THE HILLS SHIRE PLAN 2014 - 2015

Executive Summary Document

The Hills Shire Plan integrates Council’s resource capabilities to the Community’s needs and shows how we are working towards achieving a better quality of life for all who live, work and visit our Shire.

This plan has been prepared in accordance with Integrated Planning and Reporting guidelines. This document is an Executive Summary of the Hills Shire Plan. It addresses the following:

STRATEGIC DIRECTION The Community Strategic Plan termed ‘Hills Future’ articulates the Hills Shire Community’s and Council’s shared vision, values, aspirations and priorities derived from extensive community consultation. This is the first document which makes up The Hills Shire Plan.

DELIVERY PROGRAMCouncil set its priorities when it was elected and this is renewed annually. More details of these priorities are contained in The Hills Shire Plan (Pages 18 to 41) and also in this Executive Summary.

BUDGET AT A GLANCEAs part of an independent review of financial sustainability of 152 Councils in NSW conducted by the NSW Treasury Corporation,

we were assessed as one of three Councils who had 'Sound Financial Sustainability' with a 'Positive Outlook over the long term'.

Draft Budget and Long Term Financial Plan can be found in the Hills Shire Plan (Pages 107 to 129).

INFRASTRUCTURECouncil has big plans for our growing region and one of the biggest goals is rejuvenating the Shire’s town centres.

The Baulkham Hills Town Centre will be a focus for us in the year ahead, with plans to modernise and upgrade those areas where people walk, shop and congregate, making the experience of visiting the town centre more pleasant.

We have worked hard to continue to reduce our infrastructure backlog and we remain on target to meet our future goals.

Detailed jobs planned for the next four years on buildings and parks, roads, footpaths and cycle ways, traffic and stormwater are listed in the Hills Shire Plan (Pages 81 to 106).

OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIESCouncil is particularly proud of its community events, and pleased to see so many people enjoying high quality cultural events and celebrations close to home.

Other activities that Council is planning to undertake in the next financial year are detailed in the Hills Shire Plan (Pages 131 to 170).

Highlights:

• Rates income represents 51% of total income. The general rate increase of 2.3% equates to 33 cents per week for an average residential assessment of around $ 1,019 per annum.

• Operating surplus of $24.9M and this trend is forecast to continue.• Total budgeted expenditure of $180.6M.• Unrestricted current ratio will remain well above benchmarks over the long-term, indicating sound liquidity.• Council is debt free and has been since 2002.• High priority given for infrastructure spending of $59.1M compared to the last four years’ average of $30M.• Infrastructure backlog reduced from $52.3M to $15.5M by FY14/15.• Sufficient asset renewal spending to maintain assets at acceptable standards.

HILLS SHIRE PLAN SNAPSHOT

SHIRE OF GROWTH

4,433EXTRA PEOPLE

LAST YEAR

OUR POPULATION OF 180,000 IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO

1,361APPROVED TO BE BUILT

RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AVERAGE ANNUAL

INCREASE OF 1.97%

46% OF HOUSE-

HOLDS HAVE AT LEAST

2MOTOR

VEHICLES

250,000

by 2031

BUDGET SNAPSHOT

MANAGING OUR MONEY

WHERE THE RECURRENT MONEY COMES FROM

$135MILLIONIN 2014-15

50.7% Rates

18.7% Domestic Waste & Stormwater

11.9% User Charges & Fees

3.6% Interest & Investment Revenue

2.8% Other Revenue

12.3% Grants & Contributions - Operating

62,846 RATE ASSESSMENTS

RESIDENTIAL AVERAGE RATES

$1,019z

2.3%$0.33 per week

RECURRENT EXPENDITURE

$112MILLIONIN 2014-15

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

$68 MILLIONIN 2014-15

$180 MILLION

WHERE THE MONEY IS SPENT

$5.8MILLIONGOVERNANCE ACTIVITIES

$2.8MILLIONPROPERTYDEVELOPMENTACTIVITIES

$3.3MILLIONPURCHASE OF PLANT & EQUIPMENT

$2.5MILLIONINFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING

$25.8MILLIONROAD REHABILITATION & MAINTENANCE

$5.1MILLIONUPGRADING POOLE ROAD & SAMANTHA RILEY DRIVE

$10.3MILLIONTRAFFIC LIGHTS & ROUNDABOUTS

$3.5MILLIONSTREET LIGHTING

BALANCED URBAN GROWTH - $63.9M TRANSPORT RESPONSIBLE PLANNING

$0.8MILLIONMAINTAINING BRIDGES

$2.3MILLIONNEW FOOTPATHS & CYCLEWAYS

$3.1MILLIONLAND USE & DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS PLANNING

$10MILLIONDEVELOPMENT & SUBDIVISION MONITORING

PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP - $11.9M

GOVERNANCE

GENERATED MORE THAN $60M IN CASH PROFITS THIS YEAR

$0.5MILLION

BUS SHELTERS & MAINTENANCE OF FERRY

$11.6MILLIONMAINTAINING SPORTS FIELDS, PARKS & GARDENS & DISTRICT PARKS

$5.5MILLIONBRING MOST BUILDINGS UP TO ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS

VIBRANT COMMUNITIES - $73.8M

PUBLIC PLACES COMMUNITY BUILDINGS

$0.8MILLIONBAULKHAM HILLS TOWN CENTRE REVITALISATION WITH A FURTHER $1.8M IN 15/16

$18.8MILLIONACQUIRING LAND FOR OPEN SPACE EMBELLISHMENT

$1.1MILLIONUPGRADE OF PLAYGROUNDS

$1.1MILLIONNEW TENNIS COURTS BELLA VISTA FARM PARK

$1.0MILLIONNEW CADDIES CREEK PLAYING FIELDS WITH FURTHER $8.4M IN 15/16

COMMUNITY SERVICES

$3.5MILLIONMAINTAIN ALL TYPES OF COMMUNITY BUILDINGS

$3.5MILLIONSES & BUSHFIRE OPERATIONS

$6.6MILLIONLIBRARY SERVICES TO FUND ACTIVE, ENGAGED, LEARNING COMMUNITIES

$5.1MILLIONPROVIDING CHILDCARE SERVICES

$2.0MILLIONPENSIONER SUBSIDIES

$6.9MILLIONHOME & COMMUNITY CARE FOR AGED AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

$1.9MILLIONCOMMUNITY EVENTS

$4.4MILLIONREGULATORY SERVICES

Y

$1.3MILLIONENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

$25.4MILLIONWASTE & RECYCLING

PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT - $30.1M

$3.4MILLIONSTORM WATER PROJECTS

MODERN LOCAL ECONOMY - $0.9M

TOP 5POPULATION

GROWTH CENTRE IN

SYDNEY

$7.5BILLIONVALUE ADDED BY ALL INDUSTRIES

$350MILLION

TOURISM GENERATED

Sydney Hills - home to award winning Norwest Business Park

OUR ASSETS & LIABILITIES

LOOKING AHEAD

$24.9MILLIONOPERATING SURPLUS

THIS TREND IS

EXPECTED TO

CONTINUE

Unrestricted current ratio will remain well above benchmarks over the long term inidicating sound liquidity.

Financial sustainability is sound with a positive outlook.

This Budget drives actions now for our Shire’s future. It provides the infrastructure and services to meet our future challenges. It outlines a commitment to retaining our quality of life through projects and planning that foster continued business and population growth.

For more details see The Hills Shire Plan 2013-2017, Year 2 of Plan.

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au

Council is debt free and has been since 2002.

Asset renewal ratio well above industry standards indicating we are renewing our assets, relative to the rate they are depreciating.

ASSETS$163M CASH &

INVESTMENTS

$36M OTHER

$3,184M

INFRASTRUCTURE

A

E

EQUITY$3,350M

LLIABILITIES

$33M

This is the second year of Council's four year term. Council set its priorities when the Council was elected

and this is reviewed annually.

The following priorities are expected to be completed during this Term.

Proactive Leadership,

Creating Vibrant Communities,

Balancing Urban Growth,

Protecting Our Environment and

Building a Modern Local Economy

COMMUNITY VISION

New Actions Commencing 2014/2015

• Seek approval from RMS to build traffic lights at Glenhaven Road/Old Northern Road - funded from Sec 94 A funds (1.1.12) Estimated completion - 14/15

Proactive LeadershipValuing our customers, prudent financial management and sound governance.

Completed Actions

• Continue to lobby for legislation changes in compulsory acquisitions re Baulkham Hills Town Centre - project subject to ongoing consultation with relevant stakeholders (1.1.7)

Currently in progress and on track for completion

• Prepare and continue communication strategy around managing growth (1.1.4) Estimated completion - 16/17

• Continue to plan and lobby State and Federal Government in relation to:• bus flyover Excelsior Creek through to Crane

Road (1.1.5) Estimated completion - 16/17• consider dual use of Richmond airport for a

limited range of commercial and domestic flights in the interim period while Sydney’s future needs about a second airport are being considered - awaiting response of Federal Government (1.1.6) Estimated completion - 16/17

• traffic lights at the Norwest Blvde/Solent Circuit roundabout at Norwest (1.1.8) Estimated completion - 16/17

• Torrs Street Baulkham Hills, Perry Street North Rocks and creation of new car parking facilities at Round Corner (1.1.9) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Carlingford to Epping railway line (1.1.10) Estimated completion - 15/16

• an overtaking lane on Old Northern Road (1.1.13) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Initiate developer forums to canvas ways in which Council can encourage knockdown rebuild in existing urban residential areas (1.1.11) Estimated completion -13/14

• Pursue Plan of Management by Transurban and RMS for their land and ensure regular maintenance is undertaken - awaiting response from the Federal Government (1.1.14) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Fully implement the Strategic Asset Management Module across all asset classes and use to predict future asset renewals and replacements (1.2.2) - Estimated completion - 13/14

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Vibrant CommunitiesActive lifestyle, connected and supported community

Currently in progress and on track for completion

• Call for expression of interest from commercial hospitality operators for use of Bella Vista Farm Park Homestead, buildings adjacent to the Homestead and surrounds (5.1.5) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Identify suitable locations for onsite parking to service future commercial adaptive reuse and determine criteria for acceptable level of use for Bella Vista Farm Park Homestead (5.1.6) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Undertake business gap analysis and scoping of leisure precinct around Castle Hill Showground (5.1.7) Estimated completion - 14/15

• Develop a Cultural Strategy to include performance, art and exhibition space (5.1.8) Estimated completion - 13/14

New actions commencing 2014/2015

• Commencement of Community Engagement Program and stakeholder consultation regarding Sydney Hills Station Sporting Precinct with Government, potential partners, 355 Committee, Agricultural Society and sporting groups (5.1.9) Estimated completion - 16/17

• Develop Recreation Strategy (4.1.5) Estimated completion - 14/15

Future actions commencing 2015/16

• Consolidation of Kenthurst Park to be listed for consideration in the Capital Works Program and forward estimates. Total project $1.5M (includes a contribution of $400k from Soccer Club) (5.1.10) Estimated completion - 16/17

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Vibrant Communities Balanced Urban GrowthSafe, convenient, accessible transport, responsible planning

Completed Actions

• Conduct feasibility study regarding Russell Street precinct intersection with Windsor Road, connection through to Windermere for lights. Road link to Rifle Range through to Roland Avenue (6.1.11)

• Update Transport Direction including the following roads: Showground Road, Green Road, North Rocks Road, Annagrove Road, Kenthurst Road, Memorial Avenue (6.1.6)

• Finalise the strategy for Norwest Boulevard roundabouts and traffic lights (6.2.5)

• Participate with North West Rail team in liaison groups (6.2.6)

• Update Local Strategy (6.1.3) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Update Roads Hierarchy (6.1.4) Estimated completion - 14/15

• Update Road Strategy (6.1.5) Estimated completion - 14/15

• Investigate commuter car parking incentives for development sites for M2 bus route (6.1.8) Estimated completion - 14/15

• Initiate discussions with land owners of former bus depot in North Rocks regarding potential option to lease/use for commuter car parking (6.1.9) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Develop Crown Road Strategy which includes opportunities to sell redundant land and use the money to upgrade Crown Roads and seek

funding to bring them up to a standard for Council to take over after that (6.1.13) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Identify key streets in each Ward for beautification & funding model (7.1.4) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Prepare a Public Domain Plan re Baulkham Hills Town Centre and consult with community prior to adopting (7.1.5) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Revisit Master Plan and town planning controls for Baulkham Hills Town Centre (7.1.7) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Rezone Bella Vista Farm Park to be consistent with CMP (7.1.9) Estimated completion - 13/14

Currently in progress and on track for completion

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New actions commencing 2014/2015

• Develop car parking policy for Council centres (Castle Hill, Rouse Hill, Baulkham Hills) (6.1.7) Estimated completion - 14/15

• Develop a strategy to change the former Hills Community Care site into a development site as part of Baulkham Hills Town Centre (7.1.8) Estimated completion - 15/16

New actions commencing 2015/2016

• Extension of parking area for Carmen Drive shops, Carlingford (6.1.10) Estimated completion - 15/16

• Implement Public Domain Plan re Baulkham Hills Town Centre (indicative costs only, costs dependant on final plan) (7.1.6) Estimated completion - 15/16

• Master Plan DA re Leisure Precinct around Showground (7.1.10) Estimated completion - 15/16

• Conduct a traffic analysis study for Round Corner and rejuvenation (6.1.12) Estimated completion - 13/14

• Conduct feasibility study for traffic modelling on Baulkham Hills Town Centre grade separation between Windsor Road and Old Northern Road/Seven Hills Road to submit to RMS (6.2.7) Estimated completion - 16/17

Currently in progress and on track for completion

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Protected EnvironmentOur natural environment is valued, maintained and enhanced and our natural resources are used wisely

• Prepare a water guide to accompany the Waterways Direction. Estimated completion - 13/14

• Carry out urban overland flood study program. Estimated completion - 13/14

Currently in progress and on track for completion

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THE HILLS SHIRE COUNCILEmail: council@thehills.nsw.gov.au

Phone: (02) 9843 0555The Hills Shire Council

PO Box 7064 Baulkham Hills BC NSW 2153

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au