Services & Organisation Committee Agenda, 10 June 2025
Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025 at 1:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin, QLD 4565, Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:47:04
Synopsis: Lease Renewal approved 5+5 under s236, Foreshore Masterplan referred, Revised design: parking cuts, 3.5m path, Funding/Data grants, QCoast2100, Operational Plan delays/KPI gains, Hinterland outreach.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Karen Finzel Jessica Phillips Nicola Wilson Frank Wilkie Non-Committee Members
Tom Wegener Amelia Lorentson Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Strategy And Environment Kim Rawlings Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Meeting Transcript
Karen Finzel 00:00.160
Good afternoon and welcome to the Noosa Council Services & Organisation Committee Meeting noting the time is 1:30pm. On Tuesday the 10th of June 2025 I know we have all Councillors present at the table good afternoon and welcome to Councillor Wilson Councillor Wilkie and Councillor Phillips who's online and I know we have in the gallery Councillor Tom Wegener. Before we start I would like to proudly acknowledge and pay my respect to the Australia's First Nations people and their deep and abiding connection to this country we recognise the Kabi Kabi people as the tradition owners of the lands and waters of the Noosa area and we offer gratitude for their careful custodianship of this unique environment over thousands of years moving on to where are we up to confirmation of minutes thank you do we have a mover I'm moving Madam Chair do we have a seconder for that our second thank you does anyone want to make a comment regarding the Minutes not regarding the Minutes fantastic thank you we'll to the vote all in favour yes unanimous thank you Councillor Phillips online I was going to say that's a very lovely jacket you're wearing Madam Chair thank you Mr Mayor that's the comment I like want to make. Thank you. Seconded. Fantastic okay we'll bring the meeting back to focus um we have no presentations no deputations and we come to item reporting. Seven Reports for consideration of the Committee firstly we're starting with item seven point one Sunrise Shops for revised lease renewal we welcome the staff to the table good afternoon Robyn and would you give us a brief overview please. Robyn Mercer 02:06.865
Sure good afternoon all the report in front of you today is seeking a revision to a prior lease approval for shop floor at Sunrise Shops in April 2020 2025 so two months ago a report came before you to renew the lease to Sunrise Dental for a cumulative period of nine years which was a five-year base option and then two-year options subsequent to that the tenant has been advised that in order to achieve the finance they're seeking to upgrade their equipment and do shop front renewals they will need a period a cumulative period of ten years and so what we're seeking today is for the same conditions except for the lease period to be a base period of five years and then a five-year option the recommendation is to move forward with that the tenant is a great tenant they provide a strong community service and this a longer period by one year will provide them with the opportunity to invest in equipment and the shop front which is better overall for the community and for the precinct. Frank Wilkie 03:15.378
Thank you well any questions? I'm happy to move it Madam Chair. To second. Yes do you want to make a comment? Yes no I agree with the comments made by the officer. This tenant is it's recognition of this that we have a we're lucky enough to have a responsible tenant who provides a very valuable community health service and happy to assist them in this regard. Karen Finzel 03:42.588
Alright, all thank you. Thanks for the report and as always very thorough and the information certainly will present both today and in the report. Thank you. Very much. Thank you Robyn. You. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? That's none. Yes. No. No. Thank you. Now we're moving to item 7.2, to the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan. Before we start I'd just like to say that there has been a request from two Councillors to move this to directly to general given the significance of the matter. However, we we'll welcome staff to the table now to provide us a quick overview of the matter. Shaun Walsh 04:28.298
Thank you Chair. You might note that project manager Dean Arnold is in attendance. He's on extended overseas leave. So Aidan and I are a second poor substitute for Dean's work. Supported by Cheyenne. So he was very happy for us to present it to this meeting. So thank you. Noosaville Foreshore is a beautiful and popular location for residents and visitors. Noosaville it's where the Coast and the suburbs and the hinterland come together and our people promenade, launch boats, stroll, picnic and swim and enjoy each other's company against a stunning backdrop of the river and the hinterland. However, it's experiencing challenges from ageing infrastructure, tidal inundation, river flooding, erosion, as well as increasing visitors. The infrastructure master planning process that we've undertaken over the last two years has been very important to establish a shared vision for the space with our community. So we ensure required infrastructure replacement meets the mark and meets climate challenges. A master plan is also fundamental to attract funding from the student state and Federal governments as a sign investment of broad community support. And student for their valuable funds. The first iteration of the draft plan that was released in 2024 didn't get it right the design approach was too overly modern and the community had no appetite to relocate car parking spaces to liberate valuable green space and better cycling lanes. However the second iteration of the plan that we're receiving today has met community expectations with a softer more responsive design embracing Noosa character that also provides sound direction for infrastructure replacement key focus for the finalisation of this draft plan has been significant community engagement including many one-on conversations pop-up meetings as well as display on councils website and media channels that has indicated significant community support for this modified approach. I'll hand over to ayn to just to briefly touch on infrastructure and then over to shayan to talk about climate resilience. Aidan 06:25.612
So the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan provides a clear direction for asset renewal in the future. It will allow Council to strategically renew infrastructure such as pathways, playgrounds and remodelling walls in line with the 20-year vision for that area. Council has successfully received grant funding for projects such as the Changing Places facility in Cooroy Park based on the Noosaville Foreshore Master Plan information which is 100% funded through SCQ CSP grant funding at a value of approximately $1.8 million. There's, um, Council is currently applied for additional renewal projects. Through grant funding sources such as the revetment wall through DRFA funding which will be 50/50 funded by Council and state government. Council are currently invested in other grant opportunities such as Growing Regions for Pirates Playground and other playgrounds along the foreshore. Cheyenne 07:33.812
Thanks Shaun, thank you Councillors. So with regard to foreshore resilience we were successful in receiving 100 of grant funding from the State government and LGAQ to undertake a study on foreshore resilience options to the QCoast2100 program and that study has been integrated into the Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan. The project set out to address three primary challenges: foreshore erosion, foreshore inundation due to sea level rise, and extreme heat which are projected to increase in the future due to climate change. We work with expert river catchment consultants and partnered with the University of the Sunshine Coast to solutions that complement and enhance the existing Noosa-wide natural character, improving ecological and environmental sustainability of the foreshore at the same time as improving resilience to growing risks. Through the project we deployed micro microclimate climate sensors on the foreshore, undertook urban heat island modelling, analysed the existing site context and projected impacts, assessed nature-based foreshore and shoreline options through a multi-criteria analysis, developed a 2D foreshore model, developed concept designs that can be taken forward for future detailed design projects. This has led to a set of design responses that are in keeping with the natural Noosa look and feel by using nature-based solutions, cool refuge areas with large shade trees and cool-intrusive breezes, and non-intrusive innovative and living foreshores to ensure the future resilience of this critical community space to tidal inundation, heat waves and erosion in the future. Thank you. Shaun Walsh 09:04.711
Thanks, Cheyenne. That's the end of our introduction. We just want to thank the community for their diligent submissions and conversations to ensure we get this draft plan right. Thank you. Karen Finzel 09:14.015
Thank you, thank you all. Given the significance of the matter and the amount of community engagement, I do acknowledge the work of all stakeholders. Including our community engagement, our staff, and everyone who's been on the journey. We all understand it's been a very complex and tumultuous journey, but we've arrived here, which is absolutely fantastic. So, I'm going to move the motion that, due to the significance of the matter, we take this to the General Committee. Frank Wilkie 09:45.861
May I be seconded, Madam Chair? Karen Finzel 09:47.503
May the Councillors ask any questions first? Frank Wilkie 09:50.547
Well, once it's been moved and seconded, you're still free to ask questions. Yes. Of course. Would you like to? You need to speak first to the motion. Karen Finzel 09:59.720
Yes. Which is that it. Frank Wilkie 10:01.301
Be moved to the general. Karen Finzel 10:02.402
Yes. I've spoken to the motion the other way. But anyway, I'm moving it due to the significance of the matter. That has been a request that's come through from Councillors. And I feel that like to give it its due time for questioning by all Councillors around the table. I think it is prudent that we move it directly to the general. However, if you have a Councillor at the table that would like to ask a few questions today, you are more than welcome to do so. I'll start with a quick one. Could you just talk us through the process? From kind of what a master plan level of detail represents compared to the more detailed planning that might come further down the track and particularly thinking about it being a 20-year vision and things obviously will change within that 20 years so how locked in are we to certain aspects of the plan at the moment and how might things sort of over time? Shaun Walsh 10:56.390
In a master plan the words are actually more fundamentally important than the actual you know visuals and the graphics so about the principles that you apply so and that's a lot of visuals and concepts sort of at the front end of the document so they're the overriding overarching things that will apply and then you know as we have funding available for each section of the foreshore we'll actually reinterpret what visually what's relevant to the community because we'll be doing a much more detailed design exercise with Councillors with the community with the internal stakeholders and also approval authorities so that things will be tweaked and changed and we'll also be able to take on new information sometimes there's also stakeholders who have specific requests which might emerge you know later in the process in two or three years times and it gives them an opportunity to actually look at it again so you know if you think about some of the master plans Council's done in the past the coyloa mill site master plan was a series of visual graphics that the on-ground realisation is very very successful in the love it but it looks quite different so because the words are what's important in the overall master plan. Karen Finzel 12:00.269
Thank you just a question I'm coming off the back of it so this really is about Councillors ratifying a draft and giving community another opportunity to have their say is that. Shaun Walsh 12:12.461
No no this is actually proposing to finalise the master plan this is endorsing um the you know the changes that we've made to the document um and noting that we've had a series of workshops with the Councillors to go through the changes to the document so this is the end of the engagement process for this draft master plan but I just wanted to note that of course if we start a design process for Pirates Playground for instance we'll need to do detailed community consultation for that part of it yeah thank you Councillor. Karen Finzel 12:41.437
Councillor Phillips do you have any questions. Jessica Phillips 12:46.863
I do have a few um but because it's gone to general thank you I will um probably Sean I just didn't have time to get some of them to you so maybe just today I'll ask a couple and then I'll send them through just to um to be ready for um the General Committee please the first question is probably to Cheyenne to get some more information about the microclimate sensors that we used and I just wanted to know um how they were validated with Maltese. With multi-seasonal or multi-year data or was it a trial that was done for a certain period of time do you think you could just expand on how um that particular um part of the report is done. Cheyenne 13:32.175
Thank you yeah just I can I could probably take on the technical details of that one on notice and get back to you but we deployed around 14 microclimate sensors we had them around a year which was you know enough to set up the existing conditions for the ENVI-met model that University of the Sunshine Coast ran for us it's a model an urban microclimate model and a urban heat island model that's widely used in planning urban development planning and climate adaptation I relied on University of the Sunshine Coast basks lab to provide the expertise around whether that data was sufficient to calibrate that model which they said it was so but I can get you further details on that and take the rest of that notice for sure. Jessica Phillips 14:19.577
That would be wonderful because I guess the other thing that know is um community of us is probably just more around the baseline like if you're if the um if the data shows something today what was the baseline that referred to so happy for that to be on notice and that didn't come through before today my next question just in relation to it refers to a couple of policies from Council that has helped form the master plan in particular the CHAP which I was just wondering given that my understanding is that there's an accelerated pace of climate science that's in most recently some changes we've had cyclone or tropical Cyclone Alfred so we've had some extreme weather events but how do we use a 2021 document when to influence a 20-year master plan? Shaun Walsh 15:27.251
So um but primarily the casual has updation plan and also the supporting mapping actually forecast impacts over you know 2040 2070 2100 so it actually does forecast the future so um and that's a very astute part of that plan and that those mapping layers are all publicly available on Council's mapping system for the community to understand those impacts um so that's been embraced in the infrastructure master plan. Shaun did you want to say anything additional? Cheyenne 15:56.140
No that's yeah Shaun's covered it I mean we use those projections which is based on the best available science and evidence um to inform the design we implement in this plan so the plan is taking into consideration the growing future risks and making sure that we don't take an action that will increase and exacerbate that risk into the future. Jessica Phillips 16:19.458
Okay and because this is yeah probably not my area definitely not my area of expertise when they look at projects at projections 2040, 2070 do they look at the worst case scenario or do they somehow you know it's even and out or towards the middle? How do they predict those projections? Cheyenne 16:45.486
Number there's a number of components that go into the projections for sea level rise but we followed the Queensland state government technical guidelines on which sea level to use for those different time periods as well as a number of other factors that localise the impacts so yeah we follow state technical guidelines and the 0.8 metres of sea level rise by 2100 is not the worst case scenario. Shaun Walsh 17:11.834
I think it's based on a moderate or middle range scenario from our recollection Cheyenne is that correct? Cheyenne 17:17.344
It's the middle range of the RCP 8.5 which is a higher emission scenario for 2100 but science and the six assessment report by the IPCC increases that range a little bit. Jessica Phillips 17:32.863
Thank you. Another couple of questions I'm just um I just wanted to specifically since car parking was an issue and I do also want to thank you because you can tell this master plan is certainly from the last year come back at a lesser scale which is what community really wanted and keeping the tennis court and things that were really valuable to so many people and we saw that through that process so thank you for acknowledging that but just specifically on car parks then can you tell me the total lot net loss of the car parking spaces across the entire master plan didn't. Shaun Walsh 18:17.472
You want to give the summary of the number of spaces at Noosaville Foreshore and how many are lost? Aidan 18:22.451
Yeah so along Noosaville Foreshore there's approximately 404 car park spaces adjacent to the boat ramp which is I think where this question might be directed. There's 14 existing car parking spaces based on this plan where the footpath will be widened to three and a half metres to provide safe access past the boat ramp the projected car parks would be four car parks and 18 motorcycle spaces so that would be a loss of 10 car parks so from 14 to 4 but the addition of 18 motorbike or scooter parks and a three and a half metre wide pathway inclusion. Jessica Phillips 19:09.879
Okay thank you I noted down further towards um the maso between maso and Jetty 17 I think it is in that um area there was also a car park loss um right near opposite depot there that um from their plan it looks like the ones that are parallel um have been um taken out as well could you just confirm that or am. Shaun Walsh 19:36.496
I looking is that adjacent to the Massoud's Slipway is that what you're referring to. Jessica Phillips 19:40.900
Yeah so there's that section in I want to call it like a dual area where there's car parking. Shaun Walsh 19:47.531
In inside and then. Jessica Phillips 19:49.133
I know that there's also car parks out have you just switched that around or can you just explain that to me better. Shaun Walsh 19:54.479
So um feedback from Massoud's Slipway is that they would like to appreciate to have greater landscape buffer from the pathway to their slipway to maintain safety which is also fundamental this in the Massoud's Slipway is living heritage as part of the river and it's a great place to stop and watch so their concerns are legitimate so the suggestion in the master plan is to actually rather than having internal you know driveway servicing car parking spaces adjacent to Massoud's Slipway is to actually put those car parking spaces directly accessed off the street so in terms of a different configuration to actually provide room for the pathway and a landscape buffer the initial indications from the consultants are that it's at no net loss of car parking spaces so whilst it's a different configuration it's a lot safer after the slipway and also allows us to achieve the wider cycle path in that local wider side pathway in that location thanks. Jessica Phillips 20:51.812
For clarifying that and in relation then that sort of flows onto my next question around the 3.5 metre pathway can I get the minimum width required to meet TMR accessibility standards. Shaun Walsh 21:09.786
You want to answer that Aidan? Aidan 21:11.153
Yeah so I can probably take that under notice to come back with the exact but I notice to come back with the exact but I think for accessibility I'm pretty sure think for accessibility I'm pretty sure it's 1.2 metres wide for a pathway the metres wide for a pathway the 3.5 metres is based on the this walking and cycling 3.5 strategy metres is based and on hierarchy the and this walking and the cycling strategy and the hierarchy for pathways so this is a coastal pathways it's a I think it's primary recreational corridor so the 3.5 metre is a desirable commitment with for our pathway for shared use and I with for shared think it's. Shaun Walsh 21:46.398
Important to reflect and this recommendation from staff is that we have a significant pedestrian and cyclist conflict with the driveways to the boat ramp and that's actually interfering with efficient use of the boat ramp so you know and the best mechanism to actually encourage pedestrians and cyclists to actually go around the traffic areas of the boat ramp is to provide a wide comfortable path that they feel naturally use and the current pathway between the roadway and the boat ramp is not comfortable nor wide enough, so people naturally spill across and use the driveway areas of the boat ramp. So I think, you know, if we're interested in trying how to reconcile these competing uses and efficient use and safe use of the boat ramp. Also need to provide a much wider, more comfortable and enjoyable shared path adjacent to it and that's the reason why the staff have recommended, you know, a wide path in that location to achieve that outcome. Aidan 22:44.999
For grant funding for, but to obtain to grant funding on the Principal Cycle Network through TMR, we find it extremely difficult to get relaxations to 2.5 metre width. So generally, they'll want to see 3 metres or above. Cheyenne 23:03.415
And Councillor, it's probably important to just note that the microclimate sensor analysis showed that the boat ramp is the hottest part of the foreshore, so having vegetated shade path along that boat ramp edge is really important. Jessica Phillips 23:20.585
Okay, thank you. Just, I will, like I said, I'll email through, so then I'm not, there was just one more that I had, please. There was some feedback, again, that the plan, the original plan was, that it was, you know, too large and intense, but it's been down. Downscaled, which is appreciated by so many, but there's, was talk about, in feedback, that people wanted minimal intervention, and so I guess, specifically, I wanted to talk about the overwater promenades, and just wondering how that fits in with the minimal intervention, because I think there's still some feedback that it may still be too much. Shaun Walsh 24:09.193
I'll review the submissions in detail over that specific point, but can't recollect anything particularly adverse coming in through the submissions about the overwater boardwalk in that location at the eastern end of east foreshore. It noted that we had significantly downsized that area, and the feedback we'd received previously is that the previous boardwalk in that location was too much of an attraction, and the residents wanted it to be a lot more low-key, so it served as a comfortable place to move through and enhance the viewing scape, that location, but not act as an attractor. We do also note that area is incredibly unattractive with the rock wall in that location and provides the narrowest footpath of any location. We also know it's a popular place for people of less abilities to gather because it's actually got the best vantage point of both the river mouth and to the hinterland of the mountains. So we think on balance we've achieved a really good outcome that makes the area more attractive. It's fairly low key in its approach and will be very useful. For the people who enjoy it the most. But in preparation for the General Committee I'll pull out any feedback that we've got specifically about the extent of that reduced boardwalk and that location. Jessica Phillips 25:24.005
Thank you Shaun, I appreciate that and maybe just I'll notice that there'll be a question around the Chaplin Park or to the other side then because there's on the plan it looks like there's proposed boardwalk along there. As well so I just wanted to touch on that. Shaun Walsh 25:41.557
Yeah I think it's proposed to be an elevated walkway that could be both an earth structure or a boardwalk and that is to do with usability during tidal inundation. At Chaplin Park is at the most risk from frequent tidal inundation and ensure it's usable for users. You know the idea of an elevated walkway is probably imperative. It's a technique that's used by for instance Brisbane City Council throughout the Boondall Wetlands so that they can maintain usability through tidal inundation. Jessica Phillips 26:13.479
Okay thank you and just one last question then. I'm circling back to the wider pathways. I just think of what the foreshore looks like now you know what everyone loves about it and I wondered if there's been you know a visual impact assessment done on how the wider pathway may actually alter the character of the place. Shaun Walsh 26:40.180
Well I think at a primary level I think the erosion paths you're seeing in dirt you're seeing either side of the existing pathway significantly degrade the overall you know visual amenity of the place and I think that when we go to actually do the detailed design for the pathway those sorts of parameters will need to be have a lot more detail about what trees you know winding the path in and around the trees you know improving the amount of landscaping and soft lawn areas and the like so you know I say honestly there hasn't been a detailed visual impact assessment but I think also the moment you'd actually get a fairly poor outcome from the infrastructure that's in the Noosaville Foreshore due to this level of degradation and disrepair. Jessica Phillips 27:29.909
Thank you I don't have any further questions until Monday but I'll get them to you beforehand thanks. Karen Finzel 27:35.385
Thank you Councillor Phillips is you there any questions from the gallery I know Councillor Lorentson has walked into the room do you have any questions? No, I'm going to wait until Monday. Fantastic all right Thank you. To the staff thank you for taking the questions and we look forward to hearing further. Frank Wilkie 28:01.082
Thank you I'll exercise my right to speak I'd like to reiterate the Chair Madam Chair's words there's been a lot of work done in this is it's a vastly improved redesign it's great I'm just listening to your feedback to the questions it's good to take a broader view broader perspective on what's happening in the entire precinct in regards to car parking the need for wider shared pathways and the fact that it is a 20-year plan where we know that demand for access to this area what the number of people wanting to use it walking on these paths is going to increase the number of runners on the paths are going to increase number of people on e-bikes going to increase and the people in wheelchairs are going to increase so we need to accommodate that over the next 20 years and I understand fully why you're going to a 3.5 metre shared pathway. Also I note that in a lot of the area on the foreshore there's two pathways but and on the northern side of the boat ramp where there is one pathway of verge either side of the pathway. The boat ramp really is a pinch point whereas anywhere else you can step off the path if people on e-bikes are coming towards you around the boat ramp. If you step off the path to accommodate people on bicycles or wheelchairs or anything you're stepping either onto the roadway or into the car park of the boat ramp. So I fully understand the reasons why it's recommended we have a wider shared pathway in that location. It's not being done for any ideological reasons. Being done for very pragmatic inclusive and accessibility reasons. And as we mentioned there will be more discussion about this one at the general on Monday and thank you very much for your factual answers today and the work you've done today. Shaun Walsh 30:01.358
Okay we can cancel this. Karen Finzel 30:04.578
We're going to take it to the vote. So we it forward, all in favour? To Councillor Jess? Yes. Thank you, anas. Along to reports for noting by the committee. We're down to item 8.1, the operational plan 2022/25, Q3 quarterly reporting. We welcome staff to the table. Good afternoon. Jonci Wolff 30:34.307
Good afternoon Councillors. Mr. Johnsey. Karen Finzel 30:36.510
We're moving along to reports for would you like to give us a brief overview of the report please. Jonci Wolff 30:42.591
Yes. This report, as you said, is for noting. It provides a progress update for Council's current operational plan for the year 2024/25. The annual operational plan is a key component of in-Council strategic planning framework and the initiatives that contained in the operational plan are designed to fulfil the objectives of Council's five-year Corporate Plan 23 to 28. The Local Government Regulation prescribes that a quarterly progress update is provided to Council and this report provides the third quarter update of the current operational plan. In summary, so you will be aware by now after two updates provided already that there are 107 initiatives in our operational plan. Of these 107 initiatives, 81 initiatives are. Expected to be completed as scheduled within this financial year. I should also note that as we speak about the third quarter update, it's really the timeframe from the 1st of January to the 31st of March. There's been a slight delay this to you because we've rolled out the reporting system across Council as well in which the initiatives are reported on and the report is basically put in your spot. So of those 81 A2One initiatives A to 1 initiatives, roughly 76% that are expected to be completed, notable achievements in the third quarter where the Community Grants Policy, the Compliance and Enforcement Policy, the Pomona Place Plan, the Public Art Policy, housing monitoring program and the NAC. Upgrade plans were quite significant pieces of work that were completed in the third quarter. 18 initiatives or roughly 17% are experiencing minor disruptions, however these are anticipated. To be finalised over the coming months. It can be due to adverse weather conditions, resource limitations, or also increased community interest, which we for example had for the development of the Noosa Botanic Gardens Master Plan, so so we do expect these two to be finalised. Within the next few months. However there's also eight initiatives, or roughly seven percent, that are experiencing major disruptions. One of them is the new Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Master Plan. It's quite nice to hear that this is part of this meeting round. So while there has been a major disruption, these items are still progressing and will come to completion. And the reason for this disruption was that, as you well remember, there was significant community feedback that had to be considered and the plan had to be reshaped in response to that. Those increased time requirements in itself caused delays to other initiatives, major strategies, including the Noosa River Catchment Management Plan and the Destination Management Plan. But these are, again, scheduled. Then for, to be further progressed and incorporate in the new operation plan, '25, '26, and completions anticipate within that timeframe then. There's also one notable item is the community strategy which has experienced major disruption. This is due to a resource limitation. Then the report also provides an overview of key operational performance indicators which the performance indicators is consistent with previous quarters and so there's with potential effects of the protected industrial action to be visible maybe in the next quarter which then covers. 1st of April until the end of the financial year but it's not visible and we don't know what shape they may become visible in those key performance indicators. Overall, it's a very good progress on the operational plan and with the majority of items anticipated to be completed in this financial year. Karen Finzel 35:37.827
That's sums it up. You. Thank you for your summary. Do we have any questions? Frank Wilkie 35:48.222
Maybe a question for Larry or Nancy. The operational plan reflects bite-sized chunks of our actions under the Corporate Plan. 2023 to 2028, we're halfway through that. How are we tracking in regards to the objectives of our Corporate Plan as reported in our operational plans. Larry Sengstock 36:10.674
Over that five year period? The so yeah, actions the bite-sized operations plan of is under an annual the plan but it reflects the objectives and ambitions of the Corporate Plan for five years so we're halfway through. It's safe to say that our Corporate Plan is a very ambitious Corporate Plan, very broad, takes in a whole lot and that's part of what we do here at Noosa. We like to try to do as much as we possibly can to cater for as many different wants and needs of our community. We are tracking exceptionally well I've got to say. We'll be bringing a report to Council in a briefing session very soon to just give you a better oversight of that oversight of that over the longer term if you like whereas this is just the annual report the quarterly report of an annual report but we'll be bringing that to you but we the executive actually reflected on that couple of months ago and um and actually um you know sometimes you put your head down and you don't take time to step back and see exactly what we've done and I think that um we're achieving some really really great things as a, I say, very ambitious point of view. Very ambitious five-year plan so we'll be happy to bring that to you in the near future. Karen Finzel 37:27.239
The press thank you. Anything further? Frank Wilkie 37:32.581
Just looking at the KPIs for staff turnover rate and it's um for mark March is dramatically under the 2022-23 figure consistent with the 2021 figure um y under 21 22 a little bit above 23 24 for March so it looks things seem to be stabilising in terms of staff turnover as opposed to a high in 21 22 which looks like it was encoded when the rate looks really according to this graph spiraled up to 37 in June 21 22 so what's your observations of what's happening with the employment market um. Larry Sengstock 38:21.277
Look we're subject like every organisation to the ebbs and flows of the market and people's Wills but I think um the 21 22 was the end of COVID when people sort of had been locked down and then it was time to look to move on so there was quite a bit of movement there and it was the period of the great resignation um but um I think we've worked very hard to um to reclaim that and work with the organisation in terms of trying to provide a good workplace a stable workforce. Work workforce again we're still subject to ebbs and flows and people moving around and sometimes we're subject to our own success you know we bring people in we train them up we give them some skills and then they get coached or they move on to bigger and better things so we've kept the walk, you know, accepting of that but there's no doubt we need to continue to work on maintaining our workforce but we'll see in the future budgets we're working hard on our training of our staff and making sure the staff that we have here are either kept or enticed to come here through our good workplace and somewhere where they can actually develop their skills and utilise those skills. Frank Wilkie 39:47.408
Last year we were hearing from staff that they were having difficulty attracting applicants of various positions. Now, anecdotally, I'm hearing from the same staff that there's a lot of applicants here for positions. Is this okay. Larry Sengstock 40:02.874
Any other discussion? That's my observation as well. It has changed quite a bit. In some of the areas where we're now selecting or going out to the market, we're finding that there's a lot more people looking for roles. Which is great, so we get a better choice. However, in some of the areas it's still very tight, there's no project management, there's still so much work going on outside of our Council. To get people in those areas in our and their plans. Planning areas. Some of the areas are still very tight. Some of the other areas have released them a bit. Relationship between them and that's state their finance is absolutely it's mind.org community where we've struggled to fill our positions. But again, it's in flows. But know, of the areas have really opened up. And that's been a good sign for us. Yes. Frank Wilkie 40:51.233
Thank you. Madam Chair, our sentence has been moved to the end. The general? Karen Finzel 40:58.163
Yes, it's been requested due to the significance of the matter to move it to the general. I do believe it provides a good opportunity for the board of Councillors to pull out something specific that they might want to highlight, a praise point or a pitch you know, a good point. And, um, just, um, so I think, yes, it's a good idea. I'll have a move and answer. Certainly. I just have a question to Jonci. Off the back of the CEO's point there. When we're looking at the people, also the value of, um, you know, um, what is it? Like the help desk in the IT. I notice in the KPIs here we're closing our requests within 48 hours. And I think that's really important. You know, we're engaging with our community. I know that as councils we get a lot of follow up from people that feel like, you system has responded in one way and they've done this differently. So can you tell us how that the increase and maintaining stabilisation within that team has been supported by the IT? Jonci Wolff 42:09.911
Except for the service health? Karen Finzel 42:11.914
Yeah, Page 9 of 10. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's really good when we look at our customer service because that's what we're here for. Our residents. Jonci Wolff 42:20.952
I've spoke with the manager of ICT and then basically the increase or the bettering of the response time was actually an increase in the staff member, which basically provided additional resources for a faster response, which in itself would make a good business case for him to ask from the staff, I imagine. Last thing, let's turn around a bit. But yeah, that's my understanding because obviously when I reviewed these KPIs whenever there was a bit of a trend, I questioned that was the response provided that there was additional resource allocated to provide that service. Unlike the customer service KPIs where we also see a decrease in time for people waiting in the queue, that is basically likely due to the customer service team now having moved into one central location where the exchange of information is much improved. So that means if there's a tricky customer or like a tricky question that there's the staff readily available to provide assistance and help them provide the response to that. Why we see a decrease. And a fall in Q-Tone there, for example. Karen Finzel 43:41.061
That's great. That's what our community wants to hear, that we give each other those efficiencies and support them in getting the outcomes that they're absolutely, yeah. Yeah, that's right. Thank you. All right. Yes, we're happy to move that. I've moved to that Chair. Excuse me, we've got a question from Councillor Tom. Tom Wegener 44:00.227
Thank you. Going to the. 3.1.2, talking about the Noosa Economic Development smart biosphere strategy action plan. And on the right, there's quite a lot of aspirational points there. That have did be discussed, including the business core program for businesses, included agri-hub, proof of concept, strategy, strategic employment of land project, expression of interests, things like that. I would really suggest having a meeting with hinterland businesses and perhaps do that, especially the farmers, agriculture sector, to talk about this and how to actually have a an implementation plan or a plan or a way to support them or at least give the smaller businesses information on what they need to start businesses out there. Because it has been hard and I know that the new planning amendments do actually ease some of the restrictions on businesses so I'd really like to suggest that we look into this for small businesses in the hinterland because that's really going to be a strong part of our economy going forward especially now that short-term accommodation is no out longer there, no longer legal to take over all those properties out there. They need to make a buck. And so we want to support them in doing that and not because we've taken away STAs. Yes. Do you have a specific question, Council? Would that be something that Council would be interested in looking into? That would be it. Karen Finzel 45:47.967
Kim's got a hand up. Kim, would you like to make a comment? Kim Rawlings 45:51.249
Yeah, thanks, Councillor Finzel. Thank you, Councillor Wegener. I think that's a great suggestion and we're very happy to support hinterland businesses and provide information on, you know, what's the process and how we can support you. Jessica Phillips 46:07.869
To establish your businesses in the hinterland. So very happy to take on board that suggestion. Karen Finzel 46:15.613
Thank you, right moving forward then we'll take it, right so we're at the point back where we're due to the significance of the matter, we're going to move a motion to forward it to the General Committee. Would you have time, Madam, to do this? Would you have done Madam Chair, yes. I'm happy to second, and we'll take further discussion on the matter. I have the right you. Thank you. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? Yes. Councillor Jess, that's a yes. That's unanimous, Thank you. Johnson. Thank you, Councillor. You're good, yes. So, there is no confidential session, and it brings us to the meeting closure at 2:16pm. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the CEO, the Councillors. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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