Services & Organisation Committee Meeting

Key Decisions & Discussions
• Joe Jurisevic: Appointed Acting Chair as the Chair attended remotely; carried unanimously, with confirmation that the remote councillor did not vote on the chair motion (00:43–01:15; Item 1).
• Joe Jurisevic: Moved approval for Amelia Lorentson to attend via Microsoft Teams per Local Government Regulation s 254K; carried unanimously (01:18–01:41; Item 1).
• Committee: Confirmed minutes of 7 Nov 2023 meeting; unanimous (01:46–01:58; Item 2).
• Committee: Awarded CN00459 Boreen Point Campground Management Services to 1EIGHT Pty Ltd for 5 years from 1 May 2024, with a 1×2-year extension at CEO’s discretion subject to performance; unanimous (18:56–19:07; Item 5.1).
• Robyn Mercer: Only one tender received (incumbent 1EIGHT) after a 5-week open tender; trend toward regional consolidation of park managers cited (02:27–04:03; 08:55–10:08; Item 5.1).
• Robyn Mercer: New contract model introduces fixed fee plus revenue share (prior was revenue-share only) to cover baseline services regardless of occupancy (04:27–05:18; Item 5.1).
• Robyn Mercer: Scope expands outsourced operational tasks (facility management, R&M) reflecting growth of Holiday Parks program since 2019 (04:27–05:57; Item 5.1).
• Joe Jurisevic: Queried oversight; Mercer outlined cloud-based activity schedule (400–800 tasks per park), monthly maintenance reports, and quarterly site inspections by Council (05:57–06:59; Item 5.1).
• Robyn Mercer: 1EIGHT’s performance described as “exceptionally well,” with improved visitation, product quality, and collaborative operations (07:12–08:26; Item 5.1).
• Amelia Lorentson: Probed value-for-money given single bid; Mercer justified ~7% increase (about $48k–$50k) amid 5%–24% input inflation; $90k relates to new fixed-fee portion (10:48–12:22; Item 5.1).
• Robyn Mercer: Revenues and profits have risen under 1EIGHT; next phase aims to maintain revenue while reducing costs via targeted micro business cases (e.g., asphalt vs road base) (12:22–13:11; 15:23–16:19; Item 5.1).
• Amelia Lorentson: Raised accessible tourism opportunities; Year of Accessible Tourism grants not available to local government, limiting external funding paths (13:11–14:24; Item 5.1).
• Robyn Mercer: Accessibility status: flat topography generally, concrete paths (except at Boreen Point), and disabled amenities at all campgrounds (14:24–14:37; Item 5.1).
• Councillors: Linked campground upgrades to Destination Management Plan and nature-based experience markets; emphasis on first-class facilities (16:19–18:05; Item 5.1).
• Robyn Mercer: Noted timing to award prior to local government caretaker period (02:27–03:45; Item 5.1).
Contentious / Transparency Matters
• Committee: Proceeded to award despite receiving only one conforming tender; transparency addressed via explanation of market consolidation and open 5-week tender period (08:55–10:08; Item 5.1).
• Amelia Lorentson: Challenged value-for-money basis amid single bid; Mercer provided inflation benchmarking and cost-base evidence, including detailed commercial inputs from 1EIGHT (10:48–12:22; Item 5.1).
• Joe Jurisevic: Sought clarity on contract changes and operational controls; Council oversight framework and KPI verification processes were detailed on record (04:03–06:59; Item 5.1).
• Chair & CEO: Strict adherence to standing orders for in-room chair and separate vote to allow remote attendance under s 254K (00:09–01:41; Item 1).
• Committee: No deputations or public submissions noted; all items carried unanimously, limiting visible dissent (Items 4, 5.1).
Legal / Risk
• Process compliance: Remote attendance approval cited explicitly under Local Government Regulation s 254K; chair physically present per standing orders (00:09–01:41; Item 1).
• Procurement probity: Open tender with single response; evaluation emphasized value-for-money, budget compliance, and criteria scoring; risk mitigated by documented industry consolidation rationale (02:27–04:03; 08:55–10:08; Item 5.1).
• Contract structure risk: Shift to fixed-fee plus revenue share reallocates baseline service risk, stabilizing service delivery during low occupancy; monitor for margin creep against KPIs (04:27–05:18; Item 5.1).
• Performance oversight: Cloud task registry, monthly reports, and quarterly inspections create auditable trail; maintains accountability for outsourced R&M (05:57–06:59; Item 5.1).
• Caretaker sensitivity: Award timed ahead of caretaker period, reducing risk of prohibited decisions during election-related constraints (02:27–03:45; Item 5.1).
• Financial exposure: Cost inflation (5%–24%) and utilities/wastewater variable costs tracked; strategy to offset via operational efficiencies and micro capex choices (12:22–13:11; 15:23–16:19; Item 5.1).
Environmental Concerns
• Robyn Mercer: Boreen Point’s regional setting necessitates wastewater disposal logistics and greater cartage, affecting operating costs and future profitability focus (15:23–16:19; Item 5.1).
• Councillors: Nature-based tourism positioning tied to trails and campground standards, aiming at low-impact, experience-led visitation (16:19–18:05; Item 5.1).
Short Term Accommodation / Holiday Parks Operations
• Market structure: Regional dominance by single operators noted across Fraser Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Moreton Bay; aligns with Noosa’s consolidation under 1EIGHT for multiple parks (08:55–10:08; Item 5.1).
• Accessibility: Existing accessible amenities in parks; external Year of Accessible Tourism grants not available to Council, constraining immediate upgrades (13:11–14:37; Item 5.1).
• Revenue strategy: Past period focused on revenue growth; next phase targets cost-base efficiency while sustaining income streams (12:22–13:11; Item 5.1).
• KPI regime: 400–800-task schedules per park embedded in cloud platform to systematize maintenance and compliance (06:08–06:38; Item 5.1).