Services & Organisation Committee Agenda, 7 October 2025
Date: Tuesday, 7 October 2025 at 1:30PM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 00:47:04
Synopsis: Tree Panel: integrated traffic management, surge capacity, Fees: reclassified no cost change, Supplier Lists updated, Heritage Grant, Meetings: 2026 schedule, Nov 2025 Boreen Point.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Karen Finzel Jessica Phillips Nicola Wilson Frank Wilkie Non-Committee Members
Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Karen Finzel: Committee approved correcting legislative references in the Fees & Charges Register from “cost-recovery” to “commercial” for certain property-related fees; no fee level changes (Item 7.1; 00:00–05:39). Dennis Wallace: Clarified errors were historic cut-and-paste; fees always applied commercially; update to register and website to follow (Item 7.1; 01:00–05:39). Jessica Phillips: Sought assurance no additional burden on businesses; officers confirmed zero price impact and purely administrative change (Item 7.1; 02:32–04:28). Committee: Adopted updated Sole and Specialised Supplier Lists for 12 months under procurement exceptions framework (Item 7.2; 09:55–11:00). Committee: Approved Register of Pre‑qualified Suppliers (RP25083) for tree management/maintenance for 2 years from 1 Nov 2025, with two optional 2‑year extensions to 31 Oct 2031; CEO delegated to administer and refresh panel (Item 7.3; 12:22–22:38). Jodie: 11 suppliers recommended; 10 from Noosa/Sunshine Coast; categories include tree works, specialised services, planting, and traffic management; panel structure supports disaster surge capacity (Item 7.3; 12:22–17:08). Jodie: Bundling traffic management with tree works improves scheduling efficiency and may achieve minor cost savings via supplier-negotiated rates or in‑house TM capability (Item 7.3; 17:34–18:56). Jessica Phillips: Mulch from council works remains council’s property; contractors deliver to nominated sites; minimal waste facility interactions foreseen (Item 7.3; 19:08–20:19). Committee: Approved out‑of‑round 3‑year Community Alliance Agreement to Tewantin Heritage & Historical Society for $6,727.18 p.a., replacing support withdrawn by Tourism Noosa; rigorous assessment applied (Item 7.4; 23:23–33:58). Officers: Funding aligns with similar heritage groups; society handles Parkyn’s Hut VIC; strong visitation, volunteers, governance; existential risk without funding (Item 7.4; 24:33–31:22). Committee: Approved 2026 meeting schedule; capacity to amend via future resolution; intention to hold some Ordinary Meetings in community (Item 7.5; 34:48–37:51). Vote: Schedule carried with one against (Cr Nicola Wilson) (Item 7.5). Committee: Resolved to move Ordinary Meeting of 20 Nov 2025 to Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club at 5pm; CEO to advertise and livestream (Item 7.6; 38:44–45:47). Contentious / Transparency Matters Jessica Phillips: Declared prescribed conflict and exited for Item 7.2 due to Hastings St Association familial link; did not vote (Item 7.2; 07:03–07:36; minutes). Amelia Lorentson: Minutes record she left and later returned for Item 7.2; transcript shows online observer status and a transparency declaration referencing “Pages Furnishers” listing; discrepancy noted (Item 7.2; 08:01–09:21; minutes). Nicolas Wilson: Voted against 2026 schedule; no reasons minuted, but broader debate raised review of meeting formats and staff IT load for community meetings (Item 7.5; 36:50–43:58). Jessica Phillips: Supported regional meetings but questioned value of livestreamed Ordinary Meetings versus meet‑and‑greet formats given staff overheads; CEO suggested forthcoming workshop/review (Item 7.6; 39:43–42:00). Supplier Lists: Query raised about continued listing of defunct “Pages Furnishers” in attachments; officers to rectify; highlights need for timely list maintenance (Item 7.2; 08:01–09:21). Fees Register: Administrative mislabeling persisted “for previous years”; corrected now; underscores internal control/document accuracy oversight (Item 7.1; 01:00–05:39). Legal / Risk Conflict management: Phillips’ prescribed COI handled per Chapter 5B Local Government Act 2009; recusal and non‑participation recorded (Item 7.2; 07:03–07:36; minutes). Procurement exceptions: Sole and Specialised Supplier Lists adopted consistent with Local Government Regulation provisions permitting exceptions to medium/large contracts where justified (Item 7.2; 09:55–10:34). Delegations: Extensive CEO delegation for RP25083 administration, extensions, and supplier refreshes; manage via clear KPIs and probity to mitigate scope/renewal risks (Item 7.3; 12:22–14:47). Meeting changes: Time/venue change for 20 Nov 2025 resolved under s 257(3)(b) Local Government Regulation 2012; includes advertising and livestream commitments to meet transparency (Item 7.6; minutes). Fees classification: Correcting “commercial vs cost‑recovery” references aligns register with LGA fee head‑of‑power distinctions; avoids potential ultra vires challenges or refund claims if misapplied (Item 7.1; 01:00–05:39). Grant governance: Out‑of‑round grant used due to post‑round funding withdrawal by Tourism Noosa; officers confirmed standard assessment/moderation applied, reducing perceived preferential risk (Item 7.4; 23:23–27:28). Conflicts of Interest Jessica Phillips: Prescribed conflict due to sister‑in‑law on Hastings St Association committee; left room; abstained from Item 7.2 vote (07:03–07:36; Item 7.2). Amelia Lorentson: Minutes show she left for Item 7.2 and later returned; transcript indicates an online observer transparency statement re a listed supplier; council should ensure consistent recording of her COI basis (08:01–09:21; Item 7.2). Environmental / Operational Impacts (Tree Management) Jodie: Panel includes arborist consultancy and root/vacuum works; structure supports rapid disaster response and routine maintenance efficiency (Item 7.3; 12:22–16:30). Jessica Phillips: Mulch retention policy keeps green waste in‑Shire; contractors deliver to council‑nominated sites; minimal landfill interface (Item 7.3; 19:08–20:19). Jodie: Service requests ~80/week with 10–20% annual growth; drivers include storms, proximity of residents to natural areas, and community expectations (Item 7.3; 20:39–22:20).
Official Meeting Minutes
MINUTES Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Tuesday, 7 October 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 7 OCTOBER 2025 1 DECLARATION OF OPENING The meeting was declared open at 1.32pm. 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 EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh APOLOGIES Nil. 4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 4.1 SERVICE & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DATED 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips The Minutes of the Service and Organisation Committee Meeting held on 9 September 2025 be received and confirmed. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None 5. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 6. DEPUTATIONS Nil. SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 2025 7 REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE 7.1 MINOR AMENDMENTS TO FEES AND CHARGES REGISTER FOR COMMERCIAL FEES Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council A. Note the report by the Property Advisor to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 7 October 2025 regarding minor amendments to Council's Fees and Charges Register; B. Adopt the legislative reference changes to Council's Fees and Charges Register for the commercial fees, as detailed in the report; and C. Authorise the CEO to amend Council's 2025/26 Fees and Charges Register accordingly. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None 7.2 NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL SOLE AND SPECIALISED SUPPLIER LISTS In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Jessica Phillips provided the following declaration to the meeting of a prescribed conflict of interest in this matter: I Cr Phillips inform the meeting that I have a prescribed conflict of interest in relation to Item 7.2 - Noosa Shire Council Sole and Specialised Supplier Lists on this agenda in relation to the Hastings St Association being on the Sole Supplier List as my sister-in-law Joanne Phillips is on the committee of the Hastings St Association. As a result of my conflict of interest, I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. Cr Jessica Phillips left the meeting. Cr Amelia Lorentson left the meeting. Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council A. Note the report by the Procurement & Contracts Advisor to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 7 October 2025 regarding the Sole and Specialised Lists; B. Adopt the Sole Supplier List provided at Attachment 1 of the report for the next twelve (12) months; and C. Adopt the Specialised Supplier List provided at Attachment 2 of the report for the next twelve (12) months. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None Cr Phillips, having declared a conflict of interest, was not eligible to vote. SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 2025 Cr Jessica Phillips returned to the meeting. Cr Amelia Lorentson returned to the meeting. 7.3 REGISTER OF PRE-QUALIFIED SUPPLIERS FOR PROVISION OF TREE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES - RP25083 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council note the report by the Parks and Streetscapes Coordinator to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 7 October 2025 and A. Approve the award of Contract No. RP25083 for the Register of Pre-qualified Suppliers (ROPS) for the Provision of Tree Management and Maintenance Services for a period of two (2) years commencing 1 November 2025 to the suppliers listed in Attachment 1 of the report. B. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) the power to negotiate, finalise, execute and do all things necessary to administer the Contract on behalf of Council. C. Subject to satisfactory performance of the suppliers, authorise the CEO to approve the option to extend the contract, at the expiry of initial term, for a further two (2) terms of up to twenty-four (24) months each ending on 31 October 2031. D. Authorise the CEO to approve the addition of new suppliers to Contract No. RP25083 – ROPS for Provision of Tree Management and Maintenance Services as a result of an advertised refresh at the discretion of Council. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None 7.4 2025-2026 OUT OF ROUND COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION FOR A THREE- YEAR COMMUNITY ALLIANCE AGREEMENT Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Council A. Note the report by the Community Development Coordinator to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 October 2025; and B. Approve the out-of-round Community Grant application from the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society for a Three-Year Community Alliance Agreement to the value of $6,727.18, commencing 2025-26. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 7 OCTOBER 2025 7.5 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE – 2026 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 7 October 2025; B. Approve the Council Meeting schedule for January-December 2026 as set out in Attachment 1 to the Report; and C. Note Council's commitment to community engagement, in particular holding Ordinary Meetings in the community, and therefore times and venue of Ordinary Meetings adopted in Attachment 1 may be changed by via Council Resolution in order to facilitate this. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: Cr Nicola Wilson 7.6 CHANGE OF TIME & VENUE FOR ORDINARY MEETING DATED 20 NOVEMBER 2025 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services and Organisation Committee Meeting dated 7 October 2025 regarding the Ordinary Meeting dated 20 November 2025; and B. Pursuant to Section 257(3)(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, resolve to: 1. Change the commencement time of the Ordinary Meeting dated 20 Nov 2025 to 5pm; 2. Change the venue for the meeting to Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club, 24 Boreen Parade, Boreen Point; C. Request that the Chief Executive Officer ensure suitable advertising is undertaken to promote this community based Council Meeting; and D. Note that Council plan to livestream the meeting and place a copy of the recording on Council's website. Carried. For: Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson, Cr Frank Wilkie Against: None 8 REPORTS FOR NOTING BY THE COMMITTEE Nil. 9 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Nil. 10 MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 2.19pm.
Meeting Transcript
Karen Finzel 00:00.100
Meeting Tuesday the 7th of October 2025. I declare the meeting open at 1:32pm. I note that all councils are attendants and there is no apologies today for the meeting. I would like to acknowledge news of responding Council proudly respects the Australia's First Nations people and their deep abiding connection to this country. We recognise there's no presentations, no deputations. We're up to Reports for consideration of the Committee commencing with 7.1 Minor Amendments to Fees and Charges Register for Commercial Fees and welcome to the table staff members Dennis Wallace and Richard Lippert. Thank you and welcome to. Thank you Chair. Would you like to give us an overview of the report? Unidentified Speaker 01:00.492
Sure, Councillors this report relates to a fairly minor administrative matter that has come to light. Councillors would be broadly aware that our Fees and Charges are split into two types of fees: cost recovery fees and commercial type fees. The property section was reviewing its fees recently and noted that there is an incorrect reference to. Was the type in of fees against a number of property fees. So we have what are commercial fees incorrectly listed currently as cost recovery fees. This and this report seeks to correct that administrative reference to the fee type in our Fees and Charges register and to do that now rather than to wait for next year's budget process. And it's as simple as that. The type of fees involved are footpath past dining fees and commercial I use permanent fees so they can't be listed as cost recovery when in fact set as commercial fees and it appears that at some stage has been effectively a cut and paste error in our register at some point in previous years and this we've only just picked this out so that's the purpose of the report to make that amendment to that legislative reference for the fee type. Everything. And amend our register. Happy to take questions. Karen Finzel 02:30.160
Thank you. Do you have any questions from the start? Jessica Phillips 02:32.857
I do, thanks. Just in relation to that then, so cost recovery, now it's going to be, this is commercial. Was in the register. Does that change the amount for Councillor? Unidentified Speaker 02:45.972
No, and the fees currently are applied as commercial fees, but it's just there's a column that notes what type of fee it is, and currently it incorrectly says cost recovery. There's no effect on fees, just to correct the reference to the fee type. Jessica Phillips 03:04.607
And so when it comes to the budget review next year, it's we're going to be looking at the commercial aspect of it. How will that change? Unidentified Speaker 03:14.193
In reality it doesn't actually change the fees themselves. It's just correcting the legislative reference in a column in the Fees and Charges register. So the fees remain the same and will do until the next budget round. But even at that time, it won't have any marked effect through this. On the fees that we're applying. So it's purely just an administrative typo, if you like. Jessica Phillips 03:41.135
Yep, okay. So there's no cost change to businesses that are having. Richard Lippert 03:46.454
Right. Spiced down just a reference to what type of provision. Cost recovery provision, which is basically a fee-for-service. So you can only charge what it costs you to do the assessment, versus a commercial fee, which is actually a commercial rate. That you can set to cover the cost of, say for example, something like applying public land for a commercial activity, competing with other businesses in another location. So we can set a commercial fee for that. As Dennis said, there's no actual change in any idolatry amounts, it's purely the references of those two different legislative pairs of power. Cost recovery versus a commercial fee. Was there ever once cost recovery, is that how it happened? No, these have always been commercial fees and we think that at some point in previous years it's sort of been like a cut and paste era and just that reference has come across. So they've always been levied as commercial type talk, please, and said in that way. Okay. Nicola Wilson 04:47.962
So just to clarify, the calculation for change has always been a commercial fee, it just wasn't correctly listed? Unidentified Speaker 05:07.046
In relation to my request to move it, I'm okay with now I've heard the report as well, so. Karen Finzel 05:16.959
Okay, so we well, so. So we'll just think that in terms of that in summary is that there was an error that has been reviewed, it's come up to our wife and an we can plan those changes. Which will provide opportunities for others to come and discuss. And our website will update the Fees and Charges register post this meeting round. Alright, well thank you, well done on the diligence of the stock, and it was in place, and then we had to substitute it for that. You. We'll take it to the vote. I'll have the move. I'll second the management. Thank you. That's moved by Councillor Finzel, seconded by Councillor Wilkie. Will we'll take it to the vote. All in favour? Thank you. Staff. We will move to item number 7.2, Noosa Shire Council Sole and Specialised Supplier List, and we're welcoming Lee and mark to the table. Welcome. Good afternoon, ladies. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Councillors. I'll just hand it try over to have it delayed Lee to take us through the report. Fantastic. Thank you very much. Thank you. So, Councillors, the procurement of Council goods and services. Sorry. I put it sorry, I'm going to take a does the voice have to be described? Because it's. Well, that's all you do is describe. What and she's going to come back to you. Jessica Phillips 07:03.986
Okay. In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, I, Councillor Phillips, inform the meeting that I have a prescribed conflict of interest in relation to item 7.2 Noosa Shire Council's sole and Specialised Supplier List on this agenda. A supply in relation haste to the Hastings Street Association being on the sole supplier list as my sister-in-law Joanne Phillips is on the committee of the Hastings Street Association and as a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. Karen Finzel 07:36.060
Thank you Councillor Phillips, no Councillor Phillips has left the meeting. Okay, we're going do the same. To proceed. Thank you staff for your overview. No, Unidentified Speaker 07:58.209
Thank you, no worries. Karen Finzel 08:01.341
Noting that also Councillor Lorentson is online, thank you and welcome as an observer. Thank you. We just had tape. Have a technical issue, so if you're displeased we'll just get that sorted. Thank you for those who are aren't. Online. A question from the committee. In the attachment of this item today we note that there is a listing with pages, Furnishers and a supplier. We do note that in the past we had to clear a declaration. Has been a with just wanted to make sure your position is clear. Amelia Lorentson 09:02.784
No, pages is no longer in operation. I did actually ask the question. Beforehand and understood that they would be removed from the supplier list. Given that they're still on the list, I'm happy to still continue with my declaration just as a measure of all the transparency. Karen Finzel 09:24.319
And declare completing the speech hall. Thank you. Okay, thank you, Councillor Lorentson. We understand the operating today, but as a precautionary measure, Councillor Lorentson has made a choice to. Off and stay for one for this part of the meeting, and we'll have that clearly addressed for the day to you. Yes, it is. Okay, thank you. All right. Thank you, patience. Thank you, that. I appreciate that. Unidentified Speaker 09:57.462
Councillors, the procurement of all goods and services must be carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act and the Local Government Regulation. The provides for the procurement of medium-sized and large-sized contracts and also allows for exceptions to these requirements under certain circumstances such as the approval of a supplier being deemed a sole or specialised supplier. So this report seeks to amend the Specialised Supplier List by the removal and addition of nominated suppliers and also seeks to maintain the current sole supplier list. The amendment of the Specialised Supplier List the removal of nominated suppliers as they are able to be procured via other means as permitted by the legislation and proposes the addition of the new suppliers to respond to council's current and future procurement requirements. Karen Finzel 10:55.705
Thank you. It we have any questions? Was a well-written report, a good read, a long read, so I'll leave it at that. But anyway, I got there in the end, so thank you so much for your contribution. Thank you. And your team to the report. Appreciate it. Thank you. We'll take it to the vote. I'm sorry, we need to move it. Can I pay you a second? Did you get that? Can we take it um, how do you to the boat for the trailer? In favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. To the staff. You. And we welcome Council to hold a second. Welcome back. Thank you. We'll move now into agenda item 7.3, Register of Prequalified Suppliers for provision of tree management and maintenance services, RP25083. We welcome to the table Jody Laskells and, oh, I thought Shaun Walsh was going to no, he's going to have to. Be there's a woman and a half out on the floor. Oh, okay, that's it, welcome to you both. Who's going to do the CIP? Jody Laskells 12:21.366
I will do the CIP. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. So this is in regards to contract RP25083. Which is seeking approval to establish a Register of Prequalified Suppliers for the provision of tree management and maintenance services in accordance with the Local Government Regulation a public Request for Tender was issued to establish the ROPS. Is to be established with the recommended suppliers for initial term of two years plus two extension options of up to two years so, that's what we're going to use for each option for extension. The tender evaluation panel has completed the evaluation process and recommended 11 suppliers be placed on the ROPS, be included in the ROPS, with 10 of those based on the Noosa or the Sunshine Coast local government area. The services be that are be provided are broken into four service categories. That's tree works with tree maintenance, elevated work platforms and chipper works. Specialised tree services including root barrier works, vacuum excavation and consultancy for arborists. Services, tree planting and establishment and also traffic management. After the evaluation we determined that eight applicants were suitable for the Tree works. Category with six of those also providing traffic management services. Eight would be on the specialised tree service register and five were on the tree planting and establishment. So, council's recommendation is that we award the contract RP25083 for the Register of Prequalified Suppliers for the provision of tree management and maintenance services for two years commencing 1st of November to the suppliers listed in the attachment of the report and authorise the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate finalise and execute administer the contract on behalf of the Council and subject the satisfactory performance of the suppliers also the CEO to also for to approve the option to extend the contract and if that is extended to approve the addition of new suppliers to the contract as a result of any refresh and discretion Karen Finzel 14:47.862
Thank you. Thank you very much. Do we have any questions from the Council? Unidentified Speaker 14:55.399
I'm sorry, if you've already mentioned it, how many of these suppliers are available? I don't know. We have a little. The final, selection. Jody Laskells 15:08.098
So ten are based in Taylor Noosa or the Sunshine Coast local government area. Some have are actually by based solely within here and some have offices and staff within Noosa and Sunshine Coast. Don't have the exact numbers of how many is just solely based within Noosa. Frank Wilkie 15:29.048
I'm curious to know, the one that is not based here, what sort of services would have the one that isn't based Jody Laskells 15:36.797
Here? Just hold with me one minute while I look. Consultancy services for arborist services so that's where we would need a report on a specific tree to turn how the tree gives a report on that on the tree itself and they're not based within Noosa county. Sorry. There is a another company that's been pointed out which is on the panel for all of the categories so tree works, specialised tree services, tree planting establishment and they have traffic management. So there was one supplier that was based outside of the region that had, that were selected for all of the categories. Unidentified Speaker 16:29.151
That's the one that is not listed? Jody Laskells 16:30.973
That's correct, yes. And they can respond quickly and immediately? Yes, they I have the logic. A large company that can provide all our services, yes. And being on the panel doesn't necessarily guarantee work, so being on the panel means that if there is an event like a disaster event or a large storm, we can call in companies, multiple companies to do works, which is why we have a fairly large panel of eight providers whereas normally, just with the day-to operations, we may only use three or four or five, if we do have a large event, we call on others to come in. Frank Wilkie 17:08.836
Will there be a net saving for that place given that historically was up to 1.15 million a year? There's a new arrangement about the 1.4 million due to the inclusion of traffic management as a service. It was more expensive to have the two separate portions. The tree services and the traffic network and all that. Is it more cost-efficient? Jody Laskells 17:34.881
It can be more cost-efficient but it is it's actually more efficient to organise the work so there's some efficiencies in organising the work that counts one job. The actual tree works company can call in their own traffic management company so they can actually negotiate directly with the traffic management company to organise the job. Or as previously Council was essentially the new person trial order. Middle trying to organise traffic control for a job that was being run by a tree management company. So if there was changes to either the traffic management company not being available or the tree works company rescheduling, Council was having to organise, go backwards and forwards and go short of travel. The traffic management had a person that was unavailable that morning, you'd have a tree works company standing around waiting for traffic control and they wouldn't be available and Council staff would be scrambling. Wherever we could, we are under this arrangement trying to get a tree works management company to actually organise the traffic control themselves. There was a slight cost saving as well. Some of the tree works companies were able to negotiate the traffic management at a slightly reduced rate than the councils prefer to supply, they train their own staff up and get their own staff trained in traffic management and they can provide that service themselves. But it wasn't necessarily about the cost saving, it was about the efficiency of organising role for all of the work. So saving time is the same. Of course, yes, that's right. Thank you. Jessica Phillips 19:08.088
I have one quick question. The mulch that they produce from, because our Shire needs to go through like a of this. Yes. Jody Laskells 19:19.945
Any works that they do for Council, we have ownership of the mulch, so they are required to deliver it to any of the sites that we stipulate. So there are a number of sites within Council that we stipulate within the timber, but they have to take that mulch to. Jessica Phillips 19:36.282
And is that tied up in the contract bundle around their waste disposal fees as well? Is that how that works? Jody Laskells 19:44.387
Well, they won't be disposing of that waste in a waste facility. It would be a different site. So there won't be charges for that. Where they have to pay a charge, for this sort of work, that's fairly rare, but when they don't have to pay a charge they'll put that on um, they'll their invoice. Jessica Phillips 20:01.361
Okay. That doesn't change anything, should it, with the waste? Like, if it's two years without going into a whole other conversation, the planning of waste down the track, that won't impact? Well, it should be very minimal impact, because most of the works that we get done actually go through the chipper, and we get the final product, so it doesn't have to go through, they might lead you to the waste facility, or it bypasses that completely. Correct. Jody Laskells 20:32.330
And a lot of circumstances are just left on site for stuff to spread into the garden beds it's and use site as well. Frank Wilkie 20:37.763
Okay, thanks. Jody, I had a question on that as well. Can you quantify how many customers you receive a month or a year with the young trees? Jody Laskells 20:47.713
Usually by the highest. Yes, it's around 80 requests per week, of course. Obviously higher in storm season, and slightly higher, but 80 requests including through maintenance, through removal, permit applications as well. Is that number increased over the years? Yes, it has increased. It's increased about 20%. It's increasing about 10 to 20% a year. Karen Finzel 21:22.535
It's increasing about 10 to 20% a year. It's Jody Laskells 21:30.629
It can be, but not necessarily. It's not necessarily, it kind of it can just be, it can be about the resident population having expectations, it can be about the, amount of trees that we've got in our reserves and damaged infrastructure, but it really varies. To it's at. Whereabouts in the Shire it is, it's that birth also about growth, obviously, when you have residential population close to natural areas, or, growing trees in urban areas, you get a lot of requests for those trees. Thank you. It's busy, isn't it? It is. I thought the Council was so busy with the trees. I mean that's nice maybe that's Noosa. That's the benefit of Noosa as well, means we have trees. Thank you. Karen Finzel 22:21.080
Any further questions? I'm happy to move the recommendation. Thank you. Frank? We'll take it to the right. All in favour? Thank you. That's unanimous. Thank you, the staff. Thanks, Brian. That's good. Thank you. Thanks, Brian. Okay, moving right along, that takes us to item 7.4, 2025/26 out of max in the grant application for a three-year community reliance agreement. Thank you, and we welcome the staff to the table. David Cooper, yes. Carrie and Kelly welcome thank you who's going to list the only people? Thank you, David. Thank you. David Cooper 23:23.749
Councillor, this is an out-of-round grant application for the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society who also. Parkyn's Hut. They run the visitor information centre Parkyn's Hut. They've put in an out-of-round application for a three-year Community Alliance Agreement. This is due largely to the heritage and historical society being advised by Tourism Noosa that they will no longer be able to provide additional support from 2020. Additional 2025 onwards. As this funding change was confirmed after our grant round closed it becomes an out-of-round grant application so just wanted to also advise that it still goes through the same rigorous process of a grant application though so it's put through an assessment and moderation panel is put before you as an out-of-round report. Comparatively too we've also made a recommendation for the amount for the Tewantin heritage and historical is in alignment with two other similar organisations notably the Cooroy Historical Society Noosa Museum and the Cooroy Noosa Genealogical and Historical Research Group. Karen Finzel 24:34.336
Thank you, it was a good report reading all the lists and the allocation of funding so it was quite a comprehensive list, thank you. Councillor. Do we have any questions? Frank Wilkie 24:49.636
We've provided a table of other amounts given to similar organisations so if you could just talk through the rationale behind the amount that you're alive at. So Kerri Contini 25:02.967
Thank you Through the Chair. We have a set amount in the budget for our Community Alliance Agreement and then we have a formula approach which looks at the each application is assessed against the criteria and scored and then we apply a formula to make a recommendation to Councillors which takes into account the of reach of organisation. The and the value that it's providing in this situation it's a historical organisation at its heart also providing the added value of the tourism information centre which you can see from the data is very successful the reach so we have aligned it with those two organisations these ones are always a little these complex because they're delivering wonderful things for the community but in slightly different ways so that's why we have a methodology behind the scenes you'll see that in that list there are some organisations receiving more that's they're normally that are doing a lot more hands-on look I look, I think they, when we assessed it against the criteria they you know had they applied with the round they would have rated very highly and scored very highly within that you may have a significant number of people visiting them they've got a high number of volunteers they are very were stable organisation prior to the funding being withdrawn by Tourism Noosa they've got a very stable governance model so and they broadly both on a visitor front but also from a community front in terms of this Noosa story respect for our heritage and telling that story so it scored highly on all fronts Jessica Phillips 27:26.669
Quick question apologies if it's in the report to be honest it's a no-brainer for me that because that of the years that I've seen these guys doing such great things for our community but quick question around where the funding does heritage does our Heritage Levy ever contribute to the community grants? Kerri Contini 27:48.933
Side no so the Heritage Levy has a levy policy around it and that policy covers putting into more projects so it's actually delivery of projects not the actual grants have always come out of our grant fund we because we don't know in any given round whether there'll be heritage application they'll applications or sporting application so it's from all community organisations are eligible to apply for that. Karen Finzel 28:22.756
Just have. A question, I know it was mentioned in the report, just for those listening. What is the risk to our broader community if this funding wasn't made available through this process? Kerri Contini 28:33.783
Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Finzel. Look, we have had a very good look at their financial statements and we can see that the funding that was coming from Tourism Noosa was the majority funding for this organisation and so without this funding they would not be able to continue operating. Like all community organisations they face a lot of non-discretionary items. They're a public facility so they have public liability insurance, they've got volunteers trained.because they're a visitor information centre, they must have accreditation which they've earned. They've got training, they've got their uniforms, so there's quite a range of costs. We went through, Dave went right through with them to see where they could make some changes. So, but there was very little in that we saw as being discretionary funding. You know, probably the one item that we saw is the annual pioneers luncheon where they bring together all the from people from our community and yet that really is a critical part of what they do and it's a much loved celebration. So you would really be having to, I guess, cut out of the heart of what the organisation's doing. There were minor changes that you found, weren't there, Dave, to help them? David Cooper 30:06.838
Yes, we've also lined them up with Business Mentors Noosa, so we'll do a strategic plan with them as well which can focus a little bit on where some income streams may be available and where they might be able to save a little bit on expenditure. Their budget is pretty well drawn at the moment, it's very lean, yes. Kerri Contini 30:25.951
Yes, with our. So yes, without this funding we don't see that they would be able to continue. Karen Finzel 30:32.333
One last question? Jessica Phillips 30:36.384
My last question, obviously they provide such a support for tourism, can you speak on why Tourism Noosa would stop funding? It's very valuable. Kerri Contini 30:48.343
A valuable thing. Thank you Councillor Phillips, I can't speak to Tourism Noosa, I can speak to the reasons that were given to us and the reasons given were that Noosa Tourism Noosa were making changes. To make savings in their budget and they decided that this was a change that they would make. They noted that it was a separate community organisation and therefore. In their view, they were not responsible for funding it. Karen Finzel 31:23.186
Thank you. Councillor Wilson? Oh, I was happy to move the motion. Jessica Phillips 31:27.049
I'm I'll give you a happy to second. Nicola Wilson 31:30.283
Yeah, it's disappointing that Tourism Noosa discontinued that funding. But I'm happy to support this out-of-round grant. Threat, as it reports, as the report says, the centre welcomed over 14,500 visitors in the last financial year. And we know it's a really important focal point in the Tewantin community. We as Councillors walked past it a long time and I can't even say hello. There's fantastic volunteers, they do a great job. So we really want them to be able to continue with the work they're doing. And it's interesting to note that over a third of the local, third of the visitors are actually local residents who come in and learn about the history. And also they've been to some fantastic events from that centre. So it's really important that continues. But also getting into state we're interstate travellers, Queensland visitors, tourists. I really don't want to miss out on that, especially as to watching it continue to grow and thrive. We need those people to learn about our community and our history. Thank so I'm happy to support that. The regulation. Thank you, Councillor. Jessica Phillips 32:33.208
Only that the pioneer luncheon is pretty much one of my favourite events every year because it's such a great celebration of seeing like local come together, talk about the history, pretty much what Councillor Wilson said. So yeah, um even though that it's out of rounds and the other things that I don't sit comfortably with me, what does sit comfortably that we've gone and supported them regardless and found a way. So yeah, thanks. You, Madam Chair. Frank Wilkie 33:06.864
Thank you. It is an organisation of great heart. Professionalism is recognised by the three awards that they've won and I think the funding that's been allocated has been similar in amount to other heritage groups in the Shire. First second an equitable distribution of global science and they've done a very good job of giving us a full spectrum of out of ground, grand validation. Karen Finzel 33:42.181
We just wanted to provide a tongue twister for a Tuesday afternoon. I think it's all been said just to reiterate that, you know, this organisation has been here for a long time. They're really embedded in our arts and in our community. They provide significant benefits beyond their membership base which, you know, our community thrives on. So I'm just pleased with the recommendation to support this out of our funding and we want to see them move forward and really just continue the great work that they're doing in our community. So it's really good that the Council can support this with the out of our funding. Awareness, way funding, and it's provided an opportunity for them so thank you very much for your report. I will take it to the vote. 5 Council meet schedule 2026 and I'll hand over to our CEO, Mr Larry Sengstock to do this overview. Larry Sengstock 34:46.919
Thank you, Chair. This is something that we do every year at this time. We produce a timetable of the next 12 months of meetings, including our subcommittee meetings and Council meetings. So this is essentially for the period of January through to December 2026. It's an administrative exercise for transparency so people see what they've got ahead if they want to get involved. In any of the Council meetings or have any say in those meetings. So that's what it's for. It doesn't mean it can't be changed during that period but it is just something as a structure to build upon and it follows and the same process, same structure that we're telling you. So I put it to Council for recommendation. Karen Finzel 35:39.455
Thank you. Any questions? Nicola Wilson 35:44.221
Yeah, I have a question. If we were to change we the schedule for next year, how many months notice would we need to do that? Larry Sengstock 35:54.827
That's a good question. I think we can do it immediately. I'll have to check it once it's been resolved. Nicola Wilson 36:02.475
I think we can do it. But if the purpose is for staff planning then. It will take place. Larry Sengstock 36:07.195
Yeah, but as long as it's practical. So if we know that, because it's not something we're going to be doing immediately, so it's going to take a little while. If we were to change it, we would have some workshops and if it was heading that way then would plan accordingly and change our process to meet that schedule. A but I think we're still going to have ordinary meetings where decisions are taken whether they're monthly or fortnightly until we're able to double building get into that. Karen Finzel 36:33.057
So in essence it's just administrative to help the staff keep moving forward and if there's an opportunity for change or Councillors to say they would like to revisit the meeting agenda, more of those will go through Council resolution. Jessica Phillips 36:49.639
Question, locking it in or having this administrative process now, will that, my only worry um my is a week with obviously many of us have now said we'd like to review it, where are we at with that then Larry Sengstock 37:08.948
So we can so we've got a meeting being hooked in, I signed it off this morning, I'm not too sure exactly the date, but the first workshop of that to begin in the next month I think. So we can start that conversation and if we do decide we want to change, then we can apply Karen Finzel 37:30.559
Thank you. Any further questions? Thank you very much. I'm happy to move the recommendation to make the report. I'll second it. Thank you, we'll change it to the vote. All in favour? No, that's ok. So good? Nicola Wilson 37:53.899
No, I didn't get a chance to speak so much. My apologies. I've already raised a few concerns about the hip-hop record working as current on a release or continuing as it is. Karen Finzel 38:10.594
So you do have more value for this recommendation? Yes. Thank you. It's a great board. Yeah. I'd like to take that to that again for Kerri. All I've cancel. Okay, thank you. Is the same as Carrie? It's Carrie. Kerri. Thank you, Councillor. My apologies. We can get it out of the way. That's it. That brings us to item number eight. There's no reports from any other committee. No, no, 7.6. Larry Sengstock 38:44.382
7.6. Karen Finzel 38:45.402
Oh, sorry, my apologies, 7.6. To the CEO. Change of time of venue for Ordinary Meeting dated 20th November 2025. Larry Sengstock 38:55.858
So, as we know, we're in the process, or we've been taking some of our ordinary meetings out to the regional areas, and this is another one of those. So, we're proposing to take the ordinary meetings scheduled for the 20th of November out to Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club on Boreen Parade in Boreen Point. So, the 20th of November at 5:00pm. As opposed to 10:00am. Is when we normally start if we have meetings here in our chambers. So, 5:00pm. 20th of November. Boreen Point is the recommendation and I'll put it to the Council. Karen Finzel 39:32.919
Thank you. Great recommendation. So good to get out to our community. I think the community love it. So, thank you very much. Do we have any questions from answers? The Council? Jessica Phillips 39:43.792
I do. I am such a supporter of being out in community, without a doubt. I just see also the extra workload on staff with IT. So, my question is, I think what community really like is the meet and greet part beforehand and being able to really speak to Councillors, seeing that the Ordinary Meeting is a little bit of the last one. The it would be the last one that I would want to come to as a resident because it's just watching us really ratify decisions. So my question is where would be appropriate to start looking at not taking away at all that we that I'm a massive fan of being out in community but to eliminate or maybe take the pressure off staff with IT and all the other things to live stream can we I have a discussion around that Larry Sengstock 40:46.680
This is this was decided as a separate exercise so when we did the scheduling of the timetable we've just discussed in the previous point we did that scheduling and then the decision was taken around Council as a separate decision as to take some of those meetings out to the region so we can follow the same process we can review the meeting schedule and process and then have a further discussion around whether it's still best to take the actual meeting to the community or actually do it as meet and greet on very a meeting on various occasions out to the community and that's the purpose of the meeting and discuss the localised issues that we know we get when we take these meetings out to the community. So that's Council something that you as a Council can discuss and decide upon again these aren't set in stone, they're something that I think on an annual basis we should review it and say did that work? Is there a better way to do it? But at the moment the process is this will be the final one for this year and have time to review it. Karen Finzel 41:59.180
Does that help? Yeah it does, I'll speak to it. Nicola Wilson 42:10.278
Don't how you're going to have say it. Yeah, I think it's great that we're continuing this commitment that we set at the beginning of our term and to be able to fit three into this calendar year has been a great effort. I know it takes a lot of organising, getting things set up and to live stream as well. But I think it's been really appreciated by the community and I'd love to hear from members of the community about where else we could take our meetings to and what they're actually doing or getting benefit from as a result so that we can assess whether we continue to have longer meetings. Site or whether it's more about having a meeting brief. But it's important that we get that feedback from the community as well to make sure that we're meeting that expectation and putting cost and effort into something that's actually worthwhile as well. But yeah, happy to support this and look forward to seeing everybody at the meeting point. Thank you. Jessica Phillips 43:05.347
Happy to support it as well because yeah again have to be out in community as much as we can probably just more for me moving forward is just to review it and make sure that we're doing we're not putting extra burden on the staff for the purpose of an Ordinary Meeting which I think is set up perfectly in this room so it's not to be very clear it's not about that I don't want to do out in community events they're quite the opposite but I do see the work that goes in even and just like the money on food and things like that and just I would like to see that we're doing we're just making sure that community are really what do they actually want from us doing it and then maybe we can look at a review because I think it's important to make sure we get hitting the right mark with so that's all the time. Frank Wilkie 43:57.751
Yeah. Thank you, Councillor. The potential of reviewing everything we do is valid and very important. What I love seeing is when we take these meetings out to the community is the opportunity that it presents directly the residents of Noosa Shire to have their deputations direct to all Councillors as a captive audience, which happens in here regularly, but the distance and the time that we that have the ordinary meetings members normally during working hours is an impediment to a lot of residents to actually attend and to make their deputations direct to the four-dimensional Councillors and also present questions, the only way of taking out the community does that. The meeting groups are really well attended and really enjoyed. The ordinary meetings, there's often debate at the ordinary meetings. Various motions, I so we do get to see some action as well. They're not always ratification of everything. There's opportunity for debate to occur and but of course there's often reviewing is a very healthy process and I'm really glad that the Council has remained committed to taking the Council meetings out on the road and it's all part of being accessible to our community and in hand with the council's coffee chats. I think they may always be super well attended, the coffee chats I'm talking about, but they know the opportunity is there. And sometimes they really are for no particular reason and other times they're not, but where is there any opportunity? And this is part of that. And I'm really glad that the Council has, you know, been able to see that outreach work. Karen Finzel 45:48.520
Thank you. Yeah, I think it's all been said, but I think, yeah, as long as we continue to listen to our community, be available, create opportunities for people to be able to approach us, you know, in a local community is even better. So, I think, thank you for the recommendation. I'm sure the Sailing Club out at Cootharaba is keenly awaiting our arrival. And their community there. So, thank you for that and we look forward to seeing the meeting out there. And, of course, always continuous improvement and to review, you know, how effective these things are and is this what the community wants or can we do better. So, thank you, everyone. Sorry. All in favour? Thank you. That's unanimous. Thank you, CEO. Go ahead, Vicky. Item number eight, reports from any other committee. There is none. There is no confidential session. And I note the meeting closed at 2:19pm. Thank you all for your attendance. Thank you, Councillor Lorentson to online. Thank you, CEO and staff. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon. Thank you. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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