SPECIAL MEETING, 6 November 2024
Date: Wednesday, 6 November 2024 at 1:00PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:56:39
Synopsis: Final Consultation Endorsed for foreshore plan, Revisions retain Pirate Park, tennis, boat ramp and parking, Accessibility upgrades, Stormwater and revegetation for erosion resilience, Transparency, Community feedback.
Meeting Attendees
Councillors
Frank Wilkie Karen Finzel Amelia Lorentson Jessica Phillips Brian Stockwell Tom Wegener Nicola Wilson Executive Officers
Director Community Services Kerri Contini Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Strategy And Environment Kim Rawlings Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Frank Wilkie: Motion carried 5–2 to endorse the draft Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan for final community consultation 15 Nov–15 Dec 2024 (Item 2.1) (29:48, 56:04). Frank Wilkie: Explained revisions driven by earlier feedback: retain Pirate Park and tennis (multi-use), maintain most on-street parking, retain boat ramp layout, widen shared path to 3.5 m, convert 10 car bays at ramp to 16 scooter bays, shorten eastern boardwalk to Howard St and flip parking Howard–William St (30:51–34:40) (Item 2.1). Shaun Walsh: Path width set at 3.5 m to meet engineering guidance and reduce cyclist–pedestrian conflicts; shaded alignment to draw pedestrians around the ramp and improve safety (25:15) (Item 2.1). Dean Arnold: Eight revision themes from consultation: pathways, playgrounds, tennis, boat ramp, parking, amenities/Changing Places, beach nourishment/revegetation, concrete/structures; plan reduces new paving and focuses on renewals (05:31–17:18) (Item 2.1). Dean Arnold: Pirate Park retained and upgraded for inclusive all-abilities play, with small supplementary play nodes; tennis court retained with spectator pavilion and multi-court function (08:17–10:39) (Item 2.1). Shaun Walsh: Boat ramp retained, future detailed design to improve pontoons/jetties turnover and widen shaded bypass path for pedestrians/cyclists (11:32–12:42) (Item 2.1). Dean Arnold: Car parking generally reinstated; approx. 10 spaces near the boat ramp repurposed to scooters to deliver the compliant shared path; PWD bays increased (13:42–14:59) (Item 2.1). Shaun Walsh: Additional toilet/Changing Places facility at Quota Park proceeding; architects engaged and grant pathways identified (15:36) (Item 2.1). Shaun Walsh: Stormwater upgrades and pollution devices embedded; revegetation and gentle grassed slopes to balance access, character, and erosion control (05:17, 16:48–17:57) (Item 2.1). Amelia Lorentson: Confirmed total plan preparation cost at $545,706, including $100k grant; costs capitalised to asset program (26:03–27:45) (Item 2.1). Contentious / Transparency Matters Amelia Lorentson: Pressed for transparency on consultancy and engagement costs; CEO cited tendering, audits, and commercial-in-confidence limits, noting selected consultant was at the low end of bids (27:45–29:46). Nicola Wilson: Questioned rushing to meet year-end consultation, plan’s “master plan” completeness, and drawing clarity; urged community to interrogate gaps in the abstracted graphics (49:12–53:05). Jessica Phillips: Sought assurance on avoiding unnecessary parking loss and flagged fiduciary duty to ratepayers; called for detailed community feedback this round (22:07–24:09, 47:17–49:03). Brian Stockwell: Procedural interjection during questions underscored meeting formality (22:27). Frank Wilkie: Emphasised proposals are not fixed outcomes; final plan will reflect forthcoming feedback (30:34–30:51) (Item 2.1). Karen Finzel: Framed process as adaptive leadership responding to community calls for action, inviting further input (45:17–47:11). Legal / Risk Council (collective): Resolution lawfully authorises a final consultation under the Local Government Act 2009 before adoption; no confidential session items noted (Item 2.1; 3. Confidential Session: Nil). Shaun Walsh: Accessibility upgrades (3.5 m shared path, accessible shelters, amenities/Changing Places) align with DDA 1992 and applicable QLD/NCC accessibility standards in detailed design phases (05:31, 15:36, 17:57, 25:15). Shaun Walsh: No foreshore “filling”; inundation resilience designed to avoid off-site impacts; coastal/flood engineers (Alluvium et al.) modelled options indicating no increased risk to North Shore (37:20–38:07). Shaun Walsh: Boat ramp conflict risks mitigated via shaded pedestrian bypass and contemporary on-water facilities in future design, addressing public safety duties (11:32–12:42, 25:15). Larry Sengstock: Procurement via competitive tender with audit oversight; commercial confidentiality limits disclosure of line-item consultant costs (28:36–29:46). Environmental Concerns & River Health Dean Arnold: Existing stormwater outfalls lack pollution devices; master plan embeds treatment to protect river water quality (04:40–05:17). Shaun Walsh: Planting and nourishment to combat erosion while retaining natural character and sightlines; ramps to improve equitable beach access (16:48–17:57). Brian Stockwell: Framed climate and erosion pressures as a “riptide” requiring proactive adaptation to preserve amenity and biodiversity over 20 years (53:29–56:04). Frank Wilkie: Shortened eastern overwater boardwalk to Howard St to reduce amenity impacts on residents while maintaining safer access via wider path (32:55–34:40). Accessibility & Inclusion Dean Arnold: Many shelters currently non-compliant; revised plan prioritises accessible shelters, inclusive play, and evenly spaced amenities across 2 km (04:58–05:31, 14:59–15:36). Shaun Walsh: Wider path is for all users, not only wheelchairs; shaded design encourages safer desire lines away from ramp conflicts (25:15). Karen Finzel: Queried resilience of utilities under inundation; response committed to precinct-level designs improving resilience and amenity (35:40–36:12). Traffic, Parking & Mobility Frank Wilkie: Net vehicle capacity reframed by adding 16 scooter bays for 10 car spaces near boat ramp; aim to free car spaces elsewhere (31:57–33:06). Jessica Phillips: Probed potential hidden parking losses near O Boat/tennis and feasibility of retaining bays with tree inserts; staff to review specifics (22:07–23:37). Shaun Walsh: Community desire for parking retention balanced with safety and pathway continuity; extensive layout testing found ramp precinct the pinch point (13:42–14:59, 24:09–25:15). Shaun Walsh: Future connections planned to Noosa Heads and Tewantin, with legible hierarchy linking shopping, parking, and public transport (05:31–07:40).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Special Meeting Wednesday, 6 November 2024 1:00 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Crs Frank Wilkie (Chair), Karen Finzel, Amelia Lorentson, Jessica Phillips, Brian Stockwell, Tom Wegener, Nicola Wilson “Noosa Shire – different by nature” SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES 6 NOVEMBER 2024 1. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COUNCILLORS Cr Frank Wilkie (Chair) Cr Karen Finzel Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Jessica Phillips Cr Brian Stockwell Cr Tom Wegener Cr Nicola Wilson EXECUTIVE Director Community Services Kerri Contini Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings Acting Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray APOLOGIES Nil. 2. SPECIAL MEETING REPORTS 2.1. DRAFT NOOSAVILLE FORESHORE INFRASTRUCTURE MASTERPLAN - ENDORSEMENT FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Council Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That Council note the report by the Acting Director Infrastructure Services to the Special Meeting dated 6 November 2024 and A. Note the feedback received from previous community consultation on the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan has informed a significantly revised approach; and B. Endorse the draft Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan for a final round of community consultation for the period 15 November 2024 to 15 December 2024. For: Crs Wilkie, Lorentson, Finzel, Stockwell & Wegener Against: Crs Wilson & Phillips Carried. 3. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 4. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 1.57pm.
Meeting Transcript
Frank Wilkie 00:01.361
Thank you. Well, good afternoon and welcome everybody to the Special Meeting. I declare it open. I would like to acknowledge that we're meeting on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people. I pay my respects to the elders past, present and emerging and reiterate their invitation for us to join them as joint custodians, respecting and caring for this beautiful place we all love, respecting and caring for each other. Today's Special Meeting is to consider one item which is the draft Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan endorsement for further community engagement and we have Shaun Walsh and Dean Arnold here for this report. Dean and Shaun could you care to join us, would you care to join us at the table and give us a summary of the report please. Shaun Walsh 00:55.100
Let's we've presentation. Got a presentation that we'd like to do, a bit of a short one to summarise the journey we've been on and then welcome questions. Dean Arnold 01:03.746
Thank you, that would be great. Thank you for the opportunity. Okay. Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and the waters of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi people, and pays respect to their elders past, present and future. Thank you. So what we'd like to talk about is the draft Noosaville foreshore infrastructure master plan and the concept designs to resilience. This is the presentation of the Special Meeting today. The agenda for today is: why a master plan? Listening to the community and key topics. Have Your Say in further opportunity. Would I'd like to play a video that we produced for the project. Unidentified Speaker 02:13.721
We like it when this is natural. We don't want you all souped up. Unidentified Speaker 02:18.282
We come down here most days and we just love it like this. Most weekends, come down the river with the dog, just go for a walk, watch the sun set. Unidentified Speaker 02:25.541
We've heard your views and are working on a simplified revised master plan that protects and what you love most about preserves the Noosaville Foreshore. We know this two kilometre long public space is cherished by locals and we are committed to keeping it that way. I just want to enhance what's there. So why do we need a master plan? Our beloved foreshore is facing challenges. Timber walls by the river are collapsing. We're looking at over ten million dollars in the coming decades to maintain and repair playgrounds, upgrade paths, replace old stormwater pipes and erosion and extreme weather. Events. Are also threatening the space. A master plan helps map out future work and gives us the ability to seek external funding to make this happen. Frank Wilkie 03:13.617
It's a two-kilometre long recreational area that's so loved by everyone and we really are given the love that it deserves and the attention that it deserves and proper planning is all part of that. Unidentified Speaker 03:25.193
This master plan aims to create a vision for the plus years while keeping the vibe and character for generations to come. Your input will help shape that vision and we're excited to get your thoughts when the revised draft of the plan is released for comment in November Dean Arnold 03:49.890
Thanks, Nicky you in summation why a master plan these points highlight the need for the master plan similar to what was expressed in the video production you know around the 10 million in asset renewals and maintenance costs that we're going to face moving forward and you know really to address some of the infrastructure that's above the ground and below the ground that we currently have along the foreshore we also have need to manage the threats of you know erosion and inundation that we're facing on the foreshore and we want to attract external funding and attract and retain local investment it's really important that we work with the businesses along the foreshore and attract you know investment around that area so and finally we just want to enhance the liveability and community well-being that everyone enjoys Shaun Walsh 04:56.029
And if I could just reinforce that of those opportunities for improvements are like very few of the shelters at the moment are disabled and a master plan you know reinforces that opportunity so that when we invest money we actually provide disabled compliant facilities most of our stormwater pipes down there don't have any pollution devices they on them so discharge they untreated stormwater into the river the master plan invents you know the opportunities to actually enhance you know stormwater treatment to actually help protect the river so these are the sorts of things which really important to pay for that area thank you Dean Arnold 05:32.170
So listening to our community but we've got to summarise this within kind of eight key topics this is in response to the draft master plan that we went out in June so we've listened to the community and we've changed they were really around the pathway network, the playgrounds, the tennis court, boat ramp facility, car parking, public amenities and changing places, beach nourishment and revegetation, concrete and structures. So I'm going to those run through eight topics. And then it's really the first is what the community said, and then how we've updated this revised draft master plan. So the pathway network, most of the respondents use the foreshore for walking. This was really, you know, vocal vocalised through our kind of conversations with the community and through the Have Your Say. So we're providing a continuous shaded shared pathway along most of the two kilometre foreshore length. We facilitate for a connections beyond. So we, you know, we plan for connections through to Noosa Heads and Tewantin. We establish a pathway hierarchy, ensuring safe, inclusive shared pathways of high legibility. We also forge safer convenient connections for shopping, parking, public transport, and we utilise tree plantings to ensure a well-shaded pathway experience. So here's a plan of the revised draft master plan. Again, around the pathways, it's all around a safe, connected, inclusive, accessible Noosaville Foreshore. The next topic is playgrounds. Many of the respondents wanted additional and improved playgrounds. So pirate playground will be retained as the main playground node. This will be upgraded and expanded to more accessible inclusive elements as well as traditional play equipment. It provides for inclusive all abilities and a wide demographic range. Recreational of play experiences. It also introduces additional small recreational play nodes across the foreshore so beyond this pirate playground we'll also have these other smaller recreational play. This is a view and you know we've Shaun Walsh 08:21.185
Been at length to actually express the master plane as sort of a simpler more relaxed graphic treatment which reflects the vibe of what we want achieve. If you think about the video and the way people are enjoying the spaces these sketches try to exemplify that. This shows the pathway winding past the beach with accessible pathways down to the beach and in the backdrop you can see you know a revised pirate playground with improved shade structures. When you look at it in more detail there's replication of the traditional play or you know the conventional play equipment you tend to see but then supplemented with all abilities playground equipment as well as nature play which is a really significant trend and you can see that before and after it's meant to enhance the quality of what's already there. Dean Arnold 09:05.617
In the future when we do design we will again work with the community the mums and bubs the families you know disability advocates and ensure that we achieve a result that we set out within the strategy. Tennis court. Many of the respondents expressed to retain the tennis so we have retained the tennis court and we're looking to diversify the sports activities played on the facility a multi-court function. Provide new a spectator pavilion and sports lockers for equipment. We facilitate for improved accessibility, sustainability and community well-being. We celebrate the foreshore heritage and it's part world. Of the we enhance the visual amenity around tennis court as well. Shaun Walsh 09:59.748
This is a sketch which shows the you know the pathway experience between the O Boat Hire area and the tennis courts and the idea of putting in a new spectator pavilion and interestingly enough in discussions with the tennis club they indicated that's where the original pavilion was because it's on the centre line of the tennis court. It also allows us by relocating their structure to this location allows us to have a much wider path down the other side of the tennis court so that people are really encouraged to continue walking right beside the river rather than the other side of the toilet blocks at the moment so it really helps open that area up again really focusing on the existing character but with some enhancements which actually improve the amenity and appeal of the area Dean Arnold 10:40.330
Discussions and through with the Noosaville tennis club they were very much in support of what was proposed and discussed the boat ramp facility many of the respondents expressed both to retain and remove the boat ramp as such though we have retained and enhanced both land and proposed to enhance the land and waterside boat ramp facilities. This includes permeable paving, tree plantings to create cooler spaces. To enhance the shared pathway for pedestrian safety and wayfinding around the facility. We want provide improved resilience and biodiversity to the river. We also want to enhance the visual amenity and foreshore landscape character again. Shaun Walsh 11:32.951
This essentially shows the area of the boat ramp which is essentially retained in a very similar configuration but the master plan acknowledges that we can actually work to actually improve the on-water facilities such as the pontoons and jetties because discussions both of Maritime Safety Queensland and various boaties acknowledged that if we had different structures more contemporary structures we get higher turnover rather than you know unduly causing delays at those boat ramps so and hopefully creating more of capacity the boat ramp so this so sets us up us for a detailed design exercise to you know work with all the boating sector to actually improve the efficiency of that structure the planning does show a very wide shaded path alongside the boat ramp one of the key public safety issues that we're dealing with is people walking through the boat ramp area and creating a bit of conflict and by encouraging a wide shaded path through that area that makes it the primary source of movement. People think, well let's walk around the boat ramp through a really pleasant wide shaded experience which really accommodates pedestrians and cyclists so we can silence them on location. Dean Arnold 12:43.350
Yeah, it should be noted that we did have many interactions with the boating and fishing alliance representatives to try to enhance the facility in order to change and redirect, but we ended up maintaining the current layout. Car had a strong desire to retain car parking across the foreshore. As such, we reinstate car parking along the foreshore with the revised carpaster plan. We provide additional PWD spaces for disability. We convert the only change to that is that we're proposing to convert approximately 10 spaces on Kennedy Terrace alongside the boat ramp, which we convert to 16 scooter spaces to facilitate the shared pathway. Shaun Walsh 13:38.256
Again, thank and you. I've sort of talked about the shared pathway, but whilst we accept the community views about retaining car parking, we think the safety and amenity issues alongside the boat ramp really, you know, deserve a reconsideration of the community in this specific location to provide a comfortable, you know, wide path around the boat ramp because we also have a lot of respondents in the community who talked about the need for wider paths and concerns around the vehicle and the boat ramp. And there was also some in the community who wanted a boat ramp to go. So we're trying to provide a design which actually marries or reconciles lots of in-views the benefits of safety. And in terms of emerging transport, we know Noosa people love their scooters and their motorbikes. And we think this proposal would be valuable by replacing a car with scooter spaces. Provides a way of in future terms of mobility. Thank you. Dean Arnold 14:35.934
This also facilitates for a consistent shared pathway. We're all going to follow the foreshore. So from Chaplin Park right through to the eastern extensive side. Public amenities and changing places. Respondents have a strong desire to see an changing places and facilities is to be retained, and we cater and care for those vulnerable in our community. The design of the new amenities is currently underway for the community, with the master plan informing the design intent. This leaves us with equally spaced amenities along the two kilometre foreshore lanes. Shaun Walsh 15:29.766
Out of the yellow box there shows the approximate location of the toilet box, which is halfway between the toilet box. So we've engaged design architects who are starting on the designs. We know this is a very popular part of the proposal. And we also know that it's a program which is actually already forecast for grant funding under council's state government funding programs. So we're certainly looking at a version of this on the foreshore. Dean Arnold 16:01.414
Another key topic was beach nourishment and revegetation. The respondent has told us that maintaining sidelines and access through the beach is important. Council currently carries out regular beach nourishment and work we and acknowledge that continue to protect the area and to retain its natural look. The reintroduction of grass slopes to high use areas along the foreshore in combination with areas is proposed, so we are maintaining and enhancing key access and sidelines to and from the river, and we improve also the nature-based stormwater management. Shaun Walsh 16:48.500
This is a, you know, a sketch which shows a, you know, a grass area, and the proposal, you know, as you can see in the sketches, there's still significant grass areas, but they're supplemented with ramps which make it easier for people with less ability to actually access the foreshore, and then also the which end of the session. We think, as well as improving erosion, actually also complement the naturalistic character that people are after, so they're in their area. Dean Arnold 17:14.560
None of that are planted the structures that we use. Concrete and structures. So we heard that the respondents love the natural, relaxed vibe of the foreshore and higher landscape character. So we intend to maintain look and feel of the foreshore by significantly reducing new paved areas and focusing on upgrading existing areas as they reach their end of life. We wanted to celebrate their origin character with a finished roof, a new and facades, picnic tables, open grass areas, well shaded pathways, an informal part of nature and shady trees down below. Similar to what it is today. Shaun Walsh 17:58.404
We're just looking at an excerpt from the plan but you can see that the wider part gracefully weaves through the existing trees and all the activity areas such as the jetties and the boats. And then off those paths are new shelters which are frequently accessible by pass. Allow we have disabled access to those areas. But you know, it's almost like taking the existing character to the foreshore but applying a new lens on it in terms of looking to the future to provide safer, higher amenity, better that, you know, really intersecting the character of the existing layout of the parkway. This shows just sort of, you know, one of the areas we just wanted to point out is that we know people love celebrating this particular space, you know, with the lawns probably down to the river, and we just wanted to point out that this is the aim is to retain those sorts of character in those areas, perhaps with, you know, in this case, the water park, and, you know, some, you know, shelters which capture character of the existing ones, but obviously replacing them with the age of the Tewantin. Frank Wilkie 19:09.050
In summary, Dean Arnold 19:11.075
Extensive foreshore improvements of new and upgraded park features and elements have been undertaken. For over a century. Council has a hand in facilitating improvements and upgrades across the foreshore which has helped to make it the beautiful place it is. Shaun Walsh 19:30.206
I just want to know that, you know, part of the success of this is, in particular, infrastructure to access the clinical incident which has provided the pathway that we've been on the shoulders of all the retaining walls. And that's why we love it. But it's time to refresh that because it's the age of that infrastructure and set a common direction for the community in kansas. Dean Arnold 19:48.284
And then at the end of history, we want to embrace and introduce cultural walks and really celebrate that heritage of the local culture. So Your Say, another opportunity. So Have Your Say goes live from the 15th of November to the 15th of December, just over four weeks. Our ongoing meetings with key stakeholders and partners will continue. Video and fact sheets, community releases will also be out in public. We intend to undertake four short pop-ups, walking tour, coffee, chats with the community. We have project flyers and corflute boards to go down and help inform so the community really understands what we're proposing. We also have radio, newspaper and social media posts. Once the feedback is from the Your Say, we will again revise and re-present for a further review and endorsement of the whole initiative. Frank Wilkie 20:42.373
Received the thank you. Dan, thank you Shaun. Sean. Any questions Councillors? Nicola Wilson 21:01.430
The last draft that went out was the 80% complete draft what percentage would you say this latest revised draft is? Shaun Walsh 21:09.984
Well, 80% complete draft is a technical term used in the architectural landscape of architecture in our world, so it was probably inappropriate to use that reference. Um because it certainly led to a lot of confusion um the next version will be as complete as it needs to be, you know, to satisfy Council and community, you know, views. So that's probably a fair question. Of the content. If you just, you know, in terms of the volume of the master plan and the details behind it, is technically, you know, 80 percent, you know, complete. But this is what we've got at the beginning and I'm sure we've got at the end. What we're anticipating once we from the back community, you know, we'll revise the lines on the map, we'll revise the text on the document, you know, perhaps introduce some new ideas, but it should look about the same size as what we've got there at the moment. Thank you. Jessica Phillips 22:08.223
I just have a couple of questions in the detail, if that's all right. Just with the car parks, when we spoke about car park being one of the topics of the community board in that last round, in this document it looks like near O Boat, just near the tennis courts, that. We're in a Special Meeting, so candidates should be standing in line. Very much. Thank you. Yes, all right. Thanks for the line. Yes, going in relation to the O Boat Hire car parking and transports, please. We spoke about 10 losses near the boat ramp. But in this image, it looks like there could be some loss in the little. Inlet near the O Boat Hire toilet walk transports. Can you just explain that to me any time? Dean Arnold 23:01.294
Yeah, sure. Yeah, we have to look at I at don't see that there is a loss there. What we wanted to do was provide for disability spots there next to the amenities. So that's kind of shown. Frank Wilkie 23:17.427
And also for those. That kind of commercial operation to continue. Dean Arnold 23:22.590
But we can review if there's any additional spots there that seem to be lost. Won't okay, Jessica Phillips 23:35.383
Thank you. Another question about the car parking on, just to give me some more information around the ones off the boat ramp. The. What I'm saying is to create a wider path for wheelchair access and things like that. Is there opportunity because of the trees that I can see are being planted, is there any way that there isn't loss of car park on that stretch where we're proposing that there's low white car parking? Dean Arnold 24:10.536
We had an extensive at the design of that particular area. We went through a whole regime of different layout changes. And how we could really, to the point where if we could move the boat ramp further it was just impractical and you only have a limited amount of space there and currently we've got, when you look at the width, we've got about 45 metres of asphalt to when you consider the road, the pathway the boat ramp. And so we did go through a range of scenarios to try to maintain those car parks, but if we want to respect our walking and cycling master plan and our primary footpath, you know, we needed to, something had to give, so it was the car parking, but Frank Wilkie 25:02.623
We felt we found we could Dean Arnold 25:03.985
Compromise with the scooter parks, because we know that providing those scooter parks, it means one less scooter taking up the car space as well, which is very efficient. Shaun Walsh 25:15.397
To add to that, Chair, the 3.5 m width is actually what's recommended by, you know, engineering standards, and we know we have significant problems with the conflicts between passing cyclists and family groups and the like, so having that 3 minutes.5mm width is not just for wheelchairs, it's for every user, to actually feel safe as they move around. And I think the trees are a really important element to making attractive for people to actually not walk through the program, you know, because that's creating delays in the program and also creating safety issues. So the more attractive we can make and save for that wide path, the more I we think that the conflict issues will be resolved and we'll be much more successful at that. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 26:04.949
I have a couple of questions. Relation to consultancy fees and perhaps questions to the CEO, I've got the report in front of me and I just wanted some clarity. So the cost of the first draft released in June was $336,305. Those costs were subsidised by a $100,000 grant. And then further down it says the redrafting of the plan following council's resolution in 18 July is budgeted for an additional $209,401. So can I ask is the total cost? What is that is actually the total cost. Shaun Walsh 26:49.088
That includes, yeah, it's both those sums added together. The $346,000 plus the $209,000 a second. So the thing I will note about that figure is that includes consultancy costs but also staff costs, and also the outgoing costs such as community engagement, which can be expensive, but they kind of add some behaviour in the long run. Because these type of costs are capitalised, which means that they are operating across the organisation. Next session. Virtually attributed to the overall asset program, and then depreciated over time, so they don't impact the part of the Council that they are operating under. Larry Sengstock 27:25.003
So the total cost is $545,706, and that includes the $100,000 that was subsidised by grant funding, so it would be the two figures, the $300,000 plus the $299,000. Amelia Lorentson 27:40.086
Calculations aren't correct, it's Shaun Walsh 27:44.143
Yeah, that seems to be correct. Amelia Lorentson 27:46.942
And just one further question to the CEO. How does Council fulfil their obligation to ensure that consultation fees are transparent and deliver value for money? Is there clear reporting structures? Have we. How can community understand or see that the fees are justified and are being allocated for the right purposes? For instance, we had a list before of all the engagement from pop-ups to media to. Fact sheets. Can community or even Councillors access those costs? It's in the report. Not the costs. I don't know. I couldn't find costs. Frank Wilkie 28:34.243
There are two figures in the report. You're referring to the. Those costs and title costs. Versus combined dose and total cost. Yeah. Okay. Sorry. Shaun Walsh 28:48.240
So I need to defer to transparency, you know, throughout the process and so all our work is of this nature are undertaken by a certain agency that goes through a tender process, so are those consultants in these various criteria, including price, quality, reputation, and the like? Those to recommendations, which comes through to CEA, and subject to significant scrutiny. They're also subject to, you know, council's yearly auditing processes to ensure they've undertaken the appropriate procurement. It is difficult sometimes to share exact costs of consultants because, you know, we're dealing sometimes with commercial confidence and the like, and not wanting to give, you know, competitors on the cost of the submitted, but I can assure Councillor that the consultants selected was actually at the bottom range of costs that were submitted as part of the tender process. Frank Wilkie 29:46.905
Thank you. Now, Councillors, I'll move the recommendation, which is to. The Council note the report by the Acting Director Infrastructure Services to the Special Meeting dated 6 November, and note the feedbacks received from previous community consultation on the Noosaville Foreshore infrastructure master plan has informed a significantly revised approach, and endorse the draft Noosaville. Foreshore infrastructure master plan for a final round of community consultation for the period 15th of November 2024 to 15th of December 2024. May I have a second please? Thank you Councillor Wegener. You. Councillors today through this motion we are acknowledging that community feedback has shaped a different draft master plan. We're also seeking to release this new draft for further community input. It's worth noting that we're also like the previous draft, can it contains only proposed ideas, not fixed outcomes for further community consideration and feedback. Community's views during this phase proposed to run from November 15 to December 15 will also guide what a final plan will look like. All Councillors and key staff remain committed to listening and finalising a plan that respects our community's connection with and love for the Noosaville Foreshore and it's earnestly hoped that our community will see their feedback reflected in this revised draft plan and that they feel it was a worthwhile process. Many of the received seek to significantly improve on the first draft. Such as the idea of leaving Pirate Park in its current location and including not replacing it with a natural play area. Like not replacing the tennis court but increasing public use of it by upgrading it over time into a multi-use court. Possibly also for basketball and pickleball. These were community ideas. On-road car parks are proposed to remain virtually unchanged. Instead of improving pedestrian safety through two separate footpaths the length of Gympie Terrace, which would have involved removing on-road parking in the narrower strip of parkland east of the Thomas Street boat ramp, it's been proposed to achieve a similar result by having one wider engineering compliant shared footpath in the narrow sections. The boating and fishing community are very strong on wanting the layout of the boat ramp to remain untouched and this has been proposed to stay as is. I must flag that in order to fit a wider, safer and shady path around the boat ramp in this narrow section, it's proposed to convert 10 car parks into 16 motorcycle or motor scooter parks. As motorbikes and scooters can legally take up a car space, it's hoped that locating more numerous smaller motorbike parks here will free up more spaces for cars elsewhere. And than if you see motorcycles as also motor vehicles, we have actually increased the number of parks for vehicles along the foreshore. As motorbikes and scooters. Sorry, I've done that. This draft makes it clear that views to the river will not be blocked by any raised banks as feared and that there will be gentle slopes planted with grass to the water's edge in well-used areas and low plantings. In other areas to beautify and help protect. Against erosion. The boardwalk proposed to be built over the rock wall at the eastern end of Gympie Terrace is now drafted to end at Howard Street and continue on through Howard Street instead of continuing along to William Street as originally drafted. This proposed shortening is in direct response to residents concerns about impacts on their amenity a proposed wider footpath between Howard and William Street is intended to enable safer and more inclusive pedestrian access if approved. On street parking in this section proposed is to be flipped to the other side of the road to allow this to occur. Along with the community members who took the time to respond I'd like to thank and commend all Councillors and the key staff who have not ceased working in good faith to our community and help shape this draft master plan when finalised it will enable Council to apply for the 10 million plus in external funding needed for the upkeep and improvement on this two kilometre long strip of parkland over the next 20 years so it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come despite predicted increases in storm intensity and frequency heavier public use and increased wear and tear on the infrastructure. Our collective commitment to listen and create an effective master plan that reflects the community's strong connection to the Noosaville Foreshore will continue long beyond this next phase of community consultation we encourage everyone to view the new revised draft please let us know what you think either by the Your Say portal online survey community at pop-ups by email phone call or contact your Councillors arrange to meet with us in person we'll be happy to meet with you face-to the Noosa community is rich in knowledge and good ideas and absolutely necessary to help us create a shared vision for the Noosaville Foreshore we can all be proud of thank any further questions or would like to speak to the motion? Karen Finzel 35:40.876
Thank you Through the Chair. I do thank you for the report today. Any respect from the person at the table. I just have a general, oh, my apologies. I general question relating to infrastructure in terms of power, coaxed cables in the interest of businesses and residents that live along there with regarding inundation flooding and things like that can give be a us an overview of how that will be managed in the future? Shaun Walsh 36:12.838
As we've always said in the master plan, this is the first stage, which is framework across the whole visual. Each of the precincts will be subject to detailed design. Sometimes we'll be in charge of that, sometimes we'll get to develop applications for them across the street. We'll need consider options. Infrastructure resilience is going to be a critical issue, you know, with that indian innovation, and I'm also conscious that we have some really ugly power poles and other infrastructure on there, so we'd be really keen to explore with other detailed design what improvements can be made to both the resilience of the infrastructure to stand with us and also see the amenity and we'd be happy to pursue discussions with any individual in any detail if they want us to pursue that in more detail. Jessica Phillips 36:56.348
Thank you I have another question around the inundation. When the modelling for the foreshore has been done, can I have information about the risk? Some to the North Shore given if we make changes to the foreshore? Shaun Walsh 37:22.939
Prefer to stay on so one of the ways of approach to the use of the foreshore is not fill it, you know, because an easy way to make the foreshore more resilient is to actually fill it, you know, create floor levels along the are for sure, but this plan doesn't propose that. It proposes to actually keep the natural levels as is, which means that, you know, it's going to be subject to innovation. The benefits of that is it prevents catchable and does not make the problem worse anywhere else. So it's sort of like an inherent design restraint by not fitting in it, that we're actually protecting the balances of this catchment from effects. X, but on a I'm happy to defer to Shaun who's got significant other side of these innovations. Dean Arnold 38:07.732
Yeah, I agree with shaun's comments, I agree with that. But the solutions that were proposed and modelled by our consultants, alluvium in this space, and more coastal engineering and flood engineers, show that the solutions that have been proposed in this master plan should not increase risks to other areas around the Noosa rest area, so that was considered as part of the multi-criteria assessment for options for. Resilience. Frank Wilkie 38:38.838
Thank you. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 38:38.838
Question, I'm not sure if it's possible to the CEO, or maybe the Director, Kim Rawlings. Question that was posed to me recently, why did the foreshore management plan take priority over the Destination Management Plan, and which one should it come first? And now that the foreshore management plan is in place, will the DMP need to be. Adjusted to align with its goals and priorities? Dean Arnold 39:18.469
I thought it was Larry Sengstock 39:20.374
A good question and Through the Chair, Kim Rawlings 39:22.902
Thank you for that question. It was, as Councillors will know, a difficult decision around how we would juggle these couple of really important projects. The feedback through the last consultation period the Noosaville portion of the master plan was far more than probably anticipated. So we regrouped as an organisation and Councillors were involved in those conversations to consider which projects need to proceed given that they all require consultation. We also have feedback from our community that they do not want multiple projects out there at the same time. Complex projects or that are of interest to more broader Shire and also potentially impact to the broader Shire. Projects, the Noosaville foreshore, which is incredibly significant and loved by everyone in the Shire. And so will the Destination Management Plan have that level of interest. So we had to make a call and given that there was a really high level of engagement. Were part way through, the collective decision was to proceed and finish this project which meant a delay to the DMP. Will absolutely consider all of the contemporary feedback from the community around range of issues. You know, issues that the DMP are considering, whether it's traffic, movement, access to important places or iconic places, are all issues that were considered or featured in the Noosaville Foreshore Master Plan. This is very contemporary information, very contemporary feedback from our community, which will be considered as part of the day DMP. To-day process. Absolutely. Thank you very much. Frank Wilkie 41:24.360
Now the Councillors wish to speak to the motion. Are there any more questions? Jessica Phillips 41:26.895
No, just a fix and clarification on the numbers that Councillor Lorentson has spoken on. The proposed final round of. Business amendment. Is this going to be a final round? I thought we were going again. But this consultation from the 15th of November to the 15th of December, is that included in the funding that's already been allocated? Dean Arnold 41:50.911
Yes, it is. Okay. Yeah. And this will be the final round of community consultation. Thank you. Very okay. Frank Wilkie 42:01.027
Yeah, the CEO will just speak to the motion. I'll wait. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 42:05.213
I'll speak to the motion. Okay. I'm genuinely pleased-- with the progress that we've made and I recognise that we're still not there yet. This final round of community consultation on the draft plan is a critical opportunity to ensure our community's input and accurately represented. So I encourage everyone to please let us know what matters most to you. Do you support the overwater structures? Would you like more information on what in fact are the boat ramp improvements? Do you agree with removing any car parking? Have we allocated enough disability parking? Should we clarify or give you more certainty around the slipway? And would you like forecast modelling on inundation additional details on our climate change response made clearer? So I want to thank the residents and the business owners and the members of the Noosa boat and fishing alliance who have already shared a lot of their feedback to us. Your input is invaluable. So please keep it coming. Consultation. And this is just my opinion, should be more than just community buying or having Your Say. In my view, consultation is about a partnership, between Council and the community. This process should be about respect, it should be about collaboration, and it should be about honouring the trust our community has placed in us. This is our plan, this is our and it's park, our investment. So again, please continue to share your thoughts. Remember that this is a draft, and we are open to your input and ready to amend and refine the plan based on your feedback. Finally, I'm deeply grateful to our community who throughout this term have guided us on the best ways to engage, reminding us of the importance of meaningful engagement, the importance of public participation, the importance of local knowledge, heritage and evidence-based decisions that truly reflect community values. Again I encourage our community to stay engaged, hold us accountable and help us understand how we can best listen to you. Finally I want to extend my gratitude to our dedicated staff who have honestly worked so hard on this final draft. Their hard work has been essential in reaching this stage and I'd like to acknowledge and thank you for that. We are all in this together. Staff, Councillors community. And I believe we are on the right path with valuable lessons learnt to guide us forward. Karen Finzel 45:13.800
Thank you. Yes, thank you. I'll be quick because I know there's a lot of things to firstly, big gratitude to our community that engaged really proactively in the space. It's wonderful to see this collaboration between community, staff and councillors. You know, community has a call for action. I think there has been a call to action. We've responded. I think what is good that we have proven leadership through ability, by our capability and capacity to be able to take on board the feedback from our community, which was taken on board, taken seriously and considered carefully. So I think we've come here to table, round the table today to show that we are responding and adapting to future challenges that face our community. Moving forward to listen to what people have to say and adapt to take on board and together we are stronger. I think this is a really good indication of this term that collectively how we have taken on board what everyone has said and together we've been able to work hard with everyone involved. Listen to your voices. And present back to community a draft that we understand is not fully completely exactly that everyone has specifically asked for but we have attempted it to the best of our ability engaging everyone's voices to come back to the table and together we can have look at this let us know if you've missed something if there's something significant that you would like to further contribute to Council is open for business we are outward facing and listening to our community and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has participated Frank Wilkie 47:08.163
To the table and together we can have anyone else who would like to speak to the motion? Jessica Phillips 47:15.605
I'll wait. Councillor Phillips. I'll be very brief firstly I also want to thank the committed staff who have listened to me and the other Councillors with my many questions in all the workshops so thank you you've shown patience and understanding and I do hope the community sees that you've listened and revised the plan to reflect maybe more closely to what they have asked for. This new draft it's certainly a big improvement on the first I'll give it that in fact I tried to put a mindset when I looked at it is if this was the first draft I was seeing rather than the what we've the year so I did try to put that lens on and fundamentally I kept coming back to a point that I wanted to raise that it's our responsibility to spend ratepayers' money wisely. So I do hope now we for final consultation if we do if this is endorsed and I hope that community have a say they've obviously voiced how this part of the Shire is near and dear to so many people if this is the final round and I do hope they take the time to give us every bit of detail so we get it right. Just going to end with something that I overheard when I was recently down river and it was someone that said oh Noosa it's at least 10 years behind Melbourne and in my mind I smirked and thought and I hope we always are. Frank Wilkie 49:03.632
Thank you, Councillor Phillips. Okay, I've got a white your Nicola Wilson 49:13.952
Report and all your work on this plan. I'll start with the importance of community consultation, sorry about my croaky voice, both the process to date and the next round coming up. I was first aware wear of out the plan about six weeks into my term on Council so it wasn't really across the process that had led to the draft that was published in May this year other than the initial engagement in 2023 that said don't change it, we love it the way it is, fix the broken bits and add some more toilets. So personally I wasn't surprised at the content and volume of the feedback that we received in June, particularly around parking. Our most accessible, safe, flat place to walk, gather and play. My interpretation of community sentiment based on that was we're at point A, we need to make a few tweaks and get to point B. But the draft released in May I think took us somewhere else so let's call it point T. I think this latest draft now takes us back to point B or maybe C. And main positives that the community has expressed so far are really the parts that put us back to where we started with the parking the tennis court and Pirate Park. But the process we've taken in getting back there has been very thorough and I commend the staff and the consultants for their tireless work over these last few months to gather feedback, talk to stakeholders, rework the draft plan, brief councillors and present options in multiple workshops but I do believe that those workshops may be focused on those key themes that we saw in the report and possibly missed some of the other feedback that was expressed as well. I did express my concerns along the timing of this process and felt we were rushing towards a deadline so that this final round of engagement could happen before the end of the year. I also thought that the amount of feedback and depth of issues deserved a longer time to work through and make the changes really clear. However with my finance we also had to balance the cost of undertaking further work not just in the additional fees paid to consultants as we've heard about but the many workforce hours for Council staff and executives as well as Councillors. It's my understanding this wasn't necessarily a priority plan at the start but it's taken priority this last few months to the detriment of other important work. So we need to ensure we get value for money for all of that work in arriving at the next final draft. At this stage this document doesn't feel like a master plan to me but rather a step change of the last draft to this draft. A summary of the feedback, some clarification of proposed changes and that are not necessarily that clear in the drawings. If we move into this final round of consultation, I ask the community to please make sure you use it. Go to the pop-ups, go to the have chats with Councillors, ask questions. This latest draft is deliberately shorter and easier to digest. The drawings are abstract and there's much less detail. So if you wanted to compare the two drafts side-by side, you'd see there are gaps. So if there's a specific item that you had strong feelings about, it may not be clear whether it's still included in the latest draft plan, so please add some. I still have concerns about the cost to go from A to B via T. I'm pleased that this latest draft reflects what the community has asked for on some key issues, but think there are some more issues to Resolve before this can be a plan we can all call our own. So I do want to reiterate that this is still a draft. It's not perfect or finished. The community can continue to give feedback, suggest changes and ask questions over the next month. The master plan is a vision for the foreshore over 20 years and there will be plenty of opportunity to get involved in the detailed plans as each project is funded and designed over the years. Nothing will change immediately. This process has been an important lesson in engaging community along the way and checking in before decision points and major cost expenditures so that we go from point A to B without diversions. When we solve problems together, we can find the best solution. Frank Wilkie 53:23.892
Thank you, Councillor Wilson. Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 53:27.299
And perhaps the motion most important point in this revised plan is the vision, because it's a 20-year vision. I think if I was to ask the community to think about one thing when they this vision is don't think about yourself. About the families in 20 years' time and I'll use an analogy from bits a bit further east. Lot of people, when we had the first round, say don't change anything, and I'll give you the analogy of going out for surfing and get caught in a riptide. If you don't do anything, you're taken to a place where you don't want to be. And the riptide equivalent for the Noosaville foreshore are the challenges that are outlined in this plan. The challenges of foreshore erosion, of foreshore inundation, of the pedestrian experiences, of ageing stormwater infrastructure, of increased heat and the discomfort it will bring, of the loss of habitat and biodiversity. This is one of the most loved recreational assets of this Shire that I've enjoyed every part of for 40 years or more. Every different thing from walking, running even, playing tennis. Launching boats, teaching kids to fish in the playground. Every stage of life is catered for along this foreshore and as we've heard it's a very narrow green strip between the river and a large area that is dedicated to cars. I think this plan has addressed a lot of issues and refined the design. There are key things that will happen in 20 years so the first draft did actually have high amounts to give more resilience to rising sea level and we know in our chat we said what's going happen to in 40 years time in 2040 that's in the vision this time. And we know that's now considered to be a very conservative estimate. So some of this ageing stormwater in its life, if we don't do anything to address it, might more often be used to take river water into the street than stormwater out of the street and into the river. These are the things that people have to think about. The long term. Think about that in 20 years time, does it? Want to enjoy the experience that your family's had over the last 20 years and what we need to do progressively to maintain that experience. Frank Wilkie 56:04.942
Thank you Councillor Stockwell. Can the Councillors speak? I'll waive my right to speak as everyone's presented a great diversity of views around the table. Put it to the vote that is in favour. That's Councillor Lorentson, Councillor Stockwell, Councillor Wegener, Councillor Finzel, Councillor Wilkie. Against? Releasing it to public community consultation is Councillor Phillips, Councillor Wilson. That's carried. That is the final item. There's no confidential matters. I declare the meeting closed. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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