ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES DATED 18 SEPTEMBER 2025 · 2025-09-18 Ordinary Meeting Minutes

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                 18 SEPTEMBER 2025



1    DECLARATION OF OPENING
     The meeting was declared open at 10.00am.

2    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
     Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters
     of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi people, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and
     emerging.

3    ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES
     COUNCILLORS
     Cr Frank Wilkie (Chair)
     Cr Karen Finzel
     Cr Jessica Phillips
     Cr Amelia Lorentson
     Cr Brian Stockwell
     Cr Tom Wegener (via Microsoft Teams)
     Cr Nicola Wilson

     EXECUTIVE
     Acting Chief Executive Officer & Director Community Services Kerri Contini
     Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt
     Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray
     Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings
     Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh

     APOLOGIES
     Nil.

4    CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

1    CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES - ORDINARY MEETING DATED 21 AUGUST 2025
     Council Resolution
     Moved:            Cr Karen Finzel
     Seconded:         Cr Nicola Wilson
     That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 21 August 2025 be received and
     confirmed.
     Carried.
     For:     Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia
              Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola Wilson
     Against: None


5    PETITIONS
     Nil.

6.   PRESENTATIONS
     Nil.

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                       18 SEPTEMBER 2025


7.    DEPUTATIONS

7.1   APPLICANT: THOMAS DRAPER
      TOPIC: DMP
      SPEAKERS: THOMAS DRAPER & JASON BECKTON


8.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

8.1   ALAN DEERING

      QUESTION 1
      Noosa Council is guided by, and not dictated by the Austroads Standards and Guidelines,
      also the Department of Main Roads Planning and Design Manual, so the Noosa Plan that
      states when sealing dirt roads they must be no less than 9 metres is a Noosa Council initiative.
      Does Noosa Council agree that any future sealing of dirt roads in the Noosa Shire will be to
      a minimum width of 9 metres?
      RESPONSE by Shaun Walsh, Director Infrastructure Services
      Noosa Council is guided by, but not strictly bound to, professional standards like:
       Austroads Standards and Guidelines;
       Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Planning and Design
          Manual;
       Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) “Lower Order Road Design
          Guidelines”.
      These documents provide best-practice frameworks, but local governments like Noosa
      Council have the autonomy to adopt higher or more tailored standards based on local
      priorities, environmental considerations, and community expectations. You are correct that
      the Noosa Plan (and associated infrastructure policies) specifies minimum carriageway and
      shoulder widths for various road classifications for Noosa Shire. We can vary from these
      specifications for a specific project requiring engineering justification to enable Council
      support. Notably, the IPWEA “Lower Order Road Design Guidelines” updated recently in
      2024, specifies a sealed carriage width of 5.5 metres when traffic volumes are low, and
      provides a very good reference to inform any future detailed design for lower order unsealed
      roads across Noosa Shire. Council can also consider this recently updated document in any
      future review of the Noosa Plan and associated infrastructure policies. I also note that
      following various representations from the community, Council has initiated a review of
      Council's approach to management of unsealed roads, with broader consideration of
      environmental, community benefit and traffic safety matters to more fully inform future
      prioritisation and budget submissions for road sealing, of course subject to Council budget
      approval.

      QUESTION 2
      Noosa Council employees such as Plant Operators are required to undergo a mandatory silica
      test every 12 months. Noosa Council recognises the workplace risks of airborne dust but
      totally ignores the health risks of airborne dust to ratepayers living on dirt roads. Why hasn't
      Noosa Council addressed the dust issue of residents living on dirt roads in Noosa Shire by at
      least adding dust suppressant in water trucks when annual resheeting of dirt roads?
      RESPONSE by Shaun Walsh, Director Infrastructure Services
      In terms of health risk, Council has undertaken a technical assessment of the potential health
      risks associated with silica dust generated from unsealed gravel roads within the Noosa
      Council region. It has evaluated the material composition, maintenance practices, and
      environmental exposure context, referencing applicable standards and research findings.
      Crystalline silica (SiO₂), primarily in the form of quartz, is a naturally occurring mineral found
      in many geological materials including sand, clay, and gravel. Respirable crystalline silica

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                    18 SEPTEMBER 2025


     (RCS) is a known occupational hazard in industries involving cutting, crushing or drilling of
     silica-containing materials. However, the context of road dust from unsealed surfaces,
     particularly those maintained using natural gravel and recycled asphalt, differs significantly
     from high-risk occupational environments where RCS may be present. Noosa Council
     maintain their unsealed road networks using natural gravel blends and recycled asphalt
     pavement (RAP). These materials are selected in accordance with:
      Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads MRTS05 – Unbound Pavements;
          and
      Austroads Guide to Pavement Technology Part 6: Unsealed Pavements.
    These standards ensure that materials meet performance criteria such as California Bearing
    Ratio (CBR), shrinkage product and grading coefficient, which indirectly influence dust
    generation and stability.
    In terms of health risk exposure:
     Unsealed roads in these regions typically carry low traffic volumes (30–500 vehicles/day).
     Dust exposure is intermittent, outdoor and dispersed, significantly reducing concentration
         compared to enclosed occupational settings.
     A New Zealand Transport Agency study found that while PM₁₀ dust from unsealed roads
         can be present, respirable silica levels were generally low and not linked to adverse health
         outcomes in ambient settings.
     NIOSH evaluations of dirt road maintenance found no erionite and only occasional silica
         exceedances, primarily in active roadwork zones, not general public exposure.
     The Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for RCS in Australia is 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour
         TWA). Ambient exposure from unsealed roads is not known to exceed this threshold in
         SE Queensland.
    Based on current material usage, maintenance practices and environmental exposure
    conditions, there is minimal to no health risk from silica dust generated by unsealed gravel
    roads in the Noosa Council region. There is no confirmed evidence of harmful silica dust
    concentrations in these areas, and no recorded public health impacts attributable to road dust.
    The use of natural gravel and recycled asphalt, combined with routine grading and dust
    suppression, ensures compliance with engineering and environmental standards. In terms of
    testing its workforce, Noosa Council test the workers that are exposed to Respirable
    Crystalline Silica (RCS) such as concrete cutting, drilling and crushing works which is
    approximately 50 workers. Crews working on our unsealed roads such as grader crews and
    plant crews are not tested due to low risk profile.
    In terms of dust management for the community, Council’s current dust mitigation strategies
    include:
     Routine grading and re-sheeting based on traffic volume and environmental conditions;
     Use of impervious gravel blends (such as recycled road profiles) where possible and
         available to reduce water ingress and dust lift-off; and
     Community education sheets recommending various practices including vegetative
         screening and reduce dust impacts near residences.
    Council has explored the use of dust suppressants as noted in the question and can advise
    as follows:
     Dust suppression chemical treatments can be used to treat problematic areas and are
        commonly used in intensive industrial and mining applications;
     The treatment is usually only effective for approximately 3 months and can make the road
        slippery when it rains as they are commonly hydrophobic and cause water to pond on the
        surface causing possible safety issues;
     These chemicals are powerful and would need to be applied with great prudence as could
        have adverse environmental implications if overused particularly pertinent in
        environmentally sensitive areas of Noosa Shire;

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                     18 SEPTEMBER 2025


         The high cost of this treatment, short term benefits and the need for regular reapplication
          mean this treatment is cost prohibitive for application in Noosa Shire which has 200kms
          of unsealed roads.




8.2   PATRICIA SPICER

      QUESTION 1
      Has Noosa Council applied for a grant towards infrastructure costs through the Residential
      Activation Fund in relation to 64 Lake Macdonald Drive?
      RESPONSE by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy & Environment
      Council has applied for a grant via the Residential Activation Fund for the enabling of
      infrastructure and civil works for the site. The Queensland government is making progressive
      announcements on the RAF funding, and we look forward to an announcement on the
      outcome of Noosa's application.


      QUESTION 2
      As contract details have been released and remediation work has commenced did the tender
      price for the remediation work and subdivision work at 62/64 Lake Macdonald Drive match
      the estimates?
      RESPONSE by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy & Environment The tender price came
      in slightly above estimates and within budget.



      The meeting adjourned at 10.35am.
      The meeting resumed at 10.47am.




9     MAYORAL MINUTES
      Nil.



10    NOTIFIED MOTIONS

10.1 ENHANCING FUTURE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FOR PLANNING SCHEME PROVISION
      CHANGES
      Motion
      Moved:                   Cr Amelia Lorentson
      Seconded:                Cr Karen Finzel
      That Council review its communication strategy for future planning scheme amendments and
      consider undertaking direct and tailored communication approach to public consultation to
      each landowner to make them aware of the changes and where to easily access information
      to understand what the changes mean for them.

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                  18 SEPTEMBER 2025


      Amendment No. 1
      Moved:           Cr Jessica Phillips
      Seconded:        Cr Nicola Wilson
      That the following words be added to the motion:
      "and request a report to a future council meeting outlining details on a possible
      communication strategy and expenditure required."
      Carried.
      For:             Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia
                       Lorentson, Cr Nicola Wilson
      Against:         Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener

      Amendment No. 2
      Moved:           Cr Brian Stockwell
      Seconded:        Cr Frank Wilkie
      That the following words be added to the motion:
      "and request a report to a future council meeting, once the substantive changes proposed in
      any future planning scheme amendment are known, outlining details on a possible
      communication strategy and expenditure required."
      Carried.
      For:             Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia
                       Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola
                       Wilson
      Against:         None


      Council Resolution
      Moved:           Cr Amelia Lorentson
      Seconded:        Cr Karen Finzel
      That Council review its communication strategy for future planning scheme amendments and
      consider undertaking direct and tailored communication approach to public consultation to
      each landowner to make them aware of the changes and where to easily access information
      to understand what the changes mean for them and request a report to a future council
      meeting, once the substantive changes proposed in any future planning scheme amendment
      are known, outlining details on a possible communication strategy and expenditure required.
      Carried.
      For:             Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia
                       Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola
                       Wilson
      Against:         None




11.   CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                             18 SEPTEMBER 2025


11.1 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 9
     SEPTEMBER 2025


11.1.1.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – JULY
            2025

            That Planning & Environment Committee Agenda Item 7.1 be referred to the
            General Committee for further consideration.



11.1.2.     NOOSA PLAN 2020 - AMENDMENT NO. 2 - COUNCIL ADOPTION

             Motion
             Moved:               Cr Frank Wilkie
             Seconded:            Cr Brian Stockwell
             That Council
             A. Note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Planning
                and Environment Committee on 9 September 2025 regarding proposed
                Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and;
             B. Under section 22 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules:
             1. Adopt proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 as contained in
                Attachments 3-14 which incorporates changes as required by the Ministerial
                conditions outlined in this report;
             2. Publish a public notice in the newspaper and Queensland Government
                Gazette; and
             3. Notify property owners affected by the amendments who were notified during
                public notification.
             C. Set a date for Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 to take effect being the
                date the notice appears in the Queensland Government Gazette;
             D. Provide the Chief Executive Officer for State Development and Infrastructure
                Planning a copy of the public notice and certified copy of the amendment.
             E. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer to be able to make minor corrections
                if required prior to gazettal.


             Amendment No. 1
             Moved:           Cr Jessica Phillips
             Seconded:        Cr Amelia Lorentson
             That Item F be added to read:
             F. As part of regular monthly delegated reporting on development application
             numbers and decisions, include additional metrics on numbers of superseded
             planning scheme applications.
             Carried.
             For:             Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr
                              Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener,
                              Cr Nicola Wilson
             Against:         None

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                             18 SEPTEMBER 2025


             Council Resolution
             Moved:           Cr Frank Wilkie
             Seconded:        Cr Brian Stockwell
             That Council
             A. Note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Planning
                and Environment Committee on 9 September 2025 regarding proposed
                Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and;
             B. Under section 22 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules:
             1. Adopt proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 as contained in
                Attachments 3-14 which incorporates changes as required by the Ministerial
                conditions outlined in this report;
             2. Publish a public notice in the newspaper and Queensland Government
                Gazette; and
             3. Notify property owners affected by the amendments who were notified during
                public notification.
             C. Set a date for Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 to take effect being the
                date the notice appears in the Queensland Government Gazette;
             D. Provide the Chief Executive Officer for State Development and Infrastructure
                Planning a copy of the public notice and certified copy of the amendment.
             E. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer to be able to make minor corrections
                if required prior to gazettal.
             F. As part of regular monthly delegated reporting on development application
                numbers and decisions, include additional metrics on numbers of superseded
                planning scheme applications.

             Carried.
             For:             Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr
                              Tom Wegener
             Against:         Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Nicola Wilson


11.1.3.     PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS EN BLOC

             Council Resolution
             Moved:           Cr Amelia Lorentson
             Seconded:        Cr Jessica Phillips
             That the Recommendations of the Planning and Environment Committee meeting
             dated 9 September 2025 be received and adopted except where dealt with by
             separate resolution.
             Carried.
             For:              Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr
                               Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener,
                               Cr Nicola Wilson
             Against:          None


            Cr Tom Wegener left the meeting.

            The meeting adjourned at 12.25pm.
            The meeting resumed at 12:45pm.

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                             18 SEPTEMBER 2025


11.2 SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 9
     SEPTEMBER 2025


11.2.1.     2025 ANNUAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT REPORT

            That Council
            A. Note the report by the Disaster Management Officer to the Services &
               Organisation Committee dated 9 September 2025 providing an update on
               disaster management, resilience and reconstruction activities to 30 June 2025;
               and
            B. Thank the members and advisors to the Noosa Local Disaster Management
               Group for their participation.


11.2.2.     NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS MASTER PLAN

            That Council
            A. Note the report by the Parks and Streetscapes Coordinator to the Services &
               Organisation Committee dated 9 September 2025 regarding the draft
               Masterplan for the Noosa Botanic Gardens.
            B. Approve the draft to:
            1. be released for the next phase of community engagement; and
            2. note that a final summary of engagement and master plan will be presented
               for Council consideration.


11.2.3.     NOOSA CULTURAL PLAN 2025-2030 ADOPTION

            That Council note the report by the Arts & Cultural Manager to the Services &
            Organisation Committee dated 9 September 2025 regarding the Noosa Council
            Cultural Plan 2025-2030 and:
            A. Adopt the final Noosa Cultural Plan 2025-30 provided as Attachment 1;
            B. Authorise the CEO to make any necessary minor changes to the Cultural
            Plan, if required; and
            C. Authorise the CEO to implement the Cultural Plan subject to available
            resourcing.

11.2.4.     REVIEW OF THE AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE CHARTER & REVIEW OF
            THE INTERNAL AUDIT POLICY

            That Council
            A. Note the report by the Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation
               Committee meeting dated 9 September 2025 regarding the Audit and Risk
               Committee Charter and Internal Audit Policy;
            B. Adopt the
            1. Audit and Risk Committee Charter provided as Attachment 1; and
            2. Internal Audit Policy provided as Attachment 2.


11.2.5.     SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ENBLOC

             Council Resolution
             Moved:           Cr Karen Finzel
             Seconded:        Cr Nicola Wilson

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                             18 SEPTEMBER 2025


             That the Recommendations of the Services & Organisation Committee meeting
             dated 9 September 2025 be received and adopted.
             Carried.
             For:           Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr
                             Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Nicola Wilson
             Against:       None




11.3 GENERAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 15 SEPTEMBER 2025


11.3.1.     PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – JULY
            2025

            That Council note the report by the Development Assessment Manager to the
            Planning & Environment Committee Meeting on 9 September 2025 regarding
            applications that have been decided by delegated authority for July 2025 as per
            "Attachment 1 to the General Committee Minutes - Amended Delegated Report -
            July 2025" (with amendments, as tabled at the meeting).




11.3.2.     FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT – AUGUST 2025

            That Council note the report by the Acting Financial Services Manager to the
            General Committee Meeting dated 15 September 2025 on Council's financial
            performance for the period ending 31 August 2025.




11.3.3.     PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SUBORDINATE LOCAL LAW NO. 5
            (PARKING) 2015 - PUBLIC CONSULTATION OUTCOMES

            That Council
            A. Note the report by the Acting Local Laws and Environmental Health Manager
               to the General Committee dated 15 September 2025;
            B. Resolve to make Parking (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2025
               as advertised (refer Attachment 1); and
            C. Resolve to adopt, pursuant to section 32 of the Local Government Act 2009,
               as provided at Attachment 2 to the Report, a consolidated version of
               Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2015.


11.3.4.     WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY ANNUAL REPORT 2024/25

            That Council note the report by the Workplace Health and Safety Co-ordinator to
            the General Committee Meeting dated 15 September 2025 regarding Workplace
            Health and Safety Annual Report 2024/25.

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ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                18 SEPTEMBER 2025


11.3.5.              GENERAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS EN BLOC

                     Council Resolution
                     Moved:         Cr Nicola Wilson
                     Seconded:      Cr Jessica Phillips
                     That the Recommendations of the General Committee meeting dated 15
                     September 2025 be received and adopted.
                     Carried.
                     For:           Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr
                                    Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Nicola Wilson
                     Against:       None



12    ORDINARY MEETING REPORTS

12.1 TOURISM NOOSA 12 MONTH FUNDING DEED (AGREEMENT) & ROAD MAP
     STATUS REPORT
          Council Resolution
          Moved:           Cr Brian Stockwell
          Seconded:        Cr Jessica Phillips
          That Council
          A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the General Committee dated 15
             September 2025;
          B. Note the executed Tourism Noosa 12-month Funding Deed provided at Attachment 1;
             and
          C. Note the Road Map status as outlined in this report.

          Carried.
          For:             Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia
                           Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Nicola Wilson
          Against:         None



13    CLOSED SESSION
      Nil.


14    NEXT MEETING
      The next Ordinary Meeting will be held at Council Chambers, 9 Pelican St, Tewantin
      on Thursday 16 October 2025 at 10.00am.


15    MEETING CLOSURE
      The meeting closed at 12.58pm.