Services & Organisation Committee, 11 February 2025
Date: Tuesday, 11 February 2025 at 1:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:33:04
Synopsis: Contract CN24861 Comensura MSP adopted, CEO delegation, Capital program capacity risks/mitigations, Pivot from grants, GST burial-rights update, Conflicts/workforce transparency, Holiday Parks revenue, Project completions.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Karen Finzel Nicola Wilson Jessica Phillips Non-Committee Members
Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt Apologies (Did Not Attend)
Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Karen Finzel: Led adoption of contract CN24861 awarding Comensura Pty Ltd to supply contingent staff from 1 Mar 2025–30 Apr 2027, with CEO delegation to negotiate/administer and option to extend up to 3 years from 1 May 2027 (Item 7.1; 05:42). Diana Stewart: Justified vendor-neutral managed service model citing efficiency gains, Sunshine Coast market reach, and $2.28m order value (2021–2024), assessed against sound contracting principles by a cross-branch panel (Item 7.1; 01:46–05:13). Larry Sengstock: Described the labour-hire arrangement as standard, efficiency-driven business practice supporting service continuity (Item 7.1; 05:32). Robyn Mercer: Reported Noosa Holiday Parks YTD revenue of $2.46m with ~3.9m forward bookings to EOFY; visitation tracking in line with prior years while preserving designated land-use for camping/caravan recreation (Item 8.1; 07:03–08:33). Kerri Contini: Sought adoption of updated Fees & Charges to give effect to ATO GST exemption for burial rights in public cemeteries (incl. cremation memorials), with GST to continue on plaques, headstones, ash placements (Item 8.2; 10:43–11:32). Kerri Contini: Warned of non-compliance and retrospective costs if ATO determination not implemented within months; early February adoption deemed timely (Item 8.2; 11:44–12:38). Staff (Infrastructure): Capital Program: original 2024/25 provision $53.8m incl. $22.4m carry-forwards, amended to $46m at BR2; $13.6m actuals + $7.2m commitments; 134 projects; grants forecast $14.2m with $8.4m Council contribution (Item 8.3; 17:10–20:20). Staff (Infrastructure): Noted branch restructuring, key staff resignations, and mitigations: outsourcing, packaging optimisation, external resourcing, and improved project controls/reporting (Item 8.3; 20:20–21:30). Larry Sengstock: Confirmed exit interviews occur; will provide councillors with more systematic insights via People & Culture to inform workforce planning (Item 8.3; 23:06–24:23). Jessica Phillips: Urged pivot from “chasing grants” toward deliverable programs within capacity and factoring lifecycle/maintenance costs; CEO agreed to more discerning pursuit and long-term planning (Item 8.3; 24:23–29:20). Nicola Wilson: Highlighted visible completions across Shire (e.g., Sunshine Beach lifeguard tower, Cooroy/Cooran assets, Noosaville fitness, Woods BBQ, pathways, Noosa Leisure Centre courts) despite constraints (Item 8.3; 30:51–32:33). Committee: All items carried unanimously; no confidential session (Minutes Summary; 10:00, 32:33). Contentious / Transparency Matters Jessica Phillips: Declared a conflict re upcoming Cooroy Sports Complex (includes Gymnastics Club) tender; sought to remain for a noting-only report; approved under s150ES, and she did not vote (Item 8.3; 13:26–17:10). Nicola Wilson: Clarified no tender decision was before the committee—only noting an upcoming tender—mitigating perceived bias risk (Item 8.3; 15:38–17:03). Committee/CEO: Acknowledged overprogramming vs delivery capacity and committed to more candid workforce-capacity alignment and reporting, including health/wellbeing survey feedback (Item 8.3; 23:06–30:47). Karen Finzel: Emphasised transparent governance in handling conflicts and realistic budgeting amidst regional labour market pressures (Item 8.3; 17:03, 26:49–29:20). Legal / Risk Diana Stewart: Confirmed procurement via Local Buy with a panel assessment against sound contracting principles; continued engagement with vendor-neutral MSP to preserve value-for-money and flexibility (Item 7.1; 01:46–05:13). Kerri Contini: Outlined ATO ruling change on GST for burial rights; delay risk includes non-compliance and retrospective liabilities; prompt adoption reduces exposure (Item 8.2; 11:32–12:38). Committee: Applied s150ES Local Government Act 2009 to manage a declarable conflict, documenting participation parameters and non-voting by the conflicted councillor (Item 8.3; 13:26–17:10). Larry Sengstock: Flagged delivery risks from vacancies and sector-wide competition; mitigations include outsourcing and tighter project selection to avoid cost escalations from delay (Item 8.3; 22:38–26:32). Staff (Infrastructure): Noted potential rollover of works due to capacity constraints, with ongoing enhancements to controls/reporting to reduce schedule/cost risk (Item 8.3; 20:20–22:38). Conflicts of Interest Jessica Phillips: Declarable conflict as consultant/coach to Cooroy Gymnastics Club tied to the Cooroy Sports Complex project noted in the Capital Program; allowed to remain and vote under s150ES, but did not vote (Item 8.3; 13:26–17:10). Nicola Wilson and Karen Finzel: Resolved that participation would not unduly influence as no decision on the tender was before the committee (Item 8.3; 15:38–17:10). Community Transparency Jessica Phillips: Sought structured reporting of exit interview themes to councillors to inform strategic capacity-setting and avoid under-delivery perceptions (Item 8.3; 23:06–24:23). Staff (Infrastructure): Cited wellbeing survey as an additional feedback loop with strategies to follow, enhancing internal transparency (Item 8.3; 29:58–30:47). Sunshine Beach Nicola Wilson: Noted completion of the Sunshine Beach lifeguard tower among visible Shire-wide project outcomes in 2024/25 (Item 8.3; 30:51–31:40).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday, 11 February 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 11 FEBRUARY 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 Nicola Wilson Cr Jessica Phillips NON-COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Tom Wegener EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt APOLOGIES Cr Frank Wilkie 4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson The Minutes of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting held on 10 December 2024 be received and confirmed. Carried unanimously. 5. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 6. DEPUTATIONS Nil. 7. REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 11 FEBRUARY 2025 7.1. CONTRACT RENEWAL - PROVISION OF CONTINGENT STAFF (LABOUR HIRE) Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council: A. Note the report by the Governance Manager to the Services and Organisation Committee meeting dated 11 February 2025 regarding a contract renewal for the provision of contingent staff for Council; B. Award contract CN24861 to Comensura Pty Ltd for the provision of contingent staff (Labour Hire) under a schedule of rates, for the period 1 March 2025 to 30 April 2027; C. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer the power to negotiate, finalise, execute and do all things necessary to administer the Contract on behalf of Council; D. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer to extend the contract for a period of up to three (3) years from the date of 1 May 2027 at Council's discretion. Carried unanimously. 8. REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE 8.1. NOOSA HOLIDAY PARKS UPDATE Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council note the report by the Commercial Business Advisor to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 11 February 2025 providing an update on operations of the Noosa Holiday Park Business Activity to 31 December 2024. Carried unanimously. 8.2. CEMETERY FEES - GST DETERMINATION Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson That Council A. Note the report by the Community Connection Manager to the Services and Organisation Committee dated 11 February 2025 regarding the ATO GST determination on burial rights in public cemeteries and its implications for Noosa Council's fees and charges; B. Adopt the updated Fees and Charges Schedule in Attachment 1 to reflect the GST exemptions for burial rights, including those for cremation memorials, while ensuring GST continues to apply to ancillary services and items such as plaques, headstones, and ash placements; and C. Authorise the CEO to implement and communicate the new fees and charges in Attachment 1. Carried unanimously. SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 11 FEBRUARY 2025 8.3. CAPITAL PROGRAM 2024/2025 DELIVERY STATUS In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Jessica Phillips provided the following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter: I, Cr Phillips, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to an upcoming tender for Cooroy Sports Complex and Multipurpose Area (which includes the Cooroy Gymnastics Club) mentioned in the Capital Program Update Report. I have been hired as a consultant by the Cooroy Gymnastics Club to assist in resourcing of their coaching staff and I am currently coaching the senior competitive program on an interim basis. I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because the information in the report is merely noting that a tender is upcoming in the future. Therefore, I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Jessica Phillips and determine that in accordance with s150ES of the Local Government Act 2009 and having considered the Councillor's conflict of interest as described, it is decided that Cr Jessica Phillips may participate and vote on this matter relating to the Capital Works Update Report including mention of the Cooroy Sports Complex and Multipurpose Area (which includes the Corroy Gymnastics Club). For: Cr Nicola Wilson and Cr Karen Finzel Against: Nil Carried unanimously. Cr Jessica Phillips, having declared a conflict of interest, was not eligible to vote. Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the report by the Director of Infrastructure Services to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 11 February 2025, providing an update on the delivery of the 2024/25 Capital Works Program as at 31 December 2024. Carried unanimously. 9. CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 10. MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 2.03pm.
Meeting Transcript
Karen Finzel 00:00.782
Good afternoon, my apologies, to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday the 11th of February 2025. I'd like to acknowledge the elders and Kabi Kabi past, present and emerging and like to express my appreciation of the inherent knowledge and cultural understanding and connection to our waters, land and sea. So thank you everybody and today noting we have all Councillors in attendance and in the gallery we have Councillor Tom Wegener. We have apologies from Cr Frank Wilkie who is our very important business overseas. Is that all we've got? Yes. Fantastic, thank you. So now we've done attendance and apologies. I'm seeking a confirmation of the Minutes. Do we have someone to move that? I'll move it. Thank you. That's moved by Councillor Phillips and seconded by Councillor. Wilson, thank you that. You for that. I will take that to the vote. All in favour? Yes, that's unanimous. Thank you. We have no presentations, no deputations. And we have before us reports for consideration for the committee. We have item number 7.1, the contract renewal, provision of contingent staff labour hire, and we've got Council staff. The reporting. The report written is by written by Diana Stewart, who's going to give us a brief overview. Diana Stewart 01:48.048
Thank you, Councillors. This report that is presented to you today is in relation to awarding a procurement ensure the provision of contingent staff or labour hire for Council. So by way of background, Council engages, as you know, a labour hire workforce as part of its overall resourcing model to fill our resourcing needs. And in particular, it allows us the flexibility to scale. Our workforce quickly and access specialised skills when we need it to manage fluctuating demands. It's important to note that our labour hire workforce is a critical component in supporting Council to deliver services to community. So within this resourcing model we have a current contract with Comensura our labour hire provider that is due to expire on the 28th of February of this year. This contractual arrangement has been established under our local government local by arrangement scheme. Prior to engaging with the Comensura our sourcing of contingent workforce was ineffective as teams spent substantial time trying to engage labour hire staff with individual recruitment firms directly so essentially what we had was a decentralised engagement model that was inefficient. So it's moving to a vendor neutral managed service provider such as Comensura we have achieved great efficiencies and speed in sourcing engaging and onboarding workers in response to councils. Specific needs. Essentially the service provider does a large part of the administrative work for Council in managing the various recruitment firms on offer and offering us suitable candidates for our consideration. So whilst our labour hire workforce is not extensive in size, performance data from 2021 to 2024 shows a steady uptake of contingent workers across Council primarily focused in technical and specialised roles with a total order value spend for that period of approximately 2.28 million. So within this context a procurement panel was recently established, assembled consisting of staff from people culture branch, governance branch and procurement team which reviewed Comensura's new proposal to Council and concluded that it was deemed to satisfy the sound contracting principles by being a value for money proposal, coupled with a strong performance, experience and ability to continue to offer us innovative and collaborative labour hire solutions. We also note that Comensura are a leading vendor neutral service program provider with extensive reach into our Sunshine Coast labour market and equally council's experience with them has been very very positive with the provider offering us a friendly, efficient and expeditious our customer experience. So overall the panel considered various risks and opportunities in this process and deemed that by continuing to engage Comensura for a further period it would allow Council to explore long-term other potential supplier options in a planned manner should it choose to that aligns to its future long-term resourcing goals. So I hope that gives you a summary. Karen Finzel 05:16.829
Thank you Diana. That was a well-written report and summary. Thank you. Do we have any questions from any of the Councillors with regards to the report? Not for me. Thank you. Not for me. Thank you. CEO, is there any comment you'd like to the report? Larry Sengstock 05:33.251
This is just a stock standard way of keeping our business ticking over in a most efficient manner, so it's very useful to us in the way we do our business. Karen Finzel 05:42.442
Thank you then. So we'll put the motion forward to note the report by the Governance Manager, award the contract. To Comensura, delegate the CEO the power to negotiate, finalise, execute and do all the things necessary to administer the contract on behalf of Council and delegate to the CEO to extend the contract for a period of up to three years from the 1st May 2027 at council's discretion. Do we have a mover? Thank you, that's Councillor Finzel, Wilson, seconded by Jessica Phillips. My apologies. We'll take that to the vote. That's all in favour, that's unanimous. Thank you, and thank you to the staff, and thanks, Steve. Thank you, everyone. Take care. Bye. Thank you. Yeah, that was good. So, now we're up to item 8, reports for noting by the committee. We've got 8.1, Noosa Holiday Parks Update. We welcome the staff to the table and seek a review of the report, which I might add was very comprehensive and gave some good reading. So, thank you. Margaret Gatt 06:55.916
Thank you. Councillors. I won't take any of Robyn Robyn's sunder, I'll just hand straight over to Robyn to take us through the detail of the report. Robyn Mercer 07:04.351
Thank you. Marg, and good afternoon, Councillors. This report provides you with an update on the Noosa Holiday Parks Business Unit for the period from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024. Noosa Council operates three campgrounds and caravan park across the region at Boreen Point, Noosa North Shore and Noosa River. In summary, the program is performing as expected, meeting both revenue and surplus requirements year to date, including $2.46 million in revenue and an operational surplus. Of $545,000. Visitation numbers are tracking well with almost 32 guests during the first six months of this financial year. This is in line with previous year's performance and is a positive indicator of utilisation of these facilities and market awareness of our campgrounds and holiday parks. This is important to ensure that we uphold the designated land use for these sites and maintain their intended purpose for camping and caravan recreation. Additionally forward bookings through to the end of financial year remain strong. It's over 3.9 million in forward revenue booked and to achieve the expected budget operational service surplus. Sorry thank you. I will also quickly draw your attention to a typing error in section 2 visitation. The second sentence the start of the sentence isn't capitalised. Apologies. Kerri Contini 08:38.195
So any questions from the Councillors at the table? Nicola Wilson 08:42.639
No questions. It's a great report. Thanks for all the data. Thank nice, you. And all the graphs. It's great. Jessica Phillips 08:49.210
And I think he's saying the workshop or the briefing beforehand on it was very thorough and so is report. So I've got that questions. Thank you. Got very confident in it being in your hands. Thanks. You. Karen Finzel 09:01.497
Thank you. Councillor Wegener. Nothing from the gallery. Well, given that, thank you. I'm happy to move the item. Do we have a seconder? I'll second. By Councillor Phillips. Yes, thank you. It was a great report. Yes, as Councillor Phillips said, the workshop was very informative and everything has been backed up by data. It's very comprehensive and I'm pleased to say that the projection forwards are hitting all the right targets and the community should be pleased that the service that we're delivering to the broader community and beyond is really well maintained and managed by yourself and the staff and it's good to know that we've got the utilisation of the facilities to make know, everyone has that opportunity to come and enjoy our beautiful region and stick to the purpose of the land use which is recreation and holiday through camping so I think it ticks all the boxes and we're looking forward to the future as this area in our Council continues to grow and meet the needs of our community and visitors alike so thank you Kerri Contini 10:10.310
Thank you everyone all right you're gonna take it to the vote yes all right Karen Finzel 10:17.606
Yes again we'll take it to the vote that's unanimous or in favour Thank you. To the staff and have a good afternoon. You. So we're moving into the report noting 8.2 cemetery fees GST determination. Thank you Kerri, welcome to the table. Thank you. Kerri Contini 10:43.935
So this is a fairly brief report from time to the taxation office issues determinations regarding whether that, regarding whether or not GST is applicable to certain things. Last year they did a review into burial rights on within public cemeteries on public land and determined that this was a regulatory activity and therefore not subject to GST. So that's a change in their ruling so therefore we need to follow through on that change. As our fees are published in Council's Fees and Charges it needs to be adopted by Council so that make the necessary change. Karen Finzel 11:33.241
Thank you. Kerri Contini 11:34.523
Any questions? Nicola Wilson 11:37.847
No questions again. Thank you and it's good to see that our customers get a saving for a couple of these services. Yes. Karen Finzel 11:49.796
There was a risk around the GST. Would you proceed through that process? What was that? Oh, well, the risk would be then that we are not compliant. Kerri Contini 11:58.970
So the ATO allows a period understanding that it takes time, particularly within government processes, to move through a process. So they allow that time, a if we haven't implemented couple of months then we would be non-compliant and we would then be up for a whole range of. Retrospective costs as well. So to be bringing it forward now in early February is perfectly fine. That's fantastic. Good to know. It was a difficult one in that it was, yes, announced in December. So very challenging for anyone to implement it over the course of this year. Karen Finzel 12:38.082
Yeah. Thank you. For the report. Who would like to move the motion? I'll move the motion. Okay. Do we have a seconder? I'll second. Happy to second by Councillor Wilson. Will take and we'll take that to the vote. That's unanimous. All in favour? Thank you. Thanks Kerri. Okay. We're moving on. Reports were noted by the committee. Item number 8.3, capital program 2024-2025, delivery status. Who's bringing that report? I guess we're losing the wait. Yes. Before we proceed on, we have a conflict of interest. Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 13:29.431
Even though it's for reporting, but in accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, I, Councillor inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to an upcoming tender for Cooroy Gymnastics Club mentioned in the capital program update report. I've been hired as a consultant by the Cooroy Gymnastics Club to assist in resourcing of their coaching staff and I'm currently the coaching senior competitive program on an interim basis. I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because the information in the report is merely noting that a tender is upcoming in the future therefore I will choose to remain in the meeting room however I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. There's just one bit. It actually says the, Cooroy Sports Complex. Maybe if we just want to make sure that's, which includes gymnastics upgrade and Multipurpose Area. Or if we want to go straight from the wording on the report: Cooroy Sports Complex, gymnastics upgrade and Multipurpose Area. Cooroy Sports Complex, gymnastics. Is that being provided as a consultant by them? Sorry, no. Cooroy Gymnastics, yeah that bit, the tender for Cooroy Sports Complex, gymnastics upgrade and Multipurpose Area. Karen Finzel 15:13.523
Which includes? Kerri Contini 15:38.690
Sorry, should that, declaration says that she will Nicola Wilson 15:46.899
Stay in the room of and take part in the decision, but there is no decision? No. I think there's a decision on noting the report. Unidentified Speaker 16:00.507
Well, I recommend that. Karen Finzel 16:04.228
Are you okay, are you happy with the wording, Councillor? Kerri Contini 16:25.120
Yes, Thank you. Do we have any questions? Nicola Wilson 16:33.188
To move that Councillor Phillips stay in the room, in accordance with section 150 ES of the Local Government Act 2009, having considered the council's conflict of interest as described, it's decided that Councillor Phillips may and vote on this matter relating to the Cooroy sports complex and Multipurpose Area, which includes the Cooroy gymnastics club. Noting that there is no decision on that tender today, it's just been noted as something that will come to Council in the future. Karen Finzel 17:00.574
The Councillor Wilkie. So act accordingly. Thank you, Councillor Wilson, and I'm happy to second that. Thank you. It's good that we're all adhering to our code of conduct and delivering to our community transparent and good governance around these issues. So thank you, Councillor. We'll take it to the vote. That's unanimous and Councillor, you can remain in the room. Thank you. And no, Councillor Phillips did not go to the vote. Thank you everyone for your patience. Welcome, good afternoon to the staff. Kerri Contini 17:38.327
Thank you for bringing your overview of the report to the table. Good afternoon, Councillors. Nicola Wilson 17:44.834
This report provides a status update of the capital works program as of the 31st of December 2024 and excludes disaster recovery projects. Kerri Contini 17:53.674
The approved capital budget provision for the 24/25 financial year is $53.8 million, inclusive of carry forwards of $22.4 million, noting that this has been amended to $46 million following Budget Review 2. The actual the expenditure actual achieved to 31st of December is $13.6 million, with $7.2 remaining in commitments, and there are currently 134 on the capital works program in varying stages of delivery. Council has current forecast of grant funding revenue of $14.2 million, with council's contribution to these projects being $8.4 million. The design services team are currently managing 16 projects and providing design services to 18 projects, and continue to provide design and survey support to over 60 projects in the '24 / '25 financial year. These projects have a combined design and construction value exceeding $14 million. The infrastructure planning services team are currently supporting key master planning initiatives and multiple sub-projects, and the estimated value in '24 / '25 is $1 million, with an estimated future project investment value in the range of $75 million plus. Infrastructure planning, design and delivery branch is undergoing a major restructuring process and has recently been impacted by some resignations of key staff and mitigation strategies. Are being implemented to reduce the impacts. The resource constraints continue to hamper the delivery of projects. Enhancements in systems, tools, processes continuously being rolled out across IPDD, particularly in the area of project controls, reporting and forecasting. Innovative strategies for project delivery are continuously being explored. Explored, such as optimising the size of procurement packages and utilising external resources to supplement resource constraints. It is recommended that Council note the report by the Director of Infrastructure Services. The and organisation committee on the 11th of February 2025, providing an update of the delivery of the 24/25 capital works program to the December 31st 2024.2024. Karen Finzel 20:19.363
Thank you. Thanks. Wow, there's a lot in that thing. Kerri Contini 20:23.648
A lot of information to get out. Karen Finzel 20:26.885
I think there's a lot of work being done by very small dedicated team. Thank you for the report and fuel. Your verbal overview this morning. Question to the CEO resignations is in that department it seems like a bit of a workload. Towards. How are we looking towards managing those impacts as we move forward Larry Sengstock 20:47.910
Good question very good question. We are working through it. We're actually looking at a model where we're outsourcing a number of our projects as well. So that's the change that's happening. Because it is difficult to secure new staff and secure them quickly, it's incumbent on us to keep the program working and we have been exploring this anyway in terms of where we can outsource where it's more economic or more time sensitive then we'll outsource others we'll keep them internally and do as we need to do, but we have lost a couple of key people but we've also gained some key people and we've got some very good people here who are working diligently to get all this work done so we're comfortable that we can continue to do It is a struggle, there's no question about that. We're not shying away from the fact that it's tough out there and it's not just in Council but all businesses are doing it tough in terms of the construction industry because there's a lot on and a lot of demand on people's time and effort. Karen Finzel 21:49.404
Yeah, What about staff morale? How has the change taken you? How have you been up to the psychological impacts? Larry Sengstock 21:58.384
We have to ask the staff, but I think that, you know, it is difficult when you lose people that you respect and have been integral to the programs for various reasons. We've had people moving on. Um and, yeah, it just takes time to readjust, but, again, there are people that are stepping up and taking on more responsibility and doing a great job. Karen Finzel 22:21.315
Involved for psychosocial yeah, absolutely. Larry Sengstock 22:26.623
Okay. I've got to make sure we've nailed down Karen Finzel 22:28.766
This great team because they do deliver a lot of work and really work hard to punch above their weight to deliver this extensive infrastructure program. Larry Sengstock 22:38.059
Yeah. So there's no question there'll be some something we've and we report this every month that we have work that has to be rolled over just because we can't get to it or it just takes further time to deliver. But we're also very conscious that the longer you leave it and if you don't do it properly then the costs go up as well so we've got to manage things under the same banner. So it's a tough business but again, the people we've got are doing a great job. Fantastic, Jessica Phillips 23:07.600
Thank you. Any other questions? To support please and it's probably going to be to Larry. Do we provide exit interviews for any of them? And would Councillors ever been provided like maybe a summary of what some of the reasoning of the resource or them leaving? Larry Sengstock 23:26.672
I guess we do it more ad hoc than in terms of the exit interviews, absolutely. Everybody does that. But in terms of reporting back to Council yeah, I think we probably do it more of an ad hoc method. So yeah, I'm happy to actually bring some more of that to you, but that will come through our P&C department. Jessica Phillips 23:48.257
Is around like long term planning then if we are seeing that staff are leaving for whatever reasons that come through that if it is maybe workload or see then what I'd is like to that when we're looking at strategic long-term goals of the capital works program that we're actually taking that into consideration rather than continually maybe biting off more than what our team can deliver and then we're under delivering and the community see that so was more of a statement but I think there's a question in there look Larry Sengstock 24:28.010
There's no look there's no no doubt we need to do that as part of the budget process going forward is that we have been taking advantage of the opportunities that have been there over the last number of years with various funding opportunities it's time to actually look out and say we've got to deliver the stuff that we've got on our plate and stop looking for new things all the time and that's very much what we're planning to do coming forward again, it's all about workforce planning as well so giving the time to do that and getting instead of just going what we got by next year so what have we got to apply for the next five years and ten years and that's what we've got to do it's not just in this team it's across the whole organisation so that's a piece of work that I've charged the P&C department to really put their heads down and work on again it's been difficult because movement but also it's just we've got so much going on just need to find the time to do it but that's absolutely the piece of work that needs to happen and I think we do need to take our foot off the pedal a little bit in terms of some of the projects because it's just it's very demanding but it also if you don't do it properly it costs you a lot more money than what you want to be paying Nicola Wilson 25:39.917
And I think to add to that we've got so many plans and strategies that we get different members of the community saying you haven't completed these initiatives in this plan in the bigger picture of everything that we're trying to get through in the capital works Larry Sengstock 25:53.238
It's just feasibly not possible. Kerri Contini 25:55.783
Thank you Rob for your own back again. Jessica Phillips 25:59.489
Any further questions? No, I can't work look out at how not to make those. That a statement, what are we doing? We an doing observation would be maybe that we are great that we see so many grants come through, but an observation from my perspective would be that rather than focusing on like grants and which we have to co-contribute every time from ratepayers, I'd like to see more around what we can actually deliver without. Unidentified Speaker 26:33.321
We are following. Larry Sengstock 26:36.830
Thank you. Was that, prescriptive in terms of what we do chase now and it used to be more what's out there. Let's just go after it. Now we're far more discerning. Karen Finzel 26:48.103
Right. Thank you. Yeah, I think the days are the rivers of gold. Yeah. Coming to an end, the flow, then we have to be far more efficient. Larry Sengstock 26:57.042
Yeah, and there's more work outside of this organisation. So the Olympics and the various big projects around, the road projects, all putting demand staff on or resources. So we've got to be cognisant of that as well. Jessica Phillips 27:11.127
And correct me if I'm wrong, but when we get grants, often that's for the delivery of the project and not the ongoing cost that I they cost count ratepayers because we haven't factored in lifelong maintenance of that. So it's great that we get grants, but then I feel like maybe we've drawn a little bit too big and I'd like to see maybe some tightening in around giving good quality in. Larry Sengstock 27:38.740
I think you're spot on there, Councillor, in terms of we do try to include that where possible. And we're getting better at it. We're smarter at asking those questions up front, whereas before it was like, well, let's just do it. We'll work that out later. But up, but it also comes with our asset management plans. So now I'm far more aware of what that's going to cost us in the longer term. So we're getting better at it. Again, all councils that I know of are running this same call in terms of catch up and trying to get through as much as they can. Again, the community demands are out there. Wilson just said it's the community wants more and all these different things that we've got going on and we as humans are trying to do as much as we can to cater for all of that and ultimately it comes back and vice versa. We've got to be a bit more disturbing discerning. Which again, you'll see as we come through the budget it's something that will be brought to the table Karen Finzel 28:30.784
Yeah and I think we have seen continuous improvement, you know, around this infrastructure, life event infrastructure and the cost we're reporting for the future. So yeah, we're just, it's a good opportunity. I think, to focus, you know, drill closer down to what's really happening here and strive for continuous improvement and efficiencies. Larry Sengstock 28:50.417
A lot of our funding from the State and Federal governments in the past hasn't included even the ability to shave off some from a management, project management point of view. We've had to try to deal with that ourselves. Whereas now they're recognising that that's not always possible either so a lot of the funding that we get, not even the grants but just the general funding for various things, we're able to build in that project management cost so at least we're being able to utilise that to make it more efficient for us as a Council to deliver. Karen Finzel 29:21.039
I think from memory this gets raised a lot at the LGAQ conferences to the State around this idea of funding and grants but then, you know, we deliver but then who's going to manage the ongoing costs back to our ratepayers I think we're all pretty cognisant that this is on the table and these are the challenges that we're facing major forward. So we're not alone as Larry said and we've got a great dedicated staff that's doing the best they can and delivering what they can with what they've got so we really appreciate that. Larry Sengstock 29:53.319
We'll see you coming from post and we've got people here now have really got their eye on the ball in terms of the delivery and the Unidentified Speaker 29:59.580
Scheduling and the timelines so it's great to see. These discussions will probably be key in the budget process for next capital year. We're starting to look at the project initiations and having a look forward at next year's budget and how these grant projects impact on that. Just on your question about the exit interviews, another. Reporting mechanism would be the health and wellbeing survey that P&C have run and. We're just going through as a department now the results of ours. Starting to listen further, the next step will be developing the strategies to improve. But a lot of what's come out of that is reflecting what was in those exit interviews as well. So, just another reporting mechanism for that. Karen Finzel 30:43.182
Yeah, that's great. Right, it's good you know why now. Thank you. Any other questions? No, that would be a second. Do you want to speak to that? Nicola Wilson 30:57.862
Yes, so we've kind of gone through lots of the challenges that we face at the moment but I think it's worth also celebrating the successes that we've got in this report. Beautiful photos here and it shows that we're completing projects all around the show. So we've the Cooroy cemetery fencing, the Cooran shade umbrellas, the roof of the childcare centre in Tewantin, Sunshine Beach lifeguard tower and roof replacement, some plant and fleet for the local laws team to look after animals. Cooroy playground slide replacement, Noosaville, fitness equipment upgrade. And Noosa Woods barbecue renewals. Shire-wide pathway program in Cooroy and Noosaville and a fantastic result at the Noosa Leisure Centre, outdoor the court upgrade. And the basketball court there, I don't see your face on it Larry, and our container return point at the landfill in Doonan, so some great achievements, so despite all those challenges it's good to see some of those. Completed that really do make an impact on our community and very very noticeable out there. Thank you and also just mentioning that I'm on the Capital Works Executive and the very detailed reporting we get very much is fantastic there too of where we're at with everything and where the visits are. Thank you. That was recommending this report. Did we have a seconder? No, we'll take it to the vote. Did you want to talk to them? Karen Finzel 32:35.475
I don't need to talk to them, I think we've covered enough ground and yes, happy to take it to the vote. That's unanimous, all in favour. Nicola Wilson 32:43.054
Thank you and thank you to the staff. Thank you. Karen Finzel 32:53.020
So that brings us to the end of our meeting today. There was no confidential session and the meeting has closed at 2:03pm. Thank you Mr. Mayor, thank you staff, Councillors. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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