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General Committee Meeting - 14 February 2022 Transcript

Monday 14 February 2022 · 4 hours 14 minutes of recording · 2,945 lines · 17 voices, 7 named

This is a machine transcript of council's recording, produced by automatic speech recognition and not checked line by line against the video. Councillor and place names are corrected where a human has approved the correction; everything else is what the model heard. Quote the recording, not this page — every timestamp below opens council's own video at that second. Recording © Noosa Shire Council; the transcript is ours, made from it so the meeting can be searched and read.

Speakers: the machine separated 17 voices and names 7 of them — only where the recording itself establishes who it is (they introduced themselves, were called on by name, or their voice matches meetings where they were). The others stay “Speaker N”. Hover a name to see why it is there.

Start of recording

00:00:00

00:00:00 Councillor Wilkie: Okay, we're on. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the General Committee meeting of Monday, 14th of February, Valentine's Day, as we've just been reminded. There's a few male councillors kicking themselves under the table. We have no apologies. If we have someone to confirm the minutes, please, for the General Committee meeting held on 17th of January, 2022. I'd like to begin with the acknowledgement of the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, which is the Kabi Kabi or Kabi Kabi people, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. We have no presentations, but we do have a deputation this morning from David McCready, Gertz von Schweinfurt, Jan David. The topic is 30 to Lambie Street. 30 to Lambie Street Zoning to Environmental Management and Conservation Zone. And that is in the report, Director General, on page 5 of the General Committee agenda, for those

Deputation: DAVID MCCREADY, GOETZ VON SCHWEINFURTH & JAN DAVEY

▶ 00:00:47

00:01:00 who are following this at home. Welcome. Mr. McCready, you have... Speaker 10: Welcome. Thank you. And we're all ears. Okay, thank you for allowing us in your time to present. Our idea is essentially an opinion of the community. You know, deputation would be for myself, but it's inherently reasonable and... Description of the description gives the case for some reason. Presenting as the board of the Wildlife Corridor in Coimbaru, the purpose is to maintain the council, this deputation is about maintaining block 30, the land is turned into parts by its heart industry, the ability to zone in its open space recreation, environmental management, this is about non-consolidating that piece of space. We have seen that the officials and the people present upon this matter, these and their comments signify the feeling we develop so quickly in a region where people were first disbelieving in their names about the prospect of losing a piece of land they longed to include in their hearts.

00:02:00 Towards the end of last week I had many details and wonders put forward in this meeting, however the substance of the council and the development report just removed the necessity to cover much of that actual point. We commend those reports. Thank you. In addition, we will seek though to remove, to move towards some form of dedication in block 30 and 32 so that they do not remain as nearly freehold and ready for some possible stint in the Shire Council. Given the statement of dedication by the council, it would add to the apparent intentions of the original council who decided that blocks 30 and 32 would be the entrance to the park. Speaker 2: In the light of events, when asked, Speaker 10: without such matters might be handled in the future in a better manner.

00:03:00 This process of defending that which we took for granted has not been without its stressings that we had. We think that we were to accept and reprint what we had. I'm sure the whole of the plans would have been hurt. No one was approached. No one knew. All became aware of the events over four weeks and years and years. These things have been on the public and along for years and years and yet no one knew. It's a record. The significant council of media and advertising has out for some time regarding the 2020 misdemeanor changes. But no one on the plane had any inkling that there was a change affecting the region. There was no sign. There was no board. Why would they think that? There was no sign. There was no board. It's not nuts. Speaker 2: When you're inquiring. Speaker 10: But you had zero response when you're inquiring. This is not a requirement of material change and use to issue. This is not a requirement of material change and use to issue. To consult with neighbors around the site. You're right. There's no need to advertise the sports around the site. Nobody experienced any of that. And we'd like to understand why.

00:04:00 We've been in Parkland for 14 years. We've been in Parkland for 14 years. And there was no inkling or reason for this change. There was no change. In the reports we would argue that the detail lacks in the local process might be part of that improvement, and this process might be part of that improvement in the future. Science would be an automation of observation, recording, and introduction. Locals are the best practitioners of observation. No one asked the stream about its hydrology. It was estimated. No one asked locals about wild fox behaviour. No one asked the stream about coralisites. Nobody sought to do an automation on flora. The community frankly feels it's a lot to be part of. The community has thought that this job has been passed on for years. The community has used this space and increasingly regarded the park as being of great importance to them and the area. The trees have matured. Gets made new on Shrineport. Now I'd like to introduce Gets on Shrineport to speak about the animals.

00:05:00 Councillor Wegener: Hi Gets! Speaker 2: good morning Councillor Wegener: good morning good morning Councillor Lorentson: hi Gets Speaker 2: thank you Just upping 5 knows us Not laundry Oh All the information, as you all know, the area of Queensland has been a very good classroom environment, we know that. Very little has ever been used to assist them. We talk a lot, but nothing is in practice. But I've been in touch with Queensland Coral Crusaders from the Times, she's the president. We also have Priscila Goodman, she's a lawyer, and she's written a beautiful book called The Mistletoe Islands. It's the most well-known German one. She's also on the tour, and she was on board of the Mistletoe Islands. We have also on page 26 on the vegetation management report.

00:06:00 It says clearly, core koala habitat. In this part it's like an oasis. You've got a beautiful ecosystem. You've got tortoises, waterfowl. Which is fed by the water, which runs actually off the moats. Karen Brady: And it's got trees on it, koala trees. Speaker 2: There's a little group of koalas, there's seven koalas there right now. Now they come across the road every now and again, especially when the mating season's on. The Minister of Council talks of considerable money and putting up lettuce worms. They go around and point towards waiting. See all these posts. They were put up by your council. Which is great. There's a koala's moose. They're not going to get up so quickly on this road. There's another one going on a moose's spoon. There's a big hotel. Another koala in the area. The koalas are desperate to get away from this whole thing. This part is the main traffic way, because they actually follow along this path.

00:07:00 And they go to the top and down to Claiborne. And they are. I know this for a fact, because we've seen sightings of koalas that have been seen in the last 24 months. All have actually been caught crossing the road and behind coals. When the mating season's on, they move fast. And it's so terrible that this crop is in this little group, because it just doesn't do justice to the future preservation of our koala. And I'm going to talk about the other animals. I work with every animal. And I've got a very good network of large koalas. I work with seven wildlife professionals. And they are all very concerned. Because if this goes ahead, we are in big trouble. And this is a beautiful system. And it should be a system not interfered with in any way. It's a small area. People love it. And they love the wildlife that lives there. And they just call on the coals for us.

00:08:00 This is all about common sense and preserving our future wildlife for our future generations. And there are pretty big, short koalas in our area. And I know every koala area that lives on International Park and some other sections. Because I do it every day. That's my life. And I'm more than happy to show your wildlife people. Because I've always said this. Your wildlife people and the environment we live in is very important. They should come out and talk to us on the grassroots weekly. We don't get paid. We are there passionately working out the wildlife. Helping and assisting and even lecturing to achieve results to preserve our environment. And I just want to make that very clear. And the international situation is involved too. Because I live in the ocean. Since I was a consumer. I'm born in the Netherlands. I live in Africa. And I was born in the United States. We are all trying to help the Koala community, and we are all trying to help the Koala community to move alone and make sure all that's worked together as a team can make sure we get to the front line and bring together the Koalas.

00:09:00 Thank you very much. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, guys. Karen Brady: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and councillors, my name is Karen Brady, and I am the coordinator for Shire Council for New York City. I have been to New York on many occasions, and I want to go here the rest of the year for my own self-care and fitness account as well. I'm here because I'm a wicked surrogate, and the work that I practice here is a work of art. It's a way to carry through my contract, and I'm getting it to Australia, and I'm using this part. Where have we gone?

00:10:00 It's been 10 years. It's been 10 years. When our trees were stopped by it, and there was a little red. Today, when I arrived, there was a lot of noise. The noise was from males trying to talk to their females, and having a little bit of a boogie. They were supposed to be babies. Speaker 2: And a lot of the rest of them were on. Karen Brady: It's about three, four, five, six months to the present time. You can't wait for their movement. The child's up north. You can't wait for your son. And Northern Territory. When they give birth, it's a time of the year. In fact, the females die first. And then the males, like all males, like the other girls. At the moment, it's a bit of a boogie, because the boys are saying to each other, come on, don't you bug me. Let's get close. I'm a little bit concerned about the two blocks being, having their trees removed.

00:11:00 There are some very important trees in the child's box. For example, this is Silphia. And that is very important for the female child's box, one of which was pregnant in the last month. Most of the trees the child's box is going for have an nectar of 58 to 20, 58 to 20% prokaryotes or more. Karen Brady: And it takes 50 years for a tree to grow enough to produce that for the child's box. And with the right kind of output, there's two blocks. Karen Brady: The base of the third album is going to be right next to the one for the colony. Now, they might shout while the bats are away. But when the bats return, I don't think they're going to be very happy people. And I think councillors are going to have to be a little bit worried as to what they're going to do. Because up until now, people have been banging sticks around the house. They've got sticks and drums and everything else to try and get them to move.

00:12:00 They are moving to our area because we, as humans, have taken down their trees further away. And before the fire in 2019, I think it was, our job is to go around and help councillors get rid of all the dead animals, dead bats, from all the parks and bushes and people's boxes. They work with them up through the graves. They starve. They're starving to death. And they're going to continue to starve to death unless we stop removing their trees Speaker 2: and giving them some peace. Karen Brady: They're also dying from starvation. They're actually fat. Fifty percent of bats die of heat stress in one day. The reason? The colonies are not there anymore. So it's more than calling it in. A colony is a colony. A colony is there and there's no vegetation for them to get under the shade.

00:13:00 And this is going to continue on and on. And if we continue to take all their trees down and remove all their vegetation, we will lose the bats, gracefully. And as Dr Nurse Hall said, if I work with that well, it's a must away. Once that starts, we've got ten years to go before we lose all our trees. Karen Brady: Five bucks a year. Five bucks a year. They go around and pollinate the trees. And science proves that the nectar produced from eucalyptus is at 1am in the morning. That's when the birds are going to sleep and the bees are going to sleep. Use the bat, use the tree. Simple as that. I pray that you will think carefully about getting that site removed in those trees. Because I think it will cause a lot of problems in the future. Speaker 10: Thank you. Thank you, Jay. I'm coming back.

00:14:00 Starting back those two minutes? Yeah. Okay. Councillor Wilkie: You want to summarise, Dave? Speaker 10: Yeah. We've got a minute and a half, I believe. Petitions have been taken in support of our case. Five of the six councillors, the time has come out. How many? How many people have been put into the block with us, walk around and do us a vent? Speaker 10: All four councillors have spoken to us by phone, they've taken emails, are back and have kept up with details of the case and have responded. And we've responded back to them often. Should there be any relevant issues with our planning, we stand ready to address it. Please redress this piece only. Please return the block 30 to open the space for recreation and environmental management. Please ensure that the blocks 30 and 32 are not again considered for a material change of use, as they recently were.

15 minutes in

00:15:00

00:15:00 You have the chance here to be a say on the right side of history. The grass was a disaster, perhaps not a new maker, but it was on real life. This must bear on all of the minds. In 30 years, people might report the council who preserved this wonderful urban asset. It's up to you now. And I did read Mayor Stewart's comments and take it every day, applauding the wonder of Noosa and why people like the place so much. I think we all have to keep that in mind at all times. It's hard doing the job you're doing, but Noosa is known around the world for its biosphere, its environment, its natural nature. As I said to a few of you when I first came from Cooling to Noosa up that road, there was not a house between Cooling and Noosa. That's what we do. That's what humans do. We sit on land.

00:16:00 We spread. And we clear. It's devastating. We have to just try to stop and then hold back. We maintain what it is that we love about the place. If I have any time left, I don't think I do. I'm going to ask a question. Other than that, thank you very much. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, David, Jan and Gertz. We'll think very, very carefully about what you said during your excellent presentation. And the item will be discussed more fully later on this morning if you'd like to watch online. And just to let you know that any decisions made today, any motions passed today will have the status of recommendations going to the ordinary meeting on Thursday night where they're there and then they'll be passed as resolutions of local government. Speaker 10: Great. Thank you. Thank you, David. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Gertz. Thank you, Jan. Thank you, councillors. That brings us to item one on the agenda, which is an item referred from the Planning and Environment Committee, which is planning applications decided by delegated authority. From page 67 from the Planning and Environment Committee agenda.

00:17:00 Are there some conflicts of interest? Speaker 3: Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, Councillor Stewart, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the application by Alton Constructions in item 31, NCU20-0150.1. I have a personal friendship with Leah Broad McCready, who are associated with the applicant as a result of my conflict of interest. I will now leave the meeting room while this matter is considered and voted on. I'll turn off my computer, the audio and the camera, and then I'll wait for the Minister CEO to text me when I'm back in. Thank you.

00:18:00 Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Mayor Stewart. Councillor Finzel? Speaker 10: You're on mute. Councillor Wilkie: You're on mute, Karen. Councillor Finzel: Thank you, Frank. Thank you. Councillor Frank. I, Karen Finzel, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the application by Alton Constructions in item 31, NCU20-0150.1. In relation to Leah McCready, who is associated with the applicant, was involved in a volunteer capacity with my 2020 election campaign, where I was one of the candidates that ran this group known as Future Noosa. Which is no longer an entity. As a result of my conflict of interest, I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted upon. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Finzel.

00:19:00 Councillor Stockwell? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: You're on mute. I'm on mute, Brian. Okay. It's obvious to be clear that I haven't prescribed conflict of interest in this matter and to follow. So I'm going to leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted upon. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Okay. Councillor, we have a motion before us to ratify this. Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Development applications made under delegated authority.

00:20:00 We have someone to move that, please. Move, Councillor Wegener. Second. Second, Councillor Lorentson. Any discussion? All in favour? Carried. The council has been invited back in, please. Thank you. Welcome back, everyone. The next item is the Delegation of Authority Annual Review from the Services and Organisation Committee Agenda, item 1, page 4. It's been referred here due to the significance of the issue. Welcome back, Karen. We're on item 3 on the agenda, which is the Delegation of Authority for the Annual Review, referred from the Services and Organisation Committee Agenda.

00:21:00 It's item 1 on page 4 of that agenda, and it's been referred here due to the significance of the issue. And, Councillors, do you have any questions for staff? Councillor Lorentson: Yes, Amelia. No questions for staff. More just confirmation of discussions that I've had with governance and with the CEO in regards to some issues. I was wondering if there was an opportunity for a review or discussion about delegated authorities. I think there are some decisions that are made by council offices that possibly should be made by councillors. Things that might be strategic or may have some political decisions. I think there are some decisions that shouldn't be immune from public scrutiny and I'd love a discussion not to deter or detract the powers, I think the powers as they sit are absolutely correct, but I was hoping that there could be a discussion about triggers or thresholds.

00:22:00 At what point should the CEO refer the decision for a council decision? In particular, things that concerned me was we've just, for example, ratified some delegated powers, delegated decisions, and one of those decisions was 19 additional units. To me, that's significant and I would have loved the opportunity to have that discussed in council chambers. Do you want an answer for that? Yes, so again, just other issues that are raised in terms of extension of currency periods, again, lessons learned from Grass Tree Court, even under our superseded planning act, opportunities to be involved in criteria, assessment criteria.

00:23:00 So I would just like confirmation of our discussion that there is an intent of council to facilitate a workshop. With the councillors, where we can discuss in an open forum those triggers and thresholds. Speaker 8: Sure. Thank you, Councillor Hay. To take it back, the delegations of authority that we've got on the table in front of us today are really just a requirement extension. Slight amendments as things change over time. So my advice is that we accept these delegations as they currently are because there's not dramatic change or anything in there that we don't consider. But I also do take the point that now as council, in the job now for two years, and have seen a number of things come through and planning is certainly a contentious issue in all councils, but particularly in Noosaville, is that the opportunity to go back and look at those delegations of authority and actually support the officers more so at that point is to give them more clarity as to where and when.

00:24:00 I think it's a really good opportunity and a good idea. Now we all understand it a lot better and we have the time to do it. So I'm absolutely advising that we accept the delegations as they currently exist today. But we then create ourselves a workshop going forward. And we've got time to actually consider them and consider the ramifications. Because the issue is if you start picking one, then it has on-flying effects if we're not careful, if we don't know. So to do it in this forum may have that issue. So I'm suggesting that we go, accept these, then go away and do a much more thorough investigation. So we can put the ones that you've got on the table, the ones that you're concerned about, put them on the table, think them through, work them through, see what the issues, the ramifications, how we might deal with them in a more . Councillor Wilkie: Just to draw out some of the points that Councillor Lorentson made in that question.

00:25:00 Kerry Coyle, if you're present, could you give us some idea of some of the triggers that are already in existence for when development applications are brought before the council rather than handled under delegated authority, please? Speaker 4: Sure, Council. So currently there are some exceptions to the delegation. So matters that must come before council for a decision. They include a range of things. And they're listed in the report to council on the applications decided during November and December last year. But they essentially are an application for a variation request under the Planning Act. And that application is not one we see very often. That's one where people seek to actually vary the planning scheme and set up its own little mini planning scheme for the planning scheme. The second one is where there's an application where there's substantial non-compliance in the planning scheme.

00:26:00 So stated overall outcome or a higher provision scheme. Refusals of council. They're not delegated to officers. They need to come to council for a decision. And requests for representations or changes for a matter that council has previously considered must come before council. An application for a proposed development that's of significant community interest. So that might include a significant or prominent site or an application that's received a number of submissions to the proposal. Now there is an overrider in the delegations to that. When the Planning Act was introduced in 2017, the Planning Act introduced the ability for applications to be submitted to the proposal. And there is an overrider in the delegations to be deemed approved if the matter was not decided within the timeframe. So all code accessible applications have the ability to be deemed approved unless council decides within the timeframe.

00:27:00 So if there's a risk of an application being deemed approved, officers still have the delegation to decide the matter. So in the instance, I think council has mentioned one that's listed in the delegations for a unit development, which is a sizeable development on Noosa Road. That was decided by delegation because it was at risk of being deemed approved. So the applicant would not agree to an extension to the timeframe in order for it to be reported to council. So it was decided by officers. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions of staff, councillors? Clare? Speaker 3: Thank you, Mr Chair. Larry, just coming back to a process question from what you said. So following on from these workshops, we can revisit this and I guess really get down to nuts and bolts and have a lot further information.

00:28:00 Is there then the opportunity to, on the basis of that workshop, then bring a further report if necessary to council to then decide upon the various delegations? Yes. Or if there's any changes or amendments? Speaker 8: Absolutely, yes. Let's keep that. Speaker 3: Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: We have someone. Joe, you've got your hand up. Sorry. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you, Frank. Yeah, just a question for Kerry. Kerry, what's the current procedure on delegated authority with regard to extensions of timeframes on development applications? Are they brought before council arbitrarily when an extension is requested or are they dealt with at a staff level? Speaker 4: That's a good question. So formally by the delegation, officers have delegation to decide all extensions to currency period. And that's officers are recommending refusal.

00:29:00 So only matters that need to be refused to go to council. Officers have had, though, a practice of referring additional matters to council where they thought it should be decided by a council meeting. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Does someone care to move the motion? Okay. Thank you. Moved by Councillor Lorentson. Seconded by Councillor Stockwell. Amelia, you wish to speak to the motion? No, everything's sued. Thank you. Okay. Any other councillors wish to speak to the motion? Councillor Stockwell? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yeah, I think it's important to recognise that I initially asked you to come to this meeting because we have had representations from one of our community groups seeking that all applications for extension of the time period of development approval should come to council. I don't think that's necessary. But from what we've just, how Kevin Coyle's just outlined there, a manager of development trial, there probably is opportunity when we do this workshop to have a look at what the triggers are.

30 minutes in

00:30:00

00:30:00 And I think the easiest way is just to have the same triggers for those applications to extend the time period to reflect for that those sort of triggers we have in new applications. So include things like if there is a substantial increase in the number of applications for extension of the time period, whether it's non-compliant with the planning scheme, if they've previously been considered by council, perhaps they should be, extension should be considered by council, or if there's significant community interest. We know that the grass-free court development is the issue that really sparked this relating to an extension of the time period back in 2017, and it is one that probably in practice staff have been referring most of the controversial requests for extension up to us. But I think it's one of the things we can look at when we get to this workshop is, do we need to just put a bit more explicit about the triggers? Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Any other councillors would speak? Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah, Frank Pomona. Another question to Kerry.

00:31:00 With regard to timeframe, Kerry, is there a point where an application, an extension for a, a request for an extension to an application has a timeframe limit? Where's the time frame limit? Speaker 4: So, applications for extensions to currency period have to be assessed against the rules in the Planning Act. And the Planning Act is fairly broad speaking. It talks about any relevant matter. But the primary consideration I would suggest is, does the development continue to comply with the current planning scheme and state legislation? Okay. So, that's how you would look at an application that came in for extension and review it against the current planning scheme. Councillor Jurisevic: And if there are significant challenges of the existing application, you'd bring it before

00:32:00 council? Speaker 4: That's right. That's right. There's also other matters. You know, if there's, if the area has significantly changed, which warrant reconsideration of the application. That's another reason why we might put it forward to council. There's a range of issues to look at. It's not just conflict with planning requirements. Thank you, Kerry. Councillor Wilkie: I'll speak to it if I may, Frank. Of course, John. Similar to Brian, I said, and the points raised by Amelia there. Councillor Jurisevic: Look, I think in the main, over the time that I've been on council, the referrals from staff, particularly on planning matters, have been quite good. Although one or two have been raised over that time has been challenging. I look forward to the opportunity for a workshop and a bit of a review on some of the trigger points where we think matters should be brought before council and delegations are looked at in that regard. So I'm happy to support the recommendation for the before us.

00:33:00 Councillor Wilkie: And now the speakers. Councillor Lorentson: Of course. Councillor Wilkie: Come in here. Councillor Lorentson: I just want to commend council and make a little bit of noise about, you know, the commitment to continuous improvement. We talk about it, and I think in front of us today, we're discussing a real opportunity to do things better. And yeah, this is an opportunity of us just to do things better and also let the community know we're actually listening. And there are lessons learnt from lots of legacy decisions and sometimes bad decisions. So just, you know, I'm happy to support that. Thank you to the CEO for bringing this forward to our workshop. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Put the motion those in favour? Councillor Lorentson: Yes? Councillor Wilkie: Sorry Karen, the last, Amelia had exercised her right to speak as the closing speaker.

00:34:00 Missed the opportunity for a question. Sorry about that. All in favour? I'm sorry Karen, I couldn't actually see you. Can you? Councillor Finzel: Yes, Mr Chair. I've got some questions for you. I've got some technical issues with my camera dropping in and out, and I vote for the resolution. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Karen. Thank you. Karen, if we can't see you on screen from now on, can you, if you want to speak, could you just shout out? Of course. The little hand, that little hand symbol doesn't do you justice. Okay. Thank you. When I come to- Thank you, Frank. Thank you. Item 4, which is the Report Director General Committee, which is the Toulambi Street, Noosa Heads, described as locked, 15 RP 129286, Site Investigation for Social Housing, Memorandum of Understanding of Community Housing Provider.

00:35:00 Council, do you have questions for staff? Speaker 5: Okay, Frank, before we start, would you like me to do a brief summary? Councillor Wilkie: Yeah. Yes, Kim, thank you. Speaker 5: So, Kim Rawlings here, and I'm here with Glenn Comforti. Council, just to give you a little bit of an overview, this report to you today is in response to Council's decision at the December 2021 Council meeting, where Council endorsed the Housing Needs Analysis, which identified the significant range of challenges our community is facing with regards to access to housing. At that time, Council also decided to investigate two of its own sites to see if they were feasible for affordable and social housing outcomes. These sites are 32 Toulambi Street, Noosa Heads, and 6 to the Lake McDonnell Drive, Cooroy. The investigations for Lake McDonnell Drive are ongoing and will be reported to Council at another time. However, this report provides the outcomes of the initial investigation for the Toulambi Street site, and based on these findings, recommends Council not proceed with any further investigations on this site for affordable housing.

00:36:00 And in fact, consider that when the Noosa plan is next amended, the site has the Environment Conservation Zone applied to. There are a number of issues that were looked at on this site, including its history, the vegetation and biodiversity, hydrology, landslip, bushfire, proximity and issues related to the Flying Fox Colony and Pinaroo Park, information provided by local residents, the nature of the site, and its value to local residents. The report also seeks Council's consideration to delegate to the CEO to enter into an MAU Coast to Bay Housing Group to collaborate on this well-futured opportunity for some Council members. Council has a long-standing, good-working relationship with Coast to Bay, who are very active in our community, and in fact are about to open an office in Tewantin Main Street, which will be great to have them so close. The report also reinforces that it continues to be very important for Council to continue to explore all opportunities it has to try and address the housing challenges we face.

00:37:00 Speaker 5: This proposed MAU signifies Council's commitment to partnering with Coast to Bay, who are equal to 50 per cent of the total population of Coast to Bay. This proposed MAU signifies Council's commitment to partnering with Coast to Bay, who are equally committed to this issue. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: I have a question, Kim. Thank you. As part of the deputation, Kim, we heard from the residents who felt they were taken a bit by surprise in terms of the proposed change of zoning for the lot. As part of the, well, any, the next amendment process, could the change that's to be proposed be advertised more fully in terms of perhaps a letter to the residents of the surrounding lot? Speaker 5: Yes. What's going on that's not kind of given these happening? Most of the things will be resolved today.

00:38:00 You know, systems, landing, blah, blah, blah, blah. As I said, there's actually only 12 allocated to them because they're sitting in the same space. I'm sorry. Councillor Wilkie: Any staff member who's not taking part of this debate, could you please put your speaker on mute, please? It's quite distracting. Thank you. Sorry, Kim. Sorry. Speaker 5: Yeah. Sorry, Frank. In response to that, yes. Yes, definitely. Absolutely. That can occur. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Any other questions, Councillors? Councillor Lorentson: Kim, the recommendation is to resolve to amend the Noosa Plan 2020 by having 32 Lambie Street included in the environmental management and conservation zone.

00:39:00 Should we be also considering 32? Speaker 5: Councillor Lorentson said that already is, zone, environment management and conservation zone. Councillor Lorentson: Okay. So that's great. Yes, just a couple. Thank you. Thank you. Clare? Speaker 3: Thank you. Kim just a question. As just No. B, Man Manoosa planned to have an Environment Management and Conservation Zone, but our community members who spoke at the deputation talked about open recreation park content. What do you think to go back to that? Can you tell me a bit about that, is that one and the same or how does that differ? Speaker 5: Yeah, sure Claire. We considered that the environment management and conservation zone was more appropriate. It's the environmental zone in terms of the landscape. So we thought that would be more appropriate and offers a potentially greater level of protection.

00:40:00 Speaker 3: So that offers them as equal or better level of comfort if that was to be changed? That's correct. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Councillor, I'd like to move a motion. The motion's on the board. Can we have a seconder for that please? Is that you, Joe? Joe, you're on mute. Councillor Jurisevic: No, I'm not seconding that, Frank. I was. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'm having a second. You're including the D in your motion, are you? Councillor Wilkie: Yes, I am. And we can ask questions as we go along, Councillors. And it can be amended as you see fit. Councillor Jurisevic: Yes, could you just write out D, please? Councillor Wilkie: Yeah, D is invite the federal member for Wide Bay to a round table meeting to discuss the implications of the phase out of the National Rental Assistance Scheme.

00:41:00 Okay. Councillors, we've already had a passionate deputation on this, but in my view, to develop lot 30, when other sites remain for investigation and so many social housing assets in Noosashire remain underutilised, would be to thrust a knife in the heart of much of what Noosaville is instead of honouring what sets us apart from other developed towns and cities. I'm grateful for the staff recommendation to return lot 30 to its environmental management and conservation zoning as part of Pinaroo Park, which is exactly how the community have appreciated this land for decades. This decision respects our community's feedback in the livability survey, which rated environmental protection and management of our open spaces as top priorities. The community has considered it as parkland for many valid reasons, including Council documenting it as such in no fewer than six management plans. In my view, we would be breaching community trust in clearing and building upon it.

00:42:00 Council staff have been actively working with neighbours on lot 30 as part of Pinaroo Park. Social housing is indeed a noble aim, but this is not the most appropriate site. Today's decision is a good one because it brings us one step closer to finding the most appropriate location. Clearing the site for a five-bedroom social housing property would have been even harder to justify, knowing there are at least 150 bedrooms among the 392 social housing properties in Noosashire that are not being occupied. The hard reality is that had this been appropriate, with a privately owned block of land, we would have had difficulty refusing its development on environmental grounds. But as custodian of this publicly owned land, a higher standard must apply. I acknowledge the Town Planning Report downplays the environmental value of the site. The author of the Ecological Values Report, who has a Bachelor of Science in Australian Environmental Studies with a triple major in Ecology, Land and Water, Pollution and Health, has a different view.

00:43:00 On page 8, they describe the site as an ecologically important area under the Noosa Planning Scheme because of its native canopy, mid-canopy composition and continuity with the Pinaroo Park habitat. Meaning, it has value as a buffer zone, protecting the more sensitive adjoining rainforest habitat from elements that could damage and degrade it. Its removal would and could jeopardise the continued health of the surrounding habitat. As stated in the report, the site has difficulties in relation to vegetation, hydrology, bushfire, slate property, and water. So, proximity to a flying fox colony and community ownership of the lot being considered to be part of Pinaroo Park. While I'm deeply grateful the recommendation has been to not develop the site, I worry the principal reason for not developing it appears to be only the inability for a solution to overcome the proximity of the flying fox colony. I appreciate Town Planning criteria have been applied in this sort of impartial and professional assessment of the site's suitability for development.

00:44:00 In my view, there is an equally common problem. There is a compelling argument that Council's publicly stated treatment of the lot as parkland and its value to the community as such should hold greater weight. There is also the issue of the underutilised state social housing assets in the Shire that need to be considered. The five bedroom house plan to provide state funded social housing onto Landy Street needs to be seen in this broader context of the 392 state owned social housing drawings that already exist in the Shire. Of them, 47% are considered large drawings with three or more bedrooms. However, almost 80% were found to be households of only one or two people. 73% are listed in our housing assessments report as under occupied with at least two spare bedrooms. By conservative estimates, this means that there are at least 150 unoccupied bedrooms in social housing properties in Noosa Shire. There were 43 properties found to be with one person living in a three or even four bedroom drawing.

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00:45:00

00:45:00 It is understandable why many would be outraged if we were to clear much loved parkland and depart from all that makes Noosa different for a gain of five social housing bedrooms when at least 150 are currently not occupied or used for similar purposes. Page 15 of the report which talks of the need for action on social housing also mentions the ending of the National Rental Assistance Scheme. This federally funded scheme provides rental properties at 75% of market rate to over 1,000 properties in our region. The advice from a government officer working in housing and homelessness is that there are 870 properties in Sunshine Coast, 18 to 20 in Noosa and 140 in Gympie Shire. This scheme is due to phase out from the end of this year to 2024 and will likely deepen the national housing affordability crisis. These subsidised properties provide a lifeline for the people we are seeking to support, that is working families and individuals.

00:46:00 Because many of Noosa's workers live outside our Shire borders in Gympie and Sunshine Coast, a regional perspective is needed here. Advocacy is also a key role for councils in addressing the social affordable housing issue where appropriate, and that's why Part D is included for your consideration. It is important that we find out more information about this issue before coming to an agreed position. In my opinion, in the lead up to the May federal election, the phasing out of the NRAS scheme is an opportunity for either side of the house to reconsider, replace the scheme, or come up with other options. The parallel with this sort of issue before us today, complex issue before us today, is that instead of it being a careful analysis of wider perspective, benefits and costs, it could easily be distorted and simplified into a false choice between environment and people, or ecological and social outcomes. It's always more nuanced. The clear evidence that social housing outcomes don't have to be at the expense of the environment or the community is the John's Landing project, where council partnered with service providers to assist 90 of the community's most vulnerable living in tents who were given the opportunity of vastly improved safety and health through access to social housing properties and services.

00:47:00 The environment of this riverside lot was preserved from further degradation, is in the process of being improved, and there was only community support for this project. A high benchmark has already been set for this council's involvement in social housing projects, and if we can't always meet that particular benchmark, the least we can do is no harm to the environment or the community. That's why I fully support the decision not to pursue this particular lot for social housing development, and also to take on board the improvements to public notification for amendments to planning schemes, as we heard from affected residents in the deputation. Thank you. Now, questions, councillors, speakers, amendments?

00:48:00 Councillor Lorentson: Can I have questions? Councillor Wilkie: Amelia. Councillor Lorentson: Yeah, I'm just going to go back a little bit, Frank. The area was rezoned from Open Space Conservation 2006 and then it was zoned back to low-density residential in the Noosa Plan 2020. My question is, was an ecological value report undertaken on this site prior to the amendment? Councillor Wilkie: One from the strategic planners. Kim. Speaker 5: Yeah, Councillor Lorentson, from recollection, I would have to check whether there was a specific assessment of this site, but there was definitely an ecological assessment Shire-wide done and amendments made to biodiversity overlay during that process. Based on that ecological assessment, I can't specifically answer at this point

00:49:00 whether or not the ecological assessment identified this site specifically. I would have to take that on notice. Councillor Lorentson: In regards to the ecological values report, and I'm going to start by saying that these questions, again, I keep referencing grass tree development at Sunrise Beach and just for some context, I've been meeting with Ally Sherrod-Smith in the Biosphere, and Ally Sherrod-Smith is putting together an ecological checklist, which I've asked her, just as councillors, we need to know what are the right questions to ask when we're given ecological value reports. So my questions stem from my learnings in this space with Ally Sherrod-Smith, which I give so much credit, and our own Sean in environmental, who's also... who has been in this space. So my first question is the field survey that was undertaken on February the 7th.

00:50:00 Can I ask, was the survey conducted at a single point in the year, February 7th, in the year 2020-2022? So where I'm going with that is how many sampling events were undertaken in this space, and at what times of day, and what months of year, what period of time, and what seasons? Speaker 5: Councillor Lorentson, the survey was undertaken on that day, on the 7th of February, 2022. That was the day the survey was undertaken. Councillor Lorentson: So my concern, and again, this is from my question, sorry. So is there a risk for false negative reporting of species on the site, given that some of the species use the site at certain times of the year, certain times of day, certain seasons?

00:51:00 Maybe a question for Sean. Speaker 5: I'm not sure Sean's online. I'm also not an ecologist. However, these ecologists that we have used, we've used very regularly, provide expert advice to us, and we are very confident in their experience, and ability to assess sites like this accurately. Councillor Wilkie: So the question about whether there may be a risk of a false negative in a one-time site visit, Kim, can be taken on notice? Councillor Lorentson: Yeah, sure. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: And I make these, I'm asking this question, because in reference to some of the observations made in regards to the VATS, ecology is responsive to weather systems and climate.

00:52:00 So again, on notice, I think it's important. Or the question, sorry, I'm going back to the question. Is it possible that the ecological value report may have not identified all the protected species? That's where I'm going with these questions, given that, there's been one survey conducted at a single point in the year, February 22, February 7th, 2020, 22. Speaker 9: Like the body speaking here, councillors, do you want to correct Councillor Lorentson that there was one site inspection? If a full ecological values report was to be undertaken, that would need to do night time inspection. Inspection. Yes. They would do different time of day. They possibly some live cameras or microphones, you know, to ensure, you know, what corner is there on site.

00:53:00 This was an ecological values report to identify the values of this site as a preliminary, We were going to find more detailed and threatened habitat on the site, we could then go and engage further studies of the site, but you are correct in saying that something could be missed because there was one site inspection. Councillor Lorentson: Given that species live beyond the surveyed site, did we actually look at the surrounding habitat and consider whether there were protected species present in the surrounding habitat?

00:54:00 Speaker 9: The ecological values report was engaged to look at the site itself, however it did mention the flying fox and the site having potential foraging habitat for the flying foxes, as did mention some of the koala boom trees there as well. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you very much. Thank you. Questions? Councillor Wilkie: Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: Mr Chair, I'd like to move an amendment. Councillor Wilkie: Yes. Councillor Jurisevic: Adding a clause E. Yep. To read, in accordance with the Noosa Bushland Preserve Strategic Management Plan, prepare an updated management plan for Pinaroo Park and refer the consideration of this to the Councillor Jurisevic: 22-23 budget process. Councillor Wilkie: We have a seconder for that please. Thank you. Councillor Wegener? Joe? Yes.

00:55:00 Paul? Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you, Councillor. Well, having walked through and revisited this site recently, it adds a number of concerns I've had with the site over recent visits. Issues of missing pathway links, aging infrastructure. We've had some water cause complaints. The fact that a bush care group is no longer functional in the area, an opportunity there, Councillor Jurisevic: perhaps with keen neighbours for this block. We've had some water cause complaints. Litter and the lack of vegetation on the car park side, adjoining from the junction side. And the potential of the coals development impact in the future with what has been proposed. I think there are lots of things there that need to be reviewed for the park's future. Now that we're concluding this site is to be parked and passed along the park for the future. Councillor Jurisevic: I think it leads itself to looking at and creating a list of things that need to be reviewed for the park.

00:56:00 The current management plan, I believe, is 2017. I'm not really sure to review anyway. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Joe. If the councillors wish to speak to the amendment. Mayor Clare? Speaker 3: Yes. I support Councillor Jurisevic in this amendment. I'm very grateful for the community members around Talandie Street who took me through the park. I think for a number of times they saw it through their eyes. And if we come back to our livability survey and one of the major things that our community talked about was the preservation and the protection and the enhancement of our open spaces. So I think Councillor Jurisevic's amendment is a very good one and it will seek to be aligned with the majority of our residents who really put that in the livability study as being a priority. So I fully support it. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Stewart. Councillor Wegener? Yeah. Councillor Wegener: I'll support the motion. Pinaroo Park is perhaps underutilized. It's a beautiful place.

00:57:00 I think it's underutilized because of the separation between the coal site and the junction. There's a fence there dividing the park from the public, basically. I see that as a real issue. And I think that we're going to be developing the Bowls Club site and all that area. And I think Pinaroo Park is going to be a real issue. It's going to be an absolute gem in the future. It's going to be fantastic. And I'd love to see more connectivity, better care of the grasslands that are within it. Perhaps it could be watered. Yeah. There's a lot Pinaroo Park can do. It's a gorgeous place. We're very lucky to have it. Councillor Lorentson: I'd like to move another amendment. We've got to deal with this one first. Councillor Wilkie: Oh, excuse me. Yeah. That's all right. Any other councillors wish to speak to the amendment? Joe, do you wish to close? Councillor Jurisevic: Yes. Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. Of course, I failed to mention there the impact of wine boxes in the park that was mentioned from that deputation. Of course, that goes without saying for Pinaroo Park and parks like Walrus Park as well.

00:58:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Councillor Wegener there mentioned the lack of connectivity and issues of safety. Of course, the park is underutilised because of, I think, a lack of action through a management plan. So, I think there's an opportunity here to ensure that we do work with the residents and we do work with the community. We ensure connectivity through the park for wildlife. We're ashamed to lose areas such as this or diminish areas such as this for future generation. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, John. Thank you. I'll put the amendment those in favour. Karen, how do you feel? Yes, in favour. You're in favour? Yes, in favour. That's unanimous. It's carried. It becomes part of the motion. Councillor Lorentson, you wish to move an amendment to the motion? I would. Councillor Lorentson: I'd like to add E, I think, or F. Councillor Wilkie: F. Councillor Lorentson: F. Acknowledge the commitment, dedication, local knowledge and years of volunteering

00:59:00 work from the former Pinaroo Park Community Bushland Care Group and adjacent residents who have assisted with management activities within the reserve, including assisting with the control of environmentally damaging weed species, assisting with re-vegetation of denuded areas by planting local native species, and for providing opportunities for community members to connect and become involved in the management of bushland values of the area. Councillor Wilkie: We have a seconder for that. Please. Councillor Finzel: Yes, happy to second. Councillor Wilkie: Seconded by Councillor Finzel. Councillor Lorentson: I think it's important to acknowledge the emotional toll that this matter has taken on the community. Neighbouring and surrounding residents have been distressed over the proposal for social housing on land that has been managed and cared for by residents and volunteer community groups. This is land, and we heard this in the deputation earlier, but this is land that for nearly

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01:00:00

01:00:00 40 years has been assumed parkland. Land that has remnant habitat and koala habitat. My amendment seeks to acknowledge, thank and respect the care and management residents and volunteer groups have invested in the park area. My amendment also seeks to recognise the importance of public participation and local knowledge in decision making. No one knows a child better than their mother. So too, no one knows Pinaroo Park better than its custodians, the community. It's regretful that this source of knowledge was not tapped into. Gets von Schweinfurth, a resident in Safari Street, who we heard earlier, is a trained animal rescuer. Megan Halveston, an expert on koalas. Jan Davey, another local, also an animal rescuer, engaged in the area of flying foxes. Again, someone we heard earlier this morning. Allie Sherrod-Smith, I made reference to her ecological expertise.

01:01:00 Diana McCready, a horticulturist. And David McCready, an engineer. Noosa Council is committed to genuine consultation and community engagement. Our staff and all of our councillors are also committed to this. But we are also committed to doing things better. Tapping into this source of local knowledge is something, in my opinion, we can do better. Public participation and local knowledge is at the heart of our work. It's at the heart of inclusive decision making. Or said another way, our residents need to be at the heart of every decision we make. I hope you support my amendment that acknowledges the commitment, dedication, local knowledge and use of volunteering work of the former Pinaroo Park Community bushland group and adjacent residents, in particular David and Diana McCready, who have assisted with management activities within the reserve. Thank you.

01:02:00 Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: And I'm going to use David McCready's words, and this is what I've learned by listening to our community. This is legacy stuff, and his words this morning in the deputation, let's be on the right side of history, and I really want to be on the right side of history. I hope you support this amendment. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Morrison. Have the councillors wished to speak to the amendment? Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: Look, I fully support what Councillor Morrison has added in that amendment. I'd also like to acknowledge, and I think I'll tweet this afterwards, the local Noosa Rotary groups have been responsible for managing and undertaking activities in the park to facilitate options for flagrant and the like over the years.

01:03:00 So I appreciate the 12 kids coming along. The way, shapes and forms that have been involved in shaping Noosa over the years, and in particular here in Finneroo Park. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Joe. Amelia, you wish to close? No, thank you. Put the amendment, those in favour? Speaker 5: Yes. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, that's unanimous. That becomes part of the motion, and only one councillor has spoken to the original motion. Other councillors wish to speak to the motion? Mayor Clare? Speaker 3: Thank you. Thank you, Mr Chair. As this report says, as of December 2021, at the ordinary council meeting, we resolved to endorse the housing needs assessment, which outlined the current housing challenges we are facing in Noosa. From that report, two council-owned properties were identified as sites to investigate for use for social housing outcomes. The site subject to this report forms one of those. The site has constraints in relation to vegetation, hydrology, bushfire slope, and a feeling of

01:04:00 community ownership as part of Finneroo Park. I've been over the site, and I want to thank the community members and neighbours for showing myself and Councillor Finzel, who is with me, around the site and sharing their concerns. They gave their time, their energies and their thoughts, and I'm very grateful for their efforts. I acknowledge the toll that this has taken on the residents, and to quote one resident, this has been the worst three weeks of my life. I am truly sorry for that. I concur with the staff recommendation and agree with the findings, and I support that the Noosa Plan 2020 is amended to ensure that 32 Landby Street is included in the environmental and conservation zone. I appreciate that this will give the neighbours and residents much comfort. Although this site isn't suitable, and I acknowledge and support that, we as a council must continue on in our pursuits to do all that we can in providing affordable social worker accommodation to our residents. As this report suggests, and I fully support it, the preparation of a memorandum of understanding

01:05:00 with Coaster Bay Housing Group will go far to enhance and partnership with this community housing provider to collaborate with us on delivering social housing in the Shire. This partnership will explore social housing outcomes on council-owned land and other land in the Shire, a giant leap in the right direction. There has been much objection to this site being used for social housing. Indeed, some of the comments that it would be for five people or five bedrooms, so is it worth it? But I say this. Despite the fact that I agree wholeheartedly that this is not the right block, if we can help one person, five people, or 100 people, we are doing better than what has been done before. Those five people may reside in a house or a home, may be our mothers, our daughters, our sisters, our friends, our most vulnerable, our essential workers, women in our Shire who need our help, transitional accommodation for our most at risk. So whether it's one or 100 that we can help, we must stick in where we can.

01:06:00 That is what being a pastoral community is all about. That is what we as a council are here to do, to help. But we must not do it at all costs. We must be measured and we must take advice. And we must listen to our residents. The residents have clearly spoken. The site, according to our staff, is compromised, and thus I support the recommendation. I do also support the strong legal statement. If we are going to talk the talk, we must walk the walk. There will always be obstacles and constraints, but if we are serious about this huge issue in our Shire affecting so many in our community, and indeed our businesses, we must walk the walk. An MOU with coast to pay is a good place to start. I would also like to say this. There has been much community angst around the development site that means a lot to many in our community. Our hands are tied in every sense of the word in that respect, in regard to the Blue Care development. The approval over that site was extended by staff in 2017, and it was consistent with the planning scheme enforced at the time.

01:07:00 We have no ability to rescind or alter an existing development approval under the Planning Act. Our hands are tied in that instance. They aren't in this one. Let's ensure we make the right decision for the community, and let's support the staff recommendation while keeping a firm eye on the goal ahead. And as I, to quote one of our other deputation residents, it's common sense to do and support the staff recommendation. So let's continue to lobby the state. Let's get cracking, and let's give back to the community of Toulambi Street and its surrounds a block of land that has borne the care and love of the community. And it's been treated as a park. And let's ensure it stays that way. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Mayor Stewart. We have a councillor who wants to speak. Councillor Wegener. Councillor Wegener: Yeah. Gee, I sure appreciate Diana and David McCready for bringing this to our attention early on in their efforts here. I sure appreciate the deputies coming in, David, Gertz, and Jan.

01:08:00 Frank, thank you for your insights and your work into the availability of social housing in your speech. Sometimes there's a very bumpy road to a good decision, and this has been a bumpy road. But we've made it, and we're nimble as a council, and I sure appreciate that. One suggestion, perhaps, in light of this, if there's a team or a high school team that could take on the name of the bats or the flying foxes to actually bring more attention and love to the foxes, the flying foxes in that area. They're beautiful little animals. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Wegener. Councillor Lauritsen. Councillor Lorentson: I support the staff recommendation, and in particular, the recommendation B, to resolve to amend the Noosa Plan by having 32 Lambie Street included in Environmental Management and Conservation Zone. That's the only way we're going to ensure the future protection of this park. Council shares the responsibility to adequately plan for and ensure our community, especially

01:09:00 our workers and our staff, is protected. We're committed to this goal of providing social and affordable housing opportunities, but this should not come at the cost of our environment. Again, we've made lots of reference to grass tree court development, but it is our loud and constant reminder that environment matters, and that the ecological cost of any decision that comes to council must be weighed against other costs, including social and environmental costs. We say we're different by nature, then we really need to be making loud statements about this, especially in our decision-making. An ecosystem has the right to exist, and this must be the perspective and the benchmark that sets us apart from other councils. Good. Councillor Wilkie: Brian.

01:10:00 Oh, yeah. I think, if you think about it, if you think about it, if you think about it, if you think Deputy Mayor Stockwell: about it, it has been a solitary lesson, and there's been some questions asked both of the deputations by Council and I this morning that I think I can provide a little bit of background to, because I think it's important that we understand that the issues here and why we've got to the point we have that we have made the recommendation today. So, firstly, the community was concerned why the normal MCU processes hadn't undergone this size. And secondly, I think it's important that we understand that we've got to have the overall Noosa plan amendment. And there was many, many, many zone changes throughout the whole Shire. And even right nearby, just around the corner in Wyandra and through Safari, there was a significant zone change. And I can recall that, you know, sitting in the J and having probably 20 of those residents coming through the consultation asking questions about what that meant for them.

01:11:00 So, this one went under the radar. It wasn't immediately obvious to everyone. It was one that probably, in the grand scheme of things, Councilors also didn't have, you know, a specific view over. I can't recall too many conversations, if any, on this particular site. Now, Councillor Lorentson asked the question, were there any ecological assessments done when the zone was changed and the plans being reviewed? Yes. In fact, just as we have in this report, there was competing demands or competing objectives within Council as an organisation for the site. So, in December on 2019, the development ecologist and environmental services personnel with great expertise in this area went out. And they described this site as forested with mature and semi-mature native species. There is quite a few trees on site and a flying fox roosting, Jason.

01:12:00 So, there is quite a few trees on site and a flying fox roosting, Jason. So, the project has good ecological value, provides amenities to the neighbours and provides a protection link to land use. And the ecologists at the time, just like the sports that surprised some, recommended the zone remain the same as under the current plan to retain these values in situ. So, the ecological aspects of the organisation had already recognised that this site had value. And that is why you see that the new scheme has the biodiversity, the ecosystem and At the time, it wasn't proposed for social housing. So yes, there was an assessment done. Yes, in any planning scheme, there's always multiple objectives that start balancing and in this case probably with the scale of the other changes, this one went through without a whole lot of oversight. So we've learned from that. But I do think it's important that there was a couple of opportunities and most people during that time would have looked at the zoning in their neighborhood and those lots

01:13:00 I think there's another aspect that this motion also brings up and I really like the concept of getting a face-to-face with our local federal member because the housing crisis we're experiencing is one that will only be resolved by the actions of all three levels of government. Council on its own won't be able to ameliorate at a 20-grade extent unless we can attract both funding and support and supportive policies at all three levels. So it's really important to understand and it's really important in the lead-up to a federal election. The last federal election, the policies of the two main parties on social housing were diametrically opposed and as a result, we have not seen any significant investment or new investment in social housing

01:14:00 from the federal spheres. What we have seen is this concept of fainting out of the rental assistance scheme, which I think is a backwards thing. I think it's really important to understand that what this rental assistance scheme has provided is private developers or homeowners the ability to rent at below market costs to people who qualify for some sort of assistance from the federal government. I think it's also important to understand that it's not just about the rental assistance scheme. Part of the reason why we've seen housing construction costs rise at a record level over the last year is because of the stimulus package that the federal government rolled out, which was directed to private owned rather than public infrastructure. So I think the federal government really has to have some inward reflective about their role in how to make housing affordable. And it's not just in Noosa, it's across the east coast of Australia where we're experiencing these once-in-a-lifetime changes.

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01:15:00

01:15:00 I support the two amendments. I think they're both valuable. And I recognise that the community has felt stress as a result of what's gone in front of them. I think it's really important that all we've ever done is say we'll investigate this, and that's what we did. And I don't think that the fact that we didn't have time to get this one resolved as quickly as possible rather than to let it draw on, to do a full consultation. And I don't think it was needed. So to me, it's a valuable lesson in both identifying how much the community values the pockets of bushland in the urban area, but also to make sure that when we do do things on our own land, that we make sure we listen to all sides of the organisation when it comes to the competing objectives. But overall, I think the best thing in this motion is this, that we put on record that we do want to work with Coast Debate Housing.

01:16:00 We have got one more site that's been explicitly identified and many other sites that Council owns where it can be in the interest of both the ratepayers and those who may use the social housing, whether they be hospitality workers or workers or women over 50 that are having difficulty finding rental accommodation. It's just a good news story to do that in partnership with a provider that's high quality and has access to the state government schemes. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Jurisevic? Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah. Thank you, Councillor Wilkie. Look, I do apologise if this caused any angst for residents adjoining or in the near vicinity. It was never the intention. It was always, as Councillor Stockwell alluded to, a process of investigating, identifying and investigating the feasibility of this. Had this been a highly degraded site, it might not be such an issue. There might have been an opportunity to do something about it.

01:17:00 There might have been an opportunity there to facilitate some social housing. But, I mean, here is the challenge. We're getting trust from housing affordability and the housing crisis. We are, as a Council, happy to go through and look at every opportunity, every individual block that we hold and see if there's any feasibility in changing and zoning or looking at the opportunities to partner with a group like Coast Debate to facilitate social needs and affordable housing. Thank you. Councillor Stockwell alluded to it well. State and Federal entities have been lacking in their performance over many, many years in providing social needs housing. I was very critical of the Federal Government's stimulus package during COVID for the private industry and the fact that they lacked the foresight to see the opportunity to help facilitate affordable and social needs housing with the stimulus package for the construction industry. Construction would have continued and gone ahead. It just would have aided those that needed funding.

01:18:00 So, there are opportunities missed. And I value the opportunity for a conversation with the Federal members and also the State members to see how all three levels of Government can contribute to this and where this needs to go for the future. A lack of spending from the State Government and facilitating rental accommodation in private rental premises has exasperated the situation. So, there is a need. There is much that both the Federal and State levels of Government can do to alleviate a lot of this. But we have a role to play and we are taking that role seriously and developing it. We are identifying that this is not a suitable parcel of land. There are challenges associated with it. And, of course, the community have protected and valued the environmental elements of this and the adjoining park there, the Fenneroo Park. I think there are heaps that we can do to enhance that further.

01:19:00 As I mentioned earlier, I think there is a lack of connectivity, a lack of safety with lighting through the park and a lack of utilisation of the park as a result of some of those challenges. There is certainly scope there for more environmental works to be undertaken. And that is part of the idea of having brought forward that amendment to the management plan to be reviewed. It is well and truly due. So, I commend the staff on having identified this as a potential site on, as we have done, have taken a thorough investigation to see whether it is a feasible site for social needs housing. I apologise again for any angst that it has caused. But I think the overall outcome is the right outcome. So, thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Jurisevic. Councillor Finzel, do you wish to exercise your right to speak on this motion? Councillor Finzel: Yes. Yes. Thank you, Mr Chair.

01:20:00 Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for their contribution to this meeting today. I think it has highlighted the importance of community working together with their local council and with the council staff. I think we have got good outcomes moving forward. I do apologise on behalf of everyone for the angst the community has experienced through this. But given the outcome today, although it has been regretful in the past. We can certainly make positive changes towards a future. I would also like to take this opportunity today to thank the Mayor for moving her mayoral minute. Which has led us to this place where staff has been charged to go and find land within the Shire that may be appropriate for the use we are talking about today. Some people argue that that is the sole responsibility of state or federal government. And people have questioned why Noosa Council is in that space. I think we are in the space because collectively and fundamentally we are all changed by COVID.

01:21:00 I think the issues faced today have been here for a long time but they have risen to the service. We have to collaborate together to look after our most vulnerable and move towards a future where inclusivity and equity is available to all. Using a statement that has been used today. Let's be on the right side of history. In November 2021 the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute found between 1.5 million and 2 million Australian renters aged 15 and over were potentially one life shock away from homelessness. The AKQRI said the lack of affordable rental housing for low income households in Australia, be it private, rental or social housing, was amplifying various forms of disadvantage.

01:22:00 There is a need for greater provision of rental housing that is specifically targeted to those on low incomes and or those at risk of homelessness, the paper concluded. As members of local government we are chargee to ensure that the social, economic and environmental needs of this community are addressed. To take into consideration bringing balance and equity through collaboration with the and I recommend the amendments made today, when we reach up to Federal, State and our State I also recommend the community coming together and strongly holding their ground and bringing their voice to our table. Again, this is a reflection of how much this council wishes to engage with everybody as

01:23:00 high and broad as we can to reach out and build a strong community moving forward that embraces and understands the needs of all our community, not just a several few. So I'd like to thank everybody today that's taken part in this process and I'm looking forward to a time when we can together strengthen our communities and collaborate for equitable outcomes. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Councillors, I don't think I can improve on the words said by my colleagues or the motion that we have before us. So I'll put that to you. Councillor Finzel: Yes. Councillor Wilkie: That's unanimous. And that's carried. Councillors, would you like to have a 10 minute comfort break before we move on to the next item? That would be great.

01:24:00 Speaker 5: Yes, thanks, Mr Chek. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Karen Brady: We'll be back.

90 minutes in

01:30:00

01:41:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you for clarifying that, Councillor. Any questions? Councillor Finzel: Excuse me, Mr Chair. I just would like it noted that I am present at the meeting. I'm just not seen on the camera. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Thank you, Karen. We confirm your presence. Claire, you've got your hand symbol up. Yes. Speaker 3: Thank you, Mr Chair. I have a question, I think, for Kerry, if she's online, just about the gymnasium. Councillor Jurisevic: We have to get a summary of the matter first, Mr Chair. Yes. From the start. Councillor Wilkie: From the start. Claire, are you happy to wait for an executive summary first? Yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Kerry, can you give us a bit of an overview, please?

01:42:00 Speaker 7: I'll just jump in and have a good one. Thank you, William. Councillor Wilkie: Yes. Speaker 7: I'm here. Thank you. I'll just give you a quick summary. The application seeks approval for community use. So, the application seeks approval for community use. Food and drink outlet which is going to be a restaurant, indoor sports and recreation which is the gymnasium and offices upstairs. The site is located at the Noosa Lakes Resort along Hilton Terrace in Tewantin. The subject building is the existing conference centre on the left hand side as you drive into the resort. It's mostly approval for the uses. There are some internal renovations occurring but it is the existing building. Some external building works would include just the replacement of the existing deck on the northern side and a new pedestrian footpath. They're also looking to revitalise some of the landscape beds in front of the building but mostly the approvals for the uses and internal put out.

01:43:00 Existing land use comprises a 94 multi-storey building. Local dwellings, 94 accommodation units and the conference centre. The conference centre and the existing approval allows for obviously conferences and private functions. It can accommodate up to 250 delegates. With this application there are two pertinent issues. Speaker 7: That would include the office use in this zone. Also the car parking was a talking point. Officers are satisfied that there's enough parking on this site to accommodate the uses proposed. We've also got some conditions to regulate this. Our external traffic consultant also reviewed the proposal and accepted our position. The second issue relates to the office use. The staff suggest that offices are not supported because it conflicts with the tourist accommodation zone code and are more appropriately located in the centre zone.

01:44:00 We believe the offices would compete with and take away from centre zones. The offices, although small, are essentially a co-work office space similar to what you have in Noosa Boardroom and Pacific per se or Junction 2 at Noosa Junction. And the offices would compete with these commercial spaces currently located in business centres. It's considered that the offices don't complement the tourist accommodation zone like retail or restaurant space should and they'd be better suited elsewhere. That's why the report recommends in part approval. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you William. Question, Clare. Speaker 3: Thank you. Thank you Mr Chair. Well just a question about the gym. Just to clarify. It says no more than 10 in the gym at a time.

105 minutes in

01:45:00

01:45:00 Was that what they requested? What was the request of the applicant? Because I know the gym is going to be used for normal, for gym work but also for rehabilitation work. Speaker 7: Yes. It was our understanding that the gym was proposed to be used for rehabilitation and only offered rehabilitation in the form of classes. There's a quote included in the report, I think on page 31 that talks about it. So that was our understanding. But it has come to light that the applicant would also like to have the gym available for general use as well as classes for rehabilitation. Speaker 4: Thank you. If I can just clarify too with car parking. The proposed development does not meet the scheme's car parking requirements but officers are satisfied that the proposed change in use will not generate any additional car parking demand.

01:46:00 Because there was a function centre approved on the site for up to 250 delegates. So at times it's likely there will be insufficient parking on site depending on how many people visit the museum and the functions they have associated with the museum. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you Kerry. Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah an element of that Kerry would be whether those activities all are likely to take place for one time. One would think gymnasiums would likely be early morning and later afternoons, functions of an evening and the like. Would that have an impact on the number of car parking spaces required? Speaker 4: Given the use of peak times will be at different times. It's likely in the morning for the gym, the restaurant, maybe for breakfast. That will be a peak time for those activities. But the museum and perhaps the offices not so early in the morning.

01:47:00 Then later in the evening you would expect the restaurant. The museum if it's having a bit of a function would also peak at that time. So yes there will be some peak times which differ between the uses which will assist a little bit with the car parking. But nevertheless the space is fairly large in terms of seeing quite a number of people on the site within the museum. Councillor Jurisevic: So given it's part of a resort complex, what consideration has been given to the number of people staying in the resort that would utilise that facility as part of their stay? Speaker 7: I'll just jump in. Joe, some consideration has been given to guests staying in the resort. So our traffic consultant did consider that. However, there's no definite number or answer. We just have to assume worst-case scenario. So that's a good point. Further on car parking. Councillor Jurisevic: I notice point 10 is a minimum of 31 car parking spaces must be provided.

01:48:00 My understanding by the drawings provided that there's already 37 car parking spaces adjacent to the building. Councillor Lorentson: That's a mistake. Speaker 7: To my understanding, I can just double check. I'm looking at the drawing. Councillor Jurisevic: It says number 37. Speaker 7: Yes. I can see that proposal plan that you're referring to. The issue is that there's already 37 car parking spaces adjacent to the building. The approved plan for the development shows that there's 31 spaces in that location. Speaker 7: I'm not sure whether the proposal plans have accurately depicted what's there. I'm not too sure. Speaker 4: If we could clarify that. Make sure that some of that is for visitor parking for the units, not necessarily associated with the commercial uses. Okay. So the spaces were originally around, you know, for the conference facility. I'm not sure. I think we're good for that. Councillor Jurisevic: The other calculation with regard to parking is if you're living with no isn't restricted

01:49:00 to 10 people, as was proposed in this, there are 19 car parking spaces required for those 10 people. How did staff derive 19 car parking spaces for a maximum of 10 people in the gym? Speaker 7: The calculation, the scheme requires one space for 20 based on floor area. So in the planning report, it's just saying, you know... And also just a way to mitigate any additional car parking usage because of the overall shortfall. Councillor Jurisevic: Okay, so the 10 people in the gym at any one given time was a misunderstanding of the proposal from the applicant. Because by my calculations, at nearly 400 square metres, that's one person for every 40 square metres.

01:50:00 That's social distancing to an extreme, even under COVID conditions. Speaker 7: No doubt, yep, no doubt. But yes, like we've said multiple times now, it was just a misunderstanding with the applicant. We thought he just had the idea of running the classes and rehab equipment, which we're not sure how much space that would take up, but it's some miscommunication with the applicant. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: So there could be a designated floor space for within that 400 square metres where classes could be undertaken and the remaining equipment could be utilised for other normal gymnasium activities. I.e. people at the resort coming into Bucks All Eye or undertake other cardio activities in the line. Yep, that's correct. Is that what would happen as it currently stands, as per the staff recommendation? Because it does limit it to 10 persons at any one time plus staff.

01:51:00 Or would that need to be amended? Speaker 7: That will need to be amended. So that they're happy to accept 10 people for as a maximum class size. But then they still want to preserve their rights to have walk-ins for general gym. Okay, thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Mayor Clare? Speaker 3: I'm happy to move an alternate motion if there's no more questions. Yep. Councillor Wilkie: Can we have that on the screen please? Yep, it's there. It's up there? Yeah. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: That's part of it. Councillor Wilkie: All right, so. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'll second it. Councillor Wilkie: I'll second it. Read out the substantive changes to the motion, please. Councillor Lorentson: From 5. Councillor Wilkie: From 5, yeah. All clear, all frozen. We'll just wait for the mayor to reconnect.

01:52:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: If you like, I'll read out the changes while we wait. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Bryan. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: In item 5, it's being amended to the words classes in the gymnasium are limited to a maximum of 10 people at any given time, excluding staff. New condition 6, which is reading the officers must be in accordance with the approved voice floor plan and include a minimum of 16 small office tenancies with rooms 17, 18, comprising a shared multi-purpose room and boardroom. If we flip down to the bottom. It's deleted. Which is the original B and in its place finding the following matters relevant to the assessment and sufficient reason to approve the application. One, the proposal is consistent with the tourist accommodation zone over all outcome 2B, which envisages the visitor accommodation to the urban areas if supported by a mix of business Deputy Mayor Stockwell: activities would create a vibrant atmosphere and complement and enhance the function and

01:53:00 effectiveness of the area as a visitor to detonation. Two, the office space would be flat. We encourage business tourism and act as an incubator for start-up businesses and is of a scale that is ancillary to the visitor accommodation. Three, the office space is of a nature and scale that is compatible with the mixed-use character and coastal amenity of the area. And four, the proposed office space will not compromise the viability of the Noosa Shire Centre's hierarchy considering the specific nature of the office space and its small gross floor area. And C, I think that doesn't change, but note the report provided in the course of Section 6035 of the Planning Act of 2015. Councillor Jurisevic: Brian, can I just clarify the wording, not in that section, the section up above, item 6 I think it was, point 6, that it was a minimum of 16 small office scenarios? Should that be a maximum?

01:54:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: That's a good point. If I could get the Manager of the Development Program to answer the question in theory, because that was a suggestion. Councillor Wilkie: We're back. Thanks, Clare. Brian's just read out the changes. Speaker 3: Sorry, I was just, beg your pardon? Councillor Wilkie: Brian's just read out the changes, Clare. We're just clarifying some points. Thank you very much. Speaker 3: I lost internet, I'm sorry. Councillor Wilkie: That's all right, we're waiting for you. Councillor Jurisevic: We're spotting out. Clare, just in relation to your motion, I'm clarifying on point 6, that the office must be, the officers must be in accordance with the approved floor plan and include a minimum of 16 small office scenarios. I'm wondering whether that should say it's been maximum. Is, was that your intent? Speaker 4: Kerri, can you clarify that please? Sure, so, yes, the office has drafted this condition and suggested it, and it's intended that the officers remain consistent with the approved plan and they provide a number of small tenancies.

01:55:00 So minimum is the right word. What we don't want is for them to amalgamate them and provide less. Councillor Jurisevic: I see, in that regard, but that does, that means they could then go and put another 20 or 30 in, the way I read it. Speaker 4: No, I agree. Well, the conditions of approval will also refer to the floor plan, which show the area of the offices to you. So I think we've covered it also to the approved plans. Councillor Jurisevic: So this doesn't facilitate additional small office scenarios being added? I don't think so, no. Okay, why are we, I'll put it, it's exactly, that's exactly what it does, but anyway. Councillor Lorentson: So Kerri, can I ask, and I'm sort of referencing, I think it's. Councillor Wilkie: Sorry, we've got a seconder for the motion, so we, we can't really. Just a question. A question about, oh, beg your pardon, we haven't, you go ahead. No, it was Brian. Sorry, yeah, clarifying, clarifying.

01:56:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Sorry, I've got a second for this, and there's, there's right to talk to. Yeah, yeah, it's because it's, we should be now going to the mover of the motion to direct the address. Councillor Wilkie: Yeah, Clare. Speaker 3: Thank you, thanks, thanks everyone, apologies again, and thank, thank you, Councillor Stockwell, for your assistance. Look, I'll, I'll start with the gymnasium first. By extending and, and including the word classes, it ensures that there can be more than 10 people in the gym at any one time. It means that there can be 10 in a class and others in the gym, and that would also facilitate the applicant wanting to preserve their right, or preserve their rights to have look-ins come in, and I know that this is a gym for rehabilitation, and with a focus on Vietnam vets, and for someone who has spent years and years in rehab and in gyms, I, I really commend the applicants of this great initiative and on this gym. And I think by extending the numbers and, and including the word classes, we give more people the ability to be in the gym at one time,

01:57:00 with more people the opportunity to use it, so I think that's important. I think it's prudent to include offices in the space. It complies and is consistent with the tourist accommodation zone overall outcome 2b, which envisages that visitor accommodation in urban areas is supported by a mix of business activities. These small offices certainly create and provide for a mix of business activities. The offices are small. They're reasonably priced. It's a cohesive space. There's a gym. There's a cafe. It's a great place for people to start or begin a start-up business. For people who have moved into the area to work, people who could not otherwise afford large office space to reside in, without the potential limitations they may have at home. There's no long-term contracts. There's short contracts. They're week by week, month by month. And they also, these office space also provide flexibility for visitors who wish to work out of Noosa when they come here, as well as our various residents who would like to try a start-up business.

01:58:00 They're small enough to be ancillary to the visitor accommodation, complies with mixed-use character of the area, and it's not an overarching gross floor area. So I think it's a great addition to the application and the community use of this space. And I ask that you support me in this alternative motion to include that office space in the recommendation. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Mayor Stewart. Amelia, you had a question on the wording? Councillor Lorentson: Just in regard to the office spaces, Kerry, is there any sort of percentage or proportion under the code that needs to be applied here? You know, should we be limiting amount of office space per square gross floor metre each? I know in the district code, it was a conflict of conversation and stuff that we raise in business district codes. Is there any similar sort of provision in regards to this, that 20%, for instance, should be designated for office space?

01:59:00 Or are you happy with the wording as it sits? Speaker 4: Well, the decision is really for council to decide. Officers have recommended that council refuse the office component because it is outside business centre and tourist accommodation zone is intended for accommodation facilities and business uses that support that accommodation. So, yeah, I guess we're not happy with any offices, but that's for council to decide if they wish to approve a component of office space within the development. Councillor Lorentson: So, one of the reasons for refusal is that, and I'm going back to the word ancillary, can you give me your definition of ancillary? Because I think that was one of the sticking points with the refusal

120 minutes in

02:00:00

02:00:00 that it wasn't considered an ancillary to the activities of a tourist accommodation zone. Speaker 4: So, the reasons offices have recommended refusal is it does not serve visitors. The offices are not there to serve visitors. It does not support the accommodation facility and they are better located in the business centre. So, we haven't refused it because we don't consider them ancillary. So, ancillary generally means subordinate and supportive, so we don't consider them subordinate and supportive of the main use. But that's not wordings I think we have used in the reasons for refusal. Councillor Wilkie: Joe? Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah, Kerry. So, in consideration of the uses, the boardroom, has that been considered an office use? Speaker 4: I understand that the boardroom's proposed to provide like a breakout area.

02:01:00 So, there may be a number of small businesses, that rent a room, those tenancy there, and they can then also rent or book a time to use the boardroom for a bigger or larger meeting. Could it also be used as a function room? Yes, thanks. Sorry, could it also be used as a function room? That's not what the applicant has put to us. My understanding is the boardroom is proposed as part of the office space. It's certainly what's been calculated as office space. Councillor Jurisevic: So, if the applicant had called this a multi-purpose or function room, it could certainly be used for functions given that there are two, a commercial kitchen and a restaurant kitchen now being proposed. And so, it's just in the title of it and the proposed function of it. If it was to be a multi-purpose use or a function room as was allowed under the previous or under the actual existing uses, it would be acceptable.

02:02:00 Speaker 4: The applicant has not included in their proposal that they're intending for the function centre to continue. They haven't included the use of a function centre in their application. So, it's not one of the applied form uses. Okay. Councillor Jurisevic: So, the board will be able to do what they have proposed the use of that space to be. As a percentage of overall floor space, how much does the 16 breakout spaces and the boardroom constitute as a percentage of overall floor space? Speaker 4: Okay. Perhaps if we have a look at page 26 of the report, which details the floor area. And we can quickly try and do some calculations for you. I'm just thinking, Will, you're online. Can you do some calculations? No, I was doing some... Yep. Councillor Jurisevic: One second. It's 1,200... 100... Can you tell me about 1,200? 200 out of 1,200. Councillor Jurisevic: Less than 20%... Well...

02:03:00 1,200 out of 40... No, 200 out of 40... Yeah. So, one second. Speaker 4: What did you get, Will? Still getting that. Councillor Jurisevic: Including the floor area as well, does that include the existing commercial kitchen that's also within the facility? Yep. The Food and Drink Outlet Restaurant, which is separate to the commercial kitchen, has been included in the

02:04:00 Speaker 7: total gross floor area of the building, and the office space would represent 13.94% of the GFA of that building. Speaker 5: Is that 13 or 30? Speaker 7: 13.9, so 14%. Councillor Lorentson: 14%. Speaker 7: Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: And the food and drink outlet on the ground floor represents 16% offices, 15% I've got here. And the gross floor area is 13.75 square metres. Speaker 9: That's correct, yeah. I'm happy to talk to them. Joe, Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah. Yeah, I see the changes being made here by the mayor as common sense and making a lot of headway for me. We've got a gym at nearly 400 square metres with a maximum of 10 metres in it. And I alluded to earlier, it would be 40 square metres per person, which is a significant

02:05:00 amount of space, so there's space there for class sizes to be restricted to 10, as was the applicant's intent, and the remaining gym equipment, the gym to be utilised as per the floor space that it occupies. I take to pass that the staff's view of the offices as being non-tourism. Thank you. Thank you. I think the mayor covered it quite well, but this gives an opportunity for someone that's coming to visit to look at doing a business tourism concept, and actually coming and utilising and occupying a small floor space while they're here as part of their stay within walking distance or within, you know, within the complex in which they are. Personally, I have had to attend a number of meetings online for council in my own years in council. I've had to attend a number of meetings online for council and through other organisations,

02:06:00 and often, whilst staying somewhere, have asked, do you have a breakout space? Do you have a meeting space? Do you have somewhere where I can set up and facilitate my activities that I have to do because I'm away but I have to attend the meeting while I'm away from the office? And those spaces would absolutely facilitate that. And in fact, it gives someone the opportunity to come to Noosa. I mean, in this day and age, particularly with COVID, the way that business is conducted is changing. And this, to me, facilitates a new opportunity for tourism to turn around and say, well, I might come and stay in Noosa for six weeks or three months, and I might rent a small space while I'm there under a short-term leasing agreement, which is very difficult to obtain in the commercial spaces, and facilitate my business activities while I'm on holiday. I think it's a great idea. And I do think, given the volume of space there, that it is an ancillary use. I see the boardroom as something that can, you know, boardrooms will ask for, if you're

02:07:00 going to have a large meeting, may ask for food, and that complements it. So, for me, okay, it's in the characterisation by the applicant of what the room will be, but I see it facilitating a multi, the potential to facilitate multi functions there. So, I wouldn't have an issue with those areas. The concept of a museum that isn't funded through council or state funding, and is actually provides free access to the community, to see, is one that I welcome from this applicant. And that's part of the reason they're creating these breakout spaces, is to help facilitate the access for free to a museum that brings in the community. And I see that in a lot of people that come to Noosa for the surf culture. So, I see, I see that as a complementary use in providing the museum access as well.

02:08:00 So, I'm in favour of the changes the Mayor has alluded to here, and I welcome the reimagining of a defunct space into a multi-purpose use facility that complements, absolutely complements, the resort that adjoins it. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Councillor Strathmore? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yes, I'm going to start where Councillor Drew's been finished off. While I no longer have a conflict, I do have over a decade of knowledge on this particular site, and he's quite right. The convention centre has been a blight on that resort for probably five years now, being left to progressively become less and less used until it was closed. So, in terms of revitalising the site, I think that's a good start. This is really a very important application it's also important to acknowledge that if this site was in the tourist accommodation zone in Hastings Street or Noosaville offices would be an accepted development so when we did the scheme up we made them permissible in those two areas but not in Tewantin and what we're really looking at what's happened with Tewantin since

02:09:00 the scheme was actually drafted is that with the development of the shops to the east of this site that you're starting to see the precinct of Tewantin grow a little bit and you're starting to see the linkages between the marina and these sites. I think when staff assess development applications the most efficient way to do it is from the bottom up so staff have correctly identified that there's an acceptable outcome that this development doesn't comply with and then you go on to the particular areas of this zone that you can have office space under the performance outcome. So Councillor Stewart's motion is quite correct in saying well the next thing you do is you go up and you look at what is the intent of that zone and does this specific development actually meet the intent and I believe that those grounds are appropriate but to me Councillor I think it's really important that when we look at bearing for staff decisions

02:10:00 we don't start from the bottom up we don't try and find the little detail what we do is we start from the top down we look at the general and go down so when we look at the strategic intent of the planning scheme and the strategic outcomes for economic economy and employment you see there in C development is encouraged that caters for industries with high economic yield and low environmental impact and where sustainable practices are the norm. So it's a big peak for this development. It is within Noosa's and maybe Australia's first carbon positive resort. It actually produces 125% of its energy needs from its solar system. So does that, is that intent, is that outcome achieved? Yes. So we go to the next one. The smart innovative and sustainable businesses and industries are promoted and provided which are responsive to new technologies and the changing market conditions and this is where this office space really comes into play.

02:11:00 There's a high speed internet connectivity and we know that that will be really good for those people who come up on holidays and wish to use the office space for one week, two weeks, three hours, maybe even longer that they can come up and like a lot of people from New Zealand used to come and overwinter here but still do their business. So it does promote that, it does achieve that outcome, it does promote tourism in that respect. And then in Noosa's diversified economy is underpinned by a complimentary mix of business activities that support new technology, new enterprises, new ways of doing business and flexible working arrangements. Opportunities for affordable workspaces, convenient work from home enterprises, shop housing and co-working spaces are encouraged. This includes providing a variety of businesses and spaces that allow for natural growth from home based businesses to small premises and then to larger premises.

02:12:00 So this is what these offices are meant to do. This is really responding to our planning scheme. It is our tightest end of the day. I'll grant that but I don't believe at 150 square metres it's a real threat to the integrity of those zones. There's going to be very few other sites that this will set a precedent for but it will create that sort of workspace that everyone is at the end of. You know, if I was, as Councillor Newton said, if I was going away for a while, you know, would I like to go and look at some old wooden surfboards and then go and do a bit of work and then go down and have a copy of that, you know, on the deck looking out over the river? Of course you would. It is a perfect location for this new urban enterprise where there's a whole lot of mix of different uses that, you know, from a planning perspective, build character, build viability and build vitality in a local area.

02:13:00 And to me, that is all the reasons why you do support it. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Stockwell. Any other councillors? Councillor Wegener? Councillor Wegener: I'll just speak to it. Yeah, I would like to thank Clare, the Mayor, for this motion. I concur with Joe and Brian. And I'd like to add that this reflects an entrepreneurial spirit that I think the Council should encourage and facilitate. So this is just spot on point. You don't need to add anything to their soliloquies but yeah, I fully support the motion. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Amelia, sorry, Amelia, then Joe. Councillor Lorentson: Oh, I won't add too much more except to say that it's possibly one of my favourite, favourite places to meet.

02:14:00 I have the pleasure of going to the Surf Museum Monthly. So, as a representative for the Noosa World Surfing Reserve, I've done part-time jobs We have over 600, I think 600, 700 square metres of museum free to the general public, not funded by council. And this guy goes over beyond the call of duty. He offers his meeting rooms to lots of community groups. And again, functions. And while I'm talking functions, the Surf Museum this Thursday is offering a free surf

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02:15:00

02:15:00 film event, and it's been hosted by the World Surfing Reserve as part of the New Surf Festival of Surfing. Again, we need to back people who back our community. So over the moon that we're supporting the right businesses. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Wollison. Councillor Joe. Speaker 4: You're on mute, Joe. You're on mute. Councillor Wilkie: You're on mute, Joe. You had a question? Councillor Jurisevic: Sorry, yes. Question. I've just been going through the report and going back to Table 1.3, which I believe are permitted activities, and I see the use of meeting hall. Wouldn't a boardroom or a space like that that's available for external hire constitute a meeting hall?

02:16:00 Speaker 4: Councillor Joe, those list of uses are a list of uses from previous planning scheme when the function was in place. Okay. So not what's applied for today. And when you change an old approval, it's a substantial change. There's been no indication that any of these uses were going to continue with this change proposal. So it's not included in the application. A meeting hall loan suggests probably the old community meeting hall rather than a function or an office. This office is separately defined in the previous scheme. Okay. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Okay. I'm just interested in what the definition of a meeting hall would be. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Are you there, Councillor Finzel? Do you wish to speak to this motion? Councillor Finzel: Oh, yes. Thank you, Mr Chair. Firstly, I'd like to commend the Mayor on bringing forth the amendment. I think it aligns with our strategic planning and where we want to head in the future, given we've ratified the Noosa Economic Plan and we're looking at social strategies.

02:17:00 I think what's been put forward here certainly overlaps all those areas where we are trying to work towards breaking down the barriers and given we've fundamentally changed through COVID and the idea that we bring collaboration opportunities together for more people to be at the table. I think this space affords us that. It's fantastic. This afternoon, I've actually been invited as part of my participation in the heritage group to come along and be part of the discussion around where we're going to move forward. Where they want to move forward with regards to the museum and the library that's being built there. I think community can only benefit. I agree and concur with everything that's said today. I also think that, you know, we want to attract successful entrepreneurs and business people to the Noosa Shire. We've got a well-established tourism industry that we can certainly leverage off, but I

02:18:00 think this is a great step towards a future where there's going to be further overlaps between tourism and business. I think this is a great opportunity for the community, business and the environment. I'd just like to add that, you know, perhaps we need to consider also, given that the gym is, you know, for rehabilitation, that it's close by to the sporting complex in Tewantin that's being looked to be expanded and council supporting that in that space and exploring opportunities. It's close by for athletes to perhaps participate in the gym facilities that will be afforded. We've got opportunity with accommodation there. For me, it ticks all the boxes and I think this is, it's an exciting moment to be able to support this. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Finzel. I'm going to support the motion. I think it's, I thank the staff for their report and also for flagging the conflict about the use of office space in the tourist accommodation zone.

02:19:00 It's very important that we consider that. I don't think any of us would wish to do that. I don't think any of us would willingly approve an application that undermined or detracted from or took custom away from the Tewantin Business Centre, for example, but I haven't seen anything or heard any arguments that suggest that the customers that will be using these spaces are those that would otherwise be seeking spaces in the Tewantin CBD, for example. I'm led to believe that visitors who stay at Noosa Lakes Resort do seek and use these meeting spaces. They're not interested in the hot desking and don't give it a work while they're visiting. And for that reason, I think it is, it's an innovative use of space. The other reason I'm approving, in favour of this particular motion is because the office space is ancillary to the primary use of this facility as such. It's only 14% of the floor area and it's ancillary.

02:20:00 And I have, I've taken a look at it. I don't have to say complimentary to the existing list, I don't think I can improve on the arguments that all the other councillors have articulated, so that's all I'll say on that, and back to you Mayor Clare. Speaker 3: Thank you Mr Chair, thank you everyone, I think I concur with what Councillor Wilkie said, I can't really say much more, I think it's all been said, but entrepreneurial spirit, collaboration, opportunity, these offices and indeed this whole precinct will provide all of that, so it's exciting and it's a great opportunity. So thank you for supporting this, thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Put the motion in favour. Councillor Finzel: That's a yes from me, thanks Mr Chair. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, that's unanimous. We now move on to item 6. Thank you Kerri and thank you Will. Thank you. Speaker 3: Thank you. Thank you guys. Councillor Wilkie: Organisational Structure Director of Executive Services Deborah Etsy is with us.

02:21:00 Deborah could you give us a bit of an overview. Speaker 1: Yes surely, so a report on the organisational structure is made to council twice yearly, normally at the budget time and then roughly around December, we're a little bit late in presenting this one. What it does do is, the purpose of the report is to highlight changes in the organisational structure, so that's in relation to our permanent positions, and in addition to that we also report our long standing temporary project positions. Because those positions, even though they are temporary, do have an impact on our budget and they're extremely important in the delivery of many of our projects and meeting highs and lows, highs in work demands. So the report outlines an increase in the permanent establishment, referred to as the EFT, equivalent full time, of 2.6 from 384.11 to 386.71.

02:22:00 That increase is included in the new organisational structure which is identified in attachment one. And then the details of what makes up that increase is actually included in attachment two. You'll see that the increases, two of the positions relate to increases in the Department of Infrastructure Services to help meet the increasing capital program and the demands on staff in that area. Okay. One in our economic and one in our economic development area. And sorry, my mistake, that's in the temporary area. A correction in the short stay compliance supervisor, which was previously recorded as a temporary position, and that was an area. It should have been permanent at the time of the budget. And then minor increases to two positions, one in corporate services in the procurement and one in the community services.

02:23:00 Okay. Speaker 1: So just increasing the amount, the positions from, for example, part time to full time, or accommodating a change in a working arrangement of a staff member. The new temporary positions which have been identified are in attachment three, and these are the ones which are project managers that I referred to earlier, and a project officer as well, again, in the infrastructure planning, design and delivery area. And this is where the economic development position is that I mentioned earlier. So that's an additional temporary position of economic development advisor. For Council's information, attachment four is provided. This contains all of our long term temporary project positions that are employed across the various departments. And the purpose of including that is that Councilors have a full appreciation of the

02:24:00 temporary positions, but also the impact of those positions each year on our budget. And there are notes in the comment area where there are some positions that may be recommended for extensions, where a project isn't finished, and there's also notations relating to the budget and salaries. So that is my report. Yes. Councillor Wilkie: Councillor Stockwell. Just a clarifying question. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: When we have our three project, two project managers and project officers in temporary infrastructure services. Relating to the capital works program, is it safe to assume that because the size of our capital works program has been significantly enlarged by the huge grant opportunities we've taken available, that those additional positions could be considered to be funded by those capital works, and therefore largely funded out of the grant funding, rather than from the general rate? Speaker 1: Yes, that's correct.

02:25:00 Councillor Wilkie: John. Yes. Yes. You're on mute, Mr Jurisevic. Councillor Jurisevic: Thanks, Mr Chair. I forgot again. I'm looking at page 50, the top line there. The director of the Digital Health Director's position, I notice, is still a temporary position extended to the 12th of the 3rd 23. And I'd request the CEO as part of the budget process that we review the temporary nature of that position, and consider the future direction for the project. The Director going forward. Speaker 1: Thanks, Joe. I'll note that that position, the employment arrangement is a contract arrangement. Yes, it is identified as temporary. And there will be an opportunity as part of the budget process for positions that may be temporary to be considered and evaluated to see if there is an ongoing need for them, and therefore making it permanent.

02:26:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. You're free. I'm free. Councillor Wilkie: Any other questions councillors? Someone care to move the motion? Councillor Finzel: Happy to move the motion. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you councillor Finzel. We have a seconder please. Councillor Wegener, councillor Finzel, you have the floor. Councillor Finzel: Yes, thank you Deb for your report. It's good to have the level of that brought before council today. It keeps the rest in touch with what's going on in the organisation. We're looking forward to the new CEO and hopefully that we'll all work collaboratively in the space to bring greater efficiency, not greater, improve upon what we already have and this report gives us confidence moving forward.

02:27:00 We will have the level of staffing required to make the projects that we have in the line. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Anybody else? Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: Just one question Deb. A lot of the temporary full-time positions are either two or three years. Is there any value in extending that period or I'm sort of just working on thinking out how you work out what the timeframe is. So it's based on project delivery time. Is that how that's assessed? Speaker 1: Yeah, it is. And there are times when in the progress of the project if something I'm seeing comes up or it may be necessary to extend the term, that an extension is done. And you will see in the notations of a couple of these that an extension is recommended to enable the project to be completed or if something unexpected comes up that still has to be addressed. With these sorts of positions, they are project positions.

02:28:00 So, you know, there's a beginning and an end date and it's normally for a specific project. If you're looking at something that extends beyond that, then it might, you know, maybe a revision of it is justified from the point of what is the need for that position going forward. But just to go back to answering your question, there are normally set terms and they do get extended. And Council has, in their previous reports, they've always identified these where there's a request for an extension. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. Councillor Wegener: Councillor Wegener. Just an overview thoughts on the amount of employees we have and how we're responding to COVID and the changing world. It just seems to me, it's a very, I don't know my question exactly, but it just, I would like to hear your thoughts on how we're responding to COVID and the changing world. What improvements do you see going forward in this?

02:29:00 Do you have any, anything else you'd like to say that keeps you awake at night, so to speak? Speaker 1: Councillor Wegener. Keeps me awake. I think managing the temporary positions is extremely important because where positions do go beyond, you know, the timeframe that might have been originally estimated, there's, it creates some uncertainty. And that's, that's, that's something that comes up a lot. So, you know, for people, for example, who might be moving to the area to take those jobs, that may not be an attractive proposition for them because, you know, the costs of moving and relocating. However, for some people, that's attractive because it's also an opportunity to advance and develop themselves. And especially when you look at some of the, the younger, I'll say younger generations, that's actually very attractive. They like the idea of being able to try different jobs and move on.

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02:30:00

02:30:00 So, but the real value in the temporary positions is it allows us to meet those project demands relatively quickly. And, you know, when you appoint positions, permanent, permanent positions, that is an ongoing cost to this organisation where the need may change in a, in a couple of years time. So, the temporary, the temporary positions do serve a real purpose. Councillor Wegener: Do that, is there a correlation piece between the population going up and the amount of employees? Speaker 1: Oh, you can make a correlation. Some councils actually look at doing a relativity of the number of employees to the population. We, when we established as a new council in 2014, we had a number of employees that were 14. We're very conservative. And in our establishment, and we have realised that we have needed to increase to be able to take, to deliver the services, meet the changing demands, but also in relation to

02:31:00 the variety and scope of work that we're doing. So, you know, it is appropriate for the establishment to increase, but of course we've got to be able to afford it. And we've got to constantly look for efficiencies and improving our services and how best to deliver them. Okay. Councillor Wilkie: In answer to your question, Tom, the, the rate of increase in staff is less than one percent. Population growth is about one percent. Yeah. Speaker 1: Yeah. That's right. Brad Eden. Councillor Wegener: Can I speak to the motion? Of course. I would just like to congratulate staff, especially for the, the, the four people that, that, that were running around doing the conservation work under, with, under Craig Doolin before Dallas was, was in charge of the team, and they just did so much. And I, I've, I've forgotten the name of the team. It's in here. But my gosh, that seems to be really an innovative way to tackle some problems and, and environmental

02:32:00 things that, that were going on. Bush, helping with bush care and so forth, and an innovative way to tackle a problem, a short, a shortfall that was needed to be addressed. And Dallas and his team did it. The four, four people there are temporary, but you did a good job. Councillor Wilkie: Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. The councillors wish to speak to the motion. Karen, do you wish to close? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Councillor Finzel: I think everything's been said. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. I'll put the motion. Those in favour? Councillor Finzel: A yes from me. Councillor Wilkie: Carried unanimously. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Deb. We now move on to item seven, council representation on council of mayors working groups. And this is a report from our acting chief executive officer, Larry Sengstock. Councilors, you have questions? Larry, can we get a bit of an overview of that?

02:33:00 Certainly. Speaker 8: As you all know, we've, we've recently become a member of, we've become a member of the SEQ council of mayors. As part of that, they have a number of working groups, subcommittees, you might, that they've asked us to have representation on. So this is really just the two, the two key ones are the, we've got the legacy working group committee, which is the mayor is a representative on that, and that's already been established and approved, agreed. The two that we're looking at today are waste working group and the, and the economic development working group. So they're looking for representatives from, or councillors to be part of those two working groups. I believe there will be further groups as this, as this rolls out and becomes more expensive. But these are the two that they're asking for today. So today what we're looking for is to, to take some nominations and, and, and finalise

02:34:00 those positions for our councillors to be part of those working groups, which I think are extremely important pieces of the project. Councillor Wilkie: Questions, councillors? Mayor Stewart? Speaker 3: Thank you, Mr Chair. Question for our CEO. Larry, it says in here the proxy, you know, so we, we appoint someone and then someone, another councillor as a proxy. Is that able to be sort of shared, that role? So even though one's a proxy and one's the, the councillor nominated, they can take turns in that? So we give everyone an opportunity or whoever would like an opportunity to be on those groups. Speaker 8: So in terms of there'll be two people, two people nominated for each of the working groups and it's up to them to decide on, on the availability, essentially. Okay. To attend those meetings. Speaker 3: Right. So it does give us an open opportunity to, to attend those workshops. Yes. Terrific. Thank you.

02:35:00 Councillor Wilkie: Does anyone want, wish to recommend a couple of names? Mayor Stewart? Speaker 3: Look, I mean, without, and we have, you know, I, I, I'd certainly obviously like to, I believe Councillor Lorentson and Councillor Finzel have shown an interest in the appointment as the council's representatives for the economic development group. And I believe Councillor Jurisevic, no brainer on the waste and, and Councillor Wegener have also shown an interest, I'd say wholeheartedly by both of them to be on the SEQ waste waste working group. So I nominate those four councillors unless anyone has any concerns with that or would like to also nominate themselves. Okay. Councillor Wilkie: Seconded. Seconded by Councillor Lorentson. Sorry. I'll wait till we get to your names here. I've been done?

02:36:00 Councillor Lorentson: Yep. Can I be the council representative? And can, and Karen, if you'd like. Thank you. Yes, please, thank you. Speaker 2: What's going on over there? Councillor Wilkie: Okay, Councillor Stewart, do you wish to speak to the motion? Speaker 3: Thank you, I will. Look, it says, yes, it's South East Queensland Council of Mayors,

02:37:00 but look, really, this is a collaboration and involvement of all of our council, and I'm really thrilled that there is an opportunity for other councillors to be involved in this, because I think, you know, whenever we get the opportunity, Joe and Tom were in Brisbane late last year when we attended a forum, and there is just such a fountain and a world of knowledge and working with other councillors and listening to other councillors about what they're doing. I think it's really important that as many councillors who want to be involved can be involved. So I'm thrilled that all councillors will be able to be representatives on these committees, will be able to talk to other councils, because this is a really strong, powerful group. One in seven Australians are actually representatives on this group. So it's a great lobby group to be involved in. There's a lot we can do of waste management in resilient rivers, in healthy land and water, in economic development, and also, of course, coming into 2032. But I'm thrilled that the councillors have an opportunity

02:38:00 to be a part of this, and I'm really looking forward to it. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Yep, thank you, Councillor Stewart. Look, I'll speak to the motion. I'm happy to endorse my colleagues for these appointments. I note that the South East Queensland Economic Development Working Group, it's the notes in the report says it provides a forum to explore coordinated strategic economic development opportunities across the region, provides a forum for councils to share learnings and engage with industry and government partners. And it's great we have two representatives there who'll be able to share Noosa's story, which is a different story in terms of economic development. Noosa successfully decoupled economic development from population growth, and perhaps throwing that into the mix of other South East Queensland councils. They may like to hear that message, but they don't always have to be taking more and more population

02:39:00 to get the economic growth. It can occur without population growth, and there's always a lag in terms of provision of infrastructure on the ground. So I'm happy to endorse Amelia and Karen as our very strong and capable advocates in advocating for Noosa's points of difference in that high-powered group. Oh, sorry. I should say, and of course, Joe and Tom. In the waste-breaking group. Both extremely passionate advocates. They're both very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, They're equally confident that they'll be making a positive and constructive contribution there also. Tom. Councillor Wegener: Well I think Christmas has come early for Joe and I, because this is just so exciting to be on this group. And going down to meet with the First Councilors, Council of Mayors, really opened my eyes up

02:40:00 to a lot of things and how important collaboration is, and seeing what the other Councils are doing. I think our number one job as councillors are just to be eyes and looking out and talking and meeting people and seeing what other, what other councils are doing here and around the world, of course, and bringing that knowledge back to NUSA. We are, we're not in a silo here. We're actually part of a much wider group and there's a lot, other groups are doing great stuff too. And so I look forward to this. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, councillor. Councillor Lorentson: I'll speak. Amelia. I'm super excited also. I sit on the Tourism NUSA Board, the Tourism Labor Shortage Board. I chair the NUSA Surfing Community Alliance, NUSA World Surfing Reserve, volunteer at, I'm a patrol member at the NUSA Head Surf Life Saving Club, seahorse nippers and part of most of our chambers of commerce. I have a very, very strong interest in sport and tourism. And anyone who knows me knows that I'm passionate about our environment.

02:41:00 and community. Most importantly, I want to sort of jump on what you said, Frank, before about population and growth of the economy. I too understand that we don't need population growth to grow the economy. What we need is to attract the right industries that serve our community and drive economic and job growth, such as health and education infrastructure, agribusiness, high value employment opportunities, opportunities that don't directly, are not directly dependent on population growth. The challenge we're facing at the moment, the challenge is the same as the challenge that we're facing at the moment. Question of how do we absorb growth while maintaining what's important to our community, livability? What won't risk our social and environmental values? What's the best way to leverage?

02:42:00 Our natural assets, but again, without compromising livability and risking what's important to this community, that's the challenge and the opportunity, so totally stoked, as Tom would say, and ready, stoked and ready for this position. It's our opportunity to let people know that we're actually different from local, other local councils and also the opportunity to be part of this powerful lobby group, and it is. It's a powerful lobby group and an opportunity of a lifetime for Noosa to bring to the table issues that are specific to Noosa, so thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Williamson. Councillor Joe. Councillor Jurisevic: Yes, thanks Frank. Look, I'm excited about this. One of the reasons I advocated for rejoining.

02:43:00 The Chancellor managed the opportunity for these working groups, having been a part of this in the past, I've found them extremely beneficial, not only for the round table opportunities of seeing and hearing what is occurring in other councils, but the opportunity to deal with meaningful growth, and I think particularly the new councillors will benefit immensely from the opportunity to meet with other councillors and discuss matters of significance around the table for not only our community, but for the whole community. So I welcome this opportunity. The only disappointment that I see is it's called the South East Queensland Waste Working Group, but not the Waste Reduction Working Group, which is the primary focus of it. So I'll be dragging and kicking and screaming into the 21st century home. And thanks for acknowledging the contribution we've made there, Frank. It was much appreciated. Councillor Wilkie: Yes. Welcome, Councillor. You remission me not to. Councillor Jurisevic: You make a contribution every now and again as well.

02:44:00 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Brian. Councillor Jurisevic: Oh, yes. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: My one-liner is I was very surprised to see we've turned up for a waste working group. Was it obviously not, Brian? Speaker 10: No, no doubt. No doubt. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: With Councillor Drewes again, Councillor Wegener, the next time they make big nominations, it'll be for the Resource Recovery and Reuse Working Group with Biochar added. Thank you. Thanks, Brian. Councillor Wilkie: Karen, did you wish to add anything, or Clare? No, Clare, you've spoken. Karen? Councillor Finzel: Yes, please, Mr Chair. Of course, I'd love to add. This is a fantastic opportunity for this council to step up and be included in this. It's very exciting. And of course, I'm heavily involved, as everyone knows, in arts, culture and heritage. It's a passion that I just enjoy.

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02:45:00

02:45:00 And again, that sector makes a valuable contribution to our community without being dependent on population growth. So it aligns perfectly with that. I think it's a great opportunity. It's a great opportunity to identify and nurture and promote our uniqueness at Noosa while being part of a broader network. And just the think tank and the generation of ideas to complement each of us and where we're heading. I think, yes, we've got to think global and act local. So I'm really excited and feel greatly in a position of privilege to represent our community at this auspicious table. So thank you, everybody. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Karen. Mayor Clare, do you wish to close? Speaker 3: Just to say I think this is a fantastic, great opportunity. It's great that all of us or a number of us can be involved. And I think that we're going to benefit. But I also think that the S&Q will benefit from the knowledge that we will bring to the table in the form of Joe, Tom, Karen and Amelia.

02:46:00 So I thank them for their contributions and because this will be another body of work. But it's great. It's great to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, but also to maintain our individuality, which no doubt those forms will. So thank you very much. Exciting. It's great. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. Thank you. Clare. All in favour? That's unanimous. Councillor Finzel: That's a yes from me. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Karen. That's unanimous. Councillor Finzel: One twist. Councillor Wilkie: All right. Councillor Jurisevic: That's unanimous. Speaker 3: She's got her own voice in the well with her voice and then the week with me. Councillor Wilkie: Yeah. Speaker 3: So I'm in and out. I'm hearing you. I'm in and out. Councillor Wilkie: Right. Item Eight, which is the Financial Performance Report and we have Pauline Coles with us today. Is that correct? Yes. Hello, Pauline. Welcome. Thank you. Give us an overview, please. How are we looking? Speaker 6: Sure. Good afternoon, Councillor. First thing to note in regards to the January 2022 financial statements is that they now reflect the Budget Review 2 numbers that were adopted by Council earlier in January.

02:47:00 Councillor's financial performance year-to-date to January is still tracking above budget with our operating result currently $3.5 million above budget year-to-date, with $1.8 million of this being driven by revenue. In this regard, the waste utility charges are $444,000 over budget year-to-date, with the second rates run occurring in January. As identified previously, we've seen the type and number of waste bins change compared to our original modelling as businesses reopen after COVID lockdowns. This has been offset a little bit by lower than budgeted general rates, which are down $179,000 year-to-date. Development Assessment, Building and Funding Appointments. These applications continue to track strongly above budget, and this is due in part to the strong property market in Noosa driving increased house renovations and property redevelopment reconfigurations.

02:48:00 This also flows through the change of ownership fees, which are also $43,000 above budget year-to-date. Holiday Park Renews continue to exceed budget. However, it should be noted that this is offset by additional variable operational costs. Sales of Recyclables. Recyclables continue to track above budget due to higher volumes and prices that we're getting for recycled metal sales. Operational expenditure is tracking below budget by $1.7 million, which is also contributing favourably to our operating result year-to-date. This is comprised by lower than budget employee costs year-to-date due to vacant positions and several facility closures due to COVID. Materials and services are also below budget by $890,000. This is due to some delays in the delivery of environmental service projects and library and gallery projects, as well as lower contracting services related to concrete crushing and mulching and similar bin purchases.

02:49:00 And as mentioned before, Holiday Park costs are above budget, so this is in line with the higher revenues. Capital Revenue continues to remain on track year-to-date. However, capital expenditure is tracking below budget. This is due to some time issues around project delivery. At this stage, however, we are still expecting these projects to be delivered in this financial year. Speaker 5: So, I would walk out and continue to be in a strong position for the 2022 financial year. Councillor Wilkie: Okay, questions, councillors? Clare? Speaker 3: Thank you, Mr Chair. Pauline, just a question. You said we're in a strong financial position. How are we going to keep going in the future? Can you elaborate a bit more on that, going into the 2022-23 budget? Speaker 6: So, at this stage, we're collating the draft budget, which has only just closed.

02:50:00 So, we have quite a lot of work to do on that. We are still aiming, obviously, for a break even in our 2023 budget position, as we always do in council. Based on where we're currently forecasting, we have for this current year forecasted a small deficit of $631,000. However, based on some of the year-to-date savings, it is possible that we may do better than that. So, we'll have to wait until June to see where we end up. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: But you're not going to say it's a surplus, Pauline? Speaker 6: Not until we're there. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Councillor Wegener: Tom? I have a question, Pauline. On a bigger scale, all of life is more expensive, it seems. Food, pencils, petrol, like everything you go out and buy seems to be more expensive, yet our budget seems to not be affected by this. How is that possible? Am I missing something here? Speaker 6: If you're not missing anything, I wouldn't say that it's necessarily not impacting on council.

02:51:00 Some of the, I suppose, underspends that we're seeing are around timing. And so, in terms of those delivering those projects, until those projects are delivered, we won't know any impact. We have noted, obviously, some impacts on the capital program, where we have actually bought forward additional budget and deferred some projects to allow for additional costs due to increased pricing on those projects. And that was dealt with at the budget review. Councillor Wilkie: Councillor Joe, you have a question? Councillor Jurisevic: No. I find that a challenging statement, Councillor Whitton, given that we've been reviewing and having the number of projects that are having cost implications of late coming before council. Councillor Jurisevic: And the added capital expenses associated with that. As far as the capital expenditure goes, Pauline, it is just a matter of timing with regard to that now being flagged as a below budget item. Because that's the first time this year, given the grandness of our capital works program

02:52:00 and the amount of grants and the like, that we've seen the orange light flag there. Correct. Speaker 6: So, we've had two months where we're below budget and tracking on the capital budget. And that may have somewhat to do with the Christmas holiday period and some COVID impacts in terms of staffing in those projects. We have 30 plus million dollars sitting in commitments in addition to the actual spend on capital projects. So, at this stage, as long as nothing interrupts the delivery timetable for those projects, we should come very close to delivering that program. Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah. As I understand it, a number of significant projects are coming into fruition or near completion in the next few months. Next few months. Yeah. Correct. The other question I have is regard to the measures of financial sustainability. And I'm struggling to find where I've read it. Something to do with BR2. But one of those was actually not within target after BR2, and yet I see here that they all are. Can you clarify that, please? Speaker 6: I'm sorry. I'm just looking for that. Councillor Jurisevic: The table is on page 58.

02:53:00 I recall reading somewhere after BR2 that one of those was not in target. Have I got that wrong? Or is... Speaker 5: I think we had one what was quite local. Speaker 6: We have kind of corrected that slightly. It was delivery of the capital program. We were a bit behind, I think. Speaker 7: I can probably step in there and well in your path, Pauline. So, with phase review two, we adopted a slight operating deficit. So, our operating surplus ratio, which the year-to-date track is on page 63, we are budgeting by the end of the year if we do meet budget for a minor deficit, which would put us outside the surplus ratio. But as Pauline said, we're tracking quite well. We're three and a half billion budget at the moment. So... Okay. So, that's related to the end-of-year target, not the coming year-to-date status. Correct. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you, Chris. Just legal expenses, page 69.

02:54:00 I know every time a report comes, the legal expenses seem to always be creeping up. No secret. We've got a lot on the table. At the moment, 1.866 million. My question is, where are we up to with our in-house lawyer? Speaker 6: I'm not... I don't know. I know there was an investigation review done of that, and I'm not... I'd have to refer and take that on notice to find out a statement. Councillor Lorentson: That'd be great. Thank you, Pauline. Speaker 6: Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Someone care to move the motion? Councillor Finzel: Mr Chair, I just have a question. Yes, Karen. Thank you. To Pauline, thank you for the report. You delivered it very efficiently. Thank you. You just mentioned library and gallery projects were on the lag. I didn't recall reading that in the report. What are the projects that are lagging there? Speaker 6: I think they're for heritage projects, and I think that's due to some vacancies that they've had over in the library's area.

02:55:00 So I think if they increase their resourcing, they'll be able to deliver those projects. Okay. And where do I find those projects, and where are they listed? They're not... We don't detail them in this particular report, but I can pass that information to you after me. Thank you, Pauline. Councillor Wilkie: Are you moving that, Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: Yes. I'll also answer Councillor Finzel's question in part, if I may. If you read the following report, there's elements of where areas of council are lagging in the report that follows. And one of the areas mentioned in the library is the delivery of text. Okay. And the other area is the mobile library facilitation. Councillor Finzel: Which page does that place council on your ad in it? Councillor Jurisevic: I'll have to go down and have a look, but if you go through the corporate plan, I'm sure it said somewhere in there that the portable library kiosk, the library kiosk were in delay. Councillor Finzel: Oh, that's right. Yes.

02:56:00 Councillor Jurisevic: So I was guessing that that's the area of delay with the libraries. Councillor Wilkie: Can we have a seconder, please? Councillor Jurisevic: And I'll move that. Yeah, once again, thank you. Thank you to the finance staff and to all council staff. We find ourselves in a, once again, in a sound financial position on a month-by-month basis with any areas of concern clearly flagged for everybody to see. Obviously, conservative budgeting enables us to function along these lines and makes the balance sheet work well for the year. But again, through all the challenges of COVID, staff shortages, there's a lot of difficulties and all the rest of it, we still manage to track well and I appreciate the efforts of everybody from CEO down through the entire organisation to keep us functioning as well as we do so that we continue to remain in a sound financial position. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Joe.

02:57:00 Any councillors wish to speak to the motion? Put the motion in those in favour. Councillor Finzel: In favour. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. That's carried. Councillor Finzel: No. Councillor Wilkie: No. Unanimous? Thank you. Next is the Operational Plan Progress Report. The report from Acting CEO, Larry Sengstock. Larry, for those who are listening, could you tell us about the Operational Plan reporting and why it's important? Speaker 8: So, our Operational Plan sits under our Corporate Plan and it's really our go-to in terms of all of our programs and how we report back to council at a reasonable level rather than going down to the absolute planning level or the level of in each of the branches. This is the higher level so we can roll things up and report back to council and provide an opportunity. It's done on a quarterly basis and it's populated by our managers who are in control of various programs within this operational plan and then rolled up through the directors and through

02:58:00 to council. So, it's really just to give you a snapshot. It gives a bit of a traffic light view of it as well as some detail where we think it's needed. Because sometimes things can be on track but there's some nuances in amongst it as well. So, the reporting and it's important to look at both in terms of the words and as well as the traffic light and the overriding statement. But it's a quarterly basis and to be honest, it shows that we've improved over the time in the last quarter. So, we've got, we had 63 on track. We've now got 62 but we've got five completed where we only had one in the last quarter. So, we're just ticking things off which is you'd expect to see. But I think that we're about behind schedule. We've improved that as well.

02:59:00 There are three not started but one of those is particularly the corporate plan that those things have been pushed back because we're waiting for the, or making the decision to delay those until the new CEO starts. So that they can be involved in that process. Councillor Wilkie: Is this reporting more comprehensive than what we've received previously on operational quarterly reports? Yes. It's 30 pages. Yeah, that's my understanding. And I don't recall seeing like a comparative amount of staff turnover rate dating back to 2014 and 15 on page 72. That's really interesting. Yeah. We've had, there's some discussion about staff turnover and this year has been the lowest ever. Yeah. Speaker 8: Well, I think we have had those discussions. I think there's probably a bit of a lag in some of that as well. Yeah. In turnover. And this only reports against the permanent positions as well. Okay. So, we have quite a rollover and turnover in terms of our short term contract positions. Yeah. And that goes back to City Council Alliance's point before in terms of what we're trying

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03:00:00 to do is avoid some of that by providing a bit more certainty for people. So, to offer jobs that are two years in the project, sometimes that has to be that. Yeah. That's what the project is. But what it does is people get a year into it and then they start looking for their next opportunity. That opportunity might come along. So, we lose them within 14, 15 months into a two year project. And then we're scrambling for that to catch up as well. So, if you offer them a little bit longer, you keep them for a bit longer and you get the project finished and you find new projects or other things to come through. So, it's a balancing act. But it's something that we're very conscious of and trying to fix. We have done a bit of work in my area in infrastructure services where we've looked at a longer term, over a four year period. So, what's our expenditure over that period as opposed to what's our peak now and what does it look like? Let's try and even that out a bit so we can make sure we give some people some surety and they're going to keep their head down instead of looking for the next job.

03:01:00 Yeah. Councillor Wilkie: Questions for Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: Yeah. Continuing on from that. Thank you. Thank you, Larry. I do note that the point you raised there in the report that the staff turnover only relates to public positions. Given the discussion we had earlier with regard to temporary placements and the like and what you've just alluded to, it would be good to get some concept on how successful temporary positions are in staff retention and how, whether there's a significant loss towards the end or, you know, as people start Councillor Jurisevic: to look at whether the people are staying the full term of their contract or whether we are able to then look at other opportunities within the organisation for extending temporary contracts and the like. Are there, is that something that we can look at? Is that an opportunity for us to get some figures on how temporary positions are doing? Casual positions, I'm not quite as concerned with because I know we have a lot of casual positions related to places like The Knack and the like and that those positions will come and go, although there may be some casual positions that also fit into areas of concern

03:02:00 that we might need to review. Speaker 8: Look, I think it's just a real challenge right now. People are mobile. People are looking for new roles and to step up. It is a kind of like a balancing act in terms of when you put people on contract as opposed to full time, it comes with a whole lot of complications with an organisation as well. So if we decide we want to change direction or do something slightly different, if we've got a lot of people on full time employment and it makes it difficult to do that and we become very sluggish or slow in being able to do that, so it's a balance. You've got to have full time and you've got to have some contract work so you can be a little bit nimble in the new terms. Councillor Jurisevic: I have no qualms with that, Larry. What I wanted was statistics on what losses we had through temporary positions. Speaker 8: No, I'm happy to do that too. Councillor Jurisevic: I'm happy to go through their contracts before we lose them or whether we retain them full

03:03:00 term. Speaker 8: I agree. I think that's a really, that's a good point. So I think that if we have an understanding of that, then we probably can help us to get ahead of the game as well. Councillor Jurisevic: I think it would be a major benefit to understand how temporary positions, the success of otherwise temporary positions with regard to staff retention and the opportunities that present beyond that. How many go on to permanent positions in life? Yeah, no problem. Speaker 8: Happy to look at that and come back. Councillor Jurisevic: All right. I did have another question. Councillor Wegener: Tom. Well, can I, I'm going to speak to the motion because my question is so long and convoluted that. Councillor Wilkie: All right. All right. So we'll have you, will you be happy to move the? Oh. You move the motion and then speak to it? Yeah, I'll move the motion. Okay. Tom's moving it. We have a seconder, please. Seconder, Brian Stockwell. Karen Brady: Tom. Okay. Councillor Wegener: I, I, I think the way I read this, this report is that it's a bit sugar coated because it feels like everything is, is going smoothly and swimmingly and being on track.

03:04:00 And if, for example, development of the news of the Noosa Waste Strategy and it said we're, you know, we're, we're, we'll point to the new manager and it's on track. But I, I, and it is on track as Larry explained. But it's on track to be really, really, really expensive. And it's, it's the, maybe the plan is on track in the planning stages, but there's so much more to this that really isn't on track. We, we, as Chiron says, we desperately need to rearrange the way that the cars go in and, and, and put, put, put the, put the recyclables here and the steel over there, cardboard here, and not make it to the end of the line and dump their, put, put their stuff in the tip until they actually go through these processes. And that's, that's what Chiron needs and he needs more employees to do that. And there's so many other aspects to the Resource Recovery Center, as Joe, we're calling it

03:05:00 now the, the, the Recycling Community Center, RCR, anyway, we, because Joe and I were there, we ended with Rowan at the Biosphere Reserve Foundation, and looking and talking to, to, to Chiron about what needs to be done and my god, there needs to be a lot done, so it's on track. But I don't, I think that's, it's, it, it is on track, but it's not on track in that there's a lot, a lot of work that's got to be done and it should have been done yesterday or last year. And I think that the same goes for, that our carbon footprint, that's on track, but it's, we're actually going backwards as far as emissions. And we're looking at by 2026, as of right now, spending $2.6 million on carbon credits, not to mention the, all the incredible money it's going to take to get our emissions down. So it's going to take $2.6 million. You know, whatever, millions to get our emissions down so that we're not paying $2.6 million

03:06:00 in two point, in, in 2026. So it, I would, I think I'd like to see more accurate reporting of what it's actually going to take to get on track as far as, I think when, when, when I read these reports, what on track actually means, it's, it's almost semantics to say that, you know, that everything is going smoothly on a swimmingly, swimmingly. Because we're on track with, with the group that's going to be looking into this problem, but it's actually the problem is still the problem and we need to look at that more. And these are just two parts that I know a lot about that I'm interested in. And so I'm wondering if there's other aspects to this, to which, which yeah, which, which are on track planning wise, but going over a cliff as far as actual reality is. And so my question would be, I'd like to say, to ask Larry, you know, can, can you, can you respond to that? Sure.

03:07:00 Speaker 8: Sure. And I've had a little bit of time to think about this because we haven't talked, discussed it before. Is that, yes, this is this, this in terms of the, the waste strategy, for example, this is referring and reporting against the development of the strategy as opposed to the development of the implementation. So we're on track with the strategy, the strategy might at the end of it say, we've got to do all these things that are then going to cost us a whole lot of money. So we picked that up in two other areas. So as we're going through this and we understand that there is going to be some costs in a whole lot of these different things, that gets picked up in the, in the long-term financial strategy, in the financial plan that Trent manages. So we, hopefully we identify and we, and we can start to put some things in there. And knowing that in, you know, 2026 is going to be a, a need for a big bucket of money unless we get something else happening before it. And also in our risk, so this should be captured in our risk. So in terms of our financial risks going forward, these are the big pieces that, that, that

03:08:00 get captured in there as well. So in our risk profiles, that's where we, that's where we hopefully capture all of these things as well. So it's a, it's a balance. And that's where as councillors and, and directors and exec, we need to be looking at that and bringing that to the table and understanding it as best we can. There's going to be unknowns, but as best we can, that's where we need to be focused. Councillor Lorentson: And is the opportunity then, Leo, in us, we're about to embark on our corporate, oh, sorry. But is the opportunity, we're about to embark on our corporate plan, so if we want to prioritise initiatives or things that are, that are meaningful and are lagging a little bit behind, the opportunities for us as a council to just come to a united focus. That's what we want to prioritise. Speaker 8: It brings them to the fore, prioritises them, so that's where we're going to actually, and then you hold the line on that. Councillor Lorentson: You're going to hold the line, yeah.

03:09:00 Speaker 5: That sounds like a song. Councillor Wilkie: Brian and then Joe, please. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Oh yeah, so I'm thinking of a similar but different approach to the councillor, Wegner, in that I actually think it's good to see that there is such high levels of adoption and the progress in the process of the key operational plan issues. Except for two. Now those two have been behind schedule since the last term of council. And I want to put it on public record that I don't think that's acceptable. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I don't think there's an excuse of COVID for a community engagement framework. In fact, I think the needing to rejig how we do community consultation within a COVID environment to increase its priority, it's one that keeps on getting pushed to the back. And it's been probably, I would say, at least three years behind. We see nearly every month, we see concerns in one or more of the items that come to us as councils,

03:10:00 the council hasn't sold it well enough. And we know its sensitivity. And we keep on saying that's a nice to do issue. I place community engagement above communications. Yet we as an organisation just keep on investing in communications. Community engagement and public participation is the core of local government. And I expect that to be completed by the end of financial year. The second one is the Noosa River Plan. It, for all intents and purposes, was ready for adoption in January 2022. We sought to engage some of the sectors that felt they weren't engaged previously. So two years later, we haven't seen one step towards finalising that plan.

03:11:00 We set up a steering group. And no doubt they, and I understand, they're doing good work in addressing some of the core issues that we share with Maritime Safety Queensland. But once again, there are other items that three or four years ago, this council adopted a draft policy that we wanted to do more in the river health area that are sitting in abeyance because the plan hasn't been adopted. So once again, I want to put on record that I believe the Noosa River Plan should be adopted by this council by the end of the financial year. That's all I've got to say. Just to see if we've got a hand up. Councillor Wilkie: Joe, then Clare. Mr. Joe you're on mute. Councillor Jurisevic: Do it again. I'll just have it off mute and I'll put it back on mute. I'll ask the CEO and his other hand on, with the infrastructure hand on, just to clarify, the pathways extension here with regard to, on page 86,

03:12:00 The CNLGG Grant Successful Designing Additional Shared Pathway at Noosa Drive, Hulse Lane to Sunshine Beach Road. Is that the pathway that we spoke, we were chopping the other day with regard to the one that is leading down to Hastings Street? The Hulse Lane part is showing me because Hulse Lane is on the other side of Noosa Drive. Speaker 8: My understanding is that's what it is. So it's the Noosa Drive, because we've got the funding, so the co-funding for that one, and that's the planning work that we're doing on that. Councillor Jurisevic: I was assuming that, but the language, you could add Hulse Lane in there through me because it doesn't really go anywhere near Hulse Lane, but I guess that's your conclusion point. Look, I'll concur with Brian, you know, that we've got some areas that we still have to address and some areas that keep getting put back. It's wonderful creating plans and management plans and the like,

03:13:00 but it's the implementation and the action plans that come out of those. And too often we, and I continue to put things forward for budget requests of plans that we have implemented, but have a lack of actual action plans and timeframes to deliver on those that we need to review. I think there's some areas there where we could do some improvements. Whilst the process, progress, the implementation of the Noosaville and Yvonne Eaton Road Landfill Master Plan and development, the new waste strategy are listed as on track. Both are urgent given that we have four years to reach our zero emissions target and waste, the landfill in particular, is a major contributor. We're going to be on a very tight timeframe to deliver on these plans if we don't deliver these plans soon. One of which requires us to deliver $9 million expansion to the landfill sales to cater for the ever expanding levels of waste. So whilst we're on track with that,

03:14:00 fundamentally we've got a long way to go to get to that next stage and that's deliver on these. We again today looked at improved blind box management process and we're looking at now Pinneroo Park to be more specific on an update on the management practices there. So there are plenty of things here that we need to, that we can pat ourselves on the back for and say we're on track, but there's a lot of work to come out of this. And a lot of areas where we perhaps haven't, like I said, possibly appear to be on track with our, in theory, in practice we've got a long way to go. One of the questions I have also of staff and maybe to you Deb, review and refinement of council online request system. My question would be can we be consistent with the method of acknowledgement and response?

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03:15:00 I get emails and SMS texts to staffs in silent requests. We don't have one or the other. We seem to get a variety of them. They don't come in the same way when the request is placed in the same fashion. So things along those lines. Like I said, whilst a lot of things are being undertaken and I, look I applaud the entity for the work that it undertakes and the level and depth of work that we have before us. That are achieving goals. But again, with a lot of areas there's still a lot of work to do. So, onward and upward. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Clare? Speaker 3: Thank you. Thank you Chair. Mary, just a couple of questions in regard to the, I guess it's very thorough and detailed, which is fantastic. Just the report. Just behind schedule on the playground. We're in March. We're nearly in March now. Are we looking to be on track for March for that?

03:16:00 Speaker 8: Yes. Yes. That's my understanding. It's all on track now in terms of the dates that we've set. I think half of my team are going out there to do a walkthrough tomorrow. So I believe it's essentially for intensive purposes completed. Now we've got to do some testing on it. Speaker 3: Okay. And in regard to the parks and playgrounds, I guess number 4.7 or 87, does that include or can that include, because open space, I see we're behind schedule on that one, does the open spaces and the maintenance of Pinaroo Park and Chaplin Park, would that fall under, that would fall under that, wouldn't it, parks? Just about if we want to really focus on opening up those areas, making those open spaces, I guess, more accessible and the livability survey really brought home to us? Speaker 8: Sure. Again, my understanding, if we're talking Pinaroo Park, for example, it has been on

03:17:00 hold to some degree. We've sort of maintained it, but it's been on hold waiting for the development around it before we go into any whole area of design and delivery. But that will be part of the management plan that now Councillor Joe has requested. But in terms of just our overall plan, I think it's going to be a little bit different. I think it's going to be a little bit more open space. I think that's certainly an area, we are very limited in our resources, human resources, to actually take a broader view of that. I've actually questioned that in recent times in terms of some of our playgrounds, who makes the decision on where they should be, what they should be and what they deliver and for whom. And whilst we do it, it's really putting a lot of pressure on our staff because it's not their primary focus. It's their primary role. And so it's something I think we need to focus on going forward. This is going to come out in the corporate plan, but also in the budget planning in terms

03:18:00 of we want more things done. It requires more resource, which requires more money. Can we afford it? What are our priorities? There's a whole lot of that work that's got to happen in the next couple of months. Speaker 3: And last one, Larry. Thank you. That's certainly something that we can revisit. We'll have some really robust discussions around budget time about looking at that as a priority. Yes. Councillor Lorentson: Absolutely. Thank you. Speaker 3: Last question. Not started. Carpenters Lane. Extension of time for development approval. Is there the opportunity to look at that site? I know it's industrial land, but is there any opportunity or any council appetite for the staff to look at that as potential or parts of it as potentially anything else besides industrial? Speaker 8: I think that's on the, again, it's on the books to be looked at very soon, I think,

03:19:00 because of all the work that's going on now, we just need to bring that forward and have a good look at it. I know it's been there for a while, and I know it's one of those ones, but I think that's, again, that corporate plan, if that's the decision we want to take and start to move on some of these things, then we address it. That's all I'd say. I don't have a lot of answer for you on that one. Councillor Wilkie: Just a follow-up question. A follow-up to Claire's question. It was a couple of meeting rounds ago when we moved a motion to investigate suitability of industrial land for affordable social housing. That's right. Yes. But there is that piece of work that's already been done. Yes. Speaker 8: That was probably, I guess, more focused on the back of Noosaville. Oh, was it? Yes. The existing industrial land. Oh. But that certainly takes it in. Yes. It's industrial land, zoned industrial land, and part of the development could be, if that becomes usable space, then the undeveloped industrial land could certainly be incorporated into that. Absolutely.

03:20:00 Speaker 3: Thanks, Larry. Thank you. Thank you. A couple of questions. Councillor Lorentson: Amelia. Yes. Good. Just follow on what Tom, Joe, Brian mentioned. We're lagging a little bit behind, and maybe the report doesn't reflect the actual state of emergency of some of these projects. So is the issue, and I'm looking at the key performance indicators that were developed in 2014, 2015. Is there an opportunity, perhaps, to review the KPIs? Is there an opportunity, perhaps, to review the KPIs? Yes. And... Speaker 8: Make them more relevant? Councillor Lorentson: Just make them a little bit more relevant. So when I read the report on track, it is on track, as assessed against the 2014, 2015 KPIs. It is on track against the timelines that have been agreed upon. So I think everything that was discussed is really relevant, but I don't think the reporting's

03:21:00 inaccurate. I think perhaps the criteria or the KPIs need some discussion or review. Number two is the Oyster Reef Restoration Project, and the Mayor raised this just recently. I note in the report on page 74 that it is going to be presented in the March Planning and Environment Committee meeting for council consideration as to next steps. Can I have some confirmation as to that? Speaker 8: Yes. We are meeting with TNC on that. It's on Friday afternoon. And that's the intent, is to now continue to push that along and bring it back to council with an update on the... Councillor Wilkie: Fantastic. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Karen, you've got your hand up. Your little hand. Councillor Finzel: Yes. Thank you, Mr Chair. Just in follow-up, Larry, with regards to the Hinterland Playground, would you be able to update, if not now, but take it on notice, where we're at with the art component?

03:22:00 With regards to that project, please. Speaker 8: Yes. I've been in a number of conversations about that, but I don't have an update for you, so I'll take that on notice, if that's okay, Councillor. Councillor Finzel: That's fine. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Mayor Clare, did you want to speak to the motion, or you're happy with just having asked the questions? Speaker 3: Yeah. Look, I'll speak to it. Look, thanks, Larry. As Mr Chair alluded to, this is far more in-depth. There are certain aspects that we can work on that are some of the ones that are behind track, and also what Tom has flagged. But there's a lot on, and I want to thank staff for all their hard work, and it's really appreciated, and it's valued. So I want to thank them. And there's some big decisions that we had, and also that a lot of these will fall into our corporate plan, and will drive that, as Brian said, community engagement, customer

03:23:00 service. All those sort of things will form part of that plan. But I do want to acknowledge all the hard work. When you look at something like this in a document of this breadth, you realise how much this council, a small council, really does. And I want to acknowledge and thank staff. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: I'd like to come from that angle as well, Mayor. It's a 30-page report. It's very high level reporting on the enormous quantity of projects that this, the council as an organisation, have underway. And I do agree with the comments made by the councillors that when you read that some of these projects are on track, that is reassuring. But it understates the enormity of the amount of work involved in each and every one. And I would say the state of complexity. I wouldn't necessarily say emergency. But I would say complexity involved in each of the projects.

03:24:00 And when you take even one, for example, support the community with the intensity of usage of the Kin Fin quarry. That's down as on track. But we still have some, the court, the environment court process to go through. And the outcome there is, you know, we've got a lot of work to do. It's not certain. And there's a lot hinging on that. So it does understate the enormity of the work involved. And also, there are some projects that are behind schedule. And just bearing in mind that we are a relatively small council with resources that are allocated around this table by councillors. So we're about to go into a budget process. So it's, that would be the time for us to look at some of these projects that are perhaps behind schedule. And if we're really united in wanting to fast track them, we'd be serious about allocating more resources so that this organisation has the capacity to deliver on them rather than,

03:25:00 yeah, that's all I'll say on that. And I'd like to thank Larry for the report. And please pass on our thanks to the organisation for the great job. We acknowledge it's a huge workload. It's an ambitious workload. And we've delivered on it well. Speaker 8: Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Tom, do you wish to close? Yeah. Well, go ahead. Good question. Speaker 8: Yeah. Oh, sorry. You have a speaker now. Oh, I have a speaker? Councillor Wilkie: Yeah. Is there a question? Yeah, you can ask a question. Councillor Lorentson: Oh, a question. I just, a question to all the councillors and what I tell myself all the time. You know, we are living in strange times and COVID's changed absolutely everything. How we work, how we live, how we're connecting with each other. And question, rhetorical question.

03:26:00 And like I said, something every day I try to do and sometimes not successfully. I always repeat Rupert Murdoch's mantra, be kind on people, tough on issues. And I think we need to be reminded of that. Just given the conversation that we just had. So question is, let's all live by that. Good question. Councillor Wilkie: Karen, I've got you down for only ask questions. Do you wish to speak to the motion? Karen? She's just . Councillor Lorentson: I bet you say. Karen? Councillor Wilkie: Karen, are you there? Karen Finzel? Speaker 4: She's stuck with the hand up.

03:27:00 Councillor Wilkie: Well, we'll move on. Tom, do you wish to close? Councillor Wegener: Yes. I completely agree that it's overwhelming, you know, the amount of work that the council does. It's just so multifaceted that I'm across in-depth a handful of issues, and even those do my head in. So, you know, the CEO, my gosh, you must be a superman to be across all these different things. Joe alluded to the expenses that are coming up, and I think he's right. I mean, we want to do these things that are going to cost a lot. As I mentioned, the waste and carbon, getting our carbon footprint down, but there's also license plate recognition that we're talking about, that Brian's talking about. That's not going to be cheap. The New Safari, I would personally, and my vote is that we take over that as a council, and that's going to be a whopping pile of money as well.

03:28:00 So what I guess is we don't like surprises. Councilors don't like surprises. And I think that we have to be very wary of dropping surprises like this upon the ratepayers, because they're very expensive surprises. And so with the corporate plan, I look forward to addressing these and going forward. But I just, as I said before in the last issue, I think everything is more expensive now, and costs just keep going up. And luckily, we have such an incredibly successful Shire that we are making money off of the developers. And the very, all the fees that we can come in. So we're doing really well. We're lucky there. And I think that actually, I would suspect that a lot of other councils aren't doing as well as us, because they might not have that development going on within their Shires. So I look forward to the new plan. I think that we have some really, really big expenses coming up. And maybe that's our job as councillors, is to go out and to let the public know, hey, man, rates might just go up because we have some really big things that we want to do, and the world is getting more and more expensive, embrace them for that, not lurch it upon them.

03:29:00 So that's it. Yeah, thank you very much, Larry. Thank you for your hard work. And I'm sorry for asking the hard questions, but, you know, I think I'm panicking. I'm a worrywart. You know, in the back of me, I'm always thinking of all the things that can go wrong. And if you don't think anything can go wrong, well, you've obviously, you've overlooked something. Speaker 8: We've lost Karen. And Brian. And Brian. Brian's back. Brian's back now. But Karen, Karen is going to pair in. Karen Brady: Did you have a power out as well, Brian? Speaker 8: No, it's gone. Councillor Wegener: Well, Brian, do you want me to repeat my speech there? Councillor Wilkie: It was excellent.

210 minutes in

03:30:00

03:30:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I'm sure it was motivational and inspirational. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. We'll put the motion. Those in favour? We'll have to just note that Councillor Finzel is offline due to a power problem. That's carried. We now have a confidential session regarding MCU 21 slash 0013 and OPW 21. OPW 21 slash 0031. Planning and Environment Court's field. Joe? Councillor Jurisevic: Mr. Chair, before you move into confidential session, I'd like to declare a declarable conflict of interest. Yes. Which I can't read. Do you want me to? Councillor Wilkie: She's going to try to make it bigger for you, Joe. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. I, Councillor Jurisevic, declare I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as the matter is a planning application for a Denali Street property that is, at least in part, owned by Chris Wright, as I understand it. My family and I have had a close relationship with Chris and his family over the years, and we have lived in towards it.

03:31:00 The major relationship stems from my wife having worked with Chris's wife, Kelly, and the same office where Chris's business is located. Kelly was also the treasurer of the Sunshine Beach State High School, PNC, during my term as PNC president. My wife and I attended Chris and Kelly's wedding, as well as several social gatherings at each other's houses over the years, as our children were close friends and attended the same playgroup and schools growing up. Councillor Wilkie: As a result of my conflict, I will leave the meeting while the matter is considered in the mode of conflict. Thank you, Councillor Joe. Councillor Jurisevic: As a result of that, I persisted the last fight of my wife's return. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. That's the opposite of General Douglas McConkie. Speaker 3: Sorry, Councillor, I wish Councillor Jurisevic a very happy birthday for tomorrow, because he's not coming back. Councillor Wilkie: Okay. Thank you. Speaker 3: I don't know if he even heard it, but anyway, it'll be a birthday to Councillor Jurisevic for tomorrow. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Can we sing happy birthday, or is that not allowed by the short-stained local horse?

03:32:00 Oh, sorry. Speaker 3: No clapping or cheering, Ryan. Councillor Wilkie: He's gone. He's gone now. We'll do without a few clowns. Speaker 8: All right, Karen, we're about to... Councillor Wilkie: Councillor Jurisevic's just declared a conflict of interest. He's left the meeting. We're just about to go into confidential session for the last item. Thank you, Mr Chair. Would someone care to move? I'll move. Move, Councillor Stockwell. Second, Councillor Lorentson. Speaker 5: Second, Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Wilkie: Brian Stockwell, it's moved. That we move into confidential session. That the meeting be closed to the public pursuant to Section 245J, the Local Government Regulation 2012 for the purpose of discussing legal advice obtained by the local government or legal proceedings involving the local government, including, for example, legal proceedings that may be taken by or against the local government. Do you wish to speak to the motion, Councillor Stockwell?

03:33:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: No, I think that's a direct quote out of the relevant legislation there. So why is the project going to close soon? Councillor Wilkie: Okay, I'll put the motion to those in favour. That's unanimous.

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03:45:00

Nothing was transcribed under this heading — a stretch of the recording with no speech the model could make out.

240 minutes in

04:00:00

04:09:00 Thank you. Thank you. We're back. And we're dealing with the Planning and Environment Court Appeal No. BD2677 of 221, Refusal of an Application for Multiple Dwelling Units, Food and Drink Outlet, Indoor Sport and Recreation, Healthcare Service, Office and Operational Works at 30 and 32 Denali Street, Tewantin. And we have a motion, a recommendation that we settle the appeal,

04:10:00 generally in accordance with the following conditions. We have someone move that, please. Move Councillor Lorentson. Move Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Stewart. I'll have you second. We've got Councillor Stewart for that. Any discussion? I'll speak to it. Amelia. Councillor Lorentson: Okay. I was voted down 6-1 on this application and it was a decision that still to this day really upsets me. I'm pleased that the recommendation in front of us is to settle the appeal and allow the applicant to develop 19 small multiple dwelling units, 198 square metres of commercial space. What I'm upset about is that we had an opportunity to work with developers to achieve social housing outcomes. Yes, councillors, it came with a risk.

04:11:00 Low risk but high return for special disability accommodation. Now that choice of allowing for special disability accommodations is left to the applicant. I said it then and I'm going to say it again, my opinion, I believe that we missed an opportunity. What I want to take from this case is that we need to learn that we may be, in our decision making, discouraging and dissentivising developers from considering special disability accommodation or social housing products in Noosa. If we are serious about social and affordable housing, then we need to take this opportunity to better understand the impact. Planning delays, legal costs and onerous conditions and covenants have on housing affordability.

04:12:00 We are either on the bus, councillors, or we are off. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Councillor Morrison. I'll say we're on the bus for social and affordable housing, but it was clear that the applicant didn't want to agree to the conditions that would have ensured social and affordable housing. And that's why it was refused. Hence why we find ourselves in this position today. Any other councillors wish to speak to the motion? Mayor Stewart? Speaker 3: I think, look, I absolutely support the recommendation before us. I think we have to be very careful when we talk about SBA housing. I'm on the board of a charity that specialises in SBA housing. And I can tell you, if you build it, they will come, is not necessarily the mantra. Because we have 6,200 young people with high care needs currently in aged care, in inappropriate accommodation. We have eight spaces as a charity all over Australia and Queensland that we can't fill. So I think we need to look very hard and be very careful about SBA housing, because it

04:13:00 is a very specialised area and it is not necessarily if you build it, they will come. But I'm happy to support the recommendation to settle the appeal today. Thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you, Mayor Stewart. Any other councillors wish to speak to the motion? No. Councillor Lorentson, you wish to close? No. You said everything, thank you. Thank you. Put the motion, those in favour? Karen, you on board? Councillor Finzel: In favour. Thank you, Mr Chair. Councillor Wilkie: Thank you. That's unanimous. And councillors, that is the final item on the agenda for today. I declare the meeting closed. Thank you all for your patience and your excellent contribution.

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