Cumberland Council E-news 6 December 2016


Are you satisfied with Council?
Community Survey Results

Council recently conducted a community satisfaction survey of 600 residents which collected feedback on Council's performance, service delivery and provides insight into the community's thoughts on the future of Cumberland. As a new Council, we want to understand exactly what your feelings are about services and what you want us to focus on delivering. 

The survey found that the current satisfaction level of residents is 3.4 out of 5, compared to the metro average of 3.45 and the state average at 3.3.  The NSW Government also undertook its own research on Cumberland, using a different benchmark, and rated overall performance 60 out of 100, with the metro average at 61 and state average at 58. 
 
These results show the hard work Cumberland Council has ahead to bring this score up as high as possible and ensure residents believe their local government is working towards improving the things they want.
 
The research found that Cumberland residents want Council to prioritise:
  • Dealing with a growing population
  • Stopping overdevelopment
  • Maintaining and developing infrastructure
  • Creating an inclusive community. 
With this valuable information we can now start working towards improving in the areas that the community wants us to improve. This has already been started through the establishment of the Cumberland Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel to make independent decisions on development in the best interests of the community. 

Armed with this information Council will now make a plan to respond to these priority areas. 

Download the Cumberland Survey results here. 
Cumberland Council moves into surplus
 
Cumberland Council in its short life has moved from an inherited deficit of $4.5 million as at 30 June 2016 to a projected surplus of $100,000 for the financial year 2016/17 as stated within the Quarterly Budget Review presented to the Council Meeting on 30 November.
 
The Quarterly Budget Review Statement includes savings such as a higher than anticipated Financial Assistance Grant ($1.9 million), a reduction in employee costs due to redundancy ($2.5m) and a reduction in borrowing costs ($1.6m).
 
We are serious about delivering value for money to the ratepayers of Cumberland and our journey has just begun. While Council is keen to deliver a surplus, it will not be at the expense of services. We aim to steadily improve services for residents while providing value for money.
 
During the meeting, Cumberland Administrator Viv May made sure to note that the community assets managed by Council had not been audited. The independent auditor simply accepted assumptions of the refurbishment costs of certain assets provided by Council.
 
The Administrator committed to getting fair dinkum with the Cumberland community and promised a full audit of asset management plans in the future to give residents a true picture of what they own.
 
For more information read the full media release here. 
Christmas in the Gardens



Cumberland Council is throwing open the gates of Auburn Botanic Gardens for two special nights in December to host a family 'Christmas in the Gardens' celebration! Free for the community to attend, the event will include Christmas gift markets, food stalls and interactive children's activities. Then when the sun goes down, watch the garden light up with a magical light display and a free outdoor Christmas movie for all the family. Christmas in the gardens will run on the 9 and 10 December 2016 from 5pm to 10pm.

Council Meeting Wrap - 30 November 2016
 
Tender accepted for the upgrade of the sports fields at Bathurst Street Park ....
 
Green Horticultural group was engaged for $60,000 less than budget.
 
Speakers were heard concerning the lease of community land at 7 Hyland Road reserve to establish a Marae Community Centre...
 
A small meeting will be held to discuss concerns and a report will be provided Council.
 
Two draft Development Application policies will be made available for public comment...
 
The new policies aim to make the handling of public submissions and unclear Development Applications easier and increase the lapsing period to 5 year which makes the process more efficient, convenient and economically beneficial to the community.

A planning proposal was received for 67-73 St Hilliers Road, Auburn...
 
The proposals seeks 'educational establishment' and 'office premises' as additional permitted uses.
 
Community is invited to comment on upgrades to the intersection at Queen and Marion Streets, Auburn...
 
A voluntary planning agreement between Cumberland Council and an applicant would see the roundabout at the intersection fixed in exchange for credit and the inclusion of the upgraded land into the site in the future.
 
Cumberland Council nominated two members to the Sydney West Central Planning Panel which replaces the Joint Regional Planning Panel...
 
Cumberland Council Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (CIHAP) member Hon Paul Stein, AM, QC was nominated as the Council expert representative and a CIHAP community member will be community representative. 


New award for Cumberland Council!      

Cumberland Council has received the Excellence in Risk Management Award for the Mobile Community Recycling Service. This program provides a convenient pick up of all unwanted problem wastes and ensures they are recycled or disposed of safely, diverting 12,500 kgs of problem waste from the domestic waste stream.

For more information on the service please click here . 



New exhibition at the Peacock Gallery 
The Garden of Imagination

3 December 2016- 29 January 2017
 
Gardens are the seed of inspiration for a brand new exhibition at the Auburn Peacock Gallery. Garden of Imagination is part of an annual exhibition by the Cumberland Artists Network and this year a variety of creative pieces have been produced focusing on personal, shared, cultural, local and global experiences of gardens, real or imagined. 

For further information click here.




We are keen to get your feedback on the merger process. Click the box to the right to send us a message.