Agenda of Council Meeting - 22 October 2019

Council Meeting

22 October 2019

Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting held on 8 October 2019 at Ashfield Service Centre

Meeting commenced at 6.30pm

Present:

Darcy Byrne

Vittoria Raciti

Marghanita Da Cruz Mark Drury

Lucille McKenna OAM

Colin Hesse

Tom Kiat

Pauline Lockie

Victor Macri

Rochelle Porteous

John Stamolis

Louise Steer

Anna York
Michael Deegan

Erla Ronan

Cathy Edwards-Davis

David Birds

Ian Naylor

Mayor

Deputy Mayor

Councillor

Councillor (6.34pm)

Councillor

Chief Executive Officer

Director City Living

Director Infrastructure

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Manager Civic Governance

Katherine Paixao

Governance Coordinator

APOLOGIES:

Motion: (Hesse/McKenna OAM)

THAT apologies from Councillors Iskandar and Passas be accepted.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS:

Councillor Steer made an apology for comments she made to Councillor Macri during debate on Item 13 from the Ordinary Council Meeting on 24 September 2019.

Suspension of Standing Orders

Motion: (Byrne/Stamolis)

THAT Council Suspend Standing Orders to hear from the public speakers for Item 17 and deal with Item 17.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Councillor Porteous entered the Meeting at 6:34 pm.

C1019(1) Item 17 Notice of Motion: Discrimination

Motion: (Macri/Raciti)

THAT Council:

1. Reaffirms its stance that discrimination will not be tolerated in any form in relation to any of Council’s activities or functions;

2. Strengthen protection for victims of discrimination by encouraging the Chairperson to use the Acts of Disorder provisions of the Code of Meeting Practice to move a motion to remove the offender from the Council activity or function;

3. Reaffirms that the Inner West is an inclusive, welcoming and respectful community in accordance with the Community Strategic Plan; and

4. Does not accept that elected officials who regularly bring Council into disrepute believe a simple apology atones for the reputational damage they inflict to Council and their victims, which leads to the erosion of the communities confidence in this level of government.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Resumption of Standing Orders

Motion: (Byrne/Drury)

THAT Standing Orders be resumed.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES:

Motion: (Macri/Stamolis)

THAT the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 24 September 2019 be confirmed.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

PUBLIC FORUM

The registered speakers were asked to address the meeting. The list of speakers is available on the last page of these minutes.

C1019(1) Item 1 Local Traffic Committee Meeting held on 2 September 2019

Motion: (Hesse/McKenna OAM)

THAT the Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meeting held on 2 September 2019 be received and the recommendations be adopted.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 2 2019 Annual Grants Program

Motion: (York/Da Cruz)

THAT Council:

1. Approve the funding recommendations as detailed in Attachments 1 to 6; and

2. Receive a report detailing ways that Council can ensure its grant budget increases each year.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 3 Sporting Grounds - Fees & Charges

Motion: (Drury/McKenna OAM)

THAT:

1. Council proceed with the sporting ground fees and charges as advertised with the 2019/2020 budget except for clubs of the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association (CDSFA);

2. To ensure fairness for individual clubs who may face increased fees, that these be phased over four years;

3. Council allocate the sporting grounds for training and games to Canterbury District Soccer Football Association (CDSFA) for usage by football and that they then manage the allocations to the individual football clubs (Ashfield Pirates, Balmain & District FC, Burwood Soccer, Leichhardt Saints FC, Leichhardt Tigers Junior Soccer Club, Marrickville FC and Stanmore Hawks CDSFA teams only). CDSFA may not allocate Inner West sporting grounds to clubs which are not based in the Inner West;

4. Council charge CDSFA for use of the sporting grounds in accordance with the fees and charges as advertised with the 2019/2020 budget and that they then on-charge the individual clubs;

5. The Sporting Grounds Allocation Policy is modified to reflect this change in allocations being made to CDSFA. The total number of training and games hours allocated to CDSFA will generally be in accordance with the total hours that the clubs have allocated now. Any increase in total number of hours will be in accordance with the Policy. Council will play no part in any appeal process between individual CDSFA football clubs;

6. The proposed allocation changes are trailed for a period of two years, with a review at the end at that time;

7. Council work in close partnership with CDSFA to apply for relevant grant funding to upgrade sporting grounds and associated facilities within the Inner West;

8. Council note that planning for the 2019/20 summer season is well underway for local clubs;

9. Council defer any changes in the summer season sporting fees until 2020/21; and

10. Council set as principles for the summer season fee structure that there be no net increase in fees (beyond CPI) and no differential treatment of different codes.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Drury, Lockie, McKenna OAM, Raciti and York

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Macri, Porteous, Stamolis and Steer

Foreshadowed Motion (Porteous/Stamolis)

THAT Council defer the determination of sporting fees and charges as outlined in Item 3 in order to Conduct full consultation with all impacted sporting clubs, with Councillors involved in the consultation process, and the proposal that the Associations to manage the fees and allocation also be considered as part of this consultation process. The priorities of the Council in this consultation process are to achieve access, equity and ensure public use of the grounds is maintained.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 4 Exhibition of Additional Fees and Charges for 2019/20

Motion: (York/Lockie)

THAT Council:

1. Note the Draft Community Services Fees and Charges in Attachment 1 and the Community and Aquatic Facilities fees detailed in this report will be exhibited for a period of 28 days;

2. Note the guidelines for eligible Aquatic Sporting Clubs;

3. Resolves to adopt the Fees and Charges subject to no adverse submissions being received during the exhibition period;

4. Receive a report with the results of the public exhibition process providing a comparison of fees charged to aquatic sports clubs in other metropolitan areas; and

5. School P&C’s and P&F’s be eligible for the 100 per cent fee waiver for use of all Council facilities and parks.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Amendment (Kiat/Hesse)

THAT fees within the Community Bus, Home Linked Support, and Bus & Driver services that have increased above 3% in this financial year not be increased next financial year.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Porteous and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Raciti, Stamolis and York

C1019(1) Item 5 Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program - Public Domain Master Plan

Motion: (McKenna OAM/Da Cruz)

THAT:

1. Council adopts the Public Domain Master Plan for the Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program (Attachment 1); and

2. All residents and stakeholders who made submissions during the public exhibition period be notified of Council’s decision.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 6 Planning Proposal for 36 Lonsdale Street and 64-70 Brenan Street, Lilyfield

Motion: (Porteous/Byrne)

THAT:

Council does not support the proponent’s Planning Proposal for the reasons recommended to the IWLPP identified in Attachment 1;

Council does not support the amended Planning Proposal prepared by Council officers and recommended by the IWLPP in Attachment 2 and 3; and

A new Planning Proposal be developed which fully addresses the concerns of neighbours with regards to overlooking and overshadowing of their properties.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Hesse, Lockie, Porteous, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Drury, Kiat, Macri, McKenna OAM, Raciti and York

Foreshadowed Motion (Kiat/McKenna OAM)

THAT Council:

1. Does not support the proponent’s Planning Proposal for the reasons recommended to the Inner West Local Planning Panel (IWLPP) identified in Attachment 1;

2. Supports the amended Planning Proposal prepared by Council officers and recommended by the IWLPP for forwarding to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces for a Gateway Determination in accordance with Attachments 2 and 3;

3. Requests the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to delegate the plan making functions for the amended Planning Proposal prepared by Council officers to Council;

4. Following receipt of a favourable Gateway Determination for the amended Planning Proposal prepared by Council officers and compliance with any conditions, places the Planning Proposal on public exhibition and consults with public authorities;

5. Be provided with a report on submissions received during the public exhibition period and from consultations with public authorities; and

6. In negotiating a VPA with the proponent obtain an affordable housing contribution of at least 15% of total units resultant from the upzoning, consistent with Council's Affordable Housing Policy.

This Foreshadowed Motion lapsed.

C1019(1) Item 7 Councillor Representation on Committees

Motion: (Byrne/McKenna OAM)

THAT Council adopt the existing representatives on Council and External Committees until August 2020 subject to the following changes:

Councillor Da Cruz to be the alternate Councillor for the Local Traffic Committee; and

Councillor Steer to replace Councillor Da Cruz on the Flood Management Committee

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Amendment Motion: (Da Cruz/Kiat)

THAT Councillor Da Cruz be nominated as the Councillor representative for the Local Traffic Committee.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Porteous and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Raciti, Stamolis and York

C1019(1) Item 8 Investment Report as at 31 August 2019

Motion: (Lockie/Stamolis)

THAT the report be received and noted.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 9 Budget Saving Tracking Summary

Motion: (Lockie/Kiat)

THAT the Year to Date August 2019 Report be received and noted.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 10 2018/19 Annual Designated Person Disclosure (Pecuniary Interest) Returns

Motion: (Hesse/Raciti)

THAT Council note the tabling of Pecuniary Interest Returns of Councillors and Designated Staff for the return period 30 June 2018 to 30 June 2019.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 21 Mayoral Minute: WestConnex Construction Odour Fine

Motion: (Byrne)

THAT Council write to the Minister for Environment proposing that the fine payable by CPB for polluting the Inner West community with unbearable odours be committed to traffic management or other environmental measures in St Peters.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Councillor Raciti left the Meeting at 8:22 pm.

ADJOURNMENT

8.22pm - The Mayor, Clr Byrne adjourned the meeting for a short recess.

8.32pm– The Mayor, Clr Byrne resumed the meeting.

C1019(1) Item 11 Notice of Motion: Bunnings Tempe

Motion: (Byrne/Macri)

THAT:

1. The residential footpath along Smith Street be widened and rejuvenated to include nature strips to create distance and a screen between housing and increased traffic;

2. Council investigate options for increasing resident parking on Smith Street; and

3. Council write to Bunnings seeking confirmation of their offer to allow residents to use their car park to compensate for loss of on street parking on Smith Street.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Raciti

Councillor Raciti re-entered the Meeting at 8:34 pm.

C1019(1) Item 12 Notice of Motion: Mental Health data

Motion: (Stamolis/Drury)

THAT:

1. Council to note that:

a. Mental health and behavioural conditions are now the leading chronic health condition in Australia rising from 13.6% people being affected six years ago, 17.5% three years ago, to 20.1% today; and

b. Mental health and behavioural conditions affect 1.5 million people in NSW which has doubled over 10 years; with 85% of these people being of working age.

2. Council to utilise existing health survey data to advocate for and support mental health services and opportunities for these services in the Inner West.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 13 Notice of Motion: Long Term Accommodation Strategy: Full Community Consultation

Motion: (Porteous/Da Cruz)

THAT Council:

1. Undertakes full consultation with the community on the development of its’ Long Term Accommodation Strategy; and

2. Notes that:

a. The development of this strategy needs to be a public, open, accessible and transparent process;

b. The strategy will plan the future use of community-owned public buildings and as such should be designed to meet the needs of the local community; and

c. The priority of the strategy should also be on ensuring the use of buildings are costed at a rate that makes then financially accessibility to most of the community and most not for profit groups. The priority should not be on maximising income for Council.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 14 Notice of Motion: Organisation Restructure and Staff Redundancies

Motion: (Porteous/Stamolis)

THAT the CEO consult with Councillors and a briefing with Councillors regarding the proposed organisation restructure and any planned staff redundancies be organised as soon as possible.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Porteous, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Macri, McKenna OAM, Raciti and York

C1019(1) Item 15 Notice of Motion: Inner West Train Station Accessibility Upgrades

Motion: (Byrne/Hesse)

THAT Council:

1. Note that the Secretary for Transport NSW has committed to completing a station access upgrade at Petersham station by the end of 2021, and further access upgrades to Stanmore and St Peters stations by end of 2023; and

2. Write again to the Secretary for Transport urging the inclusion of Lewisham Station, currently ranked at six in the Sydney Trains Top 10 need ranking, Tempe Station, ranked 32 and Dulwich Hill Station, in future tranches of Transport for NSWs Transport Access Program.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 16 Notice of Motion: Westconnex Tunnelling at Camperdown

Motion: (Steer/Lockie)

THAT Council:

Writes to the Minister responsible for Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to request that:

a. the 24 hour tunneling underneath buildings near the tube dive site at Parramatta Road, Camperdown between Mallet Street and Pyrmont Bridge Road cease between midnight and 6am to allow residents to sleep without noise or vibrations, and

b. RMS releases to Council, building owners and residents the information from the noise monitor it has installed.

2. Writes to Environment Planning Authority requesting that EPA monitors the noise and vibrations occurring during tunneling and advises residents and RMS if they exceed 45 decibels for 15 minutes or more.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C1019(1) Item 18 Notice of Motion: Notification of New Tree DCP

Motion: (Macri/Byrne)

THAT:

1. Council undertake a letterbox drop to the residents of the Inner West notifying them of the amended Tree DCP;

2. The notification is to be is to be in 5 different languages including English.
They are; Italian, Chinese, Arabic, Greek and Vietnamese. In acknowledgement of our truly multicultural inclusive policies in the Community Strategic Plan;

3. The draft notification be distributed to Councillors for comment;

4. All submissions in their entirety are to made available to all Councillors two (2) weeks prior at the latest before the meeting for the adoption of the policy;

5. Council is not to advertise the Tree DCP until the conclusion of the School holidays which are concluding on the 14th of October. The advertising period is 4 weeks;

6. The report is to come back to the first Ordinary Council meeting in February 2020;

7. Council puts all necessary resources to achieve this timeline; and

8. The report is to be item 1 on the Business Paper on the first Ordinary Council meeting February 2020.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

The Mayor, Councillor Byrne retired from the Meeting at 9:25 pm.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Raciti assumed the Chair.

Confidential Session

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Raciti, asked the Chief Executive Officer if any representations had been received from the public on any of the items Council will be discussing in Closed Session as per the Agenda.

The Chief Executive Officer replied that no representations had been received to talk to the items in Closed Session.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Raciti, asked if there were any members of the public gallery who would like to speak on the reasons Council proposes to consider the items in Closed Session.

There were none.

Members of the Public were asked to leave the Chamber.

Motion: (Raciti/Drury)

THAT Council enter into Confidential session.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Byrne

That in accordance with Section 10A(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, the following matters be

considered in Closed Session of Council for the reasons provided:

C0919(2) Item 19 - 3 Cahill Street Annandale - Compulsory Acquisition (Section 10A(2)(d)(ii) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed confer a commercial advantage on a competitor of the Council.

C0919(2) Item 20 Land and Property Strategy Initiative - Hay Street Carpark Affordable Housing Redevelopment (Section 10A(2)(d)(ii) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed confer a commercial advantage on a competitor of the Council.

Motion: (Raciti/Drury)

THAT Council move back into the Open Session of the Council Meeting.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Byrne

Reports with Confidential Information

C1019(1) Item 19 3 Cahill Street Annandale - Compulsory Acquisition

Motion: (Drury/Da Cruz)

THAT Council:

1. Proceeds to acquire No.3 Cahill Street, Annandale NSW 2038 either by agreement or compulsorily acquisition process in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (Act), subject to approval from the Minister of Local Government;

2. Authorises the CEO or delegate to:

· do all things necessary to facilitate obtaining the Minister for Local Government’s approval;

· write to the property owners advising them of Council’s resolution;

· to enter into a negotiation process to try to reach an agreement for the acquisition of the property with the property owners and / or their legal representatives;

§ if the negotiation process fails, to proceed with compulsory acquisition in accordance with the Act; and

§ sign all documents to give effect to the acquisition.

3. Provides budget for the acquisition and open space improvements from the S94 Leichhardt Open Space Plan; and

4. Provides ongoing funding for the annual maintenance from working funds.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Byrne

C1019(1) Item 20 Land and Property Strategy Initiative - Hay Street Carpark Affordable Housing Redevelopment

Motion: (Kiat/Porteous)

THAT Council:

1. Deliver the Hay Street Carpark Redevelopment initiative including 100% affordable housing units, 55 space Council carpark and ground floor activation in partnership with Link housing including a profit share arrangement to commence after debt repayment;

2. Provide an investment of $900,000 into the redevelopment funded from Affordable Housing Contributions;

3. Lodge a site-specific planning proposal for the redevelopment Option 3 as detailed in the Confidential Attachment; and

4. Thank staff and Councillors who have been involved in developing this proposal.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Byrne

Meeting closed at 9.35 pm.

Public Speakers:

Item #	Speaker	Suburb
Item 3:	Paul Avery	Balmain – Balmain Football Club
Item 6:	Karen Armitage	Lilyfield
Item 17:	Bruno Nobrega Simon Konstantinidis	Marrickville Marrickville

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on the 8^th day of October, 2019 were confirmed as a correct record on this 22^nd day of October, 2019.

..............................................

CHAIRPERSON

Council Meeting

22 October 2019

Item No: C1019(2) Item 1

Subject: Financial Statements 2018/19

Prepared By: Daryl Jackson - Chief Financial Officer

Authorised By: Melodie Whiting - Director Corporate

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council:

1. Receives and notes the report; and

2. Endorses the Financial Statements to be placed on public exhibition with a view of tabling the final report at a November 2019 Council meeting.

BACKGROUND

Council is required to prepare Financial Statements in accordance with the Local Government Act and Regulations, Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Australian Accounting Standards. At its August meeting, Council resolved to release its statements for audit. The financial reporting period for the 2018/19 Financial Statements is 1July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

The 2018/19 Financial Statements are required (by legislation) to be endorsed by Council and then placed on public exhibition.

DISCUSSION

The 2018/19 Financial Statements are the third set of financial reports for the Inner West Council. Below is a summary of the financial information by reporting area.

Income Statement and Balance Sheet.

Council’s Income Statement for the year discloses that the net Operating Result from Continuing Operations was a surplus $16.8m in contrast to an original budget surplus of $23.0m. Council’s surplus of $16.8m is largely attributed to Capital Grants of $23.4m that will be applied to Capital Works.

Council loaded its Land and Buildings into one database for consistent asset management which identified errors relating to previous reporting periods –

a) The former Ashfield LGA a mixture of sandstone and concrete components in the Kerb & Gutter asset class. A change to the useful life for components of this asset category led to a reduction in accumulated depreciation. $2.6m of this reduction related to before amalgamation and has been reflected as a prior period adjustment.

b) Crown Land valued at $3.5m, Community Land valued at $29m and Operational Land valued at $0.2m had not been previously recorded in the asset register. The gain was recognised retrospectively with a corresponding increase in amalgamation gain on 1 July 2017.

c) Buildings of $3.7m and Aquatics Facilities of $0.1M had not been previously recorded. The gain was recognised retrospectively with a corresponding increase in amalgamation gain on 1 July 2017.

d) Land parcels that had been incorrectly included in Operational Land and Community Land, Operational Land and Crown Land, and Community Land and Community Land. The duplicate parcels of the Community Land valued at $45.4m; Crown Land valued at $0.1m and Operational Land valued at $13m were written off against the amalgamation gain on 1 July 2017.

e) Duplicate building assets amounting to $4.8m which were written off against the amalgamation gain on 1 July 2017.

f) After an external valuation of Buildings and Aquatics Facilities in 2017/18 Financial Year, Council reviewed this revaluation regarding the useful life of its assets. The results of this review were a $27m reduction in accumulated depreciation for aquatics facilities. The net gain of $21m was recognised retrospectively with a corresponding increase in amalgamation gain on 1 July 2017.

All errors that were identified relate to 2017/18. The impact of these changes on Council’s profit & loss for prior years is $178,000. (this is included on pages 43 and 44 in the Annual Financial Statements).

Council’s Balance Sheet discloses net assets of $2.41 billion, primarily made up of Infrastructure related assets of $2.19 billion. A breakdown of infrastructure assets can be found in the capital schedule known as note 9a.

Council’s cash position sees it hold $221.8m in cash and investments. The following is a breakdown by Reserve.

Reserve	Amount ($M)
Externally Restricted - S94 Develop Contributions	$63
Externally Restricted - Unexpended Grants	$11
Domestic Waste	$25
Externally Restricted - Other Externally Restricted	$7
Internally Restricted - Employee Leave Entitlement	$34
Internally Restricted – Deposits and Bonds	$16
Internally Restricted – Other	$3
Working Funds	$63
Total	$222

As a part of this process, Council’s has continued to fully fund its Employee Leave Entitlement at 100% of the estimated provision. (Previously only partially funded by the former 3 Council’s at approximately 50% of the total Employee Leave Entitlement).

Local Government Industry Indicators.

The Local Government indicators (summarised below) are determined by in the Code of Accounting practice. The indicators allow for inter council comparisons to be consistently made across the local government sector. The indicators are as follows:-

Operating Performance Ratio.

The purpose of the Operating Performance Ratio is to measure Council’s achievement of containing operating expenses within operating revenue.

Council’s operating performance ratio was 0.42% which is above the benchmark of zero. This was a reduction based on last year’s ratio (3.24%) as the Merger Implementation Grant (received in 16/17) were expensed during the current and past financial years.

Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio.

The purpose of this ratio is to measure fiscal flexibility. The ratio highlights the degree of reliance on external funding sources such as operating grants & contributions.

Council's Own Source Operating Revenue ratio is above the benchmark of 60% which means that it has a low reliance on grants to fund operating expenditure. This ratio has decreased in comparison to the 17/18 result as Council received lower State Government grants in the 18/19 financial year compared to the previous financial year.

Unrestricted Current Ratio.

The purpose of this ratio is to assess the adequacy of working capital and its ability to satisfy obligations in the short term for the unrestricted activities of Council.

Council's Unrestricted Current ratio is above the benchmark of 1.5. This benchmark will be used in the development in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan to ensure that Council is financially sustainable and able to meet its ongoing short term financial obligations (Payroll and Creditors). This ratio is relatively consistent with the prior year result.

Debt Service Coverage Ratio.

This ratio measures the availability of operating cash to service debt including interest, principal and lease payments.

Council's Debt Service ratio is above the benchmark of 2 and is capable of servicing its existing loan obligations as they are secured against rates income and factored into the budget. The ratio has decreased in comparison to the prior year as Council’s operating expenditure increased ($9.4m) due to the Service Units hiring new staff into open positions in line with their JCC approved structure.

Rates, Annual Charges, Interest and Extra Charges Outstanding percentage.

The ratio helps assess the impact of uncollected rates and annual charges on Council's liquidity and the adequacy of recovery efforts.

Council's Outstanding Rates and Annual Charges ratio exceeds the benchmark of 5%. Council will continue with its debt recovery actions for the 2019/20 financial year noting that no debt recovery action is taken against eligible pensioners.

Cash Expense Cover Ratio.

This liquidity ratio indicates the number of months a Council can continue paying for its immediate expenses without additional cash inflow.

Council's Cash Expense Cover ratio is above the benchmark of 3. This will continue to diminish in the coming financial years as working funds are used to address Council’s infrastructure backlog.

Council has exceeded benchmark in all of its financial indicators for this financial period. These will continue to be monitored throughout the 2019/20 financial year and in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan.

Council Infrastructure Industry Indicators

Council's Infrastructure asset indicators (found in Special Schedule 7) are a summary of Council’s infrastructure conditions for the financial year. Special Schedule 7 is not audited by the Audit Office in 2018/19.

A summary of the indicators show that Council needs to continue to spend money on renewals at a rate as assets continue to depreciate but still has a backlog of approximately $142m that needs to be addressed. Working funds have been allocated over the Long Term Financial Plan to address part of this backlog. However, the infrastructure backlog of $142m exceeds the total available working funds for Council to reduce the backlog below the benchmark on 1.9%.

These indicators will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as a part of the Long term Financial Plans and Asset Management Plans process.

Next Steps

To ensure compliance with legislation the following steps need to occur:

- Council endorses the financial reports and signs the accounts (31 October 2019);

- Council receives the Audit report from the Audit Office to be incorporated in the Financial Statements and then submitted to the Office of Local Government by 31 October 2019;

- Council places its Financial Statements on public exhibition for public comment;

- Council endorses the final report at its 26 November 2019 meeting noting any comments from the public exhibition period.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no net financial implications of this report. It is noted that general funds have been allocated to fund Council’s infrastructure shortfall over the Council’s Long-term Financial Plans.

The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee have had a briefing with Audit Office and Council officers to discuss the conduct of the audit and Council’s financial position.

Attachment 1 has been published separately in the Attachments Document on Council’s Website https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/the-council/council-meetings/current-council-meetings

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇨

Draft 2018/19 Financial Statements.

Council Meeting

22 October 2019

Item No: C1019(2) Item 3

Subject: Proposal for the re-establishment of Alcohol Free Zones in Marrickville, Sydenham and Newtown

Prepared By: Davide Torresan - Coordinator - Road Access Services

Authorised By: Cathy Edwards-Davis - Director Infrastructure

RECOMMENDATION

THAT:

1. Pursuant to Section 644B of the Local Government Act, 1993, an Alcohol-Free Zone be re-established at the following locations in accordance with the advertised proposal:

Location 1 - Marrickville

a) Marrickville Road (between Malakoff Street and Gladstone Street);

b) Alex Trevallion Plaza;

c) Malakoff Street (between Marrickville Road and Broadleys Lane);

d) Despointes Street (between Marrickville Road and Broadleys Lane);

e) Illawarra Road (between Marrickville Road and Tuohy Lane);

f) The Calvert Street car park;

g) Tuohy Lane (east-west section);

Location 2 - Sydenham:

a) The streets, laneways and footpaths within Sydenham Green Park;

b) The footpaths areas outside the General Gordon Hotel and Sydenham Railway Station (on the eastern side of Gleeson Avenue, between Railway Parade and Unwins Bridge Road and on the southern side of Burrows Avenue, between Gleeson Avenue and Swain Street, Sydenham).

Location 3 - Newtown:

a) Newtown Square on King Street, Newtown;

b) Northern side of King Street (Newtown Square to Mary Street), Newtown;

Location 4 - Newtown:

a) Bailey Street (between Enmore Road and Holt Street), Newtown;

b) Holt Street (between King Street and the road closure), Newtown; and

c) Goddard Street (between Bailey Street and King Street), Newtown.

2. The duration of the Alcohol-Free Zones be for four years, 24 hours per day unless otherwise suspended or cancelled by the Council;

3. The Alcohol-Free Zone in Marrickville be suspended during the holding of the annual Marrickville Festival; and

4. In addition to the Alcohol-Free Zones in the above streets, the prohibition of the consumption of alcohol in the laneways and footpaths of Sydenham Green which are zoned Public Recreation RE1 be approved, between sunset and 11.00am, in accordance with the provision of Section 632 of the Local Government Act, 1993 through the installation of suitable signs within the park.

DISCUSSION

Several Alcohol Free Zones previously established within the former Marrickville LGA have now expired and their re-establishment has been supported by the Inner West Police Area Command. It is proposed to re-establish the zones for the maximum duration of four years and 24 hours per day, as shown on the locality maps in Attachment 1. Should Council resolve to re-establish the Alcohol-Free Zones, its operation will come into effect not earlier than 7 days after the publication of a notice in the newspaper circulating in the area and through the installation of signage.

Community Engagement

Community engagement was undertaken during September and a copy of the proposal was sent to the Local Area Command, liquor licensees, registered clubs and community organisations within the area. The Police sent a letter of support (Attachment 2) for the renewal of the Alcohol Free Zones. Council received a total of eleven (11) submissions which provide comments on all four Alcohol Free Zones. A number of submissions were against the renewal of these zones for the following reasons:

· a blanket ban is over restrictive. If there are problems with antisocial behaviour they can be dealt with on a case by case basis;

· no need for alcohol free zones;

· people should be able to drink in public without police interference, and police have the power to intervene if people are drunk and disorderly; and

· these zones discriminate against economically vulnerable citizens to allow Police to ‘move on’ people they consider undesirable.

Officer’s Comments

An Alcohol Free Zone allows police to stop, speak to and move on people, who are acting and drinking irresponsibly, away from the area. Police advise that these zones have been an integral tool in assisting in reducing the rates of alcohol related assaults within the Inner West Command. They allow Police to target public place drinking in these areas where it is known to be prevalent and where there are little other security measures or other risk mitigation strategies to manage the level of public intoxication before it becomes a public amenity issue and a risk to the public safety.

ATTACHMENTS

1.⇩	Alcohol Free zone Proposal and Map Locations
2.⇩	Police letter in support of Alcohol Free Zones - Inner West Council - June 2019

Council Meeting

22 October 2019

Item No: C1019(2) Item 10

Subject: Notice of Motion: Petersham Oval Grandstand re-naming

From: Councillor Victor Macri

Motion:

THAT Council re-name the Petersham Oval Grandstand to “The Hughes family-Dudley Seddon Memorial Grandstand”.

Background

Petersham Oval. A place of honour for its great cricketers

Two of the greatest and most influential cricketers ever to grace Petersham Oval were Tommy Andrews and Dudley Seddon. It is therefore no surprise that their names are etched on the prime facilities at Petersham Oval—the scoreboard and grandstand.

The Tommy Andrews Memorial Scoreboard

Tommy Andrews played with the old Petersham Club between 1909 and 1936 scoring just on 11,500 runs in 1st Grade while taking 500 wickets. He went on to play 151 first-class games for NSW and Australia including 16 Test Matches. He also captained NSW four times. Andrews was awarded life membership of the Petersham club in 1924 and 13 years later received the same recognition from the NSW Cricket Association.

The Petersham Oval scoreboard was constructed in 1936 and named in Tommy Andrews’ honour shortly after. It is understood that following his passing in 1970, the name was changed to the T J Andrews Memorial Scoreboard. That name sits atop the scoreboard to the present day.

The D. Seddon Memorial Grandstand

Dudley Seddon played for Petersham from 1915 until 1943. He scored almost 8,000 runs in 1st Grade, captaining the team for seven successive seasons. He also played for NSW six times. While cricket was Dudley’s first love, he was also a capable rugby league centre three-quarter for Newtown who went on to represent NSW when aged just 20.

As an administrator Dudley was first elected to the Petersham committee in 1930 before becoming the club’s delegate to the NSW Cricket Association in 1942, a position he held for the following 26 years. He was made a NSW Cricket Association Life Member in 1951 having previously been conferred with such honour by the Petersham club in July 1940. He became Petersham-Marrickville President in 1959 serving in that role until 1968, the year he retired.

It was Dudley’s role as a State and Australian selector between 1947 and 1967 however, where he exerted his greatest influence on the game. As a national selector for the final 12 years of that period with Sir Donald Bradman and Jack Ryder, he was an integral part of one of the most formidable selection panels in the game’s history. It was this group which established a selection approach and culture which ushered in a golden era of Australian cricket, the benefits of which remain evident in today’s modern game.

Dudley Seddon died at Dulwich Hill on 18 April 1978 just prior to his 76th birthday. In recognition of his contribution to the Petersham club the grandstand at Petersham Oval was named in his honour. For reasons unknown, his name has since been painted over and is no longer visible on the grandstand awning. The attached photo of the 1979-80 Randwick team at Petersham Oval however, clearly shows the name “D. Seddon Memorial Stand”.

The Hughes family

While the names Tommy Andrews and Dudley Seddon are synonymous with Petersham/Petersham-Marrickville cricket, there can be no doubt that the name “Hughes” conjures similar recognition. Two generations of Hughes players, administrators and volunteers covering a period of activity totalling 64 years between 1944 and 2008 gives ample testimony to that claim.

Born in Newtown and a product of Lewisham Christian Brothers, Noel Hughes joined the old Marrickville club as a 15 year old in 1943-44. He joined Petersham the following summer and in 1947-48 made his 1st Grade debut. Over the following 32 seasons, he went on to score over 9,000 runs including 6,817 in 1st Grade.

In 1946, Noel brought along his then girlfriend and later wife Patricia to help out with afternoon teas at Petersham Oval. That was the beginning of a period of voluntary assistance which continued until her “retirement” in 2008—62 years later. Together with two other ladies—Helen Milford who joined her in 1951 and Robin Gardner in 1966—Pat and her “team” became legendary in Sydney Grade Cricket for their Petersham Oval hospitality. Indeed, there would hardly be a 1st or 2nd Sydney Grade cricketer in all that time who wasn’t served “a cuppa” by each of these ladies. In fact, Pat Hughes was as well known in Sydney cricket circles as any leading player.

Noel and Pat Hughes were married in 1951 and in October 1952 their first son Garry was born. Mark followed a couple of years later with Graeme arriving in 1955. Each of the three boys played 1st Grade cricket for Petersham-Marrickville with Graeme fulfilling his father’s dream and playing Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW. Graeme became a dual State representative playing rugby league for NSW. Between father Noel’s debut season of 1947 and the final season of Graeme’s career in 1995, there had hardly been an occasion when Petersham or Petersham-Marrickville 1st Grade team took the field without the Hughes name in the starting line-up.

Noel Hughes was a cricket icon in the Petersham area throughout his career. After filling in for a few matches in 1975-76 Noel Hughes hung up his boots. He continued to serve the club as a committee member however, and when he eventually stood down in 1998, he had chalked up a mammoth 42 successive years as an administrator. Deservedly, he was awarded Life Membership of Petersham Marrickville in 1971 while in 2000 he, along with wife Patricia who had served an estimated 50,000 cups of tea at Petersham Oval, was awarded the Australian Sports Medal by the Governor-General. In 2010 they were again both honoured with Cricket Australia’s 50 Years’ Service Medal.

While Garry and Mark Hughes played 1st Grade with Petersham-Marrickville CC, it was third brother Graeme who had more success on the cricket field. He made his 1st Grade debut at age 17 and went on to play for the following 21 seasons scoring over 6,500 runs with 11 centuries. He was the top-scorer in the Grand Final when Petersham-Marrickville won the 1st Grade premiership in 1974-75. Hughes went on to play 22 matches for NSW making his Sheffield Shield debut against Victoria in 1975 aged 20.

Just prior to his first-class cricket debut, Hughes played his first game of rugby league for NSW against Queensland aged 19 becoming a “Dual Blue”. He followed Dudley Seddon who also achieved that feat.

Hughes was an integral member of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs sides of the late 1970s-early 80’s along with his brothers Garry and Mark. All three played in the NSWRFL Grand Final of 1980 won by Canterbury-Bankstown 18-4 over Easts with Graeme playing a starring role.

Recommendation

With the renovation of the Petersham Oval grandstand nearing completion, it is felt that consideration should be given to the re-naming of the facility. As indicated above, the name of Dudley Seddon is entirely appropriate to be retained. However, with the passage of time and the contribution and achievements of the Hughes family since the original naming, this club is of the strong view that their name should also be recognised at a venue which was like a “second home” to each and every one of them over a long period of time.

In this regard it is suggested the Petersham Oval Grandstand be re-named “The Hughes family-Dudley Seddon Memorial Grandstand”.

Officer’s Comments:

Comment from Parks and Recreation Planning Manager:

A number of memorials and monuments are scattered throughout Petersham Park. The gates and stone gate-post in Brighton Street form an Anzac Memorial (opened 1921). Other memorials include the D Seddon Grandstand and the T J Andrews Scoreboard which commemorate cricketers in the locality. Cricket is however not the only organised sport played at Petersham Park, baseball has been a feature of the park for over thirty years and the grandstand and its facilities are a shared facility.

The park is a listed heritage item and it needs to be respected as such. In early 2020 Council will be commencing the development of a Plan of Management for Petersham Oval. This is the correct vehicle for Council to consider any proposed name change or naming addition to the grandstand facility. The Plan of Management process will include significant community engagement with both park users and the general community. A change in name to any key assets within the park should be consulted appropriately with the community and the results of community engagement reported back to Council for consideration, prior to any name change being determined by Council.

ATTACHMENTS

Nil.

1.⇩	Victoria Road Precinct Water Infrastructure Study by GRC Hydro (October 2019)
2.⇩	Public Exhibition of Victoria Road Precinct Planning Documents – Key Issues & Response Actions
3.⇨	Post Exhibition Version – Part 9.47 Victoria Road (Precinct 47) of the Marrickville Development Control Plan 2011 (published separately on Council’s website)
4.⇨	Post Exhibition Version – Victoria Road Precinct, Marrickville Sub-plan of the Marrickville Contributions Plan 2014 (published separately on Council’s website)

Ward	Item
Baludarri (Balmain)	Evans Street and Roseberry Street, Balmain - Proposed Kerb Blister Islands and Garden Beds
	Red Lion Street, Rozelle - Annual Road Occupancy (Street Party)
	Valley Street, Balmain - Proposed Marked Car Parking Bays
	White Street, Lilyfield - Part Time 'No Parking' Restriction
	Long Walk Home - Special Event
	Proposed changes to parking in Jubilee Place, Balmain
Gulgadya (Leichhardt)	Wells Street, Annandale - Christmas Street Party (Road Occupancy)
	Dalhousie Street, (Ramsay Street - Waratah Street), Haberfield – Local Road Project
	George Street at Treadgold Street South, Leichhardt - Proposed 'Give-Way' control
	Draft Croydon Parking Study
	Hawthorne Parade, Haberfield - Proposed '2 hour' Parking Zone
	Hearn Street, Leichhardt - Proposed 'No Parking' restriction
	Chester Street at Gehrig Lane, Annandale - Proposed 'No Stopping' zone extension
	Request to make unnamed laneway in Leichhardt resident access only
	Trailers parked on Darley Road, Leichhardt
Midjuburi (Marrickville)	Burrows Avenue, Sydenham – Temporary Full Road Closures - Sydney Metro Sydenham Station and Junction Works – Amendment to approved road closure dates
	Smith Street, Marrickville - Proposed Extension of Permit Parking Area M19
	Victoria Road, Marrickville - Proposed 1P Restrictions
	Wooley Lane, Marrickville – Proposed 6 metre Extension to Existing ‘NO PARKING’ Restriction
	Burrows Avenue and Hogan Avenue, Sydenham – Sydney Metro SSJ Works – Temporary traffic control arrangements – Pedestrian safety issues
Djarrawunang (Ashfield)	Garnet Street, Dulwich Hill – Temporary Full Road Closure of Rail Overbridge south of Hampden Street/The Parade and north of Floss Street/Ewart Street - Sydney Metro early enabling works on T3 Line
	Queen Street at Arthur Street & Norton Street, Croydon - Proposed Traffic Calming at the intersections including Kerb Blisters (Design Plans 10095 & 10096)
	Heighway Avenue, Ashfield - Temporary Road Closure For Christmas Street Party
Damun (Stanmore)	Westbourne Lane, Stanmore – Request for ‘No Parking’ Restrictions
Damun (Stanmore)	Signalised crossing at corner of Pyrmont Bridge Road and Parramatta Road, Camperdown
All Wards	Minor Traffic Facilities
	Review into Simplification of Parking Signs
	Committee thanks Ryan Horne

1.⇨	Officers Supplementary Report to Sydney Eastern Planning Panel - (published separately on Council’s website)
2.⇨	Applicants Response to Sydney City East Planning Panel Deferral - (published separately on Council’s website)

1.⇩	IWC Sep19
2.⇩	IWC Economic and Investment Portfolio Commentary Sep 19