THE Golden Plains Shire\u2019s Annual Report 2021\/22 was received at this month\u2019s regular council meeting, and CEO Eric Braslis said it was a \u201cfantastic snapshot\u201d of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you know, it\u2019s a good reflection at this time of year to look at where we were in July of last year, through to end of June this year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fantastic opportunity not only for you as councillors, and for the community, and in fact staff across the organisation, to reflect on all the work that\u2019s been done in the last 12 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like a little yearbook. We sit down internally and reflect across the organisation all the work and effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Annual Report covers operations, includes performance and financial statements, an auditor\u2019s report on both of those, and any other business.<\/p>\n
Cr Clayton Whitfield said the 21-22 financial year was a positive one.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a $900,000 favourable variance to the budget over the course of the year, ending in $527,000 in adjusted underlying surplus,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m particularly pleased to say that loans and borrowings against rates have been reduced by 14 per cent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Brett Cunningham acknowledged significant State and Federal funding received throughout the year, and the advocacy work of the CEO, mayor and council officers.<\/p>\n
Cr Owen Sharkey said the report is an attractive document for easy reading. His stand-out projects for the year included the Turtle Bend upgrade, Lethbridge and Linton cricket facilities, Enfield and Garibaldi playgrounds, Bannockburn bowling green, the Youth Hub, skate parks, and sporting complexes.<\/p>\n
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Climate plan adopted<\/strong><\/p>\n Councillors approved the Golden Plains Shire Climate Emergency Plan 2022-2032.<\/p>\n In order to draft the plan, acting director infrastructure and environment Ben Jordan said council officers have consulted with other local government areas, community members, councillors and staff, and analysed feedback, since council declared a climate emergency in July 2021.<\/p>\n The document outlines what people across the Shire can do to respond to climate change and minimise their footprint.<\/p>\n \u201cThe plan gives context to the current and future impacts of climate change within the Shire and lays out actions for council to undertake over the next 10 years under five themes; embedding climate action in council, resilient and adaptive communities, caring for the land, climate responsive development, and sustainable transport and travel,\u201d Mr Jordan said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a strong imperative for council to reduce emissions and prepare for the change in climate.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fourth-quarter finance<\/strong><\/p>\n Acting director corporate Services Fiona Rae presented a Final Quarter Finance Report for the 12 months ended 30 June 2022.<\/p>\n She said an operating revenue of $52.6 million was reported then, and expenditure of $46.5 million.<\/p>\n \u201cThe result is a year-to-date surplus of $6 million. This is $1.5 million unfavourable compared to the original budget and $252,000 unfavourable compared to the revised budget,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe variance against the revised budget is due to operating grants. The financial assistance grant payment in advance has increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent resulting in an additional $1.7 million funds received.<\/p>\n \u201cCapital grants, $3.5 million, reclassified as payments in advance due to accounting requirements.<\/p>\n :We\u2019ve had an additional $1.3 million of gifted assets higher than forecast, and we had $2.3 million of operating projects in relation to materials and services, carried forward to the 22-23 year, resulting from some delays in materials being provided.\u201d<\/p>\n Capital works spending totalled $14.4 million, which was $10.8 million below the revised budget.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Battle-axe block permitted<\/strong><\/p>\n A planning permit for a two-lot subdivision at 48 Daruma Way in Batesford has been granted.<\/p>\n Director community, planning and growth Steven Sagona said the one-hectare site has a house and shed, but the property owner plans to subdivide it into two half-hectare lots.<\/p>\n \u201cProposed Lot 2 [would be] in a battle-axe-type configuration,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe application also proposes the variation of a covenant which would otherwise serve to prevent the construction of more than one dwelling on the total balance of the land,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIn accordance with the Planning and Environment Act<\/em>, a notice in relation to the proposed variation of the covenant was given by mail to owners and occupiers of land that also benefited from the covenant.<\/p>\n \u201cOfficers recommend that a permit be issued to allow the two-lot subdivision and to vary the restrictions of the covenant.\u201d<\/p>\n