Strategic Objective 1: Vibrant Communities - Baw Baw Shire Council

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/200926Adam TysonDrouin Ward: First elected 2005“I am now in my second term on Council, this time in a new ward and with adecidedly younger and more diverse group. Balancing the financial health of ourShire, with the needs and wants of rate payers continues to be a challenge thatI am still tackling head on. I maintain my commitment to the protection of landfrom development in our farming zones. This is one of the biggest issues facingour Shire in the future, given concerns about climate change and food security.I am dedicated to having input in updating our planning scheme’to better fit theBaw Baw community’s expectations of subdivisions in our residential zones.”Adam decided to nominate for Council because of the lack of younger peopleinvolved in community pursuits. When he was first elected he was 33 and heis still the youngest Councillor at Baw Baw Shire. Adam believes that being onCouncil is the best way to be involved in the community as a whole. He residesin Drouin with his wife Debbie, and has been involved in the frozen food and dairyindustry all of his working life. He is devoted to Council and hopes to leave anenduring and positive legacy.Bill HarringtonMount Worth Ward: First elected 1997“My vision for the Baw Baw Shire is to maintain our renowned rural character,while providing a high level of service to both town and rural residents.”Bill and his family have lived in the Baw Baw Shire for over 20 years andhis keen interest and involvement in community life has ensured that he iswell- known throughout the Mount Worth Ward. Bill’s other interests includerestoration of vintage cars, fishing and lawn bowls. He is also a lay reader andorganist in the Anglican Church, a board member of the Trafalgar CommunityBank and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. Bill is thepresent chairman of the Gippsland Justices of the Peace group.John DurrantMount Worth Ward: First elected 2008“The West Gippsland region has many active communities with some greatfacilities. As a Councillor I will continue to work with local communities to ensurethe area grows and develops into a vibrant region within our state.”John, his wife Kaye and family have lived in Gippsland for nearly 33 years and inBaw Baw Shire for 17 years. They have two adult children and one granddaughter.John has a background in education, environmental management and industry.He has worked with people from a range of backgrounds, dealing with manyissues. This has provided John with the skills and experience to be an effectiveCouncillor and member of the local community. John believes it is important towork in partnership with the community as the Shire experiences strong growthand proves a popular place with young couples, retirees, and families alike.Strategic Objective 1:Vibrant CommunitiesTo create healthy, informedand proud communities27

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20092829Outcome 1: EngagementPeople are optimistic about theircommunity’s future and are involvedin community life, which results in anattractive and stimulating place witha high level of cultural vibrancy andcreativity.Strategy: Develop and maintain anattractive community environment.ChallengesVandalismDuring the year Council was disappointed bya number of vandalism incidents to municipalproperty, including attacks on several children’splaygrounds, bus shelters and garden lighting.There is also a problem with ongoing graffiti inpublic toilets and on street signage. Council istackling this issue with youth and communityprojects such as the Path of Achievement seepage 52)AchievementsPublic AmenitiesCouncil installed new toilets in Jindivick andNeerim Junction and completed Public Toiletupgrades in Yarragon, Bennett Park, Longwarryand McGregor Park, Trafalgar.Council completed drainage and buildingimprovements to Matthew Bennett Park inDrouin.Council installed a new water pump at PicnicPoint Reserve, Longwarry North to supply waterto the public toilets.Street Cleaning ServicesCouncil’s program of street and amenity cleaningis ongoing. Changes to the street sweeping areaduring 2008 have had no noticeable effect on theservice provided.Maintaining Town InfrastructureWorks were completed to rejuvenate streetfurniture along Princes Way, Yarragon.Car parksA 108 bay car park in Mason Street wasconstructed on the site previously occupied by theWarragul and District Specialist School.The project included asphalt paving, concretefootpaths, seating, landscaping, planting andstreet lighting. Project cost: $280,000 excludingGST.Additional Additional Parking Car Spaces Parking Spaces12010080604020004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09Parks and ReservesElectricity was connected to Walhalla andRawson’s free Public BBQs in November 2008making the facilities safer and more reliable forvisitors.New playground equipment was installed inRobin Hood Estate Drouin, Balmoral Park,Peterson Park, Settlers Rise and Glen Tara Park.Outdoor gym equipment has been installedin Burke Street and Rotary Parks in Warragulpromoting healthy exercise habits within thecommunity.Council’s mowing and garden maintenanceprogram met the required level of service. Animproved street sweeping roster lead to greaterefficiency and use of resources. Parks andgardens staff are now able to utilise the streetsweeper as required in the mowing program.

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20093031Strategy: Support and develop thearts and other cultural pursuits.Creative Gippsland - be inspired!Arts FestivalThe Creative Gippsland - Be Inspired! ArtsFestival was celebrated in May. Baw Baw ShireCouncil coordinated the local marketing andpromotion of the festival and feedback receivedwas resoundingly positive. Baw Baw Shirevenues hosted almost 50 events during the monthincluding exhibitions, workshops, as well asmusic and dance performances. Host venueswere diverse, including an art exhibition at alocal car dealership. Plans are already in placefor the 2010 event with the aim to build this intoa significant regional festival for the whole ofGippsland.Creative Gippsland &www.gippslandartists.comBaw Baw Shire Council continued its involvementwith the Baw Baw Arts and Cultural AdvisoryCommittee, Creative Gippsland Artists Network,Baw Baw Writers Network and a new YoungArtists’ Network, all of which continue to meetregularly with good attendance.Council’s partnership with gippslandartists.comprovides frequent communication with the artisticcommunity via website bulletins and a regularnewsletter. Copies of the Creative Gippslandbrochure were distributed widely during 2008-2009, including circulation in Federation Square.Creative Gippsland has developed a strong webpresence in creativegippsland.comCouncil’s Arts and Culture Officer joined theboard of the Cultural Tourism Industry Groupduring 2009. This is a State wide industry body,patronised by Tourism Victoria, which producesthe Victorian Cultural Guide and conductsnetworking events and forums. Through Councilsupport, Gippsland has entries in the VictorianCultural Guide for the first time in 2009.South East Cultural Officer NetworkIn February 2009 the South East Cultural OfficerNetwork (SECO) was formed with Casey, Cardinia,South Gippsland and Bass Coast Council officersmeeting quarterly to exchange arts and culturenews and build opportunities for cross-regionalevents and promotion.Baw Baw Artists BrochureA new Baw Baw artists brochure wascommissioned by Baw Baw Shire Council withthe assistance of local designer Helen Timbury.The brochure with a foreword by Mayor, Cr RuthMcGowan features artists, galleries, performingarts venues and the public art of the municipality.It is available from local visitor informationcentres, galleries and Baw Baw Shire Counciloffices. It is also available through online links viathe arts and culture pages of Council’s websiteand gippslandartists.com.Art Gippsland 09In March, three artists were selected fromentrants in the Rotary Art Show - Art Gippsland09, to represent the region at the prestigious ArtMelbourne 09 event held at the Royal ExhibitionBuildings in April 2009. Council sponsored theartists to attend and the event proved to be anexcellent opportunity to promote Gippslandartists, the region and the inaugural “CreativeGippsland – be inspired! Arts Festival.Online Art Acquisition GalleryIn late 2008 an online ‘gallery’ of Council’sacquired art from the past five years of the BawBaw Art Acquisition program was developed onBaw Baw Shire Council’s website. The websiteallows residents better access to view Council’scollection. Works are also available to view inperson at Baw Baw Shire Council Chambers,Warragul GippsTAFE campus and at locallibraries.Baw Baw Country Show BagsQuality paper ‘show bags’ were developed for useat civic, cultural and promotional events. Thearts-themed bags feature the winning artworkfrom the 2008 Baw Baw Shire Council ArtAcquisition, ‘Baw Baw Seasons’ by Drouin artistTrav Hendrick.Strategy: Support the West GippslandArts Centre to remain the ‘Centre ofChoice’ in Gippsland.Arts Centre ImprovementsThe Arts Centre’s capital works program hasseen significant improvements to the technicalinfrastructure and backstage areas. This hasincluded reworking of the back stage workshopand store to provide a safer and more secureworking environment.Other works have included replacement of 70 ofthe theatre’s stage lamps, upgrading the stagelighting console software and lighting systemdimmers, and replacement of the Centre’sanalogue audio desk with a digital controlconsole.TicketingThe Arts Centre has enjoyed considerablesuccess with its new web-based ticketing systemthis year with online sales figures approaching40%. on some performances. The website hasbeen redesigned and upgraded to allow forin-house administration and maintenance.Exhibitions ProgramThe Centre continues to provide support for localvisual artists through the provision of exhibitionspace within the Arts Centre, which exposes theirwork to audiences and visitors to the Centre ona daily basis. During 2008/09 the Arts Centrehosted 13 exhibitions attracting over 2,480visitors.Total VisitorsThe Arts Centre attracted 50,910 peopleto performances, eisteddfods, exhibitions,conferences and special events.

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20093233Attendance Attendance at Arts at Centre Arts Centre Performances Events30,000The performing arts program featured worksfrom major theatre and music companiesincluding Perth Theatre Company, La BoiteTheatre Company, Melbourne SymphonyOrchestra, The Dancers Company of theAustralian Ballet, The Police Show Band, Dorothythe Dinosaur, Play School, Polyglot Theatre,Menopause the Musical, and comedians Jimeoin,Danny Bhoy and Judith Lucy.Number Number of Arts of Centre Arts Centre Members members80070020,000MembershipsA decrease in the sales of Arts CentreMemberships can be attributed to the impactsof the Global Financial Crisis and February 09bushfires.60050010,00004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09Performing ArtsThe Arts Centre attracted 28,213 people this yearto its performing arts programs which deliveredover 152 performances.As well as the general entertainment seasonprogram and various offerings from touringcommercial productions, the Arts Centre alsoplayed host to a wide variety of programsfocussed on engaging youth audiences.An education program focuses on engagingdirectly with the education sector to deliverspecific programs and opportunities involvingyoung audiences. Some of the events include:• Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Jam• Bell Shakespeare Regional Workshops• Children’s theatre productions• Auslan Workshops• Xpressions Drama Festival• Introduction to Ballet – Australian Ballet• Kid Stuff Winter Festival• Soundhouse on Tour• Koori Soundhouse on TourTest Drive The ArtsThe Arts Centre participated in a program thisyear called “Test Drive The Arts”. This programwas established and supported by the VictorianState Government and offered free tickets to firsttime theatre goers across Victoria. More than 50people took up the offer in the Gippsland region.Number of of Events at Held the Arts at the Centre Arts Centre35030025004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/0940004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09Strategy: Support and encouragecommunities to identify their ownneeds and aspirations, and how toachieve them.Community Engagement Process:Stage TwoThe community engagement project known as‘Community Connect’ was completed for BawBaw Shire. A total of 16 community plans weredeveloped with a number of community projectseither completed or in progress.An initial evaluation of the project was completedas part of the funding requirements for theDepartment of Planning and CommunityDevelopment. The model created has beenrecognised by the Department as an excellentexample of community planning. A schedule andplan for the review of community plans on anannual basis is now being developed.Warragul Youth Theatre perform ‘Puss in Boots’Towns and Rural Communities NetworkThe Baw Baw Shire Towns and RuralCommunities Network continued to grow as newmembers joined the network during the year.A bus trip was held for Network membersin October 2008, visiting the communities ofLongwarry, Jindivick, Noojee, Neerim Southand Shady Creek. Network members were ableto meet with community members in thoselocations to discuss community projects andactivities.The Community Administration Grant Programprovides administration funding for the corecommunity associations and the allocation wasfully expended in 2008/2009.

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20093435Community Development GrantsA total of 158 applications for communitydevelopment grants were received for 2008. TheCommunity Development Grants presentationceremony was held in October 2008 for 89successful community groups who received fundstotalling $303,997 in the areas of:• Community Events• Minor Capital Works• Community Programs• Environmental ProgramsThe community development grants process hasbeen reviewed and revised for 2009. Baw BawShire Council facilitated a number of communityinformation workshops in March, April, May andJune to assist community members with thecompletion of the grant application forms.Small Town Capital WorksA number of small towns capital works projectswere delivered during 2008/2009, which included:• Completion of a public toilet at the NeerimJunction Hall• Completion of a BBQ shelter in BennettStreet, Drouin as a joint project with DrouinRotary Club• Completion of fencing and other works atPoowong East Hall• Installation of solar lighting and upgradingthe public toilets at Tanjil Bren• Completion of the construction of a shelter,information area and painting of the YarragontrainProjects that have received Federal and Statefunding and have started works for completion in2010 include:The Erica Visitor Gateway project has receivedState funding and will include new public toilets,visitor information and historical display at Erica.Indigenous InitiativesThrough ongoing engagement, relationshipsbetween the Koorie Community and Baw BawShire Council continue to be built and nurtured.A weekly luncheon with Koorie communitymembers has led to the implementation of theKoorie Community Kitchens program during 2008and now into 2009. This program is coordinatedthrough partnership between Baw Baw ShireCouncil and Best Start, a Victorian Governmentearly years initiative.Through a holistic community approach eldersand younger people budget, plan menus,purchase ingredients and prepare mealstogether.A community grant from Baw Baw Shire hasalso enabled the Koorie community to create anheirloom quilt depicting stories and family treeswhich aid in reconnecting community memberswith their heritage.Working alongside the DHS led VictorianIndigenous Family Violence Taskforce andEducation Centre Gippsland, Baw Baw ShireCouncil has included school holiday programs,excursions and a Koorie Women’s Art Groupwithin the existing programs delivered by AdultDay Activity Support Services.The new shelter for the Yarragon Steam Train• Upgrade works to Rawson Crater Lake• Thorpdale Pioneer Park improvements• Erica War Memorial Upgrade• Noojee War Memorial RestorationErica War Memorial will be refurbished under the small towncapital works programA weekly Koorie Community Kitchen luncheon

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20093637Outcome 2: Health &WellbeingWorld class health and wellbeing.Strategy: Provide and/or facilitate arange of services that maintain andimprove community health, safety andwellbeing.Home CareHome Care services include home care, personalcare and respite care. The Home Care teamprovided over 60,000 hours of services during the2008/ 2009 financial year. There are over 1,500clients within the Home and Community Care(HACC), Veterans Home Care (VHC) and full costprograms.The number of residents requiring Home Careservices is increasing. Additionally care needs arebecoming more complex with many clients usingmultiple services.Full Cost Home Care ServicesThe Home Care team continued to provide arange of short term and ongoing full cost servicesto brokerage agencies including Post AcuteCare (PAC), Latrobe Community Health Services(LCHS), Southern Cross, Baptcare, Palliative Careand more recently Fairview Homes.Of the hours provided by the Home Care team16692 were full cost hours, provided to 450households.Total Home Care Hours*Total Home Care ClientsTotal Home Care Clients1,6001,500Total Home Care Hours65,00060,00055,00050,00004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09*Includes full cost hoursMeals on WheelsThe Meals on Wheels program continues togrow with regular referrals from our Home &Community Care Assessment team and otherservice areas.The Meals on Wheels program delivers in excessof 500 meals per week to residents acrossthe Shire with the help of approximately 500volunteers who support the program.Meals delivered Total per year Meals30,000(L-R) Drouin Meals on Wheels volunteers Jan Wassink, Jan Whyte, Elva Vincent and Joan Weller.The new contract will begin on 1 July 2009 over athree year period.A Meals on Wheels Café was held bi-monthlythroughout the year at local bistros. Clientswere assisted with transport and enjoyedentertainment provided by local musicians.Meals Total on Wheel Meals Clients on wheels clients4003002001,30004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/0910025,00006/07 07/08 08/09006/07 07/08 08/09

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20093839Services for FamiliesBaw Baw Shire Council Family and Children’sServices relocated to 23 Williams Square duringearly 2009. Family Day Care, the Maternal &Child Health service, Pre School Field Officerand Supported Parent Group and PlaygroupFacilitation are now all co-located.The new location allows for seamless delivery ofservice to families.Municipal Early Years Plan 2008-2010The Municipal Early Years Plan (MEYP) steeringgroup met twice during the financial yearto review the implementation of the MEYP.Achievements include the successful applicationfor a transition to school pilot in Baw Baw Shireand the partnership with Post and AntenatalDepression Association Inc (PANDA) to addressperi-natal mental health concerns in ourcommunity through the C.A.L.M program.C.A.L.M ProgramCaring for Local Mother (C.A.L.M) was developedin response to peri-natal mental health issuesin families and involves a partnership with thePost and Antenatal Depression Association Inc(PANDA). The program trains mentors who helpexplore and deliver a variety of support activitiesto families such as a supported playgroup,walking group and craft group. Mentors aregenerally women who have recovered from perinatalmental health issues themselves.Best Start Early Years InitiativeBaw Baw Shire Council was actively representedby the Manager of Family and Children’s Servicesas a member of the Aboriginal Best StartInitiative partnership executive. The Baw BawShire Supported Playgroup and Parent Groupfacilitators supported the Baw Baw AboriginalBest Start facilitator to deliver programs topromote improved health, development andwellbeing outcomes for indigenous children andfamilies in Baw Baw Shire.Family & Children’s Services ChallengesDelivering equitable services to those familiesliving in more remote areas of the municipalityis a challenge Council intends to address in2009/2010.Council’s Family and Children’s Services continueto be involved in developing a vision for the earlyyears (0-8). This includes ‘Children’s Hubs’ inDrouin, Warragul and Trafalgar where a numberof early years services would be co-locatedand could offer seamless access to appropriateservices.A major challenge will be to accommodatedemand for playgroup and kindergarten places asthe early years population increasesThe FutureBaw Baw Shire Council Family and Children’sHealth Services will investigate the incidence ofobesity in children under five years of age in themunicipality.Strategic planning for early years services andinfrastructure in the municipality will include theintroduction of universal access to 15 hours ofkindergarten a week for four-year-olds by 2013.Baw Baw Shire Council intends to expandits public health focus to include the socialdeterminants of health, when taking services andhealth information to community events acrossthe municipality.The Maternal Child and Family Health Serviceis rolling our a new service framework which isevidence based.All Family Day Care Providers will be trained tocertificate level 3 in Children’s Services by 2012.Melissa Reside and baby Jade with Maternal and Child Healthnurse Anne SchmittCommunity SafetyBaw Baw Shire Council delivered a number ofcommunity safety programs and promotionsthroughout the year. Community Safety Monthwas promoted via community service messageson local radio during October 2008. Highlightsfrom Council’s safety awareness programincluded:Driveway SafetyCouncil coordinated a Drive Way Safety Display inpartnership with VIC Roads.The display featured at the Family Fun Day andEmergency Services Expo in May as well as atseven kindergartens across the Shire through the‘Kinder Visit’ program.Burns and Scalds KitA burns and scalds treatment and prevention kitwas promoted at the Family Fun Day and at theNapier street kiosk during Kidsafe Week.Safetyville GameAll students at Warragul Primary Schoolparticipated in the Safetyville Game, educatingchildren about water, play, road and fire safety.Walking School BusCouncil continued to facilitate the Walking SchoolBus Program operating to routes with WarragulNorth and Longwarry Primary Schools. Theprogram ceased in July 2009 as funding waswithdrawn from VicHealth.Immunisation ProgramCouncil is an active member of the GippslandImmunisation Reference Group that promotes theimportance of immunisation in the community.Council’s immunisation program for 2008-2009encompassed three key areas:Cervical Cancer VaccinationsCouncil completed the catch up cervical cancerprogram for females under the age of 26. Thosethat have had at least one dose of the HumanPapiloma Virus (HPV) vaccine must complete thisprogram by the end of 2009.HPV vaccinations will continue for femalestudents in Year 7 only. Women wishing to takeup the program after 30 June 2009 will need topay for the 3 dose course of vaccinations.Secondary School VaccinationsCouncil continued with the annual secondaryschool program providing:• chicken pox and hepatitis B vaccinations forall students in Year 7• diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (whoopingcough) vaccinations for Year 9Council administered 3512 doses to secondaryschool aged students in the 2008- 2009 financialyear compared to 4938 secondary school dosesin 2007-2008. The number of doses decreasedas the introduction phase of the HPV vaccineprogram is now completed.General ImmunisationsCouncil’s open session program continues tobe popular with the general public, particularlythe monthly Saturday morning session. In totalCouncil administered 2672 vaccine doses in the2008-2009 financial year slightly down on the2756 vaccine doses administered to the generalpublic the previous year.

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20094041Registered PremisesAs per it’s agreement with the State GovernmentTobacco Unit Councl conducted inspections of20% of the 72 tobacco retailers within the Shire;10% of the 229 dining venues and 50% of the 117licensed premises.Strategy: Provide facilities, programsand events that make it easy for thecommunity to be a part of recreationalactivitiesCouncil complied with state legislationconducting an annual inspection on all registeredpremises.During 2008- 2009 financial year Councilconducted:• 50 accommodation inspections• 47 hairdressers/beauty therapy businessinspections• 635 food inspections• 88 tobacco compliance inspections whichincluded tobacco, retail, bingo, licensed andsmoke-free dining premisesIn this period Council’s Environmental HealthOfficers were not required to act upon anybreeches that would have resulted in closureof a registered premises. However the Healthteam conducted ongoing monitoring in areas ofconcern including:• the standard of potable water in businessesrelying solely on private rainwater or streamsfor their drinking water supply• temperature abuse issues in pre-preparedfood for sale• adequate stock rotation• the compliance of businesses in food safetyprogram record keepingChallengesWarragul Outdoor PoolThe closure of the Warragul Outdoor Swimmingpool continued to be a contentious matter. Thenew Council resolved to close the pool and investthe money in improving other leisure facilities.Council has an aquatic strategy to ensure allresidents have access to a pool.Warragul Leisure Centre RedevelopmentPlans to build an outdoor splash deck at theWarragul Leisure Centre were delayed due to soilcontamination concerns in late 2008. In March2009 the Warragul Leisure Centre RedevelopmentCommittee recommended to Council to completean updated needs identification which would pavethe way for future government support for newfacilities.Comprehensive community consultation andmarket research took place to understandcommunity needs in the area of aquatics andleisure. The process included: research intoindustry trends, key stakeholder interviews,focus group discussions, independent phoneinterviews, leisure centre user surveys andpublic submissions. All groups that use or mayuse the facility in the future were targeted forinvolvement.Leisure ServicesThe Baw Baw Shire Council oversees two maincontracts for leisure facilities in the Shire. Theseare with the YMCA for the Warragul LeisureCentre; and Drouin, Neerim South, Trafalgar andThorpdale summer pools. The other contract iswith Rawson Village for the Rawson Indoor Pool.An annual customer satisfaction survey wasconducted concerning the leisure servicesprovided at Warragul. Key issues includedcustomer service and cleanliness. This feedbackwill help guide the YMCA’s business plan for2009/2010. Council also conducted an annualoperational audit for tender compliance. Anew manager for YMCA Baw Baw Facilitiescommenced in June 2009.Winter Maintenance for Outdoor PoolsTo enable a smoother transition into the summerpool period, a new contract will be put in placefor the 2009/2010 financial year to maintainthe pools during the winter while they are notin public use. This program will ensure moreeffective conservation of the facilities, increasethe lifespan of assets and assist with monitoringof pools in the off season.AchievementsWalk Baw Baw StrategyWalk Baw Baw Strategy encompasses a numberof events and activities to encourage membersof the local community to embrace walking asan inexpensive and enjoyable way to improvepersonal and public health and increase socialinclusion.The initiative also aims to increase public androad safety by providing and promoting highqualitywalking environments. The strategyincluded the following events:WalktoberA Walktober calendar of events was developedand marketed through local papers and onCouncil’s website.The program included the Baw Baw Shire PramWalk and Family Fun Day; National Walk to WorkDay; Go For Your Life seniors walk at MountWorth; Ride to Work Day; Walk to School Day andthe Baw Baw Shire Fun Run, Walk and Ride.Go For Your Life Seniors WalkA new initiative for 2008, this event wasconducted at Mount Worth State Park andattracted a group of 40 keen seniors who weretransported to the event to experience a range ofwalks. The Walk was conducted in conjunctionwith the Strzelecki Bushwalking Club, ParksVictoria and the Victorian Seniors Festival.Nordic WalkingEight Nordic walking sessions were conducted,including two specifically for Vision Australiaclients.

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20094243Case Study: Free Swims at Summer PoolsBackgroundThe Baw Baw Shire provided free swims at ourfive summer pools in Drouin, Neerim South,Trafalgar, Thorpdale and Rawson as a pilotproject during the 2008/2009 summer season.The cost to Council was $37,500 with a further$12,500 financial support received from Gippsportand the YMCA. Whilst a similar program exists inthe UK, Baw Baw Shire is the first municipality inAustralia to offer such an initiative.ResultsAn increase of 46.61% in participation wasrecorded across summer pools from 13,614visits in 2007/08 to 19,959 in 2008/09. This isthe largest percentage increase since our datahas been recorded from 1995/96 and also turnsaround a declining trend in participation.Removing Warragul Outdoor Pool from thefigures (which closed for the 2008/09 season),the increase in patronage was 77.27%. Thesefigures can be largely attributed to the free swimsinitiative.Summer Pool Attendance7,0006,0005,0004,0003,0001,000Summer Pool AttendanceThe Drouin pool produced the most outstandingresults of all the pools with a 476% increase inpatronage from 1,145 in 2007/2008 to 6,598 in2008/2009.Of the 5,453 extra visits, approximately 2,500of these could be attributed to the closure ofthe Warragul Outdoor Pool. This result wasparticularly pleasing considering the significantinfrastructure investment made at the pool byCouncil and the State Government; maximisingreturn on investment.An evaluation survey was undertaken by MonashUniversity in partnership with the Baw Baw Shire.The data showed that as a result of the freeswims, 61% of patrons were now more likely tovisit a pool.According to the Australian Bureau of StatisticsSEIFA data, Baw Baw Shire has growing pocketsof disadvantaged groups across the municipality.Free swims help to reduce health inequalitieswithin the community, particularly for aboriginalpeople, people with a disability and thoseexperiencing socio-economic disadvantage.Summer Pool Attendance2007/20082008/20092007/20082008/2009Free swims have helped encourage physicalactivity during a harsh economic climate andcomplement other recreation facilities that areprovided to the community at no cost e.g. walkingtracks, playgrounds, sporting fields.Anecdotally, the free swims increased thenumber of adults and families attending summerpools. This creates a family-friendly environmentwhich encourages further patronage and alsoimproves behaviour at the pools.The FutureCouncil has committed to funding a LiaisonOfficer position to work at the Drouin Pool forthe 2009/2010 summer season to improve youthengagement and behaviour.This need was identified through the evaluation,planning workshops with the Koorie communityand by the pool contractor. As well as thebenefits of this to the broader community, it givesa local indigenous person a career pathway.Given the positive outcomes demonstrated inthe pilot, the Baw Baw Shire has committedto funding the free swims project again for the2009/2010 summer season.Warragul Drouin Trafalgar Neerim Sth Thorpdale Rawson Victorian Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs Hon James2,000Merlino with Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Ruth McGowan andDrouin & District Community Bank branch manager Chris Harrisonofficially opening the refurbished Drouin Pool.0Warragul Drouin Trafalgar Neerim Sth Thorpdale Rawson

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20094445Outcome 3: InclusivenessAll sectors of the community have ameaningful lifestyleStrategy: High level of communityparticipation in recreational andcultural programs and communityevents.Civic & Community EventsCivic events run throughout the year includedAustralia Day, Remembrance Day and Anzac Day.Over 60 community events were supported byCouncil. Some of these events included theHerald Sun Tour, Antiques & Collectables Fair,Quilt &Craft Show, Stamp & Coin Fair, Battle ofTrafalgar, Mount Baw Baw Classic, Tanjil ValleyArt & Photography Show, Warragul & DistrictAnnual Gem Show, the Warragul Arthritis SelfHelp Group and Warragul Camellia Show.Event PlanningA Council developed event planner is nowprovided to businesses, organisations andcommunity groups working with Council toorganise community events. The planner assistsgroups to plan safe and successful events. Toobtain a copy of the Event Planner please contactBaw Baw Shire Council Event Coordinator.Council continued to assist community eventorganisers with administrative support,producing and printing flyers, advertisingevents on Council’s weekly radio spot on 3GGand on both the www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.auand bawbawcountry.com.au calendar of eventswebsites.Grants for Community EventsCouncil funded 50 community events through theBaw Baw Shire Council Community DevelopmentGrants program to a value of $50,400.Strategy: Facilitate and provideservices that enable all sectors ofour community to participate incommunity life.Event AccessAccess and inclusion at local community eventsis being encouraged through the addition of an‘Access and Inclusion’ section in the Baw BawShire Community Event Planner.Volunteering Baw BawThe Volunteering Baw Baw Project wascompleted in July 2009.The Memorandum of Understanding betweenBaw Baw Shire Council and the Volunteering BawBaw Steering Committee was signed during 2009.The Committee’s Web Development & Marketingworking group produced a promotional kitincluding flyers, banners and postcards andlaunched volunteeringbawbaw.com.au on20 August 2008. The website is managed byvolunteers and provides an online resource link tolocal volunteering organisations and resources.Volunteering Baw Baw was promoted at variouscommunity events throughout 2008 - 2009including the Battle of Trafalgar, WarragulShow, Family Fun Day/Emergency ServicesExpo, Gippsland Community Kitchens Forum/Presentation, Volunteer Development Committee- Baw Baw Shire, Promotional Kit Development,Flyers and Banners, Postcards.A partnership with West Gippsland RegionalLibrary was established to set up a resourcelibrary of volunteer reference material – 21titles on volunteering are now available and arepromoted on volunteeringbawbaw.com.auVolunteer Skill DevelopmentIn partnership with GippSport and GippsTAFEBaw Baw Shire facilitated a series of VolunteerSkill Development Sessions covering topicsincluding:• Volunteer Recruitment and Retention• Risk Management: Volunteer Health andSafety• Money Matters for Community Groups• Fundraising: Raffles and GamingThe response from the local community tovolunteering for Meals on Wheels, Social Supportand Adult Day Activity Support Services continuesto be positive with a steady increase in thoseoffering their services. Induction and othertraining continue on a bi-monthly basis.FreeZaDue to external factors the number of eventsdelivered by the YMCA this year has beensignificantly lower than expected. As a resultthe Baw Baw Shire Council has taken back theFreeza program and will be delivering it in-house.Extensive planning and consultation has goneinto organising the events for July to December2009 with the intention to host some Freezaevents in partnership with West Gippsland ArtsCentre.Disability Action PlanThe current Baw Baw Shire Council DisabilityAction Plan concludes at the end of 2009.Planning for the new Disability Action Plan hascommenced, taking into account legislativechanges (Disability Act 2006 Vic and Charter ofHuman Rights and Responsibilities 2006 Vic).During 2008-2009 the Walking and Cyclingcommittee addressed the mobility needs of allcommunity members including people witha disability by working to improve footpathmaintenance and expand the overall footpathnetwork.Bus Stop UpgradesAccess to public and community transportcontinued to improve. Upgrades to a number oflocal bus stops improved the ability for mobilitydevice users to board low floor local buses. The“Transport Connections” project also workedto address the transport needs of communitymembers experiencing transport disadvantage.Leisure Centre Access UpgradesThe requirements of local people with adisability have been included in plans for majorimprovement to the Warragul Leisure Centre.The Leisure centre received upgrades during theyear to increase wheelchair accessibility to thetoilet and change room facilities

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20094647Rural Access ProjectThe Baw Baw Shire Rural Access Project is aDepartment of Human Services (DHS)fundedinitiative that supports the community todevelop strategies to increase opportunities forlocal people with a disability to participate incommunity activities.Throughout 2008/2009 the Rural Access Project:• Worked with the Mental Health and WellbeingCommittee to plan, host and fund the fourthannual “Beautiful Minds, Brilliant Hands” artshow at the West Gippsland Arts Centre duringMental Health Week in 2008.• Supported the development of a local ClubWild group to run a range of disability friendlyprograms including dance parties, and creativeworkshops in multimedia, song writing,music performance, drumming and dancing,hip hop, rapping and learning to DJ and MC.• Continued to provide ongoing support andinvolvement in the local Baw Baw disabilityself-advocacy group.Recharge ProjectIn 2008 Baw Baw Shire Council rolled out theRecharge program, which offers an accessiblelocation and power point for people using mobilitydevices to recharge their wheelchairs or scooters.A number of local businesses along with CouncilCustomer Service Centres now offer a poweredrecharge site.Transport Connections ProjectBaw Baw Shire Council conducted communityengagement activities in outlying districts andformed transport action groups in Tanjil Valley,Neerim and District, Mountain Rivers region,Poowong East and Athlone. Council conductedthree trial bus and taxi services in MountainRivers and Tanjil Valley and commenced busservices to Education Centre Gippsland McMillanCampus. Council also commenced work onpromoting Warragul and Drouin town bus routes.Library ServicesThe Shire continues to provide library services tothe community via the West Gippsland RegionalLibrary Corporation. This corporation has beencreated by agreement between the Bass Coast,Baw Baw and South Gippsland Shire Councilswith the councils being the shareholders of thecorporation.The membership of libraries across Victoriaaverages about 50% of the community. Inthe West Gippsland region membership was35.73% of the population at 30 June 2008.The corporation’s objective is to reach 40%membership in 4 years. This target was set12 months ago. Progress towards that targethas been positive with growth in membershipexceeding the first year targets in every Shire(including Baw Baw) to be 37.44% of the region’spopulation at 30 June 2009.The library service was affected by the bushfiresin February of this year. Whilst there was no lossof branches or collection of any consequence,Parkes Library in NSW generously donated booksand other reading matter. These donationswere passed on to individual children in the fireaffected areas of Labertouche, Drouin West andLongwarry. The library was also lucky enough toreceive donations of three X-Boxes to the libraryfrom Jaythom Pty Ltd and Microsoft Corporation.ChallengesOne area of particular concern to the librarycorporation and the Council was the membershiplevels in the Neerim South area. Membershiplevels were less than 10% of the population.Neerim South has a joint use library facilitylocated within the campus of the Neerim andDistrict Secondary College. It is open on six daysof the week during school terms, but despitethis had very low public borrowings and very lowpublic membership.The library corporation’s research showed thatone of the main reasons this might be the casewas that the majority of people in the area werenot comfortable entering a school to access thefacility.The other reason suggested was that the qualityand age of the collection at Neerim South wasolder and in poorer condition than in otherbranches throughout the region with the blend oflibrary corporation and school collections.The corporation and the Council agreed to triala mobile library service in Neerim South toassess whether the improved visibility and accesstogether with a better quality collection, althoughsmaller, would gain support in the community.The trial was conducted during late Novemberand December 2008 and succeeded in raising thelevel of awareness of library services within thecommunity.Nevertheless, the community did not support themobile service over the static facility. Council hasresolved to maintain current arrangements andfind other ways of increasing patronage of theNeerim South Library.Future PlansThe Council will be commencing a strategy forlibrary services in the Shire for the next 20 years.The key features of this strategy will be:• Identifying and planning for the library needsin all of our major townships, especially thosewith significant projected growth in that timeframe.• Identifying and planning for changes in thecommunity’s expectations of library servicesin the future.• Identifying the best locations for any futurelibrary facilities that might be required in thefuture.Warragul Library Branch Manager Anne ReidActive Library MembershipsActive Library Memberships14,00012,00010,00004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20094849Home Maintenance ProgramThe Home Maintenance team was restructuredduring 2008/2009. Council now employ three fulltime Home Maintenance Officers, a part-timeofficer and a casual officer, removing the needfor contractors. The change proved positive with4,243 direct service hours provided during thelast financial year 08/09 to 759 households. Thiswas an increase of 268 service hours and 40 moreclients than in the previous financial year.Home maintenance continued to be a growingprogram, experiencing more demand thanresources, causing waiting periods for servicesto increase dramatically. This has in part beencaused by an increasing number of residentsrequiring assistance and the introduction of amore holistic approach to assessments, whichhas increased referrals to the program.Additionally, the Home Maintenance program hascontinued to work towards greater sustainability,employing low maintenance garden principlesand completing a Department of Human Services(DHS) Climate Change project which assistedinterested home care clients in changing toenergy efficient light globes and water savingshower heads.Home and Community Care Maintenance Officer Keith RobinsonOutcome:4 InfrastructureFacilitiesCreate and maintain a high standardof infrastructure and facilities for ourcommunity.Strategy: Improve and maintain ourrural and urban road networks.Pedestrian SafetyPedestrian crossing signals were installedin Yarragon on the Princes Highway betweenYarragon Train Station and the main shoppingprecinct, significantly increasing pedestriansafety on the extremely busy stretch of road.Road Re-sheetingDuring 2008-2009 Araluen Road (7.51 km)Walkers Road (0.41 km) and Haworth Road (0.51km) were re-sheeted.Road ResealingThrough Council’s annual road resealing program49 roads were resealed totalling a length of46km. The total cost of the program during 2008-2009 was $688,734.Roads to RecoveryRehabilitation ProgramUnder the federally funded ‘Roads to Recovery’program, Council oversaw the rehabilitation of anumber of roads within the Shire.• A 181 metre section of Hopetoun Road, Drouinwas rehabilitated, stabilised and sealed.• A 107 metre section of Jackson Drive, Drouinwas excavated, removing existing pavementand replacing it with asphalt.• A 3.8 km section of Yarragon Shady CreekRoad, north of Yarragon received repairs andwas resealed, protecting and extending itslife.• A 3.8 km section of Sunny Creek Road,Trafalgar was resealed with new bitumen,extending the life of the underlying pavement.• Nilma North Road, Nilma North was resealed,improving safety and increasing the lifespanof the road.• The construction and sealing of MontagueAvenue, Drouin improved safety andeliminated the dust hazard for adjacentproperties.• Failed sections of Nilma – Bona Vista Road,Bona Vista were repaired, adding new pavingmaterial and stabilising the existing paving.The road was also sealed with bitumen.Total Home Maintenance Clients800700600Home Maintenance ClientsHome Maintenance Program HoursTotal Home Maintenance Hours5,0004,0003,0002,000Kilometers Km of Road Resealed Sealed807060504030B-Double Truck Access UpgradesImprovements were made to Gordon Road,Yarragon and Mathieson, Murphy and BransgroveRoads, Neerim Junction to allow safer B-Doubleaccess.South Face Road IntersectionCouncil oversaw the construction of 800 linealmetres of road pavement at the intersection ofthe Mt Baw Baw Tourist Road and South FaceRoad.South Face Road provides improved access to theMount Baw Baw Alpine Resort from the ThomsonValley Road and the Latrobe Valley.50004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/091,000004/20 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/092010004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20095051BridgesThe timber Aberfeldy Road Bridge was destroyedin the 2006 fires and replaced in 2008 with a 4metre wide 50 metre long multi-span concretebridge. The works also included the constructionof approaches at either end of the new bridge.The project cost $975,835 and was funded byNatural Disaster Financial Assistance.Footpaths$430,000 was spent repairing and replacingdamaged footpaths and kerb and channelguttering across the municipality.Special charge schemes for footpaths to be builtin the following locations commenced in 2009:• Waterloo Road, Trafalgar• Contour Road, Trafalgar• Nelson Road, Trafalgar• Settlement Road, Trafalgar• Saleyard Road, Trafalgar• Murray Road, Yarragon• Market Street, YarragonDust SuppressionThe number of applicants receiving 200 metresealed dust suppression strips has remainedfairly constant over the last three years with asimilar budget allocated.DrainageCouncil completed a drainage improvementproject in Neerim Street, Drouin, laying extrapipes to encourage drainage away from a numberof residences to prevent homes flooding.Stage 1 of a similar project was completed inFairway Drive, Drouin with Council buildinga retarding basin and increasing the numberof drainage pipes in the area to again preventflooding residents’ homes.A drainage upgrade at Wolff Street, Drouin wascompleted, enclosing an open drain in a ruralresidential area.Laying the foundations of the new Aberfeldy Road BridgeKilometers of Dust SuppressionCompletedKilometers of Dust Suppression completed8Properties that recieved dustsuppressionProperties in Dust Suppression Program407630542032101004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/20095253Strategy: Develop and maintainsafe and functional urban and ruralcommunity infrastructure.Regional and Local CommunityInfrastructure ProgramThe Regional and Local Community InfrastructureProgram was part of a Federal Government$250 million economic stimulus package.Based on the criteria set by Federal Government,Baw Baw Shire was granted $1.069 Million for11 nominated projects spread around the Shiretowns. The projects were:• Resurfacing Willowgrove / Hill End Netballcourts• Two Towns Trail walking and cycling path• Dowton Park Drainage• Refurbishment of Warragul Drill Hall• Erica Gateway• Thorpdale Pioneer Park• Rawson Crater Lake• Drouin Shopping Centre Precinct Access• Eastern Park Drainage• Bellbird Park Pathways• Drouin Recreation Reserve Netball CourtsThe total amount must be expended bySeptember 2009. At the end of the 2008/09financial year, eight of the projects were designedand tendered. The other three projects were atthe design and planning stage.Drouin Swimming Pool RefurbishmentDuring 2008/2009 the Drouin outdoor swimmingpool was refurbished including upgrades to the50m pool, toddlers’ pool, water treatment plantand the amenities block.Solar heating was installed for both pools. Therefurbishments improved both the safety andappearance of the pool facilities.Improvements included:• new wet deck gratings• new concrete concourse• repainting and tiling of pools• improved landscaping• beach landing• ”drizzle drop” water play feature• sun shade sailsThe water treatment plant has been doubledin capacity with improved dosing systems andnew chlorine storage. Project cost $1,040,000excluding GST.Two Towns TrailThe $1.5 million, three metre wide concretetrail between Drouin and Warragul was officiallyopened by Victorian Premier, the Hon JohnBrumby on 15 June 2009. The trail provides asafe and efficient link between the two growingcommunities and provides a fun and healthyoption for travel.A small section of the trail at the Drouin end hasbeen finished with crushed rock and is expectedto be sealed later in 2009.Drouin Path of AchievementThe aim of the Drouin Path of Achievement wasto make the areas of Drouin Civic Park, DrouinPool and the Drouin Recreation Reserve safer,more accessible and liveable. The project seekscommunity participation through the creativeacknowledgement of local sport and recreationachievers along a lit, artistic pathway.The master plan design is complete. A total of496 people were nominated and will be honouredalong the pathway, representing 35 differentsports. A group of 18 local artists have beeninvolved in the project and have worked alongsidecommunity members.The pathway construction was completedincluding the laying of a serpent’s head mosaicart work. Solar and security lights were installed.Large scale community consultation wasundertaken including:• visits to a local koorie group• visits to local schools• visits to aged hostels• presentations to local service clubs, sportsgroups and a writers’ group• street surveys• road consultation with community and recreationreserve committeesThere have been 52 consultation opportunitiesinvolving 596 people.A giant metal shuttlecock has been completedand will be installed next financial year along witha mural project at the recreation reserve and ametal montage at the Drouin pool.Ellinbank Football & NetballSocial Facilities UpgradeThe social facilities have undergone an upgradeenabling greater usage and satisfaction with thefacilities. The redeveloped kitchen, canteen andservery area now meet current food handlingand health regulations providing a safer andhealthier environment to operate and use. A newentry to the facility has also been created. Someminor modifications to this entry will need to beundertaken in the next financial year.Eastern Park PavilionA new multipurpose pavilion at Eastern Park,Warragul was officially opened in November 2008by Matt Viney, Member for Eastern Victoria. Thepavilion caters for cricket and junior footballclubs. Project Cost $270,000.Willow Grove Tennis CourtsBaw Baw Shire funding along with State andFederal Government grants enabled a completeupgrade of four courts including resurfacing,extension of the courts, new fencing and linemarking etc to meet appropriate standards fornetball and tennis.Dowton Park, YarragonA complete upgrade of the existing two hardcourts at Yarragon has resulted in four newcourts – two dedicated to tennis and two multiusetennis/netball courts. This has enabled theYarragon Tennis Club to relocate to the sport hubat Dowton Park.Works on a new multi-purpose pavilion will becompleted in the 2009/2010 financial year.Recreation PlanningTrafalgar Recreation Precinct MasterplanThe Trafalgar Recreation Precinct Masterplanwas adopted by Council on 25 March 2009.Extensive consultation with key stakeholders wasundertaken over five years and the plan providesa clear direction for the provision of recreationfacilities and associated infrastructure for theTrafalgar recreation precinct for the next decade.Drouin Recreation PlanThe Master Plan for the Drouin townshipidentifies three key recreation sites that willservice sport and recreation requirements for thenext 20 years: Bellbird Park, Drouin RecreationReserve and Balmoral Park. A Master Planfor each of the above sites has been preparedidentifying the development required to meetthe sport and recreation needs of the Drouincommunity. The plan is yet to be adopted byCouncil.Warragul Outdoor Recreation PlanThe Warragul Outdoor Recreation Planprovides a policy position and clear directionfor the provision of outdoor recreation facilities(excluding swimming pools) for the Warragultownship to the year 2030. The plan focuses onsporting facilities and associated infrastructurelocated at Baxter Park, Brooker Park, BurkeStreet Park, Eastern Park, Logan Park andWestern Park reserves in Warragul.

Baw Baw Shire Council : Annual Report 2008/200954Western Park Pavilion WarragulAn upgrade to the Western Park Pavilion wascompleted in May 2009 and included disabilityaccess to the facility, separate toilet with babychange facilities, public toilets relocated to thefront of the pavilion for improved safety, provisionof male and female umpire change facilities,storage, first aid, trainer’s room, an office andgymnasium. Project Cost $119,000.Rawson Swimming PoolThe interior of Rawson Swimming Pool was fullyrepainted. Project cost $20,700.Neerim South Wetlands DesignCouncil has worked with the community onthe progression of the Neerim South wetlandsfrom a feasibility study to concept plan. Futureconstruction of the wetlands will enable irrigationof the Neerim South Recreation Reserve.Grants Gained for Recreation Facilities$000Grants for Recreation Facilities* ($000)$1,000$900$800$700$600$500$400$300$200$100$004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09*Excludes grants for footpaths and walking trails and funding for theTwin Town Trail received in 05/06 and 06/07Capital Works Expenditure $000Capital Works Expenditure ($000)$20,000Strategic Objective 2:Thriving EconomyTo encourage investmentand visitation55Major Building Improvement Projects• Warragul Library was re-carpeted duringDecember 2008. Project Cost: $42,000• Drouin RSL Clubrooms were re-carpetedduring December 2008. Project Cost $5,700.• A new kitchen was installed in the RonLucardie building at Geoff Watt Track toprovide improved food preparation facilitiesfor sporting clubs. Project Cost: $7,000.Council Property SalesTwo surplus parcels of land in Drouin, purchasedby the former shire of Buln Buln and developedinto 14 lots have been sold off over the last twoyears. In 2008 :• 10 lots in Longwarry Road, Drouin were soldfor $754,545• 1 Lot in Lardner Road, Drouin was sold for$70,000$10,000$004/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09The FutureDrouin Recreation Reserve PavilionA design and construction contract for the DrouinRecreation Reserve Pavilion was awarded in May2009. However work has not yet commenced onsite. The project will include a 500 m2 pavilionon the site of the old social club rooms and oldchange rooms. This pavilion will incorporatenew change rooms and amenities for footballand netball, separate canteens for football andnetball, gymnasium, offices, medical room andstorage.