Planning & Environment Committee Meeting, 10 February 2026
Date: Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at 9:30AM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin, QLD 4565, Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 01:52:28
Synopsis: Community Land-Use Policy amended prioritising access and ending kite-surfing lessons and beach massage, Tender criteria refined, Bounce approved, Affordable rentals advanced, Grants rescheduled, Infrastructure resilience identified.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Amelia Lorentson Brian Stockwell Tom Wegener Frank Wilkie Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Strategy And Environment Kim Rawlings Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh Meeting Transcript
Amelia Lorentson 00:00.140
Environment committee this beautiful Tuesday 10th of February and it is now 9:30 and I declare the meeting officially open. I'd like to begin firstly by acknowledging by an Acknowledgement to Country Noosa Council proudly acknowledges and respects Australia's First Nations people and their deep and abiding connection to this country we recognise the Kabi Kabi people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Noosa area and we offer gratitude for their careful custodianship of this unique environment. Thousands of years we pay respect to elders past present and emerging and to their enduring commitment in pursuing a strong and healthy future for First Nations people like to acknowledge councils around the table Council of Tom, Mayor Wilkie, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Stockwell. I note there is no Councillors online and Director Kim Rawlings online so everyone's in attendance can I please request before commencing the meeting that everyone have their phones on silent or turned off and we'll start with confirmation of minutes can I please have a move on Thank you. They will key thank you Tom seconding no discussion all in favour thank you present presentations deputations there are none so we need to Reports for consideration of the Committee 7.1 commercial use of community land policy amendments and upcoming tender process and welcome to the desk. We've got Richard MacGillivray and Dennis so I'll ask Dennis oh excuse me I a conflict so I'm going to firstly ask through the CEO if we can appoint another Chair while I just put my conflict out for the committee to decide. Unidentified Speaker 02:12.681
Yes sure I can take that on while you thank you. This to the mic. So what is the conflict? Amelia Lorentson 02:20.793
Well she's got to appoint a Chair first before you can deal with it. That. Unidentified Speaker 02:23.163
Okay, Go to the Chair. Okay, so the acting Chair. Would be we automatically go to the Mayor, so. Brian Stockwell 02:34.108
I'll move that Council will be active in the meeting. Thank you. I'll second it. All in favour? Amelia Lorentson 02:40.690
All in. Unidentified Speaker 02:43.474
Okay. Frank Wilkie 02:45.994
And Councillor Lorentson, do you have a conflict that you'd like to declare? Amelia Lorentson 02:50.714
Yes, I'm just going to get some word in. Yeah. Thank you. In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, I inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest for item 7.1, commercial use of community land policy amendments and upcoming tender agenda, as I take weekly surfing lessons with Josh constable, who is an applicant in the upcoming high-use tender process, and as my children have previously worked over 16 to 18 months ago for Dean Brady, who is an applicant in the upcoming commercial high-use tender process, and my children are also of the Noosa wales Boardriders association club, where they are coached by Dean Brady, also an applicant in the tender. I don't believe I have a conflict. I think what's in front of us, the report, is simply minor changes to the policy and it doesn't actually reference or mention the tender applicants. So I will choose to remain in the meeting room. I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. Frank Wilkie 04:33.952
Yep. Look, I'll move that Councillor Lorentson can remain in the meeting room because the policy we're discussing is not a final the. Decision on the allocation of permits. High-use commercial permits. But certainly if it was, then leaving the room would be more appropriate. So I move that Councillor Lorentson remain in the meeting do you need a seconder? I'll seconder it if you do. Councillor Wegener? Brian Stockwell 05:05.824
Anyone else wish to speak? I do. There is actually a principle, and the principle is just by being a customer of the business does not create any conflict. Otherwise we could never rule on the DA for wars. So it's important, and it probably will be another consideration when the. Permit has come up, but under the act, there is no conflict in just being a customer of a business. Amelia Lorentson 05:38.761
I respect that, and I just in light of the OIA judgment some time ago, in the spirit of. Exercising abundance of caution, I would like to declare it. There's certainly no harm in declaring it. Absolutely, but I respect what Councillor Stockwell said. Frank Wilkie 05:59.553
Any further discussion on the motion of Councillor Lorentson being able to remain in the room? I put it to the vote, does thousand fiver that's carried unanimously and Councillor Lorentson cannot vote. And Councillor Lorentson is now back. Unidentified Speaker 06:15.859
Chair. Amelia Lorentson 06:16.799
Thank you. So back to Dennis, if you can give us an overview. Of the report in front of us and the amended commercial use of community land policy. What changes actually were. Good morning Councillors. Dennis 06:33.713
Yes this report is seeking minor amendments to the commercial use of community land policy. Ahead of our upcoming tender process for commercial high-use permits which are based around the Noosa Main Beach Precinct. So those permits set to expire at the end of June and we run a tender process in the lead up to that. So we've had some discussions with Councillors via a briefing and workshop in the lead up to this report just looking at the policy and the list of activities that it supports on the Noosa Main Beach and surrounds and as a result of those discussions we're looking at two amendments that we're seeking to the list of activities that are listed under the policy. The changes are discontinuation of kite surfing lessons at Noosa Spit which is a permit that's currently sitting vacant without an operator for the last couple of years and also discontinuation of beats beach massage on Noosa Main Beach. That is a permit which has a current commercial permit holder and operator and that's also recommended for discontinuation so would drop off the list of supported activities under the policy. Another minor amendment to the policy is just acknowledging the recent DMP adoption. And tipping that of tipping the hat as it were to the new DMP and its relationship to commercial activities on Noosa Main Beach. As I said all the commercial high-use permits are set to expire at 30th of June this year so if the amendments are supported and the amended policy adopted staff will then proceed to attend tender process straight away based on that list of commercial activities and a further report to Council is expected probably in the May round with the outcomes of that tender process. Toward tenders before the expiry in June. Amelia Lorentson 08:49.449
Questions around the table. Frank Wilkie 08:51.665
Yes, could you, mentioned kite surfing and the massage. The report also speaks about the snacks and drink refreshment van. Could you tell us about that? Dennis 09:00.003
About changes. Yeah. There, of course. So, the refreshment van at Noosa Spit has sat vacant for about 18 months. The operator there walked away from its permit. It was struggling to make a go of that business at the Spit car park. And they cited a lot of the travellers, van lifers, sort of dominating that car park and a drop in trade. So, we did have discussions about whether perhaps we might discontinue that permit as well. But the recommendation is that it remains and there's quite a lot of latent interest in refreshment vans and coffee vans in the community. So there's a number on the list that we compile to contact directly and we'll give someone else an opportunity to hold that permit and try and make a go of it. Obviously at the Spit, over time, we may have changes to parking regimes and things. The other thing that's changed since the operator left is that the Dog Beach has reopened, so the sort of patterns of use in that area are changing and have changed, so the recommendation is that it remain an activity that we support through this tender and we'll see if. Someone would like to give it another go. Frank Wilkie 10:24.213
And is the thinking that with the Dog Beach being restored there'd be potential for more patronage? Dennis 10:29.419
Yes, yeah, the Dog Beach is getting a lot of use, so people park down in that pocket car park near the Dog Beach but also access the living room. Access the levee. Further around the area and it's not far to walk to that spit location. So potentially, you know, with the right marketing and offering, there could be a good little business. Frank Wilkie 10:57.304
Yes. And the thinking with the beach massage is that it's a service that's readily available anywhere else in the Shire and the beach location is not essential for it to. It's not offering a service that you can't get anywhere else. Dennis 11:12.001
Yeah, it's that level of need to be actually on the beach so it actually creates quite a lot of challenges for the business being on the beach with weather and setup and breakdown and yeah since writing the I've had a look you know around Australia and as best I can tell it's the last beach massage operation in Australia and you know that could be a reason to decide to keep at it but I think it points to the level of need to be actually on a beach as opposed to in a premises yeah. Frank Wilkie 11:47.532
It's been years since we've seen many kite surfers at the river mouth they all seem to be on a lake wider yes are there any other reasons why they're migrating there for lessons. Dennis 11:58.224
Yeah it's just a moment. More stable environment I think when the permit was first sought at the river mouth you know we sort of had a lagoon and large spits of sand there at times so for fleeting periods there was good conditions for kite surfing but generally speaking it's a specialist area not a it's not a young a learner's area because the conditions there with the channel and wind and currents and other uses is very challenging. Frank Wilkie 12:30.614
And the depth of the lake like the shallow depth of the lake make it more user friendly for learners I guess. Dennis 12:36.247
Yeah we was we actually don't have a learn to surf kite surfing school that's interested in spit locations yeah yeah this is not something that's some coming across anyone's business operations so. Amelia Lorentson 12:53.412
In terms of in the kite surfing so you sort of answer my question sorry keep thinking do we need to remove it entirely or should we read tinder or review on understanding Dennis from what we just said that done that and reached out to operators kite surfers just trying to understand who have you consulted. Dennis 13:18.695
We have other permits that we support in other locations so open beaches lake wyverton to the extent that it's within Noosa Council and I believe also at Boreen Point from time to so those are low-use locations as opposed to being around the Main Beach precinct. Amelia Lorentson 13:41.502
My question is and I'm looking at so we're pulling out two permits. Has Council considered replacing one of these permits with another beginner or landscape surf style activity given the popularity in surfing? Dennis 13:59.176
No we haven't. I guess with the introduction of the DMP there's a bit of a reluctance to be making a jump to adding commercial pressures on the beach. Historically I think when Noosa Council reformed there was for four surf schools on the beach and there was some conflict going on with sort of turf wars as it were and so one of those permits was discontinued going back some time. So there is a bit of history around that and sort of at the moment we feel that there's a relatively good balance between commercial activity. Recreation. Amelia Lorentson 14:42.715
In terms of the Destination Management Plan, just for clarity and I'm going to the report itself and it states Council's management plan and any associated plans and strategies will guide the management of commercial activities under this policy. Just for clarity, does the DMP actually have decision making authority. Or it's just advising this policy? I'm just trying to understand in hierarchy this is a policy and we've got a Destination Management Plan with no real clear frameworks or parameters we haven't developed. Our events strategy so how does one inform the other? Which one overrides which? Dennis 15:27.402
I think you're right in that there's no pointed action plan around commercial high use permits and we did note that through the consultation with the DMP that there wasn't any negative feedback around these commercial high use permits which is a good thing but it was more just that interrelationship between commercial use of Noosa and Main Beach and the DMP's role that but is it really was just saying, within the policy that we've adopted that plan and that as time goes on it will be a lens that we're looking at commercial activity through. I think that answers yeah your question. Richard MacGillivray 16:09.931
And I think in Council Amelia it also and then through the policy in terms of review of the permits and conditions looking at the regenerative tourism so in terms of those providers and those users sort of giving back as well and other initiatives that the businesses can partake in that contribute to regenerative tourism and you know build that ethos that is being sought through the development and Destination Management Plan so that's the focus of the linkage between the two so. Amelia Lorentson 16:41.928
The criteria in the weightings looking at the tender process that will be made clear to the applicants so they understand what regenerative actually means. Dennis 16:54.727
So yeah, I'm adding a section to the tender package which is focused on the DMP so just support their alignment and initiatives, alignment to the DMP and initiatives that they're proposing so really getting them to dive into the DMP and asking them how they'll respond to that, to what it's trying to promote. Amelia Lorentson 17:24.990
Thank you. A question about the two-permit cap. How does a two-permit cap operate in practice to prevent market concentration and why is given the popularity of these permits? Why Is it more equitable just to allow one per applicant? Just trying to get my head around why the permit limit. Was set at two per holder. Dennis 17:56.872
Yeah, that's something that's has come through in the policy as it dates back to the when it was originally drafted in 2014. So it's a legacy of the policy. I guess the idea in having the cap is that there are some relatively large businesses in the sort of surf schools and beach high schools. Hire space that might look to dominate all our permits if they're given the opportunity. We have had a number of operators hold two permits through the time that I've been in the property team. Being surf schools and on the beach, hire or kayak tours. A decision about only allowing one would really cut across that. Yeah, I guess it would be a decision of Council if they thought there was strong grounds to do that. Amelia Lorentson 19:00.440
So that probably leads to my next question in terms of a round table. Has Council ever convened a round table with operators and people interested in this space to sort of understand, you know, just to catch a their fair feedback. On high-use tenders, whether the two per cap is relevant or appropriate or not? Dennis 19:27.335
We haven't convened a round table but, you know, we're interacting with potential payment permit applicants and the permittees on a weekly basis, so there's a lot of that goes on in the five years between the tender process, but not a round table as such. Richard MacGillivray 19:46.413
And obviously with the potential commercial aspect to that, yeah, not appropriate. Probably not appropriate bringing them in a round table setting, given they've got different offerings and different requirements and there is a competitive tender process, so as. Amelia Lorentson 20:01.094
Dennis alluded to. Richard MacGillivray 20:03.076
Yeah, there is a lot of active dialogue with all of the permit holders and there's audits and there's a lot of engagement and there's also interested parties that have made inquiries so the team hold a register of all of those parties over the five-year period so any interest in the public and also if there are complaints or issues about operators the team get all that information and then they're able to assist when they do this review process to make sure there's been a lot of feedback garnered and then that helps with the renewal process in terms of other issues that have been coming up regularly from the community about operators or feedback from some of the operators themselves around the permits or conditions and when the restrictions were like so it's well considered I guess but it's been more of an individual basis of most permit holders. Amelia Lorentson 20:51.468
A Destination Management Plan I like to call that like a resident first document. In terms of a current policy, does it give any preference to local operators and should it? Also explicitly question. Explicitly articulate that we need to support local employment and community benefit or is that something that's part of the tender process in terms of criteria weighting? Dennis 21:25.554
I would think that's a question for the Director responsible DMP for rather than. Larry Sengstock 21:29.695
I think it's out of the scope to some degree. I think it's what we're talking about here. Patrick Murphy 21:37.548
Councillor, is more the principle. Unidentified Speaker 21:40.799
Of using the DMP. As you know, is still. Larry Sengstock 21:44.945
You know, it's an iterative process in terms of the DMP and how it works. I take your. I understand your question and maybe it is a question we can take offline with the Director to understand how it fits. With the DMP fits with this and whether it does guide. When we go to tender, there are certainly criteria within the tender in terms of, what's term, the I term, local. Patrick Murphy 22:08.636
Local economy is a standard provision. Larry Sengstock 22:10.534
So that all comes into that, and then again, as the DMP being an advisory, so I think we're just looking all that into the mix, and we're fairly new in this space with the new DMP so. Unidentified Speaker 22:20.914
Madam Chair, the Director's online. Amelia Lorentson 22:23.474
Sorry, I didn't realise she was online. Thank you, Kim. I'll throw it to you. Kim Rawlings 22:31.884
Yeah, thank you for the question. I'm happy to provide further information, but I think it's a very good. Analysis of the DMP. It is absolutely a community-first document. And when this policy refers to key strategic documents that need to be aligned and to influence these processes, they're absolutely the sorts of considerations. That should be part of that alignment process. So, you know, how that actually plays out. In terms of criteria and assessment, that needs to be worked through. Terms but of the. Terms of the intent of your question. Terms of your question and statement, I think that's correct, and that's exactly the role the DMP should play in influencing these processes. Amelia Lorentson 23:26.551
Thank you, Kim. And my last is, and I think I raised this last time, but I would love to see it as part of a guiding principle and actually inserted under roles and responsibilities. The World Surfing Reserve, which I've been sitting on for the last six years, has developed a code of conduct which promotes environmental stewardship, safe practices, respect for community and etiquette. I would love that actually embedded in the policy. Last time I raised it, I think we put it as a noting. So can I take that offline and maybe an amendment to the policy to include that permit holders must comply with the World Surfing Reserve code of conduct and also commercial activity activities must consider accessibility and inclusivity. Again, they're core principles of a Destination Management Plan, ensuring participation and enjoyment for people of all abilities. Can I take that offline and maybe work with you, Dennis or Richard, in terms of whether we can. Dennis 24:40.382
I can talk to that point. Oh, yes, please. Yeah, so we're proposing amendments to the policy now ahead of the tender. So this is the forum. This is the forum that we're talking about the policy. I wouldn't recommend embedding World Surfing Reserve within the policy, but the DMP does reference it, and the tender process is specifically getting tenderers to provide or submit. As to how they align with the DMP and what their initiatives are. So I'm not leading the witness in the tender process to spoon-feed them that, but I'm looking for their submissions. And then once we do the permits, I'm happy to have conditions that for the surf schools and surf hire, within those permits, to specifically reference the code of conduct and to have conditions in those permits, which I think. Amelia Lorentson 25:38.143
And that's the current way I think he's going catches so much more than just, you know, being important for me, accessibility, inclusivity, and a coder. I like that approach. Thank you. Richard MacGillivray 25:50.247
And you're not duplicating the policy? No. Amelia Lorentson 25:52.776
Further questions around the table? Tom. Talk to us. Tom Wegener 25:59.651
Is that a due process question? Dennis 26:01.294
Has the massage people, have they been notified? Yes, we've met with the operator. So we're now in talks as to how they evolved, so might be opportunity for them to have a low-use permit in another location or they'll start to look at premises. But yeah, we've had that discussion. Amelia Lorentson 26:25.446
I do have a couple more questions if anyone else? In terms of new or emerging local businesses, and this is a question that I keep asking I think every five years, how do they get a foot in the door and has Council considered interim or pilot permits that we can use to trial new concepts in between tender rounds so I keep going how do we do it and to me the solution is to make these an interim or pilot permit is that something that has been discussed? Dennis 27:00.352
We have quite a lot of permits in that space they're just not on the highest activity area so we have off the top of my head five or six other surf schools that we support on the open beaches so obviously that's a different offering but yeah yeah Main Beach West which is a small wave most of the time and a learn-to-surf area we only support the two schools and the surf dancing and that is about service delivery so the policy. Comes to a position of supporting that activity in that location and we go out to tender for businesses that deliver that service in that space. So there hasn't been talked about pilot program or other types of permits in high use locations the way we support other surf schools is in our locations. Richard MacGillivray 28:06.524
And there is the situations there Dennis where for example I know with the refreshment on the set there you know exploring if there's other groups potentially that may seek to take up the void there for a time. There's a exploring in terms of there might be another party that might be interested in utilising that space rather than waiting with a dormant operator but I guess it comes down to sort of the specific nature of those the gap and the reason for that discontinuing as well so it needs its own I. Unidentified Speaker 28:40.915
Guess look at that as well. Amelia Lorentson 28:46.551
Further questions around the table. I'm happy to move the application, the report. Can I have a seconder, Councillor? Second. Thank you. Councillor Stockwell, no further discussion. Brian Stockwell 28:59.789
I think seconder. I think have a yeah. Seconder. I think the broadness of the questions has raised a lot of issues. I think the guiding principles really are the key to ensuring that the guiding values of the DMP are enshrined within this policy. And the first one's really clear. The community's use and need for land takes precedence over the commercial operator's and so we see this gradual amendment to this policy to really take into consideration the high demand that's placed on Noosa Main Beach and Noosa Main Beach West and just bring it back a little bit. And I think that's really important that we continue to do that. The greater the demand for the beach, the more we should be ensuring that the maximum use for our locals is there. And the other aspect is, we did have a range of questions around the Destination Management Plan, the new guiding principle is really clear, the Council's Destination Management Plan and any associated plans and strategies will guide the management of commercial activities under this policy. So all those issues that are champions within the DMP will be guiding principles and objectives when we come around to implementing these so policies. I think it's a good, just a small step then, but it's how we should be looking at a range of policies every time. There's a need to review it as it currently aligns with the policy direction prior to D &. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 30:40.778
The policy reflects the intent since 2014 to minimise the number of commercial high use permits allocated to Main Beach recreation area and you've noted in the report that the proposed reduction in commercial high use activities supported under the policy aligns with the DMP's intent to improve accessibility and passive recreation space and it acknowledges the decline and the need for the kite surfing at the river mouth. And also, yeah, it's. Also, it's not necessary that there be the commercial activity of the beach massage on the beach because there's premises elsewhere and low use permits can be issued elsewhere. I think it's a very good policy. And it's right that it's been brought to us before the issuing of the commercial high use permits tender process because they expire on the 30th of June. So it's good to have this policy in place before we execute this tender process. Amelia Lorentson 31:46.592
Thank you for further the discussion? I'd like to put it to a vote. All those in favour? Thank you Richard and Becky. Thank you. That brings us to the next item. A report for consideration which is 7.2.2 mcu MCU18.18 mcu 18.C 01.U. 18 01 0102.03 application for other changes in development approval for Bounce Hostel food and drink outlet at 14 to 16 Mary Street Noosaville and welcome to desk Patrick and I'd like you to give us an overview of the report in front of us. Patrick Murphy 32:33.366
Thank you good morning Councillors this is an application to add a food and drink outlet to the existing bounce hostel in Mary Street it was in 2018 like 2018 that the hostel was approved by the time it had been completed it was when COVID was occurring and around that time the acting manager of development assessment permitted the use of the existing there was a within the hostel itself there was a café area that was approved for guests of the hostel to use was a condition that was included to advise that the café wasn't to be used by the public and in December of 2021 not long after the hostel was completed the acting manager consented temporary approval the temporary use permit to allow that café to be used by the non by one guest a food and drink outlet is an inconsistent use on this site it's within the Mary Street health and well-being precinct there's intention of the scheme to have a transition of land uses between Mary Street and the residential dwellings behind the hostel to ensure design that there's no amenity impacts the design of this building is such that it encases the site with the food and drink outlet being located within the perimeter of the building towards the front of the site. And the design of the building was designed to ensure that there was limited amenity impacts on the surrounding residents. Through the operation of the temporary use permit until June 2023, there were no complaints associated with the use of the food and drink outlet. And there was also a letter from an adjoining landowner supporting the use at that time. In January 2024, there was an application to the food and drink outlet by the public, put to Council as another change that was notified, no submissions, and that was supported by Council. There was a condition allowing that used to occur for 12 months, again to ensure that there was no amenity impacts. There was no complaints received the during those 12 months. Unfortunately the applicant forgot to seek an extension of that use and therefore that use lapsed and they've had to come back now to seek its approval again, publicly notified. With no submissions we've had no complaints about the operation of the food and drink outlet throughout its time and again seek to allow the use to occur on the site with no lapse period so to allow that food and drink outlet to continue on an ongoing basis so it's recommended for approval. Amelia Lorentson 35:53.196
Thank you. Questions around the table? Tom. Tom Wegener 35:56.586
Is there a place for the bread people that are staying there to make their own food? Is there a kitchen for that? There is. Unidentified Speaker 36:03.195
And that's not going to be impacted by this at all? Patrick Murphy 36:05.798
That's correct. They'll still have their exclusive area which they can prepare their own meals. There is also a café on site which they can use around a pool deck but that area will also be able to accommodate members of the public. Just making sure restaurants that the aren't moving into there the other yeah they're maintaining the existing café area. Frank Wilkie 36:31.059
Thank you Madam Chair. Do the patrons tend to be the hostel occupants for the food and drink? Patrick Murphy 36:38.752
Well it was exclusively set up for the occupants or the hostel to utilise. In the consideration of the previous other change it was acknowledged that they would continue to use the café and approximately 80 square metres of the 190 square metres allocated for that would be used by the non-paying, sorry, non-guests. Frank Wilkie 37:01.590
Yes. And is there any indication of how popular it has been with the general public? Unidentified Speaker 37:07.516
Like number of patrons who aren't guests? Patrick Murphy 37:11.540
No, I could not tell you. There's been no complaints? There's been no complaints. Thank you. I'm happy to move to a recommendation. Amelia Lorentson 37:20.664
Excuse me, Madam Chair, are there still further questions? Brian Stockwell 37:24.029
No, I've moved It is there a second? I'll second it. Thanks. Questions can come at any time. This is a really good news story. This is a business that was constructed to a design that not only reflected design and the Noosa Design Principles, it created a standard for the use. I'm going to take this opportunity to talk about this use and why it came to be here in the light of. Quite often Noosa Council is criticised about standing up for its scheme and for having high standards and in fact this is a great case of how. Noosa Council supporting a local business has gone on to create the. Leading hostel chain in Oceania. This site has a great design. Councils actually went. And above the staff to allow a pitch proof that goes above the height limit. It had a opening right in the middle of the COVID lockdown. And numerous conversations with the Director. It was tea drink with the investors as you can imagine at the time the construction was finished. This Council put a short-term code COVID allowance to allow this cafeteria and restaurant to be used by the locals who were the only really sourced during the lockdown. Which was enough just to get that early stage going. The business owner also took advantage of the COVID relaxations to provide emergency accommodation for hospitality staff because it's very hard to find accommodation to keep our hospitality businesses going. It's one where you know we subsequently we put high conditions on this designed to ensure that the neighbouring properties weren't affected when we found now after years of operation that we that noise problem that was a concern to the submitters did not exist but the way it was designed has achieved the outcome. So it is a great example of how a little bit of flexibility but with the overall intent to really focus on creating high quality products and we look at the DMP, you know some of the criticism of the DMP we're just trying to make news to the rich people. What we want is high quality products at each price point. This is for host those sales. We want it at the camping ground stage. End of hotels. But it's a good news story. I think the fact that we have now got lots of years of experience to show that just by providing a little bit more opportunity for people to use the premises of the restaurant, it's not going to affect the neighbours and it is part of what has become a. This site in itself has won numerous awards throughout Oceania and I reflect one of my own experiences in the middle of a national park in the middle of New Zealand, a great big family group out on a two day trail ride and the young people had just come back from 18 months of travelling around the world and I told them where I was from and they said the bounce hostel is the best in the world we've been to. So it's really good feedback and it is good about what makes Noosa different difference by nature. Amelia Lorentson 41:08.174
I just would like to would like to recognise Mark Baldwin who's the Director of the bounce. He sent us all an email and bounce was named the best hostel chain in Oceania at the 2026 hostel world awards and for most of us we don't know what that means but it is the most prestigious accolades in the global backpacker and budget travel industry so just take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Mark Baldwin. These are the sort of businesses that we really encourage in Noosa. Best practices and with good people and supporting our local economy so no further question I'd like to put it to the vote. All in favour? Thank you. Thanks a lot. Thanks. And next we'll move reports to for consideration 7.3 MCU 250118 application for Material Change of Use of multiple dwelling, affordable rental premises 25 small dwellings at 64 Lake Macdonald Drive. I will note early that this report will be moved to the General Committee. The significance of the matter, but we'll take the opportunity today to get an overview of the report and we'll just ask some questions, but we'll hold the debate till General Committee. Thank you. So hand it over to good you. Georgina 42:52.730
Morning Councillors. So the application in front of us is for a Material Change of Use for the purpose of a multiple dwelling development consisting of an affordable rental premises which has taken the form of 25 small dwelling units, sorry small dwellings, so I understand we're relatively familiar with the site, noting that it is part of a larger Council project. I have prepared a couple plans for today that I believe Sally might be trying to bring up if possible, so we can talk to I suppose a couple of the key areas of variation and just a bit more context to the site so so as we can see up on the screen the development that is forming part of this application is proposed to occupy lot one which was approved about mid last year on a subdivision consisting of one into six lots which included the approval of a drainage and a parked lot so I'm for clarity I condition a part of this approval recommended approval package includes that no work such commence until the title of future lot one has been created so that essentially means that should this be approved the titles to be created so the road will be constructed landscaping will be established as well as the bio-retention basins will be constructed and finalised. Of note the development does consist of an affordable rental premises so this is a new definition that has been introduced with the latest scheme amendment which it essentially just means that the land is secured as affordable housing and for the life of the development. Been is secured as affordable housing and will be managed by a registered housing provider for the life of the development and proposed development type is consistent with the community facilities zone of the property and was required to follow an impact consistent application pathway which did involve public notification for a period of 15 business days and over that period 53 submissions were received you'll note as contained there's a table at the end of the document that has summarised all of the submissions and it's got officer commentary against each outcome in terms of the compatibility of the development with the scheme as contained within the report you'll see that there are a couple of minor variations to the acceptable outcome of the scheme and this includes height, car parking, setbacks, private open space and roof form I'm so sorry sal could we go to the next thank you so in terms of the variation to height we compliant with the eight metres from natural ground level and that is a condition to prove is it recommended condition as well however the development does consist of three stories and this is as a result of that low-level car parking area so it's essentially because it's not backfield it's not below ground and the site just it's quite a difficult site to build on it's quite steep so it wasn't going to be achievable in this instance but in terms of what this means, like what external impacts there will be it'll be that elevation that is being highlighted and that is the three-story element that will be visible external to the site. Unidentified Speaker 46:36.237
Just in that location. Patrick Murphy 46:39.017
That's correct the remainder of the perimeter of the site will appear as two stories. Georgina 46:47.387
So this render is taken from the future internal road that will be constructed prior to works taken so I suppose to the east of us it will is Dianella residence there'll be a landscaping buffer there as well as this road as well as the landscaping that will be carried out a part of this development. I've considered it in my assessment a as contained in the report has been appropriate this is a noting the area of the separation between the Dianella residences as well as the use of different materials on and how they've used landscaping to complement the design that takes us to our next area of variation which is car parking I think so so this is one of the floor plans on the site and I just thought it'd be a bit easier to pop this one up so we can see how constrained this site is noting the grade so this is the car parking area that's shaded in grey you'll notice to the bottom of the page that's all hatched so that's essentially backfill so with the Planning Scheme the way we determine the number of car parking spaces required for the development is based off the development type which in this instance is units so there's a requirement of one car parking space per unit so that comes to 25 and then in addition to that they have to make an allowance for visitor car parking spaces which is determined at space one per four units which requires a total of 32 car parking spaces and due to the way that the schemes been written you obviously you round up car parking spaces so which takes us to a shortfall of one car parking space in this instance. In consideration of I suppose the type of use that we're looking to accommodate on the site and the typical clientele the location to public transport and I suppose our briefing from the operators in terms short of how they typically function shortfall of the one space has been considered acceptable through the assessment of the scheme if we move on to the next area of variation that is building setbacks so this summarises so I think this summarises it quite well for us so on the right hand side this is our eastern elevation and this is going to be the new internal road so where we've got red this is these are the areas of relaxation that the developer the applicant is seeking so in the grand scheme of the development is considered quite marginal for on the eastern side you'll see that it essentially relates to roof overhang so there's no on-ground impacts it is roof overhang that's encroaching within that area and then to the south they are required to have a six metre setback to a to an internal road which will be servicing the cemetery so it's not adjoining another development it's considered to have marginal impacts. Patrick Murphy 49:56.217
I just add to that? The application is over the whole of the lot and this assessment has assessed the setbacks based on the future lot boundary so technically the assessment could have been based upon existing title arrangement and say well this is you know clearly compliant with the setback requirements but what we've actually done is considered where that future lot boundary would be and what that setback would be in relation to that lot boundary. Yeah. Georgina 50:32.349
So again a part of the subdivision that will be finalised over the site there's a series of landscaping also within that road reserve so it's going to be well and truly I suppose screened and it's going to complement the built form quite well. And if we jump to our next one it's private open space. So as you can see unit 15 down the shaded in green. So there's a provision in the scheme about the minimum open space per each dwelling which is 20 square metres at ground level. In this instance we don't achieve that. We are three square metres short but considering the communal spaces on the site which you can see is above the car parking so it's like that landscape platform that's titled breezeways planters there's a couple breakout spaces there as well as a significant setback along the frontage of the Lake Macdonald frontage of the property. Patrick Murphy 51:27.710
Just to make sure that's clear talking about this area here initially was where there's a breakout areas yeah there's also a significant area from this retaining wall here to the front boundary of the site which is also available for residents to utilise. Georgina 51:44.497
Yeah so um instance it's I suppose that from its outcome has been satisfied in this regard. Unidentified Speaker 51:50.604
That Lake Macdonald Drive boundary. Frank Wilkie 51:56.405
Required a six-metre setback but there's an 11-metre setback yes so you're saying that there's extra open space so in- Yes. Patrick Murphy 52:02.576
That's right with a part that pathway is in the site so there's ability for people to manoeuvre around that area and also to recreate in terms of taking a seat. Amelia Lorentson 52:13.176
Sorry we might allow Georgina to finish the report before we go to questions Georgina do you want to continue the report please? Georgina 52:24.944
Thank you. So on the next slide that we have highlights the roof form treatment to Lake Macdonald Drive so whilst it's acknowledged in the assessment that this elevation does not replicate the traditional residential character that's I suppose desired by the local plan which talks to like gabled roof form so we're essentially getting a pitched roof along the frontage the design has taken into consideration the history of Cooroy and supporting material part of the I suppose has lent on that it is designed to reflect a saw blade which is in reference to Cooroy's historic timber milling industry along that elevation and then suppose I in this assessment something that I suppose we identified is that the code does talk to getting that Queenslander sort of roof pitch reform it's however is typically more so relevant to single dwellings or duplex developments where the built form is more narrow whereas if it'd be quite difficult I would imagine to achieve a compliant design on this site whilst maintaining the eight metre height the provision for eight metres in building height it'd be likely that the pitch would again exceed that blanket. Patrick Murphy 53:49.356
Blanket the Planning Scheme includes a number of figures around preferred reform character and they're all residential single dwellings. Georgina 54:04.113
So I suppose in summary despite these areas of non-compliance the developments considered to uphold the performance outcomes and objectives of the Noosa Plan and it does deliver a significant community benefit through providing much-needed housing within the Shire and has been recommended for approval. Something of note is that as the site is under Council ownership prior to this application being put in front of us today it has been peer-reviewed by an external consultant who generally agrees with what does agree with our recommendation. Patrick Murphy 54:43.492
Thank you. I think in summary it's important to note that this is a amendments of the Planning Scheme have identified that this use within the community facilities zone is consistent so therefore the assessment has really focused upon these issues that. Georgina has spoken through reflective through the imagery as well and noting that they are quite minor those variations that are sought hence why we're comfortable approving this book form. Amelia Lorentson 55:17.750
Thank you. Would you like to answer some questions? Here. Frank Wilkie 55:20.050
Yes. Thank you. Mentioned that the it's consistent use for the site you talked about acceptable outcomes and performance based outcomes against its development is assessed against. When acceptable examples given in acceptable outcomes are not strictly met, can you explain for those who may be listening how compliance with the performance outcomes determines its consistency? With the scheme or not. Patrick Murphy 55:53.954
Thank you. So the acceptable outcomes are one way to demonstrate compliance with the performance outcomes. They can often be quite prescriptive. I think in the main this development meets most prescriptive outcomes in terms of building height, site cover, gross floor area. When there's elements of non-compliance, your next level of assessment is to look at the left-hand column which is the performance outcome and that will provide a range of measures to assess the impacts of the non-compliance against and which is what Georgina has done and in our assessment determined that whilst there might be minor non-compliances the objectives of those performance outcomes are still met. Which is why it's been recommended for. Which is why it's been recommended. And consistent with the Planning Scheme. That's correct. Richard MacGillivray 56:49.791
Performance based planning just add just to Patrick's comments, Mayor Wilkie, that the acceptable outcomes are essentially a deemed to comply provision, so once you meet that you automatically comply with the performance outcome. Obviously in this case where it doesn't strictly meet the acceptable outcome, we get into what we call a merit assessment or performance assessment. We're assessing the merits of those particular proposals against the performance outcome, which is very normal and part of a standard assessment. Process to ensure that we get aligned with the outcomes sought in the Planning Scheme along with those performance outcomes as well. Amelia Lorentson 57:30.122
Thank you. I've got quite a few questions, so I'm just wondering whether my questions and forward some to you. I've had already. But probably the only question I will ask today, and again for anyone around the table, is in terms of the stormwater and flooding risk. I just really want to know whether the erosion and sediment control plan, has it been designed using up-to-date site-specific rainfall data? I referenced this in light of just recent rainfalls. The calculations, I think, show that the detention capacity only captures 34 mils of rainfall. And the question is, light of what just happened, what happens when there's frequent, short, intense storms that we've been witnessing just recently? Richard MacGillivray 58:30.697
Yes, I'm happy to answer that one, Councillor. So, in terms of the current proposal, it's before you. It relates to the future land use of lot 1. The situation you're referring to, I guess, relates to the subdivision site, which is currently under construction. And I guess what I would say is that there's current investigations underway in terms of any releases, and this local government Council is working with DETSI, the State department, in relation to those matters. And in terms of other. Aspects relating to the subdivision works, obviously there's contractual arrangements in place and they're subject to commercial and confidence situations, so I guess at this stage there's not much more to say publicly about those apart from their investigation and contractual matters are afoot in relation to that and I guess they don't specifically relate to the proposal, I guess, that's being considered before the Council. Amelia Lorentson 59:32.610
Again, I've got quite a few, so I'm happy to wait till the general. Is there anyone around the table that would like to ask any questions? Brian Stockwell 59:40.595
Just the application of the private open space. I presume, as this is going to be kept as affordable accommodation, the units won't be separately titled. Does that make any difference in terms of what can be considered exclusive use? Because basically. No exclusive use on the site if there isn't a title. Patrick Murphy 01:00:03.055
We look at private open space allocated to each dwelling and generally in a fenced area and that level of separation is what we'll assess. I think it is relevant and important to the amenity of the residents that they are provided their own area, but again noting that there are extensive areas throughout the site which they can also use was. Brian Stockwell 01:00:25.379
Just technical interest because in this situation and what happens if we're up on a four storey unit we still have to have a deck that big. Patrick Murphy 01:00:34.399
As you go up in floors it actually decreases the amount of area and it does relate to the width of the Terrace or the deck and also the total area. So you don't need 20 square metres if you're the fourth floor up. I think it comes down to 9 square metres. Brian Stockwell 01:00:47.674
I understand the need. It was just that technical thing in my head going, how can you assign these goods to use if you haven't got any title. Amelia Lorentson 01:00:56.997
Just a question out of curiosity. The title of the report is application for Material Change of Use for multiple dwellings, affordable rental premises. My understanding, or it's in the report, that keister bay negotiated a CFA capital funding agreement with the State and that was contingent on the project being suspended. Explicitly for social housing. Why have we called it affordable housing? And I know, you the umbrella is broad, but the funding is quite clear that it had to be for social. Georgina 01:01:37.739
Sure. So with the introduction of the affordable rental premises, it captures quite a few different definitions so that including affordable housing and entirely consisting of small dwellings and then goes into the I suppose the particulars of their around who it's about who it's managed by being a registered community housing provider. So sorry your question is more so does it still align with the CHA? Richard MacGillivray 01:02:16.569
There's no strict definition in the Planning Scheme for social housing as such so it obviously best fits in the definition of affordable rental premises which enables social and affordable housing in different models. Obviously where there is a community housing provider involved so it doesn't conflict I guess with the intention of what the funding is that's being sought and obviously it's being based on the assessment of the land use itself. Brian Stockwell 01:02:48.634
So it would be true to say social housing is the requirements of the funders about who goes into it and land use planning doesn't sit at the who and only consent is aware and the development itself. Is that one way to look at it? Patrick Murphy 01:03:02.377
That is one way to look at it but we can look at it further. My understanding is that the land use, the affordable rental premises are okay from a social housing point of view and the funding. But we can clarify that as well. Amelia Lorentson 01:03:17.057
That would be great. We might just leave it and I'm happy to note that this report goes to the General Committee. Can I have a second? Thank you. No further discussion? All in favour? Thank you. I'll be back in two minutes. No worries. And I might take this opportunity just to clarify the role of the Chair under Noosa Council's Standing Orders. But the role of the Chair is actually to control the debate of the table. And it is also the role of the Chair to call a mover and a seconder. And that's under, I think, section 26, 27, 28 of the Standing Orders. Just for clarity and just also so that the Chair is allowed to control the meeting. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 01:04:06.426
And there's also a part in there that talks about wanting the is moved to and it should be all right allowed for the to second a minute. Year. Amelia Lorentson 01:04:14.647
Councillor Tom. Can we have a quick break? Absolutely. So I'm going to move that we just close the meeting for five minutes for a comfort break. Can I have a seconder please? Thank you. Kim Rawlings 01:09:51.021
Good to go. Amelia Lorentson 01:09:53.242
Welcome back. We're up to report for consideration of the committee 7.4 planning applications decided by delegated authority and Patrick, if I can ask you to run through the report. Patrick Murphy 01:10:07.538
Thank you. Our monthly report on those applications that were decided under delegation by the officers for the month of December. 30 decisions that were made under delegation, all approved. One application approved by Council in that month of December. Again, a wide range of applications. A bit of a shorter month due to the Christmas break. Team were quite busy leading into Christmas. Amelia Lorentson 01:10:38.431
My first question, the three superseded Planning Scheme applications that were approved, can you talk us through those? Patrick Murphy 01:10:45.922
They all relate to the one property. Why you've got SPS 25, 0001 and then the.01.0001 and then the.01 and the.02 so the primary application being for the dual occupancy and then the subsequent applications being for operational works and the reconfiguration of the lot. The site is in the medium density residential zone and own 642 square metres. 642 square metres so in 24 Council made it known to the public that it was moving forward with the scheme for the duplex to be inconsistent on lots less than a thousand square metres so zone and then when the State came back in September 9th of September 2025 they had flipped it and to a 600 square metre requirement. So so these proponent had in that period commenced preparing plans and were well advanced in their preparation for to lodge an application that would have been a consistent use under the superseded scheme obviously moving to an inconsistent use under the new schemes. So we consider it reasonable on that basis to have supported them in that endeavour and yeah so hence why you've got those three applications showing being approved. Amelia Lorentson 01:12:09.715
Would there be any basis not to approve if you're preserving existing rights and you've got that opportunity under an SPS application but within 12 months you put in application. Are there any instances where. Patrick Murphy 01:12:24.536
We haven't? We've refused a superseded Planning Scheme request. Well, the previous scheme came in there was a number of properties that were sought to be used for short-term accommodation that weren't approved. There was obviously a number that were approved and a big part of that assessment would the potential compensation risk or compensation that might be payable for a refusal if that was the case. Unidentified Speaker 01:12:51.036
Okay. What address were you talking about? Amelia Lorentson 01:12:55.841
The last three on Hilton Terrace. 51 Hilton Terrace. Yeah, okay. Other questions? Unidentified Speaker 01:13:05.135
I have a question. 15 and 17 mile street, Cooroy, with a few dwellings and 11. Small dwellings. Tom Wegener 01:13:15.693
Pull that one up. It's a pretty big development there on a really busy, bottleneck-type street. Brian Stockwell 01:13:24.073
And you and can you just walk. Unidentified Speaker 01:13:26.010
To get some details on that. Patrick Murphy 01:13:26.997
So that application being adjacent to a state-controlled road would have been referred to the State who supported the application. The officers would have done their own assessment as well in terms of capacity for, safe entrance and egress from the site. It is two lots. A positive outcome in terms of the provision of the number of dwellings and also, you know, significant number of those being small dwellings. So, yeah, a reason to support the application. With the- is there a back driveway by any chance where they can go out? No, there won't be a back driveway. Noting this report is presented to Council for noting and generally the level of detail to drill down into the applications is not something I can undertake on 30 applications before the meeting, so I'm happy to take on board any comments and provide you with information post the meeting would be preferable. And the last question, but yeah. Tom Wegener 01:14:29.904
Patrick, I'd like to check with you later on that one, because I completely understand. Unidentified Speaker 01:14:35.884
In the detail, right off the head. Amelia Lorentson 01:14:41.992
Can we get just a little bit of clarity. Nature-based tourism, Dr Pages Road, caparabra. Again, approved code-accessible application. What's meant by nature-based tourism? Are they eco-cottages? Patrick Murphy 01:14:56.803
Yes, some cabins. And seeking to avail. These nature-based tourism either seek to avail of some ecological values on the site, ecological recreation type activity on the site, or they're located within close proximity, generally, of the Noosa Trail. That they can go hiking or cycling tours. Amelia Lorentson 01:15:17.521
Has so have we changed the name, Patrick? Like nature-based, I always thought we'd reference like eco-cabins, or is this new, or have I dismissed just missed it. Patrick Murphy 01:15:27.993
Well well, there's a number of, so the eco-cabins will often be done through just short-term accommodation. So they're seeking no more than, there's no interaction really, I suppose, with the guests. They just come and they stay in the cabins. Term accommodation. But here there's a connection between the people with the accommodation and the land itself or the surrounding area and some activity that's generally provided. So nature-based tourism is a definition within the scheme in its own right. Short-term accommodation is a definition within the scheme in its so own right. It's sometimes navigating that pathway to ensure it's one and not the other. Amelia Lorentson 01:16:05.412
So it is a short-term accommodation we're approving but it's consistent it's a consistent scheme. As being a nature-based. Richard MacGillivray 01:16:16.094
Well nature-based tourism is yes it's its own land definition it has its own land use definition maybe yes it's in a Planning Scheme as a definition for a use that can be considered and applied for and as specific as Patrick mentioned linkages to the ecological or the natural or the environmental values that it needs to I guess progress as part of its proposal so it needs to have a linkage to a nature based aspect whether that's a recreation or an educational piece or the like so you can probably provide maybe some more information too about that particular application. If you'd like some more information about. Amelia Lorentson 01:16:51.470
That is it captured in terms of numbers when we look at how many STAs we have is it included in that database or not in terms of the short-term accommodation we have operating and is it captured under our transitory rating I'd have to come back to you on that any further questions around the table who would like to move it who thank you Tom can we have a seconder no further discussion yes all in favour Thank you. So we now move so to item 7.5 and thank you Richard item 7.5 welcome to the desk been multi-year environment collaboration grants and Organisational Alliance Grants proposed re-schedule reschedule and then if you can give us an overview or summary of the report in front of. Ben Derrick 01:18:04.109
Us good morning Councillors the it's quite a simple proposal what we're planning but there's a bit of information sitting in the background under the Environment Levy environmental grants policy we issue Council issues two streams of multi-year grants and they're both three grants ones an alliance grant which is there to basically support organisations not profit organisations to be able to function and the other one is multi-year environment grants we're looking for larger more complex environment minded grant projects that have better outcomes both of those grant streams are currently due on the 30th of June this year so we're in the final year of those three grants and so normally at this time we would have our multi-year grants open for applications and we'd be receiving and negotiating with grant applications or people or organisations that are going to put in applications for the next three years however when we assess those grant applications we put 50% of the weighting of the grant applications connected directly to the objectives and key the Environment Strategy and the Environment Strategy is currently towards the end of a review mid-year review and it's been seven years since we've reviewed the Environment Strategy and we know that sitting within that there's likely to be some subtle changes within some of the objectives and proposals that are put forward for Council to consider and those are changes that come about through the last seven years we've changed a lot with some of the new plans that have been implemented particularly around climate change we've got the CHAP we've got climate change response we've got the net road towards net zero we've also got a waste plan and so out of the current Environment Strategy waste and climate change are 50% of what's addressed in there but now we've got more and mature plans sitting in there we've also got more contemporary information and survey data and they're and the industry the environment industry has changed and evolved a little bit so it's good to be able to contemporise the Environment Strategy so we're at a particular point where we're coming into a period where we're proposing to or normally we would accept applications for new multi-year grants but we know that we're just about to put forward a paper to Council to review the Environment Strategy. So if we assess the grants on the current strategy knowing that potentially there might be a more contemporary strategy within the next few months we might be entering into three-year agreements which are attached to an outdated strategy now in time in terms of size under the current funding agreements that represents over a three-year period just over a million dollars so it's a reasonable sum of money that's going out into the community that we'd like to see invested in a contemporary in a contemporary strategy rather than an existing one. Now since writing the paper this has all come through in a little bit of a rush we realised our timelines weren't going to match up. I've discussed this with all of our current grant recipients and the multi-year environment grants of which we've got seven all of those programs can extend for another year with extensions of KPIs and so they're all mature programs with really good outcomes and that we'd say that those outcomes delivered for another 12 months under a bridging agreement and all the alliance grants, all of those organisations were intending to apply for another three-year grant and so the proposal is to delay the grant round the multi-year grant round this year have it open for applications next year and their current recipients to have a 12 year sorry a 12 month bridging agreement from a legal and procurement perspective we can do that under our policies we've engaged with I can't remember the name of the law firm but it was one that our procurement branch uses and they've given okay there's no issue from a Local Government Act perspective in fact they said it was a fairly prudent path forward for contemporary investment or making sure that we're investing money in the right way so the one year bridging agreements for all of the recipients if we were to proceed with this we're yet to work out what that means but it's likely to be a very brief contract which references the existing contracts with just an extension of those KPIs that sit in there. Amelia Lorentson 01:22:43.409
So the acquittal process will be the same as the multi-year? Ben Derrick 01:22:47.914
That's correct yes so currently the acquittal process we do a 12 month acquittal process where we check in at each 12 months to be able to make sure that they're doing it and then we have a final acquittal all of the years are exactly the same in terms of the acquittal process it's just anchored to whatever deliverables they're seeing that particular year. Questions around the table? I'll move it. Amelia Lorentson 01:23:14.890
We might just okay it's okay Tom let's just see this. Sorry it's a new phone I've turned it off. Honestly not. Questions around the table first. I've a couple of questions been in terms of applicants. Have they been informed? They been informed about the delay? You mentioned touched have with touched base with all of them. Ben Derrick 01:23:46.285
I've spoken to all of them. I've had a meeting with all of them and so the alliance grants, they're more than happy to move through for another 12 months with the multi-year environment grants. The discussions because the discussion was a little bit more complex because we're talking about the maturity of their particular projects and so we talked about you know what those KPIs might look like for the next 12 months and so as an example keeping in Kin Kin where we've got some specifics around landholders and what's going on the ground we're looking at the next 12 months and how we might be able to work in some new parameters for that it's an extension of the existing program just with some new KPIs. Amelia Lorentson 01:24:24.590
And in terms of the multi-year, sorry, in terms of the environment strategies, you mentioned we're approaching seven years, so how often do we review? Is it five years? Or seven years, that seems quite long. Ben Derrick 01:24:40.541
Yeah, look, it's a good question, and the Environment Strategy was set out as a 10-year strategy document. The mid-year review was not built in there, but we thought it was, it felt right to put through a review, which we went through that budgeting process this time last year, to be able to get some funds to be able to review it. So, yeah, that went through Council as a, it's time to review it. And it's intended to be a light touch review, we're not rewriting the entire strategy. So it's just making it contemporary based on what's changed within Council and what's changed within the industry as well. Okay. Amelia Lorentson 01:25:19.078
Who would like to move Tom? I'll hour move it. Year. I'll second it Madam Chair. Thank you Mayor Wilkie. Who would and who would like to speak during the report? Thank you Tom. Tom Wegener 01:25:28.180
You um I was so excited about reading this report because it actually is a pivot from getting stuck into going through the old process and then perhaps getting stuck in with a three-year grant which doesn't actually align with where we're going it's a resetting of the vision for Noosa and the DMP and the new Environment Strategy I find it happy for us because the vision that Council has enacted and has voted upon is being pushed through and seen through the strategies and the Environment Strategy and I'm very very happy about that I think that it's a really good start for Noosa for this term here for us especially makes gives us opportunities to change and to get current and to begin with the times and to be the greatest Council if not the world so thank you I really appreciate you doing that because you could have just stuck to saying okay well we're gonna give these grants out with the old strategy but with the new strategies coming on there may be new people coming in with that share vision for Noosa and say oh I want to jump on this is great we're going this direction now and I think it gives an opportunity for people to do that which otherwise they may have not have been so eager to jump on and to apply for the grant so I think it's really exciting. Really a impressive move for Council to say this is a this is a problem let's change the problem let's fix it let's make it better and move forward. Ben Derrick 01:27:15.834
Thank you apologies if I missed it in the report. When is the recommendations mid environmental studies? From the mid-term environmental strategy review coming to Council? We are just going through executive briefings at the moment which is starting at the start of March and pending those I expect the Council will see that in April or May. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 01:27:41.212
I want to put this question, I think it would be an interesting opportunity when you say you're talking about KPIs, it would be an interesting opportunity to ensure that all these groups are very good at what they do. Have they met not just their proposed outputs but are they heading towards their outcomes? And to actually use a monitoring evaluation step as well is to make sure that they just don't put something in because it's easy that it's just continuing on. Are we doing the right thing to achieve the outcomes we set out to or can we do things a little bit different? And then on a lighter note, there's a long history of alliteration and keeping it in Kin Kin and the current application we're looking at is keeping on it in Kin Kin. I suggest next year keep keeping on sorry okay okay okay. Amelia Lorentson 01:28:29.048
Okay one question before you leave Ben, so just following up on that, are there any risks in following up on what Tom said, are there any risks that the projects that we're already funding may not be included when we update our priorities? So what's that Scott what's that risk? Yeah. You mentioned it's only minor tweaks or are they major tweaks? Ben Derrick 01:28:57.843
It's- probably the where the funding might come from to be able to support some of those programs and I look at Plastic Free Noosa which is a crossover between keeping plastic out of the environment so the environment as an end impact of improper use of plastics should the environment lever be funding it or should our waste education be funding that program and look it's not my decision but the when the Environment Strategy was written we didn't have a waste plan we now have a waste plan with some quite detailed expectations as to what's sitting over the next 10 to 20 years and integration of those sort of things whether they're more aligned to one area or another the broad general we areas of conservation, weed management, mitigating impact, being responsible for regenerative practices and stewardship they'll remain the same in the Environment Strategy. There might be some changes in locations we know we've got more core data we've got more species data we've got more integrated plans that we're developing with the river and the catchment so just being able to get everything talking to each other and aligned may change how we assess certain applications in different areas where those priority areas might have changed. Amelia Lorentson 01:30:27.061
Would that then affect funding then? Are we going to have the same pool of money or will we waste if it's going to be a stand alone? That's not a question we can answer. Unidentified Speaker 01:30:37.913
Oh okay, excuse me. That's Kat's question. Madam Chair, Director Rawlings, how so? Amelia Lorentson 01:30:42.437
Oh hey, sorry Kim. You've got your hand raised. Go ahead. Kim Rawlings 01:30:49.685
Yes, well just building on what manager Ben Derrick said, I think the risk is pretty low. The projects that we're doing at the moment are very much fundamentally aligned to the environmental objectives and the Environment Strategy, you know, that are long standing and are likely to and will remain through a revised Environment Strategy. Ben said, there are some new areas that we will see come into the Environment Strategy building on, you know, contemporary work that Council has done, things like the DMP and things like that. So that will influence going forward. So, and you know of course there will be discussions with Council about the ways in which these programs are funded, the mechanisms, and the total amount. That's all standard conversation that needs to happen as part of budget considerations and reviewing strategy. Amelia Lorentson 01:31:50.248
Thank you, Kim. Anyone else would like to speak to the report? No, no further discussion. All in favour? That's unanimous. And speak that brings report? Us, I think, to the end. Thank you very much. Thank you, David. That brings us to the last item, so reports for noting by the committee. 8.1, cascading climate risk from critical infrastructure failure project report. And welcome to the desk, if you want to pass over to Jo. Thank you. So Jo. You go ahead. Jo 01:32:34.299
So our critical infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, water, wastewater and transport are crucial for everything we do. We all know the challenges we face when we lose services. Power outages, no internet, disrupted water supply and road closures. While we've all managed these kind of outages in our personal lives, how would we cope with disruptions that last days or weeks at a time? How do we cope when these outages affect multiple services? Council services are no different to our homes in being dependent on power, telecoms, water and transport, except that we have more than our families depending on these services. If Council is without power and water for a week or longer, how would we function? How would we keep staff safe if buildings can't be heated or cooled, water isn't available and we can't call or email each other. How can we make good decisions if we don't have access to information when the internet goes down and computers can't be powered. The cascading climate risk from critical infrastructure failure project or the CIF project for short was a two-year project. With 1.1 million dollars in grant funding from the QRA through the Queensland risk and resilience fund the project addresses a key action in our regional climate action Roadmap with the Sunshine Coast Council working with partners across the region including Energex, Unitywater, Telstra, NBN Co, Queensland Fire Department, of health, Queensland Police Service and many more. The project carefully examines the potential impacts on Council services arising from outages in critical infrastructure. This work highlighted that climate change increases the likelihood of cascading and compounding types of hazards which in turn increases the likelihood of disruption to critical infrastructure services. Crucially the project that disruptions to critical infrastructure can cascade across sectors and these disruptions may last longer than we have experienced before. This could mean a week or more without critical infrastructure services. The project identified numerous risks to Council. Broadly, these include reduced productivity, communication failures, disruption to disaster response activities, physical impacts to staff from unsafe and unclean workplaces. For example, if we don't have running water or can't keep the offices impacts to revenue streams if payments can't be processed. Reduced quality of organisational decision making, accountability, transparency and ultimately reputational damage. We bring this report to Council to share the important findings of the CIV project, but also to demonstrate that the project has identified practical options to reduce the risks. A range of technological and non-technological measures, all of which are available now, were highlighted. In addition, the project developed a high-level business case that demonstrated the value of technological measures our key sites, the Noosaville Depot, which includes the Local Disaster Coordination Centre, and the second case was the Leisure Centre, which is also our evacuation centre. These are great foundations, but we'll need to be proactive in responding to the findings across the organisation. This report seeks Council support for continuing to leverage the ongoing partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and Stakeholder Reference Group members and the representatives from many critical infrastructure service providers to implement adaptation measures across the organisation, including priority actions to implement measures to enhance the resilience of the depot and the LDCC. Establish non-technical management solutions and related to this establish the required organisational governance to drive holistic climate adaptation response. There's much work to be done CIF project puts us in a position of having a much better understanding of the risks and importantly the adaptation measures that can address these risks. I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank and acknowledge our partners in the project the Sunshine Coast Council of the Stakeholder Reference Group who have been instrumental in completing this project. Amelia Lorentson 01:36:31.595
Questions around the table? Thank you Joe. Questions around the table? Councillor Stockwell. Brian Stockwell 01:36:36.543
Yes, just a clarification about scope. So in figure 1 you look at critical infrastructure failure and you mention causes of loss of transport. Did we look at the loss of transport in the food supply chain? Unidentified Speaker 01:36:52.501
Yes, thanks for the question Councillor Stockwell. No, we didn't look at the food supply chain. We considered that significantly at the start of the scoping of the grant application whether we could include food supply but it became too big for us to be able, it would have been unwielding to add that critical infrastructure as well. It's something that we, us and Sunshine Coast Council have identified as important for future assessments. Brian Stockwell 01:37:20.403
And another, it's more a question around the scope of the recommendations. In figure three, you highlight using EV fleet for power has trade-offs with using EVs for mobility, but you've identified there's an option, and I became aware in the last big blackout that was put, torian pointed out, for four and a half days, that there are now groups of EV owners who have organised themselves so that if there is a need they can, and those that have to, 240 volt output can come. Have we looked at setting up local arrangements around disaster where we can have voluntary opt-in so people know if they, you know, people might be relying on life support that needs, power, that local EV operates they opt-on carry and plug it in? Jo 01:38:07.349
We haven't investigated it as part of the project but it's definitely something we're aware of and I think we will be looking at options like that. Unidentified Speaker 01:38:17.397
We have internally, Councillor Stockwell has spoken to Michael our fleet manager about Council vehicles and the opportunity for bi-directional chargers that can help power for example the LDCC. We haven't thought yet of drawing on potential community resources though, which could be part of the emergency hubs that are set up, you know, in an event. But it's a great idea. Shaun Walsh 01:38:43.631
Through the Chair, if I can assist that and as a disaster coordinator, it's a very good suggestion. Now I'd say the best place to actually implement that is in the community settings. So of the community actually arranged that with their own residents and I'll take that on notice to work with Sue Lowry, a disaster management officer, to put that on the agenda for part of the community. Sub-planes. I've got shamara to be something the sub I've-plane been manager. Thinking about this week, because you'll fight that as a new initiative, then you'll see. I'll just carry on from Brian's concern with food. Tom Wegener 01:39:16.793
During COVID the most impressive thing that I've seen in my four years here is when the Pomona markets the various markets were closed down and there's people that would come to the markets especially elderly over by their food they set up a food tree or a phone tree and that's where they the regulars would call each other and then very quickly they devised every everybody had to call 10 of their friends who called 10 of their friends and through COVID they actually distributed food in that tree way through the phone tree and how and organically have quick it appeared and how successful it was tremendous and one person was identified who had passed away who had never nobody would have known if they didn't have the phone tree then call them and this person didn't respond to the phone and eventually the out there so I find that is a really great method so just you know it's hard for you guys to do that but I just wanted to point that out is that as they are a really good thing and I love that you're talking about this table, and bringing it to the report and you guys are doing it makes me feel a lot better that you know the cascading problems are being really looked at. Unidentified Speaker 01:40:26.938
By but by staff and the team so thank you for that. Shaun Walsh 01:40:29.831
Thanks Councillor Tom great idea and I'll pass the Chair over to that's great conversation Council because that's exactly what the community sub plans are set up because you know in times of disaster especially extended natural disasters it's assisting our communities to be as resilient as possible so they've actually already got lists of people who need help and they reach out locally even if they're isolated to actually support each other so community sub plans are all about providing their internal resilience networks to provide goods and services that we can't supply externally so that and Ian Williams and Sue Barry's work is all in that resilience space and community sub plans. Unidentified Speaker 01:41:08.246
One of the actions that we identified in this project which is quite interesting was and you might have come across it as a technology called an atmospheric water generator which are small solar modular they draw water from humidity and they can produce that without any and we were thinking well if we were to roll that out at our community gardens and pair that with a phone tree model that's pretty good because there's water and food in hubs around Noosa that can provide that backup resilience for communities so these ideas are excellent and ones that we look to explore further down the chart. Amelia Lorentson 01:41:42.914
Mayor Wilkie? Thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:41:44.676
You've started to touch on it. When these ever-increasing climate disasters occur and critical infrastructure like electricity, telecommunications and water services fail, what simple solutions are you actually proposing? You've started to talk about it there. Unidentified Speaker 01:42:03.429
I think you're about happy to answer. Jo 01:42:05.346
Yeah so so we there's the report covers a whole range of options that we can use and we need to be looking at bundling them so we're not just looking at making ourselves resilient to one type of infrastructure. Failure but looking across all of them and there are a range of solutions that we've covered including things like for electricity solar the backup generators and for water there's things like water tanks with filtration there's a whole lot of things but we need to go through a process now of identifying what the best combinations are for our sites and then what scale we'll need and then have to roll those out. So it'll be different for sites and also we've got some places like the Leisure Centre which already has solar so maybe it's looking at what are our water tanks like, are they capable, are they resilient, so it'll be different for every site. But there's a whole range of options identified. Unidentified Speaker 01:43:01.695
And if you want Mayor I can provide a short list of non-technical measures as well because it was both technical and non-technical. Frank Wilkie 01:43:10.024
You've referred to some briefly, batteries, solar, Starlink. Unidentified Speaker 01:43:14.830
Yeah, radio yeah, radios, UPS systems, rainwater tanks, emergency water kits. Frank Wilkie 01:43:20.722
You presented this report to the LDMG and it was very well received. And you also said you presented it to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Yes. Tell us about that presentation and what were their observations about this piece of work? Unidentified Speaker 01:43:33.345
We were invited by the QRA, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, to present this project to their critical infrastructure resilience working group that they have with multiple state agencies including the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. And it was, again, very well received. Very highly commended as probably the first instance of local government looking at cascading and compounding climate risks in Queensland, potentially in Australia. And so so the findings will be advanced through further conversations, and we've been asked to do multiple presentations to a few of the agencies in particular as follow up as well, as taking the findings to conferences. Some of the findings, as you guys will note, are confidential because the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, particularly the details on regional critical infrastructure just because of national security. So we can't release all the findings, but certainly the risks, the Council services and the responses are things that we can work on. Amelia Lorentson 01:44:39.722
Thank you. The risks that have been identified in this project, have they already been captured in our strategic risk register and if not, should they? And are there some immediate gaps that we need to sort of identify and act on? Unidentified Speaker 01:44:57.916
That's a great question. Thank you, Chair. They have been incorporated into our strategic risk register. But not comprehensively yet. I understand, speaking with our governance manager, that there's a process to this year for improving our enterprise risk and opportunity management framework in and the guidelines, which includes the strategic risk register, so we will look to, now that the project is completed, we took an opportunity last year when we had a good idea of the risk to start outlining some of them in our strategic risk register, but we can do that a bit more comprehensively. Amelia Lorentson 01:45:32.508
So terms of the 1.1 million dollars grant funding, it sounds like it was really well spent, and in terms of, you know, if we didn't have the funding, would this work or these sort of insights, they have happened anyway, or not likely? It just sounds like this wouldn't have happened. Not likely. No, it wouldn't have happened without external funding. No. So money, very well spent. Thank you. Questions? Brian Stockwell 01:46:01.310
Yeah, one more scoping question. Finding that of the new state, finding of this project, have pilot risk to delivery of Council services due to disruptions of infrastructure. So, most of the conversation appears to be around the pulse impacts of disasters related to climate. Did the project also of the press of slow-moving risks in terms of and what I can think of is sea level rise and stormwater infrastructure. Unidentified Speaker 01:46:30.588
Did you look at that and is there anything that has come out of it from that perspective? It did, but to a lesser extent, unfortunately. We found that in the had over 50 engagements, workshops, briefings, presentations throughout the project, and we found that through the workshops it was, it became quite difficult to have multiple scenarios of critical infrastructure failure and impacts to Council services that both address the acute hazards in near-term climate, like 2030, 2028, as well as the long-term 2050 scenarios that address the gradual chronic hazards that you've touched on. So we did look at it, and there are some interesting insights and findings, but not to the extent and not to the urgency of the acute hazards that we have quite a lot to do already on. So, yeah, plenty to keep you busy. There's plenty to keep us busy, yes. Unidentified Speaker 01:47:30.423
Happy moving, Madam Chair. Amelia Lorentson 01:47:31.242
I you. And would you like to speak? I would, thank you. Frank Wilkie 01:47:36.862
Madam Chair. Look, as Chair of the LDMG, it's a great. Pleasure to see work of this quality come forward. Because not only will the recommendations in it, which are subject to budget approval, not only will they. Allow our Local Disaster Coordination Centre and our LDMG disaster response to function as it should, critical infrastructure fail, will, it it's a blueprint to allow Councillors across Queensland to follow suit and also be able to better serve their communities during a disaster should their critical infrastructure fail. It's a very important piece of work and I commend you on what you've achieved. Amelia Lorentson 01:48:19.415
Um so uh Brian. Brian Stockwell 01:48:22.561
Yeah so my understanding is this project actually has had ripple effects in that the arrangement of the structure providers have started to think about the issue so it was leading in that respect and I think that's really important to understand that it's not just local government it's other levels of government that need to start thinking about this and putting the practical on the ground steps in place I think the other thing this shows on Noosa Shire there's some issues that make sense to deal with at a regional scale and once again this project shows that when it comes to issues like adapting to climate change and adapting we can't have an isolationist perspective we have to look at our role in the broader environment and the partnership here with Sunshine Coast Council through the Roadmap and then leading to this project has really shown where we share interests where we share risks and how we can share the task of addressing them so in a range of ways it's a very useful project to look at not just internally but how we engage externally with other councils but also other infrastructure providers so well done. Unidentified Speaker 01:49:38.737
Question Madam Chair, will. Frank Wilkie 01:49:42.945
Pass on our thanks and acknowledgement of your partners in this world definitely I. Unidentified Speaker 01:49:53.118
I will just comment it on what you said there Councillor Stockwell I can't probably understate how interesting it was to see when we were working with critical infrastructure providers that have a lens that's either regional state like Energex or even national like Telstra but impacts are felt locally right so but they don't have that level of insight because they're operating at such a broader scale so it was so interesting to see when we looked at these local risk workshops and work that out with them how their mindset and perspective change and I think that was quite eye-opening and impactful so. Amelia Lorentson 01:50:31.711
Going to quickly just speak I think it's really important to outline that we have in Council an enterprise risk and opportunity management policy and associated framework that actually articulates that Council will only tolerate unforeseen interruptions to critical services up to one day and I'm sort of putting all the pieces together and really understanding the importance of this project because I keep going back to what does this mean in terms of risk to Council staff, operations and delivery of services and you know, in than one day is of is huge. In terms Council, up to 500 staff operating, $300 million worth of funds and delivering core services to our community, it's really quite important that we start putting this future lens on and really identify the immediate risk. Well said. Couldn't agree more. Thank you. And again, commend please Sunshine Coast Council, again, money really well spent. Thank you. No further, Tom, did you want to speak? No, just, yeah, just ditto. Thanks. Fantastic. Thank you very much. Thank you. And that brings us, oh sorry, no further discussion. And no closing, thank you. Mayor Wilkie, olin Faber, that's unanimous. Thank you, and that brings us to the close. There are no confidential sessions. I now declare the meeting closed. It is 11:25. And thank you everyone in. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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