(Report by Manager Engineering Services, Ms M Whitehurst)

(Report by Manager Community Services, Mr D Linden)

(Report by Manager Community Services, Mr D Linden)

(Report by Manager Community Services, Mr D Linden)

(Report by Manager Community Services, Mr D Linden)

(Report by Manager Engineering Services, Ms M Whitehurst)

(Report by Manager Engineering Services, Mrs M Whitehurst)

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

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

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

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is presented to Council to adopt an additional list of projects to be undertaken as part of the 2011/12 Infrastructure Plus Programme.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the additional funds be utilised to undertake the list of projects as outlined in the report as part of the 2011/12 Infrastructure Plus Programme.


REPORT DETAILS

At the August 2011 Council Meeting, Council will recall that the following resolution was made:

"THAT Council adopt the carry-over of expenditure and funding from 2010/2011 into the current financial year as listed in Attachment 1 to this report."

This expenditure included $174,783 of unspent Parks Infrastructure Plus funds and $154,843 of unspent Building Maintenance Infrastructure Plus funds. It should be noted that the unspent funds can be attributed to competitive tendering of projects and packaging of quotes for various projects.

Accordingly, Council Officers have highlighted the following projects to be undertaken utilising these unspent funds:

Parks - Infrastructure Plus

• Woodville Park - replacement of playground (including shade structure and rubber softfall)
• Oatley Park - installation of three new BBQ shelters and two double BBQ's
• Beverly Hills Park - installation of combined filtered water bubbler and bottle filling station

• Upgrade of amenities building at Gifford Park
• New carpet in Civic Theatre to compliment the new seating
• Upgrade of amenities building at Mortdale

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Council has received representations from Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch requesting Council's permission to hold their Annual Carols by Candlelight in Mortdale Memorial Park on Saturday 10th December, 2011. Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch have also requested Council's assistance by supplying garbage bins and portaloos.


AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council provide Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch with all requested material.

THAT Council impose a refundable cleaning deposit of $213.00 to ensure Mortdale Memorial Park is left clean and tidy, removing all rubbish and candle wax from the premises.

THAT Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch provide Council with a copy of their Public Liability Cover.

FURTHER 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 Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch is notified of this requirement.


REPORT DETAILS

Council has received representations from Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch requesting Council's permission to hold their Annual Carols by Candlelight in Mortdale Memorial Park on Saturday 10th December, 2011. Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch have also requested Council's assistance by supplying garbage bins and portaloos. The following is a letter received by Council on 12 September, 2011 from R Miller, Hon. Secretary of Mortdale RSL sub-branch:

“Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch will be holding their annual Christmas Carols in Mortdale Memorial Park, Saturday 10th December 2011 and request permission to the use of the park for this function, we would be grateful if you could supply us with 2 porta loos and 8 garbage bins.”

The casual park hire fee was previously waived by Council on 16th February, 2011 and it is recommended that a refundable cleaning deposit of $213.00 be imposed. Mortdale RSL Sub-branch will also be required to supply Council with a copy of their Indemnity Insurance.


COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - SD

THAT Council provide Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch with all requested material.

THAT Council impose a refundable cleaning deposit of $213.00 to ensure Mortdale Memorial Park is left clean and tidy, removing all rubbish and candle wax from the premises.

THAT Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch provide Council with a copy of their Public Liability Cover.

FURTHER 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 Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch is notified of this requirement.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Council has received a request from Fitness Now asking that Council provide a concessional rental to the value of $35,360 for booking of the Seniors Citizens Centre for their fitness exercise classes.

AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application for concessional rental be considered by Council.

FURTHER THAT, if approved, the applicant be advised that they must acknowledge Council's sponsorship on all their promotion and marketing material (tickets, flyers, brochures etc) at programs and at the event/function.


REPORT DETAILS

Council has received a request from Fitness Now asking that Council provide a concessional rental to the value of $35,360 for booking of the Seniors Citizens Centre for their fitness exercise classes. The total proposed cost of the event is $35,360 for the hire of the Seniors Citizens Centre, two nights per week, 5pm to 9pm on week days. The centre is requesting 100% concession on the hire fees.

Over the past 30 years, it is understood that Fitness Now paid approximately $5,044 per year for their booking. However, since the introduction of standardised fees and charges that are approved by Council on an annual basis, staff are unable to offer the hire of the Senior Citizens Centre at this much-reduced rate. As such, this report asks Council to consider Fitness Now's application for a concessional rental.

Coralie Broadley, owner of Fitness Now, writes:

1. I have hired the Hall every Tuesday and Thursday night for approximately 30 years.
2. I have always paid my rental for the Hall in advance of the due date.
3. I have always been a responsible and conscientious hirer of the Hall and have never caused any damage to the Hall and/or the adjoining area. My participants and I always leave the Hall in a quiet and orderly manner without any interference to occupiers of other buildings nearby.
4. It is often necessary for me to clean the Hall, toilet and other areas to bring the facility into an acceptable state for my participants to enter the area, due to the use of the Hall by the previous occupier/s.
5. I conduct an aerobic/fitness class at the Hall. The class is designed to promote health and fitness for its participants and includes Pilates and other training methods to help those people who have back complaints and other injuries.
6. A significant number of the participants receive a pension or other concessions and consequently, it is necessary for me to keep the attendance fee to a reasonable level, to enable these participants to attend the class.
7. Most of the participants are residents of Hurstville and adjoining suburbs and are attracted to the class because of its location and other facilities, including parking and safety.
8. I believe that I offer a fitness class to the community of Hurstville and its adjoining suburbs and I have a strong and loyal group of participants who benefit from attending the classes.
9. I am not a corporation and cannot afford to pay a corporate fee for the use of the Hall. I am solely responsible for the conduct of my classes and do not have any assistance in doing so.
10. I would respectfully request that the rental of the Hall be kept on the same basis for the use by a "community provider" as I have paid over the last approximately 30 years, so that I can continue to provide a valuable service to the community of Hurstville for its health and wellbeing.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - SD

THAT the mater be referred to Council.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Council has received a 2nd request from the Rotary Club of Hurstville Inc asking that Council provide a concessional rental to the value of $3,920 for booking of the Marana Auditorium in the Hurstville Entertainment Centre on 10,11 and 12 February 2012 for their 17th Antique and Collectables Fair.

AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application for concessional rental be considered by Council.

FURTHER THAT, if approved, the applicant be advised that they must acknowledge Council's sponsorship on all their promotion and marketing material (tickets, flyers, brochures etc) at programs and at the event/function


REPORT DETAILS

Council has received a 2nd request from the Rotary Club of Hurstville Inc asking that Council provide a concessional rental to the value of $3,920 for booking of Marana Auditorium in the Hurstville Entertainment Centre on 10,11 and 12 February 2012 for their 17th Antique & Collectables Fair. The total proposed cost of the event is $12,920 for the hire of the Marana Auditorium. The organisation received a $9,000 concession on 25 May 2011 and is now requesting the final $3,920 concession on the hire fees. If approved, the Rotary Club of Hurstville will obtain a 100% concession for their event.

The Club wrote:

"We applied to Hurstville City Council for concessional rental of The Marana Hall for our 17th Antique & Collectables Fair which will be held over the weekend of 10th; 11th & 12th February, 2012.

We received a reply dated 1st June 2011 stating that we were given some concession, but, an amount of $3,920 would have to be paid by The Rotary Club of Hurstville.

We are now working on our budget to ensure the event is not only a successful community event but also financially worthwhile for the combined effort involved. All profits will, as usual go to charitable & community groups in the Hurstville & St.George Area.

While we appreciate the concessional rental offer received we had hoped that the Marana Hall could have been made available rent free as it was for the first 12 years. We would of course be prepared to pay basic costs under a “rent free” arrangement.

We would like to follow your suggestion that we appeal to the Council to further consider our application and waive rental charges. All profits will be given to deserving local charities & community service beneficiaries. I understand a Council meeting in late August could consider this further application and give a final decision.

We hope the Council will decide to assist further on this occasion as the Marana Hall is the most desirable venue.

Kindest regards

Dorothy Dixon
Chairman"

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - SD

THAT the application for concessional rental be considered by Council.

FURTHER THAT, if approved, the applicant be advised that they must acknowledge Council's sponsorship on all their promotion and marketing material (tickets, flyers, brochures etc) at programs and at the event/function

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Council has received a 2nd request from the International Community Fellowship Inc asking that Council provide a concessional rental to the value of $4,074 for booking of the Senior Citizens Hall for Community Youth Work on Friday nights.

AUTHOR RECOMMENDATION

THAT the application for concessional rental be considered by Council.

FURTHER THAT, if approved, the applicant be advised that they must acknowledge Council's sponsorship on all their promotion and marketing material (tickets, flyers, brochures etc) at programs and at the event/function.


REPORT DETAILS

Council has received a 2nd request from the International Community Fellowship Inc asking that Council provide a concessional rental to the value of $4,074 for booking of the Senior Citizens Hall for Community Youth Work on Friday nights. The total proposed cost of the event is $8,925 for the hire of the Senior Citizens Centre. The organisation is requesting a 46% concession on the hire fees.

On 25 May 2011 the ICF received a concessional rental of $25,125.00, representing 50% of their overall rental charges.

International Community Fellowship Inc wrote to Council:

We have received the new Rental charges for the following
Previous rate - New Rate
Sunday Usage $ 205.00 $ 250.00
Saturday Usage $ 205.00 $ 250.00
Friday Comm. Youth $ 115.50 $ 212.50

A great part of our work in the community is due to the encouragement, support and goodwill that Hurstville Council has extended to us over 19 years, particularly in relation to the use of facilities for our community projects. We are very grateful for this.

With respect to the new hire charge for the Senior Citizens Hall on Friday it imposes on us a financial burden that we cannot sustain. Hence this special request to Hurstville Council.

We would like to ask that Council continue to give our Youth Work project the same consideration that is akin to youth work via Youth Zone, etc. Community work among youth needs every consideration it can get. It is difficult work. We have parents and young adults sacrificing much at the expense of their own family time to invest in young people. All this is done on a voluntary basis. We consider this factor as very important to Council and believe that this nexus with ICY has been eclipsed with more recent administrative and assessment changes. We will be happy to personally discuss this further.

Let us explain -
• The community youth work we sponsor and maintain has a family focus and is a benefit to the larger community. ICY has a multicultural mix of youth. In essence, the ICY initiative is helping Council meet a larger need in the area. There is an enormous effort put out from our side to maintain this work among teenagers who are at a critical age. We work with a wide range of teenagers. In some instances we provide a context for some dysfunctional youth to integrate into mainstream life.
• Our youth leaders work closely with parents. ICY offers family support and counselling, moral and spiritual training, vocational guidance, group leadership skills and also utilizes youthful skills in organising community programs like Carols in the Park, Youth Camps, etc. This Youth project is open to young people from local schools.
• As a non-profit group, we happily cover all the costs of this Youth Work. There are benefits reaped by the community. Community parents are happy to have their teenagers needs catered for by a responsible group of youth and carers. We desperately need assistance from Hurstville Council through a special financial arrangement for community youth work. This needs to be compared to the very significant financial budget expense incurred by Council to maintain youth work via Youth Zone, etc. ICY is meeting a need too and our respective services reach different segments of the community and do complement each other.
• The ICY youth undertake periodic fund raising projects to help subsidise social outings, camps etc., to enable less financial members to participate.
• Further, we work closely with the families and train young people to be respectful, cultivate good values, set goals, prepare to enter the work force, and be responsible in their own family setting.
• We are more than happy to keep our Youth Project going, but only ask that Hurstville Council recognise the significance of youth work undertaken by ICF which is not all that different to Council’s Youth Projects. Council gets value for money by allowing the use of its facilities on a Friday for work with teenagers.

We ask Hurstville Council to kindly reconsider its assessment in the light of Council’s previous considerations and leave the cost for Community Youth Work at $ 115.50. pw.

Thank you for your consideration
Yours Sincerely
Dr Winston Gauder
Pastor/ Community Coordinator