Appointment Of Deputy Mayor

Frank Wilkie0:04

Well, we'll. Okay, well welcome everybody to the first meeting of the new term. This is the Post Election Meeting. It is a Special Meeting in very many regards. I'd like to begin by acknowledging that we're meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. I note we have all Councillors in attendance. For the record they are Councillor Jess Phillips, Councillor Nicola Wilson, Councillor Brian Stockwell, Councillor Amelia Lorentson, Councillor Tom Wegener and Councillor Karen Finzel. Welcome new term. As I said before it is a Special Meeting in many ways and my commitment to you all is providing you with the best advice and support to help you make the best decisions possible in the best long term interests of this community. Occurs in primarily in meetings like this. So I wish you well and every success in your term. We have three reports direct to the Post Election Meeting and the first item is the appointment of the Deputy Mayor. Mr. Mayor could you please give us a summary of the report and the process that we're about to undertake?

Frank Wilkie3:04

Okay, I'd like to move that we suspend Standing Orders to, oh yeah. I'd like to move that we suspend Standing Orders to allow discussion to take place regarding the appointment of the Deputy Mayor. Can I have a seconder for that, please? I'll do a second. Councillor Karen Finzel. All in favour? That's carried.

Amelia Lorentson9:30

Firstly, I'm deeply grateful for the overwhelming support that I received from our community regardless of to working towards unity for our community's progress and prosperity by working diligently and respectfully with Mayor Wilkie and the entire Council and focusing on the betterment of Noosa. Unity is what our community deserves and it's what it desires. With regards to the position of Deputy Mayor, I believe that I am the best choice for this position for the following reasons. One, I received the most amount of votes and community support. The fact that I received the most votes demonstrates a clear message from the community signifies that a significant portion of the Noosa community trusts and supports my leadership and prioritises balance over share experience. Two, precedence. In 2020 the outgoing Mayor Clare Stewart nominated Councillor Frank Wilkie as Deputy Mayor based on previous experience as a Deputy Mayor but the main reason was that he had the community confidence as he quote topped the votes during the 2020 election. His nomination was supported unanimously. This aligns with the principal principle of respecting the community's wishes. It also indicates a precedent that aligns with democratic principles. That is the person with the most votes gets elected. Upholding this tradition of democratic precedence ensures consistency and more importantly, it respects the will of the electorate. Experience and ethical conduct. My four years of experience on campus the Council has allowed me to navigate the intricacies of local government. Effectively, I have dedicated the past four years to this role, working tirelessly for up to 10 hours a day. Up to six to seven days a week. I do not have a side business or another paid job. This has always been my primary self-focus and my only job. My commitment is unwavering at 100%. And during this time I've invested heavily in building relationships and understanding the values and concerns that matter most to our community. Furthermore I have clean record without any charges or findings of inappropriate conduct by the office of independent assessor that underscores my ethical and responsible approach to public service. Four, strong woman vote and diversity. The recent election underscored the strong support for certain candidates especially women highlighting a significant shift towards valuing diverse perspectives and leadership styles. I would be honoured to represent this ethos as your Deputy Mayor. Diversity in thinking enriches our discussions and decision-making processes ultimately leading to better outcomes for everyone involved. Embracing this diversity strengthens inclusivity and strengthens gender representation within at the local government. Community values and priorities. The recent election results where inexperienced newcomers received thousands up more to than,000 more votes than the experienced Councillors suggest that the community prioritises criteria beyond just experience. If was the most important criteria, then the candidate with the most experience should have got the most votes. That did not happen. Our community opted for a different style of leadership. The community prioritised balance over experience. It's crucial that we respect and respond to what the community values and expects from its leaders. Unity and collaboration. I am dedicated to upholding the values of integrity, diligence and respect in all my interactions with the Mayor and the entire Council. I am committed to prioritising unity and teamwork and working towards outcomes that benefit our community. I firmly believe that appointing me as deputy will significantly contribute to unity and cohesion within both the Council and the community in the upcoming term, as was evidenced by the positive impact of Councillor Wilkie's appointment as deputy last term. You served as a unifying force within our community and our Council. In conclusion, Councillors, today's decision carries more significance than simply appointing a Deputy Mayor. It's a test. It's a test of our commitment to democratic principles and our commitment to listening to our community. Be heard? Shouldn't the voice of the electorate, representing the people that we hold more weight than the opinions of seven of us seated around this table? I wouldn't be standing here today if I had not received the most votes. Doing so in my opinion. Would not only disrespect the candidate with the most votes, but also, in my opinion, would disrespect and disregard the voice of the people we are elected to represent. There is one reason, Frank Wilkie, you are sitting here as Mayor. You've got the most votes. That is the main reason you were nominated by outgoing Mayor Stewart for the deputy position four years ago. This is how our democracy works. The community has spoken and the Councillor with the most votes, in my opinion, should be Deputy Mayor. In this election, it's me. That's why I seek your support for the position of Deputy Mayor. I ask that you respect the wishes of our community, respect democratic precedence, acknowledge and respect my record of ethical conduct and experience, and entrust me with the responsibility of serving as Deputy Mayor, and allow me to support you, Mayor Wilkie, and the entire Council, and contribute to the continued success. Noosa, where the well-being of our community is prioritised above all else.

Frank Wilkie25:34

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Congratulations Councillor Stockwell. Thank you. And commiserations to Councillor Finzel and Lawrence. I now move to resume Standing Orders. Can I have a seconder please to resume Standing Orders? Councillor Stockwell? All in favour? That's carried. So I move the recommendation that the Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer. The Post Election Meeting dated 8th of April 2024 and appoint Councillor Stockwell as Deputy Mayor in accordance with section 175 of the Local Government Act. Can I have a seconder for that please? Councillor Wilson? I move that? All in favour? Sorry, I should speak to the motion before we put that to the vote. Councillors, we have just been put to our first test, which is a divisive vote. There is always going to be a Councillor elected as Deputy Mayor and a Councillor who is going to experience disappointment. I'm heartened by what I heard around this table about commitment to unity and also during our training on the SPARC values, the cultural values, which talks about respect and professionalism at every opportunity. That's very easy when things are going well, but those values are always tested in adversity and today is our first test. So I'm encouraging you and support you in adversity and I'm hoping that we can hold true to professional and respectful relationships despite adversity and we're going to face a lot this term and this is the first. For a bit of context, I had faced four elections before I became Deputy Mayor and I have every confidence that there is a bright future ahead for Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Finzel and all new Councillors because you have the qualities speak to longevity and resilience and professionalism so please let's get behind Councillor Stockwell as Deputy Mayor and I know he will serve well because his experience has been recognised here today. Councillors, you for your vote today. It was a difficult one. Anybody else wish to speak to the motion? Put it to the vote. Those in favour? That's carried unanimously thank you Councillors. The next item on the agenda is the appointment of a Local Disaster Management Group Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. Mr CEO can you give us the summary of this report and the vote that may follow on this one please.