Special Meeting

Key Decisions & Discussions
• Clare Stewart: Council suspended Standing Orders to enable extended budget briefing; later resumed and unanimously endorsed release of the Draft 2023/24 Budget for two-week public consultation, with final adoption set for 30 June 2023 (00:06, 12:40) (Item 2.1; Council Resolutions).
• Trent Grauf: Set context under Local Government Act/Regulation: annual budget adoption required; Noosa continues voluntary public consultation for the third year to “fine-tune” priorities (01:29) (Item 2.1).
• Trent Grauf: Economic headwinds: QLD CPI 7.4%; 1% inflation ≈ $1.5m extra costs; major pressures across wages, fuel, logistics, construction materials, utilities, insurance (01:29–03:57) (Item 2.1).
• Trent Grauf: Base “lights-on” budget covers 2024 election costs (ECQ on-charge), expanded lifeguard services, and escalations in road materials, utilities, landfill operations (04:46) (Item 2.1).
• Trent Grauf: Operating/capital highlights: $39m capital works (>$28m renewals), waste recovery upgrades, ZEN program continuation, parks staffing boosts (Botanic Gardens, Hinterland Playground), heritage conservation planning, Go Noosa free buses, Living Well Noosa, Destination Management Plan (04:46–08:11) (Item 2.1).
• Trent Grauf: Disaster recovery works (~$80m, QRA-funded) excluded from capital program; to be incorporated via budget review as delivered (07:27) (Item 2.1).
• Trent Grauf: Land valuations up avg 62% (2nd year running) with uneven distribution; Council balancing equity via rate-in-dollar, considering averaging/capping/rebates; majority on minimum rate see net 5.5% rise; levies/sep. charges frozen (08:11–09:39) (Item 2.1).
• Trent Grauf: Fees/charges: >1,000 items; ~80% within CPI; >10% increases mainly for development fees long-frozen; new fees for building/plumbing and Short Stay/Transitory Accommodation to be adopted separately (09:39–10:27) (Item 2.1).
• Amelia Lorentson: Secured commitment that all consultation feedback will be analysed and transparently reported at adoption (10:33–11:22) (Item 2.1).
• Joe Jurisevic: Confirmed corporate plan, Livability and Satisfaction surveys were key pre-budget inputs shaping priorities (11:47–12:20) (Item 2.1).
• Frank Wilkie: Majority of ratepayers to see increases below CPI (~5.5%); >4,000 properties may see rate decreases due to rate-in-dollar moderation after two valuation hikes (20:10) (Item 2.1).
Contentious / Transparency Matters
• Clare Stewart: Acknowledged “robust discussions,” areas some councillors don’t support, but collective position advanced for community input, underscoring transparency of trade-offs (12:40–19:01) (Item 2.1).
• Brian Stockwell: Noted urban greening program did not “get above the line” due to rate impact; flagged City Deal livability funding as potential future lever (22:25–26:05) (Item 2.1; Attachment 1 noted).
• Brian Stockwell: Walking/cycling strategy progressing at “10-year pace” with only small missing-link works; invites community push if priority warrants acceleration (24:49–26:45) (Item 2.1).
• Brian Stockwell: Sought clearer comms on valuation thresholds for minimum general rate to aid public understanding (19:01–19:24) (Item 2.1).
• All councillors: Repeated emphasis on direct community consultation mechanisms: online survey, email submissions, in-person Chamber session; outcomes to inform final budget (10:41–11:22, 12:40–18:59) (Item 2.1).
Legal / Risk
• Trent Grauf: Compliance: budget aligned to Corporate Plan, Operational Plan, Financial Sustainability Policy; adoption timetable within LG Act/Regulation (01:29–03:11) (Item 2.1).
• Trent Grauf: Rating risk: uneven land valuation spikes (0–300%+) create equity challenges; Council uses lawful mechanisms (rate-in-dollar, potential averaging/capping, pensioner rebates) to moderate impacts (08:11–09:24; 16:57–18:57) (Item 2.1).
• Trent Grauf: Special rates/separate charges for precincts (e.g., Hastings St, Noosa Junction, Noosa Waters) excluded at draft stage; separate engagement underway to finalise lawfully (03:11–04:44) (Item 2.1).
• Brian Stockwell: Waste methane “real cost” (>~$1m) not yet added to waste charge this year; strategy is to invest in diversion/resource recovery infrastructure first – policy choice with pricing risk if delayed (27:07–28:53) (Item 2.1).
• Financial posture: Mayor stated modest operating surplus and all statutory sustainability targets are met, mitigating long-term fiscal risk (12:40–16:57) (Item 2.1).
Environmental Concerns
• Trent Grauf: Increased parks maintenance staffing; Botanic Gardens master planning; heritage conservation plans; continuation of ZEN and waste recovery initiatives (04:46–08:11) (Item 2.1).
• Brian Stockwell: New initiative to commence Eastern Beaches rehabilitation per Coastal Management Plan, plus added enforcement capacity (22:25–23:40) (Item 2.1).
• Brian Stockwell: Partnership with ZEN Inc aimed at leveraging external funding (e.g., community battery) to accelerate emissions reductions (26:45–27:25) (Item 2.1).
• Frank Wilkie: Reframed “waste” as recoverable resource; aligns with QLD landfill levy trajectory and circular economy focus (29:14–31:47) (Item 2.1).
Short Term Accommodation / Short Stay Letting
• Trent Grauf: New fees connected to short stay/transitory accommodation to be adopted separately from the main budget to allow business/community systems to update (10:07–10:27) (Item 2.1).
• Brian Stockwell: Housing crisis flagged as high community priority; budget allocates work to progress partnerships on council/state land at Cooroy and Tewantin, subject to state funding and staffing (23:58–25:42) (Item 2.1).
Quarry (Kin Kin) and Legal Action Context
• Brian Stockwell: Kin Kin quarry remains constrained pending court judgment; budget reflects limited scope to act until decision delivered (25:13–25:25) (Item 2.1).
• Transport impacts: Broader roads/traffic funding largely tied to asset renewal obligations; community often seeks faster action, but fiscal capacity is constrained (25:25–26:05) (Item 2.1).
Community Transparency and Engagement
• All councillors: Strong emphasis on public participation: surveys, emails, in-person session; comprehensive feedback report to be tabled with adoption (10:41–11:22, 12:40–18:57) (Item 2.1).
• Amelia Lorentson: Emphasised “meaningful” consultation and councillors’ on-the-ground engagement, targeting a back-to-basics service focus (32:27–34:44) (Item 2.1).
Transport, Parking, and Visitor Management
• Brian Stockwell: Studies funded for parking management, including camera cars/ANPR and smart sensing to design strategic, area-wide rules and avoid spillover (26:05–27:07) (Item 2.1).
• Brian Stockwell: Expressed desire for new income streams (e.g., day-tripper charging in tourist precincts) and stricter controls (boat trailers, overnight camping), with current budget funding preparatory studies (26:05–27:07) (Item 2.1).