government departments on the issue of public transport. Council supported and assisted the State Government’s plan for a bus interchange in the Kogarah CBD with works completed in 2012. Residents and visitors now have access to a seamless interchange between bus and train services in the Kogarah CBD.


Kogarah City is an area that has a high car ownership rate. The 2011 Census data shows that Kogarah residents are becoming increasingly more reliant on private vehicles as a primary mode of transport with the number of vehicles owned by residents increasing from 2006. Currently data has not yet been released from the 2011 Census regarding mode of transport to work. In 2006 over 50 per cent of residents used private vehicles to travel to work.

Council also provides a range of education programs to promote safer local roads and driver education. Over the past two (2) years Council has provided road safety education to 482 participants through its road safety programs. These programs include speeding prevention on local streets, drink drive prevention, seniors drivers workshops, child government seat checks and helping learner drivers become safe drivers workshops.


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A LIVEABLE AND CONNECTED CITY


RESULT 2011/12

An additional 2,550 dwellings provided by 2031 across the City of Kogarah, in accordance with the requirements of the draft South Sub Regional Strategy

Number of additional new dwellings constructed across the LGA

160 236

An increase in the proportion of new house stock that is affordable housing

Number of new dwellings approved under the Affordable Rental Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP)

* 39 Boarding Rooms

Number of people who:• Own their home• Own (with Mortage)• Rent

2006 Census 37.7%29%26%

2011 Census37.1%33.1%26.8%

Proportion of properties in the private rental market in Kogarah that is affordable to households earning 80% of median income

* 7 %

(December 2011)

Percentage of households with housing costs 30% or more of gross income• Rent• Mortgage

* 2011 Census

11.6%12.7%

Development is of a high quality, in keeping with the character of neighbourhoods and includes environmentally sustainable principles

Percentage of development applications for new buildings assessed against the relevant streetscape provisions in Council’s DCPs

100% 100%

Percentage of developments (requiring a BASIX Certificate) meeting the required targets

100% 100%

Number of building/development sites where enforcement action has been taken by Council against illegal building works

58 Notices of Intention & Orders Issued

32 Notices of Intention & Orders Issued

Number of Heritage Conservation Areas gazetted in the Kogarah LGA

3 3

Number of heritage items gazetted in the Kogarah LGA

188 188

Number of properties in the Kogarah LGA listed on the State Heritage Register

6 6



A LIVEABLE AND CONNECTED CITYMEASURE INDICATOR RESULT

2010/11RESULT 2011/12

Reduction on the dependence of vehicles within our city and promotion of sustainable transport options

Percentage of residents who travel to work by:

• Car

• Public transport

• Cycle or walk

2006 Census

57.3%

23.8%

3.8%

*

Percentage of residents who own the following number of vehicles:

• No vehicles

• 1 vehicle

• 2 vehicles

• 3 or more vehicles

• Not Stated

2006 Census

12%

39.3%

30%

11.3%

7.3%

2011 Census

11.7%

40.3%

32.4%

13%

2.7%

Number of participants in road safety programs

233 249



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A THRIVING AND PROSPEROUS CITY Successful economic development is dependant on creating an effective environment for investment across the whole City. Council’s vision for the City of Kogarah is to promote and encourage local economic activity and local employment opportunities so that local residents have the option for shorter trips, and the ability to have an enhanced work/life balance.

It is important to recognise that Council’s ability to promote economic development is influenced by a number of National and International trends and forces that are often beyond Council’s control.

The Kogarah Town Centre is a major employment generator for the St George Region and the NSW State Government’s draft South Subregional Strategy identifies that, over the next twenty-five (25) years, the Kogarah Town Centre is expected to grow by 2,500 jobs. Council’s Community Strategic Plan supports this target and has identified as a primary goal that the Kogarah Town Centre be recognised as the major medical, financial and educational precinct in the St George Region. This is consistent with the State Government’s vision that Kogarah be a major centre in the St George Region. Council continues to develop and strengthen partnerships with major employers in the Kogarah CBD through the Kogarah CBD Task Force that has met periodically over the past two (2) years.

Kogarah City Council has a stable and strong local economy recording an estimated Gross Regional Product (GRP) of $2.6 billion in 2010/11 with areas of specialisation in health, finance and professional services.

The Kogarah LGA has a local unemployment rate of five (5%) per cent as at December 2011. This is just below the average local unemployment rate for the Sydney Region (5.1%) and NSW (5.2%).

Council works with a diverse range of quality businesses that complement and support other businesses, create employment in our local area and provide valuable support to community events.

The Regional Index of Economic Diversity measures economic or industrial diversity within a region by determining the degree to which the region’s industry mix differs from that of the nation. When the index value is close to one, the industrial profile of a region mirrors that of the national economy and is considered more diverse. The index value for the City of Kogarah is 0.349 compared to the index value for the Sydney Region of 0.905. With the City of Kogarah home to the St George Public and Private Hospitals and Head Office of St George Bank it is not surprising to see that Kogarah has a greater industry concentration in the Financial and Insurance Services sector and Health Care and Social Assistance sector and consequently a lower mix of diversity.

Council continues to support and facilitate local centre development to contribute to ensuring that our City has distinctive and vibrant town centres. To achieve this Council has implemented a range of educational programs (seven workshops and events) that strengthen and sustain small businesses within the Kogarah LGA. These programs have assisted over 230 local business operators in the past two(2) years.

Council continues to develop local partnerships with State and Federal government agencies and key local organisations. In particular Council has been an ongoing Patron of the Business Enterprise Centre St George and Sutherland since 1999. Council also supports the local chamber of commerce and is a major sponsor of the St George Local Business Awards.

In working towards achieving the goal of creating opportunities for sustainable local employment Council has begun the process of reviewing employment based land across the City. This review will assist Council to ensure compliance with the employment targets outlined for our City in the State Government’s plans for Sydney.


Kogarah City Council played an integral role in the development of the Southern Sydney Regional Economic Profile. The development of a regional profile through economic research and analysis, assists in highlighting the significant size of the regional economy and the contribution and strategic importance it has in relation to the wider Metropolitan Sydney and Australian economies.

Internally, Council continues to invest in young people and improve the local skills-base. Council has a strong partnership with local educational institutions and provides local employment and training opportunities through the annual traineeship, apprenticeship and work experience programs. Over the past two (2) years Council has offered twenty-four (24) traineeship and apprenticeship positions.


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A THRIVING AND PROSPEROUS CITY


RESULT 2011/12

An additional 2500 jobs in the Kogarah Town Centre and 4000 additional jobs across the City to 2032

Area of land in the LGA zoned for employment uses (Industrial and Commercially zoned Land)

* 50 ha

A higher local resident participation in local employment

Percentage of residents employed locally Census 2006 - 14.2%

Number of businesses June 2009 - 5,638

Local unemployment rate December Quarter 2010 - 5.8%

December Quarter 2011 - 5.0%

Kogarah City Gross Regional Product Estimated at $2.6 billion

*

Number of traineeships offered/completed in Council

14 10

Number of businesses that participated in Council Business Development opportunities

143 89

Increase in the number of community members who are satisfied with the range of products and services that are available within their community

Index of Economic Diversity * 0.349Number of new footway dining licenses entered into

6 11

Number of new display of goods licenses entered into

4 6

Number of new A-Frame sign permits issued

26 34

Number of footway dining licenses renewed by the same business

20 26

Number of display goods licences renewed by the same business

12 20

Number of A-frame sign permits renewed by the same business

19 21

Number of food and salon businesses inspections conducted

475 507

Number of food and salon businesses inspections satisfactory

448 481

Number of businesses participating in ‘No To Trans Fat program

* 175

Number of businesses attending food handling training

59 39



A VIBRANT, SAFE AND INCLUSIVE CITYThe vision for a vibrant, safe and inclusive City envisages a community that is diverse and culturally active and which lives in a City that is healthy and safe. The City of Kogarah has a multicultural community, with more than a third of the population born overseas, and a wide diversity of cultural, religious and language groups. We have an ageing population, with over twenty-five per cent (25%) of the population aged over 55 years, and this is projected to continue to increase into the future. Kogarah is also a strong family area with more than seventy-two per cent (72%) identified as family households.

Safety was a key issue identified in the development of Council’s Community Strategic Plan, both in the home, in businesses and in the general community. People value a community that is peaceful, tolerant and free from crime and anti social behaviour. Identifying programs and initiatives to improve the safety in the community is a high priority.

In 2010 Council undertook a community safety survey which showed eighty-eight per cent (88%) of respondents felt either ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ in the local community, sixty-three per cent (63%) of respondents felt either ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ in and around the Kogarah Town Centre and ninety-five per cent (95%) of respondents felt either ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ in their homes.

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) provide an annual ranking of Local Government Areas (LGA) against major offence types. Of the seventeen (17) major offence types, Kogarah has a stable or downward trend over both a two (2) and five (5) year period to December 2011.

In a ranking of all NSW LGA’s for the seventeen (17) major offence types, the Kogarah LGA is ranked in the lowest thirty (30) per cent for twelve (12) of the offences. The Kogarah LGA ranks in the highest thirty (30) per cent LGA’s for only one offence type: robbery without a weapon (rank 28 of 154). The two (2) year and five (5) year trend for this offence is stable.

To address safety issues, reduce crime and improve community safety in the Kogarah LGA, it is important for Council to work closely with key partners and the community. Council, in partnership with the NSW Attorney General’s Department, developed and implemented the project ‘Don’t steal from my Automobile’ which addressed the crime of stealing from motor vehicles, adopting a situational crime prevention approach. Crime trends in the LGA for the two (2) year period to March 2012 show two (2) offences had significant downward trends: motor vehicle theft declined approximately thirty-three per cent (33%) and malicious damage to property declined twenty-two per cent (22%).

Council provides a range of events which create opportunities for people to come together and strengthen community cohesion. A variety of major and smaller events are programmed so that cultural diversity is encouraged and celebrated. Community events have provided the opportunity for local organisations and cultural groups to participate and showcase their skills. In 2011/12 locally sourced entertainment of Council’s facilitated events increased from 34% to 61%.

At these events diversity is respected and celebrated and everyone is made to feel welcome. Over the past two years Council has held twelve (12) major events which have included Australia Day, Chinese New Year, Carols at Twilight, Jadeworld Carnival, Kogarah Fair and Charity Bedrace, Dogs Breakfast and the Mayoral Charity function. It is estimated that over 64,500 community members have participated in these events.

Kogarah City Council recognises that a range of community services, facilities and programs are vital in contributing to a community where people feel safe, have access to the services they need for themselves and their families, and feel part of the community. It is also important to recognise the diverse needs of target groups


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within the community – such as the ageing population, families or young people – and consider how their needs and expectations will change over time. This is particularly relevant for Council services such as libraries and childcare.

Throughout the past two years Council’s Community Development Team has run over one hundred (100) different programs and events addressing a range of community needs and target groups. These include cultural activities, community safety and crime prevention programs and events for young people, older people, people with a disability and multicultural groups. Regular programs and events such as Seniors Week, Youth Week, Harmony Day, International Women’s Day and International Day of People with a Disability are conducted annually. In response to Council’s Community Strategic Plan Council has expanded its range of arts and cultural activities over the past two (2) years to include art lectures, a writing group and Kogarah’s first Annual Art Prize. Council is also further developing its positive ageing activities providing more opportunities for social contact and skills development for younger seniors in our community.

The Community Development Team has also continued to develop policy and strategy documents identifying ways to address the needs of specific target groups in the community. In the previous two (2) years this has included the adoption of a Youth Strategy and Multicultural Strategy. Council is currently working towards developing an Ageing Strategy to ensure that Council is planning for the future of our ageing population.

Council makes available community halls and park facilities for use to the community. Over eighty-one (81%) per cent of all bookings are made by local not-for-profit community groups and are permanent hirers. These groups are providing services such as HACC services, dementia, respite and social support activities.

Council operates three libraries services at Kogarah, Oatley and South Hurstville with over

39,000 members. Council’s library services are focused on providing services that are responsive to the educational, recreational and informational needs of the local community. In 2011/12 the libraries facilitated 493,549 loans and had 420,245 visits from community members. Fifty-six per centre (56%) of library members are current residents of Kogarah City, highlighting that the libraries are also a strong resource to a number of non-residents, including young people attending school in the area and people working in the City of Kogarah.

Across Council’s three libraries over the past two years, more than 1567 programs were planned and delivered. Some regular programs included Story Time, Crazy Pages Book Club, English Conversation Classes, the annual summer reading program and the HSC Lock In.

In recognition of Council’s diverse CALD community a number of programs were developed that focus on the needs for specific multicultural groups, for example, Panda Rhyme - childrens storytime in Chinese.

Council’s Kogarah library produces a quarterly magazine called ‘What’s On’ which is distributed widely throughout the community promoting all upcoming library programs and events.

Council allocates significant resources to improving the physical environments of our libraries. In particular, major refurbishments have been undertaken of both South Hurstville and Oatley Branch libraries.

Signifcant improvements have also been made to the library collection, including providing additional online resources and the launch of the English language collection which aims to develop basic reading and language skills.

Council operates three childcare services that deliver high quality educational programs, care and support to children and families. Council ensures that the Centres provide a range of additional programs and activities beyond the standard curriculum that meet the educational needs and diversity of our community. These


include information and educational seminars on ‘behaviour management’ and ‘transation to school’. Council surveyed all current families in July 2012 and found that ninety-five per cent (95%) of families currently attending a council childcare centre were ‘very satisfied’ and ninety per cent (90%) of families exiting one of the childcare centres in December 2011 were ‘very satisfied’ with the centres.

Each year Council provides a Community Grant funding program that aims to assist in the development and provision of innovative community services and cultural programs within the Kogarah Local Government Area. Over the past two years Council has provided $11,210 to sixty-two (62) groups to support a range of services and events covering all target groups in the community.


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A VIBRANT SAFE AND INCLUSIVE CITY


RESULT 2011/12

An increase in the proportion of people who feel safe within their community

Percentage of people who feel ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ in the local community

2010 88%

*

Percentage of people who feel ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ around the Kogarah Town Centre area

2010

63%

*

Percentage of people who feel ‘very safe’ or ‘safe’ in their homes

2010 95%

*

Streetlight repair response times by Ausgrid

Jan to Mar 2.3 days.

Jan to Mar 3.1 days

Local Government Area crime ranking against major offence types (2011):*Major offence categories as classified by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), ranking expressed as per 154 LGAs, with 1 being the LGA with the highest incidence of the offence (standardised for population)

• Assault – Domestic Violence Related • Assault – Non-Domestic Violence

Related • Break and enter dwelling • Break and enter non-dwelling • Fraud • Malicious damage to property • Motor vehicle theft • Robbery without a weapon • Sexual assault • Steal from person • Steal from dwelling• Steal from motor vehicle • Steal from retail store • Robbery with a firearm (nc)• Robbery with a weapon not a firearm

(nc)• Murder (nc)• Indecent assault, act of indecency &

other sexual offences (nc)nc: trend and rank not calculated where less than 20 incidents recorded for that offence type. These offences would represent the lowest in the rankings.

2010 Rankings

119130

9913948124932812497136104117nc

ncncnc

2011 Rankings

108128

11913538109742413984135100121nc

ncncnc



A VIBRANT SAFE AND INCLUSIVE CITY


RESULT 2011/12

An increase in community members participating in community events, activities and organisations

Number of major community events 5 7Overall community participation for major community events

30,900 33,600

Percentage of performances at Council major events

34% 61%

An increase in community members who are satisfied with the range and quality of community and cultural facilities and opportunities

Total number of community development events and programs targeting:

• Cultural Activities• Young People• Older People• People with a disability• Multicultural groups• Community Safety and Crime

Prevention

50 54

Occupancy levels of hired community halls/facilities

2328 2409

Percentage of bookings of community halls/facilities by:• Community• Private

80%, 20%

81%, 19%

Percentage of community halls/facilities • permanent hirers • casual hirers

82% 18%

80%20%

Number of library loans 451,680 493,549Number of library members • Kogarah residents

• Others

16,537

12,993

16,927 13,300

Number of library visits 427,751 420,245Number of library regular library programs * 835Number of ‘pop up’ library programs * 132Number of people attending library programs

* 23,070

Number of library PC bookings 72,971 63,409Internet usage in the library (hours) 15,222 16,971Utilisation in all three Council childcare centres > 95% > 95%



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A VIBRANT SAFE AND INCLUSIVE CITYMEASURE INDICATOR RESULT

2010/11RESULT 2011/12

Satisfaction of families currently attending council child care services

• Very Satisfied

• Satisfied

* July 2012

95%.

5%An increase in community members who feel they have equitable access to community services and facilities to meet their needs

Number of community groups and organisations supported through community grants

30 32

Amount of funding provided through community grants

$54,906 $56,304

Amount of youth sponsorship provided $700 $700Number of groups using the KCC Community Bus

46 *



AN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY CITYThe vision for creating an active and healthy City is one in which the community thrives through healthy activity, leisure pursuits and a connection to a healthy physical environment. In a healthy and active City, residents can enjoy and access a range of facilities, services, and programs that cater for the needs of all age groups.

Kogarah City Council plays an important role in developing opportunities for its residents to be physically active. Council provides a large variety of public infrastructure that serves the current and future needs of the community including picnic facilities, toilets, sportsgrounds, playgrounds, local pools and facilities for dogs in parks.

The City of Kogarah has many opportunities for active and healthy lifestyles. The City has a total of approximately 185 hectares of open space area for both “passive” and “active” users, including nine (9) sporting reserves (incorporating 51 playing fields) and fifty (50) playgrounds. The City of Kogarah also supports 36.5km of bike routes. Council currently has 496 sporting teams utilising the City’s sportsgrounds and eight private fitness providers using outdoor space.

Council’s parks, reserves and open spaces are an attraction for many to the area and ensuring they are well maintained and preserved in the future is an important issue for the community identified in the development of the Community Strategic Plan. Over the past two (2) years Council has undertaken regular maintenance on all our sports grounds, playgrounds and community buildings. With the introduction of the Special Rate Variation, Council was able to replace (4 in 2010/11) local playgrounds and more than doubled the replacement rate of footpaths, replacing over 2352m of footpaths across the City.

Kogarah City Council works in partnership with the State and Federal Governments where possible to provide high quality recreational infrastructure in its open spaces. Council was successful in receiving a grant of $50,000 from the Department of Sport and Recreation

to install basketball courts at Hogben Park. During consultations for the development of the Community Strategic Plan, a major priority identified by the community was the need for a youth specific recreational facility in our LGA. Hogben Park was identified as an ideal location to transform into a designated youth space. Over the past two (2) years significant work has been undertaken to upgrade the facilities at Hogben Park and the installation of basketball courts over the coming year will finalise this project.

To ensure the residents have access to a range of services and facilities that are relevant and responsive to health and wellbeing, Council has supported a range of programs that promote health and wellbeing as well as encourage a healthy lifestyle. These include the Munch and Move and Get up and Grow programs which have been implemented in all childcare centres.

Council’s Active Ageing Program has continued for five (5) years and provides a physical activity program designed to encourage Council’s older residents (over 50 years of age) to be more active, promote health and wellbeing and encourage a healthy lifestyle. In particular, Active Ageing has increased local seniors’ participation in exercise and provided the opportunity for affordable exercise classes. It also educates seniors on health and wellbeing and the social benefits of regular exercise.

Council continues to support and facilitate community networks and programs which promote health and wellbeing and encourage a healthy lifestyle through the provision of educational information and/or monitoring programs relating to food and personal hygiene, the effects of excessive alcohol, smoking and the use of trans fats in cooking. This is achieved through a range of educational material provided on Council’s website, the establishment of smoke free zones in public spaces and the food hygiene inspections program.


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AN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY CITYMEASURE INDICATOR RESULT

2010/11RESULT 2011/12

Increased community participation in sporting and passive recreational activities

Number of sporting teams utilising Council sports grounds

534 496

Total area of public open space (ha) 185 185Number of private fitness providers using outdoor space

7 8

Improved walking and cycling networks across the City and within our open space and recreational areas

Total area of public open space (including parks, reserves, bushland, and foreshore areas) (m2)

1,856,515 1,856,515

Amount of urban green space per capita (m2 per person)

34.89 34.89

Amount of Council land classified as bushland parks or reserves in hectares (triannually)

68.7 68.7

Number of sites within the City categorised as Natural Areas - bushland (Triannually)

14 14

Number of bike racks installed in LGA 12 12Length of bike route (km) 36.5km 36.5kmRatio of bike routes to street length 0.24 0.24Meters of footpaths replaced annually 713m 1639m

Enhanced playgrounds and recreational facilities

Number of refurbished playgrounds 4 6


AN INNOVATIVE AND EFFICIENT COUNCILKogarah City Council strives to be an innovative and efficient Council and practices good corporate governance to achieve this. These practices include adhering to the principles of fairness, equity, transparency and probity in all its operations and dealings with staff, residents, and other stakeholders.

Council’s goal of being a leading, responsive, innovative, efficient and accountable organisation is reflected in many of the initiatives, projects and programs it offers or supports, both for the community and for the Council staff.

The Promoting Better Practice is a review process that is part of the local government reform program in NSW and is managed by the Department of Local Government. The reviews act as a ‘health check’, giving councils confidence to perform and help to focus attention on key priorities. These reviews can help to generate momentum for a culture of continuous improvement and greater compliance across local government. Kogarah City Council is currently ninety-one per cent (91%) compliant with the requirements of this program which is a fifteen per cent (15%) increase over the past three (3) years.

Kogarah City Council has a range of mechanisms in place to facilitate regular and clear communication with its residents to assist in developing and maintaining positive relationships with them.

To achieve this, Council publishes a community newsletter, Kogarahlife. This publication is produced four times each year and is distributed to all residents and businesses in the Kogarah LGA. It offers Council and community news and is an effective tool in keeping the community updated on what is happening in their local area. In 2011 Kogarahlife celebrated its tenth anniversary. To ensure the whole community can access the information contained within Kogarahlife, Council works with Vision Australia to provide large print and audio formats.

Kogarah City Council’s website is an online tool that covers the entire spectrum of Council services and community information. It is used by Council to communicate with the community and keep them informed about a wide range of activities. services and information. Significant work has been undertaken on Council’s current website over the past two (2) years to ensure it continues to be an effective communication link between Council and the local community. Currently Council’s website has an average of 3,500 visits per week.

In addition to keeping residents informed, Council also encourages the community to engage in the decision making process. Along with inviting residents to a range of consultations throughout the year on a variety of topics affecting the community, Council coordinates a number of advisory groups made up from community representatives. In particular, Council coordinates a Youth Advisory Committee, a Senior’s Week Advisory Committee and a Community Reference Group. Over the past two (2) years these groups have met on over thirty occasions.

Kogarah City Council employs over 291staff across a range of occupational groups. The workforce is critical to the ongoing success of Council’s operations, which means we must, where possible, ensure that we have the right skills and capabilities available at any time. Further, it contributes to the attraction, retention and development of a capable workforce which delivers Council’s strategies.

Kogarah City Council strives to always be recognised as a leading local government employer. For many years Council has an excellent reputation, positive work culture and best practice employment conditions. This is reflected through a staff satisfaction survey of Council staff undertaken in 2009 in which Council received an overall staff satisfaction score of 3.83 (where 5 is the most positive).


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Kogarah City Council is an employer of choice, promoting a safe, healthy and innovative working environment. A comprehensive workforce plan has been developed and implemented, designed to attract and retain staff, and nurture Council employees so that they can deliver positive outcomes for Council and the community. Over the past two (2) years Council has had eighty-four (84) staff complete formal qualifications through opportunities provided by Council and has provided 2780 training opportunities.

Council provides professional HR services that support and contribute to positive and productive outcomes for employees. Over the past two (2) years Council has established a set of staff values known as VISTA and incorporated these into all aspects of our organisation including induction information on Council’s website and within individual position descriptions. These VISTA values include valuing people, integrity, serving our customers, teamwork and communication and achieving excellence. These values also provide a framework for improving the way Council operates.

The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) has established the 50:50 Vision – Councils for Gender Equity program. This program is the first national accreditation and awards program which encourages councils across Australia to address gender equity issues within the organisation and among their elected representatives. Councils can apply for accreditation at three levels – starting with Bronze and working up to the Gold Award. Kogarah City Council was awarded Bronze in this program in 2011 and in 2012 was the first Metropolitan NSW Council to be awarded Silver in this program.


AN INNOVATIVE AND EFFICIENT COUNCILMEASURE INDICATOR RESULT

2010/11RESULT 2011/12

Compliance with the requirements of the Department of Local Governments ‘Promoting Better Practice’ program

Compliance with the requirements of the DLG Promoting Better Practice Program

85% 91%

Recognition as a leading local government employer

Staff turnover rates 7.4% 7%

Overall staff satisfaction score (where 5 is the most positive)

March 2009 - 3.83

Number of staff completed qualification through Council

55 29

Number of work experience placements offered

7 12

Number of training opportunities provided

751 2029

Increasing levels of customer satisfaction with the provision of information by Council and the methods by which it is available

Numbers of visits to Council’s website * Average 3500 website visits per week.

Number of Kogarahlife newletters issued 4 4Average number of monthly inbound calls to Council through the Customer Service Centre

3865 3847

Percentage of calls to Councils Customer Service Centre answered within agreed timeframes

91.50% 91.26%


Documents

Kogarah City Council END OF TERM REPORT 2012 - IPART · PDF fileKOGARAH CITY COUNCIL. END OF TERM REPORT 2012 . MAYORS MESSAGE. In 2009 Council embarked on an exercise to gain a clear