Meeting papers

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                               8 JULY 2025


7.6         CR WEGENER - INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL - ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCE
            WITH NBRF


Author            Chief Executive Officer, Larry Sengstock
                  CEO's Office | Office of the CEO & Mayor
Index             ECM/Subject /Council of Mayors
Attachments       None


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Noosa Council appointed Cr Wegener as a Director on the Board of Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Foundation (NBRF) in April 2024. In his capacity as Director of NBRF, Cr Wegener will attend the
UNESCO 5th World Conference of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) in China on 22-26 September
2025. Cr Wegener has advised that he will personally pay any registration fee for conference along
with all costs of the trip. The dates he will be away are proposed as approximately 15 September to
10 October 2025.

The Councillor’s Expenses, Reimbursement and Provision of Facilities Policy requires a resolution
of Council for representation requiring overseas travel. As Cr Wegener is representing Noosa
Council and to ensure adherence to the Policy, resolution of the Council is sought to approve
representation. It is noted however that the costs of his travel, accommodation will be borne by
personally by Cr Wegener (with the exception of any minor sundry expenses which may be
requested to be reimbursed by Noosa Council subject to availability of funds in Cr Wegener's
discretionary representation budget).

RECOMMENDATION
That Council
A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee dated
   8 July 2025 regarding Cr Wegener's attendance as an NBRF Director at the UNESCO 5th World
   Conference of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) Conference in China; and
B. Approve Cr Wegener's international representation at the conference; and
C. Note that the costs for the trip will be covered personally by Cr Wegener.


REPORT
Cr Wegener has been invited to participate in the UNESCO World Conference of Biosphere
Reserves (WCBR) in China from 22-26 September 2025 as a Director of Noosa Biosphere Reserve
Foundation and he has worked to manage commitments around this time to enable travel to the
event.

There is no cost to Council for his attendance and participation, noting that Cr Wegener is paying for
the registration at the conference and all elements of the trip personally.

The Councillor’s Expenses, Reimbursement and Provision of Facilities Policy requires a resolution
of Council for representation requiring overseas travel. As Cr Wegener is representing Noosa
Council and to ensure adherence to the Policy, resolution of the Council is sought to approve
representation.




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