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PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             25 FEBRUARY 2014


EXECUTIVE OFFICE REPORTS

Executive

11.   ESTABLISHMENT OF A CASE MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP

Author           Chief Executive Officer, Brett de Chastel
                 Executive Office

Index            ECM/Subject/Case Management Working Group

Attachments      1.   Working Group Charter



PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to establish a Case Management Working Group to better manage
planning litigation; given it is one of Council’s significant issues.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Noosa Council has always had a history of vigorously defending its planning decisions through
the court system. Obviously, this comes at a significant cost and has the potential of having a
major impact on Council’s future financial position. It is also important to effectively manage our
litigation strategy and provide clear direction to Council’s solicitor on priorities and planning
outcomes desired.

It is proposed to establish a Case Management Working Group consisting of the Mayor, the
Chairperson of the Planning and Organisation Committee and key staff to oversee the
management of Council’s litigation with a particular focus on planning appeals. The Case
Management Working Group will provide advice and direction to Council’s solicitor on our
litigation and review progress with various cases. The Case Management Working Group will not
have any delegation to commence or settle cases and those decisions will continue to be made
by Council. The Working Group will focus on ensuring that the litigation process is as efficient as
possible and that Council’s planning goals are achieved through the Planning and Environment
Court process.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Planning & Organisation
Committee dated 25 February 2014 and:

A.    Establish a Case Management Working Group to oversee the management of Council’s
      litigation with a particular focus on planning appeals;

B.    Adopt the Charter for the Working Group as set out in the attachment to the report; and

C.    Appoint the Mayor and the Chairperson of the Planning and Organisation Committee as
      members of the Case Management Working Group, together with the Council staff
      identified in the Case Management Working Group’s Charter.




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