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Services & Organisation Committee
Tuesday, 12 August 2025 @ 1:30PM - #891
Meeting Duration: 55 minutes
This Noosa Council meeting contains very poor audio quality. This may have affected the transcription below and is beyond our control.
Go Noosa escalated; transport fixes, APCS travel approved; report, COMSEQ ROI published, Capital works on-track; reporting improved, Holiday Parks resilient; greywater enforced, Remuneration rises.
Key Decisions & Discussions • Karen Finzel: Go Noosa report elevated to General Committee given significance; unanimous referral (Item 7.1) (07:54). • Larry Sengstock: Sought and obtained approval for Mayor’s Council of Mayors (SEQ)–funded international travel to 2025 APCS in Dubai; minor incidental costs possible (Item 7.2) (08:45–10:20). • Frank Wilkie: Framed APCS benefits: regional collaboration pre-2032 Olympics; climate resilience, renewables, waste, affordable housing insights; committed to report back (12:00–14:04) (Item 7.2). • Jessica Phillips: Requested public-facing cost–benefit of COMSEQ membership; CEO cited recent $400k city deal public art funding and broader returns (14:21–15:44) (Item 7.2). • Capital Works: 2024/25 program spend $28.8m (62.5%) of $46m budget; 140 projects; grants $11.7m with $8.4m Council contribution; recruitment improving delivery (Item 8.1) (16:26–20:23, 23:31). • Officers: TMR collaboration progressing (e.g., Beckmans Rd options); Councillor briefing requested; clearer multi-year project reporting foreshadowed (20:17–21:12, 21:15–23:31) (Item 8.1). • Noosa Holiday Parks: FY24/25 revenue
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Key Decisions & Discussions • Karen Finzel: Go Noosa report elevated to General Committee given significance; unanimous referral (Item 7.1) (07:54). • Larry Sengstock: Sought and obtained approval for Mayor’s Council of Mayors (SEQ)–funded international travel to 2025 APCS in Dubai; minor incidental costs possible (Item 7.2) (08:45–10:20). • Frank Wilkie: Framed APCS benefits: regional collaboration pre-2032 Olympics; climate resilience, renewables, waste, affordable housing insights; committed to report back (12:00–14:04) (Item 7.2). • Jessica Phillips: Requested public-facing cost–benefit of COMSEQ membership; CEO cited recent $400k city deal public art funding and broader returns (14:21–15:44) (Item 7.2). • Capital Works: 2024/25 program spend $28.8m (62.5%) of $46m budget; 140 projects; grants $11.7m with $8.4m Council contribution; recruitment improving delivery (Item 8.1) (16:26–20:23, 23:31). • Officers: TMR collaboration progressing (e.g., Beckmans Rd options); Councillor briefing requested; clearer multi-year project reporting foreshadowed (20:17–21:12, 21:15–23:31) (Item 8.1). • Noosa Holiday Parks: FY24/25 revenue $4.62m; surplus $1.14m; ~60,000 guests; forward bookings >$3m six weeks into FY25/26; resilience despite softening occupancy (Item 8.2) (28:08–30:48). • Robyn Mercer: Strategic plan commencing: regenerative tourism, financial sustainability, reinvestment, environmental innovation; pricing to balance affordability and competitive neutrality (33:38–35:15) (Item 8.2). • Greywater management: Rules reinforced (EPA basis); signage and booking notices added; central dump points in place; spot checks planned with Environmental Health (42:38–46:33) (Item 8.2). • Remuneration: From 1 Jul 2025, increases set by QLD Remuneration Commission for Category B3: Mayor +$3,935; Deputy +$2,291; Councillors +$1,947; 2.5% indicated; s250 LGR expenses policy applies (Item 8.3) (49:08–52:11, 52:24–53:40). • Margaret Gatt: Corrected record: B3 categorisation occurred in 2023; methodology complex and considers CPI among other factors (51:18–52:59) (Item 8.3). Contentious / Transparency Matters • Karen Finzel: Escalation of Go Noosa reflects whole-of-council significance; defers probing to ensure full debate (01:32–07:54) (Item 7.1). • Jessica Phillips: Transparency ask: publish COMSEQ ROI to justify ~$48k fee; aligns with community expectations (10:20–11:47, 14:21–15:21) (Item 7.2). • Holiday Parks Comms: Marketing outsourced by business unit; limited in-house comms; Chair queried alignment with Council channels and DMP (39:26–41:32) (Item 8.2). • Carryovers framing: Shift to explain multi-year alignment and savings to avoid “blowout” perceptions; improves public understanding (21:15–23:31) (Item 8.1). • Greywater complaints: Community concern acknowledged; enforcement practicality limits deposits approach; increased education and monitoring flagged (42:38–46:33) (Item 8.2). Legal / Risk • Larry Sengstock: Brought overseas mayoral travel for resolution given elected member travel; mitigates probity risk via council decision and third-party funding (08:45–10:20) (Item 7.2). • Go Noosa: Past overspend vs transport levy revenue corrected by scaling back initiatives (ending free weekend buses post QLD 50c fares), renegotiating Lions Park with formal TMP, and new KPIs (01:49–06:53) (Item 7.1). • Traffic/Safety: Lions Park overflow parking produced congestion at Noosa Parade roundabout; drop-off zone reinstatement proposed with design improvements, wayfinding, and emergency access benefits (01:49–06:53) (Item 7.1). • Environmental Compliance: Greywater disposal grounded in Environmental Protection Act; introduced clearer conditions and signage to reduce non-compliance risk (43:09–46:33) (Item 8.2). • Remuneration: Determinations by independent Commission; expenses under s250 Local Government Regulation; error correction on category timing recorded on the record (49:08–53:40) (Item 8.3). • Procurement/Contracts: Holiday Park management contracts 5+2 with option periods pre-approved; tenders under probity; mitigates challenge risk (47:06–48:06) (Item 8.2). Transport and Congestion Management (Go Noosa) • Staff (Dr Villon referenced): Successful 065 shuttle; discontinued free weekend buses after state 50c fares; park-and-ride underused; comms to improve (01:49–06:53) (Item 7.1). • Frank Wilkie: Queried 9.2% weekend patronage jump; clarified this was statewide, not Noosa-specific (07:10–07:25) (Item 7.1). • Plan Ahead: Explore shuttle extensions, bus priority, passive safety, smart traffic tools, deployable parklets; Christmas-only Lions Park overflow pending DMP (01:49–06:53) (Item 7.1). Tourism and Holiday Parks • Robyn Mercer: Occupancy softened (cost-of-living, March–April weather) but portfolio resilient; pricing tiers from ~$45–50 (Boreen unpowered) to $68–75+ (Noosa River) maintain accessibility (31:25–35:15) (Item 8.2). • Cost Drivers: Utilities and wastewater ~$.75m of ~$3.2m OPEX; weather drives road base costs; strategic investments to lower whole-of-life costs (35:15–36:12) (Item 8.2). • Feedback: Reviews consistently >4 stars; focus on nature-based experience over built attractions; continuous improvement via operator feedback loops (37:38–39:26) (Item 8.2). Capital Works Delivery • Officers/Councillors: Highlighted completed/ongoing works: Sunrise Beach David Low Way retaining wall, Gympie Tce pathways, Goodchap St stormwater, Kin Kin shelters, visitor centre toilets (24:39–25:28) (Item 8.1). • Governance: Capital Works Executive oversight praised; delegation to CEO for emergencies noted as enabling responsive delivery (26:02–27:00) (Item 8.1). Environmental Concerns • Go Noosa: Trials improved pedestrian safety on Hastings/Noosa Drives; emergency vehicle access benefits from Main Beach drop-off design (01:49–06:53) (Item 7.1). • Holiday Parks: Regenerative tourism and circular materials in renewals; guest tree-planting concept under consideration in strategy (41:14–42:32) (Item 8.2). Community Transparency and Engagement • Jessica Phillips: Public ROI on COMSEQ; strengthens legitimacy of membership and travel approvals (14:21–15:21) (Item 7.2). • Reporting: Commitment to clearer multi-year capital reporting and social promotion of completed works to inform residents (21:15–24:45) (Item 8.1).
Official Meeting MinutesRead minutes ↗
MINUTES
Services & Organisation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, 12 August 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 12 AUGUST 2025
1 DECLARATION OF OPENING The meeting was declared open at 1.30pm.
2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi people, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
3 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Karen Finzel (Chair) Cr Jessica Phillips Cr Nicola Wilson Cr Frank Wilkie
NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Tom Wegener (via Microsoft Teams)
EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Director Strategy & Environment Kim Rawlings
APOLOGIES Nil.
4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
4.1 CONFIRMATION OF SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MINUTES DATED 8 JULY 2025 Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson The Minutes of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting held on 8 July 2025 be received and confirmed. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None
7.1 GO NOOSA REPORT Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Services & Organisation Committee Agenda Item 7.1 be referred to the General Committee due to the significance of the issue. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None
7.2 MAYOR'S ATTENDANCE - 2025 ASIA PACIFIC CITIES SUMMIT AND MAYORS’ FORUM VIA COUNCIL OF MAYORS SEQ (INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL) Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson That Council A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 12 August 2025 regarding the Mayor’s attendance and representation at 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (2025APCS) and Mayors’ Forum, Expo City Dubai) and site visits organised by the Council of Mayors; B. Approve the Mayor’s international travel for this trip (23 to 31 October 2025); and C. Note that the costs for the trip will be generally covered by Council of Mayors (SEQ).
8.1 CAPITAL PROGRAM 2024/2025 DELIVERY STATUS Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council note the report by the Director Infrastructure Services to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 12 August 2025 providing an update on the delivery of the 2024/25 Capital Works Program as at 30 June 2025. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 12 AUGUST 2025
8.2 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 12 August 2025 providing an update on operations of the Noosa Holiday Park Business Activity to 30 June 2025. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None
8.3 COUNCILLOR REMUNERATION UPDATE Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the report by the People and Culture Manager to the Services and Organisation Committee dated 12 August 2025 informing Council of the determinations of the Queensland Local Government Remuneration Commission, as detailed in the Local Government Remuneration Commission Annual Report 2024. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None
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