CEO's Corner

March 2024

The highly anticipated draft Cape Jervis Harbour Precinct Master Plan, led by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), is now open for everyone’s consideration and feedback. This plan represents a pivotal moment for our community, offering a roadmap for the future development of the Cape Jervis Precinct.

Whilst its noted with some disappointment that the Plan lacks a funding strategy for ultimate delivery, your input is not only valued but essential in this process to help DIT understand the priorities. Whether you're a long-time resident with a deep connection to the harbour or a newcomer with fresh perspectives, DIT wants to hear from you. Your insights will help shape the direction of the precinct, ensuring it accommodates the diverse range of users with an improved user experience.

While this project is not managed by Council, we support and encourage your active participation. After all, this is about creating a harbour that reflects the desires and needs of the community. Whether you choose to participate in the online survey or attend one of the community information sessions at the Cape Jervis Community Club, your feedback matters. Read more about how to participate  here.

Here at Council, we will be advocating on our community's behalf and have already heard from many of you through stakeholder forums. We know how important a replacement jetty is to the residents and visitors of Cape Jervis and this sits as the highest priority for Council’s submission.

In other news, on Saturday, 9 March I had the privilege of attending the official ‘ribbon cutting’ opening of the Normanville Surf Life Saving Club and Café/ Kiosk building as part of the amazing Normanville Foreshore upgrade.  The precinct was full of activation and activity for the long weekend, helped by amazing weather and the Surf Lifesaving SA Masters State Championships.

The official opening was attended by Ms Rebekah Sharkie MP (Federal Member for Mayo), the Hon Nick Champion MP (Minister for Planning), the Hon Katrine Hildyard MP (Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) and the Hon Leon Bignell MP (Member for Mawson). We couldn’t have achieved the amazing upgrade for the precinct without their funding support and were delighted to have them all with us to celebrate.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

February 2024

Welcome to the first CEO's Corner for 2024. A new year brings an opportunity to reflect on our past achievements and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Over the last few years, our district has seen the successful completion of several significant projects. Outcomes such as the Normanville Foreshore redevelopment (including the Holiday Park and the Surf Lifesaving Club with Café/ Kiosk), the Yankalilla Library expansion, upgrades to Forktree Road and new facilities at Ingalalla Falls, have given us all something to be proud of and the enjoy as a community. While these projects required substantial investment, much of the funding came from external sources, making them incredibly valuable opportunities for our district.

The strategic and opportune investments made in these projects however require us now to make some adjustments to our financial strategy. With approximately $5 million of accumulated carry-forward projects from previous budget years and borrowing reaching its inevitable limit, we are now making adjustments to planned outcomes across the remainder of the financial year.  Making fiscally prudent decisions in the here and now ensures the community can benefit from the investment in new infrastructure in an ongoing sense. A key change that we have made is the necessary and conscious choice to pause new projects for the next five months allowing us to focus on highly visible and highly valuable services to our community. The switch away from projects to operational services ensures we operate within our means and create a long-term sustainable future.

Looking ahead, our priority will be to propose a 2024-25 Annual Business Plan and Budget that does not require additional borrowing. This means ensuring that income covers all expenditures and allocating resources to pay down existing loans responsibly. While some projects that were originally in the 2023-24 budget will need to be deferred until the 2024-25 budget, we remain committed to continuing to deliver the essential services that our community expects.

In this month’s Capital Projects Update, we provide more details to flesh out my statements above with further details on the achievements of the past seven months whilst outlining the strategic decisions regarding project deferrals (read more here). Despite the need to adjust our course, we're proud of the progress we've made in enhancing our community's infrastructure and amenities. We recognise the importance of engaging with you, our community members as we chart our course for the next 4-5 years. On that note, there will be considerable discussion around this updated approach during the update of Our DCY: Vision 2030 project and through the development of our next Annual Business Plan & Budget.  We look forward to having discussions with you on the development of these plans.

As we navigate these challenges and opportunities together, we remain committed to transparency, accountability and responsiveness in our decision-making processes. Your input and participation are invaluable as we strive to prioritise projects and initiatives that reflect your priorities and aspirations.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

December 2023

It is with immense pride and gratitude that I celebrate the successful completion of the Normanville Surf Lifesaving Club & Aqua Blue Café/Kiosk—a true jewel in the crown of the District Council of Yankalilla's transformative upgrade to the Normanville Foreshore precinct.

I extend my deepest appreciation to our Elected Members for their foresight, vision and steadfast dedication over the years, driving this project to its triumphant conclusion.  Their commitment has not only elevated our community's landscape but has also given rise to a hub that will stand as a testament to our collective vision for years to come.  This appreciation is extended to our former Elected Members who were part of the early planning for this upgrade.

To the community, I express heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support.  Whether you were an early adopter or a more recent supporter, your positivity and enthusiasm have been overwhelming. I am truly proud of each individual who played a role in making this vision a reality.

I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our esteemed project partners. Their dedication and hard work have not only created an amazing new reality but have delivered a vibrant community asset.

Special recognition goes to our funding partners for their unwavering support. Together, we have built more than a structure; we have created a space that will bring joy, safety and connection to our community for years to come.

Looking ahead, I envision the foreshore bustling with locals and visitors enjoying the spaces we've crafted.I am already a regular at the Aqua Blue Kiosk, so let's activate this space, support the tenants and make Normanville Foreshore a benchmark for others to envy.

Thank you for your continued support this year, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

November 2023

As we approach the anniversary of the current Elected Members taking office in November 2022, it's a fitting time to reflect on the past 12 months.

The year commenced with promising developments, notably the much-anticipated opening of the Library in January. Simultaneously, the partial upgrade of Normanville Foreshore occurred at a time where its use could be maximised. There was some great initial feedback and some areas to refine as the project moved to Stage 2.

As the months unfolded, we delved into sustainable initiatives, such as the community consultation regarding a site for a Community Garden in March. However, the period also brought to light some challenges, notably reports of negative interactions between community members and our frontline staff. I put out a call for kindness in an effort to underscore one of my beliefs that two-way respect is a key to fostering a supportive community atmosphere.

Responding to the community's desire to be heard, we reimagined the Annual Business Plan & Budget Consultation in May, transforming it into a more interactive and approachable forum for dialogue.

June marked a pivotal moment with the adoption of the 2023-24 Annual Business Plan & Budget. This comprehensive plan outlined our dedication to delivering essential services, maintaining infrastructure, getting the basics right and reducing debt.

Advocacy efforts continued in September, addressing issues such as the unexpected closure of the Cape Jervis Jetty. Engaging with the community and advocating for timely and accurate communication from the State, we navigated challenges to ensure the community's concerns were heard. We look forward to the Cape Jervis masterplan providing greater clarity for our community.

Looking forward, we are excited to see the completion of a significant milestone: the Normanville Surf Life Saving Club & Café / Kiosk. Finishing touches are occurring, lease agreements are being finalised, and plans are taking shape to ensure as many community members as possible can enjoy the achievement over summer.

Under my leadership, together with our dedicated group of Elected Members, the District Council of Yankalilla remains steadfast in its commitment to transparent, responsive and community-focused governance. Thank you for your ongoing support and we eagerly anticipate another year of collaboration and shared progress.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

October 2023

As we move into spring, we have cause to reflect and in doing so we realise that nearly a year has passed since the current body of Elected Members took office on 17 November 2022.  Time truly flies when you’re busy, and indeed, the Council has been busy!  As we navigate the complexities of local governance and the ever-evolving needs of our community, it is crucial that our Elected Members are equipped with the knowledge and skills to serve you effectively.  To ensure this, the Members have dedicated themselves to the mandatory training programs which are designed to strengthen their capabilities in four core areas:

1. Behavioural Training: The first pillar of their training focused on identifying attributes and developing skills that uphold the legislated behavioural standards, teamwork and principles of good governance.

2. Civic Knowledge: This training focused on developing a strong understanding of the Australian system of government and how our Council fulfills the objectives of the Local Government Act 1999 to deliver reputable community outcomes.  This helps to connect the roles with how Members can shape the future of the district.

3. Legal Responsibilities: Understanding the legal responsibilities of a Council Member is vital to ensuring that our governance adheres to the highest standards, and aligns with community expectations.  Our Members have dedicated themselves to acquiring the knowledge and skills in this area.

4. Strategy & Finance: In today's world, responsible management of public funds and the ability to develop integrated strategic and annual business plans are essential for effective governance.  Our Members have committed to enhancing their expertise in these areas to ensure our community's resources are managed wisely.

As CEO, I commend the dedication of the Elected Members and their commitment to upholding these vital standards across their first year in office as a new team.  The completion of the training highlights their genuine desire to serve you, our community, to the best of their abilities.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

September 2023

Much of my focus this month has been on responding to the unexpected closure of the Cape Jervis Jetty.  The Elected Members and I have been advocating for better communications, more timely and accurate information, and a better future for Jetty users.

In July, Council met with senior staff at the Department of Transport (DIT) and were informed that no short-term closure plans were in place for the Cape Jervis Jetty.  However only a matter of weeks later, a “Jetty Closed” sign was installed, catching us by surprise.  In early August, senior officers from DIT apologised for the miscommunication, highlighting that the project team involved in progressing the upgraded Sealink Terminal area (KI Ports Project) had proceeded earlier than expected with the closure as part of assessing the future options for the Jetty and greater wharf precinct.  Either way, Council was in the dark, so I have spent some time with various DIT representatives establishing, re-establishing or improving the relationships and we have seen some positive steps from DIT in recent weeks.

While I recognise that Kangaroo Island and the Sealink Ferry operations are of high importance to the State’s economy, the locals and broader users of the Cape Jervis wharf, jetty and boat ramp area deserved better consideration and consultation.

I, together with key members of my team have been actively engaging in conversations with key senior staff at DIT, as well as with some local business operators connected with Recreational Fishers SA.  We've also reached out to our local member, The Hon. Leon Bignell MP, and have scheduled further meetings with senior representatives of DIT in the coming weeks.

The Cape Jervis Jetty is undeniably a critical piece of infrastructure, and we are committed to ensuring its continued presence in some form, as desired by both the community and the Council.

While the DIT engagement team recently conducted community information sessions in Cape Jervis, there's still an opportunity for you to ask questions and gather more information.  I encourage you to visit dit.sa.gov.au/kangarooisland or email DIT.KangarooIsland@sa.gov.au. This consultation is a vital opportunity for our Council and the community to engage in discussions about the future we want for the Cape Jervis waterside precinct.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

August 2023

The progress of the Normanville Surf Life Saving Club and Café/Kiosk project has been an absolute highlight this month, radiating an electrifying sense of excitement throughout our District. As the construction progresses, the anticipation for this project has been palpable and I must say, it is an extraordinary experience to witness a vision that has been nurtured over many years finally taking shape under the stewardship of our current project team.

The Normanville SLSC members are buzzing with enthusiasm and I am thrilled to see that the majority of my interactions confirm that the broader community shares this sentiment. There is no doubt in my mind that the Normanville Foreshore will become THE Destination (yes, with a capital D!) to be for future summers.

After years of concept planning, discussions, consultation, refinement and process, I am delighted to announce that we have reached a significant milestone – the selection of a tenant for the Café and Kiosk.

At a Special Meeting of Council (held early in August) Council considered the top two recommendations put forth by the Council-endorsed Recommendation Panel and its commercial real estate agents, Savills. The exceptional credentials, robust financial position, community-oriented approach and reliable risk management strategies of both candidates made them strong contenders for this venture. After high-quality presentations, questioning and careful deliberations, Council has made a decision and we are excited to initiate further discussions with Kenton Day for the commercial lease of the Café and Kiosk spaces.

Moreover, we will also be progressing negotiations with our project partner, the Normanville SLSC over an agreement for their spaces within the building. I would like to recognise the Club’s investment into a building, made in good faith and ahead of any formal lease agreement. This act is a testament to the commitment of a community Club that profoundly and positively impacts our community by ensuring beachgoer safety and by offering invaluable life-saving services.

As tenancy negotiations continue and the building takes its final form, I eagerly await the day when we can warmly welcome both locals and visitors from far and wide to this exciting and iconic gathering point. It will undoubtedly be a space that fosters togetherness, relaxation, and memories to cherish for years to come.

For those interested in detailed information on the tenancy process, I encourage you to visit our website here, where you can find all the latest including multiple comprehensive reports.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

July 2023

I am pleased to announce the adoption of the 2023-24 Annual Business Plan & Budget, along with the Long-Term Financial Plan 2023-33 which occurred at a Special Council Meeting held on Tuesday 27 June 2023. This comprehensive plan outlines what we intend to deliver to our community this financial year and how it will be funded. Our primary focus for this year involves providing key services that our community expects, while also dedicating efforts to maintain and upgrade our existing infrastructure and reduce debt. I am delighted to have completed this planning process and have commenced the implementation planning with our dedicated staff. The adopted 2023-24 Annual Business Plan & Budget can be accessed on our website.

Currently, Council is actively engaged in the expressions of interest process for the Normanville Surf Life Saving Club Café and Kiosk tenancies, with the assistance and expertise of Savills Real Estate. We have been inviting proposals from interested parties to be considered for the Café and Kiosk tenancies and I am pleased to report that we have received an excellent response, resulting in four formal submissions. As we move forward, the next step in the process will involve the Recommendation Panel (established by Council) evaluating these submissions and subsequently presenting their recommendations to Council. I look forward to providing the community with more updates as they occur and am personally excited to be a customer of whichever business owners are successful in securing the tenancies as all of the proposed menus sound delicious.

Another significant decision coming up is the review and adoption of a future management model for the recently upgraded Big4 Normanville Jetty Holiday Park. To assist us in this endeavour, we have enlisted the expertise of Innoviv Park Services who are conducting a thorough assessment of various management options for the park. Their comprehensive analysis will enable them to provide well-informed recommendations on the most suitable model or models for the Big4 Normanville Jetty Holiday Park to ensure that maximum community benefit is realised following the investment into this Council asset. These recommendations will be discussed in detail at an Elected Member forum in August.

I am genuinely excited about the progress of these key initiatives  and I remain committed to keeping you updated along the way.

June 2023

Over the last 6 weeks or so, I had the opportunity to engage with our community through the recent community engagement activities which we undertook to test and help shape the next Annual Business Plan & Budget. I was delighted to spend time and engage in some in-depth conversations with passionate members of our community. Our team designed the consultation process to allow for meaningful discussions and it appeared to be well-received.

During the Public Meeting as part of the engagement process, I emphasised the importance of two-way conversations and those in attendance really engaged in the discussions and workshops. The clear level of community support for a 'back to basics' approach, following several years of intense capital project delivery, while continuing to deliver the loved services and programs throughout the District, was particularly encouraging.

In Local Government consultations, it's usually easy to gauge when we've missed the mark, as the community will let us know (usually in numbers!). However, during this consultation phase, we didn't experience that and I commend the submissions we received as they were thoughtful and well considered. These sentiments will influence our discussions with Elected Members as we work towards the adoption of the Plan and Budget by the end of June.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

May 2023

Since I commenced as CEO, I have heard a clear message from our community expressing a desire to be truly heard.  Quite rightly, our community has expressed a strong desire to participate in decision-making processes that impact their daily lives. As a Council, our team have taken this feedback on board and have worked hard to reimagine the traditional approach to our Annual Business Plan & Budget Consultation for the 2023-24 Financial Year, which is ‘live’ now.

We have made it less formal, more interactive and have made our key people available to discuss the community's expectations, priorities and desires. Our informal Q&A Drop-in Conversations have provided an excellent opportunity for one-on-one conversations with our Executive Leadership Team and some Elected Members. These conversations have allowed us to listen, to answer questions and to provide clarity to members of the community.

We believe that it is essential to engage with our community to shape the final version of the plan and are excited about using the community feedback to guide us in creating a plan that reflects their priorities and expectations.

We continue to encourage all members of our community to participate in the consultation process, which is open until 23 May 2023. We value your input and encourage you to visit YourSay Yankalilla to provide your feedback. Your feedback will help us to create a plan that reflects the values and priorities of our community.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

April 2023

Topics that are required to be dealt confidentially by Council are those that frequently create concern or questions amongst the community.  With that in mind I thought I would use this month’s CEO Corner to explain when we are required to keep things confidential and how we have adopted an approach to release confidential information at the earliest opportunity.

Legislation requires Council to conduct Council meetings in a place open to the public. Beyond it being a requirement, this openness is a fundamental tenet of our democratic system and I welcome and encourage community attendance at these meetings.  However, there will be special circumstances where Section 90(2) of the Local Government Act 1999 directs Council to ‘receive, discuss or consider’ information and matters in confidence.

The Local Government Act 1999 lists the kind of information or matters that this will apply to but some examples include; when Council discusses award recipients before the awards have been announced (such as our Citizen of the Year Awards) or when Council discusses commercial information of a confidential nature where the information could prejudice the commercial interests of the person who supplied the information, or confer a commercial advantage to a third party (such as when tender submissions and pricing are being reviewed).

Since I began at the District Council of Yankalilla, I have worked with an attitude to apply confidentiality only when absolutely necessary but most importantly, I have encouraged our staff to recommend the release of confidential orders at the earliest opportunity.

I recognise that the release of information from confidential discussions, helps the community and any interested party to complete the picture and have a greater understanding of the decisions made, and their context.  I want to be able to provide this clarity.

For more information, you can view Council’s Confidential Items Register by visiting https://www.yankalilla.sa.gov.au/council/documents-and-meetings/confidential-items-register

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

March 2023

CEO’s Corner I’ve been reflecting on my experience and interactions with the community, as well as the developing relationships across the region, since taking on this role at DC Yankalilla in the middle of 2022. I’d like to begin by thanking the community and our incredible team of staff for their warm welcome, interest, and passion for the area. What became abundantly clear to me early on is that we are fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate workforce that goes above and beyond to deliver great outcomes to the community.

However, in recent times, I’ve received reports that some of our frontline and outdoor staff have had an increasing number of negative (and occasionally hostile) interactions with members of our community. While I understand that members of the public may become frustrated with Council at times, this type of behaviour is unacceptable, and our employees deserve to feel safe at work.

With National “Be Kind” Day in early March, I was reminded of advertisements from the hospitality and retail sectors promoting the fact that workers are people with families, lives, and various challenges of their own, and this gentle reminder should go to us all. People working in a role are frequently not responsible for the issue, which is causing frustration, so we need to be able to step back and understand the impact of these interactions.

With this in mind, and in recognition of the fact that we welcome feedback and input, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to contact Council via our official email address, council@yankalilla.sa.gov.au. Please provide as much information as possible, and our Customer Experience Team will forward your enquiry to the most appropriate department in search of a resolution or an update. It would also be helpful if you could provide a mobile phone number, as this will allow us to send you a job number, allowing you to follow up on your request if necessary. If you have an urgent concern, please contact one of our friendly Customer Experience Team Members at 8558 0200. We are here to assist you in any way that we can.

If you happen to see our work crews out and about, delivering programs and services for the community, please stop and say ‘hi.’ We appreciate your support.

In the coming month, we are excited to begin the Annual Business Plan and Budget process with the Elected Members as this process will involve multiple opportunities for community engagement, and we look forward to your feedback to help shape the direction and expenditure ahead of June 2023.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

February 2023

As we begin a new year, Council have committed to prioritise listening, reflecting, and responding to the needs of our community. To that end, we are dedicated to enhancing our communication efforts and are in the process of crafting a comprehensive Communications Strategy.

One issue that I would like to address is a concern that has arisen among members of our community regarding increased vehicle traffic on Normanville Beach during the summer holiday period. While access to the beach is limited to those launching or retrieving boats, it has come to our attention that some individuals are disregarding these rules.

Our Compliance and Customer Service teams have faced significant challenges in managing concerns about illegal beach access, as well as responding to complaints from individuals who have received fines. Despite the difficulties they face, our teams have remained professional and consistent in their interactions with the community.

Moving forward, Council is exploring ways to improve education and communication around vehicle access to Normanville Beach. We are also evaluating alternative methods to regulate this access in the future. We look forward to engaging with community stakeholders as part of this process.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended one of Council’s events in the last month. The Library Opening and Australia Day Celebrations gave me the chance to meet and connect with members of the community. The warm reception I received has been a highlight since I joined the Council last July.

Nathan Cunningham

Chief Executive Officer

December 2022

I would like to thank the Council staff for their dedication, their positivity and their patience in 2022. This year has seen many changes throughout Council; from temporary relocations (some longer than others) to significant staffing changes. This has all occurred during the delivery of an intense project delivery phase where some of the biggest projects in the Council’s history have moved forward under the watchful eyes of our engaged community. The pride and enthusiasm with which the staff complete their work is a huge asset to the District and this has been a highlight for me since commencing with Council mid-year.

Thank you also to our community for the way they have embraced me and my approach to the community, as well as the business of Council. It is obvious to me that the District Council of Yankalilla is made up of people who love where they live and why wouldn’t you love it here?! The community passion drives us to continue to do better and to strive to deliver the absolute best outcomes for the District. The Council staff certainly appreciate your support and we look forward to continuing to collaborate and deliver with you in 2023.

Finally, a big thank you to all volunteers who gave their valuable time during 2022 to serve their community. Volunteers are the backbone of small communities and your dedication continues to improve the lives of those who reside in our community.

I am excited to see all that 2023 will bring – some great programs and services across all aspects of the District and we are excited to welcome customers, guests and anyone to the opening of the new Library, to the redeveloped Big4 Normanville Jetty Holiday Park and to the new Surf Life Saving Club and Café/Kiosk building as it takes shape across the year.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

CEO Nathan Cunningham

November 2022

I wish to extend my congratulations to our recently elected Councillors who were successful in the Local Government Elections. I look forward to working with you for the full term ahead.

Last week, our team at Council held an Elected Members Induction Day. Members were guided through their roles and responsibilities as Elected Members, given an insight into the world of Local Government and provided an overview of the organisation and the various functions of the District Council of Yankalilla. Elected Members were also given an opportunity to share their aspirations for the next four years as Councillors. A common thread over the day was communication and a desire to see us continually work on this. Communication comes in various forms and an early observation of mine as CEO is that we can absolutely improve the quality and consistency of communications from Council to its ratepayers, residents and visitors. I stand firm on the belief that we need to have a constant awareness of the community we serve and we are sharpening our focus on improvements to our communication methods and standards.

Building from this, I would like to address some concerns that we know are circulating within the community.

Last month I met with the Normanville Sailing Club to listen to their concerns regarding the potential relocation of their Club Shed. A key outcome was that I pledged to pause any relocation until such time as options could be considered in collaboration with the Club, together with our Elected Members.  With the elections now concluded, we can schedule some discussions to understand the need for change (if any), options and costs before a decision will be made by the Elected Members. I really enjoyed meeting with the Club and I look forward to working towards an outcome that satisfies the needs of all relevant parties as best it can.

There have also been concerns in the community regarding the ownership of the Normanville Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) and Café/ Kiosk Building. I would like to reassure all readers that the building now under construction will be a Council owned asset. After a unanimous resolution passed by Elected Members in July 2022, Council signed a Development Agreement with Surf Life Saving SA and the Normanville SLSC. This Agreement allowed Council to assign construction rights to the Normanville SLSC while retaining ownership and great influence over the development outcomes at the site.

The agreement also allows the Normanville SLSC to be a party to the construction contract signed by Partek Constructions. Whilst not a party to the construction contract, Council will continue to be a collaborative partner during the building process and will receive the building at handover in late 2023.

Upon completion of construction there will be space available for three tenants; the Normanville SLSC and two other tenants in the form of a Café and Kiosk (with the option to have one tenant operate both the Café and Kiosk). Council will soon be undertaking an ‘approach to market’ process to understand the interest and likely income for Café and Kiosk tenancies.

In the meantime, we are retaining a focus on ensuring great user experiences for all visitors to the foreshore precinct during summer, whilst recognising some impact associated with the construction site.  We are currently seeking Expressions of Interest from vendors who can offer services such as food trucks, pop-up food stalls, ice-cream vans and coffee vans.

CEO Nathan Cunningham