Ask the CEO (Nigel Morris)

February 2022

Q1: Can you please tell me why no trees have been planted on the roadside kerb on Main Street from the council offices towards the council depot? This area is very neglected, the weeds only get sprayed when I ask them too. The footpath only gets mended when I ring up to complain. The trees overhanging the footpath (where there are footpaths) only get trimmed if they are inferring with powerlines. The streets only get swept when there are tourists expected. - Karen

Response: We are gradually greening our streets, there are many communities across the district which want improvements to their towns. Our Operations staff have requested a budget for streetscape investigations for the 22/23 budget, should this be approved by the Elected Body, we would be happy to review the Yankalilla Main Street area as part of those investigations.

The area on and around Main Street Yankalilla is sprayed by our Parks and Gardens team on a quarterly basis (Twice leading into spring), but they also whipper snip, hand remove & or spot spray as they determine is required.

The footpath is only attended to on an ad-hoc basis, however, we have patched multiple sites as a result of staff identification, normally resulting from one or more of the other actions we need to attend to in the area as well as a result from customer requests. Please continue to report any hazards to us.

The trees on and around Main Street Yankalilla are trimmed as required to meet clearance standards set out in the Road Safety Act. Powerline tree trimming is completed by SA Power networks contractors. There are also multiple hedges and bushes along this stretch of footpath network which are trimmed back to allow reasonable and accessible pathways for our customers. This is completed twice yearly. Again, if there are any hazards please report them to us.

The streets on and around Main Street Yankalilla are swept on a quarterly schedule, completed by a contractor. While we do complete a sweep in peak season to present the town in a neat condition to benefits local traders and residents, the streets are swept quarterly.

Q2: There are too many staff in the council to pay each week and the wages are too high for those at the top! My personal opinion is that Nobody should be working at the council if they don’t live in the district council of Yankalilla. - Karen

Response: At our last review Council had 70 individual employees (some part time), 67 live on the Fleurieu Peninsula and 3 live outside the Fleurieu. We try to hire local where possible, our last three hires have been from within the Council area.

Interestingly, I have known of locals that have worked at other Council areas.

I have previously been asked why I don’t live locally? I was appointed by the Elected Members after an extensive campaign, and although the other candidates were kept in confidence, I have been told no locals made the final interview process.  The Elected Members chose the person that they felt could best serve the community.

Although due to dual family circumstances I am unable to live in the District, I have a policy of buying local where possible, attending every community group meeting I’m invited to, am the last to leave every function, come down on weekends and without living in a specific location or belonging to any clubs within the District is never accused of a bias. It is the role of the Chief Executive to present reports to the Elected Body for consideration to make the major decisions. All the Elected Members are local.

I have often wondered if I lived in the District if this would lead to other perceptions, for example, if I lived at Cape Jervis and weeding was done near my place would I received feedback that weeding was only done because it was near my house.

December 2021

Q1: What are you doing for Christmas?

Response:  I'm taking a nice break from 25th December to 7th January 2022. I'm looking forward to spending time with family, catching up with friends and doing a little bit of gardening.

November 2021

Q1: Who owns the Wirrina Reservoir? I have been at several community events lately and there seems to be a lot of conjecture around the ownership of the Wirrina Reservoir….some people saying SA Water, others saying the DCY. It was my understanding that at the time of the transfer to SA Water of Wirrina water and sewer on 1/7/19 that ownership of the lake would stay with the Council.  An FAQ document by SA Water at the time clearly states DCY would own and maintain the reservoir and I am sure DCY put out something to the same effect. - Sally

Response: I can confirm that the Wirrina Reservoir is still owned by District Council of Yankalilla and SA Water have permission to draw water from it. The parcel of land is referenced in our Community Land Management Plan that can be found on our website here: https://www.yankalilla.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0035/446669/Yankalilla-Council-Final-Community-Land-Management-Plan.pdf

October 2021

Q1: We would like to know when council is going to address the shockingly dangerous road deterioration of Range Rd to Victor Harbor via Delamere? – Gabby

Response: Our works department is aware of the deterioration and in August last year fixed a section of the road which is now failing again. There is a lot of groundwater in that area causing issues under the road surface which causes the bitumen to fail. There is no quick or cheap solution to fix this ongoing problem.

In the short term there will be some remedial work and to address the issue in the long term a business case will be put forward for serious capital works during our Annual Business Plan and Budget process for our Elected Members to consider.

Q2: Are Council volunteers allowed to criticize Council? – Various

Response: Council is legislated under the Volunteer Protection Act 2001. As part of the Council’s Volunteer Policy, volunteers have the responsibility to demonstrate appropriate behaviour.  We expect the same behaviours from our staff.  Both Staff and Volunteers wear the Council logo and drive cars that carry the Council logo, these are people that represent the Council that I am proud of and I expect them to display appropriate behaviours.

I also feel that the Community coming into contact with staff and volunteers also expect these behaviours. We set these behaviours in our Volunteer Policy to ensure our high level of standards are maintained.

Q3: Is the Bus Shelter by the Normanville Village Green still on loan or has the Council purchased it? - Bill

Response: The current seat pictured below is still on loan, Council currently has no intention of purchasing this seat.

Based on feedback that the above seat did not provide adequate shelter from the weather, in the adoption of the 2021/22 Annual Business Plan and Budget, Council allocated $16,000 for a new Bus Shelter. This infrastructure will be installed very soon and will be located more towards where the front doors of the arriving bus is located.  This will allow the current seat to remain in the current position, be moved or be returned to the owner.

Q4: Why is it not possible to rebuild the Surf Club on its own and leave the existing Kiosk/Café - Various

Response: The current Surf Club is currently in the Heritage Dunes, the rebuilding of the Surf Club in the existing location will require it to be moved to the left (looking at the ocean) to get out of the dunes.  By moving it to the left can only be achieved by rebuilding the Kiosk/Café at the same time.

The following plan illustrates the proposed downstairs plan in black compared to the current building footprints of the Kiosk and Surf Club in red with added yellow highlight.

The plan also illustrates in diagonal yellow at the top of the 2070 coastal erosion setback line.

The plan shows the proposed Surf Club (in green) moving out of the old footprint in the heritage dune, but in moving, moving into the current footprint of the Kiosk.

The plan shows just the proposed Surf Club garage being the only component of the Surf Club fitting to the current footprint of the Surf Club (once moved out of the dunes).

The combined building is unable to move closer to the ocean as it will approach the 2070 coastal erosion setback line.  You can also see moving further back will go into the steep sand build up behind.

I hope this helps show why the proposed plan has been designed as two story and a combined rebuild.

You may also recall that the option to keep the existing Kiosk/Café was explored early in the process (pictured below) but this involved the Surf Club moving into the carpark to ensure the rebuild could occur out of the heritage dunes.  This option received considerable feedback and this decision was later reversed and ultimately Council resolved to perform a combined rebuild of the Surf Club and Kiosk/Café in the existing location but out of the heritage dunes.

Q5: Can I have a copy of the presentation provided to Elected Members comparing the sizes of the Kiosk/Café now vs. proposed? - Various

The presentation is without commentary can be downloaded here. Elected Members also resolved to attach the presentation to the October 2021 Council minutes.

September 2021

Q1: When was the leaseholder of the Normanville Kiosk & Café provided with the proposed building plans of the Surf Club & Kiosk/Cafe for consideration?  I read on their Facebook page that they had only been given 4 days to assess the proposed build to last the next 50 years? - Liz

Response: The plans were provided to the leaseholder over a month before the Council meeting.  I personally met with the current leaseholder and his Manager the morning 17 August 2021 at his office to present the plans to ensure that feedback could be provided on the plans prior to Elected Members being presented at the 7 September 2021 Elected Member Forum.  Later on, that same day (17^th August) the plans were distributed to the leaseholder electronically so that he could share with his organisation and on 30August 2021 the plans were again sent with a breakdown of the square metres per area.  In discussions with the leaseholder he has said that the 4 days referred to the Community and not his organisation.

Q2: Was the Normanville Kiosk & Café Leaseholder provided an opportunity to present his feedback on the proposed plans to Elected Members? - Liz

Yes. The leaseholder was provided the plans 17^th August and was provided an opportunity to present feedback at the 7 September Elected Member Forum, prior to the plans being finalised for the 21 September Council meeting. The leaseholder withdrew from presenting at the 7 September Elected Member Forum and instead decided to present at the 21 September Council meeting.

Q3: Directly behind properties number <numbers removed> on Cheeseman Street Normanville, there is a parcel of land privately owned. The land looks like it had in recent years been planted out to Olives. Albeit feral. As these trees pose a very significant fire risk and I have asked on at least two occasions to have them removed. Could you please let me know if Council considers these feral trees a fire hazard?  Have any plans to have them removed by either the owner, council or volunteer organisation? Is there a further plan to beautify the Bungala from the Willis Street Bridge downstream to the caravan park? - Clive

Response: There are many factors when it comes to assessing fire hazards, some of these factors include undergrowth, topography, accessibility, fuel load levels, species, existing fire management practices, (asset protection zones) 5 meter fire break, elevated fuels. It is difficult to say whether an individual species pose a greater hazard than other species as it depends on the environment outlined above. In the same way we wouldn’t deem all patches of vegetation native, feral or a combination to be a fire hazard. Councils Fire Prevention Officer will be undertaking inspections of properties to identify areas of overgrown vegetation or high fuel loads within the district and undertaking appropriate action to minimise the chance, effect and risk where necessary.  I have asked them to report back to me on the property that you have identified.

Council and other organisations such as the Hills and Fleurieu landscape board are always willing to work with land owners and provide advice on land management practices. The land referred to in the question is private land, and at this stage the Council is not aware of any plan that the land owner may have in regard to works being undertaken.

Council has been implementing the Bungala Estuary Action Plan and over the last 10 years has been doing revegetation work, weeding and rabbit control along the Bungala River in the Caravan Park and Bungala Park. The Bungala Estuary Action Plan does not cover the privately-owned land between the Williss Drive Bridge and the Caravan Park. Council is not aware of any plans that the private land owner may have for this area.

August 2021

Q1: I though the average increase to rates was 2.25% why has my rates gone up a lot more than this amount?

Response: On average across all our 5,500 plus rateable properties the average increase to existing ratepayers was 2.25%.

As with all averages, there will be some above the overall average and some below the overall average.  It is rare to be exactly at the average amount. For example, I grew up watching Allan Border captain the Australian Cricket Team.  Allan’s batting average was 50.56 over his 265 innings. During his career, he got out for a duck 11 times (well below his average) and his highest score was 205 (well above his average).

Councils use property valuations to calculate each property’s contribution to the required rate revenue total.  This is explained in the Rates factsheet.

The fact that you have gone up a lot more than the average ensures that the return to the average 2.25% means that many properties have had their rates go down.  In looking at our data there were 1153 properties that out of 5700 that had a rates increase above 2.25% and 4547 properties received less than a 2.25% increase.  Surprisingly there were no properties that received an exact increase of 2.25%, but that is how averages sometimes work.

One of the reasons for this vast difference in calculations is because the State Government have performed a revaluation initiative across South Australia.  This initiative is explained in a video here.

With the State Government process (independent of Council) many properties received significant valuation increases, this may have been to correct a wrong valuation or simply because the value of the property has risen.  If you believe that the valuation that the State Government has set for your property is incorrect you can provide a written objection to the Office of the Valuer-General.  If they lower your valuation we will adjust your rates accordingly.  This is explained in the Revaluation Initiative Fact Sheet & FAQ Fact Sheet which illustrates that to achieve an overall average increase some properties will go up and some will go down or stay the same.

This year Council has noted that many primary producers have had significant valuation increases set by the State Government giving them greater than average rates increases.  In other years we have witnessed certain townships get their share of greater than average increases and primary producers go down.

Our data has shown that the 951 primary producers valuations rose by on average 14% while the 3761 residential valuations only rose by an average of 4%.  By lowering the rate in the dollar less than last year ensures that on average across the whole district existing ratepayers rose on average by 2.25%.

July 2021

Q1: Given that James Track has been judged “unfit for purpose”, takes significant through traffic and the current surface includes dangerous wet clay in winter and creates dust clouds throughout summer, what plans does council have to seal to the road and bring it up to standard? - David

Response: There has been no judgement by Council or received by Council that James Track is unfit for purpose. Our Depot team completed a re-sheet of over 1.7km of the clay sections in the financial year just completed.

Unsealed roads are a legitimate and recognised form of road construction, however given their nature road surface conditions can change through the year especially during extremely wet or hot periods.

Council maintains its unsealed roads to adopted service levels in accordance with the Council’s Transport Asset Management Plan, which can be found on our Website. James Track is identified under Council’s rural road hierarchy as; Sheeted Class B1 (North of Springmount Road) and Sheeted Class B2 (South of Springmount Road), being a high class of unsealed road.

Council at their April 2019 meeting adopted a Rural Road Sealing Program including a methodology for prioritising the sealing of unsealed Rural Roads with James Track identified on this program. As Council still maintain a number of unsealed township roads and given the large cost associated with the sealing of unsealed rural roads there has been no timeframe applied to the Rural Road Sealing Program at this time. A full Copy of this report can be found on Councils Website in the April 2019 Council agenda.

Q2: Do District Council of Yankalilla (DCY) executives, staff and elected-members receive or are eligible for concessional/subsidized or waived rates for rental of any existing site-accommodation in the Normanville Jetty Caravan Park, both currently and expectantly with the addition of new cabins? - Stephen

Response: No, we do not offer or provide any Staff or Elected Members a discount. The only discounts Jetty Caravan Park have available to visitors upon request are 5% for senior card holders, RAA Membership holders and a 10% Managers discretion discount.

The discount offered by the “Managers discretion” is granted for group bookings, 5% for more than 10 bookings and 10% for 15+ bookings.

No discount is offered for one night stays or during peak tariff.

I trust this clarifies your enquiry.

June 2021

Q1: The District Council 2020/21 budget had listed $43,200 for the upgrade of Willson, Martin and Jervois Road. How was this spent? 

Apart from the forest of signs planted along Jervois Rd the previous financial year I cannot see any further 'upgrading' of these roads. The limited drainage work done along Martin Rd has not resulted in any improvement. In fact more erosion has occurred as a result. Something needs to be done at the corner of Martin Rd and Aldridge Rd and at the sharp 90° corner further along to eliminate the corrugations, reduce dust and the risk of accidents.

How will the $17,300 allocated in the next budget address this issue effectively? Will the result from the residents' previous surveys be taken into account? - Bev and Mike

Response: Yes, previous correspondence is taken into account when we provide the decision-makers, the Elected Members, with updates.

The Council (Elected Members) agreed to the preparation of concept designs and estimates as part of the 2020/21 Annual Business Plan. Subject to the findings of the concept design process and initial cost estimates, Council administration will now undertake the detailed designs.

The $17.3k in the 2021/22 budget is set aside for those detailed designs for construction of drainage, road sealing, and native vegetation assessment and lodgement for the following intersections:

• Willson/Martin Rd
• Willson/Jervois Rd
• Smith Hill Rd/Jervois Rd

Q2: why are you ignoring ratepayers concerns regarding the huge debt we the ratepayers will be responsible for?..to pay for the foreshore master plan. Do we have to demonstrate at the chamber's and invite the media in order for the council to react to overwhelming opposition to councils stupidity. – Martin

Response: Council has not been ignoring ratepayers concerns but needs to balance the needs of the community now and into the future. It is my role and the role of the Administration to present information to the Elected Members to make the decisions for the future of the Community.

When presenting the information on the Foreshore to Council not only do we detail the debt but we provide the other factors for the foreshore including the expected income, the job creations, the economic benefits for businesses, the mobility access improvements called for, the pedestrian vs vehicle safety aspects, the ageing infrastructure, the requirements of the Normanville Surf Lifesaving Club, the Strategic Plan and other feedback received.

Council need to listen and consider all these factors and not just focus on debt in isolation and perform a balancing act with all of the feedback received.

It has previously been reported that the Foreshore Masterplan will put Council into debt by over $11.5M. This is not the case for clarity, the amount while still, a considerable amount required from Council is up to $4,861,100, the whole project may be over $11.5M but the shortfall is made up with committed external funding received. Many of the Foreshore components are also income-producing assets.

The proposed funding for the draft Normanville Foreshore & Jetty Caravan Park Masterplan is as follows:

* Up to $1,600,000

The income-producing components of the Normanville Foreshore Masterplan include the Kiosk/Cafe (Currently $39,529.56 for Café and $7,200 for Container) and 23 new Cabins with an amount to be negotiated with the Surf Club.

We continue to report feedback from the community to the Elected Members for their consideration.

May 2021

Q1: Why wont the Council upgrade the Normanville Tennis Courts given the club has twice been nominated for Most Outstanding Rural Club? They don't need redevelopment but upgrading. The clubroom can be retained without any concern. Have this separate from the overall development, we can’t wait and it is a lost opportunity for our young residents.

I ask this because Victor Harbor has upgraded, Port Elliot, Goolwa, Back Valley and Victor Harbor courts, and when they play on ours we are very embarrassed at the condition, especially in the wet where they are very slippery and drains don’t flow the water away.

There is also shrubbery and overgrowth through the fence at the beach end that appears to be of mixed responsibility. These are damaging the fence and are a hazard when walking past or playing on the run. The leaves cause slipperiness.

When Yankalilla upgraded their courts (when they had no teams at all, and still don’t), they reduced the court numbers by 1. This means using those courts (as we have so many juniors and teams we need to use more than just Normanville) the start times have to be different to ensure teams can play and finish. They have to share one court between the 2 teams. The use of the netball courts does impair the use with the lines being very busy for tennis. They are not a sufficient or suitable substitute to investing in Normanville.

A botched job of patching was undertaken about 10 years ago. The courts are well utilised with Normanville having more juniors that any of the clubs we play against. More than 6 teams (including the seniors team) making finals this year and Div 1 being Premiers. There is also a weekly Seniors group that play all year on a Thursday morning and a Seniors summer team to progress to when too old for juniors and for local Seniors to play for.

If there were lights and all surface courts they would be utilised all year round and serve well for the use of visitors to the Caravan Park and the area. We could have greater coaching, tournaments and junior development clinics.

Please reassess and include the courts in their current position but in a safe and proud condition.

In good faith - Wendy

Response: The tennis courts at Normanville had minor maintenance to the cracking approximately 2 years ago and the courts have been assess as nearing their end of life within 5 years.

At this stage we plan is to reassess the courts in 3 years’ time upon advise from the Recreational Surfaces who conducted the assessment 2 years ago.

Council has a Licence Agreement to Occupy with the Normanville Tennis Club which is due to be renegotiated. The existing agreement sets out that structural maintenance is the responsibility of Council and general and ground maintenance is the responsibility of the Normanville Tennis Club, meaning the club is responsible for the surrounding grounds and bushes that a creating an issue to your playing surface.

I am unable to provide comment on the work done to the Yankalilla Netball Courts as this is not a Council asset.

As you are aware we are in the process of finalising the Normanville Foreshore & Jetty Caravan Park Masterplan which is likely to be presented to the June Meeting of Council. Until the Masterplan is endorsed we will not invest money into the courts as there is the possibility they may be reconfigured.

At this time Council does not have a budget allocated to improve the courts but after the Masterplan is finalised I encourage the Normanville Tennis Club to put a business case to Council and work with us to seek external funding to resurface the courts and other improvements such as lighting.

Q2: With the sealing of Forktree Rd for the last 2 km at the Main South Rd end what study or consideration has been given to issues created by trucks travelling to and from Kangaroo Island rerouting through Carrickalinga along the entire stretch of Forktree Rd as opposed to the current route on Main South Rd through Yankallila? - Paul

Response: Council has completed a Road Safety Audit of the final section Forktree Road heading into Carraickalinga to assess any issues, which has resulted in changes to signage along the route.

Our Senior Engineer has advised that Forktree Road isn’t conducive for truck drivers due to the gradients along the road and that the route through to Normanville is longer than taking Main South Road. Main South Road is also a gazetted B-double freight route which will not be applied to Forktree Road.

The existing unsealed road section of Forktree Road currently carries more traffic volume than that is desirable for an unsealed road. This requires excessive amounts of grading maintenance works, making the sealing of the road a more viable economic option long term for Council. It also addresses safety issues for road users who drive the route around to the Myponga Reservoir lookout.

April 2021

Q1: Is Council proposing to construct two storey cabins? - Andrew

A: Council at its meeting held in April 2021 resolved:

That Council confirm that the cabins will be a single storey form, some of which will be elevated.

Q2: Can you tell me the different in prices between the single storey cabins and the elevated cabins? - Andrew

A: Council is currently out to tender for the supply of cabins so prices are currently unknown and yet to be determined.

Q3: Is Council going to have disability access cabins? - Andrew

A: Council at its meeting held in April 2021 resolved:

That following the receipt of tender responses that they be workshopped, along with a site plan, with Elected Members for consideration prior to presenting a recommendation to Council of the supplier to enter into contract.

and

That the look, feel, height and location of the cabins be considered by Council with the end result to be determined by Council resolution.

Therefore, thefinal make up of cabins has yet to be determined by Council. The tender for the cabins has asked for disability access options to allow this to be placed within the park.

Q4: Is it true that the construction of the plaza with be at the expense of the lawn area and reduced car parking? - Andrew

A: No – Council at its meeting held February 2021 resolved:

That the draft Masterplan be updated to include:

1. Carpark configuration to provide similar or increased car spaces as currently provided with turning circles and provisions for buses, horse floats and car and boat trailer configurations.
2. A green space providing similar or increased lawn area that is currently in place.
3. A nature play area sized to maintain similar current car spaces and lawned area.
4. A plaza area modified to meet revised carparking, lawn and nature play areas.

This Masterplan has yet to be returned to Council for consideration but the resolution ensures that the lawn area size and number of carparks on the foreshore will not be reduced.

Q5: Is it true that the Foreshore Masterplan will create $11.5M in debt for Council? - Andrew

No – Council to date has only committed to fund up to $4,800,450, other funding has been received external to Council and Council is seeking funding for other elements (that will need to be returned to Council for a decision if funding is not received):

Q6: How much is the interest repayments for the Cabins if Council was to borrow their half of the $4,090,900 project costs? - Andrew

A: Council is able to borrow funds from the Local Government Finance Authority (LGFA) that currently have an interest rate of 1.3% for the next 3 years (a little over inflation). This equates to interest repayments of less than $27,000 per year.

Q7: What has happened about the Yankalilla Library, how advanced is the progress to upgrade it, noting it has been a number of years for this important community-based facility to become operational? – Kathleen

A: At the 20 April 2021 meeting of Council, a detailed report was presented in the Agenda which can be read here: https://www.yankalilla.sa.gov.au/council/agenda-and-minutes/council-meetings

At this meeting Council endorsed the updated concept plans for the New Library to be presented to the Community for comment during the consultation process for the draft 2021/2022 Annual Business Plan and Budget process.

This decision was based on previous consultation processes and many conversations over the past six years. Each consultation process and conversation brought Council closer to an end preferred design with learnings from each step applied to the next to reach the pointy end of the process.

Council now seeks feedback from the Community one last time on this design to see if there are any major flaws with the preferred design. The consultation process is not designed to repeat previous processes but to ask the community, based on the previous feedback we have received, we have come up with this preferred design and we seek any comments you may have.

Focus of feedback should be on the function of the Centre, Library and use of the Community including Library Users, Youth, Historical Society, Lions Club and Other.  However, Council will evaluate and consider all feedback received and consider making changes prior to going to tender for construction.

The draft 2021/2022 Annual Business Plan and Budget contain the following budget for the construction and fit-out of the New Library:

• Construction of new Library Building - $883,500
• Fit-Out and DDA Compliance (from Federal Grant) - $250,000

The consultation will commence on Thursday 6 May 2021, details on how to have your say will soon be available at https://www.yoursayyankalilla.com.au/

Q8  The Yankalilla Public Cemetery has been on Council agendas since 2014 and about every year since, regarding the poor state of it. A beautification proposal was put forward however since then the issue has died.

Am now asking if some of fundings enjoyed since then could now be put to use.

A gift more recently of a rotunda to the older side was the start of landscaping etc. However the newer section is sadly lacking, although some attempt was made but a lot more is much needed. One example is the remains of a tree removal which has caused a dreadful upheaval of the roadway.

May I respectfully suggest that you take a look for yourself.

I have been asking for some improvement to be made, bearing in mind that Council has tours of local Cemeteries! – Shirley

A: You are correct, there has been work done to beautify the area in recent years and the donation of $10,000 towards the rotunda from the Yankalilla Community Op-Shop was most welcome.  Council currently has budget for both cemeteries to perform regular maintenance but with limited funds has not allocated any major capital improvement in the next 12 months.  I will do as you suggested and take a look myself to ensure that the budget allocation is put to good use and also determine what can be done in the future and will provide your feedback to Elected Members who can consider it when setting future budgets.

Q9  What money is being spent at Cape Jervis?

We have no real main street, no footpaths or designed bike paths for residents.

We have no local shops and we need better signage to direct travellers to the ferry, as you come down the Cape hill you don't know where the ferry is? An over head gantry sign at the pub/accommodation units will assist that?

We need a better sign for Morgan's Beach for people to find it and public toilet for visitors?

The town needs recognition as the stop over place to KI, tourism to highlight Fisheries Beach, Morgan's Beach and local produce like Oil, Fresh Fish and Locally made goods - Crystal Creations by Glenda plus promotion of the lawn mower race.

We could do with a water park or something like that or even a large playground like Monash would suffice?

With breathtaking views and fishing off the beaches this community is suffering from lack of tourism money??

We could do with extra solar street lighting as well.

Possibly another petrol station like Yankallila to help ease the trucks parking down at the ferry, Council could purchase the land for sale on Main South Road and set up shops - bakery, fresh produce, op shop, fuel for travellers and campers just a guide.

The local Cape Jervis shop is useless, we need to travel to Delamere for some weekly groceries.

It's about time Council spends money in Cape Jervis.

Please email me your response.  - Giulietta

A: I understand how it can be perceived the outlying towns miss out on projects and funding where the service centre towns with higher populations are often where the big projects happen. But believe me Cape Jervis has not been forgotten and off the top of my head here are a few projects we have delivered or been a part of down at the Cape.

• We have installed Township Entry Signs and a Tourist Information Board along with a bus shelter and the Whale Bones art project in as you enter Cape Jervis.
• Council upgraded the Cape Jervis lookout including seating, landscaping, fencing and public art.
• The Cape Jervis Nature Walking Trail was extended from the start of the Heysen Trail at the Cape Jervis ferry terminal extending the length of the township.
• The Cape Jervis Progress Association, Cape Jervis Coastal Community Group and Rapid Bay Primary School assisted with planting 5,000 native seedlings that were grown at our Community Nursery.
• Our Community Outreach Program Officer has worked with community members to establish the Cape Jervis Progress Association.
• Our Customer Service Team have been running Council Connect where we bring our service to Cape Jervis once a month.
• We provided a community grant to the Cape Jervis Progress Association of $1150 for their event Colour the Cape Family Day.
• Council’s Group Manager Economic, Tourism & Community led the steering group that was the driver to secure the creation of the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail. The 6 million dollar investment by Marshall Liberal Government will upgrade sections of the iconic Heysen Trail from Cape Jervis to Victor Harbor to create a five day, four night hike and other high quality trail-based experiences.
• We upgraded the Lookout, including based on feedback, installed the telescope.
• The illumination projection onto the Cape Jervis Lighthouse.

However, I understand so much more can be done.  During our Strategic Planning process, we held a community meeting at the Cape and heard the resident’s priorities for the town.  We will continue to work with the community as budget becomes available.

Many of your ideas relate to new businesses, we would welcome an opportunity to assist any new business wanting to establish themselves.

In regard to the need for an additional public toilet (there is one at the ferry terminal). Council have just sold a vacant block of land and have resolved to use the funds to build a public toilet and other community projects.

The Morgan’s beach sign is frustrating as every time we replace it, it disappears, I suspect someone is trying to keep Morgan’s Beach a secret.

Council will advocate for State investment in improved visitor infrastructure at Cape Jervis in collaboration with the successful tendering company for the Kangaroo Island Ferry Service.

Across most townships there is demand for social, economic, tourism and environmental infrastructure. Council will continue discussions with the community to develop masterplans that deliver unique visions for each township consistent with the district’s brand. Each township masterplan can guide future private and public-sector investment and may include changes to land use to facilitate sustainable growth and diversity. This is a priority in our strategic plan and something we will be working towards for Cape Jervis.

Q10 DCY Operating Expenses (OE) increased by $358,000 or 3.7% pa on average over the last 3 years (CWMS excluded). That's 2.4 times inflation.

The current Long Term Financial Plan shows OE increasing just $96,000 or 0.9% pa on average over the next 5 years. That's less than half estimated inflation.

Council is proposing to expand its rate/tax payer funded business operations with 23 new cabins. The expansion will incur significant additional OE like- staff, electricity, gas, cleaning, linen service, provisions, maintenance, marketing  etc.

Kindly detail your strategic plan to deliver this important & highly ambitious OE budget? - Gary

A: Council’s total Operating Expenses (OE) will typically be closer to inflation when performing the exact same services and projects year after year after year.  Council does not operate this way.

Operating Expenses at Council vary from year to year, examples of increases include:

• Additional houses being serviced (as vacant land is built on) – This is offset by additional rates income.
• Additional projects funded from grants – This is offset by the income of the grant provided.
• Additional projects carried forward from previous years – This is offset by income from previous years.
• Additional increases in 3^rd party charges, for example we collect Wirrina Sewerage and Water charges for SA Water and the Landscape Levy for the State Government, the passing on of these fees is seen as an Operating Expense but are offset by increases in the income for these changes.
• Increased occupancy in the caravan park creates more Operating Expenses (as you have described) but this is offset by increased income from paying customers.

Increased Operating Expenses needs to be looked at alongside the increased Operating Income.

Council at the 27 April 2021 Special Meeting endorsed the draft 2021/2022 Annual Business Plan and Budget to go out to consultation along with the proposed Long Term Financial Plan. Operating Expense over the next 5 years is not proposed to be less than inflation.

The Long Term Financial Plan contained the following Operating Income, Operating Expense and Operating Surplus/(deficit) figures (before capital amounts):

You will note from the above, that the Operating Expense is increasing by more than inflation, this is especially seen in Year 2 when the increased expenditure in the caravan park is experienced when the cabins become operational with the costs that you mentioned.

However, you will also note in the Long Term Financial Plan, that the Operating Income also increases greater than inflation, this is especially seen in Year 2 with the additional income from the cabins coming in.

The proposed Long Term Financial Plan shows Operating Expense (OE) increasing from $14,364,000 forecast this financial year to $16,125,000 in year 5, an increase of $1,761,000 or an average of $352,000 per year.

The corresponding Operating Income (OI) actually increases more over the same period placing Council is a better financial position.  Income has increased from a current year forecast of $14,177,000 to $16,423,000 in year 5, an increase of $2,246,000 or $449,200 per year.

The Operating Expenses models the caravan park expansion with greater than inflation increases, as does the Operating Income.

When adding the Operating Income to the Operating Expense you get the Operating Surplus/Deficit (the amount left over when spending all the income).  This amount increases from a forecast deficit in the current year of $187,000 to a surplus of $299,000 in Year 5.  An increase of $486,000 over the 5 years, an average of $97,000.

Q11 How many Norfolk pines will be felled in the caravan park and the foreshore area under the draft foreshore and caravan park masterplan? - Don

A: Council has not yet finalised the Normanville Foreshore & Jetty Caravan Park Masterplan, it is planned to be presented to the May meeting of Council.

At the April Council meeting the Elected Body confirmed that with the successful securing of $2,045,450 in grant funding from the State Government’s Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program for improved visitor accommodation at the Council-owned Jetty Caravan Park Normanville, that they will be proceeding with the project to install 23 new cabins into the Jetty Caravan Park, Normanville.

The tender seeks designs of cabins that are suitable for the Normanville Caravan Park environment and reflect the feedback received during the Normanville Foreshore and Jetty Caravan Park Masterplan consultation process.

Interested suppliers will be invited for a site tour of the Normanville Foreshore and Jetty Caravan Park to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the area.

Following the receipt of tender responses, they will be workshopped, along with a site plan by Elected Members for consideration prior to presenting a recommendation to Council of the supplier to enter into contract.

The look, feel, height and location of the cabins will be considered by Council with the end result to be determined by Council resolution.

Therefore, at this stage we cannot confirm if any trees will be felled but Council will certainly plan the development to minimise any impact on trees and communicate this with the community.