Meeting minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                                20 JULY 2023


         Councillors by the Office of Independent assessor, that is, to exercise an 'abundance
         of caution', I believe it is prudent to declare a conflict of interest. It is important to note,
         that I have taken myself off the CHAP and the Eastern Beaches Foreshore
         Management Plan because of my brother’s involvement on the EPBA. An Integrated
         Catchment Management Plan for Burgess Creek is not part of the CHAP nor part of
         CHAP solutions. It is part of a broader, Noosa Catchment strategy of waterways. What
         I have been requesting since June 2022, is an analysis and review of environmental
         monitoring and impacts for the Noosa Sewage Treatment Plant releases into Burgess
         Creek and the catchment. Matters regarding Water Quality Issues affecting Burgess
         Creek catchment, and environmental impacts of Wastewater Treatment Plant
         outflows into the Burgess Creek catchment. Burgess Creek catchment covers roughly
         545 hectares, it drains from the back of residential developments in Noosa Head,
         through bushland and community facilities near Eenie Creek Road, and then through
         a Council-managed Bushland Reserve and National Park. It affects and impacts
         thousands and thousands of people in the Shire. The disposal of liquid waste into our
         waterways, including freshwater, oceans and rivers creates social and environmental
         problems for the whole of Noosa Shire. This issue is a significant issue for the whole
         community. Water quality has political, environmental, and legal implications for the
         whole of shire of council. Many of these implications include risks to Council
         infrastructure such as stormwater, open spaces and roads. In October 2022: I moved
         a Council resolution at the LGAQ Conference: Regions becoming more Resource
         Independent through efficient use and re-use of Wastewater. I called on the LGAQ to
         advocate to the State Government of Qld to undertake a state-wide analysis of
         recycled water reuse that values the protection of local ecosystems and provides
         suitable data to assist councils and water authorities and retailers in producing
         business cases for water reuse. Supported (almost unanimously). In June 2023, I
         moved another Council resolution at the Australian Local Government Association
         (ALGA) calling on the Australian Government to formulate a National Policy on Ocean
         Sewerage Outfalls that aims at:
              No new ocean and estuarine sewerage outfalls to be built/developed along the
                  Australian coastline, and
              Dedicated funding to be provided to support local regional governments and
                  wastewater providers with existing ocean and estuarine outfalls, to develop
                  new methods/technologies and make every effort to recycle 100% of all
                  treated wastewater generated within their localities and avoid the need to
                  discharge in the ocean.
         It was carried unopposed by 357 Councils in Australia. Both motions were supported
         unanimously by this Council. I have also put forward a motion for Council approval for
         this year’s LGAQ Conference in Gladstone calling for LGAQ to advocate to the State
         for a State Policy on Ocean Sewerage Outfalls because we need to develop a
         standard, wastewater diversion targets and wastewater recycling and reuse targets
         that can be replicated across all the States in Australia. I believe that my intention
         cannot be questioned. The outcome I am seeking to achieve is:
              Cleaner oceans
              Cleaner wastewater
              Reducing the impact of liquid waste on the environment and communities
              Transitioning towards a circular economy for liquid waste
              Environmental best practices
         For the whole of Noosa Shire. An Integrated Catchment Management Plan for the
         Burgess Creek Catchment that will form part of a broader, Noosa Catchment Strategy
         of waterways will help us plan to achieve this outcome. For nearly two years this issue
         has become one of my passion projects. I have knowledge and expertise that I bring
         to this table and integrity. Although I have a declarable COI, I believe I could consider
         the matter impartially and in the public interest. I choose to remain in the meeting