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General Committee

Monday, 15 September 2025 @ 12:30PM - #913
Meeting Duration: 1 hour and 17 minutes

This Noosa Council meeting contains very poor audio quality.
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Parking Law adopted, penalties up, AI enforcement, Finance surplus, Cash reserves prompt QTC review, Capital lags, WHS reporting improves, Appeals maintained.

Speaker timeline14 speakers

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0:000:120:250:380:511:041:16 Brian Stockwell (Chair)Brian Stockwell (Chair)ClintClintAmelia LorentsonAmelia LorentsonMargaret GattMargaret GattDavidDavidFrank WilkieFrank WilkieCraig HodgsonCraig HodgsonKerri ContiniKerri ContiniRichard MacGillivrayRichard MacGillivrayJessica PhillipsJessica PhillipsKaren FinzelKaren FinzelNicola WilsonNicola WilsonShaun WalshShaun WalshPatrick MurphyPatrick Murphy

Meeting Resources

NoosaWatch Deep Insight Read full insight
Key Decisions & Discussions
• Council corrected an error in the July 2025 delegated planning decisions report, changing one listed “approval” to “refusal,” with totals adjusted accordingly (00:36–01:23; Item 7.1, amended Attachment 1).
• Council noted the August 2025 Financial Performance Report, recording a net surplus of $38.5m vs projected $35.6m and operating surplus of $34.8m vs projected $33.8m (02:13–06:40; Item 8.1).
• Waste operations contributed ~$4.4m to the operating result; new grants (Resilient Rivers, illegal dumping, food organics) will be incorporated at the next budget review (05:30–06:40; Item 8.1).
• Capital delivery was $4.9m (5.1%) of the $95.8m program by end‑August; developer contributions ~$0.4m and capital grants ~$3.2m received (15:18–18:05; Item 8.1).
• Cash reserves stood at $137.3m (vs $123.1m prior year), with noted ebb/flow from rates timing and capital delays; discussion flagged potential QTC review of surplus cash and debt (07:45–11:28; Item 8.1).
• Employee costs were under budget largely due to higher vacancies (~$1m), offset by lower capitalisation (~$337k) and overtime (~$186k), with vacancies concentrated in Infrastructure Services and Corporate Services (06:48–20:05; Item 8.1).
• Unitywater distributions are tracking to ~$5.95m (budget), with an accrual of ~$0.93m at year end and receipt timing around 30 Sept (16:13–17:44; Item 8.1).
• Council resolved to make Parking (Amendment) Subordinate Local Law (No. 1) 2025 and adopt a consolidated Subordinate Local Law No.5 (Parking) 2015 after 21‑day consultation (58 submissions; 38 properly made) (22:08–23:52; Item 8.2).
• Community feedback supported stronger deterrents for overstaying, disability bay misuse, and illegal overnight camping; concerns noted about enforcement capacity, cost-of-living, and perceived revenue raising (22:08–28:47; Item 8.2).
• Enforcement capability improvements highlighted use of a “parking car” with cameras/AI for intel and targeted patrols, including pre‑scouting illegal camping hotspots for joint patrols with QPS (24:14–26:02; 36:18–37:11; Item 8.2).
• WHS 2024/25 Annual Report noted transition from LGW to WorkCover QLD with premium savings; 157 suitable duties completed; 13 LTIs; near‑miss reporting increased; 250 corrective actions; ~800 health appointments (52:34–55:42; Item 8.3).
• External WHS audit last completed around 2022 with a pass (~71/100); external audits are periodic due to intensity; internal inspections ongoing; plans to upgrade WHS systems and role‑specific training delivery (58:20–01:09:05; Item 8.3).
Contentious / Transparency Matters
• Amelia Lorentson questioned whether $137.3m cash reserves indicate under‑utilisation of public funds and over‑reliance on QTC; officers proposed a QTC surplus cash/debt review for assurance (07:45–11:28; Item 8.1).
• Discussion acknowledged capital delivery delays as a driver of high cash balances and the need to align cash holdings to delivery capacity and 10‑year major projects (esp. waste) (10:21–10:46; 20:28–21:34; Item 8.1).
• On parking penalties, officers rebutted “cost‑of‑living” claims by noting charges apply only upon infringement and are subject to an internal appeals process for fairness (27:28–29:46; Item 8.2).
• Jessica Phillips sought clarity on legal vetting and public notification; officers confirmed legal review by King & Co, human rights and anti‑competitive checks, Gazette notice, and website publication (30:08–33:25; Item 8.2).
• Revenue transparency: infringement revenue goes into Council’s budget/reserves; intent is to reinvest into proactive patrols/education to achieve behaviour change, not revenue raising (33:48–35:36; Item 8.2).
• WHS reporting drew requests for deeper benchmarking, audit cadence, and clearer context for statistics to avoid misinterpretation; officers committed to provide additional sessions/data (55:45–58:03; 01:09:22–01:10:44; Item 8.3).
Legal / Risk
• Monthly finance reporting provided under s 204 of the Local Government Regulation 2012; adoption noted without issues (02:13; Item 8.1).
• Parking amendments progressed per Local Government Act 2009 processes, including s 32 adoption of consolidated law, human rights assessment, and anti‑competitive provisions review by King & Co (30:44–32:03; Item 8.2).
• Appeals pathway for infringements maintained with separation to an appeals officer, supporting procedural fairness and transparency (28:42–29:37; Item 8.2).
• Illegal camping enforcement sits under Local Law No.4 with different evidentiary thresholds than vehicle parking; any uplift in penalty units requires a separate local law amendment process and consultation (39:42–43:36; Item 8.2).
• Cash coverage exceeds State’s 3‑month target (officers cited 6–9 months as prudent), mitigating liquidity risk in extraordinary events (12:45–14:34; Item 8.1).
• WHS regulator oversight noted; increased incident reporting reflects improved hazard capture rather than deterioration, but system modernisation is needed for nuanced risk analytics (01:03:24–01:09:05; Item 8.3).
Parking, Camping, Disability Access and Enforcement
• Brian Stockwell noted most penalty increases are ~$41, with disability bay penalties rising substantially (by two penalty units; cited ~$668), to deter misuse that harms vulnerable users (47:41–48:56; Item 8.2).
• Signage: Updating signs with dollar amounts is problematic as penalties change annually; officers to consider alternative messaging (e.g., periodic public updates, targeted comms) (48:31–49:00; Item 8.2).
• Technology: camera‑equipped parking car and AI enhance hotspot identification and time‑limit monitoring; used to pre‑plan joint QPS camping patrols (24:14–25:51; 36:18–37:11; Item 8.2).
• Education before enforcement: planned comms post‑Gazettal; locality‑based parking management plans and signage reviews underway with Traffic & Transport team (44:28–45:34; Item 8.2).
• Behaviour change measurement: officers open to periodic trend reporting on infringements/overstays, noting precinct differences and confounding factors (37:19–38:50; Item 8.2).
• Illegal camping complexity: overnight occupation proof is required under camping provisions; future review may consider higher penalty units under Local Law No.4 to reflect greater amenity/environmental impacts (39:42–43:36; Item 8.2).
Finance, Reserves, and Investment Posture
• Amelia Lorentson pressed for diversification beyond QTC; officers said QTC is government‑backed and currently higher‑yielding, but supported a QTC surplus cash/debt review to validate settings (07:45–11:28; Item 8.1).
• High cash linked to capital underspend and rates cycle; if capital delivery lags, cash accumulates, suggesting the need to re‑profile works or reconsider funding mix (10:21–10:46; Item 8.1).
• Brian Stockwell cautioned that looming waste capital projects in the 10‑year program could rapidly draw down balances, tempering calls for immediate debt paydown or reallocation (20:28–21:15; Item 8.1).
• Operating variances favourable across employee costs, materials/services, and finance costs; ICT underspend driven by invoicing/profiling timing, not structural savings (15:18–15:46; Item 8.1).
• Workforce vacancies impact overtime and capitalisation rates; risks to delivery/corporate knowledge were raised for separate organisational response (18:30–20:05; Item 8.1).
Workplace Health, Safety, and Psychosocial Risk
• Premium savings from moving to WorkCover QLD; LTIs = 13, with reductions in longer‑duration claims vs prior years; near‑miss reporting increased, and property/vehicle incidents decreased (52:34–55:42; 01:02:16–01:03:24; Item 8.3).
• Incidents rose to 243 from 189, attributed to improved reporting culture; 157 suitable duties facilitated safe return to work; 250 corrective actions completed (55:42–01:04:12; Item 8.3).
• System limits obscure severity and role‑relevance of training/inspections; leadership plans to procure smarter WHS analytics and deliver role‑specific modules (01:04:42–01:09:05; Item 8.3).
• Psychosocial hazards addressed via “Wellbeing at Work” survey action plans, executive monitoring, and “Thrive at Work” initiatives; a further update is due by end‑December (01:10:47–01:13:29; Item 8.3).
• Benchmarking against other councils and deeper briefings were requested to contextualise metrics and guide resourcing (55:45–58:03; 01:09:22–01:10:44; Item 8.3).
Official Meeting MinutesRead minutes ↗
MINUTES

General Committee
Meeting

Monday, 15 September 2025
12:30 PM

Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin

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

“Noosa Shire – different by nature”
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 15 SEPTEMBER 2025

1 DECLARATION OF OPENING
The meeting was declared open at 12.31pm.

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

EXECUTIVE
Acting CEO / 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
Cr Tom Wegener

4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

4.1. GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 18 AUGUST 2025

Committee Resolution
Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie
Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson
The Minutes of the General Committee Meeting held on 18 August 2025 be received and confirmed.
Carried.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

5. PRESENTATIONS
Nil.

6. DEPUTATIONS
Nil.
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 15 SEPTEMBER 2025

7 ITEMS REFERRED FROM COMMITTEES

7.1. PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – JULY 2025

The following material was presented to the meeting in relation to this item:
 Refer to Attachment 1 to the General Committee Minutes - Amended Delegated Report - July 2025

Committee Recommendation
Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie
Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson
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 Report. "Attachment 1 to the General Committee Minutes Amended Delegated Report - July 2025" (with amendments, as tabled at the meeting).
Carried.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

8 REPORTS DIRECT TO GENERAL COMMITTEE

8.1 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT – AUGUST 2025
Committee Recommendation
Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie
Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson
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.
Carried.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

8.2 PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SUBORDINATE LOCAL LAW NO. 5 (PARKING)
2015 - PUBLIC CONSULTATION OUTCOMES
Committee Recommendation
Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell
Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie
That Council
A. Note the report by the Acting Local Laws and Environmental Health Manager to the General Committee dated 15 September 2025;
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 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.

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

8.3 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY ANNUAL REPORT 2024/25
Committee Recommendation
Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie
Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson
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.
Carried.
For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None

9 CLOSED SESSION
Nil.

10 MEETING CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 1.49pm.

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Agenda Topics 5 topics
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