2021-11-18 Ordinary Meeting Minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                      18 NOVEMBER 2021


     Response by Trent Grauf, Acting Director, Corporate Services:
     Changing approach for the Heritage Levy would be inconsistent to Council’s approach for all
     other levies. Any change in funding approach from Levy to general revenue in turn requires
     an increase to the General Rate and still impacts the total rates and charges paid by
     ratepayers. The Heritage Levy Policy & Guideline does not currently contain provision to
     support the payment of ongoing annual operating contributions to community organisations.
     As part of the annual budget process (commencing shortly for 2022/23), Council reviews the
     activities and priorities for funding within all levies. This will include the Heritage Levy.
     Council’s community grant program provides for equitable competitive funding to community
     organisations through its Community Grants Programs. The museum receives a three year
     Community Alliance Grant and has also been previously successful with Project Grants.

     2.   BREE JOHNSON / SUNSHINE BUTTERFLIES – PATHWAY AT COOROIBAH
     Question 1:
     Cr Lorenston has provided a response to our initial questions and we are respectful of Council’s
     position. However we believe that letters of support as well as the 640 signatures via
     change.org (215 of those signatures are in the Noosa Shire Council Area) and multiple
     signatures collected by Bree Johnson from Noosa residents, shows a strong case for need to
     have the bike/walking path extended from Lake Cooroibah to Silverwood Drive. Our question
     is, what more do we need to provide to further substantiate our case?
     Response by Larry Sengstock, Director, Infrastructure Services:
     Firstly we note the petition that has been presented tonight for consideration by Council. The
     proposed shared path from Lake Cooroibah to Silverwood Drive was identified within the
     Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy and Implementation Plan under Project ID 193B. The
     project was assessed against a criteria aimed at “getting more people riding a bike or walking”
     and “achieving value for money”. The criteria and scoring system was developed in
     consultation with the Project Reference Group (PRG) and later reviewed by the broader
     community through Council’s Yoursay Community Feedback. The proposed shared path from
     Lake Cooroibah to Silverwood Drive scored well however was in the slightly lower range when
     compared to other projects and as the length of pathway required for this project is 1,673m
     long it would come at a significant cost. Council would need to reallocate resources and funding
     from other projects which have scored higher in the prioritisation process, or increase Capital
     spend from general rates. As more funds or grants become available in the future, Council will
     be able to reassess priorities to be able to deliver this project to the benefit of community.



12   NEXT MEETING

     The next Ordinary Meeting will be held on 16 December 2021 at the Council Chambers,
     9 Pelican Street, Tewantin commencing at 5pm.




13   MEETING CLOSURE

     The meeting closed at 6.00pm.




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