2023 LGAQ ANNUAL CONFERENCE MOTIONS · Report

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REPORT
MOTION A - Cr Lorentson - Support of Noosa Council’s ALGA motion for a National Policy on
Ocean Sewerage Outfalls

"The LGAQ advocate to the State Government of Queensland recommending that a submission
made by Noosa Council to NGA at the ALGA Conference, 2023 is developed and agreed to by the
ALGA board for Federal Policy priority and implementation. The motion was carried unopposed by
357 Councils across Australia."

Background
In June 2023: Noosa Council moved a motion at the Australian Local Government Association
(ALGA) calling on the Australian Government to formulate a National Policy on Ocean Sewerage
Outfalls that aims at:
1. No new ocean and estuarine sewerage outfalls to be built/developed along the Australian
coastline, and
2. Dedicated funding to be provided to support local regional governments and wastewater providers
with existing ocean and estuarine outfalls, to develop new methods/technologies and make every
effort to recycle 100% of all treated wastewater generated within their localities and avoid the need
to discharge in the ocean.
It was carried unopposed by 357 Councils in Australia. Water scarcity, extreme weather events,
droughts, and population growth require efficient water management and sustainable sewerage and
stormwater management. It demands that we start valuing the worth of water and start using potable
water for better use. It is unacceptable that in 2023, that treated sewage, untreated sewage is still
being discharged into our oceans. A practice that commenced in Australia in the 1960s. Whilst it
might not be currently possible to do away with marine outfalls completely, we must set ambitious
targets, be forward thinking and do what we can to look at alternatives and new technologies to
lessen the environmental impact to the receiving environments ie aquatic and coastal
ecosystems. Our beaches and coastline are some of our most important public places and must be
a key priority for this country. Facts: Data gathered in 2016 from 165 of the 175 ocean and
estuarine outfalls provide the first national snapshot of wastewater discharges to Australia's coastal
environment. The total volume of wastewater discharged to Australia's oceans in 2016 was 1350
gigalitres: equivalent to 2.7 Sydney harbours. The potential value of this water would have been
more than more than $1 billion, had as little as 20% been recycled*. A large proportion 64% of
Australia’s 176 coastal outfalls are currently contributing to poor water quality for Australia’s coastal
waterways and ocean environments because, wastewater is treated to only a lower level of quality,
referred to as a primary or secondary treatment.*
 *Clean Ocean Foundation, Outfall Database

MOTION B - Cr Lorentson - State Policy on Ocean Sewerage Outfalls

"The LGAQ advocate to the State Government of Queensland to formulate a State Policy on Ocean
Sewerage Outfalls that aims at:
   1. No new ocean and estuarine sewerage outfalls to be built/developed along the Queensland
      coastline, and
   2. Dedicated funding to be provided to support local regional governments and wastewater
      providers with existing ocean and estuarine outfalls, to develop new methods/technologies
      and make every effort to recycle treated wastewater generated within their localities and
      avoid the need to discharge in the ocean."
Background
In October 2022: Noosa Council moved a motion at the LGAQ Conference: Regions becoming
more Resource Independent through efficient use and re-use of Wastewater.
I called on the LGAQ to advocate to the State Government of Qld to undertake a state-wide analysis
of recycled water reuse that values the protection of local ecosystems and provides suitable data to

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assist councils and water authorities and retailers in producing business cases for water
reuse. Supported (almost unanimous).
In June 2023: Noosa Council moved a motion at the Australian Local Government Association
(ALGA) calling on the Australian Government to formulate a National Policy on Ocean Sewerage
Outfalls that aims at:
   •   No new ocean and estuarine sewerage outfalls to be built/developed along the Australian
       coastline, and
   •   Dedicated funding to be provided to support local regional governments and wastewater
       providers with existing ocean and estuarine outfalls, to develop new methods/technologies
       and make every effort to recycle 100% of all treated wastewater generated within their
       localities and avoid the need to discharge in the ocean.
It was carried unopposed by 357 Councils in Australia. It also attracted over 12,000 signatures
This motion supports and aligns with intent and the outcomes sought by ALGA, 2023 and LGAQ,
2022 motions.
Queensland coastline and rivers are some of our most important places. They are not rubbish tip.
It is time to take a stance to stop new ocean and estuarine sewerage outfalls to be built/developed
along the Australian coastline.
It is time to reduce the impact of not just solid waste but also liquid waste on our environment and
communities.
It is time to transition towards a circular economy for wastewater and building economic opportunity.
And uncertainty around emerging contaminants such as PFAS and micro plastics and
toxins requires improved systems and investment to manage WWTP for cleaner oceans.
We need to transition to cleaner wastewater, for cleaner oceans, for all of Queensland.

MOTION C - Cr Wilkie - Shaping SEQ Review Process

"The LGAQ calls on the State Government to respect the dwelling and population growth projections
as advised, and planned for, by each South-East Queensland Local Government and provide
adequate funding for infrastructure to match any increase in dwelling and population  projections
imposed by the State Government during the Shaping SEQ Review process."

Background
The State government is undertaking a review of the SEQ Regional Plan and appears to be
drastically increasing population and dwelling projections for SEQ councils, regardless of whether
they are attainable or realistic.

MOTION D - Cr Finzel- Psychosocial Risk Reduction Training

"The LGAQ calls on the Qld State and Federal Governments to allocate Funding for a Pilot Program
to enable the LGAQ to co-ordinate ‘Psychosocial Risk Reduction Training’"

Background
LGAQ has capacity to co-ordinate a Pilot program with the provision by way of resourcing from the
State Government and creating the opportunity to collect data and establish key findings as
supported evidence. To upscale the Pilot Program to a State Wide initiative in the future. Councils
as duty holders are obligated to ensure that adequate information, training and instruction is provided
to workers about the nature of these psychosocial risks and control measures. Promoting a culture
of reporting psychosocial hazards. Facilitating Managers alongside workers to model these
behaviours requires education and training including but not limited to Trauma Informed Care given
Council workers are increasingly on the front line responding to unprecedented natural disasters in
the past five years. The associated costs back to Government, private sectors and communities
when it comes to reasonably ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of our people is borne by us
all. Improving health outcomes through education and prevention with a focus on early intervention
with contributions made by a wide range of partners to include all levels of government in addressing

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the health of women and girls is identified in the principle objectives and actions of ‘The National
Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030’. Steps forward support the notion that investment into training
local Council workers has a ripple affect with our people being seen as ‘Ambassadors’ in sharing
learned knowledge through informal pathways. Contributing value towards the advancement of
human rights, sustainable development and peace as recognised by UNESCO. Collectively, now
more than ever we need to fast track initiatives to find practical ways to minimize impacts of COVID
recovery and natural disaster management now and into the future. Building resilience to improve
mental health and well-being of our people now living in our communities with the impacts of natural
disasters, climate change, rising cost of living, access to affordable housing, and job security is
essential.
Link to Corporate Plan

Theme No 1. - Environment
Focus areas include the natural environment, built environment, waterways and coasts and
conservation and heritage.
Theme No. 2. - Liveability
Liveability encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable
an inclusive, connected and vibrant community.
Theme No. 4. - Future
This theme is focused on our future, strengthening our relationship with First Nations peoples and to
ensure our community is prepared and resilient to change. A focus on youth, climate resilience and
adaptation, sense of place and destination management.
Theme No. 5. - Excellence
This theme focuses on customer experience, financial sustainability, innovation and technology,
levels of service, governance, our employees and volunteers, funding streams and asset
management practices.


Previous Council Consideration
Nil.
Finance
Nil associated directly - seeking consideration of a potential LGAQ motion and advocacy.
Risk & Opportunities
As noted in each proposed motion template.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
As noted in each proposed motion template.
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:

       Office of the CEO, Mayor &       Community Services                Corporate Services
               Councillors
  x       Mayor & Councillors       x   Director                    x   Director
  x       Chief Executive Officer       Community Development           Financial Services
          Executive Officers            Sport & Active Lifestyles       Fleet
          Community Engagement          Arts & Culture                  Revenue Services
          People & Culture              Community Connection            ICT
          Governance                    Customer Experience             Commercial Property

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     Strategy & Environment &            Development & Regulation        Infrastructure Services
     Sustainable Development
 x     Director                      x     Director                 x   Director
       Strategic Land Use Planning         Development Assessment       Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                                                        and Delivery
       Economic Development &              Local Laws                   Civil and Asset operations
       Destination Management
       Environmental Services              Environmental Health         Asset Management
       Innovation & Digital Hub            Building & Plumbing          Building & Facilities
                                           Property / Permits           Disaster Management
                                                                        Waste