New South Wales Minister for Local Government, Tony Kelly, formally opened the Hunter Councils’ new premises on 20 February. “This is a fantastic facility,” he said. “It’s a strong example of how councils can work together to meet mutual needs. Another good thing is that, as a commercial venture, any profits flow back to the community.”
Hunter Councils is owned and operated by the thirteen councils in the Hunter Valley. With all the usual professional and project teams available to Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs), the Hunter has ensured that any identified efficiencies or economies to be achieved by sharing, both capital items and intellectual property, are implemented as soon as possible.
With a history dating back to 1955, Hunter Councils has been able to leverage its strong support within the community to achieve cost savings and increase opportunities for member councils. The success of these initiatives will contribute to supporting the organisation and thus relieve the financial burden upon the councils. This can only benefit the broader community by releasing funds for the many demands that are placed on Local Government.
A few years ago the Records Management Team identified the compliance requirements of the NSW State Records Act as a challenge for their councils and set about finding a way to ensure their organisations had access to appropriate and compliant storage and retrieval services.
Hunter Councils investigated the concept and then committed to building a records repository, together with offices for the ROC.
This is a $2.5 million project to provide not only records storage which complies with the State Records Act for members, but the potential to leverage the many opportunities which more office space and resources can provide. The facility is state-of-the-art. This is a specialised and professional records management service embracing sophisticated IT platforms, environmental monitoring, fire protection and physical surveillance. Staff have been selected for their professional capabilities to ensure efficient and accurate storage and retrieval services.
The commitment to customers is based on the development of a long term, transparent and stable business relationship based on confidence in providing secure, reliable, customer focused records storage and management.
The benefits that such off site specialist storage can provide include the following:
- Cost savings – the unit cost of space in a record storage facility is less than in an active office building.
- Regulatory compliance – the Standards for the State Records Act require the installation of equipment and systems, which are particularly expensive for a small facility.
- Security – with 24 hour seven day environmental monitoring, security surveillance, sprinkler systems, pest management and more, records safety is assured.
- Efficiency – with dedicated specialised software for tracking and retrieval, storage is accurately ensuring efficient retrieval. With a specialised transport company in partnership, retrievals can be effected very quickly.
- Professionalism – with dedicated professional staff committed to high standards, all the records management services are available from bar coding on arrival through to sentencing and destruction via ‘sustainable’ and secure disposal.
The records repository is available to outside agencies such as Local Government, State Government, hospitals, schools and corporations which require secure and reliable storage and retrieval. As a commercial enterprise with high standards demanded by its member councils, Hunter Records Storage can provide a cost effective service where any profit is returned to the community.
The repository is uniquely situated at Thornton, which is on a light industrial estate, eliminating the concern that the land holding costs are not impacted by rising residential land prices and is free from external environmental hazards. Located at the end of the F3 freeway to Sydney, 30 minutes from Newcastle and close to the New England Highway, it is well positioned for access and rapid retrieval services.
For further information contact Dr Barbara Penson, CEO, Hunter Councils on (02) 4978 4043 or email ceo@huntercouncils.com.au
