Services & Organisation Committee Agenda - 11 November 2025
Date: Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at 1:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:31:06
Synopsis: Audit & Risk: Cronin extended, Wyer appointed, Capital works: multi‑year mapping, Q1 spend, LGAQ motions carried, Shark mitigation lobbying, Recruitment boosted, Governance risks noted.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Karen Finzel Jessica Phillips Nicola Wilson Frank Wilkie Non-Committee Members
Amelia Lorentson Tom Wegener Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Karen Finzel: Committee unanimously recommended extending Audit & Risk Committee Chair Timothy Cronin to cover the rescheduled 12 Dec 2025 meeting and appointing Christina Wyer as an independent member for 15 Dec 2025–14 Dec 2028 (Item 7.1). Nicola Wilson: Confirmed participation on the EOI selection panel that shortlisted from 29 applicants and recommended Wyer as the preferred candidate (Item 7.1). Frank Wilkie: Supported the extension and praised Cronin’s six years of service; welcomed Wyer’s appointment (Item 7.1). Larry Sengstock: Noted four Noosa-led motions were carried by strong majorities at the LGAQ 2025 conference: youth prevention programs, increased State investment in community dispute resolution, urgent action on plastic pollution/national plastics plan, and trial of non-lethal shark mitigation during whale migration (Item 8.1). Frank Wilkie: Advised there was no debate on Noosa’s motions; they proceed to LGAQ Policy Executive for advocacy to higher government (Item 8.1). Amelia Lorentson: Sought follow-up advocacy to the State Minister and potential joint letters with Gympie and Sunshine Coast councils to advance the non-lethal shark mitigation trial (Item 8.1). Frank Wilkie: Agreed to write again to the Minister and coordinate a joint letter with neighbouring mayors (Item 8.1). Chris Steele / Mel Sheppard: Reported 2025/26 capital budget of $65m (incl. $13.4m carry-forwards), Q1 actuals $5.5m (9%), commitments $13.1m (cumulative 29%); $16.4m grants with $17m Council co‑contribution; 106 projects, 8 not commenced (Item 8.2). Jessica Phillips: Requested clearer multi‑year capital program visibility (5–10 years) to improve public understanding, beyond annual accounting constraints (Item 8.2). CEO / Sean: Explained annual budget cycle limitations, but outlined work to spatially map a 10‑year program in TechOne for public‑facing transparency, with clearer flags for multi‑year projects (Item 8.2). Chris Steele: Advised successful recruitment: additional project officers and a graduate commencing within weeks, strengthening delivery capacity (Item 8.2). Contentious / Transparency Matters Audit & Risk membership selection: Inclusion of a current councillor (Nicola Wilson) on the selection panel for an “independent” oversight committee member is lawful but invites perception risks; the record notes a multi‑member panel and an EOI with 29 applicants (Item 7.1). Capital works clarity: Councillors acknowledged public confusion caused by annual budgeting for multi‑year projects; administration committed to clearer multi‑year labelling and spatial mapping to improve transparency (Item 8.2). Shark mitigation advocacy: Renewed lobbying to the State Minister and joint-council action were discussed in open session, demonstrating transparent escalation after prior ministerial refusal (Item 8.1). LGAQ motions: No debate at conference may indicate broad acceptance, but also limited scrutiny; Council noted strong majorities and will rely on LGAQ’s policy executive for follow‑through (Item 8.1). Legal / Risk Audit & Risk appointments: Extending the Chair and appointing an independent member by Council resolution aligns with the Local Government Regulation 2012 framework for audit committees; continuity to finalise 2025 financials is a prudent control (Item 7.1). Selection probity: Given a councillor helped select an independent oversight member, Council should document conflicts checks and panel rationale to meet governance best practice and mitigate apprehended bias risks (Item 7.1). Capital delivery risk: Q1 spend at 9% with 29% committed suggests back‑ended delivery; schedule slippage risks remain due to design/procurement lead times and recruitment dependencies, potentially increasing carry‑forwards (Item 8.2). Grant dependency: $16.4m in grants with $17m co‑contribution requires strict milestone and acquittal compliance to avoid clawbacks and reputational risk (Item 8.2). Public communication risk: Without clearer multi‑year disclosures, routine carry‑forwards may be misconstrued as under‑delivery; mapping and multi‑year flags should reduce misinterpretation (Item 8.2). Advocacy boundaries: Proposed ministerial letters and joint-council lobbying on shark mitigation remain within local government advocacy functions, but must avoid implying operational control over State shark control programs (Item 8.1). Environmental & Public Safety Initiatives Larry Sengstock: LGAQ motions supported urgent action on plastic pollution and acceleration of the national plastics plan/roadmap, reinforcing Noosa’s liveability and environmental priorities (Item 8.1). Amelia Lorentson: Pressed for a trial of non‑lethal shark mitigation during whale migration, seeking ministerial reconsideration and regional partnerships to advance innovative, non‑net solutions (Item 8.1). Councillors: Emphasised youth-focused prevention and early intervention as a strategic public safety and social cohesion investment endorsed statewide (Item 8.1). Capital Works Program Delivery & Community Transparency Chris Steele / Mel Sheppard: 106 projects managed across planning/design/delivery; Infrastructure Planning & Design is enhancing project management frameworks and has boosted staffing to lift throughput (Item 8.2). Jessica Phillips: Sought a clearer public‑facing 5–10 year view distinguishing single‑year vs multi‑year projects to reduce confusion around carry‑forwards (Item 8.2). Sean: Outlined work to publish spatial maps and categories via TechOne, first tested internally, to show locations, types and investment scale for proposed capital works (Item 8.2). Frank Wilkie: Queried commencement status and staffing; officers confirmed only eight projects not commenced and three further hires imminent, with broader recruitment over the last eight months (Item 8.2). Karen Finzel: Stressed equitable distribution of works across the Shire and commended staff performance amidst disruptions to residents (Item 8.2). Intergovernmental Advocacy & Follow‑Through Larry Sengstock: Confirmed LGAQ has already written to relevant Ministers and Director‑Generals outlining resolutions; Council to continue parallel advocacy (Item 8.1). Amelia Lorentson: Requested Council lead with Gympie and Sunshine Coast on coordinated lobbying for shark mitigation trials; Chair recorded consensus to proceed without amending the noting motion (Item 8.1).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday, 11 November 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 NOVEMBER 2025 1 DECLARATION OF OPENING The meeting was declared open at 1.34pm 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 Cr Jessica Phillips Cr Nicola Wilson Cr Frank Wilkie NON COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Tom Wegener EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock APOLOGIES Nil. 4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 4.1. SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DATED 7 OCTOBER 2025 Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson The Minutes of the Services and Organisation Committee Meeting held on 7 October 2025 be received and confirmed. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None 5. PRESENTATIONS Nil. SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 11 NOVEMBER 2025 6. DEPUTATIONS Nil. 7 REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE 7.1 EXTENSION OF APPOINTMENT FOR THE AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE CHAIR & APPOINTMENT OF NEW INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE MEMBER Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council: A. Note the report by the Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting of 11 November 2025 in relation to two proposed changes to Council's Audit and Risk Committee membership; and B. Extend the appointment of the current Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Timothy Cronin, to include the final meeting of this calendar year, which has been rescheduled from 24 October 2025 to 12 December 2025; and C. Appoint Christina Wyer as an independent member to the Audit and Risk Committee for a term of three years, commencing on 15 December 2025 and concluding on 14 December 2028. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None 8 REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE 8.1 2025 LGAQ CONFERENCE - NOOSA COUNCIL MOTIONS CARRIED Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Meeting dated 11 November 2025 detailing the final 4 motions by Noosa Council which were carried at the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference 2025. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 11 NOVEMBER 2025 8.2 CAPITAL PROGRAM 2025 - 2026 DELIVERY STATUS REPORT Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson That Council note the report by the Principal Infrastructure Planner to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting, 11 November 2025, providing an update on the 2025/26 Capital Works Program as at 30 September 2025. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None 9 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 10 MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 2.04pm
Meeting Transcript
Karen Finzel 00:00.000
Good afternoon and welcome to the opening of the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 11th of November 2025. Noting that all councillors are present and accounted for, we've got Councillor Wilkie, Councillor Wilkie, Councillor Wilson and Councillor Phillips online welcome. To the councillors in the gallery, Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Wegener. Thank you for joining us this afternoon. Warm welcome to the CEO and all the staff in the gallery. Noosa Council proudly acknowledges and respects Australia's First Nations people, and their deep and abiding connection to this country. We recognise the Kabi Kabi People as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of Noosa area. And offer our gratitude for their careful custodianship of this unique environment over thousands of years. Can we please have confirmation of the minutes? I'll move it Madam Chair. I'll second. Thank you. Did we get that? And we'll take it to the vote. All in favour? Yes. That's unanimous. Thank you. Yes. Thanks Jess. That's a yes from Councillor Phillips online. There are no presentations, no deputations. We're up to agenda item number seven. Reports for consideration of the committee will start with 7.1 extension of appointment for the Audit and Risk Committee Chair and appointment of a new independent committee member and I welcome the writer report writer John C wolfe to the table to give us a report. Good afternoon and Thank you. Well written report, very extensive and comprehensive. Thank you, I much appreciate it. If you give us a quick overview. John C Wolfe 01:59.665
Yes, so this report seeks the adoption of two changes to the Audit and Risk Committee membership. The first one is the extension of the current Chair Timothy Tim Cronin to include the final meeting of the 2025 calendar year scheduled for 12th of December. The revised timing for the completion of council's financial statements required the rescheduling of the committee's final meeting date for this calendar year from 24th of October to the meeting date in December extends beyond the chair's term of appointment, accordingly it is proposed to extend the chair's appointment to include that final meeting to ensure continuity and leadership in Audit and Risk Committee. It is understood that a short extension to the chair's appointment is acceptable at the discretion of council. The second item is then the replacement of Tim Cronin as the independent member with the anticipated term expiry at the 12th of December with the last meeting of this year. The selection, so in anticipation of tim's term expiry, a new independent member for the Audit and Risk Committee was sought through an expression of interest process. The selection panel consisted of independent member Ian Rushworth, Margaret Gatt, and member, ordinaries committee member Nicola Wilson. Council received 29 quality applications, which was fantastic. And from this selection process interviews Christina Wyer emerged as their preferred and outstanding candidate. It is therefore recommended that council appoint Christina Wyer as the new independent member of the Audit and Risk Committee for a three-year term commencing 15th December 2025, pretty much the first business day after Tim Cronin, current independent member, Chair leaves the committee. Christina is a seasoned non-executive Director and chartered accountant with nearly 30 years of global experience in the financial sector, including significant work for J.P. Morgan. Thank you very much. A strong portfolio of board and committee memberships that are testament to her excellent and sought-after expertise. Current memberships include, but are not limited to, the Audit and Risk Committee of Hume Bank. Is a very significant enterprise. Fred Hollows Foundation, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, and she's also the non-executive Director of the .au Domain Administration. In sum, we're fortunate to have attracted Christina to the role of independent member of the Audit and Risk Committee, bringing extensive experience in financial management, governance, and board and committee leadership that will greatly benefit council's oversight functions. And just to top it off, she's also a Noosa local, so she has a good understanding of the community, which is fantastic. That's great. Happy to take any questions. Karen Finzel 05:15.211
Thank you very much. I'm happy to move the motion. I'm happy to second. Would you like to speak to that, Councillor? Yes, please. First of all, I support the extension of Tim Cronin's appointment as Chair, just to make sure that he can complete the final anticipated meeting of his term and close out the 2025 financials. And I just want to put on record my thanks to Tim Cronin for his service to us for the last six years, being a very dedicated member. The Audit and Risk Committee from what I've been able to see in my 18 months there, so thank you to him and as Jyoti mentioned I was on the selection committee selection panel for the new member and very excited that we've got Christina Wyer wyeth joining us so really looking forward to working with her and fully support her appointment. Fantastic, any further questions or any further other comments the comments Frank Wilkie 06:14.610
Now I would only reiterate how lucky we're going to have Tim Cronin as Chair for the last six years. He's eminently qualified and also how fortunate we are to have a applicant in Christina Wyer joining us. Karen Finzel 06:29.248
Yes, exactly. And a Noosa local, which is. Bonus. Bonus, absolutely. Councillor Phillips, you'd like to make a comment? Jessica Phillips 06:38.068
Oh, thank you. I just wanted to thank both the Mayor and Councillor Wilson have pointed out, but I also just want to probably acknowledge the time Councillor Wilson put in to do, being part of the process as well. Gives me confidence. Karen Finzel 07:04.869
Thank you. Yeah, I think it's all been said. I'd like to just iterate, you know, our thanks for the outgoing Chair, Mr. Timothy Cronin and a warm welcome to Christine and I'm sure she'll be a great seat at the table to bring her expertise and thank you johnsy to the report. We'll take it to the vote. All in favour? That's yes. And Councillor Phillips online. Thank you. Johnsy and Councillor Wilson. We're moving through to agenda item number eight, reports for noting by the committee. Moving into item 8.1 2025 LGAQ conference Noosa Council motions carried and we're looking to the report writer Mr Larry Sengstock for a brief Larry Sengstock 07:58.065
You okay as we know the LGAQ conference calls for motions from all 77 councils to be presented or to be reviewed and then presented at the at the LGA conference or LGAQ conference which was only last month. Noosa Council, a whole lot of deliberation put forward four very good what we believe is very good and we now know they were very good because I voted through by the by all 77 councils four motions those four motions in brief were investment in youth responsive preventative and early intervention programs increased state government investment in communities community dispute resolution. Urgent action on plastic pollution call for acceleration of the national plastics plan and Roadmap and a trial of non-lethal shark mitigation measures during whale migration period all of those were carried unanimously almost sorry I think it's the majority, I'm sorry I don't with majority and strong majority um so just looking to make the point of there was a strong majority of um of um of support um so I'm just putting this to the Councillor as a for noting as a recommended report the four motions that we uh put forward to the rest of the councils in Queensland were all voted with support and that's a that's a great mark for Noosa and I think it's something that we put a lot of work and effort they were well received Karen Finzel 09:42.825
Thank you. Any further comments? Happy to move it. Happy to second. Would you like to speak to the motion? Frank Wilkie 09:50.164
Yes well as the CEO said and all four motions were approved by the conference there were 77 councils present doesn't mean all of them supported the motions but there was strong support for all of them there was actually even no debate on any of these four it was a very efficient way that the conference handled motions they were only debated if there was any objection to any of the motions and there was none to the four Noosa Council motions so they go through to the LGAQ policy executive and they'll be advocating to the higher levels of government for those the objectives outlined in each of those motions and hopefully they'll translate into legislative change and real action Karen Finzel 10:41.031
Yeah it's a great opportunity to go along to these conferences and to the a voice for Noosa as a collective and I'd like to take this opportunity also Larry to thank you and the staff but it was a considerable amount of work put towards that in the lead up to the conference so we're truly grateful for that because when we get there then that makes us look good which makes me so look good so it's a win- for everyone it's great I think it covered a broad spectrum of you know a voice for young people you know giving them a step up eliminating their needs to all levels of government I think that's a great opportunity to see that progress forward you also the environment which everyone here in Noosa loves their liveability survey environment always comes up number one and also good governance so I think it's a great opportunity to get along to these LGAQ conferences and represent our Shire to build our connections in our voice at those conferences so thank you everyone involved. Do we have any questions Councillor Phillips or comments? Jessica Phillips 11:48.914
Just a comment if I may. Of course. Yeah thank you. Given that was my first LGAQ conference I really enjoyed attending and seeing how sort of that next layer works for me. One thing that I really want to take away from it or want to hear you take away from me was yeah we might see you know things that at Noosa local concerns that we raise around the table. What I loved was seeing that the things that we discussed were broader, much broader picture and, you know, getting the support around it from the staff together was almost all the if things help us we might be a small council but our issues are really similar to the rest of Queensland and I'd like to be part of the voice per state and see how I can relate to how communities feel about out them and I also just want to acknowledge the work that goes I was into looking to putting put them before the LGAQ and part of that to me is to really I just want to celebrate that our role in advocacy shouldn't have been sort of diminished because that is such a, in my opinion, such a big part of our role as councillors is that we can't control at the local level the advocacy piece. Is just really significant for me so thanks to the Councillor for working and the staff that helped us deliver it and yeah, I was really proud to see them all get up. So thank you. Karen Finzel 13:27.473
Thank you Councillor Phillips. Do you have a question? Yes, Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 13:34.615
Just a question to the CEO. We spoke about this earlier today, Larry. Just wondering whether there is an opportunity for council to write to the relevant state minister. This is in relation to one of the motions. Motion number. 92 trial of a non-lethal shark mitigation measures during whale migration period, write right to the relevant state minister to just ask the question whether the minister will reconsider his position given the near unanimous support for the motion at the 2025 LGAQ conference. I've understood that post Mayoral minute, the minister stood quite firm in their position. I'm just wondering whether we can maybe follow it up and just ask has there been a shift in that position? Or what is his feedback in response to the near unanimous support? And whether there's also opportunity for use of Council? Children. Noosa Council to reach out to Gympie Council and Sunshine Coast Council, both who have already expressed interest in collaborating. Opportunities, again, as Noosa Council, for us to take a lead alongside LGAQ in just keeping the momentum going in terms of advocating for a trial of innovation and measures during or replacement of shark nets during the whale migration period Frank Wilkie 15:25.475
Happy to answer that and I'm happy to write again on those lines, yeah, and even contact the Gympie and the Sunshine Coast Mayor mare and even getting a joint letter going. Amelia Lorentson 15:36.543
Fantastic, that would be great. So, question, through the CEO, will I need to make an amendment or are we having a discussion on the record and as a group? I think that's something we can certainly do. Thank you very much. Thank you everyone. Just a quick follow-up also. I have spoken to LGAQ and they've noted that this week letters have already gone out to all the ministers and Director-Generals outlining the resolutions relevant to their portfolios. And next week-- next, sorry, they'll be organising meetings with departmental representatives to discuss all the motions. So I think alongside the advocacy piece. That takes only a little bit longer. But it'd be just really great to just, again, keep the momentum going. Fantastic. Karen Finzel 16:34.842
That's great. It's a great mechanism to show us how well all levels of government work and how our voice a local level really can carry some punch and we can you know hit beyond our weight and have a really good voice at all the tables and the minister's ears so that's great thanks everyone would you like to call before we close before we take it to the vote we'll yeah yes that's all in favour including online Councillor Phillips. Thanks everybody moving into agenda item 8.2 capital program 2025-26 delivery status report we welcome to the table Chris Steele and Mel Sheppard. Thank you. Good afternoon. And we have Shaun online so if you could give us a quick overview of the report, which was very comprehensive. Love to see the expenditure and the work being done across the Shire which is great so I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say. Chris Steele 17:34.391
Thank you. You're welcome. To give a summary of the report it provides a status update on Noosa Council's capital works program for the 25-26 financial year excluding disaster works. The approved capital budget as per budget review 1 is $65 million inclusive of $13.4 million worth of carry forwards. Actual expenditure at the end was $5 million representing 9% of the budget with $13.1 million in commitments accumulatively representing 29% of the budget. Grant funding revenue for the year is $16.4 million with council contributing $17 million toward those projects, and the program comprises 106 projects at varying various stages of planning, design and delivery. The planning, design and delivery team are currently managing 35 projects to the value of $41 million. Continue to enhance the council's project management framework and associated processes. The capital works planning team have commenced preparations on 26-27 budget process. And recruitment is underway to fill key roles within the infrastructure services department. Elaborate on that last point, also just wanted to acknowledge the additional resources that were approved as part of the budget adoption and provide an update that we've had some very successful recruitment within IPDD for different officers and managers contributing toward the success of the capital works program as it stands just to appreciate that Karen Finzel 19:05.836
It's I feel like we should have some streamers it's such a good news story to read the report and just see the volume of work the commitment by the staff to here now like you've recruited you know reaching out successfully I think the culture of the team must be really like feeling really positive about hopefully your work environment and what you've been able to live on which is quite impressive in my opinion and like I said before to see it spread across you know that equally it across the Shire for everyone sort of getting a bit of the piece of the pie so yeah I'd like to through the CEO also extend my gratitude and thanks to the team and the you know the volume of work that you're putting out is really commendable so thank you so much for your contribution much thank you so I'm happy to move the motion a second fantastic I've probably said my bit just reiterate that and of course I'm sure our community love to see the works getting on out there I know sometimes it's a bit of a disruption we've got the stop go men or you know we've got to navigate a different route to work or play but overall I think you know when our Shire people see works being done like that and the Noosa trucks out everywhere in some yeah it's a really good sign that we're prospering and we're delivering for our community thank you so much anyone else like a question or a comment on the report? Jessica Phillips 20:37.205
Of course Councillor Phillips um it might be more questions from that I'm not scoring I'm not showing some more advantages but just sometimes I sort of think from a community perspective like we talk about them all over capital works is there any way we can even if it's taken offline at some stage in a workshop look capital works program over more of like a five-year, ten-year program with and we always look at how do we break it down into the ones that will stay within a year and then those multi-year and somehow separating it when it comes to budget review or for our community to see if a little bit clearer and see how I can't even quite ask my question because to me I'm still trying to gauge how this continues with me. I'd love to think just really clear on if our 10-year cover works, it's indicative in principle, this is our guide, maybe we can sign off like that we supported it in principle over ten years or five years or whatever. Might be but simple it, I don't know if anyone can summarise that better for me. Karen Finzel 22:01.592
Perhaps the CEO might be able to. Thank you. Larry Sengstock 22:05.156
Issue we have, Councillor, is that we budget on an annual process or annual cycle and it's very difficult for us to, even though we know that some projects are two and three year projects, even more sometimes, that they still have to be accounted for over that 12 month annual period. So we know that they're going to be two year projects but it still shows up as carry forwards as if we haven't completed the project and that's the difficulty. It's really just a how do we communicate that better. Are, we do it in different ways but it still looks confusing because we do have to carry it forward. It's actually, we already know it's carried forward because we know the project's going to take that long to deliver. And that's just the difficulty we run. And a lot of it also is that, you know, we run a 12-month accounting period for delivery of our budget. But if you think of a project, if we don't know what's actually happening and the team can't actually prepare for it, so we finalise our budget in June, July, by the time they get it. There's a design. Planning design and then out to market and then delivery over a 12 month period. So that first three to six months is quite quiet in a lot of respects because a lot of planning goes on and we don't have a lot of expenditure. Then all the real expenditure and the visible. Work happens in the second half of the year and sometimes if that takes a bit longer it goes into the next year. So we have to allow for that but we can't necessarily account for it because we do an annual budget. So that's the difficulty of it but we're actually looking this. There's been a whole lot at of advocacy back into government about how can we do have a multi-year budget cycle because it just seems silly to be honest but it's just the way that we have to Frank Wilkie 24:00.837
Work with. So you're saying beyond the 10-year capital works budget program that we have in our budget documents every year. It's very difficult to provide more accurate forecasting because we've got a 10 year forecast, capital works forecast with all the projects broken down and where the money's intended to be spent. Is there any way we can break that up even further? Larry Sengstock 24:26.700
Still do. Forecast it, so we know it's happening over two and three year periods, it's just that we have to report it at the end of every financial year. So that's as much we've spent the project's still ongoing, so therefore we have to carry it forward, as opposed to saying it's just a two year project and it should sort of roll through. I can absolutely understand why from an accounting point of view it has to be that way, but it just makes it difficult to report against, that's all. We just need to understand that that's what the principle is. Does that answer your question, Councillor Phillips? Jessica Phillips 25:02.782
Yes. Karen Finzel 25:03.182
Excuse me, Shaun, I think Jess hadn't finished, if you could just hold your thoughts for a moment. Jess, would you like to continue, thank you. Jessica Phillips 25:15.810
That's okay. Thanks. See what Sean can add to that. I totally I totally appreciate the difficulty and I don't understand times why I guess at least it could was just a see how the council is enjoying it. My I'm sure that's already been done in research and I've and music and I just put really simple things on like I on the how cold was it, then I'll come with it. Household I, you know, within five years time, my father's going to need to renovate because my kids splash water everywhere, and I'm probably pretty out of size in my five year planning, and I don't know, I just want to. It for community, that's in our plan, but I don't know, yeah, again, way out of my pay scale. It's just I would love more discussion, because I think it's one every time it comes up. I always think if I can't explain it to someone else, just the everyday community. Methodically, if you're going to have music. Karen Finzel 26:12.334
Sure. Thank you, Jess. Shaun, would you like to make a comment? The floor is available. SPEAKER_01_b 26:19.975
I just wanted to note, supporting Larry about the accounting treatment, but behind the scenes we have been working about how we can better visualise the capital works program over the next 10 years. Firstly, we've now got two infrastructure plannings in the team, rather than one, so we've actually got capacity to actually work on having a more accurate works program, and Mel and dale are working hard on that. And then what they've been doing is also placing it into TechnologyOne in a geographical sense and under categorisation, so with the eventual view that we'll actually be able to generate maps or planes on council's internet. Plates shows the locations of the proposed capital works program. The extent of the investment and the type of works. Now some of those works will be subject to individual budget approval but provide a much better spatial analysis. Category analysis if the works are drafted. Because I think it's really important for our community to see the value of the investment and where it's being spent. So they've got a bit more work to do in that space but that's part of their brief. Bill do you want to give an update on what your build process is in that regard? Chris Steele 27:27.807
So in regard to the mapping that's something that my team, the planning team, are working with the assets team about and getting that onto the internal mapping system initially so as we can test that environment and ensure that we can identify any bugs or make sure that it's user-friendly before we were to release that externally and in regard to identification of the multi-year projects versus a single year project that's definitely something we're looking at defining better so we can use those metrics to report on. We are able to with the increased resourcing within the planning team support initiators to cost and forecast their projects more accurately and provide tools and mechanisms and support services to help gain more accuracy within the year 10-year program. So we hope to be able to showcase some of that work at the budget process. In the early next calendar year Karen Finzel 28:21.890
Yeah that's good well that's encouraging to see that you're forward thinking and looking for ways to like better make that information understandable and transparent to the community so yeah we'll be looking forward to that around budget time thank you thanks any further comments Frank Wilkie 28:37.331
Or just a question now yes of course the report mentions that a hundred and six projects under way various stages of planning design delivery and about this is eight not commenced that's a very small proportion so yes that looks great when are they the new staff arriving or how many how many new staff have come on board you expecting the others did you want to answer Mel Sheppard 28:59.037
Yeah sure we've um so we've been through some recruiting processes we've got um we're just sorting out some uh sort of people and culture pieces with this space we're engaging these new people on board but we should have another project another in the next couple of weeks another graduate starting in another couple of weeks I think there's another project officer just in the wings waiting to start on board so another three additional staff which will pretty much must bring us up to the maximum amount we've got FTE-wise um and we've also got over the last eight months we've increased and brought on new faces across both design delivery and transport and traffic so and planning as well so yeah it's really showing a lot of people that are coming they're all coming on board with uh passion yes and drive yes that's great I don't want to achieve and want to develop them and it's yeah it's really rather fresh air through it Karen Finzel 29:55.084
Yeah that's great good news yeah fantastic all right is that we'll take it to the vote someone moved it I forgot yeah yes that's unanimous Thank you. For your report enjoy your afternoon thank you very much Thank you. That brings us to agenda item 9 confidential session we don't have any and I would like to declare the meeting closed at 2:04: p.m. Thank you everyone for your attendance to the staff councillors at the table and in the gallery Mr. CEO and our executive staff Jessica Phillips 30:39.493
Thank you okay thank you Madam Chair Related Noosa Council Meetings
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