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 Meeting Transcript
Brian Stockwell 00:00.561
So welcome to the July General Committee Meeting. We note that all councillors in attendance with Councillor Wilson attending via Microsoft 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 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 young ones who 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 the first item on the agenda having no presentations nor deputations and that first item in General Committee reports is about the movement and connection action plan 2025 so if I can invite the staff we do the Minutes? Can we do the did I miss one yeah getting. Amelia Lorentson 01:17.251
A bit excited there it is I found it confirmation. Brian Stockwell 01:22.561
Councillor Finzel would like to move the confirmation of the Minutes happy to move happy to second and Councillor Phillips second it all in favour. Yes that's unanimous and now we move on to the first item. Shaun Walsh 01:44.563
Our classes I just wish to revise um Dr Stephanie belongs taken ill so I'll be presenting the report on her basis but uh knowing that she is the author of the report with the um support of our transport officer Daniel berg so be I can't pretend to um I can't be as an expert as Stephanie. An expert as Stephanie so but I do my best um so um the Noosa Transport Strategy originally established in 2017-2027 is approaching the strategic horizon the strategy established a long-term transport vision of an efficient free-flowing and independent transport system that enhances resident visitor experiences and supports sustainable transport environment outcomes since adoption of we've delivered a remarkable suite of transport initiatives across public transport active transport 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 in this report is basically an action plan for the basically an action plan for the remaining two years of the Transport Strategy and remaining two years of the Transport Strategy and intended to maintain delivery momentum intended to maintain delivery momentum respond to current community priorities respond to current community priorities and progress selective initiatives for and progress selective initiatives for investigations the plan needs to be investigations the plan needs to be viewed in conjunction with our work across 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 approve of any capital works and obviously any capital delivery 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 instated, 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 03:45.337
Thank you. Do we have questions? Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:49.616
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 04:01.793
Cents 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 bus on that loop. So it's an additional service to the TransLink service. And the data shows that under the Go Noosa report, which is a separate report, which we can talk to further. Brian Stockwell 04:30.046
Other questions, Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 04:32.270
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 of a one-way trial. Is that captured somewhere, or is that part of the priority bus lane investigation? Shaun Walsh 05:03.601
Yes, so Council funded that investigation last financial year, which has just concluded, and we're pleased to advise 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 boulogne that Stephanie boulogne has actually shared with the workshop, work. We'll excellent. To actually report the findings to Council for further consideration. Amelia Lorentson 05:26.413
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 05:43.911
The only progress we've made on river transport is the Noosa Woods puppet jetty investigation, which sort of forecast a future landing place. The next vehicle that we could. You know, pardon the pun, that 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 a 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. Brian Stockwell 06:17.279
Councillor Phillips? Jessica Phillips 06:17.279
Thanks, Shaun. Just in relation to the road safety audit, the crash investigation from the data that is received from there and the black spot nominations, can you just explain to me how I will see that as a Councillor? Come through, what report 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 06:42.225
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 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 in terms of 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? Richard MacGillivray 07:25.134
I do know that Stephanie has submitted some black spot nominations to TMR and that's just gone through the process now. So it relies 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 07:44.562
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 07:52.823
Okay. So I think there's another line as so we had Councillor Finzel and yeah, I'll get to Councillor Wilson after Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 08:01.871
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 08:19.148
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, how does that translate into a more frequent and service that actually deals with capacity? So we 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 TransLink model. Tom Wegener 08:56.598
It's on a TransLink schedule, but they actually charge. Shaun Walsh 08:58.881
A 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, it's actually about working with them. Karen Finzel 09:11.540
In a collaborative model. Fantastic. And can I just one more question? 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. There and 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 09:38.527
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 bit, yeah. In terms of the other question about accelerated program of pathways, in last year's budget Council thankfully actually approved a budget of $500,000 to advance detailed design on pathways and cycleways through the shower 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 from our discussions about accelerating for paths and cycleways. And that's the first step that we've actually got designs ready to actually be put 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. Thank you. Councillor Wilson. Nicola Wilson 10:46.774
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. Shaun Walsh 11:03.810
Councillor Wilson, is that better? Can you hear me better? Nicola Wilson 11:05.966
Yeah, thank you. I'm so sorry if this has been a bit, but the review of the existing FlexiLink and Council CAP services, that's been on the agenda and been recommended. For review in various reports now, is there a date we can expect that to be done by? Shaun Walsh 11:24.536
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 captured 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 to do that in 26.26, 27 and I note that the report focuses that we can do a review to see where you 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 12:08.800
Thanks. Any other questions? Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 12:17.461
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 12:48.871
Yeah. So firstly, probably the only nuance of what. 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 the existing strategy. So it's not about a new program. We forecast that for us to embrace on a new direction, we would need to start preparing a new Transport Strategy because this Transport Strategy fair is over 10 years old. So to say that the transport space is very challenging. And if you note that, you know, three years ago, we actually had a vacancy in the transport coordinator role for over 12 months. So us trying to Resolve lead the space and then staff it is incredibly challenging against the competition in South East Queensland. And we've regularly advised Council of that. So what 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. Brian Stockwell 13:54.908
Thank you. Shaun Walsh 13:55.808
And for Phillips. Jessica Phillips 13:57.368
Lately I've found out that there's a lot more legislative and non-legislative. And so I've decided I'm gonna make some notes around which ones are and aren't. Just a quick question. Is this one a legislative requirement to come to Council? Shaun Walsh 14:11.773
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. Just a quick question. Is this- 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 14:39.933
Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 14:40.954
Just following on from that, perhaps maybe to provide a little bit more information, can you talk us a little bit about the Noosa Plan 2020 and how that planning framework speaks to land use, transport access and parking considerations? Shaun Walsh 14:58.051
Yeah, Councillor Finzel, I'll probably have to take that on notice and talk to the planners more about it, but I think historically you'll find that when this plan was originally, strategy was appeared 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 in 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. You. Brian Stockwell 15:42.581
Cancel it. Happy to move it, Mr Chair. We've got a mover for the motion. Do we have a seconder? Councillor Finzel. The floor is thank you. Frank Wilkie 15:52.898
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 too. Brian Stockwell 17:53.913
Thank you. Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 17:57.638
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 and the primary risk relates to internal capacity particularly in the balance between progressing strategic per job project work and maintaining business as usual services so 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 thank you Councillor. Brian Stockwell 18:54.088
Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 18:55.089
Um as similar to what Tom's just said um I'm going to go 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 um you know the question I just asked before how are we going and um there are genuine wins and I think the report acknowledges that in particular active transport investments growing um road safety programs have been reinstated I've part taken in a lot of the education programs and really commend those um 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 year, 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 have been trying to push and ratified showers into facilities that was all part of you know the 2017 strategy and part of resolutions past resolutions in Council, ferry service that was also identified as an opportunity in 2017 and nine years later it still remains at that an opportunity. So my question is and again not a criticism of staff back to what Tom said it's probably a question for us as the elected representative 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 my question or the opportunity. 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 at the moment what we're doing year after year 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 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 that we are here in Noosa too many cars not enough space 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 have had this experience I've had this experience in Waikiki where you arrive at a transit centre and there's shuttles and buses and ferries that bring you to high um high visitation Eric 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. 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 to watch Hastings Street year after year grind to a halt every Christmas while we wait for another investigation to conclude so I'm going to go back to the Noosa River as thinking and an opportunity that we really need to put our efforts into. We really need to activate the river as a transport corridor, not investigate it. And again, not impossible ideas. It just takes political will and political will and just in a not in a 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. Brian Stockwell 24:22.333
Thank you, Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 24:23.987
Thank you. For thanks the for 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 I in my opinion 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 that 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 25:45.191
Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 25:46.144
Yes, 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 centres. As 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 to maintain 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 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 and how we can actively provide provision to move forward on these long-term strategies and things that the community has told 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 can 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 I thank the 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 deliver the community expectations. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 28:49.963
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 a 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 Council 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 over the 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. People 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 safe, not just for walkers not just for people with their dogs not just for people 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 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 that 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? Frank Wilkie 31:50.830
No, that's oh, Councillor Wilson, sorry. Brian Stockwell 31:53.759
Thank you. No, thanks. Yeah. Frank Wilkie 31:59.512
Yep, thank you. Some good comments around the table. You don't have to be on Council very long 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 50.000 car trips off 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 Noosa Woods 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 still very much on the table. 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. Brian Stockwell 33:44.692
I'll put the motion. Those in favour? Councillor Wilson. That's unanimous. We move on to the next item which is the Go Noosa report. Shaun Walsh 33:55.703
Thank you, Councillors. 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 hope to Stephanie up. And again, I just wanted to acknowledge the work of Bernadette Goodman, who's actually on leave, scheduled leave at the moment, who's 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 it's thought was very apt, considering it's the Go Noosa report. Brian Stockwell 34:29.444
We can have fun bringing in new staff members if we can't pick on them. That. Tough, that's tough. Shaun Walsh 34:34.896
So again, 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 use alternative forms of transport versus using a car. Which means a lot less cars on the road contributing to congestion. So that represents a 65%. Increase with 24, 25 and a 76% increase between 19, 20. So it's actually seems that it has a high use amongst visitors, sorry, amongst residents the rather than visitors. Survey. And the 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 to hear that the services is servicing residents, not just visitors. So 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 conditions. So there's ongoing concerns from community engagement about our road maintenance and congestion and the continued investment in transport infrastructure. The need for 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. Actually tackling that issue head on. Next slide, please. 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 arbor Roy, Noosaville Noosaville on Beckmans on 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 into more alternative transport modes will actually free up congestion on a daily basis. And we see that at the moment on school holidays when Beckmans Road generally travels really well, whereas during school holidays we have, sorry, during school. Term 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. The 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 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, thanks, Vicki. 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 into the bus stop. And you can see 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 at 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 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. To actually 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 to significant Council interest. And I 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. Brian Stockwell 40:39.037
Thank you. Do we have any questions of the Director? Amelia Lorentson 40:49.174
All right, Councillor Lorentson. I might just take the band-aid off and start with an amendment. Brian Stockwell 40:54.986
We haven't got a motion as yet. Oh, excuse me. I'll move the motions, Jim. Chairman. And move Councillor Wilkie, a seconder, Councillor Finzel, Councillor Wilkie, you have the floor. Frank Wilkie 41:05.649
Great. Look, there's been some great comments around this table about leadership, about not doing business as usual, and 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-term long 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. You for watching this video. If you enjoyed drive down Noosaville during school holidays and long weekends, instead of sea of cars parked side-by side in Lions Park, they see families playing in open parklands 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, demonstrates that Lions Park overflow parking 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 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 Lions Club should be recognised and thanks for its extraordinary contribution to our community however we must also acknowledge a simple question of equity Noosa is home to hundreds of sporting, cultural and environmental service 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 feared negative consequences simply did not occur. Our duty as Councillors is not to make decisions based on anecdotes, sentiment or fear of change. Our duty is to make fact-based, evidence-driven decisions that serve the 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. Thank. Jessica Phillips 46:08.949
Thank you. Can I ask a few questions, please? Start with Shaun. 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 46:32.062
Which sector set can you just reference and you have to assist me Councillor because I don't have Stephanie here so. Jessica Phillips 46:36.978
For the Lions Park we, there was a, going back and forth around the 237. Survey people and I asked whether the interpretation around whether resident, visitor, how that was established. Shaun Walsh 46:57.117
Yeah so basically. And Damian might be able to assist me with this. There was face-to surveys at key locations such as at the bus stops, on the street, in the car park and it is a sample. We fully respect that and that a higher prevalence of day visitors so in the precinct on those particular survey dates. Jessica Phillips 47:20.753
A more questions after the Mayor's talking to it. With the open procurement consideration was that ever considered that it would just go out to procurement if there's a conversation about equity? Was it reported to us that we could consider going out to community and seeing what other volunteer groups would be considered? Shaun Walsh 47:44.835
Yes, so so my understanding in terms of procurement of the existing arrangements it's actually covered under specialist procurement arrangements which is presented to Council on an annual basis so Council is meeting its procurement obligations under the act but you do sign off that on an annual basis and I'm happy for the procurement team 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 not necessarily continue 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 48:31.541
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 a parade there um could you talk me through that 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 was 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 and are lessons to be learned for next time so um so again we're wanting to continue that journey um it's about providing a 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 uh and I actually 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 that if we're operating the overflowed car park 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 50:29.917
Okay um my question was around just back to the procurement part um e in the report says do not proceed with ongoing use of the nurse alliance park for overflow parking for reasons in the report um but doesn't so there's not a recommendation that we would go back out to procurement through this report. Shaun Walsh 50:51.418
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. Brian Stockwell 51:21.581
Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 51:21.581
I'm 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 referenced that ongoing 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 52:11.315
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 a land management plan under the Land Act for the Noosaville Foreshore. Now that land management act, land management plan predated the infrastructure plan and it's under that land management 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 valuable parking for the adjacent precinct as well. Amelia Lorentson 53:27.628
Just a follow-up question, so in terms of the overflow parking, given that the site's already been operating for many, years, 21 years, 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's given. Shaun Walsh 54:07.671
Given 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 the way to respond to this is issue to actually prepare a land management plan that's what the act mechanisms have been set up for. Now Council as 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 54:41.691
So would that require a letter then to the 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 55:03.688
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 55:27.983
Captain O 'Loughlin, Councillor Nicola, got a question? Nicola Wilson 55:33.636
Yes please, it's in relation to part F of the recommendation that staff will investigate alternative charitable arrangements, what we would what we would envisage those 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 line spark anymore this is a strategy about moving people should it be focused on investigating alternative charitable arrangements. Shaun Walsh 56:07.059
Yeah 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 over the last few years we've changed those arrangements from a 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 a need for a community-based you know communication set and we think that one that's service that a group a charitable group such as the Tewantin Noosa 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 group to provide that service so we've also look at arrangements about how we set up the satellite parking now the satellite parking 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 assisting them to get onto the bus you know giving them directions there's also another service that we could conceivably also pay a charitable group to do for us there's also the 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 Hastings Street Association and other traders about whether we contribute to sort of the atmosphere. Of the um 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 58:00.715
You that's your question can I have a follow-up on that please yeah um so when on that basis does that mean that payments to those charities would come from ratepayer funds rather than a visitor contribution that was currently. Shaun Walsh 58:16.475
Um 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 a charitable organisation to undertake the same service does that answer the question Councillor Wilson. Jessica Phillips 58:35.325
Yes thanks ah thank you just in relation to that follow-up um 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 proceeding or not with the Lions Club. Shaun Walsh 58:56.636
It really gets back to available resources within our team Councillor um the Lions Club are great to deal with um 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 a 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 loosehead Lions Park then the only other alternative is these other satellites and really promoting the use of the you know the buses to actually get into Hastings Street and you know as part of that there'd also be a you know envisage a good communication program the patient for reading all their trades 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 additional car parking spaces as satellite parking so that's responding to you know need you know um 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 um just like one last question then on that where does haste industry association currently sit with the recommendation um so as a courtesy we reached out to all our stakeholders such as the twilight news Lions Club the haste association and. Brian Stockwell 01:00:41.016
You- Okay, Councillor Lorentson. I much. Amelia Lorentson 01:00:44.758
Actually thought the report and I've tried to find the page actually references Hastings Street Association and their position and my understanding is they supported the overflow it could be incorrect but Hastings Street and I'll just try to find it. Brian Stockwell 01:01:01.539
So Councillor are you talking to the motion now? Amelia Lorentson 01:01:03.689
Oh yeah just asking local business support in Hastings Street. The report actually states. Brian Stockwell 01:01:10.034
Once again question you appear to be countering a response to the staff. Amelia Lorentson 01:01:15.165
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 01:01:23.637
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 Association is in support of creation of satellite parking in other locations, so that's what I thought I was responding to. Amelia Lorentson 01:01:36.178
Thank you very much. Brian Stockwell 01:01:38.990
Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 01:01:38.990
In terms of cost, what is the cost to Council of operating lines park overflow parking compared with the cost and time frame of delivering say equivalent additional car parking capacity through the park and ride for example. Shaun Walsh 01:01:58.536
I have to take that question on notice Councillor so we have one resource you know so 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 01:02:24.021
Question just in terms of Tourism Noosa given that their new role is an evolution into management and destination management have they provided their position to Council on the decision to close the overflow car parking? Shaun Walsh 01:02:41.959
Not that I'm aware of Councillor. Amelia Lorentson 01:02:47.700
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 2026.2027 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. Do we have a seconder? I have a second. Councillor Phillips. Councillor Lorentson. Okay, so the 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, our 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 three weeks. A year, 21 days. I think I calculated that at less than 6%. And it's a request that's been made on a needs basis. So again. 21 days a year, not 365 days a year, 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 not just 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. It's the future seawall development. All that's going to be landing on Hastings Street and we have to understand that in context of the amendment in front of us. 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, our 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, prams, beach gear, and residents 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 real and it's direct. Every dollar raised at the Lions Park is run by the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, a not-for-profit. It's been run by the lions 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 actually returned a 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 recommends 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 um, up? I'm, can I ask for just a few more minutes through the chat, just a little bit of leaning seat. Thank you. 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 parking, car 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 Lions 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 Lions 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 change is the right 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 year. 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 a split decision. What resolves this is a viable alternative that is actually ready, actually 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. 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 what's actually working. I'm going to just quickly go a history, Tewantin Noosa Lions Club. Brian Stockwell 01:11:44.337
I think we've got eight minutes now, Councillor. I think that's okay. Amelia Lorentson 01:11:49.963
So again, the question is, if we stop this today, what's the alternative? Not the one we've already tried and already know is sitting at under 10% capacity. A real viable alternative is needed to absorb this demand for Christmas. If no one at the table can answer the question today, again, I think the responsible approach is the balanced approach, which is 21. Of 365 days to help support our local businesses, residents and families. Frank Wilkie 01:12:21.277
Thank you, Mr Chair. Look, I'd like to speak against the amendment. There was some pretty, in my view, interesting claims made that there is no alternative. Available. The alternative, as clearly articulated in the report, is the loop bus, which wasn't available in the past when the Tewantin Noosa Lions park was the right to use it as temporary car parking 21 years ago. That'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 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 arguments. What happened? Residents weren't hurt. Kids were not hurt. Businesses were not hurt. 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. It resulted in a better experience for residents and visitors when they attended the precinct. And what does that mean? A better quality of experience is not a. Does not dissuade visitors from coming. What dissuades visitors from coming is traffic congestion. How many times you heard people saying, we're never going back there, it's too crowded. When you remove congestion. 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 full of cars, during school holidays and long weekends, then we do see it used by families. Kicking footballs, kicking 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 are on mobility. Wheelchairs are catching the buses, the free buses. They're also driving down. We're not taking away. 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 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, not 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 a lot of talk about data-based decisions. The recommendation to remove car parking is based on data and it's based on experience. It improves the experience for everyone, helps support businesses, the 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. We're not here just to 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 certainly weren't hurt. And it was an improved experience for everyone. We often hear about bold leadership. We're being asked to do that today, Councillors. 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's the time. Please be bold, Councillors. Councillors. Brian Stockwell 01:17:16.405
Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 01:17:17.345
Thank you. I just realised what happens at the table is we focus on the 2% of things that we don't agree on. And we about the things that we don't agree on, 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 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 the budget, we don't approve the resource. Brian Stockwell 01:17:50.885
Which is we have an amendment. You need to focus on the amendment. Jessica Phillips 01:17:54.471
I'm 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 01:18:12.550
So did you. Australian quite a long way from the amendment. So it's about the change to overflow car parking in the Tewantin Noosa Lions. Jessica Phillips 01:18:20.323
OK. 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 actually see this through yet. We haven't got we've heard it. We haven't got the satellite parking yet. We haven't explored the options for that. We haven't explored the ferry enough to actually deliver it. We don't have the one way bus lane only. 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 we 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. 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 alternatives for you. We haven't done that work to actually agree to take it away yet. We're saying, oh, let's take it away and 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 going to do 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 we it, 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 as a Council we've heard there's no resource, there's not enough resources, there's not enough 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, all of this, now we're taking the lines. Lions Club car 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 work. Before getting 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. Brian Stockwell 01:21:22.599
Thank you. Another sweet to talk to, Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 01:21:25.034
Yeah, I have a question. Coming back to Councillor Lorentson's point about the State management plan, land management plan, just wondering, was a land management plan 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 I 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 in 2020, there was that, you know, it came to us decision. 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. Brian Stockwell 01:22:26.586
Councillor, if 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 there plan done at that time? Karen Finzel 01:22:36.233
Yeah, how did we arrive here? Shaun Walsh 01:22:38.075
Not to our understanding, Councillor. No, there's no land management plan in place over that trusting land. Karen Finzel 01:22:44.124
Okay, so how has that been managed for all these years? Shaun Walsh 01:22:52.718
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 01:23:04.419
If I can add to that, I think it's a letter you're referring to, got a letter clearly stating was contrary to the act and we at that 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 01:23:24.902
Okay so I me 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 to 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 do this and how long to going take? Larry Sengstock 01:24:00.612
I'd have to take that on notice. Sorry, Councillor. I don't know the cost. I imagine it's a roundabout process. I don't have an answer. Karen Finzel 01:24:09.171
Sorry, through the whole of Council, no one today could answer me a roundabout cost. You've asked me, Councillor. Oh, sorry. My apologies. Through the Chair. Shaun Walsh 01:24:16.982
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 Noosaville Foreshore, which was prepared for 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 it didn't involve community engagement. I'm unsure of the actual fee but there were consultants involved and a significant community engagement program. The Director of the property is here. Richard MacGillivray 01:24:46.594
Happy to chime in and assist. So the role of the land management plan is essentially up to Council in terms of how much detail. Is involved and whether or not Council wants to undertake public consultation is part of that process. Essentially the plan is really outlining how Council is maintaining the intent of their 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. Thank you. Brian Stockwell 01:25:56.334
Councillor Wegener, you want to talk to the motion? Tom Wegener 01:25:59.762
I'll 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, down in front of the Lions Park. Congestion periods, because it's just not worth it. My only concern is with the loop buses. Is there going to be enough loop buses? Because I've found them already to be very busy and residents are increasingly driving it. I've taken the loop bus. There are obviously the report 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 loop be a lot more efficient if there wasn't all that congestion that by the 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 on the loop bus with my surfboard during congested time anyways. If I'm going to go surfing, I need to get there at 430 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 season. The year during the year. Anyone else? Brian Stockwell 01:27:32.798
I'll talk to the motion. 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. And the staff recommendation 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 businesses have concerns about the potential impact on their trade. 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 number of 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. And that's what 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. Only 87 are two hours and less. And we know that the economics is getting that turnover every two hours. So 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. 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 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. 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 just using the park and ride facility doesn't mean you're not parking somewhere and catching that loop bus. OK, you'll probably 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 tri has buses coming in 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, that you 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. And you can have a whole lot of different activities, both permanent and temporary, that's activated, that brings place alive, rather than just a station where cars park. 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 the residents so that everyone gets to benefit. I know my kids were there all the time. And this that's the analogy I make is that brave decisions to return green space to the community. It has in the past resulted in the great outcomes that we see in the Woods. Frank Wilkie 01:32:25.426
Can I ask a question? Councillor Wilson's had a hand up for some time. Brian Stockwell 01:32:29.806
Oh sure. Councillor Wilson, yours is the question or I do you wish to going. Jessica Phillips 01:32:34.175
To talk to the motion, 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 to get more 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 I think we can say that businesses won't be hurt I don't think we've 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 part of that parking management plan 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 thank you Councillor Phillips you had a question oh it was good thank you Councillor Wilson because my question was around to staff when would we see the car park management plan come to Council. Shaun Walsh 01:34:18.737
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 workshop for Council is 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 01:34:50.759
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 01:35:22.066
So my recollection is that there was a suggestion state. Of staged I 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 uh the other car park near the cougar um street near landing underway sorry um 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 uh Council did the deal to acquire the potential transit centre out at the Civic so. Jessica Phillips 01:36:04.589
Then one more question then to Director Walsh if by the end of this year could there be alternate satellite car parking delivered for the community and which how many where are we at with that. Shaun Walsh 01:36:16.361
Well I think historically that there has been reports identifying a number of different locations whether it's the new city sports complexes is one idea uh even parking locations in Cooroy and also parking around the bicentennial hall using underutilized car parking spaces during the school holidays on street so uh 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 using you underutilized know for a place to the Lions Park uh with other locations under the same model but spreading over a broader area. Jessica Phillips 01:36:54.157
One more follow-up then because I'm a bit confused because this when this has come up in workshops we I was under there under the impression we're not ready resources and everything else to have any more satellite car parts quickly like it's been investigated but I 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 01:37:20.292
Yeah so probably we to distinguish park and ride from satellite parking so park and ride is available on street parking that's already 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 a new satellite parking location with a dedicated service so 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 01:38:16.427
Just to clarify if you did say that if we wanted to you could have these satellite car parks and parking rides up by Christmas? Shaun Walsh 01:38:25.820
That would be our intent at this time of year that we now have time to redirect our efforts instead of the news Noosa Headlands head lions part into realisation of dedicated sites with promotion for park and ride and satellite. Frank Wilkie 01:38:38.736
So in answer just to clarify the resource will become available if we discontinued parking in the Lions Park. The reason the enormous time and effort that staff spend in organising this would go towards setting up these park and rides and satellite. Car parking by Christmas so it could be in place if the Council wanted to go that way. Shaun Walsh 01:38:59.811
Yes I agree with that and also that would allow us to do a very good communication program uh with the Hastings Street precinct. Amelia Lorentson 01:39:06.704
Question through the Chair um Mayor Wilkie mentioned enormous time and effort taken to put together the Lions Park. Can I understand um what the resourcing is like? I've always understood the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club other than the survey um the Easter period the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club carry um the weight the workload of the Lions Park Council. Shaun Walsh 01:39:31.747
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 the 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 01:40:05.918
Given that they've been operating the site for 21 years I'm my question to you is that process pretty streamlined and efficient? Shaun Walsh 01:40:16.522
So every year they have new volunteers them from different community groups and the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club are an impeccable travel organisation to deal with but every year presents new challenges so in terms of the arrangements and the like. So. Brian Stockwell 01:40:32.464
Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 01:40:33.304
What were you just going one to speak about? Amelia Lorentson 01:40:37.548
More question in terms of the satellite parking. Has that ever been presented to the business community in Hastings Street? Has there been a feasibility done in terms cost, benefits, pros and cons, and whether that poses its own problems in terms of pinch points and traffic congestion? Shaun Walsh 01:40:57.903
So the Noosa Transport 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 01:41:34.863
My last question in terms of the park and ride at the AFL grounds. How long have we been trialling the park and ride at that location? Shaun Walsh 01:41:42.823
So we probably use that as a satellite park versus park and ride. Visit so it's a I can't answer that question, I can Councillor, the question on notice, but my understanding is it came on board sometime after 2017 as a result of the Transport Strategy. Amelia Lorentson 01:41:57.505
So it's been operating roughly nine years and at the moment it's currently I that's before. Brian Stockwell 01:42:05.290
My time thank you uh Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 01:42:10.230
To the CEO, I just want to know, risk to Council, given that business is off 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? 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 01:42:50.315
It come back on Council 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 um it's not an obligation for us to use it in terms of the um the businesses so it really is our decision and again the evidence is put forward today is to say that by closing it not using it is potentially going to increase or decrease the congestion and maybe support businesses um we don't know so that's not necessarily but that's our assumption that's our position and that's our staff recommendation but ultimately it's Council's decision as to whether you want to go forward with that recommendation or not and from a it's a risk but it's not you know in terms of we don't know if it's it going to affect it but there's a whole range of things that will go and affect businesses across. Jessica Phillips 01:43:51.371
The Shire 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 there's probably no perfect time but was that ever considered that it should align with other things that are happening in that precinct. Larry Sengstock 01:44:28.246
Think that we are looking at it as a whole the of and um again there is no perfect time I think this is something that comes up in my time being here it's come up every year yeah and um it's for discussion and for a decision so it's really just come up again um in the position recommendation from the staff is this if you want to accept that position that's your. Frank Wilkie 01:44:51.000
Call 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 alliance park during all school holidays I think it's at least two-week periods and every long weekend which there of which there are many did Council receive any indication that they had from the business community that they had damaged business as a I result. Larry Sengstock 01:45:16.769
I can't ask that because I wasn't here I don't believe during that period but I haven't heard anything from that no I'm personal. Brian Stockwell 01:45:25.843
Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 01:45:26.944
Um just in terms of uh 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. Can I ask the question? Can you just give me some context? And what commitment did we make as a Council to our small businesses because of that commitment? Kim Rawlings 01:46:10.509
Um thanks Councillor Lorentson and through the Chair uh yes Council um are signatories to the Small Business Friendly Charter that's it um and we signed that um I think probably around four years ago now it was an initiative kind of um post covert. And a lot of these initiatives they were very complementary of that business round table process particularly through covert and yes so we have we are signatures to the Small Business Friendly Charter um and that program is um uh focused on supporting small businesses in a variety of ways um in terms of reducing red um 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 01:47:08.673
So we are still currently part yes we are yes we are thank you Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 01:47:19.402
Yes thank you um just coming back to the what's before us um through the Chair of the CEO I understand you've been meeting with the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club did 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 01:47:49.445
Happy to engage in? Karen Finzel 01:47:51.136
I specifically haven't met with the Lions Club, but I know our staff. I've met with them in the. Larry Sengstock 01:47:56.371
Past, various pieces of this, but not in the recent one. This is more being with the Lions Club. Karen Finzel 01:48:02.771
Apologies, thank you. Question to the staff. Shaun Walsh 01:48:05.180
There's two aspects to that. Firstly, we have just you read this or advise the Lions Club that this reports report's been 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 appropriate body. So it might be one or more different charitable organisations. Benefiting from the arrangements rather than exclusive arrangements. And we didn't want to pre-empt a Council decision either. So Lions Club are very well aware of the content of this report, but we haven't pursued any further discussions with them. But the report says that we should pursue a more transparent process for other groups as well. Amelia Lorentson 01:48:43.034
Thank you. Through the Chair, can I also add to that? Just a response to Councillor Finzel. Brian Stockwell 01:48:50.663
Councillor Finzel, did you wish a response from Councillor Lorentson? Karen Finzel 01:48:56.045
With regards to engaging with the lions? Amelia Lorentson 01:48:58.220
With the lions, yeah. Karen Finzel 01:48:59.320
By via CEO or through the staff? Amelia Lorentson 01:49:02.519
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. Yes, thank you. Councillor Phillips had a hand up. Jessica Phillips 01:49:32.882
Thank you. Director George Walsh, this will be my last question. 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 01:50:32.718
So during the school holiday periods we have traffic capacity and car parking capacity in locations like Sunshine Beach and also Tewantin so um so we know that and um that we'll have you know we can fill up those car parks if those are like locations um and it's like a normal school non-school holiday day so we know that they have capacity the area that we do have concerns for satellite parking is actually Noosa Junction because that's already a destination in its own right and we shouldn't replace satellite parking for people going to Noosa Junction instead of going 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. Brian Stockwell 01:51:21.538
And Councillor Wilkie you had your hand. Frank Wilkie 01:51:22.879
Up 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 could be in place by that time as well and a proper EOI process conducted. Shaun Walsh 01:51:43.909
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 the marketer's 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. Brian Stockwell 01:52:07.910
Well yeah thank you um. Amelia Lorentson 01:52:11.846
That's the follow question um up from Director Kim Rawlings reference to the Small Business Friendly Councils Program charter um I actually have the signed uh that's not a question oh um not a question no you've. Brian Stockwell 01:52:32.864
Got an opportunity to close I believe to close I believe Councillor Finzel is the only one that did you wish to talk to the amendment. Karen Finzel 01:52:40.032
Councillor can I speak to that I second the whole ownership you second it. Brian Stockwell 01:52:45.944
But you haven't spoken to it. Karen Finzel 01:52:47.560
Yeah um 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 we're looking at 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 the Shire we've talked about our young people and how we educate them and the impacts for them I think sometimes we have that call to leadership that is being robust and rigorous 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 going to disadvantage the Lions Club I feel 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 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 I feel that we've satisfied that engagement 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 it is provides its challenge. 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 Councillors satisfied? Brian Stockwell 01:56:51.049
Thank you Councillor Lorentson you get to close Councillor Lorentson first. Amelia Lorentson 01:56:55.755
Of all respect and acknowledge all the different opinions around the first table and I think critical it's good 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 it's good that we don't all agree but have shared goals and shared common values and I'll reiterate the goal is to make Lions Park a green 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 next steps 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 holiday not the 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 I am going to reference the small charter friendly business charter that if you can just bear with me this is the Chair question is this new information point. Brian Stockwell 01:59:08.657
No because it relates to the previous question. Amelia Lorentson 01:59:11.280
So in 2023 the then Mayor um Stewart and the. The lunch um we signed a Small Business Friendly Councils Program charter it's in front of me the wording is the Small Business Friendly Councils Program 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 they need to thrive 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 make hay when the sun shines 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 um bridge uh works which is already starting, 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 they are struggling and it's our role as Councillors and also a signature signatories our to Small Business Friendly Councils Program charter to provide them with the opportunities they need to thrive. 21 days out of 365 days is respecting all the positions and the diversity of 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 make and 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 02:01:24.134
I put the amendment. Those in favour? That's 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. Jessica Phillips 02:01:44.102
I have an amendment. Councillor. Brian Stockwell 02:01:51.489
Has an amendment which will be up on the screen shortly. Jessica Phillips 02:02:00.261
It will be G, request that staff investigate and deliver the alternate transport management options, I.e. the satellite and park and ride. Happy to second. Brian Stockwell 02:02:11.719
Second, Councillor. Oh, sorry. Yes. I think just second. Councillor Lorentson and Ken. Yeah. Just before you do, staff are revest. And to invest out and deliver alternative transport management options. Are you happy that's something that's. I'm comfortable. I think that's consistent with the intent of the body of deliver, yeah. A question for Councillor. Phillips. No, we should. We've said the motion's accepted, so we'll let Councillor Phillips talk. Jessica Phillips 02:02:49.007
I think it's pretty straightforward. Just from the feedback from the questions from Director Walsh that we can actually deliver alternate methods by Christmas. I would almost even include if I'm allowed to make a change to my wording by this Christmas because we've heard that can be done. Brian Stockwell 02:03:14.771
Is everyone happy with your words? Is by December 2026? Jessica Phillips 02:03:21.091
Vicky I just sent it to you, apologies. I said this one. Oh yes, I'm sorry. Just use that wording please. And it gets rid of investigate because I assume that work's been done as well. If we 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 and park and ride service. Brian Stockwell 02:03:56.358
Happy with that change the wording everyone? Frank Wilkie 02:03:58.560
Yes. Just a question is it by saying deliver alternate transport management are you talking about something more than just satellite parking and right what do you mean specifically? Satellite parking by December 20. Jessica Phillips 02:04:15.175
By 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 02:04:22.445
Specifically yeah. Okay so you're not talking about anything broader than that you're talking that specifically satellite parking and right service. Jessica Phillips 02:04:33.368
If it helps. Brian Stockwell 02:04:33.788
Communications around it. Jessica Phillips 02:04:35.090
The conversations that we've had that Director Walsh said can be delivered by this year I would just like it in the report. Frank Wilkie 02:04:40.936
Okay wordsmith Councillor Wilson has a hand up Councillor Wilson. Nicola Wilson 02:04:45.801
With would that also include the Council facilities potentially. Jessica Phillips 02:04:51.096
Yes that was something a little bit yeah yeah would you like. Brian Stockwell 02:04:56.685
You like would to you like to include that in the motion. Frank Wilkie 02:04:59.346
We'll have a separate one. Jessica Phillips 02:05:02.293
Yeah I'm happy to add that to that if it includes I would just add it yeah okay. Brian Stockwell 02:05:08.256
And concierge service and community concierge service is what you're referring to yes Councillors yeah. Jessica Phillips 02:05:16.541
Um just a question around that parking park and ride service and concierge. Karen Finzel 02:05:23.027
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 02:05:35.157
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 with very similar stakeholders so yeah in a funny way similar locations we're just thinking yeah that's how it works. Brian Stockwell 02:05:52.706
And there's particular procurement processes available to not-for-profits so we're that the all happy that the wordsmith amendment up there and so and Phillips Councillor you can talk to that. Jessica Phillips 02:06:07.056
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 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 methods given that Walsh has said that this could be done I think that it can just be included in the report. Brian Stockwell 02:07:01.607
Thank you. Others wish to talk to the amendment? Karen Finzel 02:07:05.071
I'd like to commend Councillor Phillips for bringing this forward I think it is really you know, sound leadership and also that um 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 they were 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 02:07:43.688
Else would you like to close Phillips I'll put the motion those in favour and Councillor Wilson yes that's unanimous that becomes part of the motion Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 02:07:58.658
Um I'm going to try an amendment um delete see. Of item 7.2 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. Brian Stockwell 02:08:34.529
Until we have a seconder for that amendment? Frank Wilkie 02:08:38.110
I have 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 02:08:55.927
And public parking. So it's just open as normal until 9am. So not just specifically for residents. No, we can't manage that. If we could manage that, I would say yes, but no, we can't manage that. Frank Wilkie 02:09:07.343
So is it more accurate to say for public parking? Amelia Lorentson 02:09:10.615
Yep, happy for public parking until 9am. If I can make that adjustment, thanks. Okay, OK, so a seconder. Councillor Phillips. Councillor Lorentson. Lorentson I think I raise this every year for six years, and it's something I hear every year for six years. 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 morning. At Main Beach belong to our community. Swimmers doing their laps, runners along the point, surfers checking the break and families carrying boards, paddle boards and skis and elderly people that I know from the surf club who every morning carry skis. To Noosa Main Beach. These residents, these are our residents who use the beach every day of the year, not just over the holiday periods. So the amendment 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 our residents 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 undo the 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 common 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 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 that we. Brian Stockwell 02:11:59.970
Councillor Wilson thank you. Nicola Wilson 02:12:03.051
You question through the Chair to the to Director Walsh please um I appreciate the intent of this amendment but I just wanted to get your thoughts on the practicality of it of whether there is um equipment and things that would need to be moved each day to be able to facilitate this. Shaun Walsh 02:12:19.439
Thank you Councillor the only way I could see this working is if we had a dedicated team down there for the full day and um that time of day um between you know 6am and 10am is when we're responding to issues across the Shire with our limited staff so um 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 the car park 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 02:13:20.977
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 that period. Shaun Walsh 02:13:35.862
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 of about what staff are available and trained and equipped to actually move equipment around such as traffic barriers and signs and all of those sorts of things. And it's fair to say that we've put a lot of effort over the years to make 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 02:14:22.031
I can I also just through um the Chair just make a correction the amendment um only wants the area available for public car parking until 9am not 10am. Shaun Walsh 02:14:38.174
So I was just reflecting that the peak period for our staff to actually respond to you know issues that arise overnight and in the morning this tends to be that period from 6am to 10am when we get overnight requests like let's say we have a storm or we have a um 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 operational for the rest of the Shire. Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 02:15:09.184
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 part of 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 a point where the set up and back down is quite efficient like is there it's being tested but what I'm thinking is like is there 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 residents 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 02:16:07.996
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 now you have to through your towing arrangements because tow trucks are quite large if you think about at that critical entry time into the this precinct at 9:00am. 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 02:16:43.775
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 a 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 02:17:15.264
So I recollect there's 42 car parking spaces in the Main Beach reserve we still provide disabled car parking spaces in that location and car parking spaces for surplus saving and emergency vehicles I think it's about four from what I remember it's more in the restaurant yeah yeah the 15-minute drop-off area only consumed two car parking spaces. Frank Wilkie 02:17:34.813
Okay follow-up question the drop-off zone drop-off zones are intended not for parking but to increase access we 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 Council I'd have to take that notice. Would it be in its hundreds? Shaun Walsh 02:17:57.481
I presume so but I just be honest I don't have that at my fingertips. Frank Wilkie 02:18:01.541
Can have that another question taken on notice please? Amelia Lorentson 02:18:07.478
Question through the Chair? Is there opportunity to provide some car parking as opposed to all car parking? Again I acknowledge the work that it takes 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 until 9:00am. Not all the car parks is that a better middle ground? Shaun Walsh 02:18:38.382
I think we 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 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 so and 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 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 beach main 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 and it seems like it doesn't really get that busy until 10 11 12 o'clock so that period beforehand my observations. Brian Stockwell 02:20:02.122
The question is can you provide the Ordinary Meeting can you provide any traffic flow data at times that would be excellent thank you. Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 02:20:12.778
Just in relation to that the recommendation about 15 minute drop-off parking area on Noosa Parade. Of the right um parade. Brian Stockwell 02:20:21.574
Uh we can't deal with that just at the moment oh. Jessica Phillips 02:20:26.154
Yeah as we're dealing with it kind of tied into that though um let me think. Brian Stockwell 02:20:31.114
Well Councillor Phillips has anyone else got any other questions I want to talk to you. Frank Wilkie 02:20:36.954
Just uh 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 then this will have to be moved it didn't time taken to do that and where would you have to take this gear to store it. Shaun Walsh 02:20:59.343
Uh you could either set up a compound within you know Richard Lou's car parking spaces or we'd have to set up a compound elsewhere in the precinct and how long would it take to actually dismantle and set up this stuff every day um I reflect that we arrive on site at about 3am to set it up for each day and we've usually got it functioning by about 10am so six to seven hours when we deploy the equipment. Frank Wilkie 02:21:22.348
Okay okay and this would you mentioned this could involve extra hours of work um is there an estimated cost to that for that extra work. Shaun Walsh 02:21:34.256
Um if I had to think about the staff being deployed on a daily basis and then the contractors that might in also terms of packing up tents because they're often on hire and that um we're easily talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. Frank Wilkie 02:21:45.746
You've also mentioned that clear messaging and understanding the community is very important to have systems work well do you think this chopping and changing would how do you think that would impact on the way people use the spouse. Shaun Walsh 02:21:57.714
It would be very confusing and I think there'd be people who and I think 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 is it for parking thank you. Brian Stockwell 02:22:14.993
Kent Phillips did you um. Jessica Phillips 02:22:16.722
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 um and I think that what I would have loved hypothetically is that this would have been considered before the drop-off zone was even um established because I do think it's a really important part of delivering to our community that people will 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 um prioritise residents, which we hear all the time would be great. I also hear the operational impact. So I 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 02:23:24.158
I asked it, yeah. Yep. Brian Stockwell 02:23:28.338
Thank okay. Others 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 up. I bring and every year I get community asking me to relitigate it. Their issue is, once again, it's the most, we're in a space of destination management and tourism only works if it's embraced 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 is it good for our 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, our residents before our visitors. 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. 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 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 02:25:57.084
Um so now the closed, debate so now is all closed we can so do now we is can vote on it. Those in favour of the amendment that's Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Phillips uh those opposed um are Councillor Finzel Wilkie Wilson Wegener and Stockwell the amendment is lost. Amelia Lorentson 02:26:20.350
Can I move another amendment please oh excuse me while we have a break please Mr Chair if you. Brian Stockwell 02:26:26.775
Would like to break me I was hoping we'd get to the end of this but well um it looks like it might go on for a little. Thank you, Mr Chair. Have a. Brian Stockwell 03:02:15.610
So, welcome back Councillors uh we're still on item two uh we are back to the substantive motion that currently includes uh an additional clause as a result of an amendment and for recollection we only had Councillor Wilkie who has spoken Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:02:34.427
Um I'd like to try an amendment please as a follow-up to the last amendment um 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 year period allow for public parking each day before converting to the Main Beach drop-off zone for the remainder of the day so cancer 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 03:03:16.505
Okay it's a different year yep okay you so you mean 27 28 okay I'm having a second okay cancer Lawrence. Amelia Lorentson 03:03:32.086
Um just a follow-up from the uh amendment that just failed before um I accept the diverse opinions around the table and took from it that there may be some operational issues we've actually putting together putting hybrid arrangement so this amendment simply requests that part of the next upcoming Go Noosa Program is part of the Council investigation for of new initiatives um 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 community are bringing forward to me that allows them just some public parking before a drop-off zone is fully implemented. Jessica Phillips 03:04:38.956
Councillor TILLOPS. Um I know you've got a lot of experience before you came to this Council in probably similar things now we sort of have established this is it possible to sort of re-look at um how is there a middle ground and um because I quite like the thought of seeing if there is alternate options for us um. Shaun Walsh 03:05:02.974
Thank Chair you for the so from my experience at south bank 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 um because certainly explore the feasibility but you need to be prepared for a budget proposal in hundreds of thousands of dollars so um 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 um 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 significant budget implications to achieve so. Frank Wilkie 03:05:47.672
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 03:06:00.897
What um 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 um before we're committing ourselves to. Shaun Walsh 03:06:12.170
Yeah um after 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 you know consequences so and I just want to give you a hint or from my you know previous experience that it is feasible to change a space like that on a daily basis but it is at cost. Frank Wilkie 03:06:50.099
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 a 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 do 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 entry to car park you will go back to creating more congestion there'll be confusion 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, more congestion. And also daily cost 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 endorsed 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. It's going down it's a path where we know the answer already and it's point towards cost and doing the feasibility takes staff away from the many initiatives that we've already committed staff to doing and budget to doing. Amelia Lorentson 03:08:51.876
Question through the Chair. Director Walsh. Um the amendment doesn't actually request a feasibility study it's more a report just um the question is how onerous is it to report back as part of the next 2020 20 28 to Go Noosa Program for the next 20 27 program um whether this has been considered um and a recommendation put through added to the report how onerous and resourcing um is an assessment not a study, just an assessment. Shaun Walsh 03:09:26.679
An assessment uh 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 um noting that this could be put into next calendar year so versus you know this program um but um you know it's not just the preparation of the report it's participation in debates like this and participation in questions and the like so it just takes away from it okay so yeah okay. Brian Stockwell 03:10:00.654
Would anyone else like to talk to the amendment Councillor Lorentson would you like to close um. Amelia Lorentson 03:10:06.320
Think we've just heard assumptions a lot of assumptions and the amendment in front of us is requesting perhaps a little bit more than an assumption a little bit more data in terms of what is actually involved in putting together a hybrid version um I'm 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 us 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 03:11:07.930
Okay I put the amendment those in favour that's Councillor Phillips and Lawrence Lorentson. Those against? That's Councillor Finzel Wilkie Wegener Stockwell and Wilson the amendment has not succeeded so we move back to the substantive motion as amended would anyone else like to talk to that motion. Amelia Lorentson 03:11:31.060
Can I ask some questions please sure um Council cabs uh that sort of stood out to me the average cost of a Council cab is 92 dollars and 86 I think according to the report with average passenger costs an average cost of 92 dollars 86 foot trip um my question is has Council benchmarked this again say a taxi voucher alternative or a ride share it just seems quite expensive. Shaun Walsh 03:12:01.982
Uh Council we've had to take some uh 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 a 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 out a way forward yet so we would like to continue to investigate it in 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 03:12:53.119
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 can any lessons learned from a flexi links model can that be applied to reduce the Council cabs? Brian Stockwell 03:13:19.289
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 per person. Amelia Lorentson 03:13:31.425
Program performance act NUMs metrics. Average cost per trips: Council cabs $92.86, flexi link $42.40. Shaun Walsh 03:13:41.495
Maybe it's because it's 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 03:14:00.761
Questions or someone wishing to talk to the motion? I'll speak. I 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% of people using of residents. Use the public transport system, where only 18, 19% of visitors, so once again, while a very small percentage, three times, just about three times as many people using park and ride were residents, so it's a interesting sample. I 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 that was also an interesting one. Other than that, yeah, it was a useful report and I think, you know, the overarching outcome of. Overarching 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 have. Jessica Phillips 03:15:23.551
A I have a question, just in relation, because I've tried to ask it before, but it was the wrong time, so back to that, the 15 minute drop off on Noosa Parade. The recommendation for 2026 is that there's a 15 minute drop off 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? We don't have the Lions Club either. Shaun Walsh 03:15:56.407
Two car parking spaces. Jessica Phillips 03:15:59.909
Okay. Brian Stockwell 03:16:05.121
Okay. Cancel Councillor Wegener? A minute. Tom Wegener 03:16:09.845
Are we closing soon? Brian Stockwell 03:16:11.628
We're debating the motion at the moment. Richard MacGillivray 03:16:14.553
The substantive motion now. Brian Stockwell 03:16:16.336
Yeah, okay. So would you like to talk or will you? Tom Wegener 03:16:19.880
Um, I, love the Go Noosa Program. I see it as being enormously successful. I'd like to thank Shaun and all the teams that contribute to this. I love that we've asked for evidence for decisions and we it's what has been recommended our evidence based decisions now as evidence based information. And so I'm very pleased with this and I'm very pleased that we're moving forward with the whole stair strategy, the walk and cycling strategy, the whole thing because 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. Acting so through the Go Noosa Program is incredibly important and so keeping the status quo of Noosa being maintaining a paradise instead of standing back. 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 Noosa report. Brian Stockwell 03:17:42.303
Anyone else? Councillor Wilkie, would you like to close? Frank Wilkie 03:17:46.321
Look, 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 03:18:13.399
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 and invite. Thank you. Shaun Walsh 03:18:35.923
Thank you, Sean. Brian Stockwell 03:18:38.418
And item three is the let's get the correct word, is the 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 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 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. Aye Councillor Amelia. Amelia Lorentson 03:19:57.233
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 approximately 550 metres from the mouth of 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 I believe it is prudent to declare this interest consistent also with 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 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'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 03:21:23.360
Okay so do we have any time we need to hear from the staff with their executive summary. Ben Derrick 03:21:32.293
Thank you Mr Chair before introducing the I this item I'd like to acknowledge the advocacy and support from Councillors that we have we've worked through the process of identifying community environmental issues to be able to present this draft plan the development of the Burgess Creek integrated management plan has been a significant undertaking and a commitment to long-term evidence-based approach to managing this catchment is important I know the project has been funded by government Queensland state government through their budgeting process and without we that support would not have been able 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 agencies 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 the development of this project have enjoyed a King 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 in coasts team from Council and in particular our principal Environmental officer for their work 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 inter-departmental collaboration that allows us to produce this plan today which is largely been developed internally by Council the Burgess Creek catchment is a small compound 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 improve for the catchment and identifies practical actions to improve water quality, strengthen ecosystem health, manage stormwater and erosion impacts, protect recreational and amenity values and improve governance and coordination between Council agencies and the communities. The plan also establishes monitoring and adapt, a monitoring and adaptive management framework ensuring that future decisions continue to be guided by evidence and ongoing learning. I would also like to note 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 Council for consideration. Brian Stockwell 03:24:44.716
Thank you. Do we have any questions? Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 03:24:49.747
With a plan like this, one of the reasons we're creating this like is plan to the reasons is get to we're grant creating funding. This plan get grant funding, to put this formality to our ideas that are peer-reviewed. And is that correct? Kim Rawlings 03:25:08.539
Yeah, through the Chair, one of the things that having plans, 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 03:25:28.329
It is an expense. An expensive plan. I mean, when you look at it with the desires and then we have got the project steering committee. Technical working group, stakeholder community input group, and phase three of gosh, I wrote this on my dark paper of peer review. So just those things as we learned from the oyster reef project, the peer review itself, I think we went through two of them and cost about $40,000 back then. So I, 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? Kim Rawlings 03:26:17.001
Up? Brian Stockwell 03:26:18.001
The question I see from Councillor Wegener, sorry I should have been more on top of that, is it appears to be an expensive plan that is it pitched to getting grants and does it have high aspirations? Are the expectations of the plan considered to be high aspirations? Kim Rawlings 03:26:47.635
We'll both comment. There are costs involved with 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 it that is a limitation of this plan limitation 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's it wasn't within the original scope so yes there are cost implications um we're also clear in the plan that any implementation of this plan it will be subject to future Council budgets there commitment to its implementation will be subject to us accessing future grants will be subject to us to working with partner agencies and subject to community action so it's all it's its implementation is very much reliant on future decisions and future collaborations and there are definitely costs involved in it what those costs are in total we answer that at this stage it's a strategic framework it's draft we are hoping through this next phase of the process we get a better sense from the community about prioritisation but yeah there are absolutely costs involved. Implementing this plan would you like to. Ben Derrick 03:28:21.347
Comment look catchment management plans are not light-touch environmental plans they're holistic they're 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 be able to 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 key elements this plan that we can look at such as fish barrier removal which we've identified already as a iconic project within Resilient Rivers SEQ framework where we're looking at where can we align projects with potential sources of future. 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 the priorities for external funding rather than having a scattergun approach. Tom Wegener 03:29:45.952
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 03:30:16.646
Um mechanisms exist to put in place special area levies and or benefited area levies that is a mechanism that councils can do we have those we have a Noosa Waters levy, we have Hastings Street levy, we have various levies so that is a mechanism that does exist um for Council um it's not something we've considered for Burgess Creek um it would yeah it would you know be some subject to Council's consideration whether that was something you wanted to investigate or pursue Councillor Wegener. Brian Stockwell 03:30:51.854
Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 03:30:52.616
Following on from that could it fall in the Environment Levy does that make sense? Kim Rawlings 03:30:58.877
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 for some aspects of it yeah. Brian Stockwell 03:31:11.755
Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:31:11.755
So given the catchment area I think is five hundred and forty five hectares who pays if the if Council Wegener's idea terms of a levy who pays? People from Noosa Heads, Noosa Junction, is it the entire catchment area? Is that the way that the levy works? Kim Rawlings 03:31:35.675
Are you asking us who pays the levy? Which we would just advise we haven't looked. Amelia Lorentson 03:31:40.502
At the levy. Kim Rawlings 03:31:41.723
So I can't answer that question because we've had no investigation of a levy. So I can't answer that question at this point. We would have to look into that structure and how you would, you know, levies if they're administered. There has to be levy. 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 haven't looked into this as a concept for this. Councillor Lorentson. Brian Stockwell 03:32:18.022
Thank you, Mr Chair. Councillor Phillips. Jessica Phillips 03:32:21.686
Um 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 to ask what's missing from this? Could it potentially be included? And then I have a follow-up question around the eastern beaches foreshore management plan. Is there likely to be any crossovers in that plan in this year? Ben Derrick 03:32:48.273
Yep. Thanks to the Chair, Councillor, good question. Yes, there's a strong crossover between the two, given the geographical overlap. 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 credit extends beyond where the eastern beaches are, but definitely at that in place there's some of those programs around, particularly around access through the journal system. Well as managing vegetation and erosion that will be picked up and this area has already been identified to be picked up under the eastern beaches foreshore reserves management plan. Brian Stockwell 03:33:35.181
Councillor Wilkie. Frank Wilkie 03:33:36.223
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 03:33:47.239
Moved by Councillor Wilkie second by Councillor Finzel. Frank Wilkie 03:33:50.209
What 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. On. And 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 the forces at play in that catchment impacts on Flora and fauna. Please read that report. It's excellent. Brian Stockwell 03:34:18.974
Thank you. Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:34:21.725
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 3.3 of the plan. Probably the question I want to ask is there's an old knight sword 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 water quality problems compared to ageing stormwater pipes or Unitywater treated wastewater. How serious is this problem? How are we going to find out what, how much? They're contributing to 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 03:35:14.388
Yeah, 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 the former knights hall areas in there which are known locations are known to Council those locations have been capped in terms of having a this plan an a acceptable barrier put over the top and the leachate from those are analysed every year and they sit within the permissible levels of leachate into a public catchment through that monitoring program so that's what we've already that's what we already know and what we already 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 going into the environment but at this point in time and for the last look I'm not sure but for the last series of years they've been within acceptable levels going in. Terms of more broadly in terms of unknowns around contaminants going in from stormwater is always surprisingly notoriously tricky monitor. What 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 a 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 we're getting some potential loggers through our 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 03:37:40.683
So that sort of brings me to my next question. 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 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 03:38:12.217
Yeah and I think that the monitoring, what the monitoring will do is, as Ben's just talked about, what the monitoring will do consistent monitoring will allow us to understand trigger points or when there's higher levels of contamination or, you know, beyond, leachate beyond standards. I think at that point it's when, you know, there are certain interventions. Need to happen. So I think, you know, the monitoring programs are really important element of the plan. Brian Stockwell 03:38:46.712
I can add the State sets environmental values and objectives 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. As being a disturbed catchment. Kim Rawlings 03:39:09.008
Yeah, OK. Amelia Lorentson 03:39:12.781
I'm going to go 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, Cooyar Street and Ben Lexcen Drive, woolamea way, twilight street, hillside court. Um 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. Misread or have I misread the plan when I opened it up? This is appendix B. Kim Rawlings 03:39:58.521
Yes, yep. 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 the two projects at um turrina street and Ben Lexcen Drive. Shaun Walsh 03:40:33.108
Thank you um so there's no current no budget allocation for new facilities. Those locations so the budgets proposed for stormwater renewals um these residential developments or legacy arrangements and require significant redesign or retrofit of gross water traps and stormwater devices to bring them up to a reasonable standard. This would so it be a significant investment. And that's the sort of project for the idea to go out for grant funding to assist. Brian Stockwell 03:41:02.535
Can I follow up on that one? I'm just trying to find the tarina one. Okay. So is okay. There's been previous water quality data that highlighted that area as a risk, but it was assessing it as if that was a waterway and it's not. So it's a wetland. So the high organics, et cetera, is likely because it's being compared against the wrong water 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 03:41:38.690
Might need to take that one up notice. Mr Chair, I'd look to our principal Environmental officer. Brian Stockwell 03:41:44.096
To answer that question. 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. Ben Derrick 03:42:20.763
With have 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. Okay, yeah, no, it just hasn't. It wasn't our data. Karen Finzel 03:42:34.441
Yeah, we'll take that on notice. We'll take that on notice, yeah. Amelia Lorentson 03:42:40.535
I'll speak to the motion. Firstly, I want to start by acknowledging the former Mayor and ex-state candidate for Noosa, Clare Stewart, for securing the $100,000 in funding that made this plan possible. Made this possible. Without 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 the thank 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 the plan doing its job. I want to set out some risks and Councillor Wegener raised them 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 coordination, 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. 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 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 what potentially can be a really good environmental outcome for our community. Brian Stockwell 03:46:04.164
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 Management Plan provided as attachment one with the following amendment to appendix G, S2, action 4. That 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 that table below, define target practices and pathways, for example, diffuse sources, nutrients, dumping, pool overflows, grass clippings, and then the change in key enabler to add identification of diffuse 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 is an. Example to reduce illegal connections to stormwater. 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. Do we seconder? Councillor no, go ahead. Councillor Phillips. So so I'll explain, Councillors. 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 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 you do, or 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 by 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 have an understanding of the skills needed or the practices needed and sometimes there's a little bit of incentive provided in if changing practice requires money then that's the 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 funneling all the water from the roof into the sewerage treatment plant where it should be to the gutters or into the gardens. Amelia Lorentson 03:49:52.579
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 Councillor Lorentson I'm happy to support the amendment. 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. They're everyday things that everyone can do. And given that, you know, we all have to play our role in this. And 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 I commend the amendment, given that it's also going to be going out for further community consultation. So it gives community again, opportunity to further refine or react to it. And we can capture that information as part of the second phase of the consultation. So happy to support. Thank you. Tom Wegener 03:51:10.198
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 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 03:51:47.264
Anyone else wish to talk? Don't need to close. I'll put the amendment those in favour. I'll Councillor Finzel Wilson. Sorry, I couldn't get the mouse. Yes. That's unanimous. Okay. I'll just send an amendment, please. Jessica Phillips 03:52:06.257
Another amendment? Sure. I'll just send it to. Karen Finzel 03:52:26.043
Is this supposed to be an F? Yes, please. Okay. Jessica Phillips 03:52:47.661
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 03:53:17.921
To second. Councillor Lorentson. Jessica Phillips 03:53:23.111
So I'm. I was just listening to, I know Councillor Finzel doesn't like public amendments on the fly, but something that I started thinking about when Tom was talking and just around that is 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 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 it would be really important that 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 the 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. Brian Stockwell 03:54:44.727
Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 03:54:44.727
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 correctly and it's a perfect fit? Kim Rawlings 03:55:14.299
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 could be a process. The only suggestion taking up Councillor Phillips' offer on the wording 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 costings as part of the finalisation of this plan. I'm really happy with that. If we could do that, rather than a separate report, if that's okay. Jessica Phillips 03:55:57.657
Please, I would much rather was trying to do it on a flywheel, but that would be much better if it came with all the. Brian Stockwell 03:56:06.064
The suggested wording I've got there is just after catchment from Andrew Payne, as part of the final report. To Council. That would be the final one, wouldn't it? Yeah, final, yep. Question, no, no, no. And then. Include the Council investigate opportunities to utilise and. Maybe take that as part of the final report. Include funding options, take out as part of the final report to Council and put that right at the end. Okay. So. So, and include funding options. So after catchment management plan and. Sorry. And. Include. Funding options, project prioritisation and delivery timeframes in the final report. Take it as part of, say, in the final report of Council to Words and it's got our head up anyway. I'm sorry, I'm taking your job sorry, taking your job away. Councillor Wilson, have you got an improvement on that? Jessica Phillips 03:57:30.524
We don't need that Council at the beginning. Yeah, I understand that. Thank you. Frank Wilkie 03:57:38.106
May we see the wording, please? Environment Levy could, of course, be used for some of the outcomes, delivering some of the outcomes, but it also. Be very heavily dependent on grant funding and general revenue. Brian Stockwell 03:58:00.720
So, Councillor, you're talking. We're just looking at the wordsmithing of an amendment. That sounds like you want to talk to it. Frank Wilkie 03:58:07.127
Well, that's a question about the wording. Brian Stockwell 03:58:08.829
So, is this to preclude. Frank Wilkie 03:58:12.453
Consideration of grant funding and general revenue to deliver this plan? Jessica Phillips 03:58:17.498
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. Okay. Absolutely. But I'm suggesting that. Frank Wilkie 03:58:56.993
Environment Levy also be considered? Or is it? Yeah. Okay. No, that's wrong. Brian Stockwell 03:59:02.678
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 03:59:13.127
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. It never has made it back up again, but it's at $75 now. And we can definitely. Increase it because people complained when it went down, but they'd never complained when it went up. Brian Stockwell 03:59:38.208
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 03:59:46.638
I'd like to support the amendment. 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 plan will be very well suited to the environment. But other aspects, such as 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. Some certainly would be and all funding options will be considered and Environment Levy opportunities will be considered as part of the final report. Karen Finzel 04:00:37.762
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 04:00:52.320
I think it says investigation. Investigate the opportunities out of the environment. Amelia Lorentson 04:00:58.754
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 is there an opportunity through our funding opportunities but Environment Levy to help progress some of the initiatives that are going to come out of the catchment plan and I think a 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 04:01:35.346
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 the environment next 10 years and we might not get finished so we have to have an understanding of priorities and we have to put the priorities of this catchment across other catchments you know we there's issues here we've used this as a demonstration and but it's important that we do prioritise it and look at the realistic delivery time frames and what needs to be done first. Anyone else wish to talk? Councillor Phillips you wish to close? Jessica Phillips 04:02:33.346
No, I think it's all been said. Thank you for everyone's help around the table. Brian Stockwell 04:02:36.669
All those in favour? Yes. That's unanimous it becomes 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? Anyone to the substantive motion? I've spoken. 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 2018, 2019.2019, one of the local Sunrise Beach 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 the 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. 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 250th meeting of the 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 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 we 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 so 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 it 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 the key issues this is 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 04:06:13.844
Yeah look um uh commend this report to go out for public consultation very interested to hear what comes back and I would like to take the opportunity just to 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 certainly be one of the sources of revenue that will get down consider in delivering these initiatives once the we get final report. Brian Stockwell 04:06:58.966
I'll put the motion those in favour and Councillor Wilson yes that's unanimous thank you and thank you for all the work going into it. Amelia Lorentson 04:07:13.149
Thanks, guys. Thanks, Marie. Brian Stockwell 04:07:14.646
We then move on to the 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 what I was going to say. T it's-U-25-0-1-1-9, 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. Beautiful. Georgina 04:07:49.585
Good afternoon. I'm Georgina. I'm 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 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, they're looking at gaining approval within the upper level tendencies 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. And by way of by way of background, the site has already been developed under an existing approval for a Material Change of Use that was approved under a previous scheme, being the 2006 Planning Scheme, and that was for the purpose of medical and office space. The application here is 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. Mean, I suppose it's also for the purpose of complementing the existing established uses of the building being primarily meant for medical purposes and each tenancy was originally developed in accordance with 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 400 square metres so that it's larger format sort of buildings. To a there's larger format buildings importantly again just reiterating these smaller tenancies and 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 we're not going to get a beacon lighting here um I suppose in terms of like servicing constraints um to the site in an upper level and I suppose limited to stairs and a lift um as well as the floor to ceiling heights so I suppose it was never um the large format retail outcomes were sorry never I'm not quite envisioned under the Noosa Plan within this building sorry um so so through the application process I've done an assessment against a scheme um an economic needs analysis has also been provided in support of the application um 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 04:11:06.525
Do we have questions? Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 04:11:12.041
So the economic needs assessment that was prepared by the applicant's own consultant um you just mentioned it was reviewed by Council um was that independent review peer review or was it just done internally Georgina. Georgina 04:11:29.533
So it was a combination um so part of the process um once we've received that provided by the applicant we did seek independent review of that as well and I suppose the summary that the information we came back from the um peer review I suppose it was essentially saying that um if we would have an opportunity in Council's position to request further information um and that was in relation to um is there a lack of showrooms on the side like bull um 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 um meaningful um requests as we're looking at an existing building so it's been approved the tenants there's no structural changes as a result of this application so. Patrick Murphy 04:12:32.459
That consultant was generally supportive of the proposal but just had it like an annotation or note at the end of their report uh stating yes Council may want to consider the impact on loss 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 um on that basis on that issue okay. Amelia Lorentson 04:12:57.969
Um 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 a genuine unmet demand for a gym a Pilates studios etc what's been proposed. Patrick Murphy 04:13:30.266
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 um so it goes through and mentions every one of those criteria every one of those uses that you've identified and mention the numbers but it does say there's opportunity for say five more or three more so it's not saying that the um the meat has been met at this point in time. Amelia Lorentson 04:14:05.061
It's identifying future needs that's right um so in terms of and probably a question as part of your assessment process do you then consider what sort of impact this may have on existing um or on small or locally owned say Pilates studios and gym operators is that part of the assessment. Patrick Murphy 04:14:28.685
Well in light of the fact that the report says and often there's a need for more um it would show that there's not going to be too many that are being provided um but it's like with a lot of uses that occur it's not for us to look at that um that aspect if someone's opened up a café and there's 10 cafes in a main street then that's the 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 local business operators to move into this premise as well. Amelia Lorentson 04:15:06.240
And my last question in terms of public notification Virginia you mentioned um that there was a public notification and no responses were received um how was public notification undertaken. Georgina 04:15:20.458
Sure so that's 15 business days they have to have um quite a large sign on each frontage of the property as well as um contacting adjoining landowners and an ad in the local newspaper okay. Jessica Phillips 04:15:34.472
I've got a couple of questions Patrick can I understand a little bit better how when you get um requests through your office for um I've potential sites maybe people looking where do you capture that data to also feed like the planning need or deficiencies so it does that make sense. Patrick Murphy 04:15:59.615
So you're saying people that want to you know find a premise to operate an activity yeah um well the team have a spreadsheet that they collate their inquiries on um so that would be the extent of our data collection. Jessica Phillips 04:16:15.373
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 a larger space maybe not showroom but certainly what the only thing I looked at with this was chopping it little pieces and 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 that's okay but um. Patrick Murphy 04:16:49.943
Thank you. 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 tendency 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 tendencies because it's a showroom precinct so it's not only seeking showrooms in the precinct it's allowing other uses yeah but it wants those buildings to be able to accommodate showrooms. Richard MacGillivray 04:17:21.955
And currently a number of those tendencies are all sitting vacant and have been since the building was developed two years ago so it's applicant is seeking to cast a wider net of use types to occupy those facilities. Patrick Murphy 04:17:34.262
And if I could just go back maybe to where you're going we do have regular catch-ups with our strategic planning team. Mm-hmm. 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 scheme and those know 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 04:18:10.315
Apologies for misreading that it was I thought it was going from a large showroom to a little one so thank you I might. Brian Stockwell 04:18:16.459
Have any recommendations okay one more question. Amelia Lorentson 04:18:20.884
Um thank you so so we're approving a use that's inconsistent with the precinct intent um under the 2006 Noosa Plan are we setting a precedent um in terms of you know future medical centres can they come back to us and do the same um and is that considered as part of the assessment process? Patrick Murphy 04:18:45.571
Process 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 tendency so the scheme is envisaging this use in this locality we're supportive of it in this instance because we 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 well-being that comes from sport and recreation as part of people's daily lifestyle. Richard MacGillivray 04:19:21.809
And just to add to that the 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 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 nexus as part of their assessment which has led to their recommendation to support proposal in this particular instance okay. For you for the questions I'll move first. Staff recommendation. Brian Stockwell 04:20:00.046
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 than me that I wasn't impressed with. But I also still go to the Goodchap medical centre for my physio and what have they go 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 do own their own rehab. Or you know recovery system if there's a standalone business and it might just actually for a sole trader or a new professional in the field who be able to make their business grow by having the proximity to the downstairs medical practitioners so I think it's a good level of flexibility I also think one thing I haven't heard is this site was 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 site I put was 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 talks refers to as a volatile sector is that a consideration for Council or am I stepping outside the assessment process which is um an acceptable outcome um I you know we don't stop a café um another café from being built on a street but should we my question is should we um are we creating I don't know unnecessary competition um and disadvantaging businesses that are putting families you know a lot of families put a lot of sacrifice um and a lot at stake when they open up a small business um should that be a consideration. Brian Stockwell 04:23:06.931
It's probably not for the strategic plan because it's a um legislative selecting so I'll let them. Richard MacGillivray 04:23:11.215
Yeah I mean I'm happy to add on that um I mean obviously in this particular case and obviously each application gets assessed on its merits and is required to I think that as a team have pointed out that the uses actually are consistent use so into a sporting wreck is 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 um we're dealing with a situation we've got an established use and business that has those established at the moment um 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 um 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 content and is it you know as you see does it is displacing those uses elsewhere in the centre but the reality is the use is consistent it's just it's 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 um creating um 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 um this for from maybe other established areas because there is um a need that's established and it's unmet at the moment if that need assessment said no there's an oversupply um 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 um this is not going to deter and distract away from those existing businesses that provide those services across the Shire. Brian Stockwell 04:25:31.720
Anyone else wish to talk? I think the key thing that I'd take away is we can't look at the impact on individual businesses we can only look at the 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 will be converted into sport and recreation how many will go to medical so I put the motion those in favour and Councillor Wilson. Out of control yes that's because you yes that's because you got a cat in the house where's your cat no he's not here. Unanimous we. Then move on to the next item with which is the decision made by delegated authority if I remember right yes planning application signed by delegated authority made 2026 and. Patrick Murphy 04:26:42.863
Manager Patrick thank you Councillor Stockwell as you said before Georgina's one of the she's doing the work 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 the month of May and yet again another broad range of applications that were determined by officers during that month. Brian Stockwell 04:27:19.990
Any questions? Councillor Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 04:27:21.712
Any questions, the supply and delivery of 13 four-wheel drive utilities at a cost of $622,531.53. Are we looking at the right report, Councillor? Delegations. Oh, we're under delegations, excuse me. I was just worried there. It was a long day sorry. I made the plan of recreation for you. Apologies. Georgina 04:27:50.154
I think we're four and a half hours. Brian Stockwell 04:27:53.194
Sweating, weren't you? Sorry, Patrick. Just testing you. Councillor Wegener. Tom Wegener 04:28:02.417
I'm happy to see that on Rufus street in Peregian beach, there's an addition of a new composting hub. Yeah 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. And yeah okay but that'd. Tom Wegener 04:28:34.735
Be at the bridge in these community garden there yeah that's right. Patrick Murphy 04:28:37.935
Yeah that's right. Jessica Phillips 04:28:38.955
Question do you ever keep data around um trends in localities like is there all of a sudden, an increase in one suburb over somewhere else? Patrick Murphy 04:28:54.639
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 Cooroy 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 I had before that yeah so we've okay again I could give you more but how does. Jessica Phillips 04:29:34.859
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 paint does it feed into a broader picture well it's a. Patrick Murphy 04:29:53.930
Bit more of a strategic question 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 areas that again has got the infrastructure to enable it. Richard MacGillivray 04:30:11.002
And that's the work of the LGIF 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 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 do we want 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 in 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-hmm. In line with that. Jessica Phillips 04:31:01.096
Thanks. Brian Stockwell 04:31:02.898
Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 04:31:04.239
Question, 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 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 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 04:31:51.613
Yeah, 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 that you've just outlined in August. Amelia Lorentson 04:32:08.598
So question to Patrick, there's an absence of secondary dwelling this month. Patrick Murphy 04:32:13.406
It's because the scheme is enabling the secondary dwellings to occur without an approval. Amelia Lorentson 04:32:19.695
By not saying. Patrick Murphy 04:32:21.218
That 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 04:32:32.295
Yep so dual occupancy, I note there's one approval here in this report in terms of medium density where the plan had been changed to allow for multiple smaller units. Have you noticed through just delegations that opportunity being taken up by residents? Patrick Murphy 04:32:52.607
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 but probably no it's I haven't really seen it but you know a flow through of multiple dwellings where maybe otherwise they wouldn't have occurred. Thank you. Jessica Phillips 04:33:27.535
Moved by. Brian Stockwell 04:33:27.757
Councillor Phillips. Do we have a second? Lawrence and Councillor Phillips you have the floor. Jessica Phillips 04:33:34.000
I thank you Patrick for explaining my questions as I'm trying to put all of the pieces together and putting the report together. Um yeah and for not knowing the answer about the trucks. Thank you very much. Brian Stockwell 04:33:52.260
I'll put the motion, sorry other people want to talk. Frank Wilkie 04:33:54.356
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 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 here consistently of applications are approved according to the Noosa Planning Scheme and it is a Council that says yes to compliant applications. Brian Stockwell 04:34:38.010
Thank you very much. Does anyone else wish to talk? Councillor Phillips, do you wish to close? No, 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. Our 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 04:35:14.993
Afternoon I'll just hand straight over to Scott to take us through the report. Thank you. Thanks Councillors. Larry Sengstock 04:35:21.438
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, the procurement and contracts assessment working team, or PCAWT PCAWT, may be convened to review PCAWT contract awards under CEO delegation, that being up to $1 million GST exclusive. The PCAWT may undertake an independent review of the procurement process before a recommendation is made to the CEO for those awards. The members of the PCAWT team, include 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, the Acting Director Corporate Services 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 crushed concrete pad construction out at Noosa landfill, and the report's submitted for noting by the Council. Brian Stockwell 04:36:41.510
Well thank you, and my psychic ability says Councillor Lorentson may have a question. Amelia Lorentson 04:36:45.549
Where's Patrick? Sorry, ray and Scott. So 13 four-wheel drive utilities, one of the largest contracts, and it was valued at over $622,000. A couple of questions. Were electric hybrid vehicle options considered? 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 with those ones. Margaret Gatt 04:37:31.518
Through the Chair, Councillor Lorentson, can I just break up that question into a couple of bits? Scott may also be able to provide information around whether we considered hybrid or electric vehicles and Shaun's in the area as well. In terms of the budget, it's pretty customary practice. Replacement budgets to be just adopted as part of your ordinary budget and not come as a separate line item through the year processes. 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. Amelia Lorentson 04:38:13.823
So this normal. Margaret Gatt 04:38:14.069
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 in terms of 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 vehicles 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 we can come back to you with specifics on that to give very definitive answers to your question there. Amelia Lorentson 04:39:11.783
That's my broad response to that. Larry Sengstock 04:39:16.128
My understanding is that the electric utility hasn't necessarily advanced to a point where they're voting for money, but I'd preface that with probably. Brian Stockwell 04:39:26.858
Either Director Walsh or our fleet manager a better place to answer that. Director Shaun's coming to the table. Shaun Walsh 04:39:39.944
One of the new initiatives rolled out by corporate service infrastructure services we actually reformed our fleet advisory committee so we actually have representatives on from the climate change team so that is part of you know the assessment of any 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 a Hilux which actually has a range of less than 200 kilometres and is expensive at the moment we've also got electrical supply issues at our depots to allow fast charging 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 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 the 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 your vehicles as 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 on-site restraints we need to work through in particularly 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 for some of the constraints we've got at the moment by fleet selection and rechargeable. Brian Stockwell 04:41:15.700
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 04:41:25.148
Just another question, these procurement contracts, these awarded contracts, are they already displayed in the foyer downstairs or are you awaiting approval before you've done that? Larry Sengstock 04:41:36.885
No, no, they would be displayed in the foyer as well as our website. They're already on there? Yep. Great. Frank Wilkie 04:41:43.782
Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 04:41:45.364
I'm happy to move the report in front of us. Brian Stockwell 04:41:48.568
We move Councillor Lorentson, we have a seconder, Councillor Wilkie, Councillor Lorentson, you have the floor. Amelia Lorentson 04:41:52.853
I think the report is very clear, well written. Don't really need to make any 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 04:42:21.968
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? Larry Sengstock 04:42:34.594
Yes, please. That'd be great. Okay, so 10 minutes? We'll have a 10 minute break. Brian Stockwell 04:42:41.691
So that's back at 2.55. Brian Stockwell 04:55:48.223
All right. Okay, welcome back. So we're now up to item seven, which is 2026. LGAQ conference motions and Councillor attendance. And I take it. Are you handling this item, Mr. Mayor? Larry Sengstock 04:56:07.700
Yes, I am. Thought it's all about it. These items have been weak for those unaware. At each LGAQ conference in September, October, each year, councils are requested or asked 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 the various state government, Federal government or other agencies whatever the motion requests. So we have 11 motions that have been put forward by Councillors so today's is to go through those and to approve them so that they can then go forward to the vetting process of 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 you know 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 one individually with each Councillor providing provide a little bit of a background of each one. Amelia Lorentson 04:58:02.234
I'm happy oh 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 04:58:15.014
Well I was going to say Councillor perhaps we could defer this to the following Thursday because we've yet to decide on which Councillors are to go and we can go through the next and there 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 the wording the thrust of the motions. Thrust of some of the motions. Are you foreshadowing a deferral motion? Yes, a procedural motion, deferral motion, yes. Brian Stockwell 04:58:51.640
So to defer the matter to the Ordinary Meeting on Thursday the 14th of. Frank Wilkie 04:59:00.278
July? Yeah, to allow time for Councillors for further consideration. Kim Rawlings 04:59:07.331
Yeah, having a second. Brian Stockwell 04:59:09.395
Second? I think you've explained. Happy to just put the motion? Yep. All in favour? Yes. That's unanimous. Okay. So we move on to item 8, which we could invite the executive officer, Jonci, to discuss the operational plan 2627. Jonci Wolff 04:59:29.833
Good afternoon, Councillors. Afternoon. So this report presents the draft Noosa Council operational plan 2627 for Council's consideration. Council 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 opera the draft plan as circulate 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 ecologic restoration activities to protect dunes and bushland and lastly support Bushcare and community volunteer programs to rehabilitate reserves and 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 s provide an attachment one to the Minutes. Frank Wilkie 05:01:33.704
Just another clarifying question 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 05:01:48.567
That is for the Chair that is correct there must be basically aligned 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 the yeah every item in there. Frank Wilkie 05:02:10.098
Is budgeted for that's correct yes. Brian Stockwell 05:02:14.822
Any other questions? Frank Wilkie 05:02:16.243
I'm happy to move it. Amelia Lorentson 05:02:17.785
I'm happy to second. Brian Stockwell 05:02:20.147
I think Councillor Finzel got in second. Councillor Wilkie moved. Councillor Wilkie. Frank Wilkie 05:02:25.692
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 05:02:56.045
Anyone else wish to talk? Councillor Lorentson. Amelia Lorentson 05:02:59.021
Just a couple of questions and this is only being raised given just recent events with uh illegal our illegal camping. I note that the plan includes a mobile license. Plate recognition camera trial targeting people camping illegally. Again, just a 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, just to align with our legislative obligations. Brian Stockwell 05:03:38.412
Yeah, we had the we have the relevant Director coming to the stand. Richard MacGillivray 05:03:42.112
Thank you for the question Councillors. Through the Chair through the you're absolutely right Councillor. Yeah, so 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. 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 and evaluated. 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 along our sensitive environmental areas where there's impacts from excessive camping occurring. Thank you. Amelia Lorentson 05:04:44.050
There's good governance. Brian Stockwell 05:04:49.401
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 the annual report we'll report against those performance measures? Larry Sengstock 05:05:11.265
Simple answer is yes. That's good. Councillor Lorentson? Amelia Lorentson 05:05:15.890
So when I went through um so when I 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 is um this whole plan fully funded is probably the question I want to ask. Jonci Wolff 05:05:40.813
For the Chair there 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 something that was requested or that was it was put together obviously the um 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 to for inclusion in the operational plan. Okay go ahead. I can add to that as well that. Larry Sengstock 05:06:15.087
It's reasonably easy to um quantify the projects the capital works projects because they're discrete projects and they have a figure of cost to them it's the 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 um into a final figure we can say they are fully funded because they're part of our overall programs the other piece that um 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 but so we're trying to 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 05:07:16.981
Anyone else wish to talk to the motion Councillor Wilkie do you wish to close nothing I'll put the motion all those in favour and Councillor Wilson yes that's unanimous thank you yonji. So so we didn't move on to item nine to select the most important day in the Pomona calendar. Frank Wilkie 05:07:46.203
The annual show holiday move on yeah I better do that keep the best alive. Brian Stockwell 05:07:55.321
Do we need an introduction by that. Larry Sengstock 05:07:56.904
Yes I'm happy to do this every year was seconded by Councillor Lorentson. Brian Stockwell 05:08:01.832
Who moved it Councillor Finzel okay Councillor Finzel moved it. Councillor Lorentson Lorentson and seconded but we will have the summary from the staff members. Larry Sengstock 05:08:11.284
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 but this is for 2027 and I'm proposing that we have show day holiday on Friday the 10th of September 2027 for Noosa Shire to show. Brian Stockwell 05:08:50.039
Would do you like to talk to the Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 05:08:52.081
Yeah of course this is fantastic it is the highlight of the Shire events um it's 65 days 16 hours and 48 minutes until the event arrives according to their website so um yeah we're looking forward to that and um the committee has been working really hard this year um to you know get some extra interest in the show through the showgirl um component of that for fundraising and um engaging the community at all different levels so um and it's very important also for those people that do use it as part of their agricultural development and training and engagement with the broader community and their practices um 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 um yeah look at their rural aspects of life so yeah happy to support it. Amelia Lorentson 05:09:56.373
I. Pomona love and I love actually watching this show get better and every year and that's what exactly what it does to me you know I keep going not every road leads to Hastings Street we have a spectacular hinterland and I think the Pomona showground country showground and I love using the word country showground is a real demonstration of how spectacular the Shire is and an opportunity to you know get kids out of the beach. And understand again there's 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 05:10:52.251
Yes truck pavilion is obviously the best but the serious aspect of this is and it was raised by the committee this year and I went to the show we probably should also every time we set this as a show holiday communicate to economic development that we don't allow any other events on that weekend so we 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 05:11:27.311
And their daughter dodgings dog films. Brian Stockwell 05:11:35.752
Okay anyone else wish to talk Councillor Finzel. Karen Finzel 05:11:39.888
Um I think it's all been said I'd like to just also um 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 as 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 dodgems 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 our agricultural practices so in closing looking forward to seeing you all in the dodgem cars and out at Pomona enjoying everything we have. Brian Stockwell 05:12:27.465
Put the motion those in favour? Yes you bit of misbehaviour from the galley Mr Chair, could you handle that? I can assure you the built-in control planners are under good control. 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 to move the recommendation it gives the reasons why we are going to just. Jessica Phillips 05:13:10.603
That's Councillor Wilson. Brian Stockwell 05:13:11.851
Prove she did attend. It's all those in favour? Thank you Councillor and we'll just wait for the recording to be turned off. By Councillor Wilson. Brian Stockwell 05:44:49.753
Okay, we're back on okay, Brian. The okay, Councillors, we're back in open session. Would someone like to move to procedural motion? Councillor Lorentson and seconded by Councillor Wilkie. I don't think we need to talk to it. Those in favour? And I better read it out at the General Committee agenda. To be referred to the Ordinary Meeting on the 16th of July, that date, 16th of July. And we just passed it. Was unanimous. Thank you, everyone. We have finished at 3:48. Frank Wilkie 05:45:31.473
Thank you, Mr Chair. Thank you, Councillors. I've got it in my notes for the night. Related Noosa Council Meetings
← Browse all Noosa Shire Council meeting transcripts
