Meeting minutes

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                                           12 JUNE 2023



         Cr Wilkie assumed the Chair

         In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the
         following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
         I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I would like to declare a declarable conflict of interest
         for Item 5.2 Environmental Grants for the Noosa Environmental Education Hub grant. In early
         2020, I received an electoral donation of $500 from Susan Francis. Susan Francis is the partner
         of Barry Cotterell. Barry Cotterell is the President of the Peregian Beach Community Association
         (PBCA). The PBCA supports the Peregian Beach Bushcare group. The Peregian Beach
         Bushcare group will feature in work being showcased to school students by the Noosa
         Environmental Education Hub. I nor the PBCA nor the Peregian Beach Bushcare Group stand
         to gain personally or materially through this grant to NEEH and make this declaration out of
         dquo;an abundance of caution” given the possible scope and interpretation of Conflict of Interest
         rulings. I believe I can make an impartial decision in the public interest in this matter and leave
         it to the meeting to determine whether I stay in the meeting room.
         Committee Resolution
         Moved:               Cr Joe Jurisevic
         Seconded:            Cr Tom Wegener
         That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in
         the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council
         believes that he nor the PBCA nor the Peregian Beach Bushcare Group stand to gain
         personally or materially through this grant to NEEH that it is in the public interest that Cr
         Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable
         person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                    Carried Unanimously.

         (Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilkie did not vote on the above motion)


         In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the
         following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
         I, Cr Stockwell, also inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter
         in relation to the application by the Noosa District Landcare due to my long standing connection
         with the organisation as one of the inaugural members of the unincorporated group dating back
         to the 1980s and a current ordinary member. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I
         do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community
         nature of this relationship. I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect
         the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision.
         Committee Resolution
         Moved:               Cr Joe Jurisevic
         Seconded:            Cr Amelia Lorentson
         That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in
         the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council
         believes that he does not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this matter
         due to the community nature of this relationship with Landcare and therefore a reasonable
         person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                  Carried Unanimously.

         (Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilkie did not vote on the above motion)

         In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the
         following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
         I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as I
         have a long-standing relationship with MRCCC as a previous government employee and a long-