GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 1 ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 1
ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 2
Goldenfields Water County Council
84 Parkes Street, P.O. Box 220 TEMORA NSW 2666
T: (02) 6977 3200 F: (02) 6977 3299 E: [email protected]
www.gwcc.nsw.gov.au
ABN: 54 357 453 921
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 3
Mission Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 General Manager’s Message . . . . . . . 5Councillors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Organisational Structure . . . . . . . . . 7Area of Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Delivery Program and Operational Plan 10
Objective 1 Excellence in Service Provision . . . . . 12Objective 2 Maximising Regional Water Supply . 12Objective 3 Strategic Water Management . . . . . 13Objective 4 Best Practice Pricing . . . . . . . . . . . 13Objective 5 Proactive Customer Relations . . . . 13Objective 6 Environmental Protection & Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Objective 7 Efficient Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Objective 8 Highly Skilled & Energetic Workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Objective 9 Financially Sustainable . . . . . . . . . . 16
Statutory Reporting 17Section 428(2) - Local Government Act 1993 . . . . . . 18Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . 18Section 67 Works on private land . . 19Section 356 contributions . . . . . . . 19Goldenfields Water functions delegated to external bodies . . . . 20Goldenfields Water’s controlling interest in corporations, partnerships, trusts, joint ventures, syndicates or other bodies . . . . . . 20Participation in partnerships, trusts, joint ventures, syndicates or other bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Activities . . . . . . . . . . 20Total remuneration for general managers and senior staff . . . . . . . 20Compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) . 21Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Review of proactive release program - Clause 7(a) . . . . . . . . . . 22Number of access applications received - Clause 7(b) . . . . . . . . . . 22Number of refused applications for Schedule 1 information - Clause 7(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Statistical information about access applications - Clause 7(d) and Schedule 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Public interest disclosures . . . . . . . 26
CONTENTS
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 4
To provide regional economic opportunity and lifestyle choices through provision of a quality water supply by innovative leadership showing environmental responsibility in cooperation with the community, constituent councils and governments.
To be innovative leaders in the supply and distribution of water through regional efficiency, technical excellence and customer service.
VISION
MISSION STATEMENT
IntegrityTrustRespectTeamworkContinuous Improvement
VALUES
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 5
Taking up the role as General Manager in 2015/2016 brought with it the opportunity to work alongside Goldenfields Water’s dedicated staff and Board during a period of significant and exciting change.
Importantly, over the past financial year we took the time to reflect internally on the direction Goldenfields Water needs to take to become an industry leader in providing high-quality drinking water supply services with a strong focus on its customers.
A key goal has been to make sure our staff have access to the resources, technology and tools they need to develop innovative, long-term infrastructure planning for the water supply network’s future performance and capacity demands. As part of this commitment, in 2015/2016 we welcomed eight new fulltime employees to the Goldenfields Water team.
Our strong financial position saw us deliver another very sound operating surplus of $5.6 million for 2015/2016. This result means we remain well placed to tackle the increasing demands on the region’s vital drinking water system due to ageing infrastructure and population growth, as well as to improve the levels of service for our customers.
Plus, it is pleasing to see the efforts of our staff to improve the organisation’s
internal operations and make substantial savings have been reflected in our positive operating performance. During 2015/2016 these efforts included a reduction of over $500,000 in the water supply system’s electricity costs by identifying ways to pump water more efficiently and negotiating contracts that provide better value for money.
Goldenfields Water gave the drinking water supply system a major boost in 2015/2016 with $5.1 million worth of capital investment in new projects, equipment and other infrastructure – an increase of $2.7 million from 2014/2015. Some of our service and infrastructure achievements included:
• Around $1.2 million was spent replacing 20 kilometres of water mains in areas such as Weethalle, Ardlethan, Ariah Park, Cootamundra, and West Wyalong to reduce the risk of main breaks and minimise water supply interruptions.
• Construction continued on a new state-of-the-art facility at our Temora depot, which will give us the capacity to manufacture and repair infrastructure more efficiently as well as develop further innovative solutions across the network.
In 2015/2016, we proudly donated over $150,000 to help many local, eligible community organisations with their drinking water supply costs, and to support educational initiatives within the various schools and other similar institutions that depend on us for drinking water.The drinking water supply is one of the community’s most essential pieces of infrastructure and is crucial to our region’s economic wellbeing, liveability and ecosystems. We recognise there is still plenty of work to be done, especially around our infrastructure planning. But Goldenfields Water customers can be confident that under the guidance of our expert, dedicated staff and enthusiastic Board we are ready to deal with the challenges and embrace the new opportunities that lay ahead.
Phillip Rudd General Manager
GENERAL MANAGER’S
MESSAGE
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 6
COUNCILLORSGoldenfields Water County Council (GWCC) was proclaimed a Local Water Utility under the NSW Local Government Act on 24 April 1997 and, from 1 July 1997, became responsible for water supply functions within the local government areas of Bland, Coolamon, Junee, Temora, and parts of Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops and Narrandera.
One councillor from Bland, Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Junee, Narrandera, Temora and two from Hilltops constituent Councils are nominated to the governing body of GWCC with the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson elected at the October Council Meeting each year.
GWCC Council Meetings are usually held on the fourth Thursday of every second month at the Temora Office, commencing at 1.00pm. A meeting agenda is finalised on the Thursday prior to the meeting and can be found on Council’s Website under Council Meetings or viewed at Council’s Temora Office. Any persons wishing to address Council on a matter are required to notify the General Manager in writing by the Monday prior to the meeting.
Cr Bob Callow JUNEE
Administrator Chris Manchester
(Chairperson) HILLTOPS
Cr Graham Sinclair TEMORA
Cr David McCann COOLAMON
Administrator Dennis Palmer (Deputy
Chairperson) COOTAMUNDRA
GUNDAGAI
AdministratorWendy Tuckerman
HILLTOPS
Cr Kevin Morris NARRANDERA
Cr Elizabeth McGlynn BLAND
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 7
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
counciCOUNCIL
CHAIRPERSONMr Chris Manchester
GENERAL MANAGERMr Phillip Rudd
CORPORATE SERVICES MANAGER
Mr Michael Brady
PRODUCTION & SERVICES MANAGER
Mr Geoff Veneris
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Mr Tony Goodyer
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 8
AREA OF SUPPLY
GWCC services a population of over 46,000 and operates water supply schemes of potable and non-potable water for residential, industry and rural applications across an area of approximately 22,000 square kilometres within the Southwest slopes and Riverina districts of NSW.
GWCC supplies the Local Government areas of Bland, Coolamon, Harden, Junee, Temora, Young and parts of Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops and Narrandera with continuous water from our five sources:
• Jugiong• Oura• Mt Arthur• Mt Daylight• Hylands Bridge
Hilltops Councils is a retailer who purchase bulk water from GWCC. Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council receives bulk supply from GWCC and retails water to customers in Cootamundra town, with GWCC supplying water to retail customers outside of the Cootamundra town. GWCC also supplies bulk water to Riverina Water County Council.
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 9
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GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 10
DELIVERY PROGRAMAND
OPERATIONAL PLAN
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 11
DELIVERY PROGRAMAND OPERATIONAL PLAN EXPLAINED
The delivery program is designed to give four years of direction for use of GWCC resources to produce agreed outcomes addressing 9 Key Objectives.
The Operational Plan defines tasks on a yearly basis to progress GWCC toward the desired outcomes of the Delivery Program at the end of the 4 year period.
The Delivery Program and Operational Plan are combined in a table format in the following pages.
The Key Objectives are shown at the start of each section. The individual strategies to meet these objectives are listed in the left hand column, with the corresponding Delivery Plan and Operational Plan actions listed in the next two columns. The far right hand column is used to record progress.
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 12
DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN EXPLAINEDObjective 1 – Excellence in Service ProvisionNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
1.1 Monitor compliance and develop remedial action if compliance is not met
Develop a monitoring system to document actual results verses targets
Complete sms notification of chlorine level events.
Install chlorine analysers
Complete
Report to Council with recommendations to improve compliance on a priority scale
Produce new backflow and meter replacement by volume policy
Transferred to 2016/2017 pending new backflow policy
Compliance improvements implemented
Ensure GIS captured complaints are in data base: complete geocoding
Complete
Improve compliance with water quality
Drinking Water Quality Management Plan produced in conjunction with stake holders and Dept Health
Complete
Objective 2 – Maximising Regional Water SupplyNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
2.1 Regularly monitor urban and village growth and augment supply as required
Liaise with general purpose councils to understand areas to be developed
Commence Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan
Transferred to 2016/2017
2.2 Develop knowledge of available capacity in urban areas
Maintain network analysis of water systems in GWCC area and develop capacity
Distribute information on available supply
Complete
2.3 Better use of Rural Water Supplies
Develop data network to improve regional scheme
Development of rural water connections to increase connections
Complete first billing run off Taggle network
Investigate and progress supply at Uley and McDougalls Lane
Complete
Complete
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 13
DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN EXPLAINEDObjective 3 - Strategic Water ManagementNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
3.1 Develop opportunity through demand management
Develop demand management policy and education
Progress Bulk Council agreements and share expertise in efficiencies as part of IWCM.
In progress
3.2 Improve efficiency of water use in GWCC area
Strategically connect new services to increase efficiency
Progress connection of previously refused customers as data loggers confirm supply
Complete/ongoing
Utilise data network to improve water use efficiency
Develop protocol for assessing leaks and prioritizing customer service sets
Complete/ongoing
3.3 Proactively support regional development
Support business within GWCC footprint
Audit purchasing to ensure local spend when practicable
Complete
Participate in Pilot Riverina JO
Expand current services
Complete
Objective 4 - Best Practice PricingNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
4.1 Generate sufficient revenue to fund operating expenditure and long term capital funding commitments
Review Bulk Council pricing structure
Develop contracts with bulks
In progress
Objective 5 - Proactive Customer RelationsNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
5.1 Provide good communication and responsive action
Increase awareness through advertising
Promote current strategies through television, radio and print advertising
Complete/ongoing
Enhance website to promote GWCC
Transferred to 2016/2017
Apply for awards that recognise GWCC achievements
Complete/ongoing
School sponsorship Complete
Start install of drinking water stations
In progress
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 14
DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN EXPLAINEDReinforce throughout the organisation that Council is customer orientated
Continue second round of people skills for staff
Complete
Provide information to constituent Councils to enhance operation
Inform constituent councils of profit forecast and likely pricing
Complete
Objective 6 - Environmental Protection & SustainabilityNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
6.1 Operate the system in environmentally sustainable manner
Minimise carbon footprint
Office vehicles selected for life cycle costing
Complete
6.2 Engage community in sustaining environmental habitats
Develop and implement GWCC500 Wildlife Corridor Project
Run regional workshops and commence seed collection
Complete/ongoing
Assist schools with corridor revegetation and monitoring
Complete/ongoing
Source outside funding and support
Complete
Progress partnership with Riverina LLS
Progress landholder participation
Complete
Objective 7 - Efficient OperationsNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
7.1 Operate and maintain the system for optimum effectiveness and efficiency
Implement Asset Management Plans
Analyse Jugiong pumping efficiency and recommend improvements
Complete/ongoing
Programmed installation of Power Factor Correction units
Transferred to 2017/2018
Develop data network to enhance operational efficiency
Progress leak analysis in GWCC assets
In progress
Streamline operations for greater efficiencies
Land purchase adjacent to Temora Officer and construction of innovative depot, workshop and store
Complete
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 15
DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN EXPLAINED7.2 Monitor and
record operational performance and failures
Ongoing organisational structure review
Review Structure taking data network into account.
Complete
7.3 Organise pipeline replacements to achieve economies of scale and efficiencies
Develop designs to cover a complete council term (4 years)
Extend plans to 7 years in advance
In progress
7.4 Create GIS platform for efficient Management
Create GIS layers and progress Enlighten to enhance scheme management
Create Chlorine monitoring layer and provide visual colour mapping
Create innovative display system
Complete
7.5 Efficiently manage resources by utilising technology and regional footprint
Develop system using electronic workforce coordination
Progress task Complete
Mobile access to systems for efficient updating of data
Implement tasking on mobile devices
Complete
Objective 8 - Highly Skilled & Energetic WorkforceNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
8.1 Create positions that are fulfilling and adequately paid
Implement Workforce Plan
Skills In progress
8.2 Develop a highly skilled workforce
Provide training based on Council’s needs and individual training requirements
Position In progress
Multi-skill staff to fill gaps
Integrate electrical training into D&C positions
Complete
Up-skilling of staff Ongoing PLC specialist training for electrical section
Train Manager Technology in broad functions
Complete
8.3 Increase motivation and productivity of staff
Improve tools and environment
Upgrade depot furniture and facilities
Complete
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 16
DELIVERY PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL PLAN EXPLAINEDObjective 9 - Financially SustainableNo. Strategies Delivery Program
Actions2015/16 Op Plan Actions
Date Actioned
9.1 Have appropriate and efficient operation
Improve procurement compliance and efficiency
Move to common software/hardware purchasing
Complete/ongoing
Pursue commercial opportunities
Provide volumes in each Council area (Reconfirm with Bland)
In progress
Meter replacement to ensure income is maximised
Progress with high volume and bulk meters
Deferred to 2016/2017
Optimise plant selection to ensure best fit for purpose and reduce running costs
Second vacuum trailer to be assessed for Southern area.
Complete
9.2 Generate income from diversification
Establish data network and offer service to customers
Promote additional uses for stock tracking, moisture and temp sensing
Complete
Develop plan to utilise plant when not in use
Promote portable traffic hire to organisations
Promote vacuum excavation
Complete
Complete
Pursue external contracts: Investigate tenders and EOI as they arise
Complete Narrandera meter replacement and remote reading technology installation
Complete
Investigate 3rd party remote metering for Harden and Young Councils
Deferred to 2016/2017
Assist with data network software development for use Australia wide
Complete
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 17
STATUTORY REPORTING
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 18
Chairpersons fees $14,386
Members fees $69,738
Total $84,860
STATUTORY REPORTING
Section 428(2) - Local Government Act 1993There are items that Council must report on under section 428 of the Local Government Act 1993. As GWCC is a Specific Purpose Council supplying water, a number of these “reportables” do not apply. This statutory reporting section only addresses relevant items.
Financial StatementsGoldenfields’ audited financial reports for the year 2015/16 are reported separately in the Financial Statements attached
as Schedule A to this report and also from Council’s web page
www.gwcc.nsw.gov.au under General Information/Council Documents/Other.
Total rates and charges written offClause 132 Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
During the 2015/16 financial year, GWCC wrote off rates and charges to a total of $829.00
Overseas visits by Goldenfields Water representatives Clause 217(1) (a) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
During the 2015/16 year, no overseas visits were undertaken by Goldenfields Water representatives.
Provision of dedicated office equipment $445
Telephone calls made by councillors $284
Attendance of councillors at conferences and seminars $4,431
Professional development $0
Interstate visits $0
Overseas visits $0
Expenses of any spouse, partner or other persons who accompanied a councillor
$0
Provision of the care for a child or an immediate family member of a councillor
$0
Travel expenses $10,340
Total $ 15,500
Councillor remuneration, expenses and provision of facilitiesClause 217(1)(a1) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 19
Legal Proceedings: Expenses & ProgressClause 217(1)(a3) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
During the 2015/16 year Goldenfields Water incurred $78,516 in legal proceeding relating to an IRC dispute, this dispute has been finalised.
Section 67 Works on private landClause 217(1)(a4) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
During the 2015/16 year Goldenfields Water did not carry out any works on private land.
Section 356 contributionsClause 217(1)(a5) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
Section 365 of the Local Government Act 1993 enables a council to contribute money to persons for the purpose
of exercising its functions. Goldenfields Watergrants concessions and donations to Schools, Community Groups and Service Organisations located within its distribution area.
The following groups and service organisations are eligible to be granted the following concessions:
• Constituent General Purpose Councils - a donation equal to the value of access charges levied on the first connection to “community” land, together with any connections within road reserves (where such connection is used for public beautification) and crown reserves (where such reserves are not leased or otherwise subject to restrictions on public access);
• All Schools (State and Church), colleges and
pre-schools within Council’s service area - on application, a donation of $200 per annum each, to be applied towards the cost of prizes and/or awards to students or any other approved purpose;
• Premises owned by recognised Churches - a donation equal to the value of access charges for any connection which serves, in whole or part, a place of public worship, residence occupied by a minister of religion and/or member of a recognised religious order, and/or welfare facility operated by that church (not including commercial operations);
During 2015/16 year, Council made donations totalling $153,795.
Contractor Name Name of goods/services provided
Total amount payable under the contract
Origin Energy Electricity $1,996,220
Coolamon Steelworks Temora Workshop/Store Construction
$924,826
Vermeer Sales and Service Supply of Plant $816,158
Palmer Ford Supply of Vehicles $725,483
Local Land Services GWCC500 and Consultant $321,725
Clover Pipelines Pipe Supply $287,033
South West Ford Supply of Vehicles $286,276
Cadia Plumbing Equipment Plumbing Supplies $266,696
Nowra Chemical Manufacturers
Chemicals $184,973
Open Spatial Australia GIS System $183,204
Caltex Australia Petroleum Fuel $168,048
Telstra Australia Telecommunications $153,095
Total $6,313,737
Contracts awarded with a value of $150,000 or moreClause 217(1)(a2) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 20
GWCC Project
The GWCC500 project has been developed with a number of partnerships including Lake Cowell Conservation Centre and Local Land Services. The project was established to seek donated land for the re-establishment of a 500km wildlife corridor with native vegetation. The corridor was seeking to provide a linkage to areas across the local environment for native fauna. It is hopeful that the corridor will allow for increased protection of native fauna and will allow for greater access and development of future research projects.
Thus far, Goldfields Water in partnership with Lake Cowell Conservation Centre and Local Land Services have:
• Obtained 800,000sq/m of land through EOI process
• Weeded 800,000sq/m of land
• Planted over 40,000 natives over 800,000sq/m
• Registered 28 schools for participation in workshops/education programs, and
• Undertaken over 14 environmental workshops.
• Premises owned (or held in trust) and used by the following community organisations, together with others which may be accepted from time to time - a donation equal to the value of access charges for any connection which serves premises primarily utilised to further the objectives of such organisation:
• Scouting & Guiding movement
• Rescue and disaster response groups
• Masonic Lodge meeting places
• Community halls / recreation facilities
• Country Women’s Association
• Red Cross
• Local history societies / museums
• Local senior citizens’ groups
• Agricultural showgrounds
• Unlicensed RSL halls or similar premises
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 21
Goldenfields Water functions delegated to external bodiesClause 217(1)(a6) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.
During 2015/16 year, Goldenfields Water has delegated building inspections related to onsite water functions to retail councils: Bland, Coolamon, Junee and Temora.
Goldenfields Water’s controlling interest in corporations, partnerships, trusts, joint ventures, syndicates or other bodiesClause 217(1)(a7) Local Government (General) Regulation.
During 2015/16 year, Goldenfields Water held no controlling interests under this section.
Participation in partnerships, trusts, joint ventures, syndicates or other bodies Clause 217(1)(a8) Local Government (General) Regulation
Goldenfields Water was a party to the following partnerships, co-operatives or joint ventures during the 2015/16 financial year:
• Statewide Mutual - a self-insurance mutual providing public liability and professional indemnity cover for Council.
• Statewide Property Mutual - a self-insurance mutual providing property insurance for Council.
• StateCover - a self-insurance mutual providing workers compensation insurance for Council.
• Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) - a collective
of 13 General Purpose Councils and 2 Water County Councils whose objectives are as follows:
• To participate in activities which promote effective regional development.
• To enhance the collective status of Local Government within the eastern Riverina.
• MOU with Riverina Water – GWCC developed MOU to encourage resource and technical advice sharing.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of ActivitiesClause 217(1)(a9) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
It is Council’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons in accordance with relevant legislation. An Equal Employment Opportunity policy has been established which provides a comprehensive overview of EEO while outlining the actions Goldenfields Water will undertake to ensure compliance.
Through staff training and awareness, policy development and implementation, key messaging has been provided to reinforce Council’s position again discrimination and harassment in any form.
Total remuneration for general managers and senior staffClause 217(1)(b) & (c) Local Government (General) Regulation 2005
During the 2015-16 financial year the general manager and one executive position were on senior staff contracts.
Mr Andrew Grant’s contract of employment with Goldenfields Water ceased in January 2016 and he was replaced by Mr Phillip Rudd in March 2016. In the intervening period the one executive staff member acted in the general manager role.
The executive staff member position upon appointment to the general manager position was not recruited in the new organisational structure.
General Manager $200,000
Executive Staff $175,000
Compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)Goldenfields Water has developed and maintained a current Drinking Water Management System (DWMS). The current system has been in place since 2015.
The Drinking Water Management System (DWMS) demonstrates Goldenfields Water’s compliance with the NSW Public Health Act 2010 requirement to develop a Quality Assurance Plan in accordance with the “Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality” in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 (ADWG).
For the 2015-16 year Goldenfields Water remained compliant with all current health based targets for Chemical and Microbiological parameters.
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 22
Table A: Number of applications by type of applicant and outcome* Access granted in full
Access granted in part
Access refused in full
Infor-mation not held
Infor-mation already avail-able
Refuse to deal with appli-cation
Refuse to con-firm/deny whether informa-tion is held
Applica-tion with-drawn
Media 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Members of Parliament
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private sector business
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Not for profit organisations or community groups
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Members of the public (application by legal repre-sentative)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Members of the public (other)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009Section 125 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 & clause 7 of the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009.
Review of proactive release program - Clause 7(a)Under section 7 of the GIPA Act, Council must review its program for the release of government information to identify the kinds of information that can be made public. This must be undertaken every year.
Council’s program for the release of information is on a case by case basis as little information is discretionally unavailable.
Number of access applications received - Clause 7(b)During the reporting period, Council did not receive any formal access application.
Number of refused applications for Schedule 1 information - Clause 7(c)During the reporting period, Council did not refuse any formal access applications.
*More than one decision can be made in respect of a particular access application. If so, a recording must be made in relation to each such decision. This also applies to Table B.
Statistical information about access applications - Clause 7(d) and Schedule 2
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Table B: Number of applications by type of application and outcomeAccess granted in full
Access grant-ed in part
Access refused in full
Informa-tion not held
Infor-mation already available
Refuse to deal with application
Refuse to confirm/deny whether informa-tion is held
Appli-cation with-drawn
Personal information applications*
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Access applications (other than personal information applications)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Access applications that are partly personal information applications and partly other
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*A personal information application is an access application for personal information (as defined in clause 4 of Schedule 4 to the Act) about the applicant (the applicant being an individual).
The total number of decisions in Table B should be the same as Table A.
Table C: Invalid applicationsReason for invalidity Number of applicationsApplication does not comply with formal requirements (section 41 of the Act)
0
Application is for excluded information of the agency (section 43 of the Act)
0
Application contravenes restraint order (section 110 of the Act) 0
Total number of invalid applications received 0
Invalid applications that subsequently became valid applications 0
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 24
*More than one public interest consideration may apply in relation to a particular access application and, if so, each such consideration is to be recorded (but only once per application). This also applies in relation to Table E.
Table D: Conclusive presumption of overriding public interest against disclosure: matters listed in Schedule 1 of the Act
Number of times consideration used*
Overriding secrecy laws 0
Cabinet information 0
Executive Council information 0
Contempt 0
Legal professional privilege 0
Excluded information 0
Documents affecting law enforcement and public safety 0
Transport safety 0
Adoption 0
Care and protection of children 0
Ministerial code of conduct 0
Aboriginal and environmental heritage 0
Table E: Other public interest considerations against disclosure: matters listed in table to section 14 of the Act
Number of occasions when application not successful
Responsible and effective government 0Law enforcement and security 0Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice 0Business interests of agencies and other persons 0Environment, culture, economy and general matters 0Secrecy provisions 0Exempt documents under interstate Freedom of Information legis-lation
0
GOLDENFIELDS WATER // ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16 // 25
Table F: TimelinessNumber of applications
Decided within the statutory timeframe (20 days plus any extensions)
0
Decided after 35 days (by agreement with applicant) 0Not decided within time (deemed refusal) 0Total 0Environment, culture, economy and general matters 0Secrecy provisions 0Exempt documents under interstate Freedom of Information legislation
0
Table G: Number of applications reviewed under Part 5 of the Act (by type of review and outcome)
Decision varied
Decision upheld
Total
Internal review 0 0 0
Review by Information Commissioner* 0 0 0
Internal review following recommendation under section 93 of Act
0 0 0
Review by ADT 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0
Table H: Applications for review under Part 5 of the Act (by type of applicant)Number of applications for review
Applications by access applicants 0
Applications by persons to whom information the subject of access application relates (see section 54 of the Act)
0
*The Information Commissioner does not have the authority to vary decisions, but can make recommendation to the original decision-maker. The data in this case indicates that a recommendation to vary or uphold the original decision has been made.
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Public interest disclosuresSection 31 of the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 (PID Act) & clause 4 of the Public Interest Disclosures Regulation 2011
Goldenfields Water is required to report annually on statistical information in accordance with the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 (PID Act).
Statistical information for 2015/16 can be found in the following table:
1 July 2015 - 30 June 2016 Made by public officials performing their day to day functions
Under a statutory or other legal obligation
All other PIDs
Number of public officials who made PIDs directly
0 0 0
Number of PIDs received 0 0 0
Of PIDs received, number primarily about: Corrupt conduct
N/A N/A N/A
Maladministration N/A N/A N/A
Serious and substantial waste N/A N/A N/A
Government information contravention
N/A N/A N/A
Local government pecuniary interest contravention
N/A N/A N/A
Number of PIDs finalised 0
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