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00:00:00 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: The petition is signed by 284 people, of which 265 were Noosa Shire Council region, 19 from other local government areas. The petition specifically asks that, in line with the aim of the association, which is to encourage participation of the community, natural resource management and governing bodies in protection and conservation of Noosa Coastal Reserves, it is that Noosa Shire Council takes immediate action in relation to the incursion into Marcus Beach Coastal Reserve by property owners on number 33 and 35 Tristania Drive, Marcus Beach, as outlined above, at the cost of the property owners. Two, the Noosa Shire Council takes proactive, zero-times approach to illegal appropriation of public land, degradation of public lands, removal of native vegetation, the unauthorised planting of public land and the dumping of rubbish on public land. They also take proactive, zero-times approach to the creation of natural landfill on public land. The response to the petition was overwhelming with only four people declining to sign.
00:01:00 There's only four people declining to sign. This is an ongoing issue, one that other bush care groups, like Dunlisha Bush Beach and Creek Care group, just to the north of this line. Councillor Wilkie: I should second that. I'll second that for you. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: They first brought similar issues to my attention in January 2009. That next budget, I unsuccessfully tried to get a council audit of these issues. We did agree at that time to prepare a coastal management plan and drive compliance in an educated way along the foreshore. Now we have got that after four years, we have got very close to a draft coastal management plan and we are aware that within that coastal management plan there will be a recommendation for a compliance policy about encroachments that won't just address Eastern Beaches, it
00:02:00 will address the whole of the Shire. However the petitioners are quite right to bring it to our attention because several years ago we did make a commitment that while we would wait for the plan to look at the issue holistically, any new encroachments would be addressed and appropriate action taken. And it's really important to understand what this means, it's going on to public coastal foreshore reserve. And even if it's only 10 square metres, a vacant block sold before the last boom on the oceanfront and the cost of that block was $17,777 per square metre. So if you're using the coastal foreshore, it might not be quite that valuable but it's going to be at least $10,000 per square metre of public land that you're appropriating for private use and to me that's not on. So I refer the petition to the CEO for appropriate action. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Stockwell.
00:03:00 All in favour? Good manners. Thank you. There are no notified motions, there are no presentations but we have one deputation and we welcome Judy Tulloch, Barry Cottrell and Chris Hanson to the meeting to speak on behalf of the Marcus Bushcare Group. Please be advised that as per our standing orders 15 minutes has been allocated for your deputation. Thank you. And we thank you for being with us and talking to us. So if you'd like to come up and talk to the table. Thank you. Speaker 1: So good evening, Mayor and Councillors. Thank you for giving me, Chris Hanson and Barry Cottrell, the opportunity to present this to Council. Do you want to move that so it's more to the side? Mayor Stewart: I'll remind the audience to please huddle their feet. Thank you. There we go. Speaker 1: Thank you, Brian.
00:04:00 Our delegation refers specifically to the Marcus Beach Coastal Reserve but I do want to point out that the issues raised are pertinent to all nature reserves the Council has responsibility for. So I've just been introduced as Judy Tulloch and I'm speaking as the lead petitioner on this petition. I'm also president of Marcus Beach Bushcare Association which organised the petition. So as we've said that the petition asks the Council to take some immediate action on the incursions and changes to habitat at the Marcus Beach Coastal Reserve. We want the Council to take a zero tolerance approach to illegal appropriation land and the degradation of land which is public land. I think it's important for the Council and for Councillors to understand how and why Marcus Beach Bushcare Association became involved in this issue.
00:05:00 The issue was initiated initially, was initially raised with the Council by members of our community. So after no action from Council, several people contacted the MBBA looking for help. I think it's fair to say that had the matter been handled in a timely and expeditious manner by the Council in the first place, our organisation would not have become involved. However, having become involved, we decided to go back to the community and gauge by way of a petition what people thought about incursions and the interference with the Marcus Beach Coastal Reserve. The results were overwhelmingly in favour of the Council taking action, stronger action in this area. And as Brian alluded to, basically it was almost unanimous in the people that we asked.
00:06:00 The petition was signed by 260, well it's now nine, we had a few more people come, and 19 non-residents. We chose a networking approach rather than a traditional one. We wanted to be more aware of this issue. So what this delegation is asking from the Council tonight is a proactive approach, an approach that shows leadership and that shows a strong commitment to fulfilling their obligation of maintaining the coastal and other nature reserves. They need to have clear enforceable policies and procedures together with the resources to implement them. Now this is largely an operational matter. It does not require public consultation.
00:07:00 It does not need a report done on whether or not it's necessary. It does not need to wait until the coastal management plan is completed. We are asking the Council to act now, to start now, and to set a precedent for the future. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, I'll pass it over to Chris. Chris Hanson: Thanks Chris. Unfortunately I printed out the one copy for everybody in the absence of not having a PowerPoint. But good evening and thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Chris. My name is Chris Hanson and I'm a consultant ecologist specialising in flora ecology. And I'm here to provide a brief summation of the importance of dune ecosystems and the threats to dune vegetation that impact their long term suitability and viability, stability and viability. The shoreline, our beaches, change naturally over time. They can be subjected to gradual recession or accretion, while at times they are markedly
00:08:00 impacted by major storm events such as east coast lows and the remnants of tropical cyclones. The incipient, or the beachside dune, where present, and the seaward face of the fordune are critical components of the dune ecosystem as they provide a reservoir of sand that helps replenish the beach following erosion events, and they act as a barrier against tidal surges, waves and saltwater inundation. However, dune ecosystems also include the landward side of the fordune, swales and the hind dunes, which work collaboratively to provide an important morphological environment for the beach and ecological transition from marine to terrestrial environment. Dune vegetation, which is widely regarded as an integral system providing floristic diversity and habitat fauna, can be analysed as a resilient shelter, a bunker. The flora species within the primary zone, the incipient dune, colonise lower parts of the beach and trap abrasive sand particles, forming a foundation.
00:09:00 The fordune represents an elevated wall that can be colonised by secondary zone species trees and shrubs, or small shrubs, to provide a wind deflecting awning near the shoreline. Finally, a roof forms from the growth of tertiary species, further elevating wind and providing increased shelter to vegetation in the high zone, and indeed housing further inland. Figure 1 within the document that I've supplied to Council provides a schematic representation of that collaboration of all of these vegetative and important elements. The effectiveness of dune plants in stabilising dune ecosystems is a key factor in the development of sustainable and generally regarded as their primary value. Dune vegetation, which also provides landscape aesthetic and minimises property losses and damage due to sand drift, is critical in maintaining coastal sediment budgets and shoreline stability. Threats that dune vegetation cannot tolerate include, but are not limited to, one, dumping
00:10:00 of organic and inorganic refuse, which smothers existing vegetation and prevents natural regeneration as well as potentially impacting wildlife. Two, mismanagement of landscaping activities, such as mowing, as this destroys regenerating plants and potentially spreads weed seeds. Topsoiling, as this prevents free drainage, is unsuitable for the growth of natural dune species and potentially introduces soil and plant pathogens. Four, excessive fertilisation, as this can be toxic to some dune species, encourage the establishment of weeds, impact soil biota, and result in possible eutrophication of swathes that support important hydrophilic species. Five, introduction of unsuitable plant species, which disrupt and displace natural vegetation. In the document provided in attachment A is some photo examples of the colonisation of broad-leaved pepper tree, Shinus terebinthifolius, which is having drastic impacts, particularly
00:11:00 on those swathes that I mentioned previously. Six, the establishment of turf. Which does not have the ability to trap windblown sand, and cannot withstand burial or excessive salt spray, and when stressed, inevitably will die, leaving bare sand which is prone to wind erosion and potential blowouts. And seven, obviously, development, public and private. Building on the importance of dune vegetation, and with deference to regulatory mapping produced by the Queensland Government, it should be noted that the bulk of the dune ecosystem in Peregian Beach and Marcus Beach is mapped as category B regulated vegetation that is representative of the regional ecosystem, or RE 12214, and protected under Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999. There are also areas of vegetation within the broader distribution of this regional ecosystem that are representative of RE 1227. And although too small to map at the Queensland Herbarium's 1 in 100 mapping scale, these
00:12:00 patches of paperbark forest can be considered a component of the Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest of New South Wales. The most important area of the area is the Queensland Threatened Ecological Community, which is listed as endangered under the Commonwealth's EPVC Act. Furthermore, the bulk of the dune ecosystem in these areas is also mapped by the Queensland Government as essential habitat for glossy black cockatoo, as well as three acid-flobbed species, and a high risk area on protected plants to trigger muck. So this mapping further exemplifies the importance of maintaining the health of our coastal forages, and that they should be treated as important in developing the ecosystem. Thank you very much, Chris. Mayor Stewart: Chris, we hope that your document has been tabled. Thank you very much. Barry, thank you. There are eight copies there. Speaker 4: All right. I'll just check it. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Barry. Speaker 4: I suspect it's the President of Preaching Beach Community.
00:13:00 Thank you. We are talking about private encroachment on the dunes on public land for which Council has trustee. Council by inaction in which risks breaching its trustee responsibilities. And Council approval of excessive site coverage is encouraging encroachment, barbecues, play equipment, chairs, chairs for the Lord's dinner, chairs for the service of staff, We are proud to present the new project, the Noosa Junction, which will adversely impact the dunes. Noosa's vegetated frontal dunes provide a critical buffer to storm surges and high tide erosion, as you've heard, and can be protected by legislative setbacks and healthy, mature, deep-rooted native species. The dunes are impacted by people and weeds.
00:14:00 People need to access the dunes to use the beaches, but there is a state planning policy which needs to be complied with, and that policy regulates encroachments and infrastructure. The eastern beaches communities have been trying to get council to act on private infrastructure and encroachments on the dunes for years without success. Volunteers have worked for years to remove escaped and introduced weed pests and replant native species with limited council assistance. Encroachments, on the other hand, frequently remove native species and introduce weeds as well as infrastructure for private use. There are individuals who live abutting this precious public land who respect and contribute to dune management. They are not the problem. The problem is caused by land owners acting in their private interests without authority
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00:15:00 or understanding of the damage they cause. Council needs a transparent approval removal policy process based on community benefit with locality and building compliant requirements. Reduced site coverage and improved setbacks from the dunes should also be implemented to reduce encroachment. Private infrastructure on the dunes with private keep out signs have been reported to local laws who have partly acted and then backed off because they say council does not have a policy. PBCA in November 2020 wrote a state planning policy, compliant policy for you, sent it to council, but we continue to be told to wait for the foreshore management plan. Well, we know that exists, but it's still not a public document
00:16:00 and we're still not implemented and apparently, again, deferred. Meanwhile, detrimental private infrastructure and encroachment continues to occur. What more can individuals, bush care groups and the community do to achieve the stopping of unlawful private infrastructure and encroachment? Council is good at planning. Community, however, wants council to actually stop private infrastructure and encroachment on the dunes. Council, in action over the years, has allowed many examples of serious dune infrastructure and encroachment, especially at Sunshine Beach, where council appears afraid to confront. Neighbours are now apparently pointing to the encroachments to further justify further encroachments.
00:17:00 This is the undesirable result of council inaction, more, not fewer encroachments. The new, sorry, the Gold Coast City Council at Hedges Avenue years ago recognised and fixed a similar problem. Infrastructure can be appropriate when it provides the community access to the beach and the view and is located at a public beach access, provided it is appropriately built, relocatable and sited as far back from the high tide mark as is possible. That's the state planning policy. It can be privately built and funded, but must benefit the community. Its siting should also recognise the need to avoid dune erosion and damage to flora. Banting on the dunes should only occur with council approval and with appropriate native species.
00:18:00 Other chairs and tables and lighting, et cetera, for private purposes do not comply as community infrastructure and should be ordered to be removed from public land. As council staff are blaming a lack of policy for this debate, we ask councillors to make a policy, and then to require staff to get out of the office and implement it before it's too late. The alternative is to again delay and defer, resulting in further damage and the community can continue to be disappointed. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you very much. Thank you, Barry. Thank you, Judy. Thank you, Chris. We appreciate you being here. And we've tabled all the documents that we've put forward. Thank you. That brings us to item eight on page four of the agenda, which is the consideration of committee reports. Thank you. First, we have the Planning and Environment Committee recommendations.
00:19:00 These start on page four of the agenda. Item one is referred to the general committee. Item two, Planning and Environment Court Appeal number D129 of 2022, application for short stay living under local law number one and subordinate local law number one. Administration, 2015. Number two, Gannett Street, Peregian Beach. Three, Planning and Environment Court Appeal number D130 slash 22 of 2022. Application for short stay living under local law number one, subordinate local law number one. Administration, 2015. Number one slash six, Crank Street, Sunshine Beach. Four, planning applications decided by delegated authority report August 2022.
00:20:00 Councillor Lorentson: Hi Clare, I can't see the screen, but this is in regards to a conflict of interest I have. I inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter, as my... You should be able to see it now. Can you see it now, Mayor? Oh, thank you. I, Councillor Lorentson, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in regards to item 33 on the delegated report, as the applicant is Mark Bain Constructions and Mark Bain and the Bain family are family friends. We have attended social events together and our children have attended school together. As a result of my conflict of interest, I will leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. My camera's on mute and I'll also look away. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Can I have a movement for report number four, please? Councillor Stockwell, seconded Councillor Finzel, all in favour? Thank you. Mr. Cedar. Would you like to text Councillor Lorentson to return to the room?
00:21:00 Carried unanimous. Carried unanimous. Thank you, Linda. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I actually have a point of order. I believe Councillor Lorentson's attendance via AMS teams requires a motion to ratify that being acceptable. We've never done that before. Yes, we have. Speaker 2: Not when I'm in. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Since after the State Government finished its requirement. Speaker 2: Madam Mayor, I think it is good practice. If there is some conjecture, I think at the very least, it's good practice that the Council accepts that Councillor Lorentson is joining us via teams. I suppose then through the Chair, also Councillor Stockwell, that in the attendance, the Mayor advised, which was resolved upon at that time as well too. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: If you think it's fine, that's just historically we always did that. Speaker 2: I think it's proven that we very much just, the meeting then has the ability to be able to accept formally. Mayor Stewart: My reflection was when I zoomed in from June, New Zealand, there was no such motion, but
00:22:00 I'm happy to, for prudence sake. I move that Councillor Lorentson join the meeting by teams. I'll second. Thank you all in favour. Unanimous. Thank you, Linda. Councillor Jurisevic: And on a point of order with regard to the minutes there, if I may, CEO, Councillor Lorentson not being in the room, should not be recorded as leaving the meeting room, but perhaps leaving the meeting room. Mayor Stewart: Thank you for your attention to detail, Councillor Drisvich. We will move Councillor Lorentson away until Councillor Anston can return. Speaker 2: Done. I'll just text her. Mayor Stewart: I'm banking him. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. I will move the adoption of the Planning and Environment Committee recommendation. So I have a seconder. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. Moved except we're dealt with by separate members. We're dealt with separately. All in favour? Carried unanimously.
00:23:00 Thank you. Next are the Services and Organisation Committee recommendations on page six of the agenda. Item one was referred to the General Committee. Item two, Noosa River Holiday Park Management Services Tender T000082. Item three, Noosa Shire Council sole and specialised supplier list. Councillor Lorentson. Councillor Lorentson: I, Councillor Lorentson, agree with that. Item four, the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter as my husband, Chris Lawrenson, is an employee of Page Furnishes Pty Ltd who are proposed to be included on the specified supplier list. As a result of my conflict of interest I will now leave the meeting room while the matter is considered and voted on. Mayor Stewart: Okay. So Councillor Lorentson, just to note, will turn mute and turn her camera off. I'll move the recommendation of number three. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Finzel. All in favour? Unanimous. Thank you, Elinda. Mr CEO, could we please take a second?
00:24:00 Back in. Thanks Claire. Thank you, Elinda. Item four was referred to the General Committee. Item five, 2022 Annual Disaster Management Report. Item six, the J, full year report to June, to 30 June 2022. Item seven, Noosa Leisure Centre, full report to 30 June 2022. Item eight, Croy Butter Factory Management Update, 2022. So moved. Thank you, Councillor Druppage. Seconder? Councillor Stockwell. Thank you. All in favour? Thank you. That is unanimous. Elinda. Now to the General Committee recommendations which start on page eight of our agenda. Item one, 132008.176.04. Application for extension to currency period for a development permit for material change of use of premises, resort development comprising a multiple dwelling, 109 dwelling units and
00:25:00 accommodation building, 90 accommodation units and ancillary facilities at three and seven Serenity Close, Noosa Heads. Item two, T000074, Noosa North Shore Ferry Service Tender. Would anyone like to move anything in regard to that? I'll move an amendment. Councillor Lorentson: Clare? Thank you, Councillor. Mayor Stewart: Lawrence? Councillor Lorentson: Okay. That A reads, award the contract T00074 for the provision of the Noosa North Shore Ferry Service to Dygas Den Investment Pty Ltd, commencing from 1 July 2024 for a term of 20 years for a commencing annual fixed fee of $2,485,368 plus GST and a revenue share component of 5% above the annual fixed fee in the tender described as Tender 2 in the report, noting the successful respondents expressed willingness to incorporate emerging propulsion technologies
00:26:00 for the service. And E to be added to read, authorised the CEO to engage in future negotiations to explore the feasibility of partnership with new service provider to bring forward the implementation of emerging propulsion technologies. We're supported by council policy or an adopted strategy. I'll second that. Councillor Lorentson? The amendment basically just takes into account all the concerns raised by all of us at the general meeting regarding future technologies. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Anyone else would like to speak to this motion or amendment? Okay. We'll put it to a vote. All in favour? That is used. This is unanimous. Thank you. That brings us back to the original.
00:27:00 So we'll vote. That forms part of the stand of motion. No, that is a motion. Yes, sorry. Thank you, Councillor Lorentson. Item 3, advertising spending policy. Item 4, DBW21-0216, application for building works for a dwelling house at 60 Seaview Terrace Line. Item 5, the development of the property at Sunshine Beach, which was deferred from the general meeting for more information. We welcome Patrick and Leo up to the table to give us a further update and more information on this application. Patrick, thank you. Leo? Speaker 3: Through the Chair, we've recently received an advice from the applicant that they are stopping the clock on this application, which means that no decision has been made on this application until the clock breaks and menses. So it's my suggestion that it puts it back into the officer realm and that further debate
00:28:00 and discussion on the application will be with the applicant and officers. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. So we've got a question for the CEO. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Steve? I should, shouldn't I? Yeah. Now the matter has been stopped, we can't debate the merits. We can't debate the merits. What would be the appropriate process if it happened to be that a majority of councillors believed there was no planning merit to go against the planning scheme and improve any relaxations in terms of building height or building site cut? Speaker 2: Through the Chair, Councillor Stockwell, I think we would need, because we would look at every individual application on its merits, when it returns to the council table, I think it's important then that the council by majority is able to put that opinion forward and it's resolved upon. That would then become the resolution of the council. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: So just to follow up the question, there's no way we can give the applicant an indication if that was the case that any redesign should probably take that on board?
00:29:00 Speaker 2: Through the Chair, I'm sure the applicant is maybe watching at this point in time and has heard what you've said. Officers are noting that as well too. And they will defer that through their discussions. But I don't believe that it would be appropriate while the clock has stopped that we pass any further resolutions on the matter. Speaker 3: Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Any other questions? Councillor Wilkie: I think we need a seconder. Mayor Stewart: I will move a motion. Yes. The council made the report by the Graduate Development Planner to the General Committee meeting dated 24th October 2022 regarding application number DBW21-0216 for a development permit for Building Works, Thwelling House situated at 60 Seabue Terrace, Sunshine Beach. I note that the applicant has stopped decision period pursuant to the Planning Act 2016 in order to provide additional information to council for assessment. Thank you, council.
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00:30:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Can we add the word the? Has stopped the decision period? Mayor Stewart: Has stopped the? Second last sentence. Second last sentence. Is that acceptable? Okay. Thank you. Lovely. Thanks, Elinda. Would anyone else like to speak to this? All in favour? That's unanimous. Item 5, MCU 22-0067, Representations to Development Permit and Material Change of Use for Short-Term Accommodation at 401 Sunrise Road, Timbeawar, which was also deferred from the general meeting for more information. Again, we have Patrick and Leo to give us a further update and more information on this application. Thanks, Patrick. Speaker 3: Thank you, Chair. With this application, the applicant has requested that the decision-making period be extended to allow further negotiation between themselves and council officers. Council planning staff don't object to that request to extend the decision-making period.
00:31:00 Mayor Stewart: Thanks, Patrick. Anyone have any questions? Councillor Jurisevic: No, but I'll move the motion. I'll move the motion on the board that council note the report by the Graduate Development Planner to the General Committee meeting dated 24 October 2022 regarding representations. The development approval, MCU 22-0067 for material change of use, short-term accommodation situated at 401 Sunrise Road, Timbeawar, and A, defer the consideration of the application to allow for further negotiation between the applicant and council officers with a further report to be provided to a future council meeting. Thank you. And B, note the report is provided in accordance with Section 63.5 of the Planning Act of 2016. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Bissett. Just for clarification, Councillor Finzel is seconded to that. Okay. Okay, Councillor Bissett. Very, very sorry. Would anyone else like to speak to this? No. Okay. Would anyone else like to speak to this? Okay. All in favour? Unanimous. Thank you. Speaker 2: Can we just hear from Councillor Lorentson? Mayor Stewart: Oh, Amelia. Pardon. Amelia. Councillor Lorentson. Yes? Yes. Yes, thanks. Thank you.
00:32:00 All right. Item 6, MCU 16-0044.02, application for minor change to development approval, digital hub at 255 David Lowe Way. Item 7, Noosa River Oyster Ecosystem Restoration Project Final Report, which is also deferred to the Ordinary Meeting for more information. And we have a recommendation that was laid on the table by Councillor Stockwell and seconded by Councillor Jurisevic, that Kim is here to update us. Thank you, Kim. Councillor Jurisevic: Sorry, Madam Chairman. Is that you, or? Mayor Stewart: I think it's Thunder. Councillor Jurisevic: No, the noise coming through, it is. I think that's right. Mayor Stewart: It's Amelia. Speaker 2: It's Amelia. Yeah, we've asked Amelia to meet from time to time. Mayor Stewart: Thank you. And Trent, we have Trent, too. That sounds like him. That's Thunder. That's Thunder. That's Thunder. It wasn't about Thunder. I was hearing voices. All these times there were storms. Just, yeah. Speaker 6: Okay. Councillor Jurisevic: I was hearing voices. Speaker 6: Kim. Yes, Councillors. At the General Meeting on Monday, you requested further information specifically about the financials for the first payment, milestone payment, that Council made to TNC under the Alliance and Funding Agreement.
00:33:00 We have since received further invoices from TNC, as well as salary information, and that information has all been provided to the Director of Corporate Services. Who might want to step in at this point and let you know what his assessment is. Thanks, Trent. Speaker 5: Through the Chair. As Director of Sustainable Development indicated, we received all those additional invoices and that additional transactional salary information. I reviewed that from a finance perspective. And all the invoices and the salary information totals, not only to the first milestone payment, but information to the first milestone payment. The information is all provided up to date to the current status today in terms of close of project, and it totals up to the value of the total arrangement.
00:34:00 So, in terms of an audit of the financial information, the information provided is clear that it provides sufficient information to validate the claim for the grant payment. Mayor Stewart: Thanks, Trezor. This will confirm that the information provided met the Council resolution. Speaker 5: Through the Chair, that's correct. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Trent. Only Councillor Stockwell has spoken to this motion, the motion before us, which we have. Would anyone else like to speak to this motion? Councillor Wilkie: Madam Mayor, thank you. Look, this report has been a long time coming, and it is with great gratification and satisfaction that we've got to this point.
00:35:00 And it's worth noting. It is a milestone. This project is about caring for country. Noosa Council has consistently supported the Oyster Reef Restoration Initiative because we embrace the obligation and the opportunity, as contemporary custodians, to protect, restore and enhance this community's land and water-based ecosystems within legal reach of our care and responsibility. We understand that, as a community, it is our responsibility to protect, restore and maintain the land that just as forests clean the air and provide habitat for land-based animals, oyster reefs clarify the water and provide habitat for marine creatures, improving water quality and enriching marine biodiversity. We appreciate that, once factually informed of the impacts of human activity on our community's natural assets, doing nothing is not an option. The report by Dr Ruth Thurston of the University of Queensland showed oyster reefs were once abundant throughout the Noosa River system, as were vastly greater numbers of fish and fish. The seagrass survey indicated that, in our lifetime, between 1987 and 2020, the decline
00:36:00 in Noosa's seagrass has been up to 100% in some areas. Noosa Council is proud to support evidence- and science-backed initiatives like this one that aim to restore and leave our natural assets in a better shape for future generations. And partnerships are the best way to tackle complex and ambitious projects requiring high-level expertise, permits for something that's never been done before. And community education programs. This oyster reef restoration project is backed by arguably the most extensive partnership involving the most contributors ever seen in Noosa Shire. Noosa Council has consistently aimed to play its part in working with three levels of government – the world's leading environmental organisation, the Nature Conservancy, the Traditional Owners, the Thomas Foundation, and numerous community, business and non-government organisations – to improve the health, resilience and sustainability of our natural assets. I'd like to acknowledge some of the groups involved, that is the Kabi Kabi, the Nature
00:37:00 Conservancy of course, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Noosa Parks Association, Maritime Safety Queensland, Noosa Environmental Education Hub, Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, Noosa Community Biosphere Association, Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Tourism Noosa, Resource Recovery Australia, Noosa Landcare, OZFISH, and our partners in the community. The Great Naturalist Sir David Attenborough has consistently urged communities and all levels of government to do everything in their power to address the decline in our life-sustaining ecosystems and biodiversity. To this end, the Federal Government also responded by granting $20 million to the TNC to help restore oyster reefs around Australia because they understand these projects strengthen communities and economies while protecting biodiversity. TNC is dedicated to protecting the environment and the environment. TNC has dedicated $1.2 million of this $20 million to Noosa Reef Building on top of the
00:38:00 $1.2 million already contributed and that matches the $1.2 million contribution from Noosa Council. Noosa is one of at least 13 coastal communities from South East Queensland right around Australia coastline to Perth in Western Australia where the TNC is doing such work. The TNC have the stated aim of rebuilding 60 reefs across southern Australia. Eleven projects have been reported to be completed. It is a privilege to be part of something greater than ourselves that has real potential to set the Noosa River and Australia on a course towards greater aquatic health. And it is a privilege to stand with each and every one of you here today, people who feel the responsibility we have for our natural assets and are prepared to take informed action to care for them. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thanks, Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Iskish? Councillor Jurisevic: Look, I'm not going to reiterate all the thanks to Councillor Wilkie there other than to say to all those entities and people that have been involved and the members of our community
00:39:00 that have been involved in this project a sincere thank you. I wanted to quote something that Uncle Fred said in his welcome to country with regard to how important this was and Brian alluded to this the other day as well. The loss of shellfish reefs in the Noosa River represented a significant loss of ecosystem services to the river. The environmental loss has been accompanied by substantial and economic losses over the past 25 years. The restoration of shellfish reefs represents one of the many steps to improve the water quality of the Noosa River. As evidenced by the number of oyster shell middens that once lined the foreshore. It is apparent that the two Kabi Kabi tribes, the Dullingburra and Pundumbi who occupied the area relied on the oysters as vital protein in their diet. And then the next paragraph is the one that I think is the most significant. Restoration of the shellfish reefs therefore represents a significant reconciliation step to renew the cultural links to the Kabi Kabi to their sea culture.
00:40:00 The benefit of this project to reconciliation as well as to the health and the future of the river has to be recognised in its first stage and I look forward to seeing the potential that this will bring back to the health of the river and the future growth and return of fish habitat. And oysters into the river system. Thank you all that have been involved. Speaker 1: Councillor Wegener. Councillor Wegener: Just quickly, absolute frank, Joe. I don't need to add to what you've said. I just would like to say thank you to everybody and I sincerely look forward to that time when I look out at the river and the life from the oysters and the little fish will create that little bit of texture on the top of the water as you see the fins moving through and the fish are regenerating there in that area. When I was a very young fisherman, when I was working on a fishing boat, the old fashioned
00:41:00 fish finder used to just kind of burn holes in the paper if you'd go up and go out and the captain went and said, oh jeez, look at this. Well, we're going to stop the boat and do a drift over here. And I said, well, I can't see any fish on the fish finder. And he said, well, it's a hard bottom. You get the double echo. Of course there's going to be fish. And that was the first time that it dawned, that it was taught to me that a hard bottom, a rocky bottom in itself creates life. And so this just reminds me of that. So I know what we're going to see in the future. That is the birds diving, the fish coming up, the life rejuvenating in the river. We're very fortunate to enjoy this. We're very fortunate that the Nature Conservancy came and chose us along with the Thomas Foundation to do this in the Parra River. Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Councillor Wegener. Councillor Finzel, would you like to speak to this? No. Councillor Lorentson would you like to speak to this? No, thank you. Councillor Wilkie: Councillor Stockwell would you like to speak to this?
00:42:00 No, I think it's the right of the TNC to give us a document that the Noosa Council write to TNC thanking them for their professionalism and willingness to deliver over and above the requirements of the Alliance and Funding Agreement. I'll second that. I think, Joe, you seconded the first motion. Did I? Sorry, I apologise. Councillor Wegener, second. It's the amendment, not Councillor Wegener. Bucket. Look, it's still a lot of work to be done and this amendment acknowledges the work that has been done and the TNC has always been willing to go the extra mile. They've been partners who have always acted in good faith. They've willingly submitted to the recent external audit by Fulbright and Rose Norton which found that the process and the project was compliant, that there were no red flags and even gave us some suggestions for improvements if an innovative partnership such as this would like to be offered to other groups in the future.
00:43:00 So it has been a valuable exercise. It also acknowledges that their work here is not done. They've agreed to continue monitoring and reporting, spending an extra $1.2 million here out to 2030 their work continues. So this amendment just acknowledges the work's done, their willingness to go the extra mile and that they're going to continue acting here in good faith and see this through. There's probably challenges ahead, there's risks ahead but they've got a risk management plan that they're going to implement and I'm wishing them all the best in that and before I close I'd also like to thank our staff who have been part of this project the whole way as well and their diligence and persistence and patience and professionalism has been unfailing and you bring great credit upon yourselves.
00:44:00 Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Councillor Wilkie. Would anyone else like to speak to the amendment? Councillor Wegener: I'm quite sure that Craig Bohm will be speaking around to do this so perhaps we should give a special thanks to Craig Bohm personally for his efforts through these years. He's just a spectacular person. Speaker 1: Thank you Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Stockwell. Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yeah, I was thinking about something similar so I thank Councillor Wilkie for raising it. I think if I could have meant it I'd say to the members of the council that I think it's right to the TNC partnership and collaborators because as you mentioned in your talk this was TNC engaging with a range of local community groups, industry groups and to get to the final point required everything from people going and working with school children making oyster puppets through to leading-edge scientists doing reviews of the monitoring and evaluation of the project. So it is good to show thanks for what's achieved and I think it's appropriate to go back to that.
45 minutes in ¶
00:45:00 I acknowledge both staff and all the collaborators with TNC. Speaker 1: Thank you Councillor Stockwell. Councillor Jurisevic: I concur. The reason for accepting this is they did go above and beyond. The lengthy time of dealing with state government approvals and the process, which was never as easy as anybody thought in the first place, and the extensive time and diligence required in finally getting through and reaching that milestone and making the project possible deserves praise. It deserves our thanks and gratitude towards TNC and the foundation. So thank you. Mayor Stewart: Councillor Fugel, would you like to talk to this? No, thank you Claire. Alright, we'll put it to a vote. All in favour? This is for the amendment number one. Sorry, be quiet. Councillor Wilkie, you have your right. I'll wear my right. Thank you Councillor Wilkie. All in favour? That is Councillor Wilkie, Wegener, Stockwell, Jurisevic.
00:46:00 Councillor Lorentson, against? Councillor Finzel, Stewart. Councillor Lorentson, what is your vote? Against, please. That is carried. That forms part of the stand of motion. Councillor Stockwell, would you like to close? Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Yeah, I will. This project tells us something about where this community and this council is at. And like the rest of the world, we are looking ahead and saying, how do we regenerate what once was? So post COVID, post 2020, the whole world has really stood back from the era of consumerism and started looking at the era of regeneration. And at a global scale, the review of the International Convention on the Protection of Biodiversity has got a really clear goal that I think should be front and centre in our new cause. And that is our corporate plan, and that is called the Nature Positive.
00:47:00 That is about turning around the trajectory of decline of our biodiversity and by 2030, seeing a positive improvement. Now this council has already achieved the global 30 by 30 goal, which across the world is 30 per cent of nature's ecosystem across the groves protected by 2030. On the land. So our terrestrial target, we are already over 40 per cent. We're aiming for 50 per cent by 2030. But where we haven't achieved is in our aquatic ecosystems. And all the science is telling it that it's still declined. The benthic survey said initially up to 70 per cent decline since the 90s. The seagrass, recent seagrass, decline. Oysters, huge decline. So to put it in context, 13,000 years ago, there was indigenous people living here. And they were all on the same boat. And the river was just forming and oysters just forming.
00:48:00 They lived here for 13,000 years, sustainably harvesting oysters. 13,000. When the white boat came here, along these banks for over 100 metres were huge middens. And when they started to scrape them up to allow the fish to dock, the boats to dock there, they went to 14 foot high. Four metres high for several hundred metres. That's what sustainable resource use looks like over 13,000 years. Within 60 years of European use and frontier economy and dragging out as much as possible, it declined and we're in this power state where estuarine and inshore oyster reef systems are endangered. One of the most endangered ecosystems in Australia. So what we're doing here about trying to be nature positive. To try and turn around that decline and start building for future generations such that
00:49:00 the scenes that Councillor Wegener was so poetically describing can be experienced by future children so that people can come and the time it takes to catch illegal fish is actually reduced to what it is now. The time it takes to actually see some of the rare or endangered fauna is reduced to what it is now, that when we go and do our counts of fish biodiversity, it's increased. And we know from the small scale project to start that oyster reefs and building structure in the rivers is really the field of dreams because when you build it, they do come. The abundance and the diversity around the oyster reef system will increase and it's a great statement to say to our community, we're doing this because we recognise we're really good in our terrestrial ecosystems and we know that four, five, sorry, out of
00:50:00 the top six tourist attractions for this Shire relate to the blue economy so we need to focus in the future on making ourselves nature positive when it comes to our rivers, our wetlands and our beaches. Thanks, Councillor Stewart. Mayor Stewart: We'll put the vote roll in favour. Councillors Wilkie, Wigness. All those in favour? Stokewell? Jurisevic, against? Finzel, Stewart, Lawrence. Motion's carried. Thank you, thank you, Kin, thank you, Grant. We're still on page 10 of the agenda. 8, contract number T0000071, McKinnon Drive Community Sports Facility Replacement Tender Award. Item 9, 2022 flood event recovery funding update. Item 10, Community Disaster Response and Recovery grant. Item 11, Organisational Establishment, and Item 12, Financial Reports, September 2022. Councillor Wilkie: Move to group recommendation, Madam Mayor. Mayor Stewart: Seconded by Councillor Walby, seconded by Councillor Jurisbeach, all in favour?
00:51:00 Carried unanimously, thank you. Amelia? Yes, thank you. We are now on page 11 of the agenda. There are no reports direct to ordinary, there are no confidential items, there are no submissions to public question time. The next ordinary meeting will be held on the 17th of November 2022. I declare the meeting closed at 5.55. Thank you.