Meeting minutes

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                          11 JULY 2023


7.   CLOSED SESSION



     7.1.   ENVIRONMENT LEVY
            PROPOSED LAND PURCHASE

            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 as in my sole trader consultancy (Watershed Australia), I commenced a contract
            with the Koala Action Gympie Region Association (KAGR) in June 2023. The $28,000
            agreement currently runs to the end of the calendar year. As part of the contract I am
            assisting the not-for-profit group identify potential programs and projects to enhance
            koala habitat and the sustainability of the group in the Gympie Region including
            opportunities to link with other organisations to create inter-regional corridors. As the
            subject land abuts the Gympie Regional Council area, and as it is part of a mapped
            koala corridor in the SEQ Bioregion, KAGR may have a future interest in linkages
            across shire boundaries in this locality. As there is currently no direct link, nor any
            current specific project or proposal involving KAGR, or myself in a consultant capacity,
            and the lot in question, nor is it likely that I will benefit directly from its acquisition, I
            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.


            Committee Resolution
            Moved:             Cr Tom Wegener
            Seconded:          Cr Karen Finzel
            That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine Cr
            Stockwell must leave the meeting and not participate in the consideration and vote on
            this matter because due to the confidential nature of the matter, I believe that a
            reasonable person may not trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                            Carried unanimously.
            Cr Stockwell left the meeting.

            CLOSURE OF THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC
            Committee Resolution
            Moved:           Cr Tom Wegener
            Seconded:        Cr Karen Finzel
            That the meeting be closed to the public pursuant to section 254J (3) (g) of the Local
            Government Regulation 2012 for the purpose of discussing Item 7.1 Environment Levy
            Proposed Land Purchase.
                                                                          Carried unanimously.

            RE-OPENING OF THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC
            Committee Resolution
            Moved:           Cr Tom Wegener
            Seconded:        Cr Karen Finzel
            That the meeting be re-opened to the public.
                                                                                Carried unanimously.