2020-07-13 General Committee Meeting Notes

 RECOMMENDATIONS ONLY – NOT THE FINAL DECISION OF COUNCIL
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                   13 JULY 2020


The meeting adjourned at 12.22pm
The meeting resumed at 12.34pm

3    YUROL RINGTAIL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT
     Cr Stockwell declared a perceived conflict of interest in this matter (as defined in section 175D of the
     Local Government Act 2009) due to the fact as a Sole Trader in his business Watershed Australia, he
     has both been contracted by, and had subcontracted officers of, Noosa and District Landcare prior to
     becoming a Councillor. This included undertaking a paid 2 day consultancy facilitating a meeting of
     Landcare members in 2015 and also subcontracting Landcare for a project. Cr Stockwell advised that
     there was no nexus between the work he had undertaken for Landcare prior to him becoming a
     Councillor and the matter before Council. Cr Stockwell is also an ordinary member of the group with
     long standing association including as a Council representative that assisted in its foundation in 1989.
     Cr Stockwell advised of his collegial relationships dating back to the 1980s with members of Landcare,
     his professional roles as a State Government public servant liaising with Landcare through those roles
     and his relationship with members of the current Landcare Committee. Cr Stockwell believed that he
     could consider this item impartially and in the public interest and requested to remain in the meeting
     room to participate in the debate and vote on this matter.

     Pursuant to section 175E(4) of the Local Government Act 2009, the remaining Councillors gave
     consideration to whether the conflict was a real conflict or perceived conflict and whether Cr Stockwell
     may participate in the meeting for the debate and vote on this matter or whether he must leave the
     meeting for the debate and vote on this matter.

     Committee Recommendation
     Moved:             Cr Jurisevic
     Seconded:          Cr Wegener
     That Councillors note the perceived conflict of interest declaration of Cr Stockwell and resolve that this
     represents a perceived conflict of interest in this matter and Cr Stockwell may remain in the meeting
     room to participate in the debate and vote on this matter.
     For:         Crs. Jurisevic, Wegener and Wilkie
     Against:     Crs. Lorentson, Finzel and Stewart
                                                                  Carried on the casting vote of the Chair.
     Cr Stockwell did not vote on the above motion.

     Committee Recommendation
     Moved:             Cr Wegener
     Seconded:          Cr Stockwell
     That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Planning & Environment
     Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2020 regarding the Yurol Ringtail Environmental Project and:
     A.    Note that the project remains on track with all milestones to date being met;
     B.    Authorise the CEO to continue negotiations between the existing project partners and
           Greenfleet as outlined in the report and further, advise the State government that Council
           supports “in principle’ the proposal by Greenfleet to undertake environmental
           remediation work in the Yurol Ringtail project area; and
     C.    Note that the CEO will provide a further report to Council once those negotiations are
           further advanced outlining details of any changes required to existing contracts.
                                                                                    Carried unanimously.


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