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00:02:00 Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you. All right. Welcome everybody to the General Committee Meeting. I declare the meeting open. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Gubbie Gubbie or Cubbie Cubbie people, and pass on our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We have no apologies. We have confirmation of the minutes is the first item. We have someone to confirm the minutes for the last general. That's Councillor Finzel. Seconded Mayor Stewart. All in favour? That's carried. We have no presentations, no deputations. And we have items referred from various committees and staff here to answer them. And councillors, just begin with a friendly reminder about questions that when we're asking questions of staff, it's primarily for the purpose of eliciting information.
00:03:00 If you're like me, occasionally you use the introduction to the question as an opportunity to make a comment. But if we can refrain from doing that, out of courtesy to the staff and save our comments for our debate. In which there will be plenty. That would be much appreciated. So the first item is the request to change an existing approval for multiple housing type three requirement and special needs commercial business type two medical and reconfiguring a lot. One into two lots at Grass Tree Court and Ben Lexham Drive, Sunrise Beach. And we have Kerry, Patrick and Connor here. Councillor Jurisevic. Councillor Jurisevic: I know the report talks about there being no increasing gross floor. But elsewhere, I see talking about amended setbacks and revised setbacks. Can you explain why, if there's no increasing gross floor area, we've got changes to setback? Speaker 5: Joe, do you mind referring me to the part of the report we're talking about?
00:04:00 Councillor Jurisevic: The part on page 22 refers to there's no increasing gross floor area. But I'm reading elsewhere, there's these changes to setbacks. And I don't have the specifics of where it says that, but I just note that from reading through the report that it talks about setback changes. Speaker 5: Yeah. So the, what you're referring to on page 22 was a comment that was provided by the app. There has, in fact, been a reduction in gross floor area for the residential aged care building. And the form of the building has changed. There's more separation. It's more, sort of almost four different wings now. And then. Because they've sort of been corralled around the central focus of the place of what they were. That's right. That's correct. Councillor Jurisevic: That's where the setback's going. That's right. It's the configuration of the arrangement that's actually changed, not necessarily the size of the buildings themselves. Speaker 5: That's correct. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Okay. I thought that was the explanation, but I just didn't get that from the report. Thank you. Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So to follow up from that, I suppose the, it's not really gross floor area that impacts
00:05:00 on the footprint of the building. And we've talked about, in the report, talked about Thank you all very much for joining us today and we hope that you will join us again in the next few weeks to discuss some of the most significant changes in that regard. Perhaps this one to our ecologists, can you summarise, is this proposal any better or worse from a retention of glossy black habitat than what is already approved? Speaker 4: It is overall a better outcome because the glossy black food trees in the north-eastern corner are further set back from the construction elements of the development. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Excuse me Kerry, do we have a map of the site that we can put up on the screen please so we can look at what we're talking about? Speaker 5: Page 23. Page 23, the image. Is that what you're looking for? Speaker 1: Oh, the glossy black.
00:06:00 Yes. Councillor Wilkie: Yeah, so could we start, for the benefit of people who may be watching at home, could you point out the full extent of the site that we're talking about? Speaker 4: Ah, well those... Councillor Wilkie: The original site and then the subdivision, so we... Ooh. Speaker 5: Yeah. Well, page... 24? I think page 24 is a better example. Yeah. Which shows the mapping, so... Councillor Jurisevic: That first, yeah, the first drawing, figure two would be the one. Speaker 5: So that yellow area is zoned for community services? Yeah, so the northern lot hasn't changed. The southern lot, there was, I believe, 4.4 hectares of land that was dedicated to council for conservation purposes. And there was some rezoning and... So the amount of area that's been able to be developed on that southern lot is significantly less than what that lot shape is currently showing, and it's less than that yellow area, which was the community services area at the time.
00:07:00 Councillor Wilkie: So my understanding is that that yellow area in the big area bounded by the purple on the south there, that yellow area is essentially cut in half almost. Speaker 4: Yes. Yeah. Councillor Wilkie: And the bottom portion of the yellow will also join... The balance of the site is a nature refuge. Speaker 4: Yeah. By resolution of council, that was absorbed into the nature refuge. So an additional 4.4 hectares was put into the growing nature refuge for conservation purposes. Councillor Wilkie: What is the sum total of the growing nature refuge in terms of area? Speaker 4: Oh. Sorry, Frank. It's probably around about 100 hectares of land. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: 100 hectares? Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 4: I can think of it. Oh, even further maybe? Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah. Speaker 4: It's huge. This is...
00:08:00 Yeah. So it's... Yeah. It joins the national park. So if you look at it in one big ecological context, it's a massive piece of land. You could possibly see it in the further... I think it was page 22 on the aerial shunt. Speaker 6: Page 23. Speaker 4: Page 23. Sorry, Charlie. Yeah. All the... Basically the green area there is all the nature refuge and national park, which all have the same conservation protection status. Councillor Lorentson: Can I ask in regards to the bee trees and koala trees on the site, has there been a recent order of those trees that's stuck within the dying trees and aging trees? Speaker 4: No. No. So the last ordered on that site was in November 2018 where it was on both of the
00:09:00 two sites, the RAC site, which is the northern lot and the southern lot, the lot nine, that identified all the glossy black food trees. Councillor Lorentson: So is that potentially a concern given that the condition is to retain only the identified trees and if they're dead and dying? Well, will that mean that the amount of trees retained is going to be considerably less? Speaker 4: It could, or it could mean that there's more. Yeah, but based on the survey, it's quite a comprehensive one. In November 2018, there was something like 71 food trees, and they were graded into low, medium and high usage. So, of the 71, approximately a third was, again, high usage. So, it represented a succession of ageing and food tree preferences.
00:10:00 Speaker 1: And just to remind councillors, this is a change application. So, council can really only consider the changes that are proposed as part of this application. So, that's only in relation to the aged care facility, the changes are proposed. Councillor Wilkie: But you, for those of us who weren't here on Tuesday, could you talk us through how this development is going to be staged in relation to these two lots that we see here? Where's the development going to occur first? Speaker 5: And in what order? I think we'd go to the, is that the staging plane you have there? Okay. So, the green area? The normal lot. The normal lot. The normal lot is stage one. It's on page 37 of the agenda for those who are watching at home. And then stage two being the central facilities and co-located apartment and 50% of the villas is the area in white.
00:11:00 Then the stage three being the remaining villas in yellow or mustard. And then stage four being the four apartment buildings to the western portion of the southern lot. Councillor Jurisevic: So, just to clarify, stage one is essentially between the existing Sunrise Beach Shopping Centre and the church? That's correct. And stage two, three, and four are to the south of that off, yeah. Councillor Wilkie: That's correct. I also have a question about how fire risk is managed on this site. I note that there was an evacuation plan that has to be signed off by council. That's correct. So, I understand that the evacuation is not ideal. So, how is the fire risk going to be managed on this site? Speaker 4: Well, they've provided three peer-reviewed bushfire management plans.
00:12:00 And they're using asset protection zones, like setback areas, setback from the hazardous vegetation, ranging between 12 and 20 metres. They've provided a setback from the hazardous vegetation, ranging between 12 and 20 metres. They've got firefighting trails around the western and southern portion of lot nine, the bigger lot. In the northern lot, the RAC one that we're looking at now, they've got a western access fire control line. And they've also used building design. Building design. They call it a bushfire attack level design. So they're building to withstand radiant heat from the bushfires, and treating the northern
00:13:00 face and the roof to a high bushfire standard, and then the other faces of the building to a lesser standard. And they've also included an evacuation plan as well. So they've covered off on the defence, they've covered off on the asset protection zones, the access to the flame front, sheltering in place, and evacuation. Councillor Wilkie: So when you say sheltering in place, that's because the buildings are designed to be heavily fire resistant? Speaker 4: To an extent, yeah. In any bushfire, as we've known, nothing is, yeah, so it will be up to the managers on the site to, when it's in an extreme or catastrophic fire weather, to make a call on whether to evacuate or shelter in place. Their advice is to evacuate early if they're going to do that. So it all depends on the bushfire season.
00:14:00 Given that this RAC site, their lot six, is located within the buffer to the hazard rather than the hazard itself. Yeah. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Connor, you mentioned something like 71 feed trees in the area. Yeah. Within the current allotment design, how many of those trees are likely to be retained? Nine, I think. Nine. Nine. Nine have been earmarked to be retained. Speaker 4: Yeah. So the north eastern corner and the one down the side. Councillor Jurisevic: Now, you mentioned there was a benefit in this design over the previous design. How was that? Where has that benefit been derived from nine trees now to what was previously? Speaker 4: Well, it's more about the construction impacts to do with the stormwater quality devices at the rear to keep them further away from the trees and also we're trying to incorporate design elements within the stormwater devices so that they have watering holes in the actual
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00:15:00 stormwater devices so that the glossies can actually water there as well. Councillor Jurisevic: Now, the creek adjoining the site between the school and the site is significantly weed infested in some areas. Has there been any consideration with the developer to look at any works of weed management between the sites? Speaker 4: Well, we've been liaising with the developers to engage with the local community to address the problem. We've been working with the bush care groups and try and work in with them in providing ecological benefits. Councillor Jurisevic: So it's within the scope for better improvements for glossies like Habitat by removing those ones? Speaker 4: Yeah. It's outside the scope of this planning approval but it is within the scope of their PR.
00:16:00 Thank you. Yeah. Mayor Stewart: Sorry. I think you mentioned, I could be wrong on this, in regard to the vegetation management program. Are we replanting or is it replanting at eight to one? Speaker 1: Is that correct? Speaker 4: Yeah. That figure was derived for all the trees. Yeah. So we've got 71 times eight. It's basically, that's the formula we're using. The seeds have already been collected and they're stored on the nursery at the moment. And they're ready to propagate them. And I think they've already been giving them out to the community on planting days already. So they're ready to propagate. So that's, yeah. We've yet to enact the ecological restoration plan or the vegetation management plan because it's contingent on the clearing occurring because then it's going to use the material from the clearing to rehabilitate the Garerene nature refuge sites. Okay. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you.
00:17:00 Councillor Wegener: Quick, quick question. So before, they were going to level both lots at the same time? Yes. But now the much bigger lot, lot nine, is going to, they're going to put that on standby until they're ready to do it, which is actually another benefit for our cockatoos. Speaker 4: Yeah. Yeah. So it's, yeah, at the moment, yeah. So lot six, the one that we're considering now, that's, that's the 0.8 hectares and that will be cleared as part of this stage, staged. The rest of the stages won't be cleared until they're enacted. So they have to revise the vegetation management plan to address the staging as it stands now. Councillor Wegener: It sounds like we'll have another bite at the apple when it comes to, you know, facilitating our glossy black cockatoos. Speaker 4: Yeah. No. Speaker 1: The conditions are set by the approval of that. Yeah. Yeah. And there's a number of measures that they're required to do. So the staging of the clearing, I think, is a benefit because they're only clearing for the aged care, they don't clear the southern property until they are ready to proceed with that development.
00:18:00 Councillor Jurisevic: As far as the timing goes of the staging, have they given any timeframe, any proposed timeframe for each of those stages to go, or is that just open to when the needs or their, their progress of development occurs? Speaker 5: Well, I think initially. Say six, eight months ago, they were probably looking to develop the southern part of the site first. And that's now changed. The blue care are very keen to move forward with the development of the northern stage. And I think COVID's had a bit of an effect in terms of the willingness to develop the southern extent of the site. So certainly intended to do the development, but probably not as urgent as what it had Councillor Jurisevic: recently been. It's probably a bit of a revision of aged care facilitation around the country as a result
00:19:00 of COVID as well, I would imagine. Councillor Wilkie: Potentially. Yeah. And just to clarify, because of the subdivision that occurred, 4.4 hectares of the site, which could have been cleared, will no longer be cleared. Speaker 4: Yes, it's all in public ownership, protected under the Nature Conservation Act and part of the Garroween Nature Refuge. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Finzel: Connor, I just have a question with regard to the replanting of the trees. Because the black cockatoos are a totem of a local indigenous family, and they've asked me to speak today on their behalf in the Sunshine Beach community. Can you just tell us how long it takes for a tree when we do the replanting for the tree to be mature so that the birds can feed from the tree and nest in the tree? How long does that take? Speaker 4: Well, okay. Four or two. I've actually collected them off this site and I've planted them in my place, and that
00:20:00 was six years ago, and they're heavily seeding probably two years, so four years to seed. Whether they're going to be the ones that the glossy blacks eat, but yeah, so I've selected them off the actual food trees and then grown them up, and so four to five years in, yeah, that's probably in a good, because I nurture them. So, yeah, maybe between four and eight years to become a viable, yeah, food tree. That's if the glossies decide to eat them. And then, yeah, and their longevity is quite critical. They can fall over in, you know, 10 years. Yeah, they can fall over in 20 years. It depends on where they're growing. But they're a short-lived species. They're what we'd call a pioneer species. Or a Rogerol species. Councillor Lorentson: Yeah. Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: That leads to my question with regard to the understanding.
00:21:00 They don't tend to regenerate until they've fallen down these disturbance of the site, i.e., the canopy goes, and actually can expose the seed being underneath. Now, whilst you might have healthy trees there- Councillor Wilkie: Is this a question, Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: It is a question. I am asking a question. Is that a good question? Whilst the canopy, until the canopy is cleared, or the seed is disturbed, you won't get that regrowth. Is that correct? Speaker 4: Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, disturbance oncology is all about, you know, creating a gap in the canopy for the emergence to come through. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: And it was mentioned before that you were saying Blue Care is working with the community Speaker 4: This is what I'm hearing from their ecological consultants and is that they have been propagating and giving out trees and yeah so that's what I've been hearing from their consultant. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: One more question for that with regard to street plantings. I know Council Stockwell and Fast has talked about the Grass Street Port having been aligned with Casuarinas and some of the street plans that we're doing with clearing around Sunrise Beach at the moment.
00:22:00 Are we looking at Glossy Black Feet trees? Is that being some of the plans being replanted there to regenerate the habitat around the area? Speaker 4: Yeah, and subsequent approvals from this will be the lower order approvals, the landscaping approvals. We haven't approved those, but that's the intention, yes. Councillor Lorentson: I'd like to move a motion and amend to add an advisory note on condition 14D that the developer is encouraged to liaise cooperatively with local community groups to deliver and I emphasise maintain the required glossary. Yeah, we'll move that. Councillor Wilkie: So you're moving that Councillor Lorentson. It's basically the staff recommendation with added clause D.
00:23:00 Point D, yeah. Can we have a seconder for that please? I'll second. Seconder Councillor Stewart. Councillor Lorentson? You don't need to stand. I don't need to stand. Councillor Lorentson: Okay, sorry. We already have a requirement for the applicant to be responsible for managing the offset planting. That is a binding obligation under the terms of the planning approval. The site's going to be maintained for a period of five years only and that's why I was a little bit concerned with that time frame, five years only. So I thought that it's critical that some type of an environmental type stewardship style program be established to maintain or continue the commitment to achieve the conditions of the approval and the appropriate ecological outcomes after the five year management period expires. I'm confident, given Lengley's level of genuine interest in the glossy blacks, which we've just discussed, that this recommendation will be considered.
00:24:00 Also, I'd just like to note that to date, Lengley's have provided the Burgess Creek Group 1000 feed trees for the glossy black cockatoos to be planted in Rainbow Park. And my understanding has shown a genuine interest in working with communities. I'd also like to take this opportunity to stress that it's a privilege and a unique opportunity for the residents and the families of Blue Care to be living in a habitat of endangered species. It's also a massive responsibility that I hope they take seriously and hence why I've added the advisory note. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Do the councillors wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I will. I think, for me, as I've said before, if I was here when the initial decision was made and if the extension was to become before council, I was likely not to support this development for conservation reasons.
00:25:00 But that's not the decision in front of us. We've heard today that this development has made only minor and largely cosmetic or architectural changes. And those changes are his own. So we're going to have in years to come a real juxtapose in these areas in that if we want to manage the ecosystem, we will need to introduce and maintain fire.
00:26:00 But because of now the sensitivity to fire, it's likely that we might go for a fire regime which may be too frequent and too cool to actually achieve the continual reoccurrence of the desired species. So we have to watch out. And the other thing I'd like to point out is that there's been this commendable interest in the glossy black, but there is another vulnerable enlisted bird that lives in the ecosystem just down hill and that's the ground parrot. And research has shown that if you don't have fires for a 10 year period, you have a form of growth that ruins their habitat, they can't breed successfully. It gets too many medium to tall shrubs. So it's important when we look at these things to base the planning decision on the evidence in front of us. But also when we look at why we want to conserve things is we look at it from the ecosystem basis and realise any ecosystem besides an urban area is always going to be a problem.
00:27:00 Councillor Jurisevic: I think Councillor Stockwell alluded to the issue that what we've got before us is an amendment to, a minor change to a development approval that's already been given. And I understand that you're concerned with regard to the glossy black feed recovery programs that are associated with development or the loss of habitat potentially of this development. But that's not what we can deal with today. But it is good to hear that, you know, that the developer has already started to engage and work with the community to try and achieve outcomes for the glossy blacks in the area. And I'm sure that whilst we're losing an element of habitat here, as Councillor Stockwell said, an element of disturbance is required to ensure the recovery and re-rope all these trees for the future.
00:28:00 So the seed bank being moved, some areas of significant disturbance already potentially have been removed. Four hectares, if you point it out, of environmental land being recovered here is a good outcome for the community for the future. Councillor Wilkie: Yes, look, Councillor Stockwell's already covered off on the points about intermittent disturbance hypothesis that I was going to raise. That was the nature of my question. Joe was going there as well. But I support this motion. And Councillor Amelia's addition to that. As alluded to before, perhaps if we were back in 2006 when the decision was made to set aside this land, which has the biodiversity overlay, environmental protection area overlay and fire hazard overlay to community services, perhaps it would be a different result.
00:29:00 And also, as we know, the approval was given. It was given in 2011 under amalgamated council. But we're here today and trying to get the best outcome from where we are, pragmatic decision. And I'm really encouraged to hear what Councillor Lorentson has shared with us that over 1,000 feed trees have already been provided by the builder associated with the applicant to the Burgess Creek group. And also that perhaps there's a likely, a great likelihood that in the future, there's going to be an increase in the number of feed trees that have been provided to the Burgess Creek group. And I think in the future, when the trees are propagated, over 560 trees are propagated from the 71 on site, that both the Blue Care and the community will be able to work together to find appropriate sites for them.
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00:30:00 I know our staff are working with the environmental consultants hired by Blue Care. It's about getting the best result from where we find ourselves. And it's a good opportunity for all parties to work together in the end. So, in the interests of the glossy black, I support this motion. Councillor Lorentson: Can I close? Councillor Wilkie: You may close if you want to ask us. Councillor Lorentson: I'd just like to close with a quote. Gandy? Not Gandy. Sorry, Brett. We are temporary caretakers of our land. To be sustainable for future generations, we must leave our land better than we found it. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Well said. I'll put the motion. Those in favour? That's carried unanimously. Speaker 4: Thanks Patrick. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you Patrick. Thank you Connor. The next item is the MCU Planning and Environment Court Appeal number D67 of 2020.
00:31:00 Application for a bar at 5 Taylor Court, Cooroy. Remember what page number that is? 54. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yeah, that's 54. Councillor Wilkie: Yeah. 54 of the Environment and Planning. Thank you. Councilors, any questions of Kerry? I have a question. So, Kerry, the outcome that's being presented here is consistent with the planning scheme's intent for the site? Speaker 1: Yes, the outcome is going to maintain the primary use of the site as industrial and they have demonstrated that the bar will really only operate in the sort of ancillary sort of type capacity and support the industrial use on the site. Councillor Wilkie: And could you talk about the differences between ancillary bars, the risks associated with a full-scale bar at that site as opposed to just an ancillary bar?
00:32:00 Yes. Which is adjacent to a major highway away from transport. Speaker 1: So, the reason the application was originally recommended for refusal to councillors was that the proposal had a lot extended hours, was of a greater floor area, was going to sell liquor, not just what they produced on site, that it would really just operate as a bar so anybody working in the industrial area could attend regularly like their Friday afternoon bar. And that that would become the primary use of the site being a sort of retail outlet, so what the applicant has agreed to through discussions in the appeal was to reduce that quite substantially, so hours have been reduced, floor area has been reduced, they're now only proposing to retail the liquor they sell to promote, to promote that, their product, and so really it remains a much more scaled back version.
00:33:00 Okay, thank you. So, that's what was originally proposed and will really only operate in an ancillary way. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Can I get clarification there, because I thought from the original proposal, the operators were only planning to operate the bar Friday, Saturday, Friday weekends and public holidays. What has changed in the number of hours that are proposed for the bar to be operated on? Speaker 1: Sorry, on page 57 of the report, the first point says reduced hours of operation from Friday 3pm till midnight. And weekends 12pm to midnight. Now, they're only proposing Friday 3pm to 8pm, and weekends and public holidays 12pm to 8pm. So, the hours are scaled back. So, the closing time has been reduced from midnight to 8pm. Yeah, so the closing time. Councillor Jurisevic: That's essentially the term for those hours. Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, because the typical. Councillor Jurisevic: But again, it was only Friday weekends and public holidays over 10 to 1. Speaker 1: Yeah, so a typical retail bar would open till midnight.
00:34:00 But being a tasting facility, they've really scaled back their hours in line with that. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. That clarifies all. Councillor Lorentson: Kerry, I would suggest that this is what I would consider a successful mediated outcome. Would you agree? And if so, why was it so successful? Was it because the applicant came to the table wanting to negotiate, and likewise, with counsellors? Speaker 1: Absolutely. So, the mediation was very successful, and was quite surprising, I guess, to myself, because obviously before going into mediation, you try and work out some solutions that you can put forward. But the discussions progressed where staff put forward the issues in the appeal, and the applicant was very flexible in coming back, going, well, this is what we could do to address those issues. So, congratulations to the applicant on working with officers and coming to something that will work for them and address our issues.
00:35:00 Great. Councillor Lorentson: A win-win outcome. Speaker 1: Definitely. Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah. So, following up from that, I see from page 57, at the top of page 57, that the applicant put forward a range of conditions to reflect their proposed intent for the bar, including the following. Again, my understanding is that they had initially proposed some of these. What additional conditions have they proposed? They applied for themselves in this proposal that differed from what was, apart from the operating hours, that differed from what was originally proposed. Speaker 1: Well, all those dot points on page 57 are really different to what was originally proposed. Councillor Jurisevic: They are also different. Yeah. I don't know. It's the bus. The bus was one. Emergency bus, which was one of the ones that staff were concerned with. Yeah. Were television screens and that proposed in the original? Speaker 1: It was shown on the plans. Councillor Jurisevic: Oh, they were. Okay. Mayor Stewart: Yes. The size of the bar was reduced, too. Is that correct? Speaker 1: Yeah. So, the size ... The bar itself is the same, but they have clarified they're no longer
00:36:00 used in the mezzanine, and the area around for dining is limited to a thigh. Very good. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you for clarifying. Someone care to move the motion? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'll move the staff recommendation with a small additional clause in there. I'll read out the additional clause, and that's an item B to read, include the following advisory note on the development approval, one, proposed bar is located in an area that is zoned low impact industry. Speaker 1: Not medium. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Under the Noosa Plan 2020, and a range of industrial uses are planned to establish that may generate noise, odour, dust, waste, nuisance, or the like. These industrial uses will not be required to include additional measures to address the potential impacts from these industrial uses on the bar, given that they should reasonably be expected.
00:37:00 Councillor Wilkie: I'll second that. Seconded, Councillor Jurisevic. Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yeah. I do so. I think the questions have highlighted that what has been negotiated through the mediation process is that the size and scale and the nature of the operation, which was of concern initially, has been ... So, the good news is that we can now consider an ancillary use to the primary distillery function. I'm quite happy with that. I believe that the only then potential long term issue is that in an industrial state, we have had issues before with these sort of uses, with ... and of the reverse amenity effects where people think that other industrial uses should curb their production in order to maintain a low ... So that advisory note just highlights that this is still considered an industrial state and it's likely there will be noise over dust, waste, nuisance and the like occurring so you won't always have an ideal gym sipping environment.
00:38:00 Councillor Wegener: Kerry, is this a change in what would happen anyway? What Brian is suggesting seems to be obvious but it seems in the past there have been people who have moved into industrial areas and then start complaining about the noise and the dust and so forth. So this amendment will actually make a difference then to what may happen in the future. Speaker 1: Yeah, so it is an advisory note and it's about, I guess, putting the applicant on alert. Yeah. It's about bringing to their attention that we will not be taking compliance action on other industrial uses where they start to potentially impact on the bar, as have other businesses in the industrial area that are more retail in nature, not industrial, and have expected us to go and ask the mechanic to be quieter to lower their noise.
00:39:00 So it's really bringing to their attention that this is an industrial area and there will be some noise and impacts that may impact their bar. Councillor Wegener: That always seems obvious. Yeah. Maybe it's not obvious. And should we have put, should Brian have made motions like this earlier concerning various aspects due to the other industrial areas where people are complaining? Speaker 1: Well, the ones that we've received complaints about don't have a planning approval in the first instance. So, yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: So, following on from that question, I've had a similar, a question of similar nature. Is this something that we should perhaps consider as a standard clause in adding to the bottom of approvals for industrial areas? Speaker 1: I think it is appropriate on sites where we approve a business that's not industrial in nature that potentially other industrial uses might impact. So, yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: Well, where they have a complimentary use to an industrial activity such as a bar, certain
00:40:00 tasting bar to what clearly is an industrial operation in the distillery activity. Yeah. Speaker 1: Yeah. I think it just, it puts on note for people. Okay. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Kerry, would it be applicable in the industrial area to have a commercial type activities in the instance of caretaking units? So, we're talking on civilian commercial use, but I see it more relevant with caretaking units that have been approved in industrial precincts. Speaker 1: If it's a genuine caretaker where they are caretaking the industrial use, then, in my mind, they should have every expectation that there is a, you know, a business here that's going to impact on them. So, I'm not sure it is as necessary for caretakers as it is for this one. I mean, if... Councillor Lorentson: But there have been approved secondary dwellings, not necessarily caretaking units in industrial zones. Speaker 1: No. There have only been caretaker's residents approved. Are they caretakers? Councillor Lorentson: Yeah. Speaker 1: Yeah. Councillor Lorentson: So, there's an understanding or an expectation that noise, dust is nature of the beast.
00:41:00 Yeah. Speaker 2: I think you're both right. But the issue here is that we would give the advice to the owner of that caretaker unit or industrial shed or whatever it might be. But sometime the tenant might not be aware of that. And then, with their expectations, we probably need to manage as much as the owner of the property. Speaker 1: But, yeah. And a caretaker's not going to see this development approval. No. No. That's the issue. Speaker 2: No. Councillor Jurisevic: But I'll talk to it. I think it's a great outcome. It shows that saying no to a development application doesn't mean no entirely. It often means that there are elements within, and only elements within, that need to be reviewed and looked at. And that's clearly what's occurred here. An understanding of an applicant that an industrial area is for industrial use, first and foremost. And that other uses are secondary. Again, if this is something they want to develop, again, it's an opportunity to grow, develop, and transfer the bar activity that they want to develop. And then, of course, there are areas where they're potentially more suitable if they're
00:42:00 going to be a more primary use rather than an insular use. But I think this shows that saying no to a development application and going through a negotiated outcome to try and come up with a compromise that both parties can agree to, which does meet the planning scheme. And with an advisory note such as this to understand that the use of industrial areas, particularly low-end industrial areas, can generate a suitable operation and a growth and development of a new industry for the region. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor. Any other councillors wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Wegener: I'll just take a quick talk before we go. I won't repeat the speech from last time about the nature of spirits and the spirit of testing, but I will congratulate us on... Can we raise a glass, please? Sorry. Just that we were... These announcements are very important. We're moving towards industrial zones. We're moving toward a more enterprise concept of industrial areas and the like, where
00:43:00 they make a product and then they want to sell that product within the building at the same time. They want people to come through and try and see the product. And that's a very nice entrepreneurial way of dealing in industrial zones. And I'd like... I'm just happy we're going that direction where they're able to sell and have their shop in the front there, even though it's a tiny little unit there. Actually, there's two units in this one, isn't it, that are put together. So I'm glad that we're going that way and finding nice solutions moving forward, because I think that's the strength of Noosa is our small businesses, our entrepreneurs getting out there and having a go. But man, if they make it there, they want to be able to sell it in the front. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Councillor Stockley, who's to close? Put the motion, those in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you, Kerry. The next item is a confidential item and unless there's any strong objection, we'll move that to the end of the agenda.
00:44:00 The next... Anyone's made for that deck? No, it's at the discretion of the Chairman. Is it? Absolutely. I should read my statement. Yes. So that brings us... Thank you, Kerry. Thanks. It brings us to Item 4, which is Local Governance Reform, and that item's here because of the significance for all councillors. It's out of the Services and Organisation. Services and Organisation. Yes. Yes. Speaker 2: Sorry. Thank you. Yes. Page 78. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker 2: The State Government has been doing a series of reforms for Governments and Councils across Queensland for a number of years and a lot of these have been triggered by Westby Blunts
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00:45:00 and pretty poor Governance at some of the Councils, you know the Ipswichers of the world and Logan and so on. So the State Governments have to take some action. What they've done in the last tranche of changes that took effect on the 12th of October from memory, there was a lot of training and publicity around the changes to the conflict of interest and that's where most of the interest was focused on that. But there were a range of other changes as well. So they for example updated the Council of Code of Conduct, updated issues about investigation policies and so on. So it was an opportunity to go back and put together a package of documents which I'm presenting to you now to update a lot of those documents. So what this report does is to provide an updated Council of Code of Conduct. That's the same Code of Conduct that applies to all Councils across Queensland. So that's attached for adoption and my suggestion would be that if the Council adopts that on Thursday night, which I expect it will, that we might do a little signing ceremony, each Council acknowledges
00:46:00 and agrees to be bound by that. Very similar to what you did when you did your induction, sorry, swearing in ceremony. So it's just been updated. Just a quick question. So Brisbane's now been picked up by a lot of us as well. The other thing that we've done is to update the standing orders for those councillors who in the previous term, we did a lot of detailed work on those last time. But there are some required changes in the standing orders as a result of these legislative changes. Some of the examples include there's changes to the reasons why we can and can't close council meetings or committee meetings. That's now been updated in the standing orders. There's standard requirements in there that the state government has what they call model meeting procedures, which is about what processes we need to follow if there's complaints and so on.
00:47:00 They've been incorporated. So we've updated the standing orders as well. And I think Kylie was good enough to send around a track changes version so you can see the difference between the old and the new. Again, just for those who are having trouble sleeping at night. The other one that this covers is what's called an investigation policy. So that's one we've never actually used yet. In the years we've had it. But it's the case where if there's a complaint made to the Office of the Independent Assessor about a councillor and it's a relatively minor matter, sometimes the Office of the Independent Assessor can send it back to the council to undertake an investigation of that councillor. It doesn't happen that often. But we need to have a policy and it's a standard policy, again, which the state government has now updated. So we're just finalising that. But probably the most significant one in this bundle, which I do want to draw to council's attention, is the final one, which is a policy on councillor briefing sessions and workshops.
00:48:00 So these are the non-statutory meetings. We've never had a policy on this before. And I'll just spend a bit of time talking about this and why we've done it and why I think it's important. The starting point is that councillor briefing sessions, every councillor in Queensland has these. It's not unique to Noosa. It's very common practice and they're called different things in different councils. Sometimes it's briefing sessions, they're workshops, they're forums. Every councillor uses a different terminology. Across all of Queensland, it's absolutely verboten or very clear that they are not the only councillors that have these. They are not decision-making forums. They are places where you can get training or you can learn information or whatever out there. You cannot make a decision in those meetings. The only way to make a decision is at a formal council meeting. So what I thought we'd do, and I spoke to a few other councils about how they deal with this.
00:49:00 And in fact, Redland City Council was probably the one that was the most advanced in their thinking. And I was fortunate enough to get a copy of their policy, which I then adopted to our scenario. And that is that the policy recognised that it's normal and the usual process to have workshops. It recognised that they're not a decision-making forum. And that the same rules for dealing with conflicts of interest apply. For most of the time, this will be quite simple. So if you have a prescribed conflict of interest, whether it's a council meeting or a workshop, it doesn't matter, you're out of the room, very clear, very black and white. Where it's a declarable conflict of interest, I want councillors to be aware that in the short term, I think it's going to cause a few difficulties until we get some core precedents in place. That the workshops are not a decision-making framework. So you can't make a decision about whether or not a councillor stays or goes.
00:50:00 The only council meeting can do that. So where you've got a council meeting, and I'll pick councillor X, whoever that might be, might have a declarable conflict of interest in topic A. And if we hold a workshop on that, and that matter's never come before council, the way that this draft is structured is that the councillor would need to make the declarable interest and leave the room. They wouldn't have the option to stay until there's a council decision to say that, in relation to topic A, whatever it might be, it might be a member of a footy club or whatever it might be, that you only have a declarable interest and you can stay in the room. There's a council decision of effect. If we have a subsequent workshop in that room and you apply, you'd be able to stay. So in the short term, until we set up a number of precedents or have decisions in relation to that stay or go, I think it might cause a bit of grief for some individual councillors, but I think it's the best way to go. So that's my recommendation. The other challenge that seems to arise is that
00:51:00 Councillor Jurisevic: a lack of prior knowledge of exactly what might come up in a workshop. Correct. When something arrives in a workshop, the need to then suddenly say, call a halt and make that declaration at that point in time. I think that's a fair comment. Speaker 2: Probably 90% or more of our workshops have a defined agenda. We don't talk about X, it might be... But things do arise in conversation. But the conversations are a bit more pre-ranging. And that's one of the reasons you have these workshops, is you can explore ideas and talk about concepts and they can wander off into different places. And that could be a bit more problematical, Joe, I think that's right. But there's not really a sensible alternative under the current legislation because the only place you can make the decision is in a counselling about whether or not that person can stay or go. Councillor Lorentson: Can I ask Brett, in regards to recording of the workshops, the policy states, number seven, that the briefing sessions and workshops are closed to the public and because they're not legislated decision-making forums,
00:52:00 there's no expectation that they need to be live streamed. Can I challenge that and ask, in line with just good governance and transparency, should we be looking at perhaps just providing notes? I notice, I think the policy also states that the notes are not for public. Speaker 2: Because, yeah, probably the thinking around that is because they're not decision-making. You know, I was trying to think of a recent example. We don't make decisions, so what do we do? We talked about topic X. We might have covered 50 things or whatever it might be and we don't run a full note-taking service in those workshops. If it was a decision-making forum, that would be different. But the fact is, it's not a decision-making forum and that's the reason. Councillor Wegener: Okay. Councillor Wilkie: Do you have a question? I have a question. Mayor Clare. Mayor Stewart: Just on, sorry, now it's on the page.
00:53:00 In regards to teleconferencing, sorry, on page 37. Yes. Number five of the standing orders says the chairperson may allow a councillor to participate in a council or standing meeting by teleconference. So I'm just questioning that in alignment with under the local government regulations under 254 says that they can be, attendance can be by audio link or audio-visual link. Does that go far enough to correlate with the local government regulation or does it mean effectively the same thing? They just go a bit further. They say audio link or audio-visual link? It's the same thing. Yes. That was my question. Yes. Councillor Lorentson: Just back to what I was saying about good governance and transparency. Yes. Can we capture follow-up items or action items which aren't then available to the public? Could you give an example?
00:54:00 I don't know. I'm just thinking that we've made, that we've now just started live streaming and we're on the path of openness and transparency. To have some parts of that workshop, whether it's notes or follow-up items or something available for the public so that they know what path we're taking to build in. Speaker 2: For most of the current workshops, we don't keep notes at the moment. So we'd have to introduce that process to keep notes because we're not, we don't have Councillor Lorentson: Okay. So I'm just introducing the process. Okay. So you're introducing another level of reporting which is, in your opinion, unnecessary. Speaker 2: Yeah. Personally, yes, I think that's the case. Okay. But I'll think a bit more about that. Yeah. Maybe we'll monitor and see how it goes six, 12 months and then come back and revisit that. Okay. Yeah. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'm just thinking perhaps one of the bits of public information is in fact what was
00:55:00 discussed, just the agenda item. And perhaps there's an option either to have it as a regular section in the subsequent report, because nearly every one of these leads to a subsequent report that comes out to the public saying, you know, was this workshop yes on this date or something like that, or a monthly or quarterly, you know, this is what was discussed. Councillor Jurisevic: Just like that. Deleting information to the report being generated as to where councils have met on the matter beforehand. Yeah. Is that what you're suggesting? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'm just saying that's one way that would be a legitimate way of people saying, Speaker 2: oh, well, yeah. Victoria does a similar model to that, where they have, once they report a list of items that was discussed in the last month, but there's also from memory, and please don't quote me, it's a while since I looked at this, but there's also from memory has a requirement that you need to list out what's coming up in the next month. And you can't have any workshops unless it's been identified in that council meeting.
00:56:00 So in other words, you've sort of locked your head, you have no flexibility, so. That would be good. Yeah. Councillor Lorentson: So I think I looked at the Redland policy, Brett. Yep. And they've got an objective, which I notice our policy doesn't have. Yep. So maybe what we're discussing about having these workshops may be listed with agenda items. The objective, I think, there is to provide councillors the time to understand important matters and details. Yep. And listing those workshops are proof of that. So yeah, I actually like where Brian's going with some workshops being available for the public, for public information. Right. Councillor Jurisevic: It also shows we've taken the time and effort. Absolutely. To get. To get. Get some background. Absolutely. To get out of that background before. Yeah. So the public's been going into policy or decision making as well. Councillor Lorentson: In particular with significant matters and we've already been dealt with that and I think the
00:57:00 public's owed, just owed a little bit of information that we haven't made these decisions just quickly. Councillor Jurisevic: Jack? Question for the CEO. With regard to what we've got here before us, from what we had previously, what has changed, particularly in the way of, just for the benefit of those that are, that are listening or maybe not, what's changed? What has changed in the way of record keeping or minute taking that, from, from what we had previously? Speaker 2: So we're looking at, you're talking about all the things covered by this report or just in terms of the. No, all the things covered by that report. Well obviously we've got an updated code of conduct which is being changed by the State Government which applies to all councils across Queensland. Similarly with the investigations policy. Councillor Jurisevic: I'm meaning from a reporting perspective. Those are, those are operational code. You're saying, you know, workshops and that, they get documented. Speaker 2: What does get documented? What has changed? Yeah, sure. So what has changed as a result of the, the changes to both the Act and the regulation
00:58:00 from the 12th of October is that we, for example, publish the minutes of all the council committee meetings. They are then re, or adopted at the following meeting. Similarly where matters are introduced into debate, where, I'll use an example, put photos up on the screen or refer to some type of document which people are using, that is also attached to the minutes so that people who were not at the meeting but are subjectly reading the, the notes can see what was discussed at the meeting. Councillor Jurisevic: Can they see what was being referred to? They're, they're the primary ones. Thank you. That was a bit of a dolly, dolly of the exit but yeah. I'm happy to loop the, I'll second it. Am I Joe? I'll speak briefly towards it. I think, yeah, I looked up, there are some challenges that, that some of these changes present and we've, we've, we've faced them in some of the early stages already with regard to declarations of, of, of interest at workshop level and, and that, that probably haven't,
00:59:00 haven't necessarily been as clear cut in the past. I think reform for reform's sake is, is challenging but the reforms that have been put forward here I think are a way forward. There always need to review any reforms and see how they're working as has clearly been iterated with regard to, to the election of, of elected representatives that has currently, currently come up as a result of a conflict at, at one council. But I see the reforms here as, as benefiting not only councillors and the council process but the greater community in the, in the long term and I'm happy to support the, the, the, the changes that have been made and, but again, I think, you know, there's always scope for review and just seeing where these, these work well and may be, may, may present more challenges than they, they try to fix.
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01:00:00 Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Joe. Any councillors wish to speak to the motion of Councillor Stockwell? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: If I do so. I'm, I'm totally supportive of the regime and the, and the review that led to this increased level of accountability of local government. I think we are seeing a couple of the perverse outcomes of trying to prescribe things like what a related party is and, you know, we have in the last month already had a couple of times in a workshop session where what would normally be a very benign conversation which gives information to councillors, being a councillor like myself. Not helping, excluded, and so there's a sort of things that will be, I suppose, minor downsides to get a much more transparent, much more accountable and a much more, hopefully, less corrupt level government. Having said that, the LGAQ in their advocacy on these issues over the last years or so have been saying, if it's good enough for local government, it's good enough for other
01:01:00 levels of government. And this is where I think the greatest disappointment is. The level that we as local government councillors are now required by law, because we aren't a constitutionally recognised level of government, is so much different to what we're seeing, for example, in the federal government. So, if we look at the press, we see over $30 million for a land valued at $3 million. If you read the Guardian or Crikey, you talk about someone who's closely related enough to the Prime Minister that he was mentioned in his maiden speech and has since received over $40 million worth of federal government contracts, which they then didn't deliver, but delivered through subcontractors. These are the sort of things that the community should be really open about. It's not whether a councillor gave a $500 donation to the local charity who's then got to develop an application. If that's the level for local government, that's the level for state government, that's the level for federal government, and we shouldn't be afraid to request that these laws are consistent across all democracies in Australia.
01:02:00 Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Lorentson: Can I... Councillor... Can I just make one comment? Yeah. Reading the reforms, I just want to just draw everyone's attention to meeting, conduct in meetings, and I'd like to just add that sometimes what we consider theatre and emotion can sometimes be misconceived as inappropriate meeting conduct, and I think we need to all remember that. That, you know, there's the potential that we're adversely impacting the reputation of council, but I think in this room we actually understand, you know, I'm guilty of it being overdramatic.
01:03:00 So, but I think for perception and reputation of Noosa Council, we need to really step back a little bit with some of our theatre. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And on that, I can say, I guess I'm fortunate because I get to leave my acting on the stage. So I have that output. But as a general comment, I've, in response to Councillor Lorentson's comments, I feel that in terms of meeting conduct, this group of councillors can be proud of themselves for the way they conduct themselves in the general committee. And the ordinary meeting, I think it's been exemplary so far. And for new councillors, I think you're doing exceptionally well. As a personal comment I am really pleased to see the way conflicts of interest have been defined under these new reforms. It's got rid of the very vague and undefined issue of perceived conflict of interest and what constitutes a perceived conflict of interest and I think that is a great help.
01:04:00 Now we just have to contend with declarable or prescribed and the definitions around that appear to be very cut and dried and it will be interesting to see how they play out. I agree with the comments made that any level of reform that is intended to increase accountability in a level of government is healthy but I also support the idea that it be applied equally across all levels of government and I think governments in Australia generally would be better for reforms such as this spread across the country. I am looking forward to reviewing any of these policies down the track especially about how we may note what workshops councillors have attended and that that be perhaps on our website somewhere.
01:05:00 So members of the public who may have an interest in that field can contact a councillor and get a sense of what was discussed. Good afternoon. I guess it's important not to create an expectation that council is definitely heading in a certain direction before some of these things get discussed in government. Councillor Wegener: When I started practicing law back in California in the early 1990s, the lawyers were put down and there was a public outrage through the 1980s about corrupt lawyers. And so the California state bar put together these incredible regulations and they were actually very difficult to deal with as a young attorney and I was there and it cost
01:06:00 me a fortune to just continue the continuing learning education part of it and the legislation around what I could and couldn't do. It was phenomenal at the end of it, it just took so much effort. And then it ended up costing a fortune for me as a young lawyer to keep paying the insurance charges and to pay the bar fees, the bar fees were. And so I'm always, I get a little bit worried about this, the LGAQ, these regulations coming down on us because I've just kind of seen it before happen again. And then after I left the practice of law in California and moved here, all those regulations just dissipated because the cost, the institutional cost of the bar was so high that the lawyers just said, oh, forget it, it's not doing anything and they scrapped the whole project largely. Anyways. So I'm always a little bit worried of the over-regulation of the LGAQ and the chilling effect and worried that the regulations and the conflict of interest things move us to
01:07:00 a point where it actually takes us into a place of decision by sabotage, of looking at counselors' conflict of interest and taking us that direction instead of looking at the merits of a particular case and focusing on that. I just worry about that. It hasn't happened here in the room, but I worry about the top-heavy approach. And I just want to put it on the record that that is a concern for me about the LGAQ and that the top-heavy approach to governance. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor. Speaker 2: Can I just clarify that it's not LGAQ's reforms, it's the Department of Local Government, State Government doing it. Okay. Okay. Councillor Wilkie: Any councillors close? Councillor Jurisevic: I'll close, Joe. Joe? No other councillors have closed apart from me. Councillor Wilkie: Oh, sorry, Joe. Councillor Jurisevic: I thought it was Bronwyn. Councillor Wilkie: He's not the one. Councillor Jurisevic: No, I'm actually... Go on, another go. Look, I never seem to be amazed at some of the things as trainers. There was an element of transparency that I think has been lost through some of this. We used to be able to acknowledge the fact that we had community associates, community
01:08:00 memberships and community associations as an element of transparency, not for the fact that there was a conflict, just to put it out there. No longer required. We used to do that in this council when I first started. We don't do it anymore. I think that's an acknowledgement lost to something. Again, you know, some of the things that are implemented here actually take away. But that's my own personal opinion. I'm glad Council Stockwell went to the next level. I was hoping to use that in my close. But yeah, consistency across all levels of government is something that I think the community deserves. And I hope we are the testing ground that this will further. And that's all that this is. It won't be long before state and federal government start to adopt these sort of changes. It applies equally across all levels of government. I think that is important. I think that's vital to have that level of transparency and openness at all levels of government
01:09:00 for trust to come back to some levels of government. And it's distinctly lost. The party machines that control government at higher levels of government are the ones that are at higher levels in particular. Make me worry about that. I also would like to see that these changes actually do make changes to council operating procedures. Because a number of councils have been called by their communities for not having open and transparent processes. And I look forward to seeing a number of councils that have been called in that regard in the past to be, to bear, to see their procedures in place. And I hope that those procedures actually change and have a more open and transparent process. As for how we conduct ourselves within council meetings, I hope we never lose passion. I don't see that as... And I know some councils might consider that a tactic, but I think passion and belief is
01:10:00 what we're here for. That's why we've been voted in. And it's hard not to think about that. It's hard not to get worked up about certain matters because they do have feeling in our community. They do have an impact on ourselves. And any element of government, of course, and any element of meeting, whether it be at the legal level in a court or around a table like this, there is an element of theatre to it that does go there. And if we do continue down that path, I see that as a good thing. And I look forward to introducing a new system of awards. We're, at the end of the year, called the Amelia's, so that passion and theatre isn't lost through the means of practice. Councillor Lorentson: Thanks. Love it. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Put the motion, those in favour? That's unanimous. Speaker 2: Just before we move off that, can I just acknowledge the work that Kylie did putting
01:11:00 all this together? She did a lot of research, did a lot of the drafting, a lot of the work on that detailed document. She did a great job. Thank you, Kylie. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Thank you. So all future inquiries. Speaker 7: Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Okay. The force behind the... Councillor Wilkie: Next one is the Infrastructure Services Department update, and we have our Director of Infrastructure Services here with us this week. Yes. Good morning. And that's the only reason that it's here, so we can quiz Kyle on any questions that come out of the quarterly report for that department. Councillor Jurisevic: Apologies for dragging this up here, Kyle. That's okay. But you weren't... No, no. Unfortunately, I wasn't. Councillor Wilkie: That's in the Services and Organisation Committee agenda. Page 98. Page 98. Councillor Jurisevic: We did raise a number of questions. We did. Did that list get... Speaker 3: I have got that list here. Do you want me to go through that, or...? Yes, please.
01:12:00 Reserves so and that was there will be a CDF coming up and we'll be requesting input from councillors as to how we do deal with a complaint process and deal with that community collaboration and consultation the main thrust of it though is that we'll be trying to educate and inform residents about what is acceptable in the road reserve and why and however there still will be a need for us to you know where there's high-risk situations that we will have to issue infringements but we're hoping by educating people and having a document that people can read then they know what they're allowed to do in that road reserve and what they're not allowed to do in the road reserve. The next one was the civil ops branch workforce review for that one we are currently working with people and culture on a workforce plan we have just engaged
01:13:00 maintenance planning coordinator so they'll be coming on board in the next few weeks and that will address some of the issues that we've got with the supervisors feeling as if they're having to do a lot more of that planning aspect and that really flows on out of the asset management planning that we've done over the last few years so that's the next step so we've been looking at the capital works and renewals and now the next step is to try and improve the workflow with our maintenance planning and one of the aspects that we'll be looking at is a bit like the tree strategy where we actually will bundle work up and then that will go out to the marketplace in the following financial year so we'll have a better idea of what the work is that needs to be done so we plan the first year we do the next year that's really what we're looking at doing and there will be a cycle and it will go around the community so that's the sort of process that we're doing we're doing the same sort of thing with pathways
01:14:00 so we're doing auditing of the pathways and then once we know where our priorities are where the main risks are and where the concerns are then we go back and we deal with those appropriately the following year so that's that one the other one is that we are setting up a focus group in the depots and calling in just key people and we'll be walking through that process of how we're going to improve our processes going forward okay the next one that I've got is the botanic gardens so initial discussions with the friends of the botanic gardens have taken place in the preparation of the MOU we are about to put on a backfield person out of the botanic gardens and I believe they have that skill set and experience of putting together the plan for that and they'll be heavily involved with that so that should be starting towards the end of this year and early into next year so we already have some information in
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01:15:00 terms of reference materials from the friends and we'll be incorporating that about guided walks and so on we'll be incorporating that into that process as well so just a question on that we did have a strategic plan for the garden some years ago so it's the next level yes that's right the next level down yeah the Cooroy hinterland playground I think that was from yourself councillor Jurisevic so we are currently we've got we're in the process of engaging the contractor for the main body of work there and we should be reaching the conclusion of that either late December and early January that'll be coming back to Council for approval of that contract to proceed so that will be early in the new year yes two separate areas so the Maple Street car park and the pedestrian crossing that's about to go out to tender right now and that should be finished by the end of the financial year and then the next portion of work if we let the contract for the main parcel of work that will carry on to probably the end of 2021 for the construction works that's all dependent on weather of course and whatever else we have come along in that in that area
01:16:00 so just going back to those car parks how does that tie in with the entire reseal works and car parking reconfiguration that's occurring currently for all well that's been taken into account with all of the planning so we've also fixed up the or replaced the Mary River bridge down there so we've now we're joining up all of those different areas and this is the last little parcel of work on that road yeah I'm just figuring how does it all fit within the parcel so we we are not looking at any car parking down in that lower mill area at the moment we're doing some work in that space and sorting that out and that's going through the DA process but that's a separate body of works that's not included in that probably yes yes yeah cycling and walking strategy I believe you've got a workshop on Thursday Thursday morning so I'll not be going through the draft strategy
01:17:00 to update the councillors that aren't in the the in that group the budget implications including whole of life costs and your say community consultation next was the SEMP the SEMP has been reprogrammed just to take into account approvals listening sediment erosion shoreline yeah sorry yeah so the that will be taking place what we're doing is looking what the approval processes are for DNRM fisheries that sort of thing and coming up with when this can all take place it all depends on how long it takes to get those approvals through yeah yeah so we will we're looking at that but it should be taking place in the next next year sometime
01:18:00 time we have been keeping an eye on that I haven't heard any changes there I'd have to go back and have a chat with our surveyors to get the latest information what the movement is there Beckman's Road in terms of funding secured so stage one funding for design and construction which is the Kuroi Noosa Road intersection that will be upgraded with a roundabout so that's been secured at this stage we have not have any other funding secured for the remainder of the works on Beckman's Road before yes it was yes lastly MOU with TransLink so staff are meeting with TransLink at the moment I believe the MOU is sitting with TransLink's legal department but it is expected to
01:19:00 come our way very shortly it's a really high level document it's not going down into the detail of what we're doing with regards to electric buses or any of the other projects we'd like to work on it's a high level one but what that will do is that will set us up for putting in place more detail regarding specific projects and they might be the electric buses or a depot free weekend buses demand response transport that sort of thing we meet monthly to discuss that the staff meet with TransLink monthly to go through that until we have an MOU in place that's we have been considering where those sites might be and it depends on what the model is that we use for for delivery
01:20:00 Councillor Wilkie: of that service so it might so at the moment it really has to stack up from the contractors perspective and TransLink's perspective as well but we are assisting them with identifying those sites so is just looking at your report you've got here next quarter ongoing collaboration and negotiation with Kinetic and TransLink to develop electric bus proposal including electric bus depot is Kinetic the contractor yes correct yeah Speaker 3: that was it Councillor Wegener: questions questions question time now first of all congratulations on the resealing of Cooroy it is great pulling in there this morning
01:21:00 I didn't even notice that the difference between the nosing parking and the reverse parking I just pulled up and I went oh that was easy so thank you for that so all that nosing parking is now being implemented Speaker 3: in that particular area yes we do this we look at it on a case by case basis so it depends on Councillor Jurisevic: what I'm trying to clarify is that what we're doing across the whole of Speaker 3: generally in accordance with the latest design standards we are probably going to go to nosing parking but we do look at each of them Councillor Jurisevic: angle like nosing parking yes correct yeah Councillor Wegener: thank you and then second there's a lot of work going on at the boardwalk on main beach that we have of course with sales we've got Natanya we have Bistro C would if it's part of the complete pathways and boardwalks and parks and playgrounds assessment management plans the amp it would that with those improvements and other improvements along the boardwalk there fall under this because lately I've been walking up and down the boardwalk with my video and my camera
01:22:00 and the only thing is I walk down on a hot day and I just can see that that things could be better better utilized public space can be definitely utilized better along the boardwalk there and because we have changes going on in front of these all these other places is it a good time to actually step back and have a re-look at the amenity along the boardwalk as a whole yeah as a whole Speaker 3: so there are a number of aspects to that we have been we did a trial about a year or so ago now for a new type of boardwalk because the problem was we were having to It was very labour intensive to lift damaged boards out and it got in the way, we had to divert people around and so from a workplace health and safety perspective we've now got a system that's more robust, the timber lasts longer so we are trialling a couple of different types of arrangements down there.
01:23:00 Once we've got an idea of which decking material lasts the longest and what's the most cost effective solution then we will be looking at extending that out along that whole boardwalk. There's another aspect to that as well which is the steps down off the boardwalk down to the beach especially after we've had erosion due to storm events and so we are undertaking some work in that space as well looking at the sea wall and how we can improve that. So that's something that's being dealt with at a very high level at the moment, just looking at beach erosion, what are the mechanisms and how we can possibly improve that and I think that that would probably flow into what you're talking about but yes the asset management plan for those certainly will be taking that into consideration. Councillor Jurisevic: The drop in drop out panel methodology, is that what we're still looking at? Yes.
01:24:00 Councillor Lorentson: Given that the boardwalk, Carl, is one year, just over a year old, how old is the... Speaker 2: The triathlon weekend 2018. So it's two years. November 2018. Councillor Lorentson: So the timber, okoye I think it is. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's faring really well. Yes. So that material I know it's expensive but it would be interesting to see how that wears over the years. Yes. It's so far so good. Speaker 3: And we've put a panel of that in as well down on the main beach boardwalk so there is one section there which has been done with that and we want to compare that with how the other panels surrounding it and how they survive because they tend to split whereas this new material doesn't split, doesn't warp so it's a lot safer for people to walk on. Yeah, it's really good. It's a lot cooler too because it's a lot of material. Yeah, yeah. It wouldn't absorb the heat much. Yeah, that's right. Councillor Wegener: How would I monitor that just over the next year? Probably it's not going to happen real soon but how would I as a councillor sort of keep
01:25:00 saying, well Carl how is this project going? What's going to happen? What can we do? Speaker 3: By all means come and see me and we can have a talk about it and what I can do is probably bring in some of the officers that are involved with that process and they'll be able to keep you informed over time. Councillor Jurisevic: If I may, just for the benefit of those, we had an item deferred from last month with regard to the temporary pathway down to the National Park. Yes. It hasn't been brought to this round of meetings. Can you, for those that may be listening online, can you allude to as to why that hasn't been brought to this round of meetings? Speaker 3: Oh. Councillor Wilkie: Oh. Amelia's just right. I just wanted to make sure we get the point that some councillors have declared a conflict of interest last time this was mentioned. Is one required here now? Speaker 2: If you're going to deal with this item, the answer to that would be yes or you can not
01:26:00 deal with the other. Councillor Jurisevic: There's only clarification as to why it's not this meeting and if you're going to raise the issue and if that would arise, it's up to the councillor or the perispical whether he wishes to pursue or not. Councillor Lorentson: I think it's better for the public to see why it's not at this meeting, not at this regular meeting. Councillor Jurisevic: Okay. I'll leave the name. You need to declare why, so. Councillor Lorentson: Declare I have a friendship with Catherine and Andrew St Faitha, who have a property that fronts Park Road, and for that reason I'll leave the room. Councillor Wegener: Thank you. Sorry for doing that. Anything else? No, that's okay. I actually have a declarable conflict of interest as well. Councillor Lorentson: I'll just get the wording from last time. Just a minute. Councillor Jurisevic: It doesn't really write the infrastructure services update.
01:27:00 Councillor Wegener: I, Councillor Wegener, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter due to my association with Andrew St Baker, who owns a property in Park Road, adjacent to where the pathway is located. Andrew St Baker contacted me in May about the pathway in question, which runs on the northern end of this property. I went to meet with him and looked at the path, but he told me the history of his dealings with Council. I contacted the project officer and passed on Mr. St Baker's concerns. Later, I informally met with the project officer on the boardwalk, and I believe he told me that it will eventually come before Council.
01:28:00 I have a perceived association with Mr. St Baker, as I am a surfboard manufacturer, and he is the owner of Thomas Surfboard and the Thomas Factory. I believe Mr. St Baker has a fantastic influence on manufacturing in D.C. In Council, I have often congratulated the Thomas Factory that has discussed the emergence. I have had a few discussions with Mr. St Baker about the Thomas Surfboard Factory, and I have had two discussions about the Noosa Bias Fair, the history of Noosa, and the Bring Back the Fish campaign at his house, which is obviously right above the surf break. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias, because I believe I do not have a close personal relationship with Thomas Surfboard Factory. I therefore will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting, and whether I can remain in and participate in the decision.
01:29:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Make some of mine look short. Councillor Jurisevic: I'll undertake the Council resolution. Does the Council make the declarable conflict of interest by Councillor Wegener and determine what's in the public interest? There is no voting on this matter, because Council leaves the Council week. There does not have a close social relationship with Mr. St Baker, and therefore a reasonable person would trust the five decisions made in the public interest, as previously. Do we have to go through this every time? Yes. We still have to go through the whole process, even though it has been previously done. My understanding is that under the new process, we don't have to do this once it has been declared previously. That is correct. Speaker 2: But my advice to Council is that you should go through the process, because the minutes will need to reflect what happened.
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01:30:00 Councillor Wilkie: And I have a question for the CEO on that. Is a declaration that extensive necessary in this instance? Surely the pivotal issue would be putting the election call through to Mr. St Baker's yard, Speaker 2: for example. My advice was, and has been previously, is that the declaration needs to come through to all elements that lead to the conflict of interest. And if that is what Councillor Wegener declared last time, then he should declare the same matter. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. If we can go back in time before that, prior to the declaration being made in the first place, would a declaration that extensive be necessary? Speaker 2: Again, it's up to the Councillor. But my advice to the Councillor is, as always, when in doubt, declare everything that you Better off putting something in and leaving it out. Okay.
01:31:00 Can you just second it? Speaker 1: I'll second it. Councillor Wilkie: Second it, Councillor. Mayor Stewart. Councillor Jurisevic: I think for the sake of consistency in how we previously resolved this issue, I believe that the resolution is appropriate. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Anybody else wish to speak to the motion? I'll put the motion. Those in favour? It's Councillors Stockwell, Jurisevic, Finzel, Stewart, and I. We're going to, did not vote. It's carried unanimously. Councillor Jurisevic: I'm sorry, I asked a question there. I guess this is what you meant. Mayor Stewart: I wanted an answer for 20 minutes to get there. Speaker 2: This is why our state is counting. Councillor Wilkie: This goes to your comment, Joe, about how it has made the map of the issues a bit more opaque. Well, that's right. It clogged up the system a bit. Speaker 3: I might ask the question now. Yeah, what was the question again? I forgot.
01:32:00 Councillor Jurisevic: So basically, the issue of the temporary pathway was brought, was deferred. Hopefully come to this round of meetings, but it's not on the agenda, this round of meetings. Can you please explain why and when it's made likely? Speaker 3: We're undertaking a more thorough review of the design standards, the path network in the area around Park Road. We're also having some discussions. We've had discussions with local residents in the area, and based on that, collecting all that additional information, and also due to the workload that we're currently, you know, we've got on at the moment in the lead up to Christmas, we've decided to defer that report, and it will probably be coming up in the February round. Speaker 2: The same staff member, Joe, the same staff member is also doing the transport. Councillor Jurisevic: I do say some of that's due to a direct relation to the questions that we raised in the gas. Thank you. Sorry. Councillor Wilkie: You say they're having another look at the matter in relation to what?
01:33:00 Speaker 3: We've got some correspondence coming in. Local residents are wanting to have a discuss. They've come up with some additional other options, and so our staff are trying to review that and come up with what would be the best solution. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. So it may not necessarily be the same recommendation that came from staff previously? Speaker 3: Possibly. It could be different. Yes, yes. Correct. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So while we're on it, as a result of the representations of Mr. St. Barb Baker, he quite clearly identifies that the technical term for what happens down there during, when the surf's up, is chaos. As part of that review, would it be appropriate to look at the pedestrianisation of the end of Park Road near the National Park? I.e. we, the previous report. The previous report talked about the benefits from a pedestrian perspective of a walkway.
01:34:00 Some of the concerns are, is about the dangers of traffic. I think we're going to step back. We should step back and say, should this area all be pedestrianised? Speaker 4: Good point. Speaker 3: I will raise that with my staff, but that is a fairly large change in the scope of work. Councillor Wilkie: On the basis of one person's experience. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'm just thinking there could be, like, even initially, just through painting of the road, to make it very clear, around the roundabout, it's a shared area, it's a shared zone, you know, and again, that would need to be considered in light of the, you know, Australian design standards. Councillor Jurisevic: That was around the elements of questioning that I wanted to have with staff, as we go through what the standards were and whether they could be met in that area. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Carl. Councillor Jurisevic: Thanks, Carl. That was it. I'll move, I'll move the committee recommendation that the Director's report be accepted. Councillor Wilkie: I'll second it. I'll second it, Mayor Stewart. Alderman, would you wish to speak with Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: I need to acknowledge the work done by the Department, the comprehensive amount of work that you have on your agenda, the challenges for staff in delivering the programs that we've got this year, and thank you and your staff for all your efforts.
01:35:00 Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Carl. I put the motion as a favour. That's unanimous. Thank you, Carl. And Councillor Lorentson can return. Now on item six, which is a report, Director General Committee, which is the Noosa Council 2019-20 Annual Report. And we have Deb Yetsey and Guy Stewart from Governance. Welcome. Councillor Lorentson: Hi. I think I have a question. Councillor Wilkie: Questions for staff councillors. I'm going to go back to the report. So for the benefit of people listening at home, what is the significance of an annual report
01:36:00 and what can ratepayers and residents hope to glean from it? Why is it important? The Council produces one of these. Speaker 7: All right. Well, there is a requirement under legislation for us to do that. It's a requirement. What it does do, it makes, it's from a transparency point of view, very clear about how Council has performed over the last 12 months. And there are set things that we need to report. We need to report about our complaints. We need to report our financial performance. And then also our progress against our major plans and strategies. So some people refer to them as coffee table books. You know, some, a lot of annual reports become very complex and often deter people from reading them. We've tried to actually make this a readable document. It is a lengthy document. The second section, which deals with all of the financial performance, again, has to meet our financial reporting requirements and audit standards. So it provides reassurance to the community and to the public that, you know, we've got
01:37:00 our house in order and outlines our performance so that they can have confidence that we are travelling okay. Councillor Wilkie: And now I'm aware of where the money was spent. Speaker 7: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And there's quite a bit of commentary in there that's provided by the various, like, for example, the CEO and other people as well in relation to particular projects and how we're performing. You know, highlights as well. So, yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: I did have a question in reading through the report. I mean, most of them I was on top of and have done. But there is... Page 55. Investment property. That's 13. I noticed the value of investment property decreased this year. I'm just confirming whether that was... As the second line appears to allude to, there was a re-evaluation.
01:38:00 Councillor Lorentson: Did it occur? Councillor Jurisevic: Or whether there was any other change to council investment property? And what council investment... For the benefit of those listening, what council investment property may consist of? Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Sure. Speaker 2: Joe, sorry. What you're talking about here is the financial statements. Oh. Oh. Yes. I'm sorry. Sorry, guys. So, investment property. So places like Sunrise Beach, the shopping centre, they've done on an annual basis based on total rent. So you look at capitalising your rent and working out what the value of the property is. Obviously, we've had some vacant shop there. I've had to check that. Councillor Jurisevic: That was my understanding, but looking at it again, if somebody reading that with no explanation there might have questioned why there was a devaluation, so I just wanted to clarify for anybody watching what that was saying.
01:39:00 Page 55 of the actual report, page 22 of the financial statements. Page 22 of the financial statements. Come on, 22. Thank you for confusing us. My report says page 55. Oh, yeah, sorry. I'm waiting for the report as it comes through with the PDN. Page 22 of the financial reports in the annual report. So, no 13 investment property. Thank you, that was it. Speaker 7: So, you'll also notice that it's a bit of a different look. It's a fresher approach, and so I just want to draw your attention to that. Councillor Lorentson: Which makes me, leads me to my question, Deb. Yeah. Impressive and really easy to read, so congratulations on the report, I think it's brilliant, and resident friendly, and I think you're right, when you overcomplicate the material, it has no worth because no one reads it.
01:40:00 Finance on page five, there's a note that the graphic design was outsourced and had a cost of $1,200, that's good value. It's exceptional value, yes. Councillor Finzel: I'm going to name it. Councillor Lorentson: Fantastic. So, we don't have any graphic designers in-house. Speaker 7: No, no, we have some design skills, but very, but not to this level. And what I'd say is, while the graphic designer assisted us with layout and look and everything, which was wonderful, the content, we, the staff, actually spent a lot, deal with the content. So, but yeah, the designer did a wonderful job. No, we don't. Some bigger councils do have graphic designers on staff. Yeah. In their comms and in those areas, but no, we don't. So, it's actually quite a cost-effective way to deal with it. Yeah. She's just outsourcing it, absolutely. Yeah. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: We should, lots of great graphics and photos and drone footage.
01:41:00 We should let Sunshine Coast Council, that even though the foreground of the front cover is in there, Shire, that we're not playing with. Speaker 7: Well, regional perspective. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Councillor Wegener: Question, that house right there, that's Sunshine Coast Council? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: That's the Sunshine Coast Council. Yeah, the tree line at the base of the south of Mount Cooroy is about the boundary. Councillor Wegener: Yeah, isn't that interesting, because that is just such a showcase, it's such an example of Noosa Council. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: What you're looking at there is, you can see how Mount Cooroy is the headwaters of Six Mile Creek, which runs down into Lake MacDonald, so stuff that runs to the south of Mount Cooroy goes out into the Mooroochie River system. Speaker 7: Yeah, it's a great picture. There's some really good pictures in there. Councillor Wilkie: Councillor's questions for Deb, or someone would like to move?
01:42:00 Mayor Stewart: I'll move it. Councillor Wilkie: Mayor Stewart has moved it. Seconded Councillor Finzel. Councillor Stewart? Mayor Stewart: Yeah, I'd just like to thank Deb and all the team and all those involved. There's a lot of hard work reporting and collating. I think the report demonstrates the width and breadth of all of Council's initiatives, its programs, its assistance to the community, its infrastructure development and so forth, and our staff should be commended and thanked. I think it also highlights a wide range of grant recipients who receive funding from Noosa Council. And this is such a significant diversity of activities involved around this sporting environmental, community and cultural. It's wonderful to see this as it really is on mission, and many of these organisations, individuals, could not have progressed without assistance from Council, and I think that's something we should all be very proud of in regard to funding. And when I look at the corporate plan on page 20, the overarching themes, environment, community, economy, long-term planning, excellence as a Council.
01:43:00 These themes are all great ones, and they're incredibly important. I think now more than ever, when we look at our corporate plan going forward, we have an opportunity based on these themes to look holistically when we make decisions, and to look at recommendations put forward to us in light of all these themes, including social and economic impacts. As we make our way out of COVID and we confront the full impacts on our community, we address our housing crisis, our accommodation shortage, our accommodation and our average economy, our wages. I think that it's not just obligatory, that it's mandatory that we must look at all of these factors when making decisions. And I look forward to working with other Council members. I look forward to working with other Councilors as we develop our own corporate plan going forward. As we move through the annual report, I'd also like to acknowledge the Corporate Services team. The reason we are in such a strong position financially, compared to many other Councils, is because of all the hard work, diligence and prudent decisions, which have been undertaken by Michael Shave and his team.
01:44:00 And this hard work is appreciated and acknowledged. I'd also like to thank all staff, CEO Brett de Chastel, all directors and all departments, Kerry Contini, Deb Iezi, Kim Rawlings, Carl Bellingham, for their hard work, leadership and support. This year, as we have often said, has been a year like no other. On top of dealing with the global pandemic, more grants than ever received before, a bigger capital budget than ever before, more infrastructure projects on the go, more community organisations to help, more developments to be approved, and increased governance requirements to be approved. They have all had to contend with a new Council and four new Councilors who have leaned on them for information and advice. And I personally thank them for their continued patience, support and advice. And I look forward to working with them all as we move forward to a bigger and brighter 2021. So thank you. Councillor Wilkie: That's it. Thank you. Yeah, thank you. Okay. Councillor Amelia. Councillor Lorentson: I also want to take this opportunity to thank the staff for preparing a comprehensive summary of Council's performance over the last 12 months.
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01:45:00 It's impressive and gives us an idea of the distinct and important role that local government plays in community governance. And in particular, how impressive our comparatively small Council is. Running a Council that owns, and I have to say this over and over again, a Council that owns over $1 billion in assets requires more than a skill set. It requires good people that are driven by a desire to make a difference to a community and a place they feel passionately about. I'd just like to recognise these people and thank them and tell them that you guys inspire me. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Joe. Councillor Jurisevic: President Cabe what's on the music? It's only a couple more zeros. Look, I'd like to concur with the sentiments of the Mayor and Councillor Morrison.
01:46:00 I'm sure all the councils around the table congratulate staff for an annual report in probably not only an election year, which will always bring the transition and a challenge in itself, but in a COVID year. This is certainly being one of the most challenging times in our last 18 years. In the last three months of that financial year, from the election to where the report ends, barely scratches the surface of the challenges that we've had. I think the staff and the CEO, in this version of it, the incoming council and the incoming mayor have done an amazing job. I commend the mayor on her message after only such a short time in office as well. So well written and well received. I think kudos to everybody involved in that. I think it does show that our DML community council, we may be small, but we do punch above our weight, well and truly.
01:47:00 And the report reflects the elements of good governance, good financial and fiscal management, and good staff management from the top 10 in this organisation. And is a credit to staff at all levels. Thank you. Across the organisation. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you John. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Cash stopper. Yes. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: One of the things I always find interesting about the annual report is the top 10 highlights. Because that sort of gives you an insight to where the organisation thinks are the key things that they reckon we did well and we got right. And so this year, they're not numbered one to ten, but the top of the pops was supporting residents, visitors and businesses through the 2019 wood fires at Peregian Beach, Cooroibah, Noorshaw and Tewart during the emergency phase and through recovery efforts. Yeah, I completely got that. Now, COVID has been something we've been focused on since March, but one can't underestimate the brilliant job that our staff did and our local disaster management committee did through what was a record,
01:48:00 or a disaster that we hadn't experienced before. Thanks for highlighting the fact that I forgot to mention. And that was Christmas. Well, it started early in spring, didn't it? So we had this spring and summer of a climate that we hadn't experienced before. And staff whose day job is to make roads became people who were organising disasters. So we had a lot of people who were organising disaster relief centres. We then go to the flip side, the reopening of the Noosaville Aquatic Centre after a major refurbishment, where millions of tiles were re-grouted and solar put on the roof. So our role in providing active recreation and sport for our community.
01:49:00 One that I might have put at the top of the list, completing the new planning scheme after four years and new councillors coming in here and having to try and grapple with the new plans. We'd had over 50 workshops to understand. Redevelopment of the Noosa North Shore Campground, providing additional powered and unpowered sites, just in time for it to be unlawful to actually camp. Managing the transition of the new council following the local government elections. Well, councillors, we mustn't be that difficult. We're only number five. Support all members of the community through the 2020 Coronavirus Code. The COVID-19 pandemic to the height of the lockdown and the ongoing recovery phase. And once again, this disaster or this emergency response. And we found within our organisation a skillset that's of international renown in some cases. You know, such that the Queensland government tried to poke some of their staff because they realised they had skills that they needed.
01:50:00 And our own, you know, the way that we worked through that early phase. And even though we were probably one of the first communities to be substantially impacted, that's where it stopped. Supporting, including a multi-year environmental grants program which allocated $750,000 over three years to support projects that aligned with the environment strategy. And yes, that was my idea in 2016. And we got there three years later. So, councillors are new councillors. It takes time to get some of the concepts. And that was, when I say my idea, that was the idea that came out of an informal meeting I had with a range of community groups in 2016. Adopting the master plan for Noosa District Sports Complex and the Croy Sports Complex. Obviously, once again, in the recreation area. Success of the free shuttle bus loop in the holiday period, Go Noosa, which saw a further 20% increase in public transport use during the busiest times of the year. So, you know, there's not many places that can get a 20% increase in public transport to, you know, to make the experience of Noosa during peak times something a little bit different.
01:51:00 And finally, introducing public transport. A suite of new online services to assist the community to access information and conduct business. And the decision made very early in the de-amalgamated council to go to cloud-based computing meant that our staff seamlessly transitioned to working from home. And the productivity was hardly noticeable. The productivity changed. So, I think it has been a historic year. I think there are 10 great points to highlight. I think there are 10 great points to highlight to our community. And like everyone else, I appreciate all the work that goes both in the outdoor and indoor staff to make us look good when we produce lovely, glossy reports. It was pretty interesting. Speaker 7: And I'm sure that Brett will take those accolades back to staff. But I'd also really like to acknowledge the work that Dee has put into compiling this report and the work that Sue does in the governance area as well because she's had a big input to this report.
01:52:00 So, thank you. Thank you, thank you. Is it Dee or Di? It's Di. Speaker 1: I can't do this. Speaker 7: It's Di. Doesn't that happen? What's she going to say to me? Councillor Wilkie: It's a Dee or Di report. Speaker 1: It's a Dee or Di report. Councillor Wilkie: There's a song in there. Yeah, look, yeah, I think other councillors have summed it up really well. We are a small council with a relatively limited budget but what has been achieved because of ambitious targets set by the councillor team and also the executive team and staff is something the whole community can be proud of but it is the staff that have to execute the budget initiatives and the capital works and also contend with things that happen for Bethfield like bushfires and COVID.
01:53:00 All our councillor driven requests that pour in on a daily basis which adds further to your workload so really this report is a testament to what the staff have delivered and I feel very grateful to be working with such professional staff who are very hard working and who are very passionate about living and working here, well working here because those of us that are lucky enough to live here are going to make up about 50% of the staff numbers that I understand. So thank you. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. One last comment because it's all been said and everyone has been so eloquent in their comments today but I'd like to say my congratulations to this report and to the staff. The challenges and opportunities of 2020 have certainly Thank you. One last comment because it's all been said and everyone has been so eloquent in their comments today but I'd like to say my congratulations to this report and to the staff. The challenges and opportunities of 2020 have certainly been managed and delivered with excellence as a council and thank you to the Mayor, to Brett and all the councillors and the staff for the good work. We are of course different by nature and as we proceed forward I'm looking forward to 2021 where we continue to deliver such excellent outcomes and transparency for our community.
01:54:00 One last comment I would like to make mention of is the Noosa Council's endorsement of the Earl of Roos Statement from the Heart that came out of the LGAQ. So thank you everybody and we're looking also forward to our break. I hope everyone has a well earned rest and comes fresh to next year. So thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Well said Councillor Finzel. Any other councillors to speak? Any other councillors to speak? Any other councillors to speak? Any other councillors to speak? That's Merce George, I'll put the motion. Those in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thanks Deb.
01:55:00 Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Councillor Wegener: Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: The next item, Report Director General, is the Financial Performance Report for October. It's on page six of the General Committee agenda. This building application fees seem to have been consistently above budget, COVID or no COVID. Correct. What's going on? Speaker 6: As far as I understand it, the building industry for applications hasn't slowed down to the extent expected at this point in time. It's still healthy, so we'll continue to monitor it coming into our third budget review, VR3. Obviously I understand it can be cyclical, so it could slow down later in the year, but at this point in time it's both building and plumbing.
01:56:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Were those figures reviewed as a result of COVID? Were they downgraded as a result of COVID? No, they were maintained. Speaker 6: They were maintained. Councillor Jurisevic: Excellent. That's above normal, Joe. I expect that all the figures have actually been adjusted down as a result of COVID, but some figures believe it were. Speaker 6: No, the budget COVID assumptions that were put through at the budget focused on our facilities and those permits for businesses showing down releases. Speaker 2: But on the flip side, that's why you'll see the budget to actual for holiday parks and so on is much higher. We could pull those back. Councillor Jurisevic: Well, yeah, that's the positive result that comes out of this. I'd like to make a comment, yeah, that there's going to be a lot of, as a result of those COVID changes, it seems that we're recovering faster than expected because we did open facilities sooner than expected than the rest of it. So the figures are seen in a very positive light by what's presented.
01:57:00 Councillor Lorentson: Correct. In regards to our borrowings, where are we? We're in the debt restructure review with the Queensland Treasury Corporation. Speaker 6: Michael and I are currently working with Queensland Treasury and working through and analysing the options available to us and it's in our intent to come through to hopefully the next council meeting or the one in January to present the outcomes and that will then obviously inform any decision we make with Queensland Treasury about the debt and also support the numbers for the budget preparation for next year as well because it will obviously change. Our position leading into the next year's budget, so we should have a position for you in the next month. Councillor Lorentson: So positively benefit, Councillor? Correct. Correct. Councillor Jurisevic: So they, post election, they haven't changed anything? No. No change. They're still happy to look at COVID recovery mechanisms? Correct.
01:58:00 Fantastic. Perfect. Councillor Lorentson: And that brings me to interest received, interest from our cash invested, given that with recent interest rate cuts, again, are we expected to derive some benefit? Speaker 6: Not from interest received. So if anything with the RBA's rate cut, that obviously in turn puts downward pressure on our interest rate for the money that we earn. But as you can see, we're obviously still doing quite well with the investments we've chosen and keeping our money with QTC, we've still achieved quite a good return, which I think you'll see right there on the screen is the investment return. We're still achieving well above market with our investments. So that's why we're still, which is why we're still slightly above budget is we're still achieving above market rates. Thank you. Speaker 2: Thank you.
01:59:00 Councillor Wilkie: Councillor Stockwell, you had a question? Councillor Jurisevic: Call if I did have a government. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Councillor Jurisevic: Correct, you might, as I said, for the benefit of those reading the report, the, sorry, feel free scroll down just a fraction, scroll up I should say. That's not that financial liability ratio, just that thing there. The target's there, you know, the. The first target, less than 60%, the final one being minus 48.7%. That seems like a strange figure to see in a financial report. Why do we achieve such a value and it's so far exceeding the less than 60% target? Speaker 6: Financial liabilities raise showers about our ability to pay off our debt. Now, we obviously look at our value of our debt, less what our current assets are. So, if a business were to wind up, the first thing it would use is cash in its bank to pay off its debt.
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02:00:00 And then whatever's left, it would then need to use annual revenue to fund it. So, we're having a negative ratio, but basically saying that we've got more cash than we do debt. Councillor Jurisevic: And is that value as high as it is because it's around rate time and that, and we've got a lot more cash in bank we haven't spent? Speaker 6: Correct. Councillor Jurisevic: And that figure will? Squeeze of the dust is the amount of cash that we have between rating periods. Speaker 6: Correct. So, that value will be less, will continue to decrease back to zero as we get closer to December, January, when the next rate line comes through. Mayor Stewart: Trent, is it an opportunity to be a little bullish now with our spend and take on, bearing in mind with the infrastructure that's currently going on and our capacity, but is it an opportunity, because we have low debt levels and they've never been lower, the banks have never provided lower interest rates at the moment, and we have such strong cash holdings, is there an opportunity to be a little more aggressive in our spending for next year?
02:01:00 Speaker 6: What we will do with the budget process for next year is we'll obviously, with our capital works, we will look at what the appropriate funding arrangements are to see what is the best outcome for both today's rate payers and future generations because, obviously, we borrow now, it's 20 years' worth of fixed interest. Mm-hmm. So, if we do refinance through this opportunity with Kipling's and Treasury to refinance our debt, we'll find that our financial liabilities ratio will actually contain us a little because we'll have to refinance all our borrowings for, from, for example, some of our old debt is due to expire in four or five years' time. Mm-hmm. We'll be resetting that and re-borrowing that for a further 20 years. So, what it will do is it will reduce our borrowing capacity somewhat. Mm-hmm. So, we just need to be concerned if we're aware of what our borrowing capacity looks like over the next 10 years if we take advantage of this loan borrowing opportunity now. Speaker 2: I think that's a quite new question.
02:02:00 The opportunity, I think, over the next two years sits around the grants from other levels of government. And if you're going to spend two types of money, you better off spending someone else's in your own. So, if we can get more of those grants, but then there's the ability to deliver that in our capital program because the team's pretty well at that capacity now. Yeah, we're all, what else is going to come? Councillor Lorentson: But there's a risk, but there's a risk to that too, isn't there, Brett, where at the moment we're relying so much on grants to fund these major infrastructure works. When that money expires, there's still this whole of life maintaining this. Speaker 2: There's two elements to it. Well, it's going to build itself a new swimming pool. Well, guess what? The cost of running that pool over the next 10 years is going to be more than the free money you've got. So, there's that element. But it's also, as I said, do we want a new pool? Okay, well that, you know, you're chasing money because it's there or you're trying to set your strategy and if money's going to support that strategy, then you're chasing.
02:03:00 So, not change your strategy, it's just because there's free money going. So, you've got to be very careful when this amount of money is washing through the system that you don't change your priorities just because there's money available. Look at what are your priorities and then how do you get the funding to do that. And if you get someone else to pay for it, that's even better. Councillor Lorentson: Which brings me to the asset management plan. Where are we up to with that? I imagine that's part of our list. That's not listed, but that's one of the lists that needs to be updated. Speaker 6: I'd have to take that on notice, Councillor. I'm not sure where the asset management plans are. Speaker 2: Yeah, so Carl can answer that. But he's working through. They've got the Pathways one coming up, coming up to date. And also Playgrounds. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Just a note that always, every time I read it, I tell you, why are we that bad? The net financial liabilities ratio. I think there's some graphical improvements.
02:04:00 Maybe, you know, like the one above has got a red line. They've got a red line at 60% and said maximum permissible or something. The one below goes red, yellow, green. So you know it's good. So some things indicate that negative is good or below 60% is better. Okay. You know, I'll take it on board because it looks like such an odd. Speaker 6: I'll have a go at restructuring that graph for next month onward. Can do. Speaker 2: Can I just scroll down to the rate arrears one? This is the one that, as a council, we do need to keep an eye on because it really tells about our community's capacity to pay the bills. And so far, so good. This is the one where we weren't too sure what that profile would look like. But we're not seeing anything out of the ordinary in terms of how people are paying their rates yet. So this is really the first pull going through. We'll keep monitoring that. I think, personally, I think that the next one, the February one, will be more interesting. Once the federal government stimulus starts to decrease and continues to decrease.
02:05:00 But the good news is that there's no bad news yet. Yeah, that's good. Councillor Lorentson: That's good news. Councillor Wilkie: All good. Thanks, John. Councillor Finzel: Just in regards to the conversation around the grants, on page eight, under operating grants and subsidies, just a question you've raised about the position if the government discontinues the prepayment approach, in particular, relating to the disaster resilience and recovery. What are you thinking if that does change? Speaker 6: There's two separate issues here. The disaster resilience and recovery was essentially upside for us. It was unexpected grant money that we had come through from the buyers last year. So that's good that we achieved some reimbursement for that. In regards to the comment about the 50% upfront, it's purely just cash timing. So each year we received a grant, a financial assistance grant, comes in two truncheons during
02:06:00 the year. For the last three years now, they've paid half of it upfront the year before. So we'll still get the cash. It's just a case of it turning up in their bank account six months later in the year that they decided, if they ever do, to go back to its normal payment profile, we'll cop a million dollar hint to the bottom line. Councillor Finzel: Okay. Speaker 6: But it's only purely timing. Councillor Lorentson: Just the timing. Thank you, Trent. My last question. I always raise this. I think every finance meeting, legal expenses. Seems like we're a little bit up. Can you explain where we're up to as a percentage of total or as a percentage of new to date budget? I think we've budgeted $1.105 million, and we've actually up to $447,000 already been spent, which represents 40% of the annual budget. So we're a little bit over. Speaker 6: Is that concerning, Trent? At this point in time, no.
02:07:00 Obviously, yes, we are a bit over. And you'll see that the benefit of everyone else. I'm going to touch with four, where the legal payments are separated as expenditure types, is in a few different areas. As I mentioned last month, we've got some legal expenses where we didn't budget for in terms of policy development and legal advice on governance, HR and procurement matters, which are small amounts, but they all add up across the organisation. And obviously, on an ongoing basis, we track the legal expenses. We look at the expenses associated with development applications, and they're running slightly up at this point in time. But unless you see that continuing to trend up, and you'll see a BR3 budget review potentially come through, if we do continue to track our budget at this point in time, being under $100,000 over, we're not too concerned at this point in time. Councillor Jurisevic: We could go quite through December and January.
02:08:00 Speaker 6: Difficult to forecast. Difficult to forecast. Not a linear fund. It's not a linear function, is it? No. No. No. So we might find that other areas, there might be no legal, whether what we need for further advice, and it might continue to escalate. But we'll keep you updated each month as we come in. Thank you, Tom. Councillor Lorentson: And can you explain on page 18, I didn't understand Commission Pape. Speaker 6: Commission Pape. So for a few of our facilities, we have a management rights agreement. For example, with holiday parks. So some of those contracts are based on a mix of fixed fee or commission, based on the volume, or whether it reaches a certain threshold. So that's what that thing lies into. Councillor Wegener: Council Member Williams. Quickly, carrying over debt from the de-emalgamation, I was told that last year, 18-19, $10 million was paid off in the total for $40 million debt. And so there's a lot of debt.
02:09:00 There's just, assumably, $30 million still outstanding from de-emalgamation. And that's at a higher interest rate. So by restructure, renegotiating the debt, that debt, at a lower interest rate, that'll help us. That's what we're really talking about, is this de-emalgamation debt and refinancing that to save a bit of money. Speaker 6: There is a net benefit, yes, but there's a mix of. So we refinanced at a lower interest rate. So we pay less interest. But by refinancing, it resets the loan for a further 20 years. So that means that it will still be a loan outstanding for a much longer period of time. But we get the cash flow benefit from that as well. Councillor Jurisevic: Is that the only way that it can be renegotiated over a 20-year period? Can it be renegotiated over a shorter period? Speaker 6: As you'll see in the report that comes through next month, the longer the term, the greater the cash flow benefit for council and its rent payers. Councillor Wilkie: Just to follow on that, since de-emalgamation, we've been continually paying down debt.
02:10:00 And in the annual report, it mentioned that debt in the 19-20 year was reduced by $2.7 million. And looking at page 16, which is the statement of financial position, we've got borrowings under non-current liabilities sitting at about $19 million, and current liabilities borrowings at about $3 million. Correct. So that's the amount of net debt of just over $20 million? It's the two combined. Speaker 6: $22 million. Councillor Wilkie: $22 million. Yeah. We need a seconder for Joe's motion. Seconder, Councillor Lorentson. Joe, you wish to speak. Councillor Jurisevic: I want to thank staff for their diligence again. I said things like the COVID concerns that we had are less dramatic than we budgeted before, and hopefully the recovery will be faster and less impacting on our community than we budgeted before.
02:11:00 So I want to thank staff on their caution and their zeal in making sure that we have a cautious budget going forward. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Anybody else wish to speak? Councillor Finzel: Yeah. I'd just like to make a comment on council's success in managing the budget. And just take note that you've got everything on track. So thank you for that. Councillor Wilkie: Well done, Trent. Thank you. I'll put the motion in those in favour. That's unanimous. Thanks, Trent. Thank you, Trent. Thank you. Speaker 1: Thanks, Trent. Councillor Wilkie: And we now have a matter that is confidential. It relates... We've got a motion before us that the meeting be closed to the public pursuant to section 254J3E, the local government regulation 2012, the purpose of discussing legal advice relating to an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court so that council's legal position is protected in relation to item 3, which is the Planning and Environment Court appeal
02:12:00 D144 of 2019, application for building works at 54 Seaview Terrace, Sunshine Beach. We have a motion that we go into confidential session. I move that. Moved by Councillor Stockwell, seconded by Councillor Wegener. All in favour? It's carried unanimously.
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02:33:00 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Kylie. Welcome back, everybody. Councillors, we have a motion before us. If someone can remove that. Councillor Finzel, seconded by... Councillor Wegener. Councillor Finzel, do you wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Lorentson: No, I say not really.
02:34:00 Councillor Wilkie: No, I'm coming. The other councillors wish to speak to the motion. Councillor Jurisevic: I agree with the staff recommendation. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Councillor Finzel, do you wish to close? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I think it's important to acknowledge that sending this appeal is based on legal and professional advice that the outcomes negotiated in mediation address the bounded assessment criteria of the 2006 planning scheme. And we have been assured as a council this does not set a precedent under the existing or in the future. And we have implemented provisions relating to the current coastal hazard adaptation plan that we are likely to be going to the community in the near future. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Councillor Finzel, do you wish to close?
02:35:00 Councillor Finzel: No comment. Councillor Wilkie: No, okay. We'll put the motion to those in favour. I think Councillor Lorentson. Oh, sorry. Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: I support council's recommendation to settle this appeal based on compliance conditions which have been formulated in conjunction with council's expert. I think it's important to acknowledge in this case and moving forward that a risk approach based on the best and most relevant information is appropriate to inform planning and building land uses and controls. Councillor Wilkie: Any more? No. No one else? Put the motion to those in favour. That is unanimous. That is the end of the meeting. I declare the meeting closed. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Kerry. Thank you.