Meeting minutes

ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES                                                   16 NOVEMBER 2023


            Election Observer (ICEO) as to the public claims of the Future Noosa Team, of
            which Leigh McCready was publicly identified as a Campaign Manager. Leigh
            McCready is a Director of Tourism Noosa. Although I have a declarable conflict
            of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias
            because the ICEO review was an advisory service, not a statutory process, and
            my queries at that time were in the public interest and neither I nor Ms McCready
            stood to personally gain or lose from that advice. Therefore, I will choose to remain
            in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on
            whether I can remain and participate in the decision.
            Council Resolution
            Moved:          Cr Tom Wegener
            Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie
            That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine
            that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this
            matter because Council believes that a reasonable person could not have a
            perception of bias because the ICEO review was an advisory service, not a
            statutory process, and Cr Stockwell’s queries at that time were in the public
            interest and neither he nor Ms McCready stood to personally gain or lose from
            that advice and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision
            is made in the public interest.
            Carried unanimously.
            Cr Stockwell and Finzel did not vote on the above motion.

            In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Finzel
            provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of
            interest in this matter:
            I, Cr Finzel, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this
            matter as Leigh McCready who is a Director of Tourism Noosa was involved in a
            volunteer capacity with my 2020 election campaign where I was one of three
            candidates that ran as a group known as 'Future Noosa' (which is no longer an
            entity). As a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while
            the matter is considered and voted on.
            Cr Finzel left the meeting.

            Council Resolution
            Moved:          Cr Frank Wilkie
            Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener
            That Council note the report by the Director Strategy and Environment to the
            General Committee Meeting dated 13 November 2023 regarding Tourism
            Noosa's Destination Noosa Strategic Plan 2023-2027 as provided at Attachment
            1 to this report and:
                A. Endorse Tourism Noosa's Destination Noosa Strategy 2023-2027 in
                     accordance with Tourism Noosa's Funding and Performance Deed with
                     Council; and
                B. Note Tourism Noosa's Destination Noosa Strategy 2023-2027 will be
                     reviewed following the completion of the Destination Management Plan to
                     ensure alignment and to reflect any shifts required in Tourism Noosa's
                     strategic focus as specified in Tourism Noosa's Funding and Performance
                     Deed with Council.
            Carried unanimously.

            Cr Finzel returned to the meeting.