INTEGRATED WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM - BURGESS CREEK (Referred from Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 11 July 2023 - Item 5.8)

Amelia Lorentson174:55

Okay thank you. Um I Councillor Lorentson informed the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as my brother Gabriel Cerasani lives approximately three kilometres from Burgess Creek also until recently my brother was on the executive of the Eastern Beaches Protection Association who have made submissions regarding issues with Burgess Creek including raising petition on the matter considering recent advice given to Councillors by the office of independent assessor that is to exercise an abundance of caution I believe it is prudent to declare a conflict of interest it's important to note that I've taken myself off the chap in the eastern beaches foreshore management plan because of my brother's involvement on the EBPA an integrated catchment management plan for Burgess Creek is not part of the chat nor part of chat solution it is part of a broader Noosa catchment strategy of waterways what I've been requesting since June 2022 is an analysis and review of environmental monitoring and impacts for the Noosa sewage treatment plant releases into Burgess Creek and the catchment matters regarding water quality issues affecting Burgess Creek catchment and environmental impacts of wastewater treatment plant outflows into the Burgess Creek catch catchment covers roughly 545 hectares it drains from the back of residential developments in Noosa head through bushland and community facilities near Eenie Creek road and then through a Council managed bushland and national park it affects and impacts thousands and of people in the Shire the disposal of liquid waste into our waterways including fresh water oceans and rivers creates social and environmental problems for the whole of Noosa Shire issue is a significant issue for the whole Unitywater quality has political environmental and legal implications for the whole of Shire Council many of these implications include risk as to Council infrastructure stormwater open spaces and roads in October 2022 I moved to Council resolution at the LGAQ conference for regions becoming more resource independent through efficient use and reuse of wastewater called I on the LGAQ advocate to the State government of Queensland to undertake a statewide analysis of recycled water reuse that values the protection of local ecosystems and provides suitable data to assist councils and water authorities and retailers in producing business cases for water reuse it was supported almost unanimously. In June 2023 I moved another Council resolution at the Australian Local Government Association calling on the Australian government to formulate a national policy on ocean sewerage outfalls that aims at no new ocean and estuarine outfalls should be built or developed along the Australian coastline and dedicated funding should be provided to support local regional governments and wastewater providers with existing ocean outfalls to develop new methods and technologies and make every effort to recycle 100 of all treated wastewater all treated wastewater generated within their localities and to avoid the need to discharge in the ocean. It was carried on a post by 357 councils in Australia. Both motions were supported unanimously by this Council. I've also put forward a motion Council for this year's LGAQ conference in Gladstone, calling for the LGAQ to advocate to the State for a state policy on ocean sewerage outfalls because we need to develop a standard wastewater diversion targets and wastewater recycling and reuse targets that can be replicated across all the states in Australia. I believe that my intention cannot be questioned. The outcome I'm seeking to achieve is cleaner oceans, cleaner wastewater, reducing the impact of liquid waste on the environment and our community. Transitioning towards a circular economy for liquid waste and environmental best practices for the whole of Noosa Shire. An integrated catchment management plan for the Burgess Creek catchment that will form part of a broader Noosa catchment strategy of water waste will help us plan to achieve this outcome. For nearly two years, this issue has become one of my passion projects. I have knowledge and expertise that I bring to this table and integrity. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I believe I could consider the matter impartially and in the public interest. I 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.