2021-12-13 General Committee Meeting Minutes

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                                      13 DECEMBER 2021


          6.     The proposed development is likely to further burden disaster management
                 response and capacity during flood events.
          7.     The proposed reconfiguration and bushfire and flood mitigation strategies do not
                 comply with the Noosa Plan 2020.
    B.    Note the report is provided in accordance with Section 63(5) of the Planning Act 2016.
                                                                                      Carried unanimously.
    Cr Stewart returned to the meeting.



5   2021-2022 ENVIRONMENT GRANTS PROGRAM (ROUND 2)
    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 as I am the
    President of Permaculture Noosa which has applied for funding under the Climate change Response
    Grant Category of the 2021-2022 Environment Grants Program (Round 2). As a result of my conflict I
    will leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on.
    Cr Wegener left the meeting room.

    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 regarding the climate
    response grant application submitted by the Zero Emissions Noosa Group which is for the proposed
    use of a consultant to enhance the adoption of solar in strata titled developments. The application lists
    the consultant as Mr Ian Wright. Mr Wright was on the Noosa Lakes Resort Body Corporate Committee
    on an off for the last 3 years while I was the Chairman of that group. I have worked closely with Mr
    Wright and have had occasional dinners as part of the committee network and recently at the completion
    of the large solar installation on the site. I am no longer a member of the Body Corporate Committee
    and have not socialised with Mr Wright outside of that context. Although I have a declarable conflict of
    interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because I believe the
    close association with Mr Wright, as defined by the Act, has ceased and further, he is not the direct
    recipient of the grant. 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.
    I, Cr Stockwell, also inform the meeting that I have a further declarable conflict of interest in this matter
    in relation to the application by the Noosa District Landcare due to my long standing connection with the
    organisation as one of the inaugural members of the unincorporated group dating back to the 1980s and
    a current ordinary member. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable
    person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship. 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.
    Committee Resolution
    Moved:             Cr Jurisevic
    Seconded:          Cr Lorentson
    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 he does
    not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this matter and does not have a close
    personal relationship with Mr Wright or Landcare 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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