Ordinary Meeting

MINUTES

Ordinary Meeting

Thursday, 18 September 2025
10:00 AM

Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin

Cr Frank Wilkie (Chair), Karen Finzel, Amelia Lorentson, Jessica Phillips, Brian Stockwell, Tom Wegener, Nicola Wilson

“Noosa Shire – different by nature”
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

1 DECLARATION OF OPENING
The meeting was declared open at 10.00am.

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
COUNCILLORS
Cr Frank Wilkie (Chair)
Cr Karen Finzel
Cr Jessica Phillips
Cr Amelia Lorentson
Cr Brian Stockwell
Cr Tom Wegener (via Microsoft Teams)
Cr Nicola Wilson

EXECUTIVE
Acting Chief Executive Officer & Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh

APOLOGIES
Nil.

4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

1 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES - ORDINARY MEETING DATED 21 AUGUST 2025 Council Resolution Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 21 August 2025 be received and confirmed.
Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

5 PETITIONS
Nil.

6. PRESENTATIONS
Nil.
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

7. DEPUTATIONS

7.1 APPLICANT: THOMAS DRAPER
TOPIC: DMP
SPEAKERS: THOMAS DRAPER & JASON BECKTON

8. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

8.1 ALAN DEERING

QUESTION 1
Noosa Council is guided by, and not dictated by the Austroads Standards and Guidelines, also the Department of Main Roads Planning and Design Manual, so the Noosa Plan that states when sealing dirt roads they must be no less than 9 metres is a Noosa Council initiative.
Does Noosa Council agree that any future sealing of dirt roads in the Noosa Shire will be to a minimum width of 9 metres?
RESPONSE by Shaun Walsh, Director Infrastructure Services
Noosa Council is guided by, but not strictly bound to, professional standards like:
 Austroads Standards and Guidelines;
 Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Planning and Design Manual;  Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) “Lower Order Road Design Guidelines”.
These documents provide best-practice frameworks, but local governments like Noosa Council have the autonomy to adopt higher or more tailored standards based on local priorities, environmental considerations, and community expectations. You are correct that the Noosa Plan (and associated infrastructure policies) specifies minimum carriageway and shoulder widths for various road classifications for Noosa Shire. We can vary from these specifications for a specific project requiring engineering justification to enable Council support. Notably, the IPWEA “Lower Order Road Design Guidelines” updated recently in 2024, specifies a sealed carriage width of 5.5 metres when traffic volumes are low, and provides a very good reference to inform any future detailed design for lower order unsealed roads across Noosa Shire. Council can also consider this recently updated document in any future review of the Noosa Plan and associated infrastructure policies. I also note that following various representations from the community, Council has initiated a review of Council's approach to management of unsealed roads, with broader consideration of environmental, community benefit and traffic safety matters to more fully inform future prioritisation and budget submissions for road sealing, of course subject to Council budget approval.

QUESTION 2
Noosa Council employees such as Plant Operators are required to undergo a mandatory silica test every 12 months. Noosa Council recognises the workplace risks of airborne dust but totally ignores the health risks of airborne dust to ratepayers living on dirt roads. Why hasn't Noosa Council addressed the dust issue of residents living on dirt roads in Noosa Shire by at least adding dust suppressant in water trucks when annual resheeting of dirt roads?
RESPONSE by Shaun Walsh, Director Infrastructure Services
In terms of health risk, Council has undertaken a technical assessment of the potential health risks associated with silica dust generated from unsealed gravel roads within the Noosa Council region. It has evaluated the material composition, maintenance practices, and environmental exposure context, referencing applicable standards and research findings.
Crystalline silica (SiO₂), primarily in the form of quartz, is a naturally occurring mineral found in many geological materials including sand, clay, and gravel. Respirable crystalline silica
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

(RCS) is a known occupational hazard in industries involving cutting, crushing or drilling of silica-containing materials. However, the context of road dust from unsealed surfaces, particularly those maintained using natural gravel and recycled asphalt, differs significantly from high-risk occupational environments where RCS may be present. Noosa Council maintain their unsealed road networks using natural gravel blends and recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). These materials are selected in accordance with:
 Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads MRTS05 – Unbound Pavements; and  Austroads Guide to Pavement Technology Part 6: Unsealed Pavements.
These standards ensure that materials meet performance criteria such as California Bearing Ratio (CBR), shrinkage product and grading coefficient, which indirectly influence dust generation and stability.
In terms of health risk exposure:
 Unsealed roads in these regions typically carry low traffic volumes (30–500 vehicles/day).
 Dust exposure is intermittent, outdoor and dispersed, significantly reducing concentration compared to enclosed occupational settings.
 A New Zealand Transport Agency study found that while PM₁₀ dust from unsealed roads can be present, respirable silica levels were generally low and not linked to adverse health outcomes in ambient settings.
 NIOSH evaluations of dirt road maintenance found no erionite and only occasional silica exceedances, primarily in active roadwork zones, not general public exposure.
 The Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for RCS in Australia is 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA). Ambient exposure from unsealed roads is not known to exceed this threshold in SE Queensland.
Based on current material usage, maintenance practices and environmental exposure conditions, there is minimal to no health risk from silica dust generated by unsealed gravel roads in the Noosa Council region. There is no confirmed evidence of harmful silica dust concentrations in these areas, and no recorded public health impacts attributable to road dust.
The use of natural gravel and recycled asphalt, combined with routine grading and dust suppression, ensures compliance with engineering and environmental standards. In terms of testing its workforce, Noosa Council test the workers that are exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) such as concrete cutting, drilling and crushing works which is approximately 50 workers. Crews working on our unsealed roads such as grader crews and plant crews are not tested due to low risk profile.
In terms of dust management for the community, Council’s current dust mitigation strategies include:
 Routine grading and re-sheeting based on traffic volume and environmental conditions;  Use of impervious gravel blends (such as recycled road profiles) where possible and available to reduce water ingress and dust lift-off; and  Community education sheets recommending various practices including vegetative screening and reduce dust impacts near residences.
Council has explored the use of dust suppressants as noted in the question and can advise as follows:
 Dust suppression chemical treatments can be used to treat problematic areas and are commonly used in intensive industrial and mining applications;  The treatment is usually only effective for approximately 3 months and can make the road slippery when it rains as they are commonly hydrophobic and cause water to pond on the surface causing possible safety issues;  These chemicals are powerful and would need to be applied with great prudence as could have adverse environmental implications if overused particularly pertinent in environmentally sensitive areas of Noosa Shire;
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

 The high cost of this treatment, short term benefits and the need for regular reapplication mean this treatment is cost prohibitive for application in Noosa Shire which has 200kms of unsealed roads.

8.2 PATRICIA SPICER

QUESTION 1
Has Noosa Council applied for a grant towards infrastructure costs through the Residential Activation Fund in relation to 64 Lake Macdonald Drive?
RESPONSE by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy & Environment
Council has applied for a grant via the Residential Activation Fund for the enabling of infrastructure and civil works for the site. The Queensland government is making progressive announcements on the RAF funding, and we look forward to an announcement on the outcome of Noosa's application.

QUESTION 2
As contract details have been released and remediation work has commenced did the tender price for the remediation work and subdivision work at 62/64 Lake Macdonald Drive match the estimates?
RESPONSE by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy & Environment The tender price came in slightly above estimates and within budget.

The meeting adjourned at 10.35am.
The meeting resumed at 10.47am.

9 MAYORAL MINUTES
Nil.

10 NOTIFIED MOTIONS

10.1 ENHANCING FUTURE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FOR PLANNING SCHEME PROVISION
CHANGES
Motion
Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel
That Council review its communication strategy for future planning scheme amendments and consider undertaking direct and tailored communication approach to public consultation to each landowner to make them aware of the changes and where to easily access information to understand what the changes mean for them.
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

Amendment No. 1
Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips
Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson
That the following words be added to the motion:
"and request a report to a future council meeting outlining details on a possible communication strategy and expenditure required." Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener

Amendment No. 2
Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell
Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie
That the following words be added to the motion:
"and request a report to a future council meeting, once the substantive changes proposed in any future planning scheme amendment are known, outlining details on a possible communication strategy and expenditure required." Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

Council Resolution
Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel
That Council review its communication strategy for future planning scheme amendments and consider undertaking direct and tailored communication approach to public consultation to each landowner to make them aware of the changes and where to easily access information to understand what the changes mean for them and request a report to a future council meeting, once the substantive changes proposed in any future planning scheme amendment are known, outlining details on a possible communication strategy and expenditure required.
Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

11. CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

11.1 PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 9
SEPTEMBER 2025

11.1.1. PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – JULY 2025

That Planning & Environment Committee Agenda Item 7.1 be referred to the General Committee for further consideration.

11.1.2. NOOSA PLAN 2020 - AMENDMENT NO. 2 - COUNCIL ADOPTION

Motion
Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie
Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell
That Council
A. Note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Planning and Environment Committee on 9 September 2025 regarding proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and; B. Under section 22 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules:
1. Adopt proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 as contained in Attachments 3-14 which incorporates changes as required by the Ministerial conditions outlined in this report;
2. Publish a public notice in the newspaper and Queensland Government Gazette; and
3. Notify property owners affected by the amendments who were notified during public notification.
C. Set a date for Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 to take effect being the date the notice appears in the Queensland Government Gazette; D. Provide the Chief Executive Officer for State Development and Infrastructure Planning a copy of the public notice and certified copy of the amendment.
E. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer to be able to make minor corrections if required prior to gazettal.

Amendment No. 1
Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips
Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson
That Item F be added to read:
F. As part of regular monthly delegated reporting on development application numbers and decisions, include additional metrics on numbers of superseded planning scheme applications.
Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

Council Resolution
Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie
Seconded: Cr Brian Stockwell
That Council
A. Note the report by the Strategy and Sustainability Manager to the Planning and Environment Committee on 9 September 2025 regarding proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 and; B. Under section 22 of the Minister's Guidelines and Rules:
1. Adopt proposed Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 as contained in Attachments 3-14 which incorporates changes as required by the Ministerial conditions outlined in this report;
2. Publish a public notice in the newspaper and Queensland Government Gazette; and
3. Notify property owners affected by the amendments who were notified during public notification.
C. Set a date for Amendment No. 2 to Noosa Plan 2020 to take effect being the date the notice appears in the Queensland Government Gazette; D. Provide the Chief Executive Officer for State Development and Infrastructure Planning a copy of the public notice and certified copy of the amendment.
E. Delegate to the Chief Executive Officer to be able to make minor corrections if required prior to gazettal.
F. As part of regular monthly delegated reporting on development application numbers and decisions, include additional metrics on numbers of superseded planning scheme applications.

Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener Against: Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Nicola Wilson

11.1.3. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS EN BLOC

Council Resolution
Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson
Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips
That the Recommendations of the Planning and Environment Committee meeting dated 9 September 2025 be received and adopted except where dealt with by separate resolution.
Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

Cr Tom Wegener left the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 12.25pm.
The meeting resumed at 12:45pm.
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

11.2 SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 9
SEPTEMBER 2025

11.2.1. 2025 ANNUAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT REPORT

That Council
A. Note the report by the Disaster Management Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 9 September 2025 providing an update on disaster management, resilience and reconstruction activities to 30 June 2025; and B. Thank the members and advisors to the Noosa Local Disaster Management Group for their participation.

11.2.2. NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS MASTER PLAN

That Council
A. Note the report by the Parks and Streetscapes Coordinator to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 9 September 2025 regarding the draft Masterplan for the Noosa Botanic Gardens.
B. Approve the draft to:
1. be released for the next phase of community engagement; and
2. note that a final summary of engagement and master plan will be presented for Council consideration.

11.2.3. NOOSA CULTURAL PLAN 2025-2030 ADOPTION

That Council note the report by the Arts & Cultural Manager to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 9 September 2025 regarding the Noosa Council Cultural Plan 2025-2030 and:
A. Adopt the final Noosa Cultural Plan 2025-30 provided as Attachment 1; B. Authorise the CEO to make any necessary minor changes to the Cultural Plan, if required; and C. Authorise the CEO to implement the Cultural Plan subject to available resourcing.

11.2.4. REVIEW OF THE AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE CHARTER & REVIEW OF
THE INTERNAL AUDIT POLICY

That Council
A. Note the report by the Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee meeting dated 9 September 2025 regarding the Audit and Risk Committee Charter and Internal Audit Policy; B. Adopt the
1. Audit and Risk Committee Charter provided as Attachment 1; and
2. Internal Audit Policy provided as Attachment 2.

11.2.5. SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ENBLOC

Council Resolution
Moved: Cr Karen Finzel
Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

That the Recommendations of the Services & Organisation Committee meeting dated 9 September 2025 be received and adopted.
Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

11.3 GENERAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS DATED 15 SEPTEMBER 2025

11.3.1. PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – JULY 2025

That Council note the report by the Development Assessment Manager to the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting on 9 September 2025 regarding applications that have been decided by delegated authority for July 2025 as per "Attachment 1 to the General Committee Minutes - Amended Delegated Report July 2025" (with amendments, as tabled at the meeting).

11.3.2. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT – AUGUST 2025

That Council note the report by the Acting Financial Services Manager to the General Committee Meeting dated 15 September 2025 on Council's financial performance for the period ending 31 August 2025.

11.3.3. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SUBORDINATE LOCAL LAW NO. 5
(PARKING) 2015 - PUBLIC CONSULTATION OUTCOMES

That Council
A. Note the report by the Acting Local Laws and Environmental Health Manager to the General Committee dated 15 September 2025; B. Resolve to make Parking (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2025 as advertised (refer Attachment 1); and C. Resolve to adopt, pursuant to section 32 of the Local Government Act 2009, as provided at Attachment 2 to the Report, a consolidated version of Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2015.

11.3.4. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY ANNUAL REPORT 2024/25

That Council note the report by the Workplace Health and Safety Co-ordinator to the General Committee Meeting dated 15 September 2025 regarding Workplace Health and Safety Annual Report 2024/25.
ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 18 SEPTEMBER 2025

11.3.5. GENERAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS EN BLOC

Council Resolution
Moved: Cr Nicola Wilson
Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips
That the Recommendations of the General Committee meeting dated 15 September 2025 be received and adopted.
Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

12 ORDINARY MEETING REPORTS

12.1 TOURISM NOOSA 12 MONTH FUNDING DEED (AGREEMENT) & ROAD MAP
STATUS REPORT
Council Resolution
Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell
Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips
That Council
A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the General Committee dated 15 September 2025; B. Note the executed Tourism Noosa 12-month Funding Deed provided at Attachment 1; and C. Note the Road Map status as outlined in this report.

Carried.
For: Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

13 CLOSED SESSION
Nil.

14 NEXT MEETING
The next Ordinary Meeting will be held at Council Chambers, 9 Pelican St, Tewantin on Thursday 16 October 2025 at 10.00am.

15 MEETING CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 12.58pm.