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the opportunity to gain nationally recognised                    Work Health and Safety                                    Wellbeing at Work Project                                    Workplace Injury
qualifications and 12 months of paid employment                                                                            In September 2024, Council launched a Wellbeing              Council continues to experience low numbers of
through a structured traineeship.                                Council has a proactive approach with a strong            at Work Project to comply with the Australian                injuries resulting in workers’ compensation claims
                                                                 focus on work health and safety in our everyday           Government’s approved Work Health and Safety                 as outlined in the table. Council’s Work Health and
During this reporting period, Council expanded                   work. Our procedures and programs outline safety          (Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work) Code of              Safety Team continue to focus on education, training,
its annual Traineeship Program in recognition that               duties, responsibilities, and guidelines for managers,    Practice 2024 under section 274 of the Work Health           prevention, and injury management to continuously
traineeships offer several benefits to our local                 supervisors, and all other workers to create and          and Safety Act (the WHS Act). The Project was                improve our claims performance and support our
community and economy by increasing workforce                    support a positive safety culture.                        developed to meet psychosocial safety legislation            employees.
participation, driving job growth, and increasing social                                                                   requirements while fostering a workplace culture that
inclusion for disadvantaged job seekers. Council has             Workplace Health and Safety Management                    enhances employee wellbeing, boosts organisational
participated in the First State Program since 2016 and           System Plan                                               performance, and reduces psychosocial hazards to              Workers’ Compensation Claims up to 30 June 2025
has engaged 29 trainees to date.                                 Council has an endorsed Work Health and Safety            better serve the community.
                                                                                                                                                                                         Year                         No. of Claims
                                                                 Management System Plan 2024 – 2026. This Plan sets
Wellbeing                                                        out a strategic framework to support Council’s work       Council’s approach included a Wellbeing at Work               2014                         9

                                                                 health and safety management system and to ensure         Roadmap, designed to guide the organisation                   2015                         28
THRIVE                                                           that Council:                                             through the necessary steps to meet the psychosocial
                                                                                                                                                                                         2016                         30
The Thrive Program continues to be a cornerstone of               — Provides a safe and healthy workplace                 safety standards outlined in the Work Health and
Noosa Council’s strategic commitment to fostering                 — Complies with applicable health and safety            Safety Act and Regulations. This roadmap supports             2017                         19
a progressive, inclusive, and supportive workplace.                  legislation, such as the Queensland Work Health       an integrated strategy to foster a safe, healthy, and
                                                                                                                                                                                         2018                         26
Thrive prioritises employee wellbeing, psychological                 and Safety Act 2011                                   productive workplace by:




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Noosa Council Annual Report 24/25
safety, and development, supporting Council’s                                                                               — Identifying hazards                                       2019                         17
                                                                  — Meets the requirements of the Local Government
position as an employer of choice. The program’s                     Workcare “Mutual Risk Obligations” program, and        — Eliminating or minimising risks                           2020                         34
inward focus ensures that initiatives are tailored to the         — Follows the framework set out by the National          — Controlling risks
                                                                                                                                                                                         2021                         25
needs of staff, promoting mental and physical health,                Audit Tool for Self-Insurers.                          — Maintaining and reviewing control measures, and
connection, and engagement across all departments.                                                                          — Consulting with employees throughout the process.         2022                         25

                                                                 Council regards its work health and safety obligations                                                                  2023                         9
During this reporting period, Thrive delivered a range           with the utmost importance and as such, resources         To meet employee consultation requirements, Council
of impactful initiatives including all-staff wellbeing                                                                     conducted a Wellbeing at Work employee survey                 2024                         14
                                                                 will continue to be allocated to ensure compliance with
events, nature-based activities and awareness                    relevant legislation, support continuous improvement      in October 2024. The survey aimed to identify the             2025                         17
campaigns such as RUOK and Movember. It also                     of the work health and safety management system           key factors influencing employee wellbeing, both
strengthened internal communication and visibility               and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.         strengths and areas for improvement, as well as
through Noogle and Viva Engage and sought                                                                                  identifying the psychosocial hazards and risks across
employee feedback via internal surveys to inform                 Workplace Health & Safety Policy                          the organisation.
future needs and opportunities.                                  On 22 January 2025, the CEO approved the updated
                                                                 Workplace Health & Safety Organisational Policy. This     Between November 2024 and June 2025, survey
Mental Health and Building Resilience                            Policy affirms Council’s commitment to continually        debriefs, wellbeing workshops, and action planning
Council continues to offer mental health, resilience             improving our safety culture and behaviour to ensure      sessions were undertaken across the organisation
and employee assistance programs designed to                     the provision of a safe working environment for           to inform targeted actions and controls to build
help employees cope with personal or work-related                its employees, contractors, volunteers, labour hire       a healthier, more supportive workplace for all
problems that could affect their job performance,                employees and visitors to Council premises and            employees. Council will maintain its focus on risk
health, or wellbeing. Council reviewed its employee              worksites.                                                management by implementing various initiatives,
assistance program in consultation with employees,                                                                         programs and awareness opportunities aimed at
to ensure our partner provider delivers the care and                                                                       reducing psychological hazards in the workplace.
responsiveness our employees need and deserve.




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