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 Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt Apologies (Did Not Attend)
AI-Generated 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 00:00.000
Good afternoon, my apologies, to the Services and Organisation Committee meeting Tuesday the 11th of February 2025. I'd like to acknowledge the Elders and Kabi Kabi people, past, present and emerging and I'd like to express my appreciation of their inherent knowledge and cultural understanding and connection to our waters, land and sea. So thank you everybody and welcome today, noting that we have all councillors in attendance and in the gallery we have Councillor Tom Wegener. We have apologies from Frank the Mayor, who is our 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 and seconded by Councillor Wilson. Thank you for that. I will take that to the vote. All in favour? Yes, that's unanimous. We have no presentations no deputations and we have before us reports for consideration for the committee. We have item have item number 7.1, the contract renewal, provision of contingent staff labour hire and we've got council staff the report written by Diana Stewart who's going to give us a brief overview. Diana Stewart 01:46.850
Thank You councillors this report that is presented to you today is in relation to awarding a procurement contract to ensure 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 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... labour hire workforce is a critical component in supporting council to deliver services to our community. So within this resourcing model, we have a current contract with Comensura, our labour hire provider, that is due to expire on 28th of February of this year. This contractual arrangement has been established under our local government local buy arrangement scheme. Prior to engaging with Comensura, our sourcing of contingent workforce was ineffective as teams spent substantial time trying to engage labour 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. Since 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 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 Approximately $2.28 million. So within this context, a procurement panel was recently established, assembled, consisting of staff from People and 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 positive. 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 commensura 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. Karen Finzel 05:13.333
So I hope that gives you a summary Thank You Diana that was a well-written report and summary thank you. Do we have any questions? Do we have any questions from any of the councillors with regards to the report? Not from me, thank you. Not from me, thank you. CEO is there any comment you'd like to make around the report? Larry Sengstock 05:32.831
This is just 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 05:42.064
Thank you then. So we'll put the motion forward to note the report by the governance manager, award the contract. Delegate the CEO the power to negotiate, finalise, execute and do all the things necessary to invest the contract on behalf of council and delegate to the chief CEO to extend the contract for a period of up to three years from the date of 1st May 2027 at council's discretion. Do we have a mover? Nicola Wilson 06:10.874
Thank you that's Councillor Wilson, 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. Thank you, Deidre. Thank you, everyone. everyone. Take care. Bye. Thank you. So now we're up to item 8, reports for noting by the committee. We've got item 8.1. Item 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. councillors. I won't take any of Robyn's thunder, I'll just hand straight over to Robyn to take us through the detail of the report. Robyn Mercer 07:03.226
Thank you Mark and good afternoon councillors. This report provides you with an update on the Noosa Holiday Park business unit for the period from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024. Noosa Council operates three Thank you. In summary, the program is performing as expected, meeting both revenue and surplus requirements year to date, including $2.46 million in revenue. 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 This is important to 9 Million in forward revenue booked and forecasted to achieve the expected budget operational surplus. I will also quickly draw your attention to a typing error in section 2 visitation. error in section 2 visitation. The second sentence, the start of the sentence isn't capitalised. SPEAKER_01 08:33.704
Thank you. Nicola Wilson 08:37.804
So any questions from the councillors at the table? No questions, it's a great report, thanks for all the data. Thank you. And all the graphs, it's great. Jessica Phillips 08:48.709
And I think he's saying the workshop or the briefing beforehand on it was very thorough. very thorough and so was the report, so I've got that question. Thank you. You got very confident in it being in your hands. Thanks. Karen Finzel 09:00.734
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. Second by Councillor. Yes, thank you. Councillor said, the workshop was very informative and everything has been backed up by data. It was a great report. Yes, as... 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 sure that you know everyone has that opportunity to come and enjoy our beautiful region and stitch 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 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, everyone. Alright. I'll take it to the vote. Nicola Wilson 10:15.335
Okay, Karen Finzel 10:19.115
We'll take it to the vote. That's unanimous. All in favour? Thank you. to the staff. 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 10:43.260
So, this is a fairly brief report from time to time, the Taxation Office issues determinations, apologies for that, regarding Regarding whether or not GST is applicable to certain things, last year they did a review into burial rights within public cemeteries on public land and regarding 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 we can then make the necessary change. Karen Finzel 11:32.635
Thank you. Any questions? Nicola Wilson 11:37.035
No questions again, great report, thank you and it's good to see that our customers get a saving for a couple of these services. Karen Finzel 11:44.355
Yes. There was a risk around the GST, would you proceed through that process, what was that? The risk would be then that we are not compliant, so the ATO allows a a period period understanding understanding that that it it takes takes time particularly within government processes to move through a process so they allow that time. If we haven't implemented it within a couple of months then we would be non-compliant and we would then be up for a whole range of retrospective costs as well. But 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 announced in December so very challenging for anyone to implement it. 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. And we'll take that to the vote. That's unanimous. All in favour? Thank you. Okay. We're moving on. Reports were noted by the committee. Item number 8.3, Capital program, 2024-2025, Delivery Status. Yes, before we proceed on, we have a conflict of interest. Jessica Phillips 13:26.800
Councillor. 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 terrible 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 coaching the senior competitive program on an interim basis. I've been hired as a consultant... I do not believe a reasonable person could 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... participate in the decision. There's just one bit. It actually says the... it's the Cooroy Sports Complex. Maybe if we just want to make sure that's... which includes gymnastics, upgrade and or if we want to go straight from the wording on the report, Cooroy Sports Complex, gymnastics, upgrade and multi-purpose area. Cooroy Sports Complex. Is that being provided as a consultant by them? Oh, sorry, no. Cooroy Gymnastics... yeah, that bit, the tender for Cooroy Sports Complex. Gymnastics, upgrade and Nicola Wilson 15:38.300
Sorry, should the... that declaration says that she will stay in the room and take part in the decision, but there is no decision? No. If there's a decision or Yes, Thank you. Do we have any questions? To move that Councillor stay in the room in accordance with section 150 ES of the Local Government section 150 ES of the Local Government Act 2009, having considered the council's conflict of interest as described, it's decided that Councillor may participate and vote on this matter relating to the Cooroy Sports Complex and multi-purpose area, which includes the Cooroy Gymnastics Club. Noting that there is no decision on that tender today, it's just being noted as something that will come to council in the future at which point Councillor will act accordingly. Karen Finzel 17:03.140
Thank You Councillor Wilson and I'm happy 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 note, Councillor did not go to the vote. Thank you, everyone, for Welcome. Good afternoon to the staff. Thank you for bringing your overview of the report to the table. Good afternoon, Councillors. This report provides a status update of update of the capital works program as of the 31st December 2024 and excludes disaster recovery projects. 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 expenditure achieved to the 31st December is $13.6 million with $7.2 remaining in commitments. and there are currently 134 projects 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. 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 and delivery branch is undergoing a major restructuring process and has recently been impacted by some resignations of key staff and mitigation strategies strategies are being implemented to reduce the impacts. The resource constraints continue to hamper the delivery of projects. Enhancements in systems, tools, processes continuously processes are 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 such as optimising the size of procurement packages and utilising external resources to supplement resource constraints. So it's recommended that Council note the report by the Director of Infrastructure Services to the Services and Organisation Committee on the 11th of February 2025 providing an update of the delivery of the 24/25 capital works program. I think there's a lot of work being done by a very small dedicated team. Thank you for the report and for your verbal overview this morning. Question to the CEO, resignations in that department, it seems like a bit of a workload. How are we looking towards managing those impacts as we move forward? 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 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 economical, more time sensitive. Then we'll outsource, others we'll keep in 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 in here who are working diligently. working diligently to get all this work done so we can continue to do it. 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. Yeah, yeah. What about staff morale? How's the change over the years? How will you be up there with that? 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, um, 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. Okay, so we've got HR involved for psychosocial response. Absolutely. Absolutely. Okay, got to make sure we've nailed down this great team because they do deliver a lot of work and, um, really work hard to punch above their weight to deliver this extensive infrastructure program. Larry Sengstock 22:38.041
Yeah, so there's no question there'll be some So there's no question there will be some, 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 all those things under the same banner so it's a tough business. tough business but again, the people we've got are doing a great job. Jessica Phillips 23:06.559
Fantastic, thank you. Any other questions? Question to support please and it's probably going to be to Larry. Do we provide exit interviews for any of them? Absolutely. And would councillors ever be provided like maybe a summary of some of the reasoning of the resources? I guess we do it more ad hoc. 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 PNC department. Yeah, I guess because my follow-up question 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 then what I'd like to see is that when 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 that was more of a statement but I think there's a question in there. Larry Sengstock 24:23.418
I'll take it as a question, look there's no doubt we to do that and that's 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 done a 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 getting the time to do that. Instead of just going, "What have we got on our plate next year? " It's, "What have we got on our plate 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 PNC department to really put their heads down. 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 it's very demanding but also if you don't it properly it costs you a lot more money than what you want to be paying. Nicola Wilson 25:39.418
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 and in the bigger picture. picture of everything that we're trying to get through in the capital works it's just feasibly not possible. Larry Sengstock 25:55.138
Exactly. Thank you Rob for your own back again. Jessica Phillips 25:59.218
Any further questions? Nicola Wilson 26:02.418
No I can't look at her not to make that a statement. What are we doing? Jessica Phillips 26:09.339
An 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 chasing grants and which we have to co-contribute every time from ratepayers I'd like to see more around It's okay, it's okay, it's okay. Payers, I'd like to see more around what we can actually deliver with our... Larry Sengstock 26:32.420
Absolutely, and we are far more, far more prescriptive in terms of, in terms of what we do chase now and it used to be used to be more of what's out there, let's just go after it, now we're far more discerning. Great, thank you. Karen Finzel 26:49.572
I think the days are the rivers of gold. Coming to an end, the flow, then we have to be far more efficient. And there's more work outside of this organisation. So the Olympics and the various big projects around, the road projects, all putting demand on staff or resources in the region. So we've got to be cognisant of that as well. Jessica Phillips 27:10.565
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 costs that I feel sometimes then cost, count, rate pay. 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 gone a little bit too big and I'd like to see maybe some... I think I would give this spot on the council 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 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 because 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 says we've got to be a bit more discerning which again you'll see as we come through the budgets it's something that will be brought to the table. Karen Finzel 28:30.308
Yeah, and I think we have seen... continuous improvement you know around this infrastructure, life of infrastructure and the cost we'll be affording in the future so yeah we're just it's a good opportunity I think to focus you know drill closer down to Larry Sengstock 28:49.534
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 29:20.382
I think from memory. This gets raised a lot at the LGAQ conferences as it's put up 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... going. Costs back to our rate payers, so I think we're all pretty cognisant that this is on the table and these are the challenges that we're facing majorly. So we're not alone, as Larry said, and we've got a great dedicated staff that's 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 29:53.033
We've seen from these reports and we've got people here now who've really got their eye on the ball in terms of the delivery. SPEAKER_01 29:58.789
And the 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 impact on that. and how these grant projects... Just on your question about the exit interviews, another reporting mechanism would be the health and wellbeing survey that PNC have run and we're just going through as a department now the results of ours and 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 30:47.892
Thank you. Any other questions? Nicola Wilson 30:51.292
Yes, so we've kind of gone through lots of the challenges that we face. 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. We've got some beautiful photos here and it shows that we're completing projects all around the Shire. we've got the Cooroy Cemetery fencing, the Cooran shade umbrellas, the roof of the childcare centre in Tewantin, Sunshine Beach lifeguard tower, another and roof replacement, some fleet for plant the local laws team to look after animals, Cooroy playground slide replacement, Noosaville fitness equipment upgrade, Noosa Noosa Heads, Woods BBQ renewals, Shire wide pathway program in Cooroy and Noosaville, and a fantastic result at the Noosa Leisure Centre, the outdoor court court upgrade upgrade and and the the basketball basketball court 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 projects completed that really do make an impact on our community and very noticeable out there, so thank you. And also just mentioning that I'm on the Capital Works Executive Fund. The very detailed reporting we get very much is fantastic there too, of where we're at with everything, and where the business are. Thank you. Do you recommend this report? Did we have a seconder? Karen Finzel 32:33.387
No, we'll take it to the vote. Did you want to talk to them? 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. Thank you, and thank you to the staff. Thank you. 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. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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