General Committee Meeting - 7 July 2026
Date: Tuesday, 7 July 2026 at 10:00AM
Location: Noosa Shire Council Chambers , 9 Pelican Street , Tewantin , QLD 4565 , Australia
Organiser: Noosa Shire Council
Duration: 05:47:58
Synopsis: Transport Decisions: Cease Lions Park overflow, Pivot to satellite parking by Dec 2026, Movement & Connection Plan adopted, Burgess Creek catchment plan consultation, 2026–27 Plan adopted.
Meeting Attendees
Committee Members
Brian Stockwell Karen Finzel Amelia Lorentson Jessica Phillips Tom Wegener Frank Wilkie Nicola Wilson Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Strategy And Environment Kim Rawlings Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh AI-Generated Meeting Insight
Key Decisions & Discussions Frank Wilkie secured adoption of the Movement & Connection Action Plan 2025–2027 as a focused two‑year, non-capital delivery program, noting capital works require separate budget decisions (Item 7.1; 15:51). Shaun Walsh (Dir. Infrastructure) outlined progress under the Noosa Transport Strategy, reinstating Traffic Safety and Speed Advisory Committees and black-spot nominations to TMR (01:44–07:44; Item 7.1). Council endorsed the Go Noosa program, Main Beach Drop-Off Zone continuation for peak, a 15‑min drop-off trial on Noosa Parade, and rejected ongoing Lions Park overflow parking; added a directive to deliver satellite parking, park‑and‑ride and concierge by Dec 2026 (Item 7.2; 33:55–03:07:43). Amelia Lorentson and Jessica Phillips unsuccessfully moved to retain Lions Park overflow for 2026–27 and to trial a “hybrid” early‑morning parking at Main Beach; both amendments lost (Item 7.2; 01:59:10; 02:26:03). Jessica Phillips achieved an amendment requiring delivery (not just investigation) of alternative transport management by Dec 2026, including satellite parking, park‑and‑ride and community concierge (Item 7.2 G; 02:03:55). Council approved the Draft Burgess Creek ICMP for 4‑week consultation with amendments: broaden S2-Action 4 to targeted behaviour-change and compliance for best-practice urban catchment management; add option to use the Environment Levy with prioritisation, funding options and timeframes in the final report (Item 7.3; 03:49:50–04:02:36). Council approved MCU25/0119 for Indoor Sport & Recreation at 26 Eenie Creek Rd, finding health/wellness clustering with existing medical services in the Noosa Business Centre justified approval despite small floorplates (Item 7.4; 04:07:48–04:26:19). Council noted May 2026 delegated planning approvals (36 approvals, 1 refusal), indicating steady throughput and scheme-aligned outcomes (Item 7.5; 04:26:43–04:34:38). Council noted contracts awarded under CEO delegation via PCAWT (Jan–Jun 2026), including depot switchboard, pathways, fleet utilities, and landfill hardstand (Item 7.6; 04:35:13–04:42:19). Council adopted the Operational Plan 2026–27, aligned to the budget, with added Eastern Beaches actions (pandanus, access upgrades, restoration, volunteers); quarterly reporting flagged (Item 7.8; 04:59:30–05:05:10). Council resolved to request Fri 10 Sept 2027 as the Noosa Show Holiday (Item 7.9; 05:07:56–05:12:26). Council referred LGAQ motions/attendance and the confidential Noosa Plan 2020 Draft Amendment 4 – Employment Land to the 16 July Ordinary Meeting (Items 7.7, 8.1; 04:58:50; 05:44:53). Contentious / Transparency Matters Go Noosa – Lions Park : Staff modelling showed queueing into Lions Park worsens congestion; majority resolved to cease overflow parking and pivot resources to satellites; minority argued for a limited 21‑day continuation citing business and equity concerns (Item 7.2; 40:35–01:12:21). Equity and procurement : Staff proposed open EOI for charitable roles (concierge/park‑and‑ride) rather than exclusive Lions Club parking operations, to improve transparency and spread benefits (46:08–48:31; Item 7.2 F). Survey limits : Debate acknowledged small Lions Park sample sizes; staff relied on multi-year demand patterns and traffic modelling over anecdote (46:32–47:16; 01:11:43–01:12:21; Item 7.2). Parking management : Councillors requested timing on the Parking Management Plan; staff to workshop within ~6 weeks then consult publicly (01:34:05–01:34:49; Item 7.2). Operational constraints : Staff detailed significant resource/time costs to daily convert Main Beach Drop-Off to early parking; amendments to trial hybrid were rejected (02:12:18–02:21:45; Item 7.2). Legal / Risk Land Act (trust land) : Lions Park is reserve for park/recreation; officers stated ongoing overflow parking likely requires a Land Management Plan with consultation; historic ad‑hoc approvals are no longer suitable (01:51:20–01:55:26; Item 7.2). Human Rights/Privacy : The Operational Plan’s mobile LPR illegal-camping trial will require a Privacy Impact Statement and Human Rights assessment before deployment (05:02:57–05:04:43; Item 7.8). Planning Act 2016 : MCU25/0119 approval noted per s63(5), with reasons tied to strategic clustering and community wellbeing in the Major Centre Zone (Item 7.4). Local Government Regulation : Confidential session held under s254D(3) and s254J(3)(g) for employment land amendment discussions (Item 8; 11:–; Minutes p.11). Procurement probity : Biannual PCAWT report tabled; CEO delegation to $1m used; EV fleet constraints documented including charging infrastructure limits and range/cost (Item 7.6; 04:35:20–04:41:15). Small Business Friendly Charter : Cited in debate; no legal impediment to ceasing Lions Park parking, but reputational risk and stakeholder management noted (01:45:25–01:47:14; 01:52:12–01:52:34; Item 7.2). Conflicts of Interest Brian Stockwell declared a conflict on Burgess Creek ICMP due to presidency of Noosa Lions Football Club; remained and voted under new legislation, asserting no material benefit and public interest expertise (Item 7.3; 03:18:13–03:19:55; Minutes p.6). Amelia Lorentson declared proximity-based conflict for Burgess Creek ICMP (residence and family ~550m from creek mouth); remained and voted, citing OIA guidance that proximity alone is not an MPI (Item 7.3; 03:19:55–03:21:24; Minutes p.6). Environmental Concerns Burgess Creek ICMP targets water quality, erosion/stormwater impacts, ecosystem health, recreation values, and governance; leverages State funding and Unitywater collaboration (03:21:31–03:24:45; Item 7.3). Amendments broaden S2-Action 4 to behaviour change and compliance addressing urban diffuse pollutants (e.g., nutrients, pool overflows, grass clippings, pet droppings), with education deliverables (03:49:50–03:52:03; Minutes p.7–8). Funding posture : Environment Levy to be investigated for staged priority delivery, with project prioritisation and timeframes; grants and general revenue remain in mix (03:52:25–04:02:36; Minutes p.8). Legacy risks : Landfills/old industrial sites monitored; leachate within limits; unknown first-flush stormwater contaminants to be addressed with event-based monitoring (03:35:13–03:38:12; Item 7.3). Eastern Beaches : Op Plan adds pandanus management, beach access renewals, restoration, and volunteer support (05:01:48–05:02:14; Item 7.8). Planning Scheme / Zoning & Development MCU25/0119 : Despite small tenancies (not large-format), approval aligns with strategic wellness clustering and efficient use of existing approved floor space; public notification yielded no submissions (Item 7.4; 04:11:29–04:19:58; Minutes p.8–9). Employment Land Amendment : Draft Amendment 4 discussed confidentially; referred to Ordinary Meeting for consideration (Item 8.1; Minutes p.11–12). Delegations trend : High approval rate under scheme; secondary dwellings often proceed without DA post-scheme changes; multiple dwellings uptake context explained (Item 7.5; 04:31:00–04:33:27). Transport, Parking & Congestion Management E-mobility flagged as emerging priority (safety, design for aged devices); school travel programs expanded via levy; black spots escalated to TMR (28:49–31:59; 33:55–36:38; Item 7.1–7.2). Satellite parking to be stood up by Christmas 2026 (and intended by Christmas 2026 season) using reallocated staff efforts from Lions Park setup; strong comms to Hastings St traders planned (01:38:16–01:38:59; 02:03:55; Item 7.2). River transport remains strategic aspiration tied to State’s Northern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy; jetty investigation ongoing (05:03–09:05; 31:59; Item 7.1). Parking Management Plan workshop imminent; aim to increase turnover and reduce congestion; paid parking considered separately (01:34:05–01:34:49; Item 7.2).
Official Meeting Minutes
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 General Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, 7 July 2026 10:00am Council Chambers, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Committee: Crs Brian Stockwell (Chair), Karen Finzel, Amelia Lorentson, Jessica Phillips, Tom Wegener, Frank Wilkie, Nicola Wilson “Noosa Shire – different by nature” Page 1 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 MINUTES 1 DECLARATION OF OPENING The meeting was declared open at 10.02am. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Noosa Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the Noosa area, the Kabi Kabi people, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. 3 ATTENDANCE & APOLOGIES COMMITTEE MEMBERS Cr Brian Stockwell (Chair) Cr Karen Finzel Cr Amelia Lorentson Cr Jessica Phillips Cr Tom Wegener Cr Frank Wilkie Cr Nicola Wilson EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock Director Community Services Kerri Contini Acting Director Corporate Services Margaret Gatt Director Development & Regulation Richard MacGillivray Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings Director Infrastructure Services Shaun Walsh APOLOGIES Nil. 4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 4.1 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DATED 9 JUNE 2026 Committee Resolution Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That the Minutes of the General Committee Meeting held on 9 June 2026 be received and confirmed. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None Page 2 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 5. PRESENTATIONS Nil. 6. DEPUTATIONS Nil. 7 GENERAL COMMITTEE REPORTS 7.1 MOVEMENT AND CONNECTION ACTION PLAN 2025–2027 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council A. Note the report by the Sustainable Transport Coordinator to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 regarding the Movement and Connection Action Plan 2025 -2027; B. Note the progress made under the Noosa Transport Strategy 2017–2027, including completed, ongoing and embedded transport initiatives across public transport, active transport, parking management, accessibility, data collection, safety and visitor demand management. C. Approve the Movement and Connection Delivery Action Plan 2025–2027 (as detailed in the report) as a focused two-year program to progress priority initiatives to investigation, options assessment, concept design, engagement or continued delivery, subject to annual budget approval and available resources. D. Note that approval of the Movement and Connection Delivery Action Plan 2025– 2027 does not constitute approval of capital construction works, which would require separate Council consideration through future budget processes. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None Page 3 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 7.2 GO NOOSA REPORT The following material was presented to the meeting in relation to this item: Director Infrastructure Services – refer to Attachment 1 to the Minutes of the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 - Go Noosa Report Presentation 2025-2026 with video. Motion Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council: A. Note the report by the Transport Project Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 regarding the Go Noosa Report; B. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to continue delivery of the Go Noosa Program and associated peak-period transport initiatives, subject to annual budget processes; C. Note the temporary repurpose of the car park within the Main Beach Reserve (adjacent to the Noosa Heads Surf Club) as a Main Beach Drop-Off Zone during the peak Christmas and New Year period to improve safety, traffic circulation, and functionality within the precinct; D. Endorse a trial of a temporary 15-minute drop-off area on Noosa Parade adjacent to Lions Park during Go Noosa Summer 2026; E. Do not proceed with ongoing use of the Noosa Heads Lions Park for overflow parking for reasons outlined in the report; and F. Note that staff will investigate alternative charitable arrangements associated with the Go Noosa program procured in accordance with Councils policies. Amendment No. 1 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Item E be amended to read: E. Do not proceed with ongoing use of the Noosa Heads Lions Park for overflow parking for reasons outlined in the report Approve the continued use of Lions Park as overflow paid parking during the 2026–27 Christmas and New Year period, operated by the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, with the Club to invite and coordinate volunteer involvement from other interested community groups in operating the parking. Any future use of Lions Park for overflow parking will be subject to separate consideration and approval by Council. Lost. For: Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie Page 4 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 Amendment No. 2 Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That Item G be added to read: G. Request that staff deliver alternative transport management by December 2026, including satellite parking, park-and-ride service and community concierge service. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None Amendment No. 3 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Item C be amended to read: C. Note the temporary repurpose of the car park within the Main Beach Reserve (adjacent to the Noosa Heads Surf Club) as a Main Beach Drop-Off Zone during the peak Christmas and New Year period to improve safety, traffic circulation, and functionality within the precinct; Endorse a hybrid arrangement for the Main Beach car park during the peak Christmas and New Year period, available for public parking until 9am each day before converting to the Main Beach Drop-Off Zone for the remainder of the day Lost. For: Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips Against: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Amendment No.4 Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Item C be amended to read: C. Note the temporary repurpose of the car park within the Main Beach Reserve (adjacent to the Noosa Heads Surf Club) as a Main Beach Drop-Off Zone during the peak Christmas and New Year period to improve safety, traffic circulation, and functionality within the precinct; Explore the feasibility of a hybrid arrangement for the 2027-2028 Main Beach car park during the peak Christmas and New Year period, to allow for public parking each day before converting to the Main Beach Drop-Off Zone for the remainder of the day. Lost. For: Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips Against: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Page 5 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council: A. Note the report by the Transport Project Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 regarding the Go Noosa Report; B. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to continue delivery of the Go Noosa Program and associated peak-period transport initiatives, subject to annual budget processes; C. Note the temporary repurpose of the car park within the Main Beach Reserve (adjacent to the Noosa Heads Surf Club) as a Main Beach Drop-Off Zone during the peak Christmas and New Year period to improve safety, traffic circulation, and functionality within the precinct; D. Endorse a trial of a temporary 15-minute drop-off area on Noosa Parade adjacent to Lions Park during Go Noosa Summer 2026; E. Do not proceed with ongoing use of the Noosa Heads Lions Park for overflow parking for reasons outlined in the report; and F. Note that staff will investigate alternative charitable arrangements associated with the Go Noosa program procured in accordance with Councils policies. G. Request that staff deliver alternative transport management by December 2026, including satellite parking, park-and-ride service and community concierge service. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips 7.3 DRAFT BURGESS CREEK INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN (ICMP) Cr Brian Stockwell "I, Cr Brian Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a conflict of interest for Item 7.3 - DRAFT BURGESS CREEK INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN (ICMP) on this agenda due to my role as President of the Noosa Lions Football Club which has fields in the catchment. I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because the club does not profit from or suffer a loss as a result of the plan and, while larger area than most allotments, has not significantly greater interest than the many people who live in the catchment. As I have specialist expertise and significant experience in the subject matter, I choose to remain in the room and vote on the matter" Cr Amelia Lorentson "I, Cr Amelia Lorentson, inform the meeting that I have a conflict of interest for Item 7.3 – Draft Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP), on this agenda. My brother, lives approximately 550m from the mouth of Burgess Creek, and I have recently purchased a property in Sunrise Beach approximately 550m from the mouth of Burgess Creek. This distance has been checked and confirmed by the Page 6 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 Governance team; any previous statements I made on this were estimates. In an abundance of caution, and consistent with advice from the Office of the Independent Assessor, I believe it is prudent to declare this interest. Consistent with legal advice previously considered by this Council on the question of proximity, proximity alone gives rise to a conflict of interest only, not a Material Personal Interest. My position falls within that same characterisation. The Integrated Catchment Management Plan for Burgess Creek is a Shire-wide body of work. It forms part of a broader Noosa catchment strategy for waterways, and the decisions before this meeting affect the entire community. It is in that community interest that I wish to contribute. I have consistently declared this interest and believe I am able to consider this matter impartially and in the public interest. I choose to remain in the meeting room and vote on the issue" Motion Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council: A. Note the report by the Environmental Services Manager to the General Committee dated 7 July 2026 regarding the Draft Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP); and B. Approve the Draft Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan provided as Attachment 1; C. Delegate authority to the CEO to make minor editorial and administrative amendments to the Draft ICMP as required; and D. Proceed to community consultation for a period of 4 weeks in accordance with the Communications and Engagement Plan as provided in Attachment 2; E. Request the Chief Executive Officer to collate and consider feedback received as part of the consultation undertaken and present a revised version on the ICMP for consideration of council. Amendment No. 1 Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Jessica Phillips That Item B be amended to read: B. Approve the Draft Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan provided as Attachment 1, with the following amendment to Appendix G S2-Action 4: S2 - Action 4. Continue to encourage the adoption of best practice catchment management by residents through delivering targeted compliance and behaviourchange initiatives and compliance to reduce illegal connections to the stormwater network at priority locations. Carried. Page 7 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None Amendment No. 2 Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That Item F be added to read: F. Investigate opportunities to utilise the Environment Levy, including future Environment Levy program allocations, to support the staged implementation of priority actions identified in the Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan and include funding options, project prioritisation and delivery timeframes in the final report to Council. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council: A. Note the report by the Environmental Services Manager to the General Committee dated 7 July 2026 regarding the Draft Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP); and B. Approve the Draft Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan provided as Attachment 1, with the following amendment to Appendix G S2-Action 4: S2 - Action 4. Continue to encourage the adoption of best practice catchment management by residents through delivering targeted compliance and behaviourchange initiatives and compliance to reduce illegal connections to the stormwater network at priority locations. C. Delegate authority to the CEO to make minor editorial and administrative amendments to the Draft ICMP as required; and D. Proceed to community consultation for a period of 4 weeks in accordance with the Communications and Engagement Plan as provided in Attachment 2; E. Request the Chief Executive Officer to collate and consider feedback received as part of the consultation undertaken and present a revised version on the ICMP for consideration of council. Page 8 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 F. Investigate opportunities to utilise the Environment Levy, including future Environment Levy program allocations, to support the staged implementation of priority actions identified in the Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan and include funding options, project prioritisation and delivery timeframes in the final report to Council. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None 7.4 MCU25/0119 - APPLICATION FOR MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE OF PREMISES TO ESTABLISH INDOOR SPORT AND RECREATION AT 26 EENIE CREEK ROAD, NOOSAVILLE Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council note the report by the Senior Development Planner to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 regarding Application No. MCU25/0119 for a Development Permit for Material Change of Use - Indoor Sport and Recreation situated at 26 Eenie Creek Rd Noosaville; and A. Approve the application in accordance with the proposed conditions outlined in Attachment 1; and B. Note the report is provided in accordance with Section 63(5) of the Planning Act 2016; and C. Find the following matters relevant to the assessment and sufficient reason to approve the application: 1. The co-location of Indoor Sport and Recreation uses with established medical services such as radiology, cancer treatment and general practitioners creates a complementary health and wellness cluster. This integrated approach is consistent with the strategic intent to encourage industry clustering and efficient use of existing approved floor space within the Noosa Business Centre. 2. In terms of community wellbeing, the development enhances accessibility to a broad range of health, fitness and recovery services within a single, centrally located facility. The co-location of services improves convenience and supports the delivery of multi-purpose, shared spaces, consistent with the planning scheme’s objectives for vibrant and inclusive activity centres. It also reinforces the role of the Noosa Business Centre as a key hub for health and community services. 3. While the proposed Indoor Sport and Recreation tenancies do not align with the intended large-format function of the precinct, they form part of an existing approved development and are designed to operate in a complementary to the medical uses within the building. 4. The proposal is an appropriate use of the approved built form, supporting the functional integration of health-related services within the Major Centre Zone of the Noosa Business Centre. Carried. Page 9 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None 7.5 PLANNING APPLICATIONS DECIDED BY DELEGATED AUTHORITY – MAY 2026 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Jessica Phillips Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That Council note the report by the Development Assessment Manager to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 regarding applications that have been decided by delegated authority for May 2026 as provided at Attachment 1 to the Report. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None 7.6 PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS ASSESSMENT WORKING TEAM - CONTRACT AWARDS UNDER CEO DELEGATION Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That Council note the report by the Acting Director Corporate Services to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 for contracts awarded under CEO Delegation, via the Procurement Contracts Assessment Working Team, for the period 1 January 2026 – 30 June 2026. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None Page 10 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 7.7 2026 LGAQ CONFERENCE MOTIONS & COUNCILLOR ATTENDANCE Procedural Motion Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That General Committee Agenda Item 7.7 be referred to the Ordinary Meeting dated 16 July 2026 for further consideration. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None 7.8 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2026-2027 Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Frank Wilkie Seconded: Cr Karen Finzel That Council A. Note the report by the Executive Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 regarding the Operational Plan 2026-2027; and B. Adopt the Operational Plan 2026-2027 as provided in Attachment 1 to the report Attachment 2 to the Minutes of General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 - Draft Noosa Council Operational Plan Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None 7.9 APPOINTMENT OF 2027 SHOW HOLIDAY Committee Recommendation Moved: Cr Karen Finzel Seconded: Cr Amelia Lorentson That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 and request the Chief Executive Officer write to the Office of Industrial Relations requesting the appointment of Friday, 10 September 2027 as a Show Holiday for the Noosa Shire. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None Page 11 of 12 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING | 7 JULY 2026 8 CONFIDENTIAL SESSION Procedural Motion Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Nicola Wilson That the meeting be closed to the public in accordance with Section 254D(3) of the LG Regulation 2012 and pursuant to section 254J(3) (g) negotiations relating to a commercial matter involving the local government for which a public discussion would be likely to prejudice the interests of the local government of the Local Government Regulation 2012 for the purpose of discussing Item 8.1 - NOOSA PLAN 2020 DRAFT AMENDMENT 4 - EMPLOYMENT LAND. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None Procedural Motion Moved: Cr Brian Stockwell Seconded: Cr Tom Wegener That the meeting be re-opened to the public. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None 8.1 CONFIDENTIAL - NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - NOOSA PLAN 2020 DRAFT AMENDMENT 4 - EMPLOYMENT LAND Procedural Motion Moved: Cr Amelia Lorentson Seconded: Cr Frank Wilkie That General Committee Agenda Item 8.1 be referred to the Ordinary Meeting dated 16 July 2026 for further consideration. Carried. For: Cr Brian Stockwell, Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips, Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Frank Wilkie, Cr Nicola Wilson Against: None 9 MEETING CLOSURE The meeting closed at 3.48 PM. Page 12 of 12
Meeting Transcript
Brian Stockwell 00:00.000
So welcome to the July General Committee Meeting. We note that all councillors in attendance with Councillor Wilson attending via teams electronically. We acknowledge the Kabi Kabi People whose land we meet on and we do so this week in the middle of NAIDOC week which celebrates its 50th anniversary with the theme of 50 years of deadly and this is according to their page marker not just of times past but of momentum still building it's about the next 50 years the are growing up proud and it's proof and what's been achieved is proof of what the Indigenous people this country can do when they build culture and lead with community coming first so we move on then to first item on the agenda. Item having no presentations nor deputations and that first item in General Committee reports is about the movement and connection action plan 2025-2027 if I can invite the staff oh did I miss one yeah getting a bit Amelia Lorentson 01:17.459
Excited there. It is, I found it. Brian Stockwell 01:20.357
Confirmation Councillor Finzel would like to move the confirmation of the Minutes. Karen Finzel 01:26.577
Happy to move. Happy to second. Brian Stockwell 01:28.497
And Councillor Phillips so, seconded all in favour. We move on to the first item. Shaun Walsh 01:44.040
Our Councillors, I just wish to revise on Dr Stephanie bologna's taking yield. So, I'll be presenting the report on her basis, but knowing that she is the author of the report with the support of transport officer Damien so, can't I pretend to be as an expert as Stephanie, so that's not going to do my best. So, the Noosa Transport Strategy, originally established in 2017-2027, is approaching the end of the strategic horizon. The strategy established a long-term transport vision of an efficient, free-flowing and independent transport system that enhances resident and visitor experiences and supports sustainable transport and value outcomes. Now since adoption of the strategy we've delivered a remarkable suite of transport initiatives across public transport, active parking management, traffic data, and traffic safety, and visitor demand management. Many of these initiatives, such as the free bus loops and satellite parking, and our business as usual, which weren't envisaged back in 2017. So what's presented this report is basically an action plan for the remaining two years of the Transport Strategy. It is intended to maintain delivery momentum, respond to current community priorities, and progress selective initiatives for investigations. The plan needs to be viewed in conjunction with our work underway other initiatives such as Go Noosa, Walking and Cycling Strategy, as well as all the operational work that's undertaken by the team, which is outlined in the report. I just note that the plan does not constitute approval of any capital works, and obviously any capital delivery would be subject to Council separate budget processes. The report includes a transport and traffic program at a glance, including 15 strategy initiatives delivered and embedded, 400 customer requests assessed annually, three major strategic studies completed or progressing, two advisory committees re-initiated and four key safety programs underway. So I'm looking for a Councillor to endorse the report and the movement and connection action plan for the remaining two years. Thank you, Councillors. Brian Stockwell 03:45.036
Thank you. Do we have questions? Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:49.397
I have. In terms of the free bus system, just wanted some clarification. Is Council continuing to fund the free bus service given that it's now 50 cents? Shaun Walsh 04:01.888
So we maintain an additional bus service during the peak periods, which is service 065, and that is a free bus. So if we didn't supply 065, there would be no on that loop. So it's an additional service to the TransLink transit itself. Service. And the data shows that under the Go Noosa report, which is a separate report, which we can talk to further. Brian Stockwell 04:26.359
Okay. Other questions? Councillor Lorentson Amelia Lorentson 04:31.709
There's reference to previous Council considerations, and I'm just referencing some of the resolutions in the past, as far back as I can recall, 2020, in terms of a one-way priority bus loop. So Council has resolved to investigate. I note you've mentioned a bus shuttle, priority bus lane, but there's no mention trial. Is that captured somewhere, or is that part of the priority bus lane investigation? Shaun Walsh 05:03.641
Yeah, so Council funded that investigation last financial year, which has just concluded, and we're pleased to invite that modelling has actually been completed for both the priority bus lane, including consideration of a one-way loop, and also a shuttle bus. And I understand that Stephanie boulogne has actually shared we'll with the workshop. Put you a question for the workshop to actually report the findings to Council for further consideration. Amelia Lorentson 05:25.984
Fantastic. Really look forward to that. And probably my last question in terms of ferry or river transport discounts. Again, I note that it was included in a past resolution. Has any further progress been made? Shaun Walsh 05:43.402
The only progress we've made on river transport is the Noosa Woods puppet jetty investigation which sort of forecast a future landing place. Next vehicle that we could, pardon the pun, we can progress that is the northern Sunshine Coast public Transport Strategy which the State government has promised for some time now and seems to be hooked up internally because that will be the next opportunity for us to advocate for river transport system and we're looking forward to continuing to collaborate and advocate for the release of that draft plan for Council and stakeholders. Thank you. Phillips. Jessica Phillips 06:19.576
Thanks Sean. Just in relation to the road safety audit, the crash investigation from the data that is received from there and black spot nominations, can you just explain to me how I will see that as a Councillor? Come through? Will I be looking for as to what data influences our decisions and is there any coming into our community that we would see? Shaun Walsh 06:41.743
It's fair to say that unfortunately during COVID, the sort of capture of that data and its projection to both the relevant two committees, the traffic safety committee and the speed advisory committee, sort of fell by the wayside, and we also had an absence of staff in that area. So one of the things I'm proud to report of in the last financial year is that those committees have been re-established and that data is now being presented to stakeholders such as QPS and TMR to actually inform strategies moving forward. I think we've got more work to do in terms of closing the loop that reporting coming through the Council. And I'm happy to take that on notice about how we more effectively report outcomes from those investigations to Council. Is that a fair statement, Damon? Yeah. So do you want to contribute anything else to that? Damien 07:24.753
I do know that Stephanie has submitted some black spot nominations to TMR and that's just gone through the process now. Okay. So it relies on the State agreeing to and prioritising the sites we put forward and it's. We're in competition with every other local area in Queensland. Shaun Walsh 07:44.342
Yeah. And escalation of our data to TMR at those relevant committees is really imperative to get their support to actually fund those black spots. Brian Stockwell 07:52.622
Okay. I think there's a little horn as well. So had Councillor Finzel and yeah, I'll get to Councillor Wilson after Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 08:01.686
Yes. Thank you. Coming back to the question regarding like river transport and reference to the northern transport system engagement. Will we be exploring the options of public transport on the river where does that fit? Shaun Walsh 08:18.647
Yeah, so we've been advocating to the State government TMR and TransLink that the northern Sunshine Coast public Transport Strategy should include a future direction for river transport. We're very lucky at the moment that we have a commercial provider who's providing really valuable transport service. But over the longer term, how does that really translate into a more frequent and service that actually deals with capacity? So have the same view, but we need to get TMR online. We are hardened with the program that now operates down at the Gold Coast waterways called hop on and off, which is actually a joint commercial and translate model it's on a TransLink schedule that they actually charge more commercially ready fee, so the fact that TransLink actually implemented that system on the Gold Coast is a really good model for noosa's river in the future. So it's not about excluding commercial operators, actually about working with them in a collaborative Karen Finzel 09:11.937
Model. Fantastic. Just with regards to the walk and ride to school program, I noticed we were out at Cooran last week, they had a really positive community engagement. Great uptake from the kids who loved the pizza that they got. It's part of the reward for participating. Where are we heading in terms of that and also in relation to closing those gaps on pathways and connectivity? Shaun Walsh 09:37.956
Um so probably about the school program I'm really happy to talk about that in the next report, which is the Go Noosa report, which focuses on expenditure of the Sustainable Transport Levy. And that actually focuses on an increase in that program because so perhaps if I could park that question to the Chair for the next report because it's a better yeah okay thank you in terms of the other question about accelerated program of pathways in last year's budget Council thankfully actually approved budget of five hundred thousand dollars to advance detailed design on pathways and cycle-wise through the Shire and the invention that would end up with shovel ready projects that we then put in for additional funding for the subsequent financial year. There's a very large appetite from Council our discussions about accelerating for paths and cycleways and that's the first step that we've actually got designs ready to actually be built on the ground and very thankful for that. So we're currently formulating, you know, the locations about where we'd like to do that design work and we need to have a separate Council briefing on those locations. Okay, thank you. Councillor Wilson. Nicola Wilson 10:46.253
Thanks. Firstly, is it possible to move the microphone closer to the staff? I'm really having trouble hearing and I'm getting all the background noise instead which one is it? Shaun Walsh 11:03.525
Councillor Wilson, is that better? Can you hear me better? Nicola Wilson 11:05.705
Yeah, thank you. I'm so sorry if this has been a bit, but, um, review of the existing FlexiLink and Council CAP services, that's been on the agenda and been recommended for various reports now. Is there a date we can expect that to be done by? Shaun Walsh 11:24.134
It's fair to say that we would like to do a review on that, Councillor Wilson, because the, you know, the cost per passenger is quite high. The preliminary reviews indicate the passengers that we actually do capture aren't by other social security bus services, and these communities are fairly reliant on it. It's really getting back to staff capacity. We've got limited staff with a huge operational load. We would like to do that review, but I don't know whether we've got capacity in 26. To date. I note that the report focuses that we can do a review to see where we can expand it to king in '27 / '28. So it's proposed to be integrated into that second year of the movement and connection action plan. Brian Stockwell 12:08.760
Thanks. Any other questions? Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 12:15.755
I've got in front of me some of our Services & Organisation meeting recommendations as far back as 2020/2021 and not a criticism but a lot of the recommendations that we see today are very similar to what we've been advocating year on out for the last six years that I've been in Council. My question is what's new and how are we going in your opinion? Shaun Walsh 12:48.872
So firstly, probably the only nuance of what's new is more the focus. On e-bikes. So this plan is about a wrap up of the existing strategy from 2017 to 2027 and focusing our available resources and efforts on wrapping strategy. So it's not about a new program. We forecast that us to embrace on a new direction, we would need to start preparing a new Transport Strategy because this Transport Strategy is over 10 years old. Say that the transport space is very challenging. And if you note that, you know, three years ago, we actually had vacancy in the transport coordinator role for over 12 months. So us trying Resolve to resource and lead this space, and then staff it, is incredibly challenging against the competition in South East Queensland. And we've regularly advised Council of that. So moving forward, that's why we're trying to seek adoption of the movement connection action plan is about what we can do with what we've got with confidence and focus our available resources with those items listed in the table. Thank you. For Phillips? Jessica Phillips 13:57.828
Lately, I've found out that there's a lot more legislative and non-legislative. And so I've decided I'm going to make some notes around which ones are and aren't. Just quick question. Is this one a legislative requirement to come to Council? Shaun Walsh 14:11.753
It's not a legislative requirement. It's just a strategy. It's a wish list, if you like, for Council to pursue. And this is still a wish list of items that we think we should focus on in the remaining period. Yeah, now, there are operational aspects that we deliver that are constrained by the transport act and the traffic act, you know, when we're doing assessments of road treatments and the like. But that's operational. Brian Stockwell 14:39.553
Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 14:40.473
Just following on from that, perhaps maybe to provide a little bit more information, can you talk us about the Noosa Plan 2020 and how that planning framework speaks to land use, transport access and parking considerations? Shaun Walsh 14:57.893
Yeah, Councillor Finzel, Finzel, I'll probably have to take that on notice and talk the planners more about it, but I think historically you'll find that when this plan was originally, strategy was in 2017, we were in the process of drafting Noosa Plan 2020, so there would have been significant technical review of the number of car parking unit for instance. The strategy and framework plans of Noosa Plan about our road network and our arrangements around that. And I think that's why the report notes that this work is completed because Noosa Plan was adopted in 2020. But what I can do is take on notice to give you more information about what changed in Noosa Plan 2020 as a result of the transfer strategy. Brian Stockwell 15:40.798
Thank you. Happy to move it, Mr Chair. We've got a mover for the motion. Do we have a seconder, Councillor Councillor Finzel, the floor yours. Frank Wilkie 15:51.420
Thank you. The movement and connection action plan is a practical forward-thinking Roadmap that builds on the significant achievements of the Noosa Transport Strategy and positions our community for an even more connected future. This plan recognises that great communities are built around choice, accessibility, safety and connection. It celebrates the success of initiatives already embedded in our community, from Go Noosa holiday transport services and community transport programs, to upgraded accessible bus about 140 of them if I read correctly, expanded pathway networks and active school travel initiatives. These achievements demonstrate our commitment to delivering real outcomes for residents and visitors alike. What makes this plan impressive is its focus on smart, evidence based decision making. Rather than rushing into costly infrastructure projects, it invests in the investigations, planning and community engagement needed to ensure future decisions are strategic, informed and financially responsive. Responsible. The priorities identified are exactly the right ones: safer routes to school, expanded walking and cycling opportunities, improved End of Trip Facilities, corridor investigations, behaviour change programs and a proactive approach to emerging e-mobility challenges. That will help create a more sustainable healthy and accessible Noosa. Importantly the plan looks beyond the immediate horizon. By commencing preparation for the next Noosa Transport Strategy we're ensuring that future generations inherit a transport network that meets the changing community needs and embraces new opportunities. It's a balanced and achievable plan. It strengthens safety, supports active lifestyles, reduces congestion pressures, although we've acknowledged the demand on this network is so high we may never fully get there, improves accessibility and prepares us for the future while remaining grounded in practical delivery. I'd like to thank the staff for working on this program under very difficult circumstances. It's an enormous body of work and we're grateful to you. Brian Stockwell 17:53.300
Thank you. Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 17:56.360
I'd like to quickly speak to this. We know that the residents want movement, connection, traffic looked at and long-term planning going on and I'm of the opinion that we are starving ourselves through the budgetary process and it says right here on the primary risk, relates to internal capacity, particularly in the balance between progressing strategic per job project work and maintaining business as usual services. I would love to see more resources put toward this area where the public has told us that they want this movement. And I wish that wasn't the primary risk right there, the funding. You. Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 18:55.545
Similar to what tom's just said, I'm going to back to the 2017, the actual strategy. And when you read it, it's really clear. Move people, not cars. Prioritise walking, cycling, public transport. Tackle congestion by reducing traffic and not adding more road capacity. That was the promise that we made in 2017. Nine years later, and the question I just asked before, how are we going? And there are genuine wins, and I think the report acknowledges that. In particular, active transport investment's growing. Road safety programs have been reinstated, but taken in a lot of the education programs and really commend those. Staff have worked really hard and we have got presently some excellent staff working in this space. And I want to acknowledge and respect that work. But when I go back to, like I said, in the 2020 recommendation in our Services & Organisation Committee Recommendations, year after we've got pretty much the same sort of recommendations. Priority bus lane was part of the 2017 strategy, End of Trip Facilities, surfboard lockers, which I've been trying to push and ratified, showers, end of facilities. That was all and part of resolutions, past in Council. Very fairy service that was also identified as an opportunity in 2017. And nine years later, it still remains at that opportunity. So my question is, and again, not criticism of staff, back to what Tom said, it's probably a question for us as the elected representatives because I keep coming back, there's something between strategy and delivery that gets stalled, and funding, resourcing, and sometimes just simple as political will. So. Or the opportunity I think we have in front of us, is in terms of the review of the 10-year strategy. And that's possibly where I would love to invite and put some bigger thinking on the table. At the moment what we're doing year after is doing exactly the same thing and expecting a same result in terms of, you know, congestion and traffic issues. So maybe the thinking for the next review is throw that all away and let's put some really big ideas on the table. I've been looking at what works in europe and there are towns in europe that are facing exactly the same challenges we are here. In Noosa, too many cars, not enough. And a precious environment to protect and they've made a deliberate decision to actually change their models entirely and we've some discussion about this over the years but this is something I'd love further workshops and discussion is. It's about transit arrival centres and you know, most of us or some of us have had this experience. I've in waikiki where you arrive at transit centre and there's shuttles and buses and ferries that bring you to high visitation areas like Noosa, Hastings Street. So the question I hope that we post part of the next review is, that radical for Noosa? And I'm not talking a bus stop in a transit centre, I'm talking a proper, transit area because and maybe the answer is it is might be too radical for Noosa, but the question I'm asking is maybe that's exactly the thinking that we're needing because to me, it's more radical to watch Hastings hasty street year after grind to a halt every Christmas while we wait for another investigation to conclude. So again, I'm going to back. To the Noosa River as another big thinking and an opportunity that we really need to put our efforts into. Activate the river as a transport corridor, not investigate it. And again, not impossible ideas. It just takes political will and just, you know, not innovation, but. Bold leadership is probably what I'm saying, just the ability to just sometimes think outside the square and throw out the existing model. So again, I support the plan. Before us today, it's solid, careful work, and again, acknowledge the staff that work in this space. But I wanted us to endorse it with our eyes open and with an honest acknowledgement that sometimes investigation without delivery is not good enough. And with a real commitment that the next Transport Strategy will be different, not more of the same. Thank you. Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 24:21.769
Thank you. Thanks for the report, dawn and your team. I do hope that, well, I would like, I would say I'm going to be proud to be part of a Council that during the operational review in the next 12 months that we may see an opportunity to provide resources to deliver some of these great programs. In my opinion. I hope I never see Council not resourced again to have people on speed management and black spot programs. One of our core responsibilities is our road networks and seeing the long list. I do hope that within the next 12 months I'm part of a Council that has resources and ongoing resources in areas that should just be business as usual. It's great to hear that there are those programs up. And running and I would imagine that there's a bit of a backlog but I do hope that they can catch up and give some recommendations to areas in our Shire that have caused serious. Injuries if not fatalities and so that's something I'm very passionate about making sure we're never under-resourced in delivering those outcomes for our community. Yeah, thank you for the report. Brian Stockwell 25:44.278
Councillor finsaut Finzel. Karen Finzel 25:46.224
Thank you. It was good to get the report. I'm passionate about connectivity, especially in our hinterland communities where there's big gaps between our villages, how we get young people moving so that we can, you know, reduce social isolation and those impacts on our young people. I'd like to thank the staff for bringing this report because I think the separation from the budget thing, economically investing in active transport infrastructure improves access to local businesses, tourism destinations and. Activity settings. We all know, well-connected pathways encourage people to spend more time in our villages, supporting local commerce and enhancing the visitor experience while delivering long-term value to the community. Importantly, these priorities align strongly with feedback we received through council's liveability and placemaking work, where residents consistently identified safer, greener and better-connected communities as a key aspiration for noosa's future. I also believe there is significant value, as I mentioned before, in separating the long-term targets of the movement in place action plan from the annual budget process. Doing so allows Council maintain to a clear strategic direction while retaining flexibility to pursue projects as funding opportunities, partnerships and grants become available. This approach enables us to focus on evidence-based decision-making rather than short-term budget cycles. We've heard around the table today that everyone is keen to look at how we move forward and how we really seriously look at our budget can actively provide provision to move forward on these long-term strategies and things that the community has told us they want. A staged delivery model also creates valuable opportunities for data collection. By monitoring pathway usage, travel behaviour, safety movements, economic activity, community education and participation, Council can build a stronger evidence base to guide future investment decisions. This information of course help refine priorities, demonstrate outcomes, support external funding applications and ensure that future projects deliver the greatest possible benefit to our community. Ultimately the movement in place action plan is not simply about infrastructure. It's about creating healthier communities, protecting our environment, strengthening local economies, and delivering the connected, liveable, and people-focused Noosa that our community has consistently told us it wants for the future. So I thank the staff and community and my co-Councillors around the table that we feel like we've got a collective vision forward to really drill down in the rest of this term too. To strategic look at how we can the community expectations. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 28:49.943
Okay, so this is a good report that it looks back and see what we achieved. I don't think anyone's focused on one that we've done. Some good work in and that's on the off-road pathways. So the report clearly identifies that since the adoption of the council's Walking and Cycling Strategy, capital works program and grand phantom opportunity has invested approximately $7.3 million up until May of this year. And that's seen a lot of missing links. Addressed and also some other projects and that figure doesn't include where there's been increased connect off road connectivity as a result of larger projects, the Director did mention about the gap we had in the transport planning area for year and it in my opinion it did cause delay as it was worth the wait because the team we've got there now as I think all the councils would agree the level of professional acumen that comes to their reports, to their briefings, it really gives you confidence that we are heading in the right direction we've got the right people doing the role of trying to implement our movement strategies to the point where I would say one of the officers around the table walks the talk in fact he writes the talk because he writes to work and commutes which is one thing that not many Noosa people do and one that coming years I would say we would increasingly like to encourage. The Director also mentioned about something new being around e-bikes and in fact I think that the key thing for the future is not just e-bikes it's e-mobility. So while the current news will focus on the issues around teenagers doing what teenagers do with new technology and creating a bit of a stir, there is also a broader move to e-mobility. A not buying a second car and getting an e-bike and taking the e-bike to work down at Hastings Street but more of our community is I had some relatives visiting last week and one of them's moved into actually the business of aged mobility and she said what they're seeing is a lot of people, baby boomers, who are at the point where driving is not an option anymore and they're buying e-mobility and so when we look at the design of our off-road pathways we will have to look at are they not just for walkers people with their dogs on e-bike but also our age e-mobility I know one of my old Masters football teammates when he turned 80 something he got an e-device and he used to come up here and whenever try and run me over but it is something that our community will be uh probably see a significant increase over the next 10 years of the number of aged people who will adopt smaller e-devices to commute to go shopping to get to the doctor and I suppose that's something the investigations over the next two years will help inform when we come to do the next strategy. Councillor Wilkie, would you like to close? Oh, Councillor Wilson, sorry. Thank you. Nicola Wilson 31:56.610
No thanks. Frank Wilkie 31:59.070
Yeah, thank you. Some you um some good comments around the table um you don't have to be on Council very long time to understand the work of local government is never done. There's always more to do. And it's all about prioritising resources. So when it comes to transport, the priority has been on the road network and cycling and walking, to the point where we've got a free loop bus now that's carrying up to 72,000, a record number of 72,000 passengers during the Christmas period alone, which equates to taking 51,000 car trips off the road. It definitely has an impact on congestion. It'd be a lot worse if that mode of transport wasn't available. But despite all that, as the report says, the work is on the jetty investigation. The on-water option is still very much on the table and every Councillor around this table has had ample opportunity to drive that towards completion. We're almost there and that's So we haven't dropped the ball. On the jetty investigation by any means and we look forward to future workshops on that and funding opportunities and also what the next phase is on that again there are challenges in local government faced by all councils across Queensland when it comes to staffing as well and as Deputy Mayor said we've got an excellent transport manager now in form of Dr Stephanie ballon and it is a very hard-working team and they're serving us very well so again commend the staff on this excellent update I'll put the motion those in favour? Brian Stockwell 33:47.710
Councillor Wilson? At that's unanimous we move on to the next item which is the Go Noosa report. Shaun Walsh 33:55.132
Thank you Councillors and we have a short presentation to actually show on the screen which will be also tabled as part of the Minutes to the meeting and I'll just have to step you up and again I just wanted to acknowledge the work Bernadette Goodman who's actually on leave, scheduled at the moment. Report prepares us for the next session. He prepared this report with Stephanie, Damien and I just also want to acknowledge the manager Paul rickert is in the room. I've just got him in the background monitoring traffic arising from the Doonella Bridge closure which I thought was very apt considering it's the go news report. Brian Stockwell 34:29.372
Have fun bringing in new staff members if we can't pick on them. That's up, Shaun Walsh 34:35.312
Stephanie's prepared this presentation with Bernadette so I'll just go through it but you know Go Noosa is about innovating the way we move and this highlights some of the key wins in particular the significant increase in patronage on the 065 Go Noosa loop free bus so which shows that people are increasingly wishing to forms of transport versus using a car which means a lot less cars on the road contributing to congestion. So that represents a 65% $24.25 $70. And a 76% increase with 2019/20. So it's actually seems that it has a high use amongst visitors, sorry, amongst residents rather than visitors. And the survey also indicated 21 of responses using public transport, and 30% expressed interest in using park and ride services in the future, to actually assist their mobility, particularly around those peak periods but heartening it's to hear that the services is servicing residents not just visitors. So we'll go on to the next slide. These are some of the relevant Easter 26 survey findings about strong support for free bus and park ride facilities, Council making decisions in the best interest of the community, such as pedestrian priority areas, reduced vehicle access and permit based access arrangements, road maintenance and conditions, so there's ongoing concerns from the community engagement about our road maintenance and congestion and the need for continued investment in transport infrastructure, planning for future community needs including alternative transport options and also parking demand remained one of the most significant issues identified by residents with pressures on available parking affecting visitor experience and note visitor could be a resident as well as a visitor from elsewhere in Australia or overseas. And actually tackling that issue head-on. We note that Council has kindly increased the transport levy in this year's budget and that's very welcome to actually focus on investment and when you look at the report the focus on additional investment is actually on the school programs more than anything. We know that our congestion on a daily basis outside peak periods is around our schools particularly Cooroy, Noosaville on Beckmans Road, Good Shepherd on Eumundi-Noosa Road as well as the schools of Ben Lexcen Drive at Sunshine Beach and the more we actually focus on getting students out of their parents cars more alternative transport modes will actually free up congestion on a daily basis and we see that at the moment on school holidays where Beckmans Road generally travels really well whereas during school holidays we have sorry during school we have significant congestion. So just want to note that the major focus of that new transport levy budget is on the day-to residents and their movement around the Shire we're focusing on school programs. The next slide. And that outlines the key focus on school travel behaviour change program safety education awareness which is also about use of shared paths from all the different people walking and cycling on those. Safe and active transport to school program and then further investigation into park and ride. Next slide. Now we know that a key part of the report which will be of interest to Councillors is the use of Noosa Heads Lions Park for overflow parking which is a legacy arrangement that's been going on for some time with up to 250 cars parked in that space. The report recommends we don't continue that arrangement on the basis that it's contributing to congestion and may be seen as being contrary to the use of the land for reserve park status and the like. And I suppose the key point in the video is about the congestion. If you could bring that link up. So this is a 3D visualisation of what's happening from our traffic consultants. And what's happening now, and this is the entry into the Lions Park on Noosa Parade. And you can see the bus there going into the bus station, the pedestrian crossing and stop. Vehicles to the left heading to Hastings Street. But what seems to be happening from the modelling is it's the queuing actually trying to get into a car park at the Noosa Heads Lions Park overflow which is now causing some of the most significant congestion in that precinct. And the report just notes that we put all this effort into managing the arrangements around the overflow precinct to Noosa Heads Lions Park, which has a capacity of 250. But the report also notes that we've got significant underutilisation of our satellite car parks and other locations in the Shire. And with our limited resources, the report just notes that we would prefer to actually put that same amount of effort into really making our satellite parking work, such as the AFL grounds and other locations in the Shire, to actually free up the congestion in this location. We also note that the vast majority of users in this headlines park are also there for a long term, so they're actually there who are ideal candidates. Park in Noosaville or Tewantin and get a bus into the area rather than a short-term visitor. Now, we know that this will be subject significant Council interest. And also just want to acknowledge the community contribution of the Lions Club. And the way that they distribute their funds to the community. And that's also acknowledged in the report. And we have a very good working relationship with the Lions Club as we work through management of that space. So I'm sure this topic will have significant interest in discussion with Council. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 40:40.931
Do we have any questions of the Director? Amelia Lorentson 40:48.571
I might just take the band aid off and start with an amendment. We haven't got a motion as I'll move the motions. Brian Stockwell 40:57.716
And move Councillor Wilkie, a seconder, Councillor Finzel, Wilkie, you have the floor. Great. Frank Wilkie 41:06.056
Look, there's been some great comments around this table about leadership. Not doing business as usual, not just supporting the status quo when there are better methods ahead of us, and always making evidence-based decisions in the best long-term interests of our community. And today we get to do that again. So today's decision is not really about a temporary car park. It's about fairness, equity, access, future, and our responsibility to make evidence-based decisions in the best long-term interests of the Noosa Shire. It's about moving people, not cars, as we just heard before. We faced exactly the same fears before, Councillors. We made the decision to honour our commitment to discontinue parking in the Lions Park on long weekends and school holidays once COVID ended in the face of many objections, the same objections, and the results after we did that, honoured our commitment, have been positive. Temporary parking was there to encourage day drive visitors, which it did successfully during COVID. That was over now, so despite warnings it would kill prosperity and no one would visit, removing car parking in Lions Park did not reduce numbers of people visiting, but it actually reduced congestion at a couple of roundabouts, returned a green space to families, the number of people visiting did not drop more and are getting there by alternate means and demand to visit is so strong now when people drive down Noosaville during school holidays and long weekends instead of a sea of cars parked side-by in Lions Park they see families playing in open it's a much more relaxing site which adds enormously towards making Noosa a more enjoyable experience for everyone and did people stop coming? No. Evidence, experience and observations suggest there many people as ever perhaps even more in Noosa during school holidays and long weekends while respecting our rare parklands. Imagine that all year round. That's what we're being asked to do today Councillors. The evidence before us is compelling. The transport modelling which we've just seen, that Lions Park overflow does not solve. It adds to congestion, something we're all dedicated to reducing. It shows that Lions Park is not needed as car parking to enable what seems like record numbers of people accessing Main Beach. Remembering, cars do not go to the beach, buy ice creams, visit shops and go to restaurants. People do. This is about valuing people over cars, about freedom of choice to drive and park, using the hundreds of appropriately marked on-road car parks, or catch a bus, cycle or walk. It's about choice. Evidence also tells us that overflow parking reduces community access to valuable open space during the busiest periods of the year when its demand is at its highest and that the operation of the temporary car park comes with ongoing maintenance, operational and governance costs. For many years the temporary use of Lions Park as overflow parking has delivered positive funding fundraising outcomes for one very worthy organisation. The Tewantin Noosa Lyons club should be recognised and thanks for its extraordinary contribution to our community. However, we must also acknowledge simple question of equity. Noosa is home to hundreds of sporting, cultural, and community organisations that could do a lot of good, community good with such funds also. The report proposes a fairer and more transparent approach where charitable and organisations can participate through open procurement and Expression of Interest processes, creating opportunities for many groups rather than just one, and providing perhaps recreational activities better suited to this parkland. As Councillors, we have also faced similar decisions before. We've already supported the temporary removal of car parking at Main Beach during peak holiday periods and long weekends, replacing it with a managed drop-off zone focused on safety, accessibility and improved traffic flow. There's less congestion at the Hastings Street roundabout as a result and greater access for more people in that precinct. The report notes the growing use of the facility, improved operational outcomes, increased disability access and better visitor management. The feared negative consequences simply did not occur. Our duty as Councillors is not to make decisions based on anecdotes, sentimental fear of change. Our duty is to make fact-based, evidence-driven decisions that best long-term interests of the entire Shire and I've heard that said by many Councillors so I wholeheartedly agree. So let us be guided by the evidence and past experience. Let's be fair to all community organisations. Let us protect public space for public use. Let's reduce congestion, value people over cars, support the long-term prosperity of Noosa businesses by preserving the quality of the Noosa experience, protect parts for recreation and let's have the courage to make a decision that future generations will thank us for and Noosa certainly deserves that future. Jessica Phillips 46:08.425
Thank can I have a few questions please? Start with Sean, I thank you for responding to my emails as well but I think just for community watching or I might just rehash some of those. Could we talk about the survey results and just unpack sort of what specific information that you got from the surveys? Shaun Walsh 46:32.430
Sector do refer reference and you have to assist me Councillor because I don't have Stephanie Jessica Phillips 46:36.330
Here so. For the Lions Park we there was a 237 going back and forth around the 237 survey people and I asked whether the interpretation around whether resident, visitor and how that was established Shaun Walsh 46:55.779
Yeah so basically Damien might be able to assist me with this there was um face-to surveys at key locations such as um at the bus stops on the street in the car park and it is a sample we fully respect that and that indicated a higher prevalence of day visitors so in the precinct on those particular survey dates Jessica Phillips 47:16.662
Okay um a couple more questions um after the mayor's um talking to it with the open procurement consideration was that ever considered that it would just go out to a procurement if there's a conversation about equity um was it reported to us that we could consider going out to community and seeing what other volunteer groups would be um considered Shaun Walsh 47:45.635
Yeah so my understanding in terms of the procurement of existing arrangements array the existing arrangements it's actually covered under specialist procurement arrangements which is presented to Council on an annual basis so our Council is meeting as procurement obligations under the act but you do sign off that and I'm happy for the procurement team and the relevant Director to provide any further information in that regard but that's my understanding but Council always has an opportunity to go broader and to actually achieve the fairest and most transparent way possible so that's why we're sort of recommending a pivot point to actually to accept those specialist arrangements with the Lions Club but put it out to other community groups who may have a similar interest in the arrangements Jessica Phillips 48:31.581
Okay sorry um one more question and I'll think about next one was just on page 12 um there's the recommendations for the 15-minute drop-off parking trial um which is along there's parade um could you talk me through that there's recommendations for not having the Lions Club car park but there's also car parks being lost here at Noosa Parade for the drop-off zone um I guess back to the mayor's point like there's plenty of parking but there's also consideration this report to taking away more parking Shaun Walsh 49:16.274
Yeah um so firstly um the idea of this and noting that we've been testing and trialing every year some different arrangements and seeing what's worked so we've had great success with some uh and some are lessons to be learned for next time so um so again we're wanting to continue that journey um it's about providing facility so that people who want to drop someone off and those people might be able to walk you know walk up to the beach they actually don't have to drive down to Hastings Street they actually be dropped off here and I can actually relate that I actually regularly drop people off here regularly but um unlawfully double park while I do it because I don't actually need the time I want the time to drop people off so um and I'll probably get a fine from the local laws as a consequence but um so it's about responding to where people would actually like to drop off and pick people up now um we'd have to monitor the traffic arrangements around this if Council did decide to proceed with the overflowed car park in this location we'd need to re-evaluate the efficacy of this drop-off zone because I get the point I that if we're operating and it's adding to congestion then this might also contribute to it as well and noting that it's recommended for further assessment. Jessica Phillips 50:29.897
Okay, my question was around just back to the procurement part. E in the report says do not proceed with ongoing use of the Noosa Lions Park for overflow parking for reasons outlined. In the report um but a recommendation that we would go back out to procurement through this report. Shaun Walsh 50:51.678
So the report says that staff will investigate alternative charitable arrangements for other locations around the Shire that support the Go Noosa Program and draft the appropriate procurement arrangements in accordance with Council policies and seek, you know, the relevant Expression of Interest for those alternative ones. So if Council wish to proceed with a procurement process for overflow on the Noosa Headlands part, that would require an amendment to one of those resolutions. Amelia Lorentson 51:20.808
Cancellation. Councillor Lorentson. Just some further questions. The report references legislative and policy context of the Land Act and that Lions Park is public land held in trust for parks and recreational purposes. So the report also so report that use for overflow car parking may be considered acceptable but would require an approved management plan. My question is in reference to that, the words "would require" mean that it hasn't been confirmed with the department that you would have to go back to the department and confirm. Shaun Walsh 52:10.701
So we have had discussions with the department and their view is that would recommend that we prepare a land management plan and I note the Council similarly has under the Land Act for the Noosaville Foreshore. Now that land management act, land management plan predated infrastructure plan and it's under that allows us to have commercial activity on the Noosaville Foreshore and it really clarifies you know how we use the space and it also went through a community consultation process so it's a fairly formal process that takes a long period of time so there is a you know a mechanical process for us to pursue an alternative use of the park but as trustee we're obliged to follow the terms of the land management act and you know I think staff fear that what's you know it's an occasional you know peripheral thing has now become embedded and ongoing and I think it's time to really think seriously about what our obligations are as trustee under the land management act and the management of the reserve for its dedicated purpose which is park. We also note that the park already contains within the park reserve 130 car parking spaces so we've more than amply providing sufficient car parking for the adjacent park which also provides um valuable precinct as well so Amelia Lorentson 53:29.008
Um can I just follow up question so in terms of the overflow parking given that the site's already been operating for many years 21 I think as overflow parking in peak periods under the existing trust arrangement does that already establish that temporary peak use is already considered acceptable and have we written to again the department to ask whether we actually would require an approved management plan that given Shaun Walsh 54:07.590
Mechanism for the officers to respond to the actual query is for us to prepare a land management plan so they will not provide from discussions we haven't formally written to them but from discussions they've indicated way to respond to this issue is actually prepare land manager plan that's what the act mechanisms have been set up for. Now Council is part of its decision of course on the contents of the land management plan could of course consider the historical you know use of overflow parking at the site and the community expectations but it hasn't been tested under the relevant instrument. Amelia Lorentson 54:40.690
So would that require a letter then to department or again I'm just trying to understand is it necessary to actually go through an approved management plan? Is it just simpler to write to the department and ask does existing historic approval establish that overflow parking is an acceptable use? Shaun Walsh 55:03.615
So from officers verbal advice uh if we did write a letter they would actually write back to us and say the mechanism for you to actually explore this further is preparing a land management plan under the land management so I would be happy to prepare a letter but I'm being also predictive of what the response we would get from the officers. Brian Stockwell 55:26.233
Captain O 'Loughlin, is this Councillor Nicola, got a question? Nicola Wilson 55:33.047
Yes please, it's in relation to part F of the recommendation that staff will investigate alternative charitable arrangements. What we would envisage, those though, as arrangements. To be and just thinking about the constraints on resources that's where the sustainable transport team should be spending their time or where yeah just how we think this would play out we're not using the lion's park anymore this is a strategy about moving people should it be focused on investigating alternative charitable arrangements yeah Shaun Walsh 56:07.031
Thank you Council for the question one that springs to mind we actually pay staff overtime rates to actually attend the roundabout on Hastings Street and also the Main Beach drop-off zone now over time the last few years we've changed those arrangements from control service to a concierge service where we're actually assisting people to actually move around the precinct to get out of the car direct them to right place to cross on the roundabout and the lot and so there's not a need for a technical skill set there's community-based you know communication set and we think that one service that that's a group a charitable group such as the Tewantin twentiness Lions Club could fulfil really well under briefing and that would actually free up or you know basically we would need to be a funding source for that but rather than actually using staff we'd actually be using a charitable group to provide that service. So we'd also look at arrangements about how we set up the satellite parking. Now needs to be free at other locations to encourage people to get on the bus but the way people arrive at that site, greeting them, to get onto the bus you know giving them directions there's also another service that we could conceivably also pay charitable group to do for us there's also ability to actually expand the satellite parking to other locations at the moment we pay a fee to the AFL grounds for use of that and that model could be explored for other sporting grounds around the Shire as well so by dispersing the model and putting effort into those other locations we think we can come up with a pitch there's also some discussion and this would need to be further engaged with hasten shoot association and other traders about whether we contribute to sort of the atmosphere the Main Beach drop-off zone with some additional you know catering offer or some additional services but we need to explore that further. Nicola Wilson 57:59.994
Thank you. That's your question. Can I have a follow-up on that please? Sure. That basis does that mean that payments to those charities would come from ratepayer funds rather than a visitor contribution that there's currently? Shaun Walsh 58:16.280
At the moment the staff are paid from the Go Noosa Program which is funded by the transport levy so we would suggest that those funds would be re-diverted to actually pay charitable organisation to undertake the same service. Does that answer the question Councillor Wilson? Jessica Phillips 58:34.805
Yes thanks. Phillips. You. Just in relation to that follow-up, with the recommendation to expand or look at expanding the satellite parking, was it considered that potentially that would be better to do before the reduction or not? Proceeding with the lions' cup up. Shaun Walsh 58:55.754
It really gets back about to available resources within our team, Councillor. The Lions Club are great to deal with, as any charitable organisation is, and we're really proud of that relationship, but it takes a lot of effort. And if we're able to actually deploy that same officer and into other locations, then that would actually give different outcome. So it's about being realistic with what resources we've got. And also, if you're actually not using the overflow parking at Noosa Heads Lions Park, then the only other alternative is these other satellites, and really promoting the use of the buses to actually get into Hastings Street. And, you know, as part of that, there'd also be you know, envisage a good communication. Program for Hastings Street and all their traders about encouraging all of their visitors and patrons to actually use the satellite parking and the bus services available. So it would be a different mindset about how we approach it. And at the moment, we're providing 250 additional car parking spaces. Imagine we're able to provide 2,000 and satellite parking. So that's responding to, you know, need, you know, to actually to encourage, you know, visitation for businesses. So it is a different mindset and it's about using available resources to try to shift towards that goal. Jessica Phillips 01:00:13.118
Just one last question then on that. Where does Hayes institute association currently sit with the recommendation? Shaun Walsh 01:00:20.158
So as a courtesy, we reached out to all our stakeholders, such as the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, the Hayes institute association and other stakeholders to advise them of report and noted that, you know, of course, they would make their own representations to Councillors on the thing. So I can't speak for the Hayes institute association, but I can say that we have transparently shared with them the report recommendations. Amelia Lorentson 01:00:43.596
I actually thought the report, and I'll try to find the page, actually references Hastings Street Association and their position. And my understanding is they supported the overflow or but Hastings Street and I'll just try to find it. So Councillor are you talking to the motion now? Oh yes, just asking local business support in Hastings Street. The report actually states once Brian Stockwell 01:01:10.119
Again, question, you appear to be countering a response to the staff question. Amelia Lorentson 01:01:14.739
So my question is, there reference in the report to Hastings Street Association position? My understanding from reading the report is there is. Shaun Walsh 01:01:23.676
So Hastings Street Association are in support of the overflow parking at Lions Park. The question I was responding to from Councillor Phillips is about whether Hastings Street is an association that's in support of creation of satellite parking in other locations. So that's what I thought Thank you very much. Amelia Lorentson 01:01:37.194
Councillor Lorentson? In terms of cost, what is the cost to Council of operating Lions Park overflow compared with cost and timeframe of delivering, say, equivalent additional car parking capacity through the park and ride, for example? Shaun Walsh 01:01:57.883
I have to take that question on notice, Councillor. So we have one resource, you know and over that period of that Christmas /New year, in the lead up to it, for about two months, they're full time almost working on setting up the Lions Park. So if we think about diverting that resource to other locations, that gives you an indication. Of the amount of effort and time just taken from one site. Amelia Lorentson 01:02:23.214
Question, just in terms of Tourism Noosa, given that their new role is an evolution into management, destination have they provided their position? To counsel Council on the decision to close the overflow car parking? Not that I'm aware of, Councillor. I'm happy to move an amendment. Thank you. Very much. That item E be amended to read: approve the continued use of Lions Park as overflow paid parking during 2026-27 Christmas and new year period. The Tewantin Noosa Lions Club with the club to invite and coordinate volunteer involvement from other interested community groups in operating the parking. Any future use Lions Park for overflow parking will be subject to separate consideration and approval by Council. Do we have a seconder? Cancel Councillor Phillips. Lawrence. Okay, so amendment in front of us is simply about balance to me supporting this amendment is the balanced choice. Ending the arrangement outright is in my opinion not a balanced choice. It's going to hurt the people that we represent, our residents, kids and the small businesses that employ them and keep this town running. Tourism only works for Noosa if our residents share in the benefit. This amendment puts our local businesses, our workers and residents at the centre of the decision. What is being asked for in this amendment is really, really modest. We're asking for weeks a year, 21 days. I think I calculated that it's less than 6%. And it's a request that's been made on a needs basis. So again, days year, not 365 and not even every day of that period either. This argument comes up every year. But this time, I think it's important that we understand that the context is a little bit different. Local businesses are genuinely struggling. And I have emails from local business owners in Hastings Street, they're bleeding money. And it's one thing hitting them. We've also got to put in context what else is happening around Noosa at the moment. It's the Doonella Bridge works. It's the new e-bike laws that are keeping kids off their bikes. It's the future development of the surf club. Seawall development. All that's going to be landing on Hastings Street. To and we have understand that in context of the amendment in front of us. Business association represents, and I don't have that number, but I'll find that out before the ordinary meetings, but thousands of workers, our residents, kids, and they're asking us for help. The alternatives are not working. Or at least not yet. I love data also, and data was mentioned by the Mayor just recently. Love data. So the data in the report says 54 of visitors still only 21.9% use public transport. The park and ride sits below 10 capacity, and it has done so for years and despite being part of our Transport Strategy for some time now. If people still aren't using it after all this time, maybe the answer isn't to take away an option that people are actually using. Maybe it's to ask whether park and ride is in the right place or frequent enough, and whether another site should be looked at. And it's the families with surfboards, PRAM. Beach gear, and residents prams, and visitors with mobility impairments or wheelchairs who feel this the most. For them, park and ride and shuttles are not yet, a real substitute. The community benefit is and it's real and it's direct. Every dollar raised at the Lions Park is Tewantin run by the Tewantin Noosa Lions club, a not-for-profit. It's been lines for 21 years. Every cent they make goes straight back into this community, not to a private operator. It costs Council, from my recollection, nothing. That I don't believe we have ever lost money on it. And in most years, it's modest profit. And we've been here before, twice. 19th of March 2026 and 21st of August in 2025. Council held off on a final decision on Lions Park, pending further consultation, rather than cutting it off outright. This amendment continues that same approach. It doesn't reverse it. This recommendation is also consistent with those previous resolutions, it continues a measured considered approach rather than departing from it. And locals, we get to hear about this big open space that locals are going to use. Locals barely get to use the line park as a green space at Christmas. The kids' playground, that gets used a lot, but the green space doesn't. It's too busy and access is too hard. So what we gain by closing it now is limited. What we lose is immediate and real. The call to shut down the overflow car parking is also made on thin evidence. A handful of weekends, 237 survey responses with the report itself noting that the sample specifically about Lions Park is even smaller than that. Councillor, you've exceeded your five minutes. Would you like to continue or are you about to wrap up? Um, I'm, can, I ask for just a few more minutes through the chat, just a little bit of leaning seat. So back to a handful of weekends, 230 survey responses with a report noting that the sample specifically about Lions Park is even smaller than that. Again that's not enough to justify locking in a decision this permanent. This is a decision with winners and losers and I think you know if we're going to shut down the overflow car parking we should be really clear about who they are before locking one in. Removing Lions Park might ease some pressure on the surrounding roads. It also takes away parking that local businesses, residents, visitors and the Lyons club currently rely on. Before we make that trade we should understand its full cost to small businesses already under cost of living pressure to the charitable funding the Lyons club provides and to the residents and visitors who use this car park to support those businesses. A broader more direct conversation with the people most affected would give Council real confidence that the change one and would help identify whether a middle ground approach shorter for removal, again 21 days out of 365 days, better balances transport outcomes with community and business needs. Council should also be clear about what the community and stakeholder consultation on this question will always produce. We've been down this road year after The result's always the same. It's a divided result. Visitors who choose to pay for parking, local businesses who depend on the foot traffic it generates, the line clubs and other community groups who direct every dollar back. Into the community, residents who surf and drive with families and beach gears and those in our community who face mobility challenges, including people with wheelchairs, they will always support the overflow. Others will always oppose it. Consultation alone is never going to Resolve this issue. It will always return split decision. What resolves this is a viable alternative that is actually ready, accessible and actually being used. Until that alternative exists and is demonstrably absorbing this demand, removing Lions Park does not solve the transport problem. It creates a community and business one. The responsible path is to maintain the current arrangement, 21 days out of 365 days while that alternative is I won't be much longer while the alternative is properly developed and tested not to remove what is working before what replaces actually working um I'm going to just quickly go a bit of history to want a new salon Noosa Lions Club Brian Stockwell 01:11:43.192
I think we've got eight minutes now Councillor I think that's Amelia Lorentson 01:11:46.532
Okay um so again question is if we stop this today what's the alternative um not the one we've already tried know is sitting at under 10 capacity, a tool. A real viable alternative is needed um to absorb this demand for Christmas um if no one at the table can answer the question today um again I think the responsible approach is the balanced approach which is 21 out of 365 days to help support our local businesses, residents and families. Frank Wilkie 01:12:21.400
Mr Chair. Look I'd like to speak against the amendment there was some pretty in my view uh claim. Interesting made that there is no alternative available the alternative as clearly articulated in the report is the uh the loop bus which wasn't available in the past when the Tewantin Noosa Lions park was the right be for this to use it as temporary car parking 21 years ago it's almost a quarter of a century ago times have changed things have evolved people are voting with their feet Mr Chair they're pouring onto these buses in record numbers to get down there and again as we heard in the previous item we support moving people not cars the argument we just heard is all about moving cars not people get down there by alternative means the we also just heard that this decision will hurt residents kids and businesses Councillors we've done this we heard the same arguments once before when we removed car parking from the Lions Park after COVID we heard exactly the same we arguments. Residents weren't hurt kids were not hurt businesses these are fear-based anecdotes that have no basis whatsoever that fly in the face of the data what we did experience after removing car parking from Lions Park was when visitors and residents drive down to that Hastings Street precinct instead of seeing a sea of cars on their left they see green open space and people enjoying themselves they see less congestion down there they it resulted in a better experience for residents and visitors when attended the precinct and what does that mean a better quality of experience is not it doesn't not dissuade visitors from coming what dissuades is traffic congestion how many times you heard people saying we're never going back there it's too when you remove congestion crowded return open space you make it a more enjoyable experience for visitors and residents and therefore a more prosperous future for our businesses everyone wins Councillor also said residents don't use the Lions Park as green space at Christmas that is absolutely true and the reason why is because it is full of cars when it is not during school holidays and long weekends, then do see it used by families kicking footballs soccer balls having barbecues used as it should the alternatives are there and we should be careful to confuse not to confuse today's convenience with tomorrow's vision look we also we're not taking away the choice for people to drive down there families mums children dads people on mobility divide wheelchair are catching the buses the free buses they're also driving down it's not a binary choice here it's not you either catch the bus or nothing you can still choose to drive down there and use one of the many of the hundreds of on-road properly designated car parks that are on the road network or use the drop-off zones which increases access for everyone and remember it is we're talking about increasing access for people cars the benefit in terms of 240 car parks don't make that much of a difference in terms of the network but they do congest the network we've seen the traffic modelling we've also heard lot of talk about database decisions recommendation to remove car parking is based on data and it's based on experience it improves the experience for everyone helps support businesses long-term prosperity of the precinct and it's the right thing to do Councillors and as you say we're not here just to support the status quo whether a viable alternative is available warm chairs or not make difficult decisions and in fact we've done it before Councillors. Businesses, residents weren't hurt, children certainly weren't hurt, businesses and it was an improved experience for everyone so let's be this we often hear about bold leadership we're being asked to do that today Councillors let's give it a try and see what happens we've done it before and the sky didn't fall in now it's the time please be bold Councillors. Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 01:17:17.345
Thank you I just realised what happens at the table is we focus on the two percent of things that we don't agree on and we argue about the instead of looking at what we actually probably all agree at the table with and that is if we look at the report and all the information there's probably a fair bit that we can all sit around and agree on. But then we talked about the movement and connection report and said they needed resources to deliver those outcomes but then in budget we don't approve the resource Brian Stockwell 01:17:50.010
We just we have an amendment you need to focus on the amendment I'm Jessica Phillips 01:17:54.930
Just painting the picture as to why I get frustrated in this position where I've heard now times where Councillors could have pushed for the ferry when that hasn't come to us like we're putting the cart before the horse point of order Mr chairman relevance I'll get to my relevance Brian Stockwell 01:18:12.169
You are straying quite a long way from the amendment so it's about the change to overflow car parking in the Tewantin Noosa Lions Jessica Phillips 01:18:19.769
Okay well my point is we can probably all agree that eventually the park needs to be a green space I don't think anyone would disagree with that but we still haven't got enough for the community to see actually this through yet we haven't got we've heard it the satellite parking explored the options for that ferry enough to actually deliver it we don't have the one-way bus lane only so we're putting restrictions on something before we've got an outcome and that's why we end up losing our community if this is what we eventually want to do that should do all the things first we're not ready for this like I just I'll support the amendment because we do not have the ability to turn around to business owners yet and say here is our solution we are going to do this um here's the solution for the Lions Club this is how you're going to get your volunteers money we've got all these other alternates for you we haven't done that work to actually agree to take it away yet we're saying oh let's then we'll do all this work it just it makes no sense to me I feel like we should be really clear with the business community that come to us have a business round table and actually say right in two years time this is our decision at we're going to do this what are we to achieve it together but this approach where we say oh we're taking away without the broader picture and all of the other alternative measures to actually deliver to it we end up losing trust with our community because we push something that's not ready yet there will be a day where I hope that's green space I'll be very very clear from today so it never looks like I'm just going to keep pushing cars because this approach has to happen but we have a Council we've heard there's no resource there's not enough resources funding let's provide the operational staff the resources to deliver satellite parking more bus loops do all that the ferry let's proceed with that let's do all the work deliver that to the community and go this is what we did of this now we're taking the lines park away because we can demonstrate all of the alternative things that we have gone and done so I will continue to support this because I feel that we have not done the to this position and a plan and a strategy and every other piece of paper that says this is what we're going to do is just not enough thank you. Brian Stockwell 01:21:23.072
Okay, let's wait talk. Karen Finzel 01:21:24.410
Yeah, I have a question coming back to Councillor Lorentson's point about the State land management plan. I'm just wondering, was a undertaken back in the day when the decision was undertaken to make this a overflow parking on open space land or, you know, how did we arrive here guess when we're talking about balance and legacy, I know we've had letters sent to us and we liaise with the letters when I came into Council 2020, there was that, you know, it came to us we paused it because of COVID. Where actually have we addressed that gap in this, the land management plan act? And I guess, to help inform this decision, I mean, we're talking about money, staff capability, times. Brian Stockwell 01:22:26.486
We can just do that one question. I think the first question you asked was at the time of instigating this, Councillor Lorentson said 21 years ago, was manager there a land management plan done? Karen Finzel 01:22:36.311
Yeah, how did we arrive here? Shaun Walsh 01:22:37.631
Not to our understanding, Councillor. No, there's no land management plan in place over that trusting land. Karen Finzel 01:22:43.711
Okay, so how has that been managed for all these years? Shaun Walsh 01:22:52.336
We've raised the same issue in the Council reports since I've been here, and Council have resolved to proceed with the status quo rather than undertake the land management. Brian Stockwell 01:23:03.736
If I can add to that, we did, I think it's a letter you're referring to, got a letter clearly stating that was contrary to the act, and we. Stage had to apply to the minister for special approval, which I think we did on two or three occasions. The act has now changed where it comes back to Council requiring us to do the land management plan. Karen Finzel 01:23:25.001
Okay so I guess for me to when we talk about then data and you know following process and what we've got to do to inform our decision-making I guess we are. Have know well if the State says they prefer we have the land management plan undertaken my cost to the CEO Through the Chair is then what are the dollars to this and how long is that going to take? Larry Sengstock 01:24:00.165
I'd have to take that on notice. Sorry, Councillor. I don't know the cost. I imagine it's a roundabout process and I don't have an answer Karen Finzel 01:24:08.610
Sorry, through the whole of Council no one today could answer me roundabout cost. You've asked me, Councillor. Sorry, my apologies. Through the Chair. Shaun Walsh 01:24:16.490
The director's put his hand up to give a response in some form. Councillor has a benchmark, which is the land management plan for the Noosa kewal foreshore, which was prepared before my time. So it's a separate plan, the infrastructure master plan that was prepared by our property section. I understand that process was in excess of 12 to 18 months because it did community engagement. I'm unsure of the actual fee, but there were consultants involved and a significant community engagement program. Richard MacGillivray 01:24:44.141
The Director of the property is here. Happy to chime in and assist. So the role of the land management plan is essentially up to Council in essentially terms of how much detail is with involved and whether or not Council wants to take public consultation as part of that process. Essentially the plan is really outlining how Council is maintaining the intent of the designation which is for parking recreation and that it must demonstrate it does not diminish the primary use of that land. Council has flexibility of how it demonstrates those benefits to not diminish but it needs to satisfy itself and obviously the community that undertakes and benefits from that designation as well. So it can have flexibility in terms of the level and degree of information the consultation Council wants to undertake to inform itself and satisfy itself under as required under the Land Act to undertake that process and ensure it's got a robust mechanism and certainty around how that use is going to be established and maintained. Brian Stockwell 01:25:51.595
Thank you Councillor Wegener you want to talk to the motion? Tom Wegener 01:25:58.775
No alternative to the Lions Park well that's not my experience I take the loop lesson to be honest I wouldn't dream of trying to drive down there in front of the Lions Park during congestion periods because it's just not worth it my only concern is with the loot buses is there gonna be enough loot buses because I found them already to be very busy and residents are increasingly driving it I've taken the new bus there are obviously there's a need to educate visitors because they're not taking the loop bus so that's our issue is to keep is there to get more visitors on that loop bus and what my other worry is that the congestion you know the loot be a lot more efficient if there wasn't all that congestion there by Lions Park in the first place is what the loop bus is working and driving it's a reinforcing loop to less congestion more loop bus that's what I'm all about that's my experience and as far as some people say well you know you wouldn't be able to take your surfboard on the loop bus well I'm not about to hop with my surfboard during congested time anyways if I'm gonna go surfing I need to get there at 4:30 in the morning like every other good surfer does I'm totally in support of the loop bus and we don't need the Lions Park that's a green space and I'm sure that during Christmas eventually there'll be wonderful little festivals there as are other times of the year during the peak season Brian Stockwell 01:27:29.823
Anyone else? I'll talk to the motion. We're in a bit of a catch-22 it seems. The catch-22 is we know where we want to be, we know that one of the disincentives for more people to park and ride is congestion the staff recommendation the is that the current arrangements for the overflow parking in Noosa Lions Park is adding to congestion so it's taking us further away from our goal so that's the decision if you support this amendment you're supporting a decision that takes us further away rather than one step towards the goal and there's been a number of suggestions as to we're not ready so Councillors we're in the we have had briefings on the parking management plan now yes it's always an issue when car parking comes up that the businesses have concerns about the potential impact on their trade and the advice over and again not just from our own staff from others in the Australian parking association is it's not the number of car parks it's the cars being cycled through the car parks so the parking management plan is about how do we get more turnover in the street parking and the Woods parking and that's what leads to increased footfall increases the trade for businesses and if you look at the data in this report you'll see that actually 183 of the vehicles stay for three hours or longer, whereas only 87 are two hours and less and we know that the economics is getting that turnover every two hours so it the data shows us that the majority of the people using the overflow parking are the ideal candidates for park and ride that you move the ones that want to stay longer to the satellites and we have had other locations investigated but way back to the 2016-2020 Council it wasn't just the AFL grounds it was around the Sunshine Beach primary school and the bicentennial centre there's a range of different other, you know, car parks that with an increase in the park and ride facility could be activated by the next Christmas holidays with no problems it wouldn't take a great deal of energy to do that we also look at the need for why there isn't a great uptake of AFL and one of the things we found is that the loop bus is quite a long route and there's a whole lot of diffuse parking around that loop. So just because you're not using the park-and-ride facility doesn't mean you're not parking somewhere and catching that loop bus okay you'll probably can't park it somewhere where it's the most reasonable for you where you're coming from and I think one of the issues is we have to take the next step to progressively reduce congestion progressively move to a people-centric focus and there was one suggestion that we make during those really peak Christmas and Easter time is we treat Hastings Street as if it's having an event just like the buses coming in to it for it to help us participate we treat that event and can you imagine that instead of coming down into the Hastings Street precinct and seeing 250 car parks in a green space you see a whole lot of activities, that you see increase in shade there so that people can come off the beach during the hottest part and have picnics with their kids that you can have a whole lot of different activities both permanent and temporary that's activated brings place alive rather than just a station with cars parked to me that's where we're heading is we teach that and finally I think in terms of making brave decisions I was around when we stopped camping at the end of Hastings Street it was hugely controversial we stopped the Noosa Woods car park and we had street marches remember we had people camping in for weeks and now we think about how that's space is such a benefit to our local community and that was a brave decision it was about saying yes that caravan park played a really important role in the past but now looking to the future this space has to be taken over so it's people focused so it's there for residents so that everyone gets to benefit I know my kids were there all time and this that's the analogy I make is that brave decisions to return green to the community it had in the past resulted in the great outcomes that we see in the Woods. Can I ask a question? Frank Wilkie 01:32:26.986
You can. Councillor Wilson has had a hand Brian Stockwell 01:32:28.906
Up. Sure. Councillor Wilson, yours is the questioner who wishes to talk to Nicola Wilson 01:32:34.372
I was going to talk to the motioner, to the amendment. It's been interesting hearing the debate today because I agree with lots of what has been said on both sides. On some level I think we've been kicking the can down the road for some time on the Lions Park decision. We keep kind of deferring it to the next year to get more data or information or community consultation and I'm not sure that really happened yet the community consultation part however I do agree that this park parking does impact congestion it increase congestion so I can see the reasoning for that ironically staff recommendation is to take away our only paid parking so that's interesting in the broader discussion around that but I agree that the alternatives maybe just aren't at the level that we need them to be yet I don't think we've done enough of a feasibility study to work out if we will impact businesses think we can say that businesses won't be hurt got any evidence of that at all and we are hearing from business owners and business associations asking us to keep this park open over that peak period because they really really need that income and this maybe isn't the right year to experiment before we've got a full plan in place we've got the parking management plan coming to us soon I hope and this should be considered as that parking management plan Jessica Phillips 01:33:55.580
I don't think we should be making decisions on individual parking facilities without having that parking management plan in place and full consultation with our business owners and community. Brian Stockwell 01:34:05.800
Thank you Councillor Phillips you had a question? Jessica Phillips 01:34:07.960
Oh it was good thank you Councillor Wilson because my question was around to staff when would see the car park management plan come to Council? Shaun Walsh 01:34:17.967
So um so we're scheduling workshops at the moment with Councillors and separating parking management plans and paid parking as we've discussed was there two co-joins but almost separate issues because um parking management is about turnover spaces and most efficient use of existing spaces so um I don't know what date it's been scheduled in but I'd say that the workshop initial for councils within the next six weeks and then there'll need to be a report tabled to Council to endorse the plans to go out for community consultation Jessica Phillips 01:34:49.046
Um and then one more question around um because I wasn't here for it you mentioned investigating the bicentennial places um so it might be a question to you um if they were investigated um Councillor Stockwell why could you tell me why they we don't have satellite at the locations that were investigated unless it is for the Director but I just wanted to know why we've investigated it and then you mentioned that it could be done easily but why isn't it then I guess Brian Stockwell 01:35:21.848
So my recollection is that there's a suggestion of staged think that the year that was brought up we decided to use the to focus on the parking around the bus station at the junction plus the other car park near the um, kuyar street lanyard. And that was from memory quite successful at the time um so yeah it was a it was part of a this would be how we keep progressing and the concept was we start with satellite parking that's quite close and then progressively move further away, hence why Council did the deal to acquire the potential transit centre out at the Civic. Jessica Phillips 01:36:04.040
So then one more question then Wolff. To Director Walsh. If by the end of this year, could there be alternate satellite car parking delivered for the community? Where are we at with that? Shaun Walsh 01:36:16.254
Well I think historically that there has been reports identifying a number of different locations, whether it's the Noosa District Sports Complex is one idea, even parking locations in Cooroy and also parking around the bicentennial hall using underutilised car parking spaces during the school holidays on the street. So it's to do with logistically arranging those spaces so they're known to be park and ride and also the promotion of them. And it gets back to using available resources to, you know, for a place to the Lions Park with other locations under the same model, but spreading over a broader area. Jessica Phillips 01:36:53.386
Sorry, one more follow up then, because I'm a bit confused because this, when this has come up in workshops, we, I was the, under the when. We're not ready, resources and everything else to have any more satellite car parts quickly, like it's been investigated, but just need clarity around because other reports say we don't have resources. And so I'm just really wanting to know whether it can be actually delivered. Shaun Walsh 01:37:19.862
Yeah, so probably need to distinguish park and ride from satellite parking. So is available on street parking. It's really available. And some of the streets around the Sunshine Beach state schools and the like fit that bill. So you promote them as a park and ride and where proximity to the nearest bus station is and frequency of buses, which can be any of the transit services. So satellite parking is more associated with locations like the AFL. So which is actually onboarding new satellite parking location with a dedicated service. So I think in terms of the quick wins, we have many locations where we could promote park and ride across the Shire and that would be very quick wins and then we could explore one or more additional satellites. But I think that the point is that the first satellite we want to promote is the AFL grounds, that we've actually got one that's already ready to go, but we don't have the resources to actually adequately promote it and manage it to its best effect. Frank Wilkie 01:38:16.243
Just to clarify, you did say that if we wanted to you could have these satellite car parks and parking rides up by Christmas? Shaun Walsh 01:38:25.423
That would be our intent at this time of year that we now have time to redirect our efforts instead of the Noosa Heads Lions Park into realisation of dedicated sites with promotion for park and ride and satellite. Frank Wilkie 01:38:38.314
So just to clarify, the resource will become available if we discontinued parking in the Lions Park. The enormous time and effort that staff spend in organising this would go towards setting up these park and rides and satellite. Parking by bikes. Christmas so it could be in place if the Council wanted to go that way. Shaun Walsh 01:38:59.389
Yes I agree with that and also that would allow us to do a very good communication program with the haitian tree precinct. Amelia Lorentson 01:39:06.129
Question Through the Chair. Mayor Wilkie mentioned enormous time and effort taken to put together the Lions Park. Taken I understand what the resourcing is like? I've always understood the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club other than the survey the Easter period carry the weight and the workload of the Lions Park not Council. Shaun Walsh 01:39:31.721
There's an awful lot so it's one officer that we're talking about so don't think it's a team of people and that officer also runs the overall Go Noosa Program and school program so let's not think that there's massive resources so um but in terms of arranging the contractual obligations with the Noosa Heads Lions Park requires a fair bit of negotiation undertaking their relevant training to ensure they're operating site safely undertaking the relevant comms around the use of that site so there is a you know the available resource we've got is spent full time in the lead up to that query to make all those arrangements Amelia Lorentson 01:40:04.498
Given that they've been operating the site for 21 years um I'm my question to you is um is that process pretty streamlined and efficient Shaun Walsh 01:40:15.565
So every year they have new volunteers them from different community groups uh and new um and the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club are impeccable travel organisation to deal with but every year presents new challenges so in terms of the arrangements and like Councillor Phillips one will you finish with your Amelia Lorentson 01:40:35.604
Um just one more question in terms of the satellite parking um has that ever been presented to the business community in Hastings Street um has there been a feasibility done in terms benefits and pros and cons and whether that poses its own um problems in terms of pinch points and traffic congestion so the Noosa transport Shaun Walsh 01:40:58.473
Strategy always envisaged more satellite and park and ride locations across the Shire so and it's a model that's used in many other tourism precincts about separating the car parks from the actual destination of course you know as we move into a new realm if that's the direction of Council we'll have to continue to monitor and improve it this is never going to be a set and forget it's always about using the best skills around the table to come up with the best solutions but you know in these various locations we have vacant car parking spaces which are adjacent to bus routes so it's not about creating anything new it's about promoting the existing locations. Amelia Lorentson 01:41:34.282
My last question in terms of the park and ride at the AFL grounds, how long have we been trialling that location? Shaun Walsh 01:41:42.602
So we probably use that as a satellite park versus and ride. I can't answer that question Councillor that the questioner noticed but my understanding it came on board sometime after 2017. Amelia Lorentson 01:41:56.723
So it's been operating roughly nine years and at the moment it's currently. Is that before my time? Brian Stockwell 01:42:05.164
I think the question may be answered. Thank you. Councillor Phillips, next. Thanks. Jessica Phillips 01:42:09.544
To the CEO, I just want to know risk to Council given that businesses are saying they're quite against this. At this point because of economics situations. If we were to proceed with not having the car park and then they have a terrible Christmas and they can, like, is it, can it come back on Council? Kelsey? That there's a contributing factor? Has it ever been checked with, you know, legals or? I just start thinking risks to us. Larry Sengstock 01:42:50.135
I am. I'm happy to take that on notice, but my personal opinion is I think that this is your decision. This is our area in terms of making a decision whether we use it or don't use it. It's not an obligation for us to use it in terms of the businesses. So it really is our decision. And again, the evidence put forward today is say that by closing it, not using it, is potentially going to increase or decrease the congestion and maybe support businesses. We don't know. So that's not necessarily. In terms but that's our assumption, of in terms of we don't know if it's going to affect it, but there's a whole range of things that will go and affect businesses across the Shire. Jessica Phillips 01:43:52.043
And sorry, just a follow up to that then. Would it be, we've got city wall, surf club, all these things coming. Was it ever considered that the time to do this is actually when there's disruptions already to Hastings Street? Like, I just feel like, is it given that this might be the year that they can try and produce more? Like, what are we? Probably no perfect time but was that ever considered that it should align with other things that are happening in that precinct? Larry Sengstock 01:44:27.582
I think that we've. We are looking whole bulb and again there's. No perfect time. I think this is something that comes up in my time being here. It's come up every year and it's for discussion and for decisions. So it's really just come up again in the position recommended. Recommendation from the staff is this. If you want to accept that position, that's your call. Frank Wilkie 01:44:51.574
I'll ask the same question in a different way, Mr Chair, Mr. CEO. Several years back, Council made an even bolder decision to discontinue car parking in the Lions Park. During all school holidays, I think it's at least two-week periods, and every long weekend, of which there are many, did Council receive any indication that they had, from the business community, damaged business as a again, Larry Sengstock 01:45:16.649
I can't answer that because I wasn't here, I don't believe, during that period, but I haven't heard anything on that, personally, no. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 01:45:25.489
Just in terms of, you know, duty of care or legal risk etc. Council and I can't recall the year probably ago a MOU my understanding in terms of supporting small businesses and I can't Kim can I ask the because of that commitment. Kim Rawlings 01:46:10.508
Thanks Councillor Lorentson and Through the Chair. Yes, Council are signatories to the Small Business Friendly Charter, and we signed that I think probably around four years ago now. It was an initiative kind of post-COVID. And you will. And yes, so we are signatories to the Small Business Friendly Charter, and that program is focused on supporting small businesses in a variety of ways in terms of reducing. Red tape customer service approaches, concierge, you know, a raft of small business support programs which we have embedded right through our economic development and business support program. Amelia Lorentson 01:47:10.594
So we are still currently part of. Unidentified Speaker 01:47:14.733
Yes, we are. You. Brian Stockwell 01:47:18.180
Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 01:47:19.280
Yes, thank you. Just coming back to what's before us, Through the Chair of the CEO, I understand you've been meeting with the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club. Did you discuss the idea that they would be happy to provide the concierge service as opposed to parking? They help facilitate information to visitors and residents alike to move around the site and things like that. Is that something they're Larry Sengstock 01:47:48.025
Happy to. Engage yeah, I specifically haven't met with the Lions Club, but I know our staff. I've met with them in past, various pieces of this, but not in the recent one. This is more being Okay, my apologies, thank you. Question to the staff. Shaun Walsh 01:48:04.851
There's two aspects to that. Firstly, we have, just you read this, uh advise the Lions Club that this report's being distributed that forecast that direction, but we also need to be, not be preemptive because the report recommends we go through an EOI process to choose the relevant, you know, appropriate body. So it might be one or more different charitable organisations kind the arrangements rather than exclusive arrangements. So we, and we didn't want to preempt a Council decision either. So, so that Lions Club are very well aware of the content of this report, but we haven't pursued any further discussions with them, but report says that we should pursue a more transparent process for other groups as well. Amelia Lorentson 01:48:41.876
Can I also add to that? Just a response to Councillor Finzel. Brian Stockwell 01:48:50.160
Councillor Finzel, did you wish a response from Councillor Lorentson? Karen Finzel 01:48:55.460
With regards to engaging with the lions? Yeah. Via the CEO or through the staff? Amelia Lorentson 01:49:01.926
Just in terms of that they are very willing to work with other community groups and have been doing so for many years. They actually welcome volunteers from other community groups to partake and get involved with the car parking. They are really shortly resourced and have no issues with, you know, sharing distribution of funds with other community groups. And that's it. Yeah, thank you. Councillor Phillips had the hand up. Jessica Phillips 01:49:32.791
Be Director Walsh, this will be my last thank you. I just wanted to ask about the traffic network currently in other parts of our Shire, the unintended consequences of other alternate satellite or park and ride has there been enough done on what that will put on the network in those other areas that would outweigh the pinch point that is being the purpose of this recommendation to take away the pinch point at Hastings Street I'll get to my question sorry I'm just trying to but has there also then been consideration to unintended consequences of those other spots with is there going to be likely other traffic congestion in other parts of the Shire because of it Shaun Walsh 01:50:31.991
So during the school holiday periods we have traffic capacity and car parking capacity in locations like Sunshine Beach and also Tewantin so so we know that and that we'll have you know we can fill up those car parks at those locations and it's like a normal school non holiday day they have capacity. The area that we do have concerns already a destination in its own right and we shouldn't replace satellite parking for people to Noosa Heads so that's the only location that would be very about promoting an additional park and ride or satellite parking facility but we have capacity of those peripheral areas such as Sunshine Beach, Noosaville AFL grounds and also Tewantin and Councillor Wilkie you had your hand up Frank Wilkie 01:51:22.867
Yeah you mentioned that satellite parking and ride alternatives could be in place by Christmas do you also envisage if Noosa Council decided to go that way and discontinue along its park that this alternative concierge service that time as well and a proper EOI process conducted Shaun Walsh 01:51:42.680
Yes we'd have to and we'd want to go through the appropriate procurement process which may be and it may not be a public process but it might be we go to selected partners you know because of the amount spent you know let's say less than six or something like that we would need guided by our market testing and market awareness but that would be the thought process. I also don't want to presume that they're interested in it either so we need to test the market for that as well. Brian Stockwell 01:52:09.273
Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 01:52:12.233
Is that the question? Just a follow up from Director king-Rawlings reference to the Small Business Friendly Charter. I actually have the signed. That's not a question. No. You've got an opportunity to close. I will, yeah. Brian Stockwell 01:52:34.606
I believe Councillor Finzel is the only one, did you wish to talk to the amendment Councillor Finzel? She's spoken. Karen Finzel 01:52:43.406
Can I speak to that? I second the whole motion. You've seconded it but you haven't spoken to it yet just the amendment here it's in front of us uh look it's the intent you know presents itself as you know okay in the space um I come back to go is Council satisfied with the intent of the designation as open space and is that diminished it seems like we've operated in that space for a very long time so that in itself would tell us that council's satisfied in terms of operating as an open space um I think we've got to think more broadly around the whole of Shire we've gone out to community engagement on so many surveys that can inform this decision today. We've looked at like our economics diversification innovation economy and tourism dispersed throughout the hinterland I think congestion you know is one of the big things playing into that and the congestion is not just about the Lions Park as we've heard today around the table we're looking at um health and well-being all accessibilities to everyone across the Shire it's looking at you know our efforts to monitor improve you know solutions to move people around the Shire we've talked about connectivity across our young people and how we educate them and impacts for them I think sometimes we have that call to leave. Leadership that is being robust and rigorous to get to understand that change is constant and then how do we facilitate that change and timing is always critical you know is it time to go we've got sufficient data we've got enough engagement for our community especially when we hear over and again call for action is this going to disadvantage the Lions Club I don't feel it's we've created based on answers to my questions a space so then to still participate along with other community groups to provide you know just a different service I think what is before us is do we balance up like risk or opportunity so in terms of opportunity for bold action and leadership that predominantly in my opinion has been provided through meaningful and community engagement that time and again and those touch points the pain points the small progressive steps towards where we're heading I feel that we've satisfied that and then if we look at like the risk of not moving forward today with the change do we then prohibit change and we put another condition up I think the amendment before us is provides its challenges but it also provides some answers on the flip side and causes us as Councillors to question our leadership role and look at time and ask the question is Councillor satisfied Brian Stockwell 01:56:47.809
Thank you Councillor Lorentson you get to close Amelia Lorentson 01:56:54.714
First of all respect and acknowledge all the different opinions around the table and I think that's critical it's good that we don't all agree but I do think we have shared goals and shared common values and I'll reiterate the goal is to make Lions Park a space so the question for us today to me does it's not about car park versus no car park it's about whether we make a permanent call today that's the question before us or whether we hold the line for one more season and keep supporting the people that really depend on this I'm going to talk quickly just you know a few words that have popped up brave right decision bold leadership we need to take the steps next Councillors we've already taken that next steps years ago when I first started in Council the Lions Park overflowing was at every holiday period and I'm talking Christmas holidays Easter June July September holidays we have been gradually over time respecting the diversity of opinion and community the is split on this and I think the position we're at the moment which is 21 days less than six percent um not 365 days not every school holiday not the Easter city we're talking three weeks a year I think that is the transition um and how we've respected the diversity in opinion again I reiterate we the goal is to keep Lions Park as an open space recreation but until viable option is presented and tested we can't cut off what's actually already working more importantly and am going to reference the small charter friendly business charter that if you can just bear with me Mr Chair question is this new information point of order? Brian Stockwell 01:59:08.246
No because it relates to the previous question. Amelia Lorentson 01:59:10.906
So in 2023 the then Mayor Stuart and the small Business Friendly Councils Program charter. It's in front of me. The wording is the brings people together around a common goal to enhance the operating environment for small businesses and provide the opportunities they need to thrive so today guys what I'm asking is we provide our small businesses an opportunity um you know there's an expression let's make sun let's make hay when the sun shines um and that's what I'm asking today let's allow our business community to we know what's ahead we know um there's going to be lots of hurdles in front of this business precinct the seawall development that I raised to these um development of the surf club um again Doonella Bridge uh works which is already starting it changes in e-bike legislation we've all received the emails from our business community asking us to listen to them and help support them at a time where they need our help right now um they are struggling um and it's our role as councillors and also as signatories to our Small Business Friendly Councils Program charter to provide them with opportunities they need to thrive. 21 days out of 365 days is respecting all the positions and the diversity of the positions around this table those in the community that don't want to see overflow car parking and those that do 21 days I think is measured considered and balanced and it's the right decision to it's it is a brave decision and it is a bold decision but leadership requires us to understand all positions and then come to a middle ground I believe this is the middle ground Brian Stockwell 02:01:22.794
I've I put the amendment those in favour that's Councillor Phillips Lorentson and Wilson those against that's Councillor Finzel Wilkie Wegener and Stockwell the amendment is lost we go back to the substantive motion and only Councillor Wilkie has talked to that I have an amendment Jessica Phillips has an amendment which will be up on the screen shortly Jessica Phillips 02:01:53.636
Um it'll be g it'll request that staff investigate and deliver the alternate transport management options I.e the satellite and park and ride happy to second Brian Stockwell 02:02:11.675
Councillor oh sorry yes I think just second Councillor Lorentson um yeah um just before you do staffer revest to invest that end out and deliver alternative transport management options are you happy that's something comfortable I think that's consistent question for Councillor Phillips we should that we've said the motions accepted so we'll let Councillor Phillips talk I think it's pretty um straightforward Jessica Phillips 02:02:50.789
I think it's pretty um straightforward just from the feedback from the questions from Director Walsh that we can actually deliver alternate methods by Christmas um I would almost even include if I'm allowed to make a change to my wording um by this Christmas because we've heard that can be done Brian Stockwell 02:03:13.767
Um is everyone happy with your words um by December 2026. Jessica Phillips 02:03:21.585
Um Vicky I just sent it to you apologies um I said sit this one oh yes I can stop sorry just use that wording please and it gets rid of investigate because assume that work's been done as well if can produce it by the end of the year then I'm going to say request that staff deliver alternate transport management by December 26 including the satellite parking Brian Stockwell 02:03:54.060
And happy with that change the wording everyone Frank Wilkie 02:03:58.348
Yes just a question is it um by saying deliver alternate transport management are you talking about something more than just satellite parking and right what or do you mean specifically by Jessica Phillips 02:04:14.975
December 26 I would say it's the work that's been investigated that Director Walsh spoke about in the question time I would be asking Frank Wilkie 02:04:21.855
Specifically yeah okay so you're not talking about anything broader than that you're talking specifically satellite parking and rights service communications Brian Stockwell 02:04:33.521
Around it Jessica Phillips 02:04:34.681
The conversations that we've had that Director Walsh said can be delivered by this year I would just like it in the report okay wordsmith Councillor Wilson has a hand up Councillor Wilson Nicola Wilson 02:04:46.441
With that also include the Council facilities potentially yes that was something Brian Stockwell 02:04:53.385
Yeah yeah would you like to include that the motion we'll have a separate one yeah I'm Jessica Phillips 02:05:02.831
Happy to add that to that if it includes I would just add it Brian Stockwell 02:05:07.031
Yeah okay and concierge service and community concierge service is that what you're referring to yes Councillors Jessica Phillips 02:05:14.958
Yeah um just a question around that parking park and ride service and concierge Karen Finzel 02:05:22.238
Just a question around the concierge given it's a new process for procurement then a question that staff would that give us enough time to also have that procurement process in place? Shaun Walsh 02:05:34.820
Yes I'm confident the service is actually fairly simple what we need them to do so it's not that much different to the disaster management to run out of a sandbag deployment interestingly enough it's a very similar stakeholder so yeah in a funny way at locations just thinking yes that's how it works Brian Stockwell 02:05:52.076
And there's particular procurement processes available to not-for-profits so we're all happy that the wordsmith amendment up there and so Councillor Phillips to that. Jessica Phillips 02:06:06.874
Thank you I think what my aim with this was listening to all the conversation it would probably assist the business owners and hearing that we have made a commitment by Christmas because this car park's has been taken away then I think it's really important that we deliver and actually demonstrate that this will be done. I don't think it will satisfy everything but to find maybe some confidence in the community that are sending emails through that will be disappointed that we are actually going to deliver alternate methods given that Director Walsh has said that this could be done I think that it can just be included in the report. Brian Stockwell 02:07:01.059
Thank you. Others wish to talk to the amendment? Karen Finzel 02:07:04.839
Yeah, look, I'd like to commend Councillor Phillips for bringing this forward I think it is really, you know, sound leadership and also that gives a line in the sand and a surety to it's not down the never-, it's not kicking the can down the road, that we actually are going to take some action. It won't address all everything along the way but I keeps the flow. It then helps progress where we want to be at giving that insurance not only to the business people but the broader community. So yeah, I support this. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 02:07:43.168
Anyone else? Would you like to close Councillor Phillips? I'll put the motion those in favour. And Councillor Wilson? Yes. That's unanimous. Becomes part of the motion. Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 02:07:58.456
I'm going to try an amendment. Delete C. Of item 7.2. And insert C. Endorse a hybrid arrangement for the Main Beach car parking during the peak Christmas and new year period available for resident and public car parking until 9am. Each day before converting to the Main Beach drop-off zone for the remainder of the day. Do we have a seconder for that amendment? Karen Finzel 02:08:37.704
I've been a second. Frank Wilkie 02:08:39.324
Oh, sorry, I can't. A question before we get a seconder. Councillor Lorentson, is it your intention to exclude people who live outside the Shire from that car park before 9am. Because you've got available for resident and public. Amelia Lorentson 02:08:55.644
And public parking. So it's just open as normal until 9am. So not just specifically for residents. No, we can't manage that. Frank Wilkie 02:09:02.724
If we could manage that, I would say yes, but So is it more accurate to say for public parking? Amelia Lorentson 02:09:10.172
Yep, happy for public parking until 9am. If I can make that adjustment, thanks. Okay, so a seconder, Councillor Phillips. Lorentson think I raise this every year for six years and it's something hear I spend a lot of time over the Christmas and new year period at the surf club, either surfing or patrolling. As a member of the Surf Lifesaving Club for 11 years I also lived in that precinct so I'm going to again put it back on the table and what I hear all the time is it would be great to have that available car parking for residents early mornings at Main Beach belong to our community swimmers doing their laps runners along the point surfers checking the break and families carrying boards paddle and skis and elderly people that I know from the surf club who every morning carry skis to Noosa Main Beach these residents are our residents who use the beach every day of the year not just over the holiday periods so the amendment in front of us is just requesting that we convert the car park to a drop-off zone rather than just converting it from first light and removing that option from uh option from our residents um to me is again I go back to my favourite saying that residents should be beneficiaries of tourism and this is one way of giving them back a bit of space during a period that's very congested with visitors so the hybrid model in front of us again gives that early window back to our community still delivers the safety and traffic benefits the drop-off zone provides once the beach and precinct get busy later in the day it doesn't drop-off zone it simply recognises that the people who use this beach every morning all year round deserve to be part of how this precinct works during its busiest weeks not like locked out of it before the first bus even arrives to me it's a low-cost to sense. Change it uses the same car park same signage and monitoring arrangements already proposed for the drop-off zone and simply applies a time basis rather than for a whole day again it's important that we give back to our community first put our residents first before the precinct opens up to the visitors again I ask consideration that this amendment gets supported it's a question from Councillor Wilson Nicola Wilson 02:12:01.010
Thank you question Through the Chair to the two directors Walsh please. I appreciate the intent of this amendment but I just wanted to get your thoughts on the practicality of it of whether there is equipment and things that would need to be moved each day to be able to facilitate this. You Shaun Walsh 02:12:18.690
Thank you, Councillor. The only way I could see this working is if we had a dedicated team down there for full day and that time of day between you know 6am. And 10am. Is when we're responding to issues across the Shire with our limited staff. So the availability of staff to affect this would actually have significant impact upon responding to other issues across the whole of the Shire. I also note that we know this from when we do empty the car park is that we have people who do overstay and we have to tow the cars so I can see unfortunately whether it's through disobedience or just confusion people actually leaving their cars there which would render the drop-off zone ineffective and then we'd have to call tow trucks to actually remove the vehicles which would add to traffic confusion and also bring us into disrepute. So I don't see how we can feasibly implement this on a daily basis without a significant change to our overall resourcing model and/or impact upon resource and service delivery across the balance areas of the Shire Amelia Lorentson 02:13:20.817
Question to the Director, what time do the staff start in that precinct? I've been down there very early mornings and staff are already in attendance very early morning during Shaun Walsh 02:13:32.877
That period. So there's some staff who start at 5:30 you know so doing things we've got to remember that the staff or the volunteers or whoever we use to staff the concierge area are very different to the staff who have qualified to move equipment around such as traffic barriers and marquees and lift heavy equipment so and they're the same staff that we use to actually respond to issues across the Shire so it's a question about what staff are available and trained and equipped to actually move equipment around such as traffic barriers and signs and all of those things and it's fair to say that we've put a lot of effort over the years to make the drop-off zone as comfortable as possible so there's marquees and seats and the like to have that area available for car parking we'd have to restore those and redeploy them on a daily basis and take a fair bit of time. Amelia Lorentson 02:14:23.721
Can I also just Through the Chair just make a correction the amendment only wants the area available for public car parking until 9:00am not 10:00am. Shaun Walsh 02:14:37.801
So I was just reflecting that the peak period for our staff to actually respond to issues that you know issues arise overnight and in the there to be that period from 6:00am to 10:00am when we get overnight requests like let's say we have a storm or signalling a party event in an area of the park or the beach that needs cleaning up that's the time that we're called to action to get the you know relevant areas safe and the rest of the Shire, Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 02:15:08.461
Could I like what sort of investigations going through to sort of deliver like I quite I sort of understand Councillor Lorentson's amendment here, but also being part of trifle. Towing cars before the triathlon as a police officer so I know people will sometimes not do what they have been asked so I'm trying to find the middle part here. Is there, when you're looking at the arrangement that's being done there, are you almost at where the set up and back down is quite efficient? Like is there, it's been tested but what I'm thinking is a chance and in a year's time or that it is working a point where it is quite efficient and that there is a chance that it can go back to residence because I sit really uncomfortable here because I really do think that this is an important part but I just want to know operationally how that can be achieved. Shaun Walsh 02:16:06.841
Um we would need to redesign the whole facility and we'd probably have to have bespoke furniture that could be easily deployed and then a dedicated team that was available every morning and budgeted to actually, you know, deploy. Have to really think through your towing arrangements because tow trucks are quite large and if you think about at that critical entry time into this precinct at 9am, you've got tow trucks moving two or three cars as well. So it's like trying to Resolve it actually might create more congestion. Okay. Amelia Lorentson 02:16:42.593
Just a question Through the Chair. In terms of loss of car parks, so now that there's been a majority vote to end the overflow car parking at Lions Park, the report also notes new drop-off zone which theoretically I think removes I'm guessing about 15 car parks. I'm not quite sure. Can we have a total number of loss of car parks for this precinct over this period? Shaun Walsh 02:17:14.913
So I recollect there's 42 car parking spaces in the Main Beach reserve. We still provide disabled that location and car parking spaces for surplus saving and emergency vehicles. Surfly I think it's about four from what I remember. It's more in the restaurant. Yeah. The 15 minute drop-off area only consumed two car parking spaces. Frank Wilkie 02:17:35.013
Okay. Follow-up question. The drop-off zones are intended not for parking but to increase access. Have numbers on how many people, how many vehicles pass through and drop passengers off on a daily basis in return for the $42,000. I don't have that at my fingertips, Councillor. I'd have to take notice. Will it be in its hundreds? Shaun Walsh 02:17:57.561
I presume so, but just to be honest, I don't have that can I have that question? Amelia Lorentson 02:18:07.500
Question through the chat? Chair? Is there opportunity to provide some car parking as opposed to all car parking? Again, I acknowledge the work that to set up the drop-off zone and most of the work is in the centre. So is there an opportunity to provide some car parking to residents before, up until 9:00am. Not all the car parks. Is that a better middle ground? Shaun Walsh 02:18:38.502
I think we'll still end up with the same issues of people overstaying their welcome and needing to be moved to make the drop-off zone functional. And I do note a key note that we do provide parking for key staff and also disabled parking. So that is part and parcel of the precinct. And we also want to remember that at that early time of the day is that the maze car park across the street is also available. It doesn't fill up until a bit later so there is resident parking or people who want to come to the beach early either in the Woods or the adjacent maze car park and you know one of the reasons for the Main Beach drop-off zone. It was about traffic congestion as a result of people queuing up the ramp early in the morning and also safety associated with the access in and out of the public toilet and accessibility for emergency vehicles to access the beach so there's a whole raft of reasons that Main Beach drop-off zone is really well regarded by stakeholders Amelia Lorentson 02:19:34.502
In terms of data that you're going to be providing for the Ordinary Meeting can I also request data understanding when that traffic happens again I over that three-week period I think I'm there a lot very early mornings seems like it doesn't really get that busy until 10 11 12 o'clock so that period beforehand my observations Brian Stockwell 02:20:02.142
The question is can you provide an Ordinary Meeting any traffic flow data that would be excellent thank you. Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 02:20:12.798
Just in relation to that the recommendation about the 15-minute drop-off parking area on Noosa Parade. Brian Stockwell 02:20:21.794
We can't deal with that just at the moment. Oh, yeah. As we're dealing with the movement. I can't talk quite Jessica Phillips 02:20:27.814
In time into that, though. Let me think. Brian Stockwell 02:20:33.530
Well, Councillor Phillips, has anyone else got any other questions or want to talk to the amendment? Frank Wilkie 02:20:37.474
Just in terms of the logistics again can you quantify the number of pieces of furniture and marquees and I think you've got public temporary toilets set up and this all have to be moved. The time taken to do that and where would you have to take this gear to store it? Shaun Walsh 02:20:59.034
You could either set up a compound within you know Richard Lewis car parking spaces or we'd have to elsewhere in the precinct. And how long would it take to actually dismantle and set up this stuff every day? I recollect that we arrive on site at about 3.m. To set it up for each day and we've usually got it functioning by about 10.m. So six to seven hours when we deploy the equipment. Frank Wilkie 02:21:24.079
Okay and you mentioned this could involve extra hours of work. Is there an estimated cost for that extra work? Shaun Walsh 02:21:33.982
If I had to think about the staff being deployed on a daily basis and then the contractors that might also in terms of packing up tents because they're often on hire and that, we're easily talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. Frank Wilkie 02:21:45.438
You've also mentioned that clear messaging and understanding of the community is very important to have systems work well. Do you think this chopping and changing would, how that would impact on the way people use spouse Shaun Walsh 02:21:57.134
I think it'd it would be very confusing and I think there'd be people who, it would put us into further dispute in the community because, you know, we're not really clear on what we want the precinct to be. Is it for safety or parking? Frank Wilkie 02:22:09.722
Thank you. Brian Stockwell 02:22:13.762
Ken Phillips, did you? Jessica Phillips 02:22:17.882
No, but I will speak to it if there's no more questions. At the floor. I like the amendment because it's putting the focus on residents, and I think that what I would have loved, hypothetically, is that this would have been considered before the drop-off zone was even established because I do think it's a really important part of delivering to our community that people that want to go before peak. I think Tom even mentioned it before around going out for a surf early on. So I like the intent behind it because I can see you trying to prioritise residents. Which we hear all the time would be great. I also hear the operational impact. So think for me, the reason why I'm going to support it is because I would have loved this to be done as part of the work initially. Amelia Lorentson 02:23:25.858
Sorry, I asked you. Yeah. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 02:23:29.702
Wish to talk to the amendment? Councillor Finzel, do you wish to close? Amelia Lorentson 02:23:34.482
I will. I think I want to just put the focus on this is an opportunity for us to trial a hybrid version. I think every year I put this request forward to Council for consideration. So it's not a new concept. It's something bring up. And every year, I get community asking me to relitigate it. The issue is, once again, it's the most, we're in a space of destination management, and tourism only works if it's embraced community. By our communities. And that's why, you know, when we talk about our Destination Management Plan, the number one thing that came out of that consultation process was that we are a resident town first, not a tourist town first. And that we should put our residents first and foremost in every decision, we make around this Council, we've got to ask two questions. Is it good for our community? And environment? And I think this speaks directly at it. May not work. The feasibility operational, we can call it quits after one week. If it doesn't work. But I think this at least at a minimum acknowledges what the community have repeatedly told us, put them first, put people before our visitors, residents So again, and every year I'll probably, you know, and I might make a little bit of a tweet to this, but I just think it's really important to acknowledge. And to acknowledge that our residents, this is our backyard. And again, someone who goes down to the beach every morning, early morning. I'm not a great surfer, so I go surfing in the middle of the day as do a lot of kids that I know. But it's just a really good position statement made by this Council that we are putting them before our visitors. So I hope you support a trial, understanding that it may not be operationally sound, but allowing Council to have the agility and flexibility to call it quits if it doesn't work. Brian Stockwell 02:26:03.880
So, no, the debate's closed, so now all we can do is vote on it. Those in favour of the amendment? That's Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Phillips. Those opposed? Councillor Finzel, Wilkie, Wilson, Wegener and Stockwell. The amendment is lost. Amelia Lorentson 02:26:20.219
Can I move another amendment please? Oh excuse me. While we have a break please Mr Chair. If you'd like to break me, I was hoping we'd get to the end of this, but it Brian Stockwell 02:26:29.419
Looks like it might go on for a little bit longer, so yes, I believe half past 12, I'd say we'd have at least another 15, 20. So we'll have a, how long are we having for lunch? Half an hour? 30 minutes? So we'll adjourn the meeting for 30 minutes to allow our Councillors and staff to have a comfort break. Frank Wilkie 02:26:51.994
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Brian Stockwell 03:02:15.023
So welcome back, Councillors. We're still on item two. We are back to the substantive motion that currently includes an additional clause as a result of an amendment. And for recollection, we only had Councillor Wilkie who has spoken. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:02:34.337
I'd like to try an amendment, please, as is a follow-up to the last amendment that just fell through. And that's insert C, explore the feasibility of a hybrid arrangement for the 2027 Main Beach parking during the peak Christmas and new period allow for public parking each day before converting to the Main Beach drop-off zone for the remainder of the day. So Councillor I can't accept that because it's almost identical to the one that was just lost. No the other one was endorsed, a hybrid. This one's explore the feasibility not for this year for next year. Brian Stockwell 03:03:16.870
It's a different year, okay. Amelia Lorentson 03:03:20.890
So you mean 27-28? Okay, I'm having to step in. Lorentson. Just a follow-up from the amendment that just failed before. I accept the diverse opinions around the table and took from it that there may be some operational issues with actually putting together high arrangement. So this amendment simply requests that part of the next upcoming Go Noosa Program is Council investigation of new initiatives, that this one gets included. So straightforward. It's not onerous. It doesn't require any resourcing or cost. And it's not an immediate issue. It's just allowing enough time for some consideration of a hybrid model that addresses the ongoing issue that communities community are bringing forward to me that allows them just some public parking before a drop off zone is fully implemented. Thank you, Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 03:04:39.866
I know you've got a lot of experience before you came to this Council and probably similar things. Now we sort of have established this. It possible to sort of re-look at how is there a middle ground and because I quite like the thought of seeing if there is alternate options for us. Shaun Walsh 03:05:02.458
Thank you, for the Chair chase. My experience at southbank and roma street, you know, deploying events and lightweight infrastructure and changing things really regularly, it's possible, but it requires significant budget and resourcing because it's like setting up a stage every day to acknowledge it. So we can certainly explore the feasibility, but you need to be prepared for a budget proposal in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. So because I would not want to use our existing staff who need to be deployed to other situations around the whole of the Shire. So I think it's really up to Councillors to decide whether they want to explore the feasibility, noting it will come with significant budget implications. It's definitely possible, but to achieve. Frank Wilkie 03:05:46.587
Switching so you're saying it's possible to move to this model if we're prepared to dedicate hundreds of thousands of dollars to doing it? That's correct. Jessica Phillips 03:06:00.757
What the amendment's asking for is for you to come back and tell us so we can actually see and then we can have a really good conversation about is it worth that before we're committing ourselves to Shaun Walsh 03:06:11.697
Yeah, to the check. But I also note that in the, you know, we do have limited resources and we've already decided on a movement and action plan and what staff we use for what purposes you know so this will you know with our existing staff will diminish their capacity to deliver other programs in our overall movement and connection action plan and that going it has consequences so and I just want to give you a hint or from my previous experience that it is feasible to change a space like that on a daily basis but it is at cost Brian Stockwell 03:06:47.216
I think Frank Wilkie 03:06:49.076
This is asking the same thing like we've already received advice good that the logistics involved is extremely onerous and costly also do we need a feasibility study to understand something that we've already got good grasp on we're here to make decisions we've already heard and had good advice that it's not possible sure it would be showing good faith to the residents to explore this Avenue but we have we don't want to give false hope or we heard it's going to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to it so we know the likelihood of moving towards that is not very high and also we know that there's likely to be great disruption if you move to that because the purpose of having the drop-off zone there was to reduce congestion at the Hastings Street roundabout and ramping on the to this. The car park you will go back to creating more congestion there'll as we heard that when you want to make changes to parking arrangements you need to be very clear in your messaging and having a hybrid model where sometimes you can park there sometimes you can't is likely to create confusion. It's and also daily costs. And there's resources that we're told are better used elsewhere and if we wanted to move that way there are other elements of the Go Noosa Program that would not receive the resourcing to do programs. This is working well already. As we heard there's ample parking in the Maze Carpark for that period of the year for us. I'm down there many days a week also. I never short of a car park in the mays or the Lyons car parking. Going down a path where we know the answer already and it's pointing towards cost and doing the feasibility takes staff away from the many initiatives that we've already committed staff to doing and budget Amelia Lorentson 03:08:51.050
Question the Chair. Director Walsh, the amendment doesn't actually request feasibility study it's more a report just um question the is how onerous is it to report back as part of the next 2020 2027-28 Go Noosa Program whether this has been considered and a recommendation put through added to the report how onerous and resourcing is an assessment not study just an assessment Shaun Walsh 03:09:26.977
It is a little bit onerous because I'd also would like the staff to actually implement the previous recommendation which is about establishing new satellite parks you know this is the same group of people the same small team that actually have to issues so noting that this could be put into next calendar year so versus you know this program but you know it's not just the preparation of the report it's participation in debates like this and the participation of questions and the like so it just takes away from me okay Brian Stockwell 03:10:00.140
Would anyone else like to talk to the amendment? Councillor Lorentson would you like to close? Amelia Lorentson 03:10:06.480
I think we've just heard a lot of assumptions and the amendment in front of us is requesting perhaps a little bit more than an assumption data in terms of what is actually involved in putting together a hybrid version. You know we're now month July the next report won't be coming to us for another 12 months so the request in front of I think with respect to great conversation around the table I would like it informed with data and not assumptions so again this is just addressing an ongoing request by community to allow during the most highly frequented holiday peak season just something to be given back to the residents it's a resident first request and I respect the decision of the table Brian Stockwell 03:11:07.775
Okay I put the I amendment. Those in favour? That's Councillor Phillips and Lorentson. Those against? That's Councillor Councillor Finzel, Wilkie, Wegener, Stockwell and Wilson the amendment has not succeeded so we move back to the substantive motion as amended anyone else like to talk to that motion Amelia Lorentson 03:11:30.082
Can I ask some questions please Council cabs uh that sort of stood out to me the average cost of a Council cab is 92.86 I think according to the report with average passenger cost an average cost of 92.86 per trip my question is has Council benchmarked this against a taxi voucher alternative or ride share it just seems quite expensive Shaun Walsh 03:12:01.982
Council we've had to take some basic you know assessment of this program so the basic assessment is about other alternative services available for the people who use it and the first assessment is no they're actually not eligible for other services this particular cohort these areas are quite remote and they take actually there's return journey from you know remote areas Cootharaba or a Boreen Point you know into service centres so and then the discussions we've had previously in Go Noosa reports we've talked about not wanting to withdraw this service until we'd figure out a way forward now we haven't figured yet so we would like to continue to investigate it future years as outlined in the report. But we don't want to withdraw this service unless we know what we want to do to replace it. Amelia Lorentson 03:12:52.613
My request was not to withdraw I understand the absolute value of it my question was more in terms of the flexi link cost the report notes at $32.40 on average versus the Council cab at $92.86 so just really lessons learned from a flexi links model can that be applied to reduce the Council cabs? Brian Stockwell 03:13:18.739
I'm not sure where you're getting your data because I'm looking at the table on Council cab and the average cost is from $11.30 to $15.89 Amelia Lorentson 03:13:26.459
Per person. Technology. Program performance act nonce metrics average cost per trips Council cabs $92.86 flexi link $42.40. Shaun Walsh 03:13:40.944
Maybe it's because multiple people in the cab I take it. Yeah so the flexi link service has multiple passengers whereas the Council cab is just usually one passenger. That's the main difference. So that's the difference in terms of the cost per passenger. So yeah. Brian Stockwell 03:14:00.340
Questions or someone wishing to talk to the motion? I'll speak. Think there's some interesting data there. The small sample size, the graph that talks about people got there was quite interesting in terms of the differences between the residents and the visitors. And it showed, for example, that 28 percent of people using of residents use the public transport system, where only 18-19% of visitors. So once again, while very small percentage, three times, just about three times as many people using park and ride were residents, so it's a, um interesting sample. Also note whether it's that they didn't get anyone or the question was not there's no one there that says they arrived by bike so um that was also an interesting one. Other than that yeah it was a useful report and I think you know the um the overarching uh outcome of what we're seeing is that we're seeing progressive improvement in the Go Noosa Program and achieving its objectives and that there's more to be done to make it as effective as we would like. Anyone else? Jessica Phillips 03:15:23.991
I have a question um just in relation because I tried to ask it before but it was the wrong time so back to that um the 15-minute drop-off on Noosa Parade um the recommendation for 2026 is that there's a parking area trial along that Noosa Parade area I'm just wondering how many car parks do you envision are going to be lost from there now we don't have the Lions Club either there's two car parking spaces Brian Stockwell 03:16:04.200
Okay Councillor Wegener are we um are we just are we closing soon we're debating them the motion at the moment the substantive motion now yeah okay so would you like to talk or will you Tom Wegener 03:16:18.900
Um I, love the good. Go Noosa Program I see it as being enormously successful I'd like to thank Sean and all the teams that contribute to this. Any that we've asked for evidence for decisions and the it's what has been recommended are evidence-based decisions now as the evidence-based information and so I'm very pleased with this and that we're moving forward with the whole strategy the walk-in cycling strategy the whole thing because on the big picture population's coming here and we need to act now to not act is the most radical thing of all because we know exactly what's going to happen it's going to be gridlock if we don't act so actually acting through this Go Noosa Program is incredibly important and more so keeping the status quo of Noosa being maintaining a paradise instead of standing back and letting the tsunami of development and population overrun us so it's in our dna to continue this so thank you staff fully support that no use of report Brian Stockwell 03:17:40.960
Anyone else? Councillor Wilkie would you like to close? Frank Wilkie 03:17:45.980
I look um Mr Chair I think there's been very good discussion here today about all the elements of this motion and I look forward to them being implemented with a new look to the operations and the feel of the Hastings Street precinct this Christmas. Brian Stockwell 03:18:13.300
Okay I'll put the motion. Those in favour? That's Councillor Finzel, Wilkie, Wilson, Wegener and Stockwell. Those opposed is Phillips and Councillor Lorentson. The motion is carried. We then move on to item three, an invite. Thank you. Sean. And item three is the, let's get the correct word, is the is draft Burgess Creek integrated capital management plan. We welcome Director Kim and manager Ben to the table and we have some conflicts of interest to declare on the first one. So I wish to inform the meeting that I have a conflict of interest for item 7.3 draft Burgess Creek integrated capital management plan. This agenda, due to my role as president of the Noosa Lions Football Club which has fields in the engagement, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because the club does not profit from or suffer a loss as a result of the plan and while larger area than most allotments has no significant greater interest than the many people who lived in the catchment. As I have specialist expertise and significant experience in the subject matter I choose to remain in the room and vote on the matter and for those listening today's meeting is the first meeting under the new legislative requirements that allows the Councillor to make the decision about whether to stay in the room on a conflict of interest declaration. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:19:55.052
Aye Councillor Amelia Lorentson informed the meeting that I have a conflict of interest for item 7.3 draft Burgess Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan ICMP on this agenda. My brother lives approximately 550 metres from the mouth of the Burgess Creek and I've recently purchased a property in Sunrise Beach Burgess Creek. This distance has been checked and confirmed by the governance team. Any previous statements I made on this were estimates. In an abundance of caution and consistent with advice from the office of the independent assessor, believe it is prudent to declare this interest. Consistent with also recent legal advice previously considered by this Council on the question of proximity alone gives rise to a conflict of interest only not a material personal interest my position falls within that same characterisation integrated catchment management plan for Burgess Creek is a Shire-wide body of work it forms part of a broader Noosa catchment strategy for waterways and the decisions before this meeting affect the entire community. It is in that community interest that wish to contribute. I've consistently declared this interest and believe I am able to consider this matter impartially and in the public interest I choose to remain in the meeting room to vote on the issue. Brian Stockwell 03:21:24.114
Okay so do we have any time we need to hear from the staff with their executive summary? Ben Derrick 03:21:31.677
Thank you Mr Chair. Before introducing this item I'd like to acknowledge the advocacy and support from Councillors that we have worked through the process of identifying community environmental issues to be able to present this draft plan. The development of the Burgess management plan has been a significant undertaking and a commitment to long-term evidence-based approach to managing this catchment is important. I note that the project has been funded by Queensland state government to progress this plan to this time. I'll also acknowledge the passion and dedication of the Burgess Creek community throughout this process we've heard from residents, environmental groups, recreational users, and other stakeholders who care deeply about the future of their local community. Through their knowledge, lived experience and constructive input they have made valuable contributions to the development of the draft plan. Through this project we have enjoyed or we have continued to enjoy a close working relationship with Unitywater as one of the prominent stakeholders in the catchment. I make a final acknowledgement for the catchments and coasts team from Council and in particular our principal environment officer for their work on this project. While the generous support from the Queensland state government has been critical, it has only been able to stretch so far and we value the interdepartmental collaboration that allows us to produce this plan today, which is largely been developed internally by Council. The Burgess Creek catchment is a small comparatively complex system that has undergone significant modification, but nonetheless retains strong environmental processes and strong community and strong connections to the community. The draft plan provides a whole of catchment framework for managing Burgess Creek over the long term, which brings together technical evidence and community input to establish a shared vision for the catchment and identifies practical actions to improve water horticulture. Quality, strengthen ecosystem health, manage stormwater and erosion impacts, protect recreational and amenity values and improve governance and coordination between Council agencies and plan also establishes monitoring and adaptive management framework, ensuring that future decisions continue to be guided by evidence and ongoing learning. I would the draft plan has not been fully costed at this stage. This reflects the time and resource constraints of the project and the fact that the plan is intended to establish a strategic framework and agreed direction before detailed business cases and funding decisions are developed. Importantly, not all actions represent new expenditure. Some actions are already being delivered through business as usual operations. Some are identified within council's forward planning and infrastructure program, such as LGIP, and others are intended to be progressed through grant opportunities. Some of which are already in train. At this stage of the development, we are seeking Council endorsement of the draft plan for public consultation, which will provide the broader community with an opportunity to review the plan and help shape the final version before it back to Councillor for consideration. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 03:24:45.083
Do we have any questions? Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 03:24:48.963
With a plan like this, one of the reasons we're creating this plan is to get grant funding, to put a formality to our ideas that are peer-reviewed. And is that correct? Kim Rawlings 03:25:07.202
Yeah, Through the Chair, one of that having things frameworks, strategies in place does allow us to then access grants for implementation of these plans. Absolutely. That is one of the things that we use these plans for. Tom Wegener 03:25:26.254
It is an expensive plan. I mean when you look at it with the desires and then we have got the project steering committee working group, stakeholder community input group and phase three of, gosh I wrote this on my dark paper, of peer review. So just the listening test we learned from the oyster. Reef project, the peer review itself, I think we went through two of them, it cost about $40,000 back then. So there's, what I'm concerned about is funding this, you know, thinking past that once this is endorsed, it goes to the community. Yeah, long question. It is an expensive plan, and we have high aspirations. Is that right? Brian Stockwell 03:26:16.119
So just the if I question I see from Councillor Wegener, sorry I should have been more on top of that, is it appears to be an expensive plan, pitched to get getting. And does it have high aspirations? Are the expectations of the plan considered to be high aspirations? Kim Rawlings 03:26:46.859
We'll both comment. There are costs involved are costs implementation. Each of these actions have costs involved in it as, Ben mentioned, that we have not yet costed the implementation and the actions that is a limitation of this plan the constrained budget to develop this plan. It is at a strategic framework level. We've been very clear in both the Council report and in the plan that the prioritisation and costing process is still to happen. It wasn't within the original scope so, yes, there are cost implications. We're also clear any implementation of this plan, it will be subject to future Council budgets. There is no commitment its implementation. We'll be subject to us accessing future grants. To working with partner agencies and subject to community action. So it's all much reliant on future decisions and future collaborations and there are definitely costs involved in it. What those costs are in total, we can't answer that at this stage. It's a strategic framework, it's draft. We are hoping through this next phase of the process we'll get a better sense from the community about prioritisation. But yeah, there are absolutely costs involved in implementing this. Plan. Would you like to add? Ben Derrick 03:28:21.921
Yeah do you want to go? Of course look, catchment management plans are not light touch environmental plans. They're. Holistic, intended to be holistic and they need to consider all of the elements to be able to create a strategic framework so that catchment will continue to deliver the services for generations to come and so through the development of this plan we haven't brought that identifying what those actions will be like with all of our environment program we lean heavily on external funding to be able to deliver what we need to deliver and I think there's some and key elements within this plan that we can look at such as fish barrier removal which we've identified already as iconic project within Resilient Rivers SEQ framework where we're looking at where can we align projects with potential sources of funding and having a strategic approach where we can say this is an integrated plan so it considers you know everything from the pure environmental ecological processes through to amenity and recreation where does everything fit strategically that we can then say these are priorities for external funding rather than having a scattergun approach. Tom Wegener 03:29:45.345
And then last question like I'm always worried about the plan stalling, collecting dust. What about a levy? It would seem that this is a very popular plan and from the community. Could there be like a levy to say we want this levy to just continue kick-starting, manifesting this plan? Because we've got lots of different local levy. Is that an option to talk about in public consultation? Kim Rawlings 03:30:14.600
Yeah. Mechanisms exist to put in place special area levies or benefited area levies. That is a mechanism that councils can do. We have those. We have a Noosa Waters levy. Hastings Street various levies. So does exist for Council. It's not something we've considered for Burgess Creek, it would, yeah, it would, you know, be some subject to council's consideration whether that was wanted to investigate or pursue. Councillor Wegener. Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 03:30:51.393
Following on from that, could it fall in the Environment Levy? Kim Rawlings 03:30:57.193
Does yeah, so some aspects of this plan and its implementation could actually absolutely be funded by the Environment Levy. Some of it could not be. Okay, so we might not need a new like we could help. For some aspects of it. Amelia Lorentson 03:31:10.160
Yeah, cancer lonesome. So given the catchment area I think is 545 hectares, who pays if Council wigner's idea to terms of a levy, who pays? People from Noosa Heads, junction, is it the entire catchment area? Is that the way that the levy works? Kim Rawlings 03:31:35.578
Are you asking us who pays the levy? There's which advised we haven't looked at the levy. So I can't answer that question because we've had no investigation of a at this point we would have to look into that structure and how you would you know let levies if they're administered there has to be a direct nexus to who pays and who benefits so you know the assumption would be you would have to be within that catchment but again you know this I haven't looked into this we as a concept for this. Jessica Phillips 03:32:21.262
Um and it'll be on notice so it's fine but I had raised in a workshop at some point about revising or having a look at the Environment Levy could I just maybe put it on notice that to ask what's missing from this could it potentially be included um and then I have a follow-up question around the eastern beaches um foreshore management plan is there likely to be any crossovers in that plan in this Ben Derrick 03:32:46.853
Through the Chair Council a good question um yes there's a strong crossover between two given the geographical overlap um there's the eastern beaches obviously predated the Burgess credit catchment plan so we're heavily focused on reserve areas and beach accesses for the upcoming program within the eastern beaches the Burgess Creek extends beyond where are but definitely at that in place there's some of those programs around particularly access through the journal system as well as managing vegetation and erosion that will be picked up and this area has already been identified to under the eastern beaches foreshore reserves management plan. Councillor Wilkie. Frank Wilkie 03:33:36.021
Oh Mr chairman in the interest of moving along given that we're only on item three on the 10 item agenda and we're already in the afternoon and with a hard meeting at five o'clock with community members I'm happy to move this. Brian Stockwell 03:33:46.881
Moved by Councillor Wilkie second. By Councillor Finzel. Frank Wilkie 03:33:50.128
We've been asked to do here today Councillors is endorse this catchment management plan to go out for a community consultation. It'll be very interesting to hear what the community has to say about it and take all that information on board to come up with the final catchment management plan. I do commend it to the community for anyone who wants to understand that the forces at play shaping the quality of the water that's coming out of that catchment and in that catchment on impacts on Flora and fauna. Please read that report. It's excellent. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:34:19.155
I have a couple of questions that I would like to ask and I've pulled out the key uncertainties and knowledge gap in section 3. Of the plan. Probably the question I want to ask is there's an old night saw depot, landfills, waste pits in the kitchen in the catchment that are known contaminant risk. The plan itself admits that we don't know actually how much they're contributing to problems compared to ageing stormwater pipes or Unitywater treated waste water. How serious is this problem? How are we going to find out we're what, water quality problems and given that some of these sites are 50 years old and more has this actually been measured or done before? Ben Derrick 03:35:13.835
Yeah, yeah, Councillor Through the Chair. Through the development of this plan we did interrogate the previous work that has been done particularly around the former landfills in there or former knightshall areas in there which are known locations are known to Council. Those locations have been capped in terms of having a barrier put over the top and the leachate from those are analysed every year and they sit within the permissible levels of a public catchment through that monitoring program so that's what we've already that's what we already know and do for those existing legacy landfills if the leachate extended beyond what the permissible levels were for leachate going into the environment then we'd need to be able to address that as a priority because that would be a contaminant but at this point in time and for the last look I'm not sure but series of years they've been within acceptable levels going in. Terms of, more broadly, unknowns around contaminants going in from stormwater is always surprisingly notoriously tricky to what monitor. We really need to be able to analyse that is the first flush monitor where the collecting catchment may have been sitting there for several months collecting pollutants and then a new storm will go through and it's that first flush which is introducing a lot of contaminants into the system rather than just setting up you know regular monitoring where we go and monitor once every month which we do at the moment. We do have a stormwater monitoring program which is looking at event monitoring and we're getting some potential loggers through our monitoring programs to be able to address that but it's a gap that's unknown at the moment and until we can have that level of detail sitting in that program we can't identify where those key entanglements are coming from the stormwater system. We can have an idea without quantifying. Amelia Lorentson 03:37:40.077
So that sort of brings me to my next question um rather than monitoring in terms of some ageing infrastructure, failing pipes and unknowns in terms legacy contamination, should we be actually sort of creating our own risk category and it should it be sort of treated a little bit separately and more seriously or not? Sorry risk category? Yeah like at the moment the plan talks about monitoring. Kim Rawlings 03:38:12.108
Yeah and I think that the monitoring what the monitoring will do is as ben's just talked about consider consistent monitoring will allow us to understand trigger points or when there's higher levels of contamination or you know beyond lead shape beyond standards I think at that point it's when you know there are certain interventions that might need to happen. So I think you know the monitoring programs are really important element of the plan. Brian Stockwell 03:38:52.865
And Burgess Creek would have different settings to what would be in the Noosa River and to the other streams down there because of nature. So they're what actually establishes if you like a sort of environmental risk category to acknowledge as being a disturbed catchment. Yeah. Amelia Lorentson 03:39:12.160
I'm going to again the plan appendix B. There's a stormwater map and there's two areas that are showing rated red for active erosion damage at tarina street, coy and Ben Lexcen Drive, woolamea way, twilight street, hillside court. Is there any money in the current budget that addresses or fixes those two red zone areas or is that again something to be investigated, not serious at this level? Just the red really was a red flag, excuse the pun, when I went through it. Or have I missed misread the plan when I opened it up? This is appendix B. Kim Rawlings 03:39:58.962
Yeah, Through the Chair, Councillor Lorentson, both of those projects are identified in our long-term capital program. And also in our legib. Whether or not there is money in the existing budget, I might ask Director Walsh just to comment on appendix B stormwater outlet condition evaluation that map showing the two projects at turrina street and Ben Lexcen Drive. Shaun Walsh 03:40:32.286
Thank you. So there is no current no budget allocation for new facilities. Those locations. So the budgets are proposed for stormwater renewals. These residential developments or legacy arrangements require significant redesign or retrofit of gross water traps and stormwater devices to bring them up to a reasonable standard. This would be a significant investment and that's the sort of project for the idea to go out for grant funding to assist. Brian Stockwell 03:41:02.132
Can I follow up on that one? I'm just trying to find the tarina okay. One. So is there's been previous water quality data that highlighted that area as risk, but it was assessing it if that was a waterway high organics, et cetera, is likely because it's being compared against the wrong quality objective. Did that get analysed as part of your system? Because it's not a flowing water system there. It's actually a wetland Ben Derrick 03:41:38.550
Might need to take that one on notice. Mr Chair, I'd look to our principal environment officer to answer that question. Please repeat that. Brian Stockwell 03:41:46.950
Terina street, and I don't think the previous data that I'm thinking about was public, is that a result of historic water quality analysis that highlighted that area? Because I recall when I saw that data, they were comparing it against the values as if it was a flowing stream, where in fact a wetland that's highly intermitted in its flow and the likely high readings is just a result of high organics because it's intermitted in nature. Shaun Walsh 03:42:19.201
Okay, I have to confirm that with our senior environmental officer, sharia Sullivan. She did this prioritisation based on criteria that she used, so I can't really confirm with you at the moment. No, just as a. Unidentified Speaker 03:42:35.423
We'll take that on notice. Amelia Lorentson 03:42:37.143
Thank I'll speak to the motion. Firstly, I want to start by acknowledging the former Mayor and ex-state candidate for Noosa, Claire Stewart, for securing the $100,000 in funding that made this plan possible. That funding, we would not have the evidence base in front of us tonight. I also want to really make a strong acknowledgement to the staff for how this process was run. I attended one of the community shops. It was well facilitated. Staff answered difficult questions, directly reasonable. Reasonably, and the concerns raised in that room have been reflected accurately in this report. That's a really important signal to the community that input into these processes actually shows up in the outcome. So I really want to acknowledge and thank the staff for that. Turning to the draft plan itself. This report, as I read it, is essentially council's own report card on this catchment. And it asks us to look closely at our own backyard. Unitywater is a contributor, mainly through the treated wastewater discharge, and that's acknowledged in the report, but on the evidence, Noosa Council is the main contributor within this catchment through our stormwater network and legacy sites on our own land. That's not a criticism of the plan. It's just doing its job. I want to set out some risks and Wegener raised them. Councillor too. I think they're worth restating because to me it explains why this plan needs proper follow-through rather than just adoption and moving forward to the second consultation phase. Governance and one of the risks. Responsibilities are split across Council, Unitywater and state agencies. We need clear coordination and responses to problems can't be delayed. Climate external drivers, this is a low-lying this wetland system with a dynamic beach outlet. Conditions may change faster than the plan's current assumptions. So again, that's been identified as a risk. Funding and resourcing main risk. A plan of this scope is only useful if it's actually funded and delivered so a risk and I hope there'll be state funding coming our way. Stakeholder and community expectation, again another risk. There is strong community concern that's shaped this plan and I think there's a risk if this delivery doesn't match what the community's been asked. Finally, I also want to welcome the next phase of consultation and I encourage all the residents to take part of this plan. The draft plan will only be as good as the input that shapes it and again I commend staff. The draft integrated catchment plan in front of us is excellent. And I look forward to the community having this say so that a final draft can be adopted and we can do the hard parts which is the strategy to execution and trying to secure some funding to deliver this liver is what potentially can be a really good environment. Outcome for our community. Brian Stockwell 03:46:02.881
I might try an amendment can you just bring that up it's the one that I circulated last night Councillors and so the amendment and I'll read it out is that item B amended to read that approve the draft Burgess Creek integrated catchment land plan provided as attachment 1 with the following amendment to appendix G s2 action 4 and that to read action 4 continue to encourage the adoption of best practice catchment management by residents through delivering targeted behaviour change initiatives and compliance and then the in that table below define target practices and target pathways for example this youth future fuchsia sources nutrients dumping pool overflows grass clippings and then the change in key enabler to add identification of diffused sources urban nutrients and contaminants and in the deliverable to add urban catchment management education and then down in s2 it's to add what was in the original top uh is uh example to reduce illegal connections to stormwater um can you just flip back up yeah there we go yeah so you can see there that was just taken and there so that's my amendment can you just go down it's not going to do we have a seconder? Councillor Phillips. So I'll explain Councillors um as written the action referred to illegal stormwater connections up top being the only thing to be addressed by that action and then in section 2 4.1 it talked about dumping pool overflows and grass clippings and what I couldn't see in the anywhere else in the action plan was just what is probably the standard starting point for any integrated catchment management that's improved land practice by all those in the catchment and so what this amendment does is just broaden that action out to look at adoption of best practice and that in urban catchment is things like where you wash your car what sort of fertiliser do you actually not need fertiliser, you put a native garden in and you know what are the things that you can do to reduce the amount of nutrients, contaminants. What a lot of people don't understand in urban and peri-urban catchments actually pet droppings is a very large source of nutrients into the waterways so that time when we have the first flash stormwater going down through the pipes and getting into the wetlands that can all be ameliorated just adoption of best practice. So this amendment just talks about bottom-up processes that when people get the knowledge or awareness of what the issue is. They have an understanding of the skills needed or the practices needed and sometimes there's a little bit of incentive provided if change in practice requires money then that's way you get that broad adoption of commitment to good catchment management and that you see the result in better water quality and it also obviously just keeps in the compliance angle which was obviously put in regard to if we do have illegal stormwater connections into stormwater that means why that is an issue is that when we do have storm events that the sewerage treatment plant gets overloaded by water a significant increase in volumes because of illegal connections because they're funnelling all the water from the roof into where it should be to the gutters or into the gardens. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:49:52.060
I'm happy to support the amendment I think what I like most about it is when I read the draft it's very compliance driven so the idea that a shift to more behavioural changes rather than compliance allows community to not just read it but to be able to apply just simple everyday things you know I look at pest weight first fertilisers rainwater tanks composting they're everything everyday things that everyone can do and given that you know we all have to play our role in this that there are thousands and of properties and people in this community that can individually play a small part in you know doing what's right for our environment so commend the amendment given that it's also going to be going out for further community consultation so it gives community again opportunity to refine or react to it and we can capture that information as part of the second phase of the consultation so happy to come out to support Tom Wegener 03:51:06.096
And so we met I support the amendment as well these are prickly issues that you bring up when it comes to pet contaminants and things like that and from my history as a surfer especially growing up in southern california where there is a line between contaminants upstream and earaches downstream and so it's fantastic that we're actually addressing this now and that and having the community behind looking at these things that may be some uncomfortable truths but we'll end up with a better situation in the end. Brian Stockwell 03:51:46.644
Anyone else wish to talk? I don't need to close. I'll put the amendment those in favour. Councillor Wilson. That's unanimous. Jessica Phillips 03:52:03.672
Okay. Another amendment? Sure. So this would be an F in this place. Yes, please. Okay. Um, the Council investigate opportunities to utilise the Environment Levy including future Environment Levy program allocations to support the stage implementation of priority actions identified in the Burgess Creek integrated catchment management plan with a report to Council on funding options, project prioritisation and delivery timeframes. Brian Stockwell 03:53:18.280
So, Mr. Lorentson. Jessica Phillips 03:53:23.200
I was just listening to, I know Councillor Finzel doesn't like pulling amendments on the fly, but something that I started thinking about when Tom was talking and just around the, it's like how do we fund it and I think it would be really great to start at this process to, and it may not end up being this because I'm asking it to investigate it, but I do think part of reports like this now would help community and certainly from my decision making. To know where we're actually looking at funding. I'm happy to take advice on the wording because I haven't looked it into the Environment Levy, but I just think that would be really important that we look at how we're going to fund things like this. So I was just looking at putting something together to recommend that the Environment Levy is considered to see these are priorities that came from this that are actually followed through back to tom's point around not just having a plan. Well, this is kind of how I see us determining how we're going to fund it. I'm not locking us in. I'm just asking that during the investigation of the Environment Levy that this is considered to fund it. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:54:44.217
Can I ask just a question? So I've got the Environment Levy in front of us and the purposes and objectives seem to match perfectly with the amendment that we've got in front so the Environment Levy is designed to raise funds to conserve and improve biodiversity in the Noosa Shire, aims to include protecting environmentally significant land. Question to the staff, have I interpreted that correctly and it's a perfect fit? Kim Rawlings 03:55:13.695
Yes so Through the Chair as mentioned before there would be some aspects of the actions in this catchment management plan that would align directly with the Environment Levy absolutely there are some that don't so yes there would be could a process. The only suggestion taking up Councillor Phillips offer to um on the wording um would be that as part rather than a separate report as part of the finalisation of the plan so that we could do it as part of you know having community consultation understand where the actions fall then prioritise and do costing so this plan if we could do that rather than a Jessica Phillips 03:55:57.258
Would separate report I much rather that yeah I was trying to do it I was fly while um but that would be much better if it came Brian Stockwell 03:56:04.173
Yeah yeah so the suggested wording I've got there is just after catchment pan as part of the final report to Council that would be the final one wouldn't it yeah final question um and then include um the Council investigate opportunities to utilise and maybe take that include funding options take out to Council and put that right at the end okay so include funding options so after catchment management plan and include funding options project prioritisation and delivery time frames in the final report take out as part of say of Council to words and it's got our head up have you got a an improvement on that? Nicola Wilson 03:57:29.960
We don't need that Council at the beginning okay Frank Wilkie 03:57:33.560
Thank you well you see the wording please thank you very much. Environment Levy could of course be used for some of the outcomes delivering but we're also it could be very heavily dependent on grant funding and general revenue Brian Stockwell 03:58:00.400
They cancel you talking we're just looking at the wordsmithing of an amendment that sounds like you want to talk to it. Frank Wilkie 03:58:06.622
Well that's a question about the wording. Is this to preclude consideration of grant funding and general revenue to deliver this plan? Jessica Phillips 03:58:17.002
I'm trying to be really my aim was to be very transparent with community about who is going to fund it and I have raised multiple times now about the Environment Levy and if we can review it. These sort of projects to me align perfectly with the Environment Levy. I think community would see it a direct line. I don't know if it should come out of general rates and if it does, it should be part of a consideration through a budget. So it's transparent. So no, I'm being really clear on I think that if there's opportunity, whether I'm not saying no to grants, but at all, because it says include funding options, which would be grants. Frank Wilkie 03:58:52.363
Okay, absolutely. But I'm suggesting that Environment Levy also be considered. Jessica Phillips 03:58:59.151
Is it? Yeah. Okay. No, that's wrong. Brian Stockwell 03:59:02.171
We good? Everyone happy with the amended wording? Yes. And we've talked to it. We've had one question and Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 03:59:12.931
Quickly, I'll support this. Just a note with the Environment Levy when we see in our term before we started, I think it was at $82 or $82.50 per year. Then during COVID, it went down, never has made it back up again, but it's at $75 now. And we can definitely it because people complained when it went down, but they'd never up. Brian Stockwell 03:59:36.600
Councillor, I think the figure you quoted was incorrect. I think it went from $70 down to $60 and it's back up, but that's it. Frank Wilkie 03:59:47.120
I'd like to support the amendment. I just want to make it clear. I think it was Councillor Phillips' intent not to exclude other funding options like grants and general revenue, because as we just heard, some aspects of this plan will be very well suited to the environment. But other aspects, such provision of infrastructure, may not be. And external grant funding may be more appropriate, as is general revenue. So this is not to link. I'm supporting this on the proviso. It doesn't link all outcomes of the Burgess Creek catchment action plan to being funded by the Environment Levy, because that would not be appropriate, but some certainly would be, and all funding options will be considered, and Environment Levy opportunities as part of Karen Finzel 04:00:37.101
Just wondering for clarification around the Environment Levy, because not all things in the policy will support this. Do we need to be more prescribed around like the components of the Environment Levy, or we're just going to leave it? Brian Stockwell 04:00:52.261
I think says investigate the opportunities. Amelia Lorentson 04:00:56.236
I'm happy to support it. I think the wording is clear. It's basically to come back to Council, not exclusive of other funding opportunities, but is there an opportunity through our Environment Levy to help progress some of the initiatives that are going to come out of the catchment plan? And I think it's a great option. I think it fits perfectly, some of the strategies and initiatives will fit perfectly with the criteria and intent of our Environment Levy. Brian Stockwell 04:01:35.126
Do support it, actually. I think there's a couple of words in there that no one's mentioned that are particularly important. I was going to raise it later and that's this project prioritisation. Is that one thing the draft hasn't done that I can see is prioritise and that's one thing I'd like to see the community have significant input into. What are your priorities? Because it is a big agenda. It is a strategic framework which means we could be allocating the whole of environment next 10 years and we might not get finished. So we have to have an. Understanding of priorities and put the priorities of this catchment across other catchments. We know there's issues here. We've used this as a demonstration. Um and but yeah it's um important that we do prioritise it and look at the realistic delivery timeframes and, you know, what needs to be done first. Anyone else wish to talk? Councillor Phillips, you wish to close? Jessica Phillips 04:02:32.851
No, I think it's all been said. Thank you for everyone's help around the table. Brian Stockwell 04:02:36.211
All those in favour? Yes that's unanimous part of the motion. Okay. So we've had Councillor Wilkie and Councillor Wegener from memory. I've got to write those two down. Anyone else wish to talk to the substantive motion I've spoken. Ok okay. I will. We need to understand where this particular plan's come out of. What a lot of people might realise is actually community started asking for this sort of plan back in 2018/2019, one of the local Sunrise Beach residents who was involved in the Australian water association was trying to get up a Birch creek catchment thing to run STEM education for the girls at the Sunshine Beach high and that was probably the first time that I raised it. It's a good catchment to demonstrate urban catchment management. And the uh the um drafter as it has it put in front of us has done a lot of what could be considered good integrated catchment management. One area I'd like to see come out of the consultation is a key aspect of integrated catchment management is fact that you aim to get these processes to be collaborative with shared decision-making and community ownership so when I look at the governance structure in the draft and you see community input off the two angles from the technical advisory group and the project coordination group that's not quite what integrated catchment management says. They're all combined together so you've got the various knowledge that's coming together and that the community's got that opportunity at a strategic level to guide it and you know I've just we had the 250 250th meeting of the Mayor river catchment coordinating committee and that committee has been operating for 30 years and attracted probably hundreds of millions of dollars into the catchment for good work and it is a really good example of true integrated catchment cash management. And so I think during the consultation process we should aim to just test that commitment, does the Council, does the community happy that we sit with the Council Project Control Group and just community input or do we want to make it such that the community actually is the drivers so can ensure that we do get the right balancing decision and the priorities and it would just be interesting to see at this scale if that would be successful and I suppose the other thing is part of integrated catchment management is not just all about environmental issues so part of this catchment is the recreational values and you know how do we balance the investment is you know when we lose access to the beach is that a higher priority than the water quality or is it just another priority that we have to try and funding sources for to me it's a good basis to go out to the community as but we can probably think about the sort of questions we ask and we probably also and I believe it's happening is written by people with technical specialists so I'm guessing that a lot of people wouldn't read through say that appendix G that I've met very to be able to interpret so it's important that we do have that layman's executive summary these are key issues this what we want to do about it what do you think that's all. Anyone else wish to talk? Councillor Wilkie do you like to close? Frank Wilkie 04:06:13.695
Yeah look commend this report to go out for the public consultation very interested to hear what comes back and I would like to take the opportunity just stress that it's important we don't create the impression that all this work is going to be funded by the very constrained Environment Levy because very little will get done unless there's drastic increase in the levy that we charge our residents we have to have we heard the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee has attracted tens of millions over many, years. We want to be open to the opportunity to attract external funding to get this work done. The Environment Levy is very constrained, but it will certainly be one of the sources of revenue that we'll consider in delivering these initiatives. Once we get the final report, I'll put the motion. Those in favour? Brian Stockwell 04:07:03.946
And Councillor Wilson? Yes. That's unanimous. Thank you. And thank you for all the work going into it. Amelia Lorentson 04:07:11.086
Thank you, Kim. Thank you, Ben. Thanks, guys. Marie. Brian Stockwell 04:07:15.085
We then move on to next item on the agenda, which I'm guessing, since the planning staff are coming up, is the. Oh, now it wasn't what I was going to say. Second. It's M-T-U-25-0-1--9, maturity. Application for Material Change of Use of premises to establish indoor sport and recreation at 26 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville. And we have the Director, the manager and the person who does the work. Georgina 04:07:48.657
Beautiful. Good afternoon, I'm Georgina, one of the senior planners. So the application that we have in front of us today is for a Material Change of Use establish an going to indoor sport and recreation uses within the existing building at 25 Eenie Creek Road. So this is probably more commonly known as the medihub building. So we're looking at an existing two story building and they're looking at locating. Sorry, gaining approval within the upper level tenancies there. So this application has followed an impact inconsistent application pathway. And I suppose this is why we are here today. Through that public notification period of three weeks, no submissions were received during that time. By way of background, the site has already been developed under an existing approval for Material Change of Use that was approved under previous scheme, being the 2006 planning scheme, and that was for the purpose of medical and office space. So the application patient so here is I'm seeking to retain the existing built form while changing the use of five existing tenancies on the upper level. So the intent of this is because the applicant, I suppose, is looking for increased leasing opportunities for those upper level tenancies. For the purpose of complementing the existing established uses of the building, being primarily for medical purposes. Each tenancy was originally developed in accordance with this approval, which was assessed under the 2006 planning scheme, so this allowed for tenancies to have an area less than 400 square metres, which was in accordance with the scheme at the time, whereas the current scheme in effect is I suppose seeking indoor sport and recreation uses within the zone, within this precinct of 400 square metres, well, greater than so that's larger format sort of buildings. Um to larger format buildings. Importantly, again, just reiterating, these smaller tenancies form part of an already approved and established development. So the configuration of this existing building is quite limited and it's very unlikely that it will ever be used for showroom purposes or those large format sort of purposes like not going to get a beacon lighting here. I suppose in terms of like servicing constraints to the site in an upper level and I suppose limited to stairs and a lift, as well ceiling heights. So I suppose it was never the large format retail outcomes were sorry, never I'm not quite envisioned under the Noosa Plan within this building, sorry. So through the application process, I've done an assessment against the scheme and economic needs analysis has also been provided in support of the application, we've all reviewed that and I'm quite comfortable that it's meeting the strategic framework of the Noosa Plan and has been recommended for approval subject to conditions. Brian Stockwell 04:11:05.886
Do we have questions? Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 04:11:12.521
So the economic needs assessment that was prepared by the applicant's own consultant, you just mentioned it was reviewed by Council, was that independent review, peer or was it just done internally? Georgina. Georgina 04:11:29.235
So it was a combination. So part of the process, once we received that provided by the applicant, we did seek independent review of that as well. And I suppose the information that we came back from the peer review, I suppose it was essentially saying that if we, would have an opportunity in council's position to request further information. And that was in relation to, is there a lack of showrooms on the side? Like, sorry, let me read it for what it says. If Council has specific concerns relating to the loss of floor space for a code-assessable uses at the subject site, for example, showrooms, there would be the opportunity for us to, I suppose, request for them to provide this supporting information. At officer level and our assessment of this, that was going to, I suppose, not necessarily be meaningful requests, as we're looking at an existing building. So it's been approved, the tenancy, the life for There's no structural shrug. Changes as a result of this application, Patrick Murphy 04:12:31.652
So that consultant was generally supportive of the proposal, but just had it like an annotation or note at the end of their report stating, yes, Council may want to consider the impact on of showroom. But seeing the size of the tenancies and the previous approval, we considered that would have been onerous to us to have requested further economic needs on that basis, on that issue. Amelia Lorentson 04:12:57.927
Okay. I was sort of, when I read the economic needs assessment, I looked at it from probably a different lens. So what I took from it is that when you look at the trade area, the already has 17 gyms, 24 pilates studios, 19 yoga studios and four recovery centres with more coming. So my, when I was reading and I kept going, what basis have we determined that there's. Genuine unmet demand for a gym, a pilates studios, et cetera, what's being proposed. Patrick Murphy 04:13:29.939
Because that report also identifies as there's opportunity and a need for more. So each of those uses that you've mentioned, that report identifies a particular number. Of those facilities, but it also identifies that there's a shortfall for each of those. There's an unmet need. So it goes through and mentions every one of those criteria, uses that you've identified. Yeah. It does mention the numbers but it does say there's opportunity for say five more or three more. So it's not saying that the need has been met at this point in time. Amelia Lorentson 04:14:04.768
It's identifying future needs. That's right. So in terms of, and probably a question, of your assessment process, do you then consider what sort of impact this may have on existing or on small or locally owned, say, pilates studios and gym operators, is that part of the assessment? Patrick Murphy 04:14:28.616
Well, in light of the fact that the report says there's a need for more, it would show that there's not going to be too many that are being provided. But it's like with a lot of uses that occur, it's not for us to look at that aspect. If someone wants to open up a café and there's 10 cafés in a main street, then that's business risk that they would seek to take. In terms of your comment about being local, it certainly does provide an opportunity for local business operators or new to move into this premise as well. Amelia Lorentson 04:15:04.718
And my last question in terms of public notification, Georgina, you mentioned that there was a public notification and responses were received. How was public notification undertaken? Georgina 04:15:19.000
Sure. So that's 15 business days. They have to have quite a large sign on each frontage of the property as well as contacting adjoining landowners and an ad in the local newspaper. Jessica Phillips 04:15:33.961
I've got a couple of questions. Patrick, can I understand a little bit better how when you get requests through your office for um potential sites maybe, people looking. Where do you capture that data to also feed like the planning need or deficiencies? Does that make sense? Patrick Murphy 04:15:59.516
So are you saying people that want to you know find a premise to operate an activity? Yeah. Will the team have a spreadsheet that they collate their inquiries on? So that would be the extent of our data collection. Jessica Phillips 04:16:15.118
Okay so then that my next question is like with that because I only have anecdotal conversation that I would say there's definitely people that have needed larger space maybe. Was chopping it up into little pieces that I started thinking okay well is that the best outcome is there any way when you look at it and it's probably getting right into the detail and that's not your but Patrick Murphy 04:16:45.663
Um, so just on your point, these are not being chopped up. These are existing tendencies they're already small and that's the reason why we're here because if this was one tenancy yeah would be a code-assessable application so the use is envisaged in this locality but the scheme is seeking when you develop a new building you develop large tenancies because it's a showroom precinct so it's not only seeking showrooms in the precinct it's allowing other uses but it wants those buildings to be able to accommodate showrooms Richard MacGillivray 04:17:20.283
And currently a number of those tendencies are all sitting vacant and have been since the building was developed two years the applicant is seeking to cast a wider net of use types to occupy those facilities Patrick Murphy 04:17:33.813
And if I could just go back maybe to where you're going we do have regular catch-ups with our strategic planning team every fortnight myself and the coordinator have a meeting with Anita and generally tara and we talk through the planning issues that we're encountering where we're seeing the pushes and the pulls within the pools scheme and those sort of you know those demands of businesses are coming through and what they're looking for. So there's a lot of open dialogue between the two teams around that and trying to, you know, enable the strategic team to accommodate as much as they can that in their future planning. Jessica Phillips 04:18:10.070
Apologies for misreading that, it was, I thought it was going from a large showroom to a little one, so thank you, but. Brian Stockwell 04:18:15.950
I'm not sure if there's any recommendations. Amelia Lorentson 04:18:17.910
Okay, one more question. Thank you. So, so we're approving a use that's inconsistent with the precinct intent under the 2006 Noosa Plan. Are we setting a precedent in terms of, you know, future medical centres? Can they come back to us and do the same? And is that considered as part of the assessment process? Patrick Murphy 04:18:46.230
A big driver for us in terms of the use is the fact it would be code-assessable consistent if it was a 400 square metre or greater tenancy. So the scheme is envisaging this use. In this locality. Because we we're supportive of it in this instance. Do see a nexus with some of the uses and the medical services that will be provided on site in terms of enabling people that are in some form of rehabilitation for greater movement in developing strength and also the wellbeing that comes from sport and recreation as part of people's daily lifestyle. Richard MacGillivray 04:19:21.125
And strategic framework in the planning scheme which is a key part of your assessment of impact assessable applications does make a strong linkage to these types of uses being important as part of council's strategy around wellness and lifestyle and obviously trying to accommodate for those uses and needs across the Shire. So yeah, so the team have obviously drawn some of those annexes as part of their assessment, which has led to their recommendation to support the proposal in this particular instance. Okay thank you for the questions, I'll move to staff Brian Stockwell 04:19:58.160
So without repeating too much of what was said, this is to me a fairly logical level of flexibility for the centre. I can perhaps reiterate from personal experience in another medical centre at Goodchap Street where many years ago I went to six months worth of preventative cardiology where you'd go up the front and see the specialist and do your stress test and you could go out the back on the bike for six months and you'd be there with your little things on and they'd be measuring your heart and I seem to recall that the supervising doctor got on the bike beside me and over the six months lost more than weight me that I wasn't impressed with, but I also still go to the goodchap medical centre for my have physio and what do they got at the back of the pilates studio and so the whole concept of preventative medicine is hand in glove with the fact of treating ill people and what this option would be is that each individual medical practitioner may not have to do their own rehab or you know recovery assessment if there's a standalone business and it might just actually for sole trader or a new professional in the field who may be able to make their business grow by having the proximity to the downstairs medical practitioner. So I think it's a good level of flexibility. I also think one thing I haven't heard is this site was identified for showroom and there was meant to be a medical precinct up the other end of the street and we actually in approving that site here we sort of made that trade-off already about the loss of showroom space and it's already been constructed so yes we're not going to get these small tenancies with any sort of showroom in. So I think it's worth supporting. Anyone else wish to talk to motion? Amelia Lorentson 04:21:48.194
Okay I put the motion one more question. So this application has challenged me a little bit. And maybe it's a question to our strategic planner, but should Council consider the consequences of approving, like I keep going back to additional supply, whether it is a coffee shop that you mentioned before, Patrick, or whether it's more pilates studios and gyms and yoga studios, should we be considering the potential impact it's going to have on what even the report itself took refers as a volatile sector. Is that a consideration for Council or am I stepping outside the process which is an acceptable outcome? I you know we don't stop a cafe another from being built on a street but should we? My question is should we? Are we creating we I don't know, unnecessary competition and disadvantaging businesses that are putting families you know a lot of families put sacrifice and a lot at stake when they open up a small business. Should that be a consideration? Brian Stockwell 04:23:06.917
It's probably not for the strategic plan because it's a legislative selecting so I'll let the doctor. Richard MacGillivray 04:23:11.337
Yeah I mean I'm happy to add on that. I mean obviously this particular case and obviously each application gets assessed on its merits and is required to. I think that as the team have pointed out that the uses actually are consistent use. So indoor sport and rec as it comes down to the floor plate and so I think when the scheme was drafted it was envisaging maybe larger floor plate format type uses. We're dealing with a situation where we've got an established use and business that has those established tendencies at the moment the applicant is unable to fulfil those tendencies with their current traditional uses and identifies there's potentially some other synergies with these uses that are consistent but at a smaller floor plate. So the team have sort of looked at that and understood in these particular circumstances that warrants some consideration. Does it really align with council's strategic intent and is it you know as you see does it displacing those uses elsewhere in the centre but the reality is the use is consistent it's just because of the size of those tenancies it doesn't meet the scheme requirements and that was generally designed around new development where we do want those larger floor plates particularly in a showroom context this is already an established existing built environment so we have to assess the context of the application. Material before us so and I think that's what the team have done and understand that it does still meet the strategic intent and the framework that's outlined around these particular uses so they've given really good consideration to that but I acknowledge your point around creating unnecessary competition and trying to draw away people from different businesses and the team has sort of done a piece of work to evaluate that they're not drawing away this demand for maybe other established areas because there is a need that's established and it's unmet at the moment if that need assessment said no there's an oversupply and there's no need and this is unnecessary then that would have come out in the report but what it's saying is there is an unmet need this is not going to deter and distract away from those existing businesses that provide those services across the Shire. Brian Stockwell 04:25:31.320
Anyone else wish to talk? I think the key thing that I take away is we can't look at the impact on individual businesses we can only planning need and what staff have established is that there is a overriding planning or economic need being established so that in terms of the development trial process the impact on any individual business is something that they're not allowed to consider so I do think it's worthwhile and as I said the market will probably determine how these many of these will be converted into sport and recreation how many will go to medical so I put the motion those in favour and Councillor Wilson Nicola Wilson 04:26:16.580
Sorry, the mouse is out of control Brian Stockwell 04:26:19.262
Yes that's because you've got a cat in the house that's unanimous we then move on to the next item which the decision made by delegated authority if I remember right yes planning application signed made 2026 and manager Patrick Patrick Murphy 04:26:43.297
Thank you Councillor Stockwell as you said before regina's one of the she's someone doing the work and this report is certainly a reflection of the great work and the volume of work with the team did in the month of May with 36 applications approved under delegation and one refusal the delegation there were no matters that were considered by Council during and yet again another broad range of applications that were determined by officers during that month. Brian Stockwell 04:27:19.292
Any questions? Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 04:27:21.932
Questions, supply and delivery of 13 four-wheel drive utilities at a cost of six hundred and twenty two thousand five hundred and thirty one dollars and fifty three cents. Are we looking at the right report? Delegations. Oh we're under delegations, excuse me. Which has worried the right I know I hate that Brian Stockwell 04:27:41.412
A long that's the plan of recreation of you. Amelia Lorentson 04:27:46.334
I apologise. Apologies. I think we're four and a half hours. Sweating sorry Patrick just testing you. Brian Stockwell 04:28:00.489
Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 04:28:02.149
I'm happy to see that on Rufus street in Peregian beach there's an addition of new composting hub. Did that have to come before Council? Patrick Murphy 04:28:12.824
I don't know the ins and outs of that one but it might have been because there was building works involved in the particular zone. Our scheme does call up building works particularly out of non-residential zones historically so I would say that would be the case. I mean, yeah. Tom Wegener 04:28:33.880
Okay. The pritchin beach community garden there. Jessica Phillips 04:28:37.363
Yeah that's right, Question, do you ever keep data around trends in localities like is there all of a sudden an increase in one suburb over somewhere else? Patrick Murphy 04:28:53.958
Well we do have data around the applications and sometimes it's we just suppose we see where it happens and you know we there's some areas I could give you a bit more information offline if you like where you know certainly over on the you know karai. Towards the Coast is you know the primary bulk of our work and we certainly see it them you know different types of development occurring in different areas and so might be reconfigurations and duplexes and multiple dwellings are probably having areas like Cooroy over the past few years and they had before that yeah so we've okay again I could give you more but Jessica Phillips 04:29:34.648
How does it feed say infrastructure like if there's all of a sudden a trend in an area with planning do they then know oh stormwater might need to be done or the roads or like I don't know how does it pay does it feed into a broader picture well it's a Patrick Murphy 04:29:53.631
Bit more of a strategic question I suppose but the scheme is going to be changed and to allow development on the basis of that infrastructure being available to support it in the first place so the growth should occur in the areas and be planned to that again has got the infrastructure to enable it. Richard MacGillivray 04:30:11.402
And that's the work of the LGF and things like that where it's sort of forecasting and planning on where the growth where do we want the growth to occur and then how do we ensure that the infrastructure is set up to support that growth. So that's strategic work that the team are doing with you and have been working on for some time is setting up what do we want, where those future activities and growth fronts to occur to ensure that the infrastructure is there to support that to be delivered as opposed to sort of ad hoc, which is where you get yourself unstuck and you haven't planned for those future infrastructure upgrades water and sewer and power and all those aspects as well. So. That's the key work that this team does beside us to sort of set that footprint and Patrick and the team are really there to enable that planned development to occur in line with that. Jessica Phillips 04:31:00.816
Councillor thanks. Brian Stockwell 04:31:01.876
Lorentson. Dr. Kennetl-Lawrencen. Question. Amelia Lorentson 04:31:05.296
I note there's not many applications for secondary dwellings. When is the, maybe a question to Kim, when are we getting a report back to Council in terms with our Housing Strategy and how we're going? I think I've asked in the past when I was chairing the Planning & Environment Committee, whether we could have that sort of identified under the delegations to get sort of like a real life or real time assessment, how many secondary dwellings or affordable or additional housing and how have our amendments to our planning scheme amendments, are they working in providing diversification in supply and affordable housing? Kim Rawlings 04:31:51.553
Yeah, thank sure. Through the Chair, you might want to comment on the stats, but I can just mention that the housing monitoring report is being reported to Council next month. Excellent. Yeah. So you'll have a full snapshot picture of all of those things that you've just outlined in August. Amelia Lorentson 04:32:08.433
So question to Patrick, there's an absence of secondary dwelling this month. Patrick Murphy 04:32:13.413
It's because the scheme is enabling the secondary dwellings to occur without an approval. So by not seeing them doesn't mean that they're not being developed. It's the pathway is a lot easier for people to do that nowadays. And therefore they just go straight to getting a building approval to do that. So that'll come forward. Amelia Lorentson 04:32:32.093
So dual occupancy, I note there's one approval in this report in terms of medium density where the plan had been changed to allow for multiple smaller units. Have you noticed just delegations that opportunity being taken up by residents? Patrick Murphy 04:32:52.939
We're probably not really seeing that so much. And we've had a couple of actual superseded planning scheme requests for properties which over you know by one or two square metres over what the limit was that the State ended up requiring us. So I think the 600 square metres. So we've actually allowed those for superseded planning scheme requests to go through as a dual occupancy. I haven't but probably, you know, it's really seen a flow through of multiple dwellings where maybe otherwise they wouldn't have occurred. Thank you. Jessica Phillips 04:33:27.129
I'll have to move. Brian Stockwell 04:33:29.570
That'd be two seconds. Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Phillips, you have the floor. I Jessica Phillips 04:33:33.753
Thank you, Patrick, for explaining my questions as I'm trying to put all of the pieces together and putting the report together. Yeah. And for not knowing the answer about the trucks, so. Thank you very much. Brian Stockwell 04:33:51.336
Thank you. I'll put the motion up. Sorry, other people want to talk. Frank Wilkie 04:33:54.516
Oh, look, thank you for the report. 36.37 applications decided under delegated authority seems to be as many as ever, so it seems to indicate that the DA department is humming along quite nicely. And the purpose for reporting this to Council is to indicate to those who are interested in the community that there's a lot that goes on in delegated authority and that Noosa Council, rather than the Mayoral Council that always says no, about 96 is equivalent to the percentages in here consistently of applications are approved according to the Noosa planning scheme and it is a Council that says yes to compliant applications thank you. Brian Stockwell 04:34:38.606
Does anyone else wish to talk? No? Councillor Phillips, do you wish to close? I thank you. I put the motion. Those in favour? Yes. And that's carried unanimously and Patrick said he'd like to stay along and answer questions about procurement. The next item is 7.6 which is procurement contracts assessment working team contracts awarded under CEO delegation and we have Director Margaret and our procurement manager. Margaret Gatt 04:35:13.687
Afternoon Councillors. I'll just hand straight over to Scott to take us through the report. Thank you. Thanks Councillors. Scott 04:35:20.767
This report outlines those contracts that are awarded under CEO delegation by the procurement contracts assessment working team for the period 1 January to June 30, 2026. So in accordance with our procurement policy, or PCORT may be convened to review PCAWT awards. Under CEO delegation. That being up to $1 million GST exclusive. The PCORT may undertake an independent review of the procurement process before a recommendation is made to the CEO for those awards. The members of the PCORT team the Acting Director Corporate Services, the executive officer of the office of the CEO and Mayor, and the procurement manager. And in accordance with our policy, is required to report the CEO delegated awards to Council bi-annually. So for the period 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026, four relevant contracts were awarded under PCAWT review and CEO delegated approval. They include the Noosa depot main electrical switchboard replacement, the pathway renewal and widening at osprey Avenue, supply and delivery of the 13 four-wheel drive utilities, and the resource recovery cross-concrete pad construction out at Noosa landfill. And the report's submitted for noting by the Council. Brian Stockwell 04:36:41.006
Well, thank you. And my psychic ability says, "Councillor Lorentson, you may have a question." Amelia Lorentson 04:36:45.146
Where's Patrick? Sorry, ray and Scott. 13 four-wheel drive utilities, one of the largest contracts, and it was valued at over $622,000. Couple of questions. Were electric hybrid vehicle options considered? It's 13 vehicles. It's a significant fleet purchase. Should the purchase have been considered as part of, say, our budget process rather than under a delegation given? I understand that the CEO has this delegation, but it's such a significant purchase. Was that an option? And I've got a couple more but if we can start Margaret Gatt 04:37:31.076
Through the Chair, Councillor Lorentson, can I just break up that question into a couple of bits? Sure. Scott may also be able to provide information around whether we considered hybrid or electric vehicles and sean's in the area as well. In terms of the budget, it's pretty customary practice for plant replacement budgets to be just adopted as part of your ordinary budget and not come as a separate line item through the year process. There's also timing of replacement of vehicles can be quite tricky and problematic and need a long lead time because often they come from overseas and come in parts and need to be assembled once they get to our Australian shores. Ensures. So this is customary practice in all the councils I've worked at that your plant and vehicle replacement budget doesn't come up as a separate item for approval, it's just part of your normal budget process. In terms of the environmental or hybrid and EV vehicles, my understanding is, again, normal practices, business cases are developed in deep consultation with various areas of the organisation in terms of what the requirements are for their particular areas of business. And my assumption is that electrical will be or hybrid vehicles would be part of that assessment in terms of if is that fit for requirement for the particular area of the business or not fit for purpose. So I could like we can come back to you with specifics on that to give them very definitive answers to your question there. But that's my broad response to that. Did you want to? Scott 04:39:15.323
Yeah, my understanding is that the electric utility hasn't necessarily advanced to point where they're voting for money. But I'd preface that with probably either Director Walsh or our fleet manager a better place to answer that. Shaun Walsh 04:39:35.082
I hope sean's to show him he's coming to the table. What one of the new initiatives rolled Cooper out by corporate service infrastructure we've actually reformed our fleet manager advisory committee. So we actually have representatives on from the climate change team. So that is part of, you know, the assessment of any new fleet. We've actually got experts in emissions, actually, as part of the decision making. We do have challenges in deployment of electric vehicles. It's actually quite difficult to find an electric vehicle that's actually suitable for operational purposes. The only vehicle that's available is hilux, which actually has range of. 200 than km and is prohibitively expensive at the moment. We've also got electrical supply issues at our depots to allow fast charging. Ours. Whilst we're upgrading our switchboard at the depot to receive power for fast charging, the transformer actually on the road is actually unable to actually discharge electricity, so it can't actually do fast charging. So when we look at deployment of fleet, these are key considerations. And you'll note also some of the fleet considerations we've got coming up is also the new landfill, and you may be aware part of the provisions of the capital works program of the landfill is actually provision of electricity to allow recharging of vehicles whilst electricity supply is insufficient. So these are complex issues, but when we look overseas, electrical fleet is the way to go, both in terms of reliability, but we've got some onsite straits we need to work through, in particular related to the waste fleet, we're really interested in the contract process of our electrical garbage trucks, for instance, because they're quiet and compared to the noisy trucks we've got so so we're open to every opportunity, but we also need to be respectful to some of the constraints we've got at the moment in both fleet selection and recharging Brian Stockwell 04:41:15.519
Just like to add that there is a benefit of noisy garbage trucks it's when you've forgotten to put out the bin and you remember Frank Wilkie 04:41:22.659
Just another question these procurement contract um these awarded contracts are they already displayed in the foyer downstairs or are you awaiting approval before you've done that Scott 04:41:36.472
No no they would be displayed in the foyer as well as our website they're already on there uh yep thank you Amelia Lorentson 04:41:43.941
I'm happy to move the report in front of us Brian Stockwell 04:41:47.821
Move Councillor Lorentson Wilkie Councillor Lorentson and you have the floor Amelia Lorentson 04:41:51.961
Um I think the report is uh very clear well written um don't really need to decisions except that there is probity involved the process is robust and we have very able staff that make I think really good decisions in this space and respect the delegations given to the CEO to make these decisions Brian Stockwell 04:42:19.310
Okay anyone else wish to talk to the motion I put the motion those in favour yes that's unanimous so Councillors I'm just thinking it's been a little over two hours since the last break do we need a short break yes please that'd be great okay so thank you 10 minutes a 10 minute break so that's back at 2:55 let's go in the park, oh, that's lovely. All right okay welcome back so we're now up to item 7 which is 2026 LGA conference motions and Councillor attendance and I take it um are you handling this item Mr CEO? Larry Sengstock 04:56:23.322
September, October each year. You handling this item? Thought about it. These items have been weak for those unaware at each LGAQ conference in Councils are requested or asked to or allowed to provide notices of motion which go through a vetting process with LGAQ and then those that go through that process are then presented on the floor with all councils at the conference and either supported or not supported. If they're supported then the LGAQ will take them further and take them to various state government, Federal or other agencies, whatever the motion requests. So we have 11 motions that have been put forward by Councillors, so today is go through those and to approve them so that they can then go forward to the vetting LGRQ. The LGAQ. So it doesn't mean that they will actually be presented at the conference, they will be vetted first by their committee and then if they get through that then they will go to the conference. So that's what this is today is 11 that we've had put forward and we've discussed in a workshop so they have been a level of scrutiny put through them in terms of the Councillors. So I'm open to either way we can take them as read or we can discuss each individually with each Councillor providing provide a little bit of a background of each one. Amelia Lorentson 04:58:01.849
I'm happy sorry I was about to say I'm happy to move the recommendation and maybe we can speak to our motions as part of our speech given we're already clocked up five hours in this room. Frank Wilkie 04:58:14.788
Well I was going to say Councillor perhaps we could defer this to the following Thursday because we've yet to decide on which councils are to go and go we can through the next and there and are some of the motions have changed slightly and I would like rather than debate each one I'd like to have get together to discuss internally the Councillors that would like to go and also some of wording the motions, the thrust of some of the motions. Are you foreshadowing a deferral motion? Brian Stockwell 04:58:50.759
Yes, a procedural motion, So to defer the matter to the Ordinary Meeting on Thursday the 14th of July. Frank Wilkie 04:59:00.450
Yeah, to allow time for Councillors. No, you don't need to. For further consideration. Karen Finzel 04:59:07.050
Yeah, I'll be the second. Brian Stockwell 04:59:08.930
Second. I think you've explained. Are you happy to put the mouse in? Yep. All in favour? Yes. That's unanimous. Okay. So we move on to item eight, which we could invite the executive officer, Jonci, to discuss the operational plan 2627. Jonci Wolff 04:59:30.977
Good afternoon, Councillors. Afternoon. So this report a Noosa Council operational plan 2627 for council's consideration. Is required to adopt an operational plan each financial year that aligns with the annual budget and supports the delivery of the Corporate Plan. The draft plan outlines 76 initiatives across five corporate plans themes and to progress the strategic priorities within that Corporate Plan. The initiatives have been developed with consideration of organisational priorities and available resources to ensure an achievable program of work. So yesterday, there's one change to the draft plan. As circulated yesterday, there has been a change to attachment one of the report, which is the draft operational plan. The change has been implemented following the adoption of the 26 annual budget on 23rd of June. Specifically, on page 13 of the amended draft operational plan under initiative 1.3.1, relating to the eastern beaches foreshore reserves management plan. The following actions have been added. The first, undertake pandanus inspections and management to conserve the foreshore tree population. Second, undertake environmental beach access renewal and upgrades to protect dunes and vegetation. Third, implement ecological restoration activities bushland. And lastly, support Bushcare and community volunteer programs to rehabilitate reserves. The report is unchanged. This is basically just a change to the attachment. It is therefore recommended that Council: a note the report and b adopt the operational plan 2026-2027 in attachment 1 to the Minutes. Just another clarifying question. Frank Wilkie 05:01:35.357
Yes please. We do this every year after adopting the budget because the operational plan reflects the decisions made in the budget and all the initiatives that have been funded as per the budget. Jonci Wolff 05:01:48.007
That is correct. There must be an annual budget and the operational plan it does not specifically say which one comes first oftentimes they come also at the same time but this is for example an where it pays off that it comes after the annual budget because this action could still be added. Yeah, item in there is budgeted for that's correct yes. Brian Stockwell 05:02:14.156
Any other questions? Frank Wilkie 05:02:15.776
I'm happy to move it. Brian Stockwell 05:02:17.296
Second. I think Councillor Finzel got in second. Councillor Wilkie moved. Councillor Wilkie. Frank Wilkie 05:02:25.196
Yes as we said this is standard procedure. After we adopt a budget we adopt the operational plan which outlines all the funded and resourced initiatives that the Council intends to deliver or initiate in the next financial year and they are tracked by the CEO and reported quarterly to the Council as to their progress. Brian Stockwell 05:02:55.280
Anyone else wish to talk? Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 05:02:57.420
Just a couple of questions and this is only being raised given just recent events with our illegal camping. Note that plan events the includes a mobile licence plate recognition camera trial targeting people camping illegally. Again, just general question and I'm assuming this is going to happen, but are we going to ensure that there's a human rights overlay or scrutiny over that? Process? Just ensure to align with our legislative obligations. Brian Stockwell 05:03:38.891
Yeah, we have the relevant Director coming Richard MacGillivray 05:03:41.091
To the stand. Thank you for the question Councillors. Through the Chair, absolutely Councillor, yes. There's a range of steps. It's early days in terms of the project that we wanted to explore a trial. We'll need to do a range of examinations around the human rights aspect in terms of where it's deployed and how it works. Also, we'll need to develop what we call a privacy impact statement to ensure that the information and the privacy of peoples is adequately assessed yeah, so there's a range of tools, particularly from those aspects that need to be considered. We also need to explore potential locations where we could deploy the technology, but we want to ensure that there's good governance and a good framework and good education and awareness in place for the community to understand what it's designed to do in terms of help deter illegal camping instances, particularly where the community has been very clear with us that they've got major impacts and concerns with people congregating in particular areas or along our sensitive environmental areas where there's impacts from excessive camping occurring. Amelia Lorentson 05:04:43.171
Thank you. Brian Stockwell 05:04:48.900
I'll ask a question. I'm not sure if it was in there last year but I noticed that we've got the Corporate Plan performance measures in the plan for each relevant theme and they are largely outcome oriented. Is the suggestion that then. At annual report, we'll against those performance measures? Larry Sengstock 05:05:10.285
Yes. Simple answer is yes. That's good. Brian Stockwell 05:05:18.445
Littleton? Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 05:05:19.846
So when I went through the operational budget, I noted $56 million capital works figure is quoted. Do we have a figure in terms of the 76 initiatives? Do we. This whole plan fully funded is probably the question I want to ask. Jonci Wolff 05:05:40.267
For the Chair, so the operation plan is fully funded, but there is no figure available to determine the value of these initiatives that is unfortunately not available, that is not requested or that was put together, but obviously the teams have a look at their available resources and budgets and see what they can achieve, what is funded, and put these things forward for inclusion in the operational plan. Brian Stockwell 05:06:10.387
I can add to that as well. Larry Sengstock 05:06:14.367
It's reasonably easy to quantify the projects, the capital works projects, because they're discrete projects and they have a figure of cost to them. It's programs that often are bits of different people's time. There's other allocations of funding, so it's very difficult to try to draw that in into a final figure. We can say they are fully funded because they're part of our overall programs. The other piece that this program or this project does is it's an annual operational plan, but it's part of a five-year corporate so, there's a number of projects in here that are for 12 months, but they're actually a two or three-year or five-year plan or an ongoing program and plan. So, it's very difficult again. What we're trying to do with this report now is to be better at reporting those multi-year programs and projects, as well as the ones that will definitely be delivered within the 12-month period. Brian Stockwell 05:07:16.580
Anyone else wish to talk to the motion? Councillor Wilkie, do you wish to close? No, thank you. I'll put the motion. All those in favour? And Councillor Wilson? Yes. That's unanimous. Thank you, yonji. So we then move on to item 9 to select the most important day in the Pomona calendar. The annual Frank Wilkie 05:07:47.203
Show holiday. Brian Stockwell 05:07:54.479
Do we need an introduction by that? Larry Sengstock 05:07:56.799
Yes, I'm happy to do that. It was seconded by Councillor Lorentson. Brian Stockwell 05:08:01.259
Who moved it? Councillor Finzel. Okay, Councillor Finzel Lorentson seconded it, but we will have the summary from the staff member for the CEO. Larry Sengstock 05:08:11.615
Each year, the Queensland government office of industrial relations writes to us as the CEO. Inviting us to request a special or so holidays for the following year. So we have done that or we propose to do that after today. Each year we do the show day, which is generally in the first, or second week of September. In 2027. So we already have the one lined up for this year. This is for 2027. And I'm proposing that we have show day holiday on Friday, the 10th of September, 2027 for new society. But would you like to talk to the Council of England? Karen Finzel 05:08:51.678
Yeah, of course. This is fantastic. It is the highlight of the Shire events. It's 65 days, 16 hours and 48 minutes until the event arrives, according to their website. So yeah, we're looking forward to that. And the committee has been working really hard this year to, you know, get some extra interest in the show through the showgirl component of that for fundraising and engaging the community at all different levels. So, and it's very important also for those people that do use part of their agricultural development and training and engagement with the broader community and their practices, noting it's not only the Noosa Shire show, that is a big, you know, agricultural shows across Queensland and for our counterparts out west, it is real priority for people that are doing animal husbandry and having opportunities to show their horses and yet look at their rural aspects of life. So, yeah, happy to support it. Amelia Lorentson 05:09:54.321
I'll speak to Councillor Lorentson. I um, hi. Love Pomona and I love actually watching this show get better and every year and that's what exactly it does. To me, you know, I keep going, not every road leads to Hastings Street. We have hinterland and I think the Pomona showground, country and I love using the word country showground, is a real demonstration of how spectacular the Shire is and an opportunity an to, you know, get kids the beach and understand, again, there's show. More to the Shire than just our beautiful oceans. Our rural areas should be celebrated and this is a really great way to celebrate it. Brian Stockwell 05:10:52.132
Yes, chook pavilion is obviously the best but the serious aspect of this is, and it was raised by the committee this year when I went to the show, we probably should also every time we set this as this is a show holiday also communicate to economic development that we don't allow any other events on that weekend so make sure that the priority for that weekend is encouraging people to enjoy the hinterland and the rural way of life that's still enjoyed by a number of people in our community. Jessica Phillips 05:11:26.771
And the dodgons. Films. And the dodgings. Are good. Brian Stockwell 05:11:35.471
Okay, anyone else wish to talk? Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 05:11:39.679
I think it's all being said I'd like to just also highlight their rural ambassadors program, which is really important, and these categories are for junior and senior, so 16 up to 30 years. I think that's really important. We can bring young people along to represent and promote agriculture, build confidence and leadership skills, connect with like-minded people across the industry, and have the opportunity to progress all the way to state and national level. So, you know, the dodgins are great, we love it, and all the other elements that go with the show, but there is that side of it that really supports agricultural practices. So in closing, looking forward to seeing you all in the dodgem cars and out at Pomona, enjoying everything we have to offer. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 05:12:26.934
I'll put the motion. Those in favour? Frank Wilkie 05:12:32.454
A bit of misbehaviour from the galley, Mr Chair. Could you handle that? Thank you. Brian Stockwell 05:12:40.110
I can assure you the building control planners are under good control. Out of control. No, it's the other planners. Okay, so I believe our next item is then item 8.1, which is a confidential session. It's confidential. Would someone like to move the recommendation? It gives the reasons why we are going into confidentiality. That's Councillor Wilson. Just to prove she did attend. All those in favour? Thank you, Councillor. And we'll just wait for the recording to be turned off. Who is she? I mean. Moved second. Brian Stockwell 05:44:49.370
Okay, we're back on brand. The okay, Councillors, we're back in open session. Would someone like to move to procedural motion? Councillor Lorentson Amelia Lorentson 05:45:01.019
And seconded by Councillor Wilkie. Brian Stockwell 05:45:05.079
I don't think we need to talk to it. Those in favour? Yes, and I better read it out at the General Committee agenda. Did I the Ordinary Meeting on the 16th of July, that date 16th July and we just passed it. Was unanimous. Thank you everyone. We have finished at 3:48. Frank Wilkie 05:45:32.218
Thank you Mr Chair. Thank you Councillors. Related Noosa Council Meetings
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