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Meeting minutes
MINUTES
Special Meeting
Thursday, 8 May 2025
2:30 PM
Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Crs Frank Wilkie (Chair), Karen Finzel, Amelia Lorentson, Jessica Phillips, Brian
Stockwell, Tom Wegener, Nicola Wilson
“Noosa Shire – different by nature”
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Page 2
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 8 MAY 2025
1. DECLARATION OF OPENING
The meeting was declared open at 2.30pm.
2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and
waters of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi people, and pays respect to their Elders,
past, present and emerging.
3. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES
COUNCILLORS
Cr Frank Wilkie (Chair)
Cr Karen Finzel
Cr Jessica Phillips
Cr Amelia Lorentson
Cr Brian Stockwell
Cr Tom Wegener
Cr Nicola Wilson
EXECUTIVE
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock
Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings
Director Community Services Kerri Contini
Director Development and Regulation Richard MacGillivray
Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt
APOLOGIES
Nil.
4. SPECIAL MEETING REPORTS
4.1. TOURISM NOOSA FUNDING AGREEMENT AND PERFORMANCE DEED
The following material was presented to the meeting in relation to this item:
Attachment 1 - 2025-05-08 Attachment 1 to Special Meeting - Tourism Noosa
Stats - provided by Cr Stockwell
Attachment 2 - 2025-05-08 Attachment 2 to Special Meeting - DMP Where we
roam - provided by Cr Stockwell (refer note below)
Attachment 3 - 2025-05-08 Attachment 3 to Special Meeting - Comparison of
Council Investment in LTO - provided by Cr Stockwell
***NOTE FROM 15 MAY 2025 ORDINARY MEETING***
That it be acknowledged that there was an error in the graph presented in “2025-
05-08 Attachment 2 to Special Meeting - DMP Where We Roam - provided by Cr
Stockwell” - (first page only of the attachment). The correct information as
presented at the Ordinary Meeting dated 15 May can be found at Attachment 1 to
the Ordinary Meeting dated 15 May 2025 - Updated Page 1 of Attachment 2 to
Special Meeting 8 May 2025 DMP Where we Roam - provided by Cr Stockwell.
Motion
Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie
Page 3
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 8 MAY 2025
Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell
That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Special Meeting
dated 8 May 2025, and
A. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to prepare and execute a 12 month
Funding and Performance Agreement with Tourism Noosa until 30 June 2026;
B. Approve the release of funds to the amount of $2.0M (exclusive of GST) to
Tourism Noosa, for the duration of this agreement (to 30 June 2026), conditional
on:
1. A Milestone Payment One of the agreement in the amount of $1.2M
(exclusive of GST), to paid on or before 31 July 2025;
2. A second graduated payment of $800,000 (exclusive of GST) to be made
at 6 months, subject to completion of the Roadmap and KPI achievements;
3. Noosa Council co-creating a comprehensive Roadmap with Tourism
Noosa detailing Council’s future expectations of Tourism Noosa’s role,
structure, future focus and actions, and any further funding arrangements.
C. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to transition the sponsorship of tourism
events and associated funding (previously facilitated by Tourism Noosa) to Noosa
Council during FY25/26.
D. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to prepare the Funding and
Performance Agreement to reflect the requirements outlined in this report,
including the addition of KPIs.
E. Work with Tourism Noosa to complete a comprehensive Roadmap
considering agreed service levels, organisational efficiencies, revenue
diversification plans and the transitioning of sponsorship of tourism events to
Noosa Council.
F. Note the new Funding Agreement (FY25/26) will be established prior to the
completion and adoption of the Destination Management Plan (DMP), it is
therefore not contingent upon the DMP. However, should the DMP be adopted
during the term of the Agreement, provisions will be in place to allow for variations
to the Agreement to ensure Tourism Noosa’s activities align with the DMP’s
principles, outcomes, and relevant actions.
Amendment No. 1
Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel
That Item E, 1 be added to read:
1. That as part of the development of the Tourism Roadmap and
considerations of future governance models, Council obtains
benchmarking data against other Local Tourism Organisations and
Regional Tourism Organisations. This information is to consider various
funding structures, the level and proportion of investment by local
government, staffing levels and the overall economic value of tourism. At
the conclusion of the roadmap process, two clear options are to be
presented to Council for consideration.
Carried unanimously.
Amendment No. 2
Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips
That Item G be added to read:
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SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 8 MAY 2025
G. Ensure any future proposed funding decisions for Tourism Noosa include
consultation with industry stakeholders and residents, ensuring transparency and
input into strategic investment in Noosa’s tourism future.
For: Cr Lorentson, Wilkie, Stockwell, Wilson, Phillips and Finzel
Against: Cr Wegener
Carried.
Amendment No. 3
Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips
That Item H be added to read:
H. Investigate the re-introduction of a Tourism and Economic Development Levy
that clearly defines who pays, ensures transparency in contributions from the
tourism industry and strictly regulates how funds are spent. The levy investigation
should align with the goals of the Destination Management Plan, guaranteeing
that revenue is used effectively for sustainable tourism development.
For: Cr Lorentson
Against: Cr Stockwell, Finzel, Wilkie, Wilson, Wegener and Phillips
Lost.
Amendment No. 4
Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel
That Item H be added to read:
H. Request the CEO provide reports to future Council meetings that note:
1. The executed Funding and Performance Agreement with the additional KPIs;
2. The agreed Roadmap (once finalised);
3. The event sponsorship costs including operational; and
4. Resource costs associated with events.
Carried unanimously.
Amendment No. 5
Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips
Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson
That Item I be added to read:
I. That Council recognise and reinforce the importance of maintaining the Noosa
Brand and include in the new funding agreement a requirement for Tourism Noosa
to maintain focus, investment and marketing activities directed on the
enhancement and maintenance of Noosa as an iconic destination through:
a. Ensuring that the marketing product remains strong and appealing by
supporting sustainable tourism and community well-being; and
b. Working with Tourism Noosa to identify key areas for investment that align with
the future Destination Management Plan.
For: Crs Stockwell, Wegener, Phillips, Wilkie and Lorentson
Against: Crs Finzel and Wilson
Carried.
Amendment No. 6
Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips
Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel
That Item E, 2 be added to read:
Page 5
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 8 MAY 2025
2. Ensure that any future amendments to governance or funding structures be
explicitly aligned with and informed by the final Destination Management Plan
(DMP), ensuring consistency of purpose and long-term strategic alignment
between Council and Tourism Noosa;
For: Crs Phillips, Wilkie, Wegener, Finzel and Wilson
Against: Crs Stockwell, Lorentson,
Carried.
Amendment No. 7
Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips
Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener
That Item E, 3 be added to read:
3. In providing a 12-month agreement, ensure operational continuity of Tourism
Noosa throughout the Roadmap. Include a clause as per the existing funding
agreement, that when the DMP is adopted any agreement and associated funding
with Tourism Noosa may be varied in response.
For: Cr Phillips
Against: Crs Wilkie, Finzel, Stockwell, Wegener, Lorentson and Wilson
Lost.
Amendment No. 8
Moved: Cr Karen Finzel
Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener
That Item J be added to read:
J. Request the CEO provide monthly status reports on the progress of
development of the Roadmap with Noosa Council;
For: Crs Finzel, Lorentson, Phillips, Wilson, Wilkie and Wegener
Against: Cr Stockwell
Carried.
Amendment No. 9
Moved: Cr Karen Finzel
Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips
That Item K be added to read:
K. Request the Chief Executive Officer engage an independent expert advisor to
work in collaboration with Tourism Noosa and Noosa Council addressing the
matters outlined in this report and present back to Council.
For: Crs Finzel, Wilson and Wegener
Against: Crs Wilkie, Stockwell, Phillips, and Lorentson
Lost.
Council Resolution
Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie
Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell
That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Special Meeting
dated 8 May 2025, and
A. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to prepare and execute a 12 month
Funding and Performance Agreement with Tourism Noosa until 30 June 2026;
Page 6
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 8 MAY 2025
B. Approve the release of funds to the amount of $2.0M (exclusive of GST) to
Tourism Noosa, for the duration of this agreement (to 30 June 2026), conditional
on:
1. A Milestone Payment One of the agreement in the amount of $1.2M
(exclusive of GST), to paid on or before 31 July 2025;
2. A second graduated payment of $800,000 (exclusive of GST) to be made
at 6 months, subject to completion of the Roadmap and KPI achievements;
3. Noosa Council co-creating a comprehensive Roadmap with Tourism
Noosa detailing Council’s future expectations of Tourism Noosa’s role,
structure, future focus and actions, and any further funding arrangements.
C. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to transition the sponsorship of tourism
events and associated funding (previously facilitated by Tourism Noosa) to Noosa
Council during FY25/26.
D. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to prepare the Funding and
Performance Agreement to reflect the requirements outlined in this report,
including the addition of KPIs.
E. Work with Tourism Noosa to complete a comprehensive Roadmap
considering agreed service levels, organisational efficiencies, revenue
diversification plans and the transitioning of sponsorship of tourism events to
Noosa Council.
1. That as part of the development of the Tourism Roadmap and
considerations of future governance models, Council obtains
benchmarking data against other Local Tourism Organisations and
Regional Tourism Organisations. This information is to consider various
funding structures, the level and proportion of investment by local
government, staffing levels and the overall economic value of tourism. At
the conclusion of the roadmap process, two clear options are to be
presented to Council for consideration.
2. Ensure that any future amendments to governance or funding structures
be explicitly aligned with and informed by the final Destination Management
Plan (DMP), ensuring consistency of purpose and long-term strategic
alignment between Council and Tourism Noosa;
F. Note the new Funding Agreement (FY25/26) will be established prior to the
completion and adoption of the Destination Management Plan (DMP), it is
therefore not contingent upon the DMP. However, should the DMP be adopted
during the term of the Agreement, provisions will be in place to allow for variations
to the Agreement to ensure Tourism Noosa’s activities align with the DMP’s
principles, outcomes, and relevant actions.
G. Ensure any future proposed funding decisions for Tourism Noosa include
consultation with industry stakeholders and residents, ensuring transparency and
input into strategic investment in Noosa’s tourism future.
H. Request the CEO provide reports to future Council meetings that note:
1. The executed Funding and Performance Agreement with the additional KPIs;
2. The agreed Roadmap (once finalised);
3. The event sponsorship costs including operational; and
4. Resource costs associated with events.
I. That Council recognise and reinforce the importance of maintaining the Noosa
Page 7
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 8 MAY 2025
Brand and include in the new funding agreement a requirement for Tourism Noosa
to maintain focus, investment and marketing activities directed on the
enhancement and maintenance of Noosa as an iconic destination through:
a. Ensuring that the marketing product remains strong and appealing by
supporting sustainable tourism and community well-being; and
b. Working with Tourism Noosa to identify key areas for investment that align
with the future Destination Management Plan.
J. Request the CEO provide monthly status reports on the progress of
development of the Roadmap with Noosa Council.
For: Crs Wilkie, Stockwell, Phillips, Finzel and Lorentson
Against: Crs Wegener and Wilson
Carried.
5. MEETING CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 4.38pm.