Services & Organisation Committee Meeting, 6 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 Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray 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 00:00.040
To the Services & 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 its respects to elders past, present and emerging and welcomes the ongoing role that Indigenous people play within the Noosa community. Attendance and apologies. There are no apologies and I note everyone is an 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 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 Council employees. Respectfully. I go straight now to confirmation of minutes. Can I please have a mover and a seconder? Councillor Stewart moved. Thank you. No discussion or in favour? Thanks. We now go to presentations, deputations. There are none, so we'll move straight to reports for consideration or noting by the committee. So let's move to item 5.1, cessation of March Council meetings, and I'll hand it over to Acting CEO Larry Sengstock for a summary or overview of the report in front of us. Larry Sengstock 01:54.728
Thank you, Chair. We have actually received file notification back from the minister now that we were able to or not necessary for us to conduct our meetings during the March period. We did initially 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 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 period, so from a Council point of view, it's really just doing the business as usual activities, which we can continue on hold through some of the reports, hold through to when 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 with the hearing and what's you know when we're dealing with matters on the table here with the public getting confused as best as to 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 a this is pretty much a standard thing given the time. Amelia Lorentson 03:28.064
Any questions Councillor Jurisevic? Joe Jurisevic 03:30.240
If CEO will have any impact on the ability of Council to operate during that time? Will there be any decisions that are delayed as a result of a meeting being missed at that time? Larry Sengstock 03:44.366
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 act. Enact something that's going to cost more than what my delegated authority of costs and expenditure is then the minister has actually provided us with a letter saying that all councils that if that does happen then we can apply to the minister for exemption within and 24 hours we'll still get that response. Joe Jurisevic 04:14.929
To have a Special Meeting in extraordinary circumstances. So we're covered in case of emergency. That's all I was trying to say. Larry Sengstock 04:23.206
Yes, thank you. Amelia Lorentson 04:25.586
And Councillor Wilkie? Frank Wilkie 04:26.887
Will it have any negative implications on development applications that are before the Council? Is this a set I period? Think that could 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 04:40.717
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. Don't believe that there'll be anything that'll come before us during that March period anyway. Which is normally items of significance or refusals. Yes, which we couldn't make major decisions on anyway. Joe Jurisevic 05:05.124
Further questions from the table or in the gallery? Can I have a seconder, please? Amelia Lorentson 05:10.843
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. Melissa. Beautiful Melissa. And Craig, are you, and Shaun, excuse me. I'm thinking it was Craig. Okay. Thank you. I'll hand it over to Melissa. No. And if you could just provide us with an overview of the report in front of us. Unidentified Speaker 05:51.543
Well Madam Chair, just a question. Sure. Does that superlative beautiful apply just to Melissa or Shaun as well? Amelia Lorentson 05:56.969
No bias, it's both. Thank you. Melissa 06:02.537
Okay, no bias. Thank you for seeing us this morning. Just to give you an overview of the report. So this report summarises the capital works program as at the 31st of December for the second quarter. At the 31st of December we had an expenditure of 16.9 million dollars which was 33% of our capital budget which is currently 51.3 million dollars. 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 2023-24 is currently $43.6 million and that includes 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 services team 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 million in 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 07:26.046
Do you want to do the correction to the report? Melissa 07:27.812
Yep. So there's also a discrepancy I just wanted to flag within the report. Under the annual reseal program on page four, Olivine Street has been listed under Tewantin. So this just we would like minuted, corrected to Cooroy, if possible, please. Joe Jurisevic 07:45.554
So it's Cooroy. I thought as penalty process we must have moved from corrode. Melissa 07:49.986
Sorry, that was just a small oversight, but it should read Cooroy, Olivine Street. Amelia Lorentson 07:57.388
Thank you, Melissa. Questions from the table, please. Joe Jurisevic 08:01.437
Not many at the amount of work being achieved and undertaken. A number of projects being done. The road Reseal Program is exceptional with the number of roads being done and the resales being undertaken, and the level and scope of works across the range of areas the Council is involved in is quite extraordinary. A $60 million capital works program and try and get somewhere near achieving that in a 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 and the works that have been undertaken have been done to such a high standard. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 08:51.317
Any other questions? In terms of the Peregian Beach skate park, I've had a lot of people ask about that. I note in the report on page 10, Noosa, their upcoming tenders. So that will be published publicly just normal procurement process and Expression of Interest will be offered easily. Melissa 09:15.070
Yes, so that one will follow the standard Council procurement processes and will be shortly after receiving approval for the development application. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 09:26.570
You mentioned the design team is working on 60 plus projects. How many in the design team? Melissa 09:34.847
Um, at a rough. Thank sorry. Can hear you. Shaun Walsh 09:38.088
Yes, sorry. Yeah, so we've got Denny Cairns, Tim Ben, mark, and I'll survey them. Then we've got one temporary budget position is known as Steve Simpson. Yes. So there's six staff with each. So they're all working on that, an average of ten projects each? Unknown 10:03.521
And outsourcing as well. Okay. And would you say that's a manageable workload? Shaun Walsh 10:09.949
Evidence by the amount of carryovers in previous years? No. So if we noted that we've had an uplift from $20 million up to $50 million, and noting that is expected to be sustained over the next three years at least. Know, so that. Does require significant outsourcing and, you know, workflow management and process management. So 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 uplift for one year and then back down to million, you know, is you can $20 fine. 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. Amelia Lorentson 11:12.132
A budget for next year in the budget assistance with staff because there's 62 projects and. Shaun Walsh 11:18.144
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 some additional resources applied. Both in terms of direction and leadership to actually coordinate the teams as well as on the ground. But the workflows also need to better consider how we more efficiently outsource some of our work because a lot of the design that we're doing are actually incredibly complex, both from a coastal engineering perspective or a traffic management perspective and as a smaller medium organisation it's actually quite difficult to attract that level of 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 really good external expertise to lead really good design processes to solve our contemporary problems so it's about workflow management and processes not just about deployment of resources Amelia Lorentson 12:22.264
Thank you any other questions from the table before I go to the gallery um Councillor Karen tolmany questions from the floor thank you Mel now and Sean I'll ask for a mover and a seconder please Councillor Stewart and for a mover and seconder Councillor Jurisevic all in favour thank you well done. Thank you. So much it just seems like record level capital works programs are near record levels each year Larry Sengstock 13:00.885
Yes it's just continuing and this again is because of the work that we've undertaken is this carried forward because we've had that rivers of gold with the stimulus funding but now we're also now just continuing to deliver you know this is fantastic what we've got the capacity to do in terms of the funding 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. Six times the level of funding in the form of this case. Wow, that's huge. Unidentified Speaker 13:31.791
Sunshine Coast Council was 15, was it? 11? 15? Joe Jurisevic 13:39.146
12 Rings a bell, somewhere there, 12 to 15, 10 to 15. Aware my thinking world. Amelia Lorentson 13:46.497
Yep. And you but began. Then you add 30 to 50% inflation costs. And then add the recovery. The disaster recovery. Okay, let's move to item or report number 6.2, Lake Macdonald Dam improvement project, February 2024 update. I welcome to the desk Ian Williams. Hello Ian and Shaun, thank you. Over? Yeah. Great shirt. Thank you. We sort of match. Yeah, we do a bit. I'll throw it to you Ian, if you can give us an overview of the report in front of us. Ian Williams 14:33.811
Yeah, absolutely. Thank you very much everyone. Great to be here. It's on what is going to be a fairly sizeable topic, I think, for the next four to five years of our Shire, for sure. You probably would have heard through the 10th of March, obviously, that the minister made an announcement that the Lake Macdonald Dam 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 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 the 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 with our community be led through them. Our interests obviously lie 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 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 has started through with Seqwater already and the really this is around obviously failure risk position of the actual existing dam and the works are going to happen in that case 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 putting obviously then a new wall there and then a remover of the old cofferdam so it's a 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 16:46.478
Okay, I have a tea. I have a ton of questions yes throw it to Frank Wilkie 16:51.138
My first yeah and can you just highlight the roads that are going to be impacted by heavy vehicle yeah and whether or not we have an opportunity to request those heavy vehicle movements be restricted during school hours for example. Shaun Walsh 17:06.656
Sure, come on in. The early indications from SEQ board is 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 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 issued by the Coordinator-General of the Queensland Government, it's called up so it doesn't technically 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's. 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 so Richard MacGillivray 17:56.144
Yeah just Through the Chair we've just had conversations with Seqwater regarding the approval which was dated 2019 so we're just seeking advice back from them now formal 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 as stated from 2019 so requesting that informal writing I guess to make sure that those provisions remain as they originally stated in that 2019 approval. Shaun Walsh 18:31.496
That 2019 approval seemed to indicate that Council is required to actually approve the actual traffic management plans and the routes so we can actually have quite a significant say on what we're considering to be the, you know, the approved routes and obviously make representations about the hours of operation because obviously, you know, congestion outside the Cooroy State School is a key issue, you know, and I drive through that site, you know, morning and evening. So I'm well aware of, you know, the intersection issues at the lane Macdonald Drive and Elm Street as well, so we need to explore, you know, all options with Seqwater about traffic management and construction management. Does that answer your question, Councillor Wilkie? Frank Wilkie 19:15.036
It does. So is Noosa Council required to monitor the traffic as well? If we approve the traffic management plan, then Noosa Council is required to monitor it as well. Shaun Walsh 19:24.608
Yeah, so we'll, you know, as I said, we're entering into our first discussions internally with 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 of the roads because they would need to do a, you know, a construction assessment prior to the road and presumably also maintain the standard of the roads. Unidentified Speaker 19:54.173
Because we certainly wouldn't be drawn into monitoring and approving something that's adverse to something we disagree with. That's right. Yeah, that's what you're saying. Meanwhile, you're saying we've got an opportunity for significant selling in the outcome. We've got some leverage there. Joe Jurisevic 20:09.953
So if there are other options that may not have been considered, there is the opportunity to present those and say, well, there may be some you roads here considered might be able to utilise that won't cause disruption or won't go through school areas and things like that. Shaun Walsh 20:28.004
Yeah. So I think in some earlier discussions that the possibility could, because this is a long project of over a number of years, four years at least. It's 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 dam site. Joe Jurisevic 20:52.012
Kennedy's road has been utilised by forestry. And is in pretty good shape. Shaun Walsh 20:56.847
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 layan lane, and there are residents along there as well. So, you know, there still is going to be some people upset. And at that end of the road, it's a very, layan lane is a very quiet, 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 solution, we have to look at, you know, pros and cons of each, outcome. Joe Jurisevic 21:38.343
Suggesting that all options should be at least on the table considered, and we'll look at the advantages and disadvantages of all. Obviously, if Lake Macdonald Drive, for example is going to be used for heavy haulage and accessed 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 state roads, we're travelling on Council roads. One of the implications there are four years' worth of heavy hauled traffic through there. One of the results of maintenance, repairs and improvements on that road at the end of the project, that sort of thing. Shaun Walsh 22:15.698
And that's why we're keen to actually, we've approached this quite strategically. 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 our, negotiations with and our comms and being very targeted in the way we approach them in a coordinated manner. So I suppose we, as you know, the community disruption arising from the inquiry has been a great learning exercise about how we approach these disruption events better. And we've tried to create a model here. Deals with disruption events in our community a lot better for the land of Doherty and the reconstruction. Joe Jurisevic 22:57.908
Given that the road to the Elm Street, as it continues out, has a connection to the north of the highway, in theory, folks wouldn't have to come to the grueling dance at all. Shaun Walsh 23:09.419
Yeah. As I said, we've only had a brief overview of 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 we thought it was opportune to present this to Council at the earliest opportunity to receive thoughts and ideas about how we can manage the impacts of this project. Clare Stewart 23:36.815
Thank you. Project. Amelia Lorentson 23:39.637
2019 Was the original approval. We're in 2023. What community consultation has been undertaken by Seqwater to residents who will be affected? Ian Williams 23:53.137
There's been, 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, which ken's aware of, which is just the thousand odd residents that are downstream area explaining things are starting. So it's just letterbox drops. The face-to engagement starts at a number of, there's six different dates that are set down through February and March, which are all on their website, which just so you're aware, our customer experience team have that particular link which is sent through. It's a living FAQ, questions, various things on their website, and they're all on there. That's also listed in the drop that is happening today and tomorrow. So it's just nothing face-to just letterbox at the moment. Amelia Lorentson 24:42.848
Can I ask the anticipated length of this project. Is that worst case scenario or is that best case scenario? Ian Williams 24:54.495
So on their website it has weather permitting with 28 29 in brackets. So weather permitting it's how long's a piece of string but in relation to our engagement with community, it's certainly going to be you know minimum I would say minimum four to five years. Amelia Lorentson 25:10.881
So this is going to be a big community piece. Yeah this is going to have some serious impact. Ian Williams 25:18.581
Yeah and probably in areas that haven't necessarily seen this sort of amount of disruption before. Depending on what we end up being as the status quo for, or I should say more of a living plan of what traffic management looks like. Amelia Lorentson 25:32.120
So amenity impact aside, I'm imagining there's also going to be some economic impact. With businesses in that precinct and even the gardens, Botanic Gardens. Is there any proposal to, with SEQ, to offer compensation packages for businesses? Shaun Walsh 25:51.026
So, the good thing about the update of the program since 2019 is the 2019 program was a full drain down of the lake, whereas this updated proposal maintains the lake level at a 40% capacity so that you know they would argue that the visual aspects of the lake are fairly well maintained so and that they regard that during our recent was about a metre lower than dry what we saw in our recent dry that was 40% so that's what they regard. So they've been careful to point out in their proposal that the, my apologies, that the Noosa Botanic Gardens can still remain open you know and can still operate and the like. We have actually had representative Seqwater on the Stakeholder Reference Group. My apologies Councillor, that's my fault. Despite your instructions. I think the Chair was very specific about that. So my apologies. Accepted, thank you. 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 though in terms of and I think back to the Brisbane floods you know in 2011 not 2022 and to ensure activity in you know key areas and they started a flood off program at south bank pipelines you know come and party it's flood off so they tackled the activation program head on, especially freshly engage people in the space so I think we're going to have to in particular the Botanic Gardens to ensure the messages that the gardens 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 usual. Amelia Lorentson 27:31.658
Councillor Stewart you had a question? No I'm done. Frank Wilkie 27:34.642
One more question, Shaun the dam will be at 42% has there been any discussion about its potential to sustain us through a dry period like the water supply how is that going to be ensured? Do we have a backup plan? Shaun Walsh 27:50.380
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 you know which is really good but you have to remember that we also have an intake on the Mary River and brings water from 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 worst-case scenario. Thank you. Joe Jurisevic 28:24.349
Two metres lower than that normally is one of 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, the flows will. Obviously two metres lower, be flowing downstream. Shaun Walsh 28:44.720
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. Joe Jurisevic 28:58.425
The residents downstream have obviously been advised of what's happening so they've got, it'll be interesting to see what the difference, we're getting back to I guess pre-dam levels with when a creek used to flow through there and flood waters used to flow through there, it's without the, an element of protection of the dam I suppose holding back some of the waters. Shaun Walsh 29:20.598
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 29:28.880
Tomorrow, I 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 abandoned. Ian Williams 29:41.979
We do anticipate, we'll see are Flora and fauna impacts here, but obviously all covered under Seqwater's plans. Joe Jurisevic 29:50.914
We're also having discussions, they're well aware of the residents that have been informed and all the rest of it. It'll be interesting to see what, not 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 cofferdam was in place. Shaun Walsh 30:08.974
So they've had to update their evacuation plans through the Local Disaster Management Group arising from the increase of his profile and that's almost like a worst-case scenario in the event there was a dam failure that know the areas of inundation and their consultation program has been targeting those specific residents who could expect you know a worst-case scenario increased inundation. Joe Jurisevic 30:31.608
The element that may not have been considered, what about insurance for those properties downstream, were their insurance being impacted? I can't technically answer that. Question. These things suddenly come into my head. I know I've been talking through this with the LDMG for a while with second water, 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 30:54.502
Council wooking. 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? A purpose-built fish transport vehicle will be used. How are they going to catch the fish? Not with a thanks. You. Shaun Walsh 31:18.317
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 inquire we can exactly on the methodology at our first meeting with Seqwater and be happy to distribute further information. Joe Jurisevic 31:36.044
I think there were some elements of stocking in the lake in the past but I think they've probably stopped since the pod farm has ceased operations and since the discussion at the lake level. Being changed I'm gathering that fishton has occurred at some point Shaun Walsh 31:54.439
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 to 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. Joe Jurisevic 32:09.662
The fish hatchery has relocated to the State, hasn't it? Shaun Walsh 32:13.670
I don't know their current status of the fish hatchery. Joe Jurisevic 32:16.965
Was thought 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 into, you know the plans have come into being. Amelia Lorentson 32:33.193
In terms of the internal stakeholder group, will there be opportunity to ask residents that have been impacted from Kin Kin quarry to Black Mountain landslip just to get some real insight, advice or feedback and maybe invite them onto this stakeholder group? I always just think, you know, when you live through these disruptions, whether it's noise or traffic impacts or whatever, there may be something we're missing and would um just be great to acknowledge, at a minimum, that they've gone through this before. Shaun Walsh 33:14.535
I think the idea of an internal working group was just Council staff Amelia Lorentson 33:18.358
To ensure extra pitch, but Shaun Walsh 33:20.185
What I am thinking was a really good idea, is that we can certainly recommend to Seqwater, in their engagement with the residents, to expand the scope. Because we definitely have disaffected residents who have been through significant disruption at Black Mountain and Kin Kin, that they could learn from in their messaging. So I think that would be a very good recommendation take through to Seqwater, that they're thinking to more broader than just the directly affected people. Joe Jurisevic 33:44.857
I guess once there's an understanding of the number of truck movements likely per day, that would be. Richard MacGillivray 33:49.617
Yeah, great. And if I may, just to shaun's point to Councillors, in schedule 1 of the coordinator-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 lists a whole range of factors. So we certainly can feed in some of these ideas into that process, so they build it in there to reference some of these other groups to get some feedback on how these disruption 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 all the key documents, including the construction environmental management plans, Flora and fauna management plans, community and stakeholder engagement plans, all need to be prepared in the upcoming months, at least two months before any works happen, 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 Coordinator-General's requirements as well, so there should be greater awareness of what those things will look like. Shaun Walsh 35:02.048
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. Richard MacGillivray 35:09.128
Correct, it's a public document as well, so anyone can have a look through what those requirements are. Shaun Walsh 35:13.168
Not an easy document on to find, but it is on the public record and that's why we thought it'd be handy to actually include Richard MacGillivray 35:19.042
The link and just on that point around that the road impact assessment which that requirement does sit with Council, the opponent must, second quarter must undertake 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 as part of that road impact assessment that must be done prior to any works commencing. Joe Jurisevic 35:46.146
The other side of that, if there are remediation works to be undertaken, one would expect that their responsibility 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 the project. Shaun Walsh 36:23.264
Yeah, certainly and we're really happy to explore that with Seqwater. This is a long order 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 know, we also have to remember that the project is about securing, you know, water security for Noosa, so we should command Seqwater for that as well. Absolutely. Unidentified Speaker 36:45.721
Yeah, sure. We're damned if we do and damned if we don't. Ian Williams 36:48.673
Take all the damned photos you like, Councillor. Amelia Lorentson 36:52.331
And I think. That note. Excuse me, I've got a question from the gallery. Councillor Tom, what's your question? Tom Wegener 37:01.609
Okay, after that. First, Ian, I'm so happy that you're on this project 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 Cooroy at certain times. It would be, 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. So I'm just saying, think of, just because it's going to cost a lot of millions of dollars to buy kennedy's put a surface in and do all that, it's probably worth it in the long run because you might end up doing it, you know, way too late. 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 big. Thanks because it's a, I think, Cooroy, 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. Amelia Lorentson 38:14.228
Okay, thank you. Councillor Finzel, you've got a question or so? Karen Finzel 38:17.592
Thank you. Thank it's been a good report and it's good 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? Correct. Ian Williams 38:34.487
Yep. And those sessions are now on the website as well. So Jason and the team are all aware that the way that they do it. Shaun Walsh 38:43.814
That's the most effective way. If Council does receive submissions directly, then we'll channel that through our internal working group and then that with SEQ at our monthly meeting as well. Karen Finzel 38:54.416
So if people want to do it through the Council process, where do they sign on to that? Shaun Walsh 39:01.328
As referenced in the report, we'll be 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. They're the entity actually undertaking the project, rather than us. We can follow up, but I think it's more important they directly engage with Seqwater so Amelia Lorentson 39:29.027
Essence as an advocacy piece, can we put pressure on SEQ to ensure that their comms plan will reach the right people, whether it's the Cooroy Rag or the Noosa Today? Can we put some pressure on them because 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 community. Ian Williams 40:00.763
Our so just an update on that. Just so you're aware, next. 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 they do 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. There's obviously one that's, you know, for those who know and drive it regularly, you know that a Cooroy State School little sidetrack, cut through Swift Drive to get through to Cooroy-Noosa Road. So there's already concerned residents with those sort of things too. And until we have the size and shape of that can be communicated, but we do have the mechanisms in place in theory to get that, done. Yeah, we'll keep, we'll update you as we go, for sure. Larry Sengstock 40:49.932
Can I just questions, give a, but just to summarise for those listening and those in the community, this is a, this is a state project, Seqwater project. Our job in this is to try to, is to make, at potentially this point in time, is to manage the traffic plans and influence, or at least try to support our community as best we can in terms of disruption, but. 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 is under some duress need to we need to make sure that gets repaired and that's a long-term project so it's something that you know it has to happen and we just need to we just now need to work out the best way and support our communities best we can. So I think we just need to keep that front of mind. It's that's where we sit in the scheme of things. Unidentified Speaker 41:51.177
Yeah and forgive me if I've missed it in the report but this is this work is just to shore up the dam wall it's not to increase the capacity of the dam. Amelia Lorentson 42:00.048
There's no proposal to increase the capacity of the dam at this, point. Joe Jurisevic 42:03.644
And so the dam lasts collapse the water levels won't change. Ian Williams 42:11.548
One in five hundred thousand year event is what they've tabled it Amelia Lorentson 42:14.813
As. Any more questions from the gallery or the table? No. Okay, ask for a move on. Councillor Jurisevic, Councillor Stewart second. No discussion, all in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you very much. Thank you. Richard. So that's it. So there is no. confidential sessions me can I ask a quiet please, we're live streaming please. There is no confidential session so I now declare the meeting closed. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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