Errors and Ommissions from Plan and Budget
Promoting Annandale on the Internet since 1998
| Service | Size of Bin | Waste Charge | Charge per litre of waste |
| 4 Strata Owners sharing | 240litres | 4*$323 | $5.38/litre |
| 3 Strata Owners sharing | 240litres | 3*$341 | $4.28/litre |
| 2 Strata Owners sharing | 240litres | 2*$396 | $3.30/litre |
| Single dwelling | 55 litres | $323 | $5.87/litre |
| Single dwelling | 80 litres | $341 | $4.26/litre |
| Single dwelling | 120litres | $396 | $3.30/litre |
The Public are invited to Budget and Parking Management Taskforce Meeting, at 6.30pm on Monday 18 May 2009 at the Leichhardt Town Hall Council Chambers. or to make submission as specified on council website
It is a legislative requirement for Council to adopt a Management Plan each financial year....with the Dept of Local Government's Integrated Planning and Reporting Reforms and therefore covering the full term of a council.
4.1 Revenue
- The Minister for Local Government has announced a rate pegging limit of 3.5%. The draft budget has been developed based on this 3.5% increase to Council's rate income. The rate levy for 2009/10 will be calculated on new land valuations issued by the valuer general (land is revalued every 3 years)....
- The Domestic Waste Charge is proposed to increase by 6.8%, with charges on a pay by bin size basis ranging from $323 to $396 pa. ...
- The Stormwater Management Charge is proposed to be maintained at current levels (Residential property being $12.50 pa (strata) or $25 pa (non strata) and business property being $25 pa per 350m2 land area).
- Due to the reduction in interest rates ... reduction in interest revenue compared to the previously budgeted amount for 2009/10 is projected at $400,000.
- Various other fees and charges are proposed to increase, generally in line with the rates pegging limit. An exception to this is the fees for childcare at Council?s long day care centres, which are proposed to increase by 7% to 10%. This is largely due to an increase in labour costs associated with the finalisation of the roll out for the provision of 1:4 childcare ratios for all 0-2 year olds in long day care.
4.2 Expenditure
- An award wages increase of 3.2% has been factored into the draft budget, effective from 1 November 2009
- A number of significant cost increases have impacted on the draft budget, as follows:
- Due to the global financial crisis, the cost of meeting staff superannuation costs ... increase by 97%, an impact to Council of $714,000 pa.
- Electricity costs ...not yet been determined by the energy regulator, the overall increase could be as high as 31% or $300,000 pa, which has been factored into the draft budget
- Worker's compensation cost... increase of $450,000 has been provided in the draft budget.
Version 1: 14 May 2009
Leichhardt Council is exhibiting their Draft Management Plan and Budget 2009/2013 for public comment until 9 June 2009.
The Draft Document (1,540 KB PDF 300 pages) has been published on the council's website however, it is not particularly public friendly or transparent. This is an important document that is justifying an increase in Council Charges and should link to the services council provides.
It should also be noted, that the Annandale foreshore parklands - Federal Park, including the current site of the Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery and the federal park wetlands are in the City of Sydney
Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery Site
The existing site of the Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery is not permanent. Council have agreed to construct a new Community Nursery at 22 Wisdom Street, Annandale. The property, which is currently owned and managed by the State Government, is planned to be handed over to Council after remediation works in the near future. The nursery is still in the planning stages with Council staff and current volunteers investigating requirements for it to operate using best practice standards.
Weeds
In line with changes to the Noxious weed Act an updated 'Stop the Spread' weeds brochure has been designed and printed by the Sydney Central Weeds committee which is attended by the Council's Biodiversity Officer. Council have purchased 2 boxes of these brochures (900) and distributes then to the Customer Service Centre, both libraries and to compliance and outdoor staff.
Council participated in the Asthma weed education and awareness incentive program. This involved the distribution of information and indigenous plant seedlings in return for residents removing the asthma weed on their properties.
Advocacy
During 2006-7 Council wrote to the NSW and Australian Environment Ministers, seeking the introduction of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for the computer industry that requires them to fully cover the cost of computer collection, recycling and processing. Council resolved that until this assurance of industry funding was confirmed, computers would be excluded from regular council clean up services, as they contain hazardous materials. Without EPR schemes there can be no serious moves towards a waste free society as EPR is the catalyst for sustainable product design, because companies become responsible for the lifecycle of their product.
A full version of Council's Urban Forest Policy including the goals and objectives to implement the policy can be viewed on the Council's website.
Bush and Habitat Regeneration
Throughout 2006-7 Council and volunteers have continued to maintain and expand areas of bushland type vegetation by supporting regular working bees at specific revegetation sites, once off community planting events and seconding two permanent staff to create Council's Bush Crew. Along with Council's Biodiversity Officer the Bush Crew provide additional assistance to volunteer bush care projects as well as initiating new planting projects such as the area along Whites Creek opposite the Memorial planting.
The bushcare volunteer groups that currently are operating in the LGA are the Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery, Callan Park Bushcare Group, Mort Bay Park Bushcare Group, Hawthorn Canal Bushcare Group, Birrung Park and Spindlers / Hogan Parks volunteers, the Montessori School, Balmain, Balmain High Bushcare Group and the Illoura Group, Balmain
Errors and Ommissions from Plan and BudgetAdopt a Park program in Strathfield (NSW), Adopt a Park City of Stirling (WA), Palmerston City Council, Northern Territory - Adopt a Park and Adopt a Park (Seattle)
Bronwen Cambell Thinning out Sedge Seedlings, September 2007
Raise your concerns and interests now, so that they can be incorporated into the management plan and hopefully addressed in coming years. - Marghanita da Cruz, Resident and Editor Annandale on the Web
Noisy Miner feeding on Grevillea in Blister intersection of Collins and Trafalgar St Annandale
Photo Marghanita da Cruz 3 February 2009