Meeting minutes

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                                  17 JULY 2023


         developments in Noosa Head, through bushland and community facilities near Eenie
         Creek Road, and then through a Council-managed Bushland Reserve and National
         Park. It affects and impacts thousands and thousands of people in the Shire. The
         disposal of liquid waste into our waterways, including freshwater, oceans and rivers
         creates social and environmental problems for the whole of Noosa Shire. This issue
         is a significant issue for the whole community. Water quality has political,
         environmental, and legal implications for the whole of shire of council. Many of these
         implications include risks to Council infrastructure such as stormwater, open spaces
         and roads. In October 2022: I moved a Council resolution 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 assist councils and water
         authorities and retailers in producing business cases for water reuse. Supported
         (almost unanimously). In June 2023, I moved another Council resolution 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. Both motions were supported
         unanimously by this Council. I have also put forward a motion for Council approval
         for this year’s LGAQ Conference in Gladstone calling for LGAQ to advocate to the
         State for a State Policy on Ocean Sewerage Outfalls because we need to develop a
         standard, wastewater diversion targets and 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.

         Committee Resolution
         Moved:         Cr Clare Stewart
         Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie
         That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Lorentson and determine
         that Cr Lorentson participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that
         Cr Lorentson can remain impartial in this matter and that a reasonable person would
         trust that the final decision is made in the public interest providing necessary and vital
         input.
                                                                            Carried unanimously.