Year in Review - 2014/15

It is with pleasure that Griffith City Council presents the Year in Review which provides an overview of what Council has achieved over the 2014/15 financial year.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being Mayor is connecting with local businesses, the community and visitors to our great City.

I feel fortunate to be able to officiate in Citizenship Ceremonies, attend a range of community group meetings, and speak with our residents and visitors at a wide array of community events across the City.

Positive progress has been made with the St Vincents Private Community Hospital Griffith with the Sod Turning event being held in March 2015, tenders for construction awarded to Joss Constructions in March 2015 and the commencement of construction in May 2015. Council has been working diligently on this project along with several other key players to ensure that the project is delivered on time and within budget. We have made substantial and lasting changes across the organisation and the City over the last 12 months, and we will

continue to review our service delivery and ensuring continuous improvement processes are implemented.

There has been a significant turnaround in Councils finances with a $1.9 million budget surplus achieved in the 2014/15 financial year which highlights Councils sound position leading into the Fit for the Future Local Government Reform. I am pleased to report that Griffith City Council is one of the top performing councils in the Group 4 category.

We have experienced a number of achievements over the last 12 months including the anointing of Mr Roy Stacy AFSM as a Freeman of the City, hosting the NSW Masters Road Cycling Championships twice, upgrades to Yenda Memorial Park, extensive community consultation regarding the CBD strategy, continued support for the Griffith to Melbourne Air Service with Par Avion, and being ranked #2 in the State (comparable 5 councils) for Development Application processing times. I am very proud of Councils achievements this year and I am sure we will achieve much more in 2015/16.

Theres much more covered in this document that gives all residents a greater insight into our activities and financial performance.

None of these achievements would be possible without the hard work and dedication from my fellow Councillors and Council staff who ensure services are delivered to the highest standard.

Next year brings an array of exciting events with the Centenary of Griffith and I am excited to see what 2016 will bring.

I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the next 12 months.

I commend this report and our performance in 2014/15.

John Dal BroiEmeritus Mayor

Construction is underway on the St Vincents Private Community Hospital Griffith

Griffith City Council - Year in Review

Environment & HealthMajor Achievements

198 food outlets were monitored and 360 inspections were carried out. Council participated in the NSW Food Authority Scores on Doors program 34 businesses joined the program. 54 inspections of beauticians, hairdressers, tattooists and funeral directors were carried out. 2014/15 mosquito monitoring program saw a decrease in mosquito numbers with little arbovirus activity recorded. Monthly Childhood Immunisation program continued. More than 260 native trees were planted by volunteers at Lake Wyangan during National Tree Day. Over 1,500 volunteers at 16 sites assisted in Clean Up Australia Day, Business Clean Up Day and Schools Clean Up Day. NSW Environmental Trust funding was finalised for Get SepticSmart. NSW Crown Lands and the Parks and Wildlife Association funding helped with weed control works at Scenic Hill, Campbells Swamp Lake Wyangan, and the Jack Carson Reserve. The Riverina Local Land Service Grant was utilised for weed control at Nericon Swamp and along Boorga Road. Landcare provided funding for weed control on West McPherson Range and the new footpath in the Community Gardens. New bins were installed at the Community Gardens through funding from the Terminate the Tosser Anti-Litter Campaign.

Economic Development & Tourism

Major Achievements The Tourism & Economic Development Team hosted the prestigious Inland Tourism Awards resulting in 180 key tourism operators visiting Griffith. Hosted a Chinese delegation who had shown interest in developing a glass plant in Griffith. Assisted in showcasing a selection of local businesses located in Griffith to Deakin University. Secured a major Wodonga Developer, Nordcon, to purchase Pelican Shores. Assisted in holding the inaugural Planning and Building Forum. Prepared a second Business Health Audit. Prepared a submission to the Senate Inquiry into Regional Cities.

Every year is a busy year in terms of Council working with the community to grow and strengthen our great City, and 2014/15 has been no exception. This year we have introduced the Community Catch Up, designed to assist the community to keep in touch with various activities and projects Council has in train. Several projects completed or substantially progressed during the last year include: Repair and upgrade to the intersection of Jones and Boorga Roads as well as construction and sealing of Jones Road to Rifle Range Road. This was a $1.3M project. Federal Government funding approved for the establishment of a Headspace facility in Ulong Street, Griffith. Completion of a Customer Service Review - recommendations are currently being implemented. Expression of Interest submitted to the State Government for funding to reseal Griffith Airport runway.

Adoption of a Griffith Crime Prevention Strategy. Completion of flood restoration works of approximately $11M repairs from the 2012 floods. Funding secured to prepare a Lake Wyangan and Catchment Management Strategy. New mobile library van is operational with funding assistance from Public Libraries NSW. New seating and carpet throughout the Griffith Regional Theatre. Griffith Community Directory redesigned and updated. Approval obtained from NSW Department Primary Industries to reuse treated sewerage effluent at the Griffith Saleyards complex. Tenders called for construction of waste transfer station at Tharbogang Waste facility and Yenda Waste facility. Memorandum of Understanding signed with Deakin University and Riverina Institute of TAFE. Draft Griffith CBD Strategy prepared and placed on exhibition for

community comment. Griffith Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre Master Plan in preparation. In June, Council lodged its submission to the Office of Local Government under the State Governments Fit For the Future reform agenda, which is currently being assessed by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). A report will be submitted by IPART to the Minister during October and decisions regarding restructuring of councils are expected shortly after. Council meets all financial bench marks set by the government and we stand ready to play a positive role into the future in what form the Minister determines.Thank you to the Mayor and other Councillors for your leadership and support during 2014/15 and to my staff for your hard work and dedication to the job at hand.

Brett Stonestreet, General Manager

37,000visitorsto thecentre

6,345gardenvisitsduringFOG

700citrusscultpturevolunteers

15,937websitevisits

60itineriescreated

Sustainable Development349

certificates issued - 168 construction- 164 occupation - 17 subdivision

336Development Applications processed

$48.3MDevelopment Applications

value

Major Developments Griffith City Council Waste Facility: $2,500,000 Mr G Codemo - Vehicle sales and servicing business: $2,000,000 Tailwag Pty Ltd Two storey building for use as a hotel and associated carparking: $1,000,000 John Dimm Pty Ltd Commercial carwash: $700,000 Fresh Technique Packing and nutrients sheds, office, staff building and green house: $630,000 Coles Supermarket - Retail fitout: $510,000 Mr J Agostini New industrial building: $500,000 Casella Family Brands Fermenting tanks: $272,700 R Ziliotto & S W Jackson Alterations and additions to an existing vehicle body repair shop: $250,000 Dominos Pizza Enterprises Ltd - Fitout: $220,000

Griffith Visitor Information Centre

Major Achievements Sheep sales totalled 572,111 during 2014/15. Council continues to improve services with further concreting of pens and erection of a shade structure. A 10 year Improvement Plan is in place for future works.

Griffith Livestock Marketing Centre

Westend Sports Stadium

Basketball Events

Cultural Events

Every year the Stadium hosts many cultural

events including Indigenous Workshops,

Sikh Games, Dances, Services and other

Celebrations- Hosted Round 1

Western State Junior League - over 500

visitors- Hosted two rounds of

the MIA Basketball League

School Sports

- 2,000 students use the facility over a 40

week period- Hosted Annual

Tri-Sports Challenge- Hosted Kalinda School Pograms

General Sports

- Domestic Basketball Competitions

- Badminton Senior Competition

- Midnight Basketball- NAIDOC activities

- Lifeball

Wheelchair Basketball

The Wheelies Demon Group combines able bodied participants to team with wheelchair bound participants to

play each Saturday

Waste Management

9,000waste

collection services

1,520tonnes

recycled

2,332residents

utilised the dump for free

weekends

28,589tonnes of waste

processed

Major Achievements Councils Fleet Manager, Steve Croxon was presented the 2015 Fleet Services Achievement Award by IPWEA Australasia earlier this year. The Award celebrates initiative and performance in fleet management. New plant and equipment purchased during the last financial year included 14 x Passenger Sedans, 14 x Utilities, 2 x Backhoe Loaders, 1 x Motor Grader, 2 x Fuel Trailers, 1 x Tipping Truck, 1 x Tractor, 1 x Track Loader, 2 x Tray Back Trucks, 1 x Mini Excavator, 1 x Mobile Library Van, and a number of Minor Plant items.

Fleet Management

Major Achievements A new toilet facility was constructed at the Lake Wyangan Picnic area, including landscaping and upgrading of the parking area at the site. A concrete pathway was constructed through the Community Gardens. New signs in parks and recreational areas were installed throughout the year. Trees were planted along Kookora Street (between- Banna Avenue and Kooringal Avenue intersections). The Rose Garden beds at IOOF Park were replanted. Bollards and gates were installed at Wade Park Yenda.

Parks, Reserves & Sportsgrounds

Major Achievements General maintenance and tidy up was carried out at the Bagtown Cemetery, Hanwood. Lawn beams were constructed in sections four and five at the Griffith Cemetery. Ten single vaults were constructed at the Griffith Cemetery. Additional park benches were installed at the Griffith Cemetery. New entrance gates were constructed at the Yenda Cemetery.

Cemeteries

The rollout of Rural Addressing commenced in the Nericon and Lake Wyangan localities. Rural Addressing provides clear and consistent addresses to enable emergency services, utilities, service providers and the general public to locate rural properties.

Geographical Information Systems

Griffith PioneerPark Museum

1,000visitors on

Good FridayAction Day

900attended LaFesta Delle

Salsicce

400students for Local

GovernmentWeek41

buildings, home to thousands of

artefacts

60tours

conducted

Noxious WeedsCouncils Noxious Weeds Department have been working on a number of initiatives this year to combat the issues we face with weed control. Prickly Pear: Prickly Pear has been targeted on Crown Land and private properties adjoining the McPherson Range on Mallinson and Lakes Roads. Council will continue to work with landholders and has created a volunteer group to work towards eliminating Prickly Pear infestations in this area. Alligator Weed: No Alligator Weed infestations were detected in Barren Box Swamp. 35 Properties around the Swamp were also free of infestations. New Weed Infestations: Two new infestations of Mimosa Bush had been identified and treated.

Stormwater & Floodplain Risk Management

Major Achievements Council now has a number of completed Flood Studies and the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan, which assist in the strategic planning of Griffith and surrounding areas. The most current studies and plans are listed below and are available on Councils web page.- Aerodrome Overland Flow Flood Study - Aerodrome Overland Flow Floodplain Risk Management Study (2011) - CBD Overland Flow Flood Study (2012) - CDB Overland Flow Floodplain Risk Management Study (2013) - Lake Wyangan Flood Study (2012) - Lake Wyangan Floodplain Risk Management Study (2013) - Griffith Main Drain J and Mirrool Creek Flood Study 2015 Vol 1- Draft - Griffith Main Drain J and Mirrool Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan. This document has currently come off exhibition and should be adopted by October 2015. Consultant group BMT WBM Pty Ltd was commissioned to carry out the Review of the 2011 Griffith Floodplain Risk Management Study & Draft Floodplain Risk Management Plan inclusive of the Impacts of Flooding in Mirrool Creek. Introduced a stormwater management charge at the commencement of the 2007/08 financial year at a rate of $25 per assessment ($12.50 for Strata) in the identified urban areas. The levy collected is used not to replace existing stormwater management services but to provide new or additional services or infrastructure.

Construction: $3.4M

Maintenance: $3.8M

Reseals: $1.6M

Pathways: $217K

Drainage: $81K

Airport Works: $67K

Urban Water SupplyMajor Achievements

Water mains were replaced in Binya Street, Anzac Street, Braithwaite Road and along a section of White Road. Water mains were relocated to allow for road realignment and bridge works at the intersections of Kurrajong Avenue and Centofanti Road/Morley Road. New water mains were installed on Noorilla Street and the St Vincents Private Community Hospital Griffith site. Over 780 water meters were replaced during 2014/15. Total potable water production reduced to 6,607 ML.

Sewerage ServicesMajor Achievements

A major investigation was launched to determine the condition of the sewer rising main between G4 sewer pump station in Mooreville and the Griffith Water Reclamation Plant. The outcome will assist to direct future sewer infrastructure renewals. The sewer rising main along Railway Parade, Yenda was replaced. A new gravity sewer main was constructed to service the St Vincents Private Community Hospital Griffith site. The change to less aggressive sewerage pre-treatment chemicals is showing good results and will extend the life expectancy of the sewer infrastructure.

Roads

2014/15

Griffith Regional Art Gallery

21public

programs

12exhibitions

25%increase in Facebook likes

Griffith City Library

300events & programs

held

13,650computer sessions

863 Borrow Box

users

6,601items added to

the Library collection

12,048 members of the

Library

155,411visits to the

Library during 2014/15

25%web sales increase

Griffith Regional Theatre

14%venue usage

increase

5%patron

increase

161events

110new citizens at

4 ceremonies

youth engaged through

15programs

50Community Programs & Partnerships

$25,000Annual

Community Grants

Program 500Aboriginal people reached through

9 programs26,000

people reached in the Crime

Prevention Strategy

$20,000support for Community

Projects

Community Development Griffith Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre

Griffith City Council1 Benerembah Street Griffith NSW 2680 p: 6962 8100 f: 6962 7161

e: admin@griffith.nsw.gov.auwww.griffith.nsw.gov.au www.facebook.com/griffithcitycouncil

21,242total attendance at the fitness club

5,733total attendance

at the fitness club

classes

1,614new

members1,143

Splash Swim School

courses

10,000classes held

40,000lessons held

4,717students

catering to

602school children

5,504lessons

attending

5,392visits to the

Gallery

1,000