Start of recording ¶
00:00:00 Mayor Stewart: Good morning everyone. I declare the meeting open. I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people and I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We are in unusual circumstances today. Because of COVID restrictions, all our councillors are online, as is some of our senior staff. We have at the table here our Director of Corporate Services Michael Shave and our CEO Brett de Chastel. Everyone is in attendance. Today's special meeting is to consider Noosa Council's 2021-22 operational plan, budget and associated documents. The first item on the agenda is Operational Plan 2021-22. We have Director of Executive Services Deb Yetzi online. Are there any questions for Deb or Brett?
00:01:00 Speaker 3: Captain Mayor, I might just mention for the Operational Plan, if you're aware during the year we did a process this year to get feedback on our budget process and we got some really good feedback. And one of the pieces of feedback we got in the March round consultation was that we could enhance the way in which our Operational Plan is laid out. How it works, level of detail and so on. One of our submitters or one of the members of the public made that suggestion. I thought it was a very good suggestion. So this year we have gone back and I appreciate our Director of Executive Services Deb Yetzi. She's done a lot of work to have a look at how we can improve our Operational Plan and enhance the level of detail. And the linkage to our Corporate Plan, which is our longer term goals. So the Operational Plan you have before you today is an enhanced version of what we've done previously. I think it's also something we can keep working on. It's something that we can probably do with some further detail in the future.
00:02:00 But it's a bit of a quantum leap forward from what we've done in the past. So I just want to thank Deb for her work on that and also for the feedback we got through our budget process in that regard as well. Thank you, Cecilia. Speaker 2: Would anyone like to move the motion on page three? Thank you, Councillor Jurisevic. Seconded, Councillor Wegener. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic, would you like to speak to this motion? Councillor Jurisevic: Just briefly, just to principally thank those people who gave feedback from the budget consultation. It has resulted in Council hearing some of the comments said. And making improvements to the Operational Plan, as the CEO alluded to. I think this process of opening up the budget process to community feedback is beneficial. And I'm sure it will continue into the future. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Jurisevic. Would anyone else like to speak?
00:03:00 Oh, okay. Councillor Jurisevic, would you like to close? I will all say thank you, Mayor. Thank you. All in favour? Come on. We're just waiting on. That is unanimous. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Kylie. The next item is item two on page seven of the agenda. Adoption of 2021-22 budget policies. We have our Director of Corporate Services, Michael Shea, here to answer any questions anyone has. Would anyone like to move the recommendation? No. Speaker 2: Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Seconder? Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: No. I think every year we adopt these policies and we amend around the edges. One of the interesting ones this year is we've explicitly talked in our budget, our
00:04:00 financial sustainability policy, about the need to invest in both our built assets and our natural assets. And I think that's something that we need to do. And to me that's an important little amendment to ensure that going forward we realise that our community is served by a range of things and one of those is nature. So it's important when we do our budget that we understand that places like Fortunes do provide a service to the community and we need to look after them just as much as we do need to look after bridges. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Would anyone else like to speak to this? No. No. Okay. We'll put it to a vote. All in favour? Mayor Stewart: That's unanimous. Thank you, Kylie. Before we get to item three on the agenda, which is the adoption of the 2021-22 budget, I would like to move that the operation of the standing orders or any relevant provision
00:05:00 thereof be suspended to allow council to receive budget speeches from myself and councillors. Do I have a seconder? Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. All in favour? No. And it's unanimous, thank you, Kabi. Good morning, my fellow councillors, CEO, Michael, staff online, ladies and gentlemen at home for watching. It gives me great pleasure to present this council's second budget as Mayor of Noosa Shire. Firstly, I would like to state that it is with great disappointment that I can't share this table with my fellow councillors. The budget today is very much a collaborative and collective budget. It's a budget we've all worked hard on and it's in many ways devastating that we can't be all together to share in this special time. Last year, we stood at this very spot and talked about a one in a hundred year pandemic. We spoke about significant challenges to our council's finances and we discussed how we would have to adapt to a new financial business and social environment
00:06:00 that not many of us, or should I say none of us, would ever have. And I think that's what we all have expected. 12 months on and COVID is still very much with us. The impacts are still felt by the world, our country, our state and our Shire. Today is testament to that very fact. Over the past 15 months, our Shire has shown resilience, determination and it's shown support of its own and operated positively with so many others. The Noosa Shire Council Budget 2021-22 epitomises all of those very things. It's determined, it's positive and forward thinking, and most importantly, it's community focused. Grassroots spending where our community needs it most. Our $153 million budget, the largest ever capital infrastructure budget of $47 million, provides a raft of new initiatives in support of the community.
00:07:00 We have moved from survive to revive and now we thrive. Better roads, better footpaths, better cycleways. Increased fire mitigation and management. Better protection for our community. Increased spending to support our community groups. Our environment are just some of the features of this year's budget. While we boldly increase infrastructure, facilities and resources for our community, we also acknowledge that our community has hurt during COVID. And we appreciate that times are tough for many of our residents. That is why we were determined to keep rate rises as low as possible. 75% of rate payers will see a general rate increase of no more than CPI of 1.5%. To put it in lay terms, this means that when including all rates and charges, an average residential property owner can expect a total increase in their rates notice of $44, which is equivalent to about 85 cents per week. Similarly, we are maintaining the current 5% discount on general rates, which is terrific.
00:08:00 A new initiative this year in 1.5 years. One which I think we are all proud of is that we have waived the three year waiting period for new pension and concession applications. This means that if you are a pensioner and you turn up in this town, you do not need to wait three years to be eligible to a concession on your rates. This applies immediately. Our role, our job, is to help where we can. This initiative helps our elderly and we are all proud of it. Last year I used the mantra, save where we can to spend where we must. It's an ideal I still espouse. More transparency surrounding the budget was initiated by the former mayor and councillors and they should be acknowledged for that and I do so now. So with this in mind, as a foundation, for the first time we engaged our community in budget talks and sought feedback. We gave people an opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions and through our online budget tool we gave them the ability to understand and balance the budget and so highlight priorities
00:09:00 as to where they think their money should be spent. It was clear from all feedback, through all channels, face to face, online and through our budgeting tool that residents wanted more funds directed to infrastructure, community initiatives and protection of our bushland reserves and our environment. So we listened and now implement. Part of our capital infrastructure record budget will include Stage 1 of the Tewantin bypass, $8.8 million $7.5 million to replace seven bridges across the Shire A $1 million replacement of the Garth Proud Bridge A $4.7 million for the Lawnville Road Bridge at Black Mountain $1.35 million for Kin Kin's Lapunga Lane Bridge renewal $4.6 million to finish the Hinterland Playground $1.4 million to upgrade the Pomona section of the Noosa Trail Network $2.1 million to complete the new Creechie and Beech Community House $5.7 million road reseal program from road resurfacing and gravel road re-sheeting right across our Shire from the Hinterland to the coast.
00:10:00 $1 million to fill the missing links in our footpath network across the Shire including Tewantin, Sunshine Beach, Castaways Beach, Noosaville, Pomona and Cooroy. This is something I know all councils will be proud of as we look at the formal adoption of our walking and cycling strategy next month. Upgrading busy intersection of Doonella Street and Memorial Avenue at Tewantin to boost capacity for the future. Other big ticket items include Commencement of the restoration of Noosa Spit Dog Beach at $1.09 million and $350,000 to replace the metal skate ramp at the Sunshine Beach Skate Park with brand new competition grade ramp. These projects are substantial. We have acted on what we have been asked to do. We must acknowledge and thank both the Queensland State Government and the Australian Federal Government
00:11:00 for the significant financial contributions they have made through grants such as Works for Queensland, Unite and Recover, Building Better Regions and so forth. Without their financial assistance we would not have been able to implement what we have set out to achieve and we are very grateful. Last year we cut levies to ensure no rate rises. This year our transport levy is back to where it was pre-COVID days. And our environmental and heritage levies, although increased, are still below pre-COVID figures. Additional funds generated from these levies will allow investment in a range of initiatives and projects that will benefit the community. We have also introduced new rating categories for transitory accommodation or short-stayed properties. This initiative addresses the impacts guests of these properties have on the demand for council services and infrastructure and ensures these properties also contribute to the cost of tourism promotion in the Shire. Noosa is regarded by many as a tourist town. In fact, we are officially the best in Queensland.
00:12:00 We are well and truly open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms. Our continued commitment to tourism Noosa in the form of $2.52 million in funding is testament to this. We are, however, also acutely aware that houses which are solely or predominantly the purpose of hosting short-term visitors impact our community. This is seen in increased pressures on our infrastructure, our waste, our roads, our parking. The new transitory accommodation rating categories have been introduced to address this. However, what does not change is that our residents who choose to rent out their properties for short-stay accommodation up to 60 days, as per the Town Plan, incur no additional rating increases. Similarly, our residents who choose to home host or rent out a room in their home for short-term accommodation up to 90 days per year also incur no additional changes to their rates.
00:13:00 We acknowledge and appreciate that many of our residents rely on this additional or supplementary income. We are determined to ensure that they don't bear the brunt of any increased charges. In this accommodation sector, we have also budgeted for additional funds and resources to manage the rollout of the new short-term accommodation. This is still a source of concern for our residents and something the State Government is not addressing. Besides the huge increases to capital infrastructure, there are many things about the budget that I am particularly proud of. The record $1 million being spent on community grants is something which I think all Councillors are so proud. The additional appointment of a Community Development Officer here at Council will also ensure that we provide as much support as we can to these groups and our board members. So many of our community groups, and there are over 300 in the Shire, do much of the heavy lifting in helping our vulnerable, our at risk, our juniors, our seniors, our workers, our sports people, our elderly and so on.
00:14:00 It is a privilege to stand with and behind them and support the wonderful community work they do. Our business community, small businesses, are very much the lifeblood of this Shire. We have over 7,000 of them. They continue to be supported. Our 35,000 economic development grants will continue and we continue to provide internal support to many of our businesses through our Peregian Beach Digital Hub, our mentoring and the continuation of our Business Roundtable. Speaking of influential Shire groups, the environmental groups and advocates in this community should be pleased with the addition of $276,000 to boost funding for environmental levy initiatives and an increase of $50,000 in our grants program to further Council's net zero emissions goal. As well as support the community's efforts to reduce emissions. Waste is a core Council business and we have allocated $500,000 for an additional weigh bridge at the Noosa Waste Facility, which is much needed to address congestion concerns for customers.
15 minutes in ¶
00:15:00 Our mobile library is back in business this year, providing a smaller, more flexible bus, enabling it to visit more people at more places. And the addition of our library kiosk made access to books and reading that much easier for many of our residents. When I say year, I mean year. The Council has instigated some really big things, but there are other smaller things that have been enacted. Increased communication to our hinterland residents through the publishing of Your Noosa in community newspapers. Increased consultation and support of Kin Kin through our dedicated engagement officer Ian Williams. And an additional investment of $22,000 in blind box management. There's much to be proud of in this budget and no doubt we will hear from each of the Councillors about what matters to them most. I've spoken about many things. If there's one area I haven't addressed, I'll do so now. I stood on an election platform of increased fire management, of increased mitigation and of increased preparedness. Last year we increased our fire mitigation, but this year I am incredibly pleased to announce that we have increased our fire management budget by 100%.
00:16:00 We have allocated an additional $300,000 for fire management and mitigation. We have doubled our cool fire burners to seven planned burners a year. Widening almost two kilometres of existing fire trails around our bushland reserves. And the creation of two kilometres of brand new fire trails. Importantly, we'll appoint a dedicated fire management officer to train up our own staff so we can carry out our own control burns without relying on private contractors. We've also introduced a bushfire resilience and response levy on our rates notice. We acknowledge that this isn't just a rural issue. It's one that can and did apply. It will affect all areas of our Shire. In addition to the on the ground resources, this budget also includes $1.96 million to fund the development of the Cycling Digital Hub Biotech Living Lab. Which once completed, will be a living bushland laboratory and testing ground for cutting edge technologies for the early detection of bushfires.
00:17:00 Noosa is becoming known as a centre of excellence for bushfire fighting technologies. And this project will assist in cementing that reputation. The investments being made in this budget will ensure we can all be well prepared for the upcoming fire season to ensure we manage our risks and our community is as safe as it can be. Like our budget, it's bold, it's brave and it's all about the community. This year, like last, we have put a focus on delivering tangible outcomes for our community. Providing grassroot style projects that will make a difference to the lives of our residents. Considering the challenges we have faced. I'm incredibly proud to be delivering alongside my other councillors a budget of this calibre. Which is another investment in enhancing our lifestyle and providing a bright future. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Deputy Mayor, Frank Wilkie and my fellow councillors for their deliberations and our sensible approach to formulating this budget.
00:18:00 I believe it's a good one. A great one. And we have all worked together to achieve it. I would also like to thank the council management team for their dedicated work in preparing this difficult budget. Especially the CEO, Mr Brett de Chastel and our hardworking finance team, led by Trent Graff and overseen by our Director of Corporate Services, Michael Shade. They have carefully analysed every detail and our finance staff have provided safe advice to all of us. Their hard work to get us where we are today has not gone unnoticed. It is appreciated and it is acknowledged and we are very grateful. It should be noted that we are now officially back in surplus. We have a modest operating surplus of $309,000. A year earlier than expected as part of our four year recovery plan. And I would again like to acknowledge Michael, Trent and all the team for achieving this remarkable result. I used it last year and I'll use it again.
00:19:00 To quote the great humanitarian and former President. A budget is more than just a series of numbers. It is an embodiment of our values. Barack Obama. To our community it is you who we value. And it is with you in mind that this budget was crafted. Brassroot spending. Spending where we need, where we can, where we must. To ensure the greatest benefit to you, our communities. Thank you. Speaker 2: Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you Madam Mayor. I commend you on your excellent summary of the biome check. I've got a few points I'd like to make and some of the things that you've brought out for me. And I'll try not to be repetitive because your summary was excellent and extensive. More than ever this budget continues the focus on delivering core council business and services.
00:20:00 As we heard there's a record $47 million to be spent on infrastructure projects including five interland bridges. The Cooroy Oral Abilities Playground. A new mobile library. $1 million for cycling and walking strategy pathway projects. There's also strong support for initiatives that position the Shire well for the future. As mentioned these include the resources to address some burning issues. Such as the impacts of short term accommodation on residential communities through the introduction of a local law. Further work through planning scheme amendments to refine and limit the continued proliferation. Of short term accommodation to areas where traditional holiday letting has occurred. And where it provides a welcome boost. Such as in our hinterland. The budget also contains resources to allow continued investigation into the role this council can play. In addressing the chronic shortage of long term rental availability and affordability made more acute. Again by the proliferation of short term accommodation.
00:21:00 In response to lessons learned through the Peregian and Cooroy fires. And the reality of a more intense fire season due to change in climate. As the Mayor mentioned. A new levy will fund a dedicated council fire management focus. To increase hazard reduction burns and fire trial maintenance. Work to make the current and future Noosa economy more resilient. Continues through the fire tracking of digital education and training. And the bridge to digital health. And by partnering with stakeholders in the creation of a new local economic plan. And destination management framework. To ensure we maintain, contain and improve residents lifestyle and the visitor experience. This coming year you will also see the activation of the Shire's climate change response plan. When it comes to achieving meaningful action on climate change. The plan calls for strong leadership and governance. Involving cooperating, coordination and partnering with key stakeholders.
00:22:00 The community and all levels of government. Meaningful action involves well coordinated and well thought out actions. That's what the climate change response plan calls for. And I wouldn't be the only one around this table. Hoping that this is what will flow. Exactly what will flow. When the community feedback has been assessed. And the plan is ratified by this council. Working with key stakeholders is also the way forward on key projects. Of the Noosa River plan. Through the Noosa River stakeholder advisory committee. And Maritime Safety Queensland. The Nature Conservancy on the Ooster Reef project. The UL Wingtail Forestry Project. The Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan. The Commit Zen Emissions Drive. To have Noosa Shire be net zero emissions by 2026. And to help protect the eastern beaches from degradation. From increased human foot traffic. Informal accesses and encroachments. Through the Coastal Football Management Plan. Again, working with key stakeholders.
00:23:00 In a coordinated, inclusive way. To achieve meaningful action. Is not only essential to success. In all of these focused plans. Mentioned in the budget documents. It has underpinned the creation of this budget. As the Mayor said. Councillor Wilkie: I also commend my fellow councillors. And the council's staff. Managers and directors. Especially the corporate finance team. The effort they've put into collaboratively shaping this body of work. That is for 2021. And 2022 budget. And the final thanks again goes. To the staff. Who will be the ones implementing. And reviewing this enormous body of work. Across the Shire. On a daily basis. Thank you. Speaker 2: Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie. Is there anyone outside to talk to? Councillor Lorentson. We'll go with you. And then Councillor Jurisevic. Thank you. Keep that with your hands. Thanks.
00:24:00 Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. In March this year. We asked. Our community to help us. Take this year's budget. What should prioritise. And what initiatives to support. Our community responded. And they made. Very clear. What they expect from council. And it's more than just. Usual. 3Rs. Roads, Rates And rubbish. They expect. Not only. Value. To our residents, we listen to you and for the most part, we meet your expectations. With the help of state and federal funding and the combined efforts of staff, CEO and fellow councillors, we've put together a budget that responds to these priorities.
00:25:00 Grassroots spendings that put residents first and build better communities. Climate change action. Nearly a million dollars has been budgeted for our community grants, recognising the importance of our volunteers and social capital. In the hinterland, we've committed to upgrading the Pomona section of the hinterland trail network and to resealing streets of Pomona, Kin Kin and Pinbarin and replacing bridges with Cran and Kin Kin. And of course, the construction of the Cooroy hinterland playground. Big projects, Tewantin, Roundabout, seven upgrades, seven bridges across the Shire and the Noosa upgrade shuts our commitment to better roads and infrastructure. In regards to short-term accommodation. To the community, we listen to you when you told us at a public meeting that home-hosted, short-term accommodation should be treated differently because home-hosting places little or no additional burden on infrastructure and services.
00:26:00 We listened, we agreed and we responded. If you're home-host for less than 90 days, you're exempt from short-term, from the short-stay rating category. After 90 days, we consider it a business and you're subject. To the new rating. In response to those properties that are short-term let for tourism purposes, we have listened to our community who ask that all property owners pay their fair share to services and infrastructure. Uses of residential properties for tourism places additional strain infrastructure and services that was not designed to accommodate the extra demand generated by tourists. By living different rates for different uses. We are recognizing that different rates are different uses. Generate different demands of services. Councillor Lorentson: To ask Council to levy equal rates for different uses is simply not fair.
00:27:00 Again, we listened and responded. And to the tourist industry who have asked for more transparency. We are committed 100% to providing a level of trust and transparency that is needed to support an enduring, two-way relationship. And finally, I'd like to acknowledge that we are committed to providing a level of trust and transparency that is needed to support an enduring, two-way relationship. Thank you to the financial management team, in particular the Director of Corporate Services, Michael Shave and Trent Ralph, and HIST, Mackenzie, Wayne and Pauline. 1.4% increase in general rates for 75% of our residents does not just happen. Thank you. Thank you for providing sensible and responsible financial management. And to our community, thank you for giving us your trust to lead you during these uncertain times. When you elected me over 12 months ago, I promised that I would listen and that I would be your voice. I work hard every day to meet that expectation.
00:28:00 So please, let's keep talking, because I'm listening. Thank you. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Grisevic. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you, Mayor. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you to all online. Look, I think this is a significant budget. When you consider last year's budget, it was the first time we've delivered a deficit. Councillor Jurisevic: It's impressive to see us deliver a modest surplus in our second COVID year when we had a plan to return over a number of years. So I thank staff for their efforts in attaining this level of return to the community so soon into the COVID crisis. As I said, this budget delivers greater openness and transparency as it has. Councillor Jurisevic: Community feedback and community consultation resulting in changes to improve our process and linkages to the operational plan. I thank everybody who contributed to that through their input. We've seen, as I said, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor have covered most of this, but just briefly, there's been a revision of rating categories, a return to, or starting to see a return to pre-COVID levels of levies for heritage, sustainable transport and the environment, and we're now seeing everyone contributing to bushfire resilience and response.
00:29:00 Our investment in the digital hub is starting to deliver, and we're seeing a living lab now being established in the digital area. We're continuing to offer 5% early payment discount and greater access to pensioner discounts. It's our largest and most ambitious capital works program ever of $47 million, which is including $20 million in renewals of existing infrastructure, and $22.5 million for new and upgrade works, failed significantly by grants and external funds, so a lot of that is not an impost on the community. Some of the things that I'm pleased to see is the plan and design of the Cooroy Sports Complex master plan. A significant number of pathway expansions to fill the missing links and upgrades for our pathway network, including the replacement of pedestrian bridge and jump tree drive in Cooroy, which is one of the only assets that I've ever seen deteriorate to the point of not being renewed, and seeing the network trails upgraded as well.
30 minutes in ¶
00:30:00 There's also, I think, a good see that we're looking into the feasibility of starting for a new regional art gallery for the region, well overdue. Major projects for 2021, obviously, include the bridge and community house completion, the digital hub living lab, the Berkman's Road roundabout stage one, and the upgrade, and of course, the Cooroy Inland Playground and Noosa Parade upgrade. I think they're all projects that will benefit the community for years to come, and I'm pleased to see that we've been able to deliver those in this project. Thank you. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Dirisovic. Good day. Good day. How is it? Anyone else like to talk? Please do this. Council, wind up. Councillor Wegener: Okay. First, the Mayor made an excellent speech, and I completely agree with all those points, so I won't belabor any of them.
00:31:00 She did mention that it's a bold budget, and I completely agree. It's surprising that we could do all these things as a Council, and still maintain all I feel most importantly that the budget reflects the vision of Noosa. Noosa is a paradise, it's this place that we choose to live and it is the best place on earth. The way that Noosa has evolved is because we are forward thinking, we have vision, we have a council and a staff and everybody who are on the same page that take this vision and enact it. And we can see there's all these different projects, there's just so many the way that we are doing that.
00:32:00 And finally I'd like to say that Noosa being so proactive takes control of our future, with our economic policy, with our environment in so many ways. And I'm glad that we do that because if we don't control it, control our own destiny, somebody else might and they may not have Noosa's interest at heart. So I am very, very pleased with this budget and I'm proud that it's a bold budget moving forward that reflects the identity of the interest of the resident. Thank you. Speaker 2: Thank you Councillor Wignapp. Councillor Stockwell or Finzel? Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: That's fine, there we go. So I think in the Mayor's initial comments, there were some quotes about what a budget says about an organisation and it is. This is probably the first budget that this council has had to really demonstrate what it brings to the table. It does underline a culture. One could say it's a big spending culture but that in a large part is a result of the significant stimulus funds
00:33:00 that are available from the higher levels of government. You know we have to really acknowledge that we would be nowhere near the level of capital work if it had not been for state and federal programs. But what it does say about this council is that it's a council with social conscience. So you can see that in issues such as the opening up to all pensioners of the discount, not just those who have lived here for three years or more. You can see that in the way that we've struck the rate of the dollar on various different land uses such that those on the minimum general rate will have a lower rate rise than those who are making significant income from their properties as a result of short stay holiday lending over the course of the year. But at the same time acknowledging that when people do that just as a little bit of a pop up for when they're on holidays or for a short period each year that that doesn't affect it.
00:34:00 You can see that it's a program that shows that this council is willing to address the needs of the community in a very rapidly changing world. So a few years ago there'd be no way that anyone would think that this council should establish an entity that has a focus on bushfire, hazard reduction and bushfire safety. Yet we've worked out that really that is going to be one of the larger threats for this community going into the future and that there is a limited resource available to contract those works and that our cautionary burning program is unlikely to be achieved. Unless we do it. I think it also talks about a council that's willing to listen. And you can see that in the CEO's early comments about the operational plan and the reading of that this year. But also in the way that we've responded to comments from those home posted accommodations. It's a really important aspect that we as representatives of the people do listen.
00:35:00 But for me this budget, I'm going to talk about it as my mother's budget because she had a favourite saying and she said, good things come to all that wait. And there's some things in there in this budget that I've waited a considerable time for. So the one that I'll highlight first is the Coastal Portial Reserve Management Plan. Now that's something that I first advocated as the outgoing chair of the Environment Sector Board in 2014 as a priority. It's something that I've advocated for ever since getting back into council in 2016. And now it definitely is the right time to do it. So it's an excellent initiative in the operational plan that we'll be looking at that very valuable but also highly threatened land between the private residences and the beach. Another one that's in there that hasn't had any airplay as yet is one that I've advocated for a long time.
00:36:00 And that's about looking at ourselves as a destination and a sustainable destination. So there is budget in the operational plan for the development of a destination management framework. Now that is looking at how we manage the success of Noosa. So that the assets, the natural assets that draw people both to live here and to visit here are managed in a way that future generations can enjoy. Now part of that is something I've been advocating for since 2010 which is about getting Noosa a sustainable tourist destination accreditation scheme. And we're aware that the prize that Tourism Noosa won is about winning the best tourist town award was from a destination accreditation company who has given a prize of $25,000 which may help work with us as well as a range of different community and environmental groups to work out how we do make Noosa the paradise it is into the future.
00:37:00 I think the other one that to me has been a little while coming but which is welcome is the increase in the community grants to allow for the first time community groups to apply for things like putting solar on the roof. So extending out to the community the ability to come with us on our journey towards zero emissions and that $50,000 allocation is once again a good indication of the culture of this council is that all these initiatives have received unanimous political support and it's one that shows that we're prepared to look at the future and address the needs. The final one for me has to be the capital works program and the implementing of the walking and cycling strategy. All councillors in this term and a number of them in the last term have advocated for the untaken strategy and it's excellent to see the level of commitment within this budget towards projects. We've seen a large part for example of the $2 million Noos Parade program is really for upgrading the pedestrian and cycling elements on the Parade.
00:38:00 So a $500,000 grant from the state being met by us for pedestrian and cycling. And the bridge renewal on Garstrow Bridge, a significant portion of that is about improving the cycling and pedestrians by extending the width of the bridge. We see that in Cooroy, one of the high impact major projects, there's two projects there that will link to the local private school and that's nearly half a million, $426,000 to get pedestrians and cyclists there as well as another $250,000 for a whole lot of low cost and high impact little projects across the Shire. We also see the implementation of the Noosa Trail Master Plan that arranged organisations and worked with Tourism Noosa and was funded by the Biosphere. We see now that we're investing $1.45 million this time around to upgrade those recreational trail networks.
00:39:00 And I think that's excellent to demonstrate that yes, we did spend a significant amount of time developing strategies and this budget is starting to put the rubber on the road. But that's not all. I think what we'll find in budget reviews is we'll start to see that walking and cycling budget increase. We've just heard that we've actually just received another grant from Transport Main Roads, $225,000 to start designing the link over Noosa Hill, so the Noosa Drive pathway upgrade. And we'll be matching that, which will have to come in the future budget. And also the stimulus program going forward. We've just heard a $4 million state government stimulus program for the next three years. Of the $4 million, I think it's really important to highlight that $828,000 of that is towards pedestrian cycling. So really what we're seeing in all our budget commitments is this focus, this focus on moving to moving people by reducing our emissions, by improving what it is to live in Noosa, at the same time maintaining it as a great place to visit.
00:40:00 So I commend all my colleagues in terms of the unanimity in which all these initiatives have been put forward and supported. And also, as we always do, acknowledge that the resulting low impact on the general rate pay, beyond the minimum general rate, is something that demonstrates that we understand that while we want to achieve a lot for our community, we don't want to make it unaffordable to live here. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: Thank you and good morning. To all the online listeners, the Mayor, the Councillor, CEO and the staff. I acknowledge the Kabi Kabi people on whose land we meet and honour leaders past, present and emerging.
00:41:00 Thank you, Clare, for your excellent budget summary. You inspire trust and engender hope for a wonderful future. The Noosa Shire Council 2021-22 budget has been developed with careful consideration. With commitment to prudence, with careful spending, giving priority to value for money while meeting expectations of our people. With no compromise to delivery of services, keeping in mind the budget has been prepared amidst a global worldwide pandemic, which has fundamentally changed us and the way in which we live and respond to an ever changing world. I am proud to deliver, and along with the Mayor and the other Councillors, deliver a bold and brave budget,
00:42:00 centred on the needs of our community in mind, with a collaborative approach. We have listened, we have been responsive and with transparency embedded our community's aspirations into this budget. A quote from Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi says, I suppose leadership at one time was about muscle, but today it means getting along with people. The spirit of solidarity for common good has been tested. Our ability to manage uncertainty is forged daily, as together we move forward with hope, with a sense of unity to build trust and excellence during unprecedented times. Today the Council has responded to a COVID snap lockdown, which was declared yesterday,
00:43:00 and moved with agility to deliver the 2021-22 budget information to our community, using the online technology available, while remaining within the COVID restrictions, yet providing the outcome required at this time. This in itself engenders hope into our community, that this Council can respond with good governance. The journey ahead is full of challenges. We must however remain determined, dedicated and act with a sense of urgency as elected leaders, to ensure the wellbeing of our community is nurtured, especially our most vulnerable members, essential workers and families, who remain without access to affordable housing within our Shire. The budget spreads across key areas of infrastructure, community, the environment and the economy.
00:44:00 Targeting a $153 million budget, which includes Council's biggest ever capital works program, with more than $16 million to spend on waste management, and the introduction of a minimum $10 million budget, the Council's levy bushfire resilience levy, payable by all properties in the Shire, to fund a 100% increase in initiatives such as hazard burns, fire trail maintenance, rural fire brigade emergency response operations. The community also benefits from $16 million to operate community facilities, and provide community services. We have listened and we have responded to the needs in our community at this time. The heritage levy has seen an increase. However, as yet, has not fully recovered to the level it was prior
45 minutes in ¶
00:45:00 to the COVID deficit budget of 2020-2021. It is noted that arts, culture and heritage play a significant role in shaping local and cultural identity. The arts influence the economic and social viability of our communities. They sustain future practices, practice and expression of our artists and performance, both locally and at a national level. Arts provide opportunities for individuals and groups to generate civic pride and support communities to form a strong and distinct shared identity. Engagement with First Nations artists supports economic empowerment, cultural innovation and entrepreneurship programs, which grows capabilities and investment across a range of social and environmental areas. Commitment to the arts, alongside community and economic development, contributes to a connected, safe and happy community,
00:46:00 able to be ambitious for itself in reaching their potential. The $987,000 is committed to continue and expand the annual community grants program. Which gives us an investment into the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors alike to the region, with funding of $2.52 million allocated to the ongoing tourism promotion of the Shire. The Noosa Economic Development Grant Program has been allocated to continue the implementation of the Local Economic Plan, contributing to the goal of building resilience, diversity, and a good future into the Noosa economy. The budget reflects Council's commitment to building capacity for a secure and resilient Shire. Supporting people through the uncertainties of COVID-19,
00:47:00 in an effort to align the social, economic and environmental aspirations of our community, which we have listened to, to deliver sound, accountable and transparent, financial management. In conclusion, the delivery of this budget would not have been made possible without community engagement, the expertise and assistance of Council staff, the Mayor, the CEO and my fellow councillors. A note of thanks to Michael Shea and his team for their specialised contribution and commitment to the delivery of this budget, of which we can all be proud. Together, we strengthen communities. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Thank you all. Thank you all, councillors. Thank you all, councillors. It is really an honour to work with you all. And thank you for your very inspiring speeches.
00:48:00 I didn't think the budget could be inspiring, but I just made it inspiring. So thank you. I'll move that standing orders be resumed. Do I have a seconder? Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. All in favour? That's unanimous. Thank you. We are now back to page 32 of our agendas. There are a number of motions. I believe there's been a slow amendment to motion one. So I will read that one out. And then I'll just go through all the others. So please go forward. Speaker 2: Adoption of 2021-22 budget. And then I'll just go through all the others. Requested by the council. Resolution one. The pursuant to section 104 of the Local Government Act 2009 and section 170 of the Local Government Regulation 2012. The budget for financial year ending 30 June 2022, incorporating statements of income and expenditure, financial position, cash flow, changes in equity, long-term financial forecast,
00:49:00 revenue statement and revenue policy. And 2021-22. And the Noosa Council 2021-22 budget document provided as attachment one to this special meeting report dated 30 June 2021 be adopted, and this is the addition, subject to the correction of an error in the Noosa Council's 2021-22 budget document, page eight, rates and charges, comparison to replace the words, fire management levy, bushfire resilience and response level levy. Thank you. Do I have a, I'll move motion one for the seconder. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. All in favour? Unanimous. Thank you. Do I have a mover for motion two?
00:50:00 Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Seconded by Councillor Lorentson. All in favour? Thank you. Motion three. Thank you, Councillor Wegener. Seconded by Councillor Stockwell. Thank you. All in favour? Thank you. Motion four on page 36 of the agenda. Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. Seconded by Councillor Jurisevic. Thank you. All in favour? Motion five on page 37. Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Seconded by Councillor Finzel. All in favour? Thank you. Motion six on page 37. Do I have a mover? Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. Seconded by Councillor Wegener. All in favour? Mayor Stewart: Thank you.
00:51:00 Motion eight on page 37. Speaker 2: I beg your pardon. Motion seven on page 37. Thank you, Councillor Jurisevic. Seconded by Councillor Wilkie. All in favour? Thank you. Motion nine on page 37. Mayor Stewart: Do I have a mover? Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Seconded by Councillor Wilkie. Thank you. All in favour? Mayor Stewart: Motion 10. Do I have a mover? Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Seconded by Councillor Wilkie. Thank you. All in favour? All in favour? Motion 10. Do I have a mover? Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Seconded by Councillor Wilkie. All in favour? Motion 11. Thank you, Councillor Wegener. Seconded by Councillor Finzel. Thank you. All in favour? Motion 12 on page 38. Do I have a mover?
00:52:00 Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Seconded by Councillor Finzel. All in favour? All in favour? Thank you. Motion 13. Do I have a mover? Motion 13. Councillor Stockwell. Thank you. Seconded by Councillor Lorentson. Thank you. All in favour? Mayor Stewart: Thank you. Carried unanimously. All in favour? Thank you. We are now up to item four on page 43 of the agenda. Statement of estimated financial position for the 2020-21 financial year. Speaker 2: We have, is Trent online? Mayor Stewart: Michael's here if you have any questions. Speaker 2: Are there any questions for Michael? All in favour? All in favour?
00:53:00 Speaker 2: All in favour? Fair. All in favour? All in favour? All in favour? Councillor Jurisevic: So just to commence that in a difficult COVID year where our estimated financial position is at this point in time, certainly some recovery from the original position of a $1.8 billion deficit to about half that at this time and hopefully the estimated result at the end of the year will be even better than that. So a credit to staff for the recovery and the resilience of the Noosa region in being able to recover their financial position at this time. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Bruce. Would anyone else like to speak to this? No? All in favour? Carried unanimously. Mayor Stewart: Last item on the agenda is on page 46, organisational structure. I believe our Director of Executive Services, Deb Yetsey, is online. Does anyone have any questions for Deb?
00:54:00 Speaker 2: Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Wilkie: Just for the benefit of those in my... Are you listening in? Are there any changes to the organisational structure, significant changes to the structure from the former, the current financial year? Speaker 1: Well, we have a number of new temporary positions, which I'll just put my video on as well. Sorry about that. We have a number of new temporary positions that we've identified that we need to be able to support us in implementing the very big... having a response from the saree wats program that we have going forward, being successful with a lot of grants. But also to assist us with increasing workloads for example in our development approval area and the numbers of applications that we're receiving and also to meet our statutory timelines as well.
00:55:00 So there's a few areas like that. The other is that we've had some temporary positions which have been ongoing for a number of years, which we've now identified that there's an ongoing need for, We've identified them in the attachments to the report as we're going to convert them from temporary to permanent and an example of that would be a role within the economic development area which has been temporary for a number of years. It was initially set up as a project position which we've now realised that we need in an ongoing way so those types of positions have increased the establishment and they're detailed in the appendices to the report. Speaker 2: Thank you, Deb. Any further questions? I do. Councillor Wainwright. Councillor Wegener: Yeah, just a comment. I'm very happy to see the executive team meeting so often and we've been discussing the importance of maintaining a vision, a collective vision amongst all the heads of departments and with the councillors.
00:56:00 And I'm especially happy that Larry, the new head of department, is here with us today. He's here because he's a real team player and I think that that's going to bring a real addition to the entire executive team. So, thank you. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Wainwright. Any other questions for Deb? Would anyone like to move this staff recommendation? Councillor Finzel, thank you. Seconder, Councillor Wilkie, thank you. Would you like to speak to this, Councillor Wainwright? Okay. Councillor Finzel, would you like to speak to this? Sorry, just wait one second.
00:57:00 I can't. Can you hear me? Councillor Finzel: We can hear you now. Thank you. I'd just like to comment that I think the added benefits of the increased staff to support the workload that's been generated through the contribution of funds from other levels of the staff. We're looking forward to the organisation becoming resilient and be able to meet the capacity to deliver the huge number of projects. And I support this motion and the changes recommended to provide more staffing in the areas required. So, thank you. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Would anyone else like to speak to this recommendation? Yes, Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Wilkie: Yep. I think it's important to do. To state that the purpose of this council has been to ensure that maximum resources are spent out in the community.
00:58:00 And we have a record capital works program this year. And all that money has been spent . But the community, see, we do need to increase the capacity of staff to deliver that increased investment in community infrastructure projects. So, that's, it's well merited. Councillor Wilkie: The other telling factor is that we've been able to do that while keeping rates rises at or below CPI. If there was a blowout in the rates to deliver these projects. But the fact that we've been able to keep the funds to act by CPI, by delivering a record number of capital projects, I think is a healthy indicator. And indicates that also in compliance with the increased demand, freedom of information, and governance in regards to the Belcarra reforms.
00:59:00 I think there is a greater demand on finance aspects of council as well. Councillor Wilkie: To be able to meet those demands for a record capital works project, keep rate rises to one point, shows that we have actually been quite disciplined in this regard. Speaker 2: Thank you, Council Wilkie. Anyone else like to speak to this? Council Stockwell. You're on mute, Council Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Most people think that's a good thing. Yes. . I think it's important to acknowledge that yesterday when I was listening to the radio, Noosa's got the highest growth rate in the state. Over the last year, we've seen a huge influx. And so, as mentioned by the Director, part of the increased staff numbers is to respond to what is a very busy development control and assessment area.
60 minutes in ¶
01:00:00 But it's not just that. We've also seen a huge growth over recent years in the use of private residences for short-stay accommodation. And one of the new positions that was mentioned by the Director is actually the compliance of our new short-stay local law. So it's important that when we do look at creating new positions, that we can justify it in terms of need. And that one, I think, the clear question will be, after six months of implementing the by-law, is whether we have enough staff to meet the need. And that's something that local governments didn't traditionally do. You know, it is really a role for Queensland Police, but because of a range of other societal factors, it's way down the priority list. So our community in pockets is suffering from late-night noise and partying. Another one is, obviously, the new position in terms of addressing what is the threat of bushfire.
01:01:00 So our new bushfire recovery and resilience team. And that has one new position to head it up and to build completely. So that, to me, is another new role that I think can really justify in terms of where we're heading and a pressing need, I suppose, for this community. So, to me, it's important when we do look at increasing the size of the organisation that we do so in a way that says, OK, are these really priorities or are they nice to-dos? And if we were to go down the track of nice-to-dos, it would be substantially more staff than we've shown in the current budget. And, to me, it is just another one of those reflections that this council has been willing to address the needs for the future and to make sure that what we do invest in is in the benefit of the whole community. Speaker 2: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell.
01:02:00 Does anyone else like to speak and start with an introduction? No? We'll put it to- Speaker 3: Councillor Finzel, please. Speaker 2: Councillor Finzel, would you like to reply? May I reply? You're on mute, Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: I just think that everything has been said has covered it adequately. And thank you to everyone for their contribution. Speaker 2: Thank you. Thank you, everyone. We'll put this to a vote. All in favour? Mayor Stewart: That's unanimous. Thank you. There are no other items on the agenda. Speaker 2: I'd just before we close again like to thank all our councillors who are coming in via Zoom for their patience and their adaptability today. I'd like to thank the executive team for being on board too. Mayor Stewart: And I'd like to thank Brett and Michael and especially Kylie who set up all of this and did all the heavy lifting to enable us to all. I'm just sorry, as I said, that we couldn't be together today. So I officially declare there are no other items on the agenda and I declare this meeting