2018 -19 Annual Report by scenicrimregionalcouncil

2018-19

ANNUAL REPORT

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Contents Our Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04 Our Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08 Community Financial Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Our Performance

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Spectacular Scenery and Healthy Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Sustainable and Prosperous Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Open and Responsive Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Relaxed Living and Rural Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Vibrant Towns and Villages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Accessible and Serviced Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Healthy, Engaged and Resourceful Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Statutory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Scenic Rim

OUR

Author and naturalist Arthur Groom, who co-founded Binna Burra Lodge in 1933, coined the phrase Scenic Rim in describing the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chain of mountains, plateaux and peaks that extend from the coastal hinterland in the east to the Great Dividing Range in the west. The local government area formed during the council amalgamations of 2008 encompasses many of these features and was subsequently named Scenic Rim Regional Council.

LOCATION

South East Queensland 4

ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION

41,753

(at 30 June 2018)

AREA

GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT

COUNCIL OPERATING

EXPENDITURE 2018-19

COUNCIL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 2018-19

4249 km2

$1.76 billion

$72.34 million

$69.5 million

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

vision

OUR REGIONAL

The Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011-2026 provides the shared vision for our region’s future.

By 2026 Scenic Rim will be a network of unique rural communities embedded in a productive and sustainable landscape. We will enjoy a high quality rural lifestyle in self-reliant communities that provide a choice of quality local food, products, services and recreation opportunities. Our residents will have affordable transport options and ready access to the broader South East Queensland region. Our community will support sustainable farms, businesses and industries that are compatible with our environment and lifestyle and provide rewarding employment and prosperity for residents. Residents will benefit from the region’s productive farmland, stunning natural environment and character filled towns and villages which attract tourists and visitors and provide ecosystem services for the broader South East Queensland community. The Scenic Rim will be an inclusive, caring and creative environment with healthy and active residents. The region will provide a happy, safe and nurturing environment for children and families. We will participate in planning and managing our communities and act to ensure the Scenic Rim is enhanced for future generations..

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK SCENIC RIM COMMUNITY PLAN This plan was initially developed as a vision shared by Council and the community for the future of our region following community consultation with Scenic Rim residents and business operators during 2010. Further community consultation in early 2018 has ensured that our Community Plan continues to reflect community needs and aspirations, recognising the changes that have occurred as the Scenic Rim has continued to grow and develop.

OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018-2019 The annual Operational Plan provided for a range of actions to be undertaken across the seven themes of Council’s Corporate Plan. Council monitored the implementation of those actions on a quarterly basis. A summary of significant outcomes for the year is provided throughout this report, with a detailed review of our performance provided through the Our Performance section of this report.

The Community Plan Pulse Check carried out in early 2018 identified the need for some minor revisions and additions, and the Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011-2026 was adopted by Council in November 2011 following extensive community consultation. It captures the long-term vision of the Scenic Rim community and summarises its aspirations under seven themes. These desired outcomes form the basis of our Regional Vision and provide the foundations of Council’s Corporate Plan, Scenic Rim 2023.

POLICIES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS Council has established a comprehensive suite of policies, strategies and plans for the provision of services to the community. Where appropriate, these are supported by the delegation of statutory powers to the Chief Executive Officer. Council reviews its policies on a maximum three-year cycle and its delegations are reviewed annually.

CORPORATE PLAN SCENIC RIM 2023 This plan reflects the vision and details strategies under the seven themes of the Scenic Rim Community Plan 20112026. It outlines the key priorities for the region’s growth and development over a five-year period. It also sets the strategic direction and guides decision making about operational priorities and resource allocation.

REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY Councillors perform an important function by representing the public interest through a broad spectrum of community organisations - both locally and within the greater South East Queensland region. Those representational arrangements were reviewed following the quadrennial elections to ensure an appropriate sharing of this workload amongst Councillors.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

MAYOR’S REPORT

CR GREG CHRISTENSEN

“ I am pleased to present Scenic Rim Regional Council’s 2018-19 Annual Report and to reflect on our progress during the year that marked the beginning of a new chapter in our Scenic Rim story. With the completion of our flood restoration works and the transformation of our organisation to better align Council’s roles and responsibilities with the community vision, this has been a year of strong progress. In August 2018 we announced the commencement of our Refresh and Refocus program to foster renewed leadership and accountability, to promote a more efficient and team-focused workforce to improve the delivery of services and infrastructure to the Scenic Rim community. Ten years on from the council amalgamations of 2008, and on the cusp of introducing a new Planning Scheme for the Scenic Rim, it was timely to take a fresh look at our structure and operations to ensure we continued to meet the needs of our community and our staff. The Scenic Rim region itself is in the middle of a significant period of transformation and it was clear that a more agile, modern and efficient workforce was required to meet community needs and expectations. Our new structure ensures our focus is always on our customer and supports our delivery of services and facilities in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible to provide the best value for ratepayers.

the Scenic Rim is the best place in which to live, work and to the fullest

enjoy life

A key achievement of 2018-19 was the completion, by 30 June, of all ground works in a program of recovery following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie which brought the most significant flooding experienced in our region in the past two decades. Half of Council’s road network was impacted by the disaster in April 2017, including three quarters - more than 643 kilometres of the region’s unsealed roads which required 500,000 tonnes of gravel to rebuild. I am pleased to say that, two years after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, we have not just recovered, we have made great improvements to our Council roads which are now better than ever and more resilient to extreme weather events. The final cost of the reconstruction effort was $49.4 million. Additional funding of $10.4 million through the Betterment framework, under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, to provide increased resilience to the road network, and a $4.9 million Council contribution brought the final cost of the program to $64.7 million. Credit must go to the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments for their joint funding through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. My thanks to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority for its support and collaboration which has been a great example of inter-agency cooperation delivering real results for our community.

Through four key themes and related portfolios - People, Customer, Delivery and Assurance - this new structure is now closely aligned with our community vision that underpins our Community, Corporate and Operational Plans. This Annual Report represents Council’s report card on the progress made in 2018-19 in achieving the outcomes of the Community Plan which provides the overarching framework for the Corporate Plan and, in turn, the annual Operational Plan. It reflects our commitment to ensuring the Scenic Rim is the best place in which to live, work and enjoy life to the fullest, and that ours is a region of viable and sustainable towns and villages whose enviable rural lifestyle respects the important relationship between the environment and economic growth.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

”

Cr Greg Christensen

CEO’S REPORT

JON GIBBONS

At Scenic Rim Regional Council we take enormous pride in being local people delivering real results for our region and working to make the communities that we call home even better places in which to live and prosper. In 2018, our tenth year as an amalgamated Council, we introduced a program to Refresh and Refocus the organisation to ensure it continues to mature and becomes even more effective, efficient and agile in its delivery of services and infrastructure to the Scenic Rim community. This Annual Report provides an overview of significant achievements for 2018-19, the first year of delivery against our Corporate Plan 2018-2023, Scenic Rim 2023, as well as the statutory reporting requirements of the Local Government Act 2009. Our performance has been reported against the themes which capture the shared vision for the region’s future, as outlined in the Community Plan 2011-2026. Through the themes of Spectacular Scenery and Healthy Environment; Sustainable and Prosperous Economy; Open and Responsive Government; Relaxed Living and Rural Lifestyle; Vibrant Towns and Villages; Accessible and Serviced Region; and Healthy, Engaged and Resourceful Communities, our reporting demonstrates the progress that has been made in delivering a wide range of services, projects and initiatives across the priorities identified as important by our community. Council achieved much success in 2018-19 including: •

the introduction of a zero-based budgeting approach which identified more than $500,000 in savings

•

a reduction in employee expenses from 42 per cent of expenditure across the next 10 years to 38 per cent through more effective analysis that allowed more expenditure in materials and service delivery

•

the re-alignment of many of Council’s teams, such as Operational Works which is now part of Planning and Development, to improve service delivery

•

a commitment to local purchasing, in partnership with local businesses, to keep money in the local economy, and

•

delivery of the 2018-19 Operational Plan requirements, with a focus on sustainability, recovery and growth enabling Council to continue its flood recovery efforts, local economic initiatives and delivery of essential projects and services, while achieving an operating surplus.

Our impeccable record in producing financially sustainable outcomes was recognised with the Queensland Treasury Corporation assessing Scenic Rim’s credit rating as sound with a neutral outlook and Council’s Long Term Financial Forecast continuing to ensure that it does not leave, as its legacy, a liability for future generations. A significant milestone in the life of our region was the completion by 30 June 2019 of all ground works associated with the flood recovery following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie while we continued to deliver the services and infrastructure needed for our growing region. This is an exciting time in the growth and development of our region and our continued focus on our mission of enabling community and environmental sustainability will ensure our communities are even greater places to live.

Jon Gibbons

“

our continued focus on our mission of enabling community and environmental sustainability will ensure our communities are even to live.

greater places

”

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Council

OUR

The Council for the 2016-2020 term comprises:

Mutdapilly

Mt Walker

Harrisville

Warrill View

Rosevale

Division 2 Cr Nadia O’Carroll

Munbilla Roadvale

Tarome

Division 1 Cr Nigel Waistell Kagaru

Silverdale

Fassifern

Mayor Cr Greg Christensen

Peak Crossing

Tamborine

Wyaralong

Kalbar

Wyaralong Dam

Veresdale Scrub

Allenview

Gleneagle Bromelton

Aratula

BOONAH

Dugandan Lake Moogerah

Il-bogan

TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN

BEAUDESERT

Canungra

Croftby

Laravale Kerry

Maroon

Maroon Dam Rathdowney

Carneys Creek

Barney View Running Creek

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Lamington

Division 4 Cr Michael Enright Division 5 Cr Rick Stanfield Deputy Mayor May 2018 – May 2019 Division 6 Cr Duncan McInnes Deputy Mayor May 2019 –

Mt Alford Kooralbyn

Division 3 Cr Virginia West

Beechmont

Darlington Hillview

Council is governed by a popularly elected Mayor and Councillors, representing each of the region’s six electoral divisions, who were elected at Queensland’s quadrennial local government elections in March 2016.

COUNCILLOR RESPONSIBILITIES

MEETINGS

The responsibilities of Councillors are prescribed in the Local Government Act 2009 which states that:

Council decisions were made at monthly Ordinary Meetings, with business items generally referred to one of Council’s three Standing Committees for preliminary consideration.

(1) A Councillor must represent the current and future interests of the residents of the local government area. (2) All Councillors of a local government have the same responsibilities, but the Mayor has some extra responsibilities. (3)

All Councillors have the following responsibilities—

(a) ensuring the local government—

(i) discharges its responsibilities under this Act; and

(ii) achieves its corporate plan; and

(iii) complies with all laws that apply to local governments;

(b) providing high quality leadership to the local government and the community;

(c) participating in council meetings, policy development, and decision making, for the benefit of the local government area;

(d) being accountable to the community for the local government’s performance.

Special Meetings were convened during the year for purposes of Budget adoption and consideration of urgent business items. Agenda items for these meetings included references to legislation and Council’s strategic documents as appropriate. A schedule of attendances at meetings held during the period is included on page 76 of this report.

Embrace EXPERIENCE

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Councillors

OUR

MAYOR

DIVISION 1

CR GREG CHRISTENSEN

CR NIGEL WAISTELL Cr Nigel Waistell was first elected to Council in 2012 and re-elected for a second term in 2016. He served as Deputy Mayor of the Scenic Rim from April 2016 to May 2017 and was Planning and Development Committee Chair from May 2018 to 30 June 2019. During a military career from 1969 to 2015, Cr Waistell served in both the British and Australian armies. He took a break from military service between 1993 and 2001 to work in local government as the Training Manager for Ipswich City Council. Cr Waistell’s vision for the Scenic Rim is to maintain, promote and enhance the qualities of the region which attract people to the region - the natural environment, rural lifestyle, connected community and tourism and agriculture businesses. In his spare time, Cr Waistell enjoys sailing, volunteering at the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens and serving as the President of welfare organisation Tamborine Mountain Community Care.

DIVISION 2 CR NADIA O’CARROLL From the factory floor to the executive level, Cr Greg Christensen’s lengthy career across the manufacturing, mining and agriculture sectors has prepared him for his role as Mayor of the Scenic Rim region. Elected in March 2016, Cr Christensen is committed to delivering strong leadership to the region’s communities to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. For the past several years he has provided consultancy and coaching services in the areas of leadership, business development and organisational and process change. Cr Christensen’s professional background includes senior leadership roles at General Motors Holden, CSR Timber Products, OneSteel, WMC Resources and Sugar Australia, with a focus on strategy, systems and organisation alignment to unlock full business potential. This included a period as Director for the Office of Manufacturing in South Australia. With a passion for lifelong learning, Cr Christensen holds a Masters in International Management and accreditations in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. Cr Christensen’s family connection to the region dates back to the 19th century. He was born and raised at Moorang and lives in the rural district of Tarome with his wife of 42 years, Denise.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Cr Nadia O’Carroll and her family have lived on Tamborine Mountain since 1992. She holds a Bachelor of Business degree, majoring in accounting, from the University of Technology Sydney, and is a registered tax agent who has worked for Price Waterhouse, University of Technology Sydney, Queensland University and as a self-employed accountant. Elected to Council in 2012, Cr O’Carroll became Finance Committee Chair and was re-elected in 2016, serving as Deputy Mayor for a year from May 2017. Cr O’Carroll has been an office bearer in local organisations including the Tamborine Mountain Natural History Association, Tamborine Mountain Rural Fire Brigade and Beaucare and has been a volunteer in a range of environmental activities including Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, revegetation projects and citizen science programs such as water monitoring and biodiversity surveys. Cr O’Carroll is committed to protecting the Scenic Rim’s environment, rural values, sense of community and unique lifestyle. She is Council’s representative on the Queensland Climate Resilient Councils program, is a board member of the South East Queensland Catchments Members Association and chairs Council’s Arts Reference Group.

DIVISION 3

DIVISION 5

CR VIRGINIA WEST

CR RICK STANFIELD

Elected for a third consecutive term in 2016, Cr Virginia West has represented Division 3 since the formation of Scenic Rim Regional Council in 2008, serving as Deputy Mayor from 2012 to 2016 and as Corporate and Community Services Chair until May 2018. She is currently Acting Chair of the Scenic Valleys Regional Road Group.

Cr Rick Stanfield has represented Division 5 since 2012, having previously served four terms on the former Boonah Shire Council. He served as Scenic Rim Deputy Mayor for a year from May 2018 and is a former Chair of Council’s Planning and Development Committee.

Cr West served her community on the former Beaudesert Shire Council from 2004 to 2008 and is committed to working as part of a team with a firm vision and innovative focus to build a strong and vibrant future for the Scenic Rim. A qualified nurse, Cr West was employed as a territory manager for a medical company prior to entering public life. She is married with two adult children, is actively involved in the local community and committed to an environmentally sensitive but practical approach to development. Cr West is president of the Canungra Local Ambulance Committee and is a board member of Tamborine Mountain College. She is also patron of the Beaudesert Rifle Club and the Beaudesert District Orchid and Foliage Society.

DIVISION 4

Educated at Boonah State School and Boonah State High School, he worked with at-risk youth before gaining his trade in the building industry. As one of the few practising wheelwrights in Australia today, Cr Stanfield takes a keen interest in preserving lost trades and skills. He also breeds Clydesdale horses, which have a long association with the region, and has been involved in the Brisbane and Sydney Royal shows. Cr Stanfield has also been a triathlete and marathon runner and an active member of local community groups, particularly those focussed on community and business development. He has also represented his community on a range of diverse government and semi-government organisations. Cr Stanfield believes that retaining the country lifestyle treasured by Scenic Rim residents is paramount, as is encouraging the development of small business and industry to complement that lifestyle and boost jobs growth.

DIVISION 6

CR MICHAEL ENRIGHT

CR DUNCAN MCINNES DEPUTY MAYOR

Elected to Council in 2016, Cr Michael Enright considers it a privilege to represent the residents of Division 4 and the wider Scenic Rim community. He served as Council’s Corporate and Community Services Chair from May 2018 to 30 June 2019.

A life-long resident of the Harrisville (Radford) district, Cr Duncan McInnes has represented the communities of Division 6 since 2012 and was elected Deputy Mayor in May 2019. He served as Chair of Council’s Finance Committee from May 2017 to 30 June 2019.

As an active member of his local community over the past four decades, Cr Enright understands the importance of building stronger communities. His community involvement began in 1982 with Beaudesert Jaycees, and continued with the Beaudesert and District Health and Welfare Association from 1989 to 1991, as Director of the South East Community Credit Society from 1994 to 2005, and served on St Mary’s Pastoral Council for four years, two as Chairman in 2006 to 2007. More recently, he served as President of Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and 2014, and is a continuing member of the Beaudesert Hospital Consumer Advisory Group since 2014.

Cr McInnes is passionate about the region in which he lives and has been actively involved in his local community throughout his adult life.

Cr Enright’s working career has spanned more than 40 years in small and medium-sized businesses in the Beaudesert district. With tertiary qualifications in business management and training, he is passionate about seeing the Scenic Rim region flourish while retaining its rural appeal. Cr Enright is a proud patron of the Beaudesert Branch of National Servicemen’s Association of Australia and the Beaudesert Amateur Musical Society. He lives in Beaudesert with his wife Jen, and has two adult children.

He is married with four adult daughters, three of whom live with their families in the Scenic Rim, and is involved in a family dairying business which produces some four million litres of milk annually. With more than 30 years’ involvement in the wider dairying community, he has served as a director at local, state and national levels and has represented his industry internationally. Cr McInnes is also a Councillor of the Royal Queensland Show, better known as the Ekka. He is committed to supporting local youth, providing services to the community, creating jobs, attracting new businesses, reducing red tape, stopping coal seam gas exploitation, supporting farmers and primary producers and promoting the Scenic Rim’s unique and diverse beauty. Cr McInnes is Scenic Rim’s representative on the Darling Downs Moreton Rabbit Board of which he is Deputy Chair.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Organisation

OUR

A key responsibility of Council is the implementation of an organisational structure appropriate to the performance of its local government responsibilities. Interim organisational structure by function

Interim organisational structure by function as at May 2019 CEO

Executive and Councillor Support

GM People and Strategy

GM Customer and Regional Prosperity

Employee Relations

Refresh and Refocus Team

Organisational Development

Payroll

Training and Development Workplace Health and Safety

Manager Community and Culture

GM Asset and Environmental Sustainability

Manager Health Building and Environment

Manager Planning and Development

Community Development

Building and Plumbing

Land Use Development

Cultural Services

Environment and Policy

Development Assessment

Customer Contact

Health Services

Libraries

Compliance Services

Communications

Operational Works

ORGANISATIONAL

To help achieve these outcomes, staff adhere to eight core values of: RESPECT We act respectfully to each other, accepting each person’s individuality and their role. TRUST We build strong relationships that we believe in and rely on. TEAMWORK We work cooperatively to achieve common goals, drawing on the strengths of each other, in a supportive and safe environment.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Economic Development Governance

Manager Maintenance and Operations

Manager Capital Works and Asset Management

Facilities

Works Coordination

Parks, Gardens and Cemeteries Property Management

Asset Management

Financial Management

Design and Survey

Accounts Payable

Manager Information Services

Rates

ICT Operations

Purchasing and Stores

ICT Projects

Business Continuity

Records

Fleet

Waste

Values

The personal and collective performance of Council’s staff is critical to the attainment of the organisation’s goals.

Disaster Management

GM Council Sustainability

COMMUNICATION We actively promote clear, concise and open discussion between staff, Council and communities. QUALITY We have pride in whatever we do, and strive to do it well. STAFF WORTH Our actions demonstrate that our people matter. HONESTY We act with integrity and when we ask an honest question, we get an honest answer. ACCOUNTABILITY We accept ownership of our role and responsibility for our actions.

Leadership

EXECUTIVE

Council’s Executive Team (from left) CEO Jon Gibbons, General Manager Council Sustainability Oliver Pring, General Manager Asset and Environmental Sustainability Chris Gray, General Manager People and Strategy Jennifer Schafer and General Manager Customer and Regional Prosperity Debra Howe.

COUNCIL’S EXECUTIVE TEAM The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Council’s principal officer whose statutory obligations are to: •

implement the decisions of the elected Council

•

manage the day-to-day business of Council

•

organise reports to the Council

•

conduct Council correspondence

•

manage and oversee the administration of the Council and its Corporate Plan and Operational Plan, and

•

coordinate the activities of employees.

These outcomes are managed by Council’s Leadership Team, comprising the CEO, General Manager Council Sustainability, General Manager Customer and Regional Prosperity, General Manager Asset and Environmental Sustainability and General Manager People and Strategy.

OUR ETHOS

PEOPLE

OM CUST ER

Everything that we do will be guided by:

We will engage with all staff by providing supportive leadership, a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

RE SPE CT

A F F W O RT ST

UNICAT IO MM CO

QUALITY

OUR VALUES

DELIVERY

URANCE ASS

TRUST

We will work as a team to achieve the shared goals of the Scenic Rim Community Plan and our Corporate and Operational Plans

We will put our customers first to achieve the best outcomes for our region

HONESTY

OUN

Ethos OUR

TA B I L

AM WORK

We will ensure the longterm sustainability of the organisation through sound financial management and governance processes

enabling community + environmental sustainability SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

SRRC Refresh and Refocus Journey V2

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JON GIBBONS Jon has spent more than 30 years in local government, principally with rural and regional local governments in Western Australia and across Queensland including Bowen and Carpentaria Shire Councils, Whitsunday Regional Council, City of Gold Coast and now Scenic Rim. Jon also spent three years as Chief Executive Officer at the Administration of Norfolk Island. Jon has a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science, a Graduate Diploma in Local Government Management, a Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning, Diplomas of Project Management and Quality Auditing and is a graduate of the Mt Eliza Melbourne Business School and the Macquarie Graduate School of Management. Jon also received the Queensland Local Government Manager of the Year Award for leadership and management excellence in 2009. As the Chief Executive Officer, Jon is responsible for implementing the policies and decisions of the Council, to manage the Council’s day to day business and ensure operational efficiencies and effectiveness, to assist the Mayor and Councillors to carry out their duties and to ensure that Council complies with legislative responsibilities. Jon describes the Scenic Rim as ‘a great place to live and work.’ GENERAL MANAGER COUNCIL SUSTAINABILITY OLIVER PRING Oliver commenced with Scenic Rim Regional Council as the inaugural General Manager Council Sustainability in December 2018. Prior to this appointment he was the Director Corporate Services/Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Carpentaria Shire Council for six years. In a career in local government spanning more than 15 years, Oliver has served in senior managerial roles at Whitsunday Regional Council and Burke Shire Council. Oliver holds a Bachelor of Management degree from James Cook University and has achieved post-graduate diplomas in Project and Financial Management and is also a Justice of the Peace (Qualified). Oliver’s role, as part of Scenic Rim Regional Council’s new Executive Management Team, provides guidance in areas of financial sustainability, long-term financial forecasting, asset management, governance, rates and rates modelling, internal audit, procurement, information and technology services as well as Council’s disaster management functions. Oliver lives in Beaudesert with his wife and daughter who are enjoying the Scenic Rim lifestyle and all the region has to offer.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

GENERAL MANAGER CUSTOMER AND REGIONAL PROSPERITY DEBRA HOWE Debra has worked in the private sector for more than 19 years and in her 22-year career in local government has worked primarily in arts and culture, economic and tourism development, community development, major capital project delivery, investment attraction, event attraction and management, placemaking and regional development. Debra has held key positions at Brisbane City Council, Toowoomba Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council, Livingstone Shire Council and Crows Nest Shire Council in Queensland as well as Moreland City Council and City of Port Phillip in Victoria. Debra’s career also includes a destination development role at Tourism and Events Queensland. She has also held a number of board positions and facilitated the establishment of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise. Debra was a Board Member for three years and President for two years of Southern Queensland Country Tourism (formerly Toowoomba, Golden West and South Burnett Regional Tourist Association). In 2010, the Year of Women in Local Government, Debra won the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s White Pages Community and Government Award and competed in the Australian Telstra Business Women’s Award. In 2019 she judged the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Award and has been a Queensland Tourism Awards Judge from 2017 to 2019. Debra is also a member of the Local Government Association of Queensland’s Regional Economic Development Group. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Management and is a Justice of the Peace (Qualified) QLD.

GENERAL MANAGER ASSET AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY CHRIS GRAY Boonah born and bred, Chris has spent most of his life in the Scenic Rim region. His 25-year career in local government has been mostly with Scenic Rim Regional Council and the former Boonah Shire Council, in various roles focused on the delivery and maintenance of infrastructure assets. Chris served for eight years as Council’s Manager Works and Acting Director Infrastructure Services. With a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Chris is registered with the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland and is a member of the Institute of Public Works Engineers Australasia. He is passionate about the affordable and sustainable delivery of consistent levels of service across the region through the use of appropriate infrastructure and asset management processes. Chris lives in Scenic Rim’s west in a rural setting with his wife and daughter. GENERAL MANAGER PEOPLE AND STRATEGY JENNIFER SCHAFER Jennifer has worked as a leading human resources consultant to the Queensland Government. She has wide-ranging experience with Energy Queensland, where she was the Principal Advisor Organisational Engagement and Effectiveness, and the Queensland Building Construction Commission as Human Resource Manager in its People and Culture Branch. Jennifer has also served at Townsville City Council, as Principal Service Excellence and Change Lead in its Transformational Cultural Change Program and has extensive people, change management and business improvement experience gained at the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

MANAGEMENT TEAM Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, Council’s managers play key roles in ensuring the delivery of agreed outcomes in line with the Corporate Plan and Operational Plan, as well as identifying opportunities and implementing strategies for organisational improvement. The team meets regularly for professional development and discussion of emerging issues. The areas of responsibility shared by Council’s managers are: HEALTH, BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT Randall Deans MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS Scott Osman CAPITAL WORKS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT Ken Bott COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Debra Moore PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Mark Lohmann INFORMATION SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY Vacant as at 30 June 2019

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Community FINANCIAL REPORT

The 2018-19 Community Financial Report provides an analysis of Council’s fiscal performance for the year as detailed in the audited financial statements published from page 80 onwards. Council is required to prepare a Community Financial Report each year in accordance with Section 179 of the Local Government Regulation 2012. The community financial report is required to: a) contain a summary and analysis of Council’s financial performance and position for the financial year; b) be consistent with the general purpose financial statement for the financial year; c) include the relevant measures of financial sustainability for the financial year; and

Statement of Financial Position This statement outlines what Council owns (assets) and what it owes (liabilities) at a point in time. Council’s net wealth is determined by deducting total liabilities from total assets; the larger the net equity, the stronger the financial position. Statement of Cash Flows This statement summarises the actual flows of cash for a period and explains the change in the cash balance held from the start of the period through to the end of the reporting period. Cash flows are separated into operating, investing and financing activities.

This community financial report complies with the above requirements and covers the financial performance and position of Scenic Rim Regional Council for the financial year ended 30 June 2019.

Operating activities include the normal transactions of conducting Council’s day-to-day business while investing activities include the purchase and sale of assets and receipt of capital grants, subsidies and contributions. Financing activities include loan income and repayment of debt. The ‘cash at the end of the reporting period’ equals the amount reported as ‘cash and cash equivalents’ in the Statement of Financial Position.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Changes in Equity

d) be written in a way that can be easily understood by the community.

Council is required to prepare a set of general purpose financial statements each year in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2009, Local Government Regulation 2012 and Australian Accounting Standards. The financial statements are required to be independently audited. The audited financial statements on pages 80 onwards set out the financial performance, financial position, cash flows and net wealth of Council for the financial year ended 30 June 2019, incorporating four financial statements and accompanying notes. Statement of Comprehensive Income This statement outlines:  All sources of Council’s income (revenue)  All recurrent expenditure, and  Capital expenses relating to the write off of non-current assets. Both recurrent revenue and capital revenue are reported in the Statement of Comprehensive Income but only recurrent expenditure is recognised. Capital expenditure is recognised in the Statement of Financial Position. ‘Recurrent’ is also referred to as ‘operating’ because the income and expenditure relate to operations and maintenance and not capital, although depreciation of assets is included.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

This statement summarises the change in Council’s real worth throughout the financial year. Council’s net worth can change as a result of:  A surplus or deficit as recorded in the Statement of Comprehensive Income; and  A n increase or decrease in the net value of non-current assets resulting from a revaluation of those assets.

Embrace COMMUNITY

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

OVERVIEW

Interest received was $0.1 million higher than the previous year as cash levels remained relatively consistent.

Council’s key financial results for the financial year ended 30 June 2019: KEY RESULTS

2018-19

Total Income

$110.4M

Total Expenses

$74.9M

Net Result

$35.5M

Operating Surplus/(Deficit)

$1.8M

Total Assets

$957.3M

Total Liabilities

$48.4M

Net Assets

$908.9M

Total income Council’s income is derived from various sources and a breakdown of Council’s 2018-19 income is shown below. Rates and utility charges are Council’s main source of recurrent income. However, other types of income such as fees and charges, sale of contract and recoverable works, grants and contributions are also important sources of funding.

Fees & Charges Interest & Investment Revenue

Capital grants and contributions were $2.1 million lower than the previous year. This is due mainly to the higher level of subsidies received during 2017-18 for restoration works related to flood damage offset by the advance receipt of grant funding for the Beaudesert Business Park project - funded under the State Government’s Building our Regions program. Total expenses

Sale of Contract & Recoverable Works 48%

Grants & Contributions - Operating

21%

Share of Profit from Associate 3% 2% 4%

The share of profit from associate is Council’s share of profits from Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU), in which it has an ownership interest of 1.042 per cent. Further information on QUU is contained at Note 12 of the audited financial statements.

Council provides a wide range of services to the community and, in doing so, incurs a variety of expenses. A breakdown of Council’s 2018-19 expenses is shown below.

Rates & Utility Charges

33%

Operating grants and contributions were at similar levels compared to the previous.

Other revenues are $0.2 million lower than the previous year due to lower tax-equivalents returns from QUU along with reduction in the waste disposal income from Logan City Council.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Sale of contract and recoverable works income were $1.1 million lower than the previous year. This result is in line with the 2018-19 budget that took into account lower levels of contracts with Department of Transport and Main Roads as well other recoverable works.

Other Revenues 4% 4% 2%

40%

Grants & Contributions - Capital

Materials & Services Finance Costs

Capital Income

Employee Benefits

Depreciation & Amortisation Capital Expenses

TOTAL INCOME Rates and utility charges

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

$47.6M

$50.5M

$52.7M

Fees and charges

$4.7M

$5.3M

$4.8M

Interest and investment revenue

$2.1M

$2.3M

$2.4M

Sale of contract and recoverable works

$6.3M

$5.6M

$4.5M

Grants and contributions - operating

$15.7M

$4.4M

Share of profit from associate

$3.0M

$2.6M

$2.4M

Other revenues

$3.1M

$3.2M

$3.0M

Grants and contributions - capital

$11.8M

$38.2M

$36.1M

Capital income

$0.1M

$0.2M

$0.1M

$94.4M

$112.3M

$110.4M

TOTAL INCOME

Total income received during 2018-19 was $110.4 million, which is a decrease of $1.9 million from the previous year. Rates and utility charges were $2.2 million higher than the previous year. However, this result is slightly behind the 2018-19 budgeted revenue for rates and utility charges of $53.1 million due to reductions in property valuations. Fees and charges were $0.5 million lower than the previous year due predominantly to an decrease in fees associated with building, plumbing and new development fees.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

34%

TOTAL EXPENSES

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

Employee benefits

$27.7M

$28.8M

$29.9M

Materials and services

$30.5M

$23.4M

$25.3M

$1.1M

$1.2M

$13.8M

$16.1M

$16.0M

Finance costs Depreciation and amortisation Capital expenses TOTAL EXPENSES

$4.3M

$8.2M

$2.6M

$77.4M

$77.6M

$75.0M

Employee benefits have increased by $1.1 million from the previous year due to an administrative pay increase applied 1 July 2018 along with costs in delivering Council’s Refresh and Refocus program. Materials and services have increased by $1.9 million from the previous year. This relates largely to Council’s decision to reverse the accounting treatment of gravel re-sheeting from being a capital expenditure to a maintenance and operations item. Additionally there were increases of $2.2 million in other operational areas including facilities, parks and gardens, fleet, waste collection, IT systems due to new operating initiatives and/ or increase in operational costs. These increase were offset by reductions in Council’s legal expenses and decrease in budgeted expenditure for recoverable works.

Finance costs are the interest on loans taken out by Council and these have increased by $0.1 million from the previous year due to $3.0M of new borrowings received in 2017-18. Depreciation and amortisation expenses are non-cash and represent the reduction of the value of non-current assets as a result of wear and tear, age or obsolescence. Non-current assets are shown in the Statement of Financial Position. These have increased by $122.3 million from the previous year predominantly due to changes in valuation assumptions. Capital expenses represent the write off of the written-down value of non-current assets because they have been disposed of. This can occur through sale or obsolescence. The decrease from the previous year of $5.6 million relates to road and bridge write offs resulting from the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie. Capital expenses are non-cash. OPERATING RESULT OPERATING RESULT Operating surplus/(deficit)

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

$9.5M

$4.5M

$1.8M

The operating surplus/(deficit) is the net result excluding capital items related to income and expenses. A surplus indicates that revenue raised covers operational expenses and there is an amount available equivalent to the surplus for capital funding purposes or other purposes. A deficit indicates that revenue raised does not cover operational expenses. Council’s operating surplus in 2018-19 was $1.8 million.

The investment in associate represents Council’s participation rights in QUU. Upon formation of QUU, Council’s participation rights represented 60 per cent of Council’s regulatory asset base. The increase of $0.8 million from the previous year is due to the recognition of Council’s share of QUU returns. The written-down value of infrastructure, property, plant and equipment increased by $122.3 million from the previous year. Infrastructure, property, plant and equipment accounts for 90 per cent of Council’s total assets. 2018-19 capital expenditure Capital works excluding those funded by the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program (NDRRA) of $43.6 million were undertaken during 2018-19. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

$20.1M

Bridges

$14.6M

Drainage

$0.2M

Footpaths

$1.0M

Facilities, parks and gardens

$3.2M

Vehicles, plant and equipment

$2.8M

Waste management

$1.0M

Other projects

$0.7M

Total

$43.6M

2018-19 Capital Expenditure

FINANCIAL POSITION Total assets Assets consist of current assets, which can be converted to cash in less than one year and non-current assets, which would most likely take longer than a year to convert to cash. A breakdown of Council’s assets is shown below: TOTAL ASSETS

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

Cash and investments

$29.3M

$45.9M

$38.1M

Trade and other receivables

$11.7M

$11.6M

$6.0M

Other assets

$2.2M

$2.0M

Loans

$14.7M

Investment in associate

$34.3M

$35.2M

$36.0M

Infrastructure, property, plant and equipment Total assets

$691.7M

$738.3M

$860.6M

$783.8M

$847.7M

$957.3M

Cash and investments has decreased from the previous year by $7.8 million. Trade and other receivables decreased by $5.6 million from the previous year, which relates to a lower level of outstanding rates and charges as well as lower receivables for other grant-funded projects, lower levels of infrastructure charges and lower levels of QUU dividends. Other assets consist of inventories, other assets, non-current assets held for sale and intangible assets. This saw a similar result from the previous year due to the increase in levels of quarry materials being netted off by a decrease level in workshop and supply inventory. The loan balance of $14.7 million represents Council’s loan to QUU. This is an interest only loan and payments received are recognised as interest revenue. The value of the loan represents 40 per cent of Council’s regulatory asset base that was transferred to QUU upon formation.

2018-19

Roads

Vehicles, Plant & Equipment $2.8M 7%

Waste Management $1.0M 2%

Other Projects $0.7M 2%

Facilities, Parks & Gardens $3.2M 8% Footpaths $1.0M 2%

Drainage $0.2M 0% Roads $18.3M 44%

Bridges $14.6M 35%

Total liabilities Liabilities consist of current liabilities, which are expected to be paid or settled in less than one year and non current liabilities, expected to be paid or settled in more than one year. A breakdown of Council’s liabilities is shown below: TOTAL LIABILITIES Trade and other payables

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

$4.7M

$11.2M

$8.2M

Employee benefits

$9.8M

$10.8M

$11.2M

Borrowings

$21.3M

$23.2M

$26.7M

Provisions

$1.0M

$1.1M

$1.0M

$36.8M

$46.3M

$48.4M

Total liabilities

Trade and other payables decreased by $3.0 million from the previous year. Employee benefits increased by $0.4 million from the previous year due to the reduction in discount rates used for calculation (Commonwealth bond rates). Employee benefits represent the amount required under the accounting standards to be set aside to fund employee entitlements for annual leave and long service leave. SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Borrowings increased by $3.5 million from the previous year due to the drawdown of an additional $4.7 million in loans at June 2019. This was offset by $1.2 million in repayments of loan principle. Provisions consist of rehabilitation provisions for quarries and waste disposal sites. Other liabilities for 2018-19 consists of the prepayment by the State Government to mitigate the impacts on households for 2019-20 of the domestic State Waste Levy, which takes effect from 1 July 2019. Net community assets and equity Net community assets and equity are represented by what we own (total assets) less what is owed (total liabilities). NET COMMUNITY ASSETS

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

Net assets

$747.0M

$801.4M

$908.9M

COMMUNITY EQUITY

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

Accumulated surplus

$561.7M

$596.4M

$631.9M

Asset revaluation surplus

$185.3M

$205.0M

$277.0M

Total equity

$747.0M

$801.4M

$908.9M

Community equity increased by $107.5 million (rounded) from the previous year, which is the value of total comprehensive income from the Statement of Comprehensive Income of $35.5 million, and the movement of the Asset Revaluation Surplus of $72.0 million. CASH FLOWS The Statement of Cash Flows shows where Council received its cash and where this was subsequently spent. CASH FLOWS

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

Operating activities

$17.0M

$21.8M

$19.1M

Investing activities

($18.6M)

($7.2M)

($30.3M)

Financing activities

$1.1M

$2.0M

$3.5M

NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM:

Net increase/(decrease) in cash held

($0.6M)

$16.6M

($7.8M)

Net cash from operating activities decreased by $2.7 million from the previous year. Net cash used in investing activities increased by $23.1 million from the previous year. Net cash from financing activities increased by $1.5 million from the previous year. Year-end cash balance

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS Section 104(2) of the Local Government Act 2009 provides the following definition of financial sustainability: A local government is financially sustainable if the local government is able to maintain its financial capital and infrastructure capital over the long term. Financial sustainability is a strategy and ratios are used as pointin-time measurements to assess the outcomes of the strategy. The Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning has developed financial sustainability indicators to assist in the assessment of the long-term financial sustainability of councils. Section 169(5) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 outlines the three relevant measures of financial sustainability that all Queensland local governments must report on: a) Asset Sustainability Ratio b) Net Financial Liabilities Ratio, and c) Operating Surplus Ratio. The measurement of the above ratios is in accordance with the Financial Management (Sustainability) Guideline 2013. Why is financial sustainability important? Local governments are responsible for directly providing residents with a wide range of public services and community infrastructure and facilities. This requires local governments to hold and maintain a significant base of infrastructure assets, which necessitates not only substantial initial investments but also continued expenditure to maintain and renew assets over the course of their respective useful lives. The outcomes of Council’s financial sustainability strategy are as follows: • T o allow for the adequate provision for programs (including capital expenditure) and services into the future without having to introduce substantial or disruptive revenue (and expenditure) adjustments; and • T o allow for the equitable distribution of the costs of establishing and maintaining community assets and services between current and future ratepayers. The Queensland Audit Office’s report to State Parliament on the outcomes of local government audits for 2015-16 rated Scenic Rim Regional Council as having a low risk of financial sustainability concerns. The Queensland Treasury Corporation performed a credit risk during 2018-19 and rated Council as being Sound with a Neutral Outlook. Council is committed to remaining financially sustainable through appropriate levels of service provision. ASSET SUSTAINABILITY RATIO Definition: An approximation of the extent to which the infrastructure assets managed by Council are being replaced as they reach the end of their useful lives. How is it calculated? Capital expenditure on replacement of assets (renewals) divided by depreciation expenditure.

Council’s year end cash balance was $38.1 million as at 30 June 2019.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Why is it important? Assists in identifying Council’s asset base consumption and renewal levels and capacity to fund the level of investment needed over the long-term. Target: Greater than 90 per cent per annum (on average over the long-term).

OPERATING SURPLUS RATIO Definition: An indicator of the extent to which revenue raised covers operational expenses only or are available for capital funding purposes or other purposes. How is it calculated? Net result (excluding capital items) divided by total operating revenue (excluding capital items). Why is it important? Assists in identifying Council’s financial capacity and the ability to fund ongoing operations over the long-term. Target: Between zero per cent and 10 per cent per annum (on average over the long-term).

Council’s asset sustainability ratio for 2018-19 was 301 per cent. This means that Council is likely to be sufficiently maintaining, replacing or renewing existing infrastructure assets as they reach the end of their useful life. The result continues to be high due to the impacts of flood restoration works undertaken as part of the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). NET FINANCIAL LIABILITIES RATIO Definition: An indicator of the extent to which the net financial liabilities of Council can be serviced by its operating revenues. How is it calculated? Total liabilities less current assets divided by total operating revenue (excluding capital items). Why is it important? Assists in identifying Council’s financial capacity and the ability to fund ongoing operations over the long-term.

Council’s operating surplus ratio for 2018-19 was two per cent. Council was forecasting an operating surplus ratio of 1.8 per cent for 2018-19 and the slight improvement in the result relates to total recurrent revenue being higher than the forecast and total recurrent expenditure being lower than the forecast at the end of the financial year. This means that Council is expecting to generate healthy levels of revenues that can be used to fund proposed capital expenditure and debt repayments, and is less likely to compromise the levels of service expected by ratepayers.

Target: Less than 60 per cent per annum (on average over the long-term).

Council’s net financial liabilities ratio for 2018-19 was four per cent. This means that Council has the capacity to comfortably fund its liabilities. A negative indicator means that current assets exceed total liabilities and that Council has the capacity to increase loan borrowings if required.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Performance

OUR

Council’s annual Operational Plan outlines the organisation’s objectives for the year in delivering the strategic outcomes of the Corporate Plan Scenic Rim 2023, which reflects the shared vision of the Community Plan 2011-2026. Implementation of the Operational Plan 2018-19 was based on the seven strategic themes of the Corporate Plan. Highlights of our achievements are outlined below, with more detailed information on our performance in relation to each theme described in the following chapters of this report. A series of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) was developed to measure achievement in meeting performance objectives and these appear on pages 25 to 29.

SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

SUSTAINABLE AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY

•

Supported the efforts of landowners and environmental groups in maintaining habitats for native plants and animals by providing more than $100,000 in environmental grants.

•

Secured $5 million in Australian Government funding via the Building Our Regions Fund for the expansion of the Beaudesert Business Park industrial estate.

•

Worked in partnership with organisations including SeqWater and Healthy Land and Water to improve the quality of the region’s waterways.

•

Staged the 2019 Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards which attracted 71 nominations across six categories.

•

Worked in partnership with local Chambers of Commerce to build business capability through Small Business Week activities.

•

Resolved in February 2019 to allow discretionary extensions to the rates discount period by up to three months to alleviate the financial pressure on Scenic Rim landholders impacted by ongoing drought.

•

Worked closely with tourism organisations and operators on a range of initiatives delivering profile opportunities for the region.

•

Assisted landowners in maintaining the region’s worldclass biodiversity through the Land For Wildlife program.

•

Worked to eradicate invasive weeds to encourage the return of native plants and animals in reserves and riparian areas.

•

Provided a range of community education programs to raise awareness of environmental issues.

OPEN AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT •

Received the Excellence in Risk Management award for our commitment to delivering an effective risk management framework.

•

Reviewed procurement practices to increase local purchasing to support Scenic Rim businesses, wherever possible.

•

Continued to implement the recommendations of a cyber-security audit conducted in 2017-18.

•

Worked with Mates in Construction to deliver a series of comprehensive information sessions on mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the construction sector.

•

Rewarded staff across the organisation who contributed to an enviable safety record.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

RELAXED LIVING AND RURAL LIFESTYLE

VIBRANT TOWNS AND VILLAGES

•

Endorsed the Draft Scenic Rim Planning Scheme and ensured the community had ample opportunity to provide feedback through an 11-week period of public consultation which attracted 559 submissions.

•

Opened new playgrounds that reflect the character of their communities at Tamborine Mountain, Aratula and Boonah.

•

Prepared for the introduction of new laws that will deliver fast tracked plumbing approvals to save businesses and individuals time and money and enhance community safety.

•

Endorsed Davidson Park in Beaudesert as the preferred location for a new community hub and library as part of a program to revitalise the town centre.

•

Adopted a long-term master plan for an active recreational precinct in Beaudesert.

•

Installed a new war memorial to animals and their handlers to mark the centenary commemoration of the end of World War One in November 2018.

•

Added three new significant sites to the Local Heritage Register following community consultation.

•

Continued to champion the interests of the Scenic Rim, providing feedback to the Queensland Government on proposed planning legislation and policy changes.

•

Continued to enforce local laws that ensure community safety, the amenity of residential areas and the preservation of the Scenic Rim’s natural values.

HEALTHY, ENGAGED AND RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITIES

ACCESSIBLE AND SERVICED REGION

•

Provided a total of 2,083 immunisations to Scenic Rim secondary school students and endorsed the continuation of the 2019 School Immunisation Program to December 2021.

•

Constructed five new concrete bridges and 2.5 kilometres of road as part of the single biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Scenic Rim Regional Council.

•

Extended the 12-week Be Healthy and Active Program to 20 weeks from January to June 2019 and introduced a range of activities for all ages and abilities.

•

Completed all flood recovery ground works associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie by 30 June 2019.

•

Deployed smart technology and closed circuit television cameras to provide a clearer picture of the condition of some 30 kilometres of underground stormwater drainage pipes.

•

Enhanced pedestrian access and mobility through footpath improvements that represent another step towards healthier and more connected communities.

•

Worked with businesses across the Scenic Rim to raise awareness of the commercial impacts of the Queensland Government’s Waste Levy prior to its introduction on 1 July 2019.

•

Gained an understanding of the needs of the region’s young people through the 2018 Youth Leadership Program and Youth Cultural Mapping Survey.

•

Joined forces with the Animal Welfare League Queensland’s National Desexing Network and local vets to offer a subsidised desexing program to prevent more unwanted cats in the region.

•

Worked closely with the community to plan for Arts Ablaze, the biggest arts conference and celebration ever staged in regional Queensland, to be held in the Scenic Rim in October 2019.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

1. SPECTACULAR SCENERY & HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT KPI

DETAILS

TARGET

ACTUAL

Animal Management

Reported animal attacks responded to within 24 hours

100%

Livestock wandering within a road reserve area responded to within 24 hours

100%

Collection of stray domestic animal requests are completed within one business day

100%

Environmental noise nuisance from animal requests are resolved within 30 days

100%

90%

Impounded animals suitable for adoption to be transferred to arehoming organisation

100%

Declared pest animal information on control methods provided to landholders within 30 days

100%

91.25%

Number of dog registrations paid for the financial year

100%

91.25%

110,000 trees planted each year

100%

52.5%

One and a half (1.5) hectares of riparian restoration undertaken per year

100%

87.5%

95%

65%

Nominated roadside (local road) weed control activities undertaken in accordance with operational guidelines

100%

67.5%

Reserve Management

Undertake bushfire mitigation works in accordance with Management Plan

100%

62.5%

State Road Weed Control

Nominated weed control activities on State roads undertaken in accordance with treatment schedule

100%

92.5%

By 2021 Council will treat 75% of its local road network each year for pest plants that pose a bioâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;security risk (progressively build to 75% over five years)

20%

16.25%

TARGET $1.75M 100%

ACTUAL $56M 90%

$2,200,000

$2,034,000

35,000

37,280

$500,000

$918,000.

Biodiversity Preservation Pest Management

Programmed property inspections undertaken in accordance with Pest Management Plan

2. SUSTAINABLE AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY KPI

DETAILS

Economic Development

Growth in value of gross regional product Digital media statistics. Visit Scenic Rim Facebook followers grew to 11,222. Instagram followers grew to 15,300 Dollar value of spend at Eat Local Week increase up from $1.706 million to $2.034 million Number of visitors to the region Total audience at all Eat Local Week events , 30 June to 8 July 2018 Dollar value of media coverage earned. Up from $354,000 to $918,000 (158% increase)

Financial Performance

Levy rates six monthly by 31 July and 31 January each year

100%

Revenue Management

Annual rates and charges outstanding less than 5% at 30 June

100%

93.75%

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

3. OPEN AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT KPI

DETAILS

Complaints Management

Customer acknowledgement of complaints within 14 business days

Customer Management

Council’s community survey provides a statistical representation of Scenic Rim Region. Customer survey was postponed and will be implemented as part of the Customer Experience Project

Financial Management

Human Resources Services

TARGET

ACTUAL

100%

95%

Council total recurrent expenditure to remain within 10% of adopted budget

100%

Annual financial statements audited and signed by Queensland Audit Office by 31 October

100%

Investment returns to be greater than average Queensland Treasury Corporation overnight cash rate

100%

Investments to remain within credit rating and counterparty limits set in the Investment Policy

100%

Financial ratios remain within targets recommended by Queensland Audit Office in accordance with adopted budget

100%

The administration of personal records are legally compliant at all times

100%

Recruitment and selection practices are legally compliant at all times

100%

Information Access and Privacy

Right to Information and Information Privacy Applications processed within statutory timeframes

100%

Information Management

Records Management Helpdesk requests resolved within one working day

80%

95%

IT Helpdesk requests of Priority 4 and above resolved within 30 days

90%

97.25%

Incoming correspondence registered into ECM and tasked within one business day of being received

80%

90%

Organisational Development

Corporate Culture and Climate Surveys conducted biannually by 30 June

100%

75%

Action Plans developed by 30 November biannually to address matters identified in the Corporate Culture and Climate Surveys

100%

75%

Policy Development and Review

Council policies reviewed within nominated review schedule

100%

25%

Staff Performance and Development

Personal Performance and Development Plan activities undertaken

90%

90.5%

Industrial Relations legislation complied with at all times

100%

Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace Health and Safety legislation complied with at all times

100%

Workers’ Compensation legislation complied with at all times

100%

4. RELAXED LIVING AND RURAL LIFESTYLE KPI

DETAILS

TARGET

ACTUAL

Building and Plumbing

Building applications approved within statutory timeframes (20 business days with an additional 10 business days where further information required)

100%

Plumbing applications approved within statutory timeframes (20 business days with an additional 10 business days where further information required)

100%

99.75%

Requests for action are responded to in line with service standards

100%

85.75%

Development Application Responses

Assessment of applications within applicable service standards

100%

98%

Development Assessment

New development applications allocated to an officer within two business days

100%

67.5%

Applicants contacted within two business days of new applications being allocated to a Development Assessment Officer

100%

93.75%

Number of new applications received which are not made (i.e. because the application is incomplete) less than 10%

100%

Action Notices issued within statutory timeframes (10 business days)

100%

56%

Confirmation Notices issued within statutory timeframes (10 business days)

100%

16%

Number of new applications where applicant opts out of an Information Request and Council cannot request additional information

100%

Number of Information Requests issued within statutory timeframe (10 business days)

100%

43.75%

Number of changes to the application requests submitted by the applicant

80%

Number of application fee amendments as a percentage of total applications

20%

Plan Endorsement Applications processed within 10 business days of all information being received

100%

64.25%

Pre‑lodgement Meeting Minutes processed and issued within 15 business days of meeting date

100%

20-25%

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

KPI

DETAILS

Development Compliance

Compliance assessments for Higher Risk Developments undertaken within three months of commencement of use

TARGET

ACTUAL

95%

75%

Initial inspections for vegetation clearing completed within two business days

90%

70.5%

Initial inspections for swimming pool incident requests completed within two business days

90%

53.18%

Initial inspections for dangerous building customer requests completed within two business days

90%

69.43%

Customer requests completed within 20 business days

80%

66.52%

Land Use Planning

Submissions to proposed changes to state and regional planning policy and legislation provided within public consultation timeframes

100%

Planning Certificates

Planning certificates issued within statutory timeframes

100%

54.75%

Flood Certificates issued within 5 business days of request

100%

92.75%

Assessment of legislative and Local Law licences / approvals within legislative guidelines and policies

100%

Regulatory Approvals

The Scenic Rim increased coverage for mobile and data services for area. Technology

While Council has no control over mobile and data coverage, Council actively advocates to improve coverage

5. VIBRANT TOWNS AND VILLAGES KPI

DETAILS

TARGET

ACTUAL

Camping Grounds

Camp facilities available for use during scheduled State school and public holidays

Cemeteries

No more than four requests for mowing or maintenance responded to outside of the five business day customer service standard

90%

100%

Process all applications for burials within two business days

90%

100%

Community Facility Maintenance

Libraries available for use during nominated opening hours

90%

100%

Swimming Pool water tested monthly during pool season

90%

100%

Swimming Pools available for use during nominated opening hours

90%

74.75%

The level of community satisfaction with parks, open space and community infrastructure is not able to be reported on, due to lack of mechanism to record this information

100%

RCD testing completed six monthly

100%

Test and tagging completed quarterly

90%

100%

Fire extinguisher testing completed every six months

90%

75%

Community satisfaction with parks, open spaces and community infrastructure by 2023 Community Infrastructure Manage Council Buildings and Depots

Nurseries and Gardens

No more than four requests for nursery or gardens services responded to outside of five business day customer service standard Nursery Tree Distribution Days delivered and quantities of trees supplied recorded

90%

100%

Park Buildings and Furniture

Request for Action responded to within five business days

90%

92.75%

Playground equipment inspected annually

100%

75%

No more than four requests for mowing or maintenance responded to outside of five business day customer service standard

No more than four applications for tree work responded to outside of 10 business day customer service standard

Parks

Public Amenity Facilities

Requests for Action for public amenity facility maintenance responded to within 48 hours

90%

100%

Sporting Facility Availability

All Council sporting facilities available for scheduled fixtures

90%

100%

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

6. ACCESSIBLE AND SERVICED REGION KPI

DETAILS

Alliance and Contract Works Asset Management Bridge Program Fabrication

TARGET

ACTUAL

20%

19.75%

Portable and attractive assets stocktake completed by 30 June each year

100%

State of assets indicators

100%

75%

91.43%

Annual operating surplus Annual operating surplus >20%

Load limits for timber bridges above acceptable load limit total >75% The bridge load limit ratio is not to be less than 0.90

0.90

0.95

Fabricated items supplied to end user on time

90%

82.5%

Fleet availability

Fleet

Works were programmed (where possible) to limit interruptions to fleet availability Fleet capital purchases completed

90%

87.5%

Footpaths

Footpath network inspected, with defects logged, prioritised and programmed

95%

97.5%

Operational Works

Operational Works development applications assessed within statutory timeframes

100%

50%

Property Management

Leases /agreements maintained within currency period

90%

95.%

5.0

Dead animals collected within 24 hours

90%

99%

Damaged bins repaired /replaced within nine business days

90%

99.75%

Stolen bins replaced within four business days

90%

98%

Missed collection of bins serviced within two business days

90%

98%

Unscheduled collection of bins serviced within two business days

90%

100%

New bins supplied within eight business days

90%

98.75%

Road and Street Program Waste Services

Number of road surface and reliability complaints per one million trip kilometres Target: five valid complaints or less

Embrace GROWTH

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

7. HEALTHY, ENGAGED AND RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITIES KPI

DETAILS

Health Services

Scheduled food inspections completed for the quarter

100%

75.25%

Completed food inspections recorded and next inspection scheduled

100%

Deliver nominated activities in accordance with program schedule

90%

100%

20%

-3%

85%

87.66%

76%

65.32%

100%

87.25%

Healthy and Active Program

TARGET

ACTUAL

The 2019 Be Healthy and Active Program continues to exceed expectations with increased participation numbers across many of the programs. The new six-month format runs until the end of June and a full update will be provided in July. Council plays a key role in coordinating this program to build stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities. Be Healthy and Active participation rate increases region‑wide This year saw an increased number and variety of activities on offer, with a total of 61 activities in the full 20-week program. Over 30 local providers partnered with Council to deliver activities across the region. The program included a range of new activities such as bush kindy, line dancing, garden workshops and tree planting events with the continuation of the most popular activities including aqua fitness, yoga, circuit and cooking classes. The first 10 weeks of the program saw an increase in the number of participants by 37 per cent compared to the same period last year. There were over 6,000 cumulative attendances across the program which represents a 20 per cent increase on the previous year. Promotion of the program was increased across a variety of mediums including the local papers, media releases, news articles, monthly newsletter and program details in Council’s quarterly Join booklet. This year a Be Healthy and Active database was created enabling direct communication to over 450 subscribers, most whom are Be Healthy and Active participants. This database was used to promote key Be Healthy and Active information, recipes and healthy living tips through a monthly e-newsletter. The same database was used to provide valuable feedback from participants of the program through an online survey.

Libraries

Total visits to libraries increases Vaccination rate of students with parental/guardian consent is greater than 85 per cent

Public Health

Successfully obtained key performance indicators based on average historical 2009‑2012 South East Queensland data Vaccination rate of total cohort is greater than 76 per cent. Key performance indicators determined by Queensland Health. Requests for Action for all customer requests responded to within applicable service standards

NOTE: Reporting for Quarter 4, 2018-19 year, ending 30 June.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Embrace NATURE

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Healthy Land and Water CEO Julie McLellan, Mayor Greg Christensen and Cr Virginia West, planting the 15,000th tree at Riverbend Drive, Canungra.

Spectacular

SCENERY AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

GROWING THE ONE MILLION TREES PROGRAM

WAGING WAR ON INVASIVE WEEDS

Council’s One Million Trees Program, which aims to plant a million native trees throughout the region in partnership with the community by 2025, has continued to grow with more than 80 applicants requesting almost 50,000 plants in 2018-19.

Mayor Greg Christensen planted the 15,000th tree in November 2018 as part of a project that has helped to improve water quality of local catchments, reduce erosion and encourage the return of native plants and animals by removing invasive weeds.

The One Million Trees Program comprises four initiatives - Rural Trees, River Trees, Community Trees and Habitat Trees and has seen the planting of more than 300,000 trees by schools, community groups, local organisations and rural landowners since its commencement in 2015.

Since 2015, when Council began working with the Federal Government’s Green Army to remove tonnes of invasive weeds from a 6.5-hectare site at Riverbend Drive, Canungra and revegetate the area with native plants, it has continued to gain ground in the war on invasive weeds.

During 2018-19, Council provided 12,216 plants for the Community Trees initiative, 1,060 plants for Habitat Trees , 13,181 plants for River Trees and 10,073 plants for the Rural Trees initiative.

Privet, Celtis, Madeira Vine and the Castor Oil Plant have all been targeted in the partnership program which now includes participants in the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program.

Key projects during the year included work by Tamborine Mountain Landcare and Lamington Landcare in planting several thousand plants in reserves and on private properties. Other projects included 14 planting events in Council reserves across the region, supported by participants in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program who planted almost 10,000 trees.

As these invasive weeds reduce bank stability, water quality and the biodiversity of waterways their removal is key to maintaining the spectacular scenery and natural environment for which the Scenic Rim is renowned. The site at Canungra is one of many across the region that have seen substantial works including weed treatment and removal and replanting with native species which, once established, will provide riparian habitat for native birds and animals.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

In reserves and parks in other riparian areas across the region, Council has supported Healthy Land and Water’s Cat’s Claw Project by working to eradicate the invasive vine which contributes to local flooding and the erosion of stream banks. Council undertook an extensive program of inspection and treatment of weeds alongside Scenic Rim roads in 2018-19. It treated more than 2,000 kilometres of Council’s local road network, targeting key weed infestations including Tamborine Village, Tamborine Mountain, Beechmont and Boonah and carried out a spraying program that covered a total of 1,054 kilometres of roadside on state-controlled roads. Additional treatment projects, to combat invasive vine weeds, were completed in areas including Moogerah, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain. More than one hectare of Cat’s Claw Creeper was removed from the road reserve around the Moogerah Dam. Under Council’s Pest Plant Program, more than 40 reserves at Tamborine Mountain, Tamborine Village, Beechmont and Canungra were treated for infestations of weeds including Privet, Devil’s Fig, Dutchman’s Pipe and Cat’s Claw Creeper. Other works have included the treatment of declared weeds including Giant Rat’s Tail, Parramatta Grass and Mother-ofMillions in key reserves around Beaudesert and Boonah. SUPPORTING ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS Scenic Rim property owners and environmental groups shared in more than $100,000 of funding under Council’s Environmental Grants Program in 2018-19. Although the total value of funding applications exceeded Council’s budget for the year, all 22 applicants were successful in securing support for their efforts to maintain habitats for native plants and animals through their participation in the Land for Wildlife initiative or specific environmental projects. A major beneficiary was Tamborine Mountain Landcare, a dedicated band of volunteers working to preserve and enhance the natural environment, for a vegetation corridors regeneration project. Partial funding for some grant applicants has enabled Council to maximise support for worthwhile projects across the region. The diverse projects ranged from re-vegetation and weed control, the maintenance of Brigalow scrub and native pasture protection, to the re-stocking of waterways with native fish and the restoration of koala habitat The Environmental Grants Program aims to encourage and assist the community in managing the local environment for the benefit of the region as a whole. It supports Council’s conservation strategies, enhances community understanding of the region’s outstanding natural assets and raises awareness of environmental issues among community members.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

IMPROVING WATERWAYS The Scenic Rim’s riparian areas continued to be enhanced in 2018-19 through Council’s partnership with a number of organisations working to improve the quality of the region’s waterways. Council has partnered with Healthy Land and Water, the Gold Coast Catchment Association and local Landcare groups to deliver revegetation projects, remove invasive weeds and carry out critical bank stabilisation works at Tamborine Mountain and Beechmont. Other works have included the removal of Cat’s Claw Creeper in Council reserves to support Healthy Land and Water and SEQ Water as part of a regional riparian weeds program, with the treatment of reserves along Canungra Creek. Council’s engagement with non-commercial landholders on the Logan River near Allenview saw the treatment of two kilometres of riparian weeds - Cat’s Claw Creeper, Balloon Vine, Cestrum and Castor Oil - on four Scenic Rim properties. Removal of the weeds was followed by the establishment of 3000 plants along this reach of the Logan River identified as a priority environmental area.

In collaboration with SeqWater and Healthy Land and Water, Council conducted site visits at two major agricultural enterprises near Kagaru to discuss ways to minimise their operations’ impacts on the Logan River and their own properties. Discussion focused on the benefits of joining the Resilient Rivers Initiative, which is working to prevent sedimentation of rivers and erosion of river banks. Similar discussions are planned with Scenic Rim turf farmers in 2019-20, following the review by relevant stakeholders of a landholder engagement proposal. The management of erosion and sedimentation within construction sites in the region continued to be reviewed to identify opportunities for process improvements. A basic erosion and sediment control training session, attended by relevant Council staff and representatives from the Logan Construction Force, was delivered in March 2019 by Healthy Land and Water. The Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust completed more than $130,000 of riverine weed management and restoration work in 2018-19 across the Albert, Upper-Logan and Bremer Rivers and in the Upper-Teviot Brook and Upper Warrill Creek catchments.

MANAGING RESERVES

RAISING AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Following a particularly dry season, Council stepped up its bushfire management program in 2018-19, with key works including the maintenance and upgrade of more than 50 fire trails and fuel management zones.

A wide range of community education programs delivered in 2018-19 aimed to raise awareness of environmental issues to help preserve the Scenic Rimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural values and biodiversity. Thirteen events delivered across the region during the year included topics such as fire management, weed management, community plantings, fauna forensics and the construction of nest boxes for native wildlife. The first Scenic Rim Carp Cup, to help eradicate pest fish species through a fun family fishing event, was held at Boonah in 2018. With 65 participants, the event proved so popular it will be repeated in 2019 at Canungra.

New fire trails were established in the Tamborine Mountain Escarpment Reserve and the Nindooinbah Reserve to improve access by fire-fighting vehicles and the ability to carry out controlled burns. In 2018-19 Council secured a Queensland Government grant under the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program for the improvement of fire trail networks in Gleneagle and Tamborine Mountain, with works to be carried out early in the 2019-20 year. With co-funding by Council and the Queensland Government, this represents a significant investment in improving access by emergency vehicles that will improve fire-fighting capability in these areas. To reduce fuel levels in reserves ahead of the bushfire season, areas at Tamborine Mountain, Beaudesert, Boonah and Kooralbyn were identified for controlled burns.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Number of new Voluntary Conservation Agreements

2016-17

2017-18 3

2018-19 2

LAND PROTECTED UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS Bushland reserves

152

Land for Wildlife properties

235

238

287

Environmental Grants

Conservation Agreements

7,290

6,678

7,840

620

199

497

12,625

18,885

10,605

Rural Trees Program, National Tree Day and in-kind donations

929

1424

Other plants distributed or planted (e.g. Naturalisation Ceremonies)

164

21,464

27,186

19,106

32,160

12,026

10,073

Habitat Trees Initiative

9,078

4,926

1,060

Community Trees Initiative

16,514

7,893

12,216

550

13,181

Revegetation Projects (Green Army/Energex/Healthy Land and Water)

29,396

11,183

9,956

Total

87,148

36,578

46,486

COUNCIL NURSERY TREES PLANTED Distributed under Free Trees Program Trees planted in parks, gardens and cemeteries Shrubs, grasses and ground covers planted in parks, gardens and cemeteries

Total SCENIC RIM ONE MILLION TREES PROGRAM Rural Trees Initiative

River Trees Initiative

Skilling Queenslanders For Work participants, Cr Virginia West, Healthy Land and Water CEO Julie McLellan and Mayor Greg Christensen

SECURING LAND FOR WILDLIFE Scenic Rim landowners have continued to play an important role in preserving and enhancing the natural environment by working in partnership with Council to maintain habitats for native plants and animals on private property. In 2018-19, 20 new members joined Council’s Land For Wildlife program which provides technical advice to property owners who may also apply for grants for specific projects to support conservation efforts that help to protect the region’s world-class biodiversity. Council staff carried out inspections of all 20 new member properties and re-visited eight properties participating in the Land For Wildlife Program.

Voluntary Conservation Agreements between Council and landowners offer rates relief for those whose properties have significant environmental value. New members to the program in 2018-19 included landowners whose properties contain areas of Brigalow scrub and Swamp Tea-tree (Melalueca irbyana) and more than 12 rare and threatened species. Council’s inspection program during the year included visits to three new properties and re-inspection of two properties under Voluntary Conservation Agreements.

Council celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Land for Wildlife Program, in partnership with Logan City Council, at a private property in Tamborine Village in September 2018. Among guests at the celebration was a founding member of Land For Wildlife in the Scenic Rim, a Tamborine Mountain property owner who joined the program in 1998.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Sustainable Prosperous AND

ECONOMY

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Council’s economic development activity is focused on enhancing the Scenic Rim’s regional brand to encourage sustainable economic growth, strong employment opportunities and high-performing primary production and tourism industries. The promotion of significant events, which enrich the Scenic Rim’s lifestyle and the experience of visitors to the region, is helping to build the region’s reputation and generating visitor and local spending.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

BUILDING BUSINESS CAPABILITY

Council staged the 2019 Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards which attracted 71 nominations across six categories, representing more than 50 individual businesses. The gala awards ceremony, staged at The Centre Beaudesert on 29 March 2019, brought the region’s business community together, providing an opportunity to share the success stories and celebrate the achievements of those who play a vital role in the region’s economy.

In partnership with local Chambers of Commerce, an extensive, week-long schedule of activities, workshops, webinars and meetings was staged in May 2019 to coincide with Small Business Week. More than 300 people took part in 11 dinners, breakfasts, workshops and events across the region, with the highlight of the week a Business Breakfast at The Centre Beaudesert, featuring several winners from the 2019 Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards who shared the secrets of their success.

Funding under the Regional Skills Investment Strategy, coordinated by the Queensland Government’s Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, has provided for the recruitment of a project coordinator to ensure the Scenic Rim has a supply of skilled local people to meet employer demand. Joining Council in July 2019 under a two-year contract, the Project Coordinator will plan, lead and delivering a program to identify current and emerging job needs in the region, particularly in the agriculture, health services and hospitality/tourism sectors. Having secured $5 million in Australian Government funding via the Building Our Regions Fund, Council will match this contribution to deliver an expansion of the Beaudesert Business Park industrial estate. More than 30 blocks will be available for sale, addressing the chronic shortage of quality industrial land in the area and providing opportunities for business expansion and jobs growth.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Joint funding from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions Program, in association with Scenic Rim Regional Council, will deliver a $3 million revitalisation of the Boonah town centre. The benefits entire revitalisation of the Boonah Town Centre is part of Council’s long-term commitment to creating more liveable communities and driving the Scenic Rim’s economic development through its Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages program. Civic improvements that create a sense of place and space and reflect local character drive increased patronage and act as a magnet for commercial and retail activity, increasing community vitality and economic viability. GUIDING TOURISM INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT Council has set an ambitious target for the growth of the region’s tourism industry, following the adoption of its Scenic Rim Tourism Strategy 2017-2021. Developed in consultation with key stakeholders and input from industry forums and the Tourism Advisory Committee, the strategy aims to double the value of the tourism industry to $300 million by 2021. Providing more than 1500 jobs in the region, tourism is a key industry for the Scenic Rim. Council’s tourism strategy aims to boost its value by increasing market share in key segments, increasing the number of visitors in off-peak periods and encouraging a greater spread of visitors across the region. Council has continued to work closely with the tourism industry, and in 2018-19 collaborated with Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, our regional tourism organisation Brisbane Marketing, and two local tourism organisations, Destination Scenic Rim and the Tamborine Mountain Chamber of Commerce, on a range of initiatives delivering profile opportunities for the region and capability development for tourism operators. In 2018-19, Council continued to work closely with local tourism stakeholders through its Tourism Advisory Committee, which meets quarterly, to facilitate co-operation and provide input to the implementation of the tourism strategy. To ensure the local industry remains up-to-date with trends and new developments, development programs and mentoring sessions were conducted in conjunction with Brisbane Marketing, on topics including being ‘Asia ready’, to take advantage of expanding markets, and ‘packaging and bundling’ to maximise visitor experiences and economic outcomes for tourism operators. A future workshop and mentoring program, focused on delivering and maximising the value from special events, is also planned for the second half of 2019.

Council sponsored a number of events throughout the region, including the Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular, the Grapest five-kilometre run at The Overflow Estate 1895, the Kooralbyn Valley Mountain Bike Endurance Series and the Beaudesert Rock n Country Festival. Sponsorship of these events provides an estimated economic return of $10 for every dollar invested by Council. ATTRACTING VISITORS TO THE REGION The Scenic Rim’s five Visitor Information Centres - at Tamborine Mountain, Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra and Rathdowney - are an important port of call for tourists to the region. In 2018-19 they provided a wealth of information about the Scenic Rim and tourism experiences for more than 65,000 visitors to the region. While these centres provide a valuable service, many visitors are now using online sources to obtain their information. Scenic Rim Regional Council is very active in the digital space, with platforms including the Visit Scenic Rim website, Visit Scenic Rim Facebook and Instagram pages and Eat Local websites and Facebook and Instagram pages. During 2018-19, the Visit Scenic Rim website saw traffic increase to an average of 40,000 hits per month, with a significant proportion of these by new visitors, showing that the region is continuing to attract new interest as a destination. A concerted strategy and attention to regularly refreshing and providing engaging content has seen Council’s Visit Scenic Rim Facebook page grow to more than 11,000 followers, with its most popular posts reaching between 10,000 and 12,000 users and a high level of engagement through reactions, comments and shares. The Visit Scenic Rim Instagram page has more than 15,500 followers and similarly high levels of engagement, indicating Scenic Rim’s online platforms are extremely well positioned compared to those maintained by other tourism destinations in the wider region. Scenic Rim Regional Council also delivered activations at two of the largest public events held in South East Queensland in 2018-19, the Regional Flavours food and wine festival at Southbank, held over days in July 2018, attracting more than 90,000 people, and the Royal Queensland Show, more affectionately known as the Ekka, which drew more than 415,000 people over 10 days in August 2018. These events provided a wonderful opportunity for building awareness of the region’s tourism and food offerings and inspiring visitation.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

EATING LOCAL

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS

From humble beginnings in 2011, Scenic Rim’s Eat Local Week has evolved into the region’s premier celebration of its key industries of tourism and agriculture, which are worth more than $410 million annually to the local economy.

Recognising the important role played by small business in the regional economy, Council works closely with the Scenic Rim’s five Chambers of Commerce to increase the capacity and competitiveness of this industry sector. Council also participates regularly in local Chamber meetings and facilitates quarterly meetings of the region’s Combined Chambers of Commerce.

In 2018, in its eighth consecutive year, Eat Local Week again produced a bumper harvest for the region, feeding an estimated $2 million into the local economy. More than 90 events were attended by more than 37,000 residents and visitors across the region during the June-July school holidays and, with attendance up from 32,000 in 2017, 2018 was the biggest Eat Local Week event ever staged in the region. The signature event, the Winter Harvest Festival at Aratula, showcasing food, wine and local produce with market stalls, cooking demonstrations, celebrity chef appearances and children’s activities, drew a record crowd of more than 14,000. Other Eat Local Week events held throughout the region in partnership with farms, tourism businesses and hospitality providers - included long table lunches, degustations, farm gate festivals, street food festivals, markets, vineyard lunches and wine tastings, farm tours providing an insight into produce from paddock to plate, producer tours, cooking classes and workshops on a range of specialist skills including cheese-making and food styling. Fourteen food ambassadors, including chefs Josue Lopez from The Wolfe and Javier Codina from Moda Restaurant; MasterChef Australia 2017 runner-up Ben Ungermann and Queensland Food Fellow Alison Alexander, assisted in the promotion of Eat Local Week and the region’s food and beverage offerings. With the support of a grant from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, Council launched the Eat Local Scenic Rim accreditation program which showcases year-round the region’s producers, products, cafes and tourism operators championing local, sustainable produce. The program builds on the success of Eat Local Week by providing people with easy tools and ways to enable them to eat local every day. Launched in November 2018, the program now boasts more than 70 accredited and passionate ‘locavores’ - exponents of Eat Local Scenic Rim.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Council also delivered a number of programs to support businesswomen, including the Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Enterprises (WiRE) program. This initiative, a partnership with the University of Southern Queensland and the Advancing Regional Innovation Program, provided an opportunity to 22 Scenic Rim businesswomen to participate in a 12-week mentoring program designed to help them scale up their existing businesses. A Resilience Through Diversification workshop conducted by Council and aimed at the region’s agricultural producers was attended by more than 70 farmers and other stakeholders. Its focus was on building awareness of the options for innovating and building resilience, diversification and value. PROVIDING RATES RELIEF To alleviate the financial pressure on Scenic Rim landholders impacted by ongoing drought, Council resolved in February 2019 to allow discretionary extensions to the rates discount period by up to three months. Council recognised the challenges facing many Scenic Rim landholders and the difference that discretionary extensions to the rates discount period could make to those battling drought. The Scenic Rim was among several local government areas to be officially drought declared by Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner on 1 May, bringing nearly two thirds of Queensland into a state of drought declaration. Along with this, in 2018-19 Council conducted a number of internal rating and budget workshops, focused on key issues which included managing the continued effects of the 2018 property revaluations, financial hardship and the continued review of current rating structures to address potential anomalies with rates charges and categorisations.

DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR GROWTH

CONNECTING ONLINE

In 2018-19, Council went to market and appointed a specialist agency to help develop a Regional Prosperity Strategy for the region. Following a competitive tender process, a suitably credentialed agency was engaged and commenced work with a critical examination of data and consultation with a range of stakeholders including Councillors, local business operators and industry groups. The final strategy and recommendations for its implementation are to be presented to Council in the first quarter of 2019-20. In addition to this project, Council is also working to develop of a new incentives approach to encourage investment in the region.

Growing reliance by the community on social media as a source of information was reflected by an increase of more than 19 per cent in Council’s audience across its Facebook platforms in 2018-19.

Identifying the need for a refresh of its tourism destination brand, and following a competitive tender process, an agency was appointed to deliver this project. Research into perceptions of the Scenic Rim was conducted across Australia, informing a series of recommendations to be presented to Council in the first quarter of 2019-20. ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY Effective community engagement, which is a guiding principle of the Local Government Act 2009, continued to provide the focus for Council’s communications activities in 2018-19. Publicity and promotion across print and online media and community forums ensured engagement with the widest possible audience to enhance the partnership between Council, the community and stakeholder groups. The fourth annual Community Budget Stakeholder Forum, hosted by Mayor Greg Christensen at The Centre Beaudesert on 12 June 2019, provided an opportunity to update key community and business leaders on Council’s Refresh and Refocus program which aims to foster renewed leadership and accountability, promote a more efficient and team-focused workforce and improve the delivery of services and infrastructure to the Scenic Rim community. Coinciding with the adoption of the 2019-20 Budget, the forum featured a presentation by the Mayor on rating outcomes for the new financial year and initiatives central to the Community Plan’s shared vision for the region. Members of Council’s Executive Management Team, who were appointed in December 2018, gave presentations about their portfolios and priorities for the year ahead. Chief Executive Officer Jon Gibbons spoke about the organisation’s long-term financial position and the work undertaken by Council to ensure its ongoing financial sustainability.

There was an increase in the number of ‘likes’ on Council’s ScenicRimRC Facebook page from 5,490 in the previous year to 6,571, with the most popular organic post attaining a reach of 14,212. The use of Facebook live has continued to add value to communications outcomes and promoted community involvement in events including the Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony in January 2019 and the Business Excellence Awards in March 2019. Council also maintains @ScenicRimAlerts, a Facebook page dedicated to disaster management and community preparedness for extreme weather events. The introduction in 2017-18 of the Scenic Rim Disaster Dashboard, which provides the most upto-date information including weather warnings, bushfire alerts, road conditions and power outages has not had the expected impact on the disaster management page’s Facebook following, which grew from 8,295 to 8,721 during the year. The alerts page has continued to have a large reach, with several posts exceeding 12,000 views. Council’s website scenicrim.qld.gov.au was accessed by a total of 176,098 users during 2018-19, with an average of 14,000 hits a month, most by new visitors to the site.

LOOKING AHEAD Landmark projects that will boost the region’s economy are key initiatives in Council’s 2019-20 Budget. The $10.72 million expansion of Beaudesert Business Park, funded with a $5 million contribution from the Queensland Government under the Building Our Regions Fund, will provide economic benefits for the entire Scenic Rim. As part of the Regional Skills Investment Strategy, Council will partner with the Queensland Government to employ a project coordinator to help businesses to find, train and upskill the workers they need to prosper and grow. Key industries will include agriculture/agribusiness, health and allied services and hospitality and tourism, which collectively contribute more than $830 million to the regional economy.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Council staff who contributed to an enviable safety record enjoyed the rewards of councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cost savings.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Open

AND

Responsive GOVERNMENT

Council is committed to ethical and transparent leadership and a robust governance framework that supports a customer-first focus and the delivery of ‘value-for-money’ services to the Scenic Rim community. PROVIDING ASSURANCE Scenic Rim Regional Council’s Audit and Risk Committee provides independent assurance and assistance to Council on: •

the risk, control and compliance framework

•

Council’s Strategic and Operational Risk Registers

•

Council’s Risk Management Systems, and

•

Council’s external accountability responsibilities as prescribed by the Local Government Act 2009 and the Local Government Regulations 2012.

It comprises four members, two internal members – Mayor Greg Christensen and Councillor Nigel Waistell - and two independent external members – Jason Evans (Chair) and Amanda Pafumi. The committee does not replace or replicate established management responsibilities and delegations, the responsibilities of other executive management groups within Scenic Rim Regional Council, or the reporting lines and responsibilities of external audit functions.

Council has a focus on continuous improvement and its internal audit function supports the move towards more efficient and effective processes and systems. Through the internal audit role, Scenic Rim Regional Council has the following goals: •

assurance that processes and internal controls are in place to ensure accountability and compliance

•

assurance that Council’s systems and governance produce expected outcomes

•

identification of opportunities for improved performance and efficiencies, and

•

identification of processes to reduce Council’s risks.

Scenic Rim Regional Council’s internal auditors were BDO Australia (Brisbane)*. As Council’s contracted internal auditor, BDO Australia (Brisbane) was responsible for: 1. reporting to the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee or the Chief Executive Officer (recognising that the primary reporting relationship is to the Audit and Risk Management Committee)

As required by legislation, it provides prompt and constructive reports on its findings directly to Council. The committee is directly responsible and accountable to the full Council for the exercise of its duties and responsibilities. In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the committee must at all times recognise that primary responsibility for management of Scenic Rim Regional Council rests with the Chief Executive Officer.

2. p reparation and development of an annual audit plan, in conjunction with the Audit and Risk Committee, based on Queensland Treasury’s Audit Committee Guidelines, which also incorporate a risk-based approach

In discharging its responsibilities, the committee has the authority to:

4. c ompletion of fully detailed working papers and internal audit reports, or such reports as may be required, and

•

conduct or authorise investigations into matters within its scope of responsibility

•

access information, records and personnel of Scenic Rim Regional Council for such purpose

•

request the attendance of any employee, including executive staff, at committee meetings

•

conduct meetings with Scenic Rim Regional Council’s internal and external auditors, as necessary, and

•

seek advice from external parties, as necessary.

3. preparation of an internal audit program in conjunction with the Audit and Risk Committee, which includes the scope and objectives of internal audits

5. carrying out the internal audit function within contemporary developments in auditing, local government, public sector and management philosophies and best practices.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

In the 2018-19 financial year until the cessation of its contract in February 2019, BDO Australia (Brisbane) focused on the following areas, over several audits and as contained in the proposed threeyear audit plan: •

customer request management and escalation processes

•

IT security including cyber risk assessment and social engineering

•

help/service desk management

•

capital planning, procurement and management, and

•

fleet management, maintenance, efficiency and optimisation.

* Scenic Rim Regional Council ended its arrangements with BDO Australia (Brisbane) in delivering the Internal Audit Function for Council in February 2019. Elements of the Internal Audit functions continued to be delivered by Council officers. It is proposed that, following Council’s appointment of its Principal Specialist Internal Audit Risk and Improvement, the internal audit functions will be managed within that position. MANAGING RISK Scenic Rim Regional Council was named the best council in Queensland in 2018-19 for its commitment to delivering an effective risk management framework. The Excellence in Risk Management award was presented to Council at the Local Government Association of Queensland conference in Brisbane in November 2018. Council’s entry focused on the maturity of enterprise risk management, demonstrating how its responsive approach enables it to effectively manage its strategic and operational risk profile. The Excellence in Risk Management awards provide councils with the opportunity to share ideas, progress opportunities and enhance enterprise risk management across Local Government Mutual Liability Scheme members. Council’s commitment to continuous improvement and robust risk mitigation strategies has seen it recognised in awards by Local Government Mutual in 2010, 2011 and 2015.

SECURING CORPORATE DATA Recommendations of a cyber-security audit conducted in 2017-18 have continued to be implemented, including the roll-out in 201819 of the Mobile Device Management program to secure smart phone and tablet access to Council’s ICT environment. The ICT Strategic Plan 2018-2020 was endorsed and a draft Cyber Security Incident Response Plan was developed. Work commenced in developing an ICT Disaster Response Plan to manage the threat of intrusion. ENSURING A CULTURE OF WORKPLACE SAFETY Council’s team approach to workplace health and safety aims to ensure that all staff ‘think safe, work safe and go home safe’. A wide range of workplace health and safety processes and procedures helps to ensure the health and wellbeing of employees and in 2018-19 there was a focus on the induction of contractors engaged by Council to ensure compliance with Council’s standards. Council’s focus on safety is reflected in its information sharing with staff and monitoring of compliance. Staff are required to complete monthly workplace health and safety questionnaires and the monthly staff newsletter includes a topical item relating to workplace health and safety. In 2018-19, an Incident Management Flowchart was developed to enable all employees to identify the appropriate processes to be followed when managing workplace health and safety incidents. Council provides an Employee Assistance Program, offering confidential counselling services for all employees and their immediate family members, to assist in preventing or resolving personal or work-related problems that may impact an employee’s wellbeing. During the 2018-19 year, some 93 counselling sessions were utilised by staff and their families. In conjunction with the Employee Assistance Program, Council worked with Mates in Construction to deliver a series of comprehensive information sessions on mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the construction sector. This included training key personnel to become Mates Connectors to assist a staff member in crisis and connect them to professional help.

Risk management principles are integrated into Council’s decision making and business processes and the Risk Management Framework is regularly reviewed to ensure it is robust and effective.

REWARDING STAFF

As required under the Local Government Act 2009 and the Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009, Council has an Audit and Risk Committee which meets quarterly.

Council’s workplace insurance premiums have been declining as a result of safe work practices and reduced lost-time injuries across its workforce. Some of the savings provided for health and wellbeing activities for staff in 2018-19.

Its Risk Reference Group, comprising senior staff and an external advisor who meet quarterly, oversees the Risk Management Framework and monitors strategic risks and issues. Relevant strategic risks and an assessment of identified risks are included on meeting agenda papers for all Executive Team and Council meetings. Council’s commitment to continuous improvement in 2018-19 included the revision of its Risk Toolsheet, finalisation of Risk Appetite Statements, an in-depth review and revision of the Strategic Risk Register and the commencement of a thorough review of the Operational Risk Register.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Staff who contributed to an enviable safety record have enjoyed the rewards of Council’s cost savings.

These included neck and shoulder massages provided in-house by a local physiotherapist and cooking classes with a dietician on how to prepare time-saving, low-budget, nutritious meals. The table below captures the workplace Incidents that have resulted in lost time and the number of days lost due to these injuries. FINANCIAL YEAR

LOST TIME INCIDENTS

DURATION RATE

LOST TIME INJURY FREQUENCY RATE

2018-19

61 days

10.99

2017-18

252 days

7.58

Delivering existing worker traineeships.

Mayor Greg Christensen and CEO Jon Gibbons with the Excellence in Risk Managment Award.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

DEVELOPING OUR EMPLOYEES Council has continued to strive to become an ‘employer of choice’ and to attract and retain the most qualified, experienced and committed staff to deliver an extensive range of services. Significant work was undertaken in 2018-19 to improve recruitment practices, including the redesign of application forms and simplifying processes for prospective applicants. To create a more skilled and agile workforce, Council is working closely with the Department of Education Small Business and Training to identify skills shortage areas and where future new traineeships can be integrated into Council. During 2018-19 there were five trainees, three of whom were retained by Council and successfully completed at least Certificate II tertiary qualifications. During this time an additional four trainees commenced courses which will be completed in early 2020. Council is committed to the professional development of employees and has introduced existing worker traineeships, offering qualifications in Certificate III Civil Construction and Plant Operation and Certificate IV Civil Construction for Supervisors. A total of 13 operational civil construction employees have been awarded these qualifications on the successful completion of their traineeships. Council has partnered successfully with the Acacia Ridge Community Support Inc’s Belong program which helps to establish pathways to employment for disadvantaged job seekers. Two programs, each of 18 weeks, were hosted by Council under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program which provided traineeships for the completion of a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management. Trainees from both programs have worked diligently to rehabilitate green spaces across the Scenic Rim. MANAGING STAFF PERFORMANCE The need for the introduction of a Performance Improvement Procedure (PIP) to complement the Personal Performance Development (PPD) process for the appraisal of staff was identified in 2018-19. The PPD form was revised and is intended to be distributed for completion across Council. This will provide some valuable data regarding performance and training needs. Council is keen to identify and implement a more contemporary way of undertaking annual performance appraisals. It has highlighted the need for employees to carry out a self-assessment and to meet face-to-face with their supervisor to hold a productive conversation about their performance. The PIP program provides supervisors and employees with the means to document and reflect on performance which requires a review or improvement. NEGOTIATING THROUGH ENTERPRISE BARGAINING The establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) in 2018-19 has enabled the discussion and sharing of information about current employment terms and conditions and policies and procedures relating to Council’s workforce. Terms of Reference were established and two meetings held with representatives from Council’s Management Team and workplace delegates as well as union representatives. Council’s diverse workforce is represented on the JCC by the Australian Workers’ Union Queensland; The Services Union; Transport Workers’ Union; Professionals Australia; Automotive, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries, Industrial Union of Employees Queensland; and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy, Industrial Union of Employees. Council has communicated with the unions its plans to begin consultation with employees in early January 2020 on a review of the current Enterprise Bargaining Certified Agreement. DELIVERING QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT SERVICES

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Council has continued to deliver a convenient ‘one-stop-shop’ for Queensland Government services from the High Street Customer Service Centre in Boonah. Since its establishment in 2014, the Queensland Government Agent Program has continued to grow, providing members of the Scenic Rim community the convenience of local processing of licence renewals, driver testing, vehicle registration and applications for birth, death and marriage certificates without the need to travel to Ipswich or Beaudesert. During 2018-19, some 8,929 transactions were processed by Council’s customer contact staff. MEETING INCREASED CUSTOMER SERVICE DEMAND Staff at Council’s three Customer Contact Centres at Beaudesert, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain have continued to provide a high level of service to the community through incoming telephone calls and over-the-counter inquiries. Customer Contact staff continued to provide a wider range of services, receiving 48,647 calls, of which more than 7,600 requests for action were logged in 2018-19 via its call centres’ first point of contact solution. As the interface between the community and Council’s organisational areas, Customer Contact Centre staff ensure a customer-first focus and informed decision making in interactions with members of the community. Customers can request a new or replacement wheelie bin, report a lost or found animal, or have their rates queries addressed at the first point of contact. The growing demand for Council’s services was reflected in the 15.15 per cent increase in customer requests in 2018-19 from 2017-18. IMPROVING PROCESSES The rigorous preparation of Council’s 2019-20 budget was reflected in a number of new key initiatives and policies. In preparation for Council’s move from monthly to fortnightly Ordinary Meetings in July 2019, a revamped financial report was workshopped for Council to consider for adoption. The new format report aims to provide a clearer picture of Council’s financial position and ensure legislative compliance regarding financial disclosure. Council reviewed its procurement practices in 2018-19 to increase local purchasing to support Scenic Rim businesses, wherever possible. The initial focus was on ensuring equitable processes for sourcing vehicle and fleet replacements and led to the initiation of a formal list of Council pre-qualified light vehicle suppliers within Council’s VendorPanel software. This list has allowed the inclusion of applicable businesses within the Scenic Rim to be able to be considered. Further training in the utilisation of VendorPanel was also rolled out to key Council staff responsible for procurement to maintain compliance with legislative requirements. In addition, guidelines and a flowchart were developed to assist staff in ensuring Council’s procurement is effective and transparent. A Business Systems Review Project was commenced in 2018-19 to improve the efficiency of Council’s enterprise management software. Process mapping was undertaken across the organisation with data collated to press Council’s enterprise software provider to address key performance issues. Updates to a number of modules were considered and scheduled for implementation. A review of Council’s Customer Request Management Framework, which commenced in 2018-19, was broadened in scope to be incorporated in the Customer-Centric Organisation Project, which is taking an holistic and organisation-wide approach to improving Council’s interactions with its customers. As part of its Refresh and Refocus program which began in 2018, Council has reviewed its operations to ensure a ‘customer first’ approach in its delivery of services and facilities to the community.

MANAGING COMPLAINTS Local governments are accountable to their communities and Council welcomes feedback, whether positive or negative. Council respects the right of individuals to lodge a complaint and is committed to managing complaints responsibly, efficiently, effectively, fairly and economically. Under the Local Government Act 2009, issues which are within the scope of Administrative Action Complaints about councils include: •

a decision, or a failure to make a decision, including a failure to provide a written statement of reasons for a decision

•

an act, or a failure to act

•

the formulation of a proposal or intention, or

•

the making of a recommendation.

Recognising staff through the Valued Employee Award.

Scenic Rim Regional Council manages Administrative Action Complaints through a three-stage process comprising: Stage 1: B y the Council business unit to which the subject matter relates Stage 2: I nternal review of Stage 1 decisions by the Chief Executive Officer Stage 3: E xternal review of Stage 2 decisions by the Queensland Ombudsman’s Office. This process has ensured that matters raised have been adequately considered, that complainants have been afforded natural justice and the complaint issues have generally been resolved satisfactorily, as shown by the table below. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION COMPLAINTS

2017-18

2018-19

Stage 2 reviews

Resolved under AAC Process

Not resolved at end of period

Managing customer requests.

*Includes transfer of complaint not resolved in 2017-18 RESPONDING TO INFORMATION REQUESTS The provisions of the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009 acknowledge the need for openness and accountability by government balanced by the need to protect individual privacy. Information held by Council may be released administratively on request if it is in the public interest to do so unless protected by the provisions of the Information Privacy Act 2009. Formal application processes are applied where information requests need to be assessed to determine if it is contrary to the public interest to give access. There were two outstanding Right to Information access applications at the end of the reporting period. There were no outstanding information privacy applications as at 30 June 2019. RIGHT TO INFORMATION APPLICATIONS

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

On hand at start of period

Received

Withdrawn

Finalised

Outstanding at end of period

Ensuring a customer-first focus.

LOOKING AHEAD An audit of Council will be undertaken by Local Government Workcare in the first quarter of 2019-20, with scheduled meetings with staff from all levels of the organisation and site visits to all areas within the region. This audit will form the basis of a final report which will enable the establishment of a revised Action Plan to identify areas for improvement and rectification.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Relaxed

Lifestyle

LIVING AND RURAL

Council is committed to preserving the region’s natural assets and prime agricultural land while encouraging future growth opportunities and innovation that enhance the Scenic Rim’s relaxed living and rural lifestyle.

Progress in 2018-19 on the Draft Scenic Rim Planning Scheme - the region’s first ever unified planning scheme - represented an important milestone in the 10-year journey following the establishment of Scenic Rim Regional Council in 2008. The new planning scheme has been developed in the context of the State Government’s Planning Act 2016, the Shaping SEQ South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017 and the State Planning Policy and will replace the existing planning schemes of the former Beaudesert Shire, Boonah Shire and Ipswich City Council areas within the Scenic Rim local government area. Guided by the Scenic Rim Community Plan, it will underpin development aligned with the community’s shared vision for our region for the next 20 years and aims to provide certainty to Scenic Rim residents, landowners and investors by identifying land use intent for particular areas. It will also inform Council’s plans for infrastructure to support growth and balance the social and economic development of the region to protect and enhance our region’s lifestyle and the natural assets valued by the community. Following minor changes to address the requirements of the State interest review in July 2018, Council endorsed the draft Planning Scheme for public consultation in August. An 11-week period of public consultation, which exceeded the minimum statutory requirement, was carried out between 26 September and 14 December 2018 to ensure the community had ample opportunity to contribute to the development of the draft Planning Scheme in an open and transparent process. Opportunities for community feedback were promoted through advertising in print and social media, displays at Council administration centres and libraries and the distribution of a brochure to all ratepayers in the region seeking their input into the planning process. ‘Talk to a Planner’ and community information sessions were conducted at key locations across the region during office hours as well as after hours and on weekends to encourage as many people as possible to have their say in shaping the future of the region. The community response to the draft Planning Scheme was significant, with Council receiving a total of 559 submissions. Council appreciates the time and effort of community members who contributed to the consultation process through properly made submissions which have provided valuable feedback for Council in finalising the strategic land use planning intent for the Scenic Rim. While a wide range of issues was raised in submissions, common themes related to the natural environment, rural and residential lot sizes, land uses in rural areas, population growth, tourism and infrastructure planning.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

Assessment of each submission based on its planning merits, including any recommended changes to the draft Planning Scheme, was near completion by the end of the 2018-19 year. Following endorsement by Council, a Community Consultation Report, highlighting proposed changes to be made to the draft Planning Scheme as a result of issues raised in submissions, will be released publicly. A final round of community consultation, limited to changes made to the 2018 draft of the Planning Scheme, will be carried out early in the 2019-20 financial year in line with the Planning Act 2016. Following the final round of community consultation, Council will review and respond to all submissions and submit the draft Planning Scheme to the Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning for approval. Commencement of the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme is proposed for early 2020. PREPARING FOR NEW PLUMBING LAWS Scenic Rim Regional Council was on target for the introduction of Queensland’s new plumbing laws on 1 July 2019. The streamlined framework of the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018 and Plumbing Regulation 2019 aims to deliver fast tracked plumbing approvals to save businesses and individuals time and money and enhance community safety.

Scenic Rim’s approach to adapting its processes prior to the introduction of Queensland’s new plumbing laws have improved efficiencies in Council’s customer service interactions and provided a model for other local governments. The development industry will benefit from the fast tracking of plumbing approvals that will save time and money. CHAMPIONING THE REGION’S INTERESTS Council continued to champion the interests of the Scenic Rim, providing feedback to the Queensland Government on proposed planning legislation and policy changes and through its participation in State Government programs. In February 2019, Mayor Greg Christensen travelled to Canberra as part of a delegation which met with Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge to discuss the TransformingSEQ City Deal Proposition which, according to modelling by KPMG, could unlock $58 billion in economic growth for South East Queensland. As the population of South East Queensland is predicted to grow beyond five million over the next 25 years, the challenges of accommodating that growth while maintaining liveability require long-term planning and investment.

While the new laws provide tougher penalties for plumbers, drainers and gasfitters who endanger public health and safety, they will also allow the fast tracking of plumbing applications associated with dwellings and sheds in areas connected to water and sewerage.

The Council of Mayors South East Queensland has worked with the State Government over five years to develop an understanding of the region’s needs, which has contributed to a strong and coordinated proposition to the Federal Government to negotiate a City Deal.

Under the new laws, Council will assess plumbing applications on a two-day turnaround for premises to be connected to water and sewerage. Previously, the statutory assessment period was 20 days.

Aligned with the Australian Government’s Smart Cities Plan, City Deals represent a partnership between the three levels of government and the community to work towards a shared vision for productive and liveable cities by aligning planning, investment and governance.

Council engaged with key stakeholders in raising awareness of the new fast-track approval process and the new laws and held an information session in Beaudesert in May 2019 for plumbers, service agents, builders and building certifiers. Information packages to assist stakeholders in the submission of plumbing applications were developed in readiness for the introduction of the new laws.

The TransformingSEQ proposition outlines six transformational opportunities for South East Queensland. Of particular relevance to the Scenic Rim are a trade and enterprise spine between Toowoomba and the trade coast, connecting Inland Rail to the Port of Brisbane to unlock new jobs in the south-west and western growth areas; innovation precincts which will incorporate agriculture and agribusiness technology; and upgrades to public transport which aim to make South East Queensland a 45-minute region by reducing commuter travel and congestion on roads.

In July 2018, Council called on the Queensland Government to introduce annual land valuations in the Scenic Rim in response to community concern caused by 2018’s valuations, which were the first in three years. Council maintained that the system of threeyear valuations, which saw some valuations increase by more than 80 per cent and many examples of inconsistent valuations, was in need of review. The government advised that Council’s request for annual valuations would be considered in conjunction with the 2018 Market Survey and feedback from relevant local and industry groups. During 2018-19 Council provided submissions in response to the Queensland Government’s proposed SEQ Transport Plan and Heritage Place nominations and participated in several working groups focused on the SEQ Regional Plan 2017, which will guide planning for the future of South East Queensland, one of Australia’s most rapidly growing regions, to 2041 and beyond.

The table below shows the types of development applications processed by Council under the Planning Act 2016 during the past four years. 2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

Development Applications Processed - Material Change of Use

123

118

- Reconfiguration of a Lot

- Operational Works (signage)

- Change of Development conditions

- Extension of Time

- Building Envelope Approval

- Building Envelope amendment

MANAGING BUILDING AND PLUMBING APPROVALS

- New lots approved

201

116

158

140

The downturn in the building sector across the region in 2018-19 was reflected in the decrease in the number of building and plumbing approvals issued in the Scenic Rim compared with the previous year.

- Survey Plans signed

- Planning Certificates issued

- Flood Certificates issued - Operational Works for land development

152

103

The number of building approvals issued by private certifiers decreased to 685 while the number of building approvals issued by Council fell to 157, representing an overall decline of 10 per cent across the region compared with 2017-18. A total of 206 class 1a building approvals was issued during 2018-19, with the market experiencing a decline of 38 per cent in new dwelling construction for the year. Tightening access to finance and investor uncertainty in the lead-up to the federal election may have been contributing factors to the downturn in the building industry, which also saw a decrease of 26 per cent in the number of plumbing approvals issued in 2018-19 compared with the previous year. The number of regulatory plumbing inspections also decreased slightly across the region during this period. ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL LAWS Community safety, the amenity of residential areas and the preservation of the Scenic Rim’s natural values are all supported by Council’s enforcement of local laws. The Compliance Services team adopts an ‘educate, then regulate’ approach to administering Queensland Government and local laws for which it is responsible, with the aim of achieving compliance through a collaborative approach to achieve a positive outcome. During 2017-18, in addition to breaches of local laws, Council’s compliance officers responded to a wide range of customer requests relating to matters such as: •

pool fencing laws

•

dangerous and dilapidated buildings

•

development without approval

•

contravention of development approvals

•

unlawful tree clearing, and

•

sediment pollution.

The table below shows the applications processed by Council under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002 and the Building Act 1975 during the past four years. 2015-16 2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

Facilities registered under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002 - Backflow prevention devices

588

610

588

692

- On-site sewerage facilities

2,795

2,997

3,203

3,433

BUILDING APPROVALS Inspections performed

700

875

675

693

Council certified approvals issued

188

220

221

157

Privately certified approvals

613

649

717

685

Inspections performed

2,633

3,030

3,132

2,615

Approvals issued

343

349

416

307

Development compliance

145

155

198

209

Building compliance

118

138

146

175

PLUMBING APPROVALS

SERVICE REQUESTS

LOOKING AHEAD Council will undertake a final round of community consultation on the Draft Scenic Rim Planning Scheme, limited to changes made to the 2018 draft, in the first quarter of 2019-20.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

Vibrant

Deputy Mayor Rick Stanfield with Aislinn Davey and Tori and Kelsea Stallman showing off the new rock climbing wall in Springleigh Park, Boonah.

TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Council is contributing to the economic development of the region and strengthening the social fabric of communities through the revitalisation of towns and villages which reflects their unique heritage and character. REVITALISING PLAYGROUNDS The revitalisation of two of the region’s popular playgrounds was completed in May 2019 with the opening of Springleigh Park at Boonah and Moffatt Park at Aratula as part of Council’s 10-year Playground Strategy which is seeing the transformation of key recreational areas throughout the Scenic Rim. A feature of Springleigh Park’s makeover was the installation of a new rock climbing wall which provides a number of challenges combining body strength and coordination as well as the opportunity to experience nature with lifelike discoveries of fossils within the glass fibre reinforced concrete rocks. Works also included the repainting of all playground equipment surfaces, the installation of new soft fall and the inclusion of a new sandstone seating wall. With a tractor at the core of its design, Moffatt Park captures the strong history of the Scenic Rim’s agricultural sector. The playground structure also includes a wheelchair-accessible driving panel as well as two other drivers panels, two large tube slides, a crawling tunnel, talking tubes, an all-abilities swing unit, climbing net, spring play seats and sandstone seating. As well as providing a drawcard for visitors to the region, the park has potential for use as an outdoor learning area for students at nearby Aratula State School whose artwork is featured in the playground. Council’s investment in playgrounds in strategic locations takes into account the needs of the growing number of families in the Scenic Rim and community expectations to provide engaging spaces for young people.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

A new play space inspired by Tamborine Mountain’s natural environment was opened just in time for Christmas 2018, delivering some big new toys to the community and Scenic Rim visitors. The park was a team effort between Council and the Lions Club of Tamborine Mountain which contributed $45,000, including a State Government grant, and worked for more than three years on the project. Features of the park include carved timber butterfly totem poles, a dry creek bed, scramble net, tri-tramp net, an embankment slide, a fallen tree and an inclusive swing seat which promotes truly accessible play. The playground, upgraded as part of Council’s 10-year $2.5 million Playground Strategy embodies the nature surrounding the area and includes a commemorative space to recognise the centenary of the foundation of Lions International. Council’s investment in infrastructure not only provides core assets, such as roads and bridges, but also community facilities and amenities which help make the Scenic Rim’s towns and villages a great place to live and raise a family. In June 2019, Lions Park was named one of Queensland’s best playgrounds at an industry awards presentation. Scenic Rim Regional Council’s nature play space, co-designed with Playscape Creations and Mode Design, was a joint winner in the under $500,000 playground category of the Regional Excellence Play and Leisure Australia Awards. Lions Park will be in the running for the National Play and Leisure Australia Award to will be announced on 29 October at a gala event in Perth. ENHANCING COMMUNITY SAFETY The amenity and safety of Jubilee Park in Beaudesert was enhanced in 2018-19 with the installation of additional lighting and closed circuit television cameras. A $231,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Safer Communities Fund for the enhancements to the popular recreational area was welcomed by the Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce as encouraging community and business confidence in the safety of the park precinct and by park users who are now able to enjoy the area from early morning into the evening. The park plays a significant role in the region’s tourism industry as a meeting place and rest area for visitors and is at the heart of Beaudesert’s community life as a recreational area for all ages and abilities. The installation of seven CCTV cameras has provided clear coverage of some 20,300m2 of the park precinct, providing a deterrent to anti-social or criminal behaviour. It has also assisted in the protection of valuable public assets including playground equipment, the events stage, memorial garden and the Beaudesert Pool and Library as well as neighbouring properties such as the Beaudesert Historical Museum. The improved lighting and surveillance of the area has resulted in a cleaner and tidier park, a reduction in vandalism and improved perceptions of safety from park users who are making greater use of the area.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

OPENING A NEW CHAPTER FOR BEAUDESERT Davidson Park in Beaudesert was endorsed in June 2019 as the preferred location for a new community hub and library as part of Council’s Vibrant Towns and Villages Program to revitalise the town centre. Funding of $200,000 from the Queensland Government’s Maturing Infrastructure Pipeline Program will enable two detailed concepts to be developed, one for a stand-alone building and another for an integrated facility to incorporate a portion of the existing Council administration building on Brisbane Street. In all of its Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages initiatives, Council’s objective is to deliver a built environment which resonates with residents and yields a social and economic dividend for communities as there is a direct correlation between proactive revitalisation of public spaces into vibrant places resulting in enhanced economic growth, jobs creation and community vitality Community consultation on concepts for the Beaudesert Town Centre has informed Council’s development of solutions for the area north of the Brisbane Street/William Street intersection. As each stage of this project progresses, Council will be communicating with the community to share more of the concepts to finalise the way forward in the Beaudesert precinct. PRESERVING THE REGION’S HISTORY The Scenic Rim gained three new significant sites following community consultation on their addition to the Local Heritage Register. In November 2019, Council endorsed the register’s inclusion of Knoll Road and a weir over Plunkett Creek at Tamborine Mountain as well as a private cemetery at Finch Road, Canungra. The Finch Road Cemetery includes the graves of the Smith, Duncan, Christie, Marsden and Murray families and represents an important link to Canungra’s pioneering past as they date back to the 1890s. The weir over Plunkett Creek at Roslyn Court, Tamborine Mountain, was constructed by Norman and Vonda Youngman in 1958 and was evidence of cropping and grazing on Tamborine Mountain in the mid-twentieth century. Knoll Road had played an important part in the settlement of agricultural and tourism industries. As the first road to the plateau of the mountain and the only access route for wheeled traffic between 1877 and 1920, it has special significance for Tamborine Mountain. To ensure Council’s ability to undertake maintenance work on its portion of Knoll Road, an exemption certificate was sought in line with the Queensland Heritage Act 1992.

Moffatt Park’s tractor centrepiece play equipment reflects Aratula’s character.

Lions Park at Tamborine Mountain was a team effort between Council and the local Lions Club.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

PLANNING FOR THE LONG TERM There was a renewed focus on the Scenic Rimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shared vision for a vibrant community with the adoption in April 2019 of a long-term master plan for an active recreational precinct in Beaudesert. Funding from the Queensland Government assisted Council in the development of the Spring Creek Precinct Master Plan and Implementation Plan 2019, which was adopted following extensive community consultation. The Spring Creek precinct, which includes Jubilee Park, Lions Park and a small section of land to the south, is an important place for people from all backgrounds, ages and abilities in the Scenic Rim to connect and find a sense of belonging.

Council thanked the community for its feedback which will ensure that improvements made to Spring Creek are part of a strong longSCENIC RIMto REGIONAL COUNCIL term plan that will provide maximum benefit the Scenic Rim region. The community consultation showed strong support for walking and cycling paths and for natural areas to be developed and/ or maintained. Other desired features included a dog off-leash area, water play features and recognition of the cultural and local history of the site.

Proposed Youth Hub

As well as being a popular recreational area, the Spring Creek precinct provides a venue for events such as the Mununjali NAIDOC Day, the Beaudesert Gourmet Street Food Festival during Eat Local Week and Australia Day and Queensland Day celebrations which bring families and the community together in celebration. The master plan takes a long-term view to develop a well-designed space to meet the needs of the Scenic Rim community for the next 10 to 20 years. Priorities outlined in the master plan will be considered against others in the 10-year Capital Works Plan.

The Spring Creek Youth Space

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

With the recognition of skateboarding and BMX riding in the 2020 Summer Olympics, youth spaces around the country have grown in popularity and are now playing much more of a significant role in providing places for the youth and young families to participate in outdoor active recreation. The youth space should include both beginner (junior) and advanced (teenager/adult) skate spaces, lighting for extended hours of usage, shaded viewing areas and family picnic areas.

HONOURING THE FALLEN The 2018 centenary of the Armistice that ended World War One provided a timely opportunity to honour some of the forgotten heroes - the animals and their handlers who have served Australia in war and peace. On Remembrance Day at DJ Smith Park Canungra, Scenic Rim Councillors Nadia O’Carroll and Virginia West joined Canungra RSL Sub Branch President Col Lee and Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation Director Nigel Allsopp in unveiling a new memorial to honour the horses, camels, donkeys, dogs and carrier pigeons and their handlers that have served their country. Council installed the new memorial and ensured the park and its gardens were in immaculate condition for the special centenary commemoration of the end of World War One on 11 November 2018. In addition to the new memorial, and in consultation with the Canungra RSL Sub-Branch, Council also undertook the refurbishment of the 80-year-old memorial to those of Canungra and the surrounding districts who served in World War One and subsequent conflicts.

LOOKING AHEAD Landmark projects that will drive the revitalisation of Beaudesert to boost the region’s economy are key initiatives in Council’s $13.13 million Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages Program in 2019-20. The program includes the $10.72 million expansion of the Beaudesert Business Park - funded with a $5 million contribution from the Queensland Government under the Building Our Regions Fund - a $1 million investment by Council in the first stages of improving traffic movements in Selwyn Street and $550,000 towards improving drainage in the Beaudesert Town Centre. Work, which commenced in the 2018-19 year to revitalise the Boonah Town Centre, is expected to be completed in time for Christmas celebrations in December 2019. Central to this project is the upgrade of the courtyard outside Council’s Boonah Administration Building on High Street to incorporate a shaded alfresco area and seating set amidst public artworks to create a vibrant community space. It also includes the upgrade of the Walter Street car park behind the Council building, with the addition of parking spaces, disability car parking, the installation of retaining walls and construction of a covered walkway with solar panels connecting through to High Street.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

Accessible

AND SERVICED

Region

REBUILDING THE REGION The Scenic Rim’s long journey on the road to recovery following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017 concluded with the completion by 30 June 2019 of all flood recovery ground works. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie created the most significant flooding experienced in the Scenic Rim in the past two decades and, at a total cost of $64.7 million, the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure represented the biggest flood recovery program in the life of the region. Scenic Rim was one of eight Queensland councils hardest hit by the natural disaster in April 2017. Half of Council’s road network was impacted including three quarters - more than 643 kilometres - of the region’s unsealed roads, which required more than 500,000 tonnes of gravel to rebuild. While the final cost of the reconstruction effort was calculated at $49.4 million, additional funding of $10.4 million, through the Betterment framework under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, and a $4.9 million contribution by Council have provided the road network with increased resilience future extreme weather events. Funded jointly by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments, a total of $34.8 million in flood recovery works was completed in 2018-19. The collaboration between Council and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority throughout the flood recovery has seen close inter-agency cooperation delivering real results for the community over two years. Four bridges damaged extensively during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie were replaced through the recovery program in 2018-19. The scale of the damage to Haack Bridge at Lamington and Steinhardt Bridge at Darlington meant that both structures had to be closed and side tracks constructed to restore connectivity prior to replacement of both structures. The reconstruction of Haack Bridge has seen the replacement of a damaged timber bridge with a new single-lane concrete structure at a cost of $1.8 million. The new 22-metre two-span concrete Steinhardt Bridge replaced a damaged timber structure and has been constructed on a new alignment following widening of the creek which occurred during flooding from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie. Load limits for heavy vehicles which had been in place have been lifted, providing improved connectivity and economic outcomes for the rural community which relies on the movement of trucks and farm equipment. Betterment funding from the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments will help to ensure that Jerome Bridge on Upper Coomera Road at Ferny Glen and the new Bennet Bridge, replacing Bennett Crossing on Illinbah Road at Illinbah, are more resilient to future flooding. Once a culvert, Bennett Crossing has been reconstructed as a bridge and is among the many improvements made to the Scenic Rim’s road and bridge network with state and federal funding and contributions from Council. Following assessment, both structures were approved for reconstruction with Betterment funding, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments through the Betterment Framework under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

COMPLETING THE REGION’S BIGGEST EVER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT The construction of five new concrete bridges and 2.5 kilometres of road in 2018-19 represents the single biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Scenic Rim Regional Council. Funded by Council’s budget, the Federal Government’s Bridge Renewal Program, the State Government’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme and the Natural Disaster Recovery and Resilience Arrangements, the works at Witheren, Beechmont, Ferny Glen and Illinbah were substantially completed by the end of the 2018-19 year. The project included a major road upgrade between Millie Court and Sharp Bridge as well as the replacement of Sharp Bridge, Botan Creek Bridge and Back Creek Bridge on Beechmont Road, Jerome Bridge on Upper Coomera Road and a new Bennett Bridge to replace Bennett Crossing on Illinbah Road. The scope of the works reflects Council’s commitment to investment in infrastructure aligned with the shared community vision for the Scenic Rim’s sustainability, prosperity and connectivity. Council is committed to ensuring the best value to ratepayers through its investment in infrastructure that stands the test of time and provides the impetus for the ongoing growth and economic development of the region. This includes continuing work to replace timber bridges with structures of steel, concrete and other materials that are free of load limits, which restrict the movement of heavy vehicles and agricultural machinery, and have considerably longer lifespans. The Scenic Rim’s natural environment was factored in to all stages of the works, with erosion and sediment control undertaken at all sites and water quality monitoring at creeks. Tree clearing along Beechmont Road, to enable road works and the relocation of Energex poles, was minimised and environmental consultants implemented strategies to minimise the impact of works on native plants and animals. Council representatives worked with counterparts from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science to ensure the flying fox roost at Witheren was not impacted. Works at Back Creek Bridge included the removal of riparian weeds and rehabilitation of the creek banks with native plants under the supervision of Council’s environmental officers and following consultation with local community and environmental groups.

Sharp Bridge

ASSESSING THE DRAINAGE NETWORK In a first for Scenic Rim Regional Council, smart technology and closed circuit television cameras were deployed in 2018-19 to provide a clearer picture of the condition of some 30 kilometres of underground stormwater drainage pipes. During the trial of the technology in Beaudesert, drainage pits were inspected by GPS-enabled smart devices and stormwater pipes were examined by remote-controlled closed circuit television cameras which recorded high quality images to inform Council of potential maintenance issues such as cracked or blocked pipes. The use of GPS also helped Council to update its asset register, accurately measuring the distance of pipe between each drainage pit which is recorded in Council’s Geospatial Information System (GIS) mapping software. The increased capability and affordability of new technology and software has helped enhance management of the stormwater drainage network, replacing visual inspections by a contractor who previously recorded information on paper. The use of a mobile tablet and web application or app, allows data to be seamlessly and accurately imported into a computer software program via the Cloud, saving time and money and providing the most up-to-date and reliable information about underground infrastructure assets. GPS connectivity provides the ability to confirm the exact location of the underground network which was previously assessed manually from above ground. IMPROVING COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY Pedestrian access and mobility have been enhanced by footpath improvements that represent another step towards healthier and more connected communities. Footpath improvements add to the vibrancy of communities by encouraging more people to get out and about, connecting with others socially through walking which is one of the easiest ways for people of all abilities to boost their physical and mental health. In 2018-19, Council invested $925,000 in the creation of new footpaths and the renewal of existing pedestrian areas. New footpaths were constructed at Albert Street and Brookland Drive at Beaudesert and the Cunningham Highway at Aratula. The footpath at School Road, Tamborine Mountain, was upgraded and an upgrade to the Beaudesert-Nerang Road footpath at Beaudesert, as part of the Principle Cycle Network Upgrade program, was co-funded equally by Council and the Queensland Government.

Haack Bridge

The table below provides a breakdown of the Scenic Rim’s transport network by road classification. 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 ROAD HIERARCHY ANALYSIS (KM) - 4a Rural Connector

- 4b Rural Collector

122

120

121

- 5a Rural Access

303

300

301

- 5b Rural Access

352

338

334

340

- 5c Rural Access

348

359

362

- 5d Rural Access

474

464

463

- 5e Rural Formed

- 5f Rural Formed

- 5g Rural Unformed

- Unrated (parking bays, etc)

1,802 290

1,804 252

1,808 37

1,816 153

Gravel road length resheeted (km)

201

170

289

258

Gravel road shoulder resheeted (km) Sealed roads resealed (km) including top coats replaced under NDRRA

12#

Not previously reported

- Load limited below MALL*

- Load limited above MALL*

- Not load limited

TOTAL Gravel road length graded (km)

BRIDGES UPGRADING THE ROAD NETWORK Council’s $112 million budget for 2018-19 provided a $36.25 million allocation for roads, including a total of $25 million for restoration works and betterment as part of the flood recovery program through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments. Key road projects completed in 2018-19, in line with Council’s commitment to maintaining and renewing infrastructure which is a key driver of the local economy, included the reconstruction of a section of Kooralbyn Road and a major upgrade of Beechmont Road. Works also commenced on stage three of the upgrade of Kilmoylar Road and a one-kilometre section of Sugarloaf Road at Mutdapilly.

CONCRETE TIMBER

OTHER CONSTRUCTION

TOTAL

129

130

# Note 1: Reduced works in 2017-18 were a result of the Infrastructure recovery program effort. *MALL - Minimum Acceptable Load Limit.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

MANAGING WASTE Council worked with businesses across the Scenic Rim to raise awareness of the commercial impacts of the Queensland Government’s Waste Levy prior to its introduction on 1 July 2019. As part of a zero waste strategy for the Queensland, the Waste Levy of $75 per tonne for commercial operators disposing of waste to landfill aims to increase recycling and the recovery of resources. In a break with tradition, Council adopted its schedule of fees and charges in May 2019 to ensure businesses had as much visibility as possible of charges mandated by the Queensland Government likely to impact their operations so they could plan ahead. Council also worked to provide information to businesses on how they could reduce their waste disposal costs through good separation of recyclables from general or ‘co-mingled’ waste and stockpiling materials to achieve best value for disposal fees. Prior to the introduction of the introduction of the $75 per tonne levy on commercial operators disposing of waste to landfill, Council installed a new weighbridge system at the Central Landfill at Bromelton. Council’s operation of the Bromelton landfill has continued to achieve higher levels of service delivery and quality and construction of a new landfill cell was substantially completed by the end of June 2019. Despite cost increases, Council has maintained its commitment to recycling in line with the expectations of the Scenic Rim community which has shown a disciplined approach to reducing waste going to landfill. Council diverts a number of waste streams at its transfer stations for sale as commodities. A scrap metal tender and a tender for concrete crushing for product reuse were progressed in 2018-19 and are expected to be awarded in the 2019-20 year.

Central Landfill new weighbridge

The table below provides a three-year comparison of Council’s waste management activities. 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 WEEKLY KERBSIDE COLLECTION SERVICES AT END OF PERIOD (WASTE BIN ONLY) Domestic services Commercial RECYCLING STATISTICS Green waste mulched - Tonnes - Cubic metres Green waste raw - Tonnes - Cubic metres Waste oil (litres) Tyres (number) Batteries (tonnes) Scrap metal (tonnes) Refrigeration units degassed Cardboard (tonnes) Mixed Recyclables (Kerbside collection, other glass and plastics (tonnes) E-waste (tonnes) WASTE PROCESSED (TONNES) RECEIVED AT TRANSFER STATIONS - Beaudesert - Canungra - Rathdowney - Tamborine Mountain - Boonah - Kalbar - Peak Crossing TOTAL DEPOSITED INTO CENTRAL LANDFILL

Central Landfill new weighbridge system

14,396 1,191

14,781 1,179

14,852 1,174

5,008 16,694

4,185 13,950

3,964 13,213

53,900 2,220 37.2 1,767 1,578 677

55,000 1,944 197 1,970 1,580 682

1,558 10,390 55,880 4,221 25.2 1,843 1,561 729

3,058

2,990

3,002

22.78

1,610 1,491 1,218 1,183 443 450 1,532 1,543 1,702 1,586 161 149 346 347 7,012 6,749 40,598 39,513

1,544 1,200 412 1,598 1,615 153 369 6,891 34,072

Embrace

RESPONSIBILITY

LOOKING AHEAD In line with the shared Community Plan vision for the Scenic Rim as an accessible and serviced region, Council has allocated a total of $11.98 million to roadworks and $754,000 to footpath improvements in 2019-20. The budget provides more than $4 million for the replacement and rehabilitation of bridges across the Scenic Rim and $1.08 million for drainage improvements. Funding from the Australian Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridge Renewal Program will provide for two new concrete bridges on Kerry Road - Spring Creek Bridge at Kerry and Keaveny Bridge at Darlington.

Central Landfill new cell

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

Healthy, engaged

AND RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITIES SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

Council works in partnership with other government agencies and community groups to promote individual health and wellbeing and strengthen the social fabric of Scenic Rim communities. PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF DISEASE

ENCOURAGING AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY

Parents of Scenic Rim secondary students were urged to make immunisation a priority at the start of the 2019 school year and take advantage of Council’s free program to protect their children and the community against potentially fatal diseases.

The growing popularity of the Be Healthy and Active Program prompted a review which resulted in the 12-week program being extended to 20 weeks from January to June 2019.

Scenic Rim’s School Immunisation Program is run under an agreement between Council and Queensland Health’s Metro South Hospital and Health Services and provides free vaccinations to secondary students at Tamborine Mountain State High School, Tamborine Mountain College, Beaudesert State High School, McAuley College, Boonah State High School and The Kooralbyn International School. Council provides all Year 7 students with two free doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and one free dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough) in line with the National Immunisation Program Schedule. Since 2017-18, all Year 10 students have been offered one free dose of the vaccine against the Meningococcal A,C,W and Y strains as recommended by the National Immunisation Schedule. Following clinics in October 2018 and March 2019, all data on vaccines administered was submitted to the Australian Immunisation Register. Council reviewed its Vaccine Management Protocol in September 2018 and in February 2019 endorsed the continuation of the 2019 School Immunisation Program to December 2021. In total, 2,083 immunisations were provided by Council during 2018-19. 2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

SCHOOL IMMUNISATION PROGRAM VACCINES ADMINISTERED Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Gardasil 4 three-dose course

1,732

454

N/A

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Gardasil 9 two-dose course commenced 2018

N/A

525

1,031

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (dTpa)

524

549

571

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

N/A

Meningococcal ACWY

N/A

231

481

Scenic Rim health and wellbeing providers partnered with Council to deliver 61 free and low-cost activities, with indoor and outdoor pursuits for all ages and abilities to support a healthy and active lifestyle and encourage community connections. With activities from aqua fitness to Zumba, Council’s Be Healthy and Active Program in 2018-19 also included canoeing, cooking classes and card games as well as chair yoga for those with mobility issues. The new program saw the return of many perennial favourites and at Tamborine Mountain aqua fitness classes were back by popular demand. Line dancing, canoe polo, massage workshops and piloxing - combining pilates and shadow boxing with dance moves - were among new offerings for 2019. There was also a range of activities to enjoy the great outdoors, including a Bush Kindy, for children aged one to six years, and tree planting for adults, combining physical activity with positive environmental action. Scenic Rim men’s groups also joined the program to offer a number of new activities to encourage participants to become more in tune with themselves and connect with others. The first 10 weeks of the 2019 program saw a 37 per cent increase in the number of participants compared with the same period in 2018. Attendances totalled 5,296 across the 20-week program and participants rated an average of 27 per cent improvement in their overall health and wellbeing. Ninety-three per cent of participants stated that they felt more motivated to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle while 97 per cent said they intended to continue to participate in the program. To complement Council’s School Holiday program and to encourage families to discover the Scenic Rim’s spectacular landscapes, the Be Healthy and Active program featured a number of outdoor-based activities. In 2018-19 this included the inaugural Carp Cup (pictued below) - a family fun day to help rid the waterways of pest fish species - pool parties, the Extreme Ninja Warrior Challenges and nature play activities.

Embrace WELLNESS

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS A community event which lit up Beaudesert during the festive season was among the recipients of Council’s 2019 Australia Day Awards. The awards, presented by Mayor Greg Christensen at The Centre Beaudesert, honoured the groups and individuals who are vital threads in the fabric of Scenic Rim communities. For the first time, awards were presented in the categories of Community Event of the Year, Scenic Rim Citizen of the Year (16-30 years), Scenic Rim Citizen of the Year (31-65 Years) and Scenic Rim Citizen of the Year (65+ years). An additional award, The Mayor’s Award, recognising personal achievement across all of these categories, was shared between two exceptional nominees. The awards evening, attended by more than 150 guests, featured a citizenship ceremony for nine Scenic Rim residents. It also celebrated the 70th anniversary of the National Citizenship Act which, on Australia Day 1949, introduced a unique national identity for Australians beyond their previous status as British subjects. An additional 45 Scenic Rim residents were welcomed as new Australians at citizenship ceremonies in September 2018 and June 2019. PREPARING FOR NATURAL DISASTERS Council asked residents to ask themselves whether they would be ready to deal with the challenge of a natural disaster, publishing a new guide to assist them in creating an emergency plan for events which could be experienced in the Scenic Rim. Released in January 2019, Would You Be Ready? provides important information on preparing for severe storms, flash flooding and bushfires that could impact the region. Council staff were on hand at a number of community events across the region to provide copies of the booklet which was also made available on Council’s website. The booklet was included in kits presented to Scenic Rim residents taking part in citizenship ceremonies and made available at new residents’ evenings at Council libraries across the region. Copies of the booklet are also available at Council’s Libraries and Customer Service Centres. Council worked throughout 2018-19 to continue to enhance its disaster management capability and provide support to the State Emergency Service.

HOSTING COMMUNITY EVENTS An International Women’s Day Breakfast and an International Men’s Day Dinner were among a number of free events hosted by Council to enrich the Scenic Rim community in 2019-19. Actor William McInnes and athlete Mark Knowles were inspirational speakers at the International Men’s Day Dinner in November 2018, which celebrated positive male role models through a lively discussion about the resilience and strength of family-oriented men. William McInnes, who is best known for his role in Australian classic Blue Heelers discussed his family memories with laughs and shared poignant stories from his book, Fatherhood with 130 guests who included members of the farming community, business owners, academics, volunteers and representatives of the arts community. Hockey legend Mark Knowles told of his time at the helm of the Australian Kookaburras and how a boy from the bush eventually led the Australian Commonwealth Games Team in 2018. The International Women’s Day Breakfast in March 2019 also featured inspirational guest speakers - Erica Bartle, from ethical jeans company Outland Denim, which famously dressed the Duchess of Sussex during her Australian tour - and professional off-road motorcycle racer Jemma Wilson. More than 180 guests turned out to hear how both women have made successful careers by following their passion and making a difference in the lives of other women. The Scenic Rim’s Cultural Centres at Beaudesert and Boonah hosted a total of 861 events during the year, with combined attendances of 31,7890 at a diverse range of exhibitions, community events, concerts and movie screenings and school holiday activities. Council also provided funding of $36,000 to 12 public halls across the region, which are a managed by volunteers and add value to Scenic Rim community life.

CULTURAL CENTRES

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

Boonah functions held

303

305

312

12,961

14,170

11,216

523

539

549

Beaudesert attendees

24,145

21,147

20,573

Blast into Arts attendees

3,583

3,113

2,932

Arts Dinner attendees

368

298

154

Boonah attendees Beaudesert functions held

EVENT TYPE Meetings/rehearsals

THE CENTRE BEAUDESERT

BOONAH CULTURAL CENTRE

EVENT TOTALS

348

145

493

Performances

Council/civic events

Cultural development events

106

Movie screenings

115

166

Exhibitions

Dinners Total

549

312

861

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY AND SPORTING GROUPS Council’s Community Grants Program has continued to provide financial and in-kind support to build community capacity and strengthen social interaction in the Scenic Rim. Grants in 2018-19 enabled community groups, which rely heavily on volunteers, to host local activities, festivals and celebration events, purchase office and computer equipment, install minor infrastructure such as shade structures, refurbish their facilities, produce promotional material and deliver training programs for community members.

CONNECTING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE Council welcomed 30 Year 10 students to its 2018 Youth Leadership Program in which they were coached to improve self-awareness, deliver effective presentations, make informed leadership decisions and actively contribute within a group. The students from Beaudesert State High School, Boonah State High School, Tamborine Mountain State High School and Tamborine Mountain College met at The Centre Beaudesert in June 2018 to be formally inducted into the program to develop leadership skills through a series of workshops presented by Former Olympian and success coach, Selina Scoble. Since 2009 the program has provided a valuable learning and networking opportunity and challenged participants to move beyond their comfort zones. Guest speaker, Para-Equestrian Rider Chelsea Higgins, who survived an horrific horse riding accident that turned her world upside down, delivered a motivational speech to the students on how to harness adversity. The Youth Symposium in October at The Centre Beaudesert, where the students shared their learnings and experiences, was the culmination of the four-month program. The Youth Leadership program reflects Council’s commitment to delivering programs and projects that meet the needs of the region’s youth and provide direction for future activities for young people in the Scenic Rim. Council reached out to hundreds of young people aged 12 to 18 in March 2019 to gain an understanding of their needs and aspirations and how these could be addressed. The Youth Cultural Mapping Survey, facilitated by Goat Track Theatre Company, sought feedback from students from six schools across the Scenic Rim and found that while their communities differed there were many similarities in the issues they faced.

Twelve informal grant information workshops were run by Council at three locations, before each of the two funding rounds opened, to assist groups in the application process.

Key issues for young people who participated in the survey were transport, study and job opportunities, a lack of facilities or places to go and things to do, and individual wellbeing.

In total, 169 applications were supported and while the number of grants approved decreased, community groups were able to access increased funding to a maximum of $5,000 per grant.

Schools which participated in the program - Beaudesert State High School, Boonah State High School, The Kooralbyn International School, McAuley College, Tamborine Mountain State High School and Tamborine Mountain College were invited to be part of the youth forum to be held during the Arts Ablaze Conference and Festival in October 2019.

Council’s Sport and Recreation Grants program aims to assist the long-term sustainability of community sport and recreation groups, which play a vital role in increased participation in physical activity and improving the health and wellbeing of the Scenic Rim community. Five sporting clubs from across the region shared in $58,482 for seed funding and capital projects in 2018-2019. COMMUNITY GRANTS

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

$112,119

$140,513

$174,014.05

165

129

102

$58,138

$39,863

$27,064.20

COMMUNITY GRANTS PAID - Number - Value IN-KIND GRANTS - Number - Value

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

FIRING UP FOR ARTS ABLAZE Council worked closely with the community to plan for Arts Ablaze, the biggest arts conference and celebration ever staged in regional Queensland, to be held in the Scenic Rim in October 2019. In April Council called for expressions of interest from Queensland creatives to take part in the five-day event at the Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley, to showcase regional arts practice in Queensland with creative works and guest speaker presentations providing a voice for diversity. Applications by artists and arts workers from diverse cultural backgrounds were strongly encouraged, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disabilities. Arts Ablaze will bring the arts community and Scenic Rim residents together in a cultural event from 2 to 6 October 2019 that is expected to attract innovators, creators and performers from around the world and 5,000 visitors to the region. As well as placing the Scenic Rim on the cultural map, the event is expected to highlight the professional development of local artists and enhance the region’s reputation as a destination for largescale educational and artistic events. Just as the Fires on Top of Mountains program brought the Scenic Rim community together in celebration of the Commonwealth Games in April 2018, Arts Ablaze will feature free family events and a weekend of festivities including artisan workshops, markets and food stalls. Members of the community were encouraged to get behind Arts Ablaze, with Council establishing monthly community meetings in April 2019 at Kooralbyn and calling for volunteers to assist at the event.

The Beaudesert Library also provides a point of contact between the community and organisations such as Max Employment, Queensland Health, Vision Australia, Mission Australia and the Wesley Mission which hosted a community Suicide Recovery and Assistance workshop. National Disability Insurance Scheme providers have also reached out to the community through the Beaudesert Library and Biosecurity Queensland presented a Fire Ant awareness session in 15 May 2019. This also provided the theme for the regular children’s story time, which featured a visit by sniffer dog Flip. Scenic Rim libraries also assist independent students, homeschoolers and tutors with a range of educational resources and practical support. Monthly science, technology, maths and engineering (STEM) activities were delivered in Beaudesert in conjunction with distance education tutors from the Department of Education Queensland. There is a strong partnership between the libraries and the U3A a community organisation which promotes healthy ageing by sharing educational, creative and leisure activities. Participation has continued to grow in the First5Forever Story Time activities and Baby Rhyme Times hosted by Council’s libraries to assist parents and caregivers in developing the early literacy skills of children under five years of age. Local author Adam Ariel’s Story Time in the Park session at Boonah in May, attended by 92 parents and children, showed the growing popularity of the First5Forever initiative which is supported by the Queensland Government. Volunteers and Friends of the Library groups help to make the libraries vibrant community spaces and focal points for community engagement. In the fourth quarter of 2018-19 alone, volunteers gave 125 hours to Beaudesert and Boonah libraries, assisting with deliveries for housebound library users, school holiday activities and programs.

DIVERSIFYING LIBRARY SERVICES The rapidly evolving role of libraries as technology hubs was reflected by the arrival of the Hublet at Beaudesert Library in May 2019. Library members are now able to book out one of six tablets for use within the library, enabling the digital divide to be crossed by those who do not have their own devices. Each tablet can be borrowed for up to two hours, allowing more users to access the internet as the demand for the library’s desktop computers continues to increase. The Hublet also allows students of all ages to utilise online learning tools, books or any other e-resources, and provides children with access to a world of safe online fun. Library staff across the region have also assisted Scenic Rim seniors in becoming more tech savvy, providing Digital Days sessions and one-on-one training in the use of mobile phones, tablets or laptops. Cyber safety sessions were also held at libraries to help users of digital devices protect themselves against scams and data theft. In one month alone, more than 1,200 library users across the region were provided with free computer training and support, both as part of the Digital Days initiative and by library responding to individual requests. Scenic Rim’s libraries have also become popular school holiday destinations, providing a range of free activities for children of all ages.

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

261,384

247,973

223,530

- Internet / PC Bookings

17,733

17,610

24,188

- WiFi Internet bookings

10,040

12,962

142,807

- I tems delivered to housebound customers

4,508

3,277

2,413

- storytelling attendees

5,454

5,555

6,921

- holiday craft attendees

2,886

2,623

3,178

- new members

1,952

2,185

2,093

- adult information session attendees

2,688

1,879

1,919

- adult regular program attendees

3,841

4,646

5,380

22,338

20,492

20,154

7,509

10,474

22,618

202,745

205,638

199,160

LIBRARIES - Items borrowed

- reservations filled - online loans (digital resources) - visits to libraries

MANAGING ANIMALS

PROTECTING COMMUNITY HEALTH

Council joined forces with the Animal Welfare League Queensland’s National Desexing Network and local vets in May 2019 to offer a subsidised desexing program to prevent more unwanted cats in the region.

Council continued its annual inspections of licensed food premises and responded to requests concerning a range of public health matters in 2018-19. These included complaints about overgrown allotments, unsightly properties and unsanitary premises and issues regarding noise, dust, smoke or odour. On notification by Police of the detection of clandestine drug laboratories, Council is now responsible for assisting in the management of the public health risks associated with this illegal activity. Council is also responsible for regulating activities relating to asbestos in non-workplaces, investigating works associated with its removal.

As uncontrolled breeding leads to abandoned cats or feral cats that cause harm to other domestic animals and native wildlife, the desexing program represents an investment by Council in protecting pets and the Scenic Rim’s natural environment. Eligible Scenic Rim residents on a pension or low income paid just $35 to desex their male cats and $55 for the first female cat, with the charge for desexing additional female cats only $35.

2016-17

The response from the community was so positive that a second subsidised cat desexing program will be offered early in the 2019-20 financial year.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH LICENSING

While there was an increase in the number of cats impounded in 2018-19, there was another significant reduction in the number of impounded dogs since 2017-18 and the previous year.

Personal Appearance Services

Council makes every effort to reunite impounded animals with their owners, including via the use of social media. Unclaimed impounded animals are also offered for rehoming through a range of animal welfare organisations and Council has used Facebook to promote the adoption of cats suitable for rehoming.

Food All Local Law Licences (advertisements, kennels, events)

2017-18

2018-19

402

382

416

374

384

367

1,894

1,911

1,853

395

411

443

SERVICE REQUESTS INVESTIGATED Health Services Environmental Policy and Services Compliance Services

An increased number of complaints received by Council in relation to wandering livestock in 2018-19 was due largely to animals seeking feed on roadsides during dry conditions. 2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

5,519

5,124

5,101

DOGS Registered at end of period Impounded

304

242

196

Impounded and returned to owner

116

102

Impounded and rehomed

108

101

Impounded and euthanised

278

256

283

CATS Impounded Impounded and returned to owner

Impounded and re-homed

161

118

103

Impounded and euthanised

109

125

160

286

234

ANIMALS REPORTED LOST/FOUND BY THE PUBLIC Animals reported lost Animals reported found

LOOKING AHEAD Council’s 2019-20 Budget includes $100,000 for its Sport and Active Recreation Grants Program to support local groups to undertake infrastructure or facility improvements or to purchase equipment. Organisations and events which add value to the community have been allocated $195,000 through the Community Grants Program. The Be Healthy and Active Program has been further extended to deliver free and low-cost activities over 12 months.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

Embrace KNOWLEDGE

STATUTORY INFORMATION This section of the report contains information which is prescribed by the Local Government Act 2009 and Local Government Regulation 2012 to be disclosed in Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual report for the period.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2009

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATION 2012

Section 45 Significant business activities

Section 183 Financial Statements

(a) During the period Council operated the following Business Activities: - Roads - Waste collection - Building certification

(a) The general purpose financial statement is shown on pages 80 to 121 (b) The current year financial sustainability statement is shown on page 118 (c) The long-term financial sustainability statement is shown on page 119.

(b) None of the above activities satisfied the statutory threshold for classification as a significant business activity. (c)

(d The Auditor-Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s audit reports about the general purpose financial statements and the current year sustainability statement.

Council applied the competitive neutrality principle to these business activities.

Section 184 Community Financial Report

(d) None of these business activities commenced operations during the period.

The Community Financial Report for the period is shown on pages 16 to 21.

Section 201 Remuneration paid to Senior Management Employees

Section 185 Particular resolutions

The value of remuneration packages of senior management employees was: EFFECTIVE 30/06/2019

(a) No resolutions were passed during the period to amend the Expenses Reimbursement Policy. (b) At the Ordinary Meeting held on 23 April 2019, Council resolved to amend the threshold for recognition of non-current physical assets for resheeting and shoulder resheeting works from $2,000 to $10,000. All other thresholds for the recognition of non-current physical assets remained unchanged.

NUMBER OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT

$200,000 - $299,999

$300,000 - $399,999

Section 186 Councillors (a) Remuneration and superannuation payments to Councillors during 2018-19 were as follows: COUNCILLOR

REMUNERATION

SUPERANNUATION

TOTAL

Gregory Christensen

$127,791

$15,335

$143,126

Nigel Waistell

$67,888

$8,147

$76,035

Nadia O'Carroll

$67,888

$8,147

$76,035

Virginia West

$67,888

$8,146

$76,034

Michael Enright

$67,888

$8,147

$76,035

Richard Stanfield

$79,224

$9,507

$88,731

Duncan McInnes

$68,534

$8,224

$76,758

(b)

The cost of expenses incurred by, and the facilities provided to Councillors in 2018-19 was as follows:

COUNCILLOR Gregory Christensen

MOBILE DEVICES

COUNCIL VEHICLES

TRAINING AND CONFERENCES

TOTAL

VEHICLE KM TRAVELLED

$856

$8,888

$1,116

$10,860

49,794

Nigel Waistell

$857

$4,511

$153

$5,521

23,557

Nadia O'Carroll

$856

$3,872

$153

$4,881

20,775

Virginia West

$859

$6,451

$2,343

$9,653

22,102

Michael Enright

$520

$2,015

$2,351

$4,886

10,980

Richard Stanfield

$860

$2,059

$3,132

$6,051

19,583

Duncan McInnes

$875

$4,620

$2,358

$7,853

18,061

Total spend printing and stationery for Councillors: $642 SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

(c)

Meeting attendances for the year were as follows:

COUNCILLOR

ORDINARY (12)

SPECIAL (1)

FINANCE COMMITTEE (12)

CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE (12)

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (12)

Gregory Christensen Nigel Waistell

Nadia O'Carroll

Virginia West

Michael Enright

Richard Stanfield

Duncan McInnes

Section 186 Reporting as required by Local Government Regulation 2012 The statistics for complaints made against Councillors for 2018-19 are separated into two parts. In December 2018, amendments were made to the Local Government Act 2009 to remove councils from the initial investigation of Councillor complaints. All complaints against Councillors that Council receives are now referred to the Queensland Independent Assessor. FOR THE PERIOD 1 JULY 2018 TO 2 DECEMBER 2018 1. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THE FOLLOWING DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR (i) orders and recommendations made under Section 180(2) or (4) of the Act; and

(ii) orders made under Section 181; and

2. EACH OF THE FOLLOWING DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR (i) the name of each Councillor for whom an order or recommendation was made under Section 180 of the Act or an order was made under Section 181 of the Act; (ii) a description of the misconduct or inappropriate conduct engaged in by each of the Councillors;

1. Cr Nigel Waistell* 2. Cr Nigel Waistell* 1. Inappropriate Conduct* Alleged breach of Section 176 of the Local Government Act 2009 by sending emails to external parties in January 2018. 2. Inappropriate Conduct* Alleged breach of Section 176 of the Local Government Act 2009 by giving instructions on four occasions to a local government employee between January and March 2018.

(iii) a summary of the order or recommendation made for each Councillor; and

1. 30/11/2018* Sustained - Order of Reprimand 2. 14/11/2018* Dismissed by the Conduct Review Panel under preliminary dealing with complaints before a hearing

3. THE NUMBER OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR (i) complaints about the conduct or performance of Councillors for which no further action was taken under Section 176C (2) of the Act;

(ii) complaints referred to the department’s chief executive under Section 176C (3) (a)(i) of the Act;

(iii) complaints referred to the mayor under Section 176C(3)(a) (ii) or (b)(i) of the Act;

(iv) complaints referred to the department’s chief executive under Section 176C(4) (a) of the Act;

(v) complaints assessed by the Chief Executive Officer as being about corrupt conduct under the Crime and Corruption Act;

(vi) complaints heard by a regional conduct review panel;

(vii) complaints heard by the tribunal;

(viii) complaints to which Section 176C(6) of the Act applied.

*Complaint not resolved in 2017-18

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE PERIOD 3 DECEMBER 2018 TO 30 JUNE 2018: 1. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THE FOLLOWING (i) orders made under Section 150I(2) of the Act

(ii) orders made under Section 150AH(1) of the Act;

(iii) decisions, orders and recommendations made under Section 150AR(1) of the Act; and

2. EACH OF THE FOLLOWING DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR (i) The name of each Councillor for whom a decision, order or recommendation mentioned in paragraph (1) was made

Nil

(ii) A description of the unsuitable meeting conduct, inappropriate conduct or misconduct engaged in by each of the Councillors;

Nil

(iii) A summary of the decision, order or recommendation made for each Councillor; and

Nil

3. THE NUMBER OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING (i) complaints referred to the assessor under Section 150P(2)(a) of the Act by the local government; a Councillor of the local government and the chief executive officer of the local government.

(ii) matters, mentioned in Section 150P(3) of the Act, notified to the Crime and Corruption Commission

(iii) notices given under Section 150R(2) of the Act;

(iv) notices given under Section 150S(2)(a) of the Act

(v) decisions made under Section 150W(a), (b) and (d) of the Act;

(vi) d ecisions made under Section 150W(a) to dismiss a complaint under Section 150X

(vii) referral notices accompanied by a recommendation mentioned in Section 150AC(3)(a) of the Act

(viii) occasions information was given under Section 150AF(4)(a) of the Act

(ix) o ccasions the local government asked another entity to investigate, under chapter 5A, part 3, division 5 of the Act for the local government, the suspected inappropriate conduct of a Councillor

(x) a pplications heard by the conduct tribunal about the alleged misconduct of a Councillor

*Not resolved at end of period Section 187 Administrative Action Complaints A report regarding implementation of Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Administrative Action Complaints Process is shown on page 49. Section 188 Overseas Travel The annual report for a financial year must contain information about any overseas travel made by a Councillor or local government employee in an official capacity during the financial year. No overseas travel was undertaken by the Councillors or Council employees in an official capacity during 2018-19.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

Section 189 Expenditure on grants to community organisations

The following registers were kept by Council during 2018-19:

(a)

- Register of Interests

Grants from Council Programs were:

PROGRAM Community Grants program

GRANTS PAID $203,898

- Register of Delegations

Public Halls Assistance Program

$36,000

- Council Policies

Environmental Grants program

$102,000

- Register of Local Laws

Regional arts Development Fund

$70,000

Sport and Recreation Grants

$58,482

(b) Council did not operate Councillor discretionary funds during the period. Section 190 Other Matters (1) The annual report for a financial year must contain the following information:

- Register of Cost Recovery Fees - Register of Impounded Animals - Dog Registry - Road Map and Register - Asset Register - Register of Council Business Activities

(a) The Chief Executive Officer’s assessment of the local government’s progress towards implementing its five-year corporate plan and annual operation plan.

- Register of Pre-qualified suppliers

The assessment of Council’s implementation of the Corporate Plan Scenic Rim 2023 and the Operational Plan 2018-19 is included on pages 22 to 29.

- Burial Register

(b) Particulars of other issues relevant to making an informed assessment of the local government’s operations and performance in the financial year.

- Register of Resolutions About Land Subject to Flooding

Pages 30 to 72 provide a detailed assessment of Council’s performance for the year.

- Register of Pest Control and Entry Notices

-R egister of Decision Notices re Development Applications

Council did not operate any commercial business units during 2018-19.

- Register of Exemptions From Pool Safety Regulations

(d) Details of any action taken for, and expenditure on, a service, facility or activity supplied by another local government under an agreement for conducting a joint government activity and for which the local government levied special rates or charges for the financial year. Council did not levy any special rates or charges for a service, facility or activity supplied by another local government. (e) The number of invitations to change tenders under Section 228(7) during the financial year. No invitations to change tenders were issued during the year. (f) A list of registers kept by the local government.

- Outcomes of Complaints against Councillors

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

- Register of On-site Sewerage and Greywater Facilities - Register of Backflow Prevention Devices - Related Parties Register - Infrastructure Charges Register - Register of Notices given under Section 251 Building Act - Register of Development Applications

- Register of Budget Accommodation Premises.

(g) A summary of all concessions for rates and charges granted by the local government.

In 2018-19, Council granted a full rebate of the general rate, separate charge and the waste disposal utility charge to:

In accordance with Section 130 of the Regulation, a discount of five per cent was allowed on general rates only for the 2018-19 financial year, only if the total amount of all rates and charges included on an assessment for which the discount is allowed and all overdue rates and charges, is received by Council on or before the due date for payment, which is at least 30 days from date of issue shown on the rate notice.

•

Numerous community service organisations as listed in the Revenue Statement;

•

Sporting groups and associations on Council-owned and controlled land that do not have a liquor licence;

•

Stock dips and pump sites held separately from the balance of holdings or held separately by trustees; and

•

Land identified as Historic Subdivisions under the Boonah Shire Council Planning Scheme.

At the Ordinary Meeting held on 25 February, clarification was sought by Council officers around the applicability of conditions contained within the Rates Discount Policy on those properties that were directly affected by the onset of drought conditions (deemed a Natural Disaster Event). Clarification was provided to Council officers around the eligibility factors so as to eliminate doubt as to whether or not granting of considerations in the Policy were to be applicable. During 2018-19 financial year there was one application received by Council seeking consideration and subsequently granted an extension of the discount period to a further three months. As part of Council’s commitment to preserving the environment, a whole or partial concession on the General Rate was provided to owners of land who entered into a Voluntary Conservation Covenant and/or a Voluntary Conservation Agreement, depending on the portion of the area of the conservation area defined in the Voluntary Conservation Covenant/Agreement for the total area of land.

Council also granted a rebate of the lesser of $100 or 10 per cent of the gross rates and charges levied on rateable properties owned and occupied by totally and permanently incapacitated (TPI) veterans holding a TPI Gold Card. (h) The report on the internal audit for the financial year is shown on page 115. (i) A summary of investigation notices given in the financial year under Section 49 for competitive neutrality complaints and (j) the local government’s responses in the financial year on the Queensland Competition Authority’s recommendations on any competitive neutrality complaints under Section 52(3). Council did not receive any investigation notices about competitive neutrality complaints and no competitive neutrality complaint reports were received or responses required during the period.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2017-18 ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Scenic Rim Regional Council Financial Statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 Table of Contents

Statement of Comprehensive Income Statement of Financial Position Statement of Cash Flows Statement of Changes in Equity Notes to the Financial Statements 1 Significant accounting policies 2 Analysis of results by function 3 Rates and utility charges 4 Fees and charges 5 Other revenues 6 Grants, subsidies, contributions and donations 7 Employee expenses 8 Materials and services 9 Depreciation and amortisation 10 Cash and cash equivalents 11 Trade and other receivables 12 Investment in associate 13 Property, plant and equipment 14 Fair value measurements 15 Trade and other payables 16 Borrowings 17 Provisions 18 Other liabilities 19 Asset revaluation surplus 20 Commitments for expenditure 21 Contingent liabilities 22 Superannuation - Regional defined benefit fund 23 Trust funds 24 Reconciliation of net operating surplus to net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities 25 Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities 26 Financial instruments 27 Significant events 28 Events after the reporting period 29 National competition policy 30 Transactions with related parties Management Certificate Independent Auditor's Report Current Year Financial Sustainability Statement Long Term Financial Sustainability Statement (Unaudited)

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 30 June 2019

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

52,742 4,803 2,424 4,505 2,361 2,964 4,370 74,169

50,517 5,279 2,279 5,620 2,639 3,169 4,372 73,875

36,135

38,243

Total revenue

110,304

112,118

Capital income

161

110,371

112,279

29,855 25,320 1,204 15,960 72,339

28,747 23,387 1,142 16,101 69,377

2,560

8,192

Total expenses

74,899

77,569

Net result

35,472

34,710

72,010

19,729

107,482

54,439

Income Recurrent revenue Rates and utility charges Fees and charges Interest received Sales of contract and recoverable works Share of profit from associate Other revenues Grants, subsidies, contributions and donations Total recurrent revenue Capital revenue Grants, subsidies, contributions and donations

Note

3 4

12 5 6 i)

6 ii)

Total income Expenses Recurrent expenses Employee expenses Materials and services Finance costs Depreciation and amortisation Total recurrent expenses

7 8 9

Capital expenses

Other comprehensive income Items that will not be reclassified to net result Increase / (decrease) in asset revaluation surplus

Total comprehensive income for the year The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 June 2019

Note

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

Current assets Cash and cash equivalents

38,110

45,862

Trade and other receivables Inventories

6,072 1,061

11,627 933

Other assets Total current assets

502

503

45,745

58,925

Non-current assets Trade and other receivables

14,676

Investment in associate

35,987

35,220

365

526

Intangible assets

860,557

738,326

Total non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

13 (h)

911,585

788,748

Total assets

957,330

847,673

Current liabilities Trade and other payables

12,547

15,642

Borrowings

1,696

1,233

Provisions

6,008

5,913

Other liabilities

1,343

21,594

22,793

Total current liabilities Non-current liabilities Borrowings

25,025

21,981

Provisions

1,815

1,485

Total non-current liabilities

26,840

23,466

Total liabilities

48,434

46,259

908,896

801,414

631,863

596,391

277,033 908,896

205,023 801,414

Net assets Equity Accumulated surplus Asset revaluation surplus Total equity

The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 30 June 2019

Note

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

77,309

71,743

Interest received

2,416

2,294

Grants, subsidies and contributions

4,396

4,346

(63,861)

(55,469)

(1,192)

(1,118)

19,068

21,796

1,177

1,556

37,794

32,672

1,849

1,961

Payments for property, plant and equipment

(71,147)

(43,341)

Net cash inflow / (outflow) from investing activities

(30,327)

(7,152)

4,700

3,000

(1,193) 3,507

(1,037) 1,963

(7,752) 45,862

16,607 29,255

38,110

45,862

Cash flows from operating activities Inflows: Receipts from customers

Outflows: Payments to suppliers and employees Interest expense Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities Inflows: Proceeds from sale of property plant and equipment Grants, subsidies and contributions for capital acquisitions Dividend received from associate Outflows:

Cash flows from financing activities Inflows: Proceeds from borrowings Outflows: Repayment of borrowings Net cash inflow / (outflow) from financing activities

Net increase / (decrease) in cash held Cash at beginning of reporting period Cash at end of reporting period

The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 30 June 2019

Accumulated surplus

Asset revaluation surplus (Note 19)

Total

$'000

596,391

205,023

801,414

35,472

0 0 35,472

72,018 (8) 72,010

72,018 (8) 107,482

Balance as at 30 June 2019

631,863

277,033

908,896

Balance as at 1 July 2017

561,681

185,294

746,975

34,710

0 0 34,710

19,740 (11) 19,729

19,740 (11) 54,439

596,391

205,023

801,414

Balance as at 1 July 2018 Net operating result Other comprehensive income Revaluations of property, plant and equipment Change in value of future rehabilitation cost Total comprehensive income for the year

Net operating result Other comprehensive income Revaluations of property, plant and equipment Change in value of future rehabilitation cost Total comprehensive income for the year Balance as at 30 June 2018

The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2019 1

Significant Accounting Policies

1.A

Basis of preparation These general purpose financial statements are for the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. They are prepared in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009 and the Local Government Regulation 2012. They comply with Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB). Council is a not-for-profit entity and the Australian Accounting Standards include requirements for not-for-profit entities which are inconsistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Therefore in some instances these financial statements do not comply with IFRS. The main impacts are the offsetting of revaluation gains and losses within a class of assets and the timing of recognition of nonreciprocal grant revenue. These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except where stated.

1.B

Constitution The Scenic Rim Regional Council is constituted under the Queensland Local Government Act 2009 and is domiciled in Australia.

1.C

New and revised accounting standards This year Council has applied AASB 9 Financial Instruments for the first time. AASB 9 replaces AASB 139 and relates to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. Implementing AASB 9 has resulted in a change to the way council calculates impairment provisions, which are now based on expected credit losses instead of incurred credit losses. On 1 July 2018 (the date of initial application), council re-assessed the classification, measurement category and carrying amount of each financial instrument (listed below) in accordance with AASB 9. There were no changes to the classification and this has not resulted in a material impact on the financial statements. Financial asset / liability Cash and cash equivalents Trade and other receivables Trade and other payables Borrowings

Measurement Category (unchanged) Amortised cost Amortised cost Amortised cost Amortised cost

Some Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations have been issued but are not yet effective. Those standards have not been applied in these financial statements. Council will implement them when they are effective. The standards that may have a material impact on local government financial statements are: AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, AASB 1058 Income of Not-for-Profit Entities and AASB 2016-8 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards - Australian Implementation Guidance for Not-for-Profit Entities AASB 1058 clarifies and simplifies the income recognition requirements that apply to not-to-profit (NFP) entities, in conjunction with AASB 15, and AASB 2016-8. These Standards supersede the majority of income recognition requirements relating to public sector NFP entities, previously in AASB 1004 Contributions and it is expected to have a material impact upon Council's future financial statements. The standards have an effective date of 1 July 2019. Identifiable impacts at the date of this report are: Some grants that are received by Council in advance will be recognised as a liability, and subsequently recognised progressively as revenue as Council satisfies its performance obligations under the grant. At present, such grants are recognised as revenue upfront. Some grants that are received by Council in arrears will be recognised as a receivable and revenue as Council satisfies its performance obligations under the grant. At present, such grants are recognised as revenue on receipt.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Page 6

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2019 1

Significant Accounting Policies Grants that are not enforceable and/or not sufficiently specific will not qualify for deferral, and continue to be recognised as revenue as soon as they are controlled. Council receives several grants from the Federal Government and State Government for which there are no sufficiently specific performance obligations. These are expected to continue being recognised as revenue upfront assuming no change to the current grant arrangements. Based on Council's initial assessment, if Council had adopted the new standards in the current financial year the approximate impacts would be as follows: Grants received in advance: • revenue decrease of $3,298,905 due to deferral of grant funding (based on the facts available to Council at the date of assessment). • there would be an equal reduction in the reported equity as the reduced revenue will require an increase in recognition of contract liabilities. • the net result would be lower on initial application as a result of decreased revenue. Grants received in arrears: • revenue increase of $9,462,249 due to recognition of grant funding (based on the facts available to Council at the date of assessment). • there would be an equal increase in the reported equity as the increased revenue will require an increase in recognition of contract receivables. • the net result would be higher on initial application as a result of increased revenue. Transition method The Council intends to apply AASB 15, AASB 1058 and AASB 2016-8 initially using the partial retrospective approach whereby no restatement of comparatives is required and recognising the cumulative effect as an adjustment to equity as at the date of initial application (1 July 2019). AASB 16 Leases The Council has assessed the impacts of the new standard that initial application of AASB 16 will have on its consolidated financial statements, however, the actual impacts may differ as the new accounting policies are subject to change until the Council presents its first financial statements that include the date of initial application. AASB 16 introduces a single, on-balance sheet lease accounting model for lessees. A lessee recognises a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. There are recognition exemptions for short-term leases and leases of lowvalue items. Lessor accounting remains similar to the current standard – i.e. lessors continue to classify leases as finance or operating leases. Council has elected not to recognise IT leases under the AASB 16 as they have been assessed as being lowvalue assets under the standard. The effective date of the standard is 1 July 2019 and Council does not expect it to have a material impact on the financial statements.

1.D

Estimates and judgements Where necessary judgements, estimates and assumptions have been used in preparing these financial statements. Those that have a significant effect, or risk of causing an adjustment to council's assets or liabilities relate to: • • • • • •

Valuation of property, plant and equipment - Note 13 and Note 14 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment - Note 9 and Note 13 Grants and subsidies – Note 6 Provisions - Note 17 Payables - Note 15 Contingent liabilities - Note 21

Page 7 SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2019 1

Significant Accounting Policies

1.E

Rounding and comparatives Amounts included in the financial statements have been rounded to the nearest $1,000. Comparative information has been restated where necessary to be consistent with disclosures in the current reporting period.

1.F

Taxation Income of local authorities and public authorities is exempt from Commonwealth taxation except for Fringe Benefits Tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST). The net amount of GST recoverable from the ATO or payable to the ATO is shown as an asset or liability respectively. Council has a participating interest in the Central SEQ Distributor-Retailer Authority (trading as QUU) governed by a Participation Agreement. The Authority is subject to the Local Government Tax Equivalents Regime (LGTER). Under the LGTER the Authority is required to make income tax equivalent payments to Council in accordance with the requirements of the Participation Agreement. Income tax equivalent payments from the Authority are recognised as revenue when the significant risks and rewards related to the corresponding assets have been transferred to Council.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Page 8

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 2

Analysis of results by function (a) Components of Council functions The activities relating to the Council's components reported on in Note 2(b) are as follows : Works The objective of this function is to ensure the community is serviced by a high quality and effective road network. The function provides construction and maintenance works on Council's road and bridge network. Waste management The objective of this function is to protect and support our community and natural environment by sustainably managing waste. The function provides waste collection and disposal services. Infrastructure services The objective of this function is to provide professional services to assist with infrastructure construction, maintenance and asset management. This includes the provision of design services, asset management, facility management and fleet management services. Executive / people and strategy The objective of this function is to provide high quality support to the Mayor and Councillors and Chief Executive Officer including communications and engagement. This function also includes the provision of the human resources function across all of Council. Finance and information services The objective of this function includes the provision of professional financial and information services across all of Council. The function includes finance, information technology and records. Customer and regional prosperity This function includes community and culture, health, building and environment services, planning services, governance and disaster management. The objectives of the function include: Community services - assist in building community capacity through sport, recreation, arts and culture. Provide a strong advocacy for quality health, social services education and training services. Encourage local investment and sustainable business practices, and provide appropriate tools, opportunities, incentives and support to the business sector. Health, building and environment - deliver public health and safety risk management initiatives, education and healthy lifestyle programs. Provide streamlined and practical regulatory services. Conserve, protect and enhance the region's unique biodiversity, scenic vistas, natural resources and ecological processes. Planning - facilitate the regions growth and prosperity through well planned and quality development. Governance - provides the framework to ensure that Council complies with its legislative requirements and facilitates processes for accountability and transparent decision making, performance management and ethical behaviour.

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

2 (b) Revenue, expenses and assets have been attributed to the following functions: Year ended 30 June 2019 Functions

Grants

Income

2019 $'000 Works

Other

Total income

Total expenses

Net result for period

Assets

2019 $'000

32,612

4,406

37,018

28,370

8,648

686,747

107

8,099

8,206

6,930

1,276

8,400

3,333

1,605

4,938

10,533

(5,595)

108,885

4,086

(3,994)

Finance and information services

3,321

52,533

55,854

9,586

46,268

153,298

Customer and regional prosperity

1,041

3,222

4,263

15,394

(11,131)

40,505

69,866

110,371

74,899

35,472

957,330

Waste management Infrastructure services Executive / people and strategy

Total

Year ended 30 June 2018 Functions

Grants

Income

2018 $'000 Works

Regional services Total

Total expenses

Net result for period

Assets

2018 $'000

5,589

39,247

27,444

11,803

7,689

11,581

(3,892)

8,395

1,821

1,600

3,421

9,453

(6,032)

109,677

Executive Finance and information services

Total income

33,658

Waste management Infrastructure services

Other

574,131

3,794

(3,777)

6,001

51,298

57,299

9,285

48,014

155,470

1,119

3,487

4,606

16,012

(11,406)

42,616

69,663

112,279

77,569

34,710

847,673

Page 10

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

42,228 6,348 0 5,923 54,499 (1,757) 52,742

40,817 6,065 11 5,306 52,199 (1,682) 50,517

3 Rates and utility charges Rates are recognised as revenue at the start of the rating period. General rates Separate rates Special rates Garbage charges Rates and utility charge revenue Less: Discounts Net rates and utility charges 4 Fees and charges Fees and charges are recognised upon unconditional entitlement to the funds. Generally this is upon lodgement of the relevant applications or documents, issuing of the infringement notice or when the service is provided. Animal management fees Building fees Caravan park fees Cemetery fees Document lodgement fees Food premises licencing fees Planning application fees Refuse tipping fees Search fees Subdivision fees Other fees and charges

237 963 386 388 211 176 811 946 195 140 350 4,803

233 1,189 379 292 225 162 860 966 220 319 434 5,279

198 96 988 752 246 684 2,964

246 108 1,157 1,073 251 334 3,169

5 Other revenues Cultural centre revenues Rental fees Tax equivalent - Queensland Urban Utilities Waste charges from Logan City Council Fuel rebates Other revenues

Page 11

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

6 Grants, subsidies, contributions and donations

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

Grants, subsidies and contributions that are non-reciprocal in nature are recognised as revenue in the year in which Council obtains control over them. Where grants are received that are reciprocal in nature, revenue is recognised as the various performance obligations under the funding agreement are fulfilled. Council does not currently have any reciprocal grants. Non-cash contributions with a value in excess of the recognition thresholds set out in Note 13(a) are recognised as revenue and as non-current assets. Non-cash contributions below the thresholds are recorded as revenue and expenses. Physical assets contributed to Council by developers in the form of road works, stormwater infrastructure and park equipment are recognised as revenue when the development becomes "on maintenance" (i.e. the Council obtains control of the assets and becomes liable for any ongoing maintenance) and there is sufficient data in the form of drawings and plans to determine the approximate specifications and values of such assets. All non-cash contributions are recognised at the fair value of the contribution received on the date of acquisition. i) Recurrent - grants and subsidies, and other contributions are analysed as follows: Commonwealth general purpose grant Other commonwealth government grants State government subsidies & grants Contributions Total recurrent grants, subsidies, contributions and donations ii) Capital - grants and subsidies, other contributions and donations are analysed as follows: a) Monetary revenue designated for capital funding purposes: Commonwealth government grants State Government subsidies & grants Contributions b) Non-monetary revenue received is analysed as follows: Roads and drainage contributed by developers at fair value Other physical assets contributed by developers at fair value Total capital grants, subsidies, contributions and donations

3,321 6 791 252 4,370

3,036 357 811 168 4,372

2,500 32,680 748 35,928

2,104 26,818 5,269 34,191

0 207 207

3,432 620 4,052

36,135

38,243

Conditions over contributions Contributions recognised as income during the reporting period and which were obtained on the condition that they be expended in a manner specified by the contributor but had not been expended at the reporting date: Non-reciprocal grants for expenditure on infrastructure

3,299

2,627

Page 12

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 7 Employee expenses

Note

Total staff wages and salaries Councillors' remuneration Annual, sick and long service leave entitlements Superannuation Other employee related expenses

Less: Capitalised employee expenses

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

27,406 548 3,245 3,456 1,067 35,722 (5,867) 29,855

27,227 536 2,885 3,349 1,326 35,323 (6,576) 28,747

7 207 180 394

7 206 182 395

135 326 366 2,027 4,672 2,980 932 4,021 798 426 499 350 1,881 236 596 2,907 1,430 3,674 28,256 (2,936) 25,320

130 357 511 1,513 4,133 2,868 780 2,408 791 456 415 340 2,331 200 492 2,778 2,367 3,924 26,794 (3,407) 23,387

15,815 145 15,960

15,958 143 16,101

Councillor remuneration represents salary, and other allowances paid in respect of carrying out their duties. Total Council employees at end of reporting period: Elected members Administration staff Depot and outdoors staff Total full time equivalent employees

Materials and services Audit of annual financial statements by the Auditor-General of Queensland Cultural services Donations paid IT systems maintenance Maintenance and operations - facilities Maintenance and operations - fleet Maintenance and operations - parks, gardens and cemeteries Maintenance and operations - roads and bridges Maintenance and operations - waste facilities Insurance Office expenses Pest and animal management Recoverable works Rentals - operating leases Economic development Waste collection contract Legal costs Other materials and services Less: Capitalised fleet expenses

9 Depreciation and amortisation Depreciation expense Amortisation expense - intangible assets

Page 13

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

2019 $'000

10 Cash and cash equivalents

2018 $'000

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, all cash and cheques receipted but not banked at 30 June 2019, deposits held at call with financial institutions, and other short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash at the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s option and that are subject to a low risk of changes in value. The Council considers all its term deposits, being readily convertible to cash, to be cash equivalents. Cash and deposits at call are held in normal savings and business accounts. As at 30 June 2019 Council held deposits with the following financial institutions (77% of deposits are held with the Queensland Treasury Corporation):

National Australia Bank Queensland Treasury Corporation Suncorp Bank Bendigo and Adelaide Bank - Canungra Branch Bendigo and Adelaide Bank - Kalbar Branch Australian Unity Bank Queensland Country Credit Union ME Bank

S&P Short Term Rating A1+ A1+ A1 A2 A2 A2 Unrated A2

Council has no bank overdraft facility. Cash at bank and on hand Term deposits at variable interest rates Balance as per statement of cash flows Externally imposed expenditure restrictions at the reporting date relate to the following cash assets: Unspent government grants and subsidies Unspent loan monies

256 37,854 38,110

1,088 44,774 45,862

3,299 871

2,627 0

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June 2019 includes $1,309,751 received from the State government to mitigate the direct impacts on households of the State Waste Levy, which comes into effect from 1 July 2019. This money has been set aside to help fund the Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2019-20 Levy expense. 11 Trade and other receivables Trade debtors are recognised at the amounts due at the time of sale or service delivery, settlement on trade debtors being generally required within 30 days from the invoice date. The collectability of receivables is assessed periodically with an allowance being made for impairment if required. Refer to Note 26(b) for more information. The loan to Queensland Urban Utilities is carried at amortised cost and is an interest only loan. Current Rates and utility charges GST recoverable Other debtors

1,776 605 3,691 6,072

1,894 208 9,525 11,627

14,676 14,676

Interest is charged on outstanding rates at a rate of 11% per annum. No interest is charged on other debtors. There is no concentration of credit risk for rates and utility charges, fees and other debtors receivable. Non-current Shareholder loan - Queensland Urban Utilities

Page 14

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 12 Investment in associate

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

Name of the associate - Queensland Urban Utilities Principal activity - Water and sewerage services Proportion of ownership interest - 1.042% Participation rights held in Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) are accounted for using the equity method to reflect Council's significant influence on QUU. The initial value of the participating rights on 1 July 2010 was calculated using a regulatory asset base valuation, and by applying a ratio agreed by the participating Councils and QUU. The value at year end includes Council's share of QUU's profit and other comprehensive income at 30 June 2019. Council's investment in the associate comprises: Participation rights

35,987

35,220

Opening balance Plus share of profit of associate

35,220

34,308

2,361

2,639

Less participation return received and accrued

(1,594)

(1,727)

Closing balance at end of year

35,987

35,220

Revenue

1,377,569

1,348,322

Net profit

226,554

253,281

240,263

332,971

5,787,505

5,569,303

6,027,768

5,902,274

323,086

301,705

2,264,994

2,248,337

2,588,080

2,550,042

3,439,688

3,352,232

Details of movements in participation rights

Extract from the associates statement of comprehensive income:

Extract from the associates statement of financial position: Current assets Non-current assets

Current liabilities Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Page 15

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

13 Property, plant and equipment (a) Recognition Plant and equipment with a total value of less than $5,000, and infrastructure assets and buildings with a total value of less than $10,000, are treated as an expense in the year of acquisition. All other items of property, plant and equipment are capitalised (including Land with a total value greater than $1). Land under the roads and reserve land which falls under the Land Act 1994 or the Land Title Act 1994 is controlled by the Queensland Government pursuant to the relevant legislation. This land is not recognised in these financial statements. (b) Capital and operating expenditure Wage and materials expenditure incurred for the acquisition or construction of assets is treated as capital expenditure. Routine operating maintenance, repair costs and minor renewals to maintain the operational capacity of the non-current asset is expensed as incurred, while expenditure that relates to replacement of a major component of an asset to maintain its service potential is capitalised. (c) Capital work in progress The cost of property, plant and equipment being constructed by the Council includes the cost of purchased services, materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of labour overheads. (d) Acquisition Acquisitions of assets are initially recorded at cost. Cost is determined as the fair value of the assets given as consideration plus costs incidental to the acquisition, including freight in, architect's fees and engineering design fees and all other establishment costs. Property, plant and equipment received in the form of contributions, are recognised as assets and revenues at fair value by Council valuation where that value exceeds the recognition thresholds for the respective asset class. (e) Valuation Land, buildings at valuation, road and bridge network, drainage and other infrastructure asset classes are measured using the revaluation model, at fair value, in accordance with AASB116 Property, Plant and Equipment and AASB 13 Fair Value Measurement . All other asset classes are measured using the cost model. Non-current physical assets measured at fair value are revalued where required so that the carrying amount of each class of asset does not materially differ from its fair value at the reporting date. This revaluation involves the application of a suitable index to the cost elements of each asset or an independent assessment of the value. A comprehensive revaluation by external valuers is performed at intervals of no greater than 5 years. Details of valuers and methods of valuations are disclosed in Note 14. (f)

Depreciation Land is not depreciated as it has an unlimited useful life. Depreciation on other property, plant and equipment assets is calculated on a straight-line basis so as to write-off the net cost or revalued amount of each depreciable asset, less its estimated residual value, progressively over its estimated useful life. Management believe that the straight-line basis appropriately reflects the pattern of consumption of all Council assets. Assets are depreciated from the date of acquisition or, in respect of internally constructed assets, from the time an asset is completed and commissioned ready for use. Where assets have separately identifiable components that are subject to regular replacement, these components are assigned useful lives distinct from the asset to which they relate. Any expenditure that increases the originally assessed capacity or service potential of an asset is capitalised and the new depreciable amount is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset to the Council. The estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment are reviewed annually. Details of the range of useful lives for each class of asset are shown in Note 13(h).

(g) Impairment All non-current physical and intangible assets are assessed for indicators of impairment on an annual basis.

Page 16

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Total additions

*Additions comprise: Infrastructure renewals Other additions

Range of estimated useful life in years

Net Value as at 30 June 2019

Accumulated depreciation and impairment Opening balance as at 1 July 2018 Depreciation provided in period Depreciation on disposals Depreciation on write-offs Revaluation due to external assessment and indexation Closing accumulated depreciation balance

Asset Values Opening gross value as at 1 July 2018 Additions* Contributed assets at valuation Disposals Write-offs Revaluation due to external assessment and indexation Transfers between classes Closing gross value

Basis of measurement

13 (h) Property, plant and equipment

For the year ended 30 June 2019

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

6 ii) b)

Note

$'000

0 0

Not depreciated

55,535

0 0 0 0 0 0

Valuation 2019 $'000 55,775 0 5 (25) (220) 0 0 55,535

Land

$'000

15-100

0 0

35,457

10,750 1,092 0 0 0 11,842

Valuation 2019 $'000 47,269 0 0 0 0 0 30 47,299

Buildings at valuation

$'000

10-100

0 0

24,162

9,586 811 0 (54) 0 10,343

Cost 2019 $'000 32,029 0 202 0 (123) 0 2,397 34,505

Buildings at cost

$'000

4-100

0 0

636,092

149,850 10,497 0 (34,921) 24,110 149,536

Valuation 2019 $'000 679,724 0 0 0 (37,175) 96,262 46,817 785,628

Road and bridge network

$'000

15-80

0 0

40,281

5,366 563 0 0 1,684 7,613

Valuation 2019 $'000 46,324 0 0 0 0 1,513 57 47,894

Drainage

$'000

6-75

0 0

645

1,544 308 0 0 (17) 1,835

Valuation 2019 $'000 2,460 0 0 0 0 20 0 2,480

Other infrastructure

$'000

1-40

3,262

0 3,262

16,288

10,728 2,544 (1,122) (33) 0 12,117

Cost 2019 $'000 27,403 3,262 0 (2,227) (33) 0 0 28,405

Plant and equipment

66,232

$'000 39,966 26,266

Not depreciated

52,097

0 0 0 0 0 0

Cost 2019 $'000 35,166 66,232 0 0 0 0 (49,301) 52,097

Capital work in progress

Page 17

69,494

$'000 39,966 29,528

860,557

187,824 15,815 (1,122) (35,008) 25,777 193,286

2019 $'000 926,150 69,494 207 (2,252) (37,551) 97,795 0 1,053,843

Total

SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

*Additions comprise: Infrastructure renewals Other additions Total additions

Range of estimated useful life in years

Net value as at 30 June 2018

Accumulated depreciation and impairment Opening balance as at 1 July 2017 Depreciation provided in period Depreciation on disposals Depreciation on write-offs Revaluation due to external assessment and indexation Transfers between classes Closing accumulated depreciation balance

Asset Values Opening gross value as at 1 July 2017 Additions * Contributed assets at valuation Disposals Write-offs Revaluation due to external assessment and indexation Transfers between classes Closing gross value

Basis of measurement

13 (h) Property, plant and equipment

For the year ended 30 June 2019

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

6 ii) b)

Note

$'000 0 874 874

Not depreciated

55,775

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Valuation 2018 $'000 53,659 874 40 0 0 1,202 0 55,775

Land

$'000

15-100

0 0 0

36,519

18,599 933 0 (106) 212 (8,888) 10,750

Valuation 2018 $'000 75,680 0 0 0 (344) 919 (28,986) 47,269

Buildings at valuation

$'000

10-100

0 0 0

22,443

0 751 0 (46) 0 8,881 9,586

0 0 378 0 (164) 0 31,815 32,029

Cost 2018 $'000

Buildings at cost

$'000

4-100

0 0 0

529,874

139,616 10,908 0 (5,582) 4,908 0 149,850

Valuation 2018 $'000 641,898 0 2,701 0 (8,458) 21,457 22,126 679,724

Road and bridge network

$'000

15-80

0 0 0

40,958

4,660 538 0 (4) 172 0 5,366

Valuation 2018 $'000 43,535 0 731 0 (13) 1,441 630 46,324

Drainage

$'000

6-75

0 0 0

916

1,215 307 0 0 22 0 1,544

Valuation 2018 $'000 2,425 0 0 0 (4,932) 35 4,932 2,460

Other infrastructure

$'000

1-40

0 4,782 4,782

16,675

9,759 2,521 (999) (560) 0 7 10,728

Cost 2018 $'000 25,206 4,782 202 (2,394) (563) 0 170 27,403

Plant and equipment

$'000 25,096 17,655 42,751

Not depreciated

35,166

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cost 2018 $'000 23,118 42,751 0 0 (16) 0 (30,687) 35,166

Capital work in progress

Page 18

$'000 25,096 23,311 48,407

738,326

173,849 15,958 (999) (6,298) 5,314 0 187,824

2018 $'000 865,521 48,407 4,052 (2,394) (14,490) 25,054 0 926,150

Total

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 14 Fair value measurements

(i) Recognised fair value measurements Council measures and recognises the following assets at fair value on a recurring basis: Property, plant and equipment - Land - Buildings at valuation - Road and bridge network - Drainage - Other infrastructure Council does not measure any liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Borrowings are measured at amortised cost with interest recognised in profit or loss when incurred. The fair value of borrowings disclosed in Note 16 is provided by the Queensland Treasury Corporation and represents the contractual undiscounted cash flows at balance date (level 2). The carrying amounts of trade receivables and trade payables are assumed to approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature (level 2). In accordance with AASB 13 Fair Value Measurements are categorised on the following basis: - Fair value based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) - Fair value based on inputs that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability (level 2) - Fair value based on unobservable inputs for the asset and liability (level 3) The following table categorises fair value measurements as either level 2 or level 3 in accordance with AASB 13. Council does not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value which meet the criteria for categorisation as level 1. The fair values of the assets are determined using valuation techniques which maximise the use of observable data, where it is available, and minimise the use of entity specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an asset are observable, the asset is included in level 2. If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the asset is included in level 3. This is the case for Council infrastructure assets, which are of a specialist nature for which there is no active market for similar or identical assets. These assets are valued using a combination of observable and unobservable inputs. The table presents the Council's assets measured and recognised at fair value at 30 June 2019. At 30 June 2019

Note

Level 2 Level 3 (Significant (Significant observable inputs) unobservable inputs) 2019

Recurring fair value Land Buildings Road and bridge network Drainage Other infrastructure

13 (h) 13 (h) 13 (h) 13 (h) 13 (h)

$'000 2018

55,535 1,227 0 0 0 56,762

55,775 1,248 0 0 0 57,023

2019

$'000

0 34,230 636,092 40,281 645 711,248

2018 0 35,271 529,874 40,958 916 607,019

Total

2019

$'000 2018

55,535 35,457 636,092 40,281 645 768,010

55,775 36,519 529,874 40,958 916 664,042

There were no transfers between levels 1 and 2 during the year, nor between levels 2 and 3.

Page 19 SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 14 Fair value measurements

(ii) Valuation techniques used to derive fair values for level 2 and level 3 valuations Specific valuation techniques used to value Council assets comprise: Land (Level 2) Land fair values were determined by independent valuer, APV Valuers and Asset Management (APV) through a comprehensive revaluation effective 31 December 2016. An indexation was applied to this class of assets as at 30 June 2018. Based on Council's assessment of the Consumer Price Index (ABS 6401.0 - Table 9 Housing, Brisbane) as at 30 June 2019, the carrying value does not differ materially from the fair value. Level 2 valuation inputs were used to value land held in freehold title as well as land used for special purposes which is restricted in use under current zoning rules. Sales prices of comparable land sites in close proximity are adjusted for differences in key attributes such as property size. The most significant inputs into this valuation approach are price per square metre. Buildings at valuation (Level 2 and 3) Major building fair values were determined by independent valuer, APV Valuers and Asset Management (APV) through a comprehensive revaluation effective 31 December 2016. An indexation was applied to this class of assets as at 30 June 2018. Based on Council's assessment of the Producer Price Index (ABS 6427.0 - Table 17 Output of the Construction Industries, Subdivision and Class Index Numbers, 3020 Non-Residential Building Construction Queensland) as at 30 June 2019, the carrying value does not differ materially from the fair value. Level 2 valuation inputs These were used to determine the fair value of a range of properties. This included the bulk of residential and commercial properties. The residential properties fair value has been derived from sale prices of comparable properties after adjusting for differences in key attributes such as property size. The most significant inputs into this valuation approach are price per square metre. Commercial buildings have been generally derived using a combination of sales direct comparison approach and capitalisation of income approach. Fair value has been derived from sale prices of comparable properties after adjusting for differences in key attributes such as property size. The most significant inputs into this valuation approach are rental yields and price per square metre. Level 3 valuation inputs Specialised buildings were valued using the cost approach using professionally qualified registered valuers. The approach estimated the replacement cost for each building by componentising the buildings into significant parts with different useful lives and taking into account a range of factors. While the unit rates based on square metres could be supported from market evidence (level 2) other inputs (such as estimates of residual value, useful life, pattern of consumption and asset condition) require extensive professional judgement and impacted significantly on the final determination of fair value. As such these assets were classified as having been valued using level 3 inputs. Road, bridge, drainage and other infrastructure assets (Level 3) The fair value of road, bridge and drainage assets was determined by independent valuer, APV Valuers and Asset Management (APV) through a comprehensive revaluation effective 28 February 2019. The fair value of other infrastructure assets was determined by APV effective 30 June 2015 through an interim revaluation. An indexation was also applied to this class of assets as at 30 June 2018. Based on Council's assessment of the Producer Price Index (ABS 6427.0 - Table 17 Output of the Construction Industries, Subdivision and Class Index Numbers, 3101 Road and Bridge Construction Queensland) as at 30 June 2019, the carrying values do not differ materially from the fair values. The following methods were used to determine the fair value measurements.

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Page 20

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 14 Fair value measurements

Road, bridge, drainage and other infrastructure assets were valued using level 3 valuation inputs using the cost approach. The approach estimated the replacement cost for each asset by componentising the assets into significant parts with different useful lives and taking into account a range of factors. While the unit rates based on square metres or similar capacity could be supported from market evidence (level 2) other inputs (such as estimates of residual value, useful life, pattern of consumption and asset condition) required extensive professional judgement and impacted significantly on the final determination of fair value. As such these assets were classified as having been valued using level 3 valuation inputs. During the year there were a number of new projects completed where the actual cost was recorded and the impact of depreciation at year end was negligible. While these could be classified as valued at level 2 given the low proportion of the total portfolio that these represented and the likelihood that in future valuations they would most likely be valued at level 3 we have adopted a policy that all road, bridge, drainage and other infrastructure assets are deemed to be valued at level 3. (iii) Valuation processes Council engages external, independent and qualified valuers to determine the fair value of the entities land, major buildings and infrastructure on a regular basis. An annual assessment is undertaken to determine whether the carrying amount of the assets is materially different from the fair value. If any variation is considered material a revaluation is undertaken either by comprehensive revaluation or by applying an interim revaluation using appropriate indices. The main level 3 inputs used are derived and evaluated as follows: Buildings at valuation Asset condition The Council supplied the asset register of all buildings included in the buildings at valuation class. APV performed a physical inspection of every building so as to confirm the condition of these assets. Relationship between asset consumption rating scale and the level of consumed service potential Under the cost approach the estimated cost to replace the asset is calculated and then adjusted to take account of any accumulated depreciation. In order to achieve this the valuer determines an asset consumption rating scale for each asset type based on the interrelationship between a range of factors. These factors and their relationship to the fair value require professional judgment and include asset condition, legal and commercial obsolescence and the determination of key depreciation related assumptions such as residual value, useful life and pattern of consumption of the future economic benefit. The consumption rating scales were based initially on the past experience of the valuation firm and industry guides and were then updated to take into account the experience and understanding of councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own engineers, asset management and finance staff. The results of the valuation were further evaluated by confirmation against councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own understanding of the assets and the level of remaining service potential.

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Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 14 Fair value measurements

Road, bridge, drainage and other infrastructure assets Asset Condition The nature of road network infrastructure is that there is a very large number of assets which comprise the network and as a result it is not physically possible to inspect every asset for the purposes of completing a valuation. As a consequence reliance is placed on the accuracy of data held in the asset management system and its associated internal controls. This includes regular planned inspections and updates to the system following maintenance activities and renewal treatments. Likewise, especially for drainage network infrastructure, a large portion of the portfolio is located underground and may only be inspected on an irregular basis. To provide assurance over the accuracy of this information and taking into account the cost benefit of undertaking physical inspections the valuation relies upon a sampling approach where the data held in the system is verified by a physical inspection. While the sampling approach, combined with internal controls associated with the asset management system, provides a high level of comfort over the condition data held in the asset management system it does not provide a guarantee that all the data is correct and the condition as recorded is valid as at the date of valuation. Relationship between asset consumption rating scale and the level of consumed service potential Under the cost approach the estimated cost to replace the asset is calculated and then adjusted to take account of an accumulated depreciation. In order to achieve this the valuer determines an asset consumption rating scale for each asset type based on the inter-relationship between a range of factors. These factors and their relationship to the fair value require professional judgment and include asset condition, legal and commercial obsolescence and the determination of key depreciation related assumptions such as residual value, useful life and pattern of consumption of the future economic benefit. The consumption rating scales were based initially on the past experience of the valuation firm and industry guides and were then updated to take into account the experience and understanding of councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own engineers, asset management and finance staff. The results of the valuation were further evaluated by confirmation against councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own understanding of the assets and the level of remaining service potential.

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Page 22

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

2019 $'000

15 Trade and other payables

2018 $'000

A liability for trade creditors is recognised upon receipt of the goods or services ordered and are measured at the agreed purchase/contract price net of applicable discounts other than contingent discounts. Amounts owing are unsecured and are generally settled on 30 day terms. A liability for salaries and wages is recognised and measured as the amount unpaid at the reporting date at current pay rates in respect of employees' services up to that date. A liability for annual leave has been calculated based on the present value of wage and salary levels that will be paid when the liability is expected to be settled and includes related employee on-costs. All annual leave is classified as current as Council does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement beyond twelve months. Current Creditors and accruals Salary and wages accruals Annual leave

8,162 1,268 3,117 12,547

11,226 1,304 3,112 15,642

16 Borrowings Loans payable are measured at amortised cost. Interest is recognised as it accrues. Borrowing costs are treated as an expense, as assets constructed by the Council are generally completed within one year and therefore are not considered to be qualifying assets. Principal and interest repayments are made quarterly in arrears. Borrowings are underwritten by the Queensland State Government. Current Queensland Treasury Corporation Non-current Queensland Treasury Corporation Details of movements in borrowings: Queensland Treasury Corporation Opening balance Loans raised Interest accrued Principal and interest repayments Book value at period end

1,696

1,233

25,025 26,721

21,981 23,214

23,214 4,700 1,015 (2,208)

21,251 3,000 963 (2,000)

26,721

23,214

All unsecured borrowings are provided by Queensland Treasury Corporation. All borrowings are in $A denominated amounts and carried at amortised cost, interest being expensed as it accrues. No interest has been capitalised during the current or comparative reporting period. Final repayment dates vary from 15 June 2024 to 15 June 2039. There have been no defaults or breaches of the loan agreement during the period. The loan market value at the reporting date was $30,058,021. This represents the value of the debt if the Council repaid it at that date. As it is the intention of the Council to hold the debt for its term, no provision is required to be made in these accounts. Council has no assets pledged as security.

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Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 17 Provisions

Current Long service leave Refuse sites restoration Non-Current Refuse sites restoration Quarry rehabilitation Long service leave Details of movements in provisions: (a) Refuse sites restoration Opening balance Increase (decrease) in provision - borrowing cost Increase (decrease) in estimate of future cost Balance at the end of period

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

6,008 0 6,008

5,608 305 5,913

632 409 774 1,815

318 398 769 1,485

623 6 3 632

617 13 (7) 623

A provision is made for the cost of restoring refuse sites where it is probable the Council will be liable, or required, to do this when the use of the facilities is complete. The provision is calculated as the present value of anticipated future costs associated with the restoration of these sites. (b)

Quarry rehabilitation Opening balance Increase (decrease) in provision - borrowing cost Increase (decrease) in estimate of future cost Balance at the end of period

398 6 5 409

369 11 18 398

A provision is made for the cost of restoring quarry sites where it is probable the Council will be liable, or required, to do this when the use of the facilities is complete. The provision is calculated as the present value of anticipated future costs associated with the restoration of these sites. (c)

Long service leave Opening balance Entitlements accrued Entitlements paid Balance at the end of period

6,377 1,109 (704) 6,782

6,204 785 (612) 6,377

A provision for long service leave has been calculated based on the present value of wage and salary levels that will be paid when the liability is expected to be settled and includes related employee oncosts. Long service leave is treated as current where Council does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement beyond twelve months. All other long service leave is treated as non-current. 18 Other liabilities Waste levy refund received in advance Ticket sales received in advance

1,310 33 1,343

0 5 5

The State government made an advance payment to Council in June 2019 to mitigate the impacts on households for 2019-20 of the State Waste Levy, which takes effect from 1 July 2019. The Council will be liable to the State for payment of the Levy on most forms of commercial and household waste delivered to its disposal sites from 1 July 2019. The State is required to make an annual payment to the Council that essentially refunds the Council for the portion of the levy that relates to households. Council will fund the portion of the Levy that relates to commercial waste through charges to commercial users of disposal sites from 1 July 2019. As the receipt from the State in June 2019 is for a refund of Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2019-20 Levy expense, the full amount has been recognised as a liability at 30 June 2019.

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Page 24

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 19

Asset revaluation surplus Movements in the asset revaluation surplus were as follows: Revaluations of property, plant and equipment (refer Note 13(h)) Change in value of future rehabilitation costs (refer Note 17) The closing balance of the asset revaluation surplus is comprised of the following asset categories: Land Buildings Road and bridge network Drainage Other infrastructure Major plant and equipment

2018 $'000

72,018 (8) 72,010

19,740 (11) 19,729

28,518 27,898 195,480 17,507 2,994 4,636 277,033

28,518 27,898 123,328 17,678 2,965 4,636 205,023

154 209 363

152 324 476

6,004 465 268 6,737

2,882 925 153 3,960

1,331 6,567 1,488 782 522 10,690

1,163 1,971 7,072 0 151 10,357

650

648

Commitments for expenditure Operating leases Minimum lease payments in relation to non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: Within one year Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years Contractual commitments Contractual commitments at balance date but not recognised in the financial statements are as follows: Contract for kerbside waste collection Contract for cleaning services Contract for banking services Capital commitments Capital contractual commitments at balance date but not recognised in the financial statements are as follows: Plant and equipment purchases Bridge works Road works Vibrant and active towns and villages works Waste management works These expenditures are payable within one year

2019 $'000

Contingent liabilities Details and estimates of maximum amounts of contingent liabilities are as follows: Local Government Workcare The Scenic Rim Regional Council is a member of the Queensland local government workers compensation self insurance scheme, Local Government Workcare. Under this scheme the Council has provided an indemnity towards a bank guarantee to cover bad debts which may remain should the self insurance licence be cancelled and there was insufficient funds available to cover outstanding liabilities. Only the Queensland Government's workers compensation authority may call on any part of the guarantee should the above circumstances arise. The Council's maximum exposure to the bank guarantee is:

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Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 21

Contingent liabilities Local Government Mutual The Scenic Rim Regional Council is a member of the local government mutual liability self-insurance pool, LGM Queensland. In the event of the pool being wound up or it is unable to meet its debts as they fall due, the trust deed and rules provide that any accumulated deficit will be met by the individual pool members in the same proportion as their contribution is to the total pool contributions in respect to any year that a deficit arises. As at 30 June 2018 the Local Government Mutual financial statements reported an accumulated surplus and it is not anticipated any liability will arise.

Superannuation - Regional defined benefit fund Council contributes to the LGIAsuper Regional Defined Benefits Fund (the scheme), at the rate of 12% for each permanent employee who is a defined benefit member. This rate is set in accordance with the LGIAsuper trust deed and may be varied on the advice of an actuary. The Regional Defined Benefits Fund is a complying superannuation scheme for the purpose of the Commonwealth Superannuation Industry (Supervision) legislation and is also governed by the Local Government Act 2009 . The scheme is a defined benefit plan, however Council is not able to account for it as a defined benefit plan in accordance with AASB119 because LGIAsuper is unable to account for its proportionate share of the defined benefit obligation, plan assets and costs. Any amount by which the scheme is over or under funded may affect future benefits and result in a change to the contribution rate, but has not been recognised as an asset or liability of the Council. Technically Scenic Rim Regional Council can be liable to the scheme for a portion of another local governmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; obligations should that local government be unable to meet them. However the risk of this occurring is extremely low and in accordance with the LGIAsuper trust deed changes to council's obligations will only be made on the advice of an actuary. The last completed actuarial assessment of the scheme was undertaken as at 1 July 2018. The actuary indicated that â&#x20AC;&#x153;at the valuation date of 1 July 2018, the net assets of the scheme exceeded the vested benefits and the scheme was in a satisfactory financial position as at the valuation date." The Council is not aware of anything that has happened since that time that indicates the assets of the scheme are not sufficient to meet the vested benefits, as at the reporting date. No changes have been made to prescribed employer contributions which remain at 12% of employee assets and there are no known requirements to change the rate of contributions. Another actuarial investigation is being conducted as at 1 July 2021. The most significant risks that may result in LGIAsuper increasing the contribution rate, on the advice of the actuary, are: Investment risk - The risk that the scheme's investment returns will be lower than assumed and additional contributions are needed to fund the shortfall. Salary growth risk - The risk that wages or salaries will rise more rapidly than assumed, increasing vested benefits to be funded. There are currently 62 entities contributing to the scheme and any changes in contribution rates would apply equally to all 62 entities. Scenic Rim Regional Council made less than 4% of the total contributions to the plan in the 2018-19 financial year. 2019 2018 $'000 $'000 Superannuation contributions made to the Regional Defined Benefits Fund 235 262 Other superannuation contributions for employees 3,155 3,023 Other superannuation contributions for elected members 66 64 Total superannuation contributions Note 7 3,456 3,349 Council expects to make contributions of $239,876 to the Regional Defined Benefits Fund in 2019-20

Page 26

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Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 23

Trust funds Monies collected or held on behalf of other entities yet to be paid out to or on behalf of those entities

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

2,201

1,568

The Scenic Rim Regional Council performs only a custodial role in respect of these monies. As these funds cannot be used by the Council, they are not brought to account in these financial statements. 24

Reconciliation of net operating surplus to net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities Net result Non-cash operating items: Depreciation and amortisation Change in restoration provisions expensed to finance costs Share of profit from associate Investing and development activities: Capital income Capital expenses Financing activities: Capital grants, subsidies and contributions Changes in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in receivables (Increase) decrease in inventories (Increase) decrease in other assets Increase (decrease) in payables Increase (decrease) in provisions Increase (decrease) in other liabilities Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities

35,472

34,710

15,960 12 (2,361) 13,611

16,101 24 (2,639) 13,486

(67) 2,560 2,493

(161) 8,192 8,031

(36,135) (36,135)

(38,243) (38,243)

3,454 (128) 1 (1,442) 405 1,337 3,627

1,368 91 (37) 2,225 173 (8) 3,812

19,068

21,796

23,214 3,507 26,721

21,251 1,963 23,214

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities Borrowings: Opening balance Cashflows Closing balance

Note 16

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107

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 26 Financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities The effect of initially applying AASB 9 on the Council's financial instruments is described in Note 1.C. Scenic Rim Regional Council has exposure to the following risks arising from financial instruments: - Interest rate risk - Credit risk - Liquidity risk Financial risk management Exposure to financial risks is managed in accordance with Council approved policies on financial risk management. These policies focus on managing the volatility of financial markets and seek to minimise potential adverse effects on the financial performance of Council. The Council's audit committee oversees how management monitors compliance with the Council's risk management policies and procedures, and reviews the adequacy of the risk managements framework in relation to the risks faced by the Council. The Council audit committee is assisted in its oversight role by internal audit. Internal audit undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures, the results of which are reported to the audit committee. (a) Interest rate risk The Council is exposed to interest rate risk through its investments and borrowings with Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) and other financial institutions. The Council has access to a mix of variable and fixed rate funding options through QTC so that interest rate risk exposure can be minimised. The Council's approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet its labilities when they are due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Council's reputation Sensitivity to interest rate movements is shown for variable financial assets and liabilities based on the carrying amount at reporting date. The following interest rate sensitivity analysis depicts what effect a reasonably possible change in interest rates (assumed to be 1% increase) would have on profit and equity, based on the carrying values at the end of the reporting period. The calculation assumes that the change in interest rates would be held constant over the period. Net carrying Profit Equity amount 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Cash and cash equivalents 38,110 45,862 381 459 381 QTC borrowings* 26,721 23,214 0 0 0 Net 381 459 381

2018 $'000 459 0 459

*QTC borrowings are at fixed interest rates and are therefore not subject to interest rate sensitivity (b) Credit risk Credit risk exposure refers to the situation where the Council may incur financial loss as a result of another party to a financial instrument failing to discharge their obligation. These obligations arise principally from the Council's investments and receivables from customers. The carrying amounts of financial assets at the end of the reporting period represent the maximum exposure to credit risk for the Council. The following table represents the Council's maximum exposure to credit risk Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents Trade and other receivables

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

38,110 20,748 58,858

45,862 26,303 72,165 Page 28

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SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 26 Financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents The Council may be exposed to risk through its investments with the Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) and deposits held with banks or other financial institutions. The QTC Cash Fund is an asset management portfolio that invests with a wide variety of high credit rating counterparties. Deposits are capital guaranteed. Other investments are held with highly rated/regulated banks and financial institutions and whilst not capital guaranteed, the likelihood of a credit failure is assessed as remote. Trade and other receivables In the case of rate receivables, the Council has the power to sell the property to recover any defaulted amounts. In effect this power protects the Council against credit risk in the case of these debts. In other cases, Council assesses the credit risk before providing goods or services and applies normal business credit protection procedures to minimise the risk. The Council does not require collateral in respect of trade and other receivables. The Council does not have trade receivables for which no loss allowance is recognised because of collateral. A summary of the Council's exposure to credit risk at period ending 30 June 2019 for which impairment requirements of AASB9 - Financial Instruments have been applied, being for statutory charges (non-rates & charges) and other debtors. 2019 2018 $'000 $'000 Subject to impairment Not past due 2,889 8,170 Past due 1-30 days 193 107 Past due 31-60 days 352 3 Past due 61-90 days 90 1,196 More than 90 days 167 49 Total Gross Carrying Amount 3,691 9,525 Loss Allowance 0 0 3,691 9,525 Not subject to impairment Rates and utility charges 1,776 1,894 GST recoverable 605 208 Shareholder loan - Queensland Urban Utilities 14,676 14,676 Total Gross Carrying Amount 17,057 16,778 20,748

26,303

(c) Liquidity risk Liquidity risk refers to the situation where the Council may encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. The Council is exposed to liquidity risk through its trading in the normal course of business and borrowings from Queensland Treasury Corporation for capital works. Council manages its exposure to liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient funds, both short and long term, to cater for unexpected volatility in cash flows. The following table sets out the liquidity risk of financial liabilities held by the Council. It represents the remaining contractual cashflows (principal and interest) of financial liabilities at the end of the reporting period, excluding the impact of netting agreements: Total 0 to 1 1 to 5 Over 5 contractual year years years cashflow 2019 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 Trade and other payables 8,162 0 0 8,162 Loans - QTC 2,704 10,826 21,250 34,780 10,866 10,826 21,250 42,942 2018 Trade and other payables 11,226 0 0 11,226 Loans - QTC 2,207 8,841 20,378 31,426 13,433 8,841 20,378 42,652

Carrying amount $'000 8,162 26,721 34,883 11,226 23,214 34,440

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Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019 27

Significant events Natural disaster A significant flood event occurred in March 2017 causing damage to infrastructure and property throughout the Scenic Rim Regional Council region. This flood event was nominated as â&#x20AC;&#x153;NDRRA Event â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie and associated rainfall and flooding, 28-31 March 2017" and was declared for the Scenic Rim Regional Council area on 1 April 2017. The majority of the costs associated with this natural disaster event are funded under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). NDRRA is a joint Commonwealth / State government funding program. Under these arrangements Scenic Rim Regional Council is required to contribute to each activated natural disaster event up to a maximum trigger point. Under the NDRRA guidelines works are classified as emergent works, restoration works or betterment works. Emergent works are works that have become necessary during the course of a disaster to protect eligible public assets or to restore essential services and maintain public safety. It also covers immediate post-disaster repairs to eligible assets to enable them to operate at a reasonable level of efficiency and temporary repairs to ensure access and safety. Restoration works relate to the reconstruction or replacement of eligible assets to their predisaster standard or level of service. Betterment works relate to the enhancement of an asset beyond its predisaster standard or level of service to a more disaster resilient standard. Summary of the expenditure and revenue associated with this event: Expenditure Emergent works Restoration/Betterment works Less trigger point (not claimable) Total claimable expenditure Revenue Emergent works subsidies Restoration/Betterment works Total subsidies received

2019 $'000 0 35,085 0 35,085

2018 $'000 0 21,623 0 21,623

2017 $'000 1,398 778 (237) 1,939

0 (26,881) (26,881)

(56) (21,768) (21,824)

(1,300) (1,225) (2,525)

Events after the reporting period There were no material adjusting events after the balance date.

National competition policy (a) Activities to which the code of competitive conduct is applied The Scenic Rim Regional Council applies the code of competitive conduct to the following activities: Roads Building Certifying Waste Collection This requires the application of full cost pricing, identifying the cost of community service obligations (CSO's) and eliminating the advantages and disadvantages of public ownership within that activity. Council has not identified any CSO's. (b) Financial performance of activities subject to code of competitive conduct: Roads $'000

Revenue for services provided Community service obligations Less : Expenditure Surplus / (deficit)

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SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

4,505 0 4,505 4,414 91

Building Certifying $'000

424 0 424 435 (11)

Waste Collection $'000

5,250 0 5,250 4,500 750

Page 30

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

30 Transactions with related parties

2019 $'000

2018 $'000

1,594 988 690 7 1 10 3,290

1,727 1,157 710 4 2 10 3,610

291

235

4,932

12 303

10 5,177

(a) Transactions with associates Revenue Queensland Urban Utilities - Participation return (Note 12) Queensland Urban Utilities - Tax equivalents (Note 5) Queensland Urban Utilities - Loan interest Queensland Urban Utilities - Waste tipping fees Queensland Urban Utilities - Venue hire Queensland Urban Utilities - Sponsorship - Winter harvest festival Expenditure Queensland Urban Utilities - Water and sewerage access and consumption charges Queensland Urban Utilities - Construction of Bromelton state development water main Queensland Urban Utilities - Laboratory sampling and analysis - swimming pools

All transactions with Queensland Urban Utilities were at arm's length and were in the normal course of Council operations. (b) Outstanding balances Receivables Queensland Urban Utilities - Participation return Queensland Urban Utilities - Tax equivalents Queensland Urban Utilities - Loan interest

797 5 57 859

1,052 82 59 1,193

Queensland Urban Utilities have proposed a payment date of 30 September 2019 for the final participation return. The outstanding tax equivalents and loan interest was received in July 2019. Payables Queensland Urban Utilities - Construction of Bromelton state development water main

4,932

14,676

1,930 166 204 54 2,354

1,701 152 193 0 2,046

(c) Loans and guarantees to/from related parties Queensland Urban Utilities - Shareholder loan (Note 11) No guarantees have been provided. (d) Transactions with key management personnel (KMP) KMP include the Mayor, Councillors, Council's Chief Executive Officer and some executive management. KMP compensation paid or accrued during the financial year comprises: Short-term employee benefits Long-term benefits Post employment benefits Termination benefits Detailed remuneration disclosures are provided in the annual report.

Page 31 SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

111

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

30 Transactions with related parties (e) Transactions with other related parties

Amount of Outstanding Provisions for transactions balance (incl doubtful debts during year commitments) on outstanding

2019

Doubtful debts expense recognised

$'000

Purchase of materials and services from an entity controlled by a member of KMP

(i)

Payment of a precept and provision of inkind support to Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust

(ii)

114

Payment of a precept to Darling DownsMoreton Rabbit Board

(iii)

303

Provision of funding under Council's grants program

(iv)

Employee expenses for close family members of KMP

(v)

267

Purchase of materials and services from an entity controlled by a member of KMP

(i)

Payment of a precept and provision of inkind support to Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust

(ii)

103

Payment of a precept to Darling DownsMoreton Rabbit Board

(iii)

294

Provision of funding under Council's grants program

(iv)

Employee expenses for close family members of KMP

(v)

154

2018

(i) Council purchased materials and services from an entity that is controlled by a member of KMP. All purchases were at arm's length and were in the normal course of Council operations. (ii) Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust is controlled by members of the KMP and operates under the River Improvement Trust Act 1940 . Councils contribution assists with riverine maintenance works in the region. (iii) The Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board is controlled by a member of the KMP and operates under the Bio Security Act 2014 . Councils contribution assists with maintenance of the rabbit fence ensuring the protected area is maintained free of rabbits. (iv) Council provided grant funding to entities controlled by members of KMP. The funding was agreed to by Council. (v) All close family members of KMP were employed through an arm's length process. They are paid in accordance with the Award for the job they perform.

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Page 32

Scenic Rim Regional Council Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 30 June 2019

30 Transactions with related parties (f) Transactions with related parties that have not been disclosed Most of the entities and people that are related parties of Council live and operate within the Scenic Rim Regional Council area. Therefore, on a regular basis ordinary citizen transactions occur between Council and its related parties. Some examples include: - Payment of rates and utility charges - Fees and charges included in Council's Register of Fees and Charges - Fines and penalties included in Council's Register of Local Laws and Subordinate Local Laws - Attendance at Council functions which are open to the general public - Visiting Council facilities which are open to the general public - Transactions whose total dollar value is deemed immaterial Council has not included these types of transactions in its disclosure, where they are made on the same terms and conditions available to the general public.

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To the Councillors of Scenic Rim Regional Council

Report on the audit of the financial report Opinion I have audited the accompanying financial report of Scenic Rim Regional Council (the council). In my opinion, the financial report: as at 30 June 2019, and of its a) gives a true and fair view of the c financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended; b) complies with the Local Government Act 2009, the Local Government Regulation 2012 and Australian Accounting Standards. The financial report comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2019, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes to the financial statements including significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the management certificate given by the Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer. Basis for opinion I conducted my audit in accordance with the Auditor-General of Queensland Auditing Standards, which incorporate the Australian Auditing Standards. My responsibilities under responsibilities for the audit of the those standards are further described in the financial report section of my report. I am independent of the council in accordance with the ethical requirements of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to my audit of the financial report in Australia. I have also fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code and the Auditor-General of Queensland Auditing Standards. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion. Other information Other information comprises the information included in Scenic Rim Regional Council annual report for the year ended 30 June 2019, but does not include the financial report and eport current year financial sustainability statement, the long-term financial sustainability statement and the annual report. My opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. However, as required by the Local Government Regulation 2012, I have expressed a separate opinion on the current year financial sustainability statement. SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

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In connection with my audit of the financial report, my responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report and my knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this information, I am required to report that fact. I have nothing to report in this regard. Responsibilities of the council for the financial report The council is responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009, the Local Government Regulation 2012 and Australian Accounting Standards, and for such internal control as the council determines is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. The council is also responsible for assessing the council's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless it is intended to abolish the council or to otherwise cease operations of the council. inancial report My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report. As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, I exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. I also: Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the council's internal control. Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the council.

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Conclude on the appropriateness of the c use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the council's ability to continue as a going concern. If I conclude that a material uncertainty exists, I am report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify my opinion. I base my conclusions events or conditions may cause the council to cease to continue as a going concern. Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. I communicate with the council regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that I identify during my audit.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements In accordance with s.40 of the Auditor-General Act 2009, for the year ended 30 June 2019: a) I received all the information and explanations I required. b) In my opinion, the prescribed requirements in relation to the establishment and keeping of accounts were complied with in all material respects. 4 October 2019 Melissa Read as delegate of the Auditor-General

Queensland Audit Office Brisbane

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To the Councillors of Scenic Rim Regional Council Report on the current year financial sustainability statement Opinion I have audited the accompanying current year statement of financial sustainability of Scenic Rim Regional Council (the council) for the year ended 30 June 2019 comprising the statement, explanatory notes, and the certificate of accuracy given by the Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer. In accordance with section 212 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, in my opinion, in all material respects, the current year financial sustainability statement of Scenic Rim Regional Council for the year ended 30 June 2019 has been accurately calculated. Basis of opinion I conducted my audit in accordance with the Auditor-General of Queensland Auditing Standards, which incorporate the Australian Auditing Standards. My responsibilities under responsibilities for the audit of the those standards are further described in the current year financial sustainability statement section of my report. I am independent of the council in accordance with the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to my audit of the statement in Australia. I have also fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code and the Auditor-General of Queensland Auditing Standards. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion. Emphasis of matter

basis of accounting

I draw attention to Note 1 which describes the basis of accounting. The current year financial sustainability statement has been prepared in accordance with the Financial Management (Sustainability) Guideline 2013 for the purpose of fulfilling the c responsibilities under the Local Government Regulation 2012. As a result, the statement may not be suitable for another purpose. My opinion is not modified in respect of this matter. Other Information Other information comprises the information included in Scenic Rim Regional Council annual report for the year ended 30 June 2019, but does not include the current year financial sustainability statement report report, the other information was the general purpose financial statements, the long-term financial sustainability statement and the annual report. My opinion on the current year financial sustainability statement does not cover the other information and accordingly I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. However, as required by the Local Government Regulation 2012, I have expressed a separate opinion on the general purpose financial report. SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT

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udit of the current year financial sustainability

My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the current year financial sustainability statement as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this statement. My responsibility does not extend to forming an opinion on the appropriateness or relevance of the reported ratios, nor on the c As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, I exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. I also: Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the statement, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the council Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the council. Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the statement, including the disclosures, and whether the statement represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. 120

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I communicate with the council regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that I identify during my audit. 4 October 2019 Melissa Read as delegate of the Auditor-General

Queensland Audit Office Brisbane

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Phone: 07 5540 5111 82 Brisbane Street | PO Box 25 Beaudesert Qld 4285 Email: mail@scenicrim.qld.gov.au scenicrim.qld.gov.au

2018 -19 Annual Report

Articles inside

Open and Responsive Government

Relaxed Living and Rural Lifestyle

Vibrant Towns and Villages

Community Financial Report

Spectacular Scenery and Healthy Environment

Sustainable and Prosperous Economy