Delivering 2022…..

We are a Connected and Engaged Community

We are inclusive, connected community, engaged in our neighbourhood and other social networks. We have opportunities to participate in social, economic and political life of the city and are empowered to have our say. We have strong and effective local leadership.
We respect and acknowledge the wisdom of age, the vitality and enthusiasm of our young people and the diversity of our community. Our Aboriginal community is recognised and valued.
We have embraced new technology to ensure all residents have access to information, services and each other.

Over the next 5 years we will:
• Ensure an effective community engagement framework connects the community to Council decision making.
• Expand Council’s use of multimedia, including on-line options for community engagement and communication.
• Increase opportunities for the community to connect with volunteering organisations.
• Develop Volunteering Illawarra Strategic Plan 2012-2016, in consultation with the sector.
• Coordinate a service review program that includes agreed community service levels.

In the 2012-13 financial year we will:
• Review Council’s community engagement framework including a pilot and report on on-line engagement and communication tools.
• Develop a Youth Consultation Strategy.
• Develop an organisation-wide communication strategy.
• Complete a needs analysis to assist in the preparation of a city wide Community Facilities Plan.
• Undertake site selection and concept planning for the Warrawong Community facility.
• Provide training and volunteer management committee support through Volunteering
Illawarra.
• In collaboration with our local Aboriginal community, review and re-commit to Council’s Statement of Reconciliation.
• Implement Business Continuity Management Planning.

FOR EXHIBITION – draft Delivering Wollongong 2022 The Next Five Years….. Page 8 of 15

See WCC website for full copy.

Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting 23 April 2012 13 Minute No.
ITEM 9 – WEBCASTING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
MOVED by Councillor Merrin seconded Councillor Takacs that -
1 Council implement vision and sound webcasting.
2 The cost be limited to $20,000 set-up cost and $1,000 monthly management cost.

AMENDMENT
An was MOVED by Councillor Brown seconded Councillor Blicavs that –
1 The webcasting of Council meetings commence by the end of 2012.
2 The exact form of webcasting be considered in conjunction with the broader Community Consultation Policy review to be undertaken in mid 2012 and a report come back to Council outlining all options, including costs.
3 Staff explore options for third parties to webcast Council meetings.
4 Staff investigate potential partners to help defray the cost of webcasting/broadcasting Council meetings.

A PROCEDURAL MOTION was moved by Councillor Petty seconded Councillor Curran that the motion be put.

The PROCEDURAL MOTION on being PUT to the VOTE was LOST. The AMENDMENT on being PUT to the VOTE was CARRIED.

Infavour Councillors Kershaw, Connor, Brown, Martin, Blicavs, Colacino, Crasnich, Petty and Bradbery
Against Councillors Takacs, Merrin and Curran
The AMENDMENT then BECAME the MOTION.
The MOTION was PUT and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

——————-
Extract from Minutes end.

Note by reformwcc – for those interested in a particular agenda item this is an important step towards enabling community involvement (without having to drive into Wollongong).

WCC Media Release
Draft Strategic Plan on exhibition
26/04/2012

Wollongong City Council will place the draft Wollongong 2022 Community Strategic Plan on public exhibition from 26 April until 24 May.

The draft Wollongong 2022 Community Strategic Plan sets out the community’s vision and goals for the next 10 years that will guide Council’s projects and services.

Draft Wollongong 2022 Community Strategic Plan forms part of a suite of strategic management plans currently on exhibition from 26 April to 24 May 2012.
Draft Wollongong 2022: Community Strategic Plan
Draft Wollongong 2022: Community Strategic Plan Summary
Draft Wollongong 2022: Draft Report To The Children and Young People of Wollongong
Draft Resourcing Wollongong 2022: Resource Strategy
Draft Delivering Wollongong 2022: The Next Five Years outlines Council’s response to draft to Wollongong 2022 and details the key projects, activities and finances for the next 5 years, and 2012-13.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said: “Council has placed the draft Wollongong 2022 on exhibition and there is still time for all sectors of the community to view the draft plan and comment or make a submission. There will be plenty of avenues for all community members to review the draft Plan.”

To provide feedback you can either attend one of the kiosks, email us at wollongong2022@wollongong.nsw.gov.au, or writing to us at the following address:

Wollongong 2022
Attention: Corporate Strategy
Wollongong City Council
Locked Bag 8821
WOLLONGONG DC NSW 2500

The draft Wollongong 2022 will be on exhibition and all submissions must be received by Thursday, 24 May 2012. You can also attend one of the engagement activities at:

Warrawong Markets Saturday, 28 April at 8am-11am
Dapto Mall Thursday, 3 May at 5.00pm – 7pm
Helensburgh Bi Lo, Saturday, 5 May at 10am – 12noon
Wollongong Markets, Friday 11 May at 11am – 2pm
You can also register your interest in attending a question and answer session with your local Councillors on Monday 7 May at 6pm in Council’s Administration Centre. Call 4227 7305 by Wednesday, 2 May 2012 to register.

Council will also present information on the draft Wollongong 2022 at the local Neighbourhood Forums during May. To find out more about Neighbourhood Forums, including the Convenors contact details, please visit Council’s website or contact the Community Engagement Team (02) 4227 7096.

The next Neighbourhood Forum meetings will be held at:

Corrimal
When: Tuesday 1 May at 7pm
Where: Towradgi Community Hall

Unanderra
When: Thursday 10 May at 7pm
Where: Unanderra Community Centre

Wollongong
When: Wednesday 2 May at 7pm
Where: Wollongong Town Hall

Dapto
When: Monday 14 May at 7pm
Where: Dapto Ribbonwood Centre

Coledale
When: Thursday 3 May at 7pm
Where: Coledale Community Centre

Thirroul
When: Tuesday 15 May at 7pm
Where: Thirroul Library and Community Centre

Helensburgh
When: Wednesday 9 May at 7pm
Where: Helensburgh Community Centre, Walker Street, Helensburgh

Berkeley
When: Tuesday 15 May at 6pm
Where: Illawarra Yacht Club

You can also register your interest in attending a question and answer session with your local Councillors on Monday 7 May at 6pm in Council’s Administration Centre. Call 4227 7305 by Wednesday, 2 May 2012 to register. Visit WCC website for full reports and to take part in the community survey

It seems the wider public interest in having Council meetings webcast is going to be sacrificed in favour of a timid view of civic life.

See Council Officers report:

http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/meetings/BusinessPapers/Webcasting%20of%20Council%20Meetings.pdf

(From WCC Website)

Council is calling for expressions of interest from community members interested in joining the Escarpment Planning Reference Group
5/04/2012 – 4/05/2012
Escarpment Planning Reference Group

Expressions of Interest for Membership

Wollongong City Council, at its meeting of 26 March 2012, resolved to form an Escarpment Planning Reference Group. Council also endorsed the Escarpment Planning Reference Group Charter and resolved to seek applications for membership.

The Escarpment Planning Reference Group is being established to provide advice, feedback and support to Council in reviewing, implementing and monitoring policies and actions identified in the Illawarra Escarpment Strategic Management Plan. In addition, the Reference Group will provide advice on the consistency of escarpment area rezoning proposals with the objectives of the Illawarra Escarpment Strategic Management Plan. The Reference Group will be made up of:

Three (3) councillors, being Councillor Kershaw (Chairperson), Councillor Takacs and Councillor Curran;
Two (2) Community Representatives interested in escarpment conservation matters
Two (2) Illawarra Escarpment Landowners
Two (2) representatives from Community Groups interested in escarpment conservation matters
Representatives nominated by Council’s Aboriginal Reference Group

In addition, professional advice will be provided to Committee members from the following:

Representatives of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure
Representatives of the Office of Environment and Heritage
Representatives of the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority

The Committee will operate in accordance with the adopted Escarpment Planning Reference Group Charter. Members will be expected to attend bi-monthly meetings.

Applications are invited for two (2) community representatives and two (2) representatives of community groups interested in escarpment conservation matters. The following selection criteria will be used to assess applications:

Community Group/Community Representatives

Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of Illawarra Escarpment management and planning issues.
Demonstrated ability to dedicate time to attend meetings and perform tasks related to committee business.
Demonstrated ability to contribute positively and constructively within an agreed management framework.
Demonstrated contact with a cross-section of the local community for the purpose of passing on information and receiving feedback.
Resident/rate payer within the Wollongong LGA

Please express your interest in writing to the Manager, Environmental Strategy & Planning, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821, Wollongong DC NSW 2500, by Friday 4 May 2012, indicating the committee and position you are applying for, and demonstrating how you meet the selection criteria.

In accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, your submission including any personal information such as your name and address, will be made available for public inspection and may be exhibited on Council’s website. You may request, in the form of a statutory declaration, that Council suppress the personal information in your submission from public inspection, if you consider that the personal safety of any person would be affected if the information was not suppressed. Any such request will be dealt with in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.

You may also make an anonymous submission however if you choose to do so Council will be unable to contact you any further as to the outcome of your submission. It should also be noted that the lack of information as to your place of living may affect Council’s consideration of the potential impact of the subject proposal.

Note: If Council receives a submission from any person who is legally required to provide a disclosure of any reportable political donation and / or gift under section 147 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Council is legally required to publicly disclose all relevant details of the reportable political donation or gift onto Council’s website. This will include the name and residential address of the person who provided the political donation or gift onto Council’s website for full viewing by the general public.

(ends)

Comment by Reformwcc.info – The community representative nominations should be delegates endorsed by the Neighbourhood Forums and be required to report back to the Neighbourhood Forums as a matter of regular practice.

National Broadband expands into city
WCC
29/03/2012 Media release

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM was enthusiastic about Prime Minster Julia Gillard’s announcement for a further rollout of the National Broadband Network across Wollongong.

“It is pleasing to see the area from Scarborough to Kiama named as a Critical Mass for the rollout of the national broadband.This technology will have a lasting impact on the development of Wollongong City as a part of the burgeoning digital economy.”

Wollongong will be connected with broadband from Scarborough to Windang following the announcement of further rollout of the National Broadband Network to many suburbs in the city. This rollout will provide Wollongong with a crucial early advantage as the national network is rolled out across the country over a nine year period. Many suburbs in the city will see work on the broadband network begin this year and will cover 46 suburbs in the city. For information on which suburbs will be covered go to the NBN website.

“We have a major educational centre of excellence, the University of Wollongong, which has several areas such as the Faculty of Informatics, the iAccelerate program and other research bodies which will benefit enormously from the national broadband network,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Other areas in the city such as financial services and health services will benefit from this rollout. And I hope there will be the ensuing growth in jobs for the city and the region.

“This announcement will be a great encouragement to the many young businesses which are just beginning their life in the new StartPad in Crown Street.

“This development will allow Wollongong city to begin a new lease of life on the digital super highway and hopefully we will also see an increase in employment in this area.

“In out city’s draft Community Strategic Plan we are aiming to have all our citizens connected with equitable access to information, resources and better services such as health and education. This new connected city also will help our Council improve our service offer – such as better libraries and better community services – to all communities throughout the city.”

NBN Co has established an interactive searchable map on its website detailing the rollout, available at: http://www.nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map.html

As the Wollongong area continues to see our manufacturing jobs disappear we need to be moving as fast as possible to get our small share of the new NBN opportunities. The Minister is due to make more announcements today.

Community consultation to go digital in Kiama
27 Mar, 2012 01:26 PM
Kiama council will be given $371,000 to allow it to consult the community virtually using the National Broadband Network.

Federal broadband minister Senator Stephen Conroy announced the grant during a visit to the Illawarra this afternoon and said the money would ‘‘dramatically improve’’ how the council engages with the community.

‘‘For example, they’re starting with workshops on upcoming changes to waste management practices in the area. Residents will be able to join in discussions from their home, using videoconferencing over the NBN,’’ he said.

full story

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/community-consultation-to-go-digital-in-kiama/2502392.aspx

PANEL TO SET DIRECTION FOR COUNCILS OF FUTURE
Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Following the successful Destination 2036 conference in Dubbo last August, and a request by the Local Government and Shires associations to investigate structural arrangements in the context of the financial sustainability of councils across NSW, Local Government Minister Don Page has announced the establishment of an independent expert panel to examine these issues.

Mr Page said the Local Government Review Panel is the first initiative to be announced out of the Destination 2036 Action Plan, which is nearing completion. The expert panel will investigate ways to create stronger and better councils in the future.

“The Local Government Review Panel will investigate and identify options for governance models, structural arrangements and voluntary boundary changes for local government in NSW,” Mr Page said.

“The Review Panel will take into consideration councils’ ability to support the needs of their communities, ability to deliver services and infrastructure efficiently, ability to provide local representation and decision making, the financial sustainability of each council area, and any barriers that inhibit, or incentives that could encourage, voluntary boundary changes.

“As Minister, I appreciate the good working relationship I have with the Local Government Association of NSW and the Shires Association of NSW, and their presidents Keith Rhoades and Ray Donald. I thank them for their positive approach to reforming local government and their request for this independent expert panel.”

The three-member Review Panel will be chaired by Professor Graham Sansom, who has considerable local government experience and currently heads up the Australian Centre for Excellence in Local Government. Two other panel members will be selected in due course.

“The independent Review Panel will seek to make councils stronger, more sustainable, and better able to meet the needs of their communities moving forward,” Mr Page said.

“Stronger local government will be able to deliver services more efficiently and effectively for residents, provide better governance for communities, and maintain and upgrade their infrastructure.

“The Review Panel will consult widely with communities and local government stakeholders while making its determinations.”

Mr Page said the Review Panel is the first stage in the rollout of the Destination 2036 Action Plan. The NSW Government’s historic Destination 2036 conference in Dubbo last August was the first time that representatives of all NSW councils and key local government stakeholders were invited by a NSW Local Government Minister to meet in one room, to develop ways to make local government in NSW more sustainable.

The Destination 2036 Action Plan supports the broader objectives of the State, as outlined in the 2021 State Plan.

“The NSW Government’s Destination 2036 conference was a watershed moment: it was the time when the State Government and the local government sector united with a common goal of improving the local government sector so it is ready to confront the challenges of the future,” Mr Page said.

“The Review Panel is the first action to be unveiled out of the Destination 2036 process.

“It was at Destination 2036 that I heard councils declare that their three greatest challenges were infrastructure and asset management, financial sustainability, and coping with the changing nature of their populations and demographics.

“Those are significant challenges for local governments, which will require significant reform, and the Review Panel will investigate options to achieve that.”

The Review Panel will be expected to report to the Minister with its findings within 12 to 14 months from its commencement.

“Urgent action is necessary, so the NSW Government has acted, in consultation with the local government sector,” Mr Page said.

“If NSW does not take action now it will have councils that are `haves’ and councils that are `have nots’. There are struggling councils now which are unable to deliver all the services their communities require, while maintaining their infrastructure appropriately as well.

“After 16 years of Labor inaction, the NSW Liberal & Nationals Government is getting on with the job of delivering change for the better in NSW.”

Local Governmnet and Shires Assn Media release 20 March

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) are looking forward to working with the Local Government Review Panel announced by Minister for Local Government, the Hon Don Page MP today to ensure that the serious issue of the future long term financial viability for councils is addressed.

President of the Local Government Association, Cr Keith Rhoades, AFSM, and President of the Shires Association of NSW, Cr Ray Donald, have welcomed the Review Panel. They are confident it will thoroughly consult with councils, their communities and other key stakeholders to address many of the key issues raised at the Destination 2036 meeting of Mayors and Councillors in Dubbo in August 2011.

Cr Rhoades believes that “this process must be focused on how councils can be adequately funded to enable an improvement in their ability to provide valuable and effective services to the community.”

“We accept that Local Government in NSW cannot stay as it is in the long term – at Destination 2036 we were all in agreement about this,” said Cr Rhoades.

President of the Shires Association of NSW, Cr Ray Donald, stated that “the Panel demonstrates that Minister Page is keen to pursue a better situation for Local Government in NSW. It puts everything on the table and allows councils and the community to really talk to the NSW Government about what needs changing.”

“The LGSA will continue to stand strong on our position that there should be no forced amalgamations of councils in NSW as a result of this Panel investigation,” said Cr Donald.

“We commend Minister Page for establishing this Panel, which will hopefully accelerate some important outcomes of the Destination 2036 Action Report.”

Cr Rhoades noted that the announcement of this Panel shows a real commitment by the NSW Government to listen to what councils are saying, and to open up to the possibility of effective reform.

“We welcome the opportunity to talk about real incentives for voluntary boundary change. We want the Panel to talk to all NSW councils, to dig down into what is really stopping councils from thinking seriously about widespread reform,” said Cr Rhoades.

“This announcement of the Panel is an opportunity for councils and the communities they represent to consider both the barriers to reform and the incentives. We hope the Panel seeks to learn what financial and legislative incentives could be provided to councils,” he said.

“We welcome a process that asks what could be done to make the relationship between the State and Local Governments less complicated to enable councils to serve their communities more effectively.”

We are also comforted by the NSW Government reiterating their policy on no forced amalgamations.”

President of the Shires Association of NSW, Cr Ray Donald, explained that the LGSA have been encouraging councils to look at ways they can build the Local Government of the future that communities will benefit from and have deserved for quite some years.

“Since June 2009, the LGSA have been raising questions within the NSW Local Government sector through our Modernising Local Government Initiative about how we might enable Local Government to deal with the challenges of the coming 20 years,” said Cr Donald.

“The Destination 2036 process initiated by Minister Page has furthered this discussion, opening up the most constructive dialogue that Local Government has had with a NSW Government for many years.”