Agenda of Northern Beaches Council Meeting

Northern Beaches Council Meeting - 15 October 2024

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

2.0 Apologies and applications for leave of absence and remote attendance

3.0 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meetings

3.1 Minutes of the Ordinary Northern Beaches Council Meeting held on 13 August 2024 5

3.2 Minutes of the Extraordinary Northern Beaches Council Meeting held on 8 October 2024...................................................................................................................................... 5

4.0 disclosures of interest

5.0 Public Forum AND PUBLIC ADDRESS

6.0 Items Resolved by Exception

7.0 Mayoral Minutes

Nil

8.0 Chief Executive Officer's Division Reports............................................. 7

8.1 Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund - Quarterly Report............................. 7

8.2 Councillor Expenses 2023/24..................................................................................... 11

9.0 Corporate Services Division Reports..................................................... 14

9.1 Monthly Investment Report - July 2024..................................................................... 14

9.2 Monthly Investment Report - August 2024................................................................. 25

9.3 Draft 2023/24 Financial Statements and Budget Rollovers to 2024/25.................... 37

9.4 State of Our Region 2021-2024 report....................................................................... 46

9.5 Review of Policies...................................................................................................... 52

10.0 Community and Recreation Division Reports....................................... 57

10.1 2024/25 Community Grants Program - Funding Recommendations........................ 57

11.0 Environment and Open Space Division Reports................................... 67

11.1 2024/25 Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program - Funding Recommendations...................................................................................................... 67

11.2 Temporary Changes to Alcohol Prohibited Areas for Council's Christmas Choral Concert 2024, New Year's Eve 2024 and Australia Day 2025................................................ 71

11.3 Outcome of Public Exhibition - Naming Proposal Jean Hay Lookout, Fairlight........ 74

11.4 2024/25 Environmental Grants Program - Funding Recommendations................... 77

12.0 Planning and Place Division Reports....................................................... 82

12.1 2024/25 Placemaking Grants Program - Funding Recommendations...................... 82

12.2 Outcome of Public Exhibition - Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contribution Plan 2024.................................................................................................................................... 87

12.3 Fire & Rescue NSW Inspection Report - Evans Street Freshwater.......................... 91

12.4 Fire & Rescue NSW Inspection Report - Pittwater Road Narrabeen........................ 95

13.0 Transport and Assets Division Reports

Nil

14.0 Notices of Motion.............................................................................................. 98

14.1 Notice of Motion No 24/2024 - Cats and Dogs (deferred from 25 June, 30 July & 13 August 2024 Council meetings)............................................................................................................ 98

14.2 Notice of Motion No 25/2024 - Truck Exhaust Brake Restrictions at Frenchs Forest (deferred from 25 June, 30 July & 13 August 2024 Council meetings)......................................... 99

14.3 Notice of Motion No 29/2024 - Urban Greening of the Northern Beaches (deferred from 25 June, 30 July & 13 August 2024 Council meetings)............................................................... 100

14.4 Notice of Motion No 34/2024 - Smart Street Tree Management (deferred from 25 June, 30 July & 13 August 2024 Council meetings)................................................................................. 101

14.5 Notice of Motion No 37/2024 - Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre (NBISC) (deferred from 13 August 2024 Council meeting)............................................................................... 102

14.6 Matter of Urgency - Patyegarang Planning Proposal (deferred from 13 August 2024 Council meeting)...................................................................................................................... 103

15.0 Questions with Notice

Nil

16.0 Responses to Questions............................................................................... 104

16.1 Response to Question With Notice No 5/2024 - Increased Tennis Coaching Fees 104

16.2 Response to Question With Notice No 6/2024 - We Belong: Intercultural Community Leaders Program...................................................................................................... 105

17.0 matters proposed to take place in closed session...................... 106

17.1 Proposed Acquisition of Land in Frenchs Forest for Open Space Purposes

18.0 Report of Resolutions Passed in Closed Session

Item 8.1 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

8.0 Chief Executive Officer's Division Reports

ITEM 8.1

Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund - Quarterly Report

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the recipients and projects that have received an allocation from the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund during the past quarter.

Executive Summary

· The Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund provides the opportunity for the Mayor and Councillors to respond to requests for financial assistance from local individuals and community groups.

· The Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund is governed in accordance with the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund Policy (Policy).

· The Policy allows Council to support local individuals and community groups through small financial donations, including for activities that further develop their education or sporting endeavours at a representative level.

· The Policy requires that details of payments be reported quarterly to Council.

· For the period 20 June 2024 to 9 October 2024, payments totalling $4,300 have been allocated from the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund to Killarney Heights High School, six local residents, Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Inc and the Lions Club of Manly Inc.

· All applications were approved prior to the commencement of the caretaker period before the recent local government election.

· There is an annual budget of $30,000 for the Northern Beaches Discretionary Fund, with an amount of $24,700 remaining in the fund after these payments.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note payments totalling $4,300 have been allocated from the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary fund for the period 20 June 2024 to 9 October 2024.

Background

The Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund Policy (Policy) supports individuals and community organisations through small financial donations. It also provides assistance to local residents, including for activities that further develop their education or sporting endeavours at a representative level. The Policy requires recipient and project details to be reported quarterly to Council. This report only includes allocations that have been finalised.

The maximum amount which may be allocated to an individual or community organisation is $1,000 and only one payment can be made to an individual or community organisation within the same financial year.

All requests to the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund are submitted to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or a Councillor and the Chief Executive Officer to certify that the allocation is made in accordance with the Policy and that the funds are available. The table below includes the name of the Councillor who put forward the discretionary fund application.

Discussion

For the period 20 June 2024 to 9 October 2024, payments from the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund totaling $5,300 have been made. This includes the payments shown in the table below, totalling $4,300 as well as additional $1,000 that was paid this financial year to Umbrella School of Music (which was previously approved and listed in the last Quarterly Report to Council on 25 June 2024).

Recipient	Description	Allocation	Supported by Councillor **
Killarney Heights High School	Financial assistance towards the end of year awards to students	$250	Received directly through the Office of the Mayor
Local Resident *	Financial assistance to attend the 2024 National Leadership Forum in Canberra in August 2024	$250	Received directly through the Office of the Mayor
Local Resident *	Financial assistance to attend the U20 World Athletics High Jumps Championships in Peru in August 2024	$500	Received directly through the Office of the Mayor
Local Resident*	Financial assistance towards expenses for Netball representation at events held interstate and intrastate	$250	Cr Korzy
Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Inc	Funding towards their annual Charity Golf Day event	$1,000	Received directly through the Office of the Mayor
Lions Club of Manly Inc	Funding towards the cost of five local children with disabilities and their carers to attend Circus Quirkus event	$700	Received directly through the Office of the Mayor
Local Resident*	Financial assistance towards expenses for NSW PSSA Touch Football representation interstate	$250	Cr Korzy
Local Resident*	Financial assistance to attend the U20 World Athletics 4 x 100 Relay Championships in Peru in August 2024	$500	Received directly through the Office of the Mayor
Local Resident* on behalf of the Creative Space Garden Club at the Creative Space, Curl Curl	Financial assistance towards expenses for materials and equipment used to maintain the gardens at the Creative Space	$600	Received directly through the Office of the Mayor

Consultation

Requests upon the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund are submitted to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Councillor and the Chief Executive Officer for approval in accordance with the policy.

Timing

The Policy requires a quarterly report to be presented to Council. This was due in September 2024 however due to the Local Government Elections the report has been tabled to the October meeting.

Financial Considerations

The recommendations in this report do not result in any change to the existing Council budget. The funds allocated are provided from the existing annual budget of $30,000 for the Northern Beaches Discretionary Fund. An amount of $24,700 remains in the fund. No funding will be provided outside of the allocated budget in each financial year.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Payments allocated under the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund have satisfied the requirements of the Policy. The next quarterly report is intended to be tabled to the Ordinary Council meeting on 10 December 2024.

Environmental Considerations

The monies in the Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund can be used in connection with environmental matters.

Social Considerations

The Northern Beaches Council Discretionary Fund supports individuals and community organisations and provides assistance to local residents, including for activities that further develop their education or sporting endeavours at a representative level

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcomes and Goals:

· Community and belonging - Goal 7 Our diverse community is supported to participate in their chosen cultural life.

· Community and belonging - Goal 8 Our community feels safe and supported.

· Partnership and participation - Goal 22 Our Council builds and maintains strong partnerships and advocates effectively on behalf of the community.

Reporting team	CEO
TRIM file ref	2024/646373
Attachments	Nil

Item 8.2 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 8.2

Councillor Expenses 2023/24

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to table the expenditure of Councillors for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 in accordance with section 15.2 of the Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy (the policy).

Executive Summary

· Under Section 15.2 of the policy, expenses reimbursed to Councillors are publicly tabled at the Council meeting every 12 months and published in full on Council’s website.

· Expenses totalling $100,269 were claimed by, and reimbursed to, Councillors for the 2023/24 financial year to cover costs incurred including:

- communication charges

- office equipment and stationery

- training and professional development

- subscriptions, publications and access to resource materials

- attendance at functions and events

- use of motor vehicle / transport expenses.

· All expenses claimed and reimbursed were within the limits and budget provided by the policy.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the expenditure tabled in accordance with the Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.

Background

Under section 252 of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) Council is required to adopt a policy concerning the payment of expenses and the provision of facilities to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors in relation to discharging the functions of civic office.

The Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy (the policy) is based on a template produced by the Office of Local Government.

The provision of facilities and expenses assists the Mayor and Councillors to fulfil their roles and responsibilities under the Local Government Act 1993. It enables the reasonable and appropriate reimbursement for expenses incurred by Councillors in undertaking their civic duties.

The table below details the total expenditure as reimbursed to each Council for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.

July 2023 to June 2024 Expenditure
Councillor	Amount $
Cr Bingham	4,614
Cr Crvelin	7,544
Cr De Luca	15,104
Cr Gencher	6,965
Cr Glanville	8,667
Cr Grattan	10,218
Mayor Heins	10,477
Cr Korzy	4,282
Cr Menano-Pires	3,312
Cr Page	1,144
Cr Regan	2,642
Cr Robins	9,710
Cr Ryburn	9,447
Cr Sprott	1,777
Cr Walton	4,366
Total expenditure	$100,269

Consultation

The subject of this report required no public consultation or internal stakeholder consultation.

Timing

Under section 15.2 of the policy a report detailing the provision of facilities and reimbursed expenses to councillors is to be tabled to Council every 12 months and made available on Council’s website.

Financial Considerations

The financial commitment for councillor expenses and facilities is outlined within the policy. Provision for expenses and facilities is included within the annual operational budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

The policy is required under sections 252 and 253 of the Act, and 403 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021. The reporting of expenses reimbursed to Councillors is to be tabled at a Council meeting and made available on Council’s website under section 15.2 of the policy.

Councillors are provided with a monthly expense report to support tracking of expenses. To the knowledge of staff, all expenditure identified has been incurred in accordance with the policy. All expenses claimed and reimbursed were within the limits provided by the policy.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The policy provides a framework for Councillors to claim for expenses incurred and facilities required for councillors to undertake their civic duties across the local government area.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome and Goal:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team	CEO
TRIM file ref	2024/688577
Attachments	Nil

Item 9.1 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

9.0 Corporate Services Division Reports

ITEM 9.1

Monthly Investment Report - July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide details of all money that Council has invested under section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Act).

Executive Summary

· In accordance with section 212 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (Regulation), the Responsible Accounting Officer must provide Council with a written report on a monthly basis setting out details of all money that Council has invested under section 625 of the Act.

· The Responsible Accounting Officer has certified that the investments listed in the report have been made in accordance with the Act, the Regulation and Council’s Investment Policy.

· As at 31 July 2024, Council had total cash and investments of $189,719,694 comprising:

Trading Accounts	$2,229,774
Investments	$187,489,920

· The portfolio achieved a return of 0.42% for the month of July, which was 0.05% above the benchmark AusBond Bank Bill Index return of 0.37%.

· The weighted average interest rate of the portfolio at month end is 5.21% compared to 5.17% for the prior month.

· Total investment income for July was $847,745 compared to budgeted income for the month of $664,001, principally as a result of both a higher than anticipated level of investments and higher investment interest rates.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the Investment Report as at 31 July 2024, including the certification by the Responsible Accounting Officer.

Background

In accordance with section 212 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (Regulation), a report setting out the details of money invested must be presented to Council on a monthly basis.

The report must also include certification as to whether or not the investments have been made in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, the Regulation and Council’s Investment Policy.

The details of the report (the key aspects of which are in the Executive Summary) are set out below, together with the Responsible Accounting Officer’s certification.

CERTIFICATION – RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTING OFFICER

I hereby certify that the investments listed in this report have been made in accordance with section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993, section 212 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 and existing Investment Policies – Caroline Foley Chief Financial Officer.

INVESTMENT REPORT

Investment Balances

*Rating is based on a private rating advised by the issuer to Council’s Investment Advisors.

Portfolio Analysis

Institutional Credit Framework – Compliance with Investment Policy Requirements

Clause 4.2.2 of Council’s Investment Policy requires that the exposure to an individual institution be restricted by their credit rating so that single entity exposure is limited, as detailed in the table below:

S&P Long Term Rating*	S&P Short Term Rating*	Maximum %	Portfolio Complies with Policy?
AAA (incl. government guaranteed deposits)	A-1+	50%	Yes
AA+
AA
AA-
A+	A-1	40%	Yes
A	A-1	40%	Yes
A-	A-2	30%	Yes
BBB+
BBB
BBB-	A-3	10%	Yes
Unrated**TCorp Funds	Unrated**	5%	Yes ($Nil)
Unrated***ADIs	Unrated***	$250,000	Yes ($Nil)

* Or Moody’s / Fitch equivalents

** Unrated Category is restricted to eligible managed funds such as the NSW Treasury Corporation Hour Glass Facilities

*** Unrated ADIs Category is restricted to those ADIs that are under the Australian government guarantee scheme and limited to maximum $250,000 per unrated ADI.

Overall Portfolio Credit Framework – Compliance with Investment Policy Requirements

Clause 4.2.1 of Council’s Investment Policy requires that the total percentage exposure within the market to any particular credit rating category be limited, as detailed in the table below:

S&P Long Term Rating*	S&P Short Term Rating*	Maximum %	Portfolio Complies with Policy?
AAA (incl. government guaranteed deposits)	A-1+	100%	Yes
AA+
AA
AA-
A+	A-1	100%	Yes
A
A-	A-2	80%	Yes
BBB+
BBB
BBB-	A-3	30%	Yes
Unrated**	Unrated**	5%	Yes ($Nil)

* Or Moody’s / Fitch equivalents

** Unrated Category is restricted to eligible managed funds such as the NSW Treasury Corporation Hour Glass Facilities and ADIs covered by the government guarantee scheme.

Term to Maturity Framework – Compliance with Investment Policy Requirements

Clause 4.2.4 of Council’s Investment Policy requires Council’s investment portfolio is to be invested within the following maturity constraints:

Overall Portfolio Term to Maturity Limits			Portfolio Complies with Policy?
Portfolio % <1 year	Min 40%	Max 100%	Yes
Portfolio % >1 year ≤3 year	Min 0%	Max 60%	Yes
Portfolio % >3 year ≤5 year	Min 0%	Max 30%	Yes

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Investment Performance vs Benchmark

a) Portfolio Return vs Benchmark

	Investment Portfolio Return *	Benchmark: AusBond Bank Bill Index
1 Month	0.420%	0.37%
3 Months	1.279%	1.10%
FYTD	0.420%	0.37%
12 Months	5.242%	4.37%

* Excludes trading account balances

Council’s Investment Advisors have stated this form of portfolio reporting conforms to global investment performance standards and that these standards say that periods below 12 months should not be annualised.

The above table shows a comparison of Council’s investment portfolio return to the benchmark. Council’s Investment Advisor, Laminar Capital, has created an accumulation index for the portfolio which increases each month by the portfolio internal rate of return to enable meaningful comparison to the benchmark AusBond Bank Bill index, which is an accumulation index.

The Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index is engineered to measure the Australian money market by representing a passively managed short term money market portfolio. This index is comprised of 13 synthetic instruments defined by rates interpolated from the RBA 24-hour cash rate, 1M BBSW, and 3M BBSW.

The portfolio achieved a return of 0.42% for the month of July which was 0.05% above the benchmark AusBond Bank Bill Index return of 0.37%. For the past 12 months the portfolio achieved a return of 5.242% which was 0.872% above the benchmark AusBond Bank Bill Index return of 4.37%.

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b) Portfolio Interest Rate vs Benchmark

	Weighted Average Portfolio Interest Rate (%pa) *	Average RBA Cash Rate
1 Month	5.21%	4.35%
3 Months	5.09%	4.35%
6 Months	5.10%	4.35%
FYTD	5.21%	4.35%
12 Months	5.09%	4.29%

* Excludes trading account balances

The above table shows the weighted average interest rate of the portfolio as at month end. This is an average of all the interest rates that each term deposit is earning. It is the current earning rate of the portfolio, and this information is useful as it shows how the earning rate is changing each month in line with changes in market interest rates. Each time a term deposit matures during the month it is being reinvested at current interest rates. To facilitate meaningful comparison, the weighted average interest rate of the portfolio is compared to the average Reserve Bank of Australia Cash Rate for the same period.

The weighted average interest rate of the portfolio is 5.21% compared to prior month's rate of 5.17%. For the past 12 months the weighted average interest rate of the portfolio was 5.09% compared to the average Reserve Bank of Australia Cash Rate of 4.29%.

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Monthly Investment Income* vs Budget

	Jul 2024 $	Year to Date $
Investment Income	847,748	847,748
Adjustment for Fair Value	(3)	(3)
Total Investment Income	847,745	847,745

Budgeted Income	664,001	664,001

*Includes all cash and investment holdings

Statement of Compliance

Portfolio Performance vs Bank Bill Index over 12-month period.	✔	Council’s investment performance did exceed benchmark.
Monthly Income vs Budget	✔	Council’s income from investments did exceed monthly budget.
Investment Policy Compliance
Legislative Requirements	✔	Fully compliant
Portfolio Credit Rating Limit	✔	Fully compliant
Institutional Exposure Limits	✔	Fully compliant
Term to Maturity Limits	✔	Fully compliant

Restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments

At the end of July 2024 total cash & investments were $189,719,694 and were made up of the following reserve allocations.

Allocation of Funds	Amount ($)	Percentage
Externally Restricted	64,572,048	34.04%
Internally Restricted	88,646,944	46.72%
Total Restricted	153,218,992	80.76%
Unrestricted	36,500,702	19.24%
Total	189,719,694	100.00%

Financial Considerations

Actual investment income for the period from 1 July 2024 to date was $847,745 compared to budgeted income of $664,001, a positive variance of $183,744 principally as a result of both a higher than anticipated level of investments and higher investment interest rates.

Governance and Risk Considerations

A revised Investment Policy was adopted by Council at its meeting on 26 July 2022. The Policy is reviewed annually by the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee. It was reviewed by the Committee at its meeting in December 2023, and no changes to the Policy were proposed.

Council’s Investment Strategy was reviewed in August 2023 by Council’s Investment Advisors, Laminar Capital Pty Ltd, who confirmed that the current policy “remains consistent with the Ministerial Investment Order and guidelines issued by the Chief Executive (Local Government), Department of Premier and Cabinet” and that they “do not recommend any changes to the list of approved investments or credit limit frameworks”.

Environmental Considerations

Council’s investments are managed in accordance with Council’s Investment Policy. Council’s Investment Policy requires consideration of environmental responsibility when making investment decisions.

Social Considerations

Council’s investments are managed in accordance with Council’s Investment Policy. Council’s Investment Policy requires consideration of social responsibility when making investment decisions.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome and Goal:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team	Finance
TRIM file ref	2024/582541
Attachments	Nil

Item 9.2 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

vid

ITEM 9.2

Monthly Investment Report - August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide details of all money that Council has invested under section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Act).

Executive Summary

· The Responsible Accounting Officer has certified that the investments listed in the report have been made in accordance with the Act, the Regulation and Council’s Investment Policy.

· As at 31 August 2024, Council had total cash and investments of $234,725,032 comprising:

Trading Accounts	$6,932,187
Investments	$227,792,845

· The portfolio achieved a return of 0.42% for the month of August, which was 0.04% above the benchmark AusBond Bank Bill Index return of 0.38%.

· The weighted average interest rate of the portfolio at month end is 5.06% compared to 5.21% for the prior month.

· Total investment income for August was $891,290 compared to budgeted income for the month of $745,501. Year to date income is $1,739,035 compared to budget of $1,409,502 principally as a result of both a higher than anticipated level of investments and higher investment interest rates.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the Investment Report as at 31 August 2024, including the certification by the Responsible Accounting Officer.

Background

In accordance with section 212 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (Regulation), a report setting out the details of money invested must be presented to Council on a monthly basis.

The report must also include certification as to whether or not the investments have been made in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, the Regulation and Council’s Investment Policy.

The details of the report (the key aspects of which are in the Executive Summary) are set out below, together with the Responsible Accounting Officer’s certification.

CERTIFICATION – RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTING OFFICER

INVESTMENT REPORT

Investment Balances

*Rating is based on a private rating advised by the issuer to Council’s Investment Advisors.

Portfolio Analysis

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Institutional Credit Framework – Compliance with Investment Policy Requirements

S&P Long Term Rating*	S&P Short Term Rating*	Maximum %	Portfolio Complies with Policy?
AAA (incl. government guaranteed deposits)	A-1+	50%	Yes
AA+
AA
AA-
A+	A-1	40%	Yes
A	A-1	40%	Yes
A-	A-2	30%	Yes
BBB+
BBB
BBB-	A-3	10%	Yes
Unrated**TCorp Funds	Unrated**	5%	Yes ($Nil)
Unrated***ADIs	Unrated***	$250,000	Yes ($Nil)

* Or Moody’s / Fitch equivalents

** Unrated Category is restricted to eligible managed funds such as the NSW Treasury Corporation Hour Glass Facilities

*** Unrated ADIs Category is restricted to those ADIs that are under the Australian government guarantee scheme and limited to maximum $250,000 per unrated ADI.

Overall Portfolio Credit Framework – Compliance with Investment Policy Requirements

Clause 4.2.1 of Council’s Investment Policy requires that the total percentage exposure within the market to any particular credit rating category be limited, as detailed in the table below:

S&P Long Term Rating*	S&P Short Term Rating*	Maximum %	Portfolio Complies with Policy?
AAA (incl. government guaranteed deposits)	A-1+	100%	Yes
AA+
AA
AA-
A+	A-1	100%	Yes
A
A-	A-2	80%	Yes
BBB+
BBB
BBB-	A-3	30%	Yes
Unrated**	Unrated**	5%	Yes ($Nil)

* Or Moody’s / Fitch equivalents

** Unrated Category is restricted to eligible managed funds such as the NSW Treasury Corporation Hour Glass Facilities and ADIs covered by the government guarantee scheme.

Term to Maturity Framework – Compliance with Investment Policy Requirements

Clause 4.2.4 of Council’s Investment Policy requires Council’s investment portfolio is to be invested within the following maturity constraints:

Overall Portfolio Term to Maturity Limits			Portfolio Complies with Policy?
Portfolio % <1 year	Min 40%	Max 100%	Yes
Portfolio % >1 year ≤3 year	Min 0%	Max 60%	Yes
Portfolio % >3 year ≤5 year	Min 0%	Max 30%	Yes

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Investment Performance vs Benchmark

a) Portfolio Return vs Benchmark

	Investment Portfolio Return *	Benchmark: AusBond Bank Bill Index
1 Month	0.420%	0.38%
3 Months	1.269%	1.11%
FYTD	0.844%	0.75%
12 Months	5.257%	4.39%

* Excludes trading account balances

The portfolio achieved a return of 0.42% for the month of August which was 0.04% above the benchmark AusBond Bank Bill Index return of 0.38%. For the past 12 months the portfolio achieved a return of 5.257% which was 0.867% above the benchmark AusBond Bank Bill Index return of 4.39%.

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b) Portfolio Interest Rate vs Benchmark

	Weighted Average Portfolio Interest Rate (%pa) *	Average RBA Cash Rate
1 Month	5.06%	4.35%
3 Months	5.09%	4.35%
6 Months	5.09%	4.35%
FYTD	5.14%	4.35%
12 Months	5.10%	4.31%

* Excludes trading account balances

The weighted average interest rate of the portfolio is 5.06% compared to prior month's rate of 5.21%. For the past 12 months the weighted average interest rate of the portfolio was 5.10% compared to the average Reserve Bank of Australia Cash Rate of 4.31%.

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Monthly Investment Income* vs Budget

	Aug 2024 $	Year to Date $
Investment Income	880,158	1,727,907
Adjustment for Fair Value	11,132	11,128
Total Investment Income	891,290	1,739,035

Budgeted Income	745,501	1,409,502

*Includes all cash and investment holdings

Statement of Compliance

Portfolio Performance vs Bank Bill Index over 12-month period.	✔	Council’s investment performance did exceed benchmark.
Monthly Income vs Budget	✔	Council’s income from investments did exceed monthly budget.
Investment Policy Compliance
Legislative Requirements	✔	Fully compliant
Portfolio Credit Rating Limit	✔	Fully compliant
Institutional Exposure Limits	✔	Fully compliant
Term to Maturity Limits	✔	Fully compliant

Restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments

At the end of August 2024 total cash & investments were $234,725,032 and were made up of the following reserve allocations.

Allocation of Funds	Amount ($)	Percentage
Externally Restricted	62,099,791	26.45%
Internally Restricted	87,264,886	37.18%
Total Restricted	149,364,677	63.63%
Unrestricted	85,360,355	36.37%
Total	234,725,032	100.00%

Financial Considerations

Actual investment income for the period from 1 July 2024 to date was $1,739,035 compared to budgeted income of $1,409,502, a positive variance of $329,533 principally as a result of both a higher than anticipated level of investments and higher investment interest rates.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Environmental Considerations

Social Considerations

Council’s investments are managed in accordance with Council’s Investment Policy. Council’s Investment Policy requires consideration of social responsibility when making investment decisions.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome and Goal:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team	Finance
TRIM file ref	2024/666329
Attachments	Nil

Item 9.3 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 9.3

Draft 2023/24 Financial Statements and Budget Rollovers to 2024/25

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to present to Council the draft Financial Statements of Northern Beaches Council for the 2023/24 financial year, which require certification and referral to Council’s external auditor, and to adjust the 2024/25 budget for rollovers between the 2 financial years.

Executive Summary

· Council’s Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2024 have been prepared and are now ready for referral to Council’s auditor, the Audit Office of NSW.

· The Council’s Net Operating Result for the 2023/24 financial year is a $44.1 million surplus, reducing to a surplus of $14.9 million when capital grants and contributions are excluded.

· The operating result (excluding capital grants and contributions) is $10.0 million higher than budget primarily due to the early payment of the 2024/25 Financial Assistance Grant ($3.6 million), lower domestic waste costs ($2.3 million) and re-phasing of spend in the core systems replacement project ($1.7 million).

· Council met the 6 financial performance benchmarks set by the Office of Local Government, but did not achieve 2 of the infrastructure benchmarks due to insufficient expenditure on the renewal and maintenance of infrastructure assets.

· Strengthening the underlying position and the asset management funding gap in the future is essential to addressing long-term financial sustainability concerns and is explored in the Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034.

· This report recommends changes to the 2024/25 budget which will increase the forecast operating deficit from $5.1 million to $9.8 million primarily due to the early payment of the Financial Assistance Grant on 28 June 2024 ($3.2 million) along with the rephasing of projects across the two financial years.

RECOMMENDATION

That:

1. Council resolves:

a. the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2024 have been properly drawn up in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 and the regulations made thereunder, the Australian Accounting Standards and professional pronouncements and the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting;

b. to the best of the Council’s knowledge and belief, the Financial Statements present fairly Council’s operating result and financial position for the year and accord with Council’s accounting and other records; and

c. Council is unaware of any matter that would render the Financial Statements false or misleading in anyway.

2. The Mayor, a Councillor, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer be authorised to sign the ‘Statement by Councillors and Management’ for the Financial Statements.

3. The Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2024 be referred to Council’s Auditor for audit.

4. Council hereby delegate to the Chief Executive Officer authority, upon receipt of the Auditor’s reports, to arrange for public notice to be given, in the required format on Council’s website, of the Council Meeting for presentation of the audited 2023/24 Financial Statements.

5. Roll over the following from the 2023/24 year to the 2024/25 budget for the items identified in the report:

a. $1,865,855 in operational projects expenditure and associated funding

b. $11,396,672 in capital projects expenditure and associated funding.

6. Reduce the 2024/25 budget for works undertaken in 2023/24 and budgeted in 2024/25 for the items identified in the report:

a. $2,901,679 in capital projects expenditure and associated funding.

Background

Preparation of the Financial Statements

The Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) relevantly provides:

1. Section 413(2) – A council's Financial Statements must include:

a. a General Purpose Financial Statement

b. any other matter prescribed by the Regulations

c. a statement in the approved form by the council as to the opinion on the General Purpose Financial Statements.

2. Section 416 – A council's Financial Statements for a year must be prepared and audited within 4 months after the end of the year concerned.

3. Section 418 – Upon receiving the Auditor’s reports, the Act requires Council must give at least 7 days public notice of the meeting at which it proposes to present its Audited Financial Statements, together with the Auditor’s reports, to the public. The public notice must include a statement that the business of the meeting will include presentation of the Audited Financial Statements, the Auditor’s reports and a summary of the Financial Statements.

4. Section 420 – Any person may make submissions in respect of Council’s Audited Financial Statements or the Auditor’s reports. Such submissions must be in writing and lodged with Council within 7 days after the public meeting at which these Statements are presented. Copies of all submissions received must be referred to Council’s Auditor. Council may take such action as it considers appropriate with respect to any submissions received, including giving notice to the Office of Local Government of any matter that appears to require amendment of Council’s Financial Statements.

To facilitate the above process, it is considered appropriate that Council delegate to the Chief Executive Officer authority, upon receipt of the Auditor’s reports by Council, to:

a. Arrange for the public notice of this meeting, in the required format, to be placed on Council’s website, advising of the meeting at which the Audited Financial Statements and the Auditor’s reports will be presented.

b. Arrange for Council’s Audited Financial Statements and a copy of the Auditor’s reports to be made available for public inspection on Council’s website and at Council’s Customer Service Centres and Libraries.

c. List the Audited Financial Statements and Auditor’s reports on the agenda for the next available Council Meeting for presentation to the public, which allows for the 7-day public notice requirement.

5. Section 428 - The Audited Financial Statements must be included in Council's Annual Report.

Clause 215 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 requires that the Statement under section 413(2)(c) of the Act on the Annual Financial Statements must be made by resolution of the Council and signed by the Mayor, at least one other Councillor, Chief Executive Officer and Responsible Accounting Officer.

The Financial Statements have now been prepared and a draft is attached for referral to audit.

Council is responsible for the preparation of the Financial Statements and adequate disclosures. This includes the maintenance of adequate accounting records and internal controls, selection and application of accounting policies, and the safeguarding of the assets of Council.

The accounting records have been maintained in accordance with section 412 of the Act and in a manner that permitted the timely preparation of the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2024. The update to the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting was issued in December 2023 and is relevant to this reporting period.

Discussion

The draft Financial Statements and Special Schedules for the year ended 30 June 2024 are provided under separate cover to this report (Attachment 2).

Financial Position and Performance as at 30 June 2024 (subject to Audit)

The principal features of the Financial Statements for 2023/24 (and prior years for comparison) are as follows:

Income Statement		2024	2023	2022	2021
	Income	$441.7m	$425.4m	$408.1m	$365.8m
	Operating expenses	$397.6m	$373.8m	$346.4m	$365.7m
	Net operating result for the year	$44.1m	$51.7m	$61.6m	$0.1m
	Result excl capital grants & contributions	$14.9m	$17.8m	$17.7m	($26.5m)

Capital expenditure		2024	2023	2022	2021
	New capital works	$29.9m	$41.7m	$44.2m	$33.8m
	Capital renewal works	$43.4m	$40.4m	$32.7m	$39.3m
	Non-cash asset dedications	$0.2m	$0.8m	-	$0.8m
	Total capital expenditure	$73.5m	$82.9m	$76.9m	$73.9m

Loan repayments		2024	2023	2022	2021
	Total loan repayments	$3.4m	$4.8m	$5.0m	$5.1m

Cash and investments		2024	2023	2022	2021
	Externally restricted	$62.0m	$53.1m	$41.5m	$30.8m
	Internally allocated	$88.6m	$90.8m	$80.2m	$83.4m
	Unrestricted	$49.7m	$38.9m	$36.4m	$33.0m
	Total cash and investments	$200.2m	$182.9m	$158.1m	$147.2m

Cashflows		2024	2023	2022	2021
	Net cash from operating activities	$92.8m	$110.7m	$90.2m	$70.0m
	Net cash from investing activities*	($70.8m)	($79.8m)	($73.0m)	($70.6m)
	Net cash from financing activities	($4.7m)	($6.1m)	($6.3m)	($6.5m)
	Net increase / (decrease) in cash & investments	$17.3m	$24.8m	$10.9m	($7.1m)
	* Excludes purchase and sale of investments

Financial Position		2024	2023	2022	2021
	Total assets	$5,888.9m	$5,636.4m	$5,421.0m	$5,245.2m
	Total liabilities	$186.5m	$187.3m	$184.5m	$198.6m
	Net assets	$5,702.4m	$5,449.2m	$5,236.5m	$5,046.6m

Financial performance indicators		2024	2023	2022	2021
	Operating performance	3.73%	4.46%	4.53%	(7.32)%
	Own source operating revenue	87.37%	84.61%	82.52%	87.42%
	Unrestricted current ratio	2.18x	1.92x	1.90x	1.69x
	Debt service cover ratio	6.85x	7.65x	7.25x	2.81x
	Rates and annual charges outstanding percentage	3.83%	3.57%	3.63%	3.92%
	Cash expense cover ratio	6.40 months	6.13 months	5.59 months	5.13 months

Asset performance indicators		2024	2023	2022	2021
	Building and infrastructure renewals	94.55%	130.77%	112.67%	117.19%
	Infrastructure backlog ratio	1.52%	1.49%	1.53%	1.50%
	Asset maintenance ratio	98.11%	109.69%	100.55%	106.52%
	Cost to bring assets to agreed service level	1.17%	1.22%	1.26%	1.24%

	Green font indicates performance indicator has achieved the Office of Local Government (OLG) benchmark
	The OLG set benchmarks for all indicators, apart from the ‘Cost to bring assets to agreed service level’.

Council’s Net Operating Result for the 2023/24 financial year is a $44.1 million surplus (2022/23: $51.7 million surplus, 2021/22: $61.6 million surplus) and a Net Operating Result before Capital Grants and Contributions of $14.9 million surplus (2022/23: $17.8 million surplus, 2021/22: $17.7 million surplus).

Table 1 Change in surplus (incl. capital grants and contributions) 2022/23 to 2023/24 ($’m)

The primary difference between the two financial years being:

· Interest and investment income: was $4.0 million higher than the previous financial year as a result of increasing interest rates (half of the returns on investments relate to restricted funds).

· Domestic waste service: the net cost of the domestic waste service was $1.9 million lower than the previous financial year primarily due to lower waste disposal costs than anticipated due a delay in the EPA waste levy increase and rephasing of several waste projects.

· Capital grants and contributions: Capital grants and contributions decreased by $4.7 million in 2024. The 2023 year included several large grant funded projects including Safer Schools Infrastructure ($2.6 million) and Duffys Forest RFS ($2.2 million).

· Financial Assistance Grant: was $3.4 million lower than the prior year due to the Commonwealth Government’s practice of prepaying this grant. In 2024, 85% of the 2025 grant was prepaid. While in the prior year, 100% of the 2024 grant was paid in advance along with 25% of the 2023 grant.

· Core operating systems replacement: Council is currently replacing its core operating systems. The implementation of new software is now classified as an operating expense (previously the accounting treatment of a project such as this would have been capital expenditure).

· Emergency Services Levy: the net cost of the levy was $1.5 million higher in 2024. The levy increased from $7.8 million to $9.3 million (and the $1.6 million subsidy that had been provided for in the past was discontinued with the last payment in June 2022 (for the 2023 year)).

· Other: includes the cost to undertake the biennial clearance of Narrabeen Lagoon, higher costs for insurance and workers compensation claims due to an increase in the complexity and duration of claims, offset by funding recovered from disaster claims that occurred in prior years.

Budget Adjustments for 2024/25

A review has been undertaken of remaining project funding, new funding received and projects ahead of schedule as at 30 June 2024.

This report recommends the rollover of unspent funds for capital ($11.4 million) and operational ($1.9 million) projects from 2023/24 to the 2024/25 financial year. This includes expenditure for projects underway and projects with new grant funding along with the reclassification of the Active Transport Corridor project from operating to capital expenditure.

Reductions to the 2024/25 budget are also proposed due to multi-year capital ($2.9 million) projects ahead of schedule that utilised 2024/25 budgeted funds in 2023/24. Grant income budget increases are also proposed for natural disaster claims along with adjustments for the early receipt of the 2024/25 Financial Assistance Grant.

The revised operating result excluding capital grants and contributions will change from a deficit of $5.1 million to a deficit of $9.8 million primarily due to the early payment of the Financial Assistance Grant on 28 June 2024 ($3.2 million) and the rephasing for the core operating systems replacement project ($1.1 million). The budget remains balanced.

The net operating and capital expenditure budget rollover to 2024/25 proposed is $10.4 million as outlined below in Table 1.

Table 1. Net budget roll over from 2023/24 to 2024/25

$ million	Original Budget	Net roll over from 2023/24 to 2024/25	Revised Budget
Capital expenditure	$99.3m	$8.5m $4.4m Council rollover $1.1m Kimbriki rollover $3m reclassification from opex*	$107.8m
Operating result (excl capital grants)	($5.1m) deficit	($4.6m) Expenses ($1.9m) Income ($2.8m)	($9.8m) deficit

* The Active Transport Corridor project (grant funded) has been reclassified from operating to capital expenditure as the project has been relocated from Sydney Water land to Council land ($3m).

These amounts are matched with funding including new and unexpended grants, development contributions, other externally and internally restricted funds and working capital.

A full list of proposed changes is itemised at Attachment 3. Major project rollovers are outlined below in Table 2.

Table 2. 2024/25 budget roll overs – major projects list

Project	$	Type
32511000. Enterprise resource planning system	1,150,001	Opex
CN01194. Kimbriki future cell development	1,103,704	Capex
CN01142. Manly Life Saving Club	800,792	Capex
CN01011. New traffic facilities	646,893	Capex
CN01199. Frenchs Forest precinct park upgrades	576,358	Capex
CR05068. IT Infrastructure replacements	402,857	Capex

A number of weather events in recent years were declared natural disasters, providing access to Federal Government funding towards clean up and restoration costs. Council is yet to receive funding for a number of these claims and proposes to carry forward a conservative forecast budget of $1.4 million in anticipation of the payment of our claims.

In addition, 85% of the 2024/25 Financial Assistance Grant was received on 28 June 2024, so a $3.2 million reduction in grant income is proposed in the 2024/25 financial year due to this uncontrollable timing difference. This grant must be recognised as income when it is paid, regardless of the period to which it relates.

Consultation

Council’s external auditors have conducted audit procedures during the year as an interim to the verification of assets and liabilities at year-end, to assess the reliability of the general ledger to produce Financial Statements.

Council’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee was provided with a draft of the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2024 at a meeting on 10 September 2024 for its assessment and advice. The Committee supported the draft 2023/24 Financial Statements as suitable for consideration by Council for referral to audit with minor amendments. These amendments have been incorporated into the draft Financial Statements.

Timing

Council's Financial Statements for a year must be prepared and audited in accordance with the Act, i.e., within four months after the end of the year concerned.

Financial Considerations

The preparation, compilation and audit of Council’s Financial Statements has been provided for in Council’s annual budget.

The operating result for the year was a surplus of $44.1 million ($14.9 million surplus after excluding grants and contributions received for capital purposes).

It should be noted the operating result includes the costs of a project underway to replace the Council’s core operating systems. The cost of this project was $3.0 million in the 2023/24 financial year. The operating result, excluding capital grants and contributions and this project, was a surplus of $17.9 million.

Council met all financial performance ratios and working capital is sufficient to meet the Council’s short-term operating requirements. However, 2 of the asset performance ratios did not meet the OLG’s benchmark, indicating the Council did not invest sufficient funding in the maintenance and renewal of infrastructure assets in the year. The Long-Term Financial Plan provides an alternative pathway to improve this position into the future.

The operating result (excluding capital grants and contributions) is $10.0 million higher than budget primarily due to the early payment of the 2024/25 Financial Assistance Grant ($3.6 million), lower domestic waste costs ($2.3 million) and delays in the COSMO Project ($1.7 million).

There are several restrictions on funds within the $14.9 million surplus from operations. When these are removed, the underlying result was a surplus of $1.5 million.

Underlying result	$’m
Surplus / (deficit) excluding capital grants and contributions	14.9
Less:
Interest on restricted Council funds	(4.0)
Domestic Waste	(4.1)
Stormwater Charge	(1.8)
Special Rates	(0.4)
Kimbriki (less dividend)	(2.1)
Mona Vale Cemetery	0.1
Gain on the disposal of assets	0.6
Financial Assistance Grant advance payment (net)	1.5
Recovery of natural disaster expenditure in prior year	(0.4)
Operating projects rolled to 2024/25	(2.8)
Underlying surplus / (deficit) excluding capital grants and contributions	1.5

Governance and Risk Considerations

The draft Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2024 were reported to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee, and it considered them suitable for presentation to Council with minor amendments. These amendments are reflected in the attached draft Financial Statements. The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and Australian Accounting Interpretations, the Local Government Act 1993 and Regulations, and the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting.

Environmental Considerations

Various environmental initiatives and projects were funded and undertaken in the year ended 30 June 2024. There are no adverse environmental impacts arising from the recommendations of this report.

Social Considerations

Various social initiatives and projects were funded and undertaken in the year ended 30 June 2024. There are no adverse social impacts arising from the recommendations of this report.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome and Goal:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team

Financial Planning & Systems

TRIM file ref

2024/618020

Attachments

⇨1 Statement by Councillors and Management - 2023/24 Financial Statements (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨2 Draft Financial Statements 2023/24 (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨3 Budget rollovers to 2024/25 (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 9.4 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 9.4

State of Our Region 2021-2024 report

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to endorse the State of Our Region 2021-2024, which reports progress in the implementation of the Northern Beaches Community Strategic Plan 2040.

Executive Summary

· The Community Strategic Plan 2040 is the long term plan for a more sustainable, equitable and resilient Northern Beaches which requires collaboration between Council, other levels of government and the community.

· This State of Our Region 2021-2024 at Attachment 1 is a progress report on the implementation and effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan 2040.

· The report structure reflects the 8 outcomes in the Community Strategic Plan 2040 and progress against goals is demonstrated through qualitative commentary and performance against measures.

· Progress against 77 performance measures is reported with 88% of measures on track. Where performance is off track, nearly half the measures are those impacted by COVID and still to return to pre-COVID baselines (e.g. growth in tourism, volunteering, active travel and household travel by car).

· The report informs the review of the Community Strategic Plan 2040 and further engagement is planned with the community to test sentiment on the current vision, outcomes and goals ahead of adopting a new Community Strategic Plan by 30 June 2025.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council endorse the State of Our Region 2021-2024.

Background

Following an ordinary local government election, the Local Government Act 1993 (sections 402-405) and Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines (2021) require councils to review and update their Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework (IP&RF) in consultation with the community. The IP&RF comprises the community strategic plan as well as the resourcing strategy, delivery program and operational plan.

The initial community strategic plan for Northern Beaches Council, known as SHAPE 2028, was developed in 2018 and involved extensive engagement with the community. Following the December 2021 local government elections, SHAPE 2028 was reviewed in consultation with the community and a revised plan, the Community Strategic Plan 2040, was adopted in June 2022.

The Community Strategic Plan 2040 comprises a community vision and 8 outcomes which are supported by 22 goals and clear strategies to achieve the goals. It sets an agenda for Council and other levels of government to deliver on the community’s aspirations for a more sustainable future. Amendments to the Community Strategic Plan 2040 included a new time horizon to 2040 and updating of the vision, outcomes and goals to reflect community feedback.

The Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines (2021) require preparation of a progress report on the implementation and the effectiveness of the community strategic plan (Essential Element 1.11). This report, known as the State of Our Region report, must be presented to and endorsed at the second meeting of a newly elected council.

The State of Our Region 2021-2024 provides an update on progress towards achieving the Community Strategic Plan 2040 which includes our community’s vision for ‘a safe, diverse, inclusive and connected community that lives in balance with our extraordinary coastal and bushland environment’.

overview of The report

The State of Our Region 2021-2024 at Attachment 1 is a progress report on our Community Strategic Plan 2040. The report structure reflects the 8 outcomes with progress in implementing the goals reported via qualitative commentary and performance against measures.

The performance measures in the Community Strategic Plan 2040 aim to evaluate progress towards the community’s vision and assess whether goals are being achieved. The measures have a baseline and identify a desired trend. Measures are considered either ‘on track’ to achieve their outcome or ‘off track’ if the trend is not in line with the outcome. There are a mix of corporate and community indicators as delivering on the goals is a shared responsibility between Council, other levels of government and the community. For each goal and measure the level of influence is shown as either control, influence or concern and a description of each is below.

Figure 1 Sphere of influence

A diagram of a diagram

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Performance Against Measures

The State of Our Region 2021-2024 tracks progress against 77 measures across the 8 outcomes. Overall, progress has been made with 88% of the measures on track and achieving the desired trend, see Graph 1.

Graph 1 Progress against measures

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* A total of 5 measures are not reportable across these outcomes.

Of the 9 measures (12%) that are off track and moving away from the desired trend, nearly half were those impacted by COVID and still to return to pre-COVID levels. This applied to measures for tourism including visitor nights, active travel trips, household travel by car and volunteering. The data for the measures is from 2022 as there is a time lag in the release of the data.

In terms of measures where Council’s level of influence is ‘control’, there was one measure off track. The building and infrastructure renewal ratio 2023/24 at 94.55% is below the industry benchmark of 100%. This ratio had been achieved in prior years and was impacted in 2023/24 by higher infrastructure asset depreciation as well as renewal funding being reduced to fund Council’s Enterprise Resource Planning system.

Data was unavailable to report on a further 5 measures. The data for 3 measures was to come from the Greater Sydney Commission which has been dissolved and the data is no longer available. Data for 2 measures will be available in 2025 when Council’s Environmental Perception Survey is rerun.

Highlights 2021-2024

Some of the highlights across the outcomes for 2021-2024 include:

· the adoption of the Northern Beaches Resilience Strategy - Withstand Adapt Thrive in 2022 which aims to build the collective resilience of our community and has resulted in actions to reduce disaster risk including upgrading our flood information tool, analysis to optimise the management of water levels in Manly Dam and the development of an online emergency dashboard

· transitioning to renewable energy sources, with 20,000 premises having installed solar panels, community batteries installed at Beacon Hill and Warriewood, and Council switching to 100 percent renewable-sourced electricity in 2021

· the endorsement of the Waste and Circular Economy Strategy 2040 – Rethink Reduce Reuse which provides a blueprint for future waste management, which will transform waste and litter management services away from a take, make and dispose model to one which provides for a cleaner, more sustainable future

· the implementation of action plans for disability inclusion, youth engagement and multicultural inclusion which have strengthened our social fabric

· a focus on renewing and replacing essential community infrastructure with the completion of the new Long Reef and Mona Vale surf club buildings and beginning of a new community centre for Warriewood

· progress in planning and developing vibrant local centres with the adoption of place plans to revitalise Avalon and Manly areas, the Brookvale Structure Plan and collaboration with the community and state agencies to create a vibrant new town centre in Frenchs Forest

· the development of our housing strategy in 2021 to support the delivery of diverse and affordable housing options to meet the evolving needs of our community

· the adoption of the Business on the Beaches strategy, which has helped enhance business support services and successful tourism initiatives

· improved transport and connectivity through new pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure such as the new bridge over Narrabeen Lagoon, advocacy for better public transport and road connections including upgrades of Mona Vale Road East by the NSW Government to improve the east-west transport corridor

· industry recognition through 54 awards for services, programs, infrastructure, customer service and community engagement including the AR Bluett Memorial Award received in 2022 recognising the Northern Beaches Council as the most progressive metrpolitan Council in NSW.

Further detail on progress can be found in the State of Our Region 2021-2024.

COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN 2040 - REVIEW

The Council must review the Community Strategic Plan 2040 before 30 June 2025. Section 402 of the Local Government Act 1993 provides that following review, a council may endorse the existing plan, or develop or endorse a new community strategic plan, as appropriate, to ensure that the area has a community strategic plan covering at least the next 10 years.

A community engagement plan has been developed to support the review of the Community Strategic Plan 2040. Figure 2 below provides an overview of the review process, how it is being staged, timing and key stakeholders. Stage 1 of the review will be launched following the endorsement of the State of Our Region report and will be supported by a range of engagement activities. It will explore community sentiment with the current vision, outcome and goals and what needs to change. The State of the Region report will inform the review.

Stage 2 of the review will occur in 2025 and will involve the exhibition of a revised Community Strategic Plan.

Figure 2 Overview of review of Community Strategic Plan 2040

A blue and white rectangular boxes with text

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Consultation

All business units were consulted as part of developing the State of Our Region 2021-2024.

Community consultation (as outlined in this report), commencing mid-October 2024, will be undertaken in 2 stages to explore the community’s sentiment on the current vision, outcomes and goals.

Timing

The State of Our Region report must be presented to and endorsed at the second meeting of a newly elected council in accordance with Essential Element 1.11 Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines (2021).

Financial Considerations

The recommendations of this report pose no financial impact on Council.

Governance and Risk Considerations

The State of our Region report has been prepared in accordance with the Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines (2021) and is presented at the second meeting of the new Council for endorsement. In accordance with section 428 of the Local Government Act 1993 the report will be appended to the Annual Report 2024/25 and submitted to the Minister for Local Government by 30 November 2025.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report will have a positive impact on environmental outcomes for members of the community. The environmental outcomes in the Community Strategic Plan 2040 will be reviewed in consultation with the community.

Social Considerations

The subject of this report will have a positive impact on social outcomes for members of the community. The social outcomes in the Community Strategic Plan 2040 will be reviewed in consultation with the community.

LINK TO STRATEGY

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome and Goal:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team	Corporate Strategy
TRIM file ref	2024/635534
Attachments	⇨1 State of Our Region Report 2021-2024 (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 9.5 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 9.5

Review of Policies

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek the adoption of 3 Northern Beaches Council policies and the public exhibition of 3 Northern Beaches Council policies.

Executive Summary

· Council’s Policy Framework (Framework) outlines the strategic principles for certain corporate documents including Council policies.

· Council is progressively reviewing all corporate documents covered by the Framework.

· In addition to Council’s standard review practices, in line with the Local Government Act 1993 (Act) a number of statutory reviews of certain corporate Council policies are also required within specified timeframes following an election of Councillors.

· The draft Code of Conduct, Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy and the draft Pensioners’ Rates and Annual Charges Concession Policies have been reviewed and are recommended to be adopted with minor changes.

· It is proposed to place the draft Managing Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant Policy, draft Child Safe Policy (and Child Safe Code of Conduct) and draft Sponsorship Policy on public exhibition for further input from the community before returning to Council for consideration.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1. Adopt the Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy.

2. Adopt the Pensioners’ Rates and Annual Charges Concession Policy.

3. Adopt the Code of Conduct Policy and draft Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct.

4. Place the following on public exhibition for a period of 28 days with the outcome of the public exhibition to be reported to Council:

a. Draft Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct

b. Draft Managing Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant Policy

c. Draft Sponsorship Policy.

Background

Council adopted a Policy Framework (Framework) at the Ordinary Council meeting held on 28 November 2023. The Framework provides the strategic principles for all Council policies and sets out the governance arrangements for the establishment and review of Council policies and other internal facing corporate documents.

All existing Council policies and other relevant internal corporate documents are progressively being reviewed in accordance with the settings of the Framework which provide that Council policies:

· provide high level strategic direction, are linked to Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and/or are required by relevant legislation and have community focus and/or significant public interest

· will, where appropriate, adopt and implement relevant model NSW Government policies which have been prepared for local government, rather than establish discrete Council policies on the same topic

· will not simply duplicate or re-state legislative requirements but, where appropriate, may expand on Council’s application of legislation.

The Framework provides that Tier 1 documents (Council policies) are governed by resolution of the elected Council, and the management of Tier 2 and 3 documents are the operational responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer.

Discussion

Draft Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy

The purpose of the Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy is to inform Council’s application of legislation in the recovery of outstanding rates and annual charges and the provision of assistance to those ratepayers who are experiencing genuine financial hardship with the payment of their rates and annual charges.

The Policy aligns with the advice from the Office of Local Government (OLG) under the Debt Management and Hardship Guidelines (Nov 2018).

Following a scheduled review of the policy, it was found to be operating effectively and remains consistent with industry practice and the advice of the OLG. Some minor amendments are proposed to the policy (Attachment 1) which are highlighted in the attachment for ease of reference. These changes are to remove any duplication or restatement of legislation and expand on Council’s application of legislation where appropriate. There are no changes to the policy position and it is recommended Council adopt the revised policy.

Draft Pensioners’ Rates and Annual Charges Concession Policy

The purpose of the Pensioners’ Rates and Annual Charges Concession Policy is to provide a framework for the administration of concessions provided by Council to eligible pensioners on rates and annual charges and clear principles and guidelines for the granting of those concessions, ensuring the requirements of the Act and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (Regulation) are satisfied.

In conjunction with Council’s Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy, the Policy aligns with the advice from the OLG under the Debt Management and Hardship Guidelines (Nov 2018).

Following a scheduled review of the policy, it was found to be operating effectively, and the policy statements remain consistent with legislative requirements, industry practice and the advice of the OLG. Some minor amendments are proposed to the policy (Attachment 2) which are highlighted in the attachment for ease of reference. These proposed changes seek to remove any duplication or restatement of legislation and to expand on Council’s application of legislation where appropriate.

Some sections of the policy relating to hardship assistance for pensioners are proposed to be removed as they duplicate the provisions included in the Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy.

The title of the policy has also been updated from ‘Pensioners’ Rates and Charges Concession Policy’ to ‘Pensioners’ Rates and Annual Charges Concession Policy’ for consistency. It is recommended Council adopt the revised policy.

Draft Code of Conduct Policy

The Northern Beaches Code of Conduct (the Code) sets the minimum standards of conduct for council officials. It is based on the OLG Model Code of Conduct which is prescribed under section 440 of the Act and the Regulation.

Under section 440 of the Act councils are required to adopt a code of conduct that incorporates the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct prescribed under the Regulation. Councils may supplement, enhance or strengthen the standards prescribed under the Model Code of Conduct in their adopted codes of conduct to make them more onerous.

Under section 440(7) of the Act Council is required to review its Code of Conduct within 12 months of an ordinary election of councillors.

Following the scheduled review of the Code (Attachment 3) and associated Procedures (Attachment 4), some minor administrative changes are proposed which are highlighted in the attachments for ease of reference. The changes in Attachment 3 include clause 4.1, 4.37, 9.13 and revision history and in Attachment 4 include clause 3.5, 5.45, 5.47, 12.7 and revision history. It is recommended Council adopt the revised code and procedures.

In September the OLG released a discussion paper for a proposed new framework for councillor conduct and meeting practices. Following the consultation process, the OLG plan to finalise a revised framework and then look to updating legislation, regulations and materials for the implemention of a revised model Code of Coduct over the next year. Following discussion with the OLG, it is recommended to continue with the review and adoption of the Code of Conduct as required under the Act, notwithstanding future potential changes.

Draft Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct

In 2020, Council adopted a Child Safeguarding Policy (Policy). The Policy is due for review as per Council’s Policy Framework. A new and revised version of the Policy has been prepared (Attachment 5) that incorporates adoption of the NSW Child Safe Standards, included in the 2022 NSW Government Child Safe Scheme. It also uses the Office of Children’s Guardian 2022 Model Child Safe Policy (contained within the ‘Understanding and Developing a Child Safe Policy – A handbook for child-related organisations’), and Model Child Safe Code of Conduct. The Child Safe Code of Conduct is contained within Appendix A of the Policy.

It is proposed that the draft Policy and Code of Conduct are placed on public exhibition for community feedback for a period of 28 days with the outcomes to be reported to Council.

Draft Managing Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant Policy

In 2018 Council established an Assisted Communications Protocol, to support staff to manage a small proportion of complainants who may behave unreasonably towards Council and adversely impact business operations. In accordance with Council’s Policy Framework a review of the current arrangement has been conducted. Since the protocol was put in place the NSW Ombudsman released a model policy in 2022 titled Managing Unreasonable Conduct and this has also been reviewed.

The model policy sets out clear expectations for behaviour of customers and provides support and strategies for staff to respectfully and appropriately deal with unreasonable conduct. This is defined by the Ombudsman as behaviour by a person which because of its nature or frequency, raises substantial health, safety, resource or equity issues for the people involved in the complaint process.

A draft Managing Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant Policy (Attachment 6) has been prepared in line with the NSW Ombudsman’s Model Policy. It is intended that this replace the existing internal protocol document. The policy is an important document for council to ensure staff are adequately supported and protected against psychosocial hazards in the workplace, as is already done with physical hazards. Work-related psychological injuries are a growing category of WHS across all industries, with significant repercussions for organisations, noting workers with psychological injuries generally have more time off work and injuries can also be more complex than physical injuries.

The new draft policy has two Appendices provided to support the management of unreasonable conduct, namely:

· Appendix A - Staff Guide to Managing Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant - a quick reference document to support staff in understanding what unreasonable conduct is and how matters can be escalated to management.

· Appendix B - Individual rights and mutual responsibilities of the parties to a complaint – explaining the rights and responsibilities of complainants, staff and subjects of a complaint.

It is proposed that the new draft Policy is placed on public exhibition for community feedback for a period of 28 days with the outcomes to be reported to Council.

Draft Sponsorship Policy

The recieving of sponsorship, where Council receives a financial contribution or in-kind to support for a project, in return for specified benefits, is regulated by the policies of Manly, Pittwater and Warringah councils.

These policies have been reviewed and consolidated and a draft Sponsorship Policy, developed to provide a single approach to the management of the receiving of sponsorships, is provided at Attachment 7.

The draft Policy has been developed based on the guidelines set out by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) ‘Sponsorship in the public sector’.

It is proposed to place the draft Policy on public exhibition for community feedback for a period of 28 days with the outcomes to be reported to Council. It is intended that, following feedback, a draft Policy will be put to Council to consider at which time, if adopted, the 3 policies of the former Councils will be revoked.

CONSULTATION

While Council’s Policy Framework encourages involvement by the community in developing and reviewing its policies, it acknowledges that consultation may not be required in all circumstances, such as where a policy is to be re-adopted or is consistent with a model policy provided by the NSW Government.

Noting the revised Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy and the Pensioner Rates and Annual Charges Policy remain consistent with the Office of Local Government’s Debt Management and Hardship Guidelines (Nov 2018) and the proposed changes are minimal, a formal 28-day exhibition process is not considered necessary to support Council in its consideration of the re-adoption of these policies.

Similarly, the administrative amendments proposed to the Code of Conduct are not substantive and it is proposed not to place this on public exhibition.

The policies recommended to be placed on public exhibition are the draft Sponsorship Policy, draft and draft Child Safeguarding Policy and draft Managing Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant Policy.

Financial Considerations

The recommendations of this report do not result in any change to the existing Council budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

The recommendations of this report are in line with Council’s Policy Framework. The Framework provides for an improved governance outcome for the management of Council policies.

The OLG is currently undertaking consultation on a range of proposals in relation to the Model Code of Conduct. Given this, Council is not proposing any substantive changes to the existing arrangements and will consider changes to its Code following an outcome of the NSW Government’s review process.

The recommendations of this report also ensure Council is meeting is legislative obligations to review its Code of Conduct in accordance with the time-bound requirements in the Act.

Environmental Considerations

There are no environmental impacts to consider in respect of the recommendations of this report.

Social Considerations

Policies are an important tool for Council to communicate its strategic direction to the community and provide visibility of the governance framework in line with Council’s key Community Strategic Plan outcome of Good Governance.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome and Goal:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team

Governance & Risk

TRIM file ref

2024/657968

Attachments

⇨1 Draft Rates and Annual Charges Hardship Policy (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨2 Draft Pensioners' Rates and Charges Concession Policy (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨3 Draft Code of Conduct Policy (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨4 Draft Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨5 Draft Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct. (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨6 Draft Managing Unreasonable Conduct by a Complainant Policy (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨7 Draft Sponsorship Policy (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 10.1 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

10.0 Community and Recreation Division Reports

ITEM 10.1

2024/25 Community Grants Program - Funding Recommendations

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to allocate funding under Council’s 2024/25 Community Grants Program.

Executive Summary

· The 2024/25 Community Grants Program has been developed in accordance with the adopted Community Grants and Partnership Policy and Guidelines.

· The program comprises 2 grant streams ‘Arts and Creativity’ and ‘Community Development’, with distinct funding categories, objectives, and selection criteria.

· There is a total funding pool of $220,000 for the 2 grant programs.

· The grants program was advertised from 27 June 2024 to 5 August 2024. In total, 137 eligible applications were received, requesting funds of $961,706.

· Forty-five projects have been recommended for funding.

· The funding priorities align with the Arts and Creativity Strategy 2029 and Better Together Social Sustainability Strategy 2040.

· A summary of recommended applications, including a brief project description and assessment feedback, is detailed in Attachment 1 and Attachment 2.

· The delivery date for funded projects is from 1 November 2024 to 31 December 2025.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council, pursuant to section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993, approve the allocation of $220,087 (excluding GST) under the 2024/25 Community Grants Program as outlined in Attachments 1 and 2, comprising:

1. $100,087 in respect of the Arts and Creativity grants program (Attachment 1).

2. $120,000 in respect of the Community Development grants program (Attachment 2).

Background

The Community Grants Program commenced in 2018/19 and provides grants of up to $10,000 to eligible individuals and organisations to supports projects and initiatives that deliver direct benefit to local people and communities of the Northern Beaches Local Government Area.

Funding priorities have been determined from Council’s Better Together Social Sustainability Strategy 2021-2040 and Arts and Creativity Strategy 2029.

Council received the following applications to each grant program:

Grants Program	Applications Received	Eligible Applications	Eligible Applications Amount Requested	Funding Available
Arts and Creativity	73	71	$474,513	$100,000
Community Development	72	66	$487,193	$120,000
TOTAL			$961,706	$220,000

The number of applications recommended for funding are shown below:

Grants Program	Applications Recommended for Funding	Full Funding	Partial Funding	Recommended Funding (excluding GST)
Arts and Creativity	24	6	18	$100,087
Community Development	21	13	8	$120.000
TOTAL				$220,087

The additional $87 in the recommended funding is available within the 2024/25 operational budget.

Each funding program and stream in the 2024/25 Community Grants Program is detailed individually in the following sections of the report.

Discussion

1. Arts and Creativity Grants

The Arts and Creativity grants program continues to realise the vision of the Arts and Creativity Strategy, Connected through Creativity 2029 (the Strategy). The grants provide vital support for the arts sector, ensuring a vibrant, connected and engaged community.

In 2024/25 the grants program addresses the following key objectives identified in the Strategy, including:

1. Foster innovation and contribute to the growth of the local arts and creative sector through collaboration and partnerships

2. Connect with and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and cultures

3. Develop the skills of local creative professionals and arts workers across all arts disciplines

4. Increase access and community participation in arts, culture, and creativity

5. Animate public spaces with creative initiatives, including in unexpected and unique urban environments

6. Tell diverse stories authentic to the Northern Beaches

7. Explore opportunities to increase representation of community diversity in the public domain, including people with disabilities, and culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTQIA+ communities.

In 2024/25, the Arts and Creativity Grants program received a total of 73 applications, of which 71 proceeded to assessment. 24 applications are recommended for full or partial funding. In 2024/25 the Arts and Creativity Grants contains two grant categories, as detailed below.

Independent Creative Projects

This grant category is for projects up to $5,000, with a total combined pool of $100,000 shared with the Community and Creative Sector Projects.

The Independent Creative Projects category is designed to support individual artists and artistic collaborations in the production and presentation of new work, and/or professional development. This includes arts and creative workers with a demonstrated history of professional arts practice working across a range of established and emerging art forms and disciplines.

These applications were assessed according to the category objectives and the following criteria:

1. Rationale and Impact

· Demonstrated value of the project/initiative and how outcomes will be measured.

· Alignment with Council’s strategies and objectives

2. Connection and Development

· Building connections within the creative community and enhancing access to the arts.

· Development of professional practice and skills.

3. Experience and Capacity

· Relevant experience and skills of applicant and collaborators.

· Demonstrated history of the delivery of high-quality arts and creative projects.

4. Viability

· Clear and practical plan to deliver the project.

There are 12 applications recommended for funding, with 5 projects recommended to receive the full amount requested and 7 recommended to receive partial funding, as shown in the following table and in more detail in Attachment 1:

Applicant	Project Title	Recommended Funding (excluding GST)
I.C. Markus Dunworth & R. Siciliano	Eco film processing in industry waste with The Darkroom Social	$4,000
J.A. Nicholson & F.C. Verity	Art Wnk Podcast: Platform subscription*	$978
Jackelyn Bickell	Create. Connect. Cultivate: Professional development seminars for emerging artists	$3,000
Jodie Katherine Dowd	Wayapa Wuurk: Practitioner training and workshops	$5,000
Joshua Paul Little	Ikigai Sessions: Video and performance recording project	$3,349
Katherine Alison Butcher	Common Threads: Collaborative exhibition with community workshops	$5,000
Li Sze Teo	Eastern ceramic techniques: Practitioner training, exhibition and community workshops	$4,000
Mai Oshima	Stained glass workshops	$4,000
Michael Booth	Manly bookshop theatre project	$3,000
Penelope Susan Blunsden	Everywhere and Nowhere: Solo exhibition	$3,500
Simon Maurice John Croker	Phantom Elegance: Film project	$5,000
Siobhan Stollznow	Fibre Arts Festival	$2,000
Total		$42,827

Community and Creative Sector Projects

This grant category is for projects up to $10,000, with a total combined pool of $100,000 shared with the Independent Creative Projects. Applicants were required to address the same assessment criteria listed above.

The Community and Creative Sector Projects category is designed to support local arts businesses, community groups, and other organisations. Applicants may be investigating new ideas/designs or concepts, establishing new ventures, or developing projects to grow the creative industries and support sector sustainability. Projects which provide greater access to the arts for the local community were highly regarded.

These applications were assessed according to the category objectives and the following criteria:

1. Rationale and Impact

· Demonstrated value of the project/initiative and how outcomes will be measured.

· Alignment with Council’s strategies and objectives.

2. Connection and Development

· Building connections within the creative community and enhancing access to the arts.

· Development of professional practice and skills.

3. Experience and Capacity

· Relevant experience and skills of applicant and collaborators.

· Demonstrated history of the delivery of high-quality arts and creative projects.

4. Viability

· Clear and practical plan to deliver the project.

There are 12 applications recommended for funding, with one project recommended to receive the full amount requested and eleven recommended to receive partial funding, as shown in the following table and in more detail in Attachment 1:

Applicant	Project Title	Recommended Funding (excluding GST)
Amber Marie Boardman	Drawing marathon for high school visual arts students	$5,000
Anita Patricia Connell	Art therapy program for young people	$5,340
Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Incorporated	Avalon Village Arts and Environmental Festival	$5,000
Cerebral Palsy Alliance	Cerebral Palsy Alliance: Arts and creativity program	$2,400
Hamazkaine Armenian Educational & Cultural Society Regional Committee	Armenian Prpoor Festival Australia 2025	$6,000
Lewis Edward Holt	Canned Laughter: Comedy development program	$6,000
Manly Theatre Group Incorporated	Festival of Short Plays: Program development	$2,000
Manly Writers' Festival Inc	Manly Writers' Festival 2025	$5,000
Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce	Newport local music pilot program	$3,000
Romani Arts and Culture Collective Incorporated	Balkan-Brazilian cultural event	$6,000
The Balgowlah Bowling Club Limited	Eastern Lounge: Live music program	$3,520
Venessa Crane	Me and My Shadows: Theatre production	$8,000
Total		$57,260

2. Community Development Grants

Community Development grants are an important part of Council’s role supporting the social services sector, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable in our community. This program aligns with the adopted Social Sustainability Policy, which outlines Council’s role in community services:

Northern Beaches Council acts principally as a facilitator and enabler of social sustainability in order to build the capacity and resilience of the community to achieve individual and collective wellbeing. Community development activities are carried out in collaboration with individuals and service providers, including community groups, charitable organisations, government and non-government agencies and neighbouring Councils.

As Council has limited direct service provision, the Community Development Grants Program is an important program that contributes to the wellbeing of Northern Beaches residents.

The Community Development Grants received seventy-two applications, with twenty-one recommended for full or partial funding. In 2024/25 the Community Development Grants were split into two grants categories, Community Development Grants and Small Grants, as detailed below.

Community Development Grants

The community development grant category is for projects up to $10,000 with a total combined pool of $120,000 shared with the small grants category.

This grant category was open to incorporated, not-for-profit organisations, with the following two main funding priorities identified in Better Together, Council's Social Sustainability Strategy.

1. Projects aligned with Council’s adopted Multicultural Inclusion Plan that:

a. celebrate diversity and cultural expression (Welcoming)

b. make people feel safe, connected and included in community life (Participating).

2. Projects that build community connections for any of the following:

a. priority populations including young people (12-24), families, older people (60+), First Nations, LGBTQ+ community, multicultural communities, people living with disability, people experiencing domestic violence, mental ill-health or are at risk of homelessness

b. intergroup connections between our diverse communities

c. intergenerational connections.

Applications from eligible organisations were required to address the following assessment criteria:

1. Has a clear rationale with identified community need.

2. Addresses at least one of the funding priority areas.

3. Addresses at least one of the project outcomes.

4. Demonstrates value for money with a detailed income and expenditure for how the funds will be used.

5. Evidence of effective consultation, networking or project partnerships.

There are 13 applications recommended for funding from a total of 39 eligible applications requesting a total of $357,613. This includes 8 projects recommended to receive the full amount requested and 5 recommended to receive partial funding, as shown in the following table and in more detail in Attachment 2.

Applicant	Project Title	Recommended Funding (excluding GST)
Armenian Seniors Association Inc.	Connecting the elderly Armenian Community within the Northern Beaches	$7,998
Bridge Housing Limited	Reducing social isolation in Narraweena	$9,828
Dee Why Surf Lifesaving Club Incorporated	Beach safety for diverse communities not from an ocean aware background.	$ 8,000
Epilepsy Action Australia	'Equip' Epilepsy Awareness in the Northern Beaches	$5,000
Lifeline Northern Beaches Limited	Clinical support group: Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse (ASCA) - Women	$10,000
Mongrels Men Health and Wellbeing Limited	Mental Health Response Ready Community Champions	$4,000
Nest Incorporated	Art programs bridging gaps for multicultural communities	$6,000
Ocean Heroes	Ocean Heroes Manly providing surf education for the autism community	$3,000
Proveda Belong Club	Belong Club: All abilities dance class for seniors to reduce social isolation	$5,000
The Association of Drug Referral Centres (trading as Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Centre)	Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) program for young people in partnership with local schools and services	$10,000
The Groove And Wellness Society Inc.	Groove Well dance and mental health education workshops fostering intergenerational connections.	$5,000
Women & Children First	Moments Program including workshops, mentoring, yoga and a family photo shoot	$5,000
Women's Resilience Centre Limited	Resilient Motherhood parenting course to support and educate single mothers	$10,000
TOTAL		$88,826

Small Grants

The Small Grants category is for projects up to $5,000 from the total pool of $120,000 shared with the community development grants category.

The purpose of this category is to offer a more accessible program focused on seed funding to help maintain and grow smaller, less established community groups, services and activities, promoting inclusion, participation and social connections.

This grant category was open to community groups and organisations, social enterprises and incorporated and unincorporated non-for-profit organisations.

In this grant category, applications from eligible groups and organisations were required to address the following assessment criteria:

1. Has a clear rationale with identified community need

2. Addresses the funding priority

3. Demonstrates value for money with a detailed income and expenditure for how the funds will be used.

There are 8 applications recommended for funding from a total of 37 applications requesting a total of $129,580. This includes 5 projects recommended to receive the full amount requested and 3 recommended to receive partial funding, as shown in the following table and in more detail in Attachment 2:

Applicant	Project Title	Recommended Funding (excluding GST)
ARTABILITY, under the auspices of the Northern Beaches Creative Leisure and Learning INC	Artability, Accessible Community Creative Arts Program	$3,000
Avalon Youth Hub	SLAY: Supporting LGBTQI+ Advocacy and Youth	$5,000
Community Northern Beaches Incorporated (Operating as LocalKind)	Human Library: Voices of Resilience	$3,345
FILCOS North Shore Inc	Philippine Fiesta Experience at the Northern Beaches	$4,500
Fusion Pride Northern Beaches	Fusion Pride Picnic 2025	$5,000
Literacy Network Manly Warringah Inc	Update of Literacy Network's key program equipment	$3,417
Men's Kitchen Association Limited	Upgrade membership management system	$3,089
Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT Inc	Wheelchair Sports Rolling Rainbow Sports Day	$3,823
TOTAL		$31,174

Consultation

The 2024/25 Community Grants Program was open for applications from 27 June 2024 to 5 August 2024.

Five Grant Information Sessions were held in July 2024. In addition, online webinars were recorded and made available for all applicants on Council website and staff provided additional personal assistance and guidance to applicants, where requested.

Program information and guidelines were advertised and promoted widely throughout the community, including information and emails to relevant grant, network and group distribution lists, Council’s website and several broad and targeted social media platforms.

In addition to the promotion of the overarching Grants program, a specific approach was taken to develop a targeted promotional campaign for each of the streams.

Assessment Panel

Council staff conducted eligibility checks on all applications received prior to progressing to assessment by the Assessment Panels. Each stream convened separate assessment panels consisting of experts in each area with a balance of two internal and two external assessors.

The Arts and Creativity Assessment Panel comprised of:

· one Aboriginal-identified member, with expertise in arts and culture

· one local resident of the Northern Beaches with expertise in arts and culture

· two representatives from Council’s Arts and Culture team.

The Community Development Assessment Panel comprised of:

· two local residents of the Northern Beaches with expertise in community development and services

· two representatives from Council’s Community Development team.

Assessment Panel members undertook individual online assessments and submitted a score for each application against the Assessment Criteria, resulting in a priority ranking. The Assessment Panels met in person to discuss the priority ranking and reached consensus on the projects recommended for funding.

Timing

The 2024/25 Community Grants Program was open for applications from 27 June to 5 August 2024.

Program funding will be distributed as soon as practicable following Council approval. Grant funded projects are to be completed by 31 December 2025 and acquitted by 31 January 2026.

Financial Considerations

Funding to support the 2024/25 Community Grants Program is included in the existing budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

The 2024/25 Community Grants Program is in accordance with section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Applications are assessed against pre-defined and advertised criteria and follow a clear and transparent process to ensure equity. The program was widely advertised, and external, independent community members were part of the assessment process.

The Assessment Panel was recruited in line with the Appointment of Committee Members Policy.

The 2024/25 Community Grants Program is in accordance with the adopted Community Grants and Partnerships Policy.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The funding of these grants will have a significant positive impact on our local community. While it is difficult to quantify the precise social and economic value of grant funding, Council’s resourcing of local individuals, community groups, services and organisations enables them to achieve community and creative outcomes that far exceeds Council’s capacity to achieve these outcomes alone.

The projects supported by the Arts and Creativity grants will contribute to achieving the goals set out in the Arts and Creativity Strategy. These goals are to increase participation and engagement in creativity by our diverse communities, enable the sustainability of the local creative sector, and encourage a vibrant, creative culture authentic to the Northern Beaches.

The Community Grants Program aligns with the strategic direction of the Social Sustainability Strategy – Better Together 2040, focusing on Council’s role as facilitator and enabler of local groups, services, and organisations.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcomes and Goals:

· Community and belonging - Goal 7 Our diverse community is supported to participate in their chosen cultural life.

· Community and belonging - Goal 8 Our community feels safe and supported.

· Community and belonging - Goal 9 Our community is inclusive and connected.

Reporting team

Community, Arts & Culture

TRIM file ref

2024/577690

Attachments

⇨1 2024/25 Arts and Creativity Grants - Funding Recommendations (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨2 2024/25 Community Development Grants - Funding Recommendations (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 11.1 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

11.0 Environment and Open Space Division Reports

ITEM 11.1

2024/25 Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program - Funding Recommendations

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to allocate funding under of the 2024/25 Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program.

Executive Summary

· The 2024/25 Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program funds improvements to community sport and recreation facilities on Council-managed land.

· Applicants can apply for a minimum of $10,000 and up to a maximum of $35,000 for eligible projects.

· The 2024/25 Grant Program opened for applications on 28 June 2024 and closed on 9 August 2024, with 31 applications being received with a total value of $681,104 (excluding GST)

· The applications were assessed by a Grants Panel who recommends that the total Grant Program budget of $100,000 (excluding GST) is allocated to 5 projects across 4 sports as outlined in this report.

· Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with Council and to complete and acquit their grant funded projects by 30 June 2025.

· Applicants not recommended for funding will be provided feedback on their applications upon request.

RECOMMENDATION

That pursuant to section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993 Council approve provision of funding under the 2024/25 Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program, as follows:

1. Harbord United Junior Rugby League Football Club; to install a new drainage system on sports field 1 at Harbord Park, Freshwater - $35,000 (excluding GST).

2. Bareena Park Tennis Club; to install new lighting on 3 unlit tennis courts at the Bareena Park Tennis Centre, Balgowlah Heights - $30,000 (excluding GST).

3. Belrose Terrey Hills Raiders Soccer Club; to upgrade the kitchen and canteen in the clubhouse building at Terrey Hills Oval, Terrey Hills - $12,864 (excluding GST).

4. Allambie Beacon Hill United Football Club: to install a new storage shed on the clubhouse building at Beacon Hill Reserve, Beacon Hill - $12,000 (excluding GST).

5. Newport Bowling Club; to upgrade the female bathrooms in the Newport Bowling Club building, Newport - $10,136 (excluding GST).

Background

Council’s 2024/25 Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program (Grant Program) aims to improve Council’s sport and recreation facilities and to meet the following program objectives:

· Increase opportunities for participation in sport, recreation, and active play

· Improve the viability of sport and recreation groups

· Develop safe, accessible, and family friendly facilities.

There is $100,000 (excluding GST) available for the 2024/25 Grant Program. Applicants can apply for a minimum of $10,000 and up to a maximum of $35,000 for eligible projects.

The Grant Program opened for applications on 28 June 2024 and closed on 9 August 2024. Information about the Grant Program including assessment criteria, eligibility and processes were presented in the 2024/25 Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Grants Program Guidelines (the Guidelines) published on Council’s website and referred to in the online application form.

During the application period 31 applications were received via the online Smarty Grants system. A total of $681,104 was requested.

Discussion

The applications received were firstly assessed for eligibility against these requirements:

· The project is for new infrastructure or the upgrade of existing infrastructure on a Council owned or managed facility.

· The applicant is incorporated and not-for-profit, has owner’s consent from Council to submit their application and has quotes for the project as required.

Twenty eight of the 31 applications received were deemed eligible.

Eligible applications were then assessed against these criteria:

· Level to which the project addresses the program objectives

- Increase opportunities for participation in sport, recreation, and active play

- Improve the viability of sport and recreation groups

- Develop safe, accessible, and family friendly facilities

· Addresses the principles, priorities and/or actions of Council’s Strategies and/or demonstrates community need

· Applicant’s capacity to deliver

· Value for money.

The assessment of eligible applications was undertaken by 3 staff from the Property, and Parks and Open Space Business Units (Grants Panel). The Grants Panel undertook individual assessment of each eligible application and then came together at a meeting held 5 September 2024 to make recommendations by consensus. The Grants Panel meeting was chaired by two representatives from the Corporate Strategy team (non-voting).

Applications which ranked the highest by the Grants Panel and are recommended for funding are:

· Harbord United Junior Rugby League Football Club; to install a new drainage system on sports field 1 at Harbord Park, Freshwater - $35,000 (excluding GST).

· Bareena Park Tennis Club; to install new lighting on 3 unlit tennis courts at the Bareena Park Tennis Centre, Balgowlah Heights - $30,000 (excluding GST).

· Belrose Terrey Hills Raiders Soccer Club; to upgrade the kitchen and canteen in the clubhouse building at Terrey Hills Oval, Terrey Hills - $12,864 (excluding GST).

· Allambie Beacon Hill United Football Club: to install a new storage shed on the clubhouse building at Beacon Hill Reserve, Beacon Hill - $12,000 (excluding GST).

· Newport Bowling Club; to upgrade the female bathrooms in the Newport Bowling Club building, Newport - $10,136 (excluding GST).

CONSULTATION

The Corporate Strategy Grants team and the internal Community Grants Working Group were consulted and provided advice on the Guidelines, on-line application form and the Grants Panel Terms of Reference document and promotion.

Information on the Grant Program and Guidelines was advertised collectively with Council’s other grant programs and promoted through e-mails sent to sports and recreation groups, and via Council’s website and social media platforms.

The proposed Grants are for works that are minor in nature and would not require community engagement under Council’s Community Engagement Policy except for the proposed lights at Bareena Park Tennis Club, which has been through a Development Application process and has received Development Consent.

Timing

Projects funded through the 2024/25 Grant Program are to be completed and acquitted by 30 June 2025.

Financial Considerations

There is $100,000 in the 2024/25 Parks and Open Space Capital Budget for the 2024/25 Grant Program.

Governance and Risk Considerations

The applications received have been processed and assessed in accordance with the 2024/25 Grant Program Guidelines and the Grants and Partnerships (Financial Assistance) Policy. Applicants recommended for grant funding have owner’s consent from Council to lodge their applications for their nominated projects.

A Grant Panel Terms of Reference Document was developed for the 2024/25 Grant Program that outlined the panel’s roles and responsibilities. This document was provided to each Grants Panel member who acknowledged they had read the document.

Should the recommendations within this report be approved by Council, successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with Council. Fifty percent of the approved grant funding may be made available upon signing the agreement subject to meeting any Council requirements. The remaining 50% will be paid upon successful completion of their projects and meeting Council’s acquittal requirements. Applicants not recommended for funding will be provided feedback on their applications upon request.

Environmental Considerations

Should the recommendations within this report be approved by Council the successful applicants will be required to obtain owner’s consent from Council to commence works. Applicants are to submit, among other documentation, detailed specifications and construction methodologies including relevant environmental controls and mitigation to Council’s satisfaction before consent will be provided.

Social Considerations

The anticipated benefits from the applications recommended for funding are summarised below:

· Harbord Park sports field 1 - a new drainage system will improve the quality of this field’s playing surface, potentially reducing closures due to rain and increasing its capacity for more sports participation.

· Bareena Park Tennis Centre - new lights on 3 unlit tennis courts will enable evening court use and increase opportunities for more participation as well as increasing the tennis club’s potential to attract more members and to raise more funds for its operations.

· Belrose Terrey Hills Raiders Soccer Club building - the upgrade of the kitchen and canteen will increase the soccer club’s capacity to sell food and drinks from the clubhouse and the potential to raise more funds for its operations.

· Allambie Beacon Hill United Football Club building - a new storeroom will enable equipment stored in members’ homes and in the change rooms of this building to be housed in a dedicated space. The change rooms will then be more accessible for players.

· Newport Bowling Club building - the upgrade of the female bathrooms will improve the access and quality of these amenities for female patrons.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to these Community Strategic Plan Outcomes and Goals:

· Housing, places and spaces - Goal 12 Our community has access to spaces that enable healthy and active living and allow for a broad range of creative, sporting, and recreational opportunities to be enjoyed.

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team	Parks & Open Space
TRIM file ref	2024/494021
Attachments	⇨1 Application Overview - 2024/25 Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 11.2 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 11.2

Temporary Changes to Alcohol Prohibited Areas for Council's Christmas Choral Concert 2024, New Year's Eve 2024 and Australia Day 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to consider declaring temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas on New Years Eve 2024 and Australia Day 2025, and suspending the Alcohol Prohibited Area at Manly Oval on 5 December 2024 for Council’s Christmas Choral Concert.

Executive Summary

· In recent years, at the request of the NSW Police Northern Beaches Police Area Command (the Police), Council has declared temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas at Rowland Reserve Bayview on New Year’s Eve, and at reserves, parks and the sand areas at all beaches on Australia Day.

· This joint initiative assists Police in managing alcohol related antisocial behaviour.

· The Police have again requested that Council declare a temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Area at Rowland Reserve on New Year’s Eve 2024 and at all reserves, parks and the sand areas of all beaches on Australia Day 2025 (Attachment 1).

· It is recommended that this request be supported, noting that Council’s beaches (ocean and inner waterways) have already been declared 24 hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas by Council on 28 May 2024.

· It is also recommended that the 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Area at Manly Oval be suspended for Council’s Christmas Choral Concert on 5 December 2024 from 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm, noting this has occurred in prior years without incident.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1. Note the request of the NSW Police Northern Beaches Police Area Command to declare temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas at Rowland Reserve, Bayview on New Year’s Eve 2024 and at all reserves, parks and the sand areas of all beaches on Australia Day 2025.

2. Declare a temporary Alcohol Prohibited Area at Rowland Reserve, Bayview for New Year’s Eve from 6.00 am on 31 December 2024 for a period of 24 hours until 6.00 am on 1 January 2025.

3. Declare temporary Alcohol Prohibited Areas at all reserves and parks within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area for Australia Day from 6.00 am on 26 January 2025 for a period of 24 hours until 6.00 am on 27 January 2025.

4. Suspend the operation of the Alcohol Prohibited Area at Manly Oval on 5 December 2024 from 5.00 pm until 8.30 pm for Council’s Christmas Choral Concert.

5. Publish notices of the above as required and pursuant to the relevant sections of the Local Government Act 1993.

6. Install temporary signage at Manly Oval, Rowland Reserve, and where required, beaches and high use reserves within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area.

Background

Temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas - New Year’s Eve 2024 and Australia Day 2025

In recent years, at the request of the NSW Police Northern Beaches Police Area Command (the Police), Council has declared temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas at Rowland Reserve, Bayview on New Year’s Eve and at reserves and parks and the sand area of all beaches on Australia Day. This joint initiative assists the Police in managing alcohol related antisocial behaviour.

The Police have again requested that Council declare a temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Area at Rowland Reserve on New Year’s Eve 2024 and at all reserves, parks and the sands of all beaches on Australia Day 2025 (Attachment 1).

Suspension of the 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Area at Manly Oval for Council’s Christmas Choral Concert 5 December 2024

Council’s annual Christmas Choral Concert at Manly Oval will be held on Thursday 5 December 2024. Alcohol has been permitted at this concert in prior years without incident. Council’s Events and Partnership Team, who coordinates this event, has again requested the 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Area at Manly Oval be suspended to allow attendees to bring alcohol to this event for their own consumption.

DISCUSSION

In response to the request from the Police it is recommended that:

· A temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Area be declared at Rowland Reserve, Bayview for New Year’s Eve from 6.00 am on 31 December 2024 for a period of 24 hours until 6.00 am on 1 January 2025

· Temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas be declared at all reserves and parks within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area for Australia Day from 6.00 am on 26 January 2025 for a period of 24 hours until 6.00 am on 27 January 2025.

A declaration is not required for beaches because all ocean and inner waterway beaches were already declared as 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas by Council on 28 May 2024.

In response to the request from the Events and Partnership Team it is recommended that the operation of the Alcohol Prohibited Area at Manly Oval be suspended on 5 December 2024 from 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm for Council’s Christmas Choral Concert.

Consultation

Staff have consulted with the Police regarding their request for temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas on New Year’s Eve 2024 and Australia Day 2025 and Council’s proposal for suspending the Alcohol Prohibited Area at Manly Oval. The Police have no objections to the proposal for Manly Oval.

Timing

Should the recommendations within this report be approved, the public will be notified about the changes to the Alcohol Prohibited Areas via Council’s website and on temporary signs prior to the commencement of these arrangements. Temporary signs will be installed at Manly Oval, Rowland Reserve, beaches (where required including at beach locations where there are not already permanent 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Area signs in place) and high use reserves.

Financial Considerations

The costs to make, install and remove temporary signs notifying the public about the changes to Alcohol Prohibited Areas outlined in this report can be met with funds available in the 2024/25 Parks and Open Space operational budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Establishment of an Alcohol Prohibited Area requires the approval of the Police Area Commander or Police District Commander. The Northern Beaches Police Area Command supports the temporary changes to the Alcohol Prohibited Areas outlined in this report.

Alcohol has been permitted at Council’s Christmas Choral Concert at Manly Oval in recent years without incident. For the 2024 concert a range of risk management measures will be put in place to manage alcohol related matters including that no alcohol will be sold on-site, no glass permitted on the oval and security will be engaged to manage crowd behaviour.

Should the recommendations within this report be approved notices regarding changes to Alcohol Prohibited Areas will be published as required and pursuant to the Local Government Act 1993. Once the specified timeframes have passed, the respective Alcohol Prohibited Areas shall operate as normal.

Environmental Considerations

The recommendations within this report have no environmental implications for Council. Alcohol Prohibited Area signage from previous years will be reused where possible.

Social Considerations

The proposals for temporary 24-hour Alcohol Prohibited Areas on New Year’s Eve 2024 and Australia Day 2025 will assist Police in managing alcohol related antisocial behaviour. The proposed suspension of the Alcohol Prohibited Area at Manly Oval for the 2024 Christmas Choral Concert is not expected to negatively affect the experience of attendees.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to these Community Strategic Plan Outcomes and Goals:

· Community and belonging - Goal 8 Our community feels safe and supported.

· Housing, places and spaces - Goal 11 Our local centres are vibrant and healthy, catering for diverse economic and social needs.

· Partnership and participation - Goal 22 Our Council builds and maintains strong partnerships and advocates effectively on behalf of the community.

Reporting team	Parks & Open Space
TRIM file ref	2024/506592
Attachments	⇨1 Letter from Northern Beaches Police Area Command - Request for Temporary Changes to Alcohol Prohibited Areas, 24 August 2024 (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 11.3 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 11.3

Outcome of Public Exhibition - Naming Proposal Jean Hay Lookout, Fairlight

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to consider the outcomes of the public exhibition of the proposal to name a lookout at Fairlight the ‘Jean Hay Lookout’.

Executive summary

· At its meeting of 27 February 2024 Council resolved (Council Resolution 026/24) to publicly exhibit the proposal to name a lookout at Fairlight the ‘Jean Hay Lookout’.

· The intent of this naming proposal was to honour the former Mayor of Manly, Jean Hay AM.

· This naming proposal was publicly exhibited from 6 March 2024 to 7 April 2024.

· During the public exhibition period, the Geographical Names Board of NSW clarified its initial advice and indicated that it considers the lookout area to be a geographical feature (and not a facility).

· Naming a geographical feature requires the approval of the Geographical Names Board of NSW, who also requires the nominee to have been deceased for at least one year.

· Given the advice from the Geographical Names Board of NSW it is recommended that Council not proceed with the naming proposal.

RECOMMENDATION

That:

1. Council not proceed with the proposal to name a lookout at Fairlight the ‘Jean Hay Lookout’.

2. Staff review alternative naming options and provide a further report to Council.

Background

At its meeting of 23 July 2019 Council considered Notice of Motion 21/2019 and subsequently resolved (Council Resolution 232/19), among other things, to identify a structure or location within the Northern Beaches which can be named in honour of former Mayor of Manly, Jean Hay AM. In response to this resolution several options were investigated, however none of these were deemed suitable.

In 2024 a further review was undertaken and as a result it was considered that naming a lookout in Fairlight (as a facility) may be a suitable option.

In accordance with the Geographical Names Board of NSW (GNB) Place Naming Policy and Council’s Naming Our Reserves, Facilities and Roads Policy, naming a ‘facility’ after an individual does not require the individual to be deceased. Advice on the proposal to name a lookout in Fairlight as a facility was sought from the GNB. The GNB’s advice at that time was that a lookout could be considered either a geographical feature or a facility and this type of matter is considered on a case by case basis.

Based on the advice from the GNB the proposal to name a lookout in Fairlight the ‘Jean Hay Lookout’ was put to Council. At its meeting of 27 February 2024 Council resolved (Resolution 026/24):

That Council place the proposal to name a lookout at Fairlight (as identified in the location map attached to this report) the Jean Hay Lookout in honour of former Mayor of Manly, Jean Hay AM, on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days and report the outcome of the public exhibition back to Council.

In response to this resolution the proposal to name a lookout at Fairlight the ‘Jean Hay Lookout’ (the naming proposal) was publicly exhibited for community feedback from 6 March 2024 to 7 April 2024 (the public exhibition period).

Discussion

During the public exhibition period the GNB clarified its advice and indicated it considers the lookout area in Fairlight a geographical feature (and not a facility) which requires GNB approval to name, and the nominee to have been deceased for at least one year. The GNB suggested installing a plaque on a seat as an alternative.

Given the GNB’s advice that the naming proposal is not consistent with the GNB Place Naming Policy, it is recommended not to proceed with this naming proposal.

Consultation

The community was informed about the public exhibition of this naming proposal via; onsite signage, a Your Say on-line project page, a letter box drop to nearby residents, stakeholder emails and Council’s e-News. Feedback was captured via an online form, emails and correspondence.

During the public exhibition period 826 submissions were received. The majority of submissions and comments did not support the proposal.

Given it is recommended not to proceed with this naming proposal a community engagement report is not required. Council will reengage with the Hay family on looking for alternative ways to honour Jean Hay at a time of their choosing.

Timing

The recommendation within this report has no timing implications for Council. Council will reengage with the Hay family on looking for alternative ways to honour Jean Hay at a time of their choosing.

Financial Considerations

The recommendation within this report has no financial implications for Council.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Given the GNB’s clarification that they consider the lookout at Fairlight to be a geographical feature (and not a facility) this naming proposal is not consistent with Council’s Naming Our Reserves, Facilities and Roads Policy nor the GNB Place Naming Policy.

Environmental Considerations

The recommendation within this report has no environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The recommendation within this report has no social implications for Council.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to these Community Strategic Plan Outcomes and Goals:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

· Partnership and participation - Goal 21 Our community is engaged in decision making processes.

Reporting team	Parks & Open Space
TRIM file ref	2024/277803
Attachments	Nil

Item 11.4 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 11.4

2024/25 Environmental Grants Program - Funding Recommendations

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to allocate funding under Council’s 2024/25 Environmental Grants Program.

Executive Summary

· The Environmental Grants Program (Program) provides grants of up to $5,000 (from a total funding pool of $50,000) to eligible applicants for projects and initiatives that deliver direct benefit to the environment of the Northern Beaches Local Government Area.

· Applications for the 2024/25 Program opened on 27 June 2024 and closed on 5 August 2024 with 16 applications being received, of which 13 were eligible and proceeded to assessment.

· Nine applications were assessed by the Environmental Grants Panel as having sufficient merit to be awarded either partial or full funding.

· Accordingly, it is recommended that $36,524 (ex GST) be allocated to 9 projects as set out in Table 1 of Attachment 1.

· Two other projects submitted by Northside Enterprise Incorporated (Table 2 of Attachment 1) were deemed to have sufficient merit for funding, however under the Program Guidelines, an entity cannot receive funding for more than one application.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council, pursuant to section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993, approve the allocation of $36,524 (ex GST) under the 2024/25 Environmental Grants Program as set out in Table 1 of Attachment 1 of this report.

Background

Council’s 2024/25 Environmental Grants Program (Program) aims to support the community to deliver the aspirations and commitments in the Council adopted Protect. Create. Live – Northern Beaches Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

There is $50,000 (ex GST) available for the 2024/25 Program. Applicants can apply for up to a maximum of $5,000 for eligible projects.

The Program opened for applications on 27 June 2024 and closed on 5 August 2024. The 2024/25 Environmental Grants Program Guidelines (the Guidelines) were published on Council’s website, and set out the details of the program, relevant criteria, priorities and requirements. The Guidelines were referred to in the online application form.

During the application period, 16 applications were received via the Smarty Grants system with a total of $56,804 (ex GST) being requested.

Assessment Panel

Council staff conducted eligibility checks on all applications received prior to progressing to assessment by the Environmental Grants Assessment Panel (the Panel).

The Panel comprised 3 representatives from Council’s Environment and Climate Change unit, and one community representative.

Assessment process

Of the 16 applications that were received, 13 proceeded to assessment. Three applications were ineligible.

Applications received	Eligible applications	Eligible applications amount requested	Funding available
16	13	$56,804	$50,000

Applications were assessed against the following criteria:

Essential criteria:

1. Demonstrates a clear rationale for the initiative with key deliverables stated that address at least one of the funding priority areas.

2. Demonstrates a positive environmental impact in the short and long-term including how this will be measured and maintained.

3. Capacity and demonstrated ability of the individual or organisation to manage a well-planned project.

4. A realistic budget with all income and expenditure identified.

Highly regarded criteria:

1. Evidence of partnerships with other organisations relevant to the project and demonstrating collaboration

2. Applications that address more than one category and/or priority

3. Experimental, innovative ideas and approaches

4. Longevity of the project benefits

The Panel members undertook individual online assessments via the SmartyGrants platform and submitted a score for each application against the assessment criteria, resulting in a priority ranking.

The Panel met to discuss the priority ranking and reach consensus on the projects recommended for funding. The Panel discussed the merit of each application in line with the Guidelines and the principles of the Community Grants and Partnerships Policy.

Of the 13 eligible applications, 9 are recommended for funding with 8 projects recommended for full funding and 1 for partial funding (as some aspects of the proposal were not considered to be as well aligned to program objectives). Two additional applications from Northside Enterprise Incorporated while considered to have sufficient merit were not recommended because the Guidelines limit the allocation of funding to one project per applicant. The 2 remaining applications were not considered to have sufficient merit for funding on this occasion.

Proposed funding allocations

The 9 projects recommended for full or partial funding are as follows:

Applicant	Project	Recommended funding (excluding GST)
Hazel Malloy	Pittwater Wagstaffe Spotted Gum Forest Rehabilitation on Scotland Island	$5,000
Northside Enterprise Inc	Bush regeneration at Freshwater Dunes	$5,000
Pittwater Natural Heritage Association	Bush Regeneration at Avalon Golf Course	$5,000
Surfrider Foundation Limited	Adopt A Beach Program - monthly beach cleanups at 10 locations	$5,000
Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Inc.	Swamp wallaby monitoring program in partnership with Charles Sturt Uni	$5,000
Bayview Golf Club Limited	Protect the environment and biodiversity of the golf course by removing Camphor Laurel trees.	$4,650
Manly Warringah Kayak Club Inc.	Energy efficiency lighting upgrade at the Club	$3,500
Catholic Parish of Frenchs Forest	Keiran’s Creek Water Monitoring project	$1,964
Peninsula Community Gardens Inc.	Installation of stingless bees in the community garden at Newport	$1,410
Total		$36,524

The table below shows the 2 additional projects submitted by Northside Enterprise Incorporated that the Panel considers have sufficient merit to be funded however the Guidelines limit the allocation of funding to one project per applicant.

Applicant	Project Title	Recommended funding (excluding GST)
Northside Enterprise Inc	Bush Regeneration - Flora Ritchie	$5,000
Northside Enterprise Inc	Bush Regeneration - Greendale Creek	$5,000
Total		$10,000

Consultation

Program information and Guidelines were advertised and promoted widely throughout the community, including information and emails to relevant grant, network and group distribution lists, Councils website, and several broad and targeted social media platforms. Council staff were available to assist applicants navigate the application process.

Timing

Funding will be distributed as soon as practicable following Council approval. Grant funded projects will be paid to successful applicants once approved by Council and are to be completed by 31 December 2025 and acquitted by 31 January 2026.

Financial Considerations

There is $50,000 (ex GST) allocated in the 24/25 Program budget. Following assessment, 9 applications to the value of $36,524 (ex GST) are proposed to be awarded funding. Of the remaining $13,476 in the budget, $10,000 could potentially be allocated to the 2 Northside Enterprise Incorporated projects noting Council would have to vary the Guidelines as funding is limited to one project per applicant. Alternatively, these funds could be used to improve Council’s financial position.

Governance and Risk Considerations

The Assessment Panel comprised 3 representatives from Council’s Environment and Climate Change unit, and one community representative. Unfortunately, Council did not receive any submissions from community members through the Expression of Interest process to participate in the Environmental Grants Assessment Panel. Council staff subsequently enlisted one community member through a direct engagement process.

The Assessment Panel itself operated in accordance with the Environmental Grants Assessment Panel 2024 Terms of Reference. All Assessment Panel members reviewed the list of applicants for potential conflicts of interest and made declarations via Council’s Disclosures App. The Program is being implemented in accordance with the Community Grants and Partnerships Policy, and section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Environmental Considerations

The projects supported by the 2024/25 Program will contribute to achieving the goals set out in the Council’s adopted Protect. Create. Live - Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Protection of the Environment and the Environmental Sustainability outcomes within the Northern Beaches Community Strategic Plan 2040.

Social Considerations

The recommendations in this report will have positive social outcomes for the community by enabling the community to deliver environmental initiatives across the Northern Beaches. While it is difficult to quantify the precise social and economic value of grant funding, Council’s support for these local individuals, community groups, services and organisations enables them to achieve community and environmental outcomes that complement Council’s activities.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to these Community Strategic Plan Outcomes and Goals:

· Protection of the environment - Goal 1 Our bushland, coast and waterways are protected for their intrinsic value.

· Protection of the environment - Goal 2 Our environment is resilient to natural hazards and climate change.

· Protection of the environment - Goal 3 Our community is well-supported in protecting and enhancing the environment to ensure safe and sustainable use.

· Environmental sustainability - Goal 4 Our community is supported in the transition towards net zero emissions and a local circular economy.

Reporting team	Environment & Climate Change
TRIM file ref	2024/621629
Attachments	⇨1 Environmental Grants 24/25 - Funding recommendations (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 12.1 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

12.0 Planning and Place Division Reports

ITEM 12.1

2024/25 Placemaking Grants Program - Funding Recommendations

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to allocate funding under Council’s 2024/25 Placemaking Grants Program.

Executive Summary

· The 2024/2025 Placemaking Grants Program has been developed in accordance with the adopted Community Grants and Partnerships Policy and the guidelines for the Placemaking grant stream.

· The 2024/25 Placemaking Grants Program allocates a total of $20,000 in grants to eligible individuals and organisations to support projects and initiatives that deliver direct benefit to local people and communities within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area.

· Ten grant applications were received. Three applications were considered ineligible, leaving 7 eligible applications. Of the remaining 7 applications, one applicant withdrew their application with 6 applications proceeding to assessment. Five applications are recommended for full or partial funding within the Placemaking Grant program.

· A summary of the applications recommended to receive grant funding, including a brief project description and assessment feedback, is detailed in Attachment 1.

· The delivery date for funded projects is from November 2024 to April 2025.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council, pursuant to section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993, approve the allocation of $17,000 (excluding GST) under the 2024/2025 Placemaking Grants Program as outlined in Attachment 1.

Background

The Placemaking Grants were developed in response to increasing interest from local groups and businesses wanting to contribute to the activation and vibrancy of their local centres.

The Placemaking Grant Program provides grants to eligible individuals and organisations for projects and initiatives that deliver new and innovative activations as well as the adaption of existing activities. The budget available to the Placemaking Grant Program is a total of $20,000. The program aims to encourage the community to deliver local activations that promote community participation and drive business to our local centres.

Council received the following applications to the grant program:

Grants Program

Applications Received

Eligible Applications

Eligible Applications Amount Requested

Funding Available

Placemaking Grant

7 (with1 application withdrawn)

$29,490

$20,000

TOTAL

$29,490

$20,000

The number of applications recommended for funding are shown below:

Grants Program

Applications Recommended for Funding

Full Funding

Partial Funding

Recommended Funding
(excluding GST)

Placemaking Grant

$17,000

TOTAL

$17,000

The unallocated $3,000 that remains in the Placemaking Grants Program 2024/25 will be used to reduce the projected deficit position.

Discussion

The Placemaking Grants program is an important part of Council’s role in supporting new or expanded place activations and projects and encourages our community to take an active role in contributing to the economic vitality of our local centres.

In 2024/2025 the grants program applicants were required to align with Council’s Community Strategic Plan and address the following assessment criteria:

1. Community benefit - demonstrate significant economic, social, community, cultural and/or environmental contribution to the Northern Beaches community.

2. Priority areas – strongly relate to one or more identified Council Goals.

3. Value for money – justify the grant amount requested and included a well-researched and realistic budget, clearly indicating what Council funds would be spent on, as well as other contributions including corporate sponsorship and in-kind support.

4. Activation of places – activations must be located within Town & Village Centres or in other areas that can demonstrate that placemaking activities would directly support the surrounding businesses.

5. Environmental & waste management – the activation promotes sustainability and utilises waste avoidance principles.

6. Organisational Capacity to Deliver – the applicant has a demonstrated track record in delivering projects of the scale and type proposed and/or the application includes a thorough and realistic project delivery plan.

A total of 10 applications were received of which 6 applications proceeded to assessment, with 5 applications recommended for funding. Three projects are recommended to receive the full amount requested and 2 are recommended to receive partial funding as shown in the following table and in more detail in Attachment 1:

Recommended Applicant	Project Title	Recommended Funding (excluding GST)
Friends of Freshwater	Loss and Learning in the Freshwater Pocket Park	$2,600
Community Bank Freshwater	Festive Freshie	$4,000
Bronwyn Keller	Killarney Heights Village Shops Improvement Group	$4,000
Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce	Spring Into Summer Celebration	$2,400
Elanora Heights Village Christmas Markets	Elanora Heights Village Christmas Markets 2024	$4,000

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified with the opportunity provided to receive feedback on their application.

Consultation

Applications for the 2024/25 placemaking grants program were open from 27 June 2024 and closed on 5 August 2024. Program information and guidelines were advertised and promoted widely throughout the community, including information and emails to relevant grant networks and group distribution lists, Council’s website and newsletters and several broad and targeted social media platforms.

The Place & Economic Development team distributed information through their business channels and contacts. In addition, two face to face workshops and one online webinar were hosted to help educate the community in grant writing, discover which funding stream best suited their needs and to support the development of strong, and eligible applications.

Assessment Panel

Council staff conducted eligibility checks on all applications received prior to progressing to assessment by the Assessment Panel.

The Placemaking Grants Assessment Panel comprised of:

· one representative from Council’s Place and Economic Development team.

· one representative from Council’s Events team.

· one representative from Council’s Property team.

Assessment Panel members undertook individual assessments and submitted a score for each application against the Assessment Criteria, resulting in a priority ranking. The Assessment Panel met in person to discuss the priority ranking and to reach consensus on the projects recommended for funding.

TIMING

Applications opened on 27 June 2024 and closed on 5 August 2024.

Program funding will be distributed as soon as practicable following Council approval. Grant funded projects are to be completed by 30 April 2025.

Financial Considerations

The 2024/25 Placemaking Grants Program allocates a total of $20,000 in grants to eligible individuals and organisations to support projects and initiatives that deliver direct benefit to local people and communities within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area. Recommended grant funding totals $17,000. The unallocated $3,000 that remains in the Placemaking Grants Program 2024/25 will be used to reduce the projected deficit position.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Applications are assessed against pre-defined and advertised criteria and follow a clear and transparent process to ensure equity. The program was widely advertised and is in accordance with the adopted Community Grants and Partnerships Policy.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no environmental implications for Council, noting that the activations approved on space managed by council will operate in accordance with Council’s policies.

Social Considerations

The funding of these grants will have positive social outcomes for the community. The Placemaking grants program has been developed to empower our community to facilitate the delivery of projects that will contribute to the vibrancy of our centres and support our business community. The projects supported by the Placemaking Grants will contribute to achieving the goals set out in in the program. These goals are to boost the local business economy through activities and to support our community organisations to deliver new and engaging events. The funding of this grant will contribute to creating vibrant centres that connect communities by bringing people together and allow more people to deliver placemaking initiatives that reflect the character and needs of our diverse community and locations.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcomes and Goals:

· Community and belonging - Goal 7 Our diverse community is supported to participate in their chosen cultural life.

· Community and belonging - Goal 8 Our community feels safe and supported.

· Community and belonging - Goal 9 Our community is inclusive and connected.

· Housing, places and spaces - Goal 11 Our local centres are vibrant and healthy, catering for diverse economic and social needs.

· Vibrant local economy - Goal 13 Our businesses are resilient, well-connected and thrive in an environment that supports innovation, entrepreneurialism and economic growth.

Reporting team	Place & Economic Development
TRIM file ref	2024/542328
Attachments	⇨1 Placemaking Grants Applicants Overview 2024 and Funding Recommendation (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 12.2 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 12.2

Outcome of Public Exhibition - Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contribution Plan 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to present the outcome of the public exhibition of the draft Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan (the draft Section 7.12 Plan) and seek Council’s endorsement to adopt the attached draft Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2024, noting that minor changes to the draft Section 7.12 Plan are proposed post exhibition.

Executive Summary

· The draft Section 7.12 Plan was publicly exhibited from 5 July to 18 August 2024, consistent with the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act), Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (EPA Regs) and Council’s adopted Community Participation Plan.

· A total of 8 submissions were received. The issues that were raised include Council’s infrastructure expenditure, distribution of funds across the Northern Beaches and the levy imposition process.

· No submissions raised matters that require an amendment to the draft Section 7.12 Plan.

· Post-exhibition changes to the draft Section 7.12 Plan are to improve readability, with no fundamental changes recommended.

· If Council agrees to adopt the Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2024 (in Attachment 1), it will replace the Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2022.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1. Note the outcome of the public exhibition of the draft Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2024.

2. Approve the final Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2024 (in Attachment 1) and provide a copy of the adopted plan to the Minister.

3. Publish a notice of this decision on Council's website.

Background

Section 7.12 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) enables councils to impose a levy on development as a condition of development consent. The levy is applied towards the provision, extension or augmentation of public amenities or public services (or towards recouping the cost of their provision, extension or augmentation). The application of the money is subject to any relevant provisions of the contributions plan.

Council currently has a Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2022 (the 2022 Plan), imposing a levy of up to 1% of the cost of development to fund the range of infrastructure identified in the Plan’s works schedule. The 2022 Plan applies to most land in the Northern Beaches, with exceptions in the Warriewood Valley Release Area, Dee Why Town Centre and Frenchs Forest Town Centre. These defined high-growth areas are subject to their own specific contribution plans prepared in accordance with Section 7.11 of the EP&A Act.

At Council’s meeting on 25 June 2024, a revision of the 2022 Plan was presented to Council in response to legislative and administrative changes impacting the Plan, namely:

· Defining the estimated cost of development and definition of what is a registered social and community housing provider.

· Data from the 2021 Census (released in late 2022).

· Alignment with Council’s Delivery Program 2024-2028 in terms of the infrastructure that is to be funded by Section 7.12 contributions.

· Revising what development is to be exempt from contributions under the Plan.

· Increasing the cost threshold associated with the submission of a cost summary report.

· Clarifying when a refund of contributions would be considered.

· Setting the circumstances of when contributions already paid may be transferred and the contribution amount imposed on a development consent may be modified.

· Updating the Infrastructure Schedule and Map in Appendix A.

· A new Appendix B detailing the infrastructure already delivered from Section 7.12 contributions reserves.

At the June meeting, Council resolved to place the draft Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan on public exhibition.

Consultation

The draft Plan was publicly exhibited from 5 July to 18 August 2024, in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 as well as Council’s adopted Community Participation Plan. The draft Plan was on ‘Have Your Say’ (Council’s webpage), with comments able to be made via an online submission form and comment section on the specific webpage.

A total of 8 submissions from 7 individuals were received. The key matters from these submissions were:

· concern with Council’s distribution of Section 7.12 funds, regarding the cost and locations of infrastructure selected by Council. Funds should be spent equally across the whole local government area (LGA)

· request for further detail on the type of infrastructure that is funded by contributions

· concern around proposed increase in number of dwellings for the LGA, particularly in Frenchs Forest

· seniors housing contributions exemptions limited to registered developers, commenting that all developers should be able to obtain such exemptions

· concern with timing of the contributions levy, being calculated after approval of a development application rather than during the assessment process

· questions regarding the need for amendment to the Plan, raising concern over the lack of clarity about the draft Section 7.12 Plan amendment and why it is required

· concern raised regarding excessive rate increases and how ratepayer funds are spent

· questions regarding future housing development planned at Brookvale and the reasons why that area is not covered by the exhibited Plan map.

A Community and Stakeholder Engagement Report on the outcome of the public exhibition of the draft Section 7.12 Plan including Council’s responses to the listed issues raised above is at Attachment 2.

DISCUSSION

Post-exhibition changes to the draft Section 7.12 Plan

Council staff have carefully considered each of the issues raised in the submissions and consider that the issues do not require changes to be made to the draft plan post-exhibition.

The main post exhibition change to the draft 2024 Plan is an update to the list of infrastructure and their associated cost estimates to be funded by the Contributions Plan to reflect Council’s adopted Delivery Program 2024-28. Other proposed post-exhibition changes are largely administrative in nature to improve its readability. These changes do not result in fundamental amendments that would require further public exhibition.

A tracked version of the draft Section 7.12 Plan incorporating the changes made post exhibition is Attachment 3.

Timing

If Council agrees to adopt the draft Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2024, it will:

· replace the 2022 Plan, and

· come into effect within 2 weeks of Council’s decision.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

The draft Section 7.12 Plan seeks to ensure an equitable and sustainable funding source for a broad range of infrastructure across the Northern Beaches. The infrastructure schedule has been updated (Appendix A), aligning with Council’s adopted Delivery Program 2024-2028 in terms of the infrastructure that is funded by Section 7.12 contributions, and identifies the completed works in Appendix B.GOVERNANCE AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS

The draft Section 7.12 Plan has been prepared to ensure that Council’s mechanism for funding a broad range of local infrastructure is contemporary and in accordance with all legislative requirements.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no adverse environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The proposed actions in this report will have positive social outcomes for the community in ensuring sufficient public infrastructure is provided. In particular, Appendix B lists completed infrastructure works, which transparently shows the community benefits generated by the draft Section 7.12 Plan and will enhance social wellbeing within the LGA.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the following Community Strategic Plan Outcomes and Goals:

· Housing, places and spaces - Goal 12 Our community has access to spaces that enable healthy and active living and allow for a broad range of creative, sporting and recreational opportunities to be enjoyed.

· Transport, technology and connectivity - Goal 16 Our integrated transport networks meet the needs of our community and reduce carbon emissions.

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

· Good governance - Goal 20 Our Council is proactive, and efficiently and effectively responds to, and delivers on, the evolving needs of the community.

· Partnership and participation - Goal 21 Our community is engaged in decision making processes.

Reporting team

Strategic & Place Planning

TRIM file ref

2024/599588

Attachments

⇨1 Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2024 for adoption (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨2 Community and Stakeholder Engagement Report (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨3 Track-changed version of the draft Section 7.12 Plan incorporating the changes made post exhibition (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 12.3 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 12.3

Fire & Rescue NSW Inspection Report - Evans Street Freshwater

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to table a report from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) following an inspection by the fire brigade at 69 Evans Street, Freshwater and to recommend that Council issue a Development Control Order (Fire Safety Order No.1) under the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Executive Summary

· FRNSW has powers under section 9.32 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) to carry out inspections of buildings, and is required to forward its findings and recommendations to Council.

· Council must table any reports and recommendations at a meeting of Council to determine whether it will exercise its powers to give a Fire Safety Order and must give notice of Council’s determination to FRNSW.

· Council’s Fire Safety officer has investigated the matters raised by FRNSW in relation to the property at 69 Evans Street, Freshwater.

· Following the investigation, a Notice of Intention to give a Development Control Order (Fire Safety Order No. 1) was issued on 21 August 2024 and it is recommended that a Fire Safety Order be issued to ensure adequate fire safety systems are provided to the property.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1. Exercise its powers under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and issue a Fire Safety Order No.1 to address fire safety deficiencies at the property.

2. Provide notice to Fire & Rescue NSW of this determination.

Background

Council received an inspection report from Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) dated 5 July 2024 in relation to a property known as 69 Evans Street, Freshwater, as shown in Attachment 1 of this Report. The building that is located on the property is a 11 storey residential flat building.

Part 8 of Schedule 5, clause 17 (2), (3) and (4) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) requires Council to table such reports and any recommendations made to a meeting of Council. Council is to determine whether to issue a Fire Safety Order pursuant to section 9.34 and part 2, Schedule 5 of the EP&A Act.

FRNSW carried out an inspection on 30 May 2024 which revealed fire safety concerns that may require the Council to use its discretion and address the items observed at the time of the inspection.

FRNSW issued a Notice of Intention to serve an order on 31 May 2024 and a Fire Safety Order on 12 June 2024, as shown in Attachment 3, for a number of deficient fire safety measures.

FRNSW subsequently revoked its Order on 4 July 2024, as shown in Attachment 2. A number of deficiencies remain, as identified in the FRNSW Report along with additional matters not addressed in the initial FRNSW Order.

The FRNSW Report also notes that the building was occupied, and construction works were being undertaken on the premises.

Council is nominated as the Principal Certifier for the certification works being undertaken on the premises, comprising alterations and additions to the RFB. After careful consideration of the concerns, it is recommended to seek registration of the non-compliant issues via a Fire Safety Order. Council as the Principal Certifier will also maintain a presence to ensure that the construction works do not compromise any fire safety systems and that the plans and conditions of the development approval are being adhered too.

The FRNSW report found the following items of concern were identified during their inspection:

1. Essential Fire Safety Measures

A. Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System

i. Fire Brigade Panel (FBP) – The FBP was displaying nine (9) faults.

B. Smoke Detectors

i. Several smoke detectors throughout the premises were found being covered with plastic bags, gloves and tape. It appears the covering of the smoke detectors are isolated to the areas where building works are being undertaken. In this regard, there does not appear to be a procedure, a plan of management or measures to mitigate isolating smoke detectors as part of the building works.

C. Fire Hydrant System

i. Access to the fire hydrant booster via the temporary timber gate in the construction hoarding was restricted due to a misaligned pad bolt and excessive vegetation overgrowth.

ii. The pressure gauge at the boost inlet connections (hydrant booster) contained foreign bodies that may prevent the needle indicator from rotating freely. The needle point was corroded. FRNSW could not determine if the gauge operates to the standard of performance

iii. Access to the external hydrant pump enclosure was restricted due to the storage of building material and machinery.

D. Fire Hose Reels (FHR)

i. The FHR cabinet on level 11 was found storing paint tins and electrical power boards contrary to the requirements of Clause 10.4.4 of AS 2441 - 2005

E. Fire Doors

i. An electric bike was found in the doorway to the fire isolated stairs on level 11 and thereby preventing the fire door from self-closing, contrary to the requirements of Clause C4D5 and C4D9 of the NCC.

2. Access and Egress

A. Fire Safety Offences (EPAR 2021)

i. Fire Exits and Fire Exit Doors –Section 109 of the EPAR 2021 requires a fire exit area for a building to be free of items that may obstruct the free passage of persons. Nor should the operation of a fire exit door be interfered with or obstructed without a lawful excuse, which includes the operation of a fire door providing access to a building's fire exit.

At the time of the inspection, occupant items were found being stored in the fire exit doorway on level 11 and within the fire stairs between levels 10 to 12.

The items would be an impediment to the free passage of occupants seeking to evacuate the building and also impede firefighter intervention in the event of an emergency.

B. Barriers to Prevent Falls

i. The rooftop level of the building was observed containing synthetic turf, a spa bath, outdoor furniture and children’s toys. Authorised Officers of FRNSW were advised that the rooftop is leased by and used solely by the occupants of the penthouse apartment.

Access to the rooftop is via the fire isolated stairs. This requires the fire isolated stairs to used for general circulation, as opposed to being utilised primarily for emergency purposes. In this regard, the balustrade to the stairway contains excessive openings, contrary to the requirements of Clause D3D19 of the NCC. This may pose a heightened risk for children who may use the stairway as circulation stairs to access the rooftop.

C. Exit Signs

i. An exit sign is installed in the common area at the roof top level of the fire isolated stairway. Contrary to the requirements of Clause E4D5 of the NCC, the exit sign directs occupants to the rooftop where there is no chance of escape.

3. Maintenance and Certification

A. Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS)

i. A copy of the current AFSS was not prominently displayed within the building in accordance with Section 89 of the EPAR 2021. In this regard, the AFSS on display was dated 2022 and is no longer valid.

FRNSW is of the opinion that there are inadequate provisions for fire safety within the building (under construction) and the FRNSW inspection report recommended that Council inspect the building to address items 1.A, 1.B, 2.B, 2.C and 3 of the Report and any other deficiencies.

Discussion

Council staff inspected the properties on 13 August 2024 and concur with the opinion of FRNSW that the fire safety provisions for the building are inadequate.

Council issued a Notice of Intention to give a Development Control Order (Fire Safety Order No.1) on 21 August 2024, as shown in Attachment 4.

Council received representation from the building owner’s agent on 2 September 2024, confirming their intentions to comply with certain items of the proposed Order. Accordingly, a Fire Safety Order No. 1 is recommended to be issued, requiring the owners to address the matters listed in the FRNSW Report.

Financial Considerations

The recommendations in this report do not result in any change to the existing Council budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

Reports received from FRNSW following inspections under section 9.32 of the EP&A Act are required to be tabled at a Council meeting, and the Council is required to determine, following the tabling of a report, whether to exercise its powers to give a Fire Safety Order under the Act.

With respect to risks, issuing of a Fire Safety Order is in consideration of circumstances where provision for fire safety is inadequate to prevent fire, and where the lack of maintenance of premises or the use of premises constitutes a significant fire hazard. These circumstances are considered to arise, given the issues identified in the FRNSW inspection report for 69 Evans Street, Freshwater. The giving of a Fire Safety Order is recommended.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no adverse environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The subject of this report will have a positive impact on social outcomes for some members/ groups of the community through ensuring adequate fire safety measures are provided within buildings.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome and Goal:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team

Environmental Compliance

TRIM file ref

2024/631950

Attachments

⇨1 Fire & Rescue NSW Inspection Report dated 5 July 2024 - 69 Evan Street Freshwater (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨2 Fire & Rescue Revocation Order dated 4 July 2024 - 69 Evan Street Freshwater (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨3 Fire & Rescue NSW Order dated 12 June 2024 - 69 Evans Street Freshwater (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨4 Notice of Intention to give an Order (Fire Safety Order) dated 21 August 2024 - 69 Evans Street Freshwater (Included In Attachments Booklet)

Item 12.4 Northern Beaches Council MEETING - 15 October 2024

ITEM 12.4

Fire & Rescue NSW Inspection Report - Pittwater Road Narrabeen

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to table a report from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) following an inspection by the fire brigade at 1/1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen and 2/1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen and to recommend that Council issue a Development Control Order (Fire Safety Order No.1) under the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Executive Summary

· Council’s Fire Safety officer investigated the matters raised by FRNSW in relation to the property at 1/1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen and 2/1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen.

· Following the invetigation a Notice of Intention to give a Development Control Order (Fire Safety Order No. 1) was issued on 16 August 2024, and it is recommended that a Fire Safety Order be issued to address the adequate fire safety systems are provided to the property.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

1. Exercise its powers under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and issue a Fire Safety Order No.1 to address fire safety deficiencies at the property.

2. Provide notice to Fire & Rescue NSW of this determination.

Background

Council received an inspection report from Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) dated 18 June 2024 in relation to a property known as 1/1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen and 2/1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen, as shown in Attachment 1 of this Report. The building is being used for mixed uses, including a licensed venue (hotel) and residential units.

FRNSW carried out an inspection on 30 May 2024 which identified fire safety concerns that may require the Council to use its discretion and address the items observed at the time of the inspection.

The FRNSW report found the following items of concern were identified during their inspection:

1. Essential Fire Safety Measures

1A. Automatic Fire Detection & Alarm Systems

a. A zone block plan, depicting all the relevant information of the installation, was not provided adjacent to the Fire Brigade Mimic Panel, contrary to the requirements of Clause 3.10 of AS 1670.1 – 2004.

1B. Fire Hydrant System

a. Fire hydrant booster (including sprinkler booster)

i. A fade-resistant engraved sign indicating the boost pressure and test pressure was not provided at the booster assembly, contrary to the requirements of Clause 5.6.7 of AS 2419.1 – 1994 and Clause 4.4.3 of AS 2118.1-1999.

ii. The hydrant and sprinkler booster assemblies are not clearly marked with signage to distinguish the hydrant system booster from the sprinkler system booster, to assist in firefighting operations, contrary to the requirements of Clause 5.6.8 of AS 2419.1-1994 and Clause 4.4.3 of AS 2118.1-1999.

1C. Fire doors

a. The fire door leading to the northern fire-isolated stair on basement carpark level 2 had not been maintained, contrary to the requirements of Section 81 of the EPAR 2021. In this regard, the fire door failed to self-close when tested due to the base of the door being caught on uneven concrete floor finish in the stairs.

b. The sliding fire doors on basement carpark level 2 and level 3 (to separate the carpark into fire compartments) had not been maintained, contrary to the requirements of Section 81 of the EPAR 2021. In this regard, the sliding fire door failed to return to the fully closed position when tested.

FRNSW is therefore of the opinion that there are inadequate provisions for fire safety within the building and recommend that Council inspect the building to address the concerns identified above.

Discussion

Council staff inspected the properties on 17 July 2024 and on 8 August 2024 and concur with the opinion of FRNSW that the fire safety provisions are inadequate for the building.

Council issued a Notice of intention to give a Development Control Order (Fire Safety Order No.1) on 16 August 2024, as shown in Attachment 2.

Council received representation on behalf of the building owner on 27 August 2024, confirming their intentions to comply with the terms of the proposed Order.

Accordingly, a Fire Safety Order No. 1 is recommended to be issued, requiring the owners to address the matters listed in the FRNSW Report.

Financial Considerations

The recommendations in this report do not result in any change to the existing Council budget.

Governance and Risk Considerations

With respect to risks, issuing of a Fire Safety Order is in consideration of circumstances where provision for fire safety is inadequate to prevent fire, and where the lack of maintenance of premises or the use of premises constitutes a significant fire hazard. These circumstances are considered to arise, given the issues identified in the FRNSW inspection report for 1/1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen and 2/1260 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen. The giving of a Fire Safety Order is recommended.

Environmental Considerations

The subject of this report has no adverse environmental implications for Council.

Social Considerations

The recommendations in this report maintain social outcomes for the community through ensuring adequate fire safety measures are provided within buildings.

Link to Strategy

This report relates to the Community Strategic Plan Outcome and Goal:

· Good governance - Goal 19 Our Council is transparent and trusted to make decisions that reflect the values of the community.

Reporting team

Environmental Compliance

TRIM file ref

2024/632225

Attachments

⇨1 Fire & Rescue NSW Inspection Report dated 18 June 2024 - 1/1260 Pittwater Road Narrabeen and 2/1260 Pittwater Road Narrabeen (Included In Attachments Booklet)

⇨2 Notice of Intention to give an Order (Fire Safety Order) dated 16 August 2024 - 1/1260 Pittwater Road Narrabeen and 2/1260 Pittwater Road Narrabeen (Included In Attachments Booklet)

TRIM file ref	2024/556774
Attachments	⇨1 Terms and Conditions - North Narrabeen and Newport Tennis Courts - 2024 (Included In Attachments Booklet)

TRIM file ref	2024/557524
Attachments	⇨1 We Belong - Application Guidelines (Included In Attachments Booklet)