2022-06-28 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                                  28 JUNE 2022

2.    REPORTS


1       2022/23 NOOSA COUNCIL BUDGET PROCESS CONSULTATION FEEDBACK

Author            Director Corporate Services (Acting), Trent Grauf
                  Corporate Services Department

Index             ECM/ 7.33 - 2022 – 2023 Budget

Attachments       1     Balance the Budget Participation Tool Response Summary
                  2     Summary of Face-to-Face Consultation
                  3     Summary of Consultation Outcomes


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the 2022/23 budget development process, Council has undertaken a community
engagement process to seek feedback on the draft budget priorities before its adoption on 28 June
2022. 170 responses were received, through a number of channels including face to face sessions,
email, online survey and a balance-the-budget tool.

Council has considered and reviewed the feedback, with the following changes made to the budget
for adoption:
•     Deferral of Short Stay Local Law renewal fees;
•     Increased investment in environmental services through a new community Bushcare officer
      and additional allocation of funds for Environment Grants; and
•     Additional project funding for both Council’s Economic Development branch and Tourism
      Noosa.
These changes to the final budget will not impact Council’s financial sustainability with all key
financial sustainability ratio targets still met in line with Council’s Financial Sustainability Policy.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Director Corporate Services (Acting) to the Special Meeting dated
28 June 2022 regarding the 2022/23 Budget process community consultation outcomes and note
that feedback received was considered by Councillors during the finalisation of the 2022/23 Council
budget.

REPORT
Under sections 104 and 107A of the Local Government Act 2009 and section 170 of the Local
Government Regulation 2012, Council is required to adopt, for each financial year, after 31 May
before the financial year and before 1 August in the financial year, a budget and revenue statement.

Council’s budget process runs from November through to June each year and is a significant annual
project for Council, requiring considerable organisational and Councillor input to ensure that budget
decisions align with Corporate Plan objectives, Operational Plan targets and Financial Sustainability
Policy requirements.

Council has continued its commitment to the community engagement process for its 2022/23 budget
development, with a number of channels offered to elicit community feedback regarding the
proposed draft budget and priorities. The engagement approach has involved the following to date:


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