NOTICE OF THE 2013 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS (RAMROC)

To be held on Wednesday 6th November 2013 at 10.00 am in the Ian Gilbert Room at Jerilderie Civic Hall, Jerilderie Street, Jerilderie.

Morning tea will be available from 9.30 am. The Annual General Meeting will precede RAMROC’s November General Meeting.

Agenda Papers for the General Meeting will be distributed separately.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS

Welcome to Council Delegates by RAMROC Chairman

  1. Apologies
  1. Minutes of 2012 Annual General Meeting – held at Jerilderie on 14th November 2012 (included in agenda papers below)
  1. Annual Report for period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013(included in agenda papers below)
  1. Remunerationfor Chairperson Position (see EO’s report below)
  1. Election of Office Bearers for 2013-2014 (see EO’s Report below and nomination papers attached)
  • Position of Chairperson
  • Position of Deputy Chairperson
  • Position of Honorary Secretary/Treasurer
  1. Appointment of Auditors for 2013-2014 (see EO’s report below)
  1. Meeting Schedule for 2014 (see EO’s report below )

Ray Stubbs

Executive Officer

ITEM 2 - MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE RIVERINA AND MURRAY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS (RAMROC), HELD IN THE IAN GILBERT ROOM AT JERILDERIE SHIRE COUNCIL, ON WEDNESDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2012 AT 10.00 AM
PRESENT
Albury City:
Balranald: / Cr Alice Glachan
Mr Les Tomich
Mr Michael Keys
Apology
Berrigan: / Cr John Bruce
Mr Rowan Perkins
Carrathool: / Cr Peter Laird
Mr Ken Croskell
Conargo: / Cr Norm Brennan
Mr Barry Barlow
Corowa: / Apology
Deniliquin: / Cr Lindsay Renwick
Mr Des Bilske
Greater Hume Shire: / Apology
GriffithCity: / Cr John Dal Broi
Cr Leon Thorpe
Mr Brett Stonestreet
Hay: / Cr Bill Sheaffe
Mr Bill Moore
Jerilderie: / Cr Terry Hogan
Cr Ruth McRae
Mr Craig Moffitt
Leeton: / Cr Paul Maytom
Murray: / Cr John Pocklington
Cr Bill Anderson
Cr Gen Campbell
Mr Greg Murdoch
Murrumbidgee: / Cr Phillip Wells
Narrandera: / Cr Jenny Clarke
Mr Ray Pluis
Urana : / Cr Margaret Buntin
Mr John Hunt
Wakool: / Cr Lois Lockhart
Mr Bruce Graham
Wentworth: / Cr Peter Nunan
Mr Peter Kozlowski
RAMROC / Mr Ray Stubbs Executive Officer

WELCOME

The RAMROC Chairman Cr Terry Hogan welcomed all Councillors, Delegates and Guests to the meeting, with a particular welcome to those delegates attending their first meeting of RAMROC

MRRR 1 - APOLOGIES:Cr Heather Wilton - Mayor Greater Hume Shire

Mr Steve Pinnuck - General Manager Greater Hume

Cr Fred Longmire - Mayor Corowa Shire

Mr Bruce Corcoran - General Manager Corowa

Cr Steve O’Halloran - Mayor Balranald Shire

Mr Chris Littlemore - General Manager Balranald

Cr Andrew Douglas - Mayor Wakool Shire

Cr Tom Weyrich - Mayor Murray Shire

Cr Bernard Curtin – Mayor Berrigan Shire

Cr Mick Rutledge - Deputy Mayor Hay Shire Council

Mr Allen Dwyer - General Manager Hay Shire

Ms Carolyn Upston - GM Murrumbidgee Shire

Mr John Batchelor - General Manager Leeton Shire

Mr Des Bilske – General Manager Deniliquin

RESOLVED that the apologies be received and accepted

(Moved Murray and seconded Albury)

MRRR 2 – ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2011-2012

Consideration was given to the Annual Report of RAMROC’s activities for the 12 months period to 30th September.2012.

RESOLVED that the Annual Report be received and adopted

(Moved Albury and seconded Griffith)

MRRR 3 – ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2012

The formal Annual Financial Statements of RAMROC’s General Account, Murray Waste Account, Riverina Waste Account and the Water4Food Account were submitted for information of delegates

RESOLVED that the Annual Financial Statements for the operations of RAMROC for the year ended 30th June 2012 be received and adopted

(Moved Hay and seconded Conargo)

MRRR 4 – ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS FOR 2012-2013

The Executive Officer carried out the function of Returning Officer for the election of office bearers for the ensuing 2012-2013 term

  1. POSITION OF CHAIRPERSON

The Returning Officer advised that he had received one nomination for the position, that being in respect of Cr Terry Hogan

There being no further nominations, the Returning Officer declared Cr Terry Hogan elected unopposed.

  1. POSITION OF DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON

The Returning Officer advised that two nominations had been received, these nominations being in respect of Cr Lindsay Renwick and Cr Peter Laird.

Cr Renwick withdrew his nomination.

The Returning Officer therefore declared Cr Peter Laird elected unopposed.

  1. POSITION OF HONORARY SECRETARY TREASURER

The Returning Officer advised that he had received one nomination for the position, that being in respect of Mr Greg Murdoch.

There being no further nominations, the Returning Officer declared Mr Greg Murdoch elected unopposed.

MRRR 5 – APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS FOR 2012-2013

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Officer in this matter

RESOLVED that the Stubberfield Group (Accounting and Taxation), 25-31 Nish Street Echuca Victoria be appointed as RAMROC Auditors for 2012-2013

(Moved Leeton and seconded Carrathool)

MRRR 6 – MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2013

The Executive Officer proposed a schedule of RAMROC meetings for the 2013 year

RESOLVED that the meeting schedule for 2013 be as follows:-

  • Wednesday 20th February, subject to potential date change to coincide with the F Division AGM and Shire Association Presidential Tour and to avoid if possible any conflict with meetings of Member Councils
  • Wednesday 1st May 2013
  • Wednesday 7th August 2013
  • Wednesday 6th November 2013

(Moved Carrathool and seconded Urana)

There being no further business, the Annual General Meeting concluded at 10.20 am

ITEM 3 -ANNUAL REPORT 1 OCTOBER 2012 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2013

CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD

I am pleased to present this foreword to the Annual Report of the Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils (RAMROC), which covers the period from 1st October 2012 through to 30th September 2013.

Once againthe RAMROC region in has enjoyed generally favourable weather patterns for irrigation water availability and in turn the region had a 2012-2013 year of strong agricultural production. For the coming year, it is disappointing that the general security allocations for the Murrumbidgee system are not as favourable as we would like at point of time, which is having an impact on rice planting. Fortunately, availability in the Murray system is at 100%.

We are hopeful that the southern Murray Darling Basin will enjoy good conditions for seasons ahead, as this will help to ensure the ongoing prosperity of our region’s towns and communities, not only for food and fibre production, but also in terms of manufacturing, transport and tourism.

The major regional urban cities of Albury and Griffith continue to grow and prosper and they play a vital role in providing specialist health, education, manufacturing, transport and education services to the region. We are continuing to see positive population growth in some areas, principally those border communities along the Murray River, but unfortunately population decline is evident in some of the region’s smaller rural areas. This remains a real challenge which RAMROC and the Member Councils must address, in an endeavour to reverse that declining trend over coming years, in collaboration with the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.

The Murray Darling Basin Plan remains the region’s biggest single issue. The Basin Plan was legislated by the Commonwealth Government in November 2012 and provides for the removal of very substantial quantities of irrigation water away from irrigated agricultural production, so as to deliver increased environmental watering.

Implementation of the Basin Plan and the diversion of up to 3,200 GL to the environment will be phased in over several years and is proposed to take full effect by 2019. Absolute highest priority must now be given to ensure that the implementation phases of the Plan are undertaken in ways that will achieve a sensible and pragmatic balance of environmental, social and economic outcomes.

In this regard, I share the concerns of other organisations about the Basin Plan Constraints Management Strategy which MDBA is currently developing, which plans to deliver increased overbank flooding to water environmental wetlands. RAMROC Councils need to be extremely vigilant to ensure that any removal of flow constraints does not prejudice agricultural production or cause detrimental downstream impacts on landowners, businesses, tourism, and infrastructure.

It is indeed pleasing that the New South Wales Premier the Hon Barry O’Farrell MP and Primary Industries Minister the Hon Minister Katrina Hodgkinson MP continue to take a firm stance and are insisting on a number of specific protective measures and guarantees from the Commonwealth Government, before New South Wales is prepared to sign off on the Basin Plan Intergovernmental Agreement.

These NSW Government conditions include giving highest priority to investment in infrastructure projects and environmental works and measures to generate water savings, as well as limitations on water entitlement buyback programs and the provision of acceptable structural adjustment packages for the towns and communitiesadversely affected.

The new Commonwealth Government has also re-affirmed its commitment to cap water buybacks to a maximum of 1,500 GL and to ensure that agricultural production and rural communities are not prejudiced. In this regard, RAMROC will continue to work closely with our local Federal and State Parliamentarians.

The other major issue during the past year has been the work carried out by the Independent Local Government Review Panel into the future structure, role and functions of NSW Councils. The Review Panel is currently finalising its report to go to the NSW Minister for

Local Government the Hon Don Page MP during October 2013 and then to Cabinet for final decision, which is likely to be sometime in the first half of 2014.

I express my sincere appreciation to the Deputy Chairman Cr Peter Laird who has provided tremendous input and support throughout the year. Also to our Secretary Treasurer Greg Murdoch and Murray Shire Council for the effective financial management of RAMROC’s operations and to Albury City Council for its ongoing support by way of excellent and affordable office facilities, IT equipment and administration services.

I would particularly like to thank all of the Mayors, Councillors and General Managers who represented their Councils at RAMROC meetings during the year. In this regard, I pay special tribute to former Mayors Alice Glachan, Margaret Buntin and Andrew Douglas for their contribution in making our ROC a strong, active and effective organisation .

A very warm welcome is extended to newly appointed Mayors Crs Kevin Mack, Patrick Bourke and Neil Gorey and I trust that they will find RAMROC’s activities both interesting and rewarding.

Thanks also to the region’s Federal Members, the Hon Sussan Ley MP and Michael McCormack MP. We sincerely congratulate them on their recent Ministerial appointments in the new Australian Parliament following the September 2013 election, Sussan becoming the Assistant Minister for Education and Michael the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance.

Also to State Members the Hon Adrian Piccoli MP Minister for Education, John Williams MP and Greg Aplin MP for their ongoing assistance and strong support It was pleasing that all three Members were enthusiastic to participate in a special forum with RAMROC Mayors and General Managers in early February 2013, which resulted in a very worthwhile discussion on matters of importance to the region and re-affirmed the strong collaboration which is so necessary between Local and State Governments.

Finally, my thanks go to the Executive Officer Ray Stubbs for the dedication, knowledge and leadership that he continues to provide to RAMROC’s activities and to the Member Councils. As I have said on many occasions, RAMROC is extremely fortunate to have an EO of Ray’s calibre at the helm of our organisation.

Cr. Terry Hogan AM

CHAIRMAN

EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT ON RAMROC ISSUES AND ACTIVITIES FOR 2012-2013

  1. MEETING WITH LOCAL STATE PARLIAMENTARY MEMBERS

On 6th February 2012, RAMROC held its first ever combined meeting with the three State Members for the RAMROC region:-

  • The Hon Adrian Piccoli MP – Member for Murrumbidgee and Minister for Education
  • Mr John Williams MP – Member for Murray-Darling
  • Mr Greg Aplin MP – Member for Albury

The primary purpose of the meeting was to fully appraise the region’s State Members of the views and concerns of Member Councils and their communities in relation to a range of important State Government policies, issues and initiatives; and to ensure that strong and effective working relationships are maintained at all times between Councils, Local Members and State Government Ministers.

Topics discussed at the meeting included the following:-

  1. The establishment of the Local Land Services Department in January 2014 and the potential impacts on local service levels and employment opportunities;
  2. Department of Planning Issues – Planning Reform White Paper, Regional Planning Strategies and RAMROC’s suggestion for the establishment of a DoP office in the Riverina /Murray region;
  3. Independent Local Government Review Panel – Implications for Councils and Communities;
  4. State Government’s “Decade of Decentralisation” Taskforce and the importance of regional economic development;
  5. State and Local Governments – Collaboration and RAMROC Councils access to State Ministers;
  6. State Government policy position in relation to the Murray Darling Basin Plan;
  7. Redgum National Parks – Issues of timber industries, tourism, infrastructure, management and maintenance;
  8. NSW State Plan 2021 and Regional Action Plans for the Riverina and Murray-Lower Darling regions;
  9. Fruit Fly control – need for Government support for control programs;
  10. Emergency Services - responses to remote rural locations.

It was agreed that the discussions were fruitful and there would be merit in arranging meetings on an annual basis with both Federal and State Members.

  1. NSW GOVERNMENT “DESTINATION 2036” AND ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW PANEL

In July 2011, the Division of Local Government released an initial Discussion Paper for Destination 2036 Project. In August 2011, in partnership with LGSA and LGMA, the Division hosted a Special LG Workshop at Dubbo attended by all NSW Councils, Regional Organisations of Councils and County Councils.

Following the Dubbo workshop and based on the Workshop Outcomes Report, the Minister for Local Government the Hon Don Page MP established an Implementation Steering Committee, which in June 2012 produced the Destination 2036 Action Plan, identifying five key strategic directions for long term reform, these being:-

  • Efficient and effective service delivery
  • Quality Governance
  • Financial Sustainability
  • Appropriate Structures
  • Strong Relationships

In line with Destination 2036 and at the request of LGSA, Minister Page established the Independent Local Government Review Panelin March 2012 to investigate and identify options for governance models, structural arrangements and voluntary boundary changes for Local Government in NSW.

The LG Review Panel, which comprises Professor Graham Sansom as Chair, together with Ms Jude Munro AO and Glenn Inglis, issued an initial Consultation Paper in July 2012 and held a comprehensive workshop with RAMROC Member Councils in Jerilderie on 1st August 2012.

The Panel’s work is in 4 stages as follows:-

  • Stage 1 - Exploration – Investigating issues and exploring ideas
  • Stage 2 - “Options for Change” Discussion Paper
  • Stage 3 - “Future Directions for NSW Local Government - 20 Essential Steps” Report
  • Stage 4 - Report and recommendations to the NSW Government (scheduled for submission to Minister Page in October 2013)

The Stage 3 Future Directions report proposed the following:-
Sustainability and Finance
  • Develop a standard set of sustainability benchmarks; require all councils to appoint a qualified Chief Financial Officer; strengthen the guidelines for councils’ 4-year Delivery Programs; and place local government audits under the oversight of the Auditor General
  • Improve the rating system and streamline rate-pegging to enable councils to generate essential additional revenue
  • Progressively re-distribute grant funding to provide greater assistance to rural-remote councils with limited rating potential
  • Establish a State-wide Local Government Finance Agency to bring down interest costs and assist councils make better use of borrowings
2. Infrastructure
  • Maintain the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme (LIRS) for at least 5 years, with a focus on councils facing the most severe problems
  • Create a Strategic Projects Fund for roads and bridges to help reduce the infrastructure backlog
  • Investigate the Queensland model of Regional Roads Groups, as well as options for cost savings through strategic procurement initiatives
  • Require asset and financial management assessments of councils seeking special assistance
  1. 3. Productivity and Improvement
  • Introduce a requirement for regular ‘best value’ service reviews
  • Develop a consistent data collection and performance measurement system for NSW councils, and strengthen internal and performance audit processes
  • Commission a review by IPART of the regulatory and compliance burden on NSW local government
4. Better Governance
  • Mandate ongoing professional development for councillors
  • Strengthen the authority and responsibilities of Mayors and require popular election of Mayors in all councils with a population of 20,000 or more
  • Provide additional governance options for larger councils, including a mix of ward and ‘at large’ councillors and a ‘civic cabinet’ model
  • Take steps to improve Council-Mayor-General Manager relations

  1. Structural Reform
  • Establish a network of around 20 ‘new look’, multi-purpose County Councils to undertake regional-level functions outside of the Sydney metropolitan area
  • Introduce the option of Local Boards to service small communities and to ensure local identity and representation in very large urban councils
  • Encourage voluntary amalgamations of smaller rural councils to improve their sustainability, and convert small (in population) councils (generally less than 5,000) to Local Boards
  • Promote a series of voluntary amalgamations in the Lower Hunter and Central Coast regions, including Newcastle-Lake Macquarie and Gosford-Wyong
  • Seek to reduce the number of councils in the Sydney basin to around 15, and create major new cities of Sydney, Parramatta and Liverpool, each with populations of 600,000 to 800,000 people
  • Introduce a package of incentives for voluntary mergers that offers a higher level of support to ‘early movers’
  1. Western NSW
  • Establish a Western Region Authority to provide a new governance and service delivery system for the far west of NSW, based on a partnership between Local, State and Federal governments and Aboriginal communities
  1. Implementation
  • Appoint a Local Government Development Board for a maximum period of 4 years with a brief to drive and support a concerted program of reform
  • Build on the new State-Local Government agreement to secure increased collaboration and joint planning between councils and State agencies
  • Strengthen recognition of elected local government in the NSW Constitution
  • Focus Local Government NSW (the new single association of councils) and the Division of Local Government on sector improvement.

In relation to the Structural Reform options for the RAMROC region, the Future Directions Report proposed the following:-