GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT – 17 JULY 2023 · Committee to Council report

ORDINARY MEETING                                                                         20 JULY 2023


wastewater recycling and reuse targets that can be replicated across all the States in Australia. I
believe that my intention cannot be questioned. The outcome I am seeking to achieve is:
   •   Cleaner oceans
   •   Cleaner wastewater
   •   Reducing the impact of liquid waste on the environment and communities
   •   Transitioning towards a circular economy for liquid waste
   •   Environmental best practices
For the whole of Noosa Shire. An Integrated Catchment Management Plan for the Burgess Creek
Catchment that will form part of a broader, Noosa Catchment Strategy of waterways will help us plan
to achieve this outcome. For nearly two years this issue has become one of my passion projects. I
have knowledge and expertise that I bring to this table and integrity. Although I have a declarable
COI, I believe I could consider the matter impartially and in the public interest. I 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.


That Council note the report by the Environment Officer – Rivers & Coast to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 11 July 2023 and:
   A. Note staff will continue liaising with Unitywater regarding the Burgess Creek STP data and
      aspects of Burgess Creek management;
   B. Continue scoping and development of a Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management
      Plan in partnership with Unitywater and key stakeholders;
   C. Note the continued development of Council’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Program
      including potential expansion to include additional monitoring sites; and
   D. That this report responds to previous Council Notice of Motions.


5.5. NOOSA ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY - YEAR THREE (2021/2022) IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN ANNUAL UPDATED
(Referred from Planning & Environment Committee dated 11 July 2023 - Item 6.2)
 In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Wilkie provided the following
declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
I, Cr Wilkie, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as in early
2020, I received an electoral donation of $750 from Peregian resident Susan Francis. Susan Francis
is the partner of Peregian resident Barry Cotterell. Mr Cotterell is the president of the Peregian Beach
Community Association (PBCA). The Environment Strategy Update mentions the progress of the
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan. The PBCA has provided feedback on the
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan. The Office of the Independent Assessor
and legal advice has indicated the Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan is not
Ordinary Council business because it relates to a specific geographical area and that links to groups
who have made submission to it ought to be declared. Although I nor the PBCA, which is a volunteer
community group, stand to gain personally or materially through noting this report, I make this
declaration out of "an abundance of caution" and commitment to transparency. I believe I can make
an impartial decision in the public interest in this matter and l therefore 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.


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: