2019-11-21 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                           21 NOVEMBER 2019


proposed for consideration. It will thus allow community representatives to see how initiatives and/or
changes to service levels and/or capital projects influence the outcome of the budget.
Participants will be able to make suggestions and see the impacts of such suggestions on Council’s
operating position and potential general rate increase. Under consideration at this session will be:
 new initiatives being raised (both staff and councillor initiatives);
 proposed 10 year capital program;
 draft revenue position;
 draft expenditure position;
 any recommended changes in staffing numbers;
 levy increase or decrease options;
 general rate increase options; and
 CPI and LGAQ Cost Index figures.

It is recommended that all Councillors attend both of the Community Group Representative sessions
as observers. Appropriate staff will also be on hand to provide information and advice. Being
observers, Councillors will not be able to debate with the community representatives, however, like
staff, they may be called on to provide explanations to specific questions.

At the end of the second day, Councillors and staff will have a better understanding of the priorities
and viewpoints of the participating community representatives.

Following these sessions, the community representatives may choose to consult with their
organisations on any of the issues raised during the sessions. In doing so, they should have a
reasonable understanding of the budget process and its complexities. Those organisations may in
turn choose to make representation to Council in support of specific budget-related issues.

2.    On-line Consultation Via Your Say Noosa

All relevant documents associated with the budget deliberations will be made available through the
Your Say Noosa portal on Council’s website. This will include not only the detailed spreadsheets and
presentations, but also helpful fact sheets and summary documents. Feedback will be sought from
any interested resident who wishes to make comment. Those responses will be collated and
provided to Councillors.

This broader approach to garnering submissions and input replicates the processes that Council
already undertakes for other matters such as planning scheme, local laws and proposed strategies.
It ensures that any member of the community has the ability to consider the budget documents and
make their own submission. For those who are not members of local organisations, or who would
like to make individual requests, they can do so via Your Say Noosa.

Conclusion

Whilst the Community Representative Budget Reference Group process may provide the more
informed response to budget issues, the on-line process will allow all residents to also have their
say, particularly with regard to individual projects and priorities. Through the website everyone can
not only view Council’s budget and budget-related documents, but also get access to quick facts.

The unknown in a general process that is simply on-line (i.e. with no face-to-face information
sessions) is that it is potentially exposed to the possibility of single-issue interest groups focusing on
individual budget items or initiatives.

Of course, this is no different to Council being lobbied via email or petition generally. However, single-
issue lobbying is often engaged in without full understanding of the broader issues and impacts on
the overall budget or, more pointedly, on rate increases. Nevertheless, it is important that all


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