General Committee Meeting, 11 December 2023
Date: Monday, 11 December 2023 at 12:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 01:53:03
Synopsis: Housing update, State‑approved planning amendments incl build‑to‑rent, Short‑stay conversions and land sale to Tier 1 community housing provider, Waste contract and recovery upgrade, Community shade consultation.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Frank Wilkie Karen Finzel Joe Jurisevic Amelia Lorentson Clare Stewart Brian Stockwell Tom Wegener Executive Officers
Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf Director Strategy And Environment Kim Rawlings Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Frank Wilkie: Meeting confirmed unanimous noting of the Noosa Housing Strategy 12‑month update; discussion emphasized multi‑front actions with no “silver bullet.” (00:20–03:00, Item 6.1) Kim Rawlings: Reported collaboration with CHPs and State; secondary dwellings increasing (~4/month) with large theoretical potential but practical limits; monitoring STA-to-long‑term shifts weekly. (02:38–05:30; 08:40–10:51, Item 6.1) Clare Stewart: Cited 108 STAs converted to permanent rentals after outreach; highlighted 48 actions underway, Reference Group, forum, and MOU with Coastal Bay. (16:58–19:46, Item 6.1) Brian Stockwell: Noted 10‑month delay in advertising planning scheme amendments tied to housing actions; urged priority to stem workforce drain. (13:20–15:51, Item 6.1) Larry Sengstock: Advised latest 10 amendments have State approval to proceed to public notification; build‑to‑rent provisions included. (16:50–16:58, Item 6.1) Trent Grauf: Council reduced the Noosa Junction special levy by 10% for Jan 2024, with revised Revenue Statement adopted under LGA s94/LGR s94; no impact on core budget. (27:00–31:53, Item 6.2) Pauline: YTD Nov operating position $3.7m above budget; cash of $116m largely tied to disaster recovery grants; capital variance over budget due to QRA projects to be incorporated at BR2. (32:54–39:03, Item 6.3) Council: Adopted immediate shade solution for Cooran—freestanding umbrellas, community consultation for long‑term shelter, budget bid for trees and a Cooran Recreation Precinct Plan; bus stop shelter already funded ($65k). (47:13–01:14:02, Item 6.4) Mark (Waste): Noted need to clear ~1ha at Lot 77 to expand Resource Recovery Area, deliver a high‑efficiency sediment basin, and address safety; DA to be independently assessed. (01:34:50–01:39:27, Item 6.5) Council (Confidential): Extended Cleanaway waste services contract 2 years; gave in‑principle support to dispose of 3,000 m² at 62 Lake Macdonald Dr to a Tier 1 CHP under LGR s236 for social/affordable housing; awarded “Noosa Regional Gallery+” business case to Knight Frank. (01:50:38–01:52:38, Items 7.1–7.3) Contentious / Transparency Matters Brian Stockwell: Expressed concern at 10‑month lag in State sign‑off for planning scheme amendments central to housing delivery; later advised approval now received. (13:20–16:58, Item 6.1) Amelia Lorentson: Critiqued process on Cooran shade as overly operational/technical without early community engagement; council resolved to consult and retain public control. (49:53–53:12; 01:31:59–01:34:07, Item 6.4) Joe Jurisevic: Sought MOU model to shift liability to shop if feasible; staff advised no precedent and liability/engineering hurdles; Council proceeded with Council‑owned solution. (01:07:57–01:11:26, Item 6.4) Council: Closed meeting citing LGR s254J(3)(g) for commercial negotiations on waste contract extension, community housing land disposal, and gallery business case; all reopened decisions carried unanimously. (01:50:00–01:52:38, Items 7, 7.1–7.3) Legal / Risk Trent Grauf: Levy reduction and Revenue Statement amendment grounded in LGA 2009 s94 and LGR 2012 s94; ratepayer notification to follow. (27:00–29:49, Item 6.2) Pauline: Cashflow risk flagged around timing of QRA disaster grant claims as delivery accelerates; operating surplus and cash cover expected to normalize by year‑end. (39:05–39:47; 36:11–36:48, Item 6.3) Shaun Walsh: Umbrellas require engineered, fixed installations to meet structural and public liability standards; MOUs shifting liability are untested and insurer‑dependent. (01:07:57–01:09:30; 01:27:44–01:28:29, Item 6.4) Mark (Waste): Department of Environment compliance pressure to upgrade sediment controls; failure risks environmental harm and potential operational restrictions. (01:38:18–01:39:27, Item 6.5) Council: Land disposal for community housing to proceed under LGR s236 with investigations, outcome standards (density/configuration), and negotiated commercial terms before CEO enters prelim negotiations with a Tier 1 CHP. (Minutes 7.2) Housing Strategy, Planning Scheme, and STA Kim Rawlings: Secondary dwellings emerging (often retrofits, hinterland‑favored); monitoring vacancy, rents, and STA shifts twice weekly; 108 STAs converted after Mayoral letter. (04:09–10:51, Item 6.1) Kim Rawlings: Potential social/affordable yield: central Tewantin (~30) and Sunrise Beach rezoning (20–30); broader pipeline via CHPs with State grants. (05:10–06:15, Item 6.1) Larry Sengstock: State approved 10 planning amendments including build‑to‑rent and long‑term affordable rental provisions to proceed to public consultation. (16:50–16:58, Item 6.1) Council (Confidential): In‑principle disposal of 3,000 m² at 62 Lake Macdonald Dr to deliver social/affordable housing subject to investigations and standards. (Minutes 7.2; 01:51:22–01:52:04) Financial Performance and Governance Pauline: Revenue above budget from interest (+$1.7m), holidays/waste sales (+$0.8m), grants (+$0.294m); employee underspend ($0.97m) due to vacancies; consultancy/labour‑hire captured under materials/services. (32:54–45:53, Item 6.3) Trent Grauf: Vacancy lag of 3–4 months typical; $900k YTD equates to ~5% of wages given $40m payroll; workload impacts mitigated by labour‑hire. (42:13–43:14, Item 6.3) Larry Sengstock: Internal promotion encouraged; consultancy register exists via contracts registers and supplier lists; distinct treatment of project consultancies vs labour‑hire. (43:35–46:11, Item 6.3) Environmental Concerns and Waste/Resource Recovery Mark (Waste): Expansion enables safer public/machinery separation and required HES basin; offsets and vegetation impacts addressed in DA; majority of Lot 77 retained as nature refuge (76%). (01:34:50–01:38:18, Item 6.5) Brian Stockwell: Clearing is offset by net environmental gains: sediment control to protect downstream wetlands/species and improved recycling (e.g., concrete reuse reducing GHG footprint). (01:40:57–01:44:10, Item 6.5) Council: Warned that non‑compliance could force cessation of diversion, driving millions in landfill costs to ratepayers; unanimous support to proceed. (01:48:23–01:49:29, Item 6.5) Community Infrastructure and Public Realm (Cooran Shade) Amelia Lorentson: Motion ensured shade over public tables remains publicly controlled; simultaneous consultation and tree planting to complement engineered umbrellas; Rec Precinct Plan bid for 24/25. (49:53–01:14:02, Item 6.4) Shaun Walsh: Engineering standard umbrellas (~$30k for three incl. footings) justified by safety and durability; cheaper “portable” options pose high liability and wind risk. (01:07:57–01:09:30; 01:27:44–01:28:29, Item 6.4) Clare Stewart: Argued Council has obligation to restore shade promptly for public safety; trees to be added under operational budgets where feasible. (01:16:37–01:13:51 reversed sequence, Item 6.4) Arts and Cultural Investment Council: Awarded business case contract for “Noosa Regional Gallery+” to Knight Frank under lump sum; signals progression to next stage. (01:52:04–01:52:38, Item 7.3)
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES General Committee Meeting Monday, 11 December 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 11 DECEMBER 2023 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Frank Wilkie Cr Karen Finzel Cr Joe Jurisevic Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Clare Stewart Cr Brian Stockwell Cr Tom Wegener EXECUTIVE Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray APOLOGIES Nil. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson The Minutes of the General Committee Meeting held on 13 November 2023 be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 4. DEPUTATIONS Nil. 5. ITEMS REFERRED FROM COMMITTEES Nil. 6. REPORTS DIRECT TO GENERAL COMMITTEE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 11 DECEMBER 2023 6.1. NOOSA HOUSING STRATEGY - 12 MONTH UPDATE Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council note the report by the Principal Strategic Planner to the General Committee Meeting dated 11 December 2023 regarding the Noosa Housing Strategy - 12 month Update. Carried unanimously. 6.2. NOOSA JUNCTION LEVY AND REVENUE STATEMENT AMENDMENT - 2023- 24 BUDGET Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Council note the report by the Director Corporate Services to the General Committee Meeting dated 11 December 2023 and pursuant to section 94 of the Local Government Act 2009 and section 94 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, resolve to: A. Reduce the special charge for the Noosa Junction Levy for the second January 2024 levy by 10% from 0.2583 to 0.2329 cents in the dollar; B. Advise the levy benefit area ratepayers of the proposed change; C. Adopt the attached revised Revenue Statement for the 2023/24 Budget; and D. Refer the revenue and expenditure disclosure changes to be reflected in the 2023/24 Budget at Budget Review 2 (BR2). Carried unanimously. 6.3. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT – NOVEMBER 2023 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Tom Wegener Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That Council note the report by the Manager Financial Services (Acting) to the General Committee Meeting dated 11 December 2023 outlining November 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. GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 11 DECEMBER 2023 6.4. SHADE IN COORAN STREETSCAPE Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council note the report by the Acting CEO to the General Committee Meeting dated 11 December 2023 regarding additional shade measures in King Street Cooran and A. Council provide free standing shade umbrellas in the streetscape as a short-term solution; B. Undertake community consultation regarding the public use of the space and the subsequent design and construction of a long-term shelter; C. Consider a budget allocation for the 2024/2025 financial year for supply and installation of additional mature shade trees in King Street Cooran in consultation with all local businesses and the community; D. Note that Council has committed to an additional shade shelter at the bus stop in Cooran, with a budget allocation of $65,000. Request that the CEO prepare a budget bid for 24/25 for a Cooran Recreation Precinct Plan which can examine the possibility of shade structures at places such as the Cooran Skatepark. Carried unanimously. 6.5. RESOURCE RECOVERY AREA EXPANSION Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Council note the report by the Waste Project Manager to the General Committee dated 11 December 2023 raising: A. The challenges and constraints associated with the current site; and B. The benefits associated with the proposed Resource Recovery Area expansion. Carried unanimously. 7. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION CLOSURE OF THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That the meeting be closed to the public pursuant to section 254J(3) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, (g) negotiations relating to a commercial matter involving the local government for which a public discussion would be likely to prejudice the interests of the local government, for the purpose of discussing: Item 7.1 - 1516T043 Waste Management Contract for the Provision of Waste Management Services - Proposed Extension Item 7.2 - In Principle Support to Dispose of Land for Community Housing Item 7.3 - Contract Award Report - Contract No. Cn00449 - "Noosa Regional Gallery+" Business Case Carried unanimously. GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 11 DECEMBER 2023 RE-OPENING OF THE MEETING TO THE PUBLIC Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That the meeting be re-opened to the public. Carried unanimously. 7.1. 1516T043 WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES - PROPOSED EXTENSION Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council note the report by the Waste Coordinator to the General Committee Meeting dated 11 December 2023 (the Report) and: A. Resolves to extend Contract No. 1516T043 with Cleanaway Pty Ltd for the period of 2 years commencing 1 September 2024; B. Delegate to the Acting Chief Executive Officer the power to negotiate, finalise and execute relevant documentation to facilitate the extension and the potential variations outlined in the Report, and do all other things necessary to administer the Contract on behalf of Council. Carried unanimously. 7.2. IN PRINCIPLE SUPPORT TO DISPOSE OF LAND FOR COMMUNITY HOUSING Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council A. Note the report by the Principal Strategic Planner to the General committee dated 11 December 2023 regarding a 3,000m² (proposed lot1) being a portion of the land at 62 Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy; and B. Approve in principle agreement to dispose of 3,000m² of land under Section 236 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 to an appropriate community organisation or government agency subject to; 1. Council identifying and finalising any investigations it considers desirable prior and during the formulation or negotiation of the commercial terms for the disposal; 2. Council being satisfied that the outcome of the disposal will result in the delivery of social or affordable housing of a standard, density and configuration that Council considers appropriate; 3. Appropriate commercial terms being negotiated, formulated and agreed to between Council and the appropriate community organization or government agency regarding the disposal; GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 11 DECEMBER 2023 C. Authorise the CEO to enter into preliminary negotiations with a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider to purchase proposed lot 1 for an agreed market value for the purpose of delivering the housing outcomes above. Carried unanimously. 7.3. CONTRACT AWARD REPORT - CONTRACT NO.CN00449 - "NOOSA REGIONAL GALLERY+" BUSINESS CASE Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the report by the Arts and Culture Manager to the General Committee meeting dated 11 December 2023 and award contract No. CN00449 for the development of a Business Case for the "Noosa Regional Gallery+" Project to Knight Frank Australia Pty. Ltd. under a lump sum contract for a total contract value as per the tender submission. Carried unanimously, 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 3:28 PM
Meeting Transcript
Frank Wilkie 00:00.100
11Th of December 2023. I'd like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land in which we're gathered, which is the Kabi Kabi People, and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. Have all Councillors in attendance and no apologies. Do we have someone to confirm the Minutes of the General Committee, committee meeting of the last month please? Moved by Councillor Lorentson and seconded by Councillor Stewart. All in favour? That's carried. We have no presentations. No deputations. We have no items referred from committees and we go to reports direct to General Committee and the first up is the Noosa Housing Strategy a 12 month update and we have Kim Rawlings and Rowena Skinner. Welcome. Rowena, could you give us a bit of an overview please? Yes. Don't need to stand. Rowena Skinner 00:51.597
Thank you. Thursday night. This report serves to update Council on the Housing Strategy so November and Noosa Council endorsed that. Noosa Housing Strategy demonstrating its commitment to reducing inequity, promoting inclusiveness and providing safe affordable housing for residents. Noosa Shire like many other communities has been struggling with the availability and affordability of housing options and this is affecting many parts of our community particularly low to medium income earners but also employment sectors. Trying to attract and retain staff. Staff and families that are being divided and leaving in the area that they haven't always known. The problem's been exacerbated by various factors over the last four years, but we need to remember that Noosa Shire is a popular place to live and visit, and it has a limited amount of developable land, so supply of housing cannot will not keep up with demand. While reporting back on the implementation of the Housing Strategy was required following two years, this report provides A progress update and commentary on the implementation of actions. Within the Housing Strategy over the past 12 months. Frank Wilkie 02:26.820
Are there any highlights you'd like to share in terms of effective steps this Council has taken to play its part in addressing this nationwide crisis? Rowena Skinner 02:39.107
I think the reality is that there is no, obviously there's no silver bullet. Council has been working in many fronts to work collaboratively with community housing providers, with the State department of housing, with local members of the community and particularly the not-for-profit sectors to try on many different fronts to not increased only increase the supply of housing, increase the diversity of housing, but to use the existing housing stock in a more effective way. So we have noticed some you know lots and of incremental improvements in areas but clearly our vacancy rates are still very low and the problem continues. Frank Wilkie 03:40.301
One of the areas that seem to be under reported or it's hard to report is since the State government changed the settings for secondary dwellings. Are springing up on low density residential lots. The Council seems to be playing catch up in recording their numbers. Do you have any sense of how many secondary dwellings we have in the Shire and the potential, the number of lots that have potential for secondary dwellings? Rowena Skinner 04:10.356
In terms of potential, there's potential for thousands of them. Thousands. Is it 4,000? No. additional per month? Kim Rawlings 04:20.809
Yeah. We're getting about four additional per month. Rowena Skinner 04:24.414
I mean, it could be anywhere up to 9,000 or something. But the reality is that we wouldn't get anywhere near that number. And they're all different in how they are developed as well. Sometimes some of our new houses are being built, designed from scratch to incorporate a secondary dwelling. But more often it's obviously retrofitting one in on the same property. Typically the larger properties out in the hinterland is where they're most common, most popular. Frank Wilkie 04:57.502
And just to help kick the discussion off, what can you tell us about the number of dwellings that may be provided by Council working in concert with the State and community housing providers? Rowena Skinner 05:10.969
Well, we know that the site toronto in central Tewantin would yield potentially 30 social housing units. We are looking at changing zonings of land. In Sunrise Beach that could yield between 20 and 30 again. There's a number areas where Council is looking at collaboratively working with community housing providers who then Kerri Contini 05:48.288
In turn have access to capital grant money. Rowena Skinner 05:51.277
Ongoing grant funding. Or ongoing grant funding for affordable housing so I think glenn's got a report to you coming up a bit later but we'll be looking at a particular site but yeah it's the figure is unknown Frank but it's certainly could be a significant contribution. Frank Wilkie 06:14.922
Councils? Questions? Tom? Tom Wegener 06:19.747
Oh you go ahead Amelia. Amelia Lorentson 06:23.170
This is a noting report my question is will we get an opportunity to review the report as in look at more opportunities to step into the space and not necessarily as in housing available as supply as in homelessness prevention there's a lot happening around the world in this space built to zero over in the united states and there's a lot of learnings finland and places around the world are really making some huge impact. Inroads. Into homelessness and I think it would be great to review what's out there and see whether there's opportunity for us as a Council to use data and understand specifically our problem and what whether policy whether through maybe through policy whether there are triggers that we can identify as opportunities for us to help in this space so so back to my question will we actually review the strategy Kerri Contini 07:34.685
Well the formally when you endorsed it a year ago it was going to be reviewed every two years but there is nothing that would Rowena Skinner 07:46.545
Stop you from through the CEO specifically asking for case studies or for something to be investigated certainly it's a matter of continual well when we start looking at case studies around the world that's ongoing any conversations we're having with Kerri Contini 08:09.165
Some of the service providers the not-for-profit sector is ongoing have membership on the Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Network so the role that Council is playing in terms of active to the community. Rowena Skinner 08:26.926
Being active to support people experiencing homelessness is ongoing and there's no set time where we will consider that we're considering it all the time. Amelia Lorentson 08:39.348
So it's dynamic and moving you've got, it's one of your actions I think, monitoring program and that's coming out I think next year December 2024. That is that too late? Can we move that forward? Rowena Skinner 08:54.757
We're monitoring it all the time so we do have a subscription to housing.com I think. ID? Yeah ID.com which has a housing profile and that is that subscription does auto generate updates. Now obviously it's tied to census as well so most substantial update occurs once census data is available but there are some elements that get updated on a quarterly basis some elements get updated on an annual basis it just depends on when data is available so some of the them you know things like vacancy rates we can update almost weekly monthly things like median rents we would update monthly twice weekly now and we monitor when monitoring every rental permanent rent permanent rental that is advertised available and we can cross check that against whether it was formerly STA. The STA's so we do see places go on and off from between STA's and permanent letting this Joe Jurisevic 10:23.934
One yes we have I think the letting this Rowena Skinner 10:26.598
One yes we have Kim Rawlings 10:32.079
Does it moves a bit like this but I think the last information I provided was following the mayor's letter out to short stays yeah and I think there might have been a hundred and eight property shift at that time if you know moves but there was yeah we were seeing a bit of shift. Frank Wilkie 10:52.264
Tom. Tom Wegener 10:54.087
The very first sentence of the executive summary says that Noosa Council endorsed the Noosa Housing Strategy such and for residents. Who are what is the definition of a resident? Of a resident in this context? Rowena Skinner 11:09.831
People that reside within the Shire, people that live within the Shire. Tom Wegener 11:18.667
Just to start about a mind is if they're if they have a place to live and they have an address then they're there housed but I think that we're actually looking for the people that don't aren't residents that live here because they're looking for housing. Rowena Skinner 11:34.480
They live here they don't necessarily have a home a structural home. But they live here as opposed to living somewhere else. Frank Wilkie 11:46.082
You're capturing homeless people as well? Rowena Skinner 11:48.107
It captures homeless people, sleeping rough. Tom Wegener 11:52.994
People see what um but you're right there is yeah I think that sometimes they look at it as a state issue because groups of people who are homeless will go to a place where there's the best benefits. Course you see that in california where do other astronomical and of course it's bad here but I just wanted to think about what is a resident because as soon as they go from the Sunshine Coast to the here, they walk across the border, are they a resident? And if they're here I guess they are residents then. Just a thought that I'll take that off. I'll the next question. The project officer, would that be a position paid by Noosa Council? Okay. Sometimes. The STA groups would love to see another enforcement officer and of course the Audit and Risk Committee is forever saying that we actually need more. So that would be another position. That so yeah earlier this Kim Rawlings 12:52.143
Earlier this year Council did approve two additional compliance officers for short stay. So you have increased your resources in short stay this year. Tom Wegener 12:59.702
Okay. I think we'd want to tell that to the people, don't they? Because as the number of actions, 48, 45, 46, 47, 48 in the end all right. Are all based around enforcement of STAs to try to increase you know long-term rentals Frank Wilkie 13:15.880
Councillor Stockwell? Yeah I was going to move the recommendation. I'll second it. Mayor Stewart. Moved Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 13:21.147
I do so. The Housing Strategy is probably one of the most significant policy initiatives of this. Term in Council. Responding to a situation where as Councillor Wilkie has suggested it is nationwide, the housing crisis has been early and has been very hard on this Shire. The update does show where we've endeavoured to make progress, it is disappointing that ten months after we submitted the planning scheme review that largely resolved around actions within implementing the Housing Strategy that we haven't been able to advertise those scheme amendments to public commentators yet and we're hopeful it will be early in the next term. I put my hand up after Councillor Wegener's question in regard to residents and the Housing Strategy is not just for those not who currently homeless in Noosa or those who are currently in housing stress. The Housing Strategy is about trying to stop the huge drain of our workforce. I think it's probably three times this week I've had someone say to me he's they're still having difficulty getting staff. Or when sorry I can't do your job, I can't get staff. It is one of the most significant issues that is underpinning a whole lot of uncertainty within our economy as well and that's why it's really essential that we do continue to prioritise the effort of the Housing Strategy. It's not just what was really important to provide housing for the most vulnerable in terms of public housing, it's also for those downsizers, the single women over 50 who currently won't have options if they wish to do that because of the cost. So it's really important to me that we do keep this policy agenda high on the priority list and that we do continue all those good relationships with the State government, the department of housing and with the. Community housing sector like Coast2Bay, who will be the providers of additional dwellings within this Shire. Frank Wilkie 15:52.841
Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic. Joe Jurisevic 15:54.527
Question with regard to the structure of housing, I guess. One housing like this, one of the things Housing Strategy, we do talk about community housing a lot, which is usually built to facilitate the needs in a regular capacity, but what about, what have we got within our strategy to help? Facilitate the build to rent for the worker accommodation type market within the private sector. Have we got anything that we've been delving into here specifically in that realm to encourage build to rent type arrangements? Rowena Skinner 16:32.310
Yeah, we do, and there's material within the package of proposed scheme amendments that specifically address build to rent, long term affordable rental accommodation. Joe Jurisevic 16:51.471
I'm sorry, that's something that's yet to come before the proposed scheme amendments have been approved by the State, and that's a public problem. That's right. Frank Wilkie 16:58.149
Mayor Stewart. Clare Stewart 16:59.399
Thank you. Rowena and Kim, thank you for your hard work this on has been a huge, load of work and it's been ongoing for 50 for years now. So this is the most proactive and progressive step that has been taken in this space, and what Noosa Council has done, that's been driven very much by you and your team, so thank you both. This food adoption and Housing Strategy in December 2022, about 12 months ago, Council has committed to various actions to advance the vision of an inclusive nursing community where everybody has access to safe, secure housing they can afford, as terminated in this document. We formed the housing reference stakeholder group, which provided input to the Housing Strategy. We held the housing forum on the 1st of March this year up at the Christian outreach church which provided an opportunity to personalise the housing crisis through real local examples and reinforce the importance of taking a role as a local government and as a community. We have written to over 900 homeowners of home to the STA encouraging them to consider renting to permanent rentals and I'm really pleased that number is now at 108. Did you say that? Is terrific. We couldn't. 108, we could not build that from February. There is no way we could ever get 108 dwellings in that time. Nor could we even do it if we partnered with Federal and state governments, certainly with not the way that building costs are going and the timeframes and the stoppages in that. So 108 is a terrific outcome. Our Housing Strategy contains a total of 48 actions and I note that Councillor's role is one of an advocate, a regulator, a partner and a planner. We've supplied the Housing Supply Statement have supplied as Councillor Stockwell said amendments to the Noosa Plan which are currently sitting with the State government unfortunately that has been 10 months still waiting on those back. We have introduced transit route rating category which in Queensland to do, I think were the first followed after shortly after the year later by Brisbane City Council. First in Queensland to do the short-term rental lending law. I think we're the first in Queensland to have the two tiny homes on our land partnering with charity. I think don't quote me, I think that is the case and we also our communities sector do a lot with the northern alliance in regard to charities and partnerships and finding and working with housing providers to accommodation for our most vulnerable and we've recently signed the MOU with Coast2Bay which is terrific and obviously working with the State government in regard to specific areas in the Shire so we're certainly doing our bit and I'm really proud of this Council for you know this has been on the table for a long time and I want to thank the staff as this is a lot of this is their body of work and it's really valued and appreciated. I it. Thank you. Mayor. Frank Wilkie 19:47.224
Amelia. Amelia Lorentson 19:49.684
I'll keep this brief. Thank you for all the hard work and as the Mayor rightly stated we're leading in a lot of aspects. I think this space for doing more in particular in the space of homelessness prevention whether it's in terms of just in terms of preventing people that have safe housing from entering or exiting that homeless pattern I'm looking forward to seeing what's happening around the world and whether we can take some learnings from that and whether you know and really examine in detail our local policies and whether there are any barriers built within our local policies that may trigger homelessness with people if someone is in need of you know funding bills whether it's electrical bills or rental bills do they know where to seek support to get those emergency funds it's that prevention space I think that we could probably just scratch little bit deeper and see whether we can play a role in that space but again commend Council I think what we're doing is exemplary and I'm proud to be part of this solution as small as it or as big as it is Thank you. Rowena Skinner 21:32.389
Yes certainly Councillor I would remind you that through the community development directorate that the community development team actually do specifically do those type of things so they have a package of quick easy immediate access phone numbers all the Kerri Contini 21:57.933
Wraparound services if people who are on the verge of either experiencing homelessness or on the verge of it that can put you in contact with many different people here in Noosa and a bit further around on the Coast and so those little ready-gots are already available and so this Amelia Lorentson 22:22.969
Is the northern district a night or just yes Joe Jurisevic 22:26.777
Well that's right yes yeah Rowena Skinner 22:30.029
And yeah and the local laws offices that do go around Council you know they would go around the Shire on a day-to basis they have little pocket guides they carry in their pocket they share with people so there is a lot on the ground happening on a daily basis already Amelia Lorentson 22:50.267
Thank you I would love Joe Jurisevic 23:10.441
Yeah, I it. Too would like to thank you for all the ongoing, the amount of work that's been put into this. I'd like to get some more figures to see how we're progressing. We're kind of on an ongoing basis, we're monitoring situations just to see how they're changing over time and just see the elements of improvement. Be able to improve it and I'd like to see some of the changes that filter through into the planning scheme and enable the changes that we're hoping to enact and provide opportunities. As the cost of living likes more, the housing crisis will only exacerbate further. The sooner the State can facilitate those changes in our planning scheme so that we put them to the public, the sooner we can look at what the options are going forward. Of the developments coming forward that are out there, hopefully we'll start to look at the opportunities that this presents to help facilitate housing diversity and needs for those that are in need of greater housing choice than what's currently out there. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 24:20.681
Okay, Councillor Wegener? Tom Wegener 24:22.584
Like to thank you and congratulate you on the report, it's moving forward, it's amazing. One thing I'd like to suggest is nimbleness, to be able to, we should consider how quickly we can respond to situations, and we responded very quickly to a situation down at the, where people were staying at the beaches, at the spit, where we said, "Well, you can't stay there overnight anymore." That could have potentially been a bit of a homeless situation, I don't think it was. But to be able to respond quickly in the future I think would be a really great thing for this Council to be able to do. When there is an opportunity, let's do it. Hop on it and help these people. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 25:14.499
Anyone else wish to speak before Councillor Stockwell closes? Councillor Finzel thank you. Karen Finzel 25:20.044
Well it's good to be back around the table and be on a really auspicious day where we can celebrate such focus and solution focused and innovation and I really want to appreciate at this table the staff and what you've achieved. It's a perfect example of collaboration and our leadership can work together with staff, with our communities, with our community groups. We can certainly find outcomes that everyone's aware of. Even though they're baby steps, I'm sure we'll get great solution focused outcomes. When we were away at LGAQ, the three girls, we went along to a housing meeting because we thought we could get some further information. And, you know, adding that to our toolbox to bring back here. And it ended up that we were providing them with information for their toolbox. That was Canberra. That was the national one. Yeah, that was the national one. So, you know, we need to be really proud of what this Council has achieved in this space. And the heavy lifting we've done up to all levels of government to advocate for this Shire. So, you thank you and I'm looking forward to a great future where we really really start to see some, you know, housing on the ground in the next couple of years to meet the needs. So, thank you. Frank Wilkie 26:30.087
Councillor Stockwell. Okay, let's that. Put to the vote those in favour. That's carried unanimously. Thank you. Rowena, thank you Kim. Next item is the Noosa Junction Levy and Revenue Statement Amendment. Thank you ladies. Welcome friends. Trent. Hello Trent, would you like to give us an overview please of what we're looking at here? Good afternoon Councillors. Good afternoon. Trent Grauf 27:02.682
Every year through the budget process, Council adopts the Revenue Statement as part of its annual budget. The Revenue Statement outlines and all details, all our rates, levies, and special charges. And included in that is two levies associated with the Noosa Junction. One is the Noosa Junction Levy, which has been in place for a very long period of time, and the other is the streetscape levy, which was reintroduced this year as part of a three-year process to generate funds to undertake the master plan and design of the new streetscape. The Noosa Junction Levy itself is structured levy its purpose as outlined in the overall plan that's in the Revenue Statement is to generate funds from the levy benefit area that contributes to the Junction Association to undertake a range of activities as agreed by the association and its benefit area levy ratepayers for enhancing our projects and that enhance the economic activation of the area. We set that levy annually based on the amounts agreed with the association for what they need to undertake those activities and we adopted levy as they currently stand with a broadly aligned to CPI increase this year. Now the association have approached us and indicated that they can continue to deliver their required projects and initiatives this year with the same baseline funding as they with one. Last financial year. That means we do not need to collect the entire levy amount this financial year and it is proposed that we can reduce the levy for the second half of the year coming into the January rates run so that there is some marginal rates relief for those ratepayers in that levy benefit area for the second half Joe Jurisevic 29:03.736
Next rate run we're going to reduce that in that rate run as opposed to just going to the budget for consideration for the next financial year. Trent Grauf 29:13.088
Correct Councillor. BR2 is anticipated to be presented in the January round of Council meetings. We will aim to issue our January rates run or undertake the process in the first and second weeks in January so there's a slight timing mismatch. If we had reached a point of having BR2 ready for you this round we would have bundled the two together but the intent was to bring it forward earlier so that we can gain your endorsement and then notify the levy benefit area ratepayers with a letter later this week. Frank Wilkie 30:13.843
Approve the motion? Mayor Stewart seconded Councillor Jurisevic. Mayor Stewart? Clare Stewart 30:18.580
No, no, not much to say. It's a good news story. The levy has been reduced by 10%. Financial elective pay has been the time terminated the most. So, good story. Thank you, Trent, for all your hard work. There's a lot of work again, like the previous, a lot of work goes into these few pages. There's hours and so thank you. Frank Wilkie 30:38.599
Do we have Councillor Stockwell? Brian Stockwell 30:40.119
Yes, I'm yeah, actually I'm a actually a bit concerned for Trent oregon. Amongst his colleagues, he has directors of corporate is one that is set by agreement with those who benefit from the levy and it's appropriate to acknowledge there that the committee and this committee of traders knew that due to a range of other factors it would be appropriate in this case to do the deduction. Tom Wegener 31:16.377
Yeah. Know the council's is that careful Tom that the work that they've repaired, the Noosa Junction repair group, what is it called? Group. Sides. Association for doing this and then stepping up and working for the community like that. Frank Wilkie 31:35.684
Yeah, and just to clarify this was a levy introduced at the request of the junction traders association. A project that benefits the Noosa Junction, they've asked for it to be reduced and we're happy to do that. It has no implications in the bottom line for Council operations whatsoever. Trent Grauf 31:54.327
Through the Chair to clarify, yes that's correct. If we had engaged with this with it earlier in the year, we would have had no increase year-on so bringing it through part way through as a reduction simply ensures that the year-on revenue and the year-on contribution back to the association. That's out to Neil. Frank Wilkie 32:12.264
Thank you. Anyone else wish to speak before Mayor Stewart closes. Stewart? Clare Stewart 32:16.924
Just to add, I saw in the report that it has no implication on, they can get everything they want to get done within the constraints of reducing the living anyway, so there's no impact to them or Council. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 32:29.658
In favour? That's unanimous. That's carried. Next item is the Financial Performance Report and Trent is here again. And Pauline. Welcome Pauline. Pauline 32:48.700
Good afternoon Councillor. Larry Sengstock 32:52.704
Hello Pauline Rawlings. Pauline 32:55.087
Alright, financial performance for the month of November continues to be positive with operating revenue $2.7 million above budget year to date. That is largely comprised of additional interest revenue of $1.7 million. $800,000 from sales of goods and services from holiday parks and waste. $294,000 from operational grants. However, this is slightly offset by some lower than budget Fees and Charges from DA and building and plumbing. Operating expenditure is $1.7 million underspent and this is $970,000 worth of employee costs, which we talked about at the last meeting around vacancies and timing of positions, and a small amount relating to materials and services. Overall, year-to-date council's operating position at November is $3.7 million above budget. This surplus will be used to offset the forecast deficit that we adopted at budget review 1, and will fund operations and emergent works that happen during the remainder of this financial year. Capital revenue continues to track above budget with the receipt of disaster recovery grants and this flows through to the expenditure as well with the delivery of Cooroy projects commencing and getting well underway. Council is currently holding 116 dollars in cash reserves with 30 million dollars invested in high yielding term deposits. The drop in term deposit relates primarily to holding funds in the QTC cash account which is also now providing us with higher interest yielding returns. We will expect that this position will spike in. February again with the rates run coming through. However, it will decrease over time through to the end of 30 June with the delivery of the capital program and business as usual operations. With almost half the financial year complete, council's financial performance to be strong into the year. Joe Jurisevic 34:50.420
Civil ops, 109.9% operating revenue. 109.9% above the budget. 3,695% increase. Related is that 9. Of the 3k annual budget let's do that to relates the recruitment of works on behalf of Energex. Can you give me a bit of an understanding on what the recruitment of works on behalf of Energex is? Pauline 35:10.037
It was just the type of revenue, so we were approached by Energex to undertake some capital works that we were doing on projects rather than being say grant revenue or an operating revenue that came through as miscellaneous revenue as it was unexpected. So it's just the classification of that type of revenue. So it was works we bioenergix Energex to undertake when we were doing project works and so it's additional revenue outside of what we would normally receive. Joe Jurisevic 35:38.606
Is there another project that was on? Pauline 35:40.837
I would have to, I could find out for you. Joe Jurisevic 35:42.925
It involved electricity. Yeah. I gather, I'm assuming I know which one it is, I think it was Lisa perrette. Sorry? Noosa Parade. Was Lisa perrette. I've seen that, thank you, that's good to hear. Clare? Clare Stewart 35:53.367
Yes, thank you, same that we ask every month, page 93, the operating surplus ratio, the target is zero to 10%, our result is 19.9, and then our cash expense cover is still really high, the target is greater than three months and we're at 12.6. Which is what it's been for a number of months. Pauline 36:12.319
So operating surplus will decline as we get through the year, so that's where it'll start high and come down, so as we progress through the year it obviously fluctuates, so as we spend money it comes lower and so towards the end of June we would expect that to come down. In terms of the cash cover ratio, that relates. Predominantly to the fact that we're in that calculation we include restricted cash, so all of the QRA disaster funding, all of the grants that we received in advance, all the unspent levies that we collect as well, and that also funds our capital program, so as that gets delivered it comes down. So it would be obviously a lot lower if we excluded those from that calculation. Tom Wegener 36:47.137
Thank you. Yeah. Press: question. Is there a danger in the future of our economy, our budgets actually getting smaller? Because we have these big grants and our operations are huge, bigger than it was a few years ago. And when it gets smaller again and contracts, which it probably will, is there a danger of us actually looking bad on paper? Pauline 37:12.838
In terms if you your own you say were comparing year on it would certainly look different. But in terms of the grant funding that we get, the large majority of that is capital related, so it relates to specific projects. So once those are delivered, we generally, they will either finish, so we don't carry them on, so we don't have that revenue to fund them and we don't continue that project because it's finished. Same with the operating projects. So as they as the money is there to pay for that project. It just means we may deliver different services in terms of those specific ones. But business as usual wouldn't be impacted by grant funding. We don't fund the core operations through grants generally. We might subsidise it along, but we generally will not fund core operations that way. Tom Wegener 37:48.314
Okay, in the future, our basic day-by regular stuff is all the same and will get it at a steady rate. This was a blue. It's thunder, yeah. Absolutely. Brian Stockwell 37:58.200
Yeah. Clients. Think the last item there was, I'm pretty sure this is a first for me in eight years, that the variance in capital expenditure is over the budget rather than under the budget. So that would be the case. I seem to recall that we've never had that since 2016? Pauline 38:17.803
That is the case. And the reason for QRA disaster project. So currently they're not factored into our budget, but they will be introduced at BR2. So they will kind of fluctuate a little bit when you see the January round of reports. Yeah, they were. Recognising the expenditure because we're obviously spending it, but we obviously haven't reflected that in the budget at this stage. Frank Wilkie 38:37.647
It just looks good. Okay, we'll go with it. Looks good. I don't think I've ever seen this Council so flush with cash either. Cash holding $116 million is extraordinary, but as you say, it's disaster recovery. Grant funding. It's all going to be expended. A lot of that's. Yeah, the vast majority of that's committed. Great. And the totals, which I don't think we've received in full yet, are ranging up around $100 million? Potentially, yes. Extraordinary. Clare Stewart 39:06.153
Any concerns, both of you, that you'd like to share? Pauline 39:10.693
I don't think so. I'm sure. That's a very broad question. The biggest thing, and it's not a concern so much, it's more just something that we need to manage is, as the QRA projects are delivered, we just need to be managing that grant the claims process quite closely, just so that we manage our cash flow. So we're fine at the beginning, so we've been prepaid in advance, but once we chew through that cash, it's just a matter of making sure that we've got our claims coming through to match that expenditure, so we don't sort of into Council funds. That's probably it. Frank Wilkie 39:41.152
Do you have any concerns over our wages to ratio? Pauline 39:48.254
Not at this stage, no, in terms of the percentage component. Frank Wilkie 39:53.015
You're delivering a lot of projects that we've had to take on extra staff to deliver these projects which we've got extra revenue for, so it seems to have kept everything in proportion. Pauline 40:01.503
Yeah, so obviously we recoup the expenditure on employee costs for projects, for capital projects particularly, so that gets capitalised as part of the assets, so it doesn't flow through the P &L as such. But yeah, so generally we've only got staff on additional temporary staff for project work, and once that project completes they'll either go on to a different project that's funded, or find some other project to go on with. Frank Wilkie 40:26.332
One more if you may, Tom. Question for my time. Maybe a question to the CEO. How many staff are we still seeking in terms of numbers across the organisation? It does fluctuate. It on a daily basis. I mean it was about a year ago it was a hundred. 100, eighteen 18 months ago 100. It was about 100 was the estimate. Have we got more staff? I think they've done quite well at recruiting but I still I don't know that it's a hundred that they've got still outstanding but they're still quite a significant number in certain areas of Council and civil ops development assessment across those sorts of areas. Larry Sengstock 41:05.024
It's hard to put an exact number on any one point in time because it relates to part-time and others as well but safe to say we're. I think we're, to be honest, I think we're in a better position now than we were 12 months ago in terms of turnover and in terms of vacancies. Things have stabilised? Pauline 41:21.541
Yes, to some degree. We are still struggling to get the candidates through but I think everybody's is struggling with that. Frank Wilkie 41:28.715
I'm hearing interviews going on all the time. Does anyone care to move the report or any more questions? Sorry, Tom, you had a question. Tom Wegener 41:36.114
I wrote down 970,000 in employee savings, which is extraordinary. That's quite big, isn't it? Pauline 41:43.711
It is quite substantial. It's not inconsistent than what we've had in previous years. So it depends on the. So if we approve new employees through budget, sometimes that can take a little bit of time to get that recruitment going and that can contribute to the vacancies. But certainly, yeah, it is a significant amount. And that comes on to. Sometimes, that relates to if we haven't part. So sometimes we might have a full FTE, but we might only partially fill that. So that will also contribute to those. Trent Grauf 42:13.805
Yes, I guess just to add to that, if you consider our employee cost base. Not $100,000. And 900,000 year-to-date, and if we continue with a level of staff turnover and vacancy. And if you consider in practice we lose a staff member, it can take us three to four months. To go through a recruitment process for that. Now when you're talking over $40 what's the, over $40 million in employment. Costs annually, so $900,000 for nearly six months means that. We're talking about a 5% impact across the board. In terms of lost salaries and wages. So that relative to the size. And the scale of our workforce isn't. Unheard of. It's not a significant concern. The challenge is just us filling it. And the timeline it takes us to fill that. And the workload on the other staff. When they've got a vacancy in a small team. And they're scrambling to fill the gaps. When they've lost someone that's got an issue. Or tacit knowledge in their team. Karen Finzel 43:16.846
How are we tracking them when we've got a pressure on the team with vacancies and we might have some in the team that's on permanent part-time then how are we tracking, like checking their skills and their ability to be able to move into Clare Stewart 43:31.435
A full-time position, say, in that team. How are we tracking this? Larry Sengstock 43:35.924
A good question. That's an ongoing process through our people and culture department, looking manager at that and through our management to be honest all of our managers are always looking to do that. And one of our philosophies is to encourage promotion within, where possible, if they've got the right skills or they've got the ability to accumulate those skills. Absolutely. So we look for that, but there's times where we can't. Just to answer, also to go on from the figure that Councillor. Wegener put up about the $970,000, that is a figure that it's not necessarily savings as such or unspent money at this point in time because we do have to supplement when there's positions that aren't filled or we can't fill them or it takes time to fill. Sometimes it's three months, sometimes it's six months by the time we get somebody to relocate and do all the other bits and pieces so we would spend some of that money on contractors or consultancies, labour hire, that sort of stuff to make sure that we've got people in those positions to otherwise the pressure on our existing workforce is even greater so we try to make sure of that but you know because it's just again it's a tough market. And particularly see it a lot in the even in the operations department where we do have to bring labour or hire in quite regularly because you know there's quite a bit of movement and getting people in quickly is difficult so we do a bit of that and just supplement until we can. Amelia Lorentson 45:12.712
Should we be separating consultancy services from employee costs? Larry Sengstock 45:18.227
I think there's consultancy given it yeah I think it's this consultancy then there's contractors or there's labour hire if you like, people that come in and backfill. Whereas a consultancy in the truce term is more about we've got a project that we need a consultant with that expertise to come in and do something. So it's a bit, it's slightly different I think and we do separate consultancy. The consultancies out from the Pauline 45:38.209
Workforce. Consultancies and contract services sits in the materials and services line it doesn't go Larry Sengstock 45:43.377
Through the consultancy is really related to projects, specific Amelia Lorentson 45:47.482
Projects. Do we have a consultancy register? I think I've asked that question a few times. Pauline 45:53.710
I wouldn't think that there'd be a register. We obviously have a list of suppliers that we utilise, but we don't keep a separate register for that particular area. We have a contracts register that looks at all of our contracts across Council, like all our ITQs and tenders, but not specifically consultancies. Larry Sengstock 46:12.350
Are we we're doing work that's regular work, then we'll have a list of suppliers, like plumbing suppliers for example. But where we're looking to do specific consultancies, you go out to the market because you want to get someone with the specific capability and knowledge. Is listed. Not a list that you can choose from necessarily. There's groups that we know in that sphere, but we don't have them on the list. Frank Wilkie 46:37.237
Some count of earthy. So I'm going to move the report. Moved by Councillor Wegener, seconded by Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 46:44.772
Good work, good solid way to end the year. Thank you very much for the year, the team. Thank you. Great. Good feeling to end the year with this report, financially. Frank Wilkie 46:58.829
First speak. Put the report all in favour. That's carried unanimously. Thank you, Trent. Thank you, Pauline. Thank you, Trent. Next item is shade in the Cooran streetscape. Amelia Lorentson 47:12.873
Thank you. And I'd like to move an alternative motion, please. And I'll second it. Frank Wilkie 47:20.844
Do you know to me? What you're saying? Yes, I do. We're moving things along today. But no, we'll have Larry speak to the report first. Brian Stockwell 47:34.261
Thank you. So, Sorry, Larry cantor. Can't talk to the motion. We'll talk to the motion. If we move consecutively, it has to be moved to the motion. Frank Wilkie 47:43.454
Okay. Amelia Lorentson 47:44.254
Okay. Larry, Amelia, you've got the floor. Sure. I'll start by reading the alternate motion that Council note the report by the Acting CEO to the General Committee Meeting dated 11th of December 2023 regarding additional shade measures in King Street, Cooran. And A, Council provide freestanding shade umbrellas in the streetscape as a as short-term solution. B, undertake community consultation regarding the public use of the space and the subsequent design and construction of a long term shelter. C, consider a budget allocation. For the 2024-2025 financial year for supply and installation of additional mature shade trees in King Street Cooran in consultation with all local businesses and the community. And D, note that Council has already to an additional shade shelter at the bus stop in Cooran with a budget allocation of $65,000 and there is also a provision of additional shade. Oh no, that's not what I meant. Sorry. I've got it here. Clare Stewart 49:05.950
That's not what this one is. This one here alright. We had a few sent from you earlier. Sorry. It's big. Joe Jurisevic 49:11.843
It's alright. We'll get it. This is the last one. Clare Stewart 49:15.689
Just a sec. We've got it. Is that one there, Amelia? It's the bottom line. Amelia Lorentson 49:24.317
That's it. Frank Wilkie 49:24.887
The bottom line. Amelia Lorentson 49:26.700
Thank you very much. And D, note that Council is committed to an additional shade shelter at the bus stop in Cooran with a budget allocation of $65,000. Council also proposes to submit a budget bid for 2024-2025 for a Cooran recreation precinct plan which can examine the possibility of shade structures at places such as the Cooran skate park. Frank Wilkie 49:54.914
And Chair, I could. As suggest that Councillor Lorentson could ask the CEO a question about the nature of the report. Amelia Lorentson 50:02.907
Thank you. And Through the Chair, Larry, can you give us an overview of the report in front of us all. Larry Sengstock 50:10.208
Certainly. Thank you, Through the Chair. So this is a rather tricky one. Just to give some background to it initially is the fact that in 2010 there was a through a councillor's discretionary budget a couple of tables and chairs placed in the community space outside the general store. Those were tables provided then by Council. Since and during that time it's understood that the temporary shade umbrellas were provided on those tables by the owners of the general store so they were taken out put back in at the end of the day community space it is Council space just recently we had need to replace those tables and in replacing those tables recognised that the safety factor of those umbrellas wasn't necessarily high as it should be so the recommendation was that we don't have those umbrellas specifically there anymore and we placed new tables there since that time there's been discussion around the need for shade in that public space because it becomes an is public space in its community space then it's become quite a situation that we needed to then understand further so this report what it does is provides a summary or a an outline of the existing provisions in Cooran along the street King Street of the different options and different shading options that are provided with by the various shop owners and various positions what we need to remember is where these tables are is in a community space it's not part of any lease it is community space so the staff have done a research and some investigation on that. Minute. There's been no we need to be upfront there's been no community consultation because it's been specific to that space owner where the community where the tables were so we've this report is really just a technical report saying this is these tables replaced if you want shade on those tables then we need to look at precinct we need to look at other look around the whole Shire and make sure that we're not doing something that's outside of our remit the recommendation therefore that sits within our remit as offices is that we provide street trees is the option because the risk is if we put shade on those tables because of their proximity to the shopping so to the shops nearby then you're setting up a precinct so the recommendation is for street trees at this point from the office point of view but more than happy for discussion to happen and for recommendations to come from the floor or from the table to for us to then implement if that's the will of the Council Frank Wilkie 53:13.112
Councillor Lorentson you have the floor Amelia Lorentson 53:16.785
Speak to the motion. I will speak to the motion in April 2023 some of it some of the councils were approached by the proprietors of a general store located at 12 King Street Cooran they requested that Noosa Council replace the umbrellas that have been removed by the Council from the community tables near 12 King Street we were informed at the time by the ex-CEO that the matter fell under operational jurisdiction with the CEO being responsible for the day-to operations. At that time and at many other times a lot of the Councillors around this table expressed or made clear their opinions as to what they would like to see happen. It seems from the report that Council has taken a different stance and my understanding is that the general store were informed that the management and liability of any temporary shave rested with the business owners and not that the store was then advised to apply for an outdoor dining area as a result a request is made to have this matter decided by Council the motion in front of us acknowledges a few things firstly that the tables adjacent to 12 King Street have always been a crucial community meeting space and that no business should assume ownership or exclusivity the motion in front of us acknowledges that the tables were erected by the Council in 2010 for community use not private use the motion us acknowledges that it is council's responsibility not the proprietors to replace manage and assume liability for the shade umbrellas and finally the motion in front of us acknowledges that active community involvement in decisions impacting the Cooran community is critical to building strong communities and within Council trust by way of background I'm going to read an email that was recently sent by a resident um it won't be long um he says that of the past Councillors who had the seating installed initially we were aware of the issues at the store and that this area is a place where people congregate even today years later the store is more than a shop providing banking postal and other services at the time there was an informal arrangement made that Council provide the seating and the store provide the shade over tables during opening times which is usually during daylight hours the arrangement worked well for at least 35 years I understand the issue of liability for Council remain and would suggest as that the tables public seating and Council provide shade over the and keep this asset in public control the recommendation before you that I seek support is that Council provide freestanding shade umbrellas in the streetscape as short a-term solution to undertake community consultation regarding the public use of the space and the subsequent design and construction of a long-term shelter noting that the four options that were canvassed in the report had not been subject to community engagement and budget three consider the allocation for supply and installation of the trees mature trees in King Street Cooran in consultation again with all the local businesses and the community and note that Council has already committed to additional shade shelter at the Cooran and that Council also proposes a budget bid for a Cooran recreational precinct plan which can look at the possibility of a shade structure at places such as the skate park again, I reiterate that active community involvement in decisions directly impacting the Cooran community is critical. The motion in front of us recognises and seeks input from the Cooran local business and the community and I ask that you that support you the motion in front of you. Questions? Councillor Joe, then Brian. Joe Jurisevic 57:38.376
Mr CEO, the consideration of a freestanding shade umbrella in the streetscape, one would think that if Council would supply any form of freestanding item that would have to be securely. So freestanding would mean that it would be secure and be able to be removed readily? Larry Sengstock 57:58.195
The intention is. That's clearly understood by that statement? That's up to you. The I'm just trying to be clear. The intention. Joe Jurisevic 58:05.395
Something's bolted down but it could be removed if you needed well, that lane it that would have tangent. A canvas type cover or would it be more of a solid type cover? Larry Sengstock 58:14.069
The intention is to look at the best, most economical. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 58:17.530
Mr Stockwell, Brian Stockwell 58:18.995
Mind the point my point of clarification, which I think might lead to a slightly wording I don't think Council is proposing to submit the budget bit. I think what that could possibly be suggesting that Council request staff prepare a new initiative for the 24/25 budget. Because that's worded it's that Council is submitting something, but that's not something that we actually. So for me, we're requesting that staff bring forward a budget bit for our consideration on the next Council meeting. Frank Wilkie 58:52.731
Is it Council staff also or proposing something about the book? Brian Stockwell 58:58.077
Well, it seems to be a clarification. Just a clarification. Amelia Lorentson 59:04.337
Yeah. As the Council proposes. Yeah. Start preparing. Larry Sengstock 59:20.153
So this actually did come to a budget discussion last year and we didn't get into this year's budget. Frank Wilkie 59:28.964
I think Karen and Clare. We'll just finalise this one first. Thanks Karen. Get the wording right. Yeah, and make sure everyone's happy with it. Sure everyone's happy with it. Is everyone happy with it? So it now reads request that the CEO prepare a budget bid for 24-25 financial year for a Cooran Recreation Precinct Plan which can examine the possibility of shared structures at places such as the Cooran skate park. And we are we Councillors happy with that? Okay. Karen, you have a question? Karen Finzel 01:00:08.660
Yeah, just coming back to the CEO's comment about, you know, affordability. On page one. I don't know if you have your glasses. 108,165. Initial estimates of supply and install are in the order of $30,000 for three umbrellas. And there also will have to be further expenditure to maintain this asset type because we've never done anything like that before prior to this meeting I was out in Cooran speaking to the store owner, Brad, and a few people that I met out there were quite concerned that the cost was $30,000 for three umbrellas. Arm wellers. The owner of the shop did indicate that he has sent several emails through the Council suggesting that he be available to move the umbrellas, which they do have, which have been given to them, and have been supplied with photos that they can be safely secured underneath the tables. Communities. Is more than happy to have them replaced and manage that and build their own resilience and ownership on that space. So can you talk to me a little bit about how we're going to move forward, where the $30,000 is? Allocatively that's coming from and how we're going to engage the community if the store owner has already indicated that he's more than happy to do that and people this morning have been very concerned about that $30,000 for three hours. If we're replacing light for Amelia Lorentson 01:01:42.281
I'm not sure can I throw just a question Through the Chair? Larry Sengstock 01:01:45.551
We'll handle this so $30 The next $30,000 is an estimate based on the design and you see in the report there so that's just a type obviously we would be looking we do as I said before the most to do as I said before the most economical and most efficient way to do this if we went down this path that's if the decision that's taken with that but we needed to let you know that if you take this decision that's the best potentially the cost to do it to go go the path of what you're you've talked to the shop owner about he's really going back to where it was before where they were providing that the umbrellas taken and putting out take him away the staff we have rejected that initially that's why that's we are where we are because they actually said they're not safe that methodology is not wasn't safe that with that they used wasn't safe because the umbrellas could fly and who's liable for that because it's on our land but it's put else so if an umbrella flew out and hit somebody or a car or whatever it might be who's at risk at that point so that position would probably still stand unless we can get that shop owner to take that risk and that's a difficult thing so again we can explore that I'm happy to explore that whether that's an opportunity and again whether they can be locked in and a bit in a better way than just putting in the you know the cheap marketing umbrellas if you like that the potentially get from the various companies so we can look at that to again to save money but if the decisions it's more the decision if you take the decision that we want shade there and we would look at the best methodology to actually deliver that. Frank Wilkie 01:03:32.800
Councillor Walsh do you have an answer to the question as well? Amelia Lorentson 01:03:35.684
I do I think what Karen is proposing is actually opposite what I've got in front of us which is that Council takes full ownership not the store owner that Council replaces managers and assumes liability for the shade umbrellas not the proprietor so I think what she's asking quite different to what my motion is Larry Sengstock 01:04:00.524
I think that's what I explained though the responsibility would then come back on the shop owner if they're putting it up and taking it away yes unless we can work out a another model but again difficult. Karen Finzel 01:04:11.399
Further question Karen? Yes thank you. So more of a clarification Through the Chair. I was not making any proposal. I was asking a question from the CEO regarding the expenditure given the amount when people raised concerns today and have sent me emails so with regards to community engagement if we're doing a big broader thing and we're looking at $30,000 there's no argument people want to show. The argument is the process of how this has gone about and how we're at this point, people were physically could believe that now we're looking at $30,000 or you know up to large amounts and also having to manage remittances. So the question is. That you're asking. Well when the community. Well has that they would prefer to manage that and they can manage it and have it bolted down without the $30,000 expenditure and go to that extreme for design and concept. In my opinion this was meant to be a technical report and now we're looking at weight designs moving down the street where they're just asking for the shade to be replaced from the umbrella. Frank Wilkie 01:05:24.247
On so you're asking would other options be considered that may not cost $30,000? Yes. Larry Sengstock 01:05:30.934
I'm happy to explore all of those things what we've got to be sure of though is the liability. Who owns the liability and what the risks are but we can go down that path but it's more about if you give us a direction today that we want shade over those tables and we'll explore the best option available Joe Jurisevic 01:05:48.319
To us. Along the lines of the question I did ask you in an email Mr CEO, it was along these lines, is there an opportunity to have some sort of an MOU between the shop owner. Larry Sengstock 01:05:58.483
Council with to what kind of Joe Jurisevic 01:05:59.543
And Council with regard to what type of umbrellas they supply and how they are fixed in place to cover the liability issue and that their responsibility is to install them and remove them at the beginning of the day, beginning of each operation given that this is a situation where situation we're showing isn't available by over-account space. Larry Sengstock 01:06:19.189
That may well be possible but again I'm not the shop owner so I don't know whether that's something that they would be prepared to take on but once they're made aware of what the actual liabilities are they may not so we'd have to explore that I can't give you an answer on that now but what we're still suggesting is that we would provide that the infrastructure. Joe Jurisevic 01:06:47.584
On that basis then could I suggest an amendment to in the first instance, entry into discussions with the proprietor of the general, the Cooran general store, I think that's what it's called, is it? Cooran general store, is that it? Yeah, that's correct. A Memorandum of Understanding or a methodology? I'm seeking help here, guys, which we're going to have on later, not likely to be used to facilitate that in the first instance before going to providing some change strategies, that breaks down. Shaun Walsh 01:07:36.979
Through the Chair, we've never seen that approach used. For these type of temporary structures. It's just going to prolong it. Can I just, sorry, that's why we don't have Frank Wilkie 01:07:47.522
The answers. We've got a staff answer. Sean, Shaun, would you like to come and join the discussion, please? To the table, please, and answer joe's Shaun Walsh 01:07:58.402
So I'm happy to answer this technically. The reason I asked the CEO to present the report is, as you're aware, I'm previously a long-standing resident of Cooran, and we thought for additional objectivity, having Larry present the report would be the appropriate thing. Sure. The problem but the memory we have with the Memorandum of Understanding is we don't have an example where we've used that in regard to liability. Umbrellas can be dangerous in winds, and we don't have staff that are readily available in Cooran to manage the umbrellas on a daily basis. The proposal that's in the report is a fixed installation that meets structural engineering requirements. They are used around the Shire and private premises in resorts and sporting clubs. That cost estimate is based on a quote received from a supplier. Is that includes on a the footing from well as the installation and the like. It would require Council to maintain it. They are quite durable structures. So you can expect a lifespan of eight years at least at the campus usually. And they are designed to withstand storms. Frank Wilkie 01:08:57.324
Yeah. And in and the wording of this report, do you see that suggests that staff wouldn't talk to the store owners before installing this structure? Shaun Walsh 01:09:06.382
So in my mind that we would put out a Your Say and a community fact sheet so that Council is proposing to put umbrellas in this location and see what the border broader has to say so noting that the tables are not proposed for any exclusive use that they're for public use but I do want to point out that to meet you know structural and safety obligations that cost is the cost. Frank Wilkie 01:09:30.574
Does that help clarify your direction? Shaun Walsh 01:09:34.922
I can't see any operating arrangement. Joe Jurisevic 01:09:36.886
Is there any way we could have an there pipe any way we could have an approved umbrella that was supplied by the operator? Because these are supplied day in out at every other locality across the Shire where dining permits are issued and each individual business takes responsibility and liability for. That through the a footpath dining arrangement could some sort of a an arrangement be facilitated the same way that if umbrellas are to be provided they are provided to a certain standard they are attached in a certain way and that is and that becomes the responsibility through some sort of a an MOU or at least arrangement with the operator if they're happy to provide the umbrellas. Shaun Walsh 01:10:26.645
So the early arrangement the only arrangement would be in terms of removal of liabilities if the shop owner or the premises were able to extend their public and personal liability to include the, you know, the umbrellas in the public footpath and I can't speak for the, you know, the business owner whether they'd actually want to pursue that with their insurer and I don't know whether the insurer would be willing to extend that but that would be the resolution so that there's clear responsibility from a legal perspective if something you know for recourse of public or private damage. Has that Avenue been discussed at all with the shop owner? No and as pointed out in the report was a technical assessment of the different options without any community or Joe Jurisevic 01:11:10.224
Business assessment. Trying to do here in an amendment is add a first step to have that discussion and see if that arrangement can be facilitated in the first instance of going down the other paths and having a $30,000 structure. Frank Wilkie 01:11:27.240
Okay, what's so you're, Jay, what you're proposing is ultimately a different result to what Amelia is providing. So it's a negation of the. Not necessarily. Joe Jurisevic 01:11:38.056
I'm providing a methodology of staging that if an agreement can be reached with the store owner, that one should be pursued. Frank Wilkie 01:11:46.904
Well, the point I make, Councillor, is that the Councillor Lorentson's motion is that Council survives and is responsible for the installation and management of it, and your amendment will be in direct contrast to that. And I'm ruling that it would be wrong. Can I explain why I wouldn't? No. I've ruled on it. Oh, jeez. Can I also ask. Mayor Stewart. Clare Stewart 01:12:10.512
Yeah, I've got a question that is not related to the board. I've got a question about, consider a budget allocation from 24 to 25 financial year to supply and destination of trees. What are we looking at if we were to do that simultaneously? With the additional shade structure, what are we looking at in that cost? Larry Sengstock 01:12:26.990
I think our cost in here is about $1,000 per tree. Clare Stewart 01:12:30.488
How many would we need? One page, $100, mate. Shaun Walsh 01:12:34.739
How many are we looking at? Previously in the streetscape design, there actually were two trees located on King Street, which has since demolished demised. So there used to be an eucalyptus spider carpet, so, and you can see them actually on the history of the area of photography, so there's at least two, but I think that if we went to the community, because, you know, we've got a much broader active retail precinct in Cooran than we had when the streetscape was upgraded, so with businesses at different ends of the town, so I think the question would be, you know, looking at whether there'd be other locations, but, you know, the point is that $30,000 will get you a lot of trees as a comparison, though it's a more longer-term solution, so two minimum for in that locality. Clare Stewart 01:13:18.220
I guess my question is if we are going and I fully support putting up the shade bearing, and as Council providing, surely around that, but if we were to do that and we've got our resources out there, what's a couple of extra trees as well? About $1 a $1000,000 a tree. Yeah, so is it worth, I this says consider a budget, but I mean, why couldn't we- if we've got all our resources and our staff out there, if we're doing one thing, it makes economies of scale, it makes sense to put in- I'm not talking about tree the whole street, but I'm putting in- back those trees for a little bit of extra money. It makes sense. Shaun Walsh 01:13:51.492
I concur. And we do plant trees under operational budget so that we wouldn't come to Council for a budget allocation for a couple of thousand dollars. So we would include it in the overall street tree planning program. Frank Wilkie 01:14:02.505
Councillor Stockwell had his hand up. Yeah, I'm going in a different direction. Brian Stockwell 01:14:06.945
And that is what this motion proposes is first in that it's proposing to put shade over a public table. Is, our team who are looking at urban greening and climate change response policy looking at that elsewhere as to the appropriate way to create safe public spaces? In terms of shade and urban cooling etc for getting people is or there an amendment needed to actually use this as the trigger to say we want to investigate this across the whole of the show. You're pre-linking my next event. And so I suppose that's probably the problem. Shaun Walsh 01:14:52.103
I think technically from the urban grading perspective the work isn't that sophisticated as of yet we've done some basic foundation work, but your question is a basic, is probably be able to answer in 12 months or two years time. Frank Wilkie 01:15:06.310
Can I ask a follow up question? Are there other tables in the Shire that have shade over them? Shaun Walsh 01:15:13.430
Yes, but the, for instance, and there's photos in the report, you know, the picnic tables in Pioneer Park have shade structures over in the tables. Conversely, we have a lot of tables in the Shire that don't have shade structures over the top, and there is examples from both Peregian beach as well as Pomona in the report. Frank Wilkie 01:15:32.424
So it's not unusual to see public tables with shade over them? That's correct. Thank Joe? Joe Jurisevic 01:15:37.963
You Joe so the press: so-- question that comes out of that is that if we can facilitate mature trees that can provide shade for a far lesser cost, why would we be pursuing fixed umbrellas in the short-term? If how long guess I the question is how long would it take us to acquire some mature trees that would provide to facilitate shade and be able to plant them in such a way that would shade this table in the short-term? Shaun Walsh 01:16:05.188
In the location like that where you're already roots the root zone you've been constrained by the maximum size of tree you can purchase so and that's why the report it would take time and I would anticipate anywhere but you know we might get a reasonable tree in there but probably take five to ten years before you get a reasonable degree of shade. And I'm being honest the level changes in that location also make it complex. It's not a quick Joe Jurisevic 01:16:28.582
Solution over time Shaun Walsh 01:16:34.796
You've spoken to certainly not Frank Wilkie 01:16:36.216
Mayor Stewart was wanting to speak to the motion Clare Stewart 01:16:40.198
Yeah I'm going to support Councillor Lorentson I think it's a really good one it's the only one that provides certainty it provides clarity it then takes any risk of liability out it's about community safety it's about in every sense of about sun safety about safety ensuring there's a structure that is supportive and compliant we took down the umbrellas we have an obligation to a place like for life and to put shape up shade structure this is the simplest and quickest easiest and most effective way to do it the community are calling on it they're begging us to put back the shade I feel we have an obligation to do it we have the same issue at Noosa Waters we have the entry stage statement that is a water feature now we are not necessarily putting another water feature in but we are certainly putting something in that space and replacing in a way like for we have to do the same here we have to support the people in what they want we took down the two umbrellas I believe we must replace them this is a community space this is a space for everyone and ensuring that it's shaded will ensure shade for the whole of community so I think this is the quickest most effective way and we need the structures up as soon as possible we are in summer we are in Queensland, we need to protect our residents, full stop. Frank Wilkie 01:17:59.323
Thank you Mayor. Councillor Jurisevic? Joe Jurisevic 01:18:00.665
Can I just clarify something that the Mayor said there, that's not my understanding. Council did not remove, did Council remove the umbrellas, did Council supply the umbrellas in the first instance? Shaun Walsh 01:18:10.076
So and I think I don't have any don't have an intimate understanding of the supply of the umbrellas. My understanding is that Council supplied the tables originally and worked with the business owner for them to actually put the umbrellas over the tables that were supplied and they would take them in and out on a regular basis. Councillor Finzel? Karen Finzel 01:18:32.264
Yes, I can bring clarification. I spoke to the owner this morning. He assured me that the umbrellas were supplied as a promotional by the people at streets ice cream or someone and they're the umbrellas. Shaun Walsh 01:18:44.943
That's my understanding as well. But we're not Council supplied. Frank Wilkie 01:18:49.163
Alright, I'm going to speak to the motion. And this is an exceptional circumstance and it requires an exceptional solution. So in this case, the Council installed public seating and tables in a public space where people gather for a reasons including before and after visiting the general store and post office. Shade umbrellas had been provided by the business owners in an informal arrangement which ended when the tables were upgraded and the umbrellas were unable to be fitted anymore and the liability issues were by default addressed. But shade is still needed. There are two solutions to providing shade. The business owner can provide shade an outdoor dining permit, which are quite common across the Shire, or the Council can provide it. If there were no public tables and chairs outside the business and they wanted to provide shaded seating at tables, I would support it. But there is public furniture there. If the business owner had an outdoor dining permit, use of these tables could technically be restricted for exclusive use by customers only, like in all other footpath dining arrangements. If Council provides the shade, the general public would still be able to use this furniture and gather their under shade as they were able to before the tables were upgraded. On reflection, I cannot think of any other across the Shire where a piece of public furniture has become unavailable for general public use because of an outdoor dining permit. All other outdoor dining permits involve businesses also providing the tables and chairs. In this case the tables are public furniture not privately owned. This for me is the crucial difference. As a rule I don't support public furniture becoming restricted even technically to the private use of a commercial business and I understand the business owners are not wanting non-customers from using the tables either. In my view, if Council were to provide the shade over the public seating, it solves this unique problem in a way that respects well-reasoned and fair community requests for shade, does not disadvantage anyone or unfairly affect other businesses who have exclusive use of their outdoor dining areas using privately owned, not public furniture. For that reason, I think this is a good solution and I'll be supporting it. Thank you. Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 01:21:16.047
It's actually a really interesting report because it raises a whole lot of issues. Yeah. Like, partly. Of the issue is modernity caught up with Cooran and local laws. But I don't know if that's the right word, but I right word. The issue of liability for umbrellas is clear. I wasn't going to support the amendment of the Council to go, because I know simple thing of trying to get insurance for a body corporate, it puts a line through umbrellas. Because they are so dangerous looking, we. And so we can't transfer that liability. Yeah. Um. So there's it's the fact that, yeah, like, I was going to read out exactly the same passage as Councillor Lorentson did from ex-Councillor Doug, who's, you know, he's been there for 40 years and he actually extends the seating being there for 35. Rather than 2010, so there was probably an old wooden picnic bench there back in the old days. And that there's been problems with this sort of shop owner trying to, in previous owners. There's that. Thought, well, it's a really good first case for our climate change adaptation, because while Councillor Wilkie can't think of another table of chairs in some situations, I reckon we'll have lots. And I reckon, B, we could actually go out and do exactly the same sort of thing as we've done with the last two generations of bus shelters, is actually get someone local to design something that's practical, cheap, and fits Noosa, that we can actually roll out more cheaply because it's a standard or modular design that we can vary to suit each individual situation. I was thinking of doing a amendment, but I think they won't be able to climb to do anything before the next budget. Anyway, we can talk about it then. The last one is this concept of a space that, without community context, is a classic place to have a permanent occupier for the adjacent commercial but from the fee-based perspective, the feedback from the community, they put different value on it. The value that they're coming to is one of the meeting space. And then in the current heat, the shade is a requirement to fulfil that function. So, up until 24 hours ago, I them. Wouldn't have supported the motion, but I've reflected and I actually think for those reasons, I have no worries about establishing a precinct, because I think it's a precinct we're going to have to think about going into the future about council's role in providing shady places to sit. Whether it's to have a chat, or a drink, whatever, in the public space, and therefore I support it. Frank Wilkie 01:24:06.223
Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Joe? Joe Jurisevic 01:24:09.784
Look, I've got no problem supporting this. I've got the idea around amendments to see if there's a simpler solution that could be attained in the short-term, with longer term solutions. To follow to see whether there was a process we could actually undergo that would circumvent having to provide fixed structures in the short-term until mature trees could be there. This is a very very common problem and I had this argument with Sunshine Coast Council when they were in control of our parks and placed a metal table in Heritage Park in the middle of a sunny spot with millions of trees around it. So yes, they do exist and they're more common than you think, which shows that what we have to do as a Council is that as these items come up for replacement and we consider their locality and consider if they're shade available, we relocate them under the shade as opposed like that in London, Charlie, him out in sunny. Spots where or they then have having to facilitate shade onto them so it's a bit of I guess maturity in the way we undertake our renewal and replacement of these items and if there is an opportunity for some cheap shade structure or some easy uh new trees to be planted under operational budget around some tree sorry they have some chairs that aren't shaded we should consider that in every opportunity I'm um I'm happy to support this uh I was likewise thinking about moving an amendment along those lines to look at um infrastructure but I believe that's probably something we're already undertaking through climate change adaptation and that um I think the uh the maturity and the understanding of the operational works department would as life has come up for review consider their locality and see if uh see if a more shady and more suitable location to be found that they should undertake that as part of due process. Frank Wilkie 01:25:56.941
Thank you, Councillor durr Jurisevic. Siddiq. Councillor Councillor Wegener Tom. I'll speak to it. Tom Wegener 01:26:03.256
I will support this. Like everybody, like you guys, I was very concerned earlier because it appears as though there's that the business owner should apply for and dining out outside dining permit where perhaps that this is a president's now saying well if there's if the public if Council put in at the tables out there well the tables you're not going to have outdoor dining so don't worry about applying for a permit because you're not going to get it because you're not going to you you're not going to be able to use public amenities for your business is that I think that's what we're saying is that right Larry Sengstock 01:26:40.853
They can apply to use the space but not the furniture so if they took an outdoor dining permit we would remove our infrastructure and they could provide their own infrastructure. Shaun Walsh 01:26:53.131
Noting there also is other footpath areas aside from the existing fixed public tables and chairs Tom Wegener 01:26:59.558
So so there's would be enough space for them to apply for a permit to put their own tables out there next to these tables yes okay okay well that makes it simple that yeah terrific let's put up a sheet thank you question Brian Stockwell 01:27:17.103
And I meant to ask before I the there was legitimate concerns about the cost of umbrellas can I clarify that the umbrellas cost net situation be would ones be that ones that were designed to have a long life so we they are in spot whereas the structural requirements will be the same but if they are any there for a short-term there might be cheaper options that could be pursued or do you think that's the minimum standard you're going to require in the public spaces Shaun Walsh 01:27:43.676
Um certainly we'd need to go to market to you know I've got some market testing but you know to meet you know form 14 and you know form 15 requirements they have to be of a certain structural standard and being designed to withstand the same as a building so I think the idea that there's a short-term solution that's of lighter weight is probably a false belief the price is going to be similar to that I can anticipate you'd expect an asset life of at least five years to eight years you know for those particular umbrellas they can be relocated so that's the point so you know so certainly you do have to build a footing and then it's bolted to the footing some concrete is already deep enough to just put in dyna bolts and concrete you know and would have designs to support that but these things are commonly relocated to other locations Frank Wilkie 01:28:29.607
Thank you will any other Councillors wish to speak? Karen Finzel 01:28:31.767
Yes, Councillor Finzel. A question then so it is about a question like equity so I was out there today so Through the Chair at the other end of the street we've got a business owner there's umbrellas and things out there that is also like Council land it's not private land don't see where the L.A. Line is. So if next week in terms of equity she comes and says she wants to make an application so for example to have shaded outdoor areas and what's going to be the response of the process my Shaun Walsh 01:29:04.731
My technical response would be that in accordance with the Council direction is that this location in the streetscape has been traditionally provided with public furniture without shade that's no longer a best practice in terms of Council moving forward when councils work towards putting in Cooran. Since that date there's always been a shelter which is Cooran such as the shelter in Pioneer Park. If the owner of those other premises, the top end of town or the bottom end of town wanted shade you know adjacent to their premises they would need to work for a private solution because Council has never committed is to public tables in that location. In and to me that's the distinguishment between this case and those other retail premises. So if they had an outdoor dining permit they could put their own tables or shade out. You know as outlined in the report there's various options you know building of an awning as well you know which you know is used elsewhere and our town plan requires provision of awnings when they actually rebuild the premises if they ever redevelop them or application for an outdoor dining permit which would give them exclusive use for tables and shade in their premises. Frank Wilkie 01:30:14.373
Councillor Lorentson, do you wish to close? Clare Stewart 01:30:15.627
Oh, her. I haven't spoken to them. Yes, you may. Thank you very much. Karen Finzel 01:30:18.717
I'll just raise concerns about that moving forward when we're looking at, like, implementing a place-based approach in community engagement. Can you present that to me today about the broader community engagement? But I guess that'll come out further down the track when we look at our themes through our Corporate Plan and our objectives around promising people through the place-based approach that the whole of community is engaged um I think this is fantastic. The community, if we can support the community, they've asked for shade, they want shade, we're going to give them shade. I think that's fantastic. That's what council's all about. We should be representing the people, we should be working with them collaboratively to co-design and co-lead our villages and our towns across the Shire. I do wonder about this process. I don't fully support the process, how this has come through a technical report, but however, I do support the community with regards to shape. I've been out there today, it is hot. The community meets there, we've had older people that come and get their weight medications there, people stop there, they eat there, they get their letters, the kids come and, you know, have an ice cream after school and whatever. So, you know, historically and the heritage and the narrative of that place is definitely that is a meeting place. So, I think that's fantastic. The community should be happy that, you know, Council is acting. We took the shade away, it's only right that we work towards a solution to put the shade back, so I will support this motion. Frank Wilkie 01:31:57.063
Councillor Lorentson, will you close? Amelia Lorentson 01:31:58.923
I will. Listening to the discussion around this table over the last five, ten minutes, you know, I shake my head sometimes. We seem to make things bigger and more complicated than what it is. The community asked us for two things: shade and us shade to be consulted. It's council's responsibility. It's not the proprietor's responsibility to replace, manage or assume liability for the shade umbrellas. It's a community space, it's a community table and it should and must remain, as the resident ex-Councillor Doug said in his email, it must always remain in public control. I'm going to add this because this matter shouldn't have come to Council for a decision. It should have been done in consultation collaboratively with the community. Type I'm going to take also this opportunity to conclude by saying thank you to the owners of the general store who also contacted me and told me that they were happy with the freestanding umbrella. I had that in an email. The owners of the general store passionately advocated for the protection of this community space and I think on behalf of the community and on behalf of this Council, Thank you. For letting us know what's important to the community of Cooran and the importance of collaboration. And community-driven solutions. Cooran is a small town with a huge community heart and what makes it different is its community values and its experience. Spirits. The motion before us, I believe, aligns with these values and I'm happy that everyone is going to support it. Thank you. The motion goes in favour. That's unanimous. Frank Wilkie 01:34:11.488
Thank you Mr CEO and Shaun. You for a care for five a minute break. Before we continue? Or we push on to this last item which is confidential hang on for another 10-15 minutes. Alright, we can push on. We'll do the resource recovery area expansion. Welcome mark and kyrone Mark 01:34:51.244
Will do. Thank you for your time. So the report is in two parts. So the first part of the report outlines the history of lot 77. So that's the Noosa, Eumundi Road landfill and resource recovery centre. So it's a 322 hectare lot and was originally designed as community infrastructure recognising the criticality of landfills in um, managing our waste. So the report goes into the history over the last 15 years whereby Council by resolution has designated over 76% of the site and repurposed it as nature refuge so that's providing conservation in perpetuity to over 67 76 percent of the lot so that was by Council resolution in 2007 and more recently in 2021 and more recently in 2021 so the remaining land is currently undergoing a comprehensive master plan process through the waste team we're exploring different options in terms of waste technologies which were outlined in the waste plan that was adopted a couple months ago however there's an immediate priority to expand the resource recovery area through clearing one hectare of vegetation to address an immediate priority so the second half of the report goes into some details around the priority and the need so it's around I guess the resource recovery area tonnage of waste that's been going through their year-on since 2008 and the increase in tonnage has resulted in some space requirements and restrictions which has implications around safety on site that we need to address and the other element is around our environmental compliance on site and so the proposed expansion is to allow for an improved High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES) so that's a High-Efficiency Sediment Basin which will be in is proposed to go in the location where the vegetation will be cleared and this is the only location available on site given the topography of the land. So we've lodged a development application for the expansion addressing clearing of vegetation and requirements around construction. High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES) the application addresses details around the vegetation proposed offsets on site and will be independently assessed through the planning team so it's anticipated that report will be presented to Council early next year so the recommended that recommendation today is that Council note the report to the General Committee raising the challenges and constraints associated with the current site and benefits associated with the proposed resource recovery area expansion Frank Wilkie 01:38:04.823
And just to clarify mark what you're saying is this expansion is not a nice to have it's not a want it's a need based on in no small part direct instruction from the State government essentially yes yeah yes we yeah you have to do it you talk about the seriousness of what they're asking and the implications if we don't do what they're asking Mark 01:38:28.471
Yeah so it was raised more recently through the floods last year and the Department of Environment so Noosa Council holds a license that was called an environmental authority over the activities because there's environmental risks associated with operating a landfill and resource recovery area so and part of that has a whole host of conditions around our management of environmental risks one of them being surface water runoff with sediment so it's been identified on various times through the Department of Environment that our current high efficiency sediment basin is under capacity and it's proposed that this new basin will meet that requirement and future proof the site for flooding and managing our environmental risks on site but yes it's been raised by the Department of Environment and that's why we're bringing it forward as a priority. Frank Wilkie 01:39:28.067
And there's other safety requirements pertaining to the space, available space. Bodies and machinery moving around in the same area, isn't it? Mark 01:39:36.778
Yeah, which has also been raised. So I think the site constraints, currently we have machinery and public interfacing in a very high risk area. So we've done what we can to date to mitigate risks in terms of having spotters and you know, but these have been band-aid solutions. Ultimately we need more space and that's what we're trying to achieve through this to gain more space so it can be more strategic in the layout on site and to mitigate those risks around for the public because it's a community facility at the end of the day. Frank Wilkie 01:40:16.357
Just to add on that, ironically as waste increases those pressures become harder and the more we divert because we do a lot of diversion in that particular area that risk is just climbing. Declining. Unidentified Speaker 01:40:29.546
We're envisaging our one of the graphs that mark's put in there shows how much we're diverting and continuing to divert we don't do a lot of diversion in that particular area so the more diversion more machinery and public Frank Wilkie 01:40:41.920
Interaction that can happen in that area so this is a precaution. Measure and looking out further it will become more and of a requirement. Moved by Councillor Stockwell, seconded by Councillor Jurisevic. Brian Stockwell 01:40:58.236
I do say it because it's not with me to move a motion to clear trees. No, the serious bit is actually following on from what the manager of waste just outlined. The graph that highlights Figure 4, key recoverable waste items. I'm not exactly sure which year we introduced compulsory green waste but it looks like since about mid last term we've had that result in an annual increase of between four and five thousand tons of green waste to be processed but the big mover actually since that time is concrete and it looks like since 2016 it's gone for about fifteen thousand tons per year. Now that's a large body of material. To try and process safely and while we've said many times that our emissions from the landfill is generated by the green waste anaerobic digestion concrete has a significant greenhouse gas footprint so that the globally the concrete industry is looking for options so recycling and reuse of that concrete it has got an overall positive environmental benefit but I think that the key message here is that yes we do have to clear an area vegetation but it is within an area identified for these purposes and Council has well and truly got a history of maintaining the most ecological sensitive and valuable parts of that big allotment into a nature refuge and when we look at environmental impact we can't just look at one of the impacts we have to look at the overall net positive and in this case failure to have a sediment basin to capture the sediments off the resource recovery area has the potential for long-term serious sedimentation of the downstream aquatic habitats and there are species of significance and vegetation and wetlands of significance downstream that if we left it as is would be impacted. Yes, the clearing of trees will have a localised impact but the longer term benefit of managing our waste streams and our resource recoverable area in a more sustainable fashion my mind probably gets to a net positive of this action. And for me, we will have to have a look from a development control perspective as the assessors of what's specifically proposed. But at this stage in general terms, my view is that this is the most content approach to handling that increasing volume of recoverable material that we're seeing in this location and ensuring that the downstream impacts of our use are managed appropriately. Frank Wilkie 01:43:59.577
Thank you. Councillor Joe? Joe Jurisevic 01:44:02.461
Yeah, obviously. Thanks for bringing that to our attention, an understanding any of earning our ERA obligations. As we go embodiment to environmental controls and the current base and not being able to handle those events. Not every day I want to push for those events so they come to us and they need to expand. That area. There's a technical element to that we'll deal with when the planning development application comes before us with an independent review, thank you. But the need to master plan our master plan facility going forward the changes that will be coming with regard to waste management and resource recovery more so for the future so that we're not relying on a whole lot of grant. We do actually capture and return as much and create the super economy that's going to be created here is very much appreciated. The work that's needed here and the concerns about it. Are valid and we thank you for doing that. Over and upward progression with our waste master plan, go for it. Clare Stewart 01:45:14.777
I'll be quick, I just want to reiterate what everyone said and thank you guys for doing such great work in this space and it's appreciated and really valued, so thank you. This is obviously something we have to do. The opportunity cost is too severe, but there is so much exciting stuff in the space of waste and we really are now looking at it as an opportunity, not necessarily a cost, so thank Frank Wilkie 01:45:40.562
The Councillors wish to speak before Councillor Stockwell closes. Councillor Wegener, Councillor Finzel Tom Wegener 01:45:46.127
Well we're just very lucky in our term that we've had such an excellent waste team has evolved from when we started, so congratulations. Keep up the good work. I do think that we have to be aware of comms with this moving forward. Of comes with and that be nothing good I think it would also help that with the environment levelling we've purchased more vast tracts of land. I was up there with Dave Burrows today marching around looking at that 450-year-old tree that we recently purchased with that environmental levee purchase that we did last year. So there's a lot of positive going on and the waste is a part of this positive movement that we're doing. So thank you guys. Karen Finzel 01:46:29.919
Yes, thank you for your report. It is timely that we have to address that environmentally with the second basin and managing that especially with the flooding events which, you know, with the climate the way it's going, you know, there's a higher possibility that we're going to have more of those frequent events. So technically we have to move forward and we've got to get moving on this. For um fact is there's no other land that can be used for the purpose on the lot so it is timely. I think it's great we can look forward to the future that we see waste as a resource and I want to thank the team and Council as well for working towards a future where we're mitigating risk, we're looking at waste as a resource and how we then can have that economy that benefits back to our community socially and environmentally so I think it's great it shows good diligence that we address this and move forward sooner rather than later. It's a priority, it's critical and thank you for bringing that support to us. Clare Stewart 01:47:30.347
Thank you Councillor Finzel. Frank Wilkie 01:47:32.049
Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 01:47:32.049
I want to thank you guys for giving us a heads up so the development application is coming to Council next year. And there will be some vegetation clearing so I'm really I think the report is really just great to give us some context before the development application comes to Council as already said around the table the risk and they're listed on page 121 have we have option no option and we risk site closure and the cost of that to the community social cultural economic all the cost are too much so thanks for the heads up guys. Frank Wilkie 01:48:20.052
Yeah. Councillor Stockwell wish to close. Brian Stockwell 01:48:22.669
I do. I quickly calculated then. It was like what Councillor Lorentson Lawrence just mentioned in you and your earlier questions about if we don't do this and the regulators say cease and desist, what does that mean? And while I wax lyrical about environment and greenhouse gas, it means about $5.6 million worth of waste going into the landfill each year that the ratepayers will have to pay for. So that's how much we're that I believe landfill costs about 160 a cubic metre. Is roughly equal to a tonne. With a levy it's now up 280. Probably close to dollars. To $10 million worth of landfill that is being reused by this site. And how many ratepayers have we got? About 30,000? 29,000? 39,000, You might ask that figure and see how much rates we got if we don't do this properly. So to me, it doesn't matter if you're an environmentalist or not, your hip pocket will hurt if we don't do this. Frank Wilkie 01:49:30.936
Thank you Councillor Stockwell. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you Kyrone and mark. Now we do have some confidential items which are commercial in confidence. So our guests in the gallery, thank you for attending and hope to see you again. Thank you. Can we have a motion that we move Councillor Jurisevic has moved that we go into confidential session, seconded by Mayor Stewart. I'll put the link in the chat. We've got the motion about going into confidential session. Okay, all in favour? Oh, sorry, you can't see it, sorry. Yeah, we couldn't see it. All in favour, that's carried. Thank you, we now move into confidential session. Thank you, Vicky and Cathy. Clare Stewart 01:50:32.779
Not allowed to proceed? Let me know when we're live again. Frank Wilkie 01:50:39.544
Okay, everybody, we're back in open session. Now we have a few resolutions before us. First one. I'll read the first one. Second. Moved by Councillor Jurisevic, seconded by Councillor Stewart. All in favour? That's carried. Thank you. That's about extending the contract with Cleanaway for two years. Next one is a report by the Principal Strategic Planner regarding a portion of land at Lake Macdonald. Moved by Councillor Stockwell, seconded by Councillor Stewart. We will talk to it. Brian Stockwell 01:51:21.969
The only reason to say this is a really important gateway in our Housing Strategy and it's one that's really good to see that we're looking at Council assets and seeing how we can responsibly contribute to more housing for the community in our local area and it's something that in 2019 when I did a quick land suitability assessment of Council estate this particular area was one that stood out as being suitable. For these. Frank Wilkie 01:51:53.796
And the Councillors wish to speak to the motion. Put it to the vote, those in favour? That's unanimous. Move onto the next item. This is contract award report the awarding of a contract to do a development. Of a business case for the Noosa Regional Gallery+ to Knight Frank Australia Pty. Ltd. under a lump sum contract. Moved by Councillor Jurisevic, seconded by Councillor Finzel, the Councillors wish to speak to Joe Jurisevic 01:52:22.680
This. Yes, I need to state that. To see this progress to its next stage. Karen Finzel 01:52:27.463
Do you know, I think it's great, it's a great visioning forward, everyone's worked hard to get it to this point so it's a very successful future of nevis to see. Anybody else? Frank Wilkie 01:52:39.884
Put it to the right person's favour. That is unanimous and carried. That's the last item on today's agenda. Thank you everyone for your contributions and patience. And Councillor Joe, I do apologise. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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