Agenda of Ordinary Council

Ordinary Council	27 April 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM SUBJECT PAGE NO

1 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES -, Regulatory Council - 14 April 2009

2 APOLOGIES

3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

4 Minutes of Lord Mayor

5 Public Forum

6 PETITIONS

7 Rescission Motions

7.1 Electronic Voting at Council Meetings

NOTE : This matter relates to a recission motion however, as the issues is confidential, the matter has been listed in closed session for consideration.

8 COUNCIL MATTERS TO BE ADOPTED WITHOUT DISCUSSION

9 City Development

9.1 Riverbank Urban Design Strategy

9.2 Hornsby Shire Council draft Housing Strategy

9.3 Proposal to Release Easement in Council's favour over at 102 Kleins Road Northmead

9.4 Further Report on the Draft LEP 2008

10 Roads Paths Access and Flood Mitigation

10.1 Parramatta Traffic Committee meeting minutes held on 6 April 2009

10.2 Traffic Engineering Advisory Group meeting minutes held on 6 April 2009

10.3 Parking Meter Options.

10.4 Parking on Nature Strips

11 Culture and Leisure

11.1 Proposed Dog Off-Leash Areas at Burlington and Scout Memorial Parks

11.2 Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool naming of grandstand to "Kevin Hession"

11.3 Parramatta Bike Plan 2009.

12 Community Care

12.1 Review of City Centre Crime Prevention Plan (2008-2013)

12.2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting 26 August 2008

12.3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting 24th March 2009

12.4 Graffiti Management

12.5 Child Care Fees

13 City Leadership and Management

13.1 Report of Internal Ombudsman's Operations

13.2 Investments Report for February 2009

13.3 Report of Whistleblower Hotline Services

13.4 Resignation from Position as Deputy Lord Mayor and Election of Deputy Lord Mayor for remainder of Term.

14 Notices of Motion

14.1 Commuter Parking at Epping

15 DECISIONS FROM CLOSED SESSION

16 Closed Session

16.1 Request for Quotation 30/2008 - Parramatta River Estuary Processes Study

This report is confidential in accordance with section 10A (2) (d) of the Local Government act 1993 as the report contains commercial information of a confidential nature that would, if disclosed (i) prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it; or (ii) confer a commercial advantage on a competitor of the Council; or (iii) reveal a trade secret.

16.2 Tender 26 / 2008 - Management and Operation of Caroline Chisholm and Timbergetters Reserve Tennis Facilities.

16.3 Tender No. 33/2008 Provision of Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) Technology for the Parramatta Library.

16.4 Duck River Reserve, South Granville

16.5 Acquisition of proposed lot 391 in 4 DP 1044808 Hammers Road Northmead from Integral Energy

16.6 68 Marguerette Street, Ermington

16.7 Electronic Voting at Council Meetings

17 QUESTION TIME

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 9.1

CITY DEVELOPMENT

ITEM NUMBER 9.1

SUBJECT Riverbank Urban Design Strategy

REFERENCE F2009/00345 - D01175327

REPORT OF Manager Place Strategy

PURPOSE:

This report presents the Draft Urban Design Strategy for the Riverbank block following its exhibition and recommends Council adopt the strategy.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Council adopt the Draft Urban Design Strategy for the Riverbank block (Attachment 1).

(b) Further, that a copy of the adopted Urban Design Strategy be sent to all property owners within the Riverbank block.

BACKGROUND

1. Council owns a substantial parcel of land in the Riverbank block bounded by the river, Church St, Wilde St and Phillip St. (Refer to page 16 of the Strategy) A portion of Council’s land is an at-grade car park, the multi storey carpark which is owned by Council but leased long term, until 2061, to the Brandsmart Shopping Centre and the balance is used as access for adjoining properties. The block is a complex arrangement of individual lots, ownership, rights, easements and uses including a retail centre, hotel, multi storey office block and a range of smaller scale commercial buildings.

2. The City Centre LEP identifies the Riverbank block as a “key site”. While the Vision document for the city centre states that, “The city centre will celebrate the river as a local and regionally significant asset within the metropolitan region. The river’s edge will be activated through strategic mixed use development, interpreting Parramatta’s unique history and creating further pedestrian connections from key sites such as Civic Place, Horwood Place and Erby Place.”

3. Due to the fragmented ownership and complexity of the block a lack of overall planning and integration could affect the potential of achieving the broader objectives for the block and the development potential of Council’s property. Therefore given the strategic significance and enormous potential of the block under the new planning controls, it was considered both prudent and necessary to provide finer grain planning guidance for the future development of the block in the form of an Urban Design Strategy.

4. Key objectives developed for the Riverbank block include:

· activate the river frontage as the primary waterfront address of the city

· increase pedestrian access and connectivity to the riverfront and through site connections,

· river access and foreshore development, and

· encourage opportunities for the right balance of commercial, residential, retail and cultural development

· ensure return on investment

· enable ongoing income generation

· continue provision of public parking

· protect and enhance heritage attributes

· provision for best practice sustainable development (ESD) including building design and management.

CONSULTATION & TIMING

5. A meeting was held for all property owners within the Riverbank block on 1 May 2008 to present the Draft Urban Design Strategy and gain their input / comments.

6. The Draft Urban Design Strategy was placed on formal exhibition from 1 May 2008 to 18 July 2008. The strategy was placed on Council’s website and exhibited in Council’s Administration building, Central and Branch libraries. Copies of the strategy were also available on the evening of the Management Plan Expo.

7. As resolved by Council, Martin Butterworth was engaged to assess the Draft Urban Design Strategy using the space syntax pedestrian model and the findings are contained within the strategy.

8. A meeting was held with the Heritage Office to present the strategy and gain any feedback.

9. An external urban designer was engaged to assess the strategy and provide feedback.

Feedback from the exhibition period

Property owners / representatives consultation

10. A meeting was held on 1 May 2008 for all property owners within the block. In addition to this several one on one meetings were held with property owners or their representatives. The general response to the strategy and the approach by Council was very positive. The following outlines some common questions / issues raised:

§ are there further plans to get stakeholders / developers together? Yes, if seen as appropriate by the various property owners and Council

§ Is Council prepared to sell its carpark? Council is not looking to sell but rather looking at how to use its assets to generate ongoing income

§ Is there scope for more FSR? Yes through the design competition process where there is a 10% bonus.

Heritage Office submission

11. This submission was received in February 2009 and the key comments made are as follows:

§ The Riverbank block is identified as having known or potential historical archaeological value and that any development would need to ensure appropriate investigations were done.

§ Ensure that all heritage items are clearly highlighted

§ Need careful consideration of the conservation of identified heritage values.

12. These concerns and required investigations will need to be addressed at the later stage of detail design by relevant property owners.

Space Syntax Assessment by Martin Butterworth

13. At a stage when the urban design concepts had been finalised, Martin Butterworth, of Space Syntax Limited, Sydney, was formally requested in February 2009 to provide a pedestrian movement analysis of the final pedestrian/vehicle access concept and build form concept proposed in the Draft Urban Design Strategy. His assessment was provided in April 2009. The key findings of Butterworths assessment include:

· The report shows that all movement and access links proposed within the Urban Design Strategy would best improve pedestrian movement along the riverside walkways as well as within the proposed urban site.

· Proposed building forms are better arranged according to strategic routes rather than local routes.

· A lively and commercially sustainable riverfront is achieveable. The significant north-south route from Civic Place to the site and the east-west route along the riverfront set-back line would sustain viable, mixed retail land uses, as well as cafes and restaurants.

· Potential to integrate globally accessible routes within the city centre to help increase pedestrian movement potential.

· Some of the low pedestrian routes should be removed from the scheme as there is a risk of low used public spaces.

· The land uses adjacent to the proposed pedestrian routes should have continuous frontages to new streets and public spaces.

14. The results of the Space Syntax assessment have been presented within the Strategy.

External Urban Designer review

15. Noni Ruker, of Ruker and Associates Urban Design, was consulted to provide an external assessment and review of the Draft Urban Design Strategy. The key points raised by Ruker in July 2008, included:

· the document is sound and heading in the right direction

· the analysis/background information could be refined to provide clearer “opportunities and constraints”

· the blocks massing should give precedence to the river, consider options to break down the massing to provide greater continuity across the block

· massing should reinforce block edge forms (i.e. not elliptical shapes)

· avoid stepping across the block or along the boundary.

16. These comments have been taken into consideration in the refinement of the urban design strategy.

Next Step

17. That a separate briefing note be prepared and sent to Councillors advising options for Council’s land within the Riverbank block.

Linda Perrine

Manager Place Strategy

Attachments:

Riverbank Parramatta Urban Design Strategy, hard copy supplied under separate cover

37 Pages

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 9.2

CITY DEVELOPMENT

ITEM NUMBER 9.2

SUBJECT Hornsby Shire Council draft Housing Strategy

REFERENCE F2006/01198 - D01175526

REPORT OF Project Officer

PURPOSE:

This report provides Council with information on Hornsby Shire Council’s Draft Housing Strategy and provides comments on the aspects of the draft strategy which are most relevant to Parramatta City Council.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Parramatta City Council endorse the strategic basis of the Hornsby Shire Council Draft Housing Strategy to locate increased housing in areas well serviced by public transport and other facilities.

(b) Further, that this report be referred to Hornsby Shire Council as Parramatta City Council’s submission on the draft Housing Strategy, which raises concerns on the proposed height for residential apartments in Carlingford and whether the cumulative impact of additional development in this precinct has been considered.

BACKGROUND

1. Council has received advice from Hornsby Shire Council advising that it has prepared a Draft Housing Strategy. The draft Housing Strategy is on public exhibition until the 1 June 2009. Hornsby Shire Council has advised that Parramatta City Council landowners affected by the draft Housing Strategy have been notified.

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

Summary of the draft Housing Strategy

2. Attachment 1 provides a summary of the contents of the draft Housing Strategy.

3. The key elements of the strategy are as follows:

(a) The North West Sub-Regional Strategy requires an extra 11, 000 dwellings for the Hornsby Shire. Hornsby must meet this dwelling target by the year 2031.

(b) The draft Strategy is similar to Council’s Residential Development Strategy as it concentrates additional housing in areas close to public transport, shops and other services.

(c ) The draft strategy identifies 25 precincts across the Hornsby LGA where additional housing is proposed.

(d) With the exception of land identified in a precinct, existing zoning patterns will be translated into the new comprehensive LEP format.

(e) The draft strategy does not include Epping as a place for future housing presumably because joint planning work is yet to be undertaken with Parramatta City Council and the NSW Department of Planning.

Comments on the draft Strategy

4. Overall, the Draft Hornsby Housing Strategy has strategic merit and is supported. The strategy includes a proposal for additional housing in an area of Carlingford, which adjoins Parramatta LGA. Attachment 2 shows the location of this precinct.

5. It is proposed that land fronting Pennant Hills Road be redeveloped for mixed-use development up to five storeys in height. Land fronting Carlingford Road is to be redeveloped for five storey residential flat buildings.

6. The following concerns are raised about the proposals:

Five-Storey residential flat buildings are out of character

7. Hornsby Shire Council describes the Carlingford precinct as land bounded by Carlingford Road, Pennant Hills Road, Keeler Street and Hepburn Avenue. Most of the adjoining residential land within the proposed Carlingford precinct is one or two storey single dwellings or townhouses. The bulk and scale of five-storey residential flat buildings may be out of context with these surrounds. In addition, development at this scale may also cause overshadowing of properties at Keeler Street. There is no transition in scale between the 5 storey proposed and surrounding low density housing.

Cumulative impact of development

8. There are a number of strategies to increase residential development in Carlingford, particularly north of Pennant Hills Road under the Hills Shire Council where development is proposed at 6-8 storeys, including some sites at 18 storeys. The cumulative affect of new development in Carlingford may affect the future traffic flow along Pennant Hills Road. It is not clear if the Hornsby Strategy has considered cumulative impacts of additional development.

Conclusion

9. The Draft Housing Strategy applies a similar approach to housing growth as Parramatta Residential Development Strategy (RDS) by concentrating increased housing in areas with better access to public transport, shops and services.

10. The Draft Housing Strategy includes a proposal to increase housing in Carlingford. There is some merit to this proposal although there are some concerns with the proposed height limit for new residential apartments in this precinct. There are also concerns about the cumulative impacts of development, being proposed throughout Carlingford, and the impacts this may have on traffic flow and congestion.

11. It is recommended that Council refer this report to Hornsby Shire Council as Parramatta City Council’s submission.

Nathan Burbridge Marcelo Occhiuzzi

Project Officer – Land Use Manager Land Use and Transport Planning

Attachments:

1View	Summary of the contents of the draft housing Strategy	4 Pages
2View	Location of proposed additional housing in Carlingford	1 Page

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 9.3

CITY DEVELOPMENT

ITEM NUMBER 9.3

SUBJECT Proposal to Release Easement in Council's favour over at 102 Kleins Road Northmead

REFERENCE DA/974/2008 - D01184320

REPORT OF Property Program Manager

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to consider a request for the release of an easement in Council’s favour. Following investigations by Council’s Senior Development Engineer it has been determined that the easement, which runs through private property, is redundant and can be released without impacting on Council’s drainage system.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Council approve of the release of the easement over lot 26 DP 1004469 in Council’s favour subject to the applicant meeting Council’s legal costs incurred in the matter.

(b) Further, that the Lord Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to execute under seal the Release of Easement form and any other necessary documentation.

BACKGROUND

1. By way of dealing number 403021 dated 19/7/1945 Blacktown Shire Council obtained a drainage easement over lot 26 DP 1004469 located corner Kleins Road and Moss Street Northmead, Boundary adjustments between Blacktown SHIRE AND Parramatta Council since have seen the easement transferred to the benefit of Parramatta Council. The easement was registered well before Moss Street which was created in 1960.

2. DA/974/2008 proposes a property boundary adjustment with the adjoining lots being HN’s 2 and 3 Deed Place (off Moss Street), extinguishment of Council’s existing drainage easement and creation of inter-allotment drainage easements through the down stream properties to Deed Place.

3. A copy of the preliminary pages from the Development Application and accompanying Statement of Environmental Effects seeking all the above is appended as Attachment 3.

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

4. The request to delete the easement was examined by Council’s Senior Development Engineer who has advised as follows:

“a. Although the applicant has submitted a “Statement of Environmental Effects” report document indicating that the existing Council’s drainage easement does not have any pipe system, I have also investigated the drainage easement matter on site, in terms of the actual street drainage system in the vicinity and confirmed that the street drainage pipe system does not traverse through the subject property, nor the drainage easement continues through the down stream property, to Deed Place. Council’s Street Drainage pit and the pipe system which are at the close proximity to the drainage easement are at the junction of Kleins Road and Moss Street. The pit is located in Moss Street and the pipe system is

running underneath the kerb line in Moss Street and eventually discharging into Deed Place. This is a clear indication that the drainage pipe from Kleins Road does not go through the existing drainage easement with in the subject property, 102 Kleins Road.

b. My further investigations on this matter through the Land and Property Information documents (LPI documents) have clearly revealed that the drainage easement was proposed in 1945, when Kleins Road was under the jurisdiction of “The Council of The Shire of Blacktown”, and also when Moss Street was not formed at this stage. As this easement was only a proposed drainage easement at the land subdivision stage and when the Moss Street was formed soon after the subdivision stage, the street pipelines and pits were located with in the newly formed Moss Street. From the above analogy and the investigations, I have come to the conclusion that the existing proposed drainage easement within the subject property will no longer be required by this council for the drainage purpose. Therefore, I have no objections to the extinguishment of this existing drainage easement. This has further been clarified and confirmed by Council’s Catchment Management Engineer.”

5. Based on the above there are no objections to the release of the easement subject to Council’s legal costs being borne by the applicant.

6. A copy of the general location of the easement is appended as Attachment 1 and a more detailed plan is appended as Attachment 2.

CONSULTATION & TIMING

The matter was referred to Council`s Development Section for advice.

Paul Burn

Property Program Manager

Strategic Asset Management

Attachments:

1View	Detailed Plan	1 Page
2View	Location Plan	1 Page
3View	Extract of the Development Application & Statement of Environmental Effects	7 Pages

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 10.3

ROADS PATHS ACCESS AND FLOOD MITIGATION

ITEM NUMBER 10.3

SUBJECT Parking Meter Options.

REFERENCE F2008/03362 - D01180868

REPORT OF Service Manager Major Contracts

PURPOSE:

To propose the provision of free 15 minute parking tickets at selected sites within the Parramatta CBD and to propose a revised parking scheme for Harris Park which removes 35 parking meters, provides free short term parking in the main commercial streets and increases the availability of all day paid parking.

The report follows the advice provided by Councillors at a workshop on 18 March 2009.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Council approve 15 minute free parking tickets be implemented in the specific area of the Parramatta CBD that has been identified and outlined in this report;

(b) That Council endorse for referral to the Parramatta Traffic Committee, the proposed changes to the parking conditions in Harris Park as detailed in this report.

(c) That Council approve an increase to the all day parking rate for the Macquarie Street Car Park from $10 to $12 and that this be included in the 2009/10 Schedule of Fees & Charges;

(d) Further, that Council refer the installation of parking meters in Early Street to the Parramatta Traffic Committee for consideration.

BACKGROUND

1. This report addresses a suggestion from the Lord Mayor that Council consider extending the provision of free 15 minute parking tickets to all parking meters throughout the Parramatta LGA. This facility is currently only available from some meters in North Parramatta and Harris Park.

2. The report also addresses a Question from the Lord Mayor on behalf of Councillor Chedid at the Delegated Authority Meeting held on 22 January 2009 regarding the provision of additional parking permits to businesses in Harris Park. The concern raised was that employees of businesses in Harris Park do not have access to all day parking in close proximity to their place of employment. Advice was sought as to whether pre-paid parking passes could be made available.

3. A Parking Meters Options Paper was presented to Councillors and discussed at a budget workshop on 18 March 2009. The position expressed by Councillors at the workshop in relation to the major issues discussed was;

(a) Councillors requested that the free 15 minute parking ticket availability be considered around ‘hot spot’ areas where there was a high demand for short stay parking, rather than being applied to all meters.

(b) Councillors supported in principle a series of changes to the parking conditions in Harris Park that will increase the availability of all day parking and remove all meters from the main shopping streets.

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

Free 15 Minute Parking Tickets

4. As detailed in the Parking Meters Options Paper March 2009, (Attachment 1) analysis was undertaken to assess the demand for 15 minute free parking tickets in the Parramatta CBD. Those meters which currently have the highest level of these transactions is included in Attachment 1 (p10 - Parking Meters in Parramatta – Transaction of 75c or Less).

5. This analysis demonstrated that the highest demand for 15 minute or less parking was located around things such as ATMs, banks, the post office and library which require short stay parking. Away from these facilities, demand for short term parking (stays of less than 15 minutes) was insignificant.

6. At the Councillor workshop held on 18 March 2009 it was suggested that the installation of 15 minute free tickets be tailored to meet these demand ‘hot spots’ rather than applied to all meters.

7. Based on those meters which currently have the highest demand for 15 minute or less parking 40 meters are proposed to have 15 minute free ticket buttons installed. This includes the area bounded by Marsden Street, Phillip Street, Smith Street and George Street, Civic Place, Darcy Street and meters located in Church Street between Argyle and Campbell Streets. This is shown in Attachment 3.

8. The one-off cost of installing the 15 minute free buttons to these machines would be between $25,000 and $35,000, but this may be reduced by transferring 16 machines which already have 15 minute buttons from Harris Park to the CBD.

9. It is difficult to accurately project the ongoing loss of revenue from the provision of free 15 minute parking, as there are many variables at play. The proportion of tickets currently sold in the retail core of the CBD for 15 minutes or less is approximately 2%. The value of tickets sold by the 40 meters in the proposed area (as detailed on Attachment 3) for 15 minutes or less equates to around $40,000 of revenue per annum. However, it is anticipated that the level of 15 minute stays would increase after the implementation of the 15 minute free tickets. This increased free use coupled with less spaces then being available for patrons wishing to pay and stay for longer than 15 minutes means the loss of revenue could be as high as $100,000.

10. As the area proposed for the installation of 15 minute free tickets surrounds the Horwood Place and Erby Place multi level car parks consideration would also need to be given to the possible loss of income from these facilities. There are currently a small percentage of patrons who park in these car parks for 15 minutes or less. If these patrons were to utilize the free on street parking it is estimated the car parks annual income could be reduced by between $10,000 and $50,000 depending on the level of usage. This reduction in revenue is additional to the reduction in meter revenue.

11. As the proposal to expand the 15 minute free parking ticket scheme would have a negative impact on total revenue from parking meters, four options were proposed at the workshop to compensate for this loss (Attachment 2). These were:

(a) Increase the fee in Macquarie Street car park from $10 per day to $12 per day;

(b) Replace free parking in Early Street with $5.50 per day parking;

(d) Increase the Hourly Rate across all meters.

12. Councillors at the workshop indicated that only options (a) and (b) would be supported. It is estimated these would generate additional income of between $80,000 and $150,000 depending upon the level of patronage.

Parking in Harris Park

13. The issuing of additional business parking permits has been suggested as a solution to the problems experienced by employees of Harris Park businesses. However, the issuing of business parking permits is severely restricted by the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) (Road Rules) Regulation 1999 and the RTA’s Parking Permit Manual.

14. The RTA Manual states that the following criteria must be met for ‘principals of the business or employees’ to be eligible for a Business Parking Permit (BPP):

(a) Business premises has no on-site parking facility and no unrestricted on-street parking space in front of or close to the business;

(b) Supply of off-street parking facilities within the area of Business Parking Scheme are inadequate to meet the parking demand;

(d) Vehicle registration number is recorded on the permit;

(e) Vehicle is not a truck, bus, tram or tractor;

(f) Vehicle is registered in NSW in the name of the business or an employee (some exceptions are listed here).

15. There is a limit of one permit per business and almost all businesses in Harris Park that are entitled to a business permit already have one.

16. To address concerns about the availability of all day parking in Harris Park it was proposed in the Parking Meters Option Paper that the parking restrictions be changed to allow more all day parking.

17. For all streets other than the main commercial streets, which are Marion Street, Wigram Street (between Parkes and Marion Street) and Kendall Street (due to its close proximity to the CBD), it is proposed to allow all day ticket parking on one side of the street with the other side being free but time restricted (1 or 2 hours maximum). The proposed restrictions are shown on the map titled ‘Proposed Parking Restrictions in Attachment 1 (p11). The current arrangements are shown on the map titled ‘Existing Parking Restrictions’ in Attachment 1 (p12).

18. The all day $5.50 parking would accommodate employees and 2 hour free parking would accommodate customers, clients and visitors.

19. Under this proposal ticket machines would be removed from the commercial centre of Harris Park and replaced with time limited parking. 35 machines will be removed.

Coupon Parking Scheme

20. At the budget workshop it was requested that comments regarding a Coupon Parking Scheme (CPS) be provided.

21. A CPS involves the pre-purchase of coupons from sale outlets which are displayed on the dashboard of a vehicle. The most common method of validation of a coupon is by scratching the information to record the time and date of arrival. An individual coupon can provide a set length of stay or value.

22. As per the RTA guidelines a CPS can not operate concurrently with a ticket parking scheme or meter parking scheme.

23. There are no CPS operating on public streets in New South Wales. Therefore most motorists would be unfamiliar with a CPS which would result in some confusion.

24. A CPS has several other disadvantages including the following:

(a) The hours of operation of a CPS are limited to when retail outlets are open;

(b) There would be much longer distances to walk to a ticket outlet compared to a parking meter;

(d) Tickets are purchased for a set time or value, therefore motorists require a variety of tickets depending on how long they plan to stay if they purchase tickets in advance of use.

CONSULTATION & TIMING

25. The proposal to provide 15 minute free parking in the CBD does not require any further consultation and can be commenced after a Council resolution. The only limiting factor will be availability of contractors to complete the necessary equipment changes.

26. Transfer of existing 15 minute free machines from Harris Park to the CBD will be contingent on the outcome of the proposal for parking changes in Harris Park. (see below)

27. The changes proposed to the Harris Park scheme will require Traffic Committee consideration prior to a final decision by Council. The next scheduled Traffic Committee meeting is in June. It may be necessary to arrange a special meeting in May, to expedite this process. Further consultation with Harris Park businesses may also be warranted.

28. The installation of parking meters in Early Street will also need to be considered by the Traffic Committee prior to a final decision by Council.

Kathleen Sales

Service Manager Major Contracts

Attachments:

1View	Parking Meters - Option Paper March 2009	12 Pages
2View	Parking Meters - Councillors Workshop 18 March 2009	9 Pages
3View	Proposed Free 15 Minute Parking	1 Page

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 11.1

CULTURE AND LEISURE

ITEM NUMBER 11.1

SUBJECT Proposed Dog Off-Leash Areas at Burlington and Scout Memorial Parks

REFERENCE F2005/00856 - D01157333

REPORT OF Supervisor Open Space

PURPOSE:

1. To recommend that Burlington Memorial Park in Boundary Road, Northmead and Scout Memorial Park in Glen Street, Granville be designated as dog off-leash areas in accordance with the Companion Animals Act 1998.

2. Council has other designated off-leash dog areas at the following locations:

a) Cowells Lane Reserve Basin (Ermington);

b) McCoy Park Basin (Toongabbie);

c) Wolseley Street Reserve (Guildford)

d) Barnett Park (Winston Hills)

e) Dan Mahoney Reserve (North Parramatta)

3. These two additional sites have general support from the local community and will be beneficial for the welfare of dogs as they provide social opportunities for dog owners and help increase community interaction.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Council approve additional dog off-leash areas at Burlington Memorial Park, Northmead and Scout Memorial Park, Granville (East of Water Canal) in accordance with the Companion Animals Act 1998.

(b) Further, that the above sites be signposted accordingly and provided with appropriate disposal facilities for dog faeces.

BACKGROUND

1. A report regarding the provision of additional dog off-leash areas was presented to Council on 24 November 2008. In summary the report recommended that due to the significant social and health benefits to dogs and their owners of off-leash areas, that Council place on public exhibition two additional sites at;

a. Burlington Memorial Park (Northmead);

b. Scout Memorial Park (Granville).

2. Council resolved to place on public exhibition a proposal for the two (2) additional dog off-leash areas at Burlington Memorial Park in Northmead (Attachment 1) and Scout Memorial Park in Granville (Attachment 2).

3. The public exhibition took place between the 11 February and 6 March 2009. Council received 13 submissions which have been assessed. These submissions have indicated substantial support for the provision of dog off-leash areas at both Burlington Memorial Park (eight of ten submissions) and Scout Memorial Park (two of three submissions).

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

Fencing

4. Fencing of dog off-leash areas was raised in a number of the submissions opposed to the proposal. On the basis of these responses, and in consideration of site characteristics and the substantial cost of fencing, the following is recommended for the proposed off-leash areas:

a. Scout Memorial Park – As the majority of the park is currently fenced it is recommended a gate be installed on the bridge over the storm water canal that separates the playground area;

b. Burlington Memorial Park – Partial fencing is required to Boundary Road & Balfour Street frontages.

The required fencing (approximately 150m) and gates is estimated to cost approximately $16,000. This cost can be funded through the 2008/09 Parks Improvement Capital Works budget (Project No 13535).

5. Council resolved on the 28 July 2008 “that at each leash free location, the following would be installed:

I. At least three bins for placement of dog faeces;

II. Ordinance signs including advice that savage dogs should not be unleashed;

III. Plastic bags for collection of dog faeces.”

6. Installing these facilities at the two proposed sites will require a total of six (6) bins at approximately $100 each, plus installation. In addition, Council would be required to install three regulatory signs per site, with an overall estimated total cost of $1,200 for six (6) signs. These costs can be also funded from the 2008/09 Parks Improvement Capital Works budget.

7. Other associated costs to be incurred would include the maintenance of rubbish receptacles and the restocking of plastic bags for the collection of dog faeces. These ongoing costs will be funded from the City Operations Cleansing and Parks Maintenance operational budgets.

Proposed Additional Sites

8. It was also resolved by Council on the 28 July 2008 “that Council enter into discussions with Parramatta Park with a view to obtaining at least a once a week arrangement in the Park”. Council has approached the Parramatta Park Trust requesting the use of an area in the park for a dog leash-free area. They have advised that in the 2009/10 financial year, they will be engaging a consultant to assess the feasibility of the dog off-leash proposal.

9. On 24 November 2008, Council also resolved “that Council also investigate further the use of cycleway land immediately to the north of A’Becketts Creek fronting Alfred Street and other parcels of lands under the M4”. Council officers have conducted an assessment of land under the M4 motorway and have identified a number of possible off-leash sites. As this land is currently owned by the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), Council has written to them requesting their approval. However, no response has been received at this stage. This will be subject to a further separate report if the RTA agree to the proposal.

CONSULTATION & TIMING

10. Community consultation has been an important component in the proposed establishment of additional dog off-leash areas. Council has promoted an open, transparent approach, providing opportunities for all interest groups and members of the community to contribute comments and to discuss specific issues.

11. The two proposed sites were placed on public exhibition at Council’s administration building, libraries and website from Wednesday 11 February 2009 until Friday 6 March 2009. Temporary notification signs were erected within both proposed off-leash locations and notices were provided to local veterinary clinics. Letters were issued to 280 residences surrounding the sites, advising them of the proposal and seeking their comments.

12. During the public exhibition period, 13 submissions were received from local residents regarding the two proposed dog leash-free areas. All the written submissions have been reviewed, an assessment made of the issues and the level of support for each of the proposed sites.

13. A petition with 35 signatures was submitted on the 13 October 2008 in favour of establishing a off-leash dog area in Burlington Memorial Park. These signatures have not been included within the evaluation of this public exhibition period but should be noted as supporting the proposal.

14. In view of the community support for the exhibited sites, it is recommended both areas be designated as dog off-leash areas.

James Smallhorn

Supervisor Open Space

Attachments:

1View	Location Map of Burlington Memorial Park	1 Page
2View	Location Map of Scout Memorial Park	1 Page

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 11.2

CULTURE AND LEISURE

ITEM NUMBER 11.2

SUBJECT Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool naming of grandstand to "Kevin Hession"

REFERENCE F2004/09936 - D01179140

REPORT OF Service Manager Recreation Facilities

PURPOSE:

Kevin Hession is a well known and respected member of the local sporting community associated with Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool. In recognition of his commitment and achievements in supporting swimming and water polo a petition has been received requesting that the new grandstand at Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool be named the “Kevin Hession” Grandstand. This report responds to the request.

RECOMMENDATION

a) That Council recommend that the new grandstand at Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool be named the “Kevin Hession” Grandstand.

b) That Council resolve to forward their recommendation to Parramatta Park Trust for endorsement.

c) That on approval from Parramatta Park Trust, Council makes Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club aware of the decision.

d) Further that, the installation of the signposting and interpretive signage be in accordance with Council’s Memorials and Commemorative Works Policy and any relevant heritage and interpretive requirements.

BACKGROUND

1. At its meeting of 23 March 2009 Council received a petition from Peter Ayoub, President of the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club regarding the naming of the grandstand at Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool and resolved (min 10554)

a. “That the petition be received and referred to the appropriate Council Officer for report to the 28 April Council meeting on the issues raised”

2. Additional information has been received from Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club regarding Kevin Hession’s association with Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool and the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club

3. The proposal has been assessed in accordance with Council’s Memorials and Commemorative Works Policy (Policy No. 074) (Attachment 1)

PROPOSAL

4. The proposal to name the grandstand at Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool after Kevin Hession is supported.

5. Council has previously named sporting fields and ovals within the following parks and reserves after prominent local and / or sporting identities:

a. Richie Benaud Oval, Belmore Park, Pennant Hills Road, North Parramatta;

b. Ray Price Field, Sir Thomas Mitchell Reserve, Alexander Street, Dundas;

c. Curtis Oval, Dundas Park, Fullford Street, Dundas;

d. Keith Collins Field, Granville Park, Merrylands Road, Granville

e. Margaret Myhill Oval, Cox Park, Carlingford.

6. The recommendation to support the proposal is based on Kevin Hession’s long term commitment to activities associated with Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool:

a. Kevin Hession has been a dedicated volunteer of the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club since becoming a founding member in 1964. He has been involved in the Learn to Swim Program at Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool for over 40 years.

b. Kevin was involved in the Water Polo sub branch of the Club at the Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool in the early 1960’s and participated until his retirement from the game in 1976. Kevin was also responsible for establishing the Life Saving program in association with the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia in the 1970’s.

7. A signed petition was collected in February 2009 in support of the proposed naming of the grandstand (Attachment 2).

8. Council Officers have spoken with Mr Chris Levins from the Parramatta Park Trust regarding the proposal. Mr Levins requested that Council forward their recommendation to Parramatta Park Trust for endorsement, with the reasons included, following Council’s support of the recommendation. It is not expected that such endorsement would be unreasonably withheld by the Trust.

CONSULTATION & TIMING

9. In view of the local community support for the proposal and the evidence of Kevin Hession’s long association with the Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool and the sport of swimming, it is considered appropriate to name the grandstand in recognition of his achievements and support to the local community.

10. Parramatta Diving Club and Parramatta Water Polo Club were consulted on the proposal. Both organisations offer their support.

11. Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club has been provided with a copy of Council’s Memorials and Commemorative Works Policy (Policy No. 074) which states that “The creation and maintenance of memorials is to be funded by the proponent. No exemptions to this clause will be granted.”

12. The request will be referred to Parramatta Park Trust for consideration at the Parramatta Park Trust’s next meeting on the 21 May 2009 following Council’s endorsement.

13. Council Officers have consulted with Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club. The Club has proposed that an appropriate opportunity for the unveiling could coincide with the fiftieth birthday of the Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Pool around September / October 2009.

Attachments:

1View	Commemorative Works and Memorials Policy	12 Pages
2View	Petition of support from the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club	3 Pages

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 11.3

CULTURE AND LEISURE

ITEM NUMBER 11.3

SUBJECT Parramatta Bike Plan 2009.

REFERENCE F2007/00667 - D01181884

REPORT OF Service Manager Open Space and Natural Resources

PURPOSE:

1. To recommend adoption of the revised Bike Plan which incorporates minor amendments and comments from the general public following the recent public exhibition of the document.

2. This Bike Plan is a revision of Council’s Bike Plan 2001 and the initial draft plan was considered by Council at its meeting of 25 August 2008.

3. The main objectives of the Bike Plan are:

(i) To provide safer cycling opportunities for both commuter and recreational cyclists;

(ii) To identify and progressively implement prioritised cycling routes and complete missing links between existing routes to form an integrated cycleway network;

(iii) To encourage environmentally sensitive design of cycleway routes and facilities;

(iv) To provide increased opportunities for cycling through additional parking facilities and off-road paths.

4. Having considered and assessed the submissions received during the public exhibition of the draft plan it is now recommended the Parramatta Bike Plan 2009 be adopted by Council.

RECOMMENDATION

a) That Council adopt the amended Parramatta Bike Plan 2009.

b) That a plan be developed to encourage community participation in cycling through promotion of the benefits of cycling as a mode of transport and for physical activity.

c) Further, that all respondents who provided submissions during the public exhibition of the draft Parramatta Bike Plan be advised of Council’s decision and thanked for their interest.

BACKGROUND

1. A report regarding the preparation of the draft Parramatta Bike Plan 2009 was submitted to Council on 25 August 2008 (Attachment 1). The plan has been developed through a review of the 2001 Parramatta Bike Plan. It identifies and prioritises a network of cycleway routes throughout the local government area (LGA) to enhance cycling opportunities.

2. Council resolved at this meeting to have several amendments made to the format of Appendix 3 and enlargements made to the exhibition maps prior to placing the draft Parramatta Bike Plan 2009 on public exhibition. These amendments to the plan and maps were carried out and the plan was exhibited for public comment on 26 November 2008. Copies of the plan were provided to all Councillors at that time.

3. The public exhibition has now concluded and all submissions have been considered and assessed. This report is now provided for Council’s consideration.

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

4. The Parramatta Bike Plan 2009 aims to provide Council with a prioritised implementation plan for bicycle routes to be completed progressively throughout the LGA. It details Council’s major on-road and off-road cycling routes and facilities and identifies a number of current missing links in these routes. A copy has been provided under separate cover for Councillors and management staff.

5. A number of submissions noted the absence of provisions relating to cycling education and promotion. However, these issues are outside the scope of this implementation plan. It is proposed to address these issues in a separate cycling education / promotion plan.

6. Submissions also expressed the importance of environmentally sustainable design and construction of cycleway facilities. The design guidelines and recommendations in the Parramatta Bike Plan 2009 have been updated accordingly to ensure that environmental considerations are addressed in the future provision of cycleways throughout the City.

7. In addition, a number of submissions outlined issues relating to specific cycling routes. These are important considerations for the detailed design of individual routes, however these are not specifically relevant for the Parramatta Bike Plan 2009 as it is a broad strategic planning document. Such issues will be considered during the detailed design stage for new cycleways.

CONSULTATION & TIMING

8. The proposal was placed on public exhibition at Council’s administration building, libraries and website from 26 November 2008 until 9 January 2009 as per Attachment 2. The Parramatta Cycleway’s Advisory Committee, all adjoining Councils and the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority were also invited to comment on the plan. Copies were also issued to all local State and Federal MPs.

9. Nine submissions were received from local cyclists and/or residents during the public exhibition period. All written submissions have been reviewed and an assessment made of the comments made and issues raised. A number of minor amendments to the draft plan are recommended in order to incorporate some of the suggested amendments, however these are not considered significant enough to warrant re-exhibition of the plan. A summary of the submissions, issues raised and proposed minor amendments is provided in Attachment 3.

10. All respondents who lodged submissions have been contacted and thanked for their response and interest shown in the plan.

Neville Davis

Service Manager Open Space & Natural Resources

Attachments:

1View	25 August 2008 Council Report	3 Pages
2View	Public Exhibition Poster	1 Page
3View	Submissions Summary	5 Pages

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 12.1

COMMUNITY CARE

ITEM NUMBER 12.1

SUBJECT Review of City Centre Crime Prevention Plan (2008-2013)

REFERENCE F2006/01279 - D01169555

REPORT OF Service Manager Community Capacity Building

PURPOSE:

This report reviews the Parramatta City Centre Crime Prevention Plan (2008-2013). The report details all actions that have occurred since Council resolved to undertake the Plan in 2006.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Council receive and note the contents of the report.

(b) That Council continue the implementation of all strategies within the City Centre Crime Prevention Plan.

(c) Further that Council note a budget bid has been made for funding to extend the Crime Prevention Coordinator position for the life of the City Centre Crime Prevention Plan as part of the 2009/10 Management Plan budget.

BACKGROUND

1. In August 2006 Council resolved to undertake a comprehensive and fully costed 5 year Crime Prevention Plan for the Parramatta City Centre. The resolution required the preparation of this plan to be overseen by a Leadership Group led by the Lord Mayor of the day and to include senior Police, senior Council staff and representatives from the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce. All Councillors were invited to attend all Leadership Group meetings, and received all available material and reports prior to these meetings. A number of Councillor workshops were also held, the final workshop being held on the 17 November 2007.

2. At its meeting on 17 December 2007, Council resolved to publicly exhibit the draft 2008-2013 City Centre Crime Prevention Plan. The draft documents were publicly exhibited from 29 January to 25 February 2008 and submissions to Council were invited.

3. The draft document was the product of an intensive research project led by a specialist Crime Prevention Consultant (CHD Partners) and overseen by the Leadership Group of key stakeholders including representatives from NSW Police Force Headquarters and Local Area Commands of Parramatta & Rosehill, and the NSW Attorney General’s Department.

4.
A submission dated 4 March 2008 was received from the NSW Police Force Parramatta Local Area Commander requesting some amendments to the plan with a comment that, ‘…any plan which excludes the introduction of CCTV is flawed.’ This issue was discussed extensively by the Leadership Group and at various Councillor Workshops.

5. The Parramatta Council’s City Centre Crime Prevention Plan (2008-2013) was adopted by Council on 25 March 2008. A copy of the City Centre Crime Prevention Plan may be found under the publications listing on Parramatta City Council’s website at parracity.nsw.gov.au.

6. Council in its 2008 / 2009 Management Plan gave priority to the employment of the Crime Prevention Coordinator. A period of consultation regarding the proposed new position of Crime Prevention Coordinator ensued with recruitment and interviews taking place from June 2008. Relevant to the adopted Crime Prevention Plan strategy, the appointment of the Crime Prevention Coordinator took place on 4 August 2008.

7. The key accountabilities of the Crime Prevention Coordinator are the implementation of Council’s City Centre Crime Prevention Plan (2008-2013). This includes responsibility for the establishment, implementation and monitoring of a range of strategies aimed at enhancing crime prevention and improving the community’s perception of safety within the Parramatta City Centre. In addition to the strategies outlined in the City Centre Crime Prevention Plan, the Coordinator is responsible for seeking additional opportunities for crime prevention in the City Centre.

8. The current contract for the position of Crime Prevention Coordinator expires on 31 July 2009.

PARRAMATTA CITY CRIME PREVENTION PLAN (2008-2013)

9. Actions commenced, and are continuing, pertinent to the Crime Prevention Plan aligned with the prioritised strategies.

10. A review of the current Parramatta Liquor Accord has been conducted in conjunction with extensive research into the mechanisms and outcomes of other operational Liquor Accords. The current Parramatta Liquor Accord Policy document has been revised and a new document drafted which incorporates clearly defined aims and measurable objectives specific to the reduction of alcohol-related crime (assaults) and anti-social behaviour. The new draft Accord Policy document also incorporates a range of new principles to be adhered to within licensed premises including enhanced security, communication and licensee/staff responsibility, as well as timed patron lock-outs, conversion to polycarbonate drinking vessels and alcohol sale restrictions. An Accord Constitution and Business Plan have also been drafted to establish terms of operation of the Accord. These draft documents were presented to the Parramatta Liquor Accord members in March 2009 for consideration and comment. Feedback is currently being collated and issues will be further discussed at future Accord meetings.

11.
NSW State Government instigated changes to the NSW Liquor Act in late 2008 to address alcohol-related crime saw the legislatively backed implementation of timed patron lock-outs, alcohol sale restrictions, and the replacement of glass drinking vessels with polycarbonate in four locations within the Parramatta CBD identified by the NSW Police Commissioner as ‘problem venues’. The licensed premises concerned are PJ Gallaghers, Albion Hotel, Roxy Hotel & One World Sport Parramatta. It was proposed that such restrictions would be expanded into all licensed premises within the Parramatta CBD via the Parramatta Liquor Accord and the Parramatta Hoteliers Forum to create uniform licensed premise trading conditions throughout the CBD, however, a current State Government review and potential rescinding of these restrictions means that such strategies are being held in abeyance pending further State Government announcements. Meetings relevant to this have been held with NSW Police Force and the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing, and the new draft Accord policy document will be amended accordingly to reflect any new licensing conditions or restrictions that may be announced.

12. Discussions regarding the future of the Parramatta Liquor Accord have been conducted in a meeting with Parramatta Liquor Accord administrators, NSW Office of Liquor & Gaming and the NSW Police Force. Concern was expressed from current Accord administrators at Parramatta Leagues Club that the current structure of the Parramatta Liquor Accord does not provide for the future of the Accord. The future uncertainty of key positions within the Parramatta Leagues Club may be contributing to this. Discussions regarding the potential for Council to take over the administration of the Parramatta Liquor Accord to ensure its long term future took place with Outcomes & Development Managers. The proposal was further discussed at a February meeting of Council’s Executive Team and it was concluded at this meeting that Council should decline any approach to administer the Parramatta Liquor Accord on the grounds that the Accord would be too closely aligned with a regulatory body.

13. The implementation of enhanced late-night transport options within the Parramatta CBD is continuing and initiatives such as a free late-night security bus service and the establishment of secure taxi ranks are currently being investigated. These initiatives are being canvassed via the newly established Parramatta Transport Sub-Committee, Parramatta Liquor Accord and Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership meetings. External partners and funding opportunities to ensure the sustainability of the late-night transport facilities are currently being canvassed with several potential partners identified. Investigations are currently being conducted into the feasibility of conducting a 6 month late-night transport pilot program within the Parramatta CBD commencing October 2009.

14. The free late-night security bus service would operate on weekends, public holidays and special events from October to April each year. The service would operate during the peak times for alcohol-related assaults being 12am (midnight) until 4am. The service would operate on a continuous loop around the Parramatta CBD as a pick-up service only, collecting patrons from locations within the CBD and transporting them to secure taxi ranks and transport facilities at the Parramatta transport interchange. The service would assist in removing potential offenders and victims of alcohol-related crime from the CBD during periods when public transport options are limited. The bus would be operated and managed by the NSW State Transit Authority who would provide the bus, driver and a security guard to be on board the bus at all times. Funding will be required to ensure the sustainability of the service and plans are being devised to instigate the collection of annual fees for membership to the Parramatta Liquor Accord which would be contributed towards the service. The service would operate in conjunction with secure-taxi ranks managed and staffed by the NSW Ministry of Transport, and additional ‘night-rider’ bus services currently in operation in Parramatta. Other areas utilising such a service in combination with timed patron lock-outs at licensed premises have experienced significant reductions in late-night alcohol-related crime and robbery offences. Future funding for such a project could potentially be applied for via the NSW Attorney General’s Department Crime Prevention Project Grant discussed later in this report.

15. All Council strategies pertaining to the reduction of alcohol-related crime have also been incorporated into the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership Action Plan strategy which is discussed later in this report.

16. The Australian Government Attorney General’s Department ‘Business Crime Prevention Kits’ have been distributed to all business operators within the Parramatta CBD. The information kits were hand-delivered throughout the CBD by Council staff during the week 13 – 17 October 2008 as a precursor to the 14 November 2008 ‘BizSafe’ Business Crime Prevention Forum. Information kits were also made available at the ‘BizSafe’ Forum for attending business owners and operators. In addition, the availability of the information kits was advertised on the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce website offering business operators outside of the Parramatta CBD an opportunity to access this information.

17. The first bi-annual ‘BizSafe’ Business Crime Prevention Forum was conducted at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatre on 14 November 2008. Invitations were hand delivered to all businesses within the Parramatta CBD including all Westfield retailers, with additional invitations sent out via the business member databases of the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce, Granville Chamber of Commerce, Parramatta Liquor Accord, and Moore Stephens Accountants. A total of 47 acceptances were returned for the 7:30am forum with a total of 33 actual attendees. All businesses attending this forum were offered a free safety audit of their business premises and were provided contact details of the Parramatta City Council Crime Prevention Coordinator and the Parramatta Local Area Command Crime Prevention Officer. A second ‘BizSafe’ Forum will be organised for delivery in June 2009.

18. All Council strategies pertaining to the reduction of retail theft and steal from person offences have also been incorporated into the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership Action Plan strategy which is discussed later in this report.

19. As a result of extensive research undertaken and information derived from the December 2008 Parramatta graffiti meeting, a graffiti management options paper was prepared for consideration by Council. The graffiti management options paper was presented to Councillors at a budget workshop on 18 March 2009. As a result, additional reports have been compiled for consideration at Councils April 2009 meeting.

20.
The creation of an educational prevention campaign targeting property theft from motor vehicles is continuing and, in conjunction with the NSW Police Force and car park operators, safety audits have been conducted on 19 Council and commercial car parks within the Parramatta CBD. Consideration has been given to similar prevention projects/campaigns instigated by the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, and City of Sydney Council. The issue of property theft from motor vehicles is also currently being addressed by the NSW Attorney General’s Department Crime Prevention Division with the development of an educational prevention campaign forming part of this commitment. The Crime Prevention Coordinator is currently working with the NSW Attorney General’s Department regarding this initiative to develop an appropriate education campaign for implementation within the Parramatta CBD.

21. All Council strategies pertaining to the reduction of steal from motor vehicle offences have also been incorporated into the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership Action Plan strategy which is discussed later in this report.

22. The Church Street Mall Public Domain Plan is under the management of City Strategy staff and several on-site meetings have been held with staff to discuss issues relevant to the plan. An audit of the current lighting has been undertaken by a professional lighting consultant, and the issue of impediment removal has been addressed and action commenced March 2009. A lighting plan for Church Street Mall will be developed upon completion of the impediment removal. Safety audits have also been conducted on the adjoining Queensland Arcade and the need for additional impediment removal in vicinity of the arcade has also been identified.

23. The existing mobile PCYC van is a regional asset based at Penrith and utilised in a range of areas from Penrith to St. George. Discussions with the Parramatta PCYC Coordinator have identified that NSW Police Force under-staffing at the Parramatta PCYC and the availability of only one regional mobile PCYC van are impacting on its utilisation in Church Street Mall. It has been advised that the purchase of a new mobile PCYC van completely fitted out would require in excess of $150,000.00 in funding. A relevant budget bid has recently been submitted to Council.

24. Farmer’s Markets were implemented into the Church Street Mall commencing 16 August 2008 to promote greater guardianship of the area. Policy relevant to the markets is currently being developed by Strategic Asset Management staff.

25. A review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Council and Police has been undertaken with the related 28July 2008 report to Council indicating that the current MOU between the Police and Council is no longer operational and that the Police no longer wish to operate under a formal MOU with Council. Council and Police will work collaboratively via the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership in order to further the strategies relevant to Council’s City Centre Crime Prevention Plan.

26. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) training has been completed by 13 of the 15 Council Development Application assessors via the NSW Police Force ‘Safer by Design’ course. Development Services staff have arranged for the remaining 2 staff members to complete the training in the next available course of 2009.

27. The upgrade of privately managed Council car parks is under the management of Major Contracts staff and on-site meetings have been conducted to discuss the improvements to lighting, painting and security features of the four privately managed Council car parks. The four car parks currently have all ticket and cash vending facilities under 24 hour CCTV surveillance, monitored via the Erby Place car park control room. Painting and lighting upgrades of the Horwood Place car park have been completed, with the remaining three car parks of Erby Place, Wentworth Street & Hunter Street to be completed subject to funding availability.

28. The City Centre Laneways Project is under the management of Urban Design staff and forms part of the ‘Small Spaces & Laneways Project’ currently being undertaken. Recommendations from this project are expected to be presented to Council in mid 2009.

29. A social needs forum addressing the issue of homelessness within Parramatta was conducted by Council’s Community Capacity Building Officers on 25 November 2008. The Parramatta Homelessness Forum canvassed the current impact of homelessness within Parramatta, how current programs are functioning, and how services can be expanded to connect people and providers within Parramatta. A follow-on issues based forum to develop strategies that directly address homelessness was conducted on 23 April 2009.

30. A Justice Precinct Social Impacts Review commenced on 3 April 2009 in conjunction with Social Outcomes staff, Community Capacity Building staff and representatives from the NSW Attorney General’s Department. This review will be a precursor to a meeting of key social service stakeholders within the community to discuss the potential social impacts of the Justice Precinct and expansion of the Court capacity.

31. The first Local School Principals Forum was conducted on 27 October 2008. A second Local School Principals Forum is to be conducted at NSW Police Headquarters in May 2009. This forum will again be attended by NSW Department of Education and Training School Safety & Response Unit, local Police Commanders, Police Youth & School Liaison Officers, Parramatta PCYC Coordinator, and local school principals from Parramatta. A Student Crime Sub-Committee has also been established via the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership in order to further address issues of student behaviour within the Parramatta CBD and the Parramatta public transport network. The Crime Prevention Coordinator will continue to participate in regular School Principals Forums and the associated Student Crime Sub-Committee to scope issues surrounding student movements within the Parramatta CBD.

32. The NSW Department of Education & Training Crime Prevention Workshops are currently being delivered on an ongoing basis into local schools throughout the Parramatta LGA by the NSW Police Force Regional School Liaison Officer. Arrangements have also been made with the NSW Legal Aid Service for the regular delivery of an educational DVD into local schools addressing the issue of young persons committing offences in company. Additional investigations are being conducted into re-establishing the Macquarie Legal Centre (MLC) school education program that operated in conjunction with the DET Crime Prevention Workshop. The MLC conducts youth education programs specific to crime prevention in certain schools and youth centres within the LGA and have applied for Federal Government funding to assist in re-commencing these programs. The Crime Prevention Coordinator has also been involved in a pilot project of Youth Justice Conferencing within local schools. The pilot involves the NSW Police Force School Liaison Officer, School Principals & Counsellors, senior school students, students who have committed minor offences within Parramatta and the parents of those students. Council will be invited to participate in such future conferencing when Council is identified as the victim of a property offence such as graffiti vandalism.

33. All Council strategies pertaining to student movements in the City Centre have also been incorporated into the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership Action Plan strategy which is discussed later in this report.

34. A media policy ensuring coordination of key stakeholders’ responses to local crime stories is currently being developed by Communications & Marketing staff.

35. A response has been received from the NSW Attorney General’s Department to Council’s request for the re-naming of Parramatta Bail Court. The 29 April 2008 response states that ‘Parramatta Bail Court’ is not the official name of the Court, and over time Court signage will be updated to reflect the correct name, being the ‘Local Court of NSW’.

36. A review of current committees relevant to crime prevention has revealed that the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership (PCPP), Parramatta Liquor Accord, Parramatta Hoteliers Forum, Community Safety Precinct Committees (CSPC), and relevant sub-committees being established by virtue of the PCPP currently provide the most appropriate forums for advancing the strategies contained within the City Centre Crime Prevention Plan. The Security Council Rangers and Police (SCRAP) committee has been disbanded as has the Police Accountability Community Team (PACT). Council is currently participating in the newly established Community Safety Precinct Committees (CSPC) of Parramatta, Rosehill and Eastwood. The Community Safety Precinct Committees (CSPC) operate under crime prevention guidelines established in July 2008 by the NSW State Government’s Department of Premier & Cabinet. CSPC’s provide a formal means by which Police, Council and community representatives can address local crime and safety issues.

37. The Crime Prevention Coordinator currently represents Council at the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership (PCPP), Parramatta Community Safety Precinct Committee (PCSPC), Rosehill Community Safety Precinct Committee (RCSPC), Parramatta Liquor Accord, Parramatta Hoteliers Forum, Parramatta School Principals Forum, Parramatta Student Crime Sub-Committee, Parramatta Transport Sub-Committee, and the Western Sydney Community Consultative Committee.

38. All strategies contained within the City Centre Crime Prevention Plan are currently being implemented in accordance with the timeframes stated in the Crime Prevention Plan Implementation Schedule, and all projects are running to schedule.

PARRAMATTA CRIME PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP ACTION PLAN

39. The Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership (PCPP) operates under crime prevention guidelines established in July 2008 by the NSW State Government’s Department of Premier & Cabinet. The PCPP is a formal partnership between local and State agencies and drives situational crime prevention and reduction initiatives at a local level in designated priority areas. The PCPP meets bi-monthly and is currently Chaired by the NSW Police Force Parramatta Local Area Commander with a Parramatta City Council representative as the Deputy Chair. The PCPP membership also includes senior staff from a wide range of NSW State Government agencies including; Department of Premier & Cabinet, Attorney General’s Department, Department of Housing, Department of Community Services, Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing, Department of Education & Training, Department of Health, Roads & Traffic Authority, Ministry of Transport, Department of Corrective Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, and RailCorp.

40. The PCPP currently has three priority crime categories being targeted via an Action Plan which Council was invited to have input into. In order of priority they are:

a. Alcohol-Related Assaults & Anti-Social Behaviour

b. Robbery

c. Steal From Motor Vehicle

41. In addition to this, the PCPP is implementing an Anti-Social Behaviour Pilot Project (ASBPP). The ASBPP is a multi-agency project involving human services and justice agencies in the coordinated case management of children and young people with complex needs who are at risk of causing harm to themselves or to the community.

42. All strategies from Parramatta Council’s City Centre Crime Prevention Plan relevant to the abovementioned crime categories have been incorporated into the PCPP Action Plan. The Crime Prevention Coordinator currently represents Council at relevant PCPP meetings and will continue to work with PCPP members to progress these initiatives.

SAFER COMMUNITY COMPACT & PRIORITY CRIME PREVENTION PROJECT GRANT

43. On 3 March 2009 the NSW Attorney General officially endorsed the Parramatta City Centre Crime Prevention Plan as a ‘Safer Community Compact’ under the Children (Protection and Parental Responsibility) Act 1997. The endorsement means that Council is now eligible to apply for annual funding from the NSW Attorney General’s Department in the amount of $100,000.00. The usual amount for Safer Community Compact funding is set at $50,000.00 however, as Parramatta is deemed a ‘priority crime location’ by the NSW Attorney General’s Department, Council is eligible for the additional funding by virtue of a Priority Crime Prevention Project Grant.

44.
As per the NSW Attorney General’s Department Crime Prevention Grant Guidelines, Parramatta Council, as a priority location, is eligible to apply for up to $100,000.00 per annum each year for the duration of the plans endorsement (3 years) upon meeting the following criteria:

a. The funding is sought to implement a strategy from the plan that targets a crime type for which that Council is ranked in the top 10 on the Crime Prevention Division’s Priority LGA’s summary. (Parramatta LGA currently ranks in this top 10 for alcohol-related assaults and steal from motor vehicle offences)

b. Only evidence-based crime prevention projects designed to achieve a measurable impact on assault or property crime will be funded.

c. Project proposals must identify a dedicated project coordinator who has a comprehensive knowledge of the proposal to ensure effective management of the project.

45. Projects that will not be funded under the Crime Prevention Grant Guidelines include:

a. Retrospective funding for projects

b. Salaries for permanent employees

c. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) projects

d. Private security

e. Graffiti projects

f. Arts projects

g. Websites

46. Grant applications for 2009 were due for submission with the NSW Attorney General’s Department Crime Prevention Division before the closing date of 3 April 2009. As such an application was submitted for funding to conduct Crime Through Environmental Design (CPTED) upgrades to the Council owned multi-level car park located in Wentworth Street, Parramatta.

47. The Wentworth Street car park has a capacity of 1,158 car spaces divided between 8 accessible levels. This Council owned car park is privately managed and operated by Secure Parking, and as a result of February 2009 CPTED safety audits conducted with the NSW Police Force and car park operators several concerns were identified.

48. Other than steal from motor vehicle offences, malicious damage, graffiti vandalism and anti-social behaviour were identified as ongoing issues in the car park, and these issues are significantly impacting upon the under-utilisation of the top two levels of the car park. The CPTED audits identified the need for enhanced security measures including perimeter lighting, additional roof level lighting, entry/exit lighting and painting.

PARRAMATTA CRIME STATISTICS

49. Statistical data provided via both the NSW Police Force Parramatta Local Area Command and the NSW Attorney General’s Department Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research have indicated marked reduction in priority crimes identified within the City Centre Crime Prevention Plan.

50. Over the period from the date of adoption of the Crime Prevention Plan until the end of 2008, crime rates within the Parramatta CBD have decreased by:

a. Alcohol-Related Assaults – 6%

b. Robbery – 28%

c. Steal From Motor Vehicle – 31%

d. Retail Theft – 14%

e. Malicious Damage (Graffiti) – Statistics relevant to the offence of graffiti are difficult to extract as there is no specific offence category as yet. All incidents of malicious damage are grouped as such, and as graffiti vandalism is a grossly under-reported crime it would be purely speculative to nominate a percentage rate reduction or increase in such activity.

51. While the current economic climate provides the impetus for increases in crime, particularly theft-related offences, continued vigilance in the implementation of crime prevention strategies by all partners will be required to maintain consistent levels of reduction in crime rates within the Parramatta CBD.

Future Focus

52. The City Centre Crime Prevention Plan has a number of areas with a key focus for the next 12 months. These include:

a. Work on the implementation of late night transport options around and in and out of the CBD

b. Continued work in the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership (PCPP), particularly on its key focus areas, alcohol related violence, steal from motor vehicle and robbery and theft from person.

c. Work in the CBD with local businesses to reduce retail theft

d. Working with licensed premises and the Local Area Commands of Parramatta and Rosehill to strengthen and develop local Liquor Accords.

e. Retaining a reactive capacity to address needs which are identified through the PCPP or by Council itself.

John McInerney

Acting Manager Community Capacity Building

Attachments:

1View

Crime Prevention Strategy & Timeline Table

5 Pages

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 12.2

COMMUNITY CARE

ITEM NUMBER 12.2

SUBJECT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting 26 August 2008

REFERENCE F2005/01941 - D01180478

REPORT OF Community Capacity Building Officer

PURPOSE:

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee met on 26^th August 2008. This report provides a précis of the key discussion points of that meeting for Council’s consideration.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee held on 26^th August 2008 (Attachment 1) be received and noted.

(b) That Linda McDonald be the nominated representative of the Committee for the Western Sydney Aboriginal NAIDOC Ball Committee.

(c) Further, that the Committee write to the Parramatta Park Trust and invite them to attend a future Committee meeting.

BACKGROUND

1. Parramatta City Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee meets monthly. The Committee currently comprises of fifteen members representing a variety of interests.

2. Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee met for the final time before the 2008 Council Elections on 26^th August 2008. The Committee met for the first time since then on March 24^th 2009 and accepted the minutes from their 26^th August 2008 meeting. A separate Council report provides a précis of the key discussion points of the meeting of 24^th March 2009.

MAIN DISCUSSION POINTS

3. The main issues discussed at this meeting are outlined below.

4. Western Sydney NAIDOC Ball:

(a) Members discussed the Western Sydney Aboriginal NAIDOC Ball which was attended by a number of Members and at which Lyn Leerson, Reconciliation Western Sydney received an award. The Committee congratulated Lyn Leerson.

(b) Members recommended that Linda McDonald be the nominated Advisory Committee’s representative for the Western Sydney Aboriginal NAIDOC Ball Committee.

Officer’s Comment:

The Western Sydney Aboriginal NAIDOC Ball is attended by indigenous and non indigenous peoples from across Western Sydney, including those living in and/or working in the Parramatta area. No financial contribution towards the cost of holding the ball has been sought. The Committee’s decision to nominate a member to sit on the Western Sydney Aboriginal NAIDOC Ball is based on their desire to support the organisation of the event.

That Linda McDonald be the nominated representative for the Western Sydney Aboriginal NAIDOC Ball Committee on behalf of the Committee.

5. Acknowledgement and thanks to the Committee for its work:

Council Officer, Maggie Kyle acknowledged the hard work and commitment of members over the past 4 years and thanked them for their contribution.

6. Shanene Hogg, Council Officer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Project Officer’s Report:

(a) Developmental work towards Council’s Aboriginal Employment Strategy has commenced.

(b) Development of Council’s Welcome to Country protocol will include facilitated workshops including one with Committee Members.

(c) Discussions have been held with Council’s Community Capacity Building Officer, Social Enterprise and prospective Aboriginal clients.

(d) The Council Officer will assist in celebrations of Federation Day.

(e) Research into the implementation of Cultural Awareness training across Council has commenced and familiarisation with different units within Council is informing the development of an appropriate model.

7. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Enterprise Forum:

Council Officer, Community Capacity Building Officer, Social Enterprise provided information.

(a) The Aboriginal Social Enterprise Forum will be held in October 2008 and provide information on the nature of Social Enterprises, examples of successful Aboriginal Social Enterprises and information on Council’s Social Enterprise Grants. Members were asked to encourage community members to attend the Forum and/or contact the Council Officer.

Officer’s Comment:

The Aboriginal Social Enterprise Forum was held in October 2008 and attended by approximately 30 people.

(b) Members identified a number of Social Enterprises they believed were needed. These were an accommodation facility for ex-prisoners and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Heritage Centre, including arts and crafts.

8. Impact of Department of Corrective Services’ staff strike action on prisoners and their families:

Members discussed the impact on prisoners when Department of Corrective Services staff employed at Correctional Centres strike. Members noted that prisoners were treated badly when this occurs and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Parramatta area are concerned for their relatives who are affected by the lock downs. Members recommended that Council note their grave concerns regarding this matter.

Officer’s Comment:

Members had been approached by members of the community who reported their distress at not being able to visit a relative in prison.

It is noted that current tensions (March and April 2009) within the NSW Department of Corrective Services over the issue of the privatisation of some NSW prisoners is likely to result in further lock downs. It is anticipated that the Committee will raise this issue again.

9. The impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families when welfare payments are withdrawn due to children’s non attendance at school:

Members expressed concern at the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s proposal to withdraw Centrelink payments from individuals or families if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children they are responsible for do not attend school. Members recommended that a delegation from this Committee meet with the Honourable Julie Owens, Member for Parramatta to discuss their concerns.

Officer’s Comment:

In August 2008 the Federal Government announced a trial program linking school attendance to welfare quarantining: Centrelink would be able to withhold part of payments if children were not enrolled at or often failed to attend school. The program would initially be trialled in six schools across the Northern Territory over the next two years. A number of organisations opposed the policy as discriminatory and overriding human rights (e.g. Amnesty International, Australia, The Northern Territory Education Union)

10. Parramatta Park Trust representative invited to attend a Committee Meeting:

Members proposed a recommendation that a representative of Parramatta Park trust attend a Committee meeting.

That a letter be written on behalf of the Committee inviting a representative of the Parramatta Park trust to attend a Committee meeting.

11.
Members’ Information Exchange:

(a) A Kids Fun Day will be held during Child Protection Week in Mt Druitt.

(b) Western Sydney Reconciliation has written to the Prime Minister, the Honourable Kevin Rudd; the Honourable Jenny Maklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Honourable Julie Owens, Member for Parramatta regarding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and requesting compensation for the Stolen Generations.

Maggie Kyle

Community Capacity Building Officer

Attachments:

1View

Minutes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Minutes 26th August 2008

4 Pages

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 12.4

COMMUNITY CARE

ITEM NUMBER 12.4

SUBJECT Graffiti Management

REFERENCE F2008/03695 - D01168307

REPORT OF Crime Prevention Coordinator

PURPOSE:

This report is provided in response to a request from Council to investigate and report on a range of graffiti management options that could potentially be utilised to reduce the impact of graffiti within the LGA. The report and attached Options Paper outline a range of options for Council’s consideration.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Council receive and note the contents of the report and attachments.

(b) That Council consider the range of graffiti management options as presented in the attached Options Paper.

(c) Further, that Council note a budget bid has been made for extra funds for graffiti management as part of the 2009 / 10 Management Plan budget. Once Councillors make a decision on the bid, officers will develop a Graffiti Management Plan with the knowledge of the available budget going forward.

BACKGROUND

1. At its ordinary meeting on 20 October 2008, Council requested the immediate investigation of a range of graffiti management options within the Parramatta LGA. On 1 December 2008 a wide range of stakeholders were invited to discuss graffiti management at Parramatta Town Hall. Present at this meeting, along with Councillors and Parramatta Council staff, were representatives from the NSW Attorney General’s Department, NSW Police Force and a range of State Government agencies and key stakeholders. As a result of information received from the Parramatta graffiti management meeting, research undertaken on various graffiti management practices operating throughout Australia, and the findings of the State Governments Anti-Graffiti Action Team (AGAT), a Graffiti Management Options Paper was created and presented to Councillors at a budget workshop on 18 March 2009. As a result of this workshop additional information requests were received from Councillors regarding specific graffiti management strategies and these are outlined below.

PARRAMATTA LGA GRAFFITI MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Graffiti Detectors

2. The ‘E-Nose Graffiti Detector’ is a recently invented electronic device that can allegedly detect the chemicals from a continuous 4 second burst of paint from a spray can from up to 45 metres away (depending on wind direction). A small computer inside the device can then send a mobile phone text message to a Council staff member(s) alerting them of the detection. Newcastle Council is the first Australian Council to commence a 12 month trial of the new technology at two locations to assess the viability and effectiveness of the units. This trial commenced January 2009 and results will be made available upon completion. A report relevant to any findings can be made available to Councillors for further consideration in 2010 if required.

Legal Graffiti Walls

3. Council resolved on 15 December 2008 to demolish the existing legal graffiti wall located at Sturt Park Telopea. There are 5 legal graffiti walls remaining within the LGA. Such legal graffiti walls have been identified by NSW Attorney General’s Department research as exasperating rather than alleviating the problem of illegal graffiti vandalism within communities, particularly around the vicinity of the legal walls themselves. Issues such as inappropriate environmental designs and locations, and lack of Council resources have all been seen to contribute to the failure of legal graffiti walls in reducing graffiti vandalism, however, it has also been identified that a key factor in the increase of illegal graffiti associated with legal walls is the exposure such walls give the public to this activity. Illegal graffiti ‘art’ is not the problem that Council is faced with, rather it is illegal graffiti ‘tagging’, and such legal walls, while catering for a small minority of genuine artists within the community, may inadvertently serve to promote graffiti to the wider non-artistically inclined community. The demolition of all remaining legal graffiti walls within the LGA would assist in reducing the amount of secondary illegal graffiti occurring in communities and limit the promotion of graffiti-related activities. The removal of these walls has been included for Council’s consideration (in a project bid) as part of the 2009 / 10 Management Plan budget.

Protective Coatings

4. Council currently does not use protective coatings extensively as the chemical product utilised in this process is cost inhibitive ($52.75 per litre which coats approximately 8-10 square metres). The use of protective coatings also increases subsequent graffiti removal costs as additional chemicals ($20.80 per litre), high pressure equipment, and longer periods of time spent in the removal process are needed to remove graffiti from coated surfaces. Graffiti removal can be conducted significantly more efficiently and cost effectively on untreated surfaces.

Supply of Paint to Park Committees

5. Council could consider providing paint and basic equipment to various Park Committees in the LGA. Coordination of such activities would need to involve an officer from Council’s Environment & Assets unit involved in Park Committee Liaison. This issue is addressed in part at section 13 of the attached Graffiti Management Options Paper.

Prominent Sites

6. Council could consider targeting prominent sites within the LGA that require graffiti removal. Council could consider providing a list of prominent sites to be targeted that would assist in prioritising such removal work. If a site is on private land this raises access and permission to enter site issues. It also raises potential cost issues if graffiti removal is extended to cover private property. These issues are addressed in part at section 16 of the attached Graffiti Management Options Paper.

Project Bid

7. The Project Bid in respect to graffiti includes a request for funding to cover such items as the removal of graffiti walls (as mentioned at 3.), the purchase of a database to record and track incidences of graffiti as they are sighted and removed and the extension of the provision of graffiti removal kits to businesses in the LGA. These actions would further enhance Council’s graffiti management activities which were substantially increased in 2008/09 with the establishment of the in-house Graffiti Removal Team.

Brett Gibson

Crime Prevention Coordinator

Attachments:

1View	Graffiti Management Options Paper - March 2009	17 Pages
2View	Graffiti Management Options Table slide 1	1 Page
3View	Graffiti Management Options Table slide 2	1 Page
4View	Graffiti Management Options Table slide 3	1 Page
5	Graffiti Management Options Table slide 4	1 Page
6	Graffiti Management Options Table slide 5	1 Page

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 12.5

COMMUNITY CARE

ITEM NUMBER 12.5

SUBJECT Child Care Fees

REFERENCE F2008/03695 - D01182491

REPORT OF Service Manager Children and Family Services

PURPOSE:

This report is provided in response to a request from Council for a further report on the childcare centre fee options following a Councillor workshop on the issue on 18 March 2009. The report and attachment outline various options for Council consideration.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Council receive and note the contents of the report and attachment;

(b) That Council consider the range of childcare fee options as presented in the attached Options Paper;

(d) Further, that Council consider a staged increase in the childcare fees that will assist their sustainability and work towards a cost neutral result for Council.

BACKGROUND

1. The childcare centres returned a deficit of $302,000 in the 2006/2007 financial year, and a deficit of $291,599 for the 2007/08 financial year. As the deficit result is neither a desirable nor sustainable position, a review of the service was commenced in October 2007 to determine what was driving the deficit result.

2. Increasing costs and reduced utilisation, particularly due to the preference of families not to enrol in services on Mondays and Fridays, were found to be contributing factors to the deficit.

3. The review noted that Council’s childcare centres all still have a waiting list for places, it is the number of days per week of care that the majority of families are seeking that has changed. Where once the majority of families were seeking full time care, the majority are now seeking 3 to 4 days per week, mainly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

4. The childcare centres also have a large waiting list for children aged under two years which, at the time of this report, totalled 357.

5. As a result of the review, a variety of fee options were put to the Council Fees and Charges Workshop in March 2008 and an average fee increase of $17.16 (29.53%) per child per day was placed on exhibition within the 2008/2009 Management Plan.

6. Council received many responses from centre users to this fee proposal and the fees were adopted at a much lower rate of $62.00 per day, resulting in a deficit budget of $473,655 for 2008/9.

7. Based on a 90% utilisation figure, a Child Care Fees Options Paper was presented to Councillors at a budget workshop on 18 March 2009. As a result of this workshop additional information was requested from Councillors regarding the childcare fee options.

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

8. As detailed in the Childcare Fees Options Paper March 2009 (Attachment 1), four fee options have been proposed along with an analysis for the resulting cost to Council and the impact on families. These options can be considered in conjunction with the information below.

Fee Increase to Achieve a Cost Neutral Result

9. If it is decided to increase the fees in one step to achieve a cost neutral result, it would mean an increase of $12.00 per child per day which equates to19.3%.

10. This increase in fees if undertaken in one financial year would be seen as considerable and Council could anticipate that there could well be financial hardship for many families if such an increase was introduced at one time.

11. As a result of the feedback from this type of proposed fee increase in the 2008/2009 Management Plan, it can be anticipated that the reaction of the families will be negative and many families may have no other option but to either look for cheaper childcare elsewhere, or reconsider working arrangements and withdraw or reduce their days of attendance.

12. This is a very real consideration for Council and the childcare services, as increasing the fees to such an extent could drive utilisation a lot lower than the 90% rate, generating more challenges for the centres to return a cost neutral budget.

Staged Fee Increase to Achieve a Cost Neutral Result

13. Another option is to implement a staged fee increase that would achieve a reduced subsidy and eventually a cost neutral result for Council.

14. It is proposed that the fees could increase in July 2009 and then again in January 2010. The following table gives an indication of the impact of a staged fee structure on Council.

Proposed Fee/Day

Daily Fee Increase

Percentage Increase

Total Annual Cost to Council Across 5 LDC Centres

Option 1

$65.00 from July 2009

$3.00

4.8%

$384,994 p/a

Option 2

$65.00 from July 2009

$68.00 from January 2010

$3.00

4.8%

4.6%

$306,430 p/a

Option 3

$66.00 from July 2009

$70.00 from January 2010

$4.00

6.5%

6.1%

$211,468 p/a

15. Full cost neutrality and service sustainability could be achieved with further staged fee increases in the following financial year.

16. Taking into consideration future planning, there may need to be a further increase of $4.00 per day in January 2011 to incorporate the fact that the State Government is currently reviewing the Children’s Services Regulations and they will include a new staff to child ratio of 1:4 instead of 1:5 for children under two years of age. This will have a budget impact as each centre will require an extra staff member.

17. At this stage it is unknown if the new Regulations will come with a transition timeframe for the increased ratio or if they will come with additional funding, so this proposed figure is only an approximation until details are confirmed.

CONSULTATION & TIMING

18. After the decision is made for a proposed fee for 2009/10, a letter will be sent out to the families at the Long Day Care Centres notifying them of Council’s intent. Families will have an opportunity therefore, to respond as part of the public exhibition of the Draft 2009/10 Management Plan and Budget and Council could consider such responses prior to adopting the final Plan.

19. Consultation is also currently being undertaken with the Department of Community Services and the Federal Government in terms of a more sustainable service delivery model and funding options for the Occasional Care Centre. This service currently operates with a deficit and no fee increases have been proposed at this stage as utilisation remains low. Further information on the Occasional Care Centre will be made available once negotiations with the government agencies have been advanced.

Carolyn Isaac

Service Manager Child and Family Services

Attachments:

1View

Childcare Fees Option Paper - March 2009

5 Pages

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 13.1

CITY LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

ITEM NUMBER 13.1

SUBJECT Report of Internal Ombudsman's Operations

REFERENCE F2004/07397 - D01131233

REPORT OF Manager Service Audit and Review

PURPOSE:

To provide a report on the operation of Internal Ombudsman’s services at a number of New South Wales Councils in accordance with Resolution of Council dated 24 November 2008 (Minute 10358)

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the report of the Manager Service Audit and Review.

BACKGROUND

1. At its meeting of 24 November 2008 Council resolved (Minute 10358):

(a) That the CEO investigate and report back on the success of an internal council ombudsman at other councils such as that employed by Sutherland Shire Council. It is requested that a cross section of such councils be examined.

(b) Further, that the Council’s previous proposal to establish an external ombudsman with other WSROC councils be revived.

2. A number of New South Wales and interstate Councils employ Internal Ombudsmen to manage complaints concerning Council operations. New South Wales Councils that currently employ Internal Ombudsman include Auburn, Sutherland, Warringah, Wollongong, Tamworth and Ku-ring-gai.

3. In 2005 the General Manager and Council’s Internal Auditor reviewed the operation of Internal Ombudsmans’ schemes and developed an alternative proposal for establishing a Regional Ombudsman for Local Government in conjunction with the Western Sydney Region of Councils (WSROC).

4. This report examines the Internal Ombudsman’s schemes in a number of New South Wales Councils and parallels these to the existing Complaints Management Framework operating at Parramatta City Council.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

5. Ombudsmen have been established in a number of industries and organisations to receive, investigate and report on complaints. Four accepted criteria for the operation of an ombudsman are independence, effectiveness, fairness and public accountability. The NSW Ombudsman is a statutory position which satisfies these criteria for the public sector in New South Wales.

6. Internal Ombudsmen in New South Wales councils use a structured framework for managing complaints which is generally consistent with those developed by the NSW Ombudsman. Additionally, a number of Internal Ombudsman’s offices provide probity advice to management, investigate allegations, and recommend improvements to processes and systems. All Council Internal Ombudsman in New South Wales report to the General Manager of the Council in accordance with the Local Government Act, 1993.

7. As one criteria for effective ombudsman operations is independence, there is significant challenge in gaining and retaining public confidence in an Internal Ombudsman who reports to the General Manager of a Council. Further, the Internal Ombudsman is afforded no protection beyond the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1993 for any actions, including the provision of information to complainants. These challenges were the basis for a proposed Regional Ombudsman scheme examined in 2005.

8. Sutherland Shire Council first established an Office of Internal Ombudsman in 1999 and it continues to operate. Following the model established in Sutherland, Internal Ombudsman positions were subsequently established in Wollongong, Warringah, Auburn, Kur-ring-gai and Tamworth Councils. Wollongong has recently re-established their Internal Ombudsman position. As the Sutherland model has matured, necessary links have been made to internal audit, corruption prevention and policy functions.

9. The current structure of the Office of Internal Ombudsman at Sutherland Shire includes six staff based around what is referred to as a “Triple Governance Track” which includes the Internal Ombudsman, Assistant Internal Ombudsman, the Internal Auditor, a Corporate Probity and Policy Manager, and an administrative assistant. A copy of the Internal Ombudsman Guidelines for Sutherland are shown as Attachment 1.

10. The Office of the Internal Ombudsman at Warringah Council comprises the Internal Ombudsman, Deputy Internal Ombudsman, Internal Auditor and an Executive Assistant. A similar structure exists at Ku-ring-gai Council. The remaining Councils have Internal Ombudsman as single officers reporting to the General Manager.

11. Warringah Council established an Office of Internal Ombudsman in 2003 and referred some 130 complaints to the Internal Ombudsman in that year. In 2006/07 some 73 complaints were referred to the Internal Ombudsman whilst at Sutherland some 174 matters were referred to the Internal Ombudsman in that year. The Annual Report shows some 147 matters referred to Sutherland’s Ombudsman in 2007/08. This compares with some 117 complaints received in Parramatta City for the period 2007-08

12. In order to consistently address issues facing Internal Ombudsmen in Councils, the Local Government Internal Ombudsman’s Network (LGION) has been established with representatives from each of the abovementioned Councils. The Manager Service Audit and Review represents Parramatta on the LGION.

COMPLAINTS FRAMEWORK AT PARRAMATTA

13. The Complaints Management Framework operating at Parramatta is defined in Council’s Customer Compliments and Complaints Policy (see Attachment 2), which is generally consistent with the NSW Ombudsman’s recommended framework. A copy of the Policy is available on Council’s website.

14. Complaints received in Parramatta Council are recorded in either TRIM or Council’s CRM system and assigned to the relevant manager for resolution. Complaints of a personal nature or those which allege corrupt conduct or maladministration are reviewed by the Manager, Service Audit and Review prior to investigation or any referral.

15. Council’s Complaints Framework provides for an Internal Review for the resolution of the complaint on request of the complainant. Internal reviews are conducted by trained investigators with a guaranteed response back to the complainant. This is similar to the role undertaken by the Internal Ombudsman and provides for appeal to the NSW Ombudsman in the event that the complainant is dis-satisfied with the outcome of the Internal Review.

16. Council’s Complaints Framework and associated Policy is being revised as one of the current Ten Strategic Priorities

CONCLUSION

17. The introduction of an effective Complaints Management Framework improves community confidence in the effectiveness and transparency of the Council’s decision making. The Introduction of an Internal Ombudsman into a Council under the Local Government Act, 1993 may support a Complaints Management Framework, but does not provide the independence of an external or statutory Ombudsman.

18. The Value of an Internal Ombudsman operation at Parramatta City Council would be marginal and would not necessarily provide the independence expected of the role in light of the revised Complaints Management Framework for both internal and external complaints which includes both internal and external appeal mechanisms and legal support.

Michael Quirk

Manager Service Audit and Review

Attachments:

1View	Sutherland Ombudsman Guidelines	8 Pages
2View	Customer Compliments and Complaints Policy	8 Pages

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 13.2

CITY LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

ITEM NUMBER 13.2

SUBJECT Investments Report for February 2009

REFERENCE F2008/01474 - D01169147

REPORT OF Manager - Finance

PURPOSE:

To inform Council of the investment portfolio performance for the month of February 2009.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receives and notes the investments report for February 2009.

BACKGROUND

1. In accordance with clause 212 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005, a report setting out details of all money invested must be presented to Council on a monthly basis.

2. The report must include a certificate as to whether or not the investments have been made in accordance with the Act, the Regulations and the investment policy of Council.

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

3. Council’s investment portfolio stood at $78.7 Million as at 28th February 2009. (Previous month $81.4 Million) The weighted average portfolio held for February 2009 was $78.3 Million (Previous month $82.2 million) (Refer attachment 1).

4. Council invests directly with Local Government Financial Services (LGFS), various term deposit providers and with funds managers utilising the services of CPG Research & Advisory. There are also investments with the Commonwealth Bank for loan offset funds.

5. The average interest rate on Council’s investments for the month compared to the Bank Bill Index is as follows:

Monthly Annualised

Total Portfolio 0.06% 1.23%

Funds Managers -0.21% -1.80%

Bank Bill Index 0.29% 3.86%

NB: Annualised rates are calculated on a compounding basis assuming that the interest returns are added to the initial investment amount and reinvested.

6. After allowing for Council’s loan offsets and at call funds, Council recorded an annualised return of 1.23% for the month of February for its total investment portfolio. The return recorded by Council was below the Bank Bill Index of 3.86%. Fund managers recorded an annualised rate of -1.80%.

7. The amount of funds invested at the end of February decreased from the previous month by $2.7 Million. This minor decrease was due to no Rates Instalment being due.

8. Councils unfavourable return versus the Bank Bill Index for February 2009 can mostly be attributed to the continued poor performance of Councils managed funds. The Blackrock Diversified Fund continued through the liquidation process and suffered a net capital loss of $153K for the month. The T-Corp long Term Growth Facility and CFS Global Credit Fund have also continued to be effected by poor credit markets and recorded market book value losses of approximately $70K.

9. Council currently has approximately 80% of the overall portfolio invested in Term deposits, Cash at call and other fixed return products. These investments will assist in cushioning Councils overall return; however the volatility of managed funds in current world, markets will continue to have a major effect on council’s returns.

10. The following details are provided on the attachments for information:

Graph – Comparison of average funds invested with loans balance

Graph – Average interest rate comparison to Bank Bill Index

Graphs – Investments and loans interest compared to budget

Summary of investment portfolio

11. The Certificate of Investments for February 2009 is provided below:

Certificate of Investments

I hereby certify that the investments for the month of January 2009 have been made in accordance with the Act, the Regulations and Council’s Investment Policy.

12. There is no standard report attachment - detailed submission - attached to this report.

Jenny Fett

Finance Manager

Attachments:

1View	Investments & Loans - Performance	1 Page
2View	Summary of Investments Portfolio	2 Pages

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 13.3

CITY LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

ITEM NUMBER 13.3

SUBJECT Report of Whistleblower Hotline Services

REFERENCE F2009/00449 - D01185698

REPORT OF Manager Service Audit and Review

PURPOSE:

To provide a report on Whistleblowers Hotline services in accordance with Resolution of Council dated 23 February 2009 (Minute 10507 )

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the report of the Manager Service Audit and Review.

BACKGROUND

1. At its meeting of 23 February 2009 Council resolved (Minute 10507):

(a) That Council receive and note the report of the Manager Service Audit and Review.

(b) Further, that in line with recommendation clause 12, that the CEO within the next 10 working days approach the large accounting firms offering external whistleblower dedicated ‘phone in hotline’ number with a view to ascertaining what they can offer in terms of services and report back to the first Council Meeting after that date.

2. Review of Council’s Whistleblowers Protection Policy forms part of the current policy review program in the Service Audit & Review Work Plan for 2008/09. Other associated policies under review include the Code of Conduct, Policy for Interaction between Councillor and Staff, and the Customer Compliments and Complaints Policies

CURRENT SITUATION

3. Requests for information on whistleblower hotline services were placed on 2 March 2009 with Deloitte, KPMG, BDO Kendalls, and subsequently with PricewaterhouseCoopers. A number of other non-accounting providers of whistleblower hotline services were also requested to provide initial information. Parties were asked to provide details of services available and indicative prices on the basis of an initial selective expression of interest.

4. Formal responses were received from Deloittes, KPMG, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and one of the non-accounting providers. A summary analysis of responses received is shown at Attachment 1. A copy of all responses, including confidential pricing proposals, is held on file and available to Councillors for review.

5. All of the firms that provided responses offer a tailored Whistleblower Hotline Service that allows staff to call a toll-free number and raise allegations which are subsequently analysed and reported back to the relevant Council officer for action.

6. Most of the responses provided indicative pricing models which generally cover set-up of the service, and a cost per call/report and/or a retainer. Prices ranged from a flat monthly fee of $500.00, to a set-up fee of in excess of $10,000 together with monthly costs in excess of $300. Further details of pricing will be established through a formal quotation process.

7. All of the responses received offered other services in addition to the hotline service including staff awareness training and communication, and investigations services.

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

8. Whistleblower hotline services are currently in operation in a number of public and private agencies. Those introduced into public sector agencies are generally integrated into a whistleblower protection framework under the Protected Disclosures Act, 1994. Whistleblower hotlines facilitated externally can aid in increasing staff confidence to raise allegations of wrongdoing, and lead to organisation improvement.

9. A key component of the Protected Disclosures Act, 1994 is the protection from detrimental or reprisal action of the person making the disclosure. Whilst anonymous calls and allegations in a whistleblower service can be acted upon, the anonymity of the person making the disclosure can be compromised in the event of further enquiry or investigation. It is therefore preferable that such a service encourages the whistleblower to identify themselves to the independent service provider to enable best management of any reprisal activity.

CONCLUSION

10. The current review of Council’s Whistleblowers Protection Policy has found that in practice there does not appear to be an unwillingness of staff to raise allegations of wrongdoing in the workplace using existing processes and protections available to them under protected disclosures.

11. However, some streamlining of the current complaints system is envisaged and it is proposed that any whistleblowers hotline be considered as part of Council’s new Complaints Framework which will enable staff to raise complaints and concerns of wrongdoing. All complaints made, either directly or indirectly, will result in reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Attachments:

1View

Whistleblowers Hotline EOI Summary

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 13.4

CITY LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

ITEM NUMBER 13.4

SUBJECT Resignation from Position as Deputy Lord Mayor and Election of Deputy Lord Mayor for remainder of Term.

REFERENCE F2004/07851 - D01187213

REPORT OF Chief Executive Officer

PURPOSE:

To advise of Councillor Garrard’s resignation from the position of Deputy Lord Mayor and to outline the procedures for the election of a new Deputy Lord Mayor for the remainder of the term.

RECOMMENDATION

(a) That Council note the resignation of Councillor P J Garrard from the position of Deputy Lord Mayor.

(b) That Council determine the method of voting for election of Deputy Lord Mayor and elect a Deputy Lord Mayor for the remainder of the term ie until September 2009. That is:-

1 Council determine, if more than one Councillor is nominated, whether the election of Deputy Lord Mayor is to proceed by preferential ballot, by ordinary ballot or by open voting.

2 Council elect a Deputy Lord Mayor until September 2009.

(c) That the Director-General of the Department of Local Government and Secretary of the Local Government and Shire Associations be advised of the result of the election.

BACKGROUND

1. Council at its meeting held on 29 September 2008 elected Councillor Tony Issa OAM as the Lord Mayor and Councillor P J Garrard as the Deputy Lord Mayor for the ensuing term.

2. In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer dated 14 April 2009, the Deputy Lord Mayor submitted his resignation from the position of Deputy Lord Mayor effective from 27 April 2009. Councillor Garrard had also confirmed his intention during Question Time at the Council Meeting held on 14 April 2009.

ISSUES/OPTIONS/CONSEQUENCES

3. In the event that a resignation is received from an incumbent Deputy Lord Mayor, Sections 230 and 231 of the Local Government Act 1993 refer to the position of Mayor and are relevant to the position of the Deputy Lord Mayor and state, in part, that:-

230 For what period is the mayor elected?

(1) A mayor elected by the councillors holds the office of mayor for 1 year, subject to this Act.

(2) A mayor elected by the electors holds the office of mayor for 4 years, subject to this Act.

(3) The office of mayor:

(a) commences on the day the person elected to the office is declared to be so elected, and

(b) becomes vacant when the person’s successor is declared to be elected to the office, or on the occurrence of a casual vacancy in the office.

(4) A person elected to fill a casual vacancy in the office of mayor holds the office for the balance of the predecessor’s term.

231 Deputy Mayor

(1) The councillors may elect a person from among their number to be the deputy mayor.

(2) The person may be elected for the mayoral term or a shorter term.

(3) The deputy mayor may exercise any function of the mayor at the request of the mayor or if the mayor is prevented by illness, absence or otherwise from exercising the function or if there is a casual vacancy in the office of mayor.

(4) The councillors may elect a person from among their number to act as deputy mayor if the deputy mayor is prevented by illness, absence or otherwise from exercising a function under this section, or if no deputy mayor has been elected.

When must an Election as a Result of a Casual Vacancy be held?

4. Further, Section 295 of the Act states:-

295 Casual vacancy in office of mayor elected by the councillors

(1) If a casual vacancy occurs in the office of a mayor elected by the councillors, the vacancy is to be filled at a meeting of the council to be held within 14 days after the occurrence of the vacancy.

(2) If the councillors fail to elect a mayor as required by this section, the Governor may appoint one of the councillors as the mayor.

Election of the Deputy Lord Mayor

5. Sections 225 and 227 of the Local Government Act provide that an area must have a Mayor who is elected by the Councillors from among their number unless there is a decision in force which provides for the election of the Mayor by the electors.

6. Further, Section 394 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 relates to the Election of a Mayor by councillors and states:-

“If a mayor or deputy mayor is to be elected by the councillors of an area, the election is to be in accordance with Schedule 7.”

A copy of Schedule 7 as referred to is appended as Attachment 1.

7. A nomination form for the election of the Deputy Lord Mayor has been forwarded with this report as Attachment 2. It would be appreciated if the completed nomination form (ie nomination by 2 councillors and nominee’s consent) could be delivered or sent so as to reach the Chief Executive Officer /Returning Officer prior to 6.45 pm on Monday 27 April 2009.

CONCLUSION

8. This matter is placed before Council to advise of the resignation of Councillor Paul Garrard from the position of Deputy Lord Mayor and to outline the required procedure for the election of the Deputy Lord Mayor for the remainder of the term.

Dr Robert Lang

Chief Executive Officer

Attachments:

1View	Shedule 7 - Election of Mayor by Councillors	3 Pages
2View	Nomination form for Election of Deputy Lord Mayor	1 Page

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Ordinary Council 27 April 2009

Item 14.1

NOTICE OF MOTION

ITEM NUMBER 14.1

SUBJECT Commuter Parking at Epping

REFERENCE F2006/00268 - D01187815

REPORT OF Councillor A A Wilson

To be Moved by Councillor A A Wilson

(a) That Parramatta City Council congratulate Cr Hutchence and Hornsby Shire Council on their strong stance on commuter parking at Epping.

(b) That Council make a joint submission with Hornsby to the State Govt pointing out how ridiculous it is to put in billion dollar infrastructure works then expect local councils to provide the associated works such as parking. Further the State Govt had already promised to build a commuter parking station at Carlingford. The people of Parramatta LGA have missed out on the vital rail connection and then have their access to the limited new line severely restricted by lack of commuter parking.

(c) Further that Council prepare a report looking to make a contribution, should this be required, looking towards the construction and joint operation of an additional commuter parking station on the Hornsby side of Epping.

Response to item (b) From Marcelo Occhiuzzi, Manager Land Use and Transport Planning

Parramatta City Council resolved on 24.11.08 to enter into a lobbying committee with Hornsby Shire Council (HSC) to improve traffic conditions in and around the Epping Town Centre. The first of these meetings occurred on 2 February 2009 and was well attended by Councillors from both Parramatta and Hornsby Councils as well as several Members of Parliament and staff. In addition, Council resolved on 25.08.08 that it continue to participate in the joint planning work for the Epping Town Centre.

Council is currently waiting to hear from the Department of Planning regarding the joint application for planning reform funding for the Epping Town Centre study with HSC.

Council may wish to pursue the intent of this Notice of Motion through the forums identified above.

NOTE: For Councillors information. Councillor Hutchence’s motion was put in the following terms:

Notice of Motion:

That, as a result of the State's cancellation of the North West Metro and North West Rail link projects, Council:

1. Expresses its concern at the impact on the Epping community of the ongoing demand for commuter parking in the area,

2. Calls on the State government to develop a commuter management strategy that adequately addresses the commuter needs of north western Sydney residents, yet allows the Epping community to go about its day-to-day business,

3. Encourages the local community to express its support for Council's action by the signing of a petition in support of this resolution.

4. Requests the support of local members (Epping, Castle Hill, Hawkesbury and Hornsby as well as Parramatta and Ryde) in the making of combined representations to the Minister for Transport

5. Requests the support of neighbouring Councils (The Hills, Parramatta, Ryde) in the matter

Rationale:

· Commuter parking is a State responsibility,

· The actions of the State in progressively cancelling these projects means that there is additional traffic coming to Epping than we believe would otherwise be the case,

· State roads (Carlingford Rd, Pennant Hills Rd, Beecroft Rd) are currently congested, and further public transport in the form of buses will not reach Epping, therefore we need to find other ways of dealing with the issue,

· It is not Council's place to tell the State how to fix the problem, as the concerns are in other Council areas, and the State has the responsibility to identify a sustainable solution,

· Current traffic conditions do not allow Council to progress the development of Epping in accordance with the plans and strategies currently reflected in the planning instruments signed off by both the State and Council,

· Council acknowledges that the State is seeking to address transport issues, among other issues with the grant funding for which we have been invited to apply, but this does not address the above concern.

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

Sue Coleman – Group Manager City Services			Assistant Minutes Clerk – Joy Bramham
Geoff King – Acting Group Manager Corporate			Minutes Clerk – Grant Davies
Sue Weatherley–Group Manager Outcomes & Development

Clr Paul Barber – Caroline Chisholm Ward			Clr Lorraine Wearne - Lachlan Macquarie Ward
Clr Mark Lack – Elizabeth Macarthur Ward			Clr John Chedid – Elizabeth Macarthur Ward
Clr Glenn Elmore – Woodville Ward			Clr Scott Lloyd – Caroline Chisholm Ward
Clr Pierre Esber– Lachlan Macquarie Ward			Clr Andrew Wilson – Lachlan Macquarie Ward
Clr Prabir Maitra – Arthur Phillip Ward			Clr Andrew Bide – Caroline Chisholm Ward
Clr Julia Finn – Arthur Phillip Ward	Clr Michael McDermott - Elizabeth Macarthur Ward	Clr Paul Garrard, Deputy Lord Mayor – Woodville Ward	Clr Chiang Lim – Arthur Phillip Ward