Audit Panel
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, all Tasmanian councils are required to establish and maintain an audit panel. At City of Clarence, the audit function is a fundamental element of our governance and accountability framework.
The City of Clarence Audit Panel operates under a Council-adopted charter and terms of reference. The panel provides independent oversight and advice on matters relating to financial reporting, financial and corporate governance, risk management, internal controls, compliance, and ethical conduct.
The Audit Panel plays an important role in supporting our commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement. While the panel provides independent assurance and advice, responsibility for decision-making and the implementation of management actions remains with Council and our officers.
Throughout the year, the Audit Panel reviewed our financial management and reporting processes, including the annual financial statements, and monitored the effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal control frameworks. The panel also considers our strategic, operational, financial and asset management planning, assessed compliance with legislative obligations, and monitored progress in implementing agreed audit recommendations and improvement initiatives.
The Audit Panel comprises two Councillors appointed by Council and three suitably qualified independent external members, providing a balance of local government experience and specialist expertise to support effective governance and oversight.
The Audit Panel endorsed two audits for the 2025‑26 year:
- cash handling
- process for events on council land.
The Audit Panel also received updates on previous projects including:
- workforce planning
- review of the Business Continuity Plan
- review of our cyber security
- Superannuation Guarantee
- review of purchasing policies
- Pricing and Terms of Lease Policy.
Risk management and resilience
The City of Clarence Risk Management Framework is aligned with AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 – Risk Management and provides assurance that risks are identified, assessed and managed consistently through a structured and systematic approach. The framework incorporates the identification, analysis, evaluation, treatment, monitoring and review of risks, supporting informed decision-making and effective risk management across the organisation.
Leadership and commitment are central to our approach to risk management. The executive and our senior leaders are accountable for embedding risk management across their areas of responsibility and ensuring resources are appropriately allocated in response to the priority and significance of identified risks.
Our ongoing commitment to strengthening risk awareness and capability is enhanced through employee participation in risk management training, including forums and learning opportunities facilitated by our insurers.
During 2025–26, key areas of focus for strengthening organisational risk awareness and risk management included:
- contracts management
- community liability insurance
- sporting reserves
- events management
- mitigation of risks associated with Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs).
Business continuity and resilience
Business continuity is the ability to keep our essential services and operations running when something disrupts normal business. It strengthens organisational resilience by ensuring we are prepared to respond to a range of disruptions while continuing to meet our responsibilities to the community.
In 2025-26, a business continuity desktop exercise was conducted to assess the resilience of Rosny Early Learning operations under multiple disruption scenarios that could affect service delivery. The exercise utilised the Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery (PPRR) model and included:
- identification of critical business functions
- identification and assessment of business disruption risks
- prevention and preparedness activities
- response and recovery planning
- continuous improvement opportunities.
Exercise participants from various council workgroups demonstrated their ability to respond and adapt effectively to potential business disruption events and the exercise identified opportunities for improvement that will assist with refining our response plans and enhance operational preparedness.
Fuel Supply Disruption Preparedness
In response to pressure on fuel supply chains and prices due to global events, we adopted a proactive approach and developed Fuel Supply Disruption Action Plan. The plan aligns to our business continuity approach and the Tasmania Fuel Security Plan and focusses on preparedness and resilience with the following objectives:
- reduce petroleum consumption to achieve cost savings and preserve fuel supplies for the broader community
- implement preparatory actions to support our operations in the event that Stage 2 and/or Stage 3 fuel supply disruption measures are activated
- build and strengthen our resilience to future supply disruptions
- consider the potential impacts of a fuel crisis on city officers and workforce wellbeing.
Public Interest Disclosures
The City of Clarence is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public
Interest Disclosures Act 2002.
Our Public Interest Disclosure procedure is available on our website and it outlines how a disclosure may be made, assessed and investigated.
There were no public interest disclosures made during the year.
Code of Conduct complaints
The local government Code of Conduct framework is prescribed under Part 3, Division 3A of the Local Government Act 1993.
In the reporting year of 2025‑26, three Code of Conduct complaints were referred to the Office of Local Government (Department of Premier and Cabinet).
Public Health Statement
City of Clarence’s environmental health unit is responsible for the monitoring and regulation of environmentally relevant activities, while working to maintain healthy communities through public health programs such as the school-based immunisation program, as well as fortnightly clinics offered to the public.
City of Clarence delivered on its statutory responsibilities by ensuring the necessary time and resources were available to deliver public health programs and effectively regulate and monitor food businesses, public health risk activities and private water suppliers, helping to protect the health and safety of the community.
The environmental health unit was resourced during 2025-26 in the following manner:
- Manager Environmental Health Services
- Senior Environmental Health Officer (0.8 full-time equivalent)
- 2 full-time Environmental Health Officers
- 2 cadet Environmental Health Officers
- Environmental Health Support and Immunisation Officer
- casual Environmental Health Officer (1 day a month)
- contract Environmental Health Officer (1 day a fortnight).
We continued to conduct environmental monitoring of swimming beaches in urban areas, alongside investigations and ongoing monitoring of stormwater quality. This work supports efforts to improve water quality and ensure these areas remain safe and enjoyable for the community.
We also continued to promote declared smoke-free environments across the city, including the Rosny bus mall, city-owned playgrounds and sports grounds, and the declared smoke-free area surrounding Ninja Stadium. The installation and maintenance of smoke-free footpath decals, together with our ‘Breathe Easy – Smoke Free Area’ signage have helped raise awareness that smoking is not permitted within designated distances of these areas.
Food safety and regulation
One of the roles of the environmental health unit is to ensure that food prepared and sold within Clarence is safe for human consumption, meets food standards and complies with the Australian Food Standards Code.
This is achieved through regulation under the Food Act 2003 which involves regular inspections of food businesses, food surveillance through food sampling programs and food safety education, offered by city officers and online food safety training accessible on our website.
There were 508 registered food businesses operating in the municipality during the 2025-26 financial year, which included 418 permanent food premises and 90 mobile food businesses.
Additionally, 109 temporary food business registrations were issued for specific events. A total of 536 food inspections were conducted during the financial year. The environmental health unit conduct food inspections in accordance with the Tasmanian food safety assessment model for food business risk classification and inspection frequency.
Immunisation program
We continued to deliver the immunisation program at high schools across Clarence with vaccination of grade seven students for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) and vaccinations of grade 10 students for meningococcal (acwy).
The fortnightly community clinics held at the Integrated Care Centre in Rosny Park continued to be well attended.
A total of 876 immunisations were administered at the city’s community clinics and 1,598 vaccinations as part of the school immunisation program.
Environmental water sampling
Water sampling at the popular urban swimming beaches, Howrah Beach and Bellerive Beach, continued on a weekly basis between December to March in line with the Tasmanian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines 2007 and the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) recreational water quality summer season program.
Water sampling results for both Bellerive Beach west and Little Howrah Beach resulted in changes to their long-term ratings from good to fair. The long-term gradings of another five sites along Bellerive and Howrah beaches remained the same.
The DEP reported that of the 19 swimming sites monitored along the River Derwent over the 2025-26 swimming season, including sites in the Kingborough, Hobart, Glenorchy, Derwent Valley, Brighton and Clarence local government areas, 17 were suitable for swimming and this included all of the swimming sites monitored at Bellerive and Howrah beaches.
Monitoring also extended beyond recreational beaches with monthly environmental water quality testing conducted at several popular coastal locations including Opossum Bay, Seven Mile Beach and south Lauderdale. Results across these sites remained consistently strong throughout the season, with no exceedances recorded.
During the year, the environmental health unit continued to raise community awareness about water quality at Howrah and Bellerive beaches. City officers visited Rosny College to speak with students studying marine biology and environmental science about water quality, environmental health and the impacts of human activity on waterways.
These initiatives aim to improve understanding of what activities can affect the River Derwent and to encourage the community to take practical steps to minimise contamination and protect the health of waterways.
Water carrier permits
Twelve water carriers and two Private Water Suppliers were registered during the year in accordance with the Public Health Act 1997. All water carriers were inspected during the year.
Public health risk registration
Twelve public health risk activity premises (tattooing, ear and body piercing) were registered with City of Clarence and 47 licenses were issued to operators for the year in accordance with the Public Health Act 1997.
Nuisances that may impact community health, wellbeing and safety
City officers responded to 302 nuisance requests during the year. The complaints related to:
- noise (110)
- septic/on-site wastewater (14)
- odour (15)
- dust, fume and gases (7)
- litter (37)
- light pollution (12)
- smoke nuisance (36)
- asbestos (2)
- sharps/syringes (26)
- insects/pests/vermin (22)
- unhealthy housing (16)
- beaches and public pools (1)
- tobacco/smoking (4)
Donation of Land Statement
City of Clarence did not donate any land under section 177 of the Local Government Act 1993 during the 2025–26 financial year.
Enterprise Powers Statement
City of Clarence did not exercise any enterprise powers or undertake any activities pursuant to section 21 of the Local Government Act 1993 during the 2025–26 financial year.
Grants and Benefits Statement
The Statement of Grants and Benefits is provided in accordance with section 77 of the Local Government Act 1993.
| Applicant | Amount excludes GST |
|---|---|
| The Story Island Project (Tasmania) Inc. | $7,460.00 |
| South Arm Board Riders | $8,775.00 |
| Second Echo Ensemble | $10,000.00 |
| Stuart Williams | $9,000.00 |
| Howrah Men’s Shed | $2,079.00 |
| Maira Rodriguez | $9,693.80 |
| Constance ARI | $9,962.00 |
| Bellerive Community Arts Centre Inc. | $4,980.00 |
| Rachel Meyers | $4,431.00 |
| The Astronomical Society of Tasmania Inc. | $2,082.50 |
| Eastern Shore Local Action Network for Reconciliation | $4,400.00 |
| Young Leaders of Tasmania Ltd | $10,000.00 |
| Geilston Bay Tennis Club | $1,500.00 |
| Southern Tasmania Harmony Club Inc | $2,095.00 |
| Her Strength. Her Story. | $8,000.00 |
| Lachlan Hull | $250.00 |
| Luca Latter | $250.00 |
| Eli Skinner | $250.00 |
| Violet MacGregor | $250.00 |
| Poppy MacGregor | $250.00 |
| Isla O’Brien | $250.00 |
| Lily Harper | $200.00 |
| Paige Nowland | $250.00 |
| Franklin Goldsmith | $250.00 |
| Angus Dunham | $250.00 |
| Reuben Jacobson | $250.00 |
| Indi Page | $200.00 |
| Sophie Munnings | $250.00 |
| Isabel Arnol | $250.00 |
| Lydia Wolfe | $200.00 |
| Laney Wing | $300.00 |
| Amelia Burns | $200.00 |
| Alexandria Champion | $250.00 |
| Bailey Talbot | $250.00 |
| Kirra Hulls | $250.00 |
| Rosny College School Association | $500.00 |
| William Timsar | $250.00 |
| Kayla Waller | $250.00 |
| Oliver Beames | $250.00 |
| Isabelle Dawn Beames | $250.00 |
| Harry Barton | $200.00 |
| Isabella Child | $200.00 |
| Harry Boud | $200.00 |
| Archie Barker | $200.00 |
| Noah Viney | $200.00 |
| Angus Viney | $200.00 |
| Kanako Watts | $200.00 |
| Heidi Lambert | $200.00 |
| Ella Kay | $200.00 |
| Zara Kay | $200.00 |
| Harry McGrath | $200.00 |
| Cruize Taylor | $200.00 |
| Amelia Durose | $200.00 |
| Lachlan Rafferty | $200.00 |
| Kye Ford | $200.00 |
| Clifton Beach Surf Life Saving Club | $500.00 |
| Pipe Clay Coastcare | $400.00 |
| Joe Potter | $250.00 |
| Caleb Hass | $250.00 |
| Evie Hutchinson | $250.00 |
| Mackenzie Mumme | $200.00 |
| Luke Potito | $250.00 |
| Ben Potito | $250.00 |
| Hudson Direen | $250.00 |
| Tulloch Woodberry | $250.00 |
| Poppy Woodberry | $250.00 |
| Montegu Bay Primary School | $500.00 |
| Hamish Slade | $250.00 |
| Paige Kruse | $250.00 |
| Warrane Mornington Neighbourhood Centre | $500.00 |
| Sienna Lawrence | $250.00 |
| Evelyn Korn | $250.00 |
| Jessica Gardner | $250.00 |
| Jasper Hay | $250.00 |
| Daniel Waugh | $250.00 |
| Louis Sakabe | $250.00 |
| Alejandro Fisher | $250.00 |
| Cremorne Bowls Club & Community Group | $500.00 |
| Hobart Bangladesh Community Inc | $500.00 |
| Estelle Gibb | $250.00 |
| Meg Doran | $250.00 |
| Max Garwood | $250.00 |
| Duke Armstrong | $250.00 |
| Jacob Jones | $250.00 |
| Jasper Dalgleish | $250.00 |
| Finlay Dalgleish | $250.00 |
| Charlie Doyle | $250.00 |
| Rotary Club Howrah | $500.00 |
| Charlotte Beach | $250.00 |
| Ava Kamaric | $250.00 |
| Salvation Army | $500.00 |
| Millie Williams | $250.00 |
| Summer Neal | $250.00 |
| Millie Beach | $250.00 |
| UN Youth Tasmania Incorporated-Youth Conference | $500.00 |
| Lina Kuwada | $250.00 |
| Rose Viney | $166.00 |
| Henry Viney | $166.00 |
| The Shepherd Centre | $500.00 |
| Arthur Synott | $166.00 |
| Evelyn Knott | $166.00 |
| Lucy Polanowski Byrne | $166.00 |
| Aiden Henwood | $250.00 |
| Riley Briggs | $166.00 |
| Willaim Green | $166.00 |
| Willow Direen | $166.00 |
| Angus Breen | $166.00 |
| Ben Briggs | $166.00 |
| Summer Brasnja | $250.00 |
| Kahawi Benson | $166.00 |
| Marlin Benson | $166.00 |
| Emily Butler | $250.00 |
| Total | $119,400.30 |