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)
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 & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday the 11th of February 2025. I'd like to acknowledge the elders and Kabi Kabi People, our past, present and future. 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 welcome 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 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 for that and we'll 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 report. Is written by Diana Stewart who's going to give us a brief overview. Diana Stewart 01:45.177
Thank you Councillors. This report that 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, 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 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 management 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 us suitable candidates for our consideration. So whilst our labour hire workforce 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 procured was recently established, assembled consisting of staff from people culture branch, governance 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 it's been 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 commonsura 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 05:16.288
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. CEO, is there any comment you'd like to the report? Larry Sengstock 05:32.809
This is just a stock standard way of keeping our business ticking over in a most efficient manner, so it's very useful to in the way we do our business. Karen Finzel 05:42.029
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 chief 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 Wilson, Wilson, seconded by Jessica Phillips. My apologies. We'll take that to the vote. That's all in favour, that's unanimous. You, and thank you to the staff, and thanks, Steve. You, everyone, take thank care. Bye. Thank you. Yeah, too. That was that 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 06:56.120
Thank you. Councillors. I won't take any of robyn's thunder, sunder. I'll just hand straight over to Robin to take us through the detail of the report. Thank you. Marg, and good afternoon, Councillors. Robyn Mercer 07:06.906
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 caravan camping and grounds and caravan parks 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 designated land use guidelines. 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 forecasted achieve to the expected budget operational service surplus. Sorry thank you. I will also quickly draw your attention to typing error in section 2 visitation. The second sentence the start of the sentence isn't capitalised. Apologies. Thank you. Karen Finzel 08:35.529
So any questions from the Councillors at the table? No questions. It's a great report. Thanks for all the data. Thank was great. Jessica Phillips 08:48.709
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 no questions. Thank that you got very confident in it being in your hands. Thanks. You. Karen Finzel 09:01.155
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 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. Everyone all right you're gonna take it to the vote yes all right yes again we'll that's unanimous or in favour Thank you. To the staff and have a good afternoon. You. Thanks. 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 10:43.247
So this is a fairly brief report from time to the taxation office issues determinations for 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 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. Thank you. Any questions? No again. Thank you and it's good to see that our customers get a saving for a couple of these services. Karen Finzel 11:44.356
Yes. Do you have you're not many, thank 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. Claire 11:58.849
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 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. So but to be bringing it forward now in early February is perfectly fine. Yeah. That's fantastic. Good to know. So we're ahead of the game. It was a difficult one that it in was, yes, announced in December. So very challenging for anyone to implement it over the course of the season. Yeah. Thank you. Karen Finzel 12:40.062
Thank you for the report. Who would like to move the motion? I'll Okay. Do we have a seconder? I'll Happy to second by Councillor Wilson. And we'll take that to the vote. That's unanimous. All in favour? Thank you. Thanks Claire. 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 weight. Yes, before we proceed on, we have a conflict of interest. Jessica Phillips 13:26.840
Councillor Phillips. Even though it's for reporting, but in accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, I, Councillor Phillips, 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 I'm currently the senior competitive competitors. Program on an interim basis. 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 to the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and 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 Multipurpose Area or if we want to go straight from the wording on report Cooroy sports complex gymnastics upgrade and Multipurpose Area sports complex is that gymnastics oh sorry no club gymnastics oh yeah that bit the tender for area Karen Finzel 15:13.200
Which includes Margaret Gatt 15:37.989
He's our ship but sorry should that declaration says that she will stay in the room and take part in this decision but there is no decision no if there's a decision on noting the report SPEAKER_01 16:00.320
Well, I recommend that she is. Karen Finzel 16:08.540
Okay are you happy with the wording Councillor yes. Thank you, thank you. Do we have any questions? No. Hi. I 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 participate 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 being noted as something that will come to Council in the future. At which point, the Councillor Wilkie. Act accordingly. 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. You. Thank you. No, Councillor Wilson. Bray. No, and no, Councillor Phillips did go to the vote. You everyone for your patience. Good afternoon to the staff. SPEAKER_05_b 17:37.762
Thank you for bringing your overview of the report to the table. Good afternoon, Councillors. This report provides a status update of the capital works program as of the 31st of 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 two. The actual expenditure 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 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. An estimated future project investment value 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 are being rolled out across IPDD, particularly in the area of project controls, reporting and forecasting. Strategy innovative strategies for project delivery are continuously being. Excluded. 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 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. Karen Finzel 20:19.342
Thank you. Thanks. Wow, there's a lot in that thing. A lot of information to get out. I think there's 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 in that department, it seems like a bit of a workload, how are we looking towards managing those impacts as we move forward with very good question very Larry Sengstock 20:49.950
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 SPEAKER_06 21:13.295
Time sensitive, then we'll outsource others. Keep them internal and do as we need to do. 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 Larry Sengstock 21:30.521
So we're comfortable that we can but 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 of demand on people's time and effort. Karen Finzel 21:48.800
Yeah, yeah. What about stop morale? Norell? We Larry Sengstock 21:58.524
To ask the staff, but I think that 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. And yeah, it just takes time to readjust, but again, the people are stepping up and taking on more responsibility and doing a great job. Karen Finzel 22:19.810
Okay, so we've got HR involved for psychosocial. Yeah, absolutely. Okay, I've got to make sure we've nailed down 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 Larry Sengstock 22:37.790
Yeah so there's no question there'll be something and we're got going report to 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 but again, the people we've got are doing a great job. Fantastic, Jessica Phillips 23:07.351
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 Larry Sengstock 23:25.640
Leaving? I guess we do it more ad hoc than in terms of the exit interviews, absolutely. Everybody did that. But in terms of reporting back to Council, yeah, 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 23:45.710
I guess because my follow is-up question 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 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 was of a statement but I think there's a question in there look Larry Sengstock 24:27.023
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 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 do we have to pay next year it's what have we got to pay 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 challenged 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 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 Jessica Phillips 25:39.027
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 the bigger in of the bigger picture everything that we're trying to get through in the capital works it's just feasibly not possible. Thank you Rob for your Larry Sengstock 25:57.829
Own back again. Jessica Phillips 26:01.050
Any further questions? No, I have not made that statement. A we what are doing? An observation would be maybe made. 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 what we can actually deliver without. Are following. Larry Sengstock 26:39.509
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 26:47.769
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 26:56.115
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 on staff or resources. Region so we've got to be cognisant of that as well. Jessica Phillips 27:18.220
Costs 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 going that I feel sometimes then. 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 a gone little bit too big and I'd like to see maybe some tightening in around giving good quality Larry Sengstock 27:38.500
In. 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 but it also comes with our SA management plans, so now we're have 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. 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 discerning. Karen Finzel 28:24.862
Disturbing which again you'll see as we come through the budget 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, it's a good opportunity. I think, to focus, you know, drill closer down to the what's really happening here and strive for continuous improvement and efficiencies. Larry Sengstock 28:50.036
That's 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 the management, project point of view, we've had to try to deal with that ourselves. Whereas now they're recognising that 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 to make it more efficient for us as a Council to deliver. Karen Finzel 29:20.017
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 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 29:52.800
See we'll from these reports, and we've got people here now have who really got their eye on the ball in terms of the delivery and the scheduling SPEAKER_01 29:59.717
And the timelines, so it's great to see. And 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 that. Just on your question about the exit interviews, another reporting mechanism would be the health and well-being 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 30:43.140
Yeah, that's right. It's good you know I- Thank you. Any other questions? No, I have two questions. Okay, I'll be the second. Do you want to speak to that? 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 Shire, so we've got the Cooroy cemetery fencing, the Cooran shade umbrellas, the roof of the childcare centre in Tewantin, Sunshine Beach lifeguard tower. Another roof replacement, some plant and fleet for the local laws team to look after animals. Cooroy playground slide replacement, Noosaville fitness equipment upgrade, Noosa Heads and Noosa Woods barbecue renewals, Shire-wide pathway program in Cooroy and Noosaville and a fantastic result at the Noosa Leisure Centre, the outdoor court upgrade and the basketball basket court there don't see your face on it and 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 very noticeable out there. Thank you and also just mentioning that I'm on the Capital Works Executive and that 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. Recommending this report. Did we have a seconder? No, we'll take it to the vote. Did you want to talk to them? I don't need I think we've covered enough ground. And yes, happy to 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, Mr. CEO. Thank you, staff, Councillors. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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