Planning & Environment Committee Meeting - June 2023
Date: Tuesday, 6 June 2023 at 9:30AM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:43:03
Synopsis: Community Battery tender escalated; $500,000 federal grant with proposed sole‑source not‑for‑profit, Climate grants approved amid conflicts, River management with State anchoring limits and seagrass, Transparency reinforced.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Tom Wegener Karen Finzel Clare Stewart Brian Stockwell Non-Committee Members
Executive Officers
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Larry Sengstock Director - Strategy And Environment & Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings Director Infrastructure Services, Shaun Walsh AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Tom Wegener opened proceedings and confirmed prior minutes; no apologies noted (00:00) [Minutes 1–2]. Community Battery – Tender Consideration Plan : Committee referred the item to General Committee given its significance; proposal rests on a federal grant of $500,000 for a Noosaville battery with Council as lead, partnering Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. (ZEN) and Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) (01:12–06:06) [Item 5.1]. Procurement approach : Officer outlined intent to prepare a tender consideration plan to directly engage not‑for‑profit YEF due to niche expertise installing a front‑of‑meter community battery (North Fitzroy, VIC) and need for community engagement capacity (01:12–06:19) [Item 5.1]. Climate Change Response Grants (Round 3) : Total awards approved at $59,836; CEO authorised to enter Funding Deeds; focus on emissions reduction and resilience projects (07:24–13:39) [Item 5.2]. Grants detail : Six community initiatives recommended for full funding, including solar installations (community facilities, Indigenous corporation), strata solar guidance, and “electrify everything” education by ZEN (07:40–13:30) [Item 5.2, Attachment 1]. Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee (NRSAC) Summary : Council noted achievements with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) on anchoring limits, speed limits, vessel/trailer data, seagrass study, and water quality objectives; Mayor to send thanks to members (32:53–40:26) [Item 6.1]. Planning Applications by Delegation (April 2023) : Referred to General Committee due to multiple conflicts to ensure quorum (40:44–42:40) [Item 6.2]. Strategic context : Officers reiterated Noosa’s dual net-zero targets by 2026 for Council and community, framing batteries and grants as delivery mechanisms (04:55–05:55; 11:45–13:30) [Items 5.1, 5.2]. MSQ coordination : MSQ sees Noosa as a test case for waterway management plans, with marine zoning amendments anticipated later in the year; Council to seek further feedback (39:00–40:21) [Item 6.1]. Encroachment/river health linkage : Discussion highlighted unlawful structures/stored vessels and foreshadowed imminent encroachment policy to support rehabilitation priorities (36:15–39:00) [Item 6.1]. Contentious / Transparency Matters Direct source procurement : Proposal to sole‑source YEF via a tender consideration plan raises probity and value‑for‑money optics; referral to General Committee increases scrutiny (01:12–06:06) [Item 5.1]. Grants COIs ripple effect : Newly identified conflicts related to Tourism Noosa board links triggered adjournment and the entire environment grants report being laid on the table to General Committee (15:35–32:39) [Item 5.3]. Quorum management : Delegated planning report shifted to General Committee to maintain “healthy quorum” given numerous COIs, reducing perception of decision‑making by minimal quorum (40:44–42:40) [Item 6.2]. Public interest test recorded : Council documented reasons to permit participation despite declarable COIs, aiding transparency and defensibility (14:28–15:00) [Item 5.3]. Legal / Risk Conflict of interest compliance : Prescribed and declarable COIs were declared and managed under Chapter 5B, with role changes (Acting Chair), recusal, and public‑interest resolutions documented (06:47–07:24; 14:28–17:33) [Item 5.2–5.3]. Procurement law : A tender consideration plan is permitted under QLD local government procurement framework for complex/unique acquisitions; Council must evidence market analysis, capability, and value‑for‑money to withstand audit or challenge (01:12–06:19) [Item 5.1]. Delegations : Authority for the Acting CEO, Larry Sengstock , to enter contracts/Funding Deeds must align with adopted financial delegations and resolution wording to avoid ultra vires risk (07:21; 5.1–5.2) [Items 5.1–5.2]. River management jurisdiction : Anchoring limits and marine zoning sit with MSQ/State; Council’s role is advisory/advocacy and local policy (e.g., encroachment), mitigating overreach risk (36:15–40:21) [Item 6.1]. Record integrity : The lay‑on‑table motions and adjournment ensured decisions were deferred pending COI resolution, reducing exposure to judicial review for apprehended bias (15:35–32:39) [Item 5.3]. Conflicts of Interest Tom Wegener : Prescribed COI as President of Permaculture Noosa re Climate Change Response Grants; recused; Karen Finzel appointed Acting Chair; item passed unanimously (06:47–13:41) [Item 5.2]. Brian Stockwell : Declarable COIs with Noosa District Landcare and MRCCC; Council resolved participation in public interest for Landcare before report was laid on table due to further COIs (14:28–17:03; 32:39) [Item 5.3]. Clare Stewart and Karen Finzel : Declarable COIs linked to Tourism Noosa via board member Leigh McCready; triggered adjournment and deferral to General Committee (15:35–32:39) [Item 5.3]. Environmental Concerns (River Health & Management) NRSAC outcomes : Coordinated with MSQ on proposed anchoring limits aimed at protecting seagrass and improving navigational safety; community consultation noted (32:53–36:08) [Item 6.1]. Seagrass decline : Discussion identified anchored vessels scouring seagrass via swing; linked to declines in benthic invertebrates and biodiversity pressures despite strong report cards (36:15–39:00) [Item 6.1]. Operational planning : Officer proposed a simplified public‑facing river plan backed by a detailed operational plan audited against 2019 actions to drive implementation (32:53–35:46) [Item 6.1]. Enforcement & rehab : Priority actions include removing unlawful structures/stored vessels and rehabilitating the Frying Pan area, dependent on imminent encroachment policy (36:15–39:00) [Item 6.1]. Data‑driven regulation : Studies and trailer/vessel data will inform MSQ’s marine zoning amendments; Council to write seeking MSQ feedback and next steps (39:00–40:21) [Item 6.1]. Climate Action & Community Energy Community battery : Positioned as a pilot to absorb daytime solar and supply evening demand in Noosaville, supporting community net‑zero aims; ZEN partnership central to community engagement (03:35–05:55) [Item 5.1]. Grants leverage : Council funding catalyses solar upgrades on community assets, strata education, and electrification advocacy to drive behaviour change and emissions cuts (07:40–13:30) [Item 5.2]. Targets : Council’s 2026 net‑zero for organisation deemed “non‑negotiable”; community target ambitious but electricity‑sector gains viewed feasible through consumer choices (11:42–13:30) [Item 5.2].
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Tuesday, 6 June 2023 9:30 AM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Committee: Crs Tom Wegener (Chair), Karen Finzel, Clare Stewart, Brian Stockwell “Noosa Shire – different by nature” PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 6 JUNE 2023 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Tom Wegener (Chair) Councillor Karen Finzel Councillor Clare Stewart Councillor Brian Stockwell NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Amelia Lorentson EXECUTIVE Acting Chief Executive Officer, Larry Sengstock Director - Strategy and Environment & Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings Acting Director Infrastructure Services, Shaun Walsh APOLOGIES Nil 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart The Minutes of the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting held on 9 May 2023 be received and confirmed. Carried Unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS Nil 4. DEPUTATIONS Nil 5. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE 5.1. TENDER CONSIDERATION PLAN - COMMUNITY BATTERY Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 6 JUNE 2023 That Planning & Environment Committee Agenda Item 5.1 be referred to the General Committee due to the significance of the issue. Carried Unanimously. 5.2. CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE GRANTS - ROUND 3 - 2023/24 In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Tom Wegener provided the following declaration to the meeting of a prescribed conflict of interest in this matter: I, Cr Wegener, inform the meeting that I have a prescribed conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the application by Permaculture Noosa as I am the President of this Association. As a result of my conflict of interest, I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. Cr Tom Wegener left the meeting Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell That Cr Finzel be appointed as Acting Chairperson of the meeting for this item due to the conflict of interest declaration by Cr Tom Wegner. Carried Unanimously. Cr Finzel assumed the Chair. Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council note the report by the Carbon Reduction Project Officer to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 June 2023 regarding the Climate Change Response Grants, and: A. Award grant funding for the various initiatives totalling the following amounts: 1. Climate Change Project Grants $59,836 (outlined in Attachment 1); B. Authorise the CEO to enter Funding Deeds for the Climate Change Project grants. Carried Unanimously. Cr Tom rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair. 5.3. ENVIRONMENT GRANTS - ENVIRONMENT PROJECT GRANTS (ROUND 18), MULTI-YEAR ENVIRONMENT COLLABORATIVE (MEC) GRANTS (ROUND 2: 2023-2026) AND ENVIRONMENT ORGANISATION ALLIANCE GRANTS (2023- 2026) In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter: I, Cr Stockwell, also inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the application by the Noosa District Landcare due to my long standing connection with the organisation as one of the inaugural members of the unincorporated group dating back to the 1980s and a current ordinary member. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 6 JUNE 2023 do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship. I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that he does not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this matter and does not have a close personal relationship with Landcare and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest. Carried Unanimously. (Cr Stockwell did not vote on the above motion) In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter: I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as I have a long-standing relationship with MRCCC as a previous government employee and a longterm collaborator since 1994. I have in the past a small consultant contract below the limit for a Prescribed Conflict and prior to the declarable time frame. I was up until the last AGM Council's representative on the committee and in this role and played a role in facilitating and developing the group's revised catchment strategy. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship. I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. At 9.49am both Cr Stewart and Cr Finzel notified the Chair Tom Wegener that they identified further Conflicts of Interest in relation to recommended funding Tourism Noosa - MEC Grant applications 2023-26 and their relationship with Leigh McCready who is a Board Member. The Motion in regards to Cr Stockwells COI and Landcare became invalid in line with the Procedural Motion and the report being laid on the table. The meeting adjourned at 9.50am. The meeting resumed at 10.03 am. Procedural Motion Moved: Cr Tom Wegener Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell That the matter lay on the table until General Committee Meeting due the recently identified Conflicts of Interests. Carried Unanimously. 6. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE 6.1. NOOSA RIVER STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE SUMMARY REPORT Committee Recommendation PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 6 JUNE 2023 Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee Summary Report by the Principal Environment Officer – River Strategy and Engagement to the Planning and Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 June 2023, and: A. Note the achievements and outcomes of the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Maritime Safety Queensland, as well as next steps for Noosa River planning; and B. Request that a Thank You letter be sent to Committee members from the Mayor. Carried Unanimously. 6.2. PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY APRIL 2023 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Planning & Environment Committee Agenda Item 6.2 be referred to the General Committee due to the number of Conflicts of Interest in this matter to allow for a healthy quorum. Carried Unanimously. 7. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 10.16am.
Meeting Transcript
Tom Wegener 00:00.000
I declare the meeting open. I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people and we pay our respects to those elders past, present, and emerging. In the room today we have councillors Stockwell, Finzel, and the mayor in attendance, plus we have Amelia Lorentson attending in the back. And we've got a great group of very very intelligent and board of people here. Can I have a mover and a seconder for the confirmation for the planning environment committee meeting? May. Moved by Karen, seconded by Clare. All in favour? That's unanimous. We have no apologies, no confirmation of minutes. We did presentations, deputations. So we're into the reports for the consideration of the committee. And we start with the tender for the community battery. We have Annie Nolan and Kim Rawlings at the table. Annie Nolan 01:12.706
Good morning, everybody. Yes, this is about the community battery. So the federal government actually put out a grant for 58 community batteries right across Australia for eligible areas. And Noosaville was designated as one of those eligible areas. So Noosa Council was the lead applicant in applying for this grant in partnership with Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. and as well as Yarra Energy Foundation. had just recently been notified that we were successful in that grant to actually put in the community battery within the Noosaville because that was where it was designated under the grant requirements. So as a result we would, sorry, we received we will receive, once we actually sign the agreement, $500,000 for this community grant, sorry, community battery and as a result of that we would normally go out for a tender to actually put out to open market but this is a very specific and new technology, so the report that's going to council is to put together a tender consideration plan for this project which would enable us to go directly to Yarra Energy Foundation. We selected the the partnership with Yarra Energy Foundation because they are a not-for-profit organisation that are the only ones to our knowledge that have actually put in a front-of-the-meter community battery in North Fitzroy, Victoria. So they have got the experience about dealing with the technology, dealing with community engagement. we are recommending that we would actually put together a tender consideration plan which is suitable under the Local Government Act for the procurement to actually go direct source. And so this recommendation is for that we... recommendation is for that we prepare the tender consideration plan largely in accordance with what's in the draft report and then that we enable Barry as the Acting Chief Executive with the financial delegation to enter into a contract as part of that tender consideration plan. plan. Tom Wegener 03:35.800
Very good. Thank you. Just kind of a philosophical question, or a big question. So Zen, the Zero Emissions Noosa Inc., worked very closely with yourself and staff to make this happen. Annie Nolan 03:58.360
Yes, absolutely. Zen Inc. has been very instrumental in keeping abreast of what's actually happening right across Australia in terms of community batteries, the different types of models that have actually been promoted or trialled. And this is very much a pilot project for Noosaville. So that's again why we would be looking for the tender consideration plan. Tom Wegener 04:20.539
And the reason I As new councillors, we're learning, or both four of us are, learning about how things happen, how change happens. And there's different models within council. And the Zen model is that not-for-profit group, mostly led by volunteers, like Anne Kennedy and Vivian Griffin, who have this vision and they promote this vision, they try to bring about change through community batteries and solar panels. And they work very tightly with council for that and it's a symbiotic relationship. Annie Nolan 04:55.244
Very much so. So in our climate change response plan, as well as our environment strategy, we actually have two goals. The first is for Noosa Council to be net zero emissions by 2026, and the other one is for the whole of the community to be net zero emissions by 2026, which is very ambitious, but this was very much a community-led request and initiative that we need to be recognising the science of. need to be recognising the science of climate change and really moving towards net zero emissions by 2026 as the community overall and so what these batteries will do will actually soak up the the solar that's actually being generated during the day and actually capture that into a battery so it will in fact be able to be used at night and therefore it's increasing the Tom Wegener 05:55.025
Been asked this to be sent directly to the general committee meeting to do the significance of the matter. Brian Stockwell 06:05.145
I'm happy to move that. Tom Wegener 06:06.605
You're happy to move that? I'll second that. All in favour? Thank you very much and we'll see you back at the general. We'll go through the whole thing again unless you have something else to say? Annie Nolan 06:19.337
No, I think I'll stay here for the next item as well. Tom Wegener 06:22.917
You'll see it very quickly. For the next item, we're going to look at computers. Item, I have a conflict of interest. Clare Stewart 06:45.400
Okay, thank you. Tom Wegener 06:47.920
I, Councillor Wegener, inform the meeting that I have a prescribed conflict of interest in the matter in relation to the application by Kermit Walter Newsom, Executive President of this association. As a result of my conflict of interest, I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered to be voted on. Larry Sengstock 07:08.740
Okay, so as Councillor Wegener is the chair, we now need to call for a new chair of his own room. I'll nominate Clare Stewart 07:15.620
Councillor Finzel. I'll second that. All in favour? Okay. Larry Sengstock 07:21.680
Councillor Finzel, you're in charge. Thank you. Karen Finzel 07:24.820
So the item before us today is item 5.2, climate change response... We have Carbon Reduction Officer Annie Nolan at the table from the Environmental Services Department. Annie Nolan 07:40.296
Annie, can you please give us a brief overview of the Sure, as part of our climate change response plan in the budget we nominate $50,000 for community initiatives to assist to help us reduce our emissions across the Noosa Shire as well as improve resilience as Noosa Shire as well as improve resilience of the community to the impacts of climate change so as part of the environment grants we actually put out these grants and they were open to community groups to apply for funding to suggest projects to actually do in fact that reduce emissions or improve resilience across the board we received six applications and they're in attachment one to the report I don't know if you want me to go through no there were six the first one was for solar installation at the genealogical Heritage Centre sorry I'll just backtrack a bit beg your pardon and we had $50,000 in this year's budget but because we actually had carryover from last year of 17,000,000, um, uh, sorry, I forgot the exact number. We were able to actually make that up to 67,000 for the total. Karen Finzel 08:56.527
Thank you, so do you want to just go through the... Yeah, so I'll just go through the applicants really quickly. Uh, the first one was for, um, a solar installation at the Genealogical Heritage Centre and we're recommending, sorry, the amount requested was... thousand, three hundred and twenty-six and we're recommending full funding for that. Um, the next one was, the applicant was Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. and that was for solar for strata stage three. That was to create a how-to video, um, for their, um, their strata to be able to put on solar because we know that solar, um, buildings are very, very difficult to actually engage with and put solar on there. Um, so that was for $7,169 and we're recommending full funding for that. There was also, um... solar at the Kin Kin, um, community group and that's the installation on the Kin Kin community house and 10 kilowatts of solar on the community, sorry, School of Arts building. And that was for $13,665 and we're recommending fully funding for that. Um, the next applicant was... Indigenous Corporation. And again, they are recommending that they upgrade their 1.5 kilowatt solar system to a 16.72 kilowatt solar system with a 12.8 kilowatt battery storage. And that's for... $13,596 and we're recommending fully funding for that. The next one was for solar panels on Permaculture Noosa at the Cooroy Community Pavilion. And that would be the installation of 6.6 kilowatts of solar. be the installation of 6.6 kilowatts of solar and that was $2,625. We're recommending full funding as well. The last one on the list is from Zero Emissions Noosa Inc and that is for an education program for electrify everything. As we know we're moving electrifying right across the board to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and this was to develop a business case, a toolkit, education, advocacy and identify economic opportunities through identifying how Noosa could actually electrify. right across the board and again reduce our emissions. So that was for $19,455 and we're recommending that that is also fully funded. Thank you Annie. That's great to hear such great initiatives coming from our community. It's actually a highlight of my role here to actually see our engaged community apply and put forward such great initiatives and for us to be able to partner with the community to deliver great outcomes. Do we have any questions? Brian Stockwell 11:42.419
I'm happy to move to recommend that. Karen Finzel 11:44.119
I'll second it. All in favour? Brian Stockwell 11:45.839
I was going to talk to it then. Oh sorry, did you want to talk to that? I would. I think it's really interesting that this climate change grant, just because of the diversity of types of community groups that have applied, you know, from from genealogical to the Indigenous corporation, the not-for-profit that's looking at a wild food farm. You know, from places like the Permaculture Group that's building a community facility on council property, through to others which trying to educate those within the tourism industry or the body corporate industry about the financial benefits and the commercial reality that solar and strata presents. And of the last one there at Zero Noosa Inc. is about that whole transition that's occurring of trying to get everyone to understand that the more you switch to electric appliances and electric throughout the house, heating, lawn mower, the quicker we'll make that so, yeah, as we mentioned that the 2026 target zero emissions for council, that's non-negotiable, we'll get there. But for the community, it is a big ask, but it's probably one that is achievable in terms of electricity without too much additional technology required. It's about people changing their consumer behaviour. It's very easy, for example, if you're renting to buy green power and charge your cars. So I think it's a good array, and the fact is that there's significant value for money for the just under $60,000 investment. Karen Finzel 13:30.827
Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. So all in favour of the recommendation? That's unanimous. Amy 13:39.340
Thanks, Annie. Karen Finzel 13:41.160
Thank you. We'll bring Councillor Wegener back in next time. Brian Stockwell 13:46.900
Thank you very much. Clare Stewart 13:48.720
You're doing such a great job as Chair. You just sit there. I'm a member. Thank you. Tom Wegener 14:13.060
Next, we have the environmental grants, environmental project grants, round 18, multi-year environmental collaborative NBC grants, round 2, 23 to 26, and environmental organisation alliance grants, 23 to 26. Brian Stockwell 14:28.840
I have a couple of conflict to advise. So I wish to inform the meeting that I have a clear conflict in this matter in relation to the application by Nursery District Landcare due to my long-standing connection with the organisation as one of the members of the unincorporated group dating back to the 1980s and a current ordinary member. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship. I will choose to remain in the meeting room however I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. Clare Stewart 15:00.425
Move that Councillor Stockwell, that Councillor note the declarable conflict of interest by Councillor Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Councillor Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Councillor believes that he does not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this matter and does not have a close personal relationship with Landcare and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest. Linda, Amelia Lorentson 15:35.396
Sorry it's just come to my attention that tourism Noosa is on here both you yourself yes and we had declared a conflict of interest in regard to funding for tourism Noosa because Lee McCready who we always declare for is currently on the board so I just it just came to my attention then so I will declare Brian Stockwell 16:12.283
I wish to inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict just in this matter as I have a long-standing relationship with the MRCCC. As a previous government employee and a long-term collaborator since 1994, I have in the past all undertaken... Missing word there. A small consultant contract below the limit of a prescribed conflict and prior to the declarable timeframe. I was up until the last AGM council's representative on the committee and in this role played a role role played a role in facilitating and developing the group's revised catchment strategy. Although I have an declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship. I will choose to remain in the meeting room and I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. Clare Stewart 17:03.440
Just need to get some voting for the reason why because I'm just looking at this one so I'm just looking to use the voting for the last one. Tom Wegener 17:25.280
There's no right or wrong. This is, this is actually our job. That's good. Ready? Larry Sengstock 17:33.100
Yeah. I have a five minute break. I'll second that. Yeah. Karen Finzel 32:34.096
Okay. Tom Wegener 32:39.796
Welcome back, everybody. Based on recently identified conflict. interest, I will be bringing a procedural motion that this matter lay on the table at the general committee meeting. Amy 32:53.862
So that has been a very significant achievement. And I would achievement and I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all the committee members as well. I guess some of the feedback from the last meeting was that they felt that perhaps it had been a little bit too long and that perhaps the committee was too but nevertheless big achievement and and other than anchoring there were a whole range of other results that came out of it so we had from the Noosa Integrated Catchment Association a proposed river strategy and management frameworks they did a huge amount of work as well in terms of collecting information that would help maritime safety Queensland make decisions in terms of the number of vessels on the river also in relation to trailers around our boat ramps we also had advice on speed limits that occurred in the second half also and we also provided a report on the environmental values and water quality objectives for the river. There was a seagrass distribution study completed but yeah obviously the main body of work was working with MSQ to provide feedback on the maps that they were proposing in terms of bringing in limits. So that's a bit of a summary of the committee but in terms of the committee, but in terms of the river plan moving forward, we felt that by stripping it back and making it more of a simpler, cohesive document, can go out to the public, behind that is a very detailed operational plan and the way that I've developed that is by doing an audit of the 2019 actions and really stepping out what do we need to do next in order to move forward with the river plan so that's a bit of a summary any questions yes there has been a lot and I think engaging with those 13 different people as well was useful because it helped me gain a really good understanding of all the various opinions all the various opinions about the river. Opinions? It is a fairly divided group as we know, but it was fantastic that they were able to coalesce around a single issue and get an outcome. Clare Stewart 35:46.025
Thank you Amy for all your hard And as you said, I think it was really great to have MSQ there who are, this is their space, you know, so it was really important to have them at the table because they're the ones who can actually implement and ensure the actions are undertaken. So, but thank you for all your hard Because I know there is hundreds of hours of work into this. Thank you. Any questions about that? Brian Stockwell 36:08.698
I'm happy to move to the motion. Tom Wegener 36:13.238
I'll go and talk to it. Oh, you're going to speak to it? Okay, sorry. Brian Stockwell 36:15.898
Yeah, So I think the key to this is it is a dot point listing of the issues that were identified by the group and the key to ensure that any community consultation process is effective is to ensure the council takes action. the government in this case. Now we see the first one, Discussion of Papers and Recommendations of the Anchorage Board clearly has gone out through the State government to the community for feedback and as I said recently I'm happy to invite the minister up shortly to announce his support for the proposals that came out of this committee. If you'd like to make the right decision anchoring is still going to be a significant issue and if we looked at the seagrass distribution study one of the keys to the significant loss of seagrass beds that was identified is the fact we have so many anchored boats and anchored boats that twist with anchored boats and anchored boats that twist with the wind and the currents wipe out the seagrass and they're critical for the you know for the ongoing health of the river for kids being able to go down the river and catch a fish. We've already talked about the concepts around what we might build into a new Noosa River plan or an action plan associated with the river. The voluntary work done by Peter Hunnam and the NICA group in terms of identifying some of those urban land use pressures that are contributing to the decline in health and we can feel very happy that we get a report card that's highest in South East Queensland. we know underpinning that is it isn't a measure of biodiversity and that's where the pressure is being felt. So we had the study that identified critical declines in benthic invertebrates. We now have a study that shows critical declines in seagrass. So it's clear that we have to coming from the group to us was the clean up of unlawful structures and stored vessels and rehabilitation in the frying pan area. Now that's something hopefully we'll be able to act on in the very near future when we adopt the encroachment policy which is imminent. So I not only do we thank those who did volunteer their time to go on and chart a course for the river, the community has a great love for a river. I remember doing a survey years ago where the Noosa River came out as number two and the only thing that the local community valued more was koalas. it's a big issue for this community and it is one that will take joint effort of both council and state government and this particular advisory group has done some good work to getting voices from across the spectrum in our community to identify where they see as the priorities and it's now up to us to do our job. Tom Wegener 39:00.520
Did we have any comments or information from MSQ, how they saw it from their side? Amy 39:07.000
Yeah, no, it's a good question. We exchanged some correspondence as the anchoring limits were being considered. And I think they really valued it and they see Noosa as probably a bit of a case test for them, they've described a desire to to wanted to roll out management plans in other waterways across Queensland, but before bringing that sort of initiative into the legislation, they wanted to, I guess, trial it in Noosa. So I think it'll be a very interesting time towards the end of this year to see how and when that might be implemented, but it will be through amendments to the marine zone. but I think it's worthwhile following up again and seeking feedback on their thoughts on how it all went, so we could certainly send another letter seeking that input and further advice on where to next. Next. Tom Wegener 40:21.040
We put it to a vote. All in favour, unanimous. Larry Sengstock 40:30.047
Let's go home. Brian Stockwell 40:44.520
On the next item, I'm going to the matter be referred to the General Committee due to the number of conflicts of interest to be declared and to ensure that we have a healthy quorum of councillors Is voting this one just a referral motion, not necessarily procedural? on the matter. Tom Wegener 41:19.520
Just for the viewers, the next report that we're talking about is 6.2, Planning Applications Presented by Delegated Authority for April 2023. Larry Sengstock 41:38.800
So your request to the Chair, your request to the Councillor is to just to refer? To refer, and it's due to the number of conflicts of interest related to the matter to ensure it Just a healthy quorum. Yeah, because by the act one person can constitute a quorum in this. Tom Wegener 42:40.120
Any speak to the motion? Okay. All in favour? See none of us. And that. There are no confidential sessions. And so, the meeting closes at 10:16 a Related Noosa Council Meetings
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