Services & Organisation Committee Meeting - October 2023
Date: Tuesday, 10 October 2023 at 1:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 01:21:32
Synopsis: Waste Plan adopted prioritizing diversion and organics processing, Rising levy pass-through acknowledged, Landfill life extended via diversion, Disaster Plan with tech upgrades approved, Caretaker constraints clarified.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Amelia Lorentson Joe Jurisevic Clare Stewart Frank Wilkie Non-Committee Members
Executive Officers
Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Adopted Waste Plan 2023–2028: Council unanimously endorsed “From Waste to Resource,” emphasizing avoidance, reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, and last-resort disposal (Item 5.1; 36:06, 33:46). Waste levy impacts: Officers confirmed QLD waste levy now $105/t (2023–24) rising to $145/t by 1 July 2027, with phased pass-through to domestic waste, driving cost pressures unless landfill diversion increases (04:59–06:36; Item 5.1). Landfill life: 49 years remaining based on current inputs; growth would reduce this unless diversion infrastructure expands; collaboration with Gympie via MOU to scale shared assets (07:47–09:49, 11:04–12:32; Item 5.1). Emissions profile: Food waste is ~40% of residual stream but produces ~63% of Council’s emissions; plan actions include technology and feasibility studies for organics processing (e.g., AD/biogas) (16:22–17:38; Item 5.1). Waste-to-energy exploration: Council and COMSEQ partners investigating WtE to make landfill “last port of call,” potentially extending landfill life dramatically (13:57–14:55; Item 5.1). Tourism & circular economy: Plastic Free Noosa cited as effective; Council positions infrastructure to back behavioral change, including polystyrene recovery and Containers for Change (12:32–13:57, 32:10–33:46; Item 5.1). Public place bins: Proposal to align bin ratios, compaction, and sensors across precincts to cut litter and facilitate recycling/organics, integrating with plan actions (17:53–20:12; Item 5.1). Consultation: Two-phase process with 828 surveys; strong support for hierarchy and circular principles; plan updated to reflect feedback, branding, and new actions (02:29–04:10, 21:05–22:27; Item 5.1). Adopted Disaster Management Plan 2023: Repeals 2018 plan; devolves sub-plan updates/approvals to the LDMG for agility; Get Ready materials tabled (Item 5.2; 37:15–39:09, 01:02:12–01:03:27). Technology & comms uplift: AI smoke-detection cameras (Shire-wide coverage), new VHF comms network, and upgraded flood monitoring to provide local catchment alerts (44:25–47:39; Item 5.2). Supplier lists approved: Amended Sole and Specialised Supplier Lists adopted for 12 months under LG Regulation exceptions; examples include software/IP and time-sensitive planning expertise (01:11:27–01:17:07; Item 5.3). Meeting schedule Jan–Mar 2024: Approved with clarification on caretaker constraints and potential proximity to election; only BAU/operational matters permitted in caretaker period (01:18:12–01:21:03; Item 5.4). Contentious / Transparency Matters Devolution of sub-plan approvals to LDMG: Improves nimbleness but shifts routine oversight from full Council; officers stated this aligns with other LGs and is effectively current practice (01:02:12–01:03:27; Item 5.2). Waste levy pass-through to residents: Explicit acknowledgment that domestic customers will bear an increasing share over five years; Council’s mitigation rests on diversion success (05:29–06:19; Item 5.1). Public place organics bins: Discussion foreshadows a third-stream; caution raised about matching behavior change with back-end processing to maintain public trust (20:12–21:05; Item 5.1). Supplier list churn: Questions on removals (e.g., Adamas, UQ) clarified as market changes or service no longer required; annual review noted (01:14:54–01:16:10; Item 5.3). Legal / Risk Statutory compliance: Waste strategy required under State law; Disaster Plan under Disaster Management Act 2003; procurement exceptions under Local Government Act 2009 and Regulation 2012 (07:37; 38:14–39:09; 01:11:27–01:12:54; Items 5.1–5.3). Caretaker limitations: From election call (~29 Jan 2024 expected), only business-as-usual/operational decisions; mitigates probity risk of major commitments (01:18:47–01:20:48; Item 5.4). Financial exposure from levy: Rising levy materially increases landfill costs; Council’s risk posture hinges on timely organics diversion and potential WtE to avoid fee shocks (04:59–06:36; Item 5.1). Disaster tech maturity: Fire-tech camera system is in commissioning; risk of false positives/coverage gaps acknowledged, with regional collaboration to improve resilience (44:33–47:39; Item 5.2). Environmental incident readiness: Lessons from polystyrene spill; marine debris kits and spill response capacity being built but not yet fully in place, indicating residual exposure (54:12–55:42; Item 5.2). Conflicts of Interest Amelia Lorentson: Declared a declarable COI as spouse employed by Page Furnishers proposed for Specialised Supplier List; she left the room and **Clare Stewart** chaired for this item (01:10:19–01:12:54; Item 5.3). Process integrity: Appointment of Acting Chair and unanimous decision recorded, aligning with Chapter 5B LG Act conflict-handling requirements (Item 5.3; 01:11:27–01:17:07). Environmental Concerns UNESCO Biosphere obligations: Members linked waste emissions (63% from landfill) to “do no harm” commitments, reinforcing urgency of diversion and circular systems (33:46–35:33; Item 5.1). Organics diversion benefits: Reduces methane and supports regenerative outputs (compost, biogas), delivering climate and cost co-benefits (16:22–17:38; Item 5.1). Pollution & Spill Response Beach debris incidents: LDMG includes an Environmental Restoration Coordinator; marine cleanup kits and procedures are in progress following polystyrene spill lessons (54:12–55:42; Item 5.2). Dashboard alerts: Disaster dashboard centralizes hazard info (smoke, closures) and Noosa Alert notifications to residents for rapid communications (01:05:08–01:06:53; Item 5.2). Community Transparency & Engagement Waste plan engagement: 828 survey responses across two phases; plan updated with visible change log and strengthened stewardship advocacy (02:29–04:10, 22:20–23:05; Item 5.1). Disaster readiness outreach: Extensive school, aged care, and small business programs; Get Ready event with 13 partners and household kits promotes self-reliance (49:20–01:07:41; Item 5.2). Tourism partnership: Plastic Free Noosa and industry collaboration recognized as model behavior change backed by processing infrastructure (12:32–13:57; Item 5.1). Election/Caretaker Period Meeting continuity: Ordinary meeting may occur the Thursday before election; cancellable if no business, but BAU reports likely; workshops limited to non-foundational items (01:19:05–01:20:48; Item 5.4). Public guidance: Clarified caretaker timing and constraints to ensure probity and avoid major policy shifts pre-election (01:18:47–01:20:20; Item 5.4).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday, 10 October 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 10 OCTOBER 2023 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Amelia Lorentson (Chair) Cr Joe Jurisevic Cr Clare Stewart Cr Frank Wilkie NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Tom Wegener EXECUTIVE Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh APOLOGIES Nil The meeting opened at 1.32pm. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie The Minutes of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting held on 12 September 2023 be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 4. DEPUTATIONS Nil. 5. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2023 5.1. FINAL WASTE PLAN 2023 - 2028 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Council note the report by the Manager Waste and Environmental Health to the Services and Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 October 2023 and adopt the From Waste to Resource Waste Plan 2023 – 2028. Carried unanimously. 5.2. ENDORSEMENT OF NOOSA LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN 2023 The following material was distributed to the meeting in relation to this item: o Disaster Management Officer – refer to Attachment 1 - Get Ready Pack Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Council note the report by the Disaster Management Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 October 2023 and: A. Repeal the Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2018; B. Adopt the Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2023 as provided at Attachment 1 to the Endorsement of the Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2023 report; and C. Devolve responsibility for updating and approving the operational Sub-Plans of the Local Disaster Management 2023 to the Noosa Local Disaster Management Group. Carried unanimously. 5.3. NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL SOLE AND SPECIALISED LISTS In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Lorentson provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter: I, Cr Lorentson, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as my husband, Chris Lorentson, is an employee of Page Furnishers Pty Ltd who are proposed to be included on the Specialised Supplier List. As a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. Cr Lorentson left the meeting. Committee Resolution SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2023 Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Cr Stewart be appointed as Acting Chairperson of the meeting for this item for the purpose of considering the conflict of interest declaration by Cr Lorentson. Carried unanimously. Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Council note the report by the Procurement and Contracts Advisor to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 October 2023 and A. Adopt the amended Sole Supplier list provided at Attachment 1 of the report for the next twelve (12) months; and B. Adopt the amended Specialised Supplier list provided at Attachment 2 of the report for the next twelve (12) months. Carried unanimously. Cr Lorentson returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair. 5.4. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE – JANUARY TO MARCH 2024 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer (Acting) to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 October 2023 and approve the Council Meeting schedule for January-March 2024 as set out in Attachment 1 to the Report. Carried unanimously. 6. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE Nil. 7. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 2.53pm.
Meeting Transcript
Amelia Lorentson 00:00.000
First I'd like to begin by an acknowledgement to Country. I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Kabi Kabi people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters that form the region that we call Noosa. Council pays its respects to Elders past, present and future and welcomes the ongoing role that Indigenous people play within the Noosa community. You think it tend Attendance and apology. First I'd like to note that everyone is in attendance, that is the Mayor Clare Stewart, Councillor Joe Jurisevic and Deputy Mayor Councillor Frank Wilkie. I also note that Councillor Tom Wegener is in the gallery and I don't think Councillor Finzel, she's not online? No, so Councillor Finzel, not online. No, Councillor Stockwell. Before commencing the meeting can I please request that everyone have their phones on silent or turned off and also I would like to remind everyone around the table of their obligations under the councillor code of conduct that we all are respectful and to one another including the staff. First I'd like First, I'd like to go to confirmation of minutes. Can I have a mover and a seconder? Thank you, Clare Stewart. A seconder? Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. No discussion or in favour? Thank you. Presentations and deputations, there are none. And we'll go straight to the reports for consideration of committee meeting. Item 5.1, final waste plan 2023-2028. I'd like to welcome Director Kyron... Kyron Dodds. Excuse me, sir, I'm just giving you a promotion and you deserve one. Carefully, you're putting in a pay rise next. Do you want me to give you a pay rise request? I see the future. She's got high hopes of you. Welcome, Kyron. So, can I ask before we start, are there any conflicts of interest? None. And, Kyron, if you can start by just giving us a summary and overview of the final Waste Plan 2023-2028. No problem, thanks very much. Kyron Dodds 02:29.792
So the Waste Plan is developed as involved a two-part consultation process conducted during February and March and August, September this year. Phase Phase one sought community and stakeholder values of waste management and utilisation shaping the draft Waste Plan. Phase two gathered additional insights on the draft Waste Plan itself and in total we had 828 surveys in both phases of that process. Community feedback strongly supported the draft Waste Plan vision and the waste hierarchy which is Which is principles to avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose as a last resort. Those opposing the draft waste plan include concerns over rate increases, request for bulk kerbside, opposition to food waste collection. collection services are already composting food waste and are in a position to change. However, the overall plan received very strong support for encouraging personal responsibility, advocating to reduce waste at source, innovation and ensuring that appropriate infrastructure and operations are in place to support waste reuse and recycling. The plan also received strong support to promote circular economy and to reduce the cost to the community of landfilling material. And that material can be used as a resource for potential revenue generation. Changes Changes to the draft waste plan include design modifications in line with community council branding, additional wording and advocacy for product stewardship schemes and new actions related to food waste and construction and Amelia Lorentson 04:10.510
Councilors, questions for Kyron? Joe Jurisevic 04:15.130
Thank you Kyron, thank you for a comprehensive plan. Comprehensive plan and a roadmap going forward for the changes that need to be done and an element of change that has to be implemented. One of those, one of the reasons that we have to implement that is the impact of the Queensland Government's state waste levy and I'm reading And I'm reading here it was set to land currently $85 per tonne, increasing to $95 a tonne this year. So what is the implication of the State's waste levy on what currently goes into landfill? Kyron Dodds 04:59.371
So currently the actual waste levy this year, this financial year, is $105 per tonne. So that is applied to commercial waste, commercial customs. So it's $23 Joe Jurisevic 05:09.731
24, So it was $95 and $22.23, so that's the $10 increase that's mentioned here annually until it goes to $145 a tonne. So what's the impact of that $95 to $105 all the way up to $145 a tonne by the 1st of July 2027 going to do to the cost of landfill? Kyron Dodds 05:29.098
Well in a nutshell it will increase the cost of our public. It started this year in July so the State government have introduced a percentage of that levy but we have to rebate the State. think that equates to five dollars, I'm not entirely sure how much, about five to six dollars per tonne and that increases over the next five years until it's the full cost of the levy and that gets applied to our domestic customers. Joe Jurisevic 05:57.446
But yeah, until now it's only been applied to commercial customers and from this year it gets applied to domestic services. So there'll be a, just based on that state levy, there'll be a change to the cost of implementation of, or the cost of continuing the service where we landfill residential waste. Exactly, so the actual cost of the collections or anything doesn't, is not affected, but the costs But, yeah, until now, Kyron Dodds 06:19.965
Cost to go through our levy zone, so there's a dedicated earmarked zone on the site. Anything that goes into that zone, which we have to track and report on yearly, attracts that levy. Joe Jurisevic 06:36.245
So what's the obvious way for... I can turn around and do this. What's the obvious way and the thing that the plan delivers for the public to consider to increases and to manage the costs of things going to landfill? Kyron Dodds 06:52.089
It's to look at waste differently. And I think that's what we're trying to do with the strategy. Waste, in particular outside of Queensland and Australia, is looked at as a resource. Joe Jurisevic 07:02.727
Should we stop calling it waste? Kyron Dodds 07:05.787
Yes, I think it's a good start. Thank you. It's only waste if we waste it. If we put it in a landfill, we're wasting an energy value of some sort. Joe Jurisevic 07:15.807
And potentially creating a greenhouse gas that we currently can't deal with. Amelia Lorentson 07:25.220
I've got a bunch of questions and I won't ask them all at once, I'll leave it to the table. But before we go on, why do we have to develop a waste plan? Is it obligatory? Kyron Dodds 07:37.300
Yes, we have to have a state law if we have to have a waste strategy. Amelia Lorentson 07:47.660
In terms of, I'm referencing page 18 of the plan, the figures are really startling, and I'll just pull out page 18. The landfill site, 49 years remaining in the landfill life... 49 years is not that far away. Have we included in those numbers, you know, the potential impact of the, a population or dwelling increase? So the SEQ regional draft plan had population and dwelling forecast. How, if those numbers are realised, 19,000,100, 10,000 in the first three years, how does that change the data that we're looking at and has that been considered as part of the plan? Kyron Dodds 08:46.417
In the model, but it would reduce the years, there's no doubt, it's only just directly related to population, so you'd have a strong correlation of those years would reduce, unless, what it also doesn't include is the fact that we're actively trying to divert materials we gain on. So the model looks at if we carry on with the current rate of material to landfill, we've got 50 years left. We are actively reducing that year by year. If we increase, introduce infrastructure to divert further, then it should lengthen. But obviously if we increase population, that adds to the change. Frank Wilkie 09:45.459
Operational costs, isn't it? Yes. Not the waste levy. Kyron Dodds 09:49.159
No, that's not the waste levy. That's our cost to put one tonne of material into the ground and that's actually... Frank Wilkie 09:55.919
It's increased since then. What are the costs now? Approximately $200. Approximately now? It's gone up that much in 2 years. There's also on page 9 a really interesting figure which is the amount of household waste the average Australian produces every year of 543 kilograms. We've got an aspirational goal to reduce the amount produced per Noosa person, resident, to below that, significantly below that, but there seems to be... There seems to be, in my opinion, an omission from this report about what is the rate generated per Noosa resident, and I understand there are difficulties around calculating that. Could you just talk us through the variable... variables that make it very difficult to include that figure, please. Kyron Dodds 10:46.425
Yeah, so that's a national figure that we've got from the statistics. To calculate it locally, we... We would need to understand exactly who is a local and who is non-local coming out of Railway Bridge because it's interior coming into the landfill as well. Frank Wilkie 11:04.679
From outside the Shire. Kyron Dodds 11:05.759
From outside the Shire. So it's very difficult to get the resources. resources and equipment and technology to do that right now. We also have a 1.8 million tourist population per year and what percentage of that is B &Bs and so forth adding to that domestic change is not quite clear as well. So what we do know. what we do know is the number is higher than our national average. It's putting that into accurate terms and we can do that. Yes and you mentioned that there's waste coming outside the Shire into our landfill which affects the figures. But collaboration is a big part of the strategy going forward isn't it? Can you just talk about the sort of collaboration that's going on with them? So we've got an MOU with Gympie that was signed six months ago. We have had our first steering group meeting about a month ago. We've got one this Friday. We have a weekly working group meeting with our opposite numbers in Gympie and we're currently looking at all the infrastructure and tunnies between the two councils that would potentially make some of these projects viable, which is key. And that shared infrastructure, shared resource will support us in the funding area which is critical for COMSEQ and their collaboration as Frank Wilkie 12:32.255
Well. You mentioned also the 1.8 million visitors per year which you're having. They're playing a part in generating extra waste that can't be attributed necessarily to Noosa residents, so part of the problem they're also part of the solution, the tourism industry. Could you talk about the collaboration with the tourism industry that's underway to industry that's underway to help address some of that. Yeah so tourism in Noosa would be I think excellent if they're plastic free Noosa. That's been a model that's been used outside of Noosa and I think the way they've delivered that is more than we can use this and they'll be able to change going forward. So what they've done I think has been excellent. I think our role around this strategy is the infrastructure that sits behind that behavioural change so if we make a difference and we do something different we need to have that infrastructure to support that material when it's processing. And in the waste hierarchy it's often referred to avoidance, reusing, recycling and disposal but the but there's also another line that's in the report that hasn't been mentioned it is recover. Can you talk about what that step involves it's quite quite exciting. In the material space? Yeah. So with polystyrene recovery. Recovery and also isn't it waste to energy? Kyron Dodds 13:57.096
Yes waste to energy. Waste to energy is a very interesting space in terms of taking the typical residual waste that's left over after you've removed recycling. organics, green waste and anything else that could be recovered and turned into another material or reprocessed. The last position before you put it into it into a landfill, should we extract the energy that's within that material to produce energy? Yes. And we're actively talking with COMSEQ, as well as our neighbours in that space, through the... And I think it's an exciting space because once we are in that area of looking at that type of technology, suddenly our landfill becomes the... last port of call, and 50 years could become 150,200 years or even better. Frank Wilkie 14:55.634
Yeah, one more question if I'm not in chat. The feedback from the community is that taking In Japan, there are no bins in the streets and the streets are very litter free. Is that an example of residents taking very strong, not saying that's going to happen here, but that's an example of what can be achieved when personal responsibility is taken very seriously. Kyron Dodds 15:25.042
I think, yeah, that's the gold standard. We're quite away from the gold standard, but I think that's the intention. We can get personal responsibility. And that goes across all facets of waste in terms of buying something you don't need and disposing of something the wrong way. Effectively, you're making a difference with the actions that you make personally. the message you're trying to get through, and you'll be part of the behavioural change going forward. I've got a question. Clare Stewart 16:00.375
Kyron, when I was doing some radio around this, it was some of the stats were interesting around the food scraps at So what can we do in that space with our food scraps? Because I know that is the issue and what is the plan specifically? Kyron Dodds 16:22.628
So the bulk of our emissions are generated from predominantly food waste. We removed green waste in 2017 as a council. We're probably one of the leaders in Queensland for doing that, if not first. But the next organic stream that goes into the landfill is food wasting. Of that 40% that goes in, not only from their bins but from commercial customs, that generates 63% of council's emissions. We've got actions in the strategy to review technology that can process that food waste and look at the infrastructure and potential building of the infrastructure with our partners. Once we pull that material out, once again it has an energy value and we can extract that energy and utilise that to produce green power, green hydrogen, biogas. number of different alternatives but that's the intention. I guess the next stage after the strategy is to get into feasibility studies of some of the projects which we've actively already started in some aspects. Clare Stewart 17:38.447
Like the AD plan, is that the one? AD plan, we're looking at organic treatment, solar power, we've already started those feasibility studies. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 17:51.974
Councillor Jurisevic, you've got a question? Joe Jurisevic 17:53.494
Yeah, I was reading through some of the feedback that was given and one of the ones that I've heard for a long time and I've advocated for a long time was a review of a review of bins. And I read under litter avoidance here, 3.1, 3.2, but the one thing that was missing there under litter avoidance was bin management, public place bin management. But I noticed that under... Under precinct waste management, 5.1, review precinct waste management opportunities for innovation, including inclusive of bin ratios, compaction bins, bin level sensors, you know, bins overflowing. That's how litter starts, you know, bins are overflowing, if we can prevent that, but also making bins available. The right bins available. I've often said there's an imbalance in the number of general waste bins for recycling. If we want people to recycle more, we really have to provide the right balance and facilitation of those bins. And if we go into composting, we'll be looking at a third public place bin potentially. I'm just wondering whether that point 5.1 can be can be added as 3.3 and reiterated under litter avoidance. It is a litter avoidance mechanism. It's a minor thing, but I think that reiterating that point under litter avoidance is a litter avoidance mechanism. It's precinct waste, but it shouldn't only be in the major In the major precincts I think we should apply the the level of bin ratios and and the need for compaction bins and bin level sensors and understanding if bins are overflowing anywhere across the Shire that we understand that that occurs. Is that the opportunity going forward with regard to public place bins is to facilitate each of the strains better than currently do and the potential for, I don't know, is a third public place bin for compostable waste. Considering Plastic Free Noosa has done such an amazing job of getting retailers on board in the Hastings Street precinct and Gympie Terrace and the junction of most of our tourism precincts around to go away from plastic. go away from plastic containers and have compostable containers, is that where we need to go? Kyron Dodds 20:12.806
I think long term, you know, the bid infrastructure should match our infrastructure build. where we've got to get to. So we've got to be careful with behavioural change. If we don't have the infrastructure that sits behind that behavioural change, otherwise we're potentially getting accustomed to it. on it to do something that We we lose can't the faith that people have in the current system of saying, well, I put my recyclables in that bin, but I know that, you know, I don't see that truck going to deliver to recyclables. I see it going to the landfill. Some misapprehension of whether, you know, like the truck that goes on Hastings Street, which has two compartments. The other element of that question, and I've just lost my train of thought. Throw in another question. I'll see if anyone else has another question. I'll come back to where I was going. Amelia Lorentson 21:05.044
I want to comment on the engagement process. It was excellent. So really, really well done. In terms of all the surveys submitted, 828. And I did a little bit of research on, you know, sample size and what's considered a good sample size and margins of error now. And 828 is ranked really high. And if my research is correct, margin of error is 3%. And that's, you know, something really excellent. My question is, can you just talk us through the engagement process? Did we engage in external consultant, or was a lot of it done in-house? Kyron Dodds 21:55.774
Yeah, I think, thanks for the credit, but I think actually it's the same. So, Joe Ferris and... Oh, brilliant and the team were key to that. to that consultation process. Team members shared the work. We've worked with comms on the process, and yeah, I think it's great to see that most of that's been done. I think Amelia Lorentson 22:20.413
So. Could you please extend to them? Yeah, that's great. Congratulations to you. It was brilliant. Joe, has your question come back to you? Joe Jurisevic 22:27.891
Along the lines of, yeah, again, with the sort of feedback, with regard to the draft plan and what we see here, have we taken on board comments from the public and the feedback that we've got, and how are they implemented or shown within the final plan? There's a summary of the summary of changes in that last section there and including in bold is directly related to the questions or the points that have been raised Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 23:05.020
One more question. Will Noosa Council lead by example? Will Council introduce a low waste policy and will that get extended into sustainability procurement and will we look at resource recovery facilities all our facilities, not just at the depot? Kyron Dodds 23:27.044
It's an interesting question. I think it's... If I've got anything to do with it, absolutely. Don't we have a zero waste landfill policy? Yeah, if you look far enough ahead in the discussion with our consultant of the day, who does work in Melbourne, on buildings that they have, rather than hiding their waste three cents away, they are actually advocating and showing off the sort of clear glass, and they have IBM machines in there, and it looks like they're promoting the bidding... Yeah, well, I think Frank Wilkie 24:24.760
Happy to move the recommendation. Joe Jurisevic 24:28.060
I'm happy to second it, I was happy to move it. Amelia Lorentson 24:30.840
Before speaking I'd like to ask Councillor Tom Wegener, you've got your hand up, would you like to ask some questions please? Tom Wegener 24:40.620
Yes, do you think, I guess I provide my comment to do a question, do you think that Do you think that this is the biggest change that our term as councillors and as staff has brought to Noosa Council? Because it is a phenomenal change from when we came here to the way strategy is today. like to just congratulate you and Mark Carroll and him and our board and the staff at Noosa Council. This is the big one for us. Amelia Lorentson 25:10.820
Who would like to speak? I moved it so I'll speak. Thanks for Kyron, please congratulate the staff. I thought it was a very well-written, clear strategy that used simple language and didn't hide the hard truths of where we are at and the work, the large task ahead of us. So please pass on the congratulations. Joe Jurisevic 25:35.405
Tom, you're right. This is the biggest transitional move. Ten years in the Ten years in the making of my time here on council to see these things being implemented into a waste strategy and the way forward to change the concept of waste. It's not waste. It is a resource. And the more that we can understand and value that it's a resource and the more we can continue to advocate for changes where waste gets generated by manufacturers that don't have a process for accepting those products that they generate back, that creates a need for landfill, the more we have to push for change. higher up the chain. Fortunately the Australian federal government and the State government, 20 years behind most of the southern states I might add, are on board and starting to implement the strategies and the processes and the processes that will facilitate this change going forward. We can no longer see landfill as a viable option. It has to be the exception rather than the rule. And in fact, if we can avoid it completely, some of the comments here with regard to what we need to do going forward. We want to keep waste charges down. Well, the way to keep waste charges down is to look at what take in, what you purchase. Look at what it's made of, what its life is. Don't buy the cheap junky stuff that is disposable. Let's stop being a disposable society and start taking responsibility for the waste Let's bring our businesses on board to help facilitate the change that we need. I see so many businesses that could easily be saving themselves costs simply by segregating their waste and taking it We know that 40-50% of what goes into the general waste bin is organic matter. It shouldn't be in there. If you can't compost at home, we need to have an alternative. And if that doesn't go into landfill and doesn't continue to generate landfill gases, it becomes a resource that can go back out into regenerative farming. The way in the future is to turn around and acknowledge that compost is as good if not a better form of for land management than any of the ones that we purchase commercially and acquire from other forms of product. We've been using it in our backyard for years. not rocket science. It's back to fundamentals. As a society, we understood that when necessity was the driver, post-war in particular. particular. But through those commercialised and consumer-driven years, and American society has a lot to do with that through the 70s and 80s of consumerism, that we started to become a society of The truth, But in my time here, and through the understanding of taking responsibility for the waste you generate, and I applaud it here, I applaud that we finally made this happen. finally made the commitment that that service is no longer a viable service to deliver. I appreciate that people have had that service and rely on it, but this is the 21st century and we have so many alternatives to putting it out on To putting it out on the street and making it somebody else's responsibility to take it away. We've got Facebook Marketplace. Everybody uses that. If it's got any real value and you're going to put it out on the street, somebody will take it, sure. But if it's got any real value, we have charity organisations that will help facilitate that, help facilitate a need for those that need these products. You can talk to your neighbours and say, "I've got this." Go and actually walk down the street and let your neighbours know you've got something to give away. Maybe they'll take it. We've got the garage sale trail. We've got garage sales. We've got social media and social marketing. We've got so many opportunities to dispose of valuable goods if you no longer want them. And then just throwing them out and expecting to do it. The challenge comes in delivering a service like that. You want to talk about keeping costs down. It's an expensive service to deliver for the community and only a small percentage of the community realistically utilise it. But the other element is the people that abuse the service that costs the service from being available in the long run. We In the long run, we can't have people dumping asbestos, and we can't have streets being used as rubbish tips. It's just not the way in this day and age, and it's not the way of the future. We really need to, and this outlays it, we really need to to take responsibility for the rubbish that we generate. There are so many methods explained in this waste strategy for the future going forward for people to avoid the need for that sort of for that sort of mindset and the way to avoid the cost of waste services in the future is to adhere to the ideas and the concepts that this strategy delivers and I want to congratulate staff and all those that had a hand in putting this together. Many of these areas of delivery are things that I've been advocating in my time on council and I've had many in and I've had many in the community ask me to to advocate for these services to be delivered and I'm pleased to say that this waste strategy will deliver this for our community in the future. Thank you Kyron and thank you to your team and all that were involved. Amelia Lorentson 32:06.729
You Jo, that was well said. Mayor Stewart. Clare Stewart 32:10.429
Thank you Kyron, I remember reiterating everyone's thanks and appreciation to you Mark, Jo and all your team. Tom, I think it is something that we should be incredibly proud of. This is the 2023-2028 from waste It's not the 2012, it's not the 2016, it's not the 2020. So I think it's something that all of this council and at this table and indeed all of the councillors can really hang their hats on. With such a wonderful team, Kyron and led by you, you really have been a game changer. We're looking at real, meaningful, tangible results from this waste strategy. We're looking at the containers for change. We've got that. We've got the polystyrene thermal compacting machine. We have an MOU with Gympie to make some real meaningful collaboration and changes in this to share resources, share costs, share opportunities. We also have, with having joined the Council of Mayors, an to be part of the big picture and as we can see the State government is so important in this space and advocating and working together as a South East Queensland Council of Mayors for waste and to deliver outcomes to get finance, to get resources and to get the funds I think is incredibly powerful. It's really important, it's fundamental and central to our waste strategy going forward, that was evident. So I want to thank you and the team and Councillor Wegener, I agree wholeheartedly this is something that I'm incredibly proud of that in this term of council, but not without the skill, expertise and knowledge of all staff. So please thank you, thank you guys, it's been a huge team effort, we appreciate it. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 33:46.200
I'll just add a couple extra things. the report it actually states that 2007 Noosa was designated the UNESCO status for a biosphere, and with that comes obligations, and the obligations, you know, protecting, conserving our environment, or said another way, do no harm. When I go through the draft report, you know, numbers are really just startling. 63% of emissions come from our landfill. We've got 49 years left on our landfill site, and that doesn't, you know, consider potential population growth and dwelling growth. So the time to the time to act is right now and I think this is just an excellent road map. Community and even the local businesses and I do want to shout out to the small local businesses who are already in this And I think the plan is a commitment that we are going to support them in minimising, reducing, recycling waste and we've got a community with shared vision as council. So, again, you, Kyron, and the A team, or WOW team, Law and Waste team. This is a game-changer and it's a really wonderful way to this term at Council. Big tick from us to you and community to you. Thanks Kyron, thanks team. Clare Stewart 35:33.868
Now about Frank Wilkie 35:42.623
Absolutely we haven't closed this I'm going to put all these I would only be reusing recycling recovering and disposing of things that have been said before around this table so I I won't won't say say anything, anything well done. Amelia Lorentson 36:06.372
All in favour? Carried unanimously, that's right, two feet up as well. Well done mate. Next we go to report five points, do we have any? Noosa Shire Council solar Shire Council sole and specialist list. 5.2: Endorsement of Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2023.2023. Firstly, sorry, I'd like to introduce Shaun to the desk and Neil Ferris. Shaun Walsh 36:51.761
Welcome to Noosa Council. No, sorry, I'm into waste minimisation and I can't take paper. Thanks, Clare. Thanks. Clare Stewart 37:12.880
Make an exception in this case, Joe. All right. Amelia Lorentson 37:15.320
Thank you. Before we start, before we start, can I ask any conflicts of interest? No. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 37:24.195
Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Shaun Walsh 37:29.080
And Ian's also helping out to Get Ready Pack. Amelia Lorentson 37:32.660
It's a good Saturday. It's a good time. Thank you. 7 Clare Stewart 37:37.380
: 00Am. Amelia Lorentson 37:39.400
That's the same time. I'm going to hand it over to Sean. Sean, can you give us an overview or summary of the report in front I'm actually going to put our new disaster management officer on the spot and ask him to present the paper because we're very happy that he's commenced with us as an organisation and timely that he's commenced with us to fill that disaster period. It's alright, I've got no burning questions. Tom Wegener 38:14.347
Stop that. It's a hard act to follow. So it's a requirement of the Disaster Management Act 2003 that the local government involves some regular reviews of the local disaster management plan to assist with effective disaster management for its area. That's what we're presenting today. It's the local disaster management plan. The last major assessment of the Noosa local disaster management plan occurred in 2018. The plan is being rewritten to align with contemporary best practice and use the Queensland Emergency Risk Management Framework, also known as QAMF, methodology and in consultation with emergency service providers and stakeholders. The plan was reviewed and endorsed by the local disaster management group in February 2023 and rebranded with the Council branding. Amelia Lorentson 39:09.200
Thank you, okay. Thanks Mayor for this summary and I'm going to throw it to the councillors, any questions? Frank Wilkie 39:16.940
It's the best looking one I've ever seen. Beautiful design. Shaun Walsh 39:21.919
I'd like to acknowledge the work of Sue and Larry and also Indianians in compiling the whole consultation process before we go on to the stakeholders, both emergency services as well as the community groups. Joe Jurisevic 39:32.799
Might have been a bit of work from the previous disaster management officer. Shaun Walsh 39:37.399
Thank you. Frank Wilkie 39:39.079
I just have a question about how has the the risk management matrix changed since 2019? Neil Ferris 39:49.459
Predominantly for 2019 obviously with a fire focus because we've had a lot of floods since then and to be honest with that five-year cycle of recovery been that in it's been grab the chair before you sit down and have a situation and have a sense that we've gone flood, fire, pandemic, flood yeah so the matrix matrix in a sense has changed I mean the relations with the procedures but with the actual disaster I mean the likelihood of events yes with climate change Amelia Lorentson 40:23.301
Yeah I would have said um the the elements elements of of pandemic pandemic were probably there in the previous plan but now are far more highlighted now that we've actually had one absolutely yeah it was a token picture and now it's very much yeah and you forgot the land realisation between that as well sorry that's right 80 million dollars worth of land slips yes um I'm going to start with a basic question just just um just the for clarity what's the role of local government in a disaster and what's the role of the local disaster management group? Shaun Walsh 40:54.823
I'm not actually deferred to our chair of the local disaster management group, it's our CEO Larry Sengstock who's still in that role and that's an appropriate person to respond to that. Larry Sengstock 41:05.163
So we have local government management groups. So whenever there's a need for that group to get together and react, then that's the process that follows. I'm going to start to get some of the cheer back. Sorry, I'm the coordinator of that. And then there is the cheer back of our local group, and it kind of constitutes all of our service providers. In terms of when a disaster does happen, so if it's a flood, it's as we had in, what was it, 2022? February. 23rd February. I'm losing track of what happens when, too. Early 2022, with a flood, it was, so it's council, or the LTMG, that stands up and council takes the lead role. If it's a fire that we had in 2019, it's the QFES, so the fire and emergency services, it takes the lead role. If it's a fire... Pandemic, Queensland Health. That's just changed over now to Queensland Police. Yes, yes, yeah, yeah. So it sits under the banner. So it just depends on the type of disaster. But, you know, we, the focus has The focus has been certainly improved and increased enormously over the last few years up here, but across Australia because of the climate change and the amount of natural disasters that we've been encountering, so it just means that the councils, local governments in particular, are far more focused and we have found specific people in my People in my last council, we had somebody who was a part-time part of their job and now it's full-time and we have a number of people and that resource I think is only going to grow as we go down the track because the amount of work and the amount of planning we have, we can't just rely on volunteers, we need to have people who are fully trained and able to step up straight away. we've increased our resource in terms of our fire management as well within local government. So Shaun Harris on our group now, he's done an amazing job of just giving us that, you know, we've increased his resources, but he's also done a lot of work on just giving us that level of comfort that we are doing stuff where we can and as much as we can to try to minimise the impact should there be a fire. a fire in the near future. So certainly as an organisation council we are far more focused on how we manage disasters, how we mitigate, how we prepare for and mitigate as best we can. So it's, you know, we're never going to be perfect but certainly we're well down the track and we've got some very good people who are very dedicated to the task that we have to do so it's a, it's a comforting factor for our community I think. Joe Jurisevic 44:01.898
Can I tack something onto the end of that? The growing of technology in this sphere, trying to keep abreast of all of that really means that we need a resource that can stay at the forefront and be aware of the changes and some of those changes that we've been at the forefront of with that fire tech sort of technology that's been developing right out of our own bridge in Digital Home. Frank Wilkie 44:25.317
Just on that, can we ask about the sort of technologies that we are employing and will be using this season. Shaun Walsh 44:33.257
Well I think we need to be careful with the fire tech program which is on our Peregian Digital Hub. That's still in a experimental or commissioning phase is probably a good term. So the particular technology that they're specifically looking at is in terms of fire management. management which is in relation to using artificial intelligence related to cameras to run fire that actually detects smoke. So and then that's our series of alerts. That's the first time we understand it's being trialled in Australia but there's a lot of fine-tuning to say, you know, someone lighting a barbecue in the backyard, we don't want to be an emergency. So we haven't set up the overall alert system. The other areas that we're actually looking at is also organising flood monitoring stations and alert systems which are basically an update of manual flood monitoring stations around the Shire so we can actually give much more accurate local information to information to our residents that you might be aware that some issues we experienced in 2022 flood event was that the data coming from other more regional authorities or organisations wasn't necessarily specific enough for our local catchments and we need to get much better at actually monitoring those catchment conditions for our local residents and get much much longer. So the other thing that we're on the finalisation finalisation of procurement is a Shire wide VHF communication system. We've never actually had a Shire wide comm system before and you might note that during local disasters mobile phones are next to useless because towers systems are taking up more capacity with residents, communicating with each other, so you need a parallel communication system. UHF is valuable for localised communication in our construction sites, but it doesn't carry everyone in the Shire. So for the first time we've had a broad digitally based VHF system so that we're in a process of clearing at the moment. So we still have a long way to go in terms of using new technology. Frank Wilkie 46:44.051
Thank you Shaun. The fire detection cameras, what percentage of the Shire are covered by that? It's not the entire Shire. What percentage? The whole Shire is covered. It is? Neil Ferris 46:54.891
Yeah, so there are two mounts for the mounts for the cameras, one's at Tewantin and one at Blackmount between the two. Frank Wilkie 47:03.253
Okay, because I got the impression that the one at Kin Kin wasn't detected. Neil Ferris 47:09.273
So, certainly it is detected, it is in the distance, but it is obviously the most Como, Kin Kin are all part of Shaun Walsh 47:28.392
Would get yeah additional coverage yes you know and there's been explorations from can also Clare Stewart 47:39.520
So this is why we talked about the commissioning phase and about how we read the technology before we actually know it's a great ambition yeah great ambition yeah my understanding the Sunshine Coast Council on the news the other night was also talking about implementing implementing the systems and that will give it give us great coverage to the south I would imagine to facilitate thank you yes Thank you. um thank you guys ian and and um sean and all the team thank you sue um this is and of course james yeah you guys have done a terrific job on this and we're the lead agency when it comes to flood um and obviously QFIS and now Queensland Police will take the lead on if there are fires but coming into um fire season and i guess that's what's part of get ready is that you know we can mitigate and do the best I think, and correct me if I'm wrong, but from where we were four years ago, we're in a far stronger position with all the resources and the extra technology that's been put into fire management and mitigation. I think the 2019 fires were a game Thoughtful, this community realised that so much more had to go into fire management. Question is that, you know, we can only do so much, but we really need the community to come on board with this, don't we? And to really prepare their own properties as best they can. Shaun Walsh 49:00.893
And know their own risks. Yeah. It's a really good statement because, you know, we love this community, but we to support local government at times like we've got here. And the best communities are the ones who are pre-prepared and resilient and work with each other. Because unfortunately, during natural disasters, our resources are stretched. Neil Ferris 49:20.800
We can't And the more communities are self-prepared and ready to help each other, then the safer that are going to be able to see into disasters um so i can hint at this ian is our disaster resilience officer which is a very different kettle fish which about very community sports it is do you want to add to all of that here well only in the sense what you see before you is as was read out by neil uh incorporating the growth but as far as our engagement with community in that process last July we began the engagement holding a series of five workshops um and they were sort of just being aware of where they were so we had Kin Kin school of art school for Kin Kin federal um and preaching and beach community house for preaching and eastern beaches um for the beach um holiday road resort over on uh on the north shore so that was ty and north shore residents um lion's den was um caroy black mountain um and uh Pomona itself and then we did like Cootharaba sailing club for the Cooroibah Cootharaba and Boreen Point communities and all of those and all of those the data from or the information that came back from those meetings were incorporated into the report which you see in front of you. So the engagement has been I suppose since then almost ongoing and then probably more importantly in the engagement part of things we have a resilient plan or resilience plan that I've worked from in my contracted time focuses on three main areas and I think you've all been graciously attended. graciously attended many of those and that is obviously schools which we're in the throes of right now with Get Ready Month and then right through to summer until literally almost the last day of school so that's all state schools, private schools, nearly every school, every school and nursery will be receiving us in the next month and a So that's schools. Aged care, which has been a really exciting time for us. We've had workshops and forums, but we've also had individual visits to about 100 residents at a time, and we're doing that right Shire with that QFIS, ambulance and SES partners. And then the third component is through small business. We had a small business forum in March, and then we will hold that annually. between, we still pop in the town hall meetings and the various chambers and things like that, so that in a sense becomes the bulk of what's in front as far as engagement with our community, and we've pretty much got a cycle now in our structure that plans for that. Clare Stewart 51:48.932
And it is what you just said about the schools, it's so powerful because often the kids are the ones who go home and go "hey we've done this, don't forget about this" and so it's so great to engage them and exactly as you said, and I was going to mention, having the support of the emergency services there. been so valuable you know because you know seeing them there and the kids interact with them and able to ask them questions I think it's been really powerful to do all of that and I've been to some of the aged care workshops, they've been excellent too. I mean I think they've been, you've covered, I don't think there's been any area that's left out, you know, no stone's been left unturned, you haven't covered it all, it's been good. Shaun Walsh 52:25.259
I think also that, you know, we've probably got more work to do in terms of local residents, in particular new arrivals who have been here so long. Like in the road I live in, in the hinterland during the 2022 event, we have everyone's contact details. We don't give each other's pockets, but we have two infirm people who rely on prescription medication, no support network. So we went door knocking, not sure they were okay, got their scripts arranged, you know, driving on very wet public roads. And the more we can do, and so we didn't have to call upon emergency services or ambulance or SES in stress times. So I think the next stage of things we do is Joe Jurisevic 53:03.209
But that's creating neighbourhoods again. Back to neighbourhoods knowing neighbours. I mean, similar situation during the fires. I mean, last man out, I was knocking on everybody's doors when the Tewantin evacuation here, making sure everybody was aware and was evacuating. Flights were on in particular. Shaun Walsh 53:18.053
It's a joint effort. I think the notion that Council can do everything for people in emergency services, it's a false belief. We need to all work together. Amelia Lorentson 53:25.973
Absolutely. And I think the fires also are really still fresh in everyone's mind. So, commend in what you're doing in the space of engagement, because, you that close to the smoke and fires, that just doesn't disappear overnight. It's still fresh. I want to ask a question. Just before I came to the meeting, there's some plastic lids that are floating out on the eastern beaches. In terms of environmental spillage, is that what the LDMG, have you guys got a plan Plan or process, how to address, environment, and in light of the polystyrene spillage that we saw just a year ago. Shaun Walsh 54:12.578
So, embraced in the local disaster management plan as well as in the GMG is an environmental restoration coordinator, so we actually respond to these incidents. The thing we learned about the polystyrene disaster, you know, on the beaches was the lack of resources that were available for the endeavour and cleanup. So we're actually, one of the lessons learned from that disaster was actually, you know, marine clean up kits that can be deployed, you know, to the eastern beaches in one of the fortified areas, and that's a work in progress. We actually had a meeting about it with Coyle and Ben Derrick about it last week to discuss the next steps about actually properly deploying. We've got an outstanding action in our continuous improvement plan. Unfortunately priorities are being elsewhere and we're still going through our list and list, and we've already got a trailer at the depot for oil spill response, but we need to ramp that up for other debris events, so I would have liked to have said that we're better prepared for many, many debris at the moment. We've still got some more work to do, and that's just because of time and resources and going through the priorities. And heightened awareness, having had it happen, we're now aware of the sort of things that can occur. Okay. It's still, we've working through the lessons learned from the 2022 disaster, and we're actually planning on doing a report to the LBNG and Noosa Shire Council about our status on what our connections are, and where the outstanding things are going to be fixed. And that's one that we're in progress, but we haven't had as much progress as we would like. Thanks. Clare Stewart 55:42.167
I'm happy to move. And I'll happily second it. Thank you. Sure, you just want to reiterate our thanks. You know, I feel that we are very well prepared, you know, and that's so much to do with all the work that you've all done. So there's no one who knows, you know, disasters better than you and your expertise and skills were fundamental I think we've got, if a disaster does strike, we've got a really strong plan, we've got a really strong team, and I think the community should take comfort in that. But it doesn't mean that we can't, we need all our community As you said, it is a really good opportunity to prepare our community, to keep having those talks, those resilience talks. I think a resilient community is a prepared community, and we can't control Mother Nature, but we can certainly prepare the best. prepare the best we can and I think we're doing a really great job in that and I think and I think you know with the team outside and said to Dale from Queensland Police said we're so lucky we're the best in business. We really do so I think that you know when we sit in that disaster disaster. disaster room I know that we've got the skill expertise and knowledge and I think that's something that the community can take comfort in. So thank you very much for all your hard work. It's greatly valued and appreciated. Thank you Joe Jurisevic 57:02.854
What a change over my time in that room 10 years ago when I sat in for the first two years as an observer and then the last two terms of council as the Deputy Chair of the LDMG. I've seen a major, a large number of changes and changes for the better and this plan resembles a lot of the change that has occurred and a lot of the learnings that we've gained not only as a council but through the gone through a lot through the DDMD and through the challenges that we've had thrust at us. We've gone through fire, flood, pandemic, environmental spills, you know, we've had a lot. I'm exhausted just thinking about it with the hours of sleep that we've lost over the last five years in particular. But, you know, fortunately the State government has been a large part of the support. The support of this as well. We'd never had a recovery plan for this state until a few years ago. I remember going to that first meeting with the State about recovery plans and the word resilience was barely mentioned. We've never had a resilience officer. And what a transition, what a change that's made to the way that we understand and we deal with disasters in this state and in this council as a result. Yeah, resilience has a whole new meaning that we just don't replace like with like, that we actually look at what the impacts of replacing something that's been impacted and see if we can't construct something that has the ability to outlast the last disaster and the next disaster and hopefully we don't have to replace it time and time again, that we actually learn lessons from each of Each of these events and then we grow strategies and procedures that try and keep us at the forefront of it. But at the end of the day, you know, this is this is a great plan. But as you said, as you guys have said, I mean, we rely on the individuals to make sure that they implement their own plans at home and how important that is because we can't be everywhere. everywhere. The services are stretched at that time and everybody's going to understand they have a role to play. And even in your own household, you have a significant role to play of understanding of where it is in relation to you. When is it time to pack up? When is it time to get your family together and get out? Because that's a decision that ultimately we all have to make at some stage. Remember the fires. 10,000 people in Tewantin had to make that decision. They had to get out. They were told to evacuate. Every time we have a flood, there are a number of people that know what the rising waters the trigger points are. Newcomers to the place have to find that out. They have to become aware of those challenges that confront us. Being able to do rapid response when we've learned from the lessons of the polystyrene on the beach or an oil spill. I can remember years ago, Mayor Bob Abba having to react to an oil spill on the beach. He the State to turn around and give him approvals. He got the vehicles on the beach and started damming up and trying to prevent the oil spill from spreading. It's that capacity, that knowledge and that sort of local understanding of conditions that we need to have to know what we need to put in place when those sort of things strike. I said full credit to James. I said I want to acknowledge James Elliott for the work that he's done in putting this together and some of the technological advances. technological advances that he has helped us to embark on through his time as our disaster management officer, I think he did a tremendous job, and I'm sure, Neil, that you'll equally fill that role going forward, but the opportunities that technology present to us are ones that we must embrace where we can because they will help our community help our community and will help our operations to go forward and but even going, you know, even making sure that we've got good communications across across the region, black spots, those little things are so important to ensuring that when, not if, but when, because we know this this is going to happen, it's not a matter of if it's going to happen, it's when it's going to happen, that we're as prepared as we possibly can be and that each time something like this happens, we learn from those, learn the lessons of what we can still deliver better for the community going forward for the future. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 01:01:21.894
Frank, you haven't spoken. Cancel. Yeah, thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:01:24.614
Look, as one of the Peregian residents who was evacuated twice in six weeks in 2019 due to fire, and on one of those red glow in the distance within 20 minutes became an ember storm over the house, prompting quick evacuation, I'm really looking forward to this. I'm really interested in how this fire tech is going to be working and helping us detect Detect and mobilise really quickly before it gets to that point. But I have a question. One of the things we're being asked to approve here in this recommendation is devolving responsibility for updating and approving the operational sub-plans of a local disaster of a local disaster management 2023 to the Noosa local disaster management group. Could you tell us how often are the sub-plans updated? Shaun Walsh 01:02:12.220
And who does them? Sub-plans have already been updated. Because I don't recall any of them coming before council. This approach approach is is consistent consistent with with other local governments that have sub-plans for the major plan. And it basically allows the local groups to update the sub-plans themselves without having to actually come to full council with the LVMG. So it becomes a much more flexible and easy to manage... plan documents. For instance, we've been involved with SEQ orderings recently, updating mediation sub-plans associated with, you know, possibly, you know, there's catastrophic damage, which is normal things or something that could happen. So we don't have So we don't have to bring that through to the OWA Council, so it allows it to be much more nimble and flexible. Frank Wilkie 01:02:59.718
I appreciate it. Is it just ratifying something that's happening already? Shaun Walsh 01:03:04.198
I don't quite understand that question Frank Wilkie 01:03:06.658
So... So, we're being asked to approve the devolution of responsibility for updating these plans. I don't recall any of them coming before Council anyway, so it's just a process that's underway already. Shaun Walsh 01:03:20.268
I think that's correct, and I think we're just trying to make it clear... Yeah, thank you that there are sub-plans to support this... Frank Wilkie 01:03:27.168
No yeah master plan. In essence... Totally, totally support it, yeah. Yeah in essence it would get encapsulated in the the approval of the disaster management plan because all those sub plans are part of this going forward yes thank you Amelia Lorentson 01:03:46.859
I want to acknowledge the firefighters. Today's the firefighters remembrance day and I just think it falls on a really good day as we're endorsing our local disaster management plan so I want to acknowledge and pay tribute to those who've lost their lives in the line of duty. And shout out to all our other SES workers, lifeguards, our police and the volunteers, our volunteering rural fighters you know I sit back and go when disaster hits where would you want rather be and I think Noosa is a pretty great place to be and I'm going to finish on a quote which a quote which gets thrown a lot over the last four years in the space of local disaster: "Prepare for the worst and hope for the best." And I'm hoping for the best. Thanks. Joe Jurisevic 01:04:49.976
The Mayor closes. Amelia Lorentson 01:04:50.556
Oh, and Tom. Excuse me, Tom. I want to go. I'll go to Joe first. Joe Jurisevic 01:04:56.756
That's alright. If the community are looking for where they can get their information with regard to disaster management. management from Council, where do they go to? Neil Ferris 01:05:08.460
The one, thank you for asking. It's my Dorothy Dixer for you. two reasons you'll see before you so every engagement the right number of packs come with me. So you can see here at disaster.nasa.gov.au or you can just go straight to Council's website and almost immediately you'll see the disaster dashboard. So ultimately every LDA in Queensland has one. Our Guardian is the system that we use. But our disaster dashboard is that kind of truth for all residents. Joe Jurisevic 01:05:42.194
You don't only have to wait for a disaster to find use in that disaster dashboard. What sort of things will you find on the disaster dashboard? Neil Ferris 01:05:49.546
That's the beauty of the disaster dashboard. We can also move and change and certainly under the Noosa leadership we'll be able to incorporate some of this. But it can be meteorology updates, weather updates, road updates. closures. So smoke hazards, fire areas, whatever it is. But we also work with our partners to have some of their promotion in there as well. And on the disaster dashboard it takes you back to Council's website as well. So the idea there, we basically have things stay informed and there are two things that happen on the disaster dashboard. First of all, the information that every resident would need in relation to any question. The second part is a Noosa alert which sits right beside it. The second part Right. Now that Noosa alert is the ability for them to put in, there's no privacy issues in the sense that it's just an email address and a phone number or a mobile number for information from the disaster dashboard when LDMG is leaning forward, standing up. We are then able to send all residents that information through by text or by SMS. Joe Jurisevic 01:06:45.964
So probably a good thing to familiarise themselves with outside of a disaster so that when the time comes they know what sort of information they can send. Neil Ferris 01:06:53.535
And the last but not least, these packs that you have in front of you represent the packs that will be this Saturday at the Get Ready for Noosa. We're really proud of this. It's not something we get to speak about that often, but the great thing about it is that there are 17 Get Ready Weeks around Queensland, there are 17 events happening around the State, but there are only six that are basically being attended or promoted. promoted by Get Ready Queensland and we're one of those six. So Saturday you're all invited, you all received my early email and then Susan went out lunchtime. This Saturday from 7:00 until 12:00 directly behind behind and keeping with the weekly promoted markets is going to be 13 disaster management partners all going to be there having a chat with everybody about everything that they may have questions. Joe Jurisevic 01:07:41.721
So people aren't sure of what they need to put into their own household disaster emergency. disaster emergency thought processes this is this is the place to come yeah this is how you make a plan that's how you make a plan so excellent so the idea here is in the case i've brought the aged care kit with me for you so obviously um what they this this is through my engagement with them and then getting sort of best practice through all the disaster groups around the State. It's just a clear clipboard and then on it you'll probably see some two to three different things. thing that Councillor O 'Neill showed up which is the dangerous weather emergency plan and then, I don't know if you don't mind really holding it up, just that little flyer there, yeah that one, so that's magnetised. So they're magnetised and if you spin the meringue this will magnetise. So on the back that just goes on your fridge so that's every now and then it just all just happens and then a USB and a language and that allows the USB is empty so that's wills, passports, insurance certificates, the sort of things you probably don't think of at the last minute that you need to have need to have at hand in the event that the tragic happens so everyone who visits us on Saturday and everyone in Tween will receive one of these packs. Very good. Well done. Thank you. Sorry. I think Tom still had a question. Tom Wegener 01:09:08.149
I just wanted to say thank you so much for this. I just wanted to thank I think this is a really important feature, because it just gets me thinking straight away as you open it up. There's a little can opener in there, and that's one thing that, you know, this data, you need to have in your staff, and this is really a great tool. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 01:09:35.824
Fantastic. So good. Thank you. Okay, so everyone's spoken. Claire, would you mind your place? No, no, all good. Just thank you. All good. Send that in, please. They cancelled my holiday this week. Oh. Clare Stewart 01:09:50.304
Okay. Neil Ferris 01:09:52.204
I will be there. Our fire management officer will be there. You'll see many different council people there as well. So feel free to participate. Perfect. Amelia Lorentson 01:10:00.078
Thanks, Anne. And again, extend our thank you to all the staff. Excellent work. Great. Thanks. All those in favour? Thank you, Carrie unanimously. Thank you. Clare Stewart 01:10:10.258
Thanks, Sean. Thanks, Anne. Thank you. See you. Bye-bye. See you. Thanks, everyone. So now we're going next. Amelia Lorentson 01:10:19.793
Next to report number 5.3, Noosa Shire Council and Specialised Supplier list. And I welcome to the table... Before I move on, I'm going to declare a conflict of interest. If I could have that in front of me, Cathy. I, Councillor Lorentson, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as my husband, Chris Lorentson, is an employee of Page Furnishers who are proposed to be included on the specialised supply list. As a result of my conflict of interest, I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. Frank Wilkie 01:11:27.620
I'd like to move that Mayor Stewart be appointed Chairperson of the meeting. I'd like to ask for us all in favour? All in favour? Carried unanimously. Thank you, thank you. We have a great team here to give us a rundown. Would you like to give us a rundown? Absolutely. this report. The procurement of Council's goods and services must be carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009 and the default contracting procedures outlined in the Local Government Regulation 2012. The Local Government Reg also allows for exceptions to the default contracting procedures and that includes the approval of a supplier being deemed either as a sole or a specialised supplier. So a sole is that it's satisfied that there is only one supplier who is reasonably available as a specialised supplier because of the specialised or confidential nature of the services that are sought it would be impractical or disadvantageous for local government to invite quotes or tenders. Joe Jurisevic 01:12:54.404
So examples of something like that would be where we're using a particular type of software and intellectual property is that or legal services? In light of what we've just been talking about with the waste strategy, these guys are on our books. So when it comes to procurement of services and procurement of products in particular, how do we, is there an opportunity within the sole supplier list to incorporate the elements of circular economy and the type of type of elements that we procure with these suppliers when we've got them on our books? Tom Wegener 01:13:40.273
Think in terms of sole supplier lists, at the moment we're currently working on a sustainable procurement policy and we'll come to council to workshop that in December this year. year, the intent of that policy is to cover any type of procurement, any type of arrangement, not just... I realise that, but I was just wondering... So there would be an opportunity under that, once we implement that, for any of our arrangements, whether they're sole specialised or other arrangements that Council has, to be able to meet some of those objectives for sure. Joe Jurisevic 01:14:15.041
That's right, it's just given that these aren't actually a supplier that is going through that renewal phase on a regular basis, or do we do that? Every time we update this list, do we go through and refine that list and look at who is on that list? Because I do notice there are some dropping off and some coming on. Clare Stewart 01:14:32.409
That's correct. It is an annual process that we do do. And it does come in alignment with the types of projects that we ramp up, ramp down with. So yes, part of that process, we review that in accordance with the regs. Joe Jurisevic 01:14:47.522
So the elements of procurement can be revised on an annual basis when this list is upgraded. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:14:54.442
I just have a question. Thank you Mayor. The reason why someone might be removed from the list, like Adamas for example, why do they, you said alternative procurement and contract solution completed, that means you've found someone else to do the work? Clare Stewart 01:15:11.242
That case, there was a different supplier that had been, that had come on board in the market and that we could do a competitive process and through that competitive Frank Wilkie 01:15:29.166
Okay, and specialist supplier list, University of Queensland, services no longer required by council. Clare Stewart 01:15:39.006
So the services in particular that they speak to are both those that are written into the reason for inclusion. So those ones in particular were specific to specialised knowledge, experience and planning appeals with the understanding of the Noosa Plan. These specialised services are time sensitive due to court timeframes. So they were deemed that they were not required for that particular service. Frank Wilkie 01:16:10.923
So does that mean if you need the expertise of a university you wouldn't be using UQ any more? We could potentially go through another procurement process in order to engage them for other services. I'm happy to move it. Thank you guys, it's a very long list. I appreciate all your hard work because it is time consuming and there's a lot of due diligence required so I really appreciate it, so thank you. Joe Jurisevic 01:16:49.971
At the end of the day the concept of this is to... time and effort on services for the community and the needs of council at times so that we don't have to go through the full open process. Clare Stewart 01:17:07.595
All in favour? All in favour. Carried unanimously. Thank you guys. Thank you so much. Thanks, Barry. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 01:17:37.860
Welcome back to the table, Councillor Lorentson. Okay, we're up to report number 5.4. Council meeting scheduled January to March 2024 and Acting CEO Larry Sengstock. I if you can start by giving us a summary or overview of the report in front of us. Larry Sengstock 01:18:12.633
So this is just a schedule of council meetings that we're obliged to do on an annual basis. for the next year, 2024, but given that we have an election on the big call on the 16th of March, so we're really just in the period of January, February and March, is really what this shows. this shows is the series of meetings that we have, our two committee meetings, and then our general committee, and then our ordinary committee meetings. Joe Jurisevic 01:18:44.686
So we are on the 14th? Larry Sengstock 01:18:46.406
Yeah. Yeah, the last one on the 14th. Amelia Lorentson 01:18:47.846
So just for clarity, so we're in take-a-mode from January 1, and... Not that soon, not that soon. It's still, it's still... Six weeks. The last year's call, and we're expecting... and we're expecting it to be called on the 29th of January at this point in time, but we... 29th of January. We don't know until then. OK. Joe Jurisevic 01:19:05.427
Typically about six weeks before. Six weeks. Clare Stewart 01:19:07.867
Yeah, about six weeks. We're expecting it to be there, but... OK. Amelia Lorentson 01:19:12.167
And in terms of the meetings between January and until March, only, no major policy... So in January Larry Sengstock 01:19:25.111
Through March, we still hold these meetings, but we're only able to make basically business decisions and operational decisions... No financial decisions as expected of the council in the long term. Clare Stewart 01:19:39.260
I'm happy to move the report in front of us. Can I ask a question Clare? In regard to March, there's an ordinary council meeting literally on the Thursday night before the election. It's a standard practice that there have always that there have always been meetings, general and ordinary, that close to the election? Yeah, that's a good question. My understanding is yes you can, you can have it. Because Thursday night is our system. Every council is different in terms of which nights and days they're used. But Thursday, it's in our schedule. If we don't have anything we want to bring to the table as officers, then that meeting could be cancelled. But, you know, it's there as you know, it's there as a question. Amelia Lorentson 01:20:19.469
We have to have, we have to have. Larry Sengstock 01:20:20.809
But in terms of, no, no return items are necessary if we don't have anything specific. But, more likely we'll be bringing regular BAU stuff. We still have to do the answer reports. Standing orders required might be very short. Yeah. Clare Stewart 01:20:34.630
And what about within the caretaker period, will there be workshops on? Like, because I can't imagine there'll be workshops to lay the foundations for their reports and things like that. So, I imagine that will be less be less too, yeah, have to be wider. Larry Sengstock 01:20:48.870
The things that are specific to what we want to get through and what we, again, as long as they're not the foundation for any major change. Amelia Lorentson 01:21:03.310
I'll move the report in front of us. Great. Nothing more to say? All those in favour? Thank you. Supported unanimously. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Chair. We're up to item seven. There's no confidential sessions. I now declare the meeting closed and the time is 2:55pm. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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