(Annual Report2012- 2013 )

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September 2013

Acknowledgements

This Annual Report was prepared to meet the operational and financial reporting requirements within the Local Government Act 1989 and the Local Government (Finance and Reporting) Regulations 2004. For further information contact the Hobsons Bay City Council on 9932 1000 www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

The Council acknowledges the people of Yalukit Wilum of the Boon Wurrung Country that makes up the Greater Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of these municipal lands.

The Council acknowledges the legal responsibility to comply with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 and the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities is designed to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. The Charter gives legal protection to 20 fundamental human rights under four key values that include freedom, respect, equality and dignity.

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Table of contents

About this report5

A word from our Mayor6

A word from our CEO8

A snapshot of the years achievements10

Significant events in the city13

Summary of financial performance14

City profile22

Governing the city26

Organisational Structure34

Performance against Key Strategic Objectives42

Key Strategic Objective 1: Civic Leadership43

Key Strategic Objective 2: Community Wellbeing48

Key Strategic Objective 3: Environmental Sustainability53

Key Strategic Objective 4: A Liveable City63

Key Strategic Objective 5: Economic Sustainability68

Key Strategic Objective 6: Arts, Recreation and Culture74

Key Strategic Objective 7: Quality Infrastructure and Transport79

Corporate governance85

Statutory information92

Best value report96

Community grants106

Mayoral Program111

Ward funds112

Understanding the Financial Report118

Financial Report........................................................................................................................................120

Glossary....................................................................................................................................................187

About this report

Hobsons Bay is situated on Port Phillip Bay, about 10 kilometres west of central Melbourne. Its bay frontage, quality residential areas, expanses of environmentally significant open space and major industrial complexes all contribute to the city's culture, which is strongly linked to its maritime heritage, environment, industry and lifestyle.

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This Annual Report focuses on the Councils role as a representative government for the local community. As the closest level of government to the community, the Council is well placed to understand and respond to the communitys needs and aspirations. Everything the Council does is directed at serving the community and making Hobsons Bay a better place.

Local government is accountable to the community in the performance of functions, the exercise of powers and its use of resources. The Annual Report is a key demonstration of that accountability. This report provides a comprehensive review of the Councils operational and financial performance from 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2013 against the Council Plan 2009-2013 and the Budget 2012-2013.

The report includes:

An overview of the Council and its performance;

A detailed report on performance against each of the Councils seven objectives;

Corporate governance and statutory information, and

A detailed financial report.

Our Vision

Working together to achieve a vibrant and sustainable community that celebrates its diversity and provides opportunities for all.

Our Values

Passion about our people, city, services and environment

Respect for each other

Integrity

Diversity in our people and environment

Excellence in all we do.

Our Objectives

The Council Plan 2009-2013 sets the strategic direction for the organisation, based on seven key strategic objectives:

Civic Leadership;

Community Wellbeing;

Environmental Sustainability;

A Liveable City;

Economic Sustainability;

Arts, Recreation and Culture, and

Quality Infrastructure and Transport.

Quick facts about Hobsons Bay

Population 88,082 with a forecast increase of

17 per cent by 2031

Municipality covers an area of 66 sq km

Includes 16 sq km of open space

31 per cent of residents born overseas

19 per cent of residents have a disability

An increasing ageing population

39, 121 Rateable properties

520 kilometres of roads

Five Libraries

1,500 street trees planted.

A word from our Mayor

On behalf of all the councillors, it is with pride that we provide an overview of our achievements during the past year. The past 12 months have been a time of change and growth, with a new Council, new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a new direction, as Hobsons Bay City Council moves forward to create a vibrant city of which our community can feel proud. As the level of government closest to the community, we have and will continue to work hard to respond to community needs and support the development of high quality built, social, economic, cultural and natural environments that are conducive to wellbeing.

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Three new councillors were elected in October 2012, with three multi-member wards, ensuring equitable community representation. Hobsons Bay became one of eight Victorian councils with a female majority representation. Councillors Tony Briffa, Luba Grigorovitch, Peter Hemphill and I were re-elected, with Councillors Colleen Gates, Paul Morgan and Sandra Wilson joining us for the first time. I would also like to recognise the service of former Councillors Bill Tehan, Michael Raffoul and John Hogg, I thank them for their contribution this year.

We bid farewell to CEO Bill Jaboor, who was the CEO of the Council for almost nine years, and welcomed former Director Organisation Development Chris Eddy to the helm. As the Council moved towards a new era, a new strategic plan was required. In what was the Councils biggest and most thorough community consultation, the Community Health and Wellbeing Plan and Council Plan 2013-2017 were formed. The plans reflect the values of the community and focus on maintaining and improving infrastructure, parks and open spaces, enhancing tourism, promoting arts and culture, protecting the environment and ensuring that the community has access to Council services.

As part of our work to provide quality infrastructure to our community, we opened the Laverton Community Hub and Williamstown Library. These signature buildings at either end of our municipality will offer a range of highly valued services. The $8.6 million Laverton Community Hub will be home to community groups, health care professionals, religious organisations, social services, sporting groups and a cafe. The $8.1 million Williamstown Library features computers, iPads, a Heritage Room, self-serve checkouts, a cafe supporting people with a disability, accessible facilities, a gallery, community meetings spaces, and a range of books, DVDs and CDs.

Another important community facility, the Newport Gardens Early Years Centre, commenced construction in September 2012. This centre will meet the needs of local families and aid the eastern end of the municipality in meeting universal access for four year old kindergarten places. It will be open in early 2014.

Preparations started for the Newport Youth, Library and Seniors Centre, with architects invited to tender for the design of the multi-purpose facility. Meanwhile, the restoration of the Williamstown Town Hall continued, including a restored facade and historical features, refurbished Supper Room, reinstatement of the thermal chimney, a new roof, replaced flooring in the ballroom, accessible access for prams, wheelchairs, and other walking aids, and a linkway to the new Williamstown Library next door. Work will be complete by the end of 2013.

At Hobsons Bay, the environment is central to almost everything we do. Our unique location and landscape means we have a responsibility to be sustainable to ensure future generations can enjoy the lifestyle we have now. To help with this, the Council developed a Climate Change Policy 2013, Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2013-2018 and Environmental Engagement Strategy 2013-2018. The plans provide a strategic framework to manage climate change vulnerability while reducing environmental impacts of the Council and community to achieve zero net emissions by 2020 and 2030 respectively. The framework provides opportunities for public engagement, education and action. These proactive plans aim to limit our risks and safeguard our beloved coastline.

Work was also substantially completed on the Water Security Project to capture, collect and treat storm water to irrigate the Williamstown Cricket Ground, Paisley Park, and Laverton Recreation Reserve. This is a great initiative that will lower the Councils reliance on drinking water to irrigate our local sportsgrounds, parks and reserves.

Advocacy has long been a key role of the Council as a representative government. This will be stepped up over the coming four-year Council term. We joined a delegation to Canberra to advocate for support for the western region, strengthened our lobbying activities by resolving to join LeadWest and the Metropolitan Transport Forum, and met with the Minister for Planning regar