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00:00:00 Councillor Wilkie: It's 10 o'clock and I now declare the General Committee meeting open. Welcome everybody. I'd like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians on the land on which we meet, which is the Kabi Kabi or Gabi Gabi people. We pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging. We have an apology from the Mayor Tony who was on a conference call until approximately 10.30. We have no presentations or deputations and the first item here is referred from the Planning and Environment Committee which is the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation 2018-19 Annual Report and as allowed understanding orders we'd like to kindly accept an offer from representatives from the NBRF to join us as non-members of the meeting to answer any questions that councillors may have. So Dick and Rex if you'd like to come and join us. Councillor Jurisevic: Mr Chair, I request a motion that we relax standing orders so that a more candid discussion can be had with the...
00:01:00 Councillor Wilkie: Oh, thank you for the idea, Joe. As a general rule, the General Committee is, until it goes into, once a motion is moved and seconded, it's more relaxed than an ordinary meeting. I'll refer my party to see how that's the case, Mr Chair. Well, my ruling is that it's unnecessary but please, by all means, Councillor Jurisevic: we're in fairly formal proceedings. Speaker 3: The ruling of the Chair is correct. What we'd normally do as General Committee is to have questions before the motion is moved and have discussion. Once we get into where the motion is moved, that's when it becomes formal at that stage. Councillor Wilkie: I'm happy with that situation. Invite councillors, no need to stand. The General Committee has been the general practice and there's no need to introduce that now but we will reserve that for the more formal ordinary meeting. So, welcome. Craig Doolin, Environmental Manager, outgoing Chair and now advisor, Mr Dick Barnes and the current Chair of the MBO, Rex Halverson.
00:02:00 Welcome. Thank you. Councillors, do you have any questions for the gentlemen about their annual report? I think I do. Councillor Jackson: I won't stand up as we're not going to stand up but I do have several questions and one was put in advance on notice to Rex and Dick. The first question is, because the annual report tends to cover everything from 2014 all the way to 2020, but it doesn't very specifically say what was done in 2018-19. So, given that this is an annual report for 2018-19, are you able to tell us what specific activities took place in 2018 and 19? Speaker 2: Yes. Am I allowed to reply? Yes, sure. Yeah. Obviously, we disagree with your basic tenet, councillor. We try and write a report that is comprehensive that allows many members that are involved with us to understand what's going on.
00:03:00 So, the only references to things that aren't done that year are in to support the context of our current activities and anything that we've put in for the future is obviously supported that way too. The other thing we've found that the AGM takes part, obviously the annual report is for the general meeting of the members and that actually takes place three or four months after the formal fiscal year end. And the approach we've taken is yes, certainly the accounts and fiscal accounts, the auditor's report and so on are specifically between two dates, but where we need to explain other issues. So, for example, we noted in the 18-19 timetable that we were going to be seriously short of direction. Well, so what? What have you done? So, in order to be much more effective and community, we've included in there the activities that then took place to replace the directors.
00:04:00 And that, of course, formally needed to go to the AGM anyway. So, I would like to suggest that anything we've put in there that's of previous years and past years is in there to support the activity statements we've made for this year. Councillor Jackson: Thank you. I didn't actually ask that question. The question I asked were what specifically were the activities that took place in 2018 and 19? Speaker 2: And I'm suggesting I've answered that by saying what has happened in 18-19 and supported it by things that were a concept that were important to that from the past and things that it leads to into the future. Councillor Jackson: I don't hear an answer. Speaker 2: I'm just giving you the answer. The answer is the report. Councillor Jackson: It's not in the report anyway. The annual report does not have activities that took place. Speaker 2: You are not reading into the activity the supporting points we make. It's all about activities that took place in 18-19. 19. But we put around it supporting context. And so you made a quote about something that was raised in 2014. And that was a background.
00:05:00 Councillor Jackson: I'm not actually making a comment about that now. I'm simply asking what happened in 2018-19. Speaker 2: But it was in your question. Just read the report properly. Councillor Wilkie: I have. So, there's a point of disagreement there. So, we'll leave that because I guess the periodical review was intrinsic to the work done in 18-19, a large part of the work. And that's in the report. Councillor Jackson: Are you now speaking on behalf of NBRF? Councillor Wilkie: I'm answering the question as the council's representative on NBRF board. Obviously, the periodical review was . Councillor Jackson: I'd like to ask a question of the CEO. While we understand that Councillor Wilkie, as a mere observer, is exempt from conflict of interest, I do not think that it's appropriate for him to be answering questions on behalf of NBRF. Because that goes beyond the exemption of conflict of interest. Speaker 3: No, that's not actually correct. The exemption for conflict of interest relates to if a council has been appointed to another
00:06:00 board. I'll use Tourism Noosa or the Biosphere as examples. By being appointed, they don't have a conflict of interest. It's not a qualified exemption. It's an absolute exemption. You don't have a conflict of interest if you've been appointed by a council. Councillor Jackson: Actually, the Act says that they do not have a conflict of interest. They don't have a conflict of interest for merely being an appointment. But taking other steps isn't merely. So the word merely is the key word there. Speaker 1: May I respond to the... Deputy Mayor Stockwell: No, I think there is a need now to revert standing orders. I just heard a councillor blatantly interrupt the chair of this committee. That is a breach of standing orders. And I would like that even though we are in a right situation, that that doesn't occur. I think that... Councillor Jackson: I have had to ask about that. I think about conflict of interest. And I believe that's in the interest of all the community. Councillor Wilkie: And it has been answered, councillor. And in answer to your question, what activities took place during the 2018-19 year?
00:07:00 And the former chair, Mr. Bynes, replied saying you need to read that it's in the annual report. And I would suggest that if you were saying nothing is in the report that records anything that happened during the 2018-19 year, it is an unfair statement. It is an unfair and inaccurate question. Because one of the first items it refers to is the periodic review, which is a very large body of work. And for you to say that there's nothing in there that refers to work done in 2018-19 is either an unfair or disingenuous question. Councillor Jackson: So there was one thing done in that year that was... Councillor Wilkie: At least, councillor. Councillor Jackson: At least one thing was done. At least. Councillor Wilkie: At least. Councillor Jackson: Okay. I do have some further questions which maybe Rex or maybe Dick would like to answer. Most of these relate to what's in the funding deed, which was agreed in June, July 2018. So this financial year in 18-19 relates to the new funding deed. Speaker 2: The 19-20 relates to the new...
00:08:00 Councillor Jackson: No. The funding deed was agreed in 18... 2018. That's correct. Correct. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. In the original plan, section 61 and A and B, there's a reference to developing and reviewing a three to five year strategic plan and operational plan. There's no mention of that in the annual report but I just wonder what progress did occur in relationship to the strategic plan and operational plan. Speaker 2: In the body of the document, it sets down an approach to the big ideas generation that we've been asked to take on. And it shows how a project... And so that's an ongoing process. We started that. There are, as I say, there are seven or eight big idea things which have been actioned in this year, in 18-19. So that's another six or seven activities. Plus the fact that we commented in the thing about what projects have been completed in the year and so on. So there's a lot of stuff in there, to be frank, about the current activities.
00:09:00 Councillor Jackson: About the strategic plan and the operational plan? Speaker 2: About the plan in general. And I've made the point that we've put down a methodology for the strategic plan and we're working on it. Councillor Jackson: Okay, thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Just a subsequent question. Would it be fair to say that the work coming out of the new strategic direction and planning is represented from item six, new ways of working, in the annual report? Councillor Glasgow: Yeah. Yeah, thank you. Councillor Jackson: So another one in section 6.1c, it refers to improving the NBRS. And I just wondered whether in 2018-19, any steps were taken to improve the governance model? Speaker 2: Yeah, clearly we've reinforced the governance in a number of steps. Firstly, we actually agreed to, during the year, to increase the number of directors. And the idea being then that directors can take responsibility for specific areas of our work. And bear in mind that everybody's a volunteer, so that leverages our resources.
00:10:00 Okay. So in terms of peer governance and so on, part of that is to expand the resources that we have available. The other side of that is we found it very useful to create the role of advisor. So where we've got a specific expert or expertise that will be very useful to us, and I see that all as part of good governance, that we've asked various people to join us. And the best example so far has been John Stocker. He's a past Chief Scientist for Australia. He's a past Chairman of CSIRO and so on. A very experienced guy. The other thing that we have on the board now, which was appointed during the year, Deanna Lane. She has some specialty qualifications in governance as part of the Australian Institute of Company Directors programs, of which many of us have been party to.
00:11:00 So I think there's a lot going on in governance. And again, we have seen as part of our governance to be out there and say, think more about this. Think more about what we are doing. And that's been part of the communication program. Councillor Jackson: The other question relating to Section 6.1D, it relates to establishing and reviewing, maintaining guidelines, assessment criteria and funding processes. So has there been any progress on that 2018-19? Speaker 2: I think it's fair to say that we are settling down with the new ways of working, with the big ideas and so on. And how that leads to that in the future. We have identified, I think, that we've always concentrated more on running the projects. So even our leverage measurement is the cash input from us into the project. And we're looking for a situation where we do $100 worth of work that gets us a contribution, which gets us a project of $300.
00:12:00 And so that leverage we've worked hard on. One of the sides of that, I think, which we said we want to improve that's coming out of that is a better way of evaluating the actual effect of our projects. So at the moment, it's very much a let's have these objectives and let's be clear how much it's going to cost. But we need to close that loop. And as you're probably aware, there's a lot of work going on in general about the benefits of environmental activities and so on. Councillor Jackson: Okay. I guess linked with what you just talked about, also in the funding deal, there is a KPI relating to fundraising as a tax deductible gift recipient status. And we do understand that the leveraging of one to three is not the tax deductible gift recipient part. So have you made any progress? Speaker 2: I don't think that's quite the case in the sense that the gift recipient status is an issue for the donor.
00:13:00 And it's to give them tax benefits, not to give us tax benefits. So already, for example, the Thomas Foundation has given money into projects through that route. And as such, it's something we need to develop. But it is an area we've, I think we've unfairly not mentioned how much cash we've actually attracted into the organisation through projects. And that's where, roughly speaking, of the three to one. One is the NBRF contribution. One is cash from other sources. And that's quite significant. And the other one is in kind and that's from other sources. And I think that needs to be understood in our funding agreement. We're also finding that the big funders actually have ideas of what they would like done. It's not a question of writing a project and going to say would you fund this, would you fund that. They actually already have things they're interested in. And that's where we were hoping to develop with the NBR. Councillor Jackson: Another issue that had arisen in the past was the relationship between
00:14:00 NBRF and the Noosa Community Biosphere Association, which was originally intended to be the voice of the community vis-a-vis the Biosphere Foundation. Has there been any improvement in the relationship of the NBRF and NCBA? And is there any more opportunity for a voice from the community? Speaker 2: The issue there is obviously, as you well know, I've been actively involved in both sides, having been the first president of NCBA. The NCBA itself, as you're well aware, went through a terrible time of personality clashes. And increasingly a dominant role of one or two individuals at the expense of the others. And so it really fell apart. I'm very pleased to say that one of the guys, John News, has picked that up. He is very energetic. He's a bit Kin Kin obsessed. Really? Yeah. He actually made some quotes which I won't repeat.
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00:15:00 I'm sorry. He's just maybe focused rather than obsessed. Councillor Jurisevic: Anyway. Speaker 1: If I can touch on that. I'm in conversation with John and trying to get a more productive and bigger vision role with just what you're referring to in mind, being that voice for the community. Councillor Jackson: Say that again. I'm sorry. Speaker 1: I'm talking directly with John and looking to establish exactly what you were describing, a better voice for the community and better coordination between the two groups to that end. Councillor Jackson: Thank you, Rex. Thanks. And I guess linked with that, I've also have a question. Has any consideration been given to reviewing the constitution of NBRF to enable residents greater access to the ranks of membership? Speaker 2: Well, the short answer to that is no. But we have obviously taken a lot of steps to open up for recruitment and so on to allow people to come into the NBRF board.
00:16:00 We are a bit of a small group. We're particularly aware of the need to improve the gender balance on the board. And we are finding that an abbot in the paper or an abbot in the Australian Institute of Community Directors just doesn't appeal very well. And we're hoping that we can build through advisers relationships with a fuller range of gender which can help with that. Speaker 1: If I can add to that as well. One of the things we're trying to do is, well, you may have noticed we have a new website. So we're doing a better job of outward communication. We will be putting the reports. In fact, I think we're already doing that. It's at least in process. So the final outcomes will be available. But we've also, wherever we've identified people that are very passionate in the community, such as the Glossy Blacks, for example, we have invited them to come and present, meet with us so that we are getting that direct input into projects that we might be looking at. And further, we've done things like go to the Rise to Meet the Tide and put a booth
00:17:00 up and meet with the community and identify what we're doing and hear from them what they want us to know. Councillor Wilkie: Just as a further question about allowing more residents to be involved, allowing residents to be involved. It's an expertise based board. Exactly. People with good qualifications. But what proportion of them are residents of Noosa? All of them. All of them are residents of Noosa? Yeah. Yeah. Councillor Jackson: Thank you. I actually asked about membership, not about directors. Yeah. Speaker 2: On terms of NBRF, you realise the membership is all directors and past directors? Councillor Jackson: Yes, I understand. That's all. There's no other opportunity for direct involvement. Speaker 2: And the opportunity, as you quite rightly said, was meant to be NCBA doing its job. Councillor Jackson: Yeah. Yeah. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Question? That's it. So, Councillor Jackson was quite right at the time, the last term of council, there was a role. Sorry. You go first.
00:18:00 Yeah, there was a role that was notionally being played by Noosa Community Biosphere Association, which, when they became a community group and set their own constitution, moved a little bit away from it. Since then, it's both NBRF and Noosa Community Biosphere Association, together with every other NRM and environmental community group, have been participating in forums and have been out at the environment round table. I know NCBA has been involved in that. So, I'm very keen to see that as that coordinating umbrella role. Is NBRF still keen to participate in that sort of bottom-up process to get that guidance that was initially envisioned back when it was set up? Speaker 1: The short answer is yes. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. And I, again, John has introduced me to that initiative, and I have not yet begun to participate, but absolutely interested in doing so. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So, there is a survey being done through Phil Moran and Neil Meagher asking all the participants how they see that prevention.
00:19:00 Councillor Glasgow: I just wanted to rehash just quickly about what I spoke about. This was up a periodic review this time around, wasn't it? The 10-year hash. I had it written down somewhere. I can't find it. There's actually quite a few buyers who didn't get there 10 years back. I just wanted to know on a sliding scale exactly, were we kind of at the 9 end? Were we kind of at the 4.5 end? 5 being the milestone? Or was there some sort of gaugement? Because there's all this man in the biosphere talk and we all know it's a little bit, as Rex and I spoke about the other day, it can be quite not tangible here in Noosa sometimes. Men living and working in the biosphere and so forth. But just for argument's sake, were we at the 9 or were we at the 4? Speaker 2: Yeah, I think we were very much. We were very much at the 9. There were very complimentary messages back. In fact, there were no criticisms as such. Some of the ones that lost their status were very, very well behind on the timetable.
00:20:00 And another issue has happened, which is in the rush to create biospheres in the early days, many things that we would regard as national parks were put in as biosphere sites. And they do not have the human population within them to really be a man in the biosphere operation. So I think the number of Australian ones has dropped from 14 to 9. Yes. And I think four of those are basically because they were national parks rather than... Speaker 1: Yeah, some of them are questionable. And you touched on something, it's a very unique thing. There's not a lot of places in Australia, not a lot of places around the world that are man and biosphere designated. Yeah. And how special that is. And I don't think we've done a good enough... Yeah. Speaker 3: Can I just quickly... Can I just add to that answer? The letter that came back through the... Well, it comes from UNESCO in Paris back to Canberra back to the council. The letter from... That we received, the Canberra people observed that they hadn't seen that too often, where it's been commented that the quality of the application.
00:21:00 Yeah. Normally, the Paris designation is, you know, you're renewed or you're not renewed. They actually complimented NUSA on the quality of its application. Yeah. Quality of its renewal. Councillor Glasgow: Just on that, running that question, my colleague Stockwell commented a little while ago about the biosphere that's envisioned to the south of our border. And I read a few of the other biospheres around the world's reports over the last few weeks. And we're pretty unique having the Sandy Straits and them. Do you foresee sometime in the near future we'll look at sort of some strategic sort of framework or form about engaging and Council Stockwell border? I'll go about how it was, you know, close to, you know, it won't shut up, do you?
00:22:00 Speaker 2: One of the major difficulties that some of the biospheres have had is reporting to multiple councils and multiple local groups. And that's caused a lot of trouble where maybe they have, in the original, in the original construction of the Sandy Straits, Bundaberg was going to be in it. But then they pulled out at the last minute. So then... So even Bundaberg is not in the Sandy Straits thing, which it should be. And I think the argument is there are some pretty unique things about us, the Sandy Straits and the Sunshine Coast area, which you probably would lose if you sort of rolled it all together, which I think is what you're answering. Councillor Glasgow: All right, that's all for me. Speaker 2: Having said that, sorry, if I may, that's not to stop close collaboration going on. We had a really good Australian Biosphere Conference, learned a lot of things. And just because we're all so busy doing our day-to-day work, we don't spend enough time coordinating.
00:23:00 Councillor Wilkie: And that was hosted by the neighbouring biosphere. Councillor Glasgow: Yeah, well, to put it bluntly, like, it'd be great to collaborate with all three and start returning some, like, Benjamin Frank was on the table, could only get some dollars. So, you know, all three would work better than split between two, wouldn't it? Speaker 2: Yeah. Councillor Glasgow: It's just... Speaker 2: I think as long as it doesn't conflict with the... Councillor Glasgow: Yeah, obviously. But as you said, it was three very different elements of the biosphere, and there's no reason why those things, you know, can't... We're obviously the, what's the word, Mac Daddy or the new Maroon 01, and they can hinge off off, and we can start benefiting financially out of this. So, yeah. Speaker 3: CEO has something to add to this form of question. I brought up a letter from UNESCO that actually highlighted that they talked about the, commended the National and Noosa Biosphere Reserve authorities for their effort in the preparation of this high-quality periodic review report. And that's what the Canberra bureaucrats said they don't want me to see that in any responses from UNESCO. Mm, got it. Councillor Jurisevic: Councillor Jay, you've been very patient. I've just... Kylie, I'm just observing on the screen behind you.
00:24:00 Have we lost, um... Councillor Glasgow: Video. Councillor Jurisevic: Video? The sound seems to be continuing. Yeah, gentlemen, look, I thank you for a very comprehensive report, but I'm inclined to agree with Councillor Jackson on elements of this. Whilst it's lovely to see the overall project investment and value, what's missing for mine is the expense on each of the projects for the year, just gone, and maybe even a bit of a breakdown of the project, stating when it began, what the expenditure's been each year, and when the completion is expected, so that we know how far through the project we are. Yeah, yeah. Um, I do think there's an element lacking in some of the reporting with a bit more specific detail about what actually incurred this year. Whilst the embodiment of the entire project is good to understand the full parameter, I think some specific detail about the actions undertaken within that project, within the financial year just gone, and to justify the expense that's gone into that project through that financial year is lacking.
00:25:00 That would be my read on it. I do hope you take that on board. It's great to turn around and see that the, for example, the first project there. Which, take it, the Tewantin Kin Kin, which is a multi-year project, for example, whilst $197,000 worth of spending, $246,000 cash in kind, project value of $400,000, where's it at, specifically? When did it begin and when did it finish? I mean, for a read of anybody outside of the inner circle that knows and understands the project, I don't think that's captured within. So that's, that's my critique. I mean, overall, I'm encouraged and overwhelmed by the progress. Yeah. And the, and the, and the projects that are being undertaken by NBRF, I think they're all good value projects. And I do appreciate and encourage the type of projects that NBRF have been progressing in this time. But I do think there is a lack of detail on, on a year by year basis in the report that the average person reading would, would be able to put into what you've actually achieved this year.
00:26:00 Councillor Wilkie: Can I ask Councillor Jurisevic a question? So the audited financial statements that were an attachment to the report, which give a breakdown of all the money spent on the individual projects, that was not sufficient, it was an attachment to the report, separate to the annual report? Councillor Jurisevic: I've gone through that and I didn't, I didn't see the breakdown, project by project, Councillor. It's not project by project. It doesn't have project by project, Councillor, and that's why I... Councillor Wilkie: Going back to FISH, 135. Where's that? This is on the last page of the audited financial statements. Speaker 2: This is actually a, is, is the management account, the very last page. That's right. And that, that is not explained. If, if people are interested... Councillor Jurisevic: Okay, again, it gets, it gets captured in the financial report, but I think it could also get captured in that... Speaker 2: I think there's a very fine point there, yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: ...in specific details, even, again, the project commenced this year, this is year four, year four, it's due to finish in year five, whatever it is, I think, I take Councillor Jackson's comments as a, as a reasonable and fair comment for a person outside of the sphere reading it for the first time, would be going, well, I don't see how much they've spent this year, and I don't see what they've, what specifically has actually occurred within those, justifying $135,000 in the, bringing back the fish made, you know, what's their project?
00:27:00 So, I think that in relation to the project's this stage, this is what's at, you know, and the lead up to it, a little more outline, I think is, would be beneficial and give a greater clarity within the report. That's my reading of the report. And my comment. Speaker 1: I'm sorry, I wanted to say I take both of your points that I think it could be more easily read. You have to dig into it and there is some assumptions. Councillor Jurisevic: You have to go into the financial detail of it and in the report to see what was spent on each project. Speaker 1: I think it's fair comment, and I think in terms of two things. One, the next report, which will be the one that I'm writing, will have more attention to that. The second, would you like something like that done now as an appendix to this in terms of this is what happened with these projects?
00:28:00 Councillor Jackson: In that time frame, you mean in 2018-19? Yes. I think that would be helpful, and there may have been other things outside of projects that were done, so yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: Between now and Thursday, right? No, I don't think so. I'll deliver Christmas Eve to you, Joe. Not by Thursday, not by Christmas, it's fine. Well, I think the points have been made, and I've asked you and your board to take those comments on board and think about the way you make that presentation. Councillor Jackson: I do have one more question, actually. On pages 17 to 20, there are some new big ideas that have been identified. I guess that's been through that process that you've been talking about. And I'm just wondering what the next steps are with those projects, and will NBRF be helping proponents of those projects seek funding, not only from council, but elsewhere?
00:29:00 Speaker 2: I think the answer to that is yes. Councillor Jackson: Have you done that at all yet so far? Speaker 2: The best example we've got, I think, is the schools and education hub, the new environmental education hub, where we've put in some money to start that project. And we've got a lot of money in that concept going. If I could just step back one moment. We spent a small amount of money in the previous grant round with the Sunshine Coast Primary School, Sunshine Beach Primary School, and it developed into a terrific outdoor classroom, outdoor learning centre and so on. And we looked at how that could be extended with the proponents of that, and realised that actually trying to do that in every school was just going to take too long and so on. And the opportunity came up with some help from Councillor Stockwell to help us with that. And we've got a lot of money to use some of the premises at the Scout premises, which are available. And the concept is to establish an environmental education hub where schools can come, and it's being very, very enthusiastically received.
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00:30:00 It's marvellous to watch the kids do the work in that way. And basically, we put some money into that. The proponents are putting in quite a lot of in-kind money. But there's a grant that... The government has now to provide $102 each year for outdoor activities of this sort per student. And that is seen as the route to ongoing success and so on. Councillor Jackson: Okay, thank you. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes. I don't believe it's even a perceived conflict of interest for this item, but as it was mentioned, I should just clarify that my linkage and association with the Environmental Education Hub is in my role as a group leader for the New South East Coast. Of course. So, that's the council's job. Speaker 2: We didn't, in the report, I think we didn't make enough of the management accounts we use, which are much more easy to understand. And they are the last page in the financials, but they actually...
00:31:00 And I have a few slides, if you wanted a better explanation of that, or we can circulate that, that shows how that breaks it down. Councillor Jackson: I've read those and they're very clear. Councillor Jurisevic: Okay, good. Good. My last comment, I'd like to congratulate you on finding your way here. I think, you know, it's been one of the challenges as to where the Biosphere Reserve Foundation fits in the overall picture with regard to funding and funding opportunities and the like, and what goes. And the projects that are being brought forward, I think, is a credit to you. And ongoing success for the future. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Okay, councillors. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I would like to move the recommendation that was in the Planning and Environment Agenda. With one small addition. And that addition at the end is, and thank you, Mr Dick Barnes, for his efforts in his role with Noosaville and the Reserve Foundation. Councillor Wilkie: I'll second that. Seconded by Councillor Jurisdict.
00:32:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So, councillors, I think the... We just won't get to that. Okay. Speaker 3: And now we're in a formal debate, you guys. Can't say that? Can I just say, can I just say one quick thing? Councillor Wilkie: For his efforts as... Councillor Jurisevic: You need to roll this chair, please. Councillor Jackson: Oh, I think... Okay. Councillor Jurisevic: Happy to second. Councillor Jackson: Oh, Mr Chair. You don't need to say anything. Mr Chair, if we are now moving into motions and debate, I think last year there was some confusion because Mr Barnes stayed at the table, but I think at this point, if we're moving into debate, it's more of a... Yes. ...appropriate for... Yes. ...the use of... Yes. ...the bias of your people to step down. No. Councillor Wilkie: Well, the... It's worth clarifying that now, if we're moving to formal debate, you'll be... Your presence here is welcome to answer questions, but you're not to enter into a debate. Those are the rules. Speaker 2: May I make one last...
00:33:00 Yes. ...last comment and to thank the council and the councillors for the support I've had in doing the job. We came into this in some quite difficult situations, and it's been very, very supportive, and it's been a great sounding board to have those conversations with, so I thank you for the support. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Mr Barnes. Thank you. Right. Okay. Move seconded, Councillor Jurisevic. Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I do. So, yes, thank you for the report. I think there's one thing in there that is the greatest value of the Desert Biosphere Reserve Foundation that can't be costed, and that's the skills expertise and time of the directors and the past directors. The level of skill, the experience that comes into that organisation is immense. I've had the pleasure of sitting on a couple of the interview panels for intakes of directors, and you're always blown away by the sort of people that are in this community and are willing to volunteer to support the worthy initiative of the management of the Biosphere
00:34:00 Reserve Foundation. I do understand that 18, 19 was a transition year. We did change the funding agreement with the council, and we did really refine the role of what the council was looking for in terms of funding. I think one of the problems was, early in the piece, people thought that the MVRF was everything about the Biosphere. It was a big body that did everything in relation to the management of the Biosphere, and that's not the case. It's got a very specific role, as in the articles of its incorporation in the foundation, and also in its agreement with the council, what we expect out of it. I think the management of the Biosphere comes down to a very broad council, community and industry partnership, and that's what I think will have the potential to grow in the future. And I think the role of MVRF into pushing new ideas, into looking at the science that's going to lead us into new understandings, is a really important aspect of that, and I think that's important. I did note that concept of collaboration, and I do believe that the area below the Great
00:35:00 Barrier Reef in Queensland is particularly poorly served by both the state and federal government. I do think that there's a lot of work that needs to be done. I do believe, if I'm sitting in this chair in April next year, that I'll be looking at engaging in that collaboration here, I think, and with the community, because it is something that has really gone off the boil, and that's investment from other levels of government into the management of our environment, into the management of our Biosphere, if it is not related to reef water quality, and it's something we shouldn't actually tolerate as a community. I've finished with acknowledging that Vic came here. I've met with him. Vic has stood down as chair of NBRE, and I think, as he said, he was in a bit of a
00:36:00 hiatus at the time he took over, and I think the steps we're seeing going forward is, once again, to put the ship right. I know that it would be sweet for me to say that Vic enjoyed his retirement, because he's actually gone on to go back to being a farmer again, but I do thank him and his team of directors and past directors, and their advisors. Thank you. And thank you, Mr Mayor, for all the hard work that you've done over the financial year in 2019, which you're well selected. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Stockler. Do you think the council wants to speak to the motion? Councillor Jackson: Yes, I shall speak. Thank you. Councillor Jackson. Yeah. Look, one thing I'd like to start with is to thank NBIF for delivering your annual report in such a timely fashion. I think that in the past, we've been waiting a lot longer, so I appreciate it's come before I have extensive experience with annual reports in private sector and government corporations, as well as in volunteer associations, and even in council.
00:37:00 So my concern about it not having details about what really happened in the year of that financial annual report are valid, because that's something I'm used to seeing in annual reports. Anyway, we've talked enough about that. Our NBRF continues to receive operational funding, though not grant funding, which has to be competed for with other people who are seeking environment grants or community grants. But nevertheless, council has in 2018 funded NBRF for 140,000, and in this financial year 2019-20, for 120,000 for the operations. So it is still of a great interest to residents and rate payers to see what NBRF is doing, and of course the biosphere belongs to everyone, and so again, it's of great interest to everyone.
00:38:00 Some of the issues that I raised right from the start have been only partially addressed. NBRF, and of course this was handed over to people. Now, as a fait accompli, the constitution is set up as a closed shop, with members only being current and past directors. So the community does not get a chance to join or vote, and there's no process really in place to get input from the general community. Usually it goes just to community groups, and we know those can end up just not really being totally representative. But I have appreciated what I've heard Rex talk about. That that progress will continue in reaching out to the community, and I'd be very keen to see that kind of input. NBRF also has demonstrated the three to one leveraging, and that is that proponents bring
00:39:00 not only a proposal to get grants, but generally they come along with proposals that also have in-kind contributions and cash contributions from elsewhere as part of the bundle. So I think that that's a positive, and I appreciate that. I might note that council's own community grants tend to leverage ten to one. So it's not, they also require in-kind and cash contributions from proponents. So it's not as if three to one was, you know, the only achievement. I mean, our own community grants in council tend to one. The foundation was originally very much set up on the basis of getting tax deductible gift recipient status for NBRF so that it could attract donations, and it's been a disappointment
00:40:00 over the past five years that, in fact, that has not really been highly actualized. Though granted, of course, the proponents have brought with them the, you know, the extra funding, which is terrific. I guess council will be receiving further applications in the coming year from NBRF for further operational funding and perhaps for grant funding. I'm keen to see what is proposed, and I continue to look for improvements in governance, conflict of interest being avoided, and funds still being further raised, and looking for funds outside of just council. I support council's motion to note the NBRF annual report, and I certainly wish Dick Bynes
00:41:00 well with an exciting future as a farmer. Bynes. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Judge? I have got a further question. Another question for the members of the panel. The community association. I see little mention of it in the report, and I'm wondering how the relationship between the community association and the board is going and what the current status of the community association is, if the board, in fact, knows what the current status is. Speaker 2: Yeah. Obviously, we do our best to stay in touch with the NCBA. I mean, technically, as far as I'm concerned, the NCBA has a very good relationship with very independent constitutions, and we're supposed to treat NCBA like any other community group and so on. As I mentioned, they have gone through some very difficult people, processes. Like I said, it's not unusual in not-for-profit community groups, and we've done our best
00:42:00 to stay in contact with them and to help when they ask for our help. So, for example, they have put up a proposition to fund the Biosphere, and we've done a lot of that, and we've done that in a couple of years. So we're trying to help them rebuild, and we're trying to help with what they do. Councillor Jurisevic: Second question, if I may. Within the community and in-kind support within the projects that you are undertaking, has there been an opportunity for NCBA members to be involved in those activities, and an active reach-out to NCBA to be engaged with that? Speaker 2: And I think the best example of that is the Biosphere. Councillor Jurisevic: That's not one of the projects, I think. I'm referring to the project specifically, as opposed to when NCBA is. Speaker 1: John, in particular, John Hughes, is very involved in the Keep It in Kin Kin and Keep
00:43:00 On Keeping It in Kin Kin project. So there are potentials, but that also relies on them broadening their vision of what they want to do and can do outside of the Kin Kin region. I think some of your question might be best directed to them directly. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. I just want to see what the relationship status was and how engaged the NCBA members were within the projects that were being managed. I will talk to the motion now. I concur with some of the comments of Councillor Jackson there, but the Biosphere Reserve Foundation is not the only one. It's a community entity receiving operational funding from Council, but it is crucial that the community can see value for money for that operational funding. Therefore, I agree that there's a – the oversight is an important element of making
00:44:00 sure that those funds are being well spent and that we're getting good value for money. From what I've seen in the report, there is good value for money, although as we've stated, I think there's elements of the report that could be enhanced for public reading. I said there's a number of other community groups that would relish this support, so it's a privilege to be here. It would be interesting to see, Councillor Jackson alluded to the tax deductible status and ability to attract external funds from recipients. It would be good to get an update and a report on how well that's progressing at some stage and understand the challenges and all successes that you've actually had in attracting that. I note that the projects seem to come with an element of funding, but what are the successes that you've had, which is one of the things that was in the constitution of setting up the fund to try to attract those external funds.
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00:45:00 I'm glad to see the projects progressing well, and I said I'm... I'm delighted to see some of the successes and some of the projects that you've been bringing forward. I think they will be proven to be of great value to our community over the years, and I thank you and your directors for their knowledge. I'm overwhelmed by, I think Councillor Stockwell alluded to, that the successes that you're having are now starting to draw the right type of people with the right type of experiences towards this, which I think has been a challenge in the past, and I think that's a credit to the successes that you have. Thank you for having me, and I wish you continued and further success in the future with a new chair and some new board members. Congratulations. Thank you, Councillor Jurisdict. Councillor Wilkie: I'd like to speak now, and I think it's worth starting by saying that perhaps more could be done to communicate that every single community group in the Shire have constitutions that require new members to be approved by a committee.
00:46:00 It gives them the ability to select residents from the community. Thank you. That best suit the skill set that they're after. And the MBRF board is no different in that regard. They're an expertise-based board, and members are recruited through a publicly advertised process, which is very well subscribed to, and they get the pick of some of the best and the brightest people in the Shire who are willing to volunteer their time and expertise to making Noosa a better place to live. As I said, they're... So it's an open advertisement process. They're open to meeting with delegations from the community, and they're continually improving on their governance. As part of their new strategic plan, the vision of Noosa is living proof environmental protection inspires healthy and prosperous communities. And their mission statement has also contained in the annual report the working together on big ideas, research, piloting, fundraising, advocacy, and action.
00:47:00 And that's exactly what they've been doing. Although this volunteer board's work focuses on... ...on long-term projects that will transform Noosa's environment and prosperity, thanks to the project-based partnerships with community groups, universities, and Noosa Council created by MBRF, Noosa Shire has already seen improvements in its natural environment and created several research-based action plans towards greater prosperity and a healthier environment. As a result of the university-backed trial, the world's foremost conservation group, the Nature Conservancy, is investing $1.2 million in extending oyster reefs throughout the Noosa River. We know that despite being valued extremely highly by Australians, waterway and ocean health is suffering as a result of human impact. MBRF's work to reverse the decline of waterways and oceans through the water filtering and habitat provided by oyster reefs has been proven to improve water clarity and increase marine biodiversity. Noosa's oyster reefs will form part of a national and global network of reef restoration work
00:48:00 being done by the Nature Conservancy. And it's good to see this work in a global, broader context. As part of its river focus work, the MBRF-funded report by research scientist Greg Skilleter has given this community a sobering insight into the scope and nature of the decline in the marine microorganisms that lie at the base of the food chain and are critical to healthy marine ecosystems. An executive summary from this is intended to give regulators and community groups guidance on the ways to reverse this trend. And as we know from the South East Queensland Healthy Waterways report, sediment is one of the main threats to river health and water quality. The MBRF's Keep It In Kin Kin project and the ongoing Keep On Keeping It In Kin Kin project used seven years of satellite imaging data to quantify and identify exactly where 2.3 million cubic metres of sediment have been lost from the Kin Kin catchment and through partnerships with land care and hinterland property owners has seen the degraded areas continue to be restored through replanting, refencing and other on-the-ground rehabilitation work.
00:49:00 The Noosa Cultural Learning Trail is an ongoing Kabi Kabi led project to create a range of materials that will support Indigenous-led cultural tourism and engender a broader understanding of and reverence for Noosa's landscape. This work is expected to be finalised in early 2020. The University-led Koala Forever project has provided community groups and regulators with more extensive on-the-ground data about where Noosa koalas actually exist in the Shire, DNA-based information about their breeding and resilience, the corridors via which they move across the Shire and the feed trees they favour. This sort of data was needed to add to the citizen science material readily available as given a more complete and accurate picture of this beloved iconic animal's distribution and habits which will provide a solid foundation for any action plans formulated to help ensure their population remains viable. A prosperous and productive hinterland is also a widely shared aspiration
00:50:00 and the Rural Enterprise Plan was an ambitious, is an ambitious and enormous body of work that provides data enabling individual property owners to understand what sort of enterprises, be it livestock or cropping, that best suits the soil type and topography of their land and pathways to market for their produce. We can't underestimate the value of this work to hinterland property owners who often struggle to make a viable living from their land. Ensuring rural lands are viable and kept for rural production is one way to ensure they are not converted through commercial pressure over time into subdivisions as has happened on the Gold Coast hinterland. The Noosa Trail Master Plan, a partnership between MBRF, Tourism Noosa Landcare and Noosa Council is also nearing completion. It involves an ambitious audit of the existing trail networks used for mountain biking, hiking, trail running and horse riding. It provides strategies and actions towards it becoming a world class experience for residents and visitors. Increasing the opportunities for nature based tourism lies at the heart of the Noosa Trail Master Plan
00:51:00 and it provides an inspiring blueprint towards greater prosperity for the hinterland communities. The Roadmap to 100% Renewable Energy is another ambitious project which quantified and qualified the Shire's energy use and detailed a path forward to achieve a zero emission future. The report also highlighted that although rooftop solar has seen a significant increase in ownership in the private housing sector to 35%, it continues to rise. The business sector was lagging at 4.7%. MBRF has helped ZEN create an action plan that has seen Noosa businesses convert to solar power and reap the economic savings to not only make for a more prosperous and successful enterprise but be part of the broader global transition to and major investment in cleaner, renewable technology that is well underway. The Pandanus Project involved a survey of 4,200 pandanus plants along the Noosa Shire Coastal Zone and Noosa National Park. and revealed low and decreasing population numbers and heavy infestations in high profile areas.
00:52:00 The timely work found pandanus in high profile areas in Hastings Street, Noosa Main Beach and Peregian were heavily affected by leafhopper outbreaks. Infection rates at Main Beach were found to have skyrocketed from zero trees in 2016 to 22 in 2018. Direct intervention and treatment as a result of this project saved those trees. The project also involved workshops with Queensland Parks and Wildlife staff, community bush care groups and has led to a further Noosa Council funded project. MBRF is exploring ways to fund instructional videos to also become freely available to community groups, private property owners and government agencies about caring for this iconic species. Looking ahead, MBRF has already facilitated a workshop involving key advocates and scientists working to preserve koalas as well as representatives from regional, local and regional communities. MBRF is working with local governments to create a prospectus of actions and projects that need to be funded from various sources.
00:53:00 Similar work is being undertaken with the local glossy black cockatoo advocates to identify what are the gaps in the research and what work is needed to best help ensure the health of these populations. The MBRF's investment in these invaluable projects has attracted cash and in-kind contributions at a ratio of 3 to 1. The question is how do you put a price on a future based on a healthy environment and a prosperity that demonstrates how we depend upon it. We can't, it's beyond measure and dollars are an insufficient way to measure it although oversight is always needed with public money. The projects demonstrate exactly the sort of long term positively transformative science backed work that needs to be done worldwide to reverse the decline of ecosystems and economies due to decades of unsustainable or unmindful practices. It's exactly the sort of direction we owe to our younger generations and exactly the sort of work our younger people are demanding we do. Indeed, they are telling us to either fix the decline or get out of the way so those
00:54:00 that want to be part of the solution can get on with it. Unfortunately, we live in a place where the majority agree with them. It's a privilege to have been involved and watch the work of the MBRF's board as the council appointee. Thank you for your work and I think the community owes you a debt of thanks. Thank you. Councilor Stockwell, would you like to say something? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I will then. Thank you, Council, for looking into that. It really helps to sit back and look at what the real impact of these endeavours are and I think it's really important to understand that, as I said earlier, that the Noosa IAC Reserve Foundation is responsible for managing the population of the New South Wales area There is a much larger cast, 53,000 of us, who are responsible for managing the biosphere reserve and in that light, general community input shouldn't be to the foundation.
00:55:00 It's a misunderstanding of the governance structure in place. The general community input in 2018-19 came through the ability to influence council's environment sustainability and living policy and environment strategy. To influence council's cultural heritage plan. In previous years, to look at the transport policy and strategy, the local economic plan, the social plan. Even for a segue to the next one, the ability of council and the tourism industry to work on implementing a sustainable destination. The management of the biosphere takes all aspects of our community, whether it's people interested in heritage, whether it's people interested in the environment, whether it's people interested in how to convert the nature and the understanding of contemporary management for sustainability into a tourism product.
00:56:00 And that's really important to understand. The NDRF is responsible for managing the foundation. The foundation does excellent work and has a defined role. Which will help move the rest of the biosphere in the right direction. Or the rest of the management of the biosphere in the right direction. So, thank you Dick for your fine efforts. Welcome Rex. I know there might be a link to Coir. The bad news with keeping it in Kin Kin, they've taken the K. So by way of a closing statement, I think we should play around with Blinky Bill and the biosphere. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you councilor Stockwell. Alright, put the motion those in favour. Gainst, the motion is carried unanimously. Thank you Rex, thank you Dick, thank you Clare.
00:57:00 Thank you. Councillors, we also have another annual report and funding agreement extension to consider. And under standing orders, the Chairman also has the capacity to invite non-members to this meeting. I'm going to go ahead and answer any questions that councillors may have about the annual report. And to that end, it's my pleasure to invite Chairman of the Maturitia Moosa Drue, Pearson, and CEO Melanie Anderson to the table. Speaker 3: Councillor, just while you're making your way up, we're having a few little technical hiccups with our live streaming today. The software has decided today's a really good day to do an update. So it's working at the moment. We're just trying to get the update delayed. Often it shuts down automatically to update the software. For some reason it's decided today's a really good day to do that. So we've got our IT people working on it. That's what I do. Councillor Jurisevic: I'm supposed to do that at 2 o'clock in the morning when nobody's actually here.
00:58:00 Speaker 3: It is, but it's working at the moment. But it might go off, update, then restart again. Just give you a heads up if that happens. Speaker 4: Welcome. Good morning. Good morning, councillors. Welcome. Thank you for inviting us to attend this morning and to present. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: We've got a point, but I think it's been put up a bit. Just loading a PowerPoint. Councillor Wilkie: Can I say a little too? We will. Counsellors, with your indulgence, I'm going to give a short presentation. Thank you. That might probably crack it. Speaker 4: Tourism noose. Councillor Jackson: Yeah. Speaker 4: Thank you. So, if I may... I'll just start the process, look at an overview of where we are and what we're here to achieve today. And then I'll invite Melanie, our CEO, to go through some of the specific initiatives
00:59:00 that Tourism Noose is involved in, what we've been doing, and what we will be continuing to do into the future. Thank you. The funding agreement that we've been operating under commenced in July 2017, and runs for a three-year term. And during that three-year term, there are certain obligations on Tourism Noose to provide various services and to attend to the provisions of that agreement. We have, as council will be aware, implemented a three-year agreement with the Council for the fourth coming year, and we presented our strategic plan. The strategic plan goes from 2017 to 2022, and we're well into that five-year process. Tourism Noose also delivers an annual business plan to Council each year prior to March, so
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01:00:00 that Council is fully au fait with what our plans are for the forthcoming year, and we present to Council in that regard. And we've done so in each year of our funding agreement thus far. Tourism Noose also deliver to Council every six months, February and August of each year, an update of what we've been doing, our financial performance, so that Council is fully aware of the conduct of Tourism Noose. And furthermore, we present an annual business plan, the plan being presented in November each year, and in November just past, we again presented our annual business plan, which has been accepted by Council. So Tourism Noose has, during the course of the funding agreement, complied with all of
01:01:00 the essential requirements of the funding agreement. And so the purposes of our appearance before you today is not only to answer questions and to explain where we're going, but also to seek your approval for the exercise of our two-year option. The plan not only has a three-year term that expires on the 30th of June 2020, it provides for a two-year exercise option period. It provides for a two-year exercise option period. And it further envisages that the parties will come together at the conclusion of that option period and to negotiate a further review with an intention of another two-year term. So the intent of the funding agreement has a longevity and its purpose, no doubt, given
01:02:00 that the parties comply with its intention, is to give Tourism Noose a half-year term. And its projects, the certainty that it needs to continue with the work that it does from year to year. Before I ask Melanie to talk about specifics, I'd like to address Tourism Noose's position as a destination management body. The strategic plan that we entered into in 2017. Specifically pointed out our desire to operate as a strategic destination management body. And it recognises that we have not only a marketing bias, but we have a social, economic,
01:03:00 environmental and cultural responsibility to work within this community. And that's why we've come together. In all aspects of the community's needs in relation to the tourism industry that we are charged with the responsibility of administering. It's a holistic approach. The strategic plan reflects that.