2015-11-16 GC Agenda - Item 3, Attach 1 - Annual Report 2014-15

Mayor’s Message
During the first 6 months of 2014 following de-amalgamation from the
Sunshine Coast Regional Council, the new Noosa Council agreed on a
simple Corporate Plan that contained a number of key priorities for the
2014/15 reporting period.

Considerable progress has been made in the following key areas:

A financially sustainable Council

In April this year, Queensland Treasury Corporation’s financial assessment placed Noosa Council
amongst the best in the State, despite there being no increase in the general rate. Further, the
Queensland Audit Office annual report to Parliament reveals that actual one-off de-amalgamation
costs were $4,356,576, much lower than the widely reported estimate of $11,020,000.
Community engagement and communication
Significantly more resources have been provided for community engagement compared to the
previous Noosa Council. As well as introducing a Community Jury for the first time in Queensland,
ongoing development of the Council website and social media will extend the ability for two-way
communication. Council and Committee Meetings are open to public scrutiny, unlike before de-
amalgamation, which reinforces Council’s approach of having “no secrets”.

Focus on community assets
Noosa Council has responsibility for maintaining almost one billion dollars of community assets –
bridges, roads, drainage, buildings, park land, sporting facilities and the like. Work has been
continuing on assessment of all assets as the first step in developing comprehensive Asset
Management Plans - something that Noosa Council had at the time of amalgamation in 2008. The
Budget has allocated sufficient funding for asset renewal equal to the estimated total of the annual
depreciation, so our assets remain fit for purpose.

Diversification of our economy
A number of initiatives totalling millions of dollars were included in the 2014/15 Budget, ranging
from significant funding for tourism promotion to small but important initiatives such as helping with
the development of an entrepreneurs’ network. With community input, Council also started work to
modernise and update the Noosa Economic Plan that was first developed in 2002.

Most people appreciate the challenge involved in establishing a new Council at the same time as
continuing to deliver and improve services. The majority of the establishment phase was
completed in the first 18 months, but significant ongoing work in areas like asset management will
take much longer.

The Noosa community has been served very well since de-amalgamation by many in the Council
organisation who have gone "above and beyond" to get the job done. Far less would have been
achieved without their dedication.

Noel Playford
Mayor




Noosa Council Annual Report 2014/15                                                            Page 3