The past year has been very successful for Cardinia Shire Council. It is the first full year of leadership for the Council elected in March 2000. Council has generally maintained the direction of its predecessor with emphasis on community communication, development management, service delivery through partnerships and infrastructure management.
The extremely high growth of the municipality, diversity of communities and low income base continued to provide a challenge.
We are the lowest rating metropolitan Council in south east Melbourne and this metropolitan classification limits our capacity to respond to rural based issues. It is essential that both State and Federal Governments recognise the unique circumstances of Cardinia and it’s fellow interface Councils.
Council has made significant specific achievements in the area of strategic priority including the following.
Completion of the development agreement with Delfin Ltd
This will see the creation of a new community comprising 2,300 residential allotments, local commercial development and provision for a population of 6,500 at ‘Lakeside Pakenham’. The project will deliver several social, environmental and economic advantages while meeting Council’s objective of minimal risk and optimum return. Financial dividends will commence to flow to Council in June 2003.
Increased risk management capacity
This achievement has been recognised by the Civic Mutual Plus Council rating. We set an objective of increasing our rating by 25 places from 74th position in 1999-2000. We achieved an outstanding result of increasing the rating by 49 positions and we are now rated at 25th out of 78 municipalities in Victoria. Furthermore, we have maintained the number one rating by WorkCover with an insurance premium of 1.0522%.
Capital Works Program
A significant program has been completed, particularly the construction of several kilometres of road under a low cost black re-sheet program. A priority for Council is to overcome the incumbencies of over 1,000 kilometres of unsealed road, heavily overloaded.The finalisation of the Purton Road Industrial Estate Special Charge Scheme. At $2 million this is a very large privately funded project. It is a critical contributor to the local economy and a benchmark standard for industrial estates within the municipality. The highlight was to settle the Scheme without appearance at VCAT. This demonstrated the benefit of Council’s consultation processes and Special Charge Policy, driven by the inclusion of contributors in the design process.
Recruitment of General Managers under contract arrangements
The mix of the General Managers’ background and skill base ensures that Council is well positioned to respond to the challenges of the future. The expiry of previous contracts in March 2000 allowed us to simultaneously recruit a management team with complimentary skills.
Success of the interface group of Councils
This alliance of seven outer metropolitan Councils was initiated by Cardinia Shire Council. Through that network, we have been able to achieve recognition by the State Government of the unique circumstances that interface Councils have with specific financial allocations from the Treasurer of Victoria, John Brumby.
Innovative construction of an outfall sewer through consortium and Special Charge arrangements
We have facilitated a critical mains sewer that will enable the development of over 10,000 residential allotments in Pakenham. This has optimised the opportunities for the community through negotiation of an agreement with South-East Water; achieved best practice design principles through its consultant WBCM Ltd; and minimised cost through financial and market forces. Council will deliver the project at 50 per cent of the estimated cost of South-East Water Ltd.
Don Welsh, CEO
