General Committee Meeting, 15 May 2023
Date: Monday, 15 May 2023 at 12:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 01:22:31
Synopsis: Bridge to Ark; safety/comms/env noted, Procurement gender push, Finance surplus/liquidity clarified, Consultancy transparency, Burgess Creek coordination, Housing amendments pending, Native title consent, RAL22/0028 noted.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Frank Wilkie Karen Finzel Joe Jurisevic Amelia Lorentson Clare Stewart Brian Stockwell Tom Wegener Executive Officers
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Larry Sengstock Director - Environment & Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings AI-Generated Meeting Insight
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 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. CONFIDENTIAL 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. CONFIDENTIAL NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - 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. 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 1.54pm
Meeting Transcript
Frank Wilkie 00:00.541
May 2023. Declare the meeting open. Begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land which were gathered today. That's the Kabi Kabi People and pay respect to their elders past, present and emerging. We have everyone in attendance and apologies. May we have someone to confirm from the April meeting please. That's moved by Councillor Jurisevic, seconded by Councillor Lorentson. All in favour? That's carried. We have no presentations, no deputations. We have some items referred from committees. The first is an application for a week of this recording a lot one point to two dollars at once was young and you can want to refer environment committee meeting I'm going to make and we have a new resolution in the applicant has asked that the matter be withdrawn. We have a motion to that effect. Does someone care to move that motion? Moved by Clare Stewart, seconded by Councillor Finzel. Any discussion? Mayor Stewart? No. Councillors? Any discussion? No. The motion has been carried unanimously. Next is, well done Patrick. Thank you. He agreed with everything you said. Then we have a contract for the Lawnville Road Bridge tender award and we have Craig Eldridge and Jasper so here to give us an overview. Sorry, Jasper. Rob and Craig, could you give us an overview? Sure. Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon. Craig Eldridge 01:26.308
As mentioned earlier, we're here today to award a contract for the Lawnville Road Bridge replacement. It's a contract CN00236. It's a lump sum contract that includes all materials and all services required are for the construction of the bridge. Invitation to tender was advertised and we received 11 conforming tenders and four alternate tender responses. All of these 11 responses were deemed conforming. The tender evaluation panel completed an extensive evaluation and review and considered the tender submitted by Ark Construction Group Pty Ltd most the advantageous to Council. In representing the best value money for Council, Ark's tender submission demonstrated compliance with the requirements of the tender invitation and Ark are deemed to have suitable experience, capability and the resources to carry out the works. It's anticipated that construction will start in July this year and it's anticipated that construction will be finished in November this year. The recommendation is that Council note the report from the project manager to the General Committee Meeting today and award the contract CN00- CN00236 wormwood 236 Lawnville Road Bridge replacement to Ark Construction Group for the price of $1,452,482 and authorise the CEO to negotiate the final contract with Ark Construction Group. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 03:08.958
Do you have a question? Joe Jurisevic 03:10.468
Yeah. Thanks. Craig, I noticed Jasper, I noticed that they put in two tender prices, one at 1.5 mil and one at 1.45 mil. We've gone from 1.45 mil. Can you just give us a bit of an idea on the difference? Between the two prices and why one is more favourable over the other? Craig Eldridge 03:33.108
I'll give a really high-level, broad overview, and if I get it wrong, I'll allow Jasper to correct me. But my understanding is that we had two spans, which would be a headstock, a series of poles, of piles, and then a headstock. The alternate tender, and correct me if I'm wrong Jasper, has come in a single span bridge, which has a lot of benefits environmentally and for different reasons, there's less disruption Joe Jurisevic 03:59.777
Thank you, I sort of got that from that, but I just wanted to clarify if that was the reason behind, so it is a single span bridge as opposed to a dual span bridge with no central pylon. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 04:12.683
This is the one here at the bottom. Sort of road dynamics around, is there any work being done to lead into the bridges as part of this or is that something we're looking at doing at the same time? Craig Eldridge 04:27.036
Again, I'll give a high level explanation and then Jasper will correct me if I get this wrong. I think we're constrained with the bridge grant requirements, so the purpose of the bridge funding is to renew bridges to allow or improve freight and heavy vehicle movements throughout Australia. So that's the idea of renewing the bridges. So we have fairly tight constraints on what is funded and what isn't funded and the team would have done an assessment of the approaches. Jasper, did you want to add anything on that? Jasper 05:00.237
The main works of the approaches would be making them tie in neatly to the new bridge design levels so they'll be pavement rehabilitation and just adjusting the approach grades to match into the new bridge but that's how we're limited by the bridge funding program and we can't be doing full-scale road rehab or improvement works if we're covered under a bridge Unidentified Speaker 05:23.016
Has that one been identified? I just, a couple of people have told me that there's been actions. Not Craig Eldridge 05:30.196
Aware of that I'd have to take that on yeah I'll take that on those thank you, Joe I'm sorry, you had a question? Amelia Lorentson 05:41.542
Oh, on page 15 Jasper, or Craig, the total forecasted project cost is $1.944 million and $873. And there's $292,000 that's been identified for consultant staff, superintendent costs, levies and project allowance. Does that absorb a budget contingency? In case there's any variations with the project. Craig Eldridge 06:11.748
I can answer that question, thank you. We haven't included the contingency in this report. Specific reasons but the consultants and the internal costs but we haven't included the contingency in this report. There is a sufficient contingency available within the budget. Amelia Lorentson 06:33.370
And if there isn't, what happens? Craig Eldridge 06:36.995
Yes, so we have a robust governance process where we have a PCG and CWE we manage the project within the budget. We've done an extensive design. So part of this project was to go out with a design so that we know the actual costs. And so rather than going out with a Design & Construct project where we don't know the design, therefore it's very hard to cost. We've actually done a design so we've got a very good idea of what this project is going to cost. However the current tender has put in an alternate tender which does have some cost savings within it. I hope I explained that okay. Joe Jurisevic 07:20.789
Thank you, really great. Thank you, Craig. Someone came in with a motion. Can I start? Go. Two more questions. Couple more questions, sorry, Craig. So yeah, just to clarify that. So within the cost to you to date and all the consultant staff and superintendent costs, that's part of your design, elements have been included in that and we would have done soil. Environmental, geotech. All of those checks. Sedimentation, erosion. And just to clarify, this is a timber bridge currently. So this is one of the last significant timber bridges going to concrete. How many more timber bridges, I know it's probably not relevant to this, how many more timber bridges have we got? I couldn't tell you that. Do you know the answer? Do you have any idea how many more we've got to look at? I think there's one down. Take it on note. I'll follow up with you later. Don't expect you to have the answer off the top of your head. Thank you, that's it. It. I'm supportive of the tender going forward. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 08:38.700
Get sentimental but we do keep if the team is good we're keeping for other purposes and stockpiling so uh because you can't get hard to structure it, but still saying we'll have Amelia Lorentson 09:11.960
Duration is expected to be shorter and therefore less impact to residents. How is Council going to communicate to potentially direct residents that are directly or indirectly impacted by the Jasper 09:30.074
Did you want to answer that one yeah I can speak on that one so in the past and four previous bridges where there has been a road closure we've sent out a letterbox drop to all the residents along the area or that may be directly impacted for example along saying these works are coming up the road will be closed please be aware that traffic delays and extended direct trip duration times may occur then we've also done our project news social media posts well out in advance roughly weeks to two weeks prior just to inform the wider community of the bridge closure and the possible foreseeable impacts thank you obviously diversion signs. Telling people the alternate yeah we always notice Amelia Lorentson 10:21.258
Sorry and just one more thing I'm going to ask and I'm only asking this because I've been invited to speak for the women in construction conference later on a couple of months and construction in 2023 still remains the most male dominated sector in Australia and female participations at 13% trades at think of about 2% in Victoria there's been a push with gender on the tender that there's an opportunity to get more skilled workers because there's a shortage of skilled workers in trades the opportunity is to tap into the female workforce and I know all this because I've been doing quite a bit of research and it's quite interesting my question is there an opportunity for us to ask contractors and suppliers to meet minimum standards in their policies plans and targets can we look at putting gender on the tender again just to acknowledge let women know that there are opportunities in engineering in building Craig Eldridge 11:37.249
Yeah um I can comment on one component I suppose in internally I know we've just employed a young graduate lady who's an engineer and internally also we have a communication consultation lady within our team so within this project we'll have two internal staff working on this project so Lindsay jaspers will be supporting Jasper throughout the project as the graduate and also we'll have Rachel doing the comms and communication however on the tender component I'd probably have to defer to Scott eisen or perhaps the CEO on that one yeah I'd have to defer on that one Joe Jurisevic 12:22.508
We're only building bridges we're bridging the gap as well Larry Sengstock 12:28.224
Know in Victoria where I've been most recently working on larger projects is there's certain specifications in terms of trainees, apprentices, indigenous, a whole range of different groups I suppose you could say within the construction and within the contractors I want not too sure exactly what we do up here in terms of state and Federal legislation in terms of us we don't really have the power to control that obviously Amelia Lorentson 13:06.792
It's looked upon fondly good to be on the phone, right? Yeah, maybe. An opportunity to bring something forward to the LGAQ in Victoria it's actually mandated for publicly funded projects that's right, they're Larry Sengstock 13:21.721
The ones that are involved in that. Yeah, $20 million. Yeah, but they're the big, sides. Unidentified Speaker 13:28.358
Can 8 million? Could that one just be edited? I know we're producing a social procurement policy, that could be one we could would that you'd add into those considerations. Karen Finzel 13:35.439
Yeah, absolutely. It's probably along those lines, just wondering, Through the Chair, to the CEO, could we add under the weightings as a heading? Larry Sengstock 13:44.612
It's difficult to add in the weightings, but it's certainly possible. To put into the social side of it, to ensure that it's part of. If you bring it out too far, then it becomes quite inhibitive in some respects as well, particularly for the smaller contracts. Joe Jurisevic 13:59.863
If in the short-term that contractors weren't able to meet a certain target obligation that may restrict them from. Absolutely. We may not have anybody else to tender, just to tender until there's. Amelia Lorentson 14:12.497
So what I was referencing that we ask contractors and suppliers to meet a minimum standard of policies, plans. That identify this gap and opportunity. Larry Sengstock 14:23.675
Yeah. But again, it's difficult for the smaller projects and the smaller contractors, you know, if you're a planning contractor. It cuts out a lot of. Unidentified Speaker 14:30.303
And it's three people working for you. Sometimes even answering the question in your tender helps you think, oh. That's exactly right. Frank Wilkie 14:39.758
We can bring the comments and debate back to the tender itself. Joe Jurisevic 14:51.555
Chair, matter of hand. Frank Wilkie 14:53.758
A pilot. Or if that's unanimous. And so we've changed the date. You know, Councillors, we've changed the date from 12 April, which is a typo, the 15th of May, 2022. Thank you, Jasper, thank you. Best of luck. Thanks. The next item is the Financial Performance Report for April. Welcome, Pauline. Pauline 15:25.384
Good afternoon, Councillor. Good afternoon. Good to see you again. It's been so long Joe Jurisevic 15:35.091
Sure can so with the adoption of Budget Review 2 in April, these financial reports now reflect the revised 2023 budget. No worries Pauline 15:44.959
Operating revenues continue to outperform our forecast and operating expenditures are slightly under forecast year-to-date to the end of April. Operating revenues are $1.3 million above budget and that's been driven by interest revenue which is $473,000 above budget and that's due to QTC increasing their interest rates in line with the higher yielding term deposits and we also hold quite a substantial amount of money with QTC so that's driving some of that and we've also reinvested some of our higher yielding deposits that have matured since March. Fees and Charges are down against $241,000 and that's predominantly development assessment fees, plumbing and building fees so they're offsetting that higher interest revenue. Sales of goods and services 590 $597,000 budget and that's driven by holiday parks at $404,000 but they also have some offsetting costs that are associated with those operations and community facilities which are $142,000 of budget. Other revenues $330 above budget of $336,000 and this relates predominantly to the recovery of waste costs from SULO bins. That's $110,000. We have touched on that in previous meetings. So where we purchase bins we recover that cost from Cleanaway. The other component of that relates to internal plant recoveries for disaster projects is where we're uncharging to capital projects as well. Operating expenditures $289,000 under budget with employee costs $80,000 of this. Materials and services are $200,000 oh, sorry, the materials and services are also under budget and that's a combination of factors. So civil operations is $461,000 over budget and as is holiday parks which as I mentioned is offset by the additional revenue that it generates. Fleet costs are over budget $446,000. $46,000 and this is to increase fuel costs. These overspends however are offset by underspends in waste, infrastructure planning, libraries and galleries, strategic planning and development assessment. Tourism economic development expenditure remains on track year to date and overall Council operating position at April is $1.6 million above budget. Capital revenue is above budget $1.3 million and this is due to the receipt of some further advance payments of QRA disaster projects. Year to date Council has expended 73% of its four-year capital program which equates to $41.6 million with a further $7.6 million currently committed. Council's cash holdings at the end of April $107 million with $50 million of these invested in high-yielding term deposits. Overall council's financial position continues to be on track and is meeting its financial sustainability targets. Frank Wilkie 18:37.872
Any you Pauline. Questions? Just cash expense cover, we're pretty high, we're target grade in three months, we're at 13.2. Can you just elaborate a bit on that please, Pauline? Pauline 18:49.681
Sure. So with the receipt of some advance payments in relation to the four-year payment of the waste subsidy and the QRA payments, we have quite a substantial holding. So when we calculate it, we have those. We don't take into account that those are committed to other things. So when we calculate that cover, it's based on our total cash payments. So some of that cash is actually restricted to other things. So it's grant funding, it's reserves, it's levies as well. So while it does sound quite high, it is actually, we have a probably about three to six months which is really what we're trying to aim to cover. So it is, it shows high, but it's on track. You. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 19:27.220
Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 19:27.220
Hi Pauline. Consultancy services on page 34 of the report. Actuals $1.598 million. The budget $2.142 million. Couple of questions. Where could we find or can we as part of the next report get a list of completed and current consultancy engagements. Let me re-ask that question. Do we have a consultant register that allows us to access that sort of information? Pauline 20:08.903
I wouldn't say that we have a consultancy register per se. We obviously know which consultants that we pay that can make up that amount of money. I'm not sure exactly what you're wanting from your analysis of the consultancy costs. Amelia Lorentson 20:23.062
It just seems like a lot of money we're paying to consultants. So just to understand, has this always been the case? And what this looks like from, you know, even the term of this Council from year one to year four. Pauline 20:38.576
We can include a summary for you in the next report at a higher level, probably not so specific, just for confidentiality reasons. But we could certainly, and give you a bit of an understanding of what's driving that. It could be Environment Levy projects, it could be a number of different aspects that are driving it. Yeah. Brian? Just a question on that. Is affirmative tangible our disaster response? Is that, would that come under consultancy arrangements? It would be running through the capital program, so it wouldn't actually be showing on that report, yeah. Frank Wilkie 21:09.021
Any other questions? Anyone care to move the report? Councillor Jurisevic, second Councillor Stockwell, Councillor Jurisevic. Joe Jurisevic 21:20.718
Once again, thank you for your staff time and effort in introducing the report. I'm quite happy with the position that we're at. As usual, in a sound financial position without too many areas here of concern. To be raised. Not looking through the financial position of Councillors at this point in time. Frank Wilkie 21:46.023
Other Councillors to speak? As in favour. It's carried. It's unanimous. Thank you, Paul and Anne. You. This item on the agenda is the operational plan and quarterly report. We've got to bring the new CEO. You're on title the tail end of all this, Harry. Thanks, doc. Here to give us an overview. Larry Sengstock 22:18.791
Sure. Can we ring it? Other piece to this is it's actually compiled by Dev yersey, and Dev is away sick today as well, so you've got me as first day on the job. Not saying fully across this, but certainly, you know, in terms of operational plan across the organisation. I think what we need to understand here is this is to 31 March, so it's the third quarter, given that we're now in May. But it's really showing that we've been tracking along well. We've reported against 96 operational initiatives against our five themes that are in our current Corporate Plan, the existing Corporate Plan. Previous. Sorry, previous. Well, yes, it has been adopted. So it's our previous Corporate Plan. So it's still reporting against those. It sits under our Corporate Plan and above our branch plan. So everything feeds back up through to the operational plan and then into the Corporate Plan as such. Some of the things we are still tracking well. We've got eight like initiatives eight initiatives that are behind schedule in accordance with this, but some of those, to be honest, have been picked up, I think, over this last few weeks. So some of those have now started and got back on track. I won't go through them all. I think if we go to the KPIs, some of the highlights out of the KPIs that this report talks to, something that's been much front of mind for us as an organisation and across a number of organisations is the staff turnover and reporting against just the. So this is just against permanent positions that we've decreased the turnover so we're now for those for from approximately 1.93 to 1.58 percent so that's a good thing in terms of all the work that we've been doing with our cultural and values work and as an organisation with our realignment and everything else that's going on so to keep that down is a. Good thing that we need to be very proud of I think. Customer wise we've got an increase in or slightly in the quarter for trends in terms of customer requests and dealing with those obviously takes a lot of a lot of resource. Our finances as we've just heard we're tracking well in our systems and processes we're very much in line with doing improving our processes in terms of paying the line rather than cash and those types of exercises so I think that's an interesting process as well. Where we can we bring on the new initiatives and new processes. I'm open have any, if I can answer them otherwise I'll take them on notice. Just a thing to add, Unidentified Speaker 25:21.464
Thank you Larry, every time I get these it's just a huge amount of work we're doing, it's so comprehensive across so many areas, so a big staff for all their hard work because every line item is hundreds of hours of work and a huge amount of staff input so we're very grateful for that. Just a question on the ferry, the jetty, it says that it is behind schedule can you give me a bit of an update on that? Larry Sengstock 25:50.636
I think that report is being finalised and coming to Council as a workshop not report but as a workshop for an update on that in the coming weeks I believe. Unidentified Speaker 26:04.017
I think we had an update on that last CWA I don't think it was a water bite. Larry Sengstock 26:08.302
Yeah. Okay. Thanks. Yeah. It's for Chris. Tom Wegener 26:16.331
The library, the new library, the bus. Yes. How does that go? It says it that says that it's here now. And it's getting ready for, to be Larry Sengstock 26:24.971
Pulled out? I think it's still being, painted, is my understanding, still being made ready. So I don't know that it's actually operational yet. Unidentified Speaker 26:31.479
Was it at the depot the other day when I was there? So the bus is here. Isn't that exciting? Amelia Lorentson 26:35.384
Yeah, that's right. Very much. I've got a couple of questions, Larry. My first one is I think page 38 of the report, it states that KPIs, were last reviewed in 2014, 2015. Are we reviewing the KPIs? Are we setting different measurable goals as part of our Corporate Plan? And should we be measuring how much time, effort and rate of dollars these plans place? Plans and initiatives are taking? My question is, the current KPI system, it enough to see us through our next year? Slide? Larry Sengstock 27:21.368
Five years? I think the KPIs relate to our corporate plans, they're being reviewed as part of the implementation of the new Corporate Plan that we've just endorsed. So the KPIs figure out of that, they come to the CEO as KPIs and then they're fed down into the operational plans as well. Amelia Lorentson 27:37.033
But will we be changing the way we measure organisational goals and strategies. Larry Sengstock 27:43.537
Potentially yes, I can't say yes or no, but potentially yes. Because they have to relate to the way we do business, essentially. And it's surprising that they are quite that old, but it relates to the Corporate Plan. Amelia Lorentson 27:58.465
You know this one's coming page 44, in terms of Burgess Creek, modern water monitoring program. Page 44, it states that water quality data for Burgess Creek has been received from Unitywater for the last five of monitoring. My question is, that information publicly available and have they provided 10 years' worth of water quality data and the receiving environmental management plan as requested? Notified motion, I think. In December. Larry Sengstock 28:31.310
We happen to have our manager of environment with us. Rebecca 28:39.829
Hi Councillors, we do have 10 years of data for Burgess Creek and we're currently. Discreet working through that to make sure it's compatible with the way we're including data from other catchments as well, other streams, and doing an initial analysis of what that means in terms of compliance and overall health of the waterway. That's some way progressed now and we're working with Unitywater because we do have a confidentiality agreement with them so that data will not be made public unless that's authorised by Unitywater. We're working with them so that we can get some meaningful messaging out to the community about what it means and how that will inform future of the STP. Amelia Lorentson 29:25.526
So why is that held up in confidentiality? Rebecca 29:32.742
That was the request of Unitywater. I guess they want to make sure that they can have clear and consistent messaging. That comes directly from them about the data that they collect. And they want to be the custodian and the messenger of that information. So people can go direct to Unitywater if they want to, get further detail around that, but so far as the way we receive that information and how we can use that, bound up in that confidentiality agreement. It provides some a assurity surety for Unitywater that they can provide. It to us in a way that's being managed to have the issue. Amelia Lorentson 30:15.830
And I note there's a workshop planned for Councillors and I'm imagining a report also will become. Cheap handsome. Yes, that's true. Yep. Thank you. Again on Burgess Creek, the citizen science water quality monitoring program. So in November. Of course, 2022, I moved an amendment that was ratified by Council for a citizen science water quality monitoring program for both Burgess Creek and Cooroy Six Mile Creek catchments and the impacts of wastewater. Discharge. It's noted in the report and I'm just requesting just some more. Information on its progress. Thank you. Rebecca 31:04.710
Staff work with the various natural resource management groups, so the community groups on citizen science water collection projects and we collect that information and put it within our SWIM database and really that's useful and we hope that we can do more of those partnerships over time with it. What's important for Council at the moment is to make sure that we have a really consistent method around the selection collection of that data. Quality monitoring and that it does come back into the centralised database so it can be used for management purposes and we've been reviewing some further projects from community groups just in the last week around some additional projects out there. In the community. They exist now and we hope that we can continue to expand upon them but we also emphasise the importance of the quality of that data collection and the consistency so it can be looked at across the board and we can learn from that and then make management decisions from that knowing that data is as accurate as necessary. Frank Wilkie 32:21.560
The cashman catchment coordinating committee have been doing. Citizen science sometimes for a long science in terms time. Of? Over 20 years, yep. So does that mean we have access to all that data? Rebecca 32:33.696
Yes. As much of it as is useful and that we can put into our database, we have been. We've been lucky that we have been able to collect it over that time. We've and it's been a huge job over the last nine months bringing that all into a single system. Frank Wilkie 32:54.374
And do the results marry up with the council's own water testing? Yes, yep. So it's accurate? Rebecca 33:04.175
Yeah. We're happy with the data, the quality of the data that's coming through so far, but we continue to look forward to any future water quality results that are collected that they're done. We're happy with the methodology that's consistent across, so rather than still looking back in time, making sure that we've got good training so that those people out in the field are using the best available equipment, best available methods, so. So there will be a little bit of variety in what data we've received to date, but looking forward to making sure that we get that good quality of results. Frank Wilkie 33:42.777
Thank you. Can I ask a question on average lost time for injury duration. Does that include illness or is it purely injury? I don't know. I think it's injury. Larry Sengstock 33:58.235
I'm pretty sure it's injury. I'm pretty sure it's injury. I'm pretty sure it is. It's very difficult. Amelia Lorentson 34:06.726
It should be explained. Karen Finzel 34:18.315
Note on page 50 of the report that we've completed the draft Housing Strategy back to state. Just a question Through the Chair to staff. Do we have any indication the State will be signing off on that to just notify the community when we'll be having a public consultation. Larry Sengstock 34:41.435
Have you talked about the amendments? Yes. Thank you again, I don't very much. That on notice. Thanks, captain. Unidentified Speaker 34:48.575
You like me to answer that Councillor Finzel? Kim Rawlings 34:50.378
That would be safe. Was that in reference to the Housing Strategy or the planning scheme? The Housing Strategy. Larry Sengstock 34:58.075
You've got five months in this year remember this is to the 31st of March as well. Kim Rawlings 35:04.118
We don't require state sign-off on the Housing Strategy. That's a local government Housing Strategy and councils have endorsed that already in November last year and we are now in implementation of the Housing Strategy. It doesn't require state sign-off. Oh, what about just does the planning scheme require the sign-off from the State? Yes, any changes to the planning scheme require sign-off from the State and as you know we have a round of amendments with the State at the moment for state interest that is still going through state interest and some of those amendments seek to implement the Housing Strategy. We have not yet received state sign-off. We have a series of meetings and workshops with all the State agencies set for the next couple of weeks and then following that we hope to receive first state interest check on the planning scheme amendments. That would then come back to Council prior to going out to public consultation. Thank you, Kim. And do we have any type of indication as to when that might happen, the community consultation? Look, not really. It is subject to state sign-off. You know, we're sort of planning for maybe July, August or September, but it is a little hard to predict because it's with the State government at the moment and we just don't know when we'll get sign-off. It then needs to come back to Council. So we're hoping sort of mid-year. But mid-to-late, like I said, it's a little bit hard to predict. Unidentified Speaker 36:41.889
Okay, thank you. Frank Wilkie 36:43.246
Kim, under the nursery. Here that it is noted that the Noosa Entry Experiences Project is underway with a briefing expected in the fourth quarter. Could you give us a bit of an explanation of what the Noosa Entry Experiences Project involves? I mean, I can imagine what it will involve, but if you can. I'd like to hear it from like please. Kim Rawlings 37:12.301
Sure. I'm not sure if Craig Eldridge is still in the room. No, no. Because that project's actually sitting in infrastructure services. It's not sitting in my department. And my understanding is there will be a workshop with Council coming up about that project. Larry, I'm not sure if you could make any comment. Frank Wilkie 37:32.086
The Noosa Entry Experiences Project. So I imagine it's about the entryways to the Shire, there'll be some. It is, about treatment, isn't it? Joe Jurisevic 37:43.588
We've currently got a sign on Walter Hay Drive that's out of date that needs. Frank Wilkie 37:46.974
Yes, that works in progress, but I don't have it. That's what I imagine. Absolutely in progress. Joe Jurisevic 37:53.017
Yeah um yeah Kim while I've got you now or Rebecca at the back of the room. Implement the Noosa Bushland Strategic Management Plan. I see no mention there of new bushland care groups being started. That was, from my recollection, something was to happen in the second half of this year. Have any new bushland care groups been able to be initiated? Karen Finzel 38:14.250
I can take that one. Not at this stage. We've had some vacancies across that area that we need to fill and have the supervisor return for long leave. Rebecca 38:29.344
So that has created some delay in the filling. Of the new Bushcare coordinator roles, we're expecting that we will be able to recruit that in the coming month, hopefully. And that will allow us to start up a couple of those new groups that have been in the waiting for some time. Frank Wilkie 38:48.975
So once we've got the full compliment back on board you Rebecca. I have a question for Larry and maybe even Joe. The continuation of the implementation of council's fire management plans and bushland reserves, it's been commented that we've come out of a wet period into a dry summer with extra vegetation growth. Vegetation count, it mentions here burn planning underway, but it's the weather dependent. How are you placed in terms of the amounts of controlled burns you would have liked to have done by now and the amount that we would have liked to have done? Larry Sengstock 39:28.803
I believe we're actually ahead of our plans in terms of controlled burns, but I think now that the ground is dry ground has dried out to the extent that it's becoming more difficult. So I believe that in terms of the area or the overall Shire and the amount of burns that we've done, we're ahead of others and also, and from my understanding, our offices are very comfortable with where you've got to. Joe Jurisevic 39:55.031
The element of weather we're having today and yesterday, for example, we've had well over 100, closer to, what was it, 25 I measured yesterday, 50 odd, so 75, 80 odd mils of rain in the last couple of days. So that'll have an impact on when the next pipe pot window available for them, so. Yeah, but my understanding was we were on target, or at least ahead of target at this point in time, because we've had the opportunities there with a reasonable amount of dry weather and ideal conditions. Frank Wilkie 40:23.393
And we'll have an opportunity to test the early fire detection technology as well. Larry Sengstock 40:27.858
So that's all being used. And we've actually boosted up our capacity as well in terms of vehicles and things for our own Joe Jurisevic 40:35.914
Fire protection group. Next LGAQ meeting, we'll get an update potentially. So we'll have an update the next LGAQ meeting. Frank, can you pass that on? LGAQ. L-D-G. Oh, L-D-G. My acronym's mixed up. I put my tongue in front of my eye tooth and I couldn't see what I was saying. Frank Wilkie 40:53.613
Anyone care to move the report? Yeah, I'll do that. Councillor Jurisevic, Councillor Finzel, Joe. Joe Jurisevic 41:00.845
Look, just it the just shows amount the of amount of work that, I think the Mayor alluded to it earlier, it shows the amount of work that Council does undertake, the depth of work and the range of services that Council delivers to this community I think it's a credit to see CEO and all our staff and managers and directors that we do function and do manage to undertake all these projects and that we're delivering with a few minor elements maybe not starting or just a bit behind schedule that we're delivering really really well this year so in a challenging year with challenging financial restraints and all the rest of it I think it's a credit to the staff that we're where we are. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 41:45.518
I truly would like to acknowledge and thank all the staff. When you see them in writing in a report you actually get an idea of the enormity of this business and Council is a business. In terms of the KPIs, I actually love KPIs. It's really important. We've made a commitment to transparency. Transparent and open governance and we have also made a commitment to continual improvement and the only way we are going to achieve that is by actually measuring our progress and I note in the report that part of the review of KPIs there's going to be community indicators and performance measures so again another step towards our commitment with continuous improvement and being an open Council. Frank Wilkie 42:41.975
Thank you. Very much. Tom Wegener 42:44.911
I'm looking at the Corporate Plan excellence as a Council 5.7 ensure that workforce planning is in place across the organisation develop and implement an employee attraction or attention strategy well I hope that the lower turnover recently a part of this and of course this includes the thrive expand thrive T capital letters drive activities and that this is being implemented and I'm hoping that continues on in that out the staff you know we raise our um uh just retention levels I guess exactly for working here Larry Sengstock 43:22.015
That's the intention at this point on the daughter is showing that we're on track welcome on track. Unidentified Speaker 43:27.307
Yeah, very good. Sure. Thank you for the Larry, this is. Larry as we've all said huge amount of work being undertaken we're consistently back well above our capabilities in the sense of being a small Shire we do so much so as I said every line item lot is hundreds of hours of work and a lot of sweat and toil and we're very grateful for it and you know when you look through this I always look through behind schedule or not completed there's not many so most are on track or completed so that's a real testament especially in times we're facing economically as well as staff retention wise and the figures that you espoused earlier that's a great indication of the fact that we are retaining staff and keeping them and those um rates turnover are far less than what they were 12 months ago so I think that's testament to you and all the executive team and all the managers so yeah thank you it's always so interesting to get this because it's a real breakdown but it's also a reinforcement of how much we do. That's it. Good. Larry Sengstock 44:30.306
Thank you. Unidentified Speaker 44:30.867
I'll pass that on. Yeah please do. Thank you. Karen Finzel 44:34.652
Now it's all been said and welcome to the table Larry. It's good to see you stepping into some shoes of the previous CEO and we look forward to working with you. Larry Sengstock 44:44.383
I'll make sure I'm up to speed on make sure every line Frank Wilkie 44:49.905
And Larry, not every staff member watches the General Committee live stream I think because they're probably very busy. There some way that you could tell the staff about vote of thanks Larry Sengstock 45:03.832
From the Council is indicating the operation of plans, we're reminded of that every time we receive a report like this. Joe Jurisevic 45:11.856
Yeah, it ever seems to me, of life, your first day Larry, how across the board you are on all the matters in front of us, so even from where you sit in infrastructure services you have a good group across so much of Council, it's no wonder we welcome you to the interim position of taking over the CEO's position. Thank you for all the work you have taken on so it's it is we did mention about a few behind schedule but this could you remember this is at the end of March so even six weeks on we know a number of these projects have been initiated and looked at. It is a business. It's probably one of the most complex businesses you'll see operating so in the local Council we cover so many different areas so many wide and varied areas that a lot of other businesses wouldn't have to delve into so it's a very diverse hat we wear a very challenging role that is undertaken to try and please all the facets of the community with all the domains that are made, I'm really pleased to see where we are with that with the operational plan at this stage of the year. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 46:19.179
The motion has been made. It's carried unanimously. Thank you, Larry. Good, Thank you. Next item is a confidential session regarding the Kabi Kabi Native Title Consent Determination. Joe Jurisevic 46:41.239
I'll make the necessary motion. Frank Wilkie 46:46.114
Joe, Joe Jurisevic 46:46.619
Seconded Mayor Stewart. The meeting will be closed for Stewart, section 254J3E of the Local Government Regulation 2012. It is necessary to do so to discuss defending legal proceedings stop moving, defending legal proceedings involving the Council for the reason outlined. Below. This report relates to resolving council's interest in legal proceedings and it deal with the matter in close session. Frank Wilkie 47:10.535
Just a clarification. We're not actually defending the legal proceeding. Could we say, as it is necessary. Joe Jurisevic 47:18.680
It says resolving council's interest in legal proceedings. Frank Wilkie 47:21.262
To discuss legal proceedings rather than defending. Correct. I'm sorry, defending. To discuss legal proceedings, yeah. Fair enough. Is everyone happy with that? I'm happy with that. Yeah, okay. We'll put the motion those in favour. It's carried unanimously. Frank Wilkie 01:18:26.261
And good night may we have the recommendation of the motion. Welcome back, everybody. We have a motion, of course, regarding a native title determination. Rebecca, could you, through your statement, just read out what we're consenting to and what a native title claim refers to? Rebecca 01:18:48.480
Yes, sure. The Kabi Kabi claim is a Federal court case. The State government is the main respondent to the claim. Noosa Council, along with the other local governments within the area of the claim, is also a party to the claim. And it extends from Redcliffe in the south to the north to Isis Junction in the Bundaberg region and includes the whole of the Noosa Shire local government area. The native title process and the Federal court requires respondent parties to consider whether they consent to the court recognising native title in the claim area. Council will need to decide this ahead of the May 2023 deadline that's been set by the court. The Council report on the Kabi Kabi claim is listed as confidential as the item relates to legal proceedings. The report needs to be decided by Council in closed session. The determination currently proposed is to occur in July and provides for formal recognition of native title rights and interests over certain public land parcels within the claim area. State owned land including where Council is trustee of that land. Under the native recognition of native title does not interfere with freehold property rights. Freehold land is excluded from native title claims. Previous licenses, grants, leases and public works may also extinguish or remove native title. This is an exciting time Kabi Kabi to finally have native title recognised. Noosa Reconciliation Action Plan has been considered as part of the 23-24 budget of Council and if this plan ahead it will be developed in conjunction with Kabi Kabi over the coming months as a commitment towards reconciliation and respectful engagement and to promote inclusivity and opportunity counsellors' in council's work. Frank Wilkie 01:20:50.293
Thank you. Let's move on. It's moved by Mayor Stewart, seconded by Clare Stewart 01:20:53.884
Councillor Wilkie. I think we appreciate all the information you've given us. It is an exciting time for Kabi Kabi and we stand with all other respondents in this matter. And we wish everyone all the best. Frank Wilkie 01:21:12.734
Any other Councillors wish respect to speak to the motion? Councillor Stockwell? Yeah, yeah, I do Brian Stockwell 01:21:20.248
A privilege to be in the position to make this decision in that we in our own small way across our Shire are helping to redress what was the historic injustice of the declaration of terra nullius that was determined by the marlborough case originally, so knowing the title is very important to the Traditional Custodians of our Shire and we hope that it becomes a positive. Benchmark and I suppose a critical stage in that recognition which leads to their identification with their traditional lands. Please say names. Joe Jurisevic 01:22:01.597
Cassiopeia. Only to acknowledge and recognise the efforts of all parties that have been involved in this on achieving this. Historic point in time. Frank Wilkie 01:22:14.880
The motion goes in favour. It's carried unanimously. Thank you. Very much. And that is the last item on the agenda. I declare the meeting closed and thank CEO Larry for the Related Noosa Council Meetings
← Browse all Noosa Shire Council meeting transcripts
