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 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. this meeting and then we can continue on. But before we do that, I'd like to open by acknowledging that we are meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. From an attendees point of view we have all councillors in attendance that have been nominated to this committee and now I'd like to call for nominations for the chair for I'd like to nominate Karen Finzel please. Can I get a seconder? Yes, thank you. Would you like to accept the nomination, not the appointment just yet? Karen Finzel 00:57.015
Yes, thank you. Yes, thank you Mr Chair, I'm happy to accept the nomination. Thank you. Larry Sengstock 01:00.704
Alright, I'll put it to the vote. All those in favour? That's unanimous. Karen Finzel 01:06.684
Okay, great. Thank you. Larry. Larry Sengstock 01:09.584
Councillor Finzel, over to you. Karen Finzel 01:10.744
Thank 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? Oh, you didn't have a second. Thank you. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. Moving on to presentations. There are no presentations. No Reports for consideration of the committee. And 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. And we have Larry Sengstock 02:04.658
Mel and Craig from the delivery or the capital works delivery team to speak to us today. Mel, over to you. Mel 02:11.958
Thanks. Thanks for having Oh, 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. As at the 31st of March, we'd expended 22 million, which was 48% of the budget with a further 10 with a further $10.8 million in commitments. So that's purchase orders placed. The wet weather conditions have continued to hamper delivery of a lot of the projects. The road reseal program has expended $4.2 of its $5 million annual budget. Our design services team are currently managing 20 plus capital design programs and also supporting with design and work on over 60 projects. And our planning team is currently supporting key master planning initiatives with multiple sub projects, estimated around $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 03:22.195
Does anyone have any questions on the report? from the councillors with regards to the report? Frank Wilkie 03:30.393
Mel, we've got an alternative program running in parallel to this, that being works funded by disaster disaster recovery money. Are you able to talk to the status of that at this stage? Mel 03:45.382
I believe Shaun is online and might be better suited to answer any questions you've got in regard to that. Yes. Shaun Walsh 03:52.111
Yes, through the chair, I'm happy to answer questions in that regard. Can you hear me fine? Frank Wilkie 03:56.411
Yes, we hear you very well. Thank you, Shaun. Shaun Walsh 03:58.031
Great. So, in terms of disaster reconstruction projects, many projects that were scheduled for delivery by the 30th of June have been delayed due to... to wet weather in March and April. And as many of the projects are landslide-related, it is imperative that the soils are dried out prior to re-commencements. So we're seeing delays on projects at Simpsons Road, Black Pinch Road and also Noosa Vale Road in West Cooroy, where we've negotiated... 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 we 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 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 The other project is the Upper Pinbarren Creek landslides. There's nine landslides, minor landslides 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. it 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 Does that suffice for information? Frank Wilkie 05:46.544
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 works being carried on in the disaster? The overall project value that we've applied for 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 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. 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 07:24.560
Firstly in 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 interest as a result of holding some significant funds associated with disaster reconstruction. construction 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 engineering consultancy company to actually project the overall delivery of the projects and that is supported by an internal disaster reconstruction coordinator who acts as the interface between our external providers and Thank you Shaun and my other question was about the progress of the Dog Beach sand nourishment works involving haul contractors. Frank Wilkie 08:21.940
What can you tell us about the progress of that project with the new contractor? Shaun Walsh 08:28.600
We're actually very pleased on the progress of that project. We've managed to open up channel through the middle of the river mouth, which was 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 with the sand plugs as well as commencing the nourishment works. And as Council is aware, re-establishment of the to critical coastal defence system for the Noosa Estuary, including properties along Noosa Sound and Munna Point. So we're really pleased with the progress. Of course, we're continuing to monitor the 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 09:18.940
And does that mean that there are two plugs at either end of that at either end of that lagoon have been put in place, Shaun? 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 is no longer rushing through there eroding that plug that's correct and that's the coastal engineers advice that by diversion of that water flow through It is important to note that the 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 will never be 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. So Shaun does that mean you're preparing to have permits in place for next year for top up works if needed? Shaun Walsh 10:29.399
Yes, in fact the permit we have also allows us to continue those works. Noosa Council a nourishment dredging permit along the Noosaville foreshore for instance because nourishment of the beaches along the Noosaville foreshore are imperative to again to stop erosion and to protect infrastructure along that stretch of the river. if you like it's extending that same program to this area of the Dog Beach. Yeah. Frank Wilkie 10:57.075
That's all for my questions for the time being, if anyone else would like to answer. Can I just ask one question to Shaun around how long ago did we last to the that nourishment area? Like how long did we get between in the next one planned? Shaun Walsh 11:12.732
Yeah, how do I say this delicately? The dredging program along the Dog Beach has 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 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 on a yearly basis and yearly beach nourishment program at that location. Karen Finzel 12:05.560
Any further questions? No, thanks. 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 and how we're proceeding forward around that? People were particularly concerned about the appearance of the appearance of like the bridge, you know, didn't need any extra work, and I'm concerned about rate pay of funding, but I understand the funding comes from other sources. Can you give us a bit of explanation around that, please? Shaun Walsh 12:40.069
Yes, certainly. And this 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. Overtopping that embankment, it undermined the water main. So, unfortunately, we were putting the water supply security at Noosa at risk as a result of that current construction type. Now, we undertook immediate repair works, so it looks fine But we were very 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 the current large embankment and the culverts and actually replace 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 of the south east 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, water supply to 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 14:33.857
Thank you, that's a great explanation. I 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. 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 response? Shaun Walsh 15:51.287
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 and we won't need to draw upon our depreciation funds to replace those assets. So we can use our depreciation funds and divert them to other more important assets. Now, in most instances, we actually did manage to improve the actual quality of the asset. For instance, in Upper Pinbarren Creek Road, our contemporary construction standards required us to 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, you know, the projects like the Shrivers Road project with the bridge, the asset portfolio is very similar to what we had with some minor enhancements. Karen Finzel 16:41.312
That's- 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 know, you're really at capacity and our capability is stretched with what we're So that's really good news to hear the benefits back to our community through 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 in... interested, of course, in the heritage restoration at the Cooroy Butter Factory's Arts Centre. What can you tell us a bit about that there, please? Shaun Walsh 17:19.466
In terms of the first suite of works, which was the ceiling have been completed, and the Cooroy 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 repoint around the bricks, you're putting the structure at risk of failure. It's a bit like putting a pothole in a road before the road falls apart, for a good analogy. We're yet to procure the relevant contract. 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 to ensure that the works are done as sympathetically and architecturally appropriate as possible. So that's as far as an update I've got at the moment on the re-appointing project. Karen Finzel 18:19.351
Fantastic. Thank you. Karen. Yes. Kerri Contini 18:22.896
It's Kerri here, Karen. I would also add though that we are, with the weather that we've had, we are not over promising expectation here because we're relying on good weather to undertake that work. Thank you. Karen Finzel 18:43.805
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 this space. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 19:00.685
I'll move the recommendation. Thanks, Greg. Karen Finzel 19:04.345
And we'll take that to the vote. Second. Second, please. Thank you, that's Nicola has seconded it. We'll take it to debate, I'll let you say it. There's no need to speak. No need to speak. We're made for a report. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 19:16.926
I'll waive my right to speak. Karen Finzel 19:18.406
Thank you very much. Anybody else wish to speak? Anyone wish to speak? Tom has a question. Thank you, we have Councillor Tom Wegener from the floor. Tom Wegener 19:27.690
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 Frank if you'd through like to 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 as the well and so these environment purchases they are to maintain biodiversity in the Noosa Shire and yeah they're they're unsung heroes things that we Thank you councillor Tom. Is there a question related to the topic you've raised? Craig 20:11.667
Yeah I think I just left that but that's okay. If 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 20:34.276
They're purchased through our living, our environment living service. We use that money, build up the money and then purchase blocks of land or areas that become available and at the moment it's now starting to create a thorough sort of... Craig 20:54.865
There is actual old growth forest down there which is really quite rare in the Noosa Shire. Karen Finzel 21:02.929
That's good. Another good news story back for our community today and I think we should be highlighting the benefits that we bring back to our community for not just now but for future generations. So it's really good. Mel 21:15.594
All right, thank you. Sorry, can I ask a question? Hi, Amelia Lorentson 21:27.494
Question to Shaun or Larry. In terms of staffing levels, the report identified that there are some staffing shortages in infrastructure services. In terms of staffing levels in comparison to workloads, how does that look and how is staff morale and how does staff morale impact on capabilities? Larry Sengstock 21:54.167
Shaun, do you want to answer that one or do you want to answer that one? Shaun Walsh 21:57.007
If you could go first, Larry, that would be great. Yes. Larry Sengstock 22:04.015
Across council there's a number of areas that the current landscape of employment is a hard market, tight market. 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. 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 out to market for the specialist firm to see if we can get the right person. want to make sure that 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 get that right person. So it's a sustainable transport coordinator is what we're looking for, and hopefully we'll be able to secure that person. 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 the amount of obligation we've got in terms of funding and grants and things to get things done. So we need to 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, the work that's already been started and get that completed. give the guys every opportunity, guys and girls, sorry. We've got, we're going through a program and certainly Shaun and I in particular are looking at the structure and 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 that's worked really, really well. So we do a bit of that with, you know, kind of structure down in planning and delivery. But, you know, we're looking to do some more of that where it's legitimate. we can't necessarily fill the roles with the resources we've got, we 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... it's 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. I've got to say that the people in that area work their tars off. They're fantastic people, it's really 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 them work that they're comfortable that they're comfortable to do, and able to do, and they'll take it on really well. Does that help, Councillor? Amelia Lorentson 25:15.849
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 identified a couple of those, outsourcing, and I'm imagining... I'm imagining, you know, there's people on board 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 25:46.610
Yeah and that's a that's a that's an issue so yeah we do and we want to make sure that you know most a lot of our people are on contracts as well because they're because we're doing contract work we're in project it's really trying to make sure that they've got some some stability and stability and some longer-term employment options, so they're comfortable to not have to be looking around. Fantastic. Amelia Lorentson 26:09.319
Thank you, Larry. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 26:11.319
Any further questions? No, there's no question. Given that there's been so many delays due to weather and staff shortages, there's bound to be some carryovers for next year. So just ensuring that we don't over-promise and under-deliver, what can you tell us, Shaun, in terms of what we can expect? of what we can expect for next year's capital works program, what's it going to look like? Shaun Walsh 26:37.624
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, of the renewal budget is and because the carryover is going to be significant and the only way we can reduce the workload temporarily is to reduce the scale of works in renewal budgets and also reduce the capital works initiative as well to catch up so you know so it could be you know if we if we proceeded with the full renewal budget imperative new initiatives from a 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 and part of that is if you recall last year when I started I gave councillors Thank you. 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 light and what's red light so and read light? So, you know, as an example, I know many councillors are frustrated at the lack of progress of the Noosa Woods jetty, you know, investigations, due to the lack of staff, you know, to actually even scope what that's about. And that's always been on 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 it's certainty to the councillors about what is realistic that we can achieve and what we can't achieve. Frank Wilkie 28:14.903
It's helping councillors be realistic in their asks. Shaun Walsh 28:20.723
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. Like you know I'm confident that in the near with the appointment of the sustainable transport coordinator we will finally have leadership in that area to a 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 really happy to get on with it. So to me I think it's part of a comms message in focusing on what we are doing which is still a significant program because as Larry's pointed out, it was only a few years ago that our program was in order of $23 million and here we are talking And here we are talking about a $78 million program. So, you know, there's an awful lot of content in that. Larry Sengstock 29:15.620
Thank you. Can I just clarify that that $78 million that he's talking about is not going to happen. No, that's right. That's if, you know, with all of 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 got. And what Shaun's saying is what we are delivering 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, let's now move on to the next one, and that thing just sort of happens behind the scenes as opposed to saying, no, no, no, that's part of our work and that's part of what we're Let's focus on what we've got and really celebrate that. Otherwise we do get ourselves into this snowball effect. It just keeps growing and we can't sustain it. But that will come to the budget discussions. Next week and that's all part of the decisions that we need to make because we can't do everything. As much as we'd love to, we can't do everything. Karen Finzel 30:13.658
Thanks Larry. So any further questions before we finish off the meeting today? Frank Wilkie 30:21.098
Not from me, Madam Chair, but I'd just like to finish by saying thank you to Larry. pass on our thanks to the staff. We do, as Karen said, we all do appreciate how hardworking they are. They are delivering some fantastic projects under very, very trying circumstances and thanks to the comments today help us have a realistic expectation for next year's capital works program. Larry Sengstock 30:45.172
I don't think we've broken on this, have we? Just to make sure. We're on to it. Karen Finzel 30:52.726
I appreciate your support. We're all in this together. We're a team working together. Okay, so thank you Frank for your final comments. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. And note the meeting closed today at 2:03pm. Frank Wilkie 31:12.246
Thank you Madam Chair. Karen Finzel 31:13.846
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you Mr CEO and staff and all my councillors. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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