Annual Report 2015/16

Annual Report 2015/16 1

Contents 1. Introduction 2. Chair s message 3. Advocacy & Projects 4. Meetings Summary 5. Financial Report 6. Membership 2015/16 2

Our Vision: A strong voice for a vibrant region The Murray River Group of Councils is a group of six local councils in the north of Victoria working together to advocate jointly for the good of our region. The MRGC comprises Mildura Rural City Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Loddon Shire, Gannawarra Shire, Campaspe Shire and Moira Shire. Throughout the last year, the Group has continued to work to build partnerships and to advocate for investment in the Murray River region. This Annual Report summarises the activities of the Group for the 2015/16 year. Our Mission Statement: To advocate effectively on behalf of our communities where our interests are shared 3

Chair's Message This year the focus of the Murray River Group of Councils (MRGC) has once again been largely on water. We have all seen that the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan to date has had a big impact on our communities. MRGC has been actively advocating to the Federal and State Governments asking that they limit the removal of any more productive water from the system. The Group has also been excellent in strengthening ties and enabling collaboration across the region. Working together is essential if we want to deliver for our communities. The personal relationships we develop and maintain through the work of the MRGC are a key to this collaboration. I would like to thank my fellow Mayors and all the CEOs as well as the Executive Officer and council staff who have contributed to the Group and supported me in the Chair over the last 12 months. Cr Gary Cleveland, Chair Murray River Group of Councils 2015/16 4

Advocacy The main purpose of the Murray River Group of Councils is to advocate in the interests of our communities, in particular to the State and Federal governments. This year s advocacy priorities have been water, tourism and river crossings. Water for productive consumption is the number one priority for the Murray River Group of Councils. The Group wants to see the responsible implementation of national and state water reforms to ensure a sustained environment, a productive and prosperous economy, and vibrant, healthy communities in northern Victoria. This year MRGC made a submission to and directly engaged with the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DEWLP) at key stages in the development of the Victorian Water Plan. MRGC also made a submission to the Senate inquiry into the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan (Basin Plan) and a delegation held constructive meetings in Canberra in June with the Office of the Federal Minister for Water and also with Philip Glyde the CEO of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). MRGC has contributed to the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) Water Leadership Forum through Mark Henderson s membership and financially to that group s socioeconomic study. MRGC nominated Cr Neil Beattie to the Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) Strategic Advisory Committee and Cr Beattie and Jason Russell sat on the GMW Connections Consultative Committee. MRGCs key messages for water advocacy are that governments must limit the socio-economic impact on our communities by ceasing buy-backs and instead investing in infrastructure for the delivery of required water savings. MRGC also strongly advocates for the completion of the irrigation modernisation in the GMID and Sunraysia districts. 5

Bridges over the Murray River linking Victoria to southern New South Wales are essential to the connectivity of our communities and to the prosperity of our region. Improving crossings along the full length of the MRGC area is a key priority for our communities. MRGC has consistently called for a second river crossing at Echuca-Moama as the number one infrastructure priority along the 1,100kms of river covered by our councils. The Group would like to thank the Victorian, NSW and Federal Governments for committing the significant funds needed to complete this game changing project. We look forward to construction beginning in 2017. Planning and works at Tooleybuc and Koondrook are also proceeding and these upgrades will be of significant to our region when completed. The next priorities for MRGC are, a new Yarrawonga-Mulwala bridge to be completed in time for the weir closure in 2020 and the development of a new river crossing at Swan Hill. Tourism in the Murray River region is a key economic driver. Along the length of the river in Victoria and NSW it generates some $2 billion and 5.46 million visitors annually and employs 15,185 people. In partnership with the Murray Regional Tourism Board (MRT), MRGC advocates for investment in tourism infrastructure to help the region fulfil its potential as an iconic tourism destination. Highlights of the year were the launch of the Heartbeat of the Murray Experience in Swan Hill - a world class addition to the Pioneer Settlement and the construction of the fantastic new Koondrook Wharf. Working with Murray Regional Tourism, MRGC has also advocated for investment in the Murray River Adventure Trail as an important part of growing the visitor economy. We have also worked closely with MRT on continuing to develop next stages of the Ports of the Murray project. Jason Russell has been the MRGC nominated Director of MRT for the past three years representing Victorian member LGAs and, with his term coming to an end in October, MRGC has nominated Eric Braslis as Director for a three year term. The Heartbeat of the Murray Experience Swan Hill 6

Advocacy Backpacker Tax Review - In September MRGC made a submission to the Federal Government s review of Working Holiday Maker Visas and the taxation implications around temporary workers. Our region is home to nationally significant agriculture and horticultural industries worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy dependent on seasonal workers. The Group welcomes the Government s decision to reduce the proposed tax rate following the review. Infrastructure Victoria In March MRGC made a submission to Infrastructure Victoria s consultation. The Murray River Group of Councils welcomes the development of the 30 year infrastructure strategy and in particular welcomes the Whole-of-Victoria approach. Regional Victoria, and in particular northern Victoria needs planned, long-term investment in infrastructure to support our communities, economy and environment. Tackling Queensland Fruit Fly MRGC has lobbied the Victorian Minister for Agriculture for financial contribution to the work that councils undertake to tackle Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) in urban areas within our region. MRGC has worked closely with the Greater Sunraysia PFA Industry Group, DEDJTR and Horticulture Innovation Australia. The Group welcomes recent announcements of a state-wide co-ordinator and grant program as well as the funding of sterile insect technology by the Victorian Government, but is still pursuing funding to support Loddon, Campaspe and Moira Shire s tackle QFF reduction in urban areas. Projects Ports of the Murray The Ports of the Murray is a key project identified in the Murray Regional Tourism Destination Management Plan. Its scope includes capitalising on the heritage of the ports; conserving, restoring and presenting the story of the Murray through its ports and developing new facilities, river access infrastructure and interpretation of the Murray through trails, touring routes and journeys of discovery that traverse the landscape. MRGC is working in partnership with MRT to develop this project and deliver it along the length of the MRGC region. The project involves developing each destination s unique story and placing it in the context of the heritage and natural environment of the River. The Heartbeat of the Murray Experience, Koondrook Wharf have both been completed this year following significant Local, State and Federal Government investment in their infrastructure. Investment is ongoing at the Port of Echuca and Mildura Waterfront also. This year MRGC has worked with MRT to develop the next phases project. Work will continue throughout 2017 with the development of consistent signage and marketing material for use by all the Ports of the Murray destinations and developing the story and activities at each destination along the route. 7

Projects Litter in Murray River Parks Littering in the Murray River Parks is a significant and ongoing problem with littering and illegal dumping occurring within Parks and along roadsides and in townships along exit routes. The impact on MRGC member councils particularly at the eastern end of the region, is significant with additional waste infrastructure and clean up required seasonally. MRGC is working closely with all stakeholders and has continued this year to lead the Murray River Litter Reduction Taskforce which is developing a long-term strategy to prompt behaviour change in Park visitors to Do the Right Thing. The Taskforce includes Parks Victoria and the Regional Waste and Resource Recovery Groups as well as Environment NSW. Currently the Taskforce is preparing for the peak November April camping season and is applying for a Grant through the Sustainability Victoria Litter Innovation Grants to support the development of new communications and education material. Tackling Queensland Fruit Fly Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) has become an endemic pest in much of the MRGC region and is having a significant impact on our nationally significant horticultural areas. Following a sustained advocacy effort in 2015 including contributions to the State-wide Fruit Fly Strategy MRGC has continued to work with the Department of Economic Development, Jobs Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) and other stakeholders such as the Greater Sunraysia Industry Development Committee to find solutions for managing QFF in urban areas. Swan Hill, Moira and Mildura have led the way with innovative bait trapping programs and MRGC is working to develop consistent messaging and programs along the length of the river. 8

Finance Report MRGC FINANCE REPORT 2015/16 EXPENDITURE Item Budget TOTAL 15/16 Financial Year Salaries $35,750.00 $33,190.52 Phone & Internet $1,080.00 $1,099.75 Sta onery $200.00 $121.00 Travel costs $3,500.00 $3,162.00 Mee ng Costs $1,000.00 $666.71 Catering $1,000.00 $229.00 Equipment $742.00 $19.27 Campaigns / Promo on $6,728.00 $2,608.00 TOTAL $50,000.00 $41,096.25 INCOME Council Contribu ons TOTAL 15/16 Financial Year Mildura $12,147.82 Swan Hill $5,998.58 Loddon $3,538.88 Gannawarra $4,153.81 Campaspe $9,380.66 Moira $7,535.89 TOTAL $41,096.25 9

2015/16 MRGC Meetings Thursday 3 December 2015 Swan Hill Guests Sarah Scales, Chair Goulburn Murray Water John Calleja, General Manager Goulburn Murray Water Wendy Greiner, Chair Murray Regional Tourism Board Mark Francis, CEO Murray Regional Tourism Board Peter Forbes, Strategy Manager, RDV Bendigo Key Topics Handover Mildura RCC to Moira Shire MRGC Annual Report GMW Connections Program Ports of the Murray River 2016 Loddon Mallee Investment Prospectus Wednesday 2 March 2016 Moira Shire Guests Stan Liacos, Regional Director RDV Key Topics RDV restructure and Regional Partnerships Infrastructure Victoria Submission MRGC Advocacy Strategy 10

2015/16 MRGC Meetings Wednesday 1 June Campaspe Shire Guests Kate Hougton, Deputy Secretary Water DELWP Liz Johnston, Manager, DEWLP Cullen Gunn, CEO Kilter Rural Geoff Cutter, Acting Managing Director GMW Frank Fissler, Project Director Connections Key Topics Victorian Water Plan GMW Connections Water Markets Thursday 1 September Gannawarra Shire Guests Wendy Greiner Chair Murray Regional Tourism Mark Francis, CEO Murray Regional Tourism Dan McLaughlin District Manager Parks Victoria Craig Stubbings Regional Director Parks Victoria James Flintoff, CEO RDV Key Topics Ports of the Murray Murray Regional Tourism Murray River Litter Taskforce 11

2015/16 MRGC Membership Council Mayor CEO Mildura Cr Glenn Milne Gerard José Swan Hill Cr Les McPhee Ian Couper John McLinden Gannawarra Cr Lorraine Learmonth Eric Braslis Loddon Cr Neil Beattie John McLinden Marg Allan Phil Pinyon Campaspe Cr Leigh Wilson Jason Russell Moira Cr Gary Cleveland (Chair) Mark Henderson MRGC Executive Officer: Geoff Turner Phone: 0419 03 03 14 Email: gturner@mrgc.com.au Mailing Address: PO Box 855 Castlemaine Vic 3450 12