Draft 2017-2021 (Revised 2020) Delivery Program and 2020-2021 Operational Plan

Council is required to follow the Integrated Planning & Reporting Framework which drives the content and detail of information included in the Operational Plan and associated documents. The information provided is in accordance with legislative guidance, however there is significant detail underlying the financial data provided, which is available through other reporting mechanisms, such as the annual financial statements. In particular, the Capital Works programs are detailed in the Operational Plan only for the first year in light of Council adopting a one-year operational plan. 

The development of Council’s Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy, which is currently being reviewed by Public Works Advisory following detailed advice from the State Government in 2018/19, will include Council’s Total Asset Renewals Plan and capital works for water and sewer assets over a 30 year timeframe. As you would be aware the IWCM will also include a review of the typical residential billing amount to ensure the forward projections for the respective funds and proposed works are cost effective. Outcomes from the IWCM will be made available to the public. 

Council maintains detailed 20 year Water and Sewerage Financial models consistent with the NSW Best Practice Guidelines. A recent Best Practice Compliance Audit for the 18/19 financial year for both the Water and Sewer Funds found Council complied with best practice guidelines regarding tariff's and 20 year price path.

Q1. Error noted. This item will be moved to the Strategy sectionQ3. the website upgrade is scheduled before end of this calendar year.Q4 - Greenmeadows Drive Council assets are the subject of a strategic review to determine what is the best and most valuable use for the community for the land holdings. Q6 - Error noted and will be corrected in the final document. The Performance measure for 4.2.1.17 is 'The annual Bushfire Risk Mitigation Program is adopted by 30 September 2020'

ADDITIONAL RESPONSES AS AT 7 MAY (question 7 response pending):-

 Q2 . Council is continuing to work with Transport for NSW on delivering the Ocean Drive Duplication Project. The completion of the Detailed Business Case is a requirement of the State Government prior to releasing any funding. Council has been waiting on review comments and clarification regarding cost risks from TfNSW before the Business Case can be finalised. Council has now received the required information from TfNSW and the Business Case will be finalised and submitted to TfNSW before the end of June 2020. Council and TfNSW are also still working through the delivery methodology and risk apportionment, which needs to be resolved prior to construction commencing.   

Q3. the website upgrade is scheduled before end of this calendar year. 

Q4 - Greenmeadows Drive Council assets are the subject of a strategic review to determine what is the best and most valuable use for the community for the land holdings.  

Q5. In line with our strategic planning, Council has committed $250,000 with an engineering scoping commenced on a bulk water treatment plant, with a capacity of 50 to 60ML/day, at the Cowarra Dam and this is currently scheduled in the 10 year capital works program at a cost of approximately $60Million to $100Million. The $50,000 is to continue to planning and design once the Scoping Study is completed in October 2020. Future Operational Plans will continue to include this important project as it progresses through design to construction and commissioning over the next 5 to 7 years. If the planning progresses ahead of schedule additional funds will bought forward out of the Water Reserve. 

Q6 - Error noted and will be corrected in the final document. The Performance measure for 4.2.1.17 is 'The annual Bushfire Risk Mitigation Program is adopted by 30 September 2020'  

Q7 - Council has made the following resolutions in respect of the allocation of funds specifically for Lake Cathie: 

At its Ordinary Meeting on 16/10/19 Council resolved in part as follows: 

“1. Note the importance of the following projects and prioritise them for planning and design: 

a) Upgrade of Boundary Street, Port Macquarie from its intersection with Hastings River Drive to the Port Macquarie Airport entry based on current investigations and planning in an amount of $15,000,000.00 for the complete project. 

b) Carry out upgrade works to Bril Bril Road, Rollands Plains based on prior discussions and investigations with the local community in an amount of $6,000,000.00 for the complete project. 

c) Carry out further works with respect to the “Schools to Schools” project from Kendall Public School, Kendall to Laurieton Public School, Laurieton, with reference to the existing Strategic Alignment Study and the high priority sections identified in consultation with the School to School local committee. 

d) Carry out further works with respect to the “Beach 2 Beach” project from North Haven to Dunbogan, with reference to the proposed Strategic Alignment Study and in consultation with the Beach 2 Beach local committee. 

e) Carry out investigations and planning with respect to undertaking tidal improvements to that part of the Lake Innes and Lake Cathie Estuarine System from the Ocean Drive bridge in a westerly direction. 

2. Add to the 2019-2020 Operational Plan the components of planning and design for the projects listed above so as to substantially progress each, using internal and/or contracted resources so as to not prevent completion of other existing projects in the 2019-2020 operational plan. 

3. Request the General Manager to add the remaining planning and design work for the projects listed above, plus substantial further work on each project, to the draft 2020-2021 Operational Plan.   

4. Request the General Manager to fund the nominated planning and design work specified in point 2, above, with loan borrowings raised immediately to the amount of $2,400,000.00. 

5. Request the General Manager to consider (in the current 2019-2020 operational plan, the draft 2020-2021 operational plan and in the review of the long term financial plan) the appropriate mitigation factors to offset the cashflow requirements (and operating performance impacts) of repaying the interest and principal associated with the above borrowings. 

6. Request the General Manager to consider additional borrowings up to $25,000,000.00 in total to fund the balance of the projects listed 1a) and 1b) above and progressing the projects listed 1c), 1d) and 1e) above (in the draft 2020-2021 operational plan and in the review of the long term financial plan), together with the appropriate mitigation factors to offset the cash flow requirements (and operating performance impacts) of repaying the interest and principal associated with the additional borrowings.” 

CARRIED: 6/2 

FOR: Alley, Dixon, Hawkins, Intemann, Levido and Turner 

AGAINST: Griffiths and Pinson 

At the same meeting Council further resolved as follows: 

“That Council: 

1. Note the information provided in the Lake Innes/Lake Cathie Estuary System Update Report. 

2. Request the General Manager to seek 50% Coastal Management Program funding to undertake the initial background studies as outlined, for input to the Lake Innes/Lake Cathie Coastal Management Program being $147,500.” 

 Q8. Council reports on its infrastructure backlog each year in the Annual Report - Financial Statements, available on our website. As at 30 June 2019 it was report that the estimated cost to bring assets to a satisfactory standard for all infrastructure (i.e backlog) was $112.8Million. This includes $77.7Million for sealed roads and $29.9Million for stormwater assets as the two biggest infrastructure asset class backlogs. 

The Draft Operational Plan does include the planning and investigation for the bulk filtration plant at Cowarra Dam, which is a multi-year strategic project for securing our water supply. Future Operational Plans will continue to include this important project as it progresses through design to construction and commissioning over the next 5 to 7 years. 

 For the short term water security in response to the drought Council initiated an emergency water supply security project to review upgrading the Wauchope Water Treatment Plant and undertake feasibility investigations into alternative sources of water such as groundwater and desalination. These projects are to ensure we can continue to have a secure water supply until such time as the bulk purpose built water filtration plant is built at Cowarra Dam. This project was initiated after the current draft Operational Plan was compiled, however it will be include in the final plan for adoption in June 2020.  

Council is also continuing to investigate potential new road links, such as the routes for the proposed Orbital Road, including connecting Ocean Drive to The Ruins Way and/or Major Innes Drive, as well as upgrades to the existing road network as part of the Port Macquarie Transport Network Improvement Planning Project. This planning project includes completing a Strategic Business Case for highest priority upgrades. This will allow Council to seek the required funding from the State and Federal Governments. This planning project continues into the 2020/21 Operational Plan year and is currently planned to be completed by August 2021. Council is working closely with Transport for NSW staff regarding improvements to the Oxley Highway as this is a State Government Controlled road. 

The new Hospital Car Park was delivered by the State Government for Hospital staff with access off Toorak Court, which comes off Lake Road. As the car park had an existing road connection the State Government unfortunately did not consider any road upgrades. Regarding the intersection of Toorak Court and Lake Road, due to the topographic constraints and adjacent services it is not feasible to construct a roundabout.  

Also: refer to Facebook Q&A livefeed - water security refer to 5.50min and traffic congestion  10.20mins & 42mins. 

Lake Cathie is included in the CMP stage 2 for next year with completion of Aboriginal Heritage study for Illaroo Road Stormwater and possible asbestos removal. Continued water quality monitoring and investigation in to issues associated with full estuarine health.  Also refer to facebook Q&A livefeed approx 18.30min & 46min

Council have a few options for annual Rate Increases. IPART set a maximum allowable increase of 2.6% p.a. this maximum amount is currently included in the Draft Budget for 2021 Financial Year. However, the Draft Budget was established prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdowns. Therefore, Counciil will conduct a formal review, including Councillors, taking into consideration the financial impacts of the Pandemic. The Budget is not formally endorsed until June 30th 2020.

Also refer to facebook Q&A livefeed approx 7.30min.

Council have a few options for annual Rate Increases. IPART set a maximum allowable increase of 2.6% p.a. this maximum amount is currently included in the Draft Budget for 2021 Financial Year. However, the Draft Budget was established prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdowns. Therefore, Counciil will conduct a formal review, including Councillors, taking into consideration the financial impacts of the Pandemic. The Budget is not formally endorsed until June 30th 2020.

Also refer to facebook Q&A livefeed approx 7.30min.

Affordable housing is a function of the State, however Council is very aware of this issue and continues to advocate various levels of Government in relation to it. Council is currently completing a Housing Choice Study, looking at housing affordability and matching the LGA demographic to ensure suitable housing stock. This will ensure that developments are providing a good mix of housing options.

Also refer to facebook Q&A livefeed 9.10min

Insurance repairs to the Marine Rescue building public amenities and kiosk commence on Monday 27 April.

Thanks for your feedback Wendy, we at Council agree that the Beach to Beach pathway is a great asset for residents and visitors to the Camden Haven area. We have enjoyed being involved with the community, in working together on this project.

Thanks for your input, we at Council agree that the Beach to Beach pathway is a great asset for residents and visitors to the Camden Haven area. We have enjoyed being involved with the community, in working together on this project.