General Committee Meeting - 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 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 00:00.000
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. We have all councillors in attendance and no apologies. Do we have someone to confirm the minutes, the general meeting, committee meeting of the last month please? Move Councillor Lorentson and second Councillor Stewart. All in favour? That's carried. We have no presentations, no deputations. We That's carried. 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 this is... You don't need to Thank you. This report serves to update Council on the housing strategy. So in November 2022, Noosa Council endorsed the 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. And families that are being divided and leaving an 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. And so supply housing cannot and 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. 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 Kim Rawlings 02:38.240
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 only increase the supply of 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 lots of incremental improvements in areas but clearly our vacancy rates are still very low. the problem continues. Frank Wilkie 03:39.673
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, secondary dwellings are springing up on 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? Kim Rawlings 04:09.590
In terms of potential, there's potential for Thousands. Is it 4,000? No. Four additional per month? Yeah. We're getting about four additional per month. Four additional per month. 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 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, most common, most popular. Frank Wilkie 04:57.143
And just to help kick the discussion off, what can you tell 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? Kim Rawlings 05:10.961
Well, we know that the site in central Tewantin, Tewantin would yield potentially 30 social housing units. We are looking at changing zonings of land in Sunrise Beach that could yield... you know... between 20 and 30 again. There's a number of areas where Council's looking at collaboratively working with... with community housing providers who then in turn have access to capital grant money or ongoing grant funding for affordable housing. 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, the figure is unknown, Frank, but it certainly could be a significant contribution. Yeah, thank you. Frank Wilkie 06:15.845
Councillors? Questions? Tom? Tom Wegener 06:19.205
Oh, you go ahead, Amelia. Amelia Lorentson 06:20.925
Oh, this 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, a supply, as in homelessness prevention. There's a lot 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 inroads into homelessness, and I 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 whether through policy, whether through, maybe through policy, whether there are triggers that we can identify as opportunities. Opportunities for us to help in this space. So back to my question, will we actually review the strategy? Kim Rawlings 07:36.284
Well, formally when you endorsed it a year ago, it was going to be was going to be reviewed every two years, but there is nothing that would 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 some of the providers, the not-for-profit sector is ongoing. We have membership on the Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Network. So, the role role that Council is playing in terms of being active to support people experiencing homelessness is ongoing and there's no set time where we where we will consider that. We're considering it all the time. So it's dynamic and moving. Amelia Lorentson 08:40.753
And I know also you've got, as one of your actions, I think, a monitoring program and that's coming out, I think, next year, December 2024. Is that too late? Can we move that forward? We're monitoring it all the time. So we do have a subscription to housing.com, ID? Yeah, ID.com, which has a housing profile and that subscription does auto-generate updates. Now, obviously, it's tied to census as well, so the most substantial update occurs once census data is available, but there are some elements that get updated. 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 things like vacancy rates we can update. Almost weekly, monthly. Things like median rents we would update monthly. So it just depends on what the particular element is. Some elements we can't update more than every five years. We also we also monitor the shift from short stay to permanent rental on a weekly basis. So we are doing twice weekly now. We monitor, we're monitoring every rental, permanent rental that is advertised available and we can cross-check that against whether it was formerly STAs. So we do see places go on places go on and off from between STAs and permanent lending as well. Joe Jurisevic 10:24.158
Are we just on that? Did we know the issues? Kim Rawlings 10:26.538
Yes. Yes we have. Rowena Skinner 10:29.178
I think the last information I gave you, it does it moves a bit like this but Kim Rawlings 10:33.703
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. time, you know, it moves, but there was, yeah, we were seeing a bit of shift. Tom Wegener 10:51.728
Tom. The very first sentence of the executive summary says that Noosa Council endorsed the Noosa housing strategy such and such for residents. Who are the residents? What is the definition of a resident in this context? Kim Rawlings 11:09.226
People that reside within the Shire, people that live within the Shire. Joe Jurisevic 11:15.746
Are they permanent or renting? Tom Wegener 11:20.086
Just sort of a mind if they have a place place to live and they have an address, then they're housed. But I think that we're actually looking for the people that aren't residents that live here because they're looking for housing. Kim Rawlings 11:33.891
They live here. They don't necessarily have a home, a structure Tom Wegener 12:25.194
Take that off like the next question the So that that would be another position so yeah earlier this year council didn't approve two additional compliance officers for short stay so you have increased your resources in short stay this year okay I think we'd want to tell that to the people that they because as as the as number of actions 48 45 46 47 48 in the end are all based around enforcement of STAs to try to increase you know long-term rentals Councillor Councillor Stockwell? Frank Wilkie 13:16.385
Yeah, I was going to move the recommendation. I'll second it. Seconded by Mayor Stewart. Moved by Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 13:20.685
I do so. The housing strategy is probably one of the most significant policy initiatives of this term in council. Responding to situation where, as Councillor Wilkie has suggested, it is nationwide. The housing crisis hit early and has been very hard on Noosa Shire. The update... 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 implementing the actions within 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 who are currently homeless in the Shire 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 I cut Times this week I've had someone say to me, "Are you still having difficulty getting staff? " Or, "No, 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 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 do continue all those good relationships with the State government, the Department of Housing, and with the community housing sector like Coastal Bay, who will be the providers of additional dwellings. Frank Wilkie 15:51.200
Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic. Question with regard to the structure of housing, I guess. One of the things in the housing strategy, we do talk about community housing a lot, which is usually built to facilitate the needs in a regular capacity, but what have we got within our strategy to help facilitate the build to rent for the worker accommodation type market within the private sector? we got anything that we've been delving into here specifically in that realm to encourage build to rent type arrangements? Kim Rawlings 16:32.331
We do, and there's material within the package of proposed scheme amendments that specifically address build to rent, long term affordable rental accommodation. Larry Sengstock 16:50.980
I'm sorry, that's something you didn't get to tell me before, that the last 10 amendments have been approved by the State, and that's a public problem. Clare Stewart 16:58.160
Mayor Stewart. Thank you. Rowena and Kim, thank you for your hard work on this. This has been a huge, huge body of work, and it's been ongoing 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, and that's been driven very much by you and your team, so thank you both. committed to various actions to advance the vision of an inclusive nursing community where everybody has access to safe, secure housing they can afford. confirmed in this document. We formed the Housing Reference Stakeholder Group, which provided input to the housing strategy. We held the Housing Forum on the first of March this year up at the Christian Outreach Church, which provided an opportunity to personalise 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 homes through the STA encouraging them to consider renting to permanent rentals and I'm really pleased that that number is now at 108, did you say? That is terrific. We couldn't, and 108, we could not build that. 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 our role is one of an advocate, a regulator, a partner and a planner. We've supplied the housing supply statement. We 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 transitory grading category which I think be the first in Queensland to do, followed 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 community sector do a lot with the Northern Alliance in regard to charities and partnerships. And finding and working with housing providers to provide accommodation for our most vulnerable and we've recently signed the MOU with Coastal Bay which is terrific and obviously working with the State government in regard to specific areas. So we're certainly doing our bit and I'm really proud of this council. This has been on the table for a long time and I want to thank the staff. This is their body of This is their body of work and it's really valued and appreciated. Thank you, Mayor. Frank Wilkie 19:46.650
Amelia. Amelia Lorentson 19:49.110
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 still think there's 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. 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 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 a 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. part of this solution as small or as big as it is. Thank you. Kim Rawlings 21:33.923
Yes, certainly, Councillor. I would remind you that through the Community Development Directorate, the Community Development team actually do specifically do those type of things. So they have a package of quick... of quick, easy, immediate access, phone numbers, all the wraparound services, if you like, for people who are on the verge of either experiencing homelessness or on the verge of it, that can put you in contact with many, many different people here in Noosa and a bit further around on the coast. And so those little ready guides are already available. So this is the northern district, no? Or just three? Joe Jurisevic 22:26.148
We started with our social services hub. That's right, yes. Fantastic. Kim Rawlings 22:32.488
And the local laws offices that do go around council, you know, do go know, do go around the Shire on a day-to-day 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. Thank you, Rowena. I would love, I would love that information. information for myself. Just, that would be excellent. Thank you. Probably Kylie or Cheryl would be the best contact. I appreciate that. Thank you. Good, good. Joe Jurisevic 23:01.053
I referred a gentleman to Kylie just the other day, or through the group. So yeah, still, still functioning. Yeah, I 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. 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 wikes more, the housing prices will only exacerbate further. The seat of the State should facilitate those changes in our planning scheme. to the public as soon as we can look at what the options are going forward. Some 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 a greater housing choice than what's currently out there. Thank you. Tom Wegener 24:24.102
Thank you and congratulate you on the report. Moving forward, it's amazing. One thing I'd like to suggest is nimbleness, to be able to, I'm talking to you, yeah. We should consider how quickly we can respond to situations, and we responded very quickly to a situation down at the, people are 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. Frank Wilkie 25:12.340
Okay. Anyone else wish to speak before Councillor Stockwell closes? Councillor Finzel. Thank you. Karen Finzel 25:19.560
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 It's a perfect example of collaboration and where leadership can work together with staff, with our communities, with our community groups. We can certainly find outcomes that everyone's aware of. 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 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. thank you and I'm looking forward to a great future where we can 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 26:32.415
Okay, put to the vote those in favour. That's carried unanimously. Thank you. Rowena, thank you Kim. Thank you. Next item is the Noosa Junction Levy and Revenue Statement Amendment. Thank you ladies. Okay Trent, would you like to give us an overview please of what we're looking at here? Afternoon Councillors. Trent Grauf 27:00.840
Every year through the budget process, Council adopts the Revenue Statement as part of its annual budget. The Revenue Statement outlines and details all our rates, levies, separate and special charges. And included in that is two levies 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 master plan design of the new streetscape. The Noosa Junction Levy itself is structured in its purpose as outlined and 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 rate payers for enhancing projects that enhance the economic activation. 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 the levy 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 baseline funding as they ran with 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. 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 of the financial year. Frank Wilkie 28:59.720
Questions, councillors? Joe? Joe Jurisevic 29:01.080
I just want to clarify that one. That's here because in the 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 29:12.580
Correct, Our 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 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. Joe Jurisevic 29:41.528
As the entire revenue statement being an attachment here, the only reason for that entire attachment is because of the changes just to the list, okay? Trent Grauf 29:49.868
Correct. And those changes are identified in the report. What I've just identified the only changes made to the report is the the breakdown of a July and a January amount, levy amount, cents in the dollar and the dollar and the dollar value of contribution raised is the only change made to the revenue statement. Joe Jurisevic 30:07.860
Thank you very much. Frank Wilkie 30:12.112
Care to move the motion? Mayor Stewart seconded Councillor Jurisevic. Mayor Stewart? Clare Stewart 30:18.432
No, no, not much to say. It's a good news story. The levy's been reduced by ten per cent. Financial elect to ratepayers and the time's not needed the most. So, good story. Thank you, Trent, 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 hours, so thank you. Brian Stockwell 30:40.124
Yeah, I'm actually a bit concerned for Trent, I reckon. Amongst his colleagues, as Director of Corporate Services, he'd probably attempt to increase and was actually reducing rates halfway through his budget. I think he's just I think he's just lucky that it's the last meeting before Christmas and he can use that as an excuse. No, this one's a little bit different to our rate settings. It is one that is set by agreement with those who benefit from the levy and it's appropriate to acknowledge that. Acknowledge there that the committee and this is actually traders view that due to a range of other factors it would be appropriate in this case to do the deduction. Yeah. Frank Wilkie 31:17.680
You know the councillors? Tom Wegener 31:19.300
Is that Councillor Tom? Acknowledged that the work of the ratepayer, the Noosa Junction ratepayer group, what is it called, the Traders Association, for doing this and stepping up and working for the community like that. Frank Wilkie 31:37.132
And just to clarify, this was a levy introduced at the request of the Junction Traders Association for a project that 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 31:53.920
Through the Chair to clarify, yes, that's correct. If we had engaged with this earlier in the year, we would have had no increase year-on-year. So bringing it through partway through as a reduction simply ensures that the year-on-year revenue and the year-on-year year-on-year contribution back to the association. That's out to Neil. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 32:12.716
Anyone else wish to speak before Mayor Stewart closes? No, 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 council. to Yeah, perfect. Good to have had those 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 32:48.800
Afternoon councillor. Larry Sengstock 32:52.620
Hello Pauline, how are you? Pauline 32:54.500
All right, 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 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 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 million in cash reserves with $30 million invested in higher 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 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 With almost half the financial year complete, Council's financial performance continues to be strong into the year. 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 were approached by Energex to undertake when we were doing project works, and so it's additional revenue outside of what we would normally receive. have to, I could find out for you, come back to me. Electricity. Joe Jurisevic 35:44.498
Yeah. I gather, I gather a lot. Excuse me, I don't know which one it is. I think it was Noosa Parade. Sorry? Noosa Parade. I've seen that. Thank you. That's good to hear. Clare? Clare Stewart 35:53.198
Yes, thank you. Same questions I've probably probably ask every month. Page 93, the operating surplus ratio, the target is 0 to 10%. Our result is 19.9. And then our cash expense cutback 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 36:11.831
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 lower. 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 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. Thank you. Tom Wegener 36:48.478
Tom. 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? SPEAKER_00 37:12.620
So if you were comparing year on year, it would certainly look different. different but in terms of the grant funding now 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 funding 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 subsidize it it if an opportunity comes along, but we generally would not fund core operations that way. Tom Wegener 37:48.648
Okay, so yeah, in the future we can say our basic day-by-day regular stuff is all the same and we'll get it at a steady rate. This was a blip. Absolutely Brian Stockwell 37:58.694
Yeah. I 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. seem to recall that we've never had that since 2016. Pauline 38:17.773
That is the case. And the reason for that is the 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. Joe Jurisevic 38:28.731
Are they all being seen in capital expenditure? Pauline 38:31.191
Yes. So we're recognising the expenditure because we're obviously spending it, but we obviously haven't reflected that in the budget at this stage. Frank Wilkie 38:37.631
It just looks Pauline 38:38.651
Good. Okay. We'll go with it. It looks good. Frank Wilkie 38:40.631
I don't think I've ever seen this council so flush with cash either. holdings are $116 million, which is extraordinary, but as you say, it's disaster recovery grant funding. It's all going to be expended. Pauline 38:53.630
A lot of that's, yeah, the vast majority of that's committed. Frank Wilkie 38:56.648
The totals, which I don't think we've received in full yet, are ranging up around $100 million? And the Pauline 39:03.228
Potentially, yes. Frank Wilkie 39:04.728
Extraordinary. Clare Stewart 39:05.868
Any concerns, both of you, that you'd like to share? I suppose the biggest one, it's not a concern so much, it's more just something that we need to manage. As the QI projects are delivered, we just need to be managing that. grant process really, 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 sort of start dipping into council funds. Frank Wilkie 39:39.620
Do you have any concerns over our wages to revenue ratio? Pauline 39:47.720
Not at this stage, no. In terms of the percentage component. Yeah, we'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. Yeah, so obviously we recoup the expenditure on employee employee costs for projects, so that for capital projects particularly, so that gets capitalised as part of the asset 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 they'll either go into a different project that's funded or find some other project to go and work on. Frank Wilkie 40:25.835
One more question for my time. It might be a question to the CEO. How many staff are we still seeking? terms of numbers across the organisation? It does fluctuate. It fluctuates on a daily basis. I mean it was about a year ago it was a hundred. Eighteen months ago 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 there's still quite a significant number in certain areas of council in civil ops development assessment across those sorts of areas 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 But, safe safe to say, 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? Yes, to some degree. Pauline 41:22.585
We are still struggling to get the candidates through, but I think everybody is struggling with that. I'm hearing interviews going on all the time. Anyone care to move the report or any more questions? Sorry, Tom, you had a question. Tom Wegener 41:35.454
So I wrote down 970,000 in employee savings, which is extraordinary. That's quite big, isn't it? It is quite substantial. It's not inconsistent than what we've had in previous years. So it depends 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 And that comes on to, sometimes, that relates to if we haven't, sometimes we might have a full FTE, but we might only partially fill that. So that will also contribute to those. Trent Grauf 42:13.523
Yes, I guess just to add to that, if you can employee cost base 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 take us 3-4 months to go through a recruitment process for that. Now when you're talking over $40 million in employee costs annually, so $900,000 for nearly 6 months means that we're talking about a 5% impact. 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 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 test of knowledge in their team. Karen Finzel 43:14.567
That through the chair this evening. How are we tracking them when we've got like a pressure on the team with vacancies and we might have someone in the team that's on a permanent part-time and then how are we tracking like checking their skills and their ability be able to move into a full-time position say in that team, how are we tracking this? Larry Sengstock 43:35.314
That's an ongoing ongoing process through our people and culture department. Looking 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 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 we look for that but there's times where we can't just to answer also to go on from the the figure that Councillor Wegener put up about the nine hundred and seventy thousand that's that is a that is a figure that it's not necessarily savings such or non unspent money at this point in time because we do have to have to supplement when there's positions that aren't filled or we can't fill them or we have it takes time to fill you know sometimes it's three months sometimes it's six months by the time we get somebody to relocate 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 because it's just, again, it's a tough particularly we see it a lot in the even in the in the operations department where we do have to bring labour or hire in quite regularly because, you know, is 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 get people in. Should we be separating consultancy services from employee costs, given that... I don't know. Yeah, I think it's... There's consultancies and then there's contractors or there's labour hire, if you like, people that come in and backfill. Whereas a consultancy is, in the truest term, is more about we've got a project that we need a consultant with that expertise to come in and do something. it's a bit, it's slightly different I think, and we do separate the consultancies out from the workforce. Pauline 45:38.892
And consultancies and contract services sits in the materials and services line, it doesn't sit Larry Sengstock 45:43.712
Through the... Consultancy is really related to projects, specific projects. projects, specific projects. Amelia Lorentson 45:47.870
And do we have a consultancy register? I think I've asked that question a few times. Pauline 45:53.170
I wouldn't think that there'd be a register as such. We obviously have a list of suppliers that we utilise, but we don't keep a separate register for that. that particular, I suppose, 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 46:11.977
Where are we 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 that there's 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 46:36.544
Some care to move the report. Moved by Councillor Wegener, seconded by Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 46:43.364
Good work, good solid way to end the year. Thank you very much for the year, the team. Thank you. It's great, great, great, good feeling to end the year with this report, financially. Frank Wilkie 46:58.905
Report all in favour? That's carried unanimously. Thank you, Trent. Thank you, Pauline. Next item is shade in the Cooran streetscape. you. Amelia Lorentson 47:13.800
And I'd like to move an alternative motion, please. Frank Wilkie 47:16.740
And I'll second it. We're moving things along today. But, no, we'll have Larry speak to the report first. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 47:35.374
So... Sorry, Larry can talk to the motion. Frank Wilkie 47:38.654
We'll talk to the motion. If we move in, if we move in technically, would have to be moved to the motion. Okay. Larry, Amelia, you've got the floor. Sure. I'll start by reading the alternate motion that council note the report by 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 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. 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 committed 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 Oh, no, that's not. that's not what I meant. That's not what I meant. Sorry. No, sorry, Kim. I've got it here. Amelia Lorentson 49:05.781
That's not what I meant. Clare Stewart 49:08.201
Four? Sorry, it's the... It's all right, we'll get it. Just a sec, we've got it. We've got it. Is that one there, Amelia? Is it bottom line? Amelia Lorentson 49:24.231
That's... That's it, 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... 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 49:53.599
And as Chair, I could suggest that Councillor Lorentson could ask the CEO a question about the nature of the report. Amelia Lorentson 50:02.539
Thank you. And through the Chair, Larry, can you give us an overview of the report in front of Certainly. Larry Sengstock 50:11.617
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, 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 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 the general store. So they've taken out out put put back in at the end of the day. It is community space, it is council council space. Just recently we had need to replace those tables and in replacing those tables recognised that safety factor of those umbrellas wasn't necessarily as 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. around the need for shade in that public space. Because it is public space, it becomes, and it's community space, then it's become quite a situation that we needed to then understand further. So this report, provides a summary or an outline of the existing provisions in Qur 'an along the street, King Street. the different options and different 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 the community space, it's not part of any lease, it is community space. So the so the staff have done a research and some investigation. On that 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 tables were, so we've this report is really just a technical report saying this is these tables. tables are replaced if you want shade on those tables then we need to look at precedent, 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 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, to the shops nearby then you're setting up a precinct. So the recommendation is for street trees at this point from the office 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 for us to then implement if that's the will of the council. Okay. Frank Wilkie 53:12.693
Councillor Lorentson, you have the floor. You speak to the motion. Yep, I will speak to the motion. In April 2023, 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 had been removed by the council from the community 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-day 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 council has taken a different stance and my understanding is that a general store were informed that the management and liability of any temporary shade rested with the business owners and not council and that the 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 in front of us acknowledges that it is Council's responsibility, not the proprietor's, 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 And finally, impacting the Cooran community is critical to building strong communities and trust within Council. By way of background, I'm going to read an email that was recently sent by a resident. It won't be long. He says that as one 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 and would suggest that the tables remain as public seating and council provide shade over the tables 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 a short-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 three consider the budget allocation for supply and installation of the trees mature trees in King Street Cooran in consultation with all the local businesses and the community and note that council has already committed to additional shade shelter at the bus stop in 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 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 I ask that you support the motion in front of you. Joe Jurisevic 57:44.248
One would think that if council were to 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 57:57.848
The intention is, yeah. That's clearly understood by that statement. I'm just trying to be clear. That's the intention. Something's bolted down but it could be removed if you needed to. Would that mean it would have a canvas-type cover or would it be more of a solid-type cover? The intention is to look at the best, most economical. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 58:18.524
My point of clarification, which I think might lead to to a slightly wording of D. 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 wording is saying that Council is submitting something, but you know that's not something that we actually... For me it's, we're requesting that staff bring forward a budget bit for Well, it seems to be a clarification, maybe there's a query around the table. Amelia Lorentson 59:05.226
That council proposes. Start preparing. Larry Sengstock 59:20.161
This actually did come to a budget discussion last year and it didn't get into this year's budget. Frank Wilkie 59:34.215
Finalise this one first. Get the wording right and make sure everyone's happy with it. Is everyone happy? 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 shade structures at at places such as the Cooran Skate Park. Are all councillors happy with that? Okay. Karen, you have a question? Karen Finzel 01:00:08.166
Yeah, just coming back to the CEO's comment about, you know, affordability. On page one... 108,165, initial estimates of supply and install are on 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 at 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. The owner of the shop did indicate that he has sent several emails through the council suggesting that he'd be available to, you know, move the umbrellas, which they do have, which have been given to them. And I've been supplied with photos that they can be safely secured underneath the tables and community is more than happy to have them replaced and manage that and build their own resilience and ownership on that space. and I've been So can you talk to me a little bit about how we're going to move forward, where the $30,000 is allocated, where that's coming from, and how we're going to engage with 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 $300. If we're replacing like for like, I'm not sure. Can I throw just a question through the chair? Frank Wilkie 01:01:46.016
We'll handle this question. So the $30,000... the $30,000 is an estimate based on the design you see in the report there. Larry Sengstock 01:01:57.120
So that's just a type. Obviously we would be looking to do, as I said before, the most economical and most efficient. efficient way to do this if we went down this path. If that's the decision that's taken. But we needed to let you know that if you take this decision, that's potentially the cost to do it. To go down the path of what you've talked to the shop owner about is really going back to where it was before where they were providing the umbrellas, putting them out, taking them away. the staff staff have rejected that initially. That's where we are where we are because they actually said they're not safe. That methodology wasn't safe. That they used wasn't safe because the umbrellas could fly and who's liable for that because it's on liable for that because it's on our on our land but it's put up by somebody 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 that position would probably still stand unless we can get that shop owner to take that risk and that's a that's a difficult thing so again we we can we can explore that happy to 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 the you know the cheap marketing envelopes if you like that the potentially get from the various companies so we can 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 the best methodology to actually deliver that. Frank Wilkie 01:03:32.701
Do you have an answer to the question as well um i is i do i proposing think what karen is actually opposite what i've got in front of us which is that council takes full ownership um not the store owner um that council replaces managers and assumes liability for the shade umbrellas not the um not the proprietor so i think what she's asking is quite different to what my I motion 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, unless we can work out another model. But again, it's very difficult. Karen Finzel 01:04:13.159
More of a clarification through the Chair. I was not making any proposal. I was asking a question from the CEO regarding expenditure, given the amount when people raised concerns today and have sent me emails. 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 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. Frank Wilkie 01:04:52.836
So the question, Karen, is... Karen Finzel 01:04:55.043
So the question is, is... So Frank Wilkie 01:04:58.483
That you're asking. Karen Finzel 01:04:59.543
Well, when the community have said 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... strange for design and concept. In my opinion, this was meant to be a technical report and now we're looking at, like, designs moving down the street where they're just asking for the shade to be replaced from the umbrella. So So you're you're asking asking would what other options be considered that may not cost $30,000? Yes. Larry Sengstock 01:05:29.523
Absolutely. 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, then we'll explore the best option available to us. Yes, along the lines of the question I did ask you in an email, Mr. CEO, was along these lines, is there an opportunity to have some sort of an MOU between the shop owner and council with regard to what type 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. That may well be possible but again I'm not the shop owner so I don't know whether that's that's something 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 that we would provide that, the infrastructure. Joe Jurisevic 01:06:47.406
On that basis, then, could I suggest an amendment to what's before us? Yep. And that is to put something in before A. We'll have to work on this on the fly, I'm sorry, because we've come up. In the first instance, entry in the... entry in the discussions with the proprietor of the general the Korean General Store, I think that's what it's called, isn't it? Korean General Store is the actual title of the store. There's a possibility of a memorandum of understanding or a methodology... I'm seeking help here, guys, which we're going to have on that. It's not language we could use to facilitate... to facilitate that in the first instance before going to providing... Amelia Lorentson 01:07:37.432
Can I... Through the Chair, we've never seen that approach used with these type of temporary structures. Clare Stewart 01:07:43.046
It's just going to prolong it. Shaun Walsh 01:07:45.346
Can I just... That's why we don't have... Frank Wilkie 01:07:47.266
We've got a staff answer... Shaun, would you like to come and join the discussion, please? Come to the table, please, and answer Joe's question. Shaun Walsh 01:07:57.581
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. The problem 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 staff that are readily available, you know, 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 the Shire and private premises in resorts and sporting clubs. That cost estimate is based on a quote received from a supplier. That includes the footing as well as the installation and the like. It would require council to maintain. They are quite durable structures. can expect a lifespan of eight years at least at the campus usually, and they are designed to withstand storms. Frank Wilkie 01:08:57.338
And in the wording of this report, do you see anything here that suggests the staff wouldn't talk to the store owners before installing this structure? Shaun Walsh 01:09:06.078
So, um, 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, um, and see what broader community has to say. So, noting that the tables are not proposed for any exclusive use, that they're for public use. Um, but I do want to point out that to meet, you know, structural and safety obligations, that cost is the cost. Frank Wilkie 01:09:30.127
Okay. So, does that help clarify your direction? Shaun Walsh 01:09:34.147
I can't see any operating arrangement. Is there any way we could have a... An approved type of umbrella that was supplied by the operator, because these are supplied day in, day out at every other locality across the Shire where dining permits are... Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, Are issued each individual business tax responsibility and liability for that through a footpath dining arrangement. Could some sort of an arrangement be facilitated? 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 becomes the responsibility through some sort of an MAU or a lease arrangement with the... So 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. 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 happened, you know, for recourse of public or private damage. Joe Jurisevic 01:11:00.820
Has that avenue been discussed at all with the shop owner? Shaun Walsh 01:11:03.900
No, and as pointed out in the report, the report was a technical assessment of the different options without any community options without any community or business assessment. Joe Jurisevic 01:11:11.531
What I'm 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 rather than going down the other paths. having a $30,000 structure. Frank Wilkie 01:11:26.697
Okay, so 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 01:11:37.377
I'm providing a stage. methodology of staging that if an agreement can be reached with the store owner, that one should be pursued. Frank Wilkie 01:11:46.484
Well, the point I make, Councillor, is that Councillor Lorentson's motion I've ruled on it. I've got a question that is not related to the board. I've got a question about, consider a budget allocation for the 24/25 financial year to supply an installation 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 01:12:26.903
I think our cost in here is about $1,000 per tree. Clare Stewart 01:12:29.523
$1,000 Per tree. How many would we need? How many are you looking at? Shaun Walsh 01:12:36.965
Previously in the streetscape design there actually were two trees located on King Street which are since demised so there used to be an eucalyptus by the 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 Retail precinct in Cooran then we had when the street scope was upgraded so with businesses different ends of the town so I think the question would be you know looking at with there 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 so to minimum to minimum, to shade in that locality. Clare Stewart 01:13:18.203
My question is, if we are going, and I fully support putting up the shade, and bearing, and as council providing, surely around that, but if we were to do that... that, and we've got our resources out there, what's a couple of extra trees as well? Shaun Walsh 01:13:32.462
About a thousand dollars a tree. Clare Stewart 01:13:33.462
Yeah, so is it worth... I mean, this says consider a budget, but I mean, why couldn't we... We've got all our resources and our staff out there. If we're doing one thing, it makes economies of makes sense to put in... I'm not talking about the tree of the whole street, but I'm putting back those trees for a little bit of extra money. It makes sense. Shaun Walsh 01:13:51.500
I concur. And we do plant trees under operational budget so that we wouldn't come a budget allocation for a couple of thousand dollars. So we would include it in the overall street tree planning program. Frank Wilkie 01:14:02.294
Councillor Stockwell had his hand up. Brian Stockwell 01:14:04.094
Yeah, I'm going a different direction. And that is what this proposes is first in that it's proposing to put shade over a public table. My question is, is our team who are looking at urban greening and climate change response policy, at that elsewhere as to the appropriate way to create safe public spaces in terms and the shade and urban cooling etc for getting people is or is there an or is there an amendment needed to actually use this as the trigger to say we want to investigate this across the whole of the Shire Council? Joe Jurisevic 01:14:44.346
You're previewing my next amendment. Brian Stockwell 01:14:48.266
And so I suppose that's probably the climate response plan. I think technically from the urban greening 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 probably be able to answer in 12 months or two years time. Frank Wilkie 01:15:06.155
Can I ask a follow-up question? Are there other tables in the Shire that have shade over them? Shaun Walsh 01:15:13.315
Yes but the for instance and there's photos in the report you know the picnic tables in Pioneer Park have shade structures over the tables. Conversely we have a lot of tables in the Shire that don't have shade structures don't have shade structures over the top and there is examples from both Prydgian Beach as well as Pomona in the report. Frank Wilkie 01:15:31.947
So it's not unusual to see public tables with shade over them? That's correct. Thank you. Joe? Joe Jurisevic 01:15:38.148
So the question that comes out of that is 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... I guess the question is how long would it take us to acquire some mature trees Shaun Walsh 01:16:04.332
In the location like that where you're already constrained by 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 you've spoken to certainly not just ask the question. Frank Wilkie 01:16:37.660
Mayor Stewart was wanting to speak to the motion. Clare Stewart 01:16:40.240
Yeah I'm going to support the motion by Councillor Lorentson. I think it's a really good one. It's the only one that provides certainty, it provides clarity then takes any risk of liability out. It's about community safety, it's about, in every sense of the word, 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 up a shade structure. This is the simplest and quickest, easiest and most effective way to do it. The community 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 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 it in a way like-for-like. We have to do the same here. We have to support the people in 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 the community. 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. Thank you Frank Wilkie 01:17:59.678
Mayor. Councillor Jurisevic? Joe Jurisevic 01:18:00.578
Can I just clarify something that the Mayor said there? That's not my understanding. Did Council remove the umbrellas? Did Council supply the umbrellas in the first instance? Shaun Walsh 01:18:09.981
I 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 them in and out on a regular basis. Karen Finzel 01:18:31.950
Councillor Finzel: 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. That's my understanding as well. Councillor Finzel: I don't know. We're not council, so I don't know. 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 variety of reasons including before and after visiting the general store and post office. Shade umbrellas have been provided by the business owners in an informal arrangement which ended when the tables were upgraded. 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 shade under 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 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 undershade as they were able to before the tables were upgraded. graded. On reflection, I think of any other instance 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 the 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 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 to exclude 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 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 01:21:14.735
It's actually a really interesting report because it raises a whole Part of the issue is modernity caught up with Cooran and local laws and people got out there and said, "Oh, better comply." But the issue of liability for umbrellas is clear. I wasn't going to going to support a member of the council to go because I know the simple thing of trying to get insurance for a body corporate, it puts a line through umbrellas because they are so dangerous within we. And so we can't transfer that liability. So there's that, 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. 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. So, there's that. And then I 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 It's 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 doing amendment but I think we won't have time to do anything before the next budget anyway, we can talk about it then. And the last one is this concept of... space that without community context is a classic place to have a permanent occupier for the adjacent commercial premises. But from the feedback from the community they put different value on it. The value that they're coming to is one of a meeting space and then And then in the current heat, the shade is a requirement to fulfil that function. So up until 24 hours ago, I wouldn't have supported the motion, but I've reflected and I actually think for those reasons, I have no worries about establishing a priesthood, because I think it's a priesthood we're going to have to think about going into the future about councils. 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'll support it. Frank Wilkie 01:24:05.789
Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Joe? Joe Jurisevic 01:24:09.409
Look, I've got no problem supporting this either. had the idea around amendments to see if there was a simpler solution that could be attained in the short term with longer term solutions to follow and see whether there was a process we could actually undergo that would circumvent having to provide fixed structures in the short term. in the short term until mature trees could be there. This is a 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 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 replacement and we consider their locality and consider if they're shade available, we relocate them under the shade as opposed to putting them out in sunny spots or then 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 I'm happy to support this. I was likewise thinking about moving an amendment along those lines to look at infrastructure, but I believe that's probably something we're already undertaking through climate change adaptation and that think the maturity and the understanding of the operational works department would, as items come up for review, consider their locality and see for more shady and more suitable locations to be found, that they should undertake that. Frank Wilkie 01:25:56.959
Thank you, Councillor Jurisevic. Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 01:26:00.639
I'll speak to it. I will support this. Like everybody, like you guys, I was very concerned earlier because in appears as though there's a suggestion that the business owner should apply for an outside dining permit where perhaps that this is a president now saying, well, if there's the public, if council put in the tables out there, well 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 be able to use public amenities amenities for your business is that that I think that's what we're saying is that right? Larry Sengstock 01:26:40.222
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 01:26:52.682
Noting there also is other footpath areas aside from the existing fixed public tables and chairs. There would be enough space for them to apply for a permit, to put their own tables out there, next to these tables. Yes, I believe so. Well that makes it simple then. Yeah, terrific. Let's put up a shake off. Thank you. Question, Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 01:27:17.462
I meant to ask before, there was legitimate concerns about the cost of umbrellas. Can I clarify that the umbrellas cost net situation would be ones that were to have a long life so they are in spot, whereas the structural requirements would be the same, but if they are only there for a short term, there might be cheaper options that could be pursued, or do you think that's the minimum standard that you're going to require for the bucket space? Shaun Walsh 01:27:44.346
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 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, 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. concrete, you know, we would have designs to support that. But these things are commonly relocated to other locations. Frank Wilkie 01:28:29.406
Thank you. Any other councillors wish to speak? Yes, Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 01:28:32.626
Just a question there. 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... 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, what's going to be the response of the process about how that's going to be performed? Shaun Walsh 01:29:04.179
My technical response would be that in 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 tables in Kerrangi, Noosa, Tewantin, Cooroy, Doonan, Kabi Kabi, Councillor. Terms 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 tables in since that date, there's always been a shelter, which is correct, such as the shelter in Pioneer Park. If the owner of those other premises, whether 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 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 redevelopment or application an outdoor dining permit which would give them exclusive use for tables and shade in their premises. Frank Wilkie 01:30:13.929
Councillor Lorentson do you wish to close? Karen Finzel 01:30:15.549
Oh I haven't spoken to them. Yes you may. Thank you very much. I'll just raise concerns. concerns about that moving forward when we're looking at like implementing a place based approach and community engagement. I didn't present that to me today about the broader community engagement but I guess that will come out further down the track. 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 community is engaged. 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 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 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 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... 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 01:31:56.957
Councillor Lorentson, will you close? Amelia Lorentson 01:31:59.177
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 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. I'm going to take also this opportunity to conclude by saying thank you to the owners of the general store who also contacted and told me that they were happy with a 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 owners of the general store, I want to say thank you And I think on behalf of the community and on behalf of this council, thank you. passionately advocated for the protection of this community space and I think on 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 town with a huge community heart. And what makes it different is its community values and its spirits. The motion before us, I believe, aligns with these values and I'm happy that everyone is going to support it. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:34:07.063
Commercialising fibre, that's Thank you, Mr. CEO and Shaun. Care for a five minute break before we continue? Or we push on to this last item before the confidentiality? Hang on for another 10, 15 All right, we can push on. We'll do the resource recovery area expansion. Welcome Mark and Kyrone. No, this one. One more item. Welcome Mark and Kyrone. Could you give us an overview of the substance of the report please? Mark 01:34:50.900
Will do. Thank you for your time. So the report is in two parts. So the first part of 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 designed as community infrastructure recognising the criticality of landfills in 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%. 76% of the lot. So that was by council resolution in 2007 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 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 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-year 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 And the other element is around our environmental compliance on site and so the proposed expansion is to allow for an improved HES basin 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 So we've lodged a development application for the expansion addressing clearing of vegetation and requirements around construction of the HES basin. The application addresses details the vegetation, proposed offsets on site, and will be independently assessed through the planning team. So it's anticipated that that report will be presented to Council early. Next year. So the 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 and just to clarify Mark what you're saying is this expansion is not a nice to have. Frank Wilkie 01:38:09.566
It's not a want, it's a need based on in no direct instruction from the State government. SPEAKER_13 01:38:18.098
Essentially yes, yeah, compliance action they're taking. Yes, yeah, we have to do it. Did you talk about the seriousness of what they're asking and the implications if we don't do what Yeah so it was raised more recently through the floods last year and the Department of Environment so Noosa Council holds a license it's called an environmental authority over the activities because there's environmental risks associated with operating a landfill and resource curry 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 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 why we're bringing it forward as a priority. Frank Wilkie 01:39:27.653
And there's other safety requirements pertaining to the space, available space and bodies and machinery moving around in the same area, isn't there? SPEAKER_13 01:39:36.633
Yeah, which has also been raised. So I think the site constraints currently we 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 around to mitigate safety those for the public because it's a community community facility at the end of the day 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 climbing so so we're we're envisaging 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 interaction that can happen in that area so this is a precaution measure and looking out further it will become more and more of a requirement. Moved by Councillor Stockwell, seconded by Councillor Jurisevic, Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 01:40:57.692
I do so because it's normal for me to move a motion to clear trees. No, the serious bit is actually following on from what the Manager of Wakes just outlined. The graph that highlights figure four, key recoverable waste values. 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 That's a large body of material to try and process safely. And while we've said many, many times that our emissions from the landfill is generated by the green waste and anaerobic digestion, concrete has a significant greenhouse gas footprint. So, globally, the concrete industry is looking for options. So, recycling and reuse of that concrete, it has got It is within an area identified for these purposes and Council has well and truly got a history of maintaining the most ecologically sensitive and valuable parts of that 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 would be impacted. So 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 more sustainable fashion, in 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 common sense approach to handling that increasing volume of recoverable material that we're seeing in this location and ensuring that the downstream impacts of Joe Jurisevic 01:44:10.827
Any of our ERA obligations with regard to environmental controls and the current base and not being able to handle those events. Not generally every day I'll be looking for those events as they come to us and they need to expand There's a technical element to that we'll deal with when the planning development application comes before us. It's an independent review, thank you. But the need to master plan... and watch till the With 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 new grant, that we do actually capture and return as much and create the secret economy that can be created here is very much appreciated. The work that's needed here and the concerns raised are valid and we thank you for doing that. Clare Stewart 01:45:12.843
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 is obviously something we have to do, the opportunity cost is too severe but there is so much exciting stuff in the space and place and we really are now looking at it as an opportunity not necessarily a cost so thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:45:39.775
The councillors wish to speak before Councillor Stockwell closes. Councillor Wegener, Councillor Finzel. Tom Wegener 01:45:45.756
Well we're just very lucky in our term that we have 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 with this moving forward? And I think it would also help that with the environment levy 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 purchased along with that environmental levy purchase that we did in the last year. So there's a lot of positive going on, as you said, and the waste is a part of this positive movement that we're doing. So thank you guys. Frank Wilkie 01:46:28.340
Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 01:46:29.280
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 high 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 we've got to get moving on this and the fact that 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. 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 report to us. Amelia Lorentson 01:47:31.387
Councillor Lorentson. 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... 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 the on page 121, we have no option and we risk site closure and the cost of that to the community, social, cultural, economic, all the costs are too So thanks for the heads up, guys. Brian Stockwell 01:48:23.161
And it's probably what I quickly calculated, Dan, it was like what Councillor Lorentson 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? It means about $5.6 million worth of waste going into the landfill each year that the ratepayers will have to pay for. believe the landfill costs about $160 a cubic metre, which is roughly equal to a tonne, a But that's Frank Wilkie 01:48:55.222
Bit close. With a levy it's now up $280. Brian Stockwell 01:48:59.542
Oh, wait a second. Multiply that by a bit more. So it's probably close to $10 million worth of landfill that is being reused by this site. And how many ratepayers have we got? About 32 Amelia Lorentson 01:49:15.670
29 Brian Stockwell 01:49:16.110
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. don't do this. Frank Wilkie 01:49:29.824
Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you, Cairo and Mark. Now, we do have some confidential items which are commercial in confidence. Confidence. So... So our guests in the gallery, thank you for attending and hope to see you again. Thank you. that we're going to confidential session, seconded by Mayor Stewart. Kim Rawlings 01:50:00.872
It's JJ, sorry. It's JJ. Frank Wilkie 01:50:08.172
It's okay. We've got the motion of that going to confidential session. Okay, all in favour? Amelia Lorentson 01:50:16.527
Oh, sorry, you can't see it, sorry. Frank Wilkie 01:50:17.947
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. Karen Finzel 01:50:36.497
Let me know when we're live again. Frank Wilkie 01:50:38.997
Okay, everybody, we're back in open session. Now we have a few resolutions before us. First one. Moved by Councillor Jurisevic, seconded by Councillor Stewart. All in favour? That's about extending the contract with Clean Away for two years. Next one is a report by the Principal's Strategic Planner regarding a portion of land at Lake Macdonald, moved by Councillor Stockwell, Councillor Stockwell, seconded by Councillor Stewart. We will talk to it. Brian Stockwell 01:51:22.181
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. yeah 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 use and the councillors wish to speak to the motion put it to the vote those in favour that's unanimous move on to the next item and something that Frank Wilkie 01:52:04.640
This is a contract award report, the awarding of a contract to do a development of a business case for Noosa Regional Gallery to Knight Frank Australia under a lump sum contract. Moved by Councillor Jurisevic, seconded by Councillor Finzel, councillors wish to speak together. Yes, I need to state that I'm planning to see this progressed to its next stage. Karen Finzel 01:52:27.699
Do you know, I think it's great, it's a great visioning forward, everyone's worked hard and it's this point, so yeah, very successful future endeavours to see moving forward. Frank Wilkie 01:52:38.621
That is unanimous and carried. That's the last item on today's agenda. Thank you everyone for your contributions and patience. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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