(Report by Manager Engineering Services, Ms M Whitehurst)

(Report by Works Supervisor, Ms R Mountier)

(Report by Sport and Recreation Officer, Ms C Irwin)

(Report by Sport & Recreation Officer, Ms C Irwin)

(Report by Manager Engineering Services, Mrs M Whitehurst)

(Report by Manager Engineering Services, Mrs M Whitehurst)

(Report by Manage Library Museum & Gallery, Ms R Schulz)

(Report by Manager
Library Museum & Gallery, Ms R Schulz)

(Report by Manager Environmental Services, Mr G Dickens)

(Report by Manager Environmnental Services, Mr G Dickens)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is submitted to Council to approve the revised list of projects for the allocation of Road Resheeting Infrastructure Plus funds for the 2009/10 financial year.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve the following revised list of projects as part of the 2009/10 Road Resheeting Infrastructure Plus Program:
* Road patching works in Milford Road, Meadowlands Road and Gardenia Street, Peakhurst
* Resheet - Cahill Street, Beverly Hills (full length) - this work has been completed

* Resheet - Intersection of Penshurst Street and Bridge Street, Penshurst - this work has been completed
* Sealing of Parking Lane - 923-943 Forest Road, Lugarno - this work has been completed
* Pavement Repairs - 20-65 Trafalgar Street, Peakhurst
* Pavement Repairs in Peakhurst - Peake Parade ( Full Length), Pearce Avenue (Full Length), Gover Street (57 to Pearce Avenue), Lawrence Street (31 to Trafalgar Street)
* Resheet - Dale Crescent, Narwee (Full Length)

* Resheet - Intersection of Penshurst Street and Bridge Street, Penshurst - this work has been completed
* Sealing of Parking Lane - 923-943 Forest Road, Lugarno - this work has been completed
* Pavement Repairs - 20-65 Trafalgar Street, Peakhurst
* Pavement Repairs in Peakhurst - Peake Parade ( Full Length), Pearce Avenue (Full Length), Gover Street (57 to Pearce Avenue), Lawrence Street (31 to Trafalgar Street)
* Resheet - Dale Crescent, Narwee (Full Length)

* Resheet - Intersection of Penshurst Street and Bridge Street, Penshurst - this work has been completed
* Sealing of Parking Lane - 923-943 Forest Road, Lugarno - this work has been completed
* Pavement Repairs - 20-65 Trafalgar Street, Peakhurst
* Pavement Repairs in Peakhurst - Peake Parade ( Full Length), Pearce Avenue (Full Length), Gover Street (57 to Pearce Avenue), Lawrence Street (31 to Trafalgar Street)
* Resheet - Dale Crescent, Narwee (Full Length)

* Road patching works in Milford Road, Meadowlands Road and Gardenia Street, Peakhurst
* Resheet - Cahill Street, Beverly Hills (full length) - this work has been completed
* Resheet - Intersection of Penshurst Street and Bridge Street, Penshurst - this work has been completed
* Sealing of Parking Lane - 923-943 Forest Road, Lugarno - this work has been completed
* Pavement Repairs - 20-65 Trafalgar Street, Peakhurst
* Pavement Repairs in Peakhurst - Peake Parade ( Full Length), Pearce Avenue (Full Length), Gover Street (57 to Pearce Avenue), Lawrence Street (31 to Trafalgar Street)
* Resheet - Dale Crescent, Narwee (Full Length)

* Resheet - Gungah Bay Road, Oatley (from Roberts Avenue to No. 30) - postponed due to Energy Australia trenching works
* Resheet - Intersection of Lily Street and Durham Street, Hurstville - listed for funding allocation 2010/11 - possible RTA funding if Grant application is successful.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Lions Club of Lugarno requests permission to use Gannons Park for the 2010 Spring Festival from Thursday, 16 September 2010 to Saturday 18th September to setup and Sunday, 19 September 2010 being the Festival. Permission is also sought to use the middle part of Gannons Park for parking.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the Lions Club of Lugarno be permitted to use Gannons Park from Thursday, 16 September 2010 to Saturday 18th September to setup provided schools and Georges River District Cricket Association are contacted and setup around existing bookings, and all day Sunday, 19th September 2010 being the Festival.

THAT the Lions Club of Lugarno forward details of the amusement devices to be erected and evidence that the amusement device is registered under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001, as well as a copy of the Amusement Operators contract of insurance/and or indemnity which Indemnifies Council of any liability this should be in the amount of not less than $10millon.

THAT Council provide the Lions Club of Lugarno with all requested materials, to be funded from Additional Donations (Parks & Miscellaneous) budget.

THAT a refundable deposit of $1000.00 be imposed to ensure the park is left clean and tidy.

THAT the Lions Club of Hurstville supply Council with a copy of their contract of insurance/and or indemnity which Indemnifies Council of any liability, this should be in the amount of not less then $10millon.

THAT the provision of the requested materials and services be on the condition that Council receives appropriate recognition on all promotional material and advertising associated with the event and that the Lions Club is notified of this requirement.

THAT the Lions Club of Hurstville need to contact Council’s Environmental Health Officer as soon as possible on 9330 6222 to advise of food stalls and vendors.

THAT permission be granted to hold an equestrian event in Gannons Park as part of the Spring Fair.

THAT permission be granted to temporarily open the Robin Street toilets, cover the “Leash Free Dog Zone” notices in the lower half of the park and erect their own signs ”WARNING, HORSES, STAY CLEAR, Children to be supervised and dogs on leash”.

THAT permission be granted to use the middle portion of Gannons Park between Ernest St and Kara Lane to accommodate an overflow of public parking, applying a bus borrowed from the Rural Fire Service to transport people up to and down from the upper park.

FURTHER THAT Council reserves the right to withdraw this authority in the case of prolonged inclement weather.

REPORT DETAILS

The following email was received from The Lugarno Lions Club on 29th March:

"Loan of Equipment etc for Lugarno Lions 2010 Spring Festival

As you know, the 31st Annual Lugarno Lions Spring Festival will be held on Sunday 19th September at Gannons Park. With over 42,000 people attending last year, we particularly appreciate the support given by HCC Councillors and their Officers for what we believe is the largest Festival of its kind in Sydney’s Southern Suburbs and once again seek your help with the Spring Festival.

Thanks for booking Gannons Park for us from Thursday 16th September to Sunday 19th September, subject only to prior bookings by the High Schools, Primary Schools and Cricketers. In that regard we will negotiate with them to give us access to the majority of the park to do the ground layout and erection of stalls etc. and will let you know our progress in due course.

Last year, due to the increase in the number of people coming to this very popular event, we were forced to temporarily use the middle portion of Gannons Park between Ernest St and Kara Lane to accommodate an overflow of public parking, applying a bus borrowed from the Rural Fire Service to transport people up to and down from the upper park.

This emergency action was so successful that we now seek your approval to make it a permanent feature of our Festival with entry via Bottlebrush Ave and Ernest St., as per our separate letter re Traffic Management Plan, thus keep parking in the surrounding streets to a minimum. In addition, we may be utilising the Catholic Church grounds to provide off street parking. This is the main reason for writing to you early this year, so that we can plan the layout of the park and flow of traffic in the sure knowledge that we have your approval.

We expect a larger crowd this year due to the expansion of the carnival last year by 25% and the introduction of an event on the Saturday night. We particularly appreciated Council’s sponsorship of last year’s Saturday night event to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Institute. This year, in addition to our normal events and the Olympic standard show jumping, we are planning another event on Saturday night 19th September, again to benefit the Prostate Cancer Institute, and will be in contact with Council regarding this event in due course.

Until we complete the layout plans, which are dependant on Council’s approval of the use of the middle part of the Park for parking and the traffic management plan, it is difficult to be precise in our request for loaned equipment and provision of services. However, we believe the following are likely to be our maximum needs and thus request Council to please supply the following:-

1) 100 wheely garbage bins with 200 bin liners to suit. At the end of the day, we will stack these in the Pindari Rd car park, so that the heavy garbage truck does not enter the park.

2) Access to all power & light boxes around the ground with the common park key.

3) Access to all toilets (including the Vale Lane toilets) and gates (including inner gates and the Ernest St., gate as well as the temporary gate in Isaac St) around the ground with the common park key.

4) All lights around the ground to have their timers changed so that they are on for all of Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. It is very important that all lights (specifically including the Energy Australia lights on poles numbered PE01422 in Jindabyne Cres., PE01391 and PE01388 in Pindari Rd) are turned on to avoid hooliganism, even though we have a security guard on all Saturday night.

5) 6 portaloos, one of which to be a toilet for the physically impaired, to be located on the concrete apron at the northern end of the toilet block to supplement Council’s toilets on the Grandviews side of the park. Rob Casey organized this last year and it proved very important.

6) 11 portaloos, one of which to be a toilet for the physically impaired, 8 of which to be located immediately south of the Forest Rangers Canteen on the Pindari Rd side of the park, so that a cleaner can get access to the tap at the rear of the canteen to refill/hose them out and 3 of which to be located adjacent to the path from Boatwright Ave into the park. We will ask the Firies to mount a riser from the Boatwright Ave hydrant to allow the cleansing Department access to water to clean the toilets.

7) With 42,000 people attending, the toilets quickly become unbearably filthy with very long lines of ladies waiting to use them. Would Council again provide two HCC personnel for the whole day on Sunday 19th Sept 10 to regularly attend and clean all the toilets, including the port-a-loos, replace the used toilet rolls, plus empty the garbage bins and replace liners. That person would need a supply of toilet rolls to suit and a hose that fits the tap outlets and reaches the toilets, including the port-a-loos. This particular assistance is critical to the image of both Hurstville City Council and our Festival. We particularly appreciate your support in this regard.

8) Temporary entrances onto the park from the Boatwright and Isaac car parks at locations to be negotiated with Rob Casey and minor alterations to the Jindabyne entrance.

9) To assist the traffic management plan, would Council please lend us 100 witches hats and 70 traffic barriers for the weekend 18th -19th September. In addition, for the same period, may we also temporarily open the Vale Lane toilets, cover the “Leash Free Dog Zone” notices in the lower half of the park and erect our own signs “WARNING, HORSES, STAY CLEAR, Children to be supervised and dogs on leash”. Horses will be tethered when not directly under the control of a rider.

10) Last year, we used all the star pickets stored in our containers. Could we please borrow another 100 star pickets and caps as well as 500 m of orange webbing with 300 electrical ties.

Lion Tony Alifano (0403 038 573) will be in contact shortly regarding the booking of the banner across Forest Rd at the foot of the railway escalators and other locations. However, we would appreciate you advising Helen Dickenson-Panas, so that there is plenty of publicity in Council Comments leading up to the event.

We have written separately concerning traffic management. Thanks Christine, if you or any other Council Officer wish to discuss this request, please do not hesitate to phone us.

Again, THANKYOU!

Lion Ivan McKay….9533 5621 & 0429 703 636"

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

To request that Council grant permission to waive all costs associated with hiring of the Oatley Park Castle for the Australian Chinese Community Asociation and St George Migrant Resource Centre's environmental activity for 50 new Chinese arrivals in the Hurstville area.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council Waive the standard booking fee of $308.00 for the hiring of Oatley Park Castle and the $200.00 refundable cleaning deposit.

FURTHER THAT Oatley Park revenue budget be reimbursed from the Additional Donations budget to the extent of $308.00.


REPORT DETAILS

The following email was received on 1 April 2010:

"Lovely to talk with you. As I mentioned in the phone the Australian Chinese Community Asociation and St George Migrant Resource Centre are planning to run an environmental activity for around 50 new arrivals from Chinese background living/studying in the Hurstiville area and other neighbour areas. The place we are thinking is Oatley Park and the date is April 20th.

This initiative aims to introduce newly arrived migrants and refugees to their local native flora and fauna and develop a positive and caring relationship with the local environment. Also, to facilitate understanding between indigenous communities and new arrivals communities through culture exchange. The program for the day is as follow according to what we are able to coordinate with the local council.

Registrations and morning tea ( in SGMRC)
Biodiversity talk (half hour)
On the road & arrival to park (Otley Park)·
In the park:
· House keeping (toilets, etc) explanation
· Location in the elected area for aboriginal cultural exchange
· Bush walk and Tree planting (if available)
· Lunch
· Native animals
· Feedback from participants
· Return to SGMRC

We would like to see if Hurstville City Council will like to join to this initiative by:
- Providen the booking and cost of the Castle between 10.30 am-1.00 pm on April 20th
Also if it is posible - Organising the tree planting activity in a section of the park

The other two organisations involve are covering the cost of transport, native animal display and aboriginal elder for this activity.

Looking forward to working with you on this initiative.

Kind regards,


Lesly Zambrano-Moreno
Community Worker / Settlement Grant Program"

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is presented to Council to gain approval for the dedication of a park bench in Evatt Park for Diane Mayvald.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the request to dedicate a park bench in Evatt Park to Diane Mayvald be approved.

THAT all costs associated with the supply and installation of the park bench be borne by the Mayvald Family.

FURTHER THAT Council Officers liaise with the Mayvald family regarding the location of the bench in Evatt Park.


REPORT DETAILS

Council has received representations from the Mayvald family requesting Council to install a park bench in Evatt Park in memory of their mother, Diane Mayvald. Diane Mayvald was a Council employee from 1982 and retired in 1992, working in the vicinity of Evatt Park. Ms Mayvald's family state that she was happiest working at Evatt Park and would like to commemorate her life and work by dedicating a park bench in her honour.

Council has no policy on the dedication of park benches, however in the past park seats and benches have been installed in memory of residents and employees. However, the costs of the bench are borne by the families. Council Officers have liaised with the Mayvald Family who are happy to bear all costs associated with the works.

As such, it is recommended that the request to dedicate a park bench in Evatt Park in memory of Diane Mayvald be approved, subject to the Mayvald family bearing all associated costs.




COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - SD

THAT the matter be deferred so that a policy can be developed after which the matter be brought back to the next meeting for consideration.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The minutes of the Tree Management Working Party are presented to Council for their information.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the minutes of the Tree Management Working Party held on Thursday 11th March 2010 be received and noted.


REPORT DETAILS

The Tree Management Working Party was held on Thursday 11th March 2010 at 5pm as outlined below:

Attendees:
Mayor, Councillor P Sansom
Councillor, A Wagstaff
Councillor, N Lui
Mr V Lampe, General Manager
Mr L O'Connor, Director Service Delivery
Mrs M Whitehurst, Manager Engineering Services
Mr I Curtis, Manager Environmental Sustainability
Mr W Birkinshaw, Manager City Services
Mr R Casey, Manager Parks Operations
Mr S Caton, Senior Tree Management Officer
Mr D Arnaiz, Acting Tree Management Officer
Ms J Curtis, Lugarno Progress Association
Mr J Sheen, Oatley Flora & Fauna Conservation Society Inc
Ms S Cullis, Georges River Environmental Alliance
Ms M Amerasinghe, Secretary Friends of Oatley

Apologies
Councillor C Hindi
Councillor S McMahon
Councillor C Wong
Councillor V Badalati
Councillor B Giegerl
Councillor B Pickering
Councillor J Jacovou
Councillor D Perry
Councillor A Istephan
Mr J Scanlan, Manager Parks Maintenance
Mr G Quint, National Trust
Mr A Fairley, Oatley Flora & Fauna Conservation Society Inc


Item 1 - Welcome

Mayor Councillor Philip Sansom welcomed the Committee Members to the first meeting of the Tree Management Working Party for 2010 and introduced each Committee Member.

Item 2 - Introduction of staff and their roles

Council Officers introduced themselves to the Committee and gave a brief overview of the work team and their respective roles and responsibilities (including qualifications).

Item 3 - Tree Preservation Reserve

Council Officers discussed the Tree Preservation Reserve which had collected $94,000 since its implementation in 2006. Two (2) projects had been funded from this reserve equating to $20,000. Those projects are:

* Gloucester Road road reserve planted - Officers have planted approximately 500 trees at this location
* Belmore Road - Officers have planted aproximately 600 trees at this location
Council Officers reiterated that native trees and shrubs were used at each location.

Council Officers also outlined proposed projects for 2010, those being:
* Caloola Crescent whereby approximately 500-600 trees could be planted; and
* Mortdale Heights / Ballantyne Road Reserve whereby 1000-1200 trees could be planted.

In addition to the above projects, Council Officers stated that approximately 300 street trees were planted each year and that the Bush Regeneration Program utilises 3000-4000 plants per year.

Item 4 - Review of Tree Removal Process

Council Officers discussed the tree removal and pruning process and the role Council Officers take in administering the process.
* Stage 1 - Lodgement of Development Application to remove or prune the tree
* Stage 2 - Inspection by Council and review of supporting documentation
* Stage 3 - Determination of Application (either refusal or approval)

Council Officers also discussed the Review of the Determination process whereby the Applicant has the ability to request that Council review the process. Officers stated that the review process is undertaken by a different Council Officer and often the Applicants commission their own Arborist Report.

Council Officers reiterated that the standard process by metropolitan Councils is usually undertaken within 40 days, however, Hurstville City Council has a four (4) day turnaround period.

Committee Members discussed the number of tree removals versus the number of trees planted with a view to provide a report on these statistics at the next Tree Management Working Party. Committee Members also outlined that the perception in the community is that trees are getting removed and not being replaced - Members suggested that the statistics be placed on the website to convey a positive image.

Committee Members discussed the types of new trees planted in the Local Government Area. Council Officers outlined that a list of preferred indigenous trees was available on Council's website.

Committee Members discussed the removal of trees and the impact it has on the biodiversity of a region, particularly in the Oatley West Area. Members also discussed whether Council had a list of significant trees in the area and requested that Council undertake a study to document the "clumps of significant trees" and the habitats that live in them.

Council Officers discussed that Council has received funding for a Biodiversity Study that will be undertaken in the Local Government Areas and that will take into account the concerns of the Committee Members. The completion of the Study is proposed for October 2010. The Committee agreed that an update on the Study should be provided at the next Tree Management Working Party.

Committee Members asked if Council Officers review the habitat in the trees when reviewing the Development Application for removal or pruning of a tree. Council Officers stated that this was undertaken as part of the site assessment and often an independent Arborist Report is requested that takes into account this additional information.

Committee Members asked what the qualifications of the staff were who were assessing the Applications and those submitting the Arborist reports. Council Officers outlined that the staff were qualified Arborists with Nationally Recognised Training. Council Officers also reiterated that all Council tree crew staff were qualified and that any works undertaken were done so in accordance with Australian Standards for the pruning or removal of trees. Officers also stated that random pruning inspections were undertaken, however the pruning of trees in the vicinity of powers lines were under the care and jurisdiction of Energy Australia.

Item 5 - Inspections on Private Property

Council Officers provided an overview of the inspection process and its aim to ensure that Applicants comply with the conditions of consent. Officers outlined that any breaches of the consent were subject to a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN), however that prior to the PIN, a "please explain" letter was sent to the resident.

Committee Members discussed the issue of poisoning of trees and outlined a number of suspected locations where it was occurring. Council Officers stated that often it was difficult to determine "suspected poisoning", however each complaint was thoroughly investigated. Members also discussed the impact of Court Proceedings and previous cases Council has proceeded with.

Committee Members concurred that a report outlining the number of PIN's issued and the terms of the PIN's should be provided at each Tree Management Working Party.

Item 6 - General Business

Developments

Committee Members discussed the tree referrals for development applications submitted to Council. Council Officers stated that a referral for each application was received and that the appropriate investigation was undertaken. However, Council Officers reiterated that often a development is approved by the Court and therefore overrides any objections about the removal of trees that Council Officers may have.

Potential Locations for Mass Plantings

Committee Members discussed the proposed locations for future mass plantings and suggested Jewfish Point and Marine Drive. Members concurred that any potential locations should be raised at each Tree Management Working Party.

Preservation versus Safety

Council Officers provided an overview of how Council determined whether a tree should be removed or retained. Officers reiterated that safety played a key role in the determination, and an assessment was undertaken at each location based on the health of the tree, the dead wood on the tree (and size) and the defects presents. Furthermore, a risk level was assigned for each tree and that was utilised to determine whether or not the tree would be removed. Members requested that a copy of this criteria would be presented to the next Tree Management Working Party.

Tree Giveaway

Committee Members discussed the date of the next Tree Giveaway Day which will be held on Sunday 9th May at Mortdale Park. Members stated that in previous years only grasses were available, with the larger trees unavailable after a certain time. Council Officers stated that additional trees would be ordered to the next day.

Committee Members also discuss the native tree pamphlet that should be circulated for the Tree Giveaway Day.

2010 - Year of Biodiversity

Committee Members discussed how 2010 was the year of Biodiversity and that the new Biodiversity Study would encourage community input. Members concurred that community feedback should be encouraged by Council via Council publications and the website.

Committee Members

Committee Members discussed the Member list for the Tree Management Working Party, with Council Officers stating that the list was prepared as per previous years.

Item 7 - Next Meeting

Committee Members discussed proposed dates for the next meeting and agreed that the next meeting should be held in July 2010 with a date to be finalised.

The meeting concluded at 6:30pm.



COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - SD

THAT the minutes of the Tree Management Working Party held on Thursday 11th March 2010 be received and noted.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery (LMG) celebrate Library and Information Week (LIW) and International Museum Day (IMD) in May 2010. This report outlines the program of events to be held over this period.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the information be received and noted.


REPORT DETAILS

Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery (LMG) celebrate Library and Information Week (LIW) and International Museum Day (IMD) in May 2010.

LIW and IMD will be celebrated in Hurstville on May 18-29 at the LMG. The theme for LIW 2010 is "Access all areas". "Access all areas" enables libraries to promote their access to information through databases, consultation and reference services. IMD has been celebrated all over the world since 1977 and promotes the work of museums to the public.

This year a range of events have been developed in consultation with our diverse community. These events include:

Guest Speaker - Peter FitzSimons: From Wallaby to Writer
Tuesday 25 May 2010
7pm – 8pm
Exhibition Area, Hurstville Library
Free
Bookings at the Information Desk or by phone on 9330 6142
Peter FitzSimons is a well respected columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald and television presenter on Fox Sports. He speaks four languages, has played rugby for Australia, co-hosted radio shows with Mike Carlton and Doug Mulray, interviewed famous people around the globe from George Bush to Diego Maradona and written eighteen best-selling books. He is the biographer of World Cup winning Wallaby captains, Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales, and former Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, war heroine Nancy Wake and magazine editor, Nene King. In 2001 he was Australia's biggest selling non-fiction author, and duplicated that feat in 2004, with his book on Kokoda.

Hurstville Preschool Storytime
Tuesday 18 May 2010
10.00am
Hurstville City Museum & Gallery
Free
Suitable for children aged 3-5 years
Hurstville Preschool Storytime visits the Museum & Gallery to celebrate International Museums Day!

Art Attack - paper Crafts
Saturday 22 May
10.30am - 12.30pm
Hurstville City Museum & Gallery
$5.00 per child
Fun filled workshop for children aged 7 - 12 years.
Learn how to use paper to create beads at the Museum & Gallery. Have a go at traditional Japanese paper crafts such as kirigami (papercutting) and origami (paper folding).
Book at the Hurstville City Museum & Gallery.

Launch of the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Collection
Monday 24 May
3:30pm – 4pm
Library Exhibition Area, Hurstville City Library
Free
Book at the Hurstville City Library Information Desk or phone: 9330 6142
Join those who care for, work with, and are affected by Alzeheimer’s and Dementia at an afternoon tea and launch by Mayor, Clr Philip Sansom.

Book Trail
Wednesday 26 May
7.30am - 9.30am
Forest Road, Hurstville - Bottom of Hurstville Station steps
Commuters get the chance to read, enjoy and pass on free books and magazines handed to them by library staff (giveaways are excess stock that have been donated to the LMG).

National Simultaneous Storytime
Wednesday 26 May
11am -11.45am
Library Exhibition Area, Hurstville City Library
Free
Suitable for children aged 3-5 years
Libraries nationwide will stage a simultaneous reading of the popular picture book Little white dogs can’t jump by Bruce Whatley. Staff at Hurstville City Library will read the book in tandem in both English and Mandarin and conduct themed activities.

Family Storytime
Wednesday 26 May 6.00 -7.00 pm
Movies, interactive stories and games. Fun for the whole family!
Penshurst Library
This event is especially suitable for ages 4-8, but all are welcome.
Bookings are essential and will be taken from early May.
Contact: 9330 6422

Author Talk - Greg de Moore author of Tom Wills: His Spectacular Rise and Tragic Fall
Wednesday 26 May
7pm – 8pm
Library Exhibition Area, Hurstville City Library
Free
Book at the Hurstville City Library Information Desk or by phone: 9330 6142
Thomas Wentworth Wills captained the Victorian colony at cricket and was the first hero of Australian Rules Football. He died an isolated, destitute alcoholic after stabbing himself in the heart in 1880. Author Greg de Moore is a consultant psychiatrist at Westmead Hospital. Greg’s professional interest in suicide led to ten years of research into Wills turbulent life. de Moore’s book has been shortlisted for numerous awards and he will guest speak at this year’s Sydney Writer’s Festival.

Poetry Reading with Margo Ruckert
Thursday 27 May
10.00am.
Penshurst Branch Library
Local writer Margo Ruckert will read from her collection of poetry. Morning tea provided.
Bookings are essential and will be taken from early May.
Contact: 9330 6422

LMG stall
Thursday 27 May
10am - 4pm
Westfield Shopping Centre, Hurstville
Staff will promote the services and collections of the LMG to shoppers.

Computer Classes
Want to learn about the Internet and Email?
Extra classes are will be offered during Library & Information Week.

Internet for Beginners
Thursday 27 May 10-12 pm & Friday 28 May 2-4 pm
Learn what the Internet is, how to navigate and find information using search engines and how to save and print information.
Book at the Information Desk, Hurstville City Library.

Introduction to Email
Thursday 27 May 2pm - 4 pm & Friday 28 May 10am - 12 pm
Learn how to set up an email account and how to send / receive emails
FREE. Places are limited.
Book at the Information Desk, Hurstville City Library.

Full details will be available to the public via the LMG website over the next month: www.hurstville.nsw.gov.au/lmg
Promotional material is currently being developed to advertise the full program to borrowers and visitors to the LMG.


COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - SD

THAT the information be received and noted.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Request for approval to accept a grant offered to Council under the Library Development Grant Funds from the Library Council of New South Wales.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the grant offered to Council under the Library Development Grant Funds from the Library Council of New South Wales be formally accepted.


REPORT DETAILS

Hurstville Library Museum & Gallery (LMG) has been offered for a Library Development Grant of $67,689 to support collections, space and programming for young people. LMG staff applied for the grant through the Library Council of New South Wales.

A large proportion of young people in the Hurstville LGA indicated that the Library, Museum & Gallery (LMG) could do more to address their technological, collection or support needs. Hurstville City Council’s LMG service will use this grant to work closely with young people aged 12-24 years, Council staff, and local agencies to bridge the marginalisation felt by youth using our services, facilities and collections.

The following will be provided on completion of this project:

• Webpages which incorporate Web 2.0 technologies that are designed, developed and directly relevant to the needs and interests of Internet savvy youth
• Faster wireless service that meets high-speed broadband standards required for youth orientated web activity
• A revitalised library space that is welcoming, accessible and safe for young people and other customers of the LMG
• Clear guidelines on how staff interact with young people and clear expectations of how young people behave in the library environment
• Programming opportunities that address the study and recreational needs of young people such as: gaming, HSC guest speakers, and relaxation workshops to deal with study stress
• An up-to-date, well-promoted HSC collection
• Homework help sessions with peers aimed at providing young people with easy access to information and the support needed to prepare for school exams
  

• Focus on customer service,
• Improve web-site and on-line services,
• Provision of technology for improved customer access to services,
• Development of programming and collections, particularly for young people/students and CALD communities.
  

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is presented to Council for Council's endorsement to proceed to tender with both the Councils of Kogarah and Rockdale, for the provision of a Pound Facility for all animals impounded as a result of the activities of Council's animal impounding contractor.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT The report be received and noted.

FURTHER THAT Council endorse the proposal to proceed to tender with both the Councils of Kogarah and Rockdale, for the provision of a Pound Facility for all animals impounded as a result of the activities of Council's animal impounding contractor.


REPORT DETAILS

Historically Council has utilised the services of the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in Carlton as a housing facility (pound) for all animals, primarily dogs and cats, that have been impounded as a result of the activities of Council's animal impounding contractor. This arrangement has been in place for well over twenty (20) years. However the arrangement has been primarily an 'ad-hoc' one and there has never been a contract for these services. It is considered that this arrangement should not continue in its present form and that tenders be called for an Animal Pound Facility, to formalise a contractual arrangement for the provision of these services.

Council currently has an Animal Impounding Contract that was developed on a regional basis with the other St.George Councils (Kogarah and Rockdale); with the current contractor (St. George Animal Rescue Pty.Ltd) providing the service for all three (3) Councils with each Council having its own agreement with the Contractor. This arrangement has worked well in the past and has provided significant cost benefits in the form of savings in legal fees, administrative costs, and other economies of scale. It is considered that this arrangement should continue in terms of any new contract for the provision of a Pound Facility.

This report is presented to Council for Council's endorsement to proceed to tender with both the Councils of Kogarah and Rockdale.


COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - SD

THAT The report be received and noted.

FURTHER THAT Council endorse the proposal to proceed to tender with both the Councils of Kogarah and Rockdale, for the provision of a Pound Facility for all animals impounded as a result of the activities of Council's animal impounding contractor.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is submitted to Council for the information of Members in relation to Council's food inspection activities for the six month period between 1 October 2009 and 31 March 2010. The total number of inspections in this period was 288 (an average of 144 per quarter). In this period Council Officers issued 25 Penalty Infringement Notices and served 6 Prohibition Orders resulting in the closure of the same number of food premises.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the information be received and noted.


REPORT DETAILS

The following Table outlines all food inspection activities undertaken by Council Officers for the six month period between 1 October 2009 and 31 March 2010.

ITEM / DESCRIPTION	Quarter 2 (09/10) - 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2010	Quarter 3 (09/10) - 1 January 2010 to 31 March 2010
Number of Primary Inspections	63	92
Number of Reinspections	54	49
TOTAL NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS	117	141
Number of Prohibition Orders (Closure of Premises)	4	2
Number of Penalty Infringement Notices	11	14
Total $ from Penalty Infringement Notices Issued	$5,500	$6,160

In the preceding Quarter (Quarter 1 - 1 July 2009 to 31 October 2009), the the total number of inspections was 111, with 17 Penalty Notices issued.

One of the most pleasing aspects from the inspections carried out in the last Quarter is the reduction in the number of reinspections. As Councillors would appreciate where a primary inspection necessiates a reinspection it indicates non-compliance with the initial inspection. Although reinspections are often time consuming both operationally and administratively, they are considered an important tool from both an educational and public relations perspective the aim of which is to bring the premises up to a satisfactory standard without the need for protacted and contentious proceedings. Any reduction in the number of reinpections therefore demonstrates an improvement in hygiene and cleaning standards of those premises inspected. The ratio of reinspections to primary inspections fell from 85.71% in Quarter 2 to 53.26% in Quarter 3 - a very pleasing result from an operational perspective.

As previously advised Council has approximately 450 food premises it should inspect annually. This requires a minimum of 112.5 per Quarter, which would be easily achieved if there were no reinspections. The 92 Primary Inspections carried out in the last quarter is however a positive step, and notwithstanding all of our Officers other commitments in the area of environmental health is considered an excellent result in this period.

In relation to non-compliance issues, the major problems are in the form of:-
- inappropriate storage of food;
- poor hygiene and food handling standards;
- poor construction maintenance; and
- vermin infestation.


COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - SD

THAT the information be received and noted.

FURTHER THAT procedures, including the possibility of reorganising and providing additional resources are put into place so that all 450 food premises within the LGA are inspected at least once every 12 months.