Annual Report 2012-2013
City Of Greater Geelong
Celebrating 20 Years Since Amalgamation
Saturday 18 May 2013 marked 20 years since the State Government amalgamated six local Councils and part of a seventh to form the City of Greater Geelong.
The Councils to amalgamate were the Bellarine Rural City Council, Corio Shire Council, Geelong City Council, Geelong West City Council, Newtown City Council, South Barwon City Council and part of the Shire of Barrabool.
From 1993 to 1995 the City of Greater Geelong was governed by four Commissioners. The first Council election was held in 1995, where 12 councillors were elected to represent 12 wards.
In 1997 the State Government restructured the ward makeup, changing it to four wards represented by four ward and five general councillors.
In 2001, Council reverted back to the current 12 ward system with 12 councillors. In 2012, for the first time residents directly elected their Mayor, bringing the total councillors representing the City of Greater Geelong to 13.
City Statistics
Population 217,574 in 2013 (182,365 in 1993)
Budget ($M) $275M in 2013 ($93 in 1993)
Unemployment 4.4% in 2013 (12.1% in 1993)
Median House Price $395,000 in 2013 ($95,000 in 1993)
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There have been many highlights over the last 20 years. The following provides a snapshot of what we as a community have achieved.
1993
City of Greater Geelong was officially formed.
Geelong Otway Tourism was formed.
The Grove Centre library and community services opened in Ocean Grove.
1994
Waterfront Geelong redevelopment commenced.
Eastern Beach restoration re-opened.
1995
Geelong City Hall reopened following renovation.
Domestic garbage and recycling schedules introduced.
Major recovery works following second highest recorded flood in November.
1996
Deakin University opens their Woolstore Campus at Waterfront Geelong.
The Steampacket Place Development Board purchased the 19th century Armitage-Herschell carousel to restore and install at Waterfront Geelong.
1997
Stage one of the major Waterfront Geelong redevelopment is completed.
Geelong - Smart Move launched.
1998
Cunningham Pier refurbishment completed.
Waurn Ponds skate park, designed by local skaters, opened.
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1999
The Baywalk Bollard project completed, with 111 bollards installed.
National Wool Museum hosted the Ancient Lives: Greeks, Romans and Etruscans exhibition.
2000
Waterfront Geelong redevelopment completed.
Work commenced on Geelong Botanic Gardens redevelopment.
Geelong Boulevard, the northern entrance to the city was completed.
2001
The Sheraton Hotel and Waterfront Apartments at Waterfront Geelong completed.
The Potato Shed multi-purpose arts and cultural centre opened in Drysdale.
2002
The 21st Century Garden opened at the Geelong Botanic Gardens, commemorating its 150th anniversary.
The Geelong Baseball Centre opened coinciding with the World Masters Games held in Victoria.
The three bin waste collection system was introduced.
The Dalai Lama visited Geelong, and returned in 2007.
2003
G21 - Geelong Region Alliance was established.
U C I Women's World Cup Cycling staged in Geelong.
2004
Jetstar Airlines commenced operation at Avalon Airport.
Federal funding for the Geelong Ring Road announced.
Disability Action Plan developed.
2005
Stage one redevelopment of Kardinia Park, including the "Cats Claws" Reg Hickey Stand.
Clifton Springs boat harbour completed.
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2006
Construction begins on the Geelong Ring Road.
Geelong hosted the 2006 Lifesaving World Championships - Rescue 2006.
Geelong is regional host City for 2006 Commonwealth Games.
City secures the iconic View of Geelong painting by famous colonial artist Eugene Von Guerard.
Bellarine Strategic Plan 2006-2016 developed.
2007
Barwon Heads Streetscape project is completed.
The Moorabool Street streetscape works are finished, marking the completion of the Central Geelong revitalisation project.
The redeveloped Westfield Geelong opens, with the new flyover across Yarra Street.
Geelong Cats win the AFL premiership breaking a 44 year drought (and again in 2009, 2011).
2008
First two sections of the Geelong Ring Road opened to traffic.
Council formally adopted the Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Plan.
Council introduces the Greenhouse Response Strategy.
Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre opened in Ocean Grove.
Youth Activities Area opened at Waterfront Geelong.
2009
Transport Accident Commission headquarters opened in Central Geelong.
Barwon Heads skate park opened.
Eastern Beach's historic seawall restoration completed.
Ford Australia Advanced Centre for Automotive Research and Testing opened in Lara.
2009 Australian Masters Games held in Geelong.
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2010
The U C I Road World Cycling Championships held in Geelong.
The new Leisurelink Aquatic and Recreation Centre opened in Waurn Ponds.
The fOrT Youth Centre opened at Stead Park, Corio.
Stage two redevelopment of Simonds Stadium completed with opening of the Premiership Stand.
2011
The new Waurn Ponds Library opened.
Historic Eastern Beach Pool restoration completed.
Redeveloped Vines Road Community centre opened.
The Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus launched.
Three cruise ships, the Silver Spirit, Silver Shadow and Spirit of Adventure anchor in Corio Bay with the Regatta visiting 2012.
2012
The Old Courthouse opened following the completion of stage one of the cultural precinct redevelopment.
Lara Library officially opened.
Healthy Together Geelong launched.
Residential development commences in Armstrong Creek.
First publicly elected Mayor for the City of Greater Geelong.
2013
Stage three redevelopment of Simonds Stadium completed with the opening of the Players Stand and installation of light towers.
First AFL game under lights at Simonds Stadium.
Geelong selected as site for the National Disability Insurance Agency head office.
Geelong Ring Road sections 4A and 4Bopened now linking to Anglesea Road and the Princes Highway.
Works commence on the new Geelong Library and Heritage Centre.
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Our Vision
Greater Geelong: building our community through enterprise, opportunity and innovation in a quality environment.
About This Report
The City of Greater Geelong Annual Report 2012-2013 provides a comprehensive account of Council's performance from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013.
The City of Greater Geelong's City Plan 2009-2013 (2012-2013 Update) is the guiding document for this Annual Report. City Plan describes our strategic objectives and key strategies. Council embarked on an ambitious program of actions during 2012-2013 aligned to our three strategic directions; community wellbeing, growing the economy and a sustainable built and natural environment.
The Annual Report provides an update on the highlights and achievements emanating from this program, and addresses the minor setbacks experienced throughout the year. It also identifies the future directions and challenges that lie ahead for our city. The aim of the report is to inform all Council stakeholders including ratepayers, residents, businesses, community and interest groups, news media, all levels of government, Council staff and the wider general community.
The Annual Report 2012-2013 meets with our commitment to be transparent in performance reporting.
The City of Greater Geelong acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the lands in our region - the Wathaurong people - and pays respect to their Elders both past and present.
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Welcome to the 2012-2013 Annual Report for the City of Greater Geelong
Contents
Our Vision 6
About this report 6
Fast Facts 8
Geelong: An Overview 8
Our Year in Review 11
A word from our Mayor 12
A word from our Chief Executive Officer 13
City Plan 2009-2013 Highlights 14
Outstanding Achievements 17
Calendar of Events 18
Summary of Financial Performance 20
The Next Four Years 27
Planning Framework 28
Our Planning Process 30
Council Funding Priorities 31
Council Information 41
Our Council 42
Our Councillors 44
Our People 47
Our Values and Behaviours 48
Organisation Structure 49
Chief Executive Officer 50
Divisional Information 50
Staff Profile 52
Employee Excellence Awards 54
Recognition of Service Awards 55
Our Volunteers 56
Performance 59
Delivering Community Outcomes 60
Community Wellbeing 61
Growing the Economy 74
Sustainable Built and Natural Environment 83
2012-2013 Performance Statement 94
Corporate Performance 101
Supporting the Delivery
of our Strategic Directions 102
Victorian Local Government Indicators 118
Governance 121
Internal Audit 122
Statutory Information 123
Council Appointments to
Committees and Groups 127
Best Value 129
External Funding 130
Community Arts and Festivals Grants
Program 132
Councillor Community Grants Program 135
Disability Action Plan Update 139
Domestic Animal Management
Plan Update 140
Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2013 146
Global Reporting Initiative 207
Index 208
Glossary 210
Contact Us 211
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Fast Facts
Estimated resident population 217,574
120km of streamside frontages
Trees maintained annually 120,000
14% population growth rate*
15.9% population born overseas*
133km of coastline
Wetland and reserves 11,639ha made from 114 individual wetlands
Population Age Structure*
• 0-17 yrs 22.6%
• 18-59 yrs 54.6%
• 60+ yrs 22.8%
2.4 persons per average household*
16,227 number of businesses in municipality**
Rateable properties 113,158
15.7 million tonnes trade through Geelong port**
101,031 labour force, municipality**
* id Profile based on A B S 2011 Census data
** CoGG Economic Indicators Bulletin 2013
200km off road paths (bike and walking trails)
13 libraries
1 mobile library
2,057km roads
140 public toilets maintained
Open space for sports and recreation: 900 pieces of open space comprising 17,000 hectares. This includes 84 formal recreation reserves, 46 netball courts, 163 tennis courts, 11 shared courts and 12 skate parks.
800 council buildings maintained
14 neighbourhood house programs
281 public playgrounds
Overnight and day-trip tourists including The Otways 6.4 million
Area: 11,247km squared
Geelong: An Overview
With a population of over 217,000 people, Geelong is Victoria's largest regional centre. Located some 75 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, the municipality covers 1,247km squared, comprising country, coastal and suburban areas.
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Greater Geelong is bounded by the Moorabool Shire in the north, Wyndham City and the Borough of Queenscliffe in the east, Surf Coast Shire and Golden Plains Shire in the west and Bass Strait in the south.
The region is characterised by the multi-award winning Waterfront precinct overlooking Corio Bay, the picturesque Bellarine Peninsula, the Barwon River, You Yangs Regional Park, wetlands, beautiful parklands and wildlife sanctuaries. Geelong is also the gateway to the world renowned coastline of south-west Victoria via the Great Ocean Road.
Geelong offers quality living and extensive job and business opportunities, as well as a wide range of recreational and cultural events and activities to enjoy. With a proud history, a passionate community, a vibrant economy and a great lifestyle, Geelong truly is a great place to live, work and play.
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Our Year in Review
At the City of Greater Geelong we pride ourselves on delivering a broad range of services and projects that meet the needs of our community, and continually look for opportunities to improve. This section provides a summary of our organisation's achievements over the past 12 months.
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A Word from our Mayor
On behalf of all the Councillors, I am proud to provide an overview of the City of Greater Geelong's achievements during the past year.
Council elections were held in October 2012 electing 12 ward Councillors and, for the first time, a directly elected Mayor, a contest won by Keith Fagg.
One of the major achievements of the new Council has been to develop the City Plan for 2013-2017, with substantial input from the community. The City Plan has a new Vision: Building our community through enterprise, opportunity and innovation in a quality environment.
Council has nominated 12 funding priorities, many of which follow the previous Council's lead, which aim to provide jobs, service population growth and deliver important community services.
Our effective lobbying for State and Federal government funding has already secured two of these projects: Geelong's selection as the national headquarters of the new National Disability Insurance Agency, and the landmark $45 million Geelong Library and Heritage Centre - Council's largest project ever. Library services have been temporarily relocated to the state government building in Little Malop Street during the construction period.
One of our highest priorities is reinvigorating the Geelong CBD, where arts, culture, residential, entertainment, education and business combine to create a vibrant active city.
To further focus our efforts on fostering job creation and investment in the Geelong region, Council has established Enterprise Geelong, and we look forward to reporting on its progress next year. Enterprise Geelong is already engaged in advanced discussions regarding job opportunities for the region.
Part of our work has been to implement the final year's initiatives from the City Plan 2009 -2013, the previous Council's guiding document. In the past year, there have been many highlights, including:
Nearly $1 million was spent on upgrading three key City buildings to become more energy efficient through the part funded Federal Government's Community Energy Efficient Program, and the $2 million Eastern Park stormwater harvesting project was completed. This included the creation of a wetlands style storage basin in the park which resulted in savings of 30 million litres of water and improved stormwater discharge quality.
On 1 June 2013 Geelong Cats played the first AFL home game under lights at Simonds Stadium. The light towers and new stand development confirmed Simonds Stadium's position as a national quality sports stadium.
The $1.5 million Geelong Laneways and Linkages project saw a series of projects undertaken to improve pedestrian access and create inviting "people friendly" spaces in key areas of central Geelong.
Works are nearing completion on the $9.5 million Ocean Grove Integrated Children's Centre, which will provide a much needed increase in kinder spaces in this growth area, and provide families with child care and maternal and child health services.
For more details on our achievements in 2012-2013 turn to pages 60-96.
Council has again balanced a large budget in difficult economic times. The community has had significant input and opportunity to make submissions to the budget. Council has again received strong commendation from the Auditor General about the process and overall balancing of the 2013-2014 budget.
We hosted 20 major events in the past year, providing social benefits to our community as well as an economic benefit of almost $66 million. Popular events, such as the Festival of Sails, Victorian Open Golf Tournament and biennial Australian International Airshow, attracted close to 550,000 participants and spectators.
We will host the Australian Masters Games later this year, and coming in January 2014 is the Melges 24 Sailing World Championship.
The Pako Festa continues to grow and is the largest multicultural event in Australia. The Geelong Seniors Festival - the largest of its kind in Victoria - and Geelong Children's Week also attracted huge participation.
The Community Arts and Festival Grants and the Councillor Community Grants Program saw 180 community groups throughout the municipality share $459,870.
The City of Greater Geelong in 2013 is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and this report includes an overview of achievements during that time.
Council collaborates with all community stakeholders, including various arms of the State and Federal Government, Regional Cities Victoria, G21, the Committee for Geelong, Deakin University, Gordon TAFE, Barwon Health, various industry groups, residents and businesses. This ensures the whole Geelong community voice is heard and forms part of the decision-making process.
We are proud of the progress Council has made during the past 12 months, and look forward to another year of achievements in 2013-2014 which strengthen our economy, enhance our community wellbeing and protect our environment.
Finally, I would like to thank my fellow Councillors for their dedication towards making Geelong a great place to live, play and work. Thanks also to our CEO Stephen Griffin and his staff for their tireless efforts to improve the quality of life in Greater Geelong.
Councillor Bruce Harwood
Acting Mayor, City of Greater Geelong
* Councillor Fagg resigned as Mayor in August 2013, and Councillor Harwood has become Acting Mayor until a by-election is held on 23 November 2013.
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A Word from our Chief Executive Officer
2012-2013 has been a watershed year for the organisation as we brought to a close the term of the previous Council and their 2009-2013 City Plan, welcomed a new Council and directly elected Mayor and acknowledged the 20th anniversary of the Greater Geelong City Council.
The outgoing Council had set an ambitious agenda and this Annual Report provides a snapshot of what we have achieved, over the life of the 2009-2013 City Plan, and in this past 2012-2013 year.
Financially, Council ended the year in a strong position with a recurrent surplus of $5.8 million. The Capital Works Program of $60 million saw many new assets developed and the renewal and upgrade of others. Council also completed $60.4 million of infrastructure maintenance and renewal in line with priorities identified in Council's asset management planning. Given Council has a total of nearly $2 billion of assets, such maintenance and renewal is critical.
All of us who work for the City of Greater Geelong are committed to a set of values that are the foundation for how we do business - innovation, respect, integrity and responsibility. In delivering the actions outlined in the 2009-2013 City Plan, we have set our sights on having motivated and skilled staff in a customer focused organisation that is efficient in service delivery, well versed in responsible financial management and ensures a safe working environment.
Amongst the highlights in striving for a customer focused organisation in the past financial year were the opening of the Brougham Street Customer Service Centre and the consistently improving performance of our Customer Contact Centre - often people's first line of communication with us.
Central to providing a safe working environment is our CitySafe safety management system. Each department plays a role in our O H S Committees and has a health and safety plan that identifies risks and seeks to minimise them. In 2012 - 2013, the number of reported incidents increased, however the lost time due to injuries decreased by 5.7 per cent on the previous year, a sign that the system is working well.