2022-03-17 Ordinary Meeting Minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                                 17 MARCH 2022


8.   CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS


     1.   PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT – 8 MARCH 2022


          1   MCU15/0109.04 - MINOR CHANGE TO DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL FOR
              MULTIPLE HOUSING –TYPE 4 – CONVENTIONAL (39 UNITS) AT 75 RESORT
              DRIVE, NOOSA HEADS
              In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stewart provided the
              following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
              I, Cr Stewart, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter
              in relation to the application by Altum Constructions. I have a personal friendship with Leigh
              and Rob McCready, who are associated with the applicant. As a result of my conflict of
              interest I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on.
              Cr Stewart left the meeting.
              Cr Wilkie assumed the Chair.
              In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Finzel provided the
              following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
              I, Cr Finzel, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in
              relation to the application by Altum Constructions. Leigh McCready who is associated with
              the applicant was involved in a volunteer capacity with my 2020 election campaign where
              I was one of three candidates that ran as a group known as 'Future Noosa' (which is no
              longer an entity). As a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room
              while the matter is considered and voted on.
              Cr Finzel left the meeting.
              In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided
              the following declaration to the meeting of a prescribed conflict of interest in this matter:
              I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter
              in relation to the application by Altum Constructions. On 24 February 2020, I sought a
              review by the Independent Council Election Observer (ICEO) as to the public claims of the
              Future Noosa Team, of which Leigh McCready was publicly identified as a Campaign
              Manager. Leigh McCready is associated with the applicant. Although I have a declarable
              conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias
              because the ICEO review was an advisory service, not a statutory process, and my queries
              at that time were in the public interest and neither Ms McCready nor I stood to personally
              gain or lose from that advice. 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.
              Council Resolution
              Moved:    Cr Jurisevic
              Seconded: Cr Wegener
              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 a reasonable person could not have a perception of bias because the
              ICEO review was advisory service, not a statutory process, and Cr Stockwell’s queries at
              that time were in the public interest and neither he nor Ms McCready stood to personally
              gain or lose from that advice and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final
              decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                     Carried unanimously.
              Cr Stockwell did not vote on the above motion.




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