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2016-17 A Year in Review
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2016/17 – A Year in Review
Corporate Plan Theme 1: The Noosa Environment
“Our environment is protected, enhanced and valued by the community”
Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:
Council committed to a three-year agreement to Stage 2 of the Munna Point foreshore revitalisation
remain part of the Healthy Waterways Program. project has been implemented with the aim of
Council reviewed its management approach to the reducing environmental damage to Munna Point
Noosa River and has committed to refresh and from erosion. While it is too early to tell whether the
rewrite the Noosa River Plan with an expanded geo-textile bags approach has been successful,
focus on river catchment areas. The revised Noosa early indications are positive.
River Plan is currently being drafted. In December 2016, Council adopted the Noosa
Council adopted the Noosa Shire Koala Biodiversity Assessment Report. This report is an
Conservation Plan in July 2016. A further report to important input into our Council’s new Planning
Council on actions to implement the Plan will be Scheme and also acts as a benchmark for future
provided in due course as requested during the assessment of biodiversity across the Shire. The
recent budget meetings. report will also be useful as part of the 10 year
renewal application for the Noosa Biosphere
Council undertook an audit of waste water facilities Reserve.
in Cooran. Cooran is not serviced by a sewerage
system and accordingly, residential properties use In one of the largest contracts our Council has
on site waste water facilities and an audit was entered into, Council awarded a new waste
undertaken to determine the level of compliance management contract to Cleanaway for the period
from an environmental protection and health 2017 - 2024 at an approximate cost of $46 million.
perspective. This contract covers the collection, disposal and
recycling operations for the Eumundi Road Waste
Council adopted the Noosa Parklands Park Recovery Centre and includes the introduction of a
Management Plan following significant consultation green waste recycling bin which will reduce green
with local residents. Staff are currently working to waste being buried in the landfill, thus significantly
develop a suite of other management plans for reducing methane gas.
other bushland reserve areas within the Shire.
Those plans are substantially complete. Council was successful in receiving a grant
(managed by the Local Government Association of
Council made a submission to the State Queensland) for the development of a Coastal
government on the green paper on Fisheries Hazard Adaption Plan. A Project Officer has been
Management Reform. Council has also made a appointed and work is currently underway to
number of direct representations to the Minister on develop both a Coastal Hazard Adaption Plan (year
this topic. one) and a Climate Change Adaption Plan (year
Council has adopted its Zero Emissions Strategy two).
focused on eliminating our organisation’s emissions Council entered into a Memorandum of
by 2026. This was a major initiative of Mayor Understanding with Healthy Waterways and
Wellington and work has been undertaken in Catchments for the ongoing “Land for Wildlife”
2016/17 to establish the baseline level of emissions program. This program helps support property
(which have been recently re-calculated). A major owners who care for their land to encourage
report has just been finalised by ERM in relation to environmental protections.
the energy use of 9 of Council’s largest energy
producing sites to identify which energy efficiency Council undertook an environmental clean-up of
projects should be undertaken in the first instance asbestos which was dumped illegally on Walter Hay
to both reduce costs and emissions. Drive.
Council adopted a new street sweeping contract A systematic inspection of our industrial areas has
(using the firm Environmental Waste Water been undertaken to identify any issues with run-off
Catchment Services) which has resulted in an etc to local waterways. The detailed report has
increased length of roads being serviced by the identified some key areas for improvement and the
street sweeper. This reduces the amount of rubbish Council will be considering the option of introducing
going into drains and waterways. a licencing regime under our local laws.
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Full text of the other 8 sections
Section 2
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan has been
rolled out in 2016/17. This included significant
media coverage and school education sessions.
Council has entered into a contract for the purchase
of Johns Landing (approximately 50 ha) in order to
undertake the long-term protection of important
environmental land on the Noosa River. Council is
also working with the current owner of the property
to assist with the transition to alternative housing for
those residents living on the current site.
Council has facilitated the approval processes for a
project being funded by the Noosa Biosphere
Reserve Foundation to re-establish oyster reefs in
the Noosa River. This has entailed obtaining both
town planning approval from Council and
environmental approvals from the State
government. In addition, Council also provided
$250,000 to the Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Foundation for projects that advance the purpose of
the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
Council has addressed a range of significant
planning and environment applications during the
last 12 months. As can be seen from the table of
statistics at the end of this report, Council approved
98.7% of planning applications. Some of the more
interesting applications considered by Council
during 2016/17 included:
o Village Bicycle
o Proposal to extend a deck at the Noosa Marina
o Tewantin RSL
o Service Station at Taylor Court, Cooroy
o Proposed Elanda Point jetty
o 90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
o A number of microbreweries and of course, a
chocolate factory!
Council had considerable success in the Planning
and Environment Court with a significant victory for
our Planning Scheme in the Noosa Civic case. The
court supported Council’s position that it was
inappropriate under the Planning Scheme to
expand retail operations on that site. During
2016/17, the appellant in the poultry farm case also
withdrew their appeal as did the appellant in the
Service Station Centre appeal at the Good
Shepherd Lutheran School site on Eumundi Road.
In an environmental first, Council has trialled a
range of new environmentally friendly asphalt
processes in conjunction with our contractor. This
has included the introduction of recycled printer
cartridges into the asphalt mix and the use of
different temperatures to undertake the planning
process. We have also trialled different
combinations of recyclable material including
shredded car tyres and recycled glass. Further
details on this interesting initiative together with the
environmental benefits are listed below.
Section 3
Corporate Plan Theme 2: The Noosa Community
“Our community is connected, safe and happy and able to meet their potential”
Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:
Council adopted a three-year implementation plan Council introduced a community support scheme
for the Noosa Social Strategy. This includes an for those residents living in the vicinity of Wallace
annual update to Council on progress for Park who were directly affected by large numbers
implementation of the Noosa Social Strategy. of flying foxes that came to Wallace Park on an
Included within the Social Strategy is the intermittent basis. The scheme included the
establishment of the Noosa Community Round provision of cleaning materials, car covers and
Table which has been successfully operating to other tangible support materials to reduce the
assist with the transition process at Johns Landing. impact on local residents. Council also employed a
There has been significant progress on the backlog project officer for a period during 2016/17 to help
of community lease renewals. A separate report to roll out the support items.
Council has identified the degree of progress that Council undertook a sports field audit to provide
has been made in the last 12 months to reduce the additional assistance to sporting clubs who have
number of outstanding community leases. the responsibility of maintaining their sporting fields.
Staff have been working to develop a Sport and Council agreed to provide membership to the
Recreation Plan. This has included initial Sports Turf Association of Queensland to 12
community engagement and a draft Plan has been sporting clubs to assist in increasing expertise
developed in preparation for a formal round of within the clubs on field and turf maintenance.
community consultation. Council has commenced a process to review
Council has entered into a three-year agreement options for the future use of the Noosaville
with the Cooroy Futures Group Inc for the operation foreshore. This included an extensive community
of the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre. This engagement process which will be completed in
agreement was entered into after a trial 2017.
management period following an extensive Council has reviewed and updated its Community
community engagement process on the future of Engagement Policy. Significant community
the Cooroy Butter Factory. engagement projects in 2016/17 included:
Council has undertaken two community Council o Cooroy Memorial Hall
meetings during 2016/17. In October 2016, we held o Sunshine Beach Skate Park
a Council meeting at Cooroy and in April 2017, we
o Digital Hub, Peregian Beach
held a Council meeting at Boreen Point.
o Botanic Gardens Masterplan
Council commenced the development of a Noosa
Arts, Culture and Heritage Plan. A Consultative o Noosa Planning Scheme
Committee has been established and work is well o Noosa Transport Strategy
advanced on the development of that Plan. o Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan
Council undertook extensive community o Corporate Plan
engagement with the Cooroy community regarding
Council has accepted a contract for the restoration
the future of the Cooroy Community Hall. Council
and upgrade of the Sunshine Beach Skate park at a
agreed to accept trusteeship of the Deed of Grant
cost of $380,000. This is an important facility for the
in Trust and supported the establishment of the
younger demographic in our Shire.
Cooroy Community Hall Association Inc. A lease is
being provided to the Association in order that they Council has undertaken numerous Library and
can manage the Hall. Council has also agreed to Gallery programs to support our community. Our
fund 50% of the restoration costs (capped) with the Library Services have physically issued over
community funding the remaining 50%. This has 570,000 items to our community during the last 12
been an excellent outcome for the Cooroy months.
community. After considerable work with the local community
Council extended the lifeguard services agreement including United Synergies and local Rotary Clubs,
for a five-year term. This agreement enables our Tait Duke Cottage was restored and open for
community and visitors to safely use our beaches community use in June 2017. This milestone was
with a high level of safety based on our lifeguard significant after many years of work to identify an
services. appropriate site and working in partnership with the
local community to restore the building and make it
available for ongoing community use.
Section 4
To encourage community interaction, Council has Council continued to provide its community grant
installed chalkboard walls as part of the program supporting our community groups. During
International “Before I Die” wall movement. This 2016/17, we provided over $810,000 in grants to
has been successful (particularly at Cooroy) with local community groups to support projects,
one of the walls recently being transferred from acquisition of equipment or events. Council staff
Noosa Junction to Peregian Beach. also facilitated a number of evening information
sessions for community organisations to help
improve their governance and grant writing skills.
Section 5
Corporate Plan Theme 3: The Noosa Economy
“Our economy is diverse and resilient”
Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:
The design of the Peregian Beach Digital Hub was Council continued to work closely with Tourism
completed and town planning approval obtained. Noosa to develop the Noosa Tourism market. In
Council was successful in obtaining $1 million of particular, Council provided significant input into the
funding from the State Government. Associated development of the Noosa Tourism Strategy 2017 -
road works and parking in Rufous Street have 2022 adopted by the Tourism Noosa Board. This
substantially been completed and preparatory strategy included a focus on “value over volume” in
works have commenced on the Digital Hub building. relation to tourism so that the focus is on yield per
Tenders have been called for the management of visitor rather than simply more visitor numbers.
the Digital Hub component of the building and in Council continued to work closely with Regional
addition, Council has submitted an application to Development Australia (Sunshine Coast) on a
the Commonwealth under the Building Better range of projects including a successful
Regions Fund for additional work associated with entrepreneurship program.
the project.
Council undertook an audit of footpath trading
Council appointed an Economic Development across the shire and also provided information to
Manager who has brought significant experience the operators while the audit was being undertaken.
and focus to our economic development programs.
Council worked with the private sector to assist with
Council undertook a detailed review of the proposal the establishment of Innovative Noosa. This is part
from CCIQ Noosa for a Noosa Convention and of a regional program that attracted significant
Cultural Centre. Council recognised that such a funding from Advance Queensland to develop
proposal could have potential economic benefit but innovation on the Sunshine Coast.
identified that the cost of construction and operation
should not be borne by Noosa ratepayers but Council continues to manage our Holiday Parks
rather, Council expressed a willingness to consider including awarding a new three-year contract for the
financial options driven by the market. management of the Noosa River Holiday Park.
During 2016/17, Council also commenced a
Council undertook its first Economic Development process to redevelop the Noosa North Shore
Grants Program providing financial support for Beachfront Campground including the development
programs that will support the outcomes of the of concept designs and sorting out tenure issues.
Local Economic Plan.
Council undertook its three yearly review of
Council entered into a Memorandum of commercial high use permits and following a tender
Understanding with the Small Business Solutions process, awarded new permits for the operation of
section of TAFE Queensland to provide support for commercial activities on Council controlled land in
training and development of local small businesses. the Hastings Street precinct.
Section 6
Corporate Plan Theme 4: Long term planning for Noosa Shire
“Noosa Shire is well managed and sustainable”
Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:
Council undertook significant work on the Council has adopted the Noosa Local Disaster
development of the new Planning Scheme during Management Plan which guides our responses to
2016/17. Council adopted the New Noosa Plan natural disasters. Council has also undertaken
Discussion Paper for the purposes of public considerable work in developing our response to
consultation and undertook an extensive natural disasters including undertaking disaster
community engagement process to seek feedback. management exercises to train our staff. This was
Council also finalised a range of studies to support put to the test with the arrival of the remnants of
the development of the new Planning Scheme Cyclone Debbie in February 2017. Our
including: management of that response was good and our
o Resources and Minerals Planning Study Local Disaster Management Plan was able to deal
with that scenario. Council was also successful in
o Study into Agriculture and Agricultural Land in
obtaining State funding to install new flood alert
Noosa Shire
stations at a cost of $206,000.
o On-Site Effluent Disposal Noosa Shire Study
Council adopted a Transport Policy and Transport
o Housing Needs Assessment Strategy following extensive community
Council was able to provide significant input into the consultation. This was one of the signature long-
ongoing development of the draft South-East term pieces of planning for our community
Queensland Regional Plan which will achieve a undertaken in 2016/17. There were two rounds of
good outcome for the Noosa community. community consultation including targeted
Council undertook a significant review of our consultation with key stakeholders. One of the
infrastructure plans to enable us to meet new challenges for 2017/18 is the implementation of that
legislative requirements for the imposition of Strategy. Also during 2016/17, Council successfully
contributions from developers towards the cost of delivered its Christmas and Easter free holiday bus
infrastructure. program.
Council adopted its new Corporate Plan which will Council adopted an Asset Management Plan
guide key corporate decision making for the next 20 Roadmap in 2016/17. The roadmap sets out the
years. The Corporate Plan was developed following priorities for developing more robust long-term
a series of Councillor workshops analysing future asset management plans and ensuring that asset
trends and developed a new vision – “Noosa Shire - management becomes more central to our decision
different by nature”. making processes. Converting this roadmap into
action is also one of the challenges for 2017/18.
Section 7
Corporate Plan Theme 5: Excellence as a Council
“The Noosa Shire community is proud of its Council”
Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:
Although our end of year financial statements have Our Noosa Aquatic Centre, Noosa Leisure Centre
not yet been finalised, it is clear that we have had and The J all had outstanding years. The Noosa
another successful financial year. Revenues were Leisure Centre had its highest ever annual
above budget, expenses were below budget, debt attendance, The J had its highest ever revenue and
levels are lower than at the beginning of the the Noosa Aquatic Centre had its strongest ever
financial year and cash reserves are higher than at financial performance. Reports will be provided to
the beginning of the financial year. At the end of Council in due course in relation to the annual
2016/17, Council adopted its budget for the 2017/18 performance of our community facilities.
financial year with a 2% general rate increase. Council has recently undertaken its first external
Council has successfully achieved another customer service survey. The survey was
unmodified audit from the Queensland Audit Office undertaken by Market Facts to enable us to
with the 2015/16 financial statements being signed benchmark with other Queensland local
off by the QAO in late 2016. governments (LGAQ also use this firm to undertake
Behind the scenes, the Audit and Risk Committee state wide customer service surveys). A report will
has continued to add value to our compliance and be provided separately to Council in relation to this
performance for governance and finance. This has matter but our benchmark scores are above state
included an oversight of our strategic risks, review averages.
of key governance and financial policies, review of Council continued to undertake a series of service
organisational KPI’s, development of Business reviews looking in detail at operations to find ways
Continuity Planning etc. Our two external members in which we can be more efficient in delivering
of the Audit and Risk Committee in particular have services. This included areas such as the Noosa
added significantly to our overall governance Leisure Centre, Environmental Health, and Building
practices. Although not high profile, this Committee and Plumbing Services. Following these reviews,
plays an important role in making sure that Council Council adopted additional staff resources in some
“dots the i’s and crosses the t’s” both in governance parts of the organisation to ensure that appropriate
and in the management of risk. Council’s Internal service levels can be delivered.
Audit Program included internal audits on The transformation of our Workplace Health and
Procurement and Council investments. Safety performance has continued. Significant
Council commenced a review of our organisational progress has been made in relation to our
structure at the end of 2016 with the new structure documentation, processes and practices for
being adopted in March 2017. Following Workplace Health and Safety. Based on the LGW
considerable internal consultation, the Planning and Workcover Performance statistics for category D
Infrastructure Department was split in two with a Councils we have transitioned from one of the worst
new Environment and Sustainable Development performing local governments of our size to one of
Department and a new Infrastructure Services the best performing local governments of our size
Department being created. Also during 2016/17, for Lost Time Frequency and Lost Time Injury.
Council added additional staff resources to our A Digital Strategy has been developed for
Infrastructure Design and Delivery Branch and management to focus on opportunities available
Asset Management Branch to enable them to with emerging digital technology. This strategy
deliver expected outcomes. focuses particularly on improving our organisational
Our enterprise risk management has been further efficiency using digital technology as well as
developed with risk management practices being improving our interface to our community. During
further embedded into Council operations. Council the year, more mobile technology was rolled out to
was recognised by Local Government Mutual for our external workforce.
our risk management practices. The Leadership We commenced negotiations for a Noosa Council
Team reviews strategic risks on a quarterly basis Certified Agreement. Given the recent changes to
and operational risk registers have been industrial relations legislation and awards, it is only
established at a Departmental level. Our now become possible for Council to begin to
comprehensive Business Continuity Plans are all develop our own Noosa Council Certified
but complete and will be tested in early 2017/18. Agreement rather than continuing to be bound by
the former Sunshine Coast Council Certified
Agreements. These negotiations with unions will
continue into the 2017/18 financial year.
Section 8
We transitioned our ICT systems to the latest Although commencing in the 2015/16 financial year,
version of the Cloud which provided enhanced the process of bringing our new Council up to
security and stability for our systems which is speed with the myriad of Council issues was a pre-
important given the number of cyber-attacks dominant theme in the first few months of the
occurring at the moment. We have also continued 2016/17 financial year. This involved a significant
to roll out our ICT strategy to enhance our system number of workshops and presentations to
capabilities. Councillors to brief them on key strategies, projects
We undertook significant training and development and priorities. This was quite a seamless process
for leadership capabilities within the organisation. resulting in good governance and good decision-
This included the continuation of the Leadership making processes.
Practices Inventory (LPI) program for our senior
management staff (approximately 30 staff leaders).
While undertaking a significant amount of
professional development training for our staff, we
still have more to do to successfully implement an
annual staff development program.
Section 9
Some Statistics
To put the level of “day to day” activity into perspective, the following statistics are provided:
Services Provided in 2016/17 Data
Number of visitors to the Noosa Aquatic Centre 245,208
Number of visitors to The J 79,740
Number of visitors to the Noosa Leisure Centre 101,877
Number of clients serviced at Noosa Community Support 2,915 clients
(39,355 services delivered)
Number of physical items issued by our Libraries 572,435
Number of bins collected General Waste - 1,846,152
Recycling - 1,206,385
Green waste - 213,779
Number of calls answered by our customer service team 65,713
Number of development applications and percentage approved 444 applications
98.7% approved
(including tree removal applications)
Number of rate notices issued 62,262
Length of road resurfaced Asphalt – 10km
Spray sealing – 23km
Total – 33km
Length of road serviced by our street sweeper 11,480km