Services & Organisation Committee Meeting - February 2024
Date: Tuesday, 6 February 2024 at 1:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:42:59
Synopsis: Caretaker Measures: March meetings cancelled; delegations continue, Lake Macdonald Dam: routes, traffic plan approvals, engagement, risks, Capital Works: pipeline, reseals, resourcing, Skate Park: tender post‑DA.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Amelia Lorentson Joe Jurisevic Clare Stewart Frank Wilkie Non-Committee Members
Executive Officers
Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Amelia Lorentson: Opened meeting; all councillors present; proceeded directly to reports (00:00) (Minutes: Attendance, Items 5–6). Larry Sengstock: Confirmed Minister’s notification enabling cancellation of March meetings during caretaker to avoid confusion and electioneering proximity (01:54–03:27) (Item 5.1). Decision: Committee unanimously recommended cancelling March 2024 round on receipt of Minister’s formal advice (05:03) (Item 5.1). Frank Wilkie: Queried statutory timeframes for development applications; CEO said DA processing will continue under officer delegations; no significant items expected for March (04:25–05:03) (Item 5.1). Melissa: Capital Program spend $16.9m (33%) to 31 Dec against $51.3m budget; $5.8m commitments; forecast FY spend $43.6m; 73 multi‑year projects underway (06:02–07:27) (Item 6.1). Correction: Reseal list error minuted—Ollivine Street is in Cooroy, not Tewantin (07:25–07:58) (Item 6.1). Joe Jurisevic: Praised breadth/quality of reseals and delivery ambition at near $50m program (08:09–08:50) (Item 6.1). Melissa: Noosa (Beach) Skate Park tender to proceed via standard procurement, post DA approval (08:52–09:14) (Item 6.1). Shaun Walsh: With sustained $50m+ program for 3 years, proposed next‑year resourcing and refined workflows, incl. strategic outsourcing for complex design (10:13–12:59) (Item 6.1). Larry Sengstock: Attributed capacity to stimulus carry‑forwards; committed to resourcing to deliver record capital works (13:00–13:27) (Item 6.1). Ian Williams / Shaun Walsh: Seqwater’s Lake Macdonald Dam project to use cofferdam; maintain ~40–42% lake level; works mid‑2024, duration to 2028/29 weather‑permitting (14:35–16:46; 25:51–27:31; 24:54–25:18) (Item 6.2). Traffic Routes: Early indication: Lake Macdonald Dr and Elm St to Bruce Hwy N of Cooroy; possible Gumbun Rd/Sibbers Rd; alternatives like Kennedy’s Rd raised (17:05–22:15; 20:27–22:15) (Item 6.2). Contentious / Transparency Matters Caretaker Timing: Minutes condition cancellation on receipt of Minister’s advice; transcript indicates advice already received—clarity provided but note procedural consistency (01:54–03:27) (Item 5.1). Community Consultation: Seqwater to date relied on letterbox drops; face‑to‑face sessions scheduled; councillors pushed for broader media (Cooroy Rag/Noosa Today) and robust comms (23:37–24:42; 39:28–40:51) (Item 6.2). Data Accuracy: Capital report location error promptly corrected on record (07:25–07:58) (Item 6.1). Disruption Sensitivity: Concerns about school‑hour truck bans, gridlock through Cooroy, and learning from Kin Kin/Black Mountain disruptions; request to include affected residents’ insights (16:52–22:15; 32:31–33:44; 37:02–38:15) (Item 6.2). Economic/Amenity Impacts: Chair flagged potential business/Botanic Gardens impacts; officers committed to “business as usual” messaging and activation (25:31–27:31) (Item 6.2). Legal / Risk Caretaker Compliance: Cancelling March meetings aligns with caretaker constraints under QLD local government framework; business‑as‑usual continues via delegations (01:54–05:03) (Item 5.1). Coordinator‑General (CG): Seqwater relies on 2019 CG approval; Council seeking formal confirmation; Schedule 1 requires Traffic Management Plan (TMP), community engagement plan, Construction EMPs before works (17:05–19:24; 23:37–35:20) (Item 6.2). Council Powers: 2019 CG conditions indicate Council approval of TMP and routes; Council to monitor compliance and road condition; detailed road impact assessment required with upgrades/remediation (17:55–19:24; 35:20–35:45) (Item 6.2). Disaster Risk: Updated evacuation mapping and LDMG engagement cited for increased inundation risk during works; environmental flows to Six Mile Creek must be maintained (28:39–30:31) (Item 6.2). Unresolved Insurance Exposure: Downstream property insurance implications raised; officers to pursue with Seqwater (30:31–30:54) (Item 6.2). Procurement/DA Sequencing: Skate Park tender contingent on DA approval; underscores adherence to statutory planning and procurement processes (08:52–09:14) (Item 6.1). Lake Macdonald Dam: Traffic, Environment, Water Security Frank Wilkie: Sought school‑hour heavy vehicle restrictions; Council to leverage TMP approvals to mitigate congestion near Cooroy SS (16:52–19:24) (Item 6.2). Joe Jurisevic: Requested alternative routes and end‑of‑project remediation plus potential co‑funded upgrades (widening/cycle lanes) (20:09–22:15; 35:45–36:26) (Item 6.2). Water Security: Maintaining 40–42% level and Mary River intake ensures redundancy; no capacity increase proposed; project addresses dam failure risk standard (27:36–28:21; 41:50–42:10) (Item 6.2). Environment: Flora/fauna impacts acknowledged; fish passage (ladder) improvements flagged; fish capture/transfer methods to be clarified (29:41–32:31) (Item 6.2). Engagement Pathways: Primary channel via Seqwater website sessions; Council to add subpage and forward submissions to monthly liaison (38:18–39:28) (Item 6.2). State–Council Roles: Seqwater leads project; Council focuses on approving/monitoring traffic and advocating for community protections; necessity of works emphasised (40:51–41:50) (Item 6.2). Capital Program Performance & Workforce Capacity Delivery Pace: 33% spend by mid‑year with $26.7m to deliver in H2; road reseal at $2.9m/$5m by 31 Dec; design team handling 62 projects worth $18.5m (06:02–07:27) (Item 6.1). Team Resourcing: Six core design staff plus temp; proposal to bolster leadership and outsource complex design to sustain multi‑year $50m program (09:25–10:13; 10:13–12:59) (Item 6.1). Comparative Scale: Record or near‑record capital levels noted; stimulus carry‑forwards driving capacity (13:00–13:55) (Item 6.1). Pipeline: Upcoming tender for Noosa Beach Skate Park post‑DA; master planning supported with forward investment value >$55m (08:52–09:14; 06:02–07:27) (Item 6.1).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday, 6 February 2024 1:30 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Committee: Crs Amelia Lorentson (Chair), Joe Jurisevic, Clare Stewart, Frank Wilkie “Noosa Shire – different by nature” SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 6 FEBRUARY 2024 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Amelia Lorentson (Chair) Cr Joe Jurisevic Cr Clare Stewart Cr Frank Wilkie NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Tom Wegener Cr Karen Finzel EXECUTIVE Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray APOLOGIES Nil. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Stewart Seconded: Cr Wilkie The Minutes of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting held on 5 December 2023 be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 4. DEPUTATIONS Nil. 5. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 6 FEBRUARY 2024 5.1. CESSATION OF MARCH 2024 COUNCIL MEETINGS Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 6 February 2024 and cancel the March 2024 round of meetings, consisting of the Planning & Environment Committee meeting dated 5 March, the Services & Organisation Committee meeting dated 5 March, the General Committee meeting dated 11 March and the Ordinary Meeting dated 14 March 2024, on receipt of the formal advice from the Minister for Local Government to do so. Carried unanimously. 6. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE 6.1. CAPITAL PROGRAM 2023/24 DELIVERY STATUS Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Clare Stewart Seconded: Cr Joe Jurisevic That Council note the report by the Infrastructure Planning Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 6 February 2024 providing an update on the delivery of the 2023/2024 Capital Program as at 31 December 2023. Carried unanimously. 6.2. LAKE MACDONALD DAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT - FEBRUARY 2024 UPDATE Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Joe Jurisevic Seconded: Cr Clare Stewart That Council Note the report by the Disaster and Disruption Resilience Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 6 February 2024 providing an update on the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project by Seqwater. Carried unanimously. 7. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 02:13 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Amelia Lorentson 00:00.000
The services and organisation meeting today, Tuesday. Good afternoon and I declare the meeting officially open. I'd like to start firstly with an acknowledgement to country. I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Kabi Kabi people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters that form the region that we call Noosa. Council pays respects to elders past, present and future and welcomes the ongoing role that Indigenous people play within the Noosa community. Attendance and apologies. There are no apologies and I I note everyone is in attendance. Councillor Wilkie, Mayor Stewart and Councillor Joe Jurisevic and I note Councillor's observers, Councillor Finzel and Councillor Tom Wegener are in the gallery. Can I please request before we commence the meeting that everyone have their phones silent or turned off and I would also like to remind councillors of their obligations under the Councillor Code of Conduct to treat fellow councillors and councillor employees respectfully. I go straight now to confirmation of minutes. Can I please have a mover and a seconder? I'll second it. Second Councillor Stewart, move. Thank you. No discussion, all in favour? Thanks. We now go to presentations, deputations. There are none, so we'll move straight to reports for consideration or noting of the, by the committee, of the committee. So let's move to item 5.1, cessation of March 2024 council meetings and I'll hand I'll hand it over to Acting CEO, Larry Sengstock, for a summary or overview of the report in front of us. Larry Sengstock 01:54.109
Thank you, Chair. We have actually received final notification back from the Minister now that we are able to, or not necessarily... us to conduct our meetings during the March period. We didn't necessarily ask for February and March, but we've got... Obviously, we're holding our meetings now in February because we've got things to deal with, but during the the meetings of March, like a number of councils across Queensland, they've asked for that to be allowed for councils, and we've been given that right. The reason being that the meetings were in caretaker... meetings were in caretaker period, so from a council point of view, it's really just doing the business as usual activities, which we can continue on with and hold through, some of the reports hold through to. the new cycle begins after the election and the final election or the final council meeting was going to be on Thursday evening prior to the Saturday election, so it was just getting a bit too close. It gets very messy It gets very messy with the electioneering and what's, you know, when we're dealing with matters on the table here, with the public getting confused, so it's best just to keep things clear and clean and that's the position that we've taken and the Minister has agreed with us and has allowed us to do like many other councils across Queensland, so we're not on our own. This is pretty much a standard thing, given the time. Amelia Lorentson 03:27.534
Any questions, Councillor Stewart? Larry Sengstock 03:43.742
We've tried our best to make sure there is no major decisions coming through at this time, and we don't believe there will be. But if something does happen, for example, if there is a disaster and we need to enact something that's going to cost more Frank Wilkie 04:25.385
Will it have any negative implications on development applications that are before the council? There's a set period I think they have to be dealt with in 20 working days, if not some are deemed approval, some are deemed refusal. How's that going to be managed? Larry Sengstock 04:40.660
We're continuing with that because remember there's a number that we do on through delegation anyway, so we're able to continue with those. We don't believe that there'll be anything that'll come before us during that March Which is normally items of significance or refusals. Yes, which we couldn't make decisions on anyway. Amelia Lorentson 05:03.604
Any further questions from the table or in the gallery? Can I have a seconder please? Thank you Councillor Stewart. All in favour? Carried unanimously. Thank you Larry. We'll now move to reports for noting by the committee. And... We'll go to 6.1, the capital program 2023/24, a delivery status and a welcome to the desk. SPEAKER_02 05:36.779
Melissa. Amelia Lorentson 05:37.719
Beautiful Melissa. And Craig are you... and Shaun, excuse me, I'm thinking it was Craig. Okay, thank you. I'll hand I'll hand it over to you Melissa. And if you could just provide us with an overview of the report in front of us. Madam Chair, just a question. Does that superlative beautiful apply just to Melissa or Shaun as well? No biases. Thank you. Melissa 06:02.590
Thank you for seeing us this morning. Just give you an overview of the report. rises the capital works program as at the 31st of December for the second quarter. So this report... At the 31st of December, we had an expenditure of $16.9 million, which was 33% of our capital budget, which is currently $51.3 million. Of the 51.3 million, 19.5 is carry forwards from the prior financial year. We have $5.8 million in commitments remaining as well at that point in time. Forecast expenditure for 23-24 is currently $43.6 million and that includes $26 $26.7 million remaining to spend in the second half of the financial year. For the road reseal program, $2.9 million of the $5 million budget has been expended as at the 31st of December. The design The design services team are working on over 62 projects at the moment which have a combined design and delivery value of over $18.5 million and the planning team is supporting key master planning initiatives that value up to $1.7 the current program and have a forward investment value of over $55 million in addition there's 73 multi-year projects that are in various stages of completion at this point. Shaun Walsh 07:25.803
Do you want to do the correction to the report? Melissa 07:27.471
Yeah, so there's also a discrepancy I just wanted to flag within the report. Under the annual reseal program on page 4, Ollivine Street has been listed under Tewantin, so this just we would like minuted Yeah. Corrected to Cooroy, if possible, please. I thought as part of the process we must have moved from Cooroy. No, sorry, that was just a small oversight, but it should read Cooroy, Ollivine Street. Thank you, Melissa. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 07:58.078
Questions from the table, please. Joe Jurisevic 08:09.566
Road reseal program is exceptional with the number of roads being done and the reseals being undertaken and the level and scope of works across the range of... the range of areas that Council's involved in is quite extraordinary, so quite an achievement to undertake the $50 million capital works program and try and get somewhere near achieving that in the full financial year with everything else we've got going on as well. I think it's a great credit to us that the team is doing such a great job. works that have been undertaken have been done to such a high standard. Thank you. SPEAKER_02 08:50.801
Any other questions? Amelia Lorentson 08:52.741
In terms of the bridge and beach skate park, I've had a lot of people ask about that. I note in the report on page 10, Noosa, the upcoming tenders. So that will be published publicly. Just normal procurement process and expression of interest will be offered easily. Melissa 09:14.500
Yes, so that one will follow the standard council procurement processes and will be shortly after receiving approval for the development application. Frank Wilkie 09:25.220
You mentioned the design team is working on 60 plus projects. How many in the design Melissa 09:35.139
So we've got Danny Cairns, Tim Lang, Tim Vang, Mark House Surveyor and then we've got one temporary budget position at the moment which is Norman Steve Simpson. So there's six staff with Mitch Allen who's our coordinator. Shaun Walsh 10:13.882
No so you know if we noted that we've had you know an uplift from twenty million dollars up to fifty million dollars and noting that that is expected to be sustained over the next three years at least you know so that know does require significant outsourcing and you know workflow management from process management I've been working with the executive on a proposal for next financial year to refine our program and the way we deliver in terms of efficiencies and some more focused resources to assist in better workflow management because I think you know dealing with a 50 million dollar bid for one year and then back down to 20 million you know it's fine you it's fine you know you can deal with an aberration but when it's continuing to be that level it requires some reconsideration of how we organise our design and delivery projects so that will you be requesting budget for next year in the budget assistance with staff because the 62 projects and yeah it's a it's a so it's a new initiative that will need to be further considered by the executive and also the new council it's part of a budget but there's a some additional resources applied both in terms of direction and leadership to actually coordinate the teams as well as on the ground so but the workflows also need to better consider how we more efficiently outsource some of our work because a it Of our work because a lot of the design projects that we're doing are actually incredibly complex, you know, both like a coastal engineering perspective or a traffic management perspective and as a, you know, smaller medium organisation it's actually quite difficult to attract that you know, design talent and we need to use our staff to enable the process but, you know, some of the design challenges we're facing would be complex in Sydney or Melbourne, you know, so, you know, we shouldn't shy away from actually tapping into to really good external lead really good design processes to solve our contemporary problems so it's about it's about workflow management and processes not just about deployment of resources thank you any other questions from the table before I go to the gallery councillor councillor Karen councillor Tom any questions from the floor thank you now and Sean I'll ask for a mover and a seconder please councillor Stewart and for mover and seconder councillor Jurisevic all in favour thank you well done thank you We'll reach an end of this. Thank you. Thank CEO it just seems like the record level capital works programs are near record levels each year. Larry Sengstock 13:00.717
Yes yes it's just continuing and that's again it's because of the work that we've undertaken is is this carried forward because we've had that rivers of gold with the with the stimulus funding but now we're also now just just continuing to deliver you know this is this is fantastic what we've got the capacity to do in terms of the funding coming coming forward so we're doing our best now to make sure we resource it appropriately and deliver it and they're doing a great job fantastic job. Joe Jurisevic 13:27.524
And six times the level of funding in the form of this case. Wow, that's huge. Sunny Coast Frank Wilkie 13:34.976
Council was 15, was it? 11? 15? 12 rings a bell, somewhere there, 12 to 15.10 to 15. Amelia Lorentson 13:55.327
Okay, let's move to item or 6.2, Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project, February 2024 update. I welcome to the desk Ian Williams. Hello Ian. That's good. And Shaun, thank you. Hello. Great shirt. Thank you. We sort of match. Yeah, we do. I'll throw it to you, Ian, if you can give us an overview of the report in front of us, and Shaun, thank you. Ian Williams 14:35.222
Thank you very much, everyone. Great to be here. It's on what is going to be a fairly sizeable topic. think for the next four to five years about Shire, for sure, probably would have heard through the 10th of March, obviously, that the minister made an announcement that the Lake Macdonald Improvement Project would begin with works planned for mid-year. So in close consultation here with Shaun, we've obviously started the ball rolling internally and externally. So internally, so internally we're going to have a meeting this Thursday with our stakeholders internally and externally next Tuesday the 13th we'll be having our first external meeting or this is a Seqwater meeting so the first thing to point out here is that Seqwater is obviously the asset holder here so this is a state government funded project and all engagement, communication, internally. With our community will be led through them our interests obviously lie with with various points of sensitivity around that to do with the traffic and the disruption that will occur over the next four to five years with other projects namely obviously the thing that is going on with Black Mountain and Kin Kin Quarry and various things that significant amount of truck movement needs to be clarified with our community over time about where it's going and why it's going. So engagement with our residents started with Seqwater already and the really this is around obviously the failure risk position of of the actual existing dam and the works that are going to happen in that case so that so that involves what we call a cofferdam, so that's going to be a dam wall in front of the existing wall, so the construction of that, then the removal eventually of the existing wall, and then putting... obviously then a new wall there, and then a remover of the old cofferdam, so it's quite a large and segmented project over a number of time, over amount of time, but it will also involve an awful lot of involvement around works and disruption to our community. Amelia Lorentson 16:46.462
I have a ton of questions, but I'll throw it to the table first. Frank Wilkie 16:52.242
Yeah, Ian, can you... Just highlight the roads that are going to be impacted by heavy vehicle movements and whether or not we have an opportunity to request that those heavy vehicle movements be restricted during school hours, for example. Shaun Walsh 17:05.862
Can I answer that question? Sure, come on in. Sorry. The early indications from Seqwater that they're intending on using Lake Macdonald Drive and Elm Street to access the Bruce Highway interchange north of Cooroy, but they've also referenced... But they've also referenced the possibility of also using Gumball Road and Sibiers Road, but we've sought, and this is referenced in the report, is that we're seeking clarity from, this is an approval issue by the coordinator general of the Queensland Government, it's called up so it doesn't require council approval, but in the previous approval of 2019 for the previous scope of works they referenced that council would still need to approve various aspects of the proposal and we're seeking clarity from the coordinator general. At the time of drafting this report we didn't have any further updates. But I understand Richard MacGillivray actually has an update on advice from the coordinator general Richard MacGillivray 17:55.628
So yeah. Yeah, just through the chair. We've just had conversations with Seqwater regarding the was dated 2019. So we're just seeking formal advice back from them now around whether the coordinator general approval has been amended or modified since that date. At this stage verbally they've said no, they're still relying on the same approval the same approval as stated from 2019, so we're just requesting that informal writing, I guess, to make sure that those provisions remain as they originally stated in that 2019 approval. That 2019 approval seemed to indicate that Council is required to actually approve the National Traffic Management Plans and the routes, so we can actually have quite a significant say be on the what we're approved routes and obviously make representations about the hours of operation because obviously congestion outside the Cooroy State School is a key issue. I drive through that site you know morning and evening so I'm well aware of you know the intersection issues at the Lane McDonnell Drive and Elm Street as well. So we need to explore you know all options with Seqwater about traffic management. construction management. Does that answer your question Councillor Wilkie? Frank Wilkie 19:14.370
It does. So is Noosa Council required to monitor the traffic as well? If I can approve the traffic management plan then Noosa Council is required to monitor it as well. Shaun Walsh 19:24.250
Yeah so we'll you know as I said we're entering into our first discussions internally with all our relevant stakeholders. And then with Seqwater next week to actually talk about that. But yes I'd say there would be an expectation for us to monitor both the traffic movements to ensure compliance as well as obviously monitor damage. damage of the roads because they need to do a you know a construction assessment prior to the road and presumably also maintain the standard of the road through the construction. Because we certainly wouldn't be drawn into monitoring and approving something that's that's adverse to something we That's right. Yeah that's that's what you're saying. Meanwhile when you're saying we've got an opportunity for significant selling in the outcome. We've got some leverage there. Joe Jurisevic 20:09.308
So if there are other options that may not have been considered there is... opportunity to present those and say there may be some roads here that you haven't considered that you might be able to utilise that won't cause disruption or won't go through school areas and things like that. Shaun Walsh 20:27.748
Yeah so I think in some early discussions that you know the possibility could because this is a long project of over a number of years four years at least. Joe Jurisevic 20:35.188
A lot of disruption. It's a lot of disruption so you know is there the possibility of using Kennedy's Road and you know doing some you know upgrades to at the moment part of it is unsealed construction other parts of it are basically a four-wheel drive track you know but it's actually a direct link through to the the dam site. you kennedy's right has been utilised by Forestry. So that is something we can certainly table with Seqwater that they should be considering as part of their traffic management considering the level of disruption upon you know residents along Donald Drive as well well as you know the Cooroy State School. Noting that you know where Kennedy's Drive comes out it comes out at Layanne Lane and there are residents along there as well so you know there still is going to be some people upset. At that end of the road it's a very, Layanne Lane is a very quiet you know you know no through road essentially you know so they would have major construction traffic going through there so I need to be aware that it's not just a simple solution we have to look at you know pros and cons of each outcome. What I'm suggesting is that all options should be at least on the table to consider. And we'll look at the advantages and disadvantages of all. Obviously, if... Lake McDonnell Drive, for example, is going to be used for heavy haulage and access through the town of Cooroy in any way, shape or form. That will have an impact on the road network through there. We're travelling on stack roads, we're travelling on council roads. One of the... the implications out of four years worth of traffic, heavy hauled traffic through there, what are the results of maintenance, repairs and improvements on that road at the end of the project, those sort of questions. Shaun Walsh 22:15.165
And that's why we're keen to actually, we've approached this about setting up an internal working group. So we've got, you know, clear coordination between all the different areas of council involved, whether it's infrastructure, whether it's approvals, whether it's, you know, engagement with the community. And then we're being in a really astute, coordinated manner in We approach disruption events better and we've tried to create a model here that actually deals with the disruption events in our community a lot better for the land. Given the road to the Elm Street as it continues out, it has a connection to the north of the highway. In theory, folks wouldn't have to come to the Groy down to Groy. As I said, we've only had a brief overview. the project. The material that we've referenced in the report is extracted from the Seqwater website. We haven't actually had an opportunity to go through all of these matters in detail with Seqwater. That will happen next week, but was opportune to present this to council at the earliest opportunity to receive, you know, thoughts and ideas about how we can manage the impacts of this project. SPEAKER_02 23:37.039
Councillor Stewart. Thank you. 2019 was the original approval. We're in What community consultation has been undertaken by Seqwater to residents who will be affected? It actually predates that. So 2013 was the first engagement. 2019 was the last. These are just in the form of letterbox drops. There's another one that happened today. of which is just the thousand odd residents that are sort of in that downstream area explaining things are starting. So it's just letterbox drops. The face-to-face engagement starts at a number of those six different dates. dates that are set down through February and March which are all on their website which just you're aware our customer experience team have that particular link which is sent through it so it's a living FAQ questions of various on their website and they're all on there and these that's also listed in the drop that is happening today and tomorrow so it's just nothing face to face just letterbox at the moment yeah. Amelia Lorentson 24:42.189
Can I ask Ian, so four to five years is anticipated length of this project is that worst-case scenario or is that best-case scenario? Ian Williams 24:54.233
So on their website it has weather permitting with 28/29 in brackets so weather permitting it's how it's how long is a piece of string, but in relation to our engagement with community, it's certainly going to be, you know, I would say minimum four to five years. Amelia Lorentson 25:10.516
So this is going to be a big community piece. This is going to have some serious impact. Ian Williams 25:18.436
Yeah, and probably in areas that haven't necessarily seen this sort of amount of depending on what we end up being as the status quo for, or I should say more a living plan of what traffic management looks like. Amelia Lorentson 25:31.683
So amenity impact aside, I'm imagining there's also going to be some economic impact. impact with businesses in that precinct and even the gardens, botanical gardens. Is there any proposal to, with SEQ, to offer compensation packages for businesses? businesses. Shaun Walsh 25:51.023
So the good thing about the update of the program since 2019, because the 2019 program was a full drain down of the lake, whereas this updated proposal maintains the lake level at a 40% capacity. So they would argue that the visual aspects of the lake are fairly well maintained. And they regard that during our recent dry, it was about a metre lower. So they've been careful to point out in their proposal that the Noosa Botanic Gardens can still remain open, you know, and can still operate and the like. have actually had a representative, Seqwater, on the Stakeholder Housing Reference Group. My apologies councillor, that's my fault, despite your instructions. Frank Wilkie 26:40.902
I think the Chair was very specific about that. I know. Shaun Walsh 26:46.282
So my apologies. Accepted, thank you. So we've got a representative of Seqwater on the Noosa Botanic Gardens Master Plan, so that we can leverage off that relationship as well. So I think it's probably going to be important And I think back to the Brisbane floods, you know, in 2011, not 2022, to ensure activity in key areas, they started a flood off program at Southbank Parklands, you know, come and party, it's flood off. So they tackled the program head on, to actually engage people in the space. So I think we're going to have to, in particular, the Botanic Gardens to ensure the message is that the gardens are still open, come and enjoy it. We probably need to work with the friends to ramp up some of the PR to ensure there's it's business as usual. SPEAKER_02 27:31.224
Councillor Stewart, you had a question? No, I'm done. One more question. Frank Wilkie 27:36.164
Shaun, the dam will be at 42%. Is there any discussion about its potential to sustain us through a dry period? the water supply, how is that going to be ensured? Do we have a backup plan? Shaun Walsh 27:50.148
Yes, so the water security is one of the reasons that are going for the cofferdam proposal because, you know, it's a very reliable water supply even though it's small. It has frequent, you know, one good rainfall fills the dam up, you know, which is really good. But you have to remember that we also have an intake where Seqwater on the Mary River and brings water from the Mary River through to the treatment plant at the Lake Macdonald dam. So that supply will be continued. So we have redundancy now in our water supply in the worst case scenario. Thank you. Joe Jurisevic 28:21.819
My question is on the other side of the dam. Two metres lower than that normally is. What are the implications for environmental flows downstream in severe events and the potential for additional flooding in those events because we don't have a dam wall holding back the water. Shaun Walsh 28:39.930
The flows will obviously be two metres So our environment staff are in the internal working group, so the approval references the minimum requirement for environmental flows to maintain flows in Six Mile Creek. I can't technically answer the question. And the residents downstream have obviously been advised of what's happening, so they've got, it'll be interesting to see what the difference, you know, we're getting back to, I guess, pre-dam levels with, you know, when a creek used to flow through there and floodwaters used to flow through there, it's without the, an element of protection of the dam, I suppose, holding back some of the waters. So, our council's environment manager has already tabled that as an issue, environmental flows, and would like to pursue that in discussions with Seqwater in our first meeting. Joe Jurisevic 29:28.277
Not only worry about environmental flows, but worry about floodwaters and residents, clearly residents downstream that may be impacted that potentially don't get impacted as a result of the dam having, since the dam was built. Ian Williams 29:41.208
We do anticipate there are flora and fauna impacts here, but obviously all covered under Seqwater's plans. We do anticipate We're also having discussions that they're well aware of the residents being informed. It would be interesting to see what, not what I'm interested in seeing, what I'm hoping we never have to see, that there's an impact downstream as a result of an event during the time that the cofferdams were in place. Shaun Walsh 30:09.671
Had to update their evacuation plans through the Local Disaster Management Group arising from the increased risk profile and that's almost like a worst-case scenario in the event there was a dam failure and that does indicate you know the areas of inundation and their consultation consultation program has been targeting those specific residents who could expect you know worst-case scenario increased inundation. Joe Jurisevic 30:31.323
The element that may not have been considered, what about insurance for those properties downstream? Will their insurance be impacted? Shaun Walsh 30:38.443
I can't These things suddenly come into my head. I know I've been talking through this with the LDMG for a while with Seqwater, but even now, of course, there's still a rise about what the potential impact of an event as a result is going to be. Frank Wilkie 30:54.230
Councillor Wilkie. Thank you. I'm fascinated by the process where the fish will be removed. So do we have any idea of how that's going to be done? Are they going to be netted? Is it a purpose-built fish transport How are they going to catch the fish? SPEAKER_02 31:13.006
Not with a scoop. Shaun Walsh 31:17.266
I don't think there's that many fish there because I go kayaking on the lake and the fishermen don't catch many fish. So I think we need to be realistic about the number of fish. But we can inquire exactly on the first meeting with Seqwater and be happy to distribute further information. I think there were some elements of stocking in the lake in the past, but they've probably stopped since the Cod Farm has ceased operations. since the discussion of the lake level being changed, I'm gathering that fish stocking hasn't occurred for some time. No, but they are keen to pursue like fish ladder, you know, and updating, you know, the ability for, you know, fish to migrate upstream. actually access the water body. So that will improve the, you know, the performance of this in terms of, you know, aquatic fauna in the longer term. The fish hatchery has relocated, has it not? I don't know. know the current status of the fish hatchery. I know it was talk of a closing in the report, and I thought it already had, because I know the scout grounds there have been closed for some time, and they haven't been able to utilise those since this has come Amelia Lorentson 32:31.831
In terms of the internal stakeholder group, will there be opportunity to ask residents that have been impacted impacted from the Kin Kin Quarry to the Black Mountain landslip. Just to get some real insight, advice or feedback and maybe invite them onto this stakeholder group. Shaun Walsh 32:56.203
I always just know when you live through these disruptions whether it's noise or traffic impacts or whatever there may be something we're missing and just just be great to acknowledge at a minimum that they've gone through this before I think the idea of an internal work group was just council staff to ensure extra pitch but what what I am thinking which is a really good idea is that we can certainly recommend to Seqwater in their engagement the residents to expand the scope because we definitely have disaffected residents who have been through significant disruption at Black Mountain and Kinty that they could learn from in their messaging so I think that would be a very good recommendation to take through to Seqwater that they're thinking more broader than just the directly affected people. Joe Jurisevic 33:44.338
I guess once there's an understanding of the number of truck movements likely per day, that would be... Agreed. And if I may, just to Shaun's point to councillors, in Schedule 1 of the Coordinated General's approval, there's a number of requirements set out that the applicant must fulfil, and one of those is including the development of a community and stakeholder engagement plan that the coordinator general must approve and that that lists a whole range of factors so we certainly can feed in some of these ideas into that that process so they build it in there to reference some of these other groups to get disruption some feedback on events have been managed and handled in the past and how they can get ahead of it with good community engagement and buy into that process so I'd strongly encourage you yourselves to have a look at that document particularly the schedule one because it outlines outlines all the key documents, including the construction environmental management plans, flora and fauna management plans, community and stakeholder engagement plans, which all need to be prepared in the upcoming months, at least two months before any works happen. So there's a So there's a lot of work to be done, still to flesh out some of the detail yet, and obviously that will likely be put up on the website as well as part of the coordinator general's requirements as well. So there should be greater awareness of what those things will look like. It's a good point Richard, and we've referenced the link to that coordinator general's approval. Which the community can access as well. Correct, it's a public document as well so anyone can have a look through what those requirements are. Shaun Walsh 35:12.479
An easy document to find. It's It is on the public record and that's why we thought it'd be handy to actually include the link. Richard MacGillivray 35:20.359
And just on that point around that the road impact assessment which that requirement does sit with council. opponent must, second quarter, must undertake a detailed road impact assessment and confirm any upgrades, roadworks that must be undertaken to get to the required standards. So there will be the opportunity for us to have a closer look at some of those elements Joe Jurisevic 35:45.618
The other side of that, if there are remediation works to be undertaken, one would expect that would be to return it to the State that it currently is. Does that present an opportunity for council to partner with Seqwater going forward to look at what upgrades may be able to be done as part of that work, i.e. widening the roads? cycle lanes that don't exist and the rest of it, and complementing any remedial works with some upgrade works and some upgrade provisions that the community may benefit from as a result of this at the end of Yeah certainly and we're really happy to explore that with Seqwater. Shaun Walsh 36:26.905
This is a long water to see how we can actually get some reasonable outcomes to the community who are, you know, as many of these have been compromised by the project. But you But, you know, we also have to remember that the project is about securing water security for Noosa, so we should command Seqwater for that as well. Absolutely. Frank Wilkie 36:45.397
Yeah, sure. We're damned if we do and damned if we don't. Take all the damned photos you like, Councillor. On that note... Excuse me, I've got a question from the gallery. Councillor Tom, what's your question? Tom Wegener 37:02.600
First, Ian, I'm so happy that you're on this project. Thank you. Because it is a very good deal. I'm a little bit of a worrywart, and so, councillors, I suggest looking at the worst case scenario when it comes to trucks running through Cooroy, because it's already gridlocked quite a bit of time. Other times it's not gridlocked at all, but there's times of the day where it absolutely is gridlocked, and there's just no way a big truck would get through. It would just create havoc, and it would take a long time for one truck to get to the other side holding up the entire project. of, if it, just because it's going to cost a lot of millions of dollars to buy Kennedy's Road and put a surface in and do all that, it's probably worth it in the long run because we might end up doing it, you know, way too late. I just, I just, yeah. Don't take that off the table. Put Kennedy's Road and any other way to get around Cooroy on squarely on the table and think big. Thanks, Councillor. they'll just lose their minds out there, I think, you know, that and Pomona and all those towns with all that's happening. So I think it's really important. Okay, thank you. Amelia Lorentson 38:15.066
Councillor Finzel, you've got a question or so. Thank you. Karen Finzel 38:18.206
Thank you. It's been a good report and to see we're heading towards, you know, water security for our community. Just a question for people that want to engage like either as individuals or groups, what's the best step for them to take forward now? Is that through the SEQ website? Ian Williams 38:34.641
Yep. And those engagement sessions are now on the website as well. So Jason and the team are all aware that that's the way that they do it. Shaun Walsh 38:43.321
That's the most effective way. If Council does receive submissions directly, then we'll channel through our internal working group and then table that with SEQ at our monthly meeting as well. So if people want to do it through the Council process, where do they sign on to that? As referenced in the report, we'll be putting... putting a sub page on our website. So we haven't quite got there yet. But I think the primary message is because at this early stage of the project planning, it's most important they lodge it directly with Seqwater and advocate really strongly their views because they're the entity actually. entity actually undertaking the project, so rather than us. We can follow up, but I think it's more important they directly engage with us if you would. Amelia Lorentson 39:28.664
So as an advocacy piece, can we put pressure on SEQ to ensure that the comms plan will reach the right people, whether it's the Cooroy Rag or the Noosa today? Can we put some pressure on them? this is really significant, this project. So I like the idea of just working with SEQ to let them know how best to distribute this information to our So just an update on that. Ian Williams 40:03.351
Just so you're aware, on Thursday, Ken and Caroline will be part of the internal meeting group, but also the external group. So they're both well aware of that. I know that calls, much like to me, do creep through and they will get to you. There's, for instance, we've had some calls in the last week for a swift drive is obviously one that that's, you know, you can, as you, for those who know and drive it regularly, you know, that that's a Cooroy State School, little sidetrack cut through swift to get through to Cooroy Noosa Road. So there's already concerned residents with those sorts of things too. And until we have, we have the we have that we have the size and shape of that and how it can be communicated but we do have the mechanisms mechanisms in place in theory to get that that done yeah they'll keep will update you as we go for sure. Larry Sengstock 40:51.097
To maybe finish questions but just to summarise for those listening and those for the community this is a this is a state project, Seqwater project. Our job in this is to try to is to make potentially at this point in time is to manage the the traffic plans and influence or or at least try to support our community as best we can in terms of disruption but we can't take away from the fact that this is the security of our water going forward and this is a necessary project because that dam wall that wall is is you know under is under some duress and we need to make sure that that gets repaired and that's a long-term project. So it's something that has to happen and we just now need to work out the best way and support our communities best we can. So I think we just need to need to keep that front of mind. That's where we sit in the in the scheme of things. Frank Wilkie 41:50.768
Yeah and forgive me if I missed it in the report but this work is just to shore up the dam wall. It's not to increase the capacity of the dam. Shaun Walsh 41:59.688
There's no proposal There's no proposal to increase the capacity of the dam. Ian Williams 42:10.700
One in 500,000 year event is what they've tabled it as. Amelia Lorentson 42:17.866
More questions from the gallery or the table? No? Okay, I ask for a move by Councillor Jurisevic, Councillor Stewart second. No discussion, all in favour? Thank you very much. Thank you very much. SPEAKER_02 42:32.666
Thank you Richard. So that's it, that's it. Amelia Lorentson 42:38.733
So there are no confidential sessions. So now, excuse me, can I ask a client please, we're live streaming please. There is no confidential. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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