Member Councils are advised that a General Meeting of the Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils (RAMROC) will be held on Wednesday 6th November 2013 in the Ian Gilbert Room at Jerilderie Shire Council, immediately following the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting which commences at 10.00 am

For catering purposes, please RSVP numbers attending to Heidi Bryce at Jerilderie Shire by Monday 4th November 2013 – phone 03 5886 1200, or email her at heidi.bryce@jerilderie.nsw.gov.au

Mayors /Delegates: Councillors Terry Hogan, Bernard Curtin, Kevin Mack, Fred Longmire, Steve

O’Halloran, Norm Brennan, Lindsay Renwick, Heather Wilton, Bill Sheaffe, Tom Weyrich, Neil Gorey, John Dal Broi, Phillip Wells, Paul Maytom, Jenny Clarke, Peter Laird. Patrick Bourke and Peter Nunan

GeneralManagers Messrs Rowan Perkins, Frank Zaknich, Chris Gillard, Barry Barlow, Des Bilske,

Steven Pinnuck, Allen Dwyer, Craig Moffitt, Greg Murdoch, Bruce Graham, Peter Kozlowski, John Batchelor, Brett Stonestreet, Carolyn Upston, Ray Pluis, Adrian Butler, Ken Croskell and Acting GM Robert Rayner (Balranald)

MEETING AGENDA ITEMS

WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN TO NEWLY ELECTED MAYORS AND DELEGATES AND TO THE MEETING GUESTS

MRRR 1 APOLOGIES

MRRR 2 MINUTES OF RAMROC MEETING HELD AT JERILDERIE ON WEDNESDAY 7th AUGUST 2013 (pages 3 to 8)

MRRR 3 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 7TH AUGUST 2013 (page 8)

MRRR 4 PRESENTATIONS (page 9)

4.1 Presentation at 10.30 am by Cr Colin Jones (Berrigan Shire) and Ross Bodey, promoting the 17-19 October 2014 Tuppal Food and Fibre Festival and inviting participation by RAMROC’s Water4Food program

4.2 Presentation at 10.45 am by the Hon Sussan Ley MP – Assistant Minister for Education. Sussan has been invited to talk about her new portfolio and other issues of interest politically and to Local Government in particular.

4.3 Presentation at around 11.30 am by the NSW Government Small Business Commissioner Ms Yasmin King

Yasmin King was appointed as NSW Small Business Commissioner in 2011. She was formerly an Associate Commissioner for ACCC and Principal Consultant with a leading negotiation skills development and training Company. Yasmin will talk about her in supporting small business within the NSW Government and the range of services provided by the Small Business Office

MRRR 5 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT (pages 9 to 18)

MRRR 6 RAMROC 2013-2014 BUDGET AND SCHEDULE OF COUNCIL CONTRIBUTIONS (page 19 and see separate pdf attachment)

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MRRR 7 RAMROC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 30th SEPTEMBER 2013 (page 19 and see separate pdf attachment)

MRRR 8 REPORTS OF WORKING GROUP MEETINGS – AS FOLLOWS (pages 19 to 35):-

8.1 RAMROC Engineers Group Meeting – 7th August 2013 8.2 RAMROC Murray Waste Group Meeting – 7th August 20138.3 RAMROC Planners Group Meeting – 11th September 20138.4 RAMROC General Managers Group Meeting – 16th September 20138.5 RAMROC Riverina Waste Group Meeting – 23rd September 20138.6 RAMROC General Managers Group Meeting – 24th October 2013

MRRR 9 GENERAL BUSINESS MATTERS (page 35)

RAY STUBBS

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

AGENDA PAPERS ARE SET OUT ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS (RAMROC), HELD IN THE IAN GILBERT ROOM AT JERILDERIE SHIRE COUNCIL, ON WEDNESDAY 7 TH AUGUST 2013 AT 10.00 AM

PRESENT

Albury City:

Balranald:

Cr Alice GlachanMr Frank Zaknich

Cr Steve O’HalloranMr Chris Littlemore

Berrigan: Cr Bernard CurtinCr John BruceCr Denis GlanvilleCr Andrea O’NeillMr Rowan Perkins

Carrathool: Cr Peter LairdMr Ken Croskell

Conargo: Cr Norm Brennan

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Cr Sally DyeMr Barry Barlow

Corowa: Cr Fred LongmireMr Bruce Corcoran

Deniliquin:

Greater Hume:

Griffith City:

Cr Lindsay RenwickMr Des Bilske

Cr Heather WiltonMr Colin Kane

Cr Leon ThorpeMr Brett Stonestreet

Hay: Cr Mick RutledgeMr Allen Dwyer

Jerilderie: Cr Ruth McRaeMr Craig Moffitt

Leeton: Cr Paul MaytomMr John Batchelor

Murray: Cr John PocklingtonGreg Murdoch

Murrumbidgee: Cr Phillip Wells

Narrandera: Cr Jenny ClarkeMr Ray Pluis

Urana : Cr Margaret Buntin Mr Adrian Butler

Cr Margaret BuntinMr Adrian Butler

Wakool: Mr Paul O’Brien Wentworth: Mr Peter Kozlowski

RAMROC Mr Ray Stubbs Executive Officer

MEETING GUESTS: Ms Lindsay Cane - Chief Executive Royal Far West Ms Donna Parkes – Manager Rural / Remote RFW Mr John Back – Communications Manager RFW Mr Tom Heal – Caremobile Driver RFW Mr Tony O’Donoghue – Dir Envir Coolamon Shire Mr Tony Kelly – Dir Eng Coolamon Shire Mr Daniel Smith – GIS Manager Coolamon Shire Mr Mitchell Judd – State Regional Manager RMS

MRRR 1 - APOLOGIES: Cr John Dal Broi - Mayor Griffith CityCr Bill Sheaffe – Mayor Hay ShireCr Tom Weyrich - Mayor Murray ShireCr Andrew Douglas – Mayor Wakool ShireCr Peter Nunan – Delegate Wentworth Shire

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Mr Bruce Graham - General Manager WakoolMr Steven Pinnuck General Manager Greater HumeMs Carolyn Upston General Manager Murrumbidgee

RESOLVED that the apologies be received and accepted(Moved Murray and seconded Albury)

WELCOME

The RAMROC Deputy Chairman Cr Peter Laird welcomed all of the guests to the meeting and also he welcomed those Councillors attending their first RAMROC meeting.

MRRR 2 - MINUTES OF RAMROC MEETING HELD AT JERILDERIE ON 1 ST MAY 2013

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the General Meeting held 1st May 2013 be received and accepted. (Moved Leeton and seconded Deniliquin)

MRRR 3 – MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 1 ST MAY 2013 MEETING

There were no matters arising from the Minutes of the 1st May 2013 meeting

MRRR 4.1 – RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT – MAPPING PRESENTATION BY COOLAMON SHIRE OFFICERS

Senior officers from Coolamon Shire Council gave a comprehensive presentation of the ,mapping component of the REROC Transport Infrastructure project, which compiles data and digitally maps road, rail and associated infrastructure in the REROC region.

An invitation has been extended for RAMROC to expand the project and to compile the road and rail data and mapping information across RAMROC Councils, so that there is a total transport infrastructure plan for the entire Riverina and Murray regions.

This matter was later dealt with in conjunction with Item 1 in the Executive Officers Report

MRRR 4.2 – PRESENTATION BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF ROYAL FAR WEST CHILDRENS HEALTH SERVICES

The RFW Chief Executive Officer Ms Lindsay Cane and her senior officers gave an interesting presentation regarding the range of health and welfare services provided to children residing in towns and communities throughout rural and remote regions of New South Wales and specifically in the RAMROC area. Details of service statistics and other issues relating to the facilities available to disadvantaged children at the RFW in Manly, as well as the outreach services provided by clinicians and utilising the new Caremobile clinic, were demonstrated to the meeting by way of a series of powerpoint slides.

Ms Cane also referred to the new State Government funding arrangements that will apply as from June 2014 and which will be based on activity care statistics, This will likely reduce the quantum of State funding and necessitate the raising of additional funds by RFW through community support.

RESOLVED that RAMROC offer a donation of $5,000 to Royal Far West and that the Executive Officer consider options for funding the donation from the RAMROC 2012-2013 Budget.

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Executive Officer write to the NSW Minister for Health, advising of RAMROC’s decision to donate $5,000, and making the point that the level of annual State Government funding to RFW should not be reduced under the new funding criteria and that the responsibility for health care for disadvantaged children in rural NSW must primarily remain the responsibility of the State Government

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(Moved Berrigan and seconded Conargo)

MRRR 5 – EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT

5.1 – Development of comprehensive road, rail and associated infrastructure transport plan for the Riverina and Murray regions

Consideration was given to the presentation referred to in Item 4.2 above, in relation to the invitation from REROC that its transport infrastructure project be expanded to cover all Councils in the RAMROC region.

The meeting also considered the request by the Western NSW Minister the Hon Kevin Humphries MP that RAMROC Councils agree to participate in Phase 2 of the Western Roads Plan project and that Member Councils be prepared to meet the cost of $2,000 per Council towards the consultancy costs of that Project

RESOLVED that RAMROC agree to join with REROC in the development of a comprehensive road and rail transport infrastructure plan for the whole of the Riverina and Murray region and that it be noted that Albury City Council is prepared to undertake the mapping component of the project, or at least to assist any other Council which might be better placed from a GIS point of view to carry out that work

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Minister for Western NSW the Hon Kevin Humphries MP be advised of the RAMROC decision to participate in the REROC/RAMROC transport infrastructure project and that whilst RAMROC Councils are prepared to provide road information / data for Phase 2 of the Western Roads Plan project, they are not prepared to also make the requested financial contribution of $2,000 per Council to that Plan

(Moved Albury and seconded Deniliquin)

5.2 – Independent Local Government Review Panel Report “Future Directions for NSW Local Government – 20 Essential Steps”

Consideration was given to the Executive Officer’s report in relation to the ILGRP’s Future Directions Report and in particular to the Panel’s recommendation for the establishment of “new look county councils” to undertake a range of regional LG functions.

RESOLVED

1. That the Executive Officer attend the ILGRP workshop in Sydney on 14th August and highlight the attributes of ROC as valuable models for regional collaboration;

2. That the General Managers Group be required to discuss and assess the suggested regional collaboration model that has been suggested by REROC and that the Executive Officer of REROC Julie Briggs be invited to attend that meeting (this meeting is now scheduled to be held on Monday 16th September at Narrandera);

3. That the General Managers Group bring back a report to RAMROC in relation to potential options which would strengthen existing ROC models as an alternative to the Panel’s “new look county council” concept;

(Moved Albury seconded Narrandera)(Cr Steve O’Halloran Balranald Shire requested that his vote opposing this motion be recorded)

FURTHER RESOLVED that RAMROC re-affirm its policy of opposition to any forced amalgamations of Councils (Moved Murray and seconded Deniliquin)

FURTHER RESOLVED that RAMROC continue to take an active role in the ILGRP process;(Moved Wentworth and seconded Berrigan)

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FURTHER RESOLVED that the Independent Panel be advised that Wentworth and Balranald Shires are strongly opposed to any proposal to dissect their Council areas or to include those Shires in any proposed Western Region grouping. (Moved Balranald and seconded Wentworth)

5.3 – Control of Boxthorns – Use of Grid Balls

Cr. Sally Dye addressed the meeting and sought RAMROC’s support in an approach by the Central Murray County Council and regional LHPAs for permission to purchase and use the grid ball method of treatment to control the prevalence of box thorn in parts of the region

RESOLVED that RAMROC write a letter of support for purchase of grid balls to control box thorn in affected Council areas(Moved Balranald and seconded Hay)(This resolution was carried as an amendment to an original motion that the support be subject to there being no opposition by the engineers of affected councils)

5.4 – Regional Development Australia Fund – RDAF Round 5 Grants to all Councils

The Executive Officer reported that the Federal Government Minister for Regional Development the Hon Anthony Albanese MP has announced that RDAF Round 5 will provide $150 million to all FAG grant eligible Councils across Australia, to fund a wide range of capital infrastructure projects at the local level.

RESOLVED that the EOs report be received and noted at this stage and that the Minister be advised that RAMROC supports the principle of providing funds to all Councils across the board, rather than the previous system of only funding selected regional type projects(Moved Murray and seconded Berrigan)

5.5 – Transport for New South Wales – Murray and Murrumbidgee Regional Transport Plans

The NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan has set a strategic transport direction for the State and the Department is now in the process of formulating 20 year plans for the various regions, to facilitate improved economic, social and environmental goals

RESOLVED that the report be received and noted(Moved Deniliquin and seconded Albury)

5.6 - Murray Darling Basin Plan Implementation

The Executive Officer presented a status report on a number of key issues relating to MDBA planning for implementation of the Basin Plan Report, including the IGA, Constraints Management, Social and Economic Analysis, Koondrook-Perricoota project and the Nimmie-Caira environmental water project.

RESOLVED that the EO’s report be received and noted(Moved Berrigan and seconded Murray)

MRRR 6 – RAMROC FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR YEAR ENDED 30 TH JUNE 2013

Consideration was given to the Executive Officer’s Report regarding the preliminary statements for the financial year 2012-2013 for the General Account, Murray Waste Account, Riverina Waste Account and the Water4Food Account. He reported on variations to some original Income and Expenditure budget items and advised that the overall results are generally as per the budget estimates.

RESOLVED that the RAMROC preliminary financial reports for the 2012-2013 year be received and adopted in principle and that they be now submitted for audit(Moved Carrathool and seconded Leeton)

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MRRR 7 – REPORTS OF WORKING GROUP MEETINGS

The reports of the following Working Group meetings were submitted for information and consideration:-

7.1 - RAMROC Engineers Group Meeting – 1st May 2013 7.2 - RAMROC Riverina Waste Group Meeting – 29th May 2013 7.3 - RAMROC Planners Group Meeting – 12th June 2013 7.4 – RAMROC Integrated Planners Network Meeting – 20th June 2013

RESOLVED that the reports of the Working Group Meetings be received and noted and that the actions taken therein be endorsed.(Moved Berrigan and seconded Greater Hume)

MRRR 8 – GENERAL BUSINESS ITEMS

8.1 - Local Government Referendum

Cr Paul Maytom referred to the fact that the planned referendum on Local Government recognition to permit direct Commonwealth funding of Councils will not be proceeding because the Federal Election has now been brought forward to 7th September. He referred to the substantial financial commitments which have already been provided by Councils towards the referendum costs and whether these are to be refunded to Councils.

RESOLVED that RAMROC Councils wait on further advice from ALGA and LG NSW in relation to the status of funding committed by Councils towards the Federal Referendum on direct funding to Local Government.(Moved Albury and seconded Deniliquin)

8.2 - Guidelines for Federal Grants – Restriction on use of Council employees

Greg Murdoch drew attention to the fact that some Federal Tourism Grant program guidelines specifically state that the use of Councils’ employee and plant / equipment resources is not an eligible expenditure. He sought RAMROC’s support in representations being made to the Government through local Federal Members to have the guidelines reviewed.RESOLVED that RAMROC support the representations being made by Murray Shire in this matter(Moved Murray and seconded Balranald)

8.3 - Retail trading on Boxing Day

Greg Murdoch referred to Murray Shire’s support to representations being made by Woolworths Limited to seek an exemption under the Retail Trading Act which would allow trading at the Woolworths Moama store on Boxing Day. He referred to a number of exemptions available in other parts of NSW and Victoria, and advised that the restriction that applies in Moama is inconsistent with exemptions granted many other areas.

RESOLVED that RAMROC lend support to the representations being made by Murray Shire in this matter(Moved Albury and seconded Berrigan)

8.4 - Police numbers in rural towns and communities

The Mayor of Narrandera Shire Cr Jenny Clarke presented a report and statistics submitted to her Council which demonstrates that many communities in rural NSW are not being sufficiently resourced by NSW Police and she sought RAMROC’s support by way of a delegation to the NSW Police Minister to lobby for increased police numbers

RESOLVED that RAMROC lend full support to the Narrandera Shire in this matter and that the Executive Officer write to the NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon Michael Gallacher MLC, seeking a delegation of some RAMROC Mayors to the Minister as soon as possible to discuss this important matter

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(Moved Narrandera and seconded Leeton)

8.5 - NSW State Redistribution of Electoral Boundaries

Brett Stonestreet reported on the strong representations which have been made by Griffith City Council in endeavours to retain the Murrumbidgee Electorate with appropriate boundary changes, which is also in line with the representations which have been made by The Nationals.

8.6 – Murray Lower Darling Customer Service Committee Meeting of 5 th June 2013

Cr John Pocklington reported on his attendance as RAMROC’s delegate at the MLD Customer Service Committee meeting held at Deniliquin on 5th June 2013, at which he had specifically raised the concerns of RAMROC Councils about variations in river heights in tourism seasons, which are having adverse impacts on regional businesses in tourist centres. He reported on other matters discussed at the meeting of interest to Council and communities.

MRRR 9 – CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Consideration was given to a report by Chairman Terry Hogan on the outcomes of the Executive Officer’s Performance Review, carried out by the RAMROC Executive Committee on 1st May 2013.

RESOLVED1. That Mr Stubbs be congratulated on his efforts in his role as Executive Officer of

RAMROC.2. That RAMROC approve of an extension to the Contract of Employment for a further

one year period to 30th June 2015.(Moved Albury and seconded Leeton)

There being no further business, the RAMROC meeting concluded at 1.20 pm.

AGENDA ITEM MRRR 3 – MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 7 TH AUGUST 2013 MEETING

For discussion on matters arising from the previous meeting

AGENDA ITEM MRRR 4 - PRESENTATIONS

4.1 PRESENTATION AT 10.30 AM BY CR COLIN JONES (BERRIGAN SHIRE) AND ROSS BODEY, PROMOTING THE 17-19 OCTOBER 2014 TUPPAL FOOD AND FIBRE FESTIVAL AND INVITING PARTICIPATION BY RAMROC’S WATER4FOOD PROGRAM

4.2 PRESENTATION BY THE HON SUSSAN LEY MP AT 1045 AM – ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR EDUCATION. SUSSAN HAS BEEN INVITED TO TALK ABOUT HER NEW PORTFOLIO AND OTHER ISSUES OF INTEREST POLITICALLY AND TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PARTICULAR.

4.3 PRESENTATION BY THE NSW SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSIONER YASMIN KING AT AROUND 11.30 AM

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AGENDA ITEM MRRR 5 – EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT

5.1.. INDEPENDENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW PANEL – PROPOSED COUNTY COUNCIL MODEL AND ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR IMPROVED REGIONAL COLLABORATION BASED ON CURRENT ROC AREAS

Background to report

The RAMROC General Managers have been requested by the RAMROC Board to bring forward a suggested model for regional collaboration, as an alternative to the “multi purpose county council” model proposed to date by the Independent Local Government Review Panel (ILGRP)

The General Managers Group has examined alternative models, with particular reference to the model being proposed by REROC.

The ILGRP is about to release its final report to the NSW Minister for Local Government, expected to be in late October. It is not known as yet when the Panel’s report will be released for public information

Report

At the 7th August RAMROC meeting, consideration was given to my report relating to RAMROC’s response to the report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel report “Future Directions for NSW Local Government – 20 Essential Steps” and in particular to the concern of Member Councils regarding the Panel’s proposed “county council” model.

The August RAMROC meeting passed a number of resolutions as follows – the highlighted resolutions are the crux of this report – that is whether RAMROC should now determine a preferred regional strategic model position, based along the proposed REROC model:-

That the Executive Officer attend the ILGRP workshop in Sydney on 14 th August and highlight the attributes of ROC as valuable models for regional collaboration;

That the General Managers Group be required to discuss and assess the regional collaboration model that has been suggested by REROC and that the Executive Officer of REROC Julie Briggs be invited to attend the GMs Group meeting on Monday 16th September at Narrandera);

That the General Managers Group bring back a report to RAMROC in relation to potential options which would strengthen existing ROC models as an alternative to the Panel’s “new look county council” concept;

That RAMROC re-affirm its policy of opposition to forced amalgamations of Councils and that RAMROC continue to take an active role in the ILGRP process;

That the Independent Panel be advised that Wentworth and Balranald Shires are strongly opposed to any proposal to dissect their Council areas or to include those Shires in any proposed Western Region grouping.

At the Sydney workshop on 14th August, ROC delegates spoke on the benefits of their ROC areas and functions. They advocated a range of potential regional collaboration models, and stressed that these could be strengthened by appropriate legislation in the LG Act, yet would be far more flexible and would be controlled by, and directly accountable to, the Member Councils.

Four Discussion Papers were presented to the August 14 workshop, each proposing a “ROC” based model, as follows:-

Hunter Councils – proposed the strength of retaining a “whole of region” partnership, effectively in two parts, firstly a “Council of Mayors” for regional planning and advocacy (i.e. a Board of Mayors supported administratively), with a separate operational arm managed by a Board of General Managers responsible for a range of training, procurement and consultancy services;

REROC – proposed a “Strategic Regional Council” model with a composite Board of Mayors and General Managers from the Member Councils, with a smaller “Executive” of 8 people and embracing 3 functional areas of:-

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1. Regional Strategic Planning Activities (mandatory)2. Advocacy and Lobbying Activities (mandatory)3. Regional Shared Services (opt in or opt out flexibility)

SHOROC – proposed a range of incorporation models for regional collaboration, with appropriate amendments to the LG Act which would facilitate the transition of existing ROCs as stronger entities, along the following lines:-

1. “Council of Mayors” for regional advocacy and strategic planning – comprising a Board of Mayors appointed for a four year term

2. “Regional Services Organisation” for operational and joint services, governed by a skills based Board.

3. A revised “county council” framework, created by and answerable to Member Councils.

4. “Corporations” established under the Corporations Act, with guidelines that support and facilitate Councils forming Corporations, without the need for an onerous Ministerial approval process.

NSW Urban Taskforce – proposed realignment of the existing 6 ROC areas in the Sydney Metropolitan Area to accord with the boundaries set out in the State Plan and with a collaboration model along the following lines:-

1. A Council of Mayors to provide the advocacy/political role, with one Mayor elected as Chair

2. A Shared Services Centre to provide services back to Councils on a business like basis

At this stage, it is worthwhile to recall that the Panel’s Future Directions Discussion Paper has suggested that “as a minimum” the core functions of a multi-purpose county council would comprise:-

Strategic regional and sub-regional planning; Regional advocacy, inter-government relations and promoting collaboration with State and

Federal agencies in infrastructure and service provision; Management of, or technical support for, water utilities (except for the Lower Hunter and

Illawarra, which are State owned corporations); Road network planning and major projects; Waste and environmental management (including weeds and floodplain management) Regional economic development; Library services; “High level” corporate services

The General Managers Group met on 16th September in Narrandera and held discussions with REROC Executive Officer Julie Briggs in relation to the proposed REROC model. The Independent Review Panel had also invited the GMs Group to provide feedback to the Panel from that meeting.

As a result, the General Managers Group meeting on 16th September passed the following resolutions:-

“RESOLVED that the Executive Officer draft a proposed RAMROC model for consideration at the November RAMROC meeting, generally along the structural and functional lines being suggested in the REROC model

FURTHER RESOLVED that feedback be provided to ILGRP making the following points:-

a regional collaboration model based on the existing ROC boundaries, one that is substantially strengthened and improved by appropriate Local Government Act provisions and structural re-organisation as needed, would achieve a number of performance advantages over and above the “county council” model and the sub-regional boundaries as proposed in the Panel’s Report;

a model along the lines suggested by REROC, having three main arms, advocacy, regional planning and shared services is generally favoured; subject to review of some aspects and the model being supported by appropriate business case development;

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the main disadvantages of the “county council” model are considered to be that it :-1. provides an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and associated costs to

participating Councils;2. adds to the already existing State Government red tape and onerous reporting

requirements;3. doesn’t enjoy strong support of Councils across the State – whereas by test of

time and performance, most ROCs enjoy support and embrace Council commitment to purpose fit regional collaboration

4. lacks the flexibility to determine boundaries, structures and day to day operations that are currently working best for individual regions;

5. is not responsive to participating Councils – county councils being accountable to the Minister for Local Government and providing limited opportunity for Council and community input;

6. is a warning to Councils and communities of past history relating to the Government’s abolition of the former electricity county councils.

the key points in favour of a ROC based regional collaboration model are considered to be :-

1. Would be reinforced by appropriate Local Government Act provisions, which allow Councils to do what they are already doing well, but with considerably added strength, responsibility and accountability through specific legislative provisions;

2. Allows flexibility in form and function that best matches the needs of a particular region;

3. Encourages closer collaboration and better performance outcomes amongst the Member Councils;

4. Maintains strong affinity with the Member Councils and ongoing direct accountability to the councils and their communities;

5. Potentially reduces red tape and onerous reporting requirements that currently apply to General Purpose Councils;

6. Provides a regional organisation capably structured to best interface with Federal and State Government and their agencies.

The REROC “Strategic Regional Council” (SRC) Model examined by the General Managers Group comprises the following key elements:-

1. The SRC’s activities would fall into 3 broad areas of operation as follows:- Regional Strategic Planning Activities; Advocacy and Lobbying Activities Regional Shared Services

2. The SRC would operate at a regional level – to co-ordinate activities that are best delivered through co-operation between Councils

3. The SRC will not perform any functions at the local level – this will remain the domain of the current individual Councils

4. The Regional Strategic Planning arm is a mandatory activity for Member Councils and would undertake the following regional planning activities:- Transport and Infrastructure Workforce Development Planning and Environment Regional Integrated Planning and Reporting Community Planning and Culture Economic Development Water and wastewater

5. The Regional Advocacy and Lobbying arm is again a mandatory activity for Member Councils and would continue this traditional RAMROC activities

6. The Regional Shared Services arm would be on an “opt in or opt out basis” for each specific activity and might could include the following:-

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Engineering – for example design services, asset management, valuations and drafting, water and wastewater

Finance and Administration – for example collaborative procurement, human resources, workers compensation and return to work, information technology etc

Planning - for example LEPs, DCPs, strategic planning services, community planning, monitoring and evaluation

Environmental services – for example health and building, food shop inspections, building inspections, waste management and resource recovery, heritage assessment etc

Community services – for example human services, youth services, seniors etc Arts, culture and recreation – for example museums, arts galleries, sporting and

recreational facilities and activities Governance – for example internal audit, regulatory and administration, ombudsman,

GIPA/privacy

7. The SRC could also provide external services to non-member councils, government agencies and private enterprise, on a fee-for-service basis

8. Governance Arrangements. The REROC SRC model proposes the governance arrangements to be along the following lines The SRC Board would comprise one elected member and the General Manager from each

Member Council, plus one representative each from the RDA and the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet

All SRC Board members to have equal voting rights An Executive of 8 people, to be drawn from the Board, comprising the Chairperson, one

person from the regional city council (Wagga), and 6 others (3 Councillors and 3 General Managers)

The Chairperson to be elected at the SRC’s AGM for a two year term and being eligible for re-election

The Executive to be voted in at the AGM for a two year term, with 50% elected in the alternate year. The Executive will elect the Deputy Chair and Treasurer

No limit on the number of terms that a Member of the Executive can serve Casual vacancies on the Board to be filled by the Executive, with the permanent position to

be filled at the following AGM The SRC will appoint the CEO, who will be responsible for appointing staff Membership fees – 50% on an equal base fee basis and 50% on a per capita basis.

The RAMROC General Managers discussed the following issues regarding the REROC Governance suggestions and raised the following matters,:-

Should General Managers be on the SRC Board and have voting rights (currently the RAMROC Board voting rights comprises elected members only)

Should the Board have representation from RDAs and NSW Premier and Cabinet Should the regional cities have a special place on the Executive. In the RAMROC region

would this be only Albury City, or also Griffith City as well. Is it in fact equitable for any particular Council to have special status as a member of the Executive Committee.

Would an equal base fee of 50% be too much of a financial burden on smaller Councils (RAMROC has quite a low fixed base fee, with a higher per capita component

Recommendations

1. That this RAMROC meeting consider developing a policy position in relation to a preferred model for future regional collaboration, having regard to the ILGRP report and the issues raised in this report

2. That RAMROC convey its preferred model to the NSW Minister for Local Government

5.2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEW SOUTH WALES BOARD – INTERFACE WITH REGIONAL AND RURAL COUNCILS

Following the formation of Local Government NSW as a combined association to represent the interests of Local Government in New South Wales, there are no longer any Divisional representatives, such as formerly existed under the Shires Association arrangements.

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For example, the RAMROC region embraced parts of G Division, F Division and the Western Division and there were annual meetings of each Division and regular visits to the regions by the Shires Association President and LGSA officials

Under the new LG NSW arrangements, that mechanism for regular communication between LGSA and Member Councils has been eroded to some extent. Cr Lindsay Renwick and I have had a discussion in relation to this situation and in our view that there is scope for LGSA and ROCs across the State to consider developing a co-operative arrangement, whereby the Presidents and Board Members of LG NSW are able to meet with Council Mayors and General Managers within the region, probably on an annual basis or from time to time as may be required.

ROCs would also be able to provide feedback from Councils in their area to LG NSW on issues of regional importance. In our region we are very fortunate to have two Board Members in Cr Denise Osborne and Cr Lindsay Renwick, which provides excellent representation for both the eastern and western parts of RAMROC.

The Country Mayors Association is possibly also well placed to interface with LG NSW, although not all rural Councils are members of that Association and hence there is not a complete coverage.

ROCs are operating right across the State, both in the Sydney Metropolitan area and in regional and rural areas. At last call, all 152 Councils in the State are in fact Members of a ROC. In addition, ROCs also have a statewide network of Executive Officers which meets on a quarterly basis in Sydney and is well placed to interface with LG NSW officials.

In relation to the recent LG NSW Annual Conference, some RAMROC Councils have suggested that it would be good to discuss at this meeting the Conference structure and format, and possibly to provide feedback to LG NSW on suggested improvements for the future.

Recommendations1. That RAMROC write to LG NSW, suggesting that there would be benefit in developing a

co-operative working relationship between LG NSW and Councils, as well as with a statewide network of ROC Chairs and Executive Officers.

2. That RAMROC Councils discuss whether to provide constructive feedback to LG NSW in relation to matters arising from the inaugural 2013 Annual Conference of the combined Association

5.3 .COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT FUNDING PROGRAMS FOR REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

There is considerable concern in Local Government that the new Commonwealth Government will not guarantee the funding commitments of the previous Labor Government in relation to the following programs:-

Regional Development Australia Fund – Round 5 Projects - $150 million allocation nationallyRound 5B Projects - $200 million nationally

Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program - $100 millionRound 5 of the RDAF program was announced in June 2013, with all Councils being eligible to submit projects for funding, based on a specified allocation to each Council, along similar lines used for distribution to it under the Financial Assistance Grant program.

In the RAMROC region, the total amount available to the 18 Member Councils under Round 5 would be $4.2 million. When the Councils’ contributions to the nominated projects are taken into account, the value of projects to be carried out would likely to be in the order of $6 to 8 million.

I have taken this matter up with both the Hon Sussan Ley MP and Michael McCormack MP and I am currently preparing a formal submission to go to the Prime Minister The Hon Tony Abbott MP, the Deputy Prime and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development the Hon Warren Truss MP and the Treasurer the Hon Joe Hockey MP, for consideration by the Government in the context of its Commission of Audit and Commonwealth budgetary issues.

Round 5B (200 million) was designed to apply up to the year 2018, in order to reconsider worthy projects which had missed out on funding under previous RDAF rounds. In this category Corowa Shire had re-submitted its Corowa Saleyards Redevelopment project, seeking funding of $1.33 million, whilst Narrandera Shire had lent its support to an application for $500,000 towards the establishment of a Regional Youth Centre in Narrandera.

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In the meantime, on 16th October 2013 the Deputy Prime Minister addressed the Annual Conference of Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) in Coffs Harbour, at which time he made reference to the RDAF program. His key messages from that speech were as follows:-

The Government is proposing to implement a National Stronger Regions Program (NSRP), to build on social and economic infrastructure in regions

The NSRP Fund will focus on the most depressed regions of the nation, targeted to regions with low socio-economic circumstances and where unemployment levels are higher than the national average

The fund will have an initial allocation of $200 million commencing in 2015, with at least $1 billion over 5 years

In the interim, the Government will deliver on 100 projects worth about $300 million, which were announced by the Coalition during the election campaign

The Government is examining the projects announced by the previous Government under the RDAF program and will honour all signed contracts, which amount to some $425 million. However, non-contracted announcements fall into the remit of election promises

Most of those RDAF projects are worthy ones and some will have to be funded in some way. The funding options to fund some projects will be further considered

The Government recognises that local councils and community groups are the foundations of regional areas. The Government will work closely with these groups through the National Stronger Regions Fund.

Regional Australia is at the heart of the Government’s decision-making and the Government will be considering the economic, environmental and social impacts of its policy decisions on regional areas

The $100 million Murray Darling Regional Economic Diversification Program (MDREDP) was announced by the former Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean in December 2011. The aim of that program was to assist communities to better adapt to a water constrained environment as a result of the impacts of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

No allocations of funds had been made at the time of the September 2013 election, although at that stage the information from the previous Minister was that the program was still current. Its status following the election is now unknown and information will be sought from the Commonwealth Government at the same time as we seek clarification of the RDAF program.

Some major infrastructure projects in the RAMROC region come to mind as potential projects to support for funding under the MDREDP program, including the provision of natural gas to Deniliquin and the surrounding region, or the establishment of an international standard research, tourism and environmental complex at Nimmie-Caira, which comprises over 80,000 hectares located adjacent to the Sturt Highway between Hay and Balranald, which was recently acquired with Commonwealth funding for an Enhanced Environmental Water Delivery Project (see separate report following)

RecommendationThat RAMROC continue to press the Commonwealth Government to provide funding for the projects submitted by Councils under the former Round 5 RDAF program and for potential projects under the Murray Darling Regional Economic Diversification Program

5.4 NIMMIE- CAIRA REGIONAL AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION PROJECT PROPOSAL

The purpose of this report is to appraise Member Councils of a preliminary proposal in train by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Office of Water) for the development of the Nimmie-Caira Enhanced Water Delivery Project into an international standard environmental management and economic development complex.

As previously reported, the Commonwealth Government in July 2013 agreed to invest $180 million in the purchase of over 80,000 hectares of land in the Hay and Wakool Shires, together with 381,000 megalitres of water entitlements, as part of the Murray Darling Basin Plan’s objectives to deliver increased environmental water in the Lowbidgee region of the MD Basin and to maintain the world

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class wetlands. The area is adjacent to the Sturt Highway between Hay and Balranald and also adjacent the Yanga National Park and Yanga Nature Reserve

The NSW Government is charged with progressing the project and Water Commissioner David Harriss has been discussing with Hay, Wakool and Balranald Shires and RAMROC the feasibility of developing and promoting Nimmie-Caira as a major research, environmental and tourism area, in a region of significant Aboriginal heritage and occupation.

The Water Commissioner and his team have developed a preliminary proposal to advocate for funding of some $12 million which would provide a range of activities, including:-

Tourism destination and associated commercial activities such as resort style accommodation and tourism facilities and experiences

Wetlands of national and international significance under the United Nations RAMSAR convention

Research at an international scale Development of education facilities Commercial and recreational control of feral pests and the recovery of endangered species Aboriginal land management and promotion of cultural heritage Sustainable farming that supports local commercial enterprises Regional development through economic diversification Employment and trade apprenticeships

This project has the potential to generate extensive commercial interests that could build on the tourism and infrastructure of the Sunraysia and far western NSW regions, which unfortunately have been adversely impacted by reduction in irrigated agriculture, loss of the forestry industry and generally other adverse impacts brought about by the Murray Darling Basin Plan

As mentioned in the previous item, this is a project that would fit closely with the principles envisaged under the Murray Darling Regional Economic Diversification Program.

RecommendationThat RAMROC lend strong support to the proposal being developed for the establishment of an international standard environmental, commercial and tourism development at Nimmie-Caira and that the proposal be encouraged for funding by both the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments

5.5 NSW DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE – POPULATION PROJECTIONS 2011 TO 2031

In September, the Demography Unit at the Department of Infrastructure and Planning publicly released its preliminary report on 2011 -2031 Population Projections for NSW Local Government areas. The Department’s methodology is to use the cohort-component method, which makes assumptions about births, deaths, in/out migration, and age and when these take events place.The following population projections have been made by DoP for the RAMROC region:-

COUNCIL 2011 POPULATION 2031 PROJECTIONAlbury 49,450 57,250Balranald 2,350 1,650Berrigan 8,300 9,300Carrathool 2,650 2,050Conargo 1,600 1,850Corowa 11,300 13,400Deniliquin 7,300 5,700Greater Hume 10,050 11,200Griffith 25,300 20,200Hay 3,100 2,100Jerilderie 1,550 1,250Leeton 11,400 11,150Murray 7,150 10,950Murrumbidgee 2,350 1,700Narrandera 6,100 5,300

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Urana 1,200 800Wakool 4,100 3,350Wentworth 6,800 7,000TOTALS 162,050 166,200

Considerable concern has been expressed by a number of councils and their communities and in the media about the DoP projections, many of which fly in the face of work being carried out for individual RAMROC Councils separately by other private sector demography companies, such as Informed Decisions (iD) and McCrindle Research.

The DoP Demography Unit projections are also at odds with other sections of DoP dealing with Council LEPs, as well as other State Agencies such as the Department of Premier and Cabinet in its Regional Action Plans for the Riverina and Murray-Lower Darling regions.

An area of considerable concern has been the negative impacts that projections of this nature have on towns and communities, investor confidence, real estate values, businesses and employment opportunities.

For these reasons, the Senior Demographer from DoP Dr Kim Johnstone was invited to address the RAMROC General Managers Group meeting in Narrandera last Thursday 24th October. It became clear from her address that the DoP projections are very much a desk top study, carried out with little if any consultation with Councils or other agencies.

In some instances, the trend of population decline occurred during the severe drought years, which impacted on water allocations for irrigated agriculture and in the case of Deniliquin resulted in the closure for some years of the largest rice-mill in the Southern Hemisphere. These bad trends have significantly eased, and there are recovery factors which have not been taken into account by DoP.

Unfortunately DoP hasn’t considered real life community factors and to the demographers it appears to be very much only an academic exercise. These are critical issues for most RAMROC Councils, not only the major population centres of Albury, Griffith, and Deniliquin, but also our rural towns and shires.

DoP is seeking feedback from RAMROC by the end of November, as the DoP Population Projections Group will be meeting in the first week of December

Recommendations 1. That a small Working Group of RAMROC General Managers be formed to develop a formal

regional response to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure2. That the issue be drawn to the attention of the region’s State members the Hon Adrian

Piccoli MP, John Williams MP and Greg Aplin MP and that they be asked whether a delegation to the Minister for Planning the Hon Brad Hazzard MP can be arranged in the near future, in order to brief the Minister on the matter and stress upon him the adverse implications of the population projections for regional and rural NSW.

5.6 MURRAY DARLING BASIN PLAN IMPLEMENTATION – DRAFT CONSTRAINTS MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The Murray Darling Basin Authority recently released its Draft Constraints Management Strategy (CMS) and last week held a number of stakeholder meetings in Mildura, Shepparton, Wagga, Deniliquin and Narrandera, involving potentially affected landholders, councils and other agencies and organisations.

After representations by RAMROC, MDBA agreed to hold a meeting with other Mayors and General Managers who had not been part of the scheduled sessions and this meeting took place in Narrandera on Wednesday 23rd October. In particular the earlier meetings had not involved Albury City and Corowa Shire and these Council areas would certainly be impacted by the proposed substantial increases in water releases in the Murray system.

Principally the draft Constraints Management Strategy is a framework document that has been prepared as part of the Basin Plan implementation process. It studies ways in which environmental flows can be better delivered by either the upgrading of existing infrastructure such as roads and

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bridges etc, or by amending existing operational rules for management of the river systems, for example increased volume releases from Lake Hume from a maximum of 25,000 ML/day to 40,000 ML/day.

The MDBA timetable for the Constraints Management Strategy is as follows:- Draft CMS released on 9th October 2013 for a 3 week consultation period Responses and feedback due by the end of October 2013 The final CMS Report to be prepared and published by the end of November 2013 Detailed proposals for constraints removal will be developed by MDBA by 2015 Implementation of projects and rule changes will take place from 2016 through 2024

Some of the key concerns being expressed by Councils, landholders and communities include:- The potential adverse impacts of constraints removal on downstream landholders, agricultural

production, city and town infrastructure, tourism, businesses etc The focus of the CMS on overbank flooding, rather than MDBA comprehensively examining

alternative works and measures that can better deliver the environmental flows to wetlands and other identified environmental assets

Whether the removal of constraints is in fact necessary in order to deliver the 2,750 GL in environmental flows as identified in the Basin Plan, or is the CMS principally to facilitate the longer term additional 450 GL announced by the former Gillard Government

Whether additional flows will in practice come at the expense of water that could otherwise be available and used for productive purposes

Whether MDBA will be undertaking meaningful social and economic analyses of the effects of constraints removal and increased environmental flows

What are the implications of the recent Water Amendment Bill that changed the Water Act to provide some $1.8 billion over 10 years for constraints removal and water purchases needed for the additional 450 GL of environmental water, this amount being in addition to the initial $200 million allocated for removal of constraints

Arising from last week’s discussions with MDBA officials, the Chief Executive Rhondda Dickson has re-affirmed her undertaking to meet with RAMROC Councils on a regular basis (tentatively suggested as MDBA representatives attending each alternate RAMROC meeting). This will be in addition to direct engagement with individual councils and stakeholders regarding the CMS and also the socio-economic analysis work that is being undertaken at MDBA.

I suggest that in relation to the draft CMS, that RAMROC confirm in writing the principal concerns that have been expressed at the recent meetings

RecommendationFor discussion and identification of key concerns by councils regarding the draft CMS – and that these be formally conveyed to MDBA.

5.7 PROPOSED DELEGATION TO NSW POLICE MINISTER THE HON MICHAEL GALLACHER MLC

In accordance with the resolution passed at the August meeting to seek a delegation to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services regarding the inadequacy of police numbers and service levels in many of the towns and communities across the RAMROC region, I have to report that the Minister has agreed to receive a delegation of Mayors in the near future, although this may not take place until early in the New Year.

Endeavours were made to have the delegation during the recent LG NSW Conference, but unfortunately the Minister was too heavily committed at that time. Pending the delegation in the New Year, the Parliamentary Secretary Geoff Provost MP has responded in writing to the specific issues raised by Narrandera Shire, which were raised by Mayor Jenny Clarke at the August RAMROC meeting.

The following points have been made in the response by the Parliamentary Secretary:- The decreases in numbers raised by Narrandera have been brought about by changes in

reporting lines. Some officers previously performing highway patrol or commuter crime-related

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duties are no longer counted in Local Area Command numbers, but go towards the total number for Field Operations

Since May 2011, a total of 67 probationary constables have been allocated to the region, (25 to Albury, 12 to Deniliquin and 30 to Griffith

The NSW Government is committed to maintaining operational capacity at the 90% level. This is the measure of officers available to work at each LAC , whether they are on long term sick leave or other form of leave

As at August 2013, Albury LAC had an operational capacity of 96% and an authorised strength of 130. Deniliquin LAC had an operational capacity of 101% with an authorised strength of 105

Griffith LAC is currently operating at 89% operational capacity with an authorised strength of 109. The Government will continue efforts to raise this to the 90% target

As at 4th September, the Narrandera Police Station was operational, with one position currently vacant and being advertised

The Police Force is currently determining the future of the Grong Grong Police Station site The Barellan Police Station was removed from service in 2011, following identification of

asbestos and lead paint. At this stage, the NSW Police Force has made no final determination on the remediation of the Barellan station

Specialist police are deployed from the Griffith LAC to provide assistance and support to local officers, when responding to significant crime in the area.

As mentioned above, arrangements are currently in hand for a small delegation comprising the RAMROC Chairman, the Mayor and another Councillor from Narrandera Shire to meet with the Minister. Certainly, there is scope for other Mayors to participate and an indication of interest at this meeting would be appreciated.

Recommendation For discussion and an indication of interest in participating in the delegation to the Minister

5.8 ANNUAL LEAVE EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I am again intending proposing to take as much Annual Leave as possible over the December and January period, which will help to reduce the RAMROC Leave Liability.

In this regard, I will commence Annual Leave on Monday 9th December and resume work on Monday 3rd February 2014.

During that period, I have arranged for Greg Murdoch to handle any RAMROC activities and issues that require attention, although if necessary I can be available for any high priority matters.

Recommendation That it be noted that the Executive Officer will take Annual Leave from 9th December 2013 through to 3rd February 2014 and that such leave be formally approved.

MRRR 6 RAMROC 2013-2014 BUDGET AND SCHEDULE OF COUNCIL CONTRIBUTIONS

The 2013-2014 Budget and Schedule of Council Contributions documents are separately attached for information and consideration. They are in respect of the following RAMROC Accounts:-

General Account Murray Waste Account Riverina Waste Account Water4Food Account

These documents were distributed in hard copy form to Member Councils on 26th September 2013. No objections or comments have been received.

The General Account Budget and Council Contributions Schedule provides for an overall revenue increase of $7,590, from $176,419 in 2012-2013 to $184,009 in 2013-2014. This represents an average increase of 4.3% on 2012-2013 contributions., although that percentage may vary slightly depending upon changes in population for each Council.

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The Contributions Schedule summary tracks the movement in total Council contributions for the years 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014.

The projected balances of uncommitted funds as at 30th June 2014 are as follows:- General Account – uncommitted balance of $113,442 Murray Waste Account – uncommitted balance of $53,779 Riverina Waste Account – uncommitted balance of $67,910 Water4Food Account – zero balance, following transfer of unspent funds to the General

Account.

RecommendationThat the 2013-2014 RAMROC Budget and Schedule of Council Contributions for the General Account revenue be formally adopted and invoices issued for Council Membership contributions

MRRR 7 RAMROC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PERIOD ENDED 30 TH SEPTEMBER 2013 –

The Financial Statements (Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Summaries) have been prepared by Murray Shire as RAMROC’s financial managers and they are separately attached in respect of the following accounts:

General Account Murray Waste Group Account Riverina Waste Group Account Water4Food Account

As this is for the first quarter only, there are no apparent variations to the 2013-2014 Budget forecasts

RecommendationThat the RAMROC Financial Statements for the first quarter period to 30th September 2013 be adopted

MRRR 8 REPORTS OF RAMROC WORKING GROUP MEETINGS

The reports of the Working Group meetings are set out below as follows

8.1 RAMROC Engineers Group Meeting – 7th August 2013 8.2 RAMROC Murray Waste Group Meeting – 7th August 2013 8.3 RAMROC Planners Group Meeting – 11th September 2013 8.4 RAMROC Integrated Planners Network Meeting – 19th September 2013 8.5 RAMROC General Managers Group Meeting – 16th September 2013 8.6 RAMROC Riverina waste Group Meeting – 23rd September 2013 8.7 RAMROC General Managers Group Meeting – 24th October 2013-10-21

8.1 RAMROC Engineers Group Meeting – 7 th August 2013

MINUTES OF THE RAMROC ENGINEERS MEETING HELD AT JERILDERIE7 August 2013 at 10.00am

Meeting opened: 10.00am

Present: David Tamlyn Jerilderie Shire (Chair)Brad Ferris Albury CityAndrew Lawson Albury CityFred Exton Berrigan Shire Stephen Joyce Carrathool ShireDavid Kerslake Conargo ShireNigel Sutton Corowa ShireGreg Blackie Greater HumeManjit Chuga Griffith CityAaron Drenovski Hay ShireDenis Gelle Jerilderie Shire

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Chris Lashbrook Leeton ShireLeigh Robins Murray ShireJoseph Bianchini Murrumbidgee Shire Frank Dyrssen Narrandera ShirePenny Craig Urana ShireRay Egan Wentworth Shire

Guests:Mitch Judd Roads and Maritime ServicesTony Kelly REROC Infrastructure CommitteeTony Donoghue REROC Infrastructure CommitteeDan Smith REROC Infrastructure Committee

Apologies:

Myles Humphries Berrigan Shire Ken Thompson Carrathool ShireDallas Bibby Griffith CityBarry Heins Leeton Shire Fred Groenewald Murray Shire Brain Ebery Wakool ShireColin Sandford

Welcome to Penny Craig (Urana Shire), Aaron Drenovski (Hay Shire), Mitch Judd (RMS), Tony Kelly, Tony Donoghue and Dan Smith REROC Infrastructure Committee

Confirmation of Minutes Moved Joseph Bianchini and seconded Stephen Joyce that the minutes of last meeting be accepted.

Business ArisingNil

Presentation - Tony Kelly, Tony Donoghue and Dan Smith REROC Infrastructure Committee (Coolamon Shire Council)

Following a presentation to the RAMROC meeting the representatives from the REROC Infrastructure Committee continued their presentation to the Engineer’s meeting on the mapping of RECOC Councils road, rail and transport infrastructure priorities and the development of a Regional Transport Infrastructure Plan.Mitch Judd advised that RMS supports the process of group data collection to identify heavy vehicle route, infrastructure and strategic routes within the region. Development of an Infrastructure Investment Strategy will provide more evidence for funding. The mapping provides a visual tool when trying to secure funding.

The meeting discussed issues relating to this group and questioned the REROC procedure. It was decided that the first step is to form a RAMROC Infrastructure Committee, to meet monthly initially.

Mitch Judd – Roads and Maritime Services

- RMS are in the process of an internal organisation which will have an impact on Council liaison.

- Transport NSW Connectivity Program is targeting works to enable freight access - projects < $2M and $2M to $10M. Funds are needed for planning.

- Raising issues with government – REROC & RAMROC issue, bridge assessments.

Questions?- Holbrook by pass opened today.- Kapooka Bridge proceeding – construction 2014.- Echuca Bridge – NSW funding $60M – no VIC funding at this stage.- Carrathool Bridge funded for repair.- Mulwala Bridge – no funding yet – three options with Council’s at the moment.- Request from NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme to support variation during harvest

period – not supported by RMS.- Road trains east of the Newell Highway – specific applications for point to point access only.

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- Container freight discussed.

RMCC Issues- Good PEG Meeting held last month.- No news on the new contract – if Mitch is appointed new Regional Delivery Manager he will

be responsible for RMCC.

TrainingJerilderie Murrumbidgee, Berrigan and Carrathool need Red Card training. “Working Under Powerlines” training needed at Jerilderie.Confined Spaces Training required by several councils.

Nick Ritchie, Manager of Infrastructure, Murray Irrigation Limited

Nick explained “Customer Asset Transfers”. MIL has a Strategic Plan to reduce operational costs, reduce assets and make costs more variable. In particular the reduction of assets will involve removing channels and transferring ownership to landowners. Some of these asset transfers will include road crossings; as part of this process the road crossings will be upgraded to a fence to fence culvert before transfer including removing guard rail. At this stage 30 assets have been identified for transfer with 10 road crossings included.Issues relating to agreements, caveats and maintenance were discussed with the ongoing responsibility for maintenance a concern for Councils. Individual Council’s will be contacted when there are road crossings in their area being transferred.

Nick has advised that he can provide GIS information for bridges and irrigation crossings to assist with RAMROC infrastructure project. Information relating to bridge assessments may also be available.

Meeting closed at 2.00pm (Next Meeting 6 November 2013)

8.2 RAMROC Murray Waste Group meeting – 7 th August 2013

PRESENTMyles Humphries, Berrigan; Andrea Baldwin, Albury; Geoff Barker, Wakool; Adam Garland, Wakool; Andrew Shaw, Greater Hume; Mark Cook, Deniliquin; Geoff Pitt, Conargo; Simon Arkinstall, Murray; Nigel Taylor.

APOLOGIESNigel Sutton, Corowa; Ray Mitchell, Balranald, Susan Appleyard, Jerilderie.Moved Andrea Baldwin, 2nd Geoff Pitt, that the apologies be accepted.Carried.

WELCOMEGroup chair, Myles Humphries, welcomed those present, and called for a motion to suspend standing orders.Moved Geoff Barker, 2nd Andrew Shaw, that Standing Orders be suspended.Carried.

PRESENTATIONS

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MINUTESRAMROC Murray Voluntary Waste

Management Group meetingWednesday, August 7, 2013 - 10.30 am,

at Deniliquin

10.35am:Introduction of DHL representatives, Karen Semitecolos, Collection Channel Liaison Officer, and Jan van de Graaff, Product Stewardship - Collection Channel Manager.Karen and Jan addressed the meeting on DHL’s proposed arrangements for the establishment of an e-waste collection across the RAMROC Murray region.DHL is a co-regulatory arrangement under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme and currently has arrangements in place with Corowa, Greater Hume and Urana through REROC.At the co-ordinator’s request, DHL will provide a copy of the presentation and its proposal in writing for distribution to members for consideration.

11.20am:Introduction of Mike Ritchie, from consultancy Mike Ritchie and Associates, who has been engaged by Melbourne-based Mattress Gator to promote its collection and recycling scheme for mattresses, bases and couches from local government, retail stores, warehouses, factories, hospitals and other businesses in the RAMROC Murray region. Mattress Gator was now processing 6000 mattress a month at its Melbourne facility and was seeking to expand into NSW with a view to establishing a regional shredding facility.A stockpile of between 40 and 200 mattresses was required for a collection.Following this presentation, Mike took part in an informal discussion with the group that covered a wide range of waste management issues of particular relevance to rural and regional councils.

12.20pm:Group chair Myles Humphries thanked all speakers and called for a motion to resume standing orders.Moved Geoff Barker, 2nd Mark Cook, that standing orders be resumed.Carried.BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTESNone.

1: RAMROC REGIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGYThe co-ordinator updated the group on the status on the RAMROC regional waste management strategy.Stage One, an audit being conducted by consultancy GHD, was scheduled for completion on August 23, and a request for expressions of interest for Stage Two had been issued to a short list of consultancies on August 5.Stage Two will develop and deliver a regional waste management strategy for the whole RAMROC region as required by the NSW EPA to align it with the $465.7 million “Waste Less, Recycle More” initiative and the NSW 2021 strategy.A copy of the Stage Two EOI was circulated to members with the meeting business papers, and submissions will close at 5pm on August 28.Moved Geoff Pitt, 2nd Mark Cook, that the item be received as information.Carried.

2: NSW WASTE LEVYThe NSW EPA was contacted to provide an update on the progress of the consultation process surrounding a proposal to expand the geographic coverage of the NSW waste levy across the State.This was initially to have been conducted in June, with a report to the Government delivered mid-July, 2013.Henry Moore, Manager Waste Reform, NSW EPA Waste and Resource Recovery Division, confirmed that consultation on the proposed geographic expansion of the waste levy would be held in conjunction with the Review of the Protection of the Environment Operations Regulations (Waste) 2005.This review was part of the NSW Government’s staged statutory repeal program.The formal six-week consultation process was expected to start late August or early September, with recommendations to be handed down late December/early January.

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The format of the consultation process had yet to be determined, but Henry indicated he would be advocating a series of regional meetings be held.Moved Andrea Baldwin, 2nd Geoff Barker, that the item be noted and received as information.Carried.

3: DROP-OFF CENTRES FOR HOUSEHOLD PROBLEM WASTESDrop-off centres to assist households dispose of problem wastes are a key focus area in the “Waste Less, Recycle More” initiative.The “Draft Guidelines (minimum requirement) for Design, Specifications and Operation for drop-off centres for household problem wastes” were circulated to members at the April meeting.The meeting discussed at length the opportunities and funding available to member councils to establish drop-off centres at strategic locations across the region.It was suggested the regional strategy currently being developed would most likely recommend such facilities be established in the larger population centres such as Albury and Deniliquin, but this should not preclude any council from expressing interest.Moved Andrew Shaw, 2nd Andrea Baldwin, that members give consideration to the issue and indicate to the co-ordinator their interest in developing a design and funding application.Carried.

4: REGIONAL SCRAP METAL CONTRACTThe co-ordinator advised that he would be on leave during September and October and would not be available to manage the process for the calling of tenders and awarding of a contract for the regional scrap metals collection.Simon Arkinstall indicated he would be prepared to oversight the process with assistance from a tender evaluation group drawn from members because Murray Shire was the tender authority on behalf of RAMROC.Moved Geoff Barker, 2nd Andrew Shaw that:

A tender evaluation sub-committee comprising Simon Arkinstall, Myles Humphries and Andrea Baldwin be formed to manage the process;

The co-ordinator provide all relevant documentation to the sub-committee; The tender be advertised with a closing date of Friday, September 13, 2013, in the Sydney

Morning Herald and Tenderlink to meet all legal requirements; The sub-committee meet after this date to evaluate submissions, select a successful bid and

advise all parties of the outcome of the process.Carried.

5: PGM REFINERS PROPOSALPGM Refiners conducted e-waste collection trials at Deniliquin and Jerilderie, and provided a draft contract for councils wishing to participate in a regional collection scheme.Murray Shire, as RAMROC’s tender authority, sought a legal opinion on the draft contract document, and Simon Arkinstall advised there were no issues arising.Mark Cook indicated Deniliquin had entered an arrangement with PGM that was working satisfactorily.A discussion on the DHL presentation to the meeting followed, with the co-ordinator indicating DHL’s proposal in writing would be forwarded to the group when received for their individual consideration and decision.Moved Adam Garland, 2nd Geoff Barker, that member councils reserve their decision until the DHL proposal was received.Carried.

6: LANDFILL OPERATORS TRAININGA course outline and draft content schedule for the next Landfill Operators Training Course at the National Environment Centre at Riverina TAFE, Thurgoona, was circulated and discussed at the meeting.Members were asked to indicate whether they planned to send representatives to the course, as a minimum number of 12 participants were required to make it viable.Members present indicated strong support for the course.

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Moved Andrew Shaw, 2nd Mark Cook, that members advise the co-ordinator of which staff they were planning to enrol in the course.Carried.

7: ENVIROMENTORS SCHOOL WORKSHOPSKeep Australia Beautiful NSW will deliver a series of EnviroMentors school workshops across the region in October-November 2013.Workshop topics are “In the Bin” and “Compost Critters”.The workshops will be delivered to primary schools across 18 days at a cost of $17,000, which will be shared equally as in previous years between RAMROC Murray and participating councils.Members were asked to indicate whether their council would be participating this year.Moved Andrew Shaw, 2nd Mark Cook, that all councils that had participated last year do so again this year.Carried.

8: JOINT RECYCLING EDUCATION CAMPAIGNMembers resolved at the October meeting that all councils with the exception of Albury, Greater Hume and Corowa would support the “Get It Right On Bin Night” community education program.The campaign will be a collaborative project between RAMROC Murray and Riverina waste groups and REROC, and focus on behaviour change to reduce contamination in the household waste stream.The campaign will be based on the Victorian initiative of the same name, and be predominately media-based featuring television advertisements.The co-ordinators held discussions with a representative of Sustainability Victoria at the Wagga No Time to Waste conference in June, but no further advice has been forthcoming.Moved Andrew Shaw, 2nd Mark Cook, that the item be received as information.Carried.

9: REGIONAL GREENWASTE MULCHING CONTRACTThe April meeting resolved that members interested in participating in a regional greenwaste contract liaise with Andrea Baldwin, from Albury, who is co-ordinating the renewal on behalf of regional councils.Moved Geoff Barker, 2nd Mark Cook, that the item be received as information.Carried.

10: ITEMS WITHOUT NOTICENone.

11: NEXT MEETING10.30 am, Wednesday, December 4, Deniliquin Council ChambersThe meeting was advised there would be no meeting scheduled for October as the co-ordinator would be on annual leave from Monday, September 2, 2013, to Tuesday, October 29, 2013.Riverina waste group co-ordinator, John Craig, would be progressing Stage Two of the RAMROC regional waste strategy during this period, and would be available to assist in any other matters as required.Moved Geoff Barker, 2nd Geoff Pitt that the next waste group meeting be held on December 4, 2013, at the Deniliquin council chambers.

1.10pm: Meeting closed.

8.3 RAMROC Planners Group Meeting – 11 th September 2013

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MINUTES OF THE RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS PLANNERS GROUP

MEETING 11 SEPTEMBER 2013ALBURY CITY COUNCIL

10.30AM

1. PresentMichael Keys - Albury Shire CouncilJames Brown - Berrigan Shire CouncilBob Parr - Corowa Shire CouncilMarie Sutton - Conargo Shire CouncilShavaun Tasker – Deniliquin CouncilShane Wilson - Carrathool Shire CouncilColin Kane – Greater Hume ShireKate Larnach – Greater Hume ShireAdam Garland – Wakool ShireAshley Albury – Department of PlanningAndrew Raines – Leeton Shire

2. ApologiesSusan Appleyard – On leavePaul O'Brien - Wakool Shire CouncilLil Goodsell - Murray Shire CouncilGlenn Bulmer - Murray Shire CouncilJulie Rogers - Deniliquin CouncilLaurie Stevens - Berrigan Shire CouncilDavid Christy - Albury Shire CouncilGarry Stoll – Leeton Shire CouncilKendall Clysdale – Leeton Shire Council

Moved – Bob Parr Seconded – Colin Kane

3. Confirmation of Minutes The minutes of the meeting of the Riverina and Murray Regional Organization of Council Planners Group Meeting 12 June 2013 are a true and accurate record.

Moved – Bob Parr Seconded - Colin Kane

4. Draft Murray Regional StrategyAshley Albury advised that he had met with the RAMROC General Managers and Mayors Group and the document has been amended to reflect their views. He advised that the Demography Unit were currently getting the communications strategy completed and that there was a hold up/discussion in relation to sorting out boundaries. The boundaries issue was being sorted out via a statewide review. The Murray Regional Strategy has not changed its priority.

Ashley advised any specific questions should be directed to him via email as he is meeting with the Demography Unit in the next few weeks. The likely timeline that the strategy will be presented to the public is November.

Ashley advised that he will ask the Demography Unit to meet with the RAMROC General Managers and Mayors Group again.

5. Department of Planning and Infrastructure UpdatesAshley Albury advised that the White Paper would be submitted to parliament next week. The draft bill is complete and is similar to what was put on exhibition.

There was some discussion in relation to biodiversity and there is no change expected in relation to this.

There was some discussion in relation to the timelines for LEPs changing into Local Plans – it was advised that this would be a long process and would not happen overnight – no timeline was confirmed.

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Ashley advised that he and Brett Whitworth had delegations for planning proposals.

Bob Parr raised concerns in relation to the amount of time it took Parliamentary Counsel to assess planning proposals and the problems referring applications to inter government agencies.

Ashley advised there are nine standard instruments out of 42 completed. Deniliquin are currently determining their progress and next actions in relation to their LEP.

Michael Keys enquired about the recently released population forecasts from the Department of Planning and highlighted the discrepancies between Council forecasts and the figures provided and released by the Department. There was some discussion on how this would be handled and the suggestion made that an invitation be put to the Demography Unit to attend a future RAMROC Mayors and GM’s meeting. Ashley advised that he would follow this up with the Demography unit. Michael to speak with Ray Stubbs about potential meeting dates and confirm.

He also advised the Department of Planning are going through a restructure and there are a few new positions being advertised, including that of the Regional Directors to be known as General Managers for each region.

Michael Keys wished Ashley Albury all the best in reapplying for his position and commended him on his efforts thus far on behalf of the RAMROC Planners Group.

6. General BusinessMichaels Keys provided background information to the group about a planning issue involving the proposed redevelopment of an existing caravan park and mobile home establishment (approved in 1989) which was proposing enlargement from 190 sites to 220 sites and a conversion to seniors living. The proponents are a large Australian investment firm and may raise similar issues across the Region. The RAMROC group discussed the various options in dealing with this proposal.

Michael Keys discussed a recent application that went to the JRPP for the Albury Wodonga Cancer Centre, sited at the Albury Base Hospital site but being managed and developed by the Victorian Health Authority (Crown Development). The development was worth $65 million dollars and Council had initially calculated and conditioned $625K in contributions. The applicant claimed that as the development was run by the Victorian Health Ministry they did not account for developer contributions and should not be liable. The authority maintained that they want an exemption from paying the contributions and don’t have the budget for it. Council have stood by their requirement for the applicant to pay contributions however Council did lower the contributions to $450K – following consideration by the JRPP (no decision but endorsed Councils recommendations) the application has now been referred to the Minister for determination.

Colin Kane sort feedback from the group in relation to clause 4.2 in the standard instrument. He has requested that it be replaced with clause 4.2A being an extract from the Richmond Valley LEP 2012 – this is attached to the minutes for your reference. This clause will have relevance to regional Councils in particular and could be included with future planning proposals.

Colin Kane also raised that he is having problems in his Council Area with failing septic tanks and in some cases where Council has issued an order for action to be taken, the Council have to pay for the repair or replacement of the tanks as the owner does not have the funds. Colin advised he has been including an advisory note on his s149/2 certificates which highlights to prospective buyers that the site is serviced by a septic tank and therefore problems may arise and the owner is responsible for any costs in relation to repair or replacement. The RAMROC Planners Group discussed this and advised that this information should not form part of the s149/2 certificate and consideration should be given to using a separate letter to provide this advice.

Ashley Albury advised that Dubbo Council have developed an ‘APP’ for information in relation to the swimming pool legislation.

7. Next Meeting

To be advised.

8.4 RAMROC General Managers Group Meeting – 16 th September 2013 26

MINUTES OF THE RAMROC GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP MEETING HELD AT JERILDERIE SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON MONDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2013 AT 10.00AM._______________________________________________________________________________

PRESENT: Adrian Butler (Urana), Brett Stonestreet (Griffith), Greg Murdoch (Murray), Peter Kozlowski (Wentworth), Barry Barlow (Conargo), Bruce Corcoran (Corowa), Frank Zaknich (Albury), Carolyn Upston (Murrumbidgee), Ken Croskell (Carrathool), Rowan Perkins (Berrigan), Allen Dwyer (Hay), Craig Moffitt (Jerilderie) and Martin Hiscox (Narrandera),

GUESTS: Julie Briggs – Executive Officer REROC

RAMROC: Cr. Terry Hogan AM - Chairman Ray Stubbs (Executive Officer) and Cr Terry Hogan (Chairman) John Craig – Riverina Waste Co-ordinator

1. APOLOGIES: Bruce Graham (Wakool), Chris Littlemore (Balranald), Des Bilske (Deniliquin), Ray Pluis (Narrandera), Steven Pinnuck (Greater Hume) and John Batchelor (Leeton),

RESOLVED that the apologies be accepted.

2. MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP MEETING – 19 TH April 2013

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on Friday 19th April 2013 be confirmed.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 19 TH APRIL 2013

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting

4. INDEPENDENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW PANEL – OPTIONAL MODELS FOR REGIONAL COLLABORATION

Consideration was given to a report by the Executive Officer and a presentation by Julie Briggs in relation to the proposed REROC model for regional collaboration, vis-à-vis the Review Panel’s recommended “county council” model. ILGRP has also invited the RAMROC General Managers to provide feedback to it following its consideration at this meeting.

RESOLVED that the Executive Officer draft a proposed RAMROC model for consideration at the November RAMROC meeting, generally along the structural and functional lines being suggested in the REROC model

FURTHER RESOLVED that feedback be provided to ILGRP making the following points:-

a regional collaboration model based on the existing ROC boundaries, one that is substantially strengthened and improved by appropriate Local Government Act provisions and structural re-organisation as needed, would achieve a number of performance advantages over and above the “county council” model and sub-regional boundaries as proposed in the Panel’s Report;

a model along the lines suggested by REROC, having three main arms, advocacy, regional planning and shared services is generally favoured; subject to review of some aspects and the model being supported by appropriate business case development;

the main disadvantages of the “county council” model are considered to be that it :-7. provides an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and associated costs to participating

Councils;8. adds to the already existing State Government red tape and onerous reporting

requirements;

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9. doesn’t enjoy strong support of Councils across the State – whereas by test of time and performance, most ROCs enjoy support and embrace Council commitment to purpose fit regional collaboration

10. lacks the flexibility to determine boundaries, structures and day to day operations that are currently working best for individual regions;

11. is not responsive to participating Councils – county councils being accountable to the Minister for Local Government and providing limited opportunity for Council and community input;

12. is a warning to Councils and communities of past history relating to the Government’s abolition of the former electricity county councils.

the key points in favour of a ROC based regional collaboration model are considered to be :-7. Would be reinforced by appropriate Local Government Act provisions, which allow

Councils to do what they are already doing well, but with considerably added strength, responsibility and accountability through specific legislative provisions;

8. Allows flexibility in form and function that best matches the needs of a particular region;

9. Encourages closer collaboration and better performance outcomes amongst the Member Councils;

10. Maintains strong affinity with the Member Councils and ongoing direct accountability to the councils and their communities;

11. Potentially reduces red tape and onerous reporting requirements that currently apply to General Purpose Councils;

12. Provides a regional organisation capably structured to best interface with Federal and State Government and their agencies.

5. RAMROC REGIONAL WASTE STRATEGY – STAGES 1 AND 2

RAMROC’s Riverina Waste Coordinator John Craig gave a Powerpoint presentation in relation to the current status of activities of operations for both the Murray and Riverina Waste Groups and in particular to Stages 1 and 2 of a comprehensive Regional Waste Strategy.

John made the following key points:- Stage 1 of the Strategy has been completed by GHD and a draft report has been received -

this is a full statistical audit of every landfill and transfer station facility across the RAMROC region;

Stage 2 of the Strategy is expected to be commissioned in the near future – RAMROC is awaiting approval of EPA grant funding before announcing results of the EOI process. Stage 2 is scheduled for completion in late 2013 or early 2014, depending on timing of EPA funding approval;

The Stage 2 Final Strategy will form the basis of future funding allocations from the State Government for regional projects and infrastructure development;

The total statewide Waste, Recycling and Infrastructure funding package is $465.7 million over 5 years, of which $250 million will be applied to a range of regional waste and recycling programs.

John also spoke about the potential broadening of the State Government’s waste levy, which is proposed to be extended to all landfill facilities of over 5,000 tonnes waste deposit per annum. At present the levy does not apply to facilities outside of Sydney and other coastal locations.

EPA will be conduction workshops for Councils in relation to the proposed waste levy in Griffith on 4 th November and Albury on 5th November.

6. FUNDING FOR HACC SERVICES - TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

New funding arrangements for HACC services will come into force in June 2015, which will impact of funding and delivery of various services currently provided by Councils in the region.

A number of Councils are already in discussion with Federal and State agencies regarding the issue, because of the potential for substantially increased cost to Local Government and/or the potential risk of terminated or reduced service levels. However, further clarification is required from Governments,

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as well as Councils looking at whether there may be an opportunity for regional collaboration between Councils, principally to reduce administration costs.

RESOLVED that in the first instance RAMROC seek further clarification from the region’s Federal and State Members as to the proposed funding arrangements for both State based services and Federal disability services, currently being provided by Local Government.

7. RE-NEGOTIATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT STATE AWARD

The meeting discussed the current negotiations taking place between LG NSW and Unions in relation to the Local Government State Award, particularly in relation to the competitiveness of Councils in having to provide a range of Council services which fall outside prescribed working hours

RESOLVED that at this stage RAMROC await further advice of the negotiations currently taking place

8. GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP WORKSHOP WITH PREMIER AND CABINET AND STATE AGENCIES – PROPOSED FOR 24 TH OCTOBER 2013

The Executive Officer reported on arrangements in progress for the conduct of a special Economic Development and Water workshop between General Managers and State Government Regional Managers, which is proposed to be held at Narrandera Ex-Servicemen’s Club on Thursday 24th October 2013. The workshop will also be attended by Steve Griffin, Deputy CEO of Service NSW, in relation to the establishment of a one-stop shop for all State Government transactions and the use and possible expansion of current regional and rural service centres.

RESOLVED that the report be received and noted

9. PROPOSAL BY JEFF ROORDA AND ASSOCIATES – IMPROVING ASSET MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY

Consideration was given to a proposal by JRA to facilitate a regional workshop for RAMROC Councils to discuss the implications of the ILGRP recommendations, particularly in relation to the current effectiveness of RAMROC Councils to regionally deliver services and manage infrastructure requirements.

RESOLVED that no action be taken in this matter

The General Managers Group meeting concluded at 12.55 pm

8.5 RAMROC Riverina Waste Group Meeting – 23 rd September 2013

Meeting opened 10.40am

Present: John Roser (Chair), David Tull, Douglas Burke, Kendall Clydesdale and John Craig.

Guests: Nil Apologies: Garry Stoll, Susan Appleyard, Ashwan Datt, Shane Wilson and Jacky Woodhouse

Minutes previous meeting:Accepted. Moved David Tull, 2nd Douglas Burke

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MINUTESRAMROC Riverina Waste Group meetingMeeting Date: Monday 23rd September 2013Time: 10.30am Venue: Darlington Point Location: Council Office

The chairperson welcomed those in attendance especially Kendall as it was his first meeting.

Business arising from previous minutes:Nil (items are covered in the agenda)

General matters from the agenda-

Milestone 1 Kerbside Recycling Collection Community EducationThe coordinator reported on the slow progress of the development of the Get it Right on Bin Night campaign. We are still awaiting approval from Sustainability Victoria to use their material. It was noted that despite several attempts no agreement has yet been reached with Sustainability Victoria to provide their campaign information and agreement for the use of the Get It Right On Bin Night program. It was further noted that some of the councils were keen to commence a program to improve the quality of recycling collected from the kerbside. Particular emphasis was placed on nappies and clothes being disposed of incorrectly in the recycling bins.

The coordinator is to contact Greg Turner of JR Richards to further explore collaboration opportunities; and

Reconnect with Sustainability Victoria to see if the agreement is imminent.The information was noted.

Milestone 2 Expand kerbside recycling services within the region

It was noted that Murrumbidgee Shire has undertaken some minor additions to its recycling collection area on the fringes of towns.

The information was noted.

Milestone 3 Local and Regional CommunicationThe coordinator reported on liaison with other voluntary waste groups and RENEW1. It was noted that through the RENEW network it had been possible for the Voluntary Waste Groups to have significant input into the roll out of programs under the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative.The coordinator also reported that he had attended several meetings of the REROC waste group and collaboration had flowed from this attendance.

The information was noted.

Milestone 4 Industry LiaisonWinery Waste Project

The coordinator advised he would be conducting the third annual Winery Waste Forum in Griffith and noted that there had been ongoing difficulty in obtaining contacts from the wineries. Those engaged in recycling are also invited to attend to see if synergies can be found. Some councils indicated they may have list of wineries and would forward those to the coordinator.

The date of the session will be 22nd October and it will be held at the Exies Club in Griffith. More information will be provided later and members are most welcome to attend.

The information was noted.

Milestone 5 Effective Landfill ManagementE WasteSee the report under Milestone 8.

Milestone 6 Illegal Dumping

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Most councils are having a problem with illegal dumping however the degree of the problem varies. Tyres and asbestos were particular issues of note.The coordinator noted that funding will be available to ramp up efforts to reduce the incidents of dumping as this is a prime strategy in the NSW Waste Less, Recycle More initiative. A discussion flowed on the potential engagement of a regional investigation officer on a retainer plus ‘fee for service’ basis to explore major and/or ongoing incidents. The coordinator is to prepare a draft EOI for such a service for consideration at the next meeting and if this is endorsed a funding application will be submitted when the grants become available.

Moved Kendall Clydesdale, 2nd David Tull

Milestone 7 Community Awareness & Education Campaign Waste Watchers Program

The EnviroMentors program will again be rolled out across the region with 28 days of education provided to 18 participating schools. This will take place from October through to December 2013.It was agreed that next year the Riverina Environment Centre be asked to conduct session in one of the local government areas as a trial. This trail is to ensure there is continuity in the education campaign if for some reason the EnviroMentors program was not available. Moved Douglas Bourke, 2nd Kendall Clydesdale

Garden SmartThe meeting was again reminded of the provision of the facilitator to run these events.

The information was noted. Milestone 8 Collective Tendering and Group Investigations

Metal Recycling ContractCouncils continue to provide positive feedback on the service delivered by the new contractor [One Steel]. The coordinator is to check when the contract expires.

Discarded Gas Cylinders A contractor had visited the area and de-valved the gas cylinders for participating councils. This was arranged by Griffith City Council and had worked to the satisfaction of those involved.

E-wasteThe coordinator provided a report on the trial that had been held at Jerilderie Shire. The concept was that the freight container which had been delivered from Deniliquin would be filled locally and then transported to Melbourne for processing. Photographs sent to the coordinator from the Council showing the material within the container indicated very little material was in fact stored.Inquiries to the Council indicated that there was a stockpile of material to be transferred to the container. When asked two weeks later for a further report the council indicated that the stockpile have been taken by the local Men’s Shed who were processing the material. It was then highly unlikely that significant more material would be placed into the container.As a result of this the coordinator contacted Narrandera Shire and Leeton Shire to see if they could take the container and continue to fill it. Both councils indicated that they had other operations underway that would mean that this would not be a viable option for them. It was clear that the trial was a failure as there was not enough material available to fill the container. On this basis the coordinator recommends that;

a. The trial the be discontinued; andb. The providers that have shown interest (PGM and DHL/Kurrajong Recyclers) be advised that

they should contact each council individually to make arrangements for collecting e-waste material

Moved David Tull, 2nd Douglas Bourke

Milestone 9 Love Food, Hate Waste ProgramA new casual environmental education officer has been engaged to provide a session at the Darlington Point Springtime Festival concentrating on the Love Food Hate Wastemessage. The session had been held the previous day and by all reports had been very successful.

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The coordinated reiterated that any councils that had events and would like a stall or presentation from the waste group, especially related to love food hate waste or garden smart, should notify the coordinator of their requirements.

The information was noted.

Milestone 10 Regional Waste Management StrategyThe group had previously endorsed the development of a strategic plan for waste which would look across council boundaries and make recommendations that were logical, economically viable and sustainable.

To achieve this goal we partnered with the Murray Waste Group and sought funding from both the EPA and the RAMROC councils. The first stage was an audit of all of the facilities and services across the region and this will give us an indication of future capacity. This audit has now been completed and the results will shortly be available to Councils. The efforts of staff in providing the information to the audit team at GHD are appreciated.

The second stage will be funded by the EPA and will involve the utilisation of the audit to determine a strategy. Quotations for this stage are to hand however the results cannot be released until the funding for this stage has been received. We are currently awaiting this advice from the EPA.

The strategy development project must be completed in December 2013. The final strategy will suggest how we should deal with waste in the future and will consider regional facilities. It will not be possible for the group or individual councils to obtain funding for capital works unless they have been identified in the final strategy.

At its previous meeting the group agreed that the ultimate goal should be to have every urban centre within Riverina Waste Group utilising a 3 bin system supported by viable recycling and organics treatment facilities.

The information was noted.

Milestone 11 Waste Minimisation TrainingTAFE Riverina Institute will again conduct a course for waste depot operators. Several councils indicated they would send participants and it was noted that the group would reimburse councils for the cost of registration for the training.

The information was noted.

Milestone 12 Green Waste Diversion and CompostingThis potential project will gain strength if councils elect to move to the adoption of a 3 bin system which includes organics. It was noted that a composting facility could easily be established in Leeton as it already had a suitable and developed site. This information will need to be fed into the regional strategy.

The information was noted.Milestone 13 Gas Recovery from Landfill SitesIt was noted that this project would probably not be the best use of the group’s time and funds as it is unlikely that any proposal will be economically feasible.

Financial ReportThe audited financial report was provided by RAMROC and distributed to all present.

Accepted. Moved David Tull, 2nd Douglas Burke

General business Camera surveillance

A discussion on this topic resulted in councils sharing their information on the use of such cameras. The coordinator agreed to obtain and distribute a report from the Bathurst Office of the EPA which provided the regulatory and practical framework for the successful use of these cameras.

Proposed levy on landfill sites 32

The coordinator advised there would be a consultation session on this topic to be held in Griffith on 4 th

November 2013 and encouraged all members to be present.

Address to RAMROC Mayors and General ManagersThe coordinator advised that as a result of an invitation from the RAMROC Executive Officer he had addressed this group on the work of the RWG and specific issues related to waste including the potential for a levy.

The next Meeting Date, 4th November at Griffith to coincide with the levy discussion.Meeting closed 12.35pm

8.6 RAMROC General Managers Group Meeting 24 th October 2013

MINUTES OF THE RAMROC GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP MEETING HELD AT NARRANDERA EX SERVICEMEN’S CLUB, BOLTON STREET, NARRANDERA ON THURSDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2013 AT 10.00AM._______________________________________________________________________________

PRESENT: Brett Stonestreet (Griffith), Bruce Graham (Wakool), Greg Murdoch (Murray), Des Bilske (Deniliquin), Barry Barlow (Conargo), Ray Pluis (Narrandera), Frank Zaknich (Albury), Carolyn Upston (Murrumbidgee), Ken Croskell (Carrathool), Rowan Perkins (Berrigan), Allen Dwyer (Hay), Craig Moffitt (Jerilderie), Bob Parr (Acting GM Corowa), Robert Rayner (Acting GM Balranald), Cr.Terry Hogan AM (RAMROC Chairman) and Ray Stubbs (Executive Officer)

OTHER COUNCIL OFFICERS:- Tracey Squire (Albury City), Joanne Ruffin (Berrigan Shire), Andrew Wales (Murrumbidgee Shire) and Nicola James (Griffith)

WORKSHOP GUESTS:-Alison McGaffin – Regional Co-ordinator Western NSW - NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet – Steve Griffin – Deputy CEO Service NSWDr Kim Johnstone – Senior Demographer NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure Ashley Albury - Regional Manager Western Region - Department of Planning and Infrastructure Dan Wagner – Team Leader Planning – Department of Planning and InfrastructureWendy McPherson – Co-ordination Officer - Department of Premier and CabinetAlison Mainwaring – Co-ordination Officer -Department of Premier and CabinetMargaret O’Dwyer – Acting Regional Director - NSW Department of Trade and InvestmentSteve Toms – NSW Cross Border CommissionerMitchell Judd – Acting Regional Manager Roads and Maritime ServicesAndrew Proctor – Regional Transport Co-ordinator for Murray and Murrumbidgee - Transport NSW David Bardos – NSW Business Development Manager - Port of MelbourneGilli Williams - Regional Manager Commonwealth Department of IndustryJohn Bomer – Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Regional DevelopmentGraeme Sayer – Chief Executive Officer – Murray Hume and Riverina Business Enterprise CentresLani Houston – Executive Officer RDA RiverinaPeter Crowe - Chairman RDA MurrayBarbara Hull - Executive Officer RDA Murray

(Alison tendered apologies for Wayne Murphy (Austrade), Kate Golotta (Transport NSW) and Jason McGregor (NSW Ports)

1. GENERAL MANAGER APOLOGIES: Chris Littlemore (Balranald), Adrian Butler (Urana), Steven Pinnuck (Greater Hume) John Batchelor (Leeton) and Peter Kozlowski (Wentworth),

RESOLVED that the apologies be accepted.

2. MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MANAGERS GROUP MEETING – 16 th September 2013

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RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 16th September 2013 be confirmed.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 16 th SEPTEMBER 2013

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting

4. PRESENTATION BY STEVE GRIFFIN – DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF SERVICE NSW

Steve Griffin gave an interesting presentation in relation to the establishment of Service NSW, which now provides service centres and online access for a wide range of NSW Government transactions, including driver licences, vehicle registration renewals, boating licences, applications for birth and marriage certificates, owner-builder permits etc . At this stage, there are 18 service centres across the State and Steve will be liaising with interested Councils to investigate opportunities for Councils to provide facilities and services for Service NSW on a fee for service basis.Contact numbers for Service NSW are 13 77 88 (24 hours 7 days), or online at www.service.nsw.gov.au

5. PRESENTATION BY DR KIM JOHSTONE - SENIOR DEMOGRAPHER NSW DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Dr Kim Johnstone addressed the meeting with a powerpoint presentation in relation to the Department’s draft State Population Projections Report 2013-2031, which was released publicly in September 2013.

A number of questions were raised by General Managers concerning the DoP projections and the lack of direct consultation by DoP with Councils, especially those where populations are projected to decline significantly in the ensuing twenty years such as Griffith and Deniliquin. In some areas, community and investor confidence have already been badly affected by the severe drought conditions in the early 2,000s and the impacts of reduced water availability caused by the drought, as well as by the environmental watering proposals under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Kim advised the meeting that she had very recently compared the DoP methodology with that of iD Forecast, who have been doing a lot of work with RAMROC Councils in the past three years on regional population forecasts. She took notes of the serious concerns raised by Councils and indicated that these would be taken into account when finalising the populations projections report

In the meantime, the Executive Officer will be reporting on this matter to the RAMROC meeting on 6 th November 2013

6. WORKSHOP SESSION – RAMROC COUNCILS AND NSW DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND CABINET AND OTHER AGENCIES

Alison McGaffin Regional Co-Ordinator Western NSW for the Department of Premier and Cabinet facilitated a workshop involving the RAMROC General Managers, together with representatives of various State Agencies and the region’s RDAs.

The purpose of the workshop was to discuss closer collaboration and co-operation between Councils and Agencies in relation to economic growth in the RAMROC region, taking into account the key objectives and strategies identified Councils’ Community Strategic Plans and those set out in the NSW State Plan 2012 and the Regional Action Plans for the Riverina Region and the Murray-Lower Darling Region.

The General Managers each provided a 2 minute snapshot of the key outcomes that their communities are seeking in relation to economic development and growth for their area, generally along the lines identified in their respective CSPs and Four Year Delivery Plans.

The participants then progressively workshopped three specific Focus Areas, these being:-

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Focus Area 1 – Business Development (NSW Trade and Investment and the Murray Hume and Riverina Business Enterprise Centres)

Focus Area 2 – Transport (Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Regional Transport, Roads and Maritime Services, Cross Border Commissioner and Melbourne Ports)

Focus Area 3 – Economic Development Initiatives (RDAs, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and the Department of Industry

The outcomes of the workshop were then briefly re-capped and it was agreed that a further workshop be held at the April 2014 General Managers Group meeting, with the focus to be on community services, health and education.

The RAMROC Chairman and Executive Officer thanked all of the presenters and workshop participants for their input and contribution.

The General Managers Group meeting and workshop concluded at 1.35 pm

MRRR 9 GENERAL BUSINESS ITEMS

End of Agenda Items

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