Services & Organisation Committee

Key Decisions & Discussions
• Karen Finzel: Committee unanimously backed moving the 21 Nov Ordinary Meeting to Peregian Beach Community House at 5pm to enhance community access (5.1) (00:00–04:35).
• Larry Sengstock: Confirmed pre-meeting community engagement and staff/director availability to field questions; meeting to be livestreamed and recorded (5.1) (01:41–04:17).
• Frank Wilkie: Sought assurance that directors will attend and key consultations (Destination Management Plan; Noosaville Foreshore Management Plan) will be live by then; CEO agreed (5.1) (03:50–04:04).
• Committee: Adopted amended Sole Supplier and Specialised Supplier lists for 12 months to streamline procurement within the Local Government Act/Regulation framework (5.2) (05:36–06:26).
• Lynne (Procurement): Explained removals occur where services now sourced via competitive quotes or existing panels; additions address current/future needs (5.2) (06:53–07:22, 09:47).
• Lynne (Procurement): Confirmed annual review of lists and market checks for probity; removals revert to competitive processes to ensure fairness (5.2) (09:07–09:28, 08:01).
• Lynne (Procurement): Reported 17% local/deemed-local on Specialised list; ~30% including Noosa and neighbouring LGAs; some categories only available via nationwide suppliers (5.2) (09:47–12:15).
• Lynne (Procurement): Justified VicPol and other state registries as sole suppliers for vehicle registration searches because they uniquely hold the data, ensuring legislative compliance (5.2) (14:08–15:14).
• Lynne (Procurement): Shifted aged-care podiatry from named contractors to a “podiatry services” category to reflect provider availability realities (5.2) (15:14–15:50).
• Committee: Resolved to invite EOIs for design/construction of a composting facility at Eumundi–Noosa Rd landfill, then shortlist to tender (7.1) (minutes 7.1; 17:26–17:29).
• Frank Wilkie: Publicly outlined rationale for an EOI to “cast a wide net,” flagged an estimated cost of ~$12m, and noted funding not yet secured (7.1) (17:29–18:20).
• Committee: Delegated authority to CEO under s257 LGA 2009 to manage EOI/tender and sought a future report on evaluation outcomes (7.1).
Contentious / Transparency Matters
• Larry Sengstock: Committed to advertising the off-site 21 Nov meeting and providing a livestream/recording to ensure broad access (5.1) (01:41–03:59; minutes 5.1.C–D).
• Karen Finzel: Pressed for assurance of on-site staff to answer questions and take matters on notice during pre-meeting engagement (5.1) (02:43–03:13).
• Jessica Phillips: Moved to close the meeting for Item 7.1 under s254J(3)(g) LGR (negotiations relating to a commercial matter), then reopened for resolution (7.1) (16:34–16:52).
• Frank Wilkie: After reopening, transparently summarised the EOI scope, indicative cost, and uncertain funding to inform the public record (7.1) (17:29–18:20).
• Karen Finzel: Queried probity/equity for suppliers removed from sole/specialised lists; procurement confirmed competitive pathways and advice channels (5.2) (07:38–08:44).
• Lynne (Procurement): Guided local suppliers to contact procurement and register on VendorPanel to increase visibility (5.2) (12:49–13:22).
Legal / Risk
• Committee: Meeting time/venue change enacted under s257(3)(b) Local Government Regulation 2012; ensures procedural validity (5.1).
• Committee: EOI invited under s228(3) LGR to assess market capacity/solutions before tenders; minutes record public-interest reasons 1–4 (7.1).
• Committee: Confidentiality applied under s254J(3)(g) LGR for commercial negotiations; later reopened, preserving accountability (7.1).
• Committee: CEO delegated authority under s257 Local Government Act 2009 to progress EOI/tenders; final evaluation report to return to Council (7.1).
• Risk – Funding: ~$12m composting facility lacks secured funding; options mooted include Council of Mayors or loans, implying budget and debt-risk appraisal ahead (7.1; 17:29–18:20).
• Risk – Probity: Sole/specialised lists pose perceived favoritism risk; mitigations noted: annual review, market scans, use of panels/competitive quotes, and statutory exceptions (5.2).
Environmental Concerns (Waste & Organics)
• Committee: Progressed an organics composting facility EOI at the Eumundi–Noosa Rd landfill to improve resource recovery, subject to competitive market testing (7.1).
• Frank Wilkie: Emphasised industry-wide solicitation for best-practice design and construction via EOI-to-tender pathway (7.1) (17:29–18:20).
Community Engagement & Foresight
• Larry Sengstock: Signalled community input on the Destination Management Plan at Peregian engagement session (5.1) (03:23–03:41).
• Larry Sengstock: Aimed to have the Noosaville Foreshore Management Plan out for public communication by the time of the Peregian meeting (5.1) (03:23–03:59).
• Committee: Adjusted meeting logistics to after-hours and off-site to broaden participation from coastal communities (5.1).
Procurement Practices & Local Economy
• Lynne (Procurement): Clarified that “removed” suppliers can still compete via quotes or panels; not an exclusion from future work (5.2) (06:53–07:22).
• Frank Wilkie: Probed local spend and supplier share; procurement cited current local/deemed-local proportions while taking total spend figures on notice (5.2) (11:31–12:49).
• Lynne (Procurement): Highlighted efficiency gains from codifying sole suppliers like state vehicle registries to avoid redundant tendering (5.2) (14:08–15:14).