2021-04-12 General Committee Meeting Minutes

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                                         12 APRIL 2021


    2   PARK ROAD TEMPORARY PATH UPGRADE FURTHER INFORMATION
        The following material was presented to the meeting in relation to this item:
             Cr Wegener – map and images - refer to Attachment 1

        In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Lorentson provided the
        following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
        I, Cr Lorentson, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter due
        to my relationship with Andrew and Cathryn St Baker who reside in Park Road adjacent to
        where the pathway is located. My family have holidayed once with Andrew and Cathryn St
        Baker, my husband is close personal friends with Andrew St Baker and one of my election signs
        was located at Thomas Surfboards and Andrew St Baker is a joint owner of that business. As
        a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered
        and voted on.

        In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Wegener provided the
        following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
        I, Cr Wegener inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter due
        to my association with Andrew St Baker who owns a property in Park Road, adjacent to the
        where the pathway is located. Andrew St Baker contacted me in May 2020 about the pathway
        in question which runs on the northern edge of his property. I went to meet with him and looked
        at the path and he told me the history of his dealings with Council. I contacted the Project
        Officer and passed on Mr. St Baker’s concerns. Later, I informally met the Project Officer on
        the boardwalk and, I believe, he told me that it will eventually come before Council. I have a
        perceived association with Mr. St Baker as I am a surfboard manufacturer and he is an owner
        of Thomas Surfboards and the Thomas Factory. I believe Mr. St Baker has had a fantastic
        influence on manufacturing in Noosa. In Council I have often congratulated the Thomas Factory
        and I have discussed the emerging Enterprise Business Zones which Mr. St Baker supports.
        During the election campaign Mr. St Baker allowed me to put an election core flute at the
        Thomas Surfboard Factory. I occasionally meet Mr. St Baker in the surf and have had two
        discussions on the Noosa Biosphere, the history of Noosa and the Bring Back the Fish
        campaign at his house, which is, obviously, right above the surf break. Although I have a
        declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of
        bias because I believe I do not have a close personal relationship with Mr St Baker. Therefore,
        I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting
        on whether I can remain in and participate in the decision.


        Committee Resolution
        Moved:          Cr Stockwell
        Seconded:       Cr Stewart
        That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Wegener and determine that it is in
        the public interest that Cr Wegener participates and votes on this matter because Council
        believes that Cr Wegener does not have a close personal relationship with Mr St Baker and
        therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                   Carried unanimously.
        (Cr Wegener did not vote on the above motion)




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