2026/27 FINANCIAL POLICIES · Report

Page 2

SPECIAL MEETING                                                                       23 JUNE 2026


        iv. Pursuant to Section 193 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, for the 2026/27
            financial year, the Revenue Policy, provided as Attachment 4 to this report; and
        v. Pursuant to Section 198 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, for the 2026/27
           financial year, the Procurement Policy, provided as Attachment 5 to this report; and
        vi. The General Rates and Charges Concession Policy, provided as Attachment 6 to the
            report; and
        vii. The General Rates and Charges Financial Hardship Policy, provided as Attachment 7 to
             this report; and
        viii. The General Rates and Charges Debt Management and Recovery Policy, provided as
              Attachment 8 to this report; and
        ix. The Management of Restricted Cash Policy, provided as Attachment 9 to the report; and
        x. The Financial Securities (Bonds and Guarantees) Policy, provided as Attachment 10 to
           the report; and
        xi. The Entertainment and Hospitality Expenditure Policy, provided as Attachment 11 to the
            report; and
        xii. The Non-Current Asset Accounting Policy, provided as Attachment 12 to the report; and
        xiii. The Asset Management Policy, provided as Attachment 13 to the report.


REPORT
Sections 191,192, 193 and 198 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 (the Regulation) require
Council to prepare and adopt an Investment Policy, Debt Policy, Revenue Policy and Procurement
Policy. While the remainder of the policies outlined below are not specifically required under
legislation, they reflect best practice policy governance and audit recommendations and as such are
now embedded as essential Noosa policies to reinforce Council’s commitment to the prudent and
sustainable financial management of Council’s resources on behalf of our community.

A. Financial Sustainability Policy
The Financial Sustainability Policy (Attachment 1) outlines the financial framework that Council will
work within to ensure that community capital is protected and that Council will continue to meet its
financial sustainability targets into the future. The policy references the performance measures
articulated in the Queensland Local Government Sustainability Framework.

In line with Council's Corporate Plan objectives, the policy includes reference to Council's
commitment to the incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) into its financial
reporting, disclosures and pricing frameworks over the coming years.

The Financial Sustainability Policy has been reviewed and remains current.

B. Investment Policy
In accordance with Section 191(1) of the Regulation, Council must prepare and adopt an investment
policy. The Investment Policy (Attachment 2) outlines Council's investment objectives, overall risk
philosophy and procedures for achieving the goals relating to investments stated in the policy.

The Investment Policy has been reviewed and remains current with only minor changes being made.

C. Debt Policy
In accordance with Section 192(1) of the Regulation, Council must prepare and adopt a debt policy
for each financial year. The Debt Policy (Attachment 3) must also state new borrowings for the
current financial year and the next nine years and also state the time over which Council plans to
repay existing and new borrowings. New debt will generally only be incurred for capital projects

Page 3

SPECIAL MEETING                                                                         23 JUNE 2026


relating to Council business units that provide a return on investment or for infrastructure projects
that will provide intergenerational benefits. Council is proposing to borrow $10.8m in the 2026/27
financial year to fund waste management capital infrastructure works.

Over the 10-year forecast period, Council plans to borrow $40.0m.

The Debt Policy has been reviewed and updated to reflect proposed borrowings in the financial years
from 2026/27 to 2035/36.

D. Revenue Policy
In accordance with section 193(1)(a) of the Regulation, the Revenue Policy (Attachment 4) for a
financial year must state the principles that Council intends to apply in that year for the levying of
rates and charges, the granting of concessions for rates and charges, the recovery of overdue rates
and charges, cost recovery methods and if Council intends to grant concessions for rates and
charges, the purpose for the concessions and the extent to the which physical and social
infrastructure costs for a new development are to be funded by charges for the development.

In accordance with Section 193(2) of the Regulation, Council's Revenue Policy may also state the
guidelines used for the preparation of Council's Revenue Statement and in accordance with Section
193(3) of the Regulation, Council must review its revenue policy annually and in sufficient time to
ensure that its annual budget is consistent with the revenue policy to be adopted for the financial
year.

The Revenue Policy has been reviewed and remains current.

E. Procurement Policy
In accordance with Section 198(1) of the Regulation, Council must prepare and adopt a policy about
procurement. The Procurement Policy (Attachment 5) must include under Section 198(2) of the
Regulation details of the principles, including sound contracting principles, that Council will apply in
the financial year for the purchase of goods and services and under Section 198(3) of the Regulation
Council must review its procurement policy annually.

The Procurement Policy ensures the application of sound contracting principles in Council's
procurement activities, including for the provision of goods, equipment and servicing, construction
and services contractors as well as for the disposal of assets.

There have been some minor amendments to with wording of the procurement policy and an
additional section for ‘procurement approvals’ for situations where an engagement might be over our
policy thresholds but still within legislative thresholds has been added.

Noting recent changes to the Regulation in relation procurement threshold changes, a procurement
review is scheduled for Quarter 1 of the 2026/27 financial year. The recommendations of this review
will be reported to Council via the Executive Team.

F. General Rates and Charges Concession Policy
The General Rate and Charges Concession Policy outlines the eligibility criteria required to be met
for community organisations to receive a concession from Council equivalent to the general rates
payable on a property.

The General Rates and Charges Concession Policy remains current with only the name of the policy
being changed.

G. General Rates and Charges Financial Hardship Policy
Under the Local Government Act 2009, ratepayers are required to pay Council interest on overdue
rates and charges.

Page 4

SPECIAL MEETING                                                                        23 JUNE 2026


The General Rates and Charges Financial Hardship Policy provides Council with the ability to
provide concessions on interest for overdue rates and charges on the grounds of hardship in a
manner that is considered compassionate, equitable, transparent, responsive to the landowner’s
capacity to pay and financially responsible, having regard to Council obligation to maintain its
financial sustainability. Hardship may arise in situations such as loss of employment, family
breakdown, health issues, disaster, passing of family members, or other extenuating unforeseen
factors. Upon application, a ratepayer may be entitled for up to two years (depending on criteria)
interest free terms to establish a payment program on overdue rates.

The General Rates and Charges Financial Hardship Policy remains current with only the name of
the policy being changed.

H. General Rates and Charges Debt Management Recovery Policy
The General Rates and Charges Debt Management and Recovery Policy provides a structured and
transparent approach to the management and recovery of overdue rates and charges. The policy
ensures that Council exercises its rates and charges recovery powers in accordance with Chapter
4, Part 12 of the Regulation, in a manner that supports financial sustainability while promoting
fairness and consistency in debt recovery practices. The policy outlines the processes for identifying
and managing overdue accounts, the use of reminder notices and recovery actions, and the
circumstances under which payment arrangements, hardship provisions, or legal recovery may be
applied. Its purpose is to maximise the timely collection of revenue, minimise the level of outstanding
debt, and ensure all ratepayers are treated equitably and respectfully.

The General Rates and Charges Debt Management Recovery Policy remains current with only the
name of the policy being changed.

I. Management of Restricted Cash Policy
The Management of Restricted Cash Policy outlines the internal and external restricted cash
reserves required for cash management to ensure that Council can meet its regulatory requirements,
allocate funds for specific future projects and activities and ensure sufficient working capital is
available to meet current and long-term financial obligations.

The policy has been amended to reflect the intent of the Regulation with Special Rates and Charges
classified as Externally Restricted Cash and Separate Rates and Charges classified as internally
restricted cash.

Other Policies
In the development of the 2026/27 Budget, no changes have been made to the Financial Securities
Policy, Entertainment and Hospitality Expenditure Policy, Non-Current Asset Accounting Policy or
the Asset Management Policy. These policies remain current as adopted by Council at its Special
Meeting on 30 June 2025 and are submitted to Council for readoption.


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No. 5 - Excellence
This theme focuses on customer experience, financial sustainability, innovation and technology,
levels of service, governance, our employees and volunteers, funding streams and asset
management practices.
Objective 5.2 - Continue to deliver a financially sustainable Council that has the resources
now and into the future to achieve its strategic objectives.
This will be supported through the introduction of enhanced sustainability reporting and performance
indicators, as well as ESG (environment, social and governance) accounting practices as guided by
statutory requirements.

Page 5

SPECIAL MEETING                                                                            23 JUNE 2026


Previous Council Consideration
Special Meeting 30 June 2025 - 2025/26 Budget Adoption.


Finance
Council borrowing is effectively guaranteed by the State Government, and as such any borrowing
must be approved by the Minister for Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
(in accordance with the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982).
The Investment Policy (previously Investment of Surplus Funds Policy) encourages diversification
and aims at preservation of capital as a priority over investment returns, thereby minimising risk.


Risk & Opportunities
Failure to effectively comply with legislation regarding the review, update and adoption of required
policies and/or new policies may compromise effective organisational governance and compromise
Council’s short- and long-term financial sustainability.


Human Rights
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with Council’s
Human Rights Policy.


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
These financial policies incorporated into this report were reviewed in consultation with relevant
branch managers. No external consultation was undertaken in the development of this report.
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
     Office of the CEO, Mayor &             Community Services              Corporate Services
             Councillors
 X    Mayor & Councillors             X   Director                    X   Director
 X    Chief Executive Officer             Community Connection        X   Financial Services
      Executive Officers                  Sport & Active Lifestyles   X   Revenue Services
      Community Engagement                Arts & Culture                  ICT
      Governance                          Customer Experience         X   Procurement

                                                                          People & Culture
      Strategy & Environment              Development & Regulation        Infrastructure Services
 X    Director                        X   Director                    X   Director
      Strategy & Sustainability           Development Assessment          Civil and Asset operations
      Economic Development        &                                       Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                          Local Laws
      Destination Management                                              and Delivery
      Environmental Services              Environmental Health            Waste
      Innovation & Digital Hub            Building & Plumbing             Building & Facilities

Page 6

SPECIAL MEETING                                              23 JUNE 2026


    Commercial Property   Property / Permits   Disaster Management

                                               Fleet