MURCHISON REGIONAL VERMIN COUNCIL
MURCHISON REGIONAL VERMIN COUNCIL
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL
8 OCTOBER 2013
MURCHISON REGIONAL VERMIN COUNCIL
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL
8 OCTOBER 2013
NOTICE OF MEETING
Dear Elected Member A Special Meeting of the Murchison Regional Vermin Council will be held on Tuesday 8 October 2013 in Council Chambers commencing at 10:00am. Geoff Brooks CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2 October 2013
DISCLAIMER No responsibility whatsoever is implied or accepted by the Shire of Mount Magnet for Any act, omission, statement or intimation occurring during this meeting. It is strongly advised that persons do not act on what is heard at this meeting and should only rely on written confirmation of Council’s decision, which will be provided within fourteen (14) days of this meeting.
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MURCHISON REGIONAL VERMIN COUNCIL Agenda for the Special Meeting of Council
In Council Chambers, Lot 163 Hepburn Street, Mount Magnet 8 October 2013 at 10:00am
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DECLARATION OF OPENING / ANNOUNCEMENT OF VISITORS ............................. 4
2. RECORD OF ATTENDANCE / APOLOGIES / LEAVE OF ABSENCE .......................... 4
3. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME AND ADDRESS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ............. 4
4.1 Public Question Time ...................................................................................... 4 4.2 Address by Members of the Public .................................................................. 4
4. DEPUTATIONS / PRESENTATIONS / SUBMISSIONS ................................................ 4
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY PRESIDING PERSON WITHOUT DISCUSSION .................. 4
6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ................................................................................. 4
7. REPORTS .................................................................................................................... 5
7.1 Acceptance of the 2012/2013 Annual Report .................................................. 5 7.2 Members Meeting Fees and Allowances ....................................................... 58
8. NEXT MEETING ......................................................................................................... 60
9. CLOSURE OF MEETING ........................................................................................... 60
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,MURCHISON REGIONAL VERMIN COUNCIL Agenda for the Special Meeting of Council
In Council Chambers, Lot 163 Hepburn Street, Mount Magnet 8 October 2013 at 10:00am
1. DECLARATION OF OPENING / ANNOUNCEMENT OF VISITORS
2. RECORD OF ATTENDANCE / APOLOGIES / LEAVE OF ABSENCE
3. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME AND ADDRESS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC 4.1 Public Question Time
4.2 Address by Members of the Public
4. DEPUTATIONS / PRESENTATIONS / SUBMISSIONS
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY PRESIDING PERSON WITHOUT DISCUSSION
6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
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7. REPORTS
7.1 Acceptance of the 2012/2013 Annual Report
File: MRVC Officer: Geoff Brooks - CEO Amended By: Nil Disclosure of Interest: Nil Meeting Date: 8 October 2013 Application To accept the 2012/2013 Annual Report for the Financial Year ending 30 June 2013, including the Audited Financial Statements. Background The Murchison Regional Vermin Council 2012/2013 Annual Report is attached for consideration. Included is the 2012/2013 Financial Statements audited by Anderson, Munro and Wyllie for the year ended 30 June 2013.
Consultation Jim Dillon – Midwest Financial Auditors – Anderson, Munro and Wyllie Statutory Environment Local Government Act Section 5.53 and 5.54 Policy Implications Nil Financial Implications Nil Strategic Implications Nil Voting Requirements Absolute Majority
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION
Moved: Seconded: That Elected Members accept the 2012/2013 Murchison Regional Vermin Council Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements. CARRIED/LOST
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2012/2013 ANNUAL REPORT
168km of new fencing erection to July 2013 under the Country Local Government Fund Regional Group Project
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PO Box 62 Mount Magnet WA 6638
ABN: 28 431 267 089 p: 08 9963-3000 f: 08 9963-4133
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SECTION 1 ................................................................................................ 3
1.1 General Information ........................................................................... 3
Administration Office .......................................................................... 3
Collaborating Councils ....................................................................... 3
Fence Length ..................................................................................... 3
Members ............................................................................................ 3
1.2 Presidents Report .............................................................................. 4
1.3 Chief Executive Officer's Report ........................................................ 6
Local Government Act And Other Statutory Requirements ................ 6
Strategic Community Plan And Corporate Business Plan .................. 6
National Competition Policy ............................................................... 6
Public Interest Disclosure Act ............................................................ 6
State Records Act 2000 ..................................................................... 6
2. SECTION 2 ................................................................................................ 7
Audited Financial Statements ..................................................................... 7
Fencing replaced utilizing Country Local Government Funding
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1. SECTION 1
1.1 GENERAL INFORMATION Administration Office Shire of Mount Magnet Telephone: (08) 9963 3000 PO Box 62 Facsimile: (08) 9963 4133 Lot 163 Hepburn Street Email: [email protected] MOUNT MAGNET WA 6638 Website: www.mtmagnet.wa.gov.au The Murchison Regional Vermin Council (MRVC) is a statutory organisation which operates under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1995. The MRVC was established in 1963 for the purpose of rehabilitation and maintenance of the No.1 and No 2 Vermin Fences. The No.1 Vermin Fence was completed in 1907 and at the time was the longest unbroken line of vermin fence in the world. The No.1 Fence runs from Starvation Boat Harbour on the South Coast of Western Australia to a point near Cape Keraudren on the North West Coast. The fence was built in an endeavour to stem the movement of rabbits from the east into the agricultural areas of Western Australia. Today the fence remains as an important barrier for the control of wild dogs moving from the east into the Southern Rangelands and agricultural areas. Collaborating Councils Shires of Cue, Sandstone, Meekatharra, Yalgoo and Mount Magnet Fence Length No 1 Vermin Fence: From the 80 mile peg in the South (Lake Moore), to the 426 mile peg north of where the fence intersects the Meekatharra/Wiluna Road. Total length 565 km No 2 Vermin Fence: Starting at the 166.6 mile peg on the No 1 Vermin Fence heading in a westerly direction. Total length 72 km Members Two (2) delegates from each of the five councils: President Murray McQuie Shire of Sandstone Delegates Carol Hodson Shire of Sandstone Jason Homewood Shire of Mount Magnet Greg Scott Shire of Mount Magnet Terry Iturbide Shire of Yalgoo Laurence Hodder Shire of Yalgoo Michael Clinch Shire of Cue Martin King Shire of Cue Harvey Nichols Shire of Meekathara Operating Revenue: $63,000 Number of Employees: Nil
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1.2 PRESIDENTS REPORT
It gives me great pleasure to present the 2012/2013 Annual Report for the Murchison Regional Vermin Council (MRVC). The last twelve months have been very significant thanks to Royalties for Regions program funding of $1,557,867 made available to upgrade sections of the No 1 Vermin Fence and No 2 Vermin Fence.
This is the first time in many years that Council has been in a position to do more than carry out routine maintenance work.
The $1,557,867 in funding obtained was achieved as a result of all member Councils pooling their 2010/2011 Country Local Government Fund (CLGF) group allocations. It is very pleasing that by working cooperatively together such a significant level of funding was achieved. In July 2013 the CLGF project was completed with 171 km of new fencing having been constructed. Of this 133 km of fencing was replaced on the No 1 Vermin Fence and 38 km on the No 2 Vermin Fence. The total cost of the work was $1,645,076 which was funded from the CLGF allocation of $1,557,867 plus interest earned on the funds. In all 28% of the total length of the No1 and No 2 Vermin fence has been renewed with particular emphasis being put on construction of floodway crossings that are dog proof and require minimal maintenance. This project has made the task of maintaining the fence to a dog proof standard much more achievable as the new fence has been erected on a priority basis in areas where the existing fence has deteriorated most. The CLGF project involved nine separate contracts that were supervised by Council’s project manager Mr Jorgen Jensen. I acknowledge the excellent work of all the contractors involved and thank Mr Jensen for his practical and sensible approach to the management of the project. The major future challenge for the Southern Rangelands and pastoral industry generally is the creation of the Murchison Region Vermin Cell which when complete will enclose some 88,000 km² of grazing country involving 51 pastoral properties. As part of the construction of the Vermin Cell the Shires of Sandstone, Mount Magnet, Yalgoo and Cue have agreed to allocate 2012/2013 CLGF Group funding of $1,023,000 to the extension of the No 2 Vermin fence. This extension will involve the construction of an additional 100 km of new fencing following the existing reserve vested in the MRVC. Funding of $4.8 Million is also being sought by the Meekatharra Rangelands Biosecurity Association (MRBA) under the Mid West Development Commission Investment Plan for construction of an additional 380 km of fencing that will follow property boundaries and thus complete the Murchison Region Vermin Cell. This new 380 km section of fencing will be maintained by the MRBA. To my fellow Councillors who serve on the MRVC I offer my thanks for your commitment and wisdom. The practical way the upgrade works were planned and the input from all is much appreciated. To the staff of the Shire of Mount Magnet I also offer my thanks for their assistance over the last financial year and in particular thank all member Councils who have agreed to a doubling of their precepts in 2013/2014 to help ensure that the No 1 and No 2 Vermin Fences are maintained to a dog proof stand on a sustainable and ongoing basis.
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The 2012/2013 financial year has been a successful year for the MRVC and I believe has laid the foundations for some major advances in the control of wild dogs in the Southern Rangelands. Murray McQuie PRESIDENT
New Fence Design
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1.3 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT Local Government Act And Other Statutory Requirements During 2012/2013 Council was required to meet certain statutory obligations under the Local Government Act and other Legislation. Council has complied with these requirements, which include- Submission of Annual Returns (Financial Disclosures) by Councillors and the
Chief Executive Officer Annual Financial Statements Annual Report on Council’s Activities Review of Delegations Adoption of Budget Strategic Community Plan And Corporate Business Plan Under Local Government Integrated Planning and Reporting requirements a Community Strategic Plan and Corporate Business Plan has been prepared and is available on the Shire of Mount Magnet web site www.mtmagnet.wa.gov.au National Competition Policy The Council undertook no activity during the year in which competition neutrality was considered to be an issue. Public Interest Disclosure Act During 2012/2013 Council received no disclosures or complaints lodged under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003. The Shire of Mount Magnet Chief Executive Officer is the designated responsible officer under the Act. State Records Act 2000 Council’s electronic and other record keeping systems are practical, effective and believed to be compliant with the State Records Act 2000. Geoff Brooks CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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2. SECTION 2
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MURCHISON REGIONAL VERMIN COUNCIL
FINANCIAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2013
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995 LOCAL GOVERNMENT (FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS ACT
STATEMENT BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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7.2 Members Meeting Fees and Allowances
File: MRVC Officer: Geoff Brooks – CEO Amended by: Nil Disclosure of Interest: Nil Meeting Date: 8 October 2013 Application To set the member sitting fees and allowances for 2013/2014 within the range as determined by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal Background On 19 June 2013 the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal (SAT) determined certain payments that are to be made or reimbursed to elected Council members with effect from 1 July 2013. A copy of the determination is available on request or from the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal Web site www.sat.wa.gov.au/LOCALGOVERNMENTELECTEDMEMBERS Current Position The determination by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal sets the range of payments within which regional local governments are required to set the actual amount. For the Murchison Regional Vermin Council the following fees and allowances are applicable: Item 2012/2013 Amount SAT Range 2013/2014
Council Meeting - Councillor $140.00 $88.00 to $225.00 Council Meeting - Chairman $280.00 $88.00 to $463.00 Chairman’s Allowance $500.00 A minimum of $500.00 to a
maximum of $19,000.00 (or a maximum of 0.2 % of the 2012/2013 operating revenue whichever is the lesser)
D/Chairman’s - Allowance Nil A minimum of $125.00 to a maximum $4,750.00 (or a maximum of 25% of 0.2% of the 2012/2013 operating revenue whichever is the lesser)
With respect to the Chairman’s allowance in the above table, the 2012/2013 operating revenue was $63,834.91 of which 0.2% is $127.67 hence it is considered that the minimum of $500 applies. Similarly with the Deputy Chairman’s allowance a minimum of $125.00 is considered to apply. Travel expenses to meetings and information/communication and technology expenses are paid by individual Councils. Consultation Nil Statutory Environment Local Government Act as amended Sections 5.98 to 5.100
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Policy Implications Nil Financial Implications Depending upon the Fees and Allowances determined an adjustment of the 2013/2014 approved budget may be required at the time of the statutory budget review. Strategic Implications Nil Voting Requirements Absolute Majority
OFFICER RECOMMENDATION
Moved: Seconded: That Council approves the following fees and allowances for the 2013/2014 financial year:
Council Meeting – Councillor $________________
Council Meeting – Chairman $________________
Chairman’s Allowance $________________
D/Chairman’s Allowance $________________ CARRIED/LOST
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