Development, Health & Customer Services
MODULE 5
Function and Role
The Development, Health & Customer Services Directorate has strong social and environmental responsibilities (reflected in our regulatory activities) as well as organisational responsibilities for customer service, information management and technological systems. We also offer competitive printing and building / engineering certification services. Our functional areas are highly sensitive to the external environment including changing legislation, market conditions, emerging technology, etc.
Our aim is to provide quality customer and professional services that respond to key outcomes and priorities in the Council’s Management Plan, in line with the 25 year Vision and Map for Action. The principle activity areas that we contribute to include, Using Land for Living, Looking after the Environment, Looking after People and Providing Good Governance.
The following is an overview of the branches / teams that make up the Directorate.
Information and Customer Services
The Information and Customer Services branch has two key roles:
Customer Services at Katoomba and Springwood
The Customer Services team is Council’s gateway to the community. By implementing a quality integrated customer service approach, our aim is to provide a positive experience to every person who walks through our doors or makes telephone contact with Blue Mountains City Council. The Katoomba office also provides agency services for the RMS.
Information Management
The Information Management team is charged with the responsibility of managing Council’s records in accordance with the State Records Act. Along with printing services to internal and external clients, the team supports improved business practices and efficient processes across the organisation through the maintenance/supply of technological and communications equipment. In partnership with other Groups, the team is proactively involved in the implementation of corporate technological initiatives and the growth of interactive internet and e-business services to the community.
Building and Construction
The Building and Construction branch has two key roles:
Development assessment
A regulatory role that ensures new single dwelling, granny flat and dual occupancy developments meet the planning outcomes and expectations of our community in a bushfire prone and environmentally sensitive area surrounded by a World Heritage National Park.
The team also offers specialist environmental and landscaping advice and promotes a pre-purchase/pre-lodgement service that identifies issues associated with the development of the land early in the design of the proposal.
Construction services
Council’s ‘Blue Mountains Building Certifiers’ pursue contestable services within the local government area. These services cover the issuing of construction and complying development certificates and a construction inspection service as a Principal Certifying Authority, ensuring that buildings are built in accordance with the development consent, the Building Code of Australia and other relevant standards.
Planning, Health and Enforcement services – using land for living / looking after people and the environment
The Planning, Health and Enforcement branch delivers:
Planning services
The Land Use Management unit provides quality development assessment services for commercial, industrial, multi-residential and subdivision developments that comply with statutory requirements and ensure sustainable outcomes. This unit also issues Roads Act approvals, providing engineering certification services where required.
Regulatory enforcement:
The Environmental Health and Regulatory Compliance unit provide an active presence within the community, with an education and enforcement role, on a range of health, safety and environmental matters, to the wider benefit of the community.
The Environmental Ranger team manages animal control, parking, by-law enforcement and responds directly to a number of requests from the community on related matters.
The Development Monitoring team manages land use issues including certification of fire safety measures in buildings and ensuring developments comply with approvals. In addition the team investigate to a range of community concerns such as illegal use, unhealthy untidy premises, overgrown vegetation and pollution.
The Environmental Health team takes a proactive role in food safety, fencing of residential pools, water quality testing of commercial pools, onsite sewerage management, footpath dining approvals and other environmental and safety matters.
The Unit is also involved in issuing tree removal / bushland management permits. The section develops guidelines and policy relating to these regulatory activities.
Executive Management
Co-ordinating the financial, business and performance monitoring activities of the Group, this unit takes a proactive role in re-engineering business practices, implementing electronic systems and co-ordinating policy development. The team is also responsible for the registration of applications including those issued by private certifiers as well as issuing certificates on outstanding orders and processing of requests for development related information.
The total number of FTEs for the Group is 102.
