2014-03-03 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                     3 MARCH 2014


A copy of the Company’s constitution and the Network Agreement are available in the
Councillors room. The Healthy Waterways Network Committee is currently considering changes
to the organisational structure of Healthy Waterways. These changes are not likely to have
significant implications for the general status of member organisations, but are aimed at
streamlining the organisations operations. Council will have an opportunity to provide input to
this process. If changes are made Council will be in a position to reconsider its membership of
the restructured organisation.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION

Nil

FINANCE & RISK

If Council chooses to establish and maintain a membership of the Healthy Waterways Network, it
will be required to make annual financial payments towards the Network’s ongoing operations.
The Network contributions for local governments are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on
population. Council’s contribution for 2013-14 is $28,160 (+GST). The actual amount of
contribution from Noosa Council for 2014-15 has not yet been advised by the Healthy Waterways
Secretariat. However it is anticipated to be similar to the current investment plus CPI. Council
would be in a position to leave the Network at any time without financial penalty, providing there
are no overdue contributions outstanding.

Should Council choose not to maintain membership of the network, it is unlikely that the network
will continue the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program in the Noosa River catchment and
estuary. Should this occur, Council would no longer have an annual report card for the
ecosystem health of the Noosa river system. Council would also lose access to the other
services provided by the partnership including access to the Scientific Expert Panel,
communication programs, education and monitoring programs, the Water by Design program
and the annual Healthy Waterways Awards ceremony.

CONSULTATION

External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil.


Internal Consultation
The Coordinator Finance Services has been consulted on the matter.

Departments/Sections Consulted:

      Community Infrastructure                    Community & Development
      Asset Planning & Delivery                   Community Services
      Civil Operations                            Planning & Development
      Environmental Services                      Health & Regulatory Services
      Waste Management                            Business Facilitation
                                                  Community Resilience & Disaster Management


      Executive Office                        X   Organisational Services
      Communications & Governance             X   Financial Services
      Human Resources                             ICT
      De-amalgamation Coordination                Property & Contracts




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