Planning & Environment Committee Agenda, 9 December 2025
Date: Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 9:30AM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin, QLD 4565, Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 01:46:35
Synopsis: Emissions: miss 2026, no offsets, focus cuts, Roadmap April 2026, Waste facility upgrade, Koala offsets, Reusable cups funding, Defend Sunshine Beach duplex refusal.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Amelia Lorentson Brian Stockwell Tom Wegener Frank Wilkie Non-Committee Members
Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Strategy And Environment Kim Rawlings Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Meeting Transcript
Amelia Lorentson 00:00.500
Today, the 9th of December 2020, our last committee meeting of the year. I declare the meeting open at 9:31am. I would like to start with an Acknowledgement to Country. Noosa Council to country. Can manage this in a new Noosa sense way. Council is proud of its nation's people and respects its ladies and its nation's people and we recognise the nation's people as the recognisers of the lands and waters of the Noosa area. We pay respect to. And to the enduring commitment in particular. Tangents are known to be welcome Council. And also, online councils, welcome, there are no apologies, welcome. Before we begin, can I please request that everyone have their phones. Um, can I please have the nation's immigrants. Um, thank you someone please have a second aye. No discussion will be of favour. Thank you. Presentations and deputations, are, so we'll move straight into reports for consideration of community, single-use coffee cups program, 7.1, and I welcome you to your new shiny desk. Unidentified Speaker 01:47.764
This report was triggered by a motion this report was triggered by a notified motion that passed through Council in June of this year. The motion called for Council to work with and support Tourism Noosa's Plastic Free Noosa program to develop a scalable action plan and show leadership by shifting away from single-use coffee cups in Council space. Some may say that single-use coffee cups are not the most some important may say that single-use coffee cups are not the most important issue for us to tackle as an organisation or as a community. However, it is hard not to notice how prevalent they are in the lives of many businesses and many customers here in Noosa and around the country. The takeaway cup has become as normal. Some even prefer the takeaway cup as something that as something that we accept as normal. No longer offer ceremony for mugs to customers. It's become part of our culture, a that accepts and encourages. While the industry has done well to move away from petroleum-based. While the industry has done well to move away from petroleum-based plastic linings in coffee cups, and we've encouraged that shift, the compostable cup still ends up in landfills and generates emissions. It's estimated that Australians throw away 1.5 billion. So today we present a report that furthers our commitment to work. So today we present a report that furthers our commitment to work on supporting the industry and community to take action on reducing the number of single community support cuts. Of Noosa Council staff, have a warm welcome. Plastic Free Noosa, with the support of Noosa Council staff, have already engaged several local businesses and service providers that offer scalable solutions that to address the single community cuts. Struggling with this issue, and it's clear that some people in our community are ready for change. This report outlines a strategy to support an industry this report outlines a strategy to support an industry-led approach to phasing out single community coffee costs. We will work with industry partners that are ready to go on this journey and encourage them to take a slow and calculated approach that achieves zero waste goals and we will supports their customers. Council facilities and Council led events to investigate alternatives to single-use cups. While we're not in a position to mandate behaviour change, we will continue to educate, advocate and inspire progress towards culture. The next stage of action is simple, which is outlined in the report, which is to call a roundtable of businesses that want to explore a single-use cup phase-out, to have industry-leading solution providers share their solutions and learnings, and support a cohort of people who are ready to take the lead in this space. We will continue to support the leadership of plastic-free mission programs. We will continue to support the leadership of plastic-free mission programs with staff time, and if Tourism Noosa is unable to provide a small budget to further the program, sustainability operational budget from Council will possibly contribute to program costs, and those are outlined in the report. Amelia Lorentson 04:45.859
Questions around the table? Unidentified Speaker 04:48.883
Questions. Thank you for the report, Sion. Thank you for the report that Council leads the way. It is important that Council leads the way, and you have mentioned. Frank Wilkie 05:00.498
Infancy very. There's some. Our experience is infancy. There's some investigation going on. Can you tell us what has happened in NAC? Unidentified Speaker 05:10.138
Can you tell us. Café at the NAC voluntarily. Amelia Lorentson 05:18.734
To pursue a reusable cup scheme. They offered a side-by option. Unidentified Speaker 05:28.025
Where customers could continue to take a single-use cup or they could choose to pay a $3 deposit. To pay a $3 they've and been so successful that the owner there has decided to go completely single-use free there has decided to go completely single-use-free and they phased out single-use cups completely based on their own experience as well as customer feedback. We haven't engaged with the Leisure Centre café yet, but that's high on the list of priorities for plastic-free yourself. Amelia Lorentson 05:58.381
Fact, we think the underdater is the same. So, he was a little bit concerned in the early stages. Awkward. He was concerned in the early stages. And his arms were just such a slight down system. And his neck was. The uses have actually just commended him. The uses have actually taken to just jump on board. And he's reached out to him and gone out there. Great. And he's reached out to him and gone out there. It's actually good for business. That's right. Yeah. In terms of costs, cost, so there's. Is an allocation of $5,600. You mentioned that $600. Can you elaborate? That's a great question. Is, it my real question? Unidentified Speaker 06:54.157
The in-kind contribution will be of staff time. $5,600 is, team leaders is enough. I to take those first steps. I believe it is enough. It is not enough to tackle the whole issue. But I think that given that this is such an issue. But I think that given that this is such an we phase out coffee cups, we can phase out a lot of other things. If we phase out coffee cups, we can success see in this program. Can see success in this program and we can build on budget allocation from there. Amelia Lorentson 07:29.942
That's my perspective. In terms of the data, and I know Jim, in terms of the data, I know Jim, discussions will have a nice timing of steps. Discussions will show how many have already jumped on board and how many have jumped on board since the diagnosis of motion because these people have jumped on board since that time. There's been enough to squeeze that stuff and just rest with plastic. Unidentified Speaker 07:52.340
Yeah, I would have to check. One of the first steps in this program, organisation is to do a scan and collect more data, so hopefully those that do of things will be gathered as well. I think calling the roundtable and seeing who's willing to step up. I think calling the roundtable and seeing who's willing to step up and engage with this challenge gives us a good understanding of this and gives us an opportunity to do a broader scale. Amelia Lorentson 08:26.531
Tom. Tom Wegener 08:28.743
More of a historic question where has this Noosa really reached out and worked with industry people and industry leaders in a similar fashion as we're doing with the plastic free program? Maybe that's to Kim? That's to Kim? Amelia Lorentson 08:45.582
Maybe you know, maybe that's the more maybe repeat the question, yeah, Kim, historically. Tom Wegener 08:58.707
Historically, has Council reached out to industry leaders? Has Council reached out to industry leaders like Noosa and Council, and through the notified motion, to really help change industry, the way industry works, or industry response, in this sort of way? Industry response in this sort of so, way? Unidentified Speaker 09:21.779
There's base of initial reaching out to the industry, and we've also been approached by another, so, businesses also. Businesses, yes, of course, of potentially course. It was really a proposed approach, but potentially it was really that we could invest more in this and that would be really helpful in the next. Tom Wegener 09:47.762
And that would be really helpful in doing this with our Council organics. The webinar, we would be then reaching out to industry leaders, in a more kind of proactive way, to get them to get in line with us. Is this in any way analogous to the digital hub, say, where the Council sees a. Issue, an opportunity, and then supports going down a track towards, in this case, the digital hub, connecting with the digital world, in this case, getting rid of coffee cups. But it's Council interaction. Unidentified Speaker 10:27.710
When we say a problem, and how we engage the industry to help us solve that problem, and how we engage the industry to help us solve that problem, and what happens. Reality with this one is the solutions are there to solve this problem. It's about taking up the support and facilitating our it's businesses about up the support and facilitating our businesses to take on board. Amelia Lorentson 10:50.311
You. Those solutions. Karen, Councillor Finzel, you're online. I'm Carrie, Councillor Finzel, you're online. Karen Finzel 10:57.894
Hi, good morning. Thank you Madam Chair. This is a great initiative. My questions today are about regulation process and regulation for maintaining that our community's public health. Is optimum. I just have a question about how we. I just have a question about how we help that. Communicable disease and how we have ensured that. To make sure that. Unidentified Speaker 11:36.634
To make sure in regard to every disease in our country, in regard to disease this in is our community. Thanks, Gail. Beth 11:49.347
Councillor Finzel. The alternative options that we would be working with Plastic Free Noosa to offer to businesses, there are already solutions available in the industry today as they comply with all Australian regulations have to comply with all Australian regulations food safety standards so we wouldn't be looking to compromise in any way shape or form in the environmental health and community health that comes along with an alternative option moving away from single-use coffee cups. In fact, the reduction of a single-use item that can often end up as litter in our waterways may actually improve environmental health and community health so we think we need to stay steadfast to that and that will be a key criterion in criteria in our selection of recommended the service idea of the industry round table is really to get those service of the industry round table is really to get those service providers in front of business owners and business owners can ask exactly these kinds of questions which are really important because ultimately the business owner runs because a café ultimately for health the business owner runs a café that is responsible for health and safety and they would want to know how they can support workplace a and they would want to know how they. Amelia Lorentson 13:06.918
Can support a healthy workplace and ensure the health and safety of their customers. Places in the industry. Coffee, Noosa. Roastery, coffee, Noosa. Aerosol KeepCups. I was looking at cups, so that's in my commercial marketing opportunity. Commercial, marketing opportunity. You have any further questions, Councillor Finzel? Karen Finzel 13:35.226
Yes, so following on from that, can you just please explain the process that you mentioned that has to be followed, given we've also been, you know, has to be followed, you know, progress through. We've also been doing. You know, progress through nursing, just give us a quick overview of the processes. Amelia Lorentson 13:53.281
Can you just give us a quick overview of the processes? Follow, please. To ensure community health, please. Unidentified Speaker 13:59.510
Don't. Place we don't administer or implement this program. We don't administer or implement this program. That's, you know, it's run by the cafes themselves. So a reuse program accepts a cup back and runs the cup on the way that they would any other utensils or dishware that they offer to their customers. There's no distinction between a reusable coffee cup and a mug that someone sits down to drink their coffee out of or a glass that they drink. Karen Finzel 14:32.379
Thank you. And how is that regulated? What's the process for that? Amelia Lorentson 14:40.793
Can I ask, we've got Director MacGillivray, can I ask, we've got Director MacGillivray, the question asked was how is community health regulated in terms of the use of the internet? Richard MacGillivray 14:57.999
Yes, so thank you, Councillor. So, yes, all cafes have so, all cafes, obviously, have a good life. Food license, so that's obviously regulated under the food start-up powers. So each year promises start-up show would then do a preparation of those of food. Preparation of food. Requirements. So they're an actual preparation of food health requirements. So obviously that's the steps to go over to a system of businesses to make sure that their steps abide into a system of businesses to make sure that it's hygienic and safe for the consumer. And drink that's hygienic and safe for the consumer. Karen Finzel 15:37.837
Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 15:44.208
Oh, excuse me, Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 15:50.035
I just I'll just talk to it. It's a good, you know, I think you mentioned we had started this a while back and the motion brought focus to it. The issue around reuse cups. The issue around reuse cups going through the. System of a café is obviously something, as you say, the one that I think a number of cafes in the early days had doubts about is accepting people rocking up with their key caps who might have not washed it really well and kept it in the door of their car. I don't know, maybe something like that. But, yeah, and maybe something that we want to just get some clarification on when we do reach out to businesses, whether that's something where they should. I believe, for example, dishwashing, the standard is a certain degree of temperature. It might be something in the education what you do when someone brings a heat cup to make sure your responsibilities are met. Amelia Lorentson 16:53.930
I don't know whether this needs to be in an interview. I don't know whether this needs to interview. Maybe it's just an idea that I'm not sure about. Good to see you guys. I want to be a real champion of we've been clubbed by Sunshine Social just less than a week ago with the president of the chamber, Ralph Rogers, and he was talking about his goal to see one day airports and one day at the airports ambassadors for Noosa. And now he talks to people that are visiting Noosa as a sort of symbol of what we stand for and what we represent. We start thinking what we represent, maybe we start thinking, maybe we have an immediate opportunity in terms of presenting people to our new citizens. So four times a year we welcome so many incredible people in our community and most actually have been in our community for some time. And we present with a beautiful christ. Symbol which is our representative of who we are. It is that we care for our environment. But a KeepCup with Noosa logo is another way to really push that message that this is what we value. This is who we are in our environment. To it on next, and it's not just in place, it's behaviours. So I might take that offline if it needs to be the meaning of speech with Noosa again, but I would really love consideration as part of our citizenship. But anyone want to speak I'm going to start going to ask you another question, this let's just is get another question. Frank Wilkie 18:58.560
Sure. Is one of the actions from a waste resource. Source and it's also and there's also education and co-exploitation on the range of strategies and faster packaging practices. Unidentified Speaker 19:17.337
How are we going to generalise the other practices and actions? How are we going to generalise the other actions from the waste? Beth 19:24.983
That's something we'd probably defer to Kyrone and the waste team to respond to, however, we understand that they're working incredibly hard on that, and we recently concluded a great week raising awareness about waste, including textile waste, which we get two times every week at our landfill. So I think they're going well in terms of how they're going holistically across the plan, and progress report act of the country. To have a place to be. Unidentified Speaker 19:58.884
Once we get our composting reasons, our recovery centre will be our composting facility and the three thousand recovery centre will be able to accelerate the amount of conjecture and composting that we divert from the conjecture and composting process. Amelia Lorentson 20:11.344
Yes. I have one more question. Thank. You. Thanks. One last question, so the LGAQ motion that I've put forward, which was supported unanimously by Council, and almost had unanimous support across 77 councils, in terms of accelerating the national plastic plan and the national pestiging road. I know we were up to- I put it on- I put it on hold. I do not know at this time, but we can take that on notice. I do not know at this time, but we can take that on notice. I'm sorry. We'll take that on notice though and we'll send an email. That's all right. We'll take that on notice though and we'll send an email. Any, I'll speak to it. I'm happy to move, can I have a second? Thank you, Tom. And I'll just say that I'm happy to speak to it. To say that I'm happy about this report is an understatement. I think the $5,600 that has been asked to support this is, my in my the most effective. And impactful marketing investment this Council can make. When I will moved the notified motion in June 2025, it made front page news across the State. Noosa Council, Plastic Free Noosa, Ben Clark from Sunshine Social were on the 6 o'clock ears in the courier mail, Sunshine Coast daily and in local café papers across Queensland. Why? Because it was good news. Because it matters. And because it opens a conversation. And because everyone can do it, and because we can't actually do it alone. We need courage, to start conversation, to challenge the norm, and to say that it's not acceptable to buy coffee, drink it, and three minutes later throw the cup into a landfill. To note there was a ripple effect from that. I want to note there was a ripple effect from that. After the media coverage, professor Ian Lowe from the biosphere contacted me and said that the Brisbane cafes had seen a huge uptake in businesses committing reusable. The biosphere board itself soon afterwards voted to support the initiative reinforcing that this is not just a local project, it's part of a broader movement. And I want. Tom Wegener 22:49.759
To acknowledge. Amelia Lorentson 22:49.671
Take this moment to acknowledge the Plastic Free Noosa program, led with vision and determination by no better person than Jen Sharpe. She is a seriously incredible driver of this program. The has already shifted community behaviours. It's already reduced waste and it's already good, strong partnerships between our Council, businesses and residents. Thank you very much. Again, by backing this program, we're not just funding an environmental initiative, we're investing in cultural change. Like and I also want to note that in plastic cream free Noosa. So long. I also want to note that this Plastic Free Noosa program was recently recognised for winning the prestigious SpiceSphere thriving nature award last month. I want to thank the industry to leaders and businesses and I also want to do a shout out to the Kin Kin Market for being the first market that recently put their hand up to transition away from single-use coffee cups and we're working at the moment with Kin Kin to make it the first village structure to jump on board. Having said that, when I spoke to the guys down at Kin Kin Market, they wanted to take on the challenge and become the first village. So again, the conversation, it has ripple effects. I think our goal and we're about to embark on think our goal and we're about to embark on the Destination Management Plan is that we've got to dream big, we've got to think big, and our goal should be that every café in your Lisa, I will to cheer for voluntarily, and I stress voluntarily, throw out some of those coffee cups. And this is how I think we should be marketing Noosa. Not with glossy summer campaigns, but with a campaign that tells the world this is who we are, this is what we value, and this is what we expect from our visitors. So, again, Noosa has always been Different by Nature. Yeah. Yeah. Been different yeah. By nature, yeah. Yeah. This nature that I came to Ireland, I know you guys appreciate it, so thank you shireen, I know you guys have been working on this for years. Had this for years and just love, you know, and love those are really and you guys are really good. She talks about the driving pressure that comes from, you know, those high corridors downstairs in our environment department. So, thank you because these initiatives are to be driven by someone. So, I think we have the right people here in Council and the right people in our community and of course we've got our amazing Jennifer from Plastic Free Noosa. So, super excited. Thank you. I'll just give you a second. Frank Wilkie 25:53.699
I think it's to note the importance important to note the important work that was recently signed into the 2023 tracer resource plan. 2023, 2028, there's about 30 actions in there. This action about the great work going on in other quarters of the Council. There's a lot of great work going on in other quarters of the Council. Upgrades to another motion coming to Council about upgrades to our waste disposal recovery centre, a great impact on reducing the waste to the landfill as well, a great impact on reducing the waste to the landfill as well. And I just would like to acknowledge that there is good work going on in other parts of the Council as well that will also have a great impact on reducing the waste to the landfill. Just another community consultation to note, one of the key actions community consultation as well as one of the key actions was about the cut cuts as well as a whole bunch of other great ideas which we are working on as well. I think the scope. Tom Wegener 26:50.375
No, no, I just think it's fantastic. It's all worked out no, no, I just think it's fantastic. It's all worked out really well. Amelia Lorentson 27:00.700
You very much. Thank you very Thank you. Very much. Thank you. So we're now up to item 7.2 organisational emissions- reduction progress report. Beth 27:35.420
My name is Beth Tewishland, and my name is Beth Tewishland. Yes, you. Much thank you I for the length apologise for the length of time yeah it's okay Chair Councillors I'll begin with the words of Chief Justice Allsop of the Federal Court of Australia in the Minister for the Environment v Sharma case. The threat of climate change and global warming was and is not in dispute. The seriousness of the threat is demonstrated by the attention given to it by many countries around the world. The attempts made by them to reach agreement and to cooperate to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in order to reduce the rate of increase of earth's surface temperature. There are challenges to some of the primary judge's findings, but by and large, the nature of the risks findings, and the danger from global large, nature of the risks and the danger from global warming is not that may engulf the world and humanity is not indisputable. Dispute. This sobering clarity frames the progress report before you today. Risk we face from longer, more intense, and more frequent floods, bushfires, heat, extreme heat, cyclones, and intensifying storms are now well documented and increasingly witnessed in our community. The report before you today of transparency and honesty. You today is an act of It confirms that Council will not meet its original net zero by 2026 target for our organisational missions. One of the biggest challenges Council faces is in landfill emissions. Even with gas flaring and diversion programs, waste decomposition continues to generate methane, a greenhouse gas that is far more potent than carbon dioxide. This is why the is why landfill is often the hardest sector to tackle, and why, to the best of our knowledge or staff, no other Council in Australia has achieved net zero when they have had landfills. However, despite not meeting our target, this report also confirms that a mistake is not this mission. We have on this journey for over 20 years as a recognised leader both in Queensland and nationally. Since 2016, we have achieved a genuine 19% reduction in operational emissions in practical and impactful projects such as large-scale solar installation. Battery storage at critical sites like evacuation centres, LED lighting upgrades, green waste diversion and increased gas storage at the landfill. These actions will deliver not only emissions reductions but also electricity for savings. And resilience benefits for both Council and community. By the metrics of the widely accepted social cost of carbon, these actions have also already avoided millions of dollars in damage to all of society. Before you today, is also one of integrity. We can buy third-party offsets. Party offsets. We are recommending against this as we are choosing not to outsource our responsibility. The offset market also currently faces integrity and availability challenges and limited local benefits. Industry best practice is very clear. We must prioritise reducing emissions as before relying on offsets. That is why we recommend prioritising direct investment here in Noosa, tackling waste resource challenges, restoring local ecosystems, cleaning global air pollution, and supporting the community with a circular and air pollution. Notably, this report only notably, this report only addresses Council's organisational emissions, whilst we still have the net zero target for community emissions, also by 2026. In partnership with Zero Emissions Noosa Incorporated and organisations, we will aim to work closely together to bring clarity to the emissions reduction effort for community, including an updated calculation of its emissions profile and potentially new resilience funding opportunities next financial year. Fund we are currently developing a science-based climate-positive investment road map to return to you early in the new year. This will be a long-term plan with ambitious, yet achievable targets, and where net zero will only be one step in the turn. The plan will aim to accelerate direct emissions reduction, particularly at the landfill, and in keeping with our enforced waste-to-resource plan. It will fast-track energy clean and fleet electrification. It will fast-track clean energy and fleet electrification and invest in local carbon removal projects that restore biodiversity and deliver co-benefits for our community. Importantly, it will be paired with a clear investment strategy that prioritises actions based on cost effectiveness and cost benefit. It outlines the resources required to deliver it and identifies innovative and alternative finance opportunities to responsibly scale the investment required. Councillors, this is the moment to reaffirm our direction. Climate action is no moment longer just an environmental responsibility, it is a governance responsibility, a financial responsibility, a disaster risk responsibility, and an intergenerational responsibility. We have a moral imperative to the most vulnerable in Noosa. The youth of the Shire to move forward with the strength of our Resolve, knowing that the cost of inaction is a price we cannot afford to pay, and knowing that leadership from local governments like ours is essential for the collective effort local governments like ours is essential for the collective effort required to address the scale of the challenge we face. Amelia Lorentson 32:56.768
Questions around the tidal place? I might speak to it. Tom Wegener 33:04.446
A question. I might speak to it, just because it's a good question. Is too long. At the Tourism Noosa AGM, they had somebody speaking tourism and threats to tourism, and one of the threats came up as insurance. We've had the insurance. Yeah, we've had the insurance agencies and heads of insurance agencies and they say that climate change is very real and to them, the climate change is very real. Is very real and to them, the climate and is to them, the climate change is very real where they make the decisions about what your premium should be around Australia and around Noosa. And they say that they take climate risk into account. Amelia Lorentson 33:48.774
I'm a champ. Tom Wegener 33:49.034
So you may deny climate change, but it's very hard to deny that rates are going up in response to climate change. But the key thing is I bring this up because I ask them, "Well, how about Noosa Shire? ", where we take climate change, climate risks very seriously, and we're adapting them. I said, "Yes, you will have a lesser insurance premium here because you are already on top of what we're worried about." And so for me, what we're worried about was these undeniably. And coming from them, was these undeniably. Evidence that we are on the absolute right track. And by saving a couple of dollars of everybody's insurance policy. And by saving a couple of dollars of everybody's insurance policy. This whole program had to be for ourselves. I'm so happy that this, but I don't think people really I'm so happy that this, but I don't think people really realise that. Their daily out-of-pocket expenses and insurance are tied to our climate change response program here in Noosa Council. Amelia Lorentson 34:48.105
I'm going it would be great to initialise Tom larkin. Can we initialise him? Beth 35:04.310
We certainly can with adaptation and resilience initiatives. Mitigation would be harder to do, but it's something it's we can scale. Take on the lesson to do. Because every ton of greenhouse gases that we emit has an impact on society, but it's a global impact. And so trying to scale that to the new scale to understand how that has affected it its premiums? It would be challenging. Would be challenging. Tom Wegener 35:36.086
But also is the, you know, just the awareness of the climate change. Amelia Lorentson 35:43.487
I'm going to start with why only half of the. Money that has been allocated for the missions has been left the last 10 years. I think the report notes that half of the. Why given that it is. Why given that it is. Kim Rawlings 36:11.658
There's a combination. Of factors. So there's been an annual budget allocated for emissions reduction for a number of years, essentially since we've had the strategy in place. And a combination of issues in terms of why some of the budgets haven't been spent in each full year, including needing to do asset assessments where we've gone to put solar on roof and then during the investigations realised that roofs need replacing or power boards and switchboards need replacing. So it's created, you know, other projects that need to be done before solar projects are going to be done which has delayed programs and pushed programs across multiple years. As part of our budget, normal budget considerations, unspent funds and. Carried forward funds are considered at each budget year on merits and decisions whether or not they're rolled forward or carried forward or not are made on an annual basis and we've had through a number of years where unspent funds in these. Unspent funds in the zero emissions budget hasn't been carried forward because of priorities or issues that are considered as part of that budget each year and that varied depending on what the priorities of that particular budget that depending that's on um so that's been some considerations of it. We've also had some staffing and resourcing changes in the program over the years. So, you know, a combination of issues and not true lack combination of best efforts. And prioritisation of this program. Beth 37:52.264
And I might just add to that this, the issue of emissions is systemic. The issue of emissions is systemic. Everything has an impact. And has an associated impact. As a footprint so it requires more than just one branch or one person trying to drive this into one organisation. It requires a whole of organisational response. And we believe that we have learned from the challenges and successes in the past 10 years challenges the and successes of lendricks, there is an amazing understanding and level of awareness within Council staff now at Noosa Council on how to reduce emissions and we think we can leverage that in our major push to reduce emissions. Would reduce our emissions. Major push. Amelia Lorentson 38:43.964
Reduce emissions the next few years. So mentioned. You. So mentioned. Resources. Resourcing. Again, I think that was stated. Again, A game as is far as on us, I felt that it was it's taking there's one staff that was said to be against something of such high importance. Why are we against it? Why are we already giving the, again, the high. Kim Rawlings 39:13.094
Over the years we've put forward additional for staff and resources. Staff over the years and resources. Forward for additional staff and program resources. Haven't been allocated through the budget as a result of competing priorities as a result of the budget as a result so this year, this last year we've been able to get some temporary resources to try and boost the program. You know, like all programs in a, you know, relatively medium to small sized Council, it's been about competing priorities at each budget. So yes, this has been an important program. There are a number of important programs in the Council, so it's just, it's been. Are a number of important programs in the Council. Managing different priorities through budgets, but it's not through. Managing not having requested additional resources. But it's not through not having requested additional resources. Amelia Lorentson 40:00.332
And the baseline. The increased. By a fault. A should we have updated the 2026. And made the zero target? And maybe my question is. When do you anticipate an increase in the impact? Beth 40:27.460
So it increased five-fold since when we set our net zero strategy in 2016 and first did a baseline carbon footprint. We knew that it increased. Within six to 12 months, but there was decisions made at the time, which I'm not privy to, that we'd stick to the 2026 target. And to try and scale our effort in responding to it, I believe, whether or not we should have or shouldn't have. It's definitely a lesson learned that we've reflected on in the report that should we understand that our baseline emissions increases due to new accounting methodologies or better data collection, then we will do our best to scale our effort and reflect a target that is. And reflect our a effort and reflect a target that is still achievable. Brian Stockwell 41:30.063
I'm happy to move. Sir. Firstly, this is a report about not meeting the target. No. And does that surprise you? It's COVID. Definitely not. This target was set on the base of political positions. And myself both went to that election saying we want to be net zero by in 10 years time. To accelerate. It was based on a need to accelerate, not on Council's focus on this issue, not on the level of analysis we now put into it. So, I'm surprised that the stretch target didn't meet. Am I happy with what we have done? Yes, I think we are. Taking good steps. Do we've done as much as we should have? Do I think we've done as much as we should have? Definitely not. There has been a massive vacuum of leadership, both at the political level and executive level. The executive, we've as the Director says, we've made decisions about urgent over the strategic costs of not taking action. And in the report in the finance section you see that our current emissions are valued at costing the global community 17 points.8 million a year. That's even a conservative estimate. And why hasn't it happened? It's a typical spiral. We had a thing called the 2019-20 bushfire season. Climate-induced catastrophes on our doorstep where we had to evacuate most of Tewantin we had the 2022 floods. And then we had to recover from that. And then we had the 2022 floods where I had 1,500 millimetres of rain on my roof in three days. Another climate-induced emergency. And across the globe, it is a pattern. And as organisations such as ours try and struggle to adapt and become more resilient to those, it is difficult to keep on saying what we all know, which is the cheapest time to take action is now. The cost of the impacts by waiting for longer far outweigh the benefits. And that's something this Council makes a really solid commitment early next year when we look at the plan going forward. Because other councils have, you know, when we did this in 2016 we a leader when we declared a climate emergency it wasn't just a press release it was an understanding that this is an emergency in 2019 and since then a lot of councils have taken more action. For example newcastle, they did what we hope hoped to do or proposed to investigate we're currently investigating our landfill. They built a five megawatts solar farm on a landfill gas and wind turbine to create a renewable hub on an old coal landfill. It delivered 420 revenue in the first six months and during and exported energy during the 2020 bushfires strengthening grid resilience and it supports a growing EV network of 34 charging ports powered by renewables. A really good example of all the things we're currently looking at that we should yeah I would have to see steps in that direction in our next budget. If you look at power purchasing agreements and we've had multiple opportunities to make the decision of buying green power but since we started looking at that almost all Victorian councils have adopted renewable power purchasing agreements and 75% of New South Wales councils. Cairns in north Queensland had a policy of 100% renewable and they've got a long-term power purchasing agreement. It was the most cost-effective path for them. So we have got opportunities to accelerate and what it's really important to understand, I that the Queensland government today is considering whether to drop their own target. We are not dropping a saying we're we are not meeting it. We are saying that perhaps, we were too ambitious in 2016, but there is still an urgent need to take action. Early next year I am confident and we won't be using modelling from the consultants of the coal industry to try and make the absurd claim that coal is a cheap point of energy. We will be looking at how we accelerate our local action in a way that is economically rational when considering the long-term impacts on this community. So I support the staff's report. I thank them for being really open and honest about what we have done and what we haven't done and what the issues are and I look forward to us once again in 2026 setting a direction that 2026 will once again put Noosa towards the head of the pack. Frank Wilkie 46:49.434
I'd like to thank the staff for the report it's very comprehensive very detailed. Back in 2016 we set a target which we knew was ambitious at the time and setting the target setting a direction is the easiest part of the effort. Then the work begins. It was an ambitious target but we have benefited from learning a lot about emissions and our and Council's operations as a result of that aspiration. We would not have learned anywhere near as much had the goal been far less ambitious just because the discovery of our emissions went jump from about 10,000 tonnes a year through better knowledge to about 50,000 tonnes a what we learned about the contribution that the landfill makes. About half of our emissions comes from the landfill. We're faced with an even greater challenge but we're still facing that challenge and we're still determined to push on. We are playing our part in the global shift towards non polluting technologies and our ratepayers are reaping the benefit to cost saving efficiencies and the benefits that come through that big city councils like newcastle and Cairns have already put in place programs that we are aspiring to and that is still in the planning phase for Noosa Council. We are looking at solar, we're looking at composting, biochar, other diversion programs at our landfill facility. That will help us reduce our emissions. We were one of the first councils, we were the first Council in Queensland to introduce green organics kerbside collection, which also dropped our emissions from the landfill. The methane producing material is no longer going into the landfill. So we have been leading the way. There is more is going work to do. We're not going to meet the 2026 target but I think it was the right thing to do to set that ambitious target and work towards it, even though we knew there was a five fold increase in emissions that we were aiming at. So thank you very much for all the work you've done in this it field. Is very complicated. The detail in this report, I will probably need a few more days to fully understand the calculations, but I appreciate that it is there as a record for anyone who is interested in this ambitious journey to delve into. So, thank you I'm really looking forward to seeing what the, you're coming back with as to how we can address the road map. Is that what it's called? Positive investment. And I'm sure that it will involve a lot of projects out of our waste and resource recovery centre and investing in that is something all Councillors have said they would support and there are great benefits to come from that so thank you very much. Amelia Lorentson 50:06.890
In terms of the climate investment Roadmap, Cheyenne, will it be developed with external consultation? Can you explain what that process is going to look like? Kim Rawlings 50:23.280
We're not proposing to put that investment Roadmap in its development out to the community, it's about investment and budget decisions. Of Council's operations. So it's development no, however it's being informed by feedback we've received through a raft of strategy development. On these issues as we use that information to inform all of the development of plans and strategies so we draw on that information whether it's liveability survey, Corporate Plan, destination management, all those forms of consultation. Those conversations about the plan. And how it's then endorsed, adopted or considered will need to occur with Council. Thank you very much. Amelia Lorentson 51:18.561
In terms of a little bit of history, I actually asked an ex-Councillor you know, about who pushed this organisational emissions and brought us into this really important space with climate change. And credit where credit's due, and it was the previous Mayor of Noosa Shire Council, Councillor Tony Wellington. And I think what I think I spoke just before in terms of reusable single-use coffee cups, you need drivers and those drivers should start at the top. So in 2016 we had. Tony Wellington driving everything in the space of climate change and I've got a list of just a whole bunch of things that he did. Again, credit where credit's due. And also part of my little investigation is I also understand under our Local Government Act that the understanding of what's considered perpetual succession that once Council makes a decision it stands in perpetuity. I love that so we need to absolutely step up. This is critical and it's got to be driven from the top. Beth 52:46.653
As Council staff we are incredibly grateful for the previous Council for setting such ambitious target. We believe that you can shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars and that's what's happened here. So, you know, as chief justice Allsop made abundantly clear in his decision, the threat is not in dispute, therefore our Resolve to continue this mission should not be in dispute. Frank Wilkie 53:11.581
I have a question. You mentioned in the report that Council's on track to meet its target for all Council facilities to be 100% renewable by 2026, which is a far less ambitious target. We'll but have we set out to be able to achieve that? But what has to be done before we, there's a little bit left to go before that's achieved. What's left to be done in that space? Unidentified Speaker 53:41.095
It's just working through the final stages with procurement. And finance to set the budget aside for that so purchasing LGCs essentially and so rather than going through retailer there's options to buy LGCs from the market which could be more cost effective for Council. Achieve the same result of being net zero for our electricity usage. Beth 54:04.549
As well as investigating and putting plans in place for a PPA for a more long term and then the solar and batteries at the resource recovery centre to be able to offset. Our electricity just emissions as well. Amelia Lorentson 54:20.119
That's right. I'll speak just very quickly on the report. Calls the last decade a positive journey, but I think the reality, as we've just discussed, is a little bit more complicated. Half the emissions budget wasn't spent. The baseline later tuned out to be five times higher. And the resourcing behind the program only enough for the scale of the task. But I'm going to repeat the incredible quote that Cheyenne just said. That's not. Failure is not when you set yourself an ambitious target and aim for the moon and land on the stars, that's still one that's still one step forward. And we're opening the conversation. We're learning from the past. And I think that the opportunity. Again, I'll just reiterate, we need strong leadership. Because even good plans struggle to get done. And there's someone driving the programs. And again, it starts at the top. Terms of the new climate positive investment Roadmap, I'm really excited about that and an absolute positive step in the right direction. Provided we learn from the past and um, and. Again, this is, you know, the report's not about blame, it's just about total transparency and openness with the community. And again, opportunity, we've got the expertise here in Council. Again, we just need to enable you to do your job. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 56:13.566
And it's worth noting that when we set the target in 2016, it wasn't a unanimous Council decision. Amelia Lorentson 56:22.549
Any further discussion? I will close. Brian Stockwell 56:25.874
Yeah, I think there's some really good points. And while I was, and always will, be frustrated that how society is so slow to react as a general. Um, I do acknowledge that there is a unanimous commitment amongst councils and executive staff to do as good as we can. It is a difficult exercise to balance competing urgent needs with those that are, you know, the bird in the hand versus the two in the bush sort of thing. One part that we have benefited from is by leading, you know, as Councillor Wilkie, a lot of the councils have gone down this path quicker than us, have got much larger budgets, the bigger ones, and a number of those have previously claimed carbon neutrality or zero emissions, as a result of buying offsets, and have walked away from that. So one of the benefits of being more thoughtful is that we haven't gone down to the road where it's cost our ratepayers a whole lot of money for offsets, which are now coming into question as to their veracity. And in the report we talk about the staff that made that decision that they won't be recommending that sort of offset buying just to get to that 2026 target and I think it's really important that we say yes we agree with that approach. I'd love to see a scheme that was both counselled in but also grants and incentives, I'd love to see I'd love to see all of the landslip prone really steep land in our hinterland with trees all over them funded as carbon offsets. It would be a wonderful outcome and probably the cheapest outcome in terms of having meaningful local offsets. So, well, while I won't protect anything I said, I do think from our level we could have driven harder. I do think it has been constrained by the fact that we're trying to address future emergencies in the middle of repeated emergencies. And I do think that the process we've led for the adoption of the new target, the new form of action has been excellent, you know, with the level of advice we've received in a series of speakers who are at the top of their field in the world. IPCC members, Deloitte's, we have a really advanced level of understanding now of both the urgency and what is required and why it makes sense to take that action. Amelia Lorentson 59:00.068
Discussion? All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you it would make sense to take that action. Aye. Good job. So now we want to item report, sorry, 7.3, for consideration of the committee, Walton Patrick to the desk, and I'll ask if you can give us a summary of the item. Is the Planning & Environment Court appeal D114 of 2025 for minor change to the development permit for Material Change of Use for a duplex dwelling at 1/27 Duke Street, st. Patrick Murphy 59:53.367
Johnstone beach, st. you. So this report recommends that Council defend a recently lodged appeal against the refusal under delegation of the additions to an existing duplex development at 1/27 Duke Street, one of the units number one of 27 Duke Street is seeking further additions. When the original development was approved it was under the 1990 Planning Scheme which permitted a plot ratio of 0.45 to 1. One and was approved at the maximum plot ratio since that time the scheme has changed to 0.4 this proposal is seeking that the plot ratio would be at least 0.54 to 1 so significantly over what was originally approved significantly over the current allowance. Of the Noosa Plan accordingly it was refused and as I said the report recommends that Council defend the appeal. Amelia Lorentson 01:00:55.976
Questions around the table? Councillor Stockwell? Brian Stockwell 01:00:59.826
Just clarifying we can't really talk about the substance of this particular case? That's correct. I'll move to direct staff recommendation. Seconded by Councillor Wegener. I will talk in general terms. We've had a series of appeals which relate to individual dwellings or units seeking. To push the Noosa Plan well beyond its accepted limits. It is very disappointing that we are now in an era not of fighting appeals on large developments that are overscaled but individuals who are attracted to Noosa because we've enforced a plan over 30 years and think that shouldn't apply to them. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 01:01:54.784
Any further discussion before we put this to a Council meeting? Unidentified Speaker 01:02:00.441
What is this, you know. Tom Wegener 01:02:02.345
Sticking to the code, and I love Captain Barbossa, you know, stick to the code from the Pirates of the Caribbean. So you know please, you know, please carry on with upholding our Planning Scheme. Amelia Lorentson 01:02:20.020
Can I add maybe a more, a quote from when I first came to Council? And it was one of our great managers downstairs and he had this big poster "Death by a thousand cuts" and that's really stuck with me throughout my whole term and the more time I spent in Council the more that I really understand what that means. Frank Wilkie 01:02:44.223
And look, it's been said many times that about 96% an average of 96% of all development applications that come to Council are approved because they understand the Planning Scheme. Applicants that work with campaign staff and Councillors get the approvals they need. This one is oversize. Is it's very clearly oversize. It can't be supported. Of course we can defend the appeal. Unidentified Speaker 01:03:13.844
Thank you. Brian Stockwell 01:03:14.187
I will close because I love the death by a thousand I quote will to quote and close, the because I love the despise housing quote to and the other the way other of way of saying. Unidentified Speaker 01:03:22.823
I think it was death by a thousand cuts not death by a thousand quotes. That's what I see. You've never told me that before. Brian Stockwell 01:03:34.690
Tyranny of many small decisions and we've seen coastal town after coastal town who wouldn't defend their scheme as much as we did being the result of tyranny of many small decisions that resulted in the loss of their character that's why Noosa Council does defend each decision. Where we think the applicant has gone beyond what is acceptable. Amelia Lorentson 01:04:00.468
Thank you great discussion great commentary around the table all in favour? You Patrick I think you're still here so we're now up to item 7.4 point four by the change and of two points. Insisting approval of all material charge of use. Expansion of special purpose waste disposal and recycling facility and ongoing clearing purposes 561. Matt 01:04:46.091
We've got here. Matt here, our assessment planner know it's is going to run us through. Yes, thank you everyone. Yes, so this application. For another change to the existing approval for Material Change of Use. Special purpose for waste disposal and recycling facility. It followed a code assessment process and had the same rigour of assessment as any other application that Council would have before them. The application seeks to streamline modernise the existing facility through the stage demolition, relocation and construction of existing facilities, including two weighbridges, one for public use and one for commercial operators. The redevelopment of the waste Transfer Station and the relocation of the Reviva shop with outdoor display and storage area, and an enhanced configuration and minor expansion of the existing Cleanaway depot. The plans of the development have been prepared by an architectural and urban design firm, and the minor expansion of the Cleanaway depot includes the clearing of category X vegetation immediately to the east and west of the depot, and the proposal plan that a high-value tree is being retained in the Cleanaway depot car parking area the proposed clearing triggers state planning policy and environmental offset requirements and the proposed clearing retains a substantial buffer like a vegetation buffer along Eumundi Noosa Road. The design includes a number of safety improvements that address workplace health and safety matters associated with the operation. Facility and that includes the waste Transfer Station, Reviva shop and Cleanaway depot having been designed and sited to improve traffic flow and safety to increase capacity within the site. The new access lead leading-in road will reduce queuing near the existing Eumundi-Noosa Road access with provision made for the two separate road weighbridges, one for the general public use and access will reduce queuing near the existing Eumundi-Noosa Road access general public use and the second for the commercial use to separate heavy vehicles from the public vehicles within the site. The relocation of the Reviva shop towards the north. It provides a space for the new waste Transfer Station which will provide increased waste bins for disposal of different waste streams in a managed environment improving traffic flow and safety and increasing the amount of recycling. That can occur in the facility. There will be separation from the patrons attending the Reviva shop and patrons attending the new waste Transfer Station they have a designated separate parking area. The new design of the waste Transfer Station limits the amount of pedestrian connectivity for patrons within the site and segregates customers using the facility from endangered. Endangers such as forklifts and trucks servicing the facility. There's enhanced safety within the expanded Cleanaway depot that includes internal configuration improvements with some more on-site manoeuvreing provided and a designated and separated truck. Parking area. For the cleaning for the Cleanaway trucks on the eastern side of the drainage line with a dedicated pedestrian walkway provided beside the existing road crossing was a question during the briefing about the staging of the works so I'll just talk to that is staging there is staging proposed. For the construction of the development to minimise the disruption on the site which is to remain operational during works in accordance with the construction management plan goes generally as follows: stage one will involve the construction of the new roads and weighbridge paths with the relocated weighbridges for the separated commercial and general public use. Being provided. The existing weighbridge is to remain in place to allow the continued operation of the facility in the interim. Stage two is the expansion of the Cleanaway depot and relocation of the contractor office, wash bay and other facilities to allow Cleanaway to function as required with dedicated truck parking within the resource recovery area to the east. Stage three is the construction for the construction of the new Reviva shop and outdoor sales yard towards the north and finally stage four is the relocation of the existing weigh bridge, removal of the existing Reviva shop and construction of the new. Waste Transfer Station to the north of the existing waste transfer area. So the compliance and assessment of the application, it generally complies with all the applicable statutory instruments and the key matters of the assessment included the proposed gross floor area of individual buildings, the proposed length of the building walls and the provision of car parking. So that generally sums up the proposal and we recommend it for approval. Amelia Lorentson 01:10:41.167
Thank you, Matthew. Given Council's both the applicant and assessor, can you just sort of explain to us how we've ensured that the assessment in front of us is objective? Matt 01:10:54.436
Yeah, so we have a third party consultant acting on Council's behalf. There's a separation between the two parts of. Patrick Murphy 01:11:02.813
Council-- yeah, so the planning consultant is representing our waste team, so all communication has been through the planning consultant who's launched the application on behalf of Council and coordinated the documentation. And have undertaken an independent assessment consistent with how any other application would be assessed. Amelia Lorentson 01:11:25.792
Questions around the table? Tom. Unidentified Speaker 01:11:29.582
The time the timeframe's up. How yeah. Tom Wegener 01:11:32.353
Soon can we get this really going? And the reason, of course, is. Brian Stockwell 01:11:37.064
On the border. Okay. The Council's talking as the applicant, not as the assessor. Sorry, I need a little bit of clarity. Oh, sorry, he's asking about a project that the applicant were here as the assessor. I think confuses the matter if we start talking around this table when we're assessing a development application about our role as the applicant. Unidentified Speaker 01:11:59.954
You're talking about us as the construction man. As opposed to assessing the construction. Richard MacGillivray 01:12:08.559
I can ask the Director you have that. Yes yeah through the Chair yeah so our role in particular in regards to this application we're the assessment authority. So our role is with this hat on today is the assessing authority so we're here to make the assessment decision. We have other hats as well that we wear but in terms of the decision we're making today our role is the assessment authority and therefore I guess the focus of the discussion today should be on the role as the assessment manager as opposed to the project delivery team. Amelia Lorentson 01:12:43.509
So maybe I can help you rephrase the question Councillor Wegener. If the development application is ratified. Our Ordinary Meeting in terms of currency period for the development application, how long is that and when can we expect. How does long currency. Is the currency period? Have you got that? Patrick Murphy 01:13:09.935
It's a continuation of the use because the use is established, there's no. you can't lapse that approval. I note the comments that have been made. It might be that these are questions that could asked to the relevant Director at a future point in time. A briefing provided to Council around the timeframe of the works. Amelia Lorentson 01:13:33.543
We might just pause that and just any further questions around the table. Frank Wilkie 01:13:40.030
You mentioned 500 non-juvenile koala habitat trees. Be planted in the offset at a ratio of six to one. Where will the offset take place occur? Matt 01:13:52.434
So native foresters is working for the applicant regarding the ecological works in collaboration with Noosa Council's offset delivery teams identified offset site within the Noosa Council area at a particular location, 304 Lake Flat Road, Cootharaba. Amelia Lorentson 01:14:12.397
Thank you. I'll are the offsets fully funded? I think that's probably not for the assessment team to. Provide that information. We've got a different hat on. Okay. In terms of the koala habitat trees, there are 240 being cleared. How does clearing in a koala priority area meet state performance outcomes? Matt 01:14:46.357
So, for impacts on regulated vegetation, the majority of the vegetation that's been cleared is category X. So, for threatened species and koala habitat, this stage of the project will Resolve in the loss of about 240 non-juvenile koala habitat trees in a proprietary. Priority know, priority koala area. So, clearing of non-juvenile habitat trees is considered a significant residual impact to a matter of the State environmental significance, as the site is identified as koala priority, but not core. It's triggered for assessment against the State code 25. As part of the application, Council officers have assessed against those triggers as for code 25, and in summary. The code sort of talks about three areas to be considered, so being has the clearing been reasonably avoided or can it be avoided? Has the clearing been reasonably minimised where it cannot be reasonably avoided? And has the clearing been. Being mitigated through. Offsets? Amelia Lorentson 01:15:57.789
Thank you. And that assessment's been done through state and they've given it all clear? Matt 01:16:04.964
The State, because it's category X, the State has no assessment of that. That's devolved to Council and undertaken that assessment. Brian Stockwell 01:16:14.718
Might be worthwhile. Category X is at what level? Like we have endangered of concern and then? Category X is. Matt 01:16:28.646
The definition catered against vegetation primarily under the Queensland vegetation management act refers to areas where clearing is generally considered exempt or accepted development. So for the purposes of mapping it would come up as white, it wouldn't be identified as vegetation. Brian Stockwell 01:16:45.056
Yeah, and I think you do talk about the inukwala, I'm sure you talk about it in your report. The majority of the koala habitat trees are because Melaleuca quinquenervia is listed as a koala habitat feed tree, it's one that is really when they're very very hungry is my understanding. I think the first time that was ever recorded was back after the clearing, the initial clearing for Noosa Springs when we found it, I think it was first noticed in Noosa of anywhere. The higher quality trees in that regional ecosystem and what would have been there prior to it being clear felled in the 40s or 50s, whenever it was, is the Eucalyptus racemosa, the scribbly gum. I know you mentioned that one of those significant ones has been retained. How many of those actually high quality trees are we losing? Have we got a number on that? Matt 01:17:40.748
Might need to come back to that. I believe it's, I think it's, I believe it's about six of those major trees with that one being kept within the, uh, within the car park and having a, protection zone around its, root zone there. Amelia Lorentson 01:17:56.978
So, you spoke about, um, one of the criteria. Was, um, it can't be avoided. Um, what other alternatives were considered as part of the assessment? Matt 01:18:09.755
Um, so essentially the, State code 25 has a range of, um, performance outcomes that need. Um, so essentially the, State code 25 has a range of, um, performance outcomes that need. To be, looked at and addressed. Um, I guess given the, site and the constraints of the site, it's very difficult to avoid any vegetation clearing with an expansion like this, so. Looking at the next two steps, which would be to be reasonably minimise the effects of clearing, and I think this, the reporting sort of looks at how the extent of clearing has been reduced to increase that 30 metre buffer in that north-south direction, which is, has ticked that box for minimising on the site, and then further to that, mitigating the impact by providing those offsets. Patrick Murphy 01:19:05.885
To add, I mean, the development is primarily using the existing footprint. Disturbed area, so some minor expansion with the vegetation in close proximity to those existing areas has resulted in some residual clearing. Amelia Lorentson 01:19:21.140
Any further questions around the table, Mr. Stockwell? Brian Stockwell 01:19:26.974
In I'm I might move it, so I'll just talk to it. Just a second, thank you. We're dealing with an application here that's for a purpose that is consistent with the zoning. There is a small area around the northwest of the site that will have some additional clearing, and that is not in the endangered remnant. Section. We know that the applicant is also Council and we would, if we weren't, the applicant take into consideration that this applicant has declared a whole lot of this particular lot to nature refuge to ensure nature conservation outcomes and the commitment to further offset that loss I think is a good outcome because the need to bring our waste recovery facilities up to standard which this is part of a much broader precinct plan the environmental benefits of achieving that outcome probably far outweigh the loss the temporary loss of the vegetation along the edge of this area which probably if we built to the edge of the car park we would do as exempt for fire purposes anyway. Amelia Lorentson 01:20:53.548
Okay, any further discussion around the table? No? Okay. So we'll put that to a vote. All in favour? Thank you. That's unanimous. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. And we now move need to-- record. Reports for noting by the committee and item 8.1 planning applications decided by delegated authority. And I'll hand it over to Patrick. Thank you. Patrick Murphy 01:21:27.747
Yeah, so this is the decisions that were made by delegated authority for the month of October in 2025. For me before the good spread of applications, another consistent month for from the team. With all the decisions under delegation being approved this month for October. Unidentified Speaker 01:21:57.499
No short-term accommodations in there. No? No. I'm trying to get questions. Amelia Lorentson 01:22:06.660
Any further questions around the table? Brian Stockwell 01:22:11.501
Yes, thank you. Councillor Stockwell? Thank you. There was just an interesting one there about removal of an environmental covenant which got my radar going and on questioning I found out that it was a perverse use of an environmental to achieve a bushfire protection area buffer which we wouldn't do these days so it's not about losing environmental values by that action so I support the decision by staff. Amelia Lorentson 01:22:44.394
No further discussion. Can I have a mover and a seconder please. Thank you Councillor Wegener and a seconder. You want to do it? I'm happy to second. No further discussion. All in favour? Thank you. So we're now moving to the last matter which is confidential session item 9.1 not for public release Environment Levy proposed land purchase for so to move that this item is referred to confidential session and we might close the meeting for the confidential century levy. Can I have a seconder please? Thank you. Councillor Wegener. All in favour please? Amelia Lorentson 01:45:41.882
Okay. Thank you. We're now looking at item 9.1, confidential, not for public release, Environment Levy, proposed land purchase. Councillor Stockwell? Brian Stockwell 01:45:55.802
I move that the matter be referred to the General Committee for further consideration. Amelia Lorentson 01:45:59.025
May I please have a seconder, Councillor Wegener? All in favour? That's unanimous. And that brings us the so that's all right, just having thank you very much. Issues. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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