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00:00:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Good afternoon everybody and welcome to the services and organisational committee meeting on the Tuesday 11th of May 2021. Before we begin I'd like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet, the Gubbi Gubbi or Kabi Kabi people and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Attendance and apology of the lead Councillor Wilkie is an apology of the land. All other councillors in attendance. Confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting. I have a mover and a seconder. Councillor Leinster, Councillor Stewart, all in favour of the meeting. Thank you. No presentations or deputations today Mr CR? Speaker 3: No, not today. Councillor Jurisevic: Reports of consideration of the committee. Number one, memorandum of understanding with the University of the Sunshine Coast.
00:01:00 I was going to ask that question Mr CR, would you like to fill those in that are probably watching online as to why we might consider a memorandum of understanding with the University of the Sunshine Coast and what the benefits to the council and the community may be. Speaker 3: Sure, just a bit of context first. Up until COVID hit we actually had two universities with a presence in Noosa but unfortunately Central Queensland University with the troubles they had with COVID closed a number of campuses including ours. So we really only have one university that has a presence in our Shire or the region anymore, which is University of the Sunshine Coast. So in February we took a group of council, the Mayor and councillors down to meet with the senior effects down there including the new Vice-Chancellor. And explored in conversations about the opportunity to work more closely together. So one of the outcomes of that meeting was that we would look at developing a memorandum
00:02:00 of understanding, an MOU, between the council and the university which would put together a framework about how we might work more closely together to look at specific opportunities that came up whether they're doing research, we place students, there's lots of different things we can do. So we've developed an MOU which the university has a template, a basic approach that they do. The framework would be that there'd be a management committee, which would be two representatives from the Noosa end, two from the university end. And you'll see that in the recommendation that one of the representatives of the management committee at the same will be the CEO and the other one will be a councillor, determined by councillors. And then working beneath that there would be a little working group made up of staff from the university and the council looking at what are the tangible projects or opportunities that can come up? What things do we need research on? What are the things that we might have some local businesses that we can send down to work on research and get the benefit of it? What are the
00:03:00 things that we can do to have student placements over holiday periods and things like that? Are there things we can run maybe some joint symposiums? There's lots of opportunities there, so how do we sort of convert those ideas into practice? So that's the intent behind it. And from our end, we've already got locally what's called the Noosa Education and Training Alliance, which is better known as NETA, which hooks together a lot of the education institutions around Noosa that Carolyn Bullen helped to coordinate. So we might try hooking that up as well. So that's a bit about the background and what it's about. That wouldn't be the first time we've Councillor Jurisevic: collaborated or had research on that. Speaker 3: It gets a bit of structure. At the moment, it's a bit of ad hoc. If something comes up and it'll be a good idea and it might run for six months or whatever it might be, what an MOU does and the way
00:04:00 that it's structured is that the requirement for regular meetings, reports, how things are progressing, what are the opportunities? So nothing falls through the gap. Councillor Lorentson: So this is not a legally binding agreement? A memorandum of understanding is different to a Speaker 3: memorandum of agreement. That's correct. Memorandum of understanding is you agree to be friends and work through things, but it's not legally binding. But it can lead into contracts. Absolutely. The framework is probably the best way to describe it. Councillor Lorentson: Human resource and financial implications. Are there any? Speaker 3: You've seen the report. I said there's no financial implications in signing the MOU. Obviously, then on a project by project basis, we might ask them to do research. We might do something through the biosphere reserve or do some joint research there. That type of thing would be looked at on an individual case-by-case basis. Staff resources, no. Certainly, we can deal with that with existing resources to manage the relationship. And with Carolyn,
00:05:00 that's a natural fit for what she's doing anyway, deals with them. Councillor Jurisevic: In the event that we do undertake any status, it could be providing opportunities for local students to undertake PhD-type research activities as well. Speaker 3: I think that's probably the most likely area we'd end up is we look at where is our need in terms of getting some more scientific or academic research around particular topics and what's their expertise and can we match that up? PhD students is the obvious example of that. Councillor Lorentson: I note that the agreement contains provisions relating to protection of intellectual property, which I think is really quite important when we're talking about research activities. Can you just explain for the benefit of the viewers who owns
00:06:00 what in regards to intellectual property? Yeah, sure. So the way this works, Speaker 3: you'll see it on page nine of the agenda. Intellectual property is that if you're bringing intellectual property into some type of branch and you retain ownership of that, if you are doing stuff and the other party needs it, you're giving them a licence to be able to use that intellectual property, but you retain it yourself. If we do stuff jointly, you might develop a contract under this framework that looks at a researching subject X, whatever subject X is. We might be putting in money, they might be subsidising a student. As part of that contract arraignment, you've worked out, well, who's going to own the intellectual property in that? That's part of that detailed arrangement. And in most cases, that's joint. That's the way it tends to work in practice. If you're a funding agency, you do get a component of that. And the other part in here is that sometimes,
00:07:00 and this is less likely in local government land, it doesn't happen that often, but sometimes research between councils and a university can lead to a commercial type opportunity. That's what I was saying. And you'd look at whether or not there might be some loyalty type arrangements, or whether it might flow out of that. I wouldn't want to get your hopes up, and it's not normally the reason you do research, it's to find out the answer to something. That's more likely to be if we would end up putting forward to the university, we might have some innovative businesses sitting around the Digital Hub, for example, and might say, well, we're looking to do some research on this. Here's some academics that are doing research, and let's hook them up, see how they can advance their business. That's where you might get some joint product or joint things that are available for commercial exploitation. Councillor Lorentson: Fantastic. And is there any insurance covered under this agreement, or does that happen if
00:08:00 there's a- It'll be at the individual project level. Speaker 3: Okay. So for example, if we took on students that come under our insurance umbrella, or if there's a PhD student, they'd be sitting under the university umbrella, that sort of thing. Mayor Stewart: Okay. Brett, do you know of any other, I guess, councils who have this kind of relationship or memorandum of understanding with universities or colleges? Speaker 3: Yeah, a lot of them do. I'd imagine Sunshine Coast Council would have one with University of Sunshine Coast as well. But a lot of the regional towns where there's a single university, we have that. Townsville and James Cook University, people like that. Imagine Gold Coast, we have several with some of the universities down there and so on. So it's reasonably common. Councillor Lorentson: Good. Fantastic. I've just got to sort of note, so when we were sitting at that meeting down at the university, I think we can't underestimate that multiply effect of collaborating with, whether it's council or university, bringing
00:09:00 policies, resources together. And also in the lobbying and advocacy level, I just think that they're a powerhouse, we're a powerhouse, and there's opportunity for legislative style changes at a state level that we may be able to collaborate on. Councillor Jurisevic: In particular, where we've got an advocacy role, we can have data driven benefit to advocate the case. Yeah, totally. Yeah. So I'm excited. Mayor Stewart: And congratulations, Brett. Excellent. Yeah. Brett, just on point C, the recommendation, I note that there are a few councillors interested in that. Is that something that we could potentially have councils on a rotational basis? Yeah, sure. You can do that. You can, Speaker 3: you know, for example, when you get to that point-to-point council or exes, council additional representative on the management committee until June and then council after that point or whatever, you can do that. Yeah, great. Councillor Jurisevic: Well, given that that is the recommendation, I'd suggest that we might refer that to the
00:10:00 general committee in the greater interest. I'll see councillor Wegener, though, in the audience Councillor Wegener: as a question you'd like to pose. Do we have MOUs with any other institutions? Or this wouldn't preclude us from dealing with UQ or- Speaker 3: No, it's not an exclusive one. No, it's not an exclusive one. It's probably a bit unlikely that we'd have multiple MOUs with universities, given that this is the university in our region, but it wouldn't preclude it. But we have MOUs. We don't have any other MOUs without the university. But we do with other organisations. Probably have them with other organisations. I can't think off the top of my head, but, you know, it could be a reasonably common instrument to manage an ongoing working relationship. Councillor Jurisevic: I'm guessing the role of the councillor on this management committee, what would that be saying? Speaker 3: So attending the meetings, I think it's six-monthly, with the CEO and the university, coming up with ideas, maybe building some personal relationships down there to, you know,
00:11:00 talk about opportunities. At this end, finding out if there's ideas that we can take forward as well, hearing from other organisations or people in the community. That sort of thing that the university might find a bit of something. And essentially being a conduit. Councillor Jurisevic: And keeping tabs on any projects that are being done at the time. Any further questions? There's nothing further, so the recommendation is for that to be referred to the general committee due to the significance of the issue. I'll move that. Thank you. Thank you for pleading. All in favour? So moved. We'll move on. Item 2. Thank you. I've just found it. Speaker 7: Yeah, I don't know. Can we try the photos? Councillor Jurisevic: Item 2. CEO transition to retirement.
00:12:00 Speaker 3: I'm not going to talk to this one. Mayor Stewart: Joe, you were away last week. Councillor Jurisevic: I was away last week, but I've read this and I've spoken to Brett and realised that there was a time, there was a time, everybody has a time, but their time has come and they've decided that there are other pastures to look at. But from my perspective, eight years sharing this desk with you has been an absolute delight. You've been a great conduit to bounce ideas off. You've been an incredible mentor to those that have been coming through this to understand the council process and all of this. And I, for one, wish you great success in whatever you decide to take on beyond this. I'm glad you're with us for another nine months of the transition period. I'm glad we will part on the best of terms, and like some other CEOs, part on poor terms.
00:13:00 So I'm certainly in an exciting phase coming up with all the things the council is going through. Everyone, you've outlined a great number of the projects and the challenges that we've had over the last, since the emigration, including the emalgamation, which you were a great part of, and very much a reason why this council has succeeded in post the emalgamation in the way that it has. Mayor Stewart: Brett, I'd like to reiterate what the Chair said. Joe, reading your letter, it shows how all-encompassing your job has been and what a success you've made of it. There's a huge amount that probably even we don't see that you take on. So I want to congratulate you and thank you for especially coming in with four new councillors. As you said, not many people like to face COVID and a whole new majority of new councils.
00:14:00 So thank you very much for your support and the commitment that you've given us and the advice over the last 12 months. It's greatly appreciated. And it's a very well deserved. As you said, no wonder here, I think, phew, no wonder I'm looking forward to retirement. I thought the same thing actually when I was reading that too. So it's a very well-deserved retirement. So congratulations and thank you. Councillor Lorentson: I just want to just highlight a couple of things in your letter, Brett, and I won't go through it all, but you mentioned that it's been a complex and occasionally lonely role and that you put your heart and soul into this organisation. And I think you didn't need to write either of those. We see that, we feel that, and just thank you. Councillor Wegener: I think I'll be bringing a motion to refuse Brett's application.
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00:15:00 Speaker 3: That's so funny. I'd advise the councillors that would be out of order. Speaker 1: I think Sue would definitely say it was out of order too. I love it. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Look, I'll certainly be big shoes to fill and the person that takes on this role when your time has come will have to be an incredible person to fill the shoes as well as you have. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the efforts you've put in and I'm sure from this community's perspective and the staff's perspective, great deal of respect and admiration for all the work that you've done. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Okay. We're not crying till February. Sorry, can I ask some questions in regards to the big shoes that need to be filled when Brett leaves? In finance, there's a note on page 18 that $20,000 to $25,000 is the cost that's been estimated.
00:16:00 Can I just add, if that cost is higher, I know, I'm assuming that I'm speaking on behalf of all the councillors. Yep. But the cost of recruiting the wrong person is worth more than the $20,000, $25,000. So if that number is higher, I'm for one, we'll support it. Speaker 3: Yes, the market will work out what that cost is. Councillor Lorentson: Yep. Speaker 3: But my advice to councillors will be money well spent. Absolutely. It's only going to be cheaper. We plan to bring over a job to the company later. Councillor Lorentson: Yep. And in regards to the recruitment process, who will be members of the recruitment panel and is there going to be a subcommittee set up to ensure that the process is kept on track? Speaker 3: So the way it will be set up is that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are going to have oversight of the process as we go through. They will obviously engage with all the other councillors as we go through that process about, you know, potential candidates, shortlisting, all of that. And then you work out with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor what that interview panel would look
00:17:00 like. But ultimately, all the councillors have to go on this journey together because it's going to be your collective decision at the end of the day about who the new CWB will be. Okay. Speaker 5: Thank you. Okay. Councillor Jurisevic: Do I have a letter? I'll make a move. I'll make a move. Okay, second. Thank you. Item three on the agenda is a 3.5 letter, capital program delivery status for A4s. Speaker 6: Alex? Councillor Jurisevic: Brian, go back there. Lance? Questions? Councillor Lorentson: 103 active projects in the 2020-21 capital program with a combined value of $31.24 million. The enormity of those numbers really struck home when I looked at the attachment and read
00:18:00 line by line what that actually looks like. And also, in light of just recent media that highlighted financial problems across some of the local councils, in particular, the North Burnett Regional Council. It's a real reality check that we are in a good position and we should be really thankful to council and staff for putting us on track. North Burnett Regional Council struggling to balance their service deliveries. Library services are going to be cut down. Pools are going to be cut down. And here we are in this absolutely wonderful position. So, thank you. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: I've got a couple of questions. They're just in regard to going through, and look, it is a huge budget, you know, the biggest ever, but capital infrastructure. But just in regard to the, and I just, as I scroll down, I just looked at where the crosses
00:19:00 were. Sure. Alex, can you just run through just where we're at with those ones? So, yeah. Yeah. Thank you. There's only a few. I mean, there's really only a few. Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah. Mayor Stewart: So, there are three. Speaker 1: So, our hinterland bridges, so, Cooroy, Bellar Creek Road Bridge and Black Mountain, Hornbill Road Bridge. So, basically, those have undergone their native title called Control Heritage Assessments. They've been surveyed and had also their geotechnical surveys and environmental done as well. So, I think they're, they're, they're, they're, they're, they're, they're, they're, they're, there was, I suppose, some, some sort of increased works that needed to go on there to just, to keep it all sort of on track. So, yeah, there, there has been a bit of an overspend on those, but they're, they're multi-year projects. So. Speaker 3: Are they still a little bit behind or is that right? You've, you've got that. On track. Councillor Jurisevic: On track. Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:00 Yeah. So, yeah, it's been around the design phase of those, those projects, when you've got to, when you do actually undertake these. Speaker 7: There's, there's always unders and overs. Yeah. Some projects are under some over. Mayor Stewart: Yeah. And the Noosa Heads. Speaker 7: Noosa Pro. Noosa Pro. Mayor Stewart: Yeah. Speaker 7: Yeah. So, we've just got a project manager on that project now and the project manager's working on the gas cartridge at the same time. And they're putting together tender documents and they'll be going out to the market. So again, we could have perhaps brought some more money in a BR3, but overall there's unders and overs and the balance, the budget balances out. Mayor Stewart: And as you know, we always ask such a big budget staffing issues. I note that you said that there's just been an appointment with the delivery coordinator. Has that taken some pressure off or how, how are you feeling? Speaker 7: Yeah. So, prior to that, we all stepped in and we were coordinating the delivery team to fill that gap. We had Attila come on and he just hit the ground running and doing a fantastic job.
00:21:00 But we are down a surveyor at the moment who's on long-term leave. We're also down a project manager on long-term leave and we haven't been able to fill two positions. So, just as supply materials and contractors are getting busy, people are getting busy. So, it is difficult. It's getting more difficult to attract and retain stuff. Councillor Jurisevic: Okay. So, as far as materials delivery and stuff like that, are we finding any challenges? Speaker 7: Twenty-five weeks for concrete pops. Wow. Councillor Jurisevic: Twenty-five weeks? Speaker 7: Twenty-five weeks for concrete and sheet piling, bridge girders. Mayor Stewart: Wow. Speaker 3: Because every local authority and government are doing the same thing. Same thing and we get the funding for that. Yep. Yeah. Speaker 1: Specific timbers as well have been tricky. I know Adam's noted that on Rufus Street. Councillor Lorentson: Yeah. Speaker 1: So, yeah. Councillor Lorentson: You mentioned on page 30 that cost estimations, you're a little bit out with cost estimations. The tendered prices came back significantly higher than the expected amounts.
00:22:00 So, where are we going to get the extra money? Speaker 7: So, when the market gets busy, contractors get busy. Councillor Lorentson: I totally agree with that, but we haven't budgeted it, so, yep. Speaker 7: So, one project, two projects, we're looking at approaching the grant funding funders and seeing if there's additional funds available. So, council will have to seek additional funds, but we're not spending 100% council funds. So, where we can get a bridge co-funded, there are opportunities like that to seek additional grant funds and then bring it back to PCD and CW. Councillor Lorentson: So, with the cost estimations, do you guys factor in, like, a buffer, a 10% buffer? Speaker 7: So, when we're at concept stage, we might have a 45% contingency, then when we get at a preliminary design stage, we might have a 25% contingency, and that can come down to
00:23:00 5% to 10% at delivery stage, depending on the risk. Councillor Jurisevic: Okay. Speaker 7: Yeah. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Thanks very much. It's just a matter of prioritising it. Speaker 6: We've got good people out there, obviously achieving a lot, so it's good to know that
00:24:00 we've just been able to keep going. Councillor Jurisevic: Any areas of concern where you don't think you'll be able to deliver with regard to? Speaker 6: Probably where we've forecasted a 90% of the CAFL program, I don't see us probably hitting that 90% mark. I think there'll be a, maybe it'll be around 85% of the CAFL program. I think it'll be around 85% is just rolling on from that report there. But I think we're in a pretty good place at the moment in the way things have progressed. Speaker 3: But I was saying that a lot of the big projects are happening before 30 June and they'll go in on the 1st of July, so much timing and Regal Street's an example, we've got the bridges. Councillor Jurisevic: But that also doesn't mean those bridges won't be delivered just when they'll be, a little bit later. Speaker 6: All it really is is the spend of those projects, not the project not being delivered on time. It's just that we've shifted some of the spend from this financial year into next financial year.
00:25:00 Mayor Stewart: Yes, the asset data management program, in the audit and risk, we talk often about asset management and that. How are we going with that, just on that? Speaker 6: Yeah, we have hit a little bit of a stall point there where we had our lead project person depart the organisation. Yeah. So we've just recruited and appointed and the new occupant of that role started yesterday. Oh good. So it was an internal appointment, so that again causes a bit of a domino effect. Speaker 7: Yeah. Speaker 6: So Devon Wilson is our new asset systems coordinator and she's well aware, she's obviously been in that space and been part of the team for five or six months now. And she was part of, I suppose we forecasted some succession planning there when we recruited her. So that has, it continues on.
00:26:00 We're going really gangbusters with stormwater through our, not only through our CCTV condition assessments. We're actually collecting the data, validating the data and migrating that into our asset register. Similarly, with our roads and gravel roads, we've just rerun that network and we've updating the data on that. And we continue to do multiple other minor asset classes, retaining walls and the like too. So it's, whilst it's a project, it's almost just keeps evolving and it's continual improvement of that as well. Councillor Jurisevic: Sure. And after boardwalks and pathways and parks and playgrounds, what aims have we got left? Speaker 6: Just parks and playgrounds. We adopted the- Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: I thought we were just near the bottom of the- Yeah. Finally near the bottom of the park. Speaker 6: Yep. So parks and playgrounds is the last one and that's on my head at the moment. Councillor Lorentson: Can I ask, and this is page 39 and page 37, so parks and playgrounds and the botanical
00:27:00 gardens. Should the botanical gardens be separated from parks and gardens and has that been considered by council? Speaker 6: They are, it is run as a separate operation in that we have specialised staff that are appointed there. They're not part of a crew coming through and doing work there. There is a permanent role there as well as another off-sider that work there and they're specialised horticultural roles that look after that facility. Councillor Lorentson: I think the friends of the botanical gardens have expressed that they were looking at establishing like an advisory style board. Sure. Brian, again, is that something that will be brought to council for consideration? Speaker 6: I would think so, yes, definitely. And there is a need for a master plan for the site.
00:28:00 There's been a pre-master plan document prepared on what we need to do in getting a master plan for the site done. Yep. But there's a bigger scope of that and there's a lot of other factors around that area, not just that site, that we need to take into consideration and obviously the dam upgrade and what we could possibly do. Councillor Lorentson: Amphitheatre, shade cover, visitor centre. Exactly, yeah. Parkway connectivity to and from. Speaker 6: Yep. So, yes, definitely a master plan and it's been something that's been on the agenda, but it just hasn't been given that priority and probably just needs something extra to give it a push along to get it up. Councillor Jurisevic: Absolutely. With the dam upgrade, will there be a bit of disruption happening around the area? Speaker 6: I would think so, yes, when that occurs. Mayor Stewart: You mightn't be the right person to ask this. What's happening with our coffee cart out there? Speaker 6: Yeah, I'd have to... Wrong person, right? Mayor Stewart: Yeah, wrong person. Speaker 6: Yeah, no.
00:29:00 But I can get back to you on that one. That's right. Mayor Stewart: Who was following that up? Councillor Jurisevic: It was being followed up. It did get a response. It was Frank who followed that up. I was trying... Yeah. I did get a response. I can't remember what it was. I know. Councillor Lorentson: Yep. Councillor Jurisevic: It caught me on the hook. Yeah, okay. Councillor Lorentson: In regards to the new suspect shoreline erosion management plan, next quarter it's not expected to receive approval because we're still receiving... We're still waiting for approval from the state government. Can you explain that and give us an idea of when, a timeline? Speaker 6: Well, we're in the hands of... It's a bit unknown. We normally... It's when the state government go through a process with the other agencies. So there's four different state bodies that are part of that approval. From fisheries to waterways to EPA, and I forget who the fourth one, DERM, I think it is.
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00:30:00 So bringing them all together and having an agreed process, and we are close to that. We're expecting that to be very early in the new financial year because of the timeframe. They haven't come back and asked for more information for us. So it's really what their analysis is to come back for those approvals. Councillor Jurisevic: And how do you get the stars to align? Speaker 6: A little bit. We are doing really well. We've made some great progress with them because we also are in our review process of getting other approvals on the river done as well. So we've got them all talking together. So it's pretty positive about us delivering that next year. Fantastic. Mayor Stewart: Just going on the page 42, looking at the incorporate public consultation clinics into the walking and cycling strategy, when are we actually looking at, once we get that feedback back? And we revisit it and evaluate it. How soon are we looking at actually pouring the concrete? Speaker 6: Pouring the concrete. Well, it's actually happening already. We've actually identified some projects that are in there, year one and two, that have
00:31:00 been allocated to the next year's stimulus grants. So we'll hit the ground running in year one, with or without that project being adopted. We've already identified that some of these are to do. So we're hitting the ground running. Great. Councillor Jurisevic: On the move. Speaker 6: Yes, on the move. Yes. Councillor Jurisevic: Yes. Speaker 6: That was separate. That's the cycle grant funding. Yeah. Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: Yes, exactly. Upgrade. Definitely. Yeah. Councillor Lorentson: Part of the transport strategy. We've already started discussions with paid parking. Mm-hmm. When will that come to Council for further discussion? Speaker 6: I don't have an answer for that at the moment. I think there's some more work to be done in that area before we come back to Council.
00:32:00 So can I take that on notice? Notice, yeah. No worries. And I can provide some, an indicative timeframe. Councillor Jurisevic: Any further? Mayor Stewart: Mm-hmm. Councillor Jurisevic: All right. Just move. Move, Council Stewart. Seconded, Council Larson. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Brian. All right. Thank you, Brian. Speaker 3: Thanks for your efforts. Thanks, Brian. Councillor Jurisevic: 05, January 2021. Rate, levy and view. Kelly does. Cool. Cool. Yeah. Mayor Stewart: It was just the expectations, are they where we, you know, are the expectations, level of rates received, are they expected, are they under, are they over, you know, have we budgeted for this, have we over budgeted, under budgeted?
00:33:00 Councillor Jurisevic: The COVID concerns, the ability to pay rates and all of those sort of things. Speaker 5: Look, it's probably a lot more, we're in a far better position than we could have imagined 12 months, probably 18 months ago in terms of the, you know, the impact of COVID on our residents and their ability to pay rates. I think as at, based on when Kelly did this report, so when we closed the discount period, the rates were around 5%. Sorry, 5 million total. That's probably now dropped a fair bit already. So that's probably dropped half since probably as we see this in the finance report that we present to General Committee that we've received another two and a half million in payments. So the rates are now around 7.4%, which is slightly above this time six months ago.
00:34:00 But, and that's consistent with previous years. So we're pretty much on track. We're back in terms of our normal rate rate is sort of position. Councillor Jurisevic: We're also a little bit more generous with the times and the payment periods. Speaker 5: Yeah, we have, but you'll see in the report that most of the residents still wanted their 5% discount, me included. And so those payment patterns didn't change considerably, allowing that extra 30 days, people still sort of had the cash to pay and get their extra two and a half percent on that. So that was interesting. Speaker 3: The graph on the bottom of page 48 for the starting example of that. Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: There haven't been any marked increase in hardship? Speaker 5: No, arrangements to pay have been fairly consistent. And whilst we did offer that to non-residential rate payers as well, we didn't see really
00:35:00 any take up from the non-residential sector. So that was interesting as well. And possibly because some, those non-residential property owners may not be operating the business. They might be leasing. So they've still probably got cash flows or enough cash in hand to make their rates payments. Councillor Lorentson: Tourism and economic levy, Michael. There's 5,957 properties. Yeah. Yeah. They've paid the levy. Do we have a breakdown of those numbers, tourism, economic levy paid by STA properties, or is that hard to calculate? We have. Speaker 5: It's not in my mind at the moment. Councillor Lorentson: But that is separated? Speaker 5: That information is available? Yeah. Oh, fantastic. Councillor Lorentson: I thought it might have been hard to separate. Speaker 5: No. So what's the difference between the transitory accommodation and the commercial and so on?
00:36:00 So the urban and rural? Councillor Lorentson: Just for the benefits of anyone watching, can I ask if you could clarify or explain who pays and why they pay for the tourism and economic levy? This is a question that gets asked by a lot of residents who fail to understand that it's, you know, I quote Brett's words, who benefits pays. Can you explain? Speaker 5: I can. The levy's obviously charged to collect funds to help promote tourism and contribute to economic development initiatives with council. So properties that pay are obviously commercial properties directly and indirectly. So our tourism, our hospitality and our commercial properties are directly and indirectly paid. And other properties in the Shire, other commercial properties indirectly pay, so they pay a lower amount in the dollar compared to some of those other direct and based on direct benefit.
00:37:00 We also collect the levy from transitory properties, so transitory accommodation properties. So that could be the short, obviously. Permanently run businesses such as Airbnb. B&Bs, you know, resorts and so on, but also houses or homeowners that operate using Airbnb and other short term sort of websites. And the premise there, obviously, all of these properties benefit from the investment in tourism promotion and they all contribute. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: My last question. In regard to land valuations, I know that some places in Queensland have already had
00:38:00 a review of current land valuation. Given that we've had significant movement in the market, we're due, aren't we? Speaker 5: Yeah, the state government has advised Noosa that we won't be valued for this financial year. So our valuations are to take effect for 21, 22 budgeting purposes, but next year, so within this calendar year, we'll be valued. Our property valuations will happen and then that helps inform our budget setting and budget deliberations for rates purposes for the 22, 23 budget. So it's coming. Councillor Jurisevic: Can I move it? Can I move it? Can I move it? Councillor Stewart? I'll second that. All in favour? Thank you. We'll move on to Item 6, the Corporate Services Department update to the third quarter 2021. Speaker 5: Any questions on this one?
00:39:00 Keeping the wheels turning. Mayor Stewart: It's business as usual. Any questions? Councillor Lorentson: Commercial high use permits. Where are we up to with that? When will that decision? I understood it should have already been. Speaker 5: You'll be deliberating that report on Monday at General Commission. Councillor Lorentson: Oh, okay, so it is, because I'm thinking it's due, I thought. Speaker 5: Yeah, sure is. Okay. Yeah, so we've just completed the tender assessment. Yeah. The report's been drafted. Obviously, we couldn't quite make this meeting today, but it'll be coming to General Committee on Monday. Okay, thank you. Thank you for the update. Councillor Jurisevic: Any agenda? No, thank you. In the gallery, Councillor. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Finzel: I just have a question regarding initiatives moving forward regarding procurement. Pulling on from a meeting last week where we talked about the use of those copper logs in current infrastructure bills. How are we going to ensure moving forward when we look at materials that we're using,
00:40:00 is there anything in our infrastructure policies that ensure that the products we're using are green? Speaker 5: I don't know. I don't know. Great question. Thank you. We do have, currently in our procurement policy, we have general requirements around environmental considerations in our procurement approach. Going down to the specifics of types of materials probably isn't something we've documented in policies. However, I know Councillors, and Jo in particular, have been looking at Council, looking more at the circumstances. I think that's a fairly big strategic piece of work that's on our list that we'll be planning to look at over the next 12 months. But it's definitely an area that in terms of sustainability, there is focus.
00:41:00 However, I think there's room for improvement and that's an area we need to look at. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. So in that process, will there be an assurance that there will be a focus on end of life disposal of materials that have been used in a sustainable way? I think that needs to be, I think, investigated. Speaker 5: The practicalities, obviously, we need to look at that and see how will that work in practice and how can we build that into our procurement. Because obviously then we're relying, if we're using contractors, how as part of those procurement processes, you know, the whole of life, end of when, how does that work, particularly longer life assets. That's the challenge, I suppose. Speaker 3: It's more like 30 years. Yeah. It's more likely to come up when we're doing refurbishment of existing buildings or, you know, existing infrastructure. And again, you might see, you know, you've been under the contract, you build in what the disposal is of that contract that has that obligation. So what criteria do we set or where you're doing it? What, you know, how do we deal with that? Councillor Jurisevic: I think that's part of the, where you particularly look at with regard to the whole of life possible
00:42:00 project. We actually have to look at cradle to grave. We have to remember at the end of the project, if there is a disposal and we're not, it's part of the project from the beginning. So it's got to be cost affected into the overall cost of that project going forward. So that we understand, it may be a cheap build up profit. It could be an expensive exercise for disposal. And I think a lot of people have got to look at that, not just council. They're purchasing habits. Speaker 5: And Karen, it's probably a, it's not purely a procurement exercise here. We've got to then work with our infrastructure and other areas in terms of that overall, you know, procure, design, build, operate, hold that whole chain to make sure that we're all aligned. And then we are, what processes and policies and procedures we develop, we are implementing and then abiding by so that we, we get those outcomes that they're looking for. So, yeah. Councillor Lorentson: In regards to the Sunrise Shopping Centre, we've awarded the lease to a leasee.
00:43:00 Has that deal been signed? Speaker 5: It's still in progress. So we counselled the, you know, endorsed the negotiations. But it hasn't been signed is my question. Councillor Lorentson: So still in negotiations. Great. Speaker 5: We're working through the process. Councillor Lorentson: Great. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Anything further? No. I'm happy to move it. There's lots of moves. Seconded by Councillor Stewart. All in favour? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We're going to move on to the next item. Item 7, the Executive Services Department update on 24-21. Deb. Speaker 2: Hello. Thank you. This is good. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you, Deb. Mayor Stewart: Just, Deb, in regard to the range activities, I just note, and obviously on the back of what Brett has, said, have we begun or looked at, or will be in the next month's report, the initiation process for recruitment of the CEO?
00:44:00 Speaker 2: Yes, we have put some thought to that, and I've started to work through that process. That's one of the most important decisions that this council is going to make. So it's important we get it right. So, yes, so following the ordinary meeting, we'll have an invitation to quote, ready to go to invite quotations from suitable professional recruitment consultants, and that will probably be out for approximately two weeks, and then we'll engage with the successful consultant to work with the mayor and deputy mayor, but also to engage with councillors and to work through the process. So an outline of that, what we see. that process being, will be put forward and will be discussed with council. So I'm preparing that at the moment. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: On page 56, Deb, there's a rollout to middle management, targeted external training, a session on having difficult conversations.
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00:45:00 Difficult conversations, does that include domestic and family violence? Speaker 2: No. That's a difficult. Yeah, that's a separate issue. The difficult conversations is very much probably more focused on dealing with complaint type matters, but also dealing with subject areas that might have some conflict in there and how to handle that, and issues with staff and that. Some people do that better than others. So that's why we were looking at the training for it. Councillor Lorentson: You mentioned rollouts and middle management, given that ethical, behaviour starts at the top to create a culture that values integrity, I'm assuming that senior managers have already undergone this sort of training. Speaker 2: Yes, they have. And when we speak broadly about our leadership group, that encompasses directors and managers.
00:46:00 So, yeah, and it's just rolling it through. Fantastic, thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: So you're still undertaking traineeships and through COVID-19, how many trainees will be trained? Speaker 2: We've got one apprentice, I think we've got about three, three trainees, three or four trainees. I'm sorry, I can't tell you that. Speaker 7: Yeah, yeah. Speaker 2: And with our training program, it was affected and impacted by COVID, you know, because there wasn't so much training offered and we're gearing up now. So, yes, the training budget and program is underspent. Councillor Jurisevic: You've pre-empted my next question. Speaker 2: Yes, it is significantly underspent, but we are now gearing up. And the program that we've sort of looked at for next year is sort of getting back to normal and refocusing. But we were impacted.
00:47:00 It did have a big impact on our training. Councillor Jurisevic: Yes. Any further questions? Councillor Lorentson: Yep. Continue to process customer operational transactions, including RTI's complaints. My question is, do we need to do that? Do we need to revisit KPIs or are delays in responding to customer requests more a staffing issue? Speaker 2: We are having a closer look at it as an organisation. Brian is actually leading that review, Brian O'Connor. Yeah, requests generally. Yeah, and revisiting that. We do monitor the timeframes and our KPIs. We have identified that we do need to better manage them and take a closer look at how long some of those requests have been open, but we're continuing to get high levels of requests and also customer service contacts, which, you know, when we set out as a new council,
00:48:00 we had a lot of community sort of engagement and communications and stuff, but we're finding the levels are consistently high. So, where you might have thought that, you know, we're not going to be able to meet some of the needs that some of the contact might have reduced, as the new council sort of established, we're finding we're continuing to get the high numbers, so. Councillor Jurisevic: Is that partly in part due to the fact that we're doing community engagement better, that people are more willing to come and communicate their needs or their requirements through Speaker 2: the council? Yeah, and one of the things that we found too when we did our community satisfaction survey was that the people, the community actually likes to make contact with our offices and to get the responses as opposed to, say, just reading it in the paper. So, and that says a lot about our customer service staff as well. Speaker 3: Later on, I've got a report on the agenda, just my core lead CEO update, and one of the statistics in there, our KPIs, is the number of customer requests coming in to the front
00:49:00 gown. You'll see that jump over the last three or four months. I'll talk to that then. Quite interesting. Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: And insurance claims. Anything out of the ordinary there? Speaker 2: No. No. Not out of the ordinary. Councillor Jurisevic: And again, sort of ten down from last quarter, so that's pleasing to see the record in the reduction. Speaker 2: And I'd probably, just for council's information, just like to let you know that the review of our governance framework and our governance arrangements has commenced. So that's in progress at the moment. And our asset management internal audit will be commencing soon as well. So just to let you know, they're in hand. Speaker 3: Just on the first one, we've got an external consult, having a look at that governance area. And that includes looking at our legal arrangements, what in-house or what legal advice we should have, how we should manage that better. Speaker 2: It's a four-part review, so there's quite a few stages to it. So, yeah, so the initial part is governance framework and the efficiency and effectiveness of the governance services branch. And then we're looking at our approach to organisational performance and improvement
00:50:00 and our legal services. So there's four parts to the work that's being undertaken. Councillor Jurisevic: With regards to communications, again, it seems like our new initiatives, the Whitley Man's video, the your news, the monthly double page, and the increased presence on social media being well received? Speaker 2: Yep. Councillor Lorentson: Very well received. Do Instagram and Facebook, you know, do you think they're going to be able to do that? Do we have the ability to actually extract more specific data from our followers, like age? And I know LinkedIn you can, but with Instagram it's great having all these numbers, but age I think is really quite relevant. Is Instagram attracting our younger residents? Is Facebook attracting our older residents? Speaker 2: I don't think that we could actually do that. No. I don't think so either. When our community satisfaction survey, which is out now, which goes to 400 of our residents,
00:51:00 it actually looks at a good representative sample. So it does look at younger, male, female, et cetera. So if that can provide you with some reassurance. Councillor Lorentson: It'd just be great to know if we're actually getting the younger residents engaged. Mayor Stewart: Yes. Okay. You would imagine that would have to be the one way to reach them, won't it? Speaker 2: Yeah, it would. With Instagram and LinkedIn. Mayor Stewart: Yeah. Speaker 2: And look, Facebook used to be very much the young person sort of channel. It's not anymore. But not anymore. I know. And things are changing in that respect. Mayor Stewart: Do we have a Twitter account? Oh dear. Councillor Lorentson: We do, I think. Yeah. Councillor Wegener: I don't know. Speaker 2: I was just wondering. But we don't. But we do. We don't use it at the moment. And a picture says a thousand words.
00:52:00 Councillor Jurisevic: I make community services to fund update. Terri. Can I make up any more bundles? Councillor Finzel: No. Mayor Stewart: Quiet, quiet, quiet. I'm getting very tired reading all this. Councillor Jurisevic: I think it's the longest report of all, isn't it? 27 pages long. Page eight, page number eight. Yes, questions. Mayor Stewart: Oh, just on the Noosa District Sports Complex internal road. Okay. Yes. The next step. Speaker 4: So the next phase is doing the design for that and then moving through to doing the road component while they continue to look at the design for the broader complex. So this is one of those ones where it's actually good to take the time. So at the same time, we are reviewing the evacuation centre's structures
00:53:00 as places of refuge in a cyclone. And not surprisingly, they don't meet the standard for that. So one of the questions we're now asking ourselves, Blake, we were to undertake work at Noosa District Sports Complex. Would it be worthwhile considering building it to a standard that is of a cyclone shelter? So that's why we like to take time with this. So its concept as a health and wellbeing centre as well as a sports complex is great. Could we get added functionality out of it by looking at its design in terms of its? Mayor Stewart: Would that potentially open up funding from both regions? Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Speaker 4: Yes, given that, you know, the three primary evacuation centres don't meet that
00:54:00 and we're doing work with our partners that have got secondary evacuation centres. But given the age of those buildings, we're doubtful they would meet the criteria as well. Speaker 3: Some of the council's done this very successfully. Casterly Coast did it, Tully and Wepa did it as well, where they set up multi-functional gym type thing called sports centres, which then doubled up as their cyclone shelter, and they got 100% funding. Yeah, fantastic. Speaker 4: So when we just had the report come back on the leisure centre and to meet the criteria for a cyclone shelter, we would basically have to knock the thing down and start again. And that's indicative of its age. So in that sense, you know, we are much better off looking at something where we're going to do some new build to see whether we can. A two-pronged approach. Yeah, so that's part of that review process while we work through and do the business case for it. Councillor Jurisevic: What we're proposing out there, I mean, it would have toilet and showers.
00:55:00 That's right. So we were doing all that, it would all have all that, it would, yes. Councillor Lorentson: So why can't we push the envelope a little bit more and consider it as a homeless shelter as well? Speaker 4: Because it, during, it's going to have a primary function. Every day of the week as a sports complex and a, yeah, and have ancillary services like physio, et cetera. So every day of the week, it's going to have kids, it's going to have adults using it. It would not be the type of location that we would consider for homeless shelter, no. Councillor Lorentson: Even at night time? Speaker 4: No. Councillor Lorentson: So when it's not, when it's not occupied by. Speaker 4: Well, it does get, those facilities do get used at night. They have games under lights, et cetera. But the other thing is when we're dealing with things like crisis accommodation, homeless accommodation, you need critical things.
00:56:00 You need a way to get there. So you need public transport. You ideally want wraparound services. You want to make sure that you're not creating other problems. So it would not be suitable. Councillor Lorentson: In regards to your homelessness, do we have any numbers, how many homeless people are in Nooso, Kerry? Speaker 4: It's always very difficult to get exact numbers and the way that we monitor that is through our partners, through, and through things like the social hubs. And the social hubs started up again at Tate Duke this morning. There was a large turnout and of concern to us were. Families who were, this was a very new experience for them. So, partners all working together to get those people into something more stable.
00:57:00 So in terms of numbers, those numbers vary at times from anywhere from 50 up to 150 in terms of homeless, which is very different from in a vulnerable housing situation where somebody might be living with a family member. Friends, etc. What anecdotally the staff talk about is seeing new people that we haven't seen before, seeing them on the streets. I, myself, this morning, referred somebody. So, yeah, we're seeing numbers of people we haven't seen before, but I don't have exact numbers. Councillor Lorentson: And that's when you make reference on page 666 to the ongoing participation in place-based response to homework. That's what the Sunshine Coast Care Coordination Group, that's the group? Speaker 4: The Northern Network. Councillor Lorentson: Okay. Northern Alliance. Speaker 4: Northern, yes. So, the partners in that, absolutely, that's the purpose of, part of the purpose of that group is to come together to particularly identify people that multiple agencies are working on and to collectively work together.
00:58:00 We don't wait for that group to meet though. So, yeah. Quite regularly, we will get phone calls and then the staff will be on the phone to our partners to look at how we can deal with that, those unique circumstances. Each person that presents or family that presents has a unique set of circumstances and it's finding our agencies that are going to best help them. Councillor Lorentson: Fantastic. Thank you. Speaker 4: It's absolutely a cooperative and collaborative approach. We wouldn't be able to achieve what we do without that. Councillor Jurisevic: The need for support, you know, it sort of screams out when you see 22,000 meals delivered in the needs of Shire Council. And the need for assistance in that area.
00:59:00 Speaker 4: It's certainly very good to be able to get the hub back up and operational in Tate Duke today. So, that's a big step forward. And most of the agencies are back on board there. Councillor Jurisevic: As far as disaster recovery goes, the assistance with the bushfire grants and that, have we delivered all of the outcomes from that? That funding? Speaker 4: So, that funding continues on to the end of the next financial year. We're probably, I would say, halfway through the major projects. So, a lot of really good work has happened through those. Mayor Stewart: Kerry, just on the library. When are we looking at beginning our new library service? Speaker 4: So, we are currently in the middle of the tender process for the vehicle and we've
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01:00:00 commenced the procurement process for the kiosks. So, those processes are underway. You know, they've brought up some issues, new issues, and so they're working through those. So, one of the issues that we're facing, which seems common to a lot of our areas, is a delay in being able to get things. So, for example, we're talking about a significant delay for the truck because of trying to get construction materials for it. So, that's something we seem to be facing with just about everything at the moment. And if I look and go, really, is that the sort of time frame you're talking about? But it is. It is what it is. So, we don't have a . No. So, I can't talk because we're in the middle of the tender process.
01:01:00 No, that's it. It's moving through. That's all good. And then when we're ready, we'll present that tender report for council's consideration. Thanks, Karen. Councillor Jurisevic: I was reading through the libraries and the kiosks. I was a little surprised to read that dust and moisture protection were concerns. I would have thought, seeing as we were already looking at other areas that have had these survivors in place and in outdoor locations, that that would have been, you know, they would have been through those sort of issues. The people coming up here, is that due to high humidity in our area? Speaker 4: It is. So, it's a number of things. It's around high humidity. It is without the environment that we have. We've got an insect, greater insect issue. And we've got beach. So, sand, salt. Salt. Salt in the air. So, the rating that it has, while that might be suitable for elsewhere, we've asked questions about that. We've asked questions about its suitability for here.
01:02:00 And it has raised enough concern for us that we want to take another look at it. Councillor Jurisevic: That might mean we need to consider them being outside and have to be in an indoor location. Yep. Speaker 4: So, that's the process that we're going through as part of it. And we, as you know, as I say to the team, I would rather have this information now. Absolutely. And know it now. And be grateful for that. And then look for an alternate solution. Councillor Jurisevic: Having worked around properties, rental properties, in that salt environment, seeing how soon televisions and electronics are degraded, that certainly does present some challenges in that environment. Speaker 4: And you would know, Joe, that this is running on very sophisticated electronics. And what it is doing is it's running our, all of our membership records and that data. If that starts to get lost, it's going to be a problem. It's going to get mucked around. That could mean data crossing paths.
01:03:00 And so, we might have people then who've got things on their records that they've actually returned. So, that's at the very simple end. We can't afford that. It's too much staff work. Councillor Jurisevic: Given the books are so susceptible to humidity and moisture and the like, I would have thought that the kiosks themselves would have had some form of condition in them to maintain. A fairly stable humidity. Speaker 4: It's not so much where the books are. Councillor Jurisevic: It's where the equipment is located. Speaker 4: It's where the electrics are because, for example, you've got to be able to scan your card. There has to be an opening receptacle to allow the book out. So, if the logistics are actually operating. And it has to have sufficient air for the computer because it's constantly computing. That means it's got to have air flow. When you've got air flow, that's potentially moist air flow or insects or salt air.
01:04:00 Yep. Yep. Okay. Mayor Stewart: Kerry, I was really pleased to read on page 76, the construction of a waste compound in Noosa Woods that will allow more effective servicing of public place bins in the Hastings Street. Yes. Speaker 4: That's great. Yes. So, that will hopefully alleviate some of the issues that we're seeing there and make collection of waste there a little easier. Councillor Lorentson: New Sur Aquatic Centre, I'm excited that there's a commitment to develop the NAC Master Plan. So that's long overdue and a sleeping giant that precinct. I'm actually really excited that there's a commitment here.
01:05:00 Speaker 4: Yeah, so that was one of the goals in getting through the renewal work that they did was then to be able to say, OK, where do we go from this? What is the next phase of the life of an aquatic centre? Councillor Finzel: And particularly having a look at what was the impact of St Andrews. Speaker 4: What are we seeing in people's usage of those types of community facilities? So, yeah, it'll be an exciting piece of work too. And a couple of our major facilities are ready for new longer term plans. The J is another one. Councillor Lorentson: Fantastic. Looking at potentially using some of the council land surrounding the precinct around the aquatic centre? Speaker 4: There's been options around. Some extension, particularly when we look at some of the plug in services. So we see that people like to go to one place and receive a number of services.
01:06:00 So there's option, opportunity for that. And as we've talked about, it's making it a contemporary. So, so absolutely. And then you're going to find and try to address this issue of our changing facilities and making them appropriate for contemporary parenting, which, you know, they're, they're quite an old fashioned model. So it'll look at that basic stuff, but also look at the bigger picture stuff in terms of, you know, are we in the space of supporting schools? Like, to what extent can we do that? And sporting groups, sporting groups and expanding the skate park, possibly. And it will look at, I don't know whether it'll so much look at the skate park because that really fits within the broadest parks, skate parks area, but it certainly would look at overall at the NAC and what might be able to be achieved out of it. Councillor Lorentson: Excellent. So excited. Speaker 4: Without, and I guess this is the key thing, without pushing it into a space where it's no longer financially sustainable.
01:07:00 And that's the balance. You know, we've done very well in that space, but there are other councils that have got themselves into difficulties because they make it too grand. But don't have the revenue base to support that. And what we know is it's very expensive to run an aquatic centre. So there's a fine balance there. Speaker 3: Let's go back to the councils in the north and have a look at that. Speaker 4: Yeah, it's a great facility, but there's a significant cost that goes with it. Councillor Jurisevic: Businesses usually like to visit the library and gallery. How are the numbers with pre-COVID, are people still coming to the library in droves or are they staying in droves? Speaker 4: The numbers in both of those facilities are softer than what they were. Part of that is because we simply don't have the programming back to the level that we did.
01:08:00 We're slowly growing that programming and seeing what the response state is. The response is positive. People want to engage. We're taking it slowly to make sure that we're not scheduling a whole lot of things that we then need to wind back. We can certainly see that the, for example, in the libraries, the loan rates have dropped off. And it'll be interesting to see whether they pick up again. Councillor Jurisevic: Local laws always continue to see reported dog attacks continuing. Mm. We don't seem to be able to listen to the impact of that. There seems to always be a dog attack in the news or occurring somewhere, unfortunately. Speaker 4: It is, but I think there are strategies that we can continue to take to be able to support the community in looking after their animals, but also looking after themselves when they're
01:09:00 in that space. The proposed ATV, the ATV trial was very successful because some of that beach activity is where we have seen issues and this enables us to both undertake education, it's been very good in that space, but also compliance that we've not been able to do before. So each one of those things helps. Councillor Lorentson: In local laws, Kerry. Speaker 4: Mm-hmm. Councillor Lorentson: And, you know, there's a lot of things that we need to do. And our local laws officers are fantastic. And I know that, you know, there's this compliance role and they've just got to follow rules. Empathy training and get out of free cards. Is that something that as a council there was any discussion? I've just had a couple of episodes where if a resident gets an infringement notice, they go through the appeal process.
01:10:00 Mm. And as empathetic, and they are very empathetic. Mm-hmm. And the local laws guys, they have to stick with the letter of the law and often not waiver an infringement. No. Is there, how can we, I don't know. Speaker 4: So I want to, yeah, so I'll start with our, so within local governments, you'll see a range of philosophies. Mm-hmm. When it comes to compliance. And some will be very hard and fast down the infringement. Yep. So they'll have a zero tolerance and an infringe. We are much more further down. Our approach is education. So achieving compliance through education. That is our approach. So, you know, unless it's, our general approach is to have that discussion and to actually educate first. And so in many circumstances, we will issue a verbal caution.
01:11:00 Yeah. Yeah. Which is, we've had a conversation, we've helped you understand why your dog needs to be on the lead. We've talked to you about, you know, what might happen if they're not. So you're really understanding, you get a verbal caution. If, hang on, three weeks later, we see you again and Fluffy's off the lead and we've just had that conversation. It doesn't appear that you've taken that on board. And so then we might issue an infringement. Yeah. Yeah. So we're not a, we don't automatically issue an infringement. The legislation obviously provides scope for that. But that is not our normal yet. Correct. However, if it was something where we went, actually, the serious nature of this and is such that we might straight up issue an infringement. Yeah. Councillor Finzel: Okay. Speaker 4: Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah. I'm not even going to, I'm not really going to. Oh. We're sitting straight around.
01:12:00 So we've just got a couple of questions about oil and waste management discussions coming up. Yes. But the installation of 11 additional wells to maximise methane extraction, we must be getting closer. Speaker 4: Yes. So those wells are in and very, I saw the data just last week. And it's really pleasing. So the extraction rate has gone considerably. So really very, very pleasing to see. Councillor Jurisevic: Is there any positive discussions coming from the contractor there with regard to energy generation? No. Speaker 4: No. That's not been a part of our recent discussion. It's obviously what we're moving towards. And the first part was to see whether these wells would see an up-kick in methane capture. And certainly they have. Councillor Jurisevic: I know. It's either landfill gas contact or liaising with energy, some potential of power generation for landfill. So I'm hoping. So we've at least. My turn. My turn. My turn. Speaker 4: Well, we've started to see what we need to see with the level of capture increasing.
01:13:00 So that's the starting point. Now we need to see whether we can maintain that or whether it was a one. Councillor Jurisevic: Well, that would be a significant reduction for a start on the existing landfill with regard to. Yep. Emissions. The volumes of emissions that we do have. Yes. A couple of things. Vector control mosquitoes. And we've had a fair bit of wet weather and all the rest of it. I know the guys are working hard to stay on top of the areas and the like. Yes. Speaker 4: They've been out and about. Very busy at the moment. Yep. Councillor Jurisevic: That's about it from me. Anything else? Councillor Lorentson: Kerry. So we've got risk and opportunities maintaining adequate health, hygiene and mitigation measures in response to COVID pandemic. Are we COVID ready? In the event that there's another outbreak? Speaker 4: Yeah. Look, I actually feel very confident. I look at what happened recently when we had the small cluster in Brisbane, which required,
01:14:00 you know, a short, sharp lockdown, but then the ongoing restrictions that were brought with mask wearing. Now, I was really pleased to see the commitment of, you know, the local government and the local businesses and the commitment of community that actually stuck that out through that entire 14 day period. I was expecting that people would see after several days, hang on, no case, no case, no case, that they would go, you know what? I'm not going to do this anymore. I'm not going to wear my mask. But people genuinely kept doing the right thing. Interesting this morning, we're having a conversation about tests. You know, we've got no cases here at the moment. We are still seeing people coming in and getting tested. So they've got a sniffle and they're coming in and getting a test. So in terms of being-
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01:15:00 Councillor Jurisevic: They're also travelling. So they're going, you know, they're going to locations outside with uncertainty. Speaker 4: Yes. So I think in terms of being COVID ready, they're the things that we need. We need to know that our community will do the right thing when they need to do it. And so I'm really happy to see that that behaviour is occurring while we maintain testing rates to the level we are. That helps capture the one or two, a little bit like what we've seen in Victoria today, where we've had somebody test positive there. I'd probably add to that. Speaker 3: I think to answer your question, we've got to look at it in two parts. One is the capacity of the organisation to respond. The other one is the community. I've got no doubt that we're battle ready, if you like. We've been through it all. We pretty well know what to do. But there is a level of fatigue that builds up after a while. And I think that's very real at the moment. And similarly, in the community, the biggest risk, I think, is complacency. Totally. So that's something we, you know, you can tell people, well, you know, need to be doing
01:16:00 this for the right reason. You know, it will all be the restaurants that respond to it. Yeah. So there is that level of complacency. But I think also, once there is a spike or an issue somewhere, everyone goes, oh, that's right. And there's that quick response. So. Speaker 4: I think absolutely seeing people respond when they need to. That's what we need. That's what we need to see. I was very worried about complacency probably three or four months ago and thought, if something kicks off, we're going to be in a hard space. I think the tragedy of what is occurring overseas, particularly India, has very much brought home to many, many people how very lucky we are. Councillor Lorentson: And how very serious. Speaker 4: And how very serious it is. It is. And how it can. Because they were in such a strong position in January, even into February. And just a couple of months later, this is the situation they're facing.
01:17:00 So that sits with people. And I think that's certainly why when, when, you know, we're seeing right now in Victoria, people are kicking in. They are going and lining up for testing. And because people do have that at the back of their mind. Councillor Jurisevic: Well, you know, little improvements like that. Yeah. Yeah. That's fantastic. That check-in app is wonderful. Speaker 4: It's really made a huge difference. Particularly for the people that actually we're very concerned about. The older people, highly vulnerable, who were struggling with, I don't know how many versions of it, you know, how to check in somewhere. This is so much easier for them. And we're seeing very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very high compliance, right? So that's really, really, really important.
01:18:00 Councillor Finzel: I just have a question regarding the funding for the halls for maintenance, so I notice it comes under community grants, given that it's like the heritage significance of those buildings, can you just explain how the funding to maintain them comes from a community grant? Speaker 4: So funding for halls comes through a range, so we have agreements with the committees that have custodianship for the halls, and so they will receive grant funding through that, through a three year agreement. Some of the halls have received funding through the, for example, Unite and Recover funding.
01:19:00 They don't generally receive heritage levies. They don't receive funding unless there is a, so the heritage levy allows for use of that funding if there is a significant issue that is a heritage type issue. If it is general maintenance, then it comes through either the organisation that's taking care of it, or through our normal capital works maintenance program. There would not be sufficient funding in the heritage levy to be able to do routine. So it's not intended for routine maintenance. Speaker 2: Okay, thank you. Speaker 4: If, for example, we wanted some particular advice on a heritage aspect of a hall, though, then it might be used for that, or if it had, for example, a particular piece of architecture in it and we needed to replicate that, maybe you might use it for that.
01:20:00 Councillor Jurisevic: For example, ceilings. Speaker 4: Absolutely, a good example, crescent or ceilings. But otherwise, the general maintenance and renewal of halls comes through our other funding avenues. Councillor Jurisevic: All good? I'll move it. Seconder? Councillor Stewart? All in favour? Thank you, Kerry. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Kerry. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Thank you, Kerry. Thank you, Kerry. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker 3: We've got a couple of them a bit behind, but now catching up, and I guess Rupert Street and the Prigent Digital Hub will be two exams of those. Those contracts have now been let underway. Noosa River Plan, we've got that stakeholder group underway. We've got our second meeting tomorrow night. I think that group's going to go well. The more I see, the better it looks. They're going to be trying to work well amongst themselves, and I think tomorrow night's meeting will be good.
01:21:00 Walking and cycling strategy. Again, a little bit behind where we'd like to be, but I think we'll get a better result just collating the feedbacks at the moment. Economic plan, obviously with Anthony backfilling Kim's role. That slowed down a bit, but you might have heard Anthony mention that we've got a resource in to help him get that moving. And similarly, the corporate plan is a little bit behind where we'd like to be, so we can kick that off when we're ready. I think we need to get councillors on the agenda on Thursday. Yeah. We'll chat about that. Overall, one of the things we've just done recently with effect teams is have a look at how we present these KPIs and which ones. We're actually thinking that after the end of this financial year, so when we get the first quarter report for the next financial year, we'll actually start putting more KPIs into the individual department report, the ones we've just been through, because actually some of them are quite specific to those areas and actually start to build up some better KPIs about those operations.
01:22:00 On the KPI side, workplace health and safety and personal leave or annual leave, we've got a couple of staff who are on some long-term sick leave, which is impacting on our staff a little bit, some of those stories are a bit sad actually. Staff turnover remains pretty low, which is a good sign, but the one I didn't want to flag, and I just wanted to point out, is staff turnover. This is the one I talked about before is on the top of page 92. This is the one about the number of requests received per month. We've got up on the screen as it goes through here. To top left on there, really noticed in the last 4 or 5 months a real jump up in the number of requests that come in. And similarly, I'll be talking to the team on the front counters about the number of phone calls. Another question on the screen, we're talking about phone calls.
01:23:00 We get 200, maybe 220 phone calls, might be quiet day would be, these are the ones that come to the front, you know, the main number, and the quiet day might be 180. We're averaging over 250, 260, 270 over the last couple of months, and it's sort of a bit of a, I wouldn't say hodgepodge, but it's nothing, you know, like one thing that's coming up. We do have cycles for that, you know, when the rates notices go out, a lot of calls, you know, the rates or the dog registrations go out, people tend to have those sort of things. And I've asked Brian, who gets most of these, and also Jason, who manages our customer service area, to go and dig into it, just to see whether that's common. I've asked my contact, you know, Gympie and Sunshine Coast, to see if they're seeing similar sort of numbers or changes, what's causing it. We're just trying to dig in to see what it's about. It is a bit unusual. We haven't seen those numbers. Mayor Stewart: Because less people are travelling, and more people are at home, and they're around their community.
01:24:00 Speaker 3: Maybe. But it really has been a significant change in the last four months. We haven't, those other lines on that graph are the, you know, previous couple of years. And it's killing those numbers from previous years on a monthly basis. But even the phone calls at the front counter, guys have noticed the same thing, is that there are a significant number of more calls, which has been interesting. Councillor Lorentson: I'd love to know whether it's, you know, one resident making lots of calls. No. Speaker 3: Whether it's a lot of residents. Yeah, I'd love to read that info. They couldn't sort of put their finger on it. They're going to go and do an analysis of the types of calls, you know, what are the topics. Local laws, planning. Yeah, those colours are based on that. You know, the green is just a bit of a, what do you call it, a hodgepodge or nothing. Yeah. The purple's local laws. So there's not a huge sort of changes in those purple ones, a little bit higher. The blue one is parks, that's, you know, trees and hanging out of the parks or those sort of things, but particularly tree management, waste management, mess bins, you know, put the bin out, didn't get picked up, and the red is works, you know, potholes and drainage or whatever it might be.
01:25:00 So they're the, you know, the proportions aren't really out of whack, it's just the quality across the board. It's a little bit up there for you, yeah. Yeah, that's why we do these reports, to see what new trends are emerging, and they're the new ones. Councillor Jurisevic: Should we have the page back up? I'll get to your top. Okay. The one at the top there, the council percentage, I love TAs, I love TAs. Anybody reading this would go, what the heck is council percentage of LGW? Okay, so LGW. And are the numbers good numbers when we don't even know what LGW stands for? Speaker 3: Okay, so LGW, we have a, well actually all the councils in Queensland is what's called a mutual insurance pool, so that is we collectively insure for our workplace health and safety.
01:26:00 LGW stands for local government work care, which is run by LGAQ, so we all insure through there. The percentages are the percentage of our payroll that we then pay at insurance premium, so that has been going up over a number of years. You might recall, we inherited a very low rate when we started, and for a number of years, we didn't really spend a lot of time talking about workplace health and safety. We were so busy with everything else, and some of our compliance wasn't as it should be. So about three or four years ago, we started to, I've got about four or five years ago, we started to do a lot more work about our workplace health and safety. We've had independent audits done, we went through our practices and so on. When we started on that, our audit results were around, you know, 19 to 25 per cent out of 100, in terms of compliance with policies and so on. We've got it up over 85 per cent now, and you'll see we started to make a bit of an impact two years ago on our insurance premium. But we've had some bigger claims, there was claims that have sort of worked their way through the system, including the...
01:27:00 It's got to be the West, don't we? No, that's not what it is. No, we had a couple of big payouts. One was the very tragic loss of one of our staff who was driving home, which is covered by workers' compensation. So those then reflect into your insurance premium, so the goal is still to bring that down. But that's what it's worked at, it's basically a percentage of your payroll, what you pay, and that's how it's dealt with. Councillor Wegener: So I think we've heard it. Tom, do you have a question? Brett, when you were saying the amount of phone calls, I bet that that's in relation to more people moving here. Those empty houses, people moving into those empty houses, the actual population growing up. And then if that'd be measurable compared to if there's more water being used, then... Yeah, I hadn't thought about that, Tom. It's a good idea. Councillor Jurisevic: Several hundred new residents.
01:28:00 Speaker 4: That's true. Speaker 3: So the main ones, this one's a highlight. I'm certainly curious. Then we're just digging into it to find out... Mayor Stewart: You're right, but that would be right, Tom, because if you move here, you'd call council and ask, you know, like, what are your sort of facilities and where do you go for things? That would make sense, you know, as a question. Councillor Jurisevic: Quite a huge slide. What's keeping you up at night, Brett? Speaker 3: Oh, it's volume. You know, partly that, but partly the sheer volume of our capital works program and all the other initiatives council has at the moment. Staff are, you know, working incredibly hard at the moment. There's a lot on. And, you know, things coming in from left field, you know, we've got a full dance card. How do we deal with that? So that's the challenge for us at the moment. Councillor Jurisevic: Well, anything further, council? No, I'll leave it. Go back.