Brian O'Connor

BRIAN O'CONNOR QUESTION 1 Can the council explain the process and benefits of the workshop procedures involving relevant council staff and councillors when considering proposed new projects, initiatives and policy under development? RESPONSE FROM LARRY SENGSTOCK, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Councillor Workshops and Briefings are an effective way of assisting Councillors to understand and explore often complex issues and projects. Whilst they are not a decision- making forum, workshops and briefings are useful for a range of reasons including:  enabling Councillors to be briefed on complex matters;  providing training for Councillors on roles and responsibilities, new legislation etc;  allowing Councillors to share information about matters they are currently dealing with;  providing a forum to explore ideas and discuss concepts in the lead up to developing new strategies and policies;  being briefed by staff on current operational matters. Staff may seek feedback from Councillors and/or provide information to Councillors. Officers provide Councillors with advice as well as any relevant background material and follow up information e.g. presentations or other information discussed at a workshop. Council has an approved Briefing Session and Workshop Policy which is available on Council’s website - Councillor Briefing Sessions and Workshops (Non Statutory Meetings) Policy(PDF, 164KB) QUESTION 2 Can Noosa Council outline the works that were to have proceeded in the 2024-25 financial year described by Mayor Frank Wilkie in respect of the Pomona Place Plan in a statement published first on the council website on 24 March 2025 thus: “We’ve included funds in the current budget to fill missing pedestrian links between the high school campus and the village.’’ And did those scheduled works include shared pedestrian/bicycle path links between Pavillion Street and Summit Road via Meridan Court in 2024-25 and along Summit Road to the Pomona Campus of the Noosa District State High School in 2025-26? RESPONSE FROM RESPONSE FROM SHAUN WALSH DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Thank you for the question. The works that we included in the 24/25 budget for is a 2.5metre wide shared pathway along Summit Road from the main entry of the Pomona Secondary College through to Page Court and these works are scheduled for construction in 2025/26 financial year. This route provides a safer defined route from the secondary college to the Pomona town centre along the new footpath, through the low-speed environment of Page Court and Meridan Court and along the existing footpaths on Pavillion Street, Cooroora Creek Park and the centre of town. This initial work is a first step towards improved footpaths in town desired by the community from the Pomona Place Making Project. In this regard Council has recently been successful in obtaining a grant from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads for a Walking Network Plan to better define future desired footpath works by the community and assist in gaining grant funds for future works. Council looks forward to future community engagement about the Pomona Walking Network Plan.