Due to council's efforts to hide their meetings from the public, the video for the meeting was not made available. We have instead provided the audio of the meeting and the full transcript below.
Key Decisions & Discussions • Clare Stewart: Moved noting report for RAL22/0028 (1 into 2 lots at 1 Poinciana Ave, Tewantin) with the applicant stopping the current assessment period; carried unanimously (00:48–01:35) (Item 5.1). • Joe Jurisevic: Moved to award CN00236 Lawnville Road Bridge Replacement to Ark Construction Group Pty Ltd for $1,452,428 excl. GST; CEO authorised to negotiate final contract; carried unanimously (03:00–10:10) (Item 6.1). • Craig Aldridge: Reported 11 conforming tenders and 4 alternates; Ark’s bid deemed best value; construction targeted Jul–Nov with single-span design reducing disruption and environmental impacts (03:10–04:05; 03:58–04:10) (Item 6.1). • Brian Stockwell: Queried approach road safety/accident history; officers noted bridge renewal funding constraints but will review during closure window (04:12–05:35) (Item 6.1). • Amelia Lorentson: Probed budgeted consultants/superintendent costs and contingency; officers confirmed separate contingency exists and design approach reduces variation risk (05:40–07:10) (Item 6.1). • Jasper: Outlined resident communications for closures (letterbox drops, social, project news, VM
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Key Decisions & Discussions • Clare Stewart: Moved noting report for RAL22/0028 (1 into 2 lots at 1 Poinciana Ave, Tewantin) with the applicant stopping the current assessment period; carried unanimously (00:48–01:35) (Item 5.1). • Joe Jurisevic: Moved to award CN00236 Lawnville Road Bridge Replacement to Ark Construction Group Pty Ltd for $1,452,428 excl. GST; CEO authorised to negotiate final contract; carried unanimously (03:00–10:10) (Item 6.1). • Craig Aldridge: Reported 11 conforming tenders and 4 alternates; Ark’s bid deemed best value; construction targeted Jul–Nov with single-span design reducing disruption and environmental impacts (03:10–04:05; 03:58–04:10) (Item 6.1). • Brian Stockwell: Queried approach road safety/accident history; officers noted bridge renewal funding constraints but will review during closure window (04:12–05:35) (Item 6.1). • Amelia Lorentson: Probed budgeted consultants/superintendent costs and contingency; officers confirmed separate contingency exists and design approach reduces variation risk (05:40–07:10) (Item 6.1). • Jasper: Outlined resident communications for closures (letterbox drops, social, project news, VMS boards, diversions) to mitigate impacts (09:00–10:10) (Item 6.1). • Amelia Lorentson: Pressed for “gender on the tender” social procurement levers; CEO to take on notice given state/federal settings; potential LGAQ advocacy noted (10:22–14:31) (Item 6.1). • Pauline: April YTD: operating revenue $1.3m above budget (interest +$473k), operating expenses $289k under; overall operating position +$1.6m; capital revenue +$1.3m (QRA advances); cash $107m with $50m in term deposits (15:33–18:25) (Item 6.2). • Karen Finzel: Queried high cash expense cover (13.2 months); finance clarified restricted funds (grants/reserves/levies) mean true cover ~3–6 months (18:40–19:10) (Item 6.2). • Amelia Lorentson: Sought visibility on $1.598m consultancy actuals vs $2.142m budget; staff to provide higher-level breakdown next report, noting confidentiality and likely capital attributions (19:27–20:53) (Item 6.2). • Larry Sengstock: Q3 Operational Plan: 96 initiatives; 8 behind schedule as at 31 Mar; staff turnover for permanents trending down (~1.93 to ~1.58%); digital process improvements ongoing (23:50–25:10) (Item 6.3). • Kim Rawlings: Housing Strategy already endorsed (Nov 2022) and in implementation; Planning Scheme amendments to implement housing measures await State interest check; community consultation likely after State sign-off (35:00–36:43) (Item 6.3). • Rebecca: Burgess Creek: Council holds 10 years of Unitywater data; subject to confidentiality agreement; working to harmonise datasets and develop public messaging with Unitywater; citizen science data being integrated with emphasis on consistent methodologies (28:39–33:42) (Item 6.3). • Larry Sengstock: Hazard reduction burns ahead of plan; recent rain affects next window; early fire detection tech being deployed; fleet capacity boosted (38:48–40:50) (Item 6.3). • Councillors: Voted to proceed to closed session under s254J(3)(e) LGR 2012 to discuss legal proceedings; later consented to Kabi Kabi native title determination under s87A NTA; CEO delegated for changes/instructions and withdrawal from Part B (46:40–47:30; 01:18:21–01:22:20) (Item 7.1). Contentious / Transparency Matters • Amelia Lorentson: Pressed for consultancy transparency and trend analysis across council term; finance agreed to provide aggregated categories next report while respecting confidentiality (19:27–20:53) (Item 6.2). • Amelia Lorentson: Challenged Unitywater confidentiality over Burgess Creek data; officers said agreement designates Unitywater as custodian/messenger; working to co-release meaningful findings (29:27–30:15) (Item 6.3). • Amelia Lorentson: Sought stronger KPI frameworks and community indicators aligned to new Corporate Plan; executives confirmed review and potential changes underway (26:40–27:58) (Item 6.3). • Amelia Lorentson: Advocated adding gender equity targets to procurement weighting; CEO noted jurisdictional limits but open to policy development and LGAQ advocacy (11:37–14:31) (Item 6.1). • Brian Stockwell: Raised crash history and approach safety at Lawnville Rd; officers to take on notice despite grant scope limits (04:12–05:35) (Item 6.1). Legal / Risk • Council: Closed session justified under s254J(3)(e) Local Government Regulation 2012 to discuss legal proceedings; reopening and resolutions recorded properly (46:40–47:30) (Item 7). • Council: Approved entering a s87A Native Title Act 1993 agreement consenting to Kabi Kabi determination (QUD20/2019 Part A); CEO delegated to accept court-required changes, instruct Holding Redlich, and withdraw from proceedings post-Part A (Item 7.1). • Rebecca: Noted consent determination excludes freehold; prior grants/works may extinguish native title; recognition pertains to certain State land parcels incl. Council-trustee land (01:18:48–01:20:50) (Item 7.1). • Officers: Bridge grant constraints limit scope to renewal for freight/heavy vehicle outcomes; risk if scope creep into approach road upgrades could breach funding conditions (04:26–05:10) (Item 6.1). • Finance: Elevated liquidity driven by restricted funds (grants/reserves/levies); risk of misinterpretation mitigated by disclosure that true cash cover ≈3–6 months (18:40–19:10) (Item 6.2). Environmental Concerns • Craig Aldridge: Single-span bridge avoids central pylons, reducing in-stream disturbance and shortening construction duration (03:58–04:10) (Item 6.1). • Rebecca: Burgess Creek dataset (10 years) under review for compliance/health insights; confidentiality limits raw release, but joint messaging planned; citizen science integration expanding with QA/QC emphasis (28:39–33:42) (Item 6.3). • Larry Sengstock: Hazard reduction burn program ahead of schedule; wet conditions now narrowing burn windows; early detection tech in use (38:48–40:50) (Item 6.3). • Brian Stockwell: Noted heritage value of timber bridges and reuse of hardwood components where possible, reflecting circular economy principles (08:27–08:58) (Item 6.1). Planning Scheme • Kim Rawlings: Planning Scheme amendments to implement Housing Strategy are with State for interest review; workshops with agencies scheduled; consultation likely post sign-off (35:20–36:43) (Item 6.3). • Frank Wilkie: Queried “Noosa Entry Experiences” project; officers advised upcoming workshop; scope inferred to entry landscaping/signage within infrastructure services (36:43–37:31) (Item 6.3). Community Transparency • Pauline: Detailed drivers of variance (interest, holiday parks, waste cost recovery, plant recoveries); signalled providing higher-level consultancy breakdown next report (15:33–20:53) (Item 6.2). • Officers: Commitment to enhanced KPI suite aligned to new Corporate Plan, including community indicators and performance measures (26:40–27:58; 41:47–42:22) (Item 6.3). • Jasper: Proactive resident notifications for bridge closure (letters, social, VMS, diversions) to minimize disruption (09:31–10:10) (Item 6.1). New Development Applications • Clare Stewart: Council noted RAL22/0028 for 1 Poinciana Ave with the applicant stopping the current decision period; no determination made pending applicant timing (00:48–01:35) (Item 5.1).
Official Meeting MinutesRead minutes ↗
MINUTES
General Committee Meeting
Monday, 15 May 2023
12:30 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Committee: Crs Frank Wilkie (Chair) Karen Finzel, Joe Jurisevic, Amelia Lorentson, Clare Stewart, Brian Stockwell, Tom Wegener
“Noosa Shire – different by nature” GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 15 MAY 2023
1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Frank Wilkie (Chair) Cr Karen Finzel Cr Joe Jurisevic Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Clare Stewart Cr Brian Stockwell Cr Tom Wegener
EXECUTIVE Acting Chief Executive Officer, Larry Sengstock Director - Environment & Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings (via Microsoft Teams)
APOLOGIES Nil
2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson The Minutes of the General Committee Meeting held on 17 April 2023 be received and confirmed. Carried Unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS
Nil
4. DEPUTATIONS
Nil
5. ITEMS REFERRED FROM COMMITTEES
5.1. RAL22/0028 APPLICATION FOR RECONFIGURING A LOT (1 INTO 2 LOTS) AT 1 POINCIANA AVENUE, TEWANTIN (REFERRED FROM P&E 9 MAY 2023)
Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 15 MAY 2023
That Council note the report by the Acting Manager of Development Assessment to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 9 May 2023 regarding Application No. RAL22/0028 for a Development Permit for Reconfiguring a Lot – 1 into 2 lots, situated at 1 Poinciana Ave, Tewantin and note that the Applicant has stopped the current period. Carried Unanimously.
6. REPORTS DIRECT TO GENERAL COMMITTEE
6.1. CONTRACT NO. CN00236 - LAWNVILLE ROAD BRIDGE TENDER AWARD
Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the report by the Project Manager to the General Committee Meeting dated 12 April 2022 15 May 2023 and: A. Award Contract No. CN00236 Lawnville Road Bridge Replacement to Ark Construction Group Pty Ltd for the lump sum price of $1,452,428 (excl. GST). B. Authorise the CEO to negotiate the final contract with Ark Construction Group Pty Ltd.
Carried Unanimously.
6.2. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT – APRIL 2023
Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell That Council note the report by the Manager Financial Services (Acting) to the General Committee Meeting dated 15 May 2023 outlining April 2023 year to date financial performance against budget, including changes to the financial performance report with the inclusion of key financial sustainability indicators. Carried Unanimously.
6.3. OPERATIONAL PLAN 2022-23 Q3 QUARTERLY REPORTING
Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 15 May 2023 regarding the 2022-23 Operational Plan and: GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 15 MAY 2023
A. Note the progress report for the Q3 2022-2023 Operational Plan to 31 March 2023 provided as Attachment 1; and B. Note the status of Council's Key Performance Indicators provided as Attachment 2.
Carried Unanimously.
7. CLOSED SESSION
CLOSURE OF THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart The meeting will be closed to the public pursuant to section 254(J)(3)(e) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 as it is necessary to do so to discuss legal proceedings involving the Council for reason outlined below: 1. This report relates to resolving Council’s interests in legal proceedings and it is appropriate to deal with the matter in closed session. Carried Unanimously.
RE-OPENING OF THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That the meeting be re-opened to the public. Carried Unanimously.
7.1. KABI KABI NATIVE TITLE CONSENT DETERMINATION (REFERRED FROM P&E 9 MAY 2023)
Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council note the report by the Acting Environment Manager to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 9 May 2023 regarding the Kabi Kabi Native Title Claim and: A. Agree to enter into an agreement made under s 87A Native Title Act 1993 and consent to the determination of the Kabi Kabi People native title claim QUD20/2019 in the terms of the s87A Agreement and Proposed Consent Order considered by Council (Attachment 1); B. Delegate to the CEO the power to agree to any changes that may be required by the Court to the final determination referred to in paragraph (a) and to instruct Holding Redlich to sign the s87A Agreement on Council’s behalf; and GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 15 MAY 2023
C. Delegate the power to the CEO to provide instructions to Holding Redlich to withdraw Council from Federal Court proceedings QUD20/2019 after the determination of Part A becomes effective on the basis that Council has no interest in Part B of the proceedings. Carried Unanimously.
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