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00:00:00 Councillor Jurisevic: We will, with everybody's indulgence, move ahead to the grants so that the council officer can get away with something this afternoon. We'll start with item 3, no 4, sorry 4, Community Grants Program, Community Projects for Grants, round 2, on page 18 of the agenda. Alison, would you like to give us a bit of an overview on the item? Speaker 2: Yep, sure. Just the overview report. So the purpose of the report is to provide background information and an overview of round 2 of the 2022-23 Community Grants, Project Grants. We received 20 grant applications, total delivery value of $795,541. We're requesting that council considers 12 of these grant applications for the total delivery value of just over $690,000. Which covers 4. We'll cover 4 particular category areas, and each report that we'll go through will actually cover those different category areas.
00:01:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Now the first item, item 4, is the Community Project Grants. Speaker 2: Yep, so that first report is just an overview report of the whole log report categories. Speaker 5: Any questions? I've got a quick question. Sure. With these funds being sourced, when is the next round of funding coming up for community groups to put their hands up again if they missed out or they want more funding? When's our next round? Speaker 2: Yep, yep, so we'll be opening another round in February-March for them to apply, and then we'll have that considered on the 1st of July for the council budget. Thank you. That's right. Speaker 5: Ms. Lawson? Councillor Lorentson: Just in relation to events, $8,600 allocated project purchases or equipment, oh sorry, for community-based festivals or events. Is more money going to be allocated for events? Or is that a conversation to be had as part of our discussions with Tourism Noosa and Budget Deliberations?
00:02:00 I'll address that to the CEO. Yep. Councillor Jurisevic: The events that we have here are community-based events. Councillor Lorentson: They're not for profit. Councillor Jurisevic: Tourism for the not-for-profit organisations, the non-profit community groups. Councillor Lorentson: No, TN also funds not-for-profit. Councillor Jurisevic: They're not what we're discussing here. They're two separate elements, as I understand it. Correct. Councillor Lorentson: Oh, excuse me. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. If you could answer that anyway. Thank you. Speaker 7: Yeah, through the Chair, Councillor Lorentson. Thanks very much for your question. There are two separate funding streams that we currently have, and these are very much community-focused. There are elements of arts and culture events that I think fall over into that. Councillor Lorentson: So Noosa Alive, for example. Speaker 7: Yeah, Noosa Alive would be a very good example of that. What we will do is, as we work further with Tourism Noosa into the future, looking at the funding that we provide to Tourism Noosa for major events, and how we might be able to manage that a little bit better and reduce any overlap that we have within the Council, but with the decision that we have before us this afternoon, that they are two separate funding streams.
00:03:00 Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. Speaker 7: Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Jurisevic: Sorry, Alison, can I just officially confirm the figures of the total of the grants that were received, or half of the grants that were received, and the total, because either I've misheard something, because the total in these reports is 174,512. Speaker 2: Correct, that's what we're recommending, so the 12 projects that we're actually recommending, covering those four category areas. Councillor Jurisevic: I thought I heard a different figure when you were doing your summary. Speaker 2: The figure that I actually supplied to you is the total of delivery figure, so that it makes up the amount of money that we're actually recommending, plus the amount of money that the community organisation will also be contributing. Councillor Jurisevic: So that would be the total of the projects in total with these grants facilitated? Yep, yep. Councillor Wilkie: So that was my question too, so we're giving out 174, but you've recommended that the 12 projects will receive 174? Correct. But the in-kind contribution of cash from community groups makes the total value to the community worth 690, Councillor.
00:04:00 Speaker 2: Absolutely, correct. Yep. For external grant opportunities as well. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you for clarifying. Now again, I heard the figures correctly and misunderstood myself. Any further questions, Councillor? Can I move it? I'll move it. Councillor Stewart, seconded. Councillor Wilkie, all in favour? Thank you. Thank you very much. And we've gone to item 5, Community Program Funding, Community Project Grants Round 2 for Equipment. Speaker 2: Yep, so this is for, so one of the category areas is equipment. We only had three applications put forward of this. But this particular category as such would encourage community organisations to look at external grant opportunities such as Gambling Community Benefit Fund. We're recommending one of these equipments being funded through Council Grants, which is the purchase of the equipment and furniture for Kin Kin Community House. Councillor Jurisevic: And I notice here the two that were not recommended officers will continue to work with the group to investigate and send out funding sources. Speaker 2: Absolutely, yes, correct. Councillor Jurisevic: Any questions, Cabinet?
00:05:00 Can I move that? Speaker 2: Mr Stewart? Councillor Wilkie: Yes. Councillor Jurisevic: Seeing no council, I'm Wilkie. All in favour? Councillor Wilkie: Well, I just want to speak to that. Question and comments. I guess this is to fully support the grant. The Kin Kin Community Group is a very proactive group out there. And the, with the refurbishment of the Kin Kin Community House, I understand, the furniture they had to lose because of contamination from the bats, so they lost tables and chairs, which they had to replace, also get a couple of computers and a printer, as I said, they're a very proactive group, and doing a lot of great work out there, not only do they look after this facility, they also run camping out there, they also look after the hall, and schedule events in the hall. Yes. The markets, there's a lot going on out there, and this will help them, because I believe they're doing a lot of the admin work in their own homes, at the moment, they're using their own printers and computers, so this will be very helpful, and it's a good example of, you know, council helping groups that help themselves as well.
00:06:00 Absolutely, yes. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Any further council? All in favour? Carry on. Thank you. Item six. The community program funding community project grants round two for events. Speaker 2: So yes, this is for community events, as such, so not-for-profit community organisations apply for grant funding to host events, we received three applications coming through, we're recommending two of those applications, so one being Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens, the other one being Rowing Australia, for the 2023 Oceana Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint Championships, and the third one we aren't recommending is the ANZAC Day for Tewantin. Councillor Wilkie: So had they secured the Coastal Rowing event? Yes. They have. Councillor Jurisevic: And the Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens is to fund performances of musicians of the rowing community in the gardens event at the gardens each month. Speaker 2: Yes.
00:07:00 So this is something that we worked through the Connecting Noosa program, we'd love to see it continue, but we'd also like this particular organisation to look at their long-term sustainability for that particular program, so it doesn't rely upon council grants into the future. Excellent. Councillor Lorentson: Just for clarification, these groups can also then apply to Tourism Noosa for funding for marketing, is that correct? Speaker 2: If they're eligible. Yes. So some of those wouldn't be eligible, but yes, certainly the Coastal Rowing would be eligible. Correct. And we would strongly encourage those particular organisations to look at external opportunities as well. Councillor Jurisevic: And those are the sort of opportunities you talked to the groups about where possible and feasible? Yes. Councillor Wilkie: So Tourism Noosa tends to fund events that will bring people from outside the area? Correct. Yes. Councillor Jurisevic: I'm happy to move this. Can I have a seconder? Councillor Wilkie? Can I have a second? Anyone else? All in favour? Carried it down. I see a few. Item 7, Community Program Funding, Community Program Grants Round 2, Infrastructure. Speaker 2: Yes.
00:08:00 So this is any building works for these particular organisations that put through the applications. They must have a 50-50. Councillor Jurisevic: Sorry, elsewhere. Speaker 2: Oh, sorry. Mayor Stewart: Yes. Hi, Councillor Stewart. Before the meeting, I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the funding recommendation for Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club. My son plays Tewantin Noosa Cricket at Tewantin Noosa Cricket and he is a member of the club. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest in it, I do not believe the reason the person could have a perception of violence because I believe I do not stand to receive personal benefit or loss in relation to this funding. Therefore, I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in this decision. Councillor Jurisevic: I'll move that it is in the public interest that Councillor Stewart participates in votes on this matter because the Council believes that Councillor Stewart does not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to the matter, does not have a... Oh, yes. Examples. Speaker 5: Yes. Councillor Jurisevic: And therefore, reasonable purpose of trust, the final decision is made in the public
00:09:00 interest. Councillor Lorentson: I'll second that. Councillor Jurisevic: I, too, have been a member of this club and being a member of an organisation is not a conflict of interest. Being an executive member of an organisation is not a conflict of interest. Being an executive or beyond that level is the level. So, I don't believe there's any concerns here with regards to Councillor Stewart's son playing for the club, being a recipient of the funding as far as the regulation goes. Thanks. But it's... Thank you for clarifying the position. Anybody else? All in favour? Thank you. Councillor Stewart, you may remain in the room. Can I just check? Sorry, Alison. Speaker 2: That's okay. Apologies. So, yeah. Infrastructure, another category, is part of the community project round. It's quite exciting this time round. We've had a number of applications. So, we've had six applications received. So, applications that are put in for this particular round for infrastructure must put in 50% contribution through another means. So that may be cash at bank, in-kind support or external grants, and then we make up the
00:10:00 other remaining 50% or whatever percentage that they're missing out on. So Council, I'm putting forward to Council that six of the applications that were received that we will look to fund. Councillor Jurisevic: I notice that the group of clubs used to reactivate the wall installed a travelling irrigator. I mean, apparently, if the wall wasn't used, I'm assuming they'd be... Well, I know they'd be using that unity water. And we'd be paying the water bill for the fund in that relation. So, one would think that that would be money that would return to the Council in the long term anyway, with not having to pay the water bill and utilising more fall water where available. Speaker 2: So, yeah. Just for clarity, Councillor Jo, we only fund up to $1,000. Councillor Wilkie: Just a question about permaculture. Noosa's aimed to construct a cob building. Will the $25,000 ensure that they're able to complete the building? Speaker 2: So, they would actually have their contribution to it as well. So, $25,000 will allow them to complete. Yes.
00:11:00 Councillor Wilkie: Okay. So, with prices blowing out, they've still got sufficient funds with the $25,000 to complete the job? Speaker 2: That is our hope. Absolutely. So, reading through their application and the knowledge of the community organisation, they should be able to complete the job with that funding. Okay. Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: The Timbiwa Hall installed disability accessible toilet facility at Timbiwa Hall. We're funding $30,000 of that credit grant. What is the overall cost of the Timbiwa Hall upgrade for a disabled toilet? Speaker 2: If I can remember rightly, they're contributing $50,000 of their own cash at bank for this particular project. Councillor Jurisevic: Question for the CEO then. With regard to public facilities like this and the need for disability accessible facilities, does Council have a way forward of facilitating disability compliant facilities and community facilities? Speaker 7: Chair, thank you very much for the question. Our Council, like all Councils, are challenged with changes that are occurring across access
00:12:00 and inclusion. The issue that we face is that a building is built and find at the time, with a certification at the time. It's when we make changes to it that we make changes to it. We're then put into a position that we need to bring that up to compliance. I think that moving forward, our Council will need to audit and ensure that all of our buildings, regardless of age or compliance level at the time, have access and inclusion facilities that are available. Extremely costly, and a cost that our Council will need to ensure that we budget for adequately in the future. But it is an issue, and it's an issue that we need to address, and it's an issue that we need to address, and it's not dissimilar to what we're seeing with changes in sport and female change rooms. Access and inclusion is a big part of what we need to focus on into the future, and historic halls, historic buildings, even our current building was built compliant at the point in time. If we were to build it today, we would have a different standard, and this is what we're
00:13:00 experiencing when we look at our halls and other buildings and facilities. An overall audit, focusing on access and inclusion funding allocated over time in the budget, I think it would be a significant cost to bring all up to standard in a short period of time. But working with our community and doing it. We'll look at our asset management plan, what we have in place already, and how we can enhance that in the future, and start to look at it through the next budget, and how we're funding. Councillor Jurisevic: Let's look at how the program could manage to facilitate all the hard work that's been done over a period of time. Speaker 7: I think so councillor, and I very much hope that through our corporate planning process that we have the ability to be able to look at access and inclusion as a key component of what we take forward in that corporate plan, and embed that in everything that we do. Councillor Jurisevic: One would think there'd be funding available through state, federal funds for opportunities for those sort of things. We've had disability required bus stops being built, which have been funded through, or co-funded by CMR and the like.
00:14:00 So I look forward to the opportunity of seeing those discussions further advanced. Chair, thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much councillor. Councillor Lorentson: Alison, so total cost for the disability access toilet facilities is $80,000, is that correct? Speaker 2: Just having a quick double check, I think it was $80,000 in total. So I know the Tim Bewar Hall Committee are putting forward $50,000 of their own cash at bank. Councillor Lorentson: So they only requested $30,000? Speaker 2: The maximum amount that you can request is $30,000 for this infrastructure projects, yes. Thank you. So they need to find the remaining money elsewhere. Thank you. Councillor Lorentson: Happy to move. I second. Councillor Jurisevic: Any further discussion? All in favour? We always have it. We've covered it endlessly. We'll move on to final eight. Pretty Grants Funding Committee, Project Grants Revenue.
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00:15:00 Mayor Stewart: This is to inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in relation to the funding recommendation to U-Turn Limited. I am the patron of the not-for-profit U-Turn Limited which works in the areas of child safety, homelessness and mental health. Though I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have perception of violence because I have no decision making role at U-Turn. The role of patron is to promote and highlight the valuable work they do and I do not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this funding. Therefore, I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision. Councillor Wilkie: Yeah, happy to move that. It's in the public interest that Councillor Stewart participates and votes in this matter because Council believes that Councillor Stewart does not. Thank you. Thank you. We will not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this funding. Therefore, a reasonable person will trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
00:16:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Do you see that? I second that. Paul Lawrence, sir. Any discussion? No. Lloyd Baber? I think that's the statement made in the room. Alison? Speaker 2: Yes. I'm putting forward another category, which is our last category of program and projects. We did receive eight applications. We're recommending three of those applications where we saw the greatest need. At the end of the day, we had insufficient funds. All the applications went up to the high quality or didn't address the needs required to the total value of $31,728. Councillor Wilkie: Question, Alison. Anyone who's visited the Cooroora Historical Society at Noosa Shire Museum lately will notice that there's a... and a fresh new atmosphere there and the place looks like it's been spring clean and there's a lot more space, a lot more sense of order. I know there was a strategic plan done some while ago about rationalising the collections
00:17:00 out there. Could you just talk a bit briefly about the work that's been going on there and how this funding will help? Speaker 2: I haven't been to the museum. Speaker 3: I'm going to take the... Yeah, take the... I'm going to take the question and answer the question. So we did indeed fund a strategic planning process for the museum given that they were looking to determine what their future would be in a contemporary world where a lot of things of heritage matters have gone digital. So that consultant worked with them and identified a number of areas that they could focus their energy on and one of those was particularly around their collection and going through a process to develop a... a collection development policy that was particularly aligned to Noosa's heritage and going through that in that difficult process of removing some items from the collection and then from that starting to establish new exhibition displays that really told the story of Noosa.
00:18:00 And so there's been some changes in the committee and volunteers there. They've really embraced that and the grant application that you see today is part of that process. It responds exactly to that work that came out of the strategy to provide more contemporary exhibits. Councillor Wilkie: Did they ask for a lot more than that? Does that represent 50% of what they asked for? Speaker 2: So program and project, so it's not a 50-50 like infrastructure related. It was... I think it was pretty much what they actually requested. Yeah. Okay. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Yeah. So you mentioned the U Matter program. It's a bit more detailed on that. What $13,000 will help facilitate in that program? Speaker 2: Yeah. So U Matter program I think is quite an exciting program. It's really focusing around youth with mental health issues.
00:19:00 So supporting our mental health. It's an eight-week program. They'll bring in a facilitator. They'll look at topics such motivational goal setting, resilience building, et cetera. So it's really targeting those young people that are needing that support around mental health. Councillor Jurisevic: 18,000 won't be the table of media. Speaker 2: No. Absolutely not. Councillor Jurisevic: They don't make a contribution towards it. Correct. Do we have an idea what that table value of the program might be? I don't. Speaker 2: Not off the top of your head. Not off the top of my head, apologies. They certainly... It is a contribution towards it and an exciting contribution. I think that council's recognising young people with mental health issues too. Absolutely. Councillor Jurisevic: They're doing... They do do great work. Yeah. And the Christian Catholic Church household planning and education sessions, same sort of thing, 8,190. I'm assuming that's not the total value of the program? Speaker 2: No. No. It's not the total value program. Again, it's a contribution towards the cost. So this is one-on-one facilitation for their food outlet customers. So the food outlet is low-priced food that anyone in the public can actually access.
00:20:00 And this is targeting those people that are quite vulnerable. Councillor Jurisevic: I was trying to value add to those in need. Absolutely. Those in need, having assistance to understand household budgeting better and facilitating that. Speaker 2: Yep. And also any clients that are actually referred as well through other agencies. Councillor Jurisevic: Any other questions, councillor? No. Councillor Wilkie: There was just a question, there's Cooran Earthrights, I see something in the Environment Grant round for Permaculture Gardens, Community Garden at Kings Park, Cooran as well in the Environment Grants? Speaker 2: Just recently. Councillor Wilkie: This morning? Speaker 2: Yeah. Councillor Wilkie: Is this the same application made twice under different awareness systems? Speaker 3: We'd have to take that on notice, Councillor, through the Chair. I'm not aware that we'd take that on notice and get some information back to you.
00:21:00 Councillor Wilkie: In which case, Cooran Earthrights needs some advice. Yep, absolutely. It's only one round at a time, isn't it? Correct. For the same project? Speaker 2: Yep, no one's out. Get some clarity and send them out. Councillor Jurisevic: Any further? All good? Thank you. All in favour? Thank you. Mayor Stewart: Thank you, Ali. Councillor Jurisevic: I think that's it, isn't it? We'll run to the next one. Speaker 8: We'll run to the next one as well, then. All right. Councillor Jurisevic: Item 9, Regional Arts Development Fund, round of three, recommendation 22, 23. Speaker 2: Yep, no problems at all. Yep, so Regional Arts Development Fund, 50% contribution comes from Arts Queensland, the other 50% comes from our operational budget. We were lucky enough to have 72,730 for two rounds. That includes... There's 12, just over 12,000 from a carryover. This round, there's 17 applications that were received.
00:22:00 We're recommending a total value of 38,440 to come forward, which gives us just under half of that to have our second round of Regional Arts Development Fund. So Regional Arts Development Fund doesn't work in a normal financial year as such, because it can add a little bit of confusion there for people. But yeah, this is round one of the 2022-23 budget round. I would like to thank, there's an external committee that actually assesses our Regional Arts Development Fund, a number of new members, and I would like to thank them for their contribution, and also to Council Finzel, too, as a chairperson. Councillor Jurisevic: Just to clarify, there are still... The funds aren't fully spent at this point in time, and that's running at $34,290? Speaker 2: Correct, and then we'll have a secondary round, which allows us a $34,290 to spend. Councillor Jurisevic: Those that weren't successful this farm round will remain and then apply again in the second round, and provide some further information when they're required? Speaker 2: Absolutely.
00:23:00 So some of those applications we'll work with and determine whether they should actually apply for next round, or we look at other opportunities for them as well. So any unsuccessful applicant will always be provided with some sort of recommendation and advice to be able to move forward with. Councillor Wilkie: This is a really good story in terms of the number of applicants. Absolutely. The number of applicants, which is very, very healthy, and it just seems to reflect that increase in activity in the arts and culture sector. We saw some statistics recently, post-COVID, and that was one sector that was thriving through COVID and seems to have emerged even stronger. Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely. So there's 17 applications, too, and they're across a whole diverse portfolio of art forms as well. So I think it's quite exciting in that particular space. That will encourage you more applications through. Yes. Councillor Jurisevic: As do I, for an industry that was heavily impacted during COVID. Yes, absolutely. I think we've seen some re-emerging people getting out there and re-applying their own.
00:24:00 Mayor Spiel is the next member, please. Happy to move it. Yes, Councillor Finzel. Councillor Finzel: Thank you. Just on the back of that, with the attraction of the 17 applicants, I also want to give recognition to the staff that have worked really hard over the couple of RAD committees that we've had through the year to really do continuous improvement and continue to work at those practices to be able to attract that number back. Because they've done a really fantastic job. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you, Councillor. Speaker 2: I'll put that on. Yep. Thank you. Well done. Well done to you. Yeah, Belinda Simonson is our Arts and Cultural Officer, so I'll pass on. Thank you. Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: Where were we? I'm a mover. Councillor Wilkie. Councillor Stewart. No further discussion. All in favour? Thank you very much. Thanks, Alison. Good luck. We'll go back to the beginning of the agenda. I think we'll do this. We'll go back to the final one. Councillor Lorentson: Yep. Councillor Jurisevic: Which is the Free Weekend Bus Trial Exemption.
00:25:00 Welcome, Joanne. Where do we leave this? Okay. Would you like to give us a bit of a rundown on the argument for us? Speaker 4: Yes, thanks. So, the Free Weekend Buses was a 12-month trial, which we had approval from TransLink. As part of that agreement, we must provide them with a 60-days notice regarding the trial outcome and what we plan to do. So, that's this report. So, the trial is actually due – the 12-month trial is beginning in February 2023. So, the purpose of this report is to request an extension of the Free Weekend Buses for a further 12 months to be funded by the Sustainable Transport Levy. And the reason for this is based on the patronage and customer feedback. The trial has been successful at encouraging residents, staff, visitors, workers to use public transport in Noosa on weekends. So, that service is for the five existing TransLink services that travel within the Shire. The inclusion of journeys that travel outside the Shire is an ongoing issue that we have
00:26:00 been well aware of and have on the table with TransLink. We've formally requested advice on how we can include these services, and that's part of their – when they roll out Smart Ticking. So, that's an ongoing discussion with TransLink. Councillor Jurisevic: Have they given us any indication when Smart Ticking may be introduced? Because I've heard lots of stories about credit cards being available soon to facilitate trips and the like. So, I'm assuming that's part of Smart Ticking. Have they given us any – Speaker 4: Not for our area particularly. They have rolled out some trial sites, but – Councillor Jurisevic: Subject to those trials and how that all goes, we'll see the introduction hopefully in the not too distant future. Speaker 4: Yeah. We don't have a definite date, but – Speaker 5: Jo, there's been a lot of talk about the Peregian and not having those ready. Can you talk us through that aspect and why it's quite difficult and what are the constraints? Speaker 4: Yes. So, that's one of the examples where the existing TransLink service actually travels on to Maroochydore.
00:27:00 So, in order to accommodate half in, half out, TransLink is not able to do that with their existing ticketing system. So, that's something that when the Smart Ticking comes in, that's something we can investigate at that point. We do, however, over Christmas and Easter, provide that additional bus service at full cost. So, that's Councils funding the 064 Peregian to Noosa Head service. So, that does operate over the Christmas and Easter holidays, but to do that every weekend Councillor Lorentson: would be very expensive. Can I ask – can I ask, Jo, you've got on page five of the report just weekend patronage and just comparisons between 2021 and 2022. Yes. I think the numbers are self-explanatory and just provide, you know, a little bit of a good story and success of the trial. Have we got more breakdown in that data? Do we know how many visitors and how many residents use the free bus?
00:28:00 Is that data available? Speaker 4: We don't have a breakdown of the type of person that's using it, no. The only breakdown we have is which bus route. So, we can determine the numbers on the 626 versus the 632, but we can't actually – that would actually involve us talking to people getting on and off the bus. I don't think there's even a way for TransLink to determine if it's a visitor or a local or – Councillor Jurisevic: But we do the surveys, don't we? Speaker 4: We do. We have done surveys. Councillor Jurisevic: In that survey, can't we ask the question of what postcode you're on? Speaker 4: Yeah. Well, I mean, we – as part of this report, we did do a survey, a face-to-face survey. Renee was out there on a Sunday morning chatting to people, so there was a small sample size with that. But this – the other one was the Instagram post, so that – we didn't break it down as to resident or non-resident. No. Speaker 5: I thought it was really interesting, Jo, the stats. 94 per cent of respondents was very satisfied and 6 per cent satisfied, and 100 per cent would recommend free weekend buses to others. That was incredible. And the feedback from, you know, the Pomona District Chamber of Commerce was that the
00:29:00 free weekend buses was fantastic, helping to counter socialisation with seniors, and because they go out and about using the free service to access no-civic and Noosa Junction cinema. I mean, that's fantastic. Yes, that was really great. Because that really hits on not just, you know, transport, sustainability, getting out of cars. It talks about social isolation and mental health, which is so – you know, it's been at the forefront of so many people in our community since COVID. So it's so important. Speaker 4: Yeah. Yeah, really good news. Councillor Jurisevic: I'd be interested to know how many kids are making use of the weekend service, so that mum and dad don't have to drive. Yeah. Yeah. And that came up – The social opportunities that it presents. Speaker 4: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, that came up in the Pomona feedback as well, is that it's helping young people from man to man to access coastal areas. Councillor Wilkie: This is quite a momentous decision you're asking us to make, which is, the trial's been very successful, so it'll be no longer a trial, and we're going to extend it for another 12 months. Speaker 4: Subject to Transinc approval.
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00:30:00 Yeah. So that's the next step, is then we will discuss with Transinc more formally, that we would like to extend it for a further 12 months. Councillor Lorentson: So how much, and where are we getting the money from? Speaker 4: So it's pretty much the same as this trial, so $174,000 was what we – Councillor Lorentson: Plus marketing, $200,000. Yeah. Speaker 4: So for $200,000, and then this year we're anticipating that the Transinc estimated costs will be similar, so I've said $180,000, and the marketing again would be similar, so $200,000 that would come out of the sustainable transport levy. Councillor Lorentson: And in the report, it says that the continuation of the free weekend bus will impact levy reserve balances, so are we looking at alternate funding options? Speaker 4: So that would be – so after that next 12 months, that would be for discussion at that point, how we want to fund it ongoing, if you keep going for a further 12 months, or 18 months, or however that is, looking at alternate funding mechanisms at that point. Okay.
00:31:00 Councillor Lorentson: Just as information, recently I spoke for a Year 10 geography class at St Andrews, who were given the task of trying to sort out some of our Noosa historic issues of traffic and congestion. I threw at them a couple of questions about paid parking and public transport. To the question, would they support paid parking? It was unanimous. None of them would. However, if there was paid parking, it would encourage more public transport use. So I'll forward, once I get permission, the study that the kids did, really fantastic stuff, but to me, just when we're talking about change behaviour, and we need to change behaviour to get people to get on public transport, there might actually be a lot of reasons to
00:32:00 discuss paid parking. Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: The other element of that is one of the reasons that people say that they don't like public transport. It doesn't take them to where they want to go, really. Part of the review going forward by transit will be to review the local bus network and where services are provided. I would hope that we've had discussions with transit in that regard. Speaker 4: That would be part of a broader transit network review. It wouldn't be specifically to do with the free weekend buses, necessarily. I wouldn't say that we're getting a lot of negative feedback saying that doesn't take me where I want to go for the purposes of the free weekend buses, but that is sort of always on the cards with transit, because looking at the network overall. Councillor Lorentson: I'd like to move this to the general meeting. Councillor Jurisevic: The general meeting? To the significance of the... Councillor Lorentson: To the significance of the matter. So, just to add an amendment, which I'll discuss in the presence of all the councillors.
00:33:00 Councillor Wilkie: I'll second that. Okay. Joe, the... We're going to see the one millionth passenger soon on the free bus service. Yes. So, that takes into account the free weekend bus passengers as well as the Christmas and Speaker 4: Easter? No, that's actually Christmas and Easter. So, they're going as the holidays. Yeah. We're approaching our millionth passenger probably in January. So, the weekends, the free weekends, we'll probably do something when we approach our half a millionth passenger. So, that's actually separate. Councillor Wilkie: But if you add the free weekend patrons, it's another 170,000. Yeah. So, the million that's already used the free bus service since its introduction. Councillor Jurisevic: With a 50% increase from the first years and second years. Councillor Wilkie: And most... The surveys that have been done indicated that they would have taken a car. Most of them would have taken a car if having a free bus service not been available. Speaker 4: Yes. Yeah. From our Christmas and Easter surveys.
00:34:00 Councillor Wilkie: And the old surveys did indicate, if I remember rightly, a high proportion of residents using the service as well. Councillor Lorentson: Yes. Councillor Wilkie: Yes. And it was funded by the sustainable transport. Maybe it was just at $30. $30. What's the total take per annum for the sustainable transport? It's around 900,000. Is it 900? Speaker 4: Yeah. Councillor Wilkie: About 30,000 rateable properties. $30. I've got to change. Speaker 6: Thank you for the change. It's just over 900,000. Councillor Wilkie: 900,000. And just probably worth noting that a sizeable, significant proportion of that is about 5,265 short-term accommodation businesses. Yes. And there are about 1,700 commercial businesses who also pay the $30 levy. And there are about 1,700 commercial businesses who also pay the sustainable transport levy. So that's a few hundred thousand coming from the sector of the economy that's visitor dependent. So there is some contribution coming in there.
00:35:00 It's not entirely resident funded, or rate part funded, resident rate paid funded. But we will have to look... You're suggesting we will have to look at... We will have to look at either increasing the levy or introducing other revenue streams like paid parking for visitors and number plate recognition in the future. So... Otherwise, we're going to exhaust the levy reserves. Yeah. We're currently carrying out a car parking trial at the moment. So we're investigating to get data to make better decision making. So I think we will bring some data back to inform better decision making. Sorry. Councillor Jurisevic: Yes. I'll just get our finance guru at the back there to chip in his two cents worth on this. Just the trajectory of the journey reserves. Speaker 6: Through the chat now, this is our only levy that is... Sorry. Can I just get a... Councillor Jurisevic: Just come up so I don't forget what you've got to say. Speaker 6: Thank you. Councillor Jurisevic: Excellent.
00:36:00 Speaker 6: Our current levy is currently priced such that our investment in transport initiatives is exceeding the revenue generated. So we're slowly consuming the reserve balance that we have in the levy to fund the ongoing initiatives that Joe and the team are investing in. So at some point within the next three years, on the current trajectory, we're going to have to either look at alternative funding structures or an increase to the levy. And part of the... Obviously, the budget deliberations for 23, 24 and for the subsequent years as well. And as Joe mentioned, once we get through a further trial, we're going to have to look at what our most effective user pays or beneficiary pays options are for funding the progression of these initiatives. Councillor Jurisevic: That's a nice segue into the credit, into the statement I was going to make. If I look on page five, we've got a comparison of 2021 and 2022 weekend cap niche.
00:37:00 In 2021, the weekend cap niche where we had no free weekend buffers other than during the Easter and the holiday periods. We had 72,000. In 2022, we introduced free weekend buses, including the 2022 Easter holiday buses. We increased that to 108,000, an increase of 50% over the paid services. So it's clear that the services do encourage people to take them and that people are willing to get on a bus, particularly... And the feedback that we've got from the surveys that you've done indicate that people are very interested in getting on a bus. Speaker 4: I can also just add to that. Obviously, we had the patronage from February to September because we get a disagreement with transit when we get our... Since we got the October patronage and it was actually our second highest following. I think we had that 19,000 in April. So October was actually our second highest total patronage.
00:38:00 What else to say? I guess as the word gets out there, more people are taking on it. Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: All right. Well, the recommendation for us is to the general committee. Can I... I'll move out. All in favour? Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thank you, John. Thank you. Thanks, James. Speaker 5: Thanks, Frank. Councillor Jurisevic: All right. Two is the contract for the register of pre-qualified supplies for the use of fleet mechanical services... Mechanical repairs and maintenance services. Andrew. Speaker 8: It's not Andrew. It's going to be myself and... Michael. Hello, Michael. Councillor Lorentson: Hello. Speaker 7: Can I make an answer? Speaker 6: Through the chair, I'd just like to introduce our new fleet manager, Michael Dow, who joined us last week. So second week in the job and he's already... So Michael will be taking the helm of our extensive fleet service and moving it forward over
00:39:00 the next few years. Speaker 8: So we're here today we've got a report that has the tender evaluation summary and recommendation to award the contract to a list of suppliers for inclusion to a register of pre-qualified suppliers, ROPS, for provision of fleet mechanical repairs and maintenance services. The categories are 12 of them, I won't read all those through. It's in accordance with section 232 of the local government regulation where we've invited an invitation to tender which attracted 12 responses. So it was a public tender. The assessment identified one of those as non-conforming. We've received responses for all categories except for category 11 and 12 which was the automotive panel repairs. The ROPS is to be awarded to the recommended list for an initial term of 12 months with four options of 12 months to extend, subject to satisfactory performance and sole discretion of Council.
00:40:00 The encouraging point is that we had just under 82% of the suppliers recommended for inclusion are Noosa or Sunshine Coast based. Four of those in Noosa, five in the Sunshine Coast. Um. Councillor Jurisevic: The categories here aren't necessarily standard servicing of the vehicles because I assume that with new vehicles they'd be going back to the manufacturers for their regular services. That's right. So the services here are vehicles that are out of warranty or other services that aren't covered by standard servicing? Councillor Lorentson: Correct. Or specialist work. Councillor Jurisevic: Specialist work. Yep. Councillor Lorentson: Out of curiosity, how do we pay for our fleets? Do we own them outright? Probably a question to you Trent. Do we own them outright? Or are they leased? Speaker 6: Through the Chair, we own all our fleet outright. Um, so we, we obviously do an assessment of our fleet in terms of value for money over whole of life.
00:41:00 Yep. Um, both in terms of purchasing and lease but also in terms of how long we retain the vehicles for in terms of optimal life for resale. Yep. And quality of service. So, but at this point in time, um, all our vehicles are wholly owned by Council. Okay. And will probably continue to be in the short to medium term. Councillor Lorentson: Have we ever, um, looked at just comparing, um, whether leasing our fleets are a more financial, um, a better financial option? Um, my guess is that, um, it's really hard to understand the true cost of a fleet, um, or hard to record those true costs, um, and that leasing options, uh, transparencies, it's much more clearer, you know, if you've got to upgrade or maintain, um, it's easy to pick up. Speaker 6: Um, what's, what's your experience?
00:42:00 Through the Chair, we have quite extensive information and we have a quite a complex financial system. So, and we have, um, some supporting analysis models that help us understand the fleet utilisation, um, fuel usage, tyre usage, servicing frequency. So, we can actually pick up through our system what those true costs are because we actually use that information to also ensure that all our services, whether it's, um, the cost of capital works or, or, or waste or holiday parks, that if they're using fleet, that we embed that in their true costs as well. So, we have some really robust information around that costing. Interesting. Yep. Um, and at this point in time, it's, it's still for majority of, of our vehicles and we do assess it for all the major ones as well. There's still value for money for us to retain ownership and then to gain the resale at the end of life through an auction, through our auction yards, like the major auction yards in Brisbane. Um, now that said, we, we're currently faced with quite a constrained supply chain for lead times for some of our larger major yellow clients.
00:43:00 So, we do have some lead short term, medium term leases in place at the moment because continuity of service is critical for us. Yeah. Particularly for our several operations. Speaker 7: Okay. And through the Chair, Councillor Morrison, while our particular yellow fleet, we're looking dry and we're higher from, from time to time. Um, if we are looking at wholesale leasing of our fleet, um, that would need further approval through Queensland Treasury Corporation. Um, that would also add to our debt balance as well too. Um, local government is very much always in favour of owning our own. Um, but look, where it makes sense financially, um, it doesn't preclude us from undertaking those activities. It's just that there's an additional process if we need to undertake any leasing, um, requirements. But we do have some wet and dry hire that's occurring from the fleet at the moment and then as our direct report of services advise, uh, it's just due to supply chain issues. Um, we would love to get our hands on some new shiny pieces of equipment.
00:44:00 It's just that they're not... Councillor Lorentson: It's not happening. Speaker 7: We can't get them. It's too long. Councillor Lorentson: Yeah. We're still waiting. Yeah. I hear you. Councillor Jurisevic: And I suggest looking at the list before us of, uh, the categories there. Most of these categories wouldn't be covered under, under leasing arrangements. I believe that they'd be, uh, fare and care and maintenance, uh, maintenance duties on vehicles that Council be responsible for. That's correct. Councillor Lorentson: Under warranty. Yeah. Councillor Jurisevic: They're not warrant... They're not things that are covered by warranty or regular, regular maintenance services. They're things like panel beating and, and tyres and things that even when you're leasing a vehicle, you've got to be responsible for regardless. Councillor Wilkie: Sorry, I couldn't, um, quite read the lettering on page 14. Speaker 8: Um, they effectively didn't provide the documentation that we sought as part of the invitation to tender, so we actually got virtually nothing from them. And so even with a follow-up, uh, subsequent... Yes. ...um, we still could not receive... Because we've strongly encouraged suppliers to be on this, so we've made it as easy as
45 minutes in ¶
00:45:00 possible to be on this list, um, and, and based on feedback from suppliers that they might say that it's too difficult. So we've made this one as simple as possible, um, to get as many as we can onto this arrangement. Yeah. Um, but try as we may, um, we couldn't get them across the line. Thank you, Alan. Councillor Wilkie: Uh, also, how does this list of, of, uh, suppliers compare to the previous list? Uh... Any changes? Speaker 8: Well, the previous list was actually quite some time ago, so we haven't had a list for some time now. Um, so this is, we regard, this is a, a new list that we've gone to market with. Um, and to be honest, we've got, what, 11 suppliers. It's a lot less than what we wanted. Um, so much so that we've actually made a note in the report that we'll be seeking to do a refresh in possibly six months' time. Okay. And the refresh, the way that works is we advertise again. We keep what we've got, but it's an advertisement for new...
00:46:00 Supplement, supplement. That's right. Yeah. Fantastic. So rather than make existing suppliers go through that process again, um, we just go out to refresh and add to it. Absolutely. Yeah. And that'll be something we'll do with the majority of our ROPs. Um, again, it's an exercise to try and make it easier for suppliers to get onto our lists. Councillor Wilkie: And what do you put the numbers down to? Do they just stretch thin and... Speaker 8: Ah, I think so. I think we're, we're just at a very busy time that, um, it's just, you know, difficulty. Um, some suppliers have indicated that it's still too difficult for them to complete, um, which is disappointing from our perspective. So we'll just have to keep reassessing our documents to see how we can do better. Um, but I don't know if we can. The documents are quite simple. It's, you know... Councillor Jurisevic: I guess a bit of communication with them just to see where those, those, those issues were and see if there's anything... Speaker 8: Absolutely. And, and I guess going down in the future, we'll start to do tender information sessions again, where we haven't been doing those sessions because of the COVID restrictions.
00:47:00 Um, so we'll start to do presentations, um, make that available to prospective suppliers to come along and see how the process works and what we need. Councillor Wilkie: Are there adequate to service depleted? Speaker 8: Um, yes, but there would be good to have, say, another 10 suppliers. There's a number of suppliers that we regularly lose, use that aren't on here. Um, so, but that doesn't stop us from not using those suppliers. It's just that we, um, we're disadvantaged. We don't get the benefits of having them on our ROPs. Because the ROPs, they're pre-qualified. You know, we've got their insurances. We've got their licences if they're applicable. Um, so we can engage quickly, uh, where we need to. Um, because this arrangement's used two ways. One, to jump in quickly if we need to for urgent items. Or two, seek, uh, a longer term arrangement off this arrangement so where we can lock them in for 12 months under a better rate again. Um, that sort of scenario. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Any further questions? No.
00:48:00 I'm happy to move. I'm sick of that. We've got three. We're the good, we're the good students, hey. There's no further discussion. All in favour? Thanks. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you very much. Councillor Jurisevic: Thank you. Thank you, guys. You're welcome. Thank you. And, Justin, thank you for your patience. I'm waiting till the end of the day. Item three. Contract award for Microsoft Enterprise Agreement software licensing. That gives a bit of an overview on why we have to go through the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement software licensing. Speaker 1: Yes. How do you do the papers? So, larger enterprises like councils and governments procure their Microsoft software through a enterprise agreement. It has a discounted pricing rate. It also allows you to, um, consume the licensing, assign the licences very quickly. You're not having to raise orders. You can do it through a portal. So, it helps us enable new staff to be working. It does give Microsoft some rights. For example, they can audit us, potentially.
00:49:00 Come in and say, you know, what you've got installed. Now, we do, it's a mandatory three-year agreement. We've been doing these agreements since 2014. We use data three because they're on the, um, federal, state, local, bi-annual agreement. So, it's not complex. It's about a month-long negotiation, discussion, investigation. What have we got? What are we consuming? How are we consuming it? What devices are we using? And they then provide a quotation. So, I do have to advise that I was told late yesterday, and in a meeting with Microsoft this morning, that they have made an error in the, in the quotation. And, um, Microsoft has made an error in the, in the quotation. They are seeking to have the internal approvals to, um, give us a discount to retain the pricing.
00:50:00 We have said that I do not want to change the pricing. It's not in our favour, the error. So, I would ask that the recommendation delegate authority to the CEO to approve the procurement once that negotiation is complete. The, when we were negotiating with data three, they provided two options. One was to keep our existing lines. One was to keep our existing licensing. Another one was to upgrade some licensing to get additional security capabilities. And that was actually $6,000 less than retaining our existing licensing. So, we said, of course, we want to do that. That ultimately was a error on their part. So, the outcome is potentially they give us that extra capability within the existing quotation. We negotiate something or we don't do that extra capability and, um, go back to that quote, which would be $6,000 less than the error.
00:51:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Given that, um, given that Mr City Manager, we need to, um, look at the recommendations and see whether we're able to make any changes. Yes. Speaker 5: Sorry, sorry, sorry. It's only, the discrepancy is the $6,000. Or is it more? She said, not in our favour. Speaker 1: Uh, third chair, the discrepancy is more, uh, but Microsoft is endeavouring to resolve it internally. So, we, uh, hit with the difference. Speaker 5: With the capabilities or with the extra security capability? Speaker 1: Yes. So, the capabilities, for example, would give us a different, uh, security software on the PCs. That's integrated with Microsoft's cloud. So, we could say, um, these documents are, uh, restricted, so you can't email them or, um, share them via cloud services. So, it, it would give us additional controls above what we have now.
00:52:00 So, it would be desirable that we get them bundled, but ultimately, if we can't resolve that discrepancy in the, uh, pricing, we would. Councillor Jurisevic: Are we looking at resolving that before Christmas or? Speaker 1: I, I have to resolve it soon because our agreement expires on the 1st of January. Mm. So, we have to have a new agreement in place by then to be within, sort of, licencing arrangements, uh, copyright agreements. So, they're working on it, uh, right now. Councillor Wilkie: Mr Chair, looking at some complexities around this. Mm. I'd like us to move to general. Because I'd like to hear some more information. I was going to suggest something. Councillor Jurisevic: So, the recommendation by, uh, the, uh, the, um. Councillor Wilkie: The, the referred to general committee. The, the, the request to refer to general committee by Councillor Wilkie, and I said Councillor Jurisevic: I'll second that. So, we'll get further information. We'll get a bit more information for, uh, and that way all the councillors will be aware of the, the situation as well. Speaker 1: Yeah, I apologise.
00:53:00 I, I received email, uh, advice about that discrepancy, uh, at 4 o'clock yesterday and at the meeting this morning with Microsoft. And, uh. Councillor Jurisevic: I think you might need more time to get a, a bit of a handle on what's going on. Yeah. It's a bit more of a run up date. Yeah. By the next meeting. Yeah. Alright. So. You want to maintain good faith with your supplier. Absolutely. Councillor Lorentson: Absolutely. Councillor Jurisevic: The, the question is, I mean, but, you know, we've got, um, Microsoft devices. I mean, what, what, what's the alternative to that? Yeah. It's alright. Speaker 1: There are places that have tried to do different things. Um, Munich over in Europe famously decided to throw Microsoft out and do, uh, open source Linux alternatives. Mm. And I believe that eventually was unsuccessful and they've ultimately gone back to Microsoft. Uh. The Microsoft licensing is fundamental to everything. It's on the PCs. It's our phone system. It's the project management software used by infrastructure. Councillor Jurisevic: So, the ability to negotiate, the negotiation with your Microsoft price.
00:54:00 Speaker 5: So, Justin's is really just about the differentiation in price. Speaker 1: Yes, it is. So, they've made an error in the pricing they notified me about late yesterday and this morning. Sure. They are seeking to just, uh, sort that inside Microsoft internally. Yeah. And if not, there'll be some sort of negotiation about what we're gonna do or whether we just revert to our previous licensing. Councillor Jurisevic: Alright. We'll, we'll wait, we'll wait the, uh, general committee meeting to see what, uh, what further information, if there is any further information you can, you can provide. Councillor Lorentson: Yeah. Just unfortunate it just came in at 4 o'clock yesterday. Yeah. Otherwise, we'd have a report with the accurate, um, amount. It seems like it's a, a genuine mistake. I'm hoping it is and, um, we can move forward. Yeah. Speaker 1: Yeah. The email was posted from, uh, about 3, I think 2.30 yesterday. I didn't see it. It wasn't a scam, Justin. I didn't see it. No, no, no. Councillor Lorentson: That's funny. Speaker 5: That's why we need the additional. Councillor Lorentson: Yeah. Move to general.
00:55:00 Councillor Jurisevic: Alright. So, uh, move seconded. We have all councillors, uh, in favour. Move carried unanimously. That is the last item on the agenda. Thank you, Justin. Councillor Lorentson: Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Trish. Thanks, Trish. Thanks, guys.