2021-09-07 Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Minutes

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                      7 SEPTEMBER 2021


6    REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE


10   PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – JULY 2021
     In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stewart provided the following
     declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
     I, Cr Stewart, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as I have a
     close personal relationship with Anthony Francis Bell and Kelly Nicole Bell listed in the report at Item
     93, Application No. SPS21/0112; and Robyn A Yates listed in the report at Item 127, Application ID
     SPS21/0150. Although I have a declarable conflict of Interest I do not believe a reasonable person could
     have a perception of bias because I believe Council’s consideration of these applications are not to
     approve or reject them, they are only for noting that a decision has already been made by staff.
     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.
     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, listed in the report at Item 111, Application No. SPS21/0134. I am a
     surfboard manufacturer and Mr St Baker 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 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
     of the Noosa Biosphere, the history of Noosa and the Bring Back the Fish campaign at his house, which
     is 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 and Council’s consideration of this application is not to approve or reject
     it, only for noting that a decision has already been made by staff. 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 Finzel
     Seconded:         Cr Stockwell
     That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stewart and determine that it is in the public
     interest that Cr Stewart participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that although Cr
     Stewart has a personal relationship with Anthony Francis Bell, Kelly Nicole Bell and Robyn A Yates,
     Council’s consideration of these applications is not to approve or reject them, but only for noting that a
     decision has already been made by staff, therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final
     decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                      Carried unanimously.
     Committee Resolution
     Moved:            Cr Finzel
     Seconded:         Cr Stockwell
     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 although
     Cr Wegener has a relationship with Mr St Baker, Council’s consideration of these applications is not to
     approve or reject them, but only for noting that a decision has already been made by staff, therefore a
     reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                       Carried unanimously.
     (Crs Stewart & Wegener did not vote on the above motion)




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