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Item 5.2.2023-06-12 · General CommitteeOfficial item record

ENVIRONMENT GRANTS - ENVIRONMENT PROJECT GRANTS (ROUND 18), MULTI-YEAR ENVIRONMENT COLLABORATIVE (MEC) GRANTS (ROUND 2: 2023-2026) AND ENVIRONMENT ORGANISATION ALLIANCE GRANTS (2023-2026) (Referred from P&E 6 June 2023)

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See the votes on this matter →

What was decided?

The minuted decision sequence

No separately labelled carried Council Resolution has been identified here. Read each formal event and the complete item minutes; a lost motion is not necessarily the final outcome.

1Committee ResolutionCarried

Moved: Amelia Lorentson · Seconded: Tom Wegener

That Cr Jurisevic be appointed as Acting Chairperson of the meeting for this item for the purpose of considering the conflict of interest declaration by Cr Wilkie.  

Carried Unanimously.

Official minutes · section 7

2Committee ResolutionLost

Moved: Amelia Lorentson · Seconded: Joe Jurisevic

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Wilkie and determine must leave the meeting and not participate in the consideration and vote on this matter because a reasonable person would not trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.

Lost

For 0 named

No names recorded on this side.

Against 3 named

Joe JurisevicTom WegenerAmelia Lorentson

Official minutes · section 15

3Committee ResolutionCarried

Moved: Joe Jurisevic · Seconded: Tom Wegener

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Wilkie and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Wilkie participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that neither he nor the PBCA nor the Peregian Beach Bushcare Group stand to gain personally or materially through this grant to NEEH that it is in the public interest that Cr Wilkie participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.

Carried Unanimously.

Official minutes · section 23

4Committee ResolutionCarried

Moved: Joe Jurisevic · Seconded: Tom Wegener

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that he nor the PBCA nor the Peregian Beach Bushcare Group stand to gain personally or materially through this grant to NEEH that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.

Carried Unanimously.

Official minutes · section 32

5Committee ResolutionCarried

Moved: Joe Jurisevic · Seconded: Amelia Lorentson

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that he does not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this matter due to the community nature of this relationship with Landcare and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.

Carried Unanimously.

Official minutes · section 40

6Committee ResolutionCarried

Moved: Amelia Lorentson · Seconded: Joe Jurisevic

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest. Although he has  a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship and vote that Cr Stockwell remains in the room.

Carried Unanimously.

Official minutes · section 48

7Committee ResolutionCarried

Moved: Joe Jurisevic · Seconded: Amelia Lorentson

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable person could not have a perception of bias because the ICEO review was an advisory service, not a statutory process, and Cr Stockwell’s queries at that time were in the public interest and neither he nor Ms McCready stood to personally gain or lose from that advice and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.

Carried Unanimously.

Official minutes · section 56

8Committee RecommendationCarried

Moved: Joe Jurisevic · Seconded: Frank Wilkie

That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer - Policy and Planning to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 June 2023 regarding the Environment Project Grants, MEC Grants and Environment Organisation Alliance Grants and:  

A. Award the Environment Project grants, Multi Year Environment Collaborative (MEC) grants and Alliance grants, for the initiatives recommended in Attachments 1 – 3 for funding totalling the amounts below:

i. Environment Project Grants (Attachment 1) = $24,030.00 (one year)

ii. MEC Grants (Attachment 2) = $261,518.20 (per year) totalling $784,554.61 (over three years)

iii. Environment Organisation Alliance Grants (Attachment 3) = $88,900 (per year) totalling $266,700.00 (over three years);

B. Support the reallocation of $50,970 from the Environment Project grants to the Alliance grants for the next three financial years (2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26);

C. Authorise the CEO to enter Funding Deeds for the Environment Project grants, MEC grants and Alliance grants with successful organisations, as per the recommended funding amount; and

D. Support the review of the Environment Grants Policy and Environment Levy Policy and associated guidelines by Environmental Services to identify areas for improvement in future grant rounds.

Carried Unanimously.

Official minutes · section 62

Read complete item-specific minutes
In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stewart  provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
I, Cr Stewart, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as Leigh McCready, a Director of Tourism Noosa is a personal friend.  As a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on.

Cr Stewart left the meeting room

In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Finzel provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
I, Cr Finzel, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as Leigh McCready, a Director of Tourism Noosa, was involved with my 2020 election campaign with Future Noosa as a volunteer, which is no longer an entity.  As a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on.

 Cr Finzel left the meeting room.


Committee Resolution

Moved:Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded:Cr Tom Wegener 

That Cr Jurisevic be appointed as Acting Chairperson of the meeting for this item for the purpose of considering the conflict of interest declaration by Cr Wilkie.  
Carried Unanimously.
Cr Stockwell and Wilkie did not vote. 

In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Wilkie provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:

I, Cr Wilkie, inform the meeting that I would like to declare a declarable conflict of interest for Item 5.2 Environmental Grants for the Noosa Environmental Education Hub grant. In early 2020, I received an electoral donation of $750 from Susan Francis. Susan Francis is the partner of Barry Cotterell. Barry Cotterell is the president of the Peregian Beach Community Association (PBCA). The PBCA supports the Peregian Beach Bushcare group. The Peregian Beach Bushcare group will feature in work being showcased to school students by the Noosa Environmental Education Hub. I nor the PBCA nor the Peregian Beach Bushcare Group stand to gain personally or materially through this grant to NEEH and make this declaration out of “an abundance of caution” given the possible scope and interpretation of Conflict of Interest rulings. I believe I can make an impartial decision in the public interest in this matter and leave it to the meeting to determine whether I stay in the meeting room.


Committee Resolution

Moved:Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded:Cr Joe Jurisevic 

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Wilkie and determine must leave the meeting and not participate in the consideration and vote on this matter because a reasonable person would not trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.

For:Nil
Against:Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Jurisevic and Cr Lorentson  
Lost
(Cr Wilkie and Stockwell did not vote on the above motion )



Committee Resolution

Moved:Cr Joe Jurisevic
Seconded:Cr Tom Wegener

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Wilkie and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Wilkie participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that neither he nor the PBCA nor the Peregian Beach Bushcare Group stand to gain personally or materially through this grant to NEEH that it is in the public interest that Cr Wilkie participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
Carried Unanimously.

(Cr Wilkie and Cr Stockwell did not vote on the above motion)

Cr Wilkie assumed the Chair 

In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I would like to declare a declarable conflict of interest for Item 5.2 Environmental Grants for the Noosa Environmental Education Hub grant. In early 2020, I received an electoral donation of $500 from Susan Francis. Susan Francis is the partner of Barry Cotterell. Barry Cotterell is the President of the Peregian Beach Community Association (PBCA). The PBCA supports the Peregian Beach Bushcare group. The Peregian Beach Bushcare group will feature in work being showcased to school students by the Noosa Environmental Education Hub. I nor the PBCA nor the Peregian Beach Bushcare Group stand to gain personally or materially through this grant to NEEH and make this declaration out of “an abundance of caution” given the possible scope and interpretation of Conflict of Interest rulings. I believe I can make an impartial decision in the public interest in this matter and leave it to the meeting to determine whether I stay in the meeting room. 

Committee Resolution

Moved:Cr Joe Jurisevic
Seconded:Cr Tom Wegener

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that he nor the PBCA nor the Peregian Beach Bushcare Group stand to gain personally or materially through this grant to NEEH that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
Carried Unanimously.

(Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilkie did not vote on the above motion)


In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
I, Cr Stockwell, also inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the application by the Noosa District Landcare due to my long standing connection with the organisation as one of the inaugural members of the unincorporated group dating back to the 1980s and a current ordinary member. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship. I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision.


Committee Resolution

Moved:Cr Joe Jurisevic
Seconded:Cr Amelia Lorentson

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that he does not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this matter due to the community nature of this relationship with Landcare and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
Carried Unanimously.

(Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilkie did not vote on the above motion)

In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as I have a long-standing relationship with MRCCC as a previous government employee and a long-term collaborator since 1994. I have in the past had a small consultant contract below the limit for a Prescribed Conflict and prior to the declarable time frame.  I was up until the last AGM  Council's representative on the committee and in this role I played a role in facilitating and developing the group's revised catchment strategy. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship. I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision.

Committee Resolution

Moved:Cr Amelia Lorentson


Seconded:Cr Joe Jurisevic

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest. Although he has  a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias considering the community nature of this relationship and vote that Cr Stockwell remains in the room.


Carried Unanimously.
(Cr Stockwell and Cr Wilkie did not vote on the above motion)


In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as on 24 February 2020 I sought a review by the Independent Council Election Observer (ICEO) as to the public claims of the Future Noosa Team, of which Leigh McCready was publicly identified as a Campaign Manager. Leigh McCready is a Director of Tourism Noosa. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because the ICEO review was an advisory service, not a statutory process, and my queries at that time were in the public interest and neither I nor Ms McCready stood to personally gain or lose from that advice. Therefore, I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision.



Committee Resolution

Moved:Cr Joe Jurisevic
Seconded:Cr Amelia Lorentson

That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stockwell and determine that it is in the public interest that Cr Stockwell participates and votes on this matter because Council believes that a reasonable person could not have a perception of bias because the ICEO review was an advisory service, not a statutory process, and Cr Stockwell’s queries at that time were in the public interest and neither he nor Ms McCready stood to personally gain or lose from that advice and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
Carried Unanimously.

(Cr Stockwell  and Cr Wilkie did not vote on the above motion)


Committee Recommendation

Moved:Cr Joe Jurisevic
Seconded:Cr Frank Wilkie 

That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer - Policy and Planning to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 June 2023 regarding the Environment Project Grants, MEC Grants and Environment Organisation Alliance Grants and:  
  1. Award the Environment Project grants, Multi Year Environment Collaborative (MEC) grants and Alliance grants, for the initiatives recommended in Attachments 1 – 3 for funding totalling the amounts below:
    1. Environment Project Grants (Attachment 1) = $24,030.00 (one year)
    2. MEC Grants (Attachment 2) = $261,518.20 (per year) totalling $784,554.61 (over three years)
    3. Environment Organisation Alliance Grants (Attachment 3) = $88,900 (per year) totalling $266,700.00 (over three years);
  2. Support the reallocation of $50,970 from the Environment Project grants to the Alliance grants for the next three financial years (2023/24, 2024/25, and 2025/26);
  3. Authorise the CEO to enter Funding Deeds for the Environment Project grants, MEC grants and Alliance grants with successful organisations, as per the recommended funding amount; and
  4. Support the review of the Environment Grants Policy and Environment Levy Policy and associated guidelines by Environmental Services to identify areas for improvement in future grant rounds.
Carried Unanimously.

Cr Stewart and Cr Finzel returned to the meeting.




This summary follows this item’s minutes. The established voting totals use their existing method while differences are checked against the full records.

What was said?

Named discussion on NoosaWatch TV

These actual transcript passages match the item’s wording. The start and end of the item’s discussion are not yet confirmed; these excerpts are not measured item airtime or exact decision moments.

Rebecca83:45
This report presents an overview of the applications received for the current grant round. There's three components to the environment grants: a project grant for single-year projects multi-year environment collaboration grant for a collection of community groups to come together for a grant application, and then environmental organisation alliance grant to help with organisation. Good organisational costs.
Frank Wilkie53:40
Councillor Stockwell I'll put the motion passes. As a favour. That Thank you. Annie. Thank you very much. Next up is environment grants. Environment project grants from 18 multi-year environments. Collaborative grants, round two, and environment organisation, the last grants. Right. We've got a few conflicts of interest. Mayor Clare, would you like to go first
1 suggested discussion start time
  • 4993.0 seconds on the council source timeline · Approximate discussion link. The end of the discussion is not yet confirmed.

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