ATTENDANCE. Hornsby Council (departed 6.45 pm) General Manager, Ryde Council. General Manager, Hunter s Hill Council

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1 MINUTES OF MEETING (NO 125) OF THE NORTHERN SYDNEY REGIONAL ORGANISATION OF COUNCILS HELD AT HORNSBY COUNCIL PACIFIC HIGHWAY, HORNSBY 12 TH FEBRUARY 2009 The meeting commenced at 6.20 pm Mayor Berman, Hornsby Council, extended a welcome to NSROC Delegates QUORUM The Chairman referred to Article 13.i) of the Constitution that provides: A quorum at a meeting of the Organisation shall consist of a number being half of the number of Councils plus one. Member Councils of NSROC include: Hornsby Hunter s Hill Ku-ring-gai Lane Cove North Sydney Ryde Willoughby Councils represented on the evening included: Hornsby Hunter s Hill Ku-ring-gai Lane Cove North Sydney Ryde Willoughby Accordingly, a quorum was present. ATTENDANCE Clr N Berman Clr R Browne Clr W McMurdo Clr S Russell Mr Robert Ball Clr R Quinn Mr B Smith Clr E Malicki Clr I Cross Clr C Szatow Mr J McKee Clr I Longbottom Clr A Smith Mr P Brown Clr G McCaffery Clr V Tagg Clr I Petch Mr D Johnson Clr P Reilly Clr B Thompson Mr N Tobin Ms L Ridley 1. APOLOGIES Clr V Marchandeau Clr Z Baker Clr S Hoopmann Clr T Fogarty Ms P Holloway Mr M Whittaker Hornsby Council (departed 6.45 pm) Hornsby Council Hornsby Council Hornsby Council General Manager, Hornsby Council Hunter s Hill Council General Manager, Hunter s Hill Council Ku-ring-gai Council Ku-ring-gai Council Ku-ring-gai Council General Manager, Ku-ring-gai Council Lane Cove Council Lane Cove Council General Manager, Lane Cove Council North Sydney Council Ryde Council Ryde Council Ryde Council Willoughby Council (chair) General Manager, Willoughby Council NSROC Executive Assistant North Sydney Council North Sydney Council Hunter s Hill Council Willoughby Council General Manager, North Sydney Council General Manager, Ryde Council 744/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr R Browne Seconded: Clr G McCaffery CARRIED That the Apologies be received. Minutes of Meeting No 125 held 12 th February 2009.

2 2 2. PRESENTATION Clr Barry Thompson Clr Thompson outlined a proposal to have the NSROC Board consider how it might provide transitional assistance for Permaculture North (PN) as it expands and works with the Councils to spread and provide exemplary behaviour in relation to Sustainability issues. He outlined a proposed way forward and indicated that collaboration with the Councils through NSROC would likely assist PN to obtain a significant grant for regional activity in coming months. 745/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr V Tagg Seconded: Clr R Quinn CARRIED That NSROC offers to assist Permaculture North with their Grant Applications and encourages partnerships with member Councils. 3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 746/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Longbottom Seconded: R Browne CARRIED The Minutes of Meeting No th November 2008 copy of which was circulated to all parties and member Councils, were confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings of the meetings. ACTIONS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING 747/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr R Browne Seconded: Clr R Quinn CARRIED That the Actions arising from the Previous Meeting be received and noted. 4. TREASURERS REPORT Budget Review as at 31 st December /09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Petch Seconded: Clr I Cross CARRIED That the Report be received and noted. 5. General Manager Advisory Committee Reports 5.1 Resignation of NSROC Executive Director Clr Pat Reilly, President NSROC, paid tribute to Dominic Johnson, the outgoing Executive Director, on the excellent service that he had given to NSROC. 749/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Petch Seconded: Clr A smith CARRIED That 1. The Board hereby delegates to the General Managers Advisory Committee (GMAC) the authority to interview, appoint and negotiate a contract of employment for the position of Executive Director of NSROC. 2. The above delegation is subject to: a) The term of the contract being for a fixed period of 3 5 years, at a commencing salary package of up to $150,000 and subject to annual review. b) The panel consulting the Executive of the Board, prior to finalising an appointment to the position NSROC Strategic Plan /09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Longbottom Seconded: Clr I Petch CARRIED That the NSROC Strategic Plan be adopted NSROC In-House Councillor Training Discussion on: Not NSROC core business

3 3 No significant dollar savings Courses should remain run by LGSA 751/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Petch Seconded: Clr R Quinn CARRIED That the report be received and noted 5.4. New Planning Regulations Clr McCaffery advised: LGSA will be resurrecting the Keep It Local Website expected to be up within a month Seeking information from Councils Will notify Councils in a Circular. 752/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Longbottom Seconded: Clr A Smith CARRIED That the Report be received and noted Proposed Economic Package Federal Government 753/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Petch Seconded: Clr A Smith CARRIED That NSROC make representations to the Prime Minister, the Federal Treasurer and the NSROC local Federal Members of Parliament proposing Federal Government s support for local government loan borrowings Sydney Airport revised draft Australian noise Exposure Forecast 2029 Clr Longbottom advised: Vic Smith no longer chair There may be an opportunity for the NSROC region to be represented on SACF 754/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Petch Seconded: Clr R Browne CARRIED That NSROC 1. Seeks a response from SACL that specifically responds to each concern raised by the Aviation Community Advocate in respect of the revisions to ANEF Writes to SACF (Sydney Airport Community Forum) requesting their assistance in clarifying the concerns raised by the ACA Local Government Procurement 755/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr R Browne Seconded: Clr R Quinn CARRIED That the Report be received and noted. 6. GENERAL BUSINESS 6.1 Request for Councils to Support SLI Program Submission to AER Draft Determination. On Monday 16 February submissions are due at the Australian Energy Regulator on their Draft Determination on NSW electricity network pricing for The AER's Draft Determination rejected EnergyAustralia's initial street lighting price proposal and called for a new submission. In response to the Draft Determination, EnergyAustralia made a revised submission to the AER on 16 Jan EnergyAustralia has refused to resubmit street lighting pricing on the basis requested by the AER and has re-iterated its original proposal on street lighting. EnergyAustralia has also again refused to release its pricing model to Councils. It has also further increased its proposed network distribution charge for street lighting (and all other electricity customers). The total proposed increase in street lighting network charges for EnergyAustralia customers is now approximately 78% over the regulatory period to Total additional costs to Councils served by EnergyAustralia over the regulatory period would be an estimated $89,000,000 relative to current 08/09 pricing.

4 4 The lack of relevant disclosure by EnergyAustralia leaves Councils at an unreasonable and material disadvantage in making quantitative comment on EnergyAustralia's proposed pricing. However, it is important to comment nonetheless, particularly as the AER has now indicated that it is building its own independent model of pricing. 756/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr R Browne Seconded: Clr I Petch CARRIED 1. That NSROC and SSROC seek a meeting with the Minister for Energy. 2. That NSROC make a submission indicating support for the position taken by SSROC. 3. That the from Mr Graham Mawer Next Energy be forwarded to member Councils. 6.2 National Careers and Employment Expo Mr Barry Smith (GMAC Chair) advised: Expo to be held at the Sydney Convention Centre, 29 th and 30 th March. The NSROC Human Resources Managers seek NSROC s support Stall booked by NSROC/SHOROC and LGSA NSROC to provide some financial support to defray members costs 757/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr R Quinn Seconded: Clr I Petch CARRIED That Information be received and noted. 6.3 Regional Development Australia Mr Barry Smith (GMAC Chair) advised: A new Regional Development Australia (RDA) network across Australia will be created to replace the Commonwealth Government s Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) by aligning, with State and Territory regional planning and consultative bodies. The existing NSW Government s 13 Regional Development Boards with the Commonwealth Government s 14 ACCs will be brought together to establish a network of Regional Development Australia (RDA). Existing funding for the current boards (Commonwealth and NSW) will transfer to the new Regional Development Australia, with combined funding expected to be about $450,000 a year from both levels of government for each committee. The new NSW Regional Development Australia organisations will come into effect from 1 January 2009, and it has been stressed that there would be full consultation with ACCs and RDBs concerning implementation of the new arrangements. As there are current initiatives underway in both organisations, there will be a proper transition process. The new organisations will be fully operational by 1 July RDA will assist both Governments by taking on a broad role to: provide advice to government about regional issues; provide strategic input into national and State programs; provide information to regional communities and local government on national and State government initiatives; Help to coordinate regional planning and regional development initiatives; and Work closely with local governments and other regional organisations. 758/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr G McCaffery Seconded: Clr I Cross CARRIED That NSROC ensure: 1. They have representation within the new organisation s Board, and 2. The region s interests are included in the new arrangement.

5 5 6.4 Rate Pegging Mr Robert Ball (GMAC) advised: Within the current economic climate, there is a need for all spheres of government within Australia, to maintain a current level of expenditure. Economic commentary and statements from the Federal Government make it clear that if Australia and its communities are to avoid serious levels of unemployment and the consequences of a deep economic recession, this will be necessary. Local Government currently is faced with substantially increasing costs and greatly reducing levels of income. The increases in costs are not generated simply by movements in the Consumer Price Index, but in many ways by substantial increases in State Government charges and levies. Unless the State Government is prepared to reduce its levies and charges upon local government, or maintain the approved rate pegging limit at a realistic level, local government in NSW will be forced to reduce its expenditure, services and staff and contribute negatively to the deteriorating economic environment currently developing within Australia. 759/09 RESOLVED: Moved: Clr I Petch Seconded: Clr A Smith CARRIED That NSROC writes to the Minister for Local Government, the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition raising our concerns in relation to the economic impacts of Rate Pegging on NSW Councils. 6.5 Fire Services Clr Ian Longbottom raised concerns relating to: Commissioner Mullins comments relating to the ability of being able to protect Sydney homes. The levies paid by Councils 6.6 Victorian bush fires Clr Elaine Malicki raised concerns relating to the impact of the Victorian bush fires. Clr Genia McCaffery advised: The Associations have been approached by various NSW councils offering support for their Victorian counterparts affected by the horrendous bushfires. That the LGA/LGSA has been in contract with their Victorian counterpart to ascertain their needs. Will keep Councils posted as information becomes available. 7. HOST COUNCIL 760/09 Delegates expressed appreciation to Hornsby Council for their generous hospitality in hosting the 125 th Ordinary Meeting of NSROC. The meeting concluded 8.10 pm The next meeting No. 126 Will be held on THURSDAY 14 TH MAY 2009 AT NORTH SYDNEY COUNCIL COMMENCING AT 6.00 PM

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