2019-11-21 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                      21 NOVEMBER 2019


Since de-amalgamation, Noosa Council’s budget process has been rigorous, pioneering a zero-
based or build-from-base budget approach. This method of developing a budget has been applauded
by the Queensland Audit Office. It has also been successful, ensuring an appropriate balance of
ratepayer affordability and service delivery, with minimal rate increases.

Since 2014, Noosa has gone from having the highest rates amongst similar sized councils, to a mid-
range position amongst those councils.

What has not been so successful is Council’s ability to explain the complexities of the budget
process, nor to improve the community’s understanding of the many factors involved in formulating
a Council budget.

The upcoming 2020/21 budget introduces further complexity as the local government elections will
be held in March. This will result in a somewhat unique schedule for budget development.

The proposed model

This model for Community Consultation on the Budget is designed and proposed for the 2020-21
budget process only. It may be assessed, refined and/or altered for future Council budget
deliberations. The model should thus be treated as a trial process.

It is proposed that all internal Councillor budget workshops be open to the public. This has not
happened previously.

The actual public consultation is proposed to occur in two parts:

1.   Community Representative Intensive Consultation.

Community Groups and Incorporated Associations based in Noosa Shire will be invited to provide
an individual member to represent their organisation on a new body to be called the Community
Representative Budget Reference Group. The criteria for inclusion will be that the organisation has
a membership of at least 50 or more current members. Thus sporting, business representatives,
environment, community representative and other groups may all choose to participate.

The individuals chosen by the organisations to represent them will form the Community
Representative Budget Reference Group. Each representative must be available to attend two full
days of budget information sessions.

These two days will be separated by a week or so and facilitated by an independent professional
facilitator.

The first session will provide the groundwork for budget decision-making. Community
representatives will receive all the material that Councillors normally review during early budget
workshops:
 budget overview;
 benchmarking against other similar councils;
 corporate plan priorities;
 financial sustainability policy overview;
 service level catalogue;
 10 year capital program; and
 relevant current budget-related Council policies.

The second session will offer an opportunity to test various ideas and approaches. The community
representatives will be provided with the 2020/21 Council new initiatives, proposed service level
changes and any other recommended budget changes from the previous year that are being

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