Planning & Environment Committee Meeting - December 2023
Date: Tuesday, 5 December 2023 at 9:30AM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 01:06:32
Synopsis: Pomona Place engagement endorsed; budgets and quick wins planned, SEQ Plan recognises village character amid growth, Environment Strategy progress with resourcing gaps, roadmap to zero underway.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Tom Wegener Karen Finzel Clare Stewart Brian Stockwell Executive Officers
Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Strategy & Environment Kim Rawlings AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Tom Wegener: Secured approval for remote attendance under s254K of the Local Government Regulation; all procedural items carried unanimously (00:34; Attendance resolution). Michelle Tucker: Pomona Place Pilot engagement ran 16 Aug–9 Oct with 500+ participants and 250 surveys; Council endorsed the Engagement Summary, will publish it, and noted 2024 next steps (01:42; Item 5.1). Kim Rawlings: Confirmed Pomona’s village character is recognised in the SEQ Regional Plan, strengthening local ability to guide growth within planning-scheme capacity (07:00; Item 5.1). Karen Finzel: Sought clear timelines, prioritisation, budgets, and annual reporting for Pomona actions; officers to co-design priorities with community post-election (Apr–May) and embed into capital/operational plans (10:25–12:48; Item 5.1). Larry Sengstock: Stated the Pomona plan will inform the 24/25 budget; delivery staged over 5–10 years with early “quick wins” where funding allows (14:34–15:40; Item 5.1). Kim Rawlings: Noted quick-win funding exists this year and that implementation must blend Council, community, business, grants and State agency inputs (15:40–16:18; Item 5.1). Patrick Murphy: Reported 32 planning matters decided under delegation in Oct; Councillors noted a 16m rural windmill approved retrospectively (accepted if ≤15m) as negligible impact (28:48–30:41; Item 6.1). Camille: Environment Strategy Year 4: 12 strategy targets tracked; 42 actions (2 complete, 22 on target, 17 progressing, 1 future), waste diversion up 7% YoY, 43% of shire managed for environmental values, 790 kW solar on Council assets, oyster reef gains, 69 ha Federal acquisition, fine-scale vegetation mapping due Dec (31:54–35:57; Item 6.2). Council: Added authority for CEO to make minor amendments prior to publication of the Environment Strategy Monitoring Report (36:07–36:24; Item 6.2). Ben Derrick: Highlighted reactive environmental pressures (flying foxes, algal blooms, bushfire) force staff to pause other programs; additional resourcing would reduce backlog and risk (40:22–42:26; Item 6.2). Brian Stockwell: Called for an actionable “roadmap to zero,” noting ~21% emissions reduction in seven years leaves ~80% to achieve by 2026; officers confirmed an options roadmap is being prepared for Council (45:37–46:47; Item 6.2). Tom Wegener: Emphasised agriculture’s role in sequestration and resilience; officers flagged work underway on rural futures/agribusiness strategy and partnership models akin to ZEN and NBRF (48:35–52:32; Item 6.2). Contentious / Transparency Matters Tom Wegener: Raised tension between local preferences and State-driven growth under the SEQ Regional Plan; officers confirmed Council uses community evidence to influence State settings (03:23–09:03; Item 5.1). Karen Finzel: Pressed for accountability on past undelivered Pomona projects, demanding visible short-term fixes, budgets, and timelines to rebuild trust (12:48–16:18; Item 5.1). Karen Finzel: Urged immediate attention to safety/maintenance (front stairs) at the Factory St heritage museum as a tangible early win; CEO said prioritisation depends on budget (24:33–26:29; Item 5.1). Brian Stockwell: Corrected overstatement on storm surge risk by referencing Council’s Coastal Hazard Adaptation Plan modelling; Chair acknowledged and corrected the record (01:04:39–01:05:47; Item 6.2). Michelle Tucker: Community sought tourism consistent with Pomona’s values and limits; mixed views on “putting Pomona on the map,” favouring respectful, small-scale visitation (17:41–19:39; Item 5.1). Tom Wegener: Proposed activating empty shops and urging locals to spend locally to sustain town character; to be explored with Chamber (22:04–23:09; Item 5.1). Legal / Risk Council: Remote attendance approved under Local Government Regulation s254K, ensuring procedural compliance (00:34; Attendance resolution). Patrick Murphy: Retrospective approval of a 16m windmill slightly over the 15m accepted threshold highlights consistent application of planning provisions and negligible amenity impact findings (29:32–30:41; Item 6.1). Camille: State legislative changes shifted flying fox management onto Council without commensurate funding, creating cost-shift risk and operational strain; dedicated officer funding sought (38:04–39:08; Item 6.2). Kim Rawlings: SEQ Regional Plan recognition of Pomona’s character provides statutory leverage when reconciling growth targets with local capacity and planning scheme (07:00; Item 5.1). Brian Stockwell: Warned climate target slippage is the largest long-term risk; urges financially sensible pathway to 2026 target, tied to waste strategy and potential large solar (45:37–46:47; Item 6.2). Environmental Concerns Camille: Positive environmental metrics: oyster reef biodiversity gains, expanded conservation estate, waste diversion up 7% YoY, and increased on-site solar (31:54–35:57; Item 6.2). Kim Rawlings: Proactive flying fox management at Waratah via a Statement of Management Intent; education to improve community tolerance remains key (42:26–43:22; Item 6.2). Brian Stockwell: Advocated regional-scale monitoring akin to Paddock-to-Reef to quantify agricultural practice change and water quality/ecosystem outcomes in SEQ (52:32–56:56; Item 6.2). Council: Data gaps persist in five strategy areas due to monitoring constraints; ongoing methodology and resourcing work flagged (31:54–35:57; Item 6.2). Planning Scheme and SEQ Regional Plan Interface Kim Rawlings: Place plans shape design/character outcomes within the planning scheme, while SEQ policies set growth context; Pomona’s status strengthens local guidance (07:00; Item 5.1). Tom Wegener: Stressed aligning community expectations with Council’s actual statutory influence over public assets, private development, and State-mandated growth (05:12–06:17; Item 5.1). Heritage and Local Business Activation Karen Finzel: Linked Pomona’s “vibrant, creative hub” identity to concrete heritage upkeep; called for a review of heritage levy policy at a future meeting (10:25–11:36; 26:10–27:01; Item 5.1). Michelle Tucker: Suggested interim activation of vacant shopfronts via short-term use agreements with owners to catalyse footfall and start-ups (22:04–23:09; Item 5.1). Agriculture and Food Resilience Officers: Rural futures/agribusiness strategy work commenced; exploring governance/partnership models (e.g., ZEN-style) to mobilise boutique agriculture and local food systems (48:35–52:32; Item 6.2). Brian Stockwell: Proposed citizen-science soil carbon testing to align producer interests with emissions reductions and measurable sequestration outcomes (56:56–57:19; Item 6.2).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Tuesday, 5 December 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 5 DECEMBER 2023 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Tom Wegener (Chair) Cr Karen Finzel (attending via Microsoft Teams) Cr Clare Stewart Cr Brian Stockwell EXECUTIVE Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Strategy & Environment Kim Rawlings APOLOGIES Nil. Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell That in accordance with Section 254K of the Local Government Regulation, Cr Finzel is approved to attend the Meeting dated 5 December 2023 via Microsoft Teams. Carried unanimously. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell The Minutes of the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting held on 7 November 2023 be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 4. DEPUTATIONS Nil. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 2023 5. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE 5.1. POMONA PLACE PILOT - COMMUNITY CONSULTATION REPORT AND NEXT STEPS Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Council note the report by the Principal Strategic Planner to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 5 December 2023 regarding the Pomona Place Pilot community engagement outcomes and next steps and: A. Endorse the Pomona Place Plan Engagement Summary Report 2023 as attached to this report; B. Make this engagement summary report available to the public via Your Say webpage; C. Note the proposed next steps and timing for the preparation of the Pomona Place Plan in 2024. Carried unanimously. 6. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE 6.1. PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY OCTOBER 2023 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Tom Wegener Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council note the report by the Acting Manager, Development Assessment to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 5 December 2023 regarding planning applications that have been decided by delegated authority. Carried unanimously. 6.2. ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY MONITORING REPORT - YEAR 4 (1 JULY 2022 - 30 JUNE 2023) Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer - Policy and Planning (Land) to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 5 December 2023 regarding the Environment Strategy Monitoring Report - Year 4 (1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023) and: PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 5 DECEMBER 2023 A. Note that the Environment Strategy Monitoring Report - Year 4 (1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023) provides an update of Council's progress towards the 12 targets and strategies nominated in the Environment Strategy for each theme between the baseline data and data collected between 2019/20FY to 2022/23FY (where available). B. Note that the Environment Strategy Monitoring Report - Year 4 (1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023) provides an update of Council's progress of the 42 actions outlined in the Implementation Plan for the 2022/23FY. These actions are made up of four (4) enabling actions that deliver outcomes across all four themes of the Environment Strategy, and 38 actions that are specific to each of the four themes: 1) Biodiversity; 2) Waterways, wetlands & coasts; 3) Sustainable living; and 4) Climate change resilience and adaptation. C. Note that the Environment Strategy Monitoring Report - Year 4 (1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023) provides recommendations which will be considered as part of the review of the Environment Strategy and the preparation of the new Implementation Plan to be completed by Environmental Services and presented to Council in the 2024/25FY. D. Authorise the CEO to make minor amendments prior to publication. Carried unanimously. 7. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 10:36 AM
Meeting Transcript
Tom Wegener 00:00.000
Tuesday, December 5th, 2023, I declare the meeting open and acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people, and we pay our respects to their elders past, present, and emerging. We have no presentations and no deputations, and I note that committee members Brian Stockwell and the the Mayor Stewart is in the room, but we will have, we have Karen Finzel, Councillor Karen Finzel online, and Karen can you hear us? Karen Finzel 00:32.184
Yes I can, thank you Mr Chair. Tom Wegener 00:34.564
Okay, should we need a resolution that Karen Finzel, okay. Seconded. Moved by the Mayor and seconded and seconded by Councillor Stockwell. Let's put it to a vote. All in favour? It's unanimous. Do I need to read that? According to section 254 of the Local Government Act. Karen Finzel approved to attend the meeting dated the 5th of December 2023 via Microsoft Teams. Okay, again, I have a mover and seconder for the minutes from the November P &E meeting. Moved by Mayor and seconded by Brian. Let's go, yep, let's vote on that. All in favour? Yes. Thank you. Pomona placemaking pilot. We have Michelle Tucker here to walk us through this fantastic program. Thanks, Councillor Tom. Michelle Tucker 01:42.294
This report will provide an update on the Pomona place pilot. To date, including the community engagement process and prevents of Pomona place plan engagement summary report to council for endorsement. Community and stakeholder engagement was undertaken from the 16th of August until the 9th of October for a period of seven and a half weeks in total. Over 500 people participated in a diverse range of activities with 250 people completing our online survey, which was a fabulous result. The project included a diverse range of engagement activities with the following consistent messages or themes coming from the community. Pomona is a special and highly valued place. The natural environment a defining feature of local identity. Pomona is loved for its welcoming, close and caring community. Pomona is loved for its walkable scale, but people would like to make it easier to get around, particularly for for pedestrians. Manage the impacts of heavy vehicles and trucks through the town and village. Provide more diverse recreation opportunities. Opportunities for young people were identified and people love and value Pomona's creative community and culture. And finally, supporting small local business was also a highlight of the consultation. So this report will also outline the next steps in the process which include investigating the best process for developing and delivering a place plan in conjunction with the community and other stakeholders. Another round of community consultation once the draft is is written and some potential quick win projects and a monitoring and evaluation report on the process of the pilot. Thank you. Tom Wegener 03:23.149
Great well councillors any questions or I've got a big one to start with if you guys are still working on it. It's fantastic you know there's so much consultation. As a As a council, we get this information back, and it's a huge question, but what can we do to, I know that that's the next step, but legally, or I guess like in our charter. the State, to do these things, because the people, the community wants this, yes, but are there other interests, like the stakeholders of the State, you know, wanting to increase our population here dramatically, which may counter, but you know. the people want in the report, and there may be tension there. Is that something that you think about on the very big picture? Michelle Tucker 04:15.460
It's always something that comes out through community consultation, depending on the community that you're talking to. are a number of different processes we deal with all those, so from a council perspective, you know, we look at growth through the SEQ regional plan and the planning scheme. We look at housing through our housing strategy. So the outcomes of this can feed into those separate processes but this process is separate again. This is actually about how council can work better with the community and in partnership with the community. So really our mandate really is to work with community and that they own the process and they run the process. So it'll be us working with our particular assets and resources that we have in conjunction with Tom Wegener 05:12.001
We have a lot of say in what happens, obviously. When it comes to private buildings, we have slightly less say, but when it comes to, you know, the pressure from the State saying you're going to put a lot of people here, a lot more people than you have, then we have... have even less say. Is that accurate? So there's a kind of a gradient of what we can and can't do and expect. I guess the expectations of the people need to be in line with what we can and can't deliver. Michelle Tucker 05:38.775
And it's our role too to actually inform that community as well and work with them in partnership to actually, you know, push back against those upper levels as well in terms of, you know, providing and making sure that and making sure that our places are liveable and in character and have their unique identity that they do, but yeah, I guess for us it's always that role of working with community through those higher state hierarchies and federal hierarchies to deliver a plan that's unique for that community. So yeah, we do have a role, but like you said, it's, you know, we you know, we're really mandated by those types of processes that sit above us. Tom Wegener 06:17.670
Yeah. Well, I think it's actually, you know, you have something to say here because, you know, if you could say another, community doesn't have this vast pile of information, you know, with actual responses from the community saying this is what we want. So if they've, you know, if this is from above, come over and say above, come over and say that to Noosa Junction, for say, you know, we're going to do this, but we don't have all this community input saying, no, we don't want that. We want this. And you can actually, so it's actually a democracy demands that people are listened to through the process. And this can help them, again, to fight against the bigger system as well as the smaller system. Thanks, Kim. Hi. Kim Rawlings 07:00.504
Hi. Hi, Tom. Just to contribute to the conversation. You're right, there are hierarchies of influence in terms of what we can control and what we can guide in a place. And when council owns property or there's community buildings and things like that, there's a greater level of influence. Then there's the private development where the planning scheme can guide. Yeah. And things like the place plan. place plan can have influence around design, character, how the place looks and feels and then there's things like the SEQ regional plan and state policies. What I will say is that we've been successful in getting Pomona identified as a significant place in the SEQ regional plan and it talks about the character of Pomona. And the village feel and the significance of the environment so that's we've had that enshrined in the SEQ regional plan so yes there are there are there's additional growth coming to South East Queensland and Noosa has had some pressure to take a of that growth but it is informed by our local capacity and what our planning scheme can deliver so there's been a two-way process over the last couple of months where we've been able to influence that and definitely work like these as Michelle's line helps you know feed back up the line about the significance of our villages yeah and Pomona obviously being one that we've got a spotlight on in them at the moment around how important these places are for quality of life and character and livability for people yeah so that no that's good that answers the question that it is yeah realistic expectations for the people what it can deliver but the real thing is that what you could say well we've done this and when somebody's up this and when somebody's up there in some higher office just saying well what do you know are you sure you say yeah we know we actually really have this information down this is exactly that we want and this is where we're gonna go and this is what the community wants us to do. Tom Wegener 09:03.644
It's a big deal yeah so sorry I stretched away from what the actual report is. Brian Stockwell 09:09.184
Yes, it's interesting. It's a question of clarification. In the report it talks about participants were also asked to vote from the list of words, I take it they were also phrases, that block press best represented their vision for Pomona in ten years time. The top five words stand out. a strong sense of community, and that was probably the reason we chose Pomona as a pilot, because that was sort of something socially connected. So it was colourful. And that's the only one that stands back to me and saying, is that all they Like colourful as a word? Like to choose from? Michelle Tucker 09:49.239
Yes. But then, you know, people were asked if they wanted to elaborate on what that meant. They wrote that down as well. So yeah, yeah. Brian Stockwell 09:56.099
It's interesting because to me that it's part of Pomona is actually the timber of the tin, not necessarily making it bright. And so it'd be interesting what colourful actually meant. I think it was about people. Michelle Tucker 10:06.119
Yeah, about think it was about people. Oh, you mean like character. Yes, colourful people, eclectic people, you know, creative people, those types of things. Yeah, yeah, that explains it. Yeah, not physical. Tom, Kim Rawlings 10:21.695
Karen's got a hand. Tom Wegener 10:22.535
Oh, sorry, Karen, Councillor Finzel, please. Karen Finzel 10:25.795
Yes, good morning and thank you everyone for the report. It's a wonderful read and it's a read and it's a good reflection of the town I live in and have called home since the early 80s. So I'm really excited, I'm looking forward to this. Right on page 7 in number 8 it says we're a vibrant, creative hub and that might help understand the reflection of this colourful community and all the races. It's very creative. I'm very interested in looking at moving forward on page 4 we've got outline actions for delivery by council and community and stakeholders over the next I'm interested in how we're going to map that out and how we're going to ensure that that these things are implemented, budgeted for and a timeline. To show the community that we are taking action, that we do stand behind what we're doing, and that nothing will be missed along the way. When can we expect the outline for actions for delivery to come before us and how we're going to prioritise? Michelle Tucker 11:36.004
So we basically will be after the elections we'll be going back out to the community to help us draft and prioritise actions so we really will rely on the community's feedback to prioritise some of those those key projects I mean looking at the report I mean looking at the report there is a quite a few of them so we really do need to look at prioritising and looking at the best value moving forward and what the community wants and the outcomes so that'll that'll all come up through the drafting of of the plan and so that will be a process which will commence you know probably through April May in conjunction with the community and then we'll present back to Council with what the community has identified and that will also include avenues of resourcing and funding as well so that will sit within that plan and we'll have timelines associated with actions as well and so what will happen through the pilot process it's you know as as an organisation it's a it's you know for us to look at as well in terms of how we how we deliver these projects but they can then be identified in identified in forward capital works plans or operational business planning as well to make sure that, you know, that's continued on and what's in the plan is delivered. Kim Rawlings 12:48.293
Just further to that, Karen, in terms of your comment about how will we track and how will we monitor. So the plan might, you know, it would probably at least be a five-year plan. Yeah. So there'll be annual reporting. reporting on achievement against the plan. And as you know, we undertake the liveability survey. So we've got a baseline in terms of sort of indicators for liveability for Pomona. So we'll do that survey again, possibly twice during that period to help track, you know, to change and improvement. Karen Finzel 13:25.480
Thank you. And then will that inform council when it comes to budget? Like how soon do we prepare a budget? Perhaps that's a question through to the CEO to deliver on the action items. You know, I have concerns having lived tip for term that, you know, we had hard in Pomona, we've had several things. Done in the past and some of those projects still have not been delivered in this community. So I really make sure that we do a really successful rollout of projects here and we can have a council that our community is proud I really want to make sure that we have, you know, really transparent process, how we mark what we're saying we're going to do and how we're going to deliver it. So, through the CEO, what assurances can Thank you, Councillor. Larry Sengstock 14:34.995
This report and the next steps will inform our budget process. So, our budget process starts almost now. Really, realistically, and we get it signed off in June, prior to the end of the financial year, starting the 24/25 financial year. So, during that period, we'll be looking at this, we'll be using this to... to inform our budget and we've got a feedback on that one. That will inform our budget process anyway and so we'll be looking at what projects we can physically deliver and make sure that what we do select are ones that are possible to deliver in that period. This is a long-term process, it's not something that you're going to you're going to say we'll knock it all out in one year. This is over 10 years here. So this is making sure we take off the bites that we can actually deliver on and are most effective in the short term and then medium and long term. Kim Rawlings 15:40.121
Just adding to that, we have got some funding this year, Karen, to do some, Councillor Finzel, to do some quick wins. So we will look to how we can start the process in terms of getting some quick wins. And we've always maintained through this process that the delivery of this plan can't be funded through council alone. It is about community. It is about business. It is It is about grant funding. You know, a whole range of sources of funding will be looked at in the development of the plan to help, you know, state agencies, all of those sorts of things to help implement the actions of the plan. Karen Finzel 16:18.813
That's fantastic. I love the collaborative process and I think that's a great way of leadership moving forward. The main thing is accountability, that we do uphold our, you know, our wording community and we ensure that what we say we're going to do, we're going to deliver and we're going to deliver in those time frames. So I want to ensure we have excellence in council and that, again, it's not just rhetoric but we action what we set out to do. So I'm looking forward to moving ahead in the future and definitely looking forward to those regular reports back to council. Strong connection Thank you very much for this. Question in regard to, you know, feedback. There's a lot of young families that have moved into Pomona, you know, What was the narrative around a couple of things? Housing, housing affordability, I know this is, I know we're talking about placemaking, but it all ties in because that then determines transport. transport, it determines car parking, it determines whole kit and caboodle. So what was the narrative around that? What was the narrative around ecotourism? What was the narrative about driving business out there and small business and providing jobs? Michelle Tucker 17:41.885
Yeah so I guess in terms of with younger newer families there was a strong sense of housing affordability not being achievable and pushing residents out of the town and then it also came up around aged care as well to the other end of the spectrum there's no there's no you know where for people to transition and stay in community once you know they can't independently can't independently live anymore, so that was a key thing, you know, for young families it was the selection of beautiful parks and playgrounds and things, everything was walkable and easy to get to, other schools. You know, were easy to get to, but issues came up about children getting to and from school to town, so that was a critical thing that came up time and time again with young families. In terms of business, terms of business, what they came out with pretty much aligned with the general community around the character identity. They really want to promote local business and work better together and really invest the town in health and wellbeing and those types of things. So really put Pomona on a map that it's really caring for its community and the business community are aligned around that. And in terms of tourism, it was a mixed message, but people really want, if people are going to come out and go to the markets and things like that, they need to be respectful and understand that this is their home and they're happy for people to come, provided it's not going to to overrun the town and they respect the town for what it is and its values, so. Patrick Murphy 19:19.219
So if they want to put Pomona on the map, is that meaning they want health and wellbeing retreats or like, because health and wellbeing was such a big, you know, big part of this. What... How do they want to put Pomona on the map? Michelle Tucker 19:34.101
Some would say they don't really want to. Sorry, Karen Finzel 19:38.261
I just thought you said they do. Michelle Tucker 19:39.761
In terms of if tourism is going to happen in a sustainable way in the town, they want it to be done in in a way that reflects their values and so yeah so sustainably within sustainable limits and that goes for you know traffic and transport and getting to and from the town more known on the map is something that is a really a great place to live yeah yeah- That's what you mean? Yeah. Okay, got it. I'll second that. Brian Stockwell 20:09.440
It's a good report and it's a good outcome I suppose in terms of what the consultation tells us. I think it does that your top five points really focuses in on what the main is all about. You know if you look at the numbers, special place, heritage and charm, small town, you know natural environment, the mountain defines the character. Clare and enclosed Wing project could be detailed so and have to be designed but they're the things we can do to make sure that that walkability sure that that walkability isn't ruined by a type of traffic that is inconsistent with what we're trying to get to so I think there is a lot of pointers in there for good placemaking I think there's some areas that will require you know the community to go away and build down to more but yeah I think it's a good outcome and I'm sure when we get to evaluate the process the process next time, or as in council does, it has been a good pilot in terms of some of the learnings about how to consult and community expectations and the difference of engaging people in small towns versus big cities etc Michelle Tucker 22:04.422
Quick question well with it was noted that a few times of supporting small local businesses and for empty shops that are that are being you know facilitate you know some business or a community to go in and use the empty shop is that is that on the record I mean I didn't really notice that there are many empty shops that are there there's a few particularly down station straight around the corner but that was really about you know activating footpaths and things like that and giving you know know small business a little bit of a start-up so it's there's similar programs run across Australia where there's kind of a relationship between the business I at the landowner and people wanting to do use that building building for a small time while it's vacant, so that'd be something that we probably would investigate further with the chamber around how do we activate those shop frontages in times when there's no business, no active tenant in there, but that's something we would recommend doing that. Tom Wegener 23:09.763
I know from my surfing life, my friends would open up surf shops in abandoned buildings and so forth, and I said, "Buy the building, buy the land." They said, "We can't afford the land." Well, of course, the surf shops there, the active artist business is there, and the land value skyrockets. It happens each and every single time, so I hope that the business owners... that the business owners realise that actually by putting some active community business in there that supports the community, they actually increase their land value, and soon they'll be renting up, and then the poor people that went in there and made it cool will have to leave and go someplace else, and such is life. I think a message going out like what next at an easy win might just be support your local business with your wallet, like I go to the Bulls Club, the Pomona Bulls Club is, you know, it's a fantastic place, it is a piece piece of history, you know, it's nearly like the Majestic Theatre, it's almost a museum, it's fantastic, but it's just empty, and I know that the chefs kind of come and go from there, it seems, due to lack of actual public support, and it's really, really nice, and so I'm nice. And so I'm hoping that perhaps, you know, if you love Pomona, spend your money there, because that's what it actually takes. Kim Rawlings 24:28.395
Thank you. Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 24:33.195
Yes, Thank you. And on the back of that, I'd just like to make a comment. You know, when heritage is being prioritised, I'd like to just raise the point about, you know, we have got a heritage museum sitting in Factory Street that's part of our heritage walk. And for some time, the issues around around there are around maintenance and safety to, you know, going to the museum, the front stairs, you know, can't be used. So I think, like, you know, council, if we're going to deliver this stuff, I would like us to get a report and a review of where we're moving. And these these things about the action items. This is where community, you know, we need to engender trust and go, yeah, we can all sit around this table. We can talk about all this good stuff and it's fantastic. I love the aspirations where community wants to go. But as a council, I feel we've got to deliver practical solutions and surely, you know, when we talk about a short-term delivery of something, surely the front stairs of the museum. could be something that can be prioritised so that when people come to visit our town and when we have a town that we want to be a proud of, that we want to promote as a heritage place to come and enjoy, I think surely we can look at things like that as an easy win for win-win outcomes for our community and visitors alike to the region and to promote. That if we are a heritage town, that we actually value and appreciate that. So through the CEO, I'm just wondering, is there a way that we can action that as an operation as moving forward into the new year? Larry Sengstock 26:10.994
Again, that comes through the budget process, Councillor. They're the initiatives that are brought to the table. And if they get the support of the council through our limited, you know, we have got limited budgets, but if that's the case, it becomes a priority, then that's where it gets taken up. Karen Finzel 26:29.120
Thank you. And just moving on from that, can I also request review of the heritage levy and the policy to see if there's a way that we can have Have a a review review of of that to look at how we can better support the heritage levy and how we use it in our commission. I think that's, sorry Councillor, that's something that we need to bring to the table at a future meeting or outside of this meeting that we can discuss. Alright, I'll withdraw that, I apologise. No problem, that's alright. Brian Stockwell 27:01.283
Thank you. I'm not sure if anyone in the room can answer. My understanding is the museum... under at least to the community group, and the question is whether it's in some of those we're responsible for maintenance and others. We'd have to look at that. I honestly don't know, so we would address that as part of the overall investigation of it. Tom Wegener 27:23.954
I'm going to raise a comment as a question. Did you know that... that Mexico has more museums in Mexico City than any other city in the world? And it is booming. The culture is so much stronger and more positive than it was 30 years ago. Did you know that? Kim Rawlings 27:39.564
I didn't know. Thank you for that question. Every day we like to learn something new. I do now. Museums are important. Just back to what Carolyn was saying. that. Yeah. Tom Wegener 27:52.672
Any other? Patrick Murphy 27:54.632
No, thank you. Great report. I have finished. Thank you. Really good report. Appreciate all your hard work and great community feedback too. Because this is a lot of weekend work. This is a lot of out of time. So really want to acknowledge that and thank you. Thanks. All in favour? Tom Wegener 28:18.920
Get carried unanimously. Larry Sengstock 28:21.060
Thank you, Michelle. Thank you. Thank you. Tom Wegener 28:24.360
Thank you, sorry. Michelle. Kim Rawlings 28:27.760
Absolutely Michelle. Next we have our favourite monthly delegation of the... Does anyone need to go? I'm afraid not. Yeah. Planning applications that are decided by delegated authority. Patrick Murphy 28:48.740
And we have Patrick Murphy here to walk us through it or just probably ask Yeah, as you're aware, it's a monthly report detailing all those applications that were decided on the delegation. 32 were decided for the month of October, which one might have been decided by Council. Tom Wegener 29:08.456
Just give us a moment to find it in our notes here. What page is it here? Patrick Murphy 29:16.876
It's page 89. It's a bit hard. Yeah, page 89 of 290. Tom Wegener 29:32.260
I've got to ask you about number seven, a windmill that's 15 metres high. That's right. So it was Patrick Murphy 29:38.560
The 36th River Park Drive, I think it was. There was a windmill that was constructed without an approval. It came in for retrospective approval. I piece of infrastructure that's not a building associated with rural industry can be 15 metres in height. This was just over 16 metres in height. For all intents and purposes, it's probably negligible. There Negligible in terms of its appearance to that type of structure. It was supportive. Tom Wegener 30:08.932
Brian, are there many other windmills that you've come across in Noosa Shire? Oh, there should be more. I'm just wondering what triggered it? I think it was a complaint. Or someone observed it from the waterway. You don't have good answers. That's right. But if they're under 15 metres, then is the code accessible? Patrick Murphy 30:33.977
It would have been accepted development. Tom Wegener 30:41.123
Other questions, team? Number 13, that's Atunga Heights. That's a different address. That's correct. Patrick Murphy 31:01.460
That was seeking exemption certificate. This one at 24 Atunga Heights, a different address to making the court sure. Tom Wegener 31:10.212
I didn't try to pull a fast one. No. Anything else? I'll move this. Second it. Karen, any, a little bit late, but Karen, any No, no questions, Mr Chair. Karen Finzel 31:24.563
Thank you for asking. Tom Wegener 31:25.683
Okay, let's put it to the vote. All in favour? Okay, it's... Unanimous. Thank you. very much. Thank you. Great, we're up to the WAPR Environment Strategy Monitoring Report, year four. We have Camille, you can just let loose now because you have nothing to lose. will be leaving us soon for elevation. Camille 31:54.522
Oh no, don't know about elevation. Just a different approach I guess. Good morning I guess we went through it briefly in the workshop but the report presents the outcomes of the environment strategy review and the implementation plan review for year four which is 1st of July 2022 to the 30th of June 2023. So the report presented council's progress against the 12 targets and strategies nominated in the environment strategy as well as the actions well as the actions the progress of 42 actions nominated in the implementation plan. So overall most of the strategies are progressing towards their targets with several strategies being on target for completion. There were five strategies which are currently unable to be assessed due to insufficient monitoring data or monitoring methods currently being unavailable. terms of the 42 actions, two are complete, 22 are on target, 17 are progressing and one action is scheduled for the future and there were no actions requiring attention noted in the report for the last financial year. you are. So in terms of the key highlights, I guess there's been over 1.7 million invested in community organisations through the Environment Grants Program between 2019-2020 financial year and 2022-23 financial year. 43% of the Noosa Shire is currently being managed for its environmental values. The private conservation partnerships program including Land for Wildlife and the BCA's continue to grow which is fantastic. We We also completed an acquisition of a 69 hectare property at Federal last last financial year and we've almost completed the fine scale vegetation mapping project as well which is due to be delivered December this year. The Noosa Oyster Reef project also continues to indicate success and there's an increase in subspecies richness between the 22 and 23 surveys. Again there's good progress made in the diversion of waste so we've increased by 7% between 21-22 financial year and last financial year and we're on track to meet the State target of 61% diversion by 2025. Our greenhouse gas emissions have also decreased by 2.3% and over 790 kilowatts of solar has now been installed on council buildings and facilities which is an increase of 100 kilowatts since the 21-22 financial year. So the other thing highlighted in the report obviously is resourcing for council staff moving forward to ensure that we continue to meet the targets and actions of the environment strategy. So we had nominated those in the finance section of the report the wildlife, sorry, the fauna management officer whose contract is due to expire this financial year. So we have put up a budget submission seeking an ongoing permanent role for a senior wildlife management officer as well as ongoing positions for the conservation partnerships officer and a flying fox management officer moving forward. Oh and we also need to include an additional item which is to authorise the CEO to make minor amendments prior to the publication. We've had a couple of minor errors that we've just picked up in the final review Larry Sengstock 35:57.840
So yeah. Which is pretty standard for our recommendations. Yes, and the sizes are important. And the size of the report is always going to be a couple of typos or whatever. Kim Rawlings 36:07.957
Yes, that's right. One of the councils are happy to add that. Tom Wegener 36:13.297
Oh yeah, do we move to add this right now? Camille 36:16.909
So that's R and D. Tom Wegener 36:19.349
Do we need to read that out? Would the mover want to read that out? Brian Stockwell 36:24.889
Just a part B. My only question, we haven't had anyone request this goes to Jim. Tom Wegener 36:32.801
Nobody's requested it to the general. Brian Stockwell 36:35.621
So I had a few questions before we moved in anyway, so. Tom Wegener 36:38.721
Well, so we haven't actually moved, I just, I asked, do we need to read out just D? I'll move it with the addition of D which reads authorise the CA to make minor amendments prior to publication. I'll second that. So where are we? So where are we? This is a very small procedure. We actually want to get back to talking about the report. To get back to the report. One thing I think that I've noticed is Dave, I think Dave O 'Gorman, you know, he spent a lot of time with fly foxes this year. And so it seems that we're often, you know, caught often caught in a situation where we have somebody that's doing other stuff who all of a sudden has to deal with this, which is a huge problem to a small amount of people, but it's quite a problem and it takes a lot of resources. How would you respond to that? be more pivotal, I guess, to speak in the future so that projects that we want to happen aren't delayed because our small staff has to go off and deal with an emergency for months? Camille 38:04.407
One of the things that's been highlighted in the environment strategy so obviously Council's role has changed since 2019. Legislative requirements have changed which have put the responsibility on to Council to manage flying fox influxes so that I that I think the resourcing impost on council has not necessarily been considered by the State. We have spoken to Department of Environment and Science about whether we could use, they've got a huge bucket of money for flying foxes, whether we could use that to fund They've said no, unfortunately. So, as you say, I guess it's having good comms strategies in place when we have these influxes, as well as clear, I guess, delineations. guess delineations of council's role and our limitations in terms of what we can do during an influx. So, yeah, it's one of those things. We could get an influx of little reds, you know, at Wallace Park or somewhere else. And unfortunately, it just means that I think. yeah, we need to put projects on hold to address those influxes at the moment until, yeah. Kim Rawlings 39:08.664
Yeah, I think what, that's absolutely right. There's a bit of, you know, legislative change and cost shifting, essentially, but also the but also the nature of the environment portfolio. And here we go, Ben Derrick, the manager of environment. We may want to comment on this, but the nature of the portfolio means we're both strategic and operational, which means we're, you know, we're doing long-term planning for our environment. this strategy is our guiding framework, but we also have to be responsive and reactive and, you know, whether it's to flying foxes, whether it's to algal blooms, whether it's to bushfires, whether it's to, you know, that's the nature of the needs to be across both. And I'm not sure that's going to change, Tom. We just need to find a resource capability that can work between both of those. And, you know, we're in pretty good shape, other than the areas potentially that Camille's highlighted in the report around some emerging ongoing resource requirements based on what's happened in the last couple of years, you know, where we thought we could put some temporary resource to it and it's an ongoing issue. Those are the couple of areas that need to be considered. And then, Ben, if you want to comment. Ben Derrick 40:22.229
Yeah, addressing the question, Tom, of what are we putting at risk when we have staff effectively check out to be able to focus on issues like you know, while marine strandings might be another one, algal blooms is another one, we've got different members of staff do that. So it's about risk mitigation as to what programs are we not dealing with while we've got staff focused on those. And we saw with flying foxes that Camille and Dave pretty much checked out for two months. And so there was a whole range of continuity programs that we had to put on hold. I think meals probably with a lot of backlog over the last six months of getting back on track with reporting that we've been doing. You know, this report's a prime example that there was a lot of work done at the back end of it, just purely because we had staff that were allocated to a priority priority project. Now, let's say in a scenario, if we were going to have additional staff to come in, it's not as if It's not as if they'd be sitting around redundant with nothing to do waiting for that response there's enough work to be able to get through that we need to be able to address we you know threatened species and a lot of our other programs conservation programs and partnership programs that we need to be able to deliver so so it's a you know it's the public sector and local government thing of how much work can we get through how many resources have we got and where do we draw the limit additional resources we definitely be able to get through more if we don't have those additional resources then we are vulnerable for some of those programs to be delayed things like flying like flying foxes which is starting to emerge again now and we've you know we received an email yesterday at they're coming back you know that was the big issue yesterday last year yeah so they're starting to come back we know that they may choose that as a preferred roost and this is the Reds we've got some Reds. We've got some very very nervous community members and residents and so we need to be really reactive for that. So we're getting, starting to get our resources lined up, yep, we need staff focused on that. Kim Rawlings 42:26.164
I mean in terms of being reactive, yes, but what we have been able to do in the last 12 months is get very proactive around Warratah particularly. So we've done a flying fox management plan, you know, we've got a clear plan of action there. terms of how we manage and maintain, that goes so far, you know, there's still community, there's nuisance in the community and amenity impacts that, you know, a plan can only go so far to manage. Camille 42:52.856
I think having that additional resource of a flying fox officer, you know, they've seen it down at Sunny Coast, you can get out there, do that community education and awareness. I think that's a big part of it and we went through with the statement of management intent, as you say, doing that proactive engagement, getting that increase. Understanding and tolerance within the communities is really key because unfortunately there's only so much we can do with flying foxes in terms of management, so yeah it's about increasing that tolerance within the community as well. Tom Wegener 43:22.493
Questions? Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 43:28.393
No, I don't have a comment, thanks. Brian Stockwell 43:39.169
There's lots of great work that's been calculated in the report. What I'm looking for, looking at is, in regard to our target in terms of climate change and emissions reduction, we, by the table on page 125 of the main report, managed to reduce those for over seven years by just under 21 per cent, but our target is to get another 80 per cent in the next three years. I look and I notice that some of the things that have reduced, that appear to have reduced, the amount we've reduced in the last year was perhaps changes to what we changes to what we can and can't count or things that are beyond our control in terms of emissions. But then again, I look further down and notice there's been an offset plan has been produced. But I don't think that's come to council. So is that because we still haven't worked out from what the consultants give us where we're going? We don't appear, you know, I think there is the assessment of it somewhere. the way it's it suggests that there's work to be done if we're going to meet the target, which I think there is a lot of it. But have we got a sequence plan from here on in to how we're going to get to zero emissions or what are the scenarios on that? For example, what won't be in here is we've now got to the waste strategy and some of that's pretty Some of that's pretty exciting, but it's probably not going to be before 2026, and maybe one of the projects we're looking at in terms of a large solar farm out there may be by 2036, but have we got an agreed step forward on that, or is it something that we need to bring forward to Council? look at that and say well what is the sensible financial way ahead to achieve this? Kim Rawlings 45:37.079
Yeah there's been there's been a lot of work done in this space Councillor Stockwell and we had a strategic session with executive last week for two and a half hours on the roadmap to zero so yes there has been a report done a technical report done on options offsetting which I believe was actually presented to council in a workshop Pangolin report some months ago I think in about December last year and that presented you that presented, you know, discussed a whole lot of options. We've been weighing up what those options are. But yeah, absolutely, that roadmap to zero. Now, like you said, the waste strategy's got some innovations and approaches in it. We've gone through every one of our scope areas and areas for what we might be able to achieve in the next three years. We're betting that down. execs were around a whole lot of options and questions and challenges last week, but the next step will absolutely be to bring that to council, to go, "This is what it looks like. This is what it's going to take to meet meet our 2026 target, " yeah. Brian Stockwell 46:47.229
Thanks for that and apologies if that must be one of the few you've worked up on this. Yeah, it was, I think it was about 12 months ago. Tom Wegener 46:59.589
I've got just a bigger question to Ben. We talked about the various community groups, you know, their involvement in developing and working with the council to achieve the goals and I see I see the council working with Tourism Noosa and across the board with the Tread Lightly program and all these different ways and planting trees and so Tourism Noosa and the volunteers, there's a gradient between council, community group, volunteers, people out there and then with Zen. there. And then with Zen, it's tremendous how you have council, community groups, Zen, volunteers, all the different stuff they do is fantastic and how it complements with the way strategy and I'm hoping that that people also come on board, you know, maybe not a community group, but you know, that they get involved and all that. And then going back and maybe we'll talk about that. That's important. And we talked about how to bring your community involved to help us achieve these goals. And then of course, I'm going to the agriculture and I'll hammer on that forward, ask some questions about that. But do you see a way that that could happen? Because we, one of the, in the very end here, it says that one of the recommendations is that we need to, there's work that needs There's work that needs to be done on the agriculture side of things and there isn't a group there that's like ZEND or like Tourism Reserve or like the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation and I guess that the big question is how do you see community groups and the community becoming involved in reaching our environment strategy goals? Patrick Murphy 48:35.643
A few different questions there Chair. I guess with the agriculture aspect which is more of a start-up there in terms of facilitating a formal structure and support for community members to be involved that's more of a start-up program the council may be able to get involved in and you utilising the community groups I think ZEN is a really good model for that where horses by council, seated by council, the small investment that council has made has delivered a range of projects which far exceed the financial investment and so using that as a model I think there's a range of different community groups that could really facilitate for that where council could enable those groups through governance support or financial support just to be able to function as an organisation and the partnership programs or the MEC our alliance programs can be targeted towards that and enabling that I guess the next step then is partnership you know partnership agreements which is similar to NDRF as an example which is a little bit more investment and a little bit more guarantee that investment as well and so it's picking so it's picking those areas that we want to be, that council can enable, making sure that there's a groundswell of support and the intent for good governance and broader community involvement. I think agriculture is a really good good example of that. How that looks and feels, it would need a strategy sitting behind it as to where are we targeting. The notion of growing local, using local, whether it's backyard, whether it's small, lifestyle. whether it's broader agriculture, which is stepping into industry and primary production. So we need to be able to make sure that we know where we're pitching that if we are stepping into that. So in broad context, yes, partnerships are great because the investment from council, if well managed and well delivered, can provide a much broader benefit to the Shire. but the enabling have to be there. So we need, I think we need a strategy sitting behind that before we start looking at investing in that. Kim Rawlings 50:45.841
And we have started work on a strategy in sustainability in ECDEV. As you know, Tom, it's a key... objective and goal of our corporate plan to look at, you know, rural futures and agribusiness and agri-hub and that sort of work. So this strategic piece has started. So all of these issues will evolve. out of that that planning process. evolving. The only other comment I would make that you referred to the importance of our volunteer and community organisations in terms of achieving our environment strategy. It would simply not be possible. achieve the outcomes that have been achieved through the strategy without the community organisations and our volunteer organisations. Whether it's Bushland, whether it's NICA, whether it's I don't want to miss anyone, Zen, Biosphere. All of them, honestly. All of them. And they were very involved in the development of the strategy, so they were embedded in the development of the strategy. We had a number of roundtables in terms of prioritising and building the partnerships, which I think has been a fundamental critical piece to the success of the strategy, that our environment community organisations and volunteer organisations were involved in its development and setting the And absolutely been involved in the delivery of it and this report you know celebrates and highlights absolutely so many of the objectives and targets have been achieved thanks to the incredible work of our community organisations. We simply couldn't be doing it without them. That's why things like our environment grants program is so important because it does seed fund and create some capacity. the return is so much greater than what we invest. and we Tom Wegener 52:32.867
Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 52:35.887
I'm not going to try and pose it as a question, but partly answering your question. The baseline for agriculture, which is something that the State Government has done in the past, so my team who looked after sustainable agriculture in South East Queensland. All the projects we do would create the baseline, would record the uptake of best practice, and if there was, say, a grazing land condition, then that was published for a couple of years. So there is the Kin Kin catchment, one of the projects we did up there. I've been thinking about this recently. Part of the problem is the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries now don't see boutique agriculture, small-scale local agriculture, in my view. worked with the big end of town, the industrial agriculture. I think that's a failure of state government and also I was thinking the other day after we had the Healthy Land and Water presentation about how the report cards evolved and I thought I thought that if we, you know, I'm our Shire, the Mayor is in the re-catchments, they have a very advanced system called the Paddock to Reef Monitoring Program, which records not only the uptake of practice or the change in lane condition, but model it to say what does that mean in terms of water going out to the Great Barrier Reef. It is another aspect that we probably should be looking to at larger scales, say well as a region, why doesn't South East Queensland have the same system? to me part of the answer to our problem of not being able to measure progress is that at a regional and at a state level they aren't investing in our priorities and I think we should be bringing that to their attention you could say what do you think or did you know yeah no and I think I've spoken to Cheyenne about this as well I think the methodologies are there it's just as you say there's gaps certain gaps within the Shire where we would need to have a look at undertaking those field surveys so yeah I think the data is there it's just having that strategy to pull it together and identify which is the most suitable method generally all that data historically there is is collected when active projects if you've got a project says what it is basically but you know there are segments of you know particularly the boutique agriculture the sustainable horticulture where there is no one providing any specific support so there's no projects to record progress that's right that is a that with agriculture that is a big problem I mean the agri hub put out a questionnaire and Questionnaire and the the feedback feedback we got was you know just sceptical of what are you asking for you know I'm not going to give you this information you know you can do what I'm not going to give you my address and with I think that were it's just it's a funny group of people that are out there that are protective you know they they don't want to be they don't want to put their head up because they're on their feet they're fearful so that's something we need to address yeah one of the options that we did actually first follow up in that project going in King towards King and Gympie was a citizen science type measure of carbon which is of interest from regenerative but from interest to us in terms of emissions that's we could look at it's it's something where the analysis is done can be done by the likes of a catchment committee. It was a process that you don't have to send away to the lab therefore it was less expensive it was pretty accurate that's the sort of thing we can look at as you know the linking because obviously they'd be more interested if they're finding out whether what they're doing with their farming is actually achieving better soil organic matter and for us it's about you know if we're keeping organic matter in the soil and it's not going So things like that we can look at. Tom Wegener 56:40.436
Would you say the accounting for nature, we had that presentation, is that on track with what you're saying? Like they're looking at it saying well there's actually money to be made just by keeping the carbon. organic matter in the soils that are growing up and along with biochar as well. Had to throw that Brian Stockwell 56:56.625
In. Yep. It's waiting for us. The professor, and we'll be out of the game for a while, the professor at QUT was doing all the measurement the measurement about agricultural emissions and all this. And there's one of his PhD students from the group who developed this test. He happens to be a brother who's still living in this junction. So he's here quite often if you want to meet and chat. Tom Wegener 57:19.113
Okay, let's do that. Very great contact. Kim Rawlings 57:21.353
Amazing. Tom Wegener 57:22.501
Do you want to speak to the motion now, speak to the report? Brian Stockwell 57:28.061
I need to say that I think the report and the two-year, the analysis has been very comprehensive. as I read through the report, you know, it's clear that there's a meaningful progress being made on a majority of the strategies. I think as a council we can be happy with that. Obviously, of the, you know, to me, why I raise the climate issues as an example of where I think we're not doing enough is that's what causes climate change, is climate the whole world focuses on the proactive, on the emergent, and the longer term threats to the environment are put off. And that's the whole thing is that people can't see can't see it from one day to the next, therefore it gets kept on being put off. And that's fugitive emissions into the atmosphere that is going to have the most significant impact on the Noosa environment over the next 50 years. So that's why I raise it as, you know, if I was going to change the rating on any of those, I would move that one to red. I'm happy that we're doing enough. Are we doing what, you know, the staff have got their budget are doing an exemplary job of doing the best they can. But I think as a council and in the next council, if we're meaningful, we're going to meaningfully address the biggest problem that the environment faces. a local level, noting that that's taken at a viable scale, then that's one the next term of council is really going to have to grapple with. As I said, there's some great concepts we're working on with waste, where 60% of our emissions are coming from. And there's, to me, it's innovative thinking about the way we value things and how we fund things. That's where the next council can really focus on. So it's not a huge impulse on the ratepayer. It's actually a way of doing business that accounts for the cost of pollution. Tom Wegener 59:31.932
It's a fantastic report. I mean my god you just can't believe how much is happening. There's this big of a report. It seems to be much bigger in comparison to other things where you only have a small group of people down there. I'm hoping that when you get much bigger, more eloquent places to work soon because it's pretty small when you guys have an office down there. and I what you do is fantastic. Of course, the whole Shire is your office, I guess, in a way. With what Brian was saying, we have Professor Ian Lowe on the Board of Directors, and my God, you just want to, you know, in despair after listening to him for for a while, because he says, you know, he's been writing about climate change for a long time, and he says, well, back in 1987, when he started, and looking at the hurricane that hit Darwin, well, that was a two. And he said, at that time, he said, someday there's going to be five point... cyclones of category five, and now that they're category five every year, and he says, the problem is that when you have a category five cyclone, similar to what hit Acapulco, is you have a four-metre tide on top of that, so you have a push of water that's like a moving tsunami coming through, because of low pressure, water moves up, and you can go four metres in a category five, and if it happens to be high tide through Noosa, we would have a would have a Fukushima situation. It would be drastic. He says the whole climate, like Brian says, it's level red. We have to do as much as we possibly can, each and every person. a part of being a human on this planet, this is what you got to do. Individual responsibility for everybody, but aside from that, my gosh, it's a great report, and I'm looking forward, obviously, to the agriculture side agriculture side of things, because I think that's incredibly important for climate change, for sequestering carbon, for our sustainability, for our climate change response plan, for our community, and I go back to Elaine Bradley. COVID, people didn't want to come to the markets to get the food, and so they were calling, and they realised that most of those people were so old that they actually called a phone tree, where everybody would call up somebody constantly. and they had the list of a couple hundred people there that were called, and only one person died during that time, and they found out about it through the phone tree, but that's how these communities kept together, very vibrant and feeling a sense of community because of this. agriculture, because they all need food, you know, so I think food is a very, very important way to maintain a tight community, which is what we need for a climate change response, what we need to move forward to maintain our, well, just to maintain our standard of living or our quality of So thank you very much. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for your continuing hard work. And we're really, really proud of the report. And Camille, thank you for being with us for the time you were, because you are just fantastic and all the best for your next job in the federal government. Please do not forget about us. There's already been talk about saying... Karen Finzel 01:03:00.002
The future, how we're going to impact the climate Tom Wegener 01:03:29.160
Karen, we seem to have cut out. Karen Finzel 01:03:31.760
Oh, sorry, can you get down? Tom Wegener 01:03:36.193
Yep, we can hear you now. Karen Finzel 01:03:40.180
Do I go back to the beginning? Tom Wegener 01:03:41.840
No, no, no, just maybe 30 seconds. 30 seconds. Not even that. Brian Stockwell 01:03:49.780
Last we heard was community response. There we go. Karen Finzel 01:03:55.300
And also around that, and people living in the Shire. Tom Wegener 01:04:08.240
Karen, we got a bad connection. I'm sorry. Can you hear me? You keep skipping out. We get about every fourth word. Karen Finzel 01:04:17.440
All right. Thank you for a great report. all the best, Camille. Thank you, Karen. We heard that. Thank you, Camille. I just won't hold up anyone else's time. I'm just going to reiterate whatever has been said. Thank you. Appreciate it. Camille 01:04:29.991
And all the best. Thank you very much. It's been an honour to work for Mr. Council. an honour to work for Mr. Council, so thank you. Brian Stockwell 01:04:39.642
And it's only just um when you're talking about uh pressing and low and the impacts of storm surges and certainly we've had that potential in Townsville with one of the large cyclones where we've had as predicted hit at a high tide there was going to be a very significant wave of a magnitude you were talking about uh i think you might have put into the public realm something that's a little bit more um concerning that is the case so our coastal hazard adaptation plan did model what storm surge would do in Noosa. It wasn't as significant as a Fukushima type of result. It was actually, if I remember correctly, the risk was The risk was there was always going to be a greater risk from flooding from upstream than there was from the ocean. So there's not much difference from memory in the modelling between a one in a hundred year flood event in the catchment. This is a one in a hundred year storm surge coming in from the ocean in terms of height, so if people are interested to see whether they're impacted, certainly that modelling is available and to check the lines and see what the risk is. Tom Wegener 01:05:47.529
Thank Thank you, let me correct the record that I did not, that was an exaggeration, okay so we put it to a vote. All in favour? Karen? Yes, thank you. Unanimous. Patrick Murphy 01:06:06.087
Thank you. Well done, great work. Well done, great report. Thank you. If there's nothing further, there's no questions. no questions. So I'll close the meeting at 11:37.10:36. Yeah, 10:36.10:37, all right. 10:37. Related Noosa Council Meetings
← Browse all Noosa Shire Council meeting transcripts
