Community Survey - December 2017 31 Appendix A – Survey Questions SECTION A – SCREENER AND KEY INFORMATION A1 Thanks for your interest in this survey. To start, please tell us your home postcode. We’re asking this question so we can get a spread of interviews from different places. Please ensure you put in your correct residential postcode to enable us to guarantee the views of your suburb are reflected. A2 What is your gender? Male 1 Female 2 Transgender 3 Other (type in) 4 Prefer not to say 5 A3 How old are you? 18 to 24 1 25 to 34 2 35 to 44 3 45 to 54 4 55 to 64 5 65 to 74 6 75+ 7 NEW SCREEN Thanks for your answers so far and welcome to our 2017 Sutherland Shire citizen engagement survey. The Sutherland Shire Council is working with the independent research agency Ruby Cha Cha to help plan what the Shire will be like in the future. We need the views and opinions of residents like you, to help us decide what’s best for the Shire and future generations. During this survey we will be looking to understand: • More about you and your household • What you think of the Shire • What services you value • Where the Council should be focusing its spending in the future Your answers in this survey will be used at an aggregated level – i.e. we won’t be looking at your opinions at an individual level. We want you to answer honestly – there are no wrong answers. This survey should take 15-20 minutes to complete. Ruby Cha Cha adheres to the AMSRS Code of Professional Behaviour. AMSRS are the Australian Market & Social Research Society.
Transcript
Community Survey - December 2017 31
Appendix A – Survey Questions SECTION A – SCREENER AND KEY INFORMATION A1 Thanks for your interest in this survey. To start, please tell us your home postcode. We’re asking this question so we can get a spread of interviews from different places.
Please ensure you put in your correct residential postcode to enable us to guarantee the views of your suburb are reflected.
A2 What is your gender? Male 1 Female 2 Transgender 3 Other (type in) 4 Prefer not to say 5 A3 How old are you? 18 to 24 1 25 to 34 2 35 to 44 3 45 to 54 4 55 to 64 5 65 to 74 6 75+ 7 NEW SCREEN Thanks for your answers so far and welcome to our 2017 Sutherland Shire citizen engagement survey. The Sutherland Shire Council is working with the independent research agency Ruby Cha Cha to help plan what the Shire will be like in the future. We need the views and opinions of residents like you, to help us decide what’s best for the Shire and future generations. During this survey we will be looking to understand:
• More about you and your household • What you think of the Shire • What services you value • Where the Council should be focusing its spending in the future
Your answers in this survey will be used at an aggregated level – i.e. we won’t be looking at your opinions at an individual level. We want you to answer honestly – there are no wrong answers. This survey should take 15-20 minutes to complete. Ruby Cha Cha adheres to the AMSRS Code of Professional Behaviour. AMSRS are the Australian Market & Social Research Society.
A4 The Sutherland Shire area is made up of five wards based on geography and population. Each of these wards are similar in population size and three councillors represent each ward.
Which ward do you live in?
(You can click on the ward’s name to open a map of that area. If you are still unsure what ward you live in, you can use the Council’s website by entering your address here)
Ward A Includes: Bundeena, Burraneer, Cronulla, Dolans Bay, Greenhills Beach, Greenhills Beach, Kurnell, Lilli Pilli, Maianbar, Port Hacking, Royal National Park, Woolooware
1
Ward B Includes: Caringbah South, Grays Point, Gymea, Gymea Bay, Miranda, Yowie Bay 2
Ward C Caringbah, Jannali (parts of), Kangaroo Point, Kareela, Kirrawee (parts of), Oyster Bay, Sylvania, Sylvania Waters, Taren Point
3
Ward D Engadine, Heathcote, Kirrawee (parts of), Loftus, Sutherland, Waterfall, Woronora Dam, Woronora Heights, Yarrawarrah
4
Ward E Alfords Point, Bangor, Barden Ridge, Bonnet Bay, Como, Holsworthy, Illawong, Jannali (parts of), Lucas Heights, Menai, Sandy Point, Woronora
5
None of the above 99
CLOSE IF A4=99
Thank you for your time, but you are required to be a resident of one of the Sutherland Shire wards to complete this survey. A5 Which of these best describes where you live? Separate house 1 Medium density (e.g.: town houses, terraces, dual occupancies, manor homes - small low-rise residential buildings containing only 3 to 4 homes) 2
High density (e.g.: apartment blocks containing 4 homes or more) 3 Caravans, cabin, houseboat 4 Other (type in) 5 A6 And is your home…? Fully owned by you / someone in your household 1 Currently being paid for via a mortgage by you / someone in your household 2 Rented 3 Other (type in) 4
A7 Including yourself, how many people live in your household?
Number of adults
(aged 18+)
Number of children (aged 17
or under) None n/a 1 One 2 2 Two 3 3 Three 4 4 Four 5 5 Five 6 6 Six or more 7 7 A8 How many motor vehicles do you have in your household? None 1 One 2 Two 3 Three 4 Four 5 Five 6 Six or more 7 A9 And do you drive? Yes 1 No 2 A10a How many minutes do you think you spend travelling in your motor vehicle(s) on a
typical weekday and on a typical weekend day?
A typical weekday A typical weekend day A10b And approximately what percentage of these do you think you spend on roads in the
Shire? If you’re not too sure, please give us your best estimate.
On a typical weekday, you spend [INSERT A10a_1 ANSWER] minutes a day
travelling in your motor vehicle
On a typical weekend day, you spend [INSERT A10a_2 ANSWER] minutes a day
A11 Which of these bests describes what you do? Work full time from home 1 Work full time somewhere in the Shire 2 Work full time outside of the Shire 3 Work part time from home 4 Work part time somewhere in the Shire 5 Work part time outside of the Shire 6 Go to school / college / university / TAFE / etc. somewhere in the Shire 7 Go to school / college / university / TAFE / etc. outside of the Shire 8 Not employed / not in education 9 Retired 10 Other (type in) 11 A12 When you go to [IF A11=2,3,4,5,6 work] [IF A11=7,8 your place of education], how do
you typically get there? If you use multiple modes of transport, select all the ones that you use.
Car – as driver SHOW IF A9=1 1 Car – as passenger ALWAYS SHOW 2 Train ALWAYS SHOW 3 Bus ALWAYS SHOW 4 Taxi ALWAYS SHOW 5 Truck ALWAYS SHOW 6 Motorbike ALWAYS SHOW 7 Bicycle ALWAYS SHOW 8 Walk ALWAYS SHOW 9 Other (type in) ALWAYS SHOW 10
A13 How much does your household pay for general rates per quarter (i.e. not the annual amount)?
You may have to look this up using one of your Rates Notice bills (see the example image below); or by asking the member of your household who pays the rates. SHOW IF A6=3: As a renter, this is typically paid by your landlord and might not be a bill which you pay directly. If you are not sure how much is paid, you can select the ‘Not sure’ option.
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dRATEMIDPOINT
(holds approx. value for
dDOLLAR) I know my quarterly amount / have looked it up and it is: (TYPE IN) 1 =VALUE TYPED IN
I estimate my quarterly rate is between $0 and 200 2 $100 I estimate my quarterly rate is between $201 and $300 3 $250 I estimate my quarterly rate is between $301 and $400 4 $350 I estimate my quarterly rate is between $401 and $500 5 $450 I estimate my quarterly rate is between $501 and $700 6 $600 I estimate my quarterly rate is between $701 and $900 7 $800 I estimate my quarterly rate is between $901 and $1,000 8 $950 I estimate my quarterly rate is between $1,001 and $10,000 9 $5,500 I estimate my quarterly rate is between $10,001 and $20,000 10 $15,000 I estimate my quarterly rate is over $20,000 11 $25,000 Not sure 99 n/a A14 How sure are you that your quarterly rate is: [SHOW RELEVANT LABEL BASED ON
ANSWER AT A13: Between $x and $x]?
That’s definitely my rate 1
I’m quite confident that’s my rate 2 I’m not too sure, I took an informed guess 3 I wasn’t sure at all, I just guessed 4
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SECTION B – ATTITUDES B1 We ran some citizens forums at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre in October 2017
where a number of residents shared their views on the Shire.
Here are some of the things they said – how much do you agree or disagree with these quotes?
Use the 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is ‘strongly disagree’ and 5 is ‘strongly agree’.
1
Strongly Disagree
2 3 4 5
Strongly agree
1 “If there was better public transport, I’d use a car less” SHOW IF A8=2-7 1 2 3 4 5
2 “It is getting harder to find parking spots in the Shire” 1 2 3 4 5 3 “Having a car in the Shire is essential” 1 2 3 4 5 4 “There are too many cars in the Shire” 1 2 3 4 5
5 “There’s nothing wrong with a household having one or more cars per driver.” 1 2 3 4 5
6 “I’d prefer it if smaller residential development was spread across the whole Shire” 1 2 3 4 5
7 “I’d prefer residential development to be centralised around the transport corridors in the Shire” 1 2 3 4 5
8 “The outdoor spaces are a key part of the Shire’s identity” 1 2 3 4 5
9 “When it comes to outdoor spaces, people in the Shire are spoilt for choice” 1 2 3 4 5
10 “The Shire has lots of options, when it comes to having an active lifestyle” 1 2 3 4 5
11 “The Shire has good leisure facilities, like the swimming pools” 1 2 3 4 5
12 “Lots of the outdoor space goes to waste in the Shire – it just lies empty, or is only used by a select few.” 1 2 3 4 5
13 “If small outdoor spaces are not being used they are not adding much value” 1 2 3 4 5
14 “Our parks are well maintained” 1 2 3 4 5
15 “The Shire should develop tourism in the area as it’s a great place to visit” 1 2 3 4 5
16 “It’s everyone’s responsibility in the Shire to help protect the environment” 1 2 3 4 5
17 “Population growth is inevitable. The Shire has to do its fair share and support this” 1 2 3 4 5
18 “Sport is a key part of the Shire’s identity” 1 2 3 4 5
19 “It’s important the Shire has strong arts and culture opportunities.” 1 2 3 4 5
20 “To help maintain my way of life in the Shire, I’m willing to pay more in rates” 1 2 3 4 5
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NEW SCREEN Sutherland Shire Council looks after a range of services and infrastructure in the area, including running and maintenance of:
• 800km of roads, 33 hectares of car parks and 560km of footpaths (in 2016, $7.8m was spent to maintain these)
• 612km of stormwater pipes and the waterways (in 2016, $1.8m was spent to maintain these)
• 800+ hectares of open space, including more than 850 parks and reserves, and 119 sports fields (in 2016, $11m was spent to maintain these)
• 569 buildings and structures, which includes community halls, public toilets, sporting club-houses and amenities and libraries (in 2016, $7.8m was spent to maintain these)
• 9 tidal pools plus jetties, boat ramps and pontoons • 5 leisure centres (Sutherland, Caringbah, Engadine, Como Swimming complexes, and
Menai Indoor Sport) • Over 13km of beaches • 149 playgrounds • 1 central and 7 branch libraries plus a mobile library service • Sutherland Entertainment Centre • Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery • Community events
B2 How do you feel towards the Sutherland Shire Council in general?
1 2 3 4 5 Very negative Negative Neutral Positive Very positive
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B3 At the same forums, some residents of the Shire gave us their opinions on the Council and here are some of the things they said.
Based on your experiences, how much do you agree or disagree with these quotes? Please be honest, we value your opinions!
Use the 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is ‘strongly disagree’ and 5 is ‘strongly agree’.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 3 4 5
Strongly agree
1 “The Council does a good job for the Shire” 1 2 3 4 5
2 “I trust that the Council has the best interests of the Shire at heart” 1 2 3 4 5
3 “I think the Council does a better job than other councils in the Sydney region” 1 2 3 4 5
4 “I think the Council is efficient in the way they do things” 1 2 3 4 5 5 “I think Council is efficient when I deal with them” 1 2 3 4 5
6 “The Council should be more open about the future challenges facing the Shire” 1 2 3 4 5
7 “The Council needs to improve how and what it communicates to the public” 1 2 3 4 5
8 “The Council needs to modernise its approach to customer experience” 1 2 3 4 5
9 “The Council needs to make better use of social media” 1 2 3 4 5
10 “I think the council is moving into the modern age by providing better ways to engage online.” 1 2 3 4 5
11 “The Council needs to be clearer about how development application decisions are made”
1 2 3 4 5
B4a The Sutherland Shire has fifteen elected councillors, three in each ward. Do you
know any by name?
Yes 1 No 2 B4b And, which councillors do you know by name
Community Survey - December 2017 39
SECTION C – SERVICES C1 How important are these Council supported services to you?
Use the 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is ‘not very important’ and 5 is ‘very important’.
7 Local bushland (excluding national parks), creeks and waterways 1 2 3 4 5
8 Tree services / management 1 2 3 4 5 9 Patrolled beaches 1 2 3 4 5 10 Sports fields, tennis and netball courts 1 2 3 4 5 11 Swimming pools / leisure centres or tidal pools 1 2 3 4 5 12 Libraries 1 2 3 4 5 13 Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery 1 2 3 4 5 14 The Sutherland Entertainment Centre 1 2 3 4 5 15 Community events (e.g. Australia Day) 1 2 3 4 5 16 Community halls 1 2 3 4 5 17 Boat ramps, pontoons, jetties 1 2 3 4 5 18 Child care centres 1 2 3 4 5
Community Survey - December 2017 40
SECTION D – INTRO / CONTEXT SETTING Scott Phillips is the General Manager of Sutherland Shire Council and would like to share some information with you. This video contains some important information about the future of the Shire and will help give you some context for the questions we’re about to ask you. Video If you ever want to find out more about the management of growth in Greater Sydney, this website contains the latest South District Plan developed by the Greater Sydney Commission for the coming 20 years: https://www.greater.sydney/draft-south-district-plan NEW SCREEN Here’s a reminder of some of the key points Scott Phillips mentioned in his video:
• The Council provides a wide range of services to Sutherland Shire to help support the area’s lifestyle
• Over the next ten years the Council faces the challenge of rising operating costs with energy bills, costs of materials and maintenance costs (of aging assets) all increasing
• Population growth is inevitable and by 2026 Sutherland Shire’s population will grow by 20,000, which will have to be supported through more development and more maintenance
• Sutherland Shire’s population growth rates is the lowest in Sydney at less than 1% per annum
• The Council is forecasting it needs this much additional spend across these areas:
• To fund this additional spend, the Council forecasts it cannot achieve this through the rate
rise level which is currently allowed by the state government regulator • This is why we’re talking to you – we’re looking to understand what’s important to you and
where the focus of the Council’s spending should be
D1 Knowing this information, how do you feel now about the Sutherland Shire Council?
1 2 3 More negative About the same More positive
SECTION E – RATE CHANGES E1 As you heard Scott Phillips (General Manager of Sutherland Shire Council) say in his
video, costs are increasing, and additional revenue is needed to carry on delivering the range of services currently provided.
. There are several ways revenue can be raised, such as:
• selling council land and buildings • introducing or increasing user fees and charges • borrowing / loans, incurring interest charges on the amount borrowed, and/or; • increasing rates above 2.5% by applying to IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulation
Tribunal) for an assessment of need. In your opinion, what percentage of the extra revenues should come from these four options? Type in your answers in the boxes. Your answers have to add to exactly 100% before you can continue.
1 Selling council land and buildings: Provides quick gains in the short term, fewer council owned infrastructure in the long term
RECORD 0-100 FIGURE
2
Increase user fees (e.g.: for leisure facilities, parking, community hall hire): Provides some gains in both the short and longer terms
RECORD 0-100 FIGURE
3
Increase borrowings / loans: Interest rates are currently low, has to be paid back over the longer term and across generations of residents
RECORD 0-100 FIGURE
4
Increase rates, above the 2.5% limit for the next three years: Provides gains in the short term which are sustained year after year once the rate peg limit is re-instated.
RECORD 0-100 FIGURE
Total SHOW RUNNING TOTAL
Community Survey - December 2017 42
NEW SCREEN When it comes to rate changes, the year-on-year increase which Council can charge is put in place by the independent state authority IPART. For Sutherland Shire the rate was 1.5% this financial year and has been forecast by IPART at 2.5% in subsequent years. The Council’s forecasts are showing that unless there is a drastic change to expenditure on services, the 2.5% ‘rate peg’ will be insufficient to sustain its existing services and infrastructure. Council can apply to IPART for an additional increase above the rate pegging limit if services cannot be sustained with existing revenue, and service cuts are not supported by the community. We’re asking the next couple of questions to get an understanding of what is an acceptable change for residents of the Shire. E2 Now we’d like you to think about rate changes in relation to four different questions. SHOW IF A6=3 As a renter you may not pay the rates directly, please base your answer on a scenario where you are the direct rate payer for where you currently live.
TOO EXPENSIVE E2a Question 1: What annual rate change (for each year, for the next three years) would you
consider the increase to be so much, you feel it would seriously affect your household budget and you would have to reduce spending in other areas?
EXPENSIVE, SHOW CODES WHICH ARE LOWER IN VALUE THAN E2a OR EQUAL TO E2a E2b Question 2: At what annual increase (for each year, for the next three years) are rates
starting to get high, but not out of the question for your household’s budget? GOOD VALUE, SHOW CODES WHICH ARE LOWER IN VALUE THAN E2b OR EQUAL TO E2b E2c Question 3: At what annual increase (for each year, for the next three years) do you see
rates as affordable for your household’s current budget? TOO CHEAP, SHOW CODES WHICH ARE LOWER IN VALUE THAN E2c OR EQUAL TO E2c E2d Question 4: What annual rate change (for each year, for the next three years) do you
consider to be inadequate for Council to support and plan carefully for the future of the Shire?
10 +7.00% 11 +7.50% 12 +8.00% 13 +8.50% 14 +9.00% 15 +9.50% 16 +10.00% E3 Based on the information we’ve shared with you on the future of council services in the Shire, which of these four scenarios do you prefer?
SHOW IF A6=3 As a renter you may not pay the rates directly, please base your answer on a scenario where you are the direct rate payer.
Rate change What this will achieve
1 A +2.5% rate rise every year, for the
next 3 years
This is the limit set by the State regulator (IPART). Initially this maintains services and
infrastructure as they are. Over time there will be a steady decline as maintenance cannot be sustained, resulting in a backlog of repairs to
be made.
2 A +5.0% rate rise every year, for the
next 3 years
Maintains service areas as they are, with adequate revenue for energy and
maintenance costs (e.g. roads, public toilets, playgrounds, sporting facilities, streetscapes
and footpaths).
3 A +7.5% rate rise every year, for the
next 3 years
Maintains services and infrastructure as they are and makes steady improvements to public
Maintains service areas and infrastructure as they are and increases Council’s ability to
make key upgrades associated with population increases ahead of development.
Builds strategic reserves of capital for responses to flooding and other emergency
incidents..,
Community Survey - December 2017 44
E4 Rate calculations are based upon the value of the land before anything is built upon it, not the market value of the property. High density living areas (i.e. apartments) mean a larger number of households share the overall value of the land and this is reflected in their calculated rates. In this system, houses pay on average more than double the amount which units pay, with many units having 2 people on average, compared with an average of 3 people living in houses.
Knowing the above information, how much do you agree or disagree with these
statements?
Use the 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is ‘strongly disagree’ and 5 is ‘strongly agree’.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 3 4 5
Strongly agree
1 The amount paid to Council should be fair between houses and apartments 1 2 3 4 5
2 I think people who live in apartments use Council services more than people who live in houses 1 2 3 4 5
3 Council should reduce the gap between the rates charged for houses and units 1 2 3 4 5
E5 Annual rates for apartment units in Sutherland Shire are lower than other similar
beach or bay side councils.
Council Average annual rate for apartment units Sutherland Shire $588
Randwick $764 Manly $798
Pittwater $865 Kogarah $897
Warringah $949
The number of apartments within the Sutherland Shire is forecast to grow over coming years and the demand for council services will increase in line with the population growth.
Council is considering whether the current minimum charges for apartments represent a fair contribution towards the services available to all residents.
The average apartment in Sutherland Shire has 2 people living in it and pays $588 a year in
rates. The average house in the Shire has 3 people living in it and pays $1,400 a year in rates. This is a difference of $812.
What do you think is a fair annual rate for apartment owners in Sutherland Shire to pay? Please consider how much other councils charge and the average number of people residing in each type of dwelling.
$588 (i.e. current rate for apartments)
$1,400 (i.e. matching the current rate for houses)
Community Survey - December 2017 45
SECTION F – TRADE OFFS Outside of rate changes there are of course other ways Council could raise money / save money. We’d like to understand what you would prefer Sutherland Shire Council to do in the future. Change has to happen and we’re looking for your guidance on what you would like to happen. Over the next few screens we’re going to do a choice exercise with you. You will be shown 3 ideas at a time and for each one we would like you to tell us which of the 3 you think should be the top priority for the Council. Please note: these are only ideas at this stage and we’re looking for input from the community before developing these ideas any further.
1
Renovate Caringbah Leisure Centre Caringbah Leisure centre needs heavy investment in order to stay open.
• Council could spend $15m on renovating the centre to extend its use for 15 years. • The centre is closed for 12+ months as it is renovated, services transferred to Sutherland and
Engadine until complete. • Its appearance will be modernised and pools upgraded.
2
Build a new Caringbah Leisure Centre Caringbah Leisure centre needs heavy investment in order to stay open.
• Council could spend $40m to build a new leisure centre either on this or another suitable site. • Council would need to take out a $40m loan to do this, which would be paid back over 20-30
years. • There will be a new fit for purpose leisure centre catering to the community needs.
3
Close Caringbah Leisure Centre Caringbah Leisure centre needs heavy investment in order to stay open.
• The council could close it. • This decision is based on community needs and consultation. • Services are transferred to Sutherland Leisure Centre. The Caringbah Leisure Centre would be
closed, and land used as green space in the town centre.
4
Reduce road and footpath maintenance Council looks after over 800km of roads and 560km of footpaths in the Shire, which are worth more than $1 billion.
• To save costs, the Council could reduce how much is spent on these in the short term. Long term costs may increase.
• This would be achieved by replacing or resurfacing only when they are degraded, as opposed to repairing them before they get to this state, resulting in more potholes, rougher roads, cracked footpaths and fewer new footpaths.
5
Focus development around key centres Development and population growth is unavoidable. The council lobbies hard for the lowest development / growth targets.
• Council can help focus the development in areas where public transport and services are concentrated.
• This restricts the development to specific areas, resulting in more high-rise around the town centres.
Community Survey - December 2017 46
6
Allow development in all areas
Development and population growth is unavoidable. The council lobbies hard for the lowest development / growth targets.
• Council could allow development to take place in all areas, whether there are existing services there or not.
• With development able to take place across different areas in the Sutherland Shire, there would be a mix of densities, even within the same street.
7
Build car parks in open spaces / natural areas for shorter term benefit
The number of cars on the roads is increasing in Sutherland Shire, leading to higher traffic congestion and parking problems in town centres and in residential areas.
• The Council could build more car parks by using existing open spaces or natural areas to build multi-story parking, at a cost of $40,000 to $60,000 per space.
• In the longer term, traffic congestion will continue to grow alongside the demand for more parking. Without changing driver behaviour, cars will park on the street again, recreating congestion whilst making it harder for bin collection and street sweeping.
8
Limit parking and improve public transport to reduce congestion The number of cars on the roads is increasing in Sutherland Shire, leading to higher traffic congestion and parking problems in town centres and in residential areas.
• The Council could limit the amount of new parking created and make more areas paid parking.
• To help offset the extra demand for parking, the State Government would need to improve public transport, this would also result in less congestion on the roads.
9
Close Engadine Leisure Centre in the winter Engadine Leisure Centre currently operates at a significant loss.
• Council could keep Engadine open only during the summer season of Oct to Apr to reduce running costs. Council will inform and explain the situation to patrons.
• Members will be allowed to use Sutherland's year-round heated pools. This would mean Engadine's outdoor pools are closed between Apr to Oct (the coldest and quietest months of the year). Fitness classes and gym facilities would remain open year-round.
10
Renovate Sutherland Entertainment Centre The Sutherland Entertainment Centre is over 40 years old and is an ageing building.
• Council could spend $15m-$20m to refurbish the centre and modernise it. • This decision would be based on community needs and consultation. The refurbishment will be
done in stages - giving the centre a fresh look and becoming a hub for the performing arts.
11
Build a new Sutherland Entertainment Centre The Sutherland Entertainment Centre is over 40 years old and is an ageing building.
• Council could spend $50m-$60m to demolish the current centre and build a new one. • This decision would be based on community needs and consultation. Council would need to take
out a loan to do this, which would be paid back over 20-30 years. • The new Entertainment Centre will be a hub for the performing arts and host a wide range of
events and shows.
12
Update Sutherland Entertainment Centre to meet modern building standards The Sutherland Entertainment Centre is over 40 years old and is an ageing building.
• Council could spend $5m to meet modern building standards. Improvements will be based on making sure modern building standards are met.
• The remodel will be undertaken in stages with most change occurring where it cannot be seen (e.g.: air conditioning). There would be small improvements to the look and feel of the building.
Community Survey - December 2017 47
13
Close a golf course and repurpose the land for public recreation
There are four 18-hole golf courses in the Shire - 3 are owned by Sutherland Shire Council.
• Council could repurpose some of the land currently used as golf courses. • Any decision is based on the community needs for active recreation areas, and would result in one
golf course being closed down with the land being repurposed for public recreation.
14
Sell some community halls The council currently has 36 halls available for hire - all of which require up keep and maintenance.
• Council could sell some of the community halls, for alternative use (e.g. commercial ventures or residential development). This will help raise funds and reduce future spending on maintaining the halls.
• The halls which could be sold will be the ones with low use, resulting in fewer public halls. The buildings or land sold could be used for development or new businesses.
15
Start charging for public parking Currently all public parking is free in the Shire.
• Like other councils, Council could set a fee for public parking to generate significant revenue and offset costs.
• Paid parking areas will be identified through community consultation and demand for parking. Parking meters would be introduced to the most relevant areas.
16
Reduce the rate gap between apartment and house owners In Sutherland Shire, there's an average of two people living in an apartment, and three people living in a house. The average apartment-owner pays $588 in rates per year, and the average house-owners pay $1,400.
• Council could reduce the gap between what apartment owners and house owners pay. • To do this, Council would have to apply to the regulator IPART to lift rates on apartments by
increasing their minimum rate. This would result in owners of apartments paying more rates than they currently do in order to sustain the current range and level of services.
17
Increase rates above the current amount to cover higher costs Rate increases are set at 2.5% per year, but energy costs, materials and labour are increasing at rates much higher than this. Council forecasts it will not have sufficient revenue to maintain services.
• Council could charge a higher rate to all of its rate-payers. To do this, Council would have to apply to the regulator IPART to increase the rates. This would result in homeowners paying more in rates than they currently do in order to sustain the current range and level of services.
18
Charge fitness businesses to use public spaces More fitness businesses are using public space to run their classes and they currently don’t pay a fee to Council. Their activity has resulted in damage and increased wear and tear in public parks, which are maintained using rates.
• To help maintain this part of the Shire's active lifestyle, the Council could identify specific areas that are most suitable for these businesses to use and charge them.
• Businesses can apply and be charged fair market value for the use of public property (i.e. similar to paying rent) resulting in a more regulated system for fitness businesses using public spaces.
19
Certain sports clubhouses hired out to the community The Council provides 149 clubhouses to sporting groups. 28 clubs have an agreement in place for exclusive use and they maintain their clubhouses. Most other clubhouses are looked after by the Council, but are not available for general hire.
• In the future, Council could hire out sporting clubhouses so they are used as 'shared spaces' if exclusive use is not taken up.
• If a sporting group wishes to exclusively occupy the space, they can enter in to a lease and the maintenance and operational costs will be the responsibility of the occupier.
• This means sporting groups who rely on Council to pay for maintenance and operational costs will not have exclusive use of clubhouses. They will have to share these facilities, like community halls.
Community Survey - December 2017 48
20
Start charging sporting groups for use of playing fields / courts
Currently, most sporting groups do not pay a fee to use any playing fields and courts.
• Most of the other councils in Sydney do charge a hire fee to help with maintenance. • Council could start charging the sporting groups to help cover the cost of maintaining the
fields and courts. The fees will be based on criteria such as the cost of maintaining the fields / courts and whether the sporting group is a not for profit vs. a commercial organisation.
• This results in sporting activities incurring a cost which players would have to pay. The money would be used for the maintenance of existing sporting facilities.
21
Maintain the number of trees The community values the natural environment. The loss of trees on private land and increased planting on public land is resulting in the maintenance costs of trees increasingly being shifted to Council. Ageing trees in public areas are becoming more expensive to maintain.
• Council could spend more money on tree management, which is financed by a mix of rate increases and fees charged for the removal of trees on private property and developer fees.
• This would slow the overall loss of trees in the area, as they are replenished through planting. Street trees would become more common and trees on private property reduce, but overall the same number of trees would be maintained.
22
Remove and replace unhealthy trees on the streetside Council continually maintains streetside trees which are close to electricity lines. Branches have to be pruned but this affects the tree's health and appearance.
• Council could spend more money on tree management, removing inappropriate and defective species of trees and replacing them with more suitable ones. To do this, relevant streets will be prioritised for removal and replacement planting.
• Streets will be replanted with trees, resulting in the Shire's tree coverage being regrown over time.
23
Plant more trees
In the Shire, there are more trees being removed than are being planted.
• Council could spend more money to increase the number of trees being planted. To achieve this, the Council will be more proactive about tree maintenance.
• Streets and public places will be replanted with trees, resulting in the Shire's tree coverage increasing and regenerating over time.
24
Replace 8 smaller libraries with 4 larger libraries Council provides 8 public libraries in Sutherland Shire.
• Council could consolidate from 8 smaller libraries to 4 larger libraries, which offer a wider range of services. This decision is based on community needs and consultation.
• Council would need to take out a loan to do this, which would be paid back over 20-30 years. • Over the course of 10 – 20 years the four larger libraries will be built, with a greater focus on
them as 'community-hubs'.
25
Build a bigger library in Sutherland Council provides a flagship library in Sutherland.
• Council could replace this by spending $40m to build a new library in Sutherland which would be twice the size, and have a broader service offering. This decision is based on community needs and consultation.
• Council would need to take out a loan to do this, which would be paid back over 20-30 years. During a rebuild the existing library would be closed.
• A new central library would bring together a range of services, such as rooms for hire, café and modern flexible learning spaces, and will help to bring more people into Sutherland's town centre.
Community Survey - December 2017 49
26
Expand Hazelhurst Regional Gallery
Council operates Hazelhurst Regional Gallery in Gymea. Council could spend $5m on expanding Hazelhurst, adding further interactive gallery spaces and improving on-site parking.
• Council would need to take out a loan to do this, which would be paid back over 20-30 years, which could be used in conjunction with developer contributions.
• This will help to strengthen the community's engagement with and enjoyment of visual arts.
27
Sell underutilised land for residential builds Council owns a number of smaller areas of underutilised land, some of which only contain a single park bench.
• Council could sell these as residential lots for building on, in order to help support the Shire's share of population growth. For this to happen, the relevant parks will be identified, rezoned and a report will be submitted for the approval of sale.
• This will generate income for council and result in the land being used as homes, rather than open spaces.
28
Refurbish Cronulla Plaza
Cronulla Plaza was refurbished in 1989 and supports a large number of businesses. While the area is still functional, some consider it to look tired and dated.
• Council could spend $30m to refurbish the Plaza again - replacing pavers, installing new trees, lighting and seating and a water-play feature. Council would need to take out a loan to do this, which would be paid back over 20-30 years.
• This will provide a modernised Cronulla Plaza, with a fresh new look.
29
Focus playgrounds close to areas with high-density living
Council has 149 playgrounds spread across the Sutherland Shire. They last for about 10-15 years, and can cost up to $250,000 to replace.
• Council could concentrate on building and maintaining playgrounds in areas where apartments are located, and close some playgrounds in suburban areas to help maintain these new playgrounds.
• This provides more outdoor opportunities for families in apartments. Those in lower density residential areas with their own back yards will still have access to larger regional parks and playgrounds.
30
Rehabilitate creeks, wetlands and estuaries There are over 150km of creeks, wetlands and estuaries in the Shire which are in poor health and could be improved.
• Council could spend an extra $24 million over the next 10 years to rehabilitate and maintain the highest priority ones (i.e. removing weeds, revegetating them and reducing erosion). Council could use rates to rehabilitate the highest-value waterways as a priority.
• This would result in better water quality in our rivers, bays and beaches.
ASK ALL, SINGLE CODE F1 Here are three possible actions Council could take in the future. Which one of these three
do you think should be their highest priority? My TOP priority for Sutherland Shire Council
Community Survey - December 2017 50
SECTION G – COMMUNICATIONS ASK ALL, SINGLE CODE PER ROW, RANDOMISE G1 How important is it that the Council informs you about the following?
Use the 1 to 5 scale, where 1 is ‘Not at all important’ and 5 is ‘Very important’.
1 Not at all important
2 3 4 5
Very important
1 Council’s role in how they are planning to manage the Shire’s future development (e.g. roads, transport, employment, etc.)
1 2 3 4 5
2 Council’s role in how they are planning to manage population growth in the future 1 2 3 4 5
3 Council’s role for managing future residential developments 1 2 3 4 5
4 The range of services and facilities Council looks after 1 2 3 4 5
5 How the Shire’s level of growth compares vs. other areas (e.g. number of new homes, new residents, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5
6 The current structure and key people within the Council 1 2 3 4 5 7 The current financial status of the Council 1 2 3 4 5 8 Who your councillor is 1 2 3 4 5 9 Where Council spends their funds 1 2 3 4 5
10 Where the Council’s funding comes from 1 2 3 4 5 11 How rates compare in Sutherland Shire vs. other areas 1 2 3 4 5 12 How you can get in touch with Council 1 2 3 4 5 13 How Council determines your rates 1 2 3 4 5
14 What Council is able to change in your area / has control over (vs. what is federal / state controlled) 1 2 3 4 5
ASK ALL, SINGLE CODE PER ROW, RANDOMISE G2 If the Sutherland Shire Council was to reach you with their news and information, are
10 A Council app 1 2 11 ‘Town hall’ style meetings 1 2
Community Survey - December 2017 51
ASK ALL, SINGLE CODE PER ROW, RANDOMISE G3 These are different ways you can interact / potentially interact with Sutherland Shire Council.
How important are these to you? Not important Important Very
important
1
Online Login to a ‘self service’ portal (e.g. you can login to make payments and bookings, check the status of DAs, report pot holes, graffiti or missed bins etc.)
1 2 3
2 In other online ways E.g.: social media posts / instant messaging, etc. ALWAYS SHOW AFTER CODE 1
1 2 3
3 Telephone Call the Council during existing business hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm)
1 2 3
4 Telephone Call the Council on a Saturday or between 6pm and 8pm Mon-Fri (not currently available) ALWAYS SHOW AFTER CODE 3
1 2 3
5 Email Email the Council 1 2 3
6 Face-to-Face Visit council to talk face to face, during office hours (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm)
1 2 3
7
Face-to-Face Visit a representative of Council in your area (potentially in the library) on a Saturday and between 6pm and 8pm Mon-Fri (not currently available) ALWAYS SHOW AFTER CODE 6
1 2 3
Community Survey - December 2017 52
SECTION H – CLASSIFICATION ASK ALL, SINGLE CODE H1 We’re coming to the end of the survey and we’d just like to ask you a couple more
questions.
What’s your gross annual household income (i.e. before tax or outgoings)? We ask this to ensure we get a representative picture of the households in Sutherland Shire.
Less than $20,000 1 $20,000-$39,999 2 $40,000-$59,999 3 $60,000-$79,999 4 $80,000-$109,999 5 $110,000-$149,999 6 $150,000-$199,999 7 $200,000 or greater 8 Prefer not to say 99 ASK ALL, OPEN QUESTION H2 What’s your favourite thing about living in the Shire? ASK ALL, OPEN QUESTION H3 Is there anything else you’d like to mention to us? NEW SCREEN
Thank you for taking part in our 2017 citizen engagement survey. Your answers are valuable to us and will help the Council to make decisions which will inform the future of the Sutherland Shire area.
