Due to council's efforts to hide their meetings from the public, the video for the meeting was not made available. We have instead provided the audio of the meeting and the full transcript below.
Key Decisions & Discussions • Amelia Lorentson: Opened meeting, noted apology from Cr Jurisevic and attendance of Councillors and executives; sought confirmation of prior minutes and proceeded to reports (00:00–02:00; Minutes Sections 1–2). • Committee: Approved lease for Shop 7, Sunrise Shops to Luke and Kayla Marshall T/A Butchers of Noosa for five years, six months rent-free, and authorised CEO to award up to two five‑year extensions, subject to compliance (03:08–06:13; Item 5.1). • Robyn Mercer: Explained change from two 3‑year options to two 5‑year options due to lessee’s capital investment and financier advice; no other term changes (03:08–04:44; Item 5.1). • Amelia Lorentson: Sought assurance extended options don’t raise Council risk; officer advised extensions remain at Council’s discretion and longer tenure benefits centre and community (05:04–05:45; Item 5.1). • Frank Wilkie: Supported lease as providing tenant security and stable revenue to Council (05:49–06:13; Item 5.1). • Officers (Infrastructure): Reported 69% YTD spend of $57.1m capital program as at 31 March, with $10.3m committed; 44 multi‑year projects underway; reseal program $4.5m
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Key Decisions & Discussions • Amelia Lorentson: Opened meeting, noted apology from Cr Jurisevic and attendance of Councillors and executives; sought confirmation of prior minutes and proceeded to reports (00:00–02:00; Minutes Sections 1–2). • Committee: Approved lease for Shop 7, Sunrise Shops to Luke and Kayla Marshall T/A Butchers of Noosa for five years, six months rent-free, and authorised CEO to award up to two five‑year extensions, subject to compliance (03:08–06:13; Item 5.1). • Robyn Mercer: Explained change from two 3‑year options to two 5‑year options due to lessee’s capital investment and financier advice; no other term changes (03:08–04:44; Item 5.1). • Amelia Lorentson: Sought assurance extended options don’t raise Council risk; officer advised extensions remain at Council’s discretion and longer tenure benefits centre and community (05:04–05:45; Item 5.1). • Frank Wilkie: Supported lease as providing tenant security and stable revenue to Council (05:49–06:13; Item 5.1). • Officers (Infrastructure): Reported 69% YTD spend of $57.1m capital program as at 31 March, with $10.3m committed; 44 multi‑year projects underway; reseal program $4.5m of $5.7m expended (06:30–08:33; Item 6.1). • Infrastructure (Larry Sengstock): Noted hot employment market with senior staff turnover; succession via graduates/project officers to PMs is working (09:32–11:32; Item 6.1). • Infrastructure: Strategy is to keep “design‑ready” projects to leverage co‑funding; example Noosa Drive/Parade pathways (12:14–13:03; Item 6.1). • Clare Stewart & Officers: Bus stop DDA upgrades near completion with a small number into next year; program has run 8–9 years across ~200+ stops (13:17–14:06; Item 6.1). • Infrastructure: Access to upgraded bus stops assisted via Local Links and Walking & Cycling Strategy where TransLink/TMR grants don’t cover approaches (14:39–15:52; Item 6.1). • Trent Grauf: Funding landscape stable; FAGS methodology changed and Roads to Recovery decreased; Olympics and 2024 QLD election may shift mechanisms (19:46–21:03; Item 6.1). • Scott Waters: Disaster recovery funding ~up to $90m supplements core $57m delivery; Council success due to organised advocacy, master plans, and shovel‑ready designs (22:00–23:30; Item 6.1). • Officers: Noosa District Sports Complex Stage 1 and Sundial Park BMX on track for June practical completion (36:38–37:27; Item 6.1). • Meeting: Noted departure of CEO Scott Waters to Moreton Bay and expressed thanks (39:37–40:16; Minutes 8. Meeting Closure). Contentious / Transparency Matters • Karen Finzel: Queried rent‑free concession precedent; officer confirmed prior comparable rent‑free arrangements (RGA) and earlier approval for this lease (04:17–04:44; Item 5.1). • Amelia Lorentson: Probed whether long options increase Council risk; officer emphasised Council discretion on exercising options (05:04–05:45; Item 5.1). • Amelia Lorentson: Questioned equity of capital works across precincts; officers cited spread across shire, detailed breakdown to be provided on notice (16:02–17:24; Item 6.1). • Amelia Lorentson: Challenged grant dependency and readiness constraints; officers outlined pipeline planning to secure co‑funding and noted external factors (17:24–19:46; Item 6.1). • Discussion: Acknowledged outsourcing bulk of disaster recovery due to scale; recognised market capacity constraints and largest‑ever Black Mountain tender (21:03–23:35; Item 6.1). • Council: Stressed staff wellbeing amid heavy workload, with leadership outlining mental health training, values, and resilience initiatives (27:26–35:26; Item 6.1). Legal / Risk • Lease governance: Lease terms and CEO authority to approve future options were resolved in open committee and carried unanimously, preserving Council discretion over extensions (03:08–06:13; Item 5.1). • Commercial prudence: Longer lease options justified by tenant capital investment and stable essential retail use; mitigates vacancy risk and supports centre viability (03:08–05:45; Item 5.1). • Program risk: Officers cited unprecedented construction escalation, contractor fragility, and supply issues; Council using governance (PCG/CWE), contingencies, scope control, and relationships to manage variations (24:11–25:42; Item 6.1). • Financial capacity: Acting CFO indicated constrained unrestricted cash and case‑by‑case variation decisions via capital executive, reducing over‑commitment risk (25:42–27:26; Item 6.1). • Workforce continuity: Senior staff turnover elevates delivery risk; succession through graduates and internal progression is current mitigation (09:32–11:32; Item 6.1). Conflicts of Interest • Chair: Called for conflicts before Item 5; none declared (04:45–05:04; general business). Funding Outlook and 2032 Olympics Influence • Trent Grauf: Flagged Olympics and 2024 QLD election as potential inflection points for grant mechanisms; core state pools remain reliable (19:46–21:03; Item 6.1). • Scott Waters: Emphasised master plans/design readiness as critical to winning funds; current disaster and capital programs reflect strong pipeline discipline (22:00–23:30; Item 6.1). Workforce Capacity & Wellbeing • Infrastructure: Employee market favours candidates; recruitment for PMs challenging; succession plan in place (09:32–10:53; Item 6.1). • Scott Waters: Detailed mental health first aid, leadership programs, wellbeing sessions, and culture/values work to sustain delivery under pressure (28:50–35:26; Item 6.1). • Councillors: Recognised high-performing graduates and multi‑generational workforce needs for retention and resilience (35:26–36:38; Item 6.1). Disaster Recovery & Major Tenders • Scott Waters: Disaster recovery program ~up to $90m underway in addition to core capital; reflects severe flood impacts and intergovernmental support (22:00–23:17; Item 6.1). • Councillors/Officers: Black Mountain works identified as Council’s largest ever tender; market tightness acknowledged (23:17–24:11; Item 6.1). Public Transport Accessibility • Councillors: Queried whether DDA bus stop upgrades ensure wheelchair access via connecting paths; officers to bridge gaps via Local Links and Walking & Cycling Strategy (14:06–15:52; Item 6.1). • Officers: Co‑funding scope with TransLink/TMR limited to near‑stop areas; complementary Council programs target broader accessibility (14:39–15:52; Item 6.1).
Official Meeting MinutesRead minutes ↗
MINUTES
Services & Organisation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, 9 May 2023
1:30 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
Committee: Crs Amelia Lorentson (Chair), Joe Jurisevic, Clare Stewart, Frank Wilkie
“Noosa Shire – different by nature” SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 9 MAY 2023
1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Amelia Lorentson Councillor Clare Stewart Councillor Frank Wilkie
NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Karen Finzel Councillor Tom Wegener
EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer, Scott Waters Director Infrastructure Services, Larry Sengstock Acting Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf
APOLOGIES Councillor Joe Jurisevic
2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie The Minutes of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting held on 11 April 2023 be received and confirmed. Carried Unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS
Nil
4. DEPUTATIONS
Nil
5. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE
5.1. PROPOSED REVISED LEASE TERM - SHOP 7 SUNRISE SHOPS
Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 9 MAY 2023
That Council note the report by the Property Advisor – Commercial Property to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 9 May 2023 regarding the lease of Shop 7, Sunrise Shops and: A. Agree to enter into a commercial lease of the premises to Luke and Kayla Marshall TA Butchers of Noosa for a five (5) year term; B. Agree to an initial rent-free period of six (6) months; and C. Authorise the CEO to award up to two (2) subsequent lease extensions each of five (5) years, subject to the Lessee complying with the terms of the lease.
Carried Unanimously.
6. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE
6.1. CAPITAL PROGRAM DELIVERY STATUS
Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council note the report by the Infrastructure Planning, Design & Delivery Manager to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 9 May 2023 providing an update on the delivery of the 2022/2023 Capital Program as at 31 March 2023. Carried Unanimously.
7. CLOSED SESSION
Nil
8. MEETING CLOSURE
Mayor Clare Stewart and Councillors thanked the CEO - Scott Waters - for his hard work at Noosa Council and wished him all the best for his new role at Moreton Bay Council.
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