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).
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Services & Organisation Committee
Tuesday, 11 February 2025 @ 1:30PM - #789
Meeting Duration: 33 minutes
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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.
Committee members
Non committee members
Executive
Apologies
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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. CLOSED SESSION
Nil.
10. MEETING CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 2.03pm.
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. CLOSED SESSION
Nil.
10. MEETING CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 2.03pm.
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