Annual Report 2023-24

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Message from the Mayor and from the CEO
                                                       Message                                                                                                                                Message
                                                       from the Mayor                                                                                                                         from the CEO
     It’s a pleasure to present the 2023/24 Annual Report.                program. We also launched the Thrive Youth Festival held in         Our 2023/24 Annual Report speaks volumes about a                   Our team’s exceptional endeavors led to recognition at the
     It highlights the diverse projects delivered, services improved,     Pomona in April, which proved a great success.                      remarkable year of action and progress, put together by our        prestigious IPWEA Qld Excellence Awards for the impressive
     achievements recorded and progress made over the past 12                                                                                 dedicated team.                                                    $9.81 million Beckmans Road Intersection Upgrade and Noosa
     months.                                                              More than 170 community volunteers have helped deliver                                                                                 Biosphere Trail 5 Upgrade. These accolades again recognise
                                                                          Council’s services this year, including our libraries, Noosa        With pride, it’s worth noting our prudent financial approach       the passion and dedication our staff have towards their work
     Serving our community is at the heart of everything your             Regional Gallery and Noosa Botanic Gardens - to name just a         was recognised by the Queensland Treasury - a sound                and the community.
     Council does and we continue to look for ways to make doing          few. I can’t thank them enough for their invaluable contribution.   financial position with a neutral outlook.
     business with Council easier.                                                                                                                                                                               The quadrennial local government elections in early 2024
                                                                          It’s volunteers who power Noosa’s 300-plus community                During 2023-24, we started implementing our comprehensive          ushered in new leadership with the election of a new Mayor
     This year we launched the trial hinterland Customer Service          groups that all make such a difference to residents’ lives, and     2023-2028 Corporate Plan, based around the five pillars of         and Councillors. While we express gratitude for Mayor Clare
     desk based at Cooroy Library, intended to give hinterland            so we again hosted our annual event in December to celebrate        Environment, Liveability, Prosperity, Future and Excellence.       Stewart’s dynamic leadership over the past four years, we
     residents a place closer to home to get help in person with          their efforts on International Volunteer Day.                                                                                          optimistically look towards a promising future under Mayor
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     payments and general council enquiries. We look forward to                                                                               The year witnessed the successful delivery of diverse projects     Frank Wilkie and the new Council.
     reviewing the results over the next year.                            One such group of tireless volunteers are those behind our          and initiatives like the two-lane Lawnville Road bridge at
                                                                          Community Bushland Care Program. These remarkable men               Cooroy, the impressive $1.95 million Olive Donaldson Pavilion      I would like to extend my appreciation to the Executive
     In the spirit of greater community engagement we revived our         and women bolster Council’s efforts to protect and preserve         at the Noosa District Sports Complex, and the pioneering           Leadership Team and our dedicated staff for their unwavering
     community-based council meetings and Councillor Coffee               our natural areas, and so I’m thrilled that this year we welcomed   installation of a polystyrene thermal processing machine,          commitment.
     Chats in taking our June 20 Ordinary Meeting out to Pomona.          our 20th Community Bushland Care Group to the program.              demonstrating our commitment to innovative solutions for
     The councillors look forward to more opportunities to discuss                                                                            landfill waste reduction.                                          I look forward to continuing to work with our residents,
     the issues that matter most to you.                                  In the past year alone our Bushland Care Group volunteers                                                                              ensuring our region maintains its enviable reputation as a
                                                                          have completed more than 300 working bees, contributed              Our focus on flood reconstruction and recovery from the            desirable place to live, work and prosper.
     Our Infrastructure Services team has tackled a massive works         more than 7000 hours, planted more than 4000 tube stock             2002 event led to the signing of the largest single construction
     program with a value of more than $39 million over the past          and removed around 1300 cubic metres – or 20 tonnes – of            contract ever, to repair the significant Black Mountain Road
     12 months. Highlights include more than $6 million worth of          weeds from our environment.                                         landslide.
     bridge upgrades, the $1.95 million Olive Donaldson Pavilion
     at Noosa District Sports Complex, plus a host of footpath             The new council was sworn in during April 2024 and while it        This project and many others total an astounding $120+ million
     upgrades and road resealing.                                         was a pleasure to have been a part of the previous council, it’s    in flood recovery work and is financially supported by the
                                                                          a great privilege to be elected your Mayor. I look forward to       Queensland Reconstruction Authority. We certainly appreciate
     Delivering this program while powering through a massive             working alongside returning councillors Karen Finzel, Amelia        the ongoing support from the Australian and Queensland




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Noosa Council Annual Report 23/24
     $120 million portfolio of Queensland Reconstruction Authority-       Lorentson, Brian Stockwell and Tom Wegener and new faces            Governments towards rebuilding our key infrastructure
     funded flood recovery work has been a formidable challenge.          Nicola Wilson and Jess Phillips as we proudly serve you over        impacted by the floods.
                                                                          the next four years.
     This year our first THRIVE All Abilities Expo connected                                                                                  We continued to march ahead in our vision of fostering a
     residents living with a disability, their families, and caregivers                                                                       people-centric culture, instilling our SPARC values into every
     with local disability services, support networks, and programs                                                                           facet of our Council operations. Designed to empower and
     that assist with everyday well-being and resilience.                                                                                     lead our staff, these values encourage authentic discussions,
     Young people too were a focus this year with a suite of              Frank Wilkie                                                        enabling us to consistently deliver superior results for our       Larry Sengstock
     wellbeing activities added to the popular Living Well Noosa          Mayor                                                               community.                                                         Chief Executive Officer