2022-03-08 Planning & Environment Meeting Minutes

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                               8 MARCH 2022


5.   REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE


1    MCU15/0109.04 - MINOR CHANGE TO DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL FOR MULTIPLE
     HOUSING –TYPE 4 – CONVENTIONAL (39 UNITS) AT 75 RESORT DRIVE, NOOSA
     HEADS
     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 Constructions. I have a personal 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 room.
     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 Constructions. Leigh McCready who is associated with the applicant was
     involved in a volunteer capacity with my 2020 election campaign where I was one of three candidates
     that ran as a group known as '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 room.
     In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the following
     declaration to the meeting of a prescribed 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 Constructions. 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 the ICEO review was an advisory service, not a statutory process,
     and my queries at that time were in the public interest and neither I nor Ms McCready stood to
     personally gain or lose from that advice. 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.
     Due to the Conflict of Interest declarations, the CEO appointed Cr Wegener as Chair.
     Committee Resolution
     Moved:             Cr Wegener
     Seconded:          N/A
     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 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.
     Cr Stockwell resumed the chair.




                                                                                                   Page 3 of 7