2022-09-15 Ordinary Meeting Minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                                15 SEPTEMBER 2022


4   TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS ENVIRONMENTAL OFFSETS
    That Council note the report by the Acting Principal Environment Officer to the Planning &
    Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 September 2022 and request the Chief Executive
    Officer:
    A.    Continue negotiations with Transport and Main Roads Department about opportunities
          for use of suitable land as environmental offset receiving sites and update Council on
          the outcomes; and
    B.    Bring forward a report on Council’s Environment Offset Policy and associated guideline,
          after initial consultation has concluded.



5   PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – JULY 2022
    In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stewart provided the following
    declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
    I, Cr Stewart, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to
    the application by Altum Properties No.9 P/L TTE, which is listed as item 18 in this report. I have a
    friendship with Leigh and Rob McCready, who are associated with the applicant. As a result, of my
    conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on.
    Cr Stewart left the meeting.
    Cr Wilkie assumed the Chair.
    In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Finzel provided the following
    declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
    I, Cr Finzel, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the
    application by Altum Properties No.9 P/L TTE, which is listed as item 18 in this report. Leigh McCready
    who is associated with the applicant, was involved in a volunteer capacity for my 2020 election campaign
    with Future Noosa, which is no longer an entity. As a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the
    meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on.
    Cr Finzel left the meeting.
    In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the following
    declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
    I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to
    the application by Altum Properties No.9 P/L TTE, which is listed as item 18 in this report. On 24
    February 2020 I sought a review by the Independent Council Election Observer (ICEO) as to the public
    claims of the Future Noosa Team, of which Leigh McCready was publicly identified as a Campaign
    Manager. Leigh McCready is associated with the applicant. Although I have a declarable conflict of
    interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because Council's
    consideration of this application is not to approve or reject it, it is only for noting of a decision that has
    already been made by staff. Therefore, I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will
    respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision.
    Council Resolution
    Moved:               Cr Jurisevic
    Seconded:            Cr Lorentson
    That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public
    interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a
    reasonable person could not have a perception of bias because the ICEO review was an advisory
    service, not a statutory process, and Cr Stockwell’s queries at that time were in the public interest and
    neither he nor Ms McCready stood to personally gain or lose from that advice and therefore a reasonable
    person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                     Carried unanimously.
    Cr Stockwell did not vote on the above motion.


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