Brian O'Connor
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What was decided?
The minuted decision sequence
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QUESTION 1
What is an Agricultural Hub, what is its purpose, how would it operate in practical terms, what are the outcomes such an initiative would achieve and what role does Noosa Council believe it has in constructing the core infrastructure and creating ongoing operational settings for such a facility?
Response provided by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy & Environment.
An Agricultural Hub is an emerging concept that Council is currently exploring through a initial scoping and feasibility investigation to understand its potential role in supporting Noosa’s rural and hinterland communities.
The study is assessing a range of domestic and international models to determine what a fit‑for‑purpose hub could look like, and whether it could strengthen rural, rural production, regenerative farming, artisan, and creative industries while building long‑term community and economic resilience.
The study is examining how such a hub might operate, including potential functions, services, and a range of potential benefits and considerations. Should a viable model be identified, detailed financial and operational modelling would occur in a subsequent phases, should Council choose to progress to ‘Business Case’.
The Phase One Feasibility Study is being progressed in 2026.
QUESTION 2
What scoping studies have occurred to establish an Agricultural Hub in Noosa Shire, will they be made public? Has a business case been prepared and will the feasibility of such a venture rely upon funding from state and federal government sources - at the start-up stage and ongoing? What economic benefit would the hub generate? What is the timeframe that Noosa Council is working towards getting such a project up and running?
What is an Agricultural Hub, what is its purpose, how would it operate in practical terms, what are the outcomes such an initiative would achieve and what role does Noosa Council believe it has in constructing the core infrastructure and creating ongoing operational settings for such a facility?
Response provided by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy & Environment.
An Agricultural Hub is an emerging concept that Council is currently exploring through a initial scoping and feasibility investigation to understand its potential role in supporting Noosa’s rural and hinterland communities.
The study is assessing a range of domestic and international models to determine what a fit‑for‑purpose hub could look like, and whether it could strengthen rural, rural production, regenerative farming, artisan, and creative industries while building long‑term community and economic resilience.
The study is examining how such a hub might operate, including potential functions, services, and a range of potential benefits and considerations. Should a viable model be identified, detailed financial and operational modelling would occur in a subsequent phases, should Council choose to progress to ‘Business Case’.
The Phase One Feasibility Study is being progressed in 2026.
QUESTION 2
What scoping studies have occurred to establish an Agricultural Hub in Noosa Shire, will they be made public? Has a business case been prepared and will the feasibility of such a venture rely upon funding from state and federal government sources - at the start-up stage and ongoing? What economic benefit would the hub generate? What is the timeframe that Noosa Council is working towards getting such a project up and running?
Response provided by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy & Environment.
Council is currently undertaking the Phase One Feasibility Study, which is the first formal piece of work examining the potential around the concept of an Agricultural Hub in Noosa Shire. Outcomes of this phase will be reported to Council for consideration prior to any future work.
As this is just a scoping study, it has not yet been determined what any future approach or model could be and how it might be financed. The scoping phase will identify initial range of benefits and considerations.
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What was said?
Named discussion on NoosaWatch TV
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Frank Wilkie0:00Good morning and welcome to the Ordinary Meeting of Thursday 19th March 2026. I declare the meeting open at 10:01am. I acknowledge we are meeting on the traditional lands and waters of the Kabi Kabi people and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge their all of us as joint custodians in respecting and caring for this beautiful place that we all love and respecting and caring for each other. I note that all Councillors are in attendance. Item 4 is confirmation of minutes, the Ordinary Meeting held on the 19th February I 2026 have a mover and a seconder for confirmation of the Minutes please. Moved Councillor Lorentson, seconded by Councillor Phillips. Any discussion? All in favour? That's carried unanimously. There are no petitions, there are no presentations, we have no deputations. Have one submission to public question time. The application of two questions is from Mr. Brian O'Connor. Mr. O'Connor couldn't be here today and has requested that Councillor Finzel read his questions which will be answered by Kim Rawlings, Director Strategy and Environment. Councillor Finzel.
1 suggested discussion start time
- 62.0 seconds on the council source timeline · Recording time not yet verified. The end of the discussion is not yet confirmed.