Annual Report 2005/2006 - Port Augusta - SA.Gov.au

Mayor
&
City Manager’s
Report
Another very busy year has gone by without a lot of “fan fair”, but the fact is, 2005/2006 has
indeed been another progressive and successful year for the City of Port Augusta. This
extensive Annual Report provides an excellent insight of the broad range of activities and
services that are provided by the Port Augusta City Council to its growing community.
The major Organisational & Services Review undertaken during the year, highlighted no less
than 43 services provided by Council to its community. Managing an organisation of 300+
staff providing these services is no easy task; and I thank and commend the Directors and
Managers (and indeed all staff) for their commitment and dedication to the numerous tasks.
Social Reform and Economic Development continue to head the list of priorities for Council;
and these matters will continue to be resourced as Council now enters another phase in
pursuing its backlog of outside work and infrastructure. The management of assets is
emerging as a key issue for Local Government as it considers the future financial viability and
sustainability which is being driven Statewide through the Local Government Association of
South Australia.
Our 6 key goals remain very relevant and it is pleasing to see Council scoring well in the
annual Comparative Performance Review. Council is achieving in all areas as we look to take
full advantage of the “resources boom” which is expected to have tremendous positive
impacts in terms of population growth, attraction of new skills and new business
opportunities.
Clearly the two emerging challenges for Council over the next few years will be 1) to attract
new people and skills into the region to fill the jobs that will be generated from the
“resources boom” on our “northern doorstep” and 2) the need to attract and provide housing
opportunities (and associated infrastructure including recreational facilities etc).
Council can be proud of its achievements during this reporting year; and we personally look
forward to the next 3 to 4 years which will go down in history as a special period when Port
Augusta will evolve as a Regional Service Centre with negativity, bad image and a declining
economic situation, well and truly behind us.
Finally, we place on record our appreciation and thank you to all Members and Staff for
making Port Augusta a better place.
N J Baluch
Mayor
J G Stephens
City Manager
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