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 AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Frank Wilkie: Moved approval of a revised 5+5 year lease for Sunrise Dental Care at Sunrise Shops, with CEO authorised to grant the option if compliant (Item 7.1; 03:19–03:55). Karen Finzel: Seconded and noted the report was “very thorough”; resolution carried unanimously (Item 7.1; 03:21–03:55). Robyn Mercer: Rationale: tenant needs 10-year cumulative term to secure finance for equipment and shopfront upgrades; longer term benefits community and precinct (Item 7.1; 02:06–03:14). Committee: Applied tender exemption under s236(1)(c)(iii) LGR 2012 for renewal to the existing tenant; supersedes 17 April 2025 resolution (Item 7.1). Karen Finzel: Moved to refer Noosaville Foreshore Infrastructure Masterplan to General Committee due to significance; carried unanimously (Item 7.2; 09:17–10:10). Shaun Walsh: Explained revised masterplan after strong community feedback: softer design, retained character, no wholesale carpark relocation; extensive engagement undertaken (Item 7.2; 04:27–07:22). Staff (Aidan/Shaun/Shayan): Funding: $1.8m “Changing Places” Coyota Park facility 100% funded (SCQCSP); DRF revetment wall 50/50; QCoast2100 $100k resilience study integrated (Item 7.2; 06:34–07:35, 07:35–09:17). Jessica Phillips: Probed microclimate sensor validity (approx. 14 sensors over ~1 year; USC NVMet model), CHAP currency, sea-level projection basis, and parking/path width assumptions; some answers taken on notice (Item 7.2; 12:49–17:32, 20:48–23:20). Staff: Parking: ~404 spaces along foreshore; at boat ramp reduce 14→4 car parks, add 18 motorcycle/scooter spaces; provide 3.5m shared path to reduce conflicts and improve safety (Item 7.2; 18:16–22:49). Staff: Overwater promenade downsized to be low-key; proposed elevated walkway at Chaplin Park to maintain usability during tidal inundation (Item 7.2; 24:08–26:12). Committee: Referred Operational Plan 2024–25 Q3 report to General Committee due to significance; carried unanimously (Item 8.1; 40:57–41:19, 43:40–45:47). Executive (Larry Sengstock/Officer): Operational Plan status: 107 initiatives; 81 on schedule, 18 minor disruptions, 8 major disruptions; delays linked to significant community feedback on masterplan and resourcing (Item 8.1; 32:46–34:50). Executive: KPI highlights: ICT help desk closures within 48h improved via added staffing; customer service queue times down after centralising team; staff turnover stabilising vs 21/22 highs (Item 8.1; 37:31–43:21). Contentious / Transparency Matters Shaun Walsh: Acknowledged first masterplan draft “didn’t get it right”; revised after substantial engagement indicating support for a character-aligned approach (Item 7.2; 04:27–07:22). Jessica Phillips: Sought transparency on data sufficiency (microclimate baseline, model calibration) and policy foundations (CHAP 2021 vs accelerated climate science), with follow-ups on notice (12:49–17:32). Committee: Elevated both Item 7.2 and Item 8.1 to General Committee to enable broader scrutiny and questions from all councillors (09:17–10:10; 40:57–41:19). Staff: Clarified path width standards and funding expectations (TMR prefers ≥3.0m for Principal Cycle Network), addressing community concern about scale vs safety (21:10–23:03). Legal / Risk Committee: Lease renewal lawfully relied on LGR 2012 s236(1)(c)(iii) tender exemption for incumbent tenant; mitigates procurement challenge risk (Item 7.1). Chair/Staff: Minutes confirm Item 7.1 decision supersedes 17 April 2025 resolution, reducing ambiguity and potential ultra vires concerns (Item 7.1). Officer: Quarterly reporting delivered per Local Government Regulation prescription; minor delay attributed to reporting system rollout (30:42–32:46). Executive: Note of protected industrial action potentially affecting KPIs next quarter flags service risk monitoring (34:50–35:38). Staff: Masterplan integrates QCoast2100 projections (0.8m SLR by 2100, mid-range under higher emissions), aligning with Qld technical guidelines to defend design choices (15:27–17:16). Environmental Concerns Staff: Foreshore challenges: ageing assets, tidal inundation, flooding, erosion, extreme heat; resilience study produced nature-based, shade-focused responses (04:27–09:17). Staff: Data-driven approach: ~14 microclimate sensors, USC NVMet modelling, multi-criteria analysis of shoreline options, 12D foreshore model (07:35–09:17; 13:33–14:19). Staff: Elevated walkway proposed at Chaplin Park due to frequent tidal inundation to maintain access (25:41–26:12). Staff: Wider shaded shared path at boat ramp improves safety and reduces conflict “pinch point,” informed by heat findings (21:46–23:20). Short Term Accommodation / Hinterland Economy Tom Wegener: Urged engagement with hinterland businesses/farmers (agri-hub proof-of-concept, employment land, business support), noting STAs are “no longer viable” in hinterland (44:01–45:37). Kim Rawlings: Agreed to support outreach and guidance to facilitate compliant hinterland business establishment (46:09–46:14).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday, 10 June 2025 1:30 PM Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Committee: Crs Karen Finzel (Chair), Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson “Noosa Shire – different by nature” SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 10 JUNE 2025 1. DECLARATION OF OPENING The meeting was declared open at 1.30pm. 2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi people, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. 3. ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Karen Finzel (Chair) Cr Jessica Phillips (via Microsoft Teams) Cr Nicola Wilson Cr Frank Wilkie NON-COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Tom Wegener Cr Amelia Lorentson EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh APOLOGIES Nil. 4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson The Minutes of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting held on 15 May be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 5 PRESENTATIONS Nil. 6. DEPUTATIONS Nil. 7. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 10 JUNE 2025 7.1 SUNRISE SHOPS - SHOP 4 REVISED LEASE RENEWAL Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the report by the Commercial Business Advisor to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 10 June 2025; and A. Note that this resolution supersedes the Council resolution at the Ordinary Meeting dated 17 April 2025 regarding the lease renewal term for Shop 4, Sunrise Shops; B. Approve the lease renewal to Sunrise Dental Care Pty Ltd for Shop 4, Sunrise Shops for five (5) years commencing 1 July 2025; C. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to award a subsequent one (1) by five (5) year extension of the lease subject to the lessee complying with the terms of the lease; and D. Apply the exception to the requirement for tendering of the lease under Section 236 (1) (c) (iii) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 as the renewal is to the existing tenant. Carried unanimously. 7.2 NOOSAVILLE FORESHORE INFRASTRUCTURE MASTERPLAN Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Services & Organisation Committee Agenda Item 7.2 be referred to the General Committee due to the significance of the issue. Carried unanimously. 8. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE 8.1 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2024-25 Q3 QUARTERLY REPORTING Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Services & Organisation Committee Agenda Item 8.1 be referred to the General Committee due to the significance of the issue. Carried unanimously. 9. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 10. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 2.17pm.
Meeting Transcript
Karen Finzel 00:00.000
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 Wilkie and Councillor Phillips who's online and in the gallery Councillor Tom Wegener before we start I would like to proudly acknowledge and pay my respect to the australians First Nations people and their deep and abiding connection to this country we recognise the Kabi Kabi People as the Traditional Custodians 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 um where are we up confirmation of minutes thank you do we have a mover I'm moving Madam Chair seconder for that our second thank you does anyone want to make a comment regarding the Minutes not fantastic you we'll take it 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 confirmation of the couple. Seconded. Fantastic okay we'll bring them the meeting back to focus um we have no presentations no deputations and we come to item seven for Reports for consideration of the Committee. Firstly, we're starting with item 7.1, summarise shops, for revised lease renewal. We welcome the staff to the table. Good afternoon, Robert, and would you all. Shop Robyn Mercer 02:07.720
The report in front of you today is seeking a revision to a prior lease approval for Shop 4 at Sunrise Shops in April 2020. In April 2025, so two months ago, a report came before you to renew the lease to Sunrise Dental Care 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 shopfront renewals, they will need a period, a cumulative period of 10 years. 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 along period by one year will provide them with opportunity to invest in equipment and the shop front which is better overall for the community and for the precinct. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 03:15.744
Well, any questions? I'm happy to move it Madam Chair. 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, Thank you. 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 Robert. You. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? That's none. Unanimous, yes. Noting no. Councillor Phillips on the line. Thank you. Now we're I'm moving to item 7.2 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 directly to general, given the significance of the matter. We'll welcome staff to the table now to provide us a quick overview of the matter. Shaun Walsh 04:27.709
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 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. 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 and 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 State and Federal governments as a sign of broad community support and student investment 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 for model. 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 06:25.031
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 revetment walls line with the 20-year vision for that area. Council has successfully received grant funding for projects such as the changing places Quota Park based on the Noosaville Foreshore Master Plan information, which is 100% funded through SEQCSP grant funding at a value of approximately $1.8 million. There's, Council has currently applied for additional renewal projects. Grant funding sources, such as the revetment wall through DRFA funding, which will be 50 / funded by Council and state government. Kindly invests gage other grant opportunities, such as growing regions for Pirates Playground and other playgrounds along the foreshore. Karen Finzel 07:33.123
Thanks Shaun, Cheyenne 07:34.143
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 those, that study has been integrated into the Noosaville Foreshore infrastructure master plan. The project set out to address three primary challenges: foreshore erosion, 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 develop 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 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 12-D foreshore model, developed concept 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 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 09:04.307
Thanks, Sian. 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. Thank you all. Karen Finzel 09:17.069
Given the significance of the matter and the amount of community engagement, I do acknowledge the work of all stakeholders. 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 09:45.553
I'm happy to second it, Madam Chair. Karen Finzel 09:47.093
Could Councillors ask any questions first? Frank Wilkie 09:50.093
Well, once it's been moved and seconded, you're still free to ask questions. Yes. Of course. Would you like to present a question? Well, you need to speak first to the motion, Madam Chair. Yes. Which is that it be moved to the General Committee. Karen Finzel 10:03.015
Yes. I've spoken to the motion the other way, but anyway, I'm moving it due to the significance of the matter, and it has been a request that's come through from the Councillors, and I feel that 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 then, I think Councillor Phillips has some. Nicola Wilson 10:32.438
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 evolve over time. Shaun Walsh 10:55.846
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 relevant to the community because we'll 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 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 but it looks quite different so because the words are what's important in the overall master plan thank you Karen Finzel 12:00.462
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 it? Shaun Walsh 12:12.080
No, this is actually proposing find 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 12:40.620
Councillor Phillips do you have any questions Jessica Phillips 12:46.941
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. 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 of the report is done part Cheyenne 13:31.832
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 um I relied on university Sunshine basque 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 Jessica Phillips 14:20.070
Because I guess um the other thing I 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 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 15:26.530
So um but primarily the coastal 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. So that's been embraced in the infrastructure master plan. Shaun did you want to say anything additional to that? Cheyenne 15:56.090
No that's yeah shaun's covered it. I mean we use those projections which is based on the best available science and evidence to inform the design solutions that 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 16:19.798
Okay. I think and because this is, yeah, probably not my area, definitely of expertise, when they look at projections, 2040, 2070, do they worst case scenario, or do they somehow, you know, even it out or look towards the middle? How do they predict those projections? Cheyenne 16:44.918
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 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 17:11.196
I think it's based on a moderate or middle range scenario from our recollection shayhan, is that correct? Cheyenne 17:16.434
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 17:32.168
Thank you. Another I'm just wanted to specifically since car parking was an issue and 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 Shaun Walsh 18:16.493
I didn't you want to give the summary did of the number of spaces at Noosaville Foreshore and how many are lost generally? Yeah so along Noosaville Foreshore there's approximately 404 car park spaces adjacent to the boat ramp Aidan 18:33.189
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 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 okay thank you I noted down further towards um the maso between and jetty 17 I think it is in that um area there was also a car park 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 I looking is that adjacent to the Massouds Slipway is that what you're referring to yeah so there's that section in I want to call it like a dual area where there's in inside and then 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 19:54.089
So um feedback from Massouds Slipway is that they would like to appreciate to have greater landscape buffer from the pathway to their slipway to maintain safety is also fundamental in the Massouds 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 massive slipway is to actually put those 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 after safer the slipway and also allows us to achieve the wider cycle path in that local wider side pathway in that location Jessica Phillips 20:49.521
Thanks for clarifying that and in relation then that sort of flows onto my next question around the 3.5 metre pathway can minimum width required to meet TMR accessibility standards do you want to answer that Aidan? Aidan 21:10.585
Yeah so I can probably take that on notice to come back with the exact but I think for accessibility I'm pretty sure it's 1.2 metres wide for a pathway the 3.5 metres is based on the Noosa Walking and Cycling Strategy and the hierarchy for pathways. So this is a coastal it's a think it's primary recreational corridor so the 3.5 metre width is a desirable minimum width for our pathway for shared use Shaun Walsh 21:46.191
And I think it's important to reflect and this recommendation from staff is that we have a significant pedestrian and cyclist conflict with the driveways to the so um 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 is to provide a wide comfortable path that they feel naturally and the current use 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 also need to provide a much wider more comfortable and enjoyed 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 22:43.535
For uh um for grant funding so for to obtain grant funding the Principal Cycle Network through tmr we find it extremely difficult to get relaxations to 2. Cheyenne 23:03.513
5 Metre width so generally they'll want to see three metres or above and Councillor, it's probably important to that the microclimate sensor analysis showed that the boat ramp is the hardest part of the foreshore so having vegetated shade path along that boat ramp edge is really important okay, Jessica Phillips 23:20.703
Thank you, um, just, I will like I said I'll email through so then I'm not um there was just one more that I had please uh there was some feedback um again that the plan the original plan was um that it was you know too large and intense but um it's been down which um is appreciated by so many but there's was talk about um in feedback that people wanted minimal intervention and so I guess specifically I wanted to talk about the overwater promenades um and just wondering how that fits in with the minimal intervention because think there's still some feedback that it may still be too much Shaun Walsh 24:07.069
Um 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 this portal it noted that we had significantly downsized that area and the feedback we'd received the previous 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 a 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 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 25:22.537
Thank you Shaun, I appreciate that. And maybe just I'll notice that there will be a question around the Chaplin Park or to the other side then because there's on plan it looks like there's proposed boardwalk along there as well so I just wanted to touch on that Shaun Walsh 25:41.208
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 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 technique that's used by for instance bruton city Council throughout the Boondall wetlands so that they can maintain usability um due through tidal inundation okay Jessica Phillips 26:12.084
Thank you um and just one last question then I'm certainly back to the water pathways um I just think of what the foreshore looks like now you know what everyone loves about it and I wondered if there's been a visual impact assessment done on how the wider pathway may actually alter the character of the place Shaun Walsh 26:37.690
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 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 if moment you'd actually get fairly poor outcome from the infrastructure that's the Noosaville Foreshore due to this level of degradation and disrepair Jessica Phillips 27:29.648
Thank you I don't have any further questions until Monday but I'll get them to you beforehand thanks Councillor Phillips Karen Finzel 27:36.388
Thank you staff is 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. All right Thank you. To the staff thank you for taking the questions and we look forward to hearing further Frank Wilkie 27:59.760
Thank you I'll exercise my right to speak I'd like to reiterate the Chair Madam 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 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 the 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 number of people on e-bikes going to increase and the people in wheelchairs 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, there's plenty 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 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. 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 30:01.450
Thank you, Councillors. Thank you. Karen Finzel 30:04.132
We're I'm going to take it to the vote in the order of four. All in favour? To cancel 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. Good afternoon Councillors. Mr. Johnsey. Would you like to give us a brief overview of the report please? SPEAKER_03 30:42.468
Yes. This report, as he 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 it. The third quarter update of the current operational plan. In summary, so you will be aware by after two updates provided already that there are 107 initiatives in our operational plan. Of these 107 initiatives, 81 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 time frame 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 a spot. So of those initiatives, roughly 76 that are expected to be completed, notable achievements in the third quarter were the Community Grants Policy, the Compliance and Enforcement Policy, the Pomona Place Plan, the Public Art Policy, housing monitoring program 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 we do expect to we 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 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. The reason for this disruption was that, as you well remember, there was significant community feedback that had to be considered and the plan 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 incorporated 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 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. That sums it up. Karen Finzel 35:38.987
Thank you for your summary. Do we have any questions? Frank Wilkie 35:47.513
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 over Larry Sengstock 36:10.759
That five year period? So yeah, the operation plan is an annual 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. Like to try to do as much as we possibly can to cater for as many different wants and needs of our community. Attracting new tips. 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. Over the longer term, if you like. Whereas this is just the annual report, quarterly of an annual report. But we'll be bringing that to you. The executive actually reflected on that a couple of months ago. And actually, 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 we're achieving some really, really great things, from a very ambitious point of view. So we'll be happy to bring that to you in the near future. Frank Wilkie 37:30.859
I'm just looking at the KPIs for staff turnover rate. March, it's dramatically under the 2022-23 figure, consistent with the 2021 figure. We're under 21-22. We're a little bit above 23-24 for March. So it looks like things seem to be stabilising in terms of staff turnover, as opposed to a high in 21-22, which looks like it was in COVID when the rate, according to this graph, spiralled up to 37% 21-22. So what's your observations of what's happening with the employment market? Larry Sengstock 38:20.649
Look, we're subject, like every organisation, to the ebbs and flows of the market and people's Wills, but I think the 21-22 was the when people sort of had been locked out and then it was time to look to move on, so there was quite a bit of movement there. It was the period of the great resignation for long. But I think we've worked very hard to reclaim that and work with the organisation in terms of trying to provide a good workplace. Again, we're still subject to ebbs and flows and people moving around and sometimes we're subject to our own success. 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, you know, we're accepting of that. But there's no doubt we need to continue to work on maintaining our workforce, but we've, you'll we'll see in the, future budgets, we're working hard on our training of our staff and making sure that the staff that we have here are either kept or enticed to come here through a good workplace and, you know, somewhere where they can actually develop their skills and utilise those skills. Frank Wilkie 39:46.940
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 fight of applicants here for the positions. Larry Sengstock 40:00.654
Is this your question? 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. Get people in those areas and their planning areas, are still very tight, but some of the other areas have released them a bit, and that's their finance. It's absolutely one where we've struggled to fill our positions, but again, it's in flows, areas have really opened up, and that's been a good sign for us. Frank Wilkie 40:50.862
Thank you. Madam Chair, our sense has been moved to the end. The general? Karen Finzel 40:57.640
Yes, it's been requested due to the significance of the matter to move it to the general. I do believe it's probably a good opportunity for the board of Councillors to pull out something specific that they might want to highlight, a praise point or and, um, just, um, so I think, yes, it's your idea. I'll have a move and answer you. Certainly. I just had a question to John C, off the back of the CEO's point there. When we're looking at the people, also the value of, you know, what is it? Like the help desk and the IT. I notice in the KPIs here we're closing out 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? SPEAKER_03 42:09.690
Is that for held? The service health? Yeah, age nine out of ten. Karen Finzel 42:13.990
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. Thank you very much for your presence. SPEAKER_03 42:22.212
Spoke with the manager of ICT and then basically 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 I can say is you can turn on this. But yeah, that's my understanding because obviously when I reviewed these KPIs whenever there was a bit of a trend, I questioned it and that was the response. Provided that there was additional resource allocated to provide that service. Unlike the customer service KPIs where we also see 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 response to that. Why we see a decrease. And a fall in Q-Tone there, for example. Karen Finzel 43:40.139
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. Thank you. Tom Wegener 44:01.712
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. 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 I suggest a meeting with hinge land businesses, and perhaps through that, especially the farmers, agriculture sector, to talk about this and how to actually have an implementation 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 longer viable out 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? SPEAKER_03 45:54.169
Thank that it. Karen Finzel 45:47.765
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 to establish your businesses in the hinterland. So very happy to take on board that suggestion. Karen Finzel 46:15.093
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. Take as far as we can go, you. Thank you. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? Yes. Councillor Phillips, 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
← Browse all Noosa Shire Council meeting transcripts
