Special Meeting - Corporate Plan
Date: Thursday, 27 April 2023 at 1:00PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:24:45
Synopsis: Corporate Plan 2023–2028 adopted with digital reporting, Environment confirmed top priority, Transport shifts to movement/connectivity, Housing challenges flagged, Accountability and inclusive consultation emphasised, Olympics legacy pursued.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Clare Stewart Karen Finzel Joe Jurisevic Amelia Lorentson Brian Stockwell Frank Wilkie Tom Wegener Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer, Scott Waters Director Community Services, Kerri Contini Director Infrastructure Services, Larry Sengstock Director - Environment And Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings (Via Microsoft Teams) AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Clare Stewart: Council unanimously approved Cr Tom Wegener’s remote attendance under s254K Local Government Regulation 2012 (00:04; Attendance & Apologies). Scott Waters: Presented the Noosa Council Corporate Plan 2023–2028, highlighting it as the term’s primary strategic document with the largest community engagement (>1,000 respondents) and digital performance reporting (00:44–05:21; Item 2.1). Council: Unanimously adopted the Corporate Plan and directed it inform the 2023/24 Operational Plan; CEO authorised to make necessary minor changes; CEO to thank contributors (24:15; Item 2.1 A–D). Joe Jurisevic: Sought to add “funder” to Objective 1.1 roles (partner/educator/regulator) re water quality and catchments; CEO agreed as a minor amendment under resolution D (05:21–07:05; Item 2.1). Joe Jurisevic: Cited Burgess Creek works as example of Council’s funding role in catchment management (07:05–07:25; Item 2.1). Scott Waters: Noted organisational realignment, values program, signature projects, and readiness to report progress digitally to the community (00:44–05:21; Item 2.1). Amelia Lorentson: Queried representativeness of consultation for people with disability, First Nations, and minorities; CEO outlined broad face‑to‑face/online outreach incl. Kabi Kabi engagement (11:11–13:45; Item 2.1). Brian Stockwell: Reported consultation reaffirmed environment as top priority; transport/traffic emerged unusually high, prompting shift from “transport strategy” to “movement and connectivity strategy” (13:45–15:16; Item 2.1). Brian Stockwell: Identified housing as second‑ranked theme in qualitative analysis, pointing to difficult upcoming choices and Objective 2.1 focus (15:16–15:56; Item 2.1). Clare Stewart: Emphasised leveraging 2032 Olympics for legacy projects and advocacy with State/Federal partners; reinforced residential amenity, environment, and service delivery (07:25–11:11; Item 2.1). Frank Wilkie: Stressed alignment: decisions must fit the strategies/plans in the Corporate Plan to realise its value (19:54–21:11; Item 2.1). Karen Finzel: Characterised the Plan as accountability framework to engender community trust; ambitious but measurable (21:57–24:11; Item 2.1). Contentious / Transparency Matters Amelia Lorentson: Sought assurance that consultation captured disability, First Nations and minorities; CEO asserted multi‑channel outreach incl. Kabi Kabi but conceded “always room for improvement” (11:11–13:45; Item 2.1). Scott Waters: Promised digital progress reporting to the community, increasing transparency of delivery against the Plan (00:44–05:21; Item 2.1). Karen Finzel: Framed the Plan as a public accountability instrument to rebuild/maintain trust (21:57–24:11; Item 2.1). Legal / Risk Council: Remote attendance approval complied with s254K Local Government Regulation 2012; resolution passed before business proceeded (00:04; Attendance & Apologies). Council: Adoption of a corporate plan meets Local Government Act 2009 planning requirements; resolution B properly links to the statutory Operational Plan cycle (Item 2.1). Scott Waters: CEO authorised for “minor changes”; scope must remain editorial/clarificatory to avoid unlawful delegation of policy‑setting; “funder” addition recorded as minor (05:21–07:05; Item 2.1 D). Scott Waters: Noosa River roles involve shared jurisdiction; funding/role assertions must align with State responsibilities to avoid ultra vires commitments (06:08; Item 2.1). Brian Stockwell: Shift to “movement and connectivity strategy” may necessitate updates to subordinate strategies and alignment with the Planning Scheme to mitigate inconsistency risk (13:45–15:56; Item 2.1). Brian Stockwell: Housing priorities (Objective 2.1) may drive contentious planning decisions; ensure adherence to Planning Act 2016, Noosa Plan, and community amenity protections (15:16–17:20; Item 2.1). Environmental Concerns Scott Waters: Environment rated No.1 by community; Plan includes signature projects and ties infrastructure delivery to positive environmental outcomes (00:44–05:21; Item 2.1). Joe Jurisevic: Elevated Council’s role to explicit “funder” for waterways/catchments (Obj 1.1), referencing Burgess Creek (05:21–07:25; Item 2.1). Multiple Councillors: Commitment to protect natural environment and scenic amenity while managing growth and visitation (07:25–21:11; Item 2.1). Transport, Movement & Destination Management Brian Stockwell: Community prioritised transport/traffic; Plan pivots to a “movement and connectivity strategy” to reduce congestion and emissions (13:45–15:56; Item 2.1). Brian Stockwell: Destination Management Plan identified as key initiative to manage visitor flows and protect livability (14:11–14:26; Item 2.1). Housing & Planning Scheme Brian Stockwell: Housing emerged as second‑highest concern; Objective 2.1 addresses housing choice and workforce/ageing needs (15:16–15:56; Item 2.1). Brian Stockwell: Warned of difficult choices over five years; urged coordinated action across all government levels (15:44–17:20; Item 2.1). Frank Wilkie: Decision‑making must align with Plan strategies to uphold residential amenity and reduce legal exposure (19:54–21:11; Item 2.1). 2032 Olympics, Advocacy & Funding Clare Stewart: Plan positions Noosa to leverage 2032 Olympics/Paralympics for legacy projects and enhanced advocacy with State/Federal partners (07:25–11:11; Item 2.1). Scott Waters: Emphasised partnerships and signature projects linked to budgeting; community‑facing reporting to evidence delivery (00:44–05:21; Item 2.1).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Special Meeting Thursday, 27 April 2023 1:00 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Crs Clare Stewart (Chair), Karen Finzel, Joe Jurisevic, Amelia Lorentson, Brian Stockwell, Tom Wegener, Frank Wilkie “Noosa Shire – different by nature” SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 27 APRIL 2023 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor Clare Stewart Councillor Karen Finzel Councillor Joe Jurisevic Councillor Amelia Lorentson Councillor Brian Stockwell Councillor Frank Wilkie Councillor Tom Wegener (via Microsoft Teams) EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer, Scott Waters Director Community Services, Kerri Contini Director Infrastructure Services, Larry Sengstock Director - Environment and Sustainable Development, Kim Rawlings (via Microsoft Teams) APOLOGIES Nil Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That in accordance with Section 254K of the Local Government Regulation, Cr Wegener is approved to attend the Special Meeting dated 27 April 2023 via Microsoft Teams. Carried Unanimously. 2. CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS 2.1. CORPORATE PLAN 2023 - 2028 Council Resolution Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council note the report by the CEO to the Council Special Meeting dated 27 April 2023 and: A. Adopt the Noosa Council Corporate Plan 2023 - 2028, provided at Attachment 1 to the report; B. Use the new Corporate Plan to inform the development of the 2023/2024 Operational Plan C. Request the CEO to thank those who provided comment and input into the development of the draft Corporate Plan and; D. Authorise the CEO to make any necessary minor changes to the Corporate Plan, if required. Carried Unanimously. SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 27 APRIL 2023 3. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 4. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 1.28pm
Meeting Transcript
Clare Stewart 00:04.140
Good afternoon everyone. I declare the meeting open. I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting in the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people and I pay my respects to the elders past, present and I note that all councillors are in attendance and we have a councillor, Tom Wegener, online. So under section 254 of the local government regulations I move that Councillor Wegener can attend the meeting via Teams. Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. All in favour? Thank you. Welcome, Councillor Wegener. Today's special meeting is to consider our Corporate Plan 2023-2028. We have our CEO, Scott Waters, here to present the report. Scott, thank you. Scott Waters 00:44.640
Madam Mayor and Councillors, thank you for the opportunity to be able to present what is a significant document. is a significant document for our council, if not the most significant document that this term of council will deliver. It's a document that our councillors, each and every single one of you, know wherever... know where every comma and every foot stop is. You've been able to pour over this document over many, many months. It has your hands over it and it is absolutely your compact in the community, your promise to take this community forward to the future. But it's not just a council law and a Mayoral document, it's a document that has been delivered by a great team of staff here at Noosa Council, a very committed executive team, a very committed leadership team, and all parts of our organisation have the ability to be able to contribute to what is our pathway forward for our future as a council. the largest engagement with community that we've had as a council is the understanding that I have in relation to this document. Over a thousand respondents came to us directly, spoke about what they wanted to see and what they wanted to have be achieved within this document. As a council you listened, you went through every single you listened. You went through every single one of those submissions. You had the ability to be able to access and understand it and your views to be able to have what is the overarching strategic plan. We went back to our community. We asked them the question again when we drafted this document. Have we got it right? Have we listened to you enough? And we, as council officers, took that on board and have been able to form the document that we now see today. I'd very much like to acknowledge Kim Rawlings for her amazing work on this document, but not just Kim, also Kerri Contini who's in the chamber today. I'd very much like Kerri, thank you very, very much. Deb Yensey, who's unfortunately unwell today and not with us, but Deb, your work with Marie and particularly in organising your work of the consultation forums has been absolutely outstanding. outstanding. Ken and his marketing... Ken and his marketing communications team, thank you very much for the work that you've done and council to be able to provide a bit of context on this, this actually closes off horizon one of what has been our change management journey as a council. Not only do we now have a corporate plan that focuses us to the future, the recommendation that you have before you for consideration and decision today allows us to make some small changes, and I understand there are some small changes that are being looked at. We can do that for you. But it really sets our way forward for our future. We have a realigned organisational structure. We have a fresh new grant that is in place within this document that takes us forward to the future. we have our values program that we've delivered here as a council so we have the ability to be able to align our values to the work that we're delivering on as council officers and we are now working forward with our strategic and operational planning reporting on a digital basis to be able to then report this as quickly as we can to our community as to how we're delivering against all of these elements. We have signature projects within this document to be delivered. We have signature projects we have done this project SPEAKER_03 04:06.021
They're our clear markers as a council to be able to work towards to partner within our budget and we have our themes that we'll be working towards. We see within our community that community, the environment, again, is number one in Noosa. It is there. But closely followed by infrastructure. Our community wants right fit infrastructure that will deliver not only the day-to-day outcomes that a local government should have got, but then also the environmental outcomes as well too. Better infrastructure equals better environmental outcomes, so we need to be able to be conscious of that. Our social commitment, the commitment to our future and our economy is very strongly compared as well too, and on an overall basis. Council, you don't get the opportunity very often within your career as councillors, but even for us as staff to be able to deliver these documents, but the government has changes that are occurring constantly, so to be able to deliver this, I'm happy to say this is the third quarter. I'm happy to say this is the third corporate plan that I've delivered in my time and I have to say to you that it's absolutely one of the best and it's a right fit for Noosa. It holds Noosa values. Councillors, thank you for the opportunity to present and I welcome the chance to take any questions that you might have in relation to the report. The team can borrow it from me or the document itself. Thank you. Clare Stewart 05:21.301
Thank you Mr CEO. Joe Jurisevic 05:21.322
Thank you for the time and effort from yourself and all the staff that's gone into this. This question I've got is with regard to objective 1.1 in the 1 in the Corporate Plan and the role the Council undertakes in that. 1.1 says we maintain and improve water quality, the health of waterways, wetlands and catchments and our roles as a partner, an educator and a regulator. I notice the element of is it in there? We undertake elements of funding in all of those areas. For mine, would it be a minor change that could be undertaken under D, authorised CEO to make any necessary minor changes to the Corporate Plan if required, to add the element of funder in there, or would I be required to make an amendment to what we have before us today? Scott Waters 06:08.474
You're the main councillor. I'd be very much welcoming and happy to be able to take that as a minor amendment to the document, adding one of those roles that we have as a council. As a funder, we have funded projects. It is important though, and I think it's a very good pick up of you in this particular document and that being our overarching, we want to ensure that all of the functions, all of the roles and responsibilities of the council are captured as we spoke in our Noosa River Plan. We'll deliver the day to day. day to day of this in the future but through the Mayor I think it's important and could absolutely accept that as a minor change in this document to be able to add within our roles and responsibilities. The element of funder for the Noosa River. about um we had shared responsibility, shared jurisdiction, but overall we live here. It's an important part of what we do. Joe Jurisevic 07:05.170
Thank you Mr CEO. Again there's a project at Burgess Creek that is part of a catchment creek that I would consider as a significant role that council has undertaken so I would consider that as part of that as well. Clare Stewart 07:25.626
Thank you everyone. This is an exciting day. The corporate plan that we adopt today is the commitment we make to our community. It has been shaped by our community and the value, elements, priorities and themes it espouses are clearly community driven, led and focused. Over 1,000 of our residents took part in shaping this plan and I thank them for their interest, enthusiasm and efforts. Their voices, thoughts and aspirations have been well and truly heard through the formation of this document. I would also like to thank all councillors who were actively involved, our CEO, executive team, Kerri and Kim especially, for your tireless works, this is very much a collaborative document. We have seen significant changes globally, nationally and locally over the past few years, so it is timely to revamp important strategic document. The document we present you with reflects the aspirations and strategic priorities of all of us. This plan sets a vision for the future, identifies objectives and outlines how we will work towards our common goals as identified in this document. Our community and customers are central to what we do as we continue to make Noosa a great place to live, work and visit. Central to this document is a renewed commitment to our residents and the community of Noosa Shire to ensure their collective voices are heard and responded to. Our review of the corporate plan has allowed us to reinforce this commitment and has provided us with the opportunity for a focus aimed firmly on the delivery of services and resources that meet both community needs and expectations. From the cradle to the grave, it covers and includes everyone in our community, all people, of all ages, with all abilities. Our new corporate plan is structured around five pillars: and recognising the importance of protecting both our lifestyle and unsurpassed natural environment is paramount. This plan commits council, in collaboration with residents, to build a healthy and resilient community. The plan is future focused with the knowledge that we must protect the residential amenity of our community, while providing appropriate and necessary services, infrastructure and community assets across our Shire. With the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics set firmly on the agenda for South East Queensland, this document also considers how we can best leverage from this once-in-a-generation event what legacy projects we want to work toward and advocate for as 2032 and beyond is in sight. Similarly, much of this corporate plan talks to the need to partner and advocate within the context of our role as elected representatives of Noosa Shire. Advocacy and partnership can, does and will involve continued engagement and collaboration with a variety of key stakeholders, none being more significant than stakeholders, none being more significant than our federal and state government representatives. Although a corporate plan is a legitimate requirement from local government, we believe it is an extremely important document for our council. It outlines both the way council will budget for and prioritise programs. prioritise programs and services over the next five years, ensuring we achieve our collective vision and goals. We continue to provide our community with programs that connect our residents, promote healthy and active lifestyles, grow our economy and support our small businesses. We take very seriously our role of managing a natural environment so it can be enjoyed for many years to come. We take very seriously our small businesses. This corporate plan outlines not only a collective vision but also provides a strong commitment from Council. It has an outward focus putting the community community consultation, other exciting projects are sure to follow. Again, I want to thank everyone for their feedback, whether they took the time to do the survey and /or attend community sessions. Your input has played a pivotal role in preparing our corporate plan, so it accurately reflects your aspirations for our future. This is your is your document, and most importantly, your community. We are both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to work with and for you. So I'm very humbled and grateful for the opportunity to work with her for you. Amelia Lorentson 11:11.717
I have a question through the chair. have a question through the chair. Clare Stewart 11:14.275
I have a question to the CEO. I have a question. Amelia Lorentson 11:18.935
So building a sustainable future, which means that no one's left behind, means that no one's left behind. My question is in reference to the consultation process. Is that a good sample size? Is that a good sample size and does it represent people with disability, our First Nations and other minority groups? Through the Mayor, thank you very much for the question, Councillor Lorentson. A fantastic sample size. We as a Council did everything we possibly could to be able to go far and wide with consultation. This wasn't just about consulting online. It was going out to our communities within our community facilities and working on face-to-face basis. In relation to First Nations, we work directly with Kabi Kabi and you'll see that come through the document itself. It absolutely pays respect to our First Nations people, particularly Kabi Kabi. We've done the best that we can. There's always room for improvement, but this is a level of consultation that is commensurate with what a corporate plan should be delivered, provided face-to-face, provided online. We're able to not only advertise within our local newspapers, there was also was also a radio advertisement that was done at the time. There were flyers that were put forward. But that just wasn't enough for us. Once we formed the document, we went back out to the community and asked their views about the document and where we needed to make some changes and incorporate those, we absolutely did. So we've done the best that we can and I think it's a fantastic sample size for us, plus all of those are the exact communities that do the face-to-face sessions. I know Councillor Wilkie was at all of those as well too and did a great job of stepping in there to help us with those. So this is a real team effort and great to see our council have this delivered for us today. So good sample size. We've done the best that we can and we really hope we've heard as many voices as we can and to agree with as many voices as we can. Brian Stockwell 13:45.960
It's an interesting process we've went through that has really reaffirmed the community's core values. So the large response quite clearly showed that when we asked what is the most important thing that the corporate plan should focus on, the environment. But there was another one there that is actually a little bit unusual, and that was transport and traffic management. Amelia Lorentson 14:11.213
And that is a current issue that, aside from just filling potholes or resealing roads, it's about how do we enjoy the connectivity that roads give us, and why the destination management and that was Brian Stockwell 14:25.979
Management plan, which is one of the initiatives in here, is so important. And why this corporate plan suggests we move from a transport strategy to a movement and connectivity strategy. I think that's one key difference about this corporate plan is people are saying that we need to do something about the current road conditions. That their lifestyle is being impacted by what's currently happening in the busy parts of the Shire. The other interesting one is when the consultants who did the consultation did a qualitative analysis... Not on any specific question, but everything written by the community. They did Leximancer where they analysed what words were used. Once again, right up the top, environment. Amelia Lorentson 15:16.766
But what came second was housing. And once again, there is going to again, there is going to be some difficult decisions coming up for this council in the next five years about how it responds to that focus area. Because it is, like many places across Australia, a maintain a community balance to have a range of housing choice. Brian Stockwell 15:44.801
I think it's Objective 2.1 that outlines that. To me, those two different... If they were the only two changes made to the last corporate plan, it would give us five years of work. Amelia Lorentson 15:56.563
Because they're the two key issues that are impacting on the livability. Of course, we still have to invest invest and invest and invest, and protect and protect and protect our natural environment, our scenic amenity, and all those other assets that go to what this Shire provides in the way of benefits of living here and visiting. But the crunch points are going to come about The crunch points are going to come about in visiting. How we get people to go to enjoy those places without congestion, without lining up in cars, with good transport mechanisms that don't create greenhouse gases, and how How we we house house the the full full range range of of our our population so that we've got the people to work in our businesses, so we have places for people over 50 when they become single, once again, can move into and can afford to live and enjoy retirement, how we create this community creates new challenges and new roles for local government, and that won't always be expected. And that won't always be expected by a community, and some will say no, just leave it to other levels of government, but for me, as a community saying this is our second highest focus area for the next five years, I think it's incumbent on us to be part of all levels of government working to create housing choice. choice of all levels of government working to create housing choice. Clare Stewart 17:20.542
Choice: I'll speak to it, I'll be quite brief. Thank Amelia Lorentson 17:28.842
I'll be a significant piece of work and it gives me great joy to be able to stand here during this term of Council to speak about our corporate plan. The corporate plan gives us a really clear picture of what the community wants the future of Noosa to look like. What they want is for it to be green and a great place to live, work and visit. Our commitment today is to ensure that we deliver this future to our community. I'm going to quote, it comes straight out of the corporate plan, our why, our purpose, our mission. Part of that commitment today straight out of the corporate plan, our why, our purpose, our mission. Part of that commitment today is that we commit to ensuring that we maintain our point of difference, that our communities celebrate our point of difference, that our communities celebrate culture, heritage and place, that we are connected, we're engaged and inspired by our unique environment. Resilient economy and sustainable future. That we are Noosa, different by nature. Noosa has always chosen a different path to other councils to build a plan of successful legacy. And today we make that commitment that it will continue to do so. The last three years in council has shown us that we need to be agile, courageous and show strong leadership as we negotiate constant challenges and make decisions in the best interest of our community and in the best interest of our environment. It's also shown us or myself that we must work as a team and share this common vision to protect our future if we really want to do that, to protect our future. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who provided feedback, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who provided feedback and the hard working council, their trust and the hard working council offices. And to also acknowledge and thank those that came before us and thank those that came before us who for over 50 years have advocated and worked for over 50 years to protect protect our environment and the place that we now call Noosa, the most beautiful place on earth. Thank you Madam Frank Wilkie 19:54.761
Mayor. Thank you Madam Mayor, CEO and the staff and fellow councillors for their work in compiling this document and also the feedback from the community which has affirmed what we suspected and that is that the community values the environment and residential amenity and livability extremely highly and in that sense this corporate... I too... My hope for this document is that it crystallises the thinking of us as councillors and also the staff that we deliver on what the promise that is within this document for it will be, its value will come to naught if we are making decisions that will fit with any strategies and plans that are in that document and from that point of view, it's a very important clarifying piece of work which will help crystallise it down directionally. Joe Jurisevic 21:11.603
I too would like to thank CEO and staff and everybody that's been engaged in this process in the community going forward. This is the document that will guide guide and lead us for the next five years and ensure that all those initiatives that we do undertake are part and parcel in the community's vision for our community going forward. The elements that have been alluded to here: environment, livability are all foremost and that's the thing we've been hearing significantly from our community over the last couple of years and I know that the Corporate Plan will be the guiding document to help us deliver those initiatives for the future. SPEAKER_06 21:52.756
Thank you, Councillor Jurisevic. Karen Finzel 21:57.061
Yes, it's with great pride. Yes, it's with Greg. I can say we've done this. This is really significant as a first-time councillor on term, as an elected representative. I want to extend my thanks to the CEO, to all the executive staff. staff, my fellow councillors and everyone in the community who is very engaged and has had their voice considered through this process. I think this is fantastic, this document. It also represents a accountability. It gives us the guidelines and the framework and we've come together with our community to deliver a great document that gives us those steps and hopefully that can engender trust in our community. we will we've heard what they have to say and that we will deliver. It's ambitious but hopefully we can work hard together as a team and alongside our community to maintain that we are different by nature that we value that different by nature that we value the legacy of a rich and vibrant community moving forward. Building on the legacy that's gone before us including the Kabi Kabi people and our connection to place and country as we move forward. It provides opportunities for a future that is hopefully rich and magnificent and one that we are proud of as we move forward into our future. Also it gives us a focus on our leadership, strengthens our voices. on our leadership strengthens our voices leaders in our community our capacity to deliver for our community and stand up and give voice to our community and show that we have listened and we have tried to implement through this process which has been very well engaged and lengthy but it gives us the great opportunity to put a framework that's not only not only required by legislation but that we have put our heart, soul and passion into along with our community so I'm really excited for the future and moving forward excited to be able to measure what we've put together in this plan and hopefully make our community proud. Thank you. Scott Waters 24:11.500
No thank you everybody, thumbs down. All good, thank you very much, thank you everybody, thumbs down. Clare Stewart 24:15.840
I'll wait my right to reply so I'll put all two of them. All in favour? That is unanimous. Councillor Wegener, Thank you. Elinda, that is unanimous. Thank you everyone, again thank you Mr CEO, thank you Executive, all staff. It is now 1:28 so I declare the meeting closed at 1:28pm. Thank you everyone. Thank you, thank you. I told you, man. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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