Council budget released for community feedback
The City of Victor Harbor is seeking feedback on its draft 2016/17 Annual Business Plan and Budget.
The $25.5 million expenditure budget delivers a surplus of $482,200, and aims to deliver services and capital works to meet the needs of our community while keeping rate increases as low as possible.
“This budget is about investing in the future of Victor Harbor and supporting our growing regional community,” said City of Victor Harbor Mayor Graham Philp.
“Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that Victor Harbor is one of the fastest growing regional communities in South Australia, and we need to ensure we have the appropriate services and infrastructure in place to support this growth.”
Council has budgeted to raise $19.8 million through council rates. For ratepayers this will mean an average increase on last year’s rates of 2.2%. This will result in the average ratepayer paying approximately $1,860 in 2016/17 compared to $1,820 in 2015/16 – an increase of $40 for the year.
Download a copy of the draft 2016/17 Annual Business Plan and Budget online or view a hard copy at the Civic Centre (1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor).
Attend the community meeting
The community will also have an opportunity to ask questions, get more information or make a verbal submission on the draft plan at a public information session on Thursday, 2 June 2016 at 5.30pm at the Civic Centre.
Find out how you can make a submission.
All feedback must be received by 5pm on Tuesday, 7 June 2016.
Celebrate the start of the whale watching season this Sunday!
Horse Tram Committee seeking independent members
The call for expressions of interest for independent members of the Victor Harbor Horse Tram Committee has been extended until Friday, 10 June 2016.
The City of Victor Harbor is encouraging suitably qualified and experienced persons to apply to be an independent member on this committee. The Victor Harbor Horse Tram Committee’s primary role will be to provide advice to Council on the implementation of recommendations from resulting from a service review into the operations of the iconic attraction.
It will oversee an expression of interest calling for submissions from parties interested in entering into a contract of service to run the horse tram operation and will also review the Horse Tram Operations Manual.
Council is seeking to appoint three independent members to join two City of Victor Harbor councillors on the Section 41 Committee. Independent members will receive a sitting fee of up to $250 per meeting, and should have extensive professional experience in heavy horses, business management and/or the tourism industry.
Those interested in nominating as an independent member of the Horse Tram Committee should forward their expression of interest detailing their experience, skills, knowledge and qualifications to the City of Victor Harbor’s Chief Executive Officer by 5pm on Friday, 10 June 2016.
Visit
www.victor.sa.gov.au/horsetram
to download the expression of interest form and view the Horse Tram Committee Terms of Reference.
Council by-laws reviewed
The City of Victor Harbor’s by-laws are due to expire on 1 January 2017. To ensure new by-laws are in place when the current ones expire, Council has initiated a review process in accordance with the Local Government Act 1999.
Council by-laws are established to manage issues of the council area and for the convenience, comfort and safety of the community.
The public are invited to comment on the council’s seven draft by-laws. To find out how to get involved and have your say, visit www.yoursay.victor.sa.gov.au/bylaws.
The public consultation period closes at 5pm on Tuesday, 14 June 2016.
Minister approves changes to Council's Development Plan
The Minister for Planning has approved changes to the Victor Harbor Development Plan by authorising the Victor Harbor Centres and Residential Development Plan Amendment (DPA).
The Ministerial DPA has resulted in the rezoning of land at five different locations within the City of Victor Harbor, including sites located on Waitpinga Road, Waggon Road, Armstrong Road, Adelaide Road/Agnes Gillespie Drive and the Old TAFE Site (Adelaide Road/McCracken Drive). Find out more about the changes.
City of Victor Harbor Mayor Graham Philp acknowledged the Minister’s decision but expressed his disappointment in the process.
‘Our Council has always acknowledged the importance of planning appropriately to meet the needs of our growing community, and the Minister’s dismissal of the significant body of work council had previously completed in this regard is disappointing.’
‘However, our focus has always been on achieving the best outcome for our community, and the negotiation of infrastructure agreements was our priority. We maintain our position that the Victor Harbor ratepayers should not have to bear the cost of infrastructure required because of new developments.’
‘Since the Ministerial DPA commenced, Council has not been in a strong position to negotiate the full suite of desired infrastructure to be provided by developers. We are hopeful that developers will honour their commitments in delivering this infrastructure.’
It is important to note that the Minister’s Centres and Residential DPA is a process for re-zoning specific parcels of land, and future development proposals are still required to go through the formal application process to seek the necessary approvals.
Location proposed for Victor Harbor Men’s Shed
The City of Victor Harbor is seeking community feedback on a proposed lease to the Victor Harbor Men’s Shed community group for land to establish a dedicated men’s shed facility in Martha Close, Victor Harbor.
The proposed lease is for an initial term of seven years with a further right to renewal for two additional seven year periods, covering a total term of 21 years.
View the draft lease or download the consultation information kit to find out more.
The consultation period closes at 5pm on Friday, 10 June 2016.
Thank you volunteers
National Volunteer Week was celebrated from 9-15 May across Australia, and the City of Victor Harbor would like to extend its sincere thanks to the volunteers who continue to make an important contribution to our community.
Volunteers are involved in our community in many different ways, as members of groups and clubs, and at an individual level by helping neighbours and friends.
Council is also fortunate to have more than 350 volunteers directly assisting with a number of programs and services, and as members of various advisory committees.
To all the volunteers in our community – thank you for making Victor Harbor a better place to live!
It’s all action in Victor Harbor’s Mainstreet Precinct
Work is well underway on the first stage of the Victor Harbor Mainstreet Precinct Upgrade. Demolition works are complete, with the pavers, trees and street furniture removed from intersection of Ocean Street and Coral Street. The old street lights have also been removed, and temporary lighting has been installed for pedestrians. Following underground stormwater and electrical work being complete, construction will start on the road, kerbing and garden beds.
Don’t forget that while the works on the highly anticipated upgrade are underway, it is business as usual in the Mainstreet Precinct.
More information about what Stage 1 of the Mainstreet Precinct Upgrade involves and the story behind the design is available at www.victor.sa.gov.au/mainstreetupgrade.
Aquatic centre project receives national recognition
The Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre project has received national recognition as a leading local government project.
The project received the Community Partnerships and Collaboration Award at the Local Government Professionals Australia Federation Awards on Friday, 6 May. The awards recognise excellence in Local Government across Australia.
Alexandrina Council and City of Victor Harbor were commended for their unique collaboration on the delivery of a high quality sport and recreation facility for their communities, the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre.
City of Victor Harbor Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Maxwell and Alexandrina Council Chief Executive, Peter Dinning accepted the award on behalf of their councils.
The councils are extremely proud of this project, and receiving national recognition is a great reward for the hard work, commitment and passion that has been required to deliver the aquatic facility for our communities.
Construction of the aquatic centre continues at a pleasing pace. With the roof installation now complete over the main pool hall, work will be able to continue inside the building in wet conditions. Tiling of the warm water pool has commenced, and concourse drainage is being installed around the 25 metre and program pools.
The Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre is on track for completion by March 2017.
Keep up to date with the latest project news at www.fleurieuaquaticcentre.com.au
Next council meeting
The next ordinary council meeting will be held on Monday, 27 June 2016 from 5.30pm in the Council Chambers, 1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor.
City of Victor Harbor council meetings are livestreamed via www.victor.sa.gov.au
