Annual Report 2005-2006 - Waverley Council

Reviewing Our 2005/2009 Management Plan
Did We Do What We Said We Would Do?
Construction of Stage 2 (footpath paving and soft landscaping) will commence in late 2006 / early
2007 following the inclusion of additional funds in the Capital Works Budget.
Several meetings have been held with officers of the Roads and Traffic Authority about the installation
of 40km/hr speed zones in the Bronte and Bondi Beach areas. The RTA has advised that traffic
calming devices, such as thresholds, need to be installed in these areas to physically slow the speed
of vehicles in the area rather than just relying on speed signs.
Designs for the traffic calming works should be completed by mid 2006.
A mobile speed board has been used adjacent to schools in 40km/hr school zones. Its high visibility
and flashing lights have been extremely successful in reducing speeds.
New bike parking racks have been installed in both the Bondi and Bronte Beach areas. In addition,
lockers for the use of bike riders have been installed in the Syd Einfeld Drive car park. Council also
approved the route for the next stage of the Bike Plan. Tenders have been called for construction.
The division of Businesses, Services and Property in our Corporate & Technical Services Department
took over the running of all Council owned Car Parks during the year. New access control equipment
was installed at Bondi Beach Car Park and Eastgate Car Park. Management procedures were also
significantly improved at Bondi. The first 12 months of full operation of Eastgate and the first seven
months of full operation of Bondi resulted in a significant increase in income from these car parks over
the year.
Planning For Waverley
The Waverley Strategic Plan (WSP), Council’s first medium term strategic plan, was finalised and
adopted by Council in April 2006.
The WSP, Council’s roadmap for the future of Waverley, was developed in 2005 after extensive
internal and external consultations, which involved the active participation from staff, councillors,
community groups, government departments, local business, residents and visitors. The Strategic
Plan redefines Council’s vision, which has been articulated in partnership with the community and
guides our responses to the challenges and opportunities we face over the next 12 years. The use of
both cross Council expertise and excellent community consultation has led to a range of very clear
directions, which are very unique to Waverley.
The Waverley Heritage Assessment (WHA) was completed in July 2005 and considered by Council
in September 2005. The WHA was publicly exhibited from October 2005 to February 2006. A
Heritage Review panel is currently being organised to assist in the assessment of public submissions
prior to reporting to Council.
Improving our DA processing times. A high priority was given to improving our DA processing times
during the 2005/2006 year. The ongoing success of our DA Fast Track team and continual work on
reviewing and improving development assessment processes and procedures have contributed to the
result for the year of 57 days (median processing time). This compares favourably with the median for
Group 2 Councils of 65.5 days.
Our Organisation
The Customer Service Action Plan Strategy for the last quarter of 2005/2006 included a program of
internal and external customer satisfaction surveys including mystery shopper programs in the Library,
Customer Services and Planning and Environmental Services and a survey of Council staff usage of
the services of the Graphic Artist. All surveys undertaken met or exceeded their target of 80%
customer satisfaction.
24
Annual Report 2005/2006