Services & Organisation Committee - 10 September 2024
Date: Tuesday, 10 September 2024 at 1:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:41:39
Synopsis: ALH lease renewal at Sunrise Shops approved with valuation and tender exemption, Precinct metrics and revenue discussed, Data privacy noted, Cultural Plan wrap-up, DFV network referred.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Karen Finzel Jessica Phillips Frank Wilkie Nicola Wilson Non-Committee Members
Executive Officers
Director Community Services Kerri Contini Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Frank Wilkie: Secured approval for Nicola Wilson to attend via Microsoft Teams under s254K Local Government Regulation (00:51; Attendance & Apologies). Robyn Mercer: Presented renewal of Shop 5, Sunrise Shops lease to Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) for 3 years from 2 Jan 2025, with two 1‑year CEO‑approved extensions (01:53; Item 5.1). Karen Finzel: Committee unanimously endorsed the ALH lease renewal and applied the tender exemption under s236(1)(c)(iii) as a renewal to the existing tenant (10:54; Item 5.1). Robyn Mercer: Confirmed a legislatively required market valuation was obtained and rent maintained at current levels for the renewal (03:10–03:24; Item 5.1). Robyn Mercer: Outlined Sunrise Shops mix: 8 tenancies, anchor IGA (since Nov 2022), allied health, pharmacy, physio, dentist, bakery, bottle shop; prospective new GP tenancy (05:36; Item 5.1). SPEAKER_08: Smart‑precinct data shows avg 1,240 visits/day and 734 vehicles/day via anonymised IoT and LoRaWAN sensors; informs business case/options to optimise site (06:00–07:39; Item 5.1). Frank Wilkie: Sought revenue disclosure; staff advised approx $400k revenue in last FY with ~50% surplus to Council, trending upward with IGA’s arrival (07:39–07:51; Item 5.1). Karen Finzel: Managed a brief suspension and resumption to resolve Wilson’s audio, then retook and passed the 5.1 vote (08:42–10:16; Item 5.1). Kerri Contini: Explained LGAQ Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Champions Network; councillor observer plus two staff participants; sharing, not advocacy/decision‑making (11:36–15:39; Item 5.2). Frank Wilkie: Moved to refer the DFV Champions Network item to General Committee due to significance; carried unanimously (13:30–14:12; Item 5.2). SPEAKER_08/02: Noosa Cultural Plan 2019–2023 close‑out noted; majority objectives met; COVID‑impacted items rolling into 2025–2030 plan; targeted sector engagement underway (19:09–23:36; Item 6.1). Jessica Phillips: Probed consultant procurement; Cred Consulting selected after open process; local proposal not cost‑competitive; cost quantum not disclosed (28:44–29:59; Item 6.1). Contentious / Transparency Matters Frank Wilkie: Stated $600k revenue; staff corrected to ~ for last FY with ~50% surplus—clarifies public revenue perceptions (07:39–07:51; Item 5.1). Jessica Phillips: Asked for consultancy cost; staff declined to state figure in session—raises transparency expectations on third‑party spend (29:44–30:15; Item 6.1). SPEAKER_08: Use of mobile device detection for foot‑traffic counting described as “fully anonymized”; no explicit reference to privacy impact assessment or IP Act notice (06:00–06:45; Item 5.1). Kerri Contini: Emphasised DFV network is not an advocacy forum; councillor role limited to observing/queries—clear boundary on mandate (11:36–15:39; Item 5.2). Robyn Mercer: Confirmed liquor store as “strategically important” anchor driver; community expectations around alcohol‑related impacts not canvassed publicly (01:53; Item 5.1). Legal / Risk Committee: Lease tender exemption relied on s236(1)(c)(iii) LGR 2012 (renewal to existing tenant); risk if “genuine renewal” scope is exceeded by material changes—none indicated (Item 5.1). Robyn Mercer: Compliance noted with market valuation requirement for renewals; mitigates undervalue risk and s104 LGA sound contracting principles (03:10; Item 5.1). Chair/CEO: Attendance via Teams approved under s254K LGR; meeting suspended and resumed properly by resolution—protects decision validity and quorum integrity (00:51; 08:42–09:28; Attendance & Item 5.1). SPEAKER_08: IoT/mobile analytics raise privacy obligations under Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) and council data‑governance; ensure de‑identification, signage/notice, and vendor controls (06:00–06:45; Item 5.1). Committee: Leasing to ALH (liquor) may attract social impact scrutiny; consider alignment with Council Community Health/Wellbeing policies to pre‑empt reputational risk (01:53; Item 5.1). Arts & Culture: Consultant procurement described as competitive; ensure audit trail meets s104 LGA value‑for‑money and probity, given non‑disclosure of fee in open session (28:44–30:15; Item 6.1). Sunrise Beach / Sunrise Shops Robyn Mercer: Centre metrics support commercial viability: 1,240 daily visits, 734 vehicles; IGA (since Nov 2022) lifted value; potential GP tenancy to deepen health mix (05:36–07:39; Item 5.1). Frank Wilkie: Tied asset returns to ratepayer relief; staff confirmed ~50% surplus on ~$400k revenue, trending up (07:39–07:51; Item 5.1). Committee: Lease continuity with ALH prioritised to sustain footfall and precinct economics; rent held at market‑tested current level (01:53–03:24; Item 5.1). Cultural Plan, Events, and 2032 Olympics Context SPEAKER_08/02: 2019–2023 plan largely delivered despite COVID; hundreds of events, mobile library launched, RADF success; new 2025–2030 plan in early scoping (19:09–23:36; Item 6.1). SPEAKER_02: Focus areas flagged: creative industries support, live music recovery, local participation in major events, disaster‑recovery arts for resilience (27:01–33:40; Item 6.1). Frank Wilkie: Queried “cultural Olympics” linkage; awaiting State guidance; expectation of arts funding aligned to 2032 opportunities; new gallery feasibility a priority (35:19–38:37; Item 6.1). Jessica Phillips: Confirmed Cred Consulting engagement for targeted creative‑industry consultation; other engagement done in‑house (28:44–29:59; Item 6.1). Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Network Kerri Contini: Network meets 3–4 times/year (virtual) to share LG learnings; Noosa to nominate one councillor (observer) and two staff; programs may later return to Council for funding decisions (11:36–16:55; Item 5.2). Amelia Lorentson: Sought clarity on councillor suitability; interest valued, no prerequisite experience required (17:38–18:01; Item 5.2). Committee: Referred to General Committee for fuller debate given significance (13:30–13:57; Item 5.2).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday, 10 September 2024 1:30 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Committee: Crs Karen Finzel (Chair), Jessica Phillips, Frank Wilkie, Nicola Wilson “Noosa Shire – different by nature” SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 10 SEPTEMBER 2024 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Karen Finzel (Chair) Cr Jessica Phillips Cr Frank Wilkie Cr Nicola Wilson (via Microsoft Teams) NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Amelia Lorentson EXECUTIVE Director Community Services Kerri Contini Director Corporate Services Trent Grauf Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh APOLOGIES Nil. Council Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That in accordance with Section 254K of the Local Government Regulation, Cr Wilson is approved to attend the Services & Organisation Meeting dated 10 September 2024 via Microsoft Teams. Carried unanimously. 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips The Minutes of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting held on 6 August be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 3. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 4. DEPUTATIONS Nil. SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 10 SEPTEMBER 2024 5. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE 5.1. Sunrise Shops - Shop 5 Lease Renewal Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council note the report by the Commercial Business Advisor to the Services and Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 September 2024 and A. Approve the lease renewal to Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group Pty Limited for Shop 5, Sunrise Shops for three (3) years commencing 2 January 2025; B. Authorise the Chief Executive Office to award a subsequent two (2) one (1) year extensions of the lease subject to the lessee complying with the terms of the lease; and C. Apply the exception to the requirement for tendering of the lease under Section 236 (1) (c) (iii) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 as the renewal is to the existing tenant. Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That the meeting be adjourned to allow Council to resolve technical difficulties for Cr Wilson. Carried unanimously. Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That the meeting be resumed. Carried unanimously. Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council note the report by the Commercial Business Advisor to the Services and Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 September 2024 and A. Approve the lease renewal to Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group Pty Limited for Shop 5, Sunrise Shops for three (3) years commencing 2 January 2025; B. Authorise the Chief Executive Office to award a subsequent two (2) one (1) year extensions of the lease subject to the lessee complying with the terms of the lease; and SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 10 SEPTEMBER 2024 C. Apply the exception to the requirement for tendering of the lease under Section 236 (1) (c) (iii) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 as the renewal is to the existing tenant. Carried unanimously. 5.2. LOCAL GOVERNMENT DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION CHAMPIONS NETWORK Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Services & Organisation Committee Agenda Item 5.2 be referred to the General Committee due to the significance of the matter. Carried unanimously. 6. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE 6.1. NOOSA CULTURAL PLAN 2019-2023 IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council note the report by the Arts and Culture Manager to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 10 September 2024 regarding the conclusion of the Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023. Carried unanimously. 7. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 8. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 2.31 PM
Meeting Transcript
Karen Finzel 00:10.220
Good afternoon and welcome to the services and good afternoon and welcome to and the services organisation committee meeting 10th of Larry Sengstock 00:18.106
September 2024. Karen Finzel 00:20.646
I notice we have all councillors in attendance and in the gallery we have councillor Amelia Lorentson. Larry Sengstock 00:26.786
Before we start I'd like to pay my respects to to the Kabi Kabi people and acknowledge their inherent wisdom that they bring to our community and we honour them for their commitment and resilience to care for our land, waters and sea. Frank Wilkie 00:51.897
Move that in accordance with section 254K of the Local Government Regulation, Councillor Nicola Wilson is approved to attend the meeting dated 10th of the 9th, 2024 by Microsoft Teams. Karen Finzel 01:11.401
In favour? All in favour. That's unanimous. Thank you. and we welcome Councillor Nicola to the meeting. Thank you. Everyone's in attendance. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:28.808
I'll confirm the minutes from last meeting. Karen Finzel 01:33.688
Yes, thank you Councillor Wilkie. Can we have a seconder for that? Thank you Councillor. All in favour? That's unanimous. Are no presentations. That's unanimous. There are no presentations, deputations. There are no presentations. We're going to move to consideration of the committee. Larry Sengstock 01:46.234
We're going to move into item 5.1. We have the staff with us here today. Robyn Mercer 01:53.892
Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group Pty Ltd which is a liquor store for a base period of three years. Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group Pty Ltd have been the lessee of shop 5 since 2008. The liquor store offering at Sunrise Shops is strategically important. offering at Sunrise Shops is strategically important. It drives consistent foot traffic and maintains a steady customer base to the precinct. We know from our initial efforts in creating a smart precinct at Sunrise Shops that we achieve a consistent baseline visitation. With an average of 1240 person visits per day and an average of 734 vehicles per day, having tendencies such as the liquor store is important to maintaining this consistent utilisation. Also, continuation of the lease is critical to support the economic and commercial performance of the surrounding tenancies and aligns with council's strategic objectives to maximise commercial returns from our assets and foster economic activity within the region. Thank you. Questions, councillors? Frank Wilkie 02:57.651
Was there any consideration to the current rental? Thank you for the Was there a review of the rental to see whether it's appropriate to continue at the same rate or increase? Robyn Mercer 03:10.531
There was as part of our requirements under legislation we need to get a market valuation for any renewal which we did so and that market valuation will be applied to the new lease terms. Frank Wilkie 03:21.840
So there's a change? So is there a change? Robyn Mercer 03:24.820
No, it's a maintain. Maintaining current levels, yeah. Thank you. Karen Finzel 03:30.940
Any further questions? Any questions from the Gallery Council? Thank you. I'll move the recommendation. Thank you, and in seconds. That's moved by Councillor Wilkie, seconded by Councillor. All in favour? That's unanimous. And Nicola. Oh, and Nicola, are you in favour? So we've just got a technical issue. We're just waiting for Nicola, who's online, to be able to unmute and put a vote. We just appreciate your patience for all those who are online tuning in today on Noosa Council TV. Jessica Phillips 04:55.646
Thank you very much. Karen Finzel 05:20.760
So I do believe there's staff supporting the situation and we've got some really well trained staff here in council. Just generally talking, well we've still got the staff here. Just a reminder for those who might be listening, how many tenancies are there? Robyn Mercer 05:36.046
Yes, so there's eight tenancies there spread across a gross floor area of about nine hundred and fifty square metres. Our anchor tenant is IGA and they take up about three hundred and five square metres. We've got an allied health mix with hopefully a new GP tenant. With hopefully a new GP tenancy coming on board soon, a chemist and physio and also a dentist and a bakery and bottle shop offering. Frank Wilkie 06:00.871
Yes. What were the figures you quoted before about foot traffic and numbers? So over the past year we've been establishing some equipment there called Internet of Things which basically takes real-time data and feeds it back to a dashboard for us so we can see the utilisation. There's small pieces of of equipment that that use the LoRaWAN network in the region so over the past 12 months we've seen that we get an average number of visits per day of 1,240 of individuals yes it's amazing some of those might be the same person in the morning in the afternoon it feeds off the unique component of a mobile it phone it's just fully anonymized takes a reading and captures account and we've recently installed car parking sensors as a trial so we can see utilisation of car parks yes yeah I'm just a question can now can Nicola, Councillor Wilson use the hand signal or something to indicate in favour? Over if they're having trouble. SPEAKER_08 07:12.100
This information councillors will be really beneficial for us as we look at whether there's any opportunity to optimise the site, expand usage of it, look at other sorts of tenancy mix. It gives us a great reading for how valuable that site is what the site could be used for in the future. So it helps us make evidence based decisions on what we use that facility for in the future. Draft business case development. Frank Wilkie 07:39.640
And it's great for keeping downward pressure on rates for ratepayers. What can we disclose how much income ratepayers? disclose how much income ratepayers derived from that property each year? The $600,000. Robyn Mercer 07:51.720
Yeah, the total revenue derived was around $400,000 in the financial year just financial year just gone I can confirm that post and approximately 50% of that we obtain as a surplus. Both those figures have consistently increased over time as we getting the IGA on board in November 2022 was critical to increasing the overall value of tenancies there so it's a constant drive upwards. Frank Wilkie 08:34.168
Well we do have a quorum. Can we proceed with the quorum? We can suspend the meeting for five minutes while we get this sorted out. Karen Finzel 08:42.180
That's a good idea. Do we have to leave a motion for that? Yes. Okay, I'll move forward a motion that we suspend the meeting for, what, five minutes? Five minutes, yeah. So we can sort out the technical issues with Councillor Wilson online. So we can sort out the technical issues with Councillor Wilson online. I second that. Thank you. All in favour? Larry Sengstock 08:58.800
To allow Councillor Wilson online. Thank you Madam Chair. Karen Finzel 09:01.580
Thank you, thank you Mr CEO. Good afternoon and welcome back. Thank you everyone for your patience. The technical issues have been resolved and we're all back online. For clarity, due to the suspension, due to the technical issues, we're taking 5.1 back for the vote after we reopen the meeting via the vote. [Frank Wilkie: 09:28] I'm happy to move that we reopen the meeting. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie, do I have a seconder? Thank you Councillor. All in favour? Nicola? Larry Sengstock 10:00.260
Yes. Yes, that's a yes from Karen Finzel 10:02.140
Councillor Wilson. Thank you. So we're taking it back to the vote on item 5.1, Sunrise shops, shop 5, lease renewal. Frank Wilkie 10:16.667
Do you would like to speak to the motion? No, I don't. Well, the motion for those listening is that we note the report and we approve the lease renewal to Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, limited for shop 5, Sunrise Beach, for three consecutive years. They're the existing leaseholder. That's the liquor shop. Thank you very Thank you very much for the report. It's important we have continuity there. They're a good tenant, they drive business to the shops and I can understand why you've recommended this extension. This extension of the lease. So Thank you. Karen Finzel 10:54.113
Thank you to the staff. Thank you for your report. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? That's Councillor Wilkie, Councillor and we have a line Councillor Wilson, Councillor Finzel. Okay so we're moving, thank you. Thank you Robin, thank you Trent. Larry Sengstock 11:17.280
Thank you. Karen Finzel 11:18.940
So we're moving into item 5.2, local government domestic and family violence prevention champions network. We're just going to hear from the staff to give us an overview of what the position entails and what it means to the organisation. Thank you Karen. Kerri Contini 11:36.016
So the local government domestic and family violence prevention champions network which is a very long title so I'm just going to call that champions network DV champions network. It's been set up by the through the LGAQ and the domestic and family LGAQ and the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council as an opportunity for local governments around Queensland to share the work that they are doing both within a community setting but also within their council setting to respond to and put in place preventative measures as well to drive down domestic and family violence so the So the network meets maybe three to four times a year the meetings are virtual and it's really a sharing platform it's definitely it's not a lobbying or advocacy network it's very much a sharing of what other local governments are doing in this space and the experience doing in this space and the experiences it's a really good opportunity for them to be able to say look you know we tried this program these parts of these parts work well these parts didn't work so well so it's a really good learning and sharing opportunity so on sitting as Noosa representative we would have one representative, we would have one councillor and today we're seeking a nomination of that councillor and two staff would be the representatives as well and typically what happens is it's the staff. staff that are presenting and sharing the works that we're doing and the councillor's listening to what the other councillors are saying as well. So principally the councillor will be an observer? Yes, it's an observer. Frank Wilkie 13:30.316
Madam Chair, I think there's a bit of interest in this and I'm happy to move that it be shifted to the general. Larry Sengstock 13:35.796
Of course. Due to the interest in the matter, broader interest in the matter. Karen Finzel 13:42.076
Okay. Thank you for your report. Thank you. Yes, we're happy to move that by Councillor Wilkie. Do we have a seconder? Second. Seconder by Councillor. Frank Wilkie 13:57.238
I don't wish to speak to the motion, but other Councillors may still wish to ask questions. I've waived my right to speak. You've waived your right to speak, thank you, Councillor Karen Finzel 14:12.960
Wilkie and Councillor. Jessica Phillips 14:16.480
So the role of the councillor, just to confirm, is it for not just to observe? Kerri Contini 14:24.460
It's an observer role, yes. The network itself, as I said, is principally a sharing platform. It is the staff that are sharing with each other the projects that they've been undertaking, whether that's within a community setting or within a council in terms of, say, an employee program that they might be running. Jessica Phillips 14:47.922
And then if there was a recommendation, how would that work? Like, would I then see something come to... Just explain the connection. So it's not So a group that makes recommendations. It's not an advocacy or lobby group. It is a sharing network. And so it might well be that, for example, the Noosa representatives hear of a project that another council's doing and think that might have application within our community. And they might come back and think, we might look at whether we... something like that in our community. So the advantage for a councillor definitely is that they're hearing all of the different projects that are happening around the State and so are then well informed if, for example, a project is brought to council for consideration. Frank Wilkie 15:39.431
We did say observer but the council would be free to ask questions definitely yes and certainly could ask questions could provide their thoughts or experience around the issues just that it is not a it's not a platform to be making decisions it's not a decision-making environment and it's not a advocacy forum I just have a question if something was considered that it comes back before council would that also include include the request for budgets to do a project or program? It may well be that we would come back if there was a project that we thought had benefit for Noosa community and application for Noosa community. it came back and was moved particularly through our community groups is where we would normally sit in a partnership space but for example there might be a project that's being run for employees and we might It might be that... we might come in and say this is something that's been really beneficial and that might go up for example as a new initiative in the budget which would come before councillors. Could you give me an example prior to my time about a program that might have come from this group? Kerri Contini 16:55.765
So we've certainly shared for example our tiny houses project that's been a partnership project with U-Turn. So we've shared that which was great interest around being able to provide a way of implementing transitional housing for young people leaving domestic and family violence. So we've shared that project. Other councils have shared projects around, for example, employee programs to create a safe workspace for employees who are experiencing domestic and family violence. Karen Finzel 17:21.745
Other councils have That we've shared? Thank you. Any further questions, Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 17:38.842
I think you've answered most. Probably the only other question is that given that... Given that the councillor is sitting in an observer-only, not a decision-making spot, it would be desired if someone comes from some sort of background or has a particular interest in this area. Kerri Contini 18:01.944
It would be open to councillors that have an interest, that you don't require any experience at all. don't require any experience at all. It would be somebody that has a genuine interest in improving the situation around domestic and family violence. Thank you very much. Karen Finzel 18:18.718
Thank you. Any further questions? No. Thank you Kerri, that was a really in-depth overview. Thank you. move that to the next. Frank Wilkie 18:29.339
I don't wish to close. You don't wish to close? Call for a vote. Karen Finzel 18:34.059
So we'll take this to the vote to move this to the general one. Amelia Lorentson 18:39.299
All in favour? Karen Finzel 18:40.999
Thank you. That's Councillor Wilson, Councillor, unanimous. Thank you everyone. So now we're going to move to item 6 reports for noting by the committee 6.1 Noosa Cultural Plan 2019-2023 implementation update. Thank you and welcome to the table and we look forward to hearing your report. Thank you. and welcome to the table and we look forward to hearing your report. SPEAKER_08 19:09.834
Thank you. Good afternoon councillors. So this is a report that was completed a little while ago prior to the new council where we thought it would be beneficial to hold it over until the new council started. This is a report on the cultural plan that we had running from 2019 to 2023 which will now close out that period and we've started working now on the next cultural plan and a pretty seismic period of time going through COVID for this cultural plan so the cultural plan was very beneficial to us but just basically an overview. SPEAKER_02 19:22.274
This new council started. But just basically an overview is the report goes through the primary objectives. We feel that we have met the majority of those objectives with very good racing as to the ones that we haven't actually completed and many of those have been rolled over into the new plan. Many of the objectives that weren't completed would be because of COVID and that period of time. We have some fantastic major events that that happened during that period of time. We implemented our new mobile library service which was a huge part of our cultural offering to our community. We continued with continued with our Regional Arts Development Fund program that we run together with Arts Queensland which has been very very successful and we've had hundreds of events at our various arts and cultural facilities that have really engaged our community. Particularly during that difficult period of time. So the cultural plan was a very valuable document. It has proven how important supporting arts and culture in our community is. the health and well-being of our community and we would look forward to this final report being endorsed and then us moving forward to create the next plan which will run from 2025 through to 2030. We're currently in the process of undertaking community engagement. At the moment sector engagement specifically for arts and cultural industries to start with to get an idea of what our community is looking for in the next the next plan for council. Karen Finzel 21:18.662
It's very exciting isn't it? SPEAKER_02 21:20.342
It is. Karen Finzel 21:21.542
Thank you for your report to council. Is there any further questions regarding the matter? Yep. Frank Wilkie 21:30.064
Yeah, Paul, you mentioned that community engagement with key stakeholders is underway. Can you just give us an overview of the stakeholders that you're engaging with currently? For sure. So we've engaged a firm called CRED Consulting, who some of you might know from work on the Pomona placemaking program. They're doing a very bespoke part of our current community engagement, which is specifically to start with our creative industries. So on Thursday, we'll be having a meeting at the J, where we will undertake that first level of asking our creative sector, particularly creative industries, on what they would be looking at in a new cultural plan. We will then move on to our First Nations, so I have a meeting with Kabi Kabi this week as well to introduce the ideas of the new plan to them and get their feedback. Following that we'll go to our different sectors, so that's heritage, that's libraries. We've chosen to take We've chosen to take this approach of very specific targeted engagement because ultimately the beneficiaries of this plan will be those people that are working within those sectors and then that feeds out to the wider community. So given we're at the very foundational stage of developing our new plan this is the idea is that we're able to get those keystone ideas from them to build into the plan as we develop it and work through our very we develop it and work through our various drafts that we'll have as we slowly go wider and wider. It would also be fair to say that through engagement such as the livability study and the corporate plan we got a lot of general general community input around the importance of arts and culture, so that broad input has been received through a range of engagement mechanisms. It's the very specific pieces and sectors that we really need. What will be some of the key milestones for reporting back to council on this new plan? SPEAKER_02 23:36.951
On the new plan? Well, it's hard to say at this stage because it's still in very, very early development. We're even just trying to lock down at the moment our key areas. The previous plan had six specific areas that it looked at, so we're going to be reviewing those and also looking back to this report to see what parts that we didn't manage to complete in the previous plan and see whether they're still relevant. today's world which is very different to the world of 2018, 2019 when it was first put together. But certainly one area that I'm personally really looking at being able to support is our creative industries. Creative industries is a really important part of every community to engage with our local creatives, make sure that we're creating as best as we can an environment Creative industry people to manage to live and work and survive in a very tricky environment because the wider benefits to the community of having creatives as part of our community mix is huge. We play a role, we're not the most significant role, we're part of the solution of enabling creatives to live here, move here, prosper here and then give back to our community in that way so that's the particular area that I'd like to see hopefully our networking event on Thursday we will get some great ideas from those from those people as well because in my short period here in Noosa I have realised that there's a lot of things going on in the agricultural space kind of underground for want of a better word that is happening with specific communities but the wider community don't necessarily know about it because it's so hard to get it out to the wider community so that's something that maybe we can help you as council. Paul, the you mentioned that plan will be 2025 to 2030. Does that mean you'd like to have this plan signed off on early in 2025? It's interesting when you look at how creative industries are defined. Do you go by the census definition of what constitutes creative industries? Some definitions I've seen include people working in newspapers and graphic design. I'm how you die. The Janji census doesn't have a definition of creative industries, so it's very hard to get baseline stats out of the census. SPEAKER_08 26:10.031
So that's why a lot of survey work we're undertaking currently, targeted survey work to actually work out who's who at the zoo and who's actually here. Because you're right, the terminology of creative industries is very broad. But it does include graphic designers, it goes from visual artists practising what would be more traditional art forms, all the way through to tech, we work quite a bit through the Peretian Digital Hub with people that would classify themselves as working in creative industries. Frank Wilkie 26:45.248
My last question, thank you, is you bring a fresh set of to the organisation, and in terms of Noosa arts and cultural scene, what's going well and what are some areas that need support? SPEAKER_02 27:01.995
I think across Australia, a lot of councils are looking at ways in which they can support live music industries, which have been hit very heavily by COVID and haven't necessarily recovered. Also, the festival industries have been really challenged lately, not unique to Noosa, it's Australian-wide, and we are currently, as a council, working through an event strategy, and of course our destination marketing plan also will feed into that, to look at ways in which we can support our local creatives. So I think we have a lot of fantastic things that happen here, but it would be great to But it would be great to actually create pathways where our local creatives can participate in some of those major events that maybe traditionally have more external creatives coming into Noosa. To be a part of the content, when in fact we probably have people that could really benefit from that as well. So it's making those connections, it's being a conduit to that. So I think that's something that we can definitely work on. What's doing well is we've got a fantastic environment, we've got an inspirational landscape both in the Inns land and the sea. We have an audience, I think we have one of the highest age Age populations in Queensland and what comes with that is people with a certain level of ability to have discretionary spend and that discretionary spend is seen in potentially going to arts events and participating in engaging with the arts. So I think that's something that's a little bit of a video piece. Frank Wilkie 28:42.191
I've asked enough questions for the time here. Jessica Phillips 28:44.831
Yes, thank you. One question, you mentioned consultancy. You explained to me who who were engaging for consultancy on this? Cred Consulting, yeah, Cred, SPEAKER_02 28:55.625
C-R-E-D. We had a normal procurement process through there where we called for applications to that consultancy. There are Brisbane, There are Brisbane based consultancy which have vast experience working in similar kind of work in developing particularly arts and cultural engagement and so why they were successful to have that tender. It is definitively for this one part of our consultation which is for creative industries. We are not using consultants for the other parts of our engagement. is for the other parts of our community that can be a part of our strategy. Jessica Phillips 29:44.331
Was there no consultants from the Noosa Shire at work? SPEAKER_02 29:48.971
We had altogether three applications. One of those was from the Noosa Shire but they weren't cost competitive at the time. Jessica Phillips 29:59.749
So then on cost, can you tell me how much the consults will be? I don't know that I can make that part of my strategy. Okay, thanks for the questions. Okay, thank you. Karen Finzel 30:15.572
Just a question around, you mentioned COVID a few times, you know, you'll agree you are fundamentally changed by COVID and we've got to rebuild moving forward. got COVID and we've got to rebuild moving forward. Can you tell me a little bit about how we're bringing in like building resilience through the creative arts in line with our, what is it, our moving forward? Moving forward with resilience and community building through the arts, how does that integrate with our disaster management? Larry Sengstock 30:47.440
Where's that intersection? Yeah, it's a great intersection, fantastic question, because arts and culture have been proven to have a therapeutic effect. Frank Wilkie 30:58.027
Very much so, yeah, very much so, particularly when you're looking at natural disasters, so various bushfires. various bushfires that we've had over years and floods, often there is an arts triage component of that, where the economic development bears this out, that... We tend to look straight away after a natural disaster and go, "How can we feed into our businesses starting up again? " Over recent natural disasters, there's been a bit of a shift now to say, "How are we also triaging our community health? " And we can do that through arts and cultural practice. And so the work that we can do before the natural disaster is what brings the resilience. So by, once again, by supporting a creative community that has access to multiple to multiple places and spaces and events, to have a cathartic ability for people to express their emotions and experiences is really the magical twice that we had a while ago, exhibitions that have come out of that of people sharing their photographs, sharing their stories. have been a fantastic way to rebuild community and rebuild connection between residents so I believe that that should be a pretty big part of our 2025-2030 cultural plan is addressing how we This is addressing how we can set in place objectives of where we can approach and develop that kind of work before the natural disaster actually happens. So when a disaster happens we're well placed to roll out those kind of programs in our facilities. Kerri Contini 32:53.478
Our artists are very well connected into their local communities, so they have a unique opportunity to act as they are bringing together a conduit to gather people. Larry Sengstock 33:09.938
The library service is fantastic, the library has played a key role. In engaging with our community, letting community engage with each other, so facilitating that engagement as well, and libraries are seen as safe places, galleries are seen as safe places, so naturally there is that feeling around those spaces where people can feel comfortable incoming. And through us. Kerri Contini 33:40.175
Arts and healing is about sharing story and experience, and often through art you can do that in a safer way than simply having to sit and tell a story rawly. Through arts practice it arts practice it can can be done in what we often feel is a more comfortable way of being able to express what we've experienced. Karen Finzel 34:01.106
Thank you, and one last question before that. So you said earlier, Paul, you were doing targeting engagement. In that, are you targeting... like, specific groups around disaster management? How are you engaging with that particular cohort? At the moment, we're mainly looking at the arts and cultural... the clearly defined arts and cultural groups that would relate to it. And then that spins further out. I guess it's qualifying that, you know, this report is closing out the previous report. We're only just starting on a new report. So how that actually emerges and comes out of these various drafts will be... that will be reflective of the community need and what the community is expecting from that new report and I think by the time we get to this sort of draft three, four, we'll be slowly engaging with wider and wider parts slowly engaging with wider and wider parts of our community and that's probably when those kind of aspects can be massaged or included when we're talking about all of those that sort of spider web of benefits. Larry Sengstock 35:10.696
Thank you. Councillor Lorentson, any other questions from the government? Thank you. It's exciting. Yes, Councillor Wilson. Karen Finzel 35:19.156
Thank you. Frank Wilkie 35:20.856
What influence has the approach of the 2032 Olympics had on the way in which we're looking at positioning arts and culture, the development of arts and culture in Noosa Shire for the next five years and beyond? Yeah, we're still waiting on information from the State government around that. What runs parallel to the Noosa Olympics is cultural Olympics. It's been very quiet. It's been very quiet. Could you explain what you mean by the cultural Olympics? It is, but also there is an expectation when cities bid for the Olympics to also include in their bid a significant part of it is what other benefits happen to your communities and to your city other than a massive sport. And that's where the terminology of cultural Olympics came out of. And so successful bidders are ones that have also pledged also pledged money and resources towards growing a cultural component to that community experience. And so that's where the arts and cultural industry of Queensland is currently waiting to see. What kind of commitments the State government is going to put towards more than just sports. because it is an expectation. is an expectation from the community that there are cultural events as part of the community games. We would expect for example that funding that Queensland comes Arts, Arts Queensland would have a start to development Olympics criteria to it, so that as we're applying for grants or as... other organisations are applying for grants, that they would have to be tailoring that grant to meet that criteria is what we would normally expect. We would hope to start to see a sense of that soon, because, you know... many arts events are planned years in advance and need a lot of lead time to develop their, you know, curatorial theme, et cetera. And any of those things will be around celebrating cultural uniqueness. So I would be surprised that if the funding that does eventually come isn't based around supporting those kind of events, that with a global audience, how are we showcasing... How are we showcasing Brisbane and Queensland and Australia through cultural events about who we are, where we are in the world and what makes us special. Kerri Contini 38:07.986
Critically for us is our work on the potential for a new gallery as we move through the feasibility and business case process to be able... to have that important piece of work complete for the council's consideration in plenty of time for what might come out of in that Olympic space around expectations there. very much about telling the story of Noosa. Frank Wilkie 38:37.369
Will 2032 be a floating land year? SPEAKER_02 38:43.229
2035? No. No. But I think also the benefit of, you know, going back to the plan, the benefit of the previous 2019-2023 plan and then a 2025-2030 plan, when those opportunities come, we're not just opportunities come, we're not just growing things out of the air. We have a plan, we'll have objectives in here, things that we want to do. So when opportunities to get support from state or federal government agencies is there, we'll be able to say, no, this isn't just a pie in the sky thing, we have planned this. These are all the benefits of it. So that's the great importance of making sure that our plan, like the 2019-2023 plan, worked very well during that period. The 2025-2030 plan will do the same and be an important tool for us. Thank you. Any further questions? Well, thank you for the staff. That was comprehensive. We're going to look forward to the future, I think, with great anticipation of what lies before us and knowing and feeling confident that the foundation... foundations behind us are solid and we're stepping towards the process of some great creative outcomes to benefit our whole community. So thank you, everybody. Happy words of note, Chair. Yes, thank you. I'll second that. Larry Sengstock 40:07.963
Thank you. Okay, all in favour? Frank Wilkie 40:12.394
It's really gratifying to hear that the former plan, the Cogford plan was successful. It was great to be part of that process initially and to see it come to fruition is very satisfying and hopefully the new plan is something the current cohort of councillors can feel a part of. Kerri Contini 40:35.374
There will definitely be through the process opportunity both for councillors to participate in some of the broader engagement but also to have, we will have engagement with councillors as well. The beneficiaries are of course the broader community. Definitely. So thank you Kerri, I know you're a big Karen Finzel 40:58.496
So we know the report and we'll take it to the vote, only because we, yeah I know I didn't see Nicola's hand. Larry Sengstock 41:11.636
Nicola? Frank Wilkie 41:14.076
Nicola we need to. Yes? Yeah? All in favour? Yeah, that's good, thank you. Karen Finzel 41:21.218
Yes, okay, thank you, so that's unanimous, all in favour? Okay. There's no confidential session. Item number 8, the meeting has closed at 2:31pm. Thank you councillors. Frank Wilkie 41:36.198
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