Annual Report 08/09 - City of Whyalla - SA.Gov.au

Our year in reviewCompliance – generalPARKING EXPIATIONS:Council’s compliance officersadminister parking controls pursuantto the Australian Road Rules, RoadTraffic Act and Private Parking AreasActs across the city generally, atCouncil’s marina, outside schools andat designated parking areas includingWestland Shopping Centre by writtenagreement.The most common offences detectedare exceeding a designated timezone, stopping in no stopping zonesand unlawful parking in disabledpermit zones.LITTER EXPIATIONS:The depositing of litter on Councilland is an increasing problem.Council has initiated many proactivesurveillance techniques in the mostcommon illegal dumping sites witha corresponding dramatic increasein the number of offenders detectedand issued with a $315 expiationnotice pursuant to the LocalGovernment Act.Items left illegally on Council landrange from cigarette butts thrownfrom car windows, household litterleft in laneways, and furniture andhousehold appliances or vehiclesabandoned in public places.OTHER EXPIATIONS:Council formally adopted a seriesof By-laws in 2007 and has begunadministering them, particularlywhere vehicles have been unlawfullyused on Council land and causeddamage to that land. Complianceofficers work closely with local policewith a view to having vehicles seizedpursuant to the State Governmentanti-hoon legislation.Council now has two complianceofficers both of whom have beenauthorised to administer the Marineand Harbours Act.They are able to issue expiationsrelating to boating offences inwaters adjacent to Council’s area– particularly marina and foreshoresites – covering unregistered watercraft, unlicensed or inappropriate useof boats and jet skis. The number ofexpiations issued is expected to rise.BUSHFIRE PREVENTION:Although no expiations have beenissued in relation to unsafe premisespursuant to the Fire and EmergencyServices Act, residents are regularlyurged to ensure their propertiesare kept in a fire safe condition atall times, otherwise expiations maybe issued where the property isdeemed to pose a threat to itself orsurrounding sites.Council may order a property to bebrought up to standard and mayperform the required work at theland owner’s cost if that order is notobeyed.Development assessmentCouncil maintains its developmentassessment operation with twoqualified building assessment staffand a planning development officer(currently undertaking tertiarystudies) under an experienced andqualified Planning Manager. Twostaff are in training to provide forsuccession planning in the buildingarea. Council will lose one of itslong-term building assessment staffto retirement during 2009/2010allowing for a cadet to fill the breach.With the emphasis over a numberof years it has placed on recruitingand training young people to fillprofessional roles in its workforce,Council will be well placed to meet itsongoing need for future staff.Environmental healthCouncil continues to endorsehigh standards of public andenvironmental health througha balanced mix of regulatoryinspections of all health relatedmatters and proactive educationalmeasures.Mid-way through the year a newtwo-person team of environmentalhealth officers was created. Bothhave been heavily involved in generalcompliance matters and specificprojects.Highlights include:HEALTH INSPECTIONS: Thesewere carried out not only to meetstatutory requirements set inlegislation, but also in response tocomplaints and queries made by thecommunity.Inspections included:• Fifteen impairment to amenityissues (insanitary conditions,offensive activities, discharge ofwaste, etc).• Nine public swimming pool andspa pools.• Seven waste water treatmentsystems (septic tanks and aerobicsystems).• Twenty hairdressers and skinpenetration practitioners.Other health related investigationsand inspections were also carried outin response to customer requests andconcerns.FOOD: Eighty-three inspections werecarried out to ensure compliancewith the Food Safety Standards andthe Food Act 2001. This is higherthan 2007/2008 due to the increasedstaffing level.38