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 and 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 who's online and I know we have in the gallery councillor before we start I would like to proudly acknowledge and pay my respect to the Australians First Nations people and their deep and abiding nation's people and their deep and abiding connection to this country. We recognise the Kabi Kabi people as the traditional owners of the lands and waters of the Noosa area. And we offer gratitude for their careful custodianship of this unique environment over Moving on to, um, what are we up to? Confirmation of minutes. Confirmation of minutes, thank you. Do we have a mover? SPEAKER_07 01:11.260
A mover, Madam Chair. Karen Finzel 01:13.020
Do we have a seconder for that? A second? Thank you. Does anyone want to want to make a comment regarding the minutes? SPEAKER_07 01:19.747
Not regarding the minutes. Karen Finzel 01:21.307
Fantastic, thank you. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? Yes. That's unanimous. Thank you, Councillor. I'm lying. SPEAKER_07 01:28.347
I was going to say, that's a very lovely jacket you're wearing, Madam Chair. Karen Finzel 01:31.987
Thank you, Mr Mayor. That's a comment I like to make. Thank you. Seconded. Fantastic. Okay, we'll bring the meeting back to focus. We have no presentations, no deputations, and we come to item 7, full reports, for consideration of the committee. Firstly, we're starting with item 7.1, Sunrise Shops. Shop for revised lease renewal. We welcome the staff to the table. Good afternoon, Robin, and would you like to give us a brief overview, please? Robyn Mercer 02:06.512
Sure, good afternoon all. The report in front of you today of you today is seeking a revision to a prior lease approval for shop floor at Sunrise shops. In April 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 two-year options. Subsequent to that, the tenant has been advised that in order achieve the finance they're seeking, to upgrade their equipment and do shopfront renewals, they will need a period, a cumulative period of ten 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 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. Thank you well any questions? SPEAKER_07 03:19.668
I'm I'm happy happy to to move move it it Madam Madam Chair Chair- I'm happy 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. 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. Karen Finzel 03:55.084
Thank you. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? Yes. That's the panellists, noting Councillor on the line. Thank you. Now we're 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. However, However, we'll welcome staff to the table now to provide us a quick overview of the matter. Shaun Walsh 04:27.746
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 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. 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, 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. 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 a student investment for their valuable funds. The first iteration 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 and bracing Noosa character that also provides sound direction for infrastructure replacement. A key focus for the finalised Placement. A key focus for the finalisation of this draft plan has been significant community engagement including many one-on-one conversations, pop-up meetings as well as display on Council's website and media channels that has indicated significant community support for this modified approach. I'll hand over to Aidan to just to briefly touch on infrastructure and then over to Cheyenne to talk about climate resilience. Aidan 06:23.861
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 in line line with the 20-year vision for that area. Council has successfully received grant funding for projects such as the Changing Places facility in Quota Park, based on the Noosaville Foreshore Master Plan information, which Foreshore Master Plan information, which is 100% funded through SCQ CSP grant funding, at a value of approximately $1.8 million. There's, Council is currently applied for additional renewal projects through grant funding sources, such as the revetment wall through DRF funding, which will be 50/50 funded by Council and State Government. Council are currently investigating other grant opportunities, such as growing regions for Pirate Park playground and other playgrounds along the foreshore. Cheyenne 07:34.277
Thanks, Shaun. Thank you, councillors. So, with regard to foreshore resilience, we were successful in receiving $100,000 of grant funding from the State Government and LGAQ to undertake a study on foreshore resilience options through the QCoast2100 program, and that study has 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 worked with expert river catchment consultants and partnered with the University of the Sunshine Coast to develop solutions that of Sunshine Coast to 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 we deployed microclimate sensors on the foreshore, undertook urban heat island modelling, analysed the existing site contexts and projected impacts, assessed nature-based foreshore and shoreline options through a multi-criteria analysis, developed a 12D foreshore and 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 breezes, and non-intrusive, innovative, and living foreshores to ensure the future resilience of this critical community space to tidal inundation and Shaun Walsh 09:04.310
Thanks, Cheyenne. That's the end of our introduction. We just wanted to thank the community for their diligent submissions and conversations to ensure we get this draft plan right. Thank you. Karen Finzel 09:14.310
Thank you, all the staff. Given the significance of the matter and the amount of community engagement, I do acknowledge acknowledge the work of all stakeholders, including our community engagement, our staff, and everyone who's been on the journey. the work of all stakeholders. 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 meeting. SPEAKER_07 09:45.543
I'm happy to second it, Madam Chair. Karen Finzel 09:47.103
Could councillors ask any questions first? Frank Wilkie 09:50.083
Well, once it's been moved and seconded, you're still free to ask questions. Karen Finzel 09:53.963
Yes. Yes, of course. Would you like to present a question? SPEAKER_07 09:57.362
Well, you need to speak first to the motion, Madam Chair. Yes. Which is that it be moved to the general meeting. Karen Finzel 10:03.062
Yes. I've spoken to the motion the other way, but anyway, I'm moving it due to the significance of the matter. 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 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. Councillor has some. Could you just talk us through the process from here and 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 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 10:55.799
In a master plan the words are actually more fundamentally important than the actual visuals and the graphics, so about the principles that you apply, and that's why there's a lot of and concepts sort of at the front end of the document. So they're the overarching things that we'll apply. And then, you know, as we have funding available for each section of the foreshore, we'll actually reinterpret what reinterpret 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 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' time, 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 and the community love it, but it looks quite different. So, because the words are what's important in the overall master plan. Thank you. Karen Finzel 12:01.449
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. Shaun Walsh 12:11.816
No, no, this is actually proposing to finalise the master plan. This is endorsing the changes that we've made to the document 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 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 Pirate Park playground, for instance, we'll need to do detailed community consultation for that part of it. Karen Finzel 12:41.183
Councillor, do you have any questions? Jessica Phillips 12:46.321
I do have a few, but because it's gone to general, thank you, I will probably, Shaun, 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 be ready for the general meeting, please. I do have a 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 how they were validated 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 that particular part of the report is? Part of the report is is done. Thank you. Cheyenne 13:32.838
Yeah Jess I can I could probably take on the technical details of that one on notice and get back to you but we 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. 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's ASCS lab to provide the expertise around whether that data was sufficient to calibrate that model, which they said it was, but I can get you further details That would be wonderful, because I guess the other thing that I know community have asked is probably just more around the baseline, like if the data shows something today. Jessica Phillips 14:29.565
What was the baseline that that's referred to? So happy for that to be on notice. And again, sorry, 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, and most recently some weather changes, we've had cyclone, 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 15:25.913
So primarily the casualty adaptation plan and also the supporting mapping actually forecast impacts over, you know, 2040, 2070, 2100, so it actually does forecast the future, so as very astute part of that plan, and 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. Sean, did you want to say anything additional to that? No, that's Cheyenne 15:56.800
Yeah, Sean's covered it. I mean, we use those projections, which is based on the best available science and evidence to inform Signs and evidence to inform the design solutions that we implement in this in this plan. So the 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 16:18.945
Okay and because this is yeah probably not my area definitely not my area of expertise when they look at projects and projections 2040, 2070 do they look at the worst case Do they look at the worst case scenario or do they somehow, you know, even it out or look towards the middle? How do they predict those projections? Cheyenne 16:44.968
There's a number of components that go into the projections for sea level rise, but we follow 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. I think it's based on a moderate or middle range scenario for my recollection Cheyenne, is that correct? It's the middle range of the RCP 8.5 which is a higher emission scenario for 2100 but recent science and the six assessment report by the IPCC increases that range a little bit. Jessica Phillips 17:32.041
Thank you. Another couple of questions. 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 net loss of the car parking spaces across the entire market? Spaces across the entire master plan. Shaun Walsh 18:17.053
Aidan, do you want to give the summary 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 which is I think... 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 parks would be 4 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 3.5 metre wide pathway. Jessica Phillips 19:12.680
Okay, thank you. I noted down further towards the Maso's, between Maso's and Jetty 17, I think it is in that area there, there was also a car park loss right near opposite depot there. From the plan, it looks like the ones that are parallel have been taken out as well. Could you just confirm that or am I looking Shaun Walsh 19:36.748
Is that adjacent to the Maso's Slipway? at... Is that a Is that what you're referring to? Jessica Phillips 19:41.228
Yeah, so there's that section in, I want to call it like a dual area where there's car parking 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 19:54.288
So feedback from Maso's Slipway is that they would like to appreciate to have greater landscape buffer from... pathway to their slipway to maintain safety which is also fundamental in the Maso's Slipway's 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 Maso's Slipway is to actually put... those car parking spaces directly accessed off the street so in in terms of a different configuration to actually provide room for the pathway and a landscape buffer the 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 configuration it's a lot safer for the slipway and also allows us to achieve the the wider cycle path in that local wider side pathway in that location thanks 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 do you want to answer that Aidan? yeah so I can probably notice take that 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 strategy and and the the hierarchy hierarchy for pathways so this is a coastal it's a I think it's a primary recreational corridor so the 3.5 metre width is a desirable minimum width for our pathway for shared use 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 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 we 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 why the staff have recommended, you know, a wide path in that location to achieve that outcome. Aidan 22:44.380
For grant funding, so to obtain grant funding on the Principal Cycle Network through TMR, we find it extremely difficult to get relaxations to 2 Cheyenne 23:03.450
And Councillor, it's probably important to just note that the micros climate sensor analysis showed that the boat ramp is the hardest part of the foreshore, so having vegetated shade path along that boat ramp. Jessica Phillips 23:20.180
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, the plan, the original plan was that it was, you know, too large and intense, but it's been downscaled, which is appreciated by so many. But there was talk about there's there 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 some feedback that it may still be too too much. Shaun Walsh 24:08.320
I'll review the submissions in detail over that specific point but I I 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 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 you know. in that location but not act as a as an attractor. We do also note that 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 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 25:23.476
Thank you, Shaun. I appreciate that. And maybe just I'll notice that there'll be a question around the Chaplin Park board to the other side then, because on the plan it looks like there's proposed boardwalk. along there as well. So I just wanted to touch on that. Shaun Walsh 25:41.332
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 is to do with usability during tidal inundation. Chaplin Park is at the most risk from frequent tidal inundation and to 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, Bruton City Council throughout the Boondall wetlands so that they can maintain usability through tidal inundation. Jessica Phillips 26:12.976
Okay, thank you. And just one last question then. Circling back to the wider pathways. I just think of what the foreshore looks like now and 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 26:39.396
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 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 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 if you did a visual impact assess at 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 with itin Jessica Phillips 27:29.160
Okay thank you I don't have any further questions until Monday but I'll get them to you beforehand thanks Thank You Councillor. Karen Finzel 27:36.540
Thank you staff. Is there any questions from the gallery? I know Councillor Lorentson has walked into the room. Do we have any questions? No then we'll wait until Monday. Fantastic all right Thank you. to the staff thank you for taking the questions and we look forward to hearing further from you at the general meeting. SPEAKER_07 28:00.798
I'll exercise my right to speak Madam Chair. I'd like to reiterate Madam Chair's words there's been a lot of work done in this. It's a vastly improved. Frank Wilkie 28:13.443
Redesign it's great 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 is a 20-year plan where we know 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 going to increase number of people on e-bikes are going to increase number of 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 Anywhere else you SPEAKER_07 29:36.466
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, it's being done for very pragmatic, inclusive and accessibility reasons. And as we mentioned, there will be more discussion about this at one at the general on Monday and thank you very much for your factual answers today and the work you've done today. Karen Finzel 30:16.820
Thank you. Moving along to reports for noting by the committee, we're down to item 8.1, the operational plan 2024-25, Q3 quarterly reporting. Please welcome staff to the table. Good afternoon. John C 30:42.120
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 are... contained in the operational plan are designed to fulfil the objectives of council's five-year corporate plan 23-28. 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 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 in bringing this to you because we've rolled out the reporting system across Council as reporting system across council as well in which the initiatives are reported on and the report is based in Bratislava. So of those 81 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 plan, so 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 have for the development of the Noosa Botanic Garden master plan. 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 is the New Zebra Forge infrastructure management plan. It's quite 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 in the plan and it should be reshaped in response to that. Those increased time requirements in itself caused 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 for today. 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 performance 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 first 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 approach. 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 35:39.060
Thank you for your time. My pleasure. Thank you. Do we have any questions? SPEAKER_07 35:47.278
Maybe a question for Larry or Nancy. The operational plan reflects bite-sized chunks of our actions under the corporate... chunks of our actions under the corporate plan. 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 plan? In 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. I used to say 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 exceptions. 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. This is just the quarterly report of an annual report. We'll be bringing that to you. The executive actually reflected on that a couple of months ago. Actually, you know, sometimes you've got 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, as I say, a very ambitious five-year plan. So we'll be happy to bring that to you in the near future. Thank you. Thank you. Karen Finzel 37:29.714
Anything further? SPEAKER_07 37:31.674
Just looking at the KPIs for staff turnover rate, and it's, for March, it's dramatically under the 2022-23 figure, consistent with the 2020. We're a little bit above 2023-24 for March, so it looks like things seem to be stabilising. 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% in June '21 / '22. So, what's your observations of what's happening with the employment market, and...? Larry Sengstock 38:20.656
Look, we're subject, like every organisation, to the ebbs and flows of the... the market, and people's wills, but I think the '21 / '22 was the end of COVID, 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. a bit of movement there. It was the period of the Great Resignation for a long time. It was the period of... 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 and a stable 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 really good skills and then they get approached 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'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 a good workplace. know, somewhere where they can actually develop their skills and utilise those skills. SPEAKER_07 39:46.978
Last year we were hearing from staff that they were having difficulty attracting applicants from various positions. Now, anecdotally, I'm hearing from the same staff that this... 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 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 project management, there's still so much work going on outside of our council that... to get people in those areas, in our planning areas, some of the areas are still very tight, but some of the other areas have really settled a bit, and that's their finance. It's absolutely one where we've struggled to fill our positions, but again, ebbs and flows, but some of the areas have really opened up, and that's been a good sign for us. nothing else, that's good, it's on for us. Madam Chair, I understand this is being moved to the general? Karen Finzel 40:57.700
Yes, it's being 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 a pitch point. just, so I think, yes, it's a good idea. SPEAKER_07 41:18.351
I'm happy to move an answer. Karen Finzel 41:19.831
Certainly. I just have a question to John C, off the back of the C-base point there. When we're looking at the people, also the value of, you know, what is it, like the help desk in the IT. Desk in the IT. I noticed in the KPIs. 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 know, the system has responded in one way, and that we've done this differently. So, can you tell us how that, the increase and maintain... the increase and maintaining stabilisation within that team has been supported by the IT? John C 42:08.339
Um, for the, is it for the service health? Yeah, age Karen Finzel 42:12.519
9 Of 10. Yeah? I think that's really good... customer service because that's what we're here for. We're here for our residents. John C 42:21.361
I've spoken with the manager of the ICT and basically the increase or the bettering of the response time was actually... 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. Well that's fantastic, we turn on investors. But yeah, that's my understanding because obviously when I reviewed these KPIs whenever there was a bit of a trend, I questioned that and that response provided that there was additional resources. 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 information is much much improved so that means if there's a tricky customer or a tricky question that there's the staff readily available to provide assistance and help them provide the response. That's why we see a decrease in phone queue time there. Karen Finzel 43:40.621
That's great. That's why our community wants to hear that we're giving you those efficiencies and supporting them in getting there. Absolutely. Yeah, that's right. Thank you. All right. Yes, we're happy to move that... Excuse me, we've got a question from Councillor Tom. SPEAKER_05 43:59.603
Thank you. Tom Wegener 44:00.929
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 been discussed including the business core program for businesses, included Agri-Hub proof of concept strategy. Strategic employment of land project, expression of interest, things like that. I would really suggest having a meeting with hinged land businesses and perhaps do that, especially the farmers, agriculture sector, to talk about this and how to actually have 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 to start businesses out there because it has been hard and I know that the new planning through amendments do actually ease some of the restrictions on businesses so I 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. Karen Finzel 45:37.686
Yes. Do you have a specific question, Councillor? SPEAKER_05 45:41.146
Would that be something that Councillor would be interested in listening to? That would be it. Karen Finzel 45:47.726
Kim's got her hand up. Kim, would you like to make a comment? Yes. 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. Thank you. Right, moving forward then, we'll take it... Right, so we're at the point back where we, due to the significance of the matter, we're going to move a motion to forward it to the general meeting. Do you have your... Would you have done, Madam Chair, yes. Would you have done? I'm happy to second. happy to second. We'll take... 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. So there is no confidential session and it brings us to the meeting closure at 2:16pm. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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