2020-10-15 Ordinary Meeting Minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                               15 OCTOBER 2020


4   PARK ROAD TEMPORARY PATHWAY UPGRADE
    In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Wegener provided the following
    declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
    I, Cr Wegener inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter due to my
    association with Andrew St Baker who owns a property in Park Road, adjacent to the where the
    pathway is located. Andrew St Baker contacted me in May about the pathway in question which runs
    on the northern edge of his property. I went to meet with him and looked at the path and he told me
    the history of his dealings with Council. I contacted the Project Officer and passed on Mr. St Baker’s
    concerns. Later, I informally met the Project Officer on the boardwalk and, I believe, he told me that
    it will eventually come before Council. I have a perceived association with Mr. St Baker as I am a
    surfboard manufacturer and he is an owner of Thomas Surfboards and the Thomas Factory. I believe
    Mr. St Baker has had a fantastic influence on manufacturing in Noosa. In Council I have often
    congratulated the Thomas Factory and I have discussed the emerging Enterprise Business Zones
    which Mr. St Baker supports. During the Campaign Mr. St Baker allowed me to put an election core
    flute at the Thomas Surfboard Factory. I occasionally meet Mr. St Baker in the surf and have had two
    discussions of the Noosa Biosphere, the history of Noosa and the Bring Back the Fish campaign at
    his house, which is, obviously, right above the surf break. Although I have a declarable conflict of
    interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because I believe I do
    not have a close personal relationship with Mr St Baker. Therefore, I will choose to remain in the
    meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain in and
    participate in the decision.

    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 due to my
    relationship with Andrew and Cathryn St Baker who reside in Park Road adjacent to where the
    pathway is located. My family have holidayed once with Andrew and Cathryn St Baker, my husband
    is close personal friends with Andrew St Baker and one of my election signs was located at Thomas
    Surfboards and Andrew St Baker is a joint owner of that business. As a result of my conflict of interest
    I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on.
    Council Resolution
    Moved:          Cr Stockwell
    Seconded:       Cr Jurisevic
    That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Wegener and determine that it is in the public
    interest that Cr Wegener participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that Cr
    Wegener does not have a close personal relationship with Mr St Baker and therefore a reasonable
    person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                   Carried unanimously.
    (Cr Wegener did not vote on the above motion)

    Council Resolution
    Moved:            Cr Jurisevic
    Seconded:         Cr Wilkie
    That Council note the report by the Project Manager - Transport Innovation to the Services
    & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 6 October 2020 and defer consideration of the
    matter until the November round of meetings to seek further information from the Design
    Team.
                                                                       Carried unanimously.

    Cr Lorentson returned to the meeting.




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