Ordinary minutes, 14 December 2023

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                 14 DECEMBER 2023


            Council’s Local Laws are reviewed when they are impacted by a change in
            legislation or when local circumstances require that they are amended in order for
            their specific objectives to be met. Noosa’s current Local Laws are based on the
            model local laws provided by the Department of State Development,
            Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning. The process of assessing
            potential improvements to Noosa’s Local Laws is occurring continuously through
            ongoing feedback from our community and businesses. The review of specific
            Local Laws is planned to commence in the near future. These reviews will focus
            on ensuring they meet the contemporary needs, expectations and lifestyles of our
            communities. The process of making Local Law is defined in the Local
            Government Act 2009. It is consistent for all Queensland councils and is a very
            transparent process. As part of a review process Council officers will prepare a
            report detailing whether a new or amended local law is required and an authority
            to proceed is reported to Council. The Council will consider information supporting
            the proposal and if in agreement will resolve to commence the local law making
            process. When the draft is completed, Councils are then required to submit the
            proposals to the Queensland Government who undertake what is termed a “state
            interest check”. Following the successful completion of this step, notice of the
            proposed local law is required to be posted publicly in the local newspaper and
            on Council’s website. Council will be seeking to actively engage with the public
            who are invited to review the Local Laws and provide feedback. Submissions from
            this consultation is considered by Council and appropriate revisions made to the
            proposed new local law before being bought back to Council for consideration and
            resolution.


    11.2.   BRIAN O'CONNOR

            Question 1.
            Will Noosa Council consider stepping up the effectiveness of its pre-development
            concierge service to people with a good idea who wish to do the right thing by
            discussing development proposals in depth and ahead of a formal decision being
            made, so they don't have 'false hope' their proposal will get up at a council
            meeting; their considerable up-front costs wasted as a consequence?
            Response by Richard MacGillivray, Director Development and Regulation
            Pre-lodgement meetings are an important and valuable tool for both the
            development industry and Council development assessment staff. The meetings,
            which are commercial in confidence, provide the opportunity for open dialogue
            outside of the formal development assessment process, with prospective
            applicants receiving guidance and advice regarding the alignment of their
            development proposals with the expected outcomes of the Noosa Plan. The
            meetings are attended by representatives of Council’s development assessment
            team including senior planners, development engineers, and environment
            officers. Advice is also regularly sought from other internal branches, including
            Council’s Strategic Planning branch, to ensure participants are well informed of
            all related issues and all positive aspects of the proposal. Written notes are also
            provided to the attendees summarising the issues discussed in the meeting and
            providing clear guidance on whether the proposal demonstrates compliance with
            the planning scheme and is likely to be supported at an officer level. Notably, most
            significant development applications are preceded by a pre-lodgement meeting.
            In some instances however, prospective applicants choose to proceed with their
            preferred form of development despite advice of its conflict with the planning
            scheme. More than 100 pre-lodgement meetings have been held over the past
            two years. Council encourages participation in these meetings by only requiring a
            modest fee and ensure meetings are arranged with staff within a short timeframe.
            It is also encouraged for applicants with larger projects to request multiple pre-