Planning & Environment Committee Meeting, 6 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; 00,000 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 Acting 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 00:00.824
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 um Councillors Stockwell, Finzel, and the Mayor in attendance, plus we have Amelia Lorentson thank you. Attending in the back. And we've got a great group of very very intelligent and important people here. I can I have a mover and a seconder for the confirmation for the Planning & Environment Committee meeting of 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 good morning. And Kim Rawlings at the table. Kim Rawlings 01:11.662
Rawlings 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 eligible for 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. We have 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, or 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 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 battery in North Fitzroy, Victoria. So they have got the experience about dealing with the technology, dealing with community engagement, so 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 request or 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 Larry as the Acting Chief Executive with the financial delegation to enter into a contract as part of that tender consideration plan. Tom Wegener 03:37.017
Thank you. Very much. Any questions um just kind of a philosophical question or a big question so ZEN the zero emissions Noosa group work very closely with yourself and staff to make this happen Kim Rawlings 03:58.612
Yes ZEN absolutely. ZEN Inc. Has been very 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 trialed 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 04:21.344
And the reason I ask is as new Councillors we're learning, the 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-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. Community and solar they work very tightly with Council for that and it's a symbiotic relationship Kim Rawlings 04:55.599
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 recognising climate change. And really moving towards net zero emissions by 2026 as the community overall and so what these batteries will do actually soak up 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 percentage of renewable energy that's actually in the grid overall so it will actually help to reduce our emissions overall. Tom Wegener 05:53.864
Joe, you speak, Dr. Joe is, asked this to be sent directly to the General Committee Meeting to do the significance of the matter. I'm happy to move that way. You're happy to move that? I'll second that. If there's anything else I could add, all in favour? Okay. Okay. Okay. A I have a conflict of interest. Okay, thank you. I, Councillor Wegener, inform the meeting that I have a prescribed conflict of interest in the matter in relation to the application by Permaculture Noosa, the other 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 07:08.820
Okay, there it is. So as Councillor Wegener is the Chair, we now need to call for a new Chair of his own in the room. Clare Stewart 07:15.383
I'll nominate Councillor Finzel. Thank I'll second that. You're welcome. All in favour? Larry Sengstock 07:21.605
Okay, Councillor Finzel, you're in charge. Karen Finzel 07:26.082
So the item before us today is item 5 climate.2 climate change response grants round three 23 24 we have we have Carbon Reduction Officer Annie Nolan at the table, the Environmental Services Department. Annie, can you please give us a brief overview of the matter? Annie Nolan 07:44.134
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 of the community to the impacts of climate change. Part so as 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 all of them? No? There were six. The first one was for a solar installation at the Genealogical Heritage Centre. Sorry, I'll just backtrack a bit. Beg your pardon. We had $50,000 in this year's budget, but because we actually had carryover from last year of 17,000. Sorry. I forgot the exact number. We were able to actually make that up to 67,000 for the total. Karen Finzel 08:54.092
Okay. Thank you. So do you want to just go through the applicants? Annie Nolan 09:00.717
Yeah. So I'll just go through the applicants really quickly. The first one was for a solar installation at the Genealogical Heritage Centre, and we're recommending. Sorry, the amount requested was. $3,326, and we're recommending full funding for that. 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 for their strata champions be able to put on solar, because we know that solar buildings. Are very, very difficult to actually engage with and put solar on there. So that was for $7,169, and we're recommending full funding for that. There was also solar at the Kin Kin 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 $13,000.665 and we're recommending fully funding for that. The next applicant was SevGen 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. That would be the installation of 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 to basically 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 produce reduce our mission. Our emissions. So that was for $19,455 and we're recommending that is also fully funded. Karen Finzel 11:21.177
Thank you Annie. That's great to hear such great initiatives coming from our community. It's actually a highlight. It's a 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 11:43.459
I'm happy to recommend that. Clare Stewart 11:44.144
I'll second it. Unidentified Speaker 11:44.862
All in favour? I was going to talk to Karen Finzel 11:46.925
It though. Oh sorry, would you like to talk to that? I would. Brian Stockwell 11:50.991
Thank you. I think it's really interesting that this lot of climate change grants just because of the diversity of types of community groups that applied. You know, from geological 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 are trying to educate those within the tourism industry or the body corporate industry about the financial benefits and the commercial reality that solar room strata presents. So and then sort of the last one there and Zero Emissions Noosa Inc is about that whole transition that's occurring of trying to get everyone to understand that the more you switch to electricity to electric appliances and electric throughout the house heating your lawnmower the quicker would make that target and so yeah as we mentioned that the 2026 target zero emissions for Council that's a 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 or investment required it's about people changing their consumer behaviour it's very easy for example to if you if you're renting to buy green power and charge your cars motor mowers heaters so I think it's a good array and the fact is that there's significant value for money for the near just under $60,000 investment Karen Finzel 13:31.385
Thank you Councillor Stockwell, so all in favour of a recommendation? That's unanimous. Thanks Annie, thank you. Can we bring Councillor Wegener back in? Unidentified Speaker 13:46.644
He's doing such a great job as Chair. Thank you. Tom Wegener 14:08.889
Thank you very okay, thank you very much. Next we have the environmental grants, environmental project grants round 18, multi-year environmental collaborative, NVC grants, round 2, 23 through 26, and environmental organisation applied grants 2020. Grants 23 through 26. Brian Stockwell 14:29.404
I have a couple of conflicts to advise. So I wish to inform the meeting that I have a clear conflict in this matter in relation to the application by 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 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 15:04.329
I move that Councillor Stockwell, I note that Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Councillor Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest of that Councillor Stockwell participates and in 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. Second for all Tom Wegener 15:28.802
In favour? Unidentified Speaker 15:35.448
Sorry, it's just come to my attention that Tourism Noosa is on here. Amelia Lorentson 15:39.549
Both of you said yourself, yes. And we had declared a conflict of interest in regard to funding for Tourism Noosa because Leigh McCready, who we always declare for, is currently on the board. So I just, it came to my attention then. So I will declare. Brian Stockwell 15:59.960
Do you want to just, while she gets out, I'll read my one and that'll give you time. Oh, you've got another one? Oh, sorry, can I just stop by? Oh, I've now got another two, thanks to you. Oh, right, okay, all right. Bye. I wish to informed me 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 undertaken. 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. Until the last AGM, council's representative on the committee and in this role played a role in and developing the group's revised catchment strategy. Although I have a clear 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. Unidentified Speaker 17:08.438
Need Unidentified Speaker 17:10.181
To get some wording for the reason why because if I just put it in this one so I just need to use the wording in the last one. Tom Wegener 17:25.616
There's rationale in that. No rest of it. This is actually our job. Yeah. That's a good idea. Do I move to add the 500 rate? Yeah. Unidentified Speaker 17:39.594
I'll second it. Tom Wegener 17:41.173
I'll evade her. Tom Wegener 32:31.784
So you're trapped, you're here. I'm here. You're already here? I would like to welcome back everybody, based on recently identified conflicts of interest, I will be bringing a procedural motion that this matter lay on the table at the General Committee Meeting. Amy 32:54.456
So that has been a very significant achievement. And I would I 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 large but nevertheless big achievement and other than anchoring there were a whole range of other results that came out of it. So we had new. Have 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 our 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 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 river plan moving forward, we felt that by stripping it back and making it more of a simpler, cohesive document, making it more of a simpler, cohesive document, that 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? Tom Wegener 35:09.491
Well I understand there's a large body of work that did that we don't really see how much work we did, a lot there, wasn't there? Amy 35:17.904
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. About the river. 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. Unidentified Speaker 35:46.290
Thank you Amy for all your hard work said and as I 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 work because I know there is hundreds of hours of work into this. Thank you. Happy to move to the motion. Tom Wegener 36:08.774
I'm happy I'll go and talk to him. Oh, you're going to speak to him? Okay, sorry. Brian Stockwell 36:15.949
Yeah, go on. 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 Paper and recommendation on the anchorage war room 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. We'd even throw lunch in a boat 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 the wind and the currents wipe out the seagrass and they're critical 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 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 but we know underpinning that is it isn't a measure biodiversity and that's where the pressure is being felt so we had the study that identified critical declines in benthic invertebrates we can now have a study that shows critical declines in seagrass so it's clear that we have to look at a whole catchment approach to reducing the pressures on the river and I suppose the other one of the first bits of advocacy coming from the group to us was the cleanup of removal 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 think that not only do we thank those who did volunteer their time to go on and a course for the river and you know 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 so it's a big issue for this community. 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 a priority and it's now up to us to do our job. Tom Wegener 39:01.291
Did we have any comments or information from MSQ, how they saw it from their side? Amy 39:07.450
Yeah, no, it's a good question. We exchanged some correspondence. And I think they really valued it and they see Noosa as probably a bit of a case test for them. They've described 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 Brian Stockwell 40:45.744
On the next item. Tom Wegener 40:47.373
Yeah the next item. Brian Stockwell 40:48.077
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 voting on the matter. So is this one just a referral motion, not necessarily procedural? Tom Wegener 41:20.222
Just for the viewers, the next report that we're talking about is 6.2, planning application presented by delegated authority for April 2023.23rd. Brian Stockwell 41:43.262
It's due to the number of conflicts of interest related to the matter to is achieved. Ensure a healthy quorum just a healthy quorum. Yeah because by the act one person can constitute a quorum in this. Thank you. Being a quorum is more than one. Yeah, I'll second that, yes. Any who speak to the motion? Okay. All in favour? See none of us. Tom Wegener 42:48.097
And that. There are no confidential sessions. And so the meeting closes at 10:16am. Thank you very much for joining us. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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