NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2023 - 2024 · Report

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                      18 NOVEMBER 2024


time) to ensure that the prescribed disclosures under the Regulation are included in the document.

Council's Financial Statements, which were signed by an authorised delegate of the Auditor General
Queensland on 31 October 2024, and in accordance with the Queensland Auditor General Act
2009 confirm that:
   a. the prescribed requirements in relation to the establishment and keeping of accounts have
      been compiled within all material respects, and
   b. the Financial Report:
        i.   gives a true and fair view of the Council's financial position as at 30 June 2024, and of
             its financial performance and cash flows for the year that ended, and
        ii. complies with the Queensland Local Government Act 2009, the Local Government
            Regulation 2012 and Australian Accounting Standards.
Furthermore, the Community Financial Report (provided in the Annual Report) has been prepared
by Council’s Financial Services Branch and provides readers with an easy-to-follow summary and
analysis of Council’s financial position for the 2023-2024 financial year.

The Governance Branch coordinated and collaborated extensively with various teams and experts
across Council to prepare the content and to demonstrate that Council is meeting its legislative
requirements. We thank all staff that have been involved and assisted in this reporting period.

3. Australasian Reporting Awards 2023 result

Last year, the Governance Branch submitted the 2022-2023 Annual Report to the Australasian
Reporting Awards (ARA) as an opportunity to benchmark Council's reporting content against best
practice, and local government industry standard. As a result, Council achieved a Silver award for
its efforts, which is a significant achievement from previous years of attaining Bronze awards. In
particular, Council was commended on improving its organisational content and providing a strong
reportable disclosure section that promotes a pro-disclosure culture and greater transparency for our
community.

4. Content

This year, Council has continued to maintain its high Australasian Reporting Award standard and
further strengthened its report content by including the following key changes:
   •   Quick Facts – expansion of facts to highlight our Shire’s economic, population, social,
       employment, housing and health statistics.
   •   People and Culture – increased reporting on our workforce, diversity statistics and
       achievements that promote a positive culture aligned to our SPARC values.
   •   Community Engagement – increased reporting on our community engagement activities for
       the year.



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.


Previous Council Consideration

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                           18 NOVEMBER 2024


Nil.

Finance
Financial costs associated with this project include:
•       ‘Noosa Dreaming’ Acknowledgment of Country image licence $500 ex GST
•       Graphic design work $12,000 ex GST



Risk & Opportunities
The Annual Report forms part of Council’s commitment to delivering transparency, governance
reporting to the community and legislative compliance. Failing to ensure the accuracy of the
prescribed disclosures exposes Council to a risk of legislative non-compliance and reputational
damage.


Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
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
•       Australasian Reporting Awards
•       JK Design
•       Dalmarri Art


Internal Consultation
Extensive consultation has occurred across Council to assist in the preparation of information for the
Annual Report, including with Council's Audit and Risk Committee.

Departments consulted:
        Office of the CEO, Mayor &         Community Services              Corporate Services
                Councillors
         Mayor & Councillors         X   Director                    X   Director
    X    Chief Executive Officer     X   Community Development       X   Financial Services
    X    Executive Officers              Sport & Active Lifestyles       Fleet
    X    Community Engagement            Arts & Culture              X   Revenue Services
    X    People & Culture            X   Community Connection            ICT
         Governance                  X   Customer Experience         X   Procurement

                                                                         Commercial Property

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GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                            18 NOVEMBER 2024


     Strategy & Environment                Development & Regulation       Infrastructure Services
 X   Director                          X   Director                   X   Director
 X   Strategic Land Use Planning       X   Development Assessment     X   Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                                                          and Delivery
 X   Economic Development          &       Local Laws                     Civil and Asset operations
     Destination Management
     Environmental Services                Environmental Health           Waste
     Innovation & Digital Hub              Building & Plumbing            Building & Facilities
                                           Property / Permits             Disaster Management