Services & Organisation Committee - May 2024
Date: Tuesday, 7 May 2024 at 1:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:31:23
Synopsis: Program pared back amid wet weather and capacity limits, QRA disaster works with carryovers/EOTs, Black Mountain and Dog Beach progressing, Staffing pressures, Transparency concerns, Environment acquisitions.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Karen Finzel Jessica Phillips Frank Wilkie Nicola Wilson Non-Committee Members
Amelia Lorentson Tom Wegener Executive Officers
Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh (Via Microsoft Teams) AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Karen Finzel: Appointed Chair of the Services & Organisation Committee under s 267(2) Local Government Regulation 2012; carried unanimously (00:57–01:10) (Item 1.1). Karen Finzel: Prior minutes confirmed unanimously (01:10–01:20) (Item 2). Mel: Capital Program post-BR2: $45.9m total incl. $19.5m carryovers; $22m expended (48%) + $10.8m committed as at 31 Mar; wet weather hampering delivery (02:11–03:22) (Item 6.1). Mel: Road reseal spent $4.2m/$5m; design services handling 20+ designs and supporting 60+ projects; 53 multiyear projects in train (02:11–03:22) (Item 6.1). Shaun Walsh: Disaster reconstruction impacted by March–April rain; EOT negotiations with QRA for Simpsons Rd, Black Pinch Rd, Noosa Vale Rd are “favourable” (03:52–05:35) (context to Item 6.1). Shaun Walsh: Black Mountain landslide piling continuing with minimal wet-weather impact; targeting December opening (04:46–05:22) (context to Item 6.1). Shaun Walsh: Upper Pinbarren Creek Road (nine landslides): contractor appointment to ordinary meeting via confidential report; Shrivers Rd bridge water main support tender being finalised (05:10–06:10) (context to Item 6.1). Frank Wilkie: QRA disaster program c. $148m overall; 70–80m likely carryover into next FY; external PM consultancy engaged; 121 sites under repair (05:46–08:21) (context to Item 6.1). Shaun Walsh: Dog Beach nourishment progressing; new main channel opened for source material; first eastern sand plug completed; permits cover ongoing/top-up works; coordination with MSQ and boat users (08:28–10:57) (context to Item 6.1). Shaun Walsh: Shrivers Rd: QRA-funded “betterment” bridge to protect SEQ water main after 2022 undermining; no substantive Council funding required (12:40–14:45) (context to Item 6.1). Committee: Report on Capital Program noted; carried unanimously (19:00–31:13) (Item 6.1). Contentious / Transparency Matters Shaun Walsh: Upper Pinbarren Creek contractor appointment to be considered as a confidential item at ordinary meeting; limits public visibility of procurement rationale (05:46–06:10). Larry Sengstock: Acknowledged staff shortages (planning, PM, engineering), repeated failed recruitments for Sustainable Transport Coordinator; moving to specialist recruitment and selective outsourcing (22:04–25:15). Shaun Walsh: Warned against an unsustainable $78m program if renewals, initiatives, and carryovers all proceed; proposes “green/orange/red” staging to manage expectations (26:37–29:15). Chair/CEO: Commitment to realistic scoping and communications, focusing on deliverables amid weather and capacity constraints to avoid over-promising (29:15–30:13). Craig: On-record noting of two Environment Levy acquisitions on report p.4 (Black Mountain Rd, Federal; 103 and 68 Padilba) increases trust via disclosure in the capital reporting context (20:11–20:54) (Item 6.1). Legal / Risk Larry Sengstock: Chair appointment complied with Local Government Regulation 2012 s 267(2) (00:00–01:09) (Item 1.1). Shaun Walsh: QRA grant EOTs being negotiated due to force majeure (prolonged wet weather, landslide soil moisture); mitigates risk of funding clawback (03:58–05:35). Shaun Walsh: Financial liquidity preserved as QRA funds paid in advance, with interest benefit to Council; lowers cashflow risk of the disaster portfolio (07:24–08:21). Shaun Walsh: Shrivers Rd betterment replaces culverts/embankment with bridge to prevent recurrence of erosion threatening SEQ water main; material critical-infrastructure risk reduction (12:40–14:45). Shaun Walsh: Heritage-sensitive repointing at Cooroy Butter Factory requires specialist specs/contractor; weather dependencies could extend risk window to the fabric (17:19–18:22). Shaun Walsh: Coastal works proceed under existing dredging/nourishment permits; coordination with MSQ addresses navigation and public safety obligations (08:28–10:57). Budget, Staffing & Delivery Capacity Mel: Only 48% of capital budget expended by 31 Mar due to wet weather; significant commitments indicate pipeline but signal further FY carryovers (02:11–03:22) (Item 6.1). Shaun Walsh: Next FY program must be pared back; multi-year profiling and traffic-lighting to align to resources (26:37–29:15). Larry Sengstock: Structural review underway; outsourcing large disaster works while internal teams “client-side” manage; to prevent burnout and retain capability (22:04–25:46). Amelia Lorentson: Sought assurance on burnout mitigation; CEO cited stability, contract strategy, role-matching, and wellbeing focus (25:15–26:09). Environmental Concerns & Natural Assets Tom Wegener: Highlighted two Environment Levy land purchases securing koala corridors and biodiversity in the hinterland (19:27–20:11) (referenced in Item 6.1 report p.4). Craig: Specified locations: Black Mountain Rd (Federal), and 103 & 68 Padilba; includes rare old-growth forest (20:11–21:02) (Item 6.1). Shaun Walsh: Dog Beach nourishment restores critical coastal defence for Noosa Sound/Munna Point; annual monitoring/top-ups anticipated to prevent erosive regression (08:28–11:12). Shaun Walsh: Noosa estuary is a modified system; “not set-and-forget,” mandating ongoing adaptive management within permit frameworks (09:18–10:57). Infrastructure Highlights Shaun Walsh: Black Mountain landslide piling advancing toward December opening; weather still a dependency (04:46–05:22). Shaun Walsh: Upper Pinbarren Creek works upgraded with wing walls and fish passages per contemporary standards; enhances flood capacity and ecology (15:51–16:41). Shaun Walsh: Cooroy Butter Factory ceiling works completed with minimal gallery disruption; brick repointing pending specialist procurement and fair weather (17:19–18:22). Mel: Design and planning teams concurrently advancing master planning subprojects (~$1.7m design; >$50m construction value) to feed future pipeline (02:11–03:22) (Item 6.1).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday, 7 May 2024 1:30 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Committee: Crs Karen Finzel, Jessica Phillips, Frank Wilkie, Nicola Wilson “Noosa Shire – different by nature” SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 7 MAY 2024 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Karen Finzel, Chair Cr Jessica Phillips Cr Frank Wilkie Cr Nicola Wilson NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Tom Wegener EXECUTIVE Acting Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh (via Microsoft Teams) APOLOGIES Nil 1.1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson That Cr Karen Finzel be appointed as Chairperson of the Services and Organisation Committee in accordance with section 267(2) of the Local Government Regulation 2012. Carried unanimously. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel The Minutes of the Services and Organisation Committee Meeting held on 6 February 2024 be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 4. DEPUTATIONS Nil. SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 7 MAY 2024 5. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE Nil. 6. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE 6.1. CAPITAL PROGRAM 2023/24 DELIVERY STATUS Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson That Council note the report by the Infrastructure Planning Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting 7 May 2024 providing an update on the delivery of the 2023/24 Capital Program as at 31 March 2024. Carried unanimously. 7. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 2.03pm.
Meeting Transcript
Larry Sengstock 00:00.000
Welcome to the first services Organisation Committee Meeting for this cycle or this term of Council. As it is our first meeting, that's why I'm opening it as the CEO, so we need to appoint a Chair for this meeting and then we can continue on. Before we do that, I'd like to open by acknowledging that we are meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi People and I pay my respects to the elders past, present and emerging. From an attendees point of view, we all Councillors in attendance that have been nominated to this committee and now I'd like to call for nominations for the Chair of this committee. Nominate Karen Finzel please. Can I get seconder? Would you like to accept the nomination, not the appointment just yet, the nomination? Yes, thank you Mr Chair, I'm happy thank you. Alright, I'll put it to the vote. All those in favour? That's unanimous. Karen Finzel 01:06.664
Okay, great. Thank you. Councillor Finzel, thanks, loprezel. Over to you. Welcome, everyone. As we start the meeting today, I note that we've had attendance and apologies. Can we please have a show of hands for confirmation of the Minutes, please. I'll move it. Anyone seconding? Thank you. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank moving you. On to presentations. There are no presentations, no deputations. Reports for consideration of the Committee. Now we're heading into reports for noting by the committee. We've got item 6.1, capital program 2023/24 delivery status. Okay. Thank you. Larry Sengstock 02:04.359
And we have Mel and Craig from the delivery or the capital works delivery team to speak to us today. Mel, over to you. Thanks. Mel 02:12.499
Thanks for having us this morning. This afternoon. Sorry. So we're going to be providing a status update for the capital works program as at the 31st of March. The total budget provision post budget review two was 45.9 million of that 19 million point 19.5 million was carryovers we'd March expended 22 million which was 48% of the budget with a further 10.8 million dollars in commitments so that's purchase orders placed the wet weather conditions have continued to hamper delivery of a lot of the projects road reseal program has expended 4.2 of its five million dollar annual budget our design services team are currently managing 20 plus capital design programs and also supporting with design and survey work on over 60 projects and our planning team is currently supporting key master planning initiatives with multiple sub projects estimated around 1.7 $1.7 million with construction value over 50 million there are also 53 multi-year projects in very various stages of completion at the moment. Karen Finzel 03:21.521
Does anyone have questions on the report? Any questions from the Councillors with regards to the. Report? Frank Wilkie 03:30.591
Mel, we've got an alternative program running in parallel to this, that being disaster, works funded by disaster recovery money. Are you able to talk to the status of that at this stage? SPEAKER_03 03:45.080
I believe Sean is online and might be better suited to answer any questions you've got in regard to that Shaun Walsh 03:50.582
Yes Through the Chair I'm happy to answer questions in that regard can you hear me fine yes I hear you very well thank you terms of disaster reconstruction projects many that were scheduled for delivery by 30th of June have been delayed due to wet weather in March and April and as many of the projects are landslide related it is imperative that the soils dried out prior to re-admissions. So we're seeing delays on projects at Simpsons Road, Black Mountain and also Noosaville Road and West Cooroy. We're in negotiation with Queensland Reconstruction Authority concerning extension of time for grant funding and discussions are pretty favourable as we're in contract and the sites are mobilised so it's advanced beyond our control. So if we just keep our fingers crossed for dry weather so can finalise those works. There are three projects that are not scheduled for completion by the 30th of June that is piling the Black Mountain for the landslide repair. I'm pleased to report that the wet weather impacts on that project are fairly minimal due to the construction stage. And piling is continuing as we speak. So I can actually hear it from my home. So that's, we're still reasonably optimistic that we'll meet the December opening of that project at this stage. But be optimistic for more dry weather. The other project is the Upper Pinbarren Creek landslides. There's nine landslides, minor to be repaired adjacent to the road. We'll actually be proposing a report coming to the Ordinary Meeting to actually appoint the contractor to actually get on with that job, will be a confidential report. And then I just want to note the other project is the Shrivers Road bridge water main support. We're just finalising the tender package for that at the moment and will be able to tender in the near future. So we're coming to the end of putting things out to tender. Does that suffice for information? Frank Wilkie 05:46.582
Thank you, Shaun. In this report it mentions that the capital works for this financial year are about to the tune of $45.9 million. That includes $19 million of carryovers from last year. There's likely to be carryovers for next year as well. But can you give us a sense of the scale of the. In terms of funding, the work's being carried on in the disaster recovery field, in terms of value? Is it $120 million? Shaun Walsh 06:14.920
Well, the overall project value that we've applied through QRA is about 148 million at the moment, so. But we're seeing that some of the tenders are actually coming in at less cost than anticipated, so we may not need all of those funds. We can anticipate, my guess do. Is that we've got our catch up on the finances later this week, so I can perhaps give you a more comprehensive answer in preparation for the General Committee Meeting, but easily 70 to 80 million dollars of the disaster reconstruction projects would need to be carried over into next financial year. There's still a lot of work to do. Frank Wilkie 06:52.103
And just for the benefit of those who are listening, given that Council undertakes capital works to the tune of about 40 million a year, and we're looking at an extra 150 million in projects, capital works projects, could you explain how Council is able to carry on this workload because of extra project managers that have been brought into the operation? Shaun Walsh 07:25.367
Terms of financial impact we largely receive the funds in advance of the project to ensure that our organisation remains financially liquid so it doesn't come at a financial impost of our bottom line. In fact fortunately Council benefits some additional a result of holding some significant funds associated with disaster reconstruction to facilitate the scale of the projects and there's 121 sites either under repair or about to be repaired across the Shire under the program. We've actually contracted an external actually project manage the overall delivery that is supported by an internal Disaster Reconstruction Coordinator who acts as the interface between our external providers and the Council cancer staff Frank Wilkie 08:12.711
Yeah Sean and my other question was about the progress of the Dog Beach sand nourishment works involving haul contractors. What can you tell us that? Project with the new contractor? Shaun Walsh 08:28.217
We're actually very. On the progress of that project. We've managed to open up the main channel through the middle of the river mouth which is the source for the actual material to be able to undertake the nourishment works. That material has been laid on the Dog Beach very successfully, both at the sand plugs as well as commencing the nourishment works. And as our really, Council is aware, re-establishment of at the Dog Beach acts as critical coastal defence system for the Noosa estuary, including properties along Noosa Sound and Munna Point. So we're really pleased with the progress. New main channel and obviously we have to work closely with Maritime Safety Queensland and any boat users to ensure that they're aware of the new navigation arrangements associated with the new main channel entry. Frank Wilkie 09:18.924
And does that mean that the two plugs at either end of that lagoon have been put in place, Shaun? Shaun Walsh 09:27.144
I understand, as of last week one plug on the eastern side or close to the river mouth is completed, but the other plug which is upstream towards Tewantin or towards Noosaville is yet to be completed. Okay. But with that plug in place it means that the current is no longer rushing through there eroding that plug. That's correct and that's the coastal engineer's advice that by diversion of that water flow through to the main channel it acts as our best defence to stop further erosion around the Dog Beach. It is important to note that whole of the Noosa River mouth estuary is a modified system as a result of the spit being placed there some decades ago so it'll never be a set and forget. The Noosa River estuary will constantly require ongoing nourishment works but hopefully not to the same scale. As what we're doing at the moment. Frank Wilkie 10:22.152
So Shaun does that mean you're preparing to have permits in place for next year for top-up works if needed? Shaun Walsh 10:29.312
Yes in fact the permit we have also allows us to continue those works. Noosa Council already has nourishment dredging permit along the Noosaville Foreshore for instance, because nourishment of the beaches are imperative to again to stop erosion and to protect infrastructure along that stretch of the river so if you like it's extending that same program to this area of the Dog Beach. Frank Wilkie 10:54.657
Dog yeah yeah that's all for my question for the time being can I just ask one SPEAKER_07 11:00.025
Question to Shaun around how long ago did we last do the nourishment works in that area? Like how long did we get between and the next one planned? Shaun Walsh 11:13.545
Yeah, how do I say this delicately? Dredging the program along the Dog Beach has been significantly disrupted as a result of de-amalgamation, you know, amalgamation. So it's long overdue, basically 10 years overdue for this stretch of the Noosa River mouth. And that is why it has taken a fair bit of expense and time to make a really good effort to reinstate that beach and that shoreline erosion, you know, protection system back to the way it should be. So, and I suppose we just want to ensure we don't go back to that situation that we face at the moment and that's the importance of ongoing monitoring a yearly basis and yearly beach nourishment program at that location. Karen Finzel 12:05.745
Any further questions? All right. Thank you. Shaun, I just have a question please around the Shrivers Road bridge work that's up and coming. I've had a few people email me regarding that. What can you tell us about the need for that? Any how we're proceeding for around that? People were particularly concerned about the appearance of like the bridge, you know, didn't need any extra work. They were concerned about rate pay of funding. But I understand the funding comes from other sources. Can you give us a bit of explanation around Shaun Walsh 12:40.019
Yes, certainly. And this is the site I personally inspected myself because it was quite hard to get my head around that, you know, the overall need for the project, considering its location. What happened in the 2022 event is that there's a very large embankment with culverts. It's very high. And due to the rain event, the whole embankment over topped with water, which seems to be quite inconceivable when you're there. Now, unfortunately, along that embankment is the water main that brings water across from the Mary River. To the Lake MacDonald treatment plant. So it serves as the supplementary water intake for Noosa, and it's also connected to the South East Queensland water grid to allow water to be pumped either way, depending on demand across the region. Now, as a result of the water overtopping that embankment, it undermined the water so, unfortunately, we were putting the water supply security at Noosa at risk that current construction type. Now, we undertook immediate repair works, so it looks fine again, but we're successful in putting negotiations in with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to fund a betterment project to ensure that this never happened again. Now, that betterment project is removal of the current large embankment and the culverts and actually replacing them with a bridge structure so that when we have a major rainfall event in that locality in the future, the water will actually flow under the bridge and ensure that our water main, or south east Queensland's water main, is not impacted by erosion so we don't end up with a failure of water supply to Noosa. In fact, all of South East Queensland. The project is fully funded by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority. There is no funding required from Council, apart from some minor contributions. Karen Finzel 14:33.834
Thank you, that's a great explanation. Just have a question around that, given its funding. At the LGAQ conference last year, it was put forward through motions that we look at the ongoing maintenance costs of infrastructure that we've gained in local government through grants. How are we going with the funding for the ongoing maintenance, for example, of this work and other works, around that, first off, the asset coming across to us on the asset registers back into our responsibility, and how we're funding for that moving forward for the maintenance? Shaun Walsh 15:11.410
Yeah, firstly, the vast majority of works are replacing like for so there was no opportunity for betterment. So, you know, we generally couldn't provide a much bigger culvert than was there before. So, you know, the funding is provided to replace like with So, on that basis, you could say that there's no financial impact because replacing light for but that being said, we actually ended up in a much better position because we basically replaced old assets with new assets. For example, when you go along Upper Pinbarren Creek Road and look at the culvert replacements we've done, replaced basically stormwater pipe assets under the road which were at the end of their life. With new assets which won't require replacement hopefully for another 50 years. So I actually think it would significantly improve council's bottom line because we've replaced old assets with new assets. We won't need to draw upon our depreciation funds to replace those assets. So we can use and divert them to other more important assets. Now, in most instances, we actually did didn't manage to improve the actual quality of the asset. For instance another pin barrowing free road, our contemporary construction standards required us to increase the wing walls and also put in fish barrier passages which improved the capacity of the stormwater system. So we've actually ended up with a better asset. But it's fair to say that apart from the projects like the Shrivers Road project with the bridge, the asset portfolio is very similar to what we had with some minor enhancements. That's great, Karen Finzel 16:42.105
Thanks Shaun. Well that's a good news story for the Council isn't it? Benefiting our bottom line. So thank you to the staff and everyone that's worked hard in that space because I know you're really at capacity and our capability is stretched with what we're delivering back to our community. So that's really good news to hear the benefits back to our these projects. Shaun, thank you. I've just got another question regarding upcoming tenders, and you may not be able to say much, but I'm interested, of course, in the heritage restoration at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre. What can you tell us a bit about that there, please? Shaun Walsh 17:19.482
In terms of the first suite of works, which was the ceiling works, have been completed. Butter factory and the Cooroy Future Group have been really pleased with the minimal disruption in the gallery, as much as possible, and the way Council staff liaise with them. The outstanding item is the repointing of the bricks. Around each brick has concrete or lime mortar. And over time that mortar tends to fall out and if you don't go back and re-point it's a bit like putting a pothole in a road before the road falls apart, for good analogy. We're yet procure the relevant contractor to do those works. As it's a heritage building we need to ensure that we undertake the right specifications with the right contractor the works are done as sympathetically and architecturally appropriate as possible. So that's as far as an update I've on the re-appointing project. Karen Finzel 18:19.197
Fantastic. Thank you. Karen. Yes. It's Kerri here, Karen. I would also add though that we are, with the weather that we've had, are not overpromising expectation here because we rely on good weather to undertake that work. Thank you. Do we have any other questions? All right. Well, thank you, staff, for your report. Keep up the great work. And our thanks back to the staff that we know are working hard in the space. Thank you all. Thank you. I'll move the recommendation. Thanks, Greg. And we'll take that to the vote. I'll second it, please. Thank you. That's Nicola has seconded it. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? There's no need to speak. We're made in the report. Thank you. I've waived speak. Thank you very much. Frank Wilkie 19:20.788
Anybody else wish to speak? Tom has a question. Thank you. We have Councillor Tom Wegener from the floor. Tom Wegener 19:27.688
Well what you may have seen is the two Environment Levy land purchases and you might not be familiar with what that is to the new Councillors and if you'd like to talk through it or just to say that you know there these are two big pieces of land that were purchased to maintain the koala corridors through the hinterland and they're working hard to actually link up the koala corridors with the as well and so these environment purchases they are to maintain biodiversity in the Noosa Shire and yeah they're unsung heroes things that we do Karen Finzel 20:05.194
Thank you Councillor Tom. Is there a question related to the topic you've raised? Yeah I think I just left it but that's okay. We do note on the report that's on page four the two blocks of land which you're referencing are Black Mountain Road at Federal 103 and 68 padilba They're two environmental land purchases. Larry Sengstock 20:34.269
They're purchased through our living, environment service. We use that money, build up the money and then purchase it. Blocks of land or areas that become available and at the moment it's now starting to create a thorough sort of joined or linked passageway through that area of forest. Tom Wegener 20:55.323
There is actual old-growth forest down there, which is really quite rare in the new seashire. Karen Finzel 21:02.417
So that's good and that's good news starting back for our community today and I think we should be highlighting, you know, the benefits that, you know, we bring back to our community for not just but for future generations. Really good. You and sorry can I ask a question? Certainly. Thank you. We've got Councillor Amelia online. Welcome. What's your question? Amelia Lorentson 21:26.128
Hi, question to Shaun or Larry. In terms of staffing levels, the report identified that there are some staffing shortages in infrastructure services. Comparison to workloads, how that look and how is staff morale and how does staff morale impact on capabilities? Shaun Walsh 21:57.325
Do you want to go first, Larry? Larry Sengstock 22:00.603
Yes, Council there's a number of areas that the current landscape of employment is a hard market, tight So in planners, in project management, in engineers, there are hard positions to fill because there's so much work going on out there that many people go into the commercial world. So yes, we do have some issues. We've been struggling to find the right person for the traffic and transport leadership role and we have just, I think we've gone out to market a couple of times and we've now gone going out or to market. The specialist firm to see if we can get the right person for that role because you know traffic and transport obviously is one of the key issues we've got in Noosa, particularly on the Coast and so we want to make sure we Sustainable Transport Coordinator is what looking for and hopefully we will be able to secure that person but across the board no question Councillor that there is. It's hard yards in terms of the amount of work that we've got on our plate and obligation we've got in terms of funding and grants and things to get things done so we need to really focus and that's a big part of going forward into next year with budgets and with tight budgets and tight economy is that we want to make sure that we focus on the work that we've already got on our plate work that's already been started and get that completed and give the guys every opportunity guys and girls sorry and we've got we're going through a program and certainly Shaun and I in particular are looking at the structure and the efficiencies in the way that we work one of the great lessons is that is the way that we've outsourced some of the major all the major works for the disaster management and just really overseen it as opposed to doing it and that's worked really really well so do a bit of that within our current structure down in planning and delivery but yeah we're looking to do some more of that where it's legitimate we can't necessarily fill the goals with the resources we've got can outsource it and make sure we deliver it in a more efficient way so we're actually working through that at the moment looking at the best structure to do that so you know it's just one of those things you've got a lot on your plate and this wave keeps coming so you've got to work out the best way while you're still doing it you can't just stop and say let's change and go this way you've actually got to do it while you're continuing to do the work and deliver the work but um yeah it's but gotta say that the people in that area work their tars off they're fantastic people it's really you know what we don't want to do is overload them or give them work that they're not necessarily skilled at because that puts the stress and pressure on them so it's giving that they're comfortable to do and able you know and they'll take it on really well does that help? Councillor? Amelia Lorentson 25:15.844
No that answers my question well so you sort of answered my next question is what strategies have we got in place to prevent burnouts so you sound like you just you know identified a couple of those outsourcing and I'm imagining you know board there's people that's checking up on the staff and making sure they've got a balance with family life because burnout normally leads to resignations. Absolutely. Larry Sengstock 25:46.723
Yeah. And that's an issue. So yeah we do and we want to make sure that a lot of our people are on contracts as they're because we're doing contract work, we're in project. It's really trying they've got some stability and some longer-term employment options so they're comfortable to not have to be looking around. Frank Wilkie 26:08.401
Thank you Larry. Another question. Given that there been so many delays due to weather and staff shortages there's bound to be some carryovers for next year so just ensuring don't over promise and under deliver what can you tell us Shaun in terms of what we can expect for next year's capital works program what's it going to look like? Shaun Walsh 26:37.668
I think I prefer we do this in the budget workshop as we're still in the process of refining exactly what the you know extend the renewal budget is and because the carryover is going to be significant yeah and the only way we can reduce the workload temporarily is to reduce scale of works in renewal budgets and also reduce the new capital works initiative as well to catch up so you know it's that could be you know if we proceeded with the full renewal budget imperative new initiatives from the capital works perspective well as the carryover we're looking at a program of possibly up to 78 million but that's unsustainable it is so ridiculous yes so and part of that is if you recall last year when I started I gave Councillors the green list the orange list and the red list you know of projects that we were unable to deliver and I dare say that as well as reducing the scale of works we commit to next year ensuring that they're profiled over multiple years and there's a good understanding about well what is green light that we're ready to go and can be delivered you know expediently but what's orange lights and what's red light so um and you know for an example I know many Councillors lack of progress of the Noosa Woods jetty you know investigations due to the lack of staff uh you know to actually even scope what that's about and that's always been on the red list of a project that we knew that we were at risk that we weren't able to deliver due to the resources around that and so I think for me uh uncertainty to the Councillors about is realistic that we can achieve and what we can't achieve yeah so it's helping Councillors be realistic in their asks okay yeah I think also part of it is that even in those carryover projects and the imperative things we have to deliver there's a fantastic array of works and I think we need to leverage off that to say well this is what we are doing um like you know I'm confident that uh in the near future with the point of the uh Sustainable Transport Coordinator we will finally have leadership in that area to better degree and resource capacity to proceed with the Noosa wall street investigation well let us leverage off that let's say you know we're starting the investigation this is what we're doing really happy to get on with it so um to me I think it's a part of it's a comms message and focusing on what we are doing which is still a significant program because as larry's pointed out it's only a few years ago that our program was in order you know 23 million dollars and here we are talking about a 78 million dollar program so you know there's an awful lot of content in that Larry Sengstock 29:14.374
Thank you can I just clarify that 78 million that he's talking about is not going to happen. No that's right. If you know with all of the all the requirements and everybody wants you know new things or the next thing what we've got to concentrate on is just delivering what we've and what sean's saying is what we are delivering are some fantastic things anyway so it's really easy to say well we've allocated that we've got a budget that's now moving on to the next one and that thing just sort of happens behind the scenes as opposed to saying that's part of our work and what we're delivering and let's focus on what we've got and really that. And that's you know otherwise we do get ourselves into this snowball effect it just keeps growing and we can't sustain it but that's will come to the budget discussions next week and that's all part of the decisions that we need to make because you know we can't do everything yeah as much as we'd love to anything Karen Finzel 30:14.135
Larry. So any further questions before we finish off the meeting today? Frank Wilkie 30:21.095
Not from me Madam Chair but I'd just like to finish by saying thank you, Larry. We all do appreciate how hardworking they are, delivering some under very, very good conditions. Thank you Larry. So any further questions before we finish off the meeting real estate expectations for next year's capital works program. Larry Sengstock 30:45.280
I don't think we've broken up so far. The summer. We haven't. Just to make sure, I know this is your first time. Karen Finzel 30:51.658
Thank you, I appreciate we're all in this yes, exactly. One team working together. Okay so um thank you Frank for your final to the vote. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. And note the meeting closed today at 2:03pm. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Mr. CEO and staff and all my Councillors and everyone who listened. Thank you. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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