Meeting minutes

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                                  17 JULY 2023


         That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Wilkie and determine that it
         is in the public interest that Cr Wilkie participates and votes on this matter because
         Council believes that Cr Wilkie does not stand to gain personally or materially through
         noting this report, and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision
         is made in the public interest.
                                                                         Carried unanimously.
         Cr Wilkie resumed 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 have a declarable conflict of interest in this
         matter as in early 2020, I received an electoral donation of $500 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.

         Committee Resolution
         Moved:              Cr Joe Jurisevic
         Seconded:           Cr Clare Stewart
         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 Cr Stockwell does not stand to gain personally or
         materially through noting this report, and therefore a reasonable person would trust
         that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                           Carried unanimously.
         Crs Stockwell, Lorentson, Finzel and Wilkie did not vote on the above motion.

         In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Lorentson
         provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in
         this matter:
         I, Cr Lorentson, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this
         matter because my brother Gabriel Cerasani, who until recently, was on the Executive
         of the Eastern Beaches Protection Association who have made submissions to the
         Eastern Beaches Foreshore Management Plan. The report references the Plan as part
         of the Noosa Environment Strategy. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest,
         I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because I believe
         my brother nor I stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this matter.
         Therefore, 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.