councillor information bulletin information bulletin page 8 5 february 2015 - issue 5/15 3 2015/2016...

Any feedback or queries? Contact the Councillor HelpDesk on 9952 8200 or [email protected]

Thursday 5 February 2015 - Issue 5/15

COUNCILLOR INFORMATION BULLETIN

IN THIS ISSUE

Item Page

1 LOCAL GOVERNMENT NSW (LGNSW) - FIT FOR THE FUTURE WORKSHOPS ................................................................................................. 4

2 COUNCILLOR WORKSHOP - ANNUAL REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE - 17 February 2015 ................................................................................................................. 7

3 2015/2016 BUDGET PROCESS - WORKSHOP 1 - RATES, FEES & CHARGES - 10 FEBRUARY 2015 ................................................................... 8

4 CANCELLATION OF WORKS AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE MEETING - 17 FEBRUARY 2015 .................................................................... 9

5 RECEIVED AND DETERMINED DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS ............. 10

6 STREET TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM ................................................ 25

7 COMPLETED PROJECT - MONASH PARK PLAYGROUND UPGRADE ..................................................................................................... 26

8 RYDE YOUTH THEATRE - OUTCOMES AND SUCCESSES ....................... 28 9 GOVERNMENT FUNDING CUTS TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AID

(CCA) ............................................................................................................. 30 10 MAYOR'S DIARY FOR THE PERIOD 21 JANUARY TO 3 FEBRUARY

2015 ............................................................................................................... 31 Councillors are reminded that the deadline to complete the Councillor Survey has been extended to Friday, 27 February 2015. Have you completed the Survey? If yes, thank you for your feedback. If you haven’t, we look forward to receiving it as your feedback is valuable to us.

The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/corcouncillorsurvey2014.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/corcouncillorsurvey2014

Councillor Information Bulletin

5 February 2015 - Issue 5/15

THURSDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2015 4.30pm Parramatta River Catchment Group

Meeting Auburn Civic Center, 1 Susan Street, Auburn

Contact: Sarah Holland Clift Parramatta River Catchment Group Coordinator - Phone: 0477 745 634

5.30pm Regional Councillor Forum, Fit For The

Future Civic Pavilion, The Concourse (Ground Floor, near Library) Victoria Street, Chatswood

MONDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2015 6.00pm Bushland and Environment Advisory

Committee Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 1

Contact: Nicola Booth - Section Manager - Natural Areas & Urban Forest – 9952 8254

TUESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2015

5.30pm Workshop – Rates, Fees and Charges in Draft Four Year Plan Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2

Contact: Roy Newsome, Group Manager Corporate Services – 9952 8011

6.30pm Briefing prior to Council Meeting

(including an update on the Regional Councillor Forum – Fit for the Future, held on 5 February 2015 Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 NB. Working dinner during briefing

7.30pm Council Meeting

Civic Centre, Level 6, Council Chambers

WEDNESDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2015 6.00pm Ryde Youth Council Meeting

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 Contact: Michael Paine, Project Officer - Young

People – 9952 8248

THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2015 6.30pm Citizenship Ceremony

Civic Hall, 1 Devlin Street, Ryde Contact: Derek McCarthy, Manager Community

Capacity and Events – 9952 8384 MONDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2015 6.00pm Sport and Recreation and Wheeled

Sports Advisory Committee Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2

Contact: Simon James, Acting Manager - Open Space – 99652 8092 Chairperson: Councillor Maggio

TUESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2015 5.00pm Planning and Environment

Committee Meeting Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2

Cancelled Works and Community Committee

Meeting Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 1

6.30pm Discussion / Update on Fit For the

Future (if required) Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2

Contact: Gail Connolly, General Manager – 9952 8052

7.30pm Presentation / Annual Report on the

Operations of the Audit and Risk Committee (provided by the Chair) Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2


WEDNESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2015 6.00pm Heritage Advisory Committee

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 Contact: Lexie Macdonald, Team Leader

Strategic Planning – 9952 8059 Chairperson: Councillor Perram

THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2015 4.00pm Macquarie Park Forum

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 Contact: John Brown, Place Manager –

9952 8185 Chairperson: Councillor Chung



6.00pm NSROC Ordinary Meeting North Sydney Council

Contact: Lesley Ridley, Executive Assistant Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils – 9911 3651

FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2015 8.00pm Cinema in the Park – ET

Morrison Bay Park, Frances Road, Putney

Contact: Derek McCarthy, Manager Community Capacity and Events – 9952 8384

SATURDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2015 8.00pm Cinema in the Park – Ghostbusters

Eastwood Plaza, Rowe Street, Eastwood


MONDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2015 6.00pm Eastwood & West Ryde Events &

Promotions Committee Women’s Rest Centre, Hillview Road, Eastwood

Contact: Derek McCarthy, Manager Community Capacity and Events – 9952 8384 Chairperson: Councillor Etmekdjian

TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2015

5.30pm Workshop – Base Budget in Draft Four Year Delivery Plan Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2


6.30pm Briefing prior to Council Meeting

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 NB. Working dinner during briefing

7.30pm Council Meeting

Civic Centre, Level 6, Council Chambers WEDNESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2015

5.30pm Joint Library Services Advisory Committee Gladesville Library Meeting Room

Contact: Jill Webb, Service Unit Manager Library Services – 9952 8341

THURSDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2015

5.00pm Centenary of ANZAC & Commemoration of World War 1 Committee Meeting Eucalyptus Meeting Room, Level 1A Pope Street

Contact: Derek McCarthy, Manager Community Capacity and Events – 9952 8384 Chairperson: Councillor Laxale

FRIDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2015

8.00pm Cinema in the Park – The Big Lebowski Lakeside Lawn, Gymnasium Road, Macquarie University


SATURDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2015

8.00pm Cinema in the Park – Matilda Yamble Reserve, Quarry Road, Ryde


MONDAY, 2 MARCH 2015

6.00pm Bicycle Advisory Committee Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 1

Contact: Harry Muker, Section Manager - Traffic, Transport & Development – 9952 8116 Chairperson: Councillor Perram

TUESDAY, 3 MARCH 2015

5.00pm Planning and Environment Committee Meeting Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2

5.00pm Works and Community Committee

Meeting Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 1

6.30pm Workshop – Investment Policy

Civic Centre, Level 5, Room 2 Contact: Roy Newsome, Group Manager

Corporate Services – 9952 8011



1 LOCAL GOVERNMENT NSW (LGNSW) - FIT FOR THE FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Councillors are advised that Local Government NSW (Smarter Local Government), have developed a series of workshops to provide assistance to Councils who are preparing their ‘Fit for the Future’ proposals.

Monday, 23 and Tuesday, 24 February 2015 “Fit for the Future? Proposal Bootcamps!” Sydney CBD $990 (incl GST) Thursday, 26 and Friday, 27 February 2015 “Amalgamations: To Merge or not to Merge?” Sydney CBD $990 (incl GST)

Information sheets for both of the above workshops are ATTACHED for the information of Councillors. Councillors interested in attending either / both of these workshops are requested to contact the HelpDesk by close of business on Friday, 13 February 2015.

Contact:

Position: Councillor HelpDesk

Contact No: 9952 8200

Attachments

1 Local Government NSW (LGNSW) - Conference - "Fit for the Future? Proposal Bootcamps!" - Sydney 23 and 24 February 2015

2 Local Government NSW (LGNSW) - Conference - "Amalgamations: To Merge or not to Merge" - Sydney 26 and 27 February 2015


ITEM 1 (continued) ATTACHMENT 1




2 COUNCILLOR WORKSHOP - ANNUAL REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE - 17 February 2015

Councillors are advised of an upcoming Councillor Workshop;

Date: Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Time: 7:30pm

Subject: Annual Report on the Operations of the Audit and Risk Committee

Presenter: Elizabeth Gavey, Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee

This workshop will cover on outline of the Operations of the Audit and Risk Committee for the period from 23 October 2013 to 17 November 2014 and will include the following:-

Audit and Risk Committee members;

General information regarding Council’s Risk and Audit functions;

Meetings of the Audit and Risk Committee;

Achievements of the Committee;

Assessment of Committee performance;

Action Points for 2014-2015;

Conclusion.

If Councillors require any information prior to this Workshop, please contact Roy Newsome on 9952 8011.

Contact:

Name: Roy Newsome

Position: Group Manager - Corporate Services




3 2015/2016 BUDGET PROCESS - WORKSHOP 1 - RATES, FEES & CHARGES - 10 FEBRUARY 2015

Councillors were advised of the 2015/2016 budget timetable that was circulated on Thursday, 11 September 2014.

This is a reminder of the next Councillor Workshop that is to be held for Councillors on:

Rates, Fees & Charges - 10 February 2015 at 5.30pm

The following dates are for the remainder of the Councillor Workshops:

1. Base Budget - 24 February 2015

2. Projects (all) - 10 March 2015

3. Optional - 24 March 2015

These have been set to commence at 5.30pm.

The following dates have been set for Council meetings:

1. Draft Plans - 21 April 2015

2. Final Plan - 9 June 2015

Exhibition of the Draft Delivery Plan and Operational Plan will be during the period from 29 April 2015 to 29 May 2015.

All information sent by Councillors in relation to Projects, will be reported at the Workshop on 10 March 2015 with comments from the appropriate Group Manager.

Contact:

Name: John Todd

Position: Chief Financial Officer




4 CANCELLATION OF WORKS AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE MEETING - 17 FEBRUARY 2015

Councillors are advised that the Works and Community Committee meeting on Tuesday, 17 February 2015 has been cancelled, due to there being no items scheduled for discussion.

A cancellation will be issued through Outlook shortly.

Contact:

Name: George Dedes

Position: Group Manager – Public Works




5 RECEIVED AND DETERMINED DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

ATTACHED for your information are the following documents:

A list of development applications received during the period 4 December 2014 to 28 January 2015.

A list of development applications determined during the period 4 December 2014 to 28 January 2015.

Contact:

Name: Sam Cappelli

Position: Acting Group Manager - Environment and Planning


Attachments

1 Development Applications received by Ward 4 December 2014 to 28 January 2015

2 Development Applications determined by Ward 4 December 2014 to 28 January 2015

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6 STREET TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

The City of Ryde is responsible for 24,000 street trees which have either propagated naturally, planted by residents or as part of Council’s annual tree planting program. The number and size of the tree population is ever increasing and is placing an increasing burden on Council to maintain its urban forest.

Council’s street tree maintenance program is both reactive and proactive. Reactive works addresses dead, dying and dangerous trees and also responds to storm damage and trees to be removed following a request approval process from residents or Council resolutions. Programmed maintenance is undertaken to improve the health and structure of trees, remove obstructing limbs to garbage trucks and improve site distance for traffic and pedestrian safety. Programmed maintenance is undertaken on a cyclical basis when funds are available.

To resource the tree maintenance program, Council has its own in house arborist team to undertake routine works. This team is supplemented with a panel of preferred contractors to undertake the more specialist type works and provide stump grinding and other services.

This year’s maintenance budget for street trees is $437,000 and at the end of the second financial quarter is 50% over spent against the year to date budget. This has been the trend over recent years as Council endeavours to maintain an acceptable service standard and health of its urban forest. Due to budget constraints in previous years, service standards have been compromised in the second half of the financial year. This has resulted in minimal proactive works being undertaken which has created a significant backlog and discontent amongst residents.

To maintain acceptable service standards for the remainder of the 2014/15 financial year, Council’s second quarterly review has allocated an additional $150,000 towards the street tree budget so that service standards can be maintained. A commensurate increase in the street tree budget for 2015/16 has also been included in the draft budget for the consideration of Council.

Contact:

Name: George Dedes





7 COMPLETED PROJECT - MONASH PARK PLAYGROUND UPGRADE

The City of Ryde has completed a playground upgrade at Monash Park, Gladesville as part of the Children’s Play Implementation Plan which aims to ensure all families in the local government area have access to safe, high quality playgrounds.

Tree-lined Monash Park located on Ryde Road, Gladesville, is a popular neighbourhood park, with a picket-fenced sportsfield, grandstand, public toilets, small garden with memorial and historic headstone.

The project was completed on time and under budget and has been open to the public since October 2014. The purpose of the project was to upgrade and relocate the existing playground and enhance both play value and accessibility through new play equipment, brightly coloured fencing, well defined pathways and seating.

Contact:

Name: George Dedes



Attachments

1 Project Development Unit, Completed Project - Monash Park playground upgrade, October 2014



8 RYDE YOUTH THEATRE - OUTCOMES AND SUCCESSES

Ryde Youth Theatre (RYT) was first established in 2009 after a number of local young people from the area, interested in forming a troupe, approached the Council for support. Ryde Youth Theatre has now evolved into a strong performing arts group that is well regarded by the participants, parents and the wider community. Last year, the project was successful in receiving a grant from the State Government under the Youth Opportunities Program, recognising the project’s potential for multiple benefits to young people above and beyond the development of theatre skills. A snapshot of benefits, as reported by young people, is extracted from the report provided to Office of Communities and is reproduced below for Councillors’ information. Young people have developed skills in acting, directing, writing, graphic design, costume design as well as personal skills which are contributing to their education and career prospects as a direct result of being involved with Ryde Youth Theatre.

In February 2014, one of the RYT participants wrote and directed a short play which made it to the Wildcard Final of the Short+Sweet play festival which has introduced her to theatre professionals. This January, the same young person wrote a short play which won the first week of the Short+Sweet mainstage season and will go on to the final in March. She is also working professionally as an Assistant Stage Manager at Australian Theatre for Young People this February.

Another participant in the program went on to do work experience at the Ensemble Theatre and said his experience with this project was invaluable preparation.

One of the young men particularly impressed the lighting designer with his focus and commitment and was invited to take a paid position operating lights for an Ashfield Youth Theatre production. One of the older participants is studying theatre and film production at TAFE and this January has embarked on making a film documentary of RYT’s next project.

One of the participants who suffers acute anxiety and had ceased attending school at all is now at a new school and doing well.

The mother of another boy has reported a dramatic improvement in her son’s concentration and grades since he joined the group.

Two of RYT’s members are home schooled and when they joined the group struggled to understand when it was not appropriate for them to speak and how to share with other young people. Both of these participants have made significant improvements in their abilities to work with the group rather than attempt to make the group work around them.

Some of the younger members have reported how much more comfortable they feel around older teenagers having had the experience of their ideas being taken seriously by people three and four years older than they are.


ITEM 8 (continued)


During the 2014 July school holidays, RYT offered a sewing workshop attended by two girls and four boys. All learned how to operate a sewing machine, cut out a pattern and assemble a simple garment. One of the boys wore the waistcoat he made in the play and after the workshop, one of the girls made her boyfriend a waistcoat for his birthday. This workshop was run at the request of the young people and they all expressed not just that they had a good time but that they were keen to do more sewing in the future, not just to make costumes for RYT’s plays but so they can make clothes for themselves.

Many of the costumes for the end of year production were knitted and three of the young people got together with parents to learn knitting skills.

Also in the 2014 July school holidays, RYT offered a three-day lighting workshop that taught young people how light works on stage, how to tell a story through light and how to safely use theatre lighting equipment. The young people involved worked closely with our designer to build the substantial lighting rig for the production.

Ryde Youth Theatre is currently in the initial planning and development stages for their 2015 productions. The productions are scheduled for May and October.

Contact:

Name: Tatjana Domazet

Position: Acting Group Manager – Community Life




9 GOVERNMENT FUNDING CUTS TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AID (CCA)

Councillors are advised that on 23 December 2014, the Federal Government announced a funding cut of $236,000 to a key local non-profit community service provider Christian Community Aid (CCA) based in Eastwood. These funding cuts will significantly impact CCA’s ability to provide much needed assistance to the most disadvantaged individuals in the local community including programs for financial assistance and social support. The programs directly affected by the funding cuts will include: CCA’s Financial Counselling Service, established in the 1980s, the Emergency Relief Program which has operated since 1966 and the Community Settlement Services to newly arrived migrants. These professional services and assistance is provided without charge to community members. The loss of funding will adversely impact CCA’s capacity to provide safe, professional and timely services to support the disenfranchised community members who often face complex financial issues. Emergency Relief plays an important part in CCA’s community work. It offers services and assistance to more than 300 clients a year, of which around 36% have a disability or chronic health issues. This program offers practical assistance such as emergency food parcels, assistance with medical, dental and pharmaceutical costs, and contribution towards family expenses and rental arrears. The magnitude of this funding loss impacts the organisation’s ability to deliver services that alleviate serious financial hardships attached to the daily struggles with the ever increasing costs of living. CCA is a non-denominational service provider to the local communities. In 2015, CCA celebrates 50 years of service in response to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community. CCA provides a range of services to the community including Family Day Care, Adult Leisure Learning, Youth Services, Migrant Support, Seniors and Disability, Meals on Wheels, Emergency Relief, Financial Counselling and Tax Help. The funding cuts will make it very difficult for CCA to follow its vision of engaging with the community to enable better lives.

Contact:

Name: Tatjana Domazet

Position: Acting Group Manager – Community Life




10 MAYOR'S DIARY FOR THE PERIOD 21 JANUARY TO 3 FEBRUARY 2015

ATTACHED is the Mayor’s Diary containing a list of events and functions attended by the Mayor for the period between 21 January and 3 February 2015.

Contact:

Name: Linda Smith

Position: EA to the Mayor and Councillors


Attachments

1 Mayor's Diary for the period 21 January to 3 February 2015

councillor information bulletin information bulletin page 8 5 february 2015 - issue 5/15 3 2015/2016...

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