General Committee, 12 February 2024
Date: Monday, 12 February 2024 at 12:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 01:54:22
Synopsis: Approvals: Landfill reconfiguration with offsets and upgrades, Netanya setbacks and parking contribution, Tewantin subdivision with flood/bushfire controls, Governance: conditions published, Advocacy: member safety and wastewater recycling.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Frank Wilkie Karen Finzel Joe Jurisevic Amelia Lorentson Clare Stewart Brian Stockwell Tom Wegener Jurisevic Was Not Present At The Start Of The Meeting. Executive Officers
Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf Director Strategy And Environment Kim Rawlings Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Approved subdivision RAL23/0015 at 11 Billabong Way, Tewantin, creating 2 lots with access easement; flood and bushfire notes and building envelopes imposed; fencing to be 1.2m and not impede flood conveyance (Item 5.1; 03:58–06:15). Frank Wilkie moved approval with amended conditions incl. fence specification and removal of redundant effluent reference; carried unanimously (Item 5.1; 03:58–05:38). Approved minor change package for Netanya, 71 Hastings St: setbacks on Park Rd to minimum 2m, lightweight light-coloured batten materials, and infrastructure agreement for 1 car space in lieu (Item 5.2; 08:52–14:45). Brian Stockwell secured added conditions to reduce bulk and ensure beachside character under Noosa Plan; encroaching fence already removed (Item 5.2; 08:52–10:36, 12:26). Approved “other change” expanding resource recovery area and relocating/upsizing HES basin at Noosa Landfill, Doonan; ecological offsets and stormwater upgrades conditioned (Item 6.1; 16:15–25:58). Included full conditions (1–45) in minutes for transparency; officers to explore koala awareness signage subject to State road constraints (Item 6.1; 38:31–40:30, 45:29–49:13). Financial Performance Jan 2024 noted: operating surplus $1.3m above budget YTD; cash $110m (rates cycle peak); capex 38% delivered excl. disaster works; key indicators added (Item 6.2; 50:30–55:35). Approved ALGA motions: psychosocial safety parity/training for elected members (Finzel) and national investment in wastewater recycling incl. PFAS treatment (Lorentson); CEO authorised to make minor edits; both to present if re-elected (Item 6.3; 01:06:21–01:28:33, 01:25:17–01:26:12). Operational Plan Q2 noted: 79% initiatives completed/on track; staffing gaps delaying some transport/community strategy items; environment roundtables to resume with new Council (Item 6.4; 01:29:02–01:36:02, 01:34:11–01:35:40). Planning KPI discussion: high application volumes with staffing shortages; managed via agreed extensions; noted deemed approval (code) and deemed refusal (impact) risks (Item 6.4; 01:36:14–01:37:23). Reallocation of grant to Ed Webb Park due to acquittal timing; Changing Places facility design continues within foreshore master plan and 10‑yr program (Item 6.4; 01:46:59–01:48:27). Contentious / Transparency Matters Amelia Lorentson queried potential conflict re: Joe Jurisevic and Griffith Ave; confirmed he does not live there; no COI (05:51–06:15; Item 5.1). Procedural concern on adding unseen landfill conditions; resolved by attaching full prior conditions to minutes for public visibility (40:20–41:13; Item 6.1). Karen Finzel pressed for proactive community comms on landfill vegetation clearing and safety upgrades; CEO committed to media release post‑decision (34:49–37:56; Item 6.1). Request for public consultant fee transparency; officers noted commercial‑in‑confidence and proposed function‑based disclosure (57:05–59:57; Item 6.2). Legal / Risk Approvals noted as provided under s63(5) Planning Act 2016 for RAL23/0015 and Netanya changes, ensuring lawful reasons documented (Items 5.1, 5.2). Landfill clearing: Council as proponent uses Schedule 5 infrastructure exemption for koala habitat; still must meet self‑assessable koala policy and separate SARA vegetation referral conditions; 6:1 offset (approx. 500 stems→3,000) onsite 1.8ha plus State offsets (26:01–29:16; 27:31–29:16; Item 6.1). Fauna management conditioned: suitably qualified ecologist/QPWS certified; pre‑clear scans and potential IR drone use to mitigate harm (29:28–31:45; Item 6.1). HES basin: current asset at limit in large events; upsizing reduces pollution risk and meets contemporary stormwater standards; safety separation for public operations addressed (31:45–34:03; Item 6.1). Statutory clock risks: code apps may be deemed approved; impact apps deemed refused; Council managing via extensions/info requests (01:36:14–01:37:23; Item 6.4). Netanya: setback and materials conditions enforce Noosa Plan character outcomes; infrastructure agreement lawfully substitutes one car space with contribution (Item 5.2; 08:52–12:26). Conflicts of Interest Amelia Lorentson raised a potential COI for Joe Jurisevic regarding Griffith Ave access; confirmed no proximity interest; matter proceeded unanimously (05:51–06:15; Item 5.1). Environmental Concerns Landfill expansion balances vegetation loss with onsite 1.8ha offsets and State‑required offsets; koala corridor width increased on southern boundary; signage awareness to be explored (43:50–46:03, 45:29–49:13; Item 6.1). Flood notes and building envelopes mandated on new Tewantin lots; fencing not to impede flood conveyance, acknowledging 1% AEP hazard lines (Item 5.1; 01:16–04:38). ALGA motion seeks national investment in wastewater recycling, tertiary/quaternary treatment (PFAS/microplastics), reducing ocean outfalls and building community trust (01:18:31–01:27:23; Item 6.3). Planning Scheme, Character & Hastings St Netanya conditions target reduced bulk, 2m setbacks, lightweight light‑coloured elements to align with Noosa Plan coastal character; existing bulky dark pillars criticised (08:52–10:36; Item 5.2). Encroachment resolved pre‑decision; demonstrates compliance with property boundaries and public realm protection (12:26; Item 5.2). Community Transparency & Governance Full landfill condition set to be published with minutes to avoid fragmented approvals and aid public scrutiny (38:31–41:13; Item 6.1). Psychosocial safety motion seeks consistent national approach so elected reps receive parity training/protection; WHS Act s29 duties for “other persons” noted as partial coverage (01:12:55–01:18:31; Item 6.3). Operational delivery pressures tied to staffing shortages; traffic/transport coordinator recruitment ongoing; interim internal reallocations made (01:31:37–01:34:11; Item 6.4). Finance & Economic Signals Revenues buoyed by interest and user charges (holiday parks, waste); DA/building/plumbing fees below budget amid market slowdown and resourcing; clarity sought on cash restricted to disaster/QRA (50:30–57:02; Item 6.2). Insurance costs trending higher; work underway on WorkCover optimization; addition of financial sustainability indicators improves oversight (01:03:08–01:03:35; Item 6.2). New Development Applications / Changes Tewantin 1→2 lot reconfig with flood/bushfire overlays and access easement formalisation; PO4 non‑compliance accepted to maintain estate character (01:16–03:58; Item 5.1). Netanya staged refurb change with car park IA and façade/landscaping refinements at key Park Rd/Hastings corner (Item 5.2; 08:52–10:36). Noosa Landfill operational reconfiguration to expand recovery area, relocate HES basin, raise pad to flood-tolerable level; no traffic intensification evidenced (16:15–25:58; Item 6.1).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES General Committee Meeting Monday, 12 February 2024 12:30 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Committee: Crs Frank Wilkie (Chair) Karen Finzel, Joe Jurisevic, Amelia Lorentson, Clare Stewart, Brian Stockwell, Tom Wegener “Noosa Shire – different by nature” GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 12 FEBRUARY 2024 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Frank Wilkie Cr Karen Finzel Cr Joe Jurisevic Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Clare Stewart Cr Brian Stockwell Cr Tom Wegener Councillor Jurisevic was not present at the start of the meeting. EXECUTIVE Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings (via Microsoft Teams) Director Community Services Kerri Contini (via Microsoft Teams) Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray APOLOGIES Nil. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell The Minutes of the General Committee Meeting held on 15 January 2024 be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 4. DEPUTATIONS Nil. GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 12 FEBRUARY 2024 5. ITEMS REFERRED FROM COMMITTEES 5.1. RAL23/0015 DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION TO RECONFIGURE A LOT (1 LOT INTO 2 LOTS & ACCESS EASEMENT) AT 11 BILLABONG WAY, TEWANTIN (REFERRED FROM PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING DATED 6 FEBRUARY 2024 - ITEM 5.1 - FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION) Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council note the report by the Development Planner to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 February 2024 regarding Application No. RAL23/0015 for a Development Permit for Reconfiguring a Lot – 1 lot into 2 lots and Access Easement situated at 11 Billabong Way Tewantin and: A. Approve the application in accordance with the proposed conditions outlined in Attachment 1 to the GC Minutes dated 12 February 2024 RAL23/0015 - Amended Conditions B. Include the following Property Notes on the approved lots: Lot 1 1. During inclement weather events up to and beyond the 1% AEP event, this lot experiences flooding along the eastern and southern property boundaries. 2. All structures are to be constructed within the building envelope shown on the approved plan. For more information refer to Council Approval RAL23/0015. 3. To ensure the safety of people and property on this property is maintained, all buildings and structures must be sited constructed in accordance with the bushfire management conditions of Council Approval RAL23/0015. Lot 2 4. During inclement weather events up to and beyond the 1% AEP event, this lot experiences flooding along the eastern property boundary. 5. All structures are to be constructed within the building envelope shown on the approved plan. For more information refer to Council Approval RAL23/0015. 6. To ensure the safety of people and property on this property is maintained, all buildings and structures must be sited constructed in accordance with the bushfire management conditions of Council Approval RAL23/0015. C. Include the following Reference Document: Plan No. Rev. Plan/Document Name Date - 1 Bushfire Evacuation Plan 13.11.2023 prepared by Equilibrium Ecology GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 12 FEBRUARY 2024 D. Note the report is provided in accordance with Section 63(5) of the Planning Act 2016. Carried unanimously. 5.2. 51901.3614.03, 51901.3786.04, 51992.479.03, 51994.1048.03, 51994.1249.03, MCU13/0081.03 – MINOR CHANGE TO DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS FOR 47 MULTIPLE DWELLINGS, ENTERTAINMENT & DINING - TYPE 1 FOOD & BEVERAGE AND RETAIL BUSINESS - TYPE 1 LOCAL AND TYPE 2 SHOP & SALON AT ‘NETANYA’ - 71 HASTINGS STREET NOOSA HEADS DESCRIBED AS LOT 0 ON BUP101500 (REFERRED FROM PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING DATED 6 FEBRUARY 2024 ITEM 5.2 - DUE TO SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISSUE.) Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener Cr Jurisevic joined the meeting. That Council note the report by the Coordinator Planning to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 February 2024 regarding Application No.s 51901.3614.03 51901.3614, 51901.3786.04, 51992.479.03, 51994.1048.03, 51994.1249.03, MCU13/0081.03 to make a minor change to existing approvals for staging and minor changes to refurbishment works situated at Netanya 71 Hastings St Noosa Heads Qld 4567 and: A. Approve the change. B. Amend conditions as outlined in Attachment 2 to the GC Minutes Dated 12 February 2024 – MCU13/0081.03 – Amended Conditions. C. Agree to enter into an Infrastructure Agreement with the applicant that provides for contributions in lieu one on site car parking space. D. Include amended and additional conditions as outlined in Attachment 1 on 51901.3614.01, 51901.3786.02, 51992.479.01, 51994.1249.01, 51994.1048.01 and MCU13/0081.01. E. Note the report is provided in accordance with Section 63(5) of the Planning Act 2016. Carried unanimously. 6. REPORTS DIRECT TO GENERAL COMMITTEE 6.1. 132005.638.03 - OTHER CHANGE TO AN EXISTING APPROVAL FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE – EXPANSION OF SPECIAL PURPOSE (WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING FACILITY) & ONGOING CLEARING PURPOSES AT 561 EUMUNDI NOOSA ROAD, DOONAN Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 12 FEBRUARY 2024 That Council note the report prepared by external consultant (JFP Urban Consultants) to the General Committee Meeting dated 12 February 2024 regarding Application No. 132005.638.03 for an Other change application to an existing approval for Material Change of Use – Waste Disposal & Recycling Facility and Ongoing Clearing Purposes, situated at Noosa Landfill at 561 Eumundi Noosa Rd Doonan Qld 4562 and: A. Approve the application in accordance with the proposed conditions outlined in Attachment 1; and B. Note a full copy of the conditions is provided at Attachment 3 to the GC Minutes dated 12 February 2024 - 132005.638.03 - Full copy of conditions. Carried unanimously. 6.2. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT – JANUARY 2024 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Tom Wegener Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Council note the report by the Manager Financial Services (Acting) to the General Committee Meeting dated 12 February 2024 outlining January 2024 year to date financial performance against budget, including changes to the financial performance report with the inclusion of key financial sustainability indicators. Carried unanimously. 6.3. COUNCILLOR MOTIONS FOR SUBMISSION TO ALGA NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2024 Motion Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 12 February 2024 regarding motions to the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly 2024 and: A. Approve the following motion, initiated by Cr Finzel, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: "This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government in establishing pro-active steps to identify the core elements required to create a strategic, collaborative and consistent national approach and potentially policy changes in providing equal rights for Elective Representatives in relation to Psychosocial Safety Legislation and Workplace Health & Safety." B. Approve the following motion, initiated by Cr Lorentson, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: "This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to strengthen environmental Initiatives and invest in wastewater recycling and adopt a collaborative approach for Trust and Sustainability." C. Approve (if elected at upcoming Local Government elections), Crs Finzel & Lorentson to present their motions at the National General Assembly. GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 12 FEBRUARY 2024 Amendment Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell That item D be added to read: D. Authorise the CEO to make minor amendments to the submissions prior to submitting to ALGA. Carried unanimously. Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 12 February 2024 regarding motions to the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly 2024 and: A. Approve the following motion, initiated by Cr Finzel, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: "This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government in establishing pro-active steps to identify the core elements required to create a strategic, collaborative and consistent national approach and potentially policy changes in providing equal rights for Elective Representatives in relation to Psychosocial Safety Legislation and Workplace Health & Safety." B. Approve the following motion, initiated by Cr Lorentson, to be submitted to the Australian Local Government Association: "This National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to strengthen environmental Initiatives and invest in wastewater recycling and adopt a collaborative approach for Trust and Sustainability." C. Approve (if elected at upcoming Local Government elections), Crs Finzel & Lorentson to present their motions at the National General Assembly. D. Authorise the CEO to make minor amendments to the submissions prior to submitting to ALGA. Carried unanimously. 6.4. OPERATIONAL PLAN 2023-24 Q2 QUARTERLY REPORT Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer (Acting) to the General Committee Meeting dated 12 February 2024 regarding the 2023-24 Operational Plan and: A. Note the progress report for Q2 2023-24 Operational Plan to 31 December 2023 provided as Attachment 1; B. Note the comments on the progress of all initiatives provided as Attachment 2; and C. Note the status of Council's Key Performance Indicators provided as Attachment 3. Carried unanimously. GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 12 FEBRUARY 2024 7. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 2:32 PM
Meeting Transcript
Frank Wilkie 00:02.980
Okay, good morning and welcome everybody to the General Committee Meeting of the 12th of February. Welcome to our guests in the gallery. I declare the meeting open. We have all Councillors in attendance. Councillor Finzel is on her way. Joe Jurisevic is an apology. He will be also late due to attending a funeral. May we have, I'd also like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians on the land on which we're gathered here today. It's the Kabi Kabi or Gubbi Gubbi people. Pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging. May we have someone to confirm the Minutes of the last General Committee Meeting? That's Councillor Lorentson, superintendent Councillor Stockwell. All in favour? That's unanimous. We have no presentations. We have no deputations. And we have items referred from committees. First the is the development application to reconfigure a lot, one lot into two lots and access easement at 11 Billabong Way, Tewantin, which is referred from the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 February 2024. Further consideration we have our staff here who are going to tell us a bit about it. Georgina 01:17.070
Yes, good afternoon. So the application in front of us is a one into two lot subdivision and access easement. The application is located within Noosa Parklands Estate and is at the end of a cul-de-sac. The existing lot's over 7,000 square metres in size. It has two existing approved dwellings on the property, one being the main dwelling house and one being an approved caretaker's residence. The application seeks to create one 5,000 square metre lot and one 2,000 The application is located within the flood bush fire and biodiversity overlays as further in the report. The application has been recommended for approval subject to conditions and notably the development does not comply with performance outcome PO4 of the reconfiguring a lot code. The outcome refers to no additional lots to be created with access of Griffith Avenue. Following conversations with the strategic planning team, the intent behind this requirement is to protect the established character within the estate in considering the proposed lot sizes are well and truly above the minimum lot size of 600 square metres and we're looking at maintaining the existing access so we're formalising it in a way and having an access easement over the existing non-compliance with the PO is considered appropriate as it continues to uphold the established character and amenity of the estate. In regard to the flood and bushfire hazard present on the lot, the applicant has demonstrated and nominated building envelopes over the premises which achieved the required separation distances of the area where the future. Dwelling house will be to the hazardous vegetation. The envelope shows that that there's the ability to redevelop their site essentially should they wish to and all development will be clear of the flood hazard overlay. The flooding component within the flooding component on the existing allotment is very minor and is illustrated in one of the figures in the report as well following offline conversations and I suppose questions specific to this application there has been a amended conditions recommended and provided which I suppose we can touch on later on as we conclude but I suppose there is an additional item to condition 7 that specifically refers to any future fencing is not to restrict the flow of essentially Frank Wilkie 03:58.868
So that was my question to Georgina the suggested change to the motion which is a fence of minimum or 1.2 metres high and that would be designed not to restrict flood conveyance is there any issue with that? Georgina 04:14.655
And the reduction in height no so the main intent behind condition seven is just to make sure that it's clear that where the property ends essentially as we do a joint Council reserve there and then I suppose as true. Yeah that's exactly it and then it was raised in terms of what sort of impacts this fence could have on the flow of water at the point in time if it was to be re-fenced. Patrick Murphy 04:39.088
There is an existing fence on site and this condition reflects the State of that existing fence yes it's like a pool fence it's a galvanised steel pool fence of 1.2 metres in height so that gives them the capacity to retain the fence and noting that that fence won't impede flood flow yeah so that was Councillor Jurisevic's changes and if all Councillors were in agreement with that the staff would have no problem with that that's correct there was another change to condition five yes to remove the reference to the effluent disposal areas because the site is silly so it was redundant okay any other questions Councillors Frank Wilkie 05:27.123
Well I'll move the motion with the changes as proposed by Councillor Jurisevic and seconded by Councillor Stewart I Amelia Lorentson 05:37.832
Have a question Through the Chair that I've directed to Larry I'm not sure how to handle it oh you haven't I'll waive my right to speak if you want to ask your questions now thank you just you know there was mentioned that there was access to Griffith Avenue and I was just wondering does Councillor Jurisevic live on that street in Tewantin and is there a potential Frank Wilkie 06:07.645
He doesn't live on Griffith Avenue. Amelia Lorentson 06:09.988
Thank you that's the question I was asked. Thank you very much. Frank Wilkie 06:15.075
Any other discussion? I'll put it to the vote. Those in favour? That's unanimous it's carried. Thank you, Georgina. Next item is minor change to development approvals 47 multiple dwellings entertainment and dining type 1 food and beverage at retail business and retail business type 1 local and type 2 shop and salon at Netanya 71 Hastings Street Noosa Heads described as lot 0 on BUP 101 500 referred due to the significance Patrick if you care to talk us through it at 71 Hastings Street. Patrick Murphy 07:01.788
In 2020 there was a previous occurred. This now seeks a in further the southeast corner of the site and also some retrospective works also requiring approval. Frank Wilkie 07:13.496
Change to three Patrick Murphy 07:22.568
The previous application proposed a number of new car parks. One of those car parks cannot be provided as there's actually an existing pole in the location of where it was shown that car park would be. So proposed that an infrastructure agreement be entered into to make contributions for that one car space. That has been accepted by us. Of a more substantive nature is the proposed setback to Park Road. There's some issues with the setback that's proposed and so I think it's 120 mils at its smallest point. The scheme seeks for landscaping to be provided in this location. It's a key corner and by having the Eaves overhang the setback area it's going to limit the opportunity for meaningful landscaping. We're seeking for that setback to be increased to two metres to that Park Road frontage and seeking to approve the application with the requirement that the plans be amended to reflect that increased setback from the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting there were some matters raised around encroachment I'd just like to advise that those matters have been resolved there was a fence that had been constructed off the site and that we've had an inspection this morning to confirm that now been removed. Frank Wilkie 08:45.319
Yeah. Questions Councillors? Brian Stockwell 08:48.647
2:30, I don't know. Any questions? Yes. I will move a slightly different recommendation as discussed at the planning environment and that's just the staff recommendation with the amendment to read the new feature awnings are to be set back a minimum of two metres from the Park Road frontage, all timber Batten screens and support posts are to be set back a minimum of two metres from all street frontages. The bulk of the new feature awnings and associated pillars Batten screens are to be reduced by first off point, lessening the thickness awnings and pillar Batten screens including the use of lightweight building materials and second I point the feature awnings and pillars Batten screens must be made of light coloured materials to complement the beach side character. Frank Wilkie 09:43.782
May we have a seconder for that please? I'll second, Councillor Wegener. Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 09:50.042
So, the, overall there's no, the only significant issue is in regard to that Park Road, Hastings Street corner, and feel of it. Part of that was the extent of that and the other one that I think Councillor Wegener raised and what I also saw was the, there's a very sort of big dark brown bulky pillars that really really was my view not keeping what the aspired look at veer or Hastings street in the Noosa Plan is. Staff have helped me with providing that as a potential amendment condition to just enhance the opportunity to get a good design that is a little bit more subtropical beachside architectural in its rendering of the facade of the shops. Frank Wilkie 10:38.777
Thank you Councillor Stockwell. Any other questions or Councillors care to comment? Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 10:43.397
But, I did to follow on from that. I spent quite a bit of time wandering around there over the weekend and I actually noticed that there's the same sort of awning is actually in front of the restaurant there and it thought quite nice, actually looks quite nice and I was from the drawings, I thought, my gosh this looks very bulky but then when you go down there and see how the awning in front of Providore is and it is actually it's light screening type of like would you say I don't know what you call it but it's not a big blocky it's battens yeah that's a baton and so as long as they stick with that which is it which I think Councillor stockwell's addition here just basically you know says yes do that which you're already doing but it doesn't look like that in plant the plans in on the drawings here it looks quite bulky and so going down they've been looking at actually how it fit how it's going to sit is it but quite nice yeah and I support Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 11:47.345
Council my concern with the light-coloured material is that the whole building is dark so my question to Richard is there any opportunity for us to run this past the applicant to just check that we're interfering with the overall look of the building is it you know we're not architects here so so I would just love to just understand if he's okay with that because a light material you've got an entire building that's dark you know maybe a little bit at odds Richard MacGillivray 12:26.912
Yeah if councils if you have a look at figure three the renderings I think it's quite useful a lot of the building proposed building will be relatively white I know it's dark in terms of the what's sitting under there but the below the awnings I guess is going to be quite light and white there so I think there is an opportunity and I guess when they make the revisions as shown to set it back two metres we will have a closer look at the treatment and materials as well and we'll obviously key focus is to maintain the scheme characteristics and make sure it is lightweight and um and doesn't have a um a big um impostor bearing in terms of urban design there so they are shown as you'll see is as battens there I know it's quite hard on some of the angles there to clearly see that there's quite a bit of light between them and it depends on the angle you're looking at it from we'll be making sure that is relatively light colour so it just it's in keeping I guess with the Noosa character so I think the change that's suggested this is going to be okay and won't stick out too much from what's proposed to be built. Clare Stewart 13:35.526
Thank you. Councillor Stewart my question was along similar lines just if I understand that you know what Councillor Stockwell is trying to achieve here, but if that's going to cost your additional expenditure thank you, Mayor. Richard MacGillivray 13:59.065
Mir um we'll be having some discussion with them obviously um they require they are required to make this amendment, so when they are putting that forward, we can go through with them the design details to achieve the requirements of the planning scheme. Really, the key element of this proposal there, particularly with the light-coloured materials is going to have a significant cost impost, as it's just really a change of the materials and treatment. Frank Wilkie 14:21.647
Councillor Tom Wegener 14:26.328
If I remember, standing in front of the door, I think it was like. What, that they're using there. It struck me as I could see the grain, which means it's not painted dark. I'm quite sure that the case, even though it doesn't look like that in these photos. Frank Wilkie 14:42.557
Yes, yeah. Is a comment. Sounds like a comment. Yeah, okay. Welcome Councillor Joe. Well, my apologies to the media for my cadence. I've just come from a few hours. Yeah, that's all. Our condolences. Any other Councillors wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Stockwell, do you wish to the motion to the vote. Those in favour? That's unanimous. That's carried. Thank you. Next item is. You're with us still, Patrick, for the next one? Yeah. Other change to an existing approval for Material Change of Use expansion of special purpose waste disposal and recycling facility and ongoing clearing purposes at 561 Eumundi Noosa Road, Doonan. Richard MacGillivray 15:28.623
Yes. If I might just, I'm able to introduce Councillors to Mr. Tim Balcombe from RPS. He's our external assessor for this application. As you're all aware, councils are a proponent in this particular. Application. And as a result, to ensure we maintain impartial and create an arm's length separation from our role as the developer in this case of the landfill and the assessment manager, we've engaged an external. Consultant to undertake the assessment on our behalf. So Tim is going to provide you a quick summary of his assessment of this particular proposal and we've got will and Patrick here to assist with any particular other questions we might get along the way. Floor is yours Tim. Tim Balcombe 16:15.191
Thanks guys, thanks Richard. So what we've got before us is an application to change an existing development approval which is the Doonan landfill facility. The change isn't is another change so it's not a minor change therefore it's bringing new land into the existing approval. In this instance the proposed change fully relates just to the resource recovery area of the existing landfill. The proposal by Council is to expand the resource recovery area. As a result of expanding the resource recovery area there is a consequence of the removal of some vegetation to facilitate the expansion and that is one hectare of existing remnant vegetation. Purpose for the expansion I suppose is more for the safety and the efficiency of the operation of the landfill particularly the resource recovery component of the landfill which is becoming a more important aspect of the landfill itself because Council has got a major focus a major focus on removing from the landfill itself so therefore in doing so there's more reliance on the existing landfill the resource recovery area and what's happened over time is there's more demand for the resource recovery the with sort of losing space I suppose it's the public's coming in there you've got heavy machinery you've got yeah a lot of things going on there and I you've things going suppose with the it's with the location of the existing High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES) that's existing is right in the centre of the resource recovery area and by relocating the basin itself allows for a much greater air area and more efficient use of that land it also provides really important protection and it doesn't involve so much monitoring of the public that will be entering the site with through signage and just operational matters itself so it's really important that those there that's the primary purpose of the expansion but unfortunately as a of that result expansion it will result in the consequential removal of remnant vegetation on the site it's also known as an environmentally important area as well so the application was is required to be referred to the State for referral matters for vegetation clearing and also state controlled road matters it's also interesting to note that the area is koala habitat map koala habitat area um so what that means um normally that it would be subject to schedule seven of the um planning regulation so because Council is the operator itself they have an exemption because of important infrastructure requirements so therefore Council is exempt from this the schedule 11 provisions it's also important to note that um we've got these clearances and for certain um infrastructure the State have also recommended Council go for a um it's a well. Notwithstanding that, the application is still required to be referred to the State for the review of the clearing of that remnant vegetation as it would normally be required, but typically if Council was not the application and the local government undertaking, you know, important infrastructure requirements. There would be certain other hurdles that we'd have to go through. It's also important to note that under the planning regulations there's no operational works component to any approvals associated with Council infrastructure projects, I suppose. So the assessment of the application involved a few key matters, I suppose. Our primary interest was an intensification of the use. Was it going to involve more traffic? All those types of matters that need to be considered. And look, the applicant really demonstrated quite well that, yeah, it was just more, it's not an expansion of the TIF. We're getting the same amount of material coming in and they've been able to demonstrate about 15 years of sort of volumes that have entered the TIF. So, but what they have been able to demonstrate is there's a way greater reliance on this resource recovery area, although the volume of the material is pretty much the same, steady over the time. So what that means is less waste is going into the landfill and more waste is being recovered in this area, which is a great thing with LOOP. So in that sense, we were quite comfortable that there was no intensification, but it still allows for steady growth of council's the waste. Asset over time and what all that also does is sort of takes our concerns off the traffic and parking issues because they were also demonstrated to be much the same and it is the steady growth as you would typically expect for a facility such as this so the main concerns with the application really rely on just the removal of vegetation and also some stormwater matter but our primary focus was probably on the ecology what was the impacts of removing this vegetation as a consequence of the removal of the vegetation the applicant proposed an environmental offset which is located to the south of the site it's located in the southeast corner it's 1.8 hectares and this is surplus land it's already been shaped for some for another wetland or a High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES) down at site the other end of site because it captures both catchments on either side of the landfill itself and so it's proposed that this recently reshaped surplus land which is the only surplus land on the site that's not designated as remnant vegetation as well is going to be the offset receiver in this instance we've had an external ecologist review the applicants through a rigorous assessment and asking the questions they ultimately found that the environmental offset through certain other sort of recommendations and conditions in order to protect the existing vegetation to the north and the existing footprint that yet that he was comfortable that the vegetation could be facilitated on the basis that the offsetting was to occur and for each tree that was big be occurred an additional six trees have to be planted as compensation for that in the designated offset area the error the proposal also has some stormwater impacts we've got an existing testing High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES) that's 20 years old that is now not up to best practice anymore so they want to design a new top-of-the-line sort of compliant and a basin that can basically complies with industry best practice at this point in time that will also assist with flooding water quality and all these types of things in terms of flooding it's not a designated flood area but there is localised flooding that needs to be considered so it's also been conditioned that the fill site itself be raised up to a flood tolerable level so the use can operate in flood-free circumstances yeah, so looking at the application as a whole we found that based on the zoning that the use is basically is consistent with the intent of the zone and with the purpose of the management facility itself it also provides you know, that the safety that we're after for the operation of the resource recovery area it also facilitates the expansion of the new High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES) and also it fulfil the environmental obligations through offsetting and also the State of reviewed the veg clearing and SARA has also recommended approval with conditions in relation to the proposed expansion therefore we've recommended approval for the expansion as proposed by the applicant. Frank Wilkie 25:58.196
Thank you Tim. Questions? Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 26:02.262
Clarification, I think in your introduction. You mentioned RPS, except on our agenda we've got Jones, leeds and pike. Can you explain the relationship? Richard MacGillivray 26:12.606
JFP. Apologies. Yes. It should be Jones. That's correct, Joe Jurisevic 26:20.367
And Joe um yeah the mention of uh six to one offset for our plan um that offset we haven't taken on the end correct south eastern uh end does that still remain within uh koala coral or koala um uh designated uh yes Tim Balcombe 26:40.626
It certainly is a designated area prior to the um clearing it is mapped as koala habitat which is the paper bark species um so yeah the offset area and that was one of the questions asked by the ecologist was that we had to replace light for and that includes yeah Joe Jurisevic 27:03.171
So that requirement for 6 to 1 offsets is a requirement of is there any requirement of the State to provide as that's closer to a busy the road yep than original location we're increasing the offset the potential for koala habitation in busy roads yep is there any need within state koala mapping for koala crossings or koala acknowledgement through uh through busy road you know particularly state probably road assets Tim Balcombe 27:28.350
A it's better question more Will 27:30.532
Than happy to assist so in this instance the State are exempt from assessment of the koala habitat area because of the schedule five and where this sits as far as uh works for Council by on a waste area so it's they've exempted themselves from that assessment Council has however required them to undertake their self-assessable requirement under the koala habitat that's invited that's in both KPA and kha area so there is a self-assessable criteria and as part of that criteria they have to offset each stem that's removed so 500 stems to be removed they have to provide 3 000 stems in its place Joe Jurisevic 28:13.538
Are they required to approve the offset site Unidentified Speaker 28:15.220
No but because they are exempted it Council is now the assessment manager for this portion of the assessment Joe Jurisevic 28:24.561
One would think that the assessment by account it still has to be undertaken under state regulation and state requirements Will 28:31.907
Yes but because the it is part of schedule five the it is this is exempt however there policy that captures infrastructure under schedule five so there's a new policy which is a self-assessable criteria that regardless of whether you're exempt you still have to comply with this self-assessable policy and there has been state referral for vegetation so the State have got an interest in the vegetation that's to be removed and they've provided a separate offset for the vegetation communities on the site so that's a separate offset to one that is provide proposed on the site that's 0.21 of a hectare is that correct 1.8 hectare the State offset correct of two separate types of vegetation Amelia Lorentson 29:27.280
A million there's a question to Richard in terms of condition under 30 specifically qualified person must be engaged to manage for and for no prime during clearing to ensure that the words are carried out in accordance with the vegetation removal or no management plan I was just wondering if you can expand on the definition of a qualified assiduously qualified person and just give some assurance that there'll be measures in place to identify or spot any species Flora and fauna pre-trapping can you just sort of give me some background or assurance Richard MacGillivray 30:11.597
Absolutely so yeah there is a requirement we add what we call an advisory note to provide clarification on the definitions of a qualified persons for the purposes of a rehabilitation plan so qualified person is considered to be a landscape architect or ecologist with a minimum of three years experience in the field fauna protection they're required to have certification and calculate compensatory habitat they must also have three years of experience they must have current certification under the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service as well so we'll be requiring that as part of that those minimum requirements obviously we'll be working closely with the applicant to ensure that we achieve practice best with fauna management and that includes all the provisions for pre-trap clearing so that means doing a full scan well before any clearing occurs on site to make sure that we do the best possible job we can to ensure that all fauna are safely relocated from the particular area of clearing. There's also the opportunity to use new technology such as infrared drones which can actually detect a lot of the fauna that can be hovered over the site prior to any clearing. It's been proven very successful in a lot of places. Where these works have had to occur in the past and we'll be looking to work with the applicant to ensure those best practice technologies are applied in this particular case. Frank Wilkie 31:46.291
Any questions, Councillors? I have a question to start. What are the consequences in terms of state regulations if we do not do these work? Patrick Murphy 31:56.831
There is an issue on the side in terms of we're looking safety. Now. I believe there has been communications from the State to our waste department around needing to comply with those safety requirements. Richard MacGillivray 32:09.626
There's also, just in addition to patrick's comments, there's obviously some concerns regarding the size of the current High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES) that is on the site that in large events is at its limits and so there's risks over time. Particularly with climate change scenarios involved that there may be failure over time so we need to ensure that we are well positioned to ensure that we can manage those environmental impacts and that's where we need a larger High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES). GS base in place. So it doesn't overflow in a big rain event for example and pollute the surrounding environment? Absolutely Councillor so that's a big focus of these works is actually to assist with environmental protection whilst there's impact an required for the clearing long term. This is will position Council in that community a far better position to address those environmental issues moving forward. Thank you. Clare Stewart 33:00.735
Councillor Stewart. So this is a must yeah Richard MacGillivray 33:07.483
Yeah look absolutely we're in a situation where our waste team are well aware that there are limitations on the current operation. They are required to are ensure that it does comply with standards in terms of the sizing and that does require an enlargement of this High-Efficiency Sediment Basin (HES). The waste team have explored the entire site for the best location for these particular activities and this possible has proven to be the location for that to occur. As mentioned earlier there's also safety concerns around the clearances required for the public when they're entering these facilities so we need to ensure we've got adequate space for the public to access through the we're essentially in a situation where Council needs to undertake these works to ensure that they've got a compliant operation moving Frank Wilkie 33:58.925
Forward yes that's move a very good start record a couple extra conditions yeah move Joe and you got a question Councillor Finzel well joe's moved it still ask some questions. Karen Finzel 34:12.778
Thank you for the report it's comprehensive. Just in terms of our community is so focused on you know our environment, the ecology and you know all our surveys have shown that it's a number one. In a I report I might missed have but it. Didn't see anything about messaging back to community in terms of being proactive on the front foot and putting positive messaging back to community. This is a must-have. It's been highlighted today Through the Chair to the CEO. How are we going to manage that messaging back to the community? Brian Stockwell 34:51.764
Of the applicant and that the current consideration we're assessing in development, which we also happen to be in, but I don't think it's appropriate to actually talk about communication as the applicant when we're assessing development. Frank Wilkie 35:06.398
Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. I think it's a key question about how we're going to communicate. Brian Stockwell 35:13.601
Yeah, as an applicant. Yes. I would argue we're wearing two hats in this case. I think we have to be very careful not to wear two hats in the current. Our role is a statutory role in considering a development application. Yes. Question and I think requires the us to take that hat off and put our hat on as an applicant. And it would be, it's not what's on the agenda. Is the assessment of the development application. You have to be very careful not to mix the two. Frank Wilkie 35:42.811
Yes. I'm having saying I'm seeing and I still see that as quite a relevant question about what sort of communications will there be about this, these works, should they be approved today. Joe Jurisevic 36:02.165
So unless there's going to be, Mr. it Chair, a can different way? If this were a development application from a developer on a different parcel of land would we be asking the same question of that developer as to how they're going to communicate their communications with the public with regard to their development? Frank Wilkie 36:18.887
The difference is ratepayers' monies getting paid. Would not be involved in that situation. So we're talking about a Council involving owned, a publicly owned ratepayers dollars to do this work and there's a lot of community interest in this, it's a community-owned facility, I think it's a very pertinent question. Well, I respect the point you're making. I'd like to allow the question if that's the Chair, you're the Chair. Mr. C, I so Mr Chair, okay. What sort of communications would be planned around this, if it were approved today? Larry Sengstock 36:53.436
If it were approved today, Chair, I think that we would be, we're obliged to, and with the hat of the. Council, once we approve it, I think we're then obliged to provide the community with some information about why we're doing it, how it's come about. I think the report itself has been comprehensive enough to do that. There was a report prior to this. Remember, I'm alerting Council to and community to this particular application that was coming and why and the extent of this works in relation to the overall extent of the site over the years and the conservation overlay that's been placed on that site I that we would happily that's with once this is if and when this is approved or agreed then you know we would look to have an appropriate new year. Karen Finzel 37:57.878
Chair acknowledge I what happened. What Councillor Stockwell has brought to the table. My apologies if that's been out of order. I just felt in terms of good governance, open and transparency back our community. Ask you to raise a question, but however, if that is our rule, is there any question or apologies? Frank Wilkie 38:15.968
No, no. If it's, I've ruled that I acceptable. Respect what the points that have been raised. I'm just making sure. No, no. Councillor Stockwell, you wish to second this motion? Joe Jurisevic 38:27.574
Yes. I haven't raised the motion yet because I've added additional conditions. Okay. Frank Wilkie 38:33.133
Councillor Jurisevic. Unidentified Speaker 38:35.157
Can we add on the additional conditions please? Unknown 38:39.245
Yes. The additional conditions are. Clare Stewart 38:43.120
Is this adding to the end or. Joe Jurisevic 38:45.411
Are you the additional conditions are around, I thought we had drafted some, but around 1 including conditions 1 to 13 as an attachment to this, to these meeting minutes. So that all the conditions 1 to 45 are available to the public as part of this report, as part of the Minutes of this meeting. The conditions start at condition 14. The original conditions 1 to 13 are in a previous report to Council. The and second the condition is around. Koala coraline. Frank Wilkie 39:26.944
Let's get this. Amelia Lorentson 39:28.331
So that's the first thing, to just have a full copy of the conditions as item B? And then you wanted to also change the. Wanted to add a condition that. Clare Stewart 39:51.141
So you're adding a condition to this to these conditions? Yes. So adding a condition 40 something at the end? Joe Jurisevic 39:57.116
46 I believe. And apologise I haven't drafted it, as I said I was at a function I. In fact. I'll leave that until Thursday night and I'll try and get those conditions right for Thursday night and review those conditions and have it appropriately worded for Thursday night so maybe I'll just add the first condition at this point. Okay, we have a seconder for that. Frank Wilkie 40:20.601
Councillor Stockwell, Councillor Jurisevic. Oh, sorry. Brian Stockwell 40:31.182
Conditions 1 to are 13, they on the agenda in any location? No, that's why he wants to add them. They're not on this agenda. I'll move a procedural motion then that may be deferred for Thursday because we can't vote on something we haven't seen. Joe Jurisevic 40:47.993
You have seen them. They are conditioned on the previous approval for this application. Richard MacGillivray 40:56.019
The existing approval. Ah, the existing approval. This is another change. Brian Stockwell 41:00.360
Okay, then that makes it okay. We're just adding on to that. Joe Jurisevic 41:04.039
Not adding conditions. All I'm doing is clarifying that all conditions are available in the meetings, a table in the meeting of this minute, of this meeting. Sorry. Consolidated. Yeah, basically an element to consolidate all the conditions. Second that. Okay, Councillor Jurisevic. Yeah, look, I think it's been alluded around the table. This, and in the previous approval, this is necessary. I understand the need, there's a very great need for this to undertake public, to undertake safety, not only for the public, but for those people that are working at the landfill. This will help facilitate greater collection and better facilitation of resource recovery at the centre, and as a result of the loss of vegetation, it will help facilitate cover the necessary offsets to facilitate six-to-one offsets for koala planting, which will be a benefit to the koala population as well. Frank Wilkie 42:05.271
I think Councillor Jurisevic. Any other Councillors wish to speak? Councillor Stockwell and Councillor Finzel. Brian Stockwell 42:10.810
I might pre-empt a little bit of what Councillor Jurisevic is going. It is Matt disquoil. Coelur habitat, but melaleuca is not a really strong koala food species. It is one they will eat. This site was more a wetland lower level and I had a quick look while it was going and the wild net records show that there's no sightings of koalas within the site landfill site the and the site is within about a kilometre or two kilometres around, they're all in the eucalypt dominated forest. So it's, while it's mapped as because koalas can eat melaleuca, it's not what you'd classically say is good koala habitat. So the key thing is re-establishing a similar ecosystem where a variety of species can be used as their habitat. Frank Wilkie 43:03.828
Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 43:06.084
Thank you, Through the Chair. I'd just like to take the opportunity to say I support Councillor Joe's condition on there. I think it is really important that we can use this as a condition to build trust within our community, support good governance and building excellence and being outward facing, so I really support this and see it opportunity to give as much information back to community as we can in a loyal, sustained manner, so thank you. Frank Wilkie 43:36.394
Thank you Councillor Finzel. Joe Jurisevic 43:37.647
I just wanted to ask a question. In the report, I'm sure I read that there are, following from what Councillor Stockwell asked, koala sightings and koala movements and around the landfill site that's does that include in all directions? Do we actually have koala passage documentation with regards to which way they're travelling? Will 44:00.709
In specialist reporting? Yeah I don't believe we had any indicative mapping to show existing sightings and the way they were traversing I think as the site sits regionally you've got the large patch bush to the north and there is a connecting tissue of vegetation that runs along the southern boundary so I guess there is connectivity through and around the site as it sits. Joe Jurisevic 44:26.911
So given that it's low level melaleuca that sometimes what we'll be facilitating will be of a higher order or higher of koala? Will 44:34.400
Nature I think the offset definitely increases the width of the corridor along the southern boundary. I think that's a positive outcome for that but as Mr Stockwell said, they're not the favoured food tree. They will eat them if they're desperate, but it isn't the favoured food source for this. Joe Jurisevic 44:59.710
For this so is this I'll allude to what my additional condition would regard to. Is there scope here to facilitate some koala crossings or at least indications that koalas the conditions for the applicant to turn around and put in some maybe some line marking and or some solar powered signs similar to what Morton Council do with regard to where koala habitat is being increased Will 45:29.261
Signage is a fantastic thing I think being able to educate road users to the potential for koalas is in the area so you know watch your speed and slow down the opportunity to be able to provide that signage on a state road I'm unfamiliar with but potentially there are other roads that surround the site that we could implement those signs. Joe Jurisevic 45:51.145
Is that something that could be investigated before thursday's meeting with regard to how the State would feel if we condition something along those lines for Council to undertake on a state road? Richard MacGillivray 46:03.466
If I can answer that one, Councillor. We can certainly make some inquiries regarding that. Obviously, being a state-controlled road, it would be difficult for us to give certainty around that unless we've gone through a full process, and I don't think in a few days we'll probably get in writing a letter from the State saying that they will, you know, confirm to agree to allow us to install signage or install it themselves. But we'll make inquiries in that regard. I think there's a good opportunity across the region to look at this more broadly rather than a specific site and as Councillor Stockwell mentioned earlier possibly there's other more higher risk sites that have vegetation that is probably the primary food source for koalas that we might look at as a primary source for koalas that we koalas that we might look at as a location rather than this specific site knowing that the State controlled road is to the south and obviously we have our road on the eastern boundary we could look at potentially some signage there on our own road I think there'll be difficulty getting signage agreed to be installed before the Ordinary Meeting on Thursday that's my only concern but happy to make inquiries and look Joe Jurisevic 47:17.591
At the wording of the condition to be subject Richard MacGillivray 47:21.234
To yeah absolutely Joe Jurisevic 47:23.236
At least to investigate or look at the opportunities and try to encourage the awareness of motorists in the area particularly if we're going to increase the level of koala habitat in the area particularly adjacent to busy. Incoming roads into the end of the drive. Richard MacGillivray 47:43.478
And look we have spoken briefly with our external ecologist who did the assessment and they did look at connectivity for koalas through there. They were comfortable that given the scale of what was proposed to be undertaken the significant offset provided that reasonable steps have been taken to address the area of clearing with the offset. They commended the idea of potential crossings and always would encourage there to be more of it however in this particular case they didn't recommend that via condition due to they thought it was probably excessive requiring them to go above and beyond with putting more signage and potentially crossings there. Think there's an opportunity to look at signage as a First Point of view because it's relatively low cost and can create greater awareness for all users and certainly could be of benefit so we're happy to explore that further in preparation for the Ordinary Meeting on Thursday. Joe Jurisevic 48:46.359
Overtaking, but said I'll let's look at the wording that we can do. Richard MacGillivray 48:50.662
Yeah look the line marking I mean yeah I mean if you're looking seriously at crossings potentially you look at something a bit more substantial either aren't an underpass or an overpass. Joe Jurisevic 49:00.570
Well I'm more about driver awareness. Yes and that's with the signage. Along the lines of what we've been undertaking in Council now with VMS boards. I think we can do it better than VMS boards and I think there's an the start the conversation. Richard MacGillivray 49:13.782
Yep absolutely. Frank Wilkie 49:16.525
All right. Councillor, anyone else wish to speak before Councillor Joe closes? Councillor Joe? No. Put it to the vote. Those in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you Tim. Thank you will. Thanks. You. Next up. We move the motion to change motion as circulated by yourself. Mr Chair. Karen Finzel 49:51.400
Yes. The end of the meeting, I just got a question. Can we just suspend the Standing Orders just to say a few words about Brian Lawson. That selfie on Thursday night? Frank Wilkie 50:07.445
You. The next item is the Financial Performance Report for January written by financial services manager acting Pauline Coles and we have Trent Grauf as well. Welcome Pauline and Trent. Colleen good afternoon. Good afternoon. Could you give us an overview please? Sure I can. Of the finances for January. Pauline Coles 50:33.703
So firstly I'd like to bring to your attention that the January 2024 year-to-date results now reflect the Budget Review 2 that was adopted by Council at the January Ordinary Meeting. To-date year January operating revenues continue to outperform our forecast and operating percentages are under forecast year-to-date to the end of January. Operating revenue is $420,000 above budget which is driven by interest income of $325,000. Sales of goods and services of $466,000 which is predominantly from holiday parks, waste and some community facilities and if this is offset by lower than forecast, revenue from Fees and Charges relating to development assessment, building and plumbing and local laws. Operating expenditure is $861,000 underspent with the majority of this relating to employee costs. About a million dollars this is a result of some vacancies and recruitment timing as well. It is compounded at this time of year by the timing of leave being taken by staff and the accrual provisions and that's equivalent to about $300,000 so it's sort of overstate just because everyone takes a lot of leave around January but we don't accrue it in the system that way. Materials and services are slightly overspent about $122,000 and economic tourism economic development expenditure is on track as forecast. Overall council's operating position at the end of January is $1.3 million above budget obviously noting that some of this relates to some issues. Year to date excluding our disaster projects councils have spent 38% of its full year capital program which equates to about $17.6 million with a further $10 million in commitments. Of the disaster program $15 million been spent to date. Due to the timing obviously it's a little bit slower over the December /January quarter but that should ramp up into the remainder of this year. Council's cash holding at the end of January was $110 million with $35 million of these funds invested in term deposits. With the second rate cycle happening in January cash is again at its peak and it will decline over time as operational expenditure occurs and the capital program is delivered. Overall council's financial performance continues to be strong. Frank Wilkie 52:49.978
Questions? Joe. Joe Jurisevic 52:52.056
Know it's a new term or is it just me? Sports facility change? Is that referring to our aquatic centre? Correct so just to clarify so previously we used to refer to it as community facilities but with the realignment flowing through the financial system now sports and active lifestyle area the has obviously the NAC and the Leisure Centre whereas previously it used to have also The J and there's but The J is now seen. So that's the only area, the sports and the NAC and the Leisure Centre are the only areas that relate to sports authority fees? Correct. No others? No. Thank you. Councillor Stewart. Clare Stewart 53:27.287
Thank you, thank you Pauline, again a great report. I'm just going to come back to, it seems to be 11.7 months, page 85. I know I asked this question, but it seems to stay steady at that for a period now. And I know that all the comments are saying it will obviously decrease coming to expenditure. June 30. Correct. Pauline Coles 53:55.050
So obviously it was up high generally because we had advanced payment of all the career aid disaster funding. About 27 million we'd received. That's starting to occur, the expenditure on that. However, with the rates occurring in January, that's kind of pushed it up so it's held at quite a level. So as we go through to June, we'll spend those funds on operations and that will start to come down. And as the capital program disaster continues, it will also come down as well as a result of that. Joe Jurisevic 54:21.436
But having said that, we have more disaster funding to come in for the projects? We will, yes. So that may not decrease depending on how the spend and the income and the outgoing correct. Pauline Coles 54:34.623
So in the preliminary one we had an advance payment and depending on the cash flow cycle we may ask for an advance payment again from QRA but if we don't then it'll be we spend and then we get reimbursed so it'll be a matter of timing so unless we get another advance payment which we might require. We finalise the delivery of those projects and the cash impact on Council it may have another spike but it may actually just be a timing month on Joe Jurisevic 54:57.853
Off so from here on in we won't be getting funding in advance we'll be actually getting payment on Pauline Coles 55:03.279
Invoice correct so at the moment we're using those advanced funds to deliver the program so we're submitting claims every month at this stage no no but are assessing at the moment the delivery schedule for those programs to make sure that there's no crunch when there's a big delivery at Black Mountain that we may need an advance payment but at this stage we haven't requested that. Joe Jurisevic 55:25.133
Again, who does the invoice go to? Does it go to QRA or Council? It comes to us. We need the money for QRA in advance so I'll have pay for that. So do have cash? Amelia Lorentson 55:37.040
Too much cash on hand is where I think all this is sort of heading to. Pauline Coles 55:42.410
No, so when I referred, I think in the last quarterly update I obviously showed the breakdown. Those things. We hold a minimum of three months cash cover to fund our operations should we not be able to collect rates or if something happens. We also hold quite a substantial amount of funding in there for some advanced waste levies, for our Environment Levy, and some disaster provisions as well, so we hold that fund in there as well. The calculation that you see here is on our total funding, it doesn't exclude those amounts that we're holding for restricted purposes, so it does show it slightly higher than what we would normally see, but that's essentially what's happening. Joe Jurisevic 56:17.643
Clarify that, is it possible in reporting from here on in, and possibly whether you can answer it today, how much of that cash is being held specifically for QRA projects, or each of those elements, to show what is being held specifically for designated? Pauline Coles 56:34.860
Can show we that, yes. Show that in the quarterly report of the cash dissection, we don't break it down to QRA specifically, but we could probably do that. Unidentified Speaker 56:43.356
My page takes just a QRA element out of it so we can see how much is Council tax and how much is disaster management, Council other advance payment cash. Joe Jurisevic 56:52.315
Sure. As in tooth staining, was it tooth staining that we've got coming in advance again this year? Pauline Coles 56:59.726
Yes. We can look at that for you. Amelia Lorentson 57:05.070
Hi, Pauline. A question I think I've asked quite a few times over this term in terms of consultancy, whether can some consideration. To set up a consultant fee register, just so that it can be made public, just to provide transparency on expenditure towards consultants. Is that something we can because I keep asking can we. So obviously I think I provided you a dissection and we did do it by type, but we do obviously have commercial and confidence arrangements with consultancies and those sorts of things, so we don't necessarily publish a list of those consultants. Pauline Coles 57:48.749
Obviously the larger ones, if there's any large ones, would be on the tender list that's published by the procurement team. I'm not sure I'd have to get some advice in terms of what we could publish and make public. Joe Jurisevic 58:04.975
Our of preferred suppliers there would yes. Be a list there would be a list of preferred suppliers and consultants that comes through from LocalBuy. Pauline Coles 58:14.342
There would be. Some of it's not necessarily published but it would be available through LocalBuy network. Whatever's publicly available we'd be able to publicly. Potentially, yes. Larry Sengstock 58:23.939
Through the Chair. For some consultancies, yes, you can have a list because they're regularly used. But then there's often, you know, tasks that we need to undertake and get at least specific specialists. And they're, you know, they're separate piece. We don't have a standard list that we can just go through. But then we still have to go through a process and be proven at a local level. Pauline Coles 58:43.818
Not necessarily depending on the amount. Because obviously if it's under the $15,000 threshold it's just a matter of quotes rather than, depending on how much you're spending. Amelia Lorentson 58:53.783
It's more for transparency and also understanding whether the services can or can't be done in house and why not and just some learnings that we can pull out of that. Trent Grauf 59:07.490
Through the Chair, what more valuable from a transparency or analysis perspective is the function that consultant is providing rather than the number of consultants. So particularly we're reminded where different parts of the organisation may engage a larger firm, like for example some big four finance firms. Could be a range of different types of services undertaken. So I think that the key takeaway would be around the function. Joe Jurisevic 59:34.534
That would be one way of displaying what services we reach out for that aren't available in-house and that without mentioning specific suppliers. Amelia Lorentson 59:42.284
Also, yeah, and the you know, when we're resourcing staff, should we be clear in what we're looking for and understanding where the gaps are will help. Frank Wilkie 59:57.573
I have a question. The development assessment building and plumbing fees and community facilities revenues all below budget. Correct. Seemingly, for months on end they were always over and above. Pauline Coles 01:00:13.627
Historically they were, yes, obviously. And then obviously we ramped up with development assessments. Some of it may be timing, some of it's impacted by staffing and resourcing to do compliance, some compliance work. I mean obviously with the DA they're kind of optimistic that there will be DA applications that will come in through to the end of the year that will lift them back up again. And building and plumbing generally does quite well. Building has been down. So it really is dependent on the market. Potentially. And obviously people aren't sort of buying property as much and doing renovations as much. So potentially yes. Frank Wilkie 01:00:48.620
And it's not just down because it's January? Pauline Coles 01:00:52.119
No. It's been down consistently for the last quite a few months. Joe Jurisevic 01:00:56.657
We've be implemented some new like. IT systems, also new IT software as well. Has that had any impact on any areas of Council? Pauline Coles 01:01:02.827
I wouldn't say that they would have been though, particularly. Trent Grauf 01:01:06.112
Through the Chair, the software upgrade had a timely impact in terms of delays for recognition through the financial statements for a month or two, not in terms of ongoing financial absolutely, issues. Unidentified Speaker 01:01:16.883
During that transition period. Yeah. We're back up? Pauline Coles 01:01:20.853
Okay. Frank Wilkie 01:01:21.933
Yeah. Okay, and expenditure of community facilities is down? Sorry, revenue of community facilities? Pauline Coles 01:01:30.830
Community, that relates predominantly to Noosa Seniors. So in terms of the charging to their participants, essentially, in services that they've been doing. So they had quite a optimistic budget this year, but they have had a changeover in managers. Well so that's compounded a little bit as well is that a bit of an increase in spending? They're spending expenditures is also down as well so it's not so we'd be adjusting the budget accordingly we would be in 2025 definitely adjusting the budget it's going to affect the bottom line? Noosa Seniors actually runs at a neutral position so they spend the revenue that comes in and it goes out but that's correct yeah yeah but Frank Wilkie 01:02:14.007
The budget estimates for development assessment and building and plumbing will they need to be adjusted? Pauline Coles 01:02:19.663
In conversations through budget review they were optimistic that they would be able to recover that funds between now and the end of the year but I will only see that over time as if they are able to achieve that because DA fees are dependent on the development assessments that are coming through so depending on what's there they may recoup that between now and the end of the year. Frank Wilkie 01:02:39.296
Councillor- Councillor finster. Finzel. Karen Finzel 01:02:40.717
Thank you for the report. As always I'm interested in the top three percentages in the key materials and services. I notice insurance is up now 9.3%. I'm just wondering how we're tracking that going. Expenditure and in what way is that related to, you know, the change around legislation with our psychosocial hazards in the workplace and the risk analysis around, you know, reducing workers' compensation claims and things like that. Pauline Coles 01:03:09.088
In terms of insurance, obviously insurance is up generally. I think the 93 is probably not necessarily 93 per cent of the whole year, so it's not a double budget. There obviously has been an increase in costs and increase in claims which affects our premiums. I know there is work ongoing at the work cover policy and looking at different options as to how we might reduce the premiums relating to that. But that's ongoing and we won't see that outcome until sort of into next year. Karen Finzel 01:03:35.884
Interesting. Okay, thanks a lot. Frank Wilkie 01:03:38.392
Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 01:03:40.366
I've noticed that antoinette's planning applications, you know, we get the digital spreadsheet, they've been very small, much smaller than in the past. Is that an indication of a slowdown? Pauline Coles 01:03:52.668
Potentially, yes. That would indicate that there isn't the volume that would normally be coming in. Obviously, it's all dependent on developers' appetite and demand for properties, so we have seen that flow but we don't know what will happen. With CPI coming down, interest rates might fluctuate between now and the end of the year. It's not likely, maybe, to increase between now and June, but it's hard to say. Frank Wilkie 01:04:19.661
To move the motion? I'll move the motion. Move Councillor Wegener seconded by Councillor Joe. Speak to them. Tom Wegener 01:04:26.869
I'd like to congratulate the team. Thank you, Colleen. Thank you, Trent. Okay, I love the clarity. It makes it easy to not ask a lot of questions. It's there. So yeah, thank to the team. Here. Frank Wilkie 01:04:38.453
Anybody else? Clare Stewart 01:04:39.733
No, just--- Councillor Stewart. This is the last time I'm not there. Oh, I'm going to start crying. Please stop. So thank you very much. You're always so comprehensive and great information. And I think they're really easy to read. I was actually going to put something. You put it in layman's terms and simple terms. And I think if you don't have, you know, a background in accounting or finance, you know, I think the way it's structured is really simple and straightforward to read and very comprehensive. So I want to thank you publicly for all the hard work and all the team that you do. It has been an absolute pleasure working with and it's really appreciated all the information you've given us and the advice and support you've provided us. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:05:24.291
You Mayor Stewart. I put the motion. All those in favour? Carried unanimously. Thank you Pauline. Thanks Pauline. The Councillors with your permission to have a five minute break. Amelia Lorentson 01:05:36.113
Great idea. Thank you. Unidentified Speaker 01:05:48.396
In the other motions. We're on. Larry Sengstock 01:05:55.457
We're on. Frank Wilkie 01:05:56.379
Okay. Welcome back everybody. We declare the meeting open again. We're now up to item 6.3, Councillor Motions for submission to ALGA national. General assembly. And we have a recommendation before us. Two motions, one from Councillor Finzel and one from Councillor Lorentson. Larry Sengstock 01:06:22.535
To give a quick introduction to it, Laurie Lawrence. Wrong score. I wish I had the same record as Laurie. He's one of my champions actually. Is he really? Yeah. You go. No way. Anyway. That's it. We digress. He's one of my heroes. This is just a quick introduction. The Australian Local Government Association, ALGA, has a National General Assembly every year in July. We presented it last year. We do it quite regularly. The reason we're bringing this to the table now is because we don't have meetings in March and the deadline is in March for motions to go through to the general assembly in July, second to the fourth of July. So, we've brought this to the table now. The process that it goes through is that we agree the motions here at the table, or the motions that are approved, then the ALGA to get approved to go to the general assembly. So, there's no direct path, it still has to be approved by ALGA, and then it goes presented at the general assembly, and then if it gets approved there or gets supported then there then it becomes something that the ALGA will push through. So there's a whole process, so this is the first step in that process is what I wanted to make the point of. This year at ALGA, NGA, the national assembly is building community trust so we have two motions that the Councillors Finzel and Lorentson are bringing to the table. Going to get them to summarise or provide a summary but I'll just initially in the report there's a quick topics of those motions. Council of Finzel calls on the Australian government in establishing proactive steps to identify the core elements required to create a strategic collaborative and network. Consistent national approach and potentially policy changes in providing equal rights for elected representatives in relation to psychosocial safety legislation and workplace health and safety and for Councillor environmental initiatives and invest in waste water recycling and adopt a collaborative approach for trust and sustainability so we've got recommendations to take those two but before going to that point I thought it best we forget the two Councillors to summarise their proposals or their motions if that's okay with you. Of course. Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 01:09:12.595
Yes, Thank you. Mr CEO Through the Chair and thank you. So I think at the core, sitting at the heart of effective leadership sits a trust fundamental building block of our nation's they want to see at all levels of government. I think. I thank LGAQ for reaching out to all Councillors and inviting all Councillors to put forward motions at the National General Assembly. This invitation resulted in me doing some research to put this together to help bring a national conversation around the opportunity to create a consistent national approach to closing the gap and providing protection for elected representatives at local Council and other levels of government to match that of employed staff and looking at ways that we could have that protection to access fair work training, workplace health and safety in an effort to ensure that we are able to be fully trained and conversant in working in a respectful workplace. Timing is right for planning with a call to action for innovative approaches alongside contemporary and sustainable leadership. Which through collaboration with our co-create capabilities effective in achieving profitable social capital thereby creating a comprehensive measuring stick showcasing new storytelling resources and skills to support innovative change for our elected representatives staff and community together I believe social networks of trust have the capacity to grow our greatest return on investment so I think at point in this time in 2023 to also have good fiscal management to stem the flow of people leaving government positions and also with the changes in the office of independent assessor that's being looked at that came through I think it was the end of last year to then look at ways of delivering training in the workplace for our elected representatives to help contribute a positive and meaningful contribution to a safe workplace. The significance of the matter strategically sits alongside those recent changes and I think this affects all of Australia because there's local Council government across Australia. Intrinsically, the motion is aimed at addressing the identified gap for elected representatives who under legislation are seen as the other. In relation to psychosocial hazards legislation to support equity and protection for elected representatives. Being the same as those given to employees for example through the fair work system. When entering a workplace environment to promote the continuous improvement of the removal of identified barriers to ensure safety at all times in a supported working and decision-making environment. Where a wide range of views are encouraged and respectfully listened to without fear of harassment and intimidation and in support of mental health and wellbeing and reducing those costs back to all levels of government. Thank you for listening. Frank Wilkie 01:12:46.581
This protect Councillors when they are doing their work interacting out in the community? Larry Sengstock 01:12:56.132
It depends on where this goes. I think this is the start. It's basically recognising that, from my understanding, it's recognising that psychosocial safety is a major workplace health and safety initiative across all organisations now. So it's got a higher profile with our staffing. So we are doing a lot of training last year, this coming in terms of our staff. What's been identified is that Councillors come under other. So it's really saying, well, where do you fit and if that gets changed, then that training would be afforded and it should be afforded to all. Then those same legislative protections would then be in place for all. So that's really where it's going, but it's still got to go through that path. So all I think Councillor Finzel is saying is we've identified it, let's address it. Frank Wilkie 01:13:55.472
It yeah yeah I was just wondering about the scope of it. Joe Jurisevic 01:13:58.019
I think the point was there, and I think you've reiterated on it, that councils are not viewed in the workplace health and safety legislation in the same way that Council staff are. No, that's right. Unidentified Speaker 01:14:08.886
I'm sorry, can I step in? Karen Finzel 01:14:10.558
Sure. Yeah, yeah. Thank you, a minute. Mr Chair. Just in respect to your question, when I raised this motion previously at the LGAQ last year, during that time I had some conversations with LGAQ staff and we did talk about mandatory training to keep Councillors safe with more and outward facing to community post disaster management. For example, I went to a lot of homes that were flooded in that recent flood bed. And then looking at Councillors and elected representatives to be able to access the same type of training as, for example, SES workers and other volunteers that go in and do cleanups or other working groups. So yeah, that is also part of the conversation. So I think this is a really timely opportunity to just start those narratives and then just see where that moves. It's a really early working space. As you know, we got a report back the other day from the lawyers in regard to the office of independent assessor and how we're looking at like the changes that are going to be coming through the pipeline over the next couple of years to look at how we could be effective and proactive in delivery of training as opposed to relying on office of independent assessor which is under resourced which led to the changes and then looking at ways to better you know I guess start at the beginning instead of trying to close the gate at the top. Amelia Lorentson 01:15:34.705
Yeah, Thank you. Kessel Councillor Lorentson. Totally support the motion. Thank you Karen. I do want to add that the workplace health and safety, although we're not employees does capture other persons at a workplace under section 29. Other persons at a workplace is us Councillors and members of the gallery and so we are actually owed a duty and that's imposed by section 29 that a person at a workplace whether or not the person has another duty under this part must be take or reasonable care that his her acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons and the work health and safety act also further defines health as meaning physical and psychological health so there is some protections by virtue of section 29 of the work health and safety act. Larry Sengstock 01:16:33.394
Thank you. Karen Finzel 01:16:33.929
Yes, thank I'll turn to the Chair then. So I have a question back to Councillor Lorentson and thank you for the clarification. Is there anything in my notion that you would like to amend? Amelia Lorentson 01:16:44.998
No but I'd like to discuss maybe a little bit Karen to help you get it across the line but I love where you're going with this. We're not employees and it's more in terms of mandatory training and I think that is what needs to be really emphasised in the motion. Joe Jurisevic 01:17:02.372
Thank you. The other element of that is that our workplace isn't behind a desk, the workplace is out in the community as well. Well, so that ensuring Amelia Lorentson 01:17:30.368
Right Joe. Chambers would be fall under that definition but outside possibly not. Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 01:17:38.979
Yeah I actually really support this. I think that I look at I just wonder who would want to be a Councillor knowing that we know, you like seriously, I don't know, I can't imagine like saying to my best friend, oh you know you should go out. So and I think that um the vaccination the um the COVID really brought out a new wave of dangers to being a Councillor and I think it's even less you know appealing to be this you know knowing what you're going to go into in this new world of social media and kind of a different place than we expected that we grew our world was gone so so I think that we need that kind of behalf training to step into the next version of what a Councillor actually is as a job, as a contractor, I guess. Frank Wilkie 01:18:31.194
Look, we're Amelia Lorentson 01:18:31.959
Just, Councillor Lorentson, just to talk about your motion. Sure. My motion, and I'll read what it is. I'm calling for the National General Assembly to recognise the urgent challenges facing Australia in wastewater recycling and to tackle this issue it's important it's imperative that the Australian government make significant investments in wastewater recycling, which is crucial for environmental sustainability. The investment's essential to progress over due water sector reforms, innovation. And research to address forever chemicals like PFAS and other emerging contaminants of concern. This holistic approach not only promotes sustainability, but also fosters trust within communities. The motion and summary key arguments are in the report, so I won't go over that. I will note that I've brought forward this motion as part of my ongoing advocacy and dedication to our community and also to clean oceans. I will continue to emphasise that our oceans should not serve as dumping grounds for treated wastewater and stormwater. I've pursued this advocacy both at state and national levels over the last four years, seeking this policy reforms, investments and funding to address what I consider a critical issue. I'd like to give everyone an update because my efforts have not gone unnoticed. At the moment, my ALGA motion from year last against ocean outfalls and for wastewater re-use, it's currently sitting and waiting for a response from minister Catherine king and I've also spoken to Josephine rapady from LGAQ who is in total support of this motion and she's also given me an update with lots of promises that again my efforts haven't fallen on deaf ears and there's going to be lots in terms of reform in this space so again I'm as long as I'm in Council we've got to do something more we recycle point eight six percent of treated got to wastewater it's just simply not good enough and I understand the funding and enough and I understand the funding and complications and we need all tiers of complications and we need all tiers of government to come on board you know in europe and I won't rave um but in europe um they have targets the european um standards they have targets by 2027 that all wastewater treatment plants need to be upgraded to what's considered kernery treatments um that actually captures your PFAS and all those microplastics and all these emerging contaminants of concern in New Zealand only just a few weeks ago they actually banned the EPA actually banned PFAS from cosmetics so there are countries and councils across Australia and across the world and in europe that are taking a stance for best environmental practice and I think this is an opportunity for a Council like Noosa that's Different by Nature she start leading the way Frank Wilkie 01:21:54.117
I'll second it. All right Councillor Finzel you have the floor. Karen Finzel 01:22:00.284
I really have not thought about it but I do think it's a really fantastic opportunity for Councillors or local government level to be able to advocate and raise the issues that Councillor Lorentson and myself have brought to the table. There's a lot more of course out there but I think it's really timely and as Councillor Tom the table like given post-COVID, post the disasters, I do believe our role as local Council elected representatives is in a transition. It's definitely changing. I think even when we talk about our work being out of the office, here, we all see each other, how much time we spend on emails in the office, phoning people, you know, it's become a major, not a major, but also a really significant part of our position. So I think it's really timely that we bring these motions to the general assembly, given its national significance and to support sustainable leadership and look after our environment and our people. Frank Wilkie 01:23:05.994
Thank you. Joe, you had a question? Joe Jurisevic 01:23:07.132
Sorry, I had a question for Councillor Lorentson. Sure. What you just said then, the motion refers to wastewater, and in your statement then, you added stormwater. And treated wastewater are two completely different. Amelia Lorentson 01:23:21.003
I did, and my focus on all my motions are wastewater. I threw in stormwater because that's specific. That's why I'm being very careful with the language. Joe Jurisevic 01:23:28.609
Absolutely. That's specific to Noosa. Very different channels. I'm happy to talk to her. I must admit I had concerns when I read Councillor Lorentson's motion, only in the language, in the last sentence, collaborative approach for trust and sustainability, but I didn't get it when I first read it until I read the major crunch and the reasoning behind it. I understand the reasoning behind it still, but whether that could be worded a bit differently or a bit better is about the only negative I've got in regards to it. I support both motions. Councillor Finzel showed me her motion. And I handed it back to her and said I'd get it immediately. It clean. Was as clear and concise and clear cut as I've ever seen something that had meaning and substance. So I appreciate where that comes from and where your motion comes from. Also, Councillor Lorentson, she's been championing the. You know, trying to get state and Federal government to look at wastewater recycling. And I know there is a lot of talk through Seqwater about rechannelling wastewater recycling. Don't know if it's been a challenge for the State government to even consider that because there was a lot of backlash in that regard. But we've got to be aware that provided it's been processed and correctly directly and that the entanglements are for it, that it is a resource, not a waste product. There should be opportunities to utilise it. Should be looked at every opportunity. It's a long way to pump at places if it can be used locally as well. So the opportunities that it presents are far greater when we produce a product that the community can have trust in. Amelia Lorentson 01:25:15.949
So that's where the trust part comes in. I'd like to move an amendment Through the Chair please Councillor Lorentson um so d why don't I'd like to move an amendment D, authorise that the CEO make minor amendments to the submission prior to submitting to ALGA. Into ALGA. Frank Wilkie 01:25:36.148
I'll second it. Councillor Stockwell second it. Amelia. Amelia Lorentson 01:25:44.237
I've made some very minor adjustments to my key arguments and motion that I submitted the motion last week very very quickly so so I'd like to have just an opportunity just to clean it up a little bit thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:26:02.029
Any further discussion? I think the motion amendment goes in favour. That's unanimous. Becomes part of the original motion. Any other Councillors wish to speak? Councillor Stewart. Clare Stewart 01:26:12.539
I'm sorry to add a comment. Really good thing to attend. Over 500 councils at the National General Assembly. It's really an worthwhile. Opportunity to Have Your Say, to advocate on a national level, at a national stage, with all those hundreds and of councillors in attendance, and also government ministers, which so is who you really need to get to. I think it's great I think they're incredibly worthwhile motions both of them both extremely you know very different but certainly incredibly worthwhile and I think our Noosa Council should be really proud to have them to have both Councillors and whoever else chooses to attend at the general assembly speaking on Ms. Shine's part, so congratulations and good luck. Amelia Lorentson 01:27:00.870
So question Through the Chair so the motions are being ratified through Council they still need to seek support and ratification through ALGA so not necessarily they don't necessarily have a ticket as yet. That's right. Frank Wilkie 01:27:15.266
Yeah. Look I'm more than happy to support this motion. Both those motions involve if successful means more training and education and safety and security for us as Councillors and also those who come after us. Councillors across Australia and also better practices in regards to how we treat our treated wastewater. So better environmental outcomes so they're both very very good initiatives to support. Anyone else wish to speak? Karen do you wish to close? Karen Finzel 01:27:59.499
No, I think everything's been said. Thank you for the feedback. It feels good to be supported by the Councillors around the table and you know work together to achieve these outcomes that affect all levels of government and hopefully these are effective for future people that are elected to positions across all levels of government and also help to, we all work hard to get to these tables and these decision making places to also help in some way stem the number of people that leave for all sorts of reasons once they get in. So thank you everyone. Frank Wilkie 01:28:33.932
We'll put the motion. Those in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. Larry. The last item on the agenda today is the operational plan quarterly report. Deb, welcome. Okay. Can you give us a bit of an overview please Deb, for the operational plan 2023-24 second quarterly report. Debra 01:29:03.236
Yes, thank you Councillor the report covers the progress of implementation of operational plan initiatives from the 1st of October to the 31st of December and although we're now in February, it is only until the 31st of December and then consequently where we're at now will be reported in the next quarter. The reason I raise that is there have been some recent developments which actually have impacted on some of the initiatives to actually improve the progress of them but unfortunately they weren't captured in that by the 31st of December so I just wanted to bring that to your attention. So the majority of initiatives are progressing well with 117 or 79 percent either completed or on track and 23 percent 23 or 15 percent are experiencing a minor disruption and nine a major disruption. So we've seen an increase in completed tasks, we've seen a decrease of in initiatives that are on track, with of those moving to a major disruption but very minimal. The attachment one to the report outlines the actual figures and provides some explanation as to why there have been these movements. The first the attachment looks at overall progress where and then that goes into detail by each theme and as we have reported previously we've taken an exceptional approach where we've provided an overview to give Council a very easy sort of vision if you like of how we're and progressing there is further detail though against each initiative's progress in attachment to and that's this document here so we thought it was important to provide that especially at Q2 because we're six months into the year and want to be reassured that progress projects are progressing because you wouldn't want to get to sort of Q4 and get any surprises so we have provided the level of detail there and if necessary Council directors can talk to the specific items if you have any questions so that looks at performance the other attachment to this report is in relation to our key performance indicators and these are the indicators that we've been reporting over the last few years and it shows movements in very things like average lost time injury development approval time frames etc so happy to take any questions in relation to those or the attachments. Clare Stewart 01:31:35.977
Councillor- Councillor Stewart. Thank you Debra again really easy to read. This is so well done because initially your eye goes to the red which is the main disruption. I know maybe I should choose a different colour. Just a question on main construction main disruption seems to be that the hold up seems to be the trend that we're waiting on. It's really staffing for a transport traffic coordinator and infrastructure planning design is a delivery manager. So are we in the process of procurement for those two positions? Larry Sengstock 01:32:29.127
Yeah, from a traffic and transport coordinator position, we've struggled to attract the right skills that we think we need for this position, and traffic and transport is such a major where we're at, and there's so many ideas and plans and thoughts and our whole strategy, so we're back in, or we will be back into the market shortly, but we've made some adjustments within our own staffing to try to redirect people's focus of existing into that area, so we're back on track to some degree in terms of some of the things that we've unfortunately had to sit on for a number of months, so we're back trying to-address some of that and certainly for the next cycle of Council we'll be very focused on those areas in particular. From a delivery and infrastructure point of view, we've had some um some slight disruptions there but we think we're back on track there as well in terms of making sure that we're delivering to the level that we need to deliver in the current circumstance or current market and you know you've seen the reports and different reports that are tracking very very well in terms of delivering the massive capital works programs that we've got. Debra 01:33:52.363
Through the Chair as well I'm just reading some notes you have to forgive me that Shaun actually prepared and the BRT process is also seen as clarify the availability of some additional funding to be able to move through those tasks associated with the Transport Strategy action plan and parking plan so that's good news Amelia Lorentson 01:34:08.876
I have a question the environment and sustainability roundtables I'm not even aware that exist and is there a Council representative on the round table Through the Chair? Kim online? Larry Sengstock 01:34:30.409
Kim are you there? Yes I am. Did you hear the question? Kim Rawlings 01:34:34.433
Yes, I did, yes. Through the Chair, thanks Councillor Lorentson. The we years had a number of environment sustainable round tables. It's not a ongoing formal group, what we do is we pull together a range of organisations, community based organisations around particular issues, so we have a series of environmental roundtables round tables to input into the environment. Strategy. We also had a round tables to input into the environment grants process, so the concepts worked really well in the past, so it's been included in our operational plan to reinvigorate the idea of round tables on an issues basis. We haven't held one yet, but it is the intention to do so in the coming months when the new council's in place. All Councillors will be able to attend those. Joe Jurisevic 01:35:31.755
Same project will be initiated at the end of early 2024 and coincide with the beginning of the environmental strategy review. Frank Wilkie 01:35:40.747
I have a question and you might be able to answer it, Kim, on page 127. There's a graph, it's the number of planning applications decided within the statutory timeframe and it looks like we're struggling a bit there. What are the ramifications when applications are not decided within the statutory timeframe? Richard, I have a question. Know, sorry Kim, Richard is here, I didn't see him up the back of the building. What graph are you looking at there? Page 127, number of planning applications decided within the statutory timeframe. Yeah. Richard MacGillivray 01:36:38.747
Statutory timeframes so they're obviously not decided applications they're still being processed so I guess what this graph is just showing is of the green ones how many that we have decided per month and how many we're actually holding so it probably highlights quite clearly that got a large number of applications that we're actually currently processing we're deciding a number of them and some of that has been due to some staffing issues we've had in the past where we haven't had we've had a 25% reduction in staff numbers in that team we are recruiting at the moment to fill all those vacancies to help get a those current and active applications decided so we can meet those statutory time frames so that's been a bit of a problem for us. What happens if we don't meet the statutory time frame? Correct yeah so for code-assessable applications they can become the deemed approval we're very lucky we don't get many if any of those at all because we work quite closely with the applicants to ensure that we keep time frames current so often that is we will they'll agree to an extension of time by agreement if we're still negotiating at particular of the proposal they'll extend and we'll work through those issues so quite often we'll get an agreement to extend time frames also when we issue information requests and for further information the clock stops again to allow them to provide that up to three months so and we work quite closely with the consultants to ensure that we've got sufficient time to be make sure we can decide those within time frames but yes you're correct that there is a risk of deemed approval with code-assessable applications that's why we really need to be ultra vigilant for impact assessable applications if we don't decide within time frame they can become a deemed refusal so you don't often see too many applicants seeking those. That's not the outcome often they're seeking. No. Thank you. Karen Finzel 01:38:36.056
I just have a question, mainly directed at Kim. On page 110, we've got we as thought a major disruption to the community strategy is resourcing is not available to undertake your work, as proposed will take place in the 24/25 budget. Kim, are you, Through the Chair, are you able to just give us a little overview of what sort of resourcing we're looking for in that space around the community strategy? Kim Rawlings 01:39:07.892
Yes, I am. Thank you. Is Kerry in the Kerry room? Kerri is online as well. Sorry, Kerri, it's probably you, I guess. Kerri, would you like to jump in here? I'm happy to, but you might want to. I think she doesn't know. I think she'd better go on. Unidentified Speaker 01:39:26.051
I don't, I'm not sure kerri's online. No, she'll just send me a message and say she's back online, so. Clare Stewart 01:39:30.400
Okay, but I don't think she's online, but she wants us to let her know, so I don't know. Oh, okay. Kim Rawlings 01:39:35.209
Yeah. So, I might start. You Yeah, to keep things moving. Councillor Finzel, the community strategy wasn't, isn't actually planned to be initiated until '24, '25 budget, um, and we are doing some initiative we are doing some initiative initial work, though, to prepare for the community so we scoping are up, um, an audit of community facilities, um, at the moment, and that's been done through kerri's team, uh, and we'll also be scoping up a process. It'll be a very, um, highly- uh, strategy. Engaged as you can imagine. It's the updating and replacing and more broad of the social strategy that currently exists, which is a number of years old. So, there'll be a combination of resources that are required around dedicated staff to work on it, funding for a highly consultative process to inform the strategy and then some technical pieces around understanding infrastructure and needs and things like that. Frank Wilkie 01:40:50.462
Kerri Kerri Contini 01:40:50.823
Has just jumped online if you wanted to add anything. About the resources required for the energy strategy. Apologies for that Council. I just had some technical issues. Yes, the resourcing issues that we've got at the moment, particularly within our community development team, given and the operational workloads with supporting the community is not leaving the time required for the dedicated work that goes into research and preparation to undertake a strategy. Large pieces of work like this need dedicated resources and they're not just not able to find the time because the day-to requirements naturally take priority and as Kim mentioned we will be scoping that up for next year's budget because it's going to need dedicated resources. Karen Finzel 01:41:44.323
Thank you and Through the Chair is part of that dedicated resource then the Community Connection Manager to be employed? Kerri Contini 01:41:49.852
Uh no they're recording already is a Community Connection Manager employed that's Alison Hamblin. It would be more that we would there's you know specific pieces of work that need to be undertaken a social infrastructure audit we outsource. There's consultants that have very good models that undertake that work so some of it would be undertaken externally and then there'd be a project officer internally to run through the process. Thank you. One of the impacts on the ability to start this is that and you might have seen in the other comments that we were not successful in being able to appoint a contractor to do the cemeteries plan and so that made that decision to largely do that piece of work in-house. That's taking priority because of the land use implications and using the same staff that would have been doing the work on the prep work for the community strategy. Frank Wilkie 01:43:02.702
I have a question probably for Kim. It says finalised green economy industry development plan. It looks like it's being done. It sounds like there's some quite. Exciting material that could come from that. When is that going to be presented and understood? And forgive me if I've missed a report on that. Kerri Contini 01:43:29.390
No, Councillor Wilkie, you haven't missed a report on that. Has been finalised at the moment. We're just doing some final tweaks to it. And yes, there is really, really exciting information and actions proposed from that. Kim Rawlings 01:43:42.406
So once we've finalised that and at this point, new is established, we'll bring that forward to Council. Unidentified Speaker 01:43:49.623
Once we can get onto a Council agenda in the coming month. Frank Wilkie 01:43:53.015
Councillor Stockwell. Joe Jurisevic 01:43:55.092
Likewise, complete Shire-wide employment land review. I assume that would incorporate the looking at Johns Landing, the industrial don's landing, the industrial landing for all and elements like that. And I see a final report. I see a tenth of the first. I'm assuming that's by staff and a report if you have to come to Council. Kim Rawlings 01:44:15.367
Employment land review really looks at the future needs of. Employment, industrial and employment land of our Shire. There is some separate work being done and if trent's in the room you might want to talk to it through our commercial property unit that's actually looking at Council owned assets and how they're best utilised. Like you mentioned Councillor Jurisevic, Johns Landing and when that might be you know appropriate for activation, Carpenters Road, things like that. So they are two slightly separate pieces of work. Joe Jurisevic 01:44:53.339
Okay so that's not, the employment land review cup is something slightly different? Frank Wilkie 01:44:59.005
That's correct. Okay. Council Councillor so quick. Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 01:45:02.129
My query, I think probably Debra is the correct person, in the KPI report you have a measure of staff turnover rate to the percentage of establishment level the comments appear to say something different to what the graph says so the comments talk about a 16.56 October to December on got 0.1 in December Debra 01:45:27.506
My interpretation I'm sorry these figures come from the system but my interpretation of that was there's that was the difference um the actual difference which was the 10 so um which was the percentage increase for the quarter so the 10 percent is actually the increase the amount of increase for the quarter Brian Stockwell 01:45:47.971
Point that says point one percent can you we just because it is a statistic that is yeah 16.56 we're not going well if it's point one we're going well of going yeah well Debra 01:46:00.265
Yeah, yeah no look I'll take that back and clarify that but the way that I interpreted that it was the 10% increase so yep I'll double check that and I'll come back to you Frank Wilkie 01:46:10.557
Thank you for Thursday Amelia and Karen you have questions Amelia Lorentson 01:46:13.640
Yes and this might just be wording but on page 110 2.4.8 sorry 2.5.8 Deb deliver an accessible adult change facility under changing place program on the Noosaville foreshore and the funding diverted to Ed Webb Park so I've got a couple of questions in that space so yeah sorry I'll ask you I'll throw a question to you Deb yeah can you just provide some clarity are we still delivering an accessible adult change facility at the Noosaville Foreshore and are we still diverting some funds to Ed Webb Park and where are we with that? Unidentified Speaker 01:47:00.343
I would have to refer the Director or to the development manager and the development manager so Trent might be able to answer it as well and I think it Amelia Lorentson 01:47:07.872
Just reads and I think it just reads it's just doesn't read well well because looking at it going we didn't put our hand up to you know cancel an accessible changing place facility to spend on a park I think it's more just wording playing with words Through the Chair through the budget this Trent Grauf 01:47:26.788
Year as you know we get a lot of grant money coming through for sources we did receive various a grand allocation for 790 K which we initially marked for a changing place silly given the timeline that grant that we had to quit the grant money by 30th of June and Nick in just the expediency or where we're at with the projects we redirected the grant allocation to Ed Webb Park because that was a project that was underway and further down the track in terms of the Changing Places facility itself understanding is they're continuing to progress the design work and as we know integrating that with the Noosaville foreshore master plan as well at the same time so that continuing and you'll see that come through in the 10-year capital program for next year's budget and believe we've made Unidentified Speaker 01:48:15.142
A determination on exactly where that facility is going to be provided Amelia Lorentson 01:48:18.632
To be and that's why it was diverted it just doesn't thank you very much for that appreciate it. Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 01:48:28.746
Just a question in for Trent. Just relation to the industrial sites review, is that completed? Trent Grauf 01:48:40.482
Through the shareware we're part way through the project it's under theme five for excellence is the strategic property review we're progressing well with it there's a few stages that obviously the first part of the primary output part which is about of the land stock that we currently have in the second part of the exercise through our commercial property advisor is developing a policy or framework around our actions and decisions moving forward long term about whether lamp about acquisition disposal activation or long or-term holding. Of land passes so that will also give us a framework to guide future decisions with land as well so you'll see that come through towards the end of the financial year. Frank Wilkie 01:49:28.213
Stewart. Councillor Finzel? Karen Finzel 01:49:30.536
Well yeah firstly I'd like to thank Deb. It's a really good report, easy to read and thank all the staff that contributed all the data that has to go into it. I know it's a big job. It's been really to read. Easy it's really succinct, which is great and it helps us when we're going to make decisions to look up, you know, key indicators and data. It puts it really firmly at my fingertips and it's easy to collate all that move it forward. Moving forward. So, thank you to the Council and all the staff. Frank Wilkie 01:50:03.894
Councillor Stewart. Councillor Deb, Clare Stewart 01:50:05.560
Thank you. It's my last one. I know. Karen Finzel 01:50:07.635
Stop. I'm getting tissues, Clare. You're going to make me. But thank you again. Clare Stewart 01:50:12.988
Really easy to read. Yeah. Read. As I said, the traffic light and how that's done is great because you might. You straight away, you focus on what needs to be achieved and then you can ask questions from there. So thank you. Great report. It just shows how much. I think I did a radio interview this morning or something about. Got 73 capital works projects in the pipeline and other. Wow. Massive. Record in terms of expenditure and recovery and as well as everything here, which is substantial. So thank you to the team and really well start, Larry. Because this is a very snapshot of so much work so Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 01:50:50.967
All right thank you um I'll just quickly, Councillor Wilkie. It's really quite interesting. So, you know, whether we've got a capital works or whether it's our financial reports, all these reports that come to Council, when we look that at risk and opportunity it's always risk is always human resources. And I think the operational plan actually translates that into, you know, what happens, delays. And it just puts that in place. Just puts that in perspective. So, thank you again. And good work team. Debra 01:51:25.797
Okay, Thank you. Joe? Unidentified Speaker 01:51:28.990
Yeah, same. Oops. Sorry. Unidentified Speaker 01:51:34.555
I'm not saying why ditto, we should just go on. Sorry, I did very slow. Joe Jurisevic 01:51:43.548
No, the word goes in. I said if anybody wants to understand the goings on in your Council, take a look at the number of initiatives here that are trying to be implemented under an operational plan. The day-to operations, day-to activities is as usual. Plus all of these additional bits and pieces. Plus the capital works program. Guys, there's a lot of work that goes on in this place. Shows how much, and these are only overviews of the details and the detail of the Noosa and the amount of work that goes into each of these initiatives that we're trying to do year on, out. So I just thank the staff for their time and effort, their dedication and devotion to what we, as Councillors, throw at you year in, out, to try and achieve and try and keep this Council and this community being served in the best way possible. Frank Wilkie 01:52:33.992
And just building on that, the sheer volume of work that is underway, the sheer volume of projects that are underway, I want to commend the staff for successfully masking their grimaces when in meetings like this we pile more work on, because all this work is set at the budget, during the budget process, and throughout the course of the year, during meetings or amendments or whatever, we can add extra work, slip in extra work, and I appreciate patients and the forbearance of the staff when they take that on board on top of the heavy workload and I'm sure the CEO will pass that on to us. Debra 01:53:12.678
I might just also take the opportunity if I may, in addition to this work there's other work going on about in relation to our business improvement. We've got business improvement running through our ICT area. We've got all managers now looking at their service profiles and reviewing their service levels and standards so when it comes time to discuss the budget we've got a really clear picture on those and that they're up to date so this is the additional things that managers are taking on at the same time as delivering their projects and business as usual and other reporting requirements so yeah so it's yeah it's a lot happening. Frank Wilkie 01:53:51.542
Carry on Mr close. Thank you. I'll put the motion, those in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you, Deb. All done. That's the last item today and thank you Councillors that's the last General Committee Meeting of the term. I thank you all for your discipline, your patience and your contributions. It's been very enjoyable. Is this where we start? Thank you. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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