Year in Review 2022_23

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                       18 SEPTEMBER 2023


in the Corporate Plan. This report covers the 2022-23 financial year and Noosa Shire Council’s
achievements through the operational plan that align to the Corporate Plan.

Our current Corporate Plan was adopted in early 2017 following a significant process to develop the
region’s long-term vision, led by 20-year goals and delivered through 5 key focus areas. An update
to the plan was undertaken in 2018 and our Council has operated under that version of the Corporate
Plan for the 2022/23 financial year.
The Corporate Plan sets out five key themes, namely:

   1. The Noosa Environment
   2. The Noosa Community
   3. The Noosa Economy
   4. Long-Term planning for Noosa Shire
   5. Excellence as a Council

It must be noted that the new Corporate Plan 2023-2028 was adopted in late May 2023 however will
not be implemented until the new financial year of 2023/2024 therefore this report specifically reports
against the previous Corporate Plan. Also worthwhile noting is the process of the 20-year Corporate
Plan and vision provides a greater horizon for the Shire; much has changed in our world since the
last review in 2018. Combined issues affecting our Council and our Community, such as the
COVID19 Pandemic, increased Climate Change Risk, natural disasters, 2032 Olympics, changing
demographics and an increasingly unstable geo-political environment were not envisaged in the
2018 review. These combined issues influence decision making and the direction of the Council, as
such it is viewed as prudent that in the new Corporate Plan we have taken into account our ever-
changing environment.

As the acting CEO, I would like to take this opportunity within this report to thank Scott Waters for
his contribution to Noosa Shire Council over this last year. His input in to the updated cultural values,
direction, realignment and change management has set the organisation up to deal with the constant
array of challenges that local governments will all face in the coming years.

   1. 2022/23 – A YEAR IN REVIEW

The following is a selection of ten highlights (from many) that frame the year 2022/2023.

1 - Rebuilding our Flood-Impacted Communities

The rain event in early 2022 severely impacted Noosa roads, resulting in issues such as landslides,
damaged water crossings and storm water outlets, plus other road damage. As a priority, Council
has issued the largest ever reconstruction tender to assist in the Black Mountain landslide. This is a
significant area of work to be carried out in the aftermath of the natural disaster.

2 - Corporate Plan 2023 - 2028

In consultation with our community, Council delivered its long term strategic direction and vision over
the next five years for the Noosa Shire. Importantly, signature projects and key actions are identified
that will advance us towards our goals while performance measures will enable us to track our
success.

3 - Infrastructure Achievements

Council delivered its largest capital works program of $43 million which included the completion of