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HURSTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CIVIC CENTRE, MACMAHON STREET, HURSTVILLE.
________________________________________________________
29 May 2000
His Worship the Mayor and the Councillors
Dear Member,
I am directed to inform you that a meeting of the Council will be held in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, Hurstville, on MONDAY, 5TH JUNE, 2000 for consideration of the business mentioned hereunder.
Yours faithfully,
GENERAL MANAGER
B U S I N E S S:
5.30 p.m. Dinner
7.00 p.m. 1. Apologies
2. Disclosure of Interest
- 3. Consideration of report in relation to the Management Plan 2000-2003 and Program Budget 2000-2001.
HURSTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CIVIC CENTRE, MACMAHON STREET, HURSTVILLE.
__________________________________
SUMMARY OF ITEMS CONTAINED IN THE
GENERAL MANAGER'S' REPORT
TO THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
TO BE HELD ON 5TH JUNE, 2000
01:01 Management Plan for three Years - 2000/2003 and Program Budget - 2000/2001
| HURSTVILLE CITY COUNCIL REPORT ITEM NO: . GENERAL MANAGER'S |
GENERAL MANAGER'S
REPORT NO.1 TO THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
TO BE HELD ON 5TH JUNE, 2000
REPORT NO.1 TO THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
TO BE HELD ON 5TH JUNE, 2000
His Worship the Mayor & Councillors
Hurstville City Council
The Civic Centre
HURSTVILLE
Dear Councillors,
Hereunder is my report No.1 to be submitted to the Special Council Meeting:-
01.01 MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THREE YEARS - 2000/2003 AND PROGRAM BUDGET - 2000/2001
- 1. Background
At the Meeting of Council held on the 1st May, 2000, Council approved the public exhibition of the draft Management Plan and Budget prepared in respect of the year ending 30th June, 2001.
Under S.405(2) of the Local Government Act, 1993, Council is required to place the Management Plan (which incorporates the Annual Budget) on public exhibition for 28 days. The Management Plan has been exhibited in accordance with this requirement. The exhibition period concluded on the 1st June, 2000.
During the exhibition period copies of the Management Plan and Annual Budget were made available for public review at the Council Chambers and at Council's Libraries with appropriate signs being erected and advertisements inserted in the St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Copies were also made available for purchase by interested people.
2. Management Plan - 2000/2003
At the date of preparation of this report two (2) submissions have been received in respect of the Council's Draft Management Plan specifically relating to the Draft Program Option Budget. In the event of any further submissions being received prior to the Council meeting appropriate details of such will be provided to Members at the meeting.
The first submission received is from the City of Hurstville Residents' Association Inc, dated 23rd May, 2000, relates to the Narwee and Beverly Hills Shopping Centres and the preservation of landmark trees, and is in the following terms.
- "The City of Hurstville Residents Association would like the Council to consider the inclusion of the following items in the 2000-2001 Council Budget.
2 Purchase of property in the Beverly Hills Shopping Centre for a plaza. This project is a much needed relief for pedestrians in this busy area and would remove one of the visual polluting and dangerous areas in the main street project.
3 Adequate cleansing staff in Beverly Hills Shopping Centre. It is observed that cleaning of the main street and surrounding areas is less than adequate for the needs of this growing commercial and night life area and a specific budgetary allocation to cleansing needs to be implemented to allow not only mechanical but physical sweeping and cleansing of footpaths and gutters. The new surfacing of King Georges Road footpaths needs regular maintenance to remove chewing gum etc. and the bitumen surface needs specialized surface cleaning to remove stains etc.
4 Purchase of substantial cleaning machinery for the new footpath surfacing in Beverly Hills. As mentioned above specialized surface cleansing machinery is needed. It may be used for this and other similar areas.
5 Completion of footpath surfacing to the first street adjacent to King Georges Road, Beverly Hills. The footpath improvements are a great asset to the shopping Centre but need to be finished. The surfacing should be completed to the first street or driveway past the corner of streets adjacent to King Georges Road to allow a finished look. This would include Edgbaston Road; the first part of the lane leading to Hampden Street (adjacent to Electricity kiosd), Beresford Avenue, Norfolk Ave and footpaths surrounding the Baby Health Centre and Morgan Street.
6 Re-laying uneven and damaged paving in Beverly Hills Shopping Centre. It is a concern that surfaces paving surfaces are uneven and could cause accident and cleansing problems and other pavers have been damaged by traffic wear. Remedial action is needed.
7 Establish a special Section 94 fund for preservation of landmark and identified trees in the whole Hurstville City area. It is requested that a significant tree register be established for the whole of the Hurstville City area, similar to that established in Lugarno Peninsula. It is requested that a special Section 94 trust fund be established to allow property owners to be assisted in maintaining their property which may be effected by these trees. It is noted that Waverley Council has a similar fund which assists with fences and sewer and drainage problems when they arise."
- 1. Narwee Shopping Centre improvement Program would normally be done through the Revenue Works Program which is determine by the Ward Councillors each year. I would suggest that this matter could be raised with the Penshurst Ward Councillors when reviewing the upcoming revenue Works Program. This meeting should occur within the next couple of weeks.
3&4. Beverly Hills Shopping centre is cleaned 7 days a week 365 days per year. Council has recently purchased a mechanical footpath sweeping machine which also has the capability of using high pressure water spray to clean the pavers as and when required. The issue of chewing gum removal is generally a specialist function, which includes the use of filters, vacuums etc. to ensure the residue is not washed down the stormwater system. You may remember that Council recently removed the chewing gum from Hurstville CBD at a cost of $25,000 which was funded from Town Improvement Special Rate and maybe something similar could be organised for the other Town centres if required and funded from Town Improvement Rates where applicable or the Works Program if there is no Town Improvement Rate levied.
5. The extension of footpath improvements to adjacent streets such as Edgbaston Rd., Morgan St, etc. should be referred to Beverly Hills Main Street committee for determination.
6. The issue of damaged pavers is a maintenance issue, which will be addressed with the contractor prior to completion of the work.”
With regard to items 2 and 7 of the submission the Divisional Manager – Policy, Planning & Environment has submitted the following comments:
- “Beverly Hills Shopping Centre Plaza
On 9/2/00 Council resolved to prepare s.94 plan and plans of management for urban spaces within the various Town Centre precincts. This will look at the quantity and quality of open space and public space within those commercial centres. The 2000/2001 Management Plan provides for the first of these projects to be undertaken in Hurstville CBD. It is funded from the Town Improvement Special Rate. In accordance with Council’s resolution, plans for other centres would subsequently be prepared, however at this point there is no decision about the order in which they would be undertaken. The ‘plaza’ concept suggested by the Association could be investigated as part of a future plan for Beverly Hills.
Use of s.94 Funds
Stringent principles and conditions govern the levying of Section 94 Contributions in New South Wales, as codified by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning’s Section 94 Contributions Manual.
Section 94 enables local councils and other consent authorities to levy contributions for public amenities and services required as a consequence of development.
Generally, contributions can only be made towards:
· Capital costs, including land acquisition.
· Public facilities which the Council has responsibility to provide
· Public facilities which are needed as a consequence of, or, to facilitate new development.
It is quite clear that a Section 94 fund for the preservation of trees could not be justified, nor could nexus be shown to exist in such an instance.
With respect to the Council providing an additional Section 94 trust fund to assist property owners to maintain their homes affected by trees, the above points regarding the limits to Section 94 levying are equally relevant. That is, it would be extremely difficult for Council to establish nexus for such an issue as it is not something that is caused directly by development. Discussions with Waverley Council have revealed that it does not in fact levy Section 94 contributions for assisting property owners with sewer, fences and drainage problems caused by tree roots due to the problems with establishing nexus.”
The second submission is from the Peakhurst Village Improvement Group dated 26th May, 2000 in relation to the Peakhurst Shopping Centre and is in the following terms.
- "As you are aware, the 1999-2000 Council Budget allocated $50,000 towards improvements at Peakhurst Village Shopping Centre. The State Government allocated a further $50,000 for this project from Roads and Traffic Authority funding.
This money has been well spent by replacing footpaths on the eastern side of Peakhurst Village Shopping Centre (from Pritchard Place to Boundary Road) and redesigning the Council carparking area in front of Jewel's Food Store. We understand that the Carpark will be resurfaced in the new financial year. It has been about 25 years since any major works have been undertaken in this shopping center.
A long term plan was drawn up by our local committee and was endorsed by a Public Meeting which included State Members and Councillors.
State Two of the project is to see either re-laying of footpaths on the western side of Forest Road or the commencement of a Garden Bed on the median strip, which would greatly assist in traffic and pedestrian access to the center as well as create a less stark streetscape.
It is noted that the Council's draft budget, which is on exhibition at present, has no allocation for Stage Two of the Peakhurst Village Town Centre Project.
I have been requested by the Community delegates to the Peakhurst Village Town Centre Committee, to write and ask that funding be made available to continue this project, recognizing the major part that Peakhurst Shopping Centre is playing in the lives of Senior Citizens from five local retirement villages and hostels, the revitalizing of the shopping center through business changes in the last few months and the upsurge in business transactions in the businesses which have been improved by the project so far."
This submission was also referred to the Divisional Manager – Engineering who has submitted the following comments.
- "The submission by the Peakhurst Village Improvement Group, for funding in the 2000/2001 Budget for improvements to the Peakhurst Village Shopping Centre, has been referred to the Peakhurst Ward Councillors for consideration in conjunction with the 2000/2001 Revenue Works Program.
I am not aware of any ongoing commitment from the State Government (RTA) for these works."
In view of the comments made in connection with both submissions, it is suggested that it would be appropriate for the Association to be advised generally in those terms and, accordingly, an appropriate section has been included in the recommendation at the conclusion of this report in this regard.
3. Program Budget - 2000/2001
Following consideration of the details of the Draft Program Budget for 2000/2001 the Council, at its meeting held on 1st May, 2000 subsequently resolved as follows:-
- "THAT an amount of $3,500 be included within this Program for the provision of Air Conditioning at the Aged Citizens Centre (Hurstville).
THAT a further report be submitted regarding the level of the proposed Golf Course fees for 2000/2001 in comparison to fees charged at other courses.
THAT the fees recommended for Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre in the Program Budget be adopted with the exception of the General Entry for Adults, Students, Aged & Disability Pensioner & Senior Card holders, Family, Adult 20 Visit, Student 20 Visit (2), Non-Swimming Observer and helpers fee, Swimming Lessons and Swimming Lessons Adult which be and that these particular fees be maintained at the 1999/2000 level.
THAT an increase of $20,000 be allocated to maintain the Bushland Regeneration Contract with the National Trust at the 1999/2000 level."
As a result of Council's resolution the Draft Management Plan and Draft Program Budget were amended as necessary to take into account the various changes prior to being placed on public exhibition.
In connection with that part of Council's resolution in relation to the level of the Golf Course fees, the following report has been submitted by the Manager – Parks & Recreation.
- "Council at its meeting of 1st May 2000 approved the Draft Financial Plan and Management Plan 2000-2003 for public exhibition.
Discussion also took place regarding the proposed increase in green fees for Hurstville Golf Course, for the 2000/2001 financial year.
Council subsequently resolved to investigate the feasibility or otherwise of increasing the green fees for next year to a greater extent than what was suggested in the Draft Management Plan.
It was recommended that the fee for 18 holes be increased from $15.00 to $16.00 with the fee for nine holes rising from $11.00 to $12.00.
Minor increases were also proposed for other categories, ie. Student / Pensioners etc, however, the bulk of Council's income is derived from the above two categories. A survey was undertaken of similar golf courses in the area and the current green fees for these courses are shown below:
GOLF COURSE | 18 HOLES | 9 HOLES | Pensioners / Students (18 Holes) | School Block (18 holes) |
| Bardwell Valley | Mon-Fri $12 Sat-Sun $15 | Mon-Fri $10 Sat-Sun $15 | Mon-Fri $10 | - |
| Beverly Park | Mon-Fri $17 Sat-Sun $19 | Mon-Fri $12 Sat-Sun $14 | Mon-Fri $10 -- | Mon-Fri $6 -- |
| Bexley | Mon-Fri $16 Sat-Sun $17 | Mon-Fri $12 Sat-Sun $13 | Mon-Fri $9 Sat-Sun $9 (after 2pm) | $9 |
| Canterbury | Mon-Fri $13 Sat-Sun $15 | Mon-Fri $9 Sat-Sun $10 | $5.50 | $5.50 |
| Fairfield | Mon-Fri $12 Sat-Sun $15 | Mon-Fri $9 Sat-Sun $11 | $6 -- | $6 -- |
| Kareela | Mon-Fri $14 Sat-Sun $17 | Mon-Fri $10 Sat-Sun $12 | $7 | $7 |
| Riverlands | Mon-Fri $15 Sat-Sun $18 | Mon-Fri $11 Sat-Sun $13 | Mon-Fri $9 Sat-Sun $9 (after 1pm) | -- |
| AVERAGE | $15.35 | $11.50 | $8.28 | $6.70 |
| Hurstville current | $15. | $11 | $7 | $5 |
| Hurstville proposed | $16 | $12 | $7.50 | $6 |
- Currently, as seen in the chart above, our pricing is slightly below the average. The suggested increases would place us slightly above the average, however, this may vary depending on any changes to green fees on other courses for the 2000/2001 financial year.
If Council were to raise our fees more than is suggested above, I believe there would be a significant risk of players voting with their feet and playing elsewhere. This reduction in patronage could in fact lead to a significant reduction in income to Council. I believe this was illustrated when we last increased our fees at the course, at the beginning of the 1998/99 financial year.
See below:
YEAR | 18 HOLES FEE | 9 HOLES FEE | Student / Pensioner fee | School Block fee | Patrons | Total $ |
1997/98 | $14.00 | $9.00 | $7.00 | $4.00 | 74953 | $795,306 |
1998/99 | $15.00 | $11.00 | $7.00 | $5.00 | 63271 | $731,698 |
- As can be seen, the increases in the respective green fees were not great, but patronage dropped by over 15% and income by 8% ($64,000).
Whilst several factors play a role in patronage fluctuations on Golf Courses, including the profile of Australian golfing professionals at the time, weather variations, and the economy, I believe that Golf Course green fees are particularly price sensitive.
- I therefore, recommend that the green fees for Hurstville Golf Course not be increased by any amount above that which was suggested in the Draft Management Plan 2000-2003."
At the time of preparing the draft Management Plan, it was not known whether many of the fees and charges in the Schedule of Fees and Charges would attract GST, were exempt from GST or if a determination was still to be made under Division 81. A statement to that effect was included in the draft Schedule of Fees and Charges.
An amended Schedule of Fees and Charges is now attached as Appendix “A” and is submitted for adoption. The amended Schedule incorporates the changes made by Council in respect of the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, corrections to the draft and now displays fees according to their GST status, ie. those that attract GST, fees that do not attract GST and fees and charges where an accurate assessment cannot be made at present due to further determination being required under Division 81. These latter fess and charges have been nominated with an “*” in the appropriate column.
5. Works in Progress to be Re-Voted
As in previous years, a number of projects budgeted for the current year have been commenced or ordered but will not be completed by 30th June, 2000. The Divisional Manager - Business & Financial Services will outline an updated list of Works in Progress either at the Council Meeting of 28th June, 2000 or 26th July, 2000 to allow the relevant funds to be re-voted. Accordingly, it is proposed to update the Budget to incorporate all the items outlined in that report.
This will not affect the net position of the Budget as unspent funds from the current year will be transferred to fund these projects.
6. Level of Rates and Calculation of Rate in the Dollar
With regard to the level of rates proposed for 2000/2001 it will be recalled that at the time of preparation of the Draft Management Plan and Program Budget for 2000/2001 the Minister for Local Government had announced a permissible increase in the level of rates of 2.7%.
As a result, the Council, at its meeting held on the 1st May, 2000 resolved as follows in connection with this issue:-
- "THAT Council's income from General Rates be increased by 2.7 per cent on the 1999/2000 notional rate yield, as approved by the Minister for Local Government on 31st March, 2000, together with "Catch-Up" from previous years."
Accordingly, Council's Draft Management Plan and Program Budget were placed on public exhibition on this basis.
In accordance with previous practice the rate in the dollar has been re-calculated at the date of this report to reflect the level of increase permitted by the Minister and changes in strata titles and dual occupancies registered since the Management Plan commenced public exhibition. The revised rates have been included in the recommendation for consideration by Council are as follows:-
Rate Of a cent in the $
Residential 0.376900
Business 0.831410
Minimum $310.00
Hurstville Town Improvement Special 0.147913
Mortdale Town Improvement Special 0.280091
Riverwood Town Improvement Special 0.212006
It should be noted that this does not change the total Rate Income collected by Council as this is subject to the State Government Rate Pegging but rather ensures that new projects which were registered during the exhibition period are brought into the total calculation.
7. Conclusion
The Council is now in a position under S.406(1) of the Local Government Act, 1993, to consider what action it wishes to take in relation to any submissions which may be made by the community and the other changes proposed. Council can now formally adopt the Management Plan, incorporating the Program Option Budget, and the following recommendation is submitted for Council's consideration.
| HURSTVILLE CITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION NO: .01 GENERAL MANAGER'S |
. Recommendation MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THREE YEARS - 2000/2003 AND PROGRAM BUDGET - 2000/2001
RECOMMENDATION
THAT in accordance with Section 406 of the Local Government Act, 1993, that Council adopt the Management Plan for 2000/2003 and the Program Budget for the year ending 30th June, 2001, incorporating an increase in the level of rates of 2.7% as permitted by the Minister for Local Government and amended Schedule of Fees and Charges as detailed in the report.
THAT Council make and levy for the year commencing 1st July, 2000 and ending 30th June, 2001, the following rates on rateable land within the City of Hurstville:-
- (a) An ordinary Residential Rate of 0.376900 of a cent in the dollar on Land Value of all rateable residential categorised land in the area.
(b) An ordinary Business Rate of 0.831410 of a cent in the dollar on Land Value of all rateable business categorised land in the area.
THAT Council make and levy for the year commencing 1st July, 2000 ending 30th June, 2001, a Minimum Rate of $310.00 in respect of any separate parcel of rateable land.
THAT Council make and levy a Special Rate of 0.147913 of a cent in the dollar over the defined Hurstville Town Improvement District for the year commencing 1st July, 2000 and ending 30th June, 2001.
THAT Council make and levy a Special Rate of 0.280091 of a cent in the dollar over the defined Mortdale Town Improvement District for the year commencing 1st July, 2000 and ending 30th June, 2001.
THAT Council make and levy a Special Rate of 0.212006 of a cent in the dollar over the defined Riverwood Town Improvement District for the year commencing 1st July, 2000 and ending 30th June, 2001.
THAT Council make and levy the following Waste Management Service Charges for the year commencing 1st July,20009 and ending 30th June, 2001 -
- (a) Domestic Waste Management Service Charge (Sec 496 Local Government Act): An annual domestic waste management service charge will be applicable to:-
- (1) all rateable parcels of residential land, and
(2) non-ratable parcels of residential land where the service has been requested by the owner, as follows:
- (i) Administration Charge for all Residential parcels of land of $20.00 per annum.
(ii) $198.00 per annum (including the Administration Charge for all residential parcels of land for which the service is available) for first once per week garbage service and alternate recycling and green waste service and the charge will be increased by multiples of $160.00 per annum for each additional garbage only once per week service to rateable residential properties.
(iii) $198.00 per annum (including the Administration charge) for each once per week service to non-rateable parcels of residential land where the service/s have been requested by the owner.
- (i) $220.00 per annum for the first once per week garbage service and the charge will be increased by multiples of $220.00 per annum for each additional once per week garbage service provided to the business categorised rateable properties where the service is required.
- (c) User Pays Charge (Sec.502 Local Government Act).
- (i) $198.00 per annum plus GST for each once per week garbage service provided to non-rateable parcels of non-domestic land where the service has been requested.
(ii) Extra services over and above the number regularly removed each week will be calculated at an annual pro rata charge.
- (d) All charges for waste management services to be payable in advance.
(e) No allowance be made for periods of vacancy.
THAT Council set an interest rate of 10% on overdue rates, accrual on a simple interest basis, calculated on a daily basis and compounded monthly, or as otherwise advised by the Minister as being the applicable Supreme Court Debtor rate.
THAT Council set the level of voluntary pensioner rebates for the year commencing 1st July, 2000 and ending 30th June, 2001, at the following:-
| Up to a Total Ordinary Rate and Domestic Waste Management Service Charge of |  |
| $550 | Nil |
| $551-$600 | $10.00 |
| $601-$650 | $30.00 |
| $651-$700 | $40.00 |
| $702-$750 | $60.00 |
| $751 – upwards | $75.00 |
FURTHER, THAT Council note the submissions made by the City of Hurstville Residents Association Inc. and the Peakhurst Village Improvement Group in connection with the 2000/2001 Program Option Budget and the organisations be advised generally in the terms of the comments made by Council’s officers in this regard as detailed in the report.
* * * * * * *
Yours faithfully,
H E J Wallace
General Manager
| HURSTVILLE CITY COUNCIL REPORT ITEM NO: . Appendix for General Manager's |
.99 Appendix "A" - Amended Schedule of Fees & Charges - 2000/2003 Management Plan